East troy ot 2017

OUR TOWN

Published by the

2017-18

East Troy, Wisconsin

SARAH ALEXANDER

LAURIE BOVIALL

sarahalexander@realtyexecutives.com www.sarahalexandersells.com

laurieboviall@gmail.com www.laurieboviall.com

(262) 745-7093

(262) 215-4049

The only PAM BURKI

GINA DINGMAN

pamburki@realtyexecutives.com www.pamburki.com

gina@realtyexecutives.com www.ginadingman.com

(262) 203-1812

(262) 613-3898

Local

real estate company in (262) 210-7312

TIM VANDEVILLE JR. (262) 865-4282

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

tim.vandevillejr@gmail.com lauraglosemeyer@realtyexecutives.com www.wisconsinrealtyexperts.com www.laurasmovingyou.com

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NICK WACHAL (262) 894-6991

wachalnick@gmail.com www.nickwachal.com

East Troy!

2887 Main Street • East Troy, WI 53120 www.REIntegrity.com • (262) 642-3363

Where home and happy meet®

286959

LAURA GLOSEMEYER

Inside Our Parks................... Page 4 Our Churches............ Page 6 Our Schools............... Page 7 Our Government.... Page 14 We make every attempt to provide accurate information in this guide, but if you find an error that needs correction, call our office at (262) 642-7451.

our town

East Troy , Wisconsin

2017-18

TO

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EAST TROY!

mall-town life is at its finest in East Troy, where community and business strive to welcome visitors with open arms with annual events such as the Bluegrass Festival, Cycling Classic, Santa Train, Fourth of July parade and festival, Corn and Brat Fest and more.

East Troy, while keeping its small-town feel, also offers big city amenities such as its own airport and some international companies like Wisconsin Over Corp. The tri-town area includes the Village and Town of East Troy and the Town of Troy.

Other local attractions include the East Troy Electric Railroad, Sky Nights Sport Parachute Club and Lounge and Lauber’s Old Fashion Ice Cream shop, where you can take a trip back in time and visit a soda fountain of yesteryear.

If you’re looking for a place to eat, there’s LD’s BBQ, Roma’s Ristorante, Ivan’s on the Square, Princess Café, 2894 On Main, Gus’s Drive-In and more just waiting to serve you.

One of the highlights in East Troy is the downtown square with its pavilion and park that plays host to most of the village’s large events. The quaint hub of the area offers unique shopping and dining establishments along with

churches, banks and a hair salon and barbershop.

The East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce is available to help residents and visitors alike with their local needs and the newspaper office is also on the downtown square.

The East Troy Community School District has much to boast, with its robotics program, nationally ranked high school, 1:1 technology for grades 3 and higher, and the first school district in the state to have SmartLabs.

Another one of the area’s special places is Booth Lake Memorial Park, which is jointly owned by the Village and Town of East Troy, and the Town of Troy. Operation of the park is governed by the Booth Lake Memorial Park board, which consists of two representatives from each municipality. Use of the park is limited to the residents of the three communities.

Rental of the upper and lower park pavilions is done through a lottery system that is held on the third Wednesday in February of each year.

As you can see, there’s a lot to experience in East Troy and all visitors are welcome. Come out for a visit!

~Tracy Ouellette, COMMUNITY EDITOR

On the cover One of the Pro Men’s racers gives Jackson Hill, 3, some encouragement before he competes in the Tour de Square Kids Race during the 2017 East Troy Cycling Classic on the downtown village square. Hill took second place in the 4 and younger category.

Above: Twins Abbie (front) and Bella Francis, 7, have fun in one of the fire trucks at the Troy Center Fire Department’s pancake breakfast on Oct. 8, 2016.

