Weekend Activities and Brewers Conversations to Hype up the NLCS

0:00Snab Sean of Wisconsin and beyond. This is What's On Tap with Sandy Max sponsored by Visit NoWalky. A deep dive into all things intriguing, riveting and entertaining. Now here's your host, Sandy Max. Hello and happy Friday. Thanks for joining me for this super sized episode to wrap up an action packed week. Get into a good weekend. A fun here on What's On Tap sponsored by Visit NoWalky. I'm glad you are with me and I said it has been an action packed week, so let's finish the week strong. I am here to help you make the most of one of the biggest weekends of October. Find out where to find downtown Milwaukee's Big Brewer's Baseballs. Painted by a renowned Midwestern artist and covered with messages from fans. They have now been placed in planters. Up in down Wisconsin Avenue, I will tell you where to find them for your fun photo worthy moments. Plus the best festivals, theater, concert, weekends, events happening all across Wisconsin,

1:01including today's the beginning of Milwaukee theater week. I'll clue you into some of the discounts you can get. The Milwaukee Public Market Harvest Festival is free and fun and happens tomorrow. And the delicious Boroshoff for Ukraine on Sunday afternoon at Turner Hall. You'll also get a behind the scenes look at one of Milwaukee's architectural treasures. So we visit the PAPST Mansion who just got a very impressive and well-deserved national preservation grant to preserve and protect one of our cities. Most iconic and historic landmarks for generations to come. You'll hear from PAPST Mansion Board Chair, May McCulley on the real value of having this beautiful building, but also the fun you can have in the dark with their candlelight tours. And music fans, you won't want to miss two major concert announcements coming to Milwaukee. Def Leopard, Goo Goo Dolls, The Struts, and Nickelback. When are they coming? I will tell you. And of course, the song you need to hear, let's crank up when a def leopard signature hits.

2:02And then remember, it's a super-sized episode. Our Brewers bonus hour at eight o'clock. We are going to celebrate the incredible postseason excitement that we have been having with stories you aren't going to hear anywhere else. ESPN Milwaukee's Josh Demagio shares this story behind a Brewers themed tattoo that he got. This past opening day, maybe it was a good omen for the whole season. A season ticket holding super fan, Mark, the door man's assignments is going to take us inside his experience in the unforgettable atmosphere at last weekend's playoff games from his seats right behind the visitors dugout. And Eric Bilstad brings us another exciting highlights filled moment of brew. And we will wrap it all up with the song that William Contreras is likely hearing as he walks to the plate. And it might be a little bit of surprise for you. And it has some superstition with it. So right for this time of October, huh? Make the most of your Wisconsin weekend with me here. And first though, I told you, I tell you where these fun big Brewers baseballs are located. And we'll have some, well, we've got a web story at WTMJ.com.

3:06And if you just simply text the keyword balls, B-A-L-L-S text balls to the citing unlimited WTMJ talk and text line, 8556161620. You text the word balls. We will text you back the article that has the locations listed out and the photos where they are to help you find them. Because this is part of the fun of the postseason. Four big baseballs covered with messages from fans along a stretch of Wisconsin Avenue from Jefferson, which is where the Fister Hotel is to Velar Phillips Plaza. You will find these baseballs. I'll give you the specific locations. But remember, this is what happened Wednesday at Milwaukee Night Market. Hundreds of fans, including me and including Brian and his pet chicken sanders, signed these 42-inch diameter baseballs with messages of encouragement for the brew crew. So where you're going to find these baseballs? Two of them are right outside the Fister Hotel. One on the corner outside the Fister at Jefferson and Wisconsin. And then one across the street in four to four eleven east Wisconsin Center.

4:11And keep in mind, these two brewers baseballs that are big and filled with well wishes are going to be in view of the LA Dodgers. They will likely stay at the Fister Hotel. Most visiting ball clubs do. So I like to know that they're going to see these baseballs that have all these well wishes. Ha ha. And then that's where you'll find the first two right outside the Fister. And then the other two. One is at 301 West Wisconsin Avenue, right where Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Wisconsin Avenue meet. They're right outside Milwaukee downtown's office right across from the 310 W Plaza. You'll see them there. And then the fourth one right outside Capitol Grill in a planter there at Wisconsin and Valar Phillips Avenue right across from the Coles at Augusto call it Grand Ave. But it's been fun. And artist Mauricio Ramirez painted these baseballs. And if you're like hold on, I know that name. That's the same artist who painted the 10 story Mr. baseball Bob Euker

5:15mural this summer. And that is right by actually if you're going to go see the baseballs at the Fister, you're a block away. That's right at Jay Meh at Mason and Jackson streets on the side of the Winchester building. So they're artful. They're creative. They're fun. They bring the community together and they will be a great photo op for our postseason. And honestly, these baseballs are just one way downtown Milwaukee's been embracing the blue and gold playoff celebration. You'll still see some of the buildings around the city lit up blue and gold. You'll see brewers, banners and flags. I walked across the Wisconsin Avenue bridge to get photos of the baseballs for the web story and for the YouTube livestream. And I walked by their great retro logo brewers blue and yellow flags along the Wisconsin Avenue bridge. So and then you'll see digital billboards. It's just fun cheering on the brew crew. So if you missed any of those locations and you want to plot out some fun on what's going to be a gorgeous October weekend. You text the word balls to the citing unlimited WTMJ talk and text line text balls to 855 616 1628 will send you that web story.

6:21And yeah, we're giggling here, but what other word would you want? It's just it's obvious where you can find these four-foot baseballs full of brewers love. And next make the most of your Wisconsin weekend. I know we got to wait till Sunday for both the Packers and the brewers games, but there's plenty to do for fun around Wisconsin this weekend. Several suggestions for you to enjoy yourself with festivals and food next on What's On Tap? You're listening to What's On Tap with Sammy Max on WTMJ. Friday. I know some people going out to a Friday, Friday fish fry, and I know some people who are having an old-fashioned at Central Standard. So kick it off the weekend in style. I am here with you on WTMJ. You can listen 620 WTMJ on the AM radio 103.3 on FM. We've got the WTMJ app. We've got the Listen Live button on WTMJ.com and we also have the WTMJ YouTube live stream. And I share that with you because we are your home of the Milwaukee Brewers. So

7:22you don't want to miss a moment. And I want to make sure you know all the different ways that you can enjoy WTMJ. And thanks to Potawatomi Casino Hotel for supporting our playoff baseball. And yeah, there's baseball to wait for. So what are we going to do before then? Oh, there's so much to do. And I have a feature that I get to join Eric Bilstein and Vince Petrano of Wisconsin's Morning News on Thursday mornings with a preview of some of the things that you can consider for your recreation. And these are some highlights from the weekend trend with the guys. We always know there's a convention in town because people fill up the food hall and you know we can see so sometimes if it's a business. Yeah, they have their badges and their name tags. And sometimes when it's something obvious, for example, when the furry convention is in town, then clearly there are people in characters. But on this particular occasion, it was some, I don't want to call them elderly, but they were more senior women. And Eric's like, what's in town? Is it, well, it's the

8:25tattoo convention and not that they wouldn't have some perhaps, but maybe they seem to foot the bit. They didn't seem like the villain arts tattoo festival friends. This is such a great annual festival completely celebrating body art. I mean, if you want to sleeve or if you want to get a first time tattoo, this is the place to go. But keep in mind, not only are you going to see all these tattoo artists at the Baird Center, they have a whole lineup of entertainment. And their entertainment includes like circus acts like a contortionist. And there's a duo. There are a husband and wife called Captain and Maybell that were on America's Got Talent. They'll be performing what was called danger acts. Now what does that have to do with tattoos? Oh, you got needles. You got tattoos have always got to meant your edgy and you got some bravissimo to you, right? It's a party. It's a great. It's a great change. Oh, it is definitely changed. I'm so glad that I'm like just on the cusp of when tattooing became like really normal. Yeah. Do you realize how many

9:28band tattoos I would have up and down my arms? If it was okay. It was a teenager. Oh, I would be right. Yeah. I would end up meeting the band and be like, hi, here's my tattoo. I feel like a big nerd. But I'll tell you what's been great on what's on tap. You know, I talk about culture and creativity. Well, Brewer is a part of our culture. What's one of the most creative ways you can express your love for the Brewers tattoos. So if you text the word tattoo to the Siding Unlimited WTMJ Talking Textline tattooed 8556161620, you will see a nice array of Brewers inspired tattoos. And I found out in my research, Murph has a Yuc tattoo that he got last year with which is the Yuc patch. Okay. And you see the Brewers all tattooed up. William Contreras last year when we eliminated the Cubs, William Contreras made this imaginary phone call. If we're he picked up an imaginary phone and then he put it down. He got a tattoo of that moment on his arm. So tattoo love, you will definitely see that around town this weekend. Baird centered the Milwaukee tattoo convention. Maybe it's time for you to get

10:32your first Vince. What do you have for festivals this weekend? So much. Food. Oh my gosh. Battle of the chefs is happening Sunday. Now we don't know when that first game is. So keep that in mind. But if the game is early enough, why not go to Prairie Springs on Park. There is a battle of the chefs at the 10th anniversary. Appetizers desserts, mixology. Chefs from the Eleanor room, Filipina, Cocina, the Black shoe hospitality. So that's going to be fun. And it benefits the Brewers community foundation. And this is one of my favorites. You know, you have a chili cook off. How about this? A Borscht off. Borscht is that beat soup. Sure. Okay. That the Ukrainians are known for. So this is the eighth annual. It's at Milwaukee Turner Hall. Sunday from noon till three. You can taste and vote on your favorite meat or veggie. Borscht. And it's a colorful warming soup. And the event celebrates Ukrainian food and culture. So you can also get some pastries there. But also raises money to send thermal clothing and blankets to Ukraine. Also, you know, it is festival harvest

11:35season. So Milwaukee public market stroll through there and notchman Saturday. They're having their free festival Lakefront Brewery pumpkin ale is tapped out of a giant pumpkin. That is my absolute favorite out of the pumpkin. That is the best pumpkin ale. In my opinion. You gotta do it right. It has to be a richness flavor. Yeah. But you don't want it to be overwhelming. I just don't want it to taste like beer. They do it so well. Like from and it's year round. If you go to the good to the tap room. So sure. That's my gift to you, Eric. So you don't have to wait till on October. But so that and they got fresh pressed apple cider pumpkin painting, scarecrow making. It's all free and live music. So that is Saturday afternoon at Milwaukee Public Market. You have October fest in Lake Geneva that has little leg races for docksins and corgis, which makes me laugh. And then October fest in Monomony Falls. Also all weekend long, they have docks and races on Friday and corgi races on Sunday plus German dancing. And our lady of lords October fest, they do it

12:36right as well. It got a lot of German polka, the apple strudel and you know, just that great atmosphere. Betty Brind Children's Museum, a fright free Halloween fun on Saturday called Betty Booze Spectacular. And treasure of the mummies is at the Mitchell Park domes for chrissant the mums, but an Egyptian display. I'm entertained by a theme. You know, and that's going on through the month of October. But if you want to get a little more interactive, it's called Spirits and Spirits in Toza Greyhouse Studio has a Friday night event where it's kind of like a murder mystery. You get a guided tour. It's a and you get five handcrafted drinks to go along with five dark tins. I've never done one of those tours before. I've never done one. Do they not let you know what I mean? Like are they? Is it just a guy? I feel like it's a date night. Do they make it? Oh, the actual murder itself. You get pulled in. Well, one way to find out is to go on

13:40Friday, dieted toaster, but I would think so. And then you got comics and comedy. The Milwaukee Comic Con is happening in Stellis and Wisconsin State Fair Park and Milwaukee Comedy Festival. You haven't caught up on a good, but the laughing tap. And it's over 30 different comedians. There aren't any huge headliners. You're going to go, oh, I totally know that person. But it's just great to have the up and comers. And the laughing tap is across from the fister. Just above the old diamond joint. But you make a great point about the up and comers. This is when you're all all of a sudden you see somebody and then two years from now, you're like, wait a minute, I recognize that guy or that lady. They were the ones. Yeah, and I laughed and laughed and laughed. And that's just a good communal experience. And last but not least, doors open Milwaukee. If you missed it, walk a shot unlocked. They have a whole weekend of all of their historic and interesting landmarks this weekend. How do you like it? This weekend's lineup sounds fun. You're going to want to check out our friends at three pillars senior living communities. We're top notch events and activities are at the heart of everyday life on their beautiful late country campus visit three pillars.org

14:44today. Do not forget Sandy puts together a nice long beautiful looking list. And it's on the website right now at wdtm.com or just text the word trend to 8556161 620 on the side and unlimited Wtm to talk and text fine. And we'll send it to you at Go Brewers. Full of energy on Thursday morning and still and there were some events that I couldn't even squeeze in because there's so many. But if you heard about that spirits and spirits, the spooky and comedic cocktail experience, it is happening tonight and tomorrow at the walk a shot civic theater. And then next weekend at Greyhouse studio. So I want to clarify that because I think it does sound fun, even though Eric is skeptical. I think it sounds fun. But for art lovers and animal lovers, I have even more events to suggest for you for this weekend. So stay with me here on What's On Tap. This is What's On Tap with Sandy Max. How you doing? Thank you so much for hanging out with me. And as I promise to make the most of

15:47your weekend, you can text the word trend t-r-e-n-d to the citing unlimited Wtm.j. Talking text fine. You text the word trend will send you the weekend trend featured that has a lot of events with the links you can help make your plans for the weekend. But there were so many events that happening this weekend that I couldn't fit them all in on the weekend trend. So I want to remind you if you love art in Cedarburg, this is the weekend for the covered bridge art studio tour where you can roam around, visit different art studios. That is tonight tomorrow and Sunday. And for theater fans, it's closing weekend of Maybe We'll Fly. This is the world premiere play all inspired by the life of local artist Mary Nol. And I checked there are some tickets for tomorrow night at Milwaukee Chamber Theater. But if you want to see this, this is your last chance. Maybe We'll Fly at Milwaukee Chamber Theater. And if you want some good vibes, any, the musical. The closing weekend at Sabre Center for the Performing Arts at Franklin High School. This is a forte theater company. And I'll tell you what, they put some stellar talent

16:50on stage. So the classic musical Annie and look for our friend, theater critic Ryan Jay as bird healy in the musical. And I got to tell you, there's also a really powerful one-woman show that is at the drawing room at Var galleries through Monday night. It's called on the exhale. And it's a gripping one-woman play exploring grief and accountability and the aftermath of a tragedy. And it caught my eye because it's, you know, art is a really useful way to have conversations about difficult subjects. But Emily Vatrono, Vince Vatrono's sister who is a spectacular actress, I've seen her a lot of comedic role. So I'd love to see her in a really dramatic role. So that's called on the exhale. And it is through Monday at the drawing room at Var galleries. And I mentioned animal themes. There is a pug party at the Hounds and Tap on Saturday and Monomony Falls. Pug owners and dog lovers, you are expected to show up in Halloween costumes. And if you're a cat person instead, Saturday, October fest at Oprah and company in West Alice. So make the most of your weekend.

17:58And I have ways you can get discounts on theater tickets. Milwaukee Theater Week kicks off today. I'll have those details for you next. What's on tap with Sandy Maxx's back on WTMJ? Oh yeah. What's on tap is sponsored by Visit Milwaukee Handcrafted Homegrown World Class. Discover more at visitnawaki.org. Let me entertain you on so many layers. I'm glad you're with me on What's on tap. But that is a song from the musical Gypsy, which you can see on stage now at Skylight Music Theater. Man, is it some stacked talent on that stage for this production of Gypsy, including Janet Metz, who plays Mama. And you've got to have the right kind of chemistry and compelling personality to really hold a stage and sing some of those songs. So I can highly recommend

19:04Gypsy at Skylight Music Theater. And I can also highly recommend getting involved in Milwaukee Theater Week. If you're like, you know, I've heard good things about it, but I just haven't been out in a while. This is your week to get in on deals and discounts and performances and special events and community experiences all across the Milwaukee Theater District, which is mostly downtown just kick it off today goes through October 18. So it's even longer than they call it Milwaukee Theater Week. But it's kind of like happy hour. It's always longer, right? 10 days and some of the highlights for this year's Milwaukee Theater Week, they've got the best seats in Milwaukee. It's a fun installation. This time you're going to find it in Turner's Alley, which is right behind Old World Third Street. And there's going to be theater themed photo opportunities and all kinds of live programming. There's even going to be a cabaret on Thursday, October 15th, where the Alley truly becomes a space for performances with constant classic stage performance, also Skylight Music Theater. So you make it a little sample of Gypsy in Turner's Alley Cabaret. And it's just some, right and a pop up from Camp Bar. So it's a good thing. Go to visit Milwaukee.org. You will see

20:10all the info on Milwaukee Theater Week. There's also a free yoga class on the Miller High Life Theater stage next Thursday morning with coffee and treats. It's free. You just have to register. So get go to visit Milwaukee.org. It's called Center Stage Savasana. And I've always thought this sound it's like a lot of fun. And then their closing event on October 18th is going to be a collaboration with Renaissance Theater Week, sorry, with Renaissance Theater. I go with Renaissance Theater Works. And it's going to be the opening night performance of their new show called Great White Throne. And it's going to be an earlier performance, five o'clock with an opening night reception. You get the meat to cast and the crew and the design team. So really is a chance for you to get up close to some of the theaters here. And if you're wondering, okay, this sounds good. What else is in it for me? 30% discounts at first stage, which they just, they pat, oh, they it's a go, dog, go. It's a bilingual performance of the beloved children's book. That just opens. So you can get 30% off at first stage, stretch your entertainment dollar, take the whole family and have a lot of fun.

