Afton Family Market was a local, independent general store, scratch bakery, submarine sandwich shop featuring hand-scooped ice cream located in Afton, Wisconsin from 2009 to 2015. Here are just some of the goodies that many enjoyed there:
Friday, March 19, 2021
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Some of the best water on Earth is right here in Janesville
JANESVILLE, WI - When I was a kid, my dad would take me for a long motorcycle ride and nearly every time we'd end up getting a drink of spring water from the artesian well in Janesville's Riverside Park. Back then, there was no fancy faucet or anything like that, just cold, organic, fantastic water - free flowing from an algae lined hole in the Earth. It was almost divine. The water then emptied into a stone pond (which I am happy to see has been rebuilt) and eventually flowed into the Rock River.
So, what is an artesian well? The geological name for an artesian well is aquifer. It is an underground river of clear, clean water that has been filtered through natural means. There are two basic types of these aquifers: confined and unconfined. An unconfined aquifer is ground water that meets the surface pressure and forms the common "water table." Residential wells are based on this concept. The source here in Riverside Park however comes from a confined aquifer, which means that the water is contained between two rock barriers 1000 feet underground.
According to an article from dailyreporter.com, which cites the City of Janesville's Parks Director, Cullen Slapak, the wells were drilled in the 1930's specifically for a public drinking water source. It flowed for WELL over 50 years! The pressure dropped in the 1990's and 2000's presumably due to new drills and the ebb and flow of nature. It was intermittent until 2016 when it began flowing more regularly.
Up until the 1980's, there were two wells in Riverside Park: one at the South entrance, and one at the North side of the park (near the concession stand). This well was designed to fill a stone pool like the one at the South entrance, but then flowed into a shallow public swimming pool.
I had the opportunity to speak with two fellow well admirers who are part of the Friends of Riverside Park Facebook fan page. They also led me to the remains of the old well (see below).
There is another, less popular artesian well tapped into the same aquifer near Fort Atkinson about 28 miles northeast of Janesville. As of this article, it too is running beautifully! Definitely a more rustic and crude stop, but the same good water.
There have been several studies on the importance of natural, (and especially) free flowing water and the benefits it provides to plants and animals. Nature's water contains minerals and other properties that tap water does not. So, make sure to stop on off and visit one of these wells if you are passing through Janesville or Fort Atkinson on the I-90 corridor. Safe travels and stay hydrated!
So, what is an artesian well? The geological name for an artesian well is aquifer. It is an underground river of clear, clean water that has been filtered through natural means. There are two basic types of these aquifers: confined and unconfined. An unconfined aquifer is ground water that meets the surface pressure and forms the common "water table." Residential wells are based on this concept. The source here in Riverside Park however comes from a confined aquifer, which means that the water is contained between two rock barriers 1000 feet underground.
According to an article from dailyreporter.com, which cites the City of Janesville's Parks Director, Cullen Slapak, the wells were drilled in the 1930's specifically for a public drinking water source. It flowed for WELL over 50 years! The pressure dropped in the 1990's and 2000's presumably due to new drills and the ebb and flow of nature. It was intermittent until 2016 when it began flowing more regularly.
Up until the 1980's, there were two wells in Riverside Park: one at the South entrance, and one at the North side of the park (near the concession stand). This well was designed to fill a stone pool like the one at the South entrance, but then flowed into a shallow public swimming pool.
I had the opportunity to speak with two fellow well admirers who are part of the Friends of Riverside Park Facebook fan page. They also led me to the remains of the old well (see below).
There is another, less popular artesian well tapped into the same aquifer near Fort Atkinson about 28 miles northeast of Janesville. As of this article, it too is running beautifully! Definitely a more rustic and crude stop, but the same good water.
There have been several studies on the importance of natural, (and especially) free flowing water and the benefits it provides to plants and animals. Nature's water contains minerals and other properties that tap water does not. So, make sure to stop on off and visit one of these wells if you are passing through Janesville or Fort Atkinson on the I-90 corridor. Safe travels and stay hydrated!
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Gigantic "Red Apple" signals good views and good food in Newville
By Geoffrey@I90news
NEWVILLE - At the picturesque convergence of I-90 and Lake Koshkonong in Wisconsin, there is a gigantic bitten red apple towering in the sky. Immediately your eyes trigger your mind's extra sensory food awareness. Quite the point in the 1970's because this was the site of a popular restaurant called the Red Apple.
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| Famous Red Apple Tower in Newville, WI |
NEWVILLE - At the picturesque convergence of I-90 and Lake Koshkonong in Wisconsin, there is a gigantic bitten red apple towering in the sky. Immediately your eyes trigger your mind's extra sensory food awareness. Quite the point in the 1970's because this was the site of a popular restaurant called the Red Apple.
Here in 2017, it's a local monument to those who can remember the homemade cooking, fresh apple pie, and hot coffee. Some met there to hash out a business deal. Some planned the stop as a regular resting point while traveling along the corridor. Then there were the locals who went there after church or just because they were hungry.
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| Original Shell Station Newville, WI |
The Shell gas station, whose original building is pictured above, serviced the area at this location for several decades. The original site of the restaurant was repurposed to create another great restaurant that we know and love today: The World's Largest Culver's.
The relaxing view at the mouth of the Rock River and Lake Koshkonong is reminiscent of life somewhere in Florida. Lakes, rivers, quality dining and nice people, Newville is a very pleasing and interesting stop along the corridor for sure. Other excellent food and entertainment spots include: the Anchor Inn, which has an impressive venue for parties and weddings, Emigail's Roadhouse, THE place for cajun cooking, Rosati's Pizza Sports Pub, and Blue Gilly's for breakfast. The area is certainly more active during the summer months, but there is still a lot of ice fishing, and winter motor sports centered around the impressive Lake Koshkonong.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Burger Buns by Anonymous Ninety - A secret burger bun recipe
Hey..., keep this to yourself. I made a lot of money off these things.
Post By: Anonymous Ninety, Contributor
Post By: Anonymous Ninety, Contributor
As a native to Beloit and the I-90
corridor,
I know burgers are everywhere
I know burgers are everywhere
But really great burger buns?
Not so fast
Feel free to try this recipe
It’s simple, cheap and they go best with
large patties or chicken
They were a lifesaver...
when I felt like a giant hamburger or buffalo chicken sandwich
They are dense enough to stand up to sauces,
but don't feel like you're eating all bread
Enjoy!
when I felt like a giant hamburger or buffalo chicken sandwich
They are dense enough to stand up to sauces,
but don't feel like you're eating all bread
Enjoy!
__________________________________________________
Combine: 4 cups good flour
1 envelope instant yeast
1 tablespoons soft butter
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Then add 1 egg to a 1 cup, fill rest w/warm water, then slowly add liquid
dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl--its an art
dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl--its an art
Stand mixer ingredients for 8 minutes-ish
w/hook or until you can make a doughwindow
Allow dough to rest 45 minutes in a warm
place and double in size
Form 6-12 equal pieces into discs, set close
together in olive oil coated pan
Rub with olive oil and coat with shredded
cheeses or salts of your choice
Rise 1 hour or until tripled in size,
leaves a finger mark
Bake 350 for 15-20 minutes, or till golden
Store in a sealed container
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum 2017, just take beautiful Hwy. 61 North from I-90 at Dakota, MN
DAKOTA, MN - The I-90 corridor offers so much, but coupled with a lovely Hwy 61
drive off I-90 at Dakota, MN, the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum is an all-American stop.
In order to get to Lake Pepin and the museum, you'll have to cross the river at Wabasha, MN, but you will be hard-pressed to see a prettier backdrop! To reach the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, which is situated in quaint Lake Pepin, WI, we suggest an exit onto Hwy 61 northbound along the great Mississippi. You'll travel through part of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, and take in the beautiful landscape along the shores of the great Mississippi. According to Travel Wisconsin, the museum is "the stop for Laura buffs. Offers displays, memorabilia, antiques and souvenirs about Laura and the pioneer era." The dates and hours of operation are May 15 through October 15, daily 10 to 5.
In order to get to Lake Pepin and the museum, you'll have to cross the river at Wabasha, MN, but you will be hard-pressed to see a prettier backdrop! To reach the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, which is situated in quaint Lake Pepin, WI, we suggest an exit onto Hwy 61 northbound along the great Mississippi. You'll travel through part of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, and take in the beautiful landscape along the shores of the great Mississippi. According to Travel Wisconsin, the museum is "the stop for Laura buffs. Offers displays, memorabilia, antiques and souvenirs about Laura and the pioneer era." The dates and hours of operation are May 15 through October 15, daily 10 to 5.
An exciting new venture into information supporting localized supply chains, independent businesses and the freedom to explore
I-90 is the longest interstate highway in the United States. From
Seattle to Boston, just think about all of the people who travel on or live
along that shared path or vane, everyday.
My name is
Geoffrey. I live on the I-90 corridor across the center of the U.S. heartland. As content gets posted to i90news.com, my commitment
to you the visitor is a deep yearning for accuracy. Accuracy in capturing
intent, accuracy in understanding someone else's perspective, and accuracy in
capturing context in any situation, these principles are the guidestones of
journalism.
Here comes an exciting new venture into information supporting localized supply chains, independent businesses and the freedom to explore We Begin in Janesville,
WI., home of former Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan; the place where John F.
Kennedy unwinded; and the address of the house in which Abraham Lincoln spent
the weekend! Wow! what history for little old Janesville right?! Stay Tuned.
If you have any
type of content to share please feel free to email us i90corridornews@gmail.com
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