Wonders
of
WALWORTH COUNTY
Summer 2022
Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC
Page 2
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SUMMER 2022
For daytime viewing
Yerkes Observatory open for tours Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay opened to the public for tours at the end of May. After 3-1/2 years dormant, the birthplace of modern astrophysics began tours last month to showcase not only the construction projects already completed but also to give an inside look at the continuing and upcoming restoration and refurbishment. The projects are part of an ongoing $25 million comprehensive campaign which has raised $13.5 million from individual and family donors since launching in 2020. Tickets must be reserved on Yerkes Observatory’s website. All proceeds go to the preservation and restoration of the international landmark of science, architecture and landscape design. A bit of history Founded by George Ellery Hale, the father of American astrophysics, Yerkes Observatory was designed by prolific
architect Henry Ives Cobb and paid for by Chicago’s “El” train builder Charles Tyson Yerkes. The University of Chicago established the observatory and campus where it housed its astrophysics department from opening day in 1897 until a Geneva Lake area nonprofit known as the Yerkes Future Foundation was passed the stewardship in May of 2020, saving Yerkes from probable demise. The observatory still has the largest refracting telescope in the world – known worldwide as the Great Refractor. Yerkes also has sizable and modern reflecting telescopes in its other two domes. Frederick Law Olmsted’s firm designed the 50 acres of grounds. Yerkes staff has been working for two years to restore the grounds to the Olmsted 1906 plan and are laboring to add their own botanical touches considering modern ecological knowledge. Wisconsin and the entire United States are celebrating Olmsted 200 this year and Yerkes Observatory’s grounds have been recognized as part of that nationwide celebration. Parkitecture from Madison is now
creating five miles of trails throughout the fifty acres of woods, lawns, and gardens that rise from the shores of Geneva Lake. The Observatory has installed 83 solar panels on its roof, which will run much of the observatory and its two EV chargers in the new dark skies compliant parking lot. New welcome gardens, pollinator gardens and oak savannas have been planted. A future apiary is also planned. Wisconsin’s champion yellowwood tree is in the center of the south lawn. Take a tour Visitors must purchase tickets to park in the lot on Thursdays through Mondays, but visitors are free to stroll the 50 acres if they walk in from off-site when the tours are happening from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on those days. The observatory is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tours of the restoration give a behindthe-scenes look at the work being done, but also highlight the stunning exterior and interior that has made Yerkes architecturally significant. The observatory is widely considered the most architecturally beautiful observatory in
the world. Historically, it is revered as the site where the most brilliant rotating collection of astronomers worked together at once between the 1890s and the 1980s. The astronomers who worked and studied here are a who’s who among noteworthy astronomers: George Ellery Hale, E.E. Barnard, Mary Calvert, Edwin Hubble, Otto Struve, William Morgan, Nancy Grace Roman, Gerard Kuiper, Carl Sagan, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Richard Kron and more. On his first visit to the United States, in 1921, Albert Einstein had a must-see list. At the top were two places: Niagara Falls and Yerkes Observatory. He did in fact visit Yerkes on May 6, 1921. After leaving Williams Bay, he would go on to win the 1921 Nobel Prize for physics. In the astronomy world, Yerkes is known as the Hall of Fame and is a definite pilgrimage site for this field of exploration. Yerkes Observatory has hired astronomer Dr. Amanda Bauer to be deputy director and head of science and education; she will lead its astronomy and education missions.
Yerkes Observatory has experienced a series of upgrades, including installation of solar panels, at its Williams Bay complex. inset: Crews perform brick repair at Yerkes Observatory as part of a multi-million dollar improvement project. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Wonders of Walworth County
A centennial celebration SUMMER 2022
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Page 3
Planning underway for Booth Lake Memorial Park’s 100th anniversary in August By Dave Fidlin
Save the date!
