Wednesday Webs: Food!

January 9, 2013 Leave a Comment

dry beans in glass jar

Research is my favorite process for every project I do. These days, since I’ve got a new, food-related gig coming down the line, I’ve been sifting through every culinary site and book I can find.

Actually, it’s a food and history project. Double the research. Double the fun!

Do you have more suggestions? Please share!

 

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Machinery Row (in my dreams)

October 11, 2012 1 Comment

Machinery Row, Madison, WI

I’ve long been salivating to get inside this building. It’s Machinery Row, a historic professional building along Madison’s Lake Monona (in my dreams, if I ever become citified and want a “real” office, it will be here…on the lake side, of course).

Last week Planet Propaganda, a Machinery Row tenant, hosted the kickoff launch for the Wisconsin Business Alliance (WBA) and I was excited to attend just so I could see their office interior. It was so cool!

Planet Propeganda's portfolio

I love the contrast of modern graphic design against an ancient brick wall. And check out the old track doors Planet Propaganda uses for their portfolio displays.

Machinery Row, Madison, WI

Machinery Row, Madison, WI

From tobacco and ice, to agricultural implements, Machinery Row has a history dating back to the 1890s. In 2005 its owners completed a 7-year renovation of the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They artfully retained the exposed brick walls, pine wood floors and timber framing—so beautiful!

Machinery Row, Madison, WI

How’s this for an expanse of windows? It’s the backside of Machinery Row and it overlooks the lake. Yes, this is my choice for an office.

If I ever I stop being a country girl, that is.

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Schools Using the Harley-Davidson Effect

September 11, 2012 2 Comments

St. Peter's Lutheran School, Helenville, WI, 1906

There’s a really long article by management guru H. Donald Hopkins (Temple University) entitled “Using History for Strategic Problem-Solving: The Harley-Davidson Effect.” In it he tells of corporate CEOs solving problems such as employee moral or product direction simply by examining their own history. And because Hopkins champions Harley-Davidson, his thinking has become known as the Harley-Davidson Effect (although if you google this you’ll likely find more on the Harley-Davidson sound affects:-).

Anyway, my latest project has been an online program for the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference. I know, I know, associating church with business gives a lot of people the heebie jeebies. After all, it’s the Holy Spirit that works in us, not some business theory, right?

I agree.

But I also go by the conviction that much of our God-given earthly knowledge works really well for his heavenly purposes. The Harley-Davidson Effect is a perfect example.

The Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod (WELS) schools have a strong history in Wisconsin and throughout the U.S. There are 337 schools nationwide, some of them dating back to the mid-1800s. They’re parochial in nature, yet they face the same problems of budget, integration and student-teacher ratio as does every other school. Nowadays congregations do a lot of strategizing and praying just to keep their school doors open.

This year the WLSTC chose “Your Statutes Are Our Heritage” as its conference theme, based on Psalm 119:111. For the program (click here to check it out), we used historical photos to help convey this message. We asked congregations to dig into their archives and, wow, did they do some digging! Not only did people send photos, they also included anecdotes of how their schools were started, what their classrooms were like a hundred years ago, and so many more fascinating stories.

Strategically or historically, however you want to look at them, these photos and stories are poignant reminders that schools have overcome many challenges. They’re proof of so many blessings throughout the generations. And they evoke a sense of pride in the educational work God has allowed them to do.

“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart,” Psalm 119:111.

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Filed Under: Communicating Christ, Creative Thinking: Good Business, Portfolio
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Involving Participants Makes Conference Fun

July 2, 2012 2 Comments

WLSTC teachers' conference program cover

I’ve got an interesting project going on right now and, being a history buff, I’m really enjoying it. It’s the program and promotional pieces for the annual Wisconsin Lutheran Teachers’ Conference.

How’s the cover looking so far?

In previous WLSTC programs, we’ve always used stock photography for the imagery. This year we’re doing something different. Because the committee chose ”Your Statutes Are Our Heritage” as its theme, based on the Bible verse Psalm 119:111, we decided to celebrate heritage by using historical photographs instead of stock.

Real photos from real schools. That’s my husband wearing a suit in the lower, left corner—you certainly don’t see elementary students in such attire nowadays, do you (my husband either, for that matter)!

So, we’re now in the process of gathering photos. We’ve contacted all the schools in the WLSTC district and not only are they getting involved, they’re responding with gusto! I’ve gotta say, opening my email has been so much fun these days—like a trip back in time!

Here’s what’s really great about this project: It gives participants some ownership. Those who submit photos not only feel part of the project, they’ll go to the conference with a greater sense of belonging. More interest. More enthusiasm. Because, hey, their picture is part of the program!

Want to participate?

There’s still time, but not much. Contact me right away and I’ll let you know how to submit your photos.

 

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An Interesting Letter

May 11, 2012 Leave a Comment

Fachwerk Barn, Watertown, WI

So, yesterday my husband and I got a letter from the Jefferson County Historical Site Preservation Commission. It seems our farmstead has been identified as a “resource that could have historic significance at a county, state and/or national level.”

Of course we’re intrigued. We assume the letter is in reference to our fachwerk barn and we’ve marked the date for the upcoming meeting.

And since May is historic preservation month, should anyone ask of my favorite old building (like I’ve been asking all of you), of course, I’m going to expound on my beloved fachwerk barn.

It is pretty cool isn’t it?

Fachwerk barn, Watertown, WI

When we bought this farmstead 25 years ago, the barn was covered in white clapboard siding and we had no clue of the architectural treasure underneath. But when we stepped inside and saw the bricks, well, we got a little excited.

And we started our research.

Fachwerk Barn, Watertown, WIFachwerk, or framework, is the German name for timber-frame architecture found throughout Europe, particularly in areas where timber was in short supply. Builders used hewn lumber for the skeletal framework and then filled in the remainder of the wall with burned or dried brick.

Aren’t these hand-hewn beams beautiful? And, oh, the symmetry!

According to William Tischler, in his article Fachwerk Construction in the German Settlements of Wisconsin, this design was popular among German Lutherans who emigrated during the 1800s. They came from Germany’s northern areas of Brandenburg and Pomerania and then settled in Dodge, Jefferson, Washington and Osaukee Counties of Wisconsin.

Fachwerk Barn, Watertown, WI

Our barn fits into this era. Several years ago, a man passing by noticed it and stopped to chat. Interestingly, he worked at Old World Wisconsin, and was familiar with the historical construction of Wisconsin barns.

Based on the angles and structure of the beams, he estimated our barn was built before 1850.

Old Tools

My husband is a phenomenal woodworker and, fittingly, he uses the barn for his workshop. We’ve occasionally have had a party or two in there as well.

It’s a special building, that it is. I’ll let you know how the meeting goes.

 

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