Jordan Rasmussen
Published: April 1, 2009

GALENA - This past weekend was wine lovers weekend in Galena, Illinois. The celebration began Friday night, March 27th and ended with a brunch on Sunday morning. The events were held at Eagle Ridge Inn and Spa and after a weekend of drinking, it concludes with hitting golf balls on the course.

The celebration has spread the love to the entire town of Galena, Illinois. Don Pleau is in charge of food and beverage at the Inn and most of the events start out early, and for Pleau there’s nothing wrong with starting early.

“We are going to drink wine at 9:00 in the morning. Its 5:00 somewhere, so we have to start sometime in the day,” said Pleau.

He helps provide luncheons, entertainment, and wine testing from wine makers from all over the world. Pleau just made sure everyone was entertained and enjoyed there weekend.

There was a class that was taking place to discuss wineries and Greg Gauthier is a winemaker from Napa, California who came to Galena for one reason.

“It’s because people in Galena love good wine and I make good wine,” explains Gauthier.

Over the weekend you can relax, feel loved, and enjoy great wine. But remember it is all about your taste. Gauthier came to present his wine and discuss the winery business and what makes a good wine?

“My taste buds tell me. It’s very simple. If I like it it’s a good wine, if I hate it, it’s a bad wine,” said Gauthier. There were many locals who attended Wine lovers weekend and some from as far as Italy.

For Galena locals Jane and Mark, they live in Galena because of their love for the Inn. This was also their third year attending the wine lovers weekend.

“We learned a lot, and we enjoy wine even more than we thought,” said Jane. One of the biggest bottles of wine that was out for tasting was Pleau’s favorite and it is a ruffaford ranch cabernet, from Napa valley.

“I like it the most because it’s in a big bottle so there’s more to drink,” said Pleau.

You do not have to be a wine expert to enjoy a weekend with the Wine Lovers, it also offers lectures from professionals on how they make a wine taste so well and they also share their vineyard experience. The Inn has a great location that feels secluded and brings that piece of mind to the atmosphere. If you had to take one thing away from the weekend it was that it doesn’t matter if it’s the size of the bottle or 9 am. Wine lovers weekend is a time to enjoy great wine with the one you love.

Next year come on out to Eagle Ridge, take in the sights, relax, try the food, and taste and enjoy a good wine and you will know if it’s good if your taste buds tell you.

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: October 29, 2008

We all know that Halloween mean pumpkins. While I was at the tri-state pumpkin barn I found two helpers who were eager to help me search for the perfect Pumpkin.

“You don’t want it to be too big or too small or too heavy or to light.” Samantha Clasen

says.

After we looked my helpers found just the right ones, but the farm offers much more than pumpkins this time of year. There is something for all ages: hay rides, haunted houses, feeding the animals, and running through a corn maze will put you in a fall.

Terry May’s family has been running the Tri-state pumpkin barn for over 45 years, and when it comes to pumpkins they’ve got it all.

“We sell a lot of different types of pumpkins you will see a lot of the whites the tans and other kinds to choose from.” said Terry May.

I ended up taking two pumpkins that day, all thanks to my wonderful little helpers.

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: October 1, 2008

WISCONSIN- Feeling cheesy? Monroe, Wisconsin’s Cheese Days is a three day festival to celebrate the Swiss heritage of the area. It only happens every other year, but when it does Monroe brings in up to 100,000 cheese lovers.

But what brings people here from all over the world?

Herd Demanogske, a cheese lover, said “I come because of the way the cheese is made.”

Al Cunningham ads, “I come to take in the sights and it’s just a good time.”

“It’s all wonderful; we are just waiting to get in line to buy the stuff!” said Su Stone, a Wisconsin cheese lover.

You can sample many flavors or purchase the cheese, listen to music, and even take polka lessons.

One thing is for sure you can’t leave cheese days without trying the famous cheese curds. The Monroe Optimist club helps raise over 80,000 dollars for these fried chunks of chewy goodness. These cheese curds not only satisfy a hungry, but help others in need.

With such a long line the real question is, are they worth waiting for? For the visitors to Monroe’s festival the answer is a simple yes.

And once you experienced all that the cheese days have to offer there is one more piece of advice Father Mike Klarer of Monroe wants you to remember.

“The important thing about today is it’s a huge homecoming, it is fortifying for the soul,” said Father Klarer.

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rassmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: September 3,2009

DUBUQUE- Crescent Community Health Center is a non-for Profit Corporation. You can be seen by the doctor, have your eyes check, or even get your teeth clean. Here at Crescent, this teeth cleaning is more unique than others. Dr. William Sutuo started his career like most dentists do, working at a private practice that he found very boring, turns out, the boring did not last long.  

Sutuo started working at Folsom Prison; the same Folsom Prison where Johnny Cash had his hit record.  Sutuo’s family was not too happy about it. Six months after Sutuo’s decision to go to Folsom, his family, home for Christmas, was not on his side, and the family had a reason to be worried. 

When Sutuo was working at Folsom, there were riots and gun smoke so there was never a dull moment. For a total of 23 years, he cleaned teeth and filled cavities for members of the mafia. There was everyone from the Irish, to the Russian or even the Italian mafia in Sutuo’s chair.

One day something changed, Sutuo, who is also an ordained minister, had a calling to do something more with his life.  “Lord, if there is something more you want me to do, let me know.” Sutuo said.

After his calling, he found himself right here in the masterpiece on the Mississippi.

Sutuo says, “It is nice being here.” From Folsom to Crescent, one thing is for sure this dentist will always make you smile.

Jordan Rasmussen can reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu