SHE VEGAS

Mike Brunette hanging upside down on a rope web swing, laughing

Hi, I’m Mike.

Jump In, the Water Is Fine.

Come say hi.

Mike Brunette pointing at the camera in front of the whale mural

Where to find me this week

Week of TBD, Mike to fill in. Plans open for now. If you spot me somewhere else, that counts too.

What I love

Taking pictures. I used to do it for Gannett and Thompson newspapers, and I covered the Packers.
Sheboygan. I have a big archive of my own photos of this town.
Talking with people. Fair warning: I’m a talker.
Parks and swings. They get grown-ups moving like kids again.

Things I like to talk about

Sheboygan River basin, riverside boardwalk

Relaxation

What helps you unwind around here? A bench by the river, a slow walk, a long talk? Tell me yours.

North Beach park road, Sheboygan (snow)

Longevity

Staying in motion as we get older. Parks, walks, swings. What keeps you moving?

Deland Park entrance, Sheboygan

Happiness

The small things that make a Sheboygan day a good one. I want to hear about them.

Rocky shoreline east of Deland Park, Lake Michigan

Love

How do people meet each other here these days? I’m honestly asking.

Concrete pier near Broughton Dr harbor mouth

Friendship

Making new friends as a grown-up can feel awkward. What if we made it easier?

Frozen river with ice floes (Sheboygan area; exact reach UNVERIFIED)

Loneliness

Some weeks are quieter than we would like. If that’s you, come say hi. No pressure.

Basin riverside boardwalk, Catching The Big Fish sign

Nutrition

Good food, shared. What do you cook when you want to feel good? Swap ideas, not rules.

North Beach park road, Sheboygan (snow)

Places that keep you moving when it's cold

Sheboygan already has quiet places to walk, skate, ski, and warm up. No signup required for most of them. Here are a few I like.

Indoor walking tracks at North High and South High. Open to the public on weekday mornings.Hours change; check before publishing.
Cross-country ski trails through Jaycee, Evergreen, and Maywood parks. Free trails, groomed by volunteers, some lit.
Lakers Ice Center for public skate (paid). A roof over the ice when the wind comes off the lake.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Free. Closed Mondays.Hours change; check before publishing.
Mead Public Library. Open Monday through Saturday. Quiet tables, a good place to read and thaw.Hours change; check before publishing.
North Beach / Deland Park. The path stays. Dress for wind.

Movement does not have to be a program. It can be a path, a rink, a lit trail, or a warm room with windows.

Hours and fees change. Check the place before you go. This is not a city calendar and not a signup list.

Calm water at the Sheboygan River basin. Photo: Michael Brunette. — Sheboygan River basin

A few notes

Jump In, the Water Is Fine

Here’s the deal. If you see a guy with a camera somewhere around Sheboygan, there’s a decent chance it’s me. Come say hi. You don’t need a reason. You don’t need a clever opener. “Hey, are you Mike?” works great. So does “What are you taking a picture of?”

I’ll probably tell you more than you wanted to know. That’s the talker in me.

What if more of us just said hello to each other? Not in a big, brave way. In a small, ordinary, standing-by-the-river way. Worst case, we talk about the weather. Best case, we both walk away in a better mood. The water is fine. Jump in.

Swings Are Not Just for Kids

When was the last time you sat on a swing? Not pushing somebody else. Actually sitting on one and pumping your legs.

I keep thinking about how parks get grown-ups moving like kids again, and nobody has to call it exercise. Nobody counts anything on a swing. You just go.

So here’s my question: what gets you moving without feeling like a chore? A walk along the river? Tossing a ball? Dancing in the kitchen when nobody’s looking? I’m not handing out advice. I’m collecting ideas. Tell me what works for you. Bonus points if it makes you laugh.