This week on "Wisconsin
Life
" Meet a Door County couple born to farm,
slosh, slosh
Life
a group that brings mobility to veterans, a musician following his dreams, and a woman who brings Shakespeare to the great outdoors. It's all ahead on "Wisconsin Life!" Funding for "Wisconsin Life" is provided in part by Alliant Energy, Lowell and Mary Peterson, and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television. Hello, I'm Angela Fitzgerald and welcome to "Wisconsin Life." Today, I am headed down, underground to the caves at the Ledge View Nature Center in Calumet County. This county park is just south of the city of Chilton and offers affordable tours of the natural cave formations in the area. This cave system is surrounded by hiking trails and nestled within 105 acres of woods and prairie. All of which can be seen from the top of a 60-foot observation tower. But the most exciting features are found underground with several caves and tunnels to discover. I'll begin the cave exploration in the nature center, where I'll join a group as they prepare to take an adventurous route that will have them crawling through tight tunnels. Before we hit the caves, we travel to Door County for our first story where we meet a couple who works a farm that brought them together.
cock-a-doodle-doo
Life
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high-pitched mooing
Life
Moowwwwwrrrr! C'mon girls. Let's go. -
low-pitched mooing
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Mhrrooonnh! Muuhhhrrr! Get in there. We're on the cows' routine. Seven days a week, five o'clock, morning and night. -
Moo!
Life
And they let you know if you're ten minutes late, they're bellowing at you. For Mike and Jamie Henschel and their three boys, milking time is often family time. Jamie tries to appreciate it since two of her sons have jobs off the farm.
cluck, cluck
Life
Hey, chick, chicks. Early morning's my best time. I mean, the sun just peeking up, it's peaceful, it's calm. Most people think a chore is something that's dull and repetitive but farm chores give you eggs for breakfast.
sizzling
Life
We know no different; It's always been that way. Mike and Jamie were born into farming, as were most of their ancestors. Mike says the Henschel family came to Door County a century ago, drawn by cheap land prices. My great-grandpa Ed and Mary moved up here from Elkhart Lake area in 1902. I think 12 cows, something like that, that great-grandpa had had back then. Eighty acres. My Grandpa Ray took it over at the age of 18. He had four children, and one son. That was my dad, Roger. And he ran it. And then in 2000... 2000, we purchased it. Me and Jamie took the farm over from my parents. Jamie grew up on a farm down the road. They were kindred spirits, growing up in an era when more and more of their classmates had no connection to farm life.
Jamie
We knew what to talk about. It was always, "What crop you're raising?" or, "How's harvesting going?"
pig snorts
Mike
I was 13 years old when I took the pigs over. That's when my dad had his first heart attack. And that pig smell, you can't get off your hands. I mean, you'd wash them. So I'd soak my hands in aftershave lotion, and try to cover up the smell. I always say, "Jamie's the only girl I found that could handle the pig smell."
laughing
Mike
I grew up on a farm. It's... the natural aroma.
slosh, slosh
Mike
We married two years out of high school, and stayed right on this farm, and helped his parents out until we took it over and started raising our own family. Despite the chores and the routine of the animals, Mike and Jamie say there's always something new on the farm.
Jamie
Just a little bit of diversion. I mean, something different in the day. That's because they do more than cows and corn. We tap about 1,200 trees. They cook and bottle their own maple syrup. They have bees for their own brand of honey. And because they're in Door County, they have a small cherry orchard. This year will be 89 years the cherry orchard's been there. And in case that wasn't enough, they also operate a sawmill. Jamie saws a little over 200,000 board feet a year. So now we call farming our hobby and the sawmill is our main job.
chuckles
Jamie
Add it all up and it's enough for a family farmer to get by. Having the sawmill, all our diversification really helps out, kind of offset, and family labor. I mean, you don't count your hours. Mike and Jamie were born into farming but they made a choice to stay on the farm. A choice their boys will have to make, as well. It's been in his family. We're fourth generation. Our boys will be fifth.
Mike
We're hoping. I mean, just like my dad was hoping I'd take the farm over. And I'm pretty sure our boys will be taking this over 'cause they seem to like it so far. After all, it's not a chore if you enjoy what you're doing.
Jamie
Always liked it. Always will.
