Smart Living Lake Country - June/July 2026

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Better Together

I’ve been told I wear my heart on my sleeve so much that I’ve stopped arguing the point. If that’s a flaw, Lake Country has the same one – especially this time of year, when communities comes outside at once.

You see it everywhere. Families spread blankets for concerts at City Beach while neighbors linger a little too long over fresh sourdough at the market. Two hundred and fifty years in, our nation’s favorite way to celebrate still hasn’t changed: together.

Our cover story looks at Oconomowoc, a town that practically specializes in summer. The city has a habit of protecting the public spaces that pull people out of their houses. Take John & Lavinia Rockwell Park – a prime piece of lakefront that could have become private condos, until the community rallied to make it public ground instead. Now, it’s a gathering spot for swing benches, clear lake views and people in no hurry to go home.

On Okauchee Lake, that same heart has pulsated for nearly six decades at Weissgerber’s Golden Mast Inn. Third-generation owner Lisa Marks isn’t chasing food trends; she’s betting on consistency. Built from salvaged pieces of local history, it’s a Bavarian landmark where generations return for birthdays, anniversaries and a true Wisconsin all-you-can-eat fish fry.

Community isn’t just built in historic dining rooms or city halls. Sometimes it’s built waist-deep in a lake with a brat in one hand and a conversation in the other. That’s the idea Gordy’s of Lake Country, in Delafield, is bringing to Nagawicka Lake this July with their Sandbar Raft-Up – a free day open to anyone with a boat, a neighborly attitude or the desire to find a new surf crew.

Different stories, same heartbeat. People showing up, stepping outside and making their communities better just by being in it together.

Grab a lawn chair or drop an anchor. I’ll see you out there.

Steven Bonifazi Deputy Editor

‘Created Equal’

Although our form of government is far from perfect, it remains a great blessing to us and inspires people around the world who long to live in a free society. In honor of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, we reprint here the first portion of the Declaration of Independence penned by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 56 men on July 4, 1776.

Whenin the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. –Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world ... ❚

Gather at Nagawicka’s Sandbar with Gordy’s

By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

Takeany hot summer day, and the sandbars on Nagawicka Lake quickly become a gathering place. Boats nose into the shallows and drop anchor as swimmers and sunbathers wade out to stand knee-deep, where a breeze keeps things cool. Gordy’s of Lake Country, in Delafield, wants more people out there with them.

“The more we can get people out on the water and excited about boating, the better,” says Dylan Allamian, sales lead. “It’s something I’m passionate about.”

That passion drives the dealership’s busy event calendar. Their next event, the Nagawicka Sandbar Raft-Up, set for Sunday, July 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., gathers boaters at one of the lake’s sandbars for an afternoon on the water. The crew grills brats, hot dogs and burgers right in the shallows, with drinks, lawn games and giveaways through the afternoon.

Gordy’s Raft-Up is a customer-appreciation day at heart, but it’s also a chance to see the newest and latest boats on the water. Gordy’s opens the event to anyone – current customers, newcomers and neighbors simply looking to spend a sunny summer afternoon out on the lake.

“It’s a great way to meet your neighbors or find someone to add to your surf crew,” Allamian says.

The sandbar itself is part of the draw. Nagawicka holds two of them, one east and one west, each sitting in 2 feet

of water over a sandy bottom with no muck or weeds. The crowd settles at whichever bar the wind favors that day, and there’s nowhere better to be when the late-July heat sets in, Allamian says. Boaters unfamiliar with the lake can call ahead for help navigating it.

Beyond the raft-up, Gordy’s hosts Foil Fridays on Nagawicka. These events are designed to introduce boaters to wake foiling, a water sport where a board with a wing-shaped fin beneath the surface lifts the rider above the water as the boat pulls. Gordy’s partners with MKE eFoil, bringing batterypowered versions that riders pilot across the lake without a boat at all. The sport works behind almost any vessel, not just the high-end surf boats on the showroom floor. Another Foil Friday is in the works for this fall.

All of Gordy’s events tie back to the same idea. The company built its name in Fontana-on-Geneva-Lake by becoming the dealership locals think of when they want to get on the water, not just buy a boat. Allamian says the Lake Country events aim to build that same sense of community closer to home.

“We want to be the guys you think of when you want to go hang out on the water,” he says. “Not necessarily the guys who sell the most boats.” ❚

Gordy’s of Lake Country is located at 1766 Milwaukee St., in Delafield. To RSVP for an upcoming event, call (262) 354-0522 or visit gordysboats.com.

A Culture of Consistency at Golden Mast Inn

By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

Plenty of restaurants survive by chasing what’s next.

Weissgerber’s Golden Mast Inn, W349 N5293 Lacy’s Lane, in Okauchee, has thrived for nearly six decades by knowing exactly what it is.

Perched conveniently on the shore of Okauchee Lake, the Bavarian supper club has been a Waukesha County landmark since 1967. It’s the kind of place where families return for anniversaries, birthdays and Friday fish fries, now across three generations of diners and owners.

Lisa Marks, who took ownership two years ago, is the granddaughter of founders Hans Weissgerber Sr. and his wife, Maria, German immigrants who opened the restaurant on the old Lacy’s Resort property. Today, Marks proudly carries forward the iconic family business alongside her husband, Tom, and her sons Julius and Augie.

Marks’s father, Hans Jr., grew the Golden Mast Inn in stages – a fireplace room, a beer garden, a sunroom, the European courtyard and fountain, lakeside banquet halls and a gazebo that now host weddings and large events for up to 250 guests.

Much of the building is salvaged history. Hans Jr. collected travertine from Milwaukee’s old Performing Arts Center, plus stone arches and stained glass from the Parker Mansion on Oconomowoc Lake and the Redemptorist Seminary on Lac La Belle, and built it all into the structure.

“I don’t even know what kind of architecture you’d call it,” Marks says. “This is the Hans creation.”

If the building holds the history, the staff keeps it consistent. The Golden Mast’s longest-tenured employee has been there five decades; a dozen more have passed 15 years. That longevity, Marks says, is what lets the kitchen and dining room feel the same year after year.

Maria did: a traditional European approach built on stocks, marinades and patient seasoning. German classics anchor the menu, from a roasted half duck with crackling skin and spaetzle to a sauerbraten, select beef marinated and served in Mr. Weissgerber’s flavored gravy with red cabbage.

But the menu has broadened with the lake crowd. A baked 6-ounce salmon fillet arrives under a bourbon-maple glaze with crisp spinach and a double-baked sweet potato, one of four to five seafood dishes that rotate regularly. A casual small-plates menu draws boaters off the water, with items like an ahi tuna tower of rare, sesame-tossed tuna with cucumber, tomato and seaweed under avocado, ginger and a wasabi cream with real kick.

“We learn their names, what they want to drink and where they like to sit, and it becomes like family,” Marks adds. “That’s the culture, and that’s why we can consistently keep things as good as they are.”

At its core, the kitchen still cooks the way Hans and

The Friday fish fry, meanwhile, hasn’t budged in decades. The all-you-can-eat fried and steamed cod in a light breading comes with potato pancakes, coleslaw and rye.

“There are few places left that still do a true Wisconsin all-you-can-eat fish fry,” Marks says.

That permanence feels especially rare on the water. Okauchee Lake once had some 40 bars and restaurants. Today, there are eight to 10.

For Marks, it’s about continuing the legacy, through the culture of consistency, unique improvements, and that family feeling with staff and guests.

“It is with great pride and gratitude that my family and I can welcome you to the Golden Mast,” she says. “We look forward to serving you for hopefully many more generations. Prost!” ❚

Weissgerber’s Golden Mast Inn is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday from 4:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For reservations, call (262) 567-7047 or visit thegoldenmast.com.

Savor Summer Together in Oconomowoc

By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

Oconomowoc is a city that doesn’t sleep in, especially during summer.

By 8 a.m. on a sunny Saturday, vendor tents line the Bank Five Nine campus lot at 155 W. Wisconsin Ave., fresh bread and kettle corn perfume the morning air, and the Fowler Lake boardwalk fills with coffee cups, strollers and lawn chairs.

