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HELP WANTED Responsib Hardworking

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November/December 2015 tlw.org

Thorough

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN

Hardworking

Industrious Adaptable in this issue: The Hiring Dilemma: Finding Good Employees and Keeping Them The Latest on Vaping and E-Cigarettes ABL News from Washington

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The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin November/December 2015 Volume 33, No. 6

FEATURES

THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 How to Find and Keep Good Employees

TLW Fall Convention Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Step Up to the Plate with the TLW

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THE GREAT VAPE DEBATE. . 22 Whether to allow this tobacco-free alternative on premise

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS LEAGUE PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Oneida County

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Oneida Village Inn

CHARITY feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Let’s Go Fishing, Northwoods Area Chapter

MEET THE DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Jim Seliger

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Departments President’s Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Corporate Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Front Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ABL Dispatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Corporate Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Legislative Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Featured Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Accounting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Affiliate Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ask the Bartender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Local League Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32 33 34 36 37 38

Socialize with us:

www.tlw.org

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President’s Perspective THE NEW AND IMPROVED TLW APP!

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any of you have been using the TLW app as a tool to find member establishments while traveling throughout the state. We’re pleased to announce, after working with the team at SureProgramming for the last year, that a new and improved app is ready for download to your iPhone or Android smartphone. The features of the existing app will remain, but improvements will allow you to use the app as a tool for advertising and to reach out to customers simultaneously.

The new app was developed for a couple of reasons. First, the old app was very straightforward and limited the user to specific features such as finding basic information about a particular tavern. The proprietor’s name, address and contact information were available unless you upgraded and purchased an advertising agreement. Second, the current app had a maintenance cost associated with it to update member listings.

SureProgramming is not charging the TLW this fee for the new app.

Backend technology of the new app is user-friendly so each member has the ability to access, via a computer, all the information that is specific to their business. This means you can update your address, hours, advertising information and more.

Under the “home” tab you can upload a logo of your business, enter a wide variety of information and see if your location is accurately represented on Google Maps. Through our research using the old app, we’ve found some locations were wrong. If you find this is the case for your business, you will be able to drag the current location to the correct location and click the “Save” button.

Other tabs that are available include: contact patrons, menus, rewards, coupons, events, specials and location message. With these tabs you will be given the opportunity to use them as needed. If you do not wish to have a coupon or rewards, nothing will show up on your page. This will give each of us the ability to use features that fit our needs. If in the future, you should decide to use a feature such as the menu tab, your menu will be shown, as well as uploaded photos of food and drink items.

Those of us working with SureProgramming emphasized that TLW members are extremely busy and most are not tech savvy.

So, the team of app developers created a series of videos that will walk members through each topic on the app’s home page to make it as easy as possible to use.

The new app was created with members’ interests in mind. It will give each of us the ability to advertise our businesses at NO COST, plus it’s user-friendly so customers will download it and engage with us.

The new app is just another in the long list of benefits you receive for being a TLW member, at a total cost of just $0.41 per day.

Please talk about the app at your upcoming meetings and get the word out. A lot of time and effort went into development of the new TLW app and we hope it will help with future membership recruitments.

TLW President

Terry J Harvath

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Corporate Sponsors SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THOSE WHO

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Any business interested in joining should the TLW office (608-270-8591) oursupport, brochureand thatencourage lists the benefits of the Remember “Support those who support us.” call www.tlw.org November/December 2015us.”On Premise 5 the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support n

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John Bodnovich, Jen Bradley, Michelle Eno, Terry Harvath, Barb Howell, Pete Madland, Chris Marsicano, Scott Stenger, Spring Conference Issue Amanda Wegner

March/April

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On Premise (ISSN #1051-4562) bi-monthlyMonth Mayisisa Tavern publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc., 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713, phone: 800-445-9221.

July/August

On Premise is producedPre-Convention

by Nei-Turner Media Issue Group, Inc., 93. W. Geneva St., P.O. Box 1080, WilService with a Smile liams Bay, WI 53191. Gary Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher.

Identifying Profit Leaks Printing is by RR Donnelley, Long Prairie, MN. For advertising information, contact Louise Andraski, 262-245-1000, louisea@merr.com.

Subscriptions included in TLW membershipIssue Fall Convention dues; non-member subscriptions: $15 per year.

Postmaster: send address corrections to the Tavern League of Wisconsin Office, 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005. PeriPromotional odicals postage paid at Madison, WI and other Ideas additional offices.

September/October

November/December

©2015 Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication and credit given to author and On Premise.

Partners in Progress Major suPPorter of state and LocaL tavern Leagues Tavern League of Wisconsin • Co-sponsor of TLW Legislative Day • Underwriter of TLW Video on Jobs and Employment • Provider of Coin-Operated Games at TLW Conferences & Shows to Benefit TIPAC • Sponsor of the TLW Trip Give-away at TLW Fall Convention & Show • Donor of Large Screen TV at TLW Spring Conference & Show

LocaL Tavern League Programs (saferide, goLf, oThers) • Contributions and support from individual WAMO members • Matching Funds from WAMO to Tavern League Locals • Contributions to SafeRide Program, Golf and Others • Active Participation and Attendance

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Front Rail DUCK AND COVER!

By Pete Madland, TLW Executive Director

For instance, they took away the right to smoke in your businesses. A legal activity using a still legal product is now deemed illegal. As a result, “vaping” has gained popularity for those who gave up smoking. Now they want that legal activity using a legal product banned. The words of a Madison City Council member summed their thoughts up perfectly, “We don’t know if vaping is harmful or not, therefore we should ban it.” That is some logic!

T

hose of you my age will recall the Cold War and how afraid of a nuclear war we were. The building of the Berlin Wall, Nikita Khrushchev pounding his shoe on the podium and declaring, “We will bury you,” and the Cuban Missile Crisis were all a part of that era. Remember being taught in school to “duck and cover”? I remember drills where we practiced squatting under our desks and covering our eyes to ensure we would be safe during a nuclear attack. Those were the days.

Those of you in business back during that time probably remember it fondly and think “those were the days.” Back at that time, a person could make a decent living in the bar business; you could make a profit without being taxed to death.

All adults could drink. Your customers weren’t being preached at constantly to not drink and drive, and they could even have a smoke while enjoying their favorite beverage. The industry worked, all tiers, and people were making a living.

Yes, those were the days!

My, how things have changed. With the constant barrage of attacks from government and the public sector, along with legislative initiatives too numerous to mention, I feel like it is time to “duck and cover” again. While we are used to being attacked, it seems lately, the attacks are more numerous than ever.

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The pressure to legalize roadblocks is constant. Safety advocates say this is a great way to catch drunk drivers and make our roads safer. Individual rights be damned!

Yet, recently, when I had an opportunity to ask a group of these advocates for proof that roadblocks are more effective than roving patrols at catching drunk drivers, no one delivered any. Everything I have read says roving patrols are more effective. So why the emphasis on roadblocks?

They know that the threat of roadblocks will influence the way people think about going out for a beer or cocktail. Most will decide not to. Even MADD admits that.

The problem with that strategy is that it attacks and influences the wrong people, the responsible drinker instead of the problem drinker who cannot be scared into a different behavior despite the risks.

He will go out anyway, and, with very little effort, know when and where roadblocks may be set up, or simply take the risk of getting caught.

The Wisconsin wineries even want us to “duck and cover.” Their attack is much more subtle but still a danger.

First they want extended hours of operation, maintaining that closing at 9 p.m. instead of midnight hinders their ability to grow their businesses. “What harm could that do to the tavern industry?” they ask. The answer is probably very little. But when you add on other legislation they are proposing, that answer changes dramatically. They also want liquor and beer licenses for all 133

Wisconsin wineries! “This will be good for the tavern industry” they tell us. If passed, these pieces of legislation would turn these businesses that were intended to make and sell wine into full-fledged class “B” licensed establishments, all 133 of them. By the way, they can sell their wine at their cost undercutting our taverns who are forced, by law, to purchase from a licensed wholesaler.

You knew the rules of how to conduct business when you went into business.

You knew the hours of operation, what you could serve, who you could serve and how you could serve. So did the wineries. Like them or not, you conduct your business within the confines of those rules or risk losing your license.

The wineries have a different strategy: change the rules to fit their needs. If we resist those changes or fight back, we are called “protectionists.” So be it.

The examples of the attacks on our industry could go on and on. Articles about binge drinking, underage drinking, unhealthy drinking etc. are written on a daily basis attacking our industry.

They emphasize what I have said to many of you over many years, and that is the enemy is not your competitor down the street, he is your competition and yet your partner. The true enemies are the governmental agencies, the tax funded studies, and all of the anti-alcohol groups, and there are plenty of them, who want to see you fail and close your business.

The thing that the enemy must and does understand is that the Tavern League of Wisconsin will not “duck and cover” when attacked. We will play within the rules handed to us by others and we expect others to play within those rules as well. But when they want to change the rules and those changes are detrimental to our members and our industry, expect a fight. Boy, I sure do long for “the good old days.” TLW www.tlw.org

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ABL Dispatch – The Latest Industry News From Washington

By ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich

ROUNDTABLE ON MUSIC LICENSING HELD On September 22, the House Judiciary Committee held a “Copyright Review Roundtable” at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about music licensing issues.

Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. began the roundtable discussion by recapping the committee’s efforts in holding more than 20 hearings and stressing the interest of the committee in finding consensus on music licensing issues. While longstanding fights between songwriters and performers over compensation and royalties paid by different platforms quickly emerged, a recurring theme was that a transparent system will go a long way to solving some of the existing problems with today’s complex music licensing system.

DOJ URGED TO PLACE SESAC UNDER CONSENT DECREES ABL joined other MIC Coalition members in August on a letter to the Department of Justice suggesting that it should strongly consider making SESAC subject to consent decree governance just as ASCAP and BMI are. This follows SESAC’s acquisition and aggregation of additional licensing rights, and calls for increased scrutiny of whether SESAC should be subject to the same type of antitrust oversight as ASCAP and BMI. SESAC does not currently operate under a consent decree and has recently been taken to court over allegations that its blanket licenses and refusal to offer per program licenses violate the antitrust laws.

POSTAL REFORM BILL CONCERNS ABL issued the following statement about the roundtable: “America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers commend House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. and Ranking Member John Conyers, D-Mich. for hosting today’s roundtable discussion on copyright laws and engaging stakeholders.

