East Troy Our Town for 2021

East Troy, Wisconsin

2021-22

OUR TOWN

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(262)203-1812 203-1812 (262)

(262) 613-3898 (262) 613-3898

(608) (608) 628-5783 628-5783

(414)881-2678 881-2678 (414)

BETTY GADDINI (262) 238-3003

(262)745-7093 745-7093 (262)

MARTHA LUNA (262) 215-3865

(262) (262)470-6000 470-6000

MARTHA LUNA MELISSA DOOLEY (262) 215-3865

(414) 412-9595

LAURIE BOVIALL (262) 215-4049

Our Town 2021-22

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2887Main Main Street, 2887 Street, East Troy, WI 53120 www.REIntegrity.com w w w . R E I n te gr ity . co m (262) 642-3363 (262) 642-3363 399860

Community comes first in Our Town

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SUBMITTED PHOTOS Our Town

East Troy, Wisconsin

our2021-22 town

An annual publication of the East Troy News & Southern Lakes Newspapers P.O. Box 274, East Troy, WI 53120 • (262) 642-7837 • www.mywalworthcounty.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) 642-7837

ON THE COVER: Sailboats take to Lake Beulah in East Troy in July 2020 for a regatta hosted by the Lake Beulah Yacht Club. For more information about the Yacht Club and upcoming events, visit www.lbyc.us.

JOHN FINNEY PHOTO

Our Town 2021-22

Bradley Strom and his dad, Greg Strom, celebrate the completion his Eagle Scout project on May 15 for Booth Lake Memorial Park. The Strom family has been on Booth Lake since 1957. In addition, his great grandfather was a World War II submarine Veteran. Strom and Troop 31 volunteers built a new retaining wall replacement located on the beach that holds the Memorial Park sign. Above: Boy Scouts from Troop 31 pictured from the left include: Matthew Wallace, Nick Park, Bradley Strom, Cameron Kane and Luke Murray (not pictured). Other volunteers, grandparents and parents also helped with the project.

he East Troy community has grown closer than ever, even with more than a year of social distancing, shutdowns and canceled events. The COVID-19 pandemic might still be with us, but things are slowly returning to normal in 2021 and as the world adjusts to more freedoms, East Troy has thrown open its doors and reacquainting itself with old friends while welcoming new visitors.

The tri-Troy area, which includes the Village and Town of East Troy and the Town of Troy, is seeing a return of the area’s popular events like the annual Fourth of July celebration, community concerts, non-profit fundraisers and more.

This year many of the well-known events on the Village Square were relocated because of the road construction project and square improvement projects. The Cycling Classic, usually Day 2 the Tour of America’s Dairyland bike race, didn’t happen in East Troy in 2021 because of the construction project, but will return in 2022.

While getting around town is a little difficult this summer, residents and visitors are still able to enjoy the local events, shops and restaurants.

In the last year we’ve seen new businesses open, even with the pandemic, and the community has shown its support for all the establishments, frequenting local haunts like the LD’s BBQ, East Troy Brewery and East Troy House along with shopping at Zinn’s, Inklink Books and stopping for a coffee at 2894 On Main.

The East Troy Electric Railroad is a big draw to East Troy and one of the reasons for the Village Square improvement project, which will connect the railroad to the square with sidewalks.

The railroad has been open throughout the pandemic, requiring masks because of the federal transportation mask mandate as of press time.

One final note, the East Troy Community School District should be commended for its COVID-19 plan and ability to bring the kids back for in-person learning for the 2020-21 school year. The district accomplished something most school districts in the country couldn’t do last school year. Kudos to the East Troy schools staff, administration and families for working together for the benefit of the children.

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Our Town 2021-22

Homemade on the farm

By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR

Much of the East Troy area is still a farming community and two local, familyowned farms are going gangbusters, churning out homemade products that are selling almost as fast as they can be made.

Prairie Junction Farms LLC and LuAnn’s Homemade Butters are part of the Something Special from Wisconsin program, which features “products from nearly 450 Wisconsin businesses, small to large, some in families for generations, others launching their dream” according to the program’s website somethingspecialwi. com.

LuAnn Himebauch, who owns LuAnn’s Homemade Butters with her husband, Greg, has been making her honey butters since 2008. She’s built the business over the years, selling at farmers markets and craft shows at first and now focusing on selling her product out of her commercial kitchen on her East Troy farm and in select retailers across the state.

“It’s kind of a tragic story on how I

got into this,” LuAnn Himebauch said.

“My mother passed away in 2005 in a car accident. I’m very close with her brothers and sisters, my aunts and uncles, and I needed to be with them after I lost my mother. So, the next summer, after her passing, I went on a road trip to visit all of them.”

LuAnn said her travels included a trip to North Dakota to visit one of her aunts and that’s where she was introduced to her aunt’s honey butter.

“She gave me some and it was so good!” LuAnn said. “I asked if she would share the recipe with me and she did.

When I got home, I made some right away and took it to my bible study. They just loved it and asked for the recipe. I said, ‘Um, no, I think I’m on to something here,” she said with a laugh.

With the thought of making the honey butter to sell, LuAnn said she asked her aunt if she “wanted to go in on it with me.” Her aunt declined, but gave LuAnn her full blessing to start a business with her recipe.

LuAnn sold her honey butter at local craft fairs at first, just to get the product out there.

“I was selling it kind of illegally at first, I didn’t know I needed a license, but it was selling very well,” she recalled.

When she was approached by a storeowner who wanted to carry the honey butter, LuAnn was told she needed a license to make the product for resale.

“So, I went through the process and had in inspector come out to the farm and he told me I needed a commercial kitchen,” LuAnn said. “When he told me that, I thought it would put a glitch into my whole plan, but he had someone he knew who would rent out their commercial kitchen on the south-side of Burlington.

And that’s how I got started.”

LuAnn said she saved every penny of profit she made on her honey butter for the next five years.

“I didn’t spend any money on anything • CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

LuAnn Himebauch (far left) won first, second and third place for her Cinnamon Honey Butter, Original Honey Butter and Strawberry Honey Butter at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2018. Himebauch has been making her honey butters since 2008.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

Our Town 2021-22

Cottage industries join statewide marketing effort Starting slowly

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R And Troll ide Trai ns eys May Every W - Oc tobe eekend r

WE ARE OPEN!

Our Town 2021-22

Take scenic 14-mile train rides on historic trolleys or interurban cars on the last remaining segment of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company track. Round trips start at our East Troy depot and museum. We stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli.

Regular trains Friday-Saturday-Sunday, June through Sept. 11th. Harvest-Fest trains are by reservation only starting Sept. 12th. In 2020, you must purchase all tickets online before arriving and everyone over 2 must wear masks to ride our trains! You will be seated an appropriate distance from other guests in a railroad car with open windows.

Visit www.easttroyrr.org or call 262.642.3263 for more information.

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East Troy Railroad Museum Inc.

2002 CHURCH STREET, EAST TROY, WI 53120 (262) 642-3263 www.easttroyrr.org 399690

above: Sowp is one of the locally made products from Prairie Junction Farms in East Troy. top: LuAnn’s Homemade Butters are available at her farm on High Drive in East Troy and at select area retailers.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Our Town

HOMEMADE • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 and in 2014 I was able to build a commercial kitchen on my farm,” she said.

Over the years, she’s expanded her offerings to include several flavors, some of them even winning awards at the 2018 Wisconsin State Fair.

“I won first, second and third out of four entries at the Fair that year,” she said. “I took first place for my Cinnamon Honey Butters, second place for my Original Honey Butter and third place for my Strawberry Honey Butter.”

The other flavors of butters and spreads LuAnn offers include: Chocolate Honey Butter, Cranberry Butter, Rhubarb Spread, Raspberry-Cran Spread, Apple Butter and Pumpkin Pie Butter.

These days, LuAnn’s products can be purchased directly from her at her farm on 34422 High Drive in East Troy or at select retailers in the state.

“The farmers markets, which I do love, have become a bit harder for me to manage at 65, so I’m not doing many of them

anymore, but I’m always available at the farm, people can just give me a call to set up a time to visit and purchase anything they need,” LuAnn said.

Because she spends a considerable amount of time delivering her products to the retailers she’s working with, LuAnn recommends people call first before heading out to the farm.

“I’m on the road a lot, I love driving, but people can always reach me on my cell phone and we can work the timing out,” she said.

For more information on LuAnn’s Homemade Butters, including a list of retailers that carry her projects, go to luannshomemadebutters.com. To arrange a time to come out to the farm to do some shopping, call 262-534-2527.

Family farming

The Coulnan family of East Troy shows off their Sowp, which is made from the lard from their pig stock. Pictured clockwise from center front is Mina, 5; Axel, 8; Stella, 13; Logan, 18; dad, Bill, 45; mom, Sarah, 43; and Wyatt, 15. The family-owned and -operated farm, raises pigs and chickens and produces Almond Toffee, Elder Aronia Berry Syrup and the Sowp.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

Glory’s and Porkermint, it became the silliest thing, but within a month we sold like 600 of them,” Sarah said.

“People love it,” Bill added. “Pig skin is a lot like human skin and lard soap has a much higher vitamin value, it’s very good for you. I had no idea how good this stuff was for you until I made my first bar.”

decided to start selling the almond toffee I’ve been making for 20 years,” Sarah said. “When we started in December, we did like 50 pounds, just this last week we bought 500 1-pound bags. It’s funny to see how this took off so big in seven months.”

The farm’s Elder Aronia Berry Syrup is another fan favorite, which the family stumbled upon when thinking about producing their homemade elderberry syrup.

Expansion is the name of the game for “But everyone makes one, so we knew the Coulnans, with the kids helping out we didn’t want to do that,” Sarah said. where they can and fostering their own They ended up adding Aronia berries to interests in many cases, Sarah said.

The Coulnans can often be found at area their recipe on the advice of a supplier and were impressed with the product. farmers markets and shows selling their Sowp along with their Almond Toffee and “We were told it was the next ‘big thing’ for its health benefits,” Sarah said. “Not Elder Aronia Berry Syrup. The Coulnans many people know what Aronia berries rent space in a commercial kitchen in are. It’s a chokeberry, so people recognize Watertown to make their products. that. People love this too, so we’re busy “It’s quite the drive,” Sarah said. “And this past winter, every single time we went, making that at the commercial kitchen as well.” it was snowing. It was so bad the landlord For the Coulnans, family farming has said we kept bringing the snow with us become a joy and the success of their into May he was going to kick us out!”

Recently, the Coulnans inked a contract business is an added blessing.

“I think the key is having something with Sendik’s to carry their toffee, which like this that you enjoy,” Sarah said. they just started making in December Prairie Junction Farms, LLC is at 2020.

N9028 Adams Road in East Troy. For more “We close the farm down in the winter and we were trying to figure out what to do information, call 262-374-0423 and visit over the colder months and that’s when we www.prairiejunctionfarms.com.

A growing business

Our Town 2021-22

Prairie Junction Farms in East Troy has also been building up their business over the last couple of years, expanding at a fast pace, even during a global pandemic.

“We officially started farming as an LLC in 2018,” Sarah Coulnan said. “Our hobby farm is just under 5 acres in East Troy and we were looking to help with the family food budget. With five kids, our biggest expense is food.”

Coulnan said after initially starting out with a large garden on the property in 2011, they soon began thinking about what else they could raise on their land.

“My husband, Bill, came up with the idea of raising pigs, but I knew about pigs and I didn’t want them rooting around everywhere and tearing up the land,” Sarah said. “We ended up getting Idaho Pasture Pigs, which have a short snout so they can’t root like a normal pig. They’re actually one of only two grazing pigs out there. They also have a better quality meat.”

Sarah said once people got to know the type of meat they were producing, they started selling out their pigs every season.

Then my son, Wyatt, wanted to raise chickens and that took off too,” Sarah recalled. “He sold like 250 last year after selling only 60 the first year. Last year we also started selling produce and turkeys.”

One of the unique products they produce is their “Sowp,” which they make from the lard of the pigs they butcher.

“We don’t like to waste anything from our animals, we love them. We take really good care of them … well up until that really bad day,” Sarah said. “I can’t even handle that day, we have someone come out to ‘do the deed.’ But we don’t like to waste anything so my husband began researching what we could do with the lard, and he came across making soap.”

Bill discovered the benefits of lard soap and once again, the family was off on another product adventure.

