WONDERS Fall 2020

Fall 2020

Wonders

of

WALWORTH COUNTY

Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

FALL 2020

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Adapting to the new norm FALL 2020

WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

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KIDS AT BLOOM360 ARE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM

By Tracy Ouellette

G

EDITOR

etting the kids safely back to school is a challenge this year as the coronavirus pandemic rages on in the United States and across the world. School districts around the globe are struggling with how to keep the teachers, staff and children safe and adopting split schedules, mandatory mask wearing and other social distancing measures in the hope of mitigating the spread of the virus.

While public schools are facing hurdles with large numbers of students, prep sports and providing virtual options for families who want it, some small, private schools are facing different challenges.

Bloom360 Learning Community in East Troy is a non-profit special education school that teaches kids age 5 to 18 with neurodiverse needs.

Bloom has six students enrolled at the moment and a large enough facility to accommodate them, so they were able to open for in-person learning at the end of August.

The younger group started first and the older group began the following week, Blooom360 President and Founder Laura Rauman said.

“We’re back in-person and hopefully we can stay in-person,” she added.

Rauman said the kids have been doing well with the new rules of mask wearing and social distancing. They took their guidance for the new school year from the Centers for Disease Control and took extra steps to keep the kiddos as well as staff safe.

“We installed some UV lights on the furnace and air system,” Rauman said. “And we had all the air ducts cleaned. One family donated Plexiglass dividers on the work desks, too. And we’ve spread things out more.”

She said they added visual aids for the kids with arrows on the floors and other reminders.

“The kids are adapting really well.

They’re wearing their masks; they’ve been amazing,” Rauman said adding that she believes it was the trust the students had in their teachers that made the difference.

Telling stories Another tool used to prep the kids for school was “Social Stories” so the students could see how things would be different this year.

“A Social Story is like a Power Point that looks like a book with pictures of what to expect. We tried to use familiar faces and took pictures of actual spaces so they could see the difference,” Rauman said. “We had one for temperature check when they first come in that showed how to stand on the blue line and had a picture of what that would look like.”

She said they’ve been using Social Stories for a while for things like introducing new students and families to the staff and other kids before they start classes.

“So far, so good; it’s all been going well.

We’ll just be flexible because we don’t know the future. In fact, the first theme of the year is ‘flexibility.’ We’re doing all sorts of projects and activities around that,” Rauman said.

She said they’ve had to learn to be more flexible and with the kids, it can be a sticking point.

“We’re trying to make it fun with handson projects to help them understand the concept because we may need to transition to virtual learning aging. While it went well in the spring, clearly in-person learning is best in our opinion,” she said.

For many special needs kids, social emotional learning is a major portion of their education and Rauman said that’s harder to do virtually.

“Given our relationship with the kids, when we transitioned to virtual in the spring, it went really well compared to how it could have gone, but it’s not ideal,” she said.

Teaching and more Bloom360 focuses on social-emotional learning and utilizes project-based learning as its main curriculum, according to school officials.

One of the ways the school uses PBL is with its microbusiness project that began this past winter.

“We have a bakery cart that has all the makings of a little business,” Rauman said.

“The kids had to plan it out, raise funds, buy ingredients and each week the kids took turns at choosing what to make and with different

Darren (from left), Piper and Sophia work the We Kneed Kindness Dough in Every Bite bakery cart. The microbusiness is run by the students at Bloom360 Learning Community.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County

parts of the business.”

She said the kids sold their bakery items to parents and staff, in the community and at events.

“The idea is to continue to build that into something more,” Rauman said. “To teach them, at a young age, the business aspects of working the cart, marketing their business and financing it.”

The kids chose to donate a large portion of the profits from the cart to the Lakeland Animal Shelter, Rauman said.

“The picked the charity they wanted to donate to. They really connected with it.

They went over the shelter’s wish list and bought a lot of supplies on it and then went over to donate everything they bought in person,” she said.

The school also has the first and only two practitioners in Wisconsin certified

in The Greenspan Floortime Approach.

This licensing is the highest of its kind in the world involving the DIR Model and Floortime Therapy, is a proven method and key to Bloom’s developmental approach.

Bloom360 is also adding a program for home-school families, according to Rauman.

