At The Lake - Summer 2026

At The Lake ®

Geneva Lake Area Magazine

Shifting Gears

Meet a Lake Geneva collector of rare and classic cars through the decades

Summer of ®

There’s no place like Southeast Wisconsin, where endless opportunities await to create lifelong memories—from lazy days at the beach to sunset evenings by the water.

W hether you’re here for the season or year-round, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate is always available to help you find your dream home.

Dear readers,

Some kids grow up taking family vacations touring the national parks or seeking out the newest roller coasters or visiting every baseball park in the country. I grew up touring historic homes. As an only child, I traveled with my history-loving parents and my two grandmothers, all of whom generally preferred a porte cochere over a portable toilet, an enfilade over an endorphin rush and a dumbwaiter over a dugout. As a result, I have been in some truly spectacular houses all over the country: Stanton Hall in Natchez, Miss.; Oak Alley in Vacherie, Lou.; Villa Vizcaya in Miami; George Washington’s Mount Vernon; Doris Duke’s Shangri La in Honolulu; the list goes on and on.

One spectacular, historic house I’ve seen all my life is Lake Geneva’s Stone Manor, though I had never been inside it. Divided into luxury condos beginning in the 1970s, the interior layout of this 1902 Italian palace-inspired estate had been greatly altered. But over the past decade, a new owner has painstakingly acquired and recombined all but one of the condos back into a single, cohesive home. It was a special honor to get to tour the newly restored space with our exceptional photographer, Shanna Wolf, and I am thrilled to say that At The Lake is premiering the first photos of the restoration that have ever been released! Turn to page 76 to begin the tour.

And that is just the beginning of all that you’ll find in this summer’s issue, one of our largest ever. On page 42, Holly Leitner-Marquis digs into the history of Geneva Lake in the 1920s, when automobiles, subdivisions and summer vacations were transforming the lake into the area we know today. On page 104, meet some of modern Lake Geneva’s local shop owners who give the town its unique sense of style. And on page 169, read about some of the most popular local pizza places (plus discover a few new favorites!). Here’s to a delicious summer.

Anne Morrissy Editor anne@ntmediagroup.com

HAPPY DAYS

I’m looking forward to afternoons on the boat and a cooler stocked with Lake Geneva’s own Happy Ending vodka cocktail. On page 176, meet the company’s co-founders!

ON THE ROAD

This 1903 runabout is very similar to one my own greatgrandfather owned — see more highlights from Karl Otzen’s collection on page 62!

GAME THEORY

Lake Geneva is newly mad for mahjong. Learn more about this game of strategy on page 127.

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At The Lake® magazine is published quarterly and available free of charge at select businesses and newsstands — a $6 value per issue. Why not have it delivered to your door? For a one-year subscription (4 issues), send $24.95 to Nei-Turner Media Group, 400 Broad St., Lake Geneva, WI 53147 or call (262) 729-4471.

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76 Living Landmark

Get an exclusive look inside the newly restored Stone Manor.

By Lauren Eve

34

In the Driver’s Seat

Gregg Kunes, founder of a regional car dealership empire and an impressive charitable foundation, shares his story.

By Amanda Wegner

42

This Side of Paradise

Revisiting the Roaring ‘20s in the Geneva Lake area and that decade’s lasting effects on the lake today.

By Holly Leitner

62

Classic Collector

Highlights from the rare and classic car collection that Lake Geneva’s Karl Otzen has amassed over a lifetime.

By Anne Morrissy

104

Keeping It Local

Meet the owners of Lake Geneva’s independently owned shops who help to give the town its signature style.

By Chloe

Langerman

262.203.5557

PUBLISHER Barbara Krause bak@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 Cici Rindy cici@ntmediagroup.com

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Deann Hausner deann@ntmediagroup.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Amy Jacobs ads@ntmediagroup.com

SALES SUPPORT Kaleigh Krause ktk@ntmediagroup.com

ACCOUNTING Nadine Seitz accounting@ntmediagroup.com

CIRCULATION Eric Johnsen eric@ntmediagroup.com

Photo by Holly Leitner

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All Can Play

Never Say Never Playland provides safe play space for kids of all ability levels

BY SARA KARNISH

Never Say Never Playland (NSN) in Delavan’s Gordon Yadon Park is exactly what a playground is supposed to be — a safe place for all kids to play. But NSN’s equipment isn’t quite like most playgrounds. An inclusive space, NSN’s equipment features accessibility adaptations so all kids can play, and play safely, regardless of their physical ability level.

NSN founder Dusti Grenus is like all moms. She wanted a safe place for her daughter to play with other kids in the fresh air and sunshine. “My daughter

currents new & noteworthy

is my inspiration,” Grenus explains. “She’s disabled. When I started this initiative 10, 11 years ago, my daughter was 16 and I had to travel at least 45 minutes to the nearest inclusive playground.”

Grenus wanted to change that, for her daughter and for others like her. Luckily, the Delavan community welcomed Grenus’ idea with open arms. Within 18 months, Grenus and her team had raised the necessary funds to bring the playground one step closer to reality.

Leathers & Associates — a Florida-based firm specializing in customized playgrounds and largescale, all-inclusive areas — was hired

for the project. “We talked about the pieces and components we wanted, and they presented us with a design,” Grenus explains.

Four local construction companies generously donated the labor needed to build the structures and community members helped out as well. “We had about 1,500 volunteers,” Grenus says. The playground opened on July 5, 2025.

The end result is play space available to all kids, regardless of ability level. NSN has swings to accommodate wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment to ensure all kids can use the equipment. Ramps instead of stairs make each piece accessible to all. “We want to give kids and families that sense of inclusion and tell the community that all kids can play here,” Grenus says. “We want to teach kids that we can all play in the same way, but some kids just need special equipment.”

Looking forward, the NSN organization will help to raise funds for ADA-compliant restrooms at Gordon Yadon Park near the playground. Grenus says the response to what they have accomplished so far has been overwhelming: “It’s been nothing but positive. I got an email from a parent saying her daughter could finally go to a playground. It’s been an overwhelmingly positive response.”

Hitting a High Note

Lake Geneva singer reflects on her “American Idol” experience

BY SARA KARNISH

Singer, songwriter and Lake Geneva native Genevieve Heyward performed for a worldwide audience on season 24 of ABC’s “American Idol,” where she made it into the top 20.

Heyward says she has been singing for as long as she can remember. She’s been performing professionally since 2017, touring first locally, then regionally and nationally. Friends and family were urging her to audition for “American Idol” for years. Last year, one of the show’s casting producers contacted her directly via social media. “I felt like a door kind of opened,” she says. “I said, ‘You know, I’m just going to walk through it and see what happens.’”

On the competition show, contestants choose the songs they want to sing at auditions and then have an “executive run-through” with the show’s producers to ultimately choose the final song. During her audition, producers felt Heyward’s unique, raspy-yet-smooth voice was a perfect fit for Heart’s hit song “Magic Man.”

“Originally I was going to do a song by Demi Lovato, but then I did ‘Magic Man’ and they said, ‘That’s the one,’” she recalls. The judges agreed, and rewarded her with a coveted “golden ticket” and a chance to compete on the show. Throughout her run, Heyward performed songs by Brandi Carlile, Elton John, Chappell Roan and other artists she admires, with each song selected to show her vocal range and eclectic musical influences.

Heyward admits she didn’t know what to expect from the “American Idol” experience, as she’d never done television before. “You hear all kinds of different stuff from people,” she says. “I walked in completely in the dark. It turned out to not be quite as mentally heavy as I thought it would be. I had so much fun — I didn’t want it to end. I really had a blast.”

She hopes her appearance on the show, highlighting her authentic personality and immense talents, resonated with audiences and will move them to listen to her original music. (Her EP of original songs, “Sprinkles,” was released last fall.) Her experience on the show taught her to challenge herself in the best of ways. “I learned my [vocal] range is

bigger than I thought,” she says. “It challenged me to really see what I could do with my voice.”

After her elimination from the competition, Heyward took some well-deserved downtime to rest, regroup and focus on what’s next. “I just want to write so much music,” she says. At some point she’d love to put together a show featuring other “American Idol” alumni.

This summer, she’ll be back doing what she loves. Her busy summer schedule includes a show at the Geneva Theater in June. Tickets are

expected to sell fast thanks to her connection to “American Idol.” “It’s been crazy,” she says. “People have been so supportive.”

Growing Season

Local garden clubs have busy spring, summer

BY SARA KARNISH

It’s been a season of celebrations for two local garden clubs. First, the Fontana Garden Club is marking its 70th anniversary in 2026. On April 13, club members and Fontana village trustees gathered for a recognition event. Patrick Kenny, president of the Fontana Village Board, delivered a proclamation declaring April 13, 2026 “Fontana Garden Club Day.” During the brief ceremony, past club presidents were honored, club members were presented a ceremonial key to the city and the club’s special 70th anniversary banner (bearing the tagline “70 years and still growing”) was revealed.

The Fontana Garden Club helps foster the next generation. Its annual plant and pie sale, held at Pearce’s Farm Stand, benefits scholarships for local students. “Our main mission is scholarships,” explains member Joan Iverson. “Another is conservation and another is education. We are all about

this community. We donate time in community gardens. This is what we’re all about — we give back monetarily. But for those of us who can weed, water and plant, we do that, too.”

This summer, another local historic garden club, the Lake Geneva Garden Club, will host a Garden Club of America (GCA) flower show, with the theme “Splash, Sparkle, and Bloom,” at the Riviera Ballroom on Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held every three years, the purpose of the GCA shows is “to set standards of artistic and horticultural excellence to broaden the knowledge of horticulture,” says Tami Pringle, Lake Geneva Garden Club member, past president and head of publicity.

The August event is free and open to the public. “We’re having it at the Riviera, which is such an historic landmark,” Pringle says. “We’re very excited to be holding it there.”

Gardeners and floral enthusiasts can enter work in five categories — horticulture, floral design, photography, botanical arts and education. The entries will be judged by GCA judges coming to Lake Geneva from across the country. “The theme throughout all the categories plays on the natural and cultural history of Geneva Lake,” Pringle explains.

Deep Roots, Fresh Vision

Local nonprofit hires new director with local ties

BY KATE GARDINER

The Geneva Lake Conservancy (GLC) welcomed its new executive director, Ashley Hatley Caruso, in May. Hatley Caruso comes to the 49-year-old conservancy from the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, where she led

operations for more than 10 years. The GLC’s new leader is no stranger to the area, having previously served as the second executive director of the historic Black Point Estate on Geneva Lake’s south shore, when she was just 24.

“Geneva Lake is near and dear to my heart, and protecting the outdoors is a natural path for my career,”

LAKE LIFE BEGINS

Hatley Caruso says. “I look forward to getting to know the people of Walworth County and helping them preserve lands for future generations. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a visitor, protecting our land keeps the lake clear and the landscape beautiful for everyone.”

Under the nine-year tenure of Karen Yancey, the organization’s previous executive director, the GLC grew to protect and manage nearly 3,700 acres in Walworth County, including recent lakeside conservation easements at Yerkes Observatory and the former George Williams College.

“Ashley stood out immediately as a leader of rare depth — someone who combines strategic clarity with genuine passion for the communities she serves,” says Don Parker, GLC board chair. “Her appointment signals our commitment to being both stronger storytellers and more

effective stewards of the landscape and communities we care about — now and for the future.”

Hatley Caruso says she has visited the area for decades. “Walworth County has always been the backdrop for my most cherished ‘core memories,’” she says. “I grew up just down the road and Geneva Lake was my childhood escape. Returning to Walworth County feels less like a new job and more like a homecoming. I am thrilled to dive back into a community that has shaped so much of who I am.”

When asked about her goals for the organization, Hatley Caruso explains that she wants to grow the GLC’s connection to everyone in the community. “I’m excited to grow a community of conservationists of all ages,” she says. “Protecting this land is our vital mission and building a community of stewards is how we secure its future.”

The GLC maintains an active schedule of events for the public throughout the summer; for the full schedule, visit genevalakeconservancy.org/events. Students are also welcome to sign up for fishing lessons, story times and nature classes at the Helen Rohner Children’s Fishing Park between June 16 and Aug. 7.

Preserving the Past

Local author to release new book of Geneva Lake photography and history

BY ANNE MORRISSY

This summer, Peter Yankala, a local photographer, historian, tour guide and author, will release his newest book, “Guardians of the Past: Geneva Lake from the Wooded Side.” This full-color coffee table book features

WILLIAM NELSON ART

photos and histories of a curated group of the lake’s historical estates, organized loosely around a timeline that highlights the evolution of transportation to and from the area.

Yankala decided to focus on the lesser-known views of these homes, unlike other books of this style. “What makes this book different is the perspective,” he explains. “Most people experience the lake from the Shore Path. I wanted to take readers to the wooded side [of these properties] — the quieter, less documented spaces — and let them see the area through a more reflective lens.”

Yankala says the idea for the book was borne from multiple conversations he held with the late historian John Notz, whom Yankala described as “the most learned Geneva Lake historian and the most tenured member of the Lake Geneva Country Club,” roles which

made him a uniquely knowledgeable resource. Yankala and Notz spent many Sundays driving around the lake as Yankala gathered historical information from Notz about the estates they passed. “That mix of research and firsthand accounts really shaped the narrative,” he explains.

Yankala’s original photography serves as the heart of the book, which he describes as a “visual study, not heavily footnoted or academic.” This is consistent with his previous book, “Penwern: A Visual Study,” which Yankala wrote after volunteering as a tour guide with the Frank Lloyd Wright trust, and featured his photography of the famous Wright-designed estate on nearby Delavan Lake.

As a tour guide for the Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Yankala has shared his passion for the history of Geneva Lake with thousands of visitors and locals. He considers his newest book

an extension of this. “More than anything, I hope the book helps both visitors and residents connect the dots — between the lake, the families who shaped it and the broader cultural history,” Yankala says. “And I hope it encourages a sense of preservation, because this is a history that is still physically present, but also increasingly at risk.”

“Guardians of the Past: Geneva Lake from the Wooded Side” will be released in early August and will be available in local shops and online.

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Driver’s in the Seat

Gregg Kunes has built a regional business force focused on giving back and supporting the community

BY AMANDA WEGNER

Thirty years ago, Gregg Kunes loaded up the family car and made the short drive from northern Illinois to Delavan, where a struggling Ford dealership awaited him. Initially, Kunes was set on building both his own business and a better life for his family. But over the course of three decades, he has built a sprawling enterprise grounded in service and community.

“It’s always been bigger than me,” says Kunes. “I’m blessed to have done this and been involved in the community.”

LIFETIME INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Growing up in Oak Lawn, Ill., Kunes started his automotive career at his family’s car dealership, sweeping floors and washing cars, before working his way up in the business. Around age 40, he decided he wanted a better life for his family and began looking for a dealership to purchase, with his sights set on Wisconsin. “I was looking in Wisconsin already; I just didn’t know where,” says Kunes. “Then the Ford Motor Company called and said that this dealership was available and needed a new owner. So, I bought it.”

When Kunes purchased that Delavan Ford store in 1996, he had a tinge of apprehension, but his drive and desire to succeed superseded any concern. “I was scared to death that I couldn’t run [a dealership] on my own,” says Kunes, “but I gave it a shot because I wanted to live here after I visited.”

Eight years after his initial purchase, the Chevrolet dealership across the street from his Ford store became available. Kunes jumped at the chance to purchase it. “This time, I was afraid someone else would buy it,” he says. “I didn’t really want to compete against anybody else, so I bought it. That’s what started the multi-store model.”

When asked what helped him overcome his initial fear of failure, Kunes credits his commitment to connecting with the local community. “I didn’t know anybody [when I moved here], so I had to start building relationships; I had to get ingrained in the community,” he says. “The dealership that I bought was struggling, so I started by meeting as many people as I could — the banker, the grocery store manager, other business owners. My kids got into school right away and I started meeting other parents. I built friendships in the community. I even helped coach basketball for six years. It really comes down to the fact that you get what you give.”

BREAKING NEW GROUND

Today, Kunes Auto & RV Group, which is part of a larger enterprise called Delavan Holdings, owns and operates over 40 auto and RV dealerships across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. The group carries 38 auto franchises representing 16 brands, plus more than 15 RV brands. It is widely considered one of the fastest-growing dealership groups in the region.

Most of the group’s subsequent expansions have come through the acquisition of dealerships from retiring owners or smaller operators who found it increasingly difficult to

compete in a consolidating market. Kunes says he has not ever had to start a dealership from the ground up.

One reason for the auto group’s success, says Kunes, is its strong relationships with manufacturers; it is brand-agnostic and works with 10 auto manufacturers of both domestic and foreign imports. The other reason, and the one that deserves the greatest credit, he says, is the staff. Kunes explains he has built the team internally, with many staff members moving into management and other roles with greater responsibility. That focus on internal growth is because he wants the business to be more congenial than corporate. “We feel more like a family than we do a business,” says Kunes. “I don’t like it when people call it ‘corporate.’ We appreciate not only the people we employ, but their families. We are invested in their whole family.”

LEADING WITH COMPASSION

Kunes’ deep appreciation for all employees traces back to his father, who modeled “servant leadership,” a philosophy that holds that every person in the organization matters. “[I believe] that everybody’s job is important, from the cleanup person to the office person,” says Kunes. “My job just happens to be the president of the company, but it’s just a job. The business will go on well past me because everyone here is valued and contributes to our success. That’s what you get when you treat everyone as important.”

For its focus on supporting its employees, the organization has received Automotive News’ “Best Dealerships to Work For” award numerous times. This recognition is given to only 100 dealers nationwide annually. As a further testament to his success and approach to business, Kunes has been awarded Wisconsin’s Dealer of the Year by TIME magazine and was nominated by the Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association to represent the state at the National Automobile Dealers Association’s annual show. This honor

is given to only 47 dealers nationwide, recognizing both industry achievement and community dedication.

A PERSONAL DEDICATION TO SERVICE

That last criterion — community dedication — matters enormously to Kunes. While his business success is certainly a point of pride, he is most proud of the impact his businesses have on the communities they serve and the broader global community.

The company’s philosophy of “Faith, Family, Giving Back” isn’t just marketing-speak. The Kunes Auto & RV Group is committed to giving 10% of its profits to charities annually through the Kunes Family Foundation. In 2024 and 2025, this translated to over $3 million donated each year. This commitment to giving back is an extension of Kunes’ grounding in servant leadership. “The community gives to us, so we give back to the community,” says Kunes. “And it’s something I just felt like I was always supposed to do.”

When asked which charities the foundation supports, Kunes gently defers, saying, “There are just too many. We have open arms to give to just about everything we hear about.” Indeed, the foundation’s charitable giving is broad. Gifts have included everything from funding accessibility improvements at the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County (Illinois) to funding an orphanage for girls in India. Kunes notes that causes supporting the less fortunate and Christian faith-based causes are priorities for him. For those two

areas, he says, “it doesn’t matter what denomination or [the specific nature of the] need people have — we’re in.”

SAVING CAMP TIMBER-LEE

From that initial Ford dealership, Kunes has grown and diversified his business through Delavan Holdings, which employs between 3,500 and 4,000 people. Delavan Holdings is the parent company for Kunes Auto Group; G10 Fulfillment, a distribution and logistics provider; Kunes RV Group; Ignition Dealer Services, which provides tools to support auto dealership success; and other entities.

One such entity is Lake Lawn Resort. Kunes was part of the investor group that helped bring the beloved resort on the south shore of Delavan Lake back to life after foreclosure. Following a robust, multi-milliondollar renovation by the group, Lake Lawn Resort reopened in 2011, continuing its nearly 150-year history.

A more recent acquisition, and one that has garnered much attention and appreciation, is Camp Timberlee in East Troy. In 2023, Trinity International University had owned the camp since 2016 and announced it would permanently close Camp Timber-lee due to financial issues. That’s when Kunes stepped in to keep the camp alive.

Camp Timber-lee first opened in 1947 as Camp Willabay in Williams Bay. After operating there for 25 years, it moved to a larger, 550-acre site in East Troy. It has provided outdoor and environmental education, and a

camp experience for public schools, organizations and other groups for decades. It had also served as the site for a free weeklong camp for youth burn survivors.

“I have always appreciated that youth need a solid foundation in their faith — and am probably a little frustrated with technology,” says Kunes. “I also believe that youth need to interact with other kids. So, when I heard that the camp was going to close and might be sold off for development, I felt

“I want to thank the community for trusting us and supporting us for 30 years. That’s why we do so much to give back to the community.”

— Gregg Kunes

that was a shame for our community. So, I began to negotiate to buy it so it could stay a camp.”

Kunes’ vision for the camp’s future is to broaden its appeal to a wider audience by introducing new programming, such as water sports, paintball and other outdoor activities, and to expand the science center. He is also maintaining the elements that have delighted generations of campers, such as the camp’s animal cadre, including horses, llamas, goats and pigs. The goal, he says, is to give young people a place to step away from technology, build community and experience something larger than themselves.

MAKING THE BEST MOVE

When asked if he made the right move in coming to the Geneva Lake area 30 years ago? “Absolutely,” Kunes responds resoundingly. “It was the best move. I appreciate the diversity and how kind people are. When there is a need, people

here come together and that’s a wonderful thing for a community.”

With several of his family members employed in the business, he also sees the company remaining a pillar of this “kind community” for years to come: “I have not only brothers and sisters, but nieces and nephews and my own kids who are involved in the business. I hope my grandkids want to be in the business someday. I strongly support nepotism in that regard,” he adds with a chuckle.

Despite his many years of building business acumen, amassing a network of dealerships and creating jobs in the cities and towns his business serves, Kunes attributes his success to others rather than himself. “We have families who have bought cars from us from the beginning,” says Kunes. “I want to thank the community for trusting us and supporting us for 30 years. That’s why we do so much to give back to the community.”

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This Side of Paradise This Side of Paradise

A look back at the Geneva Lake area in the Roaring ’20s

BY HOLLY LEITNER-MARQUIS

Imagine this…

It is 1926, deep in the dog days of summer, with the kind of heat that settles in early and doesn’t let go. On the south shore of the lake, a bugle call from the newly formed Northwestern Military and Naval Academy echoes across the water. The shoreline begins to come to life — ladies lay out their beach blankets and gentlemen dress themselves in their newly fashionable, tightly fitted wool bathing costumes.

Out on the water, the local aristocrats glide by on morning cruises aboard their polished private steamers. A flash of white sails catches the early wind. Sleek new speedboats made by Chris-Craft and Gar Wood and Hacker-Craft roar across open water, towing adventurous people on aqua-planes — the forerunners of waterskis. And the original, single-decker Walworth mailboat begins its loop, with the mail jumper leaping at each stop in a well-practiced dance.

Another summer day at the lake has begun.

Wee Nip short c ourse

A GETAWAY WITHIN REACH

Just 90 miles to the south, but a world away, the day begins in Chicago. The city may not be ablaze, but it sure feels like it. In her cramped apartment, Philomena opens the window and the city oozes in — the warm, heavy air carrying the stench of neighboring stockyards. She closes the window and unfolds the day’s Chicago Tribune. Just more of the same: “GANGSTER BOOTLEGGER IS SLAIN, BODY FOUND ALONG ROAD.” “RUM WAR OF ’26 CONTINUES.” “42ND GANG MEMBER MURDER THIS SUMMER IN CHICAGO.”

Philomena  turns to the real estate section, where a small advertisement catches her eye: “Country Club Estates — Lake Geneva’s beautiful subdivision.” Another listing follows for the Solid Comfort Resort: It’s a lodging house in Williams Bay with rooms starting at just $18 a week. That feels within reach on Frank’s bluecollar salary. Maybe it’s even possible to get their own small slice of paradise in Lake Geneva.

Frank and Philomena decide to make an overnight trip to Lake Geneva. The newly paved Highway 12 makes the journey easy in their Ford Model T — the drive taking just four hours from the city proper to the lake. They pack the children into the car and head for the place Philomena had seen advertised: Solid Comfort Resort.

FINDING TRANQUILITY IN THE ‘ROARING TWENTIES’

Geneva Lake in the 1920s was a place in transition. While Philomena and Frank’s story is lightly dramatized, it is rooted in truth. They were real Czech immigrants who eventually purchased a lot in a lakefront subdivision. Solid Comfort was an actual resort and newspapers of the era were filled with advertisements like the ones Philomena saw. Their story was a common one of the era.

Three key forces helped shape what Geneva Lake would become during the 1920s, an era which continues

to define the area still today. It started with the automobile, which changed everything. Day-trippers and short-term vacationers began arriving in growing numbers, drawn by the lake’s natural beauty and recreational appeal.

Next, the post-World War I economic climate brought relative prosperity to working and middle-

class Americans. The economy was doubling itself. Unions had secured higher wages and shorter hours for employees, and many working families found themselves with the means — however modest — and the time off to vacation. “[The 1920s] were really the democratization of recreation,” says David Desimone, local historian and director of Lake Geneva’s Black Point Estate.

The Solid Comfort Resort was one of several rooming houses in Williams Bay in the 1920s (above). Visitors to the area could enjoy many leisure activities, including golf at the newly opened Hillmoor Golf Club in Lake Geneva (opposite page, top), boating (opposite page, bottom) and swimming (this page, top).

Desimone also notes that, perhaps most significantly, in the 1920s, the great lakefront estates that had defined the post-Chicago Fire era of Geneva Lake had recently begun to be subdivided. No longer interested in maintaining vast properties with extensive staff, farms, stables and formal gardens, many estate owners chose to divide and sell off their land, opening the shoreline to subdivisions of smaller cottages that catered to a broader middle class. What had once been the domain of Rockefeller-era estates gradually became accessible to ordinary families.

A TRENDING DESTINATION

By the mid-1920s, that dream of a lakeside retreat was irresistible to many. Lake Geneva was a trending destination, mentioned on the first page of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920 novel “This Side of Paradise.” The town had firmly established itself as a resort destination, with Frank Lloyd Wright’s lakefront Hotel Geneva drawing fashionable crowds each summer season. The Wisconsin Transportation Company (today’s Lake Geneva Cruise Line) operated seven passenger steamer vessels, taking visitors on boat rides around the lake. Recreation opportunities expanded as well: In 1924, Hillmoor Golf Club debuted its 18-hole course designed by prominent Scottish golfer James Foulis.

On the other end of the lake, the Lake Geneva Yacht Club established

In 1920, downtown Lake Geneva featured angle parking (still used today), as well as ice cream shops, dry goods stores, drugstores, clothing shops, a furniture store and more (top). Classic wooden speedboats of the era included models by ChrisCraft, Gar Wood and Hacker-Craft (middle). Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hotel Geneva was a popular place to stay in the 1920s, located on the site of today’s Geneva Towers Condominiums (above).

its current location in 1926. Still thriving today, the club has since distinguished itself as a training ground for world-class and even Olympic sailors. In 1925, the American Red Cross held its Annual Institute at Williams Bay’s Conference Point Camp, with experts and leaders in the water safety movement, including representatives from the newly formed Geneva Lake Water Safety Patrol, presenting at the conference.

Nearby, the dome of the University of Chicago’s Yerkes Observatory rose prominently above the trees, a commanding presence on the shoreline. In 1921, famed physicist Albert Einstein had visited Geneva Lake in the same year he received the Nobel Prize. His visit made front-page news locally, where he was quoted as saying, “I would rather see Yerkes Observatory than visit Niagara Falls” and that his day in Williams Bay was the most pleasant he had spent in America.

THE PROHIBITIONERA SOCIAL LIFE

Though it was technically not illegal to imbibe alcohol, its sale and transport were forbidden. One way the wealthy residents of Lake Geneva subverted these laws was by joining private clubs, where they kept their own private liquor collections and arranged for mixers (or set-ups) from the bar.

Yet not all were content to remain at home or within club walls. The nightlife of the day pulsed through places like the ballroom at nearby

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Lake Lawn Lodge, the Hotel Geneva and the Como Hotel, today known as The French Country Inn. In some of these locations, underground bars known as speakeasies flourished. It is rumored that even today, beneath the streets of downtown Lake Geneva, a network of tunnels connects some of the shops and establishments. According to Desimone, legend has it that when proprietors were tipped off to a police raid, these passageways allowed the quick movement of liquor and slot machines from one address to another faster than warrants could follow.

Even some of the era’s most notorious figures found refuge along the lake. At The Baker House in Lake Geneva, a speakeasy operated discreetly in the basement, catering to a clientele that reportedly included John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. And the Como Hotel was known to operate a speakeasy called The Sewer, where Bugs Moran may have enjoyed an illicit libation or two.

Clockwise from top right: The new sport of aquaplaning (a precursor to waterskiing) was a popular lake activity in the 1920s; two men prepare to go standard diving, another new and exciting summer pastime; the Wisconsin Transportation Company (progenitor of the Lake Geneva Cruise Line) offered several boat tours of the lake during this era; swimmers gather on the pier at the Cisco Beach Association; women in modest bathing costumes enjoy Conference Point Camp in 1920.

AN ECHO OF THE 1920 s TODAY

A century later, families fortunate enough to be part of the lake culture still cherish summers on the water. For many, it remains the defining part of their lives. In some families, that continuity spans five generations. Here, residents find a way to give their worries to the waves. Even if only for the summer months, life takes on a different pace.

Time has changed the setting in subtle ways — what once might have been the era of bathtub gin has given way to legal gin and tonics on the boat — but the essence of lake life born in the 1920s endures: simple, communal and deeply tied to the water.

A CENTURY ON THE SHORE: THE NEW COMMUNITIES OF 1926

In 2026 alone, six Geneva Lake communities — Shore Haven, Country Club Estates, Wooddale, Lake Geneva Manor, Sunset Hills and Knollwood — will celebrate their 100th anniversary. Each was born in 1926, a pivotal year that helped transform Geneva Lake from a landscape of grand estates into a collection of enduring residential communities. Together, these communities tell a larger story of how Lake Geneva and the surrounding area became a getaway for a whole new demographic of people, many of whose descendants still call the area home today.

1. COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES

One of the largest subdivisions to get its start in 1926 was Country Club Estates, which today contains 550 lots. Following the creation of the Big Foot Country Club and golf course in Fontana, a portion of the remaining acreage from the Fontana holdings once owned by Levi Leiter (business partner of Marshall Field) was purchased by developer Arthur B. Jensen. He subdivided the land into home sites, creating Country Club Estates.

Jensen believed that “people should feel like their home is their castle,” a vision reflected in the iconic castlegate entrance at the subdivision’s

south entrance, which was built in 1927. Lots initially sold for around $1,000, according to longtime resident and treasurer Jon Kemmet. Today, Country Club Estates is known for its charming landscape and whimsical layout. In the club’s founding days, rather than leveling and heavily reshaping the land, homes were built to fit the natural terrain, following the area’s existing hills and contours.

2. LAKE GENEVA MANOR

Closer to downtown Lake Geneva, the Leiter family faced difficulty selling their grand lake home, which was called Linden Lodge. In 1926, the property was sold to a Chicago developer and subdivided into nearly 80 residential lots, creating the Lake Geneva Manor subdivision.

Today, the park and beach at Lake Geneva Manor (incorporated 1926) is built on the former lawn of the Leiter family estate (below). The distinctive castle gate entrance at the south entrance of Country Club Estates dates to 1927 and reflects the developer’s belief that “people should feel like their home is their castle” (bottom photo).

The estate’s main house was initially preserved and transformed into a private clubhouse, complete with a ballroom, dining room, lounges and approximately 50 guest rooms. The land between the clubhouse and the lake was designated as a community park. While the clubhouse was demolished around 1940, the park remains in use today. Over the years, Lake Geneva Manor has retained a close-knit character, with ownership of many family homes spanning multiple generations.

3. KNOLLWOOD

Another large subdivision, Knollwood is located on the north shore of the lake between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay. The community can trace its origins to an early resort called Pishcataqua, a portion of which later became Camp Augustana, founded by the Swedish Lutheran Church’s Inner Mission. In 1926, Reverend Dr. John Jesperson purchased the resort’s 50 acres, retaining 16 for the camp and subdividing the remainder for sale as home lots.

Renamed the Cisco Beach Association, the neighborhood eventually became today’s Knollwood. Early neighborhood covenants required homes to cost between $1,000 and $1,500, and prohibited outhouses. The first home in what is today Knollwood was built in 1928, and many properties remain in the same families four and five generations later.

“I feel like a newcomer,” says Sue Casey, Knollwood resident of 46 years. The community remains rich in tradition, with its own flag, lakefront park and annual events — from fishing derbies to a Fourth of July parade. As one resident put it, Knollwood is “a place where neighbors become friends and those friends become like family.”

4. SUNSET HILLS AND 5. SHORE HAVEN

Not far from Knollwood on the north shore, the Sunset Hills subdivision was developed in 1926 by the Chicagobased Jones & Winter Co. on land purchased from the Cronin family to the north and the Westerlin property to the south. Planned as a community of mid-priced summer cottages, it

Clockwise from top photo: The subdivisions of Knollwood, Sunset Hills, Shore Haven and Wooddale were all founded in 1926 and celebrate their 100th anniversary this summer. In 1926 and 1927, the Jones & Winter real estate development company placed ads in the Chicago Tribune offering free excursions from downtown Chicago to Lake Geneva for prospective buyers to view its planned sites for Sunset Hills and Shore Haven.

reflected the architectural trends of the time: Arts and Crafts design with touches of the Prairie School.

Though modest, these homes offered modern comforts such as central heating and refrigeration. Landscape design in Sunset Hills was influenced by famous landscape architect Jens Jensen, whose naturalistic approach emphasized native plantings and preserved terrain. Like many of the 1926 developments, Sunset Hills drew strength from its shared spaces — parks, shoreline and gathering areas — creating a sense of community that endures today.

Another Jones & Winter Co. development debuted the same year on the west end of the lake: Shore Haven, a community comprised of 38 houses. Shore Haven resident John Zils was lucky enough to find an advertising poster from 1929 in a neighbor’s attic in which the developer (inaccurately) claims it’s “the last opportunity to secure a homesite on beautiful Lake Geneva.”

6. WOODDALE

Buyers looking for a rustic option that summer of 1926 also might have considered Wooddale, formed on the lake’s south shore. That neighborhood developed more slowly, with most homes built in the 1930s and 1940s. Wooddale embraced its rural character, with homes in the neighborhood resembling fishing and trapper cabins.

Local historian Nancy McCoy notes that the earliest homes in Wooddale were often log cabins anchored by fieldstone fireplaces, reflecting the area’s rugged, natural setting. In contrast to more formal developments, Wooddale emphasized a direct connection to the woods, water and outdoor life.

Holly Leitner-Marquis is a fourthgeneration “lake person.” Her greatgrandparents helped build one of the early lakefront subdivisions. Today, she and her husband carry on her family’s local heritage as owners of The Bay House in Williams Bay, formerly the Solid Comfort Resort.

Collector

Classic

Tour a portion of an exceptionally well-preserved private collection of classic cars in Lake Geneva

BY ANNE MORRISSY | PHOTOS BY HILLARY SCHAVE

Karl Otzen is an elite collector. His collection of classic cars is an eclectic assemblage of unique automotive and other related interests.

This pristine collection contains some of Otzen’s most prized possessions and several of his cars have won top awards at some of the most respected classic car shows around the world. When they’re not being shipped to London or Canada for these shows, the cars are kept in a custom-built, climate-controlled garage space near Lake Geneva, each car maintained in top condition.

Otzen says the cars have been collected over many years, with a goal of acquiring at least one model from every decade of automotive history from 1900 to the 1960s. When considering whether to add a car to the collection, Otzen often looks for an example from that decade where the design and engineering of that make and model represented an engineering or aesthetic breakthrough.

Otzen’s fascination with cars started during his years as a student at Williams Bay High School. As a teenager, he started out working at Gage Marine, where he went on to meet and marry his late wife, Lucy. His aptitude for engineering led him to co-found Safety Kleen, a company that specialized in the production and disposal of industrial solvents, including automotive oil. Safety Kleen developed an eco-friendly system of recycling used solvents that made the company the largest recycler of hazardous chemical waste and a leader in the field for decades.

During this time, Otzen began to amass the classic car collection and today it contains everything from one-ofa-kind custom creations to beloved family vehicles that he has never parted with. This photo portfolio represents just a portion of the extensive collection and highlights some of Otzen’s personal favorites. “It’s been a very fulfilling hobby,” he says of his collection. “There’s always some new project to tackle to help support the hobby.”

Packard

Packard

Model: 1107 Twelve Coupe Roadster

Year: 1934

In 1934, a Packard was a luxury item available only to a select few during the Great Depression. As a result, there are very few remaining today. This exceptional example represents the end of a design era in which the shape of the body features elegant vertical and horizontal lines. Subsequent Packard models embraced a more streamlined shape.

This roadster’s V-12 engine resulted in exceptional performance and created

a smooth, powerful and capable ride. In an attempt to appeal to more women drivers, this model introduced lighter steering, vacuum power brakes, an easy and smooth shifting transmission and seat adjustments.

“It is so stately,” Otzen says. “The occupants sit inside of the wheelbase, so just like Queen Elizabeth’s coronation carriage, the wheels are extended and the body floats in between.”

Type: runabout

Year: 1903

rambler

Produced by Thomas B. Jeffery in Kenosha, the Rambler was a pioneering runabout with a two-speed planetary transmission, a single-cylinder 6.5-horsepower engine and center tiller steering. It was one of the earliest massproduced automobiles in the United States and retailed for around $750.

“This was one of the first even sort-of reliable cars you could buy,” Otzen explains. The wooden wheels were designed to be the same width as a railroad track. Other breakthroughs in this design included a crank start and a large flywheel to carry the long pistons through the stroke.

Only cars produced on or before 1904 qualify for the The Endurance Run from London to Brighton by the Sea. This car has competed in the revered event, which celebrates the 1896 repeal of restrictive motor vehicle laws, including one in which all cars were required to travel at speeds no faster than a man could walk.

Cadillac

This seven-passenger sedan is one of only three known to have been produced and it represents a transitional design; the chassis and body style dates to a pre-World War II design. However, it is equipped with a 346-cubicinch V-8 engine and features one of the first fully automatic transmissions ever used in a vehicle. It also boasts hydraulic power windows, power driver seat adjustment and a pneumatic power radio antenna.

Otzen has entered this car in several shows, including three Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Grand Classics, where it received a perfect, 100-point score at each. It has also won trophies or ribbons at Meadow Brook, Hickory Corners, Ocean Reef and the Milwaukee Masterpiece. It has even toured on caravans with the CCCA in the U.S., Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Model: Fleetwood model 7523 sedan

Year: 1947

Austin

Otzen says that this car is a sentimental choice for the collection. When Safety Kleen was first expanding into the European market, he spent a lot of time in England, so Otzen purchased a decommissioned London Black Cab and hired a driver.

When his time in England came to an end, Otzen tried to bring the cab back to the U.S., but was stymied by customs and regulatory requirements. Instead, he bought a model that had

Model: FX4

London Black Cab

Year: 1986

been imported by London Coach USA in Detroit and re-engineered with left-hand drive controls and modern emissions technology to comply with American regulations.

A sign inside the vehicle identifies it as “Karl’s Jaunty Jitney, Lake Geneva’s Own Semi-Regular London Taxi Service.”

Model: model A coupe

Year: 1930

Ford

Ford would produce the Model A from 1928 to 1931 and this car represented many of the building elements that the company had become famous for. The inline-four engine and three-speed manual transmission with a floormounted shifter made this a comfortable and reliable car. A rumble seat on the back of the vehicle expanded the coupe’s passenger capacity.

“1930 was a pivotal year [for Ford],” Otzen explains. “As the roads improved, they could change the wheelbase of the car and the design improved significantly.”

The chrome bumper, wide side steps and black fenders added an element of high style to what remained a very accessible car of the era. The model that followed this one, the 1932 Model B, was influenced by Henry Ford’s son, Edsel, and featured an elevated design, but the major change after this model was the introduction of a V-8 engine.

Cadillac

Originally built for Nelson Rockefeller, this Cadillac limousine was inspired by jet-age design and features dramatic visual elements like overstated rear fins and a large front grille. The body was modified by the Derham Body Company and the interior was extensively customized to Rockefeller’s precise specifications.

However, the politician was never able to use the car; as both governor of New York and then Vice President of the United States, he was required to use Secret Serviceapproved transportation instead.

The limousine had just 800 miles on it and remained in a climate-

controlled garage until 1993, when Otzen arranged to purchase it. It has been extensively serviced by Chicago Restorations, which rebuilt or replaced every component of the liquid-bearing systems. All paint, chrome, upholstery and leather are absolutely original.

Model: Formal Limousine

Year: 1962

Mercedes-Benz

This extremely rare Mercedes-Benz is the only survivor of a total of nine known to be built in 1937. Produced in Nazi Germany to demonstrate the abilities of the Third Reich’s automotive industry, the car came to the U.S. with a handler to serve as a form of Nazi propaganda. Otzen explains that this was the first car with four-wheel independent suspension, a major technological innovation of the era, which made for a smoother ride and would one day become standard in all automobiles.

The car eventually ended up in the possession of the Ford Motor Company’s research division, which studied the design and technology of the independent suspension, but ultimately decided it was not cost effective to build at that time. It was then purchased by a Ford engineer and kept in a dairy barn for many years, awaiting restoration, a project which Otzen ultimately completed.

Model: 320 Cabriolet D

Year: 1937

Ford

In response to Chevrolet’s popular sports car, the Corvette, Ford in 1955 introduced the Thunderbird, which it billed as a personal luxury car. For the first three years of its production, the Thunderbird featured a two-seater design (known today as a “Baby Bird”) with a V-8 engine.

Compared to the earlier two-seater models, this 1957 model features a larger front grille, larger tail fins and a longer trunk.

Year: 1957

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Landmark LIVING

One homeowner’s stunning restoration and reimagining of Stone Manor, an iconic Geneva Lake estate

If you have ever walked the Shore Path, taken a boat tour or sat on a bench in Lake Geneva’s Library Park, you know it is impossible to miss the palatial Bedford limestone manse perched on a hill overlooking the east side of Geneva Bay. As the largest estate on Geneva Lake, Stone Manor has defined the shoreline for over a century. From its massive windows and verandas to its signature rooftop pool, the estate has experienced more than a century of transformation — evolving from a grand lake house retreat to a school, a restaurant and, eventually, a luxury condominium complex, following a redevelopment that subdivided the massive space into individual condos.

But when the current owner of Stone Manor, Tina Trahan, toured the property as a potential condominium buyer 10 years ago, she envisioned something different: a family home. She decided to return the iconic estate to its former glory as the grand, singlefamily home originally intended by its first owner, Otto Young.

THE VISION OF OTTO YOUNG (1899–1906)

The largest estate ever built on Geneva Lake began with Young’s vision. Born into a wealthy German family, he came to the U.S. in the mid-1800s with very little money and started out selling costume jewelry from a pushcart in New York City. He eventually proved to be a savvy businessman, and in the 1860s, he established a wholesale jewelry business in Chicago, eventually becoming part owner of a popular department store called The Fair. But the bulk of Young’s vast fortune was made in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While many investors left the city, Young invested heavily in real estate, betting on the rebuilding of the city’s downtown, and helped shape what is now the Chicago Loop.

By 1899, when Young hired Chicago architect Henry Lord Gay to recreate a 15th-century Italian palace into a summer retreat he called

Originally built by Chicago retailer and real estate scion Otto Young and named Younglands, the home was modeled after Italian palaces of the 15th century. The ornate Bedford limestone facade features artisan-carved friezes of Otto Young’s four daughters: Cecile, Marie, Catherine and Laura.

“Younglands,” he was one of Chicago’s wealthiest men. Young and his family moved into the grand mansion in 1902 and he enjoyed his lake home for just five summers. When he passed away in 1906, Young left behind an estate worth $25 million (or the equivalent of close to $842 million today).

FROM FAMILY ESTATE TO INSTITUTION (1906–1943)

After Young’s death, Younglands remained in his family until the late 1930s, though locals rarely reported seeing the family in residence. (It was rumored that Young’s widow and four daughters preferred to summer in Europe.) In 1939, Young’s granddaughter donated Younglands, including 8.5 acres of

property and 450 feet of lakefront, to Chicago’s Order of St. Anne, an Episcopal religious order. For a few years, the property was used as a girls’ boarding school. However, the grand estate proved difficult to maintain, especially during World War II’s fuel shortages. An article of the era cited the “carloads of coal” needed to heat the estate’s massive rooms, most of which feature 20-foot ceilings. As a result, the school abandoned the building in 1943.

A TURBULENT ERA (1945–1990 s )

For several decades following World War II, the estate once known as Younglands underwent a transformation from a private sanctuary to a public landmark. Following the school’s relocation,

the property was purchased by Soon K. (Byron) Hahn. Hahn was a Korean immigrant who turned the estate’s coach barn into a tearoom and shop selling Asian imports, and later attempted to operate a school in the main house. It was Hahn who renamed the property “Stone Manor.” Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the property went to sheriff’s auction several times and ownership of the property was contested in several court cases stretching across two decades.

In 1974, a new owner opened a restaurant and bar in the space and began the process of converting the remainder of the large home into luxury condos. (The restaurant lasted just a few years before closing.) The building was officially placed on the

National Register of Historic Places in September of 1979, an honor which recognizes its architectural significance and enduring legacy. By the 1990s, the exterior remained intact, while the interior had been fully subdivided into luxury condominiums, significantly altering the home’s original layout into separate residential units.

A LAKEFRONT RETREAT

This was the state of Stone Manor when Trahan first saw it in 2016. For 16 years before that, she had spent her summers vacationing in the Hamptons, hoping someday she would find a similar property of her own. When her husband, Chris Albrecht, suggested looking for a summer getaway closer to their home in Elmhurst, she was hesitant — until

Despite a period of neglect from 1950-1970 and a subsequent condo conversion, Stone Manor still retains much of its original artisan plaster molding and handcarved mahogany paneling. When Trahan recombined the space into a home, she chose to update the interiors with Farrow & Ball paint in Hague Blue, Ammonite and Cornforth White.

a late-night scroll on her phone led to a Zillow condominium listing in Lake Geneva. The estate’s 11-acre grounds and its resemblance to the grand homes in the Hamptons immediately caught her attention. She toured the Stone Manor listing, but the firstfloor condo felt disjointed and she left unconvinced it was the right fit; at least, not yet.

Within days, she realized the problem wasn’t the property itself; it was the way the home had been subdivided inside. What initially began for Trahan as an interest in a summer condo quickly shifted. After purchasing a

first-floor unit in November of 2016, she saw that one level alone wasn’t enough. “It felt like a puzzle,” Trahan explains. “I wanted to put the pieces back together and make it a home as it originally was intended.”

That insight led Trahan on a longterm effort to acquire all of the condo units in the building, a quest she has now accomplished (with the exception of one unit, which is still independently owned). Buying up the available units allowed Trahan to achieve an incredible feat: She has spent the past decade reversing the condominium conversion and

the main floor, Trahan has preserved and restored the original inlaid parquet floors (above). Modern updates include a bathroom tiled in custom Ann Sacks tile (top) and a second-story dining space with Minotti dining chairs and the Arcachon chandelier from Restoration Hardware.

restoring Stone Manor for use as a cohesive, single-family estate.

RESTORATION WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Trahan teamed up with contractor Mike Grandolfo to begin restoring the estate, guided by a strict, nocompromise philosophy: Update what was necessary, but preserve the original architecture and details whenever possible. Stone Manor’s earlier condominium conversions had altered parts of the layout, but a lot of the historic opulence of the home remained, including the ornate inlaid wood floors, artisan plaster moldings, Corinthian pillars and enormous marble fireplaces.

Trahan focused on restoring these details and recombining the layout back into a single home. The original staircases, plaster carvings, moldings, fireplaces and paneled walls have all been carefully maintained, though many have received new paint to transform the once dark and moody

The loggia spans the full 170-foot width of the home and was enclosed in glass by a previous owner. Trahan added UV-filtering tinted glass to make the room comfortable yearround (top). A modern chandelier and sconces illuminate a marble vanity in a second-story bathroom (above). In a nearby seating area, custom lighting complements the carved coffered ceiling over a Ligne Roset sofa (right).

interior to a bright living space. In addition to these changes, the work behind the scenes has been extensive, from mold remediation and full electrical rewiring to the installation of 12 separate HVAC systems. As a property on the National Historic Register, the estate’s exterior is heavily protected from changes to the limestone facade and surrounding landscape, but Trahan was able to rebuild the tennis court and driveway.

MODERNIZING THE INTERIOR

For many people, living in a 40,000-square-foot historic landmark from 1902 might feel intimidating. To Trahan, however, the goal was to strip away the formality. “The house looks more imposing on the outside than it is on the inside,” she notes. “The intention was to make the house feel lighter, fresher and livable without losing its soul.”

Rather than a complete renovation, Trahan focused on restoring and revealing the estate’s original craftsmanship. By maintaining the soaring ceiling heights and intricate plasterwork, she allowed the architecture and artisan interiors to remain the stars of the show, while updating the overall effect of the space to make it more modern and bright.

First, Trahan moved away from the heavy, dark palettes often associated with older estates, choosing Farrow & Ball paint in shades of Ammonite and Cornforth White. “I leaned into soft, nuanced neutrals, warm whites, creams, pale taupes and muted grays,” she explains. “In other areas, I kept subtle contrast with textured wallpaper to help define the moldings and architectural details.”

Wall coverings by Loro Piana and Cole & Son were used to provide a subtle texture that defines the historic moldings. Next, she chose to layer soft textiles like linen and wool against the estate’s original stone and plaster, creating a collected-over-time atmosphere that feels warm and livedin. Trahan chose high-end furnishings

A vintage Murano glass star tube chandelier frames a dramatic view of the grounds in this seating area (top). A massive bunk room with six full-sized beds is just one of two bunk rooms Trahan installed in the house (above). The La Cornue Chateau 150 Carbon Fiber Edition anchors the the north kitchen, one of several kitchen areas in the house (left).

from Minotti, Ligne Roset and Poltrona Frau, with custom rugs by STARK to provide a cohesive palette that flows naturally throughout the spaces. The home also features an updated, sophisticated lighting plan that blends iconic pieces from Baccarat and Louis Poulsen with custom installations from Wired Custom Lighting.

Trahan added smart-home technology throughout the house, making sure the modern tech integrated with the home’s original style. The kitchens (yes, plural) and bathrooms received equally high-end upgrades, featuring Waterworks fixtures, Ann Sacks custom tile and Sub-Zero and La Cornue appliances. For Trahan, these modern additions are a way to ensure the home functions for a modern family. “My goal was never to modernize in every room,” she says. “Every step was intentionally thought out.”

During the restoration process, Trahan faced many challenges and setbacks surrounding structural issues in a building more than 120 years old.

Three years ago, Trahan discovered a catastrophic structural flaw: 72,000 pounds of concrete had been installed as rooftop pool decking, causing the roof to leak into the floors below. She decided to strip away the concrete and replace it with modern, lightweight materials that hotels use for their rooftop pools.

MADE FOR ENTERTAINING

Now, after years of restoration, Stone Manor has become a place where Trahan has spent summers raising her family and welcoming friends and guests. “My favorite part of having a property like this is sharing it,” she

The rooftop pool was rebuilt using the same lightweight materials preferred by high-end hotels (top). A movie theater room on the second floor is fully stocked with concessions (middle). The state-ofthe-art gym in the basement rivals an elite health club (above).

Bravura Cabinet co.

Atelier of studio saint marie

says. “There is so much to enjoy here, you want people to experience it.”

This is reflected in the home’s thoughtful layout with accommodations for up to 60 guests: 19 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms, including two elaborate custom bunk rooms. By connecting the spaces back into one, the estate now features family-friendly gathering areas, multiple kitchens for convenience, a music room with a Steinway & Sons grand piano, a full movie theater (with hand-picked treats in the concession area!) and large living spaces that allow guests to spread out comfortably. A fully equipped gym and creative play spaces for kids (including a dedicated “slime room” with everything a child’s heart could desire) all speak to the home’s blend of function and fun.

On the fourth floor, the home opens up into a private kitchen and access to the rooftop pool — where evenings often turn into casual dinners overlooking the lake. A grand staircase and elevator provide easy access to every floor. However,

one thing that doesn’t exist in Stone Manor, despite many rumors to the contrary, is a bowling alley. Trahan says she has never seen one in the home and hasn’t been able to confirm that one ever existed.

A LASTING LEGACY

Today, Stone Manor remains one of the most talked-about properties on Geneva Lake. Trahan says she respects and understands the responsibility that comes with owning a home of this scale and history. “The upkeep [of the house] is not lost on me,” she says, noting that previous owners struggled with its demands.

Despite that, she has focused on making the estate feel both livable and welcoming. With views of Geneva Lake from nearly every corner, the home stays closely connected to its surroundings. Trahan says one of her favorite spaces is the first-floor veranda, which was enclosed with glass prior to her ownership, and can be enjoyed year-round — a quiet place where she often sits to view summer sunsets or watch the activity on the lake.

For all its incredible opulence and amenities, Stone Manor is ultimately defined by the way it is used and lived in. Trahan has hosted everything from intimate family gatherings to large celebrations — including the wedding of a close friend’s daughter who married NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick in July of 2024, a moment Trahan describes as especially meaningful. Throughout the estate, the goal is clear: to make a home of this magnitude feel warm, welcoming and lived in — not just a historic landmark, but a place where people come together.

LAKE GENEVA WISCONSIN

UPDATE FOR MODERN LIVING

Stebnitz Builders’ latest renovation retains a distinctive home’s character while updating the space for modern living

Photos by Kayser Photography

Tucked into one of southeastern Wisconsin’s most recognizable lake communities, a 1970s-era home with a distinctive Polynesian-inspired roofline has been given a fresh start — without losing the personality that made it stand out in the first place. The transformation didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of thoughtful planning, creative problem-solving and the kind of craftsmanship that has become synonymous with Stebnitz Builders.

For decades, Stebnitz Builders has built a reputation across southern Wisconsin for high-end custom homes, renovations and additions that respect both architecture and

the way people actually live. Based in the Lake Geneva area, the company is known for taking on complex projects — especially in established communities where zoning constraints, aging structures and unique design elements all come into play. This particular renovation checked every one of those boxes.

The original home had great bones and even better character. But like many homes from that era, it wasn’t designed for how families live today. The layout felt closed off, the kitchen was disconnected from the main living areas and there simply wasn’t enough space.

But the goal wasn’t to start over; it was to evolve. One of the biggest challenges was the lot itself. Because of setback restrictions, expanding outward wasn’t an option. That’s where Stebnitz Builders’ experience really came into play. Instead of trying to force a horizontal addition, the team looked up — literally — and designed a second-story addition that feels like it was always meant to be there.

The new upper level adds two bedrooms, a full bath and a flexible loft space that works as both a quiet retreat and a casual hangout. Connecting it all is a striking open staircase with modern cable railing, which not only links the two levels, but also brings in light and adds a sense of openness.

Downstairs, the changes are even more dramatic. The kitchen — once tucked away and inefficient — has been completely reimagined and repositioned to anchor a new great room. Walls came down, sight lines opened up and suddenly the entire main level feels connected. It’s a space designed for everything from casual weeknight dinners to a full house on a summer weekend.

Large windows now frame views of the surrounding landscape, flooding the space with natural light. That indoor-outdoor connection is something Stebnitz Builders prioritizes in many of its projects, especially in lakefront and golf course communities where the setting is just as important as the structure itself.

Step outside, and that connection continues. The original deck was replaced with a low-maintenance composite system that not only expands the footprint, but also makes entertaining easier. A custom pergola adds both shade and architectural interest, carefully designed to complement the home’s updated rooflines. It’s one of those details that feels subtle but makes a big impact.

What’s especially impressive about this renovation is how it balances old and new. The home’s original character hasn’t been erased — it’s been refined. Elements like exposed timber beams and tongue-and-groove ceilings remain, but they’re now paired with cleaner lines, updated finishes and a more modern color palette.

“Our clients envisioned their home as a playful retreat for their young family — one that captures the magic of long summer days and lasting childhood memories,” says Lynne Landgraf, the Stebnitz Builders’ remodeling consultant for this project.

This project is a strong example of what Stebnitz Builders does best. It’s not just about building or remodeling — it’s about understanding how to work within constraints, respect architectural history and create spaces that feel natural, livable and enduring. That’s exactly what was achieved here.

The result is a lake home that feels open, welcoming and ready for years of use, whether that means quiet weekends, lively gatherings or simply enjoying the setting it was always meant to highlight. And perhaps most importantly, it’s a reminder that even the most unique homes can be thoughtfully reimagined into something that feels both timeless and entirely new.

NEWPORT WEST SHOPPES

Northeast Corner of Main & Cook Streets

l Bejeweled

l Cold Stone Creamery

l Don Vito’s Infused Olive Oil Emporium

l Egg Harbor Café

l Inspired Coffee

l Mahler Sotheby’s International Realty

l Paws for Treats

l Potbelly Sandwich Works

l Rock Garden for Lake Geneva

Local KEEPING IT

Meet the local boutique owners shaping Lake Geneva’s signature style

BY CHLOE LANGERMAN

PHOTOS BY HILLARY SCHAVE

ver the past century, downtown Lake Geneva has transformed from a classic Americana-style small town — with businesses like pharmacies, banks and a five-and-dime — to a bustling shopping and dining district that attracts people from around the world. Today, the local residents who own the shops in many of Lake Geneva’s historic buildings have reimagined and repurposed these spaces into modern boutiques, specialty stores and upscale gift shops, offering residents and tourists alike the opportunity to shop locally without sacrificing style.

Beginning in early 2027, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will undertake a planned reconstruction of Highway 50 through downtown Lake Geneva, a project that is expected to affect parking, driving access and foot traffic patterns in the downtown shopping area. As a result, over the next few years, these local business owners will appreciate support from their customers more than ever! So we decided to highlight a few of these shop owners, all of whom share a love for fun products, customer connection and the Lake Geneva community. Learn the stories of the popular stores that help to make Lake Geneva the charming shopping destination that it is today.

Kathy and Thomas George

Brick & Mortar Home and Outdoor, Evr Drygds, The Porch café, The Lofts at Brick & Mortar vacation rentals, The House

Kathy George and her husband and business partner, Thomas, have had a major impact on the Lake Geneva community. The couple owns several local businesses in downtown Lake Geneva: Along with clothing store Evr Drygds, The Porch café and The Lofts at Brick & Mortar vacation rentals, the Georges also maintain not one but two locations of their popular home store, Brick & Mortar: The House and Brick & Mortar Home and Outdoor.

When the Georges opened The Lofts at Brick & Mortar in 2023, they named the lofts Lake, City and California. Kathy says those words represent the amalgamation of styles at their stores as well. The Georges believe in helping their customers create spaces that work for their individual lives and homes. “I don’t believe in a perfect house; a house is a home,” says Thomas. This philosophy guides the Georges in their interactions with customers as they help people find what makes them happy.

Looking ahead to the downtown construction, the Georges say they’re planning on creating a back entrance from the parking lot of Brick & Mortar Home and Outdoor to improve accessibility. They also believe that people will come together to support the community. They say there’s much to do in Lake Geneva and that construction shouldn’t get in the way of enjoying the community. “There’s always a reason to come downtown,” says Thomas.

Emily Trainor

Queen Bee Artisan Market and The Cornerstone Shop

The story of Queen Bee Artisan Market is, in fact, intertwined with bees — and perhaps a bit of fate. After the Covid pandemic, Emily Trainor attended Lake Geneva’s Winterfest and took a photo with an ice sculpture of a bee. The statue caught her eye because her grandmother’s nickname for her was “Busy Bee,” an homage to her tendency to take on odd jobs. Looking at the photos later, Trainor realized that, in the background, there was a sign advertising that a shop called Queen Bee in downtown Lake Geneva was up for sale. Trainor says just six months later, she had purchased the store and become its new owner.

Trainor says it was possibly “meant to bee,” as she is an Italian-certified honey sommelier (yes, you read that right). Today, honey tasting events are a fixture of Queen Bee Artisan Market, which also carries honey products from Wisconsin and around the world. Queen Bee Artisan Market is also a great spot for local art, from jewelry to embroidery to ceramics. “I wanted to offer a permanent place for artisans and makers to get exposure and sell their goods,” says Trainor.

In 2025, Trainor expanded her connection to downtown Lake Geneva’s shopping district when she purchased The Cornerstone Shop from longtime owners Karin and Bruce Bennett. That shop has a long list of fans and sells a wide range of gifts, fashion and home decor. The space (formerly a Ben Franklin five-and-dime) contains over 8,800 square feet of retail space and is staffed by more than 20 employees.

“At Queen Bee, the heart of the store has always been the makers,” Trainor says. “At Cornerstone, I’ve learned the heart is really the legacy of Lake Geneva — decades of memories at the lake and the goods that help people honor them.”

Steve and Genna Monticello

Haberdapper

Over nearly two decades, Haberdapper has been a staple for upscale men’s clothing in Lake Geneva, largely thanks to the unique blend of sophisticated attire and lake-life casual clothing.

It’s a blend of style that reflects the journey of owners Steve and Genna Monticello. In 2007, the pair moved to Lake Geneva from Fort Lauderdale and opened Haberdapper in 2008. They began carrying popular clothing lines for men that were not available in other local shops. Today, some of those brands include Peter Millar, Tommy Bahama, Johnnie-O and Faherty.

The Monticellos say the best part of running Haberdapper has been building connections — with fellow business owners, vendors, and, most importantly, dedicated customers. “It’s been incredible to be part of the fabric of the community and just get to know the people we work with,” Steve says.

Steve and Genna hope the Highway 50 construction will be just a minor blip in the story of a resilient shop that has been around for 18 years. They plan to stay positive through the construction and will implement a social media and marketing strategy to try to keep customers coming downtown. “We’re going to focus on getting the word out that we’re open and that we’re still a vibrant community,” Steve explains.

Kelsey Bradford

Located just off Main Street in downtown Lake Geneva, Salt & Kai is a gift shop, creative studio and community gathering space. Owner Kelsey Bradford first opened the shop as a brick-and-mortar in 2023, though its roots began years earlier. “Every step I’ve taken personally and professionally has quietly led me here, along with support from my husband, friends and family,” she says.

Even the name Salt & Kai has been with her since 2014. In 2021, she and her husband debuted Salt & Kai as a summer venture selling Pete’s Pops from a boat on Geneva Lake. What began as a simple way to bring joy to the community became the foundation for the brand’s deeper mission.

From there, the business evolved from pop-ups into what is now a larger, thoughtfully expanded space. For Bradford, Salt & Kai is more than a shop — it’s her creative expression. “Some people write books or create works of art,” she says. “For me, this is that expression.”

Inside, the shop features a curated mix of jewelry, apparel, home goods and meaningful gifts, with an emphasis on small brands and pieces that bring beauty and intention into everyday life. Salt & Kai is also known for its Creative Cafe, where guests can take part in hands-on experiences like custom fragrance blending, charm jewelry making and seasonal workshops. The space also hosts private events, offering a creative setting for gatherings like bridal showers or bachelorette activities.

Bradford hopes Salt & Kai becomes a place people seek out — not just to shop, but to feel inspired. “We want people to walk in and leave feeling lighter, more creative and more connected,” she says. “If someone leaves with a little more joy than they came in with, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”

Kristi Hugunin

Paper Dolls Home Furnishings & Interior Design

Although it’s about 2 miles outside of Lake Geneva’s downtown shopping district, Paper Dolls is the longestrunning business on this list. Owned by Kristi Hugunin, the shop, which specializes in home furnishings and interior design, is a staple of Lake Geneva’s shopping scene. Hugunin says the store’s first location opened in Elkhorn in 1986 and originally focused on a more niche product — wallpaper. Within just a few years, Hugunin had moved Paper Dolls to its current location and expanded to include all kinds of home design products and interior design services.

After several expansions of the store, which is located in the Geneva Square shopping center on the east side of town, today Paper Dolls offers several thousand square feet of interior products in a wide array of aesthetic themes and trending styles. Shopping the store is a full-sensory experience and includes the opportunity to gain inspiration from frequently rotated “vignettes,” intended to show customers how the furniture and home accessory products might look in their space.

“Design gives me a creative outlet to constantly grow and evolve,” says Hugunin. She hopes that Paper Dolls will give customers the opportunity to evolve their spaces, too. In addition to selling furniture and decor, the store also offers interior design services and even a custom floral department. Hugunin says she wants her business to bring people joy and a revived love for their spaces. “This is my happy place,” she says, “and I want my customers to feel that way, too.”

Betsy Berhinig

Light, airy and effortless are words often used to describe the clothing boutique Genevieve, located in the former Arnold’s Drugstore building on Main Street. Owner Betsy Berhinig, who bought the shop in 2022, has transformed the space into a downtown Lake Geneva fixture, offering trendy clothing and accessories for women and babies, all of which looks like it was made for sunny, blue-sky days on the lake.

Berhinig named the shop Genevieve after her grandmother, a woman Berhinig says was an incredible and kind woman who loved fashion and would have been proud of what the store has become. To Berhinig, Genevieve (the boutique) has become a place for connection — with both her sales and social media team, as well as with customers. “My favorite thing is seeing when people really get my vision,” Berhinig explains.

With the Highway 50 construction looming, Berhinig is optimistic about maintaining the shop’s success despite the possible challenges. She says a Genevieve website is now live and customers will have the option to shop online if coming downtown is an obstacle. No matter what things look like in the coming year, Berhinig hopes that everyone feels welcome and able to shop the store, and says that the Genevieve team is always grateful to their customers. “I love what I do,” she explains. “It’s an incredible opportunity to have a store on Main Street and to be a part of the local community. The fact that people choose us — I’m blown away.”

Plan your shopping trip

Our guide to finding all the shops mentioned in this piece

Brick & Mortar Home and Outdoor

222 Center St. brickandmortarhome.com

Brick & Mortar

The House 832 Geneva St. brickandmortarhome.com

Cornerstone Shop & Gallery 214 Broad St. cornerstonelakegeneva.com

Evr Drygds

719 W. Main St. facebook.com/evr.drygds

Genevieve

755 W. Main St. genevievelakegeneva.com

Haberdapper 253 Broad St. haberdapper.com

Paper Dolls Home

Furnishings & Interior Design 138 E. Geneva Square paperdollsinteriors.com

The Porch 832 Geneva St. instagram.com/theporchlg

Queen Bee Artisan Market 830 W. Main St. queenbeeartisanmarket.com

Salt & Kai

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T H E L A K E G E N E V A

E X P E R I E N C E

YOUR LAKE GENEVA SUMMER DESTINATION

home & garden lifestyle

The Welcome Factor

Thoughtful touches to elevate your home’s guest experience

BY CATHERINE MCCOY

Su mmer gatherings are where some of the best memories are made; it is a chance to bring people together and savor the moments that matter most. Those who are lucky enough to live in the Geneva Lake area may find themselves hosting friends and family throughout the summer season, often acting as “point person” for the family reunion, girls weekend or golf getaway. Whether hosting brings excitement, a sense of overwhelm or something in between, there are practical tips that will help make the experience more enjoyable for both the guests and the host, while creating special moments to create lasting memories.

CREATING COMFORT

A thoughtfully prepared guest room sets the tone for the visit and can ensure optimal rest and comfort as well as a refreshed, easy start to the day ahead. Denise Baglio, owner and interior designer at Baglio Design Build Team, notes that outfitting the room with comfortable linens and bedding is essential, and ambient lighting and soothing colors will also help make the room warmer and more inviting. Taken together, these intentional touches create a welcoming retreat for guests to settle in and rest for the next day.

Other elevated touches for a proper guest room include a ceiling or standing fan, bedside tables on both sides of the bed and a cell phone charging station to help guests feel at home in the space. “When I host, I want the space to feel how I would expect it to be as a guest,” said Baglio. “I take a lot of pride in my home and I never want a guest to feel alienated.”

If possible, offering guests a room with an en-suite bathroom is a great option as it creates a greater sense of privacy. If that’s not an option, that’s OK — there are ways to elevate the guest bathroom whether it’s shared or not.

