# 10 in 2005 MARCH 17 and BEYOND !

S.S.F.W.

Something Special from Wisconsin

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To learn more about the other fine products and participants go to
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CONTENTS

1. FREE - WISCONSIN PORTS GUIDE
2. FREE NEW 2005 GREEN LAKE Visitor Guide
3. FREE 27 WISCONSIN COMMUNITY GUIDES
4. VISIT - NEW The Heidel House Getaway Store
5. FREE – NEW - CHEESE COUNTRY GUIDE
6. NEW FREE – MADISON GUIDE Spring & Summer 2005
7. NEW FREE – BAYFIELD GUIDE
8. NEW FREE – ASHLAND & BAYFIELD COUNTY GUIDE
9. NEW FREE – MADELINE ISLAND GUIDE
10. NEW FREE - 2005 WISCONSIN SPRING-SUMMER GUIDE
11. FREE - GREAT WIS BIRDING & NATURE TRAIL GUIDE
12. NEW FREE – PLAY Place The State Game on-line
13. NEW-FREE CANADA –Explore British Columbia’s Landscapes

Happy St. Pats Day! Hope you get your share of the corned beef and cabbage today!

March Madness strikes everyone, but in Wisconsin it’s not just basketball. Golfer’s are scrambling to the Madison Golf Show, auto lovers are dashing to LaCrosse and in Dodgevile it’s Cajun time. Regardless of your passion (yes, don’t miss the Boy’s High School State Basketball Championships in Madison this weekend) plan now and don’t get Mad, get out and get happy. Life’s so good here.

NOW DON’T FORGET THIS ADVICE: I suggest you ALWAYS PHONE AHEAD BEFORE YOU GO. Reservations are a must if space is limited ...and often required. Don't assume anything! Event organizers change plans, times change, classes fill, and lots of things can conspire to get you to somewhere only to find something was canceled. Or everything. So if the event is important to the trip...--Call in advance.

Ok see you soon!

WIN THE BNB GETAWAY Just over one month remains to vote for your favorite B&Bs in the Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards. Two lucky voters will qualify to win either the monthly $100 BedandBreakfast.com gift certificate drawing or the grand prize - a $500 BedandBreakfast.com gift certificate, accepted at 3,600 U.S. B&Bs. Voting ends on April 30, 2005. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards is the first entirely web-based B&B awards program. Those interested in voting should visit http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ and click the voting badge on the home page.

# 10 in 2005 MARCH 17 and BEYOND !

NOW Thru MAY 15

Fireside Dinner Theater 800/477-9505.
(Jefferson Co.)
1131 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson WI
Located on Bus Hwy 26 at the south edge of Fort Atkinson. (Jefferson Co.)
800.477.9505
www.firesidetheatre.com

SPEAKING OF MUSIC....

THROUGH- April 23 Wausau, Wisconsin
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
700 N. 12th Street PH-715-845-7010 Web: www.lywam.org
Always FREE Admission
"William Morris: Myth, Object, and the Animal"
Morris pushes the physical and chemical possibilities of glass to create life-size black ravens, handsome deer heads, and other objects that suggest themes of mythology, archaeology, and the animal kingdom

THRU END OF MARCH

Ice Castle - Eagle River
Every winter, community volunteers working with the local fire department of Eagle River build a magnificent ice castle. The frozen masterpiece, made from more than 3,000 ice blocks, is illuminated with dozens of colored floodlights. This spectacular palace is also lit every evening throughout the winter season (1-800-359-6315)

THROUGH - Mar 20 Neenah/Return to Route 66: Photographs of the Mother Road. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum Tues-Fri 10am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-4:30pm, Sun 1pm-4:30pm. 920/751-4658. (Winnebago Co.)

THROUGH - Jun 5 Madison/Luminations: Sue Gilgen, a local fiber artist, will display her creations inspired by Wisconsin flora and fauna. Instead of paints and brushes, she uses fabric and thread to sew her art together in a quilt-like fashion. Olbrich Botanical Gardens Sundays, 11am-5pm. 608/246-4550. (Dane Co.)

THROUGH - Jun 5 Madison/Don Reitz: Clay, Fire, Salt and Wood: Born in 1929, Don Reitz is recognized as one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of this century. He has pursued a life-long investigation of salt and wood firing of his ceramic pieces in order to preserve the energy and freshness of his artistic marks and gestures. Finding that the texture and unpredictability of salt-firing suited his work, Reitz almost single-handedly revived this neglected technique, and through long experimentation developed a range of colors and surface effects previously unknown in salt-firing. Juggling and manipulating the variables in each firing, Reitz is a virtuoso who relishes knowing what he can control and what he cannot, and his work maintains a fine balance between technical mastery and improvisation. Elvehjem Museum of Art 608/263-2246. (Dane Co.)

March 13-20 Wausau, Wisconsin
Leigh Yawkey Woodson ArtMuseum
700 N. 12th Street PH-715-845-7010 Web: www.lywam.org
Always FREE Admission
"Fire & Ice: Glass Blowing @ the Woodson
A weeklong residency featuring "Aunt Gladys," a portable glass-blowing studio from Southern Illinois University. Public demonstrations every day (call or e-mail museum@lywam.org for specific times) as well as interactive opportunities for children and adults. This program is so hot it's cool!

March 17: Overture After Work series
Rotunda Stage, Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St., Madison
Leave the office behind and join your friends one night a week on Overture’s Rotunda Stage, where local and regional music groups will be featured from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Music will range from blues, jazz and alt-country to soul and funk. A cash bar and appetizers will also available for purchase from Premier Catering.

March 17-19: WIAA State Boys Basketball Tournament
Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton St., Madison
The WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) State Tournaments return to Madison! Catch all the excitement as the state’s best high school boys basketball teams compete for state honors at the Kohl Center.

March 18: Battlefield Band
Luther’s Blues, 1401 University Ave., Madison
Battlefield Band is inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength and vibrancy of today's Scottish cultural scene. Look for a compelling fusion of ancient and modern instruments—bagpipes, fiddle, synthesiser, guitar, flutes, bodhran and accordion. $17 in advance/$20 day of show.

MARCH 18 – MADISON
Badger State Science and Engineering Fair
The fourth annual Badger State Science and Engineering Fair (BSSEF) will convene at the Radisson Hotel, 517 Grand Canyon Drive, Madison, Wis. on Friday, March 18, 2005. The fair features a competition of original science and technology research projects and this year, 38 high school students from around the state are competing in five different categories: Behavioral & Social Sciences; Chemistry/Biochemistry; Biology/ Biotechnology; Physics/Engineering/Math/Computer Science; and Environmental/Earth/Space Science. Entries are judged by a panel of science professionals and teachers on criteria of Creative Ability, Scientific Thought, Thoroughness, Skill and Clarity, and the top three entries of each category will receive cash awards. Detailed judging criteria are posted at www.chem.wisc.edu/~wsef. Pamela Doolittle, President, Wisconsin Science Education Foundation, Inc., 608-262-9679
608-712-1400 Mobile,pssemrad@wisc.edu

Mar 18 Appleton/George Carlin Fox Cities Performing Arts Center: Comedy night. 400 W College Ave. 7pm and 9:30pm. 920/730-3757. (Outagamie Co.)

Mar 18 - Mar 19 Sheboygan/Ice Bowling: Over 3,500 Midwest competitors participate in the annual indoor ice-bowling tournament at Blue Line Ice Center. Live entertainment, food & refreshments available. Spectators welcome. Blue Line Ice Center 920/452-6443. (Sheboygan Co.)

Mar 18 - Mar 20 Kohler/Antiques & Arts Show: Explore a variety of treasures in the Grand Hall of the Great Lakes. Seminars, demonstrations, and appraisals. The American Club 800/344-2838. (Sheboygan Co.)

Mar 18 - Mar 20 La Crosse/Custom Auto Show: Some of the finest street rods in the Midwest shine during the God's Country Racing Association Custom Auto Show. La Crosse Center 608/789-7400. (La Crosse Co.)

Mar 18 - Mar 20 Onalaska/Mississippi Valley Fishing Expo: Trade Show with fishing products and vendors, boat dealers, guides, charters, resorts, seminars by top speakers, kid's activities, fishing boat show, demonstrations, "Virtual Fishing Simulator", trout pond fishing. Omni Center Fri 4-9pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm. 608/781-9566. (La Crosse Co.)

March 18-20: Greater Madison Golf Show
Exhibition Hall, Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison
More than 10,000 area golfers pack this show to learn more about the newest in equipment and apparel, the latest in technique and the hottest in dream golf vacations. Seminars, free lessons and putt-chip-drive competitions are also on the bill. 608/224-0292

Mar 18 - Mar 20 Dodgeville/Cajun Music and Dance Weekend: An educational and fun weekend of authentic cajun music, food and dance. Pre-registration requested. Folklore Village Please call for times. Full Time; Part time as available. 608/924-4000. (Iowa Co.)

Mar 18 - Mar 20 Janesville/Arts & Crafts Show: Shop through the wonderful exhibits, arts & crafts at the Janesville Mall. Janesville Mall. 608/752-2641. (Rock Co.)