“We’re a morning town, so if you’re hanging out down here, you’re going to see folks out at the farmers market,” says Paige Brunclik, marketing and communications specialist for the City of Oconomowoc and Visit Oconomowoc. “They’re going to cruise downtown, grab their coffees or breakfast, and they’re going to hang out around the boardwalk.”

Spending time in Oconomowoc isn’t difficult when everything is so close. Downtown sits on a narrow strip of land situated between Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle, so the farmers market, the beach, quaint shops and large patios are all a few minutes apart. By mid-morning the 2-mile Fowler Loop carries the same easy traffic: strollers, scooters, dogs and neighbors who stop mid-sentence to finish a thought.

The appeal is simple. In Oconomowoc, summer is a season where the whole town – even visitors – come together outside, and that’s no coincidence.

Bread Lines and Pint-Size CEOs

Most summer days here start at the Oconomowoc Summer Farmers Market, a Saturday tradition since 1980. Run by the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, it’s open 8 a.m. to noon, May through October.

This is a true producer-only market: every vendor grows, sews, makes or bakes what they sell, all within 100 miles, and each is carefully vetted by the Chamber.

“It has to be something people are producing from their own being,” says Sara Ninmann, director of community events for the Chamber. “It’s not a third-party vendor.”

Those standards still leave room for personality. Several

vendors offer fresh honey, eggs, meats and even Tietz’s popcorn, while farm-grown produce includes everything from rhubarb and cucumbers to lettuce, tomatoes and plenty of flowers. Georgia peaches are the sole exception.

Early in the season, shoppers stock up on plants, seedlings, soaps and canned goods. By mid-summer, more than 60 vendors pack the lot alongside food trucks serving everything from tamales to waffles on a stick.

“We whisper in the beginning into May, and we’re very loud and crazy in June, July and August,” Ninmann says.

Twice a season, the market welcomes the Children’s Entrepreneur Market – Aug. 15 and Sept. 19 this year – with roughly 50 vendors ages 5 to 17. The kids take it seriously, handling their own pricing, branding, booth design, and even state and county food rules.

“I love when the kids put in their effort and they get to see their end results,” Ninmann says. “From making and branding something to the organization of their booth setup, and then obviously selling to the end customer.”

When the city’s triathlon takes over the market site in late July, the market moves to the Village Green, 104 E. Wisconsin Ave., for its once-a-year Friday Night Market. This year’s market is set for July 24 from 4 to 8 p.m., with live music and an evening glow all its own.

Two Lakes, No Trailer Required

After people get their fill at the market, their attention turns to the water. You need not own a boat to enjoy it.

At City Beach on Lac La Belle, getting on the lake is as easy as walking up to the lifeguard stand and renting a kayak or canoe on the spot.

“They carry it out to the water for you, they get you set up, and you can go out for an hour,” Brunclik says. “Honestly, that’s just enough to explore and be on the water.”

Swimmers get a buoyed, shallow swim area with platforms and free parking across the street. The water warms as the season goes on, though locals rarely wait.

For longer excursions, local outfitter Sherper’s, 225 E. Wisconsin Ave., rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboards by the day for runs up the river. Families with energy to spare head for Roosevelt Park, home to a free splash pad, an all-accessible Imagination Station playground and what Brunclik calls one of the best skate parks in the state. A new dog park is slated to arrive later this summer.

cream from Mullen’s Dairy Bar, 120 E. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. B, on the boardwalk, and a bench by the water.

The Free Soundtrack

Some of the best summer evenings cost nothing at all. On select Fridays from June through August, Bands at the Beach brings cover bands to City Beach, where the crowd spreads blankets and lawn chairs, packs picnics or hits the concessions and sings along until the sun drops. Wednesday evenings belong to the American Legion Band, founded in 1924 and still playing more than a century later, at the Rhodee Memorial Bandshell on Lac La Belle.

For a quieter register, Twilight Concerts at Fowler Park trade cover bands for something closer to jazz in the park, with cheese boards, wine, and a sit-and-listen crowd.