Baglio explains the importance of providing each guest with a full set of towels and recommends keeping bathroom linens in drawers rather than a closet to prevent them from smelling stale. Equip the bathroom with adequate hooks and bars for drying towels, and stock the shower and drawers with luxe essentials to bring a sense of ease to guests.

HOSTING A FULL HOUSE

For events that draw a larger crowd of visitors, hosts may find themselves with several guests in their home across different age demographics. While many hosts operate under a mindset of “the more the merrier,” it’s important to stay adequately prepared or the space can lack comfort for both them and their loved ones. When accommodating overflow guests, sleeping arrangements are the most important component to have settled before they arrive.

“Unlike vacation rentals, which have strict occupancy limits, your own home gives you flexibility, but comfortable space still matters,” said Tim Bauman, owner at Grand Welcome Lake Geneva. Understanding this flexibility is also crucial when considering bathroom arrangements — Bauman notes that this as an area people often overlook when hosting large groups.

“You may be able to fit a lot of people in a house, but two bathrooms and 16 people make for miserable mornings,” he explains. Bauman suggests that the ideal situation is to provide for one bathroom per immediate family staying with you.

Even if the goal is to host the whole group under one roof, do not sacrifice comfort for the sake of cost savings or gathering time. If quarters are too tight, don’t force the arrangement — Lake Geneva has a strong inventory of vacation rentals that can absorb overflow guests or house the whole group together.

DESIGNING A SEAMLESS OUTDOOR GATHERING SPACE

A big reason people are drawn to visit Lake Geneva during the summer is to take advantage of the sunshine and warm temperatures to spend time outside in a beautiful setting. Many visitors like to feel as if “the land just invited them to gather there,” says Juan Rojas with Red’s Outdoor Design & Build. So use this as a backdrop to frame and build an outdoor space that your visitors can enjoy.

Rojas outlines four key pillars that every outdoor space should strive for: structure, surface, light and fire. Structures help give the space definition. This may include a pergola, porch or well-trimmed hedge line. Surface helps define the zone underfoot. Does it transition from grassy areas to hardscape pavement or stone? How will you use each area and what is the best surface?

Lighting can extend the life of the space beyond the daylight hours,

helping create memorable moments well into the evening. Finally, fire — whether a fire pit, outdoor fireplace or linear burner — naturally draws people in. “It anchors the gathering and keeps people lingering,” he says.

Another way to get people using the outdoor space is to provide outdoor activities like croquet, badminton or volleyball, as well as games like giant Jenga, life-size checkers and cornhole. If you’re short on storage space, opt to rent rather than purchase.

CURATING A COFFEE BAR

A warm cup of coffee is key to helping guests feel instantly welcome as soon as they wake up. While a standard, strong pot of coffee will often do the trick, building a self-serve coffee bar area in the kitchen is a fun, alternative way to elevate guests’ coffee experience and make mornings more meaningful.

According to Heidi Ferris, owner of The Hummingbird Bar, it all begins with a great mug. “Coffee is comfort and a great mug extends that,” she says. “So, whether your aesthetic is clean or kitschy, think about the enjoyment of holding the cup.” And make sure you have enough mugs for everyone you’re hosting!

Beyond these fundamentals, a coffee bar is what the host makes of it and there are plenty of opportunities to get creative. Flavored syrups, dairy and dairy-alternative creamers and other extras provide options for all guests regardless of dietary restrictions. To improve the aesthetic of the coffee bar, Ferris suggests cutting greenery from the yard, adding a small vase of flowers or writing a short welcome note for guests like, “Help yourself,” or “I’m so happy you’re here!” These small touches transform a simple coffee setup into a more personalized offering to make guests feel truly welcomed.

Ferris also encourages hosts to have plentiful serveware options available, making the setup more seamless for guests. The more hosts can mitigate the need for individuals to rummage through unfamiliar drawers for spoons or napkins, the better.

Mahjong Momentum

Where to learn and play this newly popular game

BY CATHERINE MCCOY | PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

Move over, pickleball: Mahjong is the latest phenomenon to capture the American interest. The strategy-based game (played with tiles marked with different symbols) originated in China in the 19th century. It later emerged as a popular pastime in the 1920s in modern American culture, but remained better known in select immigrant communities until recently when mahjong suddenly exploded in popularity across all ages and demographics.

Michelle “Missy” Dietzler Dermenjian, founder and owner of Missy Mahjong, attributes the game’s resurgence to the desire for something simple: connection. “We live in a world where people are often connecting over social media, working from home and tethered to a device,” she says. “Mahjong gives us a way to meet face to face, solve a puzzle and challenge ourselves without distractions.”

Dermenjian has always been an avid game player. She says she became familiar with mahjong while living in downtown Chicago, seeing the Jewish grandmothers playing American mahjong and observing the Asian mahjong culture in Chinatown. As she grew more interested in the game, she began taking lessons in 2024.

These lessons quickly turned into a passion, which led her to start Missy Mahjong. “The mission of Missy Mahjong has been consistent from the start: build community and raise money for local charities,” she says. Her lessons have helped raise funds for local organizations like the William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation and the Geneva Lake Water Safety Patrol.

Amid the game’s growing popularity, there are several opportunities for mahjong newcomers in the Geneva Lake area to learn the rules and meet new players. First and foremost, Missy encourages them to invest in a lesson with a local instructor: Missy says she is just one of several coaches in the Geneva Lake area, all of whom are eager to introduce the game to beginners. Instructors like Amy Hartwell, Kris Porritt, Suzy Lindbloom, Amy Schaal and Roselyn Lanzito offer individual lessons, group sessions and advanced strategy classes.

For those who already know the fundamentals, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and meet other mahjong players. Inspired Coffee in downtown Lake Geneva, Niche Cafe & Wine Bar in Lake Como and the Lake Geneva Public Library host regular mahjong sessions, and local gift shops including Walworth’s Lakeside Sundry and Fontana Home sell the mahjong tiles and accessories like tile bags, cocktail napkins and mahjong cups.

“Mahjong gives us a way to meet face to face, solve a puzzle and challenge ourselves without distractions.”

home & garden shopping

trending at the lake

Ready to get patriotic? Celebrate America250 this summer with these red, white and blue items from local shops

Neurosurgical Care in Wisconsin

better living Home-Run Heroes

The Dream Team provides people of all abilities the opportunity to play baseball

BY SARAH KOEHLER PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

It’s a summer afternoon in Lake Geneva and a dedicated crowd of spectators has gathered in Veterans Park to enjoy America’s pastime — they are here to watch a baseball game. As the players warm up on the field, the crowd stands with hands over hearts listening to a soloist perform the national anthem. A nearby concessions stand sells classic Americana staples like Cracker Jacks and popcorn. The umpire starts the game with the familiar cry: “Play ball!” The announcer calling the game keeps the crowd up to date — including who is up to bat and who is running the bases —

and describes each development in the game as the home team and visitors begin the nine-inning slog to see who will come out on top.

What sets this game apart from other baseball games in the Lake Geneva area? The home team is the Dream Team, a specialized, fully inclusive, co-ed baseball program for children and adults with disabilities. The team, which is sponsored by the Geneva Lakes Family YMCA, is coached by its founder, John Swanson, and a stable of volunteer coaches: Mike and Becky Pinnow; Pat Jones; Jeffrey and Tracy Sonn; Chase Hodkiewicz; and Salvador and Elena Montes.

The Dream Team is unique in its dedication to creating an opportunity for players with all ability levels to participate. Any person with any ability level, age 6 and up, can be a part of the team. This includes

players in wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges, players who are visually impaired or any player whose ability to play baseball might be limited by a wide variety of other health issues.

Coach Swanson founded the team in 2001. He says he knew from the very beginning that this was something he wanted to do. Summer is the season of baseball — both watching and playing — and he realized that many kids in the area lacked an opportunity to participate due to a lack of adaptive options. So he took it upon himself to get the Dream Team going.

“It started because there were no programs in the area for specialneeds kids to play sports, baseball or otherwise,” Swanson explains. “My own kids all played for the YMCA and so I asked the people at the Y if they’d be willing to help. We started

better living inclusivity

with about 10 players and I also had two young men from a local college who were working on their degrees in special education volunteer to help.”

Swanson says that, over the past 25 years, the program has grown exponentially. “We now have volunteers who are adults that played for the team when they were younger,” Swanson says. “We also have adults who have been playing for years. They just keep coming back.”

He says that the mission of the team is really about giving the experience of baseball to everyone. The season begins in June, and the first six or seven weeks of the program is about teaching the fundamentals of the sport — pitching, catching and batting — as well as building team coherence, making friendships, building relationships and increasing self-confidence. Of course, it’s also about just having fun.

The Dream Team is a “unified team,” which means there are about 40 volunteers who play alongside the players. “The Dream Team has high school and middle school volunteers who will run while pushing the [wheel]chair or run alongside a player who needs additional help standing or getting around the bases,” Swanson explains. “It’s such a community effort. We have [our regular] game days and sometimes visitor teams from the community will come in to play with us, too.” A few of these teams include the Badger High School baseball team, the Geneva Lakes Family YMCA teams and the UW-Whitewater baseball team.

The program is so popular that the Dream Team uses three or four fields on most days of the season. When they have enough participants for a scrimmage game, they play for fun. The end-of-the-season game is the biggest game and takes place each year in July.

Swanson encourages parents to sit in the bleachers and watch

“One of the things that stands out to me is how happy so many parents are to see their kids playing on a sports team ...”

— John Swanson

The Dream Team season runs in June and July and culminates in an end-ofseason game that draws its biggest group of players and spectators each year. Visiting teams in the past have included the Badger High School baseball team, the Geneva Lakes Family YMCA teams and the UWWhitewater baseball team.

their children play. For many of the parents, it’s the first time they are able to relax and spectate their child’s sporting event. Because there are so many volunteers to help with the players’ needs, the parents have the unique opportunity to simply spend practices and game days cheering for their kids rather than assisting them physically.

“One of the things that stands out to me is how happy so many parents are to see their kids playing on a sports team,” Swanson says. “They’ve never been able to do that. They’ve never had an opportunity like this before.”

The bonds formed between the players and the volunteers is an important part of the experience as well. “It’s not uncommon for me to run into players or volunteers from years ago who still remember the name of someone they played with [that many] years ago,” Swanson said.

Ann Fulmer, marketing development director at the Geneva Lakes Family YMCA, has worked with Swanson and the Dream Team for many years. Her pride in the program is evident. “It’s about the friendships that develop,” she explains. “There are high schoolers and volunteers that help these athletes. But it’s more than helping. It’s high fives and hugs and smiles and congratulations.”

Another unexpected benefit of the Dream Team is how many of the young volunteers actually discover a calling or passion to continue working alongside people with special needs. Fulmer and Swanson both happily recalled multiple occasions in which a volunteer for the Dream Team decided to pursue a career in special education or a related field after being inspired by the players and families they met at the ballpark.

better living inclusivity

“These mentors are also learning and benefiting from understanding and appreciating that the players with special needs are just like everyone else,” Fulmer adds. “The players are people who want to be included and talked to and celebrated, and we keep seeing that happen through the Dream Team. It’s just really wonderful.”

The team is always looking for additional volunteers. Swanson makes a presentation every year at Lake Geneva Middle School to raise awareness, and volunteers often bring their friends or recommend the program to others. Swanson notes that some volunteers have logged more than 1,000 hours of donated time to the Dream Team per year.

Perhaps the best part of the Dream Team is that it’s exactly that: a dream come true for so many people. Fulmer recalls one of her favorite moments at a recent fundraiser, when the gravity of the entire program really sunk in. “One of our coaches and one of the Dream Team players came up on stage to talk about the experience,” Fulmer explains. “The coach asked the player, ‘What’s your favorite part of the Dream Team?’ The player smiled and said, ‘I love hitting home runs!’ And as every paddle got raised to fund the program, the players were just jumping up and down and cheering and smiling. The excitement and joy were so palpable.”

The Dream Team practices and plays from 3-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Lake Geneva residents can register to play for just $23, while non-residents can play for $34. The fees cover the full season of participation, plus a T-shirt for the players, and the YMCA also has a financial assistance program and sponsorships (from both American Legion Post 24 and the Knights of Columbus), which help cover the costs for anyone who may need financial assistance.

OVERCOMING INSOMNIA

Four common sleeping problems and how to fix them for a good night’s rest

BY ANNE MORRISSY

Sleep is an important piece of maintaining good health and longevity, with recent studies indicating that sleep (or lack of it) can have significant effects on everything from cognitive ability to maintaining a strong immune system to preventing chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Yet many Americans suffer from insomnia or poor-quality sleep, particularly in the summer months when hotter temperatures and increased hours of daylight can interrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythms in ways that disrupt sleep. Here are a few common sleeping problems and suggestions from local experts on how to achieve your best night’s rest.

TROUBLE FALLING ASLEEP

This is a common complaint across nearly all age groups, but tends to worsen as we age. First things first, according to Dr. Joshua Fehl of Mercyhealth Sleep Medicine: If you’re having trouble falling asleep, pay attention to what you’re

consuming. Limit caffeine to the morning hours and avoid evening alcohol, as both can interfere with the deep sleep your body needs to feel rested. Also avoid foods that may cause indigestion or other discomfort before bed.

Setting a sleep schedule can be helpful as well. “Prioritize a strictly consistent wake-up time and get some natural sunlight shortly after getting out of bed to help reset your internal circadian clock,” Fehl explains.

TROUBLE FALLING BACK ASLEEP

Maybe a noise or a nightmare startled you awake, or maybe you are up frequently in the night caring for a newborn or other family member. When you lay back down to sleep, you find yourself tossing and turning rather than drifting easily back into slumber. What can you do? First, resist the urge to stare at a screen. This includes

better living wellness

your phone, tablet, laptop and TV — these devices emit a low-level blue light that some studies indicate may disrupt your brain’s sleep patterns. “[Make sure you are] disconnecting from all blue-light-emitting screens at least 60 minutes before bed,” Fehl continues. “If you are still awake after about 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing in another room until you feel genuinely sleepy to avoid training your brain to stay alert in bed.” Invest in blackout curtains and remove any clocks or other devices that emit light. Try deep breathing and meditation techniques in a dark room instead.

WAKING UP FREQUENTLY DURING THE NIGHT

Restless sleep is another common experience, but if you are consistently waking up frequently night after night, it’s worth investigating the cause. This can be a symptom of sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome or

better living wellness

other medical conditions that should be overseen by your doctor. Lack of sleep from these conditions can have long-term negative effects on your health, according to Dr. Dinesh Belani of Aurora Health Care, who is board certified in Internal Medicine, Sleep Medicine and Pulmonology, “We have seen that long-term lack of quality sleep has been associated with strokes, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and a variety of other conditions,” he explains. “Also, sleeping less than five hours [has] been associated with decreased lifespan, although that needs further assessment.”

Your doctor can refer you for a sleep study to determine the best course of treatment, which may include medical interventions, behavioral changes, dental appliances, use of a CPAP oxygen machine at night or sinus or other facial surgeries. “The good news is not all conditions

require treatments,” Belani explains. “If you’re experiencing sleep disturbances, talk to your primary care doctor. We will help you determine if you need further evaluation with a sleep physician. Usually, those visits begin with a complete review of your medical history, including medical conditions and medications along with your habits and behaviors around sleep.”

WAKING UP TIRED

What happens if you’ve gotten a full eight hours of sleep, but still wake up feeling fatigued and unrested? This is a common complaint from women going through perimenopause, but anyone at any age can suffer from the feeling of waking up tired. First, talk to your doctor about a sleep study, as daytime fatigue can be another symptom of things like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements and other medical conditions. You can also request a

blood test to check for conditions like low iron and low vitamin D, both of which can cause severe fatigue. Also consider lifestyle changes to reduce stress and extreme physical activity, both of which can affect the body’s ability to fully recover while resting. “Making small lifestyle shifts like increasing daily water intake and engaging in regular, low-impact exercise can naturally improve your circulation and daytime alertness,” Dr. Fehl of Mercyhealth explains, but adds that consulting a medical professional is the best way to get a targeted plan.

At The LIBRARY

Whether you experienced the sleepaway camp staples of bug juice, roasted marshmallows and Capture the Flag in your youth or just wished you had, these books about summer camps recommended by Lake Geneva Public Library Community Engagement Librarian Ellen Ward-Packard will transport you.

ONE LAST SUMMER BY

KATE SPENCER

A burnt-out marketing executive heads to New Hampshire for a reunion at the sleepaway camp she attended as a teen, only to find that the camp’s future is in jeopardy. Old friends, a secondchance romance and a nostalgic camp setting make this sweet novel the perfect escapist read.

THE WILD ONE

BY COLLEEN MCKEEGAN

Camp isn’t all s’mores and friendship bracelets. McKeegan’s debut thriller follows a toxic teen friendship that leaves a man dead. More than a decade later, the three girls who witnessed the death reunite to account for what really happened at camp — and to make sure it remains a secret.

A MANUFACTURED WILDERNESS: SUMMER CAMPS AND THE SHAPING OF AMERICAN YOUTH, 1890–1960 BY ABIGAIL

A. VAN SLYCK

Why do we send our kids to camp?

Architectural historian Van Slyck examines the landscapes, cultural anxieties and political forces that created the camps we know today. For the serious summer nonfiction reader, it’s a fascinating look at a ubiquitous yet rarely studied cultural institution.