“We found a pig mold and came up with some really great names, Lardvender,

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OPEN Sound Ratings • Stability You Can Rely On 2546 E. Main Street Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

P.O. Box 866 • P.O. BoxFri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Troy, WI 53120-0866 2546 E. Main Street 866 • East East Troy, WI 53120-0866 Sat. 9 a.m.-12 noon Phone: (262) 642-2530 • (800)Drive-up 236-8766 • a.m., Fax:Mon.-Sat. (262) 642-7727 262-642-2530 Open 8 www.firstcitizensww.com www.firstcitizensww.com Member FDIC OPEN: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to noon DRIVE-UP OPEN 8 a.m., Monday-Saturday

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Our Town 2021-22

Call or stop by today!

our schools East Troy Community School District Board of Education Ted Zess, president* (262) 642-2026 Anna Janusz, vice-president (262) 903-6965 Bob Dignan, treasurer* (262) 903-0060 Stephen Lambrechts, clerk (262) 642-7775 Dale Ames, member at large (262) 342-1822

*Term expires in 2022.

Administration Offices 2040 Beulah Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6710 Fax: (262) 642-6712 www.easttroy.k12.wi.us Administration Dr. Christopher Hibner, District Administrator, ext.

1222 hibchr@easttroy.k12.wi.us Kathy Zwirgzdas, Director of Business Services, ext. 1223 zwikat@easttroy.k12.wi.us Amy Foszpanczyk Director of Teaching and Continuous Improvement of Student Learning, ext. 1227 fosamy@easttroy.k12.wi.us East Troy High School (Grades 9-12) 3128 Graydon Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6760 Stacy Kuehn, co-principal, ext. 5240 kuesta@easttroy.k12.wi.us Kent Kleinowski, co-principal, ext.5222 East Troy Middle School (Grades 6-8) 3143 Graydon Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6740 Peter Syens, principal, ext. 4222 syepet@easttroy.k12.wi.us

Prairie View Elementary School (Grades 2-5) 2131 Townline Road East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6720 Mark Weerts, principal, ext. 3222 weemar@easttroy.k12.wi.us Little Prairie Primary School 2109 Townline Road East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6730 Lindsey Harris, principal, ext. 2222 harlin@easttroy.k12.wi.us Lakeland School of Walworth County W3905 Highway NN, Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-4118 www.co.walworth.wi.us Matt Conrardy, principal mconrardy@co.walworth.wi.us

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Bright Beginnings Day Care, LLC (3-year-old preschool) 2541 Main St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3904 www.brightbeginningsdaycare.com Climbing Tree Child Care and Family Education Center (3- to 6-year old preschool) 3147 W. Main St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5001 Good Shepherd Lutheran School (Preschool-grade 7) 1936 Emery St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3310 Contact: Karl Sattler, principal gslschool@wi.rr.com www.gslet.org

Little Angels Learning Center Inc. (3- and 4-year-old preschool) 2141 Mill St. P.O. Box 603 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7002 littleangelswi@gmail.com Mukwonago Baptist Academy (K-12) 1610 Honeywell Road Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-1731 www.mukwonagobaptist.org Nature’s Classroom Montessori School (3-12 years) W336 S8455 Highway E, P.O. Box 660 Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-2815 (800) 574-7881 Geoffrey Bishop, executive director geoffrey@nciw.org www.nciw.org St. Peter’s Catholic School (3- and 4-year-old prekindergarten to grade 8) 3001 Elm St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5533 Megan Prudom, principal mprudom@stpetersschoolet.org www.stpetersschoolet.org St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School (Preschool-grade 8) 2665 North St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3202 Ken White, principal www.stpaulset.net Bloom360 Learning Community (neurodiverse leaning) N8921Stone School Road East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 935-6360 www.bloom360.org

Other Area Schools Gateway Technical College 400 Highway H, Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-8200 www.gtc.edu Michael Fields Agricultural Institute W2493 Highway ES, P.O. Box 990 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3303 www.michaelfields.org

DAY CARE CENTERS Bright Beginnings Day Care, LLC (4 weeks to 12 years) 2541 Main St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3904 Climbing Tree Child Care and Family Education Center (12 weeks-12 years) 3147 W. Main St., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5001 Good Shepherd Lutheran Child Care (3- 12 years) 1936 Emery St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3310 Little Angels Learning Center Inc. (6 weeks- 12 years) 2141 Mill St. P.O. Box 603 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7002 Noah’s Ark Christian Day Care Center (4 weeks to 12 years) 2942 Austin St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-4046 St. Paul’s Lutheran Child Care (3 years-12 years) 2665 North St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3202

Our Town 2021-22

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399484

Small town, big vision

Southern Lakes communities have a role in new independent film

BY Dave Fidlin CORRESPONDENT

Alicia, played by Kristen Johnston, and Chuck, played by Bill Heck, visit the Wisconsin State Fair.

PRODUCTION STILL Our Town

in the film. I also needed the freedom to get the right cast. You’ve got to always fight for authenticity when you make a film.”

Convincing a financier to provide the dollars for Wisconsin-exclusive shoots was difficult in Los Angeles, Mueller said, but help did came from the other side of the globe. Producer Liu Hongtao, who has amassed a resume of Chinese comedy films, provided the resources necessary to make the effort possible.

Mueller said the partnership with Hongtao has resulted in a milestone within his own career, which has included writing and directing credits in such films as “Tadpole,” with Sigourney Weaver, and “The Assassination of Richard Nixon,” headlined

by Don Cheadle, Sean Penn and Naomi Watts.

“When you make a film – it’s a gift,” Mueller said. “I’ll always be grateful that I was able to come back home and do this.”

The actors, Mueller said, also have their own Midwest flair that fits hand-in-glove into the film. Case in point: actress and Milwaukee native Kristen Johnston, who starred in the 1990s sitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun,” has a role in the movie, playing the character of Alicia.

In keeping with the authenticity, Mueller said his goal was to conduct everyday, sliceof-life and on-location shoots in small towns near Milwaukee.

East Troy, in particular, plays an important backdrop in the film and came to be during a happenstance conversation with a friend over a meal in Milwaukee.

“A guy leans over from the next table and

says, ‘You’re describing East Troy,’” Mueller said as he recounted the description he gave of a local small town he wanted depicted in the film. “I went there, and it was great. It just has the feel.”

Sharing specifics of East Troy’s attributes, Mueller said, “I liked the railroad tracks running through town – in fact, you’ll see them in the film. I like the downtown.”

Filming in Mukwonago and Palmyra, he said, were natural extensions because they share some of the similar characteristics.

In keeping with the film’s truism, Mueller said he and others working behind-thescenes worked with local residents to get the permission necessary to film inside homes and other sites that eagle-eyed locals could find readily recognizable.

“Local people opened their doors and opened their hearts to us,” Mueller said.