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

e m o c l e W

An annual publication of the East Troy News & Southern Lakes Newspapers P.O. Box 274, East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7451 www.mywalworthcounty.com Editor: Tracy Ouellette Editorial Assistant: Sharon Soch Creative/Production Director: Sue Z. Lange Advertising Sales: Michelle Kramer Graphic Designer: Jen DeGroot Contributors: Eric Kramer, Vanessa Lenz and community members For advertising opportunities: call (262) 642-7451

ERIC KRAMER Our Town

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v OUR PARKS Booth Lake Memorial Park N8465 Townline Road, East Troy, WI 53120 Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For use exclusively by residents and property owners of the Village of East Troy, Town of East Troy and Town of Troy. Info: (262) 642-5046

Playmore Park 3072 Graydon Ave., a recreational area for children featuring a large play equipment area, picnic tables and a handicap accessible restroom on the corner of West Street and Graydon Ave. Pulliam Nature Area 1824 Thomas Drive, nature area for hiking, cross country skiing and sledding located on the east side of Thomas Drive

Rossmiller Sports Complex and Francine Pease Skate Park (fka Amusement Park) 3090 Graydon Ave., includes a grandstand, athletic field for baseball and other activities, skate park and concession stands on the corner of West Street and Graydon Ave.

Jim Byrnes Memorial Park N9330 Stewart School Road, north of the Town Hall

Lynndale Playground 1879 Valley Drive, a small neighborhood park located off of Frontage Road

The East Troy Lions Club has it annual Fourth of July celebration in the Rossmiller Sports Complex and Francine Pease Skate Park (aka Amusement Park). The kiddie pedal pull is one of the events in the park.

Mill Pond Park 2265 Highway G, a small pond and walking path located south of the Village Square

Mitchell Park 3090 Graydon Ave., baseball/soccer fields adjacent to Rossmiller Sports

ERIC KRAMER Our Town

Complex and Francine Pease Skate Park (fka Amusement Park) and extending north to Highway 20

Village Square 2881 Main St., includes green space and a bandstand promoting the nostalgia of the rural community West Kettle Nature Center 1825 Thomas Drive, nature area for hiking, cross country skiing and sledding located on the west side of Thomas Drive

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“A little out of the way - quite a bit out of the ordinary”

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Flaming H T v OUR BARBECUE GUY

Area barbecue joint trucks its food in style

by Tracy hen it comes Ouellette to the trendy food truck EDITOR craze, it’s not unusual to see some fancy rigs.

But most can’t compare to the food truck from LD’s BBQ in East Troy.

“Yeah, it’s a real fire engine,” restaurant owner Leon Davis said with a laugh. “I found it while looking for a meat mixer for Meatloaf Wednesdays and when I came across it on the Wisconsin Surplus Auction site I just stopped and stared.

“I was like a 13-year-old kid and I had to have it. I mean, who doesn’t want their own fire truck?”

Davis bought the fire engine in late 2015 and began using it full time last year.

“Chris Bottoni of Hoopster Performance Graphics tricked it all out for me,” Davis said.

“He said it was the most fun out of all the fire engines he’s dressed before because he got to put flames on it.

“It’s a lot of fun going down the highway in a fire truck with flames on it that’s actually smoking.”

While Davis considered turning the fire engine to a classic-style food truck with the smoker actually inside the truck, logistically, it wasn’t possible.

“We looked at having it on the truck and having it slide out, but it would be too high to use,” he said. “So, we use it to transport everything to the site and then set up next to it to serve from the smoker.”

Davis said he has the truck out “as much as possible” in the warmer months and it can often be seen at area businesses serving lunch to employees and local events.

“That’s kind of my thing,” he said.

“Instead of getting caught up with food truck events, we’re doing more at local businesses.

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TRACY OUELLETTE Our Town

The LD’s BBQ food truck is an actual fire engine that owner Leon Davis purchased from the Wisconsin Surplus Auction. Davis said his fire engine isn’t like standard food truck as he uses it for transportation and storage and serves from the smoker he sets up next to the truck.

IT’S A LOT OF FUN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN A FIRE TRUCK WITH FLAMES ON IT THAT’S ACTUALLY SMOKING.”

“

– LEON DAVIS, LD’S BBQ OWNER

I’d have a bigger kitchen and a pavilion outside for people to all be together as they eat. I could host big events in the community everyone could come down.

