At The Lake - Summer 2025

At The Lake ®

Geneva Lake Area Magazine

On The Double

A guide to the area’s best burgers

SAILING Smooth

HOW A LOCAL SAILOR BROUGHT AN 1890S RACING BOAT BACK TO LIFE

Celebrating 100 years of Williams Bay’s Cedar Point Park Summer Vacationland

Photo by Stoffer Photography Interior Design by Amy Storm & Co.

AS WE 25 YEARS OF BEING

PART OF THE HEART OF LAKE GENEVA

WE’RE FILLED WITH

THAT YOU’VE CHOSEN US TO BE PART OF

celebrate gratitude your story

@properties- CHRISTIE'S

Dear readers,

Right around the time my grandmother was born in 1922, her parents looked at their growing family and decided it was time to invest in a lake house to escape the heat of a Chicago summer. They eventually purchased a home on the south shore of Delavan Lake, but before they chose that location, my great-grandfather looked at several properties. One of the options his realtor showed him was a huge parcel of land on Geneva Lake on the east side of Williams Bay. The realtor said the land was ripe for development and the price was a steal at $50,000 (around $950,000 in today’s money), but my great-grandfather ultimately declined. A few years later, that land became a subdivision called Cedar Point Park, and this summer, it will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In this issue, we take a look back at this tight-knit community with the beautiful sunset views (page 42).

Also, history buffs won’t want to miss our cover story on Tattler II, a replica 1890s racing sailboat that was painstakingly researched by local sailor Charles Colman and recreated using a mix of historic schematics and modern boat building technology by Van Dam Boats in Michigan (page 74). We were lucky enough to see it under sail on a glorious summer day and it felt like being transported to the 19th century.

Of course, lake life in the 21st century is pretty wonderful, too, and we’ve got plenty of stories on the latest news, trends and events at the lake. On page 98, tour a serene lake home transformed by a Lake Geneva interior designer into the perfect, laid-back family retreat. Looking for advice on throwing a backyard garden party this summer? We asked local entertaining experts to share their tried-and-true tips (page 111). And of course, it just isn’t summer without a juicy and delectable burger, so we’ve round up some of our favorites from local restaurants (page 161). We can’t wait to take a bite out of summer.

Anne Morrissy Editor anne@ntmediagroup.com

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POSTCARD PERFECT

This retro mural was new last summer, but already feels like a Lake Geneva classic. On page 34, meet the local designer who created this iconic image and so many more.

SUNNY SIPS

Is there anything happier than a summer happy hour? On page 120, find these shatterproof martini glasses and more musthaves from local shops.

JUICE IT UP

If you’re a brunch person, we’ve got you covered! On page 168, check out everything you need to know about setting up the perfect mimosa bar.

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At The Lake® magazine is published quarterly and available free of charge at select businesses and newsstands — a $6 value per issue. Why not have it delivered to your door? For a one-year subscription (4 issues), send $24.95 to Nei-Turner Media Group, 400 Broad St., Lake Geneva, WI 53147 or call (262) 729-4471.

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C. Coleman

74

Sailing Back in Time

How one local sailor resurrected an elegant racing boat of the 1890s.

34 Leaving a Lasting Impression

Meet graphic designer Neal

Aspinall, whose signature, retroinspired style is synonymous with Lake Geneva.

By Amanda Wegner

42 A Community on Point

A look back at Williams Bay’s Cedar Point Park Association on its 100th anniversary. By Kate

Gardiner

62

Above It All

A photo portfolio that gives a drone’s-eye view of iconic Lake Geneva scenes. By Anne

Morrissy

98

Laid-back Luxury

Tour a lake home that a Lake Geneva interior designer helped transform from an empty vision into a relaxed, dream-home getaway. By Lauren Eve

124 Summer Camp for Every Kid

Learn about Holiday Home Camp, which has been providing summer camp experiences to kids from lowincome households since 1887. By Sarah Koehler

Story and Photos by Holly Leitner

Create

PUBLISHER Barbara Krause bak@ntmediagroup.com

EDITOR Anne Morrissy anne@ntmediagroup.com

ART DIRECTOR Lauren Harrigan lharrigan@ntmediagroup.com

PHOTOGRAPHER & IMAGE EDITOR Holly Leitner holly@ntmediagroup.com

DIGITAL DIRECTOR Kristen Rouse krouse@ntmediagroup.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Cici Rindy cici@ntmediagroup.com

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Deann Hausner deann@ntmediagroup.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Amy Jacobs ads@ntmediagroup.com

SALES SUPPORT Kaleigh Krause ktk@ntmediagroup.com

ACCOUNTING Nadine Seitz accounting@ntmediagroup.com

CIRCULATION Eric Johnsen eric@ntmediagroup.com

Photo by Holly Leitner

Third generation family owned and operated since 1973.

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Grand Geneva Announces Wee Nip

New 10-hole short course set to open in spring 2026

BY GLEN TURK

Over the past five years, there has been a growing emphasis at top Wisconsin golf resorts on creating short courses designed specifically for families and casual players. Traditional 18-hole championship layouts, while still central to the properties, are increasingly being complemented by shorter, more accessible options like The Sandbox at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, The Baths of Blackwolf Run in Kohler and 12North at Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells.

Grand Geneva is targeting a 2026 opening for its new short course, designed by Matt Dusenberry.

With that evolution in mind, Lake Geneva’s Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, one of the premier golf resorts in the Midwest, has announced the upcoming addition of its new shortcourse golf course, Wee Nip, which is set to welcome players during the 2026 golf season. A significant addition to the resort’s extensive golf offerings, Wee Nip is designed to make the game more welcoming, fun and approachable for players of all ages and skill levels.

The term “wee nip” derives from a Scottish phrase that means a small drink or a quick sip, reflecting the playful spirit of the course.

“Golf continues to gain popularity, especially among younger generations and diverse demographics,” says Ryan Brown, director of golf and ski at Grand Geneva. “Our golfers are looking to have more fun, as the game is not as serious as it once was. We are so fortunate that our resort is thriving right now, and can’t wait for the Wee Nip to tie in perfectly with all our existing amenities and increased golf instruction at Grand Geneva.”

Designed by Matt Dusenberry of the award-winning Dusenberry Golf Course

Design, Wee Nip will feature 10 holes averaging around 90 yards each with rounds expected to take approximately 90 minutes to complete. The course will also include music speakers and a viewing area offering food and beverage service with to-go options.

The overall footprint of the project covers around 12 acres where the

driving range and learning center used to be, as well as the valley to the right of the first tee on The Highlands course. A creatively situated clubhouse will allow patrons to play a three, seven- or 10-hole loop that doesn’t necessarily have to start on hole No. 1. The site location was chosen carefully, so that Wee Nip will have all the bunkering, contours and

The new course will include 10 holes averaging around 90 yards each, with rounds expected to take approximately 90 minutes.

immaculate conditioning golfers have come to appreciate at both of Grand Geneva’s championship properties, The Highlands and The Brute.

“Grand Geneva’s golf courses are among the best in Wisconsin, and Wee Nip further enhances the resort’s reputation as an ideal golf getaway,” explains Skip Harless, managing director of Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. “Our existing golf courses already appeal to golfers of all skill levels, but Wee Nip will encourage casual play, making it perfect for novice golfers and players of all ages. The course fosters creativity for advanced golfers, providing opportunities to enhance their skills and experiment with different swings and strategies. It will also be an exciting new experience for our many corporate, incentive, association and social events.”

650 -3,000

Turning a Corner

Popular local gift shop under new ownership

BY ANNE MORRISSY

The Cornerstone Shop & Gallery, located at the intersection of Main and Broad streets in downtown Lake Geneva, is now under new ownership. The shop has been a fixture in the downtown shopping district since it was founded by Peg Rohde in 1989 in a small section of what was then the Ben Franklin. Eventually, the Cornerstone Shop proved so successful that it took over the full space once occupied by the five and dime.

The shop has been owned and managed by husband-and-wife team Bruce and Karin Bennett since 2005. Today, the Cornerstone Shop contains over 8,800 square feet of retail space staffed by more than 20 employees, and sells a wide range of tasteful gifts, fashion and home decor.

The Bennetts recently made the decision to move on and started looking for new owners for the beloved Lake Geneva gift shop. They most recently listed the business for sale in December at $3.195 million. “After 20 years of growing and evolving the Cornerstone Shop & Gallery, Bruce and I are looking forward to traveling, enjoying more time with friends and family, and developing my new business, Thera-Kare, after a bit of time off,” Karin explains.

The shop’s new owners, Emily and D.J. Trainor, also own and manage the Queen Bee Artisan Market, located in the Market of Lake Geneva (formerly the Fancy Fair Mall). They took over the Cornerstone Shop this spring, starting with an in-store event called “Passing the Torch” in April that was hosted by both the Bennetts and the Trainors.

The Bennetts say they are very pleased with the way everything turned out. “We are so thrilled that the new owner, Emily Trainor, not only has a strong business background, but is solidly committed to being an active and engaged member of the downtown Lake Geneva community,” Karin says.

Building Bridges

Kishwauketoe

Nature

Conservancy seeking funds to repair damage from last summer’s tornado

BY ANNE MORRISSY

On June 22, 2024, an EF1 tornado struck the village of Williams Bay, damaging roofs, destroying property and leaving a trail of significant tree damage in its wake. Traveling southeast, the tornado passed through a section of Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy (KNC), near its main entrance on Hwy. 67, damaging several trees and a bridge over Southwick Creek that makes up a portion of

the more than three miles of hiking trails in the preserve. This spring, the Friends of KNC announced a capital campaign to raise $60,000 to repair the damage.

“The day after the tornado went through KNC, we sent an appeal to our volunteers to see if anyone could help us with cleanup,” explains Peg Pollitt, president of the Friends of KNC. “We had a big turnout, which was very heartwarming. But some of the damage was too big for us to fix ourselves.”

The organization hired a professional tree removal company to clean up the larger tree damage and hired a contractor to evaluate the wooden bridge over Southwick Creek, which had been damaged when a large pine tree was uprooted and fell across it. The contractor determined that the damage to the bridge was too extensive to repair, so the group opted to remove the bridge for safety reasons. “Unfortunately, that means that you can’t cross Southwick Creek right now,” Pollitt explains, adding that only a small portion of the hiking trails inside the nature preserve are affected by the bridge removal.

The Friends of KNC then worked with Bridge Brothers, Inc., a South Carolina-based bridge contractor, to

design a replacement bridge for the trail. The new bridge will be built with steel to increase its durability and longevity. It will be constructed in a solid piece, and getting it into position on the site will require use of a large crane. The estimate for the new bridge and its placement came to a total of about $60,000. To raise the funds necessary, the Friends of KNC launched the capital campaign.

Fundraising for the campaign was seeded by the family of Tom Johnson with an initial donation of $10,000. “Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy was the happy place for our dad,” Johnson’s daughter, C.J. Sultz, shared when announcing the campaign’s kickoff. “He enjoyed everything from clearing buckthorn on volunteer Saturdays to serving on the board for three years.”

Following Johnson’s death in 2008, his family made the donation, which

allowed KNC to construct the wooden bridge over Southwick Creek in his honor. “This project aligned with his passion for conservation and his love for this special land,” explains Johnson’s son, Dan Johnson. “While it’s unfortunate that the original bridge was destroyed in last summer’s tornado, we are honored to kick-start the campaign to rebuild a stronger and more sustainable bridge that will allow future generations to enjoy the local gem that is KNC.”

KNC was founded in 1990 on land formerly owned by the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The project to establish the 231-acre nature preserve was spearheaded by Harold Friestad, then the village president of Williams Bay. KNC was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and operates entirely on donations. To contribute to the capital campaign, visit friendsofknc.org/donate-today .

currents new & noteworthy

Browse the Bookmobile

Local author opens luxe mobile bookstore

BY ANNE MORRISSY

Local author Alicia Boemi (The Mail Boat Dog: The Lake Dog Adventure Series) and her husband, Jeff Daniel, recently opened Lakeside Books, a mobile bookshop and literary popup. The shop is set up inside a mobile trailer that Boemi and Daniel take to locations around the lake, including the Williams Bay Farmers Market, the Geneva Outdoor Market and The Flower Market in Lake Geneva, among many others.

The couple says the concept was inspired by their shared love of books, writing and community, particularly the connections Boemi made while

currents new & noteworthy

spending summers in the Geneva Lake area. “Growing up on the lake was always a constant source of inspiration,” she explains. “Lakeside Books is our way of sharing that passion with others — a welcoming space where stories come to life and readers of all ages can connect through the joy of reading in such a special place, Lake Geneva.”

Lakeside Books carries titles in multiple genres for both adults and children, including fiction, nonfiction, thriller/mystery, romance, fantasy, poetry, middle grade, young adult and Wisconsin-based books. In addition to the mobile bookshop, Lakeside Books operates a “mini bookshop” inside Queen Bee Artisan Market in Lake Geneva and website where customers can ship books directly to their homes for a small fee. Or, if they prefer to save on shipping costs, there is a pickup option inside the Queen Bee store. Boemi says this

is a particularly popular option for pre-orders. “For titles that have yet to be released, we can preorder them so you can pick them up on release day.”

Boemi and Daniel say their long-term goals for the shop include someday opening a brick-and-mortar location, but that the mobile model has been well-received so far. “Our dream for Lakeside Books is to give people the opportunity to find works of writing that they love, whether it takes them to another world, sparks curiosity or encourages lifelong learning — we want people to find inspiration in the books we carry and in their surroundings of Geneva Lake.”

For a full list of summer events where you can find Lakeside Books, visit lakesidebookslg.com or follow @lakesidebookslg on Instagram.

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Condotel Excellence

The Cove of Lake Geneva celebrates 30 years

BY ANNE MORRISSY

On Dec. 7, 1995, locals and investors alike got a first look at the newly completed resort development overlooking the Riviera in Lake Geneva: The Cove of Lake Geneva. The $25 million development sat on 7.4 acres

near the Samuel Donian Wetland Preserve and contained 232 condotel rooms, convention facilities, tennis and basketball courts, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools and an onsite restaurant with a full bar. Sales of the condo units, one- and twobedroom units ranging from 739 to 1,189 square feet, had begun in January of 1995, with construction getting under way shortly after that.

Today, 30 years later, The Cove has continued to expand and attract visitors to the Lake Geneva lakefront. The hotel has recently been recognized as a 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner, ranking no. 8 among hotels in Lake Geneva and placing it among the top 10% of hotels worldwide, based on reviews and feedback.

In addition to this accolade, The Cove has recently welcomed a new general manager, Sam Kelly, who has begun introducing new and innovative ideas

at the hotel. “We’re working to elevate the guest experience in new ways, including the launch of our seasonal Splash Shack, a snack and beverage spot by the indoor pool that will serve our guests during peak seasons,” says Treasure Tomal, marketing manager. “It’s just one of several enhancements underway as we reimagine The Cove as a more vibrant, guest-focused and community-connected destination.”

In addition, the resort has recently introduced “Cove Cares — Uniting Community and Hospitality,” a new initiative that supports a different Walworth County nonprofit each month through team-led fundraising and volunteer outreach.

This summer, the Cove will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its opening with a community celebration. Details are pending at the time of this printing. For more info, visit coveoflakegeneva.com.

Leaving a Lasting Leaving a Lasting

IMPRESSION IMPRESSION

Lake Geneva native Neal Aspinall’s art and graphic design appear everywhere from national advertising campaigns to local murals

BY AMANDA WEGNER

Some would say Neal Aspinall is synonymous with Lake Geneva, his distinctive design work ubiquitous on everything from signs and logos to local publications. Aspinall himself would say he just loves this place.

A Lake Geneva native, Aspinall is a local graphic designer and artist celebrating 40 years in the business. While he’s done work for books, events and renowned national and international brands, businesses and organizations, he’s also left an indelible mark on the Geneva Lake area. He’s designed logos for many local companies, is the artist behind several local publication covers and event posters, and now has a prominent mural in downtown Lake Geneva.

“Being my hometown, of course, I’m more passionate about things here than any other place,” he says. “I love being here and working here, and I feel that, with all my experience with national clients, I can bring a big-city level of graphics to a small town.”

Aspinall says the town, the lake and the surrounding area also serve as key influences in his work and style. “Lake Geneva has definitely [influenced] me,” he continues. “It’s a big part of my love of retro — the historic homes and landmarks, the lake and nature, the boating lifestyle. The whole package has greatly influenced me.”

ART FROM THE START

Born and raised in Lake Geneva, Aspinall, the youngest of four, grew up surrounded by art and art supplies. “All three of my older siblings were artists of some form or another, and my dad was a draftsman, so I was always surrounded by artistic people, art supplies and drawing equipment,” he explains. “It was all around me.”

In his youth, Aspinall also loved the art and design elements of everyday items. “I got excited seeing things like album covers, MAD Magazine and greeting cards,” he says. “I [used that inspiration and] made these giant, elaborate greeting cards. I just loved making them and making people happy.”

After realizing his love for creating art, Aspinall attended the Art Institute of Colorado. He particularly liked that the school focused on the business side of art and design. “I was always drawn to the print side of things in the advertising world and … the ability to communicate a message with art,” says Aspinall.

When he graduated from college in December 1984, he couldn’t wait to return to Lake Geneva. Two months later, in February 1985, he landed his first job as a graphic designer at Spectrum Creative, a commercial art studio in Milwaukee. “I was so excited to be working there,” he explains. “They had a lot of brewery clients — Pabst, Schlitz, Miller — and other big-name companies. It was great training; it was about the brand and communicating a message to the target market.”

A few years later, he transitioned to the Art Factory, which was considered one of the best commercial art studios in the country

at that time, Aspinall says. “That was really like going to school again. I was surrounded by some legendary illustrators and I learned so much.”

One of the most important lessons Aspinall learned along the way was that, if he wanted to go national with his work, he had to develop his own brand. So starting in 1994, he began moving in that very direction by leaving the Art Factory to become a full-time freelancer.

GOING SOLO AND REFINING HIS STYLE

Branching out on his own was exciting, says Aspinall, but it was initially challenging. “I was doing everything imaginable to get work — sending out postcards, doing showings, coldcalling people and doing freebies just to get my name out there when it was necessary,” he remembers.

Initially, Aspinall was asked to work across many different design styles. In time, though, he honed his strengths and weaknesses — and realized the importance of a signature style. For Aspinall, that style was retro Americana, which captures a nostalgic feel and is associated primarily with the designs of the 1920s through the 1960s.

He found a market for that signature style, and what really helped solidify

it was a call in 1998 from a “big-time rep in San Francisco” who saw one of Aspinall’s ads in Workbook, an industry portfolio publication. “He said it would be an honor to represent me if I would just do that one style,” says Aspinall. “I was already headed in that direction, but that really pushed me to zero in.”

