Burlington Our Town 2021

our town PUBLISHED BY

Burlington Standard Press 2021/22

Burlington, Wisconsin

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Let our refreshing waters wash away the memory of 2020

WELCOME TO OUR TOWN

The sun is shining, summer breezes are blowing and, for many of us, the masks and restrictions of the coronavirus are gone.

The contrasts between the summers of 2020 and 2021 couldn’t be more apparent.

Vaccines against the COVID-19 infection have been the prime mover when it comes to the rollback of restrictions of the past year that canceled fairs and festivals, kept friends and families apart and devastated businesses in the hospitality industry.

But the summer of 2021 dawned like a great golden orb in the east promising a return to activities that have become the fabric of small-town living.

The Burlington area is again poised to celebrate those simple, but essential, rituals of life.

As the hub of the Southern Lakes Area, Burlington offers a unique mix of water-related events that make for a memorable season.

Whether it’s catching a Thursday night performance of the award-winning Browns Lake Aquaducks or one of the weekly sailboat races on the lake; paddling a kayak or casting a line on the Fox River; or careening down a waterslide at the Burlington Community Aquatic Center, Burlington offers fun that is wet and wild (or mild).

It’s time to rub the memory of the pandemic out of your bleary eyes and dip your toes into the refreshing waters of Our Town.

– Ed Nadolski

EDITOR IN CHIEF

The sun sets over the Burlington Community Aquatic Center, one of several water attractions in the area.

COURTESY OF BURLINGTON COMMUNITY AQAUTIC CENTER Our Town

our town Burlington, Wisconsin

2021-22

An annual publication of BURLINGTON STANDARD PRESS & SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS 209 Dodge St., Burlington, WI 53105 • (262) 763-3330 • www.myracinecounty.com GENERAL MANAGER: Sue Z. Lange

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Heidi Schulz

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Edward Nadolski

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Vicki Vanderwerff

SPECIAL SECTIONS: Tracy Ouellette

PAGE DESIGN: Jen DeGroot

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES: call (262) 763-3330, ext. 150

On the cover: Emma Van Frachen, of Muskego, smiles for a photo taken by her mother at Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers in the Town of Burlington last summer. She visited the farm to take photographs for her 15th birthday. See more about the sunflower field on Page 12.

JASON ARNDT Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

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OUR Government City of Burlington www.burlington-wi.gov 300 N. Pine St., Burlington, WI 53105 Phone: 342-1161 Fax: 763-3474 City Administrator: Carina Walters, 262-342-1161 City Clerk: Diahnn Halbach, 262-342-1171 Common Council Mayor: Jeannie Hefty, 262-342-1161 Aldermen: 1st District Shad Branen, 262-210-1362 Theresa Meyer, 262-332-7002 2nd District Bob Grandi, 847-778-5821 Ryan Heft, 262-661-2471 3rd District Steve Rauch, 262-767-1910 Jon Schultz, 262-757-8580 4th District Tom Preusker, 262-332-0209 Bill Smitz, 262-210-0374

City Attorney: John Bjelajac, 262-342-1161 Municipal Judge: Kelly Iselin, 262-342-1129 Court Clerk: Lisa Tenhagen, 262-342-1129 Police Chief: Mark Anderson, 262-342-1100 Department of Public Works: Peter Riggs, 262-342-1181 Building, Electrical and Plumbing Inspector: Gregory Guidry, 262-342-1164 Librarian: Joe Davies, 262-342-1130 Fire Chief: Alan Babe, 262-763-7842

Town of Burlington www.tn.Burlington.wi.gov 32288 Bushnell Road, Burlington, WI 53105 Phone: 262-763-3070 Fax: 262-763-2118 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday Town Administrator: Brian Graziano, 262-763-3070, ext. 101; bgraziano@ townofburlington.com

Town Clerk: Jeanne Rennie, 262-763-3070, ext. 102, jeanne.rennie@ townofburlington.com Town Board Town Chairman: Jeff Lang, 847-309-5264 Supervisors Neal Czaplewski, 262-539-6037 Brian Fliss, 414-791-53121 Steve Swantz, 262-620-9528 Russel Egan, 262-539-8007 Assessor: Associated Appraisal, 800-721-4157 Building Inspector: Jack Daams, 262-763-3070, ext. 103 Police Department: Racine County Sheriff’s Office, 262-886-2300 Fire Department: Chief Bill Vrchota 262763-3070, ext. 106 Emergency Management: Skip Twardosz, 262-210-5869 Municipal Court Judge: Rich Scholze, 262-763-8185 Municipal Clerk of Courts: Carrie Oldenburg, 262-763-3070, ext. 104, courtclerk@townofburlington.com

Burlington Farmers Market

The Burlington Farmers Market opened with beautiful weather on May 13.

Aside from sunshine, attendees walked through Wehmhoff Square while shopping a variety of plants, flowers, handmade soaps, breads, cheeses, and other treats. Jim and Libby Wilcox of Corks and Classics provided musical entertainment during the market. The market runs every Thursday 3 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 21. For more information on the Burlington Farmers Market website at burlingtonwifarmersmarket.com. Above: Julie Lois (left) and Jared Brever shop a selection of jams and canned fruits and vegetables from Kristie’s Creative Kitchen at the Farmers Market. Left: William Griffin (left) and Jamie Stillingstep arrange flowers at the Seeds of Hope booth during the May 13 market.

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CHAD HENSIAK PHOTOS Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

Burlington library welcomes in-person visits Staffers happy to reconnect with patrons

by Jason Arndt

person has been really good.”

Another person fortunate to see people is hile the Burlington Public Library new children’s librarian Emily Laidley.

Laidley, originally from Williams Bay, reopened this spring with some modifications, initially requiring started at the Burlington Public Library shortly after the city closed all buildings to appointments to browse the the public last November. shelves, staff members were just She earned a master’s in library science relieved to finally see their patrons again. from the University of Illinois-Urbana The Burlington Public Library, Champaign and spent the last five years closed since November 2020 to mitigate working in a similar role at Lansing Public COVID-19 spread, reopened to patrons on Library in Lansing, Illinois, a Chicago March 1. suburb, before returning to Southeast As part of the reopening, patrons were asked to wear masks and set appointments, Wisconsin.

“I am really glad to finally interact with but appointments are no longer required.

Library Director Joe Davies, who admits the public,” she said.

She finds the most joy in watching a the experience is not entirely the same, 2-year-old’s face light up when he sees the said he and other staff members have been enjoying the opportunity to serve patrons in train table, a shy middle school student express enthusiasm about a subject such person again.

“I think it has been really well-received,” as anime, or helping a high school student finish a homework assignment. he said. “It has been great for us, for the During the closure, she spent time staff, just to be able to serve people in

w

STAFF WRITER

learning the inventory, working with her new staff members and exploring what else the Burlington Public Library can offer the community.

She has been most impressed with knowledgeable staff members and community members who are grounded in Burlington’s history.

Library changes

When patrons enter the library, meanwhile, they will see some • CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

The Burlington Public Library re-opened its doors to patrons for computer use and browsing shelves earlier this year.

JASON ARNDT Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

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LIBRARY

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

modifications such as Plexiglass barriers between staff members as well as fewer computers available for use to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

Staff reduced the number of computers per area from six to two.

“When we had all of our computers set up, they would just be way too close together,” Davies said.

“We are trying to find ways to be helpful if people have questions while on the computer.”

Initially, for people browsing the shelves, staff members asked patrons to place items they are not interested in inside baskets scattered around the library.

The reason, Davies said, is to allow staff members to set aside the items for a 24hour quarantine before placing them back on the shelves.

Library patrons were able to schedule an appointment to use the computers for 90 minutes. The appointment restriction has since been lifted, but as of June the library required masks and still encouraged social distancing.

Patrons in the first two weeks of opening had been receptive of the changes and appreciative of the opportunity to use the library again, Davies said.

“They have just been so grateful to be able to come in and do that kind of stuff,” he said. “People are just happy that they can get in and do things again.”

Davies said patrons have been respectful of the changes and things have gone smoothly since most people tend to know what they are seeking when visiting the library.

“They are just coming in like you would with a grocery store,” Davies said. “You come in, you browse, you get your stuff and go.”

Curbside pickup has continued even after the library reopened and staff members do not plan on eliminating the service once the COVID-19 pandemic diminishes.

“We have been talking about how we can maintain that service once things kind of go back to normal because that has been very popular,” he said. “We don’t anticipate that going away any time soon.”

