Wandawega Blog Archive

Its whats inside that counts. Ode to the thing you hope you never have to use.- The lowly poncho.The most under appreciated utilitarian tool every self respecting scout has in their pack.You gotta love something that can swing from serving as a make-shift ground cover to a pseudo coat to an emergency sleeping bag sheath all in the same miserable day.Every American vacation attraction (from the National Parks to Dollywood) had their own customized version back in the day.All seams are electronically welded (we have zero idea what that means, but that’s what the manufacturer touts as their primary redeeming attribute)The rest of the fancy details :+ Full cut for proper fit+ Roomy hood+ Snaps all-around!+ Vast selection (of 2 colors) 1. Royal 1970s blue 2. Boy Scout Red COMING SOON:Fisherman’s yellow Hunter’s safety orange We decided to make our own because were superficially obsessed with the old school packaging that these tourist staples used to come in. And you just cant find them like that anymore, anywhere. In our obsessive research, we stumbled across this excerpt from the 1930 Boy Scouts of American Department of Scout Supplies catalog :in planning your camping equipment be sure to include one of these ponchos. Will give you splendid service. Can also be used as a ground blanket or shelter tent.Its a utility that everybody takes for granted – until they dont.This big brother to a leaf bag may end up being your best friend when you find yourself in the back acres here or in the middle of the lake in a canoe when a thunderstorm hits. It happens around here. Our comes with a handy-dandy reusable snap-Closure vinyl case, emblazed with our Storm-Pruf insignia. Packaging card also includes awkward illustrations of people sleeping under *fancy trash bags, wearing them like its some sort of style statement and fashioning tents out of them.Be prepared for anything, Scouts.We cant promise how long these will last.(Either in the camp store, or physically out in the wilderness)*BONUS! Comes with an equally basic free comb, you are welcome. Just added to the camp store this morning.

November 29, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Our favorite thing in the shopEvery Route 66 attraction & National Park had these stocked in their souvenir shops. 60 years ago, any scout worth their salt earned and collected flocked pressed hard felt patches.But you cant find them anymore (it took us months to source a maker who would make these for us/ but not before he questioned why on earth we would want to).Decades ago, felt was replaced by canvas twill (that would last longer), and embroidery replaced silk screening (which was crisper and more substantial).When you pick up a scoutmaster jacket from the 1950s, you may notice that the patches are different. Look closely, they are flocked felt. Many are silkscreened, and imperfect – a result of the hand drawn art and manual printing process.Our source explained you can find a far more durable patch pretty much anywhere. With better imprint, for less money. So, maybe the one redeeming thing (that a few kindred spirits may find) about our new patches is that they remind us of a time and place that we cant go back to.It makes us appreciate how far weve come and how sometimes the best way to get perspective is to take a step back. So heres to one more little detail that will help you step back in time when you visit us.DETAILS Felt patch measure between 2-3″ wide & 3-3.5″ tall Camp Wandawega package measurement 4″ x 6″First two picks by @stemsandforks

November 27, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We headed down south to my hometown for the holidays. (And to help Charlies cousins build a pop up shop for their homemade crafts in a chalet on the square.)It was last minute,(As is everything )But so fun – and still rooting everybody to support small business -No matter how tiny.Heres a photo dump for the last 48 hours from tree fields to barn to farm to chalet to Main Street-Were now back on the road headed up to camp again. Travel safe, friends !*if you happen to be in the central Illinois neck of the woods, be sure to stop by the Beardstown Christkindlmarket Market tonight and pay them a visit.

November 26, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Remembering to write home. Thanks for hosting.For the company.For the leftovers.For the tradition.Writing postcards to family back home has always had way of keeping us grounded. Its why we made these. TMI alert (only read further if you also nerd out on embracing the history of Travel correspondence) Between 1940 and 1960, every self respecting tourist roadside souvenir shop stocked these. Every national park postcard rack boasted their own designs. They dont really exist today.Generic post adds on Cardstock are so much cheaper, faster, easier, shinier… and modern. You can occasionally find vintage wooden postcards like these on Etsy, eBay and antique stores. But the attempts at versions made now are actually just paper thin veneer run through digital printers. (If you look closely at the print surface on a veneer, the lack of ink bleed is one of the tell tale signs) and – They are not nearly as hardy as the original old school ones used to be. The only difference between ours and the OGs is that back in the day of the Hoover administration, they would have retailed for a quarter and now they cost us $7.49 a piece to have custom made. (And ours will likely take a helluva lot more postage to get to their destination)Wooden souvenir postcards have always had a soft spot in our hearts, which is what they now have a little spot in our camp store.We arent kidding ourselves and realize that we very well may be the only ones who give a damn about staying true to printing methods of souvenirs that date back to the 40s. But were getting used to being the anomaly. The instructions here were lifted from the originals, that explain to “Write in Pencil”. There is something satisfying knowing that the modern technology of a Sharpie marker just won’t work on these things. We made these because weve learned that nobody has ever regretted taking the time to say – and give – thanks.DETAILS measure 3″ x 5″ made with thick Cherry wood board, & silkscreened, one pass in black ink Photo featured is the first made of (then named) Hotel Wandawega, Circa 1929 Made in the USAFirst two pictures : @stemsandforks

November 25, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Giving thanks today.Sending everyone the best vibes for a wonderful day with your family & your chosen families.Happy thanksgiving from our camp to yours. Thank you to @erikengstromphoto for sharing your moments with us

November 24, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Seasons past.A family (and friends) have been coming every year since their kids were little. Their family photo album grows & grows.Shes shared with us some of their seasons past. As lots of us are hitting the road today to be with our families, Its a good reminder to keep adding to our own (memory & book) albums – @christinaglickman reminds me to make the time to make the moments that fill the albums that well share with her when she leaves for college, gets married, has her own kids -Trying to be here for the seasons – This fall and the past 12 seasons – have gone by too damn fast Travel safe.

November 23, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Had a blast chewing the fat with the guys at @JoinersPod They invite folks in to Explore the world of Hospitalitywith hosts @thtierney of @stockmfgco & @Dashfast of @ScofflawWe covered everything from the origins of our little dininghall (and the madame who ran it) to the benefits of a self-imposed 3:30 am morning bugle call. We talked about making drinks, making friends in the Chicago restaurant community. Architecture, art – and creative inspiration. Their series has hosted some of our old buddies ( @juanmanjuan @mindysegal among them) and some folks we look forward to meeting ( @paul_virant & @chefbillkim are topping our list !)We joke that old lodge kitchen hasnt been updated since the Hoover administration so were damn lucky to have had some of the most talented chefs not just make do here, but embrace this old joint to make magic happen – a testiment to their talent & low-maintence Can do attitude.The Joiners is a fun hour to take in, and they always seem to get a diverse revolving cast of characters as guests. We feel lucky to have been one of them, especially since the only thing we think that weve mastered in the world of hospitality is owning up to our shortcomings.

November 22, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The virtues of being a Jack/Jill of all trades Anybody in a business as small as ours will tell you that everyone has to wear a lot of hats. (We just call them aprons here). Where I grew up, we called em nail aprons every lumberyard gave them out when you picked up your load. But my dad used them for everything.Like most things around here, ours are not fancytheyre just made to work. The only redeeming quality may be that weve found them useful for pretty much everything.The quality of being good at lots of things is something we look for in the folks that we hire here. (The Swiss Army knives vs the specialists who hold precious a single task).The folks that roll up their sleeves and start with the yes and. The creative problem solvers and the self starters. Those are our people, and the ones who wear this apron. (Hell, we might have just found a new name for it).The WE CAN DO THATTHATS TOTALLY POSSIBLEYES AND!HERES AN IDEAThose may suck but whatever the hell motivates you to be a builder of solutions. The do-er of things. The one who removes barriers. Weve been doing a lot of interviewing the last couple months for new positions for new opportunities here- its made us appreciate this apron more, what it means, and the new additions to our team who will be wearing them in our seasons to come.Came across a qoute recently that keeps coming to mind – as it seems to apply to so much of everything:You can become overwhelmed with the complexity of a challenge, or you can start to fall in love with creative solutions for how to solve for it.We choose falling in love.And were here for the lovers. Theyll be the ones these aprons fit. (Very few) DETAILS (more on our camp store) made with heavy duty canvas, multiple pockets that hold as much as the wearer is inspired to (and capable of) carrying. measures 18″ x 9″- fits every race, gender, shape, & age.

November 20, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Belly up.We made these in honor of our humble roots as a blue collar vacation resort, Est.1925 few of our Original postcards, business card & photographs of our bar hereOur shot glasses are used for many things around here, whiskey may be least of them. Just restocked them up in the campstore.Cheers, Campers!Deets: Stoneware drip glaze and tri-color ceramic glasses.Uses: — XXX–condiment cups–ring valet–toothpick holder –dessert mini bowls egg cup espresso cup — tiny fancy chipmunk feedersDETAILS Glass has 2″ diameter and is 2.5″ tall Holds 2 oz Stoneware drip glaze Ceramic First couple shots by @stemsandforks

November 19, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt