Welcome Back UWSP Students 2016-17  Old Main, Like a bit of Harvard in Wisconsin  Old main is the oldest building on campus and always reminds me of our roots dating back nearly 120 years to when Stevens Point was selected as a Normal school or teaching college.  Old main reminds me of the Harvard campus with old buildings that are hard to photograph due to a plentitude of large dense trees.  These trees came in handy 30+ years ago when I had Dendrology class at UWSP and many of the trees that we had to identify from across the nation were only found on the lawn in front of this building.  Now these trees enhance the beauty of this fine old building which is now used as the executive office building for folks like the Chancellor.More Welcome Back to Uwsp Tour Posts  Welcome Back UWSP St... 08/17/2016

Welcome Back UWSP Students to the 2016-17 School YearWelcome back to the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, school starts this week and the town is buzzing with activity.  I have seen several groups heading down to Belts for a welcome ice cream break with old and new friends, and today many houses had yard parties as people gathered to reacquaint with old friends and meet a few more before the busy life of classes begins.For those who do not have housing secured, we have a few more homes available we just finished cleaning and repairs on.  And if anyone needs a couch or other misc. furniture, I seem to be developing a collection in one of my garages that I would like to get rid of soon.Jack and I took a walk around campus today and took a few pics of the buildings, people and art... 08/14/2016

Corn on the Curb; On the Square in Stevens Point Wisconsinwww.cornonthecurb.com  Saturday, August 6, 4 PM - 11 PM Join us in downtown Stevens Point for another celebration of summer with food and fun for everyone  Food & Beverages Live music with;          "Cadillac Pete and the Heat"          "Dig Deep"          Karaoke finals          "Get Bent" Inflatables Fresh roasted corn on the cob Corn eating competition   https://www.facebook.com/events/612896588860078/ https://www.facebook.com/cornonthecurb/ 07/30/2016

Riding the Logs Down Wisconsins First Highway, "The Riverman of the Wisconsin River" Mural   Being a great fan of local art, I often enjoy riding my bike through the downtown area of Stevenst Point where many small and large murals are painted depicting our history. This gem is located on the corner of Water and Clark Streets,  in Downtown Stevens Point. The Riverman Mural is a tribute to Stevens Point's strong logging heritage.  Logging was one of the first large industries to build our state and today it still is, though we no longer use river power to move these important resources from the woods to the mills.   This is the first of the  series of murals and wasCompleted in September 2004.                 This is also the first of many murals that I will be featuring in the next few... 07/17/2016

Stevens Point's Green Circle Trail, a Local Treasure   As I have mentioned before, Stevens Point has always been a great place for biking.  With very few high traffic bottlenecks, level terrain and ample shops and attractions close to any part of town that you live in.   In 1996, the city added another unique attraction when they developed the Green Circle Trail which helped to join together many of the natural areas in and around the city especially concentrating along the Wisconsin and Plover rivers and all of the great scenery associated with them.   This not only gives us access to some great scenery but it also joins together all the area of town while making for a great Saturday of biking. 07/17/2016

Meade Park, a "Cant Miss" Attraction on Stevens Point's West Side  Great view of the Wisconsin River, Riverside Park and Downtown.  One of my Son Josh's favorite parks due to the top class disc golf course.  Also a favorite of parents with small children with a Deluxe Playground area.  Adjoins the Green Circle Trail  And much more including a ball field and tennis courts.  As a bonus, if you would like to live near this fine park, it is only about a block away from our nice Cottage Style home on W Pearl St.          View Meade Park, Stevens Point, Wisconsin in a larger map Zoom in for some great views of the many attractions in this park including the playground, tennis courts, ball diamond, disc golf and more.        07/17/2016

Stevens Point Mural Series; Kozy Kitchen Home Cooking! This mural is also not one of the city sponsored murals, but it still is very interesting  with a good times type flaire to it. The longest running restaurant in Stevens Point, at the corner of Third and Clark streets, is called “Painting the Town”. Over the years, thousands of "locals" and visitors enjoyed a fine home cooked meal at the Cozy. This mural was painted by local artist Greg Luedtke. Notice the cute girl in this picture, thats my loving wife Sally out for an early morning bike ride. 07/17/2016

Franciscans Downtown at the 4th of July 2016 Parade It was a great day for a parade this weekend and many Franciscans were present for the Franciscans Downtown display. I was nominated to drive the car with our signs on it while others including Fr. Placid Stroik ofm, Sally Crane ofs, and Leo Jacoby walked along greeting people and handing out schedules for our July activities. Deb Peltier stayed at the Franciscan House to entertain people who stopped in for a beverage or a treat during the parade which passed right by the store front where we are located. I was impressed at how many children ran out to the street yelling “Mrs Crane” and then gave Sally a hug, apparently they are really missing school already.  I don’t recall being that fond of my teachers at that age, she must be doing... 07/03/2016

The BoDeans; A Big Hit at Stevens Point Riverfront Celebration! It was a great night in Stevens Point last night as I took a few hours off and took my favorite girl for a date to the BoDeans Concert at the Steven Point Riverfront Rendezvous.The park was packed as several thousand people showed up for the Bodeans and the other performers who were playing on the other 2 stages.The BoDeans were great, the crowd was a bit much, and my date was spectacular as she always is.For those of you who missed the first two days of this celebration, you still have one more day of concerts and other fun, including a parade that I will be driving in for Franciscans Downtown. (see the schedule below)Thanks Stevens Point for providing events like this on a warm summer night!     **************************... 07/02/2016

Stevens Point Mural Series - McDonald title Mural Update   My mom and a couple of nieces were in town this past week and I took a few hours off to enjoy the sights and sounds of Stevens Point.We were disappointed when we went past this one and discovered that it is no more.I always enjoyed going by this Mural, it was not one of the official city sponsored murals and it had a certain historical family business aire to it that is always enjoyable.One bonus to this mural is that the artist painted a scene that could have been of this business as it was in the 1800's. Hopefully they will replace it when they are finished with their construction project.   McDonald Title Company, Inc.Located at 1059 Clark Street, Stevens Point, WIPortage County's Oldest Title Company - Since 1880 - 07/02/2016

Stevens Point; Music and 4th of July Fun Starting Tonight! Dont wait for the 4th, get out tonight and enjoy the fun. Stevens Point Riverfront Rendezvous, the cant miss event in Central WisconsinFriday, Saturday and Sunday  - July 1, 2, & 3 2016 Free Admission and Entertainment One of the many highlights of living in Stevens Point is the Riverfront Rendezvous.  A huge celebration of free music and opportunity to see friends and neighbors and occasionally a few celebrities. I always work hard to make sure that this is a week when I am not traveling so that I can attend this event.This year is will be tough finding a week to dedicate to being in Point, but I will be stopping in from time to time enjoying the sights, sounds, tasty treats, and friends at the Rendezvous.     Friday, July 1, 2... 07/01/2016

Stevens Point Riverfront Rendezvous, the cant miss event in Central WisconsinFriday, Saturday and Sunday  - July 1, 2, & 3 2016 Free Admission and Entertainment One of the many highlights of living in Stevens Point is the Riverfront Rendezvous.  A huge celebration of free music and opportunity to see friends and neighbors and occasionally a few celebrities. I always work hard to make sure that this is a week when I am not traveling so that I can attend this event.This year is will be tough finding a week to dedicate to being in Point, but I will be stopping in from time to time enjoying the sights, sounds, tasty treats, and friends at the Rendezvous.     Friday, July 1, 2016 Activities are brought to you today by Sentry Insurance. Mainstage Entertainment sponsored by Coca-Cola. North Te... 06/19/2016

Do you want a fantastic way to celebrate Father’s Day June 19th? Join the crowds at St. Stephen’s in Stevens Point as they enjoy their annual parish picnic. There will be pre-picnic Pierogi Sale.  Order forms for these delicious treats are available right now.   Highlights of the festivities include a Basket Raffle, Cakewalk, and a Cherry Tree.  With the support of our friends and some good weather the picnic will once again be successful. See you there!  06/05/2016

