A Rally in Milwaukee!

"Despite the short notice, Dale Sievert's recent rally successfully brought out five Coachmen. The clear highlight was welcoming back Pete Christensen, who hasn't been able to join us for quite some time. It was wonderful to see him there! While this post will cover the rally's details, our main focus is on the star of the show: Pete Christensen!"

PETE CHRISTENSEN - WELCOME BACK!

NOW HERE IS A REALLY GOOD LOOKING COACHMEN! (PETE CHRISTENSEN) QUIETLY SELECTING SOMETHING FROM THE MENU THAT, IS GOOD FOR HIM.

PETE, (RIGHT), STILL IN DEEP CONTEMPLATION WHILE DALE (LEFT), TRIES TO STEAL ATTENTION WHILE REACHING FOR A BEER.

(L/R - BOB KATTNER, DALE SIEVERT) SOMETHING NEFARIOUS IS BEING CONJURED BY THESE TWO . . . FOR SURE.

L/ R - BOB WARRANS, SHARON MAGNUSSON, JOHN MAGNUSSON, BOB KATTNER, DALE SIEVERT AND PETE CHRISTENSEN.

"CAN I TAKE YOUR ORDER SIR?"

GOOD CHOICE PETE!

All kidding aside Pete, we really love seeing you back.  I asked Dale to give you a big hug from me!  I look forward to seeing you at our next Rally sometime in the spring.  By the way we are working on an outing sometime next summer in Door County.  I hope you can make that one too.  Say HI to Donna for us! 

Harv

Even though I wasn't at the recent rally (where no pictures were taken), here is a shot taken yesterday at the Edmonds ferry dock of some "old guy" and a rainbow.  I thought it was kind of Picturesque. Stay well and my very best wishes to you all. 
Westy

As you all know Tom Westover and Ginny Meyers (very afraid of big fat furry spiders), live in Seattle Washington.  

"Nice picture Tom, you are looking great!"
​Harv

COACHMEN RALLY SEPTEMBE 20, 2025

Great turnout at the Rally!  Seventeen attendees.  I don't think it is a record but it is close.  I'll attempt to capture the major elements of the weekend and throw in a bit of BS as usual. 
Harv

PAT CHERMAK AND I ARRIVE READY TO JOIN THE FUN!

Meet my  travel buddy - Pat Chermak!

L/R  Bob Warrens, Tom Wall,  Bernadette Wall, Vic Schiegg, Nancy Parker, Bob Kattner and Dale Sievert.  

L/R John Magnusson, Sharon Magnusson, Pat Chermak, Dell Torrison, John Torrison, Dick Neuses, Marie Neuses, Joanne Champeau, Barb Sitlkiewitz, John Harvey.

MARIE NEUSES AND SHARON MAGNSSON ​ARE THOSE GASSHOPPERS?

PAT CHERMAK AND MARIE NEUSES FRIENDS FOREVER!

The afternoon was a bit wet.  Sporatic rain showers -  but we didn't let it bother us.  Paul and Karen did such a nice job making accomodations for the weather (whatever it turned out to be)  
​It's always fun. 
​Thank You

LOT'S OF TALK . . . NOTHING GETTING DONE

THREE CUTIES

"I GOT THE LITTLE BEANNIE BAG BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT BOARD?"

Confidential, private meeting of the
"Creators of catastrophe"
Show your passkey.

Bobbie Kattner . . .
​I don't know where we took this picture but he belongs ANYWHERE!  
GREAT SMILE!

Here I have a nice talk with Joanne.  You all know it's total bullshit but she seems to believe me.  I suppose after she reads this it will be the LAST nice talk I have with Joanne.  
​"Que Sera Sera"

Very sweet   

ON SECOND THOUGHT, WE ARE CONSUMING BEER. VERY IMPORTANT! JUST ASK PAUL BOURIL!

YES NANCY, YOU ARE IN THE PICTURE!

VIC SCHIEGG AND TOM WALL! NICE PIC GUYS!

What a great start to the 65th Reunion! The Coachmen Club members gathered Sunday morning at the Lighthouse Inn to enjoy their traditional breakfast. For them, it's all about breakfasts to start the day and Grasshoppers to end it!

L/R JOHN HARVEY, VIC SCHIEGG, BOB WARRANS, SHARON MAGNUSSON, NANCY PARKER AND PAT CHERMAK.

