Talks About His Carefree Approach to Life and Clean Comedy

OSHKOSH’S PAINE ART CENTER AND GARDENS BUGS OUT FOR NEW EXHIBITION

Get Out & Do What You Like to do FEBRUARY 2021

Plus! FEIL’S SUPPER CLUB A Bavarian Treasure in Randolph

SWEET DEAL NEENAH REWARDS STROLLERS WHO SHOP FIRE & ICE DOOR COUNTY’S WINTER WEEKEND

Jeff Allen Talks about his carefree approach to life and clean comedy

Get Out & Do What You Like to Do FEBRUARY 2021

p.14 JEFF ALLEN HIS QUICK-FIRE COMEDY KEEPS AUDIENCES LAUGHING FROM CLUBS AND CORPORATE EVENTS TO CHURCHES

P. 4 P. 8 P. 12 DEPARTMENTS INSECTS INSTALLED FIRE & ICE STROLL & SHOP PUBLISHER’S NOTE p. 2 Bugs become headliners in Annual Sturgeon Bay Day planned to promote Paine Art Center exhibition event celebrates winter Neenah’s downtown SUPPER CLUB p. 18 Feil’s Supper Club of Randolph PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Winter’s Last Hurrah

February is here. Although for many, Downtown Neenah’s Sweetheart FebruaryFamily 2021, Fu Vol.n Edit 6, Issueion 2 the last full month of winter only Stroll & Shop event on February brings hope for the ensuing warmer 13th. Ticket holders can support local PUBLISHER NORMA JEAN FOCHS seasons, we urge you not to forego business, have fun and even get a few CONTRIBUTORS the end of winter. We are fortunate treats along the way. DAVID BRIERLEY PETER LINDBLAD enough to live in a state, which Contributor Peter Lindblad ART provides uniquely fun opportunities interviews Jeff Allen. His uniquely GRAPHIC DESIGNERS KELLY ANDERSON in all four seasons. If you ignore clean comedic style takes him beyond NICOLE MACMARTIN winter, you risk squandering a the regular venues to corporate events ADVERTISING quarter of the fun potential of being and even churches. He is scheduled NORMA JEAN FOCHS [email protected] a Wisconsinite. We love to help you appear at Appleton’s Skyline Comedy plan your favorite ways to enjoy Club next month. ADMINISTRATIVE AUDREY FOCHS Wisconsin in every season and this Supper Club Guy David Brierley Out & About Wisconsin is published monthly by Foxx Interactive issue is no exception. takes us to a delightful and delectable Services. All rights reserved. No duplication of any editorial or Bavarian experience all happening in photography is allowed without written permission from Foxx Interactive Services. Copyright 2021. IN THIS ISSUE… the small town of Randolph at Feil’s We start out with a brand new Supper Club. Cover photo credit: Jackson Davis art installation exhibit at The So read this issue, make your safe Printable PDF version of this issue available at: Paine Art Center and Gardens in plans to enjoy the remaining winter https://outandaboutwisconsin.com/digital-magazine/ Oshkosh. Artist and Professor of season, then turn off your device, Design Studies at the University of and get out and do what you like to Wisconsin-Madison Jennifer Angus do. Don’t forget to don your mask,

has the gallery all bugged out with maintain your distance and wash For those of you who are her presentation of The Other Side. your hands. planning an upcoming event, we want to hear from you. Next, we take you to Door County To have your event considered for coverage in Out & About Wisconsin, to celebrate winter at Sturgeon Bay’s send a detailed press release and hi-resolution images to: annual Fire & Ice Weekend with [email protected] plenty of winter family-fun outdoor Norma Jean Fochs Just remember, if your event is in events and a virtual Gala fund-raiser. NORMA JEAN FOCHS March we need to know about it in PUBLISHER the beginning of February. Then we share the details of [email protected]

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JENNIFER ANGUS

Jennifer Angus Creates Art with Insects at the Paine New Exhibition Opens February 6

