Wisconsin
A Brandy Cocktail Saved A Wisconsin Supper Club From Becoming Condos
The front entrance of The Village Supper Club boasts an exterior fireplace that is reminiscent of … [+]
DMAC Architecture & Interiors
The Village Supper Club on Lake Delavan’s more than a century of operations almost shut down were it not for its Brandy Alexander cocktails.
These memorable ice cream drinks spurred Loretta and Allan Kaplan to save one of the longest, continuously operated supper clubs in the state. The historic property had initially been the dining lodge of Hall’s Park Resort when it opened in 1882. Over the years, it evolved into different restaurants and supper clubs, and as different owners took over, they expanded the building, a bit haphazardly at times, adding on to the as the space needs of the time dictated.
The Kaplans came every summer to enjoy life on the lake just a few doors down from the then named Swedish Village supper club. The couple had fond memories of taking their children out to dinner there, and when their children grew older, they still frequented the supper club. Most nights during the summer, they would head out after dinner and walk down along the lake to the supper club. “We used to come here late at night to get Brandy Alexanders as a dessert, and then we would dance on their small dance floor,” says Loretta.
In 2021, the beloved property went on sale. “My wife came home and told me ‘Hey, the Village is on the market,’” Allan recalls.
The couple immediately decided that they had to act – and act fast before a developer purchased the property and converted it into condos, which is what happened to another supper club on Lake Delavan. “This was always a restaurant, and it will always be a restaurant,” Allan says.
Cocktails, including the Wisconsin old fashioned and martinis, are very popular at The Village … [+]
DMAC Architecture & Interiors
So, after purchasing the building, they hired DMAC Architecture and Interiors to bring the historic property into the 21st Century. Initially, they were just going to do a heavy remodel, but with the age of the building and some questionable additions, they decided that the best course of action was to keep the building’s footprint, save whatever they could, but create an updated space that highlighted the property’s best feature: the lake.
“We are a modern take on a supper cub with great food and drink but a casual and welcoming atmosphere,” says Robert Johnson, general manager.
The re-imagined Village Supper Club welcomes visitors with a grand, asymmetrical, outdoor fireplace, which is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, and the grand interior with its cathedral ceiling and warm wood tones is inspired by some of the grand Midwestern barns of the area.
“This is a legacy project,” says Dwayne MacEwen, principal at DMAC Architecture and Interiors. “This should be timeless. It’s elegant, but it’s not trying too hard.”
The redesign evokes nostalgia of the supper clubs of yesteryear while maintaining a modern sophistication. The expansive, A-frame structure sets the stage for a gorgeous vista of Lake Delavan, as a wall of windows opens out onto the lake, and the tables are set in almost a stadium seating arrangement so there’s not a bad seat in the house, as every table and booth offers equally stunning views. The Kaplans pushed to save all of the trees that dot the landscape, and an equally expansive deck opens out onto the lake. The deck overlooks a dock where visitors can actually dock their boats if they choose to arrive via water instead of streets.
“They did a phenomenal job,” says Doug Wexler, a local resident “This will be the supper club other supper clubs will be compared to.”
After visitors walk past the fireplace and into the restaurant, they are greeted by hand-crafted bookcases, which highlight the history of the building, and the shelves line the back wall, which boasts its own conversation area behind the bar.
The bar itself is a magnificent, gold cage suspended overhead, showcasing the brandy and whiskey offerings. The Brandy Alexander is, of course, a specialty drink, but like every good supper club, the Village serves up Wisconsin Old Fashioneds, made with brandy or whiskey, served with sweet or sour, with muddled Luxardo cherries and oranges.
Though Wisconsin Old Fashioneds are most popularly served brandy and sweet, meaning they are crafted with brandy and topped with sweet soda (like Sprite), the sour versions are crafted with honey syrup and house sour mix. “And I make each one with love,” says Becky Hoogland, bartender.
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The Wisconsin Badgers fell just short in their pursuit of 2026 three-star defensive tackle King Liggins, who had been a priority target for nearly a year.
Liggins committed to a rival school on Wednesday, staying home to play for the Illinois Fighting Illini, while the Badgers came second in the recruitment.
The Badgers had been in need of a defensive tackle in their 2026 class, which the 6’4, 285-pound lineman would’ve been able to fill. They currently have seven commits in their recruiting class, with three-star defensive end Carmelow Reed being the lone defensive lineman thus far.
Wisconsin still has a few official visits scheduled for the rest of next month at the position, including three-stars Jermaine Polk, Arthur Scott, and Djidjou Bah.
Liggins became Illinois’s 16th commitment in the 2026 cycle, and the Fighting Illini now have the eighth-best class in the country, according to 247Sports.
The Badgers are just a week out from the start of their first major official visit wave. Next weekend will be crucial in bolstering their 2026 class, which has some good pieces already and needs to start filling out now.
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Two female students have died in a suspected murder-suicide at a residence hall at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
A spokesperson with the university confirmed with Fox News Digital that Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, both 22, were found with gunshot wounds at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, in what authorities believe to be a murder-suicide at approximately 4 p.m. local time on Monday, May 19.
Helms, an elementary education major, was pronounced dead at the scene. Martin, a psychology major and assistant resident director, was transported to Southwest Health, and then flown to UW Hospital, where she later died.
A preliminary autopsy found that Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound, and Helms died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the school said, noting that “all indications at this time from the preliminary autopsy suggest a murder-suicide.”
IVY LEAGUE SUICIDES, PRINCETON’S 8TH STUDENT DEATH IN 4 YEARS EXPOSE CRISIS AT ELITE SCHOOLS
Students leave with their belongings from Wilgus Hall after a shooting at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Mark Hoffman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The university’s police arrived at the scene following a call for a “disturbance.” Photos following the incident captured college students being escorted out of the residence halls as police investigated the incident.
The school said that “no other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident.”
The university canceled final exams for the remainder of the week. Counseling is being offered to the campus community, and a toll-free emotional support line is available at (844)602-6680 or (720)272-0004.
Personnel from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab are shown at Wilgus Hall after a shooting at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Mark Hoffman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Helms graduated magna cum laude with a degree in elementary education, and Martin graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology on Saturday, May 17, according to the university’s graduation program.
Helms was from Baraboo, Wisconsin, and transferred to UW-Plateville in the spring of 2023 after attending UW-Baraboo.
Martin was from Beloit, Wisconsin, and had served as an assistant resident director on campus for the past three years, according to a “Student Staff Spotlight” posted by the university residence life office on Facebook.
WISCONSIN SCHOOL SHOOTING BY FIRST-SEMESTER STUDENT LASTED 8 MINUTES: OFFICIAL
Students wait to be escorted to their dorms to gather their belongings from Wilgus Hall following an emergency incident at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on May 19, 2025. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The university said in a Facebook message on Tuesday, “Thank you to all who have reached out to us through messages and offered to support in so many meaningful ways. We are overwhelmed by your kindness.”
“We are a close community, and this outpouring of care is a powerful reminder of who we are. We do not take it for granted. #PioneerStrong,” they added.
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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers wrote on Facebook, “I’ve been briefed on the situation at UW-Platteville, and we will continue to remain in close contact with university officials. As we await more information, please keep UW-Platteville students, faculty, staff, and the greater Platteville community in your thoughts.”
The UW-Platteville Police Department declined to comment on the incident, referring Fox News Digital to the university’s statement.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Efforts to reduce overdose deaths appear to be working, both here in the state and around the country.
A new report from the CDC shows that the number of deaths due to drug overdoses dropped 27% in 2024, the largest one-year decline ever, some 30,000 fewer deaths.
Zeroing in on Wisconsin, the decrease was even more dramatic, more than 36%. This marks the 2nd year in a row that overdose deaths have decreased in the state after a steady rise since the pandemic.
Abby Brezinski is CEO of the Jackie Nitschke Center, the only adult residential treatment center for substance addiction in Brown County. Brezinski discusses the latest overdose numbers in the video above.
Copyright 2025 WBAY. All rights reserved.
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