1987

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out & about Sunrise to Starlight

Celebrate the start of summer with these solstice activities

BY NAT WEXLER

As the weather warms up, the boats begin to appear on the lake and the Geneva Lake area becomes a vibrant hive of activity. This can mean only one thing: The magic of summer is near. This year’s summer solstice, which marks the official, scientific start of summer, will occur at 3:24 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. This annual event means the longest day of the year, with over 15 hours of daylight in which to enjoy everything that the area has to offer. Here are a few activities surrounding the solstice to help welcome summer, including fun activities and events for all interests.

ENJOY A SUMMER SOLSTICE BREAKFAST

Lake Geneva’s White River County Park is celebrating the solstice with a free breakfast on Sunday, June 21, from 8-11 a.m. In addition to the breakfast, members of the Friends of White River County Park will host guided hikes to help familiarize visitors with the amenities and areas of the park that can be enjoyed during the summer months. The event is free and open to the public.

Frank Ward, vice president of Friends of White River County Park, says he views the event as “a way to make people aware of what nature activities are available so close to Lake Geneva” and says he is “happy that the park has so many outdoor activities [for guests] to enjoy.”

CREATE A NEW MASTERPIECE

Create an original work of art to commemorate summer at the lake! The longest day of the year can be a perfect time to get out your paints or pastels. Need a refresher on your artistic technique? Join Gallery 223, Lake Geneva’s premier creative space, for classes throughout the summer with artists specializing in everything from plein-air style painting — which captures outdoor light, color and atmosphere — to fused-glass art to mixed media to charcoal drawing and more. Most classes are held in Gallery 223’s space in downtown Lake Geneva, and spots can be reserved on the website.

TAKE IN SUMMER UNDER THE STARS

Celebrate the first day of astronomical summer at Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay. On Saturday, June 20, the staff of Yerkes will host an open house from 7-9 p.m. Visitors can explore the observatory through a scavenger hunt and tours of the historic building. Telescopes will be set up on the lawn and astronomers will be on hand to answer questions.

Walt Chadick, director of programs at Yerkes Observatory, says he loves the summer solstice, because it kicks off all of Yerkes’ exciting summer programming. This year’s schedule of events includes concerts under the great refractor telescope and a variety of speakers focused on science and the arts. Tickets for the summer solstice open house are $10 for adults and $5 for kids and available on the website.

LEARN MINDFULNESS AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

Spend the longest day of the year learning mindfulness techniques that can be used all year long. Crescent Moon Wellness Center in Williams Bay celebrates the solstice every year with a workshop or wellness event. Past years’ events have included workshops featuring yoga, breath work and sound healing using the vibrations of singing bowls and chimes. For information on this year’s solstice event, visit Crescent Moon Wellness Center’s website.

Owner Nikelle Burrough loves summer in Lake Geneva: “I just love getting outside and enjoying nature,” she explains. She says she feels lucky to have the lake nearby and enjoys many summer activities that she tries to incorporate into her wellness philosophy, including hiking, boat rides, swimming on the beach, teaching yoga on the beach, kayaking and hiking.

PRACTICE SOME NATURE APPRECIATION

One way to celebrate the solstice is to take advantage of the extra daylight on the longest day of the year and complete the full hike around the Geneva Lake Shore Path. Hiking the full length of the path will take you on a journey with mileage just short of a marathon (21.9 miles) — the average person needs about eight to 12 hours to complete the full loop. Along the way you’ll pass some of the most expensive real estate in Wisconsin, including cutting-edge modern architecture and historic estates from the lake’s earliest days as a getaway for wealthy families from Chicago, Milwaukee and Rockford.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack water, energy bars and sunscreen. And before you head out, purchase a copy of the newly updated and redesigned Official Geneva Lake Shore Path Guide (from the publisher of At The Lake magazine!) for helpful tips, maps and information about 105 points of interest on the route.

Another option is to practice the Japanese art of “forest bathing” — spending time in untouched, natural settings. Head to Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy and hike 3 miles of trails through a variety of ecosystems including prairieland, wetlands and an oak savanna. Or head to Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva, where you’ll find 6.5 miles of trails through forestland and open meadows.

This June, Geneva Lake Conservancy invites the community to step outside for a cause with its Step It Up to Keep It Blue Walk along the scenic shore path of Geneva Lake.

Designed to combine recreation with conservation, the month-long event encourages participants to explore the lake at their own pace while supporting efforts to protect its natural beauty.

By registering for the walk, participants directly contribute to the Conservancy’s ongoing programs — many of which are dedicated to preserving and improving the health of the lake and its surrounding landscapes.

Each participant will receive a commemorative Step It Up to Keep It Blue T-shirt and a “passport” featuring a map of the lake with designated stops along the route. Walkers can visit each location to collect punches throughout June, turning in completed passports at month’s end for a chance to win prizes. As an added bonus, the passport also includes exclusive discounts from local businesses, offering participants even more ways to enjoy the lakeside community.

Sign up on our events page

Whether you complete the route in a day or spread it out over the month, the Conservancy encourages everyone to take part, embrace the challenge, and support their local land trust — one step at a time.

HAVE AN ALFRESCO DINNER

After the long winter months of dining in the dark, enjoy the light of summer with outdoor dining. Many restaurants in the area offer outdoor seating, sometimes with a lake view or other scenic setting. A lingering dinner in the evening light is a wonderful way to celebrate the start of the season.

A few options to check out include Mars Resort (the large dining deck and pre-dinner boat ride make this a popular spot, so prepare to wait for a table!), Next Door Pub Lakeside and The Getaway, all located on Lake Como; The Boat House Bar & Grill, Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar and Oakfire Pizza in Lake Geneva; Cafe Calamari and Pier 290 in Williams Bay; and Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn, Gordy’s Boat House and the Waterfront at The Abbey Resort in Fontana.

GET ON THE WATER

For those looking for a way to enjoy the longest day of the year on the water, head to Lake Geneva Cruise Line on the Riviera Dock for one of the tours. During the summer solstice weekend, choose from a jazz dinner cruise, a supper club-style dinner cruise, classic tours of the lake, an ice cream social cruise and the extremely popular Black Point Estate tour cruises with museum entrance included.

If you prefer something a little less structured or are looking for an exciting activity like tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding, you can arrange to rent a boat through one of several boat rental companies on the lake, including Jerry’s Majestic Marine, Marina Bay Boat Rentals, Elmer’s Boat Rentals and Leatherlips Watersports Rental. Before you can head out for your time on the water, though, check the rules: Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1989 will have to complete an online boating safety certificate and review all safety rules.

For those who prefer a quieter experience on the water, head to Clear Water Outdoor in Lake Geneva, where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards. If a lazy day sailing on the lake sounds like your ideal solstice celebration, you can also arrange for a sailing lesson or sailboat charter through the Geneva Lake Sailing School.

out & about waterski teams

MAKINGWAVES

Inside the collaborative world of southeastern Wisconsin’s waterski teams

BY NAT WEXLER | PHOTOS BY HOLLY LEITNER

While waterskiing on Geneva Lake has a long history, today the number of boats on the water and the increased wakes from modern wake-surfing boats make the sight of a waterskier a rare treat. However, a few nearby lakes maintain active waterski clubs. In fact, southeastern Wisconsin is home to a number of competitive waterski teams: the Southern Wakes United Water Ski Show Team in Walworth County; the Browns Lake Aquaducks in Burlington and the Aquanuts in Twin Lakes, one of the most decorated waterski teams in the nation, having won the national championship six times.

All three teams have different criteria to join. In order to join the Aquanuts, for example, members need to be able to not only waterski and have availability for weekly practices and performances, but ideally they should also know how to slalom ski on one ski. Southern Wakes United allows anyone who is interested to join the team — some members have joined without even knowing how to waterski!

Waterski teams are truly a family affair. “Waterskiing is generational,” explains Mark Gurda of the Aquanuts, adding that he loves that it’s an activity that can be enjoyed by multiple generations of the same family at a time. Last

year’s Aquanuts team featured skiers ranging from schoolage to grandparent-age.

At Southern Wakes United, Leslie Gostomski joined the team as a skier in 1989 and met her now husband Eric when he joined the team as a boat driver in 1993. Their daughter Megan has been a skier on the team for a decade, keeping the family tradition alive.

Teams range in size with the average around 30 people. All of the teams tend to have a mix of optional and mandatory practices a few times a week, with the practice schedule heating up prior to large competitions. Two of the most commonly featured tricks in these shows are ballet lines and pyramids.

What’s a ballet line? “A line of girls ski off the dock from a standing position or ‘hop-dock’; holding the handle in one hand and bracing to the girl next to her with the other hand,” Gostomski explains. “The line performs synchronized arm and leg movements on a single plank ski. Part of the act is to precisely execute choreography while being towed with the handle in between the legs, from the ankle or from a toe/foot harness.”

WHERE TO CATCH A WATERSKI SHOW

Southern Wakes United Water Ski Show Team

Where:

Lauderdale Lakes, Turtle Lake, Whitewater Lake and Elkhorn Lake

When: Shows on select Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings; through Labor Day. Check southernwakesunited.com for exact days and locations.

Browns Lake Aquaducks

Where:

Fischer Park on Browns Lake, Burlington

When:

Shows most Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. (Junior Shows on select dates at 5 p.m.), plus some Saturday shows; through Labor Day. Check aquaducks.org for exact dates and times.

Aquanuts

Where:

Lance Park, Twin Lakes

When:

Shows every Wednesday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m.; through Labor Day. For details, visit aquanutwatershows.com

And then there’s the pyramid. “From a skier perspective, the pinnacle of the ski team is the pyramids,” says Aquanuts 2026 Show Director William Bazeley. “This requires everyone working together to successfully build three-, four- or five-person-high pyramids while skiing at 20 m.p.h. through waves.”

Gurda of the Aquanuts highlights the importance of safety. He wants to make sure that if people are inspired by the Aquanuts to take up waterskiing, they are engaging with the sport safely. Once a summer, the group offers a learn-to-ski and safety clinic.

Carrie Wyatt of the Browns Lake Aquaducks emphasizes the importance of safety in practices, shows and competitions as well. She points out that one of the aspects of judging in competitions is “ensuring that the team is performing the show in a safe manner.”

At state and national waterski competitions, judges evaluate a variety of elements, including difficulty, execution, flow and spectator appeal in addition to costumes, safety and overall performance; both the skiing

and production aspects matter immensely. “[Judges] want to be as invested in the show as they would a Broadway production,” explains Director Bazeley of the Aquanuts.

Since judges like to see activity on the water at all times, sometimes teams will perform short skits to allow the waves to calm down before tricks that require calmer waters, like barefooting (skiing barefoot without any skis). Everything about a team’s performance is judged during a competition, including the team’s announcer as well as the volume and timing of the music being played!

Gurda says he is grateful for the Aquanuts because the team builds community among the members and among the communities of southeastern Wisconsin, even using its shows to raise awareness for charity causes and organizations.

Gostomski loves waterskiing and comes back to Southern Wakes United year after year. “[I’ve] developed so many lifelong friends through the team,” she explains. “We feel a strong bond and a strong sense of pride in what we are a part of.”

events at the lake

ELKHORN RIBFEST

JULY 15-19

The National Rib Competition returns to the Walworth County Fairgrounds. Sample a wide array of barbecue offerings and enjoy great entertainment, carnival rides and an artisan village. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn; 262-723-3228 or wisconsinribfest.com

WILLIAMS BAY LIONS CLUB CORN & BRAT FESTIVAL

AUGUST 7-9

Enjoy delicious brats and fresh-roasted corn, as well as live music on Friday and Saturday night, and fireworks on Saturday. Edgewater Park, Williams Bay.

WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR

SEPTEMBER 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 .

FARMERS MARKETS

BURLINGTON

Thursdays, 3-7 p.m., through Sept. 24. Riverside Park, 517 Congress St., Burlington; (262) 210-6360 or burlingtonwifarmersmarket.com

DELAVAN

Market at Tower Park, Thursdays, 3-7 p.m. through Sept. 10. Historic Tower Park, 117 Park Place, Delavan; (262) 728-5095 or visitdelavan.com

ELKHORN

Saturdays on the Square, featuring local handmade products, fresh locally grown produce and food vendors. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Sept. 5 (no market on July 4). Veteran’s Park, Elkhorn; elkhornchamber.com.

GENEVA OUTDOOR MARKET

Shop food and goods from local farmers, makers, crafters and small businesses, plus enjoy live music, a rock ‘n rollthemed coffeehouse and a full bar at The Front Porch Bar & Beer Garden. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October. Lake Geneva House of Music, N3241 Co. Trunk H, Lake Geneva. Visit lghom.com/gom

GENOA CITY FARMERS MARKET

Fridays, 3-7 p.m. through Sept. 25. 171 S. Carter St., Genoa City; (262) 279-6472.

LAKE GENEVA FARMERS 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

WILLIAMS BAY FARMERS MARKET

Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Sept. 4. Edgewater Park, Williams Bay; (262) 475-6333.

WATERSKI SHOWS

BROWN’S LAKE AQUADUCKS

Shows on most Thursdays, with Junior Show beginning at 5 p.m. and main show beginning at 6:30 p.m. Some Saturday shows as well. Viewing from Fischer Park, Burlington; for the full schedule, visit aquaducks.org.

SOUTHERN WAKES UNITED

SWU is a merger of the Lauderdale Aqua Skiers and the Whitewater Lake Sports Club (Minneiska.) Performance sites: Elkhorn Lake, Whitewater Lake and Middle Lake (Lauderdale Lakes.) Visit southernwakesunited.com for show times and locations.

TWIN LAKES AQUANUTS

Every Wednesday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend, 6 p.m. Viewing from Lance Memorial Park, Twin Lakes; visit aquanutwatershows.com.

MAY 30, AUG. 22

GOAT YOGA AT OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

This class, instructed in collaboration with Riverside Studio, with goats provided by Oak Hollow Acres in Burlington, is perfect for all ages and abilities. $30/person, advanced reservations required. 8:30-9:30 a.m.; Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

MAY 31

SETTING SAIL TO KEEP IT BLUE

A sunset soirée on the Lady of the Lake to celebrate love for the lake. Sponsored by the Geneva Lake Conservancy. For information or to purchase tickets, visit genevalakeconservancy.org/events or call (262) 275-5700.

JUNE 2

12TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING SUPPORTING OPEN ARMS FREE CLINIC

Participants will choose from two courses of 18-hole golf. Shotgun starts at 8 a.m. or noon, depending on the course chosen. 5 p.m. cash bar for cocktails and 6 p.m. dinner and awards. Hawk’s View Golf Course, 7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva; (262) 379-1401 or visit openarmsfreeclinic.ejoinme.org/ myevents/2025golfouting.

JUNE 5-6

ELKHORN CITY-WIDE RUMMAGE SALE

Check out the Google map or grab a printed copy from the Elkhorn Chamber. Visit elkhornchamber.com

out & about calendar of events

JUNE 7

ROCK-FORD A’S MODEL A DAY

Enjoy antique Model As, re-enactors, a Model-A era fashion show at noon, a variety of vendors, a DJ, food trucks and more. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Allen St., Clinton. Visit rockfordas.org/styled-6.

JUNE 11, JULY 2, 16, 30

HANDS-ON HISTORY WORKSHOP: WOOL SPINNING

This interactive workshop will take fledgling and seasoned students alike through 1800s yarn design: Start with sheep fleece and finish with your own wool yarn. Workshop attendance also includes free admission to Old World Wisconsin on the day of the class, a free prepared lunch and a skein of professionally made yarn from the wool of Old World Wisconsin’s sheep. $200 per person. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JUNE 12, 26, JULY 10, 24, AUG. 7

BIG FOOT RECREATION

DEPARTMENT CLASSIC SUMMER MOVIE SCREENINGS

Admission is $1 per person at the door and concessions will be sold. 8:30-10:30 p.m., Fontana Beach, Fontana; call (262) 275-2117 or visit bigfootrecreation.org.

JUNE 13

B4 SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Enjoy bacon, bourbon, beer and bands including the Pino Farina Band, a Def Leppard tribute band and Modern Day Romeos. Area breweries will sell craft beer and food will be available from several local food trucks, plus enjoy family-friendly activities; 3-11 p.m. Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Rd., Spring Grove, Illinois. For tickets, visit b4fest.com.

JUNE 13, JULY 18, AUG. 15

BEER BARONS OF LAKE GENEVA

Enjoy an afternoon cruise on Geneva Lake before docking at Black Point Estate to sample regional brews. Beer tastings, snacks and a souvenir brewery memento included. 12:30-4 p.m. Price is $75 per person. Cruises leave from the Riviera docks, Lake Geneva. Call (262) 248-6206 or visit blackpointestate.wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

& about calendar of events

JUNE 17, 24, JULY 8, 15, 22, 29 HANDS-ON HISTORY WORKSHOP: BAKING AND COOKING

Learn the basics of 1880s-era baking and cooking with hands-on experiences in a farmhouse kitchen. Ages 13 and up; includes lunch. $150 per person. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JUNE 17, 24, JULY 8, 15, 22, 29 HANDS-ON HISTORY WORKSHOP: INTRO TO BLACKSMITHING

Learn the basics of blacksmithing as you work in small groups shoulder to shoulder with a trained and talented smith. Includes lunch. $250 per person.  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JUNE 19-21

GENEVA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

A celebration of the food, culture and music of one of America’s most original and beloved art forms. Two stages will showcase local, regional and national talent, alongside vendors offering food, crafts and activities. Lake Geneva House of Music, N3241 Co. Trunk H, Lake Geneva. For tickets, visit lghom.com/genevajazzfest

JUNE 20

FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND DINNER TRAIN

Indulge in a four-course meal on a 2.5-hour train ride. Paid reservations required. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and train leaves at 5:30 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; $125 per person. Call (262) 642-3263 or easttroyrr.org.