In February, artist Jennifer Angus will create a dramatic, site-specific art installation within the Main Gallery at the Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh. Using exotic insects as her medium, Angus designs elaborate geometric patterns and narratives comprised of thousands of preserved specimens. Her artwork explores themes of beauty, ornamentation, natural history collections, the relationship between humans and insects, and the important role insects play in ecosystems. Her installation at the Paine will encompass the gallery with carefully arranged insects on the walls and intriguing sculptures and furniture within the room. A professor of design studies at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, Angus has exhibited her work at museums and galleries around the world and has authored a fantasy novel and several short stories related to the insect worlds she explores in her installations. The Other Side: An Installation by JenniferAngus will be on view at the Paine in Oshkosh from February 6 through May 30, 2021. Admittance is by reservation only. Learn more and make reservations at www.thepaine.org. O&AW

4 www.DoWhatYouLikeToDo.com JENNIFER ANGUS JENNIFER ANGUS

6 www.DoWhatYouLikeToDo.com JENNIFER ANGUS

The Other Side: An Installation by Jennifer Angus

The Paine in Oshkosh February 6 – May 30

Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 7 FIRE & ICE

FIRE & ICE WEEKEND Sturgeon Bay’s annual Fire & Ice Weekend promises to be full of happy faces and wide-open spaces!

Candlelight Ski/Hike at Crossroads and safety protocols will be followed. Snow and Ice Carving at Big Creek Nature Preserve, Friday, Please avoid others when on the trails Carvers will “break the ice” at 9 a.m. February 12, 6-8 PM and step off the trails when necessary with a city-wide ice and snow carving Kick-off Destination Sturgeon Bay’s to avoid contact. competition. Novice, intermediate, Fire & Ice Weekend with a candlelight This is a family-friendly event advanced, and professional artists will ski or snowshoe at Crossroads at offered at no charge. Freewill donations be carving in front of Sturgeon Bay Big Creek. Trails that wind through to Crossroads are accepted and businesses for a chance to win cash Crossroads’ 125-acre Big Creek nature appreciated. No reservations necessary. prizes and the People’s Choice Award. preserve will be lit by luminaries to Stroll the streets, and spend the day provide a magical, memorable winter Professional Snow Sculpting & Ice shopping, dining, and admiring artists Block Carving (professional and experience. (We will offer a candlelight transform a 300 pound ice and snow hike if there’s not enough snow to amateur), Saturday, February 13, 9 AM - 2 PM block into jaw-dropping masterpieces. ski.) Bring your own equipment or Watch snow and ice sculptors create All ages are welcome to participate borrow ours. We have skis, poles, beautiful works of art throughout Sturgeon (carvers under 18 must have parental boots and snowshoes in all sizes from Bay on Saturday, February 13, 2021. Cash supervision to use power tools)! tiny tot to large adult. (First come, prizes and the People’s Choice Award are No experience is necessary. Tools first serve as inventory allows.) Our on the line for the brave sculptors who will are available to borrow for a $10 volunteers will be on hand to help take on the cold. refundable deposit. get you started. Staggered departures

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Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 9 FIRE & ICE

Where to Find the Carvers Fire & Ice Virtual Gala County businesses. Start bidding on Fire & Ice event maps with ice and snow featuring Charlie Berens auction items beginning Saturday, of “Manitowoc Minute” block locations will be available at local February 6, 2021, by clicking HERE. Customized for Your Comfort businesses and Destination Sturgeon Tickets for the Virtual Fire & Ice Event Introducing Fire & Ice 2021, a virtual Bay Welcome Center. Included with are available at DoorCountyTickets.com. gala benefiting Destination Sturgeon every map is a People’s Choice ballot - But that’s not all! Bay! This year’s event may look a little pick your favorite and cast your vote! different, but we promise it will be worth Winter on the Water Fire & Ice Do You Want to Build a Snowman? it! Guests will have a choice between two Fireworks Show, Saturday, February 13, 9 Pm (Approximately) Don’t forget to create your own different Gala Gifts. Both include dinner Join us as we celebrate the Fire & Ice snow-friend during the Community and dessert along with a number of Finale with fireworks right on the Bay of Snowman Build (weather other “goodies” and a link to our online, Sturgeon Bay (near Sonny’s Italian Kitchen permitting)! Beginning Saturday, virtual event A Conversation with & Pizzeria, 129 N. Madison Avenue, February 13 at 9 AM, stop at Charlie Berens of “Manitowoc Minute” Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235). Enjoy viewing Martin Park to build your very own fame, moderated by Nick Freimuth of from your car or at a socially distanced, snowman. Carrots, scarves, and Let’s Go Door County. safe outdoor space just about anywhere other snowman making materials And don’t forget our fabulous Silent along Sturgeon Bay’s beautiful public will be provided. Auction featuring beautiful items and virtual events from your favorite Door waterfront. O&AW

