- Get a number of folding and banquet tables from leading brands such as Flash Furniture, Office Star WorkSmart and others to ensure all your parties and meetings run without hitches.
- Marnie Renda, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, is the founder of Destination Home LLC, which provides OT Home Assessments, product and home modification consultations, as well as, care coordination services for elders and persons with disabilities living at home.
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So if I were a betting person, I’d take a stab at the title of this blog having caught your attention! I mean think about it: hot summer day, cold brew (beer, not coffee) and isn’t that a pairing to beat all pairings? Well, maybe not beating out chocolate and peanut butter as a pairing. Oh, and wine and cheese. Oops, forgot about milk and cookies. Never mind – back to beer!
“Beer Matters” is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) offered by UW-Whitewater (with a shout out to my alma mater for doing something so awesome!). You’ll learn about the history of beer from ancient times and across the globe, to Prohibition (what were they thinking?!), Super Bowl ads (Clydesdales and Dalmatian puppies, anyone?) and more. Now don’t go thinking that you didn’t really care for school and learning, even though this is about beer, and decide it’s not for you until I tell you about the meet-ups at local breweries that are part of the course! Yep, class at a brewery. Wonder if the outcome of my 5 credit Calculus and Analytic Geometry course might have been different if it had been at a brewery, or even a coffee shop, for some of the class times? Probably not hahaha So a MOOC is what? Massive Open Online Course – translates to an online learning experience that shoots for unlimited participation (beats signing up for something you really want to do and finding out it’s filled, so love this!), doesn’t require any previous college-level or online learning experience, is open to adults 21 years old and older, and isn’t offered for credit.
For “Beet Matters” specifically, this MOOC is made up of six areas of content, including video lectures, reading materials, primary documents, and images. You can move through it at your own pace, interacting with other classmates in online discussion boards. The sections are then complemented with bi-weekly meet-ups at local area breweries, led by the instructor. The meet-ups are optional, but are meant to further develop interaction and create a sense of community among the course participants. Think of it as hanging out with your friends at the pub! Wondering about the instructor, ‘coz who doesn’t wanna know something about their teacher ahead of the first day of class? Ken Brown, Assistant Professor of History at UW-Whitewater, has been teaching a very popular undergrad course on the history of beer and brewing for a few years and is excited to how the course works with the MOOC format of online content and discussion boards, paired with the bi-weekly meet-ups at local area breweries.
Before going to graduate school for his PhD, Brown worked in brewpubs in Japan and Greece, so “Beer Matters” gives him the opportunity to combine his formal training as a historian with his past experience as a professional brewer. His goal for this course is to have everyone come away with a broad understanding of beer in history – from prehistoric times to Prohibition, and from colonial times to modern-day corporate mergers – and the basic knowledge necessary to brew beer, wine, mead or any other fermented beverage. Now that’s something I’d use in real life, unlike Calculus and Analytic Geometry!
“Beer Matters” begins on September 6, with participation in the online course being free and the meet-ups having a minimal fee. Again, meet-ups are optional, but come on – like I said earlier, class in a brewery?!
I would so be there! No beer or alcoholic beverages are included in the meet-up fee, but you are able to purchase beer on your own (drink responsibly!). Here’s the meet-up schedule: Saturday, September 16 – Old World Wisconsin, Eagle WI: Watch brewers from the Museum of Beer and Brewing use equipment and techniques from the 1800’s to brew beer using heirloom hops grown at Old World Wisconsin. Purchase craft beer from MobCraft on-site. Saturday, October 7 – Bent Kettle, Fort Atkinson WI: Visit Bent Kettle Brewing, one of the area’s newest breweries, serving craft brews like Insolence Double IPA and Thwack!, an American smoked IPA. Saturday, October 21 – Second Salem, Whitewater WI: The last meet-up comes home to Whitewater, to learn about the strange events, figures and architecture that provide rich stories that translate into extraordinary beer. Black Point Estate and its Director, David Desimone, assisted Ken Brown with the historical research component of the course, helping with the content and background information, so a shout out to Desimone and Black Point Estate, along with Old World Wisconsin, MobCraft, Bent Kettle, and Second Salem, for partnering with UW-Whitewater on this fun and fascinating MOOC course.
