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Works of watercolor artist to be featured at Lake Geneva Public Library
Maria DeCaprio-Sunta's works are set to be featured at the
Lake Geneva Public Library throughout the month of January.
SUBMITTED
This month, the Lake Geneva Public Library will feature the art of Maria DeCaprio-Sunta, a watercolor and multimedia artist and member of the Geneva Lakes Art Foundation.
DeCaprio-Sunta attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in organizational psychology and a minor in art history. She was originally drawn to watercolor for the "fresh, transparent colors" and the "mobility of the medium," as she likes to paint en plein air, outdoors.
DeCaprio-Sunta says of her work, "I have been a creative person since childhood...the process of making art is a daily experience which I find relaxing and stimulating at the same time. I have evolved over the years, learning different techniques and refining my own style in mixed media. My journey as an artist is ongoing, and I am always open to new ideas."
In addition to her creative work, DeCaprio-Sunta has taught watercolor for 24 years and served various arts and community organizations.
She spent 20 years on the Moraine Valley Community College Foundation Board, 15 years with Palos Fine Arts, and six years with McCord Gallery & Cultural Center. In 2009, she received the Illinois Humanities Council Studs Terkel Service Award for her volunteer work in the community.
Most recently, she was chairman of the Public Arts Commission in Palos Heights. She is currently the on-site artist at Black Point Estate and Gardens.
The community is invited to view DeCaprio-Sunta's work at the Lake Geneva Public Library in January.
The rotating Geneva Lakes Art Foundation gallery is located in the westend adult fiction section of the library and may be viewed during open hours, which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Culinary contest to feature "around the world" theme
The heat is back in the kitchen this winter as the Walworth County Pro/ Am Culinary Showdown returns for another year of high-energy competition, world-class flavors, and community celebration on Sunday, Jan. 25 at Lake Lawn Resort.
This year's event is sponsored by Kikkoman, and pairs high school culinary students with some of Walworth County's most respected professional chefs for a friendly competition that showcases skill, creativity and collaboration.
This year's theme, "Around the World," will transport attendees across global culinary traditions. Each student-chef team has been assigned a country at random and challenged to create their best dish inspired by that nation's cuisine.
Guests will sample all dishes, meet the teams and help determine the People's Choice Award. Additional awards will include the Kikkoman Chefs' Excellence Award, and Judges' Choice: Best Dish Representing Country.
Beyond the culinary experience, the Pro/Am Culinary Showdown supports WCEDA's Kareers4Kids program, which introduces students to real-world career pathways, hands-on learning and mentorship from local industry professionals.
WCEDA officials are set to welcome Chef Chad Visger, owner of Pastries by Chad in Elkhorn, to this year's roster of chefs.
Visger recently competed as a contestant on FOX's Next Level Baker, the new national television competition featuring Gordon Ramsay, Carla Hall and Candace Nelson.
"This is a powerful example of how national-level talent and local careerbased learning can intersect right here in Walworth County," Leslie Gostomski, director of operations and Kareers4Kids program coordinator, said in a press release. "Our students aren't just watching culinary excellence on TV—they're working side-by-side with it. The Culinary Showdown is a fun, high-impact way to support youth skill development and highlight the incredible culinary talent across Walworth County."
VIP hour access, which is sold out, is from 11 a.m. to noon and includes first look and early tastings.
General admission is from noon to 2 p.m. and costs $20. Student admission, from noon to 2 p.m., is $10 with an active middle or high school ID from a Walworth County school.
Youth admission, 12 years and younger, is free. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit https://www.walworthbusiness.com.
Three doze apply for new Lake Geneva city jobs
DENNIS HINES
Lake Geneva officials have received 30 applications for the
assistant city administrator position and seven for the shortterm
rental and code enforcement officer position.
FILE PHOTO, REGIONAL NEWS
Lake Geneva officials have received 37 applications for two new positions they are seeking to fill.
City Administrator Dave De Angelis announced during the Jan. 5 City Council Personnel Committee meeting that about 30 people have applied for the assistant city administrator position.
"I would say at least half are definitely qualified," he said. "So, now I'm in the process of whittling those down that I find are closest in line for what the job requires and what we're looking for here in Lake Geneva."
Some of the responsibilities of the assistant city administrator include serving as the city administrator when the city administrator is absent, serving as a liaison to coordinate activities between the different departments, maintaining the city's website and social media pages, coordinating staff training with the department heads, writing grants, assisting with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance projects, coordinating volunteer activities and assisting city departments when needed.
The salary range for the assistant city administrator position is $100,941 to $106,051. The position has been included in Lake Geneva's 2026 budget.
Short-term renal and code enforcement
Seven candidates have applied for the short-term rental and code enforcement officer position.
"We're still trying to decide if three or four are qualified, but at least we have choices," De Angelis said. "We have several good candidates in that pool, which is great."
Some of the responsibilities for the positions include processing short-term rental applications, making sure short-term rental properties are properly licensed, investigating complaints related to short-term rental properties, working with the public works department to address municipal code violations, and issuing citations related to short-term rental and municipal code violations.
The salary range for the short-term rental and code enforcement officer position is between $69,376 and $72,889. That position also has been included in the city's 2026 budget.
Candidates will be considered by De Angelis and other city officials.
"These are staff positions," Alderman Joel Hoiland said. "So, they're handled by staff, not by the Personnel Committee or City Council."
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