76 Trombones

In the movie the Music Man, which is said to have taken place in Mason City, IA, 76 trombones led a big parade. Last night, my spouse and I made our way a couple blocks from our house to the local ice cream shop, next to, and a part of, the McFarland House Cafe.  While making our way to the ice cream shop we noticed persons lined up on  part of Exchange and Farwell streets. We correctly guessed that they were lining up for the Homecoming Parade. It was not a big parade.

McFarland Homecoming Float (circa 2011)

No longer with kids in the district, and with my wife now retired as one of nurses at the district, we really have no connection to the happenings in the district. What we noticed was that the parade, started probably at the middle school, or at the rather new Exchange St entrance to the high school and made its way to Farwell and back to the high school's main entrance on Farwell St.  This is a change from the past, when the parade would start at Christ the King Catholic Church, and make its way along Main to a short stint on Exchange then right on Farwell to the school. Actually, the homecoming parade has had many different iterations.

2011 Homecoming/Family Festival Parade
My wife would be saying, in not out loud in her heart:
"That is my Joey!"

When we first moved to the village, 31 years past, the parade was right after school, probably on the Thursday before the homecoming football game. Homecoming is a tradition across the nation, and is a way of alumni connecting with present day, and/or recall their past exploits. McFarland's band has/had (not sure if this is the case anymore) taken it a step further by having an alumni band play a short stint at the football game. Later, as when our kids were in high school, there was the family festival parade, which included the homecoming parade, generally held the Sunday before the game which would follow on Friday.  This guaranteed more attendees as the parade had more units than a few high school floats and cars or trucks with the homecoming court, and the band. 

Float under construction

The family festival would conclude that Sunday, and generally things were wrapped up by about 3 pm, (attendance would drop depending on the time of the Packer game) which really is not a big deal, because other than some rides, the main attraction for adults for many years was a tent with the Mary K lady, a person selling replacement windows, and other commercial vendors. There were not many games, other than those the carnies provided.  Growing up, when I attended the Sun Prairie Corn Festival, we were told by our parents to play the games on the local side, not the carnie games.  My favorite was the pop ring toss.  This was a time when they had the quart glass bottles which seemed to hold the ring much better than the now 20 oz plastic bottles. One time I won a whole case, and it was not easy carrying that home. McFarland, had little in terms of games by locals, which is not too dissimilar from the more recent Corn Festivals, at least my last attendance a few years past. 

For its first many years of existence, (I am not sure if has ended due to Covid, or its death was in the making) the McFarland Family Festival was held across from the high school at a local strip mall, then at a large park north of town, the high school, at the village hall, and probably a few other places.  It never really was successful in my mind.  Being a predominantly a teetotal-ling Lutheran city, alcohol sales have always been suspect in this community. When Christ the King tried a parish festival, first no alcohol was allowed and later the village allowed it but with such restrictions it was overly expensive.  That put an end to that festival. This was an awakening for me, as the parish festival in Sun Prairie, generally had the beer tent 15' from the back corner of the church. In the early days of the village, but only about 100 to 110 years distant, a local merchant, who happened to be Catholic, had his shop vandalized and he, his wife and child bullied, harassed, and injured by a group of Lutherans who dressed up in some type of disguise, with the idea to thwart what for sure he was doing--selling alcohol in a dry town. The vandals did not find the alcohol, and because the local law enforcement was part of the group, no charges were ever brought. For some reason, this self proclaimed group of vigilantes never thought a Lutheran may be the source of the illegal sales of alcohol. The village has come some way into the current century. However, even, as it was on life-support, and they tried alcohol sales, the family festival never made much of a go. I found it odd that the fire department fund raiser was allowed to have alcohol, and was very successful, but not the family festival. Heck, in times not long past, many volunteer fire departments had beer, and it would not surprise me that some in the state still do. The thinking of the Village minds was alcohol and family do not mix/  I guess this goes back to the old days when the ruling the Lutherans thought a dry town was best, and not mixing with Catholics.

