Small Village...Big Arts

Discovered by Another Blogger

2011-11-10T10:32:00.000-06:00

Simply put, I fell head-over-heels for this quaint Lake Pepin-side village of 89 without any undue influence.

When we sent out a ~~bribe~~ offer this summer, we had no idea what to expect. We just wanted the world to know about Stockholm and our merchants. Wow. We got a lot. And they keep trickling in.

But this is not about us. This is about Audrey Kletscher Helbling and her piece in MinnPost. Take a look and if you're a merchant, please leave a comment for the writer and her readers.

Thank you, Audrey!

Maybe next time you'll be tempted to stay and become resident #90!

Renowned Fresco Painter Mark Balma Now at Abode Gallery

2011-08-25T08:31:00.002-05:00

Abode Gallery is proud and thrilled to be offering the latest works by internationally-known painter, Mark Balma. Though he is a Minnesota native, he has lived, studied and worked abroad in his pursuit of the ancient practice of fresco painting. For those of us who can't travel to the churches, cathedrals, colleges (although there is one in Minneapolis and another in Winona) or private collections, this is a truly remarkable opportunity. Balma's works are rarely this small and are usually done on commission for private parties like clergy, royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and heads of industry.

Fresco painting requires patience as the artist builds a wall of layer upon layer of tinted plaster. Each layer is a watercolor made of truly organic media: hand ground minerals and essential oils are the ingredients Balma has learned from Italian masters and handed down from the time it was first invented by Leonardo da Vinci.

Fresco artists must also see their works on vast panels. These are not works to be framed, but to admired from afar, giving the viewer a spiritual perspective of awe.

Nevertheless, Balma is a peripatetic painter. He has lived in England, France, Italy, Minnesota and now calls Stockholm, Wisconsin his home.

This is a rare occasion to see Balma's works close-up. Abode Gallery is also pleased to represent Balma's works for sale and to arrange formal commissions. The still lives we have in the gallery are imbued with a spiritual light that must be seen in situ and we're exhilarated to have these gorgeous images on our walls, among our thoughtfully curated works.

Consider commissioning a traditional portrait for someone in your life: a cherished elder, a notable board member, church official or inspiring business or community leader. Perhaps a retirement gift to a beloved parent or respected boss. How about a truly unforgettable commemoration of an occasion like a wedding or an anniversary or birth?

We look forward to hosting an event for Balma during the traditional Fall Arts Preview in September. He can tell you how to arrange a sitting or simply talk about Italy or how he decided to devote his life to the pursuit of this ancient art.

Please call or watch this space for more details.

Another Story About Us!

2011-08-04T09:34:00.000-05:00

A nice afternoon on the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin

BY STEVE DATE, TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION
July 15, 2011

We took a little drive yesterday down the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin, which begins just over the bridge from Red Wing, Minnesota, about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities. Inspired by Emily and Kyle’s stories of trips to the “Pizza Farm” and a nice article in the Minneapolis StarTribune by Rick Nelson, we felt it was time to take a few hours to stop and visit a few places we had previously only sped past on trips to somewhere else.

A House Planted by Love

2011-08-04T08:48:00.003-05:00

The house that writer Susan Alllen Toth and architect husband James Stageberg built--or shall we say "planted"--along the bluffs near Stockholm, Wisconsin.

This vibrant house is for sale and Stockholm would welcome anyone who claims it for their own. Hmm.. perhaps someone could buy it and rent it out as a romantic, rainbow getaway for newly-legalized marriages?

You could check out their book, "A house of one's own: an architect's guide to designing the house of your dreams / James Stageberg, Susan Allen Toth. Pack a picnic (see upcoming events here and location suggestions here) and take a look.

Stockholm News: How to Create The Perfect Picnic, Part 2

2011-08-02T09:21:00.003-05:00

One of the best parts of a day trip or a drive around Lake Pepin is finding the perfect picnic spot. The bluff country all along Highway 35 is unique for it's coulees, valleys, hills and winding country roads. You can start at almost any county road and see where it leads you or you can set out on a hunt for a place to spread your blanket, open your basket and see how much sweeter it is to eat under the sky and trees.

One of our favorite tricks when hunting the perfect picnic spot is to take advantage of the beautifully landscaped cemeteries in the area. Cemeteries are popular places in historical regions like Western Wisconsin. These little spots that remain among the fields and pastures are peaceful spots where local families can visit their loved ones. What a lovely way to spend some time in and around Stockholm, Wisconsin.

Here are a few we've found:

Stockholm residents and visitors are fortunate to have a really nice little campground right on the shores of Lake Pepin. We see day trippers, overnighters, summer vacationers and people just looking for a nice spot to lay a blanket.

