Monticello Community Education

We will start our day in the tiny village of Afton, MN at the historic Afton House Inn overlooking the St. Croix River Valley. There are a few small shops near the Inn for you to explore. 11:15 a.m. Enjoy dining in the Wheel Room or Pennington Room. This modern property is filled with antique ambiance. Menu: Chicken Crepes served with Rice Pilaf, Fresh Vegetables, Rolls and Butter, Coffee or Hot Tea. After lunch there will be a chocolate tasting. If Bed & Breakfast rooms are not occupied, visitors are able to view the unique rooms. 12:45 a.m. Leave Afton for a Chocolate Tasting at the Phipps Inn. It is a luxurious 1884 Victorian mansion nestled in the charming setting of Hudson's historic Third Street. Step through the door and back across one hundred years into a more graceful era of sparkling chandeliers and finely crafted furnishings. 2:00 p.m. Leave for the Outing Lodge at Pine Point. The final chocolate tasting is in a stately European country home of the 19th century, surrounded by 360 acres of wooded rolling farmland. The Lodge was renovated in the 1980’s with a reverence for its historic past; thus, it retains a certain simplicity in the architecture of its interiors. In the common area, wide-planked wooden floors and paneling cut from 100-year-old pine and fir beams, proudly show all their cracks and imperfections, providing an enchanting backdrop for the elegant Early American and European Antique Furnishings. Numerous candelabra and seven massive fireplaces give it the feeling of a more Grand, bygone era. 3:00 p.m. Leave Outing Lodge and head for home. Registration deadline is Monday, October 12. Trip departs Eastview at 9:15 AM and returns around 4:30 PM

We will start our day at 6:00 AM. Stopping at a rest area in Menomonie WI. 9:30 a.m. Have the Lefse Omelet Wrap (included) at The Norske Nook in Osseo, WI 12:15 a.m. Arrive at the International Crane Foundation, Baraboo. Motorized carts are available. After introduction, be seated for a 20-minute video. Then two guides will give a tour along the pathway. It is the only place in the world where you can see all fifteen crane species. ICF has gained acclaim as one of the world's leaders in the conservation of endangered species. Learn about the techniques used to preserve some of the rarest birds in the world. The tour is about an hour with time in the gift store and the Donnelley Building. They have the chick cam and other educational exhibitions. There are many trails for guests to walk along. 3:30 p.m. Check into the Holiday Inn Express, Ft. Atkinson. 5:15 p.m. Seating for dinner begins. Enjoy the Thursday Evening Signature Buffet - Sample Menu: Chef Carved Beef Tenderloin and Roasted Breast of Turkey, Barbecued Pork Back Ribs, Chicken Kona Kai, Fresh Norwegian Salmon, Sweet Potato Souffle, Whipped Idaho Potatoes, Bouquetierre of Garden Vegetables, Shrimp and Scallops Marinara, Chicken Parmesan, Polynesian Pork Tenderloin, and Swedish Meat Balls. Your Buffet is accompanied by our Signature Aloha Salad, Freshly Baked Breads, Southern Pecan Pie, and Coffee, Tea or Milk served at your table. 7:00 p.m. Groups are seated in the theater. 7:30 p.m. Showtime. Performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, one of the most popular musicals of the last 50 years. This telling of the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers is filled with great music, costumes, laughter, joy, and heart. Utilizing many different styles of music from pop/rock to country to musical comedy this sparkling show follows young Joseph as he faces adversity and triumphs through his dreams and his strong, unwavering faith. This show has entertained tens of millions of people around the world and is still one of Broadway’s shining stars 10:00 p.m. Estimated time of conclusion of show. Return to Hotel. Day Two: 7:45 a.m. Have bags ready for pick up and take time for breakfast (included) at the hotel. 8:30 a.m. Leave Ft. Atkinson, WI. 10:00 a.m. Arrive in North Freedom at the Mid-Continental Railway Museum. Spend time in the Coach Sheds that are filled with restored wooden passenger cars, freight cars and displays from the turn of the century. See examples of nationally renowned wood car restorations such as the Badger # 2 “Fish Car” the exquisite Art Nouveau-motif of the Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western # 63, the 1903-built Copper Range coach # 60. In the outdoor display yard, you can inspect steam locomotives up-close. There are nearly 40 train cars and locomotives on prominent. 11:15 a.m. Board the passenger train for a memorable ride in restored coaches built in 1915. An authentically attired conductor will call "all aboard!" before the train leaves from the historic depot, built in 1894. 12:45 p.m. Leave for lunch (included) at a nearby restaurant. 2:00 p.m. Leave Baraboo, WI. [65 Miles] 3:00 p.m. Stop at Humbird Cheese Store in Tomah, WI 3:30 p.m. Leave Tomah, WI [100 Miles] 5:00 p.m. Stop at a Fast Food Restaurant in Menomonie for supper (on own). 5:45 p.m. Leave Menomonie, WI. [100 Miles] Registration deadline is Monday, August 24.

Children are always on the move! Find out why movement and healthy plates are so important for building bodies and brains. Be prepared to dance, prance and move with your little one. Some calming yoga will help us wild down. We will visit the gym and the SMART room.

Start the day with a stop in Cold Springs, MN to have a cup of coffee and donut while you shop for baked goods at the Cold Springs Bakery. The company was started in1946 by Melvin and Floss Schurman. The present building was built in 1949 with several upgrades and additions throughout the years. Karen will board the bus for a welcome. 11:15 a.m. Arrive in the quaint village of New London for lunch at MJ’s Restaurant. Menu: Pot Roast Luncheon with Potatoes and Gravy, Vegetable, Rolls, Beverage and Pie. 12:30 a.m. After lunch, walk down the street a couple of blocks to Mill Pond Mercantile. (The motor coach can transfer passengers who don’t want to walk.) Find a large variety of gifts and home décor in the 4,000 square feet space. There is product created by local artists, gourmet foods, candles, kitchenware and much more. 1:30 p.m. Arrive at Glacial Ridge Winery for a tour and tasting. They will talk about the winery and usher you into the uniquely distinctive 'Barrel Room,' lounge area and the Tasting Room. You can purchase a wonderful assortment of wines from the vineyards, apples from the orchards and a variety of specialty gifts. 3:00 p.m. Leave the Glacial Ridge Scenic Region and head for home. Registration deadline is Tuesday, August 24. Trip departs Eastview at 9:15 AM and returns around 4:30 PM.