CORRESPONDENT
It
all began with a simple gesture – honoring the veterans who served in World War I – and came together with collaboration, a forward-thinking mindset and robust public support. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. While so much has undeniably changed in the past century, the fundamental building blocks of Booth Lake Memorial Park remain much the same today as they were in the green space’s earliest years. This summer, the Booth Lake Memorial Park Board and a bevy of municipal officials and organizations are banding together to pay homage to a site that has brought together countless people from multiple generations. Booth Lake Memorial Park came to be when leaders in the towns of Troy and East Troy, as well as the Village of East Troy, worked in unison to acquire four lots – 10, 11, 12 and 13 – in the Hultquists subdivision for $8,000. The site was named after owner Carl E. Hultquist. A register of deeds filed in Walworth County on Aug. 22, 1922, sums up the mission statement behind Booth Lake Memorial Park. The deed stated the park is “to be used as a site for a building and other memorial in honor of the soldiers, sailors and marines, residents of the towns who served in the late war against Germany.” “The park has been one heck of a jewel for the community,” Town of Troy Board Chairman John Kendall said. “It’s the only park in the state of Wisconsin that’s owned by three municipalities. The foresight of the community leaders back in 1921 was unbelievable.” For Kendall, the 100-year milestone is close to the vest. He has a number of family members who served in the military, and he also recalls how the park helped him at a challenging time in his youth. “The reason I’m so passionate about this park is because I got hit by a car in 1961, right by the park,” Kendall, a lifelong Town of Troy resident, said. “I was paralyzed on my left side. I flew up in the air and landed on my head on the side of the road.” Kendall, who also serves as chairperson of the park board, said his prognosis as an 11-year-old was uncertain, at best. But he overcame the odds with perseverance and hard work – and assistance from the majestic body of water that people have enjoyed over the decades. “When I got out of the hospital … I was at that lake everyday, doing my rehab,” Kendall said. “That lake is very special to me.” Booth Lake Memorial Park is an anomaly in Wisconsin because three municipalities jointly own it. Typically, a public green space in Wisconsin is operated by a singular governing entity – usually a municipality or the county. The park board that makes all of the pivotal decisions about Booth Lake Memorial Park has \ representation from all three municipalities.
Booth Lake Memorial Park will host a centennial celebration in August. A multitude of festivities begin Friday, Aug. 5, from 3 to 9 p.m., and continue Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The park board is encouraging any persons that have photos of their time spent enjoying the park be emailed to clerktreas@townoftroy.com or call the clerk’s office at 262-642-5292.
Booth Lake Memorial Park in East Troy is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022. The park is a popular spot for families to cool off with a swim on a hot summer day. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
The beach at Booth Lake Memorial Park is busy during warm days in the summer. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
to add to the availability with an extra pavilion, to meet the community’s needs,” Picchi said. “We wanted to do something to give back to the community, which has done so well in supporting us,” he added. Local resident Billie B. Gray bequeathed the local VFW chapter funds upon his passing. The donation will cover all of the costs – about $70,000 – associated with the 30-by-50-foot, openair pavilion, which will have a steel roof. “Sitting on a pile of money is no good to us,” Picchi said. “The membership got together … and figured out what it was we could do. (Gray’s) generosity continues to be felt long after his passing.” While the upcoming celebration, which is open to everyone – resident or not – is a great way to pay homage to the foresight municipal leaders displayed a century ago, Kendall said he sees a dual purpose behind the program as well. “We definitely need to thank our veterans,” Kendall said. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without our vets. It’s just an important thing that we need to do. We need to acknowledge it and enjoy a park that reminds us what freedom is all about.”
Wonders
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Walworth County
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Swimming is a favorite pastime on Booth Lake and Memorial Park has a beach for residents. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
While much of the original spirit behind the park remains intact today, the park board has made pivotal decisions in the past. In its first 50-plus years of existence, anyone could visit Booth Lake Memorial Park and enjoy its amenities. In more recent decades, however, the site has only been available to residents within the three communities. Kendall said the decision to limit access was reached out of necessity – as population grew throughout the area, the “come one, come all” thinking was deemed untenable.
Adding a third pavilion David Picchi, quartermaster of TriTroy VFW Post No. 7501, said he is astutely aware of how in-demand the park is. The pair of pavilions within the park have been so popular that residents annually seek out rental space at one of the two venues through the use of random playing cards. Picchi and others within Post No. 7501 are hoping to alleviate some of the demand in the park’s 100th year. The organization is funding work on a third pavilion, and the project is underway. “We figured this was a great way
GENERAL MANAGER: .................... Sue Z. Lange EDITOR: ....................................Tracy Ouellette CREATIVE DIRECTOR: ................Heather Ruenz PAGE DESIGNER: .......................... Jen DeGroot ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: .....Vicki Vanderwerff
FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES: Call (262) 728-3411 On the cover: Third-grade students at Darien Elementary School in spring read “The Lemonade War,” by Jacqueline Davies – a story about a brother and sister who get into an argument and settle it by competing to sell the most lemonade. As a final project, students were divided into four groups to compete in their own lemonade war. Students collaborated to create their own business plans, advertisements, commercials and marketing. Lemonade was sold May 26, with all proceeds from the event donated to the Lakeland Animal Shelter. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
Page 4
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SUMMER 2022
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Page 5
East Troy Electric Railroad celebrates 50 years
By Tracy Ouellette
in continuous use since 1907. This year you’ll also hear about the hundreds of volunteers and what they have done to maintain this railroad and restore its trolleys, streetcars and interurban cars for 50 years. It really is an amazing story.” “We’ve been here a long time,” Feyerherm added. “We picked it up in 1972 and we’ve come a long way. The fact that we’ve been here for 50 years is a pretty big deal, and with all the ups and downs, we’re still here, we’re still alive and growing.” Tickets for the regular trains are available in advance at www.easttroyrr. org. Walk-up tickets can be purchased on a space-available basis. Guests are advised to arrive early and pick up their tickets in the depot before boarding.