America’s bars and taverns sit at the intersection of music and consumers, and play a critical role when it comes to delivering music and introducing their customers to artists. Beverage licensees look forward to future opportunities to discuss their role in the music ecosystem, their experiences with music licensing in their businesses and how local beverage businesses and music creators can enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Members of the MIC Coalition, of which ABL is a member, were included in the roundtable discussion, and stressed the need for greater transparency in determining where licensing fees go to ensure that they find their way to both songwriters and artists, and make it easier for proprietors to book and compensate local musicians without fear of facing lawsuits for copyright infringement.

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In September, ABL joined the National Beer Wholesalers Association and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America in a letter expressing its concern that, while well-intentioned, the United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act (H.R. 3412), is a flawed bill.

As the letter states, the “benefits of state regulation of alcohol would be undermined by the USPS delivering alcohol by: opening a channel of delivery through which potentially harmful foreign-sourced alcohol enters U.S. commerce; making minors’ access to alcohol easier through unregulated deliveries; diminishing the ability of states to collect excise and sales tax revenue; and preempting state laws with disregard of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The theoretical potential revenue for the USPS is clearly outweighed by these inherent risks.”

The bill was introduced on July 29 by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., and seeks to end the prohibition by the United States Postal Service from shipping beer, wine, distilled spirits and other alcoholic drinks to consumers by mail. Rep. Speier contends that the ban puts the postal service at a competitive diswww.tlw.org

advantage and limits shipping options for manufacturers and customers. H.R. 3412 would let the postal service ship alcohol beverages directly from licensed producers and retailers to consumers over the age of 21.

State laws governing brewers, wineries, distillers, wholesalers and retailers vary greatly by constitutional design. Over 40 states permit direct-to-consumer shipments of wine. Conversely, only seven states explicitly permit direct-to-consumer shipments of distilled spirits. Direct-to-consumer beer shipments are permitted in only 10 states.

HIGHWAY BILL EXTENSION PASSES Accepting that the House and Senate would not be able to hammer out a long-term highway bill before the October 29 expiration of the current law, Congress has passed a short-term extension of current transportation policy through November 20.

This will give lawmakers three additional weeks to work on a long-term bill. The Senate has passed a six-year bill (H.R. 22), but it is only funded for three of those years. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has passed its own six-year bill (H.R. 3819), which is now headed to the floor for a full House vote. Should it pass, the Senate and House will hold a conference to reconcile both bills before a final vote on the package.

The Senate bill includes an incentive grant for 24/7 sobriety programs for repeat offenders, but no new mandates on states for impaired driving policies. The House bill includes language that would encourage states to bolster screening and assessment for impaired drivers as well as language that underscores Congress’ commitment to address drug-impaired driving, including an entire section on marijuana-impaired driving. There are no new alcohol-related traffic safety sanctions in the House version, which also does not include 24/7 sobriety program language like its Senate counterpart.

Meanwhile, the National Park Service (NPS) announced in September that it will treat e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices the same way it treats traditional tobacco products. In a statement on September 14, the NPS said it will ban e-cigarette use in park buildings and vehicles, caves and caverns and other locations that officials at individual parks designate as non-smoking areas, in order to reduce the risks of fire or protect park resources.

UNDERAGE DRINKING REPORT ISSUED The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) has issued an annual report summarizing all federal agency activities related to preventing underage alcohol use. The report also contains state-by-state information on alcohol laws and regulations. It shows that underage drinking is on a decade long decline, and that programming will now shift from 12-17 year olds to 18-20 year olds.

The report and a web portal that includes policy summaries for all states can be found at http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/resources/reporttocongress/rtc2013.aspx.

POWDERED ALCOHOL LEGISLATION As of mid-August, 89 powdered alcohol bills in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico had been introduced in the 2015 legislative session, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Twenty-five states have banned powdered alcohol including: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Maryland and Minnesota both enacted a one-year moratorium, and Colorado, Delaware, Michigan and New Mexico have added powdered alcohol into their definitions for alcohol under existing statues.

U.S. DRIVING HITS HISTORIC HIGH MENU LABELING PROVISIONS DELAYED The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it will delay by one year the deadline for restaurants and other eateries with 20 or more locations to post calorie counts on their menus. The delay pushes the deadline to December 2016 – after the presidential election. The delay comes on the heels of a bipartisan group of more than 30 senators urging the FDA to implement a one-year delay of the rule. In November 2014, the FDA issued its final menu-labeling regulations; including specifying that beverage alcohol items listed on menus must include calorie counts. The FDA is currently preparing further guidelines to help restaurant owners understand how best to be in compliance with the new law.

E-CIGARETTES UNDER SCRUTINY BY FDA AND NATIONAL PARKS

Vehicles on U.S. roads traveled 1.54 trillion miles in the first half of this year, beating the previous record of 1.5 trillion from 2007. The Federal Highway Administration said in a statement on August 20 that the new number “is more than double the amount driven during the same period in 1981, continuing a trend of America’s driving mileage doubling nearly every generation.” The agency says Hawaii has seen the most dramatic increase in driving, while Northeastern states have experienced a much smaller uptick. TLW The American Beverage Licensees is the voice of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers in Washington, D.C. The ABL represents the Tavern League of Wisconsin and its many members as well as thousands of other on- and off-premise retailers of beverage alcohol across the United States.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering a rule to extend its cigarette-regulating authority to e-cigarette devices.

More than 7,700 e-cig flavors are being sold under more than 450 brands, with no labeling or testing requirements. A proposal to give the FDA authority to police electronic cigarettes and other unregulated tobacco products remains in limbo more than a year after it was first released, and a month after the agency estimated it would be published. www.tlw.org

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The Key

to Your Success How to find and keep good employees

By Jennifer Bradley

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I

t’s no secret that good employees are hard to find and even harder to hold onto, especially in an industry that traditionally has high turnover rates and attracts young, inexperienced staff.

Any TLW member knows that dedicated, trained and responsible personnel are essential to a successful business plan, as is the time and financial investment it takes to get them there. So, how do you find and keep good employees?

ON THE HUNT Lori Moynihan owns Moynihan Consulting in Madison (www.moynihanhrconsulting.com) and after a human resources career in a corporate environment, she has spent seven years building her own company and working with small businesses to develop efficient human resource strategies. She says the first thing any business owner must do is decide if they have a need for new staff and then post openings at the places potential employees would look. For both smaller and bigger operations, local online resources should be used, but a time-tested idea is the employee referral program.

She suggests it be a tiered program, in which both new and referring employees receive a monetary benefit if the new hire remains employed for a specific period of time, say six months. This is a good way to use already dedicated employees to find the next generation of staff.

THE INTERVIEW Moynihan suggests an employer use the same list of questions for all candidate interviews in order to do a comparative analysis. “Some of these can be what are called ‘behavioral based questions’ which ask how they handle situations,” she says.

“Ask them about challenges, what they learned from them and also ask them what they like to do outside of work to get a sense of what their activities are.” www.tlw.org

This leads into assessing the cultural fit.

Moynihan says owners should see if the candidate fits in with other members of the team. Will they get along and feel like they are part of something bigger?

For the behavioral questions, she says business owners may have industryspecific examples if the candidate has worked in the hospitality industry. If not, employers should ask the candidate to draw from personal life experiences in which they had to deal with a difficult situation. Moynihan says it’s important to know if they can handle a challenging customer and what their approach would be. “They’re going to encounter these difficult situations probably more often than they want,” she adds. “Do you want the character of a person who will be strong enough to stand up?”

She suggests interview questions such as: • Tell me about a time you had to do

something you didn’t want to, but had to.

• Tell me about a time where you had to make a decision that was difficult and you had to follow through.

• Give an example of where you had to handle an irate customer or have a conversation that was not pleasant, with a customer.

LEARNING THE ROPES AND THE EXPECTATIONS Moynihan calls those first few weeks on the job “onboarding,” and she says they are critical to a new employee. This is the time where they become in tune to the culture and are made to feel a part of the family, plus they learn what the expectations are of them and others on their team.

The interview is the beginning of the relationship, and she recommends owners treat people right away like they are es-

“Every time they have to post a new job, there’s a fee. The interviewing and training, all of that comes at a cost. It really impacts the bottom line of the organization.”

Lori Moynihan

Human resources consultant

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Who conducts the exit interview can be tricky, Moynihan cautions. She explains that the No. 1 reason people leave their jobs is due to their direct supervisor. “If the supervisor sits down and does the exit interview, you probably aren’t going to get quality information that you can use,” she adds. Being mindful of that, she says the person conducting an exit interview must be someone who is viewed as easy to talk with and trusted by the employee.

sential to the team and wanted. Then, once hired, continuing that tone becomes a priority because it encourages employee loyalty and makes the new hire more vested in the overall success of the company.

“So often people just sit down and hand over tax forms and that’s it,” Moynihan says. “Take a little bit more time to talk about the organization and what the expectations are. It’s important; you want new employees to be fully engaged.”

“How many times have you gone for a job interview, the person describes the job, you think you understand it, and it’s not quite what they described once you get into it,” she adds.

KEEPING GREAT STAFF TAKES EXTRA EFFORT Moynihan says the hiring interview is not the only important process that’s essential to a successful business approach.

To maintain long-term, happy employees, it’s essential to touch base with them throughout their time with you.

“Sit down with those employees that are doing really well and you really want to keep, and do a stay interview,” she suggests. “Why do you like it here? How can we as owners/management incorporate more of what we’re doing right?”

She says employers must help new employees understand the function of their role, but also let them know someone has their back if an irate or drunk customer is more than they can handle.

“Sometimes these people are younger and they need to know who they can go to for assistance,” Moynihan explains.

Sometimes incentives make the difference, but the key is knowing what incentives will motivate a staff. Moynihan says some want time off, others want money. A simple example she gives is from a client who struggled to get people to show up on time, as they weren’t careerminded but simply there for the paycheck. To get them more involved and attending meetings, Moynihan says a few inexpensive door prizes such as T-shirts, hats, etc. were enough to increase attendance and decrease tardiness.

After two weeks or a month, this HR expert recommends employers do a “check-in” with any new employee.

She says to ask them how it’s going, is it what they expected and why or why not? And, if it’s not working out, this is the time to re-evaluate the relationship and end it if necessary.

For those experiencing a high turnover rate, she recommends exit interviews.

“Identify why people are leaving,” she says. “Are they going down the street for more money, or is something going on with how they are being treated – either by customers or management – that needs to be addressed?”

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Whether or not business owners have time, she says it’s important they make time for these HR tasks. “Every time they have to post a new job, there’s a fee,” Moynihan explains. “The interviewing and training, all of that comes at a cost. It really impacts the bottom line of the organization.”

