Blogs

Marco, hand me that hammer

Football talent translated to homebuilding skills today, at least in a limited fashion, as the players participated in a Habitat for Humanity build outside Sturgeon Bay.

Players helped construction volunteers install subfloor sections for the home being built for the Krueger family.

Having a Habitat home is a blessing in and of itself for Jennifer Krueger, but to have Packers players contribute their craftsmanship will make it extra special.

“It means the world really,” she said. “I can’t even tell you what it means. Every time we go to the basement we’ll see their autographs on the stairs.

“It will be fun to watch the games and to have our own little tailgate parties here.”

A tailgate party at a house partially built with labor on loan from the Packers Tailgate Tour.

Click here for photos from the home build.

Lunch in Algoma

The Tour continues north toward Sturgeon Bay for a Habitat for Humanity build after stopping for lunch at Caffé Tlazo in Algoma.

As the crew ordered their food, Jordy Nelson took issue with a photo from the Kemps tour that was tweeted by @Packers with the description, ‘the face of intimidation.’

“Come on, what did I do to deserve that?” he said with a laugh. “I’m getting a bunch of Tweets about it.”

On the way out to the bus, the players stopped to chat and pose for pictures along the main street in Algoma.

“Franks Diner is an awesome place,” one of the fans remarked when seeing the t-shirt William Henderson was wearing. “The Garbage Plate is delicious.”

“Yes it was,” confirmed Henderson.

Click here to see photos from lunch in Algoma.

Final day begins with Kemps tour

The final day of the Packers Tailgate Tour began with a tour of the Kemps facility in Cedarburg and a visit with the roughly 35 employees who were working the Saturday shift.

Operations manager Jeff Slaasted and his staff took the players through the factory where they learned what happens to the more than 45 million gallons of milk that is used at the facility each year to produce branded and private label fluid dairy products that are distributed throughout Southeastern and Central Wisconsin.

One of the products: Kemps Packers Ice Cream.

The players learned a variety of things about the production operations. Three main goals include maximizing butter fat, keeping the milk fresh and efficiently using raw materials.

“I’m a nerd. I love seeing those types of places,” said William Henderson. “I’m also involved in some manufacturing businesses, so it was great to see how they run their operations.”

The group is down a member for the final day as Mark Murphy departed early this morning for Colgate University. The 1977 graduate of the university and former athletics director is there this weekend to deliver the keynote address at the commencement ceremonies tomorrow.

On to Sturgeon Bay.

Click here for photos from the Kemps tour.