According to Wikipedia and local historians:
In 1893 newspapers reported the discovery of a Hodag in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. It had “the head of a frog, the grinning face of a giant elephant, thick short legs set off by huge claws, the back of a dinosaur, and a long tail with spears at the end”. The reports were instigated by well-known Wisconsin timber cruiser and prankster Eugene Shepard, who rounded up a group of local people to capture the animal. The group reported that they needed to use dynamite to kill the beast. A photograph of the remains of the charred beast was released to the media. It was “the fiercest, strangest, most frightening monster ever to set razor sharp claws on the earth. It became extinct after its main food source, all white bulldogs, became scarce in the area.

Because of the legendary hoax that Mr. Shepard created, Rhinelander has embraced the Hodag as part of its heritage, community and brand. If you drive along the streets of Rhinelander you will find statues, business names and clothing all giving the Hodag its fame. Here are few samples of the “Hodags” that can be found in our area.

Anthony Crofoot was born in San Antonio, Texas and moved to Rhinelander, Wisconsin at the age of 6. He soon revealed himself as a musical prodigy. His talent was discovered at his grandfather‘s home where he heard Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” and repeated the passage on the piano. By the age of 12, he had written a concerto and at 14 began performing professionally.

He won numerous awards at the Wisconsin state solo and ensemble competitions while attending Rhinelander High School. He spent his last year of High School in San Marcos, Texas where he performed with the varsity choir and the salsa band. Even though he has had no formal training, Anthony has performed for a wide variety of audiences over the years. At nineteen, he moved back to Wisconsin and is currentlly performing at varied venues including the Wisconsin River Cruises.

Anthony is able to sing and play an extensive range of musical styles. He performs pieces ranging from Elton John to Frank Sinatra, and Classical in addition to his own original compositions. He considers Beethoven, Billy Joel, Elton John, and Ray Charles to be his major musical influences.

He has Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a form of autism. Michael Fitzgerald, author of “The Genesis of Artistic Creativity: Asperger’s Syndrome and the Arts,” reports that a number of brilliant artists such as Mozart, Herman Melville, Andy Warhol, Van Gogh, as well as Beethoven all demonstrated symptoms in the wide range of Asperger’s characteristics.

It’s that time of year again when the turtles come out of the water and up into our parking lot and under our tent to find the perfect nesting site. Every year we get to experience these magnificent creatures up close when they make their trek from the Wisconsin River up the hill to lay their eggs.

Because these are wild animals, we encourage our customers to be careful when pulling into our parking lot. We at Wisconsin River Cruises try our best to keep the turtles out of harm’s way and safe and we ask the same of our visitors.

Who knows, in the fall when the eggs hatch, we might catch a glimpse of little turtle babies making their way back to the river! And so the cycle begins again.

It’s a Bird.. No a Plane.. No It’s Sundog Ballooning!!

What a great way to view Wisconsin in all its glory. Imagine getting a birds-eye view of the Nicolet National Forest, Buck Lake or even floating over the Wisconsin River. For whatever the occasion, Kerry and Jodi Hanson, hosts of your exciting and pleasurable flight experience, look forward to sharing an aerial adventure with you.

Sundog Ballooning flight packages combine old ballooning traditions and new, state of the art flight equipment. For more information on booking a flight visit their website at www.sundogballooning.com

Patty Cakes will be providing the desserts served on the Wilderness Queen. Serving such specialties as Key Lime Pie, White Chocolate Rasberry Cheesecake, and Patty’s own Andes Mint Cheesecake. 

Patty Cakes is located in Coffee Beans Etc. on Lincoln Street in Rhinelander offering Custom Cakes, Cheesecakes and Specialty Desserts for all occasions.

It appears Camp King Dong is having a great time at the Hodag Country Fest. The gang came out to celebrate Queen’s birthday(a little early) on a beautiful afternoon for a cruise.

Great to have you back! Sorry, no ducks this year.

Karlyn Tiffany started her summer project painting river scenes on the blocks that hold up the tent at Wisconsin River Cruises. On this picture she is working on lilies that are numerous on the Wisconsin River.

Hopefully Karlyn will complete the otter on a rock next week.

SIN Night, a new cruise for 2010, kicks off Sunday, June 27th at 6pm. Featured entertainment on the 27th will be The Brian West Show. Brian will bring his entertaining show including the Photo Booth for the performance.

Service Industry Night is for hospitality staff in the region. If you are a store clerk, bartender, waitstaff or anyone who is on the front lines serving the public, this cruise is for you.

There are many fine attractions in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.  We are highlighting, via our blog, some of the fun and informative things to do.  Vogel’s Farm in Elcho is one of those places.  With a menagerie of animals, it is a fun family visit.

For more information, check them out here.