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Exhibit highlights historic wedding gowns and firearms Fans of fashion, firearms and history won’t want to miss an exclusive exhibit of historic wedding gowns and guns at the Rock County Historical Society (RCHS) in Janesville. This first-ever exhibit of its kind will showcase more than 40 wedding gowns throughout the beautiful Lincoln-Tallman Museum, and 50 firearms in RCHS’ Museum and Visitor Center. All items on display are from the RCHS collection. The Gowns & Guns exhibit grand opening SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
RCHS will open their new “Guns & Gowns” exhibit with a grand opening on Thursday, Feb. 20. One of the highlighted gowns is this ivory satin wedding dress from the later 1800s.
is Thursday, Feb. 20, and will run Thursdays through Sundays until March 16. The gowns display will showcase a kaleidoscope of colors, styles, and cultural influences, with wedding gowns and accessories that span nearly a century, from 1838 to 1927. Each custom-made gown has a story; many belonged to families with deep ties to Rock County. Just a few highlights include a dark purple bustled and ruffled gown worn by Helen Green Sayre in 1880, and a stunning ivory satin wedding dress, and blue velvet cape of Harriet Bostwick Carle from 1893. “The volunteers working on the gowns committee spent hundreds of hours researching and assessing (and admiring) the beautiful and
historic gowns in the RCHS collection that are 100 years old or more,” said committee member Linda Viney. “These dresses were expertly constructed, and we were surprised by the variety of unique designs. Anyone who treasures fashion, fabrics, and sewing won’t want to miss this fascinating display.” The guns exhibit invites visitors to view a remarkable collection of over 50 firearms from the 1800s, many of which have not been seen for more than 30 years. From flintlocks and blunderbusses to pepperboxes and percussion revolvers, this display illustrates the rapid evolution of gun technology during the 19th century.
See EXHIBIT, Page 3
Maple Sugar Fest brings the sweetness to winter also be a delicious pancake breakfast featuring real maple syrup, sausage, apple sauce, and hot drinks. The cost is $10 for adults ($7 for Welty members), $5 for kids 3 to 12, and children 2 and under eat for free. Tickets will be available at the door and visitors are encouraged to bring their own utensils and mugs to cut down on waste generated by the event. “It’s a great morning to celebrate Wisconsin traditions,” said Brenda Plakans, Welty’s executive director. “You can
taste sap as it comes out of the tree and warm yourself by a bonfire, where the sap is condensed into syrup. Visitors can watch basket weaving and wood carving, learn how to attract more pollinators to their gardens, get information on starting a compost bin, and try an ecology activity like I.D.-ing paw prints and experimenting with water tension!” This is Welty’s 17th Maple Sugar Fest, and the event emphasizes the maple sugaring tradition in Wisconsin. This process of using the early run of sap to create maple sugar was introduced by Native Americans to European settlers as a strategy for getting through the last months of winter before spring food resources became available. Maple sugar was used as a seasoning, as well as a treat, and was at the center of early spring celebrations. The morning will feature much of this history, as well as a delicious breakfast. “Come enjoy the early signs of spring, rain or shine (or snow!) at Welty,” encouraged Plakans. “There’s something for everyone – including real maple syrup for sale – and it’s a fun, and tasty, way to learn more about Wisconsin history!” For more information visit www.weltycenter.org; email info@weltycenter.org; or call 608-361-1377.
PHOTO COURTESY FULL SPECTRUM PHOTOGRAPHY Rock Valley Publishing
Downtown Janesville Flannelfest is returning for a sixth year on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Flannelfest Beer Festival returns to Janesville Downtown Janesville Flannelfest presented by Blain’s Farm and Fleet returns for the sixth year on Saturday, Feb. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are available now at www.janesvilleflannelfest. com. Taste over 100 beers from craft brewers all over Wisconsin and vote for a favorite beer at the homebrew competition sponsored by The Looking Glass and Sauk Valley Bank. Participate in a day filled with fun and unlimited games including the Lazy Man Run, cornhole tournament, axe throwing, giant pong, hammerschlagen, derby race, and jousting sponsored by Whiskey Ranch. Live entertainment will be featured throughout the event including chainsaw artists sponsored by Educator’s Credit Union. Food and merchandise vendors will be available for purchase.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available which includes access to The Venue, lunch catered by drafthouse, exclusive beer tastings from Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company, live music by Lazlo Weed inside The Venue, commemorative Flannelfest souvenir, pretzel necklace making station, complimentary chair massages by Thrive Massage, unlimited games, Flannelfest beer mug and lanyard. The VIP area is sponsored by TDS Fiber and Harris Ace Hardware. General admission tickets include beer tastings, unlimited games, live entertainment, Flannelfest beer mug and lanyard. VIP tickets are $110 and General Admission are $55. There will be additional events happening downtown throughout the weekend at participating downtown
businesses, along with special room block rates at hotels for those coming from out of town. Visit the Flannelfest website for weekend schedule updates and hotel information. “Flannelfest is a great way to get out of the house during the winter and participate in Wisconsin themed activities with friends. We’ve seen a significant increase in attendance from outside of Janesville for this event, and look forward to welcoming people back for a fun-filled weekend in downtown Janesville” Elaina Szyjewski, Managing Director. Flannelfest is brought to you by Downtown Janesville, Inc. and is one of the largest fundraisers for the non-profit organization. For more information, email info@downtownjanesville. com.
American Legion Post 209 - Orfordville, WI
MEAT RAFFLE
Saturday, Feb. 22 - Bar opens at 5 p.m.
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Complete Auto Care M-F 8am-5pm
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608-897-4889
www.systechauto.com
W896 Ten Eyck Rd., Brodhead, WI
Meat Raffle: 6 to 9 p.m.
Karaoke: 9 to 11 p.m.
Proceeds go towards replacing the chairs in the banquet room.
3913 S. State Road 213, Orfordville, WI 53576
467437
Visitors practice drilling holes for a spile that allows sap to be collected from a Sugar Maple tree at Welty’s 2020 Maple Sugar Fest.
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The early signs of spring are showing at Big Hill Park, and the maple sap is starting to flow. Welty is hosting its 17th Maple Sugar Fest on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon at Big Hill Center, located at 1201 Big Hill Court in Beloit. The morning will be filled with maple sugar-themed activities, such as hikes to the sugar bush, a condenser boiling sap down to make syrup, children’s story time, basket weaving, wood carving, and take-home crafts. There will