Q-Tips Reviews

HISTORY MUSEUM at the CASTLE -330 E College Ave., Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 733-8445, myhistorymuseum.org

Q-Tips say: SEE IT! In a cool Castle, Part History, and part Houdini. Mrs. Q enjoyed the Houdini part because it had many “hands on” exhibit. Most you could try yourself! Yes, they do warn you about finding out how magicians accomplish their tricks – so if you don’t want to know – skip that part. Houdini likes to say that he is from Appleton but was really was born in the Hungary and lived in Appleton as a child. Mrs. Q finds it interesting that Houdini did not believe in mediums and psychics. His training in magic helped him expose frauds that scientists and academics could not. He chronicled his time investigating the occult in his book, “A Magician Among the Spirits”. An interesting Museum – granted, not the largest you might have ever seen but enjoyable non the less. Houdini died in an unusual way and a replica of the coffin he used for one of his magic tricks is on display.

A bit of history about arry Houdini: www.thegreatharryhoudini.com/

HEARTSTONE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM – 625 W Prospect Ave, Appleton, WI 54911, (920) 730-8204 –
http://www.focol.org/hearthstone/events.html

Q-Tips say: Wonderful place to visit. The docents are well informed, funny, and full of facts. If they don’t know it – they say “I don’t know.” Mrs. Q says: As we all know, when we take these tours, they could tell us just about anything because most of us don’t really know all the history of a castle, etc. – that is why we are there, to learn. The Museum, I understand, decorates for the “Christmas Holidays” and is an awesome site – something to keep in mind if you are in Appleton during the winter. Not all artifacts are from the original owners but they are donated from others who lived during that time. One has to admire the wood floor, hand carved moldings, original lighting, fireplaces, etc. Mrs. Q says: Some have felt the presence of ghosts, but they are said to be “friendly ghosts”. Went on a beautiful summer day summer – we were the only ones on the tour.
Make sure you go down to the basement/gift store area. The down stairs exhibits are all: “hands on”. Try your “hands” or should I say, try your “Feet” at trying to get Mr. Edison to dance. We enjoyed our visit.

A BIT OF HISTORY:
HENRY ROGER’S HOME- HEARTHSTONE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM – First house in the world lit with an Edison central hydroelectric station September 30, 1882. Hearthstone was lit on September 30, 1882 along with the Appleton Paper and Pulp Company and the Kimberly-Clark Vulcan Paper Mill. Only Hearthstone survives. This was the first time in the world that several buildings were lighted with a central hydroelectric station using the Edison system. Only one other central station in the nation existed. Thomas Edison’s Pearl Street Station in New York City began its operation September 4, 1882. Edison’s station was powered by steam and lit only businesses. Hearthstone’s rare 1882 Edison light switches and electroliers still are in operation. It is possible that Hearthstone is the sole surviving example of wiring and fixtures in their original location from the dawn of the electrical age. William Waters, a prominent, Fox Valley, turn-of-the-century architect, designed the stunning home. He gained national recognition for his Wisconsin building at Chicago’s 1893 World Columbian Exposition, and is noted for numerous prestigious private and public buildings throughout the Fox Cities, Oshkosh and Wisconsin. Mr. & Mrs. Henry J. and Cremora Rogers and their daughter, Kitty, lived in their home approximately 11 years. They left Appleton in 1893. The house then changed hands nine times. In the 1930s it was a public restaurant called The Hearthstone because of its nine fireplaces. In 1986 the City of Appleton considered razing the building. A grass-roots effort by 13 or more Appleton residents raised enough money to purchase the property in December 1986, saving it from destruction. The group formed the Friends of Hearthstone, Inc. and opened the home as a museum emphasizing its Edison heritage. The building is being restored to the historic era 1880-1895. Today guests from throughout the country and the world tour this amazing example of early domestic electricity.