Mar 18 - Mar 20 West Allis/Shamrock Shootout (Hockey Tournament): Hockey tournament. Pettit National Ice Center 9am-4pm. 414/266-0100. (Milwaukee Co.)

March 19:Lou & Peter Berryman
Stoughton Opera House, 381 East Main St., Stoughton
Lou and Peter Berryman have produced 12 albums and three song books of their original and hilarious, quirky, yet oddly profound songs, and have toured the US and Canada to rave reviews. The popularity of Lou and Peter Berryman—whose friendship survived a brief marriage in the seventies—is a testament to their intelligent and wickedly funny material which is never bawdy or risqué but is rich with wordplay and witty images. This duo is not to be missed.

March 19: Dane County Winter Farmers' Market
Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., Madison
Don’t forget that you can still enjoy the delicious taste treats of the Dane County Farmers’ Market year round! The market is currently in the Madison Senior Center. A breakfast featuring local food will also be served every Saturday ($6) from 8:30 to approximately 11:00 a.m.

Mar 19 Brantwood/St. Patrick & St. Urho Celebration: Finnish & Irish heritage. Corned beef & cabbage dinner served from 4:30-6:30pm; ethnic decorations & program, music. Brantwood Community Center. 800/269-4505. (Price Co.)

Mar 19 Brodhead/Jaycee Spring Arts and Craft Fair: Two schools and three gyms filled with over 100 booths including folk art, woods, ceramic, pottery and more. Brodhead Middle School and Elementary School 9am-3pm 608/879-2037. (Green Co.)

Mar 19 Cedarburg/Wearable Art Show: Unique jewelry, clothing and accessories come together for a show and sale that should not be missed! Take in shimmering silks, one of a kind textiles, the dazzle of silver and gold. You'll find treasures for yourself or a friend at the annual show in Downtown Historic Cedarburg. Cedarburg Cultural Center Saturday 9:30 - 4 pm 800/237-2874. (Ozaukee Co.)

Mar 19 Hartford/It's a Spring Thing Craft Fair: Annual arts and craft fair to get you ready for spring. Come on out and see what it's all about. All proceeds go to St Kilian School. St Kilian School 9am-3pm. 262/673-4308. (Washington Co.)

Mar 19 Janesville/Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra Concert: Musical performed by a full orchestra. Janesville Performing Arts Center 608/363-2554. (Rock Co.)

Mar 19 Madison/Four Bitchin' Babes: The Babes describe themselves as "one part traveling pajama party, one part hip girl group." Blending folk, blues, ballads and comedy, the wisecracking quartet delights audiences with gorgeous harmonies and humorous tales of modern life. The Madison performance will feature two special guests: Christine Lavine, one of the founding Babes and award-winning songwriter Nancy Moran. Overture Center for the Arts 8pm 608/258-4141. (Dane Co.)

Mar 19 Oregon/Oregon Lioness-Sponsored Craft Fair: Annual fundraiser, with funds going to various community projects (Senior Center & Fire/EMS) and other Lions projects, including Lions Camp and Eye Bank. 9am-2pm. 608/835-5671. (Dane Co.)

Mar 19 Appleton/Artful Empty Bowls - Appleton Art Center: Two hundred will enjoy a special meal of delicious soups, breads and desserts. The soups will be served in handcrafted ceramic bowls that have been generously donated by area potters. Each guest will select a bowl that they will use for the meal; they will then take the "empty" bowl home with them to remind them that they are a part of a caring community doing something about the problem of hunger. Proceeds from Artful Empty Bowls will benefit both Appleton Art Center and America's Second Harvest of Wisconsin. 111 W College Ave. 5:30pm & 7:30 p.m. 920/733-4089. (Outagamie Co.)

Mar 19 Two Rivers/Woodland Dunes Folk Concert Series: Peggy Seeger is a Legendary folksinger and songwriter, March 6. Five Buck Hootenanny offers an evening of local and regional musicians, March 19. Cindy Mangsen & Steve Gillette are favorites that are returning to Woodland Dunes, April 9. 7pm concerts, doors open at 6:30pm 920/793-4007. (Manitowoc Co.)

Mar 19 Appleton/Maple Syrup Saturday: Tours of the Preserve's syrup producing process begin with a hike through the woods for a look at the sugar bush. Last stop will be to see the final processing of the syrup for bottling. After the tour, guests will have the opportunity to taste fresh maple syrup on an ice cream sundae. Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve 10am-3pm. 920/731-6041. (Outagamie Co.)