Around the same time, Aspinall’s work around Lake Geneva started taking off. “I started [designing] the [Antique &] Classic Boat Show poster in 1999, and everything was just falling into place,” he says.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN FROM COAST TO COAST

Through his 40 years in the business, Aspinall has worked with a bevy of clients, producing art and illustrations that millions have seen and will see, now and into the future.

When asked to name a few of his favorites, Aspinall’s list is a who’s who of major brands and organizations: for example, he has created icons for Facebook, as well as the master icon library for American Family Insurance.

He’s done the poster image for the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks, and that image was used on everything from subway cars to billboards and ads in the New York Times. He also

designed the 2001 Los Angeles Marathon poster and did the American Birkebeiner ski race poster for three years. Other national clients have included Nordstrom, the Seattle Aquarium, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Texas Department of Transportation, the National Park Service and many more.

Separate from his work with the National Park Service, he illustrated the book “National Parks: A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks” for the publishing company Black Dog & Leventhal. “They wanted a style similar to the Works Progress Administration posters of the 1930s, but for the National Park Service,” recalls Aspinall.

He also designed the cover of a guidebook published by Sasquatch Books, featuring San Francisco’s 49mile Scenic Drive. Aspinall says this guidebook project was particularly exciting because it made it into the Communication Arts Illustration Annual, which Aspinall calls “the Super Bowl of illustration competitions.”

PASSION PROJECTS CLOSER TO HOME

While Aspinall is proud of his work with national clients, he says his Lake Geneva work is even more meaningful. “I am most proud of showing my hometown in a positive light and capturing memories,” he explains.

Aspinall has grown his local client base primarily through word of mouth and engaging with area organizations and events. Often, he donates his local work to benefit nonprofit organizations helping to make the Geneva Lake area a better place every day. “Over the years, I’ve donated to every major auction and fundraiser — the YMCA, Water Safety Patrol and countless others,” he explains. “That has gotten my name out and has connected to this place I love.”

Some of Aspinall’s more well-known local projects include the design for the cover of the Geneva Lakes Area Visitor’s Guide, an honor he has held

Aspinall with the mural created from his “Greetings from Lake Geneva” retro postcard design.

Though the trend in luxury real estate finds agents chasing their clients from market to market, ever intent on selling the idea that agents can somehow be an expert in all places (Spoiler: they can’t), I’ve spent my career representing the most discerning clients and the finest properties in Lake Geneva and Lake Geneva only. If you’d like help understanding the deeply nuanced lakefront and lake access market here, I’d be honored to leverage my experience to your distinct advantage.

since 2005, as well as the cover of Summer Homes for City People, a publication sponsored annually by Geneva Lakefront Realty.

Aspinall says one of his favorite local projects was designing the poster for the 50th anniversary of Lake Geneva’s Venetian Festival. He also loves designing the Antique & Classic Boat Show Series. Other local organizations that have hired Aspinall for projects include Pesche’s Greenhouse, Inspired coffee shop, Maxwell Mansion and Lorelei Bittner’s Bakery, to name just a few. He also does quite a few private commissions.

Then there’s Aspinall’s newest and arguably most visible local contribution, which began as a personal project. He had always wanted to design a vintage-inspired Lake Geneva postcard. In preparing for an event in 2022 at the Geneva Room, Aspinall sought to unveil a new piece during a VIP night. That new piece re-purposed a handful of

Aspinall’s previous works to become a retro-style Lake Geneva postcard.

In May of 2024, the organization Downtown Lake Geneva selected Aspinall’s postcard design, titled “Greetings from Lake Geneva” as one of five designs in the Murals in Motion event. Dean Tawwater, a talented sign painter, was hired to bring Aspinall’s design to life, adorning the side of Melges Real Estate near the corner of West Main and Center streets in the heart of Lake Geneva. The mural was completed in five days. “It’s incredible how accurate he got it,” says Aspinall.

DRAFTING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

With 40 years in, Aspinall has no plans to retire: “I’ll definitely do it until I can’t anymore,” he says. His vision is to eventually shift away from private commissions and focus more on projects of his own. “I have a long list of projects I would like to do for myself,” he says. “I’m very passionate about what I do.”

He would also like to expand his portfolio to create art for other areas in the country. “I’d like to do a series of American prints,” he explains, giving the example of a series of Colorado ski towns, towns in the Wisconsin and Minnesota Northwoods and resort and vacation areas in Arizona, Alaska and Florida. He says he’d love to have an art gallery in Lake Geneva.

When asked what advice he has for aspiring artists and designers, particularly those living in a smaller community, Aspinall offers simple recommendations that apply to both personal and professional life: “Get to know people and be nice. Don’t try to copy others. Do what you love and what you do best.”

That advice, it seems, has served Aspinall well. It also tees up what he hopes to be his legacy in Lake Geneva: “I hope [that] I illustrated my community well and captured memories in ways that make them remember with a smile.”

“Jerry has been our agent for many years, and for good reason. He knows the market, knows how to sell your house and vet the best buyers, and he also goes above and beyond to find the perfect home for you. Jerry goes beyond that, though. He truly gets to know you as a person so that the home he finds for you is exactly what you're looking for. He takes into consideration your passions, your profession, your family, your taste. He has a reputation with other listing agents of respect and admiration, which makes purchasing a home that isn't his listing a breeze. He has been, and will continue to be, our listing agent for years to come, for many reasons.”

The Lake Geneva Market, Mastered

A Community on point

A look back at Williams Bay’s Cedar Point Park Association on its 100th anniversary

BY KATE GARDINER

Looking west toward the sunset from the windows of their homes in Cedar Point Park, many residents say, is the best part of living here. “My grandfather built our home in 1932 and was board president until his death in 1949,” says Dr. Raymond Copeland, endodontist and current president of the homeowners’ association. “There’s nothing like those sunsets.”

But this historic neighborhood that occupies 120 acres of land in Williams Bay is much more than just its incredible views. In interviews, over and over again, residents say living in Cedar Point Park fosters a passion for the lake and an enduring community spirit.

“As kids, we’d get to come up and visit in the summers and I loved it up here,” Copeland continues. In fact, he loved his time in Cedar Point so much that, in 1992, he purchased his grandfather’s house from family members, commuting to Williams Bay from Libertyville every weekend. He’s

Many residents cite the west-facing sunset views among their favorite aspects of the neighborhood (top). Throughout the 120-acre subdivision, pillars identify the community boundaries (right). Large lakefront parks and shared community piers are a hallmark of Cedar Point Park (below).

since made the transition to spending all but one day per week in his Cedar Point house.

His story is typical of the neighborhood, where many residents have a primary home and a career in the Chicago area, but spend a lot of time finding ways to play in (and even work from) their Cedar Point properties. It’s an arrangement that began from the subdivision’s earliest development in the 1920s, when Chicagoans could take a train from the Loop and arrive in Williams Bay at the site of the current municipal boat launch in under two hours. From there, it was a short lakeside walk or ride to the first corner lot in Cedar Point, making the neighborhood a popular choice for commuters.

Incredibly, some of those original families that bought land in Cedar Point still own those parcels today. “Many of us have been here a very long time,” says Diane Schlicting, the current administrator of the homeowners’ association.

HISTORY OF THE LAND

According to an official history of the Cedar Point Park Association (CPPA) published in 2000, the land that makes up what we today know as Cedar Point was originally celebrated as Cedar Hill, or “Keshegekiaketakewun,” by the local Potawatomi, who kept a village in Williams Bay prior to their removal to Kansas in 1836. These Native Americans, headed by Chief Maunk-sauk, or “Big Foot,” celebrated the lake’s abundant wildlife and considered the land of Cedar Point a sacred area. (In the 1990s, CPPA resident Reg Darley erected a memorial in honor of the displaced Potawatomi.)

In 1874, all of the land that today makes up Cedar Point Park Association, as well as a significant amount of acreage surrounding it, all the way to Lake Como, was purchased by Major E.B. Meatyard, an English-born veteran of the United States Civil War, who built a large summer home called Lawn Glen on the lake at the eastern edge of his holdings. He lived there until 1889,

In the 1920s, Cedar Point Park was developed on 120 acres overlooking Williams Bay (top and right). At the lakefront, building lots were arranged in a horseshoe around shared parks (above). Early residents built homes and moved their belongings from Chicago to Cedar Point for the summer (below).

when he lost his fortune due to a failed mine and bad investments. Lawn Glen burned down shortly after that.

Meatyard’s large expanse of property was split up and sold to several owners, with the point itself and the western lakefront area going to Nathaniel Kellogg (N.K.) Fairbank, a Chicago soap magnate and the first commodore of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club, which built its first clubhouse on a portion of Kellogg’s Cedar Point property in 1906. The property along the lakefront east of the point, and all of the Cedar Point land inland, was sold to J. Beidler, who built a lake house he named Alpine Villa, which still stands today.

BUILDING BOOM

The majority of the Cedar Point land remained uninhabited and undevel-

1920s sales brochure advertising the

Cedar Point Park residents relaxing with the family car, circa 1930 (top). Popular activities of the era included swimming, fishing and going for boat rides (above).

oped until the 1920s, when the combination of the convenient train route and the popularity of automobiles brought more tourists to Williams Bay. By 1922, the village of Williams Bay approved a plan to subdivide the Cedar Point property into 480 lots on 120 acres, arranged in horseshoes around lakefront parks with shared lake facilities.

The quarter-acre homesites proved popular, and some of the earliest buyers were employees who staffed the biggest estates on the lake during the summer and needed somewhere for their families to stay. The new property owners began to break ground on their summer cottages, and by 1925, enough lots had been purchased that control of the homeowners’ association could be turned over to the residents.

Today, this legendary homeowners’ association is one of the biggest on the lake.

Schlicting, the current administrator of the homeowners’ association, has deep personal roots in Cedar Point Park. “My grandmother designed our house in 1928 and my grandfather built it in 1929,” she explains. “[In the earliest days,] you sank your buoy and moored your boat wherever you wanted. [This was before the] piers and the boat slips.”

Full-time resident and history buff Deborah Dumelle Kristmann and her husband, Kurt, bought an original Cedar Point home in 2003. Kristmann says her interest in the home’s history was initially piqued by the relics she found in and around the home, which included a heavily embroidered

A

ease of driving to Williams Bay over “smooth motor roads” that lead to the “Summer Playground of Chicago” (left).

Victorian pillowcase, Arts and Craftsstyle English tiles and antique glass milk bottles.

From her research, Kristmann learned that the cottage was built in 1926. “It was built by George Woodward, who served as butler to Chicago industrialist Martin A. Ryerson and his wife, Carrie, of Chicago and Bonnie Brae on Geneva Lake,” Kristmann says.

Typical of the era, the Kristmanns’ cottage was built on a foundation dug by horse and plow. “While we were renovating the old bungalow-style cottage, we could see the original white tongue-and-groove siding and dark green shake apron around what had been an open front porch,” Kristmann explains.

MIDCENTURY MEMORIES

The building boom of the 1920s ended with the Great Depression and World War II. But in the late 1940s and early 1950s, a new wave of families discovered the joy and convenience of Cedar Point Park, and started buying up the unsold lots. The population of the neighborhood swelled as returning servicemen started families and the “Baby Boom” exploded.

“These houses were built in the olden days when Dad worked and Mom didn’t — she took the summer off with the kids,” explains longtime homeowner and resident John Strandin. “[As kids], all my friends and I would go to the train station in Williams Bay on Friday night and wait for our dads to show up.”

Due to the steep terrain, many of the early homes in Cedar Point were built on a foundation dug by horse and plow (top). Wives and children (and family pets) spent the whole summer in Cedar Point (above left and left), while husbands commuted to the lake on weekends (above). The subdivision’s lakefront plans preserved many of the trees for which Cedar Point, or “Keshegekiaketakewun” in Potawatomi, was named (far left).

CUSTOM JEWELRY DESIGN, REPAIR, APPRAISAL & GEMOLOGIST

Elyse Bullard Photography

“Growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s, there were no phones, no computers, no television,” Strandin continues. “You got up in the morning, had breakfast and went out until the noon whistle. And if it was over 90 degrees outside, you spent every waking moment in the lake.”

The neighborhood also frequently proved to be a good place to find love. Schlicting, the association administrator, is among several Cedar Point residents who met her husband on the shared community piers. Current residents Dave Goodlow and Sarah Slovick also met at a Cedar Point pier, and have been married for more than 20 years.

CEDAR POINT PARK TODAY

Schlicting estimates that today, unlike the young families of the mid20th century, the average age in the community is closer to 60 years old. On summer weekends, the homes in Cedar Point Park are more likely to be full of homeowners with visiting

Today, Cedar Point still retains many of the original historic cottages amid newer homes (left). The community spirit remains unchanged after 100 years. Popular neighborhood activities include swimming from community piers, gathering in the parkways for concerts and picnics, and watching fireworks from the lakefront.

adult children and grandchildren. She says this reflects trends in the ownership of vacation homes generally. “It’s hard for young people these days to afford one house, never mind two,” she explains.

Empty-nesters Meggen and Joe Burkard married in 2014 and bought a home in Cedar Point shortly afterward. Meggen says that, as a recently retired Illinois schoolteacher, the neighborhood community groups like the women’s coffee club have been integral to helping her build community in a new neighborhood. “Between

the women’s club and the progressive dinner group and the dog, we’ve really been able to be social,” she says.

Houston-based real estate developer Kevin Frankel and his family bought their first Cedar Point home in 2020, sight unseen. “We like it so much we’re trying to figure out how to spend most of our time there,” he says. “It’s my favorite place on the planet, just the best. The minute we got to Cedar Point for the summer that first year, we were hoping for a lifestyle that was maybe 51% easy. But it was 80% easy right out of the gate.”

COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Many of the residents who call Cedar Point Park home today are deeply involved in their community. Bill Brogan, a resident since 1997, says that part of that involvement is a commitment to preserving the natural elements that make Cedar Point such a popular place to live. He points out that a focus on the environment is important to help mitigate the neighborhood’s impact on the lake. “Being a lakefront owner, you’re obliged to do as much as you can to filter the water before it gets to the lake and avoid putting anything — like lawn fertilizer — down on your yard or property.”

Many residents cite the shared lakefront parks as a favorite element of the neighborhood, so when a tornado destroyed dozens of trees in Cedar Point Park last summer, restoration became a key goal of the homeowners’ association. “The [homeowners’ association] is focused on maintaining the infrastructure, and replacing things like the piers and maintaining the roads,” Copeland explains. “We’re also replanting and reseeding after the tornado took out 45 trees last year.”

CENTENNIAL PLANS

In addition to these goals, this summer the Cedar Park Point homeowners’ association will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the neighborhood. Plans are under way for a party in the community’s shared parks, including food, activities and a tent with live music. It’s a tradition that hasn’t changed much over the 100-year history of the subdivision.

“There’s a unique, old-fashioned culture in our community where time slows down,” Kristmann says. “We spend a lot of time down at the pier with our neighbors who become close friends. Summers are both intense and relaxing. We watch our kids grow up, get married and have children of their own and history repeats itself. Families stay for generations.”

Kate Gardiner is a fifth-generation summer resident, journalist, publicist and member of the Geneva Lake Conservancy board of directors.

An expert in the luxury, “secondhome” market in southeastern Wisconsin, Bob Webster has been in the Lake Geneva real estate industry for over 40 years and is uniquely prepared to serve his clients looking to enjoy the “Lake Geneva lake life.”

“I’m a seasoned professional who will leave no stone unturned and am willing to go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to get the job done for my clients,” he says. “More wrinkles in the face means less wrinkles in the transaction.”

All in the Family

Meet the third-generation local business owners at Ford of Lake Geneva

For over 100 years, the Petros family, owners of Ford of Lake Geneva, has made an indelible mark on the Lake Geneva area. It was back in the 1920s when Peter and Georgia Pappas first came to the Lake Geneva area after selling vegetables out of the back of their truck to support their growing family.

“My Yiayia, Georgia and Papou Peter, opened a restaurant and through hard work began to buy property and businesses in Lake Geneva,” explains Cherie Petros, COO and owner at Ford of Lake Geneva. “Their daughter — my mom, Angie — worked at the family restaurant, Georgia’s Café on Broad Street, all her life and is a proud graduate of the Lake Geneva High School Class of 1952. My parents, Nick and Angie, met in Lake Geneva, married in 1956 and, as newlyweds, opened the Lake Aire restaurant. Mom designed the classic Lake Aire sign that is today a landmark on Broad and Main Street.”

The Lake Aire restaurant, which the family sold in 1961 to the Condos family, is still in operation today. The

Petros family continues to manage multiple businesses and buildings in Lake Geneva, including the muchcelebrated Ford of Lake Geneva.

So how did the family’s business interests expand to include automotive sales and service? For years, Cherie’s father, Nick Petros, was a General Motors dealer in Watertown. After selling his store in 1985, he and Angie retired to Florida. “My parents would come back to Lake Geneva and my dad and Bob Cook [original owner of Ford of Lake Geneva] would have breakfast together all the time,” Cherie says. “One thing led to another and Bob Cook asked my father if he would be interested in purchasing the Ford dealership. The next thing we knew, my dad came out of retirement, bought the store in 1996 and called me.”

Cherie moved to Lake Geneva in 1996 to help her parents after they purchased the dealership and has called Lake Geneva home ever since. She has raised three daughters in the area, all of whom attended the Lake Geneva schools, including Badger High School, like their grandmother.

Today, Cherie is involved in all aspects of the family’s Ford car dealership, including sales and service. “I’m so passionate about our Ford store and our 30,000-strong customer base,” she says. “They are family. It’s like a classic Ford vehicle. It has the character and nostalgia of a time before, the way an owner was present to deal directly with their customers. To live in the same community and see our customers in the grocery store, at school or just living life in this beautiful place we call home, it’s like walking into a 1970s automotive dealer. It is just fun! Our Ford store is filled with great people: our customers and the 26 wonderful people who work for our Ford family, who I love and am thankful for.”

As a full-service Ford dealer, the company sells new Ford vehicles in addition to all makes and models of used cars and trucks. They also provide Ford factory warranty work and Lincoln warranty work.

“We have a parts department that carries Ford parts as well as a lot of aftermarket parts. We also service all makes and models from domestic to foreign vehicles and imports,” Cherie says. “We do it all and we love our customers.” 

FORD OF LAKE GENEVA W2542 Interchange N Lake Geneva, WI 53147 262-248-6100

Design by Jane Soto

Design by Jane Soto

Above It All It All

A drone’s-eye view captures the area’s beauty from above

BY ANNE MORRISSY

PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

Since 1874, the sailboat races of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club have been a familiar sight on Geneva Lake. The courses change every day in response to the wind and weather conditions, and are set by a Race Committee in the club’s flagship yacht. Inflatable orange and yellow marks tell the sailors where to start, where to round and where to finish the race.

