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NEIGHBORS
A Publication of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
EASTTROY.ORG EASTTROY.ORG
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DECEMBER 2021 MARCH 2021
VOLUME 32, EDITION VOLUME 32, EDITION 1 4
You Asked, We Answered Our First Q&A Issue Our first Q&A issue combines two vital things: the real-life concerns of our readers and the knowledge and expertise of our community members.
Ready to shred? Hit the slopes at Alpine Valley Resort
Community = Magic Turn theHere’s How We Did It East Troyon Lights:
Twinkle
Downtown East Troy twinkled like never before this December, thanks to the debut of East Troy Lights – an all new holiday light attraction. The interactive and imaginative light display experience transported visitors to a dazzling display of lights utilizing the backdrop of the historic East Troy Village Square. All month, people flocked to the square to walk through the lights or see the show from their vehicles. Not only could attendees watch the shows - on the hour, every hour - but, with the help of a mobile phone, they were able to try to make their own light shows.
East Troy Lights returns to square Q: did the light forHow holiday season show come to be?
Take a trip to downtown East Troy this Jamie Rohrer: December to see East Troy Lights – a We finished a proof-of-concept spectacular holiday light show. light show in 2019, and although was not publicly The interactive anditimaginative light announced, thousands people either saw display experience willofkick off Saturday, the live, Santa on Instagram/Facebook, Dec.show 4, when comes to East Troyor via the 113-year-old East Troy Electric Railroad Santa Parade Train to light the annual Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree. Lights will continue with timed shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Dec. 31. Walk through the lights or see the show from your car by tuning into In celebration of its 75th 90.9 FM. anniversary, Elegant Farmer, “Watch as the The entire downtown East1545 Main St., Mukwonago, will host a Troy Square sparkles in the night in sync celebration family withyearlong your favorite holidayfeaturing songs. Or, take fun of events and ayourself variety of delicious control the lights and create your specials. ownfood holiday magic,” said Vanessa Lenz, Executive Director, East Troy Area Chamber • CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 of Commerce. “We also have a Light Show Simulator
had the chance to interact with it at www. easttroylights.com. Vanessa Lenz: After unveiling this beta version in 2019, the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and our entire community has worked together in 2020 to give people a unique experience in beautiful, historic downtown East Troy this holiday season. Your aren’tofcomplete without Theholidays foundation the project wasa visit to East Troy Lights – an interactive holiday light display on the East Troy Village Square. Above: The stunning photo of Lauren Kmiec and her son Emory won third collaboration with the East Troy Community place in last year’s East Troy photo contest for perfectly capturing the magic of the popular East School District (from 4K to Lights 12), our Troy Lightsattractions Tunnel. Below: Troy’s coming storefronts like Sauced Pizzeria deck the halls for the dazzling businesses, andEast residents display of lights which you can walk through or view from your car by tuning into 90.9 FM. East Troy together to make it happen. Lights will feature timed shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. from Dec. 4-31.
Ski season is fast approaching and Alpine Valley Resort is ready for you to have an incredible experience on its slopes. Alpine Valley Resort, voted number one for family resort and number one for snow making, offers an ideal chance to get outdoors with plenty of open space See for guests to spread out. the newly “We offer services that you would see Behind out west but for halfreleased the price and locally,” the Scenes East said Elizabeth Firestone, Ski and Snowboard Troy Lights video Director. “In specific to the ski aspect, we have on hill EastTroy three high-speed quads, snow carousal, four Lights.com! Q. What makes East LAUREN & ANDY PHOTOGRAPHY Good Neighbors triple chair lifts, two rope tow and five beginner Troy Lights so special? magic carpets, which provide our customers less time in line and more time on the snow,” Jamie Rohrer: said Jamison Satchel, General Manager for Quite simply, community: each control Alpine. box was hand crafted by local businesses This beautiful photo, submitted by Dogs and Dreams, instantly captured both our furry friend and photography loving hearts, winning second place (and $100 to East Troy Brewery) in the East Troy and kids, the custom software running on • CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
• CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Lights Photo Contest. See additional photos at easttroy.org. DOGS AND DREAMS Good Neighbors
Elegant Farmer celebrates 75 years The Lowdown The Elegant Farmer is The East Troy Area Chamber Commerce is open daily 9ofa.m. to 6 partnering with Allanp.m. Integrated ClosedControl Easter,Systems to ring in 2022 with a big celebration on the East Thanksgiving, Christmas Troy Village Square withDay. a New andcomplete New Year’s ForYear’s Eve Ball Drop, coordinated downtown more information, callevents and the final East Troy presentation (262)Lights 363-6770 or visit of the season. Getwww.elegantfarmer.com. updates at easttroy.org.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED Good Neighbors
April 6 election heats up Why should I vote?
We’ve all been told since elementary school that voting is our civic duty. While high profile national elections draw large numbers of voters, participation in local elections are traditionally low. If you care about East Troy, casting a vote in local elections on April 6 is a must. Village of East Troy, Town of East Troy, Town of Troy and East Troy Community School District races are starting to heat up as several new candidates throw their hats into the ring. You will be deciding who is responsible for many of the government functions that impact your daily life. East Troy Community School District residents will see two referendum questions that will play a major role in the future of East Troy schools.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN DEC. 4 The East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Parade Train will make its annual journey into downtown East Troy on Saturday, Dec. 4. Presented by the East Troy Electric Railroad in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center, the beautifully lit fourcar train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy.
The original East Troy Christmas Parade train, started by the East Troy Jaycees and the railroad in 1972, was a historic reproduction of the Schuster’s Christmas Parade in Milwaukee. The Schuster’s Department store chain sponsored the parade, established in 1928, to kick off the Christmas shopping season. It disappeared in 1955 with the demise of the Milwaukee Electric Lines • CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Santa, Mrs. Claus and their entourage will make their annual journey to East Troy aboard the East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Parade Train on Saturday, Dec. 4. The lighting of the Bob Barutha Community Christmas Tree and debut of year 2 of East Troy Lights will take place at 6:30 p.m. at East Troy Village Square Park. REESE BILLINGS Good Neighbors
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