She says if an owner simply does not have the ability, it may be time to outsource a portion of the HR business needs. Moynihan says this helps take these important (and emotionally tiring) tasks off the owner’s plate and lets them focus on what they do best. Her firm handles everything from helping build an HR department to coaching, counseling, as well as coming in as needed to assist with HR needs.

“I feel I add value and help them grow,” she says of her clients. “I work with small to medium-sized businesses that tend not to have an HR person on staff and have really enjoyed it.”

A FINAL THOUGHT Moynihan says that if an employer does nothing else, he or she must listen to their employees. “Listen when they talk; hear what they say,” she advises. “It doesn’t mean you have to do everything they suggest, but listen. They want to be heard.”

When it comes to finding and keeping good employees, there are no fast and easy ways to do so. It does take time and work, but the rewards are great. If nothing else, TLW members can have peace of mind that their business is in the capable hands of loyal employees. TLW www.tlw.org

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Corporate Spotlight ALTRIA fields and appreciates its consumers who choose their quality products, says Sutton.

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eadquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the Altria Group is a Fortune 200 company whose subsidiaries include brands such as Marlboro, Copenhagen and SKOAL, and companies such as Philip Morris USA, John Middleton (a cigar company), U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and most recently, NuMark (an e-vapor product company). Altria also holds an investment of about 27 percent in SAB-Miller, the beer company.

Wisconsin is home to 20 Altria employees, 2,600 Citizens for Tobacco Rights members, 4,204 tobacco retailers and five tobacco wholesalers, says David Sutton, from Altria’s External Affairs department.

“Altria and its companies are members of organizations focused on issues that affect our business,” Sutton says. “We maintain partnerships with organizations, like the Tavern League of Wisconsin, that share our views on issues of importance to our companies.”

For 30 years, Altria has been the leader in the tobacco industry, but its heritage begins more than 180 years ago, when George Weyman opened a shop in 1822, the first step in creating U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, the world’s largest smokeless tobacco company. When John Middleton opened his Philadelphia tobacco shop in 1856, he was paving the way to become one of America’s largest cigar manufacturers.

In addition to consumers, Altria and its family of companies have long supported non-profit organizations, especially those associated with deterring underage tobacco use. In 2014 alone, Altria’s companies donated $51.6 million in cash and in-kind contributions to U.S. organizations. Altria employees contributed more than 50,000 hours of community service in that same year, and more than 60 executives serve on 100 non-profit boards.

The Altria focus is to develop and market tobacco products for the adult consumer that could be less harmful and communicating with the FDA about these products.

Through its marketing programs, each Altria company has a unique message, but the focus is the same, says Sutton.

They want to reach adult consumers, but limit the reach to unintended audiences.

The company’s mission also includes developing responsible tobacco users, as well as providers, such as the TLW members. “We are involved with the Tavern League of Wisconsin because it helps us to effectively and responsibly communicate and advocate on those issues,” says Sutton. In 2014, tobacco sales represented 5.4 percent of Wisconsin’s total tax revenue.

Altria’s Success360° program partners with national and youth organizations such as Communities in Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters and 4-H. Altria companies Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. and John Middleton invest in these organizations to spread awareness of underage smoking and the effects it can have on youth.

With 9,000 employees coast-to-coast, and hundreds of thousands of retailers in all 50 states, Altria also has farmers in the

These same industry leaders also support the Search Institute’s ParentFurther website, www.parentfurther.com, which

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partners with families during the transition to middle school and helps parents support their children in making healthy choices. Altria received a ranking of 25th on Corporate Responsibility magazine’s 2015 “100 Best Corporate Citizens List.”

The economic impact of Altria cannot be understated. In 2014, Altria and its companies generated more than $10 billion in wages and taxes including use, payroll, property and income, along with franchise fees paid or generated by the company.

Altria also has been the source for more than $45.5 billion in government revenues from tobacco products, with the most significant source of government revenue originating from federal, state and municipal excise taxes on cigarettes, which amounted to about $30.4 billion.

Philip Morris USA alone has paid more than $70 billion through tobacco settlement agreements since 1998. Sutton explains that the Master Settlement Agreement fundamentally changed how tobacco manufacturers advertise, market and sell cigarettes in the United States.

Finally, the Altria companies believe it’s important to engage stakeholders, such as TLW members to understand society’s expectations and develop responsible practices. “We have been partnering with the Tavern League of Wisconsin for a long time and look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of our employees, our shareholders and our adult consumers,” concludes Sutton. TLW Altria 6601 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23230 804-484-8897 www.altria.com

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tlw SPECIAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Upcoming Conventions & Trade Shows

Platinum Club Members

Dates & Locations

Outagamie County Tavern League Oshkosh City Tavern League Portage County Tavern League waushara county Tavern League TLW 3rd District TLW 5th District

Spring 2016 Conference & Trade Show April 4-7, 2016 • Plaza Hotel & Suites & Conference Center 1202 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-7308

Gold Club Members Dodge County Tavern League Door County Tavern League Manitowoc County Tavern League Oconto County Tavern League TLW 7th District

Silver Club Member Repp’s Bar

Annual Membership Levels Platinum - $1,000 Annual Membership Level Gold - $500 Annual Membership Level Silver - $250 Annual Membership Level For more information on becoming a Special Club Member, call the TLW office at 800-445-9221

Fall 2016 Convention & Trade Show October 10-13, 2016 • Kalahari Resort 1305 Kalahari Dr., Wisconsin Dells (608) 254-5466 Spring 2017 Conference & Trade Show April 3-6, 2017 • Radisson Hotel & La Crosse Center 200 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse (608) 793-5004 Fall 2017 Convention & Trade Show October 2-5, 2017 • Radisson Paper Valley Hotel 333 W. College Ave., Appleton (920) 733-8000 For more information please call the Tavern League of Wisconsin at 800-445-9221

Get Involved!

Show Your Commitment to the TLW and Our Industry!

Attend the 32nd Annual Legislative Day in Madison on Tuesday, March 8

• Participate in one of the largest lobbying day events in Madison • Learn about issues facing the hospitality industry • Be on hand to hear guest speakers from the Senate and Assembly as they share views on pending legislation • Visit the state Capitol and discuss issues of concern with your legislators • Educate lawmakers about issues facing small businesses in their districts • Share stories with legislators about TLW charitable work occurring in every community • Attend a reception at the Inn on the Park and network with friends and peers

For more information and to register online, visit www.tlw.org www.tlw.org

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TLW 80th Annual

Fall Convention Summary Step Up To The Plate With The TLW

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ppleton in the heart of the Fox Valley was the site of the 80th annual TLW Fall Convention and Trade Show, October 5-8. The Outagamie County Tavern League rolled out the red carpet, welcoming members from throughout the state to the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. The theme, “Step Up to the Plate with the TLW” was not just a whimsical baseball theme, but a reminder of the Tavern League’s important work and a call to action for new member recruitment.

Monday’s Events A full agenda, including local, state and national issues faced the TLW board of directors when they convened on Monday morning. After the day-long meeting, everyone was ready for an evening of fun.

The welcome party hosted by Outagamie County Tavern League was held at Fox Cities Stadium, home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a Midwest League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The venue was the perfect location to highlight this year’s convention theme, allowing members to mingle, while enjoying cocktails, a buffet and entertainment by the Bobby Evans Band and Spare Wheel.

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2015 Fall Convention Summary Tuesday’s Events Tuesday morning’s general session opened with a formal welcome to the convention by TLW Eastern Zone Vice President Gene Loose and Outagamie Tavern League President Brad Schinke. Local dignitaries, Jennifer Stephany, the executive director of Appleton Downtown Inc. and Neenah Mayor Dean Kaufert also were on hand to welcome members to the Fox Cities.

TLW executive officers, Senior Vice President Chris Marsicano; President Terry Harvath; Secretary Sue Bonte Lee and Treasurer Tom Dahlen summarized reports from the previous day’s board meeting.

Keynote Speaker Bill Georges, president and CEO of the Georges Group LLC, a firm that advises public and private entities on law enforcement and prevention efforts regarding beverage alcohol, drew on his experiences as a former Albany, New York Police Department veteran for no a nonsense approach to many issues facing tavern owners.

He was adamant that the key to being a responsible business owner and a good corporate citizen is education. Resources like the Responsible Retailing Forum and the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) are important organizations to turn to for information.

Georges talked at length about how driving under the influence of drugs is viewed as impaired driving much the same way as distracted driving and drunk driving. He explained that the actual reduction in drunk driving statistics nationwide is clouded by the incorrect reporting of these other offenses.

Next on Tuesday morning’s agenda, President Harvarth announced the Member of Year Award. This year’s winner is Nancy Moran, owner of Moran’s Landing on Swamp Lake near Tomahawk.

The next speaker was Executive Director Pete Madland, who acknowledged those that attended League Leaders Day, and commended the Grant/Iowa County Tavern League for their hard work in creating the league leader building blocks to be implemented statewide.

state legislature, including the minimum mark-up law and talk of OWI first offense felony legislation.

Tuesday afternoon members attended educational seminars or visited the vendor tradeshow. The silent auction offered members a chance to bid on many items donated by leagues, districts and vendors.

Tuesday evening’s cocktail party was well attended with many members either dressing in baseball attire or getting their pink on to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The music of RPM entertained the crowd and during a break in the dancing, the live auction presided over by Colonel Pete Madland raised $24,400.

Former TLW President Rep. Rob Swearingen, R-Rhinelander, introduced Rep. Mary Czaja, R-Irma, another friend of the Tavern League who spoke about issues on the horizon for the

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2015 Fall Convention Summary Wednesday’s Events The convention opened on Wednesday with Robert “Bubba” Sprenger, the TLW’s ABL representative. Sprenger announced that next year’s ABL annual convention will be held in Denver, Colorado, June 11-13. Sprenger indicated he will have more information at the spring conference in Eau Claire.

Sprenger provided a brief summary of the primary work ABL is focusing on in behalf of beverage alcohol retailers. Music licensing continues to be a top priority. In addition, ABL continues to take interest in the transportation bill due to the number of programs often attached to it that address impaired driving laws and accompanying federal highway funds.

Following Sprenger, Scott Stenger, TLW Lobbyist stepped to the podium.

Stenger began his remarks by saying, “There is more legislation pending in Madison that is targeting your business than in the 23 years I’ve been lobbying for you.” He said members need to bring the message back to their leagues and to non-members that all legislation that would negatively impact their businesses would be bills without the TLW working for them.

Issues lawmakers will be considering are the expansion of operating hours for wineries and their ability to sell distilled spirits and beer, growler legislation for grocery and convenience stores, liquor licenses for municipalities, and Tied House legislation.

