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SUMMER’S SOUL

Delafield Does It All

Escape to Dinner on Nagawicka Lake The Secret to Great Tile? Fewer Choices Everything Lakeside at Delavan’s Lake Lawn The Hire That Saves Your Remodel

“Lakefront & Lakeside Living at Its Best” Quality, Smart Products & Services foryou Your Family, Entertainment! 1 Tell them saw itHome, in ... Smart Living LakeHealth, Country & August 2026

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In This Issue Right in Our Region..............................Cover & p. 26 The Soul of Lake Country Inspiration & Worship....................................16 Partnership with God Your Dining ......................................................23 The Commodore is a Delicious Escape On the Water .................................................. 25 Lake Lawn Resort’s Magic

Your Home .......................................................33 Interior Designers Make a Difference Your Outings ...................................................37 A Summer of Sound at Pheonix Park Bandshell Your Home........................................................41 Tile Shopping Made Simple Your Kitchen ...................................................45 Grill up Tender Pork Chops Your Fun...........................................................48 Events in and around Lake Country

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas Managing Editor Jim Taylor Deputy Editor Steven Bonifazi Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designers Olivia Costello, Brandi Fier Contributing Writers Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (262) 467-3228, Fax: (815) 316-2301 smartlivinglakecountry.com Smart Living. Copyright 2026 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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On Purpose

ome of my closest friends live hundreds of miles away, and we’ve stayed close anyway. That doesn’t happen on its own. Distance is patient. It waits for you to get busy, to let a text sit, to figure there’s always next month. The friendships that outlast it are the ones we keep choosing. Nothing good stays good by accident. You build it, then you keep building it. That’s the thread running through this issue: good things, made on purpose. Our cover story lands in Delafield, a town that looks effortless – trails, patios and a downtown straight out of a movie set. But none of it happened on its own. Back in 1988, a calendar maker named Bob Lang started buying up downtown buildings and rebuilding them to look like 18th-century Williamsburg, brick by colonial brick, until a small Wisconsin town gained one of the most charming main streets in the state. The charm feels effortless because someone spent decades making it that way. On Nagawicka Lake, Paul Bartolotta calls himself a custodian. He and his late brother, Joe, once walked away from the 1902 building that’s now The Commodore because fixing it looked like too much. Years later, Paul went back and spent more than two years restoring it anyway. You can taste that care in a Beef Wellington and feel it in a burger at the bar. Nancy Lehman, co-owner of Bella Tile & Stone in Delafield, gets there from the other direction. She helps overwhelmed customers to focus not on more tile but on better questions. She built a whole business on giving people less, on purpose, because less was what they needed. The things worth having are the things somebody chose to build and faithfully tended. Whatever that is for you this summer – a town worth the drive, a table worth the wait, a friend worth the miles – don’t leave it to chance. Go build it. I’ll be doing the same. Steven Bonifazi Deputy Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Lake Country

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Inspiration & Worship

Partnership with God

s humans, we’re all prone to hubris. It’s therefore good for us to remind one another that, without God, we’re nothing and can build nothing spiritually worthwhile. With God, however, we can do more than we know. Do we believe it? On the Day of Pentacost, believers were filled with holy spirit and witnessed miracles. This gave them courage. Peter, who not long before had denied Christ (Mark 14:72) and cowered behind locked doors in fear of Jewish leaders (John 20:19), spoke boldly (Acts 2): “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it … Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the holy spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” ... Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. God builds His church in partnership with us. Our job is to pray, study scripture, listen to His voice, love others and act on what we’re told. With God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) Without Him, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes). ❚

– Janine Pumilia

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Your Dining

Dinner is a Delicious Escape at The Commodore By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