While curbside pickup continues to gain popularity, simply seeing families with children pay visits inside the library has been refreshing, according to Davies.

“Even when we were doing curbside, it is not the littles calling up and making book requests,” said Davies, noting he has seen children immediately explore the shelves as they walk into the library.

The Burlington Public Library, 166 E. Jefferson St., is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

above: Joe Davies, Library Director, explains some of the adjustments made at the Burlington Public Library as part of the library’s reopening in early 2021. top: Emily Laidley, the new Children’s Librarian, looks forward to meeting more patrons at the Burlington Public Library.

JASON ARNDT PHOTOS Our Town

on Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday (during the Burlington Area School District school year).

For more information, including how to access additional resources such as many multimedia options, visit burlingtonlibrary. org.

the

Cook Talker and the

Local couple brings drive-in burger joint to former Triangle site

by Mike Ramczyk CORRESPONDENT

J

ohn and Angela Olofson were large and in charge.

They were selling healthy food options like avocado sandwiches and fresh gelato at a coffee shop in Richmond, Illinois, where they featured a popular brunch menu and a full bar.

Main Street Coffee Company was a popular dine-in destination for nearly six years, as the Olofsons completely remodeled the building they took over.

Then, after ringing up $40,000 per month, suddenly the couple was only making $3,000 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and a drastic change was needed.

On March 17, 2020, the couple, who met at the old French Country Inn restaurant in Lake Geneva, was forced to close after

reverting to carry-out only and struggling to survive.

“Most of it was making masks (revenue),” Angela said. “It was a beautiful space. It was packed on the weekends.

When we told (the landlord) after our third month of paying rent we were giving him our 30-day notice, he had someone lined up the next day. He wouldn’t give us a conversation to renew the lease.”

Living the dream

So John sold a building he owned in Genoa City, which used to house the “Home Plate” restaurant, and the Olofsons were ready to start “the dream” – John’s lifelong goal of opening a burger stand.

“We’re entrepreneurs, so we were thinking ‘no dine-in,’” Angela said. “He wanted to open his burger stand. This was

the dream.”

The dream is now Bomb Burger, a drive-in burger place on the corner of Market and McHenry streets in Burlington in the former Triangle restaurant building.

“John was like, I can remodel that in a second, I can be up in two weeks,” Angela said. “We were up in two months.”

The Olofsons bought the building from Chris Allen, who had owned it for the past 11 years, but the restaurant hadn’t been in operation since 2018.

Angela went from everything organic – fresh gelato, avocado toast, freshsqueezed juices – to cheeseburgers.

“We’re so sick of going places, and it’s a $12 burger,” she said. “This is like doing everything that we love. We like • CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

John and Angela Olofson opened their drive-in restaurant, Bomb Burger, in the former Triangle Restaurant building last summer. They sold out of food the first two days they were open.

MIKE RAMCZYK Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

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BURGER JOINT

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

bringing back that old-school thing.”

Bomb Burger was jumping on an August 2020 afternoon, with John on the grill, Angela dropping fries, cheese curds and onion rings, another worker making orders and Angela’s 14-year-old daughter Maya taking orders at the window.

They kept a constant line of five to 10 people.

It was a tad slower than the previous Friday, when Bomb Burger opened and sold out on the first day.

Sold out fast

Angela said they bought 50 pounds of fresh meat from the wholesaler in Milwaukee and sold out in less than 24 hours.

Then, the next day they ran out of buns by 4 p.m.

“We didn’t really tell anyone, and we sold out right away,” Angela said.

One customer told Angela, “Thank you, I almost gave up on Burlington opening new places.”

John bought “everything he could” at the warehouse over the weekend, and the “fresh, not frozen” meat sold like hot cakes on opening weekend.

“We have it fresh every day, because we can’t keep it in stock,” Angela said. “I’m pretty picky when it comes to food, so I can tell when something isn’t fresh.”

The Bomb Burger, the featured menu item has two beef patties and bomb sauce, with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. The signature “bomb sauce” has a mayonnaise base.

Of course, there are French fries, too.

“In Richmond, we had to throw everything at the wall to bring people in,” Angela said. “There was no outdoor dining. It was a different personality. It was a bad location in the middle of a block off Highway 12. There’s people like ‘good riddance we’re gone.’

“Everyone’s so welcoming here. Maybe it was because I’m from Wisconsin. This was more his (John’s) dream, but I could eat

John Olofson mans the grill while Angela Olofson oversees the deep fryer at their restaurant, Bomb Burger, in August 2020.

MIKE RAMCZYK Our Town

cheeseburgers for the rest of my life.”

When they met at French Country Inn, he was the cook and she was the “talker,” Burlington lovers Angela joked.

Angela says they miss the caffeine of She’s been a waitress all over the area. the coffee shop, but love the vibe at Bomb Bomb Burger’s owners bring their Burger. entrepreneurial spirit to Burlington, an area They’ve tinkered with the idea of building Angela says they both love, and they hope to a trailer that would offer coffee options, be here for a long time. which could help fill the caffeine void.

They recently bought a house in Lake John fixed up the interior of the burger Geneva, and their daughter is enrolled at stand, with all new paint and new brick.

Badger High School.

The nostalgic feel is present in the front, “We’ve always loved Burlington, and where people can simply walk up and order we want something to just be simple and a Bomb Burger, cheeseburger, Chicago-style affordable, and take it back to classic drivehot dog, soda or lemonade. ins,” Angela said. “John was in the National Angela and John both worked in the Guard here, we almost bought a house here restaurant business for years in Lake Geneva and we love it. It’s crazy how things got, but over the past two decades. it just feels right now.”

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‘Now or Never’

Romo documentary played to receptive audience

by Mike Ramczyk CORRESPONDENT

El

Paso, Texas native Chris Hanna grew up a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan.

The 27-year-old film director wanted nothing more than to have his first film be about his favorite athlete, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, you know, the Burlington High School 1998 graduate who made it big in the National Football League and never forgot where he came from.

So back in 2016 and 2017, around the time Dallas drafted quarterback Dak Prescott and Romo was succumbing to some serious back injuries, Hanna went to work reaching out to Romo for interviews to start filming.

But there was only one problem – Hanna was still a film student and couldn’t necessarily reach Romo, so he did the nextbest thing – earn the trust of Tony’s friends.

Steve Tenhagen, Tony’s main wide receiver in 1996, and Steve Berezowitz, Tony’s varsity basketball coach from 199698, became pivotal to Hanna’s mission to deliver an accurate, passionate life story of Romo’s fairytale story.

In August 2020, Hanna brought his Tony Romo documentary, which had yet to be purchased by Amazon or any major distributors, back to the place it all started, Burlington, thanks to Shad Branen and the Burlington Plaza Theater.

Burlington shows up With people sitting on lawn chairs and in their cars for the free pop-up showing of “Now or Never,” a crowd of more than 50 cars enjoyed a humid, yet breezy summer night of entertainment.

The hour-long feature, condensed from the original 90-minute version, provided plenty footage of the city of Burlington, Burlington High School and Romo, who delivered some of his most poignant, heart-felt comments of his storied 17-year career in the national spotlight.

Now an NFL analyst with CBS who recently became the highest-paid color commentator in the industry, Romo has never forgotten his roots of Burlington, where for the first time in 17 years his Tony Romo • CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Filmaker Chris Hanna, shown here in front of Burlington’s Plaza Theater last year, hoped his documentary on Tony Romo would be purchased by HBO or Amazon.

MIKE RAMCZYK Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

9

ROMO DOCUMENTARY

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Football Camp was not held in 2020 because of the pandemic.

“He’s back around quite a bit during the summer months, but this summer was a little bit different, but we’ve been doing since we were done playing in high school,” said Tenhagen during a Q&A session moments before the 9 p.m. feature Saturday night.

So yes, Tony may have been back in town to visit family, as his sister Danielle still lives here, and his parents live in the area, but he wasn’t able to attend the free showing, only the second time the movie has been offered in Burlington.

Growing up loving Tony Hanna fell in love with the small-town hero story long ago.

“I was always a big fan of Tony, and he was my quarterback,” Hanna told the crowd at the showing in the parking lot across the street from the Plaza Theater. “I grew up watching him play. I was infatuated with how much he fought and everything he went through – how he went undrafted, the doors weren’t opening for him. I could relate a lot, knowing I went to film school and I had to open the doors for myself.”

“It really took about three years to shoot.

