Breeze
SEPT. 2017 • VOL. 36 NO. 4
Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers
The
Serving the Whitewater Lake area
• Be safe on the water • Helping others • Area activities
PAGE 2 • SEPT. 2017 • THE BREEZE
Things to do Mackenzie Schimming (left) and Leah Newmannas compete in the pie-eating contest at the St. Patrick’s Country Fest on July 30.
AUGUST
25 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. 26 Minneiska Ski Team, 6:30 p.m. at Scenic Ridge Campground, N7991 R&W Townline Road, Whitewater. 26, 30 Aquanut Water Shows – 2015 National Show Ski Champions. Most Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6 p.m., at Lance Park, 55 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes. Family focused choreographed Water Ski Show Team performs on Lake Mary throughout the summer. Free admission and free parking, concessions are sold on-site. (262) 877-2348 www. aquanutwatershows.com. 26 Walworth County farmers market – Veterans Park on the downtown square, 8 a.m.12 p.m. (262) 723-7733. 26 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. 29 The Whitewater City Market, 3:307:30 p.m. at the historic Train Depot, 301 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians. www.downtownwhitewater.com. 25 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. 30 Walworth County Fair, featuring shows, animal barns and auctions, food, games, crafts, a variety of contests and a midway. (262) 723-3228 or walworthcountyfair.com.
SEPTEMBER
1-4 Walworth County Fair, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn, featuring shows, animal barns and auctions, food, games, crafts, a variety of contests and a midway. (262) 723-3228 or walworthcountyfair.com. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 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, 9, 16, 23, 30 Walworth County farmers market – Veterans Park on the downtown square, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (262) 7237733. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 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. 2 Aquanut Water Shows – 2015 National Show Ski Champions. Last show of the season, 6 p.m., at Lance Park, 55 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes. Family focused choreographed Water
TOM GANSER The Breeze
Ski Show Team performs on Lake Mary throughout the summer. Free admission and free parking, concessions are sold on-site. (262) 877-2348 www.aquanutwatershows.com. 5, 12, 19, 26 The Whitewater City Market, 3:30-7:30 p.m. at the historic Train Depot, 301 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians. www.downtownwhitewater.com. 6, 13, 20, 27 Mukwonago Area Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m., at Field Park (corner of highways 83 and NN), Mukwonago. (262) 363-7758. 9, 10 Maxwell Street Days, at Field Park, (intersection of highways 83 and NN), Mukwonago, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 650 vendors, free admission to the park, reasonable off site parking available. Pets, bicycles and skateboards are prohibited. www. maxwellstreetdays.net. 9-10 Southern WI Buckskin Horse Show, Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. walworthcountyfair.com (262) 723-3228. 16-17 Jericho Productions Open Horse Show, Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. walworthcountyfair.com (262) 723-3228. 22 Keefe Kares Fundraiser, Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. walworthcountyfair.com (262) 723-3228. 23 Fall Fest in downtown Mukwonago, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Streets are closed opening the downtown for this village-wide celebration. Enjoy live music, a chili cook-off, kids pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, shopping local businesses, craft vendors, and much more. (262) 363-7758. 24 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. 29 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.
29-Oct. 1 Wisconsin State Jayco Camping Rally, Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. walworthcountyfair.com (262) 723-3228.
OCTOBER
3, 10, 17, 24 The Whitewater City Market, 3:30-7:30 p.m. at the historic Train Depot, 301 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians. www.downtownwhitewater.com. 4, 11 Mukwonago Area Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m., at Field Park (corner of highways 83 and NN), Mukwonago. (262) 363-7758. 6 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. 6-8 Fall Fest Barrel Racing, Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. walworthcountyfair.com (262) 723-3228. 7, 14, 21, 28 Walworth County farmers market – Veterans Park on the downtown square, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (262) 723-7733. 7, 14, 21, 28 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. 21 Peoples Bank Oktoberfest 5k Run, 2-mile walk, 8 to 11 a.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. Registration includes long sleeve shirt, sports pack, water bottle and a free drink ticket for Elkhorn’s Oktoberfest for participants 21 and older. Register early for discounted price. Info: Oktoberfest@peoplesbankwi.com 21 The 12th Annual Oktoberfest, a growing favorite event in the Elkhorn community that fills the town with fun, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the more than 100 crafters and vendors showcasing handcrafted items, antiques, produce and plants in the downtown square. Stop by the north parking lot of the government center for the 5th Annual Oktoberfest Car Show, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids activities will include games, pumpkin decorating, a bounce house, slides and more. For food there will be a chili cook-off, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and a variety of food vendors. Adults are invited
to stop inside Pocket Park for the wine and beer tasting between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Several live entertainment acts will perform. General admission is free; wine and beer tent is $6 for tastings and $12 to take home a commemorative Oktoberfest glass. (262) 723-5788 or info@elkhornchamber.com. 28 Annual Scare on the Square, 2 to 4 p.m., Veterans Park in downtown Elkhorn. Fall fun for the entire family, featuring kids’ activities, storytelling, a costume contest and more. Hosted by the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce, the Elkhorn Recreation Department and Mercy Health System. 31 Trick- or-Treating, 5 to 7 p.m., citywide in the City of Elkhorn.
NOVEMBER
4 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.
11 The 15th Annual Holiday Affair Craft Show, a “round robin” event featuring more than 250 crafters at six locations – Walworth County Fairgrounds Activity Center and Log Cabin; Monte Carlo Room; St. Patrick’s School; Elkhorn Middle School; Elkhorn High School, and; Jackson School. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $2 admission. (262) 723-3228. 20 Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil, 6:30-8 p.m., downtown square in Elkhorn (corner of Walworth and Wisconsin streets.) Candles will be provided and a presentation with refreshments will follow at the UCC Church, 76 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn. www.lgbtwalco.org. 25 Fish Fry – 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Lutherdale Camp, N7891 Highway 12. Ticket cost for adults is $12, $7 for children 12 and younger. (262) 742-2352. The calendar of events is compiled from a variety of sources including the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce and the Walworth County Visitors Bureau and contains events available as of press time. Although we make every attempt to provide accurate information regarding area events, dates and times may change or events may be cancelled. We suggest you visit elkhornchamber.com or visitwalworthcounty. com prior to making travel plans.
THE BREEZE • SEPT. 2017 • PAGE 3
Jason Wildermuth and his kids, Talon (from the left), Cosette and Elora, work on their street square at last year’s Main Street Festival. This year’s festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 16, and will include live music, food, art on the street and more. For more information, visit wwmsfestival.blogspot. com or find it on Facebook.
Art for the eyes, as well as the ears WHITEWATER’S MAIN STREET FESTIVAL TO FEATURE LIVE MUSIC AND STREET ART There is much to be anticipated with this year’s upcoming Main Street Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. The annual event will feature food, local shops, art on the street, and general festival gaiety. The Whitewater Main Street Festival is an annual event celebrating the Arts. Created through a partnership between multiple organizations and businesses the event is held throughout the City of Whitewater. Musical acts to perform include Nazario Chickpeazio from 2 to 4 p.m., Christine Hayes, and the Latino band Amanecer y Mas from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nazario Chickpeazio has played at Bristol’s Renaissance Faire and Whitewater Tuesday Markets.
At 1 p.m., grab a seat and play alongside a guided drum circle lead by Christine Hayes. There is no musical skill required, just bang a drum and join the fun. New this year, the festival is collaborating with Discover Whitewater Series, a family run that supports local non-profits. The race will be on Sept 17. During the festival, families can make tie-dye runners T-shirts and signs of encouragement for their favorite runners. Later that day runners can pick up their packets and enjoy the pre race dinner on campus. DISCOVER WHITEWATER SERIES SCHEDULE Saturday, Sept. 16 4:30 to 7 p.m., packet pick-up, onsite registration, and A’viands’
Pre-Race Dinner Sunday, Sept. 17 6 to 7:30 a.m., packet pick-up and on-site registration 8 a.m., half marathon start 8:15 a.m., 5K start 9:30 a.m., Fit Kid Shuffle 10 a.m., awards ceremony 7 a.m. to noon, Kids Korral 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center open 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Post Race Party, at 841 Brewhouse For more information on the festival, visit wwmsfestival. blogspot.com, or www.facebook. com/wwmsfestival. For more information on the Discover Whitewater Series, visit runwhitewater.com.
Abby Lutc HEATHER he grandma, Dia r paints at the Studio RUENZ PHOTOS The Breeze ne Hayes wat 84 table whi Festival in W ches during le her hitewater. the 2016 Mai n Street
The
Breeze
Serving the Whitewater Lake Area A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC 1102 Ann Street, Delavan, WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411 Editor:. . ................................................ Tracy Ouellette Creative/Production Director:........................ Sue Z. Lange Special Sections Advertising:........................Vicki Vanderwerff Editorial Assistant:..................................... Sharon Soch
For advertising opportunities call (262) 723-2250
On the cover:
The Minneiska Ski Team performs at the Fourth of July celebration in Whitewater. The team earned Best Pyramid in a competition in Wisconsin Rapids July 21 through 23.
New business saddlin’ up in Eagle
PAGE 4 • SEPT. 2017 • THE BREEZE
Saddle shop in village now open
By Ryan Spoehr
Wiegand said. The meaning behind the “Twisted Fork” name has nothing to do with the quality of A hobby of making items out of leather saddles. It has more to do with symbolism has turned into the realization of a dream in regards to Wiegand’s life. for an Eagle resident. “I’ve had a lot of jobs. It has been a long Craig Wiegand walked by the then-open road to get here and have this business. suite at 103 West Main Street in Eagle There have always been twists and there several years ago and had a vision. always seems to be forks in the road. I “Wouldn’t it be great to have a saddle thought one day, ‘There it is. There’s the shop here?” Wiegand said to people close name. It’s Twisted Fork,’” he said. to him. The road to the business started when Wiegand had been making leather items Wiegand was only 12 years old and he went out of his basement as a hobby, and at times to Camp Timberlee in East Troy. During for some money as well. that trip, a chance encounter served as the He lives in a townhouse, and it didn’t catalyst to his passion, and ultimately his translate in the best ways for a business, business. Wiegand said. A man had visited the camp and ended “Having to take my by ‘basement’ to the up showing Wiegand how to make items storefront at 103 Main Street was important out of leather. for me. I’m sure it wasn’t a big deal for “What was crazy about that was he the customers, but it was kind of a big deal came in to do something. I can’t remember for me,” Wiegand said. “Since it was in what he was there for or even his name. my basement, every time it would rain the I just remember he said, ‘You want to walls would be crying. It would be more see something cool, kid?’ I said, ‘Sure,’” presentable.” Wiegand said. “It wasn’t just initials into However, Wiegand did not want the a bracelet. It was borders and other stuff dream of running a saddle-making business for more than an hour. I don’t know why to interfere with his love of making things he was there, but I just thought it was out of leather, he said. the coolest thing. If it wasn’t for him, I “I wanted my passion to stay my hobby. wouldn’t be in this business.” You hear stories of people hating their jobs, As the passion grew, it became more and and I didn’t want that for me,” Wiegand more of a hobby in his life, Wiegand said. said. “I wondered if I could make a go of Wiegand spent almost three years in this. I started making saddles in 2008, and the Army. However, he was honorably the biggest thing was the cost of materials.” discharged after getting injured. Last November, Wiegand’s dream “I ended up with another fork in the became a reality, and he opened up that road,” he said. saddle shop, now known as Twisted Fork Shortly thereafter, Wiegand was asked Saddle Shop, in that location on Main by a friend to make a saddle because of Street he had dreamed about years prior. his passion with leather. He took classes to He said it is his goal to get word out learn how to make saddles, and it has been even more that the store is now up and part of his passion to create items out of running, and possibly having the name leather ever since. itself generate some buzz. “The biggest thing for me is seeing “What was funny is out west fork something from start to finish. Taking means saddle, so twisted fork means bad something like raw leather and to make saddle, but hopefully that just gets people something out of it, like a bracelet, is really wondering so they ask me what it means,” cool,” Wiegand said. “To make it into a STAFF WRITER
BY THE NUMBERS
SUBMITTED PHOTO The Breeze
Twisted Fork Saddle Shop owner Craig Wiegand with two of his happy customers – Bailey and Brody LeRoy. Wiegand custom built new fenders for their saddle, which is more than 50 years old.
