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.”