West Bend Farmers’ Market ranked one of the top in the state

The Downtown West Bend Farmers’ Market is receiving some positive publicity.

A recent article in the ‘Onlyinyourstate’ webpage lists the downtown market as one of the top 17 farmers’ markets in Wisconsin. The market, organized by the Downtown West Bend Association, has more than 70 vendors selling everything from homemade jams and breads, fabulous flowers and seasonal vegetables and fruits.

“It was even voted a top 10 market in the world by Vogue Magazine in 2014,” according to the article. The downtown West Bend Farmers’ Market starts May 20 at 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Final day for Century Farmhouse Soap

After 15 years everything is now happening for the last time at 136 S. Main Street in West Bend as it’s the end of an era for Ann Marie Craig and Century Farmhouse Soap.

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon Craig made the final pour of a soap that will be ‘Thank you West Bend’ which is made with bits of lemongrass. “One of the soaps we sold the most of in West Bend was our ‘Lemongrass Safari’ soap which was designed specifically for an event for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra,” said Craig.

‘Thank you West Bend’ is also scented with Tea Tree oil.

The final soap is named ’15’ for the 15 fabulous years of making soap, buying soap and following Century Farmhouse Soap. As Craig gently placed sheets of wax paper on top of the molds she explained the thought process behind the last soap which smells like grapefruit surrounded by sweet fresh air.

“It’s scented with mint for enthusiasm and fun which is what I hope everyone remembers about the store,” she said.

Earlier in the week – Under sunny skies and unseasonably warm mid-February temperatures Mike Hoeft of Kewaskum worked with his assistant to gently remove the signature logo that marked the back entrance to Century Farmhouse Soap the past four years.

Shop owner Ann Marie Craig stood on the curb, camera in hand capturing the end of an era.

Craig announced Feb. 15 that she would be closing her retail location after 15 years and taking her business in a different direction.

The overall decision to close the store “has been extremely difficult” according to Craig but the timing is right both personally and professionally. Moving forward the Century Farmhouse brand will focus more on education rather than soap production and retail.

The Studio shop IS OPEN through today/Saturday until 4 p.m. You can order online at centuryfarmhouse.com

Ion Sports Pub to open on Paradise Drive

After a couple of weeks of mulling over business names the owners of the former Benders Restaurant & Sports Pub are revealing their new name. “It’ll be Ion Sports Pub,” said Nora Sanchez. “It’s a combination of the business partners first names Isaac, Oscar and Nora.”

Oscar Steinbauer Jr. and Sanchez were working with family to clean up the site with hopes of opening in April. Aside from the name change they’ve been some spiffing up of the interior with new paint, flooring and colorful lighting strips above the bar.

Sanchez said they could have red lighting when the Wisconsin Badgers play and green when the Packers are on one of their multiple 55-inch TVs. Watch for the menu at Ion Sports Pub to be released in the coming week. Sanchez said they will feature gourmet burgers, pizza, wings and fish fries on Friday. There will also be Mexican fare including fajitas and margaritas. The beer selections will be standard along with IPAs and Guinness.

Names drawn for ballot position in West Bend School Board race

Names were drawn Friday morning for the April 4 ballot position in the West Bend School Board race. West Bend School Board clerk Therese Sizer had the honor of drawing the names.

Voters will choose up to three candidates when they head to the polls on April 4.  The three top vote getters will be elected to fill three open seats. Name order: Joel Ongert, Ryan Gieryn, Nancy Justman, Tonnie Schmidt, Richard Cammack, and Bob Miller.

Fire alarm malfunctions, several times, at Fair Park School

The fire alarm malfunctioned after school this week at Fair Park School. It happened again Friday morning during student drop off. Students were evacuated briefly to the Washington County Courthouse to stay warm. The West Bend Fire Department responded quickly and assured everyone that all was safe. Students were escorted back to Fair Park by staff. No one was marked tardy. Maintenance is working diligently to find a solution and ensure the fire alarms are fully operational.

New menu rolled out at Café Soeurette

Some menu changes were rolled out Friday night at Cafe Soeurette, 111 N. Main Street in downtown West Bend. Head chef and restaurant owner Jodi Janisse-Kanzenbach has been fielding comments from customers and she is listening!

“Based on our comment cards from customers we’re going away from our large plates and doing more small plates and shared items,” she said. “We are able to do this with our same culinary twist and I’m really excited about the change.”

A couple of the popular menu items include Butter Poached Lobster Deviled Eggs, Grilled shrimp/grilled pineapple salad/tortilla chips, and Bacon Bison Meatloaf.

St. Peter Church to celebrate Mass on Ash Wednesday in newly renovated parish

St. Peter Catholic Parish, Slinger, will celebrate its first Mass on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in the newly renovated and expanded church. The expansion project of the original 1892 building broke ground a year ago, Feb. 29, 2016.

After Mass on Wednesday the parish’s copper-box time capsule was sealed that morning at the church and then set on a shelf in the wall inside the main covered entryway at St. Peter; the area is referred to as the grand stairway.

A gold-plated plaque was hung gently over the opening.  The plaque, donated by the Knights of Columbus Council read ‘Preserving yesterday. Celebrating tomorrow. This time capsule is lovingly placed by the parishioners of St. Peter congregation.  Slinger, WI’

Lenten Prayer Service starts in March  

West Bend area Churches will be hosting a Lenten Ecumenical Prayer Service over the Wednesday noon hour.   Each service will last from 12:15 p.m. to about 12:45 p.m.

The theme this year is about Seeds of Hope found within Sacred Scriptures and our lives.

The service schedule: March 8 Trinity Lutheran Church – Rev. Clarissa Martinelli, March 15 Cedar Ridge—Jill Maria Murdy, March 22 Saint Frances Cabrini Parish –Rev. Kathryn Kuhn, March 29  Saint James Episcopal Church – Rev. Shoob, April 5  Fifth Avenue Methodist Church – Mother Mindy Davis (soup lunch to follow)

A free-will offering will be taken for a local charity to be announced.

Three players from UW-WC mens basketball selected WCC All-Conference

Three players from the UW-Washington County mens basketball team have made the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference All-Conference Team.

De’Andre Johnson, 21, is a sophomore and was selected 1st team All Conference. “Dre was our leading scorer this year and I believe he led the conference in shooting percentage,” said coach Stephen Murphy. “He’s really improved this year in terms of his passing and defense.”

Evan Rathke, 23, is a point forward on the team. Rathke was selected 2nd team All Conference. “Evan is a very complete player,” said head coach Stephen Murphy. “He’s probably the best all-around player I’ve ever coached. He’s amazingly intelligent and he’s always in the right place at the right time; his footwork is perfect and he knows what to do, executes well and he’s a real leader for us.”

Shaun Fischer, 20, was named Honorable Mention.  “Shawn brings a double double to the table almost every night,” said Murphy. “He gets a lot of rebounds and a lot of points and he brings a lot to the team.”

UW-WC finished third in the Eastern Division of the WCC.  UW-Marathon won the conference in the west and that’s the team the Wildcats will face Saturday in the State Tournament.

Updates & tidbits

-The city of West Bend approved a $50 donation by Margaret Buntrock to West Bend Crime Prevention. Chief Ken Meuler said Buntrock also volunteers her time to the city.

– This week Washington County Administrator, Joshua Schoemann, presents a check for $750 to Ronna Corliss and Ron Naab to support the work of the Heroin Task Force of Washington County. “We put together an employee-appreciation event in January and of the money we made went above and beyond and is now being donated to a good cause,” said Schoemann. “Heroin is one of the biggest concerns across Washington County and we’re seeing its impact first hand, so this was a pretty easy choice because it touches so many of the people that work in the county each day.” Naab said the donation shows how everyone in the county is well aware of the epidemic. Corliss said the money will be a huge help in printing of materials to help build awareness of the Heroin Task Force.

– The West Bend Scholastic Cadets 5th – 8th grade Winter Guard just won 1st place in its second competition in Hersey, Illinois. The team also took 1st place in the first competition in Cedarburg.  The students are from Silverbrook and Badger.

– Tim Pruett died unexpectedly this week. The 63 year old reportedly died while up north with friends.  Pruett owned Benders Restaurant and Sports Pub on Paradise Drive. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.

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

– Cathy Jahnke of Slinger, RN in the Intensive Care Unit, has been recognized with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin St. Joseph’s Hospital’s second quarter DAISY Award for her patient care and professionalism.

-Groundbreaking is March 17 for the 911 memorial in Kewaskum.

– West Bend’s Aidan Abbott is headed to the capitol in Madison on Monday to discuss his rare disease and changes needed to state dental laws. Abbott, 12, is a rare-disease advocate. “In the past year I have traveled to Washington DC and shared my story on Capitol Hill,” he said. “For the past few years I’ve been trying to get state laws changed to include dental coverage under medical insurance for kids who suffer from major dental issues and many missing teeth.”

– American Legion Auxiliary Post 36 West Bend is holding a Craft Fair at the Post, 712 Park Ave, West Bend on April 8 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

– The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southeast Region is scheduled to begin work on WIS 175 from Maple Road to Beechwood Industrial Court and from Polk Street to WIS 60 in March.

-Mercury Marine presented Cedar Lake Sales of West Bend, its prestigious Service Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for 2016. Cedar Lake Sales won the Service CSI Award for its ongoing commitment to providing exemplary customer service based on the responses of customers who had warranty work performed at the dealership during the past year.

The history of Thecla Richter – life of a West Bend nurse during WWI.

Resident historian Lee Krueger is looking to highlight his great aunt Thecla Richter, who served as a nurse during WWI. Below is a letter home from Richter dated June 11, 1917.

We are leaving London today and I hate to leave it because we have been having such a wonderful time. Everybody has been so cordial and entertained us in every possible way.  I cannot take time to write the details, but will just write about the wonderful farewell party at Sir Thomas Lipton’s home.

Four double decker trams called for us at the hotel on Sunday P.M.  Sir Lipton lives about 10 miles outside of London.  We were very much impressed with the place. It was all decorated with U.S. flags which we do not see very much in England.

We were all introduced to Sir Thomas Lipton and then taken into his lovely home. Here we were all given a beautiful corsage bouquet of red, white and blue flowers.  Then we were shown his many trophies which he had won.

We were then ushered to a large tent outside where refreshments were served and all were presented with beautifully woven American flags…..  We all left his place at about 6:30 P.M., each with a box of chocolates. Sir Lipton took five of us back to London in his own car.  I happened to be one of them.  I was real lucky.

Enough said about our good times as we certainly having them, but our work will begin soon and we are all anxious to get to work.