R. Winter Folk Art Environment Real Photo Postcard collection Jim Linderman

Richard Winter was another visionary builder who sold real photo postcards of his creation. Among the KEEP OUT signs there is one reading “Postcards of this park for sale” Here’s mine! Dated too…makes it easy to identify the site. Mondovi, Wisconsin is a town of a few thousand. Remnants of the little park remain but not much. The seated figure has had his head lopped off now, of course. R. Winter’s Park. Mondovi Wisconsin dated 1922 Real Photo Postcard Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #folkartenvironment #rppc #realphotopostcard #outsiderart #folkart

Barefoot Charlie Hasse Builds a Nite Club in Wisconsin

Barefoot Charlie Haas had big feet and big pine trees growing up inside his Barefoot Charlie's Nite Club. There is a photo of him watering his inside trees with a watering can. He also had a working slot machine installed inside a large dead bear. Charlie was the builder, furniture maker and the owner. Charlie passed on in at the age of 79 in 1970, and the wooden joint burned down in 1988.  
   
It looks like at least one sizable piece (a table and chairs) resides in the Northern Waters Museum.

Wegner's Garden of Prayer (Booking Weddings Now)

Act NOW to book your wedding at the Paul & Matilda Wegner Grotto and Garden of Prayer in Sparta Wisconsin.  Site is HERE

Real Photo Postcard circa 1935  Collection Jim Linderman  

Wisconsin Paramount Records Frozen Custard and the Birth of the Blues

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Join as we celebrate, well...I would say the opening of Olin's Frozen Custard Stand, but what we are really celebrating here is the American Dream. A white family in brand new "open for business" form and their Icy new Custard stand, with a most remarkable "colored" band ready to entertain the crowd when they arrive.

In one photograph showing a span of no more than 50 feet, we see enough real American history to last a lifetime.

Photographs of seemingly "rural" African-American professional musicians in 1930s are rare as can be. And professional they are, make no mistake. There is even a piano and drum set on that puny stage, and what I would give to have a listen as I try the custard. I would not be surprised one bit if a few of the stand workers broke out into a dance later, and trust that was the primary skill of the performers.

Make them dance.

As musicianers, the job would have been to play all the current hits for their audience, including standards...but I'm going to say some of them brought the blues.

Music is certainly not the only harmony here.

Now allow me some some speculation which might be of interest to record collectors, fans of the blues and more. Although frozen custard was invented in Coney Island in 1919, it really took hold in Wisconsin a decade later. That's right. Wisconsin. Soon small custard stands spread over the state. Now do I KNOW this is Wisconsin? Nope. But there is another reason besides custard I suspect as much.

Paramount Records was located there. Everyone from Blind Lemon Jefferson to Robert Johnson (with Charley Patton in between) went up to Wisconsin to make 78 records which created the earliest aural record of the Blues.

Were these musicians up north to record?

I try to be fact based, but this is too good a story not to surmise, and even if not true, it is one hell of a photograph.

Additionally, there was a connection between an "Olin" and the underground railroad. Smoke that too.

By the way, I found no record of "Olin's Custard" but someone knows, so PLEASE let me know? Likewise, if any blues scholars recognize this most remarkable band, get in touch. The Wisconsin connection is too obvious to ignore, but for all I know the scene depicted is Michigan (where the photograph was found) and the Olin name turns up in both places.

But a Custard Stand in Wisconsin with Paramount performers passing through is the stuff of legends.

Anonymous Photographer "Custard Stand with African-American Musicians" circa 1930 Original Photograph with handwritten notation on reverse. Collection Jim Linderman

DULL TOOL DIM BULB BOOKS AND EBOOKS

How to Find the Museum of Woodcarving and Let Others Know if it was Worth the Trip

Joe Barta picks a nice, sunny day to chisel his spear and shield carrying African warrior boy, who will soon be placed in the "Suffer the Children" exhibit inside his curious shaped museum building in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. I am going to guess the extension to the building is where the massive Last Supper is displayed, but you shouldn't take my word for it. The museum is open May through October, so wait for a thaw. Joe carved 100 life-sized figures and 400 miniatures.

For those of you who do not know where Shell Lake is, go to Spooner and you will be close. In the old days, say 5 years ago...you could stop at the local gas station and ask Gomer "Is there any good stuff to do around here" and probably learn about his dog and the time he fell into the grease pit while giving directions, THAT was quite a day...but today there is a better way.

Trip Advisor® (A website which provides information on things one used to "happen upon") kindly gives not only numerous links to travel and reservation sites but tons of aggregated information you don't really need like Weather Underground® average rainfall in August (5 inches) , the "top rated" restaurants nearby (Bistro 63...7.4 miles down Highway 63 from the museum, so skip the restroom) it also allows all to contribute their OWN reviews of the attraction! (In case you are one of those people who can't mind their own business)

I will let you read the detailed reviews from your peers yourself while you plan your trip HERE.

Joe Barta Museum of Woodcarving Real Photo Post Card collection Jim Linderman