The Hideout Sports Pub is opening in former Benders

There’s a new business going into the former Benders Restaurant location on Paradise Drive. Oscar Steinbauer Jr. is partnering with Nora Sanchez; the pair are preparing to open The Hideout Sports Pub.

The name has already ruffled a few feathers especially at an establishment on Park Avenue called Al’s Hideout.

Steinbauer, who is from Random Lake, said he did a license check and did not come across Al’s Hideout. During a follow-up review he found the name and now he’s discussing how to move forward with his business partner.

Steinbauer is in the business of buying and selling equipment for restaurants and Sanchez has been in the restaurant industry for 20 years.

For the past few weeks the business partners have been working with family to clean up the interior of the building. There’s new paint and flooring and updates are being made in the kitchen and behind the bar.

The pair said they’ll have a small menu of 35 items with gourmet burgers, pizza, wings, and Friday fish fries. “We’ll also have Mexican fare including fajitas and margaritas,” he said.

The beer selections will be standard along with IPAs and Guinness.  The Pub will open 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. They hope to open in West Bend in April. The location is formerly home to Benders Restaurant and Sports Bar, 1102 Paradise Drive.

Ann Taylor presented with Mother Cabrini Award

The Mother Cabrini Award was presented this week to Ann Taylor who has worked at St. Frances Cabrini School for 14 years. The award has been given to a staff member at school since 1989 to a person who has qualities of perseverance, missionary zeal, simplicity, and educational mission:  An attitude that demonstrates love for children

Taylor’s peers had this to say: “She is a hard-working and dedicated teacher.  She always comes in early and takes on extra duties.  She is thoughtful and caring.

“She is humble and grace-filled.  She goes out of her way to balance the responsibilities of school with the needs of her family.  She does everything with an attitude of thoughtfulness, kindness and care.

“She never complains but instead gives her students and colleagues the very best of who she is.  Ann lives her life using her God-given gifts always in service of others.”

Relay for Life of West Bend is relocating

Some changes in store this year for Relay for Life of West Bend as organizers shift the event to one day in July.  The event honor survivors of all cancers and raises money for the American Cancer Society. Normally held at Badger Middle School in West Bend the event will shift this year to Regner Park. “It’ll help us save a little money,” said Relay board member Clyde Lofy.

Over the past few years Relay for Life has struggled with fundraising and participation numbers. By moving the event to Regner Park the organization will be able to take advantage of the park’s facilities and cut back on expenses, primarily for tents. Relay for Life is slated for Saturday, July 22 from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Gov. Walker salutes National Guard troops in WB

Military representatives from Wisconsin’s National Guard as well as Gov. Scott Walker gathered at the Armory in West Bend on Thursday as 33 soldiers were shipping out to Afghanistan.  Numerous speeches sent encouragement to the families and loved ones of the troops and repeatedly sent the message to the soldiers that the Badger State honors them and their service to our country.

“You’re the best of the best,” said Walker as he presented a Wisconsin state flag to the troops. “You’re well trained and well prepared. Think of the impact of what it means to be from Wisconsin and there are men and women from across the state that will be lifting you up in prayer all the while you’re deployed.”

The troops traveled south for 3 weeks of training before being shipped overseas. They’re expected to return in December.

More than 250 neighbors miffed about Reliever Route meeting

Bill Schellinger of Hartford and Anne Gehring from Stone House Dairy in Hartford had some real concerns following Tuesday night’s meeting on the proposed Reliever Route. The plan is designed to go through the rural towns of Hartford, Slinger and Addison.

Schellinger and Gehring said trucks traveling at 55 miles per hour, combined with farm equipment on the road and school buses for Addison and Slinger had everyone worried about safety. “We have fender benders now,” said Gehring. “But those will turn into fatalities with those trucks and tractors and speeds at 55.”

According to the No Reliever Route group, “The Reliever route comes at the request of a few large corporations in Hartford based out of the Industrial Park and the city of Hartford.  It is a Highway 60 bypass cutting north through farms and the town of St. Lawrence eventually connecting with Interstate 41. The intention is to divert semi truck traffic off of Highway 60.”

The county has projected the cost at $23.9 million. There is no state money available for the project.  It is anticipated Washington County taxpayers will be responsible for funding the project.

Regis Hairstylists in West Bend has closed

Regis Hairstylists in the Paradise Pavilion has closed. All that remains is an empty storefront and shadows of the lettering on the building facade. According to a former employee the store got a call in mid-January to let them know they were one of 300 salons in the franchise that were being shut down. The last day for the salon was Jan. 17. On a side note, stylist Laura has relocated. Her clients can call or text 414-416-9231.

Winners of Optimist Club Oratorical Contest

Four students from West Bend participated in the inaugural Optimist Club of West Bend Oratorical Contest. Students, age 12 through 17, spoke on the theme, “What the World Gains from Optimism.”

Taking first place was 14-year-old Natalie Heinrich, 14, took first place and Libby Willkomm, 15, took second place. Both advance to compete Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Pauline Haas Public Library in Sussex.

“All the students did a wonderful job presenting their speeches around the topic being presented,” Club President Mike Hartwell said. “The members of our Optimist Club have no doubt all the students have bright futures.”

The Optimists thanked sponsors The Law Offices of John A. Best, Toucan’s Food and Custard, the Kettle Moraine YMCA and Michael and Lucy Bloedorn.

Evan Powers presented with Optimist Club Explorer of the Year Award

The West Bend Optimist Club presented its 2016 Explorer of the Year Award today to Evan Powers.

The 22-year-old is a West Bend West High School graduate. Powers is currently enrolled at UW-Waukesha County and currently studying criminal justice.

