The newspaper world is constantly moving, so we usually don’t have time for a proper “adult lunch,” as my co-worker, Penny Mullins, EagleHerald news editor/digital director, calls it. This term is best described as going out with someone away from the building, to not talk about work and to give your mind a good rest. It’s not running, grabbing food and eating at your desk so you don’t miss a customer walking in, which is our normal.
I took the occasion that both my co-worker, Becki Minton, advertising operations manager, and I had a day that wasn’t quite as hectic as most to have such a lunch. I had been talking about how amazing the Tasty Traveler, a food truck vendor, that takes up residence Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Stephenson Public Library parking lot, near the Marinette Welcome Center.
Although, my family and I have grabbed some of this food truck’s amazing food several times because… YUM! I wasn’t aware of the popularity until we walked over during one of the Out to Lunch Thursday events the City of Marinette is having over the summer, depending on the weather. There was a huge line of people right around noon, so my cohorts, Becki and Paige, her daughter, and I quickly walked up to place our orders. On the way, we waved to some people we saw, including Melissa Ebsch, the new marketing and tourism director of the City of Marinette and Marinette County, and Judy Alwin, manager of the Marinette Welcome Center.
Once our orders were placed, we had time to meander and take a look at what else was there. On our way to the vendors in line with the food truck, we heard and saw a nice gathering of people talking with live music playing in the background, and a dancer performing next to them.
Our first stop was to a display that happened to be manned by our boss and EagleHerald General Manager Kathy Springberg. She was selling the metal trout for the Chamber of Commerce summer promotion and she brought along her jewelry collection to sell. If you want a piece of jewelry, I would check with her. She had everything from necklaces and bracelets and rings to brooches, in a variety of styles.
There was also He’ll Blink Coffee Roasters, a coffee vendor, with a free sample. Paige and I tried it, and we bought some right after it. I don’t claim to be a coffee-connoisseur, but again… YUM! And, it was nice and cold, perfect for that warm day. There were other vendors there as well, smiling, welcoming and ready to answer questions about what they were selling.
When we were done looking at the wares, we made our way back to the food truck to wait for our food. It took a while, but the weather was an ideal Wisconsin summer day. It was warm in the sun, but the wind was blowing off the Menominee River behind the vendors. We decided next time we will come later so as not to hit the noon lunch hour rush.
We brought our food back to the office, to sit back in the cool air conditioning. And, the Tasty Traveler did not disappoint, as per usual. I ordered the chicken wrap, an order of hog fries and of course, a deep-fried Oreo. It was too much for a lunch, but man was it good!
I ate my lunch as I manned the newsroom and read some things that needed to get in the following day’s paper, feeling like I just had a small vacation from my work day. I also came back with a great feeling of community. It was heart-warming to see people gathered in the middle of the day, partaking in food, wares, entertainment and talking to each other.
I may have to take advantage of the Thursday “Out to Lunch” events while I can. It’s a great break from the bustling world.
This column was originally published June 29, 2018, in the EagleHerald. You can find this column and others like it at ehextra.com.
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