We’re not ESPN, not NFL, I was just this kid in film school. For me, it was about a smalltown, inspiring piece about a kid who became

Tony Romo (left) and filmmaker Chris Hanna pose for photos at the premier of Hanna’s film “Now or Never: A Tony Romo Story” at the Plaza Theater in Burlington in 2019. The theater showed the film again in August of 2020 with commentary from the Hanna and Romo’s high school teammate and current Burlington High School football coach Steve Tenhagen.

SOPHIA BRANEN Our Town

great. I had to work with what I was given, and I had to work with when they were available. Now, we’re grateful to know we could end up with HBO or Amazon.”

Through the process, which has resulted in the cusp of his lifelong dreams coming true where his movie could become worldwide, Hanna has learned Romo is a great, genuine person.

“He’s so giving and really just selfless,” Hanna said. “If he knows you’re passionate about something, and he sees that drive, he gives you a shot.”

“Because of Steve (Tenhagen) and Steve (Berezowitz), I was able to tell the story. I love how green Burlington is, and how there’s water.

There’s no water in El Paso. And I love the people, how close-knit this community is. He hasn’t forgotten his small town, and his small town hasn’t forgotten about him.”

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preseverance of Hanna, who has had to fly to Burlington sometimes on short notice to accommodate Romo.

“It’s pretty special because Chris has put everything into it,” Tenhagen said. “From flying here, changing his plans whenever Tony could be here, Chris’ story matches Tony’s in a different avenue. He wanted to inspire people that you can do anything you put your mind to.”

When asked about Romo’s favorite hangout, Hanna couldn’t answer, but Tenhagen mentioned Burlington High School.

Fred’s Burgers is a big spot, but it’s not easy to just show up and hang out.

“I’d say the high school,” Tenhagen said of Romo’s favorite place in Burlington. “I’d say Napoli’s, the pizza place in town, Fred’s for a burger, sometimes a little difficult to go to small town USA when you have his status.

People have been great, but it can get crazy.

There will be nobody in a place, then you look around and there are a hundred people.

Especially with social media and stuff.”

Hanna added that Romo was in town last summer watching the film with family and friends at the Plaza Theater for the first time, and it was “really memorable for all of us.”

The movie highlights Romo’s life, including his rise to stardom with high school basketball and football success, domination at quarterback for Eastern Illinois University and coach Sean Payton, who now coaches the New Orleans Saints.

A legend is born Romo’s center in college told a story of how he would just tell the offensive lineman to give him a little extra time, like 4 or 5 seconds in the pocket, and they’ll “get off the field,” meaning he’ll throw a touchdown.

And he often did.

“I was trying to be that guy that you want to be one day, the best version of yourself, that you can see that’s out there,” Romo said in the film.

Romo attended a quarterback combine for the 2003 NFL Draft in Florida, where he showcased his tremendous touch on his passes. He was asked to be one of the throwers for the receivers.

He signed with an agent, and was projected to be a fifth-round pick.

However, seven rounds came and went, and the kid who grew up in Circle Court in Brown’s Lake wasn’t going to make it to the pros.

Not so fast.

The draft got over, and about five teams called and wanted Romo.

Dallas boasted Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells, and Romo knew he would have a chance to make the roster.

By his fourth year, people close to Romo were convinced he could become a Hall of Famer.

He took over for Drew Bledsoe, who got hurt, and the rest was history.

Romo earned several Pro Bowl trips, two

large paydays (over $100 million total) and cemented his status as an NFL legend.

Staubach praises Romo At his wedding, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Romo, the three most popular and probably best Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks of all-time, walked over and talked about Romo’s rise from his college days at Eastern Illinois.

Staubach said Romo is the best Cowboys quarterback in the history of the franchise, one that spans decades and boasts five Super Bowl championships.

Staubach and Aikman are both Hall of Famers and have won multiple Super Bowls.

Romo touched on the famous “Catch,” where Dez Bryant’s catch was ruled a drop, which led to the Green Bay Packers beating the Cowboys and advancing to the 2015 NFC Championship.

The movie also documented Romo’s memorable speech, where he addressed the Cowboys drafting Dak Prescott and essentially replacing him as quarterback.

Finally, Romo hung up the cleats and turned his energy to the television world, where he almost immediately became one of the best football analysts in the country.

Through it all, Romo learned valuable lessons and said how becoming a good father and man that cares about people still remains more important than any sports accomplishments.

Romo also goes into never winning a Super Bowl, and how his legacy will be defined by that.

“I have to live with that the rest of my life,” Romo said.

Romo comes to a conclusion that he did everything he could in his NFL career, and he is at peace.

He looks at the camera, and he says at the end of the day, if you have people around you that love you, and you did your best, that’s all that matters.

It was perhaps the most emotion Romo has shown in an interview.

Big dreams Hanna is hopeful this documentary will become mainstream soon.

“We literally hit the market when COVID happened,” Hanna said after the show. “We are hoping for HBO documentaries. If we can’t get it streaming yet, we might go digital first, because people really want it.”

“It played in 15 film festivals in Dallas, Austin, Waco, Houston, El Paso, etc…Texas is embracing it. We played it in an indie fest in Chicago.”

The Burlington showing was special for Hanna, who is proud of his first feature film.

“With the little resources we had, we made the best with what he gave us, since we weren’t part of the media or anything,” Hanna said. “He (Romo) told me he thought it was better than ‘A Football Life’ (by the NFL), so the NFL knows we exist and greenlit us.”

“Seeing everyone here in the cars, with COVID and everything, it felt good seeing this many cars for a documentary. People are saying they loved it, and it was really nice.”

Important phone numbers For emergencies call 911 Non-emergency numbers: City of Burlington: • Police – 342-1100 • Fire and rescue – 763-7842 • City Hall – 342-1161 Town of Burlington: • Police patrol (Racine County Sheriff) – 763-9558 • Police Chief (administrative) – 763-7539 • Fire – 763-3070, ext. 4 • Marine patrol chief – 763-7539 • Town Hall– 763-3070 Other: • Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington – 767-6000 • Aurora Burlington Clinic – 767-8000 • Walworth County Sheriff –741-4400

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

11

A field of happiness

by Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER

O

ak Rest Farms Sunflowers returned for another year in 2020 and continued to spread joy among visitors who flocked the field along Pine Street in the Town of Burlington.

The vibrant field, which has been an attraction for families and amateur photographers, also benefits community organizations.

Jennifer Greeter, co-owner of Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers, said proceeds from sales of sunflowers and admission to field benefited Love, Inc. in 2020.

Proceeds previously benefited the Burlington Senior Activity Center, therapeutic riding programs, Make-a-Wish Foundation and other groups.

“We know there are a lot of families that are probably in need because of COVID-19 and potentially people out of work,” said Greeter, who co-owns the field at 6138 S. Pine Street with her husband, Joe. “We thought that Love Inc. would probably be the closest and most beneficial place for us to bring our donations to.”

Cost of admission to the field last year was $5 per person (free for children under 10) while customers paid $1 for a sunflower.

Unlike the first two years, couples were able to renew their wedding vows on the property contingent upon donating at least $50 directly to Love Inc. According to Greeter, Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers hosted a bouquet contest with $50 awarded to the top two finishers.

“All of the proceeds from the flowers that were purchased for the contest were donated to Love, Inc.,” Greeter said.

The Greeters decided to keep the field in its natural state because it shows an honest representation and offers a better habitat for wildlife.

Spreading joy

On a sunny Sunday afternoon last summer, there were several first-time above: Selena Archambault (left), 12, of Delavan, and her cousin, Morgan Peterson, 13, Elkhorn, display their sunflowers in August 2020 at Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers in the Town of Burlington. left: Cody Archer, 10, of Spring Grove, Illinois, stands next to a sunflower at Oak Rest Farms.

JASON ARNDT PHOTOS Our Town

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BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

visitors to Oak Rest Farms, including Lyssa Peterson from Elkhorn. Peterson, who brought her daughter and niece, found the field filled with vibrant colors and textures.

“I think it is beautiful. I like how natural it is and that there are other textures of sunflowers and wildflowers out there,” she said.

Lyssa’s daughter, Morgan, 13, and 12-year-old niece, Selena Archambault, both were impressed with the variety of hues.

“It is really cool that there are different colors,” said Selena.

Emma Van Franchen, of Muskego visited the field for the second straight year to celebrate her birthday.

Van Franchen, who was turning 15 the next day, brought her friends along for a photo shoot in 2019.