finished product and to give it to someone, it’s even cooler now.” Wiegand said that he takes everything he learned on the journey on his road in life and applies it to Twisted Fork, whether it is his time in the Army, his time as a barber or his time selling cars. “I used to work at Bergstrom. There, they really concentrated on customer service. I take that philosophy here,” Wiegand said. “When someone comes in, I call them my guests. They don’t have to come in, so they are my guests, and I treat them as my guests.”
Waterfront Homes for Sale in the Whitewater Lake Area
Now as he has settled in to the location on Main Street, Wiegand said it was the right location, even if he didn’t know it at first. “I always thought it was a cool building. I knew it was too big, but it was beautiful,” Wiegand said. “Then when I looked at the location, I realized it was perfect. I just didn’t know it at the time of walking by. I just wanted to ‘bring my basement’ there.” For more information, contact Wiegand at (262) 899-0183, or go to www. twistedforksaddle.com.
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THE BREEZE • SEPT. 2017 • PAGE 5
If you snooze, you lose THEGOINGRATE Tight inventory makes available homes a hot commodity
The Wisconsin housing market continued its expansion in June, with both sales volume and prices reaching record levels, according to an analysis of the existing home market by the Wisconsin Realtors Association. June home sales were up 0.9 percent compared to June last year, which is the second straight month where the annual pace of sales increased at a modest rate. In contrast, home prices continued to grow at a robust pace in June, with the median price increasing 6.3 percent over the past 12 months to $186,000. Locally, the three-county area (Kenosha, Racine and Walworth) saw the number of homes sold in June increase by five over June 2016 and the median price for those homes was up $15,583. The statewide figures represent the highest levels for price and sales volume since the organizations recalibrated its methodology for data collection in 2005, according to the WRA. The year-to-date figures paint a similar picture with sales up 0.3 percent and median prices increasing 5.3 percent relative to the first six months of 2016. “We have a very strong state economy, which has fueled housing demand, but the shortage of homes on the market has kept sales only slightly above the very high levels established last year,” said Erik Sjowall, WRA board chairman. Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.1 percent in May, which is well below the U.S. rate of 4.3 percent for that month, according to the
WRA. In addition, it ranks among the lowest rates in the upper Midwest. Specifically, the May unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in Iowa, 3.2 percent in Indiana, 3.7 percent in Minnesota, 4.2 percent in Michigan and 4.6 percent in Illinois, which is struggling to get its fiscal house in order. “The main factor keeping sales from growing more is our lack of homes for sale,” said Sjowall. The state had just 5.8 months of inventory in June compared to 7.1 months in June last year, a decline of 18.3 percent. “As we’ve been pointing out for the last couple of years, inventories are in good shape in the rural parts of the state, but they are very tight in the cities,” noted Sjowall. Rural counties had 9.3 months of supply, suggesting a buyer’s market, whereas sellers are in control in the metropolitan counties with just 4.4 months of available supply in June. This has led to much quicker closings than has historically been the case, with average days on the market falling to just 73 days in June. That compares to 86 days from the initial listing to closing in June last year. “The Fed, with some help from low energy prices, has managed to keep inflation under control even as home prices have been rising significantly over the last few years,” said WRA President and CEO Michael Theo. He noted inflation did tick up this year with the annual inflation rate in the range of 2.2 percent to 2.8 percent between January and April but dipped to 1.9 percent in May as oil prices moderated.
Lakefront Specialist
In contrast, Wisconsin’s June median home prices bottomed out at $140,000 in June 2011. Since that time, prices have increased at an annual rate of 4.7 percent, which compares to an annual pace of inflation of just 1.4 percent over that same period. “Home prices this June are now 32.8 percent higher than that same month six years ago,” said Theo. “As long as our inventories remain tight, there will be pressure on prices.” He said this is good news for sellers, but it has a negative impact on affordability. The Wisconsin Housing Affordability index measures the fraction of the median-priced home that a household with median family income can afford to buy, assuming a 20 percent down payment combined with a 30year fixed-rate mortgage for the remaining balance. The higher the index, the more affordable housing is in the state. The index was at 210 in June 2017, which is about 3.2 percent below the level of June 2016. “We’ve had the good fortune to have solid job growth, which has pushed income levels up in the state and at least partially offset the slight increase in mortgage rates and the more rapid growth in home prices,” said Theo. However, the WRA predicts affordability will continue to slip over the remainder of the year, and encourages potential buyers to move quickly when they find the right opportunity.
HOMES RECENTLY SOLD ON WHITEWATER LAKE $330,000 W8085 RW Townline Rd $322,500 N7463 Ridge Rd $375,000 N7139 Chapel Dr $466,000 N7370 Krahn Dr $475,000 N7331 Chapel Dr $522,000 N7623 Ridge Rd $530,000 N7423 Ridge Rd $540,000 N7606 State Park Dr $589,000 N7366 Chapel Dr $850,000 N7663 E Lakeshore Dr
TRACY SALLEE
Karen Ostermeier Realtor Associate
WHITEWATER LAKES REALTY AMBASSADOR
(630) 373-6005 Cell (262) 743-1778 Fax kareno@keeferealestate.com www.escapetowi.com
262-203-1385 tsallee@keeferealestate.com www.TracySallee.com
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Keefe Real Estate, Inc.
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717 S Woodpine Dr Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121 This 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath colonial has splendid curb appeal. This home is tastefully decorated, meticulously maintained and has an appealing floor plan with grand entry, beautiful master suite, open kitchen/dining room plan with bay windows, sunken living room and full basement. The 2.5 car garage has overhead door opening to the large fenced back yard complete with concrete patio and play set. Conveniently located near schools and interstate highway access. MLS#: 1534136 ........................................................$238,000
Lt12 Rose Ter, La Grange, WI 53121 Build your dream home on this 1.7 Acre lot with Lauderdale Lakes Access through Gladhurst Association’s lake park. This wooded lot with mature trees is close to the association beach and pier on Green Lake. The Gladhurst Lake Park is the Gem of Lauderdale Lakes - never crowded, sandy beach with a beautiful view of Green Lake. The property has a lot to offer located close to recreational area of the Kettle Moraine State Forest which offers Biking, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Skiing and more. MLS#: 1526391 ... ............................... Price:$69,900
N9296 Tamarack Rd, La Grange, WI 53190 Prairie and Wood Views abound on this one-of-a-kind property. Located on 12.4 acres this farm house has the old world Wisconsin charm and warmth you will love to call your own. Completely remodeled with modern amenities and yet maintaining the old world character. Located in the Kettle Moraine Forest where you will relish the expanse of the land and nature located on this stunning property. Amazing views of the prairie with the pond at the west end of the property. Horses are allowed. MLS#: 1527715 ...................................................... $425,000 290367
PAGE 6 • SEPT. 2017 • THE BREEZE
UWW Theater/ Dance department announces 17-18 schedule
Tickets are about to go on sale for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Theater/Dance Department season lineup. Tickets for six shows will be available Aug. 9 for the season beginning on Oct. 9. The first show of the season will be “Toil and Trouble” by award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson and directed by Angela Iannone. It is a comic rewrite of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” The showings for “Toil and Trouble” will be Oct. 9 through 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. in Hicklin Studio Theatre. The second show, “The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen, adapted for the stage by Max Bush and directed by Bruce Cohen, will be shown on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. in the Barnett Theatre before the cast and crew take it on tour for a week. “The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a classic children’s tale about two weavers tricking a vain king with invisible clothes. “1959 Pink