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It's time for the Grand Excursion 2004!
Mississippi Queen can't make it to PdC, but everything else on as planned
With organizers keeping a wary eye on the Mississippi River, plans for
Grand Excursion 2004 are all in place. Unfortunately, the Mississippi Queen will
not be stopping in Prairie du Chien as planned due to high water downstream. The
Mississippi Queen will join the flotilla around July 1 in Wabasha. Grand
Excursion 2004 at this time does not anticipate any other changes to the
schedule, but will continue to closely monitor river levels and conditions.
Excursion boats have begun their journeys to the Quad Cities. The Spirit of
Peoria left her home harbor as scheduled on Saturday to begin her trip
downriver. The Julia Belle Swain left La Crosse and the Harriet Bishop and the
Anson Northrup have left St. Paul. The boats will arrive in the Quad Cities
later this week and meet up with the fifth excursion boat, the Celebration
Belle, whose home port is Moline, Ill. The Milwaukee 162 has left its depot and
is on schedule to arrive in Chicago to begin its epic journey. Grand Excursion
2004 The Grand Excursion 2004 celebrates the renaissance of the upper
Mississippi River region, by recreating the 1854 train and steamboat expedition
that brought worldwide attention to what was then America's western frontier.
The original Grand Excursion of 1854 celebrated America's first railroad
connection to the Mississippi River. This event hosted more than 1200
dignitaries, politicians, journalists, business leaders and artists on a journey
that began on rail from Chicago to Rock Island, Ill., then by steamboat up river
from Rock Island to Saint Paul, Minn. and Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis,
with several stops in riverfront communities along the way. Grand Excursion 2004
will retrace this historic adventure. Participants in Grand Excursion 2004 will
have hundreds of opportunities to participate in special events, festivals,
parades and programs showcasing riverfront improvements, pathways and tourist
attractions in the participating communities in this four-state initiative
(Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota). Opening Ceremony Excitement,
enthusiasm and interest build, as days of the Grand Excursion 2004 celebration
draw near. A Grand Excursion Opening Ceremony is planned to "launch" the
week-plus of activities in the Prairie du Chien area June 25 - July 4. The
Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, June 25, at 6 p.m. on the riverfront in
Lawler Park, St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien. The first gazebo on Water St.
will house the speakers and entertainment with the audience gathering on lawn
chairs to enjoy the opening activities and beautiful Mississippi River view. The
event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to join in the beginning of
Grand Excursion activities in the area. The Opening Ceremony program includes
welcome and introductory remarks from Prairie du Chien Mayor Cheryl Mader,
followed by words from Secretary Jim Holperin and Marketing Services Director,
Sarah Klavas, both from the Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism, Madison. Ray Childs, a
former riverboat pilot, will recite the "Ode to Prairie du Chien," which he
wrote and the National Brass Band from National, Iowa, will perform - sponsored
by the Committee for the Performing Arts. The Mississippi Blackhawks Water Ski
Team will entertain the audience with their Friday evening ski show. The
Crawford County Board of Supervisors, Prairie du Chien City Council, Prairie du
Chien School Board of Education, Prairie du Chien Chamber Ambassadors and others
have been invited to attend. To learn more about the Grand Excursion contact the
Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce at 326-8555. More event information
and schedules appear inside today's Courier Press.
A Celebration So Big, It Takes One River And Four States To Hold It
Ft Crawford Museum Events
Nearly two years ago, the Fort Crawford Museum began planning its part for the
Grand Excursion for 2004. They wanted a program that: Showcased Prairie du Chien's
historic connection to the Mississippi River; would be new material presented in
an interesting and exciting way; should be unique to anything else presented by
any other community along the Excursion route; and would demonstrate the
progress of the Fort Crawford Museum since it began operation in 1996 by the
nonprofit Prairie du Chien Historical Society. The Museum committee thinks they
have achieved all of their objectives. Fred Huebsch, program chairman, has this
to say: "We think we have a blockbuster program! One that will satisfy both
history buffs and those who like interesting, lively entertainment.'' First of
all, the Museum will be conducting guided tours on Tuesday, June 29 and
Wednesday, June 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Normally, all tours are
self-guided. Having guides will add new dimensions to the many exhibits housed
at Fort Crawford. Second, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, there will be a very
special program at the Museum that will consist of history and music. The
eminent historian, lecturer and author Reginald Horsman, Professor Emeritus
UW-Milwaukee, will present a talk about Marquette and Joliet and their epic
voyage down the Wisconsin River to reach the mighty Mississippi River in 1673.
