Wandawega Blog Archive

Does anyone else care about this but us? Prob not. (So this could admittedly be next level OCD for fellow detail design nerds)..For years Ive been increasingly annoyed by having to stuff all the camp bathrooms with stacks of ugly modern-neon-colored-bad-font-TP-rolls.So after so much awkward (& admittedly entertaining) research of 1920s – 40s era toilet paper we decided to customize our own (who knew that is was invented in Wisco – helping Green Bay during the depression?) #randomtrivia .We love that the rolls back then had instructions single service (note: dont try to use it twice). Decided to embrace useless stats like sheet size. So now there will be at least one thing in our latrines that is a little bit cuter.Thx to my patient sis @amypoturnicki for shooting all these pics. And @ahutchgram for knowing how to make a chipmunk sized paper hat (at the drop of a hat) (The glamor here just cant be stopped.).More at #wandawegacustoms

October 22, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We held a Camp staff meeting to read yesterdays news..Thanks @chicagotribune for the kind words, and sis @amypoturnicki for hosting our first ever board meeting in the woods.Staff roll call:Left-to-right

October 21, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Weddings always make us cry.Does anyone else zoom into the shots of the groom when he sees her walking the aisle? Or the dads face on their last hug before he gives her away? The bridesmaids as they fail to hold their shit together while clutching the life out of their bouquets?) ..I always zoom in. ..None of us have to know these people to connect in that moment.(That split second that will only come once in our lives) .we have a special place in our heads and hearts for the nuptials that break all the antiquated stereotypes of what love is.Transgender weddings.two brides. two grooms.dogs standing in as the best man.expecting brides exchanging vows.we love to watch the most stoic of dads cry when they give their daughter away. And witness the moment when a conservative mother finally coming to the realization that love is love (as they watch their daughter marry off to someone other than who Disney told her she should)too often, its also the last time some of the oldest family members will travel, and be surrounded by all the generations theyve brought to the world.Weddings are those rare occasions that people come together for the sole purpose of showering each other with good karma. (Not the kind you send in a Hallmark) but the undeniable real deal you feel when you watch that couple choke through their vowsWe dont do this enough.These days, we can only commit to host a handful of weddings each year.The fewer we do, the more special they are to us. If weddings are an injection of good will towards each other, we want to to keep infusing that good will here into camp by hosting them.New starts, commitments- & definitions of love & acceptance.a new chance for all of us to send people off with nothing but the best possible wishes for their lives.scrolling through this recent wedding was a good personal reminder to zoom in on our own once-in-a-lifetime split second moments.when were actually IN that second.acknowledge thats its a privilege to have it at all.the fact that we cant hold onto it, is exactly why need to try to.We dont do this enough. …congrats KATIE + ROB Photos : @kyleszetophoto

October 18, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall”(on an little Oscar Wilde bender this season)he legit makes us want to soak up every fall thing…. all the autumn things: .. super duper spiked hot cider and taking knives to unsuspecting pumpkins.. leaf raking and burning of all the campfires.. 3-ply vintage mens oversized cashmere sweater on two seater bike ride up the lane. … ..this time of year we always seem to forget the fact that our bike’s breaks are still out,we typically get caught paddling against the wind and get stuck out in the middle of the lake. and the campfire smoke literally targets your eyeballs and follows you as you move from seat to seat trying to escape it from gagging you.but still… fall.we love you.and @elegantfarmerpies here we come ….photos:@maxwastler@letteredcottage@Chaco@lexiafrankphoto @bobcoscarelli@missnortherner@kevinmiyazaki

October 17, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Breakfast in bed news with our counselor in residence..Spoiler excerpt: WANDAWEGA IS A DISGRACE TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN” . (Part of an article appearing in the Madison newspaper in 1940)..After the state beverage tax division investigators conducted a bust here, the former owner Anna Peck (aka: the madame) was arrested for keeping a ‘disorderly house’ (aka: a brothel). The story goes on that one of her girls ‘Fannie Johnson’ was arrested for being an ‘inmate of a disorderly house’ (aka: prostitute) ..Then this story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel comes out this past Sunday with a whole different spin…what a difference 80 years can make.

