WB veteran on today’s Stars & Stripes Tour of Honor

The first Stars and Stripes Honor Flight (SSHF) “Tour of Honor” is today.  Twenty-five veterans will board two coach buses that morning and make several military-related stops on their way to their VIP tent at the Milwaukee Air and Water Show.

The day will end with a Homecoming celebration and parade at Coal Dock Park in Port Washington.

Several veterans from the West Bend and Washington County area will take part in the tour including World War II veteran Silas Miller of West Bend and WW II veteran James Horton of West Bend.

Horton, 92, was 20 years old when he entered service. “He flew out of England and had missions in Europe with the 94th Bombardment Group,” said James’ son Lon Horton. “He was the pilot of a B-17 and he flew 15 missions right until the war ended.”

Returning home to the West Allis area James Horton was self employed and worked as a sales representative for a machinery company. Horton and his wife Arlene moved to Dickeyville where they ran the Plaza Motel for 10 years. The couple then moved to West Bend about 20 years ago.

“He had been signed up for the regular Honor Flight to Washington D.C. and he was never able to make it so then the people from the Stars & Stripes called and offered this bus ride,” Lon Horton said. “I’m going to be his guarding, we’re both excited and it’s going to be a great day.”

The “Tour of Honor” is open to for WWII and Korean War vets who are unable to travel to DC.

Veterans along for the Tour will include WWII “WAC” Louise Slesar of Port Washington, a medic on a WWII hospital ship, a WWII Army Air Corps veteran of the Philippines, and a Korean War veteran with two Bronze Stars.

The veterans and their guardians will check in at Port Washington High School at 8 a.m., jump on a bus and then make stops at the Wisconsin WWII Pillar Monument, the VA’s Wood Cemetery, and they will receive VIP treatment at the Milwaukee Air and Water Show.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the “Homecoming Celebration” at Port Washington’s Coal Dock Park late Saturday afternoon.

In addition to offering the veterans VIP access to the weekend’s entertainment, the Milwaukee Air and Water Show has named Stars and Stripes Honor Flight the show’s charity partner for 2015.

Invasive species is trouble for Silver Lake

Power boats are banned for now on Silver Lake following the discovery of the invasive species, starry stonewort. “It’s the start of the death of a lake,” Silver Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District chairman Jim Ketter said.

Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that grows on the bottom of the lake. Ketter said it hinders plant growth and fish habitat.

Ketter was notified last Friday, July 17 that there may be starry stonewort in Silver Lake.  Monday the news was confirmed. “There is an infestation at the boat launch,” said Ketter. “We are the second lake in Wisconsin to have this Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).”

Starry stonewort has also been confirmed at Little Muskego Lake in Waukesha County.

“I have been on the phone with various agencies to see if we can determine a course of action,” Ketter said. “The only know methods to remove it are to pull it out by hand by experienced divers or extract it with Hydro pumping.”

Ketter met Thursday with Bradley Steckart the coordinator for AIS in Washington County. “We placed buoys around the launch,” said Ketter.  “Then Steckart determined the infestation was much worse than originally thought.”

A quarantine sign and barricades have been posted at the launch. The county officially closed the launch until more investigation can be done and a course of action implemented. There is a meeting with the SLPRO, the county AIS and Heidi Bunk with the DNR next Tuesday, July 28, to see what course of action can be recommended.

Sale price listed for building that housed Regal Ware Museum

The building once home to the Regal Ware Museum, 18 E. Washington St., has been sold to Iron Ridge Properties LLC for $260,000. The building had been for sale since April 2014. It was initially priced at $630,000; the price was dropped to $499,999.  The buyer has no specific plans for the property.

Clothes Clinic building sold and drycleaners moving

The Clothes Clinic, 1221 S. Main St., is moving. J&K Butz LLC sold the building to M Six International Properties and will be moving to 1017 S. Main St. into the former location of Milwaukee PC.  Steve and Janiece Maxwell, owners of M Six International Properties, also purchased the BP gas station at 1229 S. Main St.

The couple plan to raze the Clothes Clinic building and expand and remodel the neighboring gas station. Karen Butz said the sale will be finalized August 10 and they will open that day in their new location, 1017 S. Main St.

West Bend Transit & Service property sold

The building and vacant lot at 105 S. Forest Avenue has been sold. The lot on the southwest corner of Forest Avenue and Water Street is home to West bend Transit and Service Co. Jomela/Michigan LLC bought the property for $940,000.

Ben Schloemer, president of West Bend Transit, provided this note on what the company plans for the future. West Bend Transit is growing! A long-term plan which will keep West Bend Transit at its current location has been finalized. Over the past year we have explored multiple locations and facilities that could accommodate our growth and future business plans. While exploring these options we kept coming back to our current facility and realized the benefits to the Company and its employees of staying here.