There’s a ballpark in the mix, too. The Lake Country DockHounds – the city’s pro team, named for the dogs that lounge on the lake’s docks – play all summer to kid-friendly crowds. The mascot, a hound named Louie B. Sluggin, wears No. 5: one for each O in Oconomowoc.

When the paddling’s done, the reward is a few steps away: hand-scooped ice

This is a city that takes pride in its public gathering spaces. During last year’s Independence Day celebration –also the city’s 150th anniversary – Oconomowoc opened John & Lavinia Rockwell Park, 517 N. Lake Road, on the isthmus between its two lakes. The lakeshore parcel was about to become private condos, until a fundraising campaign saved it and made it public ground. Today, the park offers swing benches over the water and a clear view of the spillway running from one lake to the next. Downtown, storefronts are bustling with activity.

That’s the thing visitors feel before they can name it: a town that built itself places to gather, then spends all summer filling them. By dusk, the Fowler boardwalk fills with families on benches, one cone in hand, in no hurry to leave.

“Hands down,” Brunclik says, “folks love to be together outside here in summer.” ❚

To start planning your summer in Oconomowoc, head to VisitOcon.com.

Choose the Right Floor for Every Room

By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

Few home projects feel as permanent, or as easy to get wrong, as new flooring. Walk into a showroom and the choices pile up fast: carpet, hardwood, laminate and luxury vinyl. Put the wrong surface in a room, or overpay for the right one, and you’ll notice it every day.

The decision has only gotten harder as tastes have shifted. Two decades ago, a typical home ran roughly 80 percent carpet and 20 percent hard surface. That ratio has flipped, with luxury vinyl plank, hardwood and laminate spreading across living rooms, kitchens and hallways. So, how do you decide what belongs where, without overpaying?

Few people have answered that question more often than Emery Vamos, president of Carpetland. He started in flooring at 16, working nights while still in high school. Four decades later, he leads an employee-owned company with locations across southeastern Wisconsin and more flooring volume than any dealer in southeastern Wisconsin.

That size sometimes surprises people. Carpetland looks like a chain from the outside. It isn’t. The company is employee-owned, which means the people helping you choose your floor and standing behind the work own a piece of the business. Some of them live in your neighborhood.

“We buy like a big company, but we think like neighbors,” Vamos says. “Because we are.”

That buying power matters when the conversation turns to cost. Carpetland buys by the truckload, which keeps prices below what a smaller dealer can offer.

“You go to the local dealer, they order 300 feet,” Vamos says. “We’ve ordered 6,000; you just happen to be 300 of it. And we bought it at a truckload price.”

As the area’s largest stocking dealer, Carpetland has more of what you want in stock, ready to install.

On the product side, Vamos steers most buyers toward hard surfaces for the busy parts of a home –kitchens, hallways, living rooms – and most often to luxury vinyl plank.

It’s waterproof, durable and forgiving enough for whatever a household throws at it, with a wood-like appearance that holds up over time. He steers shoppers toward fully waterproof construction over entry-level plank, and toward names like COREtec. Carpetland sells more of it than any dealer in southeastern Wisconsin.

Carpet still wins in the right rooms.

“In Wisconsin, carpet has its place,” Vamos says. “It’s warmer, softer, and we do have some not-nice winters.” Bedrooms and stairways are where it holds on – rooms where comfort matters more than durability.

Carpetland’s work extends well beyond the retail showroom. The company is a preferred supplier for new home builders across the region, works alongside remodelers on renovation projects of every scale, and handles insurance restoration work when water, fire or other damage puts a home’s floors at risk. Commercial projects – offices, retail spaces, multifamily buildings – round out a business that runs well past what most people picture when they walk through the front door.

Done right, a floor disappears into the house, underfoot every day, barely a thought for years. When something eventually needs attention, the people who put it in are still around. That’s not a corporate policy. That’s a neighbor taking care of their work.

“We’ll get a call to re-stretch a carpet we put in back in 2006,” Vamos says. “We’re out there in two days.” ❚

Carpetland is located at 2030 Silvernail Road, in Pewaukee. To get started on your next project, call (262) 522-1010 or visit carpetlandusaflooringcenter.com.

Make a Run for Whitewater this Summer

By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in art, explore the great outdoors or simply unplug from the rush of everyday life, Whitewater, Wis., offers an ideal setting to fully embrace the excitement and beauty of the season.

The outdoor Whitewater City Market runs through October, every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. This yearround staple moves from inside the Cravath Lakefront Park Community Center to the parking lot each summer, where visitors can enjoy fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted items while listening to live music. Food trucks and local vendors add to the lively atmosphere.

Art lovers can explore rotating exhibits at the Whitewater Arts Alliance downtown and Roberta’s Art Gallery at the University of WisconsinWhitewater. The university’s Young

Auditorium hosts bigcity entertainment throughout the year, including everything from comedy and live music to spirited Broadway productions.

For those who love the great outdoors, Nature Land at Whitewater Lake provides hiking trails that wind through grasslands and pine forests. The wellmarked trails offer easy and moderate hikes, which means they’re accessible for all skill levels. Soak in the natural beauty of the area while kayaking and fishing on Whitewater Lake.

Summer is prime birding season in the Whitewater area’s parks and nature preserves, which become ideal

breeding and nesting grounds for everything from red-winged blackbirds and sandhill cranes to nesting songbirds including warblers and meadowlarks. Just remember to pack a trusty pair of hiking boots. ❚

For additional fun in Whitewater, visit discoverwhitewater.org.

Forever Piers Keep Lake Life Year-Round

By Stephanie N. Grimoldby

How does extending your summer sound?

That’s the goal of Forever Piers, 504 Nathan Ln., in Elkhorn, owned by Peter and Sally Wall. Their permanent piers – built to stay in the water all year – allow families to savor every moment they can on the water.

“We increase the use of a pier to all year,” Peter says. “[Our clients] can use it in wintertime for ice skating, and as soon as the ice goes out, they’re back on the water.”

Lakefront families consider themselves lucky if they can beat the spring rush and have their pier installed by Memorial Day, Peter adds. A few short months later, the same company is rushing to get the pier out after Labor Day hits.

If the pier stays in place, the rushing doesn’t exist, and family bonding time at the lake increases.

“Now, your family can be on the water from March through November instead of May through September,” Peter says.

The Walls’ year-round piers are fabricated in Elkhorn by trusted welders and craftsmen, who design each product for a specific lakeside property.

“The custom aspect is very important,” Sally says. “Peter goes to the lakefront, assesses it with the homeowner, and asks, ‘What do you need?’ It’s built based on how they really use their lakefront.”

Every product by Forever Piers is supported by steel pilings driven deep into the lakebed. Tubular steel framing welded to those pilings is cladded with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) decking. Because there’s no organic material involved, mold and mildew aren’t a problem.

“It’s super versatile and rugged,” Peter says. “The idea is you put it in, leave it there, and every now and then you power wash it.”

The Walls aim to provide the best service possible, including training a crew to follow their business motto of excellence. Their goal is not exponential growth but small business ownership done right, Sally says.

“We just want to provide excellence,” she adds. ❚

To learn more about permanent piers, visit foreverpiers.com.

Roll With It: Wallpaper, Reconsidered

By Amanda Coakley

Once synonymous with dated florals and painstaking removal projects, wallpaper spent years in design exile. Even now, it’s not uncommon for clients to hesitate when the idea is first introduced.

“Sometimes when I suggest wallpaper in a space, I brace myself,” says Heather Scott, interior designer at Bartelt Remodeling, in Delafield. “Many homeowners are still recovering from the removal of their 1990s wallpaper.”

Fast forward to 2026, and wallpaper has firmly reestablished itself as a design essential.

Today’s offerings are nothing like their predecessors. With elevated materials, refined patterns and more intentional applications, wallpaper has become a sophisticated tool – one that adds depth, character and a sense of finish that paint alone often cannot achieve.

Why Wallpaper?

One of wallpaper’s greatest strengths is its versatility. It isn’t tied to a single aesthetic or era. From handpainted murals and soft botanicals to grass cloth, textiles, metallics, cork and subtle geometrics, wallpaper works just as beautifully in a clean-lined contemporary home as it does in a traditional or transitional space.