October 16, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

What we remember of this past weekend: .amazing chefs cooking over open flame. . Kickball games.So. Many. Breweries bringing their best….. and Reveille at 8am over the camp PA system..The 8th annual @GoodBeerHunting Olly Olly event was a good one.(we co-host this one every year as one of our larger sponsorships – it’s always the most kind, fun, chill group).Our favorite tradition is @BrassHeartChicago breakfast burritos (Matt hangs till 4am, sleeps for a hour and then somehow pulls it off). Always good to have @HeritageBicycles @5rabbitbrewery + @MetricCoffee back Some photos by: @brandon.morreale & @mulvatronn

October 14, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

HOW YOU SHOOT A WINTER CAMPAIGN IN 96 degree heat. @AbercrombieKids came to camp this summer to shoot their new Fall/ Winter campaign. Which meant fake snow machines, full Christmas in July kinda thing. Bless the crew that had to pull this off. Now that the ads have launched, Charlie is excited to go check them out in the stores.Or…. more likely that she is just playing us to take her because 8 is apparently the new 18 and all she wants to do is shop 24/7…..Last shot is one of their fishing gear catalogs from the 50s – love collecting these for the lodge. (We have always loved their original hunting and outdoors gear from back in the day.) Photos from the campaign and in-store + the pup they brought with to model

October 12, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

back to our regularly scheduled programming.4:00 am: unclog bunkhouse toilet 6:00 am: find the source for the dead animal smell in the garage.7:00 am: change batteries in the Latrine lights8:00 am: email the septic guy again.9:00 am: assemble 100 guest swag bags ..Restock the guest room bags. (each gets one tiny hotel soap, a matchbook, postcard & a DIY self-guide camp)…(( Small business is especially glamorous today )) ..Our Airbnb listings have a disclaimer to not confuse this place with the glamping trend. ( cause there is no glamour here ) ..This may be part of the reason we get such laid-back guests. .this weeks crew was not exception- .we got to host a bad ass group of ladies for @KnobCreek / @speed_rack (which is a A COCKTAIL COMPETITON FOR SELF-IDENTIFYING WOMEN TO FIND THE COUNTRYS FASTEST FEMALE BARTENDER & SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH ) ..Its such an honor getting to surround yourself with a group of women who empower you, inspire you, and build you up. I get to leave this gorgeous camp with new bonds, friendships, and memories that I will cherish for years to come. – @bostonlibations..no better way to support a great cause like pouring whiskey….photos:@omoniumcoffee@swingtimekingtime @bostonlibations@keeppressingonlic

October 5, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Yay midwest!.Woke up to this @ChicagoTribune article. And an email of this photo from Channel 5 news. (and an inbox of inquiries). .Asking ourselves how the hell this happened. Realizing that Dad (who always quoted Cash) was right: You have to be what you are. Whatever you are, you gotta be it..In the early days when we were trying too hard to be something we werent (and falling on or faces along the way)… we were given some advice thats feels like applies to pretty much everything- so we feel compelled to share it:. . . 1. Be honest with yourself, and everyone else. (Dont underestimate peoples capacity for forgiveness). 2. Dont pretend to be something youre not. (Folks can sniff out a fraud a mile away anyway). 3. Own your weaknesses. (Scars carry your story – if you can learn to embrace their character). 4. Work harder. (Day job. The midnight oil. then whatever your 3rd job is). 5. Dont take a damn thing for granted. (cause thats exactly the minute you can lose the thing you love). .You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. -JCashSo were taking a quick breath this morning to look back on the 15 years of those stepping stones behind us now. And for the first time in too long, that little flicker ahead is brighter than those dark rocks weve had to find balance on as weve been blindly pushing forward. (Its helping us lose our fear of constantly stepping into the unknown).Thank you @ChicagoTribune @Channel5news, @Fodorstravel (& Dad) for the reminder that you cant please everyone. And that Its not about being the best. Its about being the best version of you. Whatever you are.@chicagoTribune travel editor Lori Rackl, her story on today’s profile line & follow her adventures athttps://twitter.com/lorirackl and @tvtrippin @travelwisconsin

October 4, 2019 • Published by Tereasa Surratt