Years ago when I was growing up, the “mink business” around Plymouth was a big deal. Weasel looking little critters called mink were worth a fortune for their pelts. The mink craze lasted 10-15 years. Their were several families that made a fortune at the height of the fad. One of those families was headed by Orlando Thiel. My Dad, who had an independent accounting business, did the “books” for the Thiels. I remember one Christmas where my Mother got a mink neck wrap that came from the Thiel farms.
When I met your Mom in the mid 1950’s, they lived in this huge mansion with a terrific front porch that circled half the home. Grandpa George and Nana had bought the house from Orlando Thiel, the mink rancher. The Thiel children went to Plymouth high school.
Your Mom and I ended up in Sheboygan from 1967-85. In 1970, Diane, the daughter of Orlando Thiel (along with her husband Carl) purchased Nino’s Steak House on Memorial Drive. The restaurant was close to where I worked. I remember many, many noon business lunches at Nino’s. Diane and the Nino crew always took good care of my business buddies and me. In fact, we had one booth that they always held open in case we showed up late for lunch.
In 1982, your Mom and I bought our second cottage at Crystal Lake. Lo and behold, our neighbor was Floyd Thiel, a brother to Orlando Thiel. Floyd would actually go out to the Thiel farms to help bale hay. Floyd ended up being a neighbor from hell. He had an ornery streak that just made things miserable. Maybe Floyd was the blacksheep of the clan.
It is now 2011. Nino’s closed last week after 41 years. I think it was the last Nino’s in the State of Wisconsin to close. As far as I know, it was still owned by the Thiel family. I guess all good things end. For me, Nino’s will always be a special spot in Sheboygan.
I will cross paths with the Thiel extended family again. I’m sure of it.
Nov.1 today. The new “conceal and carry” gun law goes into effect. I’ve got run off and get my gun permit this morning. Now I’ll just wait for some assh— to “go ahead and make my day”!
Love,
Dad