In the Meantime...

Yes, it's been very BUSY here in little Hope!  Right now I'm only open long weekends - Friday, Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (12-4) and the rest of my time has been taken up by the upstairs remodel, maintenance and, of course, dusting all that beautiful glassware.  There's a lot happening around here and I have plenty to share - the FALL COLOR in full swing, the mill pond being drained, the work in progress - and it will all be photographed and documented.  In the meantime, I've found a nice artsy giveaway that might interest you...

GIVEAWAY FROM WILD SOUL ARTS! FREE SEAT IN LIFE BOOK 2013 and FIVE OTHER PRIZE PACKAGES!


Here's your link to the deets:

  http://effywild.com/2012/10/03/huge-mahoosive-giveaway/

This wonderful soft green wicker porch set was recently added to our inventory.  It has been reupholstered and is in excellent shape for its age.  It can be purchased piece-by-piece or at a discount as a complete set.  Message me if you're interested in the details.

A New Beginning

 A new name and a new location! 

 E2341 Danielson Rd, Village of Little Hope, Waupaca WI 54981 

715-252-4617

In November we purchased a badly damaged foreclosure property 2 1/2 miles from Rural in the Village of Little Hope on the Crystal River.  About a half block south of the Red Mill with it's lovely garden, covered bridge and wedding chapel.  We saw the property's many possibilities, took a deep breath, rolled up our sleeves and began the demolition work right away.  Six months later we were ready to open the first floor.  Here are the results of our labors:

Stay tuned for future plans including a Farm Market, tubes for river rafting and art classes at the Stagecoach Stop Studio!

Yoplait Lactose Free Yogurt Giveaway!

Go to  http://kathleensblogspotgiveaways.blogspot.com/2012/01/yoplait-lactose-free-yogurt-giveaway.html  and enter for your chance to win! One (1) Lucky winner will win an amazing Yoplait Yogurt Prize Pack that includes the following:
* A VIP coupon to purchase Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt*
* Lunch tote
* 2 Gel packs
* Individual bowl
* Spoon

*NOTE: The coupon offer for Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt is not valid in some states, including Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee.

Rural House Walk Scheduled for September 2012

The date for the next Rural House Walk has been announced! September 22, 2012 is the date and the details are starting to be worked out. This is an event that happens once every 4 or 5 years and should not be missed. Many of the historic buildings in the village will be open to the public and residents of Rural will share the history of the village with visitors. Look for special events during the day, including wagon rides and food. I'll keep you updated on any details I learn about the event.

Come and see one of the few Yankee Villages in the Midwest! Tour the beautiful homes and businesses on the National Register of Historic Places, the lovely gardens and village graveyard. Enjoy our lovely setting on the banks of the Crystal River!

An Artistic View

This photo was taken earlier this spring and Photoshopped by Michael Sprincis of Iola. Thanks for sharing, Michael!!

Margaret Ashmun Day and Sundaes on Saturday in Rural

Margaret Ashmun Day and Sundaes on Saturday will be held on Saturday, June 18, in Rural.

Strawberry sundaes will be sold from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rural Historical Society's museum on Main Street.

At 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Connie Haack Hurlbut, a professor at Mid-State Technical College, will talk about Ashmun's legacy.

Ashmun was a Rural resident who in the early 1900s wrote novels, several of which centered around her life in Rural.

The Village of Rural is located about five miles south of Waupaca, off State Highway 22.

(from the Waupaca County Post)

Meda J. Radley

Long time Rural resident, Meda J. Radley, 94, Waupaca, passed away on Thursday March 3, 2011. Meda was born on July 7, 1916, in Kansas, the daughter of William and Hansena (Olson) Anderson. Meda moved to Rural in January of 1936 to work.

Meda married the late Forrest Radley on Oct. 24, 1936. She was a cook in the school lunch program at Golden Hill School in Rural, where she and a friend pioneered the program there. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ruth circle, Mission Worker, the Gorgonas Club of Rural, of which she had served as president, Rural Cemetery Association, of which she was secretary for 25 years, and a charter member of the Rural Historical Society.

Meda lived in Rural all her married life except for one year. She enjoyed gardening and maintained a large flowerbed each year to share some of God's beauty with others.

Meda is survived by two sons, Richard (Ellen) Radley, Greenville, Wis.; and Paul (Connie) Radley, Waupaca, Wis.; four grandchildren, Michael (Joni) Radley, Waupaca, Wis.; David (Carolyn) Radley, Appleton, Wis.; Steven Radley, Orlando, Fla.; and Jennifer (Michael) Grant, Waupaca, Wis.; six great-grandchildren, Alana Radley, Aavery Grant, Alyssa Grant, Taylor Radley, Forrest Radley and Connor Radley; three step-great-grandchildren, Ashley Lowe, Jared Creaser and Ashley Creaser; two brothers, Carl Anderson and Glenn Anderson; one sister, Ruth Iversen; very dear friends, Monte and Debra McCormick; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Meda was preceded in death by her parents, William and Hansena Anderson; her husband, Forrest Radley; one brother, William Anderson; and one sister, Violet Handschke.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 12 Noon at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca. Pastor Jennifer DeNetz and Chaplain Wayne Schwanke will officiate. Burial will at the Rural Cemetery in the spring. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 12 Noon. The Holly Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Wishes

WISHES
by Margaret Ashmun

I wish we had a little house,
With ivy vines along the wall,
A bright brass knocker on the door,
And leaded fanlight in the hall.