McFarland High School Band, 2011

Catholics are now more accepted in the village (a few years ago even one was on the village board) after all, for many years, the parade start at its parking lot.  Although that was probably more due to geography than anything else. Yet, culture has changed in other, not so good ways.  One sees it in the loss of local games at the Corn Fest, as one example. The changes in culture and society are significant, and if a person wants a partial reason why I would direct them to Robert Putnam's book Bowling Alone. Or, you can read an earlier blog post here. As an urban planner, part of me thinks the cultural changes are related to our acceptance of a sprawling land use pattern.  

High School Homecoming game, half time

Back at the ice cream shop, as we sat outside eating our ice cream choices, we watched as police cars cut off the access to that part of Exchange and Main, and then the lead police car.  It is like they were setting up a roadblock for an escaping criminal, absent the road spikes.  We saw the vehicles north of Farwell, getting stuck and needing to make a decision. This  brought back a few memories, and also a few observations.  First,  in the past listening to (which we can do from our home) or at the parade it struck me how for the homecoming parade the middle school band always seemed to sound better than the high school band.  I suspect the high school band was trying out some new music, while the middle schoolers struck with old, rather easy, staples.  Most of the way on the parade route the band sound was just the drummers keeping cadence, so to hear a piece of music from the band next to you was a real treat--even if it was the not to pleasant sound of high schoolers who would rather be with their girl friends, or somewhere other than marching in warm polyester (probably) uniforms with the standard band hat. As a parent with two kids who were in band, we wanted the music, even if the high schoolers, to yell, out, not unlike the parents in River City, "There is my (Andrew, Joey)." Middle school students in band got to wear a t-shirt with the band emblem emblazoned in the left breast. Of course, McFarland is so small, that with cub and boy scouts, girls scouts, the 4_H and the Benevolent Order of the Buffalo all marching, the tree trimmer and garbage trucks, (not to mention fire trucks) it seems that more were in the parade than watching the parade.

McFarland Band at Homecoming game (c 2011)

The second memory was in May of 1990 when my soon to be wife moved into our current house, and I was going to visit her on Memorial Day.  As chance would have it, I arrived as the parade was starting and the access off of Hwy 51 was blocked near the high school.  I then made my way back to Hwy 51 to the south end of Exchange thinking I might sneak through to Bashford and then the short block to our house.  No luck. I had to turn around, and then made my way to AB near Stoughton and back up and in the "back" way.  Given how short the parade probably was, I would have been better often just parking and waiting.  Back then, and today, the street patterns in McFarland are not conducive to getting around when a major street is closed.  From Hwy 51 to County AB east of town Main-Exchange is the only north south street through most of the village.  There is another street that is partial, but it is one way. Hence, travel options during a parade are limited.  

Gathering for 2021 Homecoming Parade

As we sat eating our ice cream with the now low in the sky getting ready to set sun in my view to Farwell, that memory came back as I saw cars needing to turn around to avoid the parade route, my wife even saw a car going the wrong way on a one way street.  Drivers will not be deterred. The nice thing is that by Memorial Day, the high school band sounds much better than the middle school band. Part of the issue of street pattern is lakes, and wetlands, and part is the suburban sprawl development pattern which favors closed subdivisions over connectivity.  The village has brought some on itself, as the only other street that could provide some connectivity is in front of the schools next to us and is one way.  That is the one way street some one snuck down.

My wife was the first of the two of us to observe the lead police car for the parade, with its lights flashing amidst the people on the street terrace, and cars trying to turn around and avoid a crash, or have to wait.  What most struck me was no music.  Who has a parade without a band? The ice cream shop was going to be closing at 6:30 pm to allow the staff to attend the pep rally. Yet, the person working was called in, because the high school staff, who were scheduled, called in sick. I guess they wanted to watch the parade, and not just go to the pep rally. With the pep rally, I wonder if they had the band, or if it was all on hold due to Covid?

2021 Home Coming Parade Lead Police Car
(see headlights near top)

We departed for home, and for the short distance home and while at home, on that pleasant early autumn evening, there was no music--not even the thumping of drums.  I don't know what was up, but there was not one trombone to be heard, much less 76 trombones.  While we did not watch the parade, I have to think it was a rather small event.I also did not hear any cheering. I guess it gave the homecoming court their five minutes of fame. A parent may not be able to yell to those around that a member of the band is their child, but the court gave them that opportunity.  Even though I did not have to put up with a somewhat off-key high school band, it is still rather sad to think that some of these band students, as much as they may not like, will have limited experience in a true marching band. This loss of a key moment for band members, but more importantly it is a loss for the community.  The parade, with the band is one of those institutional acts which can bring varied factions, for at least one moment in time, together. We could use more of that. Here is hoping that the trombones, and tubas will make a comeback in the parade.