“I’ve been so blessed by the people here,” he continued. “I’ve made a lot of friends with my little barbecue joint and now I just want to be out there with them to thank them.”

LD’s BBQ is at 1880 Highway ES in East Troy. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, call (414) 610-7675 or visit www.ldsbbq.com.

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

I have some I go out to weekly at their request, others once or twice a month.”

Davis said he preferred the “family” feel of the smaller stops like that over the impersonal big food truck events.

“I do the one in East Troy, because it’s East Troy, but I don’t go around to all the big events in the area,” he said. “I’d rather set up in the parking lot of one of the companies who have asked me to come out and feed their employees and get to spend time with the people.

“I’m really excited that a lot of them are calling me back and begging me to come.”

Davis said the reason he set up a food truck was to increase awareness of his East Troy restaurant.

“It’s a rolling billboard, that fire truck,” he said. “Barbecue is such a communal thing and every time I roll out, I’m adding to the family.

There have been so many friendships that have come from the restaurant and catering. I love to be out there with the customers. This is why I do this, to bring people together.”

Davis said his dream was to build a restaurant on about 2 to 3 acres of land.

“The restaurant itself wouldn’t be any bigger than what I have now for eating, but

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v OUR CHURCHES EAST TROY BIBLE CHURCH

2660 North St. P.O. Box 376 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7604 office@etbcwi.org www.easttroybiblechurch.org Worship services: Sunday at 9 a.m.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EAST TROY, UCC 2931 Union St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5186 www.easttroyucc.com Worship services: Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Missouri Synod) 1936 Emery St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3310 gslchurch@wi.rr.com www.gslet.org Worship services: Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. Adult Bible study: Wednesday at 10 a.m.

MUKWONAGO BAPTIST CHURCH

1610 Honeywell Road Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-4197 www.mukwonagobaptist.org Worship services: Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday school: 9:30 a.m.

Bible study and prayer: Wednesday at 7 p.m.

ORCHARD HILL, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

N9590 Highway ES, Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-5443 www.OrchardHillAG.com Worship service: Sunday at 10 a.m. Nursery available.

Adult prayer service: Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m.

Ministry for kids, K-6th grade: Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m.

ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2945 Main St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7642 church@easttroyumc.org www.easttroyumc.org

Worship services: Sunday at 9 a.m.

Handicap accessible.

ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Wisconsin Synod) 2665 North St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3200 www.stpaulset.net Worship services: Thursday at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Adult and Youth Bible Class and Sunday school at 9:15 a.m.

ST. PETER THE APOSTLE PARISH

1975 Beulah Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7225 stpeterset@wi.twcbc.com www.steepleconnection.com Sunday Mass at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.; weekday Mass at 8:30 a.m., No Mass on Wednesdays; Saturday Anticipation Mass at 5 p.m.

Confession: Saturday 4-4:30 p.m. or by appointment.

TROY CENTER UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY CHURCH

N8801 Briggs St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7320 Worship services: Sunday at 8 a.m.

VALLEY VIEW COMMUNITY CHURCH

Member, Willow Creek Association P.O. Box 154 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5392 Worship services: 10 a.m. in the East Troy Middle School auditorium, 3143 Graydon Ave.

J. Lauber’s Ice Cream Parlor since 1974

For 43 years, Lauber’s has been dishing out delicious ice cream treats in an authentic 1920s setting. Choose from a 4 page menu of malts, sundaes, splits and sodas served to your table while you listen to the 78RPM jukebox and enjoy the collection of ice cream and general store items that line the shelves.

WE SERVE REAL ICE CREAM... not soft serve!

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

Comfortable seating for 60 (for groups over 20, please call)

Open May Thru October June 10 – September 4, Monday – Friday, Noon to 10 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Spring, Monday–Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. & Saturday & Sunday Noon to 10 p.m.

Fall, Saturday–Sunday - Noon to 9 p.m.

262-642-3679 J. Lauber’s is in East Troy, 2010 Church St.