EDITOR
he first electric tourist trolleys left from East Troy on May 27, 1972. Fifty years later, the first trains of the 2022 regular season are ready to roll in East Troy. The trains travel along a 7-mile railroad line between East Troy and Mukwonago, with a stop at the Elegant Farmer along the way. The East Troy Electric Railroad opened its 2022 season April 23 and East Troy Railroad Museum President Ryan Jonas said they were happy to have a good showing. “Opening weekend went wonderfully. We had great weather and had a really decent Ryan Jonas turn out,” he said. “Our takeaway from the weekend was that people are excited to get out and do things again and we’re happy to provide opportunities for them to do that.” While the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t shut the railroad down in 2020 or 2021, riders were required to wear face masks on the trains during the last two seasons. That has changed for this year because the federal transportation mask requirement has been lifted, Jonas said. “Come on out and have a great, fun time,” Railroad Operations Manager Jim Feyerherm said. “We’ve been cooped up for two years now, get out and join us for a train ride.”
T
The East Troy Electric Railroad restores historical railway cars like this one, called the Sheboygan Trolley. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
Dinner Trains return The Dinner Train season opened May 7 with a special Kentucky Derby Train, followed by 16 more Dinner Train departures through the fall. “Our dinner trains are the only electric train dining in North America,” Jonas said. “We provide the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a four-course meal with a full bar on the rails.” Feyerherm added that the East Troy Depot hosts live music before each Dinner Train. The popular Sunday Brunch Trains are also back, with departures starting June 12. For more information and to purchase dining event tickets, visit the railroad’s website.
Distinctive Landscape-Design & Installation
Special events in 2022
Celebrating the railroad
The East Troy Railroad will be hosting several special events this year, including old favorites and a few new ones. For East Troy-Mukwonago Day at the end of May, residents in those communities had the chance to ride the rails for free as a thank you for their support of the railroad.
The railroad’s 50th birthday is cause for celebration and there are special events planned all season long. “This year will be special for our volunteers and a great time for people to come out to ride our trains,” Jonas said. “When you take a ride on our trains, you’ll hear about the history of the electric railroad line, which has been
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
RAILROAD
SUMMER 2022
• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Other upcoming events include: • June 22 – Railfan Day, where all equipment is on display with a different historical train running every hour; • July 16 – Milwaukee Day, featuring the Milwaukee Streetcar, North Shore Car and TMER&L equipment; • Aug. 13 – Chicago Day, with 1920s CTA Cars, South Shore Interurbans and NPS Rangers; and • Sept. 17 – Beer Tasting Train with Black Point Estate).
Fun in the fall Starting Sept. 10, the railroad celebrates Harvest Fest in conjunction with The Elegant Farmer. Trains depart hourly on Saturdays and Sundays during Harvest Fest. See the website for more details. “The Fall Harvest Fest is always a big hit,” Feyerherm said. “We take people down to the Elegant Farmer, they can pick apples and shop and then come back.” Additionally, in October the railroad is introducing its new Halloween Trains where children can trick-or-treat along the line.
About the railroad The East Troy Railroad Museum operates 14-mile round trip train rides from its historic East Troy depot and museum to Indianhead Park in Mukwonago, with a stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli. The non-profit museum is operated, maintained and managed by more than 130 volunteers dedicated to engaging visitors in the heritage of electric interurban railways and trolley systems through restoration, preservation and operation of historic equipment. “We’re always looking for volunteers,” Feyerherm said. “Join in on the fun and volunteer with us, we have all kinds of things to do, from mowing the grass to running a train.” Feyerherm added that while the railroad operates from late spring to fall, with the addition of the Christmas Trains, volunteers work year round. “We have a lot of dedicated, passionate folks and there’s someone working on a train every day,” he said. “We do a lot of restoration on the cars, and fully restore almost one car a year and they do a great job. The cars look fantastic, just like they did way back when.” For more information, visit the East Troy Electric Railroad website at www. easttroyrr.org or call 262-642-3263.
Train schedule and tickets The trains on the East Troy Electric Railroad run: Saturdays from April 23 to Sept. 3, departing from the East Troy Depot at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sundays from April 24 to Sept. 4, departing from the East Troy Depot at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Fridays from June 3 to Sept. 2, departing from the East Troy Depot at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Free Parking is available in East Troy. The railroad cars are heated and rest rooms are available at the East Troy Depot and the Elegant Farmer. Cost is $9.50 for children age 3 to 14, $15 for adults, $12.50 for seniors. Children age 2 and younger ride for free with adult. People can ride all day long on their ticket. Tickets available at www.easttroyrr.org.
STARS AND STRIPES July 9 Artisan Salad, Bacon-Wrapped Filet, accompanied by Twice Baked Potatoes and Sautéed Seasonal Vegetables
THAT’S AMORE July 23 Italian Garden Salad, Italian Meatballs in House made Marinara Sauce, Pasta Bundles, Sautéed Farm Fresh Vegetables
SURF-N-TURF
right: South Shore Car 30 rides the rails from East Troy to Mukwonago on the last section of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light interurban rail system, which is now operated by the East Troy Electric Railroad. below: A The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. car is seen here in East Troy in 1911. bottom: The East Troy Electric Railroad’s Minneapolis Streetcar travels past Army Lake Camp in East Troy on its way to Mukwonago.
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FAMILY PICNIC TRAIN Aug. 20 All Beef Hot Dogs with assorted toppings, with Kettle Crunch Potato Chips, pickles and Fresh Fruit
SOUTHERN DELIGHT Aug. 27 Southern Shrimp Dip with Alabama Crackers, Slaw Salad, Baby Back Pork Ribs with Bourbon BBQ sauce, Creamy Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Summer Kernelled Corn
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SUBMITTED PHOTOS Wonders of Walworth County
Sept. 10 Wisconsin Cheese and Sausage Board, Skordalia, Smoked Ham on a Pretzel Roll, Country Bratwurst Bites, Mac-N-Cheese, Potato Salad
FALL HARVEST Sept. 24 Chopped Salad, Beef Bourguignon or Orange Rustic Roughy, Roasted Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Farm Fresh Vegetables
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SUMMER 2022
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Page 7
far left: Lake Geneva Badger grad Nicole Petrie will appears in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. She was selected for the photo shoot during an open application process. above: Model Nicole Petrie has been traveling the world for photo shoots as her career has taken off. YU TSAI FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Wonders of Walworth County
From small-town volleyball to big-time modeling Badger grad Petrie featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition
By Mike Ramczyk CORRESPONDENT
It’s the kind of news anyone would want to share with the world. Think of Michael Jordan finding out he’s going to make the NBA. Aaron Rodgers learning he will play for the Green Bay Packers. Or even Eminem when he signed his first record deal. That’s the kind of rarified air Nicole Petrie is experiencing right now. Just take a look at her Facebook post from May 16: “One more post for this iconic moment before I board my flight to Nicaragua for another modeling job! I am truly living my dream life and I can’t thank @si_swimsuit & @mj_day enough for seeing my potential and making this a reality! “I have never felt more beautiful, more powerful, or more impactful than I do right now with the release of the #siswim2022 issue! When I was in middle school and high school I got bullied so much for being so tall and ‘awkwardly skinny,’ for being too shy, or for not being focused on partying or socializing as much as my peers because I was becoming a caregiver and focusing on my passions instead … but look where I am now! It has paid off to be in this groundbreaking and inspiring magazine! So grateful. So happy. So humbled. Thank you to everyone for your support!!” Dreams are coming true for Petrie, 27, a former Lake Geneva Badger volleyball star who stands 5-foot-11. Petrie grew up in Geneva Township and graduated from Badger in 2013. Her life revolved around volleyball. She even tried playing in college. All her life, people have told her she could be a model. Fast-forward to 2022, and she is featured in the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, an iconic magazine that’s a “who’s who” of the next top national and international models. From Cindy Crawford to Tyra Banks to Giselle to Kate Upton, you’re talking about
worldwide celebrities making millions of dollars. Petrie may not be there yet, but she’s well on her way. Making the big time She has recently been traveling to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua for photo shoots. These days, her life is the stuff people only dream of. “My whole life pretty much revolved around volleyball and going on to college to play, but my first year playing in college was not a great experience (bad coaches, bad teammates, etc.),” Petrie said. “I lost my passion for the game and decided I didn’t want to play anymore. But, at that point I was used to practicing or working out like three times a day and not having any free time, so I decided I needed a new hobby. “I didn’t know then that the hobby I ended up choosing would turn into my new passion and later my career. My friends and family had suggested to me many times throughout my life that I could be a model because of my height, but I never knew how to get started. But with the boredom growing, I reached out to a friend of a friend that asked a photographer they knew if they would do a test shoot with me in Chicago.” So, Petrie took a big chance, and it paid off. She submitted photos from this photographer to an agency in Madison and started doing small jobs here and there. Looking for more However, she always knew she was destined for something more. “I knew I wanted to do bigger things than the Midwest market had to offer at the time,” Petrie said. “So as soon as I graduated college I started to travel as much as I could afford to, while still being home often to help take care of my mom. I eventually decided I wanted to focus on the market in Miami, so I moved down there with no help, no money, and I hustled
until I found an agent that signed me and started getting me work with Saks and Neiman Marcus regularly.” Once she got a taste of the possibilities, Petrie’s confidence grew and she decided to branch out even more. Her agency wasn’t helping her grow with new markets such as New York or Europe, so she took matters into her own hands. She submitted her stuff to the Sports Illustrated Swim search, and wouldn’t you believe it – she got picked. Nicole beat out thousands of other models, and she will is in this year’s famed swimsuit issue. “I’m so proud of this accomplishment not only because of how hard I worked to get to this point but because I get to use this platform to raise awareness for FTD, a disease that has affected multiple people in my family but that no family should have to go through, and that I am reaching so many caregivers and showing them they are not alone,” Petrie said. Frontotemporal degeneration is caused by progressive damage and loss of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Petrie’s mother suffers from it, so she is a regular caregiver for her along with being a model. Petrie earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a scholarship to play college volleyball. Now, it’s a life of flying around the world to the most remote, exotic locations and living out her dreams. Not bad for a girl from a small town like Lake Geneva. As early as first grade, Petrie was taking “modeling pictures” and practicing her runway walk. She even printed out copies of her picture and gave it to teachers and principals at school, so they could remember her “when I become a famous supermodel.” Well, that time has come. Petrie is a living, breathing example that
dreams really do come true. Dreams come true Before she embarked on her trip to Nicaragua, she added one more Facebook post. “Don’t want to go to sleep tonight because my dreams came true today. One lesson my mom made sure to really drive into my personality: You can do anything you set your mind to! Never give up and your hard work will pay off!!! In first grade I was already watching #ANTM (America’s Next Top Model) daily and one day convinced my parents to take “modeling pictures” of me, which I then printed out on glossy photo paper, signed with a black sharpie and took multiple copies to school with me to hand out to my teachers, school staff, and principals. I told them it was so they could remember that I was their student “when I become a famous supermodel”… manifestation, baby!! (If any of that school staff still has that picture for some reason pls send my way)... “I have known from a very young age that I was meant for big things, even coming from a small town in Wisconsin. I would practice my runway walk in my mom’s heels (which were much too big for me at the time but I have now grown into them hopefully both figuratively as well as literally) back and forth, over and over, from the time I was in first grade and took those very first modeling pictures. “I’ve taken thousands of modeling pictures since then, and I’ve done plenty of things that have made me proud throughout my life and career but this is the most proud I have ever been of my work! Because I am doing this for my mom, for thousands of other moms and dads and grandparents and friends affected by FTD and the children, spouses, siblings, and loved ones that care for them! “I am proud to represent a community of people who are kind, caring, selfless, and are making a true difference in the world around them! I’m doing this for anyone and everyone suffering in silence! It’s time to speak up.”
Page 8
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SUMMER 2022
SUMMER SOUNDS BETTER HERE.
Sunday, July 17 | 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 24 | 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 30 | 7:30 p.m.
JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE, OFFICIAL SCHOOL OF THE JOFFREY BALLET: RITA FINDS HOME
THE IRISH TENORS WITH THE CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC
GET HAPPY! MICHAEL FEINSTEIN CELEBRATES THE JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL
This original work focuses on Rita who is displaced from her tropical home by a hurricane and struggles to redefine her sense of self as her family relocates to the big city.
The famed trio teams up with some of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago area.
The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook pays tribute to the legendary Judy Garland in this, her 100th birthday year.
Saturday, August 6 | 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 14 | 4 p.m.
AN EVENING WITH AIR SUPPLY
LAKE GENEVA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The much-loved Australian-English soft rock duo continues to tour worldwide, performing chart-topping hits “All Out of Love,” “Even the Nights Are Better,” and countless others.
Since its founding in 2001, this celebrated orchestra is dedicated to the performance and appreciation of classical music throughout Lake Geneva and surrounding communities.
Tickets on sale now at musicbythelake.com or by calling 262-245-8501. Ferro Pavilion Williams Bay, WI musicbythelake 419254
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