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Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 11 STROLL AND SHOP

12 www.DoWhatYouLikeToDo.com STROLL AND SHOP

Sweet Heart Stroll and Shop

Hosted by Downtown Neenah

Downtown Neenah will host the Sweet everything. Event capacity is only 250. Heart Stroll and Shop event on February Registration is available by contacting 13, 2021 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Future Neenah at 722-1920 or visiting STROLL the Downtown district and their website at neenah.org. Cost of the collect 15 delicious desserts and sweet treats event is $20. (perfect to share with your Valentine!) All With your comfort in mind, time sweets will be individually wrapped so you release tickets will limit the number can easily share or save for later. of people per starting time (11am, SHOP the Downtown district too 11:30, noon). When you sign up, please and support local everything. Registered register for the time you would like to attendees will receive a $5 Cupid Cash. begin your stroll. Masks are required The Cupid Cash can be spent anywhere in businesses, and please observe safe, Downtown on February 13 only. social distancing. SPECIALS galore! Registrants will Free parking is available in the Church receive a list of specials that will be good Street ramp on Saturdays. O&AW at participating businesses on February 13 only. Future Neenah, Inc. is a community driven non-profit organization Spend the day strolling and shopping dedicated to promoting the economic and cultural vitality of Downtown Neenah and support local Neenah Area.

Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 13 JEFF ALLEN

JeffAllen A COMIC REBORN

BY PETER LINDBLAD Chip and Joanna (Gaines, from ‘Fixer Hilarious turns on Showtime, By his own admission, comedian Jeff Upper’) … I gotta see what’s next.” Comedy Central, VH1 and other Allen is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. While the 64-year-old Allen networks helped spread the gospel Not a lot bothers him, and he is fairly takes a carefree approach to life about Allen, who also starred in the satisfied with his lot in life. these days, his onstage personality is movie “Apostles of Comedy” and the “I’m a pretty easygoing guy, I a little different, and more intense. syndicated series “Bananas.” A one- don’t have any hardcore needs,” said With his patented quick-fire delivery, hour comedy special, “Happy Wife, Allen, who is slated to perform at the jokes come out in a fast and furious Happy Life” – broadcast on Family Skyline Comedy Club in Appleton on succession, and he rarely lets the Net and the Odyssey Channel – is March 31. “I mean, as long as I have a audience take a breath between laughs. also a highlight of his career, as is chair and a TV and food nearby, I’m There is a reason for this. his featured role in the Warner Bros. good (laughs).” With a chuckle, Allen explains, comedy film “Thou Shalt Laugh.” That relaxed nature led his wife, “I think it’s out of fear. I just want He’s also been a regular at the Grand Tami, to question if he wasn’t too to get to the point before someone Ole Opry. relaxed. Maybe there was something heckles me. That’s why I try not to In addition to being a two-time wrong with his health. ask rhetorical questions, because I’ve performer at the National Prayer “I just wrote a bit,” related Allen. found drunks normally just think, Breakfast and a spotlighted comedian “I don’t know if you heard it, but it’s ‘Oh, you’re talking to me.’ So, they at George W. Bush’s inauguration, on that Low-T (low testosterone). answer the question. ‘Did you ever do Allen has also been featured at Tami says maybe you should check this?’ ‘No, I never did that.’ ‘Shut up, Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival into that Low-T thing … the [doctor] I wasn’t talking to you’ … So, I think and HBO’s Comedy Arts Festival. says, ‘No, you don’t have Low-T. You that’s it. I was just afraid if I came up However, it was a Dry Bar Comedy have No-T (laughs).’” for air, somebody would do that.” special from about two years ago that Allen joked the levels were so low Known for his clean material, rejuvenated his career in a big way. It that they ran the tests again. There was as well as his insightful, relatable generated more than 100 million views some good-natured joshing about his and undeniably funny commentary across various social media platforms. estrogen levels, according to Allen. on family life and marriage, the “When I booked it, I didn’t even “It’s probably all the HGTV I’d in-demand Allen – a committed know what it was,” said Allen. “My been watching,” laughed Allen. “I got Christian – makes regular corporate manager called me and said we a call [from a friend], ‘You know the appearances and often performs at booked you on this Dry Bar … I went Bears are on.’ And I said, ‘No, man, fundraisers and churches. across the room and I told my wife

