NEW GLARUS - Until a couple of weeks ago, the ceiling at Puempel's Olde Tavern was covered with money.
Owners Chuck and Lessia Bigler came up with a unique idea for what to use the money for.
For about 17 years, customers threw bills at the ceiling using a 50-cent piece and a thumb tack. Over the years the amount of money grew, but no one knew for sure how much was there, Lessia Bigler said. It wasn't just dollar bills either, she added.
However, she won't divulge how much money was on the ceiling, nor will she tell how large some of the bills were.
Her secrecy fits into Lessia Bigler's plan to use the money for charity.
Two years ago, Lessia came up with the idea to take the money from the ceiling and donate half of it to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The reason she selected the hospital was because of the work it does to help children, and its goal to use as much of the money they receive for research.
"If I was going to donate to a charity, that is the charity I would pick," she said.
A couple of Sundays ago, she spent about 12 hours taking half the bills from the ceiling.
People can pay $1 to guess how much money was removed from the ceiling. Half of the money raised through from the guesses will go to the person who guesses closest to the amount and the other half will go to St. Jude's. Guesses will be accepted until weekend of Polkafest in June.
Bigler said she plans to take the rest of the money down in the future and donate it to a local charity, which will be named later.
Puempel's has been a fixture in New Glarus for more than 100 years. According to the tavern's Web site, www.puempels.com, at one time the building served as a a boarding house, which served hot, home-made meals. Murals painted on the walls in 1913 by a traveling artist are still part of the decor.
Owners Chuck and Lessia Bigler came up with a unique idea for what to use the money for.
For about 17 years, customers threw bills at the ceiling using a 50-cent piece and a thumb tack. Over the years the amount of money grew, but no one knew for sure how much was there, Lessia Bigler said. It wasn't just dollar bills either, she added.
However, she won't divulge how much money was on the ceiling, nor will she tell how large some of the bills were.
Her secrecy fits into Lessia Bigler's plan to use the money for charity.
Two years ago, Lessia came up with the idea to take the money from the ceiling and donate half of it to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The reason she selected the hospital was because of the work it does to help children, and its goal to use as much of the money they receive for research.
"If I was going to donate to a charity, that is the charity I would pick," she said.
A couple of Sundays ago, she spent about 12 hours taking half the bills from the ceiling.
People can pay $1 to guess how much money was removed from the ceiling. Half of the money raised through from the guesses will go to the person who guesses closest to the amount and the other half will go to St. Jude's. Guesses will be accepted until weekend of Polkafest in June.
Bigler said she plans to take the rest of the money down in the future and donate it to a local charity, which will be named later.
Puempel's has been a fixture in New Glarus for more than 100 years. According to the tavern's Web site, www.puempels.com, at one time the building served as a a boarding house, which served hot, home-made meals. Murals painted on the walls in 1913 by a traveling artist are still part of the decor.