The Villa Louis presented the “War of 1812 in Wisconsin – the Battle of Prairie du Chien” the only War of 1812 battlefield within the present-day boundaries of Wisconsin.

British-led forces decended upon Prairie du Chien after word spread of a growing American presence there, and the establishment of Fort Shelby.

The battle lasted for two and a half days.

The Villa Louis historic site presented the battle twice, Saturday and Sunday, as part of a two day event on St. Feriole Island.

In the end…Outnumbered, the American forces surrendered as British forces began preparing “hot shot” to fire upon the fort.

The Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce’s annual fireworks display was Saturday, June 11th. These video clips were shot on St. Feriole Island.

Pete’s Hamburgers celebrated 100 years in business over the 4th of July weekend. In addition to serving thousands of hamburgers, Pete’s also celebrated with prize giveaways, live music, caricatures, and a silent auction.

Pete’s Hamburger Stand was started in 1909 by Pete Gokey. A detailed history can be found on Pete’s Hamburgers’ website.

Pete’s Hamburgers is currently located on Blackhawk Avenue in downtown Prairie du Chien.

Sunny skies shined on the 2009 Grant County Dairy Breakfast held on Sunday, June 14 at the Blakes Prairie Fairgrounds in Bloomington, WI.  An all you can eat breakfast including pancakes, ham, applesauce, Wisconsin cheese, pudding, coffee, and milk was served from 7am to noon.  Ice cream cones were also available free of charge from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board booth.  Prices were $4 for adults and $1 for children with children under 6 eating for free. Dozens of door prizes were awarded including a wide variety of Wisconsin and imported cheeses and Martha’s Hot Mustard.

The day’s activities included free blood pressure checks from Grant Regional Health Center, a petting zoo and free balloons for the children, and a display of antique and modern farm machinery.

[View with PicLens]

Work will begin Monday (June 15) on Porter’s Bridge, as it’s called, on Highway 35/81 between Bloomington and Lancaster in Grant County. That section of the highway will be closed until the work is done. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation expects the project to last until mid-October.

The bridge is being replaced and new pavement will be placed on the approach to the bridge.

The detour around the construction utilizes County N, County U, and Highway 81.

[View with PicLens]

During his illness, Joe’s body could no longer produce healthy blood cells, so blood transfusions became a way of life. “He was always so grateful to get the blood transfusion because they temporarily helped him feel better and allowed him to have a better quality of life. Blood transfusions were a true gift of life for Joe,” said his daughters, Shari Christ and Denise Ocker. One of the last things Joe wrote included the following thought, “Do something for others – it makes you feel good.”

Shari and Denise, along with their mother, Sharon, and family friend, Cathy Mahaffey, developed and organize the event. Back around Christmas, Cathy donated blood in honor of Joe as a “gift” to Denise. From there, the idea grew into the organization of the blood drive. While recalling the moments of creating the event, they said, “We reminisced, cried, laughed and thought about what Joe was really about. He cared about people. He loved his family, grandchildren and friends and loved helping others.”

This is the first year for the event, which the organizers plan on hosting annually. They are hoping for a good turnout. “Our goal is 75 units,” says Ocker, “If you are unable to make a blood donation in Prairie, pledge to donate in your area and let us know so we can add your donation to our grand total.”

The Joe Horsfall Memorial Blood Drive is Saturday, June 13th, from 9am – 2pm, at the Prairie du Chien Town Hall across from Cabela’s. Walk-in’s are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a time.

Carquest Auto Parts celebrated their new location and expansion with free hamburgers and brats and 99-cent quarts of oil. The Prairie du Chien business recently moved from their previous location on Marquette Road to what used to be the NAPA Auto Parts building on Blackhawk Avenue.

The expansion of the existing building and property adds room for additional product and customer parking space.

The Voyageur is the fourth of more than two dozen planned life sized bronze statues placed in the park next to the Villa Louis on St. Feriole Island. Each statue is created and installed at a price of about $90,000 each.

The Mississippi River Sculpture Park highlights the lives of the people that helped shape Prairie du Chien and the Upper Mississippi River Valley.  Sculpture artist Florence Bird says, “This is our story and it continues as we live it today. And each sculpture does not stand alone but is connected with each other sculpture to form a group which tells more than the individual stories.”

Voyageurs were men hired especially to paddle the canoes and work on the long river trips that the fur traders, explorers and missionaries undertook. Most of these men were French Canadians, many of them familiar with the riverways and the frontier.

An unveiling ceremony for “The Voyageur” is scheduled for 3pm Saturday, May 30th. The proram features a historical voyageur performance by Michael Douglass of the Villa Louis and genuine French-Canadian voyageur songs performed by Michael Rangel and Collin Stiemke.