A lot of people in Appleton are adding granite or other stone to their homes, especially granite in the kitchen. If you're interested, there are several good suppliers in the area. We went with Darboy Stone and Brick and were quite impressed with their service, their excellent selection, and their prices. They seemed to have the largest selection of granite to choose from and an impressive shop for fabricating the stone to your specifications. Installation was rapid and well done. We went with Uba Tuba, a dark granite with a coarse grain and beautiful shine.

Every now and then I find a service so good that I have to give it a plug. This morning we completed a review of our taxes for 2006, prepared by Brandon Butler at Watermark Tax Service in Appleton (2555 E. Calumet Street, 920-734-2555). We had some complicated issues that Brandoned handled thoroughly and professionally, and the cost was about half what I expected. I tried Brandon Butler after a friend told me how he helped them get a significant refund that another tax service had missed, and I've heard of another person who had the same experience with him a while ago. I was impressed with his knowledge and experience, and left about as comfortable as one can be when faced with the ever growing bite of the voracious IRS. Thanks, Brandon!

This photo was taken from the Ninth Street Marina in Menasha on March 24, 2006.

I originally labeled this as "The Polish Connection," stating that it was the common name for the 441 bridge near Appleton that spans Little Lake Butte des Morts. But commenters have insisted that the Polish Connection is actually the interchange where 441 meets Highway 41 on the far side of the bridge in the photograph, where a rather awkward layout makes it difficult to go where you want to.

In either case, I've been told that the name reflects the heavy Polish heritage in the area. The Fox Cities have many people with ancestors from Germany, Holland, Poland, and Scandinavia. More recently, Laos has been added to the list, with several thousand Hmong people who came here seeking refuge from genocidal attacks for their assistance to the United States during the Vietnam War. There are other proud minorities in the area, of course, including a tiny handful of us with roots in the strange land of Scotland.

March is probably the ugliest time of the year for Appleton, and a difficult time for those who expect warm weather and lush green. Patience! Spring is coming, but slowly. I previously reported the return of blackbirds in mid-March. More recently, on March 24, I spotted robins back in the area. Yesterday, March 26, I also saw some kildeer. The birds are back and buds are about to spring into life on the trees - but there is still the possibility of more snow in the next few weeks. Right now, though, the ground is bare and vegetation a dull brown. Patience!

Appleton stands out among the cities in northeastern Wisconsin for its ban on smoking in public establishments. Many bars, taverns, and restaurants have complained that it has hurt business, and that former customers now go to other cities. Appleton residents will have a chance to consider easing up on the restrictions in a referendum vote on April 4, 2006. The proposed changes in the referendum passes are given in the Appleton.org document showing the question to appear on the ballot. I encourage you to think about it. According to that document, if you have questions you can call the city at (920) 832-6447.

My two cents? I am strongly against smoking, but feel that private property owners should have the right to determine if smoking is allowed on their property or not. Changing the rules on how a business can be run in midstream also seems unfair, especially when it gives an advantage to competitors in neighboring towns. If a restaurant wants to permit smoking, no one is forcing me to go there. On the other hand, non-smoking employees may be exposed to harmful levels of second-hand smoke, and it's a little harder to just tell an employee that if you don't like the air here, get a job somewhere else. It's a tough issue - but I prefer to air on the side of smaller government and fewer regulations, letting people vote with their feet instead of using force.

At church we had a chili dinner recently that I was in charge of. Lots of fun. A friend and I cooked up a couple different batches, and other Wisconsinites generated their own amazing mixtures. All this leads to a profound question for those who care about the important things in life: Who has the best chili in town?

A number of restaurants serve chili, but I'm still searching for the best. At the moment I think it may be Atlanta Bread Company. Or could it be Mary's or the Copper Rock? The cafeteria at Kimberly-Clark Corporation often has some great Wisconsin-style chili, served occasionally, but that's just for employees.