In 1963, developers of The Abbey Resort in Fontana dredged the previously swampy, wetland area around Van Slyke Creek to create the Abbey Marina, initially adding mooring capacity for 250 boats. Today, the marina accommodates over 400 boats and offers upgraded amenities to its members in the adjacent Harbor House, including a swimming pool and full-service restaurant. Nestled between Fontana’s public beach to the east and the Country Club Estates subdivision to the south, the Abbey Marina has become a recognizable landmark in the area and, in recent years, has served as the site of the popular Geneva Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show each autumn.

For a few days each August, Lake Geneva’s Flat Iron and Seminary parks transform into a carnival midway as part of the popular Venetian Festival, hosted for more than 50 years by the Lake Geneva Jaycees. The beloved annual tradition actually has roots that go back to 1927, when the first “Venetian Night” lighted boat parade and fireworks display took place on Geneva Lake. By the 1930s, the event became an annual tradition, and when the Jaycees took over hosting duties beginning in 1962, they added the carnival with its distinctive Ferris wheel overlooking the lake, as well as other classic carnival games and rides, live music, a craft fair and other fun activities. The festival takes place each year on the third weekend in August.

From 1888 to 1965, this stretch of lakefront in Williams Bay was the site of the Chicago & North Western Railroad depot. This branch of the line was known as the “Millionaire Mover,” because many of Chicago’s wealthy citizens used it to commute between their homes and businesses in the city and their summer homes on Geneva Lake. Today, the former railroad bed is part of Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, a privately funded, 231-acre nature preserve established in 1990. The train station, where the millionaires would disembark and meet their private steam yachts, has been replaced by municipal piers, a public boat launch and the Williams Bay Beach, with a bathhouse designed to evoke the train station’s original architecture.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the Geneva Lake area, the Riviera officially opened in 1933, and included stalls for shops and food stands, a bathhouse with men’s and women’s locker rooms on the first floor, and a large ballroom on the top floor. Through the years, the Riviera Ballroom has served as a music venue hosting the likes of Louis Armstrong and Stevie Wonder — today it is managed by the City of Lake Geneva as an event rental space. The adjacent Riviera Docks are home to the popular tour boats of Lake Geneva Cruise Line. Rising behind the Riviera is the high-rise condominium Geneva Towers, built on the site of the former Geneva Hotel, Lake Geneva’s only Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned building, which was demolished in 1970.

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Sailing

BACK IN TIME

How a local sailor brought a racing boat from the 1890s back to life on Geneva Lake

STORY AND PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

quint your eyes for a moment and imagine it’s 1892 again. You look out on the lake and see the era’s huge, majestic sailboats stretch across a racecourse the length of the lake. Today, there is just one boat that looks like these graceful vessels: Tattler II. And to see her sway along the lake’s glistening waters, her bow melodically dipping in the waves, her seemingly endless bowsprit pointing the way and her majestic sails capturing the morning breeze, is a gorgeous nod to yesteryear. Boats of every era skim around her, taking in a glimpse of history.

Tattler II is the dream of Charles Colman, a Lake Geneva local and lifelong sailor. Colman grew up racing on Geneva Lake and competed for years in an E Scow. Once he retired from racing, he found he didn’t want to give up the hobby entirely, so he searched for a new sailing experience. The solution he landed on combined his love of sailing and a love of history, and manifested in the form of a replica of a late-1800s sandbagger sloop. “I wanted to do something for the history of Geneva Lake,” Colman explains.

ORIGINS OF A SLOOP

“Sandbaggers,” as they were called, originated on the East Coast around 1850. They were a smooth-water, skimming dish-style workboat that evolved from the oyster harvesting sloops used in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The broad, shallow boat required a minimum of eight strong sailors to navigate it. The term “sandbagger” refers to the boat’s use of heavy sandbags as ballast, which could be thrown over either side of the

boat to shift its center of gravity and balance it in the wind. As a result of this design, the boats were notoriously dangerous and laborious to sail.

As years went on, these workboats evolved into pleasure craft, and were particularly popular along the Hudson River in New York. Many other types of sailboats at the time were transitioning from utilitarian to pleasure boats, and the sandbaggers were the fastest and most famous. As the demand for racing boats increased, the sandbaggers grew longer and taller, from 15- to 20- to 25-foot hulls. By the late 1860s, sandbagger racing was so popular on the East Coast that it began to spread west to the inland lakes.

MIDWESTERN SAILBOAT RACING

In Lake Geneva, a small summer community was burgeoning after the Great Chicago Fire, giving the lake its reputation as the “Newport of the West.” Geneva Lake had become a summer haven for Chicago’s elite, and they brought their wealth and love for yacht racing with them. In the summer of 1874, Civil War hero General Philip Sheridan visited Lake Geneva. To entertain this honored guest, his hosts planned a regatta in his honor and the first “length of the lake” race was held on Aug. 31, 1874. A sandbagger named Nettie won the inaugural race and took home the Sheridan Prize that day. From that single race, a tradition was born, one that lives on today as the Lake Geneva Yacht Club hosts

the “Sheridan Prize” race every year on the last Saturday of August. (Today the race is sailed by A Scows instead of sandbaggers.)

As the years went by and the wealthy continued to flock to Geneva Lake, some elite sailors decided to invest in professionally built sandbaggers from New York. In 1892, the annual Sheridan Prize race generated even more excitement throughout Lake Geneva and Chicago, with the news that there would be three New York-made sandbaggers participating that year: Excel, Precept and Tattler. Excel and Precept were the frontrunners, as they had both won the race in previous years. Tattler, owned by Chicago industrialist Oliver Wilcox Norton, was the newcomer.

THE 1892 SHERIDAN PRIZE

On Aug. 31, 1892, spectators lined the Shore Path, rowed out to the course or gathered on private yachts for a closer view. Everybody wanted a frontrow seat to the great race. The boats began at the east end of the lake. The fearless crews were well-practiced and

ready. As the sails rose, skippers stood at their stations. In the cockpit, the crew bent forward, lifting the 50-pound sandbags. As the boats navigated their way westward, the skippers tacked the boats to port, then jibed to starboard, then back again. Upon each signal from the skipper, the crew scrambled to switch the sandbags to the high side of the boat, springing up and shifting the heavy bags of gravel, again and again. They repeated this to Fontana, and then all the way back to Lake Geneva.

Initially, Excel took the lead by five minutes, leaving a dismayed audience witnessing a “boring” race that had

been advertised as the race of the century. But as the boats reached Fontana and turned back east, Tattler was riding higher and faster, eventually coming from behind to take the lead. By the time the boats crossed the finish line, Tattler finished five minutes ahead of the others, winning the Sheridan Prize and making history.

BUILDING THE TATTLER II

More than a century later, Colman stumbled upon this intriguing nautical story, as well as the original drawings for Tattler. An idea was born. Since sandbaggers no longer existed in the modern era except in museums, he wanted to make a replica that would sail Geneva Lake. He took the Tattler drawings to famed wooden boat maker, Van Dam Boats of Boyne City, Michigan, to help him bring his vision to life.

A team from Van Dam took on the challenge and traveled with Colman to the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut, to view a real sandbagger named Annie. They studied the boat in detail, took photographs and acquired a full set of original plans. Next, they contacted the Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, Maryland, for rigging advice.

Back in the shop, the Van Dam team used this research, the plans and the original Tattler drawings to re-create the historic boat, with a few modernizations. The original Tattler was built with wooden planks over a bulky frame, a technique that was awkward, heavy and difficult to maintain. The centerboard was made of wood, which left it prone to rot. The boat’s rigging had few blocks and used dangerous twisted wire that could easily gash fingers. The first Tattler was designed to be sailed by up to a dozen professionals lifting heavy sandbags — not exactly conducive to a friendly afternoon sail.

Ultimately, the design of Tattler II that Colman and Van Dam devised balances the classic look and purpose of the sandbaggers of the past with modern boating conveniences. These conveniences started with the rigging: All the dimensions have been scaled back by 15%. The hull, though classic in appearance, was crafted using modern, wood-laminate techniques to improve waterproofing and durability. The booms are hollow and jig-sawed together. Structural elements were built with advanced composites and metals. A total of 1,400 pounds of lead was added to

Charles Colman at the helm of Tattler II

Bold Enough to be Noticed, Refined Enough to be Timeless...

the boat’s centerboard to improve stability, and a hydraulic ram helps raise and lower it, which eliminates the need for the heavy sandbag ballast. But the overall look of Tattler II remains true to its classic appearance, with beautiful woodwork adorning the cockpit, coaming, toe rail and scuppers.

Another modern addition was the small Elco electric motor, added to help the boat in getting under way. In keeping with boats of the past, Tattler II is quite large, 64 feet long with a 12-and-a-half-foot-wide beam. Due to its large size, taking Tattler II out for a sail still requires an ample crew, though thankfully no one is required to lift 50-pound sandbags anymore. Successfully sailing the boat requires around eight people to achieve the proper weight requirements, with at least three of those being sailors who can crew the boat.

SETTING SAIL

On June 6, 2016, Tattler II was ready to cast off on its first voyage on Geneva Lake. One of the guests at the launch was the late Harry C. “Buddy” Melges Jr., two-time Olympic medalist and America’s Cup winner. He took the helm that day for the inaugural sail. The morning was hot and sunny, but calm. The flag at the end of the pier hung listless. “But it was launch day, so you had to launch it,” Colman explains.

As the crew prepared to cast off, someone asked Melges what time they would have wind. Melges’ response? “About ten after ten.” By 10:09 a.m., the westerly wind was seen pushing across the lake. As it filled the sails of Tattler II, everyone who viewed the incredible, oneof-a-kind boat was transported to an earlier era of craftsmanship and luxury, a visual magic trick that Tattler II continues to perform today every time it sets sail.

THE HEART OF THE HOME

How Stebnitz Builders helped a Williams Bay family expand and upgrade their kitchen

When considering a kitchen renovation, it’s essential to incorporate features that best complement the existing home, provide a space that integrates form and function, and create a space that enhances your lifestyle.

Consider the ways you use your kitchen. Do you prefer natural light or a more private, tucked-away cooking area? How much space do you need for entertaining or gathering with friends and family? Are you passionate about gourmet cooking and require professional-grade appliances, or are you looking for a family-friendly layout with plenty of storage? With kitchens now serving as the

heart of the home, your remodel should reflect your specific needs and priorities.

For the homeowners of this Cape Cod-style home in Williams Bay, their small, outdated kitchen couldn’t provide them the space or opportunities they wanted. The design team at Stebnitz Builders, an award-winning remodeling company specializing in home design and construction in Walworth County for over 50 years, was called in for their expertise to transform a cramped kitchen into a space that would suit the family’s evolving needs, while still maintaining the charm of the home.

Photos by Kayser Photography

The original kitchen was designed for a home that served as a small vacation getaway rather than a year-round residence, and lacked the necessary space for family gatherings and entertaining. By expanding and redesigning the layout, Stebnitz Builders successfully created a functional and stylish cooking and social hub.

“We wanted to make sure the addition blended seamlessly with the existing structure, giving it the appearance and feel that it had always been there,” said Lynne Landgraf, remodeling consultant with Stebnitz Builders. “The kitchen is now both practical and elegant, offering ample space for cooking and entertaining.”

The 250-square-foot addition to the home included two kitchen islands — one placed in the center of the room and another built around an existing staircase. This not only expanded the cooking area, but also provided the space to include chef-grade appliances to support the family’s love for creating gourmet meals. The large, two-tiered island became the focal point, offering space for preparation, seating and enjoying the spectacular views available from the home.

The island, made from a single piece of Fantasy Macaubas quartzite, is paired with Seville cabinetry finished in Atlantic Blue, providing both beauty and storage. To further enhance functionality, the island was extended with a small stepdown surface, incorporating a reclaimed wood table for a unique touch.

The design also incorporated the home’s Cape Cod style, with Shaker-style cabinetry in a Snow White matte finish and Elbert countertops from Vicostone. This choice, along with the functional staircase transformation, helped blend the new features with the home’s existing charm.

The kitchen design also embraced natural light and captured stunning views of the home’s gorgeous landscape. The colors and textures of the quartzite countertops inspired the overall design, and the brass fixtures added an elegant finishing touch.

While the design transformed the space in the kitchen, more importantly, it provided the homeowners an opportunity to create lasting memories. “Our clients love cooking together, especially when their sons visit,” says Landgraf. “Their new kitchen gives them the space and flexibility to spend time together in a way they never could before.”

Stebnitz Builders is a third-generation residential design/build remodeling firm, located in Elkhorn. Established in 1972 by Stan Stebnitz, the company has specialized in additions, kitchen and bath renovations and whole-home transformations. Today, the company focuses primarily on accomplishing work for homeowners in the Walworth County area, under the current ownership of Stan’s grandson, Chris Stebnitz.

“Our company goal is to ensure we’re the right fit for a homeowner, rather than focus on a specific type of project,” Stebnitz explains. “We focus on providing a specific level of experience for homeowners. Our proprietary design-build process ensures we deliver that experience for every client we work with.”

stebnitzbuilders.com

STEBNITZ

AFTER TWO DECADES IN REAL ESTATE

and over $400 million in closed transactions*, consistently selling clients' properties faster and for more money means that Brandie delivers results, from the listing to the closing table. Indeed, as the real estate expert on HGTV's top-rated shows, "Designed to Sell" in Chicago, "Hidden Potential," as well as "Property Envy" on Bravo, Brandie's expertise in design and staging complements her real estate know-how, bringing a unique blend of talent, energy and client focus not only to TV but to her daily work helping buyers and sellers find success.

With expertise in both Wisconsin and Illinois, Brandie adeptly serves a broad range of clients but especially loves opening doors to homeowners who want to plant roots where Brandie and her family have been for generations.

• Nationally recognized real estate expert, appearing on Today Show, CNBC, and Fox Business News

• Multiple industry awards and recognitions including being a member of the prestigious Christie’s International Masters Circle**

• 100% referral-based business, but first-time clients always welcome

• Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR)

• Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)

• 24/7 dedication to client response, service, and personal attention

• Bachelor of Arts, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Laid-back Luxury

A once-empty lake house becomes a cozy family retreat

BY LAUREN EVE |

PHOTOS BY SHANNA WOLF

After more than three years of searching, a family of six finally discovered the lakefront home they had been dreaming of — a place where busy schedules could pause and meaningful moments could unfold. Nestled along the shores of Powers Lake, about 10 miles southeast of Lake Geneva, the 5,600-square-foot, raised ranch-style home had been built in 2017 by a local contractor, but had never been lived in. With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, it offered the perfect canvas for a family eager to create a peaceful retreat and fill it with lasting memories.

With the help of their trusted designer, Meg Hansen of Lake Geneva’s Studio M Interiors, and local builder Alma Hall, a renovation collaboration began. The intention behind the renovation was clear: to design a cozy lakeside home that reflects elements of connection — a place to decompress or hop on the boat for a sunset cruise and simply spend time together. Hansen and the homeowners got to work creating a thoughtful balance between an elevated retreat for adults and intentional spaces that benefited their growing children.

TURNING A HOUSE INTO A HOME

Renovations began in January 2024 and were completed just four months later. The goal was to give each part of the home a distinctive feeling, while still keeping the overall design cohesive and connected. Hansen and the homeowners kicked off the renovation by adding a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore White Dove paint to the entire main floor of the home. “We utilized a variety of cosmetic updates, including fresh paint, wallpaper, new lighting, hardware, coffered ceilings, tongue-and-groove millwork and tailored furnishings,” explains Hansen.

First, the large family room was reconfigured with a cozy seating area, perfect for a light-colored sofa and two plush armchairs. Two woven ottomans with a natural, rope-like texture serve as an alternative to a coffee table and underscore the subtle coastal feeling

Designer Meg Hansen of Studio M Interiors (above) worked with the homeowners on Powers Lake to turn an unfinished space into a luxe family home. Hansen recommended a soothing, neutral palette to provide cohesion throughout the home. In the kitchen, rattan bar stools and brushed gold fixtures complement the marbling of the white quartz counters (top photo). By adding faux-wood beams throughout the main floor, Hansen and the homeowners maximized the high ceilings to perfectly frame the home’s incredible views of the lake (left).

Hansen created throughout the home. The original red-brick fireplace was painted to match the walls, and topped with a stained wooden mantel. Wooden ceiling beams were added for a blend of modern and rustic charm. Large windows with white frames flood the space with natural light. “We really wanted to showcase all the natural light in the home,” says Hansen. “It feels so fresh and relaxing with all the sunlight and beautiful sunsets at night.”

Next, the kitchen received several updates during the renovation. Hansen and the homeowners decided to paint the kitchen cabinetry in Sherwin-Williams

Hansen and the homeowners opted for coastal details in the entry and main living room (far right), and added built-in storage in the mud room (right). To lighten up the kitchen, they opted to paint the brick backsplash in Benjamin Moore White Dove and the kitchen cabinets in Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray.

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Agreeable Gray, and added new brass hardware with modern pulls to both the cabinets and drawers. They replaced the kitchen’s original island and added four stools for casual seating. Next, Hansen placed a large dining table behind the island, between the kitchen and family room, to allow for easy transitions between the spaces when entertaining. All light fixtures in the kitchen and throughout the home were updated and sourced at Caravelle Lighting in Richmond, Illinois.

GATHERING SPACES

Next, it was time to tackle the home’s lower level. Hansen and the homeowners focused on important layout improvements to enhance both the functionality and style. They added a custom wet bar, perfect for entertaining, with another beautiful view of Powers Lake. They also updated the area with a tongue-andgroove coffered ceiling to offset the existing stone-faced fireplace.

But the biggest challenge they faced was deciding what to do with a very large open space above the garage. Hansen and the homeowners decided to use this previously awkward space to create an enormous bunk room for the kids and their friends by adding a new interior wall to separate a family room from the bunk room. They wanted to make sure the space

A lower-level living and dining space looks out onto a full terrace overlooking the lake, so Hansen and the homeowners played up the setting with blue cabinetry and accents (top). An adjacent bathroom and bedroom (above and left) continue the blue theme, and feature sweet details like a scalloped rug, pink lamp and latticeinspired wallpaper.

could comfortably sleep up to 16 people. They created a functional and inviting bunk room by installing four sets of queen-sized bunk beds, each with built-in wooden stairs and drawers for extra storage. Recessed lighting was used to make the space feel larger, and they installed light wood flooring to add warmth and texture to the space. This creative design turned an unused space into a practical and welcoming retreat for hangouts, sleepovers and family gatherings. “We knew we wanted an open space where kids can play games, hang out and bring friends,” the wife explains. “Creating a fun and inviting spot for everyone to gather was our main goal, and we accomplished it!”