The goal is to provide kids with neurodiverse needs a place for social interaction they might not have access to once they are out of the school system.

“We created the program, called ‘Roots,’ over the summer and with all the COVID-19 protocols, we’re not rolling it out all the way this semester, but if someone is interested, they should call the school because we’ll work with them,” Rauman said. “It’s just another way to help the kids and the program

Wonders of Walworth County

See BLOOM360, Page 4

A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC and The Beacon 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411 GENERAL MANAGER: .....................................Sue Z. Lange EDITOR: .....................................................Tracy Ouellette CREATIVE/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: ................Heidi Schulz PAGE DESIGNER: ...........................................Jen DeGroot ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: ......................Vicki Vanderwerff

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On the cover: Amy Smith, of Lyons, picks out gourds with help from her sons, Wyatt, 5, and Cash, 8, at Pearce’s Farm Stand in Walworth. Pearce’s had its annual Customer Appreciation Weekend Sept. 19 and 20. (Penny Gruetzmacher photo)

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

• Bloom360

FALL 2020

(Continued from page 3 )

is very aligned with out beliefs, which is at the root of Bloom is the social-emotional piece and we want to help supplement that for homeschooled families.”

For more information, visit thefloortimecenter. com.

How to help As with many non-profit organizations, COVID-19 has changed the way Bloom360 is fundraising.

This year the Sept. 21 Big Dreams Virtual Fundraiser replaced the Bloom Social Sips and Bites event they held last fall, which raised more

than $30,000 in funding for the school. Bloom relies on fundraising and donations for 30% of its budget.

The Big Dreams Cash Raffle raised $21,290 for the school after the prizes were awarded.

The grand-prize winner of $3,000 was Victor Schittone, second-place prize winner of $500 was Tracy Eckes Johnson and the third-place prize winner of $250 is Linda Kirkeeng.

Scholarships available Bloom360 welcomes students from all over southeast Wisconsin and scholarships are available to help families with tuition.

“When the kids graduate from here, they receive a high school diploma. We believe that’s very important to be able to go on to a tech school or apprenticeship,” Rauman said.

“There’s a misunderstanding out there about the how intelligent these kids are and about the social differences. Lots of training and understanding needs to happen in the world, this is no different than employing someone in a wheelchair. Those with invisible disabilities might need some accommodations, but they are capable of doing some really amazing things,” she said.

Bloom 360 Learning Community is at N8921 Stone School Road, East Troy. For more information, visit bloom360.org.

Top left: Bloom360 student Darren bakes brookies – brownies with cookies on top – for the microbusiness bakery cart.

Top right: Eleven-year-old Piper works on a painting; she has been a student at Bloom360 Learning Community in East Troy since the beginning. Piper has big plans for her future and wants to be a doctor.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Wonders of Walworth County

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Nature’s artwork

FALL 2020

WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

About

the colors

TAKE IN

Autumn’s splendor is about to make an appearance

She said the intensity of Wisconsin’s fall he extravaganza

by Heather color season is dependent on the weather of colors in Ruenz the state receives during September and Wisconsin is one show October. that is undeterred by the STAFF WRITER

“To have the most brilliant and pandemic. It’s also possible vibrant fall color display, a series of fall days to socially distance while out filled with bright sunshine and cool, but froston a hike by simply respecting the space if free evenings are required,” Matula said. meeting fellow walkers on the trails.

The state is blessed to have the combination Seeing the colors at their peak is about being of tree species and climatic conditions in the right place at the right time. necessary for vivid fall foliage and Wisconsin’s “The vibrant splashes of red we’re seeing state forests and parks offer a wealth of fall now in the north woods are primarily red color viewing opportunities. maples that have been stressed by high water There are a variety of ways to enjoy the tables in lowland areas,” said Colleen Matula, colors – from a short hike to a weekend away a forest silviculturist/ecologist with the DNR – and regardless of plans, Travel Wisconsin division of forestry. boasts a Fall Color Report that features an “The colors in upland forests are at about interactive map of the most up-to-date fall color 10 percent of their fall colors, so the annual conditions throughout the state. color showcase is just beginning,” Matula According to the report, a good portion said.