Mar 19 Chippewa Falls/Annual Spring Arts and Craft Sale: 50-75 vendors display and sell their crafts. McDonell Central High School 9am-3pm. 715/723-9126. (Chippewa Co.)

Mar 19 Tomahawk/Taste of Tomahawk: A microwbrew and wine tasting festival that includes cuisine from local restaurants, cigars, and cheese to tempt your taste buds. Inshalla Country Club 1-5pm. 800/569-2160. (Lincoln Co.)

Mar 19 - Mar 20 Bayfield/Annual Super G Races: Ski races. Mt Ashwabay, Bayfield 715/779-3227. (Bayfield Co.)

Mar 19 - Mar 20 Cedarburg/Cedar Creek Winery & Settlement Open House: Tour, taste and enjoy award-winning wines from Wisconsin. You'll love the barrel tasting with our winemaker. Food demonstrations and more. Visit all 25 shops including artists, restaurants and more. Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm. 800/827-8020. (Ozaukee Co.)

Mar 19 - Mar 20 Newburg/Maple Syrup Magic Open House: Follow a self-guided trail and learn about the history and process of making pure maple syrup. All hikes begin at the west parking lot. Once at the Sugar Inn, you can marvel at Gordon Decker's woodcarving, collect sap, make spiles, and shop for some maple syrup goodies among other things. Your visit will be topped off with a pancake smothered in real maple syrup. If you time it right, you might event meet the illusive sugar dragon. Riveredge Nature Center 10am-3pm. 800/287-8098. (Ozaukee Co.)

Mar 19 - Mar 20 Medford/Sports Show: Vendors show and sell outdoor sports and fishing equipment, tackle, boats, campers, RVs, and ATVs at this 11th annual show. Simek Recreation Center Sat 10am-5:30pm, Sun 10am-3:30pm. 715/748-6655. (Taylor Co.)

Mar 19 - Mar 20 Rhinelander/Home, Garden and Recreation Show: Home improvement displays, boats and campers, demonstrations, food and entertainment. Rhinelander High School Friday, 10am until 4pm. Saturday 10am until 4pm. 800/236-4386. (Oneida Co.)

Mar 19 - Mar 20 De Pere/De Pere Antique Show: Sixty-five select dealers from four states. Quality furniture, military & sporting items, primitives, ladies finery, vintage holiday, reference books. Glass repair. Food & concessions available. St. Norbert College Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. 715/355-5144. (Brown Co.)

Mar 19 - Mar 20 La Crosse/Explore La Crosse Expo: Variety of booths of La Crosse Area attractions and businesses. Valley View Mall 3800 Hwy 16. 800/658-9424. (La Crosse Co.)

March 19-20: Art Glass and Bead Show Exhibition Hall, Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison The show features over 70 vendors dedicated to the art of glass work and beading. Purchase finished one-of-a-kind jewelry, handmade beads, beading supplies, vintage beads and much more! The exhibit runs Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $5 admission. March 19-20 - Plover, WI
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wisconsin River Woodcarvers 5th Woodcarving Show, Sale & Competition
Central Wisconsin's Largest Woodcarving Show. General public can view hand carved wood pieces created by carvers from the Midwest. Demonstrations through out the day. A special hands-on session on beginning carving available for youth. Wood carvings and food available for purchase. Raffle on site. Open to the public. Admission is $1.00 (12 and under free) Elizabeth Inn and Convention Center Hwy. 54 & I-39 - Plover, WI
Contact: Bill Kubisiak 715-344-2274 or Greg Wirtz 715-423-0471

Mar 19 - Mar 21 Wisconsin Rapids/Steel Guitar Show: Steel guitar players from WI, MN, IA, IL, TN, MI, Showcase their talent and bands. Friday night jam in the tavern at Hotel Mead. Main event with dancing and vendors on Sat/Sun held in the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Mead. Hotel Mead. Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-7pm. $10.00 for 1 day or $18.00 for 2 days. Fri night is free. 715/423-0793. (Wood Co.)

Mar 20 Madison/Tim Conway & Harvey Korman: Together Again: Touring for the first time together, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman reunite for "Together Again" to perform classic sketches from the Carol Burnett Show and their most hilarious individual stand-up routines. Special guest star Louise DuArt adds her marvelous impressions. Overture Center for the Arts. 2pm & 5pm. 608/258-4967. (Dane Co.)

Mar 20 Tomahawk/Introduction to Wolves: Participants will learn about wolf ecology and society, pack structure, predator-prey relationship, latest information about the timber wolf in Wisconsin, and about the past, present and future of the wolf, including the myths and misunderstandings. Treehaven 10am-3pm. 715/453-4106. (Lincoln Co.)

