Union grove ot 2018

Union Grove, Wisconsin

2018

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TO he Village of Union Grove and the greater area that includes the towns of Yorkville, Dover/ Kansasville and Raymond is what we call “Our Town.” The area is also known as “The Heart of Racine County.”

The Village of Union Grove is home to nearly 5,000 residents and more than 200 businesses. The growing community maintains its small-town charm yet offers all the amenities of the big city within a short drive. No matter where you are, you’re within minutes of shopping, restaurants, local activities and more.

Union Grove is home to the Racine County Fairgrounds, the Great Lakes Dragaway racetrack and the nearby Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery and Veterans Home.

The residents in Our Town think of each other as neighbors, whether we live a few blocks or a few miles away from one another. That neighborliness carries over into our service organizations, local

Our Town

governments, schools and pride in who we are and what we do.

As our local events show, we love to celebrate. From the annual Fourth of July parade to our summer block party and street dance to the Main Street Car Show, there’s almost always something fun and interesting going on.

And don’t forget the Racine County Fair, which is right here in Union Grove.

Every summer we welcome exhibitors and guests from all over the state to our small town.

There’s plenty of community fun to be had in the winter months as well, with the Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas celebration that sets the tone for the season the first Saturday in December.

Yorkville is home to the Ives Grove Golf Links, which offers 27 holes of premium golf, and the Modine Benstead Observatory for stargazing.

So, take a little time to visit and find out what’s so special about Our Town. We hope to see you around!

Landon Booth, 2, of Franksville, explores a John Deere tractor at the 2017 Racine County Fair in Union Grove. According to his mother, Lori, Landon loves John Deere tractors. This year’s county fair, “Something to Crow About” will run from July 25 to 29.

JASON ARNDT Our Town

our town 2018-19

An annual publication of

Westine Report & Southern Lakes Newspapers 209 Dodge St., Burlington, WI 53105 (262) 763-3330 www.myracinecounty.com Editor in Chief: Edward Nadolski Special Sections: Tracy Ouellette Creative Director: Heidi Schulz Advertising Director: Vicki Vanderwerff Layout Design: Jen DeGroot For advertising opportunities: call (262) 763-3330, ext. 150

UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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OUR PARKS The Village of Union Grove has 13 designated park areas within the village limits.

Leider Park (Eighth Avenue and High Street) has bathroom facilities, pavilion and soccer field as well as playground equipment.

American Legion Memorial Park (Seventh Avenue and Main Street) is the new home of our dog park with a sledding hill in the winter.

Village Square (Main Street and 10th Avenue); this is the location of the Village Christmas tree and the Union Grove Farmers Market.

Ryan Moe Michael Young Park located off 67th Drive has playground equipment and bathroom facilities, along with a

football field.

School Yard Park - on the historic site of Union Grove Elementary School (14th Avenue at New Street) has a brand new concession stand, bathroom facilities and several baseball diamonds as well as playground equipment.

Lauer Wildlife Preserve located in the Fox Creek subdivision is the home of Whitetail Lake.

Other parks are Old Settlers County Park (Highway 11); 12th & Vine Park; 18th Avenue Park and Indian Trail Park (New Street); Martin’s Pond; Woods Park and Bufton Park.

Two rustic walking trails also can be found in the Village; Eagle Trail which connects Ryan Moe Michael Young Park

and Lauer Wildlife Preserve, and Woods Park Trail (Commerce Drive).

OTHER PARKS Lake, Dover Town of Dover Park – Highway 11, 1/2 mile east of Highway J, Dover Samuel Skewes Memorial Park – 15084 Spring St., Yorkville Eagle Lake County Park / Minnetonka Drive Boat Ramp – Eagle, west of Dover Richard Bong State Recreation Area 26313 Burlington Road Kansasville, (262) 878-5600

Union Grove Baptist Church

Union Grove Christian School

417 15th Ave. Union Grove, WI 53182

417 15th Ave. Union Grove, WI 53182

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GRADES K4-12th Traditional Classrooms USCS is a Christian private school offering a safe and academically strong alternative to public education.

We offer small class sizes and a caring staff that seeks to help families and students in the education of both mind and soul.

For more information, call (262) 878-1264 or check out more information on our website - www.MyUnionGroveBaptist.com 312484

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UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

College students with disabilities bring culinary skills to bank

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

Shepherds College culinary arts staff and second-year students who will help operate the Community Café at Community Bank include (from left) culinary arts director Cassandra Comerford, Luke

Community Café to open along with Community Bank remodel

Zakariasen, Susanna Babione, Leah Migliaccio, Justin Howell and culinary arts paraprofessional Lucy Canright.

isitors to Community excited to see the idea that

BY Dan Truttschel State Bank soon will started with Community CORRESPONDENT State Bank President and be able to do more than make a deposit or Chief Executive Officer Scott a withdrawal.

Huedepohl, according to Greg Wall, the

They’ll also be able to quench bank’s marketing director. their thirst and grab a snack at the same “He had the idea that it would be time. interesting if we had something that In cooperation with Shepherds made us unique from a banking side College, Community State Bank, 1500 of things,” Wall said. “With Shepherds Main St., Union Grove, will open a being in town and a great partner that is Community Café in spring 2018. right up the road and with their culinary The project, which is part of a program, we thought wouldn’t this be a major remodel at the bank, was still great fit?” under construction as of press time for And that fit is perfect, Shepherds this publication with a grand opening Executive Director Tracy Terrill said. expected later this spring.

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Both the bank and the college are UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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•

COMMUNITY CAFÉ FROM PAGE 5

The college, also located in Union Grove, provides a three-year postsecondary education program for students from all over the world with intellectual disabilities.

“There’s already a relationship between Shepherds and Community State Bank that is a healthy one,” Terrill said.

“From our end, it’s a no brainer. We’ve been wanting to do something like this in the community. … It was a real decision for us because it’s a great opportunity for us and our students.”

The cafe will be staffed by Shepherds students, according to a press release, and all of the proceeds will benefit the college. A third partner, Stone Creek Coffee, is working with the culinary students to develop a business and training plan along with a beverage menu.

Huedepohl said he is excited to have this partnership soon come to fruition, according to a press release.

“As a community bank, this what we’re about every day,” he said. “We build the communities that we serve.

So when this idea originally crossed my mind, I didn’t even hesitate. I knew this was something that our bank, Shepherds College and our communities could really get behind and support.”

Real-world experiences

Terrill said, from an educational perspective, the cafe will give the college’s students plenty of chances to put what they learn in the classroom to good use.

And those experiences can’t be beat.

“They get pretty extensive training in that (culinary) program,” he said. “The way our program is structured is they also do over 700 hours in a field experience site. That’s plugging into a local business and using the skills they’ve learned. We’ll utilize it in that sense.

“It will also be a great opportunity to train our second-year students as well in the culinary program.”

Terrill knows some challenges lie ahead to get the new business off the ground. But that’s the point of the program, to push those students to bigger and better things.

“I love that it’s forcing us to have real high expectations and meet a high standard in doing this,” he said. “We want to represent Shepherds and Community State Bank really well to our community. That means we’ll have to be on top of our game.

But I’m thrilled by that fact. We want to push our students harder than they’ve ever been pushed before to see what they’re capable of.

“High expectations in their performance,

R PALMEN chEvROLEt

whether it’s customer interaction or preparing the drinks and so on, that’s right in line with what we’re hoping to accomplish with them.”

‘Unique’ opportunities

From the bank’s side, Wall said having a cafe within the building will help set Community State Bank apart from the rest of the field.

And with plenty of choices for customers out there, finding a special niche is always something the bank strives to do.

“We ask ourselves, ‘What makes us different, and how can we show our customers that we’re different?’” he said. “I think this is a great opportunity to do that. Just to be able to partner with Shepherds is really part of our values.

We’re dedicated to lending our time, talent and resources to the community’s that we serve.

“It’s also going to be an asset to our customers. I think it provides a unique banking experience.”

And the new cafe is just the tip of the iceberg of what customers soon will see.

As part of the major remodel, two community rooms that will be directly connected to the cafe are being built in an effort to give visitors a place to gather for any number of reasons, Wall said.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

Shepherds College Executive Director Tracy Terrill meets with Community State Bank vice president and marketing director Gregory Wall in the space that is under construction at Community Bank.

“People can come in, do their transactions, stop in and grab a cup of coffee, but we also see the cafe as kind of a ‘community hub,’” he said. “(The conference rooms) can be used if you have a social club or a board that needs to meet off site; the conference rooms are going to be available to those groups.

“At the same time, they’ll be able to use the cafe services as well. I think that’s another way that makes it unique.”

Same philosophies

Wall said all three entities in the endeavor – the bank, the college and Stone Creek Coffee – have philosophies that are aligned.

And that’s why it’s such a seemingly perfect fit. “(We) all have really similar values when it comes to what our commitment to our employees, our staff, in Shepherd’s case, their students,” he said. “Those values all kind of lined up.

It’s amazing the things you’re able to accomplish when you get three groups of people working together who all share

the same values.”

Stone Creek Director of Partnerships Marshall Welch agreed.

“Stone Creek Coffee was founded with the principle that we have a social obligation to the communities around us,” he said in a press release. “The Shepherds Community Café project is a great embodiment of our social obligation, and we couldn’t have been more excited for the opportunity to use our love for coffee as a conduit to create social and educational outlets for the students at Shepherds College.”

Looking forward

The excitement for the actual unveiling is building, and while any new business venture comes with plenty of challenges, Terrill and Wall said everyone is ready to tackle those head on.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our students and what they’re capable of,” Terrill said. “...I think it’s a place the community comes to pick up a coffee, a scone, or order a box lunch, to host meetings here. I think it will be a real hub

for the community. I don’t think it will take years to get to that place. I think we’ll get there pretty rapidly.”

Having the students showing off their skills also will be a benefit when it comes to recruiting, Terrill said.

“I think when (people) stop by and see our students in action, for prospective parents of students, students and educators we work with, I think it will be a wonderful resource for us to point people toward and say, ‘Here’s part of the Shepherds experience, come check them out,’” he said.

Wall agreed, and said he sees unlimited potential in the project.

Predicting where it will end up is difficult, but he’s excited to see how it unfolds.

“If this becomes super successful, you might be able to look at this as a testing spot for moving this program into other areas or other businesses,” Wall said.

“We’re excited for this one. We’re excited to get it off the ground. And we’re excited to see what the community has to say about it and how they enjoy it.”

UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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Our observatory

The sky’s the limit at the Modine-Benstead Observatory

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

The Modine-Benstead Observatory in Union Grove is home to the Racine Astronomical Society and offers events from spring to fall for anyone interested in learning more about astronomy. For more information about the observatory or the astronomy club, visit www. rasastro.org.

ne of the gems in Union Grove is the Modine-Benstead Observatory, 112 63rd Drive.

The facility has two domed observatories. The main building includes the 16-inch telescope, an observation deck, library and meeting room. The smaller domed building houses a 14-inch telescope.

The observatory’s main instrument is a custom-designed, 16-inch NewtonianCassegrain reflecting telescope.

The mirror was figured at Kitt Peak Observatory. The telescope was designed and built by club members and local industries.

The telescope is mounted on a custom

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UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

German equatorial mount. Attached to the main telescope is a 6-inch refractor, which is used as a guide scope. A 5-inch astrograph refractor also can be attached to the telescope.

The smaller domed building houses a 14-inch Celestron Schmitt Cassegrain reflecting telescope. The telescope is mounted on a Lomansdy German equatorial mount.

For more information, visit www. rasastro.org.

Open house events

Public night open house events are held monthly from April through October and there is no charge for admission or parking. As a nonprofit organization that is volunteer run, the observatory encourages a small donation to help defray the yearly costs of observatory

maintenance and care.

Families are welcome at these events, but young children need to be supervised because the grounds are not illuminated for better observing. Children also should be instructed to respect the telescope equipment provided by our members.

Questions from visitors are expected and welcomed, because part of the Racine Astronomical Society’s mission is to educate and inspire amateur astronomy.

The night of an open house there will be a message on the observatory answering machine if the skies are cloudy.

The 2018 open house events are: • Spring Astronomy Day, Saturday, April 21, 8 to 11 p.m.

• Friday, May 4, 8:30 to 11 p.m.

• Solar Observing, Saturday, May 5, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Friday, June 8, 8:30 to 11 p.m.

• Friday, July 20, 8:30 to 11 p.m.

• Friday, Aug. 10, 8-11 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 14, 8 to 11 p.m.

• Fall Astronomy Day, Saturday, Oct. 13, 7 to 10 p.m.

Astronomical Society

The Racine Astronomical Society was established in 1956 to promote interest in astronomy among amateurs and the Racine area public. Membership is open to anyone interested in astronomy.

Annual membership is $45 for adults and $22.50 for students and seniors. Visit www.rasastro.org/membership.htm for more information.

Meetings of the Racine Astronomical Society are open to members and the general public.

Star parties and Members’ Nights are open to members only.

OUR SCHOOLS There are four K-8 elementary schools (Union Grove, Raymond, Kansasville and Yorkville) that feed into Union Grove Union High School District.

Post-secondary educational opportunities in the area include Gateway Technical College, which serves the tri-county area of Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties, University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Carthage College.

Shepherds Collage in Union Grove is a post-secondary educational program for young adults with intellectual disabilities.

KANSASVILLE GRADE SCHOOL 4101 S. Beaumont Ave., Kansasville (262) 878-3773 www.kansasville.org

UNION GROVE UNION HIGH SCHOOL 3433 S. Colony Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-2434 www.ug.k12.wi.us

UNION GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 409 15th Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-1265 www.ugbccs.org

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS UNION GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1745 Milldrum St., Union Grove (262) 878-2015 www.uges.k12.wi.us BRIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1200 248th Ave., Kansasville (262) 878-2191 www.brighton.k12.wi.us

YORKVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 18621 Washington Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-3759 www.yorkville.k12.wi.us RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2659 S. 76th St., Franksville (262) 835-2929 www.raymond.k12.wi.us

PARIS CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL 1901 176th Ave., Kenosha (262) 859-2350 www.paris.k12.wi.us PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL – EAST CAMPUS (Grades K-4) 1481 172nd Ave., Union Grove (262) 859-2007 www.providencecatholicschool.org

PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL – WEST CAMPUS (Grades 5-8) 1714 240th Ave., Kansasville (262) 878-2713 www.providencecatholicschool.org