Thunderbird,” a production by James McLure and directed by Kymberly Mellen, will be Dec. 4 through 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. in the Barnett Theatre. “1959 Pink Thunderbird” is a presentation of two one-act plays about man’s life post-Vietnam. The department will follow with “Street Scene,” a production written by Langston Hughes and directed by Mellen, with music by Kurt Weill and music direction by Robert Gehrenbeck. It is a jazz-inspired opera that explores jealousy, infatuation, lust and love in 1930s New York City. The production starts Feb. 25 and runs through March 3 at 2 p.m. There will also be showings Feb. 27 and March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Barnett Theatre. The next show, “DanceScapes ’18,” will hit the stage March 17 and 18 at 2 p.m., and March 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Barnett Theatre. The show, directed by Amy Slater, showcases the choreography of faculty, students and UW-Whitewater guest artists. The production will feature Joe Chvala of the Flying Foot Forum in Minneapolis, Minn. The final show of the season will be “Strong Poison,” which is based on the novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, adapted for stage by Frances Linoncelli and directed by Iannone. It centers around famed detective Lord Peter Wimsey as he falls head over heels for accused poisoner Harriet Vane. “Strong Poison hits the stage April 25 through 28 at 7:30 p.m. and April 29 at 2 p.m. in Hicklin Studio Theatre. Order tickets on phone at (262) 4722222 or online at http://tickets.uww.edu.
FILE PHOTO The Breeze
Water safety classes are a good idea for all kids – and their parents.
Don’t let kids drown – Teach them to swim Cooling off in a pool, lake or ocean can be a refreshing idea—but only if you know how to avoid the dangers. Drowning is a leading cause of death in children under 14. One reason is that 70 percent of African-American and 60 percent of Hispanic children don’t know how to swim, the USA Swimming Foundation reports. Minority children are also less involved in competitive swimming when compared to their white peers, comprising only 1 percent of USA Swimming membership. Some of the reasons include: • Lack of swimming access – Facilities in traditionally underserved communities are few and far between and tend to be expensive. • Cultural constraints – Data shows there may be a legacy of fear, perpetuated through generations. • Parental perceptions – Adults who don’t swim may not know what needs to be done so that their children learn to swim safely. To help close the gap in swimming safety, the YMCA created Safety Around Water, a program that teaches children of all ages and backgrounds – and their parents – that water should be fun, not feared, as long as you know how to stay safe. This year, the Y awarded more than
• Never swim alone. Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty. • Supervise children whenever they are in or near water. Whether it’s a bath, the ocean or anything in between, stay within arm’s reach of the child at all times. • Don’t hold your breath. When swimming, children should avoid holding their breath for any length of time. This can lead directly to drowning and other severe physical side effects. • Wear a life jacket. Novice and nonswimmers should wear Coast Guard–approved life jackets. • Don’t jump in to save someone struggling in deep water. Even if you’re a great swimmer you can be overpowered by a panicked person, pulling you underwater. The Y teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for the swimmer and pull him or her to safety. • Enroll in water safety classes. The Y teaches fundamental water safety skills and how to react if you find yourself in water unexpectedly. Families interested in further information about enrolling a child If you know how to stay safe in in Safety Around Water or Y Swim and around water, swimming can be a Lessons should visit www.ymca.net/ lifelong source of fun and exercise. Here watersafety. are six things you should know: (NAPS) 27,000 scholarships for free water safety lessons to children in underserved communities. The children learn fundamental water safety skills that include what to look for in a safe place to swim, what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly, and how to swim a short distance on their front, roll over onto their back to rest, and then roll on their front to continue swimming to safety. “The Y teaches more than 1 million children from all backgrounds invaluable water-safety and swim skills every year, and the disturbing statistics about youth drownings underscore the significance of this work,” said Kevin Washington, president and CEO of Y-USA. “We are giving swim scholarships to children in underserved communities who statistically are at greatest risk of drowning so they can learn to be safe in and around the water. The Y is committed to reaching more kids, saving more lives and changing the statistics.”