Beyond style, wallpaper excels at adding dimension. It can introduce texture without clutter, drama without excess and personality without overwhelming a room. Scott often uses it to highlight architectural features, define an accent wall, line a ceiling, or bring intention to overlooked spaces like powder rooms, stairwells or window nooks. When thoughtfully selected, wallpaper enhances a space’s character without adding more things to it.

A big takeaway is that wallpaper doesn’t have to be reserved to four walls. Some of Bartelt’s favorite applications are unexpected

ones – ceilings, the backs of built-ins, inside cabinets and other tucked-away spaces that benefit from an added layer of character. These thoughtful details often create the most memorable moments in a home.

How Do I Choose Wallpaper?

The most important first step is identifying the role wallpaper will play in your space. Are you looking to add warmth or texture, create contrast, introduce color or make a bold, memorable statement? Clarifying your design goal will immediately narrow the field. A quiet, tonal pattern may be perfect for layering softness, while a large-scale or graphic design is better suited for creating a true focal point.

Consider gathering inspiration before making any decisions. Pay attention to the patterns, colors and moods you’re consistently drawn to. This helps to ensure your choice reflects your personal style rather than a passing trend. While platforms like Pinterest, Houzz and design publications are excellent resources, working with a professional designer can help translate inspiration into a cohesive, timeless result. Finally, never skip the sample stage. Order large samples and live with them on your walls for at least 24 hours. Natural and artificial light can dramatically change how a wallpaper reads throughout the day, and seeing it in context with your furnishings, finishes and color palette is essential. A wallpaper should feel considered and effortless, not impulsive. ❚

To explore wallpaper in your next project, call (262) 646-8020 or visit barteltremodel.com.

May 23 - Sept 5, 2026

PORK CHOP COOK-OUT

June 24, 2026

ANTIQUE FLEA MARKETS

June 28, Aug 9, Sept 27

ELKHORN FIREWORKS

July 3, 2026

ELKHORN RIBFEST

July 15 - 19, 2026

2026 2026 “ Small town,

Events Events

SATURDAYS ON THE SQUARE

STEAK COOK-OUT

July 22, 2026

WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR

Sept 2 - Sept 7, 2026

ELKHORN CRAFT BASH

October 3, 2026

ELKHORN OKTOBERFEST

October 17, 2026

ELKHORN TREE LIGHTING

December 4, 2026

45TH CHRISTMAS PARADE

December 5, 2026

How to Ensure Your Cedar Roof Will Last

By Steven Bonifazi, deputy editor

Most roofs are purchased with practicality in mind. A cedar shake roof is different. Homeowners don’t choose cedar because it keeps the weather out – they choose it because of the warmth and texture that ages with a house rather than just covering it.

For Cory LeFever, owner of LeFever Roofing in Nashotah, that distinction is the whole job. A certified installer with the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau and more than 25 years, LeFever has built his reputation correcting what other contractors got wrong.

Cedar shake roofs typically cost two-and-a-half to four times more than asphalt. Whether that roof lasts 30 years or 50 comes down to the wood, the thickness and what holds it down.

“It’s like buying a steak at the grocer,” LeFever says. “There are different levels of quality, cuts, thickness and grading that can be

ordered from different mills or wholesalers. You’re ultimately looking for the most amount of edge grain in your order.”

Edge grain is how the board was cut from the log. The best lines are tight and straight rather than wide, which are more likely to twist and warp over time. The No. 1 blue label Certigrade is one of the top specs for shakes or shingles.

Beyond grade, thickness shapes how long a roof lasts. A medium cedar roof runs 20 to 30 years, closer to 35 with regular upkeep. Heavier shakes, from three-quarters of an inch to a full inch thick at the exposed end, can add another 10 to 15.

How long a cedar roof holds up can come down to its hardware. LeFever uses stainless-steel fasteners, because natural acids in cedar, called tannins, eat away ordinary nails over time.

Left untreated, raw cedar requires cleaning and treating every five to seven years. To ease that upkeep, LeFever installs CCA Certilast pretreated shakes on roughly 90 percent of jobs.

