Wisconsin Agriculture: A History Reviewed by Ruth Paget

Wisconsin Agriculture: A History Reviewed by Ruth Paget

I bought Wisconsin Agriculture: A History by Jerry Apps on my Wisconsin 2026 vacation, because I am very interested in food production and how its history in Wisconsin forms party of my family history in the state. 

My Sawle ancestors immigrated to Wisconsin from Cornwall, England in the 19th century and contended with the various soil types (rocky, marshy or sandy) left by glaciers that once covered 2/3 of Wisconsin 25,000 years ago. The Sawles lived through the agricultural transformations that have taken place in Wisconsin to the present day. 

Apps writes that in the 1850s, wheat was the major crop in Wisconsin. It was second only to Illinois in the production of wheat in the US. Apps lists three major reasons to account for wheat losing its profitability in Wisconsin: 

-nitrogen-depletion soils

-disease and insect infestation 

-emergence of railroads that helped fertile wheat lands in the West reach larger markets 

To replace wheat, Wisconsin adopted diversified farming where their state economy did not solely rely on one crop. The three crops that Wisconsin developed for its diversified economy include: 

-corn 

-oats 

-hay 

Hay which could be stored in silos to feed farm animals over winter helped pave the way for the dairy industry to develop. 

Hops and barley were also grown, which allowed Milwaukee to develop a beer industry as well as craft beers that flourish today in Wisconsin. 

Other Wisconsin crops developed include:

-sweet sorghum 

-sugar beets

-flax 

-potatoes 

The dairy industry first began at home when women milked cows, churned butter, and made cheese at home. Cheese production facilities began to be built in the 1870s and the industry continued to grow. 

This agricultural infrastructure is still in place and has provided the financial security to develop specialty crop industries such as:

-honey 

-hot dogs (Oscar Meyer was founded in Madison, Wisconsin.) 

-cranberries (Wisconsin is the nation’s leader in the production of this Vitamin-C rich food) 

-apples and cherries 

-grapes and wine (Hungarian-born Count Agoston Haraszthy grew his first grapes in the US on the site of present-day Wollersheim Winery before going west to Napa Valley.) 

-Ginseng 

-Christmas trees 

One of the charming aspects of old-time agriculture that persists are the post-harvest dinners called harvest-bees. Silo-bees are also held to celebrate filling up the silo for winter. 

Modern agritourism features farmers’ markets, bed and breakfast from stays, and ice cream from Babcock Hall on the University of Wisconsin – Madisco campus. 

For readers interested in diversified farming agriculture, US history, and agritourism, Clayton Daniels’ book Wisconsin Agriculture: A History provides much information about how to feed populations in states with extremely cold winters and have some surplus to sell. 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Log Cabin Breakfast in Northwoods Baraboo, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Log Cabin Breakfast in Northwoods Baraboo, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

My husband Laurent and I headed towards the Wisconsin Northwoods on I-94 North Direction Wisconsin Dells. We exited in the direction of Baraboo. 

Baraboo gets its name from the French trader and trapper named Jean-Baptiste Baribault (or Baribeau) who traded with Native Americans in the region in a trading post on what is now called the Baraboo River in the 18th century. 

Baraboo was officially adopted as the name of the Village of Adams that rose on the trading post site in 1852. 

Baraboo is now the county seat of Sauk County. (Sauk is the name of the local Native American tribe.) Baraboo is most famous as the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. 

Circus World Museum now operates where the Ringling Brothers house animals, props, and performers for the winter. Laurent and I went to the Circus World Gift Shop where I bought a book about the history of Wisconsin agriculture. I did not feel like visiting the museum without our daughter Florence along. She will come on the next visit to see grandma. 