JUNE 20

FIESTA BY THE LAKE

A celebration of Mexican-American heritage. Sponsored by Discover Williams Bay. Noon to 7 p.m. Edgewater Park picnic shelter, Williams Bay.

JUNE 20

WEDDINGS OF GENEVA LAKE IN THE GILDED AGE

The Institute for Victorian Living presents this evening program at Black Point Estate. Price is $75 per person; 5-7 p.m. Black Point Estate & Gardens,

The Big Foot Recreation Department sponsors classic summer movie screenings at the Fontana Beach on select Fridays.

W4270 Southland Rd., Lake Geneva; visit blackpointestate.wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JUNE 20-21

MIDSUMMER CELEBRATION AT OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

Dance, craft and celebrate the joy of summer the Scandinavian way. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JUNE 24

ANNUAL PORK CHOP COOKOUT

Dine-in or drive-thru at this fundraiser to support the Walworth County Fair. 4-7 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn. Visit walworthcountyfairgrounds.com/calendar

JUNE 26-JULY 5

DELAVAN’S CELEBRATION OF AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

10 days of events, including history, music, fireworks, concerts, parades, a street dance and veterans tributes. For a full list of events including times and locations, check out visitdelavanwi.com.

JUNE 27

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. Price is $40 per person; 6-7:30 p.m. Black Point Estate & Gardens, W4270 Southland Rd., Lake Geneva; call (262) 248-1888 for tickets.

JUNE 27

LAKEFEST AND TOWN OF DELAVAN FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

Delavan Lake Community Park, 1220 S. Shore Dr., Delavan. Visit townofdelavan.com for more info.

JUNE 27

MILWAUKEE DAY

Celebrate Milwaukee’s electric railway history and ride on a Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee interurban car, a historic Milwaukee streetcar, and restored Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Merchandise Car 228. Trains run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; 262-642-3263 or easttroyrr.org

JUNE 28, AUG. 9

ELKHORN ANTIQUE FLEA MARKET

One of the Midwest’s largest outdoor flea markets with over 500 dealers both inside and outside. Free parking, $5 admission. Opens at 7 a.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn; elkhornantiquefleamarket.com

JULY 2

FAMILY DAY

10 a.m. to noon, Helen Rohner Fishing Park, Williams Bay. Presentation, goodie bags and treats. Free. For event registration, visit genevalakeconservancy.org or call (262) 275-5700.

JULY 3

ELKHORN FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

Enjoy a memorable and festive fireworks display. Dusk, Sunset Park, Elkhorn.

JULY 4

DELAVAN FOURTH OF

JULY PARADE AND FESTIVITIES

Starting at 3 p.m. and ending with fireworks at Delavan-Darien High School at 9 p.m. Call (262) 728-5095 or visitdelavanwi.com.

JULY 4

FONTANA FIREWORKS

Independence Day display over Geneva Lake. Dusk, Fontana Beach, Fontana.

JULY 4

KISHWAUKETOE 5K RUN/WALK

Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., kids’ run begins at 8 a.m. and the 5k begins at 8:30 a.m. Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, Williams Bay. Visit runsignup.com/race/wi/ williamsbay/kishwauketoe5kcrosscountryrun.

JULY 4

LAUDERDALE LAKES FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

9:30 p.m., Lauderdale Lakes. Visit visitelkhorn.com.

JULY 4

LIBERTY ON THE LAKE

Entertainment for all ages including face painting, balloon artists, roaming performers, live music, food trucks and a state-of-the-art drone light show. 5-9:30 p.m., Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva. Visit visitlakegeneva.com.

JULY 4

WILLIAMS BAY LIONS CLUB

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

All-you-can-eat pancakes. 7-11:30 a.m., Edgewater Park, Williams Bay.

JULY 11

CHICAGO LUNCH TRAIN

Indulge in a three-course, Chicagothemed lunch while enjoying a train ride aboard a historic train. Paid reservations required. Noon. $105 per person. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; (262) 642-3263 or easttroyrr.org.

JULY 11

PARLOR AND LAWN GAMES

The Institute for Victorian Living presents this evening program at Black Point Estate. Price is $75 per person; 5-7 p.m. Black Point Estate & Gardens, W4270 Southland Rd., Lake Geneva; visit blackpointestate. wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JULY 12

CHICAGO DAY

Celebrate Chicago’s railway history on the museum’s six operating South Shore cars, originally built in the 1920s, plus three Chicago Elevated Cars and a recently restored Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Car. Special trains run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; (262) 642-3263 or easttroyrr.org.

JULY 16-19

COUNTRY THUNDER FESTIVAL

This four-day country music festival brings some of the top country music talent in the country to Twin Lakes. Camping and multi-day passes available. 2305 Lance Dr., Twin Lakes; visit countrythunder.com

JULY 17-19, 24-26

“DARE TO DREAM, JR.:

A DISNEY MUSICAL REVUE”

Performed by the Lakeland Players Ltd. Youth Theater. 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Sprague Theater, 15 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn. Visit lakeland-players.org

JULY 17-19, 24-26

THE HAYLOFTERS PRESENT

“THE WIZARD OF OZ”

The stage version of the beloved film classic. Fridays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Malt House Theater, Burlington. For tickets, call (262) 763-9873 or visit thehaylofters.com.

The Big Foot Lions Club Lobster Boil & Steak Fry takes place on July 25.

JULY 18

WILLIAMS BAY FIRE

DEPARTMENT CHICKEN ROAST

Enjoy a chicken dinner and raise funds for the volunteer fire department. 12-7 p.m., Edgewater Park, Williams Bay.

JULY 18-19

FOR LIBERTY & UNION: A CIVIL WAR LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE

Enter a fully realized soldier camp as you experience how the Civil War left its mark on early Wisconsin. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; visit wisconsinhistory.org for tickets.

JULY 19

PICNIC IN THE PARK TRAIN

Family-friendly train excursion takes riders on a trip to Jim Byrnes Memorial Park for a picnic from Frank’s Lunchbox Food Cart, including lunch, ice cream and soda. $40 per person, advanced tickets required. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m., train leaves at 2 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; (262) 642-3263 or easttroyrr.org

JULY 19

LAKE GENEVA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE

4 p.m.; Phoenix Park Bandshell, Delavan. Call (262) 728-5095 or visitdelavanwi.com

JULY 22

15TH ANNUAL STEAK DINNER

Drive-thru, carry-out or dine-in at this fundraiser to support the Junior Beef Project. 4-7 p.m.; Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn. Visit walworthcountyfairgrounds.com/calendar.

JULY 25

BIG FOOT LIONS CLUB

LOBSTER BOIL & STEAK FRY

Enjoy fresh lobster and steak at this beloved annual festival featuring live music. Advance orders required to guarantee a lobster dinner. Reid Park, Fontana; visit bigfootlionsclub.org.

JULY 25

STARS & STRIPES DINNER TRAIN

Indulge in a four-course meal on a 2.5-hour train ride. Adults only; paid reservations required. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and train leaves at 5:30 p.m. $130 per person. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; 262-642-3263 or easttroyrr.org

AUG. 1

GENEVA LAKE WEST ROTARY CLUB CORN & BRAT FESTIVAL

Featuring live entertainment, corn and brat meals and a drive-thru option. Devil’s Lane Park, Walworth.

AUG. 1

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT TOWN OF DELAVAN FIRE DEPARTMENT

7 a.m. to noon with sweepstakes drawing at noon. 5698 Town Hall Rd., Delavan. Call (262) 728-3780 for more info.

AUG. 1

SHE SIPS & SAILS: A LADIES’ BREW ADVENTURE

A led-by-women, for-women afternoon cruising Geneva Lake while learning about the history of the beer barons that vacationed and lived along its shores. Beer tastings, snacks and a souvenir brewery memento included. 12:30-4 p.m. Price is $75 per person. Cruises leave from the Riviera docks, Lake Geneva. Call (262) 248-6206 for tickets.

AUG. 1

SURF ‘N TURF DINNER TRAIN

Indulge in a four-course, surf ‘n turf meal on a 2.5-hour train ride. Adults only; paid reservations required. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and train leaves at 5:30 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; $150 per person. Call (262) 642-3263 or easttroyrr.org

AUG. 4

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Explore and climb aboard Walworth County rescue vehicles, patrol cars, fire engines and water patrol craft. Live demos highlight K-9 units, Flight for Life and more. 4 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. Visit walworthcountryfairgrounds.com/calendar

AUG. 8

WINE AND CHEESE TRAIN

Enjoy a five-course wine tasting paired with cheese on this 2.5-hour train ride. Adults only; tickets are $115 per person and paid reservations required. Train leaves at 4 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; (262) 642-3263 or easttroyrr.org

AUG. 8-9

ART IN THE PARK

Juried fine art show featuring more than 80 artists, sponsored by the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva. Visit genevalakeartsfoundation. org/art-in-the-park

AUG. 15

SOUTHERN DELIGHT

DINNER TRAIN

Indulge in a four-course meal on a 2.5-hour train ride. Adults only; $145 per person. Paid reservations required. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and train leaves at 5:30 p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; 262-642-3263 or easttroyrr.org.

AUG. 18

ANNUAL PIG ROAST TO BENEFIT

WALWORTH COUNTY

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Enjoy a pig roast dinner while participating in an upscale raffle and drawing, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit organization. 4:30-8:30 p.m., Champs Sports Bar & Grill, 747 W. Main St., Lake Geneva. Tickets are $15; to purchase, call Betty Aguirre at (262) 248-3034.

AUG. 19-23

LAKE GENEVA JAYCEES

VENETIAN FESTIVAL

This five-day festival in downtown Lake Geneva features carnival rides, live music nightly, food vendors and a lighted boat parade and fireworks display on Sunday night. Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva; venetianfest.com

AUG. 21

OUTLAW FESTIVAL

Hear Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson and more. Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy; (262) 642-4400 or alpinevalleymusictheatre.org for tickets.

AUG. 22

RAILFAN DAY

Enjoy a fun and informative day at the East Troy Railroad Museum. A different train from the museum’s collection will run every hour. First ride departs at 10 a.m.; last train departs at 3 p.m. Also enjoy free popcorn, model railroad displays and more. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002

“We are thrilled to share our exceptional experience with Jerry Kroupa, an outstanding REALTOR®. Jerry’s expertise in the area is unparalleled, and his dedication to his clients is evident in every interaction. His comprehensive understanding of the market and strategic approach ensured a swift and successful sale. Jerry Kroupa has represented us for numerous listings and his consistent excellence and commitment to delivering outstanding results have made him our go-to REALTOR®. Thank you, Jerry, for your continued exceptional service. We look forward to working with you again in the future.”

Church St., East Troy; 262-642-3263 or easttroyrr.org

AUG, 22

TIM MCGRAW

The country music legend performs in the Midwest’s premier outdoor music venue. Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy; (262) 642-4400 or alpinevalleymusictheatre.org for tickets.

AUG. 28-30

MAXWELL STREET DAYS

Enjoy sidewalk sales and special instore shopping experiences during Lake Geneva’s annual Maxwell Street Days celebration. Throughout downtown Lake Geneva. Visit downtownlakegeneva.org/ events/maxwellstreetdays

AUG. 29

BEER TASTING TRAIN

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 autumn issue is July 17.

Indulge in a beer tasting led by an expert from Black Point Estate. Adults only; $125 per person, paid reservations required. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and train leaves at 5:30p.m. East Troy Railroad Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy; (262) 642-3263 or easttroyrr.org. Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera app to view more events in the Geneva Lake area.

At the Lake, Every Moment Finds You

At the lake, the day unfolds differently. Start with a quiet morning on the course. Shift into the rhythm of the water by midday. Take a moment to reset at the spa. End with dinner at 1878 on the Lake as the shoreline settles into evening.

Here, everything is connected by the lake, and every experience flows into the next. Whether you come for adventure, relaxation, or time together, you’ll find it all in one place. Because at Lake Lawn Resort, stories are made.

food & drink

All about cuisine

A Slice of Heaven

Area pizzerias are serving up delicious pies in a variety of styles to please all palates

BY SHELBY DEERING

LEITNER,

There’s one popular food item that started as a favorite among ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and continues to be a top pick today — pizza. Today, the options are more plentiful than ever and pizza can be found basically everywhere … but good pizza ? That’s something else entirely. Whether it’s the style, the quality of the toppings, a sauce’s secret recipe or that just-right crust, pizza connoisseurs know what tastes great.

That’s why we scoured the Lake Geneva area for all things pizza in an effort to find the best pies around. During these busy summer months, you’ll likely be looking to feed a lot of people and pizza can be a great way to please a crowd. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best local places to savor a pie.

NEXT DOOR PUB

Lake Geneva’s Next Door Pub has been an area mainstay since 1972. Originally founded by the Tomaso family, current owner and proprietor Chad Bittner says that he’s proud to be one of the longest-running restaurants in the Geneva Lake area that’s still serving guests today. “Many of Ma Tomaso’s original recipes are still at the heart of our menu,” he says.

In addition to its tried-and-true location on the outskirts of town (with a climate-controlled outdoor patio), the Next Door Pub has added an additional lakeside location on Lake Como. Both locations offer curbside carryout and delivery.

“Hot, cold, snow or rain, from ages 1 to 100, there’s never a bad time for pizza,” Bittner says. “It brings families and friends together like nothing else. Whether you love a traditional pizza, or you’re all about the gluten-free options, everyone has a pizza they swear by.” Diners can choose from traditional, gluten-free and cauliflower crusts or opt for a flatbread pizza.

PIZZA ON THE FARM

A popular weekly event during the summer season at Grassway Organics, Pizza on the Farm brings the local community together on Fridays from 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2-8 p.m. to enjoy wood-fired pizzas made with ingredients sourced no more than 15 miles from the dairy farm’s East Troy location.

Beloved by locals (it frequently wins Best of Walworth County awards), the Next Door Pub’s cheese-forward, Chicago tavernstyle, thin-crust pizza comes in every combination of toppings available. The most popular are the classic sausage and pepperoni and veggie options, but Bittner says that some additional fan favorites “push the boundaries,” and include their Cheeseburger Pizza and the North Shore Special, which is drizzled with olive oil and topped with fresh garlic, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese — with no pizza sauce for a twist.

Owners Chaz and Megan Self began the Pizza on the Farm nights several years ago and have continued to expand the experience, which now includes live music and local beers and wines in addition to pizza.

“We’re still a working farm first, and every pizza you enjoy helps sustain our cows, our land and our way of life,” they explain on their website.

UPPER CRUST PIZZERIA

Speaking of pizzerias with a strong nostalgia factor, Pell Lake’s Upper Crust Pizzeria has plenty of classic decor, including stained glass-style lamps hanging above the bar and vintage signs from the area. This longtime local favorite pizzeria pub is the real deal. Specializing in Sicilian-style pizza — a thick-crust pizza with a special blend of cheeses and spices — owner and operator Cole Mikrut shares that Upper Crust has even won the “Best Sicilian-Style Pizza in Wisconsin” award from the Washington Post.

“Our most popular pizzas are our Sicilian-style pizzas, hands down,” Mikrut says, explaining that there are 17 different “house ways” to make them. For those looking for tavern-style pizza, Upper Crust also offers thin crust-style pizza: “true Chicago tavern-style that has built our business for decades,” Mikrut explains.

Upper Crust Pizzeria originated in Chicago in the early 1960s, then moved up to Lake Geneva around 1970. “My father, Ron Mikrut, Sr., started when he was 12 years old in Chicago and has grinded his way since then to what we see today,” Mikrut explains. Today, Upper Crust offers dining, delivery and pickup.

Reflecting on the business, Mikrut says, “What separates our pizza from the rest is the pride we take — and I know a lot of restaurants say this, but we take pride in your experience, our ingredients and our recipes, and the consistency that we have built this business on.”

More Must-Try Pizza

Excellent pizza eateries abound in the area. Delavan has the Pepperoni Pub , the only official “Bears bar” in southeastern Wisconsin, which serves thin-crust classics and specialty pizzas.

JoJo’s Pizza & Pasta , found across from Delavan Lake, serves up classic and glutenfree pizza along with other styles like deep-dish and Chicago stuffed crust. Mama T’s Italian Eatery in Elkhorn offers made-from-scratch thin-crust and Chicago deepdish pizza along with other authentic Italian dishes.

For a carryout-only option, Elkhorn’s Larducci Pizzaria makes its award-winning pizzas with handmade dough. And Fontana’s Little Bar has exactly one food on the menu: hand-tossed tavernstyle pizza made from fresh, local ingredients.