21:15There are bogeo offers at Skylight Music Theater and also Milwaukee Chamber Theater, which is where maybe we'll fly is closing this weekend. And you'll also get 20% off Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, October Classics Concerts. And that is worth just going inside the Bradley Symphony Center. It is a beautiful art deco restoration inside that and inside that building. And there are additional discounts and other free events that are happening. And they're also partnering with some restaurants. So you can get some dining and drink food and drink deals. So some other shows that are happening during theater week, a footloose, the musical at the Milwaukee rep. Man, that is some high energy. I'm going to be honest. I was like, yeah, you know, I really like to this movie, impress me. I was a little bit arms folded at the beginning. Wow, it's great talent, great energy, fun story, really great production that I can definitely recommend. That is footloose at the Milwaukee rep. You've also got La Traviata at the Florentine Opera. If you like that. And I'll tell you what else is happening next week, two nights of Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Oh, these are incredible

22:19musicians multitaloted on stage. And it's like a history, the coolest history class ever with Wynton Marsalis because he will tell you stories behind the songs. Why they chose them. Whether you'll hear a little gospel influence, whether you hear just jazz and who wrote and arranged it, it is just a really incredible experience when you get to see Wynton Marsalis. And this is his last season touring with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. And one more reason to go. There are the performances are Wednesday and Thursday at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. You can tell I'm a big fan, but Dan Nimmer, the pianist who's been touring with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is from Milwaukee. And he will be here. And I'm working on maybe having him as a guest next Tuesday on What's on Tap. I'm working on it. But so you can tell I'm excited. But anytime we can celebrate our theater community here in the Milwaukee area, it's great. And then anytime that we can stretch our dollar and get and get to see even more.

23:22Also, the boys from Baraboo is a show coming up at Next Act theater that sounds like a lot of fun and has the local flavor. Obviously. So Milwaukee Theater Week officially kicks off now through October 18th. Go to visit milwaki.org and find out all the deals and make your plans because you know this will this will fly by as ever. It's like, hey, I just heard about that. You can go to visit Milwaukee dot org. You can also go to mketheatre district dot com. I can told you I take it seriously. I try to help you make the most of your recreation and stretch your entertainment dollar. So that's theater. How about concerts? There were two pretty big concert announcements this past week. And I'll share those with you next on What's on Tap. Welcome back to What's on tap on WTMJ. That is a band. But a lot of people make fun of. But a lot of people have their CDs and love

24:22from Canada. Nickelback. And why am I playing Nickelback for you? If you're a Nickelback fan, circle this date on your calendar March 27th of 2027. Nickelback. And they're everything under the sun tour at five serve forum just announced. And the tour celebrates their 11th studio album. It's coming out October 30th. Everything under the sun. Tickets will go on sale next Friday. If you're excited about this and you can do the VIP package thing all that all that kind of stuff. And there's a pre show lounge. You know, you can't just buy a ticket to a show. But I feel like every concert tries to make sure you have some fuller experience. But I mean, truly, I'm thinking back when I saw Nickelback, man, it was ages ago and it was in Madison. And I worked at a different radio station, but I took a bus load of people to Madison to see Nickelback. And I'm a huge fan of all kinds of bands. And I was doing the host thing at the front of the bus. And I'm like, okay, let's play trivia. I'm like name all four members of the band. And like everybody stared at me.

25:26It's like, oh, it's not one of those bands where you love every member. You just maybe no Chad Kroger is the lead singer. But people dig their music. And then I saw them. Oh my gosh, I've seen Nickelback twice. I'm remembering now. I saw them at Soldier Field. And it was they had, what do you call those? Oh, the hydraulic, you know, T-shirt cannons. Boom, boom, boom. It was like, this is just sort of cartoonish. It was, I didn't expect it to be like a half-time show. But they go big. They put out a big show. And I guarantee you can probably sing along to pretty much every song because they have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide. That is, that's a lot of albums and billions of streams. Here are the songs that you're going to go, oh, yeah, I know that. How you remind me. Photograph, rock star, far away, someday burn it to the ground. So there's like, oh, yeah, I do know those songs. So it's a heck of a wave of momentum. If you want to see Nickelback and there's even a Netflix documentary called Hate to Love, Nickelback, then that documentary itself introduced people to a whole new generation of fans. So

26:30whether you grew up blasting how you remind me on the radio or discovered them recently, this is going to be one of the big rock shows of Springtime March 27th, Nickelback at FICE Serve Forum and tickets go on sale next Friday. So maybe by this time next week, you'll have those tickets in your hand. And then the other concert announcement to tell you about. I didn't want to turn it down. I figured we're waiting to sing along with that. It is deaf leopard back in Milwaukee. They're 2027 North American tour. They are going to be playing FICE Serve Forum June 5th, a Saturday night. And they're not by themselves. It's a pretty big bill. Deaf leopard goo-goodalls opening and the struts. That's going to be pretty big. If you're a big fan of

27:32Deaf leopard and you're in the artist fan club, those tickets go on sale on Monday. Otherwise, general public on sale also on Friday like Nickelback. I gotta say I saw Deaf leopard for the first time a few summers ago when they played at American Family Field. Wow! They were great. They were really great. And then again more songs you can sing along to. And then you hear the goo-goodalls here and they're pals with Christian Yelich of the Brewers and have played his home plate charity. And they've got more of those recognizable songs from the past 30 years. And then you add the struts? Come on! That glam rock sound, that's going to be, man, that's going to be fun. And the struts have opened for the stones, who fighters, guns and grozes, motley crew. So they're no strangers to the arena rock. So I think that's going to be a pretty fun show. Deaf leopard, goo-goodalls, and the struts. That date is June 5th, 2027, which is just wild to think that we're already booking shows in March

28:36and June for these shows. But here's another good reason to go to the Deaf leopard show. They are doing a good deed. A dollar from every ticket sold for the Deaf show benefits city of hope to help fund cancer research and treatment. So if you're wondering, okay, should I spend money? Yes. Why not? One night have a whole lot of fun with a bunch of sing-along songs with Deaf leopard, goo-goodalls, and the struts. So you know what's gotta happen now. Gotta play the song you need to hear. Let's make it one of Deaf leopard's signature songs to sing along to next on What's On Tap. Your need to know cultural snapshot of Wisconsin and beyond. This is What's On Tap with Sandy Max sponsored by Visit NoWalky, a deep dive into all things intriguing, riveting, and entertaining. Now here's your host, Sandy Max. Thanks for hanging out with me on What's On Tap. And we have together for another two hours and I think you're gonna like it because we are full of flavor this hour. You're gonna find out

29:39about where you can find the best borscht on Sunday. If you're like, what? Oh, it's gonna be come clear in a moment. And also you're gonna get a behind the scenes look at one of our absolute historic treasures here in Milwaukee, the Pabst mansion. They have some good news to share and they're offering candlelit tours of the mansion in October. So you'll find out more. And then in our brewers bonus hour, we will talk creativity with the brewers painted baseballs downtown tattoos. And what it was like to be there last weekend during the unforgettable atmosphere of the playoffs as we go into another weekend of playoffs. And also Eric Billstad brings us more highlights with a moment of brew and you'll hear a song that we know William Contreras likes the catcher extraordinaire. So stay with me here. But first, when I say the word borscht, what do you think of? I think of a colorful like magenta colored, a bright magenta colored soup. That's what I think of. And I don't know if

30:44you're aware there is an annual borscht off for Ukraine for the past eight years. And you haven't missed it yet. It's coming up on Sunday, October 11th at Milwaukee's Turner Hall. I am so pleased to welcome to the WTMJ studio event organizer, Louella Dooley-Menet. Hello, Louella. Hello. And from Wisconsin, Ukrainians, the board, Karina Tweedle. How are you, Karina? Hello. It's a pleasure to be here. I'm so glad you're both here. Like I said, this was on my calendar radar because I think we have a lot of like chili cook-offs and people think about that and take great pride in having their different recipes. But a borscht off, it didn't occur to me that people would have their own different twists on whatever the traditional recipe is. So can we start by explaining what is borscht? And am I saying it correctly because I saw there are two different spellings. You can have a tea on the end or not. Well, in Ukrainian, which borscht is a traditional

31:48Ukrainian soup. And it was actually added by UNESCO to a list of items that are inherently Ukrainian. So it's part of Ukrainian heritage. So in Ukrainian, we usually say borscht. So this is why we prefer to spell it this way. But you're right that there are a couple of different spellings. Without the tea, right? Right. Correct. Borscht. But it's the same. But even if I put a tea on it, it's the same ingredients and the same. Well, they say, I love Luella, give me a bite. I mean, I feel like I shouldn't answer this. I'm not Ukrainian, but they say that there are as many recipes for borscht as there are Slavic cooks. Yeah. Yeah. That's kind of like chili. You just make it your own. Every family has their own recipe. Karina, what are the basic ingredients? Like, what are the essentially ingredients to make sure that it is borscht? I would say the quintessential ingredient for me are beets because whichever way you hear people make it, beets really make it. And like you mentioned, I don't know if there's anybody who's watching us, the color of the borscht.