inner doesn’t often feel like a getaway. At The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant, 1807 Nagawicka Road, in Hartland, that’s the point. Nestled on the shores of Nagawicka Lake, the premier fine-dining and event destination invites guests to slow down, linger on the terrace and forget they’re only minutes from home. It feels less like a traditional dinner reservation than a lakeside retreat, where a relaxed evening at the bar is just as fitting as a celebratory Beef Wellington dish on the lake. “I walk out there sometimes, look around and think I’m on vacation,” says co-founder and owner Paul Bartolotta. “It’s transporting.” That feeling didn’t happen by accident. The building opened in 1902 as the Pleasant View Hotel and Resort before operating as everything from a sanitarium and summer lodge to The Commodore’s Beef Wellington features a center-cut filet wrapped in puff pastry with mushroom duxelles, finished with black truffle sauce alongside roasted carrots. the iconic Seven Seas restaurant. When Bartolotta and his late brother, Joe, first toured the property years ago, arugula, tomato, Parmesan and lemon in tribute to Seven they fell in love with its location but decided restoring it Seas owner Jack Weissgerber, while Beverly’s Curried would be too large a project. Shrimp & Crab Bisque preserves a childhood recipe honoring It wasn’t until after Joe’s death that Bartolotta returned. Bartolotta’s mother. A meeting with developers who purchased the property Lighter fare includes Alaskan halibut with green garlic changed everything. purée, spring onions and sugar snap peas, while those Together, they embarked on a renovation that spanned celebrating can splurge on Lobster Thermidor – broiled with more than two years, restoring the historic property while Cognac, cream and mustard. The signature Beef Wellington preparing it for another century on the lake. is served with a center-cut filet wrapped in puff pastry with “We view ourselves as custodians of this property,” mushroom duxelles and black truffle sauce. Wisconsin Bartolotta says. remains close at hand through an artisanal cheese program That philosophy featuring selections from Uplands, Marieke Gouda, Carr carries into the kitchen. Valley and Roelli Cheese Haus. Known for Italian “We wanted this to have a point of difference,” Bartolotta and Mediterranean says. “We wanted it to be upscale, but redefined, a more cuisine throughout casual take on fine dining.” much of his career, The formula has resonated. Alongside a busy dining Bartolotta took a room, weddings, private events and a members-only social different approach club, Club 1902, have quickly turned The Commodore into with The Commodore. one of Lake Country’s busiest gathering places. Rather than recreating Ultimately, Bartolotta believes restaurants succeed not a traditional Wisconsin because of what’s on the plate, but because of how they make supper club, he people feel. borrowed familiar “We’re in the people business,” he says. “We’re here to flavors while elevating care for people. We just happen to do it in restaurants.” ❚ them with refined The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant is open Tuesday techniques and fresh, through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday seasonal ingredients. from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from A crisp Wiener 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. For reservations, call Paul Bartolotta Schnitzel arrives with (262) 563-8070 or visit thecommodoredelafield.com. Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Lake Country

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(The Bartolotta Restaurants photos)

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On the Water

Embrace the Magic of Lake Lawn Resort By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

prawling along the shores of Delavan Lake, Lake Lawn Resort, in Delavan, is a timeless destination where families, couples and friends come together to relax, play and make lifelong memories. With a legacy spanning almost 150 years, the resort blends lakeside charm, historic character and modern luxury all in one unforgettable setting. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, romantic weekend or wedding celebration, Lake Lawn Resort offers a variety of experiences. “The resort has held well over 10,000 people on our grounds on any given day,” says Brandon McConnell, chief commercial officer of Delavan Lake Lawn Management Themed cruises on the Lake Lawn Queen, like wine-and-dine or sunset rides, offer unique LLC. “The hotel itself has more than 270 ways to enjoy Delavan Lake. in a cozy yet upscale setting, complete with indoor and outguest rooms and suites, not to mention lake homes that are door seating. Other year-round dining favorites include The available to rent. Add in local renters for our watersports Lookout Bar & Eatery and Isle of Capri; plus, there are seaequipment, marina members, diners at one of our multiple sonal spots like The Clubhouse at Majestic Oaks and The Hut restaurants, golfers, plus guests for weddings and special Tiki Bar. events, and you can see how quickly our grounds become “The summer season is something special here,” McCothe top lakeside destination.” nnell says. “We say that everything is better at the lake and On peak summer days, it’s not unusual to see the grounds that proves to be so true. With people enjoying everything the buzzing with activity, from boaters and golfers to wedding resort has to offer from early morning lake walks to late-night guests and families dining on the patio. karaoke, it’s non-stop fun, which makes it impossible not to Newcomers find there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy enjoy wherever you may find yourself.” Delavan Lake while staying at Lake Lawn Resort. Guests Lake Lawn is also a sought-after wedding venue, with can rent motorized and non-motorized boats, explore the multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, some just shoreline on the Lake Lawn Queen tour boat, or take part in feet from the water. themed cruises like the wine-and-dine evenings, architectural “The pathway to forever begins here, and with the attours and sunset rides. tention to detail provided by our staff, not to mention the cuThe resort also features award-winning amenities like linary team’s excitement to show off as big as the couple’s the Calladora Spa, lakeside golf at Majestic Oaks and a wide imagination, you are guaranteed a wedding you will never range of recreational activities. forget,” McConnell adds. Dining is another highlight at Lake Lawn. Open yearThroughout the year, Lake Lawn Resort hosts seasonal round, 1878 On The Lake offers a seasonally inspired menu events ranging from specialty cruises and holiday celebrations to golf tournaments, live entertainment and familyfriendly festivals. Guests can find the latest event calendar on the resort’s website. “The Midwest has several cool destinations to get away and explore. What separates Lake Lawn from others is the ability to have everything you want to experience under one roof,” McConnell says. “Extensive local, state and national history? Check. Award-winning amenities? Check. Experiential culinary experiences? Check. A single place where everything is lakeside? Check.” Lake Lawn Resort is located at 2400 E. Geneva St. To Spanning 250 acres and 2 miles of scenic shoreline, Lake Lawn Resort offers plenty of space to unwind, explore and make lasting memories. book your stay, visit lakelawnresort.com. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Lake Country