Peak fall color usually occurs in far northern Wisconsin during the last week of September and first week of October, with peak color generally occurring during midOctober in central Wisconsin and the latter half of October in southern Wisconsin. The timing of the color change varies by species.

“Fall color predictions by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are based on mathematical algorithms that factor in historical leaf peak, temperatures, precipitation, leaf volume, health and day length,” Matula said.

From top: Travel Wisconsin’s website features a Fall Color Report that’s updated regularly thanks to hundreds of people throughout the state who report on current color conditions. In addition to recommending driving trips, the site also offers tips on where to hike and other fall activities; The fall colors in Wisconsin change beginning with the northern part of the state, which is expected to peak this week and next while the southern third should peak closer to the end of October.

COURTESY TRAVEL WISCONSIN Wonders of Walworth County

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of the northern part of the state – including Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Hayward, Merrill – was at 30 to 50% color last week with most areas expected to peak between this week and next.

Most of central and southern Wisconsin was in the range of zero to 10% last week. Those areas are expected to peak in color between the third and fifth weeks of October, based on the Fall Color Report map.

For those wanting to spend some time outside amidst the fall colors and crisp air, the Southern Lakes area offers plenty of options.

Take a walk Among areas featured in a fall hike guide on Travel Wisconsin’s website is the Geneva Lake Shore Path.

See NATURE’S ARTWORK, Page 6

Leaf color comes from pigments. Pigments are natural substances produced by leaf cells.

The three pigments that color leaves are: chlorophyll (green); carotenoid (yellow, orange and brown); and anthocyanin (red), according to the DNR. Chlorophylls and carotenoids are in leaf cells all the time during the growing season. But the chlorophyll covers the carotenoid – that’s why summer leaves are green, not yellow or orange.

Most anthocyanins are produced only in autumn, only under certain conditions, and not all trees can make anthocyanin.

As the Earth makes its 365-day journey around the sun, some parts of the planet will get fewer hours of sunlight at certain times of the year. In those regions, the days become shorter and the nights get longer. The temperature slowly drops. Autumn comes and then winter.

Trees respond to the decreasing amount of sunlight by producing less and less chlorophyll.

Eventually, a tree stops producing chlorophyll.

When that happens, the carotenoid already in the leaves can finally show through. The leaves become a bright rainbow of glowing yellows, sparkling oranges and warm browns.

It’s also noticeable in some years that the red fall colors seem brighter and more spectacular than in other years. The temperature and cloud cover can make a big difference in a tree’s red colors from year to year.

Fall leaf color offers the bonus of helping to identify different tree species. Look for these leaf colors on the trees in your neighborhood: oaks – red, brown or russet; hickories – golden bronze; dogwood – purple-red; birch – bright yellow; and poplar – golden yellow.

Maple trees show a whole range of colors – sugar maples show orange-red, black maples, glowing yellow and red maples, bright scarlet.

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

FALL 2020

• Nature’s artwork The path offers what can be described as million dollar views. It stretches for approximately 21 miles around the lake and offers beautiful views of the water and fall colors.

“But we’re not going to beat around the bush here. We love this path because it gives visitors the perfect opportunity to gawk at the gorgeous mansions that ring the lake,” according to Travel Wisconsin’s report.

Among the many mansions that walkers can get a close-up view of are Lake Geneva Estates, Stone Manor and Wrigley Estates.

Among numerous other places to hike or take a leisurely walk in the area are: • Kettle Moraine State Forest, which can be accessed from several points in the Eagle, Palmyra and Whitewater areas. It features miles of rolling hills, prairies and southern hardwood forests. Hiking is available on the Emma Carlin, John Muir, Nordic, Scuppernong and Ice Age National Scenic trails along with several shorter, self-guided nature trails; • Saller Woods, Rochester is a 91-acre park featuring nature trails that can be accessed just south of where the Fox River crosses Highway 36; • Mukwonago River Unit is also part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and is west of Mukwonago and north of East Troy. The 970-acre, former Rainbow Springs property is situated in the river watershed with the forest adjacent to Lulu Lake State Natural Area; • Seno K/RLT Conservancy is on Dyer Lake Road, five miles south of Burlington off of Highway P. Near the upper parking area adjacent to the trail head is a blue mailbox that includes trail maps; • White River State Trail, which runs between Elkhorn and Burlington though the thickest foliage – and presumably best fall color viewing – is located between Elkhorn and Springfield.

(Continued from page 5 )

For the adventurous Those wanting a bit more of a challenge may want to consider a visit to Holy Hill in Hubertus, just over an hour drive from Burlington or Elkhorn.

The observation deck at Holy Hill Basilica offers quite the view – at 192 feet tall, visitors see a stunning view of the Kettle Moraine Forest Southern Unit. There is also a rich history as Holy Hill Basilica was declared a Shrine of Mary in 1903 and in 2006 became a Minor Basilica.

It’s 178 steps to the observation tower and is the highest point in southeastern Wisconsin. But once there, look to the east and if the conditions warrant, the Milwaukee skyline 30-some miles away can be seen.

While at Holy Hill, visitors are encouraged to stop by the shrine and chapel and walk the grounds. Those who are feeling up to more hiking can check out the Ice Age Trail, which circles Holy Hill and features several examples of glacial formations such as kettles, moraines and drumlins.

Much more to do “In Wisconsin, autumn is synonymous with apple orchards, corn mazes, hikes and bike rides, all punctuated by nature’s vibrant and beautiful display of fall colors,” said Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Sara Meaney.

“Whether you’re looking to hear the crunch of leaves beneath your feet on a hike or savor the flavors of fall at a local farm, I encourage everyone to enjoy the season’s many outdoor activities and scenic destinations,” Meaney said.

In addition to tracking peak color, the Fall Color Report on the Travel Wisconsin helps travelers easily view a three-day weather forecast, as well as nearby lodging, dining and suggestions for things to do while taking in fall color in a particular area.

For information visit travelwisconsin.com.

The Geneva Lake Shore Path is one of the best places in southeast Wisconsin to view autumn’s splendor according to the state Department of Tourism. The 21-mile path features historical homes with and a fantastic view of the lake.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

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Love, kindness and empathy DAVE DRESDOW Wonders of Walworth County

DAVE DRESDOW Wonders of Walworth County

Officer Joe Kirkpatrick remembered for how he treated others

By Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER

“He taught us that you are never promised tomorrow. We would tell each other, ‘I love you’ wherever we were and were never ashamed to say those words,” Alicia Kirkpatrick said.

She was speaking about her dad, Joe Kirkpatrick Jr., 56, who died Aug. 18. He was a 25-year veteran of the Elkhorn Police Department, serving the past 15 years as the school resource officer at Elkhorn Area High School.

Joe was well known in the area, so much so that he’d sometimes ask his youngest daughter, Paighton, to run his errands for him.

“He would run into so many people he was almost like a local celebrity. Except he would go to Kwik Trip himself because he had to pick out the doughnuts he wanted along with cinnamon rolls and other snacks,” Paighton said.

He loved his snacks, and loved sharing them, so it was a match made in heaven with another love he had – that of Amazon Prime.

“He was obsessed with Amazon Prime.

Every day a package of some sort would come. It was so funny,” Paighton said.

“I’d get a random text from him that would say, ‘You should be getting a package today.’ Later, this huge box filled with snacks would show up. My kids loved it,” Alicia added.

One of the things Joe was most particular about was his lawn, they said, which included mowing it exactly how he wanted it, trimming weeds and then getting the blower out.

“He was a freak about his lawn. But I

think it was his sanctuary,” Alicia said with a smile.

Though they laugh about the lawn – and the fact that of the entire family Joe was the only one who was on time to anything – both the girls and their brother, Travis, agree their dad’s positive outlook is something they strive for.

“It would be rainy out and we would go for a ride. Dad would say, ‘Look at this.

This is great. It’s rainy outside and we are nice and warm and dry, cruising down the road. It doesn’t take much to make me happy.’ That’s how he was,” Travis said.

They also won’t soon forget what he taught them about how to treat others.

“He would always tell me he put himself in the other person’s shoes and really tried to understand what they were dealing with,” Paighton said.

“And he always believed in second chances … and sometimes third chances,” Alicia added.

City of Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen said he was blessed to have worked with Joe his entire career at the police department.

“One way to describe Joe is that he embodied our department’s values. He was a great teammate, always asking if there was anything he could do to help out,” Christensen said.