One Chickadee

This past summer there was a report of a mysterious illness affecting varied birds. Later it turned out to to affect mainly fledgling birds. I am not sure the source or the type of illness has ever been discovered, but, nonetheless, the Audubon society and other bird groups asked people to empty their feeders and bird baths.  I did that, and still await the return of the birds. Since refilling the feeder a few weeks ago, I have seen only one chickadee at the feeder.

Years ago, when I was perhaps a teenager, or young teen, my mom put up a finch feeder.  We had never seen finches in the yard and we wondered if they would all of a sudden appear with a finch feeder.   There was skepticism among some of the siblings that the finches would arrive in any short time frame.  Sure enough, about a day or so later there were finches at the feeder. So, I figured when I refill the feeders, the birds would soon arrive.  I was mistaken.

Still waiting for the return of Finches

I dutifully did what they asked, taking down and cleaning the bird feeders and not refilling them, and regularly cleaning the bird bath, and allowing it to stay dry, or turning it over for some time.  I cannot recall when I started this, perhaps some time in late June or in early July.  I do know I took down the feeders after seeing it online, and later noticed an article in the newspaper. Even though the disease was not in Wisconsin, the bird organizations asked for cooperation to avert the spread, lest there be a pandemic among the bird population.  The thinking was that birds can depend on berries and other sources of food during the summer months, so there is no need for them to be fed. Which begs the question, what did birds do before people started feeding them?

As noted, I started feeding the birds a few weeks ago with cleaned feeders, and the next day, the newspaper had an article that people can start feeding the birds once again. Come to find out, that guidance was actually issued in early August for allowing regularly cleaned feeders to once again be used.  With the feeders now filled for a few weeks, the birds have been non-existent, except for that one chickadee.  My wife thinks the birds probably got used to other feeders and yards, and it will take some time for them to reappear. I don't know why the finches appeared the next day when my mom set up a finch feeder, and I am now three weeks in and waiting for the return of the finches. 

Feeder at which I saw the one Chickadee

At first, the disease issue was concern for song birds, but later turned out to be Blue Jays, Robins and grackles. I have not seen a Robin eating out of a feeder, they seem to poke around the ground and plants, and the dry summer probably cut off some of the supply of worms. The disease, unlike Covid, had apparently run its course. As far as I know, the origin, or what the disease was,has yet to be determined.  Some experts think it may be due to the large outbreak of cicadas in some states.  While correlation does mean causation, some scientists think there may still be an link--although this is pure conjecture.  

In any event, I wait the return of the birds, and hope that as fall has now arrived the birds will once again make their way to one of my two feeders. If not, it will save me purchasing bird seed. One chickadee has found its way, and I trust the others will too.

Dark Clouds

For part of this past week my spouse and I were camping in southwest Wisconsin.  I have written before about how, when we camp, we are the rain makers.  When I worked and public works complained about water usage (watering of lawns) due to drought, I suggested that it would be time for me to go camping. It rain on a trip in the last full week of August to Clear Lake, and it occurred again this past camping trip. We packed up at Clear Lake since rain was expected all day (and we were to leave the next morning). On this trip, it started the rain lasted, well, basically a full 24 hours. A  long thin line of storms and rain, and the related dark clouds was placed right over us.

Same Campsite and same Time of Month as Last Year

We arrived Sunday early in the afternoon to a our southwest Wisconsin  state park campground loop of 69 sites, having only three other campers. with light rain as we started to set up camp.  The rain stopped to cook dinner outside and start a fire. After dinner we started a short walk in the campground, and we were about 3/4 of the way through, about 5:30 pm, and it started to rain.  We made it back to the camp site to get stuff covered or put away and made our way into our camper. As the Packers were getting deluged by the Saints in Jacksonville, FL, we were getting rain. The camper is small, so not much room for maneuverability, but we did some reading and worked on some puzzles. Lights out earlier than normal, due to the rain. With inclement weather, I can now see why people have larger campers. Maybe we should get a larger camper?

