Miles’s grandmother, Mary, lived in Park Falls, Wisconsin for all of her 94 years.  She was born there.  Mile’s mom, Margaret, was too.  Park Falls is the kind of town where when the Schoening family would arrive for a visit, folks in town would spot them at the corner store and ask if they were part of Mary Panke’s family because she told everyone we would be coming. There was a paper mill on the Flambeau River and an annual festival called the Flambeau Rama. 

 

The homes on Butternut Lake were perfect for our family vacations, and we think back on those trips often.  Fireworks over the lake, fishing from the dock, swimming from the pontoon boat, and hot dogs over the fire were some of the highlights, but one of the best things about these small towns was the access to the local supper clubs. With signs that shouted Friday Night Fish Fry, Broasted Chicken, Surf & Turf, and Live Music, these places were everywhere in the middle of nowhere. A place for the locals to gather and enjoy an evening of local cuisine while visiting with folks they’ve known for decades. Even with our young kids in tow, we were able to check them out, and once we realized what a gem these places are, we couldn’t believe we hadn’t been in sooner.