Page 123 – Wisconsin Life

The residents of New Glarus will celebrate Swiss Independence Day this weekend with a full roster of entertainment, including yodeling. You may think of yodeling as a quaint and dying art, but writer Bart Plantenga, Yodel in Hi-Fi and Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling around the World begs to differ.

Summer Days on the River
Gallery
Summer Days on the River

Culture & History

Summer Days on the River

Long and sunny summer days are what childhood memories are made of. Writer Ron Davis remembers his days on the Wisconsin River.

Swimming Through Wisconsin
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Swimming Through Wisconsin

Food & Travel

Swimming Through Wisconsin

When the weather turns hot and humid, few things feel better than a nice, cool swimming hole. For writer Catherine Jagoe, swimming is a way to explore and understand her surroundings.

Ernie’s Free Tree
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Ernie’s Free Tree

Culture & History

Ernie’s Free Tree

When Ernie Winger of Mequon died, his legacy became what happens under a tree across from his garage. His family and neighbors gather there to share the long and continuing swapping tradition of Ernie’s Free Tree.

Dairy Farmer by Day, Musician by Night
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Dairy Farmer by Day, Musician by Night

The Arts

Dairy Farmer by Day, Musician by Night

By day, Jimmy Voegli runs a fifth generation dairy farm outside New Glarus with his brother. By night, he leads a blues band, The Jimmys. The two jobs have more in common than you might think.

Myths of the Cornfield
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Myths of the Cornfield

Culture & History

Myths of the Cornfield

A field of corn waving in the wind is a familiar summer sight. Writer and farmer Justin Isherwood tells us about the myths of the cornfield.

Wisconsin’s Supper Club Tradition
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Wisconsin’s Supper Club Tradition

Culture & History

Wisconsin’s Supper Club Tradition

It’s Friday and many of us will find ourselves in that most Wisconsin of dining institutions this weekend – the supper club. Writer and filmmaker Ron Faiola shares the history behind the traditional supper club.

Wisconsin’s Maestro Liberace
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Wisconsin’s Maestro Liberace

The Arts

Wisconsin’s Maestro Liberace

Liberace is an American and Wisconsin original. Even decades after his death, he still attracts attention and was the subject of a recent movie. Dean Robbins shares the story of the flamboyant entertainer.

Vicksburg
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Vicksburg

Culture & History

Vicksburg

This week marks the 150th anniversary of the surrender of the Confederate troops at Vicksburg, Mississippi, after a prolonged siege. The Union win of this vital stronghold on the Mississippi River effectively split the Confederacy in half.

Gettysburg
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Gettysburg

Culture & History

Gettysburg

This week marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, an event many believe was a turning point of the Civil War.Colonel Rufus Dawes of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry celebrated his 25th birthday during the battle.

Logrolling
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Logrolling

Sports

Logrolling

This weekend, elite logrollers will descend on Madison’s Lake Wingra for the Midwest Logrolling Championships. Madison’s Shana Martin is a 5-time logrolling and 2-time boom running champion. WPR’s Adam Hirsch went out on the lake to check out this northern sport.

Bat Rescue
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Bat Rescue

Science & Nature

Bat Rescue

Bats emerge from hibernation in the spring, and usually give birth to pups in early summer. Commentator Carrie Rothburd shares the story of one young bat she found in an old stone barn.

FATFAR
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FATFAR

Culture & History

FATFAR

Last weekend more than a thousand people converged on the Chippewa River for a unique father’s day tradition that really doesn’t have anything to do with the holiday at all. Instead the celebration is hailed more as a spurning of winter, a first dip in the cool healing waters, a chance to meet up with friends and toast the summer.

Trout Fishing
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Trout Fishing

The Arts

Trout Fishing

Trout fishing is both a sport and an art. Wisconsin boasts more than 10,000 miles of trout streams, creeks, and rivers. Writer Kevin Searock has devoted his life to fishing and shares some of the wonders he’s seen wading in.