Travel Calumet Original Podcast

Bobbie Jo Smith, owner and operator of Jo’s Coffee Barn LLC mobile drink truck as well as The Magdelena in New Holstein, joins host Rick Sense to talk about two upcoming events that you may want to put on your trick or treat to do list - the Spooktacular Fall Festival and the Haunted Past Time Hotel both taking place at The Magdelena in New Holstein in October.

Are you ready for some football?  A corn maze party?  Then listen in as the Travel Calumet Original Podcast covers a special kickoff event at Polly's Pumpkin Patch in Chilton.  Aaron Popkey, Green Bay Packers' Director of Public Affairs, joins host Rick Sense to discuss the upcoming 2025 Draft to be held in Green Bay in April of 2025 and why the Packers wanted to highlight agriculture as part of the 2025 Draft festivities.  Sheila Everhart, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA) discusses the event that was held at Polly's on September 19 and provides information about opportunities to win some cool prizes.Finally, Polly Roland and Gary Juckem, owners and operators of Polly's Pumpkin Patch also share some thoughts about the event and talk about the excitement of the 2025 Draft Corn Maze at their location.

Pull up a barstool and listen in as participants in the Fall Harvest Trail Event talk with host Rick Sense at Schumacher's Shanty in Stockbridge.  The Fall Harvest Trail Event is taking place on the eastern side of Lake Winnebago and is a unique time where participating businesses offer special events, incentives, and fun experiences for visitors.  Included in the discussion are:Craig Molitor, Liz Engh, and Erin Lund from Destination Lake Winnebago RegionJodi and Jim Schumacher from Schumacher's Shanty in StockbridgeKristy Pagel from Just For You Flowers & Gifts in ChiltonTorrey Gasch and Alex Soliday from Heritage Orchard in ChiltonClara Hedrich from LaClare Creamery in Malone.

Danielle Joerger, Brillion Nature Center’s Director and Naturalist, joins host Rick Sense to discuss the history and the attraction that is the Brillion Nature Center located in Brillion, Wisconsin.

Maria Thomson, Calumet County Natural Resource Program Assistant, and Louise Marum, Calumet County Naturalist Supervisor and the face of Ledge View Nature Center, join host Rick Sense to discuss the upcoming Candlelight Cave Tour and other happenings - including a facility renovation - at the Ledge View Nature Center in Chilton.

Polly Roland of Polly's Pumpkin Patch joins host Rick Sense to discuss Polly's partnering with the 2025 Draft-with a 2025 Draft-themed corn maze and all that's on tap for the upcoming season at the iconic Calumet County destination, opening September 13.

Vern Gasch, one of the owners of Heritage Orchard joins host Rick Sense to discuss the upcoming season at the orchard and all the things to see and do while visiting this must-see Calumet County destination.

Mike Malewiski and Nathan Carlton, members of the Wisconsin Steam and Antique Engine Club, join host Rick Sense to discuss the 72nd Annual Steam Engine Show taking place at the Calumet County Fairgrounds.

Jennifer and Larry Meyer, owner/operators of Jenlar Holsteins and Brown Swiss recently hosted more than 120 visitors from all over the United States at their Chilton operation. Jennifer and Larry take some time out of their busy schedules to talk about the visit, why it occurred, and why opening up their business to visitors is so important to their long-term growth as an operation.

Julie Johnson, Race Director of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon Presented by Miron Construction, joins host Rick Sense to talk Marathon Race Weekend, the course winding through parts of Calumet County, opportunities to get involved, and the overall experience awaiting athletes and volunteers participating in this year's event.

One of the fastest growing movements in the travel industry worldwide is the development of agricultural tourism opportunities, otherwise known as agritourism.  Sheila Everhart, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA); Clara Hedrich, WATA Board Vice President; and Jean Bahn, Chair of WATA's Board Advocacy Committee join host Rick Sense to discuss agritourism in Wisconsin and Calumet County.

June is Dairy Month! And to celebrate, let’s talk about Sunday June 23’s Sundae on a Dairy Farm, (actually to be held at the Calumet County Fairgrounds in Chilton, this year). Joining host Rick Sense for today’s episode is Sue Schultz, one of the organizers of the event.

In episode 20, Clara and Larry Hedrich join host Rick Sense for a conversation about their KIDFARM in Chilton and then delve into the world of agritourism in Calumet County. In the late 70’s, eager to return to their rural roots, Larry and Clara bought a “hobby farm” in the heart of Wisconsin, America’s Dairyland.  ​Along with their homestead, they inherited two goats. Little did they realize then that the goats would soon become the focal point of the lives of their growing family and lead to making Calumet County, Wisconsin the goat dairy capital of the United States.

Gloria Regan, former Calumet County and Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair and current board member of the Calumet County Agricultural Association, joins host Rick Sense to discuss the 2024 Calumet County Fair to be held over Labor Day Weekend at the Calumet County Fairgrounds in Chilton.

Emmy Award winning producer Regan Ernst as well as Josh Ostermann, both of Discover Mediaworks (DW), join host Rick Sense to discuss the success of DW's long-running Discover Wisconsin television show and the production of Calumet County based stories for an upcoming episode of the Uniquely Wisconsin television show.

Sean Becker, Director of Operations and Athlete Development at Ariens Nordic Center, joins host Rick Sense to talk about the first-ever U.S. Biathlon Midwest Regional Summer Biathlon Championships and U.S. Biathlon Masters Nationals and NorAm Masters Championships to be held at Ariens Nordic Center.  Additionally, Sean and Rick discuss U.S. Biathlon, US Olympian and area native Paul Schommer, the past winter that wasn't and its impact on Ariens Nordic Center and much, much more.

Jon Woelfel and Kerri Futch join host Rick Sense to talk about Wolf and Fox Winery opening June 1, 2024, at Woelfel Homestead.  We talk grapes, weddings, concerts, and about the exciting future of this beautiful Calumet County destination!

Greg Hageman from the New Holstein Historical Society joins Rick Sense to discuss two of New Holstein's must-see destinations, the Timm House and Pioneer Corner Museum.

Dana and Eric Krueger owners of the historic and iconic Crystal Ballroom in St John join host Rick Sense to discuss dance, live music, special news about the Mile of Music event, weddings, and so much more taking place at "The Crystal."

The Calumet County "tourism brain trust" gathers to talk about the exciting, upcoming summer and fall 2024 tourism season.  Listen to Lindsay Meyer and Louise Marum from the Calumet County Parks Department as they join host Rick Sense.