32:52They're actually different. There's a green variety too. But oftentimes when people say that word, the soup, they think about this reddish crimson color and the beets make it and cabbage too. Oh, I see Luella is holding it. I'm trying to hold up the bowl that you brought up. But I don't want to spill it. And it smells wonderful because it's this bowl that you made for me, Luella, is garnished with sour cream and dill and the dill smells wonderful. Yeah, it's very traditional. Okay. So, I was saying Karina, you're in a reproduce. So you got to have beets. What else is essential for a good Ukrainian borscht? I would say cabbage. Oftentimes people would add potatoes and set people make it with meat. Some people prefer the vegetarian option where they would be, um, sorry, this one is green beans. Thank you. Yes. And I put corn in mine, which is a little controversial for some of my Ukrainian friends. But there's a reason I do why I was raised. Okay. I grew up in a very small town in North Dakota that was largely settled by all of my friends were

33:58Ukrainian descent. So I grew up like pretending I was Ukrainian. Making Ukrainian eggs and put a hat. What's the noodle called? It's kind of like a pierogi, but Ukrainian. Anyway. Yes. Yes. Yes. I can't say it. And then Borscht. So we would make Borscht every year. My mother learned the recipe from like our friends and you know, my piano teacher as you're Ukrainian everybody in my town as you're Ukrainian. I thought you were Ukrainian. I just appropriate, I just appropriate your Ukrainian culture. So we grew up and we put corn in it because in North Dakota where we where I lived, there was a bunch of corn and people just kind of put whatever they have in it. Right. So I have some Ukrainian friends who don't think corn should be a Borscht, but the purists. The purists, right? I'll call it a shaking your head. No, I don't want corn. No, corn. Well, you know, and that's the beauty of the Borscht shop is that you get to try so many variations.

34:58And I would say the really unique part about this soup is that you combine something sour with something a little bit sweet because the beats actually in Ukraine sugar is made out of sweet beats. So the beats add a little bit of sweetness and then you kind of balance it out with some sourness. So some people would add vinegar. And I brought some of the cookbooks that are Ukrainian community put together. So these are the recipes from our local Ukrainian communities, families that just submitted the recipes that they would save just from generations within their families. And one of them includes prunes, which was vainew to me, but as I was preparing for this interview, I thought, huh, that would be fun to try. Have you experimented with prunes yet? I'm not in Borscht, but yeah, just it's always fun to try in your recipe. And it sounds like a great way to express your creativity. If you take the basics of Borscht and then

35:59okay, you want to try putting prunes in it or you want to try putting corn in like that it's still okay. It may not be for the purists of the traditionalists, but it's still okay. And Karina, where did Borscht come from? Is it kind of, I feel like there are a lot of dishes and a lot of different cultures where hey, this is what we did because this is what we had left over. And you just make the stew out of it. Is that kind of the history of Borscht or is that its own journey origin story? It's complicated. As I was researching a little bit, there are some people that cite, even some Romans had a variation thousands of years ago, but it's arguable with with culinary traditions. Some things are just overlapping so much. But Ukraine is definitely claiming Borscht. There are so many siding so much research that says that it's something that originated within Ukraine. And yeah, different regions of the country have their own ways that they express their culinary arts through Borscht.

37:00Is there a different flavors to like northern Ukraine or southern Ukraine? Perhaps I'm from the eastern part of Ukraine. And even though my family is stutter, but we're still made Borscht and actually the one that my mom made was surprisingly without the beads. And right now my dad really got into cooking. And every single time he's making it, every single time it's a different recipe I swear. And it's so common for Ukrainians to just cook. We just call it eyeballing. So you just do a little bit of this, a little bit of that. And then if you don't have something, you're just like, oh well. So that's how you come up with all kinds of different variations. And you can taste many different variations at the Borscht coming up on Sunday, October 11th. So now that we know what Borscht is, we'll find out what we can expect at the annual Borscht and how you can help decide the winners. Stay with me and my guests, Luella, Dooley, Minute and Karina Tweedle on What's on Tap.

38:09Beats are part of Borscht. And you are invited to the annual Borscht off on Sunday, October 11th at Turner Hall and the organizers of this fantastic culinary and cultural event are in the WTMJ studio with me. Hello again to Luella, Dooley, Minute. Hello. And to Wisconsin Ukrainians, Inc. Board member Karina Tweedle. Hello. I'm so glad you're both here. So officially invite people to the Borscht off and let us know what to expect when we walk into Turner Hall that Sunday. Other than incredible smells, I'm sure. Yes. Incredible smells. Well, folks can expect probably close to 20 different crockpots of Borscht around the Palm Garden area of Turner Hall. We have a $15 suggested donation and you get a little sampling cup and three tickets where you vote for your top three Borscht. And we just go around and sample and there are so many different

39:14types. And the Wisconsin Ukrainians are there as well selling baked goods and other awesome things like cookbooks and I'll let you talk about that. Yeah, it's such a great community event. I know you've mentioned about the food and just so many different varieties of Borscht that you get to try. But I really think the part that I love about that event is how people come together and they just chat and connect. So maybe somebody's listening right now and they know nothing about Ukraine culture whatsoever. That's no problem at all. We're welcoming everybody. And as you guys heard that the event is happening at Turner Hall. Milwaukee Ternis have been such great partners to Ukraine and community to Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. So I just really wanted to give them a shout out for hosting us. It's a great space to enjoy. It's a beautiful insight. Oh, it's gorgeous. Turner Hall. Yes. And so you get to enjoy the history. You get to enjoy learning about Ukrainian culture and meet authentic Ukrainian people like you. Marina from Eastern Ukraine and

40:18I love that where you grew up in North Dakota, all of your neighbors were Ukrainian and that's how you really discovered a love for Borscht and that that connected you with the cultures. Yeah. Yeah, my town was 500 people and there was a two Ukrainian churches. And that introduced you to this food and food brings people together. So now this is the eighth annual. You have two different categories. Meet Borscht and vegetarian Borscht. So you have people are people already submitting? Are you still accepting submissions? If somebody's like, oh, you haven't had my Borscht minds. Yes. How do people get involved in the competition part? Yes. We're still accepting people to enter their Borscht in up until maybe like three days before. I just need to make sure I have an extension cords for the crockpot. But there's a forum that you can fill out online and you indicate if you're going to make vegetarian

41:18Borscht or meet Borscht and your name and people are contestants are asked to show up 15 minutes before the start, which is noon, with their Borscht at room temperature because we're going to use the kitchen or not room temperature at serving temperature. And then everything else is provided. And then Luella, do me a favor and hold up what you have brought with you. Oh, this is the Luella has a ceramic best beat. Oh, excuse me, best Borscht. Borscht. Paint it on. I made it. Did you make the Serella? I added that. Made it into a trophy. So it is the traveling trophy and you have it, Luella, because what did you win last year? I think Borscht. I won the vegetarian Borscht. Last year was the first year we split it up and have a meat and a vegetarian category. So there's one for the meat as well. And are you entering to defend your traveling trophy? Do you want to hold on to it? I have a spot for it in my kitchen because this is my third time winning it.

42:23But I think I'm going to change up my recipe this year and make a different kind. But so we can try your Borscht. Yes, for sure. And you can try it. I was just saying, you brought me some. When we come back, I will have my very first taste. First? A Borscht. I know. It will be my introduction to Borscht. That's a lot of pressure. We'll get the new reaction on camera and everything. I have no poker face. So this would be good. Borscht, Eastern European soup, most commonly made with beets and one of the UNESCO approved Ukrainian dishes. It's such history. So when we come back, I will try Luella's Borscht, made especially for me. But also, well, we'll talk about how you made it last night because you had a sous chef involved as well. And I also want to talk about Wisconsin Ukrainians and the work that you are doing through your organization. So Borscht off. The competition that everyone is invited to if you're not competing, you can go and taste and

43:27vote for the very best on Sunday, October 11th at Turner Hall. Stay with us for the Borscht tasting. Next on What's on Tap. You've got your chili cookoffs. We got something even more culturally entertaining for you. Annual Borscht off for Ukraine Sunday, October 11th at Milwaukee's Turner Hall. And in the studio with me, the organizers Luella Duley Menet. Hello. And, hello. And Karina Tweedell from Wisconsin Ukrainians. And Luella, I'm about to put a spoonful of your Borscht in. Yes, it's the award winning from last year. I made it last night. Well, I mean, it's not from last year. It's the recipe. The Beans Cabbage, Pepper's Green Beans Corn. And I had a sous chef helping me the last night, my 12-year-old son Ronan. And he gave me some ideas on how to improve it. So when he tasted it, what did he suggest?

