Goats may be the beasts that made Sister Bay famous, but Carlsville owes some of its recent fame to these creatures if the”Legend of the Dancing Goats” is true. On August 24th, at 2:00, the Door County Historical Society will bring Vicki Wilson, co-owner of Door County Coffee, to present the program: “The History of Coffee in America and its Modern Manufacture,” in the Collins Learning Center at Crossroads.
According to the story (which many researchers seriously question) an Ethiopian goatherd noticed that after eating a certain kind of berries, the goats in his flock were practically dancing with energy. These frisky goats apparently frolicked long into the night. So the man nibbled a few berries himself and discovered that the red and purple fruit–now known as coffee beans–really do make one feel more awake and energetic. Flash foreword two thousand or four hundred years (depending on which legend one believes) in Carlsville, and folks now are roasting those berries. And thanks to them, many Door County residents and visitors are more awake and energetic.
The authenticity of the dancing goat story can never be substantiated, but we have good records of the history of coffee in America. According to the National Coffee Association website: “In the mid-1600’s, coffee was brought to New Amsterdam, a location later called New York by the British. Though coffee houses rapidly began to appear, tea continued to be the favored drink in the New World until 1773 when the colonists revolted against a heavy tax on tea imposed by King George. The revolt, known as the Boston Tea Party, would forever change the American drinking preference to coffee.”
The quality and caffeine content of coffee varies wildly, depending on region of origina, the variety of coffee grown, methods of picking, precision of roasting….and obviously, the freshness.
In her program. Wilson will tell share the history of coffee in the Unties States and describe how it coffee is roasted right here in Door County.
Roasting (brats and marshmellows– not coffee, unless someone wants to experiment) will be taking place at the Council Ring at Crossroads on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 when the Friends of Crossroads will host Light the Fire for Crossroads. This gathering is designed to ignite the enthusiasm of our current volunteers and to introduce fall volunteer opportunities to those who share our mission.
Friends will provide plates, utensils, brats, condiments, chips, watermelon, lemonade, and marshmallows, and the equipment needed to roast them. They also will have a fire going at the Council Ring. Participants are welcome to bring personal beverages of choice. Please RVVP at 920-746-5895 or to Gretchen at grschmelzer6@gamil.com so organizers can have enough food on hand. This event is rain or shine. We will move into the Collins Learning Center if weather is uncooperative.
Wednesday, August 20
10:00 Family Program: Under the Creekbed
Explore the rocks under Big Creek and find the aquatic creatures that make the creekbed their home. Wear clothes that can get wet. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.
Thursday, August 21
10:00 Family Program: Insect Evidence Scavenger Hunt We often miss seeing the insects that feed on our leaves, but we can find evidence of their presents by observing late summer leaves. Join the naturalist for a non-competitive scavenger hunt
1:30 Historical Society Program: Blacksmith at Work Visit the granary and watch the blacksmiths make tools, housewares, andirons and more wrought iron products. Items are available for sale and can be custom ordered. The Blacksmiths are located in the Granary in the Heritage Village.
Tuesday, August 26 1:30 Historical Society Program: The Schopf House
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