We went to the Log Cabin Restaurant for breakfast. This restaurant seems to have been around forever. The Log Cabin makes its own sausage, which is pudgy, porky, perfect. I ordered the 2x4 breakfast along with Laurent that came with: 

-2 over easy eggs 

-2 sausages 

-2 slices thick-cut bacon 

-2 pieces of French toast 

-a pot of freshly brewed coffee with cream 

Wow! That was a great breakfast in a restaurant that just smelled of nice coffee. We went back to Madison well fed. 

We had “light” dinners at Culver’s, the Wisconsin fast food chain, that featured butter cheeseburgers and chocolate egg custard shakes. 

The flights the next day from Madison, Wisconsin to Phoenix, Arizona and Phoenix, Arizona to Monterey, California were on-time and smooth. I was happy to be back at sea level in crisp cool air. 

We had a great time in Wisconsin and promised mom (grandma) to visit next year. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Days 7 and 8 Complete!! 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games -creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-creator of French travel and culture games 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory games

Norwegian Noshing at Norske Nook in DeForest, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Norwegian Noshing at Norske Nook in DeForest, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

There is a large population in DeForest, Wisconsin which has Norwegian ancestry that can support two Lutheran churches and a Norske Nook Diner. (The other Norske Nook Diner is located in Osseo for this franchise-ready operation.) 

My husband Laurent brunched on Norwegian pancakes with lingonberries. Lingonberries are similar to cranberries and grow in the Northern US, Canada, and northern Europe. 

The Norwegian pancakes looked like thick crêpes folded over twice into fourths. Laurent said they were eggy good.

I ate a Wisconsin reuben sandwich with bread that was made with cranberries and brown rice from Minnesota or the lower reaches of the Mississippi River. The tart and savory bread tasted very nice with the savory corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. I liked Norske Nook.

They have a souvenir section where we bought a calendar with scenes of Norway and art entitled Norway: Visions and Verse of Viking Land by Nancy Schmidt. I thought this calendar was great for designing imaginary lands for a fantasy book. 

I bought a book entitled The Last Word on Lutefisk: True Tales of Cod and Tradition by Gary Legwold. Lutefisk is eaten throughout Scandinavia. It is air-dried cod that is rehydrated and boiled or baked.  It is usually served with melted butter and is flaky when well cooked.

Lutefisk is the centerpiece of Norwegian Lutheran Lutefisk Suppers that can serve 600 to 1400 in about four seatings as fundraisers. My family has attended a lutefisk supper at the Vermont Lutheran Church where we all ate lutefisk and Swedish meatballs and gravy to participate in local community life. 

After our pretty delicious brunch at Norske Nook, Laurent and I returned home, did some reading, and got ready for one more day of touring before our return to California. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Day 6 Complete! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + other Kindle books 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-creator of French travel and culture games 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory games

Swiss Cheese, Swiss Art Values, and Kino (Cinema) in Monroe, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Swiss Cheese, Swiss Art Values, and Kino (Cinema) in Monroe, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

After a great morning visit to New Glarus (Wisconsin), my husband Laurent and I drove to Monroe, the county seat of Green County that is also famous for cheese making. 

When you drive into the county seat square, Civil War canons greet you around the imposing stone and brick county offices. 

Laurent went to Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern to purchase some Swiss cheese for my mom. There is a covered outdoor terrace that can be a café or biergarten depending on your beverage and food. 

White Swiss crosses on a yellow brick building decorated the top of an art gallery featuring local artists’ work. Swiss white crosses signal the following values in modern Swiss art: 

-peace and tranquility 

-craftmanship 

-minimalism 

Local galleries like this one give artists exhibition credentials so they can work their way up to city galleries and international fairs like Art Basel. 

Finally, Monroe, a town of 10,000 people, restored its movie theatre from 1931 and shows first-run movies in it to add to the town’s cultural offerings. Admission is by cash only, which reminds me of how Stuttgart, Germany preferred to do business when I lived there. 

The afternoon visit to Monroe was a success. We drove back to DeForest and ordered pizza and pasta from Pizza Hut and slept like babies as we geared up for more tourism the next day. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Day 5 Afternoon - Complete!

