BY
JANET STEINBERG
The
American dream…The American way…The American Club.
American dream…The American way…The American Club.
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| THE AMERICAN CLUB |
As
long as there is an America, there will always be an American dream.
Since the birth of our nation, immigrants have been coming to the United States
in search of that dream. There was a time, some 100-plus years ago, when
hundreds of those immigrants headed to Wisconsin where they could find work at
the Kohler Company, manufacturers of state-of-the-art plumbing fixtures and
faucets. These young immigrants lived in squalor in nearby Sheboygan.
long as there is an America, there will always be an American dream.
Since the birth of our nation, immigrants have been coming to the United States
in search of that dream. There was a time, some 100-plus years ago, when
hundreds of those immigrants headed to Wisconsin where they could find work at
the Kohler Company, manufacturers of state-of-the-art plumbing fixtures and
faucets. These young immigrants lived in squalor in nearby Sheboygan.
When
land was needed for a Jewish cemetery, prejudice in early Sheboygan required
the Jewish community to acquire land outside the city. Thus the Sheboygan
Hebrew Cemetery was founded on a site of land that has since become Highland
Drive in the predominantly gentile village of Kohler, Wisconsin. In 1944,
1959, and 1962, when more land was needed for the expansion of the Hebrew
Cemetery, the Kohler Company donated some of their land to the Hebrew Cemetery
Association.
land was needed for a Jewish cemetery, prejudice in early Sheboygan required
the Jewish community to acquire land outside the city. Thus the Sheboygan
Hebrew Cemetery was founded on a site of land that has since become Highland
Drive in the predominantly gentile village of Kohler, Wisconsin. In 1944,
1959, and 1962, when more land was needed for the expansion of the Hebrew
Cemetery, the Kohler Company donated some of their land to the Hebrew Cemetery
Association.
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| OLD GRAVESITES IN SHEBOYGAN HEBREW CEMETERY |
Walter
Kohler, third son of the Austrian immigrant founder of Kohler Co had his own
American dream. He wanted his workers to maintain the work ethic and social
graces that they had brought with them from ‘the old country’. His
visionary concept for a quality standard of living found concrete expression in
the building of The American Club, dedicated June 23, 1918.
Kohler, third son of the Austrian immigrant founder of Kohler Co had his own
American dream. He wanted his workers to maintain the work ethic and social
graces that they had brought with them from ‘the old country’. His
visionary concept for a quality standard of living found concrete expression in
the building of The American Club, dedicated June 23, 1918.
The
American Club of the 21st century is a world-class resort for all
seasons. Located 55 miles from Milwaukee, It might well be the best-kept secret
in the Midwest. The Midwest’s only AAA 5-Diamond resort hotel, The American
Club offers a plethora of recreational and dining options from cross-country
skiing to golfing…spa-ing to dining…factory touring to shopping.
American Club of the 21st century is a world-class resort for all
seasons. Located 55 miles from Milwaukee, It might well be the best-kept secret
in the Midwest. The Midwest’s only AAA 5-Diamond resort hotel, The American
Club offers a plethora of recreational and dining options from cross-country
skiing to golfing…spa-ing to dining…factory touring to shopping.
My
first day at The American Club began with a lunch at the Whistling Straits Golf
Course clubhouse. The Restaurant, located on the shores of Lake Michigan,
is reminiscent of a farmhouse in the Irish countryside; the cuisine is American
with British Isles flair.
first day at The American Club began with a lunch at the Whistling Straits Golf
Course clubhouse. The Restaurant, located on the shores of Lake Michigan,
is reminiscent of a farmhouse in the Irish countryside; the cuisine is American
with British Isles flair.
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| LUNCH OVERLOOKING THE WHISTLING STRAITS GOLF COURSE |
Lunch
was followed by a round of golf on Pete Dye’s Irish Course at Whistling
Straits. This exquisite combination of grasslands and dunes came complete
with a flock of 40 woolly Scottish Blackface sheep that call the golf course
home. The course was tough, but I was totally captivated by the natural setting
that includes 10 bridges over 4 meandering steams.
was followed by a round of golf on Pete Dye’s Irish Course at Whistling
Straits. This exquisite combination of grasslands and dunes came complete
with a flock of 40 woolly Scottish Blackface sheep that call the golf course
home. The course was tough, but I was totally captivated by the natural setting
that includes 10 bridges over 4 meandering steams.