In addition, Stenger provided an overview of the new funding formula for the SafeRide program that incorporates more state aid. According to Stenger, the state’s portion will equate to close to $1 million. Stenger said in the coming months, ways to increase the program’s visibility statewide will be discussed and members should think of ways to promote their programs locally.

He reminded everyone of the next Legislative Day set for March 8, 2016.

The morning’s session concluded with the presentation of a plaque by Nathan Stork, president of the St. Croix County Tavern to Sue Bonte Lee for her many years of service as TLW Secretary.

On Wednesday afternoon, TLW members attended the tradeshow and Executive Director Pete Madland visited vendors’ booths and awarded exhibitor prizes to TLW members. The silent auction closed with a final tally of $5,089. District caucuses were held late Wednesday afternoon, followed by the President’s Reception sponsored by Great Lakes Distillery.

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2015 Fall Convention Summary Thursday’s Events Thursday morning’s general business meeting got underway with a few announcements, including the total for the live and silent auctions. The silent auction netted $5,089 and the live auction generated $24,400 for a total of $29,489.

Next, Brad Schinke, sixth district director presented the CORE Report. Schinke also presented the Nominating Committee Report. The morning session wrapped up with a DVD presentation of the four-day event, and closing remarks by President Harvath, then the convention was adjourned. The Outagamie County President’s Reception followed at Kamp’s Bar in Combined Locks.

A big thank you is extended to the Outagamie County Tavern League, city of Appleton and the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel for their hospitality during the four-day convention. TLW

President Terry Harvath was sworn in for his second full term, and Erin Farrer, 8th district director was sworn in as the new TLW secretary.

Nomination Committee Report: The following members have been nominated for the office and term noted. They will stand for election at the Spring Conference in Eau Claire unless running unopposed.

Southern Zone VP: 1 year Jim Pickett Southern Zone VP: 2 year Dan Taivalkoski Central Zone VP: 1 year Lori Frommgen Central Zone VP: 2 year Robert Sprenger Northern Zone VP: 1 year Nancy

Lorbetske Eastern Zone VP: 1 year Terry Buman, Bob Geitner, Earl Macha First District Director: 2 year Dennis

Salverson First District Director: 1 year Lou Larson,

Jennifer Collison Second District Director: 2 year Eric Christenson Second District Director: 1 year Kathy Proffitt Third District Director: 2 year Dan Frisch Third District Director: 1 year Todd Giraud Fourth District Director: 2 year Tim Tomchek Fifth District Director: 2 year Ray Bruch Fifth District Director: 1 year Tom Dorsey,

Harlon Wright Sixth District Director: 2 year Judy Vandenhouten Sixth District Director: 1 year Brad Schinke Seventh District Director: 2 year Diane Schwartz Seventh District Director: 1 year Kris Zappa Eighth District Director: 2 year Russ Fisher Eighth District Director: 1 year Keith Kern Ninth District Director: 2 year Lorie Helm

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The Great

Vape Debate

As vaping explodes, tavern owners are faced with deciding whether to allow this tobacco-free alternative on premise

By Amanda N. Wegner

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hile there has been a decline in smoking in the United States the past few years, that’s opened the door to tobacco-free alternatives, including vaping.

“I got into vaping about 18 months ago, and it has greatly changed my life,” says Jessica Fitzsimmons, a vaping advocate working to encourage more taverns to establish themselves as “vape-friendly.”

And it’s a replacement that Fitzsimmons and others in the vaping community would like to see better accepted, even if the research is still out.

THE GREAT UNKNOWN Changes in the smoking industry, she adds, have greatly affected taverns. With these changes, many smokers have converted from smoking tobacco, but they remain nervous about frequenting their old venues.

“For someone who has gotten away from smoking cigarettes and into vaping, they can feel sort of ashamed, even tempted, to hang out in a bar’s smoking area. Ultimately, the vaping community as a whole wants to know who is vape-friendly and who is not,” says Fitzsimmons, who is associated with the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA), which represents small- and mid-sized businesses in the electronic vapor industry, including vape stores, manufacturers, importers and distributors as well as consumers.

But just as the industry is growing, so is the controversy surrounding vaping.

WHAT IS VAPING? Vaping is a growing and attractive option for nicotine lovers, past and present. Essentially a battery-powered vaporizer that simulates the feeling of smoking but without burning tobacco, the first electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) hit the market in the mid-2000s. But the industry has evolved and grown since then; in fact, revenue from e-cigarettes is projected to track or surpass revenue from traditional cigarettes by 2023.

Earlier this year, Michael Fiore, founder of the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, noted that the health effects of vaping are still unknown.

SFATA and Fitzsimmons don’t disagree and want to change that fact. “The biggest push for SFATA and vaping as a whole is education and non-biased scientific testing in the U.S.” says Fitzsimmons.

“There has been a deluge of misleading information about vapor products circulating in the public domain, even trickling its way to local governments, potentially impacting legislative outcomes,” Cynthia Cabrera, SFATA executive director and CEO said in a recent press release to accompany the organization’s recent presentation: Top 10 Vapor Facts.

This isn’t to say that vapers oppose regulations. “Most of the vaping community supports child-resistant packaging and proper poison prevention,” says Fitzsimmons. “We support industry consensus standards that are consistent with other industry standards.”

One significant concern is the absence of regulations on the purchase of vapor products, particularly age restrictions on the purchase of vapor products.

SPACE TO VAPE Not only is the vaping community big, it’s active.

Vaping is touted as a smoking cessation tool. Instead of inhaling all the chemicals associated with burning tobacco in traditional cigarettes, with vaping, the user inhales and exhales an aerosol, or “vapor.” This vapor is created when e-liquid, called “juice,” from flavor cartridges, is heated up in a personal vaporizer and atomized.

Fitzsimmons also works with Wisconsin Vapors, a community education organization that holds trade events, meetups and competitions for vapors and vaping businesses. But in Wisconsin, more venues willing to hold these sort of events are needed.

It’s the juice that’s the cause for concern. Typically made of propylene glycol, glycerin, water, nicotine and food-grade flavorings (though the propylene glycol, nicotine and flavors aren’t required ingredients), there is no industry testing or safety standards or federal regulations on these products.

“Many times these are held at vape shops, but most vape shops can’t hold that many people,” resulting in a need for bigger spaces, like banquet halls or larger taverns that can hold 200 to 300 people, says Fitzsimmons, who has organized vape events at Kelly’s Bleachers in Milwaukee and Tanner’s Grill in Kimberly.

“The vaping industry and SFATA are not coming out and saying vaping is healthy,” says Fitzsimmons. “Instead, it’s an alternative to the more than 7,000 chemicals in a [tobacco] cigarette.”

Adds Tavern League executive director Pete Madland: “One thing missing in the debate is that vaping is an alternative to smoking. The attempt to eliminate smoking, period, because of its health effects was done without regard for smokers and the need to replace the desire, for lack of a better word, for nicotine. Vaping is that replacement.” www.tlw.org

“The trade industry as a whole is calling for age to vape laws, where 18 is the legal age to buy vapor. We’re hoping for a federal law, but even if it was just passed in Wisconsin, that would be a huge deal,” says Fitzsimmons. She adds: “Responsible vape businesses already card to sell, but we all know that doesn’t stop kids from acquiring those things.”

From an education standpoint, Fitzsimmons says Wisconsin is doing better than other states to curb vaping’s taboo factor.

“Other states have stigmatized it as a dirty thing, but it is a cleaner alternative: no burn marks, no cigarette butts, no residual smell and film after someone’s done vaping.”

STATE OF AFFAIRS While the smoking ban, which went into effect in 2010, outlaws smoking in public indoor locations, including restaurants and bars, it doesn’t apply to vaping. Aside from a few municipal bans on indoor vaping — Ashwaubenon, Greenfield and Onalaska — this alternative’s absence from the smoking ban gives venue owners the right to decide whether to allow e-cigarettes. (A bill to include vaping in the smoking ban was introduced by Rep. Debra Kolste, D-Janesville.)

Madland says that there are two vaping-related pieces of legislation that could come up in the next session. One of them is Kolste’s bill, and the other which would prevent local governments from banning e-cigarettes in buildings other than municipal property. The bill would prohibit vaping statewide in hospitals, public or private elementary and secondary schools, and child care centers when children are present.

For establishments that do allow vaping, know that responsible vapers are ready to do their part as well by vaping safely and showing respect for those around them. “It’s something we all should have learned when we were younger, but that can be a problem, especially among younger vapers,” says Fitzsimmons.

Even if you choose to allow vaping, as an owner, you always retain the right to remove someone from the premise for vaping irresponsibly, such as “blowing clouds” at people or vaping in an undesignated place despite being told otherwise.

For establishments that do support the vaping community, she also encourages them to get on board with age to vape. “As minors are allowed into establishments, we hope Tavern League members would get on board and discourage vape use by anyone under age 18.”

For Tavern League members who aren’t sure how they want to handle vaping in their establishments, Fitzsimmons encourages them to do their own research. “You have to make the decision that’s best for your business,” she says.

“With the exception of a few municipalities, vaping currently is a legal practice,” says Madland. “We look at it as an alternative to smoking, but just like smoking, it is up to an individual owner as to whether they will allow it on their premises.” TLW

Statement of Ownership and circulation

At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alarmed by a surge in nicotine poisonings and the potential for abuse by children, has started the process of drawing up rules for the vaping industry. The rules are expected by the end of the year.

There’s also a bit of a “power struggle” regarding vape use along the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. Because Illinois now allows medical marijuana, business owners and law enforcement are concerned that out-of-state vapers may be using drugs in their vaporizers. “There is a bit of a struggle right there,” says Fitzsimmons, “but responsible vapers aren’t putting drugs in there.”

WHAT VAPERS WANT “We want to know if we can vape on premise, period,” says Fitzsimmons.

While some venues have already set rules for vaping, for establishments that are vape-friendly, Fitzsimmons encourages business owners to declare that fact by posting that information on their websites, and displaying signage on premise or both. However, she notes, be clear as to where and when vapers can vape.

“It’s the little things that people want to know: Where in the establishment can they vape? Can they vape in the beer garden or other outdoor space? Can they carry in [their vaporizers] safely and have them on their person, without fear of getting searched or having it mistaken for drug paraphernalia?”

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League Profile Oneida County Tavern League

Oneida

COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE The Oneida County Tavern League officers are left to right: Steve Lurvey, Lurv’s Kozy Korner, vice president; Amy Swearingen, Swearingen’s Al-Gen Dinner Club, treasurer; Rachelle Ibarra, The Rusty Nail, sergeant at arms; Carrie Stafford, Bonnie’s Lakeside, secretary; and Russ Fisher, Fisher’s Resort, president.