“They said, ‘We’ll help you make your movie. People would hear us out. We’d take them through the story. We were always open. People were so welcoming.”

As with most independent films, Mueller said the goal was to bring “Small Town Wisconsin,” live and in person to the festival circuit in the hopes of netting wider distribution afterward. But the timing of post-production completion at the cusp of the pandemic forced modifications.

The show has gone on, however. “Small Town Milwaukee” has been screened virtually through a number of festival organizations and has already received several awards.

For more information, visit wegafilm.com and find the film on Facebook.

Our Town 2021-22

As a veteran of the entertainment industry, Wisconsin native Niels Mueller is familiar with the Hollywood scene. But when it came to creating a film with his home state in the title, he emphatically states one word – authenticity – is an overarching goal.

The independent flick, “Small Town Wisconsin” portrays the Badger State in all of its beauty and complexities. It also features scenery throughout the Southern Lakes region, including spots in such local communities as East Troy, Mukwonago and Palmyra.

The core of the fish-out-of-water film centers on the friendship between two characters – Wayne and Chuck – in the sparsely populated northern tip the state. After encountering a series of disappointments, Wayne decides to take his son and best friend to the big city (Milwaukee) on a fun road trip.

A number of other spots across the state also feature prominent display in the film, including Rhinelander, where the plot begins, and Milwaukee. The Wisconsin State Fair and the famed Pfister Hotel are among the readily recognizable big city scenes captured at various scenes in the movie.

While the film is not political, Mueller said it touches on some weighty issues – including addiction and job loss – against the backdrop of challenges blue-collar families have been facing in Midwestern states, such as Wisconsin.

“The script originally came to me through a good friend,” Mueller said. “I thought it was going to be a really relevant piece for our time. The film does ask about what’s going on in the heartland.”

In addition to the plot’s timeliness, Mueller said the characters sketched out in the early drafts of the script harkened back memories of his formative years in the Milwaukee area.

“I just recognized these characters right away,” Mueller said. “They resonated with me.”

As with most entertainment projects, the process of bringing “Small Town Wisconsin” to the finish line was a long and winding one.

Its post-production trajectory has endured a similar path in the era of COVID-19.

One early stumbling block, Mueller said, was securing the funding to absorb the cost of filming in the Dairy State.

“I knew that I had to shoot in Wisconsin, and that’s easier said than done because we don’t have a tax credit here,” Mueller said.

“I thought Wisconsin should be a character

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Our Town 2021-22

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399693

Focusing on strengths

SCHOOLS WORK TO HELP KIDS, STAFF IMPROVE COPING SKILLS

By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR

Adult and student leaders attend the first Sources of Strength meeting at East Troy Middle School. The new program, available to all middle school students, promotes a strong sense of community and working together to solve problems.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

previous programs we have used in the district and it’s a way to look at your own strengths and the strengths of others to build that healthy climate we all want,” Harder said.

The Activist Club at the high school took the lead with connecting with peers on how an individual’s actions affect other people, Harder said.

“They present during Resource and they’re focusing on the impacts of the language we use and the words we choose and how they impact the people around us.

Right now, they’re working on the R-word, retarded, and how it’s not a good word to use. Part of the presentation is to teach where the word came from, the original intent and how it’s not used anymore and how it affects us all.”

Harder said getting the kids back to in-person learning was extremely beneficial to the students this school year, but acknowledged there have been some challenges. One of the struggles for the older students was the cancellation of the fall sports season.

“That was rough, especially for the high school seniors,” Harder said. “We’re running all the winter athletics now and it’s made a huge difference for the students. It’s such a benefit to them. We surveyed the student athletes and 99% of them said it ‘absolutely’ or ‘somewhat’ improved their mental health to participate in sports.”

Club activities at the middle and high school have also been running as close to

normal as possible and allowing for student participation near the same levels as usual, Harder added.

Staff wellness in the district was also been one of the focuses this past school year, Harder said. The Healthy Minds at Work program, which is funded in part with a wellness grant, is something district administration is encouraging staff to take advantage of. Staff could download walkthroughs of healthy strategies like mindful deep breathing and other tips to manage stress.

The district had monthly self-care themes, focusing on gratitude, sharing good news, Wellness Wednesdays and others.

“We encourage sharing resilience strategies too, whether it’s in the bulletin or at a staff meeting,” Harder said.

Counseling available

One of the new opportunities families in the School District is access to professional mental health care through a partnership with Child & Family Therapeutic Systems in Mukwonago. Harder said the partnership was something the district has been looking at for a while.

“Families can choose to work with a therapist from Child & Family Therapeutic Systems, we provide the space, the family’s insurance pays for the sessions. We’ve tried to remove some barriers to families getting the help they need,” Harder said.

For more information, contact Harder at 262-642-6710, ext. 1275.

Our Town 2021-22

Finding ways to deal with the stress and uncertainty of life can be a struggle in good times, but in the midst of a pandemic, coping skills and support are needed more than ever, especially for children, who have seen their world turned upside down.

The East Troy Community School District has always been dedicated to supporting the “whole student,” Director of Pupil Services Kate Harder said, adding that in these challenging times the district has been zeroing in on ways to increase that support for both students and staff.

With the addition of new student programs such as Sources of Strength at the middle school, to high schoolers in the Activist Club, to No Name Calling Week at Prairie View Elementary, the district has implemented a variety of self-care and support initiatives across the grade levels.

Harder said the general theme to all the programs is to help the kids learn about kindness and sharing burdens with each other.

With No Name Calling Week, Prairie View had some specific activities like the fifth-grade students who created videos and a pledge banner for other students to sign at lunch. All grade levels also participated in a Helping Hands activity, which was displayed at the school entrance, “to learn about kindness and sharing with each other,” Harder said.

At the middle school, the Sources of Strength program kicked off last school year.

“We’re very excited to have adult leaders in that,” Harder said early in 2021. “We’re beginning to roll that out to the students now.

The students will be trained to look out for one another and continue to build a strong and health climate in the school. It’s kind of like a school club with participation from adult mentors” Sources of Strength is open to all East Troy Middle School students and has been well received, Harder said.

“I think it’s working wonderfully,” she said. “Even those not receiving direct training on the staff are benefiting from working with other staff and taking pieces of the program and building on it in the classroom. As we build on that with the students, I think it will expand even more.”

Harder explained the Sources of Strength program focuses on self-care and helping students look at their own strengths and the strengths of others.

