8 minute read

Girls’ Day Out

Nothing draws women together better than a day out shopping or crafting together. In Sayner, first head to Traditions, and find a wide selection of items that depart from the average “Northwoods flavor.” Traditions is a full-service gift and home furnishings boutique offering a wide selection frequently updated with new, fashionable lines from suppliers on the cutting edge. Women’s accessories are also available in abundance.

Next, walk next door to GreenWeavers to find an array of women’s apparel, ranging from casual wear to dressy, knockout ensembles for special occasions. Staff is available every day to help you mix and match your wardrobe, find packable pieces for travel, and turn heads everywhere you go!

If hands-on crafting is more your style, visit Plum Lake Quilts, a fullservice quilt shop offering classes, longarm quilting services, fabrics galore, and an array of patterns and kits. Owner Pat Anderson has over 30 years of quilting experience and a passion for her “Open Sew” every Wednesday, where women can socialize, compare ideas, and sew together.

After hitting the shops in Sayner, travel east out of town on County Road N to Star Lake. There, you’ll find The Old Milltown Depot & The Old School House Gallery. Located in a restored 90-year-old, one-room schoolhouse, The Gallery offers gifts and art items. The Depot is a museum where the staff can provide a plethora of interesting tales of the history of Star Lake.

Dedicated to the Art of Fashion GreenWeavers Gift & Apparel offers women’s apparel from across the globe while providing personal fashion consulting GreenWeavers

Shopping for women’s apparel can be daunting, but at GreenWeavers, women find their quest for style can be fun, focused, and inspiring. “Most women have a vision of how they want to look, but finding the right clothing to define one’s own, unique style takes time, energy and patience,” says Wendy Kimbrell, GreenWeavers owner. “Because we’re all so uber-busy, many women simply don’t have time to explore the possibilities of their wardrobes. “At GreenWeavers, we do the work for them.” Custom Garments Not Online ‘The work’ begins with GreenWeavers personnel negotiating with vendors across the globe to create unique apparel not offered in mainstream retail outlets or online. Often, staffers offer creative input to designers who make apparel specifically for GreenWeavers. In addition, GreenWeavers is much larger than the average urban boutique. “Most city boutiques are forced to pay astronomical rents for teeny spaces,” Kimbrell says. “Because of our location, GreenWeavers can offer a huge volume of designer clothing at rural, not urban, prices.” Located in the center of town on Sayner’s Main Street, GreenWeavers has been providing fashion advice and apparel for 19 years. Boasting more than 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space, there is plenty of room for patrons to relax and spend time finding just the right outfits. “Good clothing is all about the fabric.” – Wendy Kimbrell,, GreenWeavers Owner

Relaxing and Fun “Some women literally spend the entire day here,” Kimbrell laughs. “Even the men are happy about that, because we’re right across the street from The Sayner Pub, where husbands often pass the time watching a game, or shooting the breeze with the locals.” Everyday wear abounds at GreenWeavers, which provides pants, shirts, tunics, dresses, skirts and coats for women wishing to spruce up their work and play wardrobes. Special occasion apparel for reunions, parties, conventions and cruises is vast and varied. And artsy accessories like shoes, jewelry, scarves, shawls, handbags and hats abound. But a special occasion is not the only time a woman wants to look good, Kimbrell says. “Women should look fantastic wherever they go,” she says. “Because when you look good, you feel good, and you’re just happier.” Jeanne Schmidt, GreenWeavers assistant manager, agrees. “It’s rewarding when we achieve a particular style, or look, that a customer has long been searching for,” she says. “When that happens, women literally light up, and walk out of the store feeling satisfied and empowered. Women should feel like that every day, wherever they go.”

Fashion Consulting Schmidt adds that GreenWeavers sales associates always offer honest advice and never try to sell patrons clothing that does not look terrific on them. “It’s so important to find garments that accent the finer attributes of your body type,” she says. “It’s difficult to achieve that by shopping online, which is why GreenWeavers is committed to providing its customers with solid, one-onone fashion consulting, as well as solutions to sizing, color and fabric issues.” Furthermore, all of the boutique’s garments are made of high-quality fabrics that last. Says Kimbrell, “Good clothing is all about the fabric. Instead of wasting money on items that don’t fit well and deteriorate in a year or two, it’s smarter to spend more on a garment that’s going to gracefully lay across your body, last ten years, and require minimal care.” Sizes at GreenWeavers range from XS to XXL so that women of all shapes and sizes can make the most out of what the boutique has to offer. And they do make the most of them. Chicago resident Loretta Pierson, for instance, travels from Chicago to GreenWeavers twice annually. “I’ve been shopping for my clothes at GreenWeavers for 16 years now, and I simply won’t buy clothes anyplace else,” Pierson says. “Why would I?” 2965 State Highway 155 | Sayner, WI 54560 | (715) 542-2884 Advertorial

Summertime Family Fun

Sayner-Star Lake is a year-round sporting paradise. In the fragrant woodland summer, warm-weather sports abound, whether you’re a hiker, cyclist, golfer, or water sport enthusiast.

The Hiker Your summer day can begin in Star Lake by enjoying Tramper’s Trails. Then head to the Star Lake Interpretive Trail, featuring scenic boardwalks and interpretive signs along its lovely landscape, part of which is on a Star Lake peninsula. There are many photo ops along the way, so don’t forget your camera! In Sayner, just on the outskirts of town, Razorback Ridges trails offer 16 miles of exhilarating terrain and breathless views. Trail maps are available at The Corner Store on Highway N, GreenWeavers on Main Street, and other local businesses. Further down the road is the Fallison Lake Trail, a breathtaking trail with spectacular views of Fallison Lake. Booklets on wildlife, flora, and trail history are available from the DNR at the Crystal Lake Campground and at the trailhead. Loops of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 2.5 miles are available.

The Cyclist Also in Sayner, the paved Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail System links smoothly northward to the Boulder Junction bike paths and westward to the St. Germain Trails. The Vilas County Bike Trail offers over 50 miles of paved forest trails exhuming scents of evergreen, wildflower, and loam. Six-feet wide with hills just challenging enough – you won’t have to walk your bike uphill! Bike trail maps are available at Sayner Mobil Express on Main Street, as well as several other Sayner businesses. For a more rugged experience, head to Razorback Ridges. Here you will experience a different type of ride on 30 miles worth of mountain bike trails. Don’t have a bike? Not a problem. The Corner Store, located on Highway N in Sayner, has bikes to rent, and a full supply of Vilas County Bike Trail maps on hand. Says Corner Store owner Mary Debilzen, “We are your one-stop-shop for creating the perfect Northwoods Wisconsin experience.” The Corner Store has served residents, campers, and visitors in the surrounding area for more than 80 years. Centrally located within the Explore pristine trails and crystal clear waters

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and the SaynerStar Lake area, The Corner Store is directly adjacent to over 50 miles of paved bike trails and 16 miles of mountain bike and cross-country ski trails, and it is near many lakes and campgrounds. The Corner Store is also right on the way to the Plum Ski-ters waterski show.

The Golfer

Plum Lake Golf Course, located on the south shore of Plum Lake, offers a challenging nine-hole course rich with history and the sounds and fragrance of the best of the Northwoods. Founded in 1912, it is the oldest nine-hole golf course in Wisconsin, featuring a turn-ofthe-century clubhouse, wraparound porch, and a spectacular view of the lake.

On the Water

Swimming, boating, and water sports opportunities abound in Sayner-Star Lake. For instance, Sayner’s Crystal Lake is located next to one of the cleanest, clearest, safest swimming beaches in the Midwest. At just under 90 acres in size and a maximum depth of 67 feet, the water is clear and deep. It’s a favorite for scuba divers as well as recreational swimmers. Crystal Lake beach is perfect for families of all ages. Come and picnic at the lovely picnic area next to the beach, or camp at several well-equipped campsites on the state-owned property.

Before you head onto the water, check out the canoes and kayaks available for rent at Up North Traders, located on Main Street in Sayner. Kayaks and paddleboards are also available to rent at The Corner Store on Highway N. Next, you’ll need to choose from the wonderful lakes in the area to paddle on. Just refer to the map in this booklet.

If a canoe or kayak is not your cup of tea, Errington’s Resort has boats available for rent.

At the end of your day, enjoy the Plum Ski-ters water ski show in Sayner on select days at 7pm located at Statehouse Point – a short 2.5 miles down Razorback Road.

Finally, fishing opportunities in the Sayner-Star Lake area abound. See page 10 for fishing information.