A tribute to Tom Strachota

There was a pall cast over the community of West Bend this week as neighbors try to wrap their head around the recent deaths of Tom Strachota, Doug Devenport and Dan Fuge.

There is a sense of shock from many regarding the news of Strachota’s death; he died suddenly following a heart attack Monday night at Pleasant Valley Tennis Club, he was raced to the hospital down the road but lifesaving measures weren’t enough.

Friends and neighbors are recalling Strachota as a man of conviction and community spirit.

“Tom had a real commitment to West Bend,” said John Rozek. “It showed in his family’s commitment to Regner Park and he was very involved in all different aspects.”

Robb Mehring golfed with Tom Strachota during a Notre Dame outing at the West Bend Country Club.

“He was really a great person. He always made everyone feel important.” said Mehring. “They say you are remembered not by how you treated people but how that person made you feel and Tom made people feel important and respected. I will never forget that about him.”

Tom and Patty Strachota were involved in a variety of community projects. The pair teamed with local civic organizations and helped refurbish and dedicate the Strachota bandstand at Regner Park in 2010. It was part of the 75^th anniversary celebration of Regner.

The Strachotas also co-chaired the 2015 United Way Campaign in Washington County and they were part of Roots & Branches.

Robby Robrahn was part of the 2015 campaign. “Tom was quiet but he always had that smile,” said Robrahn. “Tom was one of our celebrities last year during our fundraiser for Roots & Branches. He was very community minded and a backbone of the Strachota family.”

Strachota was general manager at Dairyland Seed in Kewaskum; the company started by his grandfather Simon in 1907.

Word of Strachota’s death rocked the agricultural industry. Strachota had leadership roles within the seed industry, and the American Seed Trade Association.

Gary Leeper, a sales leader at Dairyland Seed, was quoted by industry publication Seed World.

“It is truly a sad day for all of us as we have lost not only our leader, but a dear friend to every one of us,” said Leeper. “Few people enjoyed their dealers, customers or co-workers more than Tom. He always carried a smile and was genuinely happy to see and talk with everyone with whom he came into contact.

“Tom’s death is a tragic loss for all of us who considered him a close friend and co-worker as well as a loss for Dairyland Seed, our dealers, the community of West Bend, the state of Wisconsin and the U.S. seed industry,” said Leeper.

George Prescott, local philanthropist and owner of Timmer’s Resort, said he remembered when Tom paid him a visit, prior to August 2008, when Dairyland Seed was sold to Dow AgroSciences.

“He came to me when he was thinking about selling the company and I was kind of flattered by that,” said Prescott.  “I thought the world of him. He had a responsibility to the family, who were his stakeholders, and he took very good care of family, shareholders, customers and suppliers.”

Prescott said it was also quite a compliment that Tom was pursued by Dow AgroSciences. “They kept him on for about five years after the sale, which is almost unheard of,” he said. “Tom was always taking the high road, representing strength and leadership. He always just did a great job.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.  Burial will be in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Doug Devenport

Douglas Dean Devenport, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016 in his home surrounded by family.  He was born January 11, 1935 to Leverette (Earl) and Ethel (nee Jones) Devenport.

Doug attended the University of Wisconsin where he met his wife Norrine.  Doug was a member of the UW wrestling team and the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

Douglas and Norrine (nee Blaha) were married on January 15, 1956 at the Corinth Mississippi Methodist Church.  Doug was born and raised in West Bend and was President and CEO at Level Valley Dairy Co. in West Bend, and Cumberland Creamery in Nashville, TN.  Doug and his brother Roger, grew the company to where it was ranked in the top 30 companies on the WI 100 list of largest privately held corporations.

Doug and Norrine have been long time benefactors to their community, contributing the “Ajuga Daydream” sculpture at Riverside Park, the Devenport Family Stage at the Washington County Fairgrounds, and were major benefactors of the Washington County Ice Center and the Museum of Wisconsin Art as well as many other organizations and causes throughout the community.

Doug was a member of the Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, past member of the board of directors of M&I First National Bank, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  Doug enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing with family and friends, as well as watching his race horses run at the track.

A Funeral Service will be 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel, 1420 W. Paradise Dr. West Bend, with Pastor Jeff Hesse officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service.  Interment will follow at the Washington County Memorial Park.

Remembering Dan Fuge

Dan Fuge died this week. “He had pancreatic cancer,” said his cousin Bob Fuge. “I don’t think they discovered it until it was Stage 4.”

Dan owned Fuge Heating & Air Conditioning; it was a business started by his father, Herb and uncle, Robert H. Fuge. At one point Fuge Hardware Co. was in downtown West Bend.

“Do you remember when the Fuge building was across the street,” said Todd Tennies from Tennies Ace Hardware. “It was across Main Street just to the south of Collin’s Deck Bar by Tony Jasen’s building.

“During Thanksgiving the Fuges would put two live turkeys in the window,” said Tennies.

Tim Stern remembered the turkeys. “My grandfather Robert Fuge continued that tradition when the store turned into Fuge Plumbing & Heating” he said. “My brother and I along with the family would always help get the window ready and take care of them.”

Bob Fuge remembered a contest and the prize was a turkey, sometimes a live turkey. “I was very involved with doing those turkey windows and finally I talked my dad into going to frozen turkeys because it was such a hassle with those live turkeys,” he said.

Robby Robrahn was a good friend of Dan Fuge. “He was a big Indy race fan,” said Robrahn.  “He also sponsored a duck every year in the Duck Derby. He was a quiet guy but supportive in the community.”

Dan Fuge was a life-long resident of West Bend. He attended local schools, graduating from West Bend High School. He also was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Dan Fuge was 60.

Operation Warm

For the third year in a row members of the West Bend Professional Firefighters Union gathered this week with members of West Bend Early Risers at Decorah Elementary to carry out Operation Warm; a program where more than 200 down winter coats are distributed to students in need. Alyana, 9, got a turquoise coat. “It’s my favorite color and it’s totally warm,” she said.

Ayden, 9, said he already had a coat. “I have one but this one is better because it’s softer,” he said.  “I also like dark colors because it’s easier to hide when I play hide-and-seek.”

On a side note: As kids were gathering in the classroom waiting for the coat distribution to begin they plopped themselves on the floor and looked at the adults in the room. Pretty soon one man was tossing out arithmetic problems. “What’s 11 minus 9,” he asked.  A couple hands went up.  “What’s 7 plus 5,” he said. Then from the back of the room one of the firefighters said, “What’s 4 and 6?  Third place in the NFC.”

Husar’s holiday ornament

Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds has unveiled a new glass ornament for the holidays. For the past seven years the Husars have been highlighting West Bend with Norman-Rockwell flair. The first year the ornament featured the Husar building with the West Bend Theatre marquee in the background. This year the ornament features the Gehl Company building.

Husar’s President Mike Husar said his dad, Marvin Husar, was the one who came up with the idea of featuring significant buildings in the community as the ongoing theme for the annual ornament. The ornaments are painted using a Chinese form of age-old art called Li Bien, which means “inside.” The ornaments are for sale at Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds.

Declaration of candidacy papers distributed

City and Village clerks in Germantown, Hartford, Slinger, Kewaskum, and West Bend are prepping for a primary in February 2017.

Aldermen in the even-numbered districts in West Bend are up for election and along with the mayor. Aldermen include Dist. 2 Steve Hutchins, Dist. 4 Chris Jenkins, Dist. 6 Steve Hoogester, and Dist. 8 Roger Kist and  Mayor Kraig Sadownikow who already indicated in July he’d run for another term in office.

Aldermen can start circulating papers December 1. They need to collect between 20 – 40 signatures and the mayor needs to collect 200 – 400 signatures, which are due Jan. 3, 2017.

In Slinger, Village President Russell Brandt is up for election as are trustees Rick Gundrum, Richard Kohl, and Dean Otte. Each seat carries a 2-year term.

In Germantown, 4 of the 9 trustees are up for election including Dist. 1 David Balm, Dist. 2 Rick Miller, Dist. 3 Robert Warren, and Dist. 4 Jeffrey Hughes.

In Kewaskum, Village President Kevin Scheunemann is up for reelection along with trustees Jim Wright, Jim Hovland and David Spenner.

In Hartford, Dist. 1 alderman Robert Jewell is up for a 1-year term, Dist. 1 Randy Meyer for a 3-year term, Dist. 2 Dennis Hegy for a 3-year term and Dist. 3 Barry Wintringer for a 3-year term.

In Richfield Village President John Jeffords, and Trustees Rock Brandner and Sandy Voss are up for election. All terms are 2 years, and 20 signatures are required for each position.

There will be a primary Feb. 21 as four candidates are running for state school superintendent including: Tony Evers – Incumbent, Jeff Holmes – Administrator, Germantown School District, Lowell Holtz – Former superintendent, Beloit School District and Remy Gomez – 2016 candidate for mayor of Tomah

Updates & tidbits

– Circle your calendar for this year’s West Bend Christmas Parade. The theme is Let it Snow. The parade steps off at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 from the corner of Main and Silverbrook across from Tochi and Rivershores.

-Enchantment in the Park got underway Friday, Nov. 25. Tonight, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. is the big raffle drawing with a top prize of $5,000.

–The West Bend Parks Department will fill Regner Park Pond for ice skating this winter. The rink and the warming house are expected to open Dec. 17 at the earliest, once weather permits.

-A Christmas Tea will be held Monday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall at Cedar Ridge. The tea will be presented by Jessica Michna in Margaret Cummins “Christmas at Balmoral.” Michna will take at look at the traditional celebration of Christmas as seen through the eyes of the head housekeeper at the Balmoral castle.

– Sunday, Nov. 27 is the First Sunday of Advent.

-Earlier this week there was frost on the grass, kids were actually wearing coats, the temperature read 25 degrees and West Bend crossing guard Chuck Fellenz showed Mother Nature who’s boss by wearing khaki shorts during his shift on the corner of Decorah and Main.

– The Jack Russell Memorial Library in Hartford had new audio/video equipment installed this week. The library also received a new train table and Lego table through a very generous donation from a private foundation.

-Ashley Lynn of Campbellsport, a RN in the Birth Center, has been recognized with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin St. Joseph’s Hospital’s first quarter DAISY Award for her patient care and professionalism.

-Equipment problems have delayed the project to repair building lights in downtown West Bend. Work is scheduled to resume on Main Street on Monday, Nov. 28. The project, funded by Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), will replace the small light bulbs that extend across the tops of the buildings.

– Konnor Sadownikow, 12, is the talk of the town at Holy Angels School in West Bend as the story made the rounds this week about how he took down a 14-point buck on Sunday.

-Last Saturday, Nov. 19 was opening day of the gun-deer season in Wisconsin. On the west side of the Washington County Courthouse in the city of West Bend motorists stopped to take note of  a buck and a doe standing on the grass. “It’s like they’re mocking us,” said Marge Gengler.

– The Madrigal Dinner is Friday, Dec. 2, from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., at the West Bend East High School cafeteria. Musical entertainment is presented by students from the Choir & Orchestra programs. A limited number of tickets are available at the door the nights of the performances.

– Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School purchased a new marimba for its band and percussion ensemble. Band director Dan Hubert said the new instrument is top of the line. “You can’t get one any better than this,” said Hubert. Story courtesy Jacob Mueller.

Promoting Small Business Saturday

Businesses in downtown West Bend are working to promote Small Business Saturday; Nov. 26.

The day after Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year dedicated to supporting small businesses. Small Business Saturday was an effort launched by American Express; the goal is to encourage area families to shop small, independently owned businesses in their community and help fuel the economy.

“Family-owned businesses have big advantages over big box stores,” said Todd Tennies with Tennies Ace Hardware. “You see us in our stores, we know the factory representatives, we stand behind our products, and we generally go the extra mile when it comes to customer service,” said Tennies.

“Family-owned businesses often support community events, fund raisers and local sports teams,” said Tennies. “And we have a great deal of concern for what happens in our community.”

Phil Dhein is a longtime Tennies Ace Hardware employee.

“We work to understand the customer’s problem; whether it’s showing them how to repair a toilet or install a light switch. We also follow up on special requests and orders that are a normal part of the job with local businesses,” said Dhein.

“Big-box stores often lack the ability to take the initiative to order unusual items or they think there isn’t enough profit in it.”

Tennis Ace Hardware is a well established business in West Bend dating back more than 40 years.

There are many other locally-owned businesses in downtown West Bend including Sager’s Men’s Apparel, Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds, Mountain Outfitters, Idle Hour or Two, Café Seourette, and Laurel’s Camera and Gift. “Money spent at a locally-owned business is more likely to be spent again at another locally-owned business,” said Pat Fehring from Laurel’s Camera.

As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear the business community in downtown West Bend is encouraging neighbors to spend their money locally.

Today marks the 87^th anniversary of the West Bend Theatre

November 26 marks the 87th anniversary of the grand opening of the Historic West Bend Theatre. In an effort to mark holiday traditions past, present and future there is an effort afoot led by local historian Terry Becker to gather below the West Bend marquee for a photo and to show support for the preservation and renovation of this cherished downtown landmark fondly remembered as simply “The Show House.”

The gathering will take place after the 64th Annual Christmas Parade on Sunday, Nov. 27. Neighbors are invited to please take a few minutes after the parade to gather and share memories, hopes and dreams for the future of downtown. Without community support the theatre’s future is uncertain and may very well be in jeopardy.

Bobcat sighting in Town of Farmington

This week WashingtonCountyInsider.com posted a video from a reader who spotted a bobcat while he was up north hunting in Oneida County.

That video prompted a comment about a person in West Bend who also saw a bobcat this week at Leonard J. Yahr County Park, 7999 Orchard Valley Road, in the Town of Farmington.

“It was sitting upright in the bend of the trail over there,” said Lana Alexandra of West Bend.

Alexandra bicycles through the park around 6:30 a.m.  She said it was Tuesday, a little foggy but what she saw was definitely a bobcat.

“It was probably about three times the size of a big house cat,” she said. “It was sitting up and the ears were pretty big.”

Local DNR agent Tom Isaac said there very well could be bobcats in Washington County. “We had one up near Lomira the last year or the year before and one was spotted near Fond du Lac County,” said Isaac.

Sightings have been reported near the Jackson Marsh or the Colgate area. “Bobcats are in most counties,” Isaac said. “We even had a sighting November 5 and it was standing in the intersection of Highway 167 and Scenic Road in the Town of Richfield. It ran in front of a guy’s car and he got a real good look at it.”

The bobcat was described as weighing 30 pounds and with a short tail. “It also has short ear tufts,” he said. “They’re pretty much in their territory across Wisconsin.”

Chad Cook is the Washington County Parks Superintendent.  “I had seen a black farm cat hanging out in the field by the park but this is the first I’ve heard of a sighting but it doesn’t surprise me,” he said.

Gearing up for Shop with a Cop in Washington County

Shop with a Cop in Washington County is Wednesday, Dec. 7 at West Bend Mutual’s Prairie Center.

The program is being organized by the Fraternal Order of Police along with local volunteers. Forty kids have been selected to participate in this year’s event and organizers are reaching out for a little help.

“We’re putting together gift baskets for the families and we’re hoping businesses in town can help supply items for children ages 8 – 12,” said volunteer Tina Beres. “We’re looking for thing like board games or something kids can play with their family.”

West Bend Police Lieutenant Matt Rohlinger said this is the first year the Fraternal Order of Police are running the event.

“When we heard the future of Washington County’s Shop with a Cop was at risk the executive board met and felt strongly we should keep it going,” Rohlinger said.  “This is great interaction with the kids and in this current environment it’s critical to send a positive message.”

Rohlinger said one of the big changes will be the amount of support staff and officers involved. “We’re trying to recruit more officers so kids actually do shop with a cop,” he said.

This year’s event will include a shopping trip to Walmart, hot dogs at The Prairie Center, a rousing game of Bingo called by Police Chiefs Tom Bishop of Kewaskum and Jed Dolnick of Jackson, and a special visit from Santa.

Neighbors who would like to make donations to Shop with a Cop in Washington County can send a check to Shop with a Cop at PO Box 149, Kewaskum, WI  53040

Questions can be directed to Tina Beres at  Cyberes@gmail.com

Amity Rolfs nativity

The life-size nativity display, a holiday hallmark for West Bend, was erected this week. Originally brought to the community by brothers Tom and Bob Rolfs, the pieces, handmade in Germany, were originally placed in front of the tower of the Amity building on Main Street. The nativity later moved to the front of the Amity Outlet on Highway 33 and in 2007 it was donated to the Downtown West Bend Association. From 2007 until 2014 the nativity was in front of Westbury Bank on S. Main Street.

On Thursday, volunteers with the Downtown West Bend Association and staffers from Bits ‘n’ Pieces Floral spent a couple hours assembling the nativity and a hat tip to West Bend Elevator donating the straw for the manger.

Search is on to replace WB city clerk

The city of West Bend has begun its search to fill the opening of West Bend City Clerk and assistant City Administrator as Amy Reuteman is leaving. “Amy has been a stalwart at the city and a confidant of mine the last six months as we’ve gone through some challenges but this is an exciting time for her and her husband to relocate to their vacation home,” said Mayor Kraig Sadownikow.  “I certainly wish her well in her next endeavors.”

District 8 alderman Roger Kist said Reuteman is going to be hard to replace because everybody loves her and thinks a lot of her. “Amy brought a lot to the city and she has always been extremely helpful in many, many ways,” Kist said.

“Amy stepped up to the plate following the mess with T.J. Justice and she was so excited when we hired Jay (Shambeau) as the new city administrator.”

Quite a few people connected with City Hall in West Bend have expressed disbelief when told of Reuteman’s departure. Former Dist. 7 alderman Terry Vrana said Reuteman is irreplaceable and a very stabilizing force.

“I was an alderman when Amy first came to the city and she was impressive then,” he said. “She’s a rare find.”

Reuteman started as an assistant to then city Clerk Barb Barringer. “She was always a high-quality person and got along with everybody and very smart and she fit the job perfectly. That’s going to be a huge loss for the city,” said Vrana.  “I always really enjoyed working with her because she was so good at what she did; such a good person and good with everybody.”

John Kleinmaus is one of Reuteman’s trusty poll workers during elections. Kleinmaus was bowled over by the news. “Wow,” he said. “You’re kidding. I wish her well but wow.”

Kleinmaus said, when it came to elections Reuteman knew her stuff. “If I ever had to call her with a question she was always right there on top of it,” he said. “Her job was very stressful but she handled it in a very cool and professional way. I don’t ever remember seeing her get mad; she was always there to help and we could always count on her.”

Kist read from an email that detailed Reuteman leaving for a position up north. “Her last day will be December 1,” said Kist. Reuteman is currently taking some post-election time off and she is unavailable for comment.

No confidence vote moves forward on County Treasurer

The Washington County Executive Committee held a lengthy discussion this week regarding a proposal to pass a ‘vote of no confidence’ for County Treasurer Jane Merten.

The proposal stems from an incident June 1, 2016 when Merten sent two separate wire transfers to fraudulent accounts. The total was $87,760, although the Washington County Sheriff said half of that never went through.

District 1 County Supervisor Kris Deiss felt the public should be the one to determine how the issue is dealt with.  “It’s not our job as a supervisor to issue a vote of no confidence, the public can do that at the ballot box,” said Deiss.

Merten was just reelected to her position as County Treasurer during the Nov. 8 election.  She received 62,455 votes or 98.90%.  Merten ran uncontested.

District 21 Supervisor Donald Kriefall initiated the resolution for a ‘no confidence’ vote. He said, “We’re limited on our actions and to take a vote of no confidence is similar to putting a notice in her file. This is the smallest thing we can do.”

Deiss was adamant it was still up to the voters of this county. “They had plenty of time to decide,” she said.

District 5 Supervisor Mike Bassill asked if there was a way to make the county treasurer post a “non-elected position.” That question was quickly dismissed as it is state statue that the post be elected.

District 20 Supervisor Mark McCune asked if Merten even apologized and to that Dist. 15 Supervisor Marilyn Merten answered from the audience that County Board Chairman Rick Gundrum had received a letter from Jane Merten.

“Isn’t it true you did get a letter from the treasurer,” said Marilyn Merten.

Gundrum said he had not but he would double check his email.

District 17 Supervisor Tim Michalak said if this had happened at a company with a comptroller then that person would be out of work. “I’m not asking for a resolution for resignation but a letter in the file,” he said.

Supervisor Kriefall is now working on a resolution to bring to committee.

Washington Co. parts ways with County Attorney Kim Nass

A unanimous decision this week by the Washington County Executive Committee to enter into a separation agreement with Washington County Attorney Kim Nass.

The committee met in closed session for more than an hour. Once it reconvened the question was called and the decision was made final in less than two minutes. Nass had been on an unconfirmed administrative leave since Oct. 20.

As per direction from the executive committee the County Administrator Joshua Schoemann must provide a summary report to the full county board at the December 2016 meeting.

Schoemann said there are still several steps that have to be completed before this decision is finalized. Questioned about Nass’s last day on the job Schoemann said that had yet to be determined.

Schoemann confirmed the county does have attorneys on staff however he acknowledged they do have a large workload.  He said the county will be exploring various options on how to fill the post moving forward.

County board chairman Rick Gundrum praised the staff in the county attorney’s office for the job they’ve been doing.  Gundrum refused to disclose the reason for the separation with Nass citing “closed session and a personnel matter.”

Former county board chairman Herb Tennies attended the committee meeting. He said Nass had always been professional while he was on the board. He praised her work with the county.

Nass was not in attendance at this week’s meeting.

Lights by Meijer

The streetscape has changed on South Main Street and Humar Street as new traffic lights have been installed. The lights are part of the Meijer grocery development.

The 192,940-square-foot Meijer is under construction on the 32-acre lot that used to be home to Northfield Block and prior to that Bend Industries. Visible from Parkway Drive is the 31,000-square-foot outdoor garden center on the north side of the building; there will also be parking for 970 vehicles.

There will be an exit onto Parkway Drive and another onto S. Main with traffic signals at Humar Street. Construction on Meijer should be completed in March or April of 2017.

Judy Etta enters 4-H Hall of Fame

4-H volunteer Judy Etta of Kewaskum has been inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame. Etta has been a 4-H Club leader for 39 years; she was recognized for outstanding service. Etta helped establish the 4-H American Spirit Experience, taking 4-H members from Wisconsin to historic sites in the eastern United States, to increase their knowledge, and appreciation of America’s heritage.  Etta has been a chaperone/coordinator for Citizen Washington Focus, co-chairs the County 4-H Achievement and Recognition Committee and interviews youth for awards, experiences, and scholarships throughout the year.

Updates & tidbits

–Members of the West Bend Professional Firefighters Union will be distributing coats to students in the West Bend School District on Monday. This is the third year for Operation Warm where firefighters provide coats to needy children. About 200 coats will be donated this year.

– A major remodel is underway in downtown West Bend at the space above The Exclusive Company. Boss Realty owner Tom Zernia has cleaned up the space for a new business location. Zernia also plans on renting out space.

– Rick Takacs at Meadowbrook Farm in West Bend has Christmas trees from the same vendor in Oconto County, Dave and Mary Vander Velden’s Whispering Pines Tree Farm, who is supplying the tree to the White House in Washington D.C.

– The Downtown West Bend Association is making a list and checking it twice as it prepares for the annual Winter on Main on Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The family-friendly event includes a special tree-lighting ceremony at Old Settler’s Park along with ornament decorating for the kids and a special visit from Santa.

–Max Stowers, 16, a junior at Kewaskum High School is this year’s winner of the Brenda Oelhafen Award which was presented Oct. 15 as Washington County 4-H held its Achievement and Recognition Banquet at the Washington County Fair Park. The Oelhafen family present the award each year in memory of their daughter who was an active member of the Wayne Crusaders 4-H Club and won the Grand Champion Beef Dairy at the County Fair in 1985.

–Santa will land at the West Bend Airport again this year but he’s on an earlier flight. Santa plans to arrive at 8:30 a.m. so he can greet more children and take note of items on their wish list. The event sponsored by EAA Kettle Moraine Chapter 1158.

– Saint Frances Cabrini Parish will be hosting an evening of Advent Taizé Prayer on Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Taizé is an ecumenical prayer based on the pillars of scriptures, song, intercessions and silence.

– Help is available to families in Washington County that need assistance with winter heating bills. Contact Kay Lucas with the Washington County Human Services Department which oversees the Energy Assistance Program. The number is 262-335-4677.

Letter to the Editor – Man fights for reimbursement after Daily News cancels e-edition

Letter to the Editor from Terry Wentz. I had a bit of a surprise Monday when I went to the West Bend Daily News website to read my Monday online edition; only Saturday’s paper was available. I called their local office and was told they no longer publish the Monday paper. I explained that I have always had an E-newspaper on Mondays and was unaware it had been discontinued. I was assured of a return phone call with an answer to my question.

When I received the call, I was told by the Daily News staff that they no longer offer an e-edition; it had been discontinued. When I asked why it was discontinued, the person I spoke with told me that it appeared the Daily News did not feel the e-edition was worth anything and also appeared to think subscribers would most likely not care about it. I told them I cared about paying for something I will not get. I asked if I would receive credit for those Monday editions that I had pre-paid with my subscription. In the end, I was offered a 4-week extension on my subscription; we settled on 5. I think there are a lot of people who will not get any compensation if they do not call the West Bend Daily News and ask. I’m afraid the Daily News is hoping to keep the money paid and try to forget about it.   Terry Wentz, West Bend

EDITOR’S NOTE: On Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2016, the West Bend Daily News posted the following notice to their subscribers via email: “To our readers, We are ending publication of our Monday e-edition to refocus resources on our other products. The last Monday e-edition will be published Nov. 7. We will continue to publish e-editions Tuesday through Saturday.”

Kellie Boone takes over as Executive Director of Washington County Fair Park

There’s a familiar face taking over at the Washington County Fair Park/AIS as Kellie Boone has been tabbed as the new executive director.

According to the press release from Search Committee Member Pete Rettler, “The board of directors of the Washington County Agriculture and Industrial Society (AIS) has selected Kellie Boone as its next Executive Director. Boone will be in charge of the 133-acre Washington County Fair Park and Conference center, the site of the annual Washington County Fair and the location of the new Silver Lining Amphitheater donated by West Bend Mutual Insurance.”

Boone has served the past five years as Executive Director of the Downtown West Bend Association.

She will be taking over for Sandy Lang at the Fair Park; Lang resigned in August.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Boone. “I’m looking forward to continuing the success of the Washington County Fair Park and Conference Center.”

Boone said her immediate goal was to secure the success of the 2017 Washington County Fair.

There were 27 people who interviewed for the position. Pete Rettler was on the selection committee. “We had a lot of great applicants and it was a tough decision but Kellie had great relevant experience and she has a history of successful events,” said Rettler.

Boone is the President of the West Bend Noon Rotary and Rettler said that civic involvement was also impressive. “It definitely helped that she is part of the community,” he said.  “Now she’ll have to get as well known in Hartford and Slinger and the other Washington County communities.”

While a new opportunity is on the horizon, Boone said the downtown has been extremely wonderful to work with.

“I’ve developed such great relationships and friendships and my board has been so supportive,” she said. “It’s really difficult to leave but this is a tremendous opportunity. People grow and it’s time for me to move forward. This is just a tremendous opportunity for me and my family.”

Boone said her greatest accomplishment was taking a great lineup of events downtown and growing those to the next level.

“Everything we have down here has grown from the Farmers’ Market to Music on Main to Wheels on Main and I love hearing from the new businesses about how this has been such a nice shift downtown and a lot of that goes back to the events we’ve created,” she said. Boone will start at the Fair Park on December 1.

 Committee to discuss “separation agreement” with Wash. Co. Attorney

The Washington County Executive Committee has a pretty meaty agenda on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The committee will adjourn into closed session to “Discuss the personnel situation and possible separation agreement of the County Attorney.”

On Oct. 20 WashingtonCountyInsider.com was first to report about the job status of County Attorney Kim Nass.

She had not been in the office and no reason was given for her absence. As of Friday, Nov. 11 Nass was still not in her office. The Washington County Sheriff has confirmed Nass is not under any criminal investigation.

County Board Chairman Rick Gundrum refused to comment on the personnel situation as did County Administrator Joshua Schoemann.

Now it appears the Executive Committee will take up the issue and come out of closed session on Tuesday with a determination on the status of Nass and her position as County Attorney.

The other hot topic is revisiting the Resolution of a “Vote of No Confidence” for County Treasurer Jane Merten. On Oct. 18 WashingtonCountyInsider.com was first to report on a “No Confidence Vote” for Merten.

