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CALENDAR OF
JUNE
6 Green Lake—Green Lake Bike 100
7 Green Lake—Bike the Farms 12-13 Markesan—June Dairy Days
JULY
2-5 Princeton—Princeton’s Independence Day Celebration
4 Green Lake—Light Up the Lake July 4 Celebration
AUGUST
6-9 Green Lake—Green Lake County Fair
7 Green Lake—Taste and Tunes: Green Lake Wine Walk
8-9 Green Lake—Green Lake Fine Art Show
22 Markesan—Farmer’s Free Corn Fest
SEPTEMBER
5 Green Lake—13dot1 Races
12 Green Lake—Wisconsin State Chili Cookoff
19 Princeton—Brew Ha Ha Ha
20 Princeton—Unity’s Harvest Faire
26-27 Green Lake—Golden Days Harvest Fest
OCTOBER
10 Ripon—Scarecrow Fest
17-18 Princeton—Fall Light Pole Decorating Contest
30 Princeton—HalloWINE and Boos
NOVEMBER
11 Princeton—VFW Veterans Day Ceremony
13 Green Lake—Craft Beer Walk 20-21 Markesan—Homespun Holidays
26 Green Lake—6th Annual Pumpkin Pie 5k 27-29 Princeton—Christmas in Princeton
28 Green Lake—Keep the Cheer Here
DECEMBER
12 Princeton—Friends of the Library Cookie Walk
Dates subject to change. For additional information and additional events, please check the various Chamber of Commerce websites.
ONGOING
Entertainment
GREEN LAKE
Green Lake Festival of Music June 5-Aug. 6 For locations go to greenlakefestival.org
Summer Market at Town Square. Fridays, May 22‒Sept. 4
South Street Summer Market. Wednesdays, June 18, July 2 & Aug. 20 Concerts in the Park. Wednesdays at Deacon Mills Park, June 10–Aug. 19
PRINCETON Flea Market Saturdays, April 18–Oct. 10
RIPON
Ripon College Chamber Music Institute Faculty Concerts. June 10, 17 & 19
GreenLake GREEN LAKE
Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, with miles of shoreline and a year-round array of events and activities, Green Lake welcomes everyone, from the foodie to the outdoors enthusiast, to come and enjoy the good life.
The city is adjacent to many of Wisconsin’s favorite outdoor activities, making it a haven for enthusiasts. Explore Big Green Lake by bike on the Loop the Lake trail, take a sunset cruise aboard the Escapade, or grab a boat for fishing or wake surfing.
For hikers and bikers, there’s no shortage of trails, all offering panoramic views of the natural beauty that defines the Greater Green Lake area. When you’re near the Green Lake Conference Center, be sure to climb all 121 steps of Judson Tower—you’ll be glad you did.
Then experience the taste of downtown Green Lake. You’ll find great burgers and bar food alongside fine dining and classic supper clubs. There are also cafés and ice cream shops to put a cherry on top of your day. Depending on where you dine, you might even catch the golden hues of a sunset reflecting across the lake.
Every season brings its own events to enjoy. Summer comes with weekly live entertainment, like Concerts in the Park every Wednesday, featuring bands of every genre. You’ll also find an eclectic mix of live music, comedy, and theater at the historic Thrasher Opera House. Come autumn, it’s time for Harvest Fest, with handmade crafts and live performances.
If you’re looking for something local and fresh, the weekly farmers market is a must. You’ll also enjoy the Green Lake County Fair, the “best little fair around,” in August, followed by the Wisconsin State Chili Cook-off in September. When winter arrives, Green Lake transforms: the lake provides ample opportunities for ice fishing and skating, the trails open for snowmobilers, and Zobel Park offers sledding fun.
Green Lake isn’t just about everything there is to do— it’s about the people. Friendly faces abound, ensuring everyone who visits gets a taste of the good life.
For help planning your next visit, go to visitgreenlake.com or contact the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
Ripon R I PON
Ripon could easily be known for its university. It could be known for its history or for its acres of parks, trails, rivers, and lakes. It could be known for the wide array of shops and restaurants downtown or its memorable community celebrations. But locals might tell you it’s not that complicated. Ripon is simply distinguished by its charm.
In a stunning historic downtown, you’ll find many dog-friendly businesses, cafés, a brewery, and a growing list of hip restaurants. And just a short drive north, there’s a winery. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the nearby bike trails and parks, while golfers can take on some of the state’s top-rated courses.
Ripon is a place residents are proud to call home. People here truly feel part of the community; it’s a place where everyone comes together. Strong educational opportunities reflect Ripon’s dedication to students and their families, and the vibrant business culture puts local first. When you’re in Ripon, with so much happening and downtown architecture constantly drawing your eye upward, it’s easy to forget you’re in a friendly small town somewhere in Wisconsin.
For more information, contact the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at 920-748-6764.
Princeton P R I NCE T ON
Local shops, antique stores, and the famous Flea Market make Princeton a great place to experience small-town charm with idyllic character. However long your stay, here are some ideas to get the most out of your day, weekend, or week.
If you’re only around for a day, don’t worry—that’s enough time to attend Princeton’s famous Flea Market, held April through October. The event takes place outdoors, and each booth offers an array of items you’ve either been searching for or didn’t realize you needed. Take the opportunity to dine at a cozy, delicious restaurant or enjoy an award-winning brat fry put on by the American Legion. You can also pick up a burger at the Flea Market’s food stand.
Outside Flea Market season or after a morning spent browsing market booths, downtown Princeton hosts some fantastic shops. Local wines, handblown glass ornaments, and American-made clothing might just be what you need to round out the day. It shouldn’t be hard to find the perfect gift for any occasion.
A weekend-long trip provides the chance for families and friends to really start exploring what Princeton has to offer. Antique shops are often filled with treasures that don’t jump out immediately, like one-of-a-kind furniture
pieces or knickknacks that express your style perfectly. It’s all the right stuff to make your house feel like home.
There are also a host of weekend-long events, including wine walks, the Rubber Chicken Fling, and the Whooping Crane Festival. Each major holiday comes with something to do, like shopping local on Black Friday. You’ll find hot chocolate and chances to take pictures with the big guy himself: Santa Claus. And you won’t want to miss the Christmas in Princeton parade, held every Thanksgiving weekend.
For those fortunate enough to have a week to spend in Princeton, you’ll start to understand what it means to live like a local. Set the tone by staying at one of Princeton’s campgrounds, motels, or Airbnbs. Whether you’re here to golf, fish, or hunt, it’s that peaceful time in nature everybody says they want but often forgets to take.
Princeton is also the gateway to the White River Marsh Loop, so be sure to bring your bike. If you’re visiting in winter, check out the snowmobile trails, go ice skating, or enjoy a winter wonderland while cross-country skiing. No matter how long you’re here, there’s always something to do in Princeton, even if that something is just watching the day go by.
For more information, contact the Princeton Chamber of Commerce at 920-295-3877.
M A RKES A N
Markesan
With top-notch educational facilities and comfortable living options for all ages, the friendly neighborhoods of Markesan truly form a community that puts people first. There’s also a wealth of rich history to discover when visiting.
Markesan’s past is rooted in a dedication to farming—so much so that it was once considered the wealthiest city in the nation. More than 150 years of Markesan’s farming heritage can be viewed at the Grand River Valley Museum and Train Depot, presented by the Markesan Historical Society. It should come as no surprise that farming continues to be an important part of life in Markesan today.
There’s also no shortage of outdoor opportunities. Anglers will find Little Green Lake is filled with muskie and walleye, and anyone looking to cruise around the lake will appreciate the 462 acres of open water. Nearby Puckaway Lake and Grand Lake, along with many smaller lakes in the area, are also worth exploring if you’re seeking a change in scenery. Be sure to visit the 7,000 acres of the Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area, where there are plenty of opportunities for hunting, trapping, hiking, birdwatching, and fishing.
Markesan’s annual events aptly echo the spirit of the town. June Dairy Days, held every second weekend in June, celebrates the town’s farming heritage. Local service organizations sponsor a variety of other festivals, including Kingston Krazy Days, Augustfest, Heritage Day, the Markesan Fire Department breakfast, and more.