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stablished shortly after the TLW was founded in 1935, the Oneida County Tavern League represents the Northwoods with a diverse membership that is 64 members strong.

“We are proud to recognize that the strength of our league comes from the taverns, restaurants, liquor stores, convenience stores and resorts in the Northwoods, along with many social members and retired license holders,” says Russ Fisher, Oneida County Tavern League president and 8th district director.

In fact, 64 members is a five-year high for this county league.

Membership chairperson Jackie Walker from Oneida Village Inn located in Three Lakes keeps a very watchful eye on the inactive list, says Fisher, as well as new businesses or new owners of existing businesses.

A strong recruitment tool for this county league is the local SafeRide program. “The Oneida County SafeRide program is one of the most successful programs in the state,” says Fisher.

“We are fortunate to have a full-time cab service in Rhinelander, however, good Samaritan providers also contribute to the success of the program in smaller communities like Three Lakes. And, it is no secret that you must be a Tavern League member-establishment to take advantage.”

In addition to maintaining a strong membership, the Oneida County Tavern League is keeping itself busy with other projects as well. For instance, based on a recommendation from the League Leader’s Day, the county league’s finance/budget committee is in the process of writing “job descriptions” for all officers.

Over the past few years, the Oneida County Tavern League

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has also achieved 501c3 and c6 status and has created a foundation that operates under the state umbrella. The foundation, says Fisher, allows the county league to contribute to many charities throughout the Northwoods.

Annual fundraising events include a yearly raffle, SafeRide tailgate parties, and partnerships with other community organizations such as those raising money for a battered women’s shelter.

“We are actively involved in the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting and were instrumental in establishing this project,” adds Fisher. But the League is most proud of its Scholarship Golf Outing, which provides six $1,000 scholarships annually to both the Rhinelander and Three Lakes high schools.

The Oneida County Tavern League is also known for its leadership presence within the Tavern League of Wisconsin. Over the years, many of its local members have served on the Tavern League’s Executive Board in various capacities. It is interesting to note that two members are in the State Legislature; Sen. Tom Tiffany is a former member and Rep. Rob Swearingen remains a current member of the league.

“The Oneida County Tavern League has a great presence in all the communities it reaches,” says Fisher. “We believe that if you want to be part of a community, you must be a member of that community. The Tavern League of Wisconsin has developed a brand and the county league solidifies that brand on a local level in a continuing effort to make a positive impact.

Whether it is hosting a benefit for someone with cancer, raising money for a local volunteer fire department or a homeless shelter, or talking with local elected officials on any issue of concern, we want to make sure that our voice is heard in a professional and unified manner.” TLW November/December 2015

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Business Spotlight Oneida Village Inn

The Oneida Village Inn located in Three Lakes is more than a restaurant. Owner Jackie Walker, shown above, also runs a 47-unit motel, lounge, banquet facility and catering division.

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hen you’re in the Northwoods and want shrimp, Oneida Village Inn is the place to go.

“The past 17 years, we have featured a half-pound of jumbo shrimp any day, any way, for the same price: $9.95,” says owner Jackie Walker. “It’s pretty hard to do that these days, but we do.”

While the inn features a complete menu with salads to burgers, pizzas to pasta, an award-winning Sunday brunch and more, Walker estimates that she’s sold over 17 tons of shrimp to date. “I don’t know what prompted us to start it, maybe a really good deal on shrimp,” says Walker, “but we wanted something to be our brand, our calling card. Shrimp was it.”

Heading into its 38th year of business (in April, Walker is planning a “.38 Special” themed anniversary, complete with a gun raffle and dinner and drink specials), Oneida Village Inn actually has a many “calling cards” these days.

More recently, the inn has offered its popular Birthday Wheel. For anyone 50 years and older who comes in for dinner on their birthday, they get a percentage discount equal to their age off their meal, complimentary dessert and a spin of the Birthday Wheel for a prize.

“Our oldest participant was 96 … they

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got their lobster dinner for about $2,” recalls Walker. She adds that people really like this offering and while they haven’t done anything to promote it, word-of-mouth advertising has now made Oneida Village a popular place for birthdays.

Oneida Village Inn is also known for its Paved Parking Lot Pig Roast Party, a free event held the third Wednesday in July each year. “Six or seven years ago, we were so excited to able to pave the parking lot, we had a pig roast and the idea stuck,” says Walker. Each year, Walker and her staff serve upward of 400 to 500 people for the event and have a band as well as prizes, raffles and games for kids.

More than just a restaurant, Oneida Village Inn features a 47-unit motel, dining room, lounge, banquet facility and catering division, all within walking distance of Three Lakes’ shopping, winery, beaches, parks, a variety of trails and more. To take advantage of all the area has to offer, Walker advertises a weekend getaway package as low as $75 per person in summer and winter, which includes a two-night stay, Friday fish fry, Saturday prime rib dinner and Sunday brunch.

ness philosophy, Walker and her staff live by the following mantra: “Choose your attitude, be there, make their day and play.” Through the years, that business attitude has allowed her to close the inn for a few days to travel with staff to learn how to improve the business.

Right now, they are planning their last “fish philosophy” trip, a return to Seattle and Pike Place Market.

“It has absolutely helped the business,” says Walker. “It’s a teamwork kind of thing. We try to do something fun each month to bring everyone together, so we can be there for our customers and guests and listen to what they’re telling us, but still have fun with them. It’s been great for the business.” TLW Oneida Village Inn Jackie Walker, Owner 1785 Superior St., Three Lakes 715-546-3373 www.oneidavillageinn.com

To keep guests happy and coming back, Walker and her staff instituted the “fish philosophy” nearly a decade ago. Based on Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market busiwww.tlw.org

Charity Feature let’s go fishing, northwoods area chapter

One of the charities the Oneida County Tavern League supports is the Let’s Go Fishing, Northwoods Area Chapter. This one-of-a-kind organization provides the opportunity for seniors, veterans and those with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy a day on the water to fish or simply take in the sights.

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ince 2013, Rhinelander has been home to the first-of-its-kind organization in Wisconsin, Let’s Go Fishing. Founded in Minnesota, Let’s Go Fishing provides seniors 55 and older, individuals with disabilities and veterans the opportunity to get out on the water to fish or simply take in the sights and experience the water.

“What we offer is therapeutic,” says Mark Schroeder, board president of the Let’s Go Fishing, Northwoods Area Chapter. “For those who live in a nursing home or assisted living, they’ve given up freedoms, some things they’ve treasured.

To be able to get out on a boat, get back to the water and nature, to interact with others, that’s really something. And a lot of us up here have grown up living on water, the lakes and rivers ... Our organization provides an opportunity for people to get back to that.”

He goes on to cite a recent University of Chicago study that found for older individuals, loneliness is more detrimental to their health than obesity.

Let’s Go Fishing has a handicapaccessible pontoon boat that is docked on Rhinelander’s Boom Lake and trips travel along the adjoining flowage.

Groups, individuals and senior living facilities can schedule trips Monday through Friday, either in the morning or afternoon, May through early autumn. www.tlw.org

Groups from across the Northwoods are encouraged to take advantage of the organization’s services.

While the 2015 season has come to a close for the volunteer-led organization, they’ve already got big plans for next year. For instance, they plan to start a youth program next summer to provide children who don’t otherwise have the means or opportunity to go fishing a chance to get out and learn what it’s all about.

They are also moving to an online scheduling system. Currently, Schroeder’s wife, Stephanie, who also works for the Oneida County Senior Center, handles all the scheduling. “It will be much more convenient for groups to go right down the [online] calendar, see what works for them, and get their outing scheduled,” says Schroeder.

In terms of volunteering, the organization is very flexible; whether it’s one day a week or one day a month, Schroeder is happy to have more help. Volunteers must be 18 or older and participate in a short training class. “You don’t need any special skills to volunteer with us. What it comes down to is being courteous and wanting to help others,” he says. TLW Let’s Go Fishing, Northwoods Area Chapter Mark Schroeder, Chapter President www.rhinelander.lgfws.com 715-219-5436

Let’s Go Fishing has a great need for both financial support and volunteer help. “As the first chapter in Wisconsin, we spend a lot of effort getting out there to spread the word and look for support,” says Schroeder. Outings are free to everyone who comes up on the boat, and the boat itself has significant costs.

He adds: “Donations, like the support we get from the Oneida County Tavern League, are important to ensure we can offer this important experience,” says Schroeder.

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Meet the Director Meet The Director: Jim Seliger Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A DISTRICT DIRECTOR? I enjoy meeting new tavern owners in my district and throughout the state. I enjoy being on the state board, hopefully to help with issues concerning all of us.

Q: WHAT INTERESTED YOU IN BECOMING A TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBER? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER AND WHAT OFFICES, IF ANY, DID YOU HOLD LOCALLY BEFORE BECOMING 8TH DISTRICT DIRECTOR? In this column we’ll introduce you to a district director of the Tavern League of Wisconsin. The individual featured is a director representing the league that is highlighted in this issue.

For the November-December issue, we’d like to introduce you to Jim Seliger, 8th district director.

Q: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, INCLUDING YOUR FAMILY AND THE LOCATION AND TYPE OF BUSINESS YOU OWN. On November 1, 1986 my wife and I and our five children (three girls and two boys) moved to Park Falls to live the American dream of running our own business. We purchased Flambeau Lanes, an eight-lane bowling center and lounge that offered limited food offerings. In 1996 we purchased the Northway Motor Lodge which was next door. In 1997 we adjoined the two buildings with an indoor swimming pool and a 3,500-square-foot banquet hall. In 2014 we remodeled the bowling center. Today the business is called The Lanes Bar & Eatery, along with Northway Motor Lodge.

In 1987 I joined the Price County Tavern League. In 1988 I became vice president and in 1989 I became president. I served as president of the league for 17 years. When I took over the league, we had six members and it grew to 57 members by the time I stepped down. In 2008 I was selected as TLW Member of the Year by TLW President Rob Swearingen. Now I hold a two-year term as 8th district director, I’m also the 8th district treasurer, and I serve as the chairman of the state bowling tournament for TIPAC.

Q: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBERS TODAY? The most important issues I see facing tavern league members are: drunk driving, including ignition interlocks, and BAC limits. Another issue involves wineries and grocery stores in the state wanting to get class “B” liquor licenses.

