By: Rick Pedersen – The rise of small-batch distilleries has pumped new life into the small towns they have set up their operations in. Such is the case of Harmony Spirits located in Harmony, MN, where they have sourced local grains that are artfully distilled with care by Larry, Andy,Continue Reading

What is your best childhood memory here in the Driftless.I remember going to Whitewater State Park while in daycare. All of us daycare kids would go on a hike followed by a swim. We’d always have a picnic lunch. Just thinking of those days makes me smile. I can justContinue Reading

By Rick Pedersen –  As a kid in the 70’s it was common for neighborhood kids on bikes to follow the Township truck that was used to spray mosquitoes. We did not know at the time it was DDT that was being sprayed, let alone a harmful chemical that wasContinue Reading

What made you choose this type of business?When my late wife, Adrianne, passed in 2006, Havencrest Castle became dark and quiet. She had always given wonderful events for our anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas. I don’t have her talent for such things, but when friends encouraged me to open my homeContinue Reading

About Chestnut Mountain Resort Boasting an impressive array of amenities, accommodations, comforts and activities, Chestnut Mountain is the choice Illinois travel destination. Conveniently located near historic Galena, nestled neatly amongst the hills overlooking the Mississippi, it’s the perfect place to escape the everyday. Chestnut’s over 220 rolling acres and 475-footContinue Reading

By Patrick Shea – Bicycle Touring came into my life during my college years. I attended a small school on Lake Superior’s south shore, where the deciduous and boreal forests meet and mingle. From Northland’s campus in Ashland, Wisconsin, I spent four years in an ever-widening spiral of aimless pedaling.Continue Reading

The Greater Freeport Partnership One organization. One voice. One mission: To grow Freeport & Stephenson County. What does the Partnership do? The Greater Freeport Partnership promotes Stephenson County and support businesses.  We accomplish these goals through workforce development, marketing, beautification, business education and providing data resources. Our history:  In JuneContinue Reading

Family Friendly There is fun for the whole family in Freeport and Stephenson County. Enjoy our parks, museums and other indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families. Krape Park Explore beautiful Krape Park, awarded “Outstanding Multi-use Facility” by the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. Heavily wooded Krape Park featuresContinue Reading

By Nolan Arentz – Kombucha … Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t.  Technically speaking, this simple tasty drink consists of tea, fermentable sugar, a colony of bacteria and yeast working together, and whatever kind of natural flavors one so desires.  For ex-Engineer Jake Haneman, and now owner of BootleggerContinue Reading

By Keewaydin Farms – If you would have told me I would become a farmer when I was younger (or even live in the country for that matter), I would have laughed in your face. My father can confirm this. Born in Driftless dairy country, I couldn’t wait to driftContinue Reading

Sean Brown – Impact CoffeeA Driftless Interview What is your best childhood memory?Canoeing the Upper Iowa or taking the pontoon out on the Mississippi   If you had a chance for a “do-over” in life, what would you do differently? That’s tough. I would probably pick a different college besidesContinue Reading

By Matt Schumann – Let’s widen the focus way back before we zoom in on Emma Big Bear. Trying to describe the life of a centuries old Ho-Chunk woman, through a web essay – to generations B, X, Y and Z – is perhaps an exercise in folly. We inContinue Reading