Wonders
of WALWORTH
COUNTY Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC
Spring 2017
Page 2
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SPRING 2017
Dance Factory team performs at convention The Dance Factory Competition Team attended the Artist Simply Human dance convention from Feb. 17 to 19 in Lombard, Ill. The performance showcase offered dancers a venue to share their art and expression in a supportive and comfortable environment. The Dance Factory performed 17 solos, two duets, two trios and 10 group numbers critiqued by the Artist Simply Human faculty. In addition to performing Feb. 17 and 18, dancers participated in classes Feb. 18 and 19 taught by the Artist Simply Human faculty. Dance Factor students who earned awards and recognition at the event are: • Ella Weerts, of Delavan, and TJ Gaulke, of Elkhorn –summer intensive scholarship; • Owen Zerfas, of Elkhorn, and Ryan Johnson, of Delavan – Braham Logan Crane Faculty Pick Award; • Sonya Manriquez, of Janesville – Tovaris Wilson Faculty Pick Award; • Elizabeth D’Auria, of Fontana – Relativity College Admission Acceptance Award; • Elizabeth D’Auria, of Fontana, and Heidi Engerman, of Lake Geneva – Artist Simply Human Apprentice Runners-up; • “I Just Want to be Happy” piece with dancers Marissa Bergstrom, of Lake Geneva, Tia Bethke, of Delavan, Jillian Lloyd, of Burlington, Teagan Hale, of Lake Geneva, Katia McCann, of Lake Geneva, Kara Todd, of Lake Geneva, Julia Warren, of Delavan and Avery Zerfas, of Elkhorn –Performance Showcase Special Award for exhibiting outstanding entertainment value; • “Forever Young” danced by Ella Weerts, of Delavan – Technical Execution pick for exhibiting
outstanding technique. The Artist Simply Human faculty selected the following routines from the performance showcase that exhibited outstanding choreography: • “Dot. Dot. Dot.” choreographed by Tessa Ritchey and danced by her sister, Nell Ritchey, of Walworth; • “Pensive Posture” danced by Elizabeth D’Auria, of Fontana; • “Malala” with dancers Megan Clifford, of Lake Geneva, Victoria Dewey, of Walworth, Paige Gilbert, of Darien, Balylee Hertel, of Fontana, Mallory Melson, of Walworth, Olivia VanDyke, of Elkhorn, and Ella Weerts, of Delavan. This selection was also a performance showcase studio selection. The following standout routine was recognized for outstanding performance quality: • “True Colors” with dancers Marissa Bergstrom, of Lake Geneva, Tia Bethke, of Delavan, Cassie Gaulke, of Elkhorn, Teagan Hale, of Lake Geneva, Jillian Lloyd, of Burlington, Kara Todd, of Lake Geneva, and Julie Warren, of Delavan. The dancers will perform during a celebration of National Dance Day with an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23 at the Monte Carlo Room in Elkhorn. Tickets are $15 for 12-year-olds and older; $10 for children ages 6 to 11; and $5 for children 5 and younger. The Dance Factory Competition Team and Helping, Youth, Performance, Education classes will perform. The event will include games and raffle baskets, and the proceeds will benefit The Dance Factory and Open Arms Free Clinic.
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Owen Zerfas, of Elkhorn, Ryan Johnson, of Delavan, and Sonya Manriquez, of Janesville, are among the Dance Factory dancers who performed at the Artist Simply Human dance convention from Feb. 17 to 19 in Lombard, Ill.
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SPRING 2017
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
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Daniel Colwell shows one of four theaters inside Geneva Theater, which opened to moviegoers last month. The 89-year-old theater has gotten a facelift with new lighting and a new façade reminiscent of the original. VICKY WEDIG Wonders of Walworth County
The show goes on
Geneva Theater is back in business after seven years of darkness by Vicky Wedig STAFF WRITER
he Geneva Theater opened its doors to movie-goers in March for the first time in years. Burlington businessman Shad Branen bought the 89-year-old theater on Broad Street a year ago and began $2 million in renovations. Ontario native Daniel Colwell was brought on as the theater’s general manager in November. The theater was built in 1928 by Community Theaters and has gone through several owners through the years, said Ken Etten, of the Friends of the Geneva Theater group, which formed in 2011 to restore the venue. In the 1970s, Standard Theaters owned the site and built an addition on the north side in 1975, Etten said. In 1985, Esseness Theaters split the venue into four theaters – a main theater and balcony theater in the original part of the building and two theaters in the north addition, he said. From 2004 to 2007, the parent company of the Showboat of Lyons, the other movie theater in town, operated both venues, Colwell said. After the Showboat company stopped operating the downtown theater, a Chicago businessman operated stage productions in the theater until around 2009, he said. In 2010, the building was vacated, and some Lake Geneva area residents formed the Friends of the Theater in 2011, Etten
said. The group’s aim was to convince the city to help buy the building and restore it as community arts center, he said. Branen bought the building and restored it to the four-theater model created in the 1980s. Colwell said Mother Nature had wreaked havoc on the building as it sat vacant for about seven years. “The water damage was horrendous,” Colwell said. The building was gutted, mold remediated, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems replaced and four theaters created inside, he said. Colwell said when he was hired, old movie projectors from the 1970s were still inside the building rusted together. The old marquee was removed from the outside and a new sign and lighting – reminiscent of the original – were erected along with a new façade. The new theaters hold 214, 101, 92 and 78 spectators, respectively. Special seating with larger seats and stainless steel tables can be rented in the back of the theaters. Three of the theaters are on the main level, and a balcony theater on the second floor boasts the largest screen and a 92-person capacity. A party room upstairs with a view of Broad Street can be rented, and a dance studio has expressed interest in rehearsing in another second-floor space, Colwell said. The theater passed inspections in early March and began business with one feature
– “Logan,” a superhero movie featuring the character Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman. Eventually each of the four theaters will feature a different movie with “Beauty and the Beast” arriving as the first blockbuster, Colwell said. The lobby of the new theater has an area where historical artifacts from the venue will be displayed, a “selfie” room with movie posters where movie-goers can photograph themselves with movie display, and concessions with the usual movie fare along with pizza and items from the menu at Sprecher’s Restaurant and Pub in Lake Geneva. The theater opened with a core staff
The
of six employees, and Colwell said the venue’s brand new seating, state-of-theart sound system and location will make it attractive compared with the larger Showboat theater. “We have a location advantage being right in the downtown and so close to all the hotels,” he said. The $2 million renovation included $195,000 in tax incremental finance funds and $30,000 from the Friends of the Geneva Theater for lighting. Colwell said he expects residents to become involved with the theater just as supporters did for its renovation. “This is really going to be a vibrant place for the community,” he said.
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SPRING 2017
Open Arms Free Clinic receives grant Elkhorn Fund supports clinic, which serves county residents Open Arms Free Clinic recently announced it received a grant from the Elkhorn Community Fund, a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. to support technology capital. The clinic is located in Elkhorn, the county seat for Walworth County. More than 500 patients enroll annually thus patients will directly benefit from having reliable equipment to ensure medical records are available. Each patient chart is carefully assembled with forms for the volunteer providers to track health status and disease management, according to a press release from the clinic. The requested funds are to purchase the equipment necessary to maintain patient charts and provide timely referrals for additional services. “As a private non-profit, our work is supported totally by donations and grants. In supporting us through individual, grant, and event-based giving, the community is also supporting the countless volunteer hours provided us by local doctors, dentists and other medical professionals who have selflessly served over 2,000 patients in our four short years,” Open Arms Executive Director Sara Nichols said.
About the foundation
SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
Elkhorn Community Fund representatives Ward Phillips (left) and Tobie Watts-Green (right) present a grant check to Open Arms Free Clinic Executive Director, Sara Nichols (middle).
The grant is made available from the Community Foundation’s Elkhorn Community Fund, a resource for area nonprofit organizations whose programs and services are working for the betterment of our communities. Grants from the Elkhorn Community Fund have supported the arts, education, environment, health and human services and historic preservation. For more information about how you can impact your community through the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, call Jane Maldonis at (608) 7580883 or (800) 995-2379 or visit www.cfsw.org.
The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin serves nine Wisconsin counties: Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, and Walworth.
About Open Arms Open Arms Free Clinic is the first and only free medical and supportive care clinic in Walworth County serving low-income and uninsured residents with primary medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, lab, and pharmaceutical assistance. Created in December 2011, and expanded in April 2015, Open Arms is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization with a mission to better understand and serve with compassion the health and wellness needs of the uninsured, low income, and underserved residents of Walworth County. The clinic derives all its operating income solely from private donations, foundations, grants, and fundraising events. The clinic has cared for over 2,000 patients. More than 500 volunteers have participated in the care of the greater community, with approximately 200 active volunteers. Between 2012 and 2016, these community minded doctors, nurses, pharmacists, advocates and clericals have served well over 30,000 hours, the press release states. Before the passage of the Affordable Care Act there were over 13,000 Walworth County residents without health insurance. Currently, there are still over 8,000 people living in the county who do not have any form of health insurance coverage. Open Arms Free Clinic is well aware the need continues and will remain Walworth County’s first “safety n et” healthcare provider dispensing services with compassion, advocacy, and understanding.
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SPRING 2017
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
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On the wings of
Support following teen’s accident has been ‘amazing’ by Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER
T
he reason the Schweitzer family decided to share their story about a traumatic brain injury suffered by their son is twofold: one, to raise awareness about TBIs; the other, to publicly thank the countless number of people who have stepped forward. Lane Schweitzer, 13, was in gym class at Elkhorn Middle School the morning of Oct. 25 and did what many kids would have done – ran to catch a ball. But because Lane was watching the ball he didn’t realize how close he was to the bleachers and ran into them head first. “He hit his right frontal lobe. The initial diagnosis was a concussion but after two weeks, he still didn’t know his name or other people and he couldn’t dress himself,” Lane’s mom, Judy Schweitzer, said. Lane, who lives with his mom and dad, Chad, and sister, Cheyenne, near Whitewater, was eventually diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. He returned to school a few weeks ago in an Individualized Education Program. “He lost his long-term memory, he still doesn’t know all of the kids at school and he had to relearn how to shower. He’s in the process of relearning how to do chores,” Judy said. Offers for help immediately started pouring in, Judy said, but accepting help – particularly when it’s unclear what can be done – was difficult. “People want to do something in a situation like this, they really want to help. It’s literally been non-stop since Lane’s accident,” she said.
Surrounded by support Judy said family and friends have been “amazing” since Lane’s accident, beginning with his sister. “She’s been a really, good sister through all of this, from picking out his clothes, to doing his chores with the animals, and even pouring his milk,” Judy said. Judy’s parents, Bill and Maryann Henningfeld, have played a big role as well. “Grandma took on Lane and did his therapy with him, hand and eye coordination, reading and puzzles. She’s a full-time caretaker for my dad, who has Parkinson’s, so she’s been an amazing, strong person,” Judy said. Judy works at Pentair in Delavan and said her boss, Julie, started a Give Forward page to help with bills and other costs; Elkhorn Middle School held a dodgeball tournament, the Student Council held a fundraiser and his eighth-grade basketball teammates, with help from Bryan Johnson, organized a Hoops 4 Hope tournament. “Tibbets Elementary School, where both of my kids went to school, invited us to the Christmas program, thinking it may help with Lane’s memory loss. Mr. (Greg) Wells called us into his office and gave us money the staff had donated, as well as money the students had voted should go to Lane rather than their classrooms,” Judy said. The school also made photo books of Lane’s artwork. Sugar Creek 4-H designed a T-shirt in honor of Lane, inscribed with the following: “We are not just a club… We are a family. #lanestrong #webleedgreen.” Lane’s past connections with people also became apparent after he was injured. “Lane knows a lot of people we don’t
even know because of 4-H. The LaGrange 4-H Club sent us money. And the past couple of years he volunteered at the LaGrange United Methodist Church’s food tent at the fair so they donated money,” Judy said. Thanks to a friend of the family who is a nurse for Aurora Hospice, the Schweitzers were chosen as the family the organization sponsored. Donations have also been received from Lockhart’s Service, A+ Powersports and the Town of Burlington Fire Department. On March 4, family friend Kyle Krueger and the 73 Twisted Sisters held a fundraiser at Star Rock in Delavan that featured a silent auction, raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffles and live music.
Ongoing help continues “We recently found out Lane will be the beneficiary of the Nick Van Dyke Shamrock Shuffle this year. Our kids spent time at Lockhart’s so Lane knew Nick. It’s neat that now, all these years later, Nick is going to help Lane,” Judy said. Family and friends have been taking Lane to his appointments so Chad and Judy can stay at work and one of Lane’s closest friends prior to his accident has become an even better friend since. “Lane and Josh (Brogen) had to meet each other again and they had a great time. Now, since Lane returned to school, Josh has been helping him get to his classes and has lunch with him,” Judy said.
Special bonds formed
HEATHER RUENZ Wonders of Walworth County
Above: Cheyenne (from the left), Judy, Chad and Lane Schweitzer attend a fundraiser held for Lane at Star Rock in Delavan March 4. Top: Lane Schweitzer holds his dog, Hoss, named after a character on “Bonanza.” His mom, Judy, said Hoss has been good for Lane’s recovery process.
Some unexpected support has come by way of others touched by traumatic brain injuries, including a family the Schweitzers know from the Elkhorn Area School District. “Jordan Reynolds had suffered a TBI so he and his wife, Lacy, met with us. They had asked in advance, and found out Lane
was a Packers fan. They gave us two $300 gas cards, and gave Lane an Aaron Rodgers jersey, bobbleheads and a Best Buy gift card. It was so nice to meet them because Jordan and Lane have a lot of the same symptoms,” Judy said. The Vegter family, whose daughter suffered a TBI in a car crash, also connected with the Schweitzers. “Lane struggles in school, has trouble sleeping and gets emotional because he doesn’t know why this happened to him. He’s had to rediscover foods, which has been funny at times – like when we gave him cucumber and told him he liked it before. He took a bite, made a face and said, ‘I did not like this.’ He also has no filter but we’re working on that,” Judy said. Lane hasn’t lost his sense of humor, his mom said. During the interview for this story, Lane asked if the fact that he beat Cheyenne’s boyfriend in basketball could be included. Cheyenne, who is 15, quickly said the person Lane was referring to wasn’t her boyfriend. “She has a male friend but Lane likes to pick on her about it. She can’t date until she’s 16,” Judy explained. “Sixty. 6-0,” Lane said with a smile about her dating age. The donations the family received has allowed them to pay all of the bills, Judy said. They plan to hire a tutor to work with Lane this summer but beyond that, any money remaining will be donated. “We plan to pay it forward and donate whatever money is left. Injured Veterans and Eve Dahl are two things Lane wants to donate to,” Judy said. Lane, who is going to sit out from playing football his freshman year of high school, said he wants to be a running back in the NFL.
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SPRING 2017
East Troy Railroad 2017 schedule
The East Troy Railroad begins its regular season on April 30 with trips on Saturday and Sunday. Friday trips are added to the schedule on June 9. Boarding times and location include: SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS April 22 to Nov. 5 Departing East Troy Depot 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. (last round trip if starting here) Departing Elegant Farmer Depot 10 a.m., 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. (last round trip if starting here), 3 p.m., 4 p.m. Departing Indian Head Park 10:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:40 p.m. (last round trip if starting here), 2:40 p.m., 3:40 p.m. FRIDAYS June 9 to Aug. 25 Departing East Troy Depot 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. Departing Indianhead Park (Mukwonago) 10:40 a.m., 12:40 p.m. (last round trip if starting here), 2:40 p.m. Departing Elegant Farmer Depot 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (last round trip if starting here), 3 p.m. The depot/museum is open a half-hour before the first scheduled train and closes when the last train gets in for the day. Tickets are good all day for unlimited rides – the railroad does not sell one-way tickets. Cost is $12.50 for adults and $8 for kids ages 3 to 14. Children 2 and younger ride for free. The railroad does not take advanced reservations for its regular rides. Reservations are only required for dinner, pizza trains or special events. Passengers can pickup the train at the East Troy Depot, the Elegant Farmer or Indian Head Park in Mukwonago. Passengers who take the train from Indian Head Park can board without a ticket and purchase fares once in East Troy or the Elegant Farmer.
The East Troy Railroad is set to open its season this month, starting with the Bunny Train and regular weekend trips beginning April 22.
TRACY OUELLETTE Wonders of Walworth County
Take a trip back in time
East Troy Railroad celebrates 110 years riding the rails by Tracy Ouellette STAFF WRITER
he East Troy Railroad is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year and has lined up an impressive list of special events to go along with their regular weekend excursions. The railroad also offers several dinner/pizza trains, which will be catered by Toothpicks Catering in East Troy. “We’re partnering with Toothpicks for all our events this year,” Railroad Museum President Ryan Jonas said. “They came in just at the right time, so they’ll utilize their kitchen in the East Troy strip mall for all the dining events, which is nice because we want to do as much locally as we can.” As in year’s past, the railroad is partnering with the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago. Riders can spend time at the farm and store during the regular excursions. Special events such as the Bunny Train and Christmas Trains also have extra offerings at the Mukwonago farm. The railroad also runs a beer/wine and cheesemakers train in conjunction with the Elegant Farmer. Some of the special events planned for the 2017 season include a new beer tasting and pairing train planned for Sept. 9. “We’re partnering with the Black Point Estate in Lake Geneva for that,” Jonas said. “We’re just adding that to our events now, so more details will be coming.” Another one of the railroad’s big events is Chicago Day on July 8, which celebrates Chicago’s railway history with a revival of the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend
railroad of 90 years ago. The East Troy Railroad has six operating South Shore cars, originally built in the 1920s, plus two 1924 Chicago Elevated Cars that will be running. “We partner with the National Park Service for that event,” Jonas said. “It’s a lot of fun.” Other events include Railfan Day on June 24, a night photo shoot on Sept. 16, Milwaukee Day on Sept. 23, the Christmas Parade Train on Dec. 2, and the Christmas Trains, which run from the end of November until the week before Christmas. Add to that the 70 charter trains and the weekend trips, the railroad is looking at another successful year, Jonas said. And they barely got a break over the winter. Jonas, who’s been with the railroad for 10 years now, said the “offseason” was far busier this year than in the past. “At least it feels that way,” he continued. “With all the work done in the heated maintenance building in Mukwonago, we went from having three to four guys working for a few hours on each Saturday to about 25 guys a day over the weekends.”
Stay safe Safety is always at the top of the list at the railroad and Jonas said they have worked with the Department of Transportation to make the crossings as safe as possible. Each year there are a few “near misses” Jonas said and if they can eliminate those, it will be for everyone’s benefit. “It was an issue at Highway ES in Mukwonago all last year,” Jonas said. “The Village Board petitioned for the
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
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DOT to investigate the crossing with the idea of installing possible signals, but the DOT concluded it wasn’t necessary, but that we needed more signs.” Jonas said the railroad installed more signage at the Highway ES and J crossings to increase awareness that the railroad track are operational and drives should be looking before crossing. “We have ‘look’ signs out there now and hopefully, people will be looking out,” he said.
About the railroad The railroad operates on the last remaining piece of the original interurban network in Wisconsin. By 1939, the railroad was retired by The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. because of lack of ridership. Since everything from gas to groceries came in to East Troy by the railroad line at that time, the town passed a referendum to purchase the remaining 7.5-mile stretch of track and overhead for freight purposes. The Village of East Troy ran the railroad until the year 2000 when it was purchased by the Friends of East Troy Railroad. Today, the East Troy Railroad has 32 pieces of equipment with more than 500 members worldwide, 110 active volunteers and 15,000 visitors each year. To make all this happen, the museum and railroad relies on more than 125 dedicated volunteers. “Volunteers are at the root of what makes it possible to carry out our mission. Without the volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to give over 20,000 passengers per year the experience of riding an historic interurban railroad,” Jonas said. The museum relies on program revenue and donations to survive with about one
SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
Volunteers at the East Troy Railroad Museum spent many hours refurbishing Car 33 for use this season.
third of its operating budget funded through fares. The rest of the money to keep things chugging along comes from donations. The East Troy Electric Railroad is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization run
by volunteers committed to the operation and preservation of historic trolleys and interurban railcars. All proceeds and sales benefit the education and preservation work of
this museum. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information, or to make reservations for one of the dinner/pizza trains, visit www.easttroyrr.org.
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SPRING 2017
First hospital in the state to meet criteria earns re-designation by Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER
HEATHER RUENZ Wonders of Walworth County
Rachel and Daniel Berlinger (center), of Mukwonago, are all smiles after their daughter, Abigail, was born at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn last month. The facility was recently re-designated as Baby Friendly, and offers education and support for moms that choose to breastfeed, as well as three lactation consultants including Diane Martin (left) and Rhonda Brovold (right).
Being one of about 400 hospitals in the United States to be re-designated as a Baby Friendly birth facility is a proud accomplishment for staff at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, in Elkhorn, and was a journey that began thanks to the efforts of a former nurse. “It was the vision of Carol McShane-Street, who spearheaded us becoming Baby Friendly. She is now retired but spearheaded us applying for, and being designated. She saw it through or it might not have happened,” Rhonda Brovold, an RN at Aurora Lakeland who is also one of three International Board Certified Lactation Consultants at the facility, said. The hospital first received its designation as Baby Friendly in 2001; the recent re-designation is good for the next five years. The requirements revolve around the facility offering an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies, according to Dawn Haxton, manager of women’s services at Aurora Lakeland. “We offer education support for moms to make an informed decision and are committed to supporting moms who choose to breastfeed. We’ve seen a huge increase in breastfeeding since we received the designation,” Brovold said. Diane Martin, another certified lactation consultant nurse at Aurora Lakeland, said an important part of the program is the follow-up care and support for new moms and their babies once they’re at home. “We’re blessed to have Aurora support us having three
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certified lactation consultants on staff,” Martin said. The facility is collaborating with the Walworth County Public Health Department to develop a breastfeeding coalition, with a goal to get more information about breastfeeding out to people in the community, Brovold said. “It will also offer more support that they can access outside of, or in addition to, what we offer here,” Martin added.
Immediate connection
Brovold said an important part of a mom successfully breastfeeding their baby is the immediate contact between them. “Within the first hour after birth, the skin-to-skin contact is so important and the baby remains there until the first breastfeeding,” Brovold said. “It also helps with temperature and blood sugar regulation as well as the transition from the womb to being outside of it,” Martin said. Advantages to breastfeeding, according to Brovold, include: greater immunity against diseases and decreases in incidents of diabetes and obesity for the baby – even into adulthood, and for the mom, a decrease in breast and ovarian cancer, as well as an aid in post-partum recovery. “It also creates a bond between them and has been proven that early initiation and continuous support equals a greater outcome in the longevity of moms and babies breastfeeding,” Brovold said. At Aurora Lakeland, the number of new moms who choose to breastfeed is at about 83 percent, Martin said. Last year 706 babies were born at the hospital.
Wide range of support
Brovold said the support from Haxton and Aurora is vital in the facility maintaining its Baby Friendly designation, but additional support comes from a variety of sources. “We have a lot of staff and physician support. A lot of doctors refer patients back to us if there are issues – say a baby is not gaining enough weight or something – and that ongoing education and support we’ve been able to offer has really helped our designation stay strong and successful,” Brovold said. There are also renovations being done at Aurora Lakeland that will further support the program.
“Once complete, it will aid the program in keeping moms in these rooms. That will help with the skin-on-skin and initial breastfeeding,” Haxton said. Brovold said some babies latch onto their mother’s breast immediately and those moms don’t need as much support. “But for those babies that don’t latch on for some reason, those moms really benefit from the support we offer. All of the staff have had some education about breastfeeding so even when the lactation consultants aren’t here, whoever is working is capable of carrying on the support needed,” Brovold said. The third certified lactation consultant nurse at Aurora Lakeland is Mary Barta. Between the three of them – all who can work dual roles – the facility is able to offer lactation consultants eight hours a day, seven days a week. They also see moms in outpatient at follow-up appointments once they’ve been released from the hospital after giving birth.
Far-reaching program
Aurora Lakeland serves families in the birthing unit from Walworth County as well as some from Kenosha and Racine counties and beyond, Brovold said. “Patients seek out this hospital because we are Baby Friendly and don’t offer any unnecessary things such as pacifiers or supplements – unless medically indicated or a choice of the parents,” Brovold added. Aurora also has a midwife program with two certified midwives – Kate Harrod in Elkhorn and Lisa Lockett in Burlington, who support natural birthing options without medications. Brovold said while breastfeeding is encouraged, it’s not for everyone. “It’s the parents choice, completely. We provide the education so they can make an informed decision and support whatever choice they make. If they choose not to breastfeed for any reason, we provide formula and any other support they need,” Brovold said. To become designated as Baby Friendly, a facility must implement a plan that meets the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, collect data and measure the facility’s results in comparison to guidelines and evaluation criteria until audit results indicate all required standards are being met, pass an on-site assessment including interviews, observations and document reviews, and be designated by an external review
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Page 9
Little Hats, Big Hearts
Aurora Health Care just wrapped up this year’s Little Hats, Big Hearts program, a campaign between Aurora and the American Heart Association. The campaign was created to raise awareness about congenital heart defects in conjunction with February’s designation as American Heart Month. Corah Arndt Every baby born at an Aurora Health Care Birthing Center in February received a hand-knit red hat to raise awareness of heart health. This was the second consecutive year Aurora Health Care has partnered with the American Heart Association to participate in the Little Hats, Big Hearts initiative. Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) affects approximately one out of every 100 babies born each year in the U.S., and some 40,000 babies annually. Heart disease can be a lifelong battle for children and adults afflicted with the disease, and the Little Hats, Big Hearts initiative is meant to raise awareness about heart disease and encourage people to get checked. During February, all babies born at one of 10 Aurora Birthing Centers received red, knit or crocheted hats, courtesy of volunteers from the American Heart Association. board. Aurora Lakeland was the first healthcare facility in the state to be designated as Baby Friendly. There are eight other hospitals in Wisconsin that have since been designated as such. For more information contact Aurora Lakeland’s Lactation Center at (262) 741-2814.
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SPRING 2017
ANNOUNCING THE 2017 LINEUP PRESENTED BY GEORGE WILLIAMS COLLEGE OF AURORA UNIVERSITY
J U N E 2 5 | 4 P. M .
J U LY 8 | 7 : 3 0 P. M .
J U LY 1 6 | 4 P. M .
LAKE GENEVA SYMPHONY
AMERICA
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND
J U LY 2 2 | 7 : 3 0 P. M .
J U LY 2 3 | 4 P. M .
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THE TENORS
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AU G U S T 5 | 7 : 3 0 P. M .
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A U G U S T 1 3 | 4 P. M .
AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION
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IN “FAMILY MATTERS, THE MUSICAL”
SPEAKER RAY LAHOOD TOM GANSER Wonders of Walworth County
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Bethany Hartlaub, of the Town of Delavan, plays with the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra on March 19. Hartlaub joined with four members of the orchestra for its third and final chamber music concert of the 2016-17 season at Holy Communion Episcopal Church in Lake Geneva.
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OVERCOMING the ODDS SPRING 2017
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Page 11
SUBMITTED PHOTOS Wonders of Walworth County
Laura Vacek of Waterford wanted to be an athlete growing up, despite her mo- Team USA sometime in the future. Top right: Laura Vacek (right) fights off the bility being restricted at an early age because of cancer. Now a wheelchair bas- Illinois defense during tournament play at Illinois. Vacek, who is from Waterford, ketball player at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, she hopes to play on plays on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team.
UWW student playing collegiate athletics despite cancer in leg as child by Ryan Spoehr STAFF WRITER
I
t’s a dream of many to participate in collegiate athletics, but few have that opportunity. Laura Vacek, 20, of Waterford, is living out that dream right now even though at the age of seven it may have looked unlikely. Vacek, also a student in her sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has been on the wheelchair basketball team since her freshman year. When she grew up, Vacek was active. Early on, she would ride bikes like most children. When Vacek was seven, however, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in her right femur. Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare case of cancer in bones. It often begins in legs, bones of the pelvis and arms. Surgery got rid of the cancer. However, between the damage that the cancer had already done to the leg and an accident by the doctor clipping part of Vacek’s femur during the procedure, Vacek’s mobility was limited permanently. While she does not need a wheelchair, there was still an effect on her movement. “I can still walk, but not very far. I can do long walks, but my leg gets really sore the next day. It helps out being at Whitewater because it’s a small campus,” Vacek said. “But, I can’t run and that stuff. “After my cancer, I wanted to do sports,” Vacek said. However, Vacek realized it might be difficult with some sports. She tried swimming, but that put too much pressure on the leg. “I wanted to do gymnastics, but that was impossible with the metal and all that.
I couldn’t bend,” Vacek said. However, encouragement from people at a cancer summer camp in the Lake Geneva area led to her to take a route in athletics she never thought of. “Someone told me about this wheelchair basketball team in Milwaukee,” Vacek said. “At first, I thought, ‘Well, I don’t really need a wheelchair, so why would I play wheelchair basketball?’ But then, I gave it some thought.” She not only gave it a try, but kept on playing, enjoying it immensely. “It’s kind of my lifestyle now. After playing, I couldn’t imagine not doing it,” Vacek said. “It’s better than sitting on the couch,” she added. Her perseverance in finding a sport was later tested in actually playing wheelchair basketball as well. “There’s a lot of crashing into people. It might be more physical than mobile basketball,” Vacek said. That crashing into other players inevitably leads to falling over in the wheelchair. Players are strapped in for safety, but they have to find a way to get back up, which is all a part of the game. Sometimes fellow players will assist their teammates in getting up. Others are able to find their way up on their own with their arms and abs. However, Vacek learned another method that she was able to use in her efforts to get her and her wheelchair upright again while on the court. “Luckily with me, I can use my left leg to get back up, so I just unhook it real quickly and get back up,” Vacek said. However, her perseverance was tested in how she got up to continue playing in games.
“When I first started, I would always fall down and I could not get back up, and I hated that. It would really bother me,” Vacek said. “So, I would bring my wheelchair down with me in the basement on the carpet, and make myself fall over. I would continuously try to get back up, get back up, get back up until I was able to do that.”
Competing nationally
The wheelchair teams travel just like any other college sport. The team has traveled to play at the University of Illinois and the University of Texas-Arlington while Vacek has been on the women’s team. The team has also traveled to Kansas and Alabama. However, a particular honor came just weeks ago for her as UW-Whitewater hosted the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Schools around the country are on a rotation to host the tournament, but it’s a nine-year rotation, so opportunities to play in a tournament of this significance on the home court is rare for Vacek and other athletes on the team. “It was super cool. Just being here while it was here,” Vacek said. It is a rare opportunity to just play on a team like this collegiately as well. “It’s cool just having a college with wheelchair basketball. It’s the only Wisconsin college that has wheelchair basketball, particularly a women’s team. So, there’s not a lot of options in wheelchair basketball,” Vacek said. Not only does the team travel like any other collegiate sports team, it trains like any other also. “We are a club sport, but we do the same practice as able-bodied basketball
team. We do cardio and shooting drills and other things like that,” Vacek said. There are days Vacek helps load the bus and with other duties prior to practice and games. Vacek also has the chance, with her teammates, to speak to elementary, middle school and high school students to inspire them to persevere and not let setbacks hold them back, just as Vacek did in her quest to be an athlete. “We basically talk about what our disability is, how it affected us in our life, how we found wheelchair basketball and how wheelchair basketball isn’t any different than any other sport. You’re still dealing with competitiveness. You’re still working out. You’re still doing everything. You’re just sitting in a chair,” Vacek said. Vacek said it’s important for people who have any disability that if they want to pursue goals like playing sports, they shouldn’t be deterred. “Just give it a shot. You don’t know unless you try, and it doesn’t have to be wheelchair basketball. There are other sports that you could do like rugby or other sports. It’s not just wheelchair basketball. If you don’t like it, move on and give something else a shot. There are opportunities out there for you,” Vacek said.