Q: ARE THERE SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THE 8TH DISTRICT THAT YOU’D LIKE TO WORK ON? I have always promoted membership in our district. With the help of the state office we re-energized Sawyer County Tavern League from 14 members to 50 members. We tried the same thing in Rusk County but we were not very successful. Membership has been the key issue I’ve worked on.

Q: HOW ELSE ARE YOU INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

ASK ABout free delivery Complete line of Bar Supplies 7100 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis

Through the 1990s, I was vice president of our local chamber of commerce. In the early 2000s I was on the board of directors for my local bank. I am currently on the Park Falls Room Tax Commission. For the past 28 years, I’ve also sponsored and run a local musky fishing tournament. TLW

414.259.1961

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www.tlw.org

Legislative notes Keeping the three tier system strong

By Scott Stenger, Stenger Government Relations

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n my over 20 years representing the Tavern League of Wisconsin I have never experienced a session in which so many bills have been introduced to erode or change licensing requirements, threatening the three tier system of alcohol regulation in Wisconsin. Having your voice heard in Madison is critical to educating legislators on issues important to the licensed beverage industry. If the TLW was not there to lobby elected officials, many of these proposals would pass and negatively impact your business and the three tier system.

HOW THE THREE TIER SYSTEM WORKS Wisconsin is not unique to the three tier industry – it is how alcohol is regulated in the United States. Prior to Prohibition there were no laws or regulation between the three tiers – manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Many brewers owned taverns and only sold their beer there – the so called “tied houses.” With the passage of the 21st amendment repealing Prohibition, states were granted the authority to regulate the alcohol beverage industry in their states. To put an end to the pre-Prohibition corruption and ensure proper regulation to protect the public, states required a new three tier standard. The three tier system put in place in each state created a system to fairly regulate and tax alcohol. States required licensing of the manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer and did not permit anyone from being licensed in more than one tier. www.tlw.org

The system today provides necessary checks and balances on each tier while providing the public the safety net of regulation with the fairness of competition. Under today’s three tier system we have experienced a craft beer revolution which would have never been possible under the old “tied house” laws. Under today’s three tier system the state and federal government are able to efficiently collect excise taxes which did not occur prior to prohibition. And under today’s three tier system the public is protected by the licensing of all manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.

EDUCATING LEGISLATORS A contributing factor to the dramatic increase in three tier legislation is the tremendous number of new legislators elected since 2010. Amazingly, two thirds of the Legislature has been elected since 2010. That is an astounding number of new legislators. Wisconsin has never seen that much turnover in elected officials since statehood. Think about that for a minute – two out of every three legislators has been elected since 2010 – really an amazing statistic.

So many new legislators have presented a new challenge. We need to educate them on our three tier system and why it has worked extremely well since Prohibition. Not to say there could be changes made to improve the system, but it has a proven track record of success of providing fair and important regulation of the licensed beverage industry in Wis-

consin critical to the interests of the public. However, given the new faces in the legislature we have seen challenges to the three tier industry which has raised serious concerns.

Just this session we have seen proposals to weaken the three tier system to allow wineries to obtain a liquor license and compete unfairly as both a manufacturer and retailer; a bill to let grocery stores and convenience stores sell tap beer in the form of growlers; a proposal to give a brewery licenses to compete as a retailer; definitions of brewpubs; a bill to let municipalities sell liquor; the list continues to grow and the TLW will voice your concerns with these bills.

We will continue to educate legislators on the three tier system and why it is the most fair and reasonable way to regulate the licensed beverage industry in the best interests of the public. Please take time to talk with your legislators so they can hear firsthand why the system has worked so well for the retail tier of the industry and why it is especially important for small retailers. To learn more about the legislation introduced so far this session please visit the TLW website at: www.tlw.org. TLW

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Featured Affiliates

U.S. BANK PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

CAPITAL BREWERY

Alicia Purpur is a Payment Solutions Consultant at U.S. Bank Payment Solutions-Elavon, the credit card processing arm of U.S. Bank.

The second largest craft brewery in Wisconsin, downtown Middleton’s Capital Brewery, has been making craft beers for nearly 30 years.

Its first batch of pilsner was brewed in the spring of 1986, starting a Madison-area tradition.

“We are the only financial institution that actually owns its own processing company,” Purpur explains. “What that means is we completely cut out the middle man, nothing is being given to anyone else and that keeps our rates low.”

She adds that the Green Bay-based company does revenue sharing with the TLW and gives TLW members additional discounts as well. From terminals, iPad point-of-sale systems and then the larger systems, these products can be rented or purchased from U.S. Bank-Elavon.

Purpur explains that Oct. 1 was the deadline for EMV compliance for Visa and MasterCard, and this is the biggest industry news today. She wants TLW members to be aware of what this shift means to their business, especially as a liability. “If they don’t update their hardware to be able to accept chip cards, then their business becomes 100 percent liable for any fraud, charge backs, data breaches, or anything that could possibly come from an invalid transaction, which is pretty severe,” Purpur notes.

Purpur says she grew up around taverns and has been bartending parttime for many years. “I really wanted to get the relationship with the TLW going, because I knew there were a lot of areas where members were being scammed into doing things that hurt them financially, and in some cases ruined their business because of the crazy fees they were paying,” she says.

As an affiliate member of the TLW for two years, U.S. Bank-Elavon representatives understand that the relationship with TLW members is not just about selling product, but also learning their concerns and getting to know them.

“We’re not always going to get business the first time we talk to someone,” she acknowledges. “That’s not what we expect; we’re not a high pressure sales group at all. We want to educate people to help them understand what’s going on and why their charges are what they are.”

While bars and restaurants have the highest risk for lending, she says they have the lowest for credit card processing. With Purpur’s company, there are no contracts or early termination fees and TLW members do not have to be a U.S. Bank customer to work with this processing company.

U.S. Bank Payment Solutions-Elavon 425 Pine St., Green Bay, WI 54301 • 920-664-2476 www.elavon.com

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Corey Wehling, Capital Brewery’s vice president of sales, says the company offers a myriad of beer styles, ranging from traditional German, American ales, barrel-aged beers and now four distinct India pale ales (IPAs).

Its flagship product is the Capital Wisconsin Amber, a rich amber lager boasting a balance of roasted caramel malts and clean hops flavors.

The IPAs are relatively new and Wehling says they are the hot category in the industry today. “The style is growing tremendously and it’s a new one for Capital Brewery.”

He adds that the craft beer industry alone is growing rapidly in Wisconsin, and more TLW members are beginning to carry these types of beers. Wehling says the TLW members make up a good percentage of Capital Brewery’s total beer sales, and because of that, being a part of the organization is a given. “It’s important to keep that connection and conversation going with tavern owners, especially as they migrate more and more toward craft beers,” he says.

“We’ve been in the TLW for a better part of a decade,” Wehling adds.

“We go to the majority of the events and really like interacting with the members, seeing all of the friends we’ve made from being in the industry throughout the years.”

This includes having booths at the TLW conventions, offering beer samples, and most importantly, talking face-to-face with TLW members and other vendors. Wehling says that is important to him, and something that creates the family bond so often mentioned about the TLW. He also says it’s no secret the tavern industry is facing new challenges all the time, with regulations, etc., and that Capital Brewery feels it’s important to help keep the industry strong by supporting the TLW. The full Capital Brewery lineup is available on the company’s website and its Capital Beer Garden is also open from April through October, with live music and numerous other events.

For Wisconsin’s winter months, the indoor Bier Stube is open and tours and rentals of the Capital Brewery facility may be scheduled through their website.

Capital Brewery 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, WI 53562 • 608-836-7100 www.capitalbrewery.com

www.tlw.org

POS PARTNERS POS Partners Inc. has nine offices nationwide, with its Wisconsin headquarters based in Milwaukee. “Our mission statement is simple: we exist to increase the sales profits and quality of our partners,” says Ben Zang, managing partner at POS Partners.

POS Partners is a second-year member of the TLW, and Zang himself spent the last 20 years of his career in the restaurant and hospitality business as a chef, restaurant owner, general manager and consultant.

He says he loves the industry and believes the TLW provides one of the few outlets where his experience can become education for others.

“When I go into a place to analyze their business, I’m not there to sell or criticize, I’m there to educate,” Zang says. Being able to do this on a larger scale and have the opportunity to learn reciprocally is key to staying ahead of those trends. I, personally, and POS Partners Inc. can provide insight into where technology is headed before it hits and help provide answers that can mitigate stress and cost.”

Mike Disher - Matt Disher - Andrew Disher - Michael Disher II

POS Partners offers hospitality technology solutions, including pointof-sale, security, E-commerce and enterprise solutions. Zang says the company is a total solutions provider with a 20-year history, with 15 of those years specifically in the hospitality operations and technology sector.

“Our customers and clients are our partners as we mutually invest in their success and guarantee a return on their investment,” Zang adds.

“We are the only provider in the industry who backs our products and service with a promise to increase a business’s profitability.”

Super Sports

SafeRide

Breast Cancer

VFW

When it comes to POS Partners’ TLW affiliate membership, Zang says TLW-member establishments are extremely important to their business growth. He hopes to be calling on members individually over the next six months and providing them relevant resources via email, video and social media connections. “We want to be the team that gave you the answer three months before you even knew it was a question,” Zang adds.

He says small businesses are the backbone of POS Partners Inc. and their support through recommendations and networking is invaluable to him and the company as a whole. On a personal level, Zang says, the common bond of weathering the same economical, food and sometimes even political trends is at the heart of why activism is important. “If we can recognize ourselves in our colleagues, then we can collaborate, strategize change, and lead instead of being victims,” he concludes.

POS Partners 250 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202 • 888-477-7711, ext. 420 bzang@we-are-pos.com www.we-are-pos.com/ www.tlw.org

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Accounting Help Keeping your business in the family

By Michelle Eno, CPA

succession plan could help smooth any transition.

Deferred Compensation and expenses

I

f it is important to keep your business in the family, rather than selling it to an outside party, you should be aware of some of the issues that can contribute to the success or failure of the business as it is transferred to your successor generation. Some of the issues revolve around personality and control, while others have to do with your potential need for future income and the demands it can place on the business.

Families and businesses have conflicting needs and values that overlap in a family business as family roles and perceptions come into play. It may be difficult to look beyond the family relationships and see the strengths of a family member as an employee. It is important for the continued success of your business that family issues and business issues are kept separate.

There can be identity issues that arise as the business is passed from one generation to the next. There can be personal issues as the younger members attempt to be taken seriously by other family members. It can also be hard for the parents to realize that the children are capable of making sound business decisions.

One way to help ease these issues is to engage in early training of those family members who participate in the business. This and setting up a temporary

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imize this risk, train your successor management now. This should help maintain the business’s continued success.