14 www.DoWhatYouLikeToDo.com JEFF ALLEN

Get Tickets! SKYLINE COMEDY CLUB Appleton March 31

Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 15 JEFF ALLEN that I booked this thing called Dry “But, I hung in there and I kept will hire me? They’ll probably Bar. And my wife went, ‘It’s in my feed working and made friends. In 1980, think they’ve gotten the wrong guy every day. I love Dry Bar.” And Tami is the country changed. Comedy clubs (laughs),’” said Allen. a hard audience. She’s a hard audience, were everywhere. I was able to travel Initially, church gigs were few and so I was shocked.” around as an emcee and get work far between for Allen. It was taped in January. Three every week. I always said I was “I think the first year we put it out weeks later it was released. The allowed to be bad at something until we were working churches I did one response was incredible to Allen, and I developed [my] skills … I worked church the entire year,” said Allen. he taped a second one last January. my way up from emcee to little acts to “Some brave soul hired me to go to “At this age, at this point in my headliner and that was kind of where I Pennsylvania.” life, and then the response it got, I stagnated, and then when the bottom Connecting with popular Christian likened it to … and I told my wife fell out on my life was in my thirties. singer Bill Gaither, the father of Southern this, it’s as if I did the ‘Tonight Show’ I started out when I was 22, so by the Gospel music, gained him entry into the back in the ‘70s and Johnny Carson time I hit 35 … comedy clubs were church market. Allen said touring with brought me over to the couch,” said fading, and money was getting cut, the artist off and on for seven years gave Allen. “That’s how much everything and I just didn’t know if I wanted to do him a stamp of approval. changed. It was that special. I’ve that for the rest of my life.” “When you hand your resume to a always had a steady career, and I’ve In hindsight, however, it seemed pastor, and it’s 20 years of nightclubs always worked and saved money and that Allen was always destined to and casinos, they’re a little hesitant stuff, but never really had … “ become a stand-up comic. It was in his to give you the place for an hour,” Allen’s voice trailed off, before he blood and he could never quit it, due said Allen. “Church audiences are talked about how mutually beneficial in large part to his upbringing. actually better because they’re used the experience was to both Allen and “My father … he was never to having someone speak for 45 Dry Bar. officially diagnosed, but in hindsight, minutes to an hour, where they don’t “They said to me, ‘You changed our he was probably bi-polar,” said Allen. heckle the guy who uses metaphors life,’” recalls Allen. “And I go, ‘What “He would hole up in his room for a and paints pictures with words … do you mean?’ And they said, ‘Because week, two weeks at a time, and not and they want you to do well. I guess you came on and did this, we got much come out except to eat, and nights that’d be the difference.” better and a bunch of other comics during those periods, he’d put on [Bill] They’ve also certainly appreciated that turned us down did it because you Cosby on the hi-fi, and he’d laugh, and how Allen’s marriage to Tami has did it.’” I remember just being able to make worked out, even with its rough If the Dry Bar special was a turning him laugh and my mother was … if patches. Tami and Jeff are in a better point in Allen’s career, his sobriety there are reasons for people to do what place now. They even once toured and decision to become a born- they do, I just remember that it got me together and discussed their ups again Christian in 1997 completely out of a lot of trouble.” and downs while giving inspiring changed his life, raising him up from That continued into adulthood, “Laughter and Tears on the Edge of a a downward spiral that threatened to although his real salvation came Marriage” talks. Having endured their take everything away from him. Allen when he committed himself to Christ. trials and tribulations, the Allens are a started out as a comedian in 1978, Actually, becoming a devout Christian shining example of a relationship that making the rounds of comedy clubs in opened some doors for Allen to play survived turbulent times and grew Chicago. It was a steady rise for Allen, the big rooms – namely, churches, stronger in the aftermath. until he hit a plateau. under the watchful eye of God. “I think what makes it work is she’s “I had about two years in Chicago “I remember telling my Jewish not afraid to tell me what’s on her … I wasn’t very good,” said Allen. manager, I said, ‘I wonder if churches mind, and a lot of times, it’s not stuff I