GORGEOUS ON THE OUTSIDE

Finally, the exterior of the home received several new updates. The homeowners remodeled the lakefront patio using high-quality materials that matched the overall style they had chosen. They replaced a former ramp leading to the backyard with a new set of stairs featuring built-in lighting for safety and charm, and added another set of steps at the end of the patio for better access to the pier. They also re-landscaped the waterfront space, incorporating a large boulder as a natural feature, replanting the grass and updating the landscaping to create a fresh, inviting outdoor area for entertaining guests and leisurely summers.

To accommodate the teenagers living in the house, Hansen transformed the formerly unfinished space above the garage into a comfortable living space and game room (below and below left). An enormous connected bunk room holds eight queen-sized beds for sleepovers (opposite page, top). In the primary suite, white shiplap creates an accent wall, providing a relaxed-yet-elegant vibe (right).

Hansen and the homeowners say the renovation project was a huge success. Every update and design choice was made with the primary goal of fostering connection. While the focus was on improving the home in small ways, the project’s ultimate goal was to build a space that connects the family to nature and strengthens their bond with each other. “I always trusted the way [Hansen] guided us,” the wife says. “We collaborated to choose pieces that truly resonated with us. There was a strong connection throughout and it was a wonderful journey.”

When asked about which part of the home is their favorite, both Hansen and the homeowners have a hard time choosing. “The design strikes a beautiful balance between luxury and laid-back lake living,” says Hansen. “This renovation proves that small cosmetic changes like fresh paint, new hardware and modern lighting can completely transform a home.”

Photos courtesy of Unilock.

home & garden lifestyle

Gathering in the Garden

Local entertaining experts share their tips for hosting an idyllic summer garden party

BY SHELBY DEERING PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

Lake Geneva summers are full of beauty and magic, with yards and gardens in full bloom, gloriously balmy afternoons and late sunsets that maximize the golden-hour light. This is the prime time of year to host a garden party. Whether you have an expansive lakefront lawn or a charming garden on the side of your home, summer is the perfect season to have friends over for an alfresco gathering. As local Instagram influencer (@maryalice.home) and content creator Mary Alice Myers puts it, the vibe of an outdoor party will feed your senses and provide an instant dopamine rush.

April James, owner of Parker Drive Event Co., has seen many different iterations of yard and garden parties. Her company rents essentials like tables and chairs, lounge-style seating, rugs and pillows, and tabletop details like vases and cake stands. She says garden parties are a popular option in the Geneva Lake area. “People love these gatherings because being outdoors is refreshing, whether the setting is fancy or casual,” she says.

Myers explains that a garden party is simply a social gathering that is held outdoors, usually in your garden, on your lawn or in another outdoor setting like a deck or patio. And she points out that, while the idea of a garden party may evoke scenes from movies and shows like “Marie Antoinette” and “Bridgerton,” you don’t need a formal, beautifully manicured garden in order to host this kind of party.

“You can create a garden party atmosphere with your decor, table settings, food, drinks and music,” Myers explains. “As long as your space is outside, is mostly level, has some protection from the sun, with grass,

trees and flowers, you can host a garden party.”

One of James’ favorite outdoor party settings is a field of wildflowers or even a backyard that doesn’t have a perfect garden. “Just bring in your favorite blooms or greenery from the local florist or flower farm,” she advises.

Looking to host your own garden party or other outdoor gathering this summer? Our experts have a few tips:

1. THINK THROUGH TIMING

First of all, you’ll need to consider the date and time of day for your garden party. Myers suggests a few questions to start with: Do you want to capture the sunset? Will the party take place in full sun? (If so, you’ll want to make sure there is shade available.) What part of the summer will you throw this party? June can be a bit cooler with a higher chance of rain. July and August can be very hot during the day. For this reason, sometimes evening parties are the best option and can be enhanced with soft, outdoor-friendly lighting.

tablescapes and more. For pretty decor that works with multiple themes, think layered rugs in a cozy lounge area, great tablescapes with memorable objects and beautiful blooms, James adds.

Myers suggests a few specific themes that might be particularly charming for your party. They include:

• A “Flower Garden Formal,” with lace tablecloths, fine china and even a catered dinner.

2. PLAN LOGISTICS

Next, you’ll need to think about things like parking and restrooms. Will guests have access to your home’s bathroom or should you rent a portable toilet? In addition, Myers recommends mitigating pests like bees and mosquitoes during the party — this can include setting out citronella candles or torches and providing insect repellent.

3. PICK A THEME

As you start to dream up your garden party, James suggests having a vision or theme that you are aiming to achieve — then carrying that out throughout the setting, invitations,

• A “Natural Garden Party,” using wildflowers, branches and leaves from your own garden or yard in simple clay pots.

• An “Organic Style Party,” with a farmhouse table, casual mix-andmatch dishes and your own garden flowers in simple vases.

• “Berry/Vegetable Season in the Garden,” for those with blackberry bushes or a vegetable garden in the backyard, that can be held during the peak growing season.

4. CHOOSE A MENU

It’s important to keep in mind that you and your guests will be eating outside and, depending on your party’s theme, may be wearing dresses, linens and

light colors, Myers points out. She advises that it’s a good idea to keep food on the lighter side — nothing fussy or messy. “A garden party is more [suited] for light bites,” she explains. “It’s not the time for meat and potatoes. Save the burgers and brats for a cookout.”

Myers suggests that foods like salads, light pasta, sandwiches, chilled soups and desserts are good options at a garden party. And for a dose of delight, edible flowers can be a fun touch, she adds.

Melissa Rios, director of events for Gage Marine’s Lake Life Catering, explains that “grazing tables” have been a hit at parties in the past year, and also happen to be ideal for garden gatherings. “Grazing tables provide a variety of food selections to appeal to every guest,” Rios says. “We consider them the art of the event. Carefully curating each table with fruits, cheeses, nuts, crackers, spreads and more can

create an elevated and sociable way to display light bites to your guests.”

James agrees that these grazing options work well, especially alongside pastries and “adorable little desserts.”

5. SERVE LIBATIONS

Next, think about drinks. James suggests including “fun theme drinks that people want to take photos of, as well as a cute cocktail station.” Myers points out that you don’t even need a traditional “bar” to make this happen — you can just set up a cocktail area on a card table or rent a portable bar for the party.

Popular beverages at garden parties tend to be light and refreshing: champagne or Prosecco, white and rosé wines, and cocktails like gin and tonics to set the mood. For an extra memorable party, create a signature cocktail. “Offering a signature cocktail or mocktail enhances every bar,” Myers says. “It gives guests a tangible sense of

uniqueness that they want to be a part of. They can also help tie together the scene of your event — giving guests something to talk about and bonding over a shared experience.”

6. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN

As we all know, here in Wisconsin, the weather can be all too unpredictable, especially during summer, Myers points out. That’s why you should have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. “Will you have tents? Can the party move indoors or inside your garage? Or would you need to cancel?” asks Myers. She says these are important questions to think about ahead of time. Inclement weather can also include extremely hot and sunny days. Remember that, for a party under the baking sun, you’ll need to provide a shade option.

7. HIT THE RIGHT NOTE

Don’t forget music! Outdoor Bluetooth speakers can help set the mood. “Music is always great to have, as it can alleviate awkward moments in the beginning when people are just getting to know each other,” James explains. “Have playlists preassigned to play so it doesn’t take you away from the party once it starts.” And of course, choose songs that fit the theme and vibe you’re aiming for.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than they seek”.

- John Muir

8. OFFER SEATING

Myers says that you shouldn’t feel intimidated if you don’t have matching tables for your party. Maybe you have white plastic tables stored in your basement or a picnic table on your deck. Use what you have, she advises. And if you want the long, communitystyle farm table look, she suggests placing two or three plastic tables together and covering them with tablecloths or using a long runner down the middle.

As for chairs, Myers points out that they don’t have to match. “Use what you have or borrow from a neighbor,” she says. But if you’re still coming up short, turn to rentals. “I don’t have a large number of chairs, so I often rent chairs from a local rental source when I’m entertaining,” she says. “It makes it much easier and it is worth the money.”

9. HAVE SOME FUN

Giving your guests an activity to do is always a fun idea, especially when you’re outside, Myers says. Need a few ideas? “Lawn games are always fun or work out a scavenger hunt of your garden,” she suggests. You can also use the dessert course as an activity opportunity: have guests assemble their own strawberry shortcake, s’mores or ice cream sundaes for dessert!

10. PROVIDE PARTY FAVORS

“Having a party favor is a special touch for any gathering,” Myers says. “It can just be a simple vase or bouquet of flowers to take home from the party decor. Or maybe it’s a couple of muffins for breakfast the next morning. Or a jar of jam made from your own berries or purchased at the farmers market.”

Place favors on a table for guests to grab on their way out, or arrange them in a basket and hand them out toward the end of the party while you thank each guest for coming. “Once the party begins, stay in the moment and don’t get caught up in small details,” James advises. “Your guests are there to enjoy your company, not to scrutinize every aspect of the party. It will be a beautiful and memorable occasion.”

Bunk rooms offer additional sleeping space for kids or guests and add charm to a home. Built-in storage under the bottom bunks (above) is a good place to store extra linens. Whimsical ladders (right) can add a storybook quality to a room, or, for a more rustic, camp-nostalgic take on the trend, opt for classic bunk beds with rolling ladders (below).

Shared Bunks

Like

a

stylish version of sleep-away camp, bunk rooms give a home charm

BY SHELBY DEERING

There are plenty of wish-list items when planning a lake house: Maybe you’re dreaming of large windows to take advantage of those gorgeous views, a lakeside fire pit, or creative storage for life jackets, inflatables and other must-have summer accessories. Another item on many homeowners’ lists? A bunk room, especially if family, friends and little ones frequent your home.

There are plenty of benefits when creating a bunk room and added charm is at the top of that list. Whether you’re building from scratch or transforming an existing room, a bunk room can expand your overnight hosting space.

John Matustik, president of Lake Geneva’s Matustik Builders Inc., explains that bunk rooms are large bedrooms that can provide additional sleeping areas. “Traditionally, they were for the family’s children and provided extra space for sleepovers,” he explains. “Today, bunk rooms are not just for sleepovers, but for additional family, friends and guests to stay when visiting and vacationing,” he says.

Matustik explains that a bunk room can feature simple “twin over twin” mattresses in each bunk, or any combination of twin, full or queen mattresses over other full or queen mattresses. As a bonus, they can feature built-in storage, designer ladders and custom wood steps to reach the upper bunks. Today’s modern bunk rooms can even have amenities like intricate lighting, cell phone chargers, recessed niches and cubbies for a “nightstand” effect. And of course, elegant wood or stainless steel railings keep everyone safe and provide a stylish touch.

“Bunk rooms offer flexible solutions that are both comfortable and aesthetic,” Matustik says. He says it also doesn’t hurt that a bunk room will add additional value to your home if you choose to sell, as bunk rooms appeal to families with older kids with large friend groups or any family that hosts guests frequently. But the best part is the lake-home vibe a bunk room can provide. “Bunk rooms invite families and friends to enjoy staying in a home and creating memories,” Matustik explains.

at the lake

SUMMER CAMP FOR EVERY KID

SUMMER CAMP FOR EVERY KID

Holiday Home Camp’s legacy of uplifting young lives

BY SARAH KOEHLER | PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

S̕mores roasting on a campfire and the crackle of the logs on a warm summer night. Staying up late to tell stories and jokes with friends as you sit under a sky full of stars. Singing songs and playing games and completing an art project, book or jigsaw puzzle you’ve worked on for a week straight. Spending a day entirely in your swimsuit, playing in the lake, laughing with everyone around you. Making friends with dozens of other kids and vowing you’ll return every year to do it again.

For many kids growing up in urban areas, these are things only seen in television shows, movies and internet videos. But all of these activities and more happen at Williams Bay’s Holiday Home Camp (HHC). For the past 138 years, the camp has been making these experiences a reality for many, many kids — to date, the camp has served more than 45,000 campers over its long history. Since its founding, HHC has been owned and operated by a local nonprofit organization called the Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association, to serve low-income youth from all over the Midwest, most of whom are in second through eighth grade, and come from Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago.

THE LAKE GENEVA FRESH AIR ASSOCIATION

Providing the experience of summer camp in the rural beauty of southeastern Wisconsin to kids growing up in urban areas has been HHC’s primary goal since its beginning. In the fall of 1886, a group of women, wives of prominent Chicago industrialists who had summer homes on Geneva Lake, formed a group to investigate ways to give children living in poverty a chance to experience Geneva Lake. They founded the Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association in 1887 and seeded

Photo by Brian Finch

Photo by John David Pittman

the funding out of their own pockets. From the beginning, all officers of the association were women, mainly members of prominent lake families.

The idea grew out of a larger social movement in the late 1800s that advocated that time spent in nature was a vital form of respite to kids who lived in cities and suffered difficult and unsafe working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. While there were once independent Fresh Air Associations all over the country, the Lake Geneva version is one of only two remaining — the other one is in New York state. (Though the two are not affiliated with each other, they share a similar focus.) In addition to this impressive history, HHC has the distinction of being the oldest accredited camp in the United States still operating in its original location.

Although many things have changed since the camp’s founding, its goals have not — modern research confirms that there are, in fact, many benefits when kids are given a chance to go to camp for a week in the summer. Today, studies show that spending

days away from screens, social media and the stresses of family dysfunction or difficult home lives while spending time in nature benefits cognitive, social and emotional development.

Executive director Bradley Cripe leads the Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association, which operates both HHC and the adjacent Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership School (OWLS). “Having a place that kids can relax, disconnect and re-center is highly beneficial to their well-being,” Cripe explains. “Kids who have a chance to be kids and not only connect with nature, but with each other in a positive manner, have less anxiety, do better in school, have better relationships and are more curious about the world around them.”

A GLIMPSE AT CAMP LIFE

From the day kids arrive at camp, there is camaraderie and teamwork and new friends. The first thing they see is a large staff there to welcome them

openly and happily. For many kids living in poverty, even this kind of community positivity is a change from their usual routine. As campers arrive, they are shown to their cabins and introduced to their cabinmates — 12 campers to a cabin. There is a boys’ village and a girls’ village, each complete with a “village roar” (taught by the staff) to encourage a bit of friendly competition between villages.

Over the course of their week at camp, the campers enjoy snacks, games, music, art and activities, a majority of which are designed to get the kids outside, enjoying the natural beauty of HHC’s 28-acre campus. Many people are surprised to learn that the camp is open year-round, allowing campers to enjoy everything from waterslides in July to a high-ropes course in January.

A camper’s morning begins with tidying up the cabins, and the staff secretly checks each cabin and awards points for cleanliness to those who keep their bunks looking squeaky clean. Campers can also choose which skills they’d like to improve during their week at camp: options include archery, nature study, climbing, dance, art, photography, music, drama or sports. There are shared meals and big dinners in Founders Hall (the camp’s original structure from 1887), campfires and the singing of tried-and-true camp songs.

All of the activities are designed to highlight what’s known at the camp as the “3 Rs”: relationships, responsibility and respect. There are group kayak outings, group dance parties and organized team sports. There is also vital downtime built in to the schedule throughout the week, so kids have time to play cards, take a nap, write a letter home or check out a book from the library on site. What there isn’t time for is TikTok or Instagram.

There are theme days, too: Dino Day, Hollywood Day, Space Day, Water Day (which is spent entirely in a swimsuit and may involve getting the camp leaders soaked) and even STEM day to promote messy and exciting activities with science and nature. And through all of it, there are new friendships being built and new relationships starting to grow. Kids are learning to talk to each other, to problem solve, to work together, to resolve conflict and to enjoy each other’s company — all skills which will lead them far beyond their cabin walls.

TRAINING ELITE LEADERS

HHC’s summer camp programs are open to kids through eighth grade, but what happens when campers age out? Some of them transition to the camp’s ELITE program, a youth empowerment and development program for teens. Students commit to the camp for one weekend per month for a full year, dedicating their time to learning about leadership and good decision-making. “We recognize that, during those critical teen years, we have the power to make choices that can greatly impact our futures for both the negative and the positive,” Cripe explains. “We created this program to help guide our teens and give them the tools they need to make beneficial choices and be positive agents of change in their communities.”

The teens who participate are often treated to special guest speakers and group activities, but also spend time

doing community service activities and learning how to become a highfunctioning young adult as well as a productive member of a larger society. They learn basic etiquette, financial health and job skills (including mock interviews), and work on public speaking, career exploration and goal setting. They also consider and discuss the benefits or drawbacks of both trade schools and colleges or universities. In addition, teens who are enrolled in the ELITE program work as counselors with the younger kids who attend camp at HHC.

Many ELITE campers attended HHC summer camp themselves as younger children, fostering a lifelong love for and devotion to the camp. According to Cripe, an average teen in the ELITE program spends more than 600 hours of their year at the camp and he says the behaviors that he sees from them are nothing short of amazing.

Recently, the teens held a popcorn fundraiser and raised nearly $4,000. The money was intended to benefit the teen program, but when the group voted, they decided to put the money toward renovating the nature center at the camp, which is primarily used by the younger campers. “This cash was originally meant for [the teens] — but they insisted that they wanted to turn it into a benefit for everyone,” Cripe explains. “These are the types of young leaders that are coming out of our program and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”

GETTING THE WORD OUT

The criteria to attend camp is surprisingly simple. Cripe says that there are just two qualifications he’s interested in. The questions he asks are, “Are you a kid?” and “Do you want to come to camp?” From there, the camp team will help the child and their family figure out the rest.

“Ultimately, we exist to make sure that a quality summer camp and mentorship opportunities are available to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status,” Cripe says. “We will never turn away a camper simply because the cost doesn’t fit into a parent’s budget. Our

peter millar | johnnie-o | southern tide | tommy bahama

mizzen + main

team connects with schools, community centers, churches, community organizers, housing projects, council centers, homeless shelters and many other civic agencies that serve youth.”

By forming these relationships, HHC can help these organizations realize the benefits of summer camp for the kids in their programs. And because HHC works with organizations from a wide variety of neighborhoods, it allows campers to meet friends they

wouldn’t otherwise know at school, church or other neighborhood groups in their day-to-day lives.

“With busy family schedules, campers often do not arrive with the kids in their local schools or groups,” Cripe explains. “Instead, they attend independently and find that they have a whole new community of friends and support waiting for them at HHC. Many campers will tell you that HHC is their home away from home.”