Water safety
Walworth County Fair going By Ryan Spoehr
Badger State pull will start at 7 p.m. The county pull is free, but there is The Walworth County Fair will a $5 admission fee for the Badger be back in a big way in 2017. State. The fair, which will be from “There will be big motorsports, Aug. 30 through Sept. 4, will bull rides and great carnival rides,” have a theme of “Are You Ready Gaffey said. For Big?” and organizers are After the month of August emphasizing this year’s event will comes to a close, so will the fates be big in multiple ways. of several old automobiles, as “We are pretty excited. I think monster trucks will roar through the we’re going to have a really good grandstand. All Star Motorsports fair this year,” said Larry Gaffey, Productions hosts the fair’s monster the general manager of the fair. truck rally on September 1 at 7 p.m. “People are going to love it. We will Returning to the fair this year have the biggest turkey, the biggest are the arm wrestling tournament, boar and biggest horse. No one will which will feature tests of strengths believe how big these turkeys are. It by people of all ages with weigh-ins will be fun to look at all that stuff.” on Sept. 2 at noon, and the Strut The fair will also feature Your Stuff Recipe Challenge the some of the biggest names in same day at 11:30 a.m. music, including with the recent The fair will also feature announcement of Martina McBride Woody’s Menagerie, a live wildlife performing. Also, Foghat and Blue education presentation with tigers, Oyster Cult will hit the stage on lions and even ligers, a hybrid of a Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. male lion and female tiger. The fair will once again showcase the entertainment that it has become so well known for. Riders won’t be taking any Foghat and Blue Oyster Cult will bull when the fair kicks off on hit the stage on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. in Wednesday, Aug. 30. At the the grandstand. grandstand at 7 p.m., professional The mud will be flying and bull riders will participate in the rumbling will be in the air competitive riding. Also a part of on Labor Day, as the demolition the event will be the Pro Elite World derby hits the grandstand with Challenge barrel racing competition three heats – one at 1:30 p.m., the as cowgirls ride athletic horses second at 4 p.m. and the last one through a course around barrels. at 6:30 p.m. Wristbands will be Professional riders will compete available for $10 so fair-goers can against sanctioned local riders. see all three heats. Then on the last day of August, more competition will be at the grandstand, as the Walworth County Horses will be a major portion of Fair Truck and Tractor Pull takes the fair as well, as 12 events will be center stage at 11 a.m. and the STAFF WRITER
Other events
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THE BREEZE • SEPT. 2017 • PAGE 7
TOM GANSER The Breeze
Kids ride one of the rollercoasters in the midway at the 2016 Walworth County Fair. This year’s fair will be Aug. 30 through Sept. 4 on the fairgrounds at 411 E. Court St. in Elkhorn. For more information, visit www.walworthcountyfair.com.
on the docket between Friday and Monday. All day on Friday starting at 8:30 a.m., the Smiles Open Horse Show will be in the Horse Arena. Also on Friday, the Draft Horse Halter Class will be at 10 a.m. in the Draft Horse Arena. On Saturday at 8:30 a.m., the Boots and Saddle Open and Speed Show will take place in the Horse Arena. The Draft Horse Arena will be the site for the Cart/Hitch at 10 a.m. The Harness Races will be at noon at the grandstand.
On Sunday, the horse events continue with the Linn 4-H Youth Benefit Horse Show in the Horse Arena at 8:30. Hitch Class starts at 10 a.m. in the Draft Horse Arena. On Monday, the Horse Pulling Contest starts at 8:30 a.m. in the
grandstand. The Drill Team starts at 11 a.m. in the Draft Horse Arena. “There will be more free entertainment with the pig races and dachshund races,” Gaffey said. Tickets may be printed out online at walworthcountyfair.com.
TOM GANSER The Breeze TOM GANSER The Breeze
Savannah Sielger, of the Springfield 4-H, shows her grand champion steer at the 2016 Walworth County Fair.
Sawyer and mom Kelsey Stocks, of Sugar Creek, visit with some chicks in the poultry barn at last year’s Walworth County Fair.
PAGE 8 • SEPT. 2017 • THE BREEZE
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