FRATELLO’S Riverfront RESTAURANT AND BREWERY – 4301 W Wisconsin Ave., Appleton, WI 54913

Q-Tips say: Great view, ambiance, drinks, decent food and outstanding service by our server, Annie. Mrs. Q says: Had questions about the menu – no problem, Annie found out and came right back with all the answers. The Q’s had the Ahi Tuna, some of the best Ahi Tuna we have had – along with delicious bread, choice of veggies, etc. and drinks made for a great evening. Fratello’s is a brewery and there is a history to the site. If time permits, ask about the history. Fratello’s outdoor seating on a beautiful day at the Riverfront is what a Wisc. summer is all about. Had a great time with friends and would go back should we be in Appleton again.

GEORGE’S – 2208 S Memorial Dr., Appleton, WI 54915, (920) 733-4939, www.georgessteakhousea…

Q-Tips say: Old school mid-western Supper Club Steakhouse. The food was mediocre but the onion rings were good. Mrs. Q says: If she is ever in Appleton again she would go for a few drinks and the “salad bar” offerings which had the best Liver Pate, Black Olives and delicious homemade bread for the Pate and call it a day.

GRAND STAY HOTEL – Appleton-Fox River Mall – 300 N. Mall Drive, Appleton, Wisc. (920)993-1200

Q-Tips say: Stay at the Grand Stay Hotel if you are in Appleton Wisc. There are NO negatives about this hotel. Mrs. Q really like the spacious room which was very modern and clean. The rooms have a wall thermostat, frig. microwave, free WiFi, the bath had a heat lamp should you be there in winter. The “Free Breakfast” was awesome – cold and hot breakfast items, scrambled eggs and hard boiled. Sausages or bacon, tasty smaller hash browns, cereal, make your own waffles, all types of tea, coffee, juices, fresh fruits.

They have a “Bar” with small bottles of wine, beer, hard liquor and mixes to make your own drink that you can purchase. However, the Q’s brought their own bottle of wine and opener. Mrs. Q says: They have a heated indoor pool and spa/whirlpool – what can be better than that? The people who work there are extremely helpful and so pleasant and happy to be working there and the prices are reasonable. Located near a very large shopping mall with every store you could think of – so if you need anything you are covered.

RUSSIAN TEA TIME REST. 77 E Adams St., Chicago, IL 60603, (312) 360-0000, russianteatime.com

Q-Tips say: Yes, go and enjoy, we did. Our meal started with a great cocktail and the have some of the most delicious complimentary dark bread/with butter and a complimentary outstanding Cole Slaw type of salad which has a delicious light dressing – it was awesome. We ordered the delicious homemade cup of soup. Mrs. Q had the Mushroom Barley Soup, which is different from the Polish style Mushroom Barley but delicious and fully vegetarian. Mr. Q. had the Ukrainian Borscht world classic! – sweet and sour soup of beets, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes and tomatoes. served hot with sour cream. Mrs. Q enjoyed the genuine Russian Dumplings Pelmeni. Making first-class Pelmeni, I understand, takes a truly special skill! the dough is rolled very thin and hand swaddled – they offer wonderful dumplings of seasoned ground beef and onions, boiled and topped with melted butter. served with touch of carrot salad, sour cream and yogurt sauce. So yummy! She should have order the larger portion. Mr. Q had the Wild Game Sausages kielbasa along with wild venison and wild buffalo sausages are broiled, served over mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach, sauteed shiitake mushrooms and carrot salad. They offer Vodka Flights which we passed on – but I am sure they are wonderful. The Q’s have been to the Russian Tea Time Restaurant before with friends several times and have never been disappointed.

LAKE LORRAINE STORIES: Mrs. Q’s comments:
We bought it in around 1982. Enjoyed it until soccer and tennis came along w/ travel teams and our weekends were busy with games. We owned a motor boat and went on the lake w/ an inner tube and pulled Sean/Shelly around. We heard faster, faster, faster until the rope broke and we had to go back and get you. Grandma Rose and Grandpa Walter would go there on weekends or a week for vacation. They always seemed to enjoy it because Grandpa loved to fish and Grandma liked it sometimes also along with gong out to eat. Shelly usually did not want to fish but she would take the plastic fish hook release dip it in the water and kept saying “Bless the fish”, “Bless the fish”.