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(Photos provided)

Right in Our Region

(Delafield Promotion and Tourism photos)

Summer at the Soul of Lake Country

From the 45-foot observation tower at Lapham Peak — the highest point in Waukesha County — the Kettle Moraine rolls out in every direction, with Nagawicka Lake glinting in the distance. It’s the kind of view that explains Delafield’s tagline, “It’s In Our Nature.”

By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

elafield asks you to choose almost nothing. On a summer morning, a hiker can climb miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail through the woods at Lapham Peak, then trade muddy boots for a shaded patio table downtown by lunch – without driving between the two. The afternoon can run from a kayak on Nagawicka Lake to a shop on Genesee Street and live music on a restaurant patio, all inside a few square miles. “I always think of Delafield as being the soul of Lake Country, because it really captures that experience the best,” says Jori Hartwig, executive director of Delafield Promotion and Tourism. “It has the blend of lake living, the historic charm and modern amenities. It does that better than anywhere else in this region.” That blend turns up everywhere once you start looking. A Colonial-styled downtown wraps around a 1907 fieldstone fish hatchery, now a community center. Cross-country skiers who train for marathons share the town with families pushing strollers. The town’s tagline reads “It’s In Our Nature,” and by summer it plays less like a slogan than a promise: whatever you came for, you don’t have to leave the rest behind to get it.

The same hill serves two very different crowds. Every winter, cross-country skiers drive up from Chicago and beyond to train for the Birkebeiner – the 50-kilometer marathon in Hayward, Wis., that draws thousands. Lapham Peak is the only Wisconsin state park that manufactures its own snow, guaranteeing a track when the weather won’t. Come summer, those same trails fill with people who couldn’t tell a Birkie wax from a candle: casual walkers, hikers and cyclists out for the views. “People bike, walk and scooter,” Hartwig says. “There are a lot of ways to be on the paths.”

Birkie Legs and Baby Strollers

When in Delafield, start where the town does its bragging: Lapham Peak. The state park crowns a landscape glaciers left behind, with a 45-foot observation tower at the highest point in Waukesha County, and views of Milwaukee’s skyline. 26

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At first glance, Delafield’s downtown evokes the small-town charm of a Hallmark movie. Linger a while, and the shops, patios and history reveal a Lake Country town that offers the best of both worlds.

