Bay Area Life & Style Magazine | Summer 2021

ISSUE
04 No.
A Y A R E A
l i f e a n d s t y l e / / m a g a z i n e
B
SUMMER 2021
w w w . w i l i f e a n d s t y l e . c o m

WISCONSIN'S PREMIER
NORTHEAST
TRAVEL AGENCY
BOUTIQUE
For information or to design your own trip email info@premiertravels.com

Committed
to my clients.
Looking out for your best interests, making
sure the real estate process is stress free.
SARAH WALLACE • REALTOR
(920) 367-0165 | sarah.househuntersofgreenbay.com

EDITORIAL
A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER | MEET THE TEAM
Olivia Kassner
Freelance Journalist
This adventure has been truly one of the
greatest of my life. Connecting with local businesses
and organizations in both the editorial and partnership
side, has been an absolute dream.
Bringing business owners together and expanding the
knowledge of local residents to the offerings in our
area on a more intimate level.
My goal and purpose of starting the Wisconsin Life &
Style brand was to dig deep within the local areas.
Finding the hidden treasures and introducing the
individuals who are supporting them. Endorsing the
shop local, support small movement.
While we are home more often than ever, reaching
more residents via direct mail has been ideal.
You the readers are a huge part of the success of my
publications. Your support has not only shown with
every edition that hits your mailbox, but has been felt
with the support of the businesses being highlighted.
They see you in their shop, they hear your kind words
and will continue to thrive with the great community
we have.
Meg Christel
Regional Account Executive
megc@wilifeandstyle.com
Emily Giebink
Freelance Journalist
ADVERTISING
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY
JULIE GILE PHOTOGRAPHY
AND BRANDI KRAUSE
GENERAL INQUIRIES | INFO@WILIFEANDSTYLE.COM
WWW.WILIFEANDSTYLE.COM | 920.332.5254
FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM @GREENBAY_LIVING
Brandi Krause, Owner/Publisher
brandik@wilifeandstyle.com
AAAREAAA
BAAAY
and style // magazine
life
Bay Area Life & Style Magazine is published quarterly by Wisconsin Life & Style LLC. It is distributed via USPS to some of the most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect
Wisconsin Life & Style's opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Wisconsin Life & Style does not assume responsibility for statements made by
advertisers or editorial contributors. Information is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

4&5 The Rusty Coop
Farm | Kewaunee
Heritage
More Details on Facebook
10am-5pm
6 Brown County Breakfast
the Farm: Collins Dairy
on
Hill Rd | Greenleaf | 8-Noon
3489
Greene Ave. | Allouez
900
Details via Village of Allouez
More
19 Cars & Guitars @
Automobile Gallery
The
S. Adams St. | GB
400
Ballroom
Riverside
County Rd R | Denmark
5046
Holmgren Way | Green Bay
2351
Tickets at www.epicgreenbay.com
Purchase
12-15 Lego Summer Camp
Ashwabenon St | Green Bay
999
Details at Fusion Athletics
More
W Pulaski St | Pulaski
149
Details at www.pulaskipolkadays.com
More
18 Wedding Show
Edition | 10am-3p,
Summer
Expo | Green Bay
Resch
23-25 Artour Art and Music Fest
W. Walnut St | Green Bay
403
Details on Facebook
More
Bay Beach Rd | GB
1230
Details on Facebook
More
info@wilifeandstyle.com
Email
all submissions are guaranteed to be printed.
Not
6-8 Outlander Music and Arts
Center
Expo Dr. | Manitowoc
4921
DePere
Details on www.browncountyfair.com
More
All events are subject to change due to current world events. Please check the business page for more details**
**
listed were either provided by the business/organization, off of local chamber sites or via public Facebook listings.
Events
summer'21
bay area
events
june
july
Cheap Trick
3
Event Center
Epic
august
Vintage Barn Market
Festival | Manitowoc County Expo
Fusion Athletics | 9a,-3pm
More Details at www.universe.com
15-18 Pulaski Polka Days
Museum Explorer: Art
9-12
Camp | The Children's
Summer
More Details on Brown County Dairy Promotions
Museum of Green Bay
Allouezfest
13
Isle Park | 10am-3pm
Green
18-22 Brown County Fair
1500 Fort Howard Ave
More Details at www.reschcomplex.com
More Details on Facebook
19 Duck Creek Vineyard
Want your event to be listed for FREE?
Spirit Fest | 12-6pm
More Details at www.duckcreekwine.com
Want your event to be listed for FREE? Email info@wilifeandstyle.com | Not all submissions are guaranteed to be printed.

A night of art and music sponsored by the Bay
Area Magazine and artlessBastard. Great
connections and conversations with soothing
tunes featuring Tae with Sam Luna from Heist
TV in Ripon.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
Follow @thisistaemusic and @artless.bastard on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Lexis Krause

Set your sights
on a land loan.
If you have a unique vision for a personal getaway,
GreenStone can help bring it into focus. We’re experts
in financing recreational properties across Wisconsin,
including large acreage.
Contact your local branch to learn more,
or visit us online to apply today.
800-444-3276
www.greenstonefcs.com

G R A N I T E | Q U A R T Z
S O A P S T O N E
T R A V E R T I N E | M A R B L E
1130 S. Taylor Street
Green Bay
920.499.9715
www.thegraniteco.com
@TheGraniteCo
/thegraniteco

Kristen Ambos
MORTAGE MINUTE WITH
WRITTEN BY: OLIVIA KASSNER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BRANDI KRAUSE
“Mortgages are as clear as mud,” says Kristen Ambos, retail
correspondent lender and mortgage expert. “It’s not black and white,
and it doesn’t make sense.” While there are varying reasons why
lenders use the particular criteria that they do, their rules can be
arbitrary and leave home buyers confused and taken advantage of.
Watching people get swindled in the mortgage business is one
of Ambos’ biggest grievances. She sees clients time and time
again who have been exploited so that a lending agent could
gain a signing bonus or make an extra buck. Ambos has been in
the mortgage business for almost twenty years, and her ample
experience among market highs and lows has made her an
expert resource in lending.
Ambos survived the 2008-2010 housing crisis and refuses to go
back. She promised herself in the middle of the mess that if she
made it out and stayed in the lending business, she would make
sure people were better informed. No matter how she can, she
vowed to always combat questionable lending.
Kristen believes that her clients have the right to know every
aspect of their money, whether they’re paying outright or
obtaining a loan. She encourages clients not to look at their
money nonchalantly, especially if they don’t understand what is
going on with it. Too often she sees uneducated buyers being
preyed on, and it is her goal to stop that from happening.
But how could she educate the general public if she can’t meet
each of them? To solve this, Ambos launched her YouTube
channel as a way to make her wealth of knowledge accessible
to more than just her clients. She uploads videos frequently,
educating viewers about mortgage finance by focusing on
topics like Contingencies, Student Loan Debt, and Property
Taxes.

Ambos’ channel features two regular segments: Mortgage Minute!
and Coffee & Conversations with Kristen, so she can provide both
tidbits of information and longer chats where she explains things
like your friend would (and then you can sit on the other side of the
screen nodding like you knew that already, because it makes so
much sense how could you not?). Kristen sheds light on the
confusing aspects of lending, which in turn empowers viewers to
take control of their mortgage.
Every scenario in lending is
different, and while there are loans
available whose criteria buyers don’t
fit, there are other loans out there
that will work. People feel like banks
just want to turn them down, but
Kristen wants to approve them. She
gets creative and finds new ways to
get her clients financed. She advises
them on how to fix their credit
scores to get a better rate, where to
find funds for surprising closing
costs, and what steps to take to get
them into a home. Instead of fitting
her clients into a certain box, she
finds loans with criteria they can
meet.
Since mortgages are all Ambos
works with, she has access to a
variety of lending options.
Specializing in Residential Lending,
she acts as a broker and can choose
from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac,
government, conventional, jumbo
loans, FHA, WHEDA, VA, USDA and
more. Licensed in the entire
Midwest and Florida, Ambos is
knowledgeable about out of state
lending as well.
Ambos’ work has also benefited
many veterans in the area.
Guaranteed Rate’s partnership with
the USO has given her the
opportunity to work with veterans
on their VA loans. To give back to
the community, she is currently
paying all lender fees for veterans
to thank them for their service by
saving them money
When she’s not working, the UW
Stevens Point graduate and her
husband spend time in the summer
at the race track. Her husband
races off-road, and the couple has
taken an active role in their racing
community, with Ambos
sponsoring eight drivers this year.
Kristen is your down-to-earth,
friendly neighborhood lender,
which is evident from her social
media presence. Her regular
YouTube and Instagram posts give
you a real feel for her personality,
so you don’t have to feel
intimidated to give her a call. She
has pages and pages of positive
reviews on her Zillow lending
profile, with dozens of comments
about her accessibility and
responsiveness.
The best advice is to get a second opinion; it
can’t hurt to get another quote, it can only give
you options. Kristen Ambos is dedicated to
being a transparent lender who educates her
clients to understand what they are doing with
their money and what their money is doing for
them.

SPOKE BIKING COMMUNITY:
BROKEN
MORE THAN PUTTING ON MILES
Written By: Emily Giebink
Photography by: Brandi Krause
When you really enjoy something, it's natural to want to
share that love and passion with others. It was the same
for George Kapitz, who is the owner and founder of
Broken Spoke Bike Studio. A love for riding a bicycle is
what brought him to working in a bike shop for more
than eight years before opening his own in 2010 in
Manitowoc.
Four years later, he would open another shop in
downtown Green Bay. The shop features all types of
bikes including new and used city bikes, road bikes,
gravel bikes, mountain bikes and fat bikes. They even
offer repairs and have a bicycle and electric bike rental
program. George built his business from the ground up,
starting in his garage.
"I used to fix up old cruiser bikes from the 30's, 40's, 50's
and 60's and we would fix them up and go cruise
around," said George Kapitz. "It just kind of kept growing
from there and then fat bikes got on my radar, so I built
up a fat bike and the first thing I did with it was a beach
ride and at that time the water level was really low so I
was able to bike all the way down to Sheboygan and it
was just this really cool experience where I thought
everyone needs to try this so I just started taking people
on fat bike tours,"
Wanting to share that experience is what started the
free, growing group rides for bikers. The groups of about
30 to 50 people connect on social media and have
scheduled rides of different distances with meet up
spots every day of the week so they can fit into anyone's
schedule.
"For me it wasn't just about selling bikes, but sharing this
experience," said Kapitz. We want it to become apart of
your lifestyle versus just buying a bike,"
Encouraging a growing community of avid bikers to
explore our local communities, but to also give back and
support several local causes such as ‘Miles for Matches’
which benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters.. Broken Spoke
Bike Studio has been a proud sponsor for the past three
years.
"It just felt natural even from the start to be involved in
the community," explained Kapitz. "It was great to have
the cycling community to give back, we're a pretty
strong community and we can do some pretty neat
things in numbers,"
The growth and love for biking is also what helped the
business expand. "We're excited to be coming to
Ledgeview. We have a lot of customers and friends that
live in the area and it's a great spot," said Kapitz.
The third location will open in July in the Old School
Square near Bleu Restaurant off Dickinson Road in
Ledgeview. George says they always want to see more
people on bikes and getting started can sometimes be
intimidating, but he offered some simple and
encouraging advice.
“Just have fun with it and don't take it too seriously, just
go out and ride your bike, don't worry about a personal
record. We've all been there where we just started and
we just want to get you confident," explained Kapitz.
You can learn more about Broken Spoke Bike Studio and
their group rides on their Facebook page.

Teri Tkachuk wants to be your biggest cheerleader. As co-founder of STELLARGIRL, the
entrepreneur has created a brand that is all about empowering and celebrating women, and
she is growing her community of global STELLARGIRLS. Tkachuk launched STELLARGIRL in
the Fall of 2020 after spending years developing her signature glimmer lotion to spread
positivity and sparkle. The mom of four and fit model uses her background in fashion to bring
style to her everyday life and her passion for fitness to inspire healthy, fulfilling lives in others
through her brand. She uploads a podcast weekly, her blog is full of constructive and
encouraging posts, and her website features everyday women whom she wants to champion.
Teri and her brand are a fresh burst of positivity and female empowerment to women around
the world.

EMPOWER
YOUR INNER STELLARGIRL
WRITTEN BY: OLIVIA KASSNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JULIE GILE

Alifelong global traveler, Tkachuk
was born in Canada and has visited over
three dozen countries. Everywhere she
went found women whom she would
befriend and whose stories spoke to her.
Respectful of the diverse cultures she
has immersed herself in, Tkachuk would
listen to and learn from these women,
and she became inspired by their
individual journeys, embracing a
“Kindness First, Always” attitude.
Tkachuk says of this mantra: “Why don’t
you say hello and see if that person is
kind and be kind to them? We miss that
human connection, especially with
females.” She radiates positive energy
when she recounts her experiences, and
her enthusiasm is infectious.
But it isn’t just her sparkling personality
that attracted other strong women; her
sparkling skin commands attention as
well. Teri loves sparkle so much that for
years she had her own DIY ritual for
creating her signature look: she would
apply lotion on her arms, legs, and
décolletage, dust herself with micas, iron
oxides, and glitter, and then set the
particles with a powder. The final look
gave her skin a luster that would literally
catch the eyes of women who would
then strike up a conversation asking her
about it and how to achieve her look.
Teri decided it was time to find a way to
bottle her sunshine up and get people
sparkling everywhere. After working with
chemists and a cosmeceuticals company
for over three years developing the
formula, testing ingredient stability, and
putting the final application to the test,
at last she was satisfied with the
replication of her homemade concoction.
The lotion applies smoothly and is
absorbed by the skin for a dry touch,
leaving behind a variety of pearly
shimmer particles and striking glitter
flecks that stay put. The result is dazzling
skin that is scientifically proven to boost
your mood. Tkachuk even interviewed an
expert to back this claim up.
On Tkachuk’s Speaking STELLARGIRL
podcast, Dr. Dawnn Karen, dubbed “the
world’s first fashion psychologist” by the
New York Times, cites an ecological
study that proves that shine and sparkle
actually make you happy. She says
humans are biologically drawn to water,
so when we see things that shimmer, it
triggers a dopamine release in the brain,
creating feelings of pleasure and
reward. “It makes me so happy putting
it on every day,” says Teri, sparkling
inside and out.
Dr. Karen is just one of the many
powerhouse females featured on the
podcast that Tkachuk uploads weekly.
From CEOs and doctors to stylists and
influencers, Teri’s guests are always
interesting and informative, serving up
real world advice for living an
empowered life. Her interviewees offer
knowledge on women’s rights, body
image acceptance, breaking the glass
ceiling, and domestic violence, to name
a few topics.
The latter is another one of Tkachuk’s
passions, and one of the charitable
causes she is committed to serving. She
is currently undertaking the creation of
a STELLARGIRL Foundation - a three to
five year process - and Harbor House
Domestic Abuse Programs is one of the
two organizations Tkachuk hopes to
benefit. She is already involved in the
program educating others on how to
spot signs of sex trafficking and
domestic abuse, and she has donated
exercise equipment to their
establishment so the women living there
can lead healthy, fit lives while they get
back on their feet.

The other cause Teri is dedicated to ties in her love for
fashion. Tkachuk has been on the board of the School
of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) for over a decade,
when she was asked to join as a fashion maven due to
her work as a style editor in a Naperville magazine. The
board supports SAIC students and raises money for
scholarships for them to attend the Fashion Design
program, giving these gifted artists the opportunity to
pursue their exceptional talents. Teri looks forward to
the student fashion show each year, and she loves to
purchase off the runway to directly subsidize the
students’ careers. She has even ordered custom pieces
from the designers, and cherishes her growing couture
closet. Check out the sidebar for more details on her
dreamy closet.
Teri’s goal is to expand her network of STELLARGIRLS
across the globe, and she has the foundation built to
do so. Her brand and website are trademarked and
hosted in over 120 countries, and she has vowed to
only grow her social media organically - no bots, no
paid followers, and no shortcuts. Her biggest request
of readers is to find your way to her website where you
can see her growing page of STELLARGIRLS and
become inspired to submit your own stories or how
your friend is a true STELLARGIRL. By championing
your successes, Teri hopes to connect you to women
across the world to support each other's journeys.
Closet Envy
Loving this peek inside Teri’s lush closet? With the model’s collection of
vintage fashion growing after twenty years of curating, she needed to store
them in a place as luxurious as they. She also felt the custom pieces she has
commissioned from SAIC students deserved to be showcased.
She and her husband Keith decided to extend the master closet into the
home office to create a lavish closet. They designed the room with Rose
Jagodinsky at The Closet Company, whom they say is ‘outstanding’ and whose
work they couldn’t be happier with. The team contracted Wilco Cabinet
Makers to construct their plans and HJ Martin and Son to install the flooring.
The end product is a swoon-worthy room that Teri says is the only one in the
house that she truly has to herself (spoken like a true mom).
With her master closet now her happy place, Tkachuk has a place to display
her wall of designer shoes and accessories, her cherished custom and vintage
wardrobe, and her collection of decades of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue
magazines. Any fashionista could live and die a happy life in this closet.
True to her charitable roots, when rotating clothes out Teri doesn’t resell her
items on consignment or on websites to recoup the cost. Instead she donates
them to the Harbor House, so that the women have access to current fashion
to wear to interviews instead of the outdated or unwanted clothes that are
typically contributed. Inside and out, Teri truly is a style icon for our
community to look up to.

ELEVATE YOUR BRAND WITH
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
juliemgilephotography.com (925) 960-3954 @jmgilephotography
COLORFUL ABSTRACT PAINTINGS & ABSTRACT FLORALS
AVAILABLE WORK AT JENNAKASTSTUDIO.COM AND ON INSTAGRAM @JENNAKASTSTUDIO

BRINGING A
OF ITALY TO
TASTE
DOWNTOWN
Written By: Emily Giebink | Photography By: Brandi Krause
Do you remember where you had a really amazing slice of pizza? For Andy Krans, it's in Italy. His wife
Sophia is from Italy and they would bring their family to spend extended summers in the country to visit
family and friends still living on the
DEPERE
peninsula.
Unfortunately, when lockdowns began, Andy and Sophia found themselves unable to visit loved ones and
enjoy the traditional Italian cuisine. The idea for Strada Pizzeria was then born. They may not be able to go
to Italy, but they could bring a taste of Italy to Downtown De Pere to share with the community they now
call home.

Strada serves roman style pizza,
which originated in Rome and is
traditionally served in
rectangular slices. Strada uses
fresh, mostly local ingredients,
such as BelGioioso cheese, to
craft their pizzas. The flour
comes from Italy and is really the
showstopper of this delicious
experience. After the dough is
made, it ferments for 72 hours to
create the perfect base, packed
with flavor and highlights the
other ingredients. This style of
crust is light and airy, but thick,
similar to focaccia.
Strada offers six core flavors of
pizza but also brings in a
specialty flavor about every two
weeks. The recipes are created
by culinary chefs, who were
professionally trained by Italians
at a school in Miami, Florida
since they could not travel to
Italy. The pizzas can be enjoyed
right away, hot from the oven, or
brought home to be cooked in
your own oven thanks to the
prebaked pizza crust. It takes less
than five minutes to cook it fresh
at home.
In November of 2020 at 109
North Broadway Street, Strada
opened its doors in the former
Bilotti's Pizza & Italian Garden,
which closed its doors in 2017.
Andy says this was the perfect
spot to bring back a pizza shop.
"We figured no one is thinking
about opening a new business
during this time, let alone a
restaurant," said Andy Krans. "We
knew the community needed
some good news and so opening
a new business we thought was
just what the community
needed,"
Strada has felt that community
support since they opened. They
sold out numerous times over
the holidays and thanks to its
popularity, the small business is
looking to expand into other
communities. "A lot of people
were coming from Appleton to
get our pizza so we're opening a
Strada in the Fox Valley area and
we're looking into expanding into
Door County," said Krans.