As part of our long-term plan we have partnered with an investment company who has taken an interest in our facility and is eager to see us grow. This new partnership will help support future growth and enable us to expand our services into other markets.

West Bend Transit has operated out of West Bend for 104 years, it’s a great community and we are glad to continue making it our home.  Ben Schloemer  President

First official meeting set for Concerned Citizens of West Bend

Concerned Citizens of West Bend will hold its first organized meeting August 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at West Bend City Hall. The group, started by former Dist. 4 alderman Randy Koehler, is designed to help neighbors improve safety in the community.

“I’ve booked West Bend Police Captain Tim Dehring for the meeting,” said Koehler. Four people attended a brainstorming meeting two weeks ago as Koehler decided to take a proactive approach and started Concerned Citizens of West Bend following an uptick in crime this summer.

“I made a bet with my wife we’d have 100 people by the end of the weekend,” he said. “Now we’re close to 500. It shows people care and there’s a need. Washington County Insider on Facebook has volunteered to be an outlet for information on the project. Keep an eye on this site for updates and insights as the organization moves forward to help grow awareness and build a stronger community in West Bend and Washington County.

Record setting Meat Animal Sale at Wash. Co. Fair

The 46th Annual Washington County Fair Junior Livestock Auction had record-setting success this year. Whitney Rathke is the interim Youth Livestock and 4-H Program Support for UW-Extension Washington County. “The total for the auction was $297,066.20 which is up about $47,000 from 2014,” Rathke said.

Reviewing some of the sales, Lillia Janz with the Slinger FFA pulled in $10 a pound from Albiero Plumbing for her 1,356-pound grand champion steer. The average bid during Thursday’s beef auction was $3.37 a pound which is up from last year’s average of $2.36 a pound.  The grand total for the beef auction was $160,545.20.

Paul Loosen from Wayne Crusaders secured a $13 bid from Gehring’s Meat Market for his 147-pound grand champion lamb. The total for the lamb auction cleared $39,050.50.

The highest bid in the swine auction was $20 a pound for Lillia Janz of Slinger FFA 264-pound overall champion pig. The grand total in the swine auction was $97,470.50.

New bleachers and press box at Living Word Lutheran High School

Living Word Lutheran High School is adding a press box and bleachers to its football field. The project cost is about $150,000 with a large portion donated by LWL alumni. The field will be named Alumni Field. Graff Masonry donated labor and materials. The press box and bleachers should be ready for start of season. “We are very excited and feel blessed to finally be getting home grandstands and a press box for our Timber Wolf football team,” Living Word Lutheran athletic director Crystal Welter said.

Teams and H.S. groups volunteer at Wash. Co. Fair

Give a kid a walkie talkie, fluorescent vest and flag and you’ve geared them up to help park vehicles at the Washington County Fair. For years the clubs, teams, and organizations from around the area have volunteered to help with parking at the fair. Most days it’s a pretty steamy job. Some of volunteers include the Slinger High School wrestling team, the Skills USA team from Slinger H.S. and the West Bend High School Marching Band. The Washington County Fair runs through Sunday, July 26.

Washington County Kings win on no hitter

The Washington County Kings won their championship game last Sunday in the Richfield Rockets Classic Tournament. Pitchers Casey Gerber, 12, and Aaron Tennies, 12, combined for a no hitter against the Richfield Black. The final score was 10-1.

Updates & tidbits

– The Downtown West Bend Association is looking for vendors as it brings back Maxwell Street Day on Wednesday, August 5. The Downtown West Bend Association is accepting vendors. More information can be obtained by emailing kellie@downtownwestbend.com This event will be 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. There is no rain date.

-One more week to get the bargain entry fee of $200 for a team to register for the Sept. 26 Sunrise Rotary Amazing Race.  This is the third year for the event. Top prize is $2,000. You need to be 18 or older to enter and only 60 teams will be accepted. If you register after August 1 the cost will be $250 per team. More information is at www.sunriserotaryrace.com

-Bargainmart is preparing to open next Friday or Saturday at 325 Chestnut Street in West Bend.  Bargainmart sells items acquired from a company that sells off inventory from major retailers at a fraction of the cost.

– There is a group forming in West Bend to focus on promoting a more bicycle friendly community. Stay tuned!

-West Bend Girl Scout Troop 4350 made and donated five nesting boxes to St. Joseph’s hospital. The nesting boxes are on the walking path at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Credit fifth-graders Milla, Lauren and Brynn who planned, built and installed the bird boxes part of their Bronze Award Community Service Project.

– Friday, July 31 the final installment is due for property owners that pay quarterly property taxes. The City Finance Department at City Hall is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

– Some old park benches from downtown West Bend have been refurbished as a service project and are now sitting in the entryway at City Hall. The benches have ‘West Bend’ stamped in the metal frame. The blonde wood slats have been replaced, sanded and varnished to a smooth shine.

