Delavan Lake Breeze for Early Spring 2019

Breeze Delavan Lake

EARLY SPRING 2019

VOL. 7 NO. 1

PUBLISHED BY SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS

Serving the Delavan, Delavan Lakes and Darien area

inside: THE DELAVAN TRAIN SHOW RIDES THE RAILS AGAIN

DELAVAN LIONS CLUB EVENTS • COMET CARE CENTER COLLECTION

PAGE 2 • EARLY SPRING 2019 • DELAVAN LAKE BREEZE

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Breeze

A trust bequest of up to $1,668,000 for future improvements to the Delbrook Public Golf Course on behalf of Earl, Charlotte, and Pat A. Nelson is presented on Jan. 15 following the Common Council meeting. Pictured are City of Delavan

Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis, Nelson family representative Patricia Lane Smith and her husband, and Delbrook golf pro Dan Piecha.

Delbrook receives $1.7 million bequest

By Michael S. Hoey CORRESPONDENT

Delbrook Golf Course received a $1.7 million bequest on behalf of Earl, Charlotte and Pat A. Nelson last week. Patricia Lane Smith, a cousin of Pat Nelson, presented the donation to the Delavan Common Council on Jan. 15.

Smith said Nelson passed away on June 23 and she is the trustee of Nelson’s charitable remainder unitrust. Smith said Delbrook was named as the beneficiary and Nelson explicitly stated the funds should be used for capital improvements to the course.

“Pat wanted to improve the course itself and make it a real top-notch course for future golfers,” Smith said. “Perhaps we can work together in order to accomplish that.”

Smith said she was aware the city has already been improving the course with new sand traps and other things. She said she would soon sit down with Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis and city staff to discuss what future improvements could be made with the funds.

According to Smith, Nelson’s parents, Earl Nelson and Charlotte Flood Nelson, were both pillars of the community. Pat

Nelson grew up in Delavan, and attended Delavan High School and Marquette University. Her parents eventually moved to Venice, Florida and she followed.

Smith said Earl and Charlotte Nelson were both avid golfers and Charlotte in particular loved Delbrook.

Nieuwenhuis said he was speechless other than to thank Nelson. Alderman Bruce DeWitt said the donation should make for an exciting future for Delbrook.

“Words cannot describe how thankful we are of the donation,” Nieuwenhuis said after the meeting.

“This will have a great impact on making improvements to Delbrook Golf Course,” Nieuwenhuis added. “I look forward to our next golf commission meeting in February to discuss the needs of Delbrook.”

Homelessness Task Force to be established

No firm decisions were made at last week’s meeting about the composition of the task force. Nieuwenhuis said he envisioned a seven-member group comprised of two aldermen and five citizens. Schroeder suggested contacting Walworth County to see if someone representing the county would be willing to serve. Schroeder said the issue was a county and even statewide issue.

Administrator Denise Pieroni said the Delavan-Darien School District spearheaded a group called the DelavanDarien Community Alliance a few years ago that has become a countywide organization more recently. She said that group meets in Delavan at the Community Action building and might be able to provide assistance.

Ron Henriott suggested the city study what its role will be in this task force because that role could be larger than the aldermen are currently thinking it will be.

The council approved forming a task force to study homelessness and poverty and its impact on the city. Alderman Ryan Schroeder made the motion and started the conversation about how the task force will be composed.

The council approved a new three-year inter-governmental agreement with the Village of Darien to provide parks and

Park and recreation agreement approved

recreation services to the village that will cover 2019-2021. The new agreement does not include the Town of Darien.

The previous three-year agreement was for the city to provide services both to the Village and Town of Darien, but the town notified the city in March that it would opt out of the agreement when it expired on Dec. 31.

The new agreement calls for the Village of Darien to pay the city $8,500 in the first year, $8,748 in the second year, and $9,000 for the third year for a total of $26,248, which is about half of what the agreement would have generated for the city if the Town of Darien had remained part of it.

According to a letter from Town Chairman Cecil Logterman addressed to Village President Kurt Zipp and Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis in March of 2018, the town wished to renegotiate one or more of the terms of the agreement. If negotiations failed, Logterman said the letter served as its notice to terminate the agreement effective Dec. 31, 2018.

“It is the sincere desire of the Town of Darien to provide its residents with recreational opportunities,” Logterman wrote, “However, we do not wish to continue with the program as currently structured.”

DELAVAN LAKE BREEZE

• EARLY SPRING 2019 • PAGE 3

Photos by MADELEINE FREITAG The Breeze

A miniature train gives rides to children and their parents at the Delavan Train Show last year. The annual event returns to downtown Delavan March 9 and 10. At right: Brothers Jack Ziebell, 4, (right) and Ryan Ziebell, 6, Ziebell, of Delavan, wear their train conductor hats as they prepare to explore the attractions at last year’s train show.

Ride the rails Delavan Train Show returns March 9 and 10

By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR

The 12th Annual Delavan Train Show rides the rails in downtown Delavan March 9 and 10. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday that weekend.

The event features more than 40 model train layouts spread throughout downtown Delavan in 18 locations with interactive fun for all ages.

“Everybody is super excited as the show keeps growing

and we’re adding new exhibitors and new locations every year,” said Heather Hazlett, marketing manager for the Walworth County Visitor’s Bureau.

Last year the show, which is run by volunteers, had more than 6,000 visitors. With free admission, free parking, food and beverages, and raffle prizes, the goal of the show is to provide affordable, old-fashioned family fun.

“We have a lot of return exhibitors this year with

See TRAIN, Page 4

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On the cover:

This train layout was set up in the Delavan American Legion Hall during last year’s Delavan Train Show. (Madeleine Freitag photo)

PAGE 4 • EARLY SPRING 2019 • DELAVAN LAKE BREEZE

• Train

(Continued from page 3)

interactive displays for all skill levels,” Hazlett said.

The tour of the more than 40 train exhibits, many with active operating layouts, begins at the American Legion Hall, 111 S. 2nd St. Visitors can get their “tickets” punched at each of the 18 locations throughout downtown for a chance to win prizes. The tickets are available at each of the locations.

Each exhibitor’s goal is to entertain visitors of all ages and have placed a priority of creating fun, family friendly layouts. While some layouts have seekand-find activities, others have buttons that operate accessories on the layout. Some layouts even give visitors a chance to be the train engineer.

“We have three new locations this year,” Hazlett said. “The liquor story next to the Baymont Inn, Licoreria la Costera; Bond’s Auto Care, across from Tower Park; and the Delavan United Methodist Church, over

by City Hall.”

Each location is within walking distance of the downtown area and the free trolley will again be available to shuttle visitors to three different spots along the tour.

The trackless train is also returning to give children on rides through Tower Park.

“For the kids, we have Dan Ransom, our local clown, making balloon animals, (temporary) tattoos and other activities along with the kid friendly train layouts,” Hazlett said.

If you go…

WHAT: The

Delavan Train Show locations in downtown Delavan WHEN: March 9 and 10 COST: Free INFO: DelavanTrainShow.com WHERE: Various

Comfort Suites and Lake Lawn Resort are all offering discounts for visitors who stay the weekend if they mention they’re in town for the Train Show. For more information on lodging, go to VisitDelavan. com.

Soup dinner at Methodist Church The Delavan United Methodist Church will have a soup dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, during the Train Show.

Chicken noodle soup and chili will be available for $6 a bowl. The church will also have crackers, cookies and beverages.

Library to have book sale

The Friends of Aram Public Library will host a Spring Book Sale during the Train Show, at the library, 404 E Walworth Ave. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.

The sale will be in the library’s lower level meeting room and feature children New this year will be exhibits honoring and teen books and DVDs, Train Show Delavan’s Circus history at the Delavan United Methodist Church, 213 S. Second St. buttons, music CDs and a sampling of “The church is going to be home to a big cookbooks, all for 50 cents each or three for $1. circus layout with the Baraboo Circus and the Trapino Bros. Circus setting up multiple All proceeds benefit the library.

For more information, call 262-728circus-themed layout and information,” 3111.

Hazlett said. “It’s a great way to highlight For more information about the Train our history with the circus and celebrate Show, visit DelavanTrainShow.com or call that heritage.”

800-395-8687.

Hazlett said the Baymont Inn & Suites,

Celebrating the circus

MADELEINE FREITAG The Breeze

Darren Grinnell, 52, of Delavan, answers the questions of a community member at the train scene set-up in Lauren’s Antique and Art Center.

MICHAEL S. HOEY The Breeze

A group of retiring model train operators – (in hats, from left) Tom Mabie, Ed Varick, Len Baraga and Bob Sulok – are recognized by Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis MADELEINE FREITAG The Breeze A trolley stops to unload passengers and pick up new ones on its route through (left) and Alderman Ryan Schroeder (third from left) at their last show in Delavan last year. town during the annual train show.

DELAVAN LAKE BREEZE

• EARLY SPRING 2019 • PAGE 5

Taking flight

Sky Circus on Ice, held at Lake Lawn Resort and on Delavan Lake, Feb. 15-17, is the largest Kite Festival on Ice in North America. It features kite performances – with some of the kites measuring more than 150 feet, kite-building and snowrelated clinics, award winning snow sculpting and ice carving events, along with a giant slide and ice skating. Event sponsors are the Delavan-Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Lake Lawn Resort.

Photoa by DAVE DRESDOW The Breeze

PAGE 6 • EARLY SPRING 2019 • DELAVAN LAKE BREEZE

Lions Club to host upcoming events It supports local, international missions and is accepting members

T

he Delavan Lions Club is a chapter of Lions Club International. Lions Club International and its respective Lions Clubs have five global causes: diabetes, vision, hunger, environment and childhood cancer. Local Lions club chapters not only provide donations at the national and international level, but support local efforts toward these causes and other community needs close to home.

The local club supports all the initiatives listed above and others through fundraising events such as the corn roast at the Walworth County Fair.

Several fundraising events are coming up in the next couple of months where you can support the Delavan Lions Club and in turn, support your local community.

A “Grocery Games for Food Pantries” in February was a fun way for community

members to donate to the Delavan food pantries. Individuals who donated food at Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly in Delavan and ‘Ol Wisco Bar & Grill until Feb. 28 could earn entries into the supermarket sweep.

The winners were chosen on March 6 and on March 13 the winners will do speed shopping – gathering as many of the items on the food pantry grocery list as possible in two minutes.

The Delavan Lions Club will pay for the grocery items and will handle the delivery to the food pantries.

Looking ahead to St. Patrick’s Day, the Lions Club will have its Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Sunday, March 17 at the Village Supper Club.

On Saturday, April 13, plan on bringing the entire family to the Delavan Lions Club’s Easter Bunny Breakfast at the Methodist Church in Delavan. As always, all of the proceeds will support our donations to local organizations and causes.

For all of these events, the Delavan Lions Club is hoping for good turnouts.

“Our fundraisers wouldn’t work if we didn’t have great community participation,” said Marilyn Carlson, president of the Delavan Lions Club.

“Every dollar that people donate to the Lions Club at our events goes toward a local initiative. The more sales we have at events, the more we can do to serve and

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Speaking of support, the Delavan Lions Club said local sponsors also contribute to the club’s success.

“Small business owners in and around Delavan continually show their support for the local community through their support of the Lions Club initiatives,” said Ryan Schroeder, past president of Delavan Lions Club and member for over 20 years.

“Their partnership is extremely valuable and much appreciated. The Lions Club could not have as great an impact without the support of local business.”

“So mark your calendars for these great fundraising events to support the Delavan Lions Club and its endeavors to help the Delavan community.”

Who the club helps

Perhaps you have seen the Delavan Lions Club selling corn at the Walworth County Fair. Maybe you have purchased a Lions Club raffle ticket in the past, or have seen a flyer for a Lions Club event.

But do you know what the Delavan Lions Club is, and more importantly, what the club contributes to the local Delavan community?

The club is a chapter of Lions Club International. The Lions organization was established in 1917, and endeavors to serve “…communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs,” according to the mission statement.

Lions Club International and its respective Lions Clubs have five global causes as mentioned in the first paragraph.

Support for the causes is provided through fundraising and donations from the 47,000 Lions Clubs and over 1.4 million Lions club members worldwide.

Local Lions club chapters not only provide donations at the national and international level, but they also support local efforts toward these causes and other community needs close to home.

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The Delavan Lions Club has been an established part of the local community for over 80 years. The club is small with 25 members, but is very effective, according to club representatives. The Delavan Lions

Club raises and returns more than $25,000 to the Delavan community each year, including: donating to local food pantries, sponsoring a “Movie in the Park” evening at Phoenix Park, and committing $10,000 in donations to Congdon Gardens over the next few years.

Delavan Lions Club also annually sponsors four DDHS senior scholarships, contributes to the local Special Olympics chapter, supports Lakeland Animal Shelter, sponsors students to attend Boys State and Girls State, and makes donations toward band, choir and orchestra trips.

Recently, the Delavan Lions Club joined other Lions clubs in Wisconsin to help purchase a Flow Cytometer for the cell therapy lab at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. This equipment helps modify a patient’s T cells to fight blood cancers that are not treatable with traditional methods.

The Flow Cytometer cost over $200,000 and was funded through a Lions Club International Grant with matching funds from area Lions club chapters.

In January, it was the Delavan Lions Club’s month to serve as couriers for the eye transplant program. During that time, Lions Club members are on call in the event that the transport of an eye is needed to or from the eye bank or a hospital.

How to get involved

The Delavan Lions Club is always accepting new members.

“The club meets once a month, and event planning and coordination is spread amongst our members,” Carlson said.

“But just a few hours of service each month can reap huge benefits.”

People interested in joining the Delavan Lions Club should reach out to existing members, message the Delavan Lions Club Facebook page, or show up to a future event and ask about membership.

“We have some great ideas for new events that the Lions Club can host over the next year,” Schroeder said.

“I strongly encourage people to like the Delavan Lions Club Facebook page and watch for more information. That page is the best way to know about upcoming events and easy ways to support the Delavan Lions Club and all of its initiatives,” he added.

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DELAVAN LAKE BREEZE

• EARLY SPRING 2019 • PAGE 7

Comets lead Care Center collection

Items donated throughout community go to local families

By Michael Hoey CORRESPONDENT

The Delavan-Darien High School boys basketball program collected items for the Comet Care Center at the high school in January and February.

The Comet Care Center is a resource center for high school students who have essential needs for things like toiletries and clothing that their families cannot afford or are in short supply due to financial hardships. The school’s student services staff works with students to determine eligibility. All of the items in the center are donated by members of the community.

The entire boys basketball program works together in delivering collection boxes, sorting what is collected, and delivering the items to the Comet Care Center, according to coordinator Leigh Comas.

“The community was so generous last year,” Comas said.

Items collected included things like: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes, combs, hair ties, deodorant, body spray, feminine care products, Chapstick, calculators, padlocks for lockers, heavy-duty backpacks, laundry detergent, dish soap, garbage bags, paper plates, plastic utensils, Kleenex, and toilet paper.

Clothing items collected included new underwear, socks, sweatpants and winter hats and gloves. Gently used jeans,

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Breeze

Members of the Delavan-Darien High School boys basketball team show off the Comet Care donation boxes prior to them being delivered to numerous locations throughout the community recently. From the left are: J.T. Greenwald, Sebastian Miller, Erik Cesarz. Burke Struck, Gavin Winkle, Josh Ziolkowski, David Flores, Kyle Janssen and Colin Terpstra.

sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets and coats will also be accepted. Coats in sizes small to 3XL are very much in need at this time, she said.

Donation boxes wrapped in blue and

gold were located at City of Delavan Municipal Building, Shopko, Town Bank, BMO Harris Bank, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School (January only), Darien Public Library, AlliMcB’s

Hair Salon in Darien, and the high school main office.

Comas said the basketball program thanks those locations for agreeing to allow donation boxes to be placed there.

Celebrating reading

Delavan Christian School celebrated World Read Aloud Day Feb. 1, featuring Mike Kasun, an illustrator, Aram Public Library’s Miss Katherine, the school’s Beth Hutson and local Christian author Judith Rolfs. Clockwise from above: Aram Public Library’s Miss Katherine poses with preschool through second grade students; Kasun demonstrates how illustrations are done for books; and Hutson reads one of her favorite picture books to the younger students.

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