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By Kathryn Jeffers
I bought the old Iverson building with my mate Paul in hopes of transitioning out of the jobs our college degrees had bought us. Little did I know it would become a decision that had more to do with survival than commerce.
The building, circa 1867, sits at the southeast corner of the only four-way stop in Amherst, Wisconsin. It housed the Amherst Coffee Company when we bought it, a place to get a decent latte that offered a venue for local musicians. On the day we went to sign the note at the bank, my friend Terry asked me if the purchase was a good business decision. Before I could answer, he shot me a look.
“It might have been cheaper to quit drinking coffee than to buy a whole coffee shop just to get a cup strong enough for the way you like it, don’t you think?” he asked.
Jesus, I thought, what are we doing? This isn’t Paris, or Greenwich Village. It’s the village of Amherst, the draw to which cannot be credited to the charm of place. It isn’t some haven of architectural bliss, rich in history and beveled glass storefronts. Sure, there’s a millpond that spills into the Tomorrow River thanks to the old dam in the center of town. But it’s hardly what one would call a crowd-puller.
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Hot spots for cool treats
By Katie Hoffman
Wisconsin summers may be short, but they’re definitely sweet. When these warm months roll around, the residents of Northeast Wisconsin are screaming for ice cream. July is National Ice Cream Month, which means there’s no better excuse to round up your friends and neighbors and show your favorite ice cream shop love.
Ice cream has long been a favorite treat in Wisconsin’s history. The first ice cream sundae was served in 1881 in Two Rivers. Whether you scoop it, lick it or drink it, ice cream is still a huge part of Wisconsin’s culture 129 years after that first sundae.
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Beer is a balm in so many ways. A good beer refreshes the palate and soothes the soul. Everyone recognizes the sentence “Let’s go have a beer!” as words of friendship. Beer drunk in moderation by temperate people brings pleasure and camaraderie.
Sometimes beer can even change the world.
Beer has helped many Oshkosh area women and families change their worlds since 1996 when the Oshkosh Jaycees began the annual Brews and Blues Festival to raise funds for Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services.
OK, cue the chorus: Isn’t beer consumed by intemperate partners to blame for some of that abuse?
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By David Oliver
It’s the middle of summer and (hopefully) temperatures are soaring. Does that mean you should change your wine drinking habits? Not necessarily, but it depends on what your everyday choices are.
First off, you should be drinking wine. Though, being summer, beer is certainly acceptable and the occasional Margarita is always welcome. But this is a column about wine, so let’s talk about it.
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By Tom Jensen
Some of the best places to dine are the hardest to find. Well, if you consider yourself an adventurer, let me privy you to a trendy little café that is putting a lot of smiles on the faces of Northeast Wisconsin residents.
Located at 425 W. Water Street in Appleton, the Atlas Coffee Mill & Café is the place to be if you enjoy, fresh, healthy, made-to-order sandwiches and entrees. I sat down with Sue Bogenschutz and we spoke about the history of the location.
The Atlas Mill was built in 1878, one of Kimberly-Clark's first papermaking facilities. Now home to Atlas Coffee Mill & Café (established in 2004), The Mill Boutique & Art Gallery, Paper Creations and Stone Cottage Music Studio, Atlas Mill has become a hub for local artisans.
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