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Right in Our Region That mix is by design. Delafield holds official Ice Age Trail Community status, reserved for towns that sit directly on the 1,200-mile route, and the trail’s Lapham Peak segment gives serious hikers 7.8 hilly miles to earn lunch. Lapham Lodge, a 5,000-square-foot space with a stone fireplace and a deck over the trails, opened in 2025. A few minutes away, the paved Lake Country Recreation Trail rolls flat and easy through downtown, smooth enough for strollers and kids on scooters. The trails hold a quieter register, too. Behind the fish hatchery, the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Riverwalk carries a boardwalk through cattails and marshland to Cushing Memorial Park, named for three No boat, no problem. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards from Clear Water Outdoor and be on Nagawicka Lake by sunset. Delafield brothers who fought for the Union in The Civil War. Lt. Alonzo Cushing was 22 when he was killed hard to find anywhere else in the region, Hartwig says. She at Gettysburg, holding his artillery line against Pickett’s lives in Oconomowoc and still drives in to eat. Charge. In 2014, 151 years later, President Barack Obama “During summer, you just want to be outside,” she adds. awarded him the Medal of Honor. The range holds the same trick as the trails. Belfrē Kitchen, 606 N. Genesee St., reopened this season under Regatta Hour on Nagawicka new management and sends live music onto Genesee Street Follow the water downhill and the pattern repeats. Nagawicka through dinner. Lake spreads 981 acres just past downtown, and by late Down the block, IL MITO Cafe, 515 Wells St., serves afternoon its sailing culture takes over as regattas cut across traditional Italian from Chef Michael Feker, who turns out the surface. Many of the boats belong to the Nagawicka Lake food Hartwig calls “outrageously good.” Zin – Uncommon Yacht Club, 1131 Mariner Dr., in Hartland, which has raced California Italian, 629 Main St., plates standout salads on one here since 1895. The 130-year-old institution runs more than of the best patios in town, and Voodoo Brewing Co., 705 N. 80 races a season from a welcoming clubhouse where the Genesee St., pours a broad lineup of craft beer on the corner. atmosphere stays informal. Downtown mixes eras as easily as it mixes price points. Visitors don’t need a boat, or a pedigree, to join in. Clear Bliss Boutique, 620 Milwaukee St., and Delafield Main Water Outdoor, 803 N. Genesee St., rents kayaks, canoes St. Boutique, 605 Main St., stock racks for an afternoon of and paddleboards from its shop. A mile down Highway 83 downtown shopping. Soul Fire Arts Studio, Ltd., 636 Main at Naga-Waukee County Park, 206 acres hold a swim area, St., turns date night productive with glass-art and pottery a shoreline boardwalk and campsites for anyone who wants classes. Hawks Inn Historical Society, 426 Wells St., is an to stay the night. Anglers work the lake for bass, northern 1846 stagecoach stop turned museum that keeps the town’s pike and walleye, stocking up first at Dick Smith’s Live Bait founding within walking distance of dinner. When the & Tackle, 2420 Milwaukee St., tucked into the lower level afternoon calls for a cone, Here’s the Scoop, 807 N. Genesee of the Smiley Barn off Interstate 94, one floor below where St., serves it downtown. Mullen’s Dairy Bar scoops ice cream. Bait and dessert. “What can’t you do, I guess, is the better question,” Summer After Dark Hartwig says. By 5:30 p.m. on concert nights, lawn chairs and blankets cover Liberty Park, where local bands play free shows A Town That Eats Outside through mid-August. Up at Lapham Peak, SummerStage of Downtown Delafield wears its history on its sleeve. Since Delafield performs in a natural amphitheater cut just off the Lang Homes launched a Colonial Williamsburg–styled hiking trails. Revere’s Wells Street Tavern, 505 Wells St., and renaissance in 1988, every rebuilt building on Genesee Street Belfrē fill the nights with live music of their own. has carried the year it was finished. More recently, Hendricks It all adds up to a place that never asks you to pick a lane. Commercial Properties extended that work, opening The That’s what people remember on the way out, Hartwig says. Delafield Hotel, 415 N. Genesee St., and revitalizing “It’s that blend of nature and just the number of things downtown storefronts. Threaded among the old facades is that you can do outdoors here,” she adds. “There’s live music some of the best dining in Lake Country. all over the place. It kind of has that feeling like there’s What visitors notice first in summer is the tables. Nearly always something during the summer.” ❚ every downtown restaurant sets out patio seating, a density To enjoy summer in Delafield, head to VisitDelafield.org. Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Lake Country

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Your Home & Garden

Interior Designers are Key for Any Remodel By Amanda Coakley, Bartelt. The Remodeling Resource

(David Bader photos)

hoosing products and materials for a remodeling project can quickly become overwhelming. Without a clear plan, the selection process can extend your timeline, exceed your budget or result in choices that don’t work well together. An interior designer helps simplify those decisions by guiding you through selections based on quality, function, budget and style, bringing your vision to life with confidence. At Bartelt Remodeling, in-house interior designers wear many hats – creative partner, project coordinator, trusted advisor and problem solver. Their goal is to guide clients through every step of the remodeling journey and make the experience as enjoyable as the finished space.

