Special Mother’s Day at Hillcrest Farms in Allenton

A triplet set of Meridian heifer calves were born Thursday to one of the oldest cows at Hillcrest Farms in Allenton.

“We were anticipating twins but we didn’t know there were triplet heifer calves in there,” said Shannon Dwyer. “It’s pretty rare to have triplets but it’s even more rare to have females. Normally when you have multiple births one is a female and another is a male; it’s just extremely rare.”

Dwyer works the farm with her parents Tom and Mary Dwyer. It’s the original homestead of her grandparents Harold and Margie Seyfert who started the farm in the early 1950s.

Dwyer said all the calves were born unassisted. Each calf weighed about 65 pounds at birth. “Each one is healthy and very spunky,” she said.

While the girls are doing fine, Dwyer said the 6-year-old mama cow is actually doing great.

“This is a pretty stressful experience for her,” said Dwyer. “This cow is amazing. She looks great, is in great condition and she had enough milk to feed all three calves and then some so she’s really impressed us.”

Preparing for the births Dwyer said the vet came out to check the pregnancies. “We make note of anyone who has a multiple birth,” she said. “We’ll give them more time off from the milking herd.

“We gave her some extra attention last night; she had been through a lot. We already had her checked out so we’ll continue to give her special care.”

Just a day ahead of Mother’s Day weekend, the calves are settling in and Mary Dwyer has already welcomed them into the family.

“My mom named the girls Billy Jo, Bobbi Jo, and Betty Jo,” said Shannon Dwyer.

One odds maker said the chances of having triplet heifer calves is about 1 in 400,000.

Old pedestrian bridge For Sale

The Bridge to Nowhere is for sale. Steve Awve, owner of West Bend Crane Inc., put the bridge on the market the day after removing it from over the Milwaukee River in downtown West Bend. Awve was paid $24, 500 to remove the 40,000-pound steel bridge. He is working to refurbish the bridge, put in a new steel deck and “make it look nice.” Awve said three other cities are already interested in the bridge, which he will build to suit. Contact Steve Awve for more information 262-689-7728. On a side note: Awve would like to extend a thank you to West Bend city engineer Max Marechal for “being great to work with” during the bridge removal process.

New facility for West Bend Health Center

A new facility is in the works for the West Bend Health Center, 1700 W. Paradise Drive in West Bend. In an effort to best serve the community of West Bend, the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network is working on a comprehensive plan to address “meeting long-term community needs for health services.”

Tim Olsen is the manager of public relations at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

“The new building will enable more efficiencies and better support care processes and technology that have developed since the West Bend Health Center was built in 1990,” Olsen said.  “The current health center will remain open to serve patients while the construction work is underway.”

Olsen said Froedtert is in the “early, early stages” of planning and the new design is still a work in progress.

The plan does include the relocation of the West Bend Surgery Center to the St. Joseph’s Hospital campus.

“The plan will follow the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin philosophy of providing the right care in the right place at the right time,” said Olsen.

“This level of commitment is a reflection of how important the West Bend community and Washington County are in the health system’s growth plans.”

West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow confirmed early Tuesday he had heard rumblings there could be some new construction ahead for the West Bend Health Center.

“An organization as significant as Froedtert does not take infrastructure investment lightly,” he said. “I’m certain their decision points to the strength of our local economy and community.”

The news about more construction in West Bend follows on the heels on several other significant developments including a new corporate headquarters for Delta Defense, Meijer opening Tuesday, May 16, a new Honda dealership coming to West Bend, and finally Pizza Ranch to open in the former Ponderosa building.

Sadownikow qualifies the development as a well-rounded growth patterns.

“Residential construction is strong and we have seen expansion and growth in our commercial and industrial markets as of late. When these markets are strong healthcare and retail expansion typically follow closely behind,” he said. “Fortunately West Bend continues to have strong education, strong job opportunities, and is a safe community that really is attractive to people of all ages.” Construction of a new West Bend Health Center is expected to begin in summer 2018.