The community of Markesan is also home to boutique shops, a grocery store, hardware store, public library, and medical facilities among other vital services. Parks and churches are all within walking distance of downtown. Markesan may be small, but it’s a place where history, nature, and community thrive.
For more information, contact the Markesan Chamber of Commerce at 920-398-3031.
green lake
HOW VISITORS CAN HELP KEEP
BY KRISTEN
If you’ve spent even a day in Green Lake, you’ve likely felt it—that quiet pull that makes people return year after year. People often say the lake is the heart of this community, and they mean it. Its deep blue waters shape our seasons, our traditions, and our sense of place. And for visitors, it doesn’t take long to feel part of that story.
Green Lake is extraordinary not only for its beauty, but also for its origin. Formed 17,000 years ago by a retreating glacier, it’s Wisconsin’s deepest natural inland lake—carved into a steep, ancient valley and fed by rainfall, springs, and miles of winding tributaries. That’s why as you drive into town, you’ll notice
signs welcoming you into the “Big Green Lake Watershed”—a reminder that everything flowing across this landscape eventually makes its way here.
For those of us who live, work, and play on its shores, caring for the lake is part of everyday life. The Green Lake Association (GLA), a local nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding water quality, is one of the organizations working behind the scenes to protect what makes this place so loved. But the truth is, everyone who spends time here has a role—including our visitors.
The good news: being a good steward of Green Lake fits naturally
into your visit. Rinse off boats, paddles, fishing gear, and water toys before launching; it’s a simple way to prevent aquatic hitchhikers from traveling between lakes. Pick up after pets during shoreline walks. And while swimming, you may feel soft underwater plants brushing
RASMUSSEN
The Green Lake Association is a local nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding water quality. It’s one of the organizations working behind the scenes to protect what makes this place so loved.
your toes—some of those “weeds” are actually vital fish habitat.
You may also notice pockets of natural vegetation along the shore. These areas, though not widespread, are incredibly important. Native plants help filter runoff, stabilize the shoreline, and support wildlife. Appreciating and giving space to these natural edges is one of the easiest ways to care for the lake.
If you’re exploring the trails and nature preserves around the lake—from Norwegian Bay Wetlands to Hammer’s Trail— you’re experiencing the collective conservation work of the Green Lake Conservancy, the Green Lake Sanitary District, and other
partners who have protected these special places for all to enjoy.
So whether you’re here for an afternoon paddle, a weeklong getaway, or a summer full of sunsets, your visit matters. Every thoughtful action helps protect the lake that locals love and invites you into the ongoing story of caring for one of Wisconsin’s most treasured places.
Welcome to Green Lake. We’re glad you’re part of it.
Kristen Rasmussen is director of communication at Green Lake Association. greenlakeassociation.org
Photographs provided by Green Lake Association.
STUART’S LANDSCAPING & GARDEN CENTER
In an area like Greater Green Lake, how the community looks matters. Parks, storefronts, lakefront homes, and everyday yards all shape the experience of living or vacationing here. For a landscaping company, earning a role in that picture takes years of hard work and trust. As Stuart’s Landscaping & Garden
by Kyle Jacobson
Center enters its 40th year, the team takes pride in knowing their work has affected residents and visitors alike.
Stuart’s started in Fond du Lac in 1986, but their Green Lake center has only been around since 2014. Having already established themselves nearby put them in a
position to better serve residents in this second location, bringing in the resources and expertise they built over the decades.
“We have a fully stocked Garden Center accompanied by a state-ofthe-art greenhouse to better serve those of the Green Lake community,”
And once we’re done installing the project, we offer full-service, top-tobottom landscape maintenance, “ ”
AARON MUCHE
says Aaron Muche of Stuart’s Landscaping. “We have a fulltime designer and crews from our services division running out of this location. We recently hired multiple project managers to oversee crews that run out of Green Lake: maintenance, construction, and some lawnmowing crews.”