The Manitowoc Yacht Club provided a stunning and elegant backdrop for our 65th Class Reunion this year, creating a wonderful atmosphere filled with fun and camaraderie.

A heartfelt thank you to Pat (Wagner) Korlesky, Joanie (Freiburg) Champeau, and the dedicated team who bring our reunion to life each year. The immense care you poured into every detail did not go unnoticed. Thank you for creating such a wonderful gathering for all of us

OUR BUFFET BEAUTIFULLY LAID OUT!

GREAT FOOD AND WONDERFUL CONVERSATION!

L/R DICK NEUSES, MARIE NEUSES, BOB KATTNER, NANCY PARKER, PAT CHERMAK, VIC SCHIEGG, PAUL BOURIL, KAREN BOURIL, DEL TORRISON, JOHN TORRISON

This is our group of Coachmen—we stick together through thick and thin! The reunion was a blast, lasting until about 3:30 PM with so many "personal" happy reunions going on all day. We had a wonderful time and am already counting down to the next one.

And speaking of the next one... ever heard of a "flash mob"? We might just have a "Flash Rally" in October just for the hell of it! Make sure you're watching the Turntable for details. Take care, and see you on the Turntable!
 Harv

GOING HOME

What the hell are you doing there, Harv? - It's raining, OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!  
I love getting my picture taken!

Friday Day 3  - Going Home

"Everyone had a wonderful time. (I think Chris was complaining about a sore back, but carrying Karen's steamer trunk down the stairs was much easier.)"  "Thanks Chris, You were a great host."
Harv  

Talk about your impressive entrances.

The Carriage House - Looted . . Ahhh . . . Located just behind the Cartier Mansion.

Interior room within the Cartier.  I believe this could be the sitting room.  When the room was built the builders (thinking ahead) made a very nice space above the fireplace for a flat screen TV.

Here we see the "Library"  But, as you can see, nobody was interested in reading.  They were only interested in playing Carrom.  

This must be the Music room.  I don't think this is a real piano as the foot pedal is missing.  I think I see a crank on the right side which would make it a "player piano" Since nobody "reads" it makes sense that nobody would learn to play a real piano.  The victrola in the corner also has a crank. Must be a lot of cranky people lived here.

Although it might be hard to make out (bad picture), This is a really fine Gourmet Omelette.  

Seriously good food!  
​Marie Neuses digs in while Dick Neuses thinks "did she have to eat mine too?"

Another try at getting a good pic  . . . hey wait!  Where did that wine come from???? I didn't get wine!  What the heck?

Let's just sum it up by saying we all had a wonderful time and this was the perfect ending of a really fun trip!

Time to go Home!

Hey!
That's the wrong ship!!!!  Who's in charge???
(can't let them alone for even a minute!)

Day 2 (Thursday)

Our "Lemo" tour began at 10:30 AM, setting off in a caravan that wound through the town of Ludington and out toward the magnificent sand dunes of Ludington State Park. From the lead vehicle, our host Chris masterfully narrated the entire trip, connecting our shuttles with a clever hands-free audio system. His deep knowledge of Ludington and the surrounding landscape was impressive, and he did a wonderful job bringing the area's history and landmarks to life.

Our tour began in the Ludington State Park.  A beautiful area as you will see.

Back row;  Dick Neuses, Bob Warren's, John Magnusson, Nancy Parker, Vic Schiegg, John Torrison, Dale Sievert, Bob Kattner - Front row;  Marie Neuses, Karen Bouril, Paul Bouril, Marlene Gramm, Del Torrison Sharon Magnusson and John Harvey - Karen Harvey must be taking the Picture?

L/R - John Magnusson, Nancy Parker, Vic Schiegg, John Ttorrison and Del Torrison.

Del desperately tries to play the Action Hero in a super exciting water adventure.  Turns out she's just all wet!

Nobody bothered to walk down to the lake. . . Now if this were a nude beach . . . Naw,  that probably wouldn't work either.  Damm!  it's tough getting old.

Our trip took us to a very interesting Power plant.  It's really cool but not easy to capture.  

Below you see Lake Michigan.  We are approximately 150 (or so) feet above the lake.  At this level there is a man made (lake or dam).  

In the daytime water flows out of the dam and down through power turbines creating electricity on its way back into the lake.  

