SPIRIT 2 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020

vol. 4 no. 3

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

complimentary copy

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The

Spirit IS A PUBLICATION OF

GENERAL MANAGER

Sue Z. Lange EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ed Nadolski

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

EDITOR

Tracy Ouellette

outdoor activities Children who spend a lot of time outdoors benefit from exposure to nature in myriad ways, some of which may surprise even the most devoted outdoorsmen.

According to a 2006 study published in the journal Human Dimensions of Wildlife, fifth graders who attended school at a local prairie wetlands where lessons in science, math and writing were integrated in an experimental way had significantly stronger reading and writing skills than their peers who attended more traditional schools.

Another study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that holding a class outdoors one day a week significantly improved the daily cortisol patterns of students, reducing their risk of stress and improving their ability to adapt to stress.

Parents who want their children to reap the rewards of being exposed to the great outdoors can encourage educators to incorporate nature into school curriculums and also embrace these family-friendly outdoor activities.

Nature treasure hunt

A treasure hunt in nature can keep kids engaged on family hiking excursions and provide an excellent opportunity for parents to teach children about the assortment of plants, birds and wildlife that live in the parks and along the trails near their home.

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Vicki Vanderwerff CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Outdoor art class

Heidi Schulz

Families don’t even need to leave their properties to spend quality time together outside. Fall is a great time to host an outdoor art session thanks to the assortment of vibrant colors that have become synonymous with autumn landscapes.

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Bonfire

Outdoor activities need not be limited to daylight hours. A post-dinner backyard bonfire can entice everyone outside, where families can tell scary stories as they make s’mores.

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Stargaze

Tom Flatow

Stargazing is another way families can spend time outdoors and learn a few things at the same time. Some blankets, a thermos of hot cocoa and a chart of constellations can provide the perfect complement to a sky full of bright stars. If visibility is compromised in the backyard, find a local spot where everyone can get a clear view of the night sky.

The Spirit of The Lakes is a complimentary publication, distributed throughout the Chain O’ Lakes and Kenosha County area. Keeping up with the same great tradition as the Spirit of Geneva Lakes.

Send all correspondence to:

Fruit picking

The

Apple picking is a popular autumn activity, but families need not wait for the autumn harvest to enjoy a day picking fruit or vegetables at a nearby farm. Visit a local farm (see Page 4) during its harvest season, teaching children about how the foods they love are grown and eventually make it to the family dinner table.

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Apple picking is just one of the autumn activities families can enjoy. Star gazing, hikes through the woods and biking are all things families can do even while the weather cools.

STOCK PHOTO Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

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Area orchards Apple picking and pumpkin hunting is underway at local orchards and farms.

With the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, we advise you check times and availability before heading out.

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The Richardson Adventure Farm is known for the World’s Largest Corn Maze. They also have a zip line and other fun family activities like hay rides and pumpkin picking.

For a complete description of activities, hours and price of tickets, visit www.richardsonadventurefarm.com.

Stade’s Farm and Market has freshly grown fruits and offers agricultural-centered activities for the whole family. The farm includes more than 30 different activities with a general admission ticket.

The farm also has a petting zoo, traditional festival rides including a 1926 antique carousel will bring smiles to children’s and some adult faces. Vendors are available onsite with food items.

For more information, visit www. stadesfarmandmarket.com or find the farm on Facebook.

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September • October 2020

Monarchs SAVING THE

Garden Club provides way stations for butterflies

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

The Antioch Garden Club from the time of its inception in 1995 has provided a variety of services to the village of Antioch while focusing on adding to the beauty of the community.

The club has also been involved in a number of philanthropic activities including

donating to the library and to the village to provide new trees where needed. They have also provided grants to schools for mini programs or projects, encouraging young people to enjoy gardening and horticulture.

However, it’s their work with planting and maintaining the five beautiful floral gardens in downtown Antioch that is most noticeable. Each year they engage in a variety of fundraisers to support their many activities.

