February 2023 Spirit

CELEBRATE ROMANCE Wedding season

VISIT

Sugar Creek Mutual Insurance Company

Elkhorn 262-723-3244

Banco Insurance Agency

Palmyra 262-495-2118

Whitewater 262-473-7334

Breck Ward

Policyholders who work with a mutual insurance company have a shared purpose: getting the best coverage and protection available. And mutual insurance delivers because mutuals serve policyholders, not shareholders. Our decisions are always based on what’s best for you. Plus local agents offer customized solutions for all your insurance needs. Find out how mutual insurance can work for you.

Elkhorn 262-215-5633

Policyholders who work with a mutual insurance company have a shared purpose: getting the best coverage and protection available. And mutual insurance delivers because mutuals serve policyholders, not shareholders. Our decisions are always

Policyholders who work with a mutual insurance company have a shared purpose: getting the best coverage and protection available. And mutual insurance delivers because mutuals serve policyholders, not shareholders. Our decisions are always based on what’s best for you. Plus local agents offer customized solutions for all your insurance needs. Find out how mutual insurance can work for you.

Policyholders who work with a mutual insurance company have a shared purpose: getting the best coverage and protection available. And mutual insurance delivers because mutuals serve policyholders, not shareholders. Our decisions are always

Patricia Lauderdale

Elkhorn 262-742-3818

Policyholders

Policyholders who work with a mutual insurance company have a shared purpose: getting the best coverage and protection available. And mutual insurance delivers

“Ichoosemutualinsurance becauseiknowwe’re inthistogether.”

“Ichoosemutualinsurance becauseiknowwe’re inthistogether.”

who work with a mutual insurance company have a shared purpose:

“Ichoosemutualinsurance becauseiknowwe’re inthistogether.”

“Ichoosemutualinsurance becauseiknowwe’re inthistogether.”

Member of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

IT’S COMIN’ UP FEBRUARY EVENTS

Editor’s note: With uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic and its potential to disrupt events throughout the area, readers are advised to call ahead to verify dates and times.

1-5 Winterfest: VISIT Lake Geneva

and the City of Lake Geneva are proud to present the 28th Annual Winterfest, featuring the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship Feb. 1-5.

As the only national snow sculpting championship in the United States, Winterfest welcomes the most talented and award-winning sculpting teams from across the country. Be here to witness 15 state-champion teams at work during an epic three-day competition where their artistry is put to the test in creating remarkable, larger-than-life snow sculptures.

The snow sculpting competition begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday and continues through 1 p.m. Saturday at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park along the beautiful shore of Geneva Lake. It’s free to attend and view, and sculptures will remain on display through Sunday (and until they melt).

10 Chair Yoga, Chakras and Chocolate: Ease into the weekend on Friday morning at 9:30 am with a forty-five-minute special Chair Yoga session to focus on the body’s various energy centers known as Chakras, and will close with a small gift of chocolate. This class is a gentle form of yoga that’s done utilizing a chair for support and balance making the practice more accessible. Poses are held for a longer duration to open, lengthen, elongate the body, and connect to the breath.

Registration is required: email ewardpac@lglibrary.org.

13 Monday Movies with Black Point Estate: Enjoy a critically acclaimed film at the public library every second Monday from November to April. Each film session will include an introduction by Dave Desimone of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Desimone will lead a group discussion following each film. Here is the schedule: Howard’s End, Feb. 13; The Great Dictator; March 13; The Battle of Algiers,

April 10. Movies all begin at 2 p.m. at the Lake Geneva Public Library, 918 W. Main Street.

Ongoing events

East Troy Electric Railroad – 202 Church St., East Troy. Take a 14-mile train ride on the only remaining electric interurban tracks in Wisconsin. Historic museum and carefully maintained rail cars from 90 to 100 years ago. Stops at the Elegant Farmer. 15 miles north of Lake Geneva on Highway 120. Several trains depart each day on weekends from the East Troy Depot.

Tristan Crist Magic Theater – 609 W. Main St., Lake Geneva. One of a kind performer that wows audiences with with, jaw-dropping illusions and gutwrenching escapes! For show dates and times call 262-248-0505 or visit www. lakegenevamagic.com.

Dancing Horses Show – at The Dancing Horses Theatre, 5065 Highway 50, Delavan. This dazzling spectacle features an array of horse breeds that perform alongside their trainers in this cavalcade of equestrian artistry. Visually stunning, and performed in a state-of-the-art, 300-seat theatre. For show dates, ticket prices and additional information call (262) 728-8200, or visit thedancinghorses.com

Abominable Snow Race – Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures, N3232 County Road H, Lake Geneva. The Abominable Snow Race is a winter obstacle race set in the trails and hills at Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures. Fun for the whole family, our five-mile course with 20 winter-themed obstacles challenges you to connect with your inner Yeti.

The calendar of events is compiled from a variety of sources including area chambers of commerce and the Walworth County Visitors Bureau, and contains events available as of press time.

Events, dates and times may change or events may be canceled. We suggest you visit verify event times, dates and locations prior to making travel plans.

Valentine’s Day

the day to celebrate love

The other legend is that Valentine’s Day was named after one of two men named Valentine. And which of these two St. Valentines are the true St. Valentine of Valentine’s Day is unknown. Their stories are similar yet slightly different. One of the Valentines, according to History.com, was a priest

supposedly helped Christians escape prison in Rome. He is said to have sent the first “Valentine” when he wrote a letter while imprisoned to his wife and signed it “From Your Valentine.”

Did either of these really happen or are they just legends? We will never know for certain but St. Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day has survived. It is

with romance and love? Some say it started in the Middle Ages.

We often hear Valentine’s Day described as a Hallmark Holiday and Hallmark is given credit for the large number of valentines that are exchanged. While it is true that they and other greeting card companies do create millions of cards each year, Hallmark

Heart-shaped boxes of candy are popular Valentine’s Day gifts.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ

came into the valentine business long after they became popular in the United States.

The first known valentines appeared in the 15th century and were all described as homemade. The cards would contain lines of poetry or puzzles and would be decorated with romantic symbols such as flowers or love knots. These handmade and unique cards were found in Europe –especially in England and France – and sent to both friends and to romantic interests.

It was not until 1840 that Esther A. Howland, in Massachusetts, received one of the very beautifully decorated cards from England. She first began to create additional cards to share with her friends here in America, leaving her to became known as the “Mother of American Valentines.” Her cards were unique and made with lacy cutouts, intricate illustrations, and ribbons accenting them.

Today, valentines of hers that have survived are collectibles and highly valued, even kept in a temperature-controlled vault according to the Worcester, Massachusetts Historical Society. Many of these valentines were quite small. According to the Historical Society, it was Massachusetts entrepreneurs who were responsible for

top: Valentine’s Day is popular with children who enjoy sending cards to their friends. These Valentines were popular in the 1940s and 50s. at right: Fancy stand-up Valentines from the 1920s. A special Valentine for someone special.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

commercial valentines. Howland’s company (NEVO) combined with others in Massachusetts over the years and remained in business until 1942 when the shortage of paper due to World War II caused the liquidation of the company.

For most of us, the tradition of giving and receiving Valentine’s Day cards began in our childhood with cards given by parents and grandparents. As we moved on to elementary school, valentines took on a different meaning. They became a means of judging how popular one was. Some schools began requiring that a valentine be brought for each member of the class if students wished to share valentines.

By high school, students were looking for that special valentine from the person they admired perhaps secretly, a way of knowing if feelings were reciprocated.

Hallmark began to produce its first Valentine’s Day

cards in 1913, quite a lot of time later from when Esther Howland introduced them to the nation. While Christmas is the time when most people exchange cards, Valentine’s Day is said to be the second most popular holiday for cards.

It is estimated that more 130 million Valentine’s cards are exchanged with the majority of cards being sent to and from children.

It would not be Valentine’s Day without candy being presented. For children, it is the conversation hearts, those small, heart-shaped candies with messages written on them that are favorites. They contain messages such as “Be Mine” or “Love You.” Many children search through the dish of them looking for the one with the message that they desire.

This type of candy became popular when a Boston pharmacist invented a machine to create medical lozenges. It was not long before he switched to creating candies with the machine and founded the New England

Confectionery Company (Necco) and became known for the candy that was called Necco wafers.

It was his brother, David, who started printing the messages on the Necco wafers and later made smaller versions of the wafer. They remain popular today, especially among younger children. Chocolates are the candy of choice enjoyed by both children and adult on Valentine’s Day. Chocolates from inexpensive varieties to high-quality chocolates are sold in red, heart-shaped boxes, which are given as symbols of giving one their heart or love.

The idea of putting candy in decorative boxes was first created by John Cadbury in 1861. He had begun packaging the Cadbury chocolates in fancy boxes to encourage more sales, so it was not surprising that when Valentine’s Day came around, he created a heart-shaped box to package them.

Boxes today range from plain, red, heart-shaped boxes to exotic heart boxes with lace and in a variety of sizes. Chocolates in the

shape of roses and wrapped in foil are the alternative to boxed chocolates for Valentine’s Day.

While many enjoy the chocolate roses, for others it is the real roses that say “I love you” on Valentine’s Day. While red roses have always meant love, it was not until the 17th century that giving flowers on Valentine’s Day became popular. Flower shops often run out of red roses early on Valentine’s Day so it is recommended to order the roses well ahead of time.

While chocolate and roses are a great Valentine’s Day gift, many couples present these to each other and then go out for a romantic dinner or perhaps a getaway weekend. Many restaurants serve special dinners on Valentine’s Day

to celebrate the occasion. Check with the restaurants of your choice for Valentine specials, or perhaps it is the evening to have a quiet romantic dinner at home.

According to local jewelry stores, Valentine’s Day sees a rise in sales in everything from bracelets and necklaces to that most important piece of jewelry, the engagement ring. Valentine’s Day is a popular time to propose to the one you love. For those already engaged, it may be the day they marry.

The legend of how we fall in love goes back to Greek Mythology where the belief was that Eros, the son of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, would cause chaos by playing with the hearts of mortals by using his powers to encourage them to fall in love.

The counterpart to Eros in Roman mythology was Cupid. While Eros was depicted as a handsome man, Cupid, appeared as a young cherubic winged infant carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows. He was said to be the son of Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, and Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

Although Cupid was always depicted as a cherub with a bow and arrow, he was considered to be mischievous at times. It was believed that he would shoot his arrow into the hearts of vulnerable people to make them fall in love.

To this day, it is Cupid who remains the symbol of Valentine’s Day. Waiting for Valentine’s Day to occur, will Cupid to shoot his arrow and find the person to love?

Adult romantic Valentines from the 1900s.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Promoting your business in the right publication is essential to growth and overall success. Knowing that your message is reaching your intended audience is what makes The Spirit of Geneva Lakes uniquely effective. We can create an image that is both creative and compelling!

For advertising opportunities contact: Pete Hansen

Tamera Hamilton

OFFERING ADifferent Look

Rau Salon in Twin Lakes keeps up to date on all the latest style trends

by Sandra Landen Machaj

CORRESPONDENT

Located at 316 N. Lake St. in Twin Lakes, Rau Salon has been providing the best in all aspects of hair styling and related beauty services for more than 35 years.

“After working in this salon for 16 years under the previous owner, I was asked if I was interested in purchasing it when they were ready to sell it,” Wendy Rau said. “It was an easy choice for me.”

Rau purchased the salon 19 years ago and changed the name to Rau Salon. Over the years, the salon has continued to grow

and add many new services. It averages between 300 and 400 customers a week, providing a variety of hair, makeup and nail services.

“We keep up to date with all the latest trends, offering training in cutting, styling and the latest trends in hair coloring,” Rau said. “Fashion trends always influence hair color and styles.”

She said one of the latest in coloring techniques is called balayage, where the hair closest to the scalp is darker and the color becomes lighter as the hair moves away from the scalp.

“With the roots being darker, it allows a longer period of time between visits for color,” Rau explained.

According to Rau, today’s salons are no longer called beauty shops as they were in years past when they catered only to women. Today they are salons and provide services for both men and women and even for children.

“Our customers range from 2 year olds

receiving their first haircut to adults both male and female of all ages even into their 90s,” Rau said. “Our hair stylists are trained to cut all types and lengths of hair and to provide styles to suit both men and women.”

Weddings

If there is a day that is most important to a woman for her hair to be as beautiful as it can be, it is her wedding day. She needs to be sure that the style works with her veil and headpiece, and that the style that will last through the day and evening.

For this important day, it is important that one works with a stylist who is up m m

above left: There is a lot involved in having beautiful hair but the result is worth it. above right: Hair pieces are easily added to provide length or fullness.

Plan your special wedding reception at the Rotary River Center in beautiful Riverside Park, Beloit, Wisconsin

The Rotary River Center is a beautiful 3,000 sq. ft. structure that overlooks the scenic Rock River. It is the perfect setting for events of all kinds and is provided at an incredibly low rate! The center is equipped to seat 120, but has a maximum capacity of 266. You are welcome to bring in additional chairs and tables to accommodate your needs. There is a serving kitchen with a coffee maker, large refrigeration unit and sinks, two restrooms, central air conditioning, storage closets and furniture including: 120 chairs, 3 round tables, 9 oval tables and 8 banquet tables. The building is also equipped with a public address system, floor lectern, and a screen for overheads, slide shows or films.

• Excellent facilities indoors and outdoors

• Located on the beautiful Rock River and Riverwalk

• Turtle Island Playland nearby

• Excellent photo opportunities

• Reasonable Rates

For more information and reservations:

City of Beloit Parks & Leisure Services

1003 Pleasant St., Beloit

2351 Springbrook Ct., Beloit

(608) 364-2890

305402

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to date on the current bridal styles and is experienced.

For Rau Salon, which specializes in weddings, there is always a stylist who can work with the style and look that one wants to achieve. With 27 stylists and a very large salon, there is room to accommodate even the largest of bridal parties.

Before they get to that final day, the bride is encouraged to come in for a “practice session.” The stylist will work with the bride to be and offer suggestions, as well as work with practicing the placement of the headpiece and veil for its best presentation.

While it is most important for the bride to have a run through with the stylist before the wedding day, sometimes members of the bridal party and the mothers also want to meet with the stylist and have a practice run also.

This is especially true when the wedding is a destination wedding and the wedding party isn’t familiar with the shop or the stylists.

“Many brides are again wearing veils but they are shorter and simpler than the veils

of old,” Rau said. “They often wear them through the ceremony and then remove them for the reception. The veil must be attached in a way that it remains in place during the ceremony and then can be easily removed without doing damage to the hairstyle.”

Often the bridal party and the mothers of the bride and groom will come in a day or two before the wedding to have their nails done. They may opt for just a manicure or both a manicure and pedicure.

The salon offers full nail services and uses the no-chip polish that lasts for at least two weeks. The salon has a complete line of the popular colors to work with, giving the bridal party an option of having them done in the same color or individual choices, depending on what the bride prefers.

Doing the nails a day or two ahead makes it much easier to manage the party and get all their other services completed on the wedding day.

“Today, putting together the bridal party for the wedding is almost like another party,” Rau said. “Because our shop is so large and we have a number of stylists and makeup experts, there is room for a very large wedding party to be accommodated or we also work with small parties.

“We set up a large table in the salon strictly for the use of the wedding party,” she added. “They often bring in sandwiches, appetizers or other snacks to be enjoyed. There may be a pitcher of Mimosas to add to the festivities.”

While most of the time the group will get their services at the spa, some venues now offer a bridal party room where the services can be completed on site. This usually works well with a smaller party, as the bridal room at a venue may not be large enough to accommodate larger groups.

Whether the choice is the bridal room at the venue or to have the services provided at the salon in Twin Lakes, Rau pledges the

The sign for Rau Salon can be seen easily on Lake Street in Twin Lakes. The large salon offers a variety of beauty services including hair, nail, and makeup. at right: Rau Salon is warm and inviting and has a variety of hair products for sale to keep your hair looking its best between salon visits.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

result will be the same.

Choosing a hairstyle for the wedding is a very personal choice. With longer hair being the style now, for many there is a choice of wearing their hair down or putting it up into a sophisticated style. Braiding the hair is also popular.

According to the stylists at Rau, about half the brides wear their hair up and half choose to leave it down. The trendy styles now are the beachy look and the boho style. Trends change as the overall style of the wedding itself changes and the style of a wedding gown and headpiece and veil must be taken into consideration for the overall look.

“Hairpieces are often added for fullness and length, for not only weddings but also other dressy occasions when one wants to look extremely good,” Rau said.

She went on to explain that some hairpieces are easy to place in the hair and can be removed and added when needed. Others are more permanent in that they are woven into the hair and must be adjusted by the stylist periodically as the hair grows. Whichever type of hair extensions are used, there is definitely a change in the fullness, the length, or both, depending on the type chosen.

“The extensions made by Halo are easy to work with and can be worn every day. They are a great accessory when growing out one’s hair,” added Rau.

The day of beauty also includes having makeup professionally applied. This choice will give a more finished look and keep the bride glowing the entire day and looking beautiful on the many photographs taken that day. False eyelashes may be added to achieve the look the bride wants.

“After the makeup is applied, they finish by air brushing the makeup, which is the finishing touch and makes the makeup durable to last the entire day,” said Rau.

She recommends booking your bridal hair event for your bridal party as soon as you book the wedding venue. They are often booked up to one year in advance, especially for the very popular months of June, September and October. Meet with Wendy and make the decision on the services wanted on that day. Sign a contract and choose the types of services needed just as you will for the venue.

Well-trained staff

Rau Salon works with the State of Wisconsin and Gateway Technical College as an apprentice shop. They currently have five apprentices who spend time in the shop learning the practical applications of hair styling.

In this associate degree program with Gateway, they spend on, eight-hour day a week at the college learning theory and 32 hours hands-on training at the salon. Upon completion of 4,000 hours, they are qualified to take their state boards and to become licensed.

For the regular licensed stylists, their training does not end with achieving their license. Styles, traditions and coloring updates are needed regularly as well as keeping up to date on fashion trends.

“We offer training to our stylists both in the salon and at hair shows,” Rau said. “They are updated on the latest in color techniques, which change as newer and gentler products are released. Working with hair extensions, learning to put them in for a natural look and teaching the customer how to work with them to maintain their

above: Owner Wendy Rau welcomes visitors to Rau Salon at 316 N. Lake, Twin Lakes. The salon is known for quality hair styling, coloring, makeup application and nail care for special occasions and for everyday wear.

at left: Two-year-old Carson Covalt says goodbye to his curls as they are trimmed.

m m

look requires regular training.”

Whether you are looking for a stylist to work with you regularly or are ready to set up that once in a lifetime appointment for your wedding or other major event in your life, Rau Salon is the place to go. Rau Salon is located at 316 N. Lake Avenue, Twin Lakes. Reach them by phone at 262-877-2188 or visit them online at wwwrausalon.com. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The salon is closed Sunday.

WENDY RAU, RAU SALON Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Bringing into focus your special day

What brides and grooms need to know about wedding photography

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

It seems so simple. There is the proposal. The engagement ring is placed on the bride-to-be’s finger and the couple shares their happiness with friends and family.

But then comes reality, the hard work of planning a wedding. Where and when will this wedding take place. Where to start? There are so many details to plan. When to hold the wedding, where to hold the wedding. Ordering the bridal gown, which today may take even longer than usual. According to some bridal shops, a year or more is not unusual for the gown to be completed and shipped.

The venue must be secured, whether it be local or a destination wedding.

If the wedding is local for a couple that lives in an area like Lake Geneva, it is also a favorite destination for others not in the area, which makes for competition for the beautiful venues. Add in the search for a site for the ceremony, choosing invitations, flowers, bands and a cake, the preparation for the wedding becomes a full-time job for many couples. While every item involved with a wedding is important for it to all function effectively, finding the right photographer will be one of the most important decisions the couple may have to make.

While some couples may think of the photographer as an afterthought – doesn’t everyone have a cell phone camera these days? – out-of-focus

unprofessional shots of the wedding likely won’t be treasured years later.

Pictures of the wedding are the only permanent mementos of this most important day. Years later, couples will be pulling out books of wedding photos and reminiscing about this extra special day, reliving this important time in their lives.

The search for the perfect photographer needs to begin at the same time as the search for the perfect venue. Just as the venues are booked in advance, great photographers are also often booked way ahead of time. The venues the couple may visit will share names of recommended photographers that they have worked with. The couple then needs to look at the work of these photographers and if the styles please

Along the lake, this dramatic sunset adds to the beauty of the photo. In this photo the bright orange reds of the sky contrast with the blackness of the shore and the white clothing of the bride and groom.

PHOTO COURTESY MATT MASON PHOTOGRAPHY Spirit of Geneva Lakes

them, set up an appointment with them to discuss costs, wedding photography plans and particular wedding needs.

Speak with friends and family who have had recent weddings or other events photographed. Learn more about their photography crew and the experience they had working with the crew. Were the results of the photographs as wonderful as they expected? Would they use them again? If they would not use them again, why not? Are they things that would prevent you from using them?

To answer some questions about choosing the photographer that will work best for a wedding, we contacted Matt Mason, owner of Matt Mason Photography in Lake Geneva (Mattmasonphotography. com). Mason began photographing weddings in 2005 and was hooked after shooting his first wedding.

In 2009, he was able to open his own photography business – Matt Mason Photography – and has not looked back since. His business has continued to grow and has earned a variety of awards over the past years.

Matt Mason Photography has been awarded the Couples Choice Award for Best Photography from Wedding Wire each year from 2013 to 2022, has received the Best of Weddings Award from the Knot from 2018 to 2022 and was voted the Best of Walworth County from 2013 to 2017 and again in 2019, 2020 and 2022. The company photographs weddings and other important events in both the southern lakes area of Wisconsin including Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, Burlington, Delavan, and in Milwaukee and Chicago.

“Our schedules start to fill in about one year in advance so it is recommended that the couple come in for an interview as soon as they know when the wedding will occur,” Mason said. “We will work out a timeline. We will share photos that we have taken with other couples and discuss styles and needs. The various plans offered will be discussed.”

Each plan includes a wedding book, with the larger books coming with higherend packages. Plans begin at $2,300 and increase depending on services required and albums chosen. A special feature with some of the top packages is the slideshow video that will run before the reception ends. The video is always enjoyed by the guests still at the reception when it is shown.

The timeline is important to the overall outcome of the photographs. Spacing out the time needed for each special aspect of the photo taking and the time required to get from one area to another determines how things will work out in the final albums.

Among the things to consider is the first look at the venue and preparing photos that will be taken before the ceremony or reception begins, as well as potentially greeting guests. Keep aware of the distance

top: Not every wedding photo has to be a picture of the bride and groom or the wedding party. Here the bride spends a quiet moment with her grandmother in this black and white photo. above: Floating above the crowd, the bridal couple is enjoying their reception.

and time to get from the ceremony location if it is different from the reception venue, to the reception location with time for any special stops between the two, perhaps a shot at the lakefront or a favorite park. If a family photo session is planned, include it in the timeline, as well as special moments like a bouquet and garter toss.

During the interview, the couple will learn more about the photographer including experience, prices, and what services are provided. Will they take photos while the bridal party is preparing for the wedding? Do they take more posed photos or more casual photos? Each couple has a different style and the photographer will honor that style.

Where the photographs are taken is

always an important decision. Ask if the photographer will visit the site if they are unfamiliar with the venue to look for the best photo sites. Photographers are always looking for new spots so that every wedding’s photographs are unique to them and not a copy of every other wedding that has been held at this spot. It is the photographer’s artistic eye that creates memorable photos.

According to Mason, there are special spots that are important to have photos taken at in every area. In Lake Geneva, photos around the lake make beautiful shots that will be a savored memory. Many enjoy having a photo at the Riviera or in a boat. Each photographer may have a unique style to capture the look desired.

PHOTOS COURTESY MATT MASON PHOTOGRAPHY Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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“Bridal couples often worry that something will happen and their photos will not be saved by the camera. That is not a concern as we shoot to two separate memory cards thus the photos are backed up while shooting,” added Mason. “We also send at least two people to each wedding, the principal photographer and at least one other person to work with him. In weddings that are using a larger photographic package, more photographers will be needed.”

There are several choices in printing photos. Couples may want the pictures all in color, black and white, and some photographers will also provide sepia-colored photos. Whatever the choices made, the photographer will help choose the best for an album.

After doing due diligence and meeting with several photographers, comparing services offered and looking at the quality of each company’s products, couples will be ready to choose a photographer that will best provide beautiful and unique photos. Once the decision is made, contact the photographer to sign a contract and give a deposit. Wait too long and the photographer that is a first choice may already be booked for the day you are holding your wedding.

Make the best choice that you can when choosing your photographers. They will provide you with the only visual reminders of this important day in your life – a day that cannot be repeated. Once the decision is made, relax and enjoy the wedding.

What better place to enjoy a dance than in front of the beautiful dancing waters.

PHOTO COURTESY MATT MASON PHOTOGRAPHY Spirit of Geneva Lakes

DiningDirectory

LUISA’S • Just off Hwy. 50, 12 mi. east of Lake Geneva. 262-537-4795. Superb Italian & American cuisine. Dine in, carry out, delivery, catering avail., call ahead & will have it hot ready to go. D, $$ 

GINO’S EAST OF CHICAGO • 300 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva. 262-248-2525 www. ginoseastlakegeneva.com. Chicago’s original deep dish pizza, Italian sandwiches, salads and entrees. L, D, $-$$

MARS RESORT • W 4098 S. Shore Dr., Lake Geneva. A classic Wisconsin supper club “nestled on the shores of Lake Como.” Open 7 days a week at 11am. Out of this world ribs and spectacular sunsets! Reserve one our our Igloos on our “Fire and Ice” Deck for a truly unique experience. We created special platters that are sure to please all of our guests. Enjoy our Piano Bar for fun Friday and Saturday nights. Call 262-245-5689 today and visit www.mars-resort. com to view our menu. L, D, FF, $$

Fish Fry

LOCAL FOLKS RESTAURANT & PUB •

39601 60th St. (Slades Corners), Burlington. 262539-3200. Open 6am every morning!

B, L, D, $, FF,  

PINE STREET CAFE • 141 N. Pine St., Burlington, WI 53105. 262-763-9800. Homestyle food made from scratch daily using only the finest, freshest ingredients. Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner. Fish Fries Every Friday. Sunday 6am - 3pm. Monday - Saturday 6am - 8pm. B, L, D, FF, 

EAST TROY BREWERY • 2905 Main St. on the Historic Square, East Troy. 262-642-2670. Go to www.etbrew.com for an updated menu. Historic 1892 bank turned brewery/restaurant. Craft beer and a great menu with seasonal specials. Find us on Facebook. Wed.-Thurs. 4-9pm; Fri.-Sat. 12-10pm; Sun. 12-6pm. L, D, $$, GF, FF 

Information is subject to change. Please contact individual restaurant for more information.

Call for Carry Out & Delivery Options

DADDY MAXWELL’S • 150 Elkhorn Rd., Williams Bay. 262-245-5757. Comfort foods for breakfast and lunch. Friday fish fry is out of this world! Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 7:00am - 2:00pm, Friday 7:00am - 7:30pm, Sunday 7:00am - 1:00pm. Closed Tuesdays. www.daddymaxwells.com. B, L, D, FF, SR, GF, $, 

FRED’S PARKVIEW • 596 N. Pine St. Burlington, WI. 262-763-8370. “World’s Best Burgers.” Bone-in Wing Night On Tuesdays. www. freds-burgers.com. L, D, 

CHRIS’ USA • 724 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington. 262-763-9968. Popular Friday Fish Fry. Beer Battered or Baked Cod with your choice of potato pancakes or french fries and coleslaw. Perch Dinner Available. $$, FF

HOW TO PICK THE Perfect Wedding Dress

Planning a wedding requires making many different decisions. The choice of wedding attire is among the most crucial decisions that couples must make. Whether the wedding is traditional or customized to suit couples’ personalities, brides and grooms want to look their best when they say, “I do.”

Many brides-to-be spend a significant amount of time looking for their ideal wedding dresses. What defines the right gown depends on personal preference and is unique to the person doing the search. For example, a dress that sets a fairy tale scene for one bride may not necessarily align with the tastes of another. According to Bridal Atelier, the average bride-to-be tries on try three to seven dresses before finding the right one. The following tips can help those shopping for dresses find a look that makes their big day even more special.

1. Don’t get hung up on perfection

Many brides get caught up as they search for the one dress they consider perfect. No dress is likely to check every box.

Getting hung up on a desire to find a dress that has it all may make it hard to see the beauty in other dresses. Remember, with the talents of an experienced tailor or seamstress, most dresses can be tweaked to suit your vision of the ideal gown.

2. Consider the season

Getting married during the hazy and humid days of summer is an entirely different experience than tying the knot during the heart of winter. The fabric of the wedding dress should complement the season, whether it’s lightweight and breezy for a warm day, or more substantial and cozy when darting to the ceremony in snowfall.

3. Flatter your figure

Chances are brides-to-be know which cuts and styles are most flattering. Mimic those style choices in the wedding dress. If you want to take focus off of full hips, choose a basque or asymmetrical waistline. Gowns with substantial straps or higher necklines may be better if you have a larger chest. Sheath and mermaid style gowns are options if you are confident with your figure and want to show off your curves.

4. Try a bit of this and that

Don’t go into a wedding dress appointment with firm parameters.

Although you may have a ballgown style in mind, after trying on other options something with a less voluminous silhouette may actually catch your eye. Many brides also automatically defer to strapless gowns, when various straps and sleeves can be very appealing.

5. Arrive with a firm budget Weddings can be costly. It’s important to set a budget for the wedding dress

just as you will with other expenses. There are plenty of dress designers across a wide spectrum of price points. A willingness to consider and ultimately purchase a less costly dress can help you stay on budget.

Browsing through magazines and looking online can provide wedding dress inspiration as well. Also, when in doubt, defer to the experts at bridal shops.

(METRO CREATIVE)

Honeymoon destination

GUIDE FOR INDECISIVE NEWLYWEDS

Loved up newlyweds have been told what each top winter honeymoon destination has to offer to help make their first big decision together a harmonious one and celebrate the joyous occasion stress free.

Holiday car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have revealed what makes the best winter honeymoon destinations from across the world so special and why each might be the perfect place for excited lovebirds to walk off into the sunset together once the big day is done.

Booking the honeymoon is one of the most thrilling parts of getting married and is a moment that’ll be cherished forever, but it can also be quite a challenge finding a location that will suit both partners.

Very often it comes down to the classic debate of either wanting to take a city break to explore cultural sights and adventure around different towns or opting for a beach getaway to properly unwind and sip cocktails in the sun.

Top locations to embrace the relaxed romantic vibes include a break in Hawaii, while putting on the tourist hat and going sightseeing in central London will suit those newlyweds that don’t like to sit still.

For those newlyweds who aren’t quite ready to grow up and embrace adult life quite yet, renting a car in Orlando to drive from theme park to theme park might be just what they need feel that escape.

A spokesperson from StressFreeCarRental.com the best place for car hire in Orlando said, “Picking a place for your honeymoon can be one of the trickiest decisions to make as the possibilities are endless.

“It’s all about narrowing down the different areasaffordability, weather and things to do, as well as deciding which

destination suits each partner’s personality and interests.

“We’ve researched hotspot locations to visit this winter from Venice to Santorini where newlyweds can take their pick from an exciting city break or a relaxing pitstop in the sun.”

Here are StressFreeCarRental.com’s top winter honeymoon destinations:

Hawaii

A honeymoon getaway to Hawaii is one of the dream locations to visit, with the destination a firm favourite among couples in the United States.

With newlyweds having the choice of visiting incredible islands from Maui to Oahu, the islands benefit from warm temperatures during the winter period for couples looking to visit some mesmerising waterfalls in Manoa Falls or choosing to relax on the beach to watch the sunset.

London

The activities are endless for newcomers looking to sightsee in London, from Buckingham Palace, The West End and the London Eye. During the festive period, the famous Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a must-see destination for loved up couples to enjoy the magic of Christmas with hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Santorini

If you want to visit a warm destination and purely relax for a week or two, you can enjoy the deep blue oceans of the Greek island of Santorini.

The breath-taking views of the island from its unique architecture to the sight of the Aegean sea is perfect for those wanting to sit back on the sunbed in bliss.

Gran Canaria

The Canary Islands are a prime location to enjoy some Pina Colada on the Instagrammable dark sand beaches across the island. Gran Canaria has a range of delicious Spanish cuisine to try out and is slightly cheaper to visit during the winter season compared to peak time in summer.

Florida

For couples searching for an exciting city break, they can enjoy the theme parks lavishly scattered across Orlando - which will have Disney adults in delight. Florida still benefits from warm temperatures, so those looking to tick off theme parks like Universal and Magic Kingdom can enjoy comfortable weather while getting some great pictures.

Maldives

Taking a trip to Maldives is ideal for couples willing to splurge on a luxury trip away while benefiting from the warm winter climate. Scuba diving, snorkelling and pure relaxation is in store when you visit the Maldives and is perfect for those looking to unwind in the sun.

Paris

The city of love is a prime place to encapsulate the memories of a honeymoon together, by taking a cruise on the Seine River or visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower for a picture together. Paris has a long list of romantic hotels for couples looking to celebrate their honeymoon in this European hotspot.

Venice

For a city break in the other “city of love,” taking a flight to Venice to embrace Italian culture is the perfect way to enjoy the romantic ambience while visiting some fascinating landmarks. Have a look at booking a gondola to properly explore this grand old city. You could even do a half and half trip by spending a week in Rome to visit the Trevi Fountain and ancient Colosseum to make the most out of your city break.

Honoring the fallen

AREA AUTHOR HELPS RESTORE HISTORICAL GRAVESITE

by Tracy Ouellette STAFF WRITER

Frank Landi, of Delavan, has been writing books on architecture for years. He has written about Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes in Delavan and historical homes in Lake Geneva. He is known in the Walworth County area for his historical presentations and can often be found in area libraries speaking on the local architecture.

Landi has even taken that passion for local architecture and history to a couple of cemeteries in Delavan – Old Settlers and Spring Grove.

That interest led to a recent, multi-year project to restore a vandalized headstone for a Civil War veteran at Old Settlers Cemetery.

“I started this project a few years ago and finally finished it a few months ago,” Landi said.

Back in 2016, when Landi began researching Delavan cemeteries for his book “Delavan’s Spring Grove Cemetry,” he was alarmed at the number of gravestones that were neglected, deteriorating or vandalize. What really

upset Landi was the vandalized gravestone of Civil War veteran Alonzo Chase in the Old Settler’s Cemeter.

The headstone had been broken into two pieces, with the top half being sheared off.

“The top half of the vandalized gravestone was stored in the city of Delavan’s storage shed for almost 50 years and the bottom half was still in the ground at the grave site,” Landi said.

This particular headstone and its disrepair “touched” Landi and he felt the need to make things right for “a veteran who deserves better,” he said.

“I wrote a book on the cemeteries in Delavan. There are two historical cemeteries here, a small one in town (Old Settlers) and a larger one on the end of town (Spring Grove),” Landi explained. “When I was doing a survey in the little cemetery, I saw a Civil War veterans’ monument. I found the bottom half of the gravestone still in the ground, I went to the city and asked where all the top halves of the tombstones were stored and they took me to a shed where they had six or seven piles of broken headstones. I asked for help to go through them and they said yes.

“Believe it or not, the headstone I was looking for was found right on the top of one of the piles. I felt like this headstone was sitting there all these years just waiting for me.”

After writing his book in 2018, Landi went back to the cemetery, locating the top of the headstone and then set to work on repairing the monument.

“I took it upon myself to get the stone restored and asked for financing from local civic groups,” Landi said. “I went to a Kenosha monument company for an estimate. Then COVID hit and by the time we got started again, a couple of years later, the cost had doubled. It cost $2,400 now. Everybody kept asking at the monument place why not go to VA and get a new stone, but I wanted the original one restored.”

So the fundraising picked up and Landi was able to get the restoration paid for this year.

“This man was a Civil War veteran who was in his 30s when he died,” Landi said. “He had four children and was discharged from service for medical reasons and he died shortly after he got home. I thought

there should be some respect for him and his service and a new stone wouldn’t have done that properly.”

Both Spring Grove and Old Settlers cemeteries are maintained by the City of Delavan and with Landi’s project, more efforts to repair damaged headstones is happening.

“Mark Wendorf, the city’s Public Works director, has been working with a group of volunteers who started work on Spring Grove restoring gravestones and as they are finishing those up, they’re going to work on fixing up the headstones at Old Settlers,” Landi said.

Interest in cemeteries

Landi said his interest in cemeteries and

above: Frank Landi (right) shows examples of damaged headstones at Spring Grove Cemetery on April 17, 2021. Landi along with Wayne Southern (far left) and a few others were planning work days in the spring of that year. Delavan Mayor Ryan Schroeder (center) and the local historical society helped raise money for the cause. at left: Financial contributors to the gravestone restoration include Charlene Staples (from left) and Pat Blackmer representing Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War; Robin Staudt, representing Blooming Prairie Questers of Delavan; Frank Landi and private contributor Terry Yanke.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PEGGY MURPHY Spirit of Geneva Lakes

MIKE HOEY Spirit of Geneva Lakes

their architecture came after years of researching architecture in the Delavan and Lake Geneva areas and writing multiple books about it.

“Architecture has always had my interest. I wrote about the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the area, the old homes in Delavan and a book on the Wright hotel in Lake Geneva. I also wrote a book on the history of Delavan Lake,” Landi said.

“When I ran out of ideas for books on architecture I started going to lectures in Chicago on buildings down there and began doing presentations in the libraries. I would find gravestones of these great architects and include them at the end of my presentations.”

Landi said he went to Italy when he was in his early 70s to study architecture and artwork and visit his parent’s families.

“I visited two fantastic cemeteries in Milan and Genoa City in Italy. People would visit those cemeteries just for the architecture,” Landi recalled.

He said that experience got him thinking about the architecture here and he began researching Delavan’s historical cemeteries.

“That’s what brought me to the gravestone that needed to be fixed,” he said.

With the project finished, Landi said he’s done with gravestone restoration, but encourages others to volunteer at the local cemeteries, as funding for maintenance is low, especially for cemeteries that have been absorbed by local municipalities.

He said preserving history is important and there’s always something to be done.