The resolution stemmed from a scam email Merten responded to in June where she sent a pair of wire transfers to a fraudulent account. The initial amount was over $82,000. In September the Sheriff confirmed that half of the money never went through and $32,163.76 was returned to Washington County on Sept. 15, 2016.

On Oct. 25 the County Board failed to act on the “No Confidence Vote” citing some “incomplete language in the resolution.”

A discussion of the resolution on the “Vote of No Confidence” will be taken up on Tuesday, Nov. 15. District 21 Supervisor Donald Kriefall is the one pushing the resolution.

“We’re caretakers of the taxpayer’s money and we need to have some sort of consequence for this error and a vote of no confidence is the least we can do,” said Kriefall. “She made a mistake and this is our way of putting a letter in her file.”

Merten was just reelected to her position as County Treasurer during the Nov. 8 election.  She received 62,455 votes or 98.90%.  Merten ran uncontested.

Other items on Tuesday’s agenda include appointments, discussion of using the Old Courthouse for County Board meetings, and another closed session discussion regarding the Washington County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund.

Tuesday’s meeting starts at 7 a.m.

Cash Store clerk thanks West Bend PD

There have been some pretty amazing law enforcement actions in West Bend recently that show what an amazing Police Department we have in the community. Another outstanding example just happened this week.

Around noon on Tuesday, Nov. 8 West Bend police were called to the Cash Store, 1021 South Main Street. The clerk behind the counter hit the emergency call button.

“I heard it on the news in the morning that there was someone wanted out of Green Lake County,” said the clerk. “I thought that sounds really familiar and I got to work, Googled her information, said ‘Yeah that’s her’ and then she came through the door.”

The clerk at the Cash Store agreed to an interview if her name was not used as she had concerns about her safety.

“She was a customer of ours,” said the clerk. “She had been in the day before.”

The clerk said the woman just didn’t seem right. That woman, Cynthia Stark-Griffin, 57, was wanted by authorities after she was suspected of trying to kill her father in Green Lake County early Sunday morning.

Authorities said Stark-Griffin allegedly set fires inside her father’s home in the Town of Marquette. Nobody was injured however law enforcement in Green Lake County filed a felony warrant for Stark-Griffin for attempted homicide and arson charges.

“I just didn’t want anybody to get hurt,” said the clerk. “The police were amazing.”

The clerk said the woman had two little dogs and the Washington County Humane Society arrived within 30 minutes to help.

“I was way more scared thinking about when she was in the store the day before, and I didn’t know,” said the clerk.

News reports indicated the woman may have had weapons in her possession. The clerk said Stark-Griffin came into the Cash Store with a big tote. “That really scared me,” she said.

The clerk said the West Bend police were just amazing. “They came in with big shields on and they were all over. They were in the bushes and they put spike strips down behind her vehicle,” she said. “I had to get away from the front of the counter and before you knew it they had her on the ground,” said the clerk.

While the incident was going on the West Bend School District sent a note home to parents saying students in the Pathways program in the Mutual Mall next door were safe. The school district also thanked West Bend police.

“I just can’t say enough how good the police were,” said the clerk. “Even after it was all over the captains came in and asked about appropriate force that was used; they are just so professional.”

Several weeks ago West Bend police dealt were in a standoff with a man on Edgewood Lane. Neighbors heard shots had been fired by the suspect. Police reported the man pointed a gun at the officer and pulled the trigger but the gun misfired. That man was eventually taken into custody and nobody was injured.

Considering what’s going on nationally, West Bend police have to be given a lot of credit for keeping this great community safe.

A note of thanks to volunteer poll workers

A couple notes of thanks to the poll workers in Washington County for all their hard work.

To poll workers in the Town of Barton, I would like to thank the Election Workers from the Town of Barton for their dedication to working long hours at the polls on Tuesday, November 8. It was a busy day and many unusual things occurred throughout the day and my wonderful election workers handled it with grace and commitment to doing all tasks with transparency and commitment to a job well done. My heartfelt thanks to my wonderful “Pollworkers” – I certainly would be lost without you. Aggie Pruner Town of Barton Clerk

To poll workers in the City of West Bend,

Thank you to all of the election inspectors for the City of West Bend.  There were approximately 120 very dedicated and hardworking individuals that truly stepped up and worked long hours to ensure the integrity of the presidential election for West Bend.  Working the polls can be very difficult so I want to make sure you are aware I truly appreciate all of you.  There were individuals that worked from 6 a.m. Tuesday morning until 1 a.m. Wednesday morning and still had a smile on their face.  The City of West Bend owes you a huge Thank You!!!!

Amy Reuteman Assistant City Administrator/HR Director/City Clerk City of West Bend

Updates & tidbits

–The funeral is Thursday, Nov. 17, for Jacqueline J. Schlicht (nee Cary, formerly Turnquist). Jackie married Richard “Dick” Turnquist and together they owned and operated Dick’s Pizza in downtown West Bend for many years.

-According to the West Bend Cinema, 2014 Parkway Drive, the new theater seats are on the way and will hopefully be installed before the holiday.

– Enchantment in the Park powered by Westbury Bank opens Friday, Nov. 25 at Regner Park. Don’t forget to sign up for the 2nd annual Husar’s Diamond Dash.

-Holy Angels Students of the Month for October 2016 include 6th grader Jonah Nagel, 7th grader Riley Becker, and 8th grader Kate Davies.

– Saint Frances Cabrini Parish will be hosting an evening of Advent Taizé Prayer on Tuesday, Nov 29 from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Taizé is an ecumenical prayer based on the pillars of scriptures, song, intercessions and silence.

– Randy Dreher of Kewaskum took home a nice trophy buck he got it during bow season. The 8 pointer had a 21-inch inside spread. Dreher was hunting the Kettle Moraine, east of Kewaskum. The buck weighed in at 225 pounds and he shot it at 4:30 p.m.

– One of the best locally-owned franchises in West Bend is getting a bit of a facelift as Keith Novotny’s Cousins Subs will be debuting a new storefront sign.

– Help is available to families in Washington County that need assistance with winter heating bills. Contact Kay Lucas with the Washington County Human Services Department which oversees the Energy Assistance Program. The number is 262-335-4677.

– This is the last week in business for Pat’s Jiffy Stop, 111 E. Decorah Road. Shop owner Pat Labuda is retiring and closing. “I gave December 1 as notice but I think Nov. 18 is going to be my last day,” said LaBuda. The building will soon become an extension of the karate business next door.

Cash and Schultz; A love story in West Bend

There’s a familiar couple that walk arm in arm around West Bend; their pace is steady, their love is evident. Nancy Schultz and Jerry Cash.

Cash and Schultz – it sounds like a country-western band.

“We met one another at The Threshold 34 years ago and we’ve never had an argument,” said Jerry.

At 80 years old Jerry is sharp and spry, and he tells it like it is. He holds on to Nancy’s arm while they walk so she doesn’t stumble and fall. Nancy, 66, said she holds onto Jerry because she loves him.

Jerry graduated from Barton Grade School 66 years ago. “Then I went to work on the farm with my parents,” he said. “I’m an old-time West Bender.”

Several years ago Jerry volunteered his time at The Threshold. “I sat down next to Nancy to talk to her and she said ‘I’m not even going to look at you,'” he said, recalling his first meeting with the love of his life, “And now look at us.”

The couple belongs to Good Shepherd Church in West Bend. Nancy embroiders, makes colorful tablecloths with butterflies and she collects church bulletins. “If you have any church bulletins or tell your parents to save their bulletins for us,” she said. “I save them and when it’s raining or icky outside I take a hand full and read them.”

Nancy and Jerry talk about the simple things in life. Nancy said they have a washer and dryer at their house, they have a brand new vacuum, and she likes watching birds.

Nancy reaches out and tenderly strokes the back of Jerry’s head. She readily expresses her genuine love for him.

“I sing him beautiful songs,” said Nancy.  “The Polish Lullaby, May you Never be Alone Like Me and What a friend we have in Jesus.”

Jerry said he loves Nancy because of what she can do. “She can cook, she can bake, she’s always got a wonderful smile, she talks very polite to everybody and she likes children,” he said.

Ten years ago, Jerry wrapped up a 15-year career working at the Old Fashioned Bakery. “Rich Schommer was my boss,” he said, “I went in late at night. I made donuts, bread, everything.. you name it.”

The pair are walking on a sunny Sunday to McDonald’s for supper; it’s about 11:30 a.m.  “I really like their salads,” said Nancy.

McDonald’s is an easy jaunt for the couple who walk from their home on East Decorah Road across from the high school. “We’ll walk to Walmart and back,” said Jerry, “That’s about 10 miles and sometimes we even walk out to Burger King.”

During lunch Nancy talks about her sisters, how her father has died and how her mother can’t wait to join him.

And then the conversation shifts to polka.

“We love polka,” said Nancy. The pair listen to the music Sunday morning on the radio. “I listen every day, every day,” she said, “We have cassette tapes and we listen and we embroider and then when 10 o’clock comes we close up shop for the night because then it’s time to go to bed.”

As I wrap up my visit, the couple make a simple request.

“If you see any polka music or nature tapes, just put it in the bag next to our door and mark it Schultz and Cash,” said Nancy. “We just love polka music and this has been such a good day because I can’t believe you took our picture.”

Former WBHS teacher Ralph Mundinger on Saturday’s Honor Flight

Korean War veteran Ralph Mundinger, 86, of West Bend is one of five veterans from Washington County who will be traveling Saturday to Washington D.C. on the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight.

Mundinger enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 when he was 19 years old. “I was cut from the Chicago Cubs baseball team and I decided I was going to go in the service,” he said.

At 6-foot-3 Mundinger was an intimidating left-handed pitcher with great control and a wicked curve ball. An all star at College High in Whitewater, Mundinger tried out for the Cubs in 1948 but got cut.

“I had a bad arm for a while and I was supposed to go to Janesville on the Cubs team and when I didn’t make it I enlisted,” he said.

In service Mundinger completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and then moved along and studied radio surveillance at Scott Air Force Base in St. Louis before he was sent to Gibelstaudt, Germany with the 603rd A.C. Squadron.

While in the military Mundinger played basketball and baseball for the military base. “The colonel picked me out,” said Mundinger. While playing ball was familiar, some of the habits among the troops were new to the rookie from Whitewater.

“We’d be marching in St. Louis and when they stopped us they’d say ‘light ‘um if you got ‘um,’” said Mundinger. “I really didn’t know what that meant but the other fellas were smoking so I thought I’d give it a try.”

Lucky Strike was the popular flavor among his peers and 10-cents a pack was the going rate.

A thick scrapbook of black-and-white photographs shows Mundinger with a bat in his hand and a grit dangling from the corner of his mouth. “I remember I coughed a bit,” he said with a laugh. “We used them as barter with the Germans … along with coffee.”

Mundinger spent much of his time traveling to other Air Force bases. “We went all over Germany. The teams we had the most trouble with were in Berlin,” he said. “I was the best hitter on the team with an average pretty close to .400.”

A left-handed hitter, Mundinger could really pull the ball.

In 1952 Mundinger’s tour of duty was extended a year because of a threat from Russia. Discharged as a Sergeant in Feb. 19, 1953, Mundinger enrolled at UW-Whitewater and became a business education teacher in the West Bend School District from 1961- 1992.

“I was also the first girls softball coach,” he said. “I also coached boys golf, football, and I was the assistant basketball coach.” Mundinger has been to Washington D.C. before, but that was only to get on a ship and make his way to Germany.  Mundinger’s son Mark will be his guardian for Saturday’s tour.

Other veterans from Washington County participating in Saturday’s Honor Flight include Korean War veterans Wally Hauser of Germantown, Bill Maiers of West Bend, Willard Wolff of Jackson, and WWII veteran Howard Hart of West Bend.

Traffic backup for annual We Energies Cookie Book

The We Energies cookie book was distributed Thursday on Sand Drive in West Bend and police were called to the scene. Traffic control was needed as the line of cars ran from Jeff’s Spirits on Main, up Decorah Road four blocks and then south along Sand Drive. The hot-ticket item was the 27-page spiral recipe book.

“Merry Christmas everybody,” yelled one We Energies employee. Dressed in florescent lime green vests the staff from We Energies directed traffic into two lines as others doled out the paperback books that were stacked 2-feet high on metal carts.

“Can we have three,” asked one elderly woman who drove up, carpool style, with two of her friends. “We only allow two books per car,” said the We Energies staffer … and then in stealth fashion she slipped one more book through the driver’s side window. “Merry Christmas,” she said.

Traffic for the annual cookie book distribution started lining up around 8:20 a.m. even though the distribution didn’t get underway until 11 a.m. This year’s book is unique as local celebrities have shared their recipes. Actor John McGivern, the host of Around the Corner, submitted Jelly Sandwich Cookies which are featured on Page 16.  “I was the son of an Irish woman who boiled everything,” said McGivern.

He breaks the mold by rolling out some a batch of sugar cookies made with love. Olympic speed skater Bonnie Blair, a supporter of Alzheimer’s research, also contributed a recipe for Killer Brownies and Lemon Shortbread Cookies were shared by Archbishop Jerome Listecki.

New leadership at WB Moose Lodge

Some change in management at the West Bend Moose Lodge as an effort is underway to fix the building, grow membership and get on a solid financial path.

Lodge Treasurer Al Bath of Kewaskum is the new administrator taking over for Curtis Carter. “Curt stepped down,” said Bath. “This will give me a position to help the lodge grow.”

Bath has been a member of the Moose Lodge for four years. Another appointment includes Steve Rohde as the new kitchen manager. “He was unanimously voted in and a great asset to the lodge,” said Bath.

Rohde, who just retired from a career in law enforcement, said he always felt comfortable in the kitchen and behind the grill. The Moose Lodge is already rolling out some new menus on taco Tuesday, burger night and Friday fish fries. Bath said there may be some minor changes in the price of the food but the quality will go up. He said other changes will happen “little by little.”

The West Bend Moose Lodge was founded in 1911. The lodge is committed to community, to Mooseheart in Illinois, and Moosehaven in Florida.  The organizations are designed to take care of the children and seniors of Moose members.

Thank you Carter family

Neighbors hearing news the West Bend Moose Lodge is under new direction are taking a moment to say thanks to Curt Carter and his family for all they did over the years.

“Every organization needs somebody to step up when no one is willing to do it and that person has been Curtis and the entire Carter family,” said Mayor Kraig Sadownikow.

Curt Carter and his family started at the Moose Lodge June 11, 2011. Over the years the family organized a free Easter dinner for folks who so no one would have to spend Easter Sunday alone. The Carters also hosted the Kids Christmas Party and Shop with a Cop.

The Carters hosted celebrities at the Moose Lodge including lawmakers State Senator Duey Stroebel, Congressman Glenn Grothman, Mayor Sadownikow, and they received a resolution from Gov. Scott Walker when the Moose Lodge turned 100 years old.

The Moose could easily turn green and gold as it hosted Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler, Paul Horning and Dorsey Levens.  “He did a lot and he spent more hours here getting things done; what needed to be done,” said Ellie Muraski, a Moose member since 1974.

The Carter family is still members of the Moose Lodge and they’re hoping to be part of its future success.

Special ceremony for cremated remains

A very special ceremony this past week on All Souls Day, Tuesday, Nov. 1, as members of St. Mary’s Parish and St. Frances Cabrini gathered to bury the cremated remains of their loved ones.

“This was something very special and unique,” said Rev. Nathan Reesman. “All who participated by bringing the remains of their loved ones to be buried found a real sense of peace and closure in the ritual, and in the act of observing our ancient Christian practices.”

Rev. Reesman said he was “so grateful for everyone’s participation and for their sincere care they showed their loved ones by burying their remains.”

Woman rescued from fire doing better

There’s a picture of a smiling Lydia Craig on WashingtonCountyInsider.com this week. It’s been more than a month since an early-morning fire raced through the Craig home on Sept. 26. The 18-year-old was rescued from the lower level of her family’s home. Craig suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. Firefighters Alan Hefter and

This week’s Veterans Day ceremonies

Thursday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and there are several local ceremonies on tap.

-The Student Veterans of America Club at UW-Washington County (UW-WC) are commemorating Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, with a ceremony at noon in the campus theatre. All area veterans and their families as well as the general public are welcome to attend.

-West Bend Veterans will be involved in a number of programs on Veterans Day. On Friday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. the Color Guard will be at the Lighthouse in West Bend for a brief ceremony. At 11 a.m. there is the traditional Veterans Day Service on the Veterans Plaza at the Old Court House and then the Color Guard will be at UW-WC for its ceremony at noon.

Election Day is Tuesday

Polls open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 for the General Election. Locally there are two referendums on the ballot. Germantown School District has a referendum for $84 million. Add on the interest and that brings the total cost to about $114 million according to Superintendent Jeff Holmes.  In the Kewaskum School District a $28.4 million referendum. The total cost with interest according to Superintendent Jim Smasal is close to $40 million.

UW-WC volleyball players honored

Wisconsin Collegiate Conference named its All-Conference volleyball team and UW-Washington County took the top honors in all three possible categories. Amber Herbst was named Player of the Year, Marisa Moser – Defensive Player of the Year, Atira Boyce – Setter of the Year, and Courtney Peter – Second Team All-Conference. “We are so proud to be able to have four players on the All-Conference team,” said coach Deb Butschlick. “What an awesome way to end the season to have coaches recognize these players for their outstanding talents.”

New health and nutrition store opens in West Bend

Nov. 3, 2016 – West Bend, WI – B & F Health and Nutrition has opened in West Bend. The store has made its home in the cream city brick building at 139 S. Sixth Avenue.

Frank Balderston, 28, from Horicon said he has been in the health food industry for about eight years. “I’m an Army veteran and I used this product from GNC while I was in the service,” he said. “The health food industry is huge right now and we thought we could help by offering lower prices and being local.

“We carry workout supplements and protein powders and just about every vitamin under the sun.”

Balderston, who is in business with his wife Magen along with Kristine and Christopher Fallin, will also be offering coffee and smoothies.  “We’re going to start with Colombian coffee but if it goes well we’ll bring in Black Rifle Coffee,” he said. “All our smoothies will include protein powder and we’ll only use real fruit.”

B & F Health and Nutrition is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday. Balderston said he has the entire first floor of the building and the remodel should be completed within the next week.

“We’re using some of the repurposed wood from the trees cut down in the community because of the emerald ash borer,” he said. “We got about 90 percent of the items we’re using from Habitat for Humanity.”

B & F Health and Nutrition is located in the building that’s formerly home to gift boutique Season 2 Season and later The Nail Artist owned by Daryl Feucht. The building dates to 1845 and used to be home horse dealers Dave and Ben Present. Gone is the huge red barn behind the building and the yard on the south side for grazing.

Aside from the brick exterior and an old six-panel door with a church-key lock in the basement most of the history and the hidden character is buried in the building.

Years ago during an extensive remodel the Feuchts found five different wallpapers including designs featuring cats with teapots. The interior still features a large photo of a white orchid behind the front counter.

Updates & tidbits

–The funeral for Rev. Rick Wendell’s mother is Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki will preside over the Mass for Patricia Ann Wendell who died Oct. 24, 2016.

-Daylight Saving comes to an end this weekend and neighbors remember to turn clocks back an hour.

–A sticky mess for crews with West Bend Public Works as there was an unusual spill of 50 gallons of liquid caramel in the roundabout at River Road and Paradise Drive. The driver must have thought the same thing and didn’t think about stopping. The assumption was it was a bear hunter using it as bait.

– The 8th annual Women of Christ Conference at the Washington County Fair Park is Saturday, Nov. 5.  This is a chance for women to become inspired by their Catholic faith and feel God’s grace.

– Winners of the Harvest Moon Celebration Pie Contest at St. Mary’s in Barton included Marlene Bechler, Joan Hetzel, Joan Casseta, and Dick Rowley. Raffle winners included Kay Holbrook, Jay Pruett and Andy Klefsted.

-There was an official ribbon cutting this week as West Bend welcomed Kwik Trip to the community. The new gas station/convenience store opened on Silverbrook. As part of the ceremony Kwik Trip donated $1,000 to the West Bend Police Department and $1,000 to the West Bend Fire Department. The WBFD will buy protective ballistic vests for the firefighters to wear in hostile situations.

-Tommy Schwai’s moment in the spotlight will be extended next week when “Real Milwaukee” comes to his Cedarburg store on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

– Kewaskum’s Kayla Bastian has set a personal record of 1,000 kills as a member of the Truman University volleyball team. Bastian is a 2012 graduate of Kewaskum High School.

– The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) kicks off the holiday season with Bloomin’ Holidaze on Nov. 11 and 12. The annual two-day event features lush florals throughout the galleries.

-There are job openings for a sidewalk crew and plow drivers at Extra Mile Snow Specialists in West Bend. Pay is $20 per hour. Applications at extramilesnow.com or call 262-334-3011.

-November 12 is Autumn Night Out at St. Frances Cabrini. A night of music, dancing, hearty appetizers and fellowship for $25 per person. Tickets at parish office or 262-338-2366.

-Stop in All in Books, 136 N. Main Street, in West Bend to sign Christmas cards for our military personnel. One card for someone in each branch of the U.S. Military. Also one special card will be given to a Gold Star family. Signing will be hosted through Nov. 12.

-West Bend Park, Recreation and Forestry director Craig Hoeppner has received the “Professional Award of Merit,” the highest award given by the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association to a park and recreation professional in the State of Wisconsin.

– Help is available to families in Washington County that need assistance with winter heating bills. Contact Kay Lucas with the Washington County Human Services Department which oversees the Energy Assistance Program. The number is 262-335-4677.

-There’s free mulch at the Public Works yard, 251 Municipal Drive, in West Bend. No drop-off sticker is required. Mulch available normal business hours and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

-The 17^th annual Taste of Washington County is Nov. 30 at Washington County Fair Park Pavilion. Live auction items include 4 tickets US Open Golf Package Erin Hills June 16, 2017.

–Pizza Hut will open hopefully before the end of the year at 1460 S. Main Street, West Bend. A build out of the interior is underway although plans have yet to be disclosed.

-Final weeks for Pat’s Jiffy Stop, 111 E. Decorah Road, as one of the last corner groceries in West Bend is closing. Pat LaBuda has been part of the fabric of the community since 1982. “November 18 is going to be my last day,” she said. Retiring at age 66, LaBuda said the Jiffy Stop space will be leased to the karate business next door.

– Enchantment in the Park powered by Westbury kicks off Friday, Nov. 25 at Regner Park. This year’s event features brilliant holiday lights, a Christmas village, and a volunteer spirit.

United Way of Washington County unveils Ziegler Scholarship Fund

A major tribute Friday night to 80 years of success with the United Way of Washington County. The guest list included local volunteers who have donated their time and support of the organization.

Leaders that were recognized, and some several times, included Tom Bast, Pat and Tom Strachota, Andy Gumm, Nancy and Jerry Mehring, Cliff and Betty Nelson, Mo Josten, Alan Kieckhafer and John Rozak … just to name a few.

The big announcement of the evening was made by the executive director of the United Way of Washington County Kristie Brandner. “It is our honor and privilege to announce the creation of the Doug and Sharon Ziegler Leadership Scholarship Fund,” said Brandner. “This scholarship will continue to demonstrate the love, the passion and the drive the Zieglers have for local nonprofit organizations.”

The fund will be used for training and development for non-profit leaders to help equip them for the current and next generation of leaders in the community.

“So let’s all celebrate the Ziegler legacy from 1936 to today and tomorrow and show our support to the Zieglers,” Brandner said.

The evening celebration was held at The History Center of Washington County.

Still waiting for $3 million MegaBucks winner to step forward

A big $3 million winning lottery ticket was sold last Saturday at the Citgo in Barton. Shop owner Scott Sadownikow said he’s had his share of scratch-off winners but this ticket is tops.

Taking a look at some of the lottery winners from the past in Washington County:

In April 1990 Herman Zimdars won $8 million in the MegaBucks lottery after purchasing a ticket from Prescott’s Pick n’ Save in West Bend.  Zimdars was 51 years old. He spent $24 a week on the lottery. After winning, Zimdars retired as a truck driver and in 1997 he and his wife Joanne purchased the Coachman House. Harold Zimdars died April 3, 2012 at 73.

In August 2001, Janie Weninger of West Bend spent just $1 and won half of the record $20.3 million prize in a MegaBucks drawing. Weninger purchased her winning ticket from Prescott’s Pick n’ Save in West Bend.

A $100,000 winning ticket for the Holly Jolly Raffle was sold at Pick ’N Save south in West Bend in December 2015. The winner stepped forward and asked to remain anonymous. The drawing was Dec. 10 and there was 1:100,000 chance of winning the grand prize. The winning numbers were 022868. Tickets were $5.

And in July 2016, Jeremy Bruyette of Germantown won $10 million after buying a Powerball ticket at the Speedway-SuperAmerica in Germantown.

In-person absentee voting runs through Friday, Nov. 4

There’s been quite a bit of traffic at the clerk’s offices across Washington County as neighbors line up to vote in-person absentee for the Nov. 8 General Election. The last day to vote in person absentee is Friday, Nov. 4. The office at West Bend City Hall is open until 5 p.m. Check your local municipality for its hours of operation.

Ceremony Monday to recognize all veterans

Common Sense Citizens of Washington County is organizing a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 31 at Green Tree Elementary School. During the event a special thanks will be given to all who have served or are currently serving. The evening begins at 6 p.m. If transportation is needed contact the mayor’s office at West Bend City Hall at 335-5123.

Loyalty Day coming to West Bend in 2017

The city of West Bend will be hosting Loyalty Day next year.  The event, which is observed nationally, will feature a huge parade Saturday, April 29. All VFW Posts will be invited to take part, but so are all other veterans’ organizations, bands, marching units and others from across Wisconsin.

There’s only one Loyalty Day parade in each state each year. Last year Pleasant Prairie was the host city.

On a history note: Loyalty Day was first celebrated in 1921 as “Americanization Day.” It was a way for people to reaffirm their loyalty to the United States and recognize the heritage of American freedom. The first national observance was declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on May 1, 1955; three years later it was deemed an annual holiday.

Pizza Hut finds new location in West Bend

Pizza hut has found a new home in West Bend. Pizza Hut has been looking for a new location since it closed its West Bend store Feb. 1, 2016. Progress, according to neighbors, has been slow.

The Wisconsin Hospitality Group, LLC has leased 1,613 square feet at 1460 S. Main Street, West Bend, from Brixmore Paradise Pavilion, LLC. The new Pizza Hut will be just to the north of Regis Hairstylists. A build out of the interior is currently underway.

The new store will not have a drive thru. However if you look at the current trend the other pizza shops in the community have a similar strategy. Papa Murphy is a walk-in and pick up your order, so is Dominoes, Marco’s, and Papa John’s.

The proposed Pizza Ranch did have a drive-up window. Those plans and a location have yet to be approved by the Plan Commission in West Bend. We’ll keep you posted on that as well.

As far as seating is for Pizza Hut is concerned, the plans for the interior have yet to be disclosed. The opening date of the new Pizza Hut is expected to be within the next 60 to 90 days.

County reviews Cabela’s commitment

The official sale of Cabela’s to Bass Pro Shop doesn’t close until 2017 but administrators and supervisors in Washington County are reviewing the contract with Cabela’s to make sure its loan is paid and the hiring practices agreed to are still in place for the store in Richfield.

“Cabela’s is being purchased by Bass Pro Shop and I have been working with the County Attorney’s Office on the impacts of this sale on the loan/agreement the County has with Cabela’s,” said Washington County Administrator Joshua Schoemann.

In 2005 Washington County Supervisors voted in favor of providing $4.5 million in funding so Cabela’s could be a 170,000-square-foot store on I41 and Highway 45 in Richfield. This was a 15-year agreement with a jobs clause that Cabela’s would employ 350 people, full and part time, and all would get benefits.

“The biggest issue for us was the amount of sales tax they produced,” said Schoemann. “The sales tax was supposed to pay off the loan we gave them.”

The loan to the county is reportedly down to $1.9 million in principle.

“We are working to establish communication with Cabela’s to discuss this potential opportunity and what our relationship might look like moving forward,” said Schoemann.  “Special thanks to Brad Stern, Chris Ohlis and the entire County Attorney’s Office for their prompt and excellent work.” Calls to Cabela’s were not returned.

Veterans ceremony on tap at UW-WC

The Student Veterans of America Club at UW-Washington County (UW-WC) are commemorating Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, with a ceremony at noon in the campus theatre. All area veterans and their families as well as the general public are welcome to attend.

Jacob Kachellek, President of the Student Veterans of America Club, said the 40-minute presentation will include colors, provided by the local VFW. The keynote speaker is Kurt Rusch, Veterans Service Officer for Washington County.

A Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Rusch has served at the Washington County Veterans Service Office for the past year.  The Veteran’s club plans to serve lunch and refreshments (while supplies last) following the ceremony. Free parking is available in the main and upper lot for the duration of the event.

Updates & tidbits

– There is a large leaf-raking effort underway today as 60 members of the West Bend East High School National Honor Society are teaming with Interfaith to rake leaves for senior citizens in West Bend and Jackson.  The high school advisor is Scott Lone.

– The Veterans Day Observance at Kettle Moraine Lutheran is Nov. 3 at 9:20 am. The theme this year is POW/MIA.

-WB Inn, LLC has purchased the property at 1769 Barton Avenue and Gadow Lane. The parcel sold for $185,000. Mile View LLC was the previous owner. The property had been assessed at $163,000 and the vacant lot next door assessed at $400.  WB Inn, LLC is Assembly Rep. Bob Gannon. “I’ve always wanted to own a piece of Barton,” said Gannon.

-The Knights of Columbus is having a ‘Fifth Sunday’ Pancake Breakfast at the Columbian on Oct 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  It is $5 per person or $15 family. Proceeds will support Seminarians in their studies.

-West Bend East High School students volunteered their time last Saturday to help set up decorations for this year’s Enchantment in the Park at Regner Park. The students said they learned the value of donating their time for a good cause.

-There are several job openings for a sidewalk crew and plow drivers at Extra Mile Snow Specialists in West Bend. Pay is $20 per hour. Go to extramilesnow.com to fill out an application or call Aron at 262-334-3011.

– The Harvest Moon Celebration is Saturday starting at 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s in Barton. There will be music and dancing and homemade pie.

– Wisconsin Antique Power Reunion is announcing the 2016 Raffle Tractor prize winners. 1st Prize:  1948 Ford 8N Tractor is Roger Rogge, Jackson, 2nd Prize: $550 is Dave Thompson, Janesville, 3rd Prize:  $350 is Dan Kuchenbecker, Brillion, 4th Prize:  $250 is Lisa Charneski, Denmark, 5th Prize:  $200 is Joe Fechter, West Bend, 6th Prize:  $150 is Butch Drissel, Union Grove.

– The 8th annual Women of Christ Conference at the Washington County Fair Park is Saturday, Nov. 5.  This is a chance for women to become inspired by their Catholic faith and feel God’s grace.

– Help is available to families in Washington County that need assistance with winter heating bills. Contact Kay Lucas with the Washington County Human Services Department which oversees the Energy Assistance Program. The number is 262-335-4677.

-Fillmore Fire & Rescue fish fry is Friday, Nov. 4 at 8485 Trading Post Trail in Fillmore starting 5 p.m.

– The UW-Washington County Volleyball team captured the Runner-Up trophy at the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference State Volleyball Tournament in the Wisconsin Dells. Amber Herbst was selected to the All-Tournament team.

– Accord Manufacturing, Inc. of Jackson has acquired Jeninga Bros. Metal Forming of Elkhorn. The new entity will be known as Accord Metal Products, LLC.   The acquisition further diversifies Accord’s production resources, which will now include deep-draw and wire forming capabilities. Accord is in its 27^th year of operation, providing metal stampings to customers across North America.

Halloween memories from Washington County

Costumes have changed but many Halloween traditions have stayed the same. Below are local memories from Halloweens past including embarrassingly-treasured homemade outfits and candy swapping on the kitchen floor.

Paula Anderson, Hubertus – “Since we had a very large family and it was the 70s and money was tight, we generally all had to share two hard plastic face masks. You know the ones, where a skinny elastic band was connected to the mask with mini-staples which would catch your hair and leave little bald patches on the side of your head.

The mask only had a slit for you to breathe and you could stick your tongue through, thereby slicing your tongue and having it hurt for a week.

We would make the rest of the costume; we had lots and lots of hobos which included old flannel shirts rolled up at the sleeves, dirt smeared on our cheeks, and a stick with a bandana tied around.

There was the hobo clown, which was the old flannel shirt rolled up, pants cuffed, along with two different socks and two different shoes, and the face painted with a red lipstick.

The lucky ones with the masks would have the old flannel shirts rolled up and some sort of bottoms.

Lastly, and I think this was just for laughs, the parents would take the youngest girl and put her in mom’s dresses and underwear and pack it full of pillows to look like a big fat old lady. We would find a wig (who knows where that came from) and some red lipstick to complete the outfit.

Back in those days money was tight so there was no driving around to houses, and there weren’t a lot of subdivisions, so we could only trick or treat on our road which consisted of about five houses.

Now, five houses isn’t going to give you nearly enough candy to last four days or even two days, so once we hit the five houses we would go home and the ones with the plastic masks would trade off and give them to the ones that didn’t have them, and then paint their faces and we would hit all the same houses!  As if the neighbors couldn’t figure out our scam.

The candy we would bring home and dump on the floor and sort it by suckers, hard candy, chocolate, and nasty chewy stuff.

There would be sub-categories like good suckers (anything cherry) and bad suckers, good hard candy and bad hard candy (candy cigarettes and bottle caps ROCKED!!), good chocolate (Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were AWESOME AND STILL ARE), and bad chocolate, which was anything with coconut.

Once each person’s candy was sorted, the wheeling and dealing started. Almost always the older kids said, “I will trade you two of these for one of those.” Being a smaller kid, you thought you were really getting a deal if you got two for one so I would always say “sure”…and there went my only Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup for two icky salt water taffy blobs.”

Kathy Lofy said when she was growing up her family got plastic masks (a mousey gerbil thing and clown face) from Schultz Brothers in downtown West Bend. The masks were nothing but a hot mess. “You never wore those masks that long because your face would be dripping from the sweat just from breathing in it. All you had was a tiny slit in the lips and two little nostril holes, like that was supposed to help. And it was never quite the size of your face, it was an abnormal oval. Whose face was ever shaped like a big oval? Everybody ended up wearing the mask pushed up on top of their head because nobody could stand wearing it on their face.”

Shelly Kehoe of West Bend – “We’d spread all our candy around on the floor. We had so much I just felt like rolling in it, like we were filthy rich in candy. I loved it.”

JB Anon of West Bend – “I don’t think any of my friends had store-bought outfits.  That almost seemed too fake.  I remember a witch, which was a hat made out of black construction paper, black clothes, and the black nylon cape that my mom put around us when she cut our hair. A paper bag was always the candy catcher and candy bars were the favorite.  Circus peanuts were the worst.”

Jacci Gambucci of West Bend – “Halloween was in the dark. Our parents did not come along and had no way of knowing where we were. We had no cell phones, they just trusted we would land safely back on our own doorstep.  A pillowcase was the container of choice – large, strong, and easy to carry.  We made a beeline to the “pillar house” on Spring Street because they gave full size boxes of Cracker Jack.  Worst treats were popcorn ball and candy corn. Costumes were definitely homemade, with the exception of perhaps a store-bought witches’ hat.”

Lori Lynn-Radloff of West Bend – “I remember going into Kliner’s Club, I lived down the street across the bar on Park Avenue by Regner. When a group of kids walked in he would throw a handful of “full size” candy bars (those “big” candy bars were a big deal) on the floor and we would dive to get them. Sometimes people would give us pennies or apples. I do remember we never worried about what was in our bag. I don’t remember our parents checking our candy at the end of the night.”

Tommy Schwai goes Hollywood

Tommy Schwai was sporting a white boa and signing autographs Friday night as he made his big-screen debut on the new TV series State Plate with former American Idol Taylor Hicks.

“This was awesome,” said Travis Dowden, co-owner of Bibinger’s. “He was a celebrity before this and now he’s an official celebrity.”

Cars packed the parking lot at Bibinger’s and some vehicles moved to the surrounding streets in Cedar Creek as friends and neighbors gravitated upstairs at the former Schwai’s to watch the making of a new leading man.

Ron McMullen from Germantown said he came out to Bibinger’s special to see the show. “He’s a movie star,” he said. “I got his autograph.” McMullen flipped his fluorescent baseball hat off his head and proudly showed off his the collectible Tommy Schwai signature.

“I’ve known Tommy for 25 years,” said Dee Dee McMullen. “I was here when he and Kathy had their first date; they’re a hard working couple and they deserves this.”

Hicks featured Schwai in the second segment of the show, which was uniquely sponsored by Marie Osmond and a weight-loss product.

In typical Tommy Schwai fashion, he worked the crowd – greeting guests and posing for photos with his fans.

There was a raucous cheer when Tommy came on the screen. Hicks greeted him with a “Mr. Schwais.”

Tommy rolled with it and pretty soon the two were filling sausage casings and Hicks was twisting off hearty links of brats.

After a hard day’s work the pair sat down to enjoy some of brats hot off the grill.

“He had four of them,” said Tommy. “Best brats he ever had – that’s what he said.”

Tommy interrupted the celebration to make an announcement of a new Bibinger’s brat and then plates full of the steaming sausage were passed around for guests to try.

“He was bound to be a star,” said Nancy Oinas of Menomonee Falls. “Tommy is larger than life; he’s been the star of Cedar Creek for more than 40 years.”

“I hope that people who see it bring us a lot more business,” said Tommy. The life of a celebrity meant Tommy will get up early Saturday morning so he can help set up for his booth at the West Bend Farmers’ Market and then it’s off to Regner Park as he’s catering lunch for the volunteers at Enchantment in the Park.

Former Ziegler building for sale

The former Ziegler Building also known as 215 N. Main Street is for sale. According to archives at WashingtonCountyInsider.com the building last sold Sept. 15, 2011.

The article read: The B.C Ziegler building, 215 N. Main St. was recently sold at public auction to John Kreilkamp and his son Tim for $450,000. The Kreilkamp’s were the only bidders at the Aug. 31 auction. The building had been on the market since Dec. 2008 with a sale price of $2.95 million. The total 2011 proposed assessment for the property is $1,802,800. The building was last sold May 2004 to Leisure Investments for $2 million. The Kreilkamp’s are exploring their options regarding the future of the building; ideas on the table include retail, non-profit, some residential and maybe even a deal with the City. City administrator Dennis Melvin refused comment on a rumored proposal to swap the current City Hall for the Ziegler building.

According to the city assessor the building dates to the 1900 and was last assessed at $1,298,000.  The Kreilkamps have listed the property at $1.6 million with Marcus & Millichap.

Some of the tenants in the building include Client First Investment Management Inc., Greymont, GrandCare Systems, and nonprofits including the Downtown West Bend Association, Volunteer Center of Washington County and the United Way of Washington County.

Washington Co. attorney is on leave

Washington County attorney Kimberly A. Nass is not in the office. When questioned about her current status County Board Chairman Rick Gundrum refused comment as did County administrator Joshua Schoemann. Washington County Sheriff Dale Schmidt confirmed he was not conducting any criminal investigation on Nass.

Nass, 49, started with the county in the early 1990s as an assistant to Washington County Judge Patrick Faragher.

The job of the county attorney according to the county website is “provides legal advice to county board, it’s committees and county departments; drafts and reviews ordinances and resolutions for county board action; advises the county board with respect to parliamentary procedures; prosecutes mental commitment cases, guardianship, protective placement/services cases, termination of parental rights cases and shoreland, wetland, floodplain and sanitary code violations; attends county committee meetings and other county-related meetings; reviews contracts in which the county is a party and commences legal proceedings to collect on outstanding accounts due the county.”

There was no comment on when Nass would return. Attempts have been made to contact Nass. This is the response received to the email. I am out of the office.  Please contact the County Attorney’s Office at 262-335-4374. Thank you, Kim Nass

Lightning strike damages vehicles

Three ambulances from LifeStar Medical Transport were damaged during a fire caused by a lightning strike early Sunday morning. LifeStar owner Mike Krueger said two EMS drivers who were at the building during their shift managed to escape unharmed after lightning apparently came in through the electrical service.

“There was about $75,000 to building and contents,” said Krueger. “Mostly smoke damage to the vehicles; I’ll know how much once the insurance adjusters review the situation.”

Krueger said the incident happened around 12:45 a.m. Sunday as a line of strong storms passed through the community. The West Bend Fire Department was able to quickly knock down the main part of the fire; it took several hours to put out hot spots and get We Energies on site.

“I’d really like to thank the fire department and police department for their efforts,” said Krueger.

Delays for opening of St. Peter Church in Slinger

Rev. Rick Stoffel sent a miserable message to parishioners at St. Peter Church letting the congregation in on the news that the much-anticipated Christmas opening of the newly remodeled church would not be happening.

Notes below explain some of the problems contractors ran into.

The soil for footings beneath the new south addition was rock solid, but the new north addition the solid was poor; we poured 20 loads of cement, assuring a firm foundation.

We had problems getting the amount of cream city brick we needed to have our new wings blend in with the original church. After using up bricks from our own inner walls and bricks donated from a local demolition, our original brick supplier proved less than reliable; we fired them.

A new firm with a great reputation was quickly vetted, hired, and all the brick we will need was delivered in one week.  Of excellent quality it came from the demolition of Annex No. 3 building on Washington County grounds near Samaritan Home in West Bend and originally made in Slinger’s historic brickworks; coincidence or providence?

What will delay our final occupancy is totally another matter of material procurement involving windows. In order for church to have thermal pane windows, providing greater comfort in heating and cooling season as well as protection for placement of our old/new stained glass as being planned by our Stained Glass Committee, a system of sophisticated, specialized extruded frames is needed. These frames have many productions steps to meet installation needs; the company making them suddenly changed their lead time from two to four months.

Window delivery will now be mid-November, not mid-October; they must be installed before we finish the drywall, put case-work around the windows, prepare the floors (new surfaces on both levels), and install the pews. So, Christmas Masses will be in the St. Peter School gym and St. Lawrence Church for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Proposal for new homeless shelter in Wash. Co.

Initial designs have been released for a proposed homeless shelter in West Bend. The $1.3 million project would be privately funded with $400,000 coming from St. Vincent De Paul. The proposed 14-bed shelter would sit on county property just to the east of Indiana Avenue, south of the Public Agency Center and overlooking the Little League diamonds.

Vote of ‘No Confidence’ for County Treasurer Jane Merten

During the next Washington County Board meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 25, a resolution vote of ‘No Confidence’ in County Treasurer Jane Merten will be brought before Supervisors.

The resolution stems from a pair of wire transfers that occurred June 1, 2016 when Merten sent two separate wire transfers to fraudulent accounts. The total was $87,760 although the Washington County Sheriff said half of that never went through.As a result $32,163.76 was returned to Washington County on Sept. 15, 2016.

Merten is up for reelection and her name is on the Nov. 8 ballot. She is running uncontested.

District 21 Supervisor Donald Kriefall initiated the resolution for a ‘no confidence’ vote. His comments are below.

“As an elected official we’re limited in what we can do in our scope of authority over another elected official. If it would have been an administrator or county employee there would have been disciplinary action taken, up and including termination.”

-“I met with Jane and standard practice was not followed with this transaction.”

-“We’re caretakers of the taxpayers money and we need to have some sort of consequence for this error and a vote of no confidence is the least we can do.”

-“This kind of puts her on notice and she made a mistake and this is our way of putting a letter in her file.”

-Questioned whether this vote will help Merten do her job better, Kriefall said, “I don’t know.”

-Raises for elected officials are approved by the County Board and increases were approved for all elected officials.

-Kriefall said the resolution wasn’t brought up immediately because the situation was under investigation. He said numerous supervisors have complained and wanted some action taken. A simple majority on the 26 member board is needed for the resolution to pass.

-“I didn’t get the impression this was an intentional act but there were quite a few wire transfers made before and they were all done with an invoice, RFP or a signature by the person sending them and this is the only one that was not done that way.”

-Questioned if Merten has made other, numerous mistakes Kriefall said, no. “Typically when you make a wire transfer of that amount there are checks and balances for it and they weren’t followed.”

-“The treasurer can choose to step down and there are other steps that could be taken too like a call for resignation.”

-“In the long run it still was an error in judgment by the treasurer and her checks and balances should have been followed and they weren’t for whatever reason.”

County Board Chairman Rick Gundrum: -“This is the best way to deal with this and we’ll see where it goes from here. We are not asking for her to resign, at this stage.”

-“We sat down with Jane and asked for her side of the story and from there Don decided he still wanted to do the resolution.”

County Supervisor Kris Deiss: -“I just got the paperwork. I’m thinking about it. I want to hear what comments are made. I don’t know the specifics to form an opinion at this point. This resolution does not mean she loses her job.”

Washington County Administrator Joshua Schoemann: “The problem the County Board really has is with the timing because the November election is three weeks from now and her name is on the ballot but she’s uncontested.”

Discover Wisconsin filming in Hartford

The Discover Wisconsin film crew was back in Hartford on Tuesday for a second day of filming as businesses in the community, Holy Hill and the Town of Erin will be featured in a segment set to air May 20, 2017.

“We’ve been working on this the last six months,” said Scott Henke, executive director of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce. “They were at Pike Lake, Mickey’s Fresh Frozen Custard and Erin Hills Golf Course,” Henke said.

On Monday the film crew was at the Westphal Mansion, Wisconsin Auto Museum, Mineshaft, Scoop DeVille, and Rustic Road No. 33 in the Town of Erin. Henke said it wasn’t difficult at all to convince the Hartford Chamber Board to move ahead with the idea.

Discover Wisconsin has been around since 1986, it was “the first public and private sector partnership under Governor Tommy Thompson’s Administration.” The segments are paid for by the communities that are showcased. “Just the number of people that will see the segment is a big plus,” said Henke.

All members of the board thought it would greatly benefit local tourism. The cost of the show also covers publicity, marketing and advertising.

Updates & tidbits

– The new Kwik Trip sign was installed along Highway 45 just north of Paradise Drive this week. Landscapers are also put down sod and border plants. The new gas station opens Oct. 27.

-The Knights of Columbus is having a ‘Fifth Sunday’ Pancake Breakfast at the Columbian on Oct 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  It is $5 per person or $15 family. Proceeds will support Seminarians in their studies.

– First place finishers at Sunday’s 4th annual Downtown Dash include Aidan Schmidt, 14, of West Bend who finished the 3.1 mile race in 21 minutes and 11 seconds and Elizabeth Bird, 38, of Cedarburg who finished in 21:52 and in third place overall.

-Mike Hartwell is the new president of the West Bend Optimist Club.

-Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner was spotted last Saturday at the St. Mary’s Rummage Sale. The congressman was looking for a onesie as he is expecting his first grandchild. When I asked the congressman if he knew what a onesie was he said, “Yes, I have one – it was given to me by Congressman Duffy.”

– Paul and Kathy Melius and business partner in the dairy farm, brother Jim, are retiring after 40 years of milking cows. The Melius farm on Sherman Road in Jackson held a 170 head cattle auction this week.

-Some excitement at Allenton Elementary School on Wednesday as about 380 students were evacuated and bused to Slinger High School after the fire alarm sounded. It ended up a faulty sensor was to blame and there was no actual danger. Students were returned to school after they watched the H.S. marching band practice and they had lunch.

-Kristin Bayer is the new Development Coordinator at St. Frances Cabrini Parish.

– Slinger High School students volunteered their time last Saturday to help set up the mega trees for this year’s Enchantment in the Park at Regner Park. The students said they learned the value of donating their time for a good cause. There were also volunteers this week from WB Friends of Park & Rec and the WB Fire Department.

– There’s a new wooden fishing platform at the Early Risers Kiwanis Fish Pond at Regner Park. It’s opposite the extended platform with seats on the south side of the pond.

– Help is available to families in Washington County that need assistance with winter heating bills. Contact Kay Lucas with the Washington County Human Services Department which oversees the Energy Assistance Program. The number is 262-335-4677.

– UW-Washington County women’s volleyball team captured 2nd place at the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference State Volleyball Tournament last weekend in the Wisconsin Dells.

Pat’s Jiffy Stop to close

One of the last corner groceries in West Bend is closing as Pat’s Jiffy Stop, 111 E. Decorah Road, shuts its doors.

“I gave December 1 as notice but I think Nov. 18 is going to be my last day,” said Pat LaBuda, president of Pat’s Jiffy Stop Inc.

The store on Decorah Road and Indiana Avenue has been part of the fabric of the community in West Bend since 1982. “I remember WBKV Radio used to be across the street on the top of the hill,” said LaBuda. “On Indiana was Serigraph and then Serigraph used to be next door too but that changed over the years with Flock Graphics and then Best Embroidery.”

When Jiffy Stop started there were four gas pumps. In 2011 property owner Jacobus Energy Inc. shut down the pumps rather than pay an expensive upgrade required by new federal regulations.

LaBuda took a kick in the shorts financially. “I lost revenue right off the bat,’ she said. But LaBuda regrouped and added more food selections; she was also granted a liquor license.

Over the past few years LaBuda found herself the key outlet to the community with neighbors coming in for food and drink from Arbor Trace and the West Bend High Schools. When Walgreens closed on Decorah and Main she became even more of a go-to as the nearest store with grocery items was Pick n’ Save south or Piggly Wiggly.

“A lot of my customers walk,” said LaBuda. “They don’t drive…. So now they’ll have to walk to Pick n’ Save.”

Looking to retire at age 66, LaBuda made plans last year to lease the store however Jacobus stepped in and nixed the deal.

“Well then I decided not to retire,” she said defiantly. “What was nice was my employees kept their jobs and the neighborhood kept the store and I didn’t have to put a going-out-of-business sale.”

Now, a year later, LaBuda said it’s too much and she’s realized the only way to retire is to close the store.

“This is very difficult,” she said. “But I have health issues and I want to enjoy the last years of my life and the only way to do that is retire and close the store.

“I know the neighborhood is upset; as they find out they’re really upset and I don’t blame them.”

Reaction to the story’s debut on WashingtonCountyInsider.com was fast and sympathetic. Patti Hamlin-Repinski wrote, “Sorry to see you go. When I was a kid I would walk there every day to buy a Pepsi and Snickers bar.

Jessica Schweiger wrote, “Have a great retirement, thank you for being there for all of my late night Gobstopper and soda needs as a teen!”

LaBuda said the Jiffy Stop space is going to be leased to the karate business next door.

“I am upset,” said LaBuda feeling low. “My friend says when I die they’re going to spread my ashes over Jiffy Land.”

New Kwik Trip to open Oct. 27

Kwik Trip will officially open for business Oct. 27 and a grand opening will be held Oct. 31. The new 7,000-square-foot Kwik Trip gas station/convenience store is located in the 1700 block of S. Silverbrook Drive in West Bend.  The service station will feature 26 gas pumps on five islands and a car wash. There will be 62 employees at the store, which will be open 24/7.

Construction underway for expanded BP gas station

The old Mad Max/BP gas station, 1200 block of S. Main St. in West Bend, was razed this week. Plans call for reconfiguring the lot, replacing the existing canopy and pumps, building a new convenience store and drive-thru and adding a total of 29 parking stalls. The former Clothes Clinic will also be razed.

Trick or treat in Washington County this Halloween

Trick-or-Treat is: Saturday October 29: Downtown Hartford Trick-or-Treat – 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Richfield – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Newburg – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and no bonfire, West Bend – 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Erin – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Farmington – 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Fillmore –  4 p.m. -7 p.m., Trenton – 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hartford – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Kewaskum – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Slinger – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 30 – Village of Jackson – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Village of Thiensville – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Village of Saukville – 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Village of Merton – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Town of Addison – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 – Germantown – 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Updates & tidbits

– The landscape is going to look a little different at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Walnut Street as the steeple has been removed from Kettle Moraine Bible Church. According to the book ‘City of West Bend’ by Janean Mollet-Van Beckum, the church was the German Methodist Episcopal Church and parsonage in 1916. Services were held in German.

-A groundbreaking will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19 as construction of a new Just Like Home Adult Day Center will be built in the Jackson Business Park.

-The 2016 Women of Christ Conference is Nov. 5 at the Washington County Fair Park. This year’s theme is: Mercy, God’s love in action.

– The U.S. Post Office in Jackson closed Friday after the Jackson Fire Department was called to the building on Cedar Park Court on Thursday afternoon for an odd chemical smell that was causing headaches for staff. The Post Office was closed Friday although mail was delivered. The Jackson Fire Chief said a lab in Madison is trying to determine the odor. No injuries were reported following the incident.

-The Allenton and St. Lawrence Fire Department Fire Prevention Open House and Pancake Breakfast is Sunday, Oct. 16 from 8 a.m. – noon.

– Construction is underway for a new dialysis clinic in Slinger. Village building inspector Greg Darga said the 6,413-square-foot facility is run by Fresenius Medical Care. The clinic is located north of Burger King at 631 Lous Way, just to the west of Dove Plaza and next to O’Reilly Auto Parts. The clinic will open in early 2017.

– Leaf collection begins in West Bend on Monday, Oct. 17. Neighbors are reminded to place leaves in the street gutter area. Bags of leaves will not be collected and crews will not remove leaves from the area.

-There will be homemade pies galore at the Harvest Moon Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Barton. Enter your pie today and come for the music, food, dancing and fun!  Pie drop off is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Judging at 6:30 p.m.

– Some of the best pumpkins in the Washington County area are on sale now at Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm, 2970 Mile View Road, West Bend. The Haunted Cornfield is also in full swing.

-The 4th annual Downtown Dash 5k run/walk through historic Downtown West Bend is Sunday, Oct. 16. Professionally chip-timed run and a Bloody Mary bar at the finish for participants 21 years old and over. Register a team of 4 online before Oct. 10 and 1 person’s entry is free.

-A ceremony to recognize all Veterans will be held Monday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. at Green Tree Elementary School in West Bend. Anyone who needs a ride can call Mayor Sadownikow’s office at 262-335-5123. Refreshments will follow. The event is put on by Common Sense Citizens of Washington County.

-Brodey Laverenz and his sister Kiera won a fire truck ride to school as part of a drawing held during the Boltonville Fire Department Open House. The kids were taken to school by firemen Dennis Fechter and Bill Kohlwey.

-The Diva – West Bend Specialty Shops is hosting Harvest Around the Bend on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the downtown shopping district. There will be seasonal specials and a free pumpkin decorating for kids from noon – 3 p.m. at All in Books,

Korean War vet Claude “Stick” Duernberger of West Bend

On Saturday, there will be a dozen veterans from Washington County taking part in the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

One of the Korean War veterans is Claude “Stick” Duernberger of West Bend.

“I was 18 years old, West Bend High School class of 1951,” said Duernberger. “I enlisted in April 1952 and I remember the day well because we went to Chicago from Milwaukee and right away they gave you a blood test.”

Duernberger, 81, hasn’t changed much since his days of youth. Wiry and fit, he makes fun of the cowlick that frustrated his mother in all his photos.

During service Duernberger had nine weeks in basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. “We spent a lot of time on the grinder,” he said. “That was the asphalt; we marched and marched and marched.”

A former meat cutter at the A&P in West Bend, Duernberger worked in the commissary at Great Lakes while awaiting orders.

“I got up at 3 a.m. for mess cooking and then cleaned up and got ready for dinner,” he said. “You had to go through inspection, have a white t-shirt and hold your hands out to make sure you were clean.”

Duernberger was miserable. “Remember that saying, ‘Join the Navy and see the world?’ I thought I would come out of boot camp and I’d be out there seeing some of the country.

“For three weeks my orders never came up and I was just beside myself – the hours at the mess hall were tearing me down and I was on the phone with my mother and said ‘I’m going over the hill.’”

With a real calm voice Duernberger’s mother settled him down and a week later orders came in and he was off to Guam. Duernberger spent 18 months in Guam and then was assigned to a ship in Hawaii, the U.S.S. Arequipa. “It was a refrigerator ship and we loaded food. We were out to sea for 27 days and come back to Pearl Harbor and load the ship for three days and then head back and unload the food for the islands.”

Duernberger had vivid memories of the diesel fuel exhaust from the ship. “I got seasick,” he said. “The only experience I had on water was a row boat on Wallace Lake. My folks had a tavern and dance hall on Wallace Lake called ‘Stick and Aggie’s Lakeside Inn.'”  Following his first 12 month tour of duty, Duernberger was again reassigned to an ammunition ship originally located in Port Chicago in San Francisco and he took off to go overseas.

“We visited Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines,” he said. “When my tour of duty was up and I was discharged I made reservations on TWA airlines to bring me home.”

Looking back at his tour Duernberger said, “I went from a boy to a man in four years.” His fondest memory was of a flower in Hawaii. “If you came in from Wake Island and you came into the berthing area you could smell that ginger flower in the air and everybody would be up on deck just waiting and they smelled that perfume,” he said.

Over the years the aroma was commercialized. “A gal I worked with at the phone company ended up taking a trip to Hawaii and I asked her to look up a white ginger perfume and bring me back a bottle and by golly she did,” he said.