44:27He suggested more salt and garlic. So we did that and I think it helped. Oh, okay. So I'm going to take a... Pressure. I know. Take a spoonful with the deal with the sour cream and the Borscht. Here we go. The moment of truth. Yes. Oh, it's hearty. It's good. The pressure was on because I have a poker face either. Yeah, where I'll watch you. And I'm a texture person. So I was like, oh no, so I didn't want to give you all my disclaimers. But no, this is delicious. It's a great for warm weather. And it's colorful and it's beautiful and it's not too spicy. I wasn't sure if you put some... Look, I had. Not too much. Yeah, that's delicious and I'm not usually a sour cream person either. But you put that all on one spoonful. Oh, oh, that's going to be good. Everybody's going to be sampling some deliciousness. So, Karina, please tell us the details on how to get to the Borscht off on Sunday, October 11th and about the benefit for Wisconsin Ukraine.

45:31Absolutely. So the space is limited. I know last year we had such a wonderful turnout. So if you want to make sure that you will be able to attend, we recommend that you go to our website. So you could just google Wisconsin, Ukrainians, Inc. It could probably be the easiest and among the events that is our closest event coming up with Borscht off. And there there will be the links if you want to be one of the cooks and compete with the famed Luella. You're welcome to your fearless. And of course, you are also more than welcome to secure the tickets. There is suggested donation and all of the funds. We're all a volunteer led organization. So we don't all of the funds are going to support the people in Ukraine. For this particular fundraiser, we are collecting the money for thermal blankets and thermal underwear for paramedics and defenders of Ukraine with the winter coming.

46:33And you guys might have heard the Russians are just keeping on pummeling infrastructure. And the winter is expected to be quite rough. So we're already trying to prepare and help by fundraising for thermal blankets and underwear. Karina Tweedell, thank you for all that you do with Wisconsin Ukrainians by serving on the board there. And Luella Duley-Menet, thank you for organizing this annual Borscht off event to celebrate food, but also celebrate community and bring the Ukrainian community together for those who are established members of the community, but also those of us who are curious and want to experience the food and flavors and culture. Thank you so much and have a great Borscht off on October 11th. Thanks for having us. My pleasure and thank you for the food. It is delicious. It's my introduction to Borscht as a success. I was, you know, I'm not the adventurous type. I am the person who typically orders chicken fingers when we go out because it's just simple and handy, but man,

47:36to have had those flavors. So Sunday afternoon, I would recommend tempting your own taste buds. And next, find out about the historic PAPS mansion special after dark tours. That's coming up next on What's On Tap. You're listening to What's On Tap with Sandy Max on WTMJ. It is the Halloween season and it's a chance to experience some of our local landmarks in a different way. And at the PAPS mansion, they are letting us into some of the spookier darker corners of the mansion by Candelite. PAPS mansion board chair, May McCulley is in the studio with me. How are you, ma'am? I'm great. Always good to be with you. And tell us about what's special about experiencing this beautiful historic mansion,

48:38but by Candelite. Yeah. Instead of the usual daytime tour. It is, you so it's called illuminating the dark. And it is that it is a we kind of say a little more hallowed. And so it is more Candelite guided, if you will, in the sense that the lights are on at full force. Which is more like what it would have been like when the PAPS family lived there. Correct. Well, they actually had so much innovation, but yes, it would have been, you know, far more like the mood and yeah. And so with electricity, it wasn't wah. It wouldn't be what it was. 120 watts. Yes, exactly. But yeah, so you'll get a tour through the house, but it'll also have a different twist on it. So rather than telling you the history of just the normal, the home, and the family, we're going to tell you about, again, like you said, we're going to go into some interiors you otherwise wouldn't see. And then we're going to tell you stories about maybe some

49:40of the artists that are reflected in the paintings of the home or just other aspects where we have some kind of interesting stories to share. You can go with the basement, right? Yes. And you get to go down in the cellar. Yep. And that's actually it's beautiful, the arched ceilings. So yeah, you'll get to go in some spaces that are not normally on tour. And I see the phrase hidden compartments. I think as soon as you see a beautiful victory mansion like this, people have fantasies about pressing a button and a bookcase opening up or what exactly what happened in one of the cases. Yeah, there's a button to press, but we're not going to tell you where. Yeah. Yeah. So Captain Paps was absolutely very innovative for his time, but he was also security minded. And so he does have some secret things that we share. He also had one of the first security systems in Milwaukee.

50:40And we even have that on the wall. That's interesting. What an innovator. The batteries are so ginormous. I can't even tell you, but he really was in that way. And so we'll show so many different aspects of who he was, what that house held. Some of these things you otherwise wouldn't expect. And then also talk about the things in the house, the artist, which were hand picked artists. I mean, he wanted to work with these people or have their art. And then there's just some stories you'll be like, tell me more. And that's the goal of illuminating the dark. That is wonderful. Fridays and Saturdays in October all the way through Halloween. And I love that this is just a beautiful way to spotlight the untold stories and different aspects of the Paps Mansion. And it isn't ghost stories. It is not ghost stories. And you know, at its founding as a museum, one of the ways that became a museum is through fundraising as a haunted house. And people will say, Hey, do you still do that? No, we do not. But we do this. And it's very cool. I never

51:44realized that was a phase of the Paps Mansion. It was. And that's one of the things that we credit to just being able to fundraise and originally save it. But this is the version of it today. And there's so many ways to explore the Paps Mansion. This is for only October. But you know, even if you've been at the mansion before, come back because you have not had this. This would be different. So illuminating the dark tours on Friday and Saturday afternoons. But there are also additional experiences you can upgrade your illuminating the dark tour. You can have tea by candlelight. I love that experience. The dark tour and tea at the Paps Mansion. But main, the wine cellar experience. You love this. I do. I do. I use like so you and four friends can be in the wine cellar with private tea service unlimited champagne and a bag of tea to take home. But to be in the wine cellar by candlelight. As arched sailings, it's really beautiful. Oh, actually. I mean, what an exclusive experience. What a space that so many people don't see. Yeah, and I think

52:48what you just said when you told me you're interested in it was it's not it's a good value for it is it's not something you do every day. But if you have a few girlfriends and you're looking for something, there's no way you've done before. That's it. Yeah. This is the cocktail party to have. This is that gilded age experience. So Paps Mansion illuminating the dark tours Friday and Saturday evenings. What is the best way to find out more about the candlelight tours? Sure. So pepsminchin.com will have all of our tours on there and illuminating the dark and they do sell out. So I would say if you're planning to come get your tickets. She is main McCulley Paps Mansion board chair and main. You got some great news today to share about this national treasure and preserving it for generations to come. So I want you to share that good news. So stay with us on what's on tap. This is what's on tap with Sandy Max. Welcome back to what's on tap.

53:49joined in the studio by Paps Mansion board chair main McCulley and anytime you say Paps Mansion everybody. Oh, that's such a beautiful building is usually the response. And then I mentioned the illuminating the dark candlelit tours that have started in October to Vince Vichrano here on Wisconsin's morning news and he lit up no pun intended but he also said oh they've been doing renovations for a while or they finished. And so that is top of mind is people who drive by on Wisconsin Avenue. So what is the update on the renovations name? So the renovations, what we'll call restoration. This is a hundred year project view. Well this is generational and it'll preserve that mansion the envelope if you will for years and years to come. And what are we worried about water? So every window is yours. So it's windows and it is bricks and the roof and all the things. So we had big news this past week. Yesterday they announced that we received a federal

54:57grant. It's $750,000. I has been matched. So we're in the fundraising for that. But it was truly an honor to get to get this was just we tried and worked for it for years and then we got word this past week. So congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody who's in the grant writing world in every industry knows what a challenge it is and what the relationships are and what the forms are to fill out and that it is not just all of a sudden it's a gift but it is not like oh surprise. Yeah. And it's from the National Park Service. Correct. And so it is federal and highly competitive only a handful of ever gotten it in Wisconsin before. So it is not just a huge thing for the mansion but for Milwaukee and for tourism and for the people who will be able to enjoy it for years to come. And how will this money be allocated and dedicated? Well the windows there's a hundred windows to redo and then some of the sides of the

55:57house with the Masonry talked about. So really pivotal point for the mansion because when we've sealed that exterior and this project is eventually done those beautiful rooms inside won't have water coming into them anymore or you know other hazards to the its structure. So it means the world to us anyone who has been cheering on this house but it's part of our PAPS to present in future campaign. We are raising dollars and now we have to match that 750 that the National Park Service has given us. So we're actively working towards fundraising for that match. Yeah. And then the goal will be that the work will start in spring and continue on until it is complete. So that will be our next phase if you will and hopefully final. What's the deadline for the match? You know I we haven't even signed the paperwork. It's so new. You're so you're so on the heels of it. In fact so it was announced publicly nationally yesterday and so we're still working