“The annual plant sale in spring is our largest fund raiser,” said Barb Galawitzer, acting president of the club. “This year we were unable to hold the plant sale because of the COVID-19 pandemic which has also affected our work on our gardens in the village.”

The club oversees five gardens in the downtown Antioch region. The largest and most noticeable is the Mini Park on Main Street next to J.J. Blinkers. As members

were sheltering in place, there were less volunteers to help tend the gardens. That coupled with the extremely hot and humid weather also contributed to less volunteers able to work in the gardens.

Galawitzer said the gardens have not been as beautifully tended as they usually are, but the club hopes that with a decrease in the virus and better weather that they will soon be restored to their former beauty.

Monarch Initiative About three years ago, the club began another important project, the Monarch Initiative.

“We were aided by the donation of a $2,000 grant from the Lions Club,” said Galawitzer. “This donation provided way

ABOVE: This beautiful monarch butterfly alights on a zinnia in the way station. With its wings extended it appears to be a female as it does not have the spot on the hind wing and the smaller veins of the male of the species.

CHONG LI – ANTIOCH GARDEN CLUB Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

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stations with plants that support the monarch butterflies.”

The Monarch butterfly is considered the most beautiful of all the butterflies with its wings outlined in black with white spots interspersed while the interior of the wings glow with orange and yellow with additional black veining. The beautiful butterflies were adopted as the official insect of the State of Illinois in 1975.

Throughout the summer and fall the gorgeous butterflies are often seen fluttering on flowers as they enjoy the warm days.

As the cooler weather of fall approaches, the Monarchs begin to ready themselves to begin the long trip away from the incoming cold weather to the warm climates of Mexico, Central or South America to survive.

For many years, the monarchs have been found in decreasing numbers but over the last few years, with help from various organizations and individuals there has been an attempt to help save the monarchs.

The Antioch Garden Club is one of those organizations that has been actively supporting the effort to save the monarchs.

The decreasing numbers of monarchs, is believed to be due, in part to the increased development of open lands into homes and business, the use of pesticides on fields and lawns and the removal of milkweed plants which many fastidious homeowners consider an unsightly weed.

The milkweed plant is needed for butterflies to reproduce, for it is here, on the leaves of the milkweed plant, that they lay their eggs.

The monarch has an interesting life cycle with four generations occurring each year. In addition to four generations, the emerging butterfly also undergoes four stages, from egg to small caterpillar (pupa), to chrysalis, to butterfly completing the process of metamorphosis.

In early March and April, the butterflies that were hatched here the previous fall return to the northern climes and begin the process of depositing their eggs on the leaves of a milkweed plant for the birth of the next generation.

After four or five days, the egg will hatch into a small caterpillar known as the pupa and will voraciously eat the milkweed leaves until it reaches its maximum growth.

It will also produce a silk strand with which it will attach itself to a stem as it moves into the third stage of metamorphosis.

Once attached by the silk strand, the pupa turns into the hard-surfaced white chrysalis where inside the parts of the caterpillar are turned into the beautiful butterfly. Once the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, it will expand its wings to

allow them to dry. When they are ready they will fly to a tree branch or to a flowerbed as they make their way into the world.

To determine if the butterfly is a male or female, look at the hind wings. The male will have a black dot on the hindwing while the female will not. The male will also have slightly thinner wing veins, those black lines weaving through the orange wing.

These butterflies have a life expectancy of only two to six weeks. They will then mate and deposit eggs on the milkweed plant for the next generation of monarchs before dying off. The second generation will hatch in May or June, going through the same process as the previous one and these butterflies will also have a life

expectancy of only two to six weeks. In July and August, the third generation begins to appear who will also have this limited life span.

It is the fourth generation that has a very different life span. While it goes through the same four stages before becoming a butterfly, it does not have the limited life expectancy of the other three generations.

The fall generation will live from six to eight months, make the long trip down to the warmer regions where they will hibernate for many months.