But she only went with her mother, Jenny, this year because of social distancing recommendations due to COVID-19.

In spite of being alone, she smiled brightly for her 15th birthday photographs.

COVID-19 precautions, other suggestions

The Greeters strongly recommended visitors wear masks last year when around others outside their household and have created several new paths in the field to accommodate social distancing.

“We understand you want pictures without masks, so please use common courtesy/sense,” the Greeters wrote on Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers’ Facebook page.

They also asked visitors to wear masks when their elderly parents are on premises at the entrance.

New this year

Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers will open for the season later this summer, once the flowers are in bloom. With the lack of rain this year, the farm may open later than

above: Rose and Allen Tom, of Chicago, take a selfie underneath an umbrella at Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers last summer. top: Eric Rohe, of Walworth, and his wife, Katie explore Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers in the Town of Burlington.

JASON ARNDT PHOTOS Our Town

usual, the Greeters posted on the Facebook page in June.

This year, the Greeters have planted pink flowers in support of the fight again breast cancer.

The owners suggest visitors bring a

small vase to keep flowers healthy and avoid leaving them in hot vehicles for an extended period.

For more information, including updates on hours, visit the farm’s Facebook page at Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers.

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

13

OUR Schools Burlington Area School District

School 34150 Fulton St. • 539-2726 Principal: Joel Graham

www.basd.k12.wi.us District Office: 100 N. Kane St. 763-0210 Superintendent: Stephen Plank Assistant Superintendent: Jill Oelslager Business Manager: Ruth Schenning School Board Meets second Monday of the month at 7 p.m.

Peter Turke, president, pturke@basd.k12.wi.us Barry Schmaling, vice-president, bschmaling@basd.k12.wi.us Marlo Brown, clerk, mbrown@basd.k12.wi.us Taylor Wishau, treasurer, twishau@basd.k12.wi.us Members: Kevin Bird, kbird@ basd.k12.wi.us; Roseanne Hahn, rhahn@basd.k12. wi.us; Susan Kessler, skessler@basd.k12.wi.us

Southern Lakes Consortium Alternative High School 209 Wainwright Ave. 767-2626 Principal: Sheri Bronstad

Private schools Catholic Central High School www.cchsnet.org 148 McHenry St. Burlington 763-1510 Principal: Bonnie Scholz Burlington Catholic Schools St. Mary’s Campus www.stmb.org 225 W. State St. 763-1515 above: A mother sends her son off to a new school year with a hug on the playground at Waller School in Burlington last August. below: Kindergarteners march into Waller School on the first day of classes for the 2020-21 school year in the Burlington Area School District.

MIKE RAMCZYK PHOTOS Our Town

Burlington High School 400 McCanna Pkwy.

763-0200 Principal: Eric Burling Assistant Principals: Ryan Heft, Emily Boyd Athletic Director/Associate Principal: Eric Plitzuweit Karcher Middle School 225 Robert St. 763-0190

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BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

Principal: Nicholas Ryan Dyer Intermediate School 201 S. Kendrick Ave. 763-0220 Principal: Scott Schimmel Cooper Elementary School 249 Conkey St. 763-0180 Principal: Jacqueline Syens

Lyons Center 1622 Mill St., Lyons 763-5380 Principal: Joel Graham Waller Elementary School 195 Gardner Ave. 763-0185 Principal: Victoria Libbey Winkler Elementary

St. Charles Campus www.mystcharles.org 449 Conkey St. 763-2848 St. John’s Lutheran Grade School www.stjohnsburlington.org 198 Westridge Ave. 763-2377 Wisconsin Parents Association (Home Schooling) Contact: 608-283-3131

READY FOR A

FULL SEASON

Aquatic Center opens without attendance restrictions Last season the Aquatic Center, 394 Amanda Street, was one of the few would be an understatement to say community pools in the area to open.

Burlington Community Aquatic However, it came with reduced capacity Center Director Jeanne Otter (25% initially) to accommodate social was merely excited for the 2021 distancing. Admission was limited to those season. who purchased memberships. Burlington “I’m very, very excited,” she said, when residents were still allowed to purchase noting the center would be able to open daily passes. without the attendance restrictions that were The triumph of the pandemic-clouded in place last year due to the coronavirus season, Otter said, was the fact that staff pandemic. “People are super excited about never had to close the center for a COVIDbeing able to use the pool.” related reason and was able to provide The Aquatic Center opened at the end nearly a full season of aquatic fun. of May and saw brisk traffic during a hot Otter and the staff instituted changes in and humid June. Otter said the center had procedures and sanitization, some of which already exceeded its previous highs for will become permanent to the ongoing memberships sold. operation. According to the federal Centers STANDARD PRESS STAFF

it

for Disease Control and Prevention a properly maintained pool kills the virus that causes COVID-19 and prevents its spread through the water.

Otter said she is hopeful with the continued rollout of vaccines that coronavirus won’t be a factor, but cautioned that things could change if there is a surge in the disease.

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 The Burlington Aquatic Center opened for the 2021 season Memorial Day weekend with no restrictions from the pandemic. The center opened just in time for the late-May, earlyJune heat wave, offering a place to cool off for residents and visitors.

ED NADOLSKI Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

15

AQUATIC CENTER

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1906

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

for the full season with single and senior memberships at $100 and $90, respectively. Rates for Attendance in 2020 was non-residents are $225 family, down nearly 30% at 27,732 compared to 2019 when 39,329 $135 single and $125 senior. used the facility during its three- Complete registration information is available online month run, Otter said. at burlingtoncommunitypool.

She said membership org. sales and swimming lesson registrations for 2021 are poised Daily rates are $8 for city to set record levels compared to residents and $10 for nonresidents. Prices are discounted the center’s first three years of after 4 p.m. and children 2 and operation. young are admitted without “It’s a good sign,” she said, charge. noting people are anxious to City residents receive a return to some of the activities they shunned due to COVID-19 discount on memberships in 2020. Another incentive, she and daily fees because said is the fact that membership local taxpayers funded the construction of the facility. rates remain the same as the were the year the facility Many ways to play opened in 2018.

The Aquatic Center features Otter said anyone who purchased a family membership a children’s play area with a zero-depth-entry tank, water jets before midnight May 28 and slides; a current channel received four complimentary for “lazy river” floating or aqua guest passes for friends and exercise; and a separate lap relatives to join them at the tank featuring three towering Aquatic Center. waterslides, a diving well with a Family memberships for high dive and a climbing wall.

Burlington residents cost $175

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Regular pool hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends.

Otter said the Aquatic Center has revived its Family Fun Nights during the 2021 season. In the past the facility has hosted movie nights – where a patrons float on air mattresses while watching a popular family movie projected on a giant inflatable screen – and obstacle course events during which inflatable obstacles are floated on the water offering a special challenge to visitors brave enough to try. Otter said the center tentatively plans to add a disk jockey to the Family Fun Night mix in 2021. Dates and times for those events will be posted on the center’s website and Facebook page.

In addition, the Aquatic Center offers a regular schedule of other activities. These include swimming lessons, Aqua Zumba fitness classes and lifeguard certification.

The Aquatic Center hosts multiple sessions of swimming lessons through

the course of the summer. Patrons have the option of choosing morning sessions or evening sessions. Morning sessions run Monday through Thursday for two weeks. Evening sessions run Monday and Wednesday for four weeks. Classes are 30 or 40 minutes long, depending on level.

Private lessons are available upon request.

The lesson fees are $70 for members/$85 non-members for the first two children or classes per family; and $60 members/$75 non-members for the third or any subsequent children or classes. The discount is cumulative for each family during the swim season.

Otter said because of the popularity of lessons in 2021, parents should check center’s website now for availability for the best chance to get their preferred session.

In addition to its aquatic programs, the facility offers a full menu of concessions.

It ranges from traditional hot dogs,

hamburgers and pizza to yogurt cups and fresh fruit. Walking tacos return in 2021 along with several new items, including taco dogs and a yogurt parfait with granola, according to Otter.

“I think it’s awesome in terms of variety,” she said.

The City of Burlington funded the construction of the Aquatic Center after residents approved a referendum in 2016 authorizing officials to spend up to $5.4 million on the new facility. It replaced the former pool, which opened in the mid1960s at the same site.

The Aquatic Center is managed by a board of local volunteers who operate the pool at no cost to local property taxpayers.

With support from local community service organizations Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary, the volunteer board runs the pool with funding from memberships, daily passes, program fees and concessions sales, according to Otter.

Volunteers from the Burlington Community Pool Board and local service clubs install shade canopies at the Burlington Community Aquatic Center in May. ED NADOLSKI Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

17

Bikers with heart

above: Motorcycle riders line up at the Maryland Avenue festival grounds in Burlington in September 2020 as they prepare to depart on the annual Toy Run for the benefit of Love Inc. right: A trio of riders capture a selfie before embarking on the 26th annual benefit ride. below, right: Julie Foskett holds the flag high while the national anthem is sung prior to departure. Tri-County officials report nearly 600 people registered to ride in one of five groups. The groups left the ChocolateFest grounds beginning at 10 a.m. to visit 25 area taverns and restaurants before returning to the festival grounds for a party featuring food, beverages, and live music. All proceeds from the event benefit Love Inc’s Christmas giving program.

CHAD HENSIAK PHOTOS Our Town

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PULLING AHEAD Sled dog racing brings out competitiveness, fun

by Jason Arndt

m

STAFF WRITER

usher dogs are not only competitive – they are powerful and playful creatures – all traits Daniel Bocock has experienced in his nearly 10 years racing the

animals.

Bocock garnered his first exposure to the racing circuit when he met his wife, Ailena Baum, whose family has been involved with mushing for about 22 years.

“We met about 10 years ago, she got me in the sport,” said Bocock. “This will be my ninth season.”

Bocock and Baum, part of a B Squared Racing, have four dogs at their home in Burlington and another three at Ailena’s

sister’s house in Rhinelander.

Bocock’s dogs are named Nev, Nell, Ginger and Dusty.

What attracted him to the sport, Bocock said, is the strong bond with his animals, camaraderie with other mushers and the thrill of being pulled at 30 miles per hour on bicycle, which is another form of racing with the dogs when there is no snow.

“The big thing for me, is that I found it to be extremely exciting to be on a bicycle and a dog is pulling you up to 30 mph and you are just flying,” Bocock said. “It is absolutely amazing how fast you can go. It is almost scary sometimes.”

Racing styles While most people are familiar with the

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, where mushers and dozens of dogs race a 300-mile event, B Squared Racing focuses on sprint events.

International Sled Dog Racing Association and the International Federation of Sleddog Sports serve as sanctioning bodies overseeing spring racing events.

Events include competitions on dry land and winter terrain racing.

Dry land racing includes carts, bikes, running on foot while winter racing includes the familiar sled.

The dogs, according to Bocock, are bred specifically for mushing and include • CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Daniel Bocock guides dogs, Nell and Nev, during a winter sled race in Michigan.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

19

SLED DOG RACING

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Alaskan Huskies, German Shorthair Pointers as well as Greyhound Pointer mixes.

“They are nothing but muscle,” said Bocock. “They are bred specifically for this sort of event.”

Training, diet regimen Bocock and his wife spend up to five days a week training the dogs, running with them along area trails, serving the dogs a high protein diet to prepare for competitive events typically held during the fall and winter.

The couple uses a 25-mile loop near their house, but oftentimes visit Richard Bong State Recreation Area in the Town of Brighton, where they train with the dogs in the fall.

Bocock said Richard Bong Recreation Area serves as an ideal venue because it allows bicycles and offers ideal trails.

The state recreation area has loops of 2.3 miles and 8 miles.

“The Bong has a nice consistent loop, it is pretty safe because the dogs are flying, you are going anywhere

from top: Daniel Bocock races with one of his dogs along a trail; Ginger and Nell, two dogs belonging to Bocock and his wife, Ailena Baum, pull him during a dry-land race in Ohio.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Our Town

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BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

from 20 to 30 miles an hour,” Bocock said.

In the winter, training increases to 4- to 8-miles per session and he typically uses snowmobile trails or trails near his home, he said.

“We run on anything, we run on the snowmobile trails around here, or run on the trails around our house, go up north, travel all over the place training dogs,” Bocock said.

The musher racing season typically happens during the fall and winter with the summer considered the off-season.

According to Bocock, he and his wife race in separate divisions or classes, and compete in up to 10 events annually.

But with COVID-19, race opportunities diminished in 2020, Bocock said.

“This fall, we raced in four different races, usually there is a lot more,” he said.

“The fall races kind of lead up the winter races, to they start the fall races to get the dogs in shape for the winter races.”

B Squared Racing, according to Bocock, has competed at races in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin as well as Canada and Europe.

But Bocock personally hasn’t competed beyond the United States.

Before each race, Bocock and his wife, who owns Lyons Veterinary Service, prepares the dogs with “beefy water” to ensure they are hydrated during competition.

“They got a vet for a mom who gives them absolutely everything they want,”

Bocock said of how his animals are treated.

Highly competitive More recently, as Bocock has formed deeper bonds with his dogs, their performace in competitions has steadily improved.

“In the past couple of years, since we got this new line of dogs, we have become extremely competitive,” he said.

The competitive spirit has parlayed in third and second place finishes in ISDRA points accumulated in sanctioned races.

“Three years ago, in ISDRA points, which was international points for the sanctioned race, I was in third place. I think there were 37 folks that were running for that,” said. “Last year, I got into second place, so I have got a bronze, a silver and this year I am sitting in first place.”

Bocock, however, states he and his team members are not the only individuals with a competitive spirit on race day.

He has seen the ambition in his dogs’ eyes, especially Nev and Nell, when both arrive to compete.

“When they show up at a race, Nev and Nell, they just know. Their whole mindset changes. They are just focused,” he said.

Like a strong team, however, communication and trust between an owner and the dogs can become a key components.

Forming bonds, Bocock said, is the first step to establishing trust.

“Those dogs have to trust you, you have

to trust the dogs,” he said.

But at times, Bocock admits they can have fun, especially when the dogs throw an owner off the sled.

Bocock has experienced this himself and could see them running off without him.

“They do think it is funny if they throw you off the sled,” Bocock said. “They are just having a good old time.”

Beyond ambitions While Bocock and his team members have ambitions, he acknowledged dog racing is a community, which he said he extends beyond Wisconsin since they often travel across the United States.

Since Bocock started, he has met people from Canada and Europe.

“You get to see the same faces (at races) that you don’t normally see and then the thing is, there are junior classes, too, so my son next year will be running the sled,” he said.

Timothy, 6, will become eligible to race in the junior class on his 7th birthday.

Bocock’s daughter, Kirsten, 4, could also carry on the family tradition in three years.

Unlike the Iditarod, which requires extensive commitment, competition in shorter races through ISDRA and IFSS is more family-friendly.

“It is a lot easier with family and kids to keep up with dogs going 4-to-6 miles than have to train dogs that have (race) 200-300 miles,” he said.

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21

Art studio focuses on teaching Owners share the joy of creating beauty

by Jason Arndt

Classes include balloon and chains with acrylic paint on canvas, Christmas ornaments/faux stained glass. Class arl and Mary Anders carry offerings often change depending on decades of experience as artists season. and wanted to share their love Every class includes all necessary art through the development of supplies with all students – both adults and Joyful Creations Art Center in children – able to bring their pieces of work downtown Burlington. home with them.

The Anders, who have been married for For the summer the studio will book about three years, began teaching classes classes when someone has a group of four while offering multiple art mediums for or more on any open afternoon or evening. sale at their original loclation at 208. E. The studio will also take part in the Chestnut St. in mid-May 2020. The couple annual Maxwell Street Days celebration have since closed that location and have July 30 and 31 in downtown Burlington. partnered with Arcadian Treasures, 256 E. Joyful Creations has several types of Chestnut St., to display their art for sale.

Art classes are now held at 165 Reynolds unique art available for customers.

“Nothing is ordered out of a catalog, Ave., Burlington. The Anders initially planned to open the business in April 2020, everything here is handmade, and one-of-akind,” said Mary. but it stalled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and pushed the launch to May 14, Carl Anders spends anywhere from one hour to three years creating pieces that are 2020, according to Mary.

“We cover a multitude of things here and on sale at Joyful Creations. then we do birthday parties and art classes,” He uses different mediums ranging from oil and acrylic paintings to colored pencil said Mary, who has a passion for teaching sketches. children different aspects of art.

Carl said some customers walk in out of “They are so open and so much fun to curiosity, unsure of what they are looking teach. We have homeschool kids come in and have classes and they can get credit for for, but they will likely find an ideal piece of art before they leave. it.”

STAFF WRITER

C

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BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

“We have people come in and they don’t know what they want, but we have all sorts of different types of art,” he said.

