Next chapter begins for storied bar in Wauzeka
Pictured is the front of Carol’s Two Rivers Bar in Wauzeka. The historic building has housed a tavern since 1890, and recently changed ownership, from Carol’s bar to now Boondocks Sports Bar and Grill. (Submitted photos)
A crew of pool league players and their friends celebrate inside Carol’s bar decades ago.
Carol DuCharme owned the Wauzeka tavern for 45 years. She said she loved being around people who made her laugh every day.
This rope pull team captured the contest title in 1982 at Steuben Fun Days. Pictured with their sponsors the DuCharmes, are (front row, from left) Don Walker, Dan Roach, Dave Roach, Roger Lund, Robert Lund, Dave Polashek; (back row) Robert Headrich, Greg Roach, Carol and Clem DuCharme, John Pomerening, Bruce Salmon and team manager Larry Zeeh.
Today, there’s a completely new look inside the bar, which was purchased by local business owners Greg and Tina Russell and Grant Russell. (Photo by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
Carol DuCharme always said she could write a book about her storied little tavern on the corner of Guard and Business Streets in Wauzeka. She won’t take credit for operating it for 45 years though, without putting praise on her loyal customers and community.
“I can’t show my appreciation enough for the people who were always there for me,” said the namesake of Carol’s Two Rivers Bar and Grill.
On April 12, Carol gave up her grill spatula, dancing stick and backbar specialties for retirement. These days, friends and beloved patrons might catch up with her on her countryside horse farm just down the road, or at the new Boondocks Sports Bar and Grill that operates in her former space.
Greg and Tina Russell and their son, Grant, purchased the tavern from Carol and renamed it this spring, when the DuCharme and Russell families made the amicable deal to continue the tradition of good times at the favorite community gathering place.
The tavern, Carol believes, is the second oldest continuously operated bar in Crawford County, next only to Bob’s Bar in Prairie du Chien.
The building was erected in 1890 by Oscar Beiloh. According to her records, Schlitz Brewing Company installed the entire back bar, including a large mirror, all of which was transported by rail from Milwaukee. The massive wooden structure has been carefully preserved for almost 130 years. Still, with the newest owners, it remains a stunning focal point inside.
In the late 1800s, Carol has been told, a dance hall occupied the second floor at a time when passenger trains still ran through town. Dances would last until the train came in.
After Beiloh’s ownership, Lawrence Herold had the place. Next was Clem Mezera, who converted the upper floor into apartments, where he lived himself while running the bar. Following his time, Herold became owner again before Dwayne and Maxine Oswald took on the business for eight years.
Carol and her late husband, Clem, bought the bar in 1974, when his job was eliminated and he was going to be transferred to Milwaukee. Faced with the choice of buying the bar or “moving six kids to Milwaukee,” they opted to become self-employed.
“I love being around people. They make me laugh every day. I loved the regulars and the visitors,” Carol proclaimed, thankful for that choice so long ago.
With gleaming eyes, Carol remarked about how impressive it is to think that, “in all those years, there were only five owners.”
She certainly made the most of her 45 years.
She held deer hunter breakfasts, hosted rodeo dances, endorsed rope pull contests, brought in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny, offered pool leagues, sponsored ball teams, accommodated class reunions and wedding receptions, supported Wauzeka and Steuben community days, and welcomed all walks of life into her simple, small-town oasis.
She has brushed elbows with everyone from gypsies and buckskinners to bikers and local kids, proudly sharing that she “never had to call the cops once.”
“I remember Jo (Bunders), at Steuben, and I, we’d call each other if there was a bad group coming. Then, we’d just close up shop,” she chuckled. “But we had a lot of parties, a lot of good memories.”
In addition to her patrons, Carol expressed her gratitude toward the employees she worked beside over the years, including Luann McCarthy, Cindy Geisler, Shawn Zeeh, Tina Carter, Kathy Zeeh, Patty Bird and Bev Mezera.
These friends helped Carol go to a great deal of work decorating the bar, both inside and out, for each appropriate season. She wanted everyone to always feel invited by pots of flowers in the summer, lights and pine branches in the winter, and a miniature village and stringed paper mittens on the back bar at Christmas time.
When Carol decided to sell her lifelong investment, there was an impromptu party with many of her cherished friends and family in attendance. Her seven kids, 14 grandkids and six great-grandkids inherited what they wanted from the bar’s collection. Then, the Russells began transforming the building into their latest sports bar.
Boondocks had a soft opening Aug. 30, with just drinks being served. Since then, food such as burgers, fries and pizza have been added, and now, the menu is expanding to include daily lunch and dinner specials.
Greg Russell said local contractors were employed for the project, involving Southwest Builders, Bob Bausch, Top Notch Construction, O’Kane Plumbing, 220 Electric and others.
“It’s still historic, but modern,” he stated. “I think it turned out nice.”
Boondocks features numerous big-screen TVs, varied seating, a hand-built new bar, stamped concrete flooring, and eventually a display of local historical pictures. They intend to offer more interaction for all age groups through Happy Hour specials and food deals for teens staying after school at Wauzeka-Steuben.
“This place is for the community. I’ve been family friends with the DuCharmes all my life and I wanted to see it remain open,” Greg noted. “A lot of people love this place.”
So far, Carol has been one of the sports bar’s top customers.
For her and the iconic establishment, it’s not the end of the book, but only a new chapter.