Once given an assignment, he said Joe would work tirelessly to complete it.

“But he was also empathetic, consistently trying to put himself in the position of the other person. Joe would always consider the decisions he would make and how that, in turn, would affect the person he was dealing with,” Christensen said.

From top left: On what would be his final trek down the hall at Elkhorn Area High School, law enforcement officers salute Elkhorn Police Officer Joseph Kirkpatrick Jr., who died Aug. 18. He was a 25-year veteran of the department and worked the last 15 as the school resource officer at the high school; Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen presents the U.S. flag to the family of Officer Joe Kirkpatrick; Outside the visitation for Officer Kirkpatrick, a memorial was on display between two fire trucks with a flag draped between then.

HEATHER RUENZ Wonders of Walworth County

As much as Joe appreciated the profession, the chief said his greatest enjoyment was the opportunity to work with students at the school.

“Each year he would come to me and tell me how he was looking forward to another year and how thankful he was to be able to work with children,” he said.

Christensen said he will miss Joe as a dedicated member of the team who he could rely on, but the loss is felt on a deeper level. “(But) what I miss most is his willingness, as a friend, to simply offer the time to listen to me and in turn, the

conversations we had,” he said.

Theresa Boeger, who also worked with Joe at the police department, said he was always willing to help anyone out.

“He didn’t care if you drove a Cadillac or a Prizm, he treated you with respect and listened to you. He was passionate about the career he chose and really loved working with the kids,” she said.

Changing young lives Dan Kiel, the principal at EAHS, said he has a thousand memories from his time

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

FALL 2020

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

• Officer

FALL 2020

(Continued from page 7 )

working with Joe, but what stands out is his unwavering kindness toward kids, his devotion to his family and how much he loved being the school resource officer.

“He had an innate ability to figure out what a kid was going to need to be successful. He was always willing to put in the extra time necessary to build relationships and there are students who may not have made it through school without him,” Kiel said. “He could switch roles from the SRO to the counselor to the parent with ease and was able to figure out which one was going to be most effective in a situation; a talent that most will never master.”

Sandy Jenkins, who also worked with Joe at the high school, said he possessed the character traits of integrity – he was gracious, respectful, honest, trustworthy, hardworking, responsible, helpful and patient.

“He was truly the most kind human being. He always had a smile on his face and he handled a lot of difficult situations with pure heart and calm,” she said.

A couple of the programs she worked on with Joe were Operation Click and the Veterans Day program, both of which he embraced.

“He loved that he was able to enlist a group of students to help him promote student safety in Operation Click. And with Veterans Day, Joe was full of patriotism and was gratified to thank the veterans for their service,” she said.

According to Sandy, the students at EAHS respected Joe and he touched the lives of many.

“I know that he, personally, by his care and concern, helped to get many kids through school,” Sandy said. “My wish is that Joey’s spirit of kindness will ring throughout our halls forever.”

Coworker Lynn Harkness said no matter what the situation was, Joe always treated the students with respect, even when they

had done something wrong.

“He loved working with the students and they knew they could come to him with any concerns, that it was a safe place. He was tough when he needed to be because that was his job. But he did it with compassion and understanding,” Harkness said.

She can also speak to Joe’s character as a parent of a former student.

“He looked out for my daughter like one of his own, to make sure she wasn’t bullied and was safe within the school setting.

He genuinely cared about her wellbeing and continued to check in on her through college and beyond. We both will miss him very much,” Harkness said.

At top: Principal Dan Kiel (from left), school resource officer Joe Kirkpatrick and Sandy Jenkins serve up ice cream at an event at Elkhorn Area High School. Above: Officer Joe Kirkpatrick had a special bond with his grandson, Maison.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Wonders of Walworth County

Lasting impact Lynn’s daughter, Hannah, said Joe was always encouraging.

“He wanted you to succeed in everything you did and wasn’t just focused on physical safety but to make sure you were happy,” she said.

Hannah shared a quote she said exemplified Joe’s actions: “Your life has purpose. Your story is important. Your dreams count. Your voice matters. You were born to make an impact.”

“I hope to have even a fraction of the impact on someone else that he had on so many,” Hannah said.

Will Kostock, another former student of Joe’s, said they got to know each other when he was in high school.