(Hwy. 120) 2 blocks north of the square, next to the Trolley Museum. 15 min. north of Lake Geneva, via Hwy 120, or exit I-43 at 120 (Church St.) and go 1½ blocks past the square to 2010 Church St. 287638

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

Participants in the first Color-A-Thon at East Troy Middle School on Oct. 8, 2016, get blasted with colored dust. The fundraiser featured a walk/run through a course while being doused with colored

dust. The money raised at the event will help fund field trips and activities for students at the middle school. For more information about Color-A-Thon events, visit www.schoolathon.org.

Public schools East Troy Community School District Board of Education Ted Zess, president zested@easttroy.k12.wi.us (262) 642-2026 Dawn Buchholtz, vice president bucdaw@easttroy.k12.wi.us (262) 215-4041 Martha Bresler, treasurer* bremar@easttroy.k12.wi.us (262) 642-3667 Stephen Lambrechts, clerk lamste@easttroy.k12.wi.us (262) 642-7775 Sue Frohling, member at large* frosue@easttroy.k12.wi.us (262) 749-0503 *Term expires in 2018.

Administration Offices 2043 Division St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6710 Fax: (262) 642-6712 www.easttroy.k12.wi.us

zwikat@easttroy.k12.wi.us Daphne Kohnke, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, ext. 1227 kohdap@easttroy.k12.wi.us East Troy High School (Grades 9-12) 3128 Graydon Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6760 Stacy Kuehn, principal, ext. 5240 kuesta@easttroy.k12.wi.us Kevin Kitslaar, principal, ext. 5232 kitkev@easttroy.k12.wi.us East Troy Middle School (Grades 6-8) 3143 Graydon Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6740 Peter Syens, principal, ext. 4222 syepet@easttroy.k12.wi.us

Prairie View Elementary School (Grades 2-5) 2131 Townline Road Administration Dr. Christopher Hibner, District East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6720 Administrator, ext. 1222 Mark Weerts, hibchr@easttroy.k12.wi.us principal, ext. 3222 Kathy Zwirgzdas, Director of weemar@easttroy.k12.wi.us Business Services, ext. 1223

Leona Doubek Elementary School (Grades: 4K-1 and early childhood) 2040 Beulah Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6730 Lindsey Harris, principal, ext. 2222 harlin@easttroy.k12.wi.us

Good Shepherd Lutheran School (Preschool-grade 7) 1936 Emery St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3310 Contact: Karl Sattler, principal gslschool@wi.rr.com www.gslet.org

Lakeland School of Walworth County W3905 Highway NN Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-4118 www.co.walworth.wi.us Greg Kostechka, principal gkostech@co.walworth.wi.us

Little Angels Learning Center Inc. (3- and 4-year-old preschool) 2141 Mill St. P.O. Box 603 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7002 Contact: Stephanie Choinski littleangelswi@gmail.com www.LittleAngelswi.com

Private Schools Bright Beginnings Day Care, LLC (3-year-old preschool) 2541 Main St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3904 Contact: Nina Stefaniak www.brightbeginningsdaycare.com

Climbing Tree Child Care and Family Education Center (3- to 6-year old preschool) 3147 W. Main St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5001

Mukwonago Baptist Academy (K-12) 1610 Honeywell Road Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-1731 www.mukwonagobaptist.org Nature’s Classroom Montessori School (3-12 years) W1802 Highway J P.O. Box 660 Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6820 (800) 574-7881 • see Contact: Geoffrey Page 8

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

v OUR SCHOOLS

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R And Troll ide Trai ns eys May Every W - Oc tobe eekend r

• from Bishop, Executive Page 7 Director

geoffrey@nciw.org www.nciw.org

St. Peter’s Catholic School (3- and 4-year-old pre-kindergarten to grade 8) 3001 Elm St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5533 Contact: Sarah Halbesma, principal www.stpetersschoolet.org St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School (Preschool-grade 8) 2665 North St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3202 Contact: Ken White, principal www.stpaulset.net

Other Area Schools Gateway Technical College 400 Highway H Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-8200 www.gtc.edu

2017 Dinner Trains • SEPT. 16 - Indian Summer • OCT. 7 - Fall Harvest • OCT. 14 - Sweetest Day • OCT. 21 - Pumpkin Express

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute W2493 Highway ES P.O. Box 990 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3303 www.michaelfields.org Day Care Centers Bright Beginnings Day Care, LLC (4 weeks-12 years) 2541 Main St.

East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3904 Contact: Nina Stefaniak Climbing Tree Child Care and Family Education Center (12 weeks-12 years) 3147 W. Main St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5001 Good Shepherd Lutheran Child Care (3- 12 years) 1936 Emery St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3310 Contact: Karl Sattler Little Angels Learning Center Inc. (6 weeks- 12 years) 2141 Mill St. P.O. Box 603 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7002 Contact: Stephanie Choinski Noah’s Ark Christian Day Care Center (4 weeks-12 years) 2942 Austin St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-4046 Contact: Laura Rudolph St. Paul’s Lutheran Child Care (3 years-12 years) 2665 North St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3202 Contact: Debbie Arendt

2017 Theme Trains EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

• SEPT. 9 - Beer Tasting Train • SEPT. 30 - Oktoberfest

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

East Troy Railroad Museum Inc.

2002 CHURCH STREET, EAST TROY, WI 53120 (262) 642-3263 www.easttroyrr.org 286957

East Troy High School students Maya Quintero (from left), Joshua Rybicki, Livia Solbjerg-Nielsen, Jacob Pieper, Austin Winkler, tech. ed. teacher Eli Hart, Parker Schroepfer, Orlando Castro and Samantha Betley work with software programmed for use on the school’s new computer numerical controlled plasma cutter in the school’s Fab Lab.

v OUR COMMUNITY

Cruisin’ with the best Local man spends a week on aircraft carrier

by Tracy Daniel Donegan, of East Troy, had the opportunity Ouellette to spend a week aboard the EDITOR USS Makin Island, a U.S. Navy LHD-8 aircraft carrier in spring 2017. Donegan’s son is U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Oscar Donegan, who was stationed on the carrier at the time Daniel participated in the Tiger Cruise.

“It was probably one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” Daniel said. “When you have a child who goes to college or tech school you can visit them, but when you have a child in the military, you don’t really know what their life is like.”

At the time of Daniel’s Tiger Cruise, the Makin Island was part of the three-ship Amphibious Ready Group that included the USS Somerset and USS Comstock.

The ships served in the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit for a seven-month SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

The Village of East Troy loaned one of their flags for the village square (seen here) to Daniel Donegan so it could be flown on the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier the USS Makin Island when Donegan participated in a recent Tiger Cruise aboard the ship.

deployment to the Pacific, Middle East and Horn of Africa.

Daniel boarded the aircraft carrier in Honolulu and stayed aboard on its journey home to San Diego.

“They allowed us to see just about everything on the boat,” Daniel said. “It gave me a whole new perspective on what these incredible people deal with on a dayto-day basis.

“My son told me that 90 percent of what we saw on that cruise, he had never seen. With the Tiger Cruise badge, I could go just about anywhere and he could follow.”

Daniel said what impressed him the most during the cruise was the service men and women he spent time with.

“I got to talk to them and ask them questions and they were so articulate and bright,” he said. “To find that many young people who were that well spoken, that well mannered, really renews my faith in the future of our country.”

Daniel did say, one of the things that was troubling for him was seeing how much the cuts in the military over recent years has affected the people who serve.

He talked about how difficult it was to keep things like all the toilets in operating

order and how most of the repairs to the ship and its equipment is now done by outside contractors instead of military personnel to save money.

“It’s been very detrimental to the operations on ships like the Makin Island,” he said. “But these young people just make the best of it.”

Daniel also said it amazed him how different the lives of the service men and women on the ship compared to the civilian world.

“There are no chairs anywhere,” he said. “They can’t sit down – they’re not allowed to. The only places with chairs so they can rest are in the mess hall and small section in the berthing area that has about 20 chairs, for about 250 people in that berth.

“They work, eat and sleep, that’s about it.”

A very special request Before he left for the Tiger Cruise, Daniel asked the Village of East Troy if he could “borrow” one of the flags that fly on the downtown village square to take with him.

• see His request was granted and Page 10 during the cruise, the ship’s

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

Daniel Donegan (left), of East Troy, and his son, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Oscar Donegan, spend time on the flight deck of the USS Makin Island.

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crew hoisted the flag.

• from “The captain of the Makin Island, Mark Melson, was Page 9 most gracious in making this happen,” Daniel said. “The

Mount Olive Lutheran Church

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211 Main Street, Mukwonago • 363-8251 www.mountolive-elca.net

*******************************************

Sunday Worship Schedule: 8 a.m. – Worship w/Holy Communion 9:15-10:15 a.m. – Education Hour (children & adults) 9:30 a.m. – Worship w/Holy Communion 10:45 a.m. – Worship w/Holy Communion **********************************************************

day it occurred was a day I’ll never forget. Winds were about 40 mph with heavy rain and to see my son raising the flag was really moving.

“He was up there with another crewmember and they were really struggling to raise it as it is so large and winds were really causing trouble. But then something exceptional occurred.

Marines and Navy sailors saw what was going on came running to assist. It was a really somber moment and the crew was most courteous to let us all reflect upon the moment. It really hit home as the boat saw Navy Seal William Owens give the ultimate sacrifice during a raid on Yemen which originated from the Makin Island.” he continued.

After the flag was lowered, Daniel was presented with a certificate of the date, time and location the flag was flown on the ship.

“I presented the flag, which I had embroidered with the time, date and location, to Village Board President Scott Seager and we flew it on the square Memorial Day.” Daniel said the flag is going to be preserved by the village and be used for special holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and when special events call for it, such as losing a local service man or woman. He said he was very honored people were connecting with the flag and it’s history.

“They want to make it part of East Troy’s history now and that’s just an incredible credit to our military. It’s something we need to do for them and something theynew don’t get enough of. new baby, job, retirement, do “I don’t care if you’re liberal, conservative, gay, straight, or upsizing ... that whatever whatever, the military is the one thing keeps the rightyour for all next cha of that. The rights to be who we are is protected by these young us where work to focus on y men and women andLet no matter youtogether stand, they deserve our respect and support.

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v OUR INDUSTRY

Seeking a recipe for success Area food processing company growing to meet demand “The Cheese Shop” sketch.

“John Cleese uses the term ‘cheesy comestible’ in the skit and they thought it would make a great name for the company.

They gave a big nod to Monty Python with it,” Gehl said.

The small food processing plant held its own for the next 10 years, but the economic downturn in 2007-08 hit the company hard, like so many others.

“They realized they needed help and put the company up for sale,” Gehl said.

Gehl brought large food manufacturing experience with him being the fourth generation of the Gehl Foods family in Germantown. He said he knew he had to branch out on his own because his father wasn’t going to fully retire and let him run the company.

“I knew we needed to get significantly larger or close the doors,” he said.

So, since 2012, that’s what they’ve been doing. They’ve expanded and radically increased production and size.

“We’re moving along,” Gehl said. “Never as fast as we would like, but we are growing and we’re very happy with the

TRACY OUELLETTE Our Town

Saz’s Barbecue Sauce comes off the line at Contract Comestibles in East Troy. The food processing company works with small food manufacturers across the country to provide products nationwide.

company and where we are now.”

The company focuses on “wet” products such as sauces, salad dressings, hummus, condiments, beverages and other similar items.

The company specializes in small batches and will process as little as 2,000 pounds in a single run.

“It seems like a lot, 2,000 pounds, but to do less is very expensive with the set up and clean up,” Gehl said. “Most of our customers are in the 20,000-pound range, which allows us to set up and run for a longer period of time before clean up. It reduces the cost per case.”

Contract Comestibles largest customers process about 80,000 pounds per week and that’s pretty close to the company’s limit at the moment.

“If we get to the 100,000-pound range they need to look for a larger manufacturer,” Gehl said. “It is possible for a customer to outgrow us.”

“People love having that feeling of ‘touch’ to the food they’re buying, whether it’s milk, or eggs or fruits and vegetables, that’s why you see the increase in farmers markets,” he said.