57:03on that but really by spring we can't start the work until we have this and then have the money. So we've got some time here but any match a gift towards that is huge and like I said this isn't for the today as much it is for our kids and our kids kids. This is for the future and to make sure this mansion stays for decades to come. Well the future but also the present is important. I love the facts that you have on the PAPS Mansion website that the PAPS Mansion is the most toured historic site in Milwaukee 45,000 visitors a year and also the interesting aspect of heritage tourism. So the people who come and want to see these historical sites they stay for longer periods of time in our area and they spend more money and so I we know that heritage tourists aren't looking to take their in-stuff photo they're looking to actually dive in and eat in our restaurants or local restaurants and go to the museums and spend time in them. So yeah it is

58:05wonderful thing for Milwaukee in that regard. Congratulations. Thank you. And like you said it was like oh it's been years in the making it's well earned but for all that thank you for correcting me for the restoration process. Yeah because we're taking what's there and we're preserving that and you know the team at the mansion these people are so dedicated and I think it's a huge testament to how hard they're working for that home and to make sure that the visitor experience is so perfect for everyone and so this will just be the icing on the cake which is water won't fall on people or other things but it'll be there for years to come. And I love that you mentioned it's important for the future generations why is this investment so important do you think? So you know I developed a love for historic places because of the stories right and what you connect to them and I feel like and I know we know this by sciences people are more invested in the communities give back are more involved take care of it better when they feel

59:08connection and so I feel like the mansion is one of those ways to connect to Milwaukee but also what it was and what it is today and to think that grand avenue which is now Wisconsin avenue was I'm lined with these homes and now this is one of the last remaining we have to hold on to some of this so we remember who we are by knowing who we were and then what we can become and I think we have to remind ourselves that you know the present isn't always you know the only thing we have to rely on rely on that past lessons learned things like that so I know for me for my kids I've connected with it my grandmother did she was involved in now I hope that my children don't have to fight to save the mansion has been years and years but instead it'll be there solid and ready for them and their kids later on. Ma'am McCulley Pabs mentioned board chair thank you for all that you do to keep these stories alive and preserve our culture here. Pabs mentioned.com come visit us.

1:00:08Thank you so much enjoy the rest of your Friday. Thank you have a good one and I know a good place where you can drink a beer tapped directly out of a big pumpkin tomorrow I'll tell you next on What's on tap? What's on tap with Sandy Max's Back on WTMJ. Welcome back to What's on tap sponsored by Visit Milwaukee. Handcrafted homegrown world class discover more at VisitMilwaukee.org I was swaying along to Neil Young and if you are into the harvest time tell you what free festival tomorrow at Milwaukee Public Museum and you can drink pumpkin flavored beer tapped right out of a huge pumpkin get free samples thanks to Lake Frog Brewery that is part of it you can also enjoy freshly pressed apple cider out of antique

1:01:12cider presses you can really have a full fall experience for the entire family because there is free scarecrow making also free pumpkin painting all outside outside Milwaukee Public Market it is their annual harvest festival and it celebrates 21 years of the Milwaukee Public Market which is just great live music from bomber also red and valley fox and you can sit around the stage outside in the river walk commons on bales of hay and you can also shop things like apples whoo fresh caramel apples from local farmers and producers so stop by the Milwaukee Public Market tomorrow to enjoy a beautiful October day and soak in the harvest fair and producer jazzle and snow with me jazzle you know I've been given all these social options on the weekend trend and just to such a beautiful weekend ahead what do you have planned for this weekend well tomorrow you know talking about the getting ink done we did all this week from the interviews with Josh and the weekend trend

1:02:18I grew crew tattoos yeah I'm thinking about taking my girlfriend over to the tattoo festival at the Barrett Center since we've kind of talked about it off handling getting tattoos and I'm not saying we're going to get some but if something happens and we're feeling impulsive and honestly maybe on the way there we could go stop by the public market because my girlfriend loves public market and pumpkin flavored beer sounds very tempting and you get a sample yeah what what's not to like about the public market and it's right there on the river walk you can get to the Barrett Center that I'm charmed that you are inspired to go see the body art and the entertainment that is happening at the villain arts tattoo festival at the Barrett Center it's going on right now tonight but also Saturday and Sunday do you have any tattoos already jazzlin no and that's kind of neither me nor my girlfriend so like I used to think I wasn't going to do it and I think I probably said the same thing about my pierced ears but you know that was the time to explore things and you're very first tattoo could be meaningful or it could be a gateway because we were talking about if you text the

1:03:21word tattoo TATT OO to the Siding Unlimited WTMJ Talk and Textline if you text the word tattoo to 855616620 you will see a photo gallery of the brew crew inspired tattoos that jazzlin and I are talking about because WTMJ fans like you have sent in photos and there's some great ones you know of course the Milwaukee Brewers retro ball and glove mitt but there's also barrel man and racing sausages but there's one of the tattoos Jenny she got her very first one on her ankle and now she has eight like that was her brewers tattoo was the gateway so jazzlin I just say choose wisely and have fun or come black come back as a blank canvas there's no judging here here you go thanks so much for hanging out with us we have a bonus hour full of Milwaukee Brewers excitement where you can see great big signed baseballs and more tattoo stories and experiences from inside the ballpark stay with us you need to know cultural snapshot of Wisconsin

1:04:23and beyond this is what's on tap with sandy max sponsored by visit Milwaukee a deep dive into all things intriguing riveting and entertaining now here's your host sandy max oh we are getting closer and closer to the Milwaukee Brewers taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a national league championship series October baseball sounds so great here on wtmj doesn't it we are very excited to bring you every pitch every call every exciting moment thanks to pottawadami casino hotel and in this hour on what's on tap sponsored by visit Milwaukee get some creative ways to enjoy the team and some insider stories gonna find out downtown Milwaukee's big brewers baseballs painted by a renowned midwestern artist and covered with handwritten messages from fans where you can find them and get your photo with them find that out also ESPN Milwaukee's Josh Demagio shares the story behind

1:05:25the brewers inspired tattoo that he got on opening day this season maybe it was a good home and we'll find out that story plus season ticket holding super fan mark the door man's assignments checks in takes us inside last weekends unforgettable atmosphere for those playoff games from his seats right behind the visitors dug out get no excited for this next round of playoffs and wtmj's aerex bill stead brings us another exciting highlights filled moment of brew and gonna wrap it up with the song you need to hear William Contreras is likely gonna hear this when he walks to the plate and there's a maybe a superstitious angle to it we'll find out and first though I told you I tell you where these fun big brewers baseballs are located and we'll have some well we've got a web story and wtmj.com and if you just simply text the keyword balls BALS text balls to the citing unlimited wtmj talk and text line 8556161620 you text the word balls we will text you back the article that has

1:06:32the locations listed out and the photos where they are to help you find them because this is part of the fun of the post season for big baseballs covered with messages from fans along a stretch of Wisconsin Avenue from Jefferson which is where the fister hotel is to vell our Phillips Plaza you will find these baseballs I'll give you the specific locations but remember this is what happened Wednesday at Milwaukee Night Market hundreds of fans including me and including Brian and his pet chicken sanders signed these 42 inch diameter baseballs with messages of encouragement for the brew crew so where you're gonna find these baseballs two of them are right outside the fister hotel one on the corner outside the fister at Jefferson and Wisconsin and then one across the street in four to four eleven east Wisconsin center and keep in mind these two brewers baseballs that are big and filled with well wishes are gonna be in view of the LA Dodgers they will likely stay at the fister hotel most

1:07:34visiting ball clubs do so I like to know that they're gonna see these baseballs that have all these well wishes haha and then that's where you'll find the first two right outside the fister and then the other two one is at 301 west Wisconsin Avenue right where Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Wisconsin Avenue meet the right-hand side Milwaukee downtown's office right across from the 310 W Plaza you'll see them there and then the fourth one right outside Capitol Grill in a planter there at Wisconsin and Vel R Phillips Avenue right across from the coals at Augusto call it Grand Ave but it's been fun and artist Mauricio Ramirez painted these baseballs and if you're like hold on I know that name that's the same artist who painted the 10 story Mr. baseball Bob Euker mural this summer and that is right by actually if you're gonna go see the baseballs at the fister you're block away that's that's right at Jay at Mason and Jackson streets on the side of the

1:08:35wind trust building so they're artful they're creative they're fun they bring the community together and they will be a great photo op for our postseason and honestly these baseballs are just one way downtown Milwaukee's been embracing the blue and gold playoffs celebration you'll still see some of the buildings around the city lit up blue and gold you'll see brewers banners and flags I walked across the Wisconsin Avenue bridge to get photos of the baseballs for the web story and for the youtube livestream and I walked by their great retro logo brewers blue and yellow flags along the Wisconsin Avenue bridge so and you'll see digital billboards it's just fun cheering on the blue crew so if you missed any of those locations and you want to plot out some fun on what's going to be a gorgeous October weekend you text the word balls to the siding unlimited WTMJ talk and text line text balls to 855 616 1 620 and we'll send you that web story and yeah we're giggling here but what other word would you want it's just it's obvious where you can find these

