MAY 2020

Vol . 32 No. 5

COMPLIMENTARY COPY • Since 19 89

MAY 2020

Boating SEASON BECKONS

IT’S TIME TO GRILL MAKE YOUR BOAT SPARKLE SWEETS FROM THE FARMHOUSE

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Free Wine Delivery in Walworth County - 2 bottle minimum order (Only wine deliveries at this time)

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May is the month for Mother Nature to display her colorful side as flowers of all types put their best foliage forward – perhaps as a reward for surviving yet another Wisconsin winter.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Relax and take a hike.............................4 Grill like you mean it..............................5 Farmhouse bakery makes a sweet life....11 Biking opportunities abound in area......16 The babes of boat detailing...................17 History in the heritage garden...............25 Advertiser’s index................................31

The water is calling For boat owners, there’s nothing like the first outing of the season when fresh air and a bit of spray over the bow reminds you of all you love about a day on the water. And as we look forward to the start of the 2020 boating season here’s a look back to last fall when boat lovers converged on the Abbey Marina in Fontana for the annual Geneva Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show. Among the stars of the show was this fully restored 1936 Greavette 23-foot Dictator dubbed Miss Muskoka.

PHOTO BY ED NADOLSKI Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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The

Spirit IS A PUBLICATION OF

GENERAL MANAGER

Sue Z. Lange EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ed Nadolski ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Vicki Vanderwerff CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Heidi Schulz SALES

Pete Hansen Tamera Hamilton SPECIAL SECTIONS

Karen Dubinsky DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Tom Flatow

The Spirit of Geneva Lakes is a complimentary publication, distributed from I-94 through west Kenosha County, to and including the Geneva Lakes area in Walworth County, Richmond Illinois, plus Burlington and Waterford in Racine County.

Send all correspondence to:

The

Spirit

SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS 1102 Ann Street Delavan, WI 53115

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SpiritofGenevaLakes.com

262.728.3411

Parks offer respite for homebound residents With people throughout the Geneva Lakes Area – and the country, for that matter – spending most of their time inside amid coronavirus stay-at-home orders, any chance to responsibly enjoy time outdoors is embraced.

That became a bit more difficult last month when the area’s state parks were shuttered by Gov. Tony Evers after they became too popular in the period of social distancing.

While the local state parks are no longer an option, Walworth County has several parks that are perfect for hiking, picnicking or just kicking back to read a book in the sunshine.

As of late April those parks remained open to the public.

Here’s a look at some of the local options for outdoor recreation:

NATURELAND PARK W8338 Territorial Rd.,Whitewater

Park hours: sunrise to one hour after sunset Park features: 122 acres that contain four hiking trails, which provide an opportunity to observe the beautiful Kettle Moraine terrain. Springs and wetlands support a variety of vegetation, displaying the ecological diversity found in the park.

Park amenities: picnicking; walking trails; Kettle Moraine terrain; shelter and log cabin available to rent.

PRICE PARK N6421 Hodunk Rd., Elkhorn

Park hours: sunrise to one hour after sunset Park features: dog park; picnicking; grasslands and wildflowers; wetland communities; walking trails

WHITE RIVER PARK 6503 Sheridan Springs Rd., Lake Geneva

Park hours: sunrise to one hour after sunset

Park description: It is the county’s largest park with nearly 200 acres and two miles of frontage along the White River.

Park features: canoe/kayak launch; cross country skiing; snowshoeing; fishing; picnicking; seasonal hunting and trapping (by permit only); walking trails; shelter

WHITE RIVER STATE TRAIL Description: A 12-mile crushed limestone trail that follows a former railroad bed and connects the City of Elkhorn to Burlington, also passing through the historic villages of Lyons and Springfield in the process. An annual trail pass is required and available at kiosks at several trail entry points.

There are five places within Walworth County where you may park and access the White River State Trail: • City of Elkhorn 700 Highway H Elkhorn • County Road NN Located near the intersection of Highway NN and Hunt Ridge Dr., Elkhorn

SENO WOODLAND EDUCATION CENTER Seno is five miles south of Burlington and seven miles east and north of Lake Geneva on Highway P. It is 1.5 miles north of Highway 50.

Seno is open to the public daily from dawn until dusk. There is no admission and membership is not required.

Hike the trails with your friends and family. Bring your camera, your binoculars or your sketch pad. There are beautiful vistas and gorgeous trees. Take in the prairies when they are in full bloom.

Dogs on leashes are welcome.

The area’s recreational trails, including the White River Trail in Walworth County, offer great opportunities to get outdoors an responsibly enjoy nature during this period of social distancing.

ED NADOLSKI Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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• Town of Springfield Highway 120, just north of Highway 36 Springfield • Town of Lyons Just south of Highway 36 in the Town of Lyons Lyons • Spring Valley Road Just south of Highway 11 on Spring Valley Road, Burlington

MAY 2020

like you mean it The right equipment and the right meats make for outdoor bliss

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

hile there are some people who grill year-round, for many bringing out the grill and placing those first burgers and bratwursts of the season on it, is a rite of spring.