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WOOLLY
SCOTTISH BLACKFACE SHEEP CALL THE GOLF COURSE HOME. |
The
Wisconsin Room, the historic main dining room of The American Club was our
restaurant of choice for our first night’s dinner. This is the original
dining hall where immigrant factory workers ate hearty meals. The Wisconsin
Room’s large windows afford enchanting views of the beautiful courtyard
gardens. A John Ruskin quote on one of three stained windows reflects the
Kohler family belief: “…Life without labor is guilt, labor without art is
brutality”.
Wisconsin Room, the historic main dining room of The American Club was our
restaurant of choice for our first night’s dinner. This is the original
dining hall where immigrant factory workers ate hearty meals. The Wisconsin
Room’s large windows afford enchanting views of the beautiful courtyard
gardens. A John Ruskin quote on one of three stained windows reflects the
Kohler family belief: “…Life without labor is guilt, labor without art is
brutality”.
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|
WISCONSIN
DINING ROOM |
My
second day at the resort was one of pure sybaritic pleasure. There was
time for a factory and /or Kohler Design Center tour where actual size
porcelain sinks, tubs, and commodes make up the incredible “Great Wall of
China”.
second day at the resort was one of pure sybaritic pleasure. There was
time for a factory and /or Kohler Design Center tour where actual size
porcelain sinks, tubs, and commodes make up the incredible “Great Wall of
China”.
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| GREAT WALL OF CHINA |
Then
it was off to lunch at Craverie Chocolatier Café where the menu is a balance
between indulgences and lean…from low calorie basics to the incomparable Kohler
Original Recipe Chocolates.
it was off to lunch at Craverie Chocolatier Café where the menu is a balance
between indulgences and lean…from low calorie basics to the incomparable Kohler
Original Recipe Chocolates.
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| CRAVERIE CHOCOLATIER CAFE |
One
cannot leave the American Club without spending some time at the Kohler Waters
Spa, one of only 48 five-star spas worldwide. From my Immersion
Suite in the hotel’s Carriage House, I was able to go to and from the spa in a
luxurious guest bathrobe. Pre-dinner relaxation was assured by a Golfer’s
Massage and an Organic Facial, complete with buckwheat mask. The latter
might well be the best facial I have ever had.
cannot leave the American Club without spending some time at the Kohler Waters
Spa, one of only 48 five-star spas worldwide. From my Immersion
Suite in the hotel’s Carriage House, I was able to go to and from the spa in a
luxurious guest bathrobe. Pre-dinner relaxation was assured by a Golfer’s
Massage and an Organic Facial, complete with buckwheat mask. The latter
might well be the best facial I have ever had.
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| RELAXATION AREA OF SPA |
Our
final dinner was in the award-winning Immigrant Restaurant, the crown jewel of
Kohler restaurants. It proved to be a memorable evening of exquisite dining.
The American Club signature restaurant is dedicated to the European immigrants
who prospered in the area.
final dinner was in the award-winning Immigrant Restaurant, the crown jewel of
Kohler restaurants. It proved to be a memorable evening of exquisite dining.
The American Club signature restaurant is dedicated to the European immigrants
who prospered in the area.
The
American Club is a place of village charm and old-world elegance; “ a place
where champions play…where the spirit is tested…and the soul is nourished”.
American Club is a place of village charm and old-world elegance; “ a place
where champions play…where the spirit is tested…and the soul is nourished”.
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| A NOURISHED SOUL SWINGS IN THE AMERICAN CLUB GARDEN |
JANET
STEINBERG IS THE WINNER OF 41 TRAVEL WRITER AWARDS AND A TRAVEL CONSULTANT FOR
THE TRAVEL AUTHORITY IN CINCINNATI/MARIEMONT, OHIO
STEINBERG IS THE WINNER OF 41 TRAVEL WRITER AWARDS AND A TRAVEL CONSULTANT FOR
THE TRAVEL AUTHORITY IN CINCINNATI/MARIEMONT, OHIO