However, the rub comes in at the cost. While consumers do want more organic options and locally sourced items, the reality is, it’s more expensive – sometimes dramatically so.

“The way to make a jar of pasta sauce cheaper is to use less tomatoes. You can do it and sell it for about $3,” Gehl said. “But a jar of pasta sauce made from all local, organic ingredients is going to cost about $10 to $12. So, people have to decide where and how they are going to spend their grocery money.

“What you can get at Walmart is really cheap and it will fill your belly, but it’s not the same pasta sauce that was manufactured 30 years ago.”

Gehl said the food industry is moving toward more organic options, better quality food, and Tackling challenges “authentic recipes” but there was Gehl said while the company a lot of uncertainty about just how meets a growing demand for much will be accepted. organic, locally produced and Contract Comestibles is “clean-label” products, it’s not at 2004 Beulah Ave. in East clear sailing as the American Troy. For more information, TRACY OUELLETTE Our Town Contract Comestibles employee Carlos Avila hand feeds mayon- public is very choosy about where call (262) 642-9400 or visit naise into one of the kettles for a white sauce the company bottles. they spend their grocery dollars. contractcomestibles.com.

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

by Tracy When Andy Ouellette Gehl bought Contract EDITOR Comestibles in 2012 he had big plans for the small food processing company in East Troy.

“I knew we had to grow this company – grow or die,” Gehl said.

The company was founded in 1997 by Matt Nitz and John Delikat, who came from a company in Hales Corners and moved to East Troy to start their own food processing plant.

“I came on board on the condition that both Matt and John stay on,” Gehl said. “John stayed for a little more than three years and Matt is still here as my business partner.”

It was Delikat and Nitz who named the company after a Monty Python skit called “The Cheese Shop.”

As Gehl tells it, the two had visited an attorney to set up the original corporation and had a “really generic name” on the paperwork.

“The lawyer said, ‘You need a better name,’” Gehl said.

Delikat and Nitz were mulling it over when one of them saw

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v OUR NATURE Alleviate allergies naturally

A worker holds a frame containing a honeycomb that is ready to be put inside the hive.

Eating local honey is a great way to reduce or alleviate pollen allergies. The small amounts of pollen contained in unfiltered honey let the body build up a tolerance, resulting in fewer allergy symptoms presenting themselves when pollen is encountered.

What’s all the buzz about?

MEGHAN GRIFFIN Our Town

Honeybees

by Meghan Griffin can be found all CORRESPONDENT around southeastern Wisconsin, both in the wild and under the care of beekeepers. These bees are important pollinators for crops, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and flower gardens.

Chris Roth, of East Troy, is a local bee hobbyist with 15 hives that he has built up over the last five years. He talked about what beekeeping entails, threats currently facing the local honeybee population, and how the average citizen can be more bee friendly.

As a beekeeper, Roth regularly inspects his hives to monitor them for problems such as disease and too little available space.

In early spring and late fall, there are too few flowers in bloom for bees to thrive on naturally, so beekeepers feed their bees sugar water.

When winter approaches, beekeepers prep their hives for winter by minimizing the number of pests inside the hive, monitoring the emergence of winter bees, and checking the hive’s food stores to make sure they are adequate. The bees will stay active inside the hive all winter.

PROCESSING THE HONEY In early fall, beekeepers begin processing honey. To begin the process, the bees are gently removed from the frame. The frame contains a slice of comb the bees have built, and each individual cell in the comb contains honey. After the comb is free of bees, the moisture content of the honey is tested.

Less moisture is better – when the moisture content falls below 17.5 percent, the honey won’t spoil.

Uncapping the comb comes next. Each cell containing honey has a seal over the top that is removed by cutting a thin slice off each side of the frame. Honey is then extracted from the comb using a centrifuge.

These range in size from five-gallon buckets with a hand crank to industrial cylinders with electric motors. After extraction, the honey is drained into a settling tank, where it sits for about 24 hours. During this time, bits of wax and other debris float to the top, where they can be removed. The honey is then bottled.

