Rural ramble: St. Croix curds, cave, Vino in Valley
Former Gov. Anthony Earl in the 1980s dubbed Ellsworth, population 3,200, as Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. The 102-year-old Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery produces 160 pounds […]
travel
New national park, arms/armor museum, inn
Newly published is “The Wisconsin Passage: an Adventure in the Handmade, Homegrown and Historical Offerings of Wisconsin from the Mississippi River to Lake Superior,” a […]
Making magic: Houdini, other tricksters
Would you go out of your way to watch a guy escape from a straitjacket? How about if he was hanging upside-down outdoors, several stories […]
Springfield: politics through Abe’s eyes
The face of Lincoln shows up everywhere in Illinois – brass busts on office desks to bigger-than-life memorials in city parks – but there’s just […]
Valentine ideas, to enhance romance
Maybe you give or get roses by the dozen during this month of love, and that’s fine, but don’t dismiss other ways to freshen up […]
Chicago fans share their fave hidden gems
Spiritual sites, ethnic neighborhoods, down-home food, fine fabrics and Asian art are among your worthwhile reasons for stepping away from the Loop and Magnificent Mile. […]
Chicago food: beyond dawgs, pizza, Bayless
Jazzed-up hot dogs, deep-dish pizza and any product with chef Rick Bayless’ thumbprint are among the foods that make Chicago famous. Add wiener schnitzel from […]
Chicago travel: beyond the Magnificent Mile
For years, I’ve headed to Chicago for day trips or quick overnights – usually taking in the obvious sites and sticking to places tourists congregate. […]
Visit Indy without a Super Bowl game ticket
The next best thing to following your favorite NFL team to the 2012 Super Bowl is shadowing the pre-game action in Indianapolis, which hosts the […]