AUTUMN 2026
At The Lake ®
G e n e va L a k e A r e a M ag a z i n e
Leading by Example Ann Drake on the founding of the Women’s Leadership Center of Williams Bay
MEET THE LUCKY 13TH ANNUAL CLASS
Photo by Stoffer Photography
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editor’s page CHUCK’S PUP I had so much fun tagging along with photographer Holly Leitner on this Lake Dogs photo shoot! Turn to page 40 for all the cuteness.
Dear readers,
One of the fun perks of my job is getting to try out new things in the area. On a beautiful autumn day last September, I got to wander among the “U-Pick” flowers at Blossom Ridge at Royal Oak Farms, a 2024 addition to the orchard and activity farm just outside of Harvard, Illinois. The colors and the beautiful blooms were absolutely unforgettable. Learn all about this spot and other places for “U-Pick” sunflowers and blooms on page 117. I also recently had an invitation to try out the new menu at The Waterfront at The Abbey Resort ... on page 23, you can read all about executive chef Matthew Toepher’s approach to elevated comfort food. Speaking of elevated comfort, in this issue, we feature a tour of the beautiful Geneva Lake home of Doug and Mary Perks (page 78). Originally built as a garage and chauffeur’s quarters for a neighboring estate in the 1920s, the Perks’ renovation of the house, led by The Design Coach, has resulted in a timeless lake home full of casual elegance, the perfect gathering space for friends and family.
ALL THINGS LG Our office loved this clever boating safetythemed candle at the Lake Life store at Pier 290 — for more Geneva Lakethemed gifts, check out page 102!
But the best part of our autumn issue, of course, is that we get to introduce you to the lucky 13th annual class of Lake Dogs (page 40)! Last spring, our panel of judges carefully considered more than 120 entries received during our official Lake Dogs submission period in order to select the 23 dogs you see in this year’s portfolio. Some of the things our judges considered include: ensuring a diversity of breeds, sizes, coat colors, personalities and locations. In addition to our judges’ choices, one lucky pup was selected through our fourth annual People’s Choice poll online — meet the adorable winner on page 43. And mark your calendar for next March, when the submission period will open once again. We love to see your lake dogs! Anne Morrissy Editor anne@ntmediagroup.com
Follow At The Lake on Social Media For additional glimpses of life At The Lake, including photos, videos and behind-the-scenes peeks, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. @AtTheLakeMag 6 AT THE LAKE
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FLORAL FIELDS The sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, cockscomb and other beautiful blooms at Blossom Ridge at Royal Oak Farm in Harvard (page 117) made for a beautiful afternoon.
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contents autumn 2026
features
40 Lake Dogs
32
56
78
Our lucky 13th annual class of canine companions loving life at the lake.
Tomorrow Starts Here
From Headline to Shoreline
Timeless by Design
Meet Ann Drake, visionary
Originally a 1920s-era marketing
renovation and redesign,
business leader and founder
strategy, the Lake Como Beach
the Geneva Lake home of
of the new Women’s Leadership
Property Owners Association
Doug and Mary Perks exudes
Center at Williams Bay.
celebrates 100 years of
classic elegance.
By Amanda Wegner
community.
By Lauren Eve
Photos by Holly Leitner
By Sarah Koehler 10 AT THE LAKE
Following an extensive
DESIGN . BUILD . RENOVATE Our Mission is to build a Quality Home and maintain an open line of .· BUILD .· toRENOVATE DESIGN RENOVATE communication with our client throughout the building process... from the initial design concept to it’s final and outstanding completion!
We focus onbuild accountability, to detail and Our Mission Mission is to to build Home to an line Our is a Qualitycomplete Home and andattention to maintain maintain anopen open lineofof absolute client satisfaction. communication with with our the communication client throughout throughout the building buildingprocess... process...from fromthe the initial design concept initial concept to to its its finaland andoutstanding outstandingcompletion! completion! . final
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contents autumn 2026
departments sponsored content 72 A Lakeside Dream, Built from Scratch
home & garden 93 The Perfect Accessory 100 Aging Wine Gracefully 102 Trending at the Lake
better living
93
107
107 Organic by Nature 112 Paw-fectly Organic 114 At the Library
out & about 117 Fields of Gold 124 On Your Mark 126 Q&A: Insider Scoop 128 Events at the Lake
food & drink 137 Can It and Jam It 142 Maple Old Fashioned
117
digital partners
146 Chrome, Coffee and Comfort
137
148 Dining at the Lake
in every issue 6
Editor’s Page
23 Currents Custom Builders
12 AT THE LAKE
154 Life at the Lake
Indoor • Outdoor Lighting LEDs • Bulbs • Fans Lamp Repairs • Shades
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PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Barbara Krause bak@ntmediagroup.com VICE PRESIDENT-PUBLICATIONS Becky Peck becky@ntmediagroup.com EDITOR Anne Morrissy anne@ntmediagroup.com ART DIRECTOR Lauren Harrigan lharrigan@ntmediagroup.com PHOTOGRAPHER & IMAGE EDITOR Holly Leitner holly@ntmediagroup.com DIGITAL DIRECTOR Kristen Rouse krouse@ntmediagroup.com SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Kayla King kayla@ntmediagroup.com
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COURTESY OF THE ABBEY WATERFRONT
currents
new & Noteworthy
Marina-side Dining The Abbey’s Waterfront restaurant gets a refresh BY SARA KARNISH
T
he Waterfront restaurant at The Abbey Resort recently reopened following an extensive interior and exterior refresh, that included new flooring, updated decor, redesigned furniture and an enhanced layout designed to maximize the restaurant’s panoramic marina and lake views. Enhancements like floor-to-ceiling windows, warm wood accents and coastalinspired details complete the space. “[The look] was a little outdated,” says Bryan Hill, director of food and
AUTUMN 2026
23
currents new & noteworthy beverage for The Abbey Resort. “The owners wanted a refresh to bring the lake vibe to the Waterfront with a tiein to the marina.” Designer Natalie Sheedy and the team at Chicago’s Sheedy/DeLaRosa Interiors created a space that seamlessly connects the indoor and outdoor dining experiences. In addition to the interior upgrades, the outdoor area received an upgraded deck, new fire tables and expanded seating areas. The Waterfront’s new chef, Matthew Toepher, has developed a menu that leans heavily toward shareables and classic Midwest comfort foods. “Matthew comes from the Chicagoland area and has a lot of expertise in developing Midwest culinary fare,” Hill explains. “[With the new menu,] we went hard toward shareables. We want to have groups of people ordering these dishes and enjoying them together down by the water.”
In addition to the new food and beverage offerings, diners can expect a more social experience in the refreshed space. Live music, entertainment and special events will take place on the enhanced stage year-round.
Climb Across the Universe Yerkes Observatory receives grant to build playground BY SARA KARNISH
Williams Bay’s Yerkes Observatory is gearing up to welcome young visitors 24 AT THE LAKE
to a new kind of space — a playground. A $700,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Non-State Grant Program will help pay for Yerkes’ upcoming Blair Family Foundation Play/Space Area and Cosmic Family Pavilion on the grounds of the observatory’s 50-acre property. “We are building the first science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) playground at an astronomy site in the world,” explains Dennis Kois, executive director of Yerkes Observatory. Designed by Monstrum, a playground company based out of Copenhagen, Denmark, the new Play/Space will occupy 1 acre and feature a threestory abstract supernova with three slides, an interior maze, swing sets and multiple play zones for
multiple ages. “I’m personally a big fan of Monstrum and their design aesthetics,” Kois says. “They’re on the front end of design accessibility.” Ensuring kids of all ages and ability levels are able to play on the equipment was an important consideration for the project. The space will be optimized for kids ages 3-12 — with a “small kid zone” for children aged 3-6 and a “big kid zone” for ages 6-12 — along with a seating area for school groups that will hold approximately 35 children and adults so students can hear from teachers and astronomers. There will also be a picnic pavilion with restrooms, a new-mom nursing room and cell phone charging areas. Yerkes Observatory is a special place for Sloan Sullivan and her granddaughter, Brooklyn Freytag —
COURTESY OF THE ABBEY WATERFRONT
Hill also says that The Waterfront is partnering with more local vendors to source ingredients and offering more local and regional products. Lake Geneva Country Meats, Milwaukee Pretzel Company and Dancing Goat Distillery are among the companies partnering with The Waterfront.
The new menu at The Waterfront restaurant includes “elevated comfort food” options like ribs, jerk chicken nachos and a Friday fish fry.
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currents new & noteworthy so special that the duo teamed up to write a picture book about it. “Blueberries of Life Too: Brooklyn Discovers Yerkes Observatory” is a sequel to their debut, “Blueberries of Life,” and features hand-painted scenes of Lake Geneva, including Yerkes Observatory.
Renderings of the Play/Space playground designed by Copenhagen-based Monstrum includes two play areas; one for kids ages 3-6 and one for kids ages 6-12.
The initial book was well-received and Sullivan and Freytag were asked to write a sequel. “Our goal is to raise awareness of their Play/Space and to get children involved with Yerkes,” Sullivan explains. To help with this goal, Sullivan says she’ll be donating $1 from every “Blueberries of Life Too” book sold toward the Play/Space. “It’s important to get [kids] into Yerkes early,” Sullivan explains. “It’s a magical place, so writing about it is a joy for me. And I love working with my granddaughter.” The book is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and blueberriesoflife.com. Readers who want a signed copy can visit @blueberriesoflife on Instagram.
Meeting of the Minds Inaugural Lake Geneva Humanities Festival planned for September A new organization calling itself “a gathering place for curious minds” invites the public to learn more about great thinkers, innovators and creative individuals at a series of events this fall. According to the organization’s website, the not-for-profit Lake Geneva Humanities Festival (LGHF) is committed to making the humanities accessible through thoughtful programs that explore literature, history, science, philosophy, art, music and civic life. Keeping with the group’s tagline — “Where ideas meet the water” — 26 AT THE LAKE
Author Sloan Sullivan (left) with her new book, “Blueberries of Life Too: Brooklyn Discovers Yerkes Observatory.”
TOP TWO COURTESY OF YERKES OBSERVATORY PLAYGROUND; BOTTOM THREE: COURTESY OF SLOAN SULLIVAN
BY SARA KARNISH
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currents new & noteworthy Casey Tormoen set out with a goal to “thoughtfully restore and enhance rather than reinvent” the space. “From the moment my husband and I first saw the property, we didn’t just see a hotel — we saw what it could become,” Terese explains. “We envisioned a place that felt welcoming, nostalgic and beautifully designed. Somewhere guests could slow down, unplug from busy lives and reconnect with family, friends and themselves.”
this September, LGHF will host four programs that touch on different aspects of the humanities and spotlight notable figures in their respective fields. Organizers say that this year’s events will constitute LGHF’s soft opening; next September will see the group’s official launch. The soft launch will consist of four days of programming. On Sept. 24, Richard Munson, author of “Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist,” will give a presentation at the Lake Geneva Public Library discussing this key part of Franklin’s life and its relevance to our modern times, as well as how Franklin’s scientific work laid the foundation for his political life. The following day at Lake Geneva’s Church of the Holy Communion, the writers and publishers of County Highway, a 20-page print newspaper published six times a year, will discuss how their publication has succeeded in a digital-heavy culture where others have failed. County Highway publishes a mix of news stories; columns about agriculture, civil liberties, herbal medicine and living off the grid; as well as essays on literature and art. On Sept. 26 at the Church of the Holy Communion, opera singer Louisa Waycott, accompanied by Tom Stanfield, will perform selections from the Great American Songbook. And on Sept. 27 at The Riviera, 28 AT THE LAKE
author Robert Sharoff will facilitate a discussion with award-winning architectural photographer William Zbaren and cultural historian Tim Samuelson entitled “The Wrigley Building: The Making of an Icon.” Cathy Koch, LGHF co-president, says the organizers chose programs they hoped would both align with America’s 250th birthday and speak to the interests of people in the Geneva Lake area. Co-president Mary Kilmer agrees. “We’re excited to be able to do this and we’re excited about the variety of different presenters,” she says. “Plus, we’re already starting to gather ideas for what people want to see next year.” All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit lghumanities.org.
Reviving Midcentury Charm New boutique hotel opens in Williams Bay BY ANNE MORRISSY
The American Hotel, a new boutique hotel, opened in Williams Bay last summer after an extensive renovation and reimagining of what had once been a 1950s-era motor court hotel. New owners Terese and
To achieve this goal, the Tormoens completely renovated each guest suite with its own unique design, updating furnishings, selecting new finishes, adding fireplaces, updating kitchenettes and curating themed decor. Terese and Casey, a licensed general contractor, worked closely with several local subcontractors, craftspeople, suppliers and small businesses to ensure a successful project. “As a locally owned business ourselves, supporting other local businesses was important to us,” Terese explains. To ensure a fun and memorable stay, all eight suites are finished in a theme inspired by an iconic classic film, including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Pillow Talk” and “A Summer Place.” There is also a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom cottage available to rent on the property. “We wanted to create a hotel defined by thoughtful details, genuine hospitality and memorable experiences,” Terese says. “We wanted every suite to tell a story, drawing inspiration from midcentury classic American films and an era when hospitality felt deeply personal.”
TOP: HOLLY LEITNER; BOTTOM: COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN HOTEL
Organizers for the inaugural Lake Geneva Humanities Festival say this September’s events will be a “soft launch.”
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Tomorrow Ann Drake, founder of the new Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay, shares her unlikely career path and vision for the future BY AMANDA WEGNER 32 AT THE LAKE
Starts Here
own the wooded hill of Constance Boulevard in Williams Bay, the world seems to fall away. At the bottom, on 9 lakefront acres near the historic Yerkes Observatory, sits a newly built cluster of buildings unlike anything else on Geneva Lake: the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay. This retreat center is designed to send women into the world with bigger, better ideas than they had when they arrived. For Ann Drake, the center is a destination in more ways than one. It is the culmination of three careers, a lifetime of leadership in a male-dominated field and a conviction that the future should have more women at the forefront.
AN UNLIKELY PATH
OPPOSITE PAGE: ANNA URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY, THIS PAGE TOP TO BOTTOM: RENDERING COURTESY OF STUDIO GANG, ANNA URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY, ANNA URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF ANN DRAKE, COURTESY OF ANN DRAKE
Drake did not grow up with her sights set on running a logistics company. In 1960, her father, Jim McIlrath, founded the business that became DSC Logistics. But for years, Drake imagined a different life entirely. “Growing up, [going into business] was not part of the normal options that a woman considered,” says Drake. Instead, she built a life in stages, first as a high school English teacher, then as an interior designer who eventually started her own business. But after getting divorced and questioning whether interior design would be her lifelong path, she began thinking about what came next and decided to attend business school. “When I looked at all the business schools within 60 miles of Chicago, Kellogg [School of Management at Northwestern University] was the one I really wanted,” says Drake. “It was the most well-rounded and peoplebased experience, so I went there to help me think about a different career.” As she worked through Kellogg’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, Drake became more interested in the family business. So when her father invited her to join the company’s board, she accepted. At age 44, Drake formally joined the company, nearly the same age as her father when he first founded it. “I learned it from the top down,” she says, “and because I’d been an entrepreneur [already], I knew the bottom up, so I was filling in the middle.”
COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE AND LEADERSHIP
Working in logistics in the early years meant stepping into a room with no other women. “It was a male-dominated field where there were no women in sight — anywhere,” Drake explains. And being the founder’s daughter cut both ways: “Some people saw me as Jim’s daughter and I got a certain respect. But other people made me earn it.” Drake began earning others’ respect the way she would come to lead — one conversation at a time. “I really am my father’s daughter,” she says. “I work hard, I like the people, and I would walk and talk and ask them things, always trying to smile and be positive and interested. In the end, it’s a people game.” Drake says that instinct was sharpened years earlier in the classroom. “[Teaching] high school was very much AUTUMN 2026
33
about communication, people and leadership,” she says. “[In business,] you have to create a vision for people. It’s the same with high school kids — they have a picture they can’t quite see and then you help them figure out how to get there.”
She brought in legal and advisory assistance, built a new brand and renamed the business DSC Logistics — a signal that the company was no longer just “Dry Storage Corporation,” but a full logistics operation spanning warehousing and transportation. Then she took that message on the road to share with the subsidiary companies. That effort turned into an annual tradition called Founders Day. “‘One company, one great company’ — I can still hear myself saying those words,” Drake recalls of the rollout. Drake accepts the CSCMP Distinguished Service Award in 2012.
Drake (center) and the Women’s Leadership Center team.
The most challenging part wasn’t the strategy, she adds — it was getting people on board with change. “The hardest part is people worrying about what it all means,” she says. “Their jobs are going to change. You have to get them comfortable with it and then you have to get them excited about it.”
A MANDATE TO LEAD
The moment that helped shape the next arc of Drake’s life came while standing at a podium she’d sat below for 15 years. In 2012, Drake received the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) Distinguished Service Award — the field’s highest honor. It was the first time in 47 years that a woman had won it. As Drake looked out at the audience during her acceptance speech, she delivered this line: “You remember when it used to be all men.” Then she looked around. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh — it still is,’” she says. “I was shocked. They’d honored a woman for the first time, but really … things hadn’t changed that much.” So she decided to change them. In 2013, she founded AWESOME — Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education — to bring women in the field together around leadership, culture and connection. It grew to more than 1,500 senior women supply chain leaders. “[The award] gave me a mandate to go out and give women more opportunities,” she says. “It
34 AT THE LAKE
was a big shift for me, moving into the world of women leaders and helping them.”