Of course you can grab a bottle of local wine or beer, a snack, a piece of pie or a full gourmet picnic with everything you need right in town.

Of course you can do what we do and find your own way--discover and explore the wonderful world of Stockholm, Wisconsin. You might just stay a little longer than you expected.

Visions of Stockholm

2011-07-27T18:26:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we see pictures and souvenirs that visitors have posted on their websites or in image galleries. It's a real treat to see our town through other peoples eyes and when we find a good one, we'll share it here. Let us know if we used something of yours without permission!

This is from someone called "Roger LeCodger" and apparently he and some friends stopped in for some pie on Father's Day. His Picasa galleries shows a man with a love of motorcycles, long trips and friends with a good sense of humor. We're glad he found a reason to spend some time here.

Roger LeCodger photo gallery

Movie filming in Stockholm

2011-07-27T18:17:00.000-05:00

A bit of excitement in town for a few days this week as the feature film "Girl Meets Bike" takes place in Stockholm. The film is being produced by Winter Lights Film Company with producer/director Eric Tretbar. Gelly's was the setting for many of the shots on the 19th and more filming will take place on the 20th at Spring Street Inn. Pictures available on Stockholm's facebook page, "Stockholm Wisconsin, Small Village, Big Arts."

The Minnesota Film and TV Board has a list of big and small productions featuring our beloved landscape.

Great new article on Stockholm from Wisconsin Dells/Madison

2011-07-27T17:32:00.002-05:00

Beautifully done story in the Portage Daily Register from a first time visitor to our little village!

Stockholm Art Fair 2011

2011-07-26T12:59:00.000-05:00

Stockholm Wisconsin Art Festival 2011,Vacation Western Wisconsin - Click here for more free videos

Stockholm News: How to Create The Perfect Picnic, Part 1

2011-07-05T13:37:00.006-05:00

Top 10 Ingredients For a Perfect Picnic in Stockholm, Wisconsin (or as many as we think of... it's a picnic, who's counting, right?)

Ready for a picnic? Sure you are! It's easy, it's old-fashioned, it's romantic, it's kind of European, it's great for families and even better for cartoon bears and ants! We'll even look the other way if you have your picnic in an RV :)

Picnics are great for quick stops at scenic vistas, day trips or overnights with friends, family or loves.

1. Pick a date

Maybe you aren't the spontaneous, where-does-this-little-road-go, wandering type. That's okay, we like it right where we are, so we get it. Here's a rundown of events you can plan your picnic around:

Read more »

Your Images of Stockholm Wisconsin

2011-07-05T13:24:00.001-05:00

We love watching all the photographers (and plein air painters) who come to our region and take home pictures of what they see here. Whether it's the river, the architecture, the people (or the dogs!), the bluffs, the eagles, the boats, or the population sign, everyone notices something new.

We live here because of those views but we are enchanted when we see yours.

Once in awhile we stumble across your photos and your blog posts and it's always a thrill.

Would anyone like to send us their pictures or their memories of Lake Pepin or Stockholm, Wisconsin?

Just email them to stockholmmerchantsassociation at gmail.com or post them to our Facebook page.

We'd love to include them in our own photo gallery.

Building Boom in Stockholm

2011-06-12T15:42:00.005-05:00

Lots of hammering in Stockholm these days

We have caught the remodeling itch in Stockholm. The new SideSpot Stage is being built in the garden adjacent to the Spring Street Arts Building that houses WideSpot Performing Arts Center, Abode Gallery, Stockholm Pie Company, and Stockholm General. The Spring Street Inn has restored the open porch that faces the garden and Highway 35. Out of The Blue Gallery is adding a covered patio and display area along and over the sidewalk to the main side entry. All three projects are enhancing Stockholm’s charm and will add to your enjoyment when you visit.

Read more »

What is up With The Blue Bikes?

2011-05-31T12:15:00.004-05:00

We'd heard of other destinations offering blue bikes free for visitors to ride and thought that some Stockholm visitors might like to pedal around rather than walk. With our visitors in mind, the merchants found some easy-to-ride bikes, painted them blue, and placed them in the rack near the intersection of Highway 35 and Spring Street. Visitors tell us that the bikes enable them to cover more ground more quickly, see more of Stockholm, and slip in a little exercise. They can have a little extra fun without bringing their own bike.

You are welcome to use a bike to pedal around Stockholm the next time you are in town. You do not need to check it out. Just go to the rack, select one from those that are there, and ride. Our only request is that you return the bike to one of the four racks in the village when you are finished so that others may easily enjoy it, too.

Check out the blue bikes on your next visit to Stockholm. If you are in town on a rainy day, use one of the blue umbrellas that you will find in the stores. We have those for your use, too, as well as the community "blue bowls" that you will see around town for our four-legged friends!