1:09:37four foot baseballs full of brewers love and from great big baseballs to body art inspired by your Milwaukee brewers brew crew tattoos have been the talk of what's on tap this past week and a really fun story from ESPN Milwaukee's Josh jimaggio Josh shares the story of the Milwaukee brewers themed tattoo that he got on his way to opening day last spring what he got why he got it and his thoughts on the playoff games coming up stay with us on what's on tap welcome back to what's on tap on WTMJ I am Sandy Max I am thrilled to be joined by Milwaukee brewers fan and ESPN Milwaukee's Josh Dimaggio Josh how are you Sandy it's good to be back again last time we talked about the grateful debt what a big fan you are you are as big of a Milwaukee brewers fan as you are of the dead both of them consume my life in similar manner so yes I guess that's a fair that's a fair

1:10:42estimation to make well you know what's on tap is about culture and creativity in Wisconsin and around the world and one of the most creative things you can do is a brewers fan is get some body art yeah so you actually stopped to get a Milwaukee brewers tattoo on your way to an opening day yeah tell us that story yeah it was actually this past opening day there just a few months ago yes just a few months ago there was a local establishment that was doing a tattoo flash pop up inside of their building they do you know on Blue Mountain have all those various bars there along Blue Mountain where they do the shuttles back and forth so me and a group of friends all were going to this specific place we ended up finding out that show them out because other b's jambies blue ribbon down down on Blue Mountain they were having the black black rabbit tattoo collective they are doing flash tattoos of all brewers and baseball centric tattoos and flash tattoos means you're here you're

1:11:42getting it yes it means it's quick they're usually pretty simple in terms of details just so it doesn't consume much time the tattoo I have which you you receive pictures of that's right here on my arm took less than 10 minutes from start to finish and it is a line drawing yes it is a very simple line drawing it is the broad worst racing sausage stylized in a way where it's nice and simple and clear too easy to get through it it has confused a lot of people it didn't confuse me I thought it was like a little simple with the heads the key signs are the hat with the feather on top and then the big old mustache right there on the top lip and you say big old mustache it has a walrus yeah mustache effect this is a rally fingers curl no it's this is a really weird bird yes yeah so there was all sorts of different versions that you know it incorporated of course the classic brewers logos and then brewer centric things beer brats hot dogs whatever you think of when you

1:12:42think of the Milwaukee brewers yeah there's all different versions and I thought I'm a broad worst guy that's usually my tradition when I go to Amphan field I I don't go for the hot dog I go for the broad worst so I figured what better marriage and what more iconic thing and people think brewers baseball they think the sausage race yes of course they think pat Murphy Christian y'all tell that when you think about being at Amphan field you think about when's the sausage race and who am I going to pick this week again that cultural experience yes so this is on your arm this was your favorite design were were you torn between any other designs yes I'm not wearing my high life hat today but I am I proselytized for the Miller high life beer it is my favorite beer my grandfather brewed at Miller for many many years and retired there so it's it's as much of a of my life Miller high life as as a grateful dad and Milwaukee brewers the thing was it was a little more expensive is a little more detailed and it was going to be a little more time consuming and I was there with a group of about 20 friends so I wanted bang bang quick nice hundred bucks

1:13:46here's a tattoo commemorate 2026 this is opening day for the Milwaukee brewers will you get anything added to your bright if the brewers win the world series I would think so just because in terms of that's the last real championship I'm waiting for as Wisconsin sports fan I've gotten the brewer super the brewers the packer super bowl and the Milwaukee bucks championship so the brewers is the one that's felt the hardest get and it probably would commemorate it in some way I haven't decided that I'm not putting the cart before the horse here but I have a lot of tattoos sort of that are just happened at any moment I've got the grateful dad skull and roses from from the iconic live album in 1971 which was actually charity bet due to a skeleton breast radio program so I'll get a tattoo for any reason and a world series is certainly good enough to to make meet the mark let's just talk briefly about your longtime love for the Milwaukee brewers tell me about what

1:14:48you remember about your very first game yes so the brewers go back a long time my grandfather is an avowed brewers fan he talks to me still about the Milwaukee Braves and Hank Aaron so it's been something I've heard about since I was a small child I remember going back to county stadium when the stadium was still open the memories are spotty but I do for whatever reason remember one game with my dad my sister and it was like the middle of summer it was scorching hot and Jeremy Brunette's had a home run to us and there was not a lot of people in the crowd because that was probably 94 nine in that area so that is my first game I remember and more opening day has been a tradition in my life since high school me and my friends that was our senior skip day but we did at freshman thru senior year so I've gone to as many of those as humanly possible as long as I'm in the state and around for them and you know I make it between anywhere to 20 to 30 games year

1:15:50wherever it makes sense and we've talked about retro brewers memories tell me about the 2026 season what stood out to you I mean breaking the 100 win mark was something I never thought of Milwaukee Brewers team was going to be capable of it was a sort of thing I remember seeing other teams do at a younger agent thinking wow I can't believe that's even possible to win 100 games in the season so 103 wins the way they did it with the manager they have and just the sort of joy that is very obvious when they play play ball every every single night that's the thing I'm always going to remember I'm going to remember all the characters that are with it and a specific memory would be the mother's day walkoff as as usual those like attaching it to a specific day like opening day or mother's day as the holidays those are always significant to me. Aw and we never want to jinx anything I know you're a long time brewer's fancy you'll get this as do I being a

1:16:53former in-game host you learn things to say and not say but what's your one word prediction for the rest of the playoffs hmm when I I'm not sure when this is airing but I'm really nervous about what's happening I want them to close out series I don't want it to be back and forth finish them and advance as fast as possible that's I I've been saying it on ESPN I'm not built for October I cling to every pitch way too much it's unhealthy I have all sorts of them from the time the ball leaves the pitchers hand and makes it on plate I've experienced two to three emotions in that time and unless you didn't even know you had a tightening correct it's it's it's I love it I wouldn't have it any other way it's a privilege to get to watch postseason baseball but it is it's different than any other sport and we've watched a lot of Packers playoffs obviously in recent memory a lot of box playoffs but for whatever reason the brewers really get it and it probably dates back to

1:17:56being a young kid here in about baseball from time I can remember ESPN's Milwaukee's Josh Demagio owner of one of the most amusing German-brought worst racing sausage tattoos and superfan let's go brewers go brewers and if you want to see Josh's tattoo and some other WT MJ fans tattoos just text the word tattoo T.A.T.T. oh oh to the citing unlimited WT MJ talk and text line text tattoo to 8556161620 and you can see some brewers inspired tattoos next the door man shares his experiences at American Family Field last weekend and how he unexpectedly connected with the family of former Milwaukee Brewer Sal Bando thanks to the t-shirt he was wearing stay with us for brewer stories on what's on tap you're listening to what's on tap with Sandy Max on WT MJ

1:18:57what's on tap sponsored by Visit Milwaukee Handcrafted Homegrown World Class to discover more at VisitMillWalky.org there are brewers fans and there are brewers lifers and my next guest is a lifer you've probably seen him in the brewers crowd on TV over the years you may even know him by his nickname the door man my guest is brewers superfan mark simons for decades he's been a familiar face at brewers games his seats are just outside the visitors dug out so he really does wind up becoming part of the ballpark experience itself and this past weekend mark was there for every pitch every roar of the crowd and even had an unforgettable moment thanks to a t-shirt that he was wearing featuring in 1982 Milwaukee Brewer's player mark the door man's simons welcome to what's on tap hi Sandy thanks so much for having me really appreciate it i love that you're in your professional setting now because i love seeing you with all of your emotion at the ballpark

1:20:03you have seen hundreds maybe thousands of brewers games from some of the best seats in baseball what was the atmosphere like an american family field this past weekend yeah i just getting chills thinking about it it was just absolutely electric i mean it reminded me of a few of those moments that i've seen over the past few years i think back to you know 2008 for the first time for them getting to the playoffs in 26 years and what the crowd was like that day yeah like the uh you know the time that they won their first playoffs series you know at home against the diamond backs and what that was like but the emotions of the game on sunday were unlike any i've had in a long long time that's saying something and gosh you mentioned 2008 and i am thrilled to have gotten to know you through your lovely wife Stephanie Stephanie i went to mark that together and i remember in 2008 getting her phone call and you're like we are going out

1:21:05to celebrate and we wound up yeah at the club that Jeff Jenkins was part owner of and the whole team showed up in the ahtanazis were there and robin now and Dale swam my camera put his credit card down on the bar like that was such a celebration and you're telling me this is that kind of vibe now after this past weekend yeah for sure you know thinking back to 2008 i mean it was just the relief that they had finally actually like made the playoffs and so you know that night you know going to that bar with cc and prince and ryan i mean literally every player was in that was in that bar that night and it was like completely memorable and i'll never forget it but like this past weekend just experiencing the highs and lows of that game and like the years and years of frustration feeling and you could sense it in the crowd and i think that that was the thing to me that was like crystal clear is that after the podries had scored that run you could just kind of feel the air