The savory aroma of meats cooking on the grill is a reminder that spring is here.

It is a time when we move outdoors to enjoy the beauty and warmth of the season.

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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For years people were content to have a plain charcoal grill to meet their grilling needs. Today there are a variety of grills that offer the ability to cook far more than hamburgers and brats for family and friends.

So perhaps before settling in for another year using the same old grill and limiting your grilling to basic items, it may be time to at least look into the newer grills which offer a variety of methods of cooking.

According to staff at Lyle’s TV and Appliances in Elkhorn, to get the best results in outdoor grilling, consider upgrading your grill to one that allows a variety of cooking methods. Many of these grills offer the ability to grill, roast, smoke, bake, and sear and turn your outdoor cooking from basic to gourmet.

“Our most popular grill today is the Big Green Egg. This grill takes its name from the fact that it does appear to be a Big Green Egg,” said Jared Hembrock of Lyle’s Appliances.

Kamado-style cooking The Big Green Egg is a unique way to cook outdoors.

It uses the Kamado style of heating and cooking. The egg is a highly efficient blend of the Kamado tradition, modern technology, and unmatched quality. The ceramic cooking chamber retains heat and keeps food moist. They recommend that only their 100% natural lump charcoal, made from wood be used for the best cooking results.

The Big Green Egg is expensive but it is a grill that will last a lifetime. It comes with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic lining and will not rust. Purchasing a Big Green Egg is an investment much like purchasing an oven for inside your home. The Big Green Egg will become a year-round oven as you learn all the ways to use it.

The temperature on the egg can be controlled and the ceramic lining of the cooking chamber maintains the temperature, making it usable even for baking where a consistent temperature is needed for best results. Using a stone called the convEGGtor, the Big Green Egg can cook pizza, casseroles, and bake bread, cobblers, and pies.

Another versatile option “Traeger is also a popular line of grills that looks more like a traditional style grill than the Big Green Egg,” Hembrock said. “It, too, offers many options to make your cooking on the grill easier and more flavorful. They recommend using their hardwood pellets to give the food a delicious wood-fired flavor. The Traeger can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, or barbecue and maintains a precise temperature which you set to allow your food to be perfectly cooked.”

Their wood pellets are created from premium hardwoods for optimal wood-fired flavor, according to their manufacturer. They offer a variety of hardwoods including mesquite, cherry, pecan, and apple woods and others.

No matter what type of grill you own, caring for it properly will give the longest lifetime of use. Covers are important when the grill is not in use to protect from dirt, grime and the elements.

If you are looking to purchase a new grill, Lyle’s TV and Appliance has a variety of grills on display. They will gladly work with you to help you find the grill that meets your cooking needs and your budget.

FROM TOP: Bratwurst on the grill is a Wisconsin tradition that offers unrivaled flavor. Wilson Farm Meats in Elkhorn offers 15 different varieties of brats. New York strip steaks or other fine cuts of meat are enhanced by the searing heat and smoke flavor that are delivered by a barbecue grill. Pairing the high-quality meat with the right grill makes for a special dining experience.

STOCK PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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MAY 2020

The meat matters

COURTESY OF LYLE’S TV AND APPLIANCE Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Whether it is with a new grill or your current grill, providing interesting and tasty meals for family and friends requires the right grill and the right food. Traditionally most people think of meats, especially chicken, burgers, brats and steaks.

But don’t forget the other cuts of meats such as roasts, ribs, and hams when making a trip to the butcher to purchase quality meats for grilling. For a selection of quality hand-cut meats a visit to Wilson Farm Meats in Elkhorn is always rewarded. Their top quality meats are all freshly cut.

When should the grill be used for cooking?

Nancy Bassett, director of marketing for Wilson’s Meats believes most people underuse their grills.

“They use them in the summer when even in the cold winters of the Midwest they can be used all year and they don’t have to be limited to just cooking hamburgers, brats, and chicken,” she said.

For quick meals Bassett recommends a gas grill.

“I use a Weber gas grill especially in the winter because it heats up quickly. Since I use my grills year round I have several. They have become my ovens.”

She recommends when purchasing a grill to start with a good quality grill even if it is not the most expensive one of the line. They may cost more but they make cooking more complex meals simpler and you will be more inclined to continue to improve your grilling skills, she added.

Breakfast on the grill?

FROM TOP: A popular brand of grills is Traeger, which makes traditional-style grills with a variety of features suited to different styles of cooking; Although grills are traditionally associated with meat, they are also great for vegetables and impart a smoky taste that brings out the sweeter side of most vegetables.

Cooking breakfast on the grill is a treat that most people do not consider.

“When cooking bacon don’t put it directly on the grill for the grease dripping down will cause flaming. Use a sheet pan,” Bassett said. A disposable pan is also a good choice for bacon as it is easier to dispose of the grease by just discarding the pan and the grease.

Eggs can be cooked in a cast iron pan on the grill. Use smaller cast iron pans and prepare made-to-order skillets for all your family members as you treat them to breakfast from the grill.

