Word of Mouth: Sept 3

From your friends at Isthmus, Madison's alt-weekly. View this email in your browser

What we're checking out

Hywania Thompson, copywriter at Madison Metropolitan School District:

Last Thursday, I had the chance to check out GLEAM at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. It was like walking through an enchanted forest! The exhibit marries art and light, and gives visitors the opportunity to stroll through the gardens at night. You can interact with art, and you may even hear a familiar song at one of the stops. GLEAM runs through Oct. 26. Don’t miss it!

What we're watching

Drew Hartburg, Isthmus videographer:

After a two-year hiatus, the Netflix original Mindhunter recently released its second season. The addicting series follows the dramatized true events of how the FBI started to study, classify and predict the rise of serial killers. Even if you're new to the party, it won't take long to catch up through the first season's 10 episodes.

What we're listening to

Caitlyn Kalscheur, community marketing manager at EatStreet:

While road tripping this August, I listened to two very different but equally fascinating and captivating memoirs on Audible: We're Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union and Educated by Tara Westover. The first is a collection of essays from Union about gender, race, fame and trauma told in an honest, heartbreaking, hilarious fashion. The other is the true story of a woman who grew up in a radically religious and anti-government family and how she chose to leave them to pursue an education that landed her at Cambridge and Harvard. Both are about strong women doing amazing things.

What we're drinking

What we're making

Michael Muckian, Isthmus contributor:

This is the perfect season for making cherry bounce, the quintessential holiday beverage of Northern Wisconsin. For a double batch we always use two pounds of fresh Door County Montmorency cherries, pitted and stemmed; two pounds of sugar; and a liter of brandy. We combine everything in a big jar we bought for the purpose, then let it sit in a dark closet until Thanksgiving or later. The ingredients blend for a flavorful, slightly wicked holiday beverage. Whatever fruit we haven’t consumed becomes the epicenter of some pretty potent chocolate-covered cherries.

What we're eyeing

Abby Bartlett, vice president of marketing at Wisconsin Distributors:

Over the weekend, some girlfriends turned me on to the Hamilton Beach breakfast sandwich maker. And if you know me, you know I'm a sucker for a good kitchen gadget. And this one won't collect dust. I can't recall the last time I craved an egg sandwich, and now I can't stop thinking about all the different options I can make with it. You and your family will not be disappointed.

How we're moving

Chelsey Dequaine, Isthmus social media director:

Thanks to Sol Escape Healing Arts on Atwood I'm moving with more ease. I had a wonderful massage there over the weekend which eased the muscle tension in my back. It was so relaxing, and they approached my appointment with care knowing it was only the second message I had ever gotten. They also display local art that's available for purchase, so I may have to go back to grab one of the watercolor moon paintings.