One more goal Vacek achieved her goal of becoming an athlete in high school and later college. However, there is one more goal she would like to complete. “I would like to be on Team USA at some point,” Vacek said. Vacek is majoring in social work with a minor in special education. She plans on being a child life specialist.
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SPRING 2017
Local soldier brings home gift for father Flag to be displayed at Darien business by Michael S. Hoey CORRESPONDENT
Cody Christman, a native of Darien and 2010 graduate of Delavan-Darien High School, came home on leave from the U.S. Navy recently and brought a flag with him that flew over the base he was stationed at in Iraq as a gift for his father. Christman presented the flag to his father, Russ, at a ceremony at Royal Basket Trucks in Darien, where Russ works, on March 28. The flag will be displayed in the office of the company where many people will see it. “It was a dream come true to have a place to display it,” Russ Christman said. “My thanks to (President) Tom Carney and Royal Basket for allowing me to display it in the office,” Chrisman said. “I am so proud of my son, and I want everyone to know it.” Christman said Carney had asked him what he intended to do with the flag when he heard about it. Christman said it would probably just be displayed in his home where very few people would see it. Carney suggested displaying it at Royal Basket. Royal Basket makes the kind of basket carts and laundry carts one would see at hospitals, resorts and other businesses. “Mr. Carney’s generosity and patriotism are amazing,” Christman said. “It is not often we get to stop and think
MICHAEL S. HOEY Wonders of Walworth County
Michelle Chinn (from left), Cody Christman, Russ Christman and Royal Basket President Tom Carney show a flag Cody Christman brought back from his U.S. Navy base in Iraq that will be displayed at Royal Basket in Darien.
about the people who have served or are serving our country,” Carney said during the presentation. “Thank you to Cody and others who have served.” Carney took a moment to recognize several workers at the ceremony who have served in their lifetime as well. Carney said he never served in the military but grew up during the Vietnam conflict and remembers well how terribly returning soldiers were treated and that has made him appreciate anyone who serves in the military. He said it was an honor to display the flag Cody brought home.
“It is pretty awesome he would do that considering it (the certificate that came with the flag) was made out to one of his employees, not the company,” Cody Christman said. “He was kind enough to display it in the office where people will get to see it all the time and that is inspiring.” Cody said the military has a program in place for those who wish to bring home a flag. A soldier can put in a request, a flag is then flown at the base, and a certificate is printed authenticating it actually flew over a U.S. base. Cody said the flag means everything to him.
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“It means pretty much everything to me, everything I grew up around,” he said. “When I put my life on the line, I want to make sure my kids grow up with the same potential and freedoms I had with nothing hindering their path.” Cody has two children ages 2 and 8. Cody said he wanted to do something special for his father because Russ always talked about how proud he was of Cody. “He inspired me to do something,” Cody said. “It was a small thing, but it had a big effect on him.” Cody said he did not enter the military immediately after high school. He said he spent some time working at a factory in Darien and just “puttering around.” In May 2011, he enlisted. “I felt like there was more to do with life,” he said. Cody said he wanted to join the military, travel and go to college. Now he says he wants to make the Navy his career. His original enlistment was for six years, and he plans to re-enlist when the time comes. Cody said he originally thought about joining the Marines, but chose the Navy after discussing it with his parents. They wanted him to choose what they considered a safer situation. Cody also had a close friend who was joining the Navy at the time. Russ said Cody’s grandfather served very successfully in the Navy for 14 years, and Cody brought home a flag for him as well. Russ’ father was in the Army, served in World War II, and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge near the end of the war in Europe. Russ said his father was named
Calling all...
SPRING 2017
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Page 13
• SATURDAY, APRIL 29 SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
This group dressed in the fashions of the ‘70s enjoys the welcome party at a past Women’s Weekend. This year the theme is “Luau on the Lake.”
8 to 9:30 a.m.
Sunrise Yoga ~ The Yoga Place 613 W. Main Street Lake Geneva ~ (262) 248-3202
For the early risers, start the day with a good yoga stretch. Room for 20 participants at $15 each. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Musician Series Wine Tasting Studio Winery 401 Sheridan Springs Road Lake Geneva ~ (262) 348-9100
Join Doug Jackson, owner of the Studio Winery, for a wine tasting of their awardwinning wines; 60 places available at a cost of $30 each. 3 to 4:30 p.m. Art Movz ~ Wearable Coloring for Grown-ups Harbor Shores 300 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva (414) 939-3789
WOMEN
Special weekend caters to gal pals by Sandra re you ready for a spring before it is overloaded weekend away from the Landen Machaj with summertime visitors stress of everyday life? will make the experience CORRESPONDENT How would you like even better. In addition to the to spend a weekend in Lake planned activities there is that one activity Geneva with your best that every woman enjoys – shopping! girlfriends? Participants will get a chance to see all For the past several years, the the new spring merchandise on display Lake Geneva Rotary Club with the help of and some winter bargains that can still be the business community has put together picked up. a fun and interesting weekend for women There will be a chance to browse a who enjoy some quality time with their best variety of boutique stores with merchandise female friends. not found in department and big box stores. This year that event will be held April 28 Whether looking to add to your wardrobe to April 30. with boutique clothing not readily found in The Rotary Club works with a variety your usual shopping areas or on the hunt of other sponsors, including the Martin for some new accent piece for your home, Group, Mill Creek, Harley Davidson, there are plenty of options in Lake Geneva. Cornerstone Gallery and Harbor Shores, to If the weather cooperates, participants set up this event. have the option of a walk along the Geneva Many other merchants are involved in Lake shore path. This path, left from times various ways to ensure a fun weekend for when the native Americans made their all. This year the group has engaged the home here, winds around the entire shore services of the University of Wisconsin of the lake – approximately 26 miles. Maybe Whitewater’s American Marketing it’s a little too much to complete the whole Association to handle the special events. path but a short section will give great views This group gives college students real-world of the lake, the mansions, and the city. business experience. It will also help to work up an appetite. According to Kaitlyn Hart, of American There are many fine restaurants with a Marketing’s Creative Marketing Division, variety of foods whether you are ready for a organizers have worked hard to provide quick sandwich or a more formal meal. interesting and new experiences for The weekend begins with registration the women attending the event. Hart at the Harbor Shores Hotel, 300 Wrigley recommends signing up for the weekend Dr., on Friday, April 28, from 1 to 6 pm. as soon as possible before the individual Participants will receive a goody bag filled activities reach their limits. Some of the with interesting surprises and the Passport more popular venues are likely to sell out of Savings for discounts from various local long before the event. businesses. An entry ticket for the evening’s Lake Geneva always has a lot of fun and welcome party at the Riviera Ballroom is also included. exciting things to do but coming in the