Returning to the states, Duernberger put his skills in radio school to good use and got a job with Wisconsin Bell, the telephone company on Sixth Avenue and Chestnut.

After retirement Duernberger started his own business with Venture Communications Inc. and he ran that for 15 years.  Duernberger has not been to Washington D.C.  He said he’s excited to see the Korean War Memorial and the White House. His son Michael will be his guardian.

WWII Army clerk Donald Vosen

World War II Army clerk Donald Vosen of Germantown will be taking part in Saturday’s Stars & Stripes Honor Flight.   Vosen, 88, was 17 years old when he enlisted in the Army. “It was June 1945 and I was still in high school in Sauk City,” he said. “I enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program and I went to school for about 10 months at the University of Illinois.”

That next summer, April 1946, Vosen was headed to basic training at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Little Rock Arkansas.  “Shortly thereafter they shipped us to the Philippines,” he said. While in service Vosen served as a clerk. “I was in charge of all the records of returning soldiers,” he said. “I had to box them up and put them on a ship and take them to Manila Bay.”

Station in Paranaque, about 10 miles outside Manila Bay, PFC Vosen said he remembers one day in particular when they got to the dock late because of an accident on the road. “The ship was already taking off and we had to get the records on it,” he said. Tracking down the local Coast Guard, Vosen relayed his plight and the Coast Guard ordered the ship to stop. “My crew of five men loaded these big wooden boxes onto a little PT boat and we went out to the ship,” he said.

The cumbersome boxes were about 5-feet long. Cables were lowered and the boxes lifted onto the ship. “Two of them got away from us and landed in the ocean,” Vosen said. “They were floating and the waves were high. We finally fished them out and I had to go on the ship and find the Lieutenant in charge so he could sign off on them.”

The Lieutenant questioned Vosen. “He said, were those the same records floating around the ocean? I said, ‘Yes sir.’” Vosen said the Lieutenant signed off on it anyway.

In April 1947, a year after entering service Vosen was discharged. He returned to the states and worked at a manufacturing plant in Illinois, a tannery in Milwaukee and later spent 34 years working for the Wisconsin Telephone Company.

This will be Vosen’s first visit to Washington D.C.  “I’m looking forward to the whole day,” he said. “I especially want to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial because those guys didn’t get any credit when they came home.” Vosen’s son Philip will be his guardian on Saturday’s flight.

Kewaskum vet Allen Schoofs fought on the front line

Korean War Veteran Allen Schoofs, 85, of Kewaskum will be one of more than a dozen veterans from Washington County on Saturday’s Stars & Stripes Honor Flight.

“I was 21 years old when I was drafted,” said Schoofs, his deep, gravelly voice sounding loud yet somber while he talked at the kitchen table at his home on Prospect Street.

“I was living on the farm on Highway 28,” he said. “I got drafted in 1951; you had no choice.”

Schoofs went to Fort Riley Kansas for Army infantry basic training; it lasted 16 weeks. “I learned all the different weapons,” said Schoofs. “Then they sent us to Korea – actually we went to Japan first and then to Korea. It took 17 days by ship and we hit two storms on the way over.”

Once in Korea, Schoofs was put on the front lines.  The year was 1952. “There were three of us guys who took basic training together who were in the same unit in Korea,” Schoofs said.

“We were in King Company; 22nd Division, 23rd Regimen.”

Schoofs recalled he didn’t get into any hand-to-hand contact with the enemy but they were pinned down twice. Schoofs said he was trained in the 60mm mortar. “That was a gun with a 2-inch barrel and you had to drop the round down the barrel,” he said.

The next 10-and-a-half months Schoofs spent in Korea. “We had a couple close calls,” he said. “We were supposed to take this one hill and when we came walking down around this hill on the road the enemy spotted us and they started dropping shells. There was a ravine ahead of us and there were some trees ahead of us and we ducked in there and waited for two hours until our own tanks came along.”

“They supposedly blew the enemy out of the bunker and then they called us back,” he said.

Discharged in March 1953, Schoofs returned to the farm in Kewaskum.  “I was 23 years old and I worked the farm for my mother,” he said.

Married in 1955, Schoofs purchased the farm in 1961. “I had 80 acres but it wasn’t big enough; it was hard to make an income so I got a job on the assembly line at the Gehl Company.” Working at the Gehls from 1965 – 1982, Schoofs family grew to seven kids; he held down a number of other jobs at the same time including school bus driver and milk man.

Schoofs was laid off from Gehl in 1982. He was unemployed for 15 months before getting a job in the industrial park in Germantown. “It was a tool and die shop and I ran press for 18 years,” he said.

This Saturday Schoofs is looking forward to returning to Washington D.C.  He wants to see the Korean War Memorial in particular. “I lost a couple buddies over there and I’d like to find their names,” he said.

Schoofs guardian is his daughter Debbie Keller.

Others on the Honor Flight include: Roger Demeritt, Germantown, WWII Navy aviation radio technician, John Kuster, West Bend, Korean War Army infantry (stationed in Frankfurt), Steve Matanaer, West Bend, Korean War Army cook, Benjamin Thorn, Hartford, Korean War Navy storekeeper, John Waskiewicz, West Bend, Korean War Navy, Rita Gantenbein, West Bend, Korean War Army nurse,  Herman Tetzlaff, West Bend, Korean War Army ambulance driver, John Zink, West Bend, Korean War Army engineer.

History photo is of Korean War vet Allen Schoofs from Kewaskum.

Addison Elementary wins National Blue Ribbon Award

Addison Elementary School is a 2016 National Blue Ribbon Award winner. The school is located in Hartford but it is part of the Slinger School District. It was one of 329 Blue Ribbon winners from across the country. The school was noted for Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools.

U.S. Secretary of Education John King said the “award is based on a school’s overall academic excellence or marked progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.” King added, “National Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels.”

In his video message, Secretary King praised the 2016 schools: “It takes courage to do the right thing for children, even in the face of significant obstacles. All of you–students, teachers and administrators–deserve our highest praise. You are shining examples for your communities, your state, and the nation.”

Principal John Larkin submitted the 15 page application for the Blue Ribbon Award. In it he touted the TEAM Time program, the hiring of a Response to Instruction Coordinator, and the improvement of core instructional practices throughout the District, along with providing needed resource materials, teacher training, and professional development.

Addison Elementary will be recognized in a ceremony Nov. 7 – 8 in Washington, D.C.

Russ Darrow to build Nissan dealership in WB

Russ Darrow is planning a new Nissan dealership on W. Washington Street just to the east of Valley Avenue. Three parcels to the south of W. Washington Street will be combined as Darrow constructs a 24,449-square-foot dealership.

According to Jim Reinke with the West Bend Department of Development “this is phase 1 of the process.” The Plan Commission meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Other items on the agenda include the Pizza Ranch proposal and a public hearing for a proposed zoning code text amendment to modify the minimum building setback from the right-of-way of all streets to 25 feet in the M-2 Heavy Industrial District.

Pizza Ranch finds new location

Pizza Ranch has found a new location and the Certified Survey Map will be reviewed at the Tuesday, Oct. 4 West Bend Plan Commission meeting. The new location is a 1.7-acre parcel located just west of 18th Avenue on Highway 33 in West Bend. The property is zoned B-1 commercial and it is listed at $695,000. The new parcel is currently green space. It is on the south side of the road, just west of First Bank Financial Centre and just east of Hankerson’s Country Oven Bakery.

Adam Williquette from Anderson Commercial is overseeing the sale of the property.

The popular buffet restaurant moved less than a mile east of its previous location after PRWB LLC purchased 1.7 acres and then sold it less than two weeks later to Steve Kearns for a $200,000 profit.

Jim Reinke, Business and Development Planner at West Bend, said plans for the property are similar to what was being proposed for the lot further west except the parking will accommodate about 100 stalls; the other site had 108 stalls. “This property is made up of three consecutive properties,” said Reinke.

Plans indicate there will be a right turn into the restaurant and a right turn out onto Highway 33. At this point in time no additional turn lane is planned. Stacy and Matt Gehring are the couple behind the franchise. Although the purchase has yet to close, the Gehrings indicate they would like to break ground in October.

50 Random Acts of Kindness

In this era of political campaign fatigue and world unrest a local company is stepping up and asking neighbors in Washington County to show their true colors. Jenn Koehn posted a note that read, “The reason Andy and I want to do something is that the national environment is so hateful and divided, we feel pretty lucky to live in a community that really works together to take care of their own. (And maybe this will encourage other businesses/people to start their own 50 Random Acts).” With that … Game On! Koehn & Koehn is teaming with Chix 4 a Cause and for the next four weeks they’re starting a “tiny revolution of kindness.” Random Acts of Kindness can be found on Facebook at Koehn & Koehn, Chix 4 a Cause, and Washington County Insider.

Trick-or-treat in Washington County

Downtown West Bend Fall Fest – Friday, October 14, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Dress in your Halloween best and trick or treat downtown.  Look for the pumpkin in the window for participating businesses or stop in at the DWBA office for a map.  Trick-or-Treat is: Tuesday, Oct. 25 in Erin – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday October 29: Richfield – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Newburg – 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and no bonfire, West Bend –  4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Farmington –  4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Trenton – 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hartford – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Kewaskum – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Slinger – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Downtown Hartford Trick-or-Treat – 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 – Jackson – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31 – Germantown –  5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

West Bend teen donates kiosk as part of Eagle Scout project

Spencer Weinandt, 17, received some nice recognition from the West Bend Common Council this week for an informational kiosk he built for his Eagle Scout project. The kiosk is on the Eisenbahn State Trail just to the south of East Water Street, across from Dublin’s restaurant.

Weinandt is part of Troop 762, Moose Lodge. He’s been in scouts 13 years and said he’s learned about leadership and developing as a person. Part of the project included gathering supplies and soliciting donations. Weinandt received support from Toucan Custard, Knights of Columbus, Mountain Outfitters and the History Center of Washington County. Weinandt donated the kiosk to the city; it will be maintained by the Parks Department.

Updates & tidbits

–The setting is magnificent, the colors are gorgeous, the music is beautiful, and the Packers have a bye. Collaborative concert Sunday, Oct. 2 at 4:30 p.m. featuring Nordic Brass, Hesternus Early Music Consort, and the Jubilate Chorale in the Basilica at Holy Hill. The event is free and open to the public.

-Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County is hosting its annual fundraiser Oct. 9 from 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at West Bend Mutual Prairie Center. This year’s “Tea by the Sea” will include celebrity waiters, a huge auction, and seaside appetizers.

-The Longbranch Saloon in Barton will be posted as a Sheriff’s sale on October 13. The business, 1800 Barton Avenue, closed earlier this year.

-This week students and staff at St. Kilian School in Hartford presented two local police officers, Mike Cummings and Pat Beine, with a care/gift package in appreciation for their service to the Hartford community.

–Rev. Jerry Britton turned 80 years old on Sept. 26. His retirement from Holy Angels Parish lasted 3 days before being asked to help at St. Kilian Church in Hartford. Rev. Jerry spent part of his birthday playing basketball in the Fr. Jerry Britton Gym at Holy Angels.

-The War and Peace classes at the West Bend West High School are bringing Almost Sunrise to West Bend.  Director Michael Collins along with Anthony Anderson will be at UW-WC Theater at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3 for a special showing with a Q and A to follow.  The film will be the centerpiece at the Milwaukee Film Festival this weekend.  WBHS is selling tickets for $10 to be purchased from teacher Tony Zappia (262-707-2502) or at the door, if still available.

-A new tattoo and body piercing establishment will be applying for a license at the Oct. 3 common council meeting in West Bend. Salon Ink Me Beautiful is applying to open at 1747 Barton Avenue.

-The 2nd Annual Husar’s Diamond Dash is Dec. 4 at Enchantment in the Park. Registration includes race entrance, bib, swag bag and commemorative beanie. Top male and female finishers win a watch valued at $500 courtesy of Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds. All proceeds benefit Enchantment in the Park.

Remembering Isabelle Muckerheide

A nice gathering of friends and family at Holy Trinity Church in Kewaskum on Tuesday to remember Isabelle Muckerheide, 98. Isabelle was part of the fabric of Kewaskum. She died Monday, Sept. 19 a day after checking into hospice.

During visitation there were a lot of great memories and photos shared as family and friends came appropriately dressed in their favorite brooch – or they borrowed on from Isabelle; it was her subtle signature fashion statement and she owned it.

Prior to the start of Mass members of the Muckerheide shared stories of Isy; some did it with a poem in tribute to her gift of prose. One relative spoke about helping Isabelle clean out her home prior to her move about a year ago to West Allis. “I found 27 potato peelers,” she said. “Help yourself when you leave church.”

The woman said they teased Isabelle about all the things she had collected/acquired. “Isy said each thing she saved had a story…. and then she came out of a room with a stack of letters from my father when he was in service in WWII. The letters were as thin as tissue paper. I guess she saved a lot of treasures too.”

One of the more poignant moments came as Isabelle’s niece Pat Celek read a poem titled: Isy Eulogy poem.

It was July the sixth of 1918 when Isabella was born

Her parents said her birth brought peace to a world that was war-torn.

Anton and Stella welcomed Isy as did his sister and two brothers

A hard life kept her folks quite busy but still they bore two others.

Neshkoro was the name of the place where they put down roots so deep

Their parents taught them of God’s grace and the blessings it would reap.

When school is over and times were lean Isy left for where the grass was green

She worked as a maid, a cook, and baker the beginnings of a great homemaker.

Her world was broader for a while her customers she would beguiling

Spencer Tracy was the name that gave her a little claim to fame.

Then her mom said I am tired and coming home was now required

And though it wasn’t in her plan, back in Neshkoro she met a man.

His name was Al, he was in town to help with bridge construction

He found out who the new girl was and made his introduction.

It didn’t take long for love to grow and Isy married Al her beau

They were together nearly 40 years lots of laughter and a few tears

They made a home in Kewaskum; proud to say there they held from

On that plot on 28 each lived with their one true soul mate.

Auctions, gardens, cooking, baking, a smile with every undertaking

Canning, weeding, caning, quilting; working hard and never wilting.

Together they became town fixtures; see what they did and all the pictures

Helped the museum, joined the legion, made things better in this region.

But then her husband her true love was called home to their God above

A great loss that was hard to bear, a love like theirs was truly rare.

She kept up her home when Al was gone had many friends she could lean on

Watching out for her were neighbors she was grateful for their labors.

But then Father Time knocked at her door living alone was an option no more.

So she sorted through her stuff and what she kept was just enough

To fit into the home she’d share with a sister who had a room to spare.

It was a difficult decision to make such a major life transition.

Her friends and neighbors she’d leave behind and they had to her been kind.

But to West Allis she did go and go, go, go she would

She was busy living there for life was still quite good.

Bingo, State Fair, and the word search, Sheepshead, garden and to her church

Concerts, shows, her veggie plot, Rummy games she played with Dot.

Selling hot pads, read the home news. Take time with neighbors to schmooze.

Fish fries, parties, the hairdresser visit – at 98 she looked exquisite.

She continued until her body failed, her final breath at last exhaled

We asked God to take her in his care and he gave an answer to our prayer.

This woman of faith this woman of grace has a crown awaiting in a heavenly place

She was welcomed home by God’s own Son; he greeted her and said, “Well done.”

History photo of Isabelle and Al Muckerheide.

Korean War vets from Wash. Co. receive Ambassador for Peace honors

Korean War veterans from Washington County were presented with Ambassador for Peace medals during a special banquet in Seoul, South Korea. The ceremony was held at the Grand Ambassador Hotel.

Medals were presented to Nick Habersetzer, Norbert Carter, Francis ‘Jerry’ Wanty, and Merlin Stockhausen.

There were 123 Korean War veterans from around the world on hand to receive their awards. Each was greeted with a warm round of applause from the Korean ROTC as they entered the banquet hall.

Distinguished guests included the Hon. Park Sung Choon Minister of the Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Lt. General Thomas W. Bergeson, Deputy Commander UNC/USFK.

An interesting side note, Lt. Bergeson took a moment during his speech to say, “Anyone here from Wisconsin? Go Packers!”  Turns out Lt. Bergeson hails from Wisconsin Rapids.  “I’m a 1981 graduate of Wisconsin Rapid High School,” he said as he posed with veterans from Washington County. “My son is currently enrolled at UW Madison and my parents still live in Wisconsin Rapids.”

Throughout the evening veterans were praised for their “gallantry and sacrifice.”

Korean War veteran Norbert Carter

Norbert Carter, 85, of West Bend is one of the Korean War veterans on tour this week in South Korea. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is hosting a Revisit Korea Program where they express appreciation and respect for Korean War veterans who sacrificed themselves to defend Korea’s democracy and peace.

Carter was 20 years old and married for a couple years when he was drafted in 1951 into the Army. He entered service in 1952.

“I never got to go to high school,” said Carter. “I was put on the farm to help my uncle because he couldn’t get a hired man during the war.”  Carter was one of 7 boys in the family; four of his siblings were also in the service. “My dad was in World War I; my oldest brother was in the Navy during Pearl Harbor. Two of my brothers were in Germany, two of us were in Korea and my youngest son was in Desert Storm.”

Carter went to Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania for basic training. That was followed by a stint in Washington and later he spent 17 days on a ship to Japan. “We spent one night in Japan, got back on the boat and I spent the next 15 months and 22 days in Korea,” Carter said.

Immediately stationed on the front line, Carter recalls his orders.

“We were on night patrol and walked up to one area and were handed a steel vest and they said ‘put it on — this is the area where you need it’ and we walked some more and pretty soon we were up on Old Baldy,” he said referencing the site of five engagements during a 10-month span of the Korean War.

“For 32 days I helped build bridges while we were under fire,” Carter said. “There were some Army tanks on a couple mountains up there and we had to get them back for service work.

“The biggest bridge we had was 280-feet long and it was all steel tread way. We couldn’t work during the day because the enemy could see us and every day for the first five days the bridge was knocked out by artillery, so each day we had to tear it out and start over.”

Carter was discharged in 1953 as a staff sergeant Section B in the Second Division Combat Engineers.  Carter, 85, is well-known in the local military circle; he is Veterans of Foreign Wars chairman in West Bend and has been commander for 15.5 years.

Carter has been active for 57 years in the local post honor guard and military squad.

Korean War veteran Merlin Stockhausen

Merlin Stockhausen, 86, of West Bend is one of the Korean War veterans on tour this week in South Korea. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is hosting a Revisit Korea Program where they express appreciation and respect for Korean War veterans who sacrificed themselves to defend Korea’s democracy and peace.

Stockhausen was drafted when he was 20; he was part of the 933rd Field Artillery.

Stockhausen went to basic training in Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Bliss, Texas, before being shipped to Japan and then Korea. “I was part of an anti-aircraft unit,” Stockhausen said.

“We laddered at night over at Inchon, Korea, and they put us into these LST boats and we went on shore with water up to our waist and we got loaded into little box cars and headed up to the front line from there,” Stockhausen said. “We had a lot of gun positions dug in around petroleum centers.”

An acting corporal, Stockhausen was awarded a number of medals including a Bronze Star and the Korean Campaign Medal. Returning to West Bend, Stockhausen went into construction. Stockhausen was part of the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight in 2013.

Korean War veteran Nick Habersetzer

Nick Habersetzer of West Bend is one of the Korean War veterans on tour this week in South Korea.

Habersetzer was 18 and a half years old when he enlisted in service on Sept. 26, 1955. “I graduated West Bend High School in 1954 and got a job at the Gehl Company,” said Habersetzer. “They gave me three years of service time.”

For eight weeks Habersetzer went through basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado and then went to jump school at Fort Bragg for three weeks. “We jumped out of C-19s,” he said. “My older brother went so I had to go and then my next brother also went. I was actually the scaredy cat of the three.”

Habersetzer served shortly after the Korean War ended and was part of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. “We went to Korea by ship and I was very sick,” he said.

While in Korea, Habersetzer worked in the 120 MEDEVAC hospital just outside Incheon, Korea. Ranked a Spec-4 Army corporal, Habersetzer worked as a diet cook in the kitchen at the hospital until his discharge in 1958.

“I hitchhiked home from Fort Sheridan, Illinois and got to about this side of Chicago and got another ride,” said Habersetzer. “Then a guy gave me a ride within a mile of my house. He bought me a beer in St. Anthony and then I walked to Kohlsville where my parents lived.

“I was carrying a duffel bag and didn’t have much in it; only two sets of clothes because I had to leave the rest in Korea because of disease.”

Habersetzer returned to the Gehl Company and worked in tool and die for 46 years. This is his first time back to Korea.

Amazing food in South Korea

Veterans from Washington County are staying at the Grand Ambassador Hotel in Seoul while on tour in South Korea and the food is amazingly diverse.

Baby octopus for breakfast anyone? I took the plunge in a tapas sort of way. A tentacle of this a dime-sized portion of that. My plate looks like a colorful chess board and I secretly wonder if my stomach will welcome it home.

The chef at the Grand Ambassador puts out an eye-appealing display of hearty breads, freshly diced fruits, carved meats including steak and pork chops and there’s a wealth of seafood including sea eel, seaweed, and salted and fermented squid.

The rich colors of the food are brilliant. It’s a vista of choices and I’m glad there are labels to help decipher what’s for dinner. This is not your mother’s Hamburger Helper.

A salt-free diet would be difficult. Many of the fish dishes, including the cellophane like square of seaweed, is salty… and that’s being nice. Bottled water should be close at hand.

The octopus comes with visible suction cups on tentacles. “Is that considered fish or meat,” asked veteran Nick Habersetzer as he digs into his safe plate of fruit.

“It’s a cephalopod; like a snail or a slug,” I said. (actually I had to Google it)

The tentacle, by the way, is not moving. I’m a little disappointed because that would have made for a better story and more of a pull-back reaction.

The octopus has a rubbery consistency, kind of like a bicycle tire and just as flavorful. (My aspirations as a regular on The Food Network I’m sure have been dashed by this review.)

In South Korea the foods are flat out raw and presented as art or they’re prepared with colorful spices and mixed with vegetables. (To all moms – did you see what they did there?)

The food strategy is much different than the good ole’ American way of drowning things in ketchup.

Tidbits from the tour in South Korea

-On our way to the DMZ students from Korea are interviewing veterans on the bus ride. The students are fluent in English. The bus is zipping through rush-hour traffic with a police motorcycle escort.

-At Chicago O’Hare my troop got hung up at security. One vet had metal in both knees and an ankle. Years of hard work also took a toll on his mobility. While maneuvering the full body scanner, Merlin Stockhausen had to lift one arm with the other to get it to extend to the TSA directed height. Finally the guy at security scrubbed the idea and said, “Please step out sir; we’ll just pat you down.”

-Another vet was told to empty his pockets and take off his belt. A hand full of loose change clattered on the metal table. It was accompanied by a pocket full of peppermints and a rosary.

-The stewardesses for Korean Air arrived at our gate in a wave of high-fashion. The fellas stared and commented how “they all look the same.” The airline obviously has a very strict dress code and cookie-cutter appearance: short khaki skirt, light blue button down blouse, scarf that resembled a starched piece of Origami caught in a brisk wind capped by an overall loveliness.

Isabelle Muckerheide funeral is Tuesday

Isabelle Muckerheide, formerly of Kewaskum, has died.

Muckerheide, 98, was part of the fabric of the community in Kewaskum. She’d been a staple at several farmers’ markets in Kewaskum and at the VFW in West Bend where she was noted for her card table and sales of homemade jam, ground cherries and $1 loaves of banana bread.

In May 2015 Mike Paul from Paul Auction Co. in Kewaskum officially retired Isabelle’s bid card No. 1 after she sold her home and moved in with her kid sister, 94.

How Isabelle became the official holder of card No. 1, is best told by Paul.

“One time, for reasons no one remembers, Isabelle and her husband were late to the sale and No. 1 was issued to somebody else. It was not well received,” he said. “A hasty discussion between mom and dad established that the Muckerheides would permanently be No. 1 and they have been, for the last 46 years.”

Paul said “Al and Izzy” were regulars back in 1969. “Izzy has been a fixture for so long we always just assume she’ll be there,” he said. “If she can’t make it she calls ahead to let us know.”

Every year Muckerheide can be found sitting in a wood rocker in the entryway of the old log cabin, knitting during Kewaskum’s Early Farm Days. Under her frock is her trademark brooch, it’s something she’s worn since she was 6 years old.

Born in 1918 when Woodrow Wilson was president, Muckerheide remained sharp telling stories of seeing Liberace in concert in Appleton. “He played after dinner and had dancing water with colored lights,” she recalled.

She also cooked for Hollywood actor Spencer Tracy in 1941. “He was receiving an honorary degree from Ripon College and the dinner was held at a private home. My boss brought him back into the kitchen and Spencer Tracy shook my hand. I didn’t wash it for a week,” grinned Muckerheide.

Muckerheide had been living in West Allis with her sister. She would often say, “We haven’t had to call the cops on each other yet.”

The funeral for Isabelle Muckerheide will be Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Holy Trinity Church in Kewaskum. Mass will start at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Isabelle’s family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.

New memorial underway at American Legion Post 36

The American Legion Post 36 in West Bend is offering neighbors an opportunity to recognize veterans who have served honorably in the armed forces as a new memorial is constructed. The centerpiece features a 30-foot aluminum flag pole donated by a member of Post 36. Money raised from the sale of granite engraved stones will help defer the construction costs of the memorial and the main granite stone. The honored veteran does not need to be a member of the American Legion. To launch the project, from now until Oct. 1, 2016 the granite stones can be purchased for half price. A 16 x 8 engraved stone can be purchased for $200 to honor organizations or specific military actions, conflicts or wars. Contact Mike Hartwell at 262-305-4036 for more details.

Wet down in Allenton is Wednesday

On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the Slinger and Kohlsville Fire Departments will hold a wet down ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at Zuern Building Products, 426 Railroad Street, for Allenton Volunteer Fire Department’s Engine 1361. A wet down is when neighboring fire departments come with a rig to spray water over the new unit.  A similar ceremony is held for ships and aircraft as they enter service to help others when they can no longer help themselves. Fifteen or more fire departments will be on hand to help with the christening. An interesting side note: this ceremony is for a unit which is replacing the apparatus [1361] that had the first wet down in Wisconsin.

Updates & tidbits

-A note has been posted on the front door of Benders Sports Pub, 1102 E. Paradise Dive in West Bend. The note read: To all of Benders loyal patrons, thank you for your past business. Unfortunately the time has come to close our doors.  The note is signed Tim and Donna Pruett. Tim took over the restaurant in 2013.

-Today’s Dentistry, 2675 E. Washington Street in West Bend, will host an open house Sept. 25 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

-Rummage-A-Rama is October 15 – 16 at the Washington County Fair Park.

-The Walk for Diabetes is Saturday, Oct. 15 at Ridge Run Park in West Bend. The goal is to promote community awareness of diabetes and raise $2,900 for diabetes research. Contact David Reed for more information 630-862-2711.

-Baylor Cain Golf Outing for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is Sunday, Oct. 9 at Hon-E-Kor Golf Course in Kewaskum.

– Jobs at Spaulding Clinical in West Bend. A new study is underway that pays up to $2,525. Spaulding Clinical will cover an Uber ride so you can schedule a screening and receive up to $250. Call today 800-597-4507 or visit spauldingpays.com.

-West Bend School District Superintendent Erik Olson will be the guest speaker Sept. 28 at the Common Sense Citizens meeting held 7 p.m. at the West Bend Moose Lodge on 18th Avenue. The meetings are free and open to the public.

– Golf marathon for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County is Friday, Sept. 30 at Kettle Hills Golf Course in Richfield. Golf 100 holes in one day all for a great cause in Washington Co.

-Sixth graders from Holy Angels School in West Bend recently participated in the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) at Camp Gray near Wisconsin Dells. The annual overnight retreat provides students with many opportunities to experience and learn about the wonders of God’s creation.

Washington County vets on today’s Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.     

There will be several veterans from Washington County on today’s Stars & Stripes Honor Flight including Edward Burke, a WWII Navy vet from Hartford,   WWII Navy veteran Dale Carlson of West Bend,  Korean War Army veteran James Menzel of West Bend and Charlie Beckman a Korean War Navy veteran from West Bend.

James Menzel, 86, of West Bend is a Korean War veteran.  Drafted in 1952 into the Army, Menzel was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. where he specialized in hand-to-hand combat.

Sitting in a comfortable recliner at his home on Meadowbrook Drive, Menzel tried to recall his past with the best of intentions. Pleasant and helpful, he struggled – still affected by a stroke 11 years ago that stole his speech and his memory.

“I specialized in hand to hand,” he said with confidence. “Bayonet and grenades.”

