About Middleton's Downtown Middleton

Now these are some pretty chiily cherubs on this frozen fountain on Hubbard Avenue in Middleton Wisconsin. I took this in the autumn at the first freeze before the fountain was drained. Now, it just looks like a dry empty fountain-not enhanced by the "ice sculpture" you see here.

I had been planning to post this photo for a few months now. The double coincidence is that Karen Krushka just posted this "ice sculpture fountain on Speechless Sunday on January 23rd!She has allowed me to post this picture! In ways we do not alwys even know, we are so connected to each other!

The double irony is that in early November, we had each posted similar pictures of an old Town Hall in New Glarus Wisconsin and a a church in Brentsville VA ! See Karen's post. I just love the synchronicity!

Summit Credit Union Haunted Hustle Marathon, Middleton Wisconsin, October 30, 2010

Middleton is getting ready for the Haunted Hustle. Flashing street signs announce it and let you know traffic will be restricted during this pefectly haunted marathon hustle.

It's this Saturday, October 30, 2010 and it starts and ends at Greenway Station, 1701 Deming Way.

Start Times
The full and half marathon begin at 7:45AM, The 10K will begin at 8:15AM

End Times: 2:00PM

Summit Credit Union Haunted Hustle Marathon Ghost Tour is a thrilling marathon, half marathon and 10-K experience. The race is held in fabulous Middleton, Wisconsin voted by Money Magazine as best place to live in America (2007).

The scenic course takes runners on a tour of historical haunting sites throughout Middleton, Wisconsin. Don't be surprised as you are running, if you encounter haunted sites, sounds, and a host of scary characters along the way! Because you definitely will!

Halloween themed aid stations at every mile

A technical tee for every participant

A commemorative finisher medal

Amazing post race food from

Greenway Station restaurants

Pre-Race Pasta dinner at Capital Brewery in Middleton

Post-Race awards ceremony at Capital Brewery in Middleton and then you can take tours of the very popular landmark and participate the Brewery's famous scream event.

This is the way The Good Neighbor City, Middleton Wisconsin, celebrates Halloween!

More Information

Click here to view the event organizer's website

FYI:The Middleton Chamber of Commerce has issued this statement about parking and traffic:

The Haunted Hustle Marathon, half marathon and 10 K run will be held in Middleton on October 30 from 7:30 AM until 2:00 PM. The race will start and end in the Greenway Center and will travel through the Foxridge neighborhood, downtown, Nature Conservancy and Industrial Park. There are parking prohibitions in many of these neighborhoods. Traffic will be stopped for up to 10 minutes at a time on a number of streets, including University Ave. at Parmenter St. and Century Ave. at Branch St. Please use caution when travelling through Middleton during these times, be prepared to stop and expect delays.

The Hustle Route:

SUMMIT CREDIT UNION HAUNTED HUSTLE MARATHON TURN BY TURN

Aspen Commons RIGHT onto Market St.

Market St. LEFT onto Deming Way

Deming Way roundabout STRAIGHT

Deming Way RIGHT onto Terrace Ave.

Terrace Ave RIGHT onto High Point Rd.

High Point Rd LEFT onto Westchester Dr.

Westchester Dr. LEFT onto Westfield Rd.

Westfield Rd RIGHT onto Voss Pkwy.

Voss Pkwy LEFT onto Middleton St.

Middleton St. LEFT onto Kenyon Dr.

Kenyon Dr. RIGHT onto Parmenter St.

Parmenter St. RIGHT onto South Ave.

South Ave. LEFT onto Henry St.

Henry St. LEFT onto Hubbard Ave.

Hubbard Ave RIGHT onto Parmenter St.

Parmenter St. STRAIGHT at University Ave.

Parmenter St. roundabout RIGHT Parmenter St. (Sidewalk)

Parmenter St. Sidewalk RIGHT onto Pheasant Branch Creek Trail

PB Creek Trail STRAIGHT at Park Lawn Pl.

PB Creek Trail STRAIGHT across Century Ave RIGHT at sidewalk

Century Ave Sidewalk LEFT onto Pheasant Branch Conservancy Trail

PB Conservancy Trail first fork RIGHT continue on Trail

PB Conservancy Trail stay LEFT

PB Conservancy Trail first fork RIGHT towards Century Ave.

PB Conservancy Trail RIGHT onto Century Ave (Sidewalk)

Century Ave RIGHT onto Old Creek Rd

Old Creek Rd RIGHT onto Pheasant Branch Rd.

