November 2021 Spirit

Vol . 33 No. 11

COMPLIMENTARY COPY • Since 19 89

NOVEMBER 2021

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY AT APPLE BARN GINGER BLOSSOM TO BID FAREWELL LIBRARY GETS REFRESHED INTERIOR

WARMING to the SEASON

STOP IN AND SEE OUR

Smart Home Showroom

ICE V R E S L L YOUR GFUrilling ers arte u q d a He G

The Appliance Store with So Much More

Neighborhood Expert

17 S. Washington, Elkhorn

online parts & service: www.lylestv.com Custom Installation on Home Theatre and Sound Systems

• Grills • Smokers • Chips

• Rubs • Sauces • Pizza Ovens

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Your

Advertiser’s index

Beer and Wine Trail..............................................4 Christmas in the Country...........................................5 Lake Geneva Library gets refreshed....................................... 11 Dining directory.............................................. 14 A peek behind the TV cameras.................................... 17 Coffee and conversation.........................................23 Ginger Blossom to close at year’s end.............................27 Consignment shops..................................................28

ON THE COVER

Warm hearth, warm hearts November is a time of transition, when fleeting memories of summer give way to chilly days and time spent beside a warm fire with friends and family. It’s the run-up to the ultimate family gathering – Thanksgiving – and a gateway to the holiday season that follows. So pull up that rocking chair, put your feet close to the fire and toast the season of transition.

FILE PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

Abbey Springs.........................................................16 AeppelTreow Winery........................................24 Allied Senior Services Ins. & Inv.............28 Always Remember That...............................28 AMB Roofing & Sheet Metal.....................20 Apple Barn Orchard and Winery...........32 Assisi Homes............................................................24 B&J Tree & Landscaping Inc......................22 Baker House..............................................................14 Best Bargains............................................................18 Brightonwoods Orchard.................................10 Caravelle Lighting..................................................6 Carpets Plus Outlet, Inc..................................10 Chris’ USA....................................................................14 East Troy Brewery................................................14 Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce...........10 Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm, LLC.......................6 First Citizens State Bank.................................25 Ginger Blossom......................................................18 Gino’s East Pizzeria.............................................20 Green Grocer & Deli...........................................14 Hackbarth Builders.............................................22 John Thielmann & Sons, Inc.......................12 Jonathan’s on Brick Street............................14 Keefe Real Estate................................................26 Local Folks Restaurant & Pub...................14 Luisa’s Restaurant................................................18 Lyle’s TV & Appliances, Inc.............................2 Mars Resort................................................................14 Pats Services Inc..................................................26 Reesman’s Exc. & Grading, Inc.................31 Sandy’s Upscale Consignment..............28 Sharing Center, Inc..............................................24 Sportsman’s Pub & Grub...............................14 Sugar Creek Mutual Insurance..................8 Veteran’s Truck Line, Inc.................................22 Walworth County Fair.......................................10 Waterfront Pub and Eatery..........................14

3

GOT A THIRST FOR

ADVENTURE?

THEN THE BEER AND WINE TRAIL IS FOR YOU The Walworth County Visitors Bureau invites residents and visitors to sign up for the Walworth County Beer and Wine Trail Passport from their mobile devices.

The mobile passport will send participants on a beverage journey through Walworth County’s craft breweries and wineries – one sip at a time.

Participants may check in at each location with a pin code and unlock prizes along the way. Only visiting one location? Receive your Beer and Wine Trail weatherproof sticker on the first check in. Planning on hitting up more than one? Earn additional prizes including Beer and Wine Trail socks and a pint glass as you make your way along the trail. Participants also receive discounts on beer and wine at participating breweries and wineries.

People may sign up for the mobile passport on the visitors bureau website at visitwalworthcounty.com. The website includes an interactive map with locations for each of the participating businesses.

Here’s a closer look at the participants:

AEppelTreow Winery

An orchard-based cidery and distillery dedicated to showing off what an be done with the 200+ varieties that our partner, Brightonwoods Orchard, grows. Styles include: sparkling, draft, table, dessert and distilled.

What’s included: free tasting flight.

Apple Barn Orchard & Winery

Apple Barn Orchard & Winery is a family farm offering homestead wines and when in season, strawberries, apples, and pumpkins.

Experience the fruit of the season at our historical farm.

What’s included: $1 off a wine bottle purchase.

Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company

Farmhouse Microbrewery set on a 150 year old fifth generation family farm.

Offering a wide variety of microbrews all made on the farm.

What’s included: Complimentary 5-ounce beer with purchase of 16-ounce beer.

East Troy Brewery

East Troy Brewery is a brewery and restaurant which is located in a renovated bank that was originally built in the 1890’s.

It features a from-scratch kitchen, in-house craft beer, and specialty cocktails.

What’s Included: BOGO ETB craft beer.

G5 Brewing Company

Opened in 2019 G5 produces all its beer in 4

The

Spirit IS A PUBLICATION OF

house on Wisconsin-made equipment. Come in for an ever-changing tap list.

What’s included: BOGO beer.

Low Daily Brewery

Brewery, taproom, and beer garden in the heart of downtown Burlington.

What’s included: $5 32-ounce crowler.

Northleaf Winery

Northleaf Winery is a premier Wisconsin winery with locally esteemed wines; nearly all have also won multiple awards in international competition.

What’s included: Half-price flight of wine.

Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard

Located in the Town of Mukwonago, Pieper Porch Winery offers award-winning wines and beautiful views of the Vernon Marsh from its porch or patio.

What’s included: BOGO wine tasting flight.

Second Salem Brewing Company

Second Salem Brewing Company is a twobarrel nano-brewpub located on Cravath Lake in downtown Whitewater.

