Sunday, September 20, 2015

Great River Road Festival

It was a beautiful pre-autumn day with a blue sky and no wind as my daughter, Sue and I headed for Cassville and the Wisconsin Historical Site called Stonefield.  We were there as a part of the Great River Road Festival, which included everything from horse drawn wagon rides—a big hit with the kids—to log cutting and spinning demonstrations, sheep shearing and sorghum making.

Father and daughter, Roger LaBarge and Mandy LaBarge-Mathis played river music from eleven to two, adding a nice musical touch to the event.

Sue and I were there to sign books and share stories.  I shared some tales from my book WHISPERS AND SHADOWS, and from WISCONSIN AGRICULTURE: A HISTORY.  Sue talked with folks about her book, ONE ROOM SCHOOLS FROM THE DAYS OF 1 ROOM, 1 TEACHER 8 GRADES.

A highlight of the festival was an antique tractor pull, something I had not seen before.  I spotted a couple of Farmalls, a John Deere and an old Oliver.  There were other makes as well that I didn’t see.  It was a smiling good time for these tractor drivers as they competed with each other—but also stood around swapping stories and generally enjoying the day.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Summer and autumn in Wisconsin are a time for festivals and celebrations.  Take some time to enjoy them.

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Want to learn more about one-room country schools that many of us attended when we were kids?  Check out my daughter’s book, ONE ROOM SCHOOLS: STORIES FROM THE DAYS OF 1 ROOM, 1 TEACHER, 8 GRADES by Susan Apps-Bodilly. (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Sue writes about student experiences, the role of the teacher, and what life was like in these little buildings sprinkled across Wisconsin, and in many parts of the country.

Purchase Jerry’s DVDS and his Books from the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin (a fund raiser for them):

The library now has available signed copies of Jerry’s DVDs, Emmy Winner, A Farm Winter with Jerry Apps and Jerry Apps a Farm Story.
Also available are several of Jerry’s signed books including The Quiet Season (on which the DVD A Farm Winter is based), as well as Rural Wit and Wisdom and Old Farm, (which are related to the DVD Jerry Apps a Farm Story). Also available is Jerry’s new novel, The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County.
Contact the library for prices and special package deals.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.org
www.wildroselibrary.org
920-622-3835
UPCOMING EVENTS:

September 23, 6:00 p.m. Patterson Memorial Library, Wild Rose. Wisconsin Agriculture: A History.

September 26, 10:30 -2:00, Dregne’s, Westby, Book signing.

October 4, 1-3 p.m.  Readers Realm bookstore, Montello. Ag. History

October 7, 6:30 p.m. Reedsburg Library, Whispers and Shadows

October 11, 10-12:00 a.m.  Heartland Forum, Chicago.

October 11, 3:00 p.m. Old World Wisconsin-Wisconsin Ag. History

October 12, 6:00 p.m. Coloma Historical Society.  Limping Through Life

October 15, Prairie du Sac Library, Whispers and Shadows

October 17, 9-4 Teaching writing workshop at The Clearing, Ellison Bay, WI

October 17, 4:30-6:00 p.m. The Clearing.  Book signing, Whispers and Shadows, Wisconsin Agriculture: A History.

October 23, 10-11:00 a.m. Wisconsin Historical Society Museum (on the square). Whispers and Shadows.  Wisconsin Book Festival.

October 23, 3:30 p.m. Wisconsin Historical Society Auditorium (On UW Campus) Wisconsin Agriculture: A History.  Wisconsin Book Festival.

October 25, 2:00 p.m. Schlitz Nature Center, Milwaukee with Boswell Books.  Whispers and Shadows.

October 29, Brown County Library.  Premier of TV Documentary,” The Land With Jerry Apps. “ Book signing, Whispers and Shadows.

November 1, 2:00 p.m. Gard Theater, Spring Green. Ag History and Wisconsin Place Names (a Robert Gard book).

November 5, 7:00 p.m. Baraboo Library, Whispers and Shadows.

November 7, Edgerton Book Festival, The Land (TV documentary) and Whispers and Shadows

November 10, 6:00 p.m. Wausau Public Library, Wisconsin Agriculture: A History.

November 12, 7:00 p.m. Bellville High School Auditorium with Bellville Public Library.  Wisconsin Agriculture: A History

November 14, 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.  Wisconsin Agriculture: A History.

November 15, 9:15 Midvale Lutheran Church, The Land (TV documentary)  plus discussion of Whispers and Shadows.

November 17, 7:00 p.m. Hotel Red (1501 Monroe Street- corner of Regent and Monroe, Madison.)  “Wisconsin Agriculture: A History, a discussion with Doug Moe. Sponsored by Mystery to me Bookstore.  Book signing to follow.

November 18, Preview of TV Documentary, “The Land With Jerry Apps” Wild Rose High School Auditorium.  Whispers and Shadows book signing. (Time to be announced)






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