The work speaks for itself. Captivating designs become reality through
beautiful patios, walkways, plantings, walls, and stonework utilizing virtually every material besides concrete. “And once we’re done installing the project, we offer full-service, topto-bottom landscape maintenance,” says Aaron. “You want everything trimmed back nice, you want to keep it looking pristine, we got that. You’re not around to mow your lawn or you just don’t have time, we got that. You want your lawn to be real nice and
lush and green, fertilized, no weeds, we got that. We’re a one stop shop.”
Though providing top-notch service is key to their success, Stuart’s also invests in the communities they serve. Beyond participating in fundraisers to keep the waters of Big Green Lake clean, they contribute directly to the small city’s charm. Just across from Adam’s Rib on Mill Street, the Green Lake waterfall
It’s awesome to see the work that gets put in the area positively affecting the community, “ ”
AARON MUCHE
area is enhanced each year with colorful flowers and plantings, all donated and installed by Stuart’s Landscaping. “It’s awesome to see the work that gets put in the area positively affecting the community,” says Aaron.
And for those looking to add a little more green to their lives, the garden center offers a wealth of options: shrubs, roses, and ornamentals, to name a few. It’s also a place to go “for estimates on projects around the house, big or small,” says Aaron. “Just generic questions, like what to plant and where. There’s always people available who can answer these questions.”
Stuart’s has built its reputation on quality and long-term relationships— something reflected in the people who show up every day. “With 40 years of business, over half of our full-time employees have been here 10 to 15-plus years,” says Aaron. “It’s pretty special. It’s a family group here.” That same mindset extends to every homeowner and every project, making an impact that lasts long after the work is finished.
Kyle Jacobson is lead writer for Greater Green Lake.
Photographs provided by Stuart’s Landscaping & Garden Center.
Big Green Lake
Wisconsin lakes are often the backdrop to our picturesque environments and play vital roles in the lives of those around them. Essential to the Greater Green Lake area, Big Green Lake stands as a prime example of the connection between nature and community. The way a person views and respects water often becomes central to how they view the rest of the world. As any local will tell you, growing up by a lake is something special.
The obvious start is the beaches. Whether Hattie Sherwood Beach, Sunset Park, or Dodge Memorial County Park, there’s something for the whole family. Youngsters can play in the sand, parents and grandparents can enjoy the sun, and teenagers have plenty of room for water and beachside games.
If you prefer to be on the water, Big Green doesn’t disappoint. With 7,346 acres, kayakers, boaters, and yachters have plenty of room to paddle, cruise, and sail. If you haven’t tried stand-up paddleboarding, a sunny vacation day is the perfect time to give it a go. For the adrenaline junkie, be sure to bring your wakeboard or waterskis. And if you really want to go fast, rent a couple of wave runners at a nearby marina and zip around in style.
GREEN LAKE FISH CHART
WHO THEY ARE | WHERE THEY ARE | WHEN | TOP BAIT
LAKE TROUT Late May through mid-July, shallower water early, 40–60’. 100–140’ later. Small spoons, small shiners.
WALLEYE Ice out until early May, fish shorelines. Last week in June until mid-July, fish weed beds. Early August through autumn, 25–50’ on hard-bottom drop-offs. Night crawlers, leeches.
WHITE BASS Early May, fish shoreline on windy days, lake surface on calm days. July 10 through mid-September, troll spinners with small minnows, surface down to 40’.
NORTHERN First three weeks of June, troll the weed beds. Large spinners, crank baits. July, fish in 25–40’ of water on the drop-offs. Large chubs, suckers.
BASS Early May, work the shorelines. Warmer weather, fish the rock piles 15–20’. Spinner baits, tubes, crawlers, leeches.
PANFISH Late April through early May, fish the shorelines, the bays, and by the dam. Late July, fish the cribs. Waxworms, small worms (garden or angle).
ICE FISHING
CISCO Early December, cisco are spawning and can be caught in 40–60’ of water on rocky shoals, or through winter with jigs and glow spoons
TROUT Late December through March. Small shiners.
NORTHERN Fish in 12–18’ of water near big weed beds. Big shiners on tip-ups.
WALLEYE Fish near big weed beds 8–12’ of water, or in water up to 30’. Small shiners, jigs, small spoons.
PANFISH Plentiful in shallow water. Fish 30–40’ for larger fish. Small grubs, plastics.
