The Quill #2: Local Favorites #3

March 3, 2025

Visit Milwaukee

MIlwaukee is about two hours away from Green Bay, a short drive. It is a bustling destination full of entertainment and adventure. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, a foodie, or someone who enjoys traveling, Milwaukee may genuinely have something extraordinary for you, for everyone!

MARCH EVENTS

Festival Symphony OrchestraSaturdays: Milwaukee’s Festival City Symphony offers free “accessible-to-all” concerts every Saturday at the Bradley Symphony Center. 

March 21: The 12th Annual Milwaukee’s Blues Festival, which will take place at the Riverside Theater at 8 p.m., is a unique night of moving lyrics and guitar-driven accompaniment.

PLACES

  • MKE Art MuseumMilwaukee Art Museum: Renowned for its stunning architecture and impressive collection of artworks, the Milwaukee Art Museum is a must-visit for visitors and art enthusiasts alike.
  • Milwaukee Public Museum: Experience, explore, and discover history, culture, and innovation in “Wisconsin’s largest natural history museum.”
  • “Slice of Ice” at Red Arrow Park: Free outdoor ice skating (with your own skates) transforms winter nights into a magical adventure! Glide beneath the city’s skyline, creating unforgettable memories of joy and exhilaration. Skates, skating aides, and mobility sleds available to rent.

FOOD
Milwaukee has some great eateries with a relaxed atmosphere are off the beaten path, and the food … ¡delicioso!

  • Café Corazon: Wonderful ambiance, authentic Latin dishes, and reasonable prices.
  • Classic Slice: This pizza spot is a must. It has an existentialist vibe.
  • Milwaukee Public Market: Indulge in delicious flavors at their community events and experience the vibrant world of artisanal and ethnic food!
—Mia Perez-Behringer

The Quill #2: Recommended Reads #1

March 3, 2025

Dune
by Frank Herbert

Dune coverWhen it comes to complex interstellar stories that present deep, thought-provoking messages, there are few I’ve experienced that have surpassed Frank Herbert’s Dune. Published in 1965, Dune is an epic novel that is considered by some to be the work that defined the science fiction genre as we know it today.

The primary setting is a desert planet called Arrakis, a fully fleshed-out world consisting of well-developed civilizations, an intricate, highly feudal political system, and a protagonist whomay be one of the most complex characters in fiction.

Paul Atreides, the son of the esteemed Duke Leto Atreides, is the final product of nearly 10,000 years of careful planning and breeding by the Bene Gesserit — a group of women who possess superhuman abilities. This is done for the sake of producing the Kwisatz Haderach (a male Bene Gesserit) who is prophesized to possess the ability to bridge time and space, thus shaping the very fate of the universe. From an early age, Paul displays many extraordinary powers — including the ability to see into the future — confirming his status as the Kwisatz Haderach. However, much to the chagrin of the Bene Gesserit, Paul chooses not to submit to their manipulation, instead striving to forge his own destiny. This takes Paul on an epic journey across Arrakis, forging an alliance with the nomadic Fremen for the sake of freeing the planet from the control of House Harkonnen, who have maintained dominance over the planet for the better part of a century.

While Dune features many familiar tropes, such as the “messianic chosen one,” it is depicted in a way that serves more as a deconstruction of the trope. While Paul does reject his status as the Kwisatz Haderach, his actions throughout the story cause significant harm to a great many people. This is Frank Herbert’s way of warning readers against placing power in the hands of “messianic” individuals, implying that it can lead society down a dangerous path of self-destruction. Prophecies can be incorrect, and chosen ones are not always willing to follow their chosen destiny. Paul is a prime example of this, and his gradual descent into darkness sends a truly powerful message to readers of all backgrounds.

So, is this a story that might engage you as much as it interested me? If your answer is yes, then get out there and snag a copy of Dune for yourself!  And if you’d rather check it out on the big screen, consider giving Dennis Villeneuve’s film adaptations a shot instead: Dune: Part One (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) can both be found on HBO Max (Max), or both can be rented on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.

—Noah Spellich, Books Editor

The Quill #2: Recommended Reads #2

March 3, 2025

Dawn By Octavia E. Butler

Dawn coverHow far can you stretch your mind? Pushing the boundaries of our world and minds is an essential feat in science fiction, one Octavia Butler is exceptional at. In Dawn, published in 1987, Butler carries this out by creating an alien species. She imagines how humans would react to this species by looking at how we handle the differences we see in each other.