Mar 20 Oshkosh/Annual Coin Show: Numismatic Research Society Ltd invites you to buy, sell or trade coins, jewelry and precious metals. 9 am to 5 pm. Free and open to the public. Door prizes. Convention Center - 2 N Main St. 920/231-6161. (Winnebago Co.)

Mar 20 Ripon/Farm Toy and Craft Show: Huge collection of farm toys and dioramas of farm scenes. New and antique farm toys for sale and on display. Dozens of crafter booths, food and prizes. Ripon High School 9am-3pm. 920/748-6764. (Fond du Lac Co.)

Mar 20 - Mar 26 Manitowoc/The Resurrection Celebration: Calvary Players presents the 25th Annual Resurrectin Celebration - the life of Jesus. Capitol Civic Centre 7pm - March 20, 22, 25; 2pm - March 26 920/683-2184. (Manitowoc Co.)

Mar 13 - Mar 27 Oregon/Lambing Time on the Farm: See newborn lambs and learn about these woolly creatures. It may be possible to witness the birth of a lamb. There will be other animals to see and touch. A great springtime experience for the kids. Sheep barn, A-Z Farm Sun only, 10am-4pm. 608/835-5553. (Dane Co.)

March 31- April 1 Wisconsin Film Fest
The schedule for the next Wisconsin Film Festival (March 31–April 3) is now available! Featuring independent, experimental, foreign and documentary films, this popular event brings thousands of attendees to downtown Madison during the four days. Take a look at this year’s diverse line-up of films and other special events at www.wifilmfest.org.

FREE & SPECIAL !

1. FREE-WISCONSIN HARBOR TOWNS GUIDE
   A colorful 44 page guide to all of Wisconsin's Harbor Communities. Free -- call 1-800-627-4896

2. NEW FREE – GREEN LAKE VISITORS GUIDE 2005
   –antiques, walking trails, fishing, golf, shopping, Boat tours. 1-800-253-7354 or info@greenlakecc.com

3. FREE 27 WISCONSIN COMMUNITY TRAVEL GUIDES - ONE STOP ORDERING -It's easy to get area guides for 27 major Wisconsin destinations...with just one request! The Wisconsin Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus has an easy to use order form. Go to http://www.escapetowisconsin.com/modules/city/visitorsguide.php

4. NEW – The Heidel House Getaway Store –
   GREEN LAKE, Wis. – Shopping for great getaways and “the person who has everything” just got easier thanks to a new On-Line Store set up by Heidel House Resort. SHOP IS OPEN OPEN 24/7
   The “shop” is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.heidelhouse.com/store.

5. NEW FREE CHEESE COUNTRY GUIDE -
   – Call for free guide at 1-888-222-9111

6. MADISON GUIDE – FREE 800-373-6376

7. BAYFIELD GUIDE – free- 800-447-4094

8. ASHLAND & BAYFIELD COUNTIES GUIDE 2005 – 800-264-9484 OR 800-472-6338

9. MADELINE ISLAND GUIDE – free 888-475-3386

10. FREE – NEW 2004 SPRING SUMMER- WISCONSIN RECREATION & TRAVEL GUIDES – Phone 1-800-432-TRIP or surf on over to www.travelwisconsin.com

11. NEW FREE – WISCONSIN BIRDING GUIDE & NATURE TRAIL: Lake Superior/Northwoods Edition This is the first of five highway-based viewing guides that includes driving directions, maps, bird descriptions and contact numbers for 87 northern Wisconsin bird spotting hotspots. It’s 72 pages, 6 by 11 inches and full color. Phone 1-800-432-8747 or go to www.travelwisconsin.com.

12. FREE – NEW “Place the State Game” On-line
    Everybody’s an expert! Here’s a fun test of your geo-knowledge. Place the 50 states where they belong on the map. Go ahead – TRY IT! http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html

13. NEW - FREE –Explore British Columbia’s Landscapes
    With a host of expansive ocean vistas, mountainous destinations, hip cities and charming towns, one might wonder where to begin when visiting the Canadian west coast this spring and summer. Well, ponder no longer. With two free 2005 BC Escapes guides shelling out the goods on packages and hotel offers; paired with Tourism British Columbia’s enlightening (and complimentary) Vacation Planner, Outdoor Adventure Guide and Approved Accommodation Guide, the sky and sea offer no limits when you call 1-800 HELLO BC (435-5622) or visit www.HelloBC.com

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Gary Knowles
487 Presidential Ln.
Madison, WI 53711
608-231-3884