POST-SECONDARY GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (800) 247-7122 www.gtc.edu UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-PARKSIDE 900 Wood Road, Kenosha (262) 595-2345 www.uwp.edu CARTHAGE COLLEGE 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha (262) 551-8500 www.carthage.edu SHEPHERDS COLLEGE 1805 15th Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-5620 www.shepherdsministries.org

UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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OUR CHURCHES St. Robert Bellarmine Church 3320 S Colony Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-3476

ASSEMBLY OF GOD First Assembly of God 1845 Main St., Union Grove (262) 878-1810

CHURCH OF GOD Union Grove Church of God 614 11th Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-4920

BAPTIST Union Grove Baptist Church 417 15th Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-1264 Raymond Baptist Church 8638 W. Highway K, Franksville (262) 878-5133

CATHOLIC St. Francis Xavier Parish 1704 240th Ave., Kansasville (262) 878-2267 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 1501 172nd Ave., Union Grove (262) 859-2484

Union Grove United Methodist Church 906 12th Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-1590 www.uniongroveumc.com

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Union Grove Congregation 14509 Braun Road, Sturtevant (262) 878-9331

Yorkville United Methodist Church 17645 Old Yorkville Road, Union Grove (262) 878-2388 www.yumc.org

LUTHERAN

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

North Cape Lutheran ELCA 2644 Raynor Ave., Franksville (262) 835-2206

Raymond Community Church UCC 8217 W. Highway G, Franksville (262) 835-2157

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 1610 Main St., Union Grove 262) 878-2600 www.stpaulsug.org Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 2908 S Colony Ave., Union Grove (262) 878-4156 www.trinityug.org

St. Mary Catholic Church 23211 Church Road, Kansasville (262) 878-1762

UNITED METHODIST

Racine County Fair!

See You At the

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UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WELCOMES ALL TO THE

elcome to the Greater Union Grove Area! Located just west of the interstate and encompassing the communities of the Town of Yorkville, Village of Union Grove, Town of Raymond and Kansasville/ Dover at the very heart of Racine County.

This area is known for its strong school system, which drives people to want to locate here. The system is comprised of four Union K4-8 schools, which all feed into Union Grove High School.

Each of these schools have exceeded expectations according to the Department of Public Instructions School Report Cards and continue to provide additional opportunities for growth for the area’s youth.

Some of the attractions that both visitors to the area and residents enjoy include; Great Lake’s Dragaway - a 1/4-mile dragstrip located on County Highway KR. The track is open from spring through fall and now has an additional event in the winter for snowmobile racing.

The Racine County Fairgrounds is expanding its use beyond the fair itself.

The venue hosts:

• The Lion’s Chicken BBQ and Car Show – an event not to be missed by young and old alike; • Half Point Re-enactment – travel back in time and experience history firsthand.

Talk to re-enactment actors as they tell the tales of the past; • Fall Harvest Days is a celebration of the harvest. During this three-day event an assortment of working and restored tractors can be viewed. The tractor parade hits the not-to-miss list for many of the locals.

• We can’t forget the two newest events that have soared in popularity. Touch-ATruck – the name says it all. Young and old are invited out for an exciting day experiencing all of the big work trucks up close and personal. This free event is a must attend!

• That brings us to the Great Pumpkin Chuckin’ Fest. This event has been televised on “Outdoor Wisconsin,” aired on multiple new and radio program and covered in a variety of magazine and news stories. Why? Because where else can you see 8- to 10-pound pumpkins being launched through the air by massive machines! And that is not all, this event hosts a KCBS BBQ Cook-Off, Great

Pumpkin Bake-Off, costume contest, kids games, carnival rides, entertainment, plus more. Not to mention there is no admission fee or parking charge.

In the town of Dover, Eagle Lake is thriving with year-round activity including the Eagle Lake Regatta and Winter Golf.

Raymond has one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in the county. Union Grove host many events, including the Union Grove Fourth of July parade, Back to the Past car show, Super Saturday, a farmers market through the growing season and Christmas Comes to Union Grove.

These are very exciting times to be involved in the community. At the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce we are actively participating in multiple municipal meetings, working with the education system and continuing to help promote the businesses within our communities.

We look forward to welcoming new businesses to the area and helping them succeed.

Jennifer Ditscheit Executive Director Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce

UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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OUR EVENTS MAY 2 Spring Casserole Luncheon, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1610 Main St., Union Grove.

3-4 Union Grove Area Foodbank’s annual spring used clothing sale. www. ugfoodbank.org 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 All-church rummage sale at the Masonic Lodge. ugcongregational.org 28 Memorial Day Service – Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery 28 Memorial Day Program and Procession – Program at American Legion Park followed by a procession leading Vets and Community Members from the park to Union Grove Memorial Cemetery.

JUNE 3 Lions Club Annual Car, Van, Motorcycle & Chicken BBQ 9 Touch-A-Truck – Event designed to introduce kids and families to the construction and trades industry and to

Although we make every attempt to provide accurate information regarding area events, dates and times may change or events may be cancelled. We suggest you verify before you finalize your travel plans.

