# 11 in 2005 MARCH 24 and BEYOND !

S.S.F.W.

Something Special from Wisconsin

We’re proud to announce that GarysGetaways newsletter is now a certified member of the "Something Special from Wisconsin" marketing campaign.
To learn more about the other fine products and participants go to
http://datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/ssfw/

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

Lots of good things to do this week and check the World of Travel below for a free discount coupon for train rides at Osceola.

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.

# 11 in 2005 MARCH 24 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 - 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 25-26: 17th Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Folkstyle Wrestling Championships
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison Don’t miss all the action as 1200 young wrestlers between second and eighth grade take to the mats at Veterans Memorial Coliseum!

March 25-26: The Full Monty
Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St., Madison
Based on the record-breaking 1997 Academy Award-nominated hit of the same name, The Full Monty is the raucous and heartfelt story of six unemployed steelworkers who go to great lengths to make some cash and help out a friend in trouble.

Mar 25 - Mar 27 Elkhart Lake/Easter at The Osthoff: The whole family may participate in this weekend holiday celebration at The Osthoff Resort. An egg decorating workshop, holiday movies, an Easter egg hunt, a spectacular Easter Brunch and an appearance by the Easter Bunny highlight this weekend's celebration. 101 Osthoff Avenue. 800/876-3399. (Sheboygan Co.)

March 26:2005 Madison Area Music Awards
Wisconsin Union Theater, 800 Langdon St., Madison
This is a rocking event that you won’t want to miss. This year celebrates the 2nd annual Madison Area Music Awards. With music performances by The Gomers, DJ Prism, David Muhammad, Know Boundaries, The Profit$, and many more, there will be a genre of music for everyone to enjoy. Madison area groups and artists will compete for several awards including Best Album, Best Artist, Best Vocalist, Best New Artist and many more.

March 26: Easter Egg Hunt
McGaw Park, 5236 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg
Bring the whole family for a wonderfully traditional Easter Egg Hunt at McGaw Park at 1:00 p.m. The event is hosted by the Lion's Club. Please call 608.274.6413 for more information.

March 26: 3rd Annual Easter Hat Parade
Capitol Square, Madison
Celebrate spring! Step lively and join the fun at Madison's 3rd Annual Easter Hat Parade on Capitol Square. The parade takes place at noon, immediately following the Great Dane's famous egg hunt on the Capitol lawn and the Easter petting zoo at Capitol Kids, 8 S. Carroll St. Meet at the West Washington Capitol steps at noon to join the springtime stroll around the Square.

March 26: Plant Sale: Orchids and Spring Pansies
Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
Indulge yourself or someone special with a delicate orchid plant or a spring pansy. A selection of plants and cut orchid flowers will be available for purchase. Delightful pansies, violas, and panolas (a cross between pansies and violas), grown in Olbrich’s own greenhouses, are also for sale.

March 26: Bluegrass Workshops
UW Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., Madison
Don’t miss the bluegrass workshops for players at all levels, conducted by Roland White and Alan Munde. The workshops, a wonderful opportunity for local players to learn from experienced bluegrass professionals, will be tailored to the needs and wishes of the participants. Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to buy a half-price ($7) ticket for evening concert with Roland White, Alan Munde, Jerry Wicentowski and Mark Hembree, at Luther's Blues.

Mar 26 Beloit/Easter Egg Hunt: Sponsored by the Beloit Jaycees, includes egg race, egg hunt, egg toss, face painting, lots of kids activities, large inflatable rides, and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Riverside Park, Riverside Drive. 10am-1pm 608/365-4838. (Rock Co.)

Mar 26 Milwaukee/Music in the Museum: Live music at the museum. Milwaukee Art Museum 5:30pm. Saturday, Mar 26: 2pm. 414/224-3825. (Milwaukee Co.)

Mar 26 Richland Center/Annual Easter Egg Hunt: Children up to 8 years old hunt for Easter Eggs & get prizes. Krouskop Park. 800/422-1318. (Richland Co.)

Mar 26 - Apr 27 Nekoosa/Nekoosa Walleye Days: Four-week walleye catch-and-release fishing tournament. Includes a one-day kid's tournament (4-16) and charity challenge (4-13). Wisconsin River between Nekoosa & Petenwell Dams 715/423-1830. (Wood Co.)

Mar 27 Boscobel/Boscobel Area Open House & Home Show: The Show will be held at the Boscobel High School. Workshops will include the Basics of Business Planning, Business for the Beginner, Furthering Your Education with Southwest Technical School, Balancing Work & Home, and a Dog Pull Demonstration. There will be food served to local entertainment in the cafeteria and a photo contest featuring "Your Favorite Outdoor Activities in the Boscobel Area" displayed in the lobby. The area Girl Scouts will provide child care, earning merit badges while they do projects with the children. 10am-3pm 608/375-2672. (Grant Co.)

Mar 27 Eagle/Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt: Join in a festive Easter brunch in the rustic Clausing Barn Restaurant, then take part in coloring Easter eggs and a traditional Easter egg hunt on the Visitors Center green. Old World Wisconsin 10am-2pm 262/594-6320. (Waukesha Co.)

Mar 27 - May 15 Neenah/Bold Improvisation: 120 Years of African American Quilts. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum Open Tues-Fri 10am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-4:30pm, Sun 1pm-4:30pm. 920/751-4658. (Winnebago Co.)

March 27:Arboretum Walk: “Spring Migrants”
UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison
Birds are returning from the south. Neo-tropical migrants spend the winter in Central and South America then return here to nest. Learn about their remarkable journeys and look for migrants. 1:00-2:30 p.m.

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.)

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 27 Bayfield/Last Day of Ski Season & Pre-Easter Egg Hunt: Kid's events with games & prizes. Mt. Ashwabay. 715/779-3227. (Bayfield 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.

During the months of April and May, 2005, simply present a printout of this email to receive one regular adult ticket fare half price with another paid adult admission.

The rest of the year, the railway's standing offer to you is $5 off of a family fare and $2 off of an adult fare. Again, present a printout of this email to receive the discount.

These discounts are valid on regular weekend and holiday schedules only, no special events.

APRIL 22 - "Steamin' Along" returns to the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway's Jackson Street Roundhouse in downtown St. Paul, MN. It kicks off Friday April 22, 2005, with a fish fry in the evening, entertainment, train rides, and roundhouse tours.

Saturday April 23, enjoy a hobo lunch, train rides, music, stories, and roundhouse tours!

For more information and to purchase tickets, call 651.228.0263 x3104 or check out www.trainride.org -- information will be posted soon, but you may purchase tickets for the Friday Night Fish Fry or for the Saturday Hobo Lunch and Train Rides.

The Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway's season begins April 16 and runs until October 30, 2005. The railway's Jackson Street Roundhouse is open year-round.

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