Travel Calumet Original Podcast

Santa Claus (yes, that Santa) and Clara Hedrich join host Rick Sense on Episode 76 of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast.  The three discuss an upcoming great fun-filled day celebrating the rich heritage of America's Dairyland with a Christmas twist! On Saturday, June 20, community members and families are invited to the Calumet County Dairy Pop-Up. The event kicks off at 10:00 A.M. and runs...

The Fifth Friday Music Fest, taking place on May 29th represents a key regional collaboration between Dave Willems, curator of Appleton's Mile of Music Festival, and Eric Krueger, managing partner of The Crystal Ballroom in Hilbert/St. John. This concert event acts as an expansion of the "Mile of Music Presents" series, bringing original, independent live music into Calumet County’s...

Now that spring has sprung, people visiting Calumet County are starting to see the trees leaf out, flowers bloom, dandelions pop, and orange road construction signs appear.  The important work that the road crews do in Calumet County is the topic of this episode as discussion centers on the projects on the docket for the 2026 road construction schedule in Calumet County and their impact on tourist...

Pat Rowland from Rowland’s Calumet Brewing Company in Chilton, joins host Rick Sense to talk about the Wisconsin Microbrewers Beerfest, scheduled for May 17, 2026, from 1–6pm at the Calumet County Fairgrounds in Chilton.  Pat is the organizer of this long-running festival (celebrating its 35th year in 2026) that features up to 30 Wisconsin breweries with more than 100 craft beers on tap. Attendees...

Dion Block, Director of Operations, for Waverly Beach Bar & Grille and Banquets joins host Rick Sense to talk about one of Calumet County's true treasures, Waverly Beach.   Waverly Beach Bar & Grille is known for serving up some of Wisconsin’s best lunch and dinner favorites including the popular Wisconsin fish fry.  Waverly is also known for having one of the coolest beach-bar venues...

Jackie Hering, the guest on Episode 70, makes a return visit to the Travel Calumet Original Podcast on an abbreviated Episode 71, as she joins host Rick Sense to discuss her winning the US and World Snowshoe Championship events at the 2025 World Snowshoe Championship presented by Nicolet National Bank and hosted by Ariens Nordic Center.   Jackie is one of the elite athletes from all around the wor...

Jackie Hering, one of the elite athletes that will be competing in the 2025 World Snowshoe Championship Presented by Nicolet National Bank, the North Country Sports Council, and in partnership with Ariens Nordic Center the weekend of December 19th-21st, joins host Rick Sense for Episode 70 of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast.   Jackie, a professional triathlete, has competed at an elite level i...

The Travel Calumet Original Podcast focuses on the holiday season as the organizers of the 30th Annual Chilton Christmas Parade of Lights join host Rick Sense on the program.  Jerry Mallmann of Chilton Furniture and Terry Friederichs & Paula Mortimer of Friederichs Abstract & Title Service are the program's special guests. Paula, known by most everyone in the Chilton Area as Elf Mort,...

Dan Ariens, Chairman and CEO of AriensCo in Brillion joins host Rick Sense on episode 68 of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast to discuss the recently, AriensCo published, “The Nature of Business” - its Corporate Conservation Report.  The report is a beautiful and interesting review of the efforts underway at AriensCo to reclaim local native biodiversity.  Dan discusses the work, planning behind...

Matt Dougherty, Executive Director of the North Country Sports Council, joins host Rick Sense to discuss the upcoming World Snowshoe Championship Presented by Nicolet National Bank, to be held December 19th-21st, at Ariens Nordic Center in Brillion. The World Snowshoe Championships draws elite athletes from around the world. In 2024 the event was held in central Spain with athletes participating f...

Part 1 of 2 - Episode 65 (Part 2 is Episode 66) In episodes 65 and 66, host Rick Sense and his guests delve into the dramatic arts in Calumet County as they discuss the upcoming production season of the Chilton School District’s vibrant performing arts programs and why these programs are a great reason to travel to Chilton to take in a performance and enjoy the amenities of Calumet County to make...

Part 2 of 2 - Episode 66 (Part 1 is Episode 65) In episodes 65 and 66, host Rick Sense and his guests delve into the dramatic arts in Calumet County as they discuss the upcoming production season of the Chilton School District’s vibrant performing arts programs and why these programs are a great reason to travel to Chilton to take in a performance and enjoy the amenities of Calumet County to make...

Ben and Sharon Henke, the owners of the new tourist start-up destination Our Little Farm, located on 5 acres just outside of New Holstein, join host Rick Sense for episode 64 of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast.   Our Little Farm specializes in growing ancient Einkorn wheat along with other fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Ben and Sharon are in the process of building a commercial kitchen a...

Mike Buboltz, part of the ownership/management group behind the new Circle of Friends Luxury Suites facility in Brillion, joins host Rick Sense for Episode 63 of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast.  In addition to the interview, Mike provides listeners a tour of the facilities available at the venue. Circle of Friends Luxury Suites is the exciting and newest short-term rental facility to come onl...

On October 1, 2005, Patrick and Bonnie Keyes opened the barn doors on Hilbert’s beloved hands-on educational petting zoo and pumpkin patch called Mulberry Lane Farm.  And, just around the corner, Bonnie and Patrick will be leading the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of this iconic Calumet County destination. Joining host Rick Sense for the 62nd episode of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast is...

Pull up a barstool and listen in as participants in the Harvest to Holiday Shopping Season happening from September 25th-27th join host Rick Sense at Schumacher's Shanty in Stockbridge.   The Harvest to Holiday Shopping Season invites you to ditch the frantic crowds and the click-happy world of online shopping and instead, Shop, Sip & Savor your way through fabulous gift shops, cocktail s...

Join us onstage for part 2 of this special 2-part episode focusing on the Engler Center for the Performing Arts.  Bill and Mike Engler, patrons of the state of the art and intimate performing arts center located in Chilton; Brian Bartel, the president of the Friends of the Engler Center and the technical genius behind the scenes at the Engler Center; Brady Kees, the Secretary of the Friends of the...

On episode 59 of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast host Rick Sense is joined by Bill and Mike Engler, patrons of the state of the art and intimate performing arts center located in Chilton.  Additionally, Brian Bartel, the president of the Friends of the Engler Center and the technical genius behind the scenes at the Engler Center joins the conversation. This is part one of a special two-part ep...

Jerry Mallmann, owner and CEO of Chilton Furniture and past president of the Chilton Chamber of Commerce, joins host Rick Sense on the Travel Calumet Original Podcast.  Jerry discusses the 23rd annual Crafty Apple Fest happening on Saturday, September 6th from 9am to 4pm in Chilton.  Jerry explains why you don't miss this craft show, and family fun event that includes a car show, great food,...

Voices of Peace Gospel Music Fest organizers Bud & Carolyn McAtee, Pastor Marc & Jeanne Axelrod, and Bud Wieting join Travel Calumet Original Podcast host Rick Sense in a conversation about the 2025 event that is taking place August 15-16, at Hilbert Civic Park.  The Voices of Peace Gospel Music Fest is one of the Midwest's largest annual gospel music festivals and has drawn performer...

Paul Schommer, bi-athlete, member of the US Biathlon Team and veteran of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, joins host Rick Sense on this episode of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast.  Paul talks about his Appleton and Calumet County roots, his training regimen, U.S. Biathlon Olympic Team training at Ariens Nordic Center, the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games, and life after Olympic...

Perry Welch, owner of Welch’s Aviation, and the Airport Manager of the New Holstein Municipal Airport, joins host Rick Sense to talk about the airport and 2 upcoming special events-July's Airport Day and September's Wings & Wheels event.

Join host Rick Sense in part two of a special two-part series from the AriensCo Museum in Brillion, Wisconsin.  Alissa Beyer, Senior Director of Hospitality & Corporate Communications for AriensCo and former AriensCo employees and current AriensCo Museum committee members and tour guides, Bob Denor and Mel Edinger, provide an insightful and interesting tour of the museum to listeners of the Tr...

In honor of the opening of Brillion's AriensCo Museum to the general public you are invited to take a special virtual tour of the museum!  Joining host Rick Sense in part one of a special two-part series is Alissa Beyer, Senior Director of Hospitality & Corporate Communications for AriensCo and former AriensCo employees and current AriensCo Museum committee members and tour guides, Bob De...

While immersed in the collected history of the city of Brillion at the Brillion Historical Society's Museum at 110 N. Francis Street, Jane Fuhrmann, president of the society joins host Rick Sense to discuss the summer season at the museum for this episode of the Travel Calumet Original Podcast.