Mike
Dad always said, "Work is something you don't enjoy." So, hopefully, I never have to work.
chuckles
moo
Mike
Next up, we're off to Waupaca to find a group of veterans who are on a mission to bring mobility to those in need.
bells jingle
Mike
There are a lot of different kinds of freedoms. What's new, Kenny? Just busy, busy, busy. But one most people take for granted is freedom of movement.
bells jingle
Mike
Good morning, Jim. Morning. For some, just getting out of the house to visit friends can be an impossible task. Which is why twice a week, a group of retired veterans shows up at the Mobility 4 Vets Wheelchair Shop in Waupaca. Everything you see in this building is a donation.
pump valve squeals
gear clicks
Mike
Oh, yeah. They'll spend the next few hours fixing up donated wheelchairs and scooters.
mechanical whirr
Mike
It should be ready to fly now. Just some veterans helping restore a little freedom of movement.
whirr
Mike
We take the equipment. We refurbish it and get it back into working shape. Put a very reasonable asking price on it and make people happy. Ken Tourville is president of this nonprofit and says donated goods, volunteers, and free rent, allow them to make mobility affordable.
clunk
Mike
They look fairly new, too. A lot of people don't realize how much some of this mobile equipment goes. Some of those chairs run up into $20, $25, $30,000 range. Most of the chairs were purchased through Medicare or the VA, but they don't take returns. I got a call from a lady. She said it belonged to her father. He just passed away. She said, "I don't even know if he used it. If he did, once or twice, maybe." It's a $20,000 electric wheelchair. Mobility 4 Vets will list it for $800, but they understand even that price could be too expensive. So, the right price could be nothing more than a handshake. I don't know how to thank you so thank you. You're welcome, sweetheart. So our prices run anywhere from zero up to whatever you can afford. We put a very, very reasonable price on things. Whatever they can't fix, they break down for parts. Years ago, the group worked out of a wheelchair repair shop at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home at King, just down the road. Five of us were volunteers there for quite a while. They ended up closing the shop. We talked about it and said, "Do we really want to open another shop?" Our youngest guy at that time was, like, 73. We decided it's really worthwhile what we're doing there and helping people. Despite the name, Mobility 4 Vets provides help for anyone. So, we really have a warm spot in our heart for veterans, but we try to help everybody. That's for donuts and coffee for you folks. Holy cripes. That's a donation, call it. All right. Fantastic. The social aspect can be just as important for their customers. Immobility can be isolating. That's a dandy right there. We understand what their needs are. Yeah, sometimes we just shoot the bull. Ken can relate because he uses a chair as well. I had a bad accident. I got a whole new respect for stairs, for ramps, for accessibility. Ken understands how easy it is to lose mobility and therefore how important their service really is. And it's that history of service that ties this group together. Like the old saying, "band of brothers." Veterans just kind of bond to one another.
laughter
Mike
They have a very special bond. The only thing I can do is take it for a test drive. If I can help a Veteran, that makes my day.
ratchet clicks
Mike
Okay, it works.
motor whirs
Mike
Ken tells a story that sums up what they do. A disabled veteran was poor, but too proud to take a scooter for free. So I said to him, I said, "John, how much money do you have?" Real proud, he says, "I got 120 dollars." "We'll sell you that for $120." The guy was just totally elated. He was so happy. About three days later, I called him. He lives in Oshkosh. And I said, "How's it going, John?" "Ken, yesterday," he said, "I went to Walgreens." He'd never been to Walgreens, like, two blocks from his house. He said, "Tomorrow, I'm going to the grocery store." That's why we do it. He was so happy. How do you replicate that kind of satisfaction in what you're doing? It just made us feel good.
Group
Yeah! Now we feel better. That's why I do it. I'm in Calumet County exploring the caves with some young friends I've met today. Together, we set out to see what's hidden beneath the surface. The Ledge View Nature Center offers beautiful hiking trails, educational opportunities, and year-round activities to experience the natural world, above and below ground. The most popular features at the park are the caves and Naturalist Supervisor Louise Marum knows their origins.