“I had a dream to become a police officer and at the time Joe served as a significant role model. He played a substantial part in providing guidance as I entered my continued education and offered suggestions on schools, youth options programs and hiring processes,” Will said.

He said one of the greatest things about Joe was that people could confide in him knowing their word would be well respected and honored.

Will later completed the academy and entered a law enforcement career at which point his relationship with Joe shifted to that of fellow officer.

“We briefly worked together while I held a seasonal position with the Elkhorn Police Department. Our professional relationship would remain close as Joe was the first to provide a letter of recommendation when I entered my policing career,” he said.

A few years ago, Will’s department began exploring the options of adding a school resource officer, which he was interested in pursuing.

“Joe was just the person I needed to talk to. Once again, I found myself bouncing ideas off of him and asking for advice on how to approach such a task at such a young age. Without skipping a beat, Joe offered his experience and professionalism.

He was happy to help in any way even offering books, plans, and face-to-face meetings to aide in acquiring an SRO for our department,” Will said.

In March, Will was promoted to the

rank of lieutenant, an accomplishment he said he looked forward to speaking with Joe about.

“I strongly believe without Joe’s early influences in life, guidance and composure, I would not be where I am today. I was devastated to learn of Joe’s passing knowing the loss to his family, community, school district and department,” he said.

“I know there are countless stories like mine to be shared and I am deeply honored to be voiced. Joe will forever be remembered and honored,” Will added.

Enjoy the little things Kiel said besides the kids, Joe also loved school lunch and the lunchroom staff treated him very well.

“He showed me where the special ‘Joe Bowls’ could be found so that we could get an extra large portion of soup,” he said.

Kiel said Joe had a stash of snacks in his office “neatly displayed above his minifridge adjacent to his essential oils, which consequently may have become more necessary after the extra large bowls of soup.”

Paighton, who graduated last year, said her dad was pretty creative when he started experimenting with essential oils.

“Before he got a diffuser, he used to dip cotton balls and put them on the fan in his office. It was so him to do something like that,” she said.

One of Travis’ funny memories about his dad is when a favorite song came on the radio and one of the kids would ask him to turn up the volume.

“He would turn it up one notch,” Travis said.

Kiel said Joe is one of the people in his career he considers himself lucky to have worked with.

“He will be impossible to replace,” Kiel said.

The last call for Badge No. 106, Officer Kirkpatrick was sounded following the Aug. 27 visitation.

“Joe cherished working with the community, especially the children of the Elkhorn Area School District,” the Walworth County dispatcher said. “You are gone but not forgotten. Officer Kirkpatrick, we wish you Godspeed as you report for your final assignment. We have the watch from here. May you rest in peace.”

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

FALL 2020

Habitat home build moving along VOLUNTEERS KEY TO ONGOING PROGRESS

By Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER

With everything that has been going on in the world the past several months, the leaders behind a project in taking place in Bloomfield said they’re excited to be able to shed some light on the progress.

In the spring, Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County began constructing a home for a local family in Bloomfield.

The Wald family, who the home is being built for, started this journey in 2019 when plans first arose. Since that time, the Wald family has been putting in countless hours of sweat equity into what will soon be their very own, brand new home.

“It’s amazing to learn all the different things (that go into building a home) because it will help with my homeowner’s skills,” Sarah Wald said. “I have also enjoyed working with different volunteers from around the community.”

She said becoming a homeowner is exciting and she’s looking forward to having a place for her and her sons to enjoy.

The Habitat home, located at W850 Myrtle Road in Bloomfield, is still under construction as progress continues, thanks to the help of numerous volunteers.

Among the volunteers are a handful of regulars including members of the Lake Geneva Jaycees, the Lake Geneva Police Department and Habitat board members.

And the project wouldn’t be where it is without the numerous contractors who have stepped in to help, Habitat leaders said.

Recently, members of the Lake Geneva Police Department helped out at the build where they assisted with getting the trusses erected and the roof sheeted.

Wald said seeing members of the police department come out to help was very touching.

“I was really impressed. With everything that has been going on, it was really great to see them take time out of their day to help build alongside us,” she said.

Board member Judy Nolan said people stepping up to help is noticed and appreciated.