Sometimes we would BBQ and many times would go to a movie and then out to eat at Randy’s Supper Club. (surprise! – somethings never change)

Some of the same people are still there. Did not see the “weed cutter” but I’m sure it is there somewhere. The Lake on the lower side recently flooded the homes that had a lower lever got water. A few of the cottages were torn down to build larger ones that now appear to have children there. Other than that, not much has changes over 20 years.

See the Q’s review of Randy’s Supper Club – under Wisc.

KLAS – 5734 W Cermak Rd., Cicero, IL 60804, (708) 652-0795, klasrestaurant.com

Q-Tips say: Went with friends and used our Groupon for 4 but have been here many times before and always enjoyed the food, service and ambiance. The Q’s had the Soup: The women had Liver Dumpling Soup and the men had the Goulash Soup. The Entrees we chose were: Breaded Pork Tenderloin and Roasted Pork Loin along with the Sauerkraut and the Sweet/Sour Cabbage and Boiled Potatoes and Potato Dumpling w/ gravy. One Apple dessert and the rest choose the Kolacky to go. A choice of Soda or a selection on Beer per person. What a deal and what a great meal with wonderful friends. Oh! they also have two gentlemen who entertain with they musical talents playing a violin and an accordion with traditional songs from Poland/Ukraine,etc. but they were not there on Sun.

Word has it that they are working on getting this building to be a Historic Landmark – hope they are successful because there is so much history at KLAS. The only negative is that they have limited hours that they are open to the public but will open anytime for a Banquet or Special Occasion

Mrs. Q says: Klas opened in 1922 by Adolf Klas a native of Pilsen, Bohemia, who gave up his job as a waiter at Chicago’s Drake Hotel and expanded to the famous Chicago land landmark. Take a few moments to look at the bar that is stacked with relics from World War I, II and many other eras, along with a deck of Al Copone’s playing cards and other items of his. The bar has hand crafted monks, murals taxidermy and stained glass windows. Guests over the years included bakers, doctors, lawyers, well known politicians and gangster. If you are fortunate enough to go when they allow you to go upstairs, do so. The upstairs was the bordello visited by many including Al Capone. Many stained glass windows and original Art, and furnishings. So, go enjoy the Food, the History, and Ambiance, we did.

RANDY’S SUPPER CLURB 841 E. Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI 53190 262-473-8000 Www.funhunters.net

Q-Tips say: Go and enjoy! We did Mrs. Mr. Q enjoyed the Slow Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich – BBQ Fans rejoice! Premium Pork, Delicately smoked in our kitchen with hardwood coals slathered in our homemade oatmeal stout BBQ sauce (Randy’s BBQ sauce is the absolute best) served on a freshly baked French Roll with our homemade pub chips. He said the best he has had. Mrs Q enjoyed the Blackened Salmon Sandwich – A petite salmon filet grilled with our blackened seasoning or grilled ciabatta bread with lettuce, tomato and a side of cucumber dill sauce. (Randy’s pickles that are served with the sandwiches are awesome – they taste like they are homemade:)

A bit of RANDY’S HISTORY:

RANDY’S SUPPER CLUB:
Yes, Randy’s is still there along with the original owner, Randy Cruse. The Q’s stopped by and the owner was there. Randy Cruse told hold us what happened to Randy’s Supper Club since we last visited during the 1982 when the Q’s owned a summer cottage nearby.

The original Randy’s burned down due to —-an ARSON FIRE. His partner was the culprit. It became a Federal case and Frank Willey and Michael Forbes, who poured the gasoline, and John Piscopo were found guilty. The Whitewater Police followed the trail and some of it lead them to Florida where Willey was up to some unsavory things there like a stash of guns, etc. Followed the trail back to Whitewater Wisc. and found that Willey got some of his gun stash from the Whitewater Police Dept. Some of the Police were also indited. Willey only spent 42 months in prison and had to pay 1 million in restitution for fire damage. $932,234.19 to the Ins. Co. that covered Randy’s Supper Club and $90,277.43 to Randy Cruse. Mrs. Q says: Wow! What a story coming from a sleepy little town in Whitewater Wisc. Randy and his wife decided to rebuild and remodel- looks good and so was the food*:) The Q’s are happy they chose to remodel.

We are now proud owners of an autographed business card signed by Randy and two souvenir napkins not to mention a photo of Randy himself.