Tracy Sengupta’s border collie Joe clears a hurdle during an agility competition. Amy Johnson/Submitted photo

All of my life, I’ve grown up with dogs. I don’t think my husband and I have gone for more than a year without having one of these furry family members. And while I’ve loved all of mine, I’ve never had a dog quite like the one we’ve just adopted. Her name’s Roxy, and she’s one of the most intelligent creatures I’ve ever had the good fortune to know.

As a matter of fact, she’s so incredibly smart and responsive, I’ve started thinking about training her to compete in dog shows. Realizing that all I really knew about them was the name of the Super Bowl of dog shows — the Westminster Kennel Club’s — I set out to learn what I could about these competitions.

It turns out that dog shows fall into three major categories: conformation, agility and obedience.

Conformation is what is most commonly seen on TV, and indeed, the Westminster is a good example. In these events, purebred dogs compete against one another to see which one best upholds its breed’s standards. Judges examine each dog for specific animal structure, temperament and movement, and award American Kennel Club (AKC ) points based on their findings.

Because our dog is a mixed breed, she would be ineligible for a conformation show. But I spoke with Linda Hayes, a member of the Janesville-Beloit Kennel Club, who shows Norwegian elkhounds, to get insights about what happens at these kinds of events.

“I think the thing that probably confuses people the most when they first go to dog shows,” says Hayes, a Janesville resident, “is they don’t understand why people are going in and out of the ring with the same dogs. It’s like a pyramid effect. You can start out with 2,000 dogs, for example, but then get down to one.

“You work to win points toward the championship,” she added. “You compete in your class, and if you win your class, you can go on to win best of breed. After that comes group, and then winners of the group compete for best in show. People don’t know that these dogs are competing in higher levels of competition until a champion is chosen, and that’s why you can see the same dogs over and over again in one show.”

Hayes loves the conformation shows because of the fantastic camaraderie she feels with her pets and the other pet owners.

“I love the dogs and love living with the dogs,” she said. “I like them as a species in general, and what they bring to a person. But I like the idea of traveling to the shows. You meet up with people you haven’t seen for a while, and I love it.”

Another member of the Janesville-Beloit Kennel Club, Inge Suchanek of Milton competes in the agility and obedience categories.

During an agility trial, as it’s called, dogs go through a type of obstacle course. Judges decide what order dogs must do certain tasks, such as weaving through posts, running up and down ramps, or going through hoops, and in what amount of time. They show the handlers the course in advance, and then the handlers must lead the dog through the course without a leash. Each trial is timed, and points are deducted for any faults, or if the dog takes too much time to go through the course.

Obedience trials test how well dogs take commands. Besides standing and sitting, other tasks include jumping and retrieving items.

Suchanek, who shows Labradors and shelties, said there’s a lot of work involved in her training regimen.

“Generally, two to three nights per week I’m taking classes, and the nights I’m not taking classes, I’m practicing with the dogs,” she said. “It’s usually an hour to two hours a day. On weekends, if I’m not working, I’m conditioning the dogs. I’m either taking them for nice long walks or taking them swimming for their cardiovascular as well.”

Not only does she make sure her dogs are in good shape, she has to take good care of herself. The handlers also have to be athletic to guide the animals through the course. To keep in shape, Inge said, “I do a lot of walking. I’ve been taking exercise classes, and I try to stay healthy and watch what I eat.”

“Showing dogs is a worthwhile way to spend your time,” Inge said. “You can learn a lot about yourself and your dog, and have fun doing it.”

Tracy Sengupta of Afton agrees with Suchanek. She shows her border collies and said that her favorite aspect is the bond that’s created through training.

“While I enjoy the shows,” Sengupta said, “for me, they’re more a marker of what I’ve accomplished up to that point. I really love training the dogs, and I love the relationship you build with that dog, because the more you’ve trained the dog, the more the dog understands you. You can read the dog better, and it very much opens up the lines of communication between the two of you. I just think that the bond you develop with that dog, the more and more you train it is just phenomenal.”

