Oshkosh, Wisconsin sits on the western shores of Lake Winnebago, where the Fox River meets the lake and the city’s “on the water” identity still shapes daily life. In this episode, Oshkosh is introduced through its name—linked to Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name means “claw”—and its past as a true lumber town once nicknamed “Sawdust City,” rebuilt in the wake of the 1875 fire.
John McGivern visits the Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, and steps inside the EAA Museum to trace how a local airplane club grew into an organization with 300,000 members—and how the annual fly-in makes Oshkosh the busiest airport in the world for one week. Emmy Fink joins the aviation story through EAA’s Young Eagles program, which offers free introductory flights for kids ages 8–17.
Along the way: a stop at Hughes Home Maid Chocolates (in business since 1942), a meal at Leon’s Drive-In, and a look at neighborhood favorites like the South Side Ice Yacht Club, Pete’s Garage, Bob’s Trails End, and Jerry’s Bar (open since 1911). The episode also visits UW–Oshkosh, explores the riverfront, and highlights community stories at the Paine Art Center and Gardens and the Oshkosh Kids Foundation’s Tiny House Village.
3:48 Wisconsin Herd @WisconsinHerd
6:43 EAA Museum @EAA
10:01 The Grand Oshkosh
10:50 Oshkosh Public Library @OshkoshPublicLibrary1
11:09 Hughes’ Home Maid Chocolates
12:58 Oaks Candy Corner
14:11 Leons Frozen Custard
14:38 Andy & Eds Drive In
15:12 University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh @uwosh
16:15 Cruisn’ Tikis Oshkosh
18:19 Southside Ice Yacht Club
18:26 Garage Pete’s Bar
18:31 Bob’s Trail Ends
18:36 Jerry’s Bar
19:05 Oshkosh Bash
19:27 Oshkosh Corporation @Oshkoshcorporation
21:38 Oshkosh Public Museum @OshkoshPublicMuseum
22:32 Oshkosh Kids Foundation – Tiny House Village
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