1:22:06start to leave you know and folks sort of were running through like oh no it's just going to happen again and then the way that they played and it was frustrating you know for the first seven eight days of that of that game defensively and then it just all clicked and it was just magical and how did your lifelong love affair with the Milwaukee Brewer start? well actually it started when i was a kid because my dad actually took me to county stadium and the first game that he took me to believe it or not was when they were playing the A's back in like 1973 or 74 and so truth be told i saw those colors at the A's were wearing and i'm like that's my favorite team and so i was an A's fan and and was until they actually moved out of Oakland but i became a brewers fan at the same time and like you know we went back from we were Cub scouts in 75 and 76 to go see Hank Aaron there was back days and so going in from a small town in in Wisconsin and Delavan and then going to Milwaukee to go watch the brewers play a county stadium

1:23:11and then you know becoming a season ticket holder and then just experiencing the highs and lows of Milwaukee baseball through all those numbers of years and and there was a lot of down years during that time you know as you know i mean you know we hadn't had a winning season you know since 1992 up until 2008 so it was 16 years of frustration and seeing it firsthand and watching the team perform then seeing them build it up with Doug Melvin and you know that was and really kind of the renaissance and you know in jack v to where they are today which is just like the most incredible organization for the resources that they're spending also just a commitment that they have to bring in the players that are the right fit for the organization mark i got a text on sunday morning from a friend and it was a screen grab from facebook from me a bando brewers player sal bando's granddaughter and her caption was oh mg does anybody know this man and why he's wearing my grandfather's face on his

1:24:15shirts and my friends and you know mark don't you i was like i do tell us why you chose to wear the vintage sal bando shirt to Saturday's game and then yeah how did it lead to a baseball connection so sal bando was a all-time favorite player of mine while i was a brewers fan i was really an a's fan and i got to meet sal a number of times after he had retired and he was just the sweetest guy and just a really good man when i was picking up a new t-shirt now i looked online and they had a sal bando in a brewers uniform shirt so i wore that shirt on saturday and got to honor sal and then the close up happened and then my phone blew up when i got the information about that was kind of what you can say you know who is this guy and i definitely got a text from you and she showed me the screen grab and then the next day i get a call from the brewers saying hey listen sal bando junior reached out to us and he really wants to get in contact with you and i just kind

1:25:18of fell over i couldn't believe it and so did you get to talk with sal bando junior yep yeah i did i could be texted together and it told him how much i really just enjoyed watching his dad play and what he related to me is that when they were watching the game and they saw the moment that i was cheering on uh Jacob when i was final inning and they had that close-up of me and they saw the t-shirt that their family text chain blew up and couldn't believe that somebody was wearing sal's photo on their t-shirt and we're just so happy to see that and he just wanted to say thanks and he was so much more than just a player or an executive for the brewers like he was just a solid and decent man who's definitely gonna be missed he is mark the doorman siaman's brewers super fan and next markle share his experience at the first two playoff wins at amfam field and his thoughts on what makes this 2026 brewers team so special stay with us brewers fans this is what's on tap on wtmj you're listening to what's on tap with sandy backs on wtmj

1:26:26in the brewers excitement my guest is brewers super fan mark the doorman siaman's adhanes wife Stephanie are devoted brewers fans you sometimes see him on the tv broadcast rooting for the team in the crowd and mark and i have chatted about how he became a brewers fan as a kid his few of hundreds of brewers games from his sweet season seats behind the visitors dugout that he's had for two decades and favorite past brewers players now it's the 2026 playoffs the brewers won the first two games this past weekend at american family field mark tell me i've just a couple of words to describe what it was like being there for saturday's win for saturday's win getting that first one done and you know seeing the the ball that ty france hit you know hitting the rafters and and then seeing cheerio catch that ball and you know knowing the ground rules within miller park because i'm friends with the number of the umpires you know i knew that that ball was in play it was fair and so it's out it's simple as that but like the emotions of that when that ball was initially hit i think

1:27:30everyone was thinking oh please go foul but it was hit so high and to see it land in cheerio's glove was just incredible and so getting that first win and then just team it up for sunday and the emotions that are in on sunday were unlike anything i had had experienced in in a number of years and just that is one of my friends said that it was was really the worst game ever until it became the best game ever on sunday and you know that's the kind of experience it really kind of felt for the emotions that you know when cheerio came up there and and i think that's the thing about that ninth inning is that you know they they have the two outs that they just kept grinding and so you get walks and you get getting those guys on base and then when cheerio came up i just said you know this is going to happen like he's going to come through that was a really rare feeling for me as a bruh man because a lot of times frankly you're just sort of used to having the the next the

1:28:32shoe drop but you know being there and watching it and just seeing him time up and his confidence and when he filed that one ball off and he went and smelled his bat you know as he's walking back to the batting circle back to the box i just said to step and i said he's going to do it he's going to do it you know that hit and then seeing south score from second and kind of the same way that like carlos gomas did in 2011 i mean it was just absolute madness and it was one of the best games i've ever been to so you really believed after seeing cheerio take a big whiff off that bat in inhaling deeply you thought this is the moment wow yeah i mean you just you could see it and when he walked up to work for the at bat before it even began like that guy had so much confidence like you didn't see a shred of doubt as he walked it's like he's like yep this is me this is me i'm good i'm going to win it and it was just and it was like that air of confidence that he had

1:29:32when he walked from the batting circle to the batters box was that air and even with two strikes and he followed that ball off it's like he's got it you know and he watched that slider come in and it was you know down in the zone to to make it too too and then he's like just waiting for that meatball and that's exactly what Miller did throughout right there and cheerio smashed that i mean just just absolutely incredible but you just knew he was going to come through i'm glad you did because i was on pins and needles but then to see the captain christian yellowish run across home and then south free lake in fine form not just belly flop across but like belly flop spread eagle across home play in just 100% exuberance so the sherry shifts to the road what's your message to brewers fans what gives you confidence about what this 2020-16 can accomplish they just they have the it factor and you know you've always sort of look for those little things that happened during the season that just are little sparks but then

1:30:35you look to what happens in the playoffs and it's such a short series that you know one bad miss q could could really derail it but you think back to that game on sunday they played the worst game at the worst time for the first seven innings of that game three errors two misplays just bad baseball and then it was like a light switch went on and they're like you know what enough of this we're going to take it and that's exactly what they did and it's going to be tough San Diego is a tough team and playing out west is difficult but this is the kind of team that just has that kind of factor that you just feel like confident and i don't want to say anything to jinx it but you know i feel confident about this team and you know let's see what the chips fall but you know as they say we're going to take one game at a time and i think brewers fans have to do the exact same thing just say one game at a time you need three this round you need four than x two and that's the only thing that we're focused in on and mark where were you be watching

1:31:35the game tonight i'll be watching on television staying up late since i'm on the east coast uh i've got a extra hour less of sleep but it's going to be worth every second of it well let's go brewers thank you so much for sharing your stories thanks sanny it was my pleasure and go crew let's go all right on and text the word door man to get the full conversation and see his salbando shirt find out why he has the nickname the door man get to know mark Simon text door man d o o r ma n all one word to the siding unlimited w t m j talk and textine if you're a fan of the brewers you have something in common with mark and i think you'll really enjoy his stories siding unlimited w t m j talk and text line text door man to eight five five six one six one six twenty d o o r ma n eight five five six one six one six twenty and the sounds of memorable plays of the milwaki brewers so far coming up with your moment of brew and the song you need to hear for catch

1:32:37your william contraris next on what's on tap this is what's on tap with sandy max all right baseball fans do you remember this play from game four of the nlds there it is flyball center field back is Mitchell at the warning track at the wall and he jumps it makes the catch he took a home run away from manny machado and the growers stay in front by two a thinning manny machado hits what looked to be sure to be a two run home run that would have just tied the game until garret Mitchell blesses hard halted in and in honor of that catch here is your moment of brew sponsored by sewer ninjas azura lak group and grubber law offices right feel the teasy you know you can be awkward you can be slow that's why right here in right you just watch the day the world is growing

1:33:39Mitchell coming in goes into a dive he made the catch garret Mitchell diving free like me the catch Jackson chariot made the catch banging up against the wall Laura's coming on in Laura's still coming goes into a die forward in the weeks Laura makes the catch right before it hit the grass that's a rift the catch again towards the line and leaping did he catch it yes ran in lockbridge spider man style of the corner and super south does it again ah does that just sound great your moment of brew sponsored by sewer ninjas azura lak group and grubber law offices you can hear the full montage and see a lot of our brewers coverage when you text the word brew b-r-e-w text brew to the siding unlimited w-t-m-j talk and text line brew to eight five five six one six one six twenty you can hear that full moment of brew dedicated

1:34:43to the outfield catches w tmj's airick billstad does a great job creating the moment of brew text brew to eight five five six one six one six twenty and get fired up with william contraris's walk up song as the song you need to hear but it might surprise you that's next on what's on tap