“This is my third year in Explorers and I joined because I wanted to get real-life experience,” he said. “I’ve volunteered 200 hours to community service and I’ve learned I have to maintain professionalism when dealing with people.”

Powers has also spent 100 hours on ride alongs with West Bend Police. “He’s volunteered with the July Fourth Parade and he volunteers at the high school with special education,” said mom Kim Powers.

Powers said he enjoys working at Wheels on Main the most. “We rotate shifts and it’s a great atmosphere,” he said.

Optimist President Mike Hartwell said they were really impressed with the amount of hours Powers committed to volunteer service. “Evan does a real good job with the hours he volunteers and that helps free up other officers for police work,” he said.

Hartwell said Powers is a good listener and consciousness about following through on every project.  The Optimist Award, along with a $250 scholarship award was presented at noon on Thursday at New Perspectives Lighthouse in West Bend.

Germantown H.S. senior finishes Eagle Scout project.

Tony Matheny of Germantown is working on his Eagle Scout Badge. The 17-year-old with Troop 271 was busy Friday afternoon putting the finishing touches on 18 footstools for the NICU unit at West Allis Hospital.

“I got a lot of the materials from the Habitat ReStore in Germantown,” he said. “We’re using rescued wood from the trees taken down because of Emerald Ashe Borer.”

Matheny has been in scouts more than 7 years. He was contacted by a family friend about the need for the stools at West Allis Hospital.

The project started last August. After Matheny secured the materials he worked with carpenters, mentors and shop teachers to plane the wood.

In a test of leadership, Matheny guided six younger scouts who helped sand and stain the wood. “It was a good test of working in a group,” said Matheny. “No one got hurt.”

Matheny has put in about 70 hours on the project. Later this morning he will present the footstools to staff at West Allis Hospital.

“It’s nice to be able to make a difference,” he said. “Knowing that a mom who holds her baby for the first time will also be using the footstool. It serves a great purpose.”

To be eligible for the Eagle rank a scout must have 21 merit badges; Matheny has 22. In the coming months his project will be reviewed by the Council Service Center and National Headquarters. If accepted Matheny will receive his new rank during the Eagle Court of Honor.

Updates & tidbits

– Holy Angels School in West Bend recognized Pamela Carter with the National Catholic Educational Association’s Distinguished Graduate Award during this year’s Catholic Schools Week celebration.   Principal Mike Sternig presented the honor and noted Carter has certainly embodied the school’s mission

-Mary Hafeman has been selected a Top 50 US Kids Coach. Hafeman is a golf pro from West Bend.

-On Monday, Feb. 6 Casa Tequila in West Bend will host the viewing party for the Borden family as they will be featured on Family Feud on WVTV Channel 18. The show starts at 6 p.m.

-The city of West Bend will be hosting Loyalty Day in 2017.    The event, which will feature a huge parade, will be Saturday, April 29. Loyalty Day is observed nationally. All VFW Posts will be invited to take part.

-Vegas Night is Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Fire Department.  Proceeds benefit the Fillmore Fire Department.

-There was a sendoff ceremony Thursday in West Bend for 33 National Guard troops being deployed to Afghanistan. Gov. Walker explained how to create the Wisconsin Badger “W” to the crowd. He then had those gathered simultaneously show the “W” to the deploying troops so they would remember there are those here at home who are thinking of and supporting them.

– Jeff’s Spirits on Main along with West Bend Mutual will welcome author and master distiller Fred Noe to a backyard Bourbon Q this spring. All proceeds benefit the MACC Fund.

-John Roy Volkert, 92, of West Bend died this past week. On a history note Volkert owned Sports Apparel Plus in West Bend for 8 years. First in the Kohl’s mall on South Main, then it moved downtown next to the theater (currently the Candy Man).

– Allan Kiekhaefer was at a Republican Party event last week when he took a spill by the stairs. He said a nice young man came along and helped him to his feet. That “nice young man” ended up being U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

– On Monday the West Bend Common Council will present a Fire Department Life Saving Award to West Bend Fire Lt. Alan Hefter and MPO Kyle Demler. The pair saved the life of Emily Craig, 18,

-During Monday’s West Bend Common Council meeting the Board of Public Works will discuss possible changes to the Public Works Drop-Off Yard Stickers for 2017. According to Mayor Sadownikow there will be no price increase, just a clarification on who can use the sticker; the city is trying to open the process up to more West Bend businesses.

– Next Saturday, Feb. 11 the sturgeon spearing season gets under way on the Lake Winnebago system. The harvest cap for adult females is 855, up from 740 last year. This year the DNR is asking spearers to donate the head from their fish as the DNR is doing a comprehensive study to evaluate different methods for estimating age and growth of lake sturgeon. One of the methods is the use of otolith (ear bones).

– West Bend Mutual CEO Kevin Steiner is the chairman of the 2017 United Way of Washington County campaign. “I said yes for five reasons,” said Steiner. “This next year’s campaign will be the biggest ever.”

-There will be three incoming West Bend Police Officers who will take the Oath of Office on Monday including Officers Brock N. Bateman, Nicholas D. Ratas and Shawn K. Spencer.

-Reality Day is coming up Feb. 15 in the south gym at the West Bend High Schools. College-and-Career Day is March 15 and 16 at Washington County Fair Park.

– The gloves will be coming off Feb. 25 at Washington County Fair Park as Tin Love, Justin Dredd and Damon Knight climb into the ring for Mayhem for Mason. Money will be raised for Mason Holbrook and family.

History photo – celebrating Catholic Schools Week.

Holy Angels picnic 1959 – courtesy Dan Berres