What’s included: 15% off appetizers and merchandise.

Staller Estate Winery

Staller Estate Winery provides an outstanding experience exemplifying awardwinning regional Wisconsin wines.

What’s included: 10% off case purchase.

Studio Winery & Geneva Lake Distilling

Lake Geneva’s only winery & distillery. It specializes in locally grown ingredients and craft products.

What’s included: BOGO tasting.

The Hive Taproom

The Hive Taproom makes a naturally gluten-free product made from raw, local honey and locally-sourced ingredients– it’s technically a wine, brewed more like a beer, and better resembles a cider or champagne.

What’s included: $5 off a flight.

The Runaway Micropub & Nanobrewery

A single-room micropub and nanobrewery serving handcrafted, small-batch beer both in a taproom and on an outdoor patio.

What’s included: $2 off a Milwaukee pretzel with 16-ounce pour.

Topsy Turvy Brewery

Offers a taproom and outdoor beer garden with ample seating and 20-plus beers on tap.

What’s included: Free 5-ounce pour.

NOVEMBER 2021

GENERAL MANAGER

Sue Z. Lange EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ed Nadolski ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Vicki Vanderwerff CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Heidi Schulz SALES

Pete Hansen Tamera Hamilton DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR

Lindy Sweet

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

Christmas in the Country Apple Barn teams with crafters to create special holiday shop

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

Looking to get into the holiday spirit and begin that task of finding perfect gifts for all the names on your holiday shopping list?

It’s a task that is always difficult and time consuming under ordinary circumstances, but this year may be even more difficult. With all the warnings to begin Christmas shopping early because of the delay retail businesses are experiencing in receiving their merchandise from the manufacturers and wholesalers, it is not too early to begin shopping for the holidays.

There is however, one way to be certain that your Christmas gifts are available and special.

For those who prefer special, handmade, and unique items to gift their friends or for Santa to use to fill stockings, the place to visit this year is Christmas in the Country.

Visitors can get into the Christmas spirit by meandering into the Walworth County countryside and shopping at a special place that is both new and familiar. Just add a few gently falling snowflakes and the trip becomes a winter wonderland that coaxes us to embrace the holiday spirit.

It’s Christmas at the Apple Barn

“Christmas In the Country is our new endeavor,” explained Judy Jacobson, whose family owns Apple Barn Orchard and Winery in rural Elkhorn. “While we have always encouraged customers to shop here for Christmas items, this year we will be turning our whole shop into the Christmas in the Country store. Our entire store will be decorated for the season and filled with a variety of new and different handmade

Counting the days until Christmas as they pass by is made easy with the items in this holiday display. Pick a choice of coffee mugs, or wine glasses to hold your favorite beverage as you cross off the days.

COURTESY OF APPLE BARN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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Christmas crafts.”

While each year at this time, the Apple Barn takes on a holiday look, this year will be extra special. They will turn the store that is well known for the place to shop for apples, strawberries, pumpkins, wine, novelty wine and apple items, and homemade baked goods into a holiday gift shop with their new event, Christmas in the Country.

The idea to go into a full-scale holiday shop was partly the result of the closing of the Christmas Barn in Elkhorn. The Christmas Barn was a special holiday shopping destination open on weekends in November and December. A large number of local crafters displayed and sold their creations here each holiday season.

“The Christmas Barn was organized by Judy Halpin and her husband but with his death this year, Judy Halpin decided that it was time to close this yearly Christmas shopping event,” said Jodi Swatek, who has been an employee at the Apple Barn for 21 years. “We had

Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm LLC Cut Your Own: Firs Available Pre-cut Fraser Fir up to 12 feet Wreaths, Garland and Other Greenery Available

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Let the holidays begin! Start your season with a few bottles of Apple Barn Wine dressed with a cute Santa hat as a hostess gift.

COURTESY OF APPLE BARN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Lighting & Lamps, Home Décor, Wall Art, Mirrors, Fans ...

Light Up Your Holidays with

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COURTESY OF PEGGY BECKMAN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

COURTESY OF ANN QUAERNA Spirit of Geneva Lakes

a number of crafters who worked with both the Christmas Barn and the Apple Barn and they approached Judy Jacobson about the possibility of creating Christmas in the Country.”

It became an idea that seemed to be perfect for the Apple Barn and the crafters.

According to Swatek, the Apple Barn has more than 30 crafters signed up to bring their wares to the Apple Barn for the Christmas in the Country event, with more crafters still possibly signing on.

One-of-a-kind mittens

The crafters who will bring their work to Christmas in the Country create unique items. One such crafter, Ann Quaerna, had her work at the Christmas Barn for just one year.

“When I approached the Christmas Barn about including my work, wool mittens for adults and children, I was originally told that they would not be interested because the already had a mitten maker,” Quaerna said. “But when I showed them the sample, they changed their mind and let me in because my mittens were so unique.”

According to Quaerna, the mittens are made of 100% wool from recycled sweaters. The cashmere is mostly used for infant mittens because of its softness.

The process of turning wool sweaters into fine quality and warm mittens is long.

It begins with boiling the sweater in hot water so that the fibers draw together into a solid piece of felt. This process is called felting. The sweater will shrink to a much smaller size. When the felting is completed, Quaerna will begin to cut the fabric in the sizes for the mittens.

“I offer small, medium, and large children’s mittens and small, medium, and large adult sizes. The mittens are lined

COURTESY OF ANN QUAERNA Spirit of Geneva Lakes

usually with a polyester fleece for comfort and warmth,” added Quaerna. “Each pair is unique dependent on the colors and patterns of the sweater used. Often, I will have customers request one of my pairs in a different size. They do not realize that I can’t make another as each is unique due to the sweater it came from.”

Many of the children’s mittens are made to look like animals. From foxes, dogs and even the Wisconsin Badger, there is probably your child’s favorite animal represented. These require more work, as Quaerna must cut out the facial features and ears and attach them to the mitten.

Remember when you were a child and

your mittens were held together with a long string? Quaerna uses this technique on her children’s mittens to help prevent loss.

Quaerna is one crafter who comes a great distance to bring her crafts to Christmas in the Country. A former elementary school teacher in the Lake Geneva Schools, she relocated to Nebraska for her husband’s job after her retirement. She does make a trip back to Wisconsin monthly to visit family, to keep in touch with friends, and to deliver her work to the Apple Barn.

Gifts from the Apple Barn

The Apple Barn Orchard and Winery has a long history as it is the farm where Jacob

COURTESY OF PEGGY BECKMAN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

clockwise from top: What young Wisconsin fan wouldn’t want a pair of Badger mittens? These wool mittens will keep fingers warm and celebrate school spirit; These delightful mittens are sure to please all the children on your gift list. They are made of 100% recycled wool to keep tiny fingers warm; This cute snowman is handmade from a vintage grain sack for a very special look; A family of snowmen made of felted wool will make a unique gift and bring a smile to the recipient’s face.

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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and Maren Brensetre, after immigrating from Norway in 1848, first started their homestead.

Their son Ole changed the family name to Jacobson to Americanize it. The family has continued to be the Jacobson family since that time. It was Ole who built the farmhouse on the grounds around 1865, a farmhouse that has stood the test of time and has remained in the family for six generations.

Over the years the farm has continued to grow and is known not only for its apples and pumpkins but also for their homemade pastries and pies created on site and their fruit wines – many of which have won awards in competition.

The wines are created onsite by Jake Drefs, a master winemaker who has created many award-winning wines using the fruit that the Jacobson’s grow. Each wine is made in small batches to ensure richness and quality. While they produce a variety of different fruit wines, they never produce a wine made from grapes. The wines are from their honey crisp apples, pears, peaches, berries or even rhubarb. Because small batches are made, they do sell out of some of the favorite wines quickly.

The wines are perfect for the holidays either as a host or hostess gift, a stocking stuffer, or to serve at your holiday gathering. These include a full-bodied Wild

and special turkeys for the Christmas Barn for 7 years. Her snowmen are mostly made from wool and felt scraps. When she is not able to find wool scraps she will use vintage What: Christmas in the Country grain sacks, creating unique snowmen that holiday craft shop fit in well with any décor.

Where: Apple Barn Orchard and When visiting Christmas in the Country Winery, W6384 Sugar Creek Road, allow plenty of time to peruse all the Elkhorn. treasures to be found here. Make it a day with your family or friends to explore all When: Fridays, Saturdays and the new and special Christmas handcrafted Sundays from Nov. 5 through Dec. items to add a special touch to this year’s 12.

Christmas celebration.

Lowdown: Shop one-of-a-kind gift Christmas in the Country will open at the items from 30 vendors in addition to Apple Barn Orchard and Winery on Friday, the specialty food and wines at the Nov. 5, and continue on weekends through Apple Barn.

Sunday, Dec. 12. The hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Blackberry, or for those who prefer a lighter The Apple Barn and Orchard is wine, a semi-tart Cranberry Homestead. located at W6384 Sugar Creek Road, Shoppers are invited to create a gift Elkhorn. Reach them by phone at 262basket by picking out a bottle or two of 728-3266 or visit their website at www. wine, adding some of the local honey, applebarnorchardandwinery.com or visit cheeses, or pretzels, or pastry mixes, or one them on Facebook for changes in hours. or two unique Christmas items to give it a real holiday look.

If you go…

More ideas for gifters

Another of the vendors is Peggy Beckman who is known for her unique snowmen. She has created her snowmen SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

A pastoral winter scene adds to the feeling of Christmas as shown in this display at Apple Barn Orchard and Winery.

COURTESY OF APPLE BARN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

9

Come Enjoy Over 150 Commercial & Old Fashioned Apple Varieties!

Award-Winning Cider - Plus Numerous Varieties of Pears

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SHOP E L K HOR N For The Holidays

THE CHRISTM AS CARD TOWN

Holiday Affair Craft Show

Saturday, Nov. 13 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Round Robin Craft Show” Featuring Over 300+ Crafters and Artisans Offering Unique, Handcrafted Items!

Seven Locations For One Admission Price $ 5.00

Walworth County Fairground’s Activity Center, Elkhorn High School, Elkhorn Middle School, Jackson Elementary School, Westside School, Elkhorn Options Virtual formerly St. Patrick’s School, The Monte Carlo Room Parking will be limited at some locations. Additional parking is available at the Fairgrounds. Shuttle busses are available

For more information call (262) 723-3228 • Elkhorn, WI 405634

Proceeds Benefit Barnyard Adventure

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NOVEMBER 2021

Library refreshed INTERIOR RENOVATION HONORS HISTORY AS IT BRINGS FACILITY INTO MODERN TIMES

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

Perched on the shore of Geneva Lake, on a plot of land known as Library Park, is the Lake Geneva Library.

The building has been a fixture at this location since 1954. At that time this unique building, built in the Prairie Style developed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was dedicated and the library contents were moved from their temporary headquarters at Horticultural Hall.

The building was designed by architect James Dresser, a student of Wright. Dresser, like Wright, designed buildings to fit in with nature. Dresser not only designed the exterior, but also the interior and much of the original furniture along with its placement.

The building is composed of two

low-to-the-ground wings, joined by a tall, central entrance. It is composed of brick and red cedar with large windows in each wing, and in the entrance. The windows allow visitors to look through the building straight to the waterfront.