“The self-care themes building on

13

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Our Town 2021-22

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After more than a year of intensive restoration, Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Car 761 was dedicated June 27, restoring the car to service 58 years after its last revenue run between Chicago and Milwaukee. The ceremony took place at noon at the East Troy Depot. Major donors to the railroad and the restoration took a brief ride on the car, followed by cake and punch in the depot.

“The restoration project was extensive and the results are outstanding,” said Ryan Jonas, president of the museum.

“Volunteers who are old enough to remember riding on the North Shore Line say it’s almost spooky walking into the car because it looks so much like it would have back in 1963. It’s like going back in time.”

According to a press release from the railroad, the cost of the restoration was about $42,000 and involved more than 25

volunteers who donated more than 1,000 hours of work.

The Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad ran between the Loop in downtown Chicago and 6th Street in downtown Milwaukee from 1916 through January of 1963. Railroad historian and photographer William Middleton described the North Shore Line as a “super interurban.” There are still many people today who remember the North Shore Line fondly and remember riding on the line.

Car 761 was one of 25 new interurban coaches ordered from the Standard Steel Car Company in 1930. In 1949 the car was modernized and in 1957 it was repainted in the “Silverliner” paint scheme.

The car was in service on the North Shore Line through January 1963, when the North Shore Line ceased operation.

The car has been restored in the classic Silverliner colors, inside and out.

Volunteers, led by Eric Zabelny and Paul Averdung, completed the vast majority of the restoration work.

Car 761 departed on its first revenue run on the East Troy Electric Railroad just after 10 a.m. on July 10. Tickets were available for the exclusive event, which included a photo run-by and small souvenir of the event.

Cake and punch was served in the East Troy Depot after the trip.

The railroad’s regular trains run on weekends, starting at 10 a.m. The last train departs East Troy at 3 p.m.

The trains complete a round-trip between East Troy and Indianhead Park in Mukwonago in about 90 minutes. Rider’s first ticket may be exchanged for rides all day, subject to availability. Passengers can also board at the Elegant Farmer.

Visit www.easttroyrr.org for more information or to purchase a ticket.

East Troy Electric Railroad Museum President Ryan Jonas speaks at the dedication of Car 761 on June 27.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

Our Town 2021-22

East Troy Railroad dedicates Car 761

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our churches East Troy Bible Church 2660 North St. P.O. Box 376 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7604 office@etbcwi.org www.easttroybiblechurch.org Worship services: Sunday at 9 a.m.

First Congregational Church of East Troy, UCC 2931 Union St., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5186 www.easttroyucc.com Worship services: Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) 1936 Emery St., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3310 gslchurch@wi.rr.com www.gslet.org Worship services: Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.

Mukwonago Baptist Church 1610 Honeywell Road, Mukwonago, WI 53149

(262) 363-4197 www.mukwonagobaptist.org Worship services: Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday school: 9:30 a.m.

Bible study and prayer: Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Orchard Hill, Assembly of God N9590 Highway ES, Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-5443 www.OrchardHillAG.com Worship service: Sunday at 10 a.m. with Kids’ Church and nursery.

St. James United Methodist Church 2945 Main St., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7642 church@easttroyumc.org www.easttroyumc.org Worship services: Sunday at 9 a.m.

Handicap accessible.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Wisconsin Synod) 2665 North St., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3200

Christian Education Good Shepherd Lutheran School

Our Town 2021-22

Good Shepherd Features: • Preschool - Grade 8 • Full Day Kindergarten • High Academic Standards • Low Teacher/Student Ratio • Value-Based Education • Dedicated Caring Facility • Child Care Program Influence your child’s future by choosing the best education today!

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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School 1936 Emery Street • East Troy, WI 53120

(262) 642-3310 Good Shepherd Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin.

www.stpaulset.net Worship services: Sunday at 9 a.m. and Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

St. Peter the Apostle Parish 1975 Beulah Ave., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7225 stpeterset@wi.twcbc.com www.steepleconnection.com Sunday Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Troy Center United Methodist Community Church N8801 Briggs St., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7320 Worship services: Sunday at 8 a.m.

Valley View Community Church Member, Willow Creek Association P.O. Box 154, East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5392 Worship services: 10 a.m. in the East Troy Middle School auditorium, 3143 Graydon Ave.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Child Care • Open year-round (6am-6pm) • Serving children ages 3-12 years • Developmental, social and academic activities in a warm, caring environment • Full or part-time care available Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School 1936 Emery Street • East Troy, WI 53120

(262) 642-3310 Good Shepherd Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin.

399796

Homemade with love LOCAL WOMAN SERVES UP FAMILY RECIPES

“

I always tell people, instead of getting a pizza, get a pot pie.

– KELLY MCGINNIS

”

she is very proud to serve to her customers.

As it is, she can hardly keep up with the demand for this special torte. It is especially gratifying, she said, when her customers come in and tell her that they used to be regulars at the restaurant and fondly remember her mother and her grandmother and the famous lemon torte – always a customer favorite.

One recent customer came in especially for the torte and referred to it as a “Blast from the past.” And so glad that it is still be offered.

“So many people coming in and talk about The Patio Club and my mom and grandmother. And they’re coming from all over the area. We have people who come down from Oconomowoc just for our potpies.”

Where to buy

McGinnis’ products may be found at the Eagle Public Market on Main Street in Eagle, as well as Pop’s Marketplace on Janesville Road in Muskego. Customers may also pick-up her potpies and tortes at Kelly McGinnis, owner of Kelly’s Pot Pies her baking location in The Venue, 2645 and More in East Troy, boxes up some tortes. Main St. East Troy.

McGinnis cooks and bakes from family recipes For more information, visit and is seeing success with her new business. kellyspotpies.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town McGinnis and her husband, Pat, are considering setting up at local weekend in the kitchen together again. It’s like being markets in Milwaukee and throughout back in my grandmother’s restaurant.” the area; they already have the required McGinnis said her goal with the new certified kitchen and mobile licensing. They restaurant it to provide quick, easy meals are also keeping their eyes open for a small for busy families and people. storefront restaurant/shop to purchase.

