Malta is an island in the Mediterranean, so seafood it very popular. One day, John and I had lunch at La Nostra Padrona, a seaside restaurant in the picturesque fishing town of Marsaxlokk. The weather was beautiful – perfect for dining alfresco. John was able to pick from the “catch of the day” while I had a great salad.
Many things about Malta surprised me. First of all I was surprised to learn that it was one of the most intensely bombed places during World War II. After the war, reconstruction remained true to the Maltese architecture. Because Malta has retained its architectural integrity and has some unique geological formations, the island has been used in many movies such as “Troy” and “Conan.” I was also surprised that Malta does not get more coverage as a must-do destination in Europe.
I have read many articles about the health benefits and uses of coconut milk and oil. It is touted as being a lactose-free, vegan milk substitute that can be used in a variety of ways including as a dairy substitute used in coffee, ice cream, smoothies and in variety of recipes including many Thai curry dishes. John and I have enjoyed many curry dishes and breads in several countries that are made with coconut milk. Coconuts are rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 plus minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Coconut oil is versatile.
Imagine 150 different flavors of soda. Decisions, decisions, decisions. I like the fact that the old-time soda fountains are making a comeback. When I was in Eagle River, Wisconsin, I had a great lunch and root beer float at Soda Pops. I passed on the ice cream, but most people did not. There is a wide choice of ice cream with 70 topping to choose from.
When John and I were in St. Germain a friend suggested we go to the Tea Academy at Green Rich Tea while our husbands went to the St. Germain Snowmobile Museum to learn about the history of snowmobiling and see a variety of snow vehicles. Great idea. I thought I should be able to shine at a tea academy because I had been to Tea Appreciation Class in Hong Kong, a tea museum in Taiwan, and had visited tea plantations in Taiwan and Sri Lanka. I was wrong.
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has inhabited Lac du Flambeau since 1745. The word Chippewa and Ojibway are one and the same. The Band was given the name “Lac du Flambeau” (Lake of the Torches) by the French traders and trappers who visited the area and saw them harvesting fish at night by torchlight. The reservation is checker-boarded with parts in three counties.
John and I now have a new appreciation for cranberry sauce and jelly after visiting Vilas Cranberry Company in Manitowish. At Thanksgiving dinner the turkey is the main attraction and cranberry a tasty little extra. The next time you have an Ocean Spray cranberry product think of the Vilas Cranberry Company in Manitowish County – one of the major suppliers. Wisconsin is the nation’s leading producer of cranberries, harvesting more the 60 percent of the country’s crop.
Boulder Junction is called the “Muskie Capital of the World.” What’s a muskie, you may wonder? “Muskie” or “Musky” is short for muskellunge, a large relatively uncommon freshwater fish native to North America. It is the largest member of the pike family. Muskies are highly sought after by fishermen because of their explosive strikes and rugged fights. If you want to catch a prize-winning muskellunge then Vilas County is the place for you.
Scarecrow as a nervous train hopper, Tin Man as a military veteran with two prosthetic limbs, Cowardly Lion as a bully in a fur vest — those evolved characters and more await audiences in SUNY Oswego’s musical adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” previewing at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and opening at the same time the next night in Tyler Hall’s renovated and modernized Waterman Theatre.
The name “Watkins Glen” conjures up two images for me – racing and the “Glen.” Watkins Glen was the first post-World War II road race in the United States. Cameron Argetsinger spent his summers in Watkins Glen and graduated from Cornell Law School. The Watkins Glen area was close to his heart. He dreamed of bringing European-style racing to the village. His dream came true when the Green Flag started the race on October 2, 1948.
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