Tag: Wausau

Hey Mom! Let’s Go Outside and Play!

Mom probably likes flowers, perfume and candy.  But you know the gift she really wants  this Mother’s Day is time with you.  Remember when she taught you how to love playing outside?  This year, return the favor.  The Wausau, WI area is flush with great outdoor spots to enjoy.  See what mom needs to make her outdoor adventures complete (we can help if you need ideas ) and cap off a great gift with time together doing something you both love.

Gift ideas (with each photo) and a list of nearby campgrounds, boat launches, hiking and bike trails, disc golf courses and tennis courts is just a click away.  But click quick, then get outside!  Happy Mother’s Day mom, from all of us at Shepherd & Schaller 🙂

 

 

Hip Gifts for Lovers of the Outdoors and Those Who Are Simply Hip

You have discerning taste and we do too.  We know you’re after thoughtfully designed, sourced and produced goods that make your life better while improving someone else’s too.  (American companies, with goods made in the USA a most of the time too!) What’s fresh, hip and trending now at Shep’s?  These and more:

Founded in the Pacific Northwest in 1993, KAVU has been around. Their wide range of men’s and women’s clothing, hats, bags, sunglasses, and accessories are crafted for what they call a KAVU Day – your version of the perfect outing, whatever it is that leaves you exhilarated and fully alive. Durability and comfort are a big part of it, of course.  But they know all about style, too, with outdoor-ready clothing that brilliantly blends function and fashion so you can rough it up all day, then wash out the trail grit and wear it to your favorite watering hole that night – and look good doing it.

In 1990, Kühl® introduced the Jacquard jacket, a signature Euro-styled Polartec® fleece top that featured the first – the original – innovative thumb-loop cuff system and lightweight underarm gussets for comfort and optimal climate control. This top gained cult status in the outdoor community and went on to win the Polartec® Apex Award. More awards and devotees would follow as Kühl® continued to pioneer and produce. Kühl® is independently owned and financed and its ideas are inspired by the founders’ intrepid lifestyle and those with whom they share it. Kühl® currently designs and manufactures top-selling pants, shirts, and more found in the best outdoor retailers nationwide.

Pendleton has a long, colorful history in their well known shirts and blankets.  You can see and feel the Pendleton passion for quality. See it in the intricate patterns of blankets inspired by Native American designs and legends. Feel it in the softness of the lightweight, luxurious 100% pure virgin wool clothing we produce. They’ve been a family-owned business for 150 years, and for 104 of those years they’ve been weaving world class woolens in their Northwest Mills. We like things that are Made in the USA.  You?

Remember the green bottle your dad or grandpa always carried on fishing trips or on his way to work? It probably had a few scratches on it, may have even been dropped once or twice, yet despite the abuse, it always kept coffee hot… for hours. That’s the legendary Stanley bottle.

Today, the Stanley brand offers a wide range of superior food and beverage gear that fuels your adventures from work to play. Committed to our core pillars of durability, relevance and heritage, just as we have been for the past 100 years, we build products that are built to last. Designed to outperform and outlast even in the toughest conditions, we’re dedicated to a simple promise, buy Stanley products, and get quality gear, built for life.

The Stanley brand is headquartered in Seattle, WA, home of Mt Rainier and the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix.  Surrounded by mountains, evergreens, and the Puget Sound, they live and breathe the outdoors and interlock passion for the environment and community in everything they do. Products are designed in Seattle, WA where research and development pioneers innovative designs. Globally distributed, Stanley products are ethically manufactured with partner factories in Asia.

To learn more about Stanley’s parent company, Seattle-based Pacific Market International (PMI), click here.

 

 

 

 

 

The extraordinary journey of two friends, Jim Stott and Jonathan King, who were waiters, cooks and avid gardeners, has captured the interest of many and the loyalty of every employee. From the beginning, the company was based on ideals born out of Maine: unspoiled beauty, wholesomeness, a sense of community. It is a testament to the art of preserve making and the growing public interest in wholesome, quality and tasty ingredients. “If you really produce a high quality item, you’ll be successful.” That’s the secret according to Jim and Jonathan.

The demand soon outpaced the production capacity of the small cottage kitchen, so they purchased an old 1700s barn in Kittery, Maine which they renovated to become the company’s “headquarters” for a short couple years before they moved to an even larger space in York and renovated an old community grocery store. A buzzer announced customers in the retail area of the facility. All day long it would clamor: “buzz, buzz, buzz,” while Jim and Jonathan were busy mixing and pouring ingredients out back, packing boxes, and answering phones. Then someone mentioned they should attend the Fancy Food Show in NYC. Having never been to New York City, they literally were two fish out of the [Maine] water when they made their first appearance at the 1995 Fancy Food Show — a tradeshow that attracts 1,100 exhibitors and 36,000 buyers, the Oscars of the specialty food industry. But low and behold, Stonewall Kitchen brought home an unprecedented award for first time attendees: Outstanding Jam for Roasted Garlic Onion Jam and a second highest honor award, for Outstanding Product Line. They left NYC with 500 orders from retailers across the country.

 

Chandler 4 Corners:   Chandler 4 Corners is about life… and life styles. Their hand-hooked wool pillows, rugs and furniture accent homes with items loved in a quick moment then destined to become honored heirlooms. Everyone at C4C lives the lifestyles portrayed in their designs: hike, ski, fish. They spend sunny afternoons on the lake, delight in families, dream of Santa, and of course, cherish dogs.  Celebrate the tender moment. Remember the past with a bit of nostalgia, but also a gigantic smile. Rejoice in the small, and the familiar.

Man Candles:  Masculine scents in recycled soup cans.  “Bacon” “Grandpa’s Pipe” “Sawdust” “Campfire” “Coffee” “Fresh Cut Grass”  Which to try first?  Man Cans was started in November of 2010 by then 13-year-old Hart Main based on a unique idea that came to him when his sister was selling candles for a school fundraiser.  The thought was “Why don’t people sell candles with scents that men like?”  Little did he know that an idea of selling man scented candles would lead to an opportunity to feed so many people.  The can was his choice for a container because he didn’t want a manly scented candle in a glass jar, just like everyone else was doing.   The company buys cans of soup which are donated to soup kitchens, washed and returned to be filled with the uniquely scented wax.  When you buy a Man Can you get a quality candle made of natural wax and you’re helping feed people who need a little extra help.

Trails Natural Soap:  Giving back is something we all can do.  So says the founder of Trails Natural Soap who created a line of products that not only nourish your skin with all natural vegan ingredients that are good enough to eat, your mind through the benefits of aromatic essential oils, but also our communities with 10% of their profits from each bar being donated to support a particular charity that bar has been specially handcrafted to honor.  The Appalachian Trail.  Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Hospice Foundation of America. Heifer International.  Crossfit for Hope.  The Girl Scouts of the USA.  And more.  Athletes (CrossFitters, Hikers, Runners, Bikers, Skiers, etc.) spend so much time eating right, supplementing bodies with protein shakes, amino acids, and fish oil, that we sometimes fail to realize the importance of treating our skin the same way.  Trails Natural takes care of your skin for you.  And campers – check out the Outside the Box- Bug & Outdoor Soap with Citronella, Eucalyptus, and Tea Tree oils to naturally repel bugs and make you smell great! 10% of the profits go to support Heifer International.   Soap for Hope, one bar at a time.

 

 

We’d Like to Thank The Academy….

A big Thank You to the readers of the Wausau Daily Herald who voted us Wausau’s favorite Outdoor Shop.

We’ve worked hard to earn your trust since 1949, and we remain committed to making our founders proud of our community involvement, customer service, product selection, and shopping environment in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin and online.

Some call us a “Ski Shop”, others a “Bike Shop”, and there are a few who still say “Sporting Goods.”  We’re all that and a whole lot more. And it’s a blast changing our product mix to suit our region’s ever changing tastes along with the demand for our expert product selection and service online.  So stay tuned!

“We would like to thank our mothers, our fathers, the big guy upstairs and all of those who didn’t believe that a little shop in northern Wisconsin could hold it’s own next to the big shops in the big cities for so long.  It made us try harder to believe in ourselves.  We’re going to Disney World!” – The Sheps Crew

 

Wausau’s Sporting Goods Store

Allen Shepherd and Stan Schaller opened their sporting goods store in downtown Wausau in 1949.   The store is still family owned and operated.  Here’s a little walk down memory lane.

 

Recommended Bike Commuting Gear for Rookies

The Wausau area just got a little bike friendlier with the recent introduction of a community-wide system of 622 bicycle route signs. Finally!  Perhaps you’re thinking that a bike could replace some of the miles you log in a car each day.  So do you need any special gear to make commuting a genuine part of your routine?  There are a few pieces of equipment that are absolute necessities.  And a few more to up the convenience and comfort factor.