TBA Kansasville Fire Department Pancake Breakfast and Safety Day 23730 Durand Ave., Kansasville

raise awareness that there are many rewarding opportunities in these industries Children are allowed to touch, climb, sit in the driver’s seat, pose for photos, and ask questions about their favorite trucks in a safe, supervised environment.

Accompanying personnel will teach the children about the equipment and vehicles displayed and how these machines help up and our local community. www. touchatruckwisconsin.com

25-29 Racine County Fair – Something to Crow About, on the county fairgrounds, 198005 Durand Ave., Union Grove. www.racinecountyfair.com

AUGUST TBA “Back to the Past” Car Show, Main Street in Union Grove

12 Union Grove Farmers Market opens and runs through October, 3 to 7 p.m. on the Village Square.

TBA Union Grove Area Foodbank’s annual fall used-clothing sale. www.ugfoodbank.org

JULY

SEPTEMBER

4 Union Grove Fourth of July Parade – Parade begins at 9:15 starting at the Racine County Fairgrounds the parade travels East on Hwy 11 then heads North on Hwy 45 ending at Union Grove High School.

8 Super Saturday – Chamber of Commerce’s annual event featuring a 5K fun run, late night street dance, great food and local business specials. www. ugsupersaturday.com

3-4 Raymond Fourth of July festivities at Raymond School 2659 S. 76th St., Franksville. July 3 annual Barn Dance, starting at 6 p.m. Fourth of July Parade begins at the Raymond Town Hall, 2255 S. 76th St., Franksville, and ends at Raymond School, 2659 S. 76th St. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

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14-16 Fall Harvest Days – SEWAPCS’s Fall Harvest Days at the Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove, rain or shine.

The show is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.

• MORE EVENTS ON PAGE 17

The

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Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

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Reflecting, reminiscing and rejoining

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

The maintenance and grounds crews of Southern Wisconsin Center are photographed in 2006 after hanging the sign to the center at the County Highway C entrance.

Current, former Southern Wisconsin Center staffers making reunions a tradition

It started with a small milestone, she said. But

BY Dave Fidlin idea, as so many large state budget cuts and CORRESPONDENT other philosophical shifts events do.

But as Rita Michel and put an end to the practice. other organizers ran with a thought The second reunion took place that first came to life from her Sept. 16 at the American Legion father, Michel said she knew she Hall in Union Grove. was on to something big.

At the time, Michel said she is In 2015, Michel and a small, confident even more employees dedicated group of current and will pay a visit this go-around, former employees within the pointing to word of mouth and Southern Wisconsin Center decided social media as some of the to hold reunions every other year. reasons.

The inaugural gala, which had Together, the 10 current and about 300 attendees, took place two former employees have given 322 years ago. years of service to the Southern “It started with an idea for Wisconsin Center, which is part employee morale,” Michel said. In of the Wisconsin Department of the past, parties would frequently • CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 be held when staffers reached a UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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SOUTHERN WISCONSIN CENTER FROM PAGE 13

Health Services.

Many of the staffers planning this weekend’s reunion have individually given 30 to 40 years of service to the agency.

SWC, one of three such facilities in Wisconsin, serves adults with intellectual disabilities. Many of the patients also contend with one or more physical or mental health disorders. The agency aims to offer a range of programs and opportunities tailored in a way that best meets a person’s specific needs.

While the reunions have served as an opportunity for old friends to come together, they also have served as a platform for looking back at the center’s rich history in Union Grove, which dates back nearly a century.

Greg Wilson, a longtime SWC employee, is one of the 10 past or present staffers helping plan this weekend’s event.

Wilson also has taken a keen interest in chronicling the center’s history, dating back to day one in 1919.

At its peak, SWC served 1,600 clients on-site. This was in the early 1960s. In the more than half-century since, the number of outpatient opportunities has grown, meaning fewer of the center’s clients need to live on the grounds.

Today, Wilson said 130 people live on-site.

Wilson can readily rattle off many of

DAVE FIDLIN Our Town

Cottage C on the Southern Wisconsin Center grounds is one of the original structures at the center. It was built in 1919.

the center’s statistics and ways of serving clientele in years long since passed by. The center, for instance, once had an adjacent farm and on-site butcher.

“But it’s no longer self-sufficient,” Wilson said of the way SWC operates. “It’s become more a part of the community now.”

As Michel sees it, the fact SWC does not operate within a vacuum is a good thing. Whenever possible and practical, the center aims to bring clientele into the community.

“Union Grove has been very supportive of us over the years,” she said.

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UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

Four individuals, softball team named to

Bronco Hall of Fame

A former teacher, three alumni and a state championship softball team joined 48 others in the Union Grove Union High School Bronco Hall of Fame in 2017.