“It’s not an investment monetarily,” LeFever says. “It’s an emotional investment in how you want your home to feel.” ❚

LeFever Roofing is located at N43W32948 Rasmus Road, in Nashotah. To speak with the team, call (262) 367-2800 or visit lefeverroofing.com.

East Troy Shines as a Summer Destination

By Lindsey Lukas, senior edi -

Whensummer arrives in southeastern Wisconsin, few communities capture the season’s charm quite like East Troy. With its welcoming downtown, unique local shops, family-friendly events and small-town atmosphere, East Troy offers visitors the perfect mix of relaxation, entertainment and discovery.

A stroll through the historic Village Square is one of the best ways to experience everything East Troy has to offer. The downtown district is filled with locally owned businesses that encourage visitors to slow down and enjoy the experience. Shoppers can browse stylish clothing and accessories at Zinn’s On The Square, find trendy fashions and gifts at Square Side Boutique, or discover home décor, furnishings and unique treasures at Home On The Square. Each shop offers its own personality and helps create the vibrant, walkable downtown that residents and visitors love.

off on a warm summer day while enjoying the friendly atmosphere of downtown East Troy.

No summer outing is complete without a sweet treat, and Frank’s Main Street Sweets Station is a must-stop destination. Whether you’re craving ice cream, candy or another favorite indulgence, Frank’s provides the perfect way to cool

Another highlight is East Troy’s popular First Fridays series. Held on the first Friday of each month from May through October, the events transform Village Square Park into a lively gathering place featuring live music, food trucks, family activities, shopping specials and community fun. The July event, “Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights,” serves as a festive kickoff to Independence Day celebrations with patriotic activities, entertainment and plenty of opportunities to gather with friends and neighbors. Throughout the summer, each First Friday brings a unique theme that showcases the creativity and spirit of the East Troy community.

Beyond downtown, East Troy offers visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and explore local attractions. The community’s parks, trails and scenic countryside provide ideal settings for hiking, biking and leisurely summer drives. History enthusiasts can also experience a ride on the historic East Troy Electric Railroad, where vintage trolley cars offer a unique journey through the beautiful Wisconsin landscape. The railroad operates regular summer excursions that have become a favorite tradition for visitors of all ages.

Whether you come for the First Fridays festivities, a shopping trip around the Square, a trolley ride through the countryside or simply an ice cream cone on a sunny afternoon, East Troy offers countless reasons to visit this summer for the perfect getaway. ❚

Elevate Summer Celebrations with Fresh Corn

Whetheryou’re grilling in the backyard, at a picnic or relaxing poolside to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, this summer is sure to be filled with special celebrations. Throughout those 250 years, food has brought people together – and continues to do so.

From barbecues to patios, fresh foods are at the heart of American celebrations. Healthy, fresh ingredients help elevate classic recipes with sweet corn taking center stage in many iconic summer dishes. As a trusted American grower, Duda Farm Fresh Foods provides equally healthy and flavorful recipes using Dandy Sweet Corn to build the heart of your menu.

Vegan Elote

Cook time: 16 minutes

Total time: 28 minutes

Servings: 4

While corn on its own is a classic side dish – with Americans consuming approximately 1,400 bushels per year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture – you can put a twist on tradition by serving Elote, also known as Mexican street corn, as a bold and delicious way to enjoy fresh corn at its best.

Cooked to perfection then slathered in a creamy, zesty mix of mayonnaise, lime juice, cheese and chili powder, Elote transforms a simple ear of corn into an irresistible snack or side.

You can add its vibrant flavor and fun to your table with a number of easy cooking methods:

• Grill: For the traditional method of cooking Elote, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the corn directly on the grill grates then cook 10-15 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes until nicely charred and cooked through, like this recipe for Vegan Elote.

• Boil: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add corn and cook 5-7 minutes until tender.

• Roast: Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place corn on a baking sheet and roast 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through.

• Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400 F. Cook corn for 12-15 minutes, turning once.

Visit DudaFresh.com to find more ways to elevate your patriotic celebrations.