One of Two Lakes in this 5350 acre State Park

It seemed that all night long we had a great deal of thunder and lightening, but with mainly light rain, but by morning the rain started coming in heavy, although we had a small enough break for my wife to warm water on our camp stove for tea and oatmeal.  The rain then came again, and as we sat in the camper, wife missed a perfect opportunity to beat me in Cribbage. After a long time, we looked at radar and saw the long thin band of storm activity.  This band, at the time, was centered north to south right over us, as if the camping gods were getting back at us. I seem to think they always want to get even with us. I noticed that if we traveled 10 or so miles north or south we would no longer be in rain.  It was a thin band of storms about 20 miles in width. I then had a bright idea to make our way to a small city about that distance north, on the north shore of the Wisconsin River.  The band of rain seem to end at the Wisconsin River, which runs east to west in this location. We had lunch at a restaurant and then tried without luck to find Percussion Rock.  We did have a nice drive through part of the infamous Wisconsin Driftless area with farms tucked in among the hills and valleys, and steep slopes and curvy roads that make for fun driving.

The Park's most Famous Site

The rain had pretty much stopped as we made our way back to the campground. After we arrived back, we started a hike, but thought the better of doing some trails thinking of how muddy they would be.  bad feet and knees may not do well on mud. The overcast, cool day may have put a damper on things, but we did get an evening fire started, and of course it started to rain again, so we again made our way to our camper, and played some cards. 

Rock Outcropping

The camper kept us dry, and Tuesday morning, it was overcast and cool, but no rain. We did the hike we wanted to do the prior day, and had success climbing a steep muddy hill, more famous for cross country skiing (down) than probably for hiking. 

An "O" Shape in a Tree Branch

What most struck me, was how the long band of rain stretching from eastern Wisconsin to west of the Mississippi, when I looked at the radar was so narrow, and was the only rain in the state. It made me ponder why we did not go further north, even though the rain chance was greater. If there is rain it will find us, and this trip proved no different.  We did have, however, one trip this year, for four nights where we did not have rain the entire trip.  That is something unusual, but a nice experience for us. The long thin line of storms had to go right over us, and any other camp ground we were looking at, would not have had the rain Monday morning as we did.  I am not sure why, but it seems to me, at least when camping, that the weather is often worse than predicted (in the night it was not supposed to rain until after 8 pm), and seldom better than predicted. I guess that is because we are the rain makers. 

Hints of Fall in the Landscape

As the dry summer comes to and end there are some farmers, gardeners, and lawn aficionados that are happy we camped to at least partially assuage the dry conditions. It may be late in the growing season, but we successfully brought a long, but narrow band of rain to part of southern Wisconsin that Sunday into Monday. The thin weather line put a damper on some of our intended experiences, but it would help the thirsty crops in the area of the thin band. I can say that literally there were dark clouds over us. 

 Photos by author, Sept 2021

No Walking

Many years ago, I led a group of scouts to a week long summer camp as the Troop leader was with a number of older scouts on a hike at Philmont Scout Ranch in the southwest US.  Thursday night of that week a number of other Dad's arrived and would spend the last two nights to help take the boys home Saturday morning.  We were sitting by the campfire, when I got up to tend to something.  As I walked away, I heard the other leader that had been with me for the week say, "Pay up."  I found out that he had bet the newly arrived Dad's that I would not be able to sit down for more than five minutes before getting up. The newly arrived Dad's thought that rather ridiculous. That scout leader could have been my wife.  Although I tend to think she is the one who cannot sit.  After all, if she were a bird it would be humming bird since they flutter around and never seem to stop. Even at the feeder they don't perch, but keep their wings flapping. But, with part of my foot treatment over the past month, I have come to realize, that after sitting down for ten minutes, I get, well, a little unsettled.  

 As part of my regiment for my feet, I wear a splint on my left foot.  I don't wear it very long, ten to fifteen minutes with my leg extended, and the same amount of time in a seated position. One is not supposed to walk in the splint, so there I sit for ten to fifteen minutes before switching chairs for another similar amount of time.  At times, or most of the time, for some reason, I find this rather difficult.  Perhaps because I have lost my freedom of movement--being able to move when I wish to. 

I am sure my spouse would disagree that I desire freedom to move. She would instead say that it is instead related to a nervous energy, or my antsy nature.  She would say that I cannot simply stay put for ten minutes or more at one time. My wife found vindication for her thought on my nervous energy.  Last week my brother-in-law commented to her that I have trouble sitting still. It has given rectitude to her view. In other words, could she be correct? 

Splint I wear

Having to wear the foot splint for 20 to 30 minutes a day is not too bad.  I have to say, however, that it takes some getting used to not be able to get up and walk into the kitchen for more food, or a drink of water, or get another snack. My problem with my feet has greatly limited my activities over the past nine months, so one would think I was used to having lost freedom to move around. Perhaps for distances, but not in the house. In the home, my desire for food usually overran the ache of my feet. In any event, I am now in a no walk position for two 10 to 15 minute segments a day. 

In writing this five paragraph blog post, I think I got up four or more times. Most times to do other chores, or get in a short bike ride. The no walking message on the splint apparently allows me to sit in the same place for ten to fifteen minutes,but not as I wrote this.  So, tonight I will once again have a no walk restriction.  My snack trips will be on hold.

Details

More and more the world works in generalities. This has become more common as a sound byte world has now morphed to a twitter world. People forget about details, or backstories, or the other side of a story. There is an old saying, which is often forgotten, that the devil is in the details. Details matter in law, medicine, surveying, engineering and most other fields. Details are also important in design and building construction. For example, detailing was quite prevalent in Queen Anne style, Craftsman style, among others, type of homes. While Frank Lloyd Wright may have been good at designing and detailing parts his prairie style homes, it is often said that he forgot the details when it came to structure, such as the roof construction. Building details, and I mean those gems undertaken with design, can enhance a project.  Today, with cookie cutter construction, we often lack details, unless it is done on a 3-D printer.  A recent trip to Boulder Junction showed the depth of detail at the Big Bear Hideaway, located on County K and how the details further enhance the north woods experience.

Sculpture at street

One of my older brother's and his spouse built the Big Bear Hideaway project back in the mid 1990's, (and owned it for many years) and other than a stay in what was then a restaurant, about to open, for one night for a niece's birthday party, I have never stayed at the property until Aug 30. I have seen the property many times, but this time was my first stay at Big Bear as a place of lodging. Johnny Depp stayed there while filming "Public Enemies", and now of course and Big Bear can now claim that a regular, average Tom spent four nights. during that stay what has struck me are the project's design details. Having used some time to relax at the location, I had time to view the project in more detail than in the past. Items that stood out to me this time, probably went by my brain like a bad sound byte goes through my brain. To show how out of the loop I am I do not read tweets, unless part of a story I am reading.

Stained glass window

In northern Wisconsin bears are kinda of a thing. They help to define the north woods, as much as loons and tall soaring white pines. Although there are probably a great deal more deer, more than there should be, and more than what the DNR seems to wish to recognize, bears maybe the animal of choice to define the north woods.  I noticed signs for different places using bears, whether a contractor or a different business. I doubt, however, anything can beat the details in design at the Big Bear Hideaway. The buildings are constructed as log cabins with use of natural stone material in parts to complement the warmth of the wood, meaning the whole project fits well in its pine woods environment in earth tones. This construction endures through a sense of stability and durability. The log cabin construction mimics a more rugged, but somewhat simple past. The mass in construction materials would seem opposite of details, but the detailing of art, and of common objects is what adds to the projects unique nature.

