OUR PLACE
The children have finished another school year and summer vacation is here.
Keeping the kids entertained during the long summer break can be challenging but thankfully the local communities have a lot of activities to offer. The Lake Geneva Public Library is celebrating National Pollinator Month on June 16, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., with a pollinator craft. Kids are encouraged to stop by and create a bee condo for the backyard, whether that is to learn, entertain or get even with the parents. The library will demonstrate how bees pollinate flowers and food crops and will also provide fun actinides and crafts at the event.
Then, on June 20th, the library will be offering a hands-on experience with snakes and other reptiles at the ‘Snake Discovery’ from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. This program will discuss topics like diet, habitat, defense mechanisms, and other fun facts about the reptiles. Everyone will have the opportunity to touch lizards and hold snakes.
On June 23rd, the library is hosting ‘Bubble Extravaganza,’ from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Kids are invited to make a bubble wand, pop bubble wrap, pop bubbles, make bubble crafts, and much more.
Paradise Golf Park on Wells Street, just blocks away from downtown Lake Geneva, is open for the season, and a great spot to entertain the kids away from the downtown crowds. Play a game of mini-golf while enjoying the beautiful summer weather.
The Matheson Memorial Library in downtown Elkhorn offers fun kid’s classes, starting June 9th, with an art workshop focusing on marbling. Everyone, from toddlers to teens, is invited to create marbled patterns on paper or cloth with just ink and water. The class is from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 13th, June 20th, and June 27th. Join the library for ‘Paws to Read’ from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. All ages are welcome. Come by to read to some furry friends from the Lakeland Animal Shelter. There will be animals to interact and play with while reading or listening to stories. June 28th, join the library for ‘Family Game Night’ from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Enjoy everything, including Dungeon & Dragons, board games, cards, and much more.
Aram Public Library in downtown Delavan is hosting a kickoff to ‘Summer Party’ on June 10th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. That is located in Phoenix Park. Families can enjoy a stuffed animal adoption, craft, lawn games, free entrance to Mill Pond, a movie in the park starting at dusk, and much more. You children out there, have a safe and fun summer vacation.
Live streaming…what?
Lake Geneva City Administrator David Nord is a big advocate of the installation (and now up and running) live stream camera recently installed and located at the Riviera Pier Complex building inside the Driehaus Family Plaza. The live stream gives a continuous view of the area that potential visitors, scheduled vacationers, and locals can watch from afar to catch a glimpse of what to expect when coming to town. A camera is also a great tool for the local police department. The angel that adorns the top of the Riviera fountain has been the victim of vandalism almost every summer and the camera will help deter this from happening, and quite possibly any other crimes or safety issues.
Nord has recently initiated a discussion regarding additional live stream cameras to be installed within the downtown area. The discussion included applying for a tourism grant with Lake Geneva’s Tourism Committee. The police department is always in favor of the extra security that cameras provide and so are a majority of city officials.
Live stream cameras, however, have had a downside. Almost sixty percent of the live stream cameras installed around the world have been connected and then eventually disconnected as not being worth the expense. It seems that people grow bored unless there is activity, either the animal or humankind, going on in the frame, at least during some part of the time. Looking at the backside of a building, like that of the Riviera can grow very old very quickly unless there is something else to observe going on.
Person of the Week
Fred and Marie are the fun-loving couple who work the Dip Stix stand at the Lake Geneva Farmers Market. They are bursting with fun and flavor, just like the seasoning mixes they create.