With a cost of approximately $1,200 per camper per week, HHC relies on outside funding to provide financial assistance to families. Cripe says they work with a number of scholarship programs and also offer campsponsored scholarships to incoming campers who struggle to afford the fees. As costs continue to rise, Cripe is open about the importance of private donations, corporate sponsors and business partners who can help to keep the camp running, and says

the camp is always seeking financial support to continue its vital work.

Lauren Kilstrom is a school psychologist working with students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for the past 15 years. She underscores the importance of places like HHC for so many CPS students and those in similar situations, because it allows them to see the effects of forming positive relationships.

“When a child can spend time with people they know are stable, safe and reliable, they flourish,” Kilstrom says. “In general, we hear all the time about the benefits of kids being outside, getting their hands dirty and learning independence and resilience. It encourages creativity, problem solving, social interaction, collaboration and learning new skills they can hopefully generalize to their everyday life. Being able to do that in a stable and encouraging environment is priceless.”

better living

Lake of the Sparkling Waters

Several local nonprofits are working to protect the lake’s legendary water quality

BY KATE GARDINER

Last summer, Geneva Lake experienced its first blue-green algae-related beach closings since 2017 and many visitors were introduced to the possibility that this particular scourge can hit the lake ’ s legendarily healthy waters.

“Last year was a record year across the state for blue-green algae blooms,” notes E. Lynn Grayson, president of the Geneva Lake Association and an

Aug.

environmental attorney in Chicago. “It was very frustrating and concerning to everyone in our community.”

The notorious algae, also called cyanobacteria, spreads first in water, but can become airborne, and poses a significant health risk to humans and animals. All beaches on Geneva Lake were closed for the better part of a week starting Aug. 23 due to the water conditions. The economic impact of the beach closings was felt throughout the region.

Holly Baseman is the new executive director of the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency (GLEA), the organization that has monitored the health of the lake and its boat traffic since 1971. She says following last summer’s outbreak, the GLEA’s role in such events will change slightly moving forward. “We’re going to let the Walworth County Public Health department and other government agencies lead a rapid response to future outbreaks,” she says. “We’re also raising money to acquire new technology that helps us to check the water as soon as blue-green algae may be sighted, which

would save significant time in the case of a future outbreak.”

Another part of the strategy to reduce algae blooms involves educating the public. Since 2020, the Geneva Lake Conservancy (GLC), headquartered in Fontana, has sponsored an awareness campaign called “Keep It Blue.” GLC Executive Director Karen Yancey says her organization will redouble its efforts this summer to encourage community members to limit phosphorusbased fertilizers and pesticides, particularly on lakefront lawns, forests and parks. Residents and property owners can sign a pledge committing to environmentally conscious property management, limiting soil erosion and fostering native plant growth in an effort to avoid nutrient runoff into area lakes. The GLC has recently expanded the Keep it Blue program to Delavan Lake, and will work to educate lake landowners through social media and advertising.

“Geneva Lake has a very small watershed and only a few farms that are contributing [to fertilizer runoff],” she explains. “The majority of our phosphorus coming into the lake is coming off of land owned by private landowners,” she says.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, fertilizer runoff is considered to be the most likely culprit of blue-green algae blooms in shallow water, like the 2024 incident on Geneva Lake. But two other possible causes for algae blooms have captured the attention of many local residents: a general increase in boating on the lake and the large wakes created by newly popular wakesurfing boats. The GLEA reported that, in 2024, Geneva Lake saw around a 33% increase in boat traffic in its single-day boat count.

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Executive Director Cody Kamrowski says increased propeller wash and drag caused by wake-enhanced boats’ ballast tanks and overall craft design could be contributing to recirculating nutrients into the water column, particularly when boats are operating in shallow water.

“Countless studies have shown that, when you’re operating wakeenhanced boats in 30 feet of water or less, you could be scouring the bottom and resuspending [settled] sediments, including phosphorus and making those algal blooms,” explains Kamrowski. “Additionally, critical weed bed habitats [vital to protecting lake health] can be blown out.”

Kamrowski is an advocate for local and state legislation concerning wakesurfing boats, setting a minimum distance of 700 feet from shore and a minimum depth of 30 feet for the boats’ operation. If passed, these regulations would restrict wakesurfing on Geneva Lake to approximately 55% of the lake’s total surface area; wakesurfing would be discouraged in the Narrows, between Williams Bay and Conference Point,

In shallower areas of the lake, the wake caused by increased motorboat traffic can stir up phosphorous sediments, leading to algae blooms.

Beginning

23 of last year, all beaches on Geneva Lake were closed for several days after a probable bluegreen algae bloom.

between Cedar Point and the western shoreline of Black Point and in the area just north of Buttons Bay.

“The four things that came together during our research were the importance of understanding the minimum depth for operating the boats, the minimum distance from shore, the aquatic invasive species concerns and maintaining local control while establishing a statewide minimum standard through this legislation,” says Kamrowski.

F.J. Frazier, chief operating officer of Gage Marine, which has operated commercial boats on Geneva Lake for more than 150 years, says that these restrictions would limit wakesurf boating to approximately 433 lakes in the state of Wisconsin, out of a total of about 15,000 lakes. “We’re looking for a common-sense approach so that we can all enjoy activities together,” he says. He

notes that some of the larger, wider yachts currently moored on the lake could have more of an environmental impact on the water quality than the weekend wakesurfing boats.

Kamrowski says that, while Wisconsin has 15,000 lakes, only approximately 2,500 of them are larger than 50 acres — the threshold set by the state for motorboat operation. Regardless, his state-wide coalition of 76 lakerelated organizations, including the GLA, is open to compromise on its recommendations, though he points out that the numbers are backed by a February 2022 study from the University of Minnesota at St. Anthony Falls.

“We want everybody to enjoy the lake in the way that’s appropriate for them,” says the GLA’s Grayson. “I’m a big believer that everything needs to be done in a way that is protective and thoughtful of the lake environment.”

Gage’s Frazier adds that he thinks banning phosphorus-based fertilizers within the Geneva Lake watershed would be prudent, particularly to prevent blue-green algae. Homeowners who are educated on the issues of yard care and lake quality can instruct their maintenance teams to use any of the no-phosphorus fertilizer brands marketed as “lake safe.”

The GLA’s Grayson says that programs like Keep It Blue are vital to ensuring long-term water quality. “We have to raise awareness about these issues,” she adds. “Our membership’s priority is to make sure that we keep the lake in the same, high-quality condition it’s been in for more than 100 years.”

Kate Gardiner is a fifth-generation summer resident of Lake Geneva, a member of the board of the Geneva Lake Conservancy, a journalist and a crisis communications agency owner. Her family puts more than 600 hours on its boats every summer.

A Summer Glow-Up

Our experts share their best seasonal skincare tips

BY JESSICA RIGGIO

Summertime in the Geneva Lake area is a fun-filled extravaganza, from lazy days on the lake to dining alfresco to hiking the nature trails to laying on the beach. With the boat in the slip and the cocktails (or mocktails!) on ice, it’s another sun-soaked season of adventure in the great outdoors.

As you gather your mosquito spray, life jackets and sundresses, don’t forget to adjust your skincare routine to keep yourself looking your best all season — and to prevent some of the damage your skin can experience from all that outdoor, summertime activity.

Local aestheticians Laina Sircloumb of KG Aesthetics in Delavan and Freybrianne Ziervogel

of Clear Waters Salon & Med Spa in Williams Bay have some advice for those looking to maintain great skin in the hot, humid summer months. They suggest holding off on chemical peels and most medical aesthetic treatments for the next few months. Instead, focus on a simple skincare routine with a few key products that work to protect your skin from the sun and keep you hydrated. Basically, less is more when it comes to summer skincare.

Both women say using sunscreen is their number-one suggestion for summer, and the best sunscreen to choose has an SPF of 40 or higher. You should apply sunscreen even if it’s already included in your moisturizer or makeup, and you must reapply it every few hours to really protect

better living wellness

your skin. “A lot of people don’t realize the amount of sunscreen in their tinted moisturizers isn’t enough to protect them, especially if there’s no intention of reapplying it,” says Sircloumb.

She explains that even a light tan is representative of damage to your skin, so if you’re serious about avoiding spots and wrinkles, you should try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. But realistically, most people will spend at least some time outdoors in the summer. She says you can minimize sun damage by wearing hats and avoiding the sun during peak UVray exposure in the afternoons.

Clear Waters Salon & Med Spa’s Ziervogel suggests using a selftanner to get some color without the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. In the mornings, focus on a skincare routine that includes the basics: start with a gentle cleanser, then use a toner if you’d like and then a moisturizing cream infused with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Lastly, apply sunscreen before any makeup.

Ziervogel says that Vitamin C serum is important on summer skin because it doubles down on sun protection and can be applied without leaving the thick, creamy residue that comes with traditional sunscreen. Hyaluronic acid moisturizes your skin.

Sircloumb agrees that these are important ingredients. “Vitamin C helps protect from free radicals from

Best Bets

“Your skin gets its moisture from both water and oil, and in the summer when it’s hot, water moisture can be hard to come by. Drink lots of water.”

— Freybrianne Ziervogel, Clear Waters Salon & Med Spa

the sun and that’s what’s causing the skin cancer,” she explains. “Hyaluronic acid holds 1,000 times its weight in water, so over the last couple of years that’s been all the rage for hydration.”

At night, our experts suggest using a cleanser and a nighttime moisturizing serum appropriate for your individual skin type. You can also exfoliate once or twice a week, but both aestheticians suggest cutting down on exfoliants in the summer. “We don’t get crazy with exfoliants in the summertime

Here are a few products to try based on our experts’ recommendations:

1. Daily Deep Hydrating Face Cream, Cetaphil

2. Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50, Supergoop!

3. Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, Biossance

because it can break down the skin barrier,” Ziervogel says.

Another tip they suggest? Hold off on chemical peels until the fall. A better summer treatment is an oxygen facial, especially if you’re trying to calm a sunburn, as it helps prevent signs of aging, combats sun damage and helps remove sweat, sunscreen, dirt and other things that clog pores in the summer. “[An oxygen facial] is going to keep your skin in optimal condition during the summer,” Sircloumb explains. “It increases circulation, helps fight any bacteria and helps with sun damage. It is brightening and everybody loves to be brighter.”

Finally, the experts remind us, one of the most important tips for skincare in the summer is also one of the simplest and least expensive: Be sure you’re drinking enough water. “Your skin gets its moisture from both water and oil, and in the summer when it’s hot, water moisture can be hard to come by,” Ziervogel says. “Drink lots of water.”

At The LIBRARY

Who doesn’t dream of having a summer home to escape to at this time of year?

Lake Geneva Public Library Community Engagement Librarian

Ellen Ward-Packard has a few book suggestions to help everyone live that summer-house lifestyle vicariously.

BEACH READ

BY EMILY HENRY

Emily Henry is our go-to for romances with emotional heft and this 2020 romantic romp is no different. Taking place on an idyllic Midwestern lake, the setting will feel recognizable. Rival authors find themselves neighbors living in next-door lake cottages and what starts out as animosity turns into grudging respect when they agree to help each other out of their respective creative slumps. Hijinks, romance and big feelings ensue.

DISTINCTIVE HOMES OF AMERICA: LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN

BY GLENN D. HETTINGER

Hiking the Geneva Lake Shore Path is a popular summer activity, but what do the insides of these grand homes look like?

Debrief after your Shore Path walk with a peek at the interiors of some of the lake’s notable homes. Historical tidbits and full-color photographs add a seldom-seen dimension to the facades that line Geneva Lake’s iconic walking path.

FIRST LIE WINS

BY

ASHLEY ELSTON

Evie Porter is a nice Southern girl with a nice boyfriend and a big house in Lake Forbing, Louisiana. One small problem: Evie Porter doesn’t exist. The less you know about the plot before reading this twisty thriller, the better.

Committed to Curing Pain

After opening a new office in Lake Geneva, innovative surgeon Dr. Ahuja offers cutting-edge spinal care

People experiencing pain in their lower back, neck or other areas of the spine don’t have to travel far to find relief.

Neurosurgery and Endovascular Associates, with offices in Kenosha and Franklin, recently opened a state-of-the-art, 15,000-squarefoot location in Lake Geneva.

Dr. Arvind Ahuja and his team are excited to bring top-level spinal care to patients in Lake Geneva and its surrounding communities — an area that’s become a second home to Ahuja and his family. Ahuja has treated many patients from Lake Geneva, Elkhorn and the surrounding area of Wisconsin over the years. Now, he’s expanded his services, bringing the same principles of minimally invasive care to the

treatment of cervical and lumbar spine conditions.

“The ability to offer comprehensive care — diagnosis, consultation, conservative management and cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures — all under one roof, supported by deep neurosurgical experience, is a powerful advantage,” Ahuja explains. “It enhances patient outcomes and elevates the level of care we can provide.”

What sets the Lake Geneva location apart is Ahuja’s ability to offer advanced, minimally invasive, roboticassisted spinal procedures right in the office. “Just as we saw a major shift 30 years ago with the rise of endovascular techniques for cerebral aneurysms, we are now witnessing a similar

transformation in the spine world. Over the past few years, endoscopic and robotic spine surgery has emerged at the forefront of technological advancement,” Ahuja explains.

The doctor performs the procedure and all the patient’s imaging is integrated into the robot. This assists with the planning and procedure to ensure the instrumentation is precise. Neurosurgery and Endovascular Associates is the only outpatient facility in the state offering this service. Its precision and accuracy means a patient leaves the office a few hours after the procedure, rather than leaving the hospital after a few days, which helps get the patient back to work faster.

Patients can rest assured they are in the most capable of hands with the 34-member staff at Neurosurgery and Endovascular Associates, many of whom have been with Ahuja for over two decades. “I’m so proud of our team and the great job they do taking care of the patients,” Ahuja says. “We strive to provide exceptional care to our patients. We have a lot of experience around us to provide compassionate, caring, high-level care.” 

NEUROSURGERY AND ENDOVASCULAR ASSOCIATES S.C. 850 Geneva Parkway N Lake Geneva, WI 53147 262-932-9390 neuroendomke.com

The only facility in the state providing cutting-edge, robotic neurosurgical treatment in an outpatient setting, including:

· Back Pain Management

· Neck Pain Management

· Herniated Disc Disease

· Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion

· SI Joint Fusion

· Endoscopic Rhizotomy

Neurosurgery and Endovascular Associates, SC has a new office location providing outpatient evaluation of spine disorders, aneurysms, trigeminal neuralgia, and more.

out & about

Into the Twilight

13 magical ways to savor the evening hours

BY NAT WEXLER

Summer in the Geneva Lake area is synonymous with hot days in the sunshine, friends and families camped out on beach towels for the day or cruising down the lake, making the most of boats, kayaks, paddleboards and other water toys. These summer days can be filled with all kinds of fun activities, from strolling the farmers market to hiking the Shore Path to finding the perfect treasure in a local shop. But Lake Geneva evenings can be even more magical, with their long twilights, warm

PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER,

breezes and glittering stars. When the sun goes down, a whole new menu of activities opens up: There are plenty of fun options during the evening hours to ensure that you can soak up every bit of magic a summer at the lake has to offer.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN

PUTT AROUND THE DANCE FLOOR

Casual and serious golfers alike should head over to the 27-hole, Himalayas-style putting course at Geneva National. The fully lit course takes up nearly an acre! In addition to the challenge of putting, you’ll enjoy music, a huge seating area, a full bar and dinner menu, fire pits with Adirondack chairs and a bocce ball court. No reservations are required and putters are available for rent.

SEE A MOVIE ON THE BEACH

June 13 and ending Aug. 22. Tickets are sold at the door for $1 and concessions can be purchased with cash.

TAKE A RELAXING EVENING CRUISE

Grab your picnic blankets and lawn chairs and head over to the Fontana Beach for a family-friendly movie night under the stars. Movies begin at dusk and occur every other Friday (weather permitting!), beginning

Soak in the last rays of sunshine for the day and experience the magic of the lake as the sun sets while cruising Geneva Lake. The one-hour sunset cruise features a relaxed tour of the landmarks lining the lake and offers a cash bar where you can purchase your favorite beverages. This sunset cruise

is scheduled for most Saturdays in the summer; tickets can be purchased at cruiselakegeneva.com.

TEST YOUR WITS AT THE LAKE GENEVA CLUE ROOM

Fans of puzzles should make their way to downtown Lake Geneva to see if they can escape from one (or more!) of Lake Geneva Clue Room’s four escape rooms. Each room features a different theme and level of difficulty, and they’re all open until 10 p.m. Reservations can be booked at lakegenevaclueroom.com.

GROUP OUTINGS

GET CRAFTY

Join the Big Foot Recreation Department at Toast & Tinker at DJ’s In The Drink, an evening of crafting and cocktails. Make your own sun hat on June 9, craft a sunflower wreath on July 14 or make a stunning piece of jewelry on Aug. 11. Tickets for each crafting session can be purchased at bigfootrecreation.org.

ROCK OUT TO LIVE MUSIC

Fans of live music have plenty of options in the Geneva Lake area: how about a trip to the Belfry Music Theatre to see one of the many live tribute bands booked throughout the summer? Tributes this summer include Fleetwood Mac; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; The Mamas & the Papas; Huey Lewis and the News; and Queen, among others. Or head to the Geneva Stage in Lake Geneva for a full lineup of tribute bands, live bands and other evening shows.

GAZE AT THE STARS

Williams Bay, where the volunteers at Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy offer several guided night hikes throughout the summer in this 231-acre nature preserve. Visit friendsofknc.org for the full calendar.

DATE-NIGHT DESTINATIONS

Spend your evening staring at the world’s most fascinating “big screen”: the stars. Yerkes Observatory offers visitors an open house experience on select dates this summer. On June 20, visitors can en joy an evening of programming centered on the summer solstice, and on Aug. 15, the observatory has an evening dedicated to viewing the Perseid meteor shower. Tickets can be purchased at yerkesobservatory.org.

ENJOY A SUPPER CLUB DINNER CRUISE

TAKE A SUNSET OR MOONLIT HIKE

There is nothing quite like watching the sun set from inside a beautiful nature preserve or forest, and then hiking back under the light of the moon. Lake Geneva’s Big Foot Beach State Park offers 6.5 miles of trails and is open until 11 p.m. daily. Or head to

Combine two of Wisconsin’s favorite things, supper clubs and lakes, into one magical evening. Board the Grand Belle for a night of classic supper club fare, along with live music and breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding homes. The floating supper club sets sail most Thursdays in the summer and tickets can be purchased at cruiselakegeneva.com.

HAVE A PICNIC IN THE PARK

Grab your beach blanket and pick up some takeout from your favorite restaurant before heading over to one of the area’s beautiful parks for a picnic. Library Park in Lake Geneva, Edgewater Park in Williams Bay and Reid Park in Fontana all

have glorious lake views. Spend the evening enjoying the sounds of the water and views of the stars as you dine on a late supper. But don’t forget to pack bug spray! After dinner, head to one of the many ice cream shops that stay open late for a sweet treat. A few options include Kilwins in Lake Geneva, and the Frosty Moose and Dip in the Bay in Williams Bay.

ATTEND A WINE TASTING

Oenophiles have several options for a fun night in the Geneva Lake area. Check out the Destination Geneva National Food & Wine Festival from June 11-14, where foodies and wine connoisseurs can sign up to sample unique menu items and try handselected wine pairings. Or check the schedule at Lake Lawn Resort for its popular Wine & Dine Summer Series, where you can enjoy a cruise around Delavan Lake on the Lake Lawn Queen while you enjoy an exclusive culinary experience with wine pairings from featured vineyards. Visit lakelawnresort.com for more info.

EXPLORE THE NIGHT SKY

Yerkes Observatory has a lineup of fun evening activities this summer that will educate and entertain. You can stare at the stars through the world’s largest refracting telescope at the Great Refractor Experience, which occurs most Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the summer, but tickets book up well in advance, so plan ahead! Or check the schedule for the summer speaker series at Yerkes. Renowned astronomers and physicists will be stopping by throughout the summer to discuss their research and passion for outer space. Tickets can be purchased at yerkesobservatory.org.

WATCH A FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Every Sunday evening throughout the summer, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa has a fireworks show for guests and everyone dining in the four-diamond resort’s bars and restaurants. Make a reservation at the Geneva ChopHouse or Ristoranté Brissago for an incredible, chefcreated meal, and then take your after-dinner drinks outside while you watch the summer sky light up with fireworks.

Sat. 5/31 – 7PM Carrie Underwood & Zac Brown Tribute

Sat. 6/7 – 7PM Underground Sound Jazz

Sat. 6/14 – 7PM Ron Vincent Sings Cat Stevens – Cat Stevens Tribute

Sat. 6/21 – 7PM Classics IV – Original Group! 50s & 60s Soft Rock Sat. 6/28 – 7PM Take it Easy – Eagles Tribute

Fri. 7/4 – 6PM Ain’t That America – John Mellencamp Tribute

Sat 7/5 – 7PM The Britins – Beatles Tribute

Sat. 7/12 – 7PM Kenny Chesney & Jason Aldean Tribute

Sat. 7/19 – 7PM Hypnotized – Fleetwood Mac Tribute

Sun. 7/20 – 4PM Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra – Classical

Sat. 7/26 – 7PM Recaptured – Journey Tribute

Sat. 8/2 – 7PM Soul Sacrifice – Santana Tribute

Sun. 8/3 – 1-4PM Tallan – Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute & More!

Sat. 8/9 – 7PM A Long Way Home – Supertramp Tribute

Sat. 8/16 – 7PM Kashmir – Led Zeppelin Tribute

Fri. 8/22 – 7PM Ladies Must Swing – Swing

Sat. 8/23 – 7PM The Chicago Experience – Chicago Tribute

Sat. 8/30 – 7PM Eric Diamond – Neil Diamond Tribute

Sat. 9/13 – 7PM Radio Gaga – Lady Gaga & Queen Tribute

Friends of Phoenix Park Bandshell

Adding Beauty to the World

50 years of the Williams Bay Fine Art & Music Fest

BY NAT WEXLER

The Williams Bay Fine Art & Music Fest has been a summer staple in the area for half a century. On July 26 and 27, the festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a weekend full of art, food, music and philanthropy.

The origins of the festival date back to America’s bicentennial in 1976. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, a wagon train was sent around the country. Williams Bay was initially scheduled to be one of the stops on the tour, so a committee came together to plan a weekend of events to welcome the wagon train and celebrate the bicentennial. However, a few

months into planning, the wagon train was re-routed and Williams Bay was no longer on the list of stops. Since the planners had already spent months planning for an event, they decided to shift the focus to an art festival.

The first fair turned out to be such a success that exhibitors requested the event the next year, so the women began planning it again. Since then, the festival has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors over its fivedecades-long existence.

From its founding, the Williams Bay Fine Art & Music Fest has been a civic-minded event. Each year, the planning committee gives any extra proceeds from the festival to a local charity. Past recipients have included the Williams Bay Lions Club, the Williams Bay Fire Department and local students who are pursuing degrees in the arts, among others.

Jan Johnson and Muriel Thompson, two of the original founders of the fair, kept meticulous scrapbooks detailing the founding of the festival. Johnson recalls that the Village of Williams Bay provided free parking, clean bathrooms and trash service in Edgewater Park, which allowed visitors to enjoy the art and a food stand run by the VFW, as well as ice cream bars and fresh coffee upon arrival. Building on the bicentennial, the art fair’s theme the first year asked visitors to imagine how early Americans would have used their village squares in 1776. As a result, attendees enjoyed art, antiques, dancing and an oldfashioned costume contest, among other events.

Johnson’s daughter, Sandra, who has been at the helm of the festival for the past 15 years, believes that the goal of an art fair is twofold: “Get good artists to exhibit and get people to buy that art,” she explains. Sandra says she was inspired to take over the planning of the art fair because she knows the “effort that artists take to add beauty to the world.”

This year’s 50th anniversary celebration will feature artists representing a variety of media, along with live music and food. The festivities will take place at Edgewater Park in Williams Bay. Admission to the festival is free and parking is available. For more information, visit wbcaa.org.

The first Williams Bay Art Fair in 1976 was organized as part of the country’s bicentennial celebrations.

Sandra Johnson, Jan Johnson, Muriel Thompson

LAKE GENEVA JAYCEES VENETIAN FESTIVAL

AUG. 13-17

This five-day festival in downtown Lake Geneva features carnival rides, live music nightly, food vendors and a lighted boat parade and fireworks display on Sunday night. Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva; venetianfest.com

JULY 4 Independence Day display over Geneva Lake. Dusk, Fontana Beach, Fontana.

ART IN THE PARK

AUG. 9-10

Juried fine art show featuring more than 80 artists, sponsored by the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva. Visit genevalakeartsfoundation.org/art-in-the-park.

MAY 25

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

LAWN PARTY AND BBQ COOKOUT

Enjoy live music, inflatable slides, a bounce house and an outdoor lakefront cookout (event will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather). Tickets are $58 for adults, $28 for children ages 4-12; 4-7 p.m., Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. Call (262) 728-7950 or visit lakelawnresort.com

JUNE 1

INAUGURAL BREATHE, INC.’S “SWING FOR A CAUSE” GOLF OUTING

This 18-hole scramble with raffles, memorial tributes, on-course contests and more will benefit cancer support. Reception to follow. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Majestic Oaks Golf Course at Lake Lawn Resort. Tickets are $125. 4-7 p.m., Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. For tickets, visit lakelawnresort.com/events/inauguralbreathe-inc-golf-outing

JUNE 1

ROCK-FORD A’S MODEL A DAY

Enjoy antique Model As, reenactors, a variety of vendors, a DJ, food trucks and more. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Downtown Clinton. Visit rockfordas.org/styled-6.

JUNE 3

12TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING SUPPORTING OPEN ARMS FREE CLINIC

Participants will choose from two courses of 18-hole golf. Shotgun starts at 8 a.m. or noon, depending on the course chosen, 5 p.m. cash bar for cocktails and 6 p.m. dinner and awards. Hawk’s View Golf Course, 7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva; (262) 379-1401 or visit openarmsfreeclinic.ejoinme.org/ MyEvents/2025GolfOuting.

JUNE 6

NATIONAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION FIELD TRIP

Join a hike around Bromley Woods, W5798 Greening Rd., Whitewater. For information or event registration visit genevalakeconservancy.org or call (262) 275-5700.

JUNE 6-7

ELKHORN CITY-WIDE RUMMAGE SALE

Check out the Google map or grab a printed copy from the Elkhorn Chamber. Visit elkhornchamber.com.

JUNE 6-8

BACON FEST

Featuring live music and unique bacon creations from local restaurants and chefs. Friday 3-10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 1o p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. For tickets, visit baconfestwi.com.

JUNE 7

B4 SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Enjoy bacon, bourbon, beer and bands including the Pino Farina Band, a Def Leppard tribute band and Modern Day Romeos. Area breweries will sell craft beer and food will be available from several local food trucks, plus enjoy familyfriendly activities; 3-10:45 p.m. Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Rd., Spring Grove, Illinois. Tickets are $16; visit b4fest.com.

JUNE 12; JULY 3, 17, 31

HANDS-ON HISTORY

WORKSHOP: WOOL SPINNING

This interactive workshop will take fledgling and seasoned students alike through 1800s yarn design: Start with sheep fleece and finish with your own wool yarn. Workshop attendance also includes free admission to Old World Wisconsin on the day of the class, a free prepared lunch and a skein of professionally made yarn from the wool of Old World Wisconsin’s sheep. $200 per person. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JUNE 13, 27; JULY 11, 25; AUG. 8, 22 BIG FOOT RECREATION DEPARTMENT CLASSIC SUMMER MOVIE SCREENINGS

Admission is $1 per person at the door and concessions will be sold. 8:30-10:30 p.m., Fontana Beach, Fontana; call (262) 275-2117 or visit bigfootrecreation.org

JUNE 14; JULY 12, 26; AUG. 9, 16, 30

DINNER TRAINS

Indulge in an elegant meal, or wine or

beer tasting on a 2.5-hour train ride. Paid reservations required. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and train leaves at 5:30 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org

JUNE 14, JULY 19, AUG. 16

BEER BARONS OF LAKE GENEVA

Enjoy an afternoon cruising Geneva Lake while learning about the history of the beer barons that vacationed and lived along its shores. Beer tastings, snacks and a souvenir brewery memento included. 12:30-4 p.m. Price is $70 per person. Cruises leave from the Riviera docks, Lake Geneva. Call (262) 248-6206 for tickets.

JUNE 15

FATHER’S DAY BBQ COOKOUT

Treat Dad to an outdoor lakefront cookout. 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. Tickets available day of or visit lakelawnresort.com/events/fathers-daybbq-cookout

JUNE 18

ANNUAL PORK CHOP COOKOUT

Dine-in or drive-through at this fundraiser to support the Walworth County Fair. 4-7 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn. Visit walworthcountyfairgrounds.com/calendar

JUNE 18, 25; JULY 9, 16, 23, 30

HANDS-ON HISTORY WORKSHOP: INTRO TO BLACKSMITHING

Learn the basics of blacksmithing as you work in small groups shoulder to shoulder with a trained and talented smith. Includes lunch. $200 per person. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JUNE 20-22

LAKE GENEVA JAZZ AND BLUES FEST

A celebration of the food, culture and music of one of America’s most original and beloved art forms. Two stages will showcase local, regional and national talent, alongside vendors offering food, crafts and activities. Lake Geneva House of Music, N3241 County Trunk H, Lake Geneva. For tickets, visit lgjazzfest.com

JUNE 21

AN EVENING WITH AGATHA CHRISTIE

Local historian Chris Brookes brings the best-selling author of all time, Agatha Christie, back to life for an intimate evening of mystery and conversation. Price is $35 per person; 6-7:30 p.m. Black Point Estate & Gardens, W4270 Southland Rd., Lake Geneva; call (262) 248-1888 for tickets.

JUNE 22

SIT ‘N SIP CONCERT SERIES:

QUEEN DON’T STOP ME NOW

Outdoor concert presenting Kerry Bieneman and five other amazing musicians performing the iconic music of Queen. Malt House Theatre, Burlington. Call (262) 763-9873 or visit thehaylofters.com

JUNE 26-29

“FROZEN, JR.”

Performed by the Lakeland Players Ltd. Youth Theater. 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Sprague Theater, 15 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn. Visit lakeland-players.org

JUNE 27

ELKHORN FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

Enjoy a memorable and festive fireworks display. Dusk, Sunset Park, Elkhorn.

JUNE 28

INDEPENDENCE DAY

CELEBRATION AT LAKE LAWN

Enjoy food and beverage concessions and music provided by a DJ while you wait for the Town of Delavan fireworks over the lake. 5-11 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan; (262) 728-7950 or visit lakelawnresort.com/events.

JUNE 28

LAKEFEST AND TOWN OF DELAVAN FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

Delavan Lake Community Park, 1220 S. Shore Drive, Delavan. Visit townofdelavan.com for more info.

JUNE 29, AUG. 10

ELKHORN ANTIQUE FLEA MARKET

One of the Midwest’s largest outdoor flea markets with over 500 dealers both inside and outside. Free parking, $5 admission.

Opens at 7 a.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn; elkhornantiquefleamarket.com

JULY 3

FAMILY DAY

10 a.m. to noon, Helen Rohner Children’s Fishing Park, Williams Bay. For information or event registration, visit genevalakeconservancy.org or call (262) 275-5700.

JULY 4

DELAVAN FOURTH OF JULY PARADE AND FESTIVITIES

Call (262) 728-5095 or visit visitdelavanwi.com.

JULY 5

KISHWAUKETOE 5K RUN/WALK

Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., kids’ run begins at 8 a.m. and the 5k begins at 8:30 a.m. Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, Williams Bay. Visit friendsofknc.org/eventsscheduled-activities/5k-run-walk.

JULY 5

LAUDERDALE LAKES

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

9:30 p.m., Lauderdale Lakes. Visit visitelkhorn.com

JULY 5

WILLIAMS BAY LIONS CLUB

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

All-you-can eat pancakes. 7-11:30 a.m., Edgewater Park, Williams Bay.

JULY 9-13

ELKHORN RIBFEST

The National Rib Competition returns to the Walworth County Fairgrounds. Sample a wide array of barbecue offerings and enjoy great entertainment, carnival rides and an artisan village. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn; (262) 723-3228 or visit wisconsinribfest.com.

JULY 11

STORY TIME WITH BARRETT

MEMORIAL LIBRARY

2 p.m. White River County Park, Lake Geneva. For information or event registration, visit genevalakeconservancy.org or call (262) 275-5700.

JULY 12

CHICAGO DAY

Celebrate Chicago’s railway history on the museum’s six operating South Shore cars, originally built in the 1920s, plus three Chicago Elevated Cars and a recently restored Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Car. National Park Service rangers from Indiana Dunes National Park will be on hand to explain the history of the South Shore Line and the connection to the cars. Trains run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org.

JULY 12

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

The Institute for Victorian Living presents this evening program at Black Point Estate. Price is $75 per person; 5-7 p.m. Black Point Estate & Gardens, W4270 Southland Rd., Lake Geneva; visit blackpointestate.wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JULY 16

13TH ANNUAL STEAK DINNER

Drive-through, carry out or dine in at this fundraiser to support the Junior Beef Project. 4-7 p.m.; Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn. Visit walworthcountyfairgrounds.com/calendar.

JULY 17-20

COUNTRY THUNDER FESTIVAL

This four-day country music festival brings some of the top country music talent in the country to Twin Lakes, including Jelly Roll, Dierks Bentley, Ashley McBryde and Cole Swindell. Camping and multi-day passes available. 2305 Lance Dr., Twin Lakes; visit countrythunder.com.

JULY 18-20

REV UP WEEKEND AND THE CARS

TIME FORGOT CAR SHOW

Events kick off Friday night with a community-wide street dance from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, attend the Drive Delavan Rally from 4:30-5:30 p.m. with a live band at Phoenix Park from 7-9 p.m.. Sunday is the main event, with over 1,000 classic cars, trucks and custom vehicles on view from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lake Lawn airstrip. Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan; visit carstimeforgot.com

JULY 18-20, 25-27

“DISASTER!”

A campy musical comedy that features the most popular music of the ‘70s. Fridays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Malt House Theatre, Burlington. For tickets, call (262) 763-9873 or visit thehaylofters.com.

JULY 19

WILLIAMS BAY FIRE DEPARTMENT CHICKEN ROAST

Enjoy a chicken dinner and raise funds for the volunteer fire department. 12-7 p.m., Edgewater Park, Williams Bay.

JULY 20

LAKE GENEVA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

4-6 p.m.; Phoenix Park Bandshell, Delavan. Call (262) 728-5095 or visit

JULY 20

PICNIC IN THE PARK TRAIN

Family-friendly train excursion takes

riders on a trip to Jim Byrnes Memorial Park for a picnic from Frank’s Lunchbox

Food Cart, including lunch, ice cream and soda. $35 per person, advanced tickets required. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m., train leaves at 2 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; Call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org.

JULY 26

BIG FOOT LIONS CLUB

LOBSTER BOIL & STEAK FRY

Enjoy fresh lobster and steak at this beloved annual festival featuring live music. Advance orders required to guarantee a lobster dinner. Reid Park, Fontana; visit bigfootlionsclub.org.

JULY 26-27

WILLIAMS BAY FINE ART & MUSIC FEST

50th anniversary of the popular juried show featuring fine art and fine crafts from Wisconsin and Illinois. Edgewater Park, Williams Bay; visit wbcaa.org.

AUG. 1-2

NEON NIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Presented by Kunes Auto Group, this festival will light up the Walworth County Fairgrounds with electrifying country music performances. Visit neonnightswi.com

AUG. 1-10

Crossings at Hawk’s View Voted

AUG. 2

GENEVA LAKE WEST ROTARY CLUB

CORN AND BRATWURST FESTIVAL

Featuring live entertainment, corn and brat meals and a drive-through option. Devil’s Lane Park, Walworth.

AUG. 2

SHE SIPS & SAILS: A LADIES’ BREW ADVENTURE

A led-by-women, for-women afternoon cruising Geneva Lake while learning about the history of the beer barons that vacationed and lived along its shores. Beer tastings, snacks and a souvenir brewery memento included. 12:30-4 p.m. Price is $70 per person. Cruises leave from the Riviera docks, Lake Geneva. Call (262) 248-6206 for tickets.

AUG. 5

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Explore and climb aboard Walworth County rescue vehicles, patrol cars, fire engines and water patrol craft. Live demos highlight K-9 units, Flight for Life and more. 4 p.m., Walworth County Fairground, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. Visit walworthcountryfairgrounds.com/calendar.

AUG. 8-9

DELAVAN MAXWELL STREET DAYS

Enjoy sidewalk sales and in-store specials. Call (262) 728-5095 or visit visitdelavanwi.com

AUG. 8-10

WILLIAMS BAY LIONS CLUB CORN & BRAT FESTIVAL

Enjoy delicious brats and fresh-roasted corn, as well as live music on Friday and Saturday night, and fireworks on Saturday. Edgewater Park, Williams Bay.

AUG. 12

ANNUAL PIG ROAST TO BENEFIT WALWORTH COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Enjoy a pig roast dinner while participating in an upscale raffle and drawing, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit organization. 4:30-8:30 p.m., Champs Sports Bar & Grill, 747 W. Main St., Lake Geneva. Tickets are $15; to purchase, call Betty Aguirre at (262) 248-3034.

out & about calendar of events

AUG. 14

STORY TIME PICNIC

Helen Rohner Children’s Fishing Park, Williams Bay. For information or event registration, visit genevalakeconservancy.org or call (262) 275-5700.

AUG. 15

FAMILY EDUCATION DAY

10-11:30 a.m., Includes a raptor presentation. White River County Park, Lake Geneva. For information or event registration, visit genevalakeconservancy. org or call (262) 275-5700.

AUG. 22-24

MAXWELL STREET DAYS

Enjoy sidewalk sales and special in-store shopping experiences during Lake Geneva’s annual Maxwell Street Days celebration. Throughout downtown Lake Geneva.

AUG. 23

RAILFAN DAY

Enjoy a fun and informative day at the East Troy Railroad Museum. A different train

from the museum’s collection will run every hour. First ride departs at 10 a.m.; last train departs at 3 p.m. Also enjoy free popcorn, model railroad displays and more. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org

AUG. 27-SEPT. 1

WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR

One of the largest county fairs in Wisconsin. Live music, demolition derby, carnival midway and livestock exhibits. Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn; (262) 723-3288 or visit walworthcountyfairgrounds.com/calendar

AUG. 30

BEER TASTING TRAIN

Indulge in a beer tasting led by an expert from Black Point Estate. Adults only; $115 per person, paid reservations required. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and train leaves at 5:30 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org.

While we do our best to ensure a comprehensive, accurate listing of events, we recommend that you contact each event host ahead of time. If you’d like to include an event in our upcoming calendar, please email anne@ntmediagroup.com or submit it via our website: atthelakemagazine.com/ submit-an-event. Submission deadline for the autumn issue is July 18.

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food & drink

All about cuisine

Biting into the Best

Where to find the Geneva Lake area’s award-winning and most popular burgers

BY BRIAN THALHAMMER

PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

There’s just something about biting into a perfectly cooked burger on a warm summer day. The savory sizzle of beef, the crunch of fresh, cold toppings and a warm, toasty bun soaking up every glorious drop of flavor. It’s the taste of summer itself. In Lake Geneva, burgers are more than food. They’re a tradition. A passion. A competition.

The Boat House Burger at The Boat House in Lake Geneva

Every year, the annual Geneva Lakes Burger Throwdown kicks off the grilling season, bringing together a rotating group of the area’s top chefs and restaurants to see who can grill their way to glory. But whether they’re competing in the Throwdown in a given year or not, the restaurants’ pride behind their patties makes local burgers a perennial favorite.

We hit the sidewalks of the Geneva Lake area to sample the burger scene and talk to some of the past winners — and wrapped it all up with the man who has tasted nearly all of them: Chef John Bogan of the Lake Geneva School of Cooking, Master of Ceremonies for the Burger Throwdown competition and burger enthusiast supreme.

PIER 290: A triple threat on the water

At Pier 290 in Williams Bay, burgers come with a side of lake breeze, cold drinks and great friends. “We won People’s Choice at the Burger Throwdown in 2017 and 2022,” said Alanna Congdon of the Pier 290 team. “It’s a fun opportunity for our chef to create a unique burger, and it’s always

exciting to see new faces come in to try our food because they had our burger at the competition and loved it.”

Unique fare is standard at Pier 290. The showstopper here is the 290 Steak Stack Burger, a meat lover’s dream made with a blend of sirloin, tri-tip and chuck steak. It’s crowned with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and their signature, fan-adored Pier 290 sauce. Fries come standard, but the clever move? Upgrade to their house-made chips — crispy, golden and unforgettable. Want to spice things up before the burger? Congdon suggests the Bang Bang Cauliflower or the Island Shrimp Plate — both deliver heat in the best way.

When it comes to crafting a Throwdown-worthy burger, Pier 290 doesn’t play it safe: “In my opinion, the crazier the better,” Congdon says. “Unique ingredients, like our 290 sauce, can really turn a simple patty into something special and elevate the whole plate.” The people have spoken — Pier 290’s chefs earned every bit of their Burger Throwdown glory.

THE BOAT HOUSE

BAR & GRILL: Big bites, bigger burgers

Just down the road from downtown Lake Geneva, The Boat House Bar & Grill is dishing out burger bravado with a side of Wisconsin hospitality. Their

Chef Ken Hnilo of Pier 290 in Williams Bay crafts a double Pier 290 Steak Stack Burger.

The Boat House Burger at The Boat House in Lake Geneva

menu boasts six drool-worthy burger options, but regulars often rave about the MOAB — “Mother of All Burgers.” This beast comes loaded with two beef patties, four slices of cheese, a fried egg and fresh jalapeño. Prefer a more classic option? The bacon cheeseburger or jalapeño burger with house-made chipotle mayo always hit the spot.

All burgers here are made with fresh half-pound Angus patty from Northwest Meat Co. and served on a homestyle bun. Pair one with house chips or beer-battered cheese curds (dusting of Parmesan included) and you’re in for a flavor-packed feast that pairs beautifully with an ice-cold elixir on the side.

“I think [the Burger Throwdown] is a great chance for everyone to try each other’s burgers — even fellow restaurants,” said Autumn Smith, a devoted team member at The Boat House. “It really brings people together,

and I know how excited everyone in the community gets when it’s coming up.”

CHUCK’S LAKESHORE INN:

The OG burger legend No burger list is complete without Chuck’s — Fontana’s lakeside icon

with a burger that’s stood the test of time since the popular local bar added a grill in the late 1970s. “Chuck’s only has one burger on the menu,” says co-owner Julie Ieronimo. “Our seasonings, meat and bun are simple … our only real secret is the flat top

Co-owner Roy Hanson serves a Chuck’s classic double cheeseburger at Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn in Fontana.

ENTER THE MASTER: Chef John Bogan’s Burger Gospel

What meaty masterpiece will take the crown each year?

Chef Bogan gives us a little insight into the honorable competition.

Chef John Bogan from The Lake Geneva School of Cooking knows his burgers: he continues to elevate his role as “Master of Ceremonies” for the Geneva Lakes Burger Throwdown. With decades of culinary expertise and a passion for all things local, Chef Bogan takes his duties seriously — and with good reason.

“The Throwdown isn’t just about the burger itself — it’s about creativity, execution and bringing the community together,” Bogan explains. “The event supports an amazing cause.”

What makes a winning burger in Chef Bogan’s book? “Balance,” he says. “The patty has to be juicy and well-seasoned, the toppings should complement, not overpower. And then there are the small details: condiments on both buns, which should be toasted. The cold ingredients should be cold, and the warm ingredients warm.”

Chef Bogan is also a fierce advocate for local food culture and mentorship. The Throwdown, held this year on May 4 and won by the chefs at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, helps fund the Badger High School Culinary ProStart program. Originally formed

by Chef Russ Tronson — now a Throwdown judge — it’s currently led by culinary instructor Chef Jamie Lutz and gives students a front-row seat to the education and creativity it takes to succeed in both the kitchen and life.

“It’s a huge part of why this event matters,” Bogan says. “We’re not just feeding people. We’re inspiring the next generation of chefs.”

And while he’s tasted more burgers than most people dream of, Chef Bogan isn’t burned out on the beloved sandwich. “Every year, I’m still excited to see what these chefs bring to the table,” he says. “Lake Geneva might not be enormous, but our burger game is fierce.”

they’re cooked on.” You heard it from the source — no gimmicks. Just a third-pound Chuck’s Burger or Chuck’s Cheeseburger, served with lettuce, tomato, onion and a good ol’ dill pickle on the side. Want something extra? Fries are the go-to, but the onion rings are strong contenders.

Ieronimo remembers their early Throwdown days fondly: “We participated in the first-ever event at The Abbey, and won it in 2015 with a brined cowboy burger,” she says. “It was a great honor, lots of hard work and tons of fun.”

There’s a reason Chuck’s has been a burger destination for decades. “I love that coming in to get a Chuck’s Burger is a tradition for so many of our customers,” Ieronimo adds. “We plan to keep doing what we’ve been doing for the last six decades.”

FLAT IRON TAP:

Where local ingredients and bold ideas collide

If Chuck’s is old-school cool, Flat Iron Tap is the modern rebel — with a farmto-table twist and a burger lineup that pushes all the right boundaries. “We stand out by serving a range of highquality local meats,” said co-owner Sarah Wingate. “Our menu includes beef, bison, lamb and even a black bean quinoa burger.”

The “Wisconsinner” is a reigning favorite, topped with griddle-fried cheese curds, thick-cut bacon and buttermilk-fried onion strings on

The double smashburger from Clock Tower Pizza in Delavan, winners of the 2022 Burger Throwdown.

a pretzel bun. Another must-try?

The John Daly — beer-battered onion rings, whiskey Gouda cheese sauce and moonshine barbecue atop mouthwatering beef. Yes, you read that right.

At Flat Iron Tap, creative toppings are their game: red wine and tarragon aioli, garlic compound cheese, Oaxacanstyle guacamole and more. They rotate specials regularly, from peanut butter and jalapeño jam combos to garlic overloads for the valiant of tastebud. And everything here — from their grass-fed beef to bacon and cheese — comes from nearby Wisconsin farms and dedicated artisans.

But it’s not just about the grub. “Nothing beats seeing someone take that first bite and light up,” Wingate said. “We love being part of the community — serving up killer burgers made with local ingredients and a whole lotta love.”

The Grazing Brit at Flat Iron Tap in Lake Geneva includes bacon, tomato, guacamole, jalapeno, mixed greens and house aioli.

Q&A

Sweet Treat

Grace Narayanan owns and operates the Malini Bikini Hawaiian Shave Ice stand in the American Legion Canteen at the entrance to the Riviera Beach in Lake Geneva. The stand has quickly become a popular stop for families on their way to or from the beach, as well as everyone who walks through downtown Lake Geneva and Library Park. Opening Malini Bikini was a passion project for Narayanan, who was inspired on a trip to a tourist destination in northern Wisconsin, where she experienced the sweet treat for the first time. We sat down with her to learn more about her entrepreneurial endeavor.

ATL: Tell us about your background.

GN: I was originally born in Indiana, but my family decided to

move [to Lake Geneva] when I was going into kindergarten. We have extended family that lives here and my family started a vegetable farm that I got to work on with my sisters during my summers. I loved working on the farm.

ATL: What was the inspiration to open Malini Bikini Shave Ice?

GN: Lake Geneva has a huge dessert and ice cream scene but we were missing a dessert option for those who cannot have dairy or ice cream. My youngest sister and I are both lactose intolerant, so, living in Wisconsin, the “Dairy State,” we struggled to find a dessert option.

ATL: Did you face any challenges getting the business up and

Bikini Shave Ice’s Grace Narayanan shares her story

BY ANNE MORRISSY

running? How did you overcome those challenges?

GN: There are always challenges when starting something new, especially as a young entrepreneur. One particular challenge we faced as we opened was educating people about shave ice — that it’s definitely not just a “snow cone” — it’s authentic, Hawaiian-style shave ice. We are happy to teach our customers about the difference between the two, show them how we do it on social media and prove to them that shave ice is the best. They usually agree once they take their first bite!

ATL: Teach us about shave ice. How many different flavors are there?

GN: Shave ice is made by finely shaving large blocks of ice into a snow-like texture. We make these specialty blocks of ice right here at Malini Bikini and use authentic shaving equipment to get it just right. Between our traditional and natural fruit juice flavors, we have over 20 flavors that you can top your fluffy, snow-like shave ice with! You can also make it the most traditional Hawaiian way by putting ice cream in the bottom then topping it off with sweetened condensed milk and li-hing-mui [dried plum] powder.

Malini

TOP: HOLLY LEITNER; BOTTOM: ANNE MORRISSY

Some Juice Give t

BY NAT WEXLER | PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

Summertime in the Geneva Lake area offers lots of reasons to celebrate: having friends over for an impromptu dinner party, enjoying a gorgeous, golden-hour sunset on the boat or hosting family for an annual get-together? Maybe you’re celebrating a graduation, Father’s Day or a special occasion like a wedding anniversary? Whatever the cause for the gathering, a mimosa bar is the perfect addition to any brunch, party or event.

The mimosa cocktail was invented by a bartender at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in the 1920s and contained just two ingredients: orange juice and a heavy pour of champagne. Today, especially in America, mimosas might be made with either champagne or Prosecco, an Italian variation of sparkling wine. Some people prefer Prosecco to champagne for mimosas because it tends to have a fruity profile, which pairs well with the juice.

As mimosas have increased in popularity over the years, a bevy of creative combinations have emerged to expand on the original concept. So why not have some fun with it and set up a mimosa bar at your next gathering? Here are a few tips to make the most of it:

Stock up on the champagne or Prosecco. There are several great local shops with a choice selection of sparkling wines, including The Bottle Shop in Lake Geneva, Bruno’s Liquors in Lake Geneva and Walworth Cellars in Walworth. The classic mimosa recipe is one

Celebrate summer with a fabulous mimosa bar

part champagne or Prosecco to one part juice to balance sweetness and acidity, but the ratios can be changed based on preference.

Experiment with different flavors. There is no rule saying that mimosas must be made with orange juice! Try pineapple juice, peach puree, mango pulp or strawberry juice for an unexpected twist on a classic.

Use fresh fruit juice. This really does make a huge difference in flavor! Some local specialty shops like the Green Grocer & Deli in Williams Bay carry fresh juices, or you can make your own using a juicer or food processor.

Add “ice.” Freeze strawberries, raspberries, mango chunks or other fruit slices to put in your mimosa glass. The frozen fruit will act as an

ice cube to keep your drink cold for a longer period of time.

Incorporate pretty glassware. Don’t forget about the power of a great display. Visit Fontana Home in Fontana or Brick & Mortar in Lake Geneva to pick up whimsical carafes for your fruit juice and fun champagne flutes for sipping.

Turn empty champagne or Prosecco bottles into table decor. They make great holders for tapered candles! A few of these on a table along with fresh florals (stop by Pesche’s Greenhouse Floral Shop & Gift Barn in Lake Geneva) makes for an easy and beautiful mimosa bar.

Decorate the space. For an even more festive look, add a table runner, confetti and other small trinkets related to the celebration.

For an extra dose of fun in your mimosa bar, try this trick: Freeze fresh mango, pineapple or strawberry juice in a Popsicle mold ahead of the party. When you’re ready to serve, pour a glass of champagne or Prosecco and then add the frozen treat to the glass! As the Popsicle melts, the mimosa will take on the flavor of the juice.

dining at the lake

The Chicago-Style Cone at Dip in the Bay in Williams Bay

LAKE GENEVA

BARRIQUE BISTRO & WINE BAR

SPECIALTY $ -$$ 835 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1948 barriquewinebar.com

THE BOAT HOUSE

BAR & GRILL

CASUAL $$

2062 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-812-4126 theboathouselakegeneva.com

THE BOTTLE SHOP

WINE BAR $

617 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9463 thebottleshoplakegeneva.com

CHAMPS SPORTS

BAR & GRILL

CASUAL $

747 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-6008 champslakegeneva.com

CLAW’S CHICAGO STYLE

HOT DOGS

CASUAL $

90 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva; 262-732-5112 clawshotdogs.com

COLD STONE CREAMERY

ICE CREAM $ 859 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4900 coldstonecreamery.com

DRAGON CITY

ASIAN $

98 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva; 262-249-8867

EGG HARBOR CAFÉ

AMERICAN $ 827 Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1207 eggharborcafe.com/lake-geneva

FLAT IRON TAP

CASUAL $ -$$

150 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-4064 flatirontaplg.com

FOLEY BROTHER’S PUB

IRISH $ -$$

W3905 State Hwy. 50 (at Hwy. 50 and Chapin Rd.), Lake Geneva; 262-245-6966

GENEVA CHOPHOUSE

STEAKHOUSE $$$

Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/ geneva-chophouse

GENEVA TAPHOUSE

BEER TASTING $

252 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-8099 genevataphouse.com

GINO’S EAST

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$

300 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-2525 ginoseast.com/lake-geneva

Information is subject to change. Please contact individual restaurants for hours of operation. Inclusion in this directory should not be considered an endorsement by At The Lake Visit atthelakemagazine.com to view the full directory.

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THE GRAND CAFÉ

AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$ Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/ grand-cafe

GRANDMA VICKIE’S CAFÉ

DINER $ 522 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-249-0301

GUAC STAR

MEXICAN $ 120 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-203-5084 guacstarlg.com

HILL VALLEY CHEESE

SHOP & BAR

CASUAL $ 510-512 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-684-9542 hillvalleydairy.com

HOGS & KISSES

CASUAL $ 149 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-7447 hogsandkisses.com

Hillary Schave

HOUSE OF BOGINI

CASUAL $

152 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-903-8003

HUNT CLUB STEAKHOUSE AT GENEVA NATIONAL STEAKHOUSE $$$ 555 Hunt Club Ct., Lake Geneva; 262-245-7200 huntclubsteakhouse.com

INSPIRED COFFEE

COFFEE HOUSE $

883 W. Main St., Lake Geneva;  262-683-8604 inspiredcoffee.org

JACKSON’S HOLE

CASUAL $ 1798 Genesee St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1995

JONI’S DINER

DINER $

111 Wells St., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9565 jonisdiner.com

KILWINS CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM SHOP

ICE CREAM/CONFECTIONS $

772 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4400 kilwins.com

LAKE-AIRE RESTAURANT

DINER $

804 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-9913 lakeairelg.com

LAKE CITY SOCIAL

CASUAL $$ 111 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-7047 lakecitysocialwi.com

LAKE GENEVA PIE COMPANY

BAKERY/CAFE $

150 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva; 262-248-5100 lgpie.com

THE LAKE GENEVA STEAKHOUSE AT THE BAKER HOUSE

AMERICAN $$ -$$$ 327 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4700 bakerhouse1885.com/restaurant

LINKS BAR & GRILL

CASUAL $ -$$ Grand Geneva, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/linksbar-grill

LORELEI BITTNER’S BAKERY

BAKERY $

495 Interchange N. (Hwy. 120), Lake Geneva; 262-248-2330 loreleibittnersbakery.com

LUIS’S PIZZA

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$ W3410 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-6810 luisspizza.com

MAGPIE’S DEN & PEN

CASUAL $$

642 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-249-2302 magpieslg.com

MAMA CIMINO’S

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$

131 N. Wells St., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9077 ciminoslakegeneva.com

MASHTUN BREWING BREWERY $

700 Veterans Pkwy., Unit 203, Lake Geneva; 262-999-4677 mashtunbrewing.com

MEDUSA GELATERIA & KOUZINA

CASUAL/ICE CREAM $

272 Broad St., Lake Geneva medusagelato.com

MOOSE + MAPLE NORTHWOODS FAMILY DINING

CASUAL $ -$$

Timber Ridge Lodge at Grand Geneva, State Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva; 262-249-3400 timberridgelodge.com/eat/moose-maple

NEXT DOOR PUB & PIZZERIA

AMERICAN/CASUAL/ITALIAN $

411 Interchange N. (Hwy. 120), Lake Geneva; 262-248-9551 nextdoorpub.com

OAK & OAR

AMERICAN $$ -$$$

N2009 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-5690 genevainn.com

OAKFIRE RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$

831 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-812-8007 oakfire.pizza

OLYMPIC RESTAURANT

DINER $

748 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-6541 olympicrestaurantlakegeneva.com

POPEYE’S

CASUAL $ -$$$

811 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4381 popeyeslkg.com

RISTORANTÉ BRISSAGO

ITALIAN $$ -$$$

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/ ristorante-brissago

SABAI SABAI

ASIAN $$

306 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-4114 sabaisabailakegeneva.com

SIMPLE CAFÉ

AMERICAN/BAKERY $ -$$

525 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-3556 simplelakegeneva.com

SOPRA: AN AMERICAN BISTRO AMERICAN/FRENCH $$ -$$$

724 Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-249-0800 soprabistro.com

SPEEDO’S HARBORSIDE CAFÉ

CASUAL $

100 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-3835

SU-WING’S CHINESE RESTAURANT

ASIAN $ -$$ 743 North St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1178 suwinglg.com

TAIL FEATHERS

CASUAL $ -$$

Hawk’s View Golf Club, W7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9900 hawksviewgolfclub.com/club/tailfeathers

TAQUERIA EL GALLO DE ORO

MEXICAN $ 820 Williams St., Lake Geneva; 262-729-4055 taquerialg.com

TOPSY TURVY BREWERY

BREWERY $ 727 Geneva St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-8323 topsyturvybrewery.com

TUSCAN TAVERN & GRILL

AMERICAN/ITALIAN $ -$$ 430 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-0888 tuscanlg.com

YOGEEZE FROZEN YOGURT FROZEN YOGURT $ 253 Center St., No. 3, Lake Geneva; 262-203-5550 yogeeze.com

ZAAB CORNER BISTRO

STEAK/SEAFOOD/BBQ $$ -$$$ 501 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-203-5434 zaabcornerlg.com

BURLINGTON

BEIJING GARDEN ASIAN $ 464 S. Pine St., Burlington; 262-767-1188

BREW & OLE’S AMERICAN $$ 597 N. Pine St., Burlington; brewandoles.com

THE CHARCOAL GRILL & ROTISSERIE

CASUAL $ 580 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; 262-767-0000 charcoalgrill.com

FLIPPY’S

CASUAL $ 401 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-763-6754 flippysfastfood.com

FRED’S CASUAL $ 596 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-763-8370 freds-burgers.com

LOS COMPADRES

MEXICAN $ 725 N. Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; 262-763-6018 loscompadreswi.com

LUCKY STAR PUB & EATERY DINER $ -$$ 864 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; 262-763-2155 eatatluckystar.com

NAPOLI RESTAURANT AND PIZZERIA

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$ 132 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-763-8390 napoliburlington.com

THE WATERFRONT ON BROWN’S LAKE STEAK/SEAFOOD/AMERICAN $$ 31100 Weiler Rd., Burlington; 262-763-9989 waterfrontbrownslake.com

ZUMPANO’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA

ITALIAN $ -$$ 180 E. Chestnut St., Burlington; 262-767-0581 zumpanospizza.com

DARIEN

COUNTRYSIDE

CASUAL $ W9695 U.S. Hwy. 14, Darien; 262-882-3224

DARIEN ICE CREAM SHOPPE ICE CREAM $ 30 W. Beloit St., Darien; 262-882-5060

WEST WIND DINER DINER $ 620 N. Walworth St., Darien; 262-882-5515

DELAVAN

1878 ON THE LAKE AMERICAN $$ -$$$ Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St. (State Hwy. 50), Delavan; 262-728-7950 lakelawnresort.com/dining/1878-onthe-lake

ARANDAS MEXICAN GRILL MEXICAN $ 322 S. Seventh St., Delavan; 262-725-6518 arandasmexicangrill.com

ARCADIA BAR AND GRILL CASUAL $ 215 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-267-8973

food & drink dining guide

BOXED & BURLAP

COFFEE HOUSE $

2935 State Hwy. 67 (intersection of highways 50 and 67), Delavan and 230 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-374-5497 boxedandburlap.com

CHINA GARDEN

ASIAN $

136 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-749-3111 chinagardendelavanwi.com

CLOCK TOWER PIZZA/FRANK’S

CASUAL/ITALIAN $

5576 State Rd. 50, Delavan; 262-203-5092 clocktowerpizza.com

DELAVAN FAMILY

RESTAURANT

CASUAL $

505 S. Seventh St., Delavan; 262-728-1715

THE DUCK INN

SUPPER CLUB $$ -$$$

N6214 State Hwy. 89 (intersection of County Rd. A and State Hwy. 89), Delavan; 608-883-6988 duckinndelavan.com

ELIZABETH’S CAFE

DINER $

322 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-728-3383

FIRE2FORK

AMERICAN $$ -$$$

2484 S. County Rd. O, Delavan; 262-725-7388 fire2fork.com

GREENIE’S CLUBHOUSE

CASUAL $

At Delbrook Golf Course, 700 S. Second St., Delavan; 262-728-1339 greeniesclubhouse.menu

INN BETWEEN

CASUAL $

1522 Beckman Dr., Delavan; 262-728-9824

ISLE OF CAPRI CAFÉ

COFFEE HOUSE $

Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan; 262-728-7950 lakelawnresort.com/dining/isle-ofcapri-cafe

JAIME’S CAFE

CASUAL $

239 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-749-3107 jaimescafe.net/good-food

JO JO’S PIZZA & PASTA

CASUAL $ -$$

308 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-728-5656 jojospizzadelavan.net

JONATHAN’S ON BRICK STREET

AMERICAN $$ -$$$ 116 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-725-7715 jonathansonbrickstreet.com

LA GUANAJUATO

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

MEXICAN $ 233 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-728-8615

LAKE GENEVA CANNERY

BAKERY $

5576 Hwy. 50, Unit E, Delavan; 262-729-4017 lakegenevacannery.com

THE LOOKOUT BAR & EATERY

CASUAL $

Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan; 262-728-7950 lakelawnresort.com/dining/lookout-bar-eatery

LOPEZ’S ANCHOR IN CASUAL $ 1325 Racine St., Delavan; 262-728-2391

LOS AGAVES RESTAURANT MEXICAN $ 401 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-728-4039 losagavesmexicanfood.com

OL’ WISCO BAR & GRILL

CASUAL $

328 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-725-6000

OPUS AT THE BELFRY HOUSE FRENCH $$$$

3601 State Hwy. 67, Delavan; 262-394-3939 dineopus.com

PEPPERONI PUB

CASUAL/ITALIAN $

627 S. Second St., Delavan; 262-723-2222 pepperonipub.com

RIGA-TONY’S CASUAL/ITALIAN $

5576 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-740-2540 rigatonysdelavan.com

SPICE OF INDIA INDIAN $

212 S. Seventh St., Delavan; 262-728-6443 thespiceofindia.org

SWEET AROMA RISTORANTÉ

ITALIAN $$ -$$$

W7404 County Rd. X, Delavan; 262-728-6878 sweetaromaristorante.com

VESUVIO’S LITTLE ITALY

CASUAL/ITALIAN $

617 E. Washington St., Delavan; 262-740-1762 delavanpizza.com

THE VILLAGE SUPPER CLUB

SUPPER CLUB $$ -$$$

1725 S. Shore Dr., Delavan; 262-456-3400 villagesupperclubdelavan.com

WATERFRONT

CASUAL $

408 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-728-4700 waterfrontdelavan.com

YO-SHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

ASIAN $$

1823 E. Geneva St. (State Hwy. 50), Delavan; 262-740-2223 yoshidelavanwi.com

EAST TROY

2894 ON MAIN COFFEE/CASUAL $ -$$ 2894 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-9600 2894onmain.com

BARLEY’S HOPS & MALT

CASUAL $

N8720 County Rd. N., East Troy; 262-642-7811

DOS AMIGOS 2

MEXICAN $

2678 E. Main St., East Troy; 262-642-6446 dosamigos2llc.com

EAST TROY BREWERY

BREWERY/CASUAL $ -$$ 2905 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-2670 etbrew.com

GENOA PIZZA

CASUAL/ITALIAN $

2678 E. Main St., East Troy; 262-642-9775

GOLDEN DRAGON ASIAN $

2763 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-5518 goldendragonchineseeasttroy.com

GUS’S DRIVE-IN

DINER $

3131 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-3679 gussdrivein.com

J. LAUBER’S ICE CREAM PARLOR ICE CREAM $ 2010 Church St., East Troy; 262-642-3679 jlaubers.com

LD’S BBQ BARBECUE $ -$$ 2511 Main St., East Troy; 414-610-7675 ldsbbq.com

PRINCESS CAFÉ

DINER $ 2695 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-5905

ELKHORN

ALPINE BISTRO AT ALPINE VALLEY RESORT

AMERICAN/CONTEMPORARY $$ -$$$ W2501 County Rd. D, Elkhorn; 262-642-7374 alpinevalleyresort.com

Published quarterly, At The Lake magazine Advertising Sales Manager Deann Hausner can help you grow your business through a variety of print and digital marketing opportunities.

Don’t miss out, reserve your space today.

Head for the most adventurous craft distillery, just over the stateline from Lake Geneva. Live music, craft cocktails, tours and tastings, private events. Come for the good times. Come back for more.

LAKE GENEVA SPICE COMPANY

Whole Bean Coffees • Soup Mixes • Quality Spices • Herbs Artisan Loose Leaf Teas • Extracts • Vanilla Beans • Essential Oils Dessert and Dip Mixes • Specialty Hot Sauces • Premium Cigars

Located in the Heart of Lake Geneva OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 255 Broad St. • 262.248.3025 lakegenevaspicecompany.com

We believe in offering exceptional quality at a great price!

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

We buy in small bulk, so our stock is always FRESH!

ANNIE’S BURGER TOWN

CASUAL $

645 N. Lincoln St., Elkhorn; 262-723-3250 anniesburgertown.com

BAKER MEISTER

BAKERY $ 421 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-379-1463

ELK RESTAURANT

CASUAL $ 13 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn; 262-723-4220

ENZO’S PIZZA

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 464 E. Geneva St., Elkhorn; 262-379-2022

HOLI CANNOLI

ITALIAN $ -$$ N7065 U.S. Hwy. 12, Elkhorn; 262-742-2500 holicannoli.com

LAKEHOUSE BREAKFAST BAR & GRILL

CASUAL $ -$$ N7073 State Hwy. 12/67, Elkhorn; 262-742-3300 lakehousebreakfastbarandgrill.godaddysites.com

LARDUCCI PIZZERIA

ITALIAN $ -$$

20 S. Washington St., Elkhorn; 262-723-6668 larducci.com

LAUDERDALE LANDING

CASUAL $ -$$ W5625 W. Shore Dr., Elkhorn; 262-495-8727

LEFTY’S CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOGS

CASUAL $ N7033 U.S. Hwy. 12, Elkhorn; 262-215-8266 leftyshotdogs.com

LOS TRES HERMANOS

MEXICAN $$ 31 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-379-1658 lostreshermanoswi.com

LUKE’S MARKET STREET

ITALIAN SANDWICHES

CASUAL $ 117 W. Market St., Elkhorn; 262-723-4676

MOY’S RESTAURANT

ASIAN $ 3 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-723-3993 moysrestaurant.com

PASTRIES BY CHAD

BAKERY $ 29 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-279-1187 pastriesbychad.com

PERKUP

COFFEE HOUSE $ 27 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-723-1287 perkupelkhorn.com

PIZZA ALLEY

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 30 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-723-1900

THE PUB AT EVERGREEN GOLF CLUB

CASUAL $ N6246 U.S. Hwy. 12, Elkhorn; 262-723-5722 evergreengolf.com/the-pub

SOMEPLACE ELSE

AMERICAN $ 1 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn; 262-723-3111 someplaceelserestaurant.com

FONTANA

240˚ WEST

AMERICAN/CASUAL/STEAKHOUSE

$$ -$$$

The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-9034

theabbeyresort.com/lake-genevarestaurants/240-west

BAR WEST

SMALL PLATES $ -$$

The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-9034

theabbeyresort.com/lake-genevarestaurants/bar-west

BIG FOOT MARKET

PIZZA/COFFEE $ -$$

W4724 S. Lake Shore Dr., Fontana; 262-394-5888 bigfootmarkets.com

BLUE HEAVEN

ICE CREAM $

105 W. Main St., Fontana; 970-219-8911 blueheavenicecream.com

CAFÉ LATTE

COFFEE HOUSE $

The Abbey Resort & Spa, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-6811

theabbeyresort.com/lake-genevarestaurants/cafe-latte

CHUCK’S LAKESHORE INN

CASUAL $

352 Lake St., Fontana; 262-275-3222 chuckslakeshoreinn.com

COFFEE MILL

COFFEE HOUSE $

441 Mill St., Fontana; 262-275-0040 coffeemillfontana.com

GORDY’S BOAT HOUSE

CASUAL $ -$$

336 Lake Ave., Fontana; 262-275-6800 gordysboats.com

LITTLE BAR

PIZZA $ -$$

138 Fontana Blvd. Fontana; 262-755-0335 littlebarfontana.com

THE WATERFRONT

AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$

The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-9034 theabbeyresort.com/lake-genevarestaurants/the-waterfront

GENOA CITY

FITZGERALD’S GENOA JUNCTION

CASUAL $

727 Main St., Hwy. B, Genoa City; 262-279-5200 fitzgeraldsfishboil.com

LAKE COMO

BEAN & VINE COFFEE BAR

COFFEE HOUSE $ -$$

Lodge Geneva National, W4240 State Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva; 262-249-3800 destinationgn.com/bean-vine

CRAFTED ITALIA

ITALIAN $$ -$$$

Lodge Geneva National, W4240 State Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva; 262-249-3832 craftedlakegeneva.com

DJ’S IN THE DRINK

CASUAL $

W3860 Lake Shore Dr., Lake Como; 262-248-8855 djsinthedrink.com

THE GETAWAY ON LAKE COMO

CASUAL $ -$$ 4190 West End Rd., Lake Geneva; 262-686-3456 thegetawayrestaurant.com

MARS RESORT

STEAKHOUSE/SUPPER CLUB $ -$$

W4098 S. Shore Drive (off State Hwy. 50 on Lake Como), Lake Geneva; 262-245-5689 mars-resort.com

NEXT DOOR PUB LAKESIDE

PIZZA $ W4118 Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-249-6311 nextdoorpublakeside.com

NICHE

COFFEE SHOP/WINE BAR $ -$$ 715 Hunt Club Dr., Unit C, Lake Geneva; 262-581-6800 nichelg.com

PAPA’S BLUE SPRUCE CASUAL $ W4086 Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-729-4126 papasbluespruce.com

TURF. KITCHEN + TAP BARBECUE $$ Geneva National, Lake Geneva; 262-245-7042 destinationgn.com/turf

LYONS

YE OLDE HOTEL BAR & RESTAURANT AMERICAN $ -$$ 6070 N. Railroad St., Lyons; 262-763-2701 yeoldehotel.com

food & drink dining guide

MUKWONAGO

DAVID ALAN ALAN’S SMOKEHOUSE & SALOON

BARBECUE $ -$$ 325 Bayview Rd., Mukwonago; 262-363-3227 daasmokehouse.com

ELEGANT FARMER

SPECIALTY $ 1545 Main St., Mukwonago; 262-363-6770 elegantfarmer.com

FORK IN THE ROAD

AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$ 215 N. Rochester St., Mukwonago; 262-363-7849 forkintheroadrestaurant.com

PELL LAKE

SPOONDOGGERS BAR AND GRILL

CASUAL $

N1320 S. Lake Shore Dr., Genoa City; 262-295-8773

UPPER CRUST PIZZERIA & PUB

CASUAL $

N1070 County Rd. H, Pell Lake; 262-279-2233 uppercrustpizzeriapub.com

SHARON

COFFEE CUP CAFE

DINER $ 192 Baldwin St., Sharon; 262-736-4060

MYRT’S ICE CREAM SHOPPE

ICE CREAM $ 215 Baldwin St., Sharon; 262-736-5060

PAT’S BREW & ‘QUE

BARBECUE $ 124 North St., Sharon; 262-736-5060

WALWORTH

JULIE MICHELLE CAKES

CAKE BAKERY $ 117 Kenosha St., Walworth; 312-800-3101 juliemichellecakes.com

KING DRAGON ASIAN $ 101 Kenosha St., Walworth; 262-275-3309 kingdragonwa.com

MEGGY MOO’S DAIRY RIPPLE

CASUAL/ICE CREAM $ 600 Kenosha St., Walworth; 262-394-5584

SAMMY’S ON THE SQUARE

CASUAL $ 105 Madison St., Walworth; 262-275-3739 sammysonthesquare.com

SIEMER’S CRUISE–IN BAR & GRILL CASUAL $ 107 Kenosha St., Walworth; 262-275-9191 siemerscruisein.com

TWO SISTERS THAI RESTAURANT ASIAN $ 207 N. Main St., Walworth; 262-394-5700

WILLIAMS BAY

BAY COOKS

CASUAL $ 99 N. Walworth Ave., Williams Bay; 262-607-6024 baycooksrestaurant.com

CAFÉ CALAMARI

ITALIAN $$ -$$$ 10 E. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-9665 cafecalamari.com

DADDY MAXWELL’S DINER $ 150 Elkhorn Rd., Williams Bay

DIP IN THE BAY

ICE CREAM $ 105 N. Walworth Ave., Williams Bay; 262-607-3032 dipinthebay.com

FROSTY MOOSE

ICE CREAM $ 35 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-2445 thefrostymoose.com

GREEN GROCER

CAFE $ 24 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-9077 greengrocerwb.com

HARPOON WILLIE’S PUB & EATERY

CASUAL $ 8 E. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-6906 harpoonwillies.com

LUCKE’S CANTINA

MEXICAN $ 220 Elkhorn Rd., Williams Bay; 262-245-6666 luckescantina.com

PIER 290

AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$ 1 Liechty Dr., Williams Bay; 262-245-2100 pier290.com

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”

— Frances Hodgson Burnett

photo by holly leitner

Geneva Cabinet Company Remodel Designer: Krista Benton, CKBD, CAPS Photographer: S Wolf Photography