The Elias Inn

200 N. Second Street

Watertown, WI

(920) 261-6262  

We are told to arrive before 5:00pm, or face a daunting wait. I arrive first. Tammie who runs the front of the house, suggests a visit with Slim, who runs the bar; and that I should just let her know when the whole party has arrived.  

A perfectly prepared brandy old fashioned in hand, I survey the premises.  

Distinctly reminiscent of a Bavarian lodge, with a beautiful dark wood back bar, the large gathering area funnels into a cozy dining room with 13 tables, already mostly filled with hungry diners.

By the time the last of our party arrives, fifteen minutes later, The Elias Inn is in full swing, with patrons crowding the bar. Word to the wise: get there early or be prepared for a wait.

A Lazy Susan is a turntable (rotating tray) placed on a table or countertop to aid in moving food. Invented in the 17th century, popularized by Thomas Jefferson, then by Henry Ford, who used an enormous one on his camping trips in the 1920s to avoid bringing a full contingent of servants along with his guests the term "Lazy Susan" was officially added to Webster's dictionary in 1933. You will find this venerable device in the middle of every table at the Elias Inn.  

 Immediately upon being seated, this ingenious contraption is filled by our friendly and most certainly not lazy server with fresh cole slaw, baked beans, mayo-style potato salad and seriously-as-good-as-my-mother's, hot German potato salad. Wow!

Our server cheerfully explains that the menu is fixed on Fridays, (no ordering off the menu,) as three servers place the family-style steaming platters with all you can eat fried & baked cod, broasted chicken, French fries and soft rye bread on the table. Both fish dishes were flaky and moist, with the chicken lightly battered, crispy and tender. The fries were broasted as well, with a crunch in every delectable bite.  

On a recent Friday, your fish dish review crew twirled that Lazy Susan 'til she got dizzy, emptying and refilling the sides - especially the hot German potato salad, whilst ordering several additions to the perfectly prepared fish and chicken entrees.  

We topped the meal off by quaffing Slim's brandy Alexander's, a most satisfying and delicious end to a perfect Wisconsin supper club Friday fish fry excursion.

We all agreed that we never felt rushed or pressured to "turn the table," and that the service was most attentive and sincere.  

John's kitchen turns out food that is simple elegance: a limited menu, perfectly executed...right down to the tartar sauce, which had an indescribable hint of sweetness. 

Would you like to take a step back in time to the 1950's? That was a time when the term "supper club" in Wisconsin was synonymous with impeccable service, expert, friendly bar staff, clean premises, outstanding food and don't forget those Lazy Susan's.  

All owners since the early 1980's, John handles the kitchen, Slim commandeers the bar and Tammie the dining area taking pride of ownership to a whole new 21st century level. The Elias Inn in Watertown maintains these core values of splendid hospitality serving five days a week.  

They are closed Sunday & Monday.

The Elias Inn is a jewel in Jefferson County's dining crown.

Eat local.

Don't get no better'n The Elias Inn, boys & girls.

Your Fish Dish Review Crew 

For almost twenty years, The Fireside has presented the area's most beautiful and original musical revues in celebration of the most joyous holiday of the year.  Each year The Fireside's Christmas offering has become, without question, the most popular and sought-after show of the season. It's always gorgeous; it's always entertaining; it's always filled with inspiration and love. It always has a new look, a new sound, new music, new choreography, new costumes, new settings, and a new, fabulous cast of performers. What doesn't change from year to year is our everlasting dedication to artistic quality and the true meaning of Christmas.

Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday Matinee arrival 10:30am, Thursday & Saturday Evening arrival 5:00pm, Sunday midday 2:30pm.

The Fireside Dinner Theatre, 1131 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson

www.firesidetheatre.com 

800-477-9505  

December 1, 2013 - Holiday Parade of Homes

1-5pm

Watertown - 519 E Main Street

920-261-6320

608-423-3900

December 6-8, 2013 - Cambridge Annual Pop-Up Gallery 

The Cambridge Arts Council presents the second annual Pop Up Art Gallery December 6, 7 & 8.  The building at 210 W Main Street in Cambridge, WI will be turned into an art gallery for the weekend.   

