Williams Free Library ...

The most beautiful building in Beaver Dam! This is the original home of the city library. For whatever reason it was "retired" and a new "more modern" facility was built. It now houses the county historical society.

 

I remember my grandmother taking me to the library. We would spend h-o-u-r-s perusing the shelves looking for reading materials. I remember the smells, the dark woodwork, the tables and chairs, the staircase, and all those shelves full of books!

 

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon ... checking out 4-5 books ... head home ... and cozying up with a good book!

Schultz Cheese Haus - Beaver Dam WI

There's sausage and then there's Wisconsin sausage. Being the "dairy state" where else would you purchase cheese, but in Wisconsin! The best place ever to find either of them is at Schultz's Cheese Haus on Hwy. 151 southwest of Beaver Dam. We never ever go to Wisconsin and not make a stop there! This trip we bought a garlic beef sausage and three different types of cheeses - Ghost Habanero, mild cheddar and an apple flavored cheese - AND a bottle of wine (a sweet grape flavor). A box of crackers and our evening meal was in hand!

"Pyramid Club"

This interesting landmark is a former popular "night spot" outside of Beaver Dam WI established in the mid 60's. It was the go to place for the "privileged". That was probably it's downfall. Beaver Dam at that time was a small town of about 10,000 with many of the residents working in the factories ... Green Giant, Monarch Range, or running a dairy farm, etc. Blue collar jobs ... folks that could not realistically afford to go to the "supper club"!

It opened with great fanfare ... those that were members were ecstatic ... those who were not were wondering what a pyramid was doing in the middle of dairy country? As with any new obscure venture, it failed. Ownership changed and it opened to the public and survived for a few years. But then, the economy took a dump ... many owners later and here it sits. Over the years the second floor was converted to owner quarters ... ground level sits empty ... and there is a very faded worn realtor "for sale" yard at highway entrance.

Kind of sad to see ... but you do have to wonder why a "Pyramid"?

Beaver Dam Wisconsin -

One reason for our trip "up home"



525 North Lincoln Avenue

Post Sell Family Ownership

(this is really sad ... this home once was the show place on the block ... now it's the eyesore)

The Lake House - "Lynwood Cove"

Post Bach Family Ownership

(this home is still the show place ... minor changes/upgrades ... owners appreciate it)

Beaver Dam Lake

Our "home" for two nights.

 

I'm glad we made this trip. If for no other reason than to see mother. The town is still recovering from the recession ... downtown area is desolate, a lot of boarded up buildings. Shopping centers are pretty much non-existent. It was sad to see, but within time things may improve.

 

I guess you can't go home, and if you do ... expect change.

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Bound -- Day 1 and 2 -- MacBride State Park (Iowa City IA)

Vacation time! Took our very first "official" road trip with new camper ... easy peasy? white knuckle time? We would soon find out.

First nights goal was West Branch, Iowa -- site of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library. We had visited site several years ago, but arriving one hour before closing didn't give us much time to "visit". Pulled into the Lake MacBride State Park, found our spot and set up "camp".

While there was no "lakeside" camp site we did get to see the lake. Everything was so green and lush (lake is in the back ground).

We ran a few errands before doing the library tour. Stopped at a McDonald's for refreshments ... imagine our surprise when we spotted these treasures from our past!



Because he attended a K-8 one room ... Larry needed to take this picture at the historical park near the Presidential Library.

The library was great. Herbert Hoover was a great humanitarian. Viewed two videos covering his life and presidency ... very, very informative. Artifacts in library were an additional perk.



Re-newed dormer

We have our 19 year old granddaughter Bethany living with us this year while she attends UNL. She moved in some of her belongings when she moved out of the Doane dorm in May, before returning to Ogallala for her summer job. Why we waited until now to strip the wallpaper borders and paint the room I do not know! Talk about poor planning ...

 

Valspar paint - impressed with coverage and cleanup.

Can't really tell from this sample the true color.

While it has "pumpkin" in color label, it is not that orange.

Welcome to our dormer ... a room divided in half.

One half guest room, entry half my office area.

The color has more yellow in it.

My little corner of the world -- pay bills and do correspondence, etc.

Beth's study area - yet to be organized, I think?

Upgraded from a 19" to a 32" inch t.v.

(much better viewing)

Starting to "embellish" her bedroom area ...

evidently posters go up first!

U-m-m-m her "unmade" bed. In her defense she got

back into room last night --- and had to work early

this morning ...

 

Once Beth has finished organizing her end of the room I can get in to dust and vacuum ...

 

Larry and I are so glad this project is finished! 

... marching right along ...

Whenever completing a huge project and before beginning another I like to "wind down" by working on something easy. I decided on a simpler and "already started projected" gifted to me when #2 daughter moved out of state. A easy block pattern using up some of her stash. Luckily she had cut blocks, labeled the rows AND provided layout pattern ... Yeah, my type of project (no thinking required)!

I got this far ... she had only laid out the center of quilt. It only measures 30 inches square so will become a lap quilt. All I need to do is search through my stash and find fabrics appropriate for two borders ... darn ... I need to focus ... guess I didn't think this project through after all!