Vegan Parmesan:

1/2 cup raw cashews

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Elote:

1/3 cup vegan mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)

1 pinch salt

4 ears Dandy Corn

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

To make vegan Parmesan: In small food processor or blender, pulse cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder and salt until it resembles grated Parmesan.

Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

In bowl, stir mayo, ancho chili powder, garlic, lime juice, chipotle powder and salt until smooth.

Place corn on grill or grill pan and cook on all sides until corn is cooked and has grill marks, about 4 minutes per side.

Spread corn with chili mayo then sprinkle with vegan Parmesan and cilantro. ❚

(Source: Feature Impact)

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 pre-show. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Lakefront Park, 222 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee, (262) 3721754, 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.

Liberty Park Live Summer Concert Series

July 2-Aug. 13, select dates, 5:30 p.m. Catch free riverside concerts along the Bark River, with headliners including bluesman John Nemeth (July 2), youth showcase Kids From Wisconsin (July 6), interactive performer Pat McCurdy (July 23) and Steely Dan tribute Steely Dane (Aug. 6). Bring lawn chairs; food and drink from Revere’s Well Street Tavern. Liberty Park, 901 Genesee St., Delafield, delafieldchamber.com.

Oconomowoc Independence Day

July 3-4, times vary. Honor America’s 250th with a two-day celebration featuring a Rotary Club parade and a Buddy’s Beach Bungalow

Entertainment & Events

concert at the City Beach band shell on Friday, capped by fireworks over Fowler Lake on Saturday. City Beach Park, 324 W. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, visitoconomowoc.com.

Waukesha Independence Day Celebration

July 3-4, times vary. Waukesha opens July 3 with a neighborhood beer garden, food trucks and a 5 Card Studs performance, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., followed by the hometown parade through downtown at 11 a.m. July 4. (Rain date July 11.) Lowell Park and downtown Waukesha, (262) 524-3500, waukesha-wi.gov.

Civic Plaza Summer Concert Series

July 8, 6:30-8 p.m. Hear five-piece variety band Our House, a group of southeastern Wisconsin veterans known for four-part harmonies and a crowd-pleasing song list, at this outdoor summer concert series. Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield, ci.brookfield.wi.us.

Sussex Lions Daze

July 10-12, times vary. Ride the carnival, catch live bands and fireworks, and take in the Sunday parade at this Lions Club tradition, which packs in a tractor pull, beer tents, softball tournaments and pony rides. Food and beverage are cashless. Sussex Village Park, W244N6125 Weaver Dr., Sussex, sussexlions.org.

Waukesha County Fair

July 15-19, times vary. Celebrate the 184th edition of Wisconsin’s oldest county fair with

midway rides, barnyard animals, competitive exhibits and mainstage concerts from Sebastian Bach, Hoobastank with Eve 6 and 38 Special. Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, waukeshacountyfair.com.

Delafield Block Party

July 16-18, times vary. The Delafield Area Chamber’s signature three-day food and music festival brings back-to-back evenings of live entertainment and a large beverage tent with specialty beer and wine. Cash only; no carryins. Downtown Delafield, (262) 370-3861, delafieldchamber.com.

Dousman Derby Days

July 24-26, times vary. Now in its 71st year, this community festival features a carnival, headlining southern Wisconsin bands, food from local nonprofits and the one-of-a-kind Wisconsin State Frog Jump, capped by a parade billed as the best in the area. Cory Municipal Park, 140 S. Main St., Dousman, dousmanderbydays.com.

Hartland Kids Day

July 29, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring the kids for a free day of mainstage performances, bounce houses, animal encounters, a kids’ rock wall and more than 90 booths, plus food trucks and splash-pad access. Nixon Park, 175 E. Park Ave., Hartland, hartlandkidsday.com.

‘We Will Rock You’

Aug. 6-9, Thurs.-Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m. The Box Theatre Co.’s youth cast stages the Queen jukebox musical, set in a future where live music is banned and a band of rebels fights to bring rock back. The Box Theatre, W359 N5920 Brown St., Oconomowoc, (262) 560-0564, boxtheatreco.org. ❚