Green County 2021 Guide

& Affiliates

Gr ing r business in M roe, WI f 95 ye s!

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Embrace the Green Space NEW - Outdoor Recreation Maps Badger State Trail Cadiz Springs Recreation Area Cheese Country ATV Trail Lake Montesian & Montesian Gardens New Glarus Woods State Park

22 58 22 36 18 29 22 > 20 24 38 34 6 > 43 55 26 30 50 10 57 > 59 32 23 59 > 59 59 59 60 61 60

Pearl Island Corridor Sugar River State Trail Communities Albany Brodhead Monroe

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Monticello New Glarus Features Alley Cats Finding Cheese Curds Flying Back in Time Foodie Favorites GINSPIRATION Hardy Swiss in New Glarus Meet the Green County Dairy Queens Special Interest Buy Cheese Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Maps Albany Brodhead Monticello Monroe New Glarus Barn Quilts & County Road Map Lodging Directory Swimming Pools

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FRONT COVER: The Perfect Old Fashioned Cocktail (Suisse Haus, Monroe) Limburger and a Mint (Baumgartner’s, Monroe) Decatur Dairy Havarti and Ten Eyck Orchard Apples (Brodhead) Good Wine & Good Friends (Bailey’s Run Vineyard, New Glarus) Cheese Days King Ed Pas with Baby Swiss (Alp & Dell, Monroe) BACK COVER: Up In the Air with Green County Dairy Princess Ellie Eichelkraut. THIS PAGE: Green County Dairy Queens - meet these ag advocates on page 57. PHOTO CREDITS IN GUIDE: Brenda Steurer, Noreen Rueckert, Kelch Aviation Museum, Kim Tschudy Collection, Brodhead Chamber of Commerce, Friends of New Glarus Woods State Park, Minhas Distillery, Synqronus Communications, Brodhead Chamber of Commerce.

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GreenCountyWisconsin.INFO • 608.328.1838

No part of the editoral content or photgraphs in this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without permission. The Green County Visitor Guide is produced by

Green County Tourism (Noreen Rueckert, editor): 1016 - 16th Ave., Monroe, WI 53566. Graphic design: Perception Graphics, LLC - perceptiongraphicsllc.com

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new glarus

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fun facts + things to do in new glarus

Start your visit to New Glarus with a step into the past. The statue on the front lawn of the Swiss United Church of Christ marks the site where the first settlers built a shelter after their long journey from Glarus, Switzerland in 1845. Downtown New Glarus is everything a downtown should be! It’s easily walkable – with plenty of benches for relaxing – plus lots of options for shopping, dining, and tasty treats. Shop local! You’ll find on-trend apparel and accessories for all seasons, jewelry, giftware, home and garden décor,

bath and body, floral, toys and games, antiques and vintage. Foodies will quickly discover that there are many options to yodel about: award-winning artisan cheese, pastries and treats, sausage, buttercream fudge (homemade at Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate), wine, beer and more. While downtown, stop in at the tasting room at Hawk’s Mill WineHaus, featuring fruit wines made locally at their flagship rural

Eat local. Swiss favorites include cheese fondue (the Swiss national dish), roesti (ramped-up hash browns) raclette (melted cheese over boiled potatoes and pickles), kalberwurst (fresh veal sausage), and authentic Swiss artisan breads and cookies. You’ll also enjoy outstanding fare like pizza, pasta, and specialty salads (Sugar River Pizza), dishes with Mexican and Southwest influence (Kristi’s Bistro), signature burgers and mac-n-cheese of the

New Glarus Chamber SwissTown.com 800.527.6838

week (Tofflers Pub & Grill), or Limburger cheese on rye or hearty soup served up in a bread bowl (Puempel’s Olde Tavern). Many restaurants have taken steps to make ordering “to go” food (and drinks!) quick and easy. Try a specialty cocktail kit from Kristi’s. Summer days are perfect for an al fresco meal – with chefs and servers ready to bring the flavor outside. A few favorites: the grand wrap-around porch at Kristi’s, the back deck at Tofflers, and the shady garden at Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate Haus. Chalet Landhaus has summer cook-outs on the patio, and Sugar River Pizza has “fire tables” that are ideal for larger groups. The New Glarus Chamber (located in the restored railroad depot that doubles as trailhead for the Sugar River Trail) is your one-stop shop for maps and visitor information. Friendly staffers Annie and Bekah can answer questions and provide directions. Bring your own wheels (or rent a bike at the chamber office) to explore the trail or the backroads and rolling hill countryside. Trailside parking is available. This is also a great spot to park a trailer and unload your snowmobiles. New Glarus Woods State Park is a great spot to “embrace the green space” of Green County (see map on page 18). Unique to the park is a handicap- accessible, tree-top level platform offering a birds’ eye view of the forest canopy. See how you measure up to the life-size bison that resides in the north prairie area. Special touches at the park (like the wildlife footprint path) are due to advocacy by Friends of New Glarus Woods State Park. The group also sponsors educational events, and a trail run is planned for August 14.

location Hawk’s Mill Winery near Browntown. Hawk’s Mill offers a full range from sweet to dry, but specializes in sweeter blends and fruit wines. Owners Ric and Teresa invite you to a tasting at their WineHaus where you'll enjoy “delicious wines without the attitude.” The best spot to really dig into the roots of New Glarus is at the Swiss Historic Village. It's just a quick walk up the hill from the downtown area. Take a tour to discover why the original settler's cabin on the museum grounds is so well-preserved despite being built nearly 165 years ago. The museum offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the brave immigrants who left families behind in Switzerland to start a new life here. You'll see where they lived, where they shopped, where they worked and worshipped, and where their children attended school. The heritage of the early settlers is honored today in traditional celebrations, folk art and music, architecture, cuisine, and even the herds of Brown Swiss that still graze the rolling green hillsides. If you’re lucky, the New Glarus “house band” duo might make an impromptu performance on a street corner or the front porch at Puempel’s Olde Tavern. Look for two guys carrying curiously long wooden horns: alphorn aficionados Heinz and George will blow out some tunes on these musical instruments that were traditionally used by shepherds to communicate across the mountains and valleys of Switzerland. Sit, sip and savor! Bailey’s Run Vineyard offers wine with a view. Their covered patio and expansive lawn space make social distancing a breeze. Enjoy live music on the weekends. Try the excellent wood-fired pizza or one of the artisan food plates designed to pair with wine – Sparkling, White, Red or Fruit. Bailey’s bonus: well-behaved doggers are invited to visit too!

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2021 events Planning is challenging these days; for latest updates please check SwissTown.com.

Unfortunately the Swiss pioneers did not prosper. For 20 years, they attempted to raise wheat. But the soil was soon depleted. Cinch bugs in the 1860s ruined crop after crop – and depression again reached out to touch the colonists. They didn’t give up. Instead, they recalled the skills of their forefathers – and turned to dairying. The settlers bought cows at $12 a head, one for each family, and walked them in from Ohio. Cheesemaking was started immediately by the women. The soil not suited for wheat, was found to be perfect for pasture and hay. Trained cheesemakers from the valley of Emmen, Switzerland, were brought in. Small cheese factories appeared, and the co-operative factory plan was introduced by Nicholas Gerber. Descendants of the Swiss colonists now are found not only in New Glarus, but also throughout Green County. They are Americans and proud of it, but they are proud of their heritage, too. The sound of yodeling still can be heard, Swiss cowbells still ring across the fields and Swiss costumes still provide color at various festive times throughout the year. The New Glarus story may be 110 years old, but it’s a continuing story. And that’s as it should be.

After a delay from 2020, New Glarus is hoping to host their 175th anniversary celebration with events this year at the end of July and beginning of August. In planning stages at time of print: Fireworks, Community Picnic, and Anniversary Parade. Also on the calendar: Polkafest (June 11-12) Beer, Bacon & Cheese (June 12), Blues, Brews & Food Trucks (June 26), Wilhelm Tell Festival (September 3-5), and Oktoberfest (September 23-26). Kicking off the holiday season will be Holiday Open Houses at downtown shops on November 13-14, and Tipsy Turkey Pub Crawl on November 27. The community Tree Lighting will be held at the Chamber Depot on December 4. New this year – an outdoor Christkindli Holiday Market on December 10-12.

From the Monroe Evening Times – 1955 Cheese Days Edition

The first Swiss settlers arrived here according to plan – a plan formulated five months earlier in Canton Glarus, an industrial county in Switzerland that was suffering from a general depression. It’s a story of hardship, determination, and perseverance. It’s the New Glarus story, and it began in 1844, with the formation of the Emigration Society of the Canton of New Glarus. Every family willing to leave Switzerland for America was to receive 20 acres of land. Approximately 200 agreed to make the move, so two scouts, Fridolin Streiff and Judge Nicholas Duerst, were dispatched March 16, 1845 with almost $2600 to buy a tract of land. They were urged to select a spot with climate and soil suitable for the raising of grain. One month after the messengers departed, with no word from them to indicate their whereabouts or the success of their mission, the impatient band of colonists started out. Had they known they faced a three-month journey by rocking ocean vessel, jostling train, creeping canal boat and on weary feet, perhaps the story would have a different ending. Theirs was a rugged experience that started the moment they began the trip. A blinding April snowstorm pelted them in an open boat sailing a canal to Zurich. At Zurich, the women and children transferred to covered wagons for an overland trip to Basle. The men continued by boat. The group traveled down the Rhine on a crowded vessel to New Dieppe, leading a gypsy life while waiting for a ship headed for America. Again taking to trains and canal boats, the hardy band made for St. Louis. Streiff and Durst, whom they expected to meet in St. Louis, failed to show up. So they selected two more scouts, Mathias Duerst and Jacob Grob, and sent them off in search of the missing men, who, of course held their money and their hopes.

Rumors that the original messengers had met death at the hands of Indians didn’t ease the situation, but the rumors soon proved unfounded when the searchers found the scouts laying the foundations for the New Glarus settlement. Claim for the 1200 acres had been filed by Streiff and Duerst on July 17, 1845. The colonists again become impatient. They had heard of the Sugar River site and had started for it. They had reached Galena when Judge Duerst finally located them. He picked 18 of the strongest men to go ahead with axes and building tools – a trip made on foot in three days – and helped the others obtain wagons and teams from lead miners to complete the trip. On August 15, 1845, they reached their goal. But New Glarus was only a name, not a community. Housing was completed by Christmas and communal laws drawn up with the aid of the judge, enabled the two dozen families to live together and decreed the manner in which land was to be divided.

Enjoy aTaste of Switzerland in New Glarus,Wisconsin

Chalet

andhau s

L

A parade on August 16, 1915 marked the 70th Anniversary of the founding of New Glarus. The passenger is holding a sponsor flag from Citizens Bank - a building which still stands at the corner of 2nd Street and 5th Avenue (across from Tofflers Pub & Grill and Kristi's Bistro Restaurant & Bar).

Inn

Special summer & winter packages 66 comfortable rooms plus newly renovated whirlpool suites and family rooms A short drive from Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison We specialize in group tours — with special rates! Indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness room plus conference / meeting / banquet rooms New extended stay units available Alpine restaurant serving Swiss and American cuisine featuring breakfast daily, Sunday brunch, gourmet evening dining Outdoor patio & dining —home of the Swiss Cookout Shops, attractions, and museums within walking distance , plus the New Glarus Brewery is nearby Bike or hike the Sugar River StateTrail — it’s right outside the back door Swissland 18-hole Mini-Golf Course across the street Where traditional Swiss hospitality and charm welcome you all year round. Chalet Landhaus is built in traditional Swiss style - with a per- fect blend of modern convenience and old-fashioned Swiss decor - to give you a touch of Switzerland close to home.

