CPR comes in handy 25 years after Red Cross course
This is National Heart Month and at least two people at UW-Washington County can offer solid testimonials on why everyone should take a course on CPR.
“I didn’t have a choice but to jump into action,” said Cherie Hart, an associate lecturer in music at UW-Washington County.
The scenario that occurred the first day of this semester played out in Hart’s second-floor office at UWWC. “It was January 25 and one of my students was in my office and he started convulsing and lost consciousness,” Hart said.
Within a minute, Hart started CPR. “I was by myself, I looked in the halls twice and there was nobody around.”
Hart’s student, Jerry Williams, is taking her Fundamentals in music course. He suffers from ventricular fibrillation. “I retired about five years ago but taught traditional shop and tech-ed,” Williams said. “I find it ironic I’ve taught electronics for 34 years and I have some faulty wiring.”
Hart is small in stature and Williams is well over 6-feet tall.
“I needed somebody to help me get him onto the ground to properly do CPR,” she said. “The third time I looked out there was a kid, Tyler Schulz, walking by. We got Jerry on the ground so I could really do compressions.”
It was about 25 years ago Hart took a CPR class from the Red Cross.
“I don’t know why but it stuck,” she said. “It’s not hard to do but I just remembered it.”
For someone who has spent a career in music, Hart was quickly able to discern the situation.
“When he first lost consciousness I wasn’t sure what was going on but then he turned greenish grey and I knew he didn’t have long,” she said. “I called 9-1-1 and they said I had to get him on the ground to do it (the compressions) properly.”
With the help of Schultz, the two got Williams on the ground and Hart started chest compressions; that was enough to get Williams color back. “The dispatcher stayed on the phone with us,” said Hart, alternating between breaths and chest compressions.
Schultz raced to waive the rescue crews to the correct door and brought them to the office.
“This was the first time I put my CPR training into practice,” said Hart.
Once the emergency crews arrived, they slid Williams into the hall, took over compressions, shocked him twice and the second time was enough to bring him back.
Reflecting on the experience Hart said, “I feel like parts of me are still on the floor.”
Williams, who remembers little about the incident, was back in class by the end of the week.
“He said thanks many times,” said Hart. “Taking a CPR class should be mandatory. Knowing how to do CPR gave me something to do instead of standing there helpless.”
Hart is using the situation as a catalyst and offering extra credit to any of her students that take a CPR class.
Memorial balloon release Sunday for Ryan Yauck
There will be a balloon release Sunday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. at Riverside Park in West Bend as a tribute to Ryan Yauck, the 18 year old who was killed in an accident Monday on Highway 45. Visitation for Yauck will be held Saturday, Feb. 20 from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the West Bend High School Silver Lining Arts Center with funeral services at 11:45 a.m. with Pastor Troy Loether of Kettlebrook Church officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery.
Delta Defense named 2015 Business of the Year in WB
Delta Defense has been named the Business of the Year 2015 in the city of West Bend. Tim and Tonnie Schmidt were presented the award this week for their outstanding commitment to the community, economic growth, leadership and job creation.
Over the past few years Delta Defense has quickly grown as a thriving business, solid employer and dedicated community servant.
Delta Defense was recognized for its 110,000 active members and more than 70 employees. “In three years in this position I’ve only lost three employees,” said human resources director Cynthia Wade Zimmer.
Delta Defense has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies.
Delta will be moving into a new state-of-the-art headquarters in West Bend Corporate Center.
Delta Defense is strongly committed to supporting the community and area non-for-profit organizations. Delta Defense works to donate 3 percent of its annual sales to the community.
Volunteer Center of Washington County, the Downtown West Bend Banner Art Walk, and the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s.
“Being selected as the Business of the Year makes me feel proud and appreciated and it validates everything I know about West Bend,” said CEO and President Tim Schmidt.
This is the second year the award has been presented in West Bend; the inaugural recipient of the award was West Bend Mutual in 2014.
“For organizations like West Bend Mutual and Delta Defense to decide West Bend is going to be the place where they grow their business, that has a big impact on this community,” Mayor Kraig Sadownikow said.