Juliene Riffel Hefter to receive national Paragon Award

A nice honor for Juliene Riffel Hefter of West Bend who was recently notified she will be receiving the 2017 Paragon Award in the category of Recreational Swimming. Bruce Wigo, CEO/ President International Swimming Hall of Fame, said the award recognizes Riffel Hefter’s “outstanding service and contributions towards advancing the aquatic discipline of Recreational Swimming.” Riffel Hefter said she is honored and humbled to receive the award.

“Aquatics has been my passion since I was very young and I’ve been truly blessed to be able to do what I love to do for a lifelong career and promote drowning prevention and education to so many communities nationally and internationally,” she said.  “Being recognized by Pentair and the International Swimming Hall of Fame is amazing and it’s especially rewarding as I can remember swimming at the Hall of Fame pool for college training and it was an experience of a lifetime. Getting recognized there will only add to that experience.”

Riffel Hefter is the Executive Director/CEO for the Association of Aquatic Professionals. She is a 1982 graduate of St. Frances Cabrini School, a 1986 graduate of West Bend West High School and started her career as the Manager of Recreation Services for the City of West Bend.

The award will be presented Friday, August 25, 2017 at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, on the occasion of the 2017 ISHOF Honors Weekend.

Setting veterans markers in Washington Co. Memorial Park cemetery

There were sunny skies and a bit of a breeze on Saturday but more-than-desirable working conditions for a group of volunteers who replaced veterans markers on graves at Washington County Memorial Park. Hundreds of markers were measured to a standard 8 inches and the plastic marker noting the time of service was replaced with a metal marker. The project is being done prior to Memorial Day. The West Bend Memorial Day parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 29. A ceremony will follow at the Old Courthouse Square on Fifth Avenue and Poplar. The keynote speaker will be Vietnam veteran Richard Limbeck.

 Jim Spella to be honored by Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Community-minded attorney James Spella is being named the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s 2017 Professional Adviser of the Year for his decades of thoughtful service to clients in West Bend and beyond.   Spella is a partner at Schloemer Law Firm in downtown West Bend.

Law Enforcement Memorial

May 15 through May 20, 2017 is National Police Week in the U.S. On Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the Washington County Fair Park Pavilion, Washington County Law Enforcement Agencies will host a Law Enforcement Memorial Service to honor Washington County Law Enforcement Officers that died in the line of duty, and to pay tribute to all police officers throughout the country that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. All citizens are invited and encouraged to attend this ceremony.

KML student to cover U.S. Open at Erin Hills

Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School junior Jacob Moeller will have quite the summer experience as he was just notified he will be part of the media covering the U.S. Open.

Moeller is a student reporter for WashingtonCountyInsider.com

This year he has covered the sports scene at KML reporting on boys basketball, soccer and cross country.  Moeller is a strong writer whose story content makes you feel like you’re on the sideline. He turns in assignments on deadline and manages to juggle a busy schedule with school, sports, work and his commitment to his faith.

Watch for stories and video updates from Moeller during the U.S. Open coming to Erin Hills, June 12 – 18 on WashingtonCountyInsider.com

Updates & tidbits

-This year’s recipients of the Rolf’s Educational Foundation Teacher Awards: Mark Drake – High School Category, Donna Goetz – Professional Special Services Category, Kylie Thompson – Middle School Category, Mickiah Wolff – Elementary Category.

-On Monday, May 15 at 7 a.m. the traffic signals outside the new Meijer store, 2180 S. Main Street in West Bend will switch to full rotation. This past week the lights flashed yellow and red in an effort to prepare motorists for the new traffic pattern at the intersection of Humar and S. Main. Meijer opens Tuesday, May 16.

-Forward Dental in West Bend is now providing Pediatric Dental Care. Dr. Stephen Froehlich will be accepting patients ages 13 years and under.

-There will be a dedication ceremony Saturday, May 20 at 1 p.m. at Holy Angels Cemetery on Main and Decorah to recognize the Civil War memorial stones being installed at all cemeteries in Washington County. This is the first of a number of ceremonies honoring our county’s Civil War vets.  This effort was, in large part initiated by Gene Wendelborn and Terry Vrana.

-Rep. Bob Gannon presented Dr. Tom Albiero of West Bend with the Hometown Hero Award this week in Madison. Gannon praised Albiero’s work and volunteer spirit with the Albrecht Free Clinic in West Bend.

– Two people in the district office in the West Bend School District have turned in their resignations including Chief Operating Officer Valley Elliehausen and Director of Accountability and Assessment Kurt Becker. Elliehausen has been with the district since 1997. Pending approval Elliehausen’s resignation will be effective June 14 and Becker on June 30.

– Holy Angels Student of the Month for April includes Emily Rauch, Alex Gonzalez and Nate Waech. Emily is a kind and friendly person who combines these personality traits with hard work and effort. Alex is smart and outgoing, with a lot of energy. Nate is a polite, confident, likable student.

– Jacob Beine, a junior at West Bend East, and Liam Hupfer, a junior at West Bend West High Schools both earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36.

-The annual Ride of Silence is Wednesday, May 17 in the parking lot just south of the Museum of Wisconsin Art. The Ride of Silence aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways.

-The Eleventh Annual SAMBA Chicken Dinner is Saturday, May 13 in the Lions Pavilion in Allenton Veterans Memorial Park.

-Thanks to generous family foundations, corporations, community organizations, civic organizations, and the COLUMNS Foundation, West Bend High School seniors were presented with more than $680,000 in scholarships and awards. The Scholarship/Awards Night was held at the Silver Lining Arts Center.

What do you remember about the May 10, 1990 snowstorm?

This week neighbors across Washington County remembered 27 years ago and the snowstorm that occurred May 10, 1990.

It was late spring, baby birds were in the nest, trees and plants were blossoming and Mother Nature decided to heave 10 inches of heavy, wet snow into our lap. What do you remember?

Melissa Schubert I remember that day. We were so excited to start wearing shorts in May – school rules- and then that happened.

Rob McKnight We were moving to Wisconsin from Alaska and the blizzard stopped our moving truck. Welcome to the real frozen tundra!

Sarah Stier Rescuing my geraniums, snowman with the kids, no telephone!

Jodi Pisarski Aderman I was a senior in high school. I thought my mom was kidding when she woke me up to tell me there was no school. Part of our tree fell on top of our house. My dad, who was a West Allis cop, had to work overtime from 3rd shift because of all the accidents and came home so tired, my brother and I shoveled the driveway.

Samantha Tennies Hearing the trees Crack over my head as I was trying to walk to my son’s day care. They had heat. My apartment did not. Did not make it. Was picked up by my friend Susie and spent the day with her family making snowmen. One of my fondest memories.

Terry Rosenthal I counted 11 cars in the ditch on HWY 45 from Jackson to Kewaskum. When I arrived at the HS, I found out that was school was canceled. the trees looked really strange in the sunlight because the leaves glowed green with the snow covering them.

Denis Kelling One of the most fun days of my life! I was working at Coca Cola and had a ride along on the truck with me that day. A gentleman from Australia! Never seen snow in his life!

Steve Hoogester My kids waking me up saying school was cancelled because of snow. My response was …nice try. Then they make me look out the window.

LJ Eggert My husband and I JUST moved back from Mesa Arizona! We rolled into the Appleton area, experiencing Mother Nature’s sense of humor, and wondered where in the back of our rental truck our winter coats resided! YIKES! We were quite cold in our little spring jackets!

Schalon Schleicher I was in my senior year of high school. I worked at the nursing home and they came to pick me up for work. I could not drive at the time. lol that seems like a lifetime ago!

Debby Wolfe-Schmid I remember my wash lines hanging half way to the ground with several inches of snow accumulating on them and propping our clump birch tree up with 2x4s

Andy Perreth Our lilacs were in full bloom when it hit. Lost them all.

Laurie Schloemer Aleven I was walking to my last final exam at UWM! When I got there… found out it was cancelled…ugh!

Donna Kuhaupt I remember going for a walk and seeing the nest of beautiful blue robin eggs surrounded by snow…so sad.

Naomi Hanson Schueller I remember my mom driving us to school and picking up the science teacher, who was walking, on the way!

Dave Kearns I remember that the next major snowstorm that year came on October 10th. Five months to the day after the May 10th storm.

Michele Baertlein Jackett I remember my parents waking me up to bring plants in!

Kristopher Haessler My 13th birthday and no school, what a great present!