To hibernate they gather in thousands on the bark of a tree in a forest in Mexico or Central or South America.

Then, when it is early spring here, the monarchs come out of hibernation, find a

ABOVE: An adult monarch butterfly lands on a zinnia in the way station.

The blooming flowers offer nectar to the butterflies for nourishment.

HOLLY SWEHLA – ANTIOCH GARDEN CLUB Spirit of the Lakes

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September • October 2020

HOLLY SWEHLA – ANTIOCH GARDEN CLUB Spirit of the Lakes

CHONG LI – ANTIOCH GARDEN CLUB Spirit of the Lakes

CHONG LI – ANTIOCH GARDEN CLUB Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

mate and begin the long journey north to again lay their eggs on the leaves of the milkweed. It is estimated that the butterflies fly up to 35 miles per day.

To encourage the growth of the monarch the Antioch Garden Club first started a way station at the Antioch Township Center. A way station is a garden that contains the plants that encourage the butterflies to visit.

The monarch initiative of the Antioch Garden Club, under the direction of Holly Swehla, has increased the increased the number of way stations. These stations provide the resources necessary for the production of the successive generations of monarchs while in the north. The flowers of the way station attract the butterflies as they feast on the flowers’ nectar to sustain them on their journey to the overwintering spaces.

“We began with one way station for the monarchs at the Antioch Township Center but due to constructions, portions needed to be relocated,” Swehla said. “The plants were moved to the Tim Osmond Sports Park located on Depot Street. The monarch pollinators are planted along the disc golf course making it friendly to monarchs and beautifying the course.”

Monarch way stations can easily be incorporated into home landscaping. Joyce Kufalk, a member of the garden club has added one at her home. It is one of the five way stations supported by the garden club.

The other way stations are located at Pederson Park on Highway 59, one within the Mini Park on Main Street in downtown Antioch, and a pollinator packet at the United Methodist Church on Main Street.

“This year because of the lack of fundraisers, we remain especially grateful to the Lions club which continues to make a generous donation to the Monarch Initiative each year,” added Swehla.

According to Swehla the milkweed plants include both the common milkweed that is often seen growing in open fields.

The second variety which Swehla describes as “not as ugly” is called the swamp milkweed. It produces a pink flower. The third variety is the orange butterfly weed. It grows closer to the ground and is known for its beautiful orange flowers that attract the

FROM TOP: A fully planted way station contains a variety of plants to attract the butterflies to lay their eggs on the milkweed and a variety of flowers to attract butterflies, bees, and birds especially hummingbirds; The second stage of the butterfly’s development is the caterpillar. These yellow, black and white striped caterpillars spend their days eating the milkweed leaves as they grow and ready to enter the third stage, the chrysalis; The chrysalis on the left is an early formation as the caterpillar is surrounded by the hard-white surface. ON the right is a chrysalis that has formed a butterfly who will soon be flying out.

In the center is an empty chrysalis which will usually be eaten by birds.

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butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

As we spend more time at home these days, it is always interesting to find new projects for both the adults and children of the family. Watching the development of the stages of the butterfly close at hand is both an interesting and educational project. To do so, start by cutting a few stalks of the milkweed with the small white eggs on the leaf.

Prepare a large glass or plastic clear jar with a small layer of water on the bottom for moisture. Add the stalks of milkweed and cover the jar with breathable material such as netting or screening or add slits into the jar top to allow for air to enter.

The whole family will enjoy watching the transition from simple egg to beautiful butterfly. A wonderful biology lesson for the whole family. When the butterfly does emerge, take the jar out of doors near a flowerbed and watch while it spreads its wings and finds its way to a new home.

To encourage the butterfly population, plant some milkweed in your garden and encourage friends and neighbors to do the same. Take

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the seeds from a plant in the fall or contact one of the local garden clubs for seeds. Many of them offer them for free or a donation to help you start helping to save the Monarchs.

For more information about butterflies, go to the Antioch Garden Club website www.antiochgardenclub.org and view the beautiful videos created by member Chong Li. Or visit Facebook/ Antioch Garden Club.

ABOVE: The butterfly weed shown here is the prettiest of the three types of milkweed. It grows close to the ground and produces the beautiful orange flowers. The taller plant behind the butterfly weed is the common milkweed, often removed by homeowners. AT LEFT: The flowers found in the way stations not only encourage the monarchs to gather but also birds and, as seen here, bees.

HOLLY SWEHLA – ANTIOCH GARDEN CLUB Spirit of the Lakes

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SUMMER Where have you gone?

Autumn arrives on the Chain O’Lakes

humid to the cool and crisp temperatures of fall.

Mother nature is letting us know that days of outdoor fun and especially time on the water are quickly coming to an end.

by Sandra Landen Machaj Although they are fast approaching, we CORRESPONDENT are not yet at those final days. Boats of all Summertime where have you gone? It kinds are still seen out on the water both seems that it was just yesterday that the during the week and in increased numbers trees were beginning to bud and flowers on the weekend as everyone tries to get were sprouting out of the ground. Just as it as much pleasure time out on the water as seems it was just yesterday that we shed our possible, before it is time to put the boats to heavy winter coats and began to enjoy the bed for the winter. warmth of summer.

Getting the boats out onto the water this Now looking outside we begin to see the year, as it has been for the last several years leaves that seemed to have just turned green was later than usual. Heavy spring rains beginning to take on the glow of fall. Red, raising the level of the lakes, slowed the yellow and orange fill the landscape and ability of the piers to be reinstalled, a must the temperature has gone from the hot and before the boats can return to their owners

and to the water from winter storage.

Even when the boats had been returned to the water, the high-water levels prevented open boating on the lakes.

According to the director of the Fox Waterway, Joe Keller, the Chain of Lakes and the Fox River which had about 28,000 boats to the chain each year prior to 2008 have now seen lower numbers.

“In the last few years, with so many changes the numbers have dropped to about 22,000 boats on the chain,” shared Joe Keller. According to Keller, even that number of boats on the chain means heavy traffic and a need to protect the waterway.

“During times of high water as we have experienced the past several years, there is a need to restrict some water activities to protect the waterway and to preserve its

ABOVE: Waving to those along the shore, this family enjoys a day of family fun enjoying time on the water on the Chain O’Lakes this summer. While summer is wrapping up, there’s still time to get in some fall boating before storing the boat for winter.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

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banks,” added Keller.

This year, as was prevalent the past few years, the heavy rains raised the level of the lakes. To protect the shores from flooding, restrictions were placed on waterway usage by the boats. They included a time of no boating, and then boating with no wake allowed, and finally a return to open boating.

Along with restrictions because of high water, there were limitations on numbers of people allowed to gather in the boats due to the pandemic In not allowing the boats to produce high speeds it also eliminated some of the pleasures of boating, such as water skiing and tubing. Without the boat being able to open its engines to pull the water skier or tube rider the fun of flying across the waves is not experienced.

Summertime is a time when we look forward to all the out of doors activities.

From swimming and boating there are also birthdays, graduations, family reunions and just plain picnics, which bring family and friends together to enjoy the best of summertime.

This year was a difficult time for we not only endured the high water but also the need for self-isolation due to the pandemic. After spending long periods of time isolated, every one was ready to take to the water and to enjoy summer barbecues and boat rides.

But large gatherings of families and friends were not to become a reality this year. We did

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have some improvement in the pandemic numbers, and limited family members were allowed to gather in the boat, while they enjoyed time together on the water.

For most of July and August boats were plentiful on the Chain and on the Fox River as families isolated from many usual summer activities such as summer camps, sports, and the ability to travel. Their activity of choice became taking to the water.

For those homes with swimming pools or living close to the water where beaches were open, swimming became another activity of choice especially during those 90 degrees plus temperature days of July.