From the outside the building has not changed much with the exception of two additions – the meeting room on the east wing and the fiction room on the west wing – in an effort to maintain the look and balance of the building.

“On the interior, lighting has been updated with can lights in the ceiling and a change to LED lights to give the room a warm glow,” said Emily Kornak, library director. “But it has not had any major renovation to meet today’s needs.”

While much is being renovated inside the Lake Geneva Public Library, the building will appear essentially the same from this street view.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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An interior update

Now it is time to update the inside not only to repair what has become worn but to also update the library for safety and to reflect its current use.

“While we have been considering the need for an interior renovation for some time, the COVID pandemic made it obvious that there was a need for interior changes especially the need for more personal space, the need for upgrading building maintenance and accessibility,” Kornak said. “Some of what we are doing is necessary because it is a safety hazard. The carpet has become worn and there are holes and tears. There is also delaminating, making it unsafe for both patrons and employees.”

The renovation takes into account how libraries have evolved since the 1950s.

“Over the years there has been a change in the way the library is used by the community, (so) there needs to be changes in the way the library is designed to meet the needs of the community,” said Kornak.

Today’s library is more than just a place to check out books. It is a place to learn about or to use technology. It is a gathering place for community activities and special learning programs for both children and adults.

The fireplace will be updated with the spines of 100 books on the mantel. The 100 spines will each contain the name of an Extraordinary Woman.

COURTESY OF FEH DESIGN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Building in privacy

Because the library has a low ceiling and has basically an open plan, sounds reverberate throughout the building. According to Kornak, there is nothing to absorb the sound, which sometimes makes quiet work in the building difficult.

Two new private meeting rooms will be constructed within the current space for patron use. This will give visitors a space where they can work privately without the noise of the library interfering and may even make phone calls as needed for their work, with some privacy.

“We will be doing a complete HVAC update including fresh air intake and new filtration,” Kornak said. “Also, there will be an update to make the library ADA compliant. Some of the shelving will be redone to accomplish this.

Other areas such as the public restrooms will be redesigned to also make them ADA compliant.

“The entire inside of the library, with the exception of the meeting room on the east and the split-level fiction room on the west wing, will be reconfigured with many of the areas taking on an entirely new look and some a new

The lakeside reading area will have stained glass dividers to give readers more individual space as they enjoy the lakefront view. The stained-glass panels are being created by Gilbertson’s Stained Glass in Lake Geneva.

COURTESY OF FEH DESIGN Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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Dining Directory JONATHAN’S ON BRICK STREET • 116 E. Walworth St., Delavan. 262-725-7715. www.Jonathansonbricksreet.com. Stop in for a warm inviting atmosphere and great food.

Try one of our crafts, spirits and wines. Fish and seafood are always fresh. Delicious mouth watering steaks. Famous Fish Fry on Fridays.

Prime Rib on Saturdays. Live Entertainment on select Fridays. Reservations are required and highly recommended nightly due to COVID restrictions. Hours: Bar opens at 4pm daily.

Dining Mon.-Thurs. 4:30-9pm; Fri. & Sat. 4:3010pm; Sun. 4-8pm.

D, $$$, FF,  ( THE GREEN GROCER AND DELI • 24 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay. 262-245-9077. www.greengrocergenevalake.com Organic grocery store with a deli. Serving sandwiches made with Boars Head meat and cheese, homemade soups, salads and pizzas, wine, beer and cocktails. Dine in, Carryout or delivery. Open 7 days a week. L, D, $-$$  ( 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, $$ 

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EAST TROY BREWERY • 2905 Main St. on the Historic Square, East Troy. 262-6422670. www.etbrew.com 1892 bank turned brewery/restaurant. Craft beer and a great menu. Find us on Facebook. Wed.-Sun. 4-9pm with Brunch Fri-Sun Noon-4pm.

L, D, $$, GF, FF  WATERFRONT PUB & GRILL • 408 State Rd. 50, Delavan. 262-728-4700. www.waterfrontdelavan.com Like us on Facebook and join us on Untappd. Serving fresh salads, wraps, signature sandwiches, juicy burgers, Friday Fish Fry & Saturday Prime Rib. Full wrap around bar with 20 beers on draft and gaming corner. Dine-in, take out and drive-thru available. L, D, $-$$, FF,  CHRIS’ USA • 724 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington.

262-763-9968. Popular Friday Fish Fry. Beer Battered or Baked Cod $9.95 All You Can Eat • Perch Dinner $10.95 • 2 Piece Fish $6.50. $$, FF GINO’S EAST OF CHICAGO • 300 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva. 262-248-2525. www.ginoseastlakegeneva.com. Chicago’s original deep dish pizza, Italian sandwiches, salads and entrees. L, D, $-$$

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L, D, $-$$, FF  MARS RESORT • W 4098 S. Shore Dr., Lake Geneva. A classic Wisconsin supper club “nestled on the shores of Lake Como.” Open 7 days a week at 11am. Out of this world ribs and spectacular sunsets! Reserve one our our Igloos on our “Fire and Ice” Deck for a truly unique experience. We created special platters that are sure to please all of our guests. Enjoy our Piano Bar for fun Friday and Saturday nights. Call 262245-5689 today and visit www.mars-resort. com to view our menu. L, D, FF, $$ THE BAKER HOUSE • 327 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva. 262-248-4700. Lake side dining in an elegant 1885 Queen Anne Victorian. Full Bar. Sunday Brunch. L, D, $$$, GF,  ( 405627

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NOVEMBER 2021

location.”

