Wisconsin Logging Camp, 1921

Meet Jim Bastian of Brookfield, and his debut book, Wisconsin Logging Camp 1921

published by Big Earth Publishing, Boulder, CO

November, 2015
Historical Fiction

ISBN: 9781934553541
$18.95 Print only
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Barnes and Noble

About the Book: A beautifully written historical fiction novel set primarily in the north woods of Wisconsin during 1920 and 1921. The narrative entwines the fictional story of an eight-year-old boy, Will, within that period's rich historic context. The story meticulously incorporates the history of logging in Wisconsin, the flu pandemic, Prohibition, World War I, and post-war American culture, specific to that time and place. Will's story reflects the challenges, hardships, and ethnic discrimination faced and overcome by American immigrants, then and now. These themes remain as relevant today as they were in 1920, and portray an archetypal immigrant experience, which is part of the proud, shared heritage of all Americans. The colorful language, rich history, characters, and Wild West atmosphere of the region will appeal to all readers.

About the Author: Upon graduation from Michigan State University, with a history and psychology major, Jim was a high school teacher. He subsequently converted to capitalism, earned an MBA and went on to have a thirty year business career. Writing became increasingly more appealing and the grind of business travel less so. This lead Jim to transition to writing as his vocation which resulted in the publication of his first book Wisconsin Logging Camp - 1921. His next project, also a historical novel, takes place in 1971 with an archaeological link to 1712. The title and publication date will be announced in 2016. 

Web: www.wisconsinloggingcamp.com

New Hiking Guide from Rob Bignell

New guide details top Chippewa Valley hikes

More than 100 trails described in Day Hiking Trails of the Chippewa Valley

Day Hiking Trails of the Chippewa Valley, by Wisconsin author Rob Bignell, covers trails in Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn and Pepin counties. It was released March 28.

“The Chippewa Valley is chock-full of great trails and hidden wonders,” Bignell said. “You can walk beneath startlingly giant conifers and over nearly 2 billion-year-old rock. You can follow the scenic routes of old railroad lines along majestic rivers that feed the Mississippi. You can see waterfalls, pioneer sites, and rare butterflies.”

Two state parks, four major state trails, great city parks, and a variety of other public lands all are open to hikers, bicyclists and other outdoors lovers in the Chippewa Valley. Many are free while the others carry a nominal entrance cost.

Bignell grew up near Menomonie and has hiked many of the trails since childhood. 

The book provides a plethora of information about each featured trail, including:

• Driving directions to the trail

• Where to park and find the trailhead

• Course the trail takes

• Scenic points to look for on the trail

• Wildlife and flora you might spot

• Interesting tidbits about regional geology and history

• Best times to hike the trail

“These trails are perfect for families with children,” Bignell said. The trails run from a tenth of a mile to seven miles in length, with most only a mile to three miles long.

Day Hiking Trailsof the Chippewa Valley is the latest in several bestselling hiking guidebooks Bignell has authored. In January, Best Sights to Seeat America’s National Parks reached No. 1 on Amazon.com’s bestsellers list for Travel>Mountain books. Last year, his Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of NortheastMinnesota, also hit No. 1 on that Travel>Midwest list.

More than three years of research went into the book. Bignell’s son Kieran accompanied him on a number of those hikes.

An avid backpacker and long-time editor, Bignell is uniquely qualified to write about hiking, especially for families. Bignell has served in the Army National Guard and taught middle school students in New Mexico and Wisconsin. A former newspaper and magazine editor in California, his journalism work has won several awards, from editorial writing to sports reporting. In 2001, The Prescott Journal, which he served as managing editor of, was named Wisconsin’s Weekly Newspaper of the Year.

This is Bignell’s 16th hiking guidebook, almost all of which focus on Wisconsin and Minnesota. He now lives with his son in western Wisconsin.

Book specs:

Day Hiking Trails of the Chippewa Valley

• Publish date: April 1, 2016
• Publisher: Atiswinic Press
• ISBN: 978-0-9961625-4-8
• Price: $9.95 (paperback), $0.99 (ebook)
• Pages: 124 (paperback)
• Cover: Paper (paperback)
• Trim Size: 5.5 x 8.5 (paperback)
• Website

Day Hiking Trails of the Chippewa Valley author Rob Bignell and his son Kieran.
(Photo by Bryan Bignell)

Writers on Writing March 8 Mount Mary University

Writers On Writing Series

The Mount Mary University Master of Arts in English program presents this series that brings best-selling authors to campus to talk about their published work, their process and their craft.

Upcoming Events

Writers on Writing: Featuring Poets Paulette Beete and JoAnn Early Macken

Tuesday, March 8, 2016
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Helfaer Hall (located in Caroline Hall)

Writers on Writing featuring poets Paulette Beete and JoAnn Early Macken who will read from their work, examine the poetry writing process, and discuss the world of poetry. Event is free and open to the public. For additional information contact Karen Murray atmurrayk@mtmary.edu or 414-930-3359. Reserve your spot here.

Paulette Beete's work has appeared in or is forthcoming in journals, including Crab Orchard Review, Gargoyle, Escape into Life, Found Poetry Review, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, and many others. She's the author of the chapbooks Blues for a Pretty Girl (Finishing Line Press) and Voice Lessons (Plan B Press), and her work appears in the anthologies Full Moon on K Street: Poems About Washington, DC and Saints of Hysteria: A Half-Century of Collaborative American Poetry. She blogs (occasionally) at thehomebeete.com.

JoAnn Early Macken is the author of five picture books and more than 130 educational books for children. Her rhyming picture book Baby Says “Moo!” is now a padded board book. Waiting Out the Storm received a starred review in Booklist and an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Book Award. Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move received the Growing Good Kids - Excellence in Children’s Literature Award.

JoAnn’s poems appear in many children’s magazines and anthologies, including the 2015 Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. Her poetry instruction guide Write a Poem Step by Step is based on her workshops.

JoAnn earned her M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has taught graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education writing courses at four Wisconsin colleges. JoAnn speaks to writers of all ages and contributes to the Teaching Authors group blog. Visit her web site at www.joannmacken.com.

Water in Wisconsin Photography Contest deadline March 15

Water in Wisconsin Photography Contest

Complete rules and entry link here.

Studio Camera inside H.H. Bennett Studio. Photo Credit: Joseph Leute / Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau.

The H.H. Bennett Studio is holding a photography contest! Here is your opportunity to display your photography alongside the work of H.H. Bennett! 40 finalists will have their work displayed in the H.H. Bennett Studio in downtown Wisconsin Dells during the 2016 tourist season.

Eligibility

• The Contest is open to all Wisconsin Residents
• The Photo must be taken inside the state of Wisconsin
• Persons under 18 may participate with a parent or guardian's permission
• Both amateur and professional photographers can enter
• Multiple entries are allowed, but only 1 photograph allowed per entry form
• If selected as a finalist, a 6 Megapixel digital copy must be provided to the H.H. Bennett Studio for printing and/or marketing.
• Entries must be submitted by March 15, 2016 deadline

Remembering a tragedy with Wisconsin roots

Remembering Laurel Salton Clark, graduate of Racine Horlick High School and UW-Madison

    It's been thirteen years since the space shuttle Challenger accident...
              February 1, 2003

                          Where were you when you heard the news?

Astronaut Biography
Facebook memorial page

Above - bad copy from our late 70s yearbook: me, Lisa, below, friend Debbie, Laurel above, goofing around at forensics

The memorial splashpad in Racine, on the lakefront

Native People of Wisconsin

Looking for great resources or general interest on the Native Peoples of Wisconsin?

Dr. Patty Loew of the University of Wisconsin is the author of several guidebooks. Her latest:

Wisconsin Historical Society Press

eBook -  $9.99

Print - $15.95

Buy on Amazon

"So many of the children in this classroom are Ho-Chunk, and it brings history alive to them and makes it clear to the rest of us too that this isn't just...Natives riding on horseback. There are still Natives in our society today, and we're working together and living side by side. So we need to learn about their ways as well." --Amy Laundrie, former Lake Delton Elementary School fourth grade teacher

An essential title for the upper elementary classroom, "Native People of Wisconsin" fills the need for accurate and authentic teaching materials about Wisconsin's Indian Nations. Based on her research for her award-winning title for adults, "Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Survival," author Patty Loew has tailored this book specifically for young readers.

"Native People of Wisconsin" tells the stories of the twelve Native Nations in Wisconsin, including the Native people's incredible resilience despite rapid change and the impact of European arrivals on Native culture. Young readers will become familiar with the unique cultural traditions, tribal history, and life today for each nation.

Complete with maps, illustrations, and a detailed glossary of terms, this highly anticipated new edition includes two new chapters on the Brothertown Indian Nation and urban Indians, as well as updates on each tribe's current history and new profiles of outstanding young people from every nation.

Dr. Loew's other works include

Native People of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society Press

Indian Nations of Wisconsin, Histories of Endurance and Renewal

Native People of Wisconsin Teachers Guide

Seventh Generation Earth Ethics

We Shall Remain (PBS documentary booklet)

http://www.pattyloew.com/

Patty Loew, Ph.D.

Prof. Dept. Life Sciences Communication

Book Lover and Author Event March 19 in West Allis

First Annual Wisconsin Author Festival

Saturday, March 19

Wondering if there are any new exciting authors in the area? Not sure what to read next? The West Allis Public Library will be hosting local Wisconsin authors for a free afternoon of fun for readers of all ages. Come ask the authors questions at our 4 PM Q&A session, meet the authors, enjoy treats and giveaways and maybe even purchase a book or two to take home. 

Watch our website and Facebook page for more information! 

Date: March 19, 2016

Time: 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Location: Library  View Facility

Address: 7421 W. National Ave
West Allis, WI 53214

Contact: 414-302-8500

Email: Email

Cost: FREE!

Links: WI Author Festival Registration Form

Authors: want to participate? Follow the directions given in the registration form link or email Natalie LaRocque at westallislibrary@gmail.com for more information.