Former faculty member Thomas Czerniak, alumni William Klug, Jason Morgan and Ward Richter and the 2007 state softball championship team will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday before the homecoming game on Bronco Field.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2006 to honor and recognize alumni who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavor during or after high school, exceptional teachers, coaches or administrators, and those who have given meritorious service, are a loyal friend, or have been, to UGUHS. Alumni nominees must be out of high school a minimum of 10 years. To date, 48 individuals have been inducted into the Bronco Hall of Fame.

This year’s recipients are:

Jason Morgan Morgan, of the Class of 1997, was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and baseball. He attained nine varsity letters and had an influence on all three sports from his sophomore season through graduation.

He was named all-county first team for basketball, all-county and all-conference for baseball, all-county, all-conference first-team and all-conference honorable mention for football. In football, he was named all-area and all-county honorable mention three years in a row.

Morgan entered high school at a time when Union Grove high School was known for ineptness in baseball, basketball and football. He made Union Grove relevant in the sports he participated in. In his first year playing varsity basketball, he broke the single-game scoring record with 43 points in a game. His junior year, he hit a three-pointer to win the game over the Tony Romo-led Demons. He is still the boys basketball team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,131 points. He helped transform three of the major sports programs and make Union Grove High School relevant again in high school athletics.

Morgan ultimately earned a baseball scholarship to the University of WisconsinParkside, where he still holds the top 10 career totals for four offensive categories and put Parkside baseball back on the map. He graduated with a degree in sports and fitness management.

Furthering his education, he graduated with degrees in health promotions and health science from the University of Memphis.

Morgan has been featured in American Healthcare Leader magazine and the Racine Journal Times. He also played baseball for the Waterford Rivermen and was named the league’s most valuable player two years in a row.

Morgan is director of global health and wellbeing for Mars Inc., which is based in McLean, Va. He and his wife, Kari, live in Raymond, Va., with their daughters, Miley and Summer.

Morgan was nominated by his friend Adam Peterson and former coach David Pettit.

William C. Klug Klug, of the Class of 1973, played football, basketball and baseball for four years during high school career and earned eight athletic letters. He was awarded football all-conference twice, football all-state honorable mention, basketball all-conference, baseball allconference three times and baseball MVP twice. He also participated in the National Honor Society, Letterman’s Club, Student Council and prom court.

Following graduation, Klug attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for three years, where he was the running back on the football team and pitcher for the baseball team.

Klug and his wife, Jodi, participated in the Bronco Booster Club for 12 years and chaired the Bronco Booster Club Golf Outing for two years. He and his family sponsor a UGHS scholarship in his mother’s name and have participated for five years in the Adopt a Grandparent program at Oak Ridge Care Center. Through his church, Yorkville Methodist Church, he packs lunches for the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization in Racine, works at its pork

chop dinner and Fall Harvest Days pie sale, helps with supplies for the Union Grove Area Food Bank and does Christmas caroling at the Veterans Center.

Klug is a facility manager for Stericycle.

Through his position at Stericycle, he has spearheaded funds for the UGHS baseball field, Spanish Club trip to Spain and Sparks baseball team. He was also instrumental in obtaining numerous donations for the Union Grove-Yorkville Rescue and Fire Department through his employer.

In his free time, Klug has been a member of the Racine Instinctive Bowmen archery club for 38 years and on the board of directors for 10 years.

Bill’s Kitchen has also done five YouTube videos with helpful hints and recipes in the kitchen.

He was nominated by his friends Frank Lamping and Bill Grise.

Ward R. Richter When Richter, Class of 1948, was a student at UGHS, the school had five teachers, plus parttime band and choral directors. Richter was the salutatorian of his class.

After graduation, Richter went to the University of Wisconsin’s three-year pre-veterinary program, then on to Iowa State University earning a doctor of veterinary medicine and master of science in pathology.

Richter is a board-certified veterinary pathologist who is internationally recognized as an expert in toxicological pathology and preclinical safety evaluation of new pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.

In his field, he has worked as a corporate and academic scientist, an educator, a laboratory manager, a corporate executive, a software developer and a consultant to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in the United States, Asia and Europe.

His career as an educator and academic scientist included 11 years as a professor of pathology at the University of Chicago Medical School where he trained a series of Ph.D. scientists and pathology residents and conducted research. Early in his career, he conducted research for the military, including • CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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•

HALL OF FAME FROM PAGE 15

investigation of the potential adverse effects of radio frequency energy.

His pharmaceutical research involves investigating mechanisms of drug toxicity and the evaluation of drug safety for human pharmaceuticals. He has held positions including division manager and vice president of several pathology and toxicology research laboratories and has served as senior vice president of research, principal scientist and a member of the scientific advisory panel for a major United Kingdom contract research organization.

In addition to his career, he has served on federal government advisory committees.

Since 2002, he has worked as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry worldwide as chief scientific officer for Druquest International Inc. His work has been submitted to federal government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency and their international counterparts in support of new drug applications or chemical licensing. Richter is the author or co-author of 60 peer-reviewed research papers.

Richter grew up in the Union Grove area and now lives in Leeds, Ala., a suburb of Birmingham. He and his wife had three children, Robert, of St. Louis, Mo.; David, of Lancaster, N.H.; and Pamela Boss, of Union Grove. Richter is married to Joanne

R. Kopplin, also a doctor of veterinary medicine, and returns to the Union Grove area every summer to visit family and friends and continue consulting work. Richter and Kopplin’s careers have taken them to Chicago, Kalamazoo, Mich., San Francisco, central New Jersey and Leeds, Ala. Richter still works full time.

He was nominated by his daughter Pamela Richter-Boss and Doris Columbe.

Thomas Czerniak Czerniak was on the faculty of Union Grove High School from 1970 to 2004. He graduated from Pulaski High School where he was involved in the National Honor Society and president of Student Council.

He came to Union Grove High School in the fall of 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Within three years of his arrival, he earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He taught general

science, biology and advanced biology during his 34 years at UGHS. He also served as adviser to the ski club, chaperone for senior class trips to Washington, D.C., and New York City and senior class adviser, attending class banquets on the boat in Lake Geneva. He still serves as the “voice of the Broncos” for varsity football games and timer for junior varsity and freshman football games. He was a track coach, science department chairman and held all local education association positions.

In 1978, he joined the Union GroveYorkville Fire Department, served as secretary until 2002, became the first assistant chief of rescue from 1993 to 1995 and since 2002, serves as the department fire chief.

During his years of teaching at the high school, he was called numerous times out of class for one emergency or another with students and staff.

In 1980, he became an instructor for Gateway Technical College where is now a lead instructor and coordinator for the basic emergency medical technician classes.

In 2004, after retiring from the high school he became a deputy medical examiner for Racine County and today is the chief deputy medical examiner.

Czerniak was awarded the Wisconsin Exemplary Science Teacher in 1987; was the first teacher to receive the Educators

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Excellence Award in 1995; was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Union Grove Citizen award in 2002 by the Union Grove Masonic Lodge; was named EMS Instructor of the Year in 2003 from Gateway Technical College; and received the Greater Union Grove Area Individual Community Service Award in 2014.

He served on the Union Grove Village Board for a term and is a lector at his church.

He has been married to Peggy (Lamping) for 43 years with two sons Christopher (Susan) and Matthew (Rebecca); two granddaughters Kathryn, 11, and Natalie, 8; and two grandsons Harvey, 3, and Felix, 1.

He still lives in Union Grove where he takes an interest in the Broncos. He has a famous brother-in-law, Frank Lamping, the 2016 Packer Fan in the Fan Hall of Fame.

Czerniak was nominated by his wife and sons

2007 State Softball Championship Team Members of the 2007 team to be honored are Christine Aponte, Mia Osmundsen, Roby Mueller Welker, Tricia O’Keffe Koessl, Samantha Howe, Kristyn Hansen Scoma, Jessica Niles, Nathalie Schattner, Brandi Krencisz Schreiber, Kayla Ziesse Peterson, Lindsey Mikulecky and Ryannon Snow, head coach Scott Katterhagen and assistant coaches Todd Hansen and Les Wagner.

After graduating high school in 2009, Aponte attended St. Norbert College to study biology and chemistry and played on the 2009-10 softball team. She finished her undergraduate work at UW-Parkside in 2012 and began coaching 18U traveling softball with the Wisconsin Twisters. In 2012, Aponte Cristina attended pharmacy school at UW-Madison. During this time, she volunteered for medical mission trips in Central America.

In 2016, Aponte graduated from UWMadison with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

She now works as a pharmacist with her husband, Caleb Rosenbalm, at Lakeview Pharmacy in downtown Racine.

After graduating in 2007, Osmundsen attended the University of Northern Iowa on a golf scholarship and later transferred to UW-Whitewater where she graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in English literature

•

and language. Osmundsen has been working at Gateway Technical College for nearly five years and is an academic advisor. While at Gateway, she earned her Lean Six Sigma green belt certification leading a recycling initiative to align with college President Bryan Albrecht’s Climate Commitment. In May, she graduated from UW-Milwaukee with her Master’s Degree in cultural Foundations of community engagement and education. She utilizes this degree in her position at Gateway while leading several initiatives, events and projects at the college to better the lives of students and communities.

She welcomed a son, Xander, into the world on July 26, 2017.

After graduation, Welker went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Stevens Point, double majoring in computer information systems and web and digital media development. After graduation, she started her career at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance in Milwaukee, working on the application testing team. Welker is now a test engineering tech lead and heads a team of 10 on one of the most technically advanced projects at Northwestern Mutual.

In her spare time, Welker still enjoys playing softball and plays on two teams during the summer and participates in summer tournaments. She also still enjoys playing volleyball and bowling throughout the fall and winter.

Since graduating from UGHS, Koessl attended Carthage College where she was a four-year member of the softball program. In 2011, she graduated magna cum laude with a major in Elementary education and a minor in mathematics. She is entering her seventh year teaching middle school math at All Saints Catholic School in Kenosha. She also coaches softball for Mahone Middle School and Indian Trail High School and Academy.