In the service for about three years, Menzel saw little action in Korea as he was stationed about a mile from the front lines. “I had tools in a truck and a grinder and I took care of everything,” he said.

Discharged when he was about 25 years old, Menzel returned to Hartford and picked up a job as manager of Delaney’s clothing store. “It was right on the corner across from the Fire Department,” he said.

Within a short period Menzel was asked to manage the men’s clothing section at JC Penny in West Bend. “I fitted people for suits,” he said. “I was good at it and I worked a short time for Fred Sager.”

During his prime, Menzel could fill out a suit. “We had wide ties, bow ties, and suspenders,” he recalled. “I could even make my own bow tie and I taught all my kids how to tie ties.”

Menzel’s son Bob is going to be his guardian on the Honor Flight.

Charlie Beckman, 86, grew up in Eau Claire and graduated high school in 1948. “I enlisted in the Navy and went for basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois,” said Beckman.

After training Beckman was an Interior Communications Electricians 3rd Class; he shipped out of Los Angeles on the heavy cruiser U.S.S. St. Paul and went to Japan.

“We were going to Formosa Island and our assignment was to keep our eye on China,” he said.

“It was dangerous because as we were going up the Yangtze River in 1949; this is when Communists were fighting the Nationalists and as we went up the river you could see the shells go from one side of the river to the other,” said Beckman.

Beckman initially signed up to serve three years in the Navy but received an extension in what was called a “Harry Truman year.”

Discharged in 1952, Beckman returned to Eau Claire where he bought his first car, a 1952 blue Ford.  “I ended up driving back to California because I met a guy in the Navy, Owen Porter, and we started working together,” he said.

One of Beckman’s memorable experiences was being a forklift driver for Howard Hughes.
“We were lifting weights and putting them on a helicopter for Howard Hughes,” said Beckman.  “He was testing how much weight helicopters could have on board. He called me by name.” said Beckman.

Taking advantage of his intelligence Beckman left the forklift and went to work for Western Electric in L.A.  Following a brief stint in the Eau Claire area in 1960 Beckman put in an application to do defense work with Western Electric in Greenland where he spent a year and a half before transferring back to the states.

Beckman has been to Washington D.C. before. He said he is looking forward to seeing the Korean War memorial.

Edward Burke, 88, of Hartford will be one of five veterans from Washington County on the Sept. 17 Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Burke served in the Navy during WWII.  “I was at Pulaski High School in Milwaukee and enlisted when I was 17,” Burke said. “The Navy gave a bunch of high school seniors a test and I passed and it said we were suitable for training.”

Burke went to Great Lakes, Illinois for basic training where he pursued radar repair. Stationed at Wright Junior College in Chicago the Navy eventually shipped Burke to the west coast. “It was 1945, the war was over and the military didn’t know what to do with us,” he said.

While on the coast, Burke served on a sea-going tug boat. He became ill and by the time he got out of the hospital the tug had left. Burke later found himself sailing out of San Francisco to Hawaii. “We were called the Magic Carpet Fleet,” said Burke referencing Operation Magic Carpet which was a post WWII effort to bring military personnel home. “We went to Hawaii and brought back people from the war zone and we took others over there to replace some.”

Burke said they made two trips on the U.S.S. Arthur Middleton AKA 25 and then the military “decommissioned our ship in Norfolk, Virginia.” In the Navy for about “one year exactly,” Burke was discharged, returned to the Milwaukee area where he made his way to West Bend and bought a small farm in 1958.

Burke said he’s excited to be going on the Honor Flight. His guardian is his granddaughter Allison Dunavant.

Hartford band announcement is Monday

Hartford Union High School is rolling out the red carpet Monday as the Lord Mayor of Westminster will arrive at 7:15 a.m. to present a formal invitation to the Hartford Union High School band and orchestra as it has been selected to perform in the 2017-18 New Year’s Day Celebration and Gala Concert Festival in London. HUHS director Andy Hacker will formally accept the invitation during an all-school assembly. The Gala Concert and New Year’s Day Celebration is attended by over 500,000 people who line the streets for the parade each year.

Kewaskum Classic car show is Sunday, Sept. 18

One of the largest, local car shows in Washington County is just around the corner as the annual Kewaskum Classic Car Show & Benefit is coming up September 18.

“In 2015 there were 450 classic and modern cars, trucks, and street rods,” said organizer Mark ‘Curly’ Kissinger. “We had to start turning them away around 10 a.m.” Sunday’s show runs 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Driver goodie bags will be given to the first 150 cars (includes dash plaque). This is a non-judged show (meaning no trophy).

Raffle prizes, silent auction and 50/50 raffles. Kewaskum Firefighters Association will be providing the food. Benefactors this year include Troy Krezinski (cancer) and Jason Anderson, who suffered a head injury this past winter. If you’d like to donate please contact Kissinger at 262-347-9992 or drop off at The Grand Larsony.

Updates & tidbits

-West Bend School District Superintendent Erik Olson will be the guest speaker Sept. 28 at the Common Sense Citizens meeting held 7 p.m. at the West Bend Moose Lodge on 18^th Avenue. The meetings are free and open to the public.

– Research trials that pay up to $2,525 are underway at Spaulding Clinical, a Phase 1 pharmaceutical testing firm in West Bend. Paid volunteers are needed and Spaulding Clinical will cover an Uber ride so you can schedule a screening and receive up to $250. Call today 800-597-4507 or visit spauldingpays.com. Information on the study is at spauldingpays.com/current/

– Wisconsin Women for Trump will be holding an event at the GOP Office, 519 Hickory St. in West Bend today/Saturday at 11 a.m. “We are doing a short program regarding the constitution,” said Katy Kiernan. “I’ll read the preamble and then have a discussion regarding where Trump and Clinton differ regarding the constitution.” The meeting is open to the public.

-The funeral for Washington County Sheriff’s corrections officer Timothy F. Kraft is Monday, Sept. 19 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel on W. Paradise Drive in West Bend. Kraft died on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the age of 60. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until the time of the service with Military Honors to follow.

-The funeral for Tom Piwoni is Sunday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 331 Main St. in Kewaskum. In his early 20’s, Piwoni moved to Kewaskum where he owned/operated his first of many taverns in the Kewaskum area including Tom’s Place (which is now an apartment at the bottom of the hill from Hon e Kor), he also ran the bar that is now Grand Larsony/ Kissy’s in Kewaskum, The 5th Quarter and Trollops just north of town. Piwoni co-owned T and Vern’s back in 1995 which is now the location for Speakeasy.

WBHS Class of 1944 has 72^nd reunion

The West Bend High School Class of 1944 held its 72nd class reunion Wednesday at the Top of the Ridge in West Bend.  There were 11 classmates in attendance.  They had a list of classmates who had recently passed including Eugene Otten, Douglas Ziegler, Werner Martin, Caroline Gerner Reisse, Joe Cechvala and Russel Becker.

There were a lot of laughs and a few sketchy memories about the old school including the cement owls that hung on the roof line of the building. Some recalled teachers saying there were cameras in the eyes of the owls and they’d be able to keep an eye on the children.

Darold Hoelz, 90, said he remembered the good times and the girls. “There was a balcony round the top of the gym and the kids from the country ate their lunch there and the kids from the city ate in the cafeteria,” said Hoelz. “That’s because the kids from the country didn’t have any money; we’d brown bag it. We’d have a sandwich, a pickle and a cookie.”

Hoelz recalled they’d play cards in the balcony or they’d talk. “A lot of times we’d go down to the gym and play during the noon hour, either volleyball or boxing. We had big pillow gloves,” said Hoelz. “I did it once and got pretty scuffed up. I didn’t like it at all.” Hoelz said he slugged it out with Webster Hron and Webby showed him “what for.”

Marion Otto Ward, 90, said she remembered teacher Mike Hildebrand. “He taught citizenship and social studies. He’d come over and tap on the desk with his long ruler and he’d say, “Mildred … why aren’t you paying attention?” And I sat there and he tapped again and said, “Why aren’t you paying attention – what’s wrong with you?” And I said Mildred was my sister and she graduated four years ago, my name is Marion. I’m surprised he didn’t throw me out the window.”

August Uttech, 90, said the Amity Leather Company was across the street when he went to Badger High School. “I worked for 45 years at the West Bend Company and then everything went to pot because Amity closed, Enger Kress closed and the West Bend Company closed.”

Marjorie Isselmann Grotelueschen, 90, said the class of 1944 was the best. “We all worked together and there weren’t any cliques,” she said.

Katharine Hassmer Lutzke said they had dances but she was from the country. “We lived on the farm in Jackson and we had a school bus and our driver was Smokey Weinert,” she said.

Eileen Barber Ecker, 90, said she lived on a farm and she drove to school and took two passengers in her Dodge. “I started driving very young; when you’re on the farm you drive everything.”  Ecker said she liked everything about school except Mr. Hildebrand.  “He thought you weren’t paying attention and he’d throw an eraser at you and he had good aim,” said Ecker. “In the middle of winter and if he thought class was getting a little boring he’d open all the windows and we froze to death.”

Audrey Brumm, 89, talking about Mr. Hildebrand and one of the kids was Bingo Oemen. “He was a little guy and I don’t know what he did but Mr. Hildebrand put him in the closet and when the class was over he opened the door and said you can come out now and he couldn’t find him. He was hiding in a box.”

Hedy Bieri Gumm, 90, lived in the country in Jackson and got bused in. “One day the bus couldn’t get through and we ended up at Schwai’s tavern,” said Gumm. “We all went in there and spent the day there until they could plow us out. That was an exciting day.”

Arlene Abel Goebel lived in West Bend. “We had Doug Ziegler and Don Schneiss and they’d have to go to that farm on Decorah and they’d come in with big high boots with manure on them. And they’d come in the main hall and they’d come clopping in with their big ole’ boots on all the way to the other end to get a lot of attention and they were always a hoot,” she said.  “Doug Ziegler was a little bit of a trouble maker.”

Margie Klein Willkom, 89, was from Barton. “I walked 2-miles to school and it was downhill all the way to school but uphill all the way home,” she said. “And then we’d walk down for basketball games and football games. My favorite teacher was Miss Florence Meyer and she taught algebra and I often think of her but I think she has to be dead by now because I’m so old.”

Fashion wise, there were no slacks for the girls. “We wore blouses and skirts,” said Willkom. “We could wear snow pants during winter but we had to take them off as soon as we got to school.”

Ollie ‘Bud’ Lochen Junior, 90, and I was involved in the Ford agency with my father Ollie. “The dealership was at Fifth Avenue and Walnut and yes there was an elevator. In the old Model T days the cars were on display downstairs at the street level and they were repaired upstairs and carried up by elevator.”  Heipp grocery was across the street. “I lived up on North Street, just east of the West Bend Aluminum Company,” he said. “We walked past lots of taverns on the way to school including the Gonring brothers and walked past White House Milk Company. I worked there part time after school and I unloaded the tin cans from the railroad cars that the condensed milk was put into.”

Lochen also worked at the JC Penny.  “I worked in the men’s haberdashery and I did the window displays,” he said. “I wore a blazer or sport coat and a tie. I had three blazers and a close friend Bob Hron – we dressed the same, always.”

The Class of ’44 normally had reunions every five years but it was Doug Ziegler that resurrected it and since then they’ve had it every year. Darold Hoelz said the annual reunions make him feel good.  “Nice people,” he said. “Our class really stuck together.”

Tidbits from 1944:

-“There were no blue jeans,” said Hoelz. “Everybody dressed nice.”

-“You paid attention in school or they’d let you know,” said Hoelz.

-“Punishment was staying after school, eighth hour or you scraped gum off the bottom of the desks,” Hoelz said.

-“The main room the guys would roll marbles down and there was one monitor up front.” said Hoelz.

-They all remembered tragedy in 1943 when their classmate Dick Bascom was killed. Bascom was a member of the Student Senate and president of the Latin Club; he played football and was coming to play in the last game of the year before leaving to serve his country when he was killed while changing a tire on his car.

-“First girl I danced with I married,” said Hoelz. “Her name was Peggy Varnes. We had the freshman dance. I didn’t know how to dance but I grabbed her and then after the war we got married.”

-Lochen also worked at the Amity Leather Company. “I was part time and I cut the silk for the purse linings. It came in large rolls and I cut it into assorted sizes,” he said. “I made good spending money and I spent it on girls. I treated them to movies at the Mermac and the West Bend Theatre. Weekends there were western movies.”

-Steve Swedish was the popular band for the era.

-Senior pictures were taken by Rackow’s Hollywood Studio. “He was the only one in town. He was located where Riverside Brewery is located,” said Hoelz.

-The grocery store in 1944 was the A&P and National Tea. Both were located by the West Bend Theatre.

-Homecoming football game was normally against the Mayville Cardinals. “We both had red and white uniforms,” said Hoelz.

-“We always had a bunch of outhouses on the bonfire for Homecoming,” said Hoelz. “They burned really good,” said Lochen.

WWII Navy vet Edward Burke heading out on Honor Flight

Edward Burke, 88, of Hartford will be one of five veterans from Washington County on the Sept. 17 Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Burke served in the Navy during WWII.  “I was at Pulaski High School in Milwaukee and enlisted when I was 17,” Burke said. “The Navy gave a bunch of high school seniors a test and I passed and it said we were suitable for training.”

Burke went to Great Lakes, Illinois for basic training where he pursued radar repair. Stationed at Wright Junior College in Chicago the Navy eventually shipped Burke to the west coast. “It was 1945, the war was over and the military didn’t know what to do with us,” he said.

While on the coast, Burke served on a sea-going tug boat. He became ill and by the time he got out of the hospital the tug had left.

Burke later found himself sailing out of San Francisco to Hawaii. “We were called the Magic Carpet Fleet,” said Burke referencing Operation Magic Carpet which was a post WWII effort to bring military personnel home. “We went to Hawaii and brought back people from the war zone and we took others over there to replace some.”

Burke said they made two trips on the U.S.S. Arthur Middleton AKA 25 and then the military “decommissioned our ship in Norfolk, Virginia.”

In the Navy for about “one year exactly,” Burke was discharged, returned to the Milwaukee area where he made his way to West Bend and bought a small farm in 1958.

Burke said he’s excited to be going on the Honor Flight. His guardian is his granddaughter Allison Dunavant.

Pizza Ranch property is sold

The scenario surrounding the incoming Pizza Ranch got a little wacky recently after PRWB Real Estate LLC (Pizza Ranch West Bend) closed on the property purchase August 15, 2016 – then, turnaround and sold the same 1.7 acres on August 29, 2016 for $200,000 more than its purchase price.

The buyer was Keajen Properties LLC, also known as Steve and Jeanne Kearns. According to records at City Hall, Kearns paid $500,000 for the parcel at 2424 W. Washington Street.

Stacy and Matt Gehring, the couple behind Pizza Ranch, say they have another site in mind.

“We are still bringing Pizza Ranch to West Bend,” wrote Stacy Gehring. “We are actively pursuing another site location and will know within the next week or two if the site is going to work. Once we know we will be in contact with you.”

Pizza Ranch was approved in June by the West Bend Plan Commission and quickly approved by the Common Council. There are currently 180+ locations across 13 states.

Successful fundraiser for volunteer firefighter

The ribs went fast on Friday afternoon as neighbors arrived in droves to pick up some Fat Boy BBQ and support Slinger volunteer firefighter Tim Roskopf, who is recovering from his second heart surgery.

“We opened at 11 a.m. and we had people immediately,” said Steve Wegner. “By 4:10 p.m. we had a line of people 25 deep.”

Cars were parked around the block and both Wegner and Roskopf, 49, said the turnout was amazing. “I can’t believe the way the community pulls together,” Roskopf said.

Although Wegner ran out of food before 5 p.m. he said folks from the community were still giving donations and placing orders for Saturday.

“I already have another 50 racks of ribs ordered for Saturday,” said Wegner.

Prepping for Friday’s event took Wegner about six hours to smoke 230 racks of ribs … the first night he worked from 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “This makes me feel great,” he said.

Firefighters from a number of area departments turned out to show their support including Thiensville, Allenton, West Bend, Hartford, Slinger, Jackson, Richfield, and St. Lawrence.

There will be another fundraiser for Roskopf at West Bend Tap & Tavern on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Wet down in Allenton

On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the Slinger and Kohlsville Fire Departments will hold a wet down ceremony for Allenton Volunteer Fire Department’s Engine 1361.  The event starts 6:30 p.m. at Zuern Building Products, 426 Railroad Street in Allenton.

A wet down is when neighboring fire departments come with a rig to spray water over the new unit.  A similar ceremony is held for ships and aircraft as they enter service to help others when they can no longer help themselves. Organizers said 15 or more fire departments will be on hand to help with the christening.

Interestingly this ceremony is for a unit which is replacing the apparatus [1361] that had the first wet down in Wisconsin.

American Legion to raise money for U.S. flag

In 2014, members of American Legion Post 36 in West Bend purchased the former social Security Building at 712 Park Avenue with a vision of giving members a new home. Now the Legion is offering neighbors an opportunity to recognize veterans who have served honorably in the armed forces as a new memorial is constructed.

The centerpiece features a 30-foot aluminum flag pole donated by a member of Post 36. Money raised from the sale of granite engraved stones will help defer the construction costs of the memorial and the main granite stone.

Engraved granite stones will be inlayed forming a plaza area in front of the flag pole and memorial stone. An engraved granite stone can be purchased and inscribed with the name of the service member, rank, branch of service, dates of service, conflicts or other information which will reflect the honor of their service.

The honored veteran does not need to be a member of the American Legion. To launch the project, from now until Oct. 1, 2016 the granite stones can be purchased for half price.

A 16 x 8 engraved stone can be purchased for $200 to honor organizations or specific military actions, conflicts or wars. Contact Mike Hartwell at 262-305-4036 for more details.

Boost Mobile moving to downtown WB

A couple of changing storefronts in West Bend as Mind the Gap, 121 S. Main Street, has closed and Boost Mobile takes over that spot in downtown West Bend.

Ross Christifulli, owner of Boost Mobile, will be moving from his location at 1108 W. Washington Street. “Our current location has only three parking spots and even though it’s on Highway 33 the store has no window display so most who drive by do not know what we do,” said Christifulli.

On the plus side, Christifulli missed working downtown.  For seven years Christifulli worked on Main Street at Mountain Outfitters and he owned a music business, Play it by Ear.

“There is more potential for Boost downtown,” he said. Currently in the midst of a major remodel, Christifulli expects to be open in his new location before November 1.

Washington Co. receives funding to improve Bike & Pedestrian Plan

Washington County Planning and Parks Department has received up to $72,000 of federal funds from the Wisconsin DOT for the development of a Bike & Pedestrian Plan for Washington County to increase opportunities for non-motorized vehicle transportation. Plans include developing a countywide network of trails and routes that provide accessibility to schools, commercial centers and major employment centers. The plan will also promote recommendations for policies, programs and ordinances that will support a safe and accessible network of trails which encourage active lifestyles.

Valedictorians and Salutatorians from 2016 WBHS

Following up on a request to post the 2016 West Bend High Schools Valedictorians and Salutatorians. 2016 West Bend East – Valedictorians – Emmalee Ciriacks, Amelia Daley, Morgan Dommisse, Kayla Furlano, James Griffin, Emily Rusch, Lauren Sorensen, Andrew Steiner, Elizabeth Williams and Salutatorian: Jacob Kruepke Salutatorian: Jacob Kruepke

2016 West Bend West – Valedictorians – Ifeoluwa Ekunsanmi, Mackenzie Heinen, Abigail Janto, Alexis Johnson, Rachel Kruepke, Matthew Stoll and Salutatorian – Rachel Monday Salutatorian.

Kewaskum Classic Car Show & Benefit is Sept. 18

One of the largest, local car shows in Washington County is just around the corner as the annual Kewaskum Classic Car Show & Benefit is coming up September 18.

“In 2015 there were 450 classic and modern cars, trucks, and street rods,” said organizer Mark ‘Curly’ Kissinger. Next Saturday’s show runs 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Driver goodie bags will be given to the first 150 cars (includes dash plaques). This is a non-judged show (meaning no trophy). Raffle prizes, silent auction and 50/50 raffles.

Kewaskum Firefighters Association will be providing the food. Benefactors this year include Troy Krezinski (cancer) and Jason Anderson, who suffered a head injury this past winter.

If you’d like to donate contact Kissinger at 262-347-9992 or drop off at The Grand Larsony.

Updates & tidbits

– Paws for Pets is today, Saturday, Sept. 10 at Jackson Park. Pets and their human companions are invited to join the 9 a.m. walk to raise money for the Washington County Humane Society.

–West Bend West Junior Spartans 2016-2017 basketball tryouts are Monday Sept. 12, Tuesday Sept. 13, or Wednesday Sept. 14 at the West Bend High School Field House from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Please arrive by 7:15 p.m. The West Bend West Junior Spartans Basketball teams focus on teaching good sportsmanship, building character, and teaching leadership skills through high-level competition. Plans are to have at least one team at each grade level 3rd to 8th grade.

–On Wednesday, Sept. 14, you can honor the first responders who answered the call for help on 9/11 by donating blood between 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Call First Baptist Church, 2300 S. Main Street in West Bend to schedule an appointment, 262-334-9211.

-Dave Sobelman has inked a deal with Al and Nancy Hochmuth to bring his Sobelman’s Pub & Grill to Richfield. Sobelman is working with the owners of the former Amici’s Restaurant in downtown Richfield. “It’s not a done deal because now all of the legal paperwork etc. begins, but it is a major step forward,” said Sobelman. “Thank you to everyone for your kind words and well wishes. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!”

– A gluten-free lifestyle can be challenging. Expand your knowledge and find available resources at the Gluten Free Expo on Sept. 24 at the Washington County Fair Park. The event is sponsored by Wellness Found Organic Foods. Tickets are $7.

– Laurel’s Camera and Gift has opened in its new location 239 N. Main Street. The Fehrings will share space with their son’s jewelry shop M.F. Diamonds.

-The 21^st annual Boltonville Fire Department Street Dance is today Saturday, Sept. 10 featuring Rebel Grace.

-There are informational meetings next month for the Kewaskum School District referendum project. The Nov. 8 referendum is for $28.4 million. With interest total cost is close to $40 million.

– Badger Masonry & Fireplace Supply, 545 N. Main Street has a grand opening Sept. 16 – 17. The store is located in the former Tennies Buick building. The office number is 262-343-8580.

– Halloween Express is open; it’s in the former Walgreens on Decorah and S. Main Street in West Bend.  Halloween Express secured its lease until Nov. 2 through Adam Williquette at Anderson Commercial Group.

– Early Farm Days in Kewaskum is Sunday, Sept. 11 at River Hill Park.

– DIVA night is on tap Thursday, Sept. 15 in downtown West Bend and Barton.

Flashback to Sept. 9, 2006 – Tandem update …..

I was combing through my archives of Around the Bend and found this gem from 2006 when my parents were living in the Milwaukee area. They were much younger at the time meaning my dad was in his 80s. The family had just presented them with a tandem and here’s the story that followed.

Several weeks ago I wrote about delivering a single speed orange tandem to my parents in the Milwaukee area.  My 83-year-old father was the one who asked for the bike.

Since then my Mom’s been keeping me posted on their progress.  They reportedly started slow, working on balance and coordination, signals and patience.   My Mom said they’re actually turning a lot of heads.  “And we’re starting to pass the walkers,” she said cheerfully. Speedy, I chided as my Mom started to talk about the catcalls.

“One young man ran past us and shouted “Schwinn Twinn,” said my Mother amused and amazed someone would know the make and model of the bike.   “Then he said something like COOOL and TRAVEL ON.”

“Are you sure he didn’t say “Don’t fall down,”  I asked knowing my mother was hard of hearing.

“Another time there were five young boys biking towards us,” said my Mom. “They pointed and yelled, “Look at the dynamic duo.”   I’m hoping my parents don’t start wearing capes and crime fighting.

I tried explaining how the bike was unique.  “You’re actually antiques riding an antique,” I said reminding her to always lock the bike.

“We were headed down to Veteran’s Park the other day to watch the kites by the lake but Dad said he was having problems with the seat.” Apparently my Dad has been blessed with the old man’s no-flab butt and he needs more cushion on his saddle.  “I told him before we left that he should just shove a pillow down his pants,” said my mother the problem solver.

I can just see it, my German father down at Milwaukee’s lakefront with his long sleeve flannel shirt, fishing hat, and junk in the trunk.  He’d be walking with my very small mother.  They’d be cute.  Two old people holding hands and my Dad’s red, corduroy throw pillow riding up the back of his pants.

I better start combing St. Vinnies for a bigger, softer bicycle seat.  

Let’s remember how Sr. Margaret lived

There was a lot of lively chatter, good wishes and a few tears Thursday evening as friends, neighbors and strangers gathered at Resurrection Catholic Church in Allenton for a memorial Mass for Sister Margaret Held.

Rev. Rick Stoffel from St. Peter Church in Slinger presided over the service.

There was a simple display to Sr. Margaret at the front of the church as a spray of small red roses and green fronds were placed in a rich blue vase on a table at the foot of the altar and a brilliant collection of colorful hyacinth was next to a large picture of a smiling Sister Margaret Held.

Hours prior to the start of the service a line wrapped around the church, many people offered condolences and comments of how they were inspired by Sr. Margaret. “We did not know the family until we heard the news,” said Alan Grimm from Slinger. “I’m a great admirer of what these ladies were doing but saddened with these events.”

There were messages of forgiveness and acceptance throughout the Mass. The opening hymn, Canticle of Sun, included the words, “Praise for our death that makes our life real, the knowledge of loss that helps us to feel; the gift of yourself, your presence revealed to bring us home.”

The message from the second reading, Romans 14:7-9, echoed the theme of the Mass.  “No one lives for one’s self and no one dies for one’s self.”

During the homily, surrounded by the whirring hum of large fans, Rev. Stoffel told the gathering, “It is not important how Margaret Held died it’s how she lived.”

“Sister Margaret knew her life was in the hands of God even when there would be changes of direction,” he said. “Fear would be foolish and faith would be wise.”

Dressed in a white robe with a pattern of gold inlay, Rev. Stoffel worked his way down the aisle and spoke of how Sister Margaret “found her niche where she was needed the most.”

“Only by mercy it is not so much how she died it’s important how she lived and to tell one another so we’re more than just about ourselves,” Stoffel said. Sr. Margaret Held, SSSF joined her Lord on Aug. 25, 2016 in Durant, MS at the age of 68, along with her beloved friend, Sr. Paula Merrill. She was born and raised in Slinger.

Bibinger’s to have soft opening on Wednesday, Sept. 7

The menu for the new Bibinger’s has been released. The restaurant is located in Cedar Creek in the former Schwai’s. Travis Dowden and Ben Anderson are the owners. They’ve tabbed themselves the ‘Two Brothers’ although I know on good account…. they’re not even related. Ha!

Menu items include the Bibinger Burger which features Niman Ranch certified Angus organic beef, a half-pound burger served on a pretzilla roll, topped with aged cheddar, Swiss, and American cheeses, Schwai’s bacon, caramelized onions, chef’s secret sauce, lettuce and tomato. Served with a side of seasoned fries or house-made chips.

On the lighter side there are salads including a Grilled Romaine and Steak, Grilled Mediterranean Chicken and  Mexican Quinoa which has growing power greens, braised Mexican chicken, red quinoa, tomatoes, scallions, tomatillo salsa, crisp corn tortillas, queso fresco, pinto beans, buttermilk ranch dressing.

For simple fare there is the Bib Mac which is Cavatappi pasta tossed with a creamy, three cheese sauce served with grilled chicken, topped with Parmesan cheese and broiled.

Kady Gibowski, a West Bend High School graduate, is the head chef. She was in Sally Heuer’s culinary class and worked at No No’s in Newburg, the Wisconsin Room at The American Club in Kohler, the LaFayette Club on Lake Minnetonka and the Ozaukee Country Club. Most recently Gibowski was the executive chef at Cafe at the Plaza in Milwaukee.

Bibinger’s will have a soft, soft opening next Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Report did not mention dog was a 3-pound Chihuahua

A difficult situation for a pair of families on Whitewood Drive in the Town of Farmington as one neighbor shot a 3-pound Chihauhaua belonging to the family next door.

According to a release from the Washington County Sheriff the incident happened just after 9 a.m. on Wednesday after a 54-year-old Town of Farmington man, reported two dogs attacked his penned-up chickens in his back yard.

According to the statement from the Sheriff the man retrieved a single-shot pellet air rifle while the two sons attempted to chase the dogs away. The father gave the pellet gun to his juvenile son and when one of the dogs started growling by the man’s 6-year-old daughter the father told the boy to shoot and he killed the dog.

The family who owned the Chihuahua named Gus is speaking out.

“Our dog had a shot through the chest and was dead,” said Erin Stonecipher, 23, the daughter of the owner of the dog.

“This was only a 2 to 3-pound dog. It was a baby, a puppy, a Chihuahua,” said Stonecipher. “The neighbors own a 65-pound pit bull as a family pet.”

During a one-on-one phone conversation Wednesday evening Stonecipher detailed how the dogs got out from the electric fence in her family’s yard.

“My mom, Lori, tried to call the dogs back into the house,” said Erin Stonecipher. “She drove around the subdivision and then saw the neighbors outside, stopped and asked them if they had seen our puppy and Bobby Minor said “Oh, Lori I’m sorry.”

“My mom got out of her car and saw our puppy dead in the driveway and became absolutely hysterical,” said Stonecipher.

“The owner of the home said, “Lori, we thought your dog was going to come after our chickens. I’m sorry I had to get the pellet gun,”” said Stonecipher.

The Stonecipher family has lived on Whitewood Drive for about 12 years. The neighbors know each other well.

“Their kids have been on our property and playing with our dogs,” said Stonecipher. “Our dogs have never ever been a threat.”

Stonecipher said her family is still trying to wrap its head around the situation and the loss of their pet.

“This was such a timid dog,” she said of Gus. “If you raised your voice or advanced toward him he’d cower; he was afraid of his own shadow.”

Stonecipher said “police did not interview my family.”

“As soon as we found the police report was published and it was one sided my parents decided we need to speak out. We were never questioned, nor were we equally represented,” said Stonecipher.  “And it never said in the police report that this was a 3-pound puppy.”

According to the Sheriff the father told investigators he was fearful the dog is going to attack his daughter so he instructs his son to shoot at it.  The son takes aim and shoots the dog and ends up killing the animal.  The homeowner told investigators he thought the pellet gun would only injure the dog and cause it to retreat.

Investigating deputies reviewed Wisconsin State Statute 174.01 which reads that a person may intentionally kill a dog only if the person is threatened with serious bodily harm by the dog and other restraining actions were tried and failed, or immediate action is necessary.

Investigators also consulted with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and concluded there was no violation. The deceased dog was turned over to the owners who do not believe their dog would have acted in the described manner.

AmericInn in West Bend has been sold

The AmericInn Motel, 2424 W. Washington Street in West Bend has been sold. WB Inc LLC closed on the sale Tuesday, August 30, 2016 to Hari and Hari Inc. for $1,345,000.  Bob Gannon (WB Inc LLC) purchased the hotel from Dave and Mary Wolf in 2009 for $1,140,000.

The Wolfs purchased the property, which was a vacant lot, from Julia Schloemer in 1988 for $195,000 and then they purchased a second lot for $53,000. In May 1988 the Wolfs build a 28 unit motel and then in December 1989 they added on 29 more units.

Laurel’s Camera & Gift has moved

Laurel’s Camera and Gift is on the move. The locally-owned camera shop along with jeweler  M.F. Diamonds will move from 239 N. Main Street down a block to 152 N. Main Street, formerly home to My Personal Trainor fitness studio, and prior to that Settler’s Park Market.

“We’re just going down the street a bit,” said Pat Fehring from Laurel’s Camera. “We were just looking for a little bigger space so we’ll have a backdrop and we can do studio photography as well.” The Fehrings will be sharing the space with their son’s jewelry shop, M.F. Diamonds.

Seven family members, same 5K teacher at Holy Angels

One family from Holy Angels School had a special reason to mark the opening of the new school year.  The entire Bill and Tammy Waech family accompanied the youngest member as he entered the new K5 classroom.

The truly remarkable aspect of the gathering was all seven Waech children will have experienced the joy of having Mrs. Kris Matthews as their K5 teacher!

Mrs. Matthews started with Holy Angels in 1991. She is one of many teachers who have dedicated a lifetime of service to the learning faith community at Holy Angels School.

William Waech (pronounced Wake) was the first student in his family to attend Holy Angels in 1996. He graduated in 2005.

“What we have here at Holy Angels is a strong commitment on the part of our families and this is the extreme evidence of that,” said Principal Mike Sternig.  “Like most of our faculty, Kris, has made a lifetime commitment and we see that throughout our grades in our building.”

The first day of school for grades K5 – 8 is Tuesday, Aug. 30.  Students in K4 start Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Buddy Bench dedicated to the Dove girls

A special Buddy Bench dedication at Jackson Elementary School this week as teachers followed up on a project the Dove sisters, Lily and Bailey, envisioned when they were in the third grade.

Teacher Jane Esselman had all the girls, including Maddie, when they were in third grade. “At the time Lily was the one diagnosed with childhood cancer and they were just caring girls who went to Mrs. Angela Borst and they wanted to focus on something good,” said Esselman about the Buddy Bench.

Borst said in March 2014 the sisters came to the school office and expressed interest in creating the bench. “Life got a little bit away from us but we were sprucing up the playground this year and thought the Buddy Bench would be a perfect addition,” she said.

During the gathering Tuesday afternoon Esselman and Borst presented the girls with a clipping from the Scholastic News; the educational magazine where the girls originally saw the idea for the bench. The framed gift tied with an orange ribbon also included photos of the Buddy Bench.

The Dove sisters, Lily and Bailey, are now in sixth grade at Silverbrook Intermediate School.

No Pokemon Go at WB Labyrinth Garden

A couple signs have been posted in the Labyrinth Garden at Regner Park in West Bend asking people who are playing Pokemon to please respect the area.

“We’ve had a lot of damaged done to the garden because people stomp on things and they’re not even watching where they’re going,” said Mary Steiner, one of the original creators of the garden.

Steiner and her husband Bill work in the garden and they’ve noticed the uptick in damage ever since Pokemon Go started trending.

“We put up signs at the entrance but now someone had the gall to steal one,” she said. “Barb (Robertson) saw a young kid run off with a sign on his bike and she hollered at him. You know people are just not respectful.

“It’s a matter of respecting places where there is beauty and we’re just getting beat down,” said Steiner.

There were four signs placed around the garden but now Bill Steiner, who mows around the garden, said there’s only two. Organizers with the Labyrinth Garden said they have contacted the West Bend Parks Department for assistance.

Battle of the Books 2016 Winners!

Team Hartford, The Hippogriffs, successfully defended its title in the Battle of the Books program organized each summer by public libraries in South-Eastern, Wisconsin. This year Hartford competed with the West Bend Community Library, the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson, and the Watertown Public Library. Winning members of The Hippogriffs included Anya Wiedoff, Jadon Thornton, Mary Becker, Madison Henning, Taylor O’Keefe, Sophie Farrell, and Emily Wittig.  Hartford’s Team won a close competition, narrowly defeating the Fort Atkinson Team with 139 points. Hartford has won three years in a row, starting its winning streak in 2014.  The winning library keeps the traveling plaque until the next summer’s competition and has it engraved with the winning team and library’s name.

Updates & tidbits

 –The Governor of Wisconsin has ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff as a mark of respect for Staff Sergeant Matthew V. Thompson who lost his life while serving his country.

– West Bend West Junior Spartans basketball tryouts are Sept. 12, 13 and 14 in the West Bend High School gym.

– Saturday, Sept. 10 at Jackson Park, pets and their human companions are invited to join the Paws for Pets walk to raise money for the Washington County Humane Society. All animal lovers are invited…with or without a pet!   The 1.5-mile or 2.5-mile walk.

– Officials in Hartford released the name of the woman who suffered a medical emergency at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center on August 19.  City Administrator Steve Volkert said Michelle Centell, 47, was the woman who was taken to the hospital after being found in 3-feet of water. Centell’s funeral was August 26 in New Berlin.

-Wisconsin’s largest gluten-free food expo is coming to Washington County Fair Park on Saturday, Sept. 24. The event is sponsored by Wellness Found Organic Foods. Tickets are $7.

-The 21^st annual Boltonville Fire Department Street Dance is Saturday, Sept. 10 featuring Rebel Grace.

-There are informational meetings next month for the Kewaskum School District referendum project. The Nov. 8 referendum is for $28.4 million. With interest total cost is close to $40 million.

– Badger Masonry & Fireplace Supply, 545 N. Main Street will hold grand opening Sept. 16 – 17. The store is located in the former Tennies Buick building. The office phone number is 262-343-8580.

– Halloween Express is expected to open this weekend as it makes its home at the former Walgreens on Decorah and S. Main Street in West Bend.  Halloween Express secured its lease until Nov. 2 through Adam Williquette at Anderson Commercial Group.

– Early Farm Days in Kewaskum is Sunday, Sept. 11 at River Hill Park.

– DIVA night is on tap Thursday, Sept. 15 in downtown West Bend and Barton.

Enchantment in the Park is gearing up

Hard-working Rotarians and volunteers are already gearing up for this year’s Enchantment in the Park. The work schedule has trailers delivered to Regner Park at the end of Sept. /beginning of October. Sunday, Oct. 9 – arches, mega tree poles and presents put up Saturday, Sunday, Nov. 13 – all finished. Friday, November 25 – SHOWTIME!

Judy Steffes, Editor

Washington County Insider

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Property purchased for Pizza_Ranch

Pizza Ranch is one step closer to fruition in West Bend. On August 15, 2016 PRWB Real Estate LLC closed on the purchase of 1.7 acres on W. Washington Street for $300,000. The parcel was sold by Bingen, Harvey REV LV TR.

The property just west of Westbury Bank was listed at $316,000. Stacy and Matt Gehring are the couple behind PRWB Real Estate LLC. Stacy’s parents have own and operated a Pizza Ranch for 22 years.

The development of a new $1.65 million Pizza Ranch was approved in June by the Plan Commission and quickly approved by the Common Council. There are currently 180+ locations across 13 states.

Property sale

The building that is home to Casa Tequila Restaurant, 146 S. Main Street in West Bend, has been sold. B and H Properties of West Bend sold to Camcor LLC for $380,000. Camcor LLC is actually the owners of Casa Tequila Restaurant, Maria and Adrian Campuzano. The sale closed July 29, 2016. B and H Properties originally purchased the building July 11, 2008 for $405,000.

Sandy Lang has resigned from Washington Co. Fair Park

Washington County Fair Park Executive Director Sandy Lang has resigned.   Lang started her 43-year career in Washington County on Oct. 24, 1973. In Feb. 6, 2009 when she was Deputy Director of the Washington County Fair Park her post shifted to the executive director of Agriculture and Industrial Society.

“Washington County will be losing a valuable asset,” said Bob Bonenfant, who served on the Fair Park entertainment committee. “I’ve worked with Sandy since the Slinger Fair days and was always amazed at how effective she was as director.”

AIS is still taking applications for the assistant director position. “We’re just going to handle things internally for now,” said Fair Marketing Director Derek Kozlowski. Lang is on vacation and not available for comment.

Jay Shambeau tabbed as new WB city administrator

Washington County Planning and Parks Administrator Jay Shambeau has been confirmed as West Bend’s new city administrator.

During a special Monday meeting the West Bend common council tabbed Shambeau to fill the spot that’s been covered by assistant city administrator Amy Reuteman.

Mayor Kraig Sadownikow praised the interview process which included a stakeholder group and input from department heads in the city.

“It went awesome and the department heads were engaged and made some strong suggestions,” said Sadownikow. “The community group, led by Washington County Administrator Joshua Schoemann, also gave the council great input and it gave the council the opportunity to look at the candidates from several different perspectives.

“We’re really happy to announce the selection of Jay Shambeau,” Sadownikow said. The council voted 7 – 0 in favor of Shambeau. Dist. 5 alderman Rich Kasten was absent from the meeting.

About 29 people applied for the post. The city worked with GovHR USA along with its stakeholders group.

Shambeau said he’s excited about the opportunity to work in a great city. “There’s a lot of potential here for additional development and to work with some of the established resources,” he said.

Reuteman crossed the room after the announcement and gave Shambeau a high five. “I was almost crying in closed session,” said Reuteman who has shoulder much of the responsibility the last four months.

Not only did Reuteman cover the city administrator’s position she also held down the city clerk’s job, headed up the August Partisan Primary Election and helped cover Human Resources.

“I’m just elated,” said Reuteman with a bit of exhaustion. “Jay is well respected and he realizes he’s going to have to bring integrity back to the position.”

In April, the community of West Bend was rocked by the news that its city administrator, T.J. Justice, had been arrested for allegedly soliciting a minor for sex.

The mayor said “West Bend would not be identified by one person.”

Shambeau said he’s confident he can do the job. “The biggest way is to bring credibility and professional leadership to the city and by leading by example,” he said. Shambeau’s salary will be $125,000.

Shambeau has been with Washington County since 2014.  He had been Calumet County Administrator from June 2008 – April 2014 and prior to that he was Village Administrator in Kewaskum from July 2006 – June 2008.

As far as filling Shambeau’s post with Washington Co. Parks, he said he had just started discussing it with County Administrator Schoemann. Shambeau will start his new job September 21.

On a side note: In Waukesha County Court a jury trial was scheduled for December for Justice, who has pleaded not guilty to a pair of Class D felony charges.

Badger Masonry & Fireplace opens in West Bend

A new locally-owned store has opened in the former Tennies Buick building, 545 N. Main Street.  Badger Masonry & Fireplace Supply specializes in brick and stone materials, as well as fireplace units and supplies. Stop in the store and check out the 12 fireplace displays, 4 free-standing stove displays, natural stone and cultured stone displays. A grand opening will be Sept. 16 – 17.  The office phone number is 262-343-8580.

Special note following death of Matt Roberts

A touching note following the death of Matt Roberts, formerly with 3 Doors Down. +-Roberts was found in the hallway of the Hampton Inn & Suites in West Bend early Saturday morning. He had been in town as a guest headliner at the Rockin’ for Heroes fundraising concert at Our Place Sports Bar & Grill. An employee from the Hampton Inn posted this note and I thought it was worthy of bringing to the front page.

“I worked at the Hampton the day he was found. It was a very sad morning for all who worked there. (He was also supposed to do an appearance at my other job Exclusive for a signing.) The day after his passing the housekeepers went to the place he passed and said a prayer for him. He shall be missed.” Signed Ixchel

Roberts died Aug. 20, 2016. He was 38. Autopsy results are expected to be released within the next week.

Bike for Blue Pig Roast is Sept. 10

The 7th annual Bike for Blue Pig Roast is Saturday, Sept. 10. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased from any Wisconsin Rider or at the West Bend Chamber of Commerce or Xpressions Yarn and Bead Boutique. There will be food and great raffle prizes. Due to slower than expected registration the Bike for Blue bike ride has been cancelled.

St. Mary’s Landmark campaign exceeds goal

The Landmark 160 Campaign to help fund repairs on the steeple at St. Mary’s Parish has exceeded its goal. Sunday’s bulletin showed the total pledge to date $197,891.94 and the total received to date $146,238.05. Volunteers helped raise a minimum of $160,000 as a way to fund maintenance on the historic church.

Rev. Nathan Reesman said the community parish was reaching a milestone and rapidly approaching the 160th anniversary of its founding. “We will officially mark our anniversary in September 2017,” said Reesman. “How wonderful it will be to celebrate our anniversary by both completing and paying for needed repair work on our church.”

Recycled Ash trees on display at Germanfest

Some insight on the tables at this year’s Germanfest.  Habitat for Humanity volunteer Russ Lang made the tabletops from rescued wood from the Ash trees that were cut down in West Bend. The locally harvested trees were kiln dried. The wood is for sale for $1.95 per board foot at Habitat for Humanity in West Bend.

Appreciation lunch for men in blue

The West Bend School District showed its appreciation to police officers and firefighters by treating them to lunch. “In lieu of recent events in the nation I just wanted to show appreciation for the people who aren’t being appreciated by some,” said Badger Middle School Principal David Uelmen.  Members of West Bend and Jackson Police and Fire departments were treated to a fabulous picnic-style lunch of burger and brats, salads and fruit and homemade desserts thanks to a generous donation by Klotz’s Piggly Wiggly and Jeff and Sarah Szukalski.

“The response has been they’re very grateful,” said Uelmen. “And that’s reciprocated because it’s nice to see them come here and enjoy it.” West Bend Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Van Langen said the lunch made their day. “It’s always nice to get a little recognition and the outreach was so thoughtful,” he said.

Updates & tidbits

– Monday, August 29, the Wisconsin DOT will start resurfacing the US 45 and WIS 33 Interchange in Washington County. Built in 1986, and with its last rehabilitation in 1999.

-Wisconsin’s largest gluten-free food expo is coming to Washington County Fair Park on Saturday, Sept. 24. The event is sponsored by Wellness Found Organic Foods. Tickets are $7.

– Watch for a soft opening Sept. 1 for Halloween Express which is making its home at the former Walgreens on Decorah and S. Main Street in West Bend. Halloween Express secured its lease until Nov. 2 through Adam Williquette at Anderson Commercial Group.

– Fifth Avenue Methodist is holding a free Street Fest on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 323 S. Fifth Avenue across from the Old Courthouse. Starts with a service and celebration of First Responders. Followed by games and entertainment.

– The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has been notified by the Dodge County Highway Department that State Highway 26 from Highway 33 to US Highway 151 will be closed on September 1, 2, and 6. The Highway Department will be repaving State Highway 26.

-The 21^st annual Boltonville Fire Department Street Dance is Saturday, Sept. 10 featuring Rebel Grace.

-The West Bend Moose Lodge horseshoe team won the traveling trophy after hosting the annual State Moose Horseshoe Tournament, Aug. 20 and 21. There were 65 participants from communities like Beloit, Eastern Kettle Moraine, Janesville, Kenosha, Monroe, Muskego, and Racine. West Bend Lodge had 29 people on its team.

– St. Frances Cabrini will host a Used Book Sale on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11, 8:30 a.m. 12 p.m., in the Mother Cabrini Hall.

– Kristy Davidson of West Bend won $500 during Thursday night’s Music on Main.  The giveaway was part of a ‘thank you’ to the community for its support

– BargainMart has opened in its new location, 822 S. Main Street, in the West Bend Plaza. The new store has twice as much space and a fantastic inventory. The locally-owned business relocated from its site, 325 Chestnut Street in West Bend.

– Crossroads Music Fest is Sept. 10 at St. Luke Church in Slinger. The free festival includes bands, food, games for kids, and raffles.

On a history note Kuester Bros. Garage

This week the building that is home to Casa Tequila Restaurant was sold, 146 S. Main Street. With help from historian Terry Becker we’re able to give you some history on that location.

Some of the businesses in the past included Eaton’s Pizza, The Daily Grind, and Jaliscos.

Jerry Mehring chimed in that, “Next to Muggles was Motor Grinding run by Ollie Klemp. They rewound electric motors. Next was West Bend Auto Parts run by Joe Strenke. Joe had a Christmas lunch every year, in his basement, for all his customer mechanics.”

An article published in “The West Bend Reader” in 1949 talked about the early years of H.W. Kuester & Sons.

The article titled Meet your Merchants read: Their beginnings in the garage business was pure accident. It all started when Herman purchased a second hand 2 cylinder Studebaker in 1906. (1 of the first cars in W.B.) for $485. As Mrs. K. tells it, “He’d run it 1 night and spend a week fixing it.”

After a breakdown on a trip to Fond du Lac, rather than spend a week waiting for parts he concocted a distributor head out of cork hung from a beer barrel & 2 nail heads filed to points, and decided that if he could fix his car he could fix other peoples, so Herman and his brother Henry purchased a 3-story structure, formerly a factory, then inhabited by pigeons and in 1912 opened Kuester Bros. Garage, on its present site. It wasn’t long ’til they took on auto sales too.

If you’re familiar with this area you’ll note the building pictured is located behind Century Farmhouse Soaps.  Photo courtesy Herman’s great grandson Josh Giese.

Woman dies following medical emergency at Hartford pool

At 4 p.m. Friday afternoon a patron in her 40s was at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Hartford with her family when she experienced a medical emergency in 3 feet of water. During a one-on-one interview with WashingtonCountyInsider.com Hartford City Administrator Steve Volkert said the woman was by herself in the pool.

Volker said, “CPR was immediately initiated by staff at the pool and staff was assisted by an emergency room doctor who happened to be on the premises. Hartford police and EMS responded within minutes.”

An off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy also assisted with an AED which was on site. Volker said “the woman was taken to Aurora Hospital in Hartford and was pronounced dead.”

The name of the woman is being withheld at this time.  The woman was not a resident of Hartford.

“The medical emergency is something that could have happened at any location,” said Volkert. “She was somewhat fortunate there were people trained in CPR that were as close as they were. Not only the trained staff but also people who were at the pool. Unfortunately they were not able to reverse the situation.”

Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center was closed following the incident around 4:15 p.m.

Hartford’s pool opened July 9. This is the second emergency situation in the last month and a half. On July 25 a 2-year-old boy was pulled from the water and resuscitated.

Wash. Co. considering entrance fee for park access

The Washington County Board is going to be considering a new entrance fee for the county park system.

Jay Shambeau, Washington County Planning and Parks Administrator, said the entrance fee is only in the discussion phase. He said the fee is being proposed as part of the county’s priority based budgeting. “We need to either stop funding the parks or raise revenue in another manner,” Shambeau said.

Bullet points on proposed entrance fee:

-“The fee would be similar to the state park sticker where you purchase a daily or annual entrance-fee sticker and then put it in your window,” said Shambeau.

-The proposed rate is $5 for daily park admittance or $25 for an annual sticker to get in the parks.

-Waukesha County has already enacted a similar plan to help off-set the cost of maintaining the parks. Its fee is $4 a day or $22 for an annual pass. Shambeau said Waukesha County is already in discussions to raise its fee.

-Washington County has 13 county parks with 7 major parks where the fee would make some sense. “Sandy Knoll, Leonard J. Yahr, Ackerman’s Grove have a public beach and this fee would have a summer impact.  Homestead Hollow, Heritage Trails and Glacier Hills are day-use parks popular for hiking and weddings.”

-Details on who would monitor the stickers are still being worked out. Parks staff and the Washington County Sheriffs have been mentioned. “We’ve also been discussing a part-time ranger program,” Shambeau said.

-Next year’s county budget is being rolled out Wednesday, Aug. 24.  Depending on discussion this could be implemented Jan. 1, 2017.

-Other options debated with the parks and priority based budgeting include: reducing programs and services, eliminating some of the parks, look at other fee-generating opportunities.

-How much revenue is brought in would really depend upon how the program is implemented.

-Public policy discussion by the Public Works Committee will focus on whether the fee amount is prohibitive.

-Shelter reservations are a big revenue stream for the park system. Discussions would have to determine whether ever vehicle that attends is part of a wedding or event at the county park would have to pay the fee.

Funeral Thursday for former WBHS track coach

The funeral is Thursday for former West Bend High School teacher and track coach Craig Timothy Syron, 47. Syron’s family was notified of his death by the U.S. Embassy after he was found August 12, 2016 in Slemmestad, Norway. No foul play is expected, said a family member. Syron taught English and was the head Throws Coach at West Bend West High School for 11 years.  A memorial service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in West Bend is Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. Visitation begins at 1 p.m.  There will be a reception following in the church fellowship hall.

West Bend to name new city administrator on Monday

The city of West Bend has been working with an interim city administrator since late April and on Monday, Aug. 22 a new city administrator will officially be named. A special meeting has been called for 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. This past Monday, Aug. 15, the council went into closed session to amend some of the wording in the contract.

The city posted the position in mid-May and received about 29 applications. Working with recruitment organization GovHR USA and city department heads, that field of candidates was trimmed to four including Lowell D. Crow, Illinois, David W. Nord, Illinois, Andrew Vickers, Wisconsin and Jay Shambeau, Wisconsin.

Former city administrator T.J. Justice resigned from the post in April after he was arrested for soliciting a 15-year-old girl for sex. Justice is facing a pair of felony charges and he is due back in Waukesha County Court on Aug. 22.

$500 giveaway at Thursday’s Music on Main

Music on Main will play host to Saving Savannah on Thursday, Aug. 25 and special guest during intermission will be the West Bend High School Drumline. There will also be a $500 cash prize giveaway. Free tickets can be picked up at the beverage tent. The drawing will be at 9:30 p.m. and you must be present to win. The evening entertainment is sponsored by Delta Defense.

New Mexican restaurant opens in Slinger                               Story courtesy Ruth Marks

Polanco Mexican Restaurant & Cantina has opened in the Dove Plaza in Slinger. Owner Tony Herrera has 25 years in the restaurant industry, including at Johnny Manhattan’s.  This is his first time he’s going out on his own.  The restaurant, 1858 Commerce Blvd (Highway 60) will be 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Updates & tidbits

-The launch of the Kewaskum School District referendum project is Monday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. during the annual meeting in the Kewaskum High School auditorium. The Nov. 8 referendum is for $28.4 million. With interest that total is close to $40 million.

-Significant progress has been made as signage and a canopy has been erected at the new Kwik Trip on Silverbrook Drive in West Bend. Construction got underway June 7.  Kwik Trip is expected to be open for business by October.

-Wisconsin’s largest gluten-free food expo is coming to Washington County Fair Park on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event is sponsored by Wellness Found Organic Foods.

– Setup is underway as Halloween Express makes its home at the former Walgreens on Decorah and S. Main Street in West Bend. Watch for a soft opening Sept. 1. Halloween Express secured its lease until Nov. 2 through Adam Williquette at Anderson Commercial Group.

-Mike Christian made a pair of check presentations to the Downtown West Bend Farmers’ Market and The History Center of Washington County. Christian donated $2,000 to each organization; the money came from proceeds from his 2^nd annual Homegrown Music Festival.

– Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School is welcoming its biggest freshman class ever. About 128 students went through freshman orientation on Wednesday.  Monday, Aug. 22 is the first day of school.

– The Jackson Historical Society Raspberry Festival is Sunday, Sept. 11, from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jackson Historical Society Museum Grounds, 1860 Mill Road in the Town of Jackson.   Come to an old-fashioned family ice cream social with Amish-made raspberry pie.

– West Bend Mutual Insurance Company, along with independent insurance agents who represent the company and key business partners, raised $644,398 for the MACC Fund, Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer. This is the seventh time West Bend has hosted this biennial event which, to date, has generated nearly $1.7 million for the MACC Fund.

– Slinger’s Honours, Inc. will be holding its 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. with a kids run starting at 8:20 a.m. to raise funds for its scholarship endowment for Slinger High School students.  The run begins and ends at the Slinger High School football field.

– Beginning the week of Monday, August 29, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is scheduled to begin resurfacing work on the US 45 and WIS 33 Interchange in Washington County. The contractor is planning to complete the $230,000 project later this fall.

-West Bend District 7 alderman Adam Williquette donated $100 to purchase four 9/11 Flags of Honor. The flags are part of a fundraiser by Kewaskum Remembers Memorial Park, a non-profit project dedicated to building a 9/11 memorial in the town of Kewaskum which will feature a 2,200-pound steel I-beam from the north World Trade Center.  West Bend-area native and Kewaskum High School graduate, Andrea Lyn Haberman was on the 92nd floor of the north World Trade Center and died on 9/11. More about the project is at kewaskummemorial.com.

-A Memorial Mass for long time Washington County Sheriff’s deputy Daniel J. “Jocko” Marx, 65, of the town of Kewaskum, was held this past week. Marx worked for the Sheriff’s Department for 35 years, retiring in 2013. He passed away Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Kathy Hospice, with his family by his side.

Milestone reached at WashingtonCountyInsider

Earlier this week my Facebook page Washington County Insider reached a milestone of 15,000 likes. The WashingtonCountyInsider.com to date has had 1.4 million views and I just wanted to reach out and thank everyone for their support. Hard to believe the page is only about a year old.

I love keeping the community up to speed and being first to tell you all the things happening in the neighborhood. Something special happened Saturday that shows me how much of an impact this page can have.

I ran into Ari Martin at Barton Day. She was having the time of her life enjoying the games, music and the face painting. I met Ari last year just before the start of school when she was being introduced to her robot that would help her in class, especially on the days she’d have to stay home when her immune system would be compromised.

During Barton Day, Ari said she was enjoying summer and getting ready to start second grade at Fair Park School. Ari also mentioned she had been traveling and “people keep looking at me and staring at me….”

What she said next…. made me cry. “I’m just so famous…,” said Ari in her squeak of a voice.

There was no ego…. just genuine 7-year-old perspective. Ari did get quite a bit of media and TV attention when she got her robot and it’s wonderful when positive coverage of a great local story can make someone’s day.

