Various discoveries I've made in the videogaming space and elsewhere as of late. Some of it may lean into casual archival work, though a lot of that can be found on the Videos page of this website. Otherwise, these entries mostly focus on "texture matching," but I will continue to add anything else of note I find during miscellaneous research.

Village of McFarland, WI Public Library Groundbreaking Ceremony Photos
Discoveries first documented 11/23/2024

Of course I had to check out this CD containing "approximately 100 images in .jpg format" documenting the groundbreaking ceremony for the Village of McFarland, Wisconsin's public library! This is from an event commemorating the E.D. Locke Public Library's new location, which was established in 1997. The momentous ocassion took place on March 31, 2005, which was seemingly a positively jovial afternoon in the village. Just sort of checked this one out "on a lark" because I love hyper-local mementos like this. It was brought all the way from the eponymous McFarland Public Library to my own local library after I placed an enthusiastic hold on the item. Naturally, I don't think the photos are really hosted elsewhere, so if you see your meemaw or pep-pep in one of the images, feel free to save! Photo collection can also be viewed here.

Village of McFarland, WI Sesquicentennial Photo Collection
Discoveries first documented 12/17/2024

Why ANOTHER entry on the Village of McFarland? Well, it just seems like they have been particularly good at documenting their events (and making them available through the library system). I have zero connection to McFarland, but I still find this sort of local history fascinating. This is a photo collection of the village's sesquicentennial (150 year) celebrations from July 2, 2006. Now, at the end of 2024, they're nearing their demisemiseptcentennial! Madness!!! The photo collection can also be viewed and downloaded here. You can also find included in the files a cute slideshow version of all the photos that had been put together.

Schering/Key University Software
Discoveries first documented 1/2/2025

An interactive multimedia CD-ROM designed for new employees of the Schering-Plough Corporation, which acquired Key Pharmaceuticals in 1986. The software appears to be from 2001. Features orientation modules laid out amongst a digital campus setting. Key points of interest include: the information center, auditorium, dining hall, library, student union, and stadium. In the auditorium, you can view a 50-slide presentation on the thoroughly fascinating topic of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis; the host also promises a reward of a code that can be redeemed for a free Omaha Steaks dinner, shipped directly to your doorstep courtesy of Schering/Key. My unique code for the dining hall was "ANTIHISTAMINE," but I unfortunately lacked the necessary order form to fill out and fax over to Schering/Key/Omaha Steaks to redeem my yummy meal. (However, further review has revealed that you can print an order form from within the software itself... Happy day!). You can choose from Top Sirloins, Lemon Terragon Chicken Breast, Salmon Steaks, or Gourmet Burgers. In the library, you can read about different types of Claritin. A wonderful gentleman greets you at the gates of the school, and grants you access to the wonders within. The student union has various notices to review about meetings and other information pertinent to Schering/Key faithful. Lastly, the stadium includes a track runner quiz game; the quicker you answer the questions the faster your runner goes. I haven't seen mention of this software anywhere else online. I've uploaded all the files on the disc to the Internet Archive here.

Marathon County Public Library Phyllis Donner Aquarium Construction Photos
Discoveries first documented 3/19/2025

Photos documenting construction and initial fish inhabitants of the Phyllis Donner Aquarium at the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau, WI in 2012. Another piece of northcentral Wisconsin local history.

From director Ralph Illick:

"Near the end of 2011 we converted the former children’s staff room into an aquarium-themed story time room. Our staff members Kitty Roesler and Deb Fecteau did the artwork and painting. I realized when the work was completed we had a perfect opportunity to develop a living natural science exhibit if we added a marine aquarium. I felt it would be a perfect way to stimulate young minds to have an active interest in natural science. A recent substantial donation to the library from the late Miss Phyllis Donner could be appropriated for this purpose, but I wanted to find community partners to make the project sustainable in the long run, so that it would be enjoyed by generations of children and their parents for years to come.

I contacted Acrylic Tank Manufacturing in Las Vegas, known for their popular television show about aquariums called “Tanked!” I discussed the idea with ATM Chief Operating Officer Brett Raymer, and he suggested a living reef exhibit that would offer a full spectrum of marine wildlife to observe. When we agreed to move forward with the project, ATM also generously agreed to provide the initial marine corals and livestock for the aquarium.

When I discussed the project with Connie Conrad at the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, she suggested that I contact Mark Matthiae, owner of Crystal Finishing Systems, and see if they could help with the construction of the aquarium frame. Mark generously agreed to not only provide the frame, but also to fabricate a cover for the frame with built-in bleachers for children to use for viewing the aquarium. With the help of CFS and engineer Greg Ashton, the beautiful and highly functional frame and cover were added.

Meanwhile, Library Board Vice President Audrey Ascher contacted freight dispatcher Holly Westaby at Kolbe and Kolbe Millwork, and Kolbe generously agreed to deliver the tank from Las Vegas upon completion by ATM.

About one year after I conceived the idea, we completed the project. We would never have been able to do so without the efforts of those mentioned above, and indeed many others who helped along the way.

Our Friends of the Marathon County Public Library and the Marathon County Public Library Foundation have very kindly agreed to share the costs of the ongoing maintenance required to keep this extraordinary exhibit available to the community, and we thank them very much for that. Both organizations provide so much to support the library, and we are forever indebted to their members for their tireless efforts.

In closing, I would offer my personal thanks to everyone who helped us in making this project a reality. I am especially grateful to the late Miss Phyllis Donner for her gift to the library. Her generosity, and that of everyone who helped us, is a true testament to the spirit of community and civic engagement that has been the foundation of Wausau and Central Wisconsin. I’m honored to have worked with each person who was a part of this wonderful living science exhibit, and I hope it will be cherished for years to come by the community."

I've uploaded all the files on the disc to the Internet Archive here.

Sound On Wisconsin by The Ray Kelley Band
Discoveries first documented 3/20/2025

A "musical salute" and tribute album to the state of Wisconsin and all its glory, produced by Ray Kelley, who may or may not be the same Raymond Kelley credited with performing as a cellist in musical numbers featured on The Simpsons and Family Guy. It cannot be understated how insanely good this album is; the high production, big band grandeur is just simply... awesome. The subtitle "Musical Adventures in Wisconsin" is more than appropriate. I highly recommend you give it a listen.

Released in 1999 as part of the "Sound On States" initiative and produced with the cooperation of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and the Wisconsin Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (with Convention cheekily misspelled on the back of the jewel case as "Converntion), it truly does whisk you along on "Musical Adventures in Wisconsin." The packaging is elegant, stylish, and classy. The rear promises a "24-page insert, 50 photos, 3 maps, facts, fun, festivals, lore, & more," and on those fronts it does not fail to deliver in even a single regard.

As with many treasures from yesteryear, I discovered it during my mandatory visit to AbleLight Thrift Shop in Wausau, Wisconsin during a recent trip up north. The store, now taking roost in a new location on the outskirts of town, continues to provide a heaping helping of treasures, with Mr. Kelley's aural feast among the most valuable of loot.

I've seen that the music itself is readily available on various streaming platforms, made available by Mr. Kelley himself or some aspect of his estate. I encourage everyone on Earth to give it an immediate listen and am linking it here. I have not, however, seen the intricate booklet included with the release documented or archived anywhere online. Soon I aim to scan the contents and upload it for ease of viewing.

Vintage Menards Coffee Mugs
Discoveries first documented 3/29/2025

Just a couple photos of some stylish mugs that work great for holding your morning sludge. They're for that real dirt. These are, of course, branded with iconography from Midwest home improvement retail giant Menards, of which I am a major fan. Despite being founded and named after John Menard Jr., the "Menards" store name lacks a possessive apostrophe for some reason. Please do not forget this factoid! Anyways, I have only seen photos of these mugs shared online on Mercari (and listings can probably be found on eBay as well, I'm sure). I just wanted to share and host my own pics to document them. I only have four, but they're among my favorites and all receive regular use. I'm assuming that the rightmost one, bearing the modern Menards logo, is the one that was most recently produced. I don't know when exactly each one would have been sold; I only know they are from bygone Menards eras. And again, like with many great secondhand Wisconsin goodies, the mugs were dug up in the AbleLight Thrift Shop in Wausau, three about a year and a half ago in their old location (which formerly housed Bethesda Thrift Shop -- I've never been clear if AbleLight is the same business under a rebrand or an entirely different entity). The one with blue graphics I found during a more recent trip to the same business, but in a new location. So, that's a long way of saying: here are a handful of photos of coffee mugs I really like. Someday I'd maybe even like to 3D scan them. Enjoy!



Mug Group

Blue Mug Dedicated to Service & Quality	Tool Silhouette Mug My favorite	Red Mug Est. 1960	Modern-ish Mug Same classic slogan