Everything fabulous in Wisconsin: restaurants, spas, things to do, resorts and more!
Sharon Hinnendael is the owner of Door County’s Sustainable Style, a thrift and vintage women’s clothing boutique experience. “As a single mom, I needed a career where my children can be with me. I love showing them you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Wisconsin is home to one of the most eclectic food scenes in the country, with delicacies like the Danish Kringle that pay homage to the state’s history, and more modern culinary developments that celebrate the region’s excellence in cheese production (we’re looking at you, cheese curds). But Wisconsin also has a number of more under-the-radar restaurants and foodie hotspots that are now being celebrated through some of the state’s most popular social media food influencers. Here are a few of Wisconsin’s most fabulous foodies to follow for a more authentic glimpse of the state’s thriving culinary scene.
Madison’s Laura Bird is the author of Crossing the Pressure Line, a middle-grade novel for girls that is set to be published March 1, 2022 by Orange Hat Publishing, which is based in Waukesha. After a career in the field of nonprofit fundraising, Bird “finally decided to make the leap to creative writing.”
Matt Weir is the general manager of Liberty Station Madison, which opened in Summer 2020. The smokehouse and tavern is known for its delectable smoked meats, local draft beer lineup and award-winning cocktail program.
Kate Bast is the founder and certified nature and forest therapy guide of Shinrin-Yoku Madison. “It’s all about immersing in the atmosphere and pace of nature to open and activate the senses (there are more than five!) to find stillness and yet be fully alive and awake to the moment.”
He gives the best bear hugs and has jokes for days–and it’s time to celebrate him! In honor of Father’s Day on June 20, meet six Wisconsin dads and learn their advice for new papas, their greatest joys and challenges, and how they plan to spend their big day.
Araceli Esparza is the founder of Wisconsin Mujer, a multimedia social engagement company, who has more than 15 years of nonprofit and diversity experience. “I’m a poet first, speaker, content producer, with a side of a culture connector diva for good measure.”
Jacquelyn Ikonomov is the founder of Wisconsin Dells-based Rooster Calling Running, in which she provides habit-formation tools, group accountability and weekend running challenges with other like-minded and supportive walkers/joggers/runners. “I empower walkers, joggers, trotters, sprinters or those who run many miles to love their whole self. “
Takeyla Benton is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion analyst by day–but her long list of talents doesn’t stop there. The self-described “melanated mystic mamma” is also a tarot reader, Reiki practitioner, guided meditation coach, ordained minister, writer, poet, storyteller and head of Key Transformations, a personal empowerment practice.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner on May 9, it’s time to celebrate the leading ladies in our lives. Meet five Wisconsin moms and their children, and find out their favorite ways to spend family time, mothers who they look up to and ever-important advice for new mamas.