​At night when the demand for power is at the lowest, pumps on the low end are powered on and send water back up to the dam.  The net power cost is extremely positive for the power grid.  

​Neat HUH?

Carefull there honey.  We don't want to break that thing do we!

Lunch

Reservations should be the 8th wonder of the world.  Jamestown Brewery was ready for us when we arrived. 

Left side Front to back - John Magnusson, Sharon Magnusson, Marlene Gramm, Vic Schiegg, Nancy Parker, Bob Warrans, Karen Harvey and John Harvey 
Right side Front to back  - Bob Kattner, Dick Neuses, Marie Neuses, John Torrison, Del Torrison, Dale Sievert, Karen Bouril and Paul Bouril

The balance of the afternoon was spent "Canoodling"  This picture shows Vic and Nancy crossing the street to get an ice cream cone.  

Pizza - Days End

Left to right - John Torrison, Del Torrison, Marleen Dramm, Bob Kattner, Marie Neuses, Dick Neuses and John Magnusson.  

Here Paul and Karen Bouril play on the Carrom board.  Nancy Parker expresses her opinion on how they are doing!  

Quiz - How many people are in this picture?
​ 

That concludes Day 2 of our trip. While tomorrow is our return journey, the adventure isn't over just yet. Chris Simpler has graciously invited the entire club for a farewell breakfast at the magnificent Cartier Mansion. Join us next week for a full tour of this historic home and a look at one last gourmet meal!

Well, what do you know, we made it.  This is the Ludington House .  It was fully booked by the Coachmen Club.  That's right just us.  We are proud to say it looked much the same when we left.  

Shall we take a look around?  

​This is the foyer.  Everyone was excited to grab their luggage and run up those beautiful steps.  Karen H was especially tickled with the prospect of moving her suitcase / Steamer Trunk up these stairs only to remember she is on the "Third" floor! - just then, our host Chris Simpler, said ( it's OK Karen, I'll take it up for you)  I don't remember seeing Chris the rest of the evening.  

​Let's wander a bit.  ​

CARROM

WE APPARANTLY SANCTIFIED LOITERING!

I believe this is a game room of sorts.  It is right off a dining area.  The fancy board game on the table is called Carrom.  These games were very popular before computers and "Mario" came on the scene.  Ludington Mi, was the home of Carrom.

Plenty of places to sit and commiserate.  All solid wood and fine leather.  It was a warm, cozy atmosphere for such a large house.  

Our Reception!
Wine beer, and various hors d'œuvres were served.  

Is that a jug of private Hooch in front of Vic?  That's OK, with this group it won't be private for long!

Here Karen Bouril, Vic Schiegg and Nancy Parker puzzle over a metal device next to the wall?  Vic is faking this interest as he tries to distract the group from the fact that he is hiding his hooch in plain sight.

Time to relax and have a some fun!

I don't know what Paul said but John Magnusson thinks it's kinda funny.  Of course, at this point, John Magnusson thinks EVERYTHING  is funny!

Can two adults sit in one chair?  
YES!  
​But only "questionable" adults!

I think it is safe to say
​"WE ALL HAD A BLAST!"

And so we close day One!
This picture is a peek into our next day in Ludington.  We will cover that in next week's Picuresque release.  
​STAY TUNED!

Rally at the Courthouse PUB in Manitowoc

OK, has everyone gone to the bathroom??
​

Goodbye Manitowoc

Talking "Ship"

To her relief, Barb spotted land.  
"Looks like we are going to make it  to the other side."  
​
Gary says - "Whatever!"
​

ARRIVAL IN LUDDINGTON!

To Barb's credit . . . here is the Ludington MI lighthouse!

WOW! It appears we will land at the Yacht Club.  Wonder how long
it takes to find a parking spot!

There is a good spot, why not park there?

Looks like we're going to park in that crappy old spot there next to that beat up old boat!  I like the yacht club better - what do you think?

Everyone is looking at the "Spartan"  It's a boat that is a twin to the SS Badger - it has seen better days.  I'm pretty sure if it was in Wisconsin it would have been in a recycle bin years ago.  Of course, by now, the Badger would be there too . .. twins again!

Awaiting our ride to the Ludngton House.  Do we get there?  Tune in next week and find out!

                                   ---Lynn's note to me ----
Lynn Wallen
Jul 13, 2025, 6:34 PM (16 hours ago)

Hi Harv,
For those who can access past episodes of John McGivern’s Main Streets series on Wisconsin PBS, Episode 12 of Season 4 is about Ludington.

