Visit to Turtle Lake! May 26-30, 2018

Cousins from two Leisz branches meet! Leisz Brother Frank's grandson Allen Leisz (b. 1945) and Denise Leisz (b. 1954), granddaughter of Leisz Brother Joseph, enjoy a day tooling around Turtle Lake together. With Al as the driver/tour guide, and Denise his passenger, the two cousins visited surrounding lakes, towns and taverns—and even made a surprise visit with second cousin Larry Raffesberger, grandson to Leisz Brother Michael (scroll down for more about Al and Denise's visit with cousin Larry).

Staff at the retro Coca-Cola-themed New Frontier Diner in Turtle Lake have an old-fashioned menu with many daily specials, homemade pies and friendly, attentive staff. Al and Denise stopped there for lunch and couldn't have dined at a better place. Check out today's specials menu HERE. See what we mean about old-fashioned cooking?! This is one place NOT TO MISS when you're in Turtle Lake. 

Get a load of this REAL old-fashioned soda fountain treat! At the New Frontier Restaurant in Turtle Lake, Denise and 2nd cousin Al Leisz each enjoyed a malted milk shake with whipped cream, all made with real hard ice cream—just like in the old days! Mmmmm

Denise connected with a local customer (because of his tee shirt) at Roxie's Bar & Grill in Almena, just up the road from Turtle Lake. Lots of Leisz's live there too. Check out Roxie's annual event at right, where locals enjoy Rocky Mountain oysters to their heart's content. Re this photo, both Denise and this unnamed gentleman worked at the old Red Barn fast food burger chain as teenagers—and remember the catchy jingle, "When the hungries hit, hit the Red Barn!"

The testys are served up at 5 pm promptly at this annual even that has gained quite the reputation as far as unique food fests go! The yearly chow-down is hosted by Roxanne Baker Kennedy at the tavern she owns in Almena. Be sure to stop by and see Roxie when you're in the Turtle Lake area.

These hunting trophies greet shoppers at Austad's Supervalu grocery store in Turtle Lake. For those of us who are city folks, this display, while impressive, can draw a double take from folks more accustomed to purchasing their meat and seafood in a different form.

Jan Davis (right) with the Greater Turtle Lake Area Association (GTLAA) welcomes Denise Leisz, granddaughter of Leisz Brother Joseph, on Saturday, May 26th. Denise and Jan are among the planners for the upcoming Sep. 2018 Leisz Family Reunion. Denise drove to Turtle Lake from her home in Sheboygan, Wis. to finalize plans for the reunion with local family members and business owners. Jan and Denise are shown here outside the Turtle Lake Museum.

Dave Skrupky, a volunteer with the Turtle Lake Museum, joined with Jan Davis to give Denise a walking tour of downtown Turtle Lake on Saturday afternoon, May 26. Dave recounted past events such as a bank robbery, and train crashes at the old depot. A retired school teacher, Dave and his wife Diane are well schooled in local history. 

Siblings John Stary and Marcia Stary Kalisz stopped by the Turtle Lake Hotel Bar & Grill, and happened upon Jan, Dave and Denise on their walking tour. The Starys owned the Cornwall & Stary Hardware Store, established in 1916 until it closed in 2016. Years ago the hardware store housed a mortician in the basement, who prepared bodies of the deceased for viewing in a floor room at the store. When a body arrived at the store, it was brought in the back door, and a long flat board was placed on the stairs, on which the body was slid down to the basement level for embalming.

Railroads play a pivotal role in Turtle Lake history. That's because the town was at the crossroads of two railroad lines—a north/south one for transporting lumber from Northern Wisconsin to Chicago and other major building markets. And the second line, an east/west one, transported crops grown locally to the Twin Cities for milling.

Jim's Dairy Store on Route 8 in Turtle Lake features locally made culinary treats and ships across the nation. AMPI butter is made by the Associated Milk Producers, Inc. Local folks claim it's the best butter you ever tasted!

On her way to Turtle Lake, Denise stopped in Chippewa Falls, Wis., a charming little town. There she visited 2nd cousin Mike Leisz (grandson of Leisz Brother Michael) and his wife Julie. Thanks for the hospitality, Mike and Julie. Great place you've got there!