Wp our town 2015

our town

PUBLISHED BY THE WATERFORD POST

2015

Waterford, Wisconsin

We’re proud to be your

Check us out at MYRACINE COUNTY .COM

Hometown Newspaper!

209 N. Dodge Street, Burlington, WI 53105

262.763.3330 • fax 262.763.0996 EDITOR: PAT BOGUMIL • EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: ROXANNE MAAS • ADVERTISING: DONNA BROOKS

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terry alby Our Town

This unique float created by Greg Foat of Your Auto Wash in Waterford won second place in the Commercial division of Waterford’s 2014 Fourth of July parade. His wife Kathy is pictured following on foot with Sadie the Dog in a Foat Dog Wash caboose.

Welcome to

Fall in the village features Absolutely Waterford’s River’s Edge Art Walk and the Chamber’s Harvest Fest and annual Lion’s Chicken barbecue dinner.

And, of course, the first Saturday in December, means the annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by Absolutely Waterford, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at the end by fire truck to light the village Christmas tree in the library.

So, we welcome you to Our Town and hope you enjoy your stay!

Waterford, Wisconsin

our toWn A publication of the Waterford Post and Southern Lakes Newspapers.

209 N. Dodge St., Burlington, WI 53185 • (262) 763-3330

Editor: ............................................................................ Tracy Ouellette Editor in Chief: ............................................................ Edward Nadolski Creative Director: .............................................................Sue Z. Lange Advertising Sales: ............................................................Donna Brooks Contributors: .................................. Patricia Bogumil, Linnea Langusch, Tracy Ouellette, Maureen Vander Sanden, Lisa Sinda, Terry Alby and community members.

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CALL (262) 763-3330

On the cover

Downtown Waterford offers restaurants, a library, shopping and more. (Linnea Langusch photo).

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

If you’re looking for a bit of small-town life with access to all the conveniences of the big city, Waterford is the place to be.

Tucked away on the banks of the Fox River, the Village of Waterford’s downtown district offers shopping and restaurants designed to make visitors feel right at home.

The Waterford Public Library is also downtown overlooking the river in all its scenic beauty.

The village is easily accessible via Highway 36 and is only 20 minutes away from Milwaukee and five minutes from Burlington.

The close-knit community, which includes the village, Waterford Township and the Village of Rochester is home to about 8,000 people, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Early settlers came to what would become the Village of Waterford in the late 1830s, led by Levi Barnes and Samuel Chapman. Because of its location on the Fox River, by the 1920s the area became the largest village in western Racine County and a hub of commerce and industry.

The Waterford area has continued to grow over the past 150 years with the additions of an industrial park, business park, graded and union high school districts and developments along Highway 36 to the south and Highways 83/20 to the north.

But Waterford has never lost its identity to that growth and is still known for community and family friendly activities, which attract thousands every year.

In the summer, the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, which sees more than 20,000 visitors, is entering its fifth year. The annual Fourth of July parade brings several thousand people to the downtown parade route for the village’s Independence Day celebration.

The Chamber’s Full Moon Four Miler and Half Moon Mini Miler Fun Run is held in the beginning of August and will celebrate its 12th anniversary this year.

Waterford!

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Destination:

Waterford

east and south of the North Second Street municipal parking lot.

• Design of the trash enclosure in the North Second Street municipal parking lot.

• Reconstruction of North Second Street from Division Street to East Main Street, including a redesign of the driveway and apron at the front of the Safety Building for improved Fire and Rescue Department access and use.

Also, the selected firm will engineer the storm sewer and road design for North Second Street and incorporate the design of infrastructure from firms working on other projects in the area.

By Patricia Bogumil

• Construction of a new seawall to staff writer replace the dilapidated one in Ten Club lans are progressing to transform the Park along the Fox River.