HOW TO HELP How can people help the honeybees?

Roth says the best way to be bee friendly is have a variety of flowers that bloom

throughout the year. This assures a steady food source for the bees. He adds that people shouldn’t use pesticides to kill off flowering weeds like dandelions and white clover in their lawns.

“Let things be natural rather than trying to make things perfect,” said Roth.

Not only does letting flowers grow naturally in lawns and gardens provide bees with much needed nectar and pollen, many of the pesticides used to remove flowering weeds are harmful to honeybees. Roth advises people to read the label on any pesticide or weed killer they are thinking about using to make sure that it says the product won’t harm honeybees.

Thinking about becoming a beekeeper?

Roth’s advice for first-time beekeepers is simple, “Join your local bee club.”

Local bee clubs provide beekeepers with valuable information that is specific to their area and help beekeepers make connections with each other. Roth said that he is constantly learning new things from other beekeepers, as well as sharing his own experiences and advice.

For more information, go to www. walworthcountybeeclub.com.

EAST TROY OUR TOWN 2017-18

A look at beekeeping, bees and honey in the area

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v OUR GOVERNMENT Library East Troy Lions Public Library 3094 Graydon Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6262 Jeff Gartman – director Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.easttroy.lib.wi.us

Airport East Troy Municipal Airport 2085 Highway L East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5008

Village of East Troy Village Hall 2015 Energy Drive East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6255 Fax: (262) 642-6259 www.easttroywi.gov Village Departments Village Administrator

Eileen Suhm (262) 642-6255 Airport (262) 642-5008 Building Inspector (262) 352-4433 Parks and Recreation (262) 642-6255 Department of Public Works (262) 642-6255 Police (Non-Emergency) (262) 642-6250 Water Works-Billing (262) 642-6255 Water Works-Service (262) 642-6255 After 4 p.m.

(262) 642-6251

jjacoby@easttroywi.gov Matt Johnson* (262) 684-5308 mjohnson@easttroywi.gov Fortune “Forty” Renucci* (262) 642-3897 Ann Zess* (262) 642-2026 azess@easttroywi.gov *Term expires in 2018.

Municipal Judge Michael Cotter (262) 642-6252

Town of East Troy

Village Board Village President Scott Seager sseager@easttroywi.gov (414) 803-7130 Village Trustees Alex Alger (262) 364-8540 aalger@easttroywi.gov John Alexander* (414) 745-4052 jalexander@easttroywi.gov John J. Jacoby (262) 949-5858

Town Hall N9330 Stewart School Road, P.O. Box 872 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5386 Fax: (262) 642-9701 Police (non-emergency): (262) 642-3700 www.townofeasttroy.com Town Board Chairperson Joe Klarkowski Supervisors Barb Church Clayton Montez Clerk/Treasurer

Elected officials, committees, organizations and other key personnel Kim Buchanan (262) 642-5386 tetclerk@centurytel.net Department of Public Works Greg Twellmeyer, Superintendent (262) 642-5386 Building Inspector (262) 366-2400 Plan Commission Joel Cook, Chairman (414) 406-0946 Municipal Judge Dan Heidelmeier (262) 642-5386 Services Assessor National Appraisal Co. (414) 383-2122 Trash Collection John’s Disposal (888) 473-4701

Town of Troy Town Hall N8870 Briggs St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5292

Real People. Real Service.

Real Community Banking.

Fax: (262) 642-5227 Town Garage: (262) 642-5293 www.townoftroy.com Town Board Chairperson John Kendall (262) 470-3294 chair@townoftroy.com Supervisors Kathleen Tober (262) 642-5857 sup2@townoftroy.com Thomas Lorden (262) 642-3544 sup1.@townoftroy.com Pam Healey (262) 642-5292 deputy@townoftroy.com Clerk/Treasurer Tracey Raymond (262) 642-5292 clerktreas@townoftroy.com Troy Center Fire Department Non-Emergency (262) 642-5294 Lake Patrol Supervisor Pat Jessup (262) 581-7010 waterpatrol@townoftroy.com

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