Patrons enjoy a slurping goodtime

 Bowls n’ Bakers soup fund-raiser supports local senior programming

 BY JILL TATGE-ROZELL  jrozell@kenoshanews.com

 
   BRISTOL — Those who missed the Bowls n’ Bakers luncheon fund-raiser held at Bristol Oaks Country Club Thursday missed a rare opportunity to eat soup from a local landmark restaurant that typically doesn’t even have it on the menu.
   The no shows also missed a tasty opportunity to support local senior programming.
   The historic Wilmot Stagestop, known for its steak and giant baked potatoes, doesn’t normally serve soup. Patrons just wouldn’t have enough room for it. But owner Jill Eisenhauer said she still wanted to participate in the annual fund-raiser that features soup made by western Kenosha County restaurants. So, chef Paul Brown created some cream of lobster soup.
   “We do serve lobster, so I thought it would be appropriate,” Brown said as Eisenhauer dished a bowlful up and her daughter Molly, dressed as a lobster, plopped in a crouton.
   Not only was it appropriate and historic in a sense, it was the favorite among the 220 people who sampled the eight different soups offered at the luncheon, which also included a bake and craft sale to raise money for Meals on Wheels, a program of Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, Inc., and Westosha Community Center in Bristol.
   For a $15 donation, those in attendance were given a commemorative soup bowl they used to sample each soup and cast their votes. Other participating restaurants included the Brat Stop, The Marina Restaurant, Linda’s Wilmot Café, Twin Oaks Country Club, Spring Valley Country Club and Saz’s.
   Spring Valley Country Club took second place with its taco soup and Linda’s Wilmot Café’ took third with its clam chowder.
   The most unique soup was served by Gina Knox, owner of Twin Oaks Country Club. The cream of squash soup, made from scratch by her husband Rich, is served at the restaurant as a seasonal soup. Rose Neises, of Kenosha, was “pleasantly surprised” by the taste.
   “It really is quite good,” she said.
   Gina Knox said she wanted to participate as a way to give back to the Daybreak program her aunt Rose Cirone benefited from at the community center.
   “They took such good care of her all day and I just wanted to help,” she said.
   Many of those in attendance were volunteers, were friends of volunteers or know someone who uses the programming. Elva Kurtz, a volunteer for more than 10 years, said she sees first hand the difference Meals on Wheels makes in the lives of seniors.
   “It is vital for the elderly to receive these meals delivered to their homes,” Kurtz said, adding that they are just as happy to see the delivery volunteer as they are to see the food. “Sometimes that is the only person they see all day.”
   Mary Ann Kennedy, of Camp Lake, said she attended simply to support the programs she hears so much about.
   “This is one way I can offer my support because I can’t volunteer,” Kennedy said.
   Gary Brown, executive director of the family and aging organization, said about 500 western Kenosha County residents are served by the organization each year by about 100 volunteers.

 

 

KENOSHA NEWS PHOTOS BY BRIAN PASSINO Molly Eisenhauer wears a lobster suit as she waits to add a crouton to the lobster soup made by the Wilmot Stage Stop.

Kay Schafer, left, and Marlyn Schaefer sample the soup.

 

A selection of treats were available at the Bowls n’ Bakers fund-raiser.