Wandawega Blog Archive
We feel like now may be a nice time to start hand writing people notes and letters again. .Next up in our Commissary collection: the write home camp set. .Took us forever to find these – memo pads (they where government issue for MilItary homesick soldiers to write home in the 40s) they could fit in their military breast pocket. .We had Bic make us our own custom pens – this style was present at every utilitarian mom and pop business in America. (This one was inspired by my dads auto repair shop when I was a kid). Utility and simplicity never go out of style. .The black and white photo here is of some tourist guests of Hotel Wandawega in the 1949…. back when people took the time to writ each other letters and read the paper. (And cared to dress up in heels to do it.). (Sets available to guests in our commissary gift shop this spring)First couple shots: @nathanmichael
WARNING: 1920s plumbing. Flushing anything other than TP will result in an immediate and epic overflow situation. Dont say we didnt warn you. . says the sign in every bathroom at camp. .Trying to make more corners prettier around here. (every little bit helps.) We have 15 hand washing sinks, and every one could use a facelift.One silver lining to this social distancing thing is that we finally have time to tidy things up, pay attention to all those forgotten nooks. . . . @nathanmichael . @mrsmeyerscleanday ….. ..#mrsmeyerscleanday #mrsmeyers
Given our collective circumstances, weve decided to try stepping back a hundred years – embracing daily life and the routines that were here when camp was first built.Weve spent the past 15+ years stocking camp with the things to take us back to a simpler time. And were just realizing that this forced situation has gifted us the opportunity to live life a little more like its 1925 again.The way Charlies great great grandparents lived could teach us something about simplicity, resourcefulness and self reliance.OUR TOP 10 to-do list: (once our meeting calls wrap)… .Crack open a book whose pages havent been seen since the 1800s.. Cook something all day long in the stewpot.. Make a small batch cocktail.. Organize the root cellar pantry.Repair old sports equipment & fishing equipment.. Light a fire in the hearth..Nap. (What is that?). . Take a long bath in a tub somebody took their baths in 100 years ago. . .Forage & finally make that door wreath.No better place to practice social distancing than from a cabin in the woods. Thankfully, weve got enough here to provide folks what we all need most, separation and privacy. Our only communal space is 24 acres of wooded trails.So lets all take a step back to appreciate what we have in each other.Keep each other safe, eat alllll the Vitamin C gummiesandwash your hands like your life depends on it.Because somebodys may.Moments and memories captured by @Emilieanneszabo@Callieleichty@Ryanleichty@dearhyssop
Friends.This is all that matters.Take care of your loved ones.If anyone is looking for us, Were holed up at camp. Turns out that running a resort means that youre already fully stocked for anything from a Zombie apocalypseto Coronavirus.A years worth of cleaning supplies? check.200 rolls of TP? check.Enough booze for a wedding? Done.Something about taking conference calls from the middle of 25 acres of woods makes you think. Maybe we dont actually need to do so many in-office meetings?These quiet camp moments captured by:@Emilieanneszabo@Callieleichty@Ryanleichty@dearhyssop
Stocking up on our guest amenities. (200 rolls of toilet paper hand wrapped yesterday).And also introducing a bunch of new little house toiletry products (this is the first).Inspired by a fun little discovery of acompany that went out of business in the 1960s.The “GAY PRODUCTS COMPANY, Atlanta, GA.”.l They packaged everything from combs to toothbrushes, fuses, pencils, and key chains in these cardboard displays for 5 & Dimes and drug stores..So now we’re nerding out making custom camp versions of all the products campers would normally have picked up in their commissary, starting with the lowly toothbrush. Free to guests who forgot their dop kits (and Available in a rainbow colors…of course)More at #WandawegaCustoms
We finally got an office typewriter. This guy works perfectly and we cant wait to type our first newsletter on him. .(Now were going into full Nerd mode, deep diving to source a vendor to make us custom watermark paper in that perfect woven linen for camp letterpress stationary sets) Camp office photo by @bobcoscarelli
Wandawega Newspaper
* THE FOOD CRATES MUST BE ORDERED A WEEK IN ADVANCE. * DELIVERIES ARE ONLY MADE WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. * MISSED YOUR WINDOW TO ORDER EARLY? NO WORRIES! THE ELEGANT FARMER HOURS ARE 10-6. & YOU CAN GO SHOP THERE IN PERSON & SEE EVERYTHING THEY HAVE TO OFFER. *NOTE THE SUBSTITUTES MAY HAVE TO BE MADE BASED ON AVAILS AND * TO PLACE YOUR ORDER: CALL 262-363-6770 – you can speak to any bakery or merchandise. * THE CRATE PRICE IS ABOUT $202.(but some of the items are sold by weight so it could vary) EXTRA! EXTRA! Hot off the press…
I’m damn lucky every day to be surrounded by some of the most inspiring ladies in the city. We’re grateful to have so many female friends who are starting their own businesses, launching their dreams, working for themselves or in the job they chose and love. Thankfully, we’re living in a day where it’s not just accepted, but encouraged. ..So for International Womens Day…I was honored to be asked to help @SOHOhouseChicago curate a special panel discussion of women, called : Dear Younger Self. Looking forward to sharing the stage with some inspiring ladies I admire (& are long-time friends of camp) .@tanjababich – The @ABC7Chicago news anchor & who we partner with for @LakeEffectChicago Camp for Chicago kids.@karenHerold- Ladyboss founder of @studioKCreative (and favorite traveling companion/ creative inspiration wing woman).@otherliztaylor – @OgilvyChicago alum, now boss lady at Publicis @leoburnett (who taught our daughter how to make her first Smore).And our future friend @gperrydavis, Director of Development at @MCAchicago .ABOUT THE PANEL:Successful businesswomen discuss their career experiences, including issues such as pay inequality, workplace sexism and being the breadwinner, and share what advice theyd give to their younger selves. Speakers include Tereasa Surratt, an author, creative director and the founder of Camp Wandawega; Gwen Davis, senior director of development at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Liz Taylor, chief creative officer at Leo Burnett; and Karen Herold, founder of creative house Studio K *Slide for the deets on how to reserve a spot for Wed, Mar 18, 6:30 (as a @Sohohouse member – or as a guest of a member) (1st photo TB at the first event we hosted at Soho, right before we had to carry this canoe up 3 flights of stairs ) .#internationalwomensday2020 #internationalwomensday