Village of Waterford’s downtown area • Identify the best location into a welcoming destination for It’ll be in Ten Club Park for an historic community members and visitors from lookout and gazebo. The historic gorgeous when around the area. lookout should be moved away The village is currently seeking it’s done!” from the First and Main streets proposals for engineering and design for intersection in part due to traffic the first phase of the village’s Riverfront – Tom Roanhouse noise and located near the gazebo. and Ten Club Park Redevelopment Area Waterford It is anticipated that funding to project.

Village President construct these amenities will be Items included in the scope of services sourced from outside parties and not for preliminary engineering and final the village. engineering and design include:

• Design an entrance to Ten Club • Reconstruction of the North Second Street Park that focuses attention on the entrance of the park, municipal parking lot north and south of the village’s draws people into the park and lessens the attention paid Safety Building. to the close proximity of the roadway, especially the • Construction of new Elizabeth Street parking in intersection of First and Main streets. the right-of-way south of Ten Club Park, with a two In November, Village President Tom Roanhouse foot wide buffer area provided to allow for possible noted that consultants in every study of the village in construction of a fence in the future. the last 10 years have emphasized the need to take • Reconstruction (or repaving) of privately owned advantage of the Fox River as a natural resource. The parking stalls immediately north of the East Main plans now in the works do just that, he said.

Street buildings (construction being paid for 100 “It’ll be gorgeous when it’s done!” Roanhouse said, percent by private-property owners). and estimated the project could be completed in about • Creation of pedestrian walkways: on village two years. property north of the privately owned parking stalls Questions and requests for information should behind East Main Street buildings and south of the be directed to Tina Chitwood, Community North Second Street municipal parking lot; on a villageDevelopment Manager for Racine County owned vacated alley access to private parking west Economic Development Corporation by: emailing of North Second Street; and along village property tchitwood@racinecountyedc.org; calling (262) running north and south from East Main Street to the 898-7422; or mailing Chitwood at Waterford North Second Street municipal parking lot, including Village Hall, 123 N. River St., Waterford WI enhancing the existing walkway.

53185.

• Ornamental fencing or landscaping buffer

Village seeks proposals for downtown redevelopment

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

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riverfront and ten club park redevelopment area plan Village of Waterford, WI • August 13, 2014 A transformation of the Village of Waterford’s downtown district is envisioned, with the village currently seeking proposals for the project.

GraphiC subMitted Our Town

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

Main Street

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It’s Absolutely Waterford!

Downtown development association works to enhance the village

A

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

bsolutely Waterford works to enhance the village’s Downtown Heritage District On Sept. 1, 2011, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation officially designated the Village of Waterford as a Wisconsin Main Street community, leading to the creation of the non-profit organization Absolutely Waterford.

The designation officially recognized Waterford’s commitment to downtown revitalization, economic development and historic preservation. The corporation provides technical support and training needed to restore Wisconsin Main Street communities like Waterford to centers of community activity and commerce.

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Main Street is a comprehensive and incremental revitalization program developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Main Street Program is meant to be a self-sustaining, grassroots community organization committed to restoring downtown as the business, cultural and social center of a community – guided by a four-point approach.

The four-point approach – organization, design, economic restructuring, and promotion – provides a framework for Absolutely Waterford’s board of directors, committees, and program manager. The approach is effective because it restores value to the downtown: physical, social, economic, and political value.

To a resident, this means better quality of life; to a property owner or business, increased income.

The ripple effect from Main Street While Absolutely Waterford’s efforts are concentrated downtown, it benefits the entire community. Downtown is the heart of the village. If one’s heart isn’t functioning properly, then the rest of one’s body doesn’t either.

The same is true with downtown. If a community’s downtown is vacant and run down, then the rest of the community suffers; however, by the same token, if downtown is alive and healthy and vibrant, then the rest of the community benefits.

Patrons of Absolutely Waterford take in works by Burlington artist Frank Korb, whose abstract works were on display at Thai Restaurant for the third annual River’s Edge Art Walk.

Maureen Vander sanden Our Town

Save the date

Saturday, May 2 – Absolutely Waterford’s very first Antiques Appraisal Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Waterford Union High School, 100 Field Drive. Antiques appraisals, vendors, demonstrations and more.

Friday, Oct. 2 – Fourth annual River’s Edge Art Walk from 5-9 p.m. Dozens of artists and mediums on display throughout downtown shops and

Potential outcomes and benefits for Waterford include: • Improved community image; • Expanded existing businesses and new businesses; • Increased public and private investment; • A better environment and new and improved events to bring fun and foot traffic to downtown; • Preservation of historic and cultural resources through improve facades and rehabilitated buildings; and • New demand for downtown commercial space – an alternative to businesses sprawling outside of the downtown area.

eateries, live performances and free trolley rides with historic narrative of Waterford’s beginnings.

Saturday, Dec. 5 – 17th annual Waterford Winter Wonderland Parade. Lineup begins at 5:30 p.m. at Associated Bank with nearly 2,000 spectators lining the streets as dozens of participants proceed down Main Street spreading Christmas spirit.

Follow Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Waterford Public Library for the village tree-lighting ceremony, caroling and a visit with the North Pole visitors.

generous sponsors and hard-working volunteers to see through its mission to develop Waterford’s unique identity in keeping with its rich history and promote the revitalization of the downtown Waterford Heritage District.

For more information, to volunteer, or to donate, visit www.absolutelywaterford.org or call (262) 534-9000.

Maureen Vander sanden Our Town

As a 501c3 non-profit organization, Absolutely Waterford depends on its

Pedestrians stroll Main Street during Absolutely Waterford’s River’s Edge Art Walk held in downtown Waterford in October.

Maureen Vander sanden Our Town

Residents and visitors line Main Street for the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Waterford. The 2015 parade, which is spon-

sored by Absolutely Waterford, will step off at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, and features Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by fire truck.

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

A community connected

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The Waterford Public Library, 101 N. River St., is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Library cards are available free of charge to any area resident with current identification and proof of address. Parents must be present to register their minor children under 18 years of age.

The Waterford Library is a member of the SHARE consortium, which means a Waterford library card will work at all 15 public libraries in Racine and Walworth counties.

The library offers a wide variety of materials in many formats including the following: adult and juvenile books, large print books, books on tape, electronic books, Overdrive, Zinio, CD and MP3 players, music CDs, videos, DVDs, video games, literacy kits, magazines and newspapers.

An item that isn’t on the shelf at library can be easily obtained by placing a hold for the item in the online system. The item will then be delivered to Waterford via the daily delivery system with the other SHARE libraries or through interlibrary loan with other library systems.

Patrons can also request

Our Library

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

terry alby Our Town

equipment that is available for loan on a scheduled basis. Available equipment includes many types of projectors and screen and a portable public address system. A photocopier, typewriter, a digital microfilm/media reader, multimedia projector, DVD players and 14 Internet stations are available for use on site.

A large meeting room, conference room and two study rooms are available for groups to use during the libraries open hours.

Reservations are required for use of private rooms. Escorted tours of the collection and facility could be arranged with the staff upon request with two weeks’ notice.

Services and programs • Homebound delivery is available to any Village of Waterford resident who is unable to visit the library because of a temporary or permanent physical disability.

• Adult Book Club meets the last Wednesday of each month in the Waterford Community Room at 5:30 P.M. • Adult Programs, Live Concerts and Family Movies are offered periodically.

• Lap-Sit Story Times for children ages 3 and under with

The Waterford Public Library, 101 N. River St., is one of the village’s popular gathering spaces for children and adults.

The library hosts activities and programs for all ages through the year. Visit www.waterford.lib. wi.us for more information.

caregiver present are scheduled regularly each month.

• Preschool Story Times for 3, 4 and 5 year olds are scheduled regularly each month.

• Summer Reading Program is designed to encourage enthusiasm for books and development of children’s reading skills. Activities include reading incentives, story times, Lakeshores Library System Story Wagon, theme related programs, crafts and a grand finale. The program is for children of all ages.

