Fall Feeling
I’ve wanted to drive the Great River Road ever since I arrived in Wisconsin. I’ve seen the mighty Mississippi in all its muddy glory from various vantage points down South, including where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico, but I’m curious to view the northern stretch, which seems to be more crisp and cool, framed by craggy bluffs instead of marshy delta. In our guide to Wisconsin’s segment of the Great River Road, which starts on page 34, you’ll find some geological information along with plenty of pointers on things to explore. The highlights I plan to hit include Grandad Bluff in La Crosse, the National Brewery Museum in Potosi and the meat vending machine (yes, that’s right!) in New Albin, Iowa. This road trip would be great pretty much any time of year, but doing it in the fall adds an extra overlay of beauty, with the colors of the changing leaves. I’m blocking out time on my calendar right now to make this dream a reality. Stay tuned.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
Colorful foliage aside, I have to admit that fall is not my favorite season. We all know that when fall ends, the long Wisconsin winter begins, and the anticipation of the cold, dark months makes me melancholy. But this year, I’m going to try to be Zen about it. Instead of fretting about what’s to come, I’m going to try to enjoy the in-between weather and do some of the autumnal things you’ll read about in these pages. This month’s Explore section, starting on page 89, is chock full of great seasonal ideas, including a corn maze and a display of 3,000 carved pumpkins. If that’s not enough to fend off melancholy, then what is?
This issue has many great stories in it, but perhaps my favorite is the piece on John Jordan, manager of Elsa’s (page 24).
I encountered John many months ago on one of my late-night solo forays to the Downtown restaurant. John was so incredibly kind and attentive, I felt like I was dining at the Ritz. I’m thrilled that we can share his masterful insight on customer service with our readers.
So slip into your favorite cozy sweater, grab a pumpkin latte and dig into all that autumn has to offer.
– Carole Nicksin, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
carole@milwaukeemag.com, @CaroleNicksin
Features
- The Ultimate Fall Road Trip: You (should) know about the bluff views, cool small towns and foodie pit stops along Wisconsin’s Great River Road. But if you needed an extra reason to tour our west coast, the region’s resplendent fall foliage is it.
- Home & Design Awards: Draw inspiration as you peek into the beautiful homes of the winners of our first Home & Design Awards, showcasing the amazing work of local interior designers and builders.
- The Big Story: A redevelopment vision for the 30th Street corridor looks beyond its industrial legacy, but many challenges remain.
Your 414
- Día de Los Muertos: Ofrendas keep memories alive at Latino Arts.
- People Places Things: An imaginary land – part animal, part human – awaits, plus a portrait showcase and more.
- Fall Style: Exploring the autumnal palette at local shops
- The Breakdown: Need a Halloween getup? Putting on a play? This local shop has you covered.
The Dish
- Nosh: Don’t pass this sign without getting your pasty – as in the Cornish meat pie – fix.
- Tidbits: Potawatomi’s rockin’ new eatery, bougie tacos coming to Bay View, foodie news and more
- Review: The Edison’s ambiance can’t make up for less-than-stellar food.
- Q&A: Elsa’s GM John Jordan takes great service to a new level.
Insider
- Business: The local tie to a ubiquitous technology
- Public Health: A new way to access lifesaving products
- Up Close: What’s next for former Bucks exec-turned-politico Alex Lasry?
Explore
- Visit: For a fun – not scary! – excursion, check out The Hollow’s pumpkin path.
- Travel: Visit a freaky bed-and-breakfast, “haunted” asylum and other spine-tingling spots this Halloween.
In Every Issue
- Editor’s Letter
- MilMag This Month
- The Big Picture
- The Guide
- John Gurda’s Historic Milwaukee