Pheasant Branch Rd. LEFT onto Balzer Rd.

Balzer Rd. LEFT onto High Rd.

High Rd. LEFT onto Frank Lloyd Wright Ave.

FLW Ave. LEFT onto Diversity Rd.

Diversity Rd. RIGHT onto Prairie Glade Rd.

Prairie Glade Rd. LEFT onto Hamerstrom Trail

Hamerstrom Trail LEFT onto Old Creek Rd.

Old Creek Rd. LEFT onto Century Ave (Sidewalk)

Century Ave Sidewalk RIGHT onto PB Creek Trail

PB Creek Trail STRAIGHT at Park Lawn Pl.

PB Creek Trail UNDERPASS at Parmenter St.

PB Creek Trail UNDERPASS at US Highway 12

PB Creek Trail UNDERPASS at Deming Way

PB Creek Trail RIGHT across pedestrian bridge

Pedestrian bridge LEFT at bridge exit onto PB Creek Trail

PB Creek Trail Firefighters Memorial Park Fork RIGHT towards Airport Rd.

PB Creek Trail UNDERPASS Airport Rd. onto Quisling Park Trail

Quisling Park Trail TURNAROUND just before trail ends into parking lot

Quisling Park Trail UNDERPASS Airport Rd. onto PB Creek Trail

PB Creek Trail RIGHT into parking lot towards Pleasant View Rd.

Parking lot LEFT onto Pleasant View Rd.

Pleasant View Rd LEFT onto University Grn.

University Grn LEFT onto Parview Rd

Parview Rd STRAIGHT onto PB Creek Trail

PB Creek Trail Firefighters Memorial Park Fork RIGHT towards Deming Way

PB Creek Trail RIGHT across pedestrian bridge

Pedestrian bridge LEFT at bridge exit onto PB Creek Trail

PB Creek Trail UNDERPASS at Deming Way

PB Creek Trail UNDERPASS at US Highway 12

PB Creek Trail UNDERPASS at Parmenter St.

PB Creek Trail RIGHT back onto Parmenter St. (Sidewalk)

Parmenter St. Roundabout LEFT onto Parmenter St.

Parmenter St. STRAIGHT at University Ave.

Parmenter St. STRAIGHT at Elmwood Ave.

Parmenter St. LEFT onto Hubbard Ave.

The National Mustard Museum, Parmenter Street, MiddletonWisconsin 53562.

One of the newest attractions on Parmenter Street in the the Good Neighbor City is the National Mustard Museum and store.

Both of these two images were taken while I stood outside the front door of the Stark Company office. My Broker/Manager, Jennifer Utter, was pleased that her son, Ryan and girlfriend, Adrienna were visiting from Colorado.

They wanted to take it all in and I followed them with my camera. Arianna's favorite flavor was the whole grain mustard with Guinness Stout.

They carry 5,000 varieties of mustards, the larget collection of mustards on the planet, as they are proud to point out. So, how to choose? The number of samples given out at the front counter is rather amazing, I must have seen 15 people in 5 minute sampling various flavors from a young man working there. His hands were so fast, he could have been a dealer at a gambling casino. The only admonishment is no double dipping with your pretzel stick.

There is more than a little craziness going on at the store and museum. T-shirts , pennants and memorabilia from Poupon U, America's mustard college for one. Hmmm, I wonder if Poupon U has a football team? I have not noticed them on the UW Badger's schedule. . .

This sign gives you an idea of the sense of humor that got this institution started, by curator Barry Levenson. National Mustard Day, held right here in the streets of downtown Middleton, on August 7, banned ketchup as they gave out dozens upon dozens of Oscar Mayer Weiner's. Musical offerings by the Poupon U Accordian Band and The Red Hot Horn Dawgs accompanied the festiviites.

The history of this unique institution has something to do with a Red Sox World series loss, after which, in distress, Barry Levenson went to the closest supermarket looking for a new hobby and found mustard. He quotes: "Collect us and they will come". Also from his website: "The hobby first became an addition to his house. Then in 1991 the collection was opened to the public, and in 1992, the store. Poupon U and other worldwide attractions followed. Our curator can fill you in on the glorious history of mustard! You can learn even more through our newsletter, worldwide mustard competition and writing contests."