• The Teen Advisory Board meets monthly and offers volunteer teens a chance to suggest programs and materials for the library • The Friends of the Waterford Public Library are a group of volunteers who support the development of library services in our community through various projects, activities and with the proceeds from the sale of items in their gift shop. Membership forms are available in the shop located at the entrance to the library. Join the Friends!

• Visit the library’s website at www.waterford.lib.wi.us to view all of the online resources and like them on Facebook to keep up to date with the daily activities and programs. For more information, call (262) 534-3988.

Elementary Schools

Waterford Graded School District 819 W. Main St., Waterford (262) 514-8250 www.waterford.k12.wi.us

St. Thomas Aquinas School 302 S. Second St., Waterford (262) 534-2265 www.stthomas.pvt.k12.wi.us

High Schools

Drought School District 21016 W. Seven Mile Road, Franksville (414) 425-6020 www.droughtschool.net

Waterford Union High School 100 Field Dr., Waterford (262) 534-3189 www.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us

North Cape School District 11926 W. Highway K, Franksville (262) 835-4069 www.northcape.k12.wi.us

Catholic Central High School 148 McHenry St., Burlington (262) 763-1510 www.cchsnet.org

Washington-Caldwell School District 8937 Big Bend Road, Waterford (262) 662- 3466 www.washcald.com

Colleges Gateway Technical College Toll Free....................................(800) 247-7122 TTY................................................(262) 741-8492

Burlington Campus.........(262) 767-5200 Elkhorn Campus.................(262) 741-8200 Kenosha Campus..............(262) 564-2200 Racine Campus..................(262) 619-6200 www.gtc.edu University Of Wisconsin-Parkside 900 Wood Road P.O. Box 2000 Kenosha, WI 53141-2000 (262) 595-2345 www.uwp.edu University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater 800 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI 53190-1790 (262) 472-1234 www.uww.edu

lisa sinda Our Town

Waterford Union High School FFA members had as much fun as the little kids while hosting a petting zoo for the first time this year

at Rochester’s “A Day in the Country” activities last September. The students say they hope to be back again next year.

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

Our Schools

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Our churches

The Waterford area is home to a variety of denominations and churches. Many churches have special activities for children and youth.

Call for worship times and more information about activities.

Baptist

Lutheran

HONEY CREEK COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH (American Baptist) 35512 Washington Ave., Honey Creek (262) 534-3585

LIVING WATER LUTHERAN CHURCH (Wisconsin Synod) 6525 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wind Lake (262) 895-3700 www. livingwaterlutheran.com

Catholic

NORTH CAPE LUTHERAN 2644 124th St., Franksville (262) 835-2206 www. northcapelutheran.org

ST. CLARE CATHOLIC CHURCH 7616 Fritz St., Wind Lake • (262) 895-2729 ST.THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH 305 S. First St., Waterford (262) 534-2255 www. stthomas.pvt.k12.wi.us

NORWAY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN 6321 Heg Park Road, Wind Lake (262) 895-2281 www. norwaylutheranchurch.org

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 349 Wegge Court Burlington (262) 763-5024 peaceburlington.org ST. PETER’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 145 S. 6th St., Waterford (262) 534-3639 www. stpeterswaterford.com

United Church Of Christ FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ROCHESTER 103 S. State St., Rochester (262) 534-6582 www. fccrochester.com

United Methodist CALDWELL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 8504 Caldwell Road, Waterford

Mark Anderson BROKER/OWNER

ma@elite-realty.com elite-realty.com

• (262) 363-2630 www. caldwellumc.org COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 455 S. Jefferson St., Waterford • (262) 534-2313 www.extremefaith.org

Non-denominational NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN CHURCH 318 W. Main St., Waterford (262) 514-4559 FOX RIVER CHRISTIAN CHURCH 238 E. Main St., Waterford • 262-332-7047 www.foxriverchristian.org GRACE CHURCH 257 Kendall St., Burlington (262) 763 -3021

• Full Time Professionals • 22 Years Experience

Robin Anderson BROKER/OWNER

ra@elite-realty.com elite-realty.com

P.O. Box 98, Waterford, Wisconsin (262) 514-4800 (262) 492-7200

192072

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The Gourmet Coffee House with over 100 custom made drink offerings

NOW G IN SERV

Wine and Adult Beverages

Open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fri. and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.