Grills like the Big Green Egg or the Traeger, which has temperature controls, can also be used to bake bread. “Place a baking stone on the grill and heat to 400-450 degrees.

Place the bread dough directly on the stone for 20-30 minutes for a nice fresh fragrant loaf of your favorite bread,” Bassett said.

Wilson Farm Meats makes about 15 different types of brats so there is always something new to try. Be adventurous. Try a type of brat that you haven’t tried before and surprise your family and guests with a new and different flavor.

Bob Schmaling, manager of Wilson Farm Meats, recommends that when you are choosing meats for the grill pick meats with good marbling.

“The marbling adds to the flavor and tenderness.”

All of Wilson’s meats are graded USDA choice or better – including many of Wilson’s awardwinning pork products for the grill.

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Methods vary per meat When cooking meats such as burgers, steaks, pork chops, or chicken use the direct heat method of grilling. That is the meat is placed directly over the heat source so that it sears the meat before it finishes cooking through, keeping the meat moist.

“One mistake many grillers make is overcooking their meats, especially pork,” Schmaling said.

“Even pork can be eaten while still pink in the center as long as the internal temperature is 145 degrees.”

For other cuts of meats, including hams and roasts, the method to use is indirect heat cooking. The coals are placed along the sides and the meat is placed in the center without coals beneath it. This prevents the meat from burning on the outside before the inside cooks. Indirect cooking is also the way to cook ribs, another of the favorite grill meats.

Wilson’s has a lot of grilling experience. For the last few years, the store offers an outdoor luncheon on their property from Thursday through the weekend. Staff members serve a number of smoked or grilled meats each week. They hope to be able to do so again this summer.

Wilson’s will pair its outdoor barbecue with an indoor restaurant, the Whistle Stop, that will offer different foods such as rotisserie chicken, and menu items that aren’t smoked on the grill.

While they had initially planned on opening in May the actual date will be dependent on when restrictions related to the coronavirus are lifted, according to Bassett.

Rounding out the meal Meat is not the only food routinely cooked on the grill. Fish can be prepared and grilled on the grate as long as one remembers to oil the fish and place it skin-side down – or wrap it in foil, placing seasonings inside the foil package.

Don’t forget the vegetables. No need to prepare them inside when

FROM TOP: The Big Green Egg is a highend ceramic cooker that uses a special natural lump charcoal for a better flavor of cooked items; The Big Green Egg comes in a variety of sizes to suit your cooking needs.

One of the hallmarks of the ceramic grill brand is the ability to control temperatures.

COURTESY OF LYLE’S TV AND APPLIANCE Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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they can be prepared on the grill with little effort. Grilling brings out the vegetable’s natural sweetness.

Becoming a gourmet cook on the grill is easy once you master the basics. Visit the websites for the various grill manufacturers for some good recipes to start with. There are so many sources online, including the usual places for recipes such as Allrecipes and The Food Network.

A search for cooking on the grill will bring up a plethora of recipe ideas from simple to complicated.

YouTube also presents step-by-step cooking instructions to help you master your grill.

Grilling offers a full sensory experience and makes every day a party for your family. And when the weather cools, you may be reluctant to go back to cooking inside.

Lyle’s TV and Appliance is at 17 S. Washington St., Elkhorn. Call 262-723-3477 or visit them online at lylestv.com Wilson Farm Meats is at 406 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn. Call 262723-2919 or visit them online at wilsonfarmmeats.com or email wfm@ elknet.net.

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Farmhouse bakery best of both worlds for farm gal

by Heather Ruenz

W

STAFF WRITER

hat we consider “sweet” varies from person to person. But for one local gal, figuring out a way to combine her two passions – farming and baking – she may have found the sweetest deal of all.

Jessica Clapper, 36, and her longtime boyfriend, Eric Benhart, have a farm outside of Elkhorn, Benhart Farms, where they raise livestock for show animals and the production of high quality meat.

“We raise beef cows, pigs, chickens, goats and sheep for meat, which we sell at farmers markets throughout southern Wisconsin and off our farm in Elkhorn.

Animals can be purchased in a variety of cuts or by the whole and half animal,” Clapper said.

She said they also raise and sell show pigs for youth of surrounding counties to be exhibited at fairs as 4-H/FFA projects.

“We have litters of pigs each year in January to March, midsummer and again at the end of the year. It’s the most fun to have new, soft little piglets around the farm,” Clapper said.

Jessica Clapper found a way to combine her two loves – farming and baking ­— with her home bakery, Farmhouse Sweets.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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Mixing it up The farm is Clapper’s main job, but she said she always has enjoyed baking and cooking. In February, she brought her passion for baking into the mix and opened Farmhouse Sweets, which she operates out of her kitchen on the farm.

“I gravitate toward baking as I like the science behind the ingredients. All of them work in conjunction with one another, and being specific and precise is important,” she explained.

She said it was the ideal solution because it allows her to stay busy yet she can set her own hours. Clapper follows the Wisconsin cottage laws, which helps ensure that all baked goods are baked in clean, properly disinfected spaces.