MAPPING HER FUTURE
In 2018, DSC Logistics was acquired by a South Korean conglomerate, an outcome Drake describes with pride because the buyer had no U.S. operations and the deal gave her business the chance to go global. Having “tied a ribbon around that package,” she turned her attention to what was next for her. “I certainly wasn’t going to do nothing — I’m a very busy, active person,” she says. To determine her next steps, Drake drew circles on paper, mapping out her strengths, experiences, assets and learnings. “I thought, ‘How can I take all this and really turn it into something great to help women in other fields to help influence one another, be more confident and move ahead?’” she says. “It was important to me to leverage all this because that’s how I could make an impact: by pulling it all together in one bundle.” The result was Lincoln Road Enterprises, a philanthropic venture focused on advancing women’s leadership. The organization has five focus areas that Drake considers nearly universal. First and most broadly, Lincoln Road Enterprises exists to encourage women’s leadership in all forms of business. More specifically, it focuses on: global supply chain; technology and engineering; infrastructure and design; and space. “These are not meant to be exclusive,
COURTESY OF ANN DRAKE
One of the boldest visions Drake helped create for the company came shortly after she became CEO in 1994: consolidating 22 separate entities into a single company. Through the years, her father had built the business as a collection of independently run operations. But keeping the entities separate came with a slew of issues; for instance, there was no way to track sales by customer across the business or roll up financial information. This separation felt wrong to Drake. “I thought of the McDonald’s model — why couldn’t we have the same service in Dallas that we have in Chicago?” she says. “The customer should have that. We should have that.”
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ARCHITECTURAL INNOVATION
For 30 years, Drake has visited Yerkes Observatory along Geneva Lake, enjoying it with grandchildren, friends and on her own. Then, during a pandemic-era visit with Dianna Colman, former Yerkes Board Chair, Drake began to see the area differently. “I had a vision for more than just a museum and a historical site, but a vision for a place of culture, learning and arts in Williams Bay,” she explains. When a property adjoining Yerkes became available a few months later, Drake had a vision of how to connect Lincoln Road Enterprises’ five focus areas and the location. “I would not have built the Women’s Leadership Center anywhere else,” she says, explaining that it pulled many things together for her. The
Yerkes telescopes represented leading-edge science 125 years ago, and nearby, the former George Williams College carried a parallel legacy in learning. But Drake says the real pull was the land itself. “I could feel in it the connection to history, to culture, to place, to the lake,” she says. “I wanted to connect this place to women’s learning and growth.” To design the Women’s Leadership Center, Drake hired renowned architect Jeanne Gang and her firm, Studio Gang. “Working with Jeanne Gang has been a wonderful experience,” says Drake. “She’s a big collaborator and studies the land first. We kept asking: What would make this a different experience that produces fabulous outcomes?” Gang’s answers reshaped Drake’s own thinking. One building curves like a ring, so everyone inside can see one another, and every window frames a different view, which is conducive to walking, talking and sharing ideas, says
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Studio Gang’s design for the Women’s Leadership Center maximizes its wooded setting overlooking the lake. The curved shape of the buildings and floor-to-ceiling windows allow unobstructed views from nearly every angle.
ANNA URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY
but almost universal,” says Drake. “All these fields make a difference in economics and politics, so I set about to pull these five things together.”
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Perhaps Drake’s favorite feature is the locally famous ravine. Once too steep to explore, Studio Gang made it the campus’ spine with an elevated, ADA-accessible boardwalk, wide enough for two people to walk side by side, that winds 984 feet down a 52-foot vertical grade change to the lake through the wooded site. “For breaks, the directive will be to take a walk with a partner and come back with three good ideas,” Drake says of this feature.
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
When the center opens later this year,
Drake wants first-time visitors to feel the world drop away so they can build something for themselves. “The idea is that people will brainstorm collaboratively and ask, ‘What if we did this differently?’ We want to start to turn dreams of a better world into actually making it happen, with women at the forefront.” She says she’s thrilled to open this architectural gem in Williams Bay, in a series of buildings designed by one of the world’s most famous female architects and filled with sculptures and glass art by many renowned women artists. (Drake says the site now represents one of the largest collections of glass art by women artists in North America.) “It really is a magic land … it even feels magic,” says Drake. “We want women to leave their at-home self behind and come to a place where all things are possible. Visions of tomorrow — and dreams for a better world — start here.”
ANNA URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Drake. Additionally, local materials ground the campus, such as Wisconsin stone and wood floors milled from trees felled on the property during the construction phase. Rather than one single building, Gang proposed several interconnected buildings, echoing the nearby historic camps. An early model of the Women’s Leadership Center contained a dozen buildings before Drake and Gang settled on three.
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38 AT THE LAKE
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PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER
I
s there anything better than a stroll through the changing leaves on a crisp autumn day with a beloved canine companion at your side? Or a boat ride with a furry friend to enjoy the cooler autumn temps? In our lucky 13th annual portfolio of Lake Dogs, we meet some of the area’s most avid outdoorsmen (outdoorsdogs?). We can’t wait to introduce you to this year’s class of Lake Dogs. There’s Truman (page 50), a rescue who was once found on the side of the road, but today lives his best life in Abbey Springs. There’s Chef (page 49) who likes to put on a show for the Mailboat as it passes each morning. And don’t miss Kenny Rogers, the winner of our fourth annual People’s Choice poll (page 43). Read on for a little extra dose of happiness this autumn.
Milo
9-year-old Maltipoo
Family: John and Barb Miceli | Personality Traits: Sweet, friendly, loving and scrappy | Favorite Lake Activities: Greeting people and other dogs on the lake path and dipping into the shallow water | Pet Peeve: Seeing his humans take out their luggage Naughtiest Deed: Mistaking turkey doo-doo as a luxury spa treatment | Ideal Job: A Michelin-star restaurant critic 40 AT THE LAKE
Bella
4-year-old Bernedoodle Family Mark, Sarah, Tatum and Madison Oglesby Personality Traits She’s an adventurous, high-energy, free-spirited dog who keeps everyone on their toes. If there’s a door to the outside, she’s already waiting by it. Favorite Lake Activities Bella believes every boat ride is an adventure and every duck is a challenge worth pursuing. She’s happiest with the wind in her face, paws on the deck and eyes locked on the next flock of ducks. Pet Peeve Hearing the boat engine start and realizing it’s leaving the dock without her Naughtiest Deed Bella specializes in countertop snack acquisitions while your back is turned. Ideal Job Chief Happiness Officer at Jerry’s Majestic Marine in Fontana
Bob
6-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever
Family: The Scarp/Rahman Family | Personality Traits: Happy | Favorite Lake Activities: Loves to fetch his Frisbee while swimming in Geneva Lake | Pet Peeves: He doesn’t like getting picked up | Naughtiest Deed: He pulls on walks Ideal Job: Police officer — he loves to patrol the yard.
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Newton 2-year-old English Setter
Family The DeCaprio-Sunta Family Personality Traits Refined yet goofy, attentive, expressive and very talkative Favorite Lake Activities Walking to Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn for a basket of fries, morning pier runs and daily coffee shop dinghies Pet Peeve Chipmunks Naughtiest Deed Chewing design fabric samples his humans bring home for work Ideal Job Neighborhood watch
Yogi
(Cover Dog)
4-year-old Golden Retriever Family The Drewek Family Personality Traits Mellow, playful, silly and always happy Favorite Lake Activities Swimming and chasing ducks Pet Peeve Getting his bone stolen Naughtiest Deed Stealing socks Ideal Job Therapist
42 AT THE LAKE
Pe
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Kenny Rogers
4-year-old Wheaten Terrier
Family: Melissa and Mark | Personality Traits: Sweet, silly, spoiled and hungry! | Favorite Lake Activities: Sunset boat rides and playing in the shallow water | Pet Peeves: When you don’t share your cheese with him … and fireworks! | Naughtiest Deed: He got ahold of a bright pink marker, chewed it until the ink exploded and then walked around leaving little pink paw prints all over the couch and hardwood floors. When we got home, he acted like nothing happened, but you can say we caught him “pink handed!” Ideal Job: Wine bar owner — he loves going to work at Buzzed Wine Bar in Burlington with Mom and meeting people.
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Magic
11-year-old Pekingese/Pomeranian Mix (Peek-A-Pom)
Family: Denise and Gary Gibson | Personality Traits: Exceedingly friendly | Favorite Lake Activities: Catching the waves on the boat swim platform | Pet Peeves: When other dogs won’t bark “hello” | Naughtiest Deed: Escaping to run to the boat when she’s not invited | Ideal Job: Store greeter (á la Walmart) 44 AT THE LAKE
Arthur
5-year-old Australian Labradoodle Family Brad and Jenn Harte Personality Traits A goofy, highly intelligent cuddlebug with the soul of a ragdoll and the instincts of a security guard! Favorite Lake Activities He lives for the ride! From the golf cart to the boat, he loves the wind in his hair. Pet Peeve Knocks on the front door, long car rides, and when we forget (or are late for) his very important midday snack Naughtiest Deed This master sock thief and professional toy destroyer never misses an opportunity to “sample” unattended baked goods from the counter Ideal Job Chief Snack Compliance Officer
Willow
10-month-old Shih Tzu/Terrier Mix Family William C. Briggs Personality Traits Loving and playful Favorite Lake Activities Walking the beach and taking a swim Pet Peeve Fireworks Naughtiest Deed She behaves like a much larger dog, but her bark is worse than her bite. Ideal Job Lake Geneva tour guide
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Oliver 1-year-old Pug
Family Peter and Danielle Arialis Personality Traits Curious, fun-loving and mischievous Favorite Lake Activities Strolling the shore path and expanding his social circle Pet Peeve Pedicures Naughtiest Deed Snatching the dish towel off the dishwasher and darting around until someone manages to catch him Ideal Job Security officer
Remi
4½-year-old Mini Dachshund
Family: The Fowler Family | Personality Traits: Vigilant and steadfast | Favorite Lake Activities: Sunbathing Pet Peeve: Bald and/or older men | Naughtiest Deed: Sneaking out of the deck gate and running 40 m.p.h. down the lake path for 2 miles | Ideal Job: K-9 unit 46 AT THE LAKE
Sheldon, Edie & Sophie
15-year-old Shih Tzu/Poodle Mix (Shih Poo), 4-year-old Yorkie/Shih Tzu Mix (Shorkie), 11-year-old Shih Tzu
Family: Lynne and Katie Williams | Personality Traits: Sheldon: Gentle, smart and cuddly; Edie: Social, energetic and clever; Sophie: Sweet, spoiled, sassy and loves attention! | Favorite Lake Activities: All three dogs LOVE jumping in the car and going to the lake! Sheldon: Long walks along the lake path and barking at deer and wild turkeys who cross through the yard; Edie: Sunbathing and swimming in the pool with Mommie; Sophie: Sunbathing by the pool | Pet Peeve: Sheldon: When dinner is served late; Edie: When Mommie leaves her home alone; Sophie: Seeing another dog sitting in Mommie’s lap | Naughtiest Deed: Sheldon: Loves to wander off; Edie: Tearing paper up and scattering it all over the house due to separation anxiety; Sophie: Snoring loudly and barking until her demands are met | Ideal Job: Sheldon: Security guard or building inspector; Edie: a party planner — she’s a party looking for a place!; Sophie: a professional princess
Bear & Luna 4- & 7-year-old Black Labs
Family Tom and Maura Ryan Family Personality Traits Humanlike and energetic Favorite Lake Activities Swimming and fetching water toys Pet Peeve Not getting enough Cheerios and blueberries in the morning Naughtiest Deed Barking at old people and eating tree bark Ideal Job Food taster and lifeguard!
AUTUMN 2026
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Nelly & Apollo
14-year-old Australian Shepherd Mix & 10-year-old Border Collie
Family: Marguerite Compton, Richard Martino, Tyler Compton and Matthew Compton | Personality Traits: Both are loving, friendly and energetic, but Nelly is a little more laid back. | Favorite Lake Activities: Walking around the lake and wading in the water Pet Peeves: Nelly: Does not like it when people do not say hello to her; Apollo: Does not like fireworks | Naughtiest Deed: Digging up plants and in-ground light fixtures | Ideal Job: To herd adults and children and keep them safe 48 AT THE LAKE
Chef
4½-year-old Fox Red Labrador Family Corey and Lauren Polkow Personality Traits Equal parts athlete, explorer and troublemaker, with a side of nighttime cuddler Favorite Lake Activities Launching off the pier to catch his buoy and showing off in front of the Mailboat Pet Peeve Being told it’s time to come inside at the end of the day Naughtiest Deed If you’re eating around Chef, consider it a timed competition ... Blink and your dinner is his. Ideal Job Director of Aquatic Recreation — professional dock diver, rock retriever and full-time water enthusiast
Shelly
12-year-old Beagle/Basset Hound/Bulldog Mix
Family: Brittany Mankowski and Brandon Hausner | Personality Traits: Quirky | Favorite Lake Activities: Sunbathing Pet Peeves: Closed doors | Naughtiest Deed: Sleeping on our pillows | Ideal Job: Night-shift RN
AUTUMN 2026
49
Louie
4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Family Liz, Tom and Kenny Potter Personality Traits Fierce and fearless Favorite Lake Activities Boating Pet Peeve Airplanes — he barks at them Naughtiest Deed He once bit a nice, friendly Labrador right in the nose! Ideal Job Security guard
Truman
2-3-year-old Rescued Bouvier des Flandres Family Paula Conrad Personality Traits Grateful, silly and gorgeous! Favorite Lake Activities A vertical leap of joy off all four paws when he sees a deer! Pet Peeve Fireworks Naughtiest Deed Opening the bathroom door when Mom is inside; he is a full-blown stalker! Ideal Job Official deer enthusiast, greeter and chaser
50 AT THE LAKE
Lucy
10-year-old German Shepherd/ Cattle Dog/Terrier Mix
Family: Laura and Jason Paton | Personality Traits: Cheeky | Favorite Lake Activities: Swimming and Frisbee | Pet Peeves: Animals on TV Naughtiest Deed: None — she’s an angel | Ideal Job: Police officer — she breaks up fights at doggy daycare and the dog park
AUTUMN 2026
51
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The Future: Invented Here The Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay gives accomplished women leaders a place to think. Collaborate. Explore. Reflect. Create. Because the future will be brighter with more minds shaping it. And we’re proposing more of those minds should be women’s. Women bring unique strengths to critical thinking — capacities important to tackling today’s global questions and concerns. Simply, the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay is where conversations could happen that change everything — where puzzles can lead to possibilities, and possibilities to plans for a better world.
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FROM HEADLINE TO SHORELINE CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE LAKE COMO BEACH ASSOCIATION BY SARAH KOEHLER PHOTOS BY SAM SAVAGE UNLESS NOTED
A
round 12:30 p.m. on July 3 of this year, a storm with downburst winds of 90 to 100 m.p.h. hit the area with very little warning, causing significant damage in Sharon, Delavan Lake, Williams Bay, Lake Geneva and Burlington. The ferocity of the winds brought down thousands of trees, as well as countless limbs and branches, and caused widespread power outages that lasted three to five days in certain areas. Of all the communities affected by the storm, almost nowhere was harder hit than the north shore of Lake Como, home to the Lake Como Beach Association neighborhood.
56 AT THE LAKE
In the aftermath of the terrible storm, the residents of the Lake Como Beach Property Owners Association (LCBPOA) came together, with neighbors helping each other to clean up their properties, report downed power lines and ensure that everyone had a safe space to stay. This neighborhood camaraderie is nothing new for the LCBPOA, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. For most residents, life in the neighborhood is defined by this sense of community that has been built over the past century and continues today.
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BREAKING NEWS, SELLING REAL ESTATE
The newspaper had previously increased subscriptions with similar promotions, offering vacation lots first at Benton Harbor, Mich. and then on Pell Lake, seven miles southeast of Lake Geneva. The incentives had proved so popular that the newspaper decided to continue the promotion in 1926. In order to facilitate that year’s vacation lot incentive, the newspaper’s owners purchased 800 acres of land on the north side of what had once been known as Duck Lake (modern-day Lake Como) from a group of farmers for just $175,000. In June of 1926, they began running ads for the “Most Amazing Subscription Premium Ever Offered!” A total of 1,600 lots were offered through the promotion, which turned out to be highly successful. By the end of the year, all of the lots were claimed and management of the new Lake Como subdivision was formally transferred to the LCBPOA on Dec. 7, 1926. According to Ann Dilla — a retired Family Practice physician, LCBPOA Centennial Committee member and creator of the LCBPOA centennial yearbook — the original members of the group were “very upstanding people with great integrity.” That 58 AT THE LAKE
A full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune on June 2, 1926 advertises a premium offer: With a subscription to the Chicago Evening Post, subscribers had the opportunity to purchase a summer homesite in the new Lake Como Beach Subdivision for just $76 (top photo). The original Dilla’s Villa in the subdivision was a repurposed army barrack (above).
TOP: COURTESY OF NEWSPAPERS.COM; BOTTOM: COURTESY OF ANN DILLA
The storm and its terrible aftermath in the area made front-page news in Chicago — a fitting, full-circle moment for the community around Lake Como. The story of the LCBPOA actually begins with a newspaper. The media landscape in Chicago in the 1920s was highly competitive, with more than 20 daily newspapers all vying for loyal subscribers and the sustaining financial support they provided. To entice new subscribers, the newspapers of the era came up with increasingly grand incentives. In December of 1925, the Chicago Evening Post decided to offer an incentive that would shape the future of the Geneva Lake area: New subscribers to the Post would have the opportunity to purchase a vacation lot for only $76, and could secure their building site with just $10 down and $3 per month, interest free.
initial group worked to establish committees, many of which are still in operation today, which would guarantee that the lakeside community would get the attention it deserved for many years.