Lilith Iyapo is the heroine of Dawn, and she must face an impossible situation. She is human in a world of non-human beings. The natural, human responses of anger, fear, and desire for human companionship that Lilith has to her situation often make it more difficult for her. Yet it is her humanity — her ability to understand other humans and the very DNA her cells contain — that makes her useful to her captors. Read more …  She wakes up alone in a room after watching her entire world be destroyed. Everyone that she loves has died, and she knows, though the room has no entrance or obvious surveillance devices, that she is not truly alone. Eventually, a being enters her room, its very strangeness so repellent that she can hardly bear to be in the same space with it. The being is shaped like a human, but its skin ripples with tiny feelers. It has no eyes yet can still see her.

Slowly, Lilith becomes acclimated to her captors and comes to understand why she and other human survivors are being held captive. Her captors call themselves the Oankali and depend on genetic exchanges with other species to survive. She comes to trust that they mean to save the human species. But do their goals really match up with hers? What price can she accept for the survival of her species? And most importantly, what does it mean to be human? The thought Butler puts into exploring these questions and her characters’ responses to them made this book unforgettable for me — and hopefully will make it equally unforgettable to you

—Neesa Peak

The Quill #2: Recommended Reads #3

March 3, 2025

Calamity
by Constance Fay

CalamityWhen I first picked up Constance Fay’s Calamity, it wouldn’t be a lie to say it was because I was actively judging a book by its cover. I wasn’t super into the sci-fi genre last year, but Calamity‘s topic caught my attention and seemed interesting enough to read. It turned out to be a thrilling romance that blended intergalactic adventure with a touch of space-mafia politics. Being a huge Star Wars fan, the space-mafia side of the book was exactly what I needed to stay engaged. If you’re into sci-fi with a romantic subplot and fun, witty banter, Calamity is up your alley.

The story follows a girl named Temperance Reed, otherwise known as Temper. I’ll admit, when I first saw the strange names, I was a bit thrown off, but they grew on me after a while. Temper is an “exile” from one of the wealthiest and most powerful family groups that control everything in the galaxy. She’s the captain of an inherited scout ship named Quest and is fiercely loyal to her crew. Temper’s life takes a turn when she receives an offer from the Escajedas, one of the top five families, to scout a desert planet called Herschel 2. 

The catch? She has to take one of their sons, Arcadio Escajeda, with them for security. The two travelers face strange cultists, erupting volcanoes, and a spicy bond that starts to form between them. The book is written in almost a “Wattpad-ish” way, which I always find easy to read since those stories don’t make things too complicated.

I finished the book in a single day, so it can definitely keep you hooked! Calamity centers around exactly what the title describes — a catastrophic event. It isn’t a one-trick pony either, as the Uncharted Hearts series has a currently available second book, Fiasco, with the third one, Chaos, planned for release in March. These sequels focus on different characters from Temper’s crew, who you learn to love just as much. If you’re looking for a book to get you into the sci-fi genre, Calamity could be an awesome choice!

—Katie Frank

The Quill #2: Recommended Reads #4

March 3, 2025

QUIZ: Which Character Archetype are You? 

main character energy memeHave you ever thought that you have “main character energy”? Maybe you think you’re more of a quirky side character who’s up to some shenanigans in between assisting your protagonist pal. Maybe you think you’re just a regular person, there’s no story, and there’s no such thing as these stupid character archetypes.

If you fit into the latter category, then you’d be wrong! I’m here to tell you that you’re a part of the story, and this quiz is here to tell you which part you play!

Answer the questions below and tally up your score for your results.

1. What do you call the machine you drink water from in public places?

a.) Bubbler (+0)
b.) Water Fountain (+1)
c.) Drinking Fountain (+2)

2. What’s your favorite primary color?
a.) Red (+0)
b.) Blue (+1)
c.) Yellow (+2)

3. Which of these do you consider yourself?
a.) Night Owl (+0)
b.) Early Bird (+1)
c.) Always Tired (+2)

4. Which dessert are you ordering?
a.) Chocolate cake (+0)
b.) Berry pie (+1)
c.) Ice cream sundae (+2)

5. Which instrument would you play in a band?
a.) Drums (+0)
b.) Guitar (+1)
c.) Bass (+2)

6. What’s the proper way to cut a sandwich?
a.) No cut (+0)
b.) Into rectangles (+1)
c.) Into triangles (+2)

7. Which kind of stories do you engage with the most?
a.) Books (+0)
b.) TV/Movies (+1)
c.) Video Games (+2)

8. Which reptile is the coolest?
a.) Snake (+0)
b.) Turtle (+1)
c.) Lizard (+2)

9. How do you prefer your drinks?
a.) Hot (+0)
b.) Cold (+1)
c.) Frozen (+2)

10. Is a hotdog a sandwich?
a.) Yes (+0)
b.) Maybe (+1)
c.) No (+2)

Add up your points. Your total decides your results!