OAKFIRE PIZZA

Located on the lakefront in downtown Lake Geneva, you can’t miss Oakfire Pizza and its stunning outdoor patio that’s a favorite during summer months. “Pizza is a food that can truly bring people together,” explains owner David Scotney, whose popular restaurant produces a whopping 1,000 Neapolitan-style pizzas per day during the busy summer months. Thanks to the restaurant’s wood-fired ovens, the pizzas achieve their smoky outer charred crust in just 90 seconds.

Scotney started Oakfire in 2014 and initially served New York-style pizza, but then moved to the now-signature Neapolitan-style. He says that he became obsessed with studying the art form of wood-firing the

Neapolitan pizza. Shortly after that, he purchased the waterfront location and built the modern, 8,000-squarefoot pizzeria. Scotney says that Oakfire has served almost 3 million people since opening, and offers both pick-up and delivery via DoorDash.

Scotney shares that some of the most popular pizzas are the Versace, a Margherita pizza with Italianimported buffalo mozzarella, and the all-time classic pepperoni, which is served with a honey drizzle.

“I think what makes our pizza special in the area is that we have introduced flavors into southern Wisconsin that they have never experienced before, even for people who travel from all over the world,” Scotney says.

LUIS’S PIZZA

There are some pizzerias that just have that bygone feel, like the pizza pubs you went to as a kid, and, with an old-school, light-up sign you can’t miss, Luis’s Pizza in Lake Geneva is one of them. Owner and namesake Luis Sierra says that pizza is “versatile, customizable and familiar, whether you like something simple or loaded with toppings.”

His pizzeria specializes in what Sierra calls “classic, crowd-pleasing pizzas” and says the Margherita and Meat Lovers pizzas are the standout favorites. “We focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors,” he explains. “Our Supreme and Garden pizzas are especially popular during the summer — they’re fresh, flavorful and perfect for the season.”

Luis’s Pizza is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and offers pickup, delivery through DoorDash and what Sierra describes as “a welcoming dinein experience in our dining room” (plus an outdoor patio). “We took over the restaurant when it was much smaller, and as demand grew, we expanded and remodeled to better serve our customers and create a more comfortable space for the community,” Sierra says.

Sierra is quite proud of his restaurant. “We use fresh ingredients, take pride in our recipes and focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere where people feel at home,” he says. “Being part of the community for 10 years means a lot to us and we put that care into every pizza we make.”

Frosé Fun

Cool down this summer with this trending drink

BY SHELBY DEERING | PHOTO BY HOLLY LEITNER

There are many ways to enjoy wine, from spritzers to specialized food pairings, but there’s a new wine cocktail on the block that’s here just in time for summer. Called frosé (pronounced Fro-ZAY), for frozen rosé, it uses that fresh, crisp-tasting pink wine made from red grapes. With a little extra chill, suddenly this summer-ready wine can become the cool-down beverage of your dreams.

Beth Tumas, owner of The Bottle Shop in Lake Geneva, calls frosé a “wine slushie” and explains that it’s a mix of wine, fruit and ice. Frosé first rose to popularity in New York City and has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right, especially due to its pretty pink hue that’s perfect for Instagram photos. “It’s a fun way to enjoy a beverage,” Tumas says. “Many people like the way it cools you down when it is hot out and it looks good when you are sitting poolside.”

Some bars and restaurants offer a version of frosé on their menus these days (it’s a drink special at the Geneva Stage during events), but for poolside enjoyment or sunset rides in the boat, it’s an easy option to make at home as well.

Tumas says that you’ll start with 2 cups of your favorite rosé wine (still or sparkling, or even white wine or Prosecco if you prefer), then add 1.5 cups of strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, peach or mango to one cup of ice. You’ll blend the ingredients until smooth, and Tumas says that you can even add a little sugar or other sweetener to suit your palate. Next, she recommends storing the concoction in a freezer for up to two days in a sealed container or serving it immediately, preferably in a “fun glass.”

There’s even a mocktail version of frosé if you want to skip the alcohol, but sip something delicious that will still cool you down. You can start with a non-alcoholic white wine (which Tumas carries at her shop), or you can substitute the wine for a sparkling grape juice or sparkling water. “It’s fun to experiment with different variations to find what you and your friends enjoy the most,” Tumas says. “Frosé is trendy — it’s a different way to enjoy the secondoldest beverage [in the world].”

Q&A

Happy Hour

Williams Bay’s Bill Gage, Jr. — president of Gage Marine, Lake Geneva Cruise Line and Pier 290 restaurant and bar — has added yet another accomplishment to his byline: founder of Happy Ending Premium Cocktails. Together with co-founder Eric Weber, Gage has taken a classic recipe from his past and created a ready-to-drink cocktail in three flavors that is available at more than 1,000 bars, restaurants and retailers in Wisconsin and

Tennessee (and hopefully more to come!). We sat down to chat with the duo about the success of their new venture.

ATL: Tell us the origin of Happy Ending Premium Cocktails.

EW: The brand is inspired by Lake Geneva and the lifestyle here. Bill has spent decades creating memorable experiences on the lake and our original flavor

Happy Ending Premium Cocktails founders Bill Gage, Jr. and Eric Weber explain why the perfect pour doesn’t have to happen at the bar

BY ANNE MORRISSY

is based on his signature cocktail that he developed in the early 1980s.

BG: Happy Ending was born out of a simple idea: Your quality time deserves a quality cocktail. We built Happy Ending around completely original recipes made with real ingredients and natural cane sugar, designed to deliver a more satisfying, full-flavored cocktail experience.

ATL: What led you to make the decision to enter the ready-to-drink cocktail market?

BG: I’ve always had an interest in the alcohol space and had explored different ideas over the years. At places like Pier 290 and out on the [Lake Geneva Cruise Line] boats, we’re constantly focused on creating great experiences. It started to feel like there was an opportunity to take the kind of cocktail experience we pride ourselves on here in

Lake Geneva and translate it to something people could bring with them, whether they’re on the water, at a golf course or just enjoying time with friends. Happy Ending became a natural extension of that thinking.

ATL: What makes Happy Ending different from other ready-to-drink cocktails on the market?

EW: We took a flavor-first approach from day one. A balanced, truly satisfying cocktail was our north star. Most brands in the category today are built around functional benefits like low calories, alcohol content or no carbonation, with flavor coming second. For us, that never made sense. [We felt it] should taste like a reward. We also made a conscious decision to build the brand around completely original recipes. We wanted to create something new that people couldn’t compare anything else to.

BG: From there, the path was simple. Start with better, real ingredients. Premium vodka, all-natural flavors and real cane sugar. Then we spent nine months dialing everything in so each cocktail is perfectly balanced.

ATL: Tell us more about the flavors. What can people expect when they try each one?

EW: Original is our all-around crowd pleaser. Bright grapefruit and citrus with a hint of bitters, it’s balanced, refreshing and works for just about any occasion. It’s also the recipe that started it all, originally created by Bill in the early 1980s, and it’s stood the test of time for a reason. Weekender is crisp, refreshing lemon and lime with a touch of mint. It’s the one people instantly associate with being out and about. It’s pure refreshment and made for those active, sunny moments. Sundowner is a little more mellow

and layered. Smooth citrus with a subtle blend of botanicals — think light, sparkling Old-Fashioned meets Aperol Spritz. It’s light, bright and just complex enough to feel like a true, golden-hour sip.

BG: Original is our numberone seller, but Weekender and Sundowner are both close behind. What’s been really interesting is that, after sampling tens of thousands of consumers over the past year, people don’t just talk about the flavors, they immediately picture where they’d drink each one.

ATL: Did you run into any challenges getting Happy Ending up and running?

EW: Surprisingly, the development and launch process itself went

very smoothly. We took about 15 months to build the brand and product the right way. With my background in the alcohol industry, we understood what it takes and we were focused on creating something with real quality and long-term staying power. As an independent, emerging brand, we’ve had to earn our way in [to the ready-to-drink cocktail market]. That means building steady, consistent sales and proving ourselves to gain placement on shelves and menus.

BG: One thing people don’t always realize is how much consumer demand matters at the local level. Simply asking your favorite bar or liquor store to carry a brand like Happy Ending can genuinely make a difference in what ends up on the shelf.

dining at the lake

Calamari from Tuscan Tavern & Grill in Lake Geneva

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

Lake Geneva; 262-203-5175 brandysoldfashioned.com

CHAMPS SPORTS BAR & GRILL

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

262-249-8867

EGG HARBOR CAFÉ

AMERICAN $ 827 Main St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1207 eggharborcafe.com/lake-geneva

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

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.

GENEVA TAPHOUSE

BEER TASTING $ 252 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-812-8099 genevataphouse.com

GOTHAM BAGELS

BAGEL SHOP $ -$$

300 Wrigley Dr., Unit B, Lake Geneva; 262-581-6349 gothambagels.com/wisconsinlakegeneva

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

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 lakecitysocialwi.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 BREWERY $

700 Veterans Pkwy., Unit 203, Lake Geneva; 262-999-4677 mashtunbrewing.com

MOOSE + MAPLE NORTHWOODS FAMILY

DINING

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

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

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

PSYCHEDELI

BAGELS AND PIZZA $$

272 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-233-9490 psychedelilg.com

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

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

CASUAL $

100 Broad St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-3835

SU WINGS

CHINESE $ -$$ 743 North St., Lake Geneva; 262-248-1178 suwingslg.com

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

ADRIAN’S FROZEN CUSTARD

ICE CREAM $ 572 Bridge St., Burlington; 262-763-8562

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

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

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

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

DARIEN

COUNTRYSIDE

CASUAL $

W9695 U.S. Hwy. 14, Darien; 262-882-3224

DARIEN ICE CREAM SHOPPE

ICE CREAM $

30 W. Beloit St., Darien; 262-882-5060

WEST WIND DINER

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-on-the-lake

ARANDAS MEXICAN GRILL

MEXICAN $

322 S. Seventh St., Delavan; 262-725-6518 arandasmexicangrill.com

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

AMERICAN $$$

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

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

GREENIE’S CLUBHOUSE

CASUAL $

Delbrook Golf Course, 700 S. Second St., Delavan; 262-728-1339 greeniesclubhouse.menu

INN BETWEEN

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 lakegenevacannery.com

THE LOOKOUT BAR & EATERY

CASUAL $

Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan; 262-728-7950

lakelawnresort.com/dining/ lookout-bar-eatery

WEST END LAKESIDE DINING

LOPEZ’S ANCHOR IN CASUAL $ 1325 Racine St., Delavan; 262-728-2391

LOS AGAVES RESTAURANT MEXICAN $

401 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-728-4039 losagavesdelavan.com

OL’ WISCO BAR & GRILL CASUAL $

328 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan; 262-725-6000 olwisco.com

OPUS AT THE BELFRY HOUSE FRENCH $$$$

3601 State Hwy. 67, Delavan; 262-394-3939 dineopus.com

PEPPERONI PUB

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 627 S. Second St., Delavan; 262-723-2222 pepperonipub.com

RIGA-TONY’S CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 5576 State Hwy. 50, Delavan; 262-740-2540 rigatonysdelavan.com

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

EAST TROY

2894 ON MAIN COFFEE/CASUAL $ -$$ 2894 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-9600 2894onmain.com

BARLEY’S HOPS & MALT CASUAL $ N8720 County Rd. N., East Troy; 262-642-7811

DOS AMIGOS 2 MEXICAN $ 2678 E. Main St., East Troy; 262-642-6446 dosamigos2llc.com

EAST TROY BREWERY BREWERY/CASUAL $ -$$ 2905 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-2670 etbrew.com

GENOA PIZZA CASUAL/ITALIAN $

2678 E. Main St., East Troy; 262-642-9775 genoapizzaeasttroy.com

GOLDEN DRAGON

ASIAN $

2763 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-5518 goldendragonchineseeasttroy.com

GUS’S DRIVE-IN

DINER $

3131 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-3679 gussdrivein.com

LD’S BBQ

BARBECUE $ -$$ 2511 Main St., East Troy; 414-610-7675 ldsbbq.com

PRINCESS CAFÉ

DINER $

2695 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-5905

SAUCED PIZZA $$

2886 Main St., East Troy; 262-642-1639 getsauced.pizza

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

CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 464 E. Geneva St., Elkhorn; 262-379-2022

HOLI CANNOLI

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

Ice Cream Sundae from Meggy Moo’s Dairy Ripple in Walworth

LARDUCCI PIZZERIA

ITALIAN $ -$$ 20 S. Washington St., Elkhorn; 262-723-6668 larducci.com

LAUDERDALE LANDING

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

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

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

BLUE HEAVEN

ICE CREAM $

105 W. Main St., Fontana; 970-219-8911 blueheavenicecream.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

CASUAL $

352 Lake St., Fontana; 262-275-3222 chuckslakeshoreinn.com

COFFEE MILL

COFFEE HOUSE $ 441 Mill St., Fontana; 262-275-0040 coffeemillfontana.com

GORDY’S BOAT HOUSE

CASUAL $ -$$

336 Lake Ave., Fontana; 262-275-6800

gordysboats.com/boat-houserestaurant-bar food & drink dining guide

food & drink dining guide

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

LAKE COMO

BEAN & VINE COFFEE BAR

COFFEE HOUSE $ -$$

The Ridge Hotel, W4240 State Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva; 262-249-3800 destinationgn.com/bean-vine

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

STEAKHOUSE/SUPPER CLUB $$ W3731 Club House Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-348-7344 kellyrestaurantlg.com

MARS RESORT

STEAKHOUSE/SUPPER CLUB $ -$$

W4098 S. Shore Drive (off State Hwy. 50 on Lake Como), Lake Geneva; 262-245-5689 mars-resort.com

NEXT DOOR PUB LAKESIDE

PIZZA $ W4118 Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva; 262-249-6311 nextdoorpublakeside.com

NICHE

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

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

FINN & LOUIE’S PIZZERIA

PIZZA $

203 Baldwin St., Sharon; 262-736-4000 finnlouiespizza.com

MYRT’S ICE CREAM SHOPPE

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 $

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

WHITEWATER

841 BREW HOUSE CASUAL $ -$$ 841 E. Milwaukee St., Whitewater; 262-473-8000 841brewhouse.com

CHINA HOUSE ASIAN $ 1128 W. Main St., Whitewater; 262-473-9788

GUS’ PIZZA PALACE ITALIAN $ -$$ 139 W. Main St., Whitewater; 262-473-3562 guspizzapalace.com

JESSICA’S FAMILY RESTAURANT DINER $ 140 W. Main St., Whitewater; 262-473-9890

ROSA’S PIZZA

ITALIAN $ 180 W. Main St., Whitewater; 262-472-9857 orderrosas.com

SECOND SALEM BREWING COMPANY CASUAL $ 111 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater; 262-473-2920 secondsalem.com

TOPPER’S PIZZA CASUAL/ITALIAN $ 325 W. Center St., Whitewater; 262-473-4343 toppers.com

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

LAKE GENEVA SPICE COMPANY

&

DIP IN THE BAY

ICE CREAM $ 105 N. Walworth Ave., Williams Bay; 262-607-3032 dipinthebay.com

FROSTY MOOSE

ICE CREAM $ 35 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay; 262-245-2445

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

@properties 4-5

Diane Krause 29

Jerry Kroupa 166

Brandie Malay Savalis 74

Stephanie Parent 32

The Abbey Resort 120

Abbey Springs 175

Adams Power 97

AEppelTreow Winery 182

A Mini-Storage 132

Angelus Home & Garden 107

Anne Frentzel Interiors 75

Baglio Design Build Team 37

Balsitis Contracting Inc. 89

Bank First 117

Berkshire Hathaway 40

Isabelle Carter 39

Kilkenny Group 41

Mark Larkin 39

Starboard Group 58

B&J Tree Landscape Service 118

Black Point Estate & Gardens 117

The Boat House of Lake Geneva 183

Brick & Mortar 119

Browning & Sons Jewelers 53

Browning & Sons Jewelers 79

Budget Blinds of Walworth County 87

The Candle Mercantile 14

Caravelle Lighting 14

The Cashmere Compass 107

Cedar Roofing Company 81

Centerpoint Roofing 39

Chillaxin’ Charters 94

Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn 182

Closets by Design 123

Coldwell Banker Dawn McKenna Group 22

Compass Mick Balestrieri 163

Shannon Blay 60

Tricia Forbeck 49

Janis Hartley 7

Linda Tonge 25

Cornerstone Shop & Gallery 102

Crandall’s Restaurant 184

Curate Design Group LLC 11

Delavan Business Association 165 The Design Coach 115 The Elegant Farmer 145 Elite Piers 159

Flat Iron Tap 171 Fontana Home 139

Foremost Electric 141

Four Seasons Flooring 133

Gage Marine 27

Geneva Cabinet Company 187

Geneva Lake Arts Foundation 153

Geneva Lake Conservancy 151

Geneva Lakefront Realty 31

Geneva Lake Museum 167

Geneva Lakes Carpet Cleaning 165 Gilbertson’s Stained Glass 94 Gordy’s Marine 180 Grand Geneva Resort 45 Haberdapper 57

Prairie Landscape

“Then there were long, lazy summer afternoons when there was nothing to do but read. And dream. And watch the town go by ...”

— Edna Ferber