Can West Bend support three Kwik Trips? How about four?

There’s been a lot of talk going around West Bend this past month about another Kwik Trip… or maybe two coming to West Bend.

Customers leaving the Citgo Station, also known as Egbert & Guido’s, 1300 E. Paradise Drive, say the clerks behind the counter are saying the store is being sold to Kwik Trip.

“The employee also said they’ll have to reapply for their jobs,” said customer Greg Lofy. “Sounds like this is going to happen Jan. 3, 2019.”

Management at the store, so far, has refused comment.

Kwik Trip officials in La Crosse have not returned calls, although officials in the City of West Bend say they have been in conversations with Kwik Trip. No further details were released.

If the sale of the family-owned Citgo on Paradise Drive is true, this will be the third Kwik Trip in West Bend.

The first opened Oct. 27, 2016 on Silverbrook Drive, just north of Paradise Drive. The second Kwik Trip opened Aug. 2, 2018 at 806 S. Main Street in the former Walgreens location.

According to records at City Hall the parcel on Silverbrook Drive is 3.025 acres, the lot on Main Street and Decorah Road is 1.401 acres and the potential lot on Paradise Drive and River Road is 2.23 acres.

Egbert & Guido’s is owned by Muth Bros. LLC. That land was originally owned by Marie Muth and sold in March 19, 1997 as vacant land. It was turned over in a trust for $75,000.

The current assessed value of the Citgo property is $1,022,200.

Designs for a new store would have to go before the West Bend Plan Commission. If the sale comes to fruition the next available meeting would be February 2019 as the current Jan. 2, 2019 agenda has already been released.

Earlier in the week there were rumors about a Kwik Trip possibly opening in the Skate Country location, 1950 N. Main Street. Skate Country owner John Mangold said on record, “I have one word for you, NO!”

A 2017 article in Convenience Store News said Kwik Trip is definitely adding stores and “the family-owned company plans to open 40 to 50 new stores annually, including a significant number in Wisconsin.”

With the development of a new Fleet Farm in West Bend there is a lot of conversation about who will take over the property on the southeast corner of Highway 33 and 18th Avenue.

Kwik Trip is a hot topic for that location however no official buyer has been confirmed.

Happy 108^th birthday to Clara Moll of Barton

More than a milestone this week as Clara Moll of Barton celebrated her 108th birthday on Dec. 19.

“I have no pain,” said Moll as she did laps with her walker up and down the hall and making a sweeping turn through the kitchen. ”I’m not going to be bedridden,” she said with spunk.

Moll takes enough time to catch her breath and admire the vase full of pink roses, a birthday gift, that sits on the kitchen table. Clara was born in 1910; right after the coffee filter and paper cups were invented.

“I’m going to live until 110,” said Clara confidently as she clumped with her walker into the kitchen. Daughter Mary said that declaration can change. “Most often… we’re just taking it one day at a time.”

Paul Fischer files to run for West Bend School Board

There are two seats up for election April 2, 2019 on the West Bend School Board and on Friday afternoon Paul Fischer threw his hat in the ring.

Today I proudly announce my candidacy for the West Bend School Board.

My wife Sandie and I have enjoyed raising our family in the West Bend community since 1994. We love the quality of life here, and our three daughters have received an outstanding education through the West Bend School District. Our oldest daughter is a first year graduate student in Concordia University’s Physical Therapy program, our middle daughter will complete her Culinary Arts degree from Fox Valley Technical College in May 2019, and our youngest is a junior at West Bend East who is ready to take on the world. Many thanks to all of their teachers, past school boards, and administrative personnel for making all this possible!

I’m excited to step out and offer to serve our community, helping to pay it forward for the next generation of young families. I won’t claim to know everything, and I will seek to understand the issues and concerns of our community as it pertains to providing a quality and fulfilling education for our children.

I look forward to the many conversations to come, and humbly ask for your support as we continue the positive momentum of the West Bend School District.

The deadline to file papers to run for School Board is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.  Declaration of Candidacy form and a Campaign Registration statement must be completed and can be dropped off at the Education Service Center, 735 S. Main Street, West Bend (across from Badger Middle School).