The opening reception will be Friday, December 6 from 6pm until 9pm, and all are welcome.  During the opening reception there will be music by Kurt Griesmer, appetizers and refreshments, and the artists will be present to discuss their art.  The gallery will be open Saturday from 10am-4pm and Sunday from 10am until 3pm.   

Many activities will also take place in the gallery space including a gingerbread house contest, Chef Gene Gowan will be giving a holiday food demonstration, there will be youth music, the elementary school Drama Club will be performing, and other classes and activities will be conducted throughout the weekend.

Cambridge - 210 West Main St  

www.cambridgewiarts.org 

608-423-3780

December 6-8, 2013 - Cambridge Country Christmas 

Experience the magic of Cambridge Country Christmas from Friday 12/6 to Sunday 12/8. There will be the majestic tree lighting ceremony and the much anticipated arrival of Santa Claus plus the opening of the Cambridge Arts Council Pop-Up Gallery opening reception with live music Friday evening.  

There is an Elf Shelf all weekend long with fun kids activities. There will be free horse-drawn hayrides on Saturday & Sunday, a live nativity scene, strolling Madrigal singers, Breakfast with Santa, pet photos with Santa and more.  

Visit the Mistletoe Emporium and Craftin' in Cambridge crafters area at the old Prescott building, 149 W. Main (Sat & Sun) where kids can enjoy gingerbread house building, visits and photos with Santa, Dress Up Vintage Photo Shoots and a snowball toss game.  

The 2013 Country Christmas ornament made by Rowe Pottery Works will be available for purchase at the Emporium also. Make a Victorian ornament and have sweet treat at the Cambridge Historic School Museum.  

The Pop Up Gallery will have cooking demos, a guitar clinic, a gingerbread house contest, and performance of "A Christmas Carol". There will also be a live reading of "Written Right Here" stories by local authors.  

Take a walk or drive through the spectacular holiday lights display at Ripley Park through December. Santa will announce the winners of the Cash for Christmas Raffle and Cambridge Chamber Cheermeister awards at noon on Sunday 12/8.  

www.cambridgewi.com   

December 7, 2013 - Merchants Holiday Open House 

Enjoy refreshments served by shopkeepers, strolling carolers, and hayrides with Santa. Enter the Holiday Red Box drawings at participating merchants for a chance to win Chamber Gift Certificates and the Merchants Giant Gift Box Give Away.

Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce and retail establishments.

Fort Atkinson 

www.fortchamber.com 

(920)563-3210

December 7, 2013 - Fort Winter Farmers & Art Market 

Winter Farmers Market Goals: Our goal is to create a welcoming environment with activities that will produce a fantastic holiday shopping experience. Our commitment is to the small farmer/producer and local artisan. December 7th is dedicated to providing opportunities for our greater community to SHOP LOCAL for all of their holiday needs.

Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Fort Atkinson, WI

fortfarmersmarket.com/ 

(920) 563-3210  

December 7, 2013 - 7th Annual Pets Light Up Our World 

 

Add an ornament 'In Honor of" or 'In Memory of' a beloved pet. minimum donation $2.00. Ornaments available now at the Jefferson Veterinary Clinic.

Quilt Raffle $5/ticket or 3 tickets for $10. Drawing will be on December 7 at 4 PM. Need not be present to win.

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO JEFFERSON FOOD PANTRY AND FAMILY PROMISE.

2-4pm

Jefferson - Jefferson Veterinary Clinic, 959 W Racine Street

www.jeffersonvetclinic.com 

920-674-2383

December 7, 2013 - 18th Annual Parade of Lights 

18th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights, downtown Jefferson at 5:30pm. Refreshments, entertainment and Santa will be available after the parade.  Sponsored by the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

5:30 pm

Jefferson  

December 7, 2013 - Hayrides with Santa 

Santa is coming to Badger Bank! Visit us on Saturday, December 7th at our Fort Atkinson Branch (220 Grant Street) to get your wishes in! Santa will be in attendance from 10am to 1pm.  