They Follow a Proven Process

A successful remodel doesn’t happen by chance. Rather, it follows a thoughtful, organized process. Interior designers use proven systems and visualization tools to help demonstrate how all of the elements in a project fit together before construction begins. By asking the right questions, a designer can uncover personal style, priorities and lifestyle needs. They’ll guide clients through each decision at the appropriate stage of the project, coordinating the many moving parts and ensuring important details aren’t overlooked. From the first design concepts to the final finishing touches, designers keep everything moving forward with purpose.

They Keep the Project on Time and on Budget

One of the biggest surprises for many homeowners is just how many decisions are involved in a remodel. Lighting, cabinetry, paint colors, flooring, tile, countertops, hardware, plumbing fixtures – the list goes on. An interior designer helps narrow the options, making the selection process more manageable while ensuring every choice works together as part of a cohesive design. They also keep selections aligned with a project’s budget, reducing costly mistakes and unnecessary changes. Just as notable: Designers can uncover possibilities homeowners might never consider. a designer helps keep

An interior designer helps turn a wish list of finishes into a space that feels cohesive from the start.

the decision-making process on schedule. Timely selections help prevent delays and keep a remodeling project on track.

They Bring a Fresh Perspective

It’s easy to become accustomed to the way your home looks and functions. An experienced interior designer brings a fresh set of eyes and can see possibilities you may never have considered. Whether it’s reimagining a layout, introducing new materials or finding creative design solutions, a designer helps unlock a home’s full potential. Because continuing education and industry knowledge are essential parts of their profession, designers are also familiar with the latest products, materials, technologies and trends that can elevate any project.

They Balance Inspiration with Practicality

It’s natural to dream big when planning your home. A great interior designer helps turn those dreams into a realistic plan by balancing inspiration with practicality. They’ll help you understand design opportunities and limitations, prioritize where to invest your budget and determine where it’s worth making a statement versus keeping things simple. In many ways, a designer helps “edit” ideas so the finished space feels intentional, functional and uniquely yours. The result is a home that’s not only beautiful but also designed to fit the way you live. Whether you’re remodeling a single room or transforming your entire home, partnering with an experienced interior designer helps create a smoother process, smarter decisions and a space you’ll love for years to come. ❚ To speak with an interior designer, call (262) 646-8020 or visit barteltremodel.com.

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Your Outings

(Photos provided)

Phoenix Park Bandshell’s Summer Soundtrack

The Phoenix Park Bandshell in Delavan hosts a packed schedule of entertainment this summer, from spiritual music and cover bands to movies in the park. All of it comes free of charge.

By Peggy Werner

n its 20th year, the Phoenix Park Bandshell in Delavan has seen tremendous growth, making it an award-winning destination for music and fun, according to Alan Buchholz, vice president and treasurer of Friends of the Phoenix Park Bandshell, the all-volunteer organization that supports the music venue. “Music heals the soul and has a positive influence on community spirit,” he says, adding that through the years, the bandshell’s success has “exceeded all expectations.” Through mid-September, Thursday evenings feature spiritual “Praise in the Park” music. Saturday evenings con-

The Phoenix Park Bandshell has been the sight of free music in the park for two decades thanks to Friends of the Phoenix Park Bandshell.

sist of classical, jazz, pop/rock and tribute bands. All shows begin at 7 p.m. “Our primary purpose is the musical entertainment because we have found that draws the most people,” Buchholz says. “Most Saturday shows draw thousands of people. It’s a big block party that involves the entire community and brings in others from as far as 50 miles away.” This year’s Saturday schedule features a variety of tribute bands through mid-September, honoring the music of Chicago, Led Zeppelin, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan and Pink Floyd. Other performers include Ladies Must Swing and a Rock & Roll Variety Show. Most shows open with a local vocalist singing the National Anthem. Some shows come with a special light show, including Think Floyd’s Pink Floyd tribute on Sept. 19. On Aug. 2, the second annual Rock & Ride Car Show rolls in from 1 to 4 p.m., paired with Tallan, a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute act. Movies in the Park continues through summer with “Lilo & Stitch” on Aug. 7 at 8:45 p.m. New this year is a larger concession area for more efficient, faster service. “We believe free, quality music promotes a degree of culture otherwise not easily attained,” Buchholz says. ❚ Visit phoenixparkbandshell.com to see a full schedule, to volunteer, and make suggestions for entertainment.

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Your Home & Garden

Choose Tile without Feeling Overwhelmed By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

hoosing tile sounds simple until you’re standing in front of hundreds of samples. Between colors, materials, layouts and finishes, the biggest challenge is knowing where and how to begin. Nancy Lehman, co-owner of Bella Tile & Stone, in Delafield, says the answer isn’t to look at more tile. It’s to ask better questions. Lehman’s team starts by getting to know the homeowners and the project – building the kind of one-onone connection she says makes clients comfortable trusting Bella’s guidance. What is the style of the home? Do they have a budget in mind? Are there colors they know they don’t want? The answers help narrow dozens of possibilities into just a few that fit the home and the homeowner. “Options are good,” Lehman says. “Too many options aren’t.”

That process often surprises homeowners. They arrive with inspiration, only to discover they aren’t drawn to the materials they thought they actually wanted. Lehman and her team walk clients through the real differences between porcelain, ceramic and natural stone, Since tile comes in dozens of varieties, a few smart questions including how each one wears narrow the choices, says Nancy Lehman of Bella Tile & Stone. over time. Ultimately, Lehman encourages The details matter, too. One of the homeowners to design for themselves most overlooked decisions is how a tile rather than an unknown future buyer. is finished. A pencil trim or bull nose “If you’re living in the house for creates a clean, finished edge, while the next 10 years, do what makes you decorative trim can frame an entire wall happy,” she says. “You’re going to live for a custom look without dramatically in it.” ❚ increasing the budget, Lehman says. Bella Tile & Stone is located “We are not about the sale here,” at 609 Milwaukee St., in Delafield. Lehman says. “If you have a happy To speak with an experienced team customer, they are going to go tell member, call (262) 303-9032 or visit another customer.” bellatiledelafield.com.

(Photo provided)

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Children’s clothing boutique located in downtown Oconomowoc with heirloom pieces shopfrayboutique.com

152 Wisconsin Avenue Oconomowoc, WI

262-269-5884

Womens clothing boutique located in downtown Oconomowoc with unique finds and one of a kind pieces! shopfrayboutique.com

132 E Wisconsin Avenue Oconomowoc, WI

262-269-5884

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Your Kitchen

Supercharge Summer with Tender Pork Chops

f you’re planning on firing up the grill for an upcoming summer gathering, you might be trying to brainstorm options beyond the traditional burgers and dogs. Luckily, there are many recipes that let you keep things interesting without becoming too tricky or complicated. These Super Moist Boneless Pork Chops might just make you the favorite grill master in the neighborhood. Salt, sugar and aromatic ingredients like juniper berries and bay leaves give the meat a rich, complex flavor, and the combination of brining and grilling helps you achieve a tender but juicy finished product. Since the recipe features Coleman Boneless Pork Chops, which deliver exceptional flavor from pork raised with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones, it’s easy to elevate your cookout with high-quality protein that you can feel good about serving to family and friends. Make it an extra memorable occasion with family-favorite sides like grilled asparagus, a light summer salad, diced potatoes and dinner rolls. Then, round out your flavor-infused evening with an all-American tradition such as apple pie. If your grilling plans get rain-checked, you can easily sear the pork chops in a skillet or bake them in the oven to take the party indoors. Find more summer recipe ideas by visiting ColemanNatural.com. Super Moist Boneless Pork Chops Prep time: 7 hours Cook time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 1 quart water 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup kosher salt 1 bay leaf

(Feature Impact photo)

12 juniper berries 6 cups ice 4 Coleman Boneless or Bone-In Pork Chops (1.5 in. thick) 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground 1 teaspoon sea salt 2 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish In large pot, heat water, brown sugar, kosher salt, bay leaf and juniper berries over high heat until sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from stove and add ice. Liquid should be cool to touch. Add pork chops to liquid, cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours, or overnight. Approximately 10-15 minutes before grilling, heat grill to medium heat, remove chops from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Season with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt. Grill until desired doneness, or until internal temperature reaches at least 145 F for medium finish. Garnish with scallions. Serve with side dishes of choice. ❚ (Source: Feature Impact)

