Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive one of those huge amphibious vehicles known as DUCKS? Or dreamed of skiing in the Tommy Bartlett Show? Maybe you’re more the riverboat captain type. Or someone whose description of heaven would be working in a chocolate shop. Last summer, we struck up conversations with four people whose jobs are considered the envy of Wisconsin Dells. Here are excerpts of our chats, via e-mail and in-person.
Taking a DUCK Out For a Spin
She may have been a first-year driver, but it’s a family tradition in the Curran family. Anne Curran joined the ranks of DUCK drivers last summer, following in the footsteps of her uncle, brother and three cousins, two of whom drove last summer too. She’s from nearby Portage, making the short commute to and from work each day. A self-described "peppy person," Anne told us that, compared to her friends’ summer jobs, driving a DUCK for the Original Wisconsin Ducks is one of the best jobs and a lot of fun too. After some dry-land lessons and mentoring by more senior drivers who helped her perfect the travelogue-style script delivered by all drivers, Amy took to the water behind the wheel of these huge vehicles. She said it’s like driving a big truck.
When we e-mailed her to ask her what she liked best about the work, here’s what she e-mailed back:
"the scenery is absolutely beautiful!!! it is one of the many reasons why i absolutely love my job. i get to ride around all day and look at views that make wisconsin dells famous! i love the view on the river, it is amazing especially right away in the morning or in the evening it’s gorgeous."
As her summer gig came to an end, Anne wrote to us to say:
"i’m a little sad to leave work because i really enjoy it. i work with some really wonderful people, but am excited to start my first year of college!"
Anne left the DUCKS behind for her freshman year at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She’s hoping one day to be a dentist. Perhaps the comedy monologue skills honed during her summer job will come in handy in that career too. Oh, by the way, if her employers are reading this, she would love to come back for a second summer of DUCK driving.
The Thrills and Spills of Being in the Ski Show*
Gina Smith always wanted to ski in the Tommy Bartlett Show, and last summer she did just that. She and a friend made their way from Iron Mountain, Michigan to Wisconsin Dells to join the cast of the current show, "The Pirates of Bartlett Bay." She came to the position honestly -- she lives on a lake; her entire family skis, so she started at a young age; and she was a member of her community’s local ski team. Like DUCK driver Anne Curran (page 91), there was also a family connection -- Gina had an uncle who had skied in the show. Gina perfected her form while performing in the ballet line, swivel line and the world-famous pyramid.
We couldn’t resist asking Gina whether she had autograph seekers after the show, and here’s what she e-mailed us in reply:
"There have been times when little girls have run up asking for a picture or an autograph, but most of the attention tends to be towards the clown."
How’s that for honesty from a celebrity! We also asked Gina about the practice schedule. It seems it’s an "all for one and one for all" philosophy:
"If you fall, then you practice. For example, if a trio goes down in the show then all three people involved have to come down to the dock and practice."
Mid-August found Gina bidding a fond adieu to the audiences, as she packed her bags for St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin and her sophomore year of school. She’s majoring in graphic design. We wonder if she’s developed a fondness for incorporating the color blue and the pyramid shape in her designs.
* This year's show is a special 2-hour sky and stage production. You won't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime special event.
Captain of the Classroom to Captain of the River
Teaching and river boat piloting, the perfect combination of careers. Nine months in the classroom teaching students, then three months on the Wisconsin River taking visitors out for a "field trip" of sorts, a tour of the meandering waters and the honey-hued sandstone bluffs. Harlan Feldt taught in Wisconsin Dells for 37 years. He’s been retired from that career now for going on 10 years. On the other hand, he’s been employed at the Dells Boat Tours for 33 years, with no signs of retiring.
We caught up with Harlan at the boat dock and asked him about his longevity in both jobs.
"I thought I would stay one full year as a teacher, not really certain I wanted to be a teacher, but the kids hooked me and I stuck around. The boat work kept me busy during summers. I didn’t think I would be working at the boats this long either. At first, I did this because it was a fun job. It was when I realized I was providing fun for others that kept me going. I love to share this part of the Dells, interacting with the people. That’s the teacher in me. I still enjoy doing this at age 70 and I’ll do it as long as I can."
With as many hours as Harlan has logged on the water, we wondered if he favored water activities in his free time too. Not anymore.
"We had a boat, but didn’t use it for a year, so I gave it away. Now my wife and I travel in the winter, and we spend time visiting our son and daughter."
Harlan said he couldn’t point to one memory of his years on the river as the best. He told us every day is a new day, and he seems to be enjoying every one.
How Sweet It Is to Make Chocolate Treats
Here’s another retiree who likes to keep busy. When Rita Mountford and her husband retired to Wisconsin Dells, it didn’t take long for her to take up employment at Swiss Maid Fudge in downtown Dells. She started in 1992 and has seen a few changes since then. The shop is now open year-round and the selection of treats has greatly expanded. For example, today’s visitors can choose from 13 varieties of caramel apples, with the shop selling some 2,000 per week in peak season. The fudge is a popular choice too.
Rita is responsible for dipping the fancy chocolates, a job she says requires patience, pointing out it’s a process that can’t be rushed. She used to make caramels too.
Does she see a lot of repeat customers? Here’s what she said:
"There are customers who never miss stopping in to the shop when they’re in town on vacation. They always comment on how good it smells in here!"
These days, among those repeat customers are Rita’s children, grandchildren and even a great grandson. Her family’s connections to Wisconsin Dells run even deeper than that. Rita told us her father used to work at Stand Rock with the dogs that jumped from one sandstone bluff to another, a sight today’s visitors can still enjoy. And her mother worked in a souvenir shop. She also has a brother who’s been selling boat tickets since 1989.
Finally, we wanted to know Rita’s favorite candy, and without hesitation she replied, the milk chocolate English toffee. You may want to try some next time you’re in town.