She and her husband, Ryan, live in Kenosha and enjoy watching and playing sports, traveling and hanging out with friends and family.

Following graduation in 2007, Howe attended UW-Green Bay on a full athletic Division I softball scholarship. She transferred to UW-Parkside two years later where she got the opportunity to intern for a New York Yankee minor league baseball team in Charleston, S.C. She spent two years in Charleston before making her way back

home to Wisconsin to enroll in school for dental hygiene, and will graduate in May as a dental hygienist. She spent her last day as a Howe being inducted into the Hall of Fame as she married Dusty Svendsen the following Saturday.

Following graduation, Scoma attended UW-Madison and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. While pursuing her degree, she continued her softball career as a walk-on for the UW Badgers. Fresh out of college, she worked for Kimberly Clark where she pursued opportunities that relocated her to Minneapolis and Nashville. She continues to live in Nashville where she now works for S.C. Johnson & Son on the Dollar General corporate account in sales and category management. In Nashville, Scoma met her husband, got a puppy and bought her first home.

As high school came to an end, Niles went on to attend college at UW-Oshkosh in the fall of 2008. As time went on, Niles moved back home and attended Bryant & Stratton College to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting. She works for her family’s business.

Schattner is the executive director for the Grant County Farm Service Agency in Lancaster. She attended UW-Platteville and majored in animal sciences and agribusiness.

She played softball at the university for three years. After college she began working as a dairy field representative in Lancaster. In June of 2016, she began her career with the United States Department of Agriculture when she became the Farm Service Agency director. She lives in Lancaster where she coaches softball at Lancaster High School and the recreation department and works for the Lancaster Country Club.

Since graduation, Schreiber attended UWStevens Point and double majored in urban forestry and forest recreation. After college she married her high school sweetheart, John, and they moved to Chippewa County for his job. In January, they welcomed their first son, Cameron. Schreiber lives in Cornell.

Mikulecky played college softball at UWOshkosh and Elmhurst College. She lives in Illinois and works as a personal trainer.

Mikulecky participated in the North Central Region Cross Fit Games and played on the Chicago Bliss women’s football team.

Peterson lives in Eustis, Fla.

CHAMBER EVENTS FROM PAGE 12

OCTOBER TBA Half Point Historical Reenactment on the Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove. Family friendly, educational event with livinghistory demonstrations.

20-21 The Great Pumpkin Chuckin’ Fest featuring the Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off. Pumpkin Chuckin’, KCBS BBQ contest, kids games, costume

contests, chili contest, pumpkin baking contest, music and more. Racine County Fairgrounds, Union Grove. www.pumpkinchuckin.com

11 Veterans Day Service – Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

20 Union Grove Elementary School Craft Fair, 1745 Milldrum St.

TBA Christmas Comes to Union Grove. Annual event with tree lighting on the Village Square, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, cookie walk, Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Craft Fair at Union Grove Elementary School. www. uniongrovechamber.org

NOVEMBER TBA American Legion Prime Rib Dinner Union Grove High School Play

DECEMBER

UNION GROVE OUR TOWN 2018/19

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OUR GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY An elected Village Board president governs the Village of Union Grove with six elected trustees. These positions are considered part-time. The village administrator is a full-time position, overseen by the Village Board.

A chairman and two to four trustees govern the surrounding townships of Yorkville, Dover, Raymond and Paris.

Visit the municipality website for listing of board members and village/town officials.

VILLAGE OF UNION GROVE Municipal Center 925 15th Ave. (262) 878-1818 www.uniongrove.net • Recreation Department (262) 902-7917

• Public Works (262) 878-9301 • Wastewater Treatment Plant (262) 878-2387 TOWN OF YORKVILLE 925 15th Ave. Union Grove (262) 878-2123 www.townofyorkville.com TOWN OF DOVER 4110 S. Beaumont Ave. Kansasville (262) 878-2200 www.townofdoverwi.com TOWN OF RAYMOND 2255 76th St. Franksville (262) 835-4426 www.raymondtownof.com TOWN OF PARIS 16607 Burlington Road Union Grove (262) 859-3006 www.town-of-paris.org

GRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY 1215 Main St. Union Grove (262) 878-2910 www.uniongrove.lib.wi.us FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY – CALL 911 Non-emergency numbers: Union Grove/Yorkville Fire Department (262) 878-4181 Paris Fire Department (262) 859-3009 Raymond Center Fire Department (262) 835-1687 Kansasville Fire Department (262) 878-3811

POLICE – EMERGENCY CALL 911 Non-emergency number: Racine County Sheriff’s Department (262) 636-3211 RACINE COUNTY OFFICES www.racineco.com Courthouse (262) 636-3371 County Clerk (262) 636-3121 Emergency Management (262) 636-3515 Planning & Development (262) 886-8470 Register of Deeds (262) 636-3208 Veterans Services (262) 767-2900

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