A day of fishing is another great way to get the most out of the lake. With a depth of 237 feet, Big Green is hiding quite the assortment of species: walleye, northern pike, lake trout, and a variety of bass and panfish species. It was comedian Steven Wright who said, “There’s a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot,” so be sure to get out on a boat or, if you’re not winter intolerant, go ice fishing. Any time of year, there are lunkers to be found. And remember to read up on current regulations concerning size and limits.
Each winter, Big Green transforms into a pulled sheet of ice and snow—a veritable wonderland. Tranquility can be found simply staring across the expanse to the tree line on the other side and the lightgrey sky above. The same touch of grace
can be found ice skating around Deacon Mills Wharf, where the distinct cut of skates turns the air crisp—a defining winter experience.
But winter doesn’t have to mean slowing things down. Ice boating is something you won’t see just anywhere, and Big Green provides one of the best environments to ride the wind any time of year. Narrow wind-powered sleds fly across the ice at speeds over 50 miles an hour, which should get enough adrenaline pumping to momentarily forget just how cold your face is.
Big Green Lake means something different to everyone. It’s an adventure, an escape, and a romantic experience all in one. I like to think lakes have the potential to tell us all a little something about who we are and give us the impetus to live truer to that idea. Whether by the horns or by the hand, there’s a lot to take away from time spent on Big Green Lake.
LILAC FURNITURE GALLERY
by Kyle Jacobson
On a warm summer day, grandma and grandpa spread out a picnic blanket for an afternoon with the grandkids. The scene would feel right at home on a beach or at the park, but this picnic is happening right outside Lilac Furniture Gallery—where one visit can quickly turn into tradition.
Amy of Lilac Furniture Gallery says, “We have families that come back every summer because that’s just what they’ve done every year. It’s just neat to see the kids growing up, and we have grandparents that bring their grandkids in because this is where they bought their furniture. They’re not just customers; they really are our family.”
Lilac started decades ago, when Levi Mast was building the furniture himself in a shop just next door. As demand grew, he began partnering with other builders to keep up. “Lilac is a collaboration of a lot of different builders. We have some Amish. We have some Mennonite. We have some, what the Amish would deem, English builders as well. We try to bring in local when we can; otherwise,
all of our Amish and Mennonite pieces are from Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. We try to bring in different things from different areas—try not to compete with the rest of the furniture stores in the area.”
Things were going well until a fire in 2008 wiped everything out. But thanks to support from Lilac’s family of customers, the furniture gallery was able to open its doors again. Just as before, Lilac features handcrafted pieces from its network of builders, each piece made to last generations.
Though the showroom is small, the selection is varied. And if Lilac doesn’t have something in store, Amy and Levi can match the customer to a builder that can create what they want. Amy also says she takes the time to ensure the selected item will actually work in the customer’s space.
“I have had people come back three or four times before ever placing their order because I want them super comfortable with it. I don’t want them to have to go home and think, ‘What did I just do?’ I’ve had people come in
setting up an office area, and they’re looking at a big huge desk or an L-shaped unit. I tell them to go buy some cardboard or some masking tape and make that out in your room.”
Levi and Amy also give back to the community. Amy says, “If they’re going to come and support us, we need to be supportive of them as well.” Over the years, they’ve donated pieces to auctions, fundraisers, and even local schools.
Beyond furniture, Lilac carries crafts, soaps, bird feeders, and outdoor pieces—little touches that make it more than a furniture store. With the care Amy and Levi give every customer, visits often turn into moments: a grandmother’s nursery letters carefully shipped to Milwaukee, an amateur woodworker admiring the pieces, and shoppers lingering long after a purchase is made. Each generation that passes through Lilac’s doors adds to a shared story of connection, tradition, and a place to come back to year after year.
Kyle Jacobson is lead writer for Greater Green Lake.
Photographs by Barbara Wilson.
LAKE BY BIKE
Discover Green Lake by Bike GREEN
Biking in Greater Green Lake offers a wealth of opportunities and experiences. Whether for the history, the beauty, or the culture, miles of country roads can take you anywhere between Green Lake, Ripon, Berlin, Princeton, and Markesan. There are also expansive paved and compactedgravel bicycle paths, making cycling arguably the best way to explore everything the area has to offer.
Out of all the ways to take in Big Green Lake, biking Loop the Lake, Greater Green Lake’s most popular route, is a local and visitor favorite. The path follows the lakeshore via 23 miles of town and county roads, with access to the shoreline, public landings, parks, and Green Lake Conservancy properties. And it’s fantastic year-round. Beat the heat with the lake’s cool water; take in the red, orange, greens, and golds of autumn’s maple trees; and refresh with the reborn flowers of spring. Even winter provides ample opportunity to explore nature like no other season can. When you find yourself near the Tichora natural area, be sure to walk the trails to explore the tiered sandstone bluff and small spring-fed lake. No matter where you are on the trail, you’re sure to discover the beauty that so many photographers and artists strive to capture year after year.
Phase 2 of Lauree’s Trail finished in 2022, and 2025 marked the end of Phase 3, completing the connection to Koro Road. Along with the Forest Ridge Loop, this 18-mile-long trail system of paved and compacted-gravel sections connects Green Lake, Ripon, Rush Lake, and Berlin. Whether you start the trail on Koro Road or at the Green Lake Conference Center, the trip will take you through some of the area’s best nature preserves.
The Mascoutin Valley State Trail connects Ripon to Berlin by passing Rush Lake and state-protected wildlife areas and wetlands. While on this multiuse, compacted-gravel trail, expect to encounter joggers, dog walkers, and even horseback riders as well as other bikers. In the winter, the trail acts as part of a three-county snowmobile system. Rush Lake, with a maximum depth of five feet, is the star of the trail for birdwatchers. Benches provide a view of sandhill cranes and geese along with the potential for a rare red-necked grebe or black-crowned night heron sighting.
This is only a small sampling of the trails offered in the area. There’s still the Little Green Loop, which has an extension that takes you through Markesan; the Huckleberry Loop, which takes you to the Fox River along Huckleberry Road; and the White River Marsh Loop, which circles the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area. If that’s not enough, more trails await south of Puckaway Lake.
Whatever the reason for your visit, a weekend getaway is a great start to finding the bicycle journey you’re looking for. Bed and breakfasts near the bike trail offer the easiest way to get up and go, and each city has great offerings for lunch and dinner. You’ll be hanging out with the locals and learning about all the must-ride trails and must-see sites and events. One day, you might check out Ripon and the university, the next, you’re in Marquette County checking out nature preserves and John Muir’s boyhood home. The wealth of opportunity is limited only by your stamina and the length of your stay.
Maps are available from the Green Lake Chamber of Commerce and at visitgreenlake.com/biking.
Ripon Ace Hardware
BY KYLE JACOBSON
When you’ve been a staple in your community long enough, the passing of time doesn’t always look the way you expect. It might be hiring the son of a former employee or watching your retired seventh grade math teacher clock in for the day. As folk musician Greg Brown put it, “My friends are getting older, so I guess I must be too.”
For Ripon Ace Hardware, moments like these are a reminder that the store hasn’t just served its community for decades, it’s grown up alongside it.
To get to the beginning, we have to go back to 1948, when Bill Marquart and Clarence Mielke opened the first Ace at 113 Watson Street, on Ripon’s downtown square. The original store was just 2,200 square feet. In 1962, it expanded into the neighboring DuVall’s Grocery, doubling in size. By 1973, the business had outgrown downtown entirely and moved to its current location at 1085
W. Fond du Lac Street. That building began at 14,500 square feet and has since grown through two additions to 21,000 square feet—nearly 10 times the size of the original store.
Luann Marquart-Van Lanen purchased the interests in the company from her father, Bill, in 1987, continuing where he left off. Today, she says the focus remains unchanged. “We work with local tradespeople—painters, contractors, plumbers, electricians—
and the general public. A good portion of our business is just regular homeowners. We’ve always believed in good customer service, and we’ve always made sure that’s one of our strong suits. We have knowledgeable staff to take care of customers. We certainly change with the times and add new products and new features as much as we can.”
