Members of FWHS were at Old World Wisconsin in Eagle to enjoy our special “Silent Auction and Tour Event” on Friday, October 7, 2022. This event was an adventure to cherish the past and to build a baseline for history to come.

It was open to the public too; Old World welcomed FRIENDS, friends, relatives, and neighbors. A group of visitors from other states that was staying at the Eagle Centre House Bed and Breakfast, including the director of the Lutheran Seminary Museum, attended as well. Judging from feedback and observations, everyone enjoyed all that the event offered.

Not only were many treasures and items of interest on the tables for the silent auction, but the new Old World Brewery offered us a great place to meet, a summary both of the site’s growth and brewing techniques, and samples of a delightful full-bodied beer. A unique Wisconsin Fish Fry was enjoyed by one and all in the Clausing Barn.

Attendees stated that they felt the brewery was a very attractive architectural example. Many stopped by during the dinner to comment how great the fish fry was and that the silent auction items were interesting or even amazing.

There were antique and vintage offerings, and FWHS board members also offered hand-created things from a shawl that Frances Kavenik knit to amazing cookies with crafted pictures on each cookie by Linda White. Simone Maussen from Cambridge, Wisconsin has a shop where she sells her hand-crafted hats; one of those incredible treasures was included in this event. Sandy Fisher donated a gift certificate to the silent auction for the famous Al Johnson Sister Bay Restaurant and Gift Shop and bought the shawl…and a door safety bar for traveling.

Cool diversity…and wide variety! Did I mention that vintage wine and breweriana items contributed to carry forward the Brewery theme?

Bonnie Sekulivich found the brewery tour and talk by the brewer Rob Novak really interesting. She was also amazed by the things that folks donated for fund raising via the silent auction – especially the stained glass. Bonnie wasn’t the only person I interviewed who was amazed by the great variety of silent auction items. Everyone I chatted with mentioned the same thing.

Sue Galkowski enjoyed the variety of experiences at the event as well. As a professional basket-weaver artist, she was happy to donate one of her pieces of art to the event.

Guests from Waukesha, Madison, Oak Creek, Kenosha, Genesee Depot, etc., had a great time comparing notes and purchases with guests from Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Connecticut.

Thank you to everyone who made this event happen, from planners and contributors to visitors and clientele!

CHEERS!

-Laura Cramer

P.S.: Just how popular were these silent auction items? Well, even this deer was seen sniffing out some of them in the garage where they were being held before the event!