Moose Fest....count down

I am putting the final touches on things in the shop, contacting news media and getting all our MOOOSE in a roww for next weekends event. The proclamation by the Governor was icing on the cake, all the hard work has been worth it. Signs are drying, Moose hats are in the works and we are drawing and cutting out the lifesize cartoon characters from Moose Lake to display around town. Helipcopters are coming as well as the hot air balloons, WIST team from Etsy has members here also. Miller is finishing the last of the banners and we have spread the word as far as possible. Bring the family and come see all the new items in the shop as well as some of the old stand bys and enjoy the fest weekend.

Final prep for Moose Fest

I am busy getting alll thoase last minute items finished , the shop spruced up and making sure there are tags on everyhting. We are still waiting on the banner I ordered for the Ladies from Wist team on Etsy who are coming to the fest.

A helicopter company just called about coming and giving helicopter rides, this should be alot of fun and if everyone who comes would bring just one person , this will be amazing. So help spread the word and come on out and do some shopping, eat at any of the amazing food booths, let the kids fish FREE and enjoy the carnival. Tickets are $2.00 and each ride is 1 ticket. We have tickets in the shop now, and advance tickets are $1.00. Juggler, cartoon auction, pancake eating contest, Come on out and stop in and say hello.

another MOOSE type recipe

“Antler Munch” Popcorn

22.5 oz Crunch and Munch® or Fiddle Faddle® Popcorn (your favorite flavor) (3 7.5 oz bozes)
1 cup Nuts (pecans, almonds, cashews), optional
12 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 oz White chocolate chips
2 tsp Crisco, divided

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpat. Set aside.

Place semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 tsp of Crisco in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir. Continue until chips look shiny. Remove from microwave and stir until all chips are melted.

Quickly stir in 1 box of popcorn and ? cup of nuts, if using. Note that popcorn does not have to be perfectly covered with chocolate. Spread onto the prepared cookie sheet, separating kernels as much as possible. Cool completely and break into pieces.

Repeat the process with the white chocolate chips and remaining Crisco. Stir in a second box of popcorn with another ? cup of nuts, if using. Add the white chocolate chips and put on the 2nd cookie sheet as described above.

When both pans of chocolate covered popcorn have dried, combine the white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and the remaining box of popcorn. Combine the nuts with the popcorn. Store in airtight container out of the heat.

In the shop I am busy finishing up painting for the fest, it is fast approaching May 1 & 2 . This has been a great opportunity for Montello and the surrounding area.FREE Icecream for the visitors, hot air ballons, carnival and 10 Pro fisherman to take kids 9-14 fishing for FREE, Bring the family out to see the natural resources we have as well as all the vendors and attractions brought here this day. Our group is busy trying to finalize plans and make this event a huge success. think FUN . The shop will be getting updated as soon as I find some spare time,

Apathy?????

This morning as I sit and work on things for the Moose Fest, I find it hard to come up with ways to jolt the people in and around town into coming out to the downton are to see all it has to offer. Don't get me wrong they are all very nice people but, they tend to drive 20 minutes to shop in Portage or maybe and hour to Madison,,,,, when right here they can find those very same things, save gas, time and build their community. The New Montello Group has been working for 3 years to get locals involved in their downtown through events like the Easter Bunny Parade and more. Well enough whining on my part. My project this morning was to create a coloring contest page to be handed out at the local school and a couple surrounding towns. I did find a MOOSE for them to color and will get this off to the printer. With that behind me and no emergency calls yet I can sit down and get some painting done. I am hoping to get the shop full to the brim before the fest. A nice weekend in May would put the season off to a good start. So today, I will stay away from the computer and paint black bears and a moose of two on some camping and cabin signs.

Living in a small town

    I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, married, raised kids then moved to a small town in Wisconsin.  Life is good, but very different.  People move at a slower pace...a good thing most of the time.  Everyone knows everyone and their whole family....ususally a good thing. There is a sense of belonging to your town.....but, over time people take for granted all they have and need to go visit a big city where they are a little fish in a big pond to appreciate what they have back home.  I belong to the local downtown business group and we put together events in the town, not just to attract shoppers and tourists but for the families who live here. Just last Saturday we had the 3rd annual easter Bunny Parade, a huge hit with the kids. Yet, the turnout could have been much better if more businesses had joined in and the school had helped spread the word.

My next pet project for during the summer is kids rock painting classes. This is a great rainy day project for kids and a great way to let them express themselves. I always like to see their faces when from that little rock they found, out comes a bunny or turtle or for the boys a snake!

We have alot of cabin and campers in the area and this is a great project for them too. Have the kids collect rocks, ( I tell them a perfect bunny rock is shaped like a baked potato) a few bottles of inexpensive acrylic paint and 2 sizes of brushes and they are off. I always draw on the areas in chalk so they are just covered up by the paint!  I really enjoy watching as these kids paint. They are fearless, unlike the adults I teach the very same class to.

But, for right now I am painting like crazy by day and crocheting all evening to have the shop full to overflowing for Moose Fest coming up May 1 & 2 , right here in downtown Montello. What a huge boost this could give our town in a time when we badly need it after the flood of 2008 and closing of our one and only boat launch downtown in 2009. So off I go now to paint and get ready.

Easter Bunny Parade

was a HUGE success. Here is a picture from the Waterfall..
to see more phots and a list of the sponsoring businesses vist the New Montello Groups Blog

Happy Easter

Much Painting Going On

With Moose Fest just 1 month away I am busy painting to get everthing done in time. From the log signs and rocks to those Dress-Me Friends and outfits. There just dont seem to be enough hours in a day anymore.
I do have some helpers, when they are not at school or their part time jobs.

This is Chris and J.J. our little leprechaun. His hair is the color of his beard!

We are adding new camping signs and some really cute painted windows to the shop. I added some of the crocheted sweaters to Etsy

Remember mark your calendars for May 1 & 2 and come out and enjoy Moose Fest and visit us at the shop.  I better get off the computer and paint, soooooo  much to do and so little time left!