“I just wanted to give people some “Pat is my right hand,” McGinnis said. different options and not the same run of “He helps out all over the place and we’re the mill stuff,” she said. “I wanted to give having so much fun. them homemade food that’s maybe a bit Now that she is back in the kitchen healthier than the fast-food stuff. I always baking, McGinnis says she thinks about tell people, instead of getting a pizza, get a the many years she spent at the ovens with potpie.” her mother and grandmother. She said that not a day goes by that she does not think of Expanded offerings them, all she has learned from them, and After having great success with the about the culinary legacy they left behind. potpies, McGinnis decided to expand her She knows they would be tickled by her product offerings to include desserts. For success. recipes, she turned to the desserts that McGinnis has been especially became her mother and grandmother’s appreciative of the support she has received signature tortes: her mother Connie’s from local customers; many have made a Cheesecake and her grandmother Mickey’s point of expressing how much they like to Famous Patio Club Lemon Torte made with support small businesses. fresh lemons.

“Small businesses are so important McGinnis said that there is nothing and out here in East Troy the community secret about the Cheesecake recipe, – has been so supportive of us. We’re so just good quality ingredients. However, thankful,” she said.

Mickey’s Famous Patio Club Lemon torte is another thing entirely: it actually is a Editor Tracy Ouellette contributed to closely held treasured family recipe that this report.

Our Town 2021-22

When Kelly McGinnis decided to start a new business making pot pies, she had no idea how popular they would become. As she soon learned, young people especially were looking for a convenient and healthy option for a quick and wholesome meal for their families.

McGinnis, who spent many years working for others in the food industry, f decided to take the plunge and open her own business, Kelly’s Pot Pies and More.

The response has been far beyond her wildest expectations.

“We’re crazy busy,” McGinnis. “We opened in mid-January and the community has been so supportive and welcoming.”

Starting with chicken potpies and just one location, her menu quickly expanded to include beef potpies, vegetarian potpies and a variety of quiches and desserts. Besides her primary location at The Venue on Main Street in East Troy, she is now in two other locations with a third location, The Delafield Sentry, to come.

“Right now we’re renting the kitchen at The Venue in East Troy and we rent the dining room area in the front and we’re working from there. We’re looking for a permanent location. I’d like to be on the Village Square, eventually, if possible.”

McGinnis’ family has a long history in the foodservice industry. In the 1930s, her grandmother had a bakery in Milwaukee and became very well known for her bread, cakes, cookies and tortes. Her grandmother and her mother eventually opened The Patio Club restaurant that was a fine dining destination for more than 50 years.

McGinnis worked alongside her mother and grandmother for many years. She feels like she learned from the best.

“We grew up in the restaurant,” she said. “I have a long history in the restaurant business. And now, with this new restaurant, my brother (Scot Dragan) and sister (Pam Vojvodich) and I are working

17

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Our Town 2021-22

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18

Searching for the Beast of Bray Road

By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR

n the spring of 2020, when Korbin Wenzel was visiting his grandma, Sue Thome, when he noticed a copy of the East Troy newspaper with a photo and story about the Beast of Bray Road.

Being a very curious 4-year-old who likes monsters and scary things, Korbin asked his grandma what she was looking at.

“He was totally intrigued with the article,” Thome said in an email. “I found the old book by Linda Godfrey that I purchased back in 2003. He became obsessed; his mom even had to take him out to Bray Road where he thought he could spot him.”

His mom, Kelly Thome, said Korbin was intent on seeing the Beast for himself, so she loaded him up in the car and they took a drive to the area where it has often spotted, not far from their East Troy home.

“He really wanted to go out there, so I took him,” Kelly Thome said. “It was daylight, of course, and he was all disappointed because he didn’t see the Beast.”

Korbin has a theory as to why.

“The Beast, he’s very sneaky, so we can’t see him,” Korbin said. “The Beast wants me to take a picture of him, but we didn’t see him when we went there. I think he hides in the morning and maybe doesn’t come outside when we come.”

“He likes monsters and spooky stuff in books and pictures,” his mom said. “But when he’s out and about, he sometimes gets a little scared, but he still wanted to go.”

Trick or treat!

“

The Beast, he’s very sneaky, so we can’t see him.

”

– KORBIN WENZEL, EAST TROY

The Beast of Bray Road (Korbin Wenzel) is ready for the 2020 trick or treat in the Village of East Troy. Wenzel had studied local lore about the Beast sightings with his grandma. Wenzel, is the son of Kelly Thome and Kurt Wenzel, of East Troy.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

outfit,” Sue Thome said.

“She’s pretty crafty,” Kelly Thome said. “He had the mask and whole suit and hands too, but it was hard, with the claws, for him to hold the trick-or-treat bag, he couldn’t grasp with them. So, he didn’t wear them much.”

Kelly said Korbin’s desire to have the costume didn’t wane over the ensuing months.

“I asked him several times before Halloween if he still wanted to be the

Beast and he always did,” she said.

A couple of hours before trick or treat was set to start, Kelly said someone pointed out that people might not know who he was supposed to be so she created a Bray Road road sign for him to carry.

“Without the sign, he probably would have been just another monster,” Kelly said. “One woman said, ‘Oh, I get it!’ once she saw the sign.”

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Our Town 2021-22

While Korbin may not have spotted the Beast in his travels, on Halloween people in East Troy caught a glimpse of something similar.

Korbin’s newfound fascination with the local legend prompted him to ask for a Beast of Bray Road costume for Halloween and grandma was only too happy to accommodate him.

“I found a mask and sewed up a fur

19

our important numbers EMERGENCY Village of East Troy, Town of East Troy, Town of Troy Fire, Police, Rescue - 911

AREA HOSPITALS Aurora Lakeland Medical Center W3985 Highway NN Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-2000 Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington 252 McHenry St. Burlington, WI 53105 (262) 767-6000 Waukesha Memorial Hospital 725 American Ave. Waukesha, WI 53188 (262) 928-1000

UTILITIES We Energies Customer Service

(800) 242-9137 Electric Emergency/ Power Out (800) 662-4797 Gas Emergency/Leaks (800) 261-5325 Century Link New Service/Changes/ Inquiries (888) 723-8010 Repair Service (877)) 365-0045 Diggers Hotline (800) 242-8511 Time Warner Cable (800) 627-2288

POST OFFICE 2099 Mill St., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5135 Thomas Curtis, Postmaster Window Hours: MondayFriday, 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. and 2:30-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. P.O. Box Lobby Hours: 24 hours a day,

seven days a week.

LIBRARY East Troy Lions Public Library 3094 Graydon Ave., East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6262 Jeff Gartman, Director Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. www.easttroy.lib.wi.us

AIRPORT East Troy Municipal Airport 2085 Highway L East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5008

OTHER NUMBERS Better Business Bureau (800) 273-1002 Consumer Protection and Citizens Advocacy Hotline

(No Call List) (800) 422-7128 Dept. of Financial Institutions (800) 452-3328 Division of Motor Vehicles (262) 723-2090 DNR Violation Hotline (800) 847-9367 Insurance Commissioner (800) 236-8517 Lakeland Animal Shelter (262) 723-1000 Meals on Wheels Office (262) 741-3333 Poison Control (800) 222-1222 State Highway Patrol (Walworth County) (262) 785-4700 Walworth County Visitor’s Bureau (262) 723-3980 Wisconsin Farm Center (800) 942-2474 Wisconsin Road Conditions (800) 762-3947

MillsGeneral & Practice Boehm, LLP Of Law James R. Mills & Gabrielle Boehm

20

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Personal Injury Real Estate Divorce & Family Law

Probate Trial Practice DUI Traffic Criminal Defense Business Law

123 Wolf Run, Suite 1, Mukwonago WI 53149 Located in Mukwonago, serving all of Southeast Wisconsin

262-363-7311 • www.millsboehm.com

399858

Our Town 2021-22

Over 50 years of combined experience.

our government LIBRARY East Troy Lions Public Library 3094 Graydon Ave. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6262 Jeff Gartman – director Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.easttroy.lib.wi.us

AIRPORT East Troy Municipal Airport 2085 Highway L East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5008

EMERGENCY SERVICES East Troy Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Barutha N8406 Highway ES East Troy, WI 53120 Non-emergency 262-642-7439 www.easttroyfire.org Troy Center Fire Department Chief Don Schell Non-Emergency (262) 642-5294 Lake Patrol Supervisor Bill Musolf (262) 581-7010 waterpatrol@townoftroy.com

VILLAGE OF EAST TROY Village Hall 2015 Energy Drive East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-6255 Fax: (262) 642-6259 www.easttroywi.gov Village Administrator Eileen Suhm (262) 684-5482 Clerk

Lorri Alexander (262) 684-5478 Building Inspector (262) 352-4433 Parks and Recreation (262) 642-6255 Department of Public Works Jason Equitz, director (262) 684-5475 Police Chief Jeremy Swendrowski (262) 642-6250 (non-emergency) Water Works-Billing (262) 642-6255 Water Works-Service (262) 642-6255 After 4 p.m.

(262) 642-6251 Village Board Village President Scott Seager sseager@easttroywi.gov (414) 803-7130 Village Trustees John Alexander (414) 745-4052 jalexander@easttroywi.gov Matt Johnson* (262) 684-5308 mjohnson@easttroywi.gov Mary Hubbard Nugent (262) 470-8570 mnugent@easttroywi.gov Fortune “Forty” Renucci* (262) 642-3897 Jason Smalley (262) 770-6520 jsmalley@eastatroywi.gov Joe Wisniewski (262) 441-7983 jwisniewski@eastatroywi.gov

*Terms expires in 2022.

Municipal Judge Michael Cotter (262) 642-6252

TOWN OF EAST TROY Town Hall N9330 Stewart School Road, P.O. Box 872 East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5386

Fax: (262) 642-9701 Police Chief Don Jensen Sr. (262) 642-3700 (non-emergency) www.townofeasttroy.com Town Board Chairperson Joe Klarkowski jklarkowski@townofeasttroy.com Supervisors Barb Church bchurch@townofeasttroy.com Peter Kesselhon pkesselhon@townofeasttroy.com Michele Reyes mreyes@townofeasttroy.com Chad Wales cwales@townofeasttroy.com Clerk/Treasurer Kim Buchanan (262) 642-5386 tetclerk@centurytel.net Department of Public Works Greg Twellmeyer, Superintendent (262) 642-5386 Building Inspector Vince Budiac (262) 366-2400 Plan Commission Joel Cook, Chairman (414) 406-0946

Municipal Judge Dan Heidelmeier (262) 642-5386 Assessor Associated Appraisal Consultants, Inc. (800) 721-4157 Trash Collection John’s Disposal (888) 473-4701

TOWN OF TROY Town Hall N8870 Briggs St. East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-5292 Fax: (262) 642-5227 Town Garage: (262) 642-5293 www.townoftroy.com Town Board Chairperson John Kendall (262) 470-3294 chair@townoftroy.com Supervisors Jerry Arntson (262) 642-9810 sup1@townoftroy.com Kathleen Tober (262) 642-5857 sup2@townoftroy.com Clerk/Treasurer Tracey Raymond (262) 642-5292 clerktreas@townoftroy.com

BEAST • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 She said trick or treat was a huge success, complete with a large haul of candy.

“With everything going on, I think everyone was so happy,” Kelly said. “It was something you could do and socially distance and he would have been really disappointed if they had canceled it.”

Korbin even won the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Halloween costume contest last year.

“I saw this photo pop up on my Instagram feed on Halloween and instantly fell in love with this creative costume choice,” Chamber Executive Director Vanessa Lenz said. “Others must have felt the same way, as I had it sent to me via various channels over the weekend.

“We are always big fans of keeping it local, but this little boy gets bonus-points for going all out to bring the Beast of Bray Road legend to life,” Lenz continued.

Korbin, who is a kindergartener in the East Troy School District, said he’s still on the lookout for the Beast.

“Once he gets something in his head, it sticks there for a while,” his mom said.

21

Our Town 2021-22

Elected officials, committees, organizations and other key personnel

What’s all the buzz about?

Our Town 2021-22

Area youth takes up beekeeping

22

eekeeping has been increasing in popularity in recent years as more awareness spreads about the importance of pollinators in the food chain.

For one East Troy teen, an interest in bees led to a new hobby and involvement in the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s Youth Scholarship Beekeeping Program.

“It all started when I got interested in bees and beekeeping and I started looking around for ways to do it,” Fischer Stoychoff said. “We don’t have enough room where we live and in the Village of East Troy, beekeeping is actually considered livestock, so I couldn’t do it at my house.”

Stoychoff, 13, said he attended a beekeeping event at Cub Scout camp a couple of years ago with members of the Walworth County Beekeepers Club.

“I was helping out at Cub Scout camp and one of the guest events was the Beekeepers Club in Walworth County and it was a really cool experience and I got to lead a demonstration on a smoker, you know, to calm the bees down and I led that throughout the day and in the last round, I got to lead the presentation and they were really surprised at how much I had learned.”

