My name is Heather Breunig. I have owned my own marketing company since 2016. Breunig Communications. I started in my kitchen and it has evolved into something much more than I ever thought. Six years ago I was asked to provide a marketing quote to Ms. Kate from the Wisconsin Dells Craft Mall. I had shopped there for years. I met with her and knew it would be a great fit. I loved their business model and what they stood for. She then tells me I would need to present my marketing plan to Virgil Dickinson, the property owner. My inside voice was like -- "Okay, let's do this!" It was on the calendar, and the meeting came one early morning midweek. I walked into Cindy's Café ready to talk about how I thought I could be an asset to the property, dealers and vision of the business. I can still remember the dress I was wearing and the immediate look that Mr. Dickinson shot my way. (I have a big, strong, Italian father.... my brain quickly went to.... Mr. Dickinson, I'm ready to show you what I can do!) The meeting table filled in with Tony, the Carver in the Dells, Ms. Kate, our Julee, as well as Fred and Jill Quandt (owners of Broken Bottle Winery, our neighbors.) This just got pretty serious. I gave my spiel, fielded questions and closed with, "Mr. Dickinson, some day you can retire and I will take care of it for you. You will point and I will have the answers making your life easier." His response in the sternest of voices, "I will never retire! We will see...!"
Virg and I have spent a lot of time together over six years. Over these (very fast) trips around the sun, I have proven myself to be worthy of my word. I started managing the Wisconsin Opry dinner barn (along with the rest of the property) a couple years in and I have been welcomed into the property family with open arms. I love it - and I love them. It has been hard work. We pushed through adjustments, a pandemic, my marriage, my sidekick Norah and my family, more grands to the Dickinson clan, Fred & Jill expanding, our café trading hands to the wonderful Spencer tribe, Kate & Julee performing their incredible daily balancing acts, and lastly, the passing of the beautiful Cynthia Dickinson (Oct 2023). Today, Virg calls me and asks all the questions. I have MOST of the answers. Every day I tell him he is the smartest - old guy I know. (... and I mean it.) Tony, the Carver in the Dells and I have a running joke, "So, you're Virgil's BFF now?" and I say it back to him as much as possible. Tony and I are not blood to the Dickinson Family, but you'd never know that. We are special because they make us feel that way - every. single. day. When folks ask me if I am a Dickinson, I quickly reply, "I am a hostage!" and I chuckle. If Virgil can tell 100 Ole and Lena jokes in one season, I feel like I can come back with my one liner.
Now that you know the story, you're probably asking what about the barn? In 2023 Virgil approached his children asking if they wanted to renovate the old Wisconsin Opry barn. Life is busy, all three are married with children and kicking butt living their best lives. However, they are not in the state of Wisconsin therefore, the project was not a good fit. One hot day in the dinner barn, Virg was sharing stories about his life. (Don't let me kid you, this is just about every conversation. One, because he's a legendary storyteller - and two, because he carries his family, this property, and the love of music in his heart. ) He expressed how he'd love to see 'the old barn' come back to life. I simply replied, "Virg, ya know Dennis and I would love to do that!" He thought about it, went back to the Dickinson clan, and here we are in 2024 - making it all happen.
The former Wisconsin Opry is now becoming The Dells Barn Music & Events soon to be a place where music acts will once again grace the stage just like so many before. Hopefully, some love stories will start here, cards will be played under the trusses, community events will hosted, off-site meetings, retreats, fundraisers, gatherings of all kinds and mostly families can run through the grass feeling the legacy of the Dickinson's in conjunction with our story too. We are working hard to encompass all the feels.
We are much more than an old barn - we are a hub of history. The Dells Barn Music & Events will someday be handed down to our granddaughter, Norah. She is now 11. She loves the barn. This child was born with a song in her heart. Also, she knows the Dickinson family and is a true fan of their talent. This project is for us and for her too. She will continue the stories, share moments and tell everyone about Mr. Dickinson, Ms.Cindy, their family, Kenny on the drums, Dan singing about tomatoes, Wendy on her ukulele, Dennis and his saw song, washboard solos, and all the new memories we build together. It will be her duty to carry this on for all of us when our time is done. She was destined to great things and she doesn't even know it, but I do.
Stay tuned for our progress, renovations, and crazy stories. There is so much more to share. May God watch over all of us until next time!
Heather
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