Currently, Farmhouse Sweets is limited to decorated cookies in the following flavors: traditional sugar cookie, strawberry lemonade, chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, chocolate, lemon lime, orange and funfetti.

But Clapper does have some other sweet ideas.

“Right now, it’s only cookies, however, in the works are mini cupcakes, cake pops and macaroons,” she said.

A personal touch Clapper said part of the fun is the designs for the cookies, some of which she creates on her own while others come from pictures, requests or other forms of outside inspiration.

“I love doing custom designs for businesses or special events. I can use company logos, monograms and other similar type images on the products I make,” Clapper said.

And, she said, a baker can never have too many cookie cutters.

“There are so many options that it’s hard not to want them all. I am always thinking that you can never have too many… I might think differently when I run out of space,” Clapper said.

Even when she doesn’t currently have any cookie orders to work on, she said she still enjoys spending time in the kitchen, baking and decorating in preparation for the next holiday or just working on her techniques.

FROM TOP: In addition to cookies that are finished, Farmhouse Sweets occasionally offers do-it-yourself options for kids and families to color.

Not only does Jessica Clapper feature do-ityourself coloring options for customers but also kits that include frosting and toppings along with the cookies.

Endless options There is a minimum order requirement of a dozen cookies, except when Clapper has specials available.

“For an event or holiday, I may be doing special packages. Sometimes there are single cookies or a cookie decorating box with six cookies, icing and sprinkles for a do-it-yourself kit,” Clapper said.

When she’s preparing to make holiday cookie sets, she said she posts an order-by

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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“

Our farm and livestock are my number one love, and baking is a very close second... My happy place is always the farm, and I don’t see myself being anywhere else.

date on the Farmhouse Sweets Facebook page.

There is no order too big, but for larger orders, more lead time is required. And for personal custom orders, Clapper said contacting her 10 to 14 days in advance is recommended.

“This allows me to prepare the order and make sure I have all the necessary cutters, decorations and ingredients needed,” she said.

Clapper said orders can be picked up at the farm or delivered to local homes or businesses, which she’ll do for free within 10 miles; anything beyond that is a $4 delivery charge.

Being compliant with the current social distancing recommendations is important, so Clapper has a pick-up area that meets the safety guidelines.

Prices begin at $24 for a dozen cookies and then vary based on flavor, decoration and design options.

”

Support from many In March, Friends on the Square in Elkhorn began selling Farmhouse Sweets cookies. That’s on hold for now due to coronavirus, but Clapper said she looks forward to creating fun designs and special cookie packages for Friends down the road.

But those aren’t the only “friends” who have stepped up to support Clapper in her new business venture.

“My family and friends have been beyond supportive. Some are my best customers, and they are always willing to help taste test new flavors,” she said.

She said her supporters also make generous offers to help when

there are deliveries to make or when she needs ingredients or tools to create a special custom cookie.

Clapper said business has been great, much busier than she had expected – and she really enjoys being able to create a schedule that can be flexible with farm work.

“Our farm and livestock are my number one love, and baking is a very close second,” she said.

With Farmhouse Sweets, Clapper has found a way to do both.

“Farming livestock and show animals keeps me active and always on my toes. Baking allows me to calm and center myself while challenging my creative side through a much different avenue compared to farming,” she explained.

“My happy place is always the farm, and I don’t see myself being anywhere else.”

For more information, call 262-729-6183, follow Farmhouse Sweets on Facebook or email farmhousesweets@outlook.com.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Jessica made these cookies for a medical office recently. She said one of the things she most enjoys about her bakery, Farmhouse Sweets, is creating or finding special designs; Creating cookies with custom logos, such as she did for the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual recognition dinner, is one of Jessica’s specialties.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

15

The world looks better on a bike

Perhaps the best way to leave behind the lingering effects of the coronavirus shutdown is to hop upon a bike and pedal until those days cooped up at home are a distant memory.

With some of the best bike trails in the state and plenty of little-traveled rustic and rural roads, the Southern Lakes area provides the perfect landscape for your pedaling pleasure.

May is National Biking Month, and this year – more that ever – that’s cause to celebrate from the saddle of your favorite road, trail or hybrid bicycle.

Here’s a brief look at some of the local opportunities:

∆ WHITE RIVER STATE TRAIL A 12-mile crushed limestone trail, it

follows a former railroad bed and connects the City of Elkhorn to Burlington, also passing through the historic villages of Lyons and Springfield in the process.

The western end of trail is at Highway H south of the Interstate 43 and US Highway 12 interchange in Elkhorn. The Burlington trailhead is on Spring Valley Road about a mile south of Highway 36.

∆ SEVEN WATERS TRAIL

Another trail of this kind, the Seven Waters Trail, took several shorter trails and consolidated them under one name once they formed a continuous route. This trail runs from Riverside Park in Burlington up through Waterford, the Town of Norway, into Wind Lake and further on into Muskego.

∆ MOUNTAIN BIKE MECCA

Riders seeking mountain biking opportunities, also have an extensive system of trails available to them in our area of the state. The John Muir trail system connecting the John Muir trail with the Emma Carlin trail is one of the region’s top mountain biking destinations. Both located in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest in Walworth County.

∆ THE OPEN ROAD

With so many trail-riding options in our immediate area, many cyclists still enjoy riding on the road. The many outstanding rustic roads and scenic routes in our area lend themselves well to this endeavor.

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‘Babes’

MEET THE

OF

Boat Detailing Local women join forces to create Barnacle Babes Sandra service Landen Machaj by

Nothing says summer CORRESPONDENT more than the return of boats to the waters of area lakes. Each spring as the days get warmer, more boats appear on the water with boat owners and their families close behind to enjoy their time on the lake.

Unfortunately boat maintenance takes up a good part of the recreational time many people

have to enjoy the time on their boats.

When longtime friends Emily Zugay and Erika Price were looking at possible business ideas, they knew they wanted to do something that would keep them outside preferably along the waterfront where they could enjoy the best of the summer while they would provide a worthwhile service.

Having grown up in southeastern Wisconsin, the young women said the waterfront was an important part of their lives. However, as they watched the boat owners spend hours cleaning their boats prior to taking them out on the water, the idea for their business was created.

“We would take over the job of detailing the boats so that the boat owner, instead of spending hours cleaning their boats, could spend the time on the water enjoying their boat,” Zugay said.

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

Erika Price (left) and Emily Zugay, owners of Barnacle Babes Boat Detailing, planned to open their business on May 1. They offer a variety of detailing services to boat owners.

COURTESY OF BARNACLE BABES Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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“

One of the hardest decisions was coming up with a name for the business. We wanted something that was catchy and would be remembered by customers. And we wanted something that was both unique and would describe exactly what services we offered.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

”

“One of the hardest decisions was coming up with a name for the business,” she said. “We wanted something that was catchy and would be remembered by customers.

And we wanted something that was both unique and would describe exactly what services we offered.”

While they spent most of last year trying to find just the right name, it was Price’s mother who finally came up with the name Barnacle Babes Boat Detailing last fall. They believe the name perfectly describes both them and their business. The idea for boat detailing came from Price who had worked in a boat business prior to branching off to start her own business with Emily.

“Detailing boats is hard work, work we look forward to doing,” Price said. “We spent time researching what exactly needs to be done to prepare the boats to be clean and sparkly. We researched products that are the safest to use on the boats.”

“Basically we offer three levels of service,” said Zugay.

Those levels provide a variety of ways to keep the boat looking its best and prevent it from deteriorating from exposure to the elements, especially the hot sun.

DEEP CLEAN The first is the Deep Clean, which is usually done when the boat is coming out of storage. This is a service that many boat owners prefer to hire out than to tackle on their own.

“We need to go through all the boat’s compartments and thoroughly clean them from the engines to the seats, floors and all spots in between,” said Zugay.

Sometimes she said they find items that have been misplaced by the boat owners, such as sunglasses, ear pods or other personal items and after a long winter in storage may find spiders and other small critters that have made the boat their winter home.

“Owners are always glad to get their personal belongings

The Barnacle Babes offers services that free boat owners from the time-consuming task of detailing their own boats, which gives the owner more time to be on the water.

COURTESY OF BARNACLE BABES Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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RIGA-TONY’S DELICATEZZI ITALIANO • 5576 C State Rd. 50, Delavan (in the Dairy Queen Plaza). 262-740-2540. www. rigatonysdelavan.com. Call for our hours. L, D$ MARS RESORT • W 4098 S. Shore Dr., Lake Geneva. 262-245-5689. A classic Wisconsin Supper Club on the shores of Lake Como.

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back and to realize they have not lost them. And they are delighted to have the boat cleared of all uninvited guests,” said Zugay.

Deep cleaning includes both interior and exterior services. Starting with the interior, they will clean all vinyl cushions and the interior surfaces of the boat. Then they will vacuum all carpets and compartments. Interior glass will be cleaned until it is spotless. Mold and mildew whether on cushions or boat surfaces will be removed.

They will follow up with UV protectant vinyl shine on all cushions. And finally, they will wash and scrub all floor surfaces and wipe down all the fiberglass on the interior.

They will also clean and vacuum the inside of the Bimini top.

TLC FOR THE EXTERIOR Once the interior is complete, they will move to the exterior of the boat. They will begin by washing and drying the exterior of the boat or at least all that is accessible. If the boat has a swimming deck, it will be scrubbed down. All live wells and exterior compartments will be cleaned along with all exterior glass. UV protectant will be applied to keep color from fading. Even the engine will be cleaned and shined. Finally they will clean and vacuum the Bimini top.

Cleaning the boat after storage is a big job and requires hard work, work the Barnacle Babes are willing to provide.

REGULAR TOUCH-UPS The second level of service is the weekly or bi-weekly touch up. This service is to clean up the boat so that it looks its best, removing the regular dirt and grime that

accumulates. “Much like a weekly cleaning for your home,” Price said.

They wash the entire inside of the boat paying special attention to the seats. Many of the boats have upholstery that is vinyl and needs to be cleaned regularly and protected from the UV rays that tend to dry it out and fade it.

The services provided for the weekly or bi-weekly cleaning are customizable to suit the boat owner’s desires.

Services include both interior and exterior cleaning.

Starting with the inside, they will vacuum the entire interior of the boat. All vinyl cushions will be cleaned along with all vinyl surfaces. Interior glass will be cleaned and all fiberglass surfaces will be wiped down.

On the exterior of the boat they will, as with the deep clean, wash and dry the boat exterior as far as it is accessible. They will apply the UV protectant wax to prevent fading of color and as with the interior will clean all glass.

DON’T FORGET THE TRAILER The third level of service is not focused on the boat but on the boat’s trailer for those who transport their watercraft to the lake on weekends or on vacations. Trailers are notorious for picking up all kinds of road grime.

The Barnacle Babes Detailing will take on the work of cleaning the entire trailer including the tires to remove any mud or other debris that accumulates.

To do this they will begin by washing and drying the entire trailer. They will apply UV protectant wax to the trailer as they did to the boat itself. The tires will be washed and shined for a clean look.

ABOVE: The Barnacle Babes may be a new business, but both of the owners, Erica Price and Emily Zugay, have been trained in the finer details of maintaining a boat’s appearance.

COURTESY OF BARNACLE BABES Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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“We are very competitive with our pricing,” Zugay said. “The costs vary by type of service and size of boat.

We have a very solid work ethic and are sure customers will be pleased with the results of their cleaning.”

One of the advantages of having Barnacle Babes do your detailing is that you do not have to bring the boat to them. They go to the boat and you don’t have to be there while they complete their tasks.

The women use an appointment system, so boat owners know when they will be arriving to begin work.

Owners may stay or take care of any other business while they are cleaning the boat.

When you take friends out on the boat you will be proud of the way it looks, just like it arrived from the dealer when first purchased.

Price and Zugay have similar backgrounds. They attended the same high school although Price was a senior when Zugay was starting as a freshman.

They both have worked for Disney World in Florida although again at different times and in different jobs.

Zugay worked with character representations while Price served as a lifeguard on Blizzard Beach. Each of them was in Florida for about 6 to 8 months per year.

STRONG WORK ETHIC Both women said working at Disney really reinforced their work ethic.

They also have each worked at Lake Lawn Resort on the golf course although again at different times. And Price has also worked for a local boat company. They have both been trained in boat detailing.

Price is enrolled in flight school at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha.

“Flight work is a family tradition,” she said. “I will be the third generation pilot in my family when I finish.” Her mother was a pilot for United Airlines, her father was a pilot while he was in the military.

Her grandfather was also a pilot while her grandmother served as a flight attendant. “My parents actually met at Gateway while attending the same program I am currently

enrolled in,” Price added.

Perhaps one day you may run across her as you board your flight as she announces her presence at the controls to the passengers.

The Barnacle Babes Detailing serves its customers from April 1 through Oct. 30. This year because of the COVID-19 virus they will not be detailing boats until May 1 at the earliest. Prospective customers may call or email to make an appointment for detailing.

Operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

For more information, visit Barnacle Babes at www. barnaclebabesboats.com, call them at 262-325-7988 or email them at barnaclebabesboats@gmail.

FROM TOP: Pontoon boats often have a lot of seats, which are vulnerable to the elements. Detailing services offered by the Barnacle Babes are designed to clean and protect all interior and exterior surfaces; A lone boat makes its approach to the dock in Fontana early in the boating season. As the season progresses, more boats will be on the water, many requiring detailing services.

COURTESY OF BARNACLE BABES Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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InBloom HERITAGE GARDEN LOVINGLY CULTIVATED FOR ALL TO ENJOY

by Maureen Vander Sanden CORRESPONDENT

MAUREEN VANDER SANDEN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

lants at Heritage Flower Farm were slowly waking from their winter slumber in early April, and grower Betty Adelman was eager to greet them as they peeked out from the grounds of her historic countryside estate in the Town of Waterford.

Last month, she roamed around her gardens with soiled hands and dirty knees pointing out the first plants to pop up – rhubarb, meadow buttercups, snowdrops, pussy willows and the viola tricolor, to name a few. She conscientiously identifies each by its common name even though botanical names register first.

“That one dates to ancient Greece,” she said, pointing to the purple viola that seeded itself between two pathway bricks leading up to her autumn garden. Anyone who says this tiny, vibrant plant looks like a pansy, will quickly get a lesson from the FROM TOP: Heritage Flower Farm in the Town of Waterford has several specialty gardens, including this Mound Garden; Self-described “compulsive gardener” Betty Adelman shows off the rich soil on her farm which, in part, inspired her to turn her historic Caldwell Settlement into a flower farm.

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Digging deeper: A LOOK AT AN AMERICAN GARDEN

Heirloom plants from Betty Adelman’s award-winning nursery are sought after by botanists throughout the county and beyond. Her plants have spread to highly-regarded gardens like Canada’s Royal Botanic Garden and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. The Smithsonian Gardens see more than 30 million visitors a year and are noted as an integral part of the Smithsonian’s research, display, and educational programs.

One featured garden, installed in 2017, grows dozens of heritage plants is Common Ground: Our American Garden.

Common Ground shares the stories of plants and their importance to people in this country. The colorful landscape features flowers, herbs, and other plants selected for their importance to Americans as ways of honoring memory, providing healing, promoting discovery, and inspiring ingenuity.

self-described “compulsive gardener.”

“Actually, the pansy looks like the viola,” she clarifies, explaining that the pansy is a hybrid of the earlier flower.

First-time visitors to her gardens will be met not just with the beauty and fragrance of her gardens, but also with some rich history.

Adelman, a retired municipal attorney, prides herself in growing heritage plants from seed. Also known as “heirloom” plants, these are found or grown in gardens more than 50 years ago. They have lived through history and connect people with the past, culturally, socially and environmentally.

Adelman’s gardens are nestled in the rolling countryside of the old settlement known as Caldwell, surrounding her 1881 Federal-style farmhouse, a neighboring white-steeple Methodist Church, and charming one-room schoolhouse converted into a home.

Growing historically significant flowers is fitting in her little corner of earth – and the dirt, “it’s just fabulous,” she said.

Adelman’s interest in heirlooms began three decades ago, when then-93-yearold widow Anne Patterson placed the future flower farm property for sale.

“She took me around and told me all about her plants, which was something a Realtor would likely not have been able to do,” she said. “Fern-leaved bleeding hearts under the Bur oaks, a patch of pink lily-of-the-valley, purple-bearded iris and her lemon lilies. That’s really what got me interested in old flowering plants and we continue to grow Anne’s plants today.”

What started with a few plants original to the property, literally grew to nearly 1,000 species spread across seven acres – most of them original, and all with an interesting story to tell.

Some plants are prehistoric, some from ancient Greece and Rome, others from the Middle Ages or pre-colonial, and many from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. “(Heirloom plants) are either just plain old, or have cultural and ethnic

Memory

Native communities and newcomers have shared plants and adapted them for their own personal use. Many plants native to the Americas have been used for food and fiber and honored as elements of cultural heritage. People brought plants as heirlooms to evoke memories and to continue traditions.

Many of the plants in this garden are grown to remember heritage. They may come from a country of origin or grow natively in America. They may provide flavor or fragrance to remind a gardener of family and home. Some heirloom plant varieties were developed in other countries, while others developed locally over time as they were selectively passed down by seed and shared within families, communities and regions.

continued on page 29

Heritage Flower Farm gardener Betsy Novak cleans up the soil around the roots of a plant that “overwintered,” readying it for the growing season.

MAUREEN VANDER SANDEN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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LAUDERDALE LAKES | $549,000 Lakefront home on Lauderdale Lakes w/ 60’ frontage features high-end finishes throughout. This 3BR/3BA turn-key ranch includes open main floor w/wood floors, kitchen w/granite tops and custom cabinets, island w/breakfast bar and dinette area, living room w/sliding door to screened porch w/water views and access to large deck, Master BR with full BA, 2nd BR w/slider to deck, main floor bath w/ whirlpool tub and river rock tile. LL family room walks out to cement patio through sliding door, and features wood burning fireplace, slate floors, wet bar, and full bath. Two car attached garage w/ one half finished as game room. Easy access off Hwy 12/67 and within walking distance to Lauderdale Golf Course, minutes to Kettle Moraine State Trails.

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Healing

Many plants have a history of providing comfort, restoration, and inspiration. Different communities found medicinal purposes for plants and passed down this knowledge from generation to generation.

People sought answers for common ailments, spiritual needs, and general health. As communities met on American soil, they shared this knowledge. Healing the spirit through beauty and reflection, people have used ornamental plants to enhance homes, parks, public spaces, cemeteries, and places of significance. Other plants have been used to heal the land itself.

Many of the plants in this garden are grown for traditional or modern medicinal qualities. In America, entire landscapes, parks and gardens have been cultivated to promote the health of people, especially as a respite to those in urban areas. New medicinal uses for plants and benefits of green spaces continue to be found today.

Discovery

significance that make them unique,” she explained.

One of the grower’s favorite anecdotal stories to tell in her garden is about the Rattlesnake Master, a native plant to Wisconsin that the Potawatomi used for good-luck gambling.

“They would pick the seed head, a thistle, and put it in their pockets. And today, of course, they own the casino,” she said.

At one time, heirlooms were used as a source for food and medicine, although Adelman clarified she does not recommend using them for this purpose.

Spreading the joy from her garden

Though she describes her plants as “tough survivors,” each is given TLC from the ground to the transplant and transport phase. Each plant goes to a new garden with details of its history and a description of proper care.

All her plants are grown in the ground, said Adelman, “as nature intended. Gardens are hand weeded and fed with carefully-tilled compost.

She and her four employees have been busy gently waking hundreds of “overwinter plants” and readying them for spring, scraping away moss and other debris that grew into the soil over winter, then teasing the roots a bit before placing them back into fresh soil.