ESTABLISHING A NEIGHBORHOOD
The ad offering the Lake Como Beach incentive had described the modestsized lots on Lake Como as “property on which the man of average means can build a little summer cottage at small expense.” In the neighborhood’s earliest decades, residents either built or moved existing cottages onto the lots they had purchased with their newspaper subscriptions, most opting for modest cabins that remained unwinterized. The earliest cottages in the neighborhood were humble in size and used only during the summer, so they often featured screened or open porches.
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“My parents, Stephan and Florence Dilla, came to Lake Como in 1947,” Dilla explains. “My father was in the U.S. Navy and my mother was in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in WWII,” she says. “Their first cottage was an old Army barrack. They named our house ‘Dilla’s Villa’ even though it was nothing like a villa usually looks.”
As the earliest residents put down roots, it was important to them to think long term. “The LCBPOA board, over the first 10 years, were responsible for creating roads, getting electricity to homes, planting trees and grass along the lakefront, and establishing proper sanitation for the community,” Dilla explains. 60 AT THE LAKE
The group’s early decisions paid off and many of the committees they established — including Finance, Lakefront, Piers, Fundraising, Clubhouse and Activities — are still in use today.
A RELAXING GETAWAY AND A SOCIAL HUB
In addition to laying the groundwork for the logistics and essentials, the LCBPOA also made sure to incorporate community social
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF ANN DILLA, COURTESY OF WALWORTH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, COURTESY OF ANN DILLA
The Dillas and their neighbors could arrive either by automobile or by train. The Chicago & North Western Railroad had a small depot on the south shore of Lake Como near Mars Resort. From there, the LCBPOA operated buses from the railroad depot to the property and later added a motorboat livery service to deliver residents to their homes on the opposite side of the lake in the summer.
The neighborhood amenities included shared piers for fishing and boating (top photo). Residents could arrive by train to the Lake Como depot (above) and transfer to a Como Transport Co. boat for taxi service across the lake (left).
events that would help promote relationships between residents. The original ads boasted that everyone with a lot in the LCBPOA would have “equal rights to the beach” and a “free lifetime membership in a furnished club.” These shared amenities helped neighbors form lasting bonds and encouraged neighborhood events and activities. According to Alan Searles, LCBPOA president in 2009 and a district director for 30 years, the LCBPOA organized a baseball team in 1929, as well as beauty queen contests or Miss Popularity contests from 1933 to 1964. “The Women’s Club was responsible for all social activities, such as a weekly Saturday night dance, weekly Bunco parties, July Fourth activities and fundraising [activities],” Dilla adds. “Because the founding officers all worked so diligently on these committees in the 1920s and 1930s, we are still able to reap the benefits today.”
A COMMUNITY THAT EVOLVES WITH TIME
As the years went by and traditions changed, some of the LCBPOA’s original events were scuttled and new ones added. While there is no longer a baseball team or beauty pageant, the neighborhood has added events focused on its youngest residents, including Breakfast with Santa, an annual Easter egg hunt and Fourth of July parades and beach cookouts. Additionally, the association has faced the ongoing challenge of balancing its historic traditions with the changing realities of modern life, including new technologies,
Neighborhood volunteers replaced the floor of the Lake Como Clubhouse in the 1970s (below). The interior of the clubhouse resembles an English guild hall and has hosted parties, dances, ceremonies and many other social events over the past 100 years (bottom left and bottom right).
Now, nearly 100 years after it was first built, the current structure looks almost identical in appearance to its 1920s iteration, though the building has undergone several updates since that time. In the 1970s, volunteers worked to replace the original wooden floors and special Octoberfest fundraising activities allowed the group to purchase new equipment for the clubhouse. In 1998, a separate room was added for the bar in the Clubhouse and all the windows were replaced, a project sponsored by families in the LCBPOA. In recent years, the kitchen facilities received an update, the parking lot was blacktopped and new sidewalks were added. 62 AT THE LAKE
TOP: COURTESY OF ANN DILLA
One of those longstanding benefits is use of the Lake Como Clubhouse, a shared social space for the neighborhood, which officially opened in 1927. Throughout the years, the space has served multiple roles: In the neighborhood’s first decades, it often served as a shelter for neighborhood property owners while they were in the process of building their homes. It also hosted many dances, parties and celebrations, as it continues to do today.
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regulations and the evolving needs of its members. Now, 100 years later, recognizing that the basic needs of the community have always been at the heart of the group’s decisionmaking helps to keep the current administration grounded in their work. Both Dilla and Searles say that the initial tenets of the association can still be seen in the current group’s mission to ensure that all members are heard and respected. While Dilla admits that “the path that the LCBPOA will need to take [in the future] is yet to be determined,” she is confident that many of the initial successes — including the clubhouse, the Roosen Dam and the beautiful shared lakefront area — would still be recognizable today, even though newer updates like the paved roads and the community well and sewer system would be surprising to the members of years past. Regardless of the physical changes, though, Dilla says that the most important thing is the group’s consistent effort to work toward the greater good.
A LIVING LEGACY
Representatives from the LCBPOA celebrate the opening of the Como Dam and Dike in 1934 (top photo). As more of the cottages and cabins were winterized, LCBPOA residents took up the winter sport of iceboating (above). For many years, the Cardboard Boat Races were a beloved summer tradition in the neighborhood (left).
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TOP TWO: COURTESY OF ANN DILLA, BOTTOM: COURTESY OF NEWSPAPERS.COM
Dilla says one way to ensure the continued legacy of the LCBPOA is to encourage the younger generations to step into leadership roles and recognize the importance of the organization. “There have been several people who have served as a
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Just as it was 100 years ago, today the neighborhood’s shared amenities include beaches, piers, boat slips, buoys and a scenic park with picnic facilities.
LCBPOA officer or a district director and then, later on, we see their children or grandchildren serving,” Dilla explains. “Hopefully some of the children who attend our [holiday or community] functions while growing up will one day run for office.” Of course, it’s impossible to look to the future without also recognizing the importance of the past and the LCBPOA has worked hard this year to honor the neighborhood’s 100th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the group recently held a centennial anniversary celebration at the Como Clubhouse. Members of the LCBPOA were treated to a free meal, refreshments, drinks and cupcakes, while a DJ provided music for dancing, and children could enjoy balloon animals and face painting. Dilla and LCBPOA Centennial Committee member Darlene Ruscitti displayed their extensive historical research, including documents and photos, plus the neighborhood’s printed yearbooks, which spanned six decades from 1929 through 1984. Photos of the residents were 66 AT THE LAKE
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frequently included in these books, which have become an important part of recording the history of not just the LCBPOA, but of the larger Lake Como community as well. Like many others, Dilla’s own family has been part of the Lake Como community for generations, and Dilla believes that maintaining its history and celebrating milestones like the 100th anniversary are important. “It was a very special place for all of us,” she says. “My six sisters have shared our home with their husbands, children and now their grandchildren. Lake Como Beach has become a place for all of us to spend our summers and now our winters as well.”
Former LCBPOA president Richard Klein, Ann Dilla, Darlene Ruscitti and Alan Searles, former LCBPOA board member and Centennial Committee member, pose in the Lake Como Clubhouse.
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A LAKESIDE DREAM, BUILT FROM SCRATCH Orren Pickell Building Group helps a couple realize their ideal home in the South Shore Club
F
or many homeowners, building a custom home is a once-in-alifetime leap that blends excitement with uncertainty, especially when there is no prior experience to draw from. For a Chicago couple, that leap began as an idea shaped by lake life itself, eventually taking form on the shore of Geneva Lake, where a vision of something more permanent replaced the simplicity of a seasonal retreat. The couple’s connection to lake living started modestly on Whitewater Lake, where weekends and summers unfolded at a slower pace defined by mornings on the water and evenings on the porch. Over time, that rhythm became something they wanted to extend and when they discovered the South Shore Club in Lake Geneva — with boat club access, courts for tennis and pickleball, a clubhouse and sweeping views of the water — the decision to build felt less like a question and more like a natural next step. The result was an 8,000-square-foot, Tudor-style home, the couple’s firstever custom build, brought to life with
the guidance of Orren Pickell Building Group, a team known for helping homeowners navigate complex projects with structure and clarity. From the outset, the homeowner says the experience felt surprisingly grounded. She describes the process as highly organized, noting that, while she expected a necessary amount of confusion or missteps, she instead found consistency, collaboration and a team that “stood behind the work 100%” whenever questions arose. The homeowners envisioned a space that felt “casual and elegant” and “neutral and calm,” and Orren Pickell’s design team translated that vision into a Tudor-inspired structure softened by openness and light, where traditional lines provide architectural interest while expansive walls of glass ensure the lake is always part of the experience. Inside the home, that connection to nature becomes immediate, as views of Geneva Lake and the surrounding trees are visible from nearly every AUTUMN 2026
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ORREN PICKELL BUILDING GROUP space, capturing how the architecture intentionally dissolves the boundary between the indoor and the outdoor. This is especially meaningful to the homeowner, who is a landscape and nature photographer. “When you walk in, you see the lake and the trees, and you really feel like you’re part of it,” she explains. That relationship to the landscape continues on the exterior through the use of Eden-Valders stone, quarried nearby, which provides both texture and permanence while rooting the home in its regional setting. Wide decks and a walk-out lower level further extend the living space to the outdoors, creating a seamless transition that allows lake breezes, shifting light and seasonal changes to become part of daily life.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | ORREN PICKELL BUILDING GROUP While the exterior emphasizes connection to place, the interior focuses on warmth and livability, with hand-hewn fir beams finished in weathered gray stretching across the tall ceilings and bringing an earthy counterbalance to the home’s scale. The same Wisconsin stone reappears around the fireplace and oven, creating continuity between interior and exterior materials, while American white oak flooring, water-popped and stained on site, adds depth and richness across the main level. The layout was designed with everyday living and entertaining in mind, as seen in the open flow between the kitchen, great room, porch and deck, along with thoughtful touches such as a private elevator and guest suites to make hosting effortless. Even so, the homeowners consistently return to one unexpected favorite space: the sun room or “four-season porch,” which has become the true heart of the home. With its shiplap walls, beadboard ceiling and relaxed lakehouse character, the porch adapts effortlessly to the seasons, opening fully to summer breezes or enclosing into a cozy retreat anchored by a fireplace in winter, and it is here that gatherings naturally form without intention or planning. To ensure cohesion throughout the home, interior designer Janet McCann of McCann Associates curated furnishings and finishes that respect the architectural intent while adding warmth and livability, tying together the home’s varied materials into a unified expression of comfort and elegance.
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Now, after a few years living in the home, the couple reflects on a process that has delivered exactly what they hoped for. The project ultimately became not just a first-time build, but a carefully guided transformation of a lakeside vision into a home that feels as if it has always belonged to its setting. “It’s an easy house to live in and to entertain in,” the homeowner says. “We love it.” AUTUMN 2026
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How one couple reimagined a Geneva Lake classic for connection and comfort BY LAUREN EVE PHOTOS BY ALIZA BARAN
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Led by Connor Pillman — grandson of the property’s former owner, Cully Pillman — the grounds were refreshed with restored stone walls and a welcoming drive that complements the home’s architecture. All exterior windows were replaced and accented with custom blue awnings, adding a refined, timeless touch. AUTUMN 2026
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O
n the south shore of Geneva Lake, west of Black Point, sits a waterfront home with a rich history that boasts the lake’s longest private swimming pier (100 feet long!) and spans 220 feet of coveted shoreline across four acres. Originally built in 1926 as the garage and chauffeur’s quarters for a neighboring estate, the approximately 7,000-square-foot home was later restructured in 1984, including a major rebuild by the Pillman family that added a red brick exterior and steel-reinforced construction. When current owners Doug and Mary Perks bought the house in 2018 and hired a team to investigate the feasibility of a renovation, they asked themselves a tough question: Should it be torn down? But once the team removed the first wall, the answer became clear — rather than replacing the existing residence, the team chose to preserve its footprint and completely transform the interior, breathing new life into a home where classic craftsmanship has stood the test of time. The Rockford couple’s connections to the lake span generations. After retiring in 2014 — Doug from Eclipse, his family’s global industrial gas burner company, and Mary from her role as CFO of PSM Paytel, her family’s business — they found they had more time to enjoy a place that had long been part of their family’s story. Doug’s family ties to Lake
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Geneva include his parents’ former home on Maytag Point as well as time he spent visiting his greatuncle, Garnet McGee, who owned properties in the 1930s and 1940s that had once belonged to famous cartoonist Sidney Smith. Prior to purchasing the former Pillman home, the Perks had previously owned another lake home and had partnered
with Philip Sassano, managing principal and lead designer at The Design Coach, on other projects. So when they contemplated a renovation of their new lake home, they invited Sassano and his team to help them reimagine the remarkable waterfront estate. The ultimate goal was about more than creating a beautiful lake house — it was about building a lasting family legacy.
VISION VS. REALITY Despite its significant charm and craftsmanship, the home’s original floor plan was not designed to fully embrace its beautiful setting. “The lake views were not really being leveraged,” Sassano explains. “Even from the kitchen, the views weren’t celebrated the way they should have been.” Both the Perks and Sassano saw the value in preserving what was already there. Lowell Custom Homes, led by Scott Lowell and Tim Voss, began construction in the fall of 2019, with Sassano collaborating closely. They began by taking the home down to the studs, allowing the team to evaluate its structure and uncover opportunities for transformation. Dave Stohl and his carpentry team began bringing the home envisioned by Sassano and his team to life. The Perks and Sassano began selecting lighting and sourcing furnishings — a process that typically doesn’t begin until construction
is nearly complete. “Most projects follow a linear process,” Sassano says. “We were space shaping and decorating simultaneously.” One of the biggest design obstacles was working within the home’s existing structure. Behind the walls, every major system — plumbing, electrical and HVAC — had to be
updated before the home’s custom millwork and detailed carpentry took center stage. Intricate spindle work and handcrafted architectural details elevated the timeless character. Lowell and Sassano redesigned the home’s entrance and added a new winding staircase to the second floor to improve the home’s flow and accessibility.
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THE HEART OF THE HOME The kitchen went through a dramatic transformation. The home’s original kitchen was a small, enclosed space, typical of 1980s design, separated from a formal dining room. But while standing in the former dining room, Sassano realized it offered one thing the kitchen did not — spectacular lake views. “We decided the dining room should become the kitchen,” Sassano recalls. “It was a much more generous space and it deserved to be where everyone naturally gathers.” The newly expanded kitchen blends modern functionality with historic character, featuring reclaimed pine beams sourced from local barns, a seamless single-slab quartzite island, historic French pedestals and reclaimed French balusters Sassano incorporated into the island design. By layering new details with reclaimed materials, the team honored the home’s history while updating the space with the latest amenities. These thoughtful touches reflect Mary Perks’ vision for effortless entertaining. Every space was designed with hospitality in mind, creating a home where family and guests can gather comfortably, whether enjoying a quiet morning coffee or celebrating together around the lake. “Don’t just think about the kitchen footprint,” Sassano says. “Think about how the whole house supports the way you want to live.”
The finishes throughout the home feature a combination of both refined and rustic details, showcasing the design’s approachable and elegant nature. Details like the custom millwork on the staircase (top), the patterned tile backsplash in the kitchen (above) and weathered beams on the dining room ceiling lend character and texture to the rooms.
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ELEVATED SPACES FOR FAMILY AND GUESTS Upstairs, the team transformed the second floor in order to better accommodate family and guests, adding two ensuite bedrooms while preserving the home’s connection to the outdoors. “At the lake, you’re outside,” Sassano explains, emphasizing the importance of creating bedrooms that feel appropriately sized for a waterfront retreat rather than oversized spaces that are disconnected from the landscape. The primary suite became a standout feature, complete with two 84-inch vanities and a shower designed around one of Doug’s favorite details — a window framing the view and a custom “car wash” shower feature that blends function with a touch of luxury. Throughout the home, finishes were chosen to create a cohesive experience, from the paint palette of Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and Edgecomb Gray to the wallcoverings by Thibaut and the carefully selected tile from Bella Tile & Stone.
In the home’s bedrooms and bathrooms, elements selected by Sassano, in partnership with the homeowners, give the interiors a layered and personal aesthetic. A mixture of lighting — pendant, sconces, floor lamps, table lamps and natural light — create an inviting environment in the primary bedroom (top and left), second-floor hall (above) and guest bath (far left). 84 AT THE LAKE
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OUTSIDE THE LINES The exterior was redesigned to make every outdoor space feel connected. New French doors link the primary suite to the pool, while an additional set of doors create a natural flow from the kitchen to the outdoor grilling and entertaining areas. “We wanted people to move effortlessly from left to right around the house and from front to back,” Doug says. “Whether you are coming from the pool, the patio or the lake, everything is connected.” A cantilevered walkway and custom spiral staircase further enhance that connection, providing guests direct access from the pool deck to the second-floor bedrooms without passing through the main living spaces. Exterior entrances to two guest bedrooms and a loft with a sleeper sofa make hosting family and friends both comfortable and practical.
Inside and out, the design of the home and the property allows for a seamless and connected experience from porch to pier. The distinctive spiral staircase (top) connects the pool deck to the upstairs guest suites. Throughout the home, a unified palette of off-whites, blues and yellows creates a sense of calm.
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OPTIMIZED FOR LIVING When asked about their favorite spaces, Doug points to the everyday comforts — the garage workbench, screened porch and his office with its preserved original flooring and Colorado-inspired rustic details. (Keeping with the rustic, Western theme, the lower-level bar was updated and renamed “Diamond Doug’s Million Dollar Bar,” featuring signature cocktails made with a Perks family favorite, El Tequileño tequila.) Mary says she loves the seamless flow of the main and upper levels, while Sassano says the lake room best captures the home’s spirit with its elegant design, connection to the kitchen and stunning views.
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REIMAGINING THE LOWER LEVEL One of the renovation’s most unexpected discoveries was hidden beneath the main floor: a former shooting range and custom bar that reflected the previous owners’ love of the American West. Inspired by visits to Jacksonville, Wyoming, the space featured saddle-style bar stools and a legendary story about enjoying a whiskey at the bar before stepping outside with a Colt .45 to shoot. Rather than remove the home’s unique history, the team preserved and enhanced the lower level. The former shooting range was transformed into a bunk room with four queen-size beds, adding valuable guest space and making the lower level a true extension of the home.
A HOME FOR YEARS TO COME By planning every detail simultaneously — from construction to furnishings — the team was able to complete a fully renovated and furnished home in just nine months, an ambitious timeline for a project of this scale and detail. More than a beautifully renovated lakefront estate, the home has become what the Perks always envisioned — a timeless gathering place where family and friends can return year after year to create new memories for generations to come. “Now the whole house feels open, warm and connected to the water,” says Mary.
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SHANNON BLAY REALTOR® | M: 262.215.8120 shannon.blay@compass.com
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The Perfect Accessory F
Three local homeowners share their property’s personalized outbuildings
rom the earliest days of the grand Geneva Lake estates in the 1870s and 1880s, these properties contained not just a main house, but usually several accessory buildings as well: guest cottages, greenhouses, garages with chauffeur’s quarters, children’s playhouses and even orangeries were not uncommon.
BY CATHERINE MCCOY PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER
This tradition continues in the Geneva Lake area today, though the types of accessory buildings that homeowners prefer on their properties have
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home & garden architecture
changed with the times. For a 21st century update, a growing number of homeowners look to create escapes, adding an outbuilding to provide additional recreation options, peaceful comfort away from the main house, storage options and other dedicated-use spaces.
DEFINING THE GOAL, PLANNING WITH PURPOSE
When it comes to planning a property’s accessory building, first think about purpose: Do you want a space to seamlessly host meals and cocktails for guests? Or will it be used for serenity and creative personal hobbies? Are you looking for the additional structure to add storage for lake or pool supplies, or are you dreaming of a gardening getaway? If the property is on the water, should the added space provide easy water access and uninterrupted views of the shoreline, or take advantage of wooded seclusion? The intended use for the 94 AT THE LAKE
building will determine the location as well as the most appropriate structural system and overall design.
properties with older outbuildings that no longer comply with those regulations can be grandfathered.
With a clear vision established, it’s best to work with an architect or landscape designer. Understanding the zoning requirements is a key factor in the planning process, and can help ensure a functional, aesthetically designed space. “For a typical accessory building, factors such as building height, setbacks from the [property lines] and impervious surface limitations are all important to ensure the project complies with the applicable zoning ordinances,” explains Joseph Wilburn, ALA architect at Project 2 Architects.
Wilburn says that working with an architect or landscape designer will ensure that all zoning ordinances and regulations are followed, while making sure that the building’s design aligns with the goals of the project to bring a homeowner’s vision to life.
Wilburn adds that, in Walworth County, waterfront properties may require adherence to additional regulations, including those imposed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to protect the lake and shoreline, though some
The most successful accessory buildings match a homeowners’ interests and style and maximize space. Let this be a place of both extension and an escape — a quiet retreat that is distinctly your own. Here are three examples of accessory buildings in the Geneva Lake area that are perfectly suited to their owners’ lifestyles:
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An accessory building should feel intentional, not a forgotten space or catchall shed. Consider how it
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home & garden architecture will relate to existing buildings, land features, access routes and the natural topography. In some cases, homeowners may be looking to design a whimsical structure or embrace a style that is not yet represented on the property. For many other homeowners, they want the building to be cohesive with the rest of the home and the property. This can be achieved through architectural design and thoughtful landscaping. “One approach I really enjoy is taking design elements from the existing home and carrying them into the accessory building,” Wilburn explains. “Sometimes it’s the little details that make the biggest difference: a similar roof pitch, matching siding materials, stone veneer accents, or repeating gable and eave details. These small touches help create a cohesive design that feels like the structure has always been part of the property.”
A DOORSTEP TO THE WATER
Boathouses are an idyllic outdoor living space, but these buildings can only exist on Geneva Lake if they have been grandfathered into the property. When Richard Lyons bought his land in 2003, the only structure remaining on the property was the boathouse, which was in decrepit shape. After designing and developing his home in 2005, he had an opportunity to retrofit the boathouse to match the rest of the house. For the boathouse’s interior, he opted for a private retreat with unrivaled lake views. He says this room has served as an escape across seasons; there is a sense of solitude when Geneva Lake is frozen and allows Lyons to be part of the action when the lake is bustling in the summer. With windows facing the water, the boathouse allows visitors to feel surrounded by the water, but in a welcoming, enclosed setting.
A PANORAMIC ESCAPE
Anne Peterson has enjoyed her gazebo for decades, which her parents built after they bought the home in 1989. 96 AT THE LAKE
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home & garden architecture
With an octagonal structure, the gazebo complements the lakefront façade of the house, giving it a unified look and feel. The gazebo provides panoramic views from all sides and is screened for protection from bugs. Whether enjoying a coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening, the gazebo acts as a quiet, tranquil escape from the world. “I highly recommend that other homeowners consider adding this type of structure to their property,” Peterson says. “Lake Geneva residents often have a patio and pier, but a gazebo creates a uniquely cozy atmosphere to add more character and blend in with the landscaping, while maintaining and enhancing the property.”
A SPACE TO MOVE
When Jocelyn Hayes installed a pool in her backyard, she always intended to add a workout space as well. Rather than a simple equipment room, Hayes envisioned a space that felt open, bright and intentional. In the year after the pool was installed, Hayes and her husband began designing a building dedicated to their at-home exercise equipment. This accessory building is one of several ways the Hayeses adapted their home to fit their family’s needs, and 98 AT THE LAKE
reflects a practical, cohesive design approach built to evolve alongside their priorities and preferences. Hayes selected a white board-andbatten design to complement the house while remaining distinct. “The front of the building is tall and is almost all windows,” she explains of the building that overlooks the pool. “It has a very clean look to it. I also wanted it to be appealing from the outside and not look like another shed or outbuilding to specifically match the house.”
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home & garden wine collecting
Customized wine storage provides a beautiful and functional way to display treasured collections.
A local sommelier’s guide to wine storage BY CATHERINE MCCOY
F
or wine collectors, storage and display is often part of the fun. Many local wine aficionados have been collecting and storing wine for years, while others are just beginning to form a collection and are looking for ways to add an intentional display within their homes. There are a few key considerations when choosing how best to store and display a wine collection. Noel Doty, sommelier at Opus, shares his tips for optimizing a wine collection and creating an athome, immersive experience.
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2. Don’t forget about light sensitivity. Doty also reiterated how light can negatively impact wine — even incandescent bulbs can compromise the quality. “LED bulbs are best and you don’t want them pointing straight at the bottle,” Doty says. These small details are the key to optimizing the life of the wine and protecting the wine collection for the long term.
Doty also advises collectors to remember humidity levels when creating a wine storage room; air conditioning can dry out the wood racks, labels and especially the wine cork. Focus instead on incorporating a wine-specific cooler to keep the humidity
3. Choose your preferred racking and display options. Whether adding wine racks to a walk-in wine cellar or a corner of the kitchen, material selection matters. Doty notes that cedar is ideal, as it is the most gentle on the bottles, though metal racking
slightly higher for optimal storage.
is also a viable option. If choosing metal racks, ensure that the glass part of the bottle is touching the metal to avoid damaging the labels. It’s also beneficial to install racks at a 45-degree angle, helping to fit more wine and display bottles that may be an odd shape. 4. Personalize the space. Wherever a homeowner decides to store and display their wine, the space should be functional and usable, but also meaningful. Add a small table and chairs for tastings with friends, or look for ways to build an experiential element like special displays for sentimental bottles. Wine collects memories, and a well-designed cellar becomes a place to curate and share with those closest to us.
LEFT TO RIGHT: SHANNA WOLF, SHANNA WOLF, CYNTHIA LYNN
Aging Wine Gracefully
1. Consider temperature control. While temperature control plays a role, even more important, Doty emphasizes, is maintaining a consistent temperature and avoiding fluctuations. “Think of it as storing a nice ribeye,” he says. “If you were to take it out of the fridge, keep it at room temperature for a while, move it to the freezer, then move it back to the fridge, it would disrupt the quality.”
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1 SLOW NO WAKE CANDLE; $46, Lake Life Store, Williams Bay | 2 LAKE SHAPE CANVAS TOTE; $65, Lake Home Living, Fontana | 3 FONTANA LANDMARKS QUARTER-ZIP; $128.43, Lakeside Sundry, Walworth 4 GENEVA LAKE MEN’S BELTS; $98.43 each, Lakeside Sundry, Walworth | 5 CHRIS-CRAFT NOTECARDS; $27, Lake Life Store, Williams Bay | 6 PAT HEINTZELMAN WATERCOLOR; $140, Lake Home Living, Fontana 7 GENEVA LAKE INSULATED CUPS; $24.43 each, Lakeside Sundry, Walworth | 8 AREA CODE HAT; $36.43, Lakeside Sundry, Walworth | 9 FONTANA FROG SURPRISE MUG; $28, Lake Home Living, Fontana 102 AT THE LAKE
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better living
Learn & Inspire
HOLLY LEITNER
Organic by Nature Where to find organic food and supplements in the Geneva Lake area BY SHELBY DEERING
T
here are plenty of nutrition trends that arise in today’s world, but there’s one way of eating that has persisted decades and takes its inspiration from the foods of years past, before synthetic chemicals and additives entered the food supply: the organic food movement. What we today call the organic food movement first became popular in the 1970s as more and more foods began to be grown and sold with the help
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better living wellness
The term became mainstream in the 1980s and has never been more popular than it is today. But despite the rise in popularity, there is still some confusion about the terminology. What does “organic” mean exactly? And where can you buy organic food and supplements in the Geneva Lake area?
WHAT MAKES SOMETHING “ORGANIC”?
Sam Schleiger, a registered dietitian and owner of Elkhorn’s Simply Nourished Functional Nutrition, says that the term “organic” refers to how food is grown, raised and processed. She explains that, in the United States, foods labeled organic must meet standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Organic Program. “For a food to be certified organic, farmers and producers must follow specific practices designed to support soil health, environmental sustainability and animal welfare,” Schleiger says.
not meet the USDA criteria to be certified organic. “Whole foods (fruits, vegetables and meats that remain natural, unprocessed or minimally processed) support the body’s natural healing processes,” Schleiger says, and points out that research consistently shows that organic produce tends to contain lower pesticide residues than conventionally grown produce. Katie Macarelli is the director of public relations at Natural Grocers, a recently opened natural grocery store in Lake Geneva — the company’s first Wisconsin location. She says that there are real health, nutrition, animal welfare and environmental benefits to eating organic foods and choosing organic supplements. “Scientifically backed research and studies are frequently linking synthetic pesticide exposure to serious diseases and health issues,” she observes. Growing food organically also demonstrates measurable benefits to the environment and the food chain ecosystem, Macarelli explains. “The chemicals used today in conventional farming pollute streams and watersheds, disrupting delicate soil ecosystems, creating
dead zones in the ocean and killing hundreds of thousands of birds, amphibians, butterflies, bats, bees and other creatures each year,” she says. By contrast, she explains, organic farming methods promote and protect the health of the environment by promoting biodiversity and building and replenishing the soil.
WHERE CAN I FIND ORGANIC FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS IN THE GENEVA LAKE AREA?
Most grocery stores in the area carry a selection of USDA-certified organic produce, but if you’re looking for a wider variety or less-common items, there are several local stores that specialize in organic food, supplements and products:
“ ... the term ‘organic’ refers to how food is grown, raised and processed.” — Sam Schleiger, Elkhorn’s Simply Nourished Functional Nutrition
“Organic crops must be grown without synthetic pesticides, most synthetic herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge fertilizers and most artificial preservatives,” she continues. Organic farms instead rely on things like composting, building healthy soil, crop rotation and natural pest repellents as alternatives to these methods.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS?
Experts believe that organic food and supplements carry some benefits over options that do 108 AT THE LAKE
Natural Grocers opened its first Wisconsin location in Lake Geneva last summer.
COURTESY OF NATURAL GROCERS
of synthetic chemicals to enhance crop yield, taste, texture and shelf life. Members of the era’s hippie counterculture wanted to get back to the land, establishing farms and co-ops, and limiting the number of synthetic chemicals that interacted with the food they grew there. They labeled these items “organic.”
better living wellness NATURAL GROCERS, LAKE GENEVA
COURTESY OF NATURAL GROCERS
Located near Target in Lake Geneva, Natural Grocers has been garnering quite a bit of buzz since opening in June. Macarelli says that this store, like the company’s other 172 stores throughout the U.S., offers 100% organic produce, pasture-based dairy, free-range eggs, GMP-certified supplements (the ones that have undergone audits by reputable thirdparty organizations) and “premiumquality, better-for-you body care, all at an affordable price.” The first Natural Grocers store was founded by Margaret and Philip Isely back in 1955 (way before organic food became a movement!). Margaret experienced health problems after the birth of their second child, and it inspired her to study nutrition, natural foods and
dietary supplements. Thanks to these changes, her condition greatly improved and, as a result, she and Philip went door to door in Golden, Colo., to lend books on nutrition and give away samples of whole-grain bread. Eventually, this led them to open a store.
Geneva store is unique in that it includes several local Wisconsin brands and products, such as Chip Magnet salsa and Colectivo Coffee. Look for the “Taste Wisconsin!” sign to find those that have been crafted in the state.
Today, every product on the shelves at Natural Grocers has undergone what Macarelli calls “an incredibly rigorous vetting system.” Because of this, she says no one product stands out as “popular” since many of the foods and supplements have their own followings. “If you asked this question to 100 different Natural Grocers crew members, you’d likely get 100 different answers,” Macarelli says. In addition to the many national products the store stocks, the Lake
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better living wellness PINE HILL FARM, LAKE GENEVA
This boutique wellness store — owned by sisters Jackie Phillips, Leanne Anthon and Lynley Gray — offers a wide array of health supplements and hemp products, grown on their very own organic farm. Since 2025, the store has maintained a location on Lake Geneva’s Main Street in addition to its original location in Watertown.
Pine Hill Farm is rooted in the sisters’ organic hemp and CBD line, which Phillips says targets things like sleep quality, pain and stress. “You’ll find naturally produced bath and body products, organic health foods and fun retail therapy, too,” Phillips explains. “Hands down, our two most popular items in this line are our Deep Sleep gummies and our Cool, Calm, Collected gummies,” she says. “Both contain moderate amounts of CBD, along with other complementary compounds.”
Pine Hill Farm in Lake Geneva stocks organic and naturally produced supplements, many of which are exclusive to the shop.
In researching their current business model, the sisters — who call themselves “supplement snobs” — discovered that many name-brand health supplements are filled with “toxins and additives.” So they decided to formulate their own supplement line, which they named “Cultivating Wellness by Pine Hill Farm.” “It has since grown to over 80 different supplements, including proteins, collagen, multivitamins and more,” Anthon says. “Many of our supplements are non-GMO and certified organic. We partner with a U.S.-based supplement manufacturer who aligns with our beliefs of transparency and clean production methods.”
“Scientifically backed research and studies are frequently linking synthetic pesticide exposure to serious diseases and health issues.” — Katie Macarelli, Natural Grocers
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NATURALLY YOURS HEALTH FOODS, LAKE GENEVA
Located in downtown Lake Geneva, this long-running store dates to the original organic movement of the 1970s, specializing in natural foods and organic supplements. The shop was opened in 1971 by Portlynn Mason, who initially turned to organic and natural supplements following a cancer diagnosis. Today, Mason and her husband, George Sielski, provide knowledgeable, one-on-one consults on the more than 40 natural supplements offered in store. “We carry only the best and most effective supplements from each brand,” Sielski explains. “Our customers appreciate us because we know our products so well.”
TOP: HOLLY LEITNER; BOTTOM: ANNE MORRISSY
“We’ve always had a passion for holistic health and began our business at farmers markets and events,” Phillips says. “Our customers always asked us, as healthcare practitioners, to open a brick-and-mortar [store]. In 2020, we finally made that happen with our first location in Watertown. Within six months, we expanded to a larger building and, by 2025, we decided to open a location in Lake Geneva, which happened to be the location of one of our very first farmers markets in 2018.”
better living wellness GREEN GROCER & DELI, WILLIAMS BAY
In downtown Williams Bay, you’ll find the Green Grocer & Deli, which opened in its new location in 2025, sharing space with Clear Waters Salon and Med Spa, Chocolaterie Colibri and Heatwave Hot Yoga Studio. The Green Grocer combines the benefits of a small-town market with an upscale deli, coffee shop and bar, all with an emphasis on food that is locally produced, organic or top quality. The grocery section of the Green Grocer sells a significant amount of organic dairy and meat products, explains owner Dawn Marie Mancuso Licht, who coowns the store with partner Jennifer Veith: “The local cheese and meat we offer flies off the shelf.”
