Even though the leaves are just starting their transformation, the scenery was beautiful, with colorful tree stands dotted around corn fields swaying in the warm breeze and rows of soy beans, now mostly rust colored but with a few yellow plants and even some green ones holding on to summer.
An apple orchard stand was packed full of people even though the pumpkin farm up the road was only mildly busy and there was no waiting for the camel rides.
The lots at Holy Hill weren’t quite full, but the café was. There were a lot of people: bikers on thrumming Harleys, parents pushing strollers up the hill, busses of tour groups – all of which seem to speak either Polish or Spanish. The stairs to the scenic lookout remain closed, but the terrace outside the main church still offered views clear to Downtown Milwaukee.
The shop appeared to be doing a brisk business and right outside its doors, a priest was blessing an adorable puppy.
Alas, Holy Hill seems to be suffering from a different kind of assault than the one launched by vandals in spring. These days, every inch of space – inside and out – is under attack by those ladybug-looking asian beetles, which bite.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