The registration fee of $60 includes the Friday night kickoff party. The party is themed Luau on the Lake. There will be themed drinks and a vast array of appetizers provided while participants enjoy music and dancing. Raffles will be held for prizes such as gift certificates and the rental of a Harley Davidson motorcycle for a weekend. The next two days will be filled with a variety of activities that can be booked at the Harbor Shores or registered in advance. Each of the special events has a limit on the number of participants, so people are advised to sign up early. The events are designed to appeal to many with special prices to make them affordable. Visit Lake Geneva Women’s Weekend 2017 on line at www. lakegenevawomensweekend.com to register or for more information. Here is the schedule for the weekend events:
Have you ever considered turning your coloring into something wearable? Leah and Tiffany, artists and teachers, will lead participants through a jewelry-making experience that will begin with a coloring project and continue through jewelry making 101 as they help participants turn artwork into jewelry. All supplies included. 15 students in a session at a cost of $30 each. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunset Cruise ~ Lake Geneva Cruise Line 812 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva
No trip to Lake Geneva is complete without a tour of Geneva Lake aboard one of Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s famous boats. One of the most popular is this Sunset Cruise aboard The Lady of the Lake. Enjoy the sight of the setting sun as you sip on a complimentary drink and let the weariness and tension of the day fade away. The ship holds 200. Cost is $20 each. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Tristan Crist Illusion Show Tristan Crist Magic Theatre 609 W. Main Street Lake Geneva (262) 248-0505
Magic and illusion attracts young and old. In this intimate setting, Master illusionist Tristan Crist will present a magical extravaganza that is up-close and personal. With seating for approximately 50 guests, every illusion will be more intense. Watch the lady get cut in half and levitate into the air and be prepared for the real helicopter to appear on stage. The cost $35 per person.
• SUNDAY APRIL 30 8 to 9:30 a.m.
• FRIDAY, APRIL 28
Sunrise Yoga ~ The Yoga Place 613 W. Main Street, Lake Geneva
Corks and Canvas ~ The Bottle Shop 617 W. Main Street, Lake Geneva, WI
Start the final morning with another round of yoga before heading off to breakfast. 20 places available. Cost is $20 per person.
3 to 4:30 p.m.
Begin the weekend with a relaxing afternoon enjoying a paint and sip party at The Bottle Shop. Local artist, Elizabeth Wagner will lead participants through all the steps to produce a beautiful painting while you sip a glass of wine or a glass of local beer. Gift items are also available. All supplies are included. You may find you are more creative than you thought. Class is limited to 35 and the fee is $45.
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Brunch at Tuscan Tavern 430 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Full breakfast selections, a signature pasta dish and a complimentary Mimosa will leave you satisfied as you sit and reminisce about your Women’s Weekend in Lake Geneva. 75 places available. Cost $25 per person.
Things to do
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
APRIL 22 Earth Day Celebration – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gateway Technical College, 400 Hwy. H, Elkhorn, featuring a recycling center, live entertainment, raffle and door prizes, child-friendly activities, indoor farmers market, workshops and demonstrations. gtc.edu/celebrate-earthday 28 Fish Fry – 4:30-7:30 p.m., Lutherdale Ministries, N7891 Highway 12, north of Elkhorn. Tickets $14, adults, $7 for children 12 and younger. Reservations suggested for groups of eight or more. (262) 742-2352.
MAY 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 The Whitewater City Market, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cravath Lakefront Park, 341 S. Fremont St. in Whitewater. Local farmers, artists, chefs, homemade creators, bakers, musicians, specialty retailers and more. downtownwhitewater.com. 5-7 Starin Park Showdown, baseball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater. 6 Opening day of fishing season on all inland Wisconsin waters. Licenses and regulations apply. 6, 13, 20, 27 Whitewater Farmers Market, 8 a.m. until sell out, (around noon), rain or shine, in the parking lot at the Winchester True Value Hardware, 1415 W. Main St. 7 World’s Largest Potluck – 11 a.m.3 p.m. at Cravath Lakefront Park, Whitewater. Bring a dish to pass for each family or friend group. Live music, lawn games, and one large community meal. (262) 473-2200 www.downtownwhitewater. com. 12 Second Chances Dinner, featuring a night of fine food, drinks, auction and raffles while raising funds for homeless animals. Location to be announced: contact Lakeland Animal Shelter to reserve tickets, tables or sponsorships. (262) 7231000. 12-14, 19-21 – Lakeland Players production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Walworth County Performing Arts Center, 15 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn. (262) 728-5578 lakeland-players.org.
SPRING 2017
19, 26, East Troy Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. on the East Troy Village Square Park. Vendors selling homegrown and local produce, specialty items, meats, baked goods, crafts, live music and activities. (262) 642-3770.
10, 17, 24 Walworth County farmers market – Veterans Park on the downtown square, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (262) 723-7733.
and live music. Cost is $10 for entry.
12 Chip in Fore Kids Golf Outing, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Evergreen Country Club, Elkhorn. Four-person scramble and shotgun start at $90 a person includes: golf, cart, lunch, dinner and prizes. Dinner only for $25. (262) 741-1440 www. wcac4kids.org.
18 Pride and Joy Car Show, 9 a.m.2 p.m. across from the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce, 203 E. Walworth St., at the Elkhorn Garage. There is no entry fee, though donations will be accepted for the Elkhorn Food Pantry. Goodie bags and dash plaques will be available for the first 75 cars. (262) 7235788 elkhornchamber.com.
15 Savory Sounds, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., featuring Carl Cole & Co., at Birge Fountain in front of the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater.
21 Pork Chop Cookout, 4-7 p.m. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. (262) 723-3228 walworthcountyfair.com.
27 Minneiska Water Ski Show Team performs at 7 p.m. on Whitewater Lake at Scenic Ridge Campground, N7991 R & W Townline Road, Whitewater.