The sounds of laughter and the splashing of water could be heard as children and adults whiled away the warm summer days.

According to Amazon.com portable swimming pools from small children’s wading pools to above ground backyard pools were sold out early as families looked for a way to get their children outside after several months of home confinement. In ground pools were also a big seller but for many, the decision to install one in their yard came too late as the pool builders were booked solid through the fall.

The Chain O’Lakes remains the largest inland waterway in the state and as such attracts visitors looking to enjoy a day or weekend on the lakes. Many bring their own boats but for those not fortunate enough to own a boat, they may be rented locally.

According to Amber Bowler of Your Boat Club on the Chain O’Lakes, this year has seen a high rise in rentals of all types of boats.

“Many summer weekends, renters can arrive and rent a boat for the weekend without a prior reservation. Not so this year.

Most of our boats are reserved by mid-week for the weekend,” Bowler said.

As we move into the cooler weather, it is time to make plans to put the boats to bed.

For the non-motorized boats such as the kayaks, rowboats, wind sails and Stand Up Paddle boards, preparing them for winter is an easy task.

When you are through using them for the season, give them a good cleaning, remove any debris, and store them away until next spring when one will again bring them out, clean off the winter dust and be ready to head for the lake. Most owners of these types of boats tend to store them in the garage, or storage sheds or in the cases of the smaller kayaks, wind sails and SUP boards in the basement of their homes.

The power boats, just like your automobile requires maintenance throughout the boating season and before

storing it for winter. While some boat owners prefer to do the maintenance themselves, preparing the boat for winter is a big job one that is often left to the professionals at the marina.

Before servicing the boat, begin by removing all any loose items or materials which could become damaged by freezing temperatures. These include, water toys and life jackets which will mildew if moisture

seeps into the boat.

“The outside of the boat also needs to be cleaned of any debris that has attached itself to the boat over the summer,” said Bill Wehr Jr., former owner of Bald Knob Marina, on Pistakee lake in Johnsburg. It has now been renamed the Boathouse of Chicago by new owners.

Depending on the type of boat the bottom will need to be power washed or

FROM TOP: In the forefront a smaller boat heads into shore while in the background two large speedboats pass by; This black pontoon takes a ride down the Fox River enjoying this fine fall day.

OPPOSITE: Enjoying one of last summer days on the water, a windsurfer navigates the waters on the Chain O’Lakes.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

11

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FROM TOP: Speeding along the waterway on this hot sunny day, the mist from the waves cool those in the boat; A busy day on the Chain O’Lakes means a wait to refuel as boats line up. Once refueled, the boats return to the lakes to enjoy more time on the water.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of the Lakes

SPIRIT of THE LAKES

acid washed to be certain that nothing especially algae adheres to the boat.

Once the outside of the boat has been prepared for winter, the crew moves to the engine to prepare it to withstand the cold weather. Additives are placed in the gas line, while a nontoxic antifreeze is run through the engine to protect it from corrosion. Then the oil is changed and the battery is disconnected.

Boats are stored either out of doors or inside a storage facility. That choice determines the final step. According to Hustler Sports who only provides outside storage, boats need to be shrink wrapped if they are going to be kept outside. Shrink wrapping is a process that seals the boat from the out door elements.

The largest indoor storage on the Chain is The Boathouse. With massive buildings. They are able to stack the boats up three levels. They are placed on and removed from the stacks by the use of a special forklift.

This special indoor storage is also used by some boat owners during the summer months if they prefer not to leave them in the water between uses.

It requires a little advance notice to bring the boat in and out of storage during the boating season.

While there is no exact date of when to put the boat into storage or to take it out, most boats begin to go into storage around the middle of October and remain there through the middle of May. Weather conditions are responsible for the final decision of when to remove the boat from the water. It is not recommended that a boat remain in the water if the temperature remains below freezing for several days.

While putting the boat to bed for the winter may be with some sadness, it is also a time to think about how one will enjoy the lakes during the next season of the year when we move on to winter activities while we wait patiently for spring to arrive again.

Before taking the boat to the marina to be put to bed for the winter, take one last trip down the Chain O’Lakes and along the Fox River and savor the beauty of life on the water.

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Wine ... NEED WE SAY MORE?

Area wineries, shops offer a wide variety of inviting choices Wine and autumn go together like, well, crisp cool nights and warm, sunny days. And many times that pairing is accompanied by comforting thoughts of hearty breads and savory cheeses – perhaps in front a fireplace with a special someone.

When it comes to wine, a multitude of options exist in the Geneva Lakes area for the wine connoisseur.

In addition to the wide variety of fruit wines found at the Apple Barn, you can tour the vineyard and production facilities at Staller Estates Winery or sample perry – a hard cider made from pears – which is available at ÆppelTreow Winery and Distillery outside Burlington.

Here’s a closer look at the area’s wineries:

Apple Barn Orchard and Winery The Apple Barn, in Elkhorn, has been a favorite of customers for many years. Six generations of the Jacobson family have made their home on this land and continue the family tradition of farming the land and caring for their fruit orchards.

“The original family members arrived in this area from Oslo, Norway, in 1846,” the Apple Barn’s Judy Jacobson said. “Along with other members of the Norwegian community who settled here, they helped build the local church – still standing just down the road – and built a cheese factory. While involved in these community activities, they also began the hard work of turning this land into a productive farm.”

Judy Jacobson and her husband, Steve, are the current generation of the family to successfully farm the land and operate the Apple Barn retail store.

They were successful and with each generation increased both the crops grown and the variety of apple trees in their

orchards. The apple orchards matured and produced top quality apples. They have continued to be a full-time farm, planting more than 400 acres of field corn, soybeans and other crops in addition to the variety of fruit trees in the orchards.

Around 2004, the Jacobson’s introduced a new product that has become one of their most popular.

“In the 1990s, my husband, Steve, began experimenting with wine making after he received a home wine-making kit from his mother as a gift,” Judy Jacobson said.

“As he experimented with making wines,

Apple Barn wines have received awards from the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the finest fruit wine (2017) and their pear wine was recognized as the Grand Champion at the County Fair a few years ago; The Apple Barn produces about 13 wines on a yearly basis with those made from it’s own apples and strawberries among the favorites.

FILE PHOTOS Spirit of the Lakes

14

September • October 2020

he turned from making grape wines to experimenting with other fruit wines. As he became more interested in the various types of wine that he produced, we considered making a few wines to sell on site at the Apple Barn.”

After a long process, they received approval from the State of Wisconsin and began to produce fruit wines on site. What began as a hobby, then moved on to a small addition to the business. It didn’t stop there as the Apple Barn is now producing 13 varieties of wine.

The wines are made from fruits, but not traditional grapes. Instead they use a variety of fresh fruits such as strawberries, apples, rhubarb, pears, and cranberries. While most people assume that these fruit wines would all be sweet, they are not “Our wines range from dry to sweet,” Jacobson said. “Most of the wines are in the semi-sweet range. We do not add any enhancements or coloring to our wines, so the color and flavor comes from the fruit used The Apple Barn is at W6384 Sugar Creek Rd., Elkhorn. Call 262-728-3266 or visit www.applebarnorchardandwinery.com for additional information.

Staller said she gets grapes from a number of locations, including on-site, and struggles against the upper Midwest’s short growing season. Vintners get a growing season of about 12 weeks for grapes in this climate.

Staller produces more than a dozen varieties of wine and port using those grapes, and relishes every step.

“I enjoy everything,” Staller said. “It doesn’t matter whether we’re picking grapes, bottling wines – I enjoy every aspect of it.”

