The Moccasin Blog

New Gift Website

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Well we are knee-deep into our new website www.moccasinsandgifts.com. We just got it off the ground after months of work so it is a work in progress. Our aim is not to get rid of our current website but to offer a different feel for shopping that is going to incorporate a lot more of our in-store gifts. For example, some of our biggest vendors including Ausable Woodworks, Jody Coyote Jewelry, and Blair Cedar boxes will now have a presence on our website. We still offer the same mom and pop customer service that we always have, now we just have a bigger selection. So, check out all of our gifts at www.moccasinsandgifts.com, but don't forget to keep shopping at www.arrowgiftshop.com. Also, we do have deals that go out to our loyal customers. If you are first time shopper on our website, you must get on our mailing list. To do so, enter your email address at I-contact and information below and we will send you any updates that we have on in-store and online sales we may be having.

Ice Fish Eagle River

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:15:00 +0000

More than 25 percent of the fish caught in Wisconsin are nabbed when the lakes have frozen over, which tells you how popular ice fishing in in dairy country. One of the choicest areas to auger a hole is around Eagle River, where walleye, bass, and perch swim in the area's 1,300 lakes and 73 rivers and streams (jig pole and tip-up rentals from $40 at Eagle Sports Center. Snag a room overlooking the Wisconsin River at the Eagle River Inn. SPLURGE! Jim Stanzil will guide you and your friends through a day of walleye fishing for $250.
Most fishing done on the ice starts in late December. This is when local fisherman brave 2-3 inches of ice and begin to go in search of walleye. Walleye and Panfish are the most popular fish to ice fish for, but if you can find a good Northern Pike spot during the day, you are in for a fun day of fishing.
Panfish are usually caught by jigging. Some fisherman have good success on Tip Downs. Tip downs usually have a wooden stand next to the hole and a rod, wire, or even a piece of Umbrella extended from the top. As the fish bites, the wire tips down. These are good setups for soft biting fish.
Walleye and Northern are usually caught on Tip Ups. These tip ups usually have a flag on a spring which releases when the fish bites. In my opinion the number one Tip Up is the Beaver Dam Tip Up.
Anyway you slice it, Eagle River Wisconsin is a great place to be for ice fishing.

Folklore of the Jack O Lantern

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:11:00 +0000

An old Irish folk tale tells of Jack, a lazy yet shrewd farmer who uses a cross to trap the Devil. On story says that Jack tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree, and one he was there, Jack quickly placed crosses around the trunk or carved a cross into the tree bark, so that the Devil couldn't get down. Another myth says that Jack put a key in the Devil's pocket while he was suspended upside-down.
Another version of the myth says that Jack was getting chased by some villagers from whom he had stolen, when he met the Devil, who claimed it was time for him to die. However, the thief stalled his death by tempting the Devil with a chance to bedevil the church-going villagers chasing him. Jack told the Devil to turn into a coin with which he would pay for the stolen goods (the Devil could take on any shape he wanted); later, when the coin/Devil disappeared, the Christian villagers would fight over who had stolen it. The Devil agreed to this plan. He turned himself into a silver coin and jumped into Jack's wallet, only to find himself next to a cross Jack had also picked up in the village. Jack had closed the wallet tight, and the cross stripped the Devil of his powers; and so he was trapped. In both myths, Jack only lets the Devil go when he agrees never to take his soul. After a while the theif died, as all living thing do. Of course, his life had been too sinful for Jack to go to heaving; however, the Devil had promised not to take his soul, and so he was barred from hell as well. Jack now had nowhere to go. He asked how he would see where to go, as he had no light, and the Devil mockingly tossed him an ember that would never burn out from the flames of hell. Jack carved out one of his turnips (which was his favorite food), put the ember inside it, and began endlessly wandering the Earth for a resting place. He become know as "Jack of the Lantern", or Jack-o-Lantern. - source unknown.

A friend of mine gave me the above article. I thought it was an interesting story at the time, so I think it makes an interesting blog. Its not to late to get a toy wooden guy for your child's Halloween costume. Arrow gift shop has an incredible assortment of guns for the holiday.

History of Trick or Treat

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:08:00 +0000

The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays goes back to the Middle Ages, and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of "souling," when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1) receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Dav(November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1953), when Speed accuses his master of "pulin [whimpering, whining], like a beggar at Halowmas."
Yet there is no evidence that souling was ever practiced in America, and trick-or-treating may have developed in America independent of any Irish or Britich antecedent. There is little primary documentation of masking or costuming on Halloween--in Ireland, the UK, or America--before 1900. The earliest known reference to ritual beggin on Halloween in English speaking North America occurs in 1911, when a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario, near the border of upstate New York, reported that it was normal for the smaller children to go street guising on Halloween between 6 and 7 p.m., visiting shops and neighbors to be rewarded with nuts and candies for their rhymes and songs. Another isolated reference appears, place unknown, in 1915, with a third reference in Chicago in 1920. The thousands of Halloween postcards produced between the turn of the 20th century and the 1920s commonly show children but do not depict trick-or-treating. Ruth Edna Kelley, in her 1919 history of the holiday, The Book of Hallowe'en, makes no mention of such a custom in the chapter "Hallowe'en in America." It does not seem to have become a widestpread practice until the 1930's, with the earliest known uses in print of the term "trick-or-treat" appearing in 1934, and the first use in national publication occurring in 1939. Thus, although a quarter million Scots-Irish immigrated to America between 1717 and 1770, the Irish Potato Famine brought almost a million immigrants in 1845-1849, and British and Irish immigration to America peaked in the 1880s, ritualized begging on Halloween was virtually unknown in America until generations later.
Trick-or-Treating spread from the wester United States Eastward, stalled by sugar rationing that began in April 1942 during World War II and did not end until June 1947 - Source: Unknown.

A Friend gave me the history of trick-or-treating and I thought I would share it on the blog. Arrow Gift Shop has a couple of great costumes for Halloween. Around this time we have a lot of candy-grabbers asking for our Cowboy and Indian dressup gear. We have just about everything you would need to dress your little guy or gal up in western geer. We even have some stuff for you older guys and gals. Give us a call 715-479-4903 to find a costume that is best for you situation.

Fall Colors and Cranberry Fest

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:15:00 +0000

Wow have the colors become vivid the past few days. It is amazing how beautiful this area becomes when they peak. We had a successful Cranberry Fest last weekend which usually happens at the same time the colors come out. They nailed it this year. Perfect timing.
For me, this is a favorite time of year. The geese are crowding the sky. It is cooling off. The colors are changing and its hunting season. I will be taking on some pheasants this weekend with my big yellow lab. Its his first pheasant hunt so hopefully it works out.
I have already started thinking about our Christmas specials at the store. Slippers are going to be a huge part of our season. That's because when it starts to get cold like this, so many people start thinking about gifts that keep you warm. Minnetonka slippers are one of our best sellers during the Christmas season.

Piping Hot Mug of Hot Chocolate

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:59:00 +0000

Our Aunt Dorothy was up this weekend for a wedding and this morning after Mass she took us out for breakfast. It was a brisk fallish type morning and four of our kids order hot chocolate. We were at the Friendship Restaurant in town and not only did they make their Hot Cocoa with whipped cream on top, but they also gave them a side order of whipped cream. It really put me in the mood for some cocoa so I looked up the perfect hot cocoa recipe, and here is what I came up with from ehow.com :

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

* 1/4 cup cocoa

* 1/2 cup sugar

* 1/3 cup water

* Pinch of salt

* 4 cups of 2 percent milk

* 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract

* Mug

* Saucepan

* Spoon

* Beater

* Whipped cream or Marshmallows

Step1

Combine water, cocoa, sugar, salt in a medium size pot over medium heat. Keep stirring making sure everything is dissolved until boiling. Keep boiling for a minute or two.

Step2

2 percent milk makes a creamy cup of hot cocoa, use skim milk for a lower fat content. Reduce heat to medium low and add the four cups of 2 percent milk, constantly stirring. Do not bring to a boil.

Step3

Add vanilla extract and keep stirring.

Step4

Stir mixture for about 2 minutes with the hand beater until everything is mixed together, or until desired serving temperature is met. Be sure not to boil.

Step5

Remove from heat.

Step6

Hand egg beater. For a foamy hot cocoa take hand egg beater and stir vigorously for a minute. Can us a mechanical beater as well.

Step7

Add Marshmallows or Whipped cream

It sounded like a lot of work for me so I just ripped open a Carnation Cocoa packet and dumped it in hot water.
An important part of a great cup of coffee, cocoa, or even soup is what you put it in. I swear by the Mara coffee mug that we sell. They are amazing. I have big hands and I love the way I can fit all four fingers into the cup handle. They are so heavy and tough I have dropped them on the floor and they haven't even cracked. They are microwave and dishwasher safe and they are beautiful. In short, they are a class act for coffee/cocoa mugs. If you haven't bought some, try them today. Kate and I probably have twenty in our house and it never seems to be enough.