Board member Ken Schmidt filed non-candidacy papers on Tuesday morning, Dec. 18 which means he will not be running for another term.  Schmidt and Tiffany Larson are up for re-election. Both elected to the West Bend School Board in April 2016

To all qualified electors of West Bend Joint School District No. 1: A school board election will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 to fill two at-large seats on the West Bend School Board, each with an expiration date of April 2022.

Please note ESC offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 28, and 31 and Jan. 1. A small number of employees will be in the office on Dec. 26 and 27. If you have any questions, please call 262-335-5435.

New shoe store coming to Hartford                           By Samantha Sali

A popular Midwest shoe store, Shoe Sensation, is coming to Hartford. A “Coming Soon” sign has been added to the old Hibbett Sports store on Liberty Avenue in Hartford, right next to Dollar Tree and across from Walmart. According to the website, Shoe Sensation’s mission is “to provide quality and brand name footwear for the entire family. From toddlers to seniors, our large selection of shoes has something for everyone as the typical Shoe Sensation will showcase over 10,000 pairs of the latest styles.” Store management is currently hiring an Area Director, Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager, Part-Time Back-Up Assistant, Manager-In-Training, and Sales Associates.

Revisiting the great chicken debate in West Bend

The West Bend Common Council took up the issue of whether to allow neighbors in the community to raise chickens. The discussion went on for about 40 minutes during Monday night’s meeting.

Highlights included:

-Discussions about noise, smell, feces.

-Are chickens pets or are they wild animals.

-Dist. 3 alderman Andrew Chevalier recommended a flat annual fee of $50 for chickens rather than charging a fee per bird.

-Aldermen noted chickens draw more rodents and predators to town including fox and raccoons.

-Neighbors including Joe Zaremba and Jim Tews spoke in favor of allowing chickens. Tews warned the council not to put a test window on the idea because if the city determined it a failed experiment and a chicken would have to be taken away from a child it would be like taking a dog away.

-City of West Bend Director of Development Mark Piotrowicz noted there were a number of conflicts in some of the current laws on the books including the use of chicken wire for fencing.

-Future chicken owners would be asked to notify neighbors about possibly bringing chickens to their yard.

-The council agreed to table the discussion and allow city staff to explore some of the questions brought up at the meeting before a vote would take place.

-The Common Council will review the issue again at its first meeting in January 2019.

-Early leanings against chickens include Dist. 1 alderman John Butschlick, Dist. 6 alderman Steve Hoogester, and Dist. 8 alderman Roger Kist. Dist. 5 alderman Rich Kasten said he was not in favor but open to listening to suggestions.

-Those in favor of chickens include Dist. 2 alderman Mike Christian, Dist. 3 Andrew Chevalier, Dist. 4 Chris Jenkins, and Dist. 7 Justice Madl.

Ribbon cutting at Bob’s Main Street Auto in West Bend

A ribbon cutting this week as Bob’s Main Street Auto, 115 W. Decorah Road, in West Bend.

A major addition and remodel was just completed by Keller, Inc. The plan includes approximately 3,300-square-foot building addition.

KELLER, Planners, Architects, Builders, a Design/Build General Contractor, will build an addition and remodel current facilities for Bob’s Auto Main Street – Decorah Road under the direction of Keller Project Manager, Scott Lausten and Architect, Chris Manske.

Bob’s Main Street Auto also raised $1,437 from customer donations for the Gingerbread House.  Bill and Laurie donated an additional $500.

The locally-owned auto repair business also spent around $2,000 on toys and games for children of all ages.

Students from Allenton Elementary publish book         By Ms. Rebecca (Becky) Schuett

Students at Allenton Elementary School, 1st and 4th grade buddies were busy authors in November working on book-publishing kits through Student Treasures. They read an animal book to gather facts, wrote clues describing their animal, and illustrated their animal in its habitat. The buddy books are entitled “What am I?”

The books include a title page, dedication page, clue and illustration pages, and photographs of the buddies. It was a wonderful cooperative learning activity.

The students looked very proud as the books were shared with them during a publishing party which included juice and popcorn. Students who ordered books were very excited to take them home to share with families over the holidays.

Our 1st and 4th graders really enjoy working together and always look forward to our next visit and activity. Thank you for your interest in this special student celebration.

Superintendent interviews slated in Hartford Union School District

Two candidates for the Superintendent position will visit Hartford Union High School (HUHS) January 8, and 9, 2019. Names of the two candidates will be released after school has reconvened January 2, 2019.

Community members, parent/guardians, staff and students are invited and encouraged to attend both of the community forums: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. HUHS Library Media Center and Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. HUHS Library Media Center. The new Superintendent will be named at the Jan. 28, 2019 Board of Education meeting.

Updates & Tidbits

– Today is the last day for Sweet Creations Village Bakery in West Bend, 825 S. Main Street, is closing.  A note was posted on the window of the business thanking customers for “years of loyalty and patronage.” Owner Derek Van Alstyne said the store in Slinger, 310 E. Washington Street, will remain open and gift cards may be redeemed at that location. Sweet Creations Bakery in West Bend opened in June 2013.

– Horicon Bank recently announced the promotion of Rosemary Petitte to its Senior Management team.

– The iconic perimeter-lit “West Bend” sign on the Historic West Bend Theatre (HWBT) will come down Dec. 27 for restoration to its original luster.  Poblocki Sign Company will restore both the sign and the marquee. It will be transported to the Poblocki shop for electrical, carpentry and painting. The reinstallation of both the sign and marquee is targeted for this summer. There are 235 bulbs on each face of the sign, for a total of 470. That doesn’t include the bulbs on the marquee.

-Rick Takacs at Meadowbrook Farm in West Bend has fresh balsam and Fraser fir Christmas trees for the upcoming holiday. Takacs gets his trees from the same vendor in Oconto County who once supplied the tree to the White House in Washington D.C. Tackas said he really liked the trees from the Vander Velden’s farm because they’re “tall and have super color.” Meadowbrook Farm is located at 1270 Meadowbrook Road.

-This winter season marks the 45th anniversary of the Nabob Prairie Riders Snowmobile Club. Please join the Nabob Prairie riders on Jan. 5, 2019 at the House of Heileman’s on Big Cedar Lake for the annual Winterfest/Fisheree. Fishing is from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., entertainment in the tent includes music, food and drink all available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

– A Memorial Service will be held Monday, Dec. 31 for Howard “Howie” Knox who died Dec. 5, 2018. Knox was a World War II veteran and highly visible in the community. The service will start at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 4860 Arthur Road, in Slinger.

Slinger Historical Museum

An open letter to my fellow “Slinger-ites”;

We will celebrate 150 years of Schleisingerville starting in one week and we have the chance to show our history to the world.

Did you know 90 percent of communities in Wisconsin with a population of 1,000 or more have some form of museum or Historical Society? Bayfield, which has a population 460, has a museum.

We have a museum established – the Slinger Historical Museum Inc., a 501c3 non-profit entity.

We are officially state-affiliated with the Wisconsin Historical Society; Slinger High School is helping to document and curate our history; we have the support of the village and Washington County to establish a museum; we have displays highlighting the founders and industrial pioneers of our community and “dollars to donuts,” you are related to one of these ingenious and brave women and men.

What we don’t have is a place. I have tried for over a year to find our physical address to no avail.  This initiative is a labor of love, not a profit-making venture.  The Slinger Historical Museum is near and dear to my heart, I admit it.  I am an eighth generation Rosenheimer and live in a “Rosey” (then Storck) house built in 1890.

But this is not about my family; this is about your heritage. I am not asking for money. I am asking you, Slinger community members, to put your mind to task to find a home for our museum. The rest is all in place; grants, docents/tour guides, excitement and an interest in volunteering, both young and old.

Please help. A small building that you are not using, a spot of property that we could move an already identified Historical Landmark building from the 1880’s that could “house history,” an abode for our artifacts. If you have something, or know of something, ring me at 262-707-2811 and let’s begin the conversation. Let’s ignite a love of history in our community of 5,400.

Sincerely, Wendy R. Olsen, Founder, the Slinger Historical Museum

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