If lights are on - ring the bell we’d love to serve you.

Meet w/friends and family around the fireplace, sip on hot chocolate, a mocha, wine or cup of tea from loose leaf specials.

Java Jo’z 29134 Evergreen Dr., off of Hwy. 20 & 36, Waterford (262) 514-4994 191892

188727

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

E DRIV GH U O R H T

Village of Waterford 123 N. River St. Waterford, WI 53185 Phone: (262) 534-3980 Fax: (262) 534-5373 Email: vwaterford.clerk@tds.net Website: www.vi.waterford.wi.gov Village Hall office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Administrator Rebecca Ewald........................ (262) 534-7912 rewald@waterfordwi.org Clerk Carrie Orlovsky .........................................(262) 534-3980, ext. 223 corlovsky@waterfordwi.org Rachel Ladewig ......................................... (262) 534-3980, ext. 221 vwaterford.deputy@tds.net Village Board Board President Thomas E. Roanhouse* ...............................................................(262) 210-3707 troanhouse@tds.net

Our government

Trustees Thomas Christensen* ............................................................... (262) 514-2935 Stephen Denman..................(262) 534-5804 Jerry Filut*.....................................(262) 534-9159 Don Houston.............................. (262) 514-2953 Ron Kluth.........................................(414) 813-0117 Tamara Pollnow*......................(262) 514-2315 * Term ends April 2015.

Plan Commission Thomas E. Roanhouse, chairman Members Howard Bryant Thomas Christensen Dennis Gahagan Craig Kosut Gonzalo Perez Assessor Associated Appraisal........... (800) 721-4157 info@apraz.com Building Inspector, Zoning Administrator Martin Montoya.......................(262) 894-2982 Office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 2-3:30 p.m.

Fire and Rescue Department Westside Station Fire Chief Richard Mueller ................................................................(262) 514-7019 Health Department Director/Health Officer Cheryl Mazmanian..................................(262) 763-4931 Library Director Pamela Belden ........................................... (262) 534-3988, ext. 30 psbelden@waterford.lib.wi.us

Municipal Court Judge Greg Miller.................(262) 662-5582 Court Clerk Rachel Ladewig................. (262) 534-3980, ext. 233 court@waterfordwi.org The Village of Waterford Court Administration office is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Police Department Officer John Schanning ................................................................(262) 534-3911 vwpd701@tds.net Public Works Director Jeff Dolezal .........................................(262) 534-4069, ext. 224 dolezal@tds.net Village Attorney Marcia Hasenstab.................. (262) 534-6611 Treasurer Lori Peternell .........................................(262) 534-3980, ext. 224 lpeternell@waterfordwi.org Deputy Treasurer Stephanie Charapata.

(262) 534-3980, ext. 229 scharapata@waterfordwi.org

Town of Waterford

415 N. Milwaukee St. Waterford, WI 53185 Phone: (262) 534-2350 Fax: (262) 534-6606 Website: www.tn.waterford.wi.gov Town Hall office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Town Clerk Tina Mayer townwtfrd@tds.net Town Board Town Chairman Tom Hincz*....................................(262) 945-1015 thincz@wi.rr.com Supervisors Jan Alvey....................................... (414) 333-8066 Nick Draskovich*....................... (414) 640-4113 Lisa Jeschke*.............................. (262) 332-1326 Tim Szeklinski............................(414) 399-6943 * Term ends April 2015.