16 www.DoWhatYouLikeToDo.com JEFF ALLEN want to hear,” said Allen. “Like, she’ll I stopped licking doorknobs.’ That was we just got spoiled.” grab me and say, ‘Hey, I’m here.’ And a bad habit of mine (laughs).” Allen isn’t taking anything for I go, ‘What do you mean you’re here?’ Despite shutdowns all over the granted at this stage, whether that She goes, ‘You’ve been walking around country, Allen continues to find work applies to his career or his family. When this house for four days, and you as a comic. He’s been performing since it comes to his kids, he’ll use any means haven’t even acknowledged me.’ And I August, finding dates in such states as necessary to keep them close. go, ‘I have?’ I’m not aware of that. So, Oklahoma, Texas and South Carolina. “Well, it’s interesting. My oldest yeah, and we pick better fights. I told “All the northeast dates have been son was always a lot closer to us than her there’s times she gets snippy and moved three or four different times,” my youngest son,” said Allen. “When I go, ‘What is this about?’ And it’s not said Allen. “The theater dates are all my oldest would come over, it would about the fact that I didn’t empty the gone. No theater is doing shows right be on his own. With my youngest, we dishwasher … I’ve also felt that I’m now, so it’s basically just comedy clubs have to reach out and guilt him into always one day away from her walking for me if I want to work and … I just coming over, and we do guilt. We’re out, so I live with that in my mind. did a corporate show in Houston.” not ashamed of that. We’re not going She almost left me once, so the second Family, though, means everything to be around forever, so … I could die time would be a lot easier, so I need to to Allen, even as his late-stage any minute (laughs).” pay attention.” career revival continues to pay off. As a comic, however, Allen seems Allen is also certainly keeping up In different ways, recent times have reborn. O&AW with the news about COVID-19. He brought his family closer together, has been writing about the pandemic, even while, at least in one respect, it but audiences may never get to hear it has grown further apart. in Allen’s routines. “I wrote a line … I think I “Well, the sad part is, it’s all called it, ‘My son just performed political stuff that I’ve written,” said a grand-ectomy on our home,’” Allen. “And I don’t do politics, because Said Allen. “A grand-ectomy I don’t feel like alienating half my is when one of your children audience. I just keep it to myself, but moves your grandchildren yeah, the COVID … I’ve got a couple 2,000 miles away (laughs), and of lines from COVID. I think one of they remove them from your the first ones I wrote was, ‘The one life. Yeah, they were a quarter thing good thing to come out of this is mile away for seven years, and

With his patented quick-fire delivery, jokes come out in a fast and furious succession, and he rarely lets the audience take a breath between laughs.

Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 17 SUPPER CLUBS Feil’s Supper Club Randolph’s family-owned supper club that makes you feel right at home.

BY DAVID BRIERLEY The restaurant is styled like a large Feil’s Supper Club has a large Bavarian house, which is usually parking lot and a rather nice looking I find that the places a person stumbles a good sign – I love some German porte cochere (a great supper club across accidentally can often end up food. I pulled up my supper club list feature) where you can drop off your being the best discoveries. This is and was surprised to see Feil’s was guests. The restaurant also features a certainly true of Feil’s Supper Club nowhere to be found. So, here we are, large outdoor dining area with a nice (pronounced like “files”) outside the a few months later and I returned to gas fire pit in the middle for dining small town of Randolph. I was taking find out what the Feil’s experience outside during warmer weather. the “back way” home from visiting would be like. I was not disappointed. Once you enter through the large, family, headed south on Highway 73, wooden front door, you are greeted and noticed a big sign next to the road: by a coat closet (another Feil’s Supper Club.