801 Highway 69, NewGlarus,WI 53574 (608) 527-5234 email: chalet@chaletlandhaus.com www.chaletlandhaus.com

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SPREAD THE CHEER - SPREAD THE CHEESE I f you’re a fan of New Glarus

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES A number of business properties and districts in Green County are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation is in accordance with the National Preservation Act of 1966, to “coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.” Here are locations and addresses if you’d like to plot out a historic driving tour. Caradine Building (Edward Jones office) 1007 – 16th Ave., Monroe Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum 618 – 2nd St., New Glarus Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul Railroad Depot (New Glarus Chamber) 418 Railroad St., New Glarus Cleveland’s Hall & Blacksmith Shop (Franklin Grove Etc.) N3202 County X, Albany Exchange Square Historic District

WILHELM TELL SHOOTING PARK

Back in the day, New Glarus and nearby communities like Monroe and Monticello had clubs and ranges for target shooting competitions. The establishment of the New Glarus Rifle Club back in 1879 set the stage for what would become known as the Shooting Park. New Glarus began as a Swiss settlement, and so did Highland, Illinois. Shared roots between the two communities led to shooting competitions back and forth. Each team took a long day’s train ride to get to the home range of the other. The connections between Highland and New Glarus went beyond friendly competition to have an impact on economic development. Highland was home to Helvetia Milk Condensing Company. Highland’s shared Swiss ties to New Glarus led the company (now Pet Milk) to open a factory in New Glarus in 1910.

The Schuetzen Barn (Shooting Barn) at the park was built in 1907. In 1924, the New Glarus Rifle Club opened up the park as a tourist campground – complete with a replica of the first crude log cabins inhabited by early settlers. When New Glarus marked their 80th anniversary a year later, several thousand people attended festivities at the park. A Swiss music celebration called “Volksfest” is generally held there the first Sunday in August. The Shooting Park is located at N8745 County O, just north of New Glarus. The grounds and barn are available for rent from the Wilhelm Tell Community Guild. Go to wilhelmtellfestival.org for info. A National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Shooting Park is currently being considered. Thank you to local historian Kim Tshudy for contributing to this information.

BBC (Beer-Bacon-Cheese festival), then you’ll enjoy the flavors of this Beer Bacon & Cheddar Spread created by Maple Leaf Cheese & Chocolate Haus.

AWalk in the Past

visit our website for more information Swiss Historical Village & Museum

Southern Wisconsi n’s premier one-stop desti nation for cheese, chocolate, wi ne, ice cream a nd more. Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm, Mid-March through December (608) 527-2000 554 First Street, New Glarus, WI www.mapleleafcheeseandchocolatehaus.com

612 7th Ave., P.O. Box 745 New Glarus, WI 53574 admin@swisshistoricalvillage.org (608) 527-2317

Group tours and buses welcome by appointment. swisshistoricalvillage.org

Downtown Brodhead First Methodist Church (Monroe Arts Center – page 43) 1315 – 11th St., Monroe Freitag’s Pure Oil Service Station (Century Ecowater) 1323 – 9th St., Monroe

Green County Courthouse 1016 – 16th Ave., Monroe Monroe Commercial District Area between 15th and 18th Avenue and between 9th and 13th Street

Monroe Water Tower (Water Tower Park) 16th Ave. & 20th St., Monroe Ten Eyck Round Barn (Ten Eyck Orchard – page 27) W968 Hwy. 11, Brodhead White Block Building (Various businesses located here) 1514 – 11th St., Monroe

A large crowd of competitors and spectators gathered at the Wilhelm Tell Shooting Park for a shooting competition, or Schuetzenfest, probably around 1910. From the collection at University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries.

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Sawmill Creek Farm Nestled in nature - private sixty-acre country retreat - modern amenities with rustic comfort and charm.

Open Daily — Year-Round

Ten minutes west of New Glarus on Badger Road Welcoming front porch, big farmhouse kitchen, five bedrooms. Hike and snowshoe on three miles of trails. Fish for trout or wade in the stream. Star gaze from the hammock. Cook over an open fire with hand-forged campfire tools. Perfect for family time, artist retreat, or girlfriend get-away. Ask Jesse (Airbnb Superhost) about holding your country wedding here.

Wine, Beer, Food

& Live Music

airbnb.com/rooms/20927535

608.444.1255

Live Music Every Weekend Year-Round 2021 Events Schedule

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May 8 Remember Me Red 5K Fun Run May 21-23 3rd Anniversary Weekend Memorial Day Weekend Summer Kickoff Jul 2-4 Bailey’s Run Red, Wine & Blue Weekend

I t a l i a

Aug 14 Dog Daze of Summer Party Sept 4 2nd Annual Grape Stomp!

Sept 17-19 HarvestFest Sept 24-26 Oktoberfest Oct 16 FlannelFest

Oct 29-31 Halloween Spooktacular Nov 12-14 Holiday Open House Dec 5 Holiday Sip n Shop

baileysrunvineyard.com

608-496-1966 • N8523 Klitzke Rd., New Glarus, WI 53574

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DISCOVER

unique home decor, floral designs, special gifts

and a complete garden center!