Thanks Lynn!
Cheers, Harv

        ----  No need to search - we present that episode here for you -----
​
​

MidwestLiving

See How One Man Made Moss the Star of His Magical Woodland Garden
Many homeowners view moss as a pesky nuisance, but one retired professor in Wisconsin has made it his muse.
By 
Teresa Woodard
 
 
Published on May 4, 2025

DALE SIEVERT

Dale Sievert is no stranger to awe-inspiring gardens. On visits to more than 100 countries, he has seen Kyoto’s famous temple gardens in Japan and Tivoli’s Villa d’Este in Italy. Yet it was a drive in 2005 to an obscure location just 200 miles from his home that most changed his life. “I almost didn’t take the trip,” the retired economics professor says. “It ended up being the most important garden trip in my life.”

Dale Sievert sits on a retaining wall made of repurposed railroad ties in his Waukesha, Wisconsin, garden. (IMAGE) Bob Stefko

The destination was Foxfire Gardens in Marshfield, Wisconsin, where a Japanese garden caught his eye. “It had a small moss garden,” he says, “maybe only 8 feet by 15 feet, under some trees. Some dappled sunlight came through and hit brightly on a few spots. It absolutely floored me.” Today, he experiences the same sense of wonder in his own Waukesha, Wisconsin, backyard—a lush masterpiece created over two decades. Here, mosses carpet earth mounds, line stream banks, fill hundreds of containers and envelop even more stones. “After a rain, moss is irresistible,” he says, “especially with a little backlighting.”

Cultivating moss (such as yellow yarn moss, pictured) on soil or stones mounded in containers is a great beginner project. (IMAGE) Bob Stefko

​Easily overlooked, mosses have played a critical evolutionary role. In fact, they were the original land plants. Over 450 million years, they’ve survived drastic climate changes, including multiple ice age cycles. Today, there are 12,000-some species, adapted to thrive on every continent, from snowy mountains to hot deserts. Mosses (and their cousins, liverworts and hornworts) are classified as bryophytes—the plant world’s second-most diverse group. Unlike other land plants, they don’t have flowers or roots and multiply largely through spores rather than seeds. When Dale first started collecting mosses in 2006, he tried all kinds—up to 40 different species. Some fizzled out, especially those transplanted from different soil conditions. “Around here, we have slightly alkaline conditions that not all mosses tolerate,” he says, pointing to others that have succeeded, including common tree-skirt moss, fern moss, baby tooth moss and his favorite, yellow yarn moss. In his passion, Dale embraces Moss Gardening author George Schenk’s philosophy: “Every John and Jane grows grass. Only Nature’s chosen grow moss.” Over the years, Dale has patiently mastered the technical aspects of nurturing moss, including light, soil and water requirements; the different surfaces mosses grow on; and the pH conditions required. In establishing his garden, he has also diligently tackled maintenance challenges of clearing debris, pulling weeds and protecting the landscape from animal damage. Each year he adds another project, large or small. There’s a sunken garden with a stone grotto. A terraced hillside woodland garden. A patio lined with a cobblestone wall. Benches built of paired boulders and rustic slabs. A tabletop balanced on twisted stumps. And, hearkening to his original inspiration, a 5,000-square-foot Japanese garden. Anywhere and everywhere, moss flourishes.

When visitors arrive at Dale Sievert's home, they encounter a mossy entry garden by the driveway—a mere taste of what's to come. (IMAGE) Bob Stefko

When Dale hosts tours for local groups or The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program, visitors often arrive with perceptions of moss as the menace of trophy lawns and brick walkways. Yet he always converts new fans as he extols moss’s virtues, both aesthetic and ecological—erosion control, rainwater filtration, carbon sequestration, and moisture- and nutrient-holding capability. That rehydration power, in particular, makes mosses ideal for Dale’s traveling lifestyle. They can lose 98 percent of their moisture and still survive in a dormant state almost indefinitely, restoring themselves when water is plentiful. As he travels, Dale is constantly spotting mosses, whether beautifully manicured specimens at the Ōbai-in Temple in Japan or scrappy street mosses in Guatemala, Norway or New Zealand. Luckily, his companions are sympathetic to his passion. “If you travel with me,” he says wryly, “you’re going to hear a lot about moss.”