The transfer of your business offers retirement planning options unique to business owners. Arrangements can be made for deferred compensation while you are still working. With deferred compensation, you would receive a raise in salary while working but not actually receive the cash until your retirement from the company. There are also financing arrangements that can provide you and/or your spouse with income over a period of time.

You may have family members who are not active as employees in the business but who hold ownership positions.

As owners, they may expect to receive profits from the business. In addition to a cash outflow, this passive ownership interest might also represent a potential for conflict between those family members actively managing the business who want to reinvest profits back in the business. Should the family members who are owners wish to sell their interest back to the business, it would represent another drain on the business.

After you have left your business, however, certain expenses will continue.

While these are not new expenses to the business, it may be more difficult for the business to meet these and other existing expenses when your leadership and skills are no longer present.

Some family members may not wish to remain with the business after you are gone. If cash is available to repurchase their ownership interests, many potential conflicts could be eliminated.

If there is nobody in the company who is prepared to step into your role and take over, the business may have to recruit, train, and compensate a replacement from outside the family or business. This could represent an additional cash drain on the business. The financial burden of this situation can be reduced or eliminated through use of a key person life insurance policy.

Another expense that will continue is compensation to those children who are active in the business. If their roles in the business are expanded with your departure, it may warrant an increase in compensation.

You can and should take strategic steps now to increase the chances of your business succeeding after you pass it on to your successor generation. These steps can strengthen your business and its employees now and for the future. TLW Michelle (Shelly) Eno is Tax & Business Services Department Manager with Wegner LLP, CPAs & Consultants with offices in Madison, Baraboo, Janesville and Pewaukee. This article is not intended to give complete tax advice, but a general review of the subject matter. You can contact Michelle at 608-442-1951 or michelle. eno@wegnercpas.com.

STRATEGIC STEPS TO ENSURE BUSINESS SUCCESS The loss of your leadership may result in a slowdown of sales and profits. To minwww.tlw.org

Affiliate Members TLW AFFILIATE MEMBERS AS OF OCTOBER 28, 2015 AcclaimPOS Solutions Inc.

County Wide Extinguisher Inc.

Ideal Ad & Sportswear

Pepsi Beverages Company

Accord Business Services, Card Connect International

D & D Amusement Games LLC

Indianhead Foodservice Dist. Inc.

Plunkett’s Pest Control

Ackley Novelty Inc. Affiliated Investment Group Allied Games Inc. Allied Insurance Centers Inc. America’s Pub Quiz

Dean’s Satellite & Security Delafield Brew Haus DeVere Company Inc. Dierks Waukesha Dining Publications LLC

Johnson Brothers Beverage Johnson Dist. Inc. Just in Time Refrigeration LLC Karen’s Koasters LLC

Portesi Italian Foods Inc. POS Partners Precision Pours Inc. Racine Amusement Inc. Rally Bus

DISCUS

Kavanaughs Restaurant Supplies

Disher Insurance Services

Kessenich’s Ltd.

Red’s Novelty Ltd.

American Income Life

Edge One Inc.

KevCorp International

Reinhart Food Service LLC

American Welding & Gas

El Cortez Hotel & Casino

Retail Control Solutions

Amusement Devices Inc.

Elite Amusements

KLB Insurance Services-Illinois Casualty

B & K Bar & Restaurant Supplies

Emil’s Pizza Inc.

Kobussen Trailways

Rock Cheese Company

B-M Music & Games

Energy Distributing

Lamers Bus Lines

RocketDSD.com

Badger Hood, Fire & Summit

Engels Commercial Appliance Inc.

Lebby’s Frozen Pizza

S & S Distributing Inc.

Lee Beverage of Wisconsin LLC

Engineered Security Solutions

Safe Harbor Payment Systems

Legacy Advisor Network

Fabiano Brothers

Sam’s Amusement Co.

Flanigan Distributing

LJP Insurance Agency/ Rural Mutual

Sam’s Club

Fleming’s Fire I

Luiges Frozen Pizza Inc.

Flipside Coin Machines Inc.

M & R Amusements & Vending LLC

American Entertainment Services Inc.

Baraboo Sysco Food Services BarsGuru Enterprises LLC Batzner Pest Control Bay Towel/Linen Rental Bayland Insurance Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc.

Focus on Energy Small Business Program

Ransom’s Satellite & AV

Riverside Foods Inc.

Sanimax USA LLC Saratoga Liquor Co. Inc. Schmidt Novelty

Magnuson Industries Inc.

Service Specialists

Food Concepts Inc.

Mass Appeal Specialties Inc.

Foremost Business Systems

Meyer Brothers LLC

Special Olympics Wisconsin Inc.

Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band

Micro Matic

Friebert, Finerty & St. John, S.C.

Midstate Amusement Games

Bill’s Distributing Ltd.

Game Management Corp.

Midwest Amusements

Blondie Enterprises

Games Are Us Inc.

Midwest Coin Concepts of WI

Blue Honey Bio-Fuels Inc.

GameTimeUpdates

Midwest Hospitality Solutions

Bluegrass LED Lighting

General Beer - Northeast Inc.

Mike Lindy Amusements Inc.

BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.)

General Beverage Sales Co.

Milwaukee Brewers

Bob Schuchardt Insurance

Glavinsured Agency Inc.

Milwaukee Pedal Tavern LLC

Boelter Companies

Great Lakes Amusements

Mitchell Novelty Co.

Brakebush Brothers

Great Lakes Beverage

Brat Stop Products LLC

Great Lakes Distillery

Modern Cash Register Systems

Bromak Sales Inc.

Great Northern Amusements

Modern Specialty Company

Tricky Dick & Joyce Specialty

Guardian Pest Solutions Inc.

Murphy Desmond S.C.

Unifirst

CardConnect International

Gunderson Linen

National Chemicals Inc.

Cash Depot

Hansen Foods LLC.

Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.

U.S. Bank Payment Solutions/Elavon

Central Beer Distributors

Health Markets Insurance Agency

New Glarus Brewing Co.

Heartland Payment Systems

Northern Lakes Amusement

Coffee Express Inc.

Hiawatha Chef, Bar and Janitorial Supply

Northwest Coin Machine Co.

Complete Office of Wisconsin

Holiday Wholesale Inc.

Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc.

Horizon Foodservice Equipment

Best Bargains Bevinco Bi-State Point of Sale Solutions Big Game Sports Cards/ Sterling Graphics

Capital Brewery

Central Ceiling Systems Inc. Chambers Travel

Corporate Casuals & Promotional Products www.tlw.org

Hot Dog Daddy HSC Business Brokers

Stansfield Vending Inc.

Mid Wisconsin Beverage

Star Connection/LodgeVision Stevens Point Brewery Superior Beverages LLC Superior Vending Taylor Enterprises of WI Inc. Think Ink & Design Ticket King Inc. Tim-Todd Services Inc. TIPS Program Tito’s Handmade Vodka Tri-Mart Corporation

NHS Food Service

On Mobile

Vern’s Cheese Inc. Vital Tokens Wausau Coin Machines Inc. WI Hospitality Insured Wine Institute

Paradise Printing Company

Wisconsin Environmental Services

Park Ridge Distributing Inc.

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps

Patron Spirits Company

Wisconsin Tavern

Pehler Distributing Inc. November/December 2015

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New Members TLW New Members August 21, 2015 to October 25, 2015 District 1 Kenosha City American Legion Post 21 Thomas J. Visintainer Sr. Kenosha Hill’s Hotrod Hideout Hill Wozniel Kenosha

District 2 Columbia County Corner Pocket Sports Bar & Grille Mark Bellmore Portage

Kenosha County McAuliffe’s Pub John McAuliffe Racine

Pohlk’s Pub Bradley Pohlkmap Portage

Racine City Kenny’s on Main Kenneth Meyer Racine

Dodge County Mojo’z Saloon Sheila R. Olson Cambria

Welcome Mart Rick Racine

DNT’s Tavern LLC Dave Deprey Fox Lake

Winners Circle Mike Williams Racine

Snapper’s Sports Bar Troy & Marcy Benz Fox Lake

Napoli Pizza and Pasta Kenneth Meyer Union Grove

The Shedd LLC Michele Eilbes Lomira

Racine County Roma Lodge Rob Piccolo Racine

Rehab Amber Ulrich Reeseville

Rock County The Tavern Susan Hudson Beloit South Central Toby’s Place LLC Toby Moen & Dorothy Mcguigan Blanchardville Rock’s Poor House Steven D. Rackow Gratiot

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The New Jill’s Place Jill M. Rzeplinski Kenosha

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Walworth County Sugar Shack Dana Montana Delavan

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Madison/Dane County Red Rock Saloon Brano Kruger Madison Wiggie’s Food & Spirits Dave Wiganowsky Madison Mt. Treads Bar & Grill Tina M. Watson-Bircher Verona

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Waukesha County Hollywood’s Roadhouse Sharon Hollywood Neuhofer Nashotah Canyon City Elaine Dobson Pewaukee Kim’s Lakeside Kim Fintel Pewaukee Bosco Social Club Jimmy Dakolias Waukesha Finn Agains Sports Bar Shawn Finn Waukesha Hilltop Pub Sheryl Buerger Waukesha

District 3 Grant/Iowa County Valley Public House Dianne Von Bergen Beetown Gray Dog Deli Lynnea J. Lauffer Mineral Point Quail Run Golf Links Alan Weber Richland Center Juneau County Johnston’s Clinic LLC Bruce Johnston Lyndon Station Buckhorn Cafe Jerry Szozepahiak Necedah La Crosse City/ County Codgers Bar Joe Berra Chaseburg

South Ridge Inn Marty Stenslien Coon Valley The Stockyard Grill & Saloon Linda Peterson Coon Valley T Jo’s Pizza Trishe La Fleur Holmen John’s Bar Terrence L. Doering La Crosse Monroe County Brenda’s Bar & Grill Clinton Garves Cashton Wildcat Mountain Bar Robert Schwanter & Ilene Knight Ontario Rally Point Pub Art Villasenor Sparta Oko’s Outpost Inc. Ralph Rouse Warrens

District 4 Fond du Lac City/County Dimo’s Bar and Grill Elizabeth Augustyn Eden Oshkosh City Woodchucks Dave Krueger Oshkosh Sheboygan County Bump’s Grill Tavern Scott Grunert Sheboygan