We'd love to see you again,
Stockholm Merchants

Small Village...Big Arts
Small town charm, old world roots, world class culture.

Been to Stockholm Recently? Write a review!

2011-05-21T22:15:00.000-05:00

Whether you stopped in for a bite, some window shopping, an overnight stay, or just soaking up the bounty of spring, we're sure you came home with an opinion. Would you mind sharing it with the world? We hope you'll share the good, but we can handle the bad... just be gentle ;)

Follow this link to Google Places, find your Stockholm merchant and follow the links to leave a review.

Want to try your hand at writing reviews at all the places you visit? Sign up and use Google Hotpots. It's a nice tool for connecting with your friends and neighbors and sharing your opinions.

Yelp is the most popular user review site, so we encourage you to share your thoughts there, too.

Here's a recent one for Bogus Creek Cafe.

A nice one for Gelly's is here.

Use these review tools to plan your trip around Western Wisconsin and create your inventory around food, art galleries and boutiques, places to stay or things to do.

If you don't find your favorite, feel free to be the first. We're small and we like it that way, but we don't mind letting the world see how we shine.

And thanks!

Food Blog Heavy Table Finds Stockholm

2011-05-11T09:37:00.002-05:00

"Feasting on the Bounty of the Upper Midwest"

Heavy Table is the heavy hitter in the world of food blogs. The extremely popular blog is packed with articles, reviews, news, recipes, and scrumptious photos. They have a full staff and a packed calendar so we were excited when they decided to make the drive to Stockholm.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and positive look at our restaurants, cafes, and food markets.

And while the rural escape options around here may be a bit less accessible, Twin Cities residents also happily have access to number of similar agritourist villages, including gorgeous little Stockholm, WI.

Congratulations to the Bogus Creek Cafe, The Stockholm Pie Company ("Stockholm Pie Company is the pie shop that Betty’s pretends to be"), Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery (who earned an entire article, Stockholm General, the Palate and Gelly's!

May 7 & 8 Raise a Toast to Spring

2011-05-04T14:03:00.003-05:00

Unlikely pairings--if that isn't the essence of the Stockholm experience, what is? This weekend, why not add Brazilian jazz, hard apple cider and Stockholm, Wisconsin?

What a sweet way to celebrate the return of spring then a drink of pure Wisconsin flavor? Everything from the honey to the fruit is grown right here.

The Maiden Rock Cidery and Winery open house is this weekend on May 7 and 8, from 11 AM to 6 PM.

A gorgeous drive along the river, or just a ride up the street for our neighbors in Pepin, Maiden Rock, Bay City or Red Wing, Maiden Rock Cidery and Winery is a wonderful destination for a day of music, food and best of all, glasses of silver medal award-winning Honeycrisp Hard™ Cider and Dolgo Crabapple Wine. The names alone just sparkle and splash, don't they?

Can't wait to get your hands on some? Want to send a case of local flavor to a friend? You can buy online and they'll ship it (sorry,you have to live in AK, CA, DC, FL, IL, IA, MN, MO, NM, OH, OR, WI, or WV).

Did you know:

The Maiden Rock Cidery and Winery is the only hard cider brewery in Wisconsin?
TripAdvisor already has a bunch of rave reviews for Maiden Rock Winery
Swedish law says that "cider" must contain at least 15% juice. If the drink has less it is known as Äpple-/Pärondryck med Ciderkaraktär. (It's true.)

Don't forget, you can always get Maiden Rock Cider and Wine at Stockholm General.

How to be your mom's favorite

2011-05-04T12:25:00.000-05:00

Two words: Free. Mimosa.

And of course the magic words, "all you can eat."

Bring mom to town for Gelly's Mother's Day Brunch this Sunday, May 8 and you might finally beat that lousy sister with the law degree and BMW for favorite kid status.

Roast beef, pancakes, and fresh fruit

Opens at 9:00 AM

Price is $10.50 (cheap!)

Gelly's will stay open and serving lunch until 4:00.

Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime.
~William Shakespeare

Stockholm Wisconsin: Small Village... Big Arts

2011-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Small Village... Big Arts

The Village of Stockholm may be small, quaint and charming beyond words... but there is so much more hidden behind that small village exterior. Escape down the winding Great River Road to the village tucked along the shores of the mighty Mississippi. Peek in and become part of one of the most vibrant and growing cultural scenes around. There is nothing small about the experience you will have in Stockholm Wisconsin.

Come see how big Stockholm really is...
Fine Arts, Culinary Arts, Performing Arts, The Art of Living Well

One of the "Best Small Town Getaways" in the Midwest (Midwest Living Best of the Midwest 2010)

To receive news, event notification and special offers click here.