Plans are to relocate the staff offices to the north side of the building in one area. This will allow the staff to collaborate easier and will also open the south side of the building, which looks out over Geneva Lake. Patrons in the library, no matter where they are in the building, will have a clear view of the lake.

“We will also be adding an outdoor patio facing the lakefront, to be enjoyed by patrons and as a place for outdoor programs and activities,” Kornak said. “The children’s area will remain in its current location but will be updated to give it a new look and make it a fun environment for the children to use the variety of activities to be found here.”

Stained glass panels added A reading area will remain facing the lake, but it will be updated with a new look and new furniture.

“Once again the pandemic has taught us of the need for spacing. The new reading area will have five framed stained-glass panels to separate the space.”

These panels were designed by Ed Gilbertson of Gilbertson’s Stained Glass

Studio in Lake Geneva.

“The ideas for the panels that I submitted were Frank Lloyd Wright inspired windows in floating frames that are suspended from the ceiling and the floor. The frames were designed by Larry Yopp,” said Ed Gilbertson.

“There will be five separate frames with two panels in in each frame.”

The furniture in the library is being replaced or refurbished. Three of the hexagonal tables will be retained and used in the library. One of the sling couches will be reupholstered and additional comfortable seating will be placed in the reading area.

There are two rosewood tables that came from the Sturges Estate that will be put in storage temporarily until a place is found for them.

The original fireplace, which has not been working for some time, will be renovated and a new insert will be added. The mantle will have a new look honoring 100 Extraordinary Women. This will be financed as a part of the capital campaign.

“Our goal in this renovation is to reuse as many of the items that were designed by Dresser as possible. We hope to honor history

from top: The circulation desk, which has been to the right when entering the library, will be moved to the left to allow space on the right to be developed as staff offices; Emily Kornak, Director of the Lake Geneva Public Library takes time to share information about the Connecting to the Future Campaign which will fund the much needed renovations to the library.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

15

but still keep the library functional,” said Kornak.

To undertake this renovation, FEH Design was hired in late 2019 to develop the renovation plan.

This James Dresserdesigned couch is the only one remaining of those that were included with the original library when it opened in 1954.

While not particularly comfortable, this one will be reupholstered and returned to use in honor of the man who designed the library.

Fundraising campaign

The cost of renovating a large building such as this library, which has not been updated for over 50 years, is a large expense.

The original renovation budget was estimated to be about $1 million. To help defray some of this cost, a capital campaign was launched with a goal of raising $500,000.

In addition to money raised by the campaign, additional funding will be coming from library reserves and endowments, and approved capital project funds from the City of Lake Geneva.

General donations may be given and specific donations that include recognition will be accepted. These specific donations range from $5,000 to up to $200,000 and can be pledged over 3 years. Among the items that can be chosen for recognition are Public Computer Area ($50,000), Furniture in the Lakeside Children’s Area ($25,000), Stained Glass Dividers for Lakeside Seating Area ($7,500) and new furniture and seating throughout the library ($5,000).

A special project included in the campaign is the 100 extraordinary women initiative.

One hundred women will be honored by having their names engraved on book spines

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

that will be displayed on the newly renovated fireplace mantle. The donation may be given by one person to honor a specific woman or a group may join together to provide the funding for someone they feel is worthy of the recognition. This donation may also be spread over three years.

The third way to contribute to the campaign is through the purchase of a brick paver. The pavers may include a personal message or the name of someone of the donor’s choice. Donation amount depends on the size of the brick paver chosen.

As the renovation continues, the library is closed to patrons for most visits. While the building itself is closed, library services continue. Curbside pickup has continued from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other services include new material browsing, copying, scanning, faxing and remote printing of documents emailed to the library, reserving materials and library card sign up.

“We continue to provide programs to the community, with some programs being held out on the patio and others at places like schools or the Y,” added Kornak. “We hope to continue to provide services for the library patrons throughout the renovation but we will see how the outdoor pickup works as we continue into the renovation.”

The renovation is on track for completion in February 2022.

To donate to the Capital Campaign, contact Emily Kornak at the Lake Geneva Library by phone at 262-249-5283, or through their website www.lakegeneva.lib.wi.us

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Behind-the-Scenes Broadcasting more than anchors, microphones

by Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER

C

had Wuttke finds working in the broadcast television industry an experience unlike any other.

Wuttke, an Elkhorn Area High School graduate, often encounters a demanding environment consisting of deadlines and split-second ramifications of helping with live productions.

“When you’ve got a deadline, going on the air at a specific time, you are going on there regardless whether you are ready or not,” he said. “It is nerve-wracking. It is exciting and it is like a drug in a way.”

But Wuttke isn’t holding the microphone, or appearing in front of television viewers,

he spends most of his time packed inside a truck packaging and editing highlights from Wisconsin’s most prominent sporting events.

These include telecasts of Milwaukee Brewers, Bucks, other professional sports and Wisconsin Badger athletic contests.

“It is a very demanding environment, but you keep coming back,” Wuttke said.

“There is nothing like producing live television. Live television is where it is at.”

Wuttke, a freelance broadcast technician, acknowledged he serves as a small piece of a very large puzzle in delivering telecasts appealing to sports fan.

On any given day, inside a broadcast truck, Wuttke is just one of about 10 to 15 people producing a telecast for Brewers games.

This includes a producer, director, technical director, audio and graphics crews, engineer, among a series of other specialists.

“There is a lot of controlled chaos.

Anyone walking in would be amazed at how organized it is,” Wuttke said.

The controlled chaos, he said, begins well before the first pitch of a baseball game, opening kickoff for football and tip-off in basketball.

Wuttke, a freelancer for Bally Sports Wisconsin, typically arrives to American Family Field in Milwaukee six hours prior to the Brewers taking the field for a 7 p.m. game.

