Originally published on Facebook January 15, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I have come to learn that some dreams are touchable and others are not. So how does one distinguish? It is a matter of accessing the risks, the time, and the reality of the dream.
Some dreams are just fantasies not worth pursuing. Others are very attainable through real goals, focused attention, and hard work. I have achieved dreams so far in life. I have had dreams to do recording projects. I have had dreams to grow in my career. I have had dreams to buy a house. All of these were attainable through real goal setting, focused attention, and hard work.
There are other dreams that I hold tightly inside that are not so attainable in my opinion. We shall see. But it is very important for the dreamer to distinguish between fantasy and real dreams. A fool chases fantasies without considering the final outcome. It takes great wisdom to be a dreamer and to choose which dreams are worth pursuing and which are considered only fantasies.
I’m on the winding journey “Wine, Ding.” “Whine. Ding!” “Why in Ding?”
Meandering
Lingering
Wallowing
Swallowing
Opening
Preserving
Observing
Fancy-ing
Swerving
A little left
A little right
Wondering
Wandering
Wondering when wandering
Wandering when wondering
Exploring
Documenting
Winding
Sometimes tight
Sometimes loose
The winding journey
belongs to the pioneers.
Photo of our new friend “Dave’s” sailboat who apparently came from the Michigan side and was waiting for the wind to pick up. My son made a new friend and Dave let our family on the boat for some rare photos. Photo by Angie Mack Reilly, Port Washington, WI 2019
Contact: angie@ozaukeetalent.com for speaking engagments and interviews
December 2004
Angela got in touch with Alex van der Tuuk and began corresponding with him on a regular basis and reading his book
January 2005 ParamountsHome goes online, collects data, and begins networking locally and worldwide
April 2005
Kris of the Grafton Jaycees begins to tackle the project of putting on a blues festival in Grafton after Angie proposed the idea to the group.
May 2005
Angela gets in touch with Michael “Hawkeye” Herman and he begins encouraging her and mentoring her toward her goals.
September 2005
Joe Krupski approaches the Grafton Planning Commission to open a Paramount Restaurant
September 2005 Michael “Hawkeye” Herman does Blues in the Schools for all 3 Grafton Elementary Schools(Thanks to principal Scott Oftedahl, area music teachers and Kennedy P.A.C.E.)
Fall 2005 “Embrace the Legacy” concert series designed to educate adults about Paramount at the Timothy Wooden Building/North Shore Academy of the Arts (Thanks to Barbara Krause and Grafton Area Live Arts)
October 2005 Angie pitches the “Paramount Blues Festival” to the Cedarburg Cultural Center. Angie helped plan the event featuring Ann Rabson, Fruitland Jackson, and a Paramount panel discussion
October 2005
Ad Hoc Committee forms to discuss the possibilities of incorporating the Paramount theme into the downtown redevelopment and Grafton’s identity. Ad Hoc Committee Members Present: Jim Brunnquell, Jim Grant, Angela Mack, Tom Sweet, Melissa Schmitz, Darrell Hofland, and Michael Rambousek. Discussion begins about creating a Paramount music society of sorts
December 2005 Paramount GIG (Grooves in Grafton) begins to form and later brings “the mobile museum” to area banks, businesses, and the library to educate the community.(Thanks to Missy Schmitz)
January 2006 Grafton Blues Association begins to form out of members from the Grafton Jaycees
July 2006 Paramount GIG presents “A Dance With Early Jazz” to raise funds for the etching of artists into the Walk of Fame
July 2006 ParamountsHome wins the annual Wisconsin Historical Society website award
July 2006 PBS History Detectives films in Grafton upon Angie’s written request and story pitch
August 2006 “Lost Musical Treasure” by PBS History Detectives airs nationwide
August 2006 The Grafton Hotel is purchased by Rob Ruvin
September 2006
Angie presents “Passionate about Paramount and the Blues” at the Grafton children’s library
September 2006 First annual Paramount Blues Festival presented by the Grafton Blues Association and attended by first lady Jessica Doyle
September 2006
Representative Mark Gottlieb issues a legislative citation to the Village of Grafton acknowledging the importance of the history and praising the Village, individuals, and groups who have embraced the history
September 2006
The Village of Grafton holds the first annual Walk of Fame ceremony to honor Henry Towsend as the first inductee into the new Walk of Fame. Angie provides a team of youth singers to accompany the event.
September 2006
North Shore Academy of the Arts (Angie) presents a second annual “Embrace the Legacy” concert featuring the Paul Curtis Band
October 2006 ParamountsHome (Angie) lectures at the Wisconsin State Historical Museum
October 2006 Henry Townsend Memorial Benefit Concert presented by the GBA- American Legion, Grafton
November 2006 Grafton Blues Association becomes organization of the year – Grafton Chamber of Commerce
November 2006 Paramount Plaza tree lighting ceremony – Grafton Chamber of Commerce
December 2006 Paramount Restaurant opens and begins to provide a venue for musicians to play (Thanks to Joe Krupski)
December 2006 North Shore Academy of the Arts (Angie) finishes its recording studio and does some makeshift recording projects with Scout Groups, classes and birthday parties
December 2006 Paramount GIG begins to merge into the Village of Grafton Historical Preservation Commission
The News Graphic listsAngie as one of the most influential leaders in Ozaukee County. (2006)
June 2007 Playwrite Kevin Ramsey announces his new musical, “Grafton City Blues” to be performed at the Milwaukee Rep Theatre Jan-March 2008. Angie’s interview of Kevin is published in the playbills.
June 2007Paramount Walking Tour is completed
Summer 2007 Many of the components of the Paramount Plaza are completed
September 20072nd annual Paramount Blues Festival
September 22, 2007 Walk of Fame ceremony inducting Louis Armstrong and Son House. Dick Waterman came for the ceremony and gave the Grafton Historic Preservation Commission a photo of Son House and Skip James that hasn’t ever been published before.
October 18, 2007 Village of Grafton and Grafton State Bank formally dedicate the sculpture by Norm Christensen