18 www.DoWhatYouLikeToDo.com SUPPER CLUBS

Three cool features: 1. Fun and unique bar booths 2. Heart-warming family heritage 3. Huge selection of ice cream drinks

great feature) and then the bar area to everyone’s favorite NFL team – the as though everyone who works there immediately to your right. Green Bay Packers. Another wall holds is either family or has worked there The bar area is quite large, with a a display case dedicated to the founder for decades. And, everyone makes you huge double-circle bar forming sort of Feil’s, Herb Feil and his wife, feel right at home the moment you step of a square 8 and a slightly vaulted Harriet, who purchased the supper through the door, even if it is your first ceiling giving it an even more spacious club in 1969 and made it their own. time at Feil’s. feel. There is plenty of standard bar These days, the supper club is Once you have gotten acquainted stool seating, but there are also unique owned and managed by one of Herb with some of the staff – and your drink little barside booths in a few places. and Harriet’s sons, Terry, who also – you can follow a host to one of the I’m not talking about separate booths manages the catering side of the two dining rooms and get acquainted in the bar area – these are actual business, contracted with several with the supper club’s impressive booths where the bar is your table. It counties in the area to provide senior menu. Feil’s offers some unique dishes is definitely something I’ve never seen dining (think Meals on Wheels). not found in many – in some cases any before, and I was instantly delighted. Joann Randall, the assistant – other restaurants in the state. Behind the center of the bar is a manager and chef, can sometimes be The appetizer list includes Feil’s large faux keg with hops vines spilling found taking reservations and chatting famous onion rings, which I can out the top and the name Feil’s with guests, and offers a wealth of confirm are excellent, and they are scrawled proudly in metal letters. The knowledge on the supper club’s history. fresh battered, more like a shoestring keg may be symbolic, but the supper I had the pleasure of speaking with her onion ring rather than the thick, frozen club does offer 12 beers on tap. and with Sally, one of the bartenders. ones many restaurants serve. They One wall of the bar area is devoted In true supper club fashion, it seems also offer deep-fried mushroom strips,

Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 19 SUPPER CLUBS

mozzarella sticks, soft pretzels, deep- sounds amazing, so I don’t think there bed of tangy sauerkraut), among other fried pickles, and, of course, cheese is any wrong answer here. German options. curds sourced locally. The rest of the dinner menu offers I almost forgot to mention – Other appetizer options are more some fantastic steaks, an impressive you can get spaetzle on the side, unique, including pig wings (single- selection of seafood, chicken dishes, which is always a win in my book. bone pork ribs), reuben rolls (like a several varieties of pork, and even a Normally, Feil’s has a huge soup reuben sandwich in an egg roll!), and kids’ menu. Then there are the German and salad bar, but due to covid-19 brat sticks (bratwurst cut in strips and options. Feil’s basically offers every precautions is currently serving dredged in Spaten Optimator Bier type of schnitzel, sauerbraten, and plated soups and salads. batter, deep-fried, and served with a “Bavarian feast” (Polish sausage, a Even before your food arrives, your spicy brown mustard sauce). It all frankfurter, and a knackwurst on a server will bring you some of Feil’s

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Interview with Terry Feil, Owner

O&AW: How did your family get started hotel and restaurant management. After it was down to me. I run both divisions, do with the supper club? I graduated, I ended up working for a the books, and make all the decisions and TF: My parents, Herb (Herbie) and Harriet, company that was a cafeteria chain mainly stuff. started it. They bought Club 73 from the in the south and west. I worked there for a previous owners, Louis and Flora, who had couple years and lived in Denver. O&AW: How has COVID-19 affected your it for 23 years. Then my dad decided to run for the business? state office, and he asked me if I would TF: We added a Biergarten about four or O&AW: Was this always a supper club? come home and take over the day-to-day five years ago, and that was an especially TF: Originally, the supper club was a country operation of the supper club so that he could good thing to have this last summer bar, built in 1918. The original part of the be out knocking on doors and doing things because a lot of people would eat outside. building is the front dining room. When Louis to get elected. So I came back in 1985. We have our tables six feet apart, and and Flora purchased it, they added on the My dad was the person that was the face we have a mask policy and lots of hand back dining room in 1947. Then it became of the business. People didn’t say that they sanitizer around and things like that. We Club 73, and Louis and Flora lived in the were going to Feil’s Supper Club, they would normally have a beautiful 15 foot salad bar, apartment above the supper club. say “We’re going out to Herbie’s.” My dad was but we haven’t had the salad bar up since really good at remembering people’s names March of last year because of COVID. O&AW: What did your family do before when they walked in the door, he knew who owning the supper club? O&AW: Everyone has a different they were. And people like that, they like to TF: My father grew up in Randolph, and he definition of a supper club. What makes be recognized and valued. Feil’s a supper club? was the son of a baker; we had a bakery here From 1985 to 1990, I was running the TF: Supper clubs are just a nice place for in town. My father went to UW-Platteville, and supper club for my dad. In 1989, Columbia people to get together and just have an when he would come home on the weekends, County was taking bids for caterers, what enjoyable dinner. And we actually cook. he would help his dad early in the morning you might call Meals on Wheels, or senior We actually roast the prime rib and we at the bakery, and then to make some extra dining as what we call it now. I had started a actually make the au jus ourselves. We’re a money he would bartend for Louis. Louis catering business a couple years before that, German restaurant and we make our own always said to Herbie, “Herbie, if you ever want so I entered a bid and won. sauerbraten, we pickle our own beef, we to buy this place you let me know.” We did such a good job with Columbia use Strauss veal, which is a Wisconsin farm. My dad graduated from UW-Platteville County that additional counties asked us to We like to take care of Wisconsin businesses. in 1964, and was hired by John Deere bid. We added on to the kitchen in 1992 to Supper clubs are generally family in Horicon as an industrial engineer. He make more space to expand the senior dining businesses. You can talk to a hundred or eventually decided, “I want to decide how business, and at one point I had six counties. more supper clubs anywhere, and chances much I’m worth by working instead of At that time my dad was still the front of are they’re in a small town or they’re out getting paid what somebody else thinks I’m the house. He was the business. My brother Jim in the country like ours is, and they’re a worth.” He grew up in Randolph so he knew ran the kitchen, I ran the catering part of the family business where every single person a lot of people in town, and a lot of people business, and my mother did the book work. in the family at some point worked there. knew him, so my parents bought Club 73. My mother passed away in 2009, And some, like ours, are in the second and dad got Alzheimer’s in 2010. Jim O&AW: How did you get started generation. We’ve been in business for over transitioned out of the kitchen to spend running the supper club? 51 years. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I more time with his daughters, so eventually TF: I have a degree from UW-Stout in couldn’t imagine not doing it.

Out and About WI FEBRUARY 2021 21 SUPPER CLUBS

famous homemade bread – either white opt for dessert, but make sure you take a If you haven’t already, don’t forget or onion rye (or both, if you ask nicely). look at the ice cream drink menu. Feil’s to join our Supper Club VIP group; Prior to opening the supper club, Herb offers 20+ different ice cream drinks, you’ll be entered in our monthly Feil helped out in his father’s bakery plus ice cream drink specials such as the drawing for a $50 gift card to an area right here in Randolph. The recipe has butterfinger. I’ve said it once and I’ll say supper club. Check out our interactive certainly held up – both breads are it again: ice cream and alcohol belong map that shows the supper clubs we’ve tasty, and totally worth the carbs. together. You won’t be sorry! visited to find one near you. And, The supper club also offers weekly Feil’s has a great website where you as always, there will be plenty more specials such as prime rib, fish fry, all- can learn more about the building’s supper club fun to come. O&AW you-can-eat broasted chicken wings, history before and after the Feil family and broasted chicken. Plus, they offer took over. You can also check out their Where in Wisconsin is this supper club? brunch on Sundays, which (in my menus and specials, place orders, and N8743 WI-73, Randolph, WI 53956 opinion) is the next best meal to a good make reservations. And, give their Nearby landmarks: Nearby landmarks: supper club supper. Facebook page a “like” to keep up with Nearby landmarks: Just a few minutes south of the small After your meal, you may want to the latest news and specials. town of Randolph, and about 15 minutes northwest of Beaver Dam.

22 www.DoWhatYouLikeToDo.com Marketing is essential for every business. But let’s face it, some days are a struggle to keep up with everything you are currently doing. Beyond that, in the digital age it can be downright confusing and intimidating to sort through your options. How can you keep up with the chaotic pace of doing business in an increasingly digital world? Let us help...