“We get in about six before first pitch, then we start going through our checks and effect

Chad Wuttke, a freelance broadcast technician, returned to Elkhorn to start a family with his wife, Sarah.

Pictured with Chad and Sarah are their 10-month-old daughter Tessa and 3-year-old son, Leo. SUBMITTED PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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to make sure everything is running OK,” Wuttke said. “Then we start to edit our pre-production elements.”

Pre-production elements, he said, include condensed highlights from the previous game.

Additionally, Wuttke and the rest of the production crew spends time preparing for any scenario, if a situation arises from a game.

“It is like a 10-hour day, give or take,” he said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brewers production crew operates outside of American Family Field, instead of traveling with the Brewers for games.

“We produce away games from home now, which was never really the case, in years past when the Brewers were out of town, the director and producer and everyone would travel with the team to the site and work on the site,” he said.

“Now, they have figured out how to take a signal and reproduce the games from home.”

Bally Sports Wisconsin, like other broadcasting entities, typically pares down staffing for road games.

Unreal dream Wuttke, born and raised in Elkhorn, would have never imagined working in the industry while growing up.

A member of the Elkhorn High School golf team, Wuttke also was part of the AV Club, and lent his voice to the morning announcements at school.

“I grew up going to Brewer games as a kid, but never pictured myself doing what I do now,” said Wuttke, who graduated from Elkhorn in 1997. “Even as I grew older, working as a regular

from top: Chad Wuttke, of Elkhorn, has worked as a broadcast technician for many Wisconsin sports telecasts such as Milwaukee Brewers games with Bally Sports Wisconsin; Wuttke spent time working behind-the-scenes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics arranging video highlights of BMX and skateboarding events.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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from left: Wuttke works behind the scenes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan; Wuttke works in front of an array of monitors at a recent sports broadcast.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes

member of the broadcast crew seemed like a pipe dream.”

Recently, his dream became more surreal, when Wuttke received an opportunity as a contributor to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo.

His opportunity, Wuttke said, developed two years earlier in 2019 when he worked a speed skating job at Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee.

“It turns out that crew also covered the Olympics,” he said. “I must have made a good enough impression that I got a text over a year later out of the blue from the director, Nate Hill, asking me to go Memphis and then Tokyo.”

Wuttke, who is married to Sarah, an Elkhorn Area School District teacher, and father of two young children, initially hesitated because he wanted assurances from his wife.

“I was humbled and excited beyond belief.

It was easily the biggest opportunity of my career,” Wuttke said. “I said yes right away, but I also had two very little children at home so I knew it was going to be tough, especially for my wife.”

But Sarah, he said, gave him her blessing and he took flight to Japan.

Olympic coverage

Japan, under a national emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic, restricted movement of broadcasters and athletes attending the Olympic Games in an attempt stem the spread of the virus.

“It was amazing to see what it was like on the other side of the world,” said Wuttke, who had never been to another continent up until his 15-day stay in Japan.

“I was there for 15 days, I was quarantined

for 14 days, so it was the hotel, take a bus to the venue, take a bus back to the hotel,” said Wuttke.

Wuttke could only patronize one approved restaurant and convenience store during his stay.

“They were very protective of their country because they were under an emergency when the Olympics were going on,” he said.

But Wuttke kept working, primarily covering BMX and skateboarding events, both of which he described as fun experiences.

“Lots of cool tricks and very replayable highlights,” he said.

“We just wanted to get the job done.”

Humble journey

Wuttke embarked on a long path to become a small part of Brewers, or any other Wisconsin sports team telecasts, since graduating in 1997 from Elkhorn.

Four years later, Wuttke earned an associates degree in Multimedia Technology from Madison Media Institute in Madison, where he earned his first job in the industry working for local ABC affiliate WKOW. The job opportunity, he said, came about a week before he received his degree during a tour of WKOW building.

“They mentioned a job opening and I beat out five others for the job,” he said.

While at WKOW, Wuttke worked from 3:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, serving as editor and cameraman before becoming director of the news station’s morning show.

During his tenure, Wuttke learned about freelance opportunities from Steve Zimmerman, who helped him seek side jobs such as wrapping cables at volleyball SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

and softball games or holding a parabolic microphone on the sidelines of football contests.

A parabolic microphone, which looks like a miniature satellite dish, collects field audio from sporting events and in other venues, After 12 years, Wuttke moved from the Madison area to Milwaukee, where he took a leap of faith and became a freelancer.

Starting a family

In 2013, Wuttke met Sarah, who was working as a teacher in Elkhorn.

“The stars aligned and after 18 years away, I moved back to my hometown and started a family,” he said.

Since then, the Wuttkes became parents to Tessa, 10 months, and Leo, 3.

When Wuttke has a night off from collecting and compiling footage, he spends his time at home, where he sometimes points out edited content he helped produce to his wife.

Wuttke, however, admits he offers his own perspective of telecasts he isn’t working on.

Wuttke, who cracked a smile, said his wife would become “playfully annoyed” whenever he notes flaws or techniques in other telecasts people don’t often recognize.

“It is like anything, if you are singer, you would think of it in a different way,” said Wuttke of how he views watching sporting events from home.

Although he admits having an interesting job, Wuttke said it isn’t about the attention.

“I am not a doctor. I don’t save lives,” he said, adding he feels fortunate for his opportunities. “My wife impacts more my lives than I do.”

Sarah Wuttke is an instrumental music and band teacher.

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C ffee and C nversation Friendly Grounds group keeps friendships close

by Tracy Ouellette STAFF WRITER

n Friday mornings the Coffee House on Chestnut and Pine in downtown Burlington hosts a group of friends who stop by for a couple of hours to catch up on the week’s happenings and enjoy each other’s company.