Planning Commission Ted Derse.....................................(262) 514-2567 Dale Gauerke.............................(262) 210-1668 Robert Hardy.............................. (262) 514-4554 Tom Hincz......................................(262) 945-1015 Duane Luick................................(262) 895-7129 Roy Schmidt...............................(262) 534-6767 Max Wenck................................ (262) 957-6500

Building Inspector Lee Greivell............................... (262) 534-9236 Municipal Court Judge Jill Mitchell...................................(262) 534-4880 Court Clerk Sharie Gauerke........................(262) 534-4880 Police Department Chief Tom Ditscheit................(262) 534-2119 tditscheit@waterfordpd.com Department of Public Works Supervisor Ken Hinz............ (262) 534-5705 Town Attorney Michael Dubis...........................(262) 534-6950 Christopher Schultz, assistant town attorney, (262) 534-6950 Town Treasurer Heather Stratton......................(262) 534-2350 townwtfrd1@tds.net

Village of Rochester 300 W. Spring St. P.O. Box 65 Rochester, WI 53167

Village Hall office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Clerk’s Office Village Clerk Betty Novy ................................................................(262) 534-2431 bnovy@rochesterwi.us Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Sandra J. Swan ..........................................(262) 534-2431, ext. 302 sswan@rochesterwi.us Village Board Board President Paul Beere*.................................(262) 534-2886 Trustees Ed Chart*....................................... (262) 492-3679 Gary Beck*.................................... (262) 534-2071 Mike Weinkauf*........................ (262) 534-2163 Chris Bennett.............................(262) 514-4505 Chris Johnson.............................(262) 534-1916 Russell Kumbier.......................(262) 210-7299 * Term ends April 2015.

Assessor Kathy Romanak....................... (262) 534-3003 romanak@tds.net Building Inspector Lee Greivell................................ (262) 424-6957 lgreivell@gmail.com

Town Assessor Kathy Romanak,...................... (262) 534-3003

Public Works Director Christopher Birkett ................................................................(262) 332-1017 cbirkett@rochesterwi.us

Fire Department Tichigan Volunteer Fire Co. ..............................................................(262) 758-8965

Zoning Administrator Jonathan Schattner..............(262) 902-2782 jschattner1@gmail.com

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

Village of Waterford

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Our clubs & organizations

Absolutely Waterford, Inc. 102 E. Main St. (262) 534-5911 www.absolutelywaterford.org American Legion Post 20 P.O. Box 65 Waterford, WI 53185 (262) 534-6225

Food Pantry – Community United Methodist Church 455 S. Jefferson St. (262) 534-2313 Fox River CAUSE 5950 N. River Bay Road Waterford, WI 53185 (262) 895-3205 Lions Club of Waterford P.O. Box 84 Waterford, WI 53185 (262) 534-5344

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

Lions Club – Tichigan Lake 6710 Big Bend Road

(262) 895-6268 www.facebook.com/ TichiganLakeLionsClub

8309 Parkside Lane (262) 534-1984 www.waterfordyouthbaseball-softball.com

Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce 102 East Main St. (262) 534-5911 chamber@waterford-wi.org

Tichigan Senior Citizens Club (262) 514-2864

Waterford-Rochester Jaycees Joetta@elknet.net

Tichigan Sno-N-Go Snowmobile Club P.O. Box 216 Waterford, WI 53185 (262) 895-2989

Waterford Area Kiwanis Club 4926 Elm Island Circle (262) 534-3596 www.kiwanisone.org

VFW Post 11038 Aspinall-Bair-Stober Post 29224 Evergreen Drive (262) 763-9075

Waterford Lions Club P.O. Box 84 Waterford, WI 53185 www.waterfordlionsclub.org

VFW Post 10441 Tichigan Memorial Post 8330 Fox River Road 414-355-3179

Waterford-Rochester Senior Card Club (262) 514‐2474

Kulchar-Fohr Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 8343 (262) 895-2153

Waterford Youth Baseball and Softball Association

Up, up and away!

Hot air balloons take to the sky during the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Balloon Festival, and can be seen just north of Pleasant Road near Caldwell. The 2015 Hot Air Balloon Festival

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terry alby Our Town

is set for July 17-19 on the Evergreen Elementary School grounds, 817 W. Main St. For more information, visit the Chamber’s website at www.waterford-wi.org.