Wood relief sculpture inset in Grizzly cabin
below second floor window

At first take, the mass of the buildings and furniture will catch the eye. A few examples. First, a railing outside one building is constructed of very large timbers between stone pylons. Second, the massive fence along one edge of the property provides a sense of security. Third, furniture, like the benches, picnic tables, tables, and even rocking chairs are made out of sizable wood that projects durability and strength, not unlike what would be required around a bear.  If Goldilocks went to these cabins, she would not find a bed too hard or bed too soft, but she would find furniture and construction that would withstand anything the ferocious wolf in the Three Little Pigs could blow. The timber/stone construction could easily withstand the big bad wolf. In its whole, the lodges, or cabins, and the full property project stability, strength, and staying power. One cannot be but awed at the man power evident in construction. But, yet the details provide a necessary level of enhancement to the project.  The detailing in design starts outside, but goes inside. The details, provide a certain finesse to the mass and strength, and without them, the touches of human scale would be somewhat diminished. For design details are meant to not only express a certain type of design, but are meant to express care, confidence, and to project a more human nature to a structure. In this case, they balance the mass evident in timber and stone. The details catch your eye and your imagination.

Grizzly cabin, note furniture out front

First, a door hinge would be a rather simple item, that obviously projects function over form. How many really pay attention to a door hinge, unless of course it is not properly working? The cabin in which we stayed was the Grizzly Getaway. The door hinges on the main door, as they attach to the door, are not hidden, but in plain sight.  The hinge is the shape of a bear arm and paw and it is like the bear is about to give you a nice big bear hug. What better way to be welcomed into a building in the north woods?  Accomplished in wrought iron look, the heavy metal plays to the strength evident in the construction, at the same time as inculcate the bear theme and welcomes the visitor. It makes one more fully aware of place. 

Door hinge on Grizzly cabin

Second, outside there also exist some wood art pieces built into the logs, with small drawings. Often a bear, or other iconic north wood image. This is complimented by art of stained glass windows which project bears, or other northern Wisconsin wildlife or features, such as loons.  Also prevalent in the property is a good amount of large wood sculptures which welcome, highlight, and add a sense of belonging to the area. These features, define the place in which one is located, and help meld the human construction with the natural environment of pines and spruce trees. Whether near a building entry, or at the outdoor common-area pavilion, the large sculptures show the role art can play in enhancing an experience. After all, most visitors to the north woods are their for an experience. 

Author standing next to outdoor wood sculpture
Photo by Toni Hovel

Yet, the details are not only outdoors.  The light switch and outlet cover plates also have artwork painted on them which highlight the northern Wisconsin theme. No plain white or ivory colored light switch plates for this project.  This little, rather inconsequential touch runs counter to the mass produced theme common to American homes and furnishings. Almost everything, from the lights to the cabin furniture is hand made for the specific building, and unique to that place. Bed frames are from large pine timbers, unusual branch structures may make up part of a chair back rest. 

Bedroom Door engraving

The interior also has its share of artwork, such as engravings of a bear on a bedroom door. A massive table, such as exists in the Panda Palace, has a colored engraving of the building.  A unique touch sure to draw ones attention, as much as the massive pine slab from which the table top is made.

Table top engraving in Panda Palace

Light switch plate

The unique nature of the project is the hand work required in craftsmanship and denotes the effort of manual labor to construct. Detailing often requires a great deal of manual work, but manual labor is evident throughout the whole project. Dovetailing the details with the stone and timber construction, shows the workings of a keen mind to know how and what to detail to make the project not only inviting, but to stand out. The clever use of a two key materials, wood and stone, shows a simplicity, yet elegance in design. The clever use of materials, and detailing provided in the project express a level of work going beyond manual labor and construction to a project which speaks to our human nature. In whole, the manual labor and the details go hand in hand, they are inseparable. The buildings are special because they are unique, a unique nature formed by mind and hand working together. 

Bench back with wood sculpture behind
in common area pavilion

Visitors to the north woods desire an experience, and the Big Bear Hideaway provides a unique north woods experience in living, not only by its method of construction and use of materials, but in the way it handles its details to complement the rugged nature of the large timbers and stone. Hand work and a reduction to mass production is not dead, but it requires hard labor, integrated thought, detailing, but most important genuine interest, and pride, in what you produce. Just as much as the pine timbers, stone work, and cedar shingles matter, so does the detailing evident to produce something unique to the place that is Big Bear Hideaway. The details in design enhance experience.

Door knocker detail on Grizzly cabin front door

Unless otherwise noted photos by Author, 2021.