I wish I had a wide old hearth,
Where maple knots would roar and blaze,
And we would sit and drink our tea
An read old books on autumn days.

And we would spread a table here,
With homespun cloth and candlelight,
And we should eat from flowered plates
Hot waffles on a Sunday night.


Rural was the home town of author and poet Margaret Ashmun (c1885-1940).

Blacksmith Wanted

From the Waupaca Spirit, May 8, 1856:

WANTED

A good blacksmith at Rural Village in southwest part of Waupaca County. Also a good shoemaker would find excellent chance in this place. This is decidedly the best opening for a few good Mechanics and Traders in Northern Wisconsin. A first-rate water power and flouring mill will soon be completed and in the centre of a large and excellent farming community with roads centreing from all quarters and a very desirable location for a Town. There is still a few lots for free distribution to actual settlers. For information, address J.H. Jones or L.A. Phelps, Rural, Waupaca Co., Wisconsin.

Edwin Huntoon - from Rural Happenings Feb 2011

The Rural Historical Society Board was so sorry to learn of the death of Eddie Huntoon, one of our long time members and a true son of Rural. Eddie had a long, productive and eventful life. He contributed a great deal to both the Rural Historical Society and the community. Our deepest sympathy to his wife, Ruby, and their family.

At one time Eddie wrote an article about "The Crystal and Rural". As you may know, water was one of Eddie's greatest interests. In the article he wrote, "Rural has many springs in the area for an easy supply of safe drinking water, (which) was very important in a frontier village. Bathing and laundry in summer was very easy. But the key item was plenty of good, clean, fresh water for the thirsty teams of horses pulling the stage coaches and wagons as they entered Rural. ...Rural...a friendly, safe village, built on a dry, sandy, well-drained area, with some of the best fresh water in the country. The meaning of "Rural" most likely is "avery special place with fresh, clean ground water every day."

A copy of the full article is available at the Rural Historical Society headquarters.

Guess Who's Coming To Rural! KC WILLIS!!

I'm just so excited!! In a little over a month from now, renowned mixed media and fiber artist, KC Willis, is holding an altered book workshop right here in Rural. Right in my own backyard! YAY!!

The Storyteller-Handmade Fiber Collage Book Class - - September 18-19, 2010

I was lucky enough to be able to attend one of her fabric collage workshops in Colorado and I can't wait to see what she's bringing here to Wisconsin! You can check out all the details on her website HERE.



Sign up now before the class fills up! If you don't live close enough to drive here for each day, the workshop is being held at the beautiful Crystal River Inn, a lovely B&B in our quaint little Yankee Village on the banks of the Crystal River. Just a few miles south of Waupaca off Hwy 22. You can book a room or stay in the Little House on the Prairie with a group of others. Even if you live within driving distance you may want to book a room and stay here regardless. I promise it will be a weekend that will change your life!

And the Winner Is.......

Kathi, who said:

"I have a great picture of my 4 year old grandaughter, Sophia, riding a dragon on the merry-go-round at the Milwaukee zoo-it would make a great poster!"

Kathi has a wonderful blog - check it out!!! http://fiberdance.blogspot.com/

Congrats, Kathi!! And many thanks to Uprinting for another great giveaway!!

JULY GIVEAWAY!!

Here's the giveaway from Uprinting for July:




This month Uprinting is offering me and a lucky reader an 18x24 large format poster print
(Limited to US residents; must be 18 years or older)

Just leave a comment on this post by July 31st to be entered. Let me know what you would have printed if you win. Good Luck!

Check out the special rates Uprinting has for wholesale large format poster orders!

The Old Blacksmith Shop

We've opened another room at Weller's and we've also opened the old blacksmith's shed next door! We have new goodies for you every day! As we clean and organize the shed we also have some freebies to give away from time-to-time. Right now we have some pieces of iron that you can use in your garden or to reinforce concrete. First come....

Here are some of the goodies waiting for you at Weller's:








We just pulled out a few beautiful garden statues, an old pump organ in excellent working condition, desks, wicker and more! Pictures to come!

So...What's New at Wellers?

Green glass, baby....


Green Satin...



Light Green & Vaseline...



Forest Green...




Tons of it!





Wait until you see all the RUBY RED glass that's coming in soon!