Have you ever been to a polka Mass?  Saturday June 11th or Sunday June 12th would be the perfect opportunity for you to attend one.  St. Peter’s in Stevens Point will be celebrating their parish picnic that weekend.  There are many activities and fun for all ages.   A silent auction and great food are some of the things available to partake in.   On Saturday there will be a pork dinner from 4:30 – 7:00.  Music from 6:00 – 10:00 by the River Cities Jazz band.  Sunday’s highlights are the chicken dinner from 11:00 – 2:00; Norm Dombrowski’s Happy Notes vs Hauser’s Hot Shots; and the Grand Prize Raffle drawing at 6:30 – with one lucky winner of the $2,500. Prize.   Come on out to enjoy these activities and much more! 06/05/2016

Friday fish fry is a great way for St. Joseph’s in Stevens Point to kick off their annual parish picnic.An evening of games, refreshments, and the Country Store and basket raffle is highlighted by music from the River Cities Jazz band.Saturday afternoon the festivities begin with Mass in the tent, music provided by St. Joe’s Folk Choir.  This evening also unfolds with games, refreshments, the Country Store, and basket raffle.  Music by Gray Catz accompanies these activities.Sunday is a full day with the above activities, Mass under the tent, with music provided by The Choraleers with Duane & Tom from The Old Time Brass; a chicken dinner served from 11:30 – 1:30 and BINGO at 2:00 in the family center.  There is dancing to country and old time music, from 11:30 – 1:30 by The Old Time Bras... 06/05/2016

PJ’s Live, Summer Concert Series, Wednesdays at Sentry World!Everyone seems to enjoy a great time, and a great place, at a great price. Come join SentryWorld as they kick off their second season of PJ’s Live, a summer concert series, with Spicy Tie Band on June 1, 2016. Concerts will be held every Wednesday throughout the summer. Bring a chair or blanket and relax outside of PJ’s Restaurant starting at 5:30 pm. Concerts will last about 3 hours.Some of the performers include: Spicy Tie Band (June 1), Sue Orfield Band (June 8), Wheel House (June 15), Mojo & The Flipside (June 22), Southbound (June 29), Blues Summit Band (July 6), 4Cast (July 13), Conscious Pilot (July 20), Charles Walker Band (July 27), The Commotion (Aug. 3), The Unity Band (Aug. 10), Grayling Pingel (Aug. 17), The Might... 05/29/2016

You will never guess who's rounding 2 Million at Active Rain? Well you will just have to come and read my post because I will not give it away on my little snip and members surf through posts today.That's right ... 2 Million points at the Active Rain network. Time sure flies by fast when you having fun and let's give this AR member a few extra points to celebrate Memorial Day weekend ;o) BOB CRANE ...  AMBASSADOR1,998,353 05/27/2016

Stevens Point Wisconsin, I love this town, and so will you!   I first came to this town 35 years ago when I started college here.     It was a culture shock for me coming from a rural farm near a small town of 800 people.  At the time it seemed like a much larger metropolis than it seems to be today.     After 6 years of college I grew to love the city of Point and hated to leave to start my career, but everybody has to grow up and leave sometime.   A decade after starting my Forestry Consulting Company in Western Wisconsin, I was looking to expand and what better place than the home of the largest and most prestigious Forestry school in the country, UW Stevens Point, and the place that I had grown to love so much when I was a student there.     So my wife found a new and better teachin... 05/22/2016

Healthy Family Night DinnerThis Thursday April 14, 2016, Ministry Health Care will be sponsoring a Healthy dinner and presentation at the Central Wisconsin Childrens Museum.Join them the second Thursday of each month for a healthy meal at 5:30pm. Then at 6pm, enjoy an activity and program for the whole family.Sponsored by Ministry Health Care, this program is free (museum admission included) and no pre-registration is required.Central Wisconsin Childrens Museum1100 Main StreetStevens Point WI 54481715-344-20035pm-8pmFREE 04/10/2016

Butterfly Survival Guide at Schmeeckle Reserve Many may think that it is a little early to be thinking about butterflies, after all we still have snow on the ground in much of Wisconsin.But as any biologist will tell you, the time to plan for a healthy population of something like this is long before we see them out and about.This is the time to think about what we will need to plant in our yard in order to feed the larvae of these butterflies as well as the plants that will attract the adult butterflies.So join the folks at Schmeeckle this Thursday April 14, 2016 for a free workshop to learn more about what is needed. Schmeeckle Reserve2419 N Point DriveStevens Point WI 54481715-346-4992 04/10/2016