HOLLY LEITNER
Mancuso Licht explains that she and Veith have been friends since their early twenties, and founded Clear Waters Salon and Med Spa in 2005. After opening the salon spa, the pair saw a need for “fresh, delicious and healthy food options in the area” for their clients to enjoy before or after treatments. When the space next to the salon spa became available in 2009, Mancuso Licht and Veith, along with partner and general manager Jane Larson, decided to open the first location of The Green Grocer. Today, the Green Grocer’s full deli and house-made deli salads, sandwiches, flatbreads and soups all use organic produce in addition to Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. Also, the shop provide a wide range of grocery staples, like dry goods, spices, frozen meat and dips.
The Green Grocer in Williams Bay offers a wide range of organic deli and packaged goods sourced from local and regional suppliers.
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better living pets
Paw-fectly Organic
Local businesses cater to pet owners by offering all-natural food and treats BY SHELBY DEERING
rganic food isn’t just for humans — it’s gone to the dogs, too! As it turns out, pups can benefit just as much from eating organic food, treats and supplements. And it can bring pet owners peace of mind, too. “[It’s good to know] your dog is eating clean without harmful ingredients,” explains Jackie Chanson, founder of Walworth’s The Little Barkery. The Little Barkery features Chanson’s originalrecipe, small-batch Peanut Butter Apple and Peanut Butter Pumpkin organic dog treats, sold throughout the Geneva Lake area at stores like Fontana Home, Simple Bakery & Market and others. She says people like the dog treats because they are made with organic ingredients only: “No fillers, nothing artificial and no preservatives goes a long way for health, wellness and energy levels for the pups,” Chanson explains.
Lake Geneva’s Pine Hill Farm contains a section of organic pet supplements like CBD oils, digestive aids and natural pest repellents.
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The Little Barkery’s signature item is an organic bone stamped with either the outline of Geneva or Delavan Lake — customized treats for pet-friendly weddings and other events are available as well. Chanson also recently opened a self-service dog wash in Walworth called The Little Dog Wash. Lexie Berglund, founder of The Pet Gourmet in Walworth, says that, when it comes to pet food and treats, “organic” means that the product is made with ingredients that meet USDA organic standards and have been verified through a rigorous certification and supply chain auditing process. “Our foods and treats are developed exclusively for The Pet Gourmet, with recipes designed specifically to support dogs’ health and wellness,” she says. The Pet Gourmet also serves canine companions of the area by stocking a curated selection of organic dog food and treats, along with natural care products like shampoo, tick care, dental care and interactive toys. Berglund agrees with Chanson that an organic diet can be beneficial to dogs. “Dogs rely on us to make decisions about their nutrition and overall health, so choosing high-quality foods made with clean [organic] ingredients can be an important part of supporting their well-being,” she says.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF THE LITTLE BARKERY, COURTESY OF THE PET GOURMET; HOLLY LEITNER
O
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At The LIBRARY After the Geneva Lake area was hammered by July’s incredible downburst winds of 90 to 100 m.p.h., we’ve got storms on the mind. Lake Geneva Public Library Community Engagement Librarian Ellen WardPackard recommends a few books with storms at the heart of the story.
THE LAST TRAIN TO KEY WEST BY CHANEL CLEETON Three women — an exhausted expectant mother, a bride running from the Cuban revolution and a victim of the Wall Street crash — find themselves in Key West days before the catastrophic Labor Day hurricane of 1935. Romantic throughlines and moving historical detail make for a beach read with real substance.
TROUBLE ISLAND BY SHARON SHORT Rosita and Aurelia, two women subject to the whims of Rosita’s gangster husband, find themselves trapped with a dangerous group of Prohibition-era smugglers when a storm on Lake Erie makes their island home impassable. When Aurelia attempts to escape, she discovers Rosita has been murdered, setting the stage for an Agatha Christieesque, locked-room mystery.
ROBINSON CRUSOE BY DANIEL DEFOE The historical precursor to innumerable reality survival shows, Robinson Crusoe follows a shipwrecked Englishman as he spends 28 years on an island off the coast of Venezuela. While the social attitudes are decidedly of the 19th century, there is much to love in the evocative descriptions of isolation, nature and eventual friendship. This early novel deserves revisiting. 114 AT THE LAKE
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out & about
Fun Diversions
Fields of Gold Four local spots to pick your own sunflowers and fall blooms BY CHLOE LANGERMAN PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER, UNLESS NOTED
T
here’s nothing more iconic in late summer and early fall than a fresh bouquet of sunflowers. This hardy and happy flower grows well in the Geneva Lake area and several local agribusinesses offer a “U-pick” sunflower experience where you can select your favorite blooms (and often add in other flowers like dahlias, cosmos, amaranthus and snapdragons as well).
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out & about activities Between the beautiful colors, the fragrant aromas and the chance to create your own combination of nature’s most beautiful work, this is the perfect date-night or family activity. Four farms near the Geneva Lake area offer interesting twists on U-pick flowers, from unique varieties to happy hours to bouquetmaking workshops.
BASED IN BLOOMS
Based in Blooms on Highway NN in Lake Geneva opened in 2025 and has already established itself as a beautiful spot for flower picking. Located on a 200+-acre dairy, beef and poultry farm, Based in Blooms includes three acres of sunflowers and other flower varieties with a commitment to regenerative growing techniques and healthy soil. Flower picking at Based in Blooms is self-serve and open during daylight hours. It’s $5 to fill a small jar, $10 for a pint, $20 for a quart and larger buckets are offered as needed. Betsy Lasch, owner of Based in Blooms, says everyone is welcome to come out to the farm, even if it’s just to walk around and take photos of the flowers. “We really want to share this property with people because it’s so beautiful,” says Lasch.
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“We really want to share this property with people because it’s so beautiful.” — Betsy Lasch, Based in Blooms
BLOSSOM RIDGE AT ROYAL OAK FARM
ANNE MORRISSY
Located in Harvard, Ill., Royal Oak Farm is a multigenerational farm that has been open to the public since 1996. Although originally an apple orchard (the largest in northern Illinois), the farm expanded in 2024 to include a flower field called Blossom Ridge, where it offers over 30 varieties of blooms, including zinnias, lavender, marigolds and many more. The flowers are timed to bloom through early October. During that time, visitors can cut their own flowers — admission is $5 per person and comes with a single stem, or choose a 32-ounce cup for $30. For those looking for even more flowers, a five-gallon bucket is available for $80. (Both options include admission for up to four people.) And if you’re interested in learning
more about flower arranging, sign up for Blossom Ridge’s bouquet-making classes throughout the season. Royal Oak Farm, best known for its huge apple orchards, provides many other attractions during the fall as well. Visitors can pick their own apples from over 20,000 apple trees or buy pre-harvested apples and other goodies in the farm shop. You can also snack on classic fall foods and enjoy a hayride. There’s even a carousel, a playground, a miniature golf course and train rides for the kids!
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out & about activities
RICHARDSON ADVENTURE FARM
This family-owned activity farm is located in Spring Grove, Ill. and was first started in 1836, but today it is perhaps best known for its corn maze. (This year’s theme is America 250.) Originally a dairy farm and then a diversified farm with crops and livestock, today Richardson Adventure Farm is owned by fifthgeneration farmer George Richardson and his wife, Wendy. They initially continued the family farming tradition, but eventually had an idea to use the farm to create a familyfriendly adventure zone. “I got sick of talking to pigs,” George laughs. A few of the farm’s many autumn activities include a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, community campfires, a petting zoo and pig races (the most beloved attraction, according to coowner Wendy Richardson). But don’t miss the sunflowers! The Richardsons say the intricate, 13-acre sunflower fields are a huge draw for customers and they love to see the joy people experience while picking them. Last year, the sunflowers were planted in a beautiful, swirling flower design and featured 24 varieties, including several rare types you won’t see elsewhere. This year, the sunflowers are expected to begin blooming around the beginning of September and continue throughout the month. The sunflower fields are included in admission to the farm, and visitors can pick them using bags or buckets to bring the fun home with them. Admission to the farm is $26 for adults and $22 for those 13 and under. This admission price also includes access to the many familyfriendly activities onsite.
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Where in the World is Dori? This autumn marks Dori’s 30th year of bringing giant pumpkin magic to life! From live media appearances to massive charity carvings, she’s on the move. Dori carves through November, for Thanksgiving dinner centerpieces. COME WATCH THE MAGIC HAPPEN LIVE: Sept 2: Walworth County Fair (11am Live Carving at the Learning Coop) Sept 6: Main Street Messages w/ Alex during Life Matters 96.1 FM Sept 27: Sendik’s Food Market | Whitefish Bay, WI. 11am-2pm Oct 4: Sendik’s Food Market (website for location) Oct 5: Live interview w/ Matt Mason 96.1 FM Oct 6: Goodday Stateline Oct 10-11: Lake Geneva Oktoberfest Oct 18: Jerry Smith’s Pumpkin Farm | 12-4pm Oct 24: Sendik’s Food Market (website for location) Oct 25: Sendik’s Food Market | Whitefish Bay, WI. 11am-2pm Stop in her downtown studio, watch her carve throughout the season or join 1 of her Buti Movement classes! @Studio Dori - House of Movement
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out & about activities MAC’S MARKET
Mac’s Market on Highway 11 in Delavan is a business that was 100 years in the making. Owner Emily Dwyer’s great-great-grandparents bought the farm in 1926 to operate as a dairy farm and summer camp. Several years ago, Dwyer decided to use a portion of the property for something everyone loves: sunflowers. “Sunflowers are a happy flower,” says Dwyer. “They bring people a lot of joy, which makes me happy.” Dwyer started Mac’s Market in 2019 as a roadside stand. By 2023, she had transformed the farm into a full sunflower experience, including U-pick sunflower fields and a venue where she hosts live music and unique social events, like Yoga & Sauna in the Sunflowers — which gives customers the opportunity to take a yoga class among the flowers, followed by a session in the farm’s wood-fired sauna and a dip in a cold plunge.
Unlike other sunflower farms in the area, Mac’s Market is mostly a summer operation, so mark your calendars for next July, when it will reopen with set hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Clippers are provided for picking flowers, but Dwyer suggests customers bring vases or other containers to take their sunflowers home. Depending on the growing season, the sunflowers may bloom through early September, but don’t worry if you miss them this year: The fun still continues into the fall season with a variety of pre-picked pumpkins, squashes and gourds for purchase, plus the fall Pizza on the Farm event, which will take place on Sept. 26 with pizza and live music.
“Sunflowers are a happy flower ... They bring people a lot of joy, which makes me happy.” — Emily Dwyer, Mac’s Market
COURTESY OF MAC’S MARKET
Other fun opportunities include Sunflower Happy Hours, Pizza & U-pick nights and the biggest event of the summer, the Farm Crawl, which takes place each year in mid-July. Over a dozen farms participate in the crawl, and participants receive maps to travel to the various farms throughout the day and explore different facets of agriculture. The crawl ends at Mac’s Market, where vendors and music are on hand.
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You Can’t Pause Time. But You Can Make It Count.
The moments that define a family happen out on the open water: completely unplugged, together, and away from distractions. The days pass quickly, but the memories you make on the water stay with you forever. At SkipperBud’s, we are proud to help families find the perfect backdrop for their most cherished traditions. Here’s to the moments we will never forget, and the ones still waiting on the horizon.
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W6799 Brick Church Rd, Walworth, WI 53184 (262) 581-4252 | SkipperBuds.com
out & about triathlon
On Your Mark Fontana to welcome triathletes back to the lake for this annual tradition BY CHLOE LANGERMAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FONTANA TRIATHLON
A
triathlon is a serious feat of athletic ability — a mile-long swim, a 26-mile bike race and a 10k run. On Sept. 12, the Fontana Triathlon will once again bring some of the top triathlon athletes to Wisconsin, as well as more casual participants and relay teams raising money for charity. The event began in the 1990s, when a group out of Woodstock, Ill. launched the Lake Geneva Triathlon. It was renamed the Fontana Triathlon in 2002 to more accurately reflect the location. Over many years, the triathlon grew to over 1,700 participants before it was taken over and moved briefly to Williams Bay. Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, Fontana Village President Patrick Kenny — who has competed in the triathlon himself — worked to bring the event back to Fontana, where it has remained since. Among those who compete in the triathlon circuit, the Fontana Triathlon is considered a more 124 AT THE LAKE
challenging race due to the openwater lake swim and hilly course. It’s also an Olympic-sanctioned event, which attracts incredible athletes and makes the triathlon all the more exciting for spectators. In addition to world-class athletes, many other participants compete for fun or as part of a relay team, with each member completing a different leg of the race. There’s also a shortened sprint version of the race that makes it even more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Kenny says that everyone from teenagers to octogenarians have participated in the triathlon. The Fontana Triathlon serves as an important community-building event for the surrounding area. When the event starts at the Fontana Beach around 7 a.m., participants and spectators will find a tent serving donuts and coffee. Later in
the day, the Big Foot Lions Club will be on hand selling hamburgers, brats, veggie burgers and beverages. The biking and running portions of the event take place on roads throughout the area, so residents are asked to keep an eye out and drive carefully around participants. The finish line is located on the road in front of Reid Park. Kenny says September is an incredibly busy month for the area. Events like the Fontana Triathlon not only strengthen the permanent community, but also attract people from across the country to participate, contributing to the area’s financial success. While last year’s triathlon was marred by poor weather, Kenny is hopeful that, this year, the event will be redeemed for the participants and spectators and will remain a source of excitement for the greater Geneva Lake area for many years to come.
out & about social media
Q&A Insider Scoop
ATL: What inspired you to start the @lakelikealocal_lakegeneva social media account? AB: I started the account during my youngest son’s nap time as a creative outlet, sharing places our family loved. The name “Lake Like A Local” was inspired by celebrity chef and TV host Rachael Ray, who always said, “Ask a local!”
ATL: What do you love most about living in the Lake Geneva area? AB: For me, it’s the nostalgia. I love taking my boys to experience the same places and traditions that helped shape my childhood, and now I’m getting to watch them make those memories for themselves.
ATL: How do you come up with your ideas for social media videos? How do you decide what to feature? AB: My ideas come from our real life: places we’re eating, things we’re doing or questions people ask me. If I keep recommending something, it usually becomes a video.
ATL: What is your background in the Geneva Lake area?
ATL: What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone visiting the area for the first time?
AB: My connection to Geneva Lake goes back generations. My family first came to the area in the 1850s, when my ancestors farmed in Williams Bay. I grew up spending weekends in Williams Bay and Fontana, and now my boys are growing up with those same traditions at our home in Williams Bay.
AB: I always say the lake is just the beginning. There’s so much more to experience, from the different towns and great restaurants to seasonal events. You can have a completely different experience every time you come, so plan the Lake Geneva weekend that feels like you.
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BY ANNE MORRISSY
Scan the code to see some of Ashton’s local faves!
HOLLY LEITNER
Ashton Bhardwaj comes from a long line of locals in the Geneva Lake area: her grandfather, Bill Elbert, built a family home in Williams Bay in the 1930s and opened the downtown barber shop that remained a social hub of the community for decades. Her great-aunt, Donna Elbert, worked as a scientific assistant at Yerkes Observatory. Her maternal grandparents made Fontana their home. A few years ago, Ashton took her deep knowledge of local restaurants, activities and events, and began to share it via a series of videos on Instagram. Her account, lakelikealocal_lakegeneva, was born in 2022 and has grown to over 44,000 followers and counting. We sat down with the Lake Geneva influencer to hear about her journey.
Meet the influencer behind a popular Lake Geneva-themed social media account
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events at the lake
HALLOWEEN LEGENDS AND LORE
OCT. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 Troves of supernatural tales brought to the state over the generations come to life. Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. Tickets are $26 for adults and teens ages 13-17; $18 for kids ages 5-12. Advanced registration required; visit oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org.
NICK CASELLI ROCKING CAR SHOW
OCT. 10 View over 100 classic and vintage cars on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Williams Bay’s Edgewater Park. Admission is free. Visit williamsbaylions.org/car-show.
SEPT. 2-7 One of the largest county fairs in Wisconsin. Live music, demolition derby, carnival midway and livestock exhibits, plus performances by Bella Cain, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Ludacris. Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn; (262) 723-3288 or walworthcountyfairgrounds.com/calendar. 128 AT THE LAKE
HOLLY LEITNER
WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR
out & about calendar of events FARMERS MARKETS BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET Thursdays, 3-7 p.m., through Sept 24. Riverside Park, 517 Congress St., Burlington; (262) 210-6360 or burlingtonWIfarmersmarket.com. LAKE GENEVA FARMER’S MARKET Local farmers and vendors offer local produce, flowers and goods. Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 29. Horticultural Hall; (262) 745-9341 or horticulturalhall.com. GENOA CITY FARMERS MARKET Fridays, 3-7 p.m. through Sept. 25. 171 S. Carter St., Genoa City; (262) 279-6472. GENEVA OUTDOOR MARKET Farm-fresh produce and handcrafted gifts and crafts. Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 25. Lake Geneva House of Music, 3252 County Road H, Lake Geneva. (262) 215-6139 or genevaoutdoormarket.com.