Luckily for Roxy and us, certain agility and obedience trials are open to mixed-breed dogs. And because our goal is to train with Roxy so we can be closer as a family, this is right up our alley.

I wondered how expensive it was to be involved in showing dogs, and discovered there’s a wide range of costs. Classes typically lasting between six and eight weeks can cost anywhere between $100 and $150. Dog show registration fees can run from $5 to $50, depending where you are and what competition you’re entering. And it’s necessary to consider traveling and grooming costs, which can add up depending on how competitive we’d want to be.

The costs for spectators, however, are incredibly reasonable. Some events are free, and others charge a per person fee with, typically, a lower rate for children. Most events in Rock and Walworth counties cost no more than $5 a person.

If you’re a first-time spectator, keep these tips in mind. First, if you’re going to a show to research dog breeds that you’re interested in, be mindful of the time and demands necessary for owners and handlers. Ask first if it would be all right to talk to them about their animals, and always see if they have time to answer questions before or after the show, because breeders and owners can get nervous before competitions or they may be pressed for time.

Remember to wear comfortable shoes if you plan on talking to breeders and looking at vendors’ booths. And consider bringing a chair; seating can be limited.

Dog shows sound like great fun for everyone involved. Whether we go to our first one to compete with our dog or just to enjoy the spectacle of the different breeds and competitions, I know we’ll be amazed at what these wonderful creatures can do.

• Gordon Setter Dog Show, July 24, park area, Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. (262) 723-3228.
• Burlington Dog Show, July 27-28, Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. (262) 723-3228.

Kelly Pickler performs at 7 p.m. Thursday.

TWIN LAKES — The Country Thunder music festival kicks off Wednesday and runs through Saturday at Shadow Hill Ranch, 2305 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes.

This year, the festival will be featured on the Great American Country television network.

Great American Country festival hostess Suzanne Alexander will be filming from the festival grounds and visiting with country music stars and their fans.

Superstar Neal McCoy will play for a full 90 minutes Friday night in the all-ages Howlin’ Coyote Dance Hall following Alan Jackson’s main stage performance.

Newcomers Gloriana and Great American Country’s web series stars KingBilly also will entertain.

KingBilly is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Gloriana at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We’re so excited to be partnered with such a great country television network. We couldn’t be happier –- having Great American Country on-hand to celebrate the weekend with us… and with the great lineup,” said festival Executive Producer Brian Andrews. “Adding Neal McCoy will make Friday night a huge party – and he puts on an incredible show. We’ve made a lot of changes this year – from traffic routing, to a less-cluttered festival ‘bowl’ area, more vendors, cheaper concessions and keeping the price low.”

General Admission ticketholders will get closer access to the stage – as VIP and reserved seating areas have been reduced to allow for those who cannot afford those seats to get up, close and personal to their favorite performers with their four-day general admission pass.

Tickets and other information are available by calling (877) 999-8008 or by going online to www.countrythunder.com.

Here’s the lineup:
WEDNESDAY - JULY 15
Main Stage
6:30 p.m. - Colt Ford
8:15 p.m. - The Lost Trailers
10 p.m. - Tracy Lawrence
Howlin’ Coyote Dance Hall
(all ages)
10:30 p.m. to close - Kingbilly

THURSDAY - JULY 16
Main Stage
1 p.m. - Burns Poe
2 p.m. - The Bellamy Brothers
3:30 p.m. - Jack Ingram
5 p.m. - Mark Chesnutt
6:15 p.m.- Williams & Ree
7 p.m. - Kellie Pickler
9 p.m. - Taylor Swift
Howlin’ Coyote Dance Hall
10:30 p.m. - Gloriana
11:30 p.m. - Chasin’ Mason

FRIDAY - JULY 17
Main Stage
1 p.m. - Shawn Hammonds
2 p.m. - Restless Heart
3:30 p.m. - Heidi Newfield
5 p.m. - Jake Owen
6:15 p.m. - Williams & Ree
7 p.m. - Phil Vassar
9 p.m. - Alan Jackson
Howlin’ Coyote Dance Hall
10:30 p.m. to midnight - Neal McCoy

SATURDAY - JULY 18
Main Stage
1 p.m. - The Grascals
2 p.m. - Joey & Rory
3:30 p.m. - Terri Clark
5 p.m. - Diamond Rio
6:15 p.m. - Williams & Ree
7 p.m. - Rodney Atkins
9 p.m. - Tim McGraw
Howlin’ Coyote Dance Hall
10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. - Jason Jones
11:45 p.m. to close - Chasin’ Mason

Town of Delavan
July 3: Fireworks, music and food at Community Park, Highway 50 and South Shore Drive, (262) 740-2335.

Delavan
July 4: Daylong celebration with music, food, games. Parade at 3 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Most activities at Veterans Park.

Sixth annual Let Freedom Ring Canoe and Kayak Regatta, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Lake Comus, (262) 949-1182.

East Troy
July 2 through July 5: East Troy Lions Club Fourth of July Celebration, East Troy Amusement Park, Graydon Avenue, midway rides, live music.

July 3: East Troy Lions Club garden tractor pull at 11 a.m., fireworks at dusk.

July 4: East Troy Lions Club car show, East Troy Middle School, 1143 Graydon Ave., held rain or shine. Registration from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., voting 9 a.m. to noon; raffles, door prizes, music, food. Garden tractor pull at 11 a.m. Kiddie parade at 1 p.m. Daylong softball tournament. (262) 275-0185 or www.easttroylions.org.

July 5: Parade at 1 p.m.

Elkhorn
July 3: Star-Spangled Celebration features food, Elkhorn 4-H Club ice cream social, Holton Band concert at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Sunset Park. (262) 723-5788.

Fontana
July 4:  Fontana Fireworks and Boat House Party, Gordy’s Boat House Bar & Restaurant, 336 Lake Ave. (262) 275-6800.

Lake Geneva
July 3: Daylong celebration at Grand Geneva Resort, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, includes picnic, activities for kids, live music. Brown’s Lake Aquaducks Water-Ski Show at 7 p.m., fireworks at dusk. (800) 558-3417 or www.grandgeneva.com.

July 4: Firecracker 5K Fun Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m., starts at Grand Geneva Resort spa parking lot.

Whitewater
July 3 through July 5: Whitewater Free Family Festival, 312 N. Whitewater St., with food vendors, live music, carnival rides, games and face painting.

July 3: Festival runs 5 p.m. to midnight, includes fireworks.

July 4: Whitewater Car Show, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Whippet City Mile Run at 9:40 a.m.; for registration information, call (262) 473-2646. Whitewater Lions Club parade at 10 a.m., with theme “Thank a Vietnam Vet” and grand marshal Vietnam veteran Bill Fero.

July 5: Festival runs noon to 5 p.m. Minneiska Ski Show at noon. Children’s petting zoo, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. www.ww4th.com.

The Ramsey Lewis Trio performs June 27 at Music by the Lake.

WILLIAMS BAY — Musical lovers can catch another impressive slate of performances at the Ferro Pavilion beginning with the June 27 appearance of the Ramsey Lewis Trio.

Other headliners for the Music by the Lake lineup include Johan Stengard on July 26, Michael Bolton on Aug. 1 and a tribute to James Taylor on Aug. 15.

The Natalie Cole concert, originally scheduled for Aug. 8, has been canceled.

For tickets, call (262) 245-8501 or (866) 843-5200, or e-mail to mbtl@aurora.edu. For information, go online to www.musicbythelake.com.

For a preview, read the e-edition of Weekender HERE.

For lodging, dining and event guide, visit www.greatgenevagetaway.com

Music by the Lake

Dave Kyle gets ready from one of three milings daily in his new, state-of-the-art dairy barn. Terry Mayer/Photo

33rd annual dairy breakfast Saturday at fairgrounds

By Lynn Greene
Senior Editor

ELKHORN — Derrick Papcke is putting the dairy back in the dairy breakfast this year. As chairman of the annual Walworth County event, he wants to make it a more educational experience.

The Farm Bureau’s dairy breakfast moved to the Walworth County Fairgrounds in 2001, after the outbreak of mad cow disease in the United Kingdom. Before that, the breakfast was held on a  working dairy farm, which gave people an opportunity to see how milk is produced.

“We’ve been having discussions about moving (the breakfast) back to the farm,” Papcke said.

The dairy committee wants to put a renewed emphasis on education, so people who are not familiar with farming can see what goes into a dairy.

“The only way to do that is get people to a real working farm,” Papcke said.

Laurie and Dave Kyle will host a tour of their family farm during the breakfast event.

A charter bus will leave the fairgrounds at 7 a.m. Saturday breakfast with tours continuing throughout the morning.

“My wife will be on the bus talking about the farm on the ride over,” Kyle said.

“We’ll have an informational video running on the bus too,” Papcke added. The new video, hosted by Bo Ryan, talks about myths and misconceptions about the dairy industry.

Diners at the farm breakfast will have plenty to be happy about, too. It’s a big breakfast served up by the farm bureau: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese, milk, juice, coffee and ice cream sundaes.

“This is the one time of year you can have sundaes for breakfast — can’t beat that,” Papcke said.

Saturday’s breakfast also will include informational displays at the fairgrounds. While guests to the breakfast know what they plan to eat, they probably don’t know what a cow eats.

There will be a bee and native pollinator display. The Walworth County Dairy Promotion committee will have a seed-identification contest.

Be sure to keep your ticket for a chance to win a door prize.

It’s all done with volunteers, including many FFA?and 4-H youth who help keep things stocked and ready for guests.

Harmilda, the community’s mascot, welcomes thousands of people to Harvard Milk Days every year./File photo

HARVARD, Ill. - Thousands of people will be “Moooving in Changing Times” during the 68th annual celebration of Harvard Milk Days.

The antique tractor show, the 31st annual run/walk, parade, milk-drinking contests, talent show, cattle show, live entertainment, cow-chip lotto and fireworks displays are among the popular offerings, most of which take place on the Milky Way Park grounds, Highway 173 West.

Other activities include a banana derby, great cat adventure, chain-saw carving and hot-air balloon launch (weather permitting), not to mention carnival rides, petting zoo and plenty of concessions.

The entertainment lineup includes the Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, the Living River Quartet and New Odyssey.

Milk Days began in 1942 when people got together to honor area farmers who had increased milk and food production for the war effort. At the time, seven dairy companies were located within 15 miles of Harvard, which proclaimed itself as the milk center of the world. A record 75,000 people attended the city’s special centennial celebration in 1956.

In 1970, the city introduced Harmilda, a fiberglass cow who became the community’s mascot. She sits at the intersection of highways 14 and 173.

For more information, visit the organization’s Web site at www.milkdays.com or call (815) 943-4614.

Friday

10-4:30 p.m.: Antique Tractor Show

5 p.m.: Milk Days Festival Grounds Open
Carnival, Concessions, Petting
Zoo, Milk Days Market Place/Food
Court, Chain saw carving, Hot air
Balloon launch (weather permitting

5 and 7 p.m.: Banana Derby
America’s Favorite Monkey
Jockeys

6 and 10 p.m.: Entertainment
“Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps”
Special Appearance-Soccer Fields

6-8 p.m.: Great Cat Adventures
Preservation through Education
& Entertainment

10:45 p.m.: Short Ground Fireworks Display
Short Display visible from
Milk Days Grounds

Saturday

6:45 am Milk Run/Walk Registration
Jefferson School

8 am 2 Milk Run and Walk, 10K Run
Kids’ Dash
Jefferson School

9-11 a.m.: Antique Tractor Show

9:30 a.m.: Milk Days Brunch
Orion Samuelson-emcee
Harvard Moose Lodge
Reservations required $16.50

1 p.m.: 68th Annual Milk Days Parade
Don Peasley-Grand Marshal
Ayer Street

2 p.m.: Milk Days Festival Grounds Open
Carnival, Concessions, Milk Days Market Place/ Food Court, Petting zoo, chain saw carving, Hot Air Balloon Launch (weather permitting)

3-7 p.m.: Antique Tractor Show

3, 5 and 7 p.m.: Banana Derby
America’s Favorite Monkey Jockeys

4, 6 and 8 p.m.: Great Cat Adventures
Preservation through Education
& Entertainment

4 p.m.: Milk Drinking Contest (3 p.m. signup)
Entertainment Tent

6-9 p.m.: Talent Show
Entertainment Tent

7 p.m.: Cow Chip Lotto

10:45 p.m.: Ground Fireworks Display

Sunday

10 a.m.: Community Church Service
Entertainment Tent

Noon: Milk Days Grounds Open
Milk Days Market Place/Food Court, petting zoo, chain saw carving,
carnival, Hot Air Balloon
Launch (weather permitting)

Noon: Junior Dairy Cattle Show
Antique Tractor Show (till 3)

1-3 p.m.: “Living River Quartet” Gospel Singers
Entertainment Tent

1, 3, 5 & 7 Banana Derby
America’s Favorite Monkey Jockeys

2, 4, 6 & 8 Great Cat Adventures
Preservation through Education
& Entertainment

5 p.m.: Cow Chip Lotto
Milk Days Grounds

7 p.m.: Entertainment
“New Odyssey”

10 p.m.: Fireworks

Lake Geneva Farmers Market. Bob Kukuwich from Spring Prairie selling his produce at the market. Candice Finnegan buying some veggies after her walk uptown with the dogs and getting a cup of coffee and then to the market. Terry Mayer/Photo

I had anticipated this year’s opening of the Janesville Farmers Market with glee. I’d been dreaming of Skelly’s strawberry donuts, and I’d run out of my beloved goat’s milk soap from the Misty Meadows Farm. I also was yearning to sit in Fireman’s Park, sip coffee with my husband and watch our son monkey around as the serene Rock River flowed by.

After settling back in this area after a number of years away, I found that the farmers market was one way in which our family most quickly put down roots in the community. One of the reasons we returned was to be in closer touch with our food sources. We also wanted to participate in a community where the economic and political choices we made had more of an immediate impact on our surroundings. We’d become really enamored of the “buy local, eat local” philosophy. So, by supporting our local market, we knew we’d be helping our neighbors and promoting economic viability for the area.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Janesville market is strong and growing. I can’t help but believe that a large reason for this is the force of nature that is manager Teri Huber. Fresh-faced, clear-eyed and the possessor of a mega-watt smile, Huber bursts at the seams with dedication, passion and enthusiasm.

Although she started as a vendor, selling her made-from-scratch baked goods, Huber accepted the task of being manager when her colleagues and friends, Bonnie Davis and Randy Thompson, recommended her for the job.

“I’m the market mom,” Huber said “I see so much pride in our vendors, and I’m so proud of them. We’re here to help each other and help Janesville by giving the consumers a wonderful product and experience. My two biggest goals are to see my vendors succeeding and my community succeeding. Especially in this hard economic time that Janesville is going through. It is crucial that we give people an event that they can look forward to that is free to attend, and affordable when they choose to spend their money.”

In fact, Huber’s got a fantastic lineup of free activities at the farmers’ market, including a cooking contest every third Saturday, a kids’ event every fourth Saturday and, starting in July, a cooking demonstration that’ll happen every second Saturday.

“One of the biggest things I hear is, ‘What is this? And what do I do with it?’ ” Huber said with a laugh, referring to the many produce offerings at the market. “So the demo would be based on food that is at the market that day and done in such a way that anybody can make it.”

And with 87 vendors already signed up to attend this year’s market, visitors will have plenty to choose from. While some vendors only will come the first or last few weeks of the market, the bulk of them will participate weekly.

Antony Jay, the maker of my favorite soaps and owner of Misty Meadow Farms, is one of the regulars.

“What Laura and I really love are the regulars who come back to us week after week,” Jay said. “The Janesville Farmers Market is wonderful.”

With wares ranging from goat cheese to lotion to seasonal items such as garlic, his stand is one of my favorite places to visit.

I also enjoy checking out the nonprofit organizations that set up booths every weekend. The market rotates organizations so each of them has a chance to present. This was how our family found out about the amazing Welty Environmental Center last year. This week, Elizabeth Hough, public information coordinator for the Hedberg Public Library, was staffing a booth to let people know about upcoming events.

“As soon as we start putting out books or information on the table, we always have people heading over immediately,” Hough said. “Obviously, our mission is to be an important part of the community, and we love that the farmers market has been a fantastic support of that.”

From fantastically fresh food to great, free family events to amazingly dedicated and passionate people, the Janesville market — as well as those in Beloit and Walworth County — is a spectacular way to support your community and spend a lovely Saturday morning.

List of farmers’ markets

• Burlington Farmers Market, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursdays, Memorial Day to Labor Day, Wehmhoff Square, Washington Street, Burlington. (262) 763-3631, www.burlingtonchamber.org.
• Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to noon, Fridays, June 5 through Aug. 31, Northwind Perennial Farm, 7047 Hospital Road, Burlington. (262) 248-8229.
• Honey Creek Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, July through September. Honey Creek Community Hall, 35512 Washington Ave., Honey Creek,  (262) 534-6956.
• Lake Geneva Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Thursday, through Oct. 15. Horticultural Hall, 330 Broad St., Lake Geneva. (262) 248-4416. www.lakegenevawi.com.
• Mukwonago Farmers Market, from noon to 6 p.m. every Wednesday, June 10 to Sept. 23, in the parking lot at Tractor Supply, Highway 83 and Bay View Road, Mukwonago. (262) 363-7758, www.mukwonagochamber.com.
• Walworth County Farmers Market, Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to noon, June through Oct. 18, on the Elkhorn town square, highways 67 and 11, downtown Elkhorn. Contact Peg Reedy, UW-Extension at (262) 741-4961.
• Whitewater Farmers Market, from 8 a.m. to noon, every Saturday, June through Nov. 14, Wal-Mart parking lot, 1362 West Main Street, Whitewater. (262) 473-4005.
• Beloit Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays (June through October), 300 block of State Street, downtown Beloit. (608) 365-0150 or www.downtownbeloit.com.
• Clinton Farmers Market, 8 a.m. Saturdays (though Oct. 3). Country Pride Meats, 109 Church St., Clinton. More info: (608) 676-4181.
• Henry Street Farmers Market. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays (June 5 through October). Henry Street, downtown Edgerton. (608) 921-1601 or www.henrystreetmarket.com.
• Janesville Farmers Market. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays (through Oct. 25). North Main Street, downtown Janesville.More info:www.janesvillefarmersmarket.com.
• Rockford, Ill., Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays (through Oct. 30). Colonial Village Mall, 1240 S. Alpine Road, Rockford. More info: (815) 398-3350.

The Elkhorn Antique Flea Market is always a popular attraction.

By Lynn Greene
Senior Editor

Like many youngsters who have the same desire, no matter their hometown, I escaped from my growing-up place right after high school. It didn’t take long to figure out what I missed, and like so many visitors to our county, I came back often to enjoy the things I missed most. Nowadays, I live here for good, so I’m a tourist in my own backyard. When I operated a bed and breakfast for a dozen years or so, I learned what other visitors to the county loved so much about this place; it’s not so much the glitz and glam, but the engaging and natural. The lakes operate like a cluster of magnets on a would-be visitor’s mettle; they are drawn back again and again. And who can blame them?

Here’s my list of the best five things to do in Walworth County.

1. Take a hike (or a bike or a ride) in the Kettle Moraine. The last Wisconsin glacier did its job well, carving out kettles, moraines, eskers and drumlins. The Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest sweeps through Walworth County along the northern edge, with the Nordic and Ice Age trails accessible off County Highway H just north of Wisconsin Highway 12 in LaGrange. Designated trails accommodate hikers, mountain bike and horseback riders. During early- morning hikes, it’s possible to see wild turkeys and pheasants, red fox and whitetail deer. Certain sections have been reclaimed as native prairie, playing host to many species of plants and flowers, birds, reptiles and insects. Take a hike and enjoy the scenery. State trail passes are required for horseback riding and biking, and a parking pass is needed if you park at the trailhead. Call the Department of Natural Resources at (262) 594-6200 or go to http://dnr.wi.gov/.
2. A journey to the past is fun for all ages at Old World Wisconsin. You can visit every year and still find something new. This is a 500-acre outdoor living-history museum that features farm sites, heirloom gardens, historic breeds of animals, artisan handicrafts and hands-on activities. It’s open daily throughout the summer and, although there can be a good deal of walking involved, there is a tram available. On June 13, enjoy a game of vintage base ball (yes, it was originally two words) between the Eagle Diamonds and the Milwaukee Cream Cities. Day camps and field trips also are available. Call the museum at (262) 594-6300 or go to http://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org.
3. Enjoy Walworth County’s public-art projects while you wander around downtown. There is a vibrant art community living and working in Whitewater. The Whitewater Arts Alliance is housed at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St. The center hosts gallery shows regularly and sponsors the fifth annual public-arts project this summer. Artists are on the move creating bicycle art, which will hang from Main Street’s lampposts throughout the summer, with an auction scheduled for August. Contact the WAA at (262) 472-0204 or go to www.whitewaterarts.org. In Lake Geneva, it is the second annual public-art project focusing on the horse. Last year’s painted ponies have given way to prancing carousel horses, which will grace the streets of downtown Lake Geneva until they are auctioned off Sept. 19. The horses are a fundraiser for SMILES (Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills); call (262) 882-3470 or go to www.smiles.nu.
4. Look for treasures at the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market. If you’ve got the antique or collector bug, this is the place for you. The fair began in 1982, and has grown into a showcase of more than 500 dealers bringing a range of merchandise. Down one aisle, you can find that perfect side chair for grandma’s dining room set, and the next aisle might offer up an antique birdbath or a perfect piece of Royal Delft porcelain. Summer shows are held June 28, Aug. 9 and Sept. 27 at the fairgrounds in Elkhorn. Call (414) 525-0820 or go to www.nlpromotionsllc.com.
5. Get rejuvenated with the resplendent scents and colors at Northwind Perennial Farm, just north of Lake Geneva in Springfield. If you’re looking for inspiration for your own gardens, wander around these beauties, which are accented with old barns, garden art and unusual treasures. Inspiration will run up behind you and grab you by your green thumb. Weekly garden tours are held at 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Educational garden walks with co-owner Roy Diblick will have your head spinning with possibilities. The farm has a full calendar of events at www.northwindperennialfarm.com or call (262) 248-8229.

Chef will demonstrate signature recipes — truffles — at ChocolateFest

By Margaret Plevak
For Weekender

Even in a penny-pinching economy, good chocolate is irresistible.Consumers might give up pricey cappuccinos and lattes at their local coffee house, but they’re still willing to pay $4.75 for a box of four hand-crafted chocolate truffles from Indulgence Chocolatiers in Waukesha.

“Is $2 for a truffle worth it when you compare that to a mass-produced candy bar? Definitely,” said Julie Waterman, chocolate artisan and owner of Indulgence Chocolatiers. “People still want to do something for themselves, spend on a little indulgence, and good chocolate is a small enough splurge.”

Waterman will create her truffles at Burlington’s ChocolateFest in a 2 p.m. demonstration May 23 in the Chocolate Experience tent. Eight other chefs will whip up everything from brownie pie to orange-scented chocolate soup in other cooking demonstrations throughout the festival, which runs Memorial Day weekend.

Waterman, who uses Belgian chocolate in her truffles, finds that chocolate aficionados are becoming more discriminating in their tastes, and favoring artisan-made sweets. “People are starting to get educated about chocolate and appreciate fine ingredients,” she said.

She developed her own palate for chocolate while backpacking through Europe with her husband a few years ago, after both finished college.

“I fell in love with the chocolate stores over there,” she said. “They share the same core philosophy that we do in regard to using fine ingredients.”

Returning home, Waterman, who’d studied to be a music teacher, decided she would rather create chocolate confections. Indulgence Chocolatiers opened in November 2007.

Waterman sells her chocolates online (www.indulgencechocolatiers.com) and at select grocery stores, including Sendick’s and Outpost Natural Foods. She also offers dessert, catering for occasions ranging from weddings to corporate events. Customized menus let guests sample several different chocolate creations, and provide an affordable alternative to cake, she said.

It took Waterman a year to develop her signature recipes. She will prepare one of them at ChocolateFest — caramel fleur de sel, a dark chocolate truffle mixed with caramel and sprinkled with sea salt (see at www.chocolatefest.com/pdf/caramel-truffles.pdf ).

Sea salt on a truffle might surprise some, but Waterman has created chocolates using even less traditional ingredients, such as bacon or crushed habanero peppers.

Discussing what ingredients and foods pair well with chocolate will be part of Waterman’s demonstration. She also will share with her audience a history of chocolate, talk about chocolate’s complexities — from subtle hues to determining where the beans come from — and explain how to find good quality chocolate.

What should consumers look for?

“The first thing is the ingredients,” Waterman said. “Chocolate should not be pumped full of preservatives. Chocolate is not meant to sit on store shelves. It’s meant to be eaten.”

People at the 23rd annual ChocolateFest can sample chocolates from more than 20 vendors. Besides chef demonstrations, there will be a wine and chocolate tasting event, a fashion competition using candy wrappers, a community mural of chocolate handprints, and various chocolate-related contests.

There also will be live entertainment, an art and craft fair, fireworks and a parade. Pre-festival events include chocolate sculpting and cake decorating contests, a 5K run/walk May 16 and a bike ride May 17.

The festival grounds are located off Highway 36 across from Echo Lake Park on Maryland Avenue. General festival hours are 4 p.m. to midnight May 22, 10 a.m. to midnight May 23-24 and noon to 8 p.m. May 25.

General admission tickets are $7 for adults ($6 in advance online and at grocery stores throughout the area), $6 for seniors and $3 for children 5-12. Children under 5 get in free. Tickets with various options, including parking, unlimited carnival rides and select events, also are available. For more information, visit www.chocolatefest.com.

The Chocolate Extravaganza Bake-Off Contest is Saturday. File Photo

Event is March 28

By Dan Plutchak

Burlington’s Spring Home Expo will have the feel of a home kitchen with the annual Chocolate Extravaganza bake-off contest.

The event features recipes with one thing in common — chocolate.

“We have people coming back year after year,” said Marcia Kendall of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

The contest typically has about 75 entries in categories that include recipes made by adults, ’tweens and children.

Spectators can come out to watch the judging, Kendall said.

A panel of professionals judge each item; the top 15 advance to celebrity judging.

The winner receives a KitchenAid stand mixer.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.burlingtonchamber.org; items must be dropped off at the show by 9 a.m.

The home show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28 at Burlington High School, located at 400 McCanna Parkway.

Admission is $1, or free with the coupon from the March 22 Walworth County Sunday, on newsstands now.

Everyone entering the show will be entered into the $1,000 grand-prize drawing.

The show is sponsored by the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (262) 763-6044 or visit www.burlingtonchamber.org.