Years ago, we submitted regular articles to the Washington Island Observer newspaper using this same headline. Topics ranged from Sievers enrollment, current hours, featured classes, the introduction of our new Facebook page (from a January 21, 2010 article), Sievers anniversary events as well as the notice of a new feature to our website, an online newsletter, which would be added in March 2008. Here we are, sending another blog post thirteen years later. How could the time go by so quickly? One newsworthy item that occurred on March 12 was a major upgrade to our Sievers Benchwork website by replacing the 2002 version with a entirely new look thanks to 3W Media Co. It is much more streamlined and user-friendly, […]
The how and why at Riverside High
Walter Schutz, founder of Sievers, continues his rememberances by saying, “…high school opened the door to what I was seeking: a place where the how and why could be explored and where the teachers urged us on and on.” “Students in our district were sent to East Side High at Cass and Knapp Streets. Milwaukee found itself in a bind for high school facilities. East Side had been condemned and we expected to attend the brand new Riverside High; however, it was not finished by February of 1915, so we were sent to North Division High on 12th and Center. It was already crowded with not enough rooms, seats, teachers or lockers. When fall arrived, Riverside opened to students. It […]
The ABC’s and the 1,2,3’s
Continuing with our school theme, we’re sharing Walter Schutz’s school memories from his book, “It Was Fun Being Young.” “The children in our neighborhood attended the 6th District School #3, located at Harmon Street (now Brown Street) and Island Avenue (now Palmer Street). Later the name was changed to the Island Avenue School.” “As well as I can determine, this must have been my 5th grade class (1911 or 1912). I am standing at the back of the room wearing a big flowing red tie. The man we all feared for his mean thinking and cruel actions, Mr. Ulrich, the principal, is next to me. The boy at the front row desk with folded hands is Elmer Krieger, who was […]
School days
We’re sure you’re aware that Sievers (now the shop and library area) was originally the Jackson Harbor School, for grades one through eight, dating back to 1891. Built at a cost of $450, early records indicate as many as 46 students attended at one time. Sylvia (Andersen) Nelson began teaching at the Jackson Harbor School in 1930 at a salary of $100 a month. From the book, “Island Schools, Then and Now”, she recalled aspects of the schoolhouse during the winter months. “A small shelf held an enamel washbasin, a pail for clean water, soap dispenser, and a pail for wastewater. Since (the entry area) was never heated, the water froze in winter. For drinking, there was a crock-like container […]
No match
Ice formed around Washington Island around the end of January, which is late compared to past winters. That newly formed layer of glass-like ice in the “Door” was no match for the Washington Island Ferry, Madonna. Similarly, the cold weather can’t match the warmth we felt starting February 1st, hearing from so many of you who registered for class (or classes) during Registration Week. Thank you! As enrollment continues, we’re filled with the excitement of seeing you again! While we wait for warmer days and our 2021 season to begin, we enjoy the particular and unmatched beauty that only winter can bring.
One week to go
February 1 is the day each year when we begin taking reservations for our season of classes, so we’re sharing and reminding you of a few registration details. Again, here is the Sievers Class List for 2021. On that date, begin by clicking on the Class Category your desired class is in found in the right sidebar of our Home page. You can also use the search box to find a class. Then click on the photo or class title to read all the information before registering. If for some reason you have questions or problems, please know that you can always call us at 920-847-2264. You can also simply call us to register. We love hearing your voices! If you […]
2021 Sievers Preview
February 1st will be here before we know it! That day, all of our 2021 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. Note: If you visit our website before February 1st, all dates and classes refer to last year. Featured on the cover of this year’s brochure is a Fair Isle sweater knit by Mary Germain. Thank you, Mary, for your beautiful knitted design! Our 2021 schedule (see link below) is not an exact duplicate of 2020, but since the overwhelming majority of classes were put on hold last year, we […]
New Year’s Day memories from Walter Schutz
We continue with New Year’s remembrances from Walter Schutz…”We spent New Year’s Eve with our good friends the Steinbart family who lived on Reservoir Avenue, about four blocks from our home. I always looked forward to this event as they had three children plus two cousins in my age range. We would play games, such as Parcheesi and Old Maid. Mr. Steinbart was a sales representative and spent a great deal of time in San Francisco where he could pick up novelty items that were not available in Milwaukee. Each year brought a new type of gift. I so well remember a back scratcher with a white porcelain hand attached to a thin bamboo stick about eighteen inches long. The […]