Additionally, according to Mary, Joyful Creations touts meaningful conversations about art and encourages anyone to become an artist.

Coming together

Mary, who has been teaching for upwards of 50 years, spent most of her time working with schools, recreation groups, church groups and even taught art in nursing homes.

Carl, a member of the Burlington VFW, has been an artist for about 70 years.

When the Anders were married, they felt it was imperative to share their love of art with others, according to Mary.

“We just love to teach and if our generation doesn’t teach art, what is going to happen?”

Joyful Creations Art Center is accessible online on Facebook.

Mary and Carl Anders, owners of Joyful Creations Art Center in Burlington, opened the studio because they wanted to share their passion of art with others through teaching.

JASON ARNDT Our Town

Baking for the front lines

Burlington sisters bake sweets to show gratitude to ER nurses

by Mike Ramczyk CORRESPONDENT

t

he Vander Beke sisters simply wanted to help.

Back in March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down, hospitals suddenly had to treat highly infectious patients, and nurses and other health care workers started putting their lives on the line every day.

Kathy and Mary Vander Beke, lifetime Burlington residents who have lived on Randolph Street, a few blocks away from Aurora Medical Center Burlington, have a knack for baked goods, and they wanted to show their appreciation for the heroes on the front lines.

From 2006 to 2014, the sisters sold baked goods around the Milwaukee area, a tradition carried from their mother, who would sell baked goods to the neighborhood.

Diane Smetana, another Burlington resident and the mother of Lisa Wagner, a nurse at the hospital, decided to bring sandwiches to the emergency department nurses, and she asked the Vander Bekes to make some baked goods.

“Kathy went to school with Diane,” Mary Vander Beke said. “She asked if we would bring some sweets. It’s gotten to be routine that every Thursday we make something, Diane picks it up, and she brings it to Lisa at the hospital.”

Then, Lisa distributed the goods, whether it’s chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, pastries, fudges or popcorn, to the ER nurses.

As many as 15 nurses enjoyed the treats, and it’s something they looked forward to each week.

“We were just going to do it that one time, but everybody was so grateful,” Kathy Vander Beke said. “It’s been fun.”

Mary said it’s something they can do to help.

“It gives us something to plan for,” she said. “What are we going to make this Thursday? We make a list of all the things we can do. We want them to be able to just take it in their hands and not have to sit there with a spoon or fork.”

A huge hit in the ER The ER can get crazy busy and it was packed when this reporter was there.

An attempt to snap a photo of some of the nurses who have received the sweet treats was denied, as they were hard at

Sisters Kathy (left) and Mary Vander Beke hold a plate of cookies they baked for emergency department staff at Aurora Medical Center Burlington last year at their home on Randolph Street.

The two provided weekly treats to show their appreciation for the job done by the health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MIKE RAMCZYK Our Town

work.

But just because the nurses aren’t always available to see the sisters, it doesn’t mean they aren’t appreciative.

“They are excellent bakers and my co-workers have loved this little ray of sunshine every week,” Lisa Wagner said at the time. “We call the other departments and share our goodies to cheer them up. I think it’s been such a cool thing.”

Mary and Kathy are both retired, and Mary does some substitute teaching.

But they enjoyed the baking ritual.

Diane or her husband Mike would drive over from Elmwood Street to pick up the treats, and they made the delivery.

Lisa, after receiving a text, came outside of the ER entrance, and the process was complete.

With COVID concerns, safety is first, so it took a village to deliver the desserts.

The Vander Beke sisters said they looked forward to their Thursdays because they know the nurses love it.

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

23

BAKING

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

“It’s just us (living here),” Mary said.

“My nephew and his wife and family live across the street. We were raised here. Our dad, Gene, started the football program at Catholic Central.”

Baking, football and Burlington Mike Vander Beke, Mary and Kathy’s brother, followed in dad’s footsteps and coached football for the Hilltoppers.

Chocolate chip cookies were always a

popular choice.

Mary and Kathy tried to make 24 of whatever they baked in any given week.

“Their favorite are the lemon bars,” Kathy said, of the ER staff.

Rugelach cookies, or “rolled-up pastries,” as Kathy describes, were also a big hit.

“They like everything,” she said.

“They’re very appreciative.”

The sisters have sold their goodies at weddings and fundraisers, and it was a lot of work, they said.

“We look through magazines for recipes, but we’ve been able to mostly use our stuff when we were selling our bakery,” Mary said.

“Our mother used to sell baked goods in the neighborhood and make enough money to buy a washer and dryer.”

The sisters said baking for the hospital kept them going strong with a solid purpose.

And through their efforts they provided a little bit of comfort for those who had to dead with the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Local partnership pops Popcorn maker teams up with brewery

by Jason Arndt

L

STAFF WRITER

ast summer, before Hansen’s opened up shop in Burlington’s Chestnut Street loop, the owners of the ice cream parlor began discussing a possible partnership with Low Daily Brewery.

Prior to that Hansen’s only had an ice cream parlor in Western Kenosha County and announced plans to open a second location in downtown Burlington with gourmet popcorn added to its menu.

The announcement piqued the interest of Sarah Sullivan, sister-in-law of Low Daily co-owner Tim Sullivan, who looked to add

Hansen’s popcorn to Low Daily’s offerings.

Kelly Hansen, co-owner of Hansen’s with husband, Adam, remembered when Low Daily first approached her about the partnership.

“We were very flattered and thrilled that they wanted to partner with us,” said Kelly.

“We had decided that they would do two exclusive flavors, meaning, that we will only sell those to (Low Daily) and carry the flavors in our store.”

Low Daily co-owner Claire Sullivan, meanwhile, said the Sullivans looked for ideal flavors to sell.

Mater brewer Tim Sullivan said the popcorn could not have butter, which

creates an off-flavor called diacetyl when paired with beer.

Diacetyl can leave a mouth feeling like an oil slick, which does not normally mix with beer, according to beerandbrewing. com.

“We wanted to stay away from that, but who doesn’t like popcorn, so we thought it would be the perfect combination with beer,” said Claire. “We knew we wanted one sweet, so we went with churros, because it doesn’t use butter.”

While churros is not the exclusive flavor, the Sullivans decided on “Everything • CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Hansen’s and Low Daily Brewery in Burlington formed a partnership earlier this year with the brewery offering exclusive flavors of popcorn from Hansen’s. The owners of the two business (from left) Kelly and Adam Hansen, and Claire and Tim Sullivan gathered at Low Daily, 700 N. Pine Street, for a photo with the popcorn that’s sold in the brewery’s tap room.

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PARTNERSHIP

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Bagel” and “Parmesan Garlic Chipotle,” according to Claire.

“I like spicy food and Parmesan chipotle has a kick to it,” Claire said. “We just wanted something that would pair nicely with beer that we liked.”

The partnership seemed like a natural fit with both businesses in downtown Burlington.

“This seemed like a natural one with tasty popcorn, tasty beer,” Claire added.

Press newspaper office.

“They did a beautiful job, it is a gorgeous, gorgeous building,” Kelly said.

“They are good in their craft.”

The partnership, meanwhile, was reciprocated when Claire Sullivan brought in her son during a meeting at Hansen’s.

“One of the meetings that we had, I brought my kid with me, and he had some ice cream and really liked it,” Claire said.

Location change

The Hansens planned to open at a different location in Wilmot, at 30807 114th St., this summer.

The original seasonal Wilmot shop, according to Kelly, did not meet the safety needs for her staff and customers who visited during the spring and summer.

Kelly said she was grateful for the community’s overwhelming support during the transition to a new location in Western Bolstering bonds Thriving downtown Kenosha County.

The partnership serves as a testament to A successful downtown business climate “It was such a relief, we had so many Burlington’s business environment, which hinges on every establishment thriving. people reach out with different buildings, includes supporting one another, according The partnership, according to Claire, different areas,” Kelly said. to Kelly Hansen. only enhances the business community.

Hansen’s in Burlington, however, “Burlington, being in that downtown “We want (Hansen’s) to be successful, remains in the Chestnut Street loop and area, all of the other businesses work any business in Burlington that is successful continues to offer ice cream and gourmet together very well,” Kelly said. “Everybody builds in that successful small business popcorn year-round. is always promoting each other, each community,” Claire said. other’s products, it has been an awesome Kelly agreed, adding cross marketing is For more information on Hansen’s experience for us.” critical for downtown. in Burlington, visit its website at Additionally, the joint venture also “We were very excited to support other hansensicecreamparlor.com or head to its increases exposure to each other’s businesses. The better they do, the better Facebook page. businesses. we do,” Kelly said. “It is always good for Low Daily, 700 N. Pine St., provides When the Hansens met at Low Daily, everybody.” additional information online at they discovered a beautiful venue, in what Adam Hansen hopes to expand and have lowdailybeer.com or on Facebook. was previously the Burlington Standard more business partnerships, she said.