Stephanie Slater and Jess Beyer are the members of the Walworth County Beekeepers Club Stoychoff met at the Cub Scout event. Slater is the president of the club and Beyer is the community outreach chairperson.

“Fisher is a very motivated young man with a lot of interests and a lot of hobbies. He loves to try new things,” Slater said.

“We were so impressed with him. We even let him lead the final presentation at the camp. He was great.”

Slater and Beyer encouraged Stoychoff to take up beekeeling with Beyer offering room in her bee yard for him. They also encouraged him to apply for the Youth Scholarship Beekeeping Program.

“A couple of months after the Cub Scout event, I was contacted by Jess Beyer and she said there was a very cool opportunity through the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. It was basically a youth mentorship program where they take three kids in the state and match them up with two mentors each,” Stoychoff said.

The program got Stoychoff set up with what he needed to become a beekeeper.

“They give us everything we need, all the material, hives, bees, suits, smoker to really give us a good start on beekeeping, so I submitted my application from top: Fisher Stoychoff, of East Troy, works in his bee yard, which he keeps at the home of one of his mentors, Jess Beyer, who lives in Lyons; Stoychoff took up beekeeping a couple of years ago and now has three hives. He is taking part in the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s Youth Scholarship Beekeeping Project and is in his second year of the program.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Our Town

BY

tracy ouellette EDITOR

Learn about beekeeping Beekeeping is immensely rewarding. At times, considerably frustrating. But in the end it is an amazing learning experience, according to the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association website.

Some people make the decision to become beekeepers for their life’s work, but even those people started with a few hives and a lot of questions.

Internet research The internet is a good research tool. Videos can provide examples of people hiving bees, examining frames or finding the queen. They are all available with just a few clicks. Some of the things people can learn by watching these videos and seeing this first hand video experience, will be invaluable to them as a beekeeper, the association’s website state.

However, there is one thing potential bee keepers need to be very aware of, the website cautions. If questions involve answers that could be regionally effected, prospective bee keepers need to find an answer

from their region. Installing a three pound package of bees works pretty much the same in Georgia as it does here in Wisconsin, but if, on the other hand, someone wants to know about how much stores the bees need left in the hive to survive the winter, or when to put on honey supers, or any number of the other questions they need an answer that is closer to home, the website states.

Bee clubs have answers That is where local bee clubs come in. The association has a list of where all the local bee club chapters are at www.wihoney.org. At the meetings people will find out the techniques needed to ensure success. No matter what questions or problems are encountered, no matter how bad it looks, it is highly likely someone has already lived through it and can offer advice.

“There is this thing about beekeepers,” the website states.

“They say that if you put 10 of them in a room and ask them a question, you will walk away with eleven answers. This is

what bee club is all about – people share the stories of their success. They provide answers and as time goes on, you listen to all those answers. Combine it all together in what seems like a good idea to you for your own hives.”

Visiting a local bee club builds a camaraderie bee keepers may call on. Most clubs will have a few member phone numbers listed as emergency help. They welcome the chance help someone as there will be times when bee keepers realize they are looking at a problem that won’t wait until the next bee club meeting.

Being part of a bee club provides access to experts at the touch of a finger.

For those who are serious about beekeeping, or serious doing what you can to help the bees, they should consider attending one of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s annual conventions, which have technical sessions taught by experts in the beekeeping field from all around the country. The breakout sessions can cover a topic at great depth.

Convention attendees also

have plenty of time over the weekend event to meet more with regional beekeepers and compare experiences.

a beekeeper thinks,” Slater said. “That’s our focus for this year.”

Stoychoff wrote an indepth article for the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s newsletter about his experience in the mentorship program to help with educating others and he will be attending several events in the state along with Slater and Beyer this summer, including the bee display at the Walworth County Fair over Labor Day weekend.

Stoychoff’s mom, Megan, said the beekeeping has been good for her son and she likes that he’s encouraging the younger generation to get involved.

“Bees are not something to be afraid of,” Megan Stoychoff said. “They’re a crucial part of our ecosystem and the world and without them, we wouldn’t have 70% of the food we have.

We all need to help with this.”

Slater said there are things – big and small – everyone can do to support the pollinators.

“Simple things like providing water sources for bees, like putting pebbles or marbles in your bird bath so they have a place to land, or planting more flowers and flowering trees and shrubs really help. The more types of flowers they have to access they healthier they will be.

“And reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides, please, don’t use them if you don’t have to.”

Slater also recommended people buy locally sourced honey as a great way to support the bees.

Anyone interested in the taking up beekeeping, or wanting to learn more, can visit www. wihoney.org or www. walworthcountybeekeepers. org.

How to begin When people think about starting out, they might think they will start with one hive and grow from there. And, they can.

The association’s website, Check online for beekeeping supply companies and request their catalogs. Bee keepers can learn a lot about what fits together and what things are called by reading those catalogs.

If people can find someone who sells locally, they will save a lot of money and time, because if they order in the early spring it can take up to a month to get the equipment shipped.

The association says there are lots of ways to get bees, even by mail order. But the association says the best place to buy them can be discovered by attending a bee club meeting.

Sometimes the clubs go in together and buy them as a club in bulk. Often the clubs will also post local price comparisons from bee suppliers.

Source: www.wihoney.org.

and I was selected,” Stoychoff said.

Slater and Beyer worked with Stoychoff to get him set up and mentored him throughout the first year, which was 2020.

“That first year, he pulled along with us and we would tell him what we were doing and why and he picked things up so fast,” Beyer said.

A little good luck also helped Stoychoff along his way.

“In my first year, I was at a Christmas party that had a raffle – an order of a box of bees and a queen – and I won the raffle, so I got to set up another hive and I went into my first year with two hives,” Stoychoff recalled.

He now has three hives, which he attends to every seven to 10 days. Stoychoff’s only been stung once, which he said wasn’t a big deal.

“Luckily it was through my glove, not a full force thing. I was able to get it out quickly and it wasn’t very painful,” he said.

“I wear my bee suit and you really have to get used to being comfortable around them. Bees have pheromones and human have pheromones. They can sense if you’re scared. You have to be really calm and then they won’t bother you if you don’t bother them too much.”

Stoychoff is now in his second year of the program and his mentors are working with him to expand his knowledge of beekeeping.

“We’re really stretching him now,” Beyer said. “It’s been great to see him grow and not only care for the bees, but educate others about them.”

“This year we want to teach him more about his beekeeping skills and make sure we send him off with tools to think like

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