Guest Blog: Oktoberfest Trip Winner

Oktoberfest in Chippewa Falls

A few months ago, I went to a Radio 96.1 Craft Beer Club event at Tyler’s Taproom in Raleigh.  The featured brewery was Leinenkugel’s, a 146 year old brewery located in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  In addition to sampling the brewery’s summer seasonal (Canoe Paddler,a Kolsch style) and its newest “Big Eddy” series brew (Ryewine Ale, a barleywine style ale clocking in at 10% abv) there were opportunities to score pint glasses, t-shirts and even a canoe paddle.  Anyone attending the event could also register to win a grand prize trip to the Oktoberfest in Chippewa Falls.   The trip was billed as a beer lover’s dream and included airfare, three nights accommodations, a brewery tour, boat ride, access to the Oktoberfest celebration and more.  I remember dropping in my entry and commenting how I don’t win such things.  I was just happy leave with the newest addition to my pint glass collection, a Leinenkugel’s glass autographed by Dick Leinenkugel, who was there for the event.  (The brewery is currently under the control of three brothers, Jake, Dick and John, who are the fifth generation of Leinenkugels to manage the still growing operation.)

Fast forward a few weeks.  I get a call from Radio 96.1 advising me that I had been chosen as the grand prize winner.  Wait.  What?!?  I was going to Chippewa Falls for Oktoberfest!   For any beer lover, a trip to a brewery, especially one that is not local, is a true treat.  This trip would be no different. 

A few days before the trip, my wife and I received our itinerary.  I was blown away.  Not only were we to have the trip itself with admission to the three day Oktoberfest celebration, but there were lunches at the Leine Lodge and a dinner with a boat ride around nearby Lake Wissota.    Fantastic! 

We did experience some travel woes, but that would be overshadowed by what was to come.  Once we made it to Chippewa Falls, we were greeted with a packet containing our final itinerary, admission wristbands to Oktoberfest, tickets good for beers at the event, lunch meal tickets and a gift card to the Leine Lodge.  We promptly made our way to the Leine Lodge and took the first available brewery tour.  The tour lasted about 45 minutes and covered the history of Leinenkugel’s, the brewing process and an overview of past and present beers produced by the brewery.  After the tour, we went back to the lodge for some beer samples.  Getting into the spirit, we proceeded to Oktoberfest, which was only a short walk from the lodge.  We enjoyed some German food and a few beers before turning in for the night.  The next day, we went to Oktoberfest early so we could see some exhibits (including a 1527 pound pumpkin) and sample some Wisconsin cheese.  Then it was back to the Leine Lodge for a brat lunch and more beer sampling.  Then back to Oktoberfest for more beer sampling…  You get the picture.  After immersing ourselves in German culture and heritage for a few hours, it was time to head to what turned out to be a true highlight of the trip – dinner at High Shores Supper club and a pontoon boat ride around Lake Wissota.   We enjoyed a four-course dinner accompanied by three different beers - all great combinations.  Then the boat ride – with more beer.  Unfortunately, we were so full from the great meal it was difficult to enjoy more beer!  After returning from dinner, we headed out for one last night of Oktoberfest.  We enjoyed some great live music and I was able to share the last of out beer tickets with some unsuspecting festival-goers.

On our way home – which thankfully was much less eventful than the trip out – we had time to reflect on a great trip.  The location, people we met, food we enjoyed, beers we drank…  Such a fun time.  And in case you are wondering what my favorite beer was…  Oktoberfest, of course.

Tony S.

Radio 96.1 Listener (and winner!)

Local Singer on NBC's The Voice: Is This Where I Said I Told You So?

Over a year ago, I wrote a blog for this very site and gushed over a singing powerhouse from Raleigh, named Kat Robichaud.  I said that I had heard so many great things about her, that her voice was deep and different and unlike any other.

Then, this past Monday night, I turned on the TV to watch the Blind Auditions on NBC's The Voice.  I love the blind auditions because they force the judges to listen to the voice and not be swayed by what the person looks like.  It's a great concept, but I digress.  I turned on the TV, and saw this:

Kat Robichaud.  THAT IS KAT ROBICHAUD. On The Voice.  And, she killed it.  Is this where I say, "I told you so?"


Kat sang "I've Got the Music In Me" from the Kiki Dee Band.  She had judges fighting over her, because she is awesome.  She eventually chose Team Cee-Lo, and will move on past the Blind Auditions.

Watch Kat KILL IT here:




Whether or not Kat will go far remains to be seen.  But it's nice to see local, hard-working talent get their day.  Kat's since had write-ups in both Entertainment Weekly  and on MTV.com, and I'm sure will have many more.

So, join us in saying good luck to Kat--the competition's going to be stiff, but we have a feeling she knows what she's doing.


Alli

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The Dad Blog #2

"The Dad Blog" is brought to you by "Dads", Tuesday nights at 8 on Fox50

I kinda remember Sundays.