0-4: The Villain
Ooooh, you’re so bad. While the others worry about saving the world, you’re busy plotting its downfall. Your intelligence and careful scheming make you a formidable foe. Charismatic but cunning, stylish but sinister — and always a fan favorite —  you’ll have your evil victory if it’s the last thing you do!

5-9: The Sidekick
You like to tag along with your protagonist buddy in the action and are always ready with a good one-liner. Sometimes that friend is off doing cooler, more important things, and on those days, you find yourself biding your time with the goofy and unimportant subplots, awaiting their return. If you’re sitting here thinking; “How come you talked about the main character so much in my own description?” — to that I say: get used to it!

10-14: The Hero
It’s true, you have main character energy. You’re the center of the action, and it’s your destiny. It can get annoying, constantly being followed by trouble — but you manage. Your story is so interesting, someone ought to write a book about it.

15-19: The Love Interest
You’re who the main character is pining for. Heck, you may have a few characters fighting over you. You’ve just got that somethin’ special. You may not be the most well-rounded character to ever be written, but hey, at least you’re lovable!

20: The One Who Dies Before Anything Else Happens
Sorry about that, champ. If it makes you feel any better, we all really liked you for that first chapter. Thanks for raising the emotional stakes!

 —Brooke Schoening

The Quill #2: Recommended Reads #5

March 3, 2025

Book Travel: Maame

Maame cover“They just won’t understand, you know? We’re Ghanaian, so we do things differently,” writes one of the characters in Jessica George’s Maame.

Maame, whose title means “woman” in Africa (according to Ancestry.com), is a 2023 fictional coming-of-age novel set in Croydon, a borough of London. George has you hanging out with the main character, Maddie, who straddles the line between her Ghanaian roots and her life in England while she works through cross-cultural (and other) struggles. She is battling with all the usual suspects of being a young adult: family and illness, love, career, and figuring out her place in this world.

Now, let’s plan a trip to Croydon!

Who likes zombies? Go to the TripAdvisor app where, for $21, you can sign up to participate in a game/tour where you will encounter zombies and learn if and how well you would survive during a zombie apocalypse!

Not into zombies? There are several hiking and biking trails surrounded by lush forests and hills, and landmark sites like towers and windmills. From Croydon, you can take tours of Cambridge, the Cotswolds, Stonehenge, and other nearby London well-knowns.

After your zombie encounter, you will probably be ready for some non-human sustenance. Croydon has a decent food scene with choices like the raved-about Sri Lankan wings at Machan Kitchen, Chicken Shish from Mithras Restaurant, South African cuisine, Turkish, Taiwanese, European, and more! You will not go hungry in Croydon!

Looking for somewhere to hang up your zombie garb for the night? Croydon has plenty of lodging options starting at $65/night and up. You can slumber in places like the Hampton by Hilton, Premier Inn, Leonardo Hotel, or what Expedia calls the best hotel in Croydon, the Hilton London Croydon. Personally, my curiosity is intrigued by CitizenM (www.citizenm.com). With views of the famous London Bridge, common areas that are filled with books, 370 smart rooms, views of the London skyline near the Gherkin and Sky Garden, and a rooftop bar, this sounds like the place for me!

If you’re interested in seeing how Maddie of Maame lived, doing some zombie chasing, or snuggling into a bed with a view of the London skyline, think about checking out the UK and making your way over to Croydon, London.

—Karrie Wortner, Book Travel Editor

The Quill #2: Recommended Reads #6

March 3, 2025

The Quill’s Flame: Females Who Changed History

Phoenix with quillLet these inspiring words fuel your passion for standing tall and leaving an unforgettable historical mark.

Women have been trailblazing change throughout history, inspiring generations with fiery words and bold actions! From fearless activists to visionary artists, their voices have reshaped our understanding of resilience and empowerment. 

“…be fearless.”

—Demi Lovato, singer, songwriter, actor, human rights activist 

“We don’t need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful.”

—Taylor Swift, singer, songwriter, actor, philanthropist

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

—Maya Angelou, scholar, poet, writer, human rights activist, and feminist
—Mia Perez-Behringer, The Quill’s Flame Editor

The Quill #2: Fictional Fiancé

March 3, 2025

For the romantics among us who like to read reviews before we shop….

