This is a continuation of September’s Artist Spotlight on Kathy Boettcher. The first section of the spotlight can be found in our printed issue. When some artists set out to create their next masterpiece, they stick to one idea with unshakeable determination, chiseling away at each aspect of the piece like the old masters READ MORE
I’ll admit it: when I started this blog series, I forgot how much it rains in the beginning of summer. When I had the summer laid out ahead of me, I had the months sorted out like this: June: Sunny! This is when people do a lot of the fun summer activities like days at READ MORE
This is the second part of August’s Artist Spotlight with Len Borruso. The first part is printed in our August issue. Len Borruso is no stranger to the world of filmmaking, but that doesn’t mean he’s never surprised by anything he encounters. Since moving to Appleton, Borruso has had to change his style of collaboration READ MORE
The Flag Day Parade. Octoberfest. Mile of Music. Though young by comparison, Appleton’s three-day music festival/bonanza/celebration/hullabaloo is undoubtedly one of the most iconic events in the Fox Cities, drawing thousands to the area over the course of the festival. The number of attendees alone might cause some introverts to shake in their boots, especially if READ MORE
It’s no secret that the Fox Cities are home to dozens of fantastic restaurants and diners, so it comes as no surprise that it’s impossible to cover every introvert-friendly restaurant in one post. I stand by my previous five picks for introvert-friendly restaurants (if you haven’t taken a look at the post, check it out READ MORE
With the first half of the summer in the books, you might find yourself looking to branch out from your usual slate of activities to spice up your weekends and vacation days. Sure, you could take up new hobbies or start binge-watching a new show on Netflix (Rick and Morty season 3 comes out July 30!), READ MORE
The sun has set and the sweltering midday heat has dissipated. A few mosquitoes circle around you, waiting for their chance to strike. The sound of children at play echoes off brick walls and metal swingsets, interrupted by the soft scolding of their parents. The sky is still with anticipation. A single flare breaches the READ MORE
Summer is definitively underway and temperatures continue to rise. The allure of A/C grows with every day under a bright sun and blue skies, but you know it’s too early in the summer to commit to a life indoors. Any surrender to introverted impulses now will only get more extreme in the upcoming months, blossoming READ MORE
There are rarely opportunities to see hundreds of butterflies in one location, but Appleton’s City Park will provide that opportunity in one of the most visually striking events of the season. On June 17, Parent Connection will be holding their ninth annual Butterfly Festival which kicks off at 9 a.m. With fun activities such as READ MORE
Can you imagine a summer without days at the beach? Sand and sunburns might not be a part of your summer plans right now, but don’t rule it out just yet; ads have been trying to convince us to head to the waterfront for decades. Have you ever seen an ad for Corona that doesn’t READ MORE
Name: Kathy Boettcher Residence: Appleton Medium: Ceramics You’ve probably seen Kathy Boettcher’s art without realizing it. Working under her professional brand, Kaffers Illustration, Boettcher transforms functional ceramic bowls and mugs into dynamic works of art. “I’ve always been drawing,” Boettcher says. “I live for pattern and end up using the silk-screened animals in a way READ MORE
Name: Len Borruso Residence: Appleton Medium: Film, cinematography and directing “Filmmaking is not a bubble. It’s a type of art form that incorporates fine art painting, photography, music, dance — everything.” Len Borruso’s appreciation for the different aspects of filmmaking is reflected in his work as a cinematographer and director. Borruso’s films are colorful and READ MORE
Name: Leif Larson Residence: Oshkosh Medium: Acrylic, Watercolor, Ink, Paper Leif Larson’s paintings often depict wild figure narratives in an immediate, eye-catching style. “When it comes to my style, I’ve always walked to the beat of my own drum,” says Larson, a Milwaukee native. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2005, Larson became READ MORE
Kirsty Mitchell’s “Wonderland,” an exhibit of large scale fine art photography, arrived at Oshkosh’s Paine Art Center and Gardens in need of flawless framing. The stakes were high for the first U.S. showing by the England-based photographer. Fortunately for Mitchell and the Paine, Appleton is home to John and Sarah Ranes, owners of The Frame READ MORE
Sheboygan Falls was originally founded in 1835 as the town of Rochester, an industrial settlement centered around three rivers: Sheboygan, Mullet and Onion. The town changed its name to Sheboygan Falls — the rivers kept their names — and has maintained its early history while continuing to move forward today. The Historic Downtown District, centered READ MORE
Planes, trains and automobiles all share the spotlight in Clintonville’s history (sadly, there are no John Candy sightings on record). Founded in 1855, Clintonville was added to the Chicago and Northwestern Railway line in 1878. The line ran for more than 100 years before closing in 1995. Clintonville is also home to the Seagrave Fire READ MORE
Oconto’s fresh forest air and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan capture the essence of Wisconsin’s northern communities. The small town takes its name from the Oconto River, a tributary of Lake Michigan that weaves through the downtown district and much of Oconto county. The city of Oconto was incorporated in 1869 during Wisconsin’s 19th century READ MORE