In 2002, the museum was showcased on the Food Network television series, Unwrapped. The museum and its curator have also been featured on National Public Radio's Morning Edition broadcast of July 29, 2010, a week before National Mustard Day rolled out in Middleton. You can listen to the very entertaining broadcast on NPR.Org for that date.

Bloom Bake Shop: European Bake Shop on Parmenter Street in Middleton Wisconsin

OPEN HOUSE!

Bloom Bake Shop, a European Style cupcakery right in the heart of downtown MiddletonWisconsin held a very successful open house Friday last. A delightful event! I wish you had been there! Annemarie had a vision. She used to walk up and down Parmenter Street, trying to find the very best location for her bakery. Here is the beginnng of her story from her website:

Welcome to Bloom.
This bake shop is my little dream come true. It has resided in many places - swimming in my head, written on paper, stuffed under my mattress, in candid discussions with family and friends - and has finally settled on the corner of Parmenter St and Elmwood Ave in Middleton, WI.

Many would agree that this place is a dream come true. It is so charming, inviting and the staff treat you like honored family guests. Their cupcakes are amazingly delicious and on this night they were passing out samples upon samples of their bundt cakes. I made an observation which held tru with every person with whom I mingled. They would try a bundt cake sample-for example, citrus carrot cake, apple something and several chocolaty varieties and declare that this must be the very best bundt cake in the bakery. Then upon nibbling on the second one: no, wait! This is even better! Here is one of several staff handing out and explaining the samples. Don'tthey look European? My visits to to London Paris could have taken me to the Bloom Bake Shop branches in those locations.

I do not have his picture, unfortunately but adrian reif (self declared yumbutter-ologist and janitor)of Go Nuts Yumbutters (and potions) is connected to Bloom Bake Shop and was offering his homemade nut butters with pretzel dippers. They are unique and wonderful and the shop uses the products in their recipes. In the case shown below, the sign invites you to "be adventurous" and try Asian Jazz peanut butter buttercream frosting.

This is such a creative place. Have YOU ever had Dark Chocolate Beet cake with chocolate buttercream frosting? I did not think so. It is hard to read the sign in the bottom right-hand side of the case but it reads: "Be Decadent." Don't you wonder what that flavor du Jour is?

But remember this was also an Art Walk featuring Tisha Templin, who displays her work at Bloom Bake Shop. She has a little lighted canopy set up outsde the bakery with her paintings and paper collages of dogs (and a few horses, too). What a delight chatting with Tisha and her husband and she told me all about her Bostin Terrier and her 2 greyhounds. Can you see the Terrier influene in her artwork?

Tish does lots of customized doggie portraits through her website at http://tishatemplin.com/paintings/. But hurry-her prices are going to be going up. They are more than reasonable!

Didn't I mention this was a delightful event? And just two doors down from The Stark Company Middleton Office, too at 1818 Parmenter Street. So after a long day of showings, wouldn't you like to stop in and have a decadent cupcake and cup of coffee? I think I will be doing more of that. Lucky buyers!

Villa Dolce is just a few hops away from my office at The Stark Company on Parmenter St. and the corner of Hubbard Ave in Downtown Middleton. How lucky is that! Being a fun funky food lover, I have enjoyed the pear and gorgonzola pizza and interesting salads. There is still time to dine outside under the red and white umbrellaed (is that a word?) tables.

Villa Dolce prepares fresh gelato daily on the premises. OK, chicks and guys, this is the best part! The great staff there will tell you that Gelato is Italy's version of ice cream with a few differences. Gelato has less butter fat than ice cream, and sinceit is served slightly warmer than ice cream you taste the full flavor of the gelato immediately. Gelato has a much higher density than ice cream which makes it richer and creamier. This picture is taken from their website but it was most likey taken right here in Middleton-the case looks just like this.

AND, they let you sample it-for FREE. Check out these deliciously amazing flavors:

donatella · cappuccino · caramel · coconut · stracciatella · hazelnut · malaga · pistachio sicilia · roasted almond · tartufo al bacio · tiramisu · vanilla · banana · forest berries · mango · pineapple · raspberry · strawberry · limoncello · pink grapefruit · ginger · mint · peanut · amadeus · cherry · peach-mango · yougurt · green apple · chocolate · green tea · cheesecake.

Yum!

After you have finished your gelato, why not stop over (or hop over) to my office and we can chat about any houses in your future, and any in your soon to be past, too. I can assist you with homes in Middleton, Madison, Cross Plains, Verona, Sun Prairie or other surrounding towns. Call or text me.