Since she assumed her duties earlier this year, Branch has been touring parts of Wisconsin she has never experienced before. And she likes what she sees. "Don't be afraid or reluctant to explore that unknown territory," Branch urged the readers of The Capital City Hues. "Since I've been deputy secretary, I've been able to go to places I have never been. And I've been amazed at everything that is going on from a tourism standpoint -- the fine dining, the wonderful golf courses, the arts and culture are incredible. That's not just happening in Madison and Milwaukee. It's happening in other places around the state."
      Recently, Branch has traveled through northeastern Wisconsin, hitting Sheboygan, Door County, Green Bay and      Appleton along the way. She was totally impressed with the Kohler Art Center, in part because she and her husband are art museum aficionados. "They'll have several music festivals at the museum this summer," Branch said. "Check out their web site at www.jmkac.org. for a full calendar." [The show Local Reflections: Hmong Art from the Sheboygan Community is an ongoing exhibit.]
      In Door County, Branch had her first fish boil, which was quite an experience for her. "Door County is a wonderful place," Branch exclaimed. "More people of color need to go to Door County. If you like shopping and nice little eateries and great bed and breakfasts or resorts on beautiful lakes, Door County is the place to go. They had a theater called Peninsula Players Theater. It's this incredible state-of-the-art facility. I'm definitely planning to go back there this summer for a show. Peninsula State Park was great. Then I went to some of the lighthouses."
      And it wouldn't be a trip to the northeast without a stop in Green Bay and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Branch      admitted she is not a football fan. Even though she is on Donald Driver's foundation, she doesn't watch the Packers play.      However, even she was totally impressed with the Hall of Fame experience. "I went to Green Bay and did the whole Packers thing, which was cool. I got to go out on the field," Branch exclaimed. "I went to the Packers Hall of Fame. I could see why anyone who remotely likes the Packers would have a very cool experience there. I could feel the pride just walking in of having a team like the Packers in our state."
      Branch's tour also took in Appleton. While Appleton is known as the birthplace of Harry Houdini, in Branch's view, it will soon become known for its great cultural tourism experience. "They have a new performing arts center in Appleton, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center," Branch said. "For future reference, they will be bringing 'The Lion King,' the same production that was in New York and Chicago to Appleton in May-June 2007. I did a walk through recently. It's a great little city that has a lot going on. They're really revitalizing their downtown. They've got great hotels and wonderful restaurants. Landing The Lion King was no small thing. If you didn't see it in Chicago, it will be right here in Appleton. And who would have thought? What I saw in Appleton was an entire community embracing this project and finding a way to make it as big as they possibly can. Everyone -- including the hotels and restaurants -- are working in partnership. So there will be some great packages for people.  And Appleton is not that far away.
      And to state the obvious, something big will be happening in Milwaukee the next two weeks. "We have Summerfest, which is the world's largest music festival happening in Milwaukee, June 29-July 9," Branch said. "They're doing a very good job of trying to reach out to multicultural audiences, to say that they too are welcome to attend."
Next issue:Thoughts on multicultural tourism.
Meet Tourism Deputy Secretary Sheree Dallas Branch
A Wisconsin wonderland
by Jonathan Gramling
     After spending about a half hour with Sheree Dallas Branch, the Wis. Dept. of Tourism's new deputy secretary, I already knew about more activities going on in the state of Wisconsin than I could possibly do, even if I took the rest of the summer off -- what a wonderful thought. And while Branch is a seasoned veteran in the media industry -- she worked for WTMJ in Milwaukee and is an independent producer for Milwaukee Public Television -- one senses an almost  youthful sense of wonder as she talks about what is going on Wisconsin.
Tourism Deputy Secretary Sheree Dallas Branch
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