17 6th Ave., New Glarus

608.527.2230 brendasblumenladen.com

O N - T R E N D F A S H I O N

A C C E S S O R I E S

&

Unique toys

& games that educate through play

A FUN SHOPPING

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1 8 7TH AVE . , NEW GLARUS 608 . 636 . 2008 RA I LROADSTBOUT IQUE . COM

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Embrace the space New Glarus Woods State Park

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to NEW GLARUS & SUGAR RIVER TRAIL

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69

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Playground Picnic Area

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Enter

Creating remarkable home-town Italian comfort food. Hand-tossed pizzas are just one element of our “kitchen scratch” menu.

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- Pizza, Pasta, Sandwiches, Salads, Sweet Finishes - Made from scratch menu – local & fresh ingredients - Outside patio with fire tables – next to the bike trail O - 80+ micro beers – bottles, cans & tap 8 - Highlighting local wines, plus regional selections from H small farm wine cooperatives - 2019 Best of Madison!

New Glarus Woods State Park is just outside the vi l lage along Highway 69. A paved trai l leads to the park from lodging at either Chalet Landhaus or the Swiss Aire Motel , and also from the New Glarus Chamber office (in the restored depot) where bike rentals are avai lable.  Wi ldl ife Footprint Trai l  Picnic Shelter  Playground for kids  5 mi les of hiking trai ls through prairie and wooded areas  Boardwalk (handicap accessible) into the tree canopy  Walk-in or drive-in campsites

HIKING TRAILS

for a dining experience you won’t forget! Join Kristiti & Andres

SUGAR RIVER TRAIL SPUR

P

PARKING

TOILETS

CAMPING

69 39

PRAIRIE

WOODS

the best fine dining restaurant with a Mexican flair you are going to find in the area… - Samara Kalk Derby, WI State Journal 119 5th Avenue in New Glarus 608.527.2012 • kristisrestaurant.com

to MONTICELLO & MONROE

Delivery … Take-out … Dine-In … Catering 700 Railroad Street • 608.527.5000• sugarriverpizza.com

More info: newglaruswoods.org or dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/ngwoods

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fun facts + things to do

2021 events Planning is challenging these days; for latest updates please check the village

Albany’s first settlers were drawn to the area by the Sugar River, which by the 1850’s was powering flour mills and wool carding machines. Today’s visitors enjoy the water for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, as well as ice fishing in winter. Hot summer days get a little sweeter with cool float trips down the river. Several outfitters offer tube rentals and shuttle service. Albany is small in size but big on community pride. Many activities are centered on school and church. Community volunteers step up to make a difference with groups like the Fire Department and EMS, Lions Club, FFA Alumni, and Albany Community 1st – an organization that works to provide awareness of events and natural resources. Many community events are held at the Albany Lions Building on the east side of town – including an antique car show (4th Sunday in June) and tractor show (late August). New this year held in conjunction with the Lions Pancake Day (annually on the Saturday closest to Valentine’s Day) – a drive thru “cream puffs to go” event presented by the Green County Ag Chest with assistance from their youth ag ambassadors, the Green County Dairy Queens. Enjoy the view from one of Albany’s favorite scenic spots: Sugar River Overlook Park (near

overlooking the Sugar River and dam, or from the vantage point of a kayak right on the river. Albany Wildlife Area is just west of the village. This wooded and marsh area is ideal for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching. Just south of Albany is a small Amish community. You’ll find stores offering spices, bakery, quilting supplies, and handcrafted items. Proceeds from the annual quilt and consignment auction help to offset expenses for the Amish school. In addition to several sales rings, you can shop the bake sale and enjoy a scoop of freshly churned homemade ice cream with a slice of pie.

website or greencounty.org. Many Albany events are

tentatively in the works for this year. Yesteryear’s Weekend is held annually over Memorial Day weekend. The Chamber is also hoping for a second annual End of Summer Festival and Fall Fest with Flea Market. The Albany Lions Car Show will be held on June 27. The Amish Quilt Auction is planned for the last Saturday in July, and the FFA Alumni Tractor Show is generally held on the last Sunday in August.

albany

the post office and library), on the downtown bridge

Village of Albany | albanywi.org | 608.862.3240

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just a little bit longer... STAY Preferred Lodging in GREENCOUNTY

Dayton Embrace the spac Trails and Natural Areas 69 39 92 92 SUGAR RIVER TRAIL SPUR to NG WOODS to MADISON W D CC CC E D X Exeter Park New Glarus Belleville Brooklyn Wildlife Area

AmericInn

Chalet Landhaus Inn

Gasthaus Motel

Hidden Bluff Lodge

685 - 30TH St. MONROE

424 - 4TH Ave. MONROE

801 Hwy. 69 NEW GLARUS

N7972 Gould Hill Rd. BLANCHARDVILLE

Comfortable, quiet & relaxing - plus pillow top mattresses - all at an affordable price! Smoke free property. Family-owned since 2014, friendly and local. Bike trail, ATV trail, restaurants and shops. Extended stay rooms available. Easy to find on Hwy. 69 south. gasthaus-motel.com 608.328.8395

Moments from New Glarus - the rustic charm of a log cabin with all the amenities! Four bedrooms, full kitchen with double oven and breakfast bar area, four-season room, family room, and loft. Walking trails, wildlife watching, firepit. Horse pasture available. hiddenbluff.com 608.225.8866

Rest easy and start your day with free homestyle breakfast. Indoor pool and hot tub. Easy walk to restaurants, grocery store & cheese outlet. Access to Cheese Country ATV trail via designated route. Badger Trail is nearby. Also wineries, brewery, and downtown Monroe. americinn.com 608.328.3444or 608.352.6406

Traditional Swiss charm and hospitality. Restaurant, bar, pool, whirlpool, gym, sauna & steam. Breakfast is included. Located along Sugar River Bike Trail. A quick & easy walk to downtown shops and pubs. Meet friendly goats at the mini golf course across the street. chaletlandhaus.com 608.527.5234

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Exeter Crossing Rd Marshall Bluff Rd

New Glarus Woods State Park

Brooklyn-Albany Rd Liberty Creek Wildlife Area

Attica

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Albany Wildlife

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Monticello

EE

Super 8

Sweet Minihaha Campground

Wegmueller Dairy Farm

Sawmill Creek Farm

Area

Albany

F

Tin Can Rd

69

Muralt Bluff Prairie

Feldt Rd Gutzmer Rd

104

Allison Rd

500 - 6TH St. MONROE

N4697 County Road E BRODHEAD

Experience the rural way of life on a 4th generation Brown Swiss dairy farm. Up to nine guests. Relax...or get involved -your choice! Feed a calf, milk a cow, pet a donkey. Owners are happy to answer questions about cows, living on a farm, and sustainable ag practices. Book through Airbnb airbnb.com/rooms/27985010 MONROE

NEW GLARUS

Escape to peace and solitude! Five-bedroom farmhouse in the driftless area - near New Glarus & Yellowstone Lake. Ideal for retreats or family getaway, with large kitchen. Stunning valley & vista views; hike the trails on 60 acres with majestic oaks. Enjoycoffeeon the front porch. Selfcheck-in,Superhostproperty! airbnb.com/rooms/20927535 608.444.1255

Award winning hotel in the heart of Cheese Country. Pool, whirpool, meeting & con- ference facilities, free break- fast. This property takes great pride in being both handicap friendly and accessible. Bike storage available. City route from parking lot to the ATV trail. monroesuper8hotel.com 608.325.1500

Home of the Happy Camper! Located along the banks of the Sugar River with bike trail near- by. Electric & water hookups, clean bathrooms and showers. Tube, canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle. Playground, game room & fun for kids. Volleyball and horseshoes. Wi-Fi available. sweetminihaha.com 608.862.3769

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Round Grove Rd

81

Brodhead

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Monroe

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to DUBUQUE

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81

to BELOIT

Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area

Friends of Badger & Sugar River State Trails Volunteers assist with building kiosks, providing education, maintaining the trails, and organizing trail rides. Buy your Wisconsin Trail Pass on the Friends website to help support their projects. The Friends are working on a new “Sugar Badger” Trail Explorer Program for 2021. friendsofbadgerstatetrail.org SPOTLIGHT ON TRAIL ADVOCACY

BADGER STATE TRAIL

Melvin Rd

Stateline Trailblazers Volunteers assist with bridge re-decking, trail brushing and maintenance, marking and signing the trails before winter, and grooming the trails when it snows. Green County would like to thank the farmers and land owners who allow the seasonal trails on their property. statelinetrailblazers.smartertrails.com

SUGAR RIVER TRAIL

B

Town Center Rd

Advance Rd

CHEESE COUNTRY TRAIL

69

Clarno

P

to FREEPORT

WISCONSIN

Jane Addams Trail (continues to Freeport, IL)

ILLINOIS

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fun facts + things to do

2021 events Planning is challenging these days; for the latest updates please check BrodheadChamber.com

When it comes to embracing green space, Brodhead is truly the best place. Cast a line, ride the trails, paddle the river, and explore waterways less traveled. Brodhead’s gift to locals and visitors is the exceptional Pearl Island Recreational Corridor. Yes, Brodhead has an island! For a better understanding of the geography, check out the map on page 29. It will guide you to parking areas, landing piers, bridges, picnic spots, and parks. Enjoy wildlife watching and the beauty of the changing seasons. The photo to your left shows the smooth waters of the “Mill Race” and the hiking/biking path that wildflower garden right by the trailhead building just west of the downtown area. A short bike ride leads the way to the Clarence Covered Bridge. Bike first, so you can eat more cheese! Decatur Dairy offers cut-to-order award-winning Brick, Havarti, and Muenster cheese. Cheesemaker Steve Stettler is Wisconsin’s only Master Cheesemaker certified in curds, and you must try them! Sit outside at a picnic table and enjoy a melty grilled cheese hot from the griddle while watching trucks pull in to unload milk from the cheese cooperative’s patron farmer members. Other local tastes include Amish pie from Country Lane Bakery, and don't miss the freshly churned runs alongside the shore. The Sugar River Trail begins in Brodhead. You’ll find a

homemade ice cream at the Amish Quilt & Consignment Auction. Starting in late summer, you'll find apples and honey at Ten Eyck Orchard. Community gatherings often take place in Veteran’s Park. Locals and visitors will enjoy the popular “Concerts in the Park” series. Murals in the city reflect iconic themes and local history, like a salute to Brodhead’s aviation roots. Learn more when Kelch Aviation Museum opens this year; see the article on page 26. Brodhead Chamber celebrates a milestone in 2021. They’ve been advocating for community causes and supporting local businesses since 1946.

New this year is Family Fest & Independence Day Fireworks on June 26. Brodhead Airport hosts a Pancake Breakfast on May 16 and Airport Fly-In July 22-25. Enjoy live music at the FREE Concert in the Park series on Sunday evenings in July and August. The Brodhead Police Association’s Night Out is set for August 17. A Tractor Ride for awareness of Alzheimer’s & Dementia will be September 26. Brodhead’s Covered Bridge Days is held in early August, and look for Fire & Ice Festival on first weekend in December.

brodhead

Brodhead Chamber of Commerce | brodheadchamber.com | 608.897.8411

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FLYING BACK IN TIME: World-Class Aviation Museum Opening in Brodhead The Midwest in summer: Rolling green hills, clear blue skies, and a gleaming red biplane soaring through the scene. It’s been decades since airplanes had open cockpits and pilots wore goggles and scarves, but this isn’t a scene from a movie - it’s very much real, very much today, and just waiting for you to explore. aviation progressed in leaps and bounds, and the country was starry-eyed for all things aviation. Looking at the vibrant museum collection, it’s hard to believe this innovation and beauty came out of the Great Depression - but the Golden Age of Aviation couldn’t have happened without the urgency and inventiveness of an era even more uncertain than today.

collection’s planes is an original airmail biplane, tying the large story of airmail to a very real local one. And the Pietenpol, a “build-it-yourself” small airplane that has busied DIY folks since its invention in 1929, is nearly as native to Brodhead as a dairy cow! Several models, including one in the final stages of being built and one that flies, are featured in the museum’s hands-on exhibition.

Homemade Pies Breads & Sweet Rolls Pickles & Preserves Cakes & Cookies Special Orders Welcome! Brodhead Harnesses (new, used, & repair) Mon-Sat: 8 AM -6 PM

Bakery Open Friday &Saturday 8 AM - 6 PM

This is the Kelch Aviation Museum, an international destination for lovers of old airplanes, wooden propellers, and the smell of engine oil. Though Brodhead seems like a tiny dot of a town surrounded by corn fields and cow farms, the Brodhead Airport attracts aviation-minded visitors from around the world - and the Kelch Aviation Museum showcases the reason why. Entering the brand-new museum hangar - imagine the biggest garage you’ve ever seen, but it’s been furnished by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Smithsonian Institute - is like stepping back in time. A flock of vintage airplanes stand in stunningly fly-able condition, sleek and ready to soar. A car that Al Capone would be right at home in is parked beside a workbench, where the tools are labeled for visitors but still clearly in regular use. When the enormous hangar door is open, planes are pushed out into the sunshine, and pilots and civilians alike ooh and aah over the colorful machines as they taxi and then take off on the grass runway. History can feel dusty and dead - but not here. The original aircraft collection, assembled and placed into a trust by the museum’s namesake Al Kelch, has grown to include rare engines, propellers, an extensive research library and archive, and a cheerful crew of staff and volunteers who make the place come alive. The museum focuses on “The Golden Age of Aviation” - the time in between the world wars when civil

Founded in 2012, the Kelch Aviation Museum began construction of its state-of-the-art buildings in 2019. The project was supported entirely through fundraising, making this a true community endeavor, and the museum makes you feel like one of that community no matter where you are from. “History isn’t a thing of the past - it’s influencing us every day, whether we know it or not,” says Ami Eckard-Lee, the museum’s collections manager. “Eighty, ninety years ago, there was this worldwide rush to refine and fly these seemingly rudimentary planes to new heights - literally! And without that, we wouldn’t have air mail or rockets or weather forecasting today.” It’s not just big names and legendary stories, either; there’s a lot of local history to be explored, and Kelch gives Wisconsin center stage. Brodhead was on an early air-mail route, and one of the

If you find yourself in need of a little old- fashioned adventure and a little modern optimism, take a trip to Kelch Aviation Museum! The sky’s the limit, in tough times as well as smooth ones - and don’t we all dream of flying, sometimes? By Ami Eckard-Lee Collections Manager and Archivist

Home cooked Amish dinners for larger groups, by reservation. 1602 ScotchHill Rd., Brodhead 608.897.3820

Exceptional Apples

Our Family Farm Since 1839 Ten Eyck Orchard 2 miles west of Brodhead 10 miles east of Monroe Hwy. 11 & 81, Brodhead Open end of August through mid-November 608.897.4014 teneyckorchard.com

Bip a e Rides & Sce icTours

BRODHEAD AIRPORT & AROUND THE MIDWEST

After years in the making, the Kelch Aviation Museum at Brodhead Airport opens to the public with a grand opening this summer! Explore a unique collection of restored aircraft from the Golden Age of Aviation, the period between the world wars when advancements in aeronautical engineering

MAY — OCTOBER Weather Permitting ✦ Gift Certificates Available ✦ The biplane seats two passengers. Flights start at $60 per person with two passengers.

and scientific methods shaped much of the world we live in today. Through educational programming, lively exhibits, and an extensive research library, the museum celebrates and shares this exciting period in our history! Whether it’s an outing with the kids, an afternoon looking back in time with grandpa, or an aviation-nerd pilgrimage, Kelch Aviation is an ideal destination. Visit kelchmuseum.org for hours and events, and follow on Facebook & Instagram for educational videos and updates.

GYPSY AIR TOURS | 608-215-7896 www.gypsyairtours.com Experience the majestic beauty of the skies from the open cockpit of a vintage 1930 WACO Taperwing.

Looking for the ride of a lifetime? Kelch Aviation Museum recommends Gypsy Air Tours for an incredible biplane ride departing from Brodhead Airport. Soar into the clouds and back in time! Book with gypsyairtours.com.

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www.DecaturDairy.com

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World-Class Cheese DECATUR DAIRY IS A SMALL CHEESE COMPANY BASED OUT OF BRODHEAD WI AND HAS BEEN MAKING CHEESE SINCE THE 1940’S.

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Award-Winning WORLD CHAMPION MUENSTER U.S. CHAMPION HAVARTI WISCONSIN STATE FAIR WINNER CHEESE DAYS GRAND CHAMPION WINNER Cheese Curds OUR SPECIALTY CURDS INCLUDE: Herb & Garlic, Buffalo, Ranch Peppercorn, Bleu Cheese Flavored, Cheddar, and the Famed Decatur Muenster Curd. Over 100 Varieties The Stettler family invites you to visit their store and try many of their varieties of cheeses, meats and spreads including a small line of Stettler spreads made exclusively for the Decatur Dairy cheese store.