Thanks West Bend and Washington County for sharing your stories with me.  Sincerely, Judy Steffes

Decorative archways bring old-world charm to WB’s Germanfest

There’s going to be some new art making its way to Germanfest this year as Dave Gutbrod with Germantown Iron and Steel has created three beautiful new arched entryways.

Several months ago Gutbrod gave an Insider look at the art in its development stage as it went from a concept plan to a finished product.

“All finished and powder coated and in… shop for the colors on the letters. Will complete this weekend,” said Gutbrod.

-“This is going to be a good visual, welcoming experience,” said Gutbrod.

– Two of the archways will be right over the street on Fifth Avenue and there will be by the alley off Walnut Street, just west of Fifth Avenue. The Stammtisch will be inside the tent next to a picket fence area that can hold up to 25 people and it will have beer-hall style benches and sponsors will pay $500 for a 2-hour block to get prime seating for the band and the bar.

-German definition of Stammtisch is “regular get-together or “a table in a bar or restaurant which is reserved for the same guests at the same time every day or every week.”  (Definition courtesy toytowngermany.com/wiki/Stammtisch)

-Daren Lehto is the shop foreman at Germantown Iron and Steel. Far from the days of old with forging, sweat and anvil, Lehto used new technology laser cutting and an autoCAD file to cut the pieces which were heated and raised.

-West Bend’s annual Germanfest runs Aug. 25 – 28 in downtown West Bend.

History photo: Remember the Germanfest mural

For years a hand-painted mural hung on the south side of the old Mehring’s Fish Market building on Walnut Street. The mural was a tribute to Germanfest and the volunteers that made it a success. Do you remember who painted the mural and the frothy beer steins at the entrance to the downtown? The answer next week.

Kewaskum referendum total nears $40 million

The Kewaskum School Board voted this week to authorize $28.42 million in general obligation bonds for a Nov. 8 referendum.

Bullet points about the project:

– The potential interest adds $11 million onto the cost of development bringing the total referendum to near $40 million. The 36-cent increase on mil rate per $1,000 worth of property value includes the interest rate (possibly 3.25%) that will be paid back on the loan.

-Kewaskum Middle School dates to the 1970s and KHS has been expanded since the 1960s. Plans call for 100% renovation of the middle school. I’m asking whether that means razing the school.

-Enrollment at KHS is about 600 and at the Middle School it’s 410.

-The total referendum with interest depends on the interest rate secured by the district. Superintendent Jim Smasal said “interest rates are at an historic low”

-“If somebody wants to know how much interest we’re going to pay on a $28 million loan over 20 years it’s about $11 million. If we can get the loan for 2.75% interest that’s about $1.7 million less,” said Smasal which then equals about $10 million in interest.

-“The interest will come over the life of the loan but you have to be very careful about how you say that,” said Smasal.

-“The board did a long-range study and we took a look at our middle and high schools and we think we came up with a decent plan to get them in the shape our kids deserve. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing extravagant, just up-to-date facilities for our needs for learning and having secure buildings and our needs to upgrade our facilities as far as heat, light, sound proofing, etc.,” said Smasal.

-“We can feather the new debt onto the old debt and keep the tax levy stable,” Smasal said.

-The goal is to have a community packet released August 22 at the annual meeting. There will be three informational sessions and a number of sessions at different events.

Get on board with Proximal – new business created in West Bend

A new West Bend-based business is being launched Monday that will break ground on how businesses advertise. Robert Tye, a millennial and a transplant from Essex, has figured out the age-old marketing question of how to get customers into a store or establishment.

Tye is the Founder and CEO of Proximal; a free app that combines marketing strategy, GPS and cell-phone technology.

“My program allows businesses to contact their customers in real time,” said Tye. “Business owners can offer deals and customers can find them immediately just by turning on their cell phone.”

Tye is congenial and a fast talker; he attributes his speed of conversation to excitement about Proximal. “When I was in banking I’d work with a lot of businesses that had that spark,” he said. “But when they’d fail and their business close it was because their advertising wouldn’t work.”

For a consumer standpoint Proximal pulls in a signal advertising a sale or an event. “You can be anywhere and get a real-time ping on your phone for deals like a local hotel offering 20% off a room, a sale on shoes or a concert that’s about to start,” Tye said.

The advertising hook – everything is instant.

“This is a marketing tool like no other,” said Laura Leszczynski, a marketing expert for the last 26 years. “Proximal is what every business owner has been looking for. I’ve done projects and fliers and ads but at the end of the day there’s no way to measure success.”

One of the key components of Proximal, according to Leszczynski, is the ability the program gives business owners to “modify, adapt and respond.”

“This is a way to dance with real-time activity and play in the space of strategy,” she said while giving the example of a restaurant giving a “ShoutOut” on a 2-for-1 deal.  “Proximal will help business owners understand consumer behavior and allow them to reach new customers.”

Trademarked terms equal success

Tye has spent the last two years developing Proximal, with the creation of a business plan, website, and he’s already trademarked his own vocabulary.

A ‘ShoutOut’ is a limited-time offer, a coupon, or event designed to get people through the front door. Tye gives the example of a local pub experiencing a slow Thursday night but then posting a ShoutOut for a free game of pool or a buy-one get-one deal.

“There’s no way I can get the word out in the paper in a timely fashion,” he said. “If I share a post on Facebook the message can get lost between baby pictures and vacation photos. If I put it on Twitter I only hit the people following me and if I put it on Groupon it takes time to get the transaction approved.”

Proximal, according to Tye, is a very affordable form of advertising that doesn’t get lost. “Geo-targeted cash,” he said.

The launch is Monday

Two years of hard work and team building comes to fruition as Proximal launches Monday, Aug. 15. There’s a free starter kit to all new businesses signing up to promote Proximal. Businesses can choose a variety of packages including a starter level at $29.99 a month to a Premier package at $79.99 a month.

A short-term special features a Basic Package for 3 months at $119.97 with a bonus 3 months free.  There’s also a special Premier Account at $239.97 for 3 months with a bonus 3 months free including service coverage over a 30-mile radius.

Customer friendly

From a consumer standpoint Proximal means saving money. The free app is already available on the App Store. “Click the app to bring up the map on your iPhone or Smartphone and view the participating businesses,” said Tye.

Forgetting a redeemable coupon at home will be a thing of the past as Tye said businesses that offer coupons will just be a simple click on your phone.

Businesses buying in

Staff at Proximal have been actively pre-selling ad packages and the response from businesses has been a mix of eager and excited to tentative but trusting.

Deb Slais runs Over the Moon, a gift shop in Barton.

“As far as Proximal goes, it seemed like something that would appeal to that segment of the population that is on their phones all the time,” said Slais. “Being a fairly new store I am always open to trying new things and Rob made the launch price too good to pass up.”

Other businesses that have jumped on board have praised the affordability of the ad packages, the hands-on customer service to help businesses with marketing ideas and they’ve already come to realize that the future of business growth will be tied to the Internet and technology.

Tye is realistic. “I’m not out to put print advertising out of business, but with Proximal there is no printing cost, there’s no leaving a coupon at home and advertising is immediate,” he said.

Find more about Proximal by logging onto www.getproximal.com

Third Starbucks in West Bend gets green light

A concept plan for a Starbuck’s restaurant in Sendik’s West Bend Plaza, 280 N. 18th Avenue, received a go ahead from the West Bend Plan Commission on Tuesday. Commission member Jim White had a couple concerns for Eric Neumann, the senior project director with MSI General Corporation.

White asked if the third location would replace the store on Paradise and Main. Neumann did not believe the development on the north end of town would affect the store on the south side of West Bend. There were also questions about the queue as members of the Plan Commission brought up several examples of crowded conditions at the Starbucks on Paradise Drive.

Early plans for the store by Sendik’s show a drive thru that can handle eight vehicles in queue.

Two other Starbucks in West Bend include the location on Paradise Drive and inside the new Meijer store, currently under construction on S. Main Street.

Treasurer questioned about missing funds from Hartford Youth Football

Some difficult news for families of Hartford Youth Football as word came this week that a theft from the organization’s bank account is under investigation. Jim Sedlachek, HYFB President, spoke exclusively with WashingtonCountyInsider.com.

He said the situation is “still under investigation and technically she has not been charged with anything right now.”

The ‘she’ Sedlachek is referencing is the treasurer of the club. The HYFB website has removed the name of the name of the woman who held the position. Sedlachek praised the Youth Football organization and said “it’s a great community to work with and parents and families have been supportive.”

Sedlachek, president of the club since May, said they found a discrepancy in the HYFB account on July 1, 2016. “Once she’s charged we’ll have more to say,” he said.

This is the 28^th year for HYFB and there are 166 kids between grades 5^th – 8^th grade participating this season. Hartford Police had no comment on the case.

Sedlachek’s letter to parents is below.

It saddens me that I have to send this email out to the families of this organization.

Hartford Youth Football has been a victim of a crime. Charges have been filed and an arrest has been made. A member of our board of directors is accused of stealing money from our organization and ultimately you the Hartford Youth Football families.

At this time, we are still working on finding out the scope and depth of what has been taken. This will take time. The investigation into these allegations is still ongoing therefore I cannot get into specifics. Hartford Youth Football has been victimized by someone who has been in the organization for several years.

We were notified of a discrepancy in our bank account on Friday July 1, 2016. This led members of our board to investigate further. Upon this investigation we immediately went to Hartford Police to notify them of the theft. We were talking with the police within 4 hours of discovery. The investigation is ongoing. When the time comes the details will be made known to the members of this organization. We will be as open and honest about all details as allowed.

This is a difficult and challenging time for Hartford Youth Football. I know that as details come forward the members of this organization will see that this was one person, who took it upon herself to steal from you, the club, and the kids. As of now we are putting things in place to ensure our season will go on without an issue. Our focus is to allow the legal system to run its course and to do everything in our power to give the kids of Hartford a great football experience.

Thank You for Your Support, Jim Sedlachek  HYFB President

Razing the former Senior Center and Annex II

Demolition of the former Washington County Senior Center on E. Washington Street got underway today. The county will next raze Annex II. In January, WashingtonCountyInsider.com was the only media to report on the county’s plans. The buildings are being demolished as part of the county’s new performance based budgeting practice.

Updates & tidbits

-Monday the West Bend common council will move to approve a new City Administrator/Director of Development. City officials pared through 29 applicants and trimmed the field to four finalists.

-Allenton Picnic and Parade is Aug. 20 – 21. Weekend event will also include Badger Fireman softball tournament, co-ed volleyball, and huge parade starting at 11:30 on Sunday, Aug. 21.

– West Bend and Washington County law enforcement raised $1,018.50 in the 5^th Annual Cop on the Rooftop at Dunkin’ Donuts in Hartford. West Bend Police Officer Ally Mahl was joined by Washington County Sheriff’s Sergeant Chad Beres, and Deputies Brittany Kell and Chad Polinske. The goal was to raise awareness and money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

-Josee Weigand of West Bend took first place in the State Fair Fiddlers Competition. She was accompanied by Keith Keehn of West Bend.

– After an 18-year career with the Kewaskum A’s of the Rock River League, Jason Strobel is hanging up his cleats. Strobel has been with the team since he was 16. Last Sunday the team pulled out a 5-2 final season victory over first place Plymouth Flames. The A’s will play today at home against long time rival Brownsville 49ers at 1:30 p.m. to open Rock River playoffs.

-Former Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Mary Woerner received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the D.A.R.E. conference on Aug. 9 in Oshkosh.

– Dale Malecha recently closed on the purchase of the former Bargain Mart building on Poplar Street for $98,000. Malecha is currently trying to lease the space. Bargain Mart moved into the old Lots for Tots space in the West Bend Plaza and will open this weekend.

-The 2nd annual West Bend Diabetes Walk is Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Ridge Run County Park. The goal is to raise $2,900 to promote community awareness and raise funds for diabetes research.  Registration is $29 at main.diabetes.org/goto/wbwalkforcure  Contact event organizer: David Reed at 630-862-2711

-On Thursday, Aug. 25 Slinger High School will officially unveil new lights on its baseball field.

– More than 70 students were kickin’ it old school this week as the History Center of Washington County hosted its annual Pioneer Kids Day.  Students participated in activities like grinding corn, using a washboard to do laundry, rug beating, milking a cow  – well, a pretend cow, and creating a game out of buttons and thread.  Behind the scenes: Students got a little nervous at the clothes washing station as the volunteer docent gave a pretty graphic warning about how it was imperative to keep their hands from getting caught in the wringer washer.  Didn’t we all hear some of those stories while growing up?

Newspaper from 1886 found lining walls of Barton home

An interesting discovery in Barton this week as newspapers from 1886 were found lining the walls of a home being remodeled. The newspapers include The Farm and Fireside, The New York Weekly Witness, and a paper from Wisconsin published in Milwaukee. The newspapers line the wall at the bottom of a stairwell in what once was the blacksmith shop on Barton Avenue.

The advertisement runs the gamut from garden seeds to an Imperial sulky and hand plow to a ‘New Premium Watch and chain for Only $3.’ Up the stairwell build into the south wall is a wood panel from a shipping crate stamped Barton, Wis.

Will Democrats cross party line to vote in county races

The Partisan Primary Election is Tuesday, August 9 and there’s an interesting conundrum ahead for Democrats in Washington County who want to vote for the next county clerk, treasurer and register of deeds.

“At a Partisan Primary Election you are voting for the candidates in one party of your choice to move on to the November ballot,” said Washington County Clerk Brenda Jaszewski.

All the candidates running for Washington County Clerk are listed under the Republican Party including Ashley Reichert, Braedy Helmbrecht and Aggie Pruner. Jane Merten and Sharon Martin are also listed under the Republican Party as they run for respective seats as County Treasurer and Register of Deeds.

“You can vote one party in August – that’s it.  If you try to write in the name of a ballot candidate that’s already on the ballot, from one party to the other party, it will not be counted,” said Jaszewski.  “You can certainly write the name in but it will not be counted.”

Jaszewski said if a different name is written in, that is not on the ballot under a different party, it will be counted because there are no Democratic candidates.

In essence, Democrats, Libertarians, Green Party and Constitution Party in Washington County are not voting for a ballot candidate for County Clerk, County Treasurer or Register of Deeds, unless they choose to vote only under the county category in the Republican Party Primary.

Jaszewski said one candidate selected from the county races will move on to the November Election.  “Every August we hear ‘I’ve always been able to vote for more than one party,’” said Jaszewski. “Well if you did and you did not choose a party preference then no one on your ballot counted.”

Jaszewski clarified, “If you do choose a party preference, and you vote for more than one party, only the candidates you voted for in the party that you filled in the oval for the party preference will be counted,” she said.

Technically, according to Jaszewski, you “don’t have to fill in the party preference oval, but it you don’t and then you cross over nothing on the ballot is counted.”

Jaszewski ordered a total of 60,925 ballots for the August Partisan Primary. It’s a large number but Jaszewski said it doesn’t represent the anticipated turnout, more so it’s because of spoiled ballots.

“We have so many who crossover vote and have to do it over; I just didn’t want to run out of ballots,” she said. “If a person does cross over the new machines at the polls will kick the ballot out, not accept it and then the person has to start with a new ballot.”

Jaszewski warns if people vote absentee and cross over party lines, nothing on their ballot will be counted.

The election for County Clerk is because Jaszewski is retiring at the end of the year. Jaszewski started with the county as the Account Clerk in April 1991. She has served as the county clerk since 2005.

On a side note: County administrator Joshua Schoemann is taking an ordinance to the County Board that would allow whoever wins the August primary for County Clerk, that person will come into Jaszewski’s office and training with her the rest of the year.

All three candidates for County Clerk are county employees. Reichert works in the Sheriff’s Office, Helmbrecht works in the county attorney’s office and Pruner is a legal secretary in the district attorney’s office.

The ordinance would make a part-time position that’s open in the county clerk’s office a full-time position. The pay scale for that new position, according to the county Human Resources Department, would be as close to the winning candidate’s current pay grade which ranges from about $18 an hour to $24 an hour.

I’m still checking to see whether the ordinance has a timeline/end date on the new full-time position or whether it would be permanent.

Meet the candidates for Wash. Co. Clerk

There are three candidates running for Washington County Clerk: Ashley Reichert, Braedy Helmbrecht and Aggie Pruner. On Tuesday, August 2 Common Sense Citizens will host a forum/meet and greet for all three candidates. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. at the West Bend Moose Lodge. The meeting is open to the public and don’t forget to bring a common sense friend.

On August 4 Washington County GOP Pints & Politics will be hosting an event from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Guests include candidates Aggie Pruner and Ashley Reichert. The event is at Riverside Brewery, 225 S. Main Street.

Sadownikow announces he’ll run for another term

West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow welcomed Deputy Mayor Sawyer Lichtensteiger, 12, to his office this week. It was part of a ‘Mayor for the Day’ auction item at this year’s St. Francis Cabrini Auction.

Lichtensteiger took at seat at the mayor’s desk and questioned Sadownikow on a number of things including how much money he made as mayor  (averages about $8 an hour), what he did in his real life (runs a construction management company), and his favorite part of the job (getting a genuine ‘thank you’).

The Mayor gave Lichtensteiger a primer on politics. “The mayor is a 3-year term in office,” said Sadownikow. “In April 2017 I would have completed my sixth year in office.” Lichtensteiger asked Sadownikow if he would run again to which the mayor replied, “It’s very likely I will be running again.”

John Hemauer retires as WB Water Utility Manager

Friday was the last day on the job for John Hemauer, the Water Utility Manager with the city of West Bend. Hemauer started his 31-year career with the city as Water Utility Maintenance on March 18, 1985. He became Operations Coordinator at the Water Utility in October 2010 and was promoted Water Utility Manger in April 2012.

Hemauer’s last day on the job was July 29, 2016. What will retirement hold, well Hemauer will likely be seen at more high school sporting events as he is a WIAA certified baseball umpire and referee for football and basketball. The city has posted the job for a Water Utility Manager. The position has a starting salary $61,750-87,750.  Applications will be accepted until August 2, 2016.

Final installment of property taxes due

Sunday, July 31 the final 2015 installment is due for property owners that pay semi-annual property taxes in West Bend/Washington County.  The final payment will be made to the Washington County Treasurer and because July 31 falls on a Sunday the final payment can actually be made as late as Monday, August 1.

There will be no penalty, interest or late fee if the payment is made on August 1, 2016. The County Treasurers office is located in the Washington County Courthouse, 432 E. Washington Street and it’s open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WB City Administrator candidates trimmed to five

Watch for an announcement Monday that the field of candidates for West Bend city administrator has been trimmed to five. Following Monday night’s meeting the council went into closed session. According to Mayor Kraig Sadownikow they narrowed the list of finalists.

“We had a lot of strong candidates apply for the post,” Sadownikow said. The city has been working with GovHR USA to try and fill the position. Sadownikow said about 28 or 29 candidates applied. The starting salary range: $95,000–$125,000 +/-DOQ.

The council is expected to review the candidates in the coming weeks. A final appointment is expected by mid-August. One of the confirmed candidates is Jay Shambeau, Planning and Parks Administrator at Washington County.  Shambeau had been Calumet County Administrator from June 2008 – April 2014 and prior to that he was Village Administrator in Kewaskum from July 2006 – June 2008.

The West Bend city administrator position opened in April after former city administrator T.J. Justice was tagged with felony charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution. Justice’s next hearing is August 12 in Waukesha County Court. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Anderson Commercial Group posts former Walgreens for sale

Signs for Anderson Commercial Group went up Thursday at the former Walgreens on S. Main Street and Decorah Road. The property is now being listed by Adam Williquette, Senior Vice President of Anderson Commercial Group.

Continental Properties owns the building which no longer has a lease with Walgreens. The past few years the owners have been looking for new tenants and Williquette said now they’ve decided to market the property for sale as well. The asking price is $1.6 million for sale and a lease rate of $15/ square foot triple net.

Walgreens closed its location at Decorah Road and Main Street in West Bend in 2010 after it completed construction of new stores on S. Main Street near Paradise Drive and on W. Washington Street. Williquette said he is “already talking with several prospects.”

Top prices paid at Washington Co. Junior Livestock Sale

Cool temperatures made for a comfortable night of bidding at the 47th annual Junior Livestock Auction at the Washington County Fair.

The top price per pound on the night went to Emily Groth from the Slinger FFA who pulled in a bid of $17 per pound for her 145 pound grand champion lamb.  Gehrings Meat Market cast the winning bid. Paul Loosen from the Wayne Crusaders pulled in $12.50 a pound for his 148 pound reserve champion lamb. A to Z Fencing was the winning bidder.

Joslynn Odermann from the Wayne Crusaders had an outstanding night as her 287 pound overall champion swine fetched $7.50 a pound from Jonco Industries. Odermann’s 237 pound swine topped all bids as Team Chesak bid $8.50 a pound.

In the beef category, Lillia Janz with Slinger FFA notched $4.50 a pound from Bunzel Meats for her 1,280 pound overall champion cross breed. But it was Adam Wolf from Slinger FFA that pulled in $5.25 a pound from Farmers Implement for his 1,582 pound HBR Dairy Champ.

Final numbers on the grand total for the evening are still being tabulated; those figures will be posted shortly. Final numbers from August 2014 – show a record year at the Junior Livestock Meat Animal Sale as $244,932 was raised topping the 2013 total of $210,000.

New LED sign for Regner Park

A new LED message sign is being proposed for the entrance to Regner Park. The sign is about $44,000 and is being financed in part by the West Bend Noon Rotary.  The design will be reviewed during the upcoming Plan Commission meeting in August.

Updates & tidbits

–The Jingle Bell Open is Monday, August 1 at West Bend Lakes Golf Course. Registration is 10 a.m. This is the primary fundraiser for the West Bend Community Christmas Parade.

– Forward Dental in West Bend is hosting a ribbon cutting / open house on Wednesday, August 3 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

– Sculpture Feast, a culinary, art and music experience is Saturday, August 6 at Regner Park from 4:15 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Feast at 6 p.m. features The Norbert, Café Soeurette and West Bend Tap & Tavern.  Cost is $35 per person or $25 for members of West Bend Friends of Sculpture. Tickets available at westbendsculpture.org or call Shawn at 262-644-9600.

-The Kettle Moraine YMCA is partnering with Paradise Springs Fitness to offer a new type of premiere personal training system that provides proven results. Sign up today as classes get underway Sept. 6.

-The Allenton Picnic is August 20 and 21.

-A big round of applause for Steiner Electric who fixed the lights in the marquee at the Downtown West Bend Theatre. Rob Steiner stepped up along with Kevin Zimmer who helped supply the replacement bulbs and they got the job done!

– Long-time West Bender Richard Burt won a 2016 custom-built Valenti Corvette Vendetta this week from WTMJ Radio during its 2016 Classic Free Ride giveaway. The Burts lived in West Bend for years and their kids went to the West Bend High Schools.

-Family Dollar, 1519 W Washington St. in West Bend is closing and a new Dollar Tree will be opening in its place. Family Dollar was bought out a year ago by Dollar Tree. This will be the second Dollar Tree store in West Bend; the other store is located in the Paradise Mall.

– West Bend High School Class of 1948 will hold its summer luncheon at Top of the Ridge, 113 Cedar Ridge Drive on August 20 at 12 p.m. Cost is $15. Call Dick at 438-5951 or Pat at 438-5938 for reservations.

West Bend woman dies at 109  

Blanche Schuelke passed away Tuesday morning, July 26 at the age of 109. Her family said she passed comfortably and at peace.

“I’m so sad that she’s gone but very excited for her to see my grandpa, her parents, and her childhood dog named Mimsie,” said granddaughter Elizabeth Grimm. “I smile thinking about how she is with her grandfather of whom she called her best friend.”

Schuelke lived her entire life in West Bend.  She built a house on S. Eighth Avenue and was very active in the community. She was a member of the Apostolate of Suffering, a long-time member of the West Bend Woman’s Club, beginning in 1935, a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary of which she was a charter member of the original guild in 1937, the Washington County Historical Society, the West Bend Art Museum of which she was a receptionist from 1974 until 1995 and the DSHA High School in Milwaukee Alumni Association.

“Grandma was an angel on earth for us all and will continue to be in heaven,” said Grimm.

Erin Ciriacks cleaned house for Schuelke. She wrote Blanche was, “Quite the spitfire….fabulous woman! I remember her telling us that she did 2 crossword puzzles a day, that she barely had to take any medications, and that every once in awhile she would dance alone in her living room. I think we could all learn a little something from her…keep your mind and heart active and make sure to every once in awhile let loose and dance!”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 1, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Patrick Heppe presiding. Burial will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery.

On a history note:

-Blanche Schuelke was born in 1907 when Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States.

-The Mayor of West Bend in 1907 was Albert Gray and Daniel McLane was principal of the West Bend grade and high school.

-Blanche Schuelke was 2 years old when William Taft made a surprise stop in West Bend.

-The hot topic in West Bend in 1907 was construction of a city waterworks and sewage treatment plants. According to a paragraph in Dorothy Williams book, “The Spirit of West Bend,” the “local Board of Health had tried for years to convince the Council that the private wells and privies were a continual health hazard.”

-In 1907 juvenile theft and crime was a huge problem in West Bend. The local paper printed the young offenders refused to go to school and “were in all kinds of devilment.” Some of the pranks, according to Dorothy Williams, “tearing up the wooden sidewalks.”

-When Blanche Schuelke was 5 years old the first airplane to make an appearance in West Bend came to the County Fair. According to Dorothy Williams, “The highly-touted plane flew 40 feet and crashed ignominiously.”

Remembering the Washington County Fair

Lillian Moritz Oelhafen, 99, is a local historian from Kohlsville. A small woman with an easy smile, Oelhafen is sharp and recently recalled her early years at the Washington County Fair.

“Oh I remember the fair,” said Oelhafen. “I remember when it was held on a 25-acre plot on the northeastern part of the city of West Bend, known as Fair Park.”

Oelhafen attended the fair as a child in the 1920s. She remembers growing up in Kohlsville how she would go to the fair with her family.

“It was very dusty,” said Oelhafen. “There was always a dark man with a good suit on and he was standing where you entered the fair and he had a whisk broom and he would offer to brush the men’s suits because it was so dusty.”

Oelhafen said it was normal for families to go to the fair together. “They had rides like a Ferris wheel and merry go round,” she said. “And kids would show their animals.”

Oelhafen explained how she was 10 miles from West Bend and if kids showed their animals they would walk them to the fair. “They didn’t get trucked, they walked,” she said. “We got a ride – in a Ford car.”

For the women there were handicraft exhibits like crochet. “I participated in the baking and canning and I made strawberry and raspberry jelly,” she said. “Winners would get blue ribbons.”

Some of the entertainment included country singers at the grandstand but it was the horse races that were really popular. “They were very exciting and we had to pay separate admission to see those races,” she said.

Oelhafen doesn’t recall carnival games. She said there was a ball toss but the more popular event was a baseball game involving the West Bend Lithia team.  “My father Art Moritz was one of the big players,” said Oelhafen. “He was the catcher and the games always drew a big crowd.”

Oelhafen recalled the fair only ran two or three days. She said her favorite thing was “the recipes.

“They had a section where women brought their favorite recipes for cooking and baking and you always could get a copy and I really enjoyed that,” she said. “My mother Anna would make the best homemade bread, and kuchen,”

“I’d pick up recipes like a date cake, something that was different,” she said.

Chocolate cake and chicken noodle soup were some of Oelhafen’s specialties. “Yes… those were made with homemade noodles,” she said. “And I killed the chicken all by myself.”

“The chocolate cake was an old family recipe. You had hot water and you made your own chocolate with coco,” she said. Fair food hasn’t changed much. Oelhafen said they had cotton candy but Orange Crush, the soda – was her “favorite.”

The 157th annual Washington County Fair runs through July 31. Photo courtesy History Center Washington County.

Warrior Hikers pass through Washington County

Some excitement on the Ice Age Trail in Washington County for Warrior Hikers Miles Vining and Michael Marziaka as they rescued a Cooper’s Hawk on Thursday afternoon while walking a segment at 4 p.m. at Ridge Run Park.

“It was trying to fly but it couldn’t,” said Maziarka. “And then Miles caught it with his hands; he picked it up like a chicken.”

The pair said they stopped to take a picture of the bird and when it tried to fly it just tumbled to the ground.

While Vining cradled the bird Maziarka worked his phone and called the Washington County Sheriff, who guided them to the Humane Society and that led them to Marty Thompson with Wanakia Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Richfield.

“We pulled our buddy 2-miles out of Ridge Run Park,” said Maziarka. “We met Thompson at Culvers.”

The pair were told to cover the eyes of the hawk so they put a hat over its head. “He was about the size of a loaf of bread and he was pretty wiggly but he calmed down with the hat,” Maziarka said.