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory tests

Grilled Swiss Apple-Cheese-Pesto Sandwich at the Fat Cat Coffee Works in New Glarus, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Grilled Swiss Apple-Cheese-Pesto Sandwich at the Fat Cat Coffee Works in New Glarus, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

On Day 5 of our vacation in Wisconsin, my husband Laurent and I set out for New Glarus in southwestern Wisconsin. 

New Glarus is a slice of Switzerland in the US. Its streets are full of Swiss German chalets, restaurants and taverns where you can eat Swiss specialties like cheese fondue, souvenir shops with Swiss products, and the New Glarus Brewing Company on the edge of town where you can do beer tastings, take tours, and buy merchandise in the gift shop. 

New Glarus was founded in 1845 when the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland suffered a financial crisis that was brought about by several factors: 

-crop failure 

-overpopulation 

-widespread poverty 

The Canton of Glarus helped a group of settlers find fertile land to farm in the US to ease the overpopulation at home. 

For brunch, Laurent and I went to the Fat Cat Coffee Works, which is located in the town’s old train depot. Neighboring shops sell local crafts and art, vintage kitchen items, clothes, and flowers. 

We ordered an iced tea for Laurent and an iced latte for me, which was delivered on an antique hutch. We placed orders for French toast for Laurent and a Swiss grilled apple sandwich for me that was made with melted cheddar and Swiss cheese and freshly made pesto. Both dishes were delicious. 

I liked learning a new dish to make with apples to give some Swiss flair to fall at home in California. I liked the paintings of tractors in the dining area along with the coffee pot that had been repurposed into a light. A framed photograph of a light brown Swiss cow, a tractor, and a red barn was selling for $125 by Brian Schmitt. 

On the way out, we bought two 2-pound bags of locally roasted Ancora coffee beans that were selling for $37 each to drink at home through fall as a souvenir of our trip. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation 2026 Day 5 Morning – Complete! 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks,  Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Longhorn Restaurant in Middleton, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Longhorn Restaurant Lunch in Middleton, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget 

On Sunday (Day 4 of our vacation), my mom took Laurent and me to lunch at Longhorn Restaurant in Middleton, Wisconsin outside Madison. The drive to Middleton from DeForest to the West Towne Shopping Center where Longhorn is located was beautiful. 

We drove all along the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. The Conservancy according to various online sources is a 682-acre natural area in Middleton with: 

-restored prairies 

-oak savannas 

-mineral springs 

-a creek corridor that provides fresh water to Lake Mendota around Madison 

The lunch at Longhorn was leisurely, which we started with salads full of freshly, shredded cheddar cheese. I love cheddar cheese and relish-heavy Thousand Island salad dressing. I was happy with the meal already. 

The three different main dishes that were reliably great included: 

-Parmesan chicken for mom with mashed potatoes

-a Flo Fillet 6-ounce steak for Laurent with mashed potatoes

-two juicy, well-cooked pork chops with about 4 cups steamed broccoli for me that I dunked in the delicious pork chop juices 

Wisconsin is prime pork chop country. The pork chops were so good that I ate both and all the broccoli. I did not have any room for dessert after that. 

We drove back home the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and heeded the turtle crossing signs as we laughed at Wisconsin’s dangerous driving conditions in August. 

We nibbled cheese and sausage for dinner and went to bed full of energy for the upcoming week’s touring.  

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Day 4 – Complete! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lesson written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-creator of French travel and culture games 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory games

Feta Cheese Omelet at the DeForest Family Restaurant in DeForest, Wisconsin by Ruth Paget

Feta Cheese Omelet at the DeForest Family Restaurant in DeForest, Wisconsin Right Off I-94 on Highway V by Ruth Paget 

On our first day of visiting Wisconsin, we went to the DeForest Family Restaurant, which is about 10 to 15 minutes away from I-94 on County Highway V depending on if you had to stop at traffic lights. 

The DeForest Family Diner is a classic American diner, which in the Midwest means that you will probably find some Greek dishes on the menu since many diner owners in the past had Greek ancestry. I was able to order a breakfast that I often ate at the Agora Restaurant when I was a student at the University of Chicago in the Hyde Park neighborhood: 

-feta cheese 3 egg omelet 

-crispy brown has brown potatoes that remind me of Swiss rösti potatoes 

-whole wheat toast made with the addition of flax seeds 

-3 strips of thick-cup, hickory smoked meaty bacon 

-2 glasses of bitter iced tea that are usually made from Canadian Red Rose tea to combat humid and very hot weather (85 to 90 degrees) 

That great breakfast made me happy. I cannot find restaurants on the West Coast that make feta cheese omelets, so I considered this a vacation treat and somewhat exotic. 

Laurent and I took my mom back home and then we set out for some grocery shopping at Piggly Wiggly in Waunakee, also located along Highway V in the opposite direction of DeForest.  Waunakee is also about 15 minutes away from the I-94, but the turn off is not indicated, so you will need a GPS to get there.  

Piggly Wiggly is a chain I associate with the south that has expanded north. My sister K. in Atlanta asked us to check out the bakery section, which they are well known for in the south. Laurent bought very good French baguettes and Danish kringle pastries. 

There are many people with Norwegian ancestry in Wisconsin who eat Danish foods, since Norway and Denmark have been united as kingdoms

throughout different periods of history. Laurent and I have now joined the kringle eating crowd. 

Kringles are large, oval pastries with a large hole in the middle made of layered, yeast dough. Laurent bought one made with raspberries and cream and another simply flavored with cinnamon and sugar. We ate slices of these with bitter coffee in the morning during our stay. 

On the way back home, we passed two of my favorite restaurants in Waunakee that locals and tourist alike dine at: 

-Rex’s Inn Keep for steak, seafood, and Friday Night Fish Fry. Rex’s is expensive but worth the money.

-Cuco’s Mexican Restaurant right across the street from Rex’s. The dishes are milder than they are in California. They will happily increase the spiciness upon request. 

Both Rex”s Innkeeper and Cuco’s have their own parking lot. 

We drove around and planned to visit some neighboring towns. I find driving by 7-foot high corn stalks and well-tended white-washed farmhouses, cow barns, and silos very peaceful. The air outside smelled like sweet baked corn in the heat. 

Dairyland Vacation in Wisconsin Day 2 – Complete 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

 -creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center 

-creator of French travel and culture games 

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs 

-family genealogist 

-developer of 9 music theory games

Wisconsin Vacation Quest 2026 by Ruth Paget

Wisconsin Vacation Quest 2026 by Ruth Paget 

A sandstorm in Phoenix, Arizona set back our arrival time in Madison, Wisconsin to visit my mom for summer vacation 2026, but all ended well. 

We were supposed to land in Phoenix, but instead flew to Tucson, Arizona where we sat on the tarmac until the sandstorm in Phoenix ended. The view of the copper red mountains was nice, but a little hot. 

Waiting for the sandstorm to pass made everyone miss their connecting flight, so we all made our way to customer service once we disembarked.  

With our new tickets, we headed to our gate for Chicago, Illinois. We would drive to Madison from Chicago, which takes about 1½ hours at night on the toll road. I no longer argue with weather issues. I would rather be safe. 

While waiting, I ordered a fly day treat from OHSO Phoenix, which stands for Outrageous Homebrewers Social Outpost – a barbecue fried chicken sandwich with fries drenched in barbecue sauce. The sandwich reminded me of ones I ate at Harold’s Fried Chicken when I was a student at the University of Chicago. 

The super hot sauce is called Georgia Pit Barbecue Sauce I saw online. I routinely ate Harold’s Chicken after Japanese finals when I would tell my friends, “I can deal with any final in English after that Japanese exam including physics.” 