SEPT. 3 & 10 DELAVAN MARKET AT TOWER PARK 3-7 p.m., historic Tower Park, 117 Park Pl., Delavan; (262) 728-5095 or visitdelavan.com. SEPT. 4 WILLIAMS BAY FARMERS MARKET 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Edgewater Park, Williams Bay; (262) 475-6333. SEPT. 5 SATURDAYS ON THE SQUARE Featuring local handmade products, fresh locally grown produce and food vendors. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Veteran’s Park, Elkhorn; elkhornchamber.com. SEPT. 10 SWIFT NIGHT OUT Join the Lake Geneva Avian Committee to view thousands of acrobatic chimney swifts as they circle and swoop into the Geneva Lake Museum’s tall chimney. Food trucks open at 5 p.m., enjoy a “Raptor and Friends” program at 6 p.m. and the swifts begin their journey around
7:15 p.m. Event is free. Geneva Lake Museum, 255 Mill St., Lake Geneva. SEPT. 11-12 DARIEN CORNFEST A community-wide celebration of the super starch featuring fireworks, a parade and live music throughout downtown Darien. Visit dariencornfest.us. SEPT. 12-OCT. 25 AUTUMN HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE ELEGANT FARMER Saturdays and Sundays only, enjoy a corn maze and pick-your-own apples, as well as hayrides, pony rides or a trip on the East Troy Railroad, while sampling fall treats. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Elegant Farmer, 1545 W. Main St., Mukwonago; visit elegantfarmer.com. SEPT. 12 CLASSIC CAR AND TRACTOR SHOW Live music and concessions available. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pearce’s Farm Stand, W5740 N. Walworth Road, Walworth.
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out & about calendar of events SEPT. 12 FONTANA TRIATHLON ON GENEVA LAKE Event will consist of the sprint, sprint relay, Olympic and Olympic relay races. Fontana Beach, Fontana; for information, visit fontanatriathlon.com.
SEPT. 13 SUNDAY BRUNCH TRAIN Enjoy a three-course Sunday brunch while aboard a vintage train ride from the East Troy Railroad Museum to Mukwonago’s Indianhead Park. Tickets are $125 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 10 a.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org. SEPT. 14 LADIES’ DAY LUNCHEON Geneva Lakes Women’s Association’s annual luncheon featuring the theme “Blue Suede Shoes and Autumn Views.” Enjoy a silent auction and raffle, followed by Elvis tribute musician Logan Ramey performing classic hits. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 Geneva St., Delavan; for tickets, visit glwa.net.
The Geneva Lakes Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show returns to the Abbey Marina Sept. 26-27.
tournament, a pop-up beer garden, fire pits, food trucks, live music and more. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; Tower Park and throughout downtown Delavan. For more info, check out visitdelavan.com. SEPT. 19 ANNUAL FAT TIRE RIDE OF LAKE GENEVA This 21.5-mile bike ride over paved roads around Geneva Lake and Lake Como supports local charities. The route begins at Champs Sports Bar & Grill or Lodge Geneva National and ends with a pig roast for all participants. To register, visit fattireride.com.
SEPT. 16 VINEYARD VOYAGES ON THE LAKE LAWN QUEEN Set sail on a remarkable wine dinner cruise featuring wines from Chateau Montelena. 5:45-8 p.m., Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. Tickets are $125 per person; visit lakelawnresort.com to purchase.
SEPT. 19 AN EVENING WITH AGATHA CHRISTIE Local historian Chris Brookes brings the best-selling author of all time, Agatha Christie, back to life for an intimate evening of mystery and conversation. 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. Black Point Estate & Gardens, W4270 Southland Rd., Lake Geneva; call 262-248-1888 for tickets.
SEPT. 18-19 DELAVAN SCARECROW FEST Scarecrow building, pumpkin decorating, instructor-led line dancing, a cornhole
SEPT. 19 FALL HARVEST DINNER TRAIN Enjoy a dinner of beef bourguignon while enjoying a vintage train ride from the East
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Troy Railroad Museum to Mukwonago’s Elegant Farmer apple orchard and market. Tickets are $140 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 5 p.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org. SEPT. 19 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S Raising awareness and funds to enhance Alzheimer’s care and support. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., ceremony at 9:40 a.m., walk begins at 10 a.m. Library Park, Lake Geneva; (414) 775-7583 or act.alz.org. SEPT. 24 FALL LUNCH TRAIN Enjoy a lunch of grilled pork medallions while aboard a vintage train ride from the East Troy Railroad Museum to Mukwonago’s Elegant Farmer apple orchard and market. Tickets are $110 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 11:30 a.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org. SEPT. 26 AUTUMN GLOW DINNER TRAIN Enjoy a dinner of whiskey-glazed brisket while enjoying a vintage train ride from the East Troy Railroad Museum to Mukwonago’s Elegant Farmer apple
LAUREN HARRIGAN
SEPT. 12 YERKES COSMIC CONSTRUCTION FALL FUNDRAISER The second annual fundraiser will feature food by Flour Girl & Flame, Cannoli Boys and Pearl Girl as well as music by The DJ Firm with guests receiving exclusive access to the historic observatory. 6-10 p.m.; Yerkes Observatory, 373 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay. Tickets are $300 per person. To purchase, visit yerkesobservatory.org/cosmic-construction.
out & about calendar of events orchard and market. Tickets are $140 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 5 p.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org. SEPT. 26 BLUE JEAN BALL “HEARTS OF GOLD” Enjoy live music, interactive experiences, food stations and an open bar, all to support cancer research through the Forbeck Foundation. 6-10 p.m., Lake Geneva Country Club, W3398 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva. Visit wgfrf.org for tickets. SEPT. 26 FIRST BRIGADE BAND PERFORMANCE Civil War-era period brass band music, performed on antique instruments by musicians attired in uniforms and gowns. 7 p.m. Big Foot Auditorium, Walworth. For tickets, visit bigfootfinearts.org or call (262) 275-2117.
SEPT. 26-27 GENEVA LAKES ANNUAL ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT SHOW See over 150 wooden boats on display, 50 of which will be in the water. Public viewing on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a boat parade starting at 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Abbey Marina, Fontana. Visit genevalakesboatshow.com for more info. SEPT. 27 ELKHORN ANTIQUE FLEA MARKET Over 500 dealers both inside and outside. Free parking, $5 admission. Opens at 7 a.m. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn; visit elkhornantiquefleamarket.com. OCT. 1 GENEVA LAKE MUSEUM DINE, DAUB, DONATE FUNDRAISER Dinner and bingo night to raise funds for the museum. Featuring a buffet dinner, raffles and games. Registration and dinner from 5-6:30 p.m., games immediately
following. Hawk’s View Golf Club, 7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva. Tickets are $100 per person. Call (262) 248-6060 or visit genevalakemuseum.org/index.php/ upcoming-events for tickets. OCT. 2-11 “LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS” The cult classic performed by the Lakeland Players. Walworth County Performing Arts Center, Elkhorn. For tickets, call (262) 728-5578 or visit lakeland-players.org. OCT. 2, 9, 23 SPIRITUALISM IN THE VICTORIAN ERA Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Black Point Estate, enjoy a tasty cordial and hear stories of paranormal proclivity and the history of Victorian spiritualism at this two-hour event; 7-8:30 p.m. Black Point Estate and Gardens, Lake Geneva. Tickets are $75 and must be reserved in advance. Call (262) 248-1888 or visit blackpointestate.wisconsinhistory.org.
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out & about calendar of events
OCT. 3 OKTOBERFEST DINNER TRAIN Enjoy a dinner of sauerbraten while enjoying a vintage train ride from the East Troy Railroad Museum to Mukwonago’s Elegant Farmer apple orchard and market. Special Oktoberfest beers will be available. Tickets are $140 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 4:30 p.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org. OCT. 3, 10, 17 SORDID AND SCANDALOUS: A WALKING TOUR OF LAKE GENEVA Explore the mysteries of Lake Geneva in this engaging guided tour through the city’s historic downtown and Maple Park neighborhood. Tours run every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Meet at the Riviera, 812 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; for tickets, call (262) 248-1888 or visit blackpointestate.wisconsinhistory.org.
Experience the works of Edgar Allen Poe at Poe at the Point at Black Point Estate Oct. 15-17.
OCT. 9, 16, 23, 30 TRICK OR TREAT TRAIN Enjoy a trip aboard a vintage trolley or train from the East Troy Depot to Town Hall Park, where kids can go “trick-or-treating,” play games and enjoy playground equipment. Departures at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. from the East Troy Railroad depot. Online advanced reservations required; visit easttroyrr.org.
Live music is just one part of the Lake Geneva Oktoberfest activities Oct. 10-11.
OCT. 9 10TH ANNUAL SIMPLE SUPPER FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF WALWORTH COUNTY Seatings at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Take-outs are also available with a choice of three entrees. There will be a raffle and a 50/50 drawing; all proceeds benefit Special Olympics. Tickets are $15 per person. Simple Café, 525 Broad St., Lake Geneva. For tickets, call (262) 248-3034. OCT. 10 EPICUREAN EXPRESS DINNER TRAIN Enjoy a gourmet dinner of Shrimp Newburg and filet mignon while enjoying a vintage train ride from the East Troy Railroad Museum to Mukwonago’s Elegant Farmer apple orchard and market. Tickets are $195 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 4:30 p.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org.
OCT. 10-11 LAKE GENEVA OKTOBERFEST Family fall festival includes music, food, craft booths, restaurant and shopping specials, wagon hayrides, pony rides and more. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Broad and Geneva Streets, Lake Geneva; downtownlakegeneva.org/events/oktoberfest for more info. OCT. 15-17 POE AT THE POINT All aboard for a spine-chilling evening with the works of poet and author Edgar Allen Poe in the parlor of Black Point Estate. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $85 per person. Tours leave from the Riviera Dock, 812 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva; for tickets, call (262) 248-1888 or visit blackpointestate.wisconsinhistory.org. OCT. 16 MICHAEL CAVANAUGH PERFORMS THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL AND ELTON JOHN Tony- and Grammy-nominated performer Michael Cavanaugh brings the legendary hits and electrifying piano rock to life. 7 p.m., The Young, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/ youngauditorium for tickets.
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TOP: BARBARA KRAUSE; BOTTOM: HOLLY LEITNER
OCT. 3 ELKHORN HOLIDAY CRAFT BASH Indoor and outdoor spaces will feature a wide variety of vendors, plus food and beverage options. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn; $5 admission at the gate. Visit walworthcountyfair.com.
out & about calendar of events OCT. 16-25 “DIAL M FOR MURDER” Stage adaptation of the popular Hitchcock thriller. Tickets are $25. Malt House Theater, 109 N. Main St., Burlington; for tickets, call (262) 763-9873 or visit thehaylofters.com. OCT. 17 ELKHORN OKTOBERFEST Walk around the downtown square to see more than 100 crafters and vendors, plus a classic car show, beer/wine tasting, live music and a 5K run. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., throughout Elkhorn. Visit elkhornchamber.com. OCT. 17 OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT OPEN HOUSE An exciting, exploratory experience for the whole family. This two-hour event will take place rain or shine. 7-9 p.m.; Yerkes Observatory, 373 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for kids. To reserve space, visit yerkesobservatory.org. OCT. 18 TASTE OF BROAD STREET: A WALKING FOODIE TOUR Sample foods from popular restaurants and bars in downtown Lake Geneva. Fundraiser benefits Side by Side. 2-5 p.m.
Tickets are $45 per person and available at sidebysidelakegeneva.org. OCT. 21 BUFFALO TRACE BOURBON DINNER ON THE LAKE LAWN QUEEN Set sail on a dinner cruise featuring bourbons from Kentucky’s Buffalo Trace Distillery. 5:45-8 p.m., Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. Tickets are $135 per person; visit lakelawnresort.com to purchase. OCT. 21 HARVEST COLORS LUNCH TRAIN Enjoy a lunch of roasted beef tips while aboard a vintage train ride from the East Troy Railroad Museum. Tickets are $110 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 11:30 a.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org. OCT. 21 WHEEL OF FORTUNE LIVE! Nonstop excitement when America’s Game comes to Whitewater, where audience members can spin the iconic Wheel for chances to win dream trips, cash prizes up to $10,000 and unforgettable fun. 7 p.m., The Young, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/ youngauditorium for tickets.
Yerkes Observatory will host three events this fall: the Cosmic Construction Fall Fundraiser on Sept. 12, the Observe the Moon Night Open House on Oct. 17 and the Arboretum Candlelight Walk on Oct. 23-24.
OCT. 23-24 YERKES ARBORETUM CANDLELIGHT WALK Enjoy a stroll through the Yerkes Arboretum as it is lit by luminarias. 7-10 p.m.; 373 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay. For more info, visit yerkesobservatory.org. OCT. 24 THE BODEANS: 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR In honor of the 40th anniversary of their top-selling album, BoDeans will perform a 2.5-hour show featuring a video retrospective that will include songs from their 14 studio records covering five decades of music from the 1980s to the 2020s. 7 p.m., The Young, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/ youngauditorium for tickets. OCT. 31 ADULT HALLOWEEN TRAIN Enjoy a dinner of cider-marinated short ribs aboard a vintage train ride from the East Troy Railroad Museum to Mukwonago’s Elegant Farmer apple orchard and market. Costumes encouraged! Tickets are $150 per person, advanced reservations required. Check in at 4:30 p.m., East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. For tickets, call (262) 642-3263 or visit easttroyrr.org. NOV. 7 HOTEL CALIFORNIA: THE ORIGINAL EAGLES TRIBUTE Award-winning tribute band brings a dynamic stage show that faithfully recreates the timeless Grammy-winning sound fans know and love. 7 p.m., The Young, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/youngauditorium for tickets.
NOV. 14 HANNIBAL BURRESS Acclaimed comedian, writer and actor 134 AT THE LAKE
HOLLY LEITNER
NOV. 7 YOUNG ORIGINAL A nationally acclaimed acoustic band performing American music, featuring a striking combination of instrumental mastery and stunning vocal harmonies. 7 p.m. Big Foot Auditorium, Walworth. For tickets, visit bigfootfinearts.org or call (262) 275-2117.
out & about calendar of events known for his sharp stand-up specials, memorable film and television roles, and appearances on iconic shows including “Saturday Night Live” and “Broad City.” 7 p.m., The Young, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/ youngauditorium for tickets. NOV. 14 HARVEST BEER DINNER Raise a glass to harvest season with delicious drinks and a four-course meal in historic Clausing Barn. Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. Tickets are $120; advanced registration required. Visit oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org. NOV. 21 CIRQUE MUSICA HOLIDAY WONDERLAND Breathtaking family holiday tradition that combines world-class circus performers, dazzling acrobatics and timeless seasonal music. 7 p.m., The Young, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/youngauditorium for tickets.
While we do our best to ensure a comprehensive, accurate listing of events, we recommend that you contact each event host ahead of time. If you’d like to include an event in our upcoming calendar, please email anne@ntmediagroup.com or submit it via our website: atthelakemagazine.com/ submit-an-event. Submission deadline for the winter issue is Oct. 16.
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera app to view more events in the Geneva Lake area.
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W632 Hafs Road, Genoa City WI 53128 • www.hafsroadorchard.com
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A Table For
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food & drink
All about cuisine
Can It and Jam It How to make the most of extra fruit and vegetables this harvest season BY NAT WEXLER PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER
H
ome gardens spend the summer basking in the sun and soaking up nutrients from the soil and, now that autumn has arrived, it’s time to harvest all of those fruits and vegetables before the chill sets in. If you want to enjoy your garden’s bounty throughout the fall and winter months, consider preserving fruits and vegetables by canning or jamming them. Canning is the process of safely preserving foods, either pickled or in AUTUMN 2026
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food & drink canning their original form, so that the flavor can be enjoyed year-round. Jamming is the process of turning fruits (and certain vegetables) into jams via boiling and adding spices, herbs or sugar, and then preserving that jam through canning. Both canning and jamming can be performed in a home kitchen with the right equipment, but, as with all food prep, it’s important to follow certain food safety precautions. To ensure you’re doing it safely, here’s a quick-start guide: • Harvest your autumn fruits and vegetables. Pick your fruits and vegetables at their peak ripeness to ensure that they taste their best after being preserved. • Find an up-to-date, tested recipe. A tested recipe is a recipe that has been tested by food safety professionals to ensure that it won’t develop harmful bacteria. The National Center for Home Food Preservation, Ball Mason Jars and UW-Extension all offer safe, science-backed recipes on their websites. While vintage cookbooks can be fun to read for inspiration, it can be dangerous to use vintage canning recipes as they are no
longer considered safe by updated food safety standards. If you do want to use a recipe from a vintage cookbook, store it in the fridge and enjoy it within a few days — these recipes are usually highly perishable and not considered preserved. Amanda Kostman, an educator with the UW-Madison’s extension office, cautions individuals against using these recipes as well as recipes they may find on social media, since using untested recipes can have dangerous health consequences.
Buy Local If the canning process seems too intimidating or you don’t have any fruits or vegetables to use, there are several local businesses that sell canned items in the style of homemade. This is generally the safest option, according to Kostman. “Businesses who are licensed to do canning are required to keep records and follow safe procedures,” she explains. A few businesses in the Geneva Lake area that sell jams and other canned items include: Pearce’s Farm Stand in Walworth, Delavan’s Lake Geneva Cannery and River Valley Ranch & Kitchens near Twin Lakes.