Low Daily Brewery, Burlington,offers two exclusive popcorn flavors made at Hansen’s in Burlington as part of a business collaboration.

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BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

Finding joy in troubled times Area poet gives thanks for year’s blessings

by Tracy Ouellette STAFF WRITER

F

or most, 2020 was a year that couldn’t end fast enough. But for one area woman, the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic came amid a year that brought exciting opportunities and honors for her works.

Kimberly Blaeser, of Lyons Township, is an author, Wisconsin Poet Laureate (2015-16), photographer and scholar, who released a new book, earning accolades for her work.

Blaeser, who is a professor in the Department of English and Program in American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, released “Copper Yearning” in the fall of 2019, which was well received.

In its wake, Blaeser was recognized in 2020 as one of Wisconsin’s 38 Most Influential Native Americans, and Blaeser was awarded both the Edna Meudt Poetry Book Award and the Zone Gale Short Fiction Award for the story “Vision

Kim Blaeser

Confidence Score” from the Council of Wisconsin Writers in 2020.

In October Blaeser released her newest book, “Dancing Resistance.”

“Dancing Resistance is a small, little book I published with a lovely press in France,” Blaeser said. “It’s a bilingual book, in English and French and I’m very proud of it.”

Blaeser, who is a descendant of the Anishinaabe nation – the second largest

Indian community made up of various Algonquian tribes – said she was inspired by the music and dancing of the tribes and wanted to share its significance.

“It’s something that is close to my heart,” she said.

Her book, “Copper Yearning,” was her fourth collection of poetry. The poems in the book focus on the outdoors and the environment, celebrating the natural world, as Blaeser put it.

She chose the title because the color copper has great meaning for her.

“There is some significance with its traditional symbolism, but also has a highly significant meaning for me personally.

Those colors in nature have always been a draw for me. I named my daughter Amber.

There are a lot of personal connections with it. I feel like we have an affinity for a certain color – all of those fall, autumn earth colors have always been significant for me, and when I was putting the collection together it just felt right.

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

from top: Poet and author Kim Blaeser (second from right), of Lyons, leads a Jingle Dress Dance at the George Floyd memorial in Milwaukee.

The dance is a healing ritual in the Native American community. Blaeser is a professor in the Department of English and Program in American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Kim Blaeser received the Edna Meudt Poetry Book Award for her recent collection of poetry “Copper Yearning” and the Zone Gale Short Fiction Award for her story “Vision Confidence Score” from the Council of Wisconsin Writers.

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AREA POET

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

“The yearning part comes from the fact that I’m voicing a longing, yearning we all have. They poems are longing for, a searching for, a way to express the human experience. Our life is a journey, a yearning, for that thing that will make us whole, it keeps us moving toward an edge that we’re almost there, a spiritual yearning but also a physical yearning for place of peace.”

“Copper Yearning” has more than 80 poems, and includes the piece “Dreams of Water Bodies,” a work in a new form for which Blaeser coined the term “picto poem.” This “ekphrastic” or inter-art works brings her wildlife and nature photography together with her writing.

“I see my work in writing and photography as an ‘act of attention,’ as a way of seeing and reseeing the world around us. Poetry, by its very nature gestures beyond itself, wants to crack open the surface of language.

Likewise, photography can gesture beyond mere representation. Both invite us to the borders of being – perhaps to spirit or the verge of vision,” Blaeser said in a press release about the book’s release.

Dancing to heal As with the rest of the world, the pandemic changed Blaeser’s life in unpredicted ways, but being a writer and teacher, she said adapting to the “new normal” while challenging also presented new opportunities to share her connection to the Native American culture.

She has participated in Zoom events, locally and abroad, and was recently one of 12, selected in the United States, to curate poems for a Poem a Day series this year.

But one of the things Blaeser has been doing this past year that has a special place in her heart is sharing her culture with Jingle Dress Dancing.

“This is not the first time indigenous people have experienced a pandemic,” she said. “First contact brought many new diseases to the people, and the (Spanish) flu about 100 years ago also hit us hard, but there is a resilience in indigenous history, not to say this hasn’t been an incredible time and we haven’t seen incredible harm, but the effort to keep culture alive despite this, is important.

“The poetry community also sees itself as one to carry culture and support the language, and bring healing.”

Blaeser has been involved with the healing Jingle Dress Dancing since last spring.

“After George Floyd we started.

Indigenous people have been supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and we danced at the George Floyd memorial in Milwaukee. A local businessman asked

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BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

Kim Blaeser (right) and her daughter, Amber, in their Jingle Dance Dresses.

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people to bring forward memorials for all, trying to raise awareness, and a group of us who are Jingle Dress Dancers decided we needed to be there.”

Blaeser explained Jingle Dress Dancing is a healing dance and a group of women joined together to bring it to the people.

“We said, ‘let’s do this,’” she said. “We were all over the country and beyond our borders and we could put on our regalia and dance. We shared videos and photos, doing this in our own time, circulating them on a Facebook page and sent out a call for people to join us.

“People were telling us where and

when they were dancing. It’s a great way to promote healing, it came about during the 1918 flu epidemic. A man’s daughter was very ill and he had a dream about this dress and specific way of dancing and felt it would heal his daughter. He had women make the dress and had a ceremony. During that time the girl began to get stronger and eventually she was able to join women and dance and became stronger and healed.

“The dance itself is like every step is a prayer.”

For more information about Blaeser and her books, visit kblaeser.org.

A mystery solved

Historical Society volunteers hand over nearly century-old urn to family members

by Dave Fidlin CORRESPONDENT

t

he real-life tale of a German immigrant coming to the U.S. in the 1920s and settling in Burlington might be attention grabbing, in and

of itself.

But the chronicles of reuniting that immigrant’s remains with family members became a decades-long mystery-laden story of its own – one that recently came to a joyful conclusion.

For nearly three decades, various efforts to reunite August Kroehnert’s urn with family members have occurred within Burlington. The urn was first discovered in 1993 in a happenstance moment involving home construction in the 3700 block of Lake Street.

At the time, Jerry and Tootie Cramer had possession of Kroehnert’s urn. Jerry, at the time, owned a construction company, and an excavator unearthed it while digging for an addition onto the house on the property.

Little was known of Kroehnert, other than his date of death: Dec. 28, 1929. Later research revealed he likely lived in Burlington for about five years before passing away.

Tootie Cramer had put out a call in the Burlington Standard Press shortly after the urn was discovered, hoping in 1993 it could wind up in the hands of descendants.

“Tootie Cramer has become something of an expert on August Kroehnert since she took possession of the urn,” Jeffrey Stern of the Standard Press wrote in the article. “It’s a job she’d like to turn over to Kroehnert’s family.”

At some point in the intervening years, the Cramers passed the urn on to the Burlington Historical Society, where it sat in dormancy. This year, an effort to take stock of what’s in the historical society’s collection renewed a call to bring the urn to an appropriate resting place.

“There is a group of us volunteers that have started to catalog items that have been in our possession,” Julie O’Neill, president of the Burlington

Historical Society, said. “When we first picked this up, we thought it was a piece of pottery. But as we looked at it, and noticed the name, we realized, ‘No, this is an urn.’ It was like a new treasure to us.”

As O’Neill and other members of the historical society thought more deeply about the urn and its significance, they embarked on a goal of hopefully settling the mystery that hung in the air for years.

“Right away, we felt this was something we needed to return to the family,” O’Neill said. “If we weren’t able to find the family, bury it and then find a suitable place for his internment.”

In short order, O’Neill took to the Internet – a medium that was still in its infancy when the urn was unearthed 27 years ago – and was able to find possible leads for Kroehnert’s family.

Ancestry.com revealed Rita Cmolik, who lives in Kentucky with husband Jim Cmolik, was a potential family member of Kroehnert’s.

“I had asked (the Cmoliks) if they were direct descendants because, of course, I didn’t want to pass the urn off to somebody that wasn’t a direct descendent,” O’Neill said of her initial correspondence with Jim and Rita.

A copy of an early email exchange between O’Neill and the Cmoliks shared with the Standard Press showed how the dots began to connect.