The group has named itself the Friendly Grounds Coffee Club and has a standing reservation at the coffee shop, meeting weekly for the last five years.

“Members come if they can and as often as they can,” said Bob Friedel, who created the group with his wife, Kim. “We’ve been friends with these people

forever,” Kim Friedel said. “We didn’t get to see them on a regular basis that often and one day I had this idea. We’d go down to the coffee shop occasionally and see someone we knew and it inspired me. What if I sent out an email to a bunch of our friends and get together Friday mornings?”

Kim said she sent out an email and it “just took off from there.”

“I came up with the name for the group because we’re all friends and we meet at the coffee shop. Bob is an innovative thinker and he was all for it and he even ordered coffee mugs for the group,” she added.

Bob said many in the group had been friends for decades.

The Friedels moved to Burlington in 1972 and formed friendships with the other group members that have stayed strong almost 50 years later.

“Many of us worked together, played community sports together, went to school together, went to the same church, were neighbors, etc.,” Bob said. “To stay friends for many of us for over 30 to 40 years is very special. We all wanted to get together as often as we can every week to see each other and spend quality time together. There is nothing more special than that.”

Fellow group member Doug Belot, who attends the group meetings with his wife, Brenda Belot, said many of the group members worked in education, which is another point of bonding for the friends.

“Bob and I and about five to seven of the others are former teachers or school administration so we have a lot in common,” Doug Belot said. “But that’s not how we met.

I first met Bob and some of the others while playing for the Burlington softball team.”

The Friendly Grounds Coffee Club meets from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Fridays at the Coffee House at Chestnut and Pine, 492 N. Pine St. in Burlington. The group of friends has been meeting for five years and welcomes newcomers. Pictured clockwise from bottom left are: Cyndi Armstrong, Brenda Belot, Kim Friedel, Elaine Adam, Kathy Abernethy, Wayne Evert, Bob Friedel, Doug Belot, Dan Armstrong, Clint Bennett, Steve Abernethy, Karen Bennett, Barb Jewell and Linda Simmons.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

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“This probably all started when Bob joined the men’s softball league after we moved here,” Kim Friedel said. “The wives got to know each other along with the men.”

Some of the other members are neighbors and friends of members who have joined in after hearing about the coffee club.

“One neighbor who lives across the street from us came with us once and now she comes all the time,” Kim Friedel said.

The goal of the club is to keep the members connected and active and the group often meets outside of the club for other activities.

“We play cards on some Saturdays,” Kim Friedel said. “We play euchre with 16 of us playing, four tables of four. It’s an offshoot of this group of people. Other friends also join in for the card games.”

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As with most small groups, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the group from meeting for most of last year. The coffee shop was closed for months and the group was concerned about spreading the virus.

“We just didn’t meet last year,” Kim Friedel said. “In the fall we had a couple of driveway meetings and once we met in the park. We started meeting in person again this spring.”

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If you go…

WHAT: Friendly

Grounds Coffee Club Coffee House at Chestnut and Pine, 492 N. Pine St., Burlington WHEN: Fridays, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

WHERE: The

The group also met via Zoom a few times last year and Doug Belot said it was fun, but a different experience.

“When we meet at the coffee shop the conversations tend to split into the gals and guys,” he said. “On Zoom it was one conversation with everyone and it was nice.

It was just like old times.”

However, once the group was fully vaccinated, meeting in person again was something everyone looked forward to, Doug Belot said.

Open to all

The group welcomes new members and often will have someone who’s stopping for a coffee join in on the conversation. The owner of the coffee shop also likes to stop by for a chat.

On any given Friday the age of the participants can range from 7 to 70 because often the members have grandkids with them.

The Friday morning group varies in size as members come and go each week based

Bob Friedel had this coffee mug made for the Friendly Grounds Coffee Club he and his wife started about five years ago in Burlington.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Spirit of Geneva Lakes

on what their plans are.

“We average around 10 people each week, but sometimes we can have 16 to 20 in the summer,” Doug said.

The topic of conversations vary widely, he added. “We generally catch up on what’s happened in the past week, but from there the conversation will evolve to current events or what’s happening in our lives or the community. No one brings an agenda, it’s

just friends talking.”

Bob Friedel said it’s an “open forum” every week with discussions including community events, educational concerns, religion, politics, family, sports and vacation destinations.

“It’s just a chance to connect with your friends every week and catch up and see if someone needs help with something,” Kim Friedel added.

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FAREWELL TO

Ginger Blossom

Iconic Richmond store to close at end of year

by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

any of the regular shoppers at Ginger Blossom – the specialty import store on a former farm along Highway 173 east of Richmond, Illinois – consider the décor, clothing and gift shop a

treasured destination.

“Many of our customers stop in regularly and have become friends over the years,” namesake owner Ginger Blossom said.

Recently, however, they have been surprised to learn that Ginger Blossom is closing by the end of the year.

“We have just received our last shipment from India which should have arrived mid-summer,” Blossom said. “Just as here, COVID has shut down many businesses and slowed shipping.”

If you have driven past Ginger Blossom recently, you may have noticed the signs stating there is a major sale going on.

According to Blossom, starting Oct.

1 most items were marked 20% off with some discounted up to 50%. The sales will continue until Dec. 31 when the business will close permanently. During this time, the markdowns will continue until they run out of merchandise.

“Things are selling very quickly especially at their sale prices, so if there is something special that you are looking to purchase, come out soon,” added Blossom.

A time to move on

For customers, the closing of Ginger Blossom has come as a shock.