The barbecue chicken sandwich and fries in Phoenix were messy, but delicious. They were definitely a naughty treat for old mom. 

Once on board our flight to Chicago, we flew into the night for an easy trip to Chicago. I read a book about Sicilian food on my Kindle and used the note feature to take notes. The Kindle is the perfect size to read in a middle seat and is lightweight. It has a built-in light that makes it unobtrusive as well. 

Our suitcase was checked ahead to Madison, Wisconsin. We took the airport train to the car rental area. I forgot how crowded big city can be when we got on the standing-room only train. (Chicago is the third largest city in the United States.) 

We went up and down escalators and got our car at Avis. Everything was reserved on the app, so getting the car was easy. Our rental car was a black Honda Prelude. Getting out of the garage was easy. We went out on a street that led us quickly to I-90 West (the toll road to Wisconsin). 

I-90 West goes through Chicago’s wealthy northwest suburbs and straight onto I-94 North into vacation-land Wisconsin. Tolls are taken automatically as you drive along so you do not have to stop to pay. Florida runs its toll roads in the same manner. 

We had a Sirius radio in the Prelude that was programmed to all country music stations. The air conditioner work well. We called my mom once we reached Madison and let her know we would be in DeForest in fifteen minutes. 

DeForest is located next to I-94. Its local businesses cater to locals and tourist alike. The neighborhood would be a good spot for AirBnB rentals, because it is close to so many tourist spots thanks to I-94. 

Mom had fried chicken sandwiches with bacon strip sandwiches waiting for us from North South Restaurant in DeForest. North South Restaurant serves both Mexican and classic American diner dishes. I gleefully ate my second fried chicken sandwich of the day. 

I went to bed full and thought that despite the delay, it was pretty cool to visit the following cities in one day: 

-Monterey, California 

-Tucson, Arizona 

-Phoenix, Arizona 

-Madison, Wisconsin 

I do not know about these airports, but I know that the airport restaurants in Monterey and Phoenix are good. 

Laurent used the “track my bag app” to know when our suitcase would arrive in Madison the next day. That app is a great use of technology that reduces anxiety and saves time when traveling. 

We now had our “getting there” story and could rest up to start touring the next day after getting our suitcase. 

Wisconsin Dairyland Vacation Day 1 – Complete! 

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 1900+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Fundraising Ideas for Historical Museums by Ruth Paget

Fundraising Ideas for Historical Museums by Ruth Paget 

I associate historical museums more with field trips than as money generating sites, but I think historical museums need to think about revenue generating activities when seeking donors or government support. 

Class field trips like the ones I took as an elementary school student to the Detroit Historical Society helped provide that organization with operating funds as well as teaching young students about the Chippewa Native Americans, French fur traders and Michigan trading posts, and the impact of the Ford Model T on American society. 

The high cost of insuring field trips has made them almost a relic of the past in public schools in cash-strapped districts. This situation has probably forced historical societies to seek donors to ensure operating funds. I love historical museums and think there are several ways they could increase revenue. 

The first way is to seek out parents who will take their own children on field trips. Reaching parents is not as easy as contacting a school board, but historical museums might think of advertising the benefits of a visit to their site to the following markets, especially if they have newsletters: 

-religious organizations 

-sport teams 

-language organizations 

-charter schools 

-K12 school groups 

-music schools 

-dance schools 

-drama groups 

When I lived in Wisconsin in the 1990s, field trips had become a parent’s responsibility. I took my daughter Florence to the Wisconsin Historical Museum on Capitol Square in Madison to see exhibits about the Ho-Chunk Nation Native Americans, the lumber and paper industries, and German and Norwegian settlers, who lived in log cabins. This is another historical museum that is important for understanding the sociological and cultural history of the state. 

