Wandawega Blog Archive

Early Christmas present!! We just got word that our episode of @MagnoliaNetwork’s new show “Bespoke Inns is going to air to help kick off the series!this Friday on @DiscoveryPlus #bespokeinns #magnolianetwork * BTS pics here shared with us from the folks at @credononfiction – they worked their tails off creating the whole season and series Gratitude to the amazing crew:@jesseroesler @misterberndt@jonnrobinet @mr_rubber_burner

December 20, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

THE LIST is out(Were still trying to get into these two rentals)1. @anawayplace 2. @nordlyslodgingco Not giving up!There are a couple FLWrights on the list that weve been able to book & recco you snag if you can!Seth Peterson cottage Still Bend, Two RiversEXCERPT: This spot in Elkhorn, also known as Wandawega Lake Resort,warns visitors that they are “not a proper resort by a long shot. Abrochure, the Manifesto of Low Expectations, prepares guests for what they might encounter, from toads and spiders in the camp showers to windows that stick and doors that dont lock.But those are all part of the experience at this historic property that has been everything from a speakeasy and brothel to a lake resort and a Catholic summer camp.Wife-and-husband team Tereasa Surratt and David Hernandez bought the property in 2003 and began to lovingly restore it to the camp Hernandez had attended as a kid. Both have creative backgrounds in advertising agencies and brought their design sense and passion for preservation (Hernandez also sits on the board of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust) to the property, peppering it with flea market finds that add to the charm.Today the camp features cabins, tents, A-frames and even a treehouse filled with vintage furnishings from a bed frames to old tennis rackets. Outside, guests can enjoy camp activities from archery, hatchet throwing and shuffleboard to bicycling, boating (in a vintage rowboat, of course) and bonfires.While the idea of the camp is to get away from everything there are no TVs or WiFi the property is an Instagrammers paradise and has garnered coverage from Conde Nast Traveler, the Today Show even a short video series from Reese Witherspoons Hello Sunshine media empire.The property is primarily rented out for all-camp events (weddings, retreats, etc.), but there are occasionally openings for people to rent individual units or clusters on Airbnb. The owners admit the prices are steep for the rustic accommodations some of which have shared showers but the money goes toward the ongoing renovation of the property thats on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo creds in tags

December 19, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Weve had to keep this a secret since summer – so were excited they are letting us announce it!We filmed a feature episode with @MagnoliaNetwork for their new show called BESPOKE INNSThe series premise is a creative inspiration:The owners and innkeepers behind America’s most enchanting boutique inns share the stories behind their properties’ creation, renovation and designThe trailer just went live yesterday >>scroll here>>The show will start streaming on @DiscoveryPlus. It airs this Friday, Dec 23rd, with new episodes of other properties airing every Friday through Feb 3rd. The amazing production crew : @jesseroesler @misterberndt@jonnrobinet @mrrubberburner @credononfiction Were by far the least fancy of the inns featured in this series. When we watched the trailer, the thing we couldnt shake was how we could have ever made the cut to be in the company of all of these fancy places..And also for including cameos of those who have played a roll here in different phases of our 18 year journey.We’re so grateful for all the different team members whove passed through here over the years,whose contributions will remain in the buildings, spaces & rooms theyve helped us bring to life during their stay with us. So were thrilled that this episode includes a few of those staffers from prior Camp seasons as well as many of our family, friends, neighbors (and of course Charlie & Frankie!)This feature episode marks many new beginnings for us. 2023 is a year of fresh starts. For the past 18 years, every few years we hit the reset button as we look for ways to continue our growth & ambitions. As part of our latest efforts, were excited to welcome new team members who bring an abundance of enthusiasm to be part of camps mission, purpose, vision, and future. The optimism and positive energy theyre already bringing to all of ournew creative projects have been contagious.Wereso looking forward to introducing the new amenities, products, spaces, partnerships & programming.More to come.Your Camp Directors,Tereasa & David#BespokeInns #MagnoliaNetwork

December 17, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We could use some help here.Were making this tiny new guest amenity called The Music Box.So heres what were piecing together : you walk into the old main lodge- past the pool room- the bar – hang a right into the gambling room – behind a door in the corner.This has been our little secret.(Because its been a hoarding spot for all the things we dont need or use) So we decided to convert it into a little Music corner. Weve gutted it, and are building out the floor to ceiling shelving. Were Gathering up all our instruments weve got all all over camp- What would you want to find in here?Heres some of our plans, sketches and scheming as were making our list of what to outfit it with: Rack of records & 8 tracks, cassettesLibrary of Songbooks Musical games (is this a thing?) 8 track player Karaoke machin Record player Guitar Amp Speakers

December 15, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

COPPER POSTCARDS were a popular tourist souvenir in the 50s -70s at roadside attractions- they were the type of affordable little memento that joints like the Wandawega Hotel would have offered guests back then. If youve ever met us, you know that we have a soft spot for the little things that were made in the U.S. by small businesses.So we tracked down the current generation still running the family shop that makes these.{ who are so charmingly old school that they still do business via phone, fax, and snail-mail }They sent us a Xerox copy of a clipart page from the 60s with designs to pick from.And presto! Our little copper postcard dreams just came true, stocked up in our campstore.We love supporting other small businesses.Especially during the holidays.And *most* especially these multi-generation families that still make the smallest things that time forgot.Heres to the little things that stand a chance of getting saved, to one day remind us of that one vacation we took, decades ago.

December 14, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The new Camp Supply Closet cometh!Is it weird to get excited about office supply organizational systems? Probably. Were in rethink/redesign of everything mode in our slow seasonevery : basement.Garage.Closet.Back-of-House.Office corner.Is getting a makeover.Were starting with our neglected little Supplies Closet printing station. Were doing it right this time. Out with the old.In with the new.(Except for old vintage shelves/ fixtures/cabinets and those amazing vintage canvas covered 1950s binderswe need more of those in our life).

December 13, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

This was pretty special to us. We have been fans of Chris Brown (of Refueled Magazine) for many years- so it was an honor to have him join us as our first artist in residence. Hes worked with so many American heritage outdoor brands that we love from @filson1897 to @stetsonusa and tapped by it seems every inspiration source from @tedx_official to @netflix To read more about what he created here and why- head over to his feed : @refueled.magazine but what we learned pretty quickly is that he not only is one of the most humble guys youll ever meet- hes also incredibly generous with his time. The residency was only a few days but the stamp he left will be here long after were gone (and we arent going anywhere anytime soon).Photos and film by his buddy (and also a super chill and talented guy) @stevenvisneauphotography

December 12, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt