FISH CREEK - One of Door County s patriarchs of the fruit orchard, wine making and agri-tourism scene has died.
Bob Lautenbach, 72, turned a Fish Creek family farm into the year-round tourist destination now known as Orchard Country Winery and Market more than 45 years ago. His death was announced Tuesday morning on the Orchard Country Facebook page, less than a week before the farm plans to open for the public pick-your-own-cherries season Lautenbach helped popularize on the peninsula. He lived his life full of passion, worked really hard, and had a fire in his belly, an entrepreneurial spirit, a goofiness, and a humble heart, the post on the Facebook page said, in part. He was always willing to lend a hand or offer some wisdom . he loved all those that worked with him (not for him) . and he loved sharing his passion for the cherry and wine industry. We know he touched so many lives over the years.
When leading a Belgian pie class, Gina doesn t send students to the store to buy pie filling. She teaches how to make cherry filling. Same with apple, rice and raisin custard.
Then comes the lesson on making the cottage cheese topping with the added step of squeezing moisture from half the curds that will be combined with wet curds, egg yolks and sugar, and blended smooth.
There was a time when dry cottage cheese was widely available. Cottage cheese likely became the topping of choice, Gina said, because farmers made it and had it in abundance. Same for the traditional fillings.
Audiences at Door Community Auditorium must wear face masks and capacities will be limited, but a 26-show season is in store after last season was lost to the pandemic.
New German Christmas market in Sister Bay is expected to draw tourists thenorthwestern.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenorthwestern.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.