I’d say hurry up and register now so as not to lose out, but again, the beauty of being a MOOC is there is no class size limit to worry about! To register for “Beer Matters”, go to Bottoms up! There is no excuse in not being able to find something to do in celebrating our nation’s birthday this 4th of July weekend in Walworth County.
I will allow you to gripe about having to narrow down the choices, however, ‘coz there are many! Walworth County communities know how to celebrate the 4 th of July and our nation’s birthday and it’s with more than the spectacular fireworks they are known for. Whether a fun festival or parade is your thing, or you enjoy live music and a cookout, or seek out the thrill of a waterski show or a ride on the midway, or whatever is your go-to for the 4 th of July, Walworth County’s choices won’t disappoint. East Troy kicks off the holiday weekend on Thursday, June 29 with the East Troy Lion’s Club 4 th of July Festival, affectionately referred to as ETBT by the locals. The East Troy Beer Tent is the largest beer tent in the area, featuring, of course, beer and other Miller products, and live music daily as well by some well-known area bands. Enjoy the carnival, car show, truck & tractor pulls, and a slew of other activities offered through Sunday, July 2.
Don’t forget the parade on Sunday at 1pm. Whitewater is another community that knows how to celebrate the 4 th. Starting on Friday, June 30 and going through Tuesday, July 4 th, Whitewater is all about celebrating our freedom and independence for families, friends and community. There is so much to do with carnival rides, live music, a petting zoo for the kids, car & bike show, waterski shows, fireworks on two nights, and a parade. Food and drink are available as well, of course. Delavan shows their patriotic side with Delavan Township’s celebration on Friday, July 1, 4-11pm, with live music, food & beverages and fireworks at dusk. On July 4 th, the “Let Freedom Ring” celebration gets underway with a pancake breakfast at the Delavan Fire Station.
The day continues with the Carp-O-Rama Fishing Derby for kids, live music at Phoenix Park, including the UW Marching Band, a parade downtown, and the flag ceremony followed by fireworks at Veteran’s Park. If patriotic music makes your heart strings sing for our nation’s birth, then Elkhorn is the place to be with their Star Spangled Celebration on Friday, June 30 at Sunset Park. Enjoy music performed by the Holton Band in the historic bandshell. Bring a blanket or a chair, family and friends, and partake of the fun with activities for the kids, food and all followed by a grand fireworks show at dusk. Burlington’s Browns Lake Venetian Fest on Saturday, July 1, brings the water into the celebrating with a boat parade, waterski show and a kayak/canoe/paddleboard excursion. Live music, food & beverage will be available all day as well.
Don’t forget the fireworks, which are being doubled this year! On July 4, the City of Burlington’s Fire Department will once again be having their annual fundraiser and dance, so put on your best dancing shoes and come support them. There’s a bag toss tournament, live music, food & beverage, and fireworks at dusk.
Sharon starts July 4 with a parade at 11am beginning in the downtown area and ending in Goodland Memorial Park, followed by food, music and kids activities, with fireworks at dusk. Celebrate the spirit of Independence Day in 19 th century America through a living history presentation and fun hands-on activities at Old World Wisconsin on July 4. Help make ice cream, participate in a pie eating contest, play games and enter the greased pole contest. All this is highlighted with an interactive parade through the village. Area resorts, including the Abbey, Geneva National, Grand Geneva, Lake Lawn Resort and the Ridge, are making preparations for the holiday weekend for everyone, not just guests. The Abbey will have live entertainment, family activities, food, and of course, fireworks on July 4. On July 3, Geneva National provides a spectacular Independence Day celebration with their barbecue, drinks, assorted jumbo inflatables and carnival games for the kids, and live music for everyone, followed by fireworks.
Grand Geneva, also on July 3, has their grand picnic, plenty of kids activities, a performance by the UW Marching Band and appearance of Bucky Badger, all wrapped up with an array of pyrotechnics to wow your socks off. Lake Lawn Resort holds their All-American buffet on July 3, with live music playing, all lakeside. Celebrate with Ridgeapalooza at the Ridge on July 3, as they fire up the grills, adding in festive music all day, capping it off with Geneva National’s fireworks, perfectly viewed from the Ridge’s “backyard”. Get on the water for the fireworks with Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s Fireworks Jazz Music Dinner Cruise on July 4 to view Fontana’s fireworks. The Grand Belle leaves the dock at 7:30pm, providing gorgeous views of the setting sun, then spectacular views of the fireworks.
Make your reservations now so you don’t miss the boat! So how will you celebrate the 4th of July? How many different commuities will I find you at as you get your fireworks fixation taken care of?
You can never see too many fireworks displays, in my opinion! The Lake Geneva Motel is Walworth County’s hidden gem when it comes to a place to stay in Lake Geneva. While the resorts and the national hotels certainly have their appeal and place, there’s just as much said for the individual options as well, and Lake Geneva Motel is one of those options. Offering affordable rates of $69/night on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) and Friday-Sunday as low as $129/night, clean and comfortable rooms, outdoor heated pool, and only blocks from Geneva Lake and the downtown, this is definitely an option to be considered. Lake Geneva Motel has 21 rooms and cottages to choose from, offering a variety of choices depending on how many people are in your group. Everyone has use of the outdoor heated pool, barbecue grills, picnic area with tables, and an area for basketball, horseshoes, playing catch and more, plus mini-putt golf is nearby. Free Wi-Fi is available for those that can’t put their phone or tablet down even when on vacation!
Don’t worry about where the boat and/or the boat trailer is going to go as there’s free parking just for that. Area attractions have partnered with Lake Geneva Motel, so take advantage of the following discounts and ask at the front desk if there are others as well:. $10 discount per person at Lake Geneva Canopy Tours, that has an Eco Adventure suited for everyone, be it exploring their 100 acres, year-round, at your own pace, or for the ultimate thrill, traversing eight different zip lines, five sky bridges, three spiral stairways and climbing a one-of-a-kind ‘floating’ double helix stairway while on the world class Canopy Tour. You can also challenge yourself on the High Ropes Excursion through sixteen different obstacles or explore almost nine miles of Arbor Trails designed to accommodate both beginner to advanced hiking and/or biking skills.
10% discount at Lake Geneva Cruise Line for either the Geneva Bay Tour, Full Lake & Mailboat Tour, Ice Cream Social Tour, Daily Luncheon Tour, Sunday Brunch Tour or Dinner Cruise. Pick up the ‘preferred guest discount coupon’ at Lake Geneva Motel’s front desk and call 262.248.6206 to make your reservation. Midwest Action’s Scooter Tour & Rentals offers guests $5 off per person on scooter rentals. What a fun way to get about town and explore! For the upcoming Father’s Day weekend, Lake Geneva Motel is offering one night free with the purchase of two nights, all three nights then having to be consecutive.
Come on Friday and even if you’re not able to stay overnight on Sunday again as the third consecutive night, you are able to stay as late as you’d like on Sunday. That allow you to take full advantage of activities into the evening, yet have a place to return to relax, freshen up, etc., before heading home. How nice would it be to not have to worry about a checkout time?! Yes, I know it’s Tuesday and this is titled ‘Member Monday’, but I couldn’t wait ’til the coming Monday, which is a holiday besides, to tell you about one of our newest members, Never Say Never.
Read on for the Q&A session we had with Never Say Never. Q: Give us some background on how Never Say Never, Inc. A: Never Say Never (NSN) was founded in 2015.
I approached The Board of Park Commissioners in the Fall of 2015 with the need for inclusion in the community. We are one of two counties in the state with a special needs school and the only county in Wisconsin with The Wisconsin School For the Deaf, we have no readily available outdoor recreation for our special needs kids. I presented the idea of building an entirely inclusive playground for kids of all abilities to be able to play together; the vote was unanimous donating 13,000 sq ft of land and $15,000 towards development of a new inclusive playground at Veteran’s Park in Lake Geneva, WI. Q: The phrase “Never Say Never” is powerful in the feeling it invokes. How’d you decide on that for the business name?
A:A group of like-minded family and friends gathered and started tossing around ideas, themes and names. It was easier coming up with a theme and then everything started to fall into place.
A woodland theme with pirate ships and fairies was decided first, then the name was created. Most playgrounds are inaccessible to many children and therefore are telling them “no, you cannot play here”. The title for the Playland was born out of this. We as a community can never say never to a child’s desire to play and we need to encourage and emphasize that all children, regardless of their abilities, can play on our playground.
Q: What steps have already been accomplished in making this all a reality? A: The first and most important step was becoming a registered 501(c)3 organization. Nick Egert of Nick Egert Law Offices in Lake Geneva and his team graciously donated their time to help ensure the paperwork was filed correctly. Sheree Carlson of Carlson & Associates in Lake Geneva also came on board as the Treasurer to oversee all financial aspects of the project. Q: What’s been the most rewarding/amazing thing to have come from this endeavor so far? A: Sharing the excitement about the project, meeting new people every day, fundraising and developing our design with our design firm, Leather’s & Associates, and most importantly educating others about inclusion. Q: What are you finding to be the most difficult thing right now in the process?
A: Getting the word out across the community. We are always in need of volunteers who can donate their time to work on projects, special tasks and volunteer for committees. Q: What has been Kameron’s role in things so far? What does she think of the idea? A: Kameron loves the idea! Who wouldn’t love the idea of truly being able to play for the first time on a playground?
Her favorite activity is to swing and since there are no accessible swings in nearby parks, she cannot participate in play. Stones, woodchips and sand make for a difficult experience even walking through your typical playground, so being around a playground is generally difficult and not a whole lot of fun. Last year, at the age of 16 was Kameron’s first time on a merry-go-round. Can you imagine what it is like to not be able to enjoy the simple things in life?
Q: What are you hoping to teach Kameron from all of this? A: I’m hoping Kameron will be able to teach others the importance of inclusion and that we are all not built the same; that being different does not mean being secluded. We can all learn from each other and the only way to learn is from experience. She will be that social butterfly at the playground and next time you see her walking around town or at the store, say hi. Ask her about her favorite color, who her favorite Disney character is or what her favorite dessert is, as she will be happy to tell you or maybe even show you! Q: What are you learning along the way in trying to make this happen?
A:Not everyone understands what inclusion is and how important the NSN project is. Why the cost of components are higher than your typical playground and most importantly what this means to kids like Kam. The Never Say Never Playland will be a place for all to come together to play, not just for our special needs community, but for parents to be able to get together to socialize, grandparents to enjoy playing with their grandkids, disabled adults to play with their typically-abled kiddos, and lastly where everyone can be a little more free from stress. Q: What are you hoping to teach others through this process and once the playground is completed? A: Why inclusion is important. Sometimes even though our kids cannot talk, they have something to say and have just as many needs as we do.
Let’s all help them by giving everyone the gift of play, no matter what their disability, age, restrictions or non-restrictions are. Play is important to everyone!
Q: If someone wants to volunteer or donate to Never Say Never, what steps do they take to make that happen? A:Visit our website at or Facebook page at Email us at neversayneverplayground@gmail.com to be added to our email list. Donations are accepted online via PayPal through our website or they can mail a check to: Never Say Never, Inc., P.O. Box 824 Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Q: What is your preferred method for being contacted if someone has questions or wants to learn more about Never Say Never? A:By email: neversayneverplayground@gmail.com or by phone/text: 262.206.6991. Separately from the information in this conversation with Never Say Never, I wanted to let everyone also know about the following good news: Never Say Never were recently delighted to learn that the Geneva National Foundation is partnering with them to sponsor the Never Say Never Golf Outing, to be held July 10, on two courses at beautiful Geneva National Resort. Kunes Country Auto Group has also graciously agreed to be the presenting sponsor of this premier golf event.
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If you wish to be an exclusive sponsor for dinner, lunch, golf carts or beverage carts, please contact Never Say Never President, Dusti Ocampo, directly at or call her at 262.206.6991. As for registering your golf foursome, do so before May 31 and receive a 25% discount of only $900 per foursome. The rate increases to $1,200 on June 1 and then registration closes June 30. You can find the registration link here: Just think you can enjoy a round of golf on Geneva National’s award-winning Palmer or Trevino signature course, a gourmet lunch to-go, and dinner, cocktail hour and silent auction at the Clubhouse — and do it all in support of an all-inclusive playground for Lake Geneva children with and without disabilities.