Coming Soon! Cheddar Curtain Merch will be available right here on this site.

I was born south of the Cheddar Curtain—in that windy village along the lake that shall not be named (yes, that one). My parents tried to redeem themselves by moving closer to Wisconsin when I was four, but, alas… we were still technically in that state.

As a kid, I spent summers at Phantom Lake YMCA Camp, Camp Augustana on Lake Geneva, and a canoe-based Boy Scout camp near Land O’ Lakes—basically anywhere they’d let me paddle, roast marshmallows, and come home smelling like wood smoke and bug spray.

Fast forward to age 32, when I made a grand escape to the East Coast—only to realize I missed all the reasons I left: small towns where everyone waves, forests that smell like pine needles and possibility, and lakes that sparkle like they’re showing off.

So, 18 years ago, I crossed the Cheddar Curtain for good and landed in southeast Wisconsin—on the right side of the border. And here, on Getting Dirty with Glenn, I’m sharing my passion for everything Wisconsin: from trails to taverns, gardens to great lakes, cheese curds to kayak rides.

Because let’s face it—life’s better when there’s dirt under your nails, wind in your hair, and a squeaky curd in your hand.

Here in Wisconsin, we don’t just like being outdoors — it’s practically part of our DNA (right next to cheese, beer, and good manners). Whether we’re hiking forest trails, tapping our toes at a summer concert, or heading Up North — which, let’s be honest, could mean anything north of wherever we are — we’re happiest under an open sky.

You’ll find us biking scenic trails, casting for that mythical “big one,” sailing across Lake Michigan with a grin, and when winter rolls in, we simply trade in our shorts for snow pants. Snowmobiling, skiing, or just shoveling the driveway like it’s an Olympic sport — we do it all with pride.

Because in Wisconsin, being outside isn’t a hobby… it’s a way of life (and a great excuse for more cheese curds when we come back inside).

Here in Wisconsin, we take nice to a whole new level. You’ll spend 20 minutes saying goodbye in a driveway, five more waving from the car window, and another ten trying to decide who goes first at a four-way stop — because, well, everyone insists “You go ahead!”

It’s the same story at the grocery store. Two carts meet in an aisle, both drivers smiling, each performing the Midwestern Polite Shuffle until someone finally blurts out, “Oh, I’m sorry!” — even if no one did anything wrong.

We’re proud of it. Being nice is practically our middle name… unless, of course, you live south of the Cheddar Curtain and wear a certain shade of orange and navy. We still love you — just maybe a little less on game day.

Here in Wisconsin, we don’t rush — we savor. Things might move a little slower, but that’s because we know the little things are the big things. We pause to listen to the haunting call of loons echoing across northern lakes, watch sunlight dance on the drops falling from a kayak paddle, and linger a little longer at dinner with friends — especially when the evening ends with laughter, good food, and a sky full of stars.

It’s not that we don’t get things done… we just prefer to do them with a view, a brat, and maybe a spotted cow in hand.