The necessities

Bike – Obviously.  While there are some seriously cool commuter-specific bikes available it doesn’t really matter what kind of bike you have as long as you’re comfortable. You want to ride a titanium frame racer? Great! A dual-suspension downhill mountain bike? Good for you. A beach cruiser? Cool! As long as you are comfortable riding the bike, ride what you want. Just make sure the bike fits you well, is comfortable and in good working order.  If shopping for  a new bike makes sense, proceed with caution with regard to department store bikes. Some brands you will find at department stores use lower level components which are not easily exchanged or upgraded. Other brands, however, can be upgraded with new parts and easily customized to make your commute comfy and efficient.

The Diamondback Insight is a hybrid with a host of features that commuters really appreciate. Shep’s price is $ 449.99

Find a reputable bike shop (preferably locally owned and operated by someone who rides where you do) and speak to someone who can explain the benefits of different bicycles.

Helmet – This is a non-negotiable item. Consider this a very inexpensive insurance policy against head injuries. A helmet is not a magic wand that will keep you from sustaining any injuries, but it can protect you from potentially serious injury that will ruin your day, commute, and possibly much more. Shepherd & Schaller’s adult helmets start at only $35.  The investment is worth the price.

Lights –  Lights are a must in twilight hours, not to mention in the dark. Unless you are able to commute both directions in daylight, and the weather is never dark or stormy where you live, you need lights.  You should have a good bright white light for the front, and at least one red light in the back (preferably one that can be set to flash to be better noticed). Some commuters swear by two lights up front; one bright fixed beam and one flashing LED. The flashing lights are supposed to draw a driver’s attention to the fact that you exist. Some communities, including Wausau, WI, even require lights between dawn and dusk, or longer.

Basic Repair Tools – A patch kit, spare tube, tire irons and an air pump (make sure it’s appropriate for the valves on your particular tubes – Presta or Schroeder ). Having these things with you, and knowing how to use them, will allow you to get yourself going again quickly after a breakdown. Forget them, and you may find yourself hoofing it.

Something to carry your stuff – Backpack, messenger bag, rack and panniers, basket on the front or back of the bike, trailer. Really, it doesn’t matter. There are many, many options out there.

A rack with panniers is a great way to carry gear while keeping your weight balanced.

Many backpacks, panniers and messenger bags are made to be truly waterproof, which could be important as well as convenient.  Be aware that how you carry your gear may affect your balance and the overall ride. If you can test options out with your typical load it will help you decide how to best carry your things.

Lock – Unless you have a place that provides secure storage for your bike, you’ll want a good lock.  Cable locks and light chains come in different weights and will make a thief’s task difficult.  Invest in a heavy-duty (and heavy) U-lock such as those made by Kryptonite if your bike is especially attractive to thieves to further reduce risk.

Knowledge of traffic laws applicable to cycling – Most are the same as the rules that apply to motorists, but there are some differences. Know them and follow them. You can be given a ticket for breaking them.

Optional Items

Special clothing – You can ride in your work clothes. In fact, if it’s a short ride, it may be preferable. If you have a longer ride, bike specific clothing will add comfort and performance, and doesn’t always fit like a glove or glow in the dark (although reflective features are a really good idea, if only on your shoes.)  Padded bike shorts are often the first thing commuters add to their shopping bag.

Rain Gear – Something to keep you dry from the outside, and preferably something that vents well to keep you dry on the inside as well.  Most rain jackets and pants roll-up or stuff into a self-pocket for storage that doesn’t take up much room.  Again, reflective hits on rain gear make you visible to motorists.

Fenders – These are great to keep the road muck off your clothing in the rain. If you choose to commute in your street clothes these may move into the necessity category if you hope to avoid going into that business meeting or classroom with a stripe of mud up your back.

Water bottle or “hydration system” – A ride of just a few blocks probably won’t require this, but it’s always good to have something to satisfy your thirst as you ride. For longer commutes, it will become more of a necessity.

Bell – Or a horn.  It’s not only polite to let pedestrians and other riders know you’re coming up behind them, your bell can improve your safety.

With so many resources at your fingertips, bike commuting may be the easiest new habit you adopt.  If you have more commuting questions or concerns, commutebybike.com is your next stop.

Shepherd & Schaller’s professional bike shop specializes in customization and will install your bike new accessories for free. (those you buy from us) Plus, meet with Pete for fit adjustments and one-on-one advise to plan your commute in all the weather that Wisconsin offers.