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Your Fun

Entertainment & Events

Pewaukee Lake Waterski Show Through Sept. 7, Thurs. 6:45-8 p.m. A Lake Country tradition since 1984, the Pewaukee Gators perform high-flying pyramids, barefooting and ballet lines. Arrive 30 minutes early to watch the junior Gators preshow. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Lakefront Park, 222 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee, (262) 972-1754, plwsc.org. Concerts in the Park Through Sept. 19, most shows at 7 p.m. Listen to free live music ranging from the 250th “Salute to America” patriotic series to high-energy tributes like Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac. On-site concessions and beer sales support the entertainment; no carry-in alcohol permitted. Phoenix Park Bandshell, 111 E. Wisconsin St., Delavan, phoenixparkbandshell.com. Nixon Park Concert Series Through Sept. 24, Thurs. 6-9 p.m. Enjoy a night of summer music and fun including a beer garden for adults and a splash pad and playground for kids. Openers start at 6 p.m. Nixon Park Fine Arts Center, 175 E. Park Ave., Hartland, (262) 367-2430, villageofhartland.wi.gov. Rock the Dock: Bands at the Beach July 31, Aug. 7 & 21, 7:30-10 p.m. This free Friday-night series wraps its summer run with live music on the Lac La Belle shoreline. Seating is open on the grass, sand or bandshell bleachers, so pack a blanket or lawn chair; Buddy’s Beach Bungalow serves food and cold drinks, and carry-ins are welcome. City Beach Park, 324 W. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, (262) 569-3230, visitoconomowoc.com.

Oconomowoc kid’s Fest Aug. 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring the kids for a day of free family-fun including bounce houses, games, giveaways, pontoon rides and more. Fowler Park, 500 Oakwood Ave., Oconomowoc, (262) 569-3230, visitoconomowoc.com. Cars, Croissants and Coffee Aug. 9, 9 a.m.-noon. Walk the downtown streets of Delafield and witness hundreds of cars you’ve never seen before. While downtown, shop, dine and save 10% off at participating businesses. Each business gives back to Wisconsin’s Make-A-Wish Foundation. Delafield Municipal Parking Lot, (262) 3703861, delafieldchamber.com. Glacier Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Head to Pewaukee to cast your eyes on a large display of classic wooden boats, vintage vehicles, 1900s big wheel bikes and model R/C boats at Lakefront Park. Live music, food and a closing ceremony honoring veterans with a flyby. Free admission. Lakefront Park, 222 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee, (262) 542-0330, glacbs.org. Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts Aug. 15-16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. One of the Midwest’s premier outdoor fine-arts festivals, this juried show fills the Fowler Lake shoreline with more than 110 artists from across the country, plus live music, a silent auction, a children’s art area and food vendors. Festival also includes a silent art auction, interactive children’s area and more. Free shuttles run from

Smart Living Lake Country

July/August 2026

area lots. Fowler Park, 500 Oakwood Ave., Oconomowoc, oconomowocarts.org. Fall Festival of the Arts Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Browse original work from juried artists across painting, photography, sculpture, jewelery and more, alongside live music, food and hands-on family activities in downtown Menomonee Falls. Village Park, N88 W16621 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls, menomoneefallsdowntown.com. DandiLion Daze Aug. 28-30, times vary. Southeastern Wisconsin’s largest free-admission festival returns to Muskego with carnival rides, a diverse food court, live music from area bands and a Sunday parade stepping off at 11 a.m. Free admission; rides extra. Muskego Veterans Memorial Park, W182 S8200 Racine Ave., Muskego, dandiliondaze.com. Delafield Lions Classic, Street Rod and Tuner Car Show Sept. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Historic downtown Delafield fills with classic cars, hot rods, tuners and motorcycles for the Lions Club’s annual show. Enjoy a raffle, food trucks, beverages and music by Ring Tunes DJ. Free for spectators; proceeds benefit Delafield Lions Charities. Main and Genesse Streets, Delafield, (262) 367-1982, delafieldlions.org. Delafield Wine Walk & Brew Fest Sept. 12, 4-7 p.m. Stroll historic downtown Delafield sampling wine and craft beer at 20 participating shops and restaurants, plus snack stops along the way and a keepsake glass. Downtown Delafield, delafieldchamber.com. ❚

To advertise call 262-467-3228

Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Lake Country

August 2026

Smart Living Lake Country

August 2026

To advertise call 262-467-3228

Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Lake Country

August 2026

Smart Living Lake Country

August 2026

To advertise call 262-467-3228