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Clockwise from top left: The process of canning starts by gathering supplies like new mason jars and two-piece lids; next, find an up-to-date, tested recipe and follow the recipe exactly; carefully place the final product into new, clean jars; whether you choose a water boiling or pressure canning method, the final step is proper labeling of your canned goods.
food & drink canning • Gather supplies based on what kind of canning your recipe calls for. There are two types of scientifically approved canning methods: water boiling/water bath canning and pressure canning. Water boiling/water bath canning is generally used for high-acid fruits and pickled products, while pressure canning is usually used for low-acid foods. Both types of canning require new, sturdy glass jars designed for home canning. (Never use old jars or jars that were previously used for other foods.) Also make sure you have new, two-piece lids that have been stored in a cool and dry place, as well as screw bands, a rack, oven gloves and a funnel. Water boiling canning uses a large stockpot, whereas pressure canning uses a specialized pressure canner. Tested recipes will usually have a list of additional supplies that are needed based on the specific recipe.
A note on pressure canning: One of the resources that the UW-Madison extension office provides is dial gauge testing for pressure canners. “Pressure canner testing should be done every year,” Kostman says and encourages those who will be performing home pressure canning to contact her office. • Follow the tested recipe exactly. While the arts of cooking and baking normally encourage creativity, canning is the one task where creativity should not be exercised. “Even tweaking a recipe the slightest amount can make it untested and therefore unsafe,” says Kostman. She recommends that, instead of tweaking recipes while canning, individuals add the extra ingredients that they want to add when actually serving the dish. For instance, if you want to add corn to your canned tomatoes, but can’t find a tested recipe, add corn
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food & drink canning
BLUE-RIBBON ENTRIES Those who are competitive and want to see how their preserved food stacks up against the rest often enter their home canned goods and jams in the Walworth County Fair’s home economics competition. Registration occurs during the summer and the finished product is displayed during the Walworth County Fair, which takes place this year from Sept. 2-7. Jodi Swatek, the Walworth County Fair Superintendent for Home Economics — which includes foods, food preservation, needle arts, knitting, crocheting and home furnishings — encourages anyone who is interested to enter the fair, and says jams and jellies are a great starting point. She says one of the most memorable jams that she has seen during her time at the fair was a carrot cake jam that had carrots, pineapple and nuts. Judging is based on guidelines established by the UW-Extension; the guidelines are published in its Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series booklet. Swatek adds that anyone visiting the fair is welcome to view the entries and observe judging. This can also be a great way to learn more about the food preservation process. 140 AT THE LAKE
to the tomatoes when you are actually about to eat them, not during the canning process. Canned recipes are only safe if they followed the tested recipe and the corresponding canning method exactly. “At the end of the day, a sealed canning jar does not indicate that the food inside is safe,” explains Barb Ingham, professor emeritus of food science and former food safety specialist with the UW-Extension. “A sealed jar simply means that the jar is sealed. You can do a lot of things wrong and still get a jar to seal.” • Enjoy your canned fruits and vegetables! If a tested recipe was followed exactly, and the jar remains sealed and stored in a cool and dry place, then its contents can be good for up to a year. After all the hard work you put into your garden during the growing season, you can now sit back and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of your labor.
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food & drink cocktails
Maple Old Fashioned Savor autumn flavors with this seasonal twist on a Wisconsin favorite, plus a few local wines and spirits for fall BY ANNE MORRISSY PHOTO & RECIPE BY HOLLY LEITNER
Ingredients: • 2 oz. Æppeltreow Whiskey • 2 dashes of Angostura bitters • 1 tsp. of Wisconsin maple syrup • 2 Luxardo cherries • Orange peel Directions: • Muddle all ingredients and add ice. Stir well, express an orange peel over the top and garnish with a cherry/orange on a cocktail skewer.
On page 144, find local businesses producing delicious seasonal wines and spirits. 142 AT THE LAKE
UPDATED FOR 2026
Keeping the Tradition
Great Drinks, Great Food, Great Friends
CHUCK’S LAKESHORE INN
Our pocket-size guide features 105 points of interest and is available at At The Lake’s office, local retailers and atthelakemagazine.com/shop
OPEN EVERY DAY Bar 11am to 2am (2:30am Fri & Sat) Kitchen 11am to 9pm 262.275.3222 Private Event Space on 2nd Floor 262.903.4432 for Info 352 Lake St., Fontana fun@chuckslakeshoreinn.com chuckslakeshoreinn.com
THE HOLIDAYS ARE BETTER AROUND THE TABLE Bring everyone together while Lake Life Catering takes care of every detail, from thoughtfully crafted menus to elevated dining. lakelifecatering.com | 1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay, WI | 262-245-2101 AUTUMN 2026
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food & drink cocktails BROWN DOG WHISKEY | ÆPPELTREOW WINERY & DISTILLERY, BURLINGTON
Made from locally grown sweet sorghum, this whiskey is aged with oak, apple, cherry and chestnut wood for a flavor that is similar to Scotch, but without the peat. It’s available in 80 proof, cask strength and 3-year-old cask. Try it in the Maple Old Fashioned!
CRAFT BRANDY | STALLER ESTATE WINERY & FARM DISTILLERY, DELAVAN This local vineyard and winery is a leader in spirits as well. Don’t miss the award-winning Barrel-Aged Brandy and Estate Brandy, with notes of dried fruits, vanilla and oak, plus flavors of caramel, toasted almond and honey. ESTATE WINES | THE APPLE BARN ORCHARD & WINERY, ELKHORN
All wines at this popular local orchard are made, bottled, corked, capped and labeled on site. Flavors include Country Rhubarb, Strawberry Jewel, Big Buck Blueberry and Honey Crisp Apple Harvest, among others.
REGIONAL WINES AND CIDERS | THE ELEGANT CORK
AT THE ELEGANT FARMER, MUKWONAGO The tasting room next to the popular farm kitchen, bakery, deli and market offers on-site tasting of many different Wisconsin wines and ciders, including Wollersheim, Von Stiehl, Door Peninsula and Cedar Creek.
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food & drink restaurants
The classic Americana history of Joni’s Diner BY NAT WEXLER
J
ust a few blocks from the sign welcoming you to Lake Geneva sits what looks like a gleaming, aluminum train car. However, this was never a train car at all: It is actually Joni’s Diner, a familyowned and -operated Lake Geneva dining institution that’s been around since 2014. But the physical history of Joni’s Diner dates back nearly seven decades. In 1913, a man from Bayonne, New Jersey, named Jerry O’Mahony built his first “stationary lunch wagon,” which came to be known as a “diner.” O’Mahony’s company, the Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company, would go
146 AT THE LAKE
on to build over 2,000 prefabricated, train-car style diners between 1917 and 1956. One of these diners was the DeCoven Diner in Duncannon, Pennsylvania. The DeCoven Diner was built in 1954 and remained in Pennsylvania until 2005 when it was moved to Fairfield, Connecticut. In July 2012, Joni’s Diner coowner Kelly Yunker discovered the DeCoven Diner for sale on a website that listed out-of-commission diners and decided to purchase it. To get the diner from Connecticut to Wisconsin, it had to be loaded onto two double-wide trailers. Six months after finding the diner listed online,
TOP: LAUREN HARRIGAN; INSERT: HOLLY LEITNER
Chrome, Coffee and Comfort
it arrived in Lake Geneva where Kelly and his wife, Joan, began restoring it to its original charm. The front half of the diner is nearly all original and what is not original was restored to evoke a sense of nostalgia. (Due to the booth layout of the restaurant, parties larger than four have to be split up between tables.) Renovations included reupholstering the booths, replacing part of the countertop and replacing the ceiling. The kitchen, original to 1954, had to be fully updated to meet modern safety codes. The renovations took about a year and, in January of 2014, Joni’s Diner officially opened its doors.
Enjoy At The Lake throughout the year! Our 2027 wall calendar features stunning local photography for all seasons and lists holidays and popular local events.
Available at local retailers or order online!
ATTHELAKEMAGAZINE.COM
HOLLY LEITNER
Today, the popular local spot serves breakfast and lunch Wednesdays through Sundays and takes no reservations, so the Yunkers recommend you try to arrive earlier than you plan to eat. The breakfast menu features staples such as omelets and pancakes, in addition to local favorites like potato pancakes and banana bread French toast (featuring homemade banana bread along with butterscotch syrup and toasted pecans!). The lunch menu offers homemade meatloaf, salads, burgers, sandwiches and soup. The Yunkers say two of their biggest sellers are their corned beef hash and the classic cheeseburger. Order up!
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food & drink dining guide
dining at the lake
Information is subject to change. Please contact individual restaurants for hours of operation. Inclusion in this directory should not be considered an endorsement by At The Lake. Visit atthelakemagazine.com to view the full directory.
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera app to see our full list of Geneva Lake area dining options.
The all-you-can-eat broasted chicken dinner with mashed potatoes at Crandall’s.
THE BAKER HOUSE
AMERICAN $$ -$$$ 327 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4700 bakerhouse1885.com/restaurant
BARRIQUE BISTRO & WINE BAR
SPECIALTY $ -$$ 835 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1948 barriquewinebar.com
THE BOAT HOUSE BAR & GRILL
CASUAL $$ 2062 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-812-4126 theboathouselakegeneva.com
THE BOTTLE SHOP
WINE BAR $ 617 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9463 thebottleshoplakegeneva.com
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BRANDY’S OLD-FASHIONED
EGG HARBOR CAFÉ
GENEVA TAPHOUSE
CHAMPS SPORTS BAR & GRILL
EMMI’S
GOTHAM BAGELS
SUPPER CLUB $$ W3220 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-203-5175 brandysoldfashioned.com
CASUAL $ 747 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-6008 champslakegeneva.com
CLAW’S CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOGS
CASUAL $ 90 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva; 262-732-5112 clawshotdogs.com
COLD STONE CREAMERY
ICE CREAM $ 859 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4900 coldstonecreamery.com
DRAGON CITY
ASIAN $ 98 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva; 262-249-8867
AMERICAN $ 827 Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1207 eggharborcafe.com/lake-geneva AMERICAN $$-$$$ 300 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-220-7430 emmislakegeneva.com
FLAT IRON TAP
CASUAL $ -$$ 150 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-4064 flatirontaplg.com
FOLEY BROTHER’S PUB
IRISH $ -$$ W3905 State Hwy. 50 (at Hwy. 50 and Chapin Rd.), Lake Geneva; 262-245-6966
GENEVA CHOPHOUSE
STEAKHOUSE $$$ Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/ geneva-chophouse
BEER TASTING $ 252 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-8099 genevataphouse.com BAGEL SHOP $ -$$ 300 Wrigley Dr., Unit B, Lake Geneva; 262-581-6349 gothambagels.com/ wisconsin-lakegeneva
THE GRAND CAFÉ
AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$ Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/ grand-cafe
GRANDMA VICKIE’S CAFÉ DINER $ 522 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-249-0301
GUAC STAR
MEXICAN $ 120 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-203-5084
Lauren Harrigan
LAKE GENEVA
food & drink dining guide HOGS & KISSES
CASUAL $ 149 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-7447 hogsandkisses.com
HOUSE OF BOGINI
CASUAL $ 152 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-903-8003
HUNT CLUB STEAKHOUSE AT GENEVA NATIONAL
STEAKHOUSE $$$ 555 Hunt Club Ct., Lake Geneva; 262-245-7200 huntclubsteakhouse.com
INSPIRED COFFEE
COFFEE HOUSE $ 883 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-683-8604 inspiredcoffee.org
JACKSON’S HOLE
CASUAL $ 1798 Genesee St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1995
JONI’S DINER
DINER $ 111 Wells St., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9565 jonisdiner.com
KILWINS CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM SHOP ICE CREAM/CONFECTIONS $ 772 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4400 kilwins.com
LAKE-AIRE RESTAURANT DINER $ 804 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-9913 lakeairelg.com
LAKE CITY SOCIAL
CASUAL $$ 111 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-7047 lakecitysociallg.com
LAKE GENEVA PIE COMPANY BAKERY/CAFE $ 150 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva; 262-248-5100 lgpie.com
LINKS BAR & GRILL
CASUAL $ -$$ Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/ links-bar-grill
LORELEI BITTNER’S BAKERY
BAKERY $ 495 Interchange N. (Hwy. 120), Lake Geneva; 262-248-2330 lakegenevabakery.com
LUIS’S PIZZA
CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$ W3410 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-6810 luisspizza.com
MAGPIE’S DEN & PEN
CASUAL $$ 642 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-249-2302 magpieslg.com
MAMA CIMINO’S
CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$ 131 N. Wells St., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9077 ciminoslakegeneva.com
MASHTUN BREWING
SIMPLE CAFÉ
AMERICAN/BAKERY $ -$$ 525 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-3556 simplelakegeneva.com
SOPRA: AN AMERICAN BISTRO AMERICAN/FRENCH $$ -$$$ 724 Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-249-0800 soprabistro.com
SPEEDO’S HARBORSIDE CAFÉ
BREWERY $ 700 Veterans Pkwy., Unit 203, Lake Geneva; 262-999-4677 mashtunbrewing.com
CASUAL $ 100 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-3835
MOOSE + MAPLE NORTHWOODS FAMILY DINING
CHINESE $ -$$ 743 North St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1178 suwingslg.com
CASUAL $ -$$ Timber Ridge Lodge at Grand Geneva, State Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva; 262-249-3400 timberridgelodge.com/eat/ moose-maple
NEXT DOOR PUB & PIZZERIA AMERICAN/CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 411 Interchange N. (Hwy. 120), Lake Geneva; 262-248-9551 nextdoorpub.com
OAK & OAR
AMERICAN $$ -$$$ N2009 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-5690 genevainn.com/oak-and-oar.htm
OAKFIRE RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA
CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$ 831 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-812-8007 oakfire.pizza
OLYMPIC RESTAURANT
DINER $ 748 W. Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-6541 olympicrestaurantlakegeneva.com
NICK’S ON THE LAKE @ POPEYE’S
CASUAL $ -$$$ 811 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-248-4381 popeyeslkg.com
THE PORCH
COFFEE SHOP $ -$$ 832 Geneva St., Unit 2, Lake Geneva; 262-729-4100
RISTORANTÉ BRISSAGO
ITALIAN $$ -$$$ Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva; 262-249-4788 grandgeneva.com/restaurants/ ristorante-brissago
SABAI SABAI
ASIAN $$ 306 Center St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-4114 sabaisabailakegeneva.com
SU WINGS
TAIL FEATHERS
CASUAL $ -$$ Hawk’s View Golf Club, W7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva; 262-348-9900 hawksviewgolfclub.com/club/ tail-feathers
TAQUERIA EL GALLO DE ORO MEXICAN $ 820 Williams St., Lake Geneva; 262-729-4055 taquerialg.com
TOPSY TURVY BREWERY BREWERY $ 727 Geneva St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-8323 topsyturvybrewery.com
TUSCAN TAVERN & GRILL AMERICAN/ITALIAN $ -$$ 430 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-0888 tuscanlg.com
YOGEEZE FROZEN YOGURT
FROZEN YOGURT $ 253 Center St., #300, Lake Geneva; 262-203-5550 yogeeze.com
ZAAB CORNER BISTRO
STEAK/SEAFOOD/BBQ $$ -$$$ 501 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-203-5434 zaabcornerlg.com
BURLINGTON ARCHIVES BAR & GRILL AMERICAN $ 356 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-716-0073 archivesbarandgrill.com
BEIJING GARDEN
ASIAN $ 464 S. Pine St., Burlington; 262-767-1188
BREW & OLE’S
AMERICAN $$ 597 N. Pine St., Burlington; brewandoles.com
THE CHARCOAL GRILL & ROTISSERIE
CASUAL $$ 580 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; 262-767-0000 charcoalgrill.com
THE COFFEE HOUSE AT CHESTNUT & PINE COFFEE HOUSE $ 492 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-661-4394 burlingtoncoffeehouse.com
FLIPPY’S
CASUAL $ 401 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-763-6754 flippysfastfood.com
FRED’S
CASUAL $ 596 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-763-8370 freds-burgers.com
KIRA ASIAN BISTRO
ASIAN $ -$$ 208 S. Pine St., Burlington; 262-767-9999 kiraasianburlington.com
LOS COMPADRES
MEXICAN $ 725 N. Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; 262-763-6018 loscompadreswi.com
LUCKY STAR PUB & EATERY DINER $ -$$ 864 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington; 262-763-2155 eatatluckystar.com