With a

gold star

Area teen earns Girl Scouts’ highest award staff writer

or a Girl Scout who’s moved through the ranks and has reached high school, there’s an opportunity to earn an award placed above all others in the organization – the Gold Award.

It’s not easy. The award requires a deep commitment to the Girl Scout philosophy, which is spelled out in the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and a lot of hard work.

Waterford’s Annie Burdick knows just how much dedication achieving a Gold Award requires. She received the Girl Scouts’ highest honor last year. She’s been a scout since the second grade and her troop leaders are her mom Kelly Klein and stepmom Tracey Catarozoli.

To earn the award, Burdick, who graduated from Waterford Union High School in June, created and ran a pen pal program between 12 Lakeland School students and 12 Waterford High students.

Lakeland School in Elkhorn teaches many of Walworth County’s special needs children and young adults.

“Students at each school wrote numerous letters to each other over the course of several

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months and recently had the opportunity to meet their pen pal in person,” Burdick said.

“The project not only improved reading and writing skills but also taught lessons of acceptance and communication.”

Burdick said most of the kids from Waterford who participated in her project were peer listeners at the school and all of them were volunteers. The five boys and seven girls were grades 10 through 12.

All but one of the Lakeland students were in the 12th grade and in Danielle Davidsen’s class. Davidsen served as Burdick’s project advisor.

Burdick said she was drawn to the project in large part because of her close relationship to her aunt, Wendy Harmon, who is disabled.

“She is deaf and cognitively delayed and an extremely large part of my life,” Burdick said. “She works at VIP Services (Elkhorn), which employs disabled adults and she has also lived with my family for more than a year.”

That connection to Elkhorn helped Burdick start up her pen pal program. She said she thought about doing the program with people from VIP as she often volunteers • see Girl scouts on page 14

Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

What does it take to earn a Gold Award?

The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. The award, which is only open to high schoolers, challenges the girls to change the • see GolD aWarD on page 14

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

By Tracy Ouellette

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• Girl Scouts from page 13

there, but discussion with staff at VIP led to the suggestion that Lakeland School would be a better fit and offer more of a learning experience.

“Another factor for this project was my friend Frank. Frank also works at VIP, participates in bocce and bowling with my aunt and rides her bus,” Burdick said. “Frank and I have become good friends and have been ‘pen pals’ for over a year. It was from this pen pal connection that my Girl Scout leaders and I began brainstorming the Pen Pal Project.”

Burdick said the project helped the kids from Waterford hone their letter-writing skill and gave them the opportunity to connect with someone who is disabled, but had much in common with them.

The Lakeland students gained similar skills, she said. And the project tied in with their English class, helping them improve their reading and writing skills.

“Most importantly, all of the students had fun, connecting with each other,” Burdick said.

The Pen Pal Project began in late January with the students writing letters every other week.

“My group at Waterford would have two to five days to write and my aunt would deliver them to her work (VIP Services),” Burdick explained. “Danielle (Davidsen) would then pick them up and the Lakeland kids would have three to five days to respond, most of which would be done in class with the help of their teachers.”

The Lakeland students were instructed

in proper letter writing etiquette, including headings, dates, structure, etc., and were instructed not to share personal information, Burdick said.

Seeing the kids get to know each other through the letters was a reward in itself, she said.

“Charles and Anashi talked about high school, things they are looking forward to, things that stressed them out, etc. They were my strongest pair as far as connection,” she said.

There were jokes shared, long discussions about vacations, graduation and prom, as several of the Lakeland girls were on the prom court.

The students continued their correspondence through the end of the school year and a Pen Pal Project wrap party was held May 29 at the Hampton Inn in Elkhorn.

The students ate pizza and cake, played games, colored pictures, chatted with each other and had the opportunity to exchange addresses/emails to keep in touch.

Burdick said the program will continue this school year, but with Waterford’s Tri-M music honors society taking over.

