Here are 6 ways to spend time at home, Wisconsin-style
As coronavirus continues to spread, Wisconsin residents are staying inside to help prevent the spread of the novel virus.
Wisconsinites should take efforts to “social distance” and not gather in groups of more than 10 people — that means no bars, no Brewers opening day and no festivals (for the moment at least).
Here are some ways to distract yourselves while social distancing, Sconnie-style.
Play sheepshead
If you’re quarantined with roommates, you can get a game of threehanded sheepshead going to pass the time.
If you haven’t played sheepshead before, good luck on trying to learn. But hey, there isn’t much else to do, so why not try?
In three-handed sheepshead, each player get 10 cards with two in the blinds. The picker goes alone and the other two players are partners for that hand.
Make sure to get Schneider (at least 30 points), Schmeer (play a high point card) to your partner, and don’t be a Maurer (pass when you have a good enough hand to pick).
If you don’t know how to play, check out some videos on YouTube.
Watch the Manitowoc Minute guy
Self-quarantine hasn’t stopped Charlie Berens from producing comedic content.
He already has a video about the coronavirus, so start there and watch the other 125-plus “Manitowoc Minute” episodes he has on his YouTube channel.
Plus, he has about another 100 comedy videos to lighten the mood.
Watch a Packers Super Bowl rerun
Sports are canceled for now, so get your sports fix by watching every
Cheesehead’s favorite sports moment: one of the four times the Green Bay Packers won a football championship.
Thankfully, the National Football League has two of the Packers’ Super Bowl wins — XXXI and XLV — on YouTube.
There also are highlights from Super Bowl II.
Learn to polka
If you want to look super cool by the time Polish Fest rolls around (if it rolls around), take this time to learn the traditional dance of Polish and German Wisconsinites, the polka.
You’ll be ready to dance to the “Beer Barrel Polka” when the Brewers are back at Miller Park. You’ll also be a hit at the next Wisconsin wedding you go to.
Brew beer
Pay homage to the craft that Milwaukee is known for and spend your time inside with a beer brewing kit. This hobby takes some equipment and dedication, but you probably have some extra time to give it a try.
Get a brewery kit and remake beer from your favorite Wisconsin brewery.
Perfect your old-fashioned
If brewing beer is a little too much work but you still want a drink that makes you feel at home, take the time to perfect your old-fashioned.
You’ll need sugar, orange, maraschino cherries, bitters, white soda and whiskey or brandy (brandy if you want an authentic Wisconsin oldfashioned).
Put an orange slice, two cherries, 3 to 5 dashes of bitters and sugar (to your liking) in a rocks or lowball glass and muddle the ingredients. Pro tip: Add a splash of soda to make the muddling easier. Then add ice, and 2 ounces of booze. Top with soda and another cherry. Enjoy.
Jordyn Noennig covers pop culture and entertainment in Milwaukee. Follow her on Instagram @Jordyn Taylor_n. Find her on Twitter @Jordyn TNoennig. Call her at 262-446-6601 or email Jordyn.Noennig@jrn.com.