Staller Estate is at W8896 Highway A, Delavan. For more information call 608883-2100 or visit stallerestate.com

ÆppelTreow Winery and Distillery “ÆppelTreow” is Old English, and is a play on words for “true to the apple” or “apple truth,” according to owner Charles McGonegal. The name is pronounced “Apple true.” ÆppelTreow is Wisconsin’s only winery and distillery. It is well known for producing which is pear cider produced in the Staller Estate Winery perry, English tradition.

Wendy Staller, co-owner of Staller Estate “I do very clean fermentations, and I have learned how to manage the pears,” Winery, jokes that her job affords her the McGonegal said. “We’re one of the few opportunity to drink at work. orchards in the country that grow old English She set out to be a pharmacist when perry pears.” she went into the sciences – she double The pears are specifically to be used for majored in biology and chemistry at the producing perry, and offer properties and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – but flavors that can’t be faked by using other her career choice evolved. The dynamic pears. nature of grapes keeps Staller interested in McGonegal said he imagined wine. ÆppelTreow as a fruit winery, but the “It’s always going to be different,” facility produces cider, perry and spirits.

Staller said. “The wine is always going to change. You’re never going to get the same “I think that Wisconsin can grow a better growing season, there’s always going to be apple than it can a better grape,” McGonegal said. “I admire the folks growing their a variety in how your wines are going to own grapes, but I find through personal taste.” experience they make very good brandy.” ÆppelTreow is at 1072 288th Ave., Burlington, and is a 25-minute drive from downtown Lake Geneva. ÆppelTreow is on FROM TOP: Visitors to Aeppel Treow Winery have a chance to visit the tasting room to the web at aeppeltreow.com. sample the wines, hard cider, brandy and In addition to the local wineries, there whiskey produced there: Staller Estate Winery are several shops that offer extensive wine near Delavan produces several varieties of wine selections. These include: using grapes from its own vineyards.

The Bottle Shop Wine can be enjoyed outside year-round at The Bottle Shop, 617 W. Main St., Lake Geneva. The airy patio defines the shop – and it is a shop and not a store, according to owner Elizabeth Tumas.

“I worked for a wine distributor for about 10 years, and watched a lot of stores and restaurants be successful,” Tumas said.

“I knew that someday I wanted my own business, but I didn’t really know what.

“The opportunity presented itself – the former owner was a customer of mine – and he invited me to buy his store.”

Tumas said she loves the building and location, and admits there isn’t enough space for all the wine she wants to carry.

She knows wine through and through, and offers it in the forms and quantities people want.

“I’ve watched a lot of people be successful and not successful in my years of being in business,” Tumas said. “The average consumer doesn’t want to be geeked-out – they just want to enjoy the experience, (which is) why is why I chose the form of the shop I do today.”

The Bottle Shop features a wine bar, offers regular wine tasting events and periodic live entertainment.

For additional information, call 262348-9463 or visit thebottleshoplakegeneva. com.

Bruno’s Liquors Looking for top-rated wines?

Known by residents and visitors alike as the largest liquor store in Lake Geneva, Bruno’s has the variety and inventory to satisfy most tastes.

This full-service, independent liquor store has come a long way since it’s beginning.

Today it’s wine selection has few rivals in the area. The store is still owned by the Sharkus family, with Jim Sharkus, son of Bruno, now running the business.

Looking for a moderately priced wine to enjoy? Whether white or red, sweet or dry, there is sure to be one to suit your palate and your price range.

Celebrating a special event such as an anniversary, birthday, or a dinner with someone special? Perhaps a higher end bottle of wine is the right choice. If help is needed, ask one of the knowledgeable employees. A complete line of champagnes is also available.

A walk through the fine wine selections is like a walk through the wineries of the world as bottles of fine wines from around the globe can be found on the shelves. From brands such as Opus, Rothschild, Caymus that are displayed on the shelves, a new favorite may be chosen.

Bruno’s Liquors is at 524 Broad St., Lake Geneva. For questions call (262) 248-6407 or visit www.brunosliquors.com.

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