“I just spoke with my wife,” Jim wrote in the email. “Her great-aunt, Freida Kroehnert Engel, lived in Burlington with her husband, Fred.

They did live on a lake, and Rita thinks that it was Browns Lake. Karl August Wilhelm Kroehnert was Freida’s father and may have lived with them.”

While Rita had no direct knowledge of August Kroehnert, O’Neill said the discussions did result in memories of time with other family members closely related to Kroehnert in Burlington.

While much of Kroehnert’s life story still remains unknown, O’Neill said there is satisfaction within the historical society of knowing the urn is in good hands – a feeling punctuated in October 2020 when the Cmoliks traveled to Burlington to pick it up.

from top: Rita and Jim Cmolik, of Kentucky, receive a long lost urn containing the ashes of Rita’s great-greatgrandfather from the Burlington Historical Society in October 2020. August Kroehnert died in 1929 and his urn was discovered in 1993 during a residential excavation in Burlington; This Standard Press article from 1993 chronicles the unearthing of the urn containing August Kroehnert’s ashes and the initial attempt to find his descendants.

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OUR Directory BICYCLING Bob’s Pedal Pusher

817 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-7794

Seven Waters Bike Trail

Trail head is at the east end of Congress Street, near Riverside Park, extends north through Rochester, Waterford, Wind Lake and Muskego.

White River State Trail

Trailhead is on west side of city near Spring Valley Road.

Extends west to Elkhorn. Trail fee required. Another section has been added to the White River Trail (formerly known as the Burlington-Kansasville Trail).

Eastern portion access is at the south end of McCanna Parkway near Gateway Technical College.

Extends east along former railway to Kansasville.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Richard Bong State Recreation Area

26313 Burlington Road (Hwy. 142), Kansasville 878-5600

Burlington Area School District Forest

Highway J south of Highway 142

Browns Lake Golf Course 932 Browns Lake Drive Burlington 763-6065

DANCE STUDIOS Innovations Dance Studio

Burlington Glass

WBSD-FM radio station

Gia Bella Flowers & Gifts

PHARMACIES

35518 W. State St., Burlington 763-5646 www.burlingtonglassinc.com 133 E. Chestnut St., Burlington 763-4522 www.giabellaflowers.com

The Jewelry Center

348 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-8685

Kohl’s Department Store

1032 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-2485

Pharmacy Station

300 S. Pine St., Burlington 763-8877

Reineman’s True Value

417 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington, 763-3577

400 McCanna Parkway Burlington 763-0195

Aurora Pharmacy 250 McHenry St. 767-6004

Walgreens

680 Milwaukee Ave. 767-0697

Walmart

1901 S. Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 767-9520

RESTAURANTS & TAVERNS Adrian’s Frozen Custard

572 Bridge St., Burlington 763-8562

BOWLING

157 E. Chestnut St., Burlington 767-0678

GOLF COURSES

Towne & Country Lanes

ENTERTAINMENT

Brighton Dale Golf Course

464 N. Pine St., Burlington 767-1188

Browns Lake Golf Course

230 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 758-6112

Hawk’s View Golf Club

689 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-6008

HARDWARE STORES

580 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 767-0000 www.charcoalgrill.com

264 S. Pine St., Burlington 763-7333 www.towneandcountrylanes.com

CAMPGROUNDS Richard Bong State Recreation Area

26313 Burlington Road (Hwy. 142), Kansasville 878-5600

YMCA Camp MacLean

31401 Durand Ave., Burlington 763-7742 www.campmaclean.com

Browns Lake Aquaducks

Fischer County Park, Burlington www.aquaducks.org

Haylofters Community Theater Malt House Theater 109 N. Main St., Burlington 763-9873 www.thehaylofters.com

Plaza Theater

448 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-6789 www.plaza4.com

CANOEING/KAYAKING

FISHING/PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCHES

Riverside Park

Echo Lake Veterans

517 Congress Street Burlington; launch area on Fox River

COFFEE The Coffee House at Chestnut & Pine

492 N. Pine St., Burlington (262) 661-4394 www.burlingtoncoffeehouse.com

Starbucks

Memorial Park Hwy. 36 & Congress Street, Burlington 342-1161

Fischer Park

Browns Lake 30326 Durand Ave., Burlington

Bohners Lake Public Launch Lagoon Drive Bohners Lake

1054 Milwaukee Avenue Burlington

GIFTS & SHOPPING

CRAFTS AND SUPPLIES

472 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-9718

Artistic Fibers

324 N. Pine St, Burlington (262) 757-0960

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Forever Beading

224 E. Chestnut St., Burlington (262) 758-6339

BURLINGTON OUR TOWN 2021/22

Allison Wonderland

Burlington Flowers & Interiors 516 N. Pine St., Burlington 767-1100

830 248th Ave., Kansasville 697-4653 932 Browns Lake Dr., Burlington 763-6065 7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva 348-9900

Reineman’s True Value

417 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-3577

Menard’s

2100 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 767-0857

MUSEUMS Burlington Historical Society Museum

232 N. Perkins Blvd., Burlington 767-2884 Sundays 1-4 p.m. or by appointment

Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum 533 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-3946

NEWSPAPERS & MEDIA Burlington Standard Press/ Southern Lakes Newspapers 209 N. Dodge St., Burlington 763-2575

Beijing Garden

BJ Wentker’s

Bruisers

Charcoal Grill & Rotisserie

Cousins Subs

206 S. Pine St., Burlington 763-7640

Culver’s Frozen Custard

1073 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 463-5020

Dairy Queen

324 S. Pine St., Burlington 763-9385

Domino’s Pizza

2088 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 767-0210

Flippy’s Fast Food

401 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-6754

Fred’s Parkview

596 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-8370

John’s Main Event

556 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-8863

OUR Directory KFC Restaurant

Ye Olde Hotel

Gooseberries Fresh Food Market

TENNIS

1084 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-9030

6070 N. Railroad, Lyons 763-2701

Kira Asian Bistro

Zumpano’s

690 W. State Street, Burlington 763-5955 www.gooseberriesmarket.com

ROLLER RINKS

1008 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-3695

Amanda Street, Burlington

Walmart Supercenter

VISITOR INFO

Pinecrest Shopping Center 208 S. Pine St., Burlington 767-9999

Los Compadres Mexican

725 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-6018

Lucky Star Restaurant

864 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-2155

McDonald’s

240 E Jefferson St., Burlington 763-8777

Napoli Restaurant & Pizzeria 132 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-8390

Papa Murphy’s

1448 S. Teut Rd. Burlington 767-7272

180 E. Chestnut St., Burlington 767-0581

Capelli’s TraXside

1901 S. Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 767-9520

SPORTING GOODS

SWIMMING

Dunham’s Sports

Burlington Community Aquatic Center

Reineman’s Sports Shop

417 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-3577

SUPERMARKETS Aldi

400 McCanna Parkway Burlington 763-0200

Pick ‘n Save

637 S. Kane St., Burlington 763-4410 www.traxsideskating.com

1120 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-2476

Burlington High School

394 Amanda St. 758-6446

Fischer County Park

30326 Durand Ave., Burlington 763-8446

Devor Park

Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce

113 E. Chestnut St., Burlington 763-6044 www.burlingtonchamber.org

WINERY Aeppel Treow Winery

1072 288th Ave., Burlington 878-5345

Aurora Wellness Center

2009 Lynch Way, Burlington

300 McCanna Pkwy., Burlington 767-7000

Pine Street Café

141 N. Pine St., Burlington 763-9800

Pizza Hut

1080 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-8432

Rustic Roots

597 Pine St., Burlington 661-4653

Sheila Mae’s Town Fryer

116 N. Main St., Burlington 763-9940

Subway

1088 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-8330 1901 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-5144

Super Tacos Moy

140 W. Chestnut St., Burlington 342-5149

Taco Bell

2056 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 763-5375

The Waterfront

31100 Weiler Road, Burlington 763-9989

Wendy’s Restaurant

2049 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington 534-7900

WINNER, WINNER

Annette Ulrich in her award-winning Reef Turquoise 1970 Cutlass Convertible at the June 6 all-Oldsmobile car show. The Oldsmobile Club of Wisconsin celebrated its 44th year with the car show at the Lynch GM Superstore in Burlington. The show featured 68 classic cars organized in 12 classes with two winning cars selected in each class. Along with the cars, event attendees enjoyed food, drinks, music, door prizes and 50/50 raffles.

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