Category Archives: General

Writers’ Police Academy 2016

20160812_132357123_iOS

Hundreds of crime/mystery writers swamped Green Bay August 11-14 for the eighth annual Writers’ Police Academy. They came from all over the United States and other countries. One author came from Bangkok. I almost feel guilty that I only had to drive thirty miles. Almost.

On Friday morning, the Eagle III rescue helicopter appeared to transport the injured from an accident simulation. We were able to see how EMS react to a deadly collision.20160812_131614535_iOS We viewed a “deceased” person on the hood of a car and live bodies pulled out after the jaws of life was employed.

On Saturday morning as we were in the lecture hall for announcements, we heard someone screaming for assistance. He had been stabbed and soon other people were also attacked. We were in the middle of a simulated mass assault. Luckily there was a rescue after police were called. They came in with guns and had us keep our hands locked on our heads for what seemed like a long time. They needed to make sure the perpetrator was not posing as one of us. Even though I knew it wasn’t real, my heart pounded harder and it was interesting to understand what is done in that situation.

The entire conference was a learning experience as I attended many sessions, but there wasn’t enough time to do all that I would have liked. Maybe next year? I bet they’ll have new classes that I’ll want to attend, so I’ll probably never get to them all. Not a bad problem to have.

After all of the stress and excitement, I took a break at the casino in the Radisson before the banquet Saturday night. The keynote speaker was author Tami Hoag. She was entertaining and I laughed out loud at her stories.

What a wonderful experience at Writers’ Police Academy 2016!

20160813_212636415_iOS

Tall Ship Festival

20160806_193759158_iOS

Rubber Ducky, you’re the one! The largest rubber duck in the world made its way to the Tall Ship Festival in Green Bay. I took this picture from the water as some friends and I took a cruise on one of the ships. The huge sails were pulled up once we were on the water.

20160806_200203690_iOS

Nine tall ships were on display including a possible replica of a Viking ship. We learned there is no actual blueprint for that ship, so it is the builders’ version from gathered information.

More tall ships were on the other side of the duck. I thought the rubber duck spoiled the vision of the long line of ships, but the kids at the festival seemed to enjoy it. Fun day!

The Boarding House – Suring

20160630_002014940_iOS

A couple weeks ago a friend and I visited a charming supper club that  I hadn’t been to in quite a while.  The Boarding House in Suring was a real working boarding house years ago. My dining companion even mentioned her father stayed there as a young man working a job in Suring. To give you an idea of the place, picture the downstairs of a house. One room is the designated bar, one houses the soup and salad bar, and there are three dining rooms. The atmosphere is inviting and brought back a lot of good memories. I was delighted to see  my favorite dish was still on the menu. I again ordered the New York Strip with cracked black peppercorns with a baked potato. My friend chose steak, too, a ribeye. We hit their fresh and crisp salad bar and then ladled some comforting beef barley soup into our bowls. A warm loaf of bread awaited us on the return to our table. When our steaks arrived, mine was just as I remembered. It melted in my mouth. The peppercorns added a wonderful bite to an already scrumptious steak. All the sides were memorable also. The strip was large and I took half of it home and it made a tasty salad later. My friend said her meal was delicious as well.

I usually don’t order steak, but prefer seafood. At the Boarding House I make an exception. It’s a bit of a drive to Suring from Oconto, but we both decided it was well worth the trip. This supper club was one of my late husband’s and my favorite places to dine. I haven’t been there without him, which makes it fifteen years. But now I’m already thinking about going back.

True nosh or truly nauseous?  –  You decide!

20150729_205707084_iOS

 

While enjoying the warm sun of this beautiful day, I started anticipating the arrival of lilies in my garden. Here is a picture of one of them from last year. I hope this year’s flowers are as captivating.

White Dog Black Cat

Not long ago my friend and I visited White Dog Black Cat in Green Bay. This delightful restaurant in located on Broadway and sports funky painted walls and trendy art.  We enjoy the atmosphere, but it’s the food that keeps us coming back.20151211_184104357_iOS

The first picture shows the Drunken Pig, the sandwich that my friend ordered. It is a half pound burger topped with their famous pulled pork, beer cheese sauce, and fried onions. Homemade potato chips rounded out the meal.20151211_184118215_iOS

On the bottom is the entrée I chose. It was a Friday, so their fish selections were on the menu. I went with the hand beer-battered deep fried walleye served with café potatoes, cole slaw, and rye bread.

We agreed that our meals were delicious and we’re anxious to return. If you haven’t had a bite to eat at White Dog Black Cat, please give it a try. The décor makes us smile and the food is wonderful.

True Nosh or Truly Nauseous? – You Decide!

Brett Favre’s Steakhouse

When my friends and I were staying in Green Bay for a few days, another eating establishment we visited was Brett Favre’s Steakhouse.  The other two delighted in their steaks, but I, for once, was not that hungry. I chose an appetizer and salad for my meal. I picked the jumbo breaded shrimp with rich coconut, served with a lime chili remoulade and the apple-gorgonzola salad.  The salad was chopped lettuce tossed with apples, dried cranberries, spiced walnuts, Gorgonzola, and Italian dressing. It was filling enough to have been a meal at any other place.  I love coconut shrimp and these didn’t disappoint,  They had a good crunch and the remoulade gave them an extra20151023_000210817_iOS20151023_000228369_iOS tang.  The salad was delicious and huge.  The flavors mingled perfectly. It had been a while since I had been to that steakhouse, but I won’t wait so long for another meal there.

True nosh or truly nauseous?  You decide!

1919 Kitchen and Tap – Lambeau Field Atrium Restaurant

20151023_175955858_iOSTwo good friends and I met in Green Bay recently to spend a few days together.  We shopped, had drinks, and went out to eat all without thinking about the drive home.  When we went to the stadium we were able to do it all in one spot – 20151023_180001141_iOS20151023_180010133_iOS browse at the Pro Shop, and eat and drink at 1919 Kitchen and Tap,  All of our meals ( wild mushroom flatbread, apple salad, and Friday perch dinner) were excellent and the laughter never stopped! We are never too old to enjoy good times with wonderful friends.  When the three of us are together, it’s like we’ve never been apart.  We carry on as much as we did when we met over thirty-five years ago.

 

Lautenbach Winery’s Romance and Wine Event – Door County

I had a wonderful Friday at Lautenbach’s Winery near Fish Creek.  My fellow presenters, Val Clarizio, PJ Fiala, Virginia McCullough, Steve Mitchell, Barb Raffin, and I paired one of Lautenbach’s wines with a section of one of our books. We read the excerpt while the audience sampled wine and snacks.  I came home with a lighter load of books, but a heavier load of wine! Please check out these other fabulous authors’ books, too.  We’re all having so much fun that we’re planning on more Romance and Wine Events. I’ll keep you posted.20151002_203533178_iOS

Frenchy’s – Traverse City

A lot of us enjoy a good cup of coffee.  I was delighted this summer while visiting in Traverse City, Michigan, when I was served this coffee with its beautiful design.  That just made it extra special.  I must admit I got a kick out of the atmosphere at Frenchy’s, too.  My friends and I sat outside and observed the mismatched tables and chairs, old bins, and antique containers.  I hope you can see the interesting screen door.  We were all charmed by the homey décor.20150806_135822364_iOS20150806_142900020_iOS