I did have two disappointing chili experiences recently that I need to report. The first involved Quiznos. While I love their sandwiches, their new steak and chili in a breadbowl has chunks of strange rubbery material that I could barely eat, but the manager there assured me that it was real beef of some kind that had been cut up and placed in the chili. Puzzling. Even apart from the disappointing "steak," the chili wasn't flavorful and the bread bowl itself was small and disappointing compared to Atlanta Bread's version of the same, though they both have about the same price.

The other chili disappointment was a new place, Roly-Poly on the north side of town. I like their wraps, but their chili tasted like it came out of a can of low-cost greasy chili. Not for me.

I'd like your opinions. Who has the best chili in town?

Songbirds have returned to Appleton. On Sunday, March 12, I noted that our beautiful red-winged blackbirds were beginning to trickle back to Appleton. These are among my favorite birds. They are territorial and work together to drive off larger predators like hawks and crows, often dive bombing or poking at their opponents as they flee.

Today I noted the songs of additional birds. Spring is about to erupt!

But it's still cold here. In fact, the past couple of days we had some strong winds and low temperatures, resulting in some unusual ice formations near the water. Here are some shots from the 9th Street Boat Ramp in Menasha, looking out over Little Lake Butte des Morts (taken March 15, 2006). (Click to enlarge.)

One of my favorite things about Appleton is the rich selection of musical opportunities for young people. Last Sunday, for example, both of my sons had the privilege of performing in the Fox Valley Youth Symphony at Lawrence University (one son is shown above while playing the cello in the event). There are many fine groups and instructors to choose from, and strong support in the schools. The strong music program at Lawrence University is certainly a major factor in creating this culturally rich environment.

Tomorrow night (Sunday, March 12), the Wisconsin Honors Band for middle school students will perform at Lawrence Chapel at 7:00 PM. Should be another great program.

Here are three more photos for the Third Appleton Mystery Photo Contest to give you a head start.

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#7:

Last night's performance of the Fox Valley Youth Symphony at the Performing Arts Center featured a cello solo by Thaddeus (Tad) Lietz, a senior at Appleton East High School. If you heard a recording of Tad's beautiful performance of Gabriel Fauré's Elegy (Op. 24), you would never know that Tad holds his bow with his foot, compensating for a missing arm.

Tad's life is an amazing story of overcoming incredible odds. He was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and adopted in 1990 by some of Appleton's finest, Jeff and Mary Lietz. He was missing an arm, severely malnourished, weighing only 16 pounds at age 3 and unable to hear or walk at that time. After getting much-needed help and nourishment, his parents soon noticed that he had a love of music, for he was drawn to the speakers when music from the radio was playing. The young child would sway to the music.

Tad began studying cello in fourth grade, developing the use of his leg instead of an arm for bowing. It amazes me that he can do this and play so well. He's received national attention for his accomplishment and has served as a national patient representative for Shriners Hospitals. He plans to continue with the cello for a career.

Congratulations to Tad Lietz, a great example not just to all of us here in Appleton but to many others as well.

(In the photo, Gary Wolfman is directing the Youth Symphony. Click to enlarge.)

On my Appleton Consumer's Guide, I have some recommendations about where to get photos developed. Now I have an important update: if you use a digital camera, a helpful online resource to consider is AppletonDigital.com, offered by a local Appleton resident that I know. I've seen a beautiful large framed photo produced through that service and will try it out myself. Amazingly, they can do 4 x 6 prints at a significantly lower price than even Wal-Mart offers.

Interested in hiring a professional photographer? Appleton has some fine photographers and great studios. One pro that I know well is Will Croff of Will Croff Photography, LLC. His professional emphasis is on commercial photography (e.g., food photography). You have almost certainly seen some of his marvelous work with flowers on the beautiful boxes of a world-famous tissue product - I just love what he achieves with flowers. But he also does people and other topics. He can be reached at w_croff at yahoo.com, or call him at 920-739-9123. Will also does great work with animals, as shown on his other Website, PoochiePortraits.com. Be sure to tell him that Jeff sent you!

Here are two more photos for the third Appleton Mystery Photo Contest: