Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
What it’s like for a Philly fan to wear a cheese head in Wisconsin
The gently rolling hills are covered with cows, corn and soy beans. This is the perfect place to produce cheese. Wisconsin! I’ve visited family annually here for the past six or seven years. Sometimes I brave the harsh winters, other times I go during the short summers.
Last year I hit the Green Bay Packers home field on a summer trip. The joint was packed. I was tempted, but didn’t buy a cheese head at the Lambeau Field gift shop. The stadium store seems like it’s as big as a supermarket.
Stadium tours run about $15 a pop. And this is when the seats are all empty. We passed on taking the tour.
Across the street homeowners have dressed up their houses and small yards with the Packers’ team colors, green and gold. These are some of the most fervent fans anywhere.
On game day it’s almost a sin, even if you’re just watching on TV, to not wear Packers gear. Not to be left out, I procured a Packers jersey and ball cap and proudly wear them when the Pack plays except not on game days in Philadelphia or Chester County.
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright spent a great deal of his time at his Wisconsin home, school and studio, Taliesin. There’s another home/studio in Arizona.
The Wisconsin digs is typical Wright. Most of the ceilings are low, and like no place else, Taliesin feels like home, even on the first visit.
As is true with many state Capitols, the domed Wisconsin building sits on
a hill overlooking most of Madison.
Due to the winter cold, much time is spent inside here. One night the thermometer dipped to 9 degrees below zero F. It might be an understatement; that’s cold. I haven’t yet had the chance to ice fish or drive on a lake, but might just partake this winter.
Cheese curds are delish and the good ones sometimes squeak when you bite into them. The cheese aisle in supermarkets is huge.
Brats cooked on the grill are a treat and they seem to taste better here.
It’s customary for the bars to hold Friday night fish fries. My favorite ones are all you can eat. You can get it fried or baked— or both.
Beer is huge in Wisconsin. There are more bars per capital here than any other state. We toured
the Milwaukee Miller plant which might be bigger than the Bud plant in Saint Louis. The smells of brewing beer are usually delightful.
My new go-to beer is Leinenkugel.
Seems like every corner bar has dice games. You can win a drink or the entire pot.
One joint served the mystery shot. Throw one die and drink from one of six bottles covered by brown paper bags. Your choice is determined by the number that comes up on the die.
It’s a great lake state, seated on Lake Michigan. It seems cold on the shoreline year round.
Caught a ball game at Miller Stadium. There’s a retractable roof here which probably comes in handy in April. During the October Brewers game we attended, the stadium roof was left open.
There’s a life-sized statue of Henry Winkler, the Fonz, of Happy Days, here. The Fonz stands 5’ 6”. He has always stood much taller in my mind.
Although Michigan advertises “Land of 10,000 Lakes” on its license plates, there are more lakes in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Dells is a massive tourist trap. It’s the “water park capital of the world.” Many of the parks are indoors.
And it’s the only place with two duck boat rides. I took both in one day.
Wisconsin is just a little piece of America. I’m going to have to get more relatives or friends so I can crash more places. Go Pack! Bill Rettew is a weekly columnist and Chester County native. He’ll tell you there is no need to go to Wisconsin for cheese curds. Freddy’s at the former Farmer in the Dell site, south of West Chester, makes mighty fine cheese curds. To contact Rettew send an email to brettew@dailylocal.com.