-Relay for Life is Friday, July 31 on the track at Badger Middle School in West Bend.

– Local historian and author Lee Krueger will host a summer evening program on the resorts of Big Cedar Lake. It will get underway Thursday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Big Cedar Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District headquarters, 4480 Gonring Dr. Krueger will talk about resorts including Gonring’s, the Holz Hotel, Heilman’s, Boettcher’s Hotel, Rosenheimer’s, Linden Inn, and Timmer’s.  There will be a caravan to the Cedar Lake Yacht Club, 4734 Yacht Club Dr, Hartford for the second half of the tour.  Relatives of former resort owners will share their stories on their family’s lake businesses. Bring a chair, bug spray, and water. The event is free and begins at 6 p.m.

Funeral today for woman who owned Cookie Cone Café

Donna J. Boudry (nee Cross) died this past Monday. The name may not ring a bell but Boudry was the owner of Cookie Cone Café. age 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2015, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born on November 27, 1933 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Melvin and Verna (nee Gerlach) Cross.

Donna spent most of her life employed at and owning her own restaurants throughout the surrounding area including the Cookie Cone Café which was in the Westfair Mall.

In the 1970s the old mall had SuperValu on the north end and a short ramp that ran up to the Shopko on the south.

Stores in the mall included Bits N’ Pieces, Kindy Optical, West Bend Savings and Loan, George Webbs (owned by Ron Buck), the Shoe Rack which later became Nobel’s Shoe Store, Little Professor Book Store, JD Codys (a pants store), Canton House and Allen Hron Jewelers.

Andy Koehn from Koehn & Koehn Jewelers remembered his dad had a jewelry store in the mall and after a visit he’d run across to the Cookie Cone Café for bubble gum ice cream. A tiny taco salad was a specialty item on the cafe menu.

Julieanne’s Fabrics was a gold mine for the local sewing community. Employees included Jean Falk, Helen Baierl and her sister Rose Marie Alf.

Betty’s was a woman’s clothing store with lime green carpeting and Vera’s hair salon was also a big draw for the ladies. That business later became Rose Marie’s Hair Design.

“There were big wooden clowns on the wall with balloons and stores had their names on the balloons,” said Rose Marie Kasten recalling some of the interior decor.

 

Bullet points on building transactions – only at Around the Bend by Judy Steffes

– The building once home to the Regal Ware Museum, 18 E. Washington St., has been sold to Iron Ridge Properties LLC for $260,000. The building had been for sale since April 2014. It was initially priced at $630,000; the price was dropped to $499,999.  The buyer has no specific plans for the property.

– The former Coachman House/ Club 1006 location, 1006 S. Main St., has been sold to Matt Mehring with Anderson Ashton- Design/Build in New Berlin. He will raze the building and put in a Forward Dental clinic. The franchise dental office has 30 locations across the state. Design plans go before the West Bend Plan Commission on August 11.

– Bargainmart is opening at 325 Chestnut Street in West Bend. The location was formerly home to the Habitat Restore and prior to that it was a fire extinguisher company. Josh Frigge purchased the property June 9 for $95,000. Stevens Specialty Services made quite a profit as it bought the building from the bank in July 2014 for $25,000.

– Women’s boutique, Over the Moon, 139 S. Sixth Ave., is moving to 1720 Barton Ave. Owner Debbie Slais is busy remodeling the store space with her husband Jeff. The new store will be open just in time for Barton Day, August 8.

-The Flowersmith building, 403 S. Main Street, has been sold to Jackie Cull.

– Tochi is a new ramen noodle restaurant opening in the lower level of River Shores. Chef and owner Gregg DesRosier currently has a location in the Milwaukee area.

– The Albrecht Free Clinic is relocating from its home on Oak Street in the lower level of Spaulding Clinical to the former Verre Young Eye Clinic, 908 W. Washington Street. Jim Strachota is executive director of the Albrecht Free Clinic. “We’ve been in existence 19 years and have never actually owned a property; we’ve just been lease to lease,” he said. “This location really fits our need and if everything goes according to plan we will have three full medical rooms and three full dental rooms.” The timeline on the move is expected to be late fall.

–The new Rising Phoenix Organic Market, 830 S. Main St. is opening in the West Bend Plaza, formerly home to Jacci & Sons. Joy Durbin is owner of the independent market which will carry Herbal Symphony products including smoothie powders, protein powders, spices, teas, organic grocery, raw and frozen foods.

–Leitheiser Car Company will open a second location on Highway 33. Proprietor Tim Leitheiser will lease the front building space at Ace Canvas, 3424 W. Washington Street. The front portion of the building is formerly home to Ace Auto Trim; that business closed in May. Leitheiser said the lot will hold about 25 cars. Leitheiser Auto has been on Highway P for 17 years. He will continue to operate out of that location as well; the dealership on Highway 33 is a new venture.