What Luann appreciates about Ace is the ability to balance structure with local flexibility. The store can lean on national programs and systems but still adjust to the needs of the community it serves.
For Ripon, this means accounting for the lake homes nearby and the seasonal work that comes with them—homeowners decorating their rooms and patios, landscape crews maintaining properties, and contractors remodeling interior and exterior spaces. Within that framework, the store is able to
adapt its inventory and focus quickly to match what local customers actually need.
And when nonprofits and other organizations are putting on fundraisers or festivals, “we can respond a little faster to things,” says Luann. “We donate to a lot of organizations and their fundraisers and raffles. The community sees us at most functions. There’s always something from Ace there. If we’re not supporting it personally, there’s product there, there’s prizes there. We’re always supporting whatever we can.”
Ripon Ace Hardware’s focus has always been on carrying quality products at prices that make sense for everyday customers. That includes trusted brands like DeWalt and Milwaukee tools, Weber and Blackstone grills, and Yeti coolers. The same approach carries through both the Ripon store and its sister location in Wautoma, opened in 2007, where similar lake-area needs and local demand shape what’s on the shelves.
Kyle Jacobson is lead writer for Greater Green Lake.
Photographs by Barbara Wilson.
Embrace tricky greens that lovers of links-style golf seek.
GREATER GREEN LAKE GREENS
World-class golf has long been a defining feature of the Greater Green Lake area. Whether looking for something scenic, something historic, or a course to challenge your game, golfers of every ability are sure to enjoy chipping the day away. And if a day isn’t enough, each course offers weekend packages and seasonal specials to make your trip affordable and unforgettable. For the full experience, make it a week-long trip and play every course, complete with pro shops, food, and drink.
THE GOLF COURSES OF LAWSONIA
With some of the most fun and challenging courses in the country, Lawsonia has upheld its almost-100-year legacy with revitalization and restoration efforts to both its Links and Woodland courses.
The Links course offers those tricky greens that lovers of links-style golf seek. On approach, aiming for the front of the greens is often recommended, but some elevation changes will make you rethink your club choice. The highlight of the day is putting on the wellmaintained, undulating greens.
The Woodlands course completed an extensive renovation and reopened in May 2021. Golfers will still play the scenic holes they previously enjoyed with rebuilt green surrounds, redesigned bunkers, better drainage, and a new 18th green.
MASCOUTIN GOLF CLUB
A quick online search for Mascoutin Golf Club comes back with proclamations of it being a hidden gem and one of Wisconsin’s best-kept secrets. Narrow fairways lined by mature trees provide that lost-in-the-woods feeling through 27 immaculately maintained holes. After a round, you’ll be remembering some of your favorite holes and thinking about how you’ll play them next time.
TUSCUMBIA GOLF COURSE
Founded in 1896, Tuscumbia Golf Course is the oldest public course in the state, but the history is only the start. New ownership has worked hard to bring the course back to its former glory by revitalizing the tight fairways and small greens. It’s the type of golf Midwesterners have come to enjoy, and the Family Links, a 9-hole, par-3 course, adds something great for any skill level.
WHITE LAKE GOLF COURSE
Fast greens, hills, woods, and ponds make Sondalles White Lake Country Club a challenging course for all skill levels. It’s not uncommon to hear players talk about how happy they are to have discovered another hidden gem in the area. Free-roaming peacocks are a nice touch and just might be the bestlooking birdies you’ll see all day.
COVER ARTIST
Robin Wallenfang
Robin Wallenfang is a freelance artist and mural painter living in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Her mural paintings of the Green Lake area can be found in the Kraft Dining Hall at the Green Lake Conference Center, Wallenfangs of Green Lake, Knickerbocker Landing, Princeton Historical Society, Berlin Public Library, Ripon Public Library, and in private homes in Green Lake. Robin painted with the Walldogs as a project leader for several out-ofstate events, including one in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.
This is the fourth cover design commissioned by the publishers. Prints are available upon request by contacting Robin directly at 920-579-2763. robinwallenfang.com
Photographs provided by Robin Wallenfang.
NOAA GRADUATES COMMISSION OF GUT BAY, ALASKA: PATTERSON & COSMOS AT ANCHOR