Professor Horsman is a dynamic speaker who will bring this famous journey to
life. It was thought this topic would be especially appropriate since the theme
of the Grand Excursion 2004 centers around the Mississippi, and because
Marquette and Joliet first entered the Mississippi just south of Prairie du
Chien. Their chronicling this had a large influence in the westward expansion of
America and, of course, the river valley. Marquette and Joliet were a very
important part of early American history as evidenced by scores of streets,
cities, universities and other things named after them. A statue of Marquette is
in Statuary Hall, inside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Immediately following
this talk, there will be a short, lively concert of river music, performed by
the virtuoso banjo player Paul Erickson and the "Paddle Wheel Six.'' A large
part of the charm and lore of the river is music. And what greater instrument
could personify river music than the banjo? The Paddle Wheel Six consists of
three banjos, a tuba, a trumpet, and a trombone. This sextet has tremendous
credentials. "I guarantee you will like this fun group, and there is no reason a
museum program had to be stuffy and boring. This whole program will be anything
but boring,'' Huebsch says. Gifted singer Robert Smith will sing "The Star
Spangled Banner'' and a super rendition of "Ol' Man River.'' Third, The Paddle
Wheel Six will move to the riverfront after the Museum program to stroll the
park and serenade the crowd. Also, the Fort Crawford will have the "Bier Garten''
to serve your favorite beverages and steamboat pork sandwiches as a fundraiser.
Nothing beats the taste of food and drink by the river. The Museum program on
Tuesday will be free of charge. A free will offering would be appreciated. The
Bridgeport Inn is cosponsoring Professor Reginald Horsman. Great Country Motors
and Chevrolet are sponsoring The Paddle Wheel Six and Robert Smith.Horsman is no
stranger to Prairie du Chien. This is his third appearance here. He once said, "Coming
to Prairie du Chien is like coming to Mecca. This is where history actually
happened.''
McGregor and Marquette Events
Friday, June 25 Opening Ceremonies 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. "Mystery of the Mounds''
Hike 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. - American Indian Heritage Celebration Effigy Mounds
National Monument - Marquette, Iowa. Saturday, June 26 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. - "Sacred
Sites'' Symposium, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Marquette, Iowa. Monday,
June 28 5 - 9 p.m. - Spook Cave Guide Tour and Bonfire Spook Cave Campground,
McGregor, Iowa. Tuesday, June 29 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Marquette Depot Museum and
Information Center, Historical Pictorials and Information. 10 a.m. - American
Legion Food Stand, City Park, Marquette. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. - Eagles Landing Bed,
Breakfast and Winery, Wine Tasting Festival, Marquette. 10 a.m. 2 and 7 p.m.
Pikes Peak State Park Presentations - Historical Presentation of Pikes Peak
State Park, McGregor. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Historical Walking tour, McGregor. 10
a.m. - 8 p.m. - Old Time Photography, Souvenir Portraits, Triangle Park,
McGregor. 1 p.m. - McGregor arrival, Flotilla, Delta Queen. 1 - 5 p.m. "Old Man
River Band'' and Fiddle Contest, Triangle Park, McGregor. 2 - 4 p.m. Huck
Finn/Tom Sawyer contest and Fashion Show, Triangle Park, McGregor. 4 - 7 p.m. -
Fine Art Exhibit and Show by J. Accola & Musical Group "Mississippi River
Blues Band'' McGregor Riverfront Park, McGregor. 4 p.m. - Old Time Bank Robbery,
Central State Bank, McGregor. 5 p.m. - Marquette Arrival, Flotilla Celebration
Belle. 5 - 8 p.m. - "The Hallbergs'' Musical Group, Marquette Riverfront,
Marquette. All day, with overnight encampments - Historical Recreations by First
US Dragoons Iowa Detachment and Third Iowa Light Artillery in McGregor and
Marquette. Sunday, July 4 1 - 4 p.m. - Bovine Bingo Fundraiser, downtown
McGregor. Pie eating contest/dunk tank/food/beer and fun for all ages!
Prairie du Chien events for
GE04
Events held on riverfront (St. Feriole Island) unless noted; Events subject to
change, 1-800-732-1673, www.prairieduchien. org. Friday, June 25 Starting at 10
a.m. - Tours at Villa Louis, Fort Crawford Museum 6 p.m. - Grand Excursion
Opening Ceremony; National Brass Band performance. 7 p.m. - Mississippi
Blackhawks Water Ski Show; Big River Long Rifles encampment. Saturday and
Sunday, June 26 & 27 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Tours at Villa Louis and Fort
Crawford Museum 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Antique Tractor display, Commerce Court Mall;
Quilt Display, Commerce Court Mall; Big River Long Rifles encampment; Big River
Scenic Trail Ride, LaRiviere Park. Monday, June 28 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Tours at
Villa Louis and Fort Crawford Museum On going events - Quilt display - Commerce
Court Mall; Big River Long Rifles encampment. Tuesday, June 29 - Flotilla
Arrives 9 a.m. - evening: Shuttle service available 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tours at
Villa Louis and Fort Crawford Museum; Airplane rides, Prairie du Chien airport
Mid morning - Mississippi Explorer River Cruises Afternoon arrivals - Julia
Belle Swain and Anson Northrup arrive in Prairie du Chien. 2 p.m. - Historic
lecture on Marquette and Jolliet, held at Fort Crawford Museum. Following
lecture "Paddle Wheel 6" concert, held at Fort Crawford Museum. Following
concert "Paddle Wheel 6" moves to riverfront. 1 - 4 p.m. - Pony rides,
melodrama at 1, 2, 3, p.m. All day: Quilt Display and Ice Cream Social at
Commerce Court Mall, Big River Long Rifles encampment, Helicopter Rides, Antique
"vintage" boat parade. Evening - Coauthor Kenny Salway - River Rat Stories;
Musical performance. Evening - Dinner Cruises - Julia Belle Swain. Dusk - Hot
Air Balloons lift off (weather/wind permitting); Glow Ceremony of hot air
balloons. Wednesday, June 30 Dawn - Hot Air Balloons lift off (weather/wind
permitting) 9 a.m. - Shuttle service available morning. - Airplane Rides,
Prairie du Chien Airport. mid morning - Mississippi Explorer River Cruises. 1 -
4 p.m. - Pony rides, melodrama at 1, 2, 3, p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Tours at
Villa Louis and Fort Crawford Museum; Quilt Display, Commerce Court Mall; Big
River Long Rifles encampment; Helicopter Rides. Thursday, July 1 10 a.m. - 5
p.m. - Tours at Villa Louis and Fort Crawford Museum; Quilt Display - Commerce
Court Mall. Friday, July 2 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Villa Louis Tours; Fort Crawford
Museum Tours 7 p.m. - Mississippi Blackhawks Water Ski Show. Evening - The
Hallberg's (country western music). Saturday, July 3 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Villa
Louis Tours; Fort Crawford Museum Tours. Sunday, July 4 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Villa
Louis Tours; Fort Crawford Museum Tours. 4 p.m. - Honors event and raffle
drawing. Grand Excursion Shuttle Service A shuttle service will be available on
June 29 & 30. Buses and vans from Southwest Bus Service, the Opportunity
Center, and Black Coyote Lines will provide rides (free of charge) through a
grant from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation received by Ports of
Discovery. Donation containers will be provided on each shuttle service vehicle
with contributions going to Ports of Discovery, a nonprofit organization,
working to promote the region. Services will be available on a
first-come-first-served basis to assist with movement of people from designated
parking areas to Grand Excursion activities, events, and attractions in the
Ports of Discovery region consisting of Crawford County, WI and Clayton County,
IA. Communities served by the shuttle service include Prairie du Chien and
Ferryville in Wisconsin plus Marquette, McGregor, and Guttenberg in Iowa. A
shuttle will travel to Ferryville and Guttenberg morning, midday, and evening.
Other shuttle loops are listed below. Tri-City Loop St. Feriole Island WI Travel
Info Center Marquette Depot/Info Center Marina/Marquette City Park Isle of Capri
McGregor Riverfront Park McGregor Triangle Park/Silver Dollar Saloon
Recent Seneca High School graduate working as tobacco coalition coordinator
Ever wonder what is done with the tobacco settlement money
received by the state? Mark Dingbaum knows. He was recently hired as the tobacco
coalition coordinator for Crawford County, a position funded through the
settlement money. Working through Crawford County Public Health and located in
the C.A.R.E. Office (Crawford Abuse Resistance Effort), Dingbaum supports all
tobacco prevention efforts in the county, including C.A.R.E.'s youth programs,
the education and efforts of BreatheFree PdC, area school programs and he is
available to speak to any youth organization in the area. "It was a very smooth
transition," says Mary Sprosty of C.A.R.E. "Mark already knew so many of the
people involved." Dingbaum, who just graduated from Seneca High School, is
likely the only teen to have been a youth volunteer with a prevention coalition
who moved directly into a full-time, albeit temporary, adult position. He brings
with him plenty of prevention work experience: S.H.A.R.E. Youth Leadership
member and advisor, Seneca Teens Against Tobacco Use member and advisor, state
qualifier and creator of the Seneca School of Promise Initiative, Crawford
County Youth Leadership Committee member, chair of the Statewide Youth
Leadership Council, participant in the CARE Youth Leadership Conference,
Alliance for Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council co-chair, FACT (Fighting Against
Corporate Tobacco) of Wisconsin, Crawford County's Promise creator and
implementer, Crawford County's Promise station editor and he was a National
Search Institute Healthy Communities - Healthy Youth Conference participant. "I'm
not for certain that is the career path I want to take," says Dingbaum, who will
be attending college full time in the fall. "So this is the perfect opportunity
for me." He admits that the prevention activities going on behind the scene in
Crawford County are a lot more work than he realized. "It's more than just
setting up the event. It's getting youth involved, coordinating dates, writing
grants..." Events he is working on this summer include a possible youth rally,
being present at community events (such as the Relay for Life, parades and the
Crawford County Fair), and tobacco compliance checks. Anyone interested in
learning more about the Tobacco Coalition Coordinator position or to arrange for
Dingbaum to speak to a group, can call the C.A.R.E. office at (608)326-0909.
Hamann's provides friendly service to PdC for 75 years
Rick and Patty Hamann stand next to the ornately patterned National cash
register and the vintage Toledo scale that sit atop of the porcelain and glass
candy bins in Hamann's. Gertrude Hamann is shown behind the counter, she and her
husband Henry were the original owners of Hamann's.The current store was built
in 1939 by Steiner Brother's Construction of Prairie du Chien. The next in our
continuing series on longtime downtown Prairie du Chien businesses is described
by its owners as "an old store with new merchandise." Hamann's Variety Store is
a three-generation family business that has served the Prairie du Chien area
since early 1929. A 75th anniversary celebration is planned for this summer. An
old-fashioned variety store with a down home, friendly personalty not found much
anymore, Hamann's offers a wide mixture of merchandise from wallpaper and paint
to fishing tackle, toys and candy. If you need it, Hamann's is the likely spot
to find it. Hamann's, owned by Rick and Patty Hamann since the early 1980s, is
just a fun place to walk into. Adding to its appeal, is a big, red, 1950
Coca-Cola machine at which one can purchase a favorite soda for only 35 cents.
Other vintage items still in use are an old Toledo scale and an ornately
patterned National cash register that Rick estimates is about 100 years old. The
first feature that draws most everyone's immediate attention upon entering the
store, however, is the delicious-looking candy that is hard to resist as it is
displayed in several bulk bins that have wooden framework, porcelain bottoms and
glass partitions. Numerous other items are displayed on attractive, old wooden
counters built by Rick's great uncle Herman, a fine wood craftsman of his day.
Hamann's was started in 1929 by Rick's grandparents, Henry and Gertrude, in a
building that would have been between the new Prairie du Chien City Hall and
Prairie Prescription. The building would later become known as the Prairie
Bookstore. Hamann's remained at this location until 1939 when the current store
was built at 216 E. Blackhawk Ave. by Steiner Brother's Construction of Prairie
du Chien. The store was quite a big deal in its day. An account of the new store's
grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 30, 1939 as written in The Wauzeka Chief reads
as follows: "Hamman's is one of the most modern stores in Southwestern
Wisconsin. The new building is 34 by 70, air conditioned, spacious and decorated
in soft colors." Hamann's original water-cooled air conditioner is still in use
today. Steiner Brother's constructed an addition to the back of the store in
1946 and a stockroom was added in 1957. Rick said that his father Stanley was 8
years old when Hamann's began and is 83 years old now. Stanley and his wife
Leona, who passed away in 1999, owned the business for many years. Stanley still
works at the store from time to time, when Rick and Patty go on their spring and
fall buying trips. Throughout the years, Patty said that Hamann's began to offer
much more merchandise and a wider selection. "We sell a lot of gift merchandise
now," said Rick. Rick said that during World War II, men from the area would be
waiting at Hamann's when they knew that Rick's grandfather Henry was arriving in
town by train with his shipment of shotgun shells, which were bought directly
from Remington. Shells were rationed during the war years, and people wanted to
make sure they could buy what they needed before the supply was sold out. Rick
also recalled that many years ago, Hamann's was the only store in town that
featured Santa Claus around Christmastime. It was quite an event for the kids,
who would take in a double feature at the theater before walking into Hamann's
for a chat with Santa and a google-eyed gander at the toy selection. Hamann's
has been successful for a long time and continues as a stalwart of downtown
Prairie du Chien. "We would like to thank all of our loyal customers and
employees over the years," said Patty. Present employees include Irene Beneker,
Marilyn Haefer and Helen Koecke. |