Fall Returns to the Northwoods

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:22:00 +0000

Fall has returned to the Northwoods and Kate and I are now busy with Soccer and School. I do manage to squeeze in a hunting trip or two once in awhile but I am mostly teaching. As summer fades, the resorts in the area start to cleanup and close down.
Eagle River was an amazing resort area in its hay day. Now it is becoming more populated with condos then little resorts. That is a life style that seems to be changing drastically in the Northwoods.
Yes the economy has really effected our little area of paradise and we have seen our fair share of fellow business men and women decide to shut down their businesses but for the most part we are surviving this crazy economy.
Now is when the beauty of the northwoods really shines. The lakes are quiet as the boats are put away. The trees have already started to change colors and the National forest seem to come alive with grouse, deer, and animals to preprare for the hunting season. The Musky fisherman are still out pounding the water with their oversized tackle and due to catch and release, they are still pulling in a lot of monsters.
With the change in the weather, Minnetonka's winter boots really start to become more popular. Ladies where them with skirts and shorts early in the fall and then switch to pulling them over their jeans. On cold soccer mornings, more and more mom's are pulling on their fashion boots while yelling encouragment to their eight-year-old kicking the soccer ball around. Enjoy your fall before the winter season starts, it is the shortest of our Northwoods seasons it seems.

Moccasins and Bunions

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:43:00 +0000

I had a customer ask me the other day what shoe I would recommend for bunions. I'm not a doctor but probably the best shoe I would recommend is the Moosehide Moccasin.
See bunions are bony protrusions that usually occur on the side of big toe or the pinky toe. They are very painful and many time require surgery. You definitely do not want a hard leather or tennis shoe rubbing against them.
Moose moccasins are like a shoe that is already broken-in. I wear them to work when I'm not wearing my fisherman sandals. I like them because I can go sockless with them so they work with shorts. They are so incredibly soft and flexible that they would not irritate your bunions. I also like them because they can really take a beating. I slip in and out of my Moose Mocs like a flip-flop but I still look professional enough to deal with vendors and clients.
I say, when you have bunions look to the Moose.

What's Popular This Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:52:00 +0000

By far the most popular shoe this summer....and last summer....and the summer before, is our fisherman sandal. It is my personal sandal of choice. I think it is the cushion insole that makes them so cool. Your feet don't hurt at the end of the day and you just spent the whole day working in your sandals. I know most of you don't have the option of working in sandals, but I do and these are the greatest.
As a teacher, I have been taking full advantage of this summer and doing a little relaxing in my fishing boat when I'm not working at the store. Of course with 5 children, its not really fishing. It is more like Baiting and Fixing poles more than anything. I love the fisherman sandals because when we stop somewhere in the boat I'm not wearing flip-flops. Also, my sandals have lasted for three years. They can really take a beating.

Summer Camp in Eagle River Wisconsin

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:30:00 +0000

It is that time of year when the camp kids get a day away from camp to hang out in Eagle River. Since we literally have hundreds of lakes in the area we have several camps. Many times the Eagle River visit coincides with Parents weekend, so many parents bring their children into the store looking for a souvenir from our area. Arrow Gift Shop is primarily a souvenir shop but most parents invest in a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins for their camper.
Moccasins are a sensible gift for their campers. First, they are a gift that their child will probably wear every day. Second, Minnetonkas are so durable that they literally seem to last forever. We have adults come in claiming they still own their moccasins from when they were kids. I guess that is one of the best features of Minnetonka Moccasins-they really take a beating. At our shop, if you have any problems with your moccasins we replace them. We have had customers bring them in after 3-4 months of continuous wearing complaining about a stitch that has broken and we just give them a new pair of shoes and send the old ones back.

Kate and I have sent our kids to Honey Rock which was an experience for them. Even if you are visiting Eagle River for a week or have a cabin up here your kids will still love to stay a few day at camp.

I have also spent some time at Camp Manitowish working with kids in Angel on my Shoulder program. This was a great experience for myself working with these kids.

Why Driving Moccasins?

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:23:00 +0000

What goes better with summer than cruising in your classic car? Of course some drivers like a little more horse-power than others and some maybe even interested in performance driving.
The driving moccasin was originally created for high performance racing in Europe and its style caught on world-wide. The nub bottom is designed to grip the clutch while the light weight and comfort of the shoe kept the drivers feet comfortable.
If you are a serious performance driver that of course you may want to choose a shoe a little more flame retardant, but for sheer style the Minnetonka Moccasin Moose driving mocc can't be beat.
To where socks or not to wear socks, that is the question. Here is what the guys at men.style.com have to say: "I always get cold feet when I am driving, even when I’m not on the autobahn, so I would favor socks with driving moccasins. Socklessness is a fashion, not a mandate. Wearing socks with moccasins might not look right if you are Bob Evans or Robert Goulet, but for mortals and non-Californians, I think it is quite fine, especially if the socks are of a sporty nature. And by that I mean jaunty and colorful, not logoed and tubular. The question is, is it acceptable to wear driving mocs when you are walking? I put them in the boat-shoe category. Boat shoes, that preppy cliche, should not be worn in areas where it is unlikely you have your boat parked."