Fictional Fiancé: Hugo Vega

Hugo VegaFirst appearing in the dating-simulator game Dream Daddy, created by Game Grumps, Hugo Vega is one of the many dating options a player can pick. Hugo is a middle-school English teacher who loves to wear bowties, loves the smell of books, and surprisingly is big into wrestling. This shy, nerdy dad with a secret special interest opens his heart up to you, but is he truly a good choice to date? Well, he’s in a dating-simulation game, so I’d hope, but let’s find out on this edition of Fictional Fiancé!

Gentleman Material: ★★★★★

Hugo is a respectful gentleman at heart, who shows that he likes to take things slowly, believing in careful steps in order to grow a relationship. He also puts the “manly” in gentlemanly with his hardcore wrestling interest and ability to perform said wrestling moves.

Looks: ★★★★★

Not only is this man incredibly pristine and handsome, but he also dresses dapper to boot. His image is that of a man who would hold every door and kiss your hand every time he sees you. If that doesn’t scream husband material, I don’t know what does. Also, Hugo reminds me of Harvey from Stardew Valley, so that’s a big plus. 

Affection: ★★★☆☆

Hugo is shy with his affection, but he is still affectionate even if it’s not too overt.

Charisma: ★★★☆☆

While Hugo isn’t so suave and gets flustered easily, his geeky nature is a charm all itself.

Intelligence: ★★★★★

The guy knows his stuff! Mention anything about 18th-century literature, and he will probably verbally produce an entire scholarly article.

Fanciness: ★★★★★

Hugo is a very fancy guy. He’ll take you out to taste the most delightful imported cheese and then book a reservation at the fanciest place in town.

Romanticness: ★★★★★

If you’re looking for cute and simple romance like going out for coffee together or going out to aquariums and art galleries, Hugo’s got you covered. If you’re lucky, he may even write you a romantic poem while he’s at it.

Overall Dateability: ★★★★★

It’s too bad the “sim” in dating sim stands for simulation, because otherwise I would have already proposed!

—Alex Lopez, Fictional Fiancé Editor

The Quill #2: Movie Recs #1

March 3, 2025

The Fly (1986)

The Fly movie posterWhile not recent by any means, The Fly (1986) is a masterclass in redoing a movie in style. The story follows Seth Brundle, a scientist working on the development of teleportation technology going between one empty pod and another. Attempting to test his creation, he enters one pod and, unbeknownst to him, is followed by a fly. In a split second, one being exits the other pod, and it’s Brundle, who seems … fine. For now.

The original 1958 film of the same name follows a similar plot, being based on the same short story by George Langelaan. As with most older horror films, though, it ends up reading more campy than creepy. For a film whose fear lies in how grotesque and scary it would be to turn into an insect, the comically large fly get-up comes off more hilarious than horrifying.

The 1986 remake upgrades from black-and-white mascot costumes to an intensedisplay of special effects mastery, taking the the viewing experience to another level — I’d say it’s executed more successfully here than other old horror remakes, even from recent years. The best part? It’s those good ’80’s practical effects. None of that all CGI nonsense, I’m talking prosthetics, puppets, and full-body makeup. I’ll warn you: it’s gross. But it’s awesome. To top it off, the leading man this time around is Jeff Goldblum, and as we know, he’s always an entertaining watch.

When considering all the tiring remakes we’ve been getting over the past decade, The Flyis one that won’t make you want to turn the TV off halfway through and gouge your eyes out. Or at least not for the same reasons.

Available to rent or buy on your favorite streaming sites.  

—Brooke Schoening, Movies Editor

The Quill #2: Movie Recs #2

March 3, 2025

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Beauty and the Beast posterOne movie remake that I really love and think was well done is the live-action Beauty and the Beast. And I’m not just saying that because of the good memories of seeing the live action in the theater with my best friend. Belle has always been one of my favorite Disney princesses, and when the remake came out in 2017, that reawakened my fondness for the story.

There were several things that this adaptation of Beauty and the Beast added onto the original. For example, the set design and costumes brought life into the film with more detail than what was able to be done in the original animation. They did particularly well with Belle’s iconic yellow gown.

The writers also developed more of the Beast’s character in the live-action remake. This starts in the opening scene where it is revealed more detail on how the prince became the Beast. In the original film we are only shown this scene through a sequence of illustrations on stained glass windows. The remake acts out this same introduction scene at a ball and gives us more detail on some of the cruel actions the Beast had done to his kingdom prior to being cursed.

This adds on to the original story by giving us more background information that helps us to better understand certain elements of his character. Another addition that I enjoy was when he got his own song, “Evermore.” This is one of the major differences from the original animation that I love. By writing a new song for the Beast, we can better see how his feelings have developed throughout the film. These additions to the original story are what make the updated Beauty and the Beast a good adaptation. 

Available on Disney+. 

—Clover Cicha