Bronzed by Mother Nature’s sun, Maziarka speaks with enthusiasm and as he and Vining, 24, have been on the road (or the Ice Age Trail) since starting out up north on May 20.

“It’s going pretty good,” said Vining. “We’ve had some rain but I love the heat; bring it.”

The pair camp out a majority of the time and are hiking to raise awareness for Warrior Hike. “Since I’ve been in the service and going to college this tour allows me to slow down for a while,” said Vining. “I’ve been writing a lot of things down and reprocessing a lot and that helps.”

Maziarka echoed Vining’s thoughts. “I’ve always aspired to doing a thru hike,” he said. “I’m accomplishing a couple things including slowing down my life and doing something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Another thing Maziarka has realized during the hike is what’s important. “When you slow down this much, a lot of things you thought that mattered really don’t,” he said.  “So instead I’m going to be able to focus more on what does matter – things like my wife or going out with friends for a beer.”“This helps makes me rearrange my priorities,” Vining said.

The pair will finish the trek on August 6 in Sturgeon Bay.

The Warrior Hike is a program designed to help combat veterans transition from their military service. The pair agreed, finding the hawk has been one of the coolest things that has happened so far on the trip.

Large turnout to sign banner supporting law enforcement

There was a large turnout Friday night to support area police and the work they do to keep us safe. “I can’t believe this huge event and it was all started by a couple little girls,” said West Bend police officer Bobby Schotzko.

Violet Pahl, 8, and her sister Cece, 4, organized the banner signing and they created a special ice cream for the event, Mint Explosion. Hundreds of people lined up for a scoop at Toucan Custard.

The evening was topped off by the Pledge of Allegiance, speeches by Karen Pahl thanking everyone for coming out and notes of thanks to Toucan Custard for donating a portion of its proceeds to Shop with a Cop in Washington County.

Public hearing Aug. 9 for zoning change on Valley Ave.

Neighbors on Valley Avenue and Erin Court received notice about a public hearing Aug. 9 before the West Bend Plan Commission regarding a request to rezone about 6.5 acres of land to multifamily housing. The parcel is to the back (south) of 15 acres that’s currently zoned B4 for business.

A history check shows that parcel used to be multifamily housing about 12 years ago. Property owner Steve Kearns said he is just looking to return that segment to its original zoning.

Several weeks ago Kearns sold a portion of the property on W. Washington Street to Russ Darrow. He also sold a corner lot on Valley Avenue to Heiser.  The Plan Commission meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9 in the council chambers at City Hall, 1115 S. Main St.

Former Walgreens on Decorah for sale

Watch for signs for Anderson Commercial Group to go up next week as the former Walgreens has been listed by Adam Williquette, Senior Vice President of Anderson Commercial Group.

Continental Properties owns the property which no longer has a lease with Walgreens. The past few years the owners have just been looking for new tenants and Williquette said now they’ve decided to market the property for sale as well.

The asking price is $1.6 million for sale and a lease rate of $15/ square foot triple net.

Walgreens closed its location at Decorah Road and Main Street in West Bend in 2010 after it completed construction of new stores on S. Main Street near Paradise Drive and on W. Washington Street. Williquette said he is “already talking with several prospects.” Expect signage for Anderson Commercial Group to go up in the next two weeks.

BarginMart moving to new location

BargainMart has found a new location and will be moving to 822 S. Main St, formerly the location of Lots for Tots in the West Bend Plaza. Adam Williquette, Senior Vice President of Anderson Commercial Group handled the transaction. “The new location will provide better parking and a large open floor plan,” said Williquette. Lots for Tots closed in June. BargainMart listed its location on Chestnut Street in June.

Green Dog Market to open in downtown West Bend

The sign for downtown West Bend’s newest grocery is now in place as Green Dog Market is getting closer to opening. Stefanie Ulma, owner of Grasshopper Restaurant, 241 N. Main St., is planning on opening the store in the building next door to Laurel’s Camera & Gifts at 237 N. Main St.

The store will feature house-made products from the Grasshopper including dressings, burgers, organic grass-fed meats along with cheese, wine, beer and necessities. “The store fits the restaurant,” said Ulma. “People keep asking us to sell our dressings or can we buy the mushroom burgers, and now they can.”

The store will also offer free delivery to neighbors in West Bend with an added plan similar to meals on wheels for the elderly. “My mom used to do that and I thought it was cool,” Ulma said. “With our delivery, we can do two checks a week on the elderly; bring a hot meal from the restaurant and groceries. This way families would know their loved one is getting food and they’re being checked on.”

Part of Ulma’s larger plan also includes a rooftop garden that will provide produce for the grocery and benefit the restaurant.

In order to get the grocery off the ground, Ulma had to make some difficult decisions. The toughest was closing the restaurant Friday nights. “To get the grocery store to the point where I needed to get it I’m changing the hours of the restaurant,” she said. “This is going to make a giant difference so I can meet with contractors and get the store open.”

“I’m excited to do something else for West Bend that’s different than just this restaurant,” said Ulma. “One thing that will stay the same will be delivering to the customer the best of the best. It’s never been about the money it’s been about giving a great product to the people.”

 Mexican restaurant opening in Slinger                                    Story courtesy Ruth Marks

Changes are coming to Dove Plaza on Highway 60 in Slinger. Progress is being made on the new building for O’Reilly Auto Parts and a new restaurant, Polanco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, will be moving into the space formerly occupied by Sophia’s Pub & Eatery.

Mary Hafeman presented 2016 National PGA Player Development Award 

PGA Professional Mary Hafeman of West Bend has been honored with the 2016 PGA Player Development Award for her commitment to implementing dynamic programming for golfers of all ages and skill levels. The PGA Player Development Award bestows special recognition on a PGA Golf Professional who has displayed extraordinary and exemplary contribution and achievement in the area of player development. This recognition comes on the heels of receiving the Player Development Award for the North Florida PGA Section in 2014 and 2016.

Hafeman, a dual member of both the North Florida and Wisconsin PGA Sections, is President and Owner of Fore in One Golf Services, and is a highly regarded and accomplished player, instructor and operations specialist within the golf industry.  A Golf Range Association Top 50 Growing the Game Teacher, Hafeman is extremely active in hosting programs, such as Get Golf Ready, PGA Junior League and LPGA Girls Golf, among others

Updates & tidbits

–Café Soeurette is bringing a new event DISH Downtown to West Bend’s historic Main Street on Sunday, July 31. The 3-course menu features assorted in-house butters and jams and meats from the local Farmers’ Market. The second course will feature a chilled zucchini cucumber soup with a corn relish. The main course is a ginger chicken skewer with a carrot slaw and an apricot and beet pickle relish. The last course will be compote of crumbled shortbread, an espresso chocolate crème and sugar cherries.  Dish Downtown includes live music and 10% of proceeds will be donated to the West Bend Downtown Association! Reservations required, CALL 262-338-2233.

-Sculpture Feast is August 6 at Regner Park. It will feature food tasting from three local restaurants including Café Soeurette, West Bend Tap & Tavern and The Norbert. There will be a live sculpture pour demonstration, sculpture tours and live music. Tickets are available by calling Shawn at 262-644-9600.

-Final numbers are in and there were 1,435 participants in this year’s Dirty Ninja Mud Run for Kids, held July 16 at Regner Park.

-T4 Insurance Solutions LLC is a new business that opened in Jackson at N168 W20900 Main Street. Owner Tracy Oestreich has been in the insurance business for years. Call for more information at 262-423-4949

-Crossroads Music Fest is Sept. 10 from Noon – 7 p.m. Live bands include Amy Jackson at noon, 1 p.m. – Justin St. Thomas and the Funky Fresh Fellowship, 2 p.m. – At The Wayside, 3 p.m. – Harley Rev Band, 4 p.m. – We are Leo, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Danen Kane. The Christian music festival will be at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 4860 Arthur Road in Slinger. There will be a silent auction, bake sale, concessions, kids area and some proceeds will be donated to Raivu an St. Luke Youth Mission trip.

– Neighbors in West Bend have noticed the huge trees that have been taken down on West Washington Street, just to the east of Valley Avenue. Steve Kearns recently sold that property to Russ Darrow and said he took down the trees as Darrow is going to be expanding his car lot.

-There’s a new sign for Heavy Duty Ramps on Highway 45 just to the north of Highway D. Last May, Larry Marmon, CEO of Discount Ramps purchased Heavy Duty Ramps. Marmon recently replaced the old Ke-West signs that were along the highway. Do you remember Ke-West Sports Complex? It was a paintball and indoor mini-golf sports complex owned by Richard Bertram. After opening his new venture in 2006, Bertram closed the business in July 2008. First National Bank of Hartford then held title to the property. In August 2010 Richard Beilstein, owner of Heavy Duty Ramps LLC of West Bend, closed on the purchase of the 62,000-square-foot site.

– West Bend Friends of Park and Rec are hailing Regner Fest and the Dirty Ninja Mud Run for Kids a “HUGE success.” There were around 1,500 children in the park for the Dirty Ninja Mud Run, 1,200 hot dog lunches were served along with 800 hamburgers, 300 brats, 200 walking tacos, 300 large hot dogs, and 30 large Domino’s pizzas and the bar sold 22 half barrels, (14 last year) tons of hard lemonade and huge amounts of Black Cherry. So we were a whole lot of busy.  So thank you!!

-The dates for Regner Fest and German Night are changing next year and Regner Fest ~ will be Saturday, July 15 and German Night ~ Wednesday, July 19. The same music lineup will be held at Regner Fest with Andrea and the Mods, Dirty Boogie and Rebel Grace.

-Laurel’s Camera and Gift is on the move. On Sept. 1 the locally-owned camera shop and jewelry shop M.F. Diamonds will move from 239 N. Main Street down a block to 152 N. Main Street, formerly home to My Personal Trainor fitness studio, and prior to that Settler’s Park Market.“We’re just going down the street a bit,” said Pat Fehring from Laurel’s Camera. “We were just looking for a little bigger space so we’ll have a backdrop and we can do studio photography as well.” The Fehrings will be sharing the space with their son’s jewelry shop, M.F. Diamonds.

– Tammy Anderson has been appointed the new Washington County Director of the Aging and Disability Resource Center. Anderson has been serving as the Social Services Supervisor at Samaritan the last three years.

-The new West Bend Biergarten will be held Wednesday, August 10 – Sunday, August 14. It will be held at the Centennial Shelter at Regner Park from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be craft beer, domestic beer, wine, gourmet popcorn and peanuts and entertainment each night.

-Renaming the Washington County Courthouse should be completed this week as it transforms into the Herbert J. Tennies Government Center.  The sign at 432 E. Washington Street went up this past week. The sign over the entrance to the building should be finished this week.

Washington Co. Fair starts Tuesday, July 26

-Fireworks on Tuesday, July 26 at Dusk

-Senior/Military Day on Wednesday, July 27

-Old Fashioned Horse Pull on Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m.

-Hunter Hayes on Thursday, July 28 (opening of the Silver Lining Amphitheater)

-38 Special on Friday, July 29

-Lee Brice on Saturday, July 30

-Vintage Tractor/Smoke & Noise Pull on Sunday, July 31

-4H Exhibits

History photo

The new “Fairest of the Fair” 1975 was Dawn Bastian of Richfield. She was given her trophy Friday night by Joyce Albrecht, county UW Extension home economist. Cindy Mergener, center, last year’s winner was there for the presentation. Both young women work at The Peking Villa Restaurant in Richfield. Photo courtesy Wm. Stonecipher and the Washington County Fair

In-person absentee voting for Partisan Primary starts July 25, 2016

The Partisan Primary Election is August 9 and clerks across Washington, Ozaukee, Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties are already preparing for an early start. In-person absentee voting gets underway July 25 – August 5.

In the Partisan Primary the ballot reads: You may vote in only ONE party’s primary. If you choose a party, votes case in that party will be counted. Votes cast in any other party will not be counted. If you do not choose a party, and you vote in more than one party, no votes will be counted.

The only contested Republican Party race in Washington County is for the County Clerk. The candidates are listed on the ballot as follows: Ashley Reichert, Braedy Helmbrecht and Aggie Pruner.

There is no one contesting Jane Merten for County Treasurer or Sharon Martin for Register of Deeds.

Local updates from Rep. Party Convention

The Republican Party Convention begins Monday, July 18 in Cleveland and Washington County Republican Party Chairman Jim Geldreich will be filing updates with Around the Bend and WashingtonCountyInsider.com

People attending the convention from Washington County include Jim Geldreich, West Bend (5th District Delegate), Kathy Kiernan, Richfield (5th District Delegate), Duey Stroebel, Saukville, (At-Large Delegate), Jennie Frederick, Jackson (At-Large Alternate), Crystal Berg, Hartford (At-Large Alternate)

There are also reports Gov. Scott Walker will speak at the convention along with Congressional Representatives Sean P. Duffy.

“The goal of the convention is to nominate a presidential candidate for the Republican Party, presumably Donald Trump,” Geldreich said. “Trump has enough delegates to win the nomination on the first ballot. Kathy, Duey and I are Ted Cruz delegates, as he won the primary vote in the 5th Congressional District, as well as the statewide vote.  Therefore constitutionally, we have to cast our ballots for Cruz.”

Wisconsin has 42 delegate votes altogether; 24 district delegates and 18 at-large delegates.

“I anticipate some resistance to a Trump nomination from certain factions of the party, but I do expect him to win the nomination on the first ballot,” said Geldreich. “Further, I expect Trump to make efforts to unify the party.  He has already embraced the party platform along with Speaker Paul Ryan’s Better Way agenda.”

The convention ends Thursday night.

Laurel’s Camera and Gift is moving

Laurel’s Camera and Gift is on the move. On Sept. 1 the locally-owned camera shop and jewelry shop M.F. Diamonds will move from 239 N. Main Street to152 N. Main Street, formerly home to My Personal Trainor fitness studio, and prior to that Settler’s Park Market.

“We’re just going down the street a bit,” said Pat Fehring from Laurel’s Camera. “We were just looking for a little bigger space so we’ll have a backdrop and we can do studio photography as well.”

The Fehrings will be sharing the space with their son’s jewelry shop, M.F. Diamonds.

Watch for a new business to open shortly at 239 N. Main and coming up this weekend the new sign for Stefanie Ulma’s neighborhood grocery store will be put in place at 237 N. Main Street.

Sale price listed for Heiser purchase

The sale price has been posted for SBS Partnership’s recent purchase of 3.67 acres on W. Washington Street. On June 20, 2016 Sam and Mary Ann Scaffidi, owners of Heiser Chevrolet Cadillac in West Bend, purchased the property from Keajen Properties LLC, aka Steve Kearns, for $2.3 million. The parcel is located across the street from the dealership on the west side of Valley Avenue. Records show Keajen Properties/ Kearns purchased the parcel in 2005 for $865,000.

Washington Co. Board night meetings—2 Votes Short

During this week’s Washington County Board meeting Dist. 3 County Supervisor Christopher Bossert put forward an amendment that would move county board meetings to the evening. The amendment was just two votes short, but closer than the board has ever been towards moving their meetings to the evening.

Bossert wrote this post about the proposal. “At today’s county board meeting, I took a bold step.  A proposed ordinance would move the county board meetings from 9 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.  I proposed an amendment that would instead move those meetings to the evening at 7 p.m.  Supervisor Kelling was quick to step up and second the motion.

I have heard from many of my neighbors regarding the desire to move meetings to the evening, to increase public access to our proceedings.  I am working to try to make that a reality.

I knew going there was fairly strong support for night meetings. While the amendment was two votes short, it was closer to succeeding than any previous attempt at making night meetings permanent. The fight on this issue is not by any means over.  Instead, there are a lot of positives.

1. I now know for sure that I have 10 other Supervisors who definitely share my view on night meetings.

2. Three of the other Supervisors who voted in favor of this motion were on the executive board, including Mike Bassill, Tim Michalak, and Kris Diess.

3. I also know if our rules would have allowed for an amendment to move the day of our meetings to Thursday, the amendment might have picked up another vote or two.

4. Most importantly, the old guard knows how close that motion was, and can guess that the days of meeting during the daytime, away from public scrutiny, are coming to a close.

I plan to look at options for bringing this up again next summer.  Worst case scenario, we might pick up a vote or two in the April 2018 election, depending on how those elections go.”

 Jolly Good is in the house

A shipment of Jolly Good soda arrived Friday at Klotz’s Piggly Wiggly, 2575 E. Washington Street, in West Bend. Jolly Good is making a comeback in Wisconsin as Krier Foods Inc. is marketing the soda with Piggly Wiggly stores statewide. This is a slow roll out for the Random Lake soda maker and Piggly Wiggly is asking customers to limit their purchase at this time to six cans per person. A 12-ounce can is selling for 69 cents. Jolly Good flavors include orange, cherry, grape, Sour Pow’r, and cream. Jolly Good was popular in the 1970s through 2006.

 Teddy Bear drive

 The Savanna Rose 2nd annual Teddy Bear Drive is happening Saturday, July 16 at the West Bend Farmers’ Market. Savanna Bonlender will be playing guitar at the market from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and all the tips will go directly towards purchasing teddy bears for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. “Last year I was able to raise over $650 and purchase art supplies for the children and the elderly at Samaritan Nursing home,” said Bonlender. “I’m hoping that this year will be an even bigger turnout.”

 Updates & tidbits

 –Downtown West Bend businesses and the Saturday Farmers’ Market all were in the spotlight during Wednesday’s Morning Blend on TMJ4. Jeanne Renick from Savoring Thyme and Nancy Laufenberg from Laughing Mountain Popcorn were the local guest speakers.

-There’s word a tenant at Cast Iron Luxury Living is trying to rally a petition to lure Colectivo Coffee as one of the retail tenants. Cast Iron has nearly all its 125 residential units leased and is now jumping into another phase of development by marketing its first level to retailers.

-The History Center of Washington County will host a summer evening performance of the West Bend Community Band, the River City Irregulars, on the Washington County Veterans’ Memorial Plaza. The concert is free and begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19.

-A new uniform surface has been put down on the pedestrian bridge that links the downtown West Bend Business District to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. The grainy platform makes for a no-slip surface.

-There are more than 1,200 participants signed up for Saturday’s Dirty Ninja Mud Run which kicks off at 9 a.m. at Regner Park in West Bend.

-On Friday July 22 there will be a card-signing event at Toucan Custard in West Bend from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. to show local law enforcement how much the community appreciates their efforts. Toucan Custard will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from food and custard sales to the “Shop with a Cop” program and DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen will match the donations.

-Registration is open for the inaugural Live Like Mike Memorial Golf Outing at West Bend Lakes Golf Course. The August 28 event is being held in memory of Mike Sheehy, 43, who died unexpectedly last September. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County and the Mike Sheehy Memorial Wrestling Scholarship for West Bend East High School. Contact Jenny Sheehy for more details at 262-338-9599.

-Holy Angels Parish is hosting a West Bend Community Blood Drive in the Walnut Room, 230 N. Eighth Avenue, on Tuesday, July 19 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. All attempting donors will receive a ticket to the Wisconsin State Fair. To schedule an appointment, visit bcw.edu/holy angels or call the Blood Center at 877-232-4376. Refreshments will be provided and appointments encouraged.

-On Monday, July 18, by order of Gov. Scott Walker the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin be flown at half-staff in honor of Firefighter Mitchell Koski of the Montreal Fire Department who died while responding to the severe storms that lead to flash flooding near Saxon Harbor in northern Wisconsin Monday, July 11, 2016. In accordance with this order, please ensure that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin are flown at half-staff at all state facilities, beginning at sunrise Monday, July 18, 2016, and ending at sunset on that same date.

Washington Co. Fair is just ahead

 This week the UW-Extension mailed its 47^th annual Washington County Fair Jr. Livestock Auction booklet to area businesses. The 5-page booklet contains a list of potential 4-H youth exhibitors for swine, beef and sheep. The annual auction at the Farm Progress Show Arena gets underway at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 28.

Vintage Washington Co. Fair photo is courtesy the Washington County Fair.

Officer Named in Jackson Shooting

According to Village of Jackson Police Department Chief Jed Dolnick, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), at the request of the Village of Jackson Police Department, has been leading the investigation of an officer involved death (OID) that took place on the evening of July 1, 2016

The Village of Jackson Police Department dispatched officers to a residence on Stonewall Drive for a domestic violence-related incident. Officer Kyle Henning, who has been a law enforcement officer since 2006 and a Village of Jackson Police Officer since 2008, discharged his weapon, striking the armed male suspect.

Officers on the scene rendered first-aid to the suspect until EMS arrived, but the suspect, 58-year-old Helmut Wihowski, succumbed to his injuries.

The Wisconsin DOJ-led investigation of this incident has been a collaboration between DCI, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, and the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Village of Jackson Police Department has been fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.

 DCI is continuing to collect evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Washington County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.

 No additional information is available at this time.

Just Ducky: Derby Winners Announced

West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers announce the winners of the annual Fourth of July Duck Derby held at Regner Park on Monday. A slide show from the event is below the list of winners.

Business Best Dressed: 1^st Care Wisconsin, 2^nd Snyder Law LLC, 3^rd Vrana Lock and Safe
Business Race: 1^st West Bend Lithia Regner Red, 2^nd Design 2 Construct, 3^rd Cedar Lake Sales
Family Best Dressed: 1^st Katelyn Taylor, 2^nd Raymond Spors, 3^rd Violet Spors
Family Race: 1^st Charlie Mayer, 2^nd Jim Whittle, 3^rd Jud Wulff

Brantner Trial Reconsideration Set for 9/6

The next go around in Fond du Lac County Court for a 62-year-old Kenosha man accused of killing 18-year-old Berit Beck will be three months from today. During a status conference Tuesday a motion hearing was scheduled for September 6^th. District Attorney Eric Toney says at that time a decision could be made on whether Brantner will be retried.

Last week a jury was unable to decide whether he killed Beck in the summer of 1990 in the Fond du Lac area. The jury was dismissed.

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Local journalist Judy Steffes continues her annual trek to raise funding for programs that benefit those with Alzheimer’s at Cedar Community. Below are some notes from the road. Donations may still be made by visiting her blog at imthebikewriter.blogspot.com or contacting Cedar Community.

Glad to Report I’m Not Batty

Ann was easygoing. She had been at Mary Immaculate for three years. Prior to that she worked in the public schools.

I was losing steam fast and we decided to go down the street to a local Mexican restaurant. Ann pointed out some of the landmarks including A.T. Still University, Truman State University, and the town square.

Dropping me off at the school, she wished me well on my journey and said, “I called the local TV station and they might stop to interview you ….(more on that below) and we were having some trouble with bats in the school but we haven’t seen any for a couple days so you should be OK.”

So sweet.

I seem to have collected quite the menagerie of animal, rodent and reptile friends on this tour.

AMAZING RIDE MAKES THE LOCAL NEWS IN MISSOURI

On a much brighter note, the local TV station, KTVO in Missouri, did, in fact, get in touch with me and I had an interview which appeared on the evening news. You can watch the interview on my blog here: http://imthebikewriter.blogspot.com/2016/07/thanks-to-ktvo-in-mo-who-picked-up-my.html or by accessing my blog at www.imthebikewriter.blogspot.com.

So Much To Do, So Little Time

Two weeks into the tour and I’m reluctantly starting to accept reality. I’ve pedaled from Albuquerque, N.M. to Oklahoma City, OK but I’m pathetically slow and have a lot of territory to accomplish in the next seven days.

So, on to Plan B! With severe heat warnings in northeastern Oklahoma I’ve rented a car for a day to get me at least up to the Midwest. The brilliant decision affords me a couple luxuries, including a visit to the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City. I saw the museum on July 4 as I was pedaling around Bricktown. The museum is in a former candy cane factory on Sheridan Avenue. There are over 400 banjos on display, including one with Wisconsin ties.

Les Paul of Waukesha started his career playing the banjo. “He actually bought the banjo, took it apart and electrified it,” said Dustin Pyeatt, museum development manager.

Pyeatt leads me on an exclusive tour of the two-story museum pointing out some of the highlights and sharing the history of minstrels and jazz, blue grass and the amazing talents of Steve Martin.

Martin got his start in music and magic at 10 years old working at Disneyland. As far as the banjo was concerned he said, “As a beginner you can’t practice the banjo or violin around anybody as they’ll go insane, so I would sit in my car and roll up the windows even on the hottest summer days -and struggle to learn the banjo.”

Behind the scenes: The updated tour now looks like this:

To get home in the scheduled three weeks I’m hoping to leave the excessive heat behind me and resume pedaling this afternoon from Columbia, Missouri.

Situations

Sometimes on these tours I get myself into situations that even I can’t imagine.

I’ll give you the Reader’s Digest version: On the road for about two weeks and the weather in Oklahoma is so steamy even my socks are soaking wet.

I join Joyce and Jackie for breakfast after pedaling 15 miles from Clinton to Weatherford. We eat at Lucille’s, a well-known stop on Route 66.

“Got married when I was 16,” said Joyce. “We’ve been married longer than you’ve been alive.” The couple had three children and more than 10 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joyce and Jackie had already attended a great grandchild’s soap box derby race that morning. The couple knew a lot of people at the diner. Jackie was 83 and a retired truck driver. He wanted to drive me in the worst way to see the real Lucille’s truck stop on Route 66.

The story of Lucille raising a family during the 1940s was one of fortitude and then despair when the government shut off access to her gas station when they rerouted the new interstate.  Lucille’s was a photo op for all travelers on the Historic Route 66.

Not long after that stop I started to cramp up. Maybe the sweltery weather or something I ate. I pulled under an overpass and sat for a while. Temperatures were sunny and in the 90s. I eventually got back on my pony and made it 10 miles to a Love’s truck stop.

Two words: Air conditioning.

I sat for a while, crunched some ice and weighed my fatigue and my options. After about 40 minutes a man exited a van hauling a mobile home. He was in his 70s, wore a Navy hat and said, “Pretty hot day for biking.”

Next thing you know I’m in the back of the van talking to his wife, Sue, and they’re giving me a safe lift to Oklahoma City. Sue and I talk about books, the demise of media and the adventures of touring. The couple drops me off in downtown Oklahoma City, with its skyscrapers and traffic lights. I don’t think I’m going to find a church in the vicinity so I roll into the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott. It’s located next to the Chesapeake Energy Arena where the NBA Oklahoma Thunder play.

I ask the clerk, Josh Allen, for help and directions to a youth hostel. Josh asks if I would stay if he could make a night at the Courtyard affordable.
I’m thinking that the definition of ‘affordable’ is something that’s probably not going to be in Josh’s wheelhouse.

And you are not going to believe what happened next….

I got the most amazing room ever at The Courtyard in downtown Oklahoma City.  Let’s give it up for Josh Allen.

He totally had excellent customer service. He got me a bottle of water and a banana and I was getting out credentials and ID and going on and on about the tour and all he said calmly was, “I believe you.”

I must have just looked and smelled like a total mess; I KNOW I wasn’t their normal clientele… and Josh just helped.

Let’s hear it for Josh!

Meet Harley – Did I, or didn’t I?

One of my most favorite encounters so far has been with Harley in Erick, Oklahoma (see photo).  After a much-needed rest stop at the Roger Miller Museum. I drifted down the road to a building that had a ton of colorful vintage business signs.

“Take as many pictures as you like,” said Harley. He was the owner of the shop, with was the former City Meat Market turned into a frequent tourist stop just off Route 66.

Harley was dressed in well-worn blue-and-white bib overalls. He was minus a shirt…probably cooler that way. Harley, 76, had his gray hair pulled back in a ponytail. His voice was gravelly and his personality eccentric. I found him endearing, entertaining and lonely.

There are photos with Harley and his beloved wife Annabelle; the pair apparently drew more attention than the local museums. “Now what are you doing on this bike trip,” said Harley. “You want a cold drink?” I declined and Harley came back with a root beer and poured it in a frosty mug that looked like it could hold 64 ounces. I explained the tour and then got distracted by a picture frame full of rattlesnake tails.

Harley had a lot of musical instruments mixed in with his old-school items. And with that Harley belted out a dedication tune of Route 66 to my dad, Al Steffes. Some people might have been scared. I thought it was wonderful. You can listen to the ballad here: http://imthebikewriter.blogspot.com/2016/07/meet-harley-did-i-or-didnt-i.html  or by accessing my blog at www.imthebikewriter.blogspot.com.

After the song Harley said, “You want to come over and see my house? I call it the castle-slash-sanitarium.”  How could a gal resist? I felt a little uneasy. I could see through Harley’s shtick. But I was nonetheless a little wary so I …..

The question is… Did I go along with him or not?

(Answer: NOPE.)

Judy Steffes, Editor

Washington County Insider

washingtoncountyinsider.com