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.