speaking in Australian accent
Group
We have a dolomite limestone here. So, during the Silurian Period, there was a warm tropical ocean and a coral reef. It was an accumulation of coral sediment over millions of years that formed our dolomite limestone. Dolomite is a carbonate rock. And rainwater is acidic. So very slowly, over time, that rock will be dissolved away. So, water seeps down through cracks in the rocks and over possibly up to a million years, it dissolved the rock away. Wow, and so, what might we expect to see during today's tours? Well, our caves here at Ledge View are-- We like to call them wild caves. There's no walkways. So if you want the opportunity to really go caving and walk around and crawl around and, yeah, you can touch stuff. We encourage it. Now, some of those tunnels are pretty big. I can do them on my hands and knees. Others, I got to get on my belly for which is the really fun part I think. Adventure awaits for those who dare to explore the caves. We often find that when kids first go down into the caves, they're a little bit hesitant because it's dark, and it's dirty, and it's wet. And when we put dirt and water together, we get mud. Some kids are just not used to getting as dirty as you get in our caves. But we find after a while that they really get into it and that's the aspect that they say that they most enjoy when they come out. Huge spiders. She's not going to hurt. Promise. Tight tunnels and a narrow exit. Oh, that was a squeeze. Wow, that was pretty small. It may be dirty and exhausting, but most visitors say it's all worth it. I would just say getting dirty and just exploring. I really like stuff like that 'cause it's quite fun for me and exploring is quite fun sometimes. The fact that I got to learn a lot. I like reading history books. Learning about history, history's people, and how things are shaped and formed. It's obvious Wisconsin has a lot to experience above and below ground. Including in Rhinelander, where a local musician proves it's never too late to follow your dreams. Looking back I didn't know I was falling in love When I write songs, I can just get lost. Across the painted sky In a cowboy's dreams She was beautiful I tap into a different space when I write. Some said she came from Buffalo The sweetheart of the rodeo Just passing through My name's Paco Fralick. I'm a singer-songwriter. I'm from Rhinelander, Wisconsin. I think I was about 15 or 16, I saw my dad play out. I actually went out and watched him play. It was New Year's Eve and I remember I was just hooked. Always like to acknowledge my dad, Len Fralick. He was my musical inspiration. And I would grow up listening to that music around the house. And so my first song was "Rhinestone Cowboy."
audience laughs
Group
So, I started playing bass in the band with my dad. Got $10 a job. His hands are worn like leather So music was always there in the background. Holds his cardboard sign Hey, man, you gotta dime? I think I'm a latecomer-- I just turned 50-- to try to do something serious with my music. The band played a familiar tune And she whispered to me I saw my dad as he's getting older, not able to sing like he wanted to anymore, physically not able to do it. And I thought I'd better record these songs while I still can.
soft guitar music
Group
Well I remember The day that you were born First time I held you It wasn't until, actually, my kids moved out, which was just a few years ago. We have three great kids. I started writing again and I found that the writing was still there. I knew that someday You'd set out on the world My album is called Letting Go and it was released in May of 2017. I'm letting go I know it hurts you so this ain't goodbye Dry those tears from your eyes I describe it as eclectic. I think it's a little bit of everything. It's definitely got a country side to it. You're forever in my heart and in my soul It has a folk side to it.
soft guitar music
Group
My songs are usually written about dreams I had, or experiences I had, or relationships. Start a family of your own I'm part Ojibwe from Lac du Flambeau. And when I was 37, I started having a lot of spiritual dreams. And that drastically changed my path in life.
soft guitar music
Group
Sometimes, I don't always understand what I'm seeing. My dreams became about Native American things and it caused me to go on this journey to start to learn more about that side of myself because I really didn't know much about it. 'Cause I'm letting go
strumming guitar
Group
This first song is called "Where Were You?" and it had come to me in 2008 through some dreams. So I just feel very blessed that I'm able to connect through dreams like that. I don't take that lightly. Disappeared into the sea I don't claim to be the greatest singer or the greatest songwriter or the greatest guitar player. But those are my songs, you know. And the spirit brought them through me. And so that happened for a reason. I just deliver them the best that I can. What a wonder through life I think it's never too late to chase your dreams. And we're all going to fall short. But it's the journey, really.
strums final notes of song
applause
Group
That's what it's all about.
applause
Group
Thank you.
applause
Group
We head back to Calumet County to High Cliff State Park to meet a woman who brings Shakespeare to the great outdoors.
medieval flute music
voices in distance
Group
"If you were men as men you are in show, "you would not use a gentle lady so. "To vow and swear "and super praise my parts."
laughs
Group
"When I am sure you hate me with your hearts." Summit Players Theater is a traveling group of seven members that go around the Wisconsin state parks and do Shakespeare performances and educational workshops for free. My name is Hannah Klapperich-Mueller. I am the producing director of Summit Players Theater. I came up with the idea. I was camping with my family in Potawatomi State Park, up in Door County. My parents and I came across one of those park amphitheaters. Ever since I was young, I've been real fascinated by those. Okay, I'm putting that on my calendar. So I contacted a bunch of my classmates. The project started as a kind of senior capstone and then it grew into so much more. Okay, so where do you want to put these? Yeah, and then do you think we should have one coming from the campground direction? Yeah, so maybe put one in there, too? So that's two left-facing signs. Every inhabitant of Kaukauna is going to come to High Cliff State Park today. The mayor will probably come. Yeah, come "Shake-A-Speare" with us. "Wilt thou at Ninny's tomb, meet me straight away?" -
in Monty Python-like voice
Group
"I come without delay." We do somewhat irreverent Shakespeare. When you're in high school, you have to learn about it under these florescent lights and your books are dusty and you hate it. We want to get people out into the parks and start thinking of Shakespeare as something that's fun and exciting.
plays bugle call
applause
upbeat music
Group
The parks have been extremely supportive. The only thing that we ask from the parks is that they give us a picnic table. And that's it. Let's swivel it so it could be a potential audience thing. I love it. It's a great way to expand people's horizons. It's kind of nice for the campers to get out of their sites and just enjoy a play. "Away with us to Athens three and three, we'll hold a feast in great solemnity." We have a very sparse set, you might say. We bring in our trunk and our banner which creates the line between front of house and backstage. This baguette has seen better days.
laughter
Group
You can see the newspaper that was used to paper-mch it. People in the group all have different skills that we bring. We all play at least four characters per show. So it's very wacky. Part of the process then is to find those differences between characters.
in high-pitched voice
Group
I'm Helena, a lover.
in deep voice
Group
Egeus, Hermia's father.
in a mid-range voice
Group
Aaaaaaand Philostrate, the Duke's attendant. It's a very big challenge for the actors. That's something where we can help the audience along. If we give someone a vest or a tutu when you're a fairy. But you really do not need more than that. Shakespeare provides us with such wonderful, descriptive language that you don't need to have a costume to tell the story.
man brays like a donkey
Group
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speaking as Titania
Group
Tie up my lover's tongue and bring him silently. I am a teaching artist. That's what I do for employment during the school year. I've been very lucky to have a lot of great teachers, who have sparked the love of learning in me. That was where my love of Shakespeare really got going.
as Helena
Group
"Most ungrateful maid! "Have you conspired? "Have you with these contrived to bait me with this foul derision?" Giving kids the key to Shakespeare, to unlocking it and understanding it so it becomes something that they are in control of and that they can own themselves. That's something that we believe in really strongly and that the kids love. We do a quick game. Do a character walk and a little performance. We start every workshop with just a game, a fun theater game to kind of get kids loose and moving. Everyone form your lasers. These are people who are now ready to take risks and make big choices, which we encourage as actors. We have them playing royalty. We have them playing fairies. They play weather because we want to acknowledge the important part that nature played in Shakespeare's plays. When I see a child with light in their eyes, playing with Shakespeare and speaking these words, that is so exciting to me. I just love knowing that here's someone who's going to have a fond memory of the name William Shakespeare, of theater, and maybe this state park near their house they've never been to before. These are positive associations that we're trying to build.
thwack, thwack
Group
Agh! Being silly is a skill that a lot of, I think, adults lose as we get older. But in a space where you are able to really play and let loose, you can discover so much about yourself. My dream is that Shakespeare in the State Park becomes something Wisconsin can be proud of. Because I really strongly believe that bringing theater and Shakespeare to all the far reaches of our state is something that's just going to add positive energy wherever it goes.
chorus of voices
Group
I've crawled my way through the underground cave system and this county park is full of surprises. If you'd like to learn more about the people and places you've seen including the caves at the Ledge View Nature Center, visit WisconsinLife.org. As always, we'd love to hear about your "Wisconsin Life." So send us your ideas at [email protected]. That'll wrap it up, as I say farewell from Calumet County. I'm your host, Angela Fitzgerald, and this is our "Wisconsin Life." Bye.
Angela screeches in surprise
Group
It's a tight squeeze.
group chatters
Group
Funding for "Wisconsin Life" is provided in part by Alliant Energy, Lowell and Mary Peterson, and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television.
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