“Very few don’t make it (over the winter). They are tried and true to Wisconsin,” said Betsy Novak, one of Heritage’s gardeners.

Novak, an experienced green thumb, is working her second season in the heirloom

ABOVE: Betty Adelman has been growing heirloom plants for more than three decades, and opened her Heritage Flower Farm, 33725 Highway L, Mukwonago, in 1998.

Many cultures contributed to America’s landscape. Each brought insights as people shared new and unfamiliar plants and their uses.

Explorers, botanists, horticulturists, and home gardeners continue to introduce new plants to American gardens.

Many of the plants in this garden have been discovered, collected or documented by Americans here at home or abroad, often as part of expeditions.

New discoveries continue to be made in horticulture and plant science as cuttingedge techniques are discovered for plant breeding and propagation.

Ingenuity

Clever gardeners use plants to overcome obstacles and find solutions to allow desired plants to thrive.

Whether spurred on by a lack of resources or an abundance of opportunity, many minds have come together to create networks and industries to serve the public.

Experimentation, invention, and a free economy provides a variety of opportunities to use plants today.

Many of the plants in this garden illustrate efforts by Americans to use unusual plants in unexpected ways to make a product for personal use or for sale. Some of these plant uses have grown to industrial proportions. Some remain a fascinating thread in the fabric of the American garden story.

Source: Gardens.si.edu.

MAUREEN VANDER SANDEN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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Advertiser’s index

Abbey Springs...........................................................26 Allied Senior Services.........................................18 Always Remember That...................................16 Apple Barn Orchard and Winery.................2 Aronson Fence Co..................................................14 B&J Tree & Landscaping..................................10 Barnacle Babes........................................................20 Best Bargains...............................................................22 Breezy Hill Nursery................................................14 Bruno’s Liquors..........................................................18 Burtness Chevrolet Buick GMC................30 Delavan Lake Boat Shed.................................24 Doheny’s Water Warehouse........................28 East Troy Brewery...................................................22 Foley’s Irish Woods...............................................30 Ginger Blossom........................................................28 Hawk’s View Golf Club......................................24 High Prairie Landscape Supply.................20 gardens and said she has learned much since joining the Heritage team.

“I love working here and being outdoors and among the flowers, and helping people select plants for their gardens,” she said, pruning away at the plants. “It’s really neat caring for plants that have such a rich history.”

And flowers at Heritage Flower Farm are also notable for being unique and are therefore sought after by many botanical gardeners, most notably the Smithsonian and Canada’s Royal Botanical Garden.

Some species, namely Astilbe chinensis, Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Golden Glow,’ Iris florentina and Helenium hoopsii are hard to find, so botanists look to Heritage gardens to help fill their plots with these unique plants.

Growing gardens with such sentiment makes the labor of love that much more rewarding for Adelman.

“It’s an opportunity to discover some of nature’s forgotten wonders, honor their place in history, and pass them on to other gardens and other garden friends,” she said.

Visit the farm Once social distancing guidelines are lifted, the gardens will be open through Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sundays, or by appointment.

During scheduled times, visitors are welcome to walk through the gardens or fields of perennials. Free guided tours are available to groups of five or more with a reservation.

Email bettya@ heritageflowerfarm for more information.

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ABOVE: Fall is vibrant at Heritage Flower Farm, when Betty Adelman’s autumn garden is in full bloom.

Ye Olde Hotel.............................................................20

SUBMITTED PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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FINE ART

PHOTOGRAPHY LIMITED EDITION RELEASE

Frame Back Detail

Frame Front Detail

Water Safety Patrol | Boat 6 | “Miss Joan” Limited to 100 prints, in recognition of the Lake Geneva Water Patrol founding in 1920 Photographer: Robert O’Neill Media: Photography on Canvas

About the Subject About the Artist This image was taken during ominous weather conditions on Lake Geneva, on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd, 2019. It was during the Lake Geneva Water Safety Patrol’s “Final Lap” of the season — a local annual tradition. The featured Patrol Boat — #6, Miss Joan — is a 32' Belzona powered by twin Mercury 300HP Verado outboard engines.

Robert O’Neill was born in Oak Park, Illinois and currently resides in Lake Geneva, WI. His interest in photography began in grade school and is still a passion today. Past images have been used by top New York advertising agencies and are included in the team archives of the Chicago Bears.

About the Artwork

GALLERY RETAIL PRICE: $745 • SPECIAL EDITION SALE PRICE •

This is a Limited-Edition series of only 100 artworks. Each canvas is printed as a Giclee fine art print, made on an HP printer with excellent definition. The canvas prints are then hand-stretched and wrapped around a wooden frame. The canvas artwork is mounted to the inside of a large, select solid Walnut hardwood 42" x 32" floater frame, providing extra space and a 3-dimensional feel around the canvas. Each includes a wire rear hanger and padded corners for added protection. Each edition is signed verso and is hand numbered.

NOW ONLY $495 to order

CONTACT BOB O’NEILL

(312) 388-9070 talismanarts44@gmail.com Offer expires June 15, 2020 371411

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