“Every weekend people from the community donate their time to build.

They all work so hard and we are so grateful for their help,” Nolan said.

Habitat is always looking for volunteers to help out on Saturdays, which are the dedicated volunteer workdays. The typical Saturday workday is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or whatever time volunteers can give.

Currently, Habitat is looking for volunteers to help out on upcoming work that will include tasks such as siding, insulation and window and door installation.

After professionals complete electrical, plumbing and HVAC tasks, volunteers will be needed again for trim, flooring, painting and so on.

“We have tools and great supervision,” said Ariel Altergott, of Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County.

The crew took Labor Day weekend off but from here on out, Saturday workdays will be ongoing through the project’s completion, weather permitting.

For more information on volunteering, being a part of the construction committee or to make a donation toward the current

From top: Members of the Lake Geneva Police Department join other volunteers and Habitat for Humanity board members for a workday Aug. 22 at the future home of Sarah Wald (sixth from right) in Bloomfield; Carrie Bearce (volunteer and a friend of Sarah Wald) grabs a 2x4 while helping Aug. 22; Volunteers ready the next roof joist as a crane lifts a joist into place.

CHAD HENSIAK Wonders of Walworth County

Habitat home build in Bloomfield visit habitatwalworth.org or call 262-949-0542.

For updates on other volunteer opportunities, contact Habitat Walworth County via the website or phone number above or follow them on Facebook and Instagram by searching HabitatWalworthCounty.

About Habitat Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and stronger families.

The group has built numerous homes in Walworth County over the years and

is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes. They work to meet that goal by advocating for fair and just housing policies and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY

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Serving All Of Walworth County

beckymerwin1@gmail.com Cell: 262-215-4000 Office: 262-275-2185

269420

225 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI 262-248-2827 www.ohmygauze.com Also in St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, & Naples, FL

311890

The Cheese Box

Wall 2 Wall Painting Inc.

Selling the finest Wisconsin cheeses for over 70 years ...the tradition continues

Johnny B. & Cheri Welcome You!

Interior/Exterior Painting Specialists Residential/Commercial

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THE CHEESE BOX 801 Wells St., Lake Geneva, WI

www.wall2wallpainting.net FULLY INSURED • IN BUSINESS SINCE 1982 328262

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800 Park Dr 800 Park 800 ParkDr Dr Lake Geneva, WI Lake Geneva, WI Lake Geneva, WI 53147 53147 53147

382128

FRITZ BUTTON 262-248-3435

GENEVA UPHOLSTERING CORP.

Phone: 262-248-2031

Phone: Derrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been a262-248-2031 family owned and operated business in the Lake Geneva area for over 100 years. Our staff will be more than honored to help you with everything from pre-planning to personalization of the service you choose. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. 321016

Shorewest REALTORS® Kathy Baumbach

P.O. BOX 88 124 Cass St. (on Button Lane) Lake Geneva, WI 53147

office@genevaupholstering.com www.genevaupholstering.com www.facebook.com/geneva.corp.com 336349

HOURS:

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Sales Director

OFFICE: (262) 248-1020 DIRECT: (262) 248-5564 ext. 127 kbaumbach@shorewest.com Shorewest REALTORS® Shorewest-Lake Geneva 623 Main Street Lake Geneva, WI 53147

Since 1934 CUSTOM BOAT COVERS • BOAT UPHOLSTERY PIER CANOPIES • CUSTOM TOPS BIMINI TOPS • CAMPER ENCLOSURES STAINLESS BOWS & HARDWARE

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www.shorewest.com 311892

State Road 50 Delavan • 262-728-1951

358043

24 HOUR TOWING

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TOWING 1217 Grant Street, Lake Geneva, WI

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ANDY

SZYMANSKYJ

• Real Estate Broker •

328 Kenosha St., Walworth, WI 262-275-2171 • www.toyntonfuneralhome.com

166295

336361

262-249-TOW-U

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FREE LOANER CARS, FINANCING & SHUTTLE

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Present this ad for $20 off any service over $100

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382127

Please Reach Out To Me For Your Real Estate Needs In Southeastern Wisconsin

GENEVA LAKE AREA BUSINESSES

Becky Merwin Broker Associate

Call Me When Experience Matters!

382129 382125

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