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Master Cheesemakers Steve Stettler has followed his family’s storied cheesemaking history to perfection. A four-time graduate of the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker ® program, he’s certified in seven different cheeses: brick, cheddar, farmers cheese, havarti, muenster, specialty Swiss and curds. As a third-generation cheesemaker, Steve is clearly committed to his craft.

Pearl Island Recreational Corridor offers outdoor fun on the land and in the water. The area features a path for biking and hiking, mini picnic shelters and benches, and spots to park a vehicle and launch a kayak. A pedestrian bridge provides access across the “Mi l l Race” from Putnam Park to the trai l path.

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More info: brodheadchamber.com/recreation

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Foodie

favorites

Tomato & Basil Feta Classically bold Greek Feta flavor married

Fondü Cheese Are you fonda fondue, but not the prep? We're melting with love for this fondue kit you can whip up in no time for a stress-free meal or party. Our friends at Emmi Roth have taken the guesswork out of creating the gooey goodness all fondue lovers crave. The hardest part? Slicing the dipping bread! At Alp and Dell Cheese Store in Monroe.

Stettler Swiss Spread It's Swiss cheese, only spreadable. Let's be honest, sometimes getting out the cutting board and cheese knife is just too much hassle. And don't we all like to schmear stuff on crackers? The good folks at Decatur Dairy found a way to distill their distinctive Stettler Swiss Cheese into a creamy consistency you'll want to eat by the spoonful! At the Decatur Dairy Co-op Cheese Store in Brodhead.

Jack-n-Beef Midnight snacking’s heat index just went up a notch! Every refrigerator cheese drawer needs a package of pepperjack sticks and sausages. From the gourmands at Maple Leaf Cheese Store, this treat packs a punch. Jalapenos sprinkled throughout a classic Monterey Jack cheese give it a kick. Sausage sticks are the perfect counterpoint. At Maple Leaf Cheese Store in Juda.

Goody Two Shoes The best goody two- shoes to bring to a party! Nestled in the rolling farmland of southern Wisconsin, Hawk’s Mill winery specializes in blends with sweet undertones. This white wine deftly walks the line between sweet and dry, making it just right for that after- work drink on the deck. At Hawk's Mill Winery's flagship location near Browntown and their WineHaus, New Glarus.

Yodelay Yogurt You have to love a yogurt that makes you yodel when you say its name. Yodelay hits all the right notes. Made with decadently rich milk from New Glarus' Voegeli Farms Brown Swiss cows, it’s inspired by Switzerland's tart yogurts. The tangy flavors dance in your

Le’Bec If you're building up to loving Limburger, Le' Bec is a good stepping-stone. Chalet Cheese, most famous for their Limburger, also makes this underrated gem. With a rind and creamy, spreadable texture like a brie, Le' Bec is a bold, smoky cheese for spreading on dark rye bread or a toasted baguette. At Chalet Cheese factory in Monroe .

Fresh Curds How do you tell a good cheese curd from a bad one? Good curds squeak. A lot. We're happy to report these Decatur Dairy curds are the squeakiest around. Decatur offers more than a dozen flavored and non-flavored options. It’s safe to say, they know their “whey” around good curds. At the Decatur Dairy Co-op Cheese Store in Brodhead.

Opalicious Honey No Ifs, Ands or Opes about it, this honey is liquid gold. It's apple blossom honey made by the busy bees living at Ten Eyck Orchard outside Brodhead. A symbiotic relationship exists in this idyllic orchard. Crucial for pollination, bees buzz floral notes. Don't mask it–drizzle on fruit or ice cream and enjoy! Available seasonally at Ten Eyck Orchard in Brodhead. around making a honey with distinct

Edelweiss The hills above New Glarus are alive... with sound of corks popping! Beautifully situated above the small Swiss-inspired village, Bailey's Run vineyard is a slice of wine country in southern Wisconsin. Their Edelweiss is a crisp white wine made from its namesake grapes grown there at the vineyard. Pairs well with a cheese course or dessert. At Bailey’s Run Vineyard in New Glarus.

with tomato and basil is the "crumb

topping" every savory dish needs! From the master cheesemakers at Klondike Cheese, Odyssey Feta is an award-winning cheese especially suited to Mediterranean and Italian dishes. Tip: make a quick caprese salad with tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and feta crumbles. At area grocery stores and cheese outlets.

mouth and you’ll never go back to

regular yogurt again. At Alp and Dell Cheese Store in Monroe.

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Award-winning cheesemakers IN green county Chalet Cheese Cooperative Chula Vista Cheese Company Decatur Dairy Edelweiss Creamery Grande Cheese Company Klondike Cheese Co. Maple Leaf Cheese Roth USA Silver Lewis Wisconsin Cheese Group W&WDairy, Inc.

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fun facts + things to do

2021 events Planning is challenging these days; for latest updates check the Monticello Chamber website. Zwingli Church is planning for a Kalberwurst carryout dinner in April. Monticello Community Club has started to make tentative plans for Monticello Community Club has started making tentative plans for Monticello Homecoming to be held July 9 - 11. It's the biggest event of the summer with live music, food, family fun, and fireworks. The Badger State Archaeological Society will hold their 42nd annual Native American Artifact Show on October 24.

Small town charm and an active business community. Gardens that bloom from spring til frost. A spring-fed artesian lake. Those are just three reasons why the village of Monticello is a great place to live, work, and visit. The Monticello Chamber of Commerce works diligently to promote local businesses, organizations, and events. Members meet monthly to stay connected, share expertise, and develop ideas to put the spotlight on businesses and community initiatives. Locals and visitors alike enjoy Montesian Gardens. Brick walkways lead through this community garden which is planted and maintained by volunteers. Picnic tables, benches, and a gazebo add to the welcoming atmosphere. The Monticello Veterans Memorial is also located here. Lake Montesian offers scenic beauty and recreation for all seasons. Visit in early to mid- May to see the splendor of more than 100 crab apple trees blooming by the lake. All summer you’ll see people fishing, paddling kayaks, and enjoying lakeside picnics. The winter freeze brings ice fishermen to the lake. Embrace the green space! The Badger State Trail and Sugar River State Trail intersect just east of Monticello. See the map on page 22. These rails to trails conversions are popular

with bikers and hikers in warmer weather. When the snow piles up, you’ll find trail users on snowmobiles, snow shoes, and cross country skis. The Monticello Area Historical Society maintains an excellent online collection of photos and interviews on their website: monticellohistoricalsociety.org. Genealogists appreciate the cemetery indexes. Did you know there’s a cheese nicknamed Monticello? The recipe is based on an old Italian Parmesan. Gempeler’s Super- market in Monticello offers a great selection of local cheese and their very own Swiss style “Alpine Boy” sausage brand.

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Monticello Chamber of Commerce | monticello-chamber.com

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More info: monticel lo–chamber.com

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fun facts + things to do in monroe

Monroe’s cheesy story began back in the day when farmers made their own cheese from the milk of their own dairy herds. Learn more with a tour at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center. Your visit includes the Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory – an original one- kettle factory where giant wheels of Swiss were made with the equipment you will see. Local tour guides share local flavor, with many having backgrounds in cheesemaking and agriculture. In the early years, cheese varieties produced in the area were Limburger, Brick, Block Swiss, and Wheel Swiss.

Today’s factories churn out more than 100 different kinds, including those of Hispanic, Greek, Dutch, and Danish origin. Monroe’s Chalet Cheese Cooperative stands as the only Limburger producing factory in the entire United States. Buy it factory direct, or enjoy it in a sandwich at Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern, or Suisse Haus – both in downtown Monroe. Chalet is also well-known for Baby Swiss and Brick cheese, and try their new Pannaro.

gallery exhibits. Visit MAC online for information on upcoming shows and follow on Facebook for the latest news – including announcements about the outdoor concert series. Enjoy “wine with a view” at Hawk’s Mill Winery near Browntown. Their expansive lawn and pavilion offer an overlook of the vineyard and beyond – to Cadiz Springs Rec Area (see page 58). Bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy the live music that often takes place outside in summer months. Their covered pavilion

Monroe Chamber monroechamber.com 608.325.7648

Main Street Monroe mainstreetmonroe.org 608.328.4023 City ofMonroe — Sinfonieta typeface

provides a large shaded space, and is available to reserve for special events. Hawk’s Mill specializes in sweeter blends and fruit wines – like Peachy Keen and Currantly Single. Follow on Facebook to find out when Ric and Teresa will be getting things fired up to make brick oven pizza outside. “Main Street” offers the best of Monroe – with fun stops where you can sip, savor, and shop. For extra fun in 2021, Main Street Monroe presents “Main-opoly” – with the downtown Square re-imagined as a giant game board. Look for iconic game tokens and fun stuff all summer. You won’t “get out of jail for free” with a visit to the Historic Green County Courthouse, because it’s more common to hear the “guilty” verdict in the former Courtroom. Photo opp: bang the gavel while wearing an authentic judge’s robe. The Courthouse is open weekdays 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Monroe is home to 110 acres of parkland – with parks offering a variety of features including a swimming pool, skater’s ramps, disc golf course, tennis courts, and a specially designed handicap accessible playground. If you’re looking to “embrace the green space” in Green County, put Badger State Trail on your list (see the map on page 22). With parking, restrooms and picnic shelters available, Twining Park is a great place to get started. The Cheese Country Trail offers ATV’ers a chance to explore the countryside (see the map on page 22). Designated routes from the trailhead (near Badger Ethanol on the southwest side) lead to motel lodging, camping at Green County Fairgrounds, and downtown dining and shopping. Stay awhile: motels, VRBO, B&B, campground, and even a unique farm-stay adventure complete with a friendly herd of Brown Swiss cows and an adorable pig named Professor Paisley.

Another cheesy spot is Klondike Cheese Company, where they’ve been crafting fine cheeses at the same location for nearly 100 years. This fourth-generation, family- operated factory is known for Odyssey brand Feta and Greek yogurt. They also produce a line of cheese under the Buholzer Brothers label. Alp and Dell Cheese Store is a showcase for artisan cheese from Monroe’s Emmi Roth cheese factory. Operated by Swiss native Tony Zgraggen, the store stocks a huge assortment of cheese from Emmi and other creameries. You’ll find a collection of “stinky” favorites plus an entire case devoted to 35 different varieties of Cheddar! Alp and Dell stocks local sausages, beer, imported wine, chocolates, and fun souvenirs. This store is your best source for the ideal blend of melting cheese and a fondue pot to go with it. Don’t forget the Kirsch (cherry brandy) for an authentic touch to this Swiss dish. Visit Minhas Craft Brewery’s tasting room and gift shop to stock up on beer and gear. Check out their giant collection of brewery memorabilia. Across the street is Minhas Distillery; taste classic cocktails made from Vodka, Tequila, Rum, and even Moonshine. Go to page 50 to see how a new Gin being made at the distillery is connected with a famous Hollywood producer. The Minhas Family invites you to dine in or carry out from Minhas Kitchen and Winery. Try Brew City Cheese Curds for a taste of Monroe, or Poutine for a nod to the family’s Canadian roots. Another beer experience is Bullquarian Brewhouse, a two- barrel nano brewery in downtown Monroe. Sip and savor in the taproom, or get a growler to go. Bullquarian often features live music. For the best of the area’s music, visual, and performing arts – it’s Monroe Arts Center. Stop in and check out the

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