Last time we mentioned that the Sievers Shop at one point was the Jackson Harbor Store, selling groceries among other items. Since 1979, when Walter Schutz established Sievers School of Fiber Arts, the only groceries we’ve “sold” were a jar of peanut butter, a package of tuna fish and some crackers out of our staff lunch cupboard to a hiker who was on his way to Rock Island several years ago, late on a Sunday afternoon when Mann’s Store was closed. In those first years, the former coat room in the old schoolhouse was used to display Sievers Looms along with a very limited number of yarns for weaving. Visitors were greeted within the entry area (marked by the wooden […]
“Our” Grocery Store
Last year we visited Walter Schutz’s Milwaukee neighborhood of the early 1900’s with descriptions from his book It Was Fun Being Young, focusing on his memories of holidays and school days. Once again, we’ll follow Walter as a young boy, this time to the grocery store. He writes, “Our grocery store, Ellenbecker’s, was the largest place of business at the corner of Holton and North. It sold only groceries. You could not buy meat or shoestrings or toothpaste or any articles of this kind – it was groceries only. Back then, there were any number of small shops and stores that served neighborhoods. At Ellenbecker’s, a long, hardwood counter extended down the left hand side of the store. In front […]
Washington Island winter
While it’s still very much winter and with a fresh coat of snow, we’re sharing a few more views of Washington Island before the changeable month of March arrives. From a 1997 Washington Island Archives program titled “What Do You Do in the Winter?”, host Jay Hagen noted that this question is usually asked in three parts. The first is, “Are you an Islander?”, then the second one is “Do you stay here year-round?” and of course, the third one is “What do you do in the winter?” One of his illustrations of life on Washington Island in the winter was this: “If you see a car go by in the winter, you probably know who it is and where […]
Our winter warm-up
Winter has no hold on us once February 1st arrives and we begin to hear from our many friends who have registered for a Sievers class. Thank you! Hearing from you warms our winter and we anticipate the spring, summer and fall days when classes are in session and we’re together. As enrollment continues and before our 2022 season begins, we enjoy the landscapes of a Washington Island winter.
2022 Sievers Preview
February 1st will be here in just a few weeks! That day, all of our 2022 classes will be open for registration and those class descriptions along with complete information will be available on our website. The site will be in “maintenance mode” soon, but available again for registration on February 1. Featured on the cover of the 2022 brochure are Coiled Baskets made by Sievers instructor, Lynn Stracka Schuster. Thank you, Lynn, for sharing your many fiber art talents with us and with your students! This past year was Lynn’s 40th year of teaching at Sievers. Many of our instructors are returning in 2022 and we welcome two new team teachers, Karen Zeman and Jackie Barry. Both have been […]
Warmest wishes
Dear Sievers friends and family, These stockings are filled with our warmest wishes to you and yours for happiness, good health, love and peace this holiday season and into the new year. With gratitude for your friendship, Ann, Butch, Cindra, Carolyn, Barb, Kathleen, Patricia, Kirsten and Ellie Thus having prepared…against a sure winterthe wise treesstand sleeping in the cold. William Carlos Williams “Sometimes I needonly to standwherever I amto be blessed.” Mary Oliver
Make it!
Whether it refers to baking, creating or otherwise, it’s the season to “make it”. That’s what we’re doing. Make it a Julekuler! This Scandinavian heart knitted bauble was made using a free pattern, but was adapted by using sport weight yarn and size 2 double pointed needles. Make it delicious! This cookie recipe was discovered in last winter’s Door County Living magazine. It’s especially suitable as a non-fussy holiday treat and yes, the dark chocolate chips are highly recommended! Apricot Ginger Oatmeal Cookies Preheat the oven to 350°. 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder Mix these ingredients into a bowl and set aside. 1 c. butter […]
November now and then
We’ve had one of the longest fall seasons in recent memory and are still enjoying the sight of many leaves on the trees, especially in those places closest to the water. These late fall days truly feel like a gift! As one of our favorite seasons, it never seems to last long enough. Contrast the two photos, both taken on November 9. On the left, 2021 and on the right, 2018. This is not to say we don’t like winter, but instead are happy with the current weather conditions. It has been 81 years since the “Big Blow of 1940”, the Armistice Day Storm of November 11, 1940. Not being a historian, I won’t delve into all the ramifications of […]
