First of all, if you take a big breath at the time you see the first "Welcome to Tisch Mills - No Mayor, No City Council - Life is Good" and hold it to the point of passing an identical sign on the other end of this little burg, you won't even turn blue. I'd say "don't blink", but if you did, you'd miss a charming piece of our life out here in farmland.
This first view is of the building housing our bank and postoffice. I've mentioned the PO in early Wisconsin Snapshots - it is approximately 8 x 10, and resides in the back corner of the bank. I have never, ever had such magnificent service from Uncle Sam as I experience at this one-man PO. Closed from 12-1 for lunch.
The ladies at the bank have taken such wonderful care of me, especially since Dennis died. They feel like long time friends, and I can call them anytime - even from Phoenix ( I just didn't have the heart to tell them it was 85 degrees when they were still wearing heavy coats, fur-lined boots and wool scarves to work...)
Here is our favorite place, the Tisch Mills Mercantile. All I have to do is mention I'm going to run down to the Merc and every kid in the house heads for the door, "Can I go, can I go?" Janice and Tony are warm and welcoming, and always have a sucker for the boys. You can get deli sandwiches, thick sliced bacon and cheeses to order from Tony behind the deli counter, Tony's homemade bread, fresh fruit and veggies, the usual staple grocery supplies, milk and eggs, dog and cat food, basic OTC meds, laundry stuff, school supplies, odds and ends of "dry goods", locally produced arts and crafts, frozen stuff like pizza and popsicles, a staggering array of candies, beer (of course) and liquor (behind the counter), snacks like chips and jerky - if you need something, the Merc probably has it. I even take my dry-cleaning there; drop on Thurs. and pick up on Mon.. The dry cleaner in Mishicot runs this wonderful service for us farm folks who can't just run to town when we get a spot on our Sunday suit.
The older boys can ride their bikes to the Merc - which was a BIG step for mom. Remember the first time you let your kid ride off on their own? But boy is that handy when you need a pound of butter to make those cookies.
Max was with me last week, and as we were loading up to leave, Tony came around the corner, waved and moseyed over to say hi. After exchanging a few bits of local news (the Merc is the place to find out what's what and who's who), I shut the door and started the car. Max called out his window, "Bye, Tony, you take care of yourself." I just about choked on my ice cream cone - this 4-year old never fails to surprise me. And make me laugh!
On the opposite side of the road from the Merc, and kitty-corner from the bank (which is directly across the steet from the Merc), is the bar . No crossroad in Wisconsin lacks a bar of some sort. Now I have to admit, I have actually set foot in Fat Boyz. They have pretty good pizza to go, and a real deal on wings if you get there on time on Thurs. evenings. The clientele are - well, interesting. The bartender is a cute thing named Cheryl, she said "Hi there, beautiful" as I walked in and I was her slave for life.
Looking up the street past Fat Boyz, you will see the Fire Station, and the community baseball field - backstop, bleachers, concession shack, the works. During the summer, there are games going most any evening.
In an area where everything is "historic" (and looks like it, too), we aren't denied the pleasure of claiming a local "historic" site. It's across the street from Fat Boyz on one corner, and the bank on the other corner. I still am tracking down why the Forst Inn is considered historic, as they state on their sign. One of it's current claims to fame is housing the Little Sandwich Theatre - you order sandwiches and watch some pretty well reviewed live plays. Haven't made it to one yet, the last production was a little racy for my taste...but I hear the sandwiches are really good!
Speaking of historic - I love this old home next to the Merc. It is owned by one of the members of a long-time local family. It's starting to show it's age, needs some TLC. I think there is just one elderly man living there now. Wouldn't you just love to take a peek inside?!
Yep, Tisch Mills has a mill. The East Twin River (about 10 feet wide at this point) runs right behind it. This is where we get our layer feed, fresh ground. You can also get all kinds of farm supplies. The first time Brent stopped in to see if they had work gloves, they said, "We'll get you started on account, just put those gloves on the tab and anything you need during the month, then we'll send you your statement at the end of the month." They only knew he had bought the old Doyle place, but that's all it took to "belong" to the farm community out here! Have we mentioned, we LOVE the laid-back Wisconsin way of doing things?!
Here's where the surrounding farms take their grains at harvest. Some is sold, some is stored for them to get the following spring for seed or to retrieve during the winter for feed. During September through the middle of November, there is a pretty steady stream of trucks, tractors and trailers and gravity boxes hauling the harvest from 30 miles around into the grain elevators.
Other than about a dozen homes, that's all there is to Tisch Mills. But this little community of friendly folks and volunteer fire department put on a great little parade, hosts numerous ball games,organizes a Memorial Day cemetary ceremony with local school bands and the VA, has a Harvest Festival, hangs patriotic banners and flags or the 4th, strings cheerful holiday lights and decorations across the one and only intersection/stop sign at Christmas, and in general epitomizes the ideals of rural life. What more could we need??
And when you come out to visit, I'll treat you to a double-scoop of Cedar Crest ice cream at the Merc!
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