In this episode of The Faces of Lake Country, we sit down with Tom Dumke, furniture maker and owner of Thomas William Furniture. Tom has spent decades crafting heirloom-quality furniture using solid wood, traditional joinery, and a deep respect for timeless design. Together with his wife and business partner, Linda, he has built a life centered on craftsmanship, faith, and meaningful relationships.

Tom shares how his early passion for working with his hands grew into a lifelong vocation creating pieces that will be treasured for generations. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of running a small artisan business, adapting to new ways of reaching customers, and the satisfaction of seeing his work become part of people’s homes and family stories.

A longtime Lake Country resident, Tom also talks about the beauty of the local community, his involvement at Grace Church, and the importance of living a life grounded in integrity, faith, and connection with others.

Join us for a conversation about craftsmanship, perseverance, and the joy of creating something that lasts.

Learn more about Tom’s work at:
www.thomaswilliamfurniture.com

https://thefacesoflakecountry.com/tom-dumke/

Stories from the Shop

Bob’s Food Tour – Review of Stops 5–8

This episode follows the second half of Bob’s Food Tour as the group moves deeper into Milwaukee’s food culture, shifting from exploration toward reflection and enjoyment. The journey opens at the Milwaukee Public Market, a lively crossroads of vendors, aromas, and cultures where the group spreads out, discovers new flavors, and slowly reconnects over shared finds and spontaneous tastings.

From there, the atmosphere softens at Indulgence Chocolatiers, where handcrafted chocolates invite a quieter kind of attention. Here the conversation turns curious and thoughtful as each flavor reveals the careful craftsmanship behind small-batch sweets.

The mood lightens again at Purple Door Ice Cream, where the tour pauses for simple delight. Laughter grows easier, samples are passed around, and the group begins to savor the moment rather than analyze the stops.

The tour concludes at Kettle Range Meat, returning everyone to the roots of good food—skilled butchery, quality ingredients, and the traditions that support every great meal.

Together, these four stops reflect the full rhythm of Milwaukee’s food scene: bustling markets, artisan craftsmanship, shared indulgence, and the enduring respect for the ingredients and people behind the plate.

Bob’s Food Tour tasting suggestion for Stops 5–8 🍴😄
(Keep it light—share and sample!)

Stop 5 – Milwaukee Public Market 🏙️
• Small vendor sample (taco, dumpling, or slider)
• Fresh juice or coffee
• One shared market snack
Explore first, choose second.

Stop 6 – Indulgence Chocolatiers 🍫
• 2–3 assorted truffles
• One caramel or ganache piece
• Optional chocolate flight
Slow down and savor.

Stop 7 – Purple Door Ice Cream 🍦
• Two shared scoops
• Try one classic flavor + one adventurous flavor
• Optional waffle cone pieces
This is the joy stop.

Stop 8 – Kettle Range Meat 🥩
• House sausage sample
• Small charcuterie bite
• Jerky or snack stick to pass around
Finish with the craft of the butcher.

Big picture: stops 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Bob's Food Tour balances sweetness, tradition, and discovery. Wander, taste freely, and enjoy the conversations that happen between bites.

Stories from the Shop

Alright friends, we’ve arrived at Stop Number Eight on Bob’s Food Tour — and this one is for the meat lovers in the group. We’re at Kettle Range Meat, a place known for doing things the old-fashioned way: quality cuts, house-made sausages, and flavors that make Wisconsin proud.

If you walk in here hungry, you’re in the right place. From perfectly seasoned brats to smoked meats that have been crafted with care, Kettle Range is all about honoring the craft of great butchery.

So take a look around, grab a bite, and enjoy one of the most flavorful stops on our tour. This is the kind of place that reminds you why small, local shops still do it best.

Welcome to Kettle Range Meat — Stop Number Eight.

Stories from the Shop