Maple & Main

The Rumor Mill Keeps Turning...

Posted by Curt Otto on Oct. 6, 2011

There have been a few things happening in old downtown Waukesha that are worth mentioning…

For starters, there is a rumor floating around that wedding bells have recently rung and a certain downtown art teacher may have gotten himself married to a certain other downtown business owner. I’m not really sure how these stories get started or why anyone would want to devote their time to this type of gossip, but I guess it’s just part of living in a little downtown where everybody has to know everybody else’s business. What ever happened to people just asking?

I noticed that the regular street light on the corner of Clinton and Main Street has been replaced by what looks like an LED light substitute. I want to go on record as saying our existing street lights down here need to be replaced desperately and if this is the route they are going, I support it fully. LED is cheaper to operate, lasts longer, and will be easier to maintain.

I was running a thirty day test of the City of Waukesha. The thirty days are over and the results are disappointing- so disappointing that I thought I would extend the test an additional thirty days. I got the same results. So (stick with me on this) I am extending the test till the end of the year. If you can’t wait that long and the anticipation is killing you, buy me a beer at the Nice Ash. I will tell you what the test is.

I went to the Little Swiss Clock Shop on Saturday to get my watch fixed. If you have never been there, I highly recommend stopping in to browse. They have a stunning collection of clocks- everything from small desk clocks to incredibly intricate grandfather clocks. Consider a clock for a one of a kind wedding gift or an interesting focal point in your own home.

After something like 300 years in business, Larry Waters will be retiring from his downtown carpet store on the far west end of Main Street. Mr. Waters installed the carpet in my art school and after 7 years of oil paint, pastel dust, and constant traffic, it is still holding up very well. We all wish him the best and will dearly miss the Tom and Jerrys he would serve during the Christmas parade.

And finally...While you are downtown this Saturday morning, enjoying one of the last nice days of the year, be sure to stop into Otto's Art Academy and say "hi" (bring donuts as well). We have busy morning classes and our artist love to showcase their work to visitors. Why not make it a weekend and grab a room at the Clarke Hotel (bring a lunch- I hear the kitchen is closed), then wake up Sunday with a bloody mary from Sprizzo Gallery Cafe before endulging yourself in "Diva Day".

Just a thought.