FREE Horse Drawn Hayrides, FREE Sweets and Treats!

10am to 1pm

Fort Atkinson - Badger Bank - 220 Grant Street  

www.badgerbank.com 

920-563-2478

December 13-15, 2013 - Marv Kraus Promotions - Gun Show 

Gun Show Friday 4-8pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 9am-3pm

Jefferson - Jefferson County Fair Park - 503 N. Jackson Ave.

www.jeffersoncountyfairpark.com 

563-608-4401

December 13, 2013 - Neil Berg's Broadway Holiday  

Neil Berg's Broadway Holiday concert features Broadway stars from Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Fiddler on the Roof, Wonderful Town, Tarzan and Cats - singing the hits from their Broadway musicals, interspersed with holiday favorites like White Christmas, We Need a Little Christmas, and more! 

Whitewater - UW Whitewater - Young Auditorium 

www.uww.edu/youngauditorium 

262-472-5705

December 14, 2013 - The Nutcracker   

During this time of year when the ground is frosty and holiday cheer is in the air, there is one performance that should be on the must-see list! That is the most beloved ballet - The Nutcracker.

Whitewater - UW Whitewater - Young Auditorium 

www.uww.edu/youngauditorium 

262-472-5705

December 14, 2013 - Winter Market 

If you're already counting the days until the Lake Mills Farmers' Market opens up in May of 2014, never fear - we have just the event to tide you over!

Some of your favorite Lake Mills Farmers' Market vendors will gather on Saturday, December 14 for our annual Winter Market. The hallways and Community Room of the Lake Mills City Hall will be bursting with food products, jewelry, Christmas crafts. You'll be able to stock up on honey and baked goods. You will find a wide variety of items, ranging from hand-turned wooden items to wonderfully scented soaps and candles, and hot food and more will be available.

Do you already miss Flying Cow Pizza? They will have a "bake and take" booth this year - order a few to take home and bake, or order more than a few to take home and freeze - this will tide you over until Flying Cow returns to the Farmers' Market next May!

The number of participating vendors continues to grow each year!

Enjoy holiday music all day, from live groups to popular recordings.

If you are going to the Tyranena Ladies Club Breakfast with Santa at the Legion that morning, don't forget to bring the family down the block to City Hall and enjoy the Winter Market!

9am - 3pm

Lake Mills, 200 Water Street  

www.LegendaryLakeMills.com   

920-648-6721

December 17, 2013 - Christmas Neighbors 

8am

Jefferson - Jefferson County Fair Park - 503 N. Jackson Ave.

 www.jeffersoncountyfairpark.com 

920-674-4499

December 28-29, 2013 - Class Act Cat Show 

Two day Cat Show

Jefferson - Jefferson County Fair Park - 503 N. Jackson Ave.

www.jeffersoncountyfairpark.com 

608-423-9025

December 31, 2013 - RING IN THE NEW 2014 

Join us for a brand new revue filled with music and comedy to usher in the New Year with sound, color and great, great fun!  Featuring audience favorite Steve Watts leading The Fireside's wildly popular eight piece live band, hosted by Ed Flesch and performed by a cast of multi-talented singers and dancers, RING IN THE NEW brings back great moments from our live band shows like THOSE FABULOUS FIFTIES and VIVA VEGAS, as well as recreating memories from some of our great Broadway musials and presenting brand new music and comedy. The show is created especially for New Year's Eve at The Fireside.  There are several dinner theatre packages to choose from and a gala celebration in the lounge after the evening show.

Matinee arrival at noon, evening show arrival at 6pm.

Fort Atkinson - The Fireside Dinner Theatre, 1131 Janesville Avenue

 www.firesidetheatre.com   

800-477-9505