We're all connected 24/7 to computers, tablets, phones and television. But there's more to life than being online – even for a digital media company – so this week we're excited to show you ways to connect with family and friends, even when there's no signal. Steinhafels presents OnMilwaukee Unplugged Week, a celebration of all things analog. Sit back, log into these stories and then log into the real world.
Each year on Jan. 25, Scotland and Scot-o-philes and poetry fans celebrate Burns Night to mark the birthday of the legendary voice of Caledonia, Robert Burns.
Today, in the honor of old Rabbie, the Bard of Ayrshire, I might give a wave to his likeness when I pass it today on the lower East Side. When I get home, I’ll cue up some Tannahill Weavers – something especially heavy on the pipes, like "The Unicorn Set" ...
And, I’ll pour a dram of Heeland whisky. Maybe, I’ll dip into the nice, smoky, peaty bottle of 10-year-old Ardberg that my friend Nate Norfolk sold me last week at Ray’s Wine and Spirits in Tosa.
Or maybe another Islay treat, a 10-year Laphroaig, which would be perfect in one of these cocktails...
Feast Toddy
1 part Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
1/2 part ginger liqueur
3 parts hot apple cider
fresh ground cinnamon
Build in a pre-heated coffee mug. Garnish with a lemon wedge studded with cloves and a dash of fresh ground cinnamon.
Ode To Scotland
1 part Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
1/2 part maple whisky
1/2 part butterscotch liqueur
2 parts fresh pressed apple juice
flamed orange peel
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.
Then, it’ll be all "John Anderson my joe, John," and "There's nought but care on ev'ry han', in every hour that passes, Oh What signifies the life o'man, an ' 'twere na for the lasses, Oh."
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