NAPOLI RESTAURANT AND PIZZERIA CASUAL/ITALIAN $ -$$ 132 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-763-8390 napoliburlington.com
PINE STREET CAFE
DINER $ 141 N. Pine St., Burlington; 262-763-9800 pinestreetcafe.com
SHEILA MAE’S TOWN FRYER CASUAL $ -$$ 116 N. Main St., Burlington; 262-763-9940
THE WATERFRONT ON BROWN’S LAKE
STEAK/SEAFOOD/AMERICAN $$ 31100 Weiler Rd., Burlington; 262-763-9989 waterfrontbrownslake.com
ZUMPANO’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA ITALIAN $ -$$ 180 E. Chestnut St., Burlington; 262-767-0581 zumpanospizza.com
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food & drink dining guide DARIEN
GREENIE’S CLUBHOUSE
PEPPERONI PUB
LARDUCCI PIZZERIA
CASUAL $ W9695 U.S. Hwy. 14, Darien; 262-882-3224
CASUAL $ Delbrook Golf Course, 700 S. Second St., Delavan; 262-728-1339 greeniesclubhouse.menu
WEST WIND DINER
INN BETWEEN
RIGA-TONY’S
LAUDERDALE LANDING
COUNTRYSIDE
DINER $ 620 N. Walworth St., Darien; 262-882-5515
DELAVAN 1878 ON THE LAKE
AMERICAN $$ -$$$ Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St. (State Hwy. 50), Delavan; 262-728-7950 lakelawnresort.com/dining/1878-onthe-lake
ARANDAS MEXICAN GRILL MEXICAN $ 322 S. Seventh St., Delavan; 262-725-6518 arandasmexicangrill.com/home
ARCADIA BAR AND GRILL CASUAL $ 215 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-267-8973 arcadiabarandgrill.com
BETTINO’S PIZZA
PIZZA $ -$$ 617 E. Washington St., Delavan; 262-233-6153 bettinospizza.com
BISTRO 67
FRENCH $$$ 3601 State Hwy. 67, Delavan; 262-394-3939 belfryhouse.com/dining
BOXED & BURLAP
COFFEE HOUSE $ 2935 State Hwy. 67 (intersection of highways 50 and 67), Delavan and 230 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-374-5497 boxedandburlap.com
CHINA 1
CHINESE $ -$$ 1807 E. Geneva St., Unit D, Delavan; 262-728-9999 china1us.com
DELAVAN FAMILY RESTAURANT CASUAL $ 505 S. Seventh St., Delavan; 262-728-1715
THE DUCK INN
SUPPER CLUB $$ -$$$ N6214 State Hwy. 89 (intersection of County Rd. A and State Hwy. 89), Delavan; 608-883-6988 duckinndelavan.com
ELIZABETH’S CAFE
DINER $ 322 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-728-3383
FIRE2FORK
AMERICAN $$ -$$$ 2484 S. County Rd. O, Delavan; 262-725-7388 fire2fork.com 150 AT THE LAKE
CASUAL $ 1522 Beckman Dr., Delavan; 262-728-9824
ISLE OF CAPRI CAFÉ
COFFEE HOUSE $ Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan; 262-728-7950 lakelawnresort.com/dining/ isle-of-capri-cafe
JAIME’S CAFE
CASUAL $ 239 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-749-3107 jaimescafe.net/good-food
JO JO’S PIZZA & PASTA CASUAL $ -$$ 308 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-728-5656 jojospizzadelavan.net
JONATHAN’S ON BRICK STREET
AMERICAN $$ -$$$ 116 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-725-7715 jonathansonbrickstreet.com
KING’S BOWL
CHINESE $ -$$ 1424 Geneva St., Delavan; 262-725-6057 kingsbowlwi.com
LA GUANAJUATO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
MEXICAN $ 233 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-728-8615
LAKE GENEVA CANNERY
BAKERY $ 5576 Hwy. 50, Unit E, Delavan; 262-729-4017
THE LOOKOUT BAR & EATERY CASUAL $ Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan; 262-728-7950 lakelawnresort.com/dining/ lookout-bar-eatery
LOS AGAVES RESTAURANT
CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 627 S. Second St., Delavan; 262-723-2222 pepperonipub.com CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 5576 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-740-2540 rigatonysdelavan.com
TANA’S RESTAURANT
CASUAL/BRUNCH $ 3522 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-740-0933
THE VILLAGE SUPPER CLUB SUPPER CLUB $$ -$$$ 1725 S. Shore Dr., Delavan; 262-456-3400 villagesupperclubdelavan.com
WATERFRONT
CASUAL $ 408 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-728-4700 waterfrontdelavan.com
YO-SHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
ASIAN $$ 1823 E. Geneva St. (State Hwy. 50), Delavan; 262-740-2223 yoshidelavanwi.com
ELKHORN ANNIE’S BURGER TOWN
CASUAL $ 645 N. Lincoln St., Elkhorn; 262-723-3250 anniesburgertown.com
BAKER MEISTER
BAKERY $ 421 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-379-1463
THE BISTRO AT ALPINE VALLEY RESORT
AMERICAN/CONTEMPORARY $$ W2501 County Rd. D, Elkhorn; 262-642-7374 alpinevalleyresort.com
ELK RESTAURANT
CASUAL $ 13 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn; 262-723-4220
ENZO’S PIZZA
MEXICAN $ 401 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-728-4039 losagavesdelavan.com
CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 464 E. Geneva St., Elkhorn; 262-379-2022
OL’ WISCO BAR & GRILL
HOLI CANNOLI
CASUAL $ 328 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-725-6000
OPUS AT THE BELFRY HOUSE
FRENCH $$$$ 3601 State Hwy. 67, Delavan; 262-394-3939 dineopus.com
ITALIAN $ -$$ N7065 U.S. Hwy. 12, Elkhorn; 262-742-2500 holicannoli.com
LAKEHOUSE BREAKFAST BAR & GRILL
CASUAL $ -$$ N7073 State Hwy. 12/67, Elkhorn; 262-742-3300 lakehousebreakfastbarandgrill. godaddysites.com
ITALIAN $ -$$ 20 S. Washington St., Elkhorn; 262-723-6668 larducci.com CASUAL $ -$$ W5625 West Shore Dr., Elkhorn; 262-495-8727
LEFTY’S CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOGS CASUAL $ N7033 U.S. Hwy. 12, Elkhorn; 262-215-8266 leftyshotdogs.com
LOS TRES HERMANOS
MEXICAN $$ 31 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-379-1658 lostreshermanoswi.com
LUKE’S MARKET STREET ITALIAN SANDWICHES CASUAL $ 117 W. Market St., Elkhorn; 262-723-4676
MOY’S RESTAURANT
ASIAN $ 3 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-723-3993 moysrestaurant.com
PASTRIES BY CHAD
BAKERY $ 29 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-279-1187 pastriesbychad.com
PIZZA ALLEY
CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 30 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn; 262-723-1900
THE PUB AT EVERGREEN GOLF CLUB CASUAL $ N6246 U.S. Hwy. 12, Elkhorn; 262-723-5722 evergreengolf.com/the-pub
RICKY’S PLACE
CASUAL $ 1 N. Lincoln St., Elkhorn; 262-723-1599
SOMEPLACE ELSE
AMERICAN $ 1 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn; 262-723-3111 someplaceelserestaurant.com
VALLEY VIEW LOUNGE AT ALPINE VALLEY RESORT
AMERICAN/CONTEMPORARY $$ W2501 County Rd. D, Elkhorn; 262-642-7374 alpinevalleyresort.com
FONTANA 240˚ WEST
AMERICAN/CASUAL/STEAKHOUSE $$ -$$$ The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-9034 theabbeyresort.com/lake-genevarestaurants/240-west
RESTAURANT PARTIES & BANQUETS
Famous Broasted Chicken Friday Fish Fry Sunday Brunch 10441 Main Street (Rt. 47) Hebron, IL 815-648-2609 | crandallschicken.com
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• New & Used Boat Sales • Pier & Lift Services • Boat Club • Parts, Service & Storage
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#1 Bennington Dealer in WI #1 Nautique Dealer in WI 5 Star Certified by MRAA
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N2062 S Lakeshore Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Boathouseh2o.com | 262-203-5293
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food & drink dining guide BAR WEST
SMALL PLATES $ -$$ The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-9034 theabbeyresort.com/lake-genevarestaurants/bar-west
BIG FOOT MARKET
PIZZA/COFFEE $ -$$ W4724 S. Lake Shore Dr., Fontana; 262-394-5888 bigfootmarkets.com
CAFÉ LATTE
COFFEE HOUSE $ The Abbey Resort & Spa, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-6811 theabbeyresort.com/lake-genevarestaurants/cafe-latte
CHUCK’S LAKESHORE INN
CRAFTED ITALIA
ITALIAN $$ -$$$ The Ridge Hotel, W4240 State Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva; 262-249-3832 craftedlakegeneva.com
DJ’S IN THE DRINK
CASUAL $ W3860 Lake Shore Dr., Lake Como; 262-248-8855 djsinthedrink.com
THE GETAWAY ON LAKE COMO
CASUAL $ -$$ 4190 West End Rd., Lake Geneva; 262-686-3456 thegetawayrestaurant.com
KELLY’S RESTAURANT
CASUAL $ 352 Lake St., Fontana; 262-275-3222 chuckslakeshoreinn.com
STEAKHOUSE/SUPPER CLUB $$ W3731 Club House Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-348-7344 kellyrestaurantlg.com
COFFEE MILL
MARS RESORT
COFFEE HOUSE $ 441 Mill St., Fontana; 262-275-0040 coffeemillfontana.com
LITTLE BAR
PIZZA $ -$$ 138 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-755-0335 littlebarfontana.com
THE WATERFRONT
AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$ The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana; 262-275-9034 waterfrontabbey.com
GENOA CITY CREEKSIDE JACK’S
CASUAL $- $$ 332 Fellows Rd., Genoa City; 262-300-8995 creeksidejacks.com
FITZGERALD’S GENOA JUNCTION
CASUAL $ 727 Main St., Hwy. B, Genoa City; 262-279-5200
HEBRON, ILL. CRANDALL’S
SUPPER CLUB $$ 10441 Hwy. 47., Hebron, Ill.; 815-648-2609 crandallschicken.com
LAKE COMO BEAN & VINE COFFEE BAR
COFFEE HOUSE $ -$$ The Ridge Hotel, W4240 State Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva; 262-249-3800 destinationgn.com/bean-vine
152 AT THE LAKE
STEAKHOUSE/SUPPER CLUB $ -$$ W4098 S. Shore Dr. (off State Hwy. 50 on Lake Como), Lake Geneva; 262-245-5689 mars-resort.com
ELEGANT FARMER
SPECIALTY $ 1545 Main St., Mukwonago; 262-363-6770 elegantfarmer.com
FORK IN THE ROAD
AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$ 215 N. Rochester St., Mukwonago; 262-363-7849 forkintheroadrestaurant.com
PELL LAKE SPOONDOGGERS BAR AND GRILL
CASUAL $ N1320 S. Lake Shore Dr., Genoa City; 262-295-8773
UPPER CRUST PIZZERIA & PUB CASUAL $ N1070 County Rd. H, Pell Lake; 262-279-2233 uppercrustpizzeriapub.com
SHARON COFFEE CUP CAFE
DINER $ 192 Baldwin St., Sharon; 262-736-4060
NEXT DOOR PUB LAKESIDE
FINN & LOUIE’S PIZZERIA
NICHE
MYRT’S ICE CREAM SHOPPE
PIZZA $ W4118 Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-249-6311 nextdoorpublakeside.com
COFFEE SHOP/WINE BAR $ -$$ 715 Hunt Club Dr., Unit C, Lake Geneva; 262-581-6800 nichelg.com
PAPA’S BLUE SPRUCE CASUAL $ W4086 Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-729-4126 papasbluespruce.com
TURF. KITCHEN + TAP
BARBECUE $$ Geneva National, Lake Geneva; 262-245-7042 destinationgn.com/turf
LYONS YE OLDE HOTEL BAR & RESTAURANT
AMERICAN $ -$$ 6070 N. Railroad St., Lyons; 262-763-2701 yeoldehotel.com
MUKWONAGO DAVID ALAN ALAN’S SMOKEHOUSE & SALOON BARBECUE $ -$$ 325 Bayview Rd., Mukwonago; 262-363-3227 daasmokehouse.com
PIZZA $ 203 Baldwin St., Sharon; 262-736-4000 finnlouiespizza.com ICE CREAM $ 215 Baldwin St., Sharon; 262-736-5060
PAT’S BREW & ‘QUE
BARBECUE $ 124 North St., Sharon; 262-736-5060
TWIN LAKES BODI’S BAKE SHOP
BAKERY $ 306 E. Main St., Twin Lakes; 262-877-8090
THE CORNER KITCHEN CASUAL $ 100 Lake St., Twin Lakes; 262-877-2456
MANNY’S SNACK SHACK
CASUAL/BRUNCH $ 404 S. Lake Ave., Twin Lakes; 262-877-4442
WALWORTH JULIE MICHELLE CAKES CAKE BAKERY $ 117 Kenosha St., Walworth; 312-800-3101 juliemichellecakes.com
KING DRAGON
ASIAN $ 101 Kenosha St., Walworth; 262-275-3309 kingdragonwa.com
MEGGY MOO’S DAIRY RIPPLE CASUAL/ICE CREAM $ 600 Kenosha St., Walworth; 262-394-5584
SAMMY’S ON THE SQUARE CASUAL $ 105 Madison St., Walworth; 262-275-3739 sammysonthesquare.com
SIEMER’S CRUISE–IN BAR & GRILL
CASUAL $ 107 Kenosha St., Walworth; 262-275-9191 siemerscruisein.com
TWO SISTERS THAI RESTAURANT
ASIAN $ 207 N. Main St., Walworth; 262-394-5700
WILLIAMS BAY BAY COOKS
CASUAL $ 99 N. Walworth Ave., Williams Bay; 262-607-6024 baycooksrestaurant.com
CAFÉ CALAMARI
ITALIAN $$ -$$$ 10 E. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-9665 cafecalamari.com
DADDY MAXWELL’S
DINER $ 150 Elkhorn Rd., Williams Bay
DIP IN THE BAY
ICE CREAM $ 105 N. Walworth Ave., Williams Bay; 262-607-3032
FROSTY MOOSE
ICE CREAM $ 35 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-2445 thefrostymoose.com
GREEN GROCER
CAFE $ 24 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-9077 greengrocerwb.com
HARPOON WILLIE’S PUB & EATERY CASUAL $ 8 E. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-6906 harpoonwillies.com
PIER 290
AMERICAN/CASUAL $ -$$ 1 Liechty Dr., Williams Bay; 262-245-2100 pier290.com
THEE CANTINA
MEXICAN $ 220 Elkhorn Rd., Williams Bay; 262-245-6666 theecantina.com
advertiser index 1878 on the Lake..................................136
Chillaxin’ Charters.................................113
Happy Ending Cocktail Co.................131
Paper Dolls.............................................103
@properties............................................4-5
Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn.......................143
High Prairie Landscape.......................119
The Pet Gourmet...................................115
Diane Krause....................................25
Closets by Design.................................95
House Shampoo......................................9
Pier 290...................................................143
Jerry Kroupa....................................127
Coldwell Banker
Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
The Porch................................................114
Connie Antoniou............................. 39
Reed Custom Builders...........................17
Jarvis Exteriors.......................................65
Reed’s Construction.............................121
Stephanie Parent..............................37 A Mini-Storage........................................ 97
Dawn McKenna Group..................22 Compass
The Abbey Resort................................125
Mick Balestrieri................................145
Jorndt Fahey LLC.................................... 11
Rosebrook Pools.................................... 19
Abbey Springs.......................................139
Shannon Blay..................................... 91.
J. Timothy Builders............................... 87
Scherrer Custom Homes..................... 61
Adams Power......................................... 63
Tricia Forbeck................................... 83
Kitchen Ideas Center.............................71
Sheldon Landscape.............................20
ÆppelTreow Winery.............................. 14
Janis Hartley........................................7
Lake Geneva Area Realty......................3
Shorewest Christine Fox........................8
The American Hotel.............................52
Linda Tonge...................................... 27
Lake Geneva Lodge.............................. 111
Shutter Hut.............................................127
B&J Tree Landscape Service............95
Crandall’s Restaurant...........................151
Lake Geneva Outdoors.......................92
Skipper Buds.........................................123
Baglio Design Build Team.................. 67
Creative Edge Landscapes................ 70
Lake Geneva Window & Door..........115
Spring City Aviation............................... 18
Balsitis Contracting Inc.......................156
The Design Coach................................69
Lake Home Living.................................55
Starline Factory......................................116
Bank First................................................135
Elegant Farmer...................................... 147
Lakes Brick & Block..............................89
Stateline Surface Solutions...............104
Berkshire Hathaway.............................30
Elite Piers................................................144
The Little Dog Wash.............................52
Stebnitz Builders Inc.............................29
Kilkenny Group.................................. 31
evr drygds................................................114
Lowell Custom Homes...........................2
Stone House Collective....................... 21
Mark Larkin........................................68
Flat Iron Tap............................................141
Maddock Construction.........................77
Studio Dori...............................................121
Starboard Group.............................. 54
Fontana Home........................................ 81
Mahler Sotheby’s International Realty
Studio M Interiors................................... 16
Big Foot Performing Arts...................133
Foremost Electric..................................113
Donna Brongiel................................. 15
Tailored Spaces.....................................99
The Boat House of Lake Geneva....151
Four Seasons Flooring........................ 97
Matustik Builders.................................... 13
Tuscan Tavern & Grill...........................141
Brick & Mortar
Gage Marine........................................... 36
National Construction
Undercover Canvas.............................59
Home and Outdoor........................114
Lake Life Store................................129
Browning & Sons Jewelers................ 35
Geneva Cabinet Company...............155
Budget Blinds of
Geneva Lakes Jewelry
Walworth County.............................89
& Gem Appraisals........................... 76
Caravelle Lighting.................................. 14
Haberdapper..........................................90
Cedar Roofing Company....................85
Hafs Orchard.........................................135
& Remodeling..................................104
Verlo Mattress.......................................153 Westenn Heating, Air Conditioning
Neurosurgery and Endovascular Association.......... 106
and Plumbing.................................. 109
Newport West Shoppes.................... 105
William Design Craft.............................101
Orren Pickell
Women’s Leadership Center............. 53
Building Group...........................72-75
Yerkes Observatory.............................. 38
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153
life at the lake
“A thousand delicate shades melt into each other ... like a tapestry woven with a thousand hues. Magnificent Autumn!” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
photo by holly leitner 154 AT THE LAKE
QUIET LUXURY ARCHITECTURAL. CUSTOM. ENDURING.
201 Geneva National Ave. S, Lake Geneva, WI
genevacabinet.com | 262.245.9600
1021 PROCTOR DRIVE, ELKHORN, WI 53121 CUSTOM & LAKE HOME BUILDERS
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