On a recent website post, Ginger Blossom wrote to her customers:

Ginger Blossom stands in front of the Pampas grass near the barn on her property in Richmond, Illinois. The grasses were planted here more than 30 years ago by Ginger’s mother and continue to grow and spread each year.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

27

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“Change is the only constant in life, and there is a big change coming here at Ginger Blossom. I’m retiring and the shop will be closing at the end of the year. I want to sincerely thank all of you who helped make my dream a reality. It wouldn’t have happened without you. Thank you again for all the wonderful times and memories.”

But while some customers lament the loss of their favorite shopping destination, Blossom said it was just the right time to close the store.

“There are so many other things I would like to do and now is the time. I love to travel and even though I do a lot of it in shopping for Ginger Blossom it is not the kind of restful travel I anticipate doing.

“Each day I am up at 5 a.m. while traveling to meet with contacts, attending trade shows in the Asian countries, and checking out new items to purchase,” Blossom continued.

“Traveling for three months under the stress of shopping for new items is not like taking a vacation.”

Even in retirement, Blossom says inactivity is not an option for her. She has many frequent flyer miles and intends

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to use some to enjoy countries she has not yet visited. One of the countries she has expressed an interest in is Poland among other destinations.

She also has an interest in training dogs, specifically Belgian Shepherd Dogs, although she laughingly says she mostly enjoys playing with them.

The dogs are known for their herding abilities. During World War II, according to Blossom, they were used to carry munitions as they could not been seen in the dark due to their black color. They were also used as customs agents to root out smugglers as they are known for their “sharp noses.”

“I hope to teach my two dogs to do skijoring – skiing with the dogs pulling you. We have a good start as they already understand “ge” left and “ha” right. The dogs can go up to 30 miles an hour so it is an exciting ride,” Blossom said. “Or I may just play with my dogs,” she added with a smile.

30 years of imports

Ginger Blossom has been a destination for shoppers for more than 30 years. The retail business, located on the Gauger family farm has been the place to go for quality and unique items for homes, clothing and gifts that were created all over the world. All of the

items were selected by owner Blossom on her buying trips.

Complete with life-sized metal sculptures of farm animals that appear to be grazing, the farm has a relaxing pastoral look that begs visitors to stop and see what the farm has to offer.

“The first year the moose was the animal of choice. We sold 67 of them,” Blossom said. “Other animals sold well too but the moose was the favorite.

Today it is difficult to get more as, just as here, there are not the workers willing to create them and shipping has become very difficult and expensive.”

A stop at the farm is never a quick stop as there is always so much to browse. Large woven rugs in beautiful patterns and colors are located in the main barn. Many of these carpets come from Turkey or India. Also in the barn are unique painted furniture pieces, cabinets, chairs, or tables, much of it from Mexico. Beautiful hand-carved furniture is also on display.

A smaller building has been the home of hand-knit sweaters, scarves, and mittens from around the world. Shoppers are greeted by a plethora of color, sizes, and styles. Many of these items made from wool.

Another building contains a variety of jewelry, from hand-strung beads to

from top: The barn has been the principal showroom at Ginger Blossom, holding the large furniture and the many rugs available for sale; Scarves in beautiful colors and fabrics, hand-knit sweaters and other distinctive clothing, including skirts, blouses are available and all at sale prices SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES

29

elegant silver rings, bracelets and earrings. There are other unique gift items from small Buddhas to special note pads, and key chains.

The wares also include Spirit Houses from Thailand. These are wooden houses that appear much the size of a birdhouse. They are intricately carved and placed outside a home to protect it from any wayward spirits. In Thailand they are seen outside most homes and businesses.

“My favorite items are textiles, especially older vintage and ethnic items. I have a collection of wild stuff,” Blossom said. “My favorite is an indigenous Mardi Gras costume from Bolivia. It is sequined and beaded and made of red velvet.”

The majority of items are chosen by Blossom when she makes her buying trip each year from January to March, visiting the various vendors that she works with and choosing the items for her business and her customers. She checks to be certain that items are not made with child labor.

Business grew on a whim

The business began shortly after Blossom finished college.

Speaking three languages she knew she wanted to travel the world.

She taught skiing in South America and enjoyed traveling when not teaching.

“Because Argentine money was useless anywhere other than Argentina, I began by buying sheepskin bed coverings to resell back in the U.S. when I was teaching skiing there. It was not long before

from above: Among the favorites of customers are the full-size animal

sculptures, such as this moose. This one is made in Mexico from metal and presents a realistic profile when viewed from a distance; Ginger Blossom features a collection of imported furniture and other home décor.

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

30

I was purchasing other textiles also,” Blossom said. “My mother would sell them from a small shop she had on the family farm near Richmond when I wasn’t home to do so myself.”

When Blossom returned home, she needed a job for income and so increased Ginger Blossom’s wares.

She was joined by her brother, Gary Gauger, who continued to grow organic vegetables including heirloom tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, garlic, onions, summer and winter squash and watermelon.

The vegetables are sold at a stand on the farm grounds.

Over the years both businesses flourished and each has a clientele that stops in regularly. Ginger Blossom’s long-time customers stop by frequently during the summer as they know that new merchandise arrives often. The containers from Asia, South America, and Mexico that Ginger Blossom orders in our cold months of January to March arrive at generally from late spring through summer.

While Ginger Blossom will be missed for it’s treasured imports and the owner’s friendly personality, longtime customers can take heart that Blossom will be doing what she’s always done – following her heart.

Ginger Blossom is at 3016 Highway 173, Richmond, Illinois. Visit gingerblossom.com, or visit on Facebook. Call 815-678-4015 for information about the clearance sale. Ginger Blossom is open seven days weekly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 31 or until all product is sold.

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