District 5 Adams County Connell’s Cedar Shack Dean & Elizabeth Connell Adams Van’s Redneck Saloon Joseph Vander Sterren Oxford Green Lake Area Up the Street Jeffery Wills Markesan Langlade County Fifth Avenue Restaurant & Lounge Sue A. Stanton Antigo Timber Haven Bar & Grill Lori Hughes Bryant Marathon County Norm’s Kenny Klatt Rothschild 6th St. Pub Allen Woller Wausau Marquette County Pheasant Inn Dean & Colleen Webb Briggsville Portage County Bunny Hop Cafe Lenore Albert Junction City Flume Creek Bar & Grill Florence Kosobucki Rosholt B & B’s Parkway Bar Brenda L. Cote Stevens Point

Shawano County Bourbon Creek Saloon Paula Mack & Lisa Dubois Bonduel Waupaca County Lakeview Tavern Cassy & Travis Beyersdorf Marion Waushara County Hideaway Bar & Grill Sheila Dassow Wautoma Trading Post Bar and Grill Leonard Wright Wautoma Pioneer Pub II LLC Regina Nix Wild Rose Wood County Polly’s Keith & Nancy Gormanson Vesper Johnny’s Josh & Cheryl Vetrone Wisconsin Rapids

District 6 Brown County The Getaway Jason Charles Green Bay Timsan’s Japanese Steakhouse East Timothy Long Green Bay Timsan’s Japanese Steakhouse Lineville Tim Long Green Bay Door County Chaudoir’s Dock Kurtis Kracaw Brussels The Tin Plate Holly Hebel Sturgeon Bay www.tlw.org

New Members Florence County TJ’s Pub LLC Tim Kahl Niagara Marinette County Rosie & Jeff’s Fortiers Bar Rosemary Nowak Coleman The Hangar Katrina Kamps Crivitz Woody’s Bar & Grill Tracey Sachs Crivitz Richard’s Supper Club & Motel Rick Newingham Dunbar Outagamie County KK Billiards Sports Bar and Grill Christopher Knutson Appleton Mad Hatter Pub and Grill Steve Heckenlaible Appleton Jimmy’s Pub James Vanderloop Kaukauna Ladder House on Main St. Chad Van Daalwyk Little Chute 5 O’clock Somewhere Rebecca Durant Menasha Cinderella Chris Halbach Menasha R & R Bar Brenda Jones Menasha

www.tlw.org

C & C Tavern Crista Schmidli Neenah Classic Lanes Terry Kulibert Neenah

District 7 Barron County Skiddie’s Bar Jenny & Brian Maudal Cumberland Shananagin’s Shannon Mouw Rice Lake Chippewa County The Corner Bar Lucinda S. Solie Bloomer Tip Top Bar Michael Ballweg Chippewa Falls Arnold Bar LLC Eric Hurlburt Sheldon Eau Claire City/ County Buddha’s Bar LLC Mitch Balliett Augusta The Plus Benny Haas Eau Claire Pierce County Eastender Rick Belanger & Paul Andrewson Ellsworth Spring Valley Golf Course Guy & Wendy Leach Spring Valley St Croix County Aaron & Lisa’s Backwoods Aaron & Lisa Moede Clayton

Trempealeau/ Buffalo County Buffalo City Cove Inc. Dawn Neitzel Buffalo City East End Bar & Grill Kelly Witte Independence

District 8 Burnett County The Rendezvous Michael Janke Grantsburg Greater Northwoods Ye Olde Shillelagh Craig VanArk & Angela Bauer Manitowish Waters Oneida County Birch Lake Bar & Grill Lorraine M. Smith Harshaw Hodag Lanes/ Hodag Steak House Mike Kocourek Rhinelander Riverview Restaurant & Bar Garry & Dawn Treder Rhinelander Price County Northern Aire Bar & Grill David L. Harvey Park Falls OK Corral Randy & Kathy Singer Park Falls Sawyer County Ranch Supper Club Cheryl Haupt Hayward

Superior/ Douglas County Centerfolds Rod Peddikoart Superior Dugout Lounge Josh Roux Superior Tower Avenue Tavern Andy Sceari Superior Vilas County Burnt Bridge Tavern & Restaurant Andrew or Ron Singer Conover

From your favorite appetizer to something to hold your drink, you’re bound to find what you need.

Northern Exposure Bar & Restaurant Douglas G. Horstman Phelps Washburn County Circle Pines Bar Henry Podgorak Gordon

District 9 Milwaukee County Hospitality Root River Center David Church Franklin The Hale House Jeremy Chounard Hales Corners The Bubbler Teri Bashaw Milwaukee Pat’s Oak Manor Patsy S. James South Milwaukee Brass Monkey James Conlon West Allis

SYSCO BARABOO LLC 910 South Boulevard Baraboo, WI 53913

1-800-733-8217 November/December 2015

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ask the bartender In this column, we answer some of the most often asked questions by Tavern League members. Please feel free to submit your questions for consideration to TLW Senior Vice President Chris Marsicano, c.marsicano@ yahoo.com .

Q: I GET SO CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO AS AN EMPLOYER. CAN YOU EXPLAIN MY BASIC RIGHTS? You become an employer as soon as you hire one employee. The federal employment laws have certain rights and responsibilities that govern the way an employer-employee relationship should function. As an employer, it is very important that you understand your rights as well as your responsibilities toward your employees so that you can avoid unnecessary situations at your workplace and protect yourself in case one ever arises.

Employers need to know their rights and various rules that direct their interaction with their employees. These can be broadly classified as:

Hiring Employees: • When hiring any employee, it is important that the employer does not discriminate against any applicant based on his sex, nationality, religion, race, etc.

• The employer has the right to refuse someone a job if they do not feel the person would be appropriate for the position, provided there are no prejudices involved.

• An employer has the right to deny hiring a candidate who is currently using illegal drugs; your refusal to hire, however, cannot be based on past problems which the candidate has overcome.

• An employer cannot refuse someone a job because they are disabled, but if the disability interferes with job performance, then the employer is within his rights to reject such job applications.

Salaries and Wages: • All employers are required to pay at least minimum wage to their employees. If the employee regularly receives a minimum of $30 in tips every month, then an employer can pay the worker as little as $2.13 per hour, however, their wage still must total the minimum wage ($2.13 + tips declared = minimum wage).

• Employers are within their rights to reject paying overtime to employees in executive or managerial level positions. Such employees should have at least one or two subordinates working under them and also have the right to hire and fire such subordinates. If the position does not meet these requirements but is only considered managerial due to a title, then the employer has to pay overtime.

• Employees do not have to be paid for time spent in commuting to work, unless travel is outside the scope of the daily work commute.

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Discrimination at Work: • An employer cannot discriminate against any person based on his religion, sex, race, nationality, and age.

• Employers can reject a candidate for a position if they are not suitable for the job and their decision does not constitute discrimination.

• Employers do not have the right to fire someone for complaining about discrimination.

Leave Policies: • Employers have the right to refuse paid vacation or sick leave to employees. If an employer chooses to offer paid time off to their employees, all workers must receive the same benefit, otherwise it can be construed as discrimination.

• Employers need not give paid maternity leave to new mothers, however, if they do, the policy applies to new fathers as well.

• Employers are required to give unpaid parental leave of up to 12 weeks in the first year of a newborn’s life.

• When an employee asks for sick leave due to a medical condition, an employer can ask the employee to provide a doctor’s excuse for review.

Firing Employees: • An employer can fire an employee for any reason (provided it is not illegal) if there is no employment contract. Where a contract exists, the rules for firing are governed by the contract.

• A fired employee does not need to be given a severance package, but if it was promised in their contract, then it has to be given.

• An employer is not required to give a positive reference to a fired employee, but they cannot inadvertently badmouth the employee or else they face a defamation lawsuit.

These are the things that any business owner should be aware of when hiring employees. If under any circumstances an employer faces legal charges brought forth by an employee, they should take these charges seriously and get a qualified attorney to help them with their situation. TLW

www.tlw.org

Tavern League Members hit the links Fox Hills Golf Resort & Convention Center in Mishicot was the site of the 17th annual Tavern League of Wisconsin Golf Outing on September 14. Over 36 teams participated in the four-person scramble. A big thank you goes to the dozens of TLW-member establishments and vendors that contributed sponsorships to make this year’s event another success!

The top winning teams and their scores were: 1st Place – Lucky’s Eastside, #1, Wausau; Score 57 2nd Place – Anheuser-Busch; Score 58 3rd Place – Bev’s Saddle Mound, #1, Pittsville; Score 70 3rd Place – Gunderson Linen, Menasha; Score 70

Local League updates OSHKOSH TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBERS ATTEND LEAGUE LEADERS DAY After the League Leaders Day meeting on August 31 at the Cranberry Country Lodge in Tomah, members of the Oshkosh Tavern League enjoy a beer and conversation. Pictured from left: Butch Eckstien, Brett Rescheske, John Popp and Pat Purtell.

Fisher House Wisconsin Receives Donation This fall, Milwaukee County Hospitality Association (MCHA) Secretary Deb Seibel, right and Treasurer Sharon Ward presented John Quinette, the executive director of Fisher House Wisconsin with a check for $2,000.

MCHA holds a golf outing every year where money from prize raffles, 50/50 raffles and hole sponsors are donated to charities, including Fisher House Wisconsin. The Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of homes near major military bases or VA centers where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.

Want to See Your Local League Featured in On Premise?

Send your photos and a brief description to:

Pete Madland, petem@tlw.org • Chris Marsicano, c.marsicano@yahoo.com • Barb Howell, bhowell@ntmediagroup.com www.tlw.org

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Advertiser Index

B&K Bar Supplies www.bandkbarsupplies.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc. www.cornerstoneps.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Disher Insurance www.disherinsurance.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Edge One www.edgeone.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Engels Commercial Appliance www.englesinc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Magnuson Industries Inc. www.posi-pour.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MillerCoors www.millercoors.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Reinhart Food Service www.rfsdelivers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Riverside Foods www.riversidefoods.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Society Insurance www.societyinsurance.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sysco Foods www.sysco.com/baraboo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 WAMO www.wamo.net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap

Pulltab ProMotionS

Great Profits Employee Incentive Program Used Pulltab Machines Available More Info: 414-217-1731 wbohrer@wi.rr.com www.wimilkcaps.com

Advertise in

On Premise the official publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Souvenir Milk www.milkcaps.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 38 Wisconsin Wine & Spirit Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Contact:

Louise Andraski, Account Executive louisea@merr.com Direct: 608-873-8734 Fax: 262-245-2000 NEI-TURNER MEDIA GROUP

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OFFICIAL BEER SPONSOR OF THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ©2015 MILLER BREWING CO., MILWAUKEE, WI