Historical museums have events that other historical museums might replicate. The Pickett’s Mill Battlefield, a Georgia State Park, holds re-enactments of the Civil War Battle fought there with African-American and white troops on the Union side. This event engages volunteers and the community. Even a nominal fee to attend this re-re-enactment could raise operating funds. 

Many historical museums offer hikes around their site or long walks in the museum. Museum visitors might welcome the chance to buy items such as the following to help support the museum:  

-cold water 

-cold soda 

-cheddar cheese fish chips 

-shrimp chips 

-tortilla chips 

-potato chips 

-brownies 

-guava cookies 

-cold brew coffee 

A combination of donors, sales, and parent doing their own field trips might increase historical museum revenue to keep these community resources open and increase funds for temporary exhibits and historical documentaries shown at the site. 

By Ruth Paget, author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Click for Ruth Paget's Books

DeForest, Wisconsin Trip by Ruth Paget

DeForest, Wisconsin Trip by Ruth Paget  

My California family set out by car for a road trip to DeForest, Wisconsin for a Sawle Family Reunion from June 8 – 16, 2022. We drove through the states of Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa. 

DeForest sits immediately off Interstates 90 and 94, north of university town Madison, Wisconsin on the way to tourist town Wisconsin Dells. DeForest is a good stop for tourists from Chicago. There are many fast food chains by the highway and Ehlenbach’s German Food and Gift Shop. 

My favorite fast food is the Wisconsin chain called Culver’s, which sells fish fry dinners everyday with 2 or 3 pieces of cod, coleslaw, a yeasty bun with butter, and crinkly fries that fill the bottom of the dinner tray. Drinks for this special are extra. Butter burgers are Culver’s main item along with daily ice cream specials – dairy land products from America’s Dairy Land. 

I lived in DeForest three years and think they did some nice things to promote local businesses and civic services. The local chamber of commerce offered a welcome wagon service that they presented to you at home or in a local food outlet. A chamber representative introduced me to local businesses like the video store, supermarket, movie theatres, library programs like summer reading and literacy programs, and farmers’ markets. The chamber representative gave me some coupons as a “welcome to the neighborhood.” I became a quick part of the community by becoming a literacy volunteer for a French woman in town. 

Ace Hardware is a business of longstanding that has gone into the food business. Besides tools, their billboard out front advertises Brat Party Kits. (Brats are bratwurst sausage.) The kits no doubt come with buns, German potato salad, coleslaw, maybe a pasta salad, and charcoal and grills, if you need them. 

About ten minutes west of DeForest in Waunakee are two good restaurants that tourists might also like – Cuco’s Mexican Restaurant and Rex’s Innkeeper. The Sawle Family Reunion was held at Rex’s, which features various kinds of steak and prime rib and excellent seafood with a soup and salad bar and yeasty buns and whipped Wisconsin butter. 

Across the street from Rex’s is Cuco’s. I like their tangy Mexican cheese enchiladas verdes with green tomatillo tomato sauce and pulled pork (carnitas) on top with beans and rice on the side. 

We did some tourism around DeForest, too, visiting towns that Laurent worked in when he was a representative for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from 1994 – 1996. 

In Portage, red brick Main Street bars are now wine bars that also sell chocolate, cheese, and gifts. Hot and humid summers make Wisconsin good wine growing territory. 

At the outlet malls in Johnson Creek going towards Milwaukee, there are still good deals and lots of parking. At the Pine Cone Restaurant, you can eat breakfast and fish fry all day. 

In Sun Prairie, there is now a halal market that sells meat and fine produce. There are miles of barns here that the artist Georgia O’Keefe painted in her youth. The corn in the area is used to feed dairy cows. 

In Madison, we made a pilgrimage to Metcalf’s Market to buy pancetta, Maytag Blue Cheese from Iowa, and oblong country loaves of bread to toast for breakfast. 

We ate well in Wisconsin, but left the excellent craft brewery beers to the Wisconsin cousins. 

By Ruth Paget, author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Click for Ruth Paget's Books