There was a time when I could remember things. Back then, if you were to give me your phone number, I wouldn’t write it down, at least not right away. I would remember your number, and then later, when I needed to call you, I’d just remember it and call you. Things were so easy back then. If I had appointments, I’d remember those, too. If you told me on Thursday that you’d like to meet me on Saturday, I’d see you on Saturday. I didn’t need to write anything down, I simply needed to set a mental reminder and I’d wake up Saturday with you on my mind. In a business sense, of course. This is what it was like back then.
Today, I have no such memory. I’m not deficient in terms of memorization, but I’m no stand out, either. If you tell me your number, I’ll need to write it down immediately. Not a few minutes later, or a few hours later, but like the exact moment you give it to me I’ll be writing. Same goes with appointments. If you told me on Saturday morning that you’d like to meet me Saturday afternoon, I’d remember that. But I wouldn’t necessarily remember what time we were to meet, so I’d show up at whatever time I remembered, and then I’d be all like, “you’re late”, because I had no idea exactly when our meeting was to be. This is my problem, but judging from appointment miscues on both sides, I’m betting it’s sort of your problem, too.
That’s why I offer you this, today. A September guide to all things happening in Lake Geneva. There are other things, of course, but those other things are lame and boring and we’re not going to even pretend to remember them. For instance, there is a wine party of some sort going on sometime soon, somewhere near here. I don’t drink wine, but I have nonetheless grown tired of all these wine tastings. I feel like they’re overkill at this point, because everyone who likes wine tastes it often enough. Want to taste new wines from exciting new regions!? The liquor store can help.
I am hesitant to broadcast too many events that are fall-centric, because I feel that September is mostly summer and very little fall. I feel that way, but my skin over coming days will feel differently. Perhaps we discuss fall now, at least in a brief snippet. The Elegant Farmer is famous for besting Bobby Flay in an apple pie throw down, but probably because Bobby Flay put some sort of pink peppercorn honey drizzle on his pie. I didn’t see the episode, but he puts pink peppercorn honey on most things, so I’m betting. The apple pie at the Elegant Farmer (East Troy, about 15 minutes north of Lake Geneva) is really quite good, but there’s plenty more to see and eat there. It’s good family fun, but a family is not required to gain entry.
The best orchard news of the year comes from the Royal Oak Farm Orchard. That’s the one I really like, just south of Walworth a few miles. It’s a huge orchard, with a very Royal Oak near the entrance. There’s a lot to do here, mostly walking and eating and picking, but before this year you couldn’t do those things on Sunday. There’s something nice and old fashioned about being closed on Sunday, which is a day for Realtors that falls somewhere in between Thursday and Tuesday, but it doesn’t particularly matter much because every day is the same. The orchard, heretofore closed on Sundays, is now open on them. So, if a September Sunday feels particularly brisk and you wish to eat apples, hit up Royal Oak. Don’t go to the orchard if it’s even remotely hot out, as orchards in the heat are horrible.
September 13th is a good day to visit Flat Iron Park in Lake Geneva. That’s the park that isn’t Library Park. Lake Geneva Country Meats has been improving their operations and offerings at a furious clip, and they are the presenter for the 5th Annual Taste of Lake Geneva. It’s probably worth going to, if you’re around. And why wouldn’t you be? There’s food, probably wine, and the Badger High School Band. That’s maybe a deterrent, but I’m betting the Badger band is pretty good. My son’s band at Faith Christian? Not so much. Oh, and that same morning there’s a TriLock Triathlon in Williams Bay. This is a big deal for Williams Bay, and it’s also a big deal if you’re planning to drive anywhere on that Saturday. The roads will be full of racing sorts, so be careful. I’ll likely finish the Triathlon very early in the morning, just in time to go eat meat at Flat Iron Park.
The best fall weekend to find yourself at Lake Geneva is, without any doubt, the last weekend in September. By then, I can agree it’s fall. The Abbey plays host to the Antique and Classic Boat Show that weekend, and it’s always worth a visit. Not to play spoiler, but there are lots of old boats there. And there’s some food, probably wine, and Haggerty Insurance will be giving away free pens with their logo, but only if you’re there early. It’s a fun event, with a great atmosphere, and the only thing that can and has spoiled the weekend is poor weather. Even in the rain it’s not horrible, mostly because of my one weekend weather rule: Rain in Lake Geneva is vastly superior to rain in Chicago.
Now, before you forget, put those things on your calendar.