Bring Back Toy Guns

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:57:00 +0000

Probably once a day at the store I hear a parent-usually mom-scornfully reproaching her child for asking for a toy gun. Yes, our store has toy guns. In fact, it is the Gander Mountain of toy guns. We have just about every style shape and size you can imagine. I find it amazing that a parent might think they are going to prevent their child from becoming a serial killer by not allowing their son or daughter to possess a toy gun.
We have many "Zero Tolerance" parents that Jonathan Turley talks about in his Washington Post Article "My Boys Like Shootouts. What's Wrong With That?" You can view Dr. Turley's article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/23/AR2007022301749.html.
10 years ago it was all could do not to scream every time a child walked into our gift shop and bypassed the guns and swords for our section of Beanie Babies. I certainly am glad that that little fad is over. The same America that complains about how obese our children have become is the one supplying our children with stuffed bears and video games. What happened to the days of endless chasing other kids around trying to shoot them with your pretend gun. It didn't even matter if we possessed a toy gun when we were kids, we still chased each other around spraying pretend bullets from the end our index finger.
I have 5 children. I am teaching them to hunt and how to appreciate wild game. I also have taught them that its ok to play with toy guns but it is never ok to touch daddies guns unless I'm standing right beside them. My children understand the difference. You would not believe how many children walk into our store and think the toy guns we sell are real. I find that disturbing. Shouldn't we all educate our children on how to differentiate between right and wrong rather than spend the few precious years we have with them censoring what is wrong.

Minnetonka Honey Prescott Thong Sandal

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:59:00 +0000

We are in the swing of summer and it is awesome up here in Eagle River. It is between 70 and 80 degrees everyday, the classic cars are cruising the strip, and the street dances are in full swing. What a great place to live! The lakes are full of boats and the fishing is still good. It is time to dress for summer. Here is our Prescott Thong Sandal - Minnetonka has done it again! They have taken their number one seller - the Silverthorn thong - and changed it up a little to add some new flare for 2008. Braided leather and a silver ornamentation make this sandal a sure hit for the summer! Great with a skirt, shorts or just hanging out at the beach.

Fishing in Eagle River

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:12:00 +0000

We have had a dynamite year for fishing in Eagle River. The water level is finally high and everything seems to be biting a little bit later and a little bit longer. The smallies and panfish are moving on to their beds now as the weeds are starting to make their summer climb to the surface. Everyone I talk to seems to be catching fish. With gas and vacation prices so high I think more people are driving to fishing locations such as Eagle River rather than making the big trips to Canada. Believe me, people are catching big fish up here. Last week alone the Vilas News Review had a picture of a 50" musky caught last week.

It seems fitting that our most popular sandal is our "Fisherman" sandal. We sell twice as many of these sandals as any other sandal in our inventory. At $45.00 they are a bargain and I have yet to meet someone that hasn't had their Fishermans for two or more years. They can handle the daily wear and they just don't wear out.
The Fisherman has the classic look of summer with that super cushion insole that makes Minnetonkas so comfortable. The Open Toe Fisherman comes in a Ladies and Men's styles. The heal strap keeps the sandal on your foot for comfortable walking all day long. The adjustable velcro strap on the front of the foot is durable and heavy enough so that it doesn't curl up after daily use. This sandal works great for people that need a little more support in their insole.
Good Luck on the water this year fisherman. Don't be afraid to visit Eagle River's Chain of 28 lakes where the fishing is phenomenal this year. Not to mention the hundreds of other lakes in the area.

The Black Silverthorne Thong

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:23:00 +0000

A Quote from the catalogue. "Sandal Heart...Moccasin sole. This signature sandal captures the Minnetonka DNA through original silver ornamentation, fringe, beads and the comfortable Minnetonka Signature outsole."

We have had a lot of luck with this sandals. It has an outsole that ranges from a half-inch at the toe to a full 1.5 inches at the heal. Those of you that need a little extra height in your shoes don't have to sacrafice the thong look for a taller shoe.

The Silverthorne also transends that "Teen flip-flop" look with its metallic adornment and braiding. For me that means you can wear this thong with shorts during the day and then turn around and wear it again in the evening with a summer dress or skirt.

I think the most popular feature of this shoe is that it has an amazing cushion insole which is going to be a lot easier on your knees and feet if you plan on doing any kind of walking at all.

Square Dancing with Minnetonka Hats

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:22:00 +0000

This weekend we are planning our First Annual Square Dancing Party here in the Northwoods. Of course we will be wearing our Minnetonka Cowboy Hats. A group of five couples each invited 4 other couples. We hired a caller, rented a hall and Voila instant square dance party. This first year we are keeping it very simple but each couple will have a Cowboy Hat keychain for a party favor. Everyone is planning on coming dressed to the hilt. Cowboy boots, Shirts, Hats, and Dresses.

The First Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Arrow Gift) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Everyone has a first blog. This is the Arrow Gift Shop's first blog. I hope you are interested in our moccasins at www.arrowgiftshop.com.