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ALMA, Wis. — Some locals will tell you it’s pronounced Al (like the guy’s name) Ma. Not All-ma or El-ma. Others aren’t so picky.
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“It’s like a-men or ah-men,” longtime resident Donna Krebsbach said. “It doesn’t matter which way you say it, as long as you’re here.”
Alma loves visitors. Luckily for Winonans, the city is just 25 miles away, which makes it perfect for a day trip. This week, our “Get out of Town” series takes a left on Hwy. 35, goes through Fountain City and finds itself in this small town of 942.
Enjoy the view
It doesn’t get much more breathtaking than the view of the Mississippi River from Buena Vista Park atop of Alma Bluff. If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike there. If not, take the windy drive. Be sure to bring your binoculars.
The spot is a popular attraction and a must for any visitor to Alma. On a recent weekday, Deedee
Zwettler, 56, of Rochester, Minn., brought her 77-year-old mother, Marilyn Zwettler of Barneveld, Wis., to the park. Both watched as a barge pulled up to Lock and Dam No. 4.
“There’s a lot to do in small towns,” Deedee said. “There are a lot of simple pleasures around here.”
If you’re looking for some exercise, Alma offers the ultimate in a great leg workout. Ten steep staircases connect Main with Second Street.
You’ll also want to stop at Wings Over Alma, 118 N. Main St. The nature and art center features rotating exhibits of original artwork by area artists. There’s also a 50-foot deck for taking in the view of the river. They even have binoculars for you. Who knows what you might see.
“We had a golden eagle out here last Saturday,” said Dick Olson, who works at Wings Over Alma.
Wings Over Alma is open seven days a week year-round; www.wings overalma.com, (608) 685-3303.
Get or catch a bite
You can go fishing at the Great Alma Fishing Float or enjoy some food at its café.
Kim Christianson and his wife, Marie Schafer, both 53, saw the Fishing Float on the Food Network TV show “Feasting on Asphalt,” hosted by Alton Brown. The show features great food on the road. In an episode called “Lutefisk Express,” Brown ate the Fishing Float’s “Mess” with smoked fish and sauerkraut and declared it the “best road breakfast yet.”
Christianson and Schafer drove from their home in Bayfield, Colo., and included the Alma stop as part of their trip to visit family in Janesville, Wis. The two foodies often choose food destinations when traveling, visiting places they’ve heard or read about.
“This is one of the things on our list,” Christianson said.
Their travels also find them overseas; the couple spent last month in Norway, France and England. Even so, they love coming to small towns like Alma.
“There’s always stuff to do,” Schafer said. “You have to talk to the locals.”
The Fishing Float can be accessed by a shuttle boat. The Web site, www.almafishingfloat.com, even has a bragging board where you can post pictures of yourself with your big catch.
Kick up your heels
On Sunday, Aug. 31, Alma will host its sixth annual Alma Music and Art Festival at Alma Beach Park, one mile north of Alma off of Hwy. 35.
The schedule includes music by Cam Waters from 11 to 12:30 p.m., Small Potatoes from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Ron Sacia and the Fat Daddys from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and The Riverbenders from 5 to 7 p.m. Kenny Salwey, known as “The Last River Rat,” will speak at 2 and 4 p.m.
Admission is $5 and free for students. For more information, visit www.almawisconsin.com or call (608) 685-3303.
Shop on Main Street
Alma is the kind of community where everyone seems to know everyone. Shop owners will tell you where to go next, whether you’re looking for a place to eat, a place to stay or looking for an item their shop doesn’t have.
There are lots of little shops along Main Street, but if you’re going to go midweek, be sure to call ahead for hours. Many are closed Tuesdays.
Mississippi River Pearl Jewelry Co., 125 N. Main St., is an amazing shop that specializes in one-of-a-kind jewelry crafted from pearls found in the Mississippi River. It also features Chinese pearls and semi-precious stones.
It’s a tempting place to work for Anne Maday, 65.
“I love it all,” Maday said. “That’s the problem.”
Nadine and Burl Leo opened the shop five years ago. Nadine has been collecting pearls for more than 30 years. The shop also showcases Nadine’s paintings of river wildlife and American Indians. Nadine is currently painting portraits of Berber women of Morocco, where she is from. Visit the store online at www.nadineleo.com.
Many shops feature art, allowing you to go on your own Alma art walk.
Other places to stop:
Weaving Studio, 411 N. Main St., creative weaving, mosaics and art, (608) 685-4151.
The Gypsy Wagon, 307 N. Main St., an eclectic collection of fine art and crafts.
Art & Soul, 303 N. Main St., co-owned by Gail Pommerening and Sarah Gailey, the gallery features fine art and imports including fair-trade products such as Vietnamese children’s toys that benefit the Families in Vietnam program.
Alma Leather, 121 N. Main St., handmade leather goods, www.almaleather.com, (608) 477-5608.
Stump Town Gallery, 109 S. Main St., paintings, sculpture and mixed media, www.otherpeoplespixels.com, (414) 630-5954.
The Commercial, 305 S. Main St., contemporary art, glass, ceramics, textiles and jewelry.
Wildflower 1862, 310 S. Main St., various artworks.
Chow down
A daytripper has to eat. You’ll find lots to choose from, whether it’s pizza or a good home-cooked meal. Again, make sure you call for hours. Some places are seasonal or closed certain weekdays.
The Red Ram Saloon, 207 N. Main St., has been whetting people’s whistles and appetites for 35 years.
Randy Christy, 58, bought the bar in May and moved to Alma from Antioch, Ill. He was looking to get in the bar business and was deciding between a dozen for sale, including the Red Ram.
“I saw the bluffs and the river and said ‘This is it.’”
He remodeled part of it, transforming a garage into more dining space. The bar is known for great Bloody Marys and burgers. Christy says he plans to start serving breakfast soon, opening at 4:30 a.m. to attract hunters and other early birds.
For lunch, they whip up some home-style comfort food like goulash or mac and cheese with hot dogs.
Much of the Red Ram’s décor hangs from the ceiling, including an old bike, a stuffed turkey and a mannequin dressed in biker attire.
“This place has a lot of character,” said waitress Chrissy St. Jacques.
Other options:
Alma Hotel, 201 N. Main St. Have a seat at the bar, counter or sit-down restaurant, (608) 685-3380.
Big Tony’s Bar & Grill, 107 N. Main St., hand-made pizzas and a variety of other food, www.bigtonysbarandgrill.com, (608) 685-4100.
The Burlington, 809 N. Main St., (608) 685-3636.
Dam View Bar, 415 North Main St., (608) 685-4551.
Fire & Ice, 305 N. Main St., ice cream, fine cheeses, gourmet coffee and desserts, also has an Italianate formal garden featuring three fountains and classical bronze statuary, and a wooded Secret Garden graced by terraced limestone walls.
Julie’s Fin & Feather, 211 N. Main St., (608) 685-3340.
Henderson’s Silver Moon, S1582 Hwy. 35, (608) 685-3530.
Kate & Gracie’s, 215 N. Main St., appetizers, salads and sandwiches ranging in price from $5 to $10, pastas and entrees from $8 to $25. www.kateandgracies.com, (608) 685-4505.
Pier 4 Café and Smokehouse, 600 N. Main St., smoked items featuring barbecue ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket and turkey, (608) 685-4964.
Tell Bar & Grill, S1480 County Road II, (608) 685-3202.
Traxx Restaurant and Lounge, 115 N. Main St., Mexican, Italian and lots of seafood, www.traxxrestaurantbar.com, (608) 685-4929.
Käri Knutson may be reached at (507) 453-3523 or kknutson@winonadailynews.com.