16 Elkhorn Area High School All Sports Booster Club Golf Outing in partnership with the Elkhorn Rotary, 11:30 a.m. at Evergreen Country Club, N6246 Highway 12, Elkhorn. Day includes 18-holes of golf, special event holes, a silent auction, raffle prizes, box lunch and steak dinner. (262) 723-3444.
22 Savory Sounds, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., featuring Jay Craggs and Friends, at Birge Fountain in front of the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater.
29 Memorial Day Parade – downtown Elkhorn, 10:30 a.m., followed by a special memorial service in Veterans Park. (262) 203-2434.
16 Holton-Elkhorn Band Concert, a free open-air concert at Elkhorn’s historic band shell in Sunset Park, 7:30 p.m. (262) 7415114.
JUNE
16-18 Community Days of Elkhorn – a celebration of all things Elkhorn featuring a water ski show by the Lauderdale Aqua Skiers, a movie in the park, a car show and more. (262) 723-5788 elkhornchamber.com.
21 Antique Flea Market, 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn, featuring vendors offering a variety of treasures. Admission, $5. (414) 525-0820 or nlpromotionsllc@ gmail.com. 26 Fish Fry – 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Lutherdale Ministries, N7891 Highway 12, north of Elkhorn. Tickets $14, adults, $7 for children 12 and younger. Reservations suggested for groups of eight or more. (262) 742-2352.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 East Troy Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. on the East Troy Village Square Park. Vendors selling homegrown and local produce, specialty items, meats, baked goods, crafts, live music and activities. (262) 642-3770. 2-4 Starin Park Showdown, softball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater. 3, 10, 17, 24 Whitewater Farmers Market, 8 a.m. until sell out, (around noon), rain or shine, in the parking lot at the Winchester True Value Hardware, 1415 W. Main St. 3-4 Wisconsin DNR Free Fun Weekend – Free entry to state parks and forest, free DNR trails, free fishing on all Wisconsin waters and free ATV/UTV vehicle riding on public trails open to such uses. No license required. 3, 10, 17 Minneiska Water Ski Show Team performs at 7 p.m. on Whitewater Lake at Scenic Ridge Campground, N7991 R & W Townline Road, Whitewater. 6, 13, 20, 27 The Whitewater City Market, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cravath Lakefront Park, 341 S. Fremont St. in Whitewater. Local farmers, artists, chefs, homemade creators, bakers, musicians, specialty retailers and more. downtownwhitewater. com. 9 Night Under the Lights – a free, community event hosted by the Elkhorn Parks and Recreation Department, featuring baseball games under the lights, concessions and raffles, inflatable fun, face painting and a variety of child-friendly activities. 5 p.m. at Harris Park, Wright Street. (262) 741-5114 www.nutlfest.com.
17 Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf outing at Evergreen Golf Club, N6246 Highway 12, Elkhorn. Open to the public. (262) 7235722, evergreengolf.com.
9-10 Elkhorn City Wide Rummage – explore and shop area rummage sales. Maps of rummages that place ads will be available at the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce. Businesses may also be offering specials. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (262) 7235788 info@elkhornchamber.com.
19-21 Play for Trey softball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater.
9-11 Summer Classic baseball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater.
17 Walworth County Farm Bureau Dairy Breakfast, 6-11 a.m. at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. Event features full breakfast, crafters, live animals and a tour of a Walworth County farm. (262) 723-3228. 17 Annual Elkhorn Firefighters Street Dance, 6-11:55 p.m. at the Elkhorn Fire Station on South Broad Street. The street dance features raffles, food, drinks and live music. Cost is $10 for entry. 17 Annual Elkhorn Firefighters Street Dance, 6 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. at the Elkhorn Fire Station on South Broad Street. The street dance features raffles, food, drinks
• Soldier
23-25 Summer Classic softball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater. 23 Holton-Elkhorn Band Concert, a free open-air concert at Elkhorn’s historic band shell in Sunset Park, 7:30 p.m. (262) 7415114. 25 Antique Flea Market – at 7 a.m. at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, Highway 11, Elkhorn. Cost is $5. (414) 525-0820 www.nlpromotionsllc.com. 29 Savory Sounds, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., featuring Main Street Big Band, at Birge Fountain in front of the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. 30 Fish Fry – 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Lutherdale Ministries, N7891 Highway 12, north of Elkhorn. Tickets $14, adults, $7 for children 12 and younger. Reservations suggested for groups of eight or more. (262) 742-2352. 30 Star Spangled Celebration – 5-10 p.m. at Sunset Park, 200 Devendorf St., Elkhorn, featuring music from the Holton Band, food and snacks, and a fireworks show at dusk. (262) 723-5788 elkhornchamber.com.
(Continued from page 12)
Prisoner of War of the Year by the Darien American Legion Hall in about 2000. He said he still flies the POW flag in his father’s honor. He also has two brothers who served in Vietnam. “I am so proud of him,” Russ said about Cody. “This is all about him, not me.” Russ said the flag meant a lot to him. “It means everything about this country like freedom, the military and my son and his commitment, dedication and devotion,” Russ said. Cody’s mother, Michelle Chinn, who also works at Royal Basket, said she was apprehensive at first when she found out Cody wanted to join the military, as any mother would be. She said she felt much better about his decision to join the Navy. “I am extremely proud,” she said. “There are no words for it.” Chinn said the flag represents something Cody brought home from an experience in his life that he wanted to share with others, and it is wonderful that Carney offered to display it at Royal Basket. Chinn said her son amazes her all the time and a career in the Navy would be the best thing for him. “He loves what he does,” she said. “It is
a great way for him to go.” Cody works in communications and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. He completed two months of basic training at the Great Lakes base in Illinois and then spent nine months in “A” school. After that he has been stationed in Coronado, California, Korea, Guam and other places in the Pacific. Most recently Cody spent six months in Iraq. He said it is not pretty there right now, but it is nothing like what it was when the United States invaded. Cody’s two-week leave ended March 30. He said he was headed back to the San Diego area for now. He said it was interesting to see while he was back how much things were the same as when he was here with some small changes. He said it was surreal. Carney said he has known Russ and Michelle for about 15 years and offering to display the flag was in part to honor them as well as to honor Cody. He said he has known Cody since he was very young and he knows Cody as a quite, humble, modest individual to be proud of. “We’re all very proud of Cody and his commitment to the military,” Carney said.
SPRING 2017
3rd Annual Dog Walk for the animals
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Page 15
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at Old World Wisconsin Saturday April 29, 2017 9 am - Noon
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Page 16
Lake Geneva
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SPRING 2017
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