Sundays in the Fall used to be the day when we did nothing.  Nothing glorious nothing.  Sleep in, go to brunch, lay on the couch and watch football.  All...day...long.

Every once in a while, when I get frustrated, I pine for those days - which are long gone now that I have children.  But mostly, as was the case this past Sunday, I realize just how awesome Sundays are now.

Saturday morning, I took my son to Lego Club at Crabtree Valley Mall.

Saturday night, I led my first Cub Scout Campout as Scoutmaster.  Sunday morning, I took the kids to Sunday School and got in a couple hours of playing basketball.  Sunday afternoon, the family took a bike ride to the park on a beautiful sunny day.  And believe it or not, I still had time to watch a little football.

As exhausting as it was, I wouldn't trade the "dad" version of the weekend for the "Sunday on the couch" version for anything.

Foster
Radio 96.1

The Dad Blog #1

"THE DAD BLOG" IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY "DADS", TUESDAY NIGHTS AT 8 ON FOX50

Last Sunday night, Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers strolled into Seattle to play the Seahawks coming off a 400+ yard performance against Green Bay, while Seattle had barely knocked off the Panthers. Kaepernick had every reason to believe he would find similar success against the Seahawks.

What Kaepernick found out was that the game plan doesn't always go as expected.  The Seahawks fans actually set a Guinness World Record for loudest stadium.  Kaepernick was forced into using hand signals instead of shouting out play instructions, and was constantly thrown off his game - changing everything on the fly.

Kaepernick will find his unpleasant Sunday night experience to be a bit like parenting.  Everything is about calling audibles and changing plans as you go.  When your kids are very little, it's all about phases.  As soon as you've mastered one phase ("I got the kid to go to bed at 7pm!!!"), another will begin ("I'm afraid of the dark.  Can I sleep with you?")

When they get older, if you have more than one child, you'll be the referee in constant sibling rivalry matches. Just this morning, I navigated my son torturing my daughter while brushing her teeth ("Does it annoy you when I do this?  How about this? This??"), while my daughter regularly questions her brother's credibility ("No, that's not how it goes.  No.  That's not right.  You're wrong".)

Just as Kaepernick will find great joys, like throwing for 400 yards, there are great parenting wins - such as when your kid excels at sports or brings you a piece of their artwork.  But more often than not, you'll be calling audibles day after day after day.

Foster
Radio 96.1

Happy Birthday to White Street Brewing!

Boy, does White Street Brewing know how to put on a Birthday Party!

That's a tap room full of folks raising their glasses to salute the incredible achievements of one of the Triangle's newest breweries in just one year's time.  In what's become a very crowded local craft beer space, White Street is now found on taps in bars and restaurants all over the Triangle; they have a beautiful welcoming tap room, which has almost single-handedly led the revitalization of downtown Wake Forest; and their expansion plans will have them bottling their beers before you know it.

Perhaps most impressively, all their beers are good.  Really good.

Congratulations to Dino, Tina, and the entire team at White Street for a spectacular first year - here's a toast to many more.

Foster 

Radio 96.1

Blue Man Group Review: Even a Cynic Can Have a Great Time

Blue Man Group, at the Durham Performing Arts Center now through Sunday, is a truly original performance that uses color, light and illusion.  I had no idea what to expect going in, other than the fact that I knew the show has a home in Las Vegas, plays NYC, and has been a featured casino act in Atlantic City.  So, knowing that it's a casino sort of act, I had my reservations before the show even started.

I want to say up front that Blue Man Group surpassed my expectations.  I was impressed with how original their music was--use of PVC pipe as drums, for example--and the use of fluorescent paint and black light to make a colorful, fun splash.  It's clear this show has been around a long time and they know what works to entertain their audience.  From large, soft bouncing balls that light up and then float throughout the crowd, to dancing digital men, the show surprised me in every way in that I was pretty entertained.  And that's hard to do, seeing as how I'm such a cynic.

So, I'll get to that part.  I'm a cynic.  I spent a lot of BMG's show wonder how many people in the audience were plants.  The lady that they picked out of the audience to come up on stage and "dine" with the band, for example.  She was just too good and knew too many of the moves she was expected to do to create a laugh from the audience.  I could see where the next guy they picked out of the audience wasn't really--oh, you know what?  I know I'm spoiling the fun.  I won't tell you.  Let's just say that there are audience plants, but you have to suspend the ability to disbelieve. 

Blue Man is not just drums and paint, though, they are silent comedians as well.  Most bits went over well with the audience, but much like a bit on Family Guy, they started out funny but went on 5 minutes too long. 

All inn all, if you want a fun night out, something that's cool you can take your kids to, Blue Man Group is a solid bet for your weekend fun.  Just remember:  suspend the ability to disbelieve.  Cynicism is no fun on your night out.


Alli


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