“It also makes a difference when their employees live and invest their time and energy in this community that makes a big impression on West Bend.”
Sadownikow said the impression of West Bend used to be it was a challenging place to do business. “In the last five years we’ve worked to change that and improve our customer service and I’m hoping we can attract a dozen more businesses like Delta Defense or West Bend Mutual,” he said.
Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s heads to New Mexico
The annual Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s bicycle tour will head to New Mexico. I will fly out June 22 with my bicycle to Albuquerque, head northwest to Shiprock and then pedal home. I’m calling it ‘vacation.’
Once again, a huge thanks to Tim Schmidt and USCCA for stepping forward as the primary sponsor of the tour. “I believe in you, Judy, and I believe what you’re riding for is so important,” Schmidt said.
The Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s hopes to clear $100,000 this year. All donations stay local and help support music and exercise activities at Cedar Community in West Bend. Watch for another big announcement about the tour Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Cedar Ridge.
Athletes for the Arts to host The Well Pennies
The West Bend High Schools will host The Well Pennies for a spring concert Friday, May 6 at The Silver Lining Arts Center. The Well Pennies” are a nationally known band from Los Angeles, consisting of a husband and wife duo. The Well Pennies have a folk-pop format and they will be accompanied by over 100 high school orchestra students.
“This is the third year Athletes for the Arts have hosted a concert,” Superintendent Ted Neitzke said. “The Plain White T’s performed the first year and last year it was I’m not a Pilot.”
The collaborative concert will raise money for The Silver Lining Arts Center and a fund for a new and improved sound system in the high school field house.
The benefit concert is a student-led project organized by members of Athletes for the Arts and made possible with help from the community. Tickets will be $5 for students and $10 for adults and will be sold at various locations.
Interfaith Caregivers unveil “heartwork”
More than 100 people took part this week in the “Pieces of the Heart” Open House at Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County. The organization, which connects older adults with caring volunteers, welcomed guests to tour its new location, 2374A W. Washington St. in the Lawrence and Vivian Stockhausen Center.
Volunteers with Interfaith celebrated with homemade cookies and sweets and administrators unveiled the new “heartwork” artwork which is a display of the community’s connection to Interfaith.
English import store opening in downtown WB
Downtown West Bend will soon to be home to an English import store, Mind the Gap, 121 S. Main St. “I’ve been in banking the 12 years and this has been a dream of mine to open a business,” said Robert Tye of Kewaskum. He’ll be opening Mind the Gap within the next week with his wife Sarah.
Originally from England, Tye speaks with a thick Essex accent. “We’re calling the shop Mind the Gap and we’ll have English food, sweets and chips,” he said. “The main part of the business will be English toys, umbrellas, and British pop culture.”
The couple said items connected to British culture are on the rise including Harry Potter, Dr. Who, and Sherlock Holmes.
“This is huge now,” said Tye. “A big fan base has grown over the last three years. British items are in high demand on Amazon and I’ll have them in the store so people can pick them right up and not have to wait for delivery.”
Tye, 32, and his wife picked downtown West Bend for their store because of the proximity to their home in Kewaskum and they’ve found the community friendly.
“We love West Bend – so many nice people, we wanted a warm environment – a place where we thought we could make it,” he said. “This is a perfect location with Music on Main and the Farmers’ Market.”
By July, Tye would like Mind the Gap to carry English beer and have a beer-tasting section.
Mind the Gap will be open seven days a week starting at 10 a.m.
Mind the Gap is an English saying related to the underground rail system. When the train pulls in there’s a familiar voice that says ‘Mind the gap’ because you’ve got to get across that space to get on the train. A soft opening will be held in the coming weeks as the store prepares a grand opening March 1.
Quinn Skidmore heads to D.C.
West Bend West High School senior Quinn Skidmore will head to Washington D.C. at the end of the month to compete for a $30,000 scholarship in the VFW Voice of Democracy essay contest. Skidmore took first place for the district and she advanced from the state-level competition.
The Voice of Democracy contest required high schools students to write an essay and record a 3-5 minute audio rendition of that essay on the theme, “My Vision for America.” The results will be announced at an awards program Monday evening Feb. 29.
Exciting art coming to MOWA
Remember the posters from Kissey’s car show in Kewaskum and the artwork from the goofy Wacky-Pak cards from the 1980s – that style of poster art will be taught in a unique studio class Feb. 27 at the Museum of Wisconsin Art. The class will be taught by Milwaukee graphic designer and illustrator Michael Adler who will lead students through the creation of an “eye-popping” poster using illustration and design skills all while studying world-famous artists as a guide. Register by Feb. 23.
MOWA will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a talk from current members honoring their former teachers, mentors, and friends. Cake and refreshments will be served.
Updates & tidbits
–The Washington County Board of Canvass will finalize election results from the Feb. 16 primary on Tuesday, Feb. 23 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The city of West Bend will canvass its votes Monday, Feb. 22 at 8:30 a.m. in the Clerk’s Conference Room at City Hall. The General Election is April 5.
-Jake Poad, a 2003 graduate of West Bend West High School, is the new manager at Pick N’ Save south. Poad replaces Luke Waning who managed the store the last few years.
-Assembly Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) and Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) will meet with students at David Star Lutheran in Jackson on Monday. Kremer said they will talk to students about what government is about. Kremer and Thiesfeldt are both graduates of David Star Lutheran and Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School.
– Forward Dental and Dr. Richard Lightsey are now accepting patients at the West Bend clinic, 1006 S. Main St. Dr. Lightsey is a graduate of Marquette University.
-Living Word Lutheran High School in Jackson has secured full funding for its new LW Global Education Building. The purpose of the building will be to house up to 20 boarding students. The construction of the facility is fully funded by third source investors. “Our partners provide the capital to build, furnish, and operate,” said Principal Dave Miskimen. “Living Word provides the land and management.” Stay tuned for construction details.
–The Kettle Moraine YMCA’s gymnastics team is hosting a gymnastics meet Feb. 27-28. Nearly 500 gymnasts from throughout Wisconsin will compete in USAG Levels 1 – 9 and xcels. Competitors as young as 5 years old begin at 8 a.m. The event runs throughout the weekend.
-Kewaskum Middle School presents Peter Pan. Performances at the Kewaskum High School Theater is Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.
– On March 2 a group of volunteers from the Washington County Senior Center including volunteer coordinator, Pat Martin, will be reading to students at Green Tree Elementary School in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
-A special bicycling committee is working on several events for later this year including Bike to School Day on May 4 and Bike to Work Day on May 20. A special helmet fitting is also set for April 30 at the Kettle Moraine YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day.
Theo Richter ice house
Today’s 1920 history photo is courtesy Lee Krueger. It’s the Theo Richter ice house.
I was after a photo of maple syrup tree tapping. Krueger said the weather is warm enough and the sap is probably running but “all our equipment is still in storage.”
Krueger and his wife Mary live on Little Cedar Lake. He’s been making syrup for the past 47 years. “As a kid I made it with my grandfather,” he said. “I resurrected syruping in 1969 after I returned from ‘Nam.”
A typical three-week season of the maple run ends when the trees start to bud. A good year, according to Krueger, may produce 2,000 gallons of sap, which boils down to 50 gallons of syrup.
Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg said it will start tapping trees on Tuesday. Most of its tree tapping is coordinated with education and school tours.
Question for those affiliated with Living Word School (good place BTW).
What is the primary purpose for the new dorm to bring in foreign boarding students? Reason I ask is that in this immigration debate there has been a huge uptick of private K-12 and colleges struggling with managing budgets and the solution has been to bring in kids from China who can pay significant tuition money.
Not against some level of global integration in a global world. At the same time though we talk a lot about Hispanic immigration when one of the more hot button topics are millions of upper class Chinese trying to get out of China to the US and using their kids as the gateway. And since we no longer enforce visa limits anymore, no one ever heads back to their native countries.