EXPERIENCE
IS MEANT TO BE
THAT
The atmosphere of the restaurant inside
the historical building brings out its charm.
It's the perfect spot to stop, slow down,
enjoy your food and catch up with friends.
It's truly an experience that is meant to be
savored.
When asked if they would ever expand their
menu with more flavors or other food
items, Andy said they do pizza really well
and that's what they want to share with the
community. Pizza that is of the highest
quality, authentic and sets them apart from
any other pizza shops.
So when you're
thinking about treating
yourself or your family
to a slice, Strada invites
you to stop by their
little piece of Italy in
downtown De Pere.
IT'S TRULY AN
SAVORED

WE ARE HIRING
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Day Trip to
written by: brandi krause
Looking for a quick adventure
this summer?
Look no further than our
neighboring community of
Kewaunee County. With so
many outdoor adventures
that are no cost to enjoy as
well as excursions for the
entire family.
Kewaunee has an abundance
of opportunities starting with
Bruemmer Park & Zoo. With
a focus on understanding and
respecting all things living,
your family can come and
enjoy the animals that are
native to Wisconsin. New
exhibits are being added
annually to expand the
offerings to a nature
education center and more.
The park has many spots for
you to sit and enjoy a picnic,
while the children enjoy one
of the two playground areas.
Right around the corner is
the Kewaunee Fish Hatchery.
Schedule your tour today to
learn about the process and
watch the fish in action.
Keep an eye out as there are
many new restaurants and hot
spots opening up this summer in
Kewaunee. Including the
Wildflower Supper Club, The
Bakery Bar and The Ballering.
Bringing new and unique
concepts to the community.
Head over to Algoma and enjoy
the Crescent Beach in all its glory.
Stroll the boardwalk, meander
down the pier and relax on the
beach. Don’t forget your volleyball
as there are multiple nets for fun
in the sun. The Algoma Marina
not only right by the beach but
also within walking distance to
many bars, restaurants and shops.
Check out The Honeycomb shop
featuring local handmade
creations from artisans
throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Home of the Queen Bee Soaps.
While walking around downtown
make sure to check out the
Country Cupboard. Here you will
find something for everyone. They
even carry the favorites from
Door County!

Want to schedule a fishing trip while you are in the
area? Check out a couple of our favorites Haasch
Guide Service and Kinn’s Sport Fishing. You will
be in for a great time as they are experienced and
will make sure your fishing trip is one to
remember.
There is a growing art community in Kewaunee
County with wall murals, galleries and shops like
Steele Street Trading that you can satisfy your
creative side with.
While heading back to Brown County make sure to
stop in the Luxemburg area as well. Make an
afternoon of it with a round of golf at Northbrook
Country Club and check out their newly updated,
family friendly dining area. Make sure to follow the
schedule for the Berg Speedway races. Located at
the Kewaunee County FairGrounds. On your way
out of the county swing into the Thumb Knuckle
Brewery with their craft beer menu and occasional
food truck, you won’t be disappointed.
You don’t have to go far for an experience and a
great time. The community continues to grow and
there are so many offerings available. Taking a day
trip next door, definitely continues to support the
shop local, small business movement. Enjoy your
summer and continue to make memories in
Northeast Wisconsin!

If you want in on this
Seller Advantageous
Real Estate Market we
are here to strategize!
Amy Jo Fullerton: 920.621.8619 | Sandra Ranck: 920.265.5033
sandraranck.com | 920.265.5033
340 NORTH BROADWAY, GREEN BAY