“I’m also hoping to give the information and tools to start the project to other nearby schools,” she said.

Girl Scouts The Girl Scouts have been going strong for more than a century with the first troop founded by Juliette Gordon Low on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga. Girl Scouts of the USA was chartered by the U.S. Congress on

March 16, 1950.

There are 3.2 million Girl Scouts in the United States – 2.3 million girl members and 890,000 adult members working primarily as volunteers. Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a worldwide family of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries.

The organization’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

According to the Girl Scout website, scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decisionmaking; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

For more information, visit www. girlscouts.org.

• Gold award from page 13

world – or at least their corner of it.

According to the Girl Scouts’ website, after a scout earns the Bronze and Silver Awards, there are seven steps to earning the Gold Award. They are: 1. Identify an issue; 2. Investigate it thoroughly; 3. Get help and build a team; 4. Create a plan; 5. Present the plan and gather feedback; 6. Take action; and 7. Educate and inspire.

The scouts involved in Gold Award projects work hard to make a difference in their communities and spend countless hours developing and implementing their plans.

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

A century of extraordinary projects from extraordinary girls

submitted photo Our Town

Pen pals Gabe Breen, of Lakeland School in Elkhorn, and Shane Strabley enjoy a snack together at the Pen Pal Project wrap party last May. Strabley was one of a dozen students from Waterford Union High School who helped Annie Burdick with her Gold Award project.

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Starting in 1916, the best and brightest Girl Scouts undertook projects that improved their communities—and the world. The Golden Eaglet insignia, the highest award in Girl Scouting from 1916 to 1939, marked the beginning of a long tradition of recognizing the extraordinary efforts of extraordinary girls. From 1940 to 1963, the Curved Bar Award was the highest honor in Girl Scouting. From 1963 to 1980, the highest award was called First Class.

And since 1980, the Gold Award has inspired girls to find the greatness inside themselves and share their ideas and passions with their communities.

For more information, visit www. girlscouts.org.

submitted photo Our Town

Above: Annie Burdick (left), Frank Hoover and Annie’s sister Caroline Burdick at the Special Olympics State Bocce Tournament.

Caroline is a junior at Waterford High and is also working toward

her Girl Scout Gold Award. Page 13: Annie and her aunt, Wendy Harmon, share a hug. Harmon was the inspiration for Annie’s Gold Award project.

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VillaGe of

VillaGe of

Whitford park 625 n. river road Whitford Park is available to rent for certain events such as wedding showers, family reunions and birthday parties.

Park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Contact the village clerk at (262) 534-3980 or vwaterford. clerk@tds.net for details or see Whitford Park Rental Form.

pioneer park 101 s. front street Downtown Rochester park provides a scenic view of the Fox River with fishing and picnic facilities.

Our ParKs

Waterford

toWn of

Waterford

Jensen park highway 164 and Jensen parkway Park pavilion and/or ball diamond rentals available.

Call (262) 534-2350 or email townwtfrd1@tds.net for details.

Rochester

rochester commons park 208 W. spring st.

Park on the Rochester Public Library and Village Hall grounds offers a full basketball court and playground equipment for the kids. case eagle park south rochester street The park entrance is located just west of the intersection of Highway 36 and Highway J (South Rochester Street in the village).

The 239-acre park contains two baseball diamonds, nature trails, a fenced in dog park,

fishing on the Fox River, and a canoe launch.

A Racine County bike trail includes this park in a continuous trail from the City of Burlington north to Wind Lake. saller Woods highway 36 The park entrance is just south of where the Fox River crosses Highway 36. This 91acre park runs alongside the river and contains nature, bike and cross country ski trails.

Wadewitz nature park

2716 Buena park road The 176-acre park functions as a primitive group campsite with, a lodge, numerous hiking and cross country ski trails. The natural resource orientated site contains some of the finest glacial topography and wooded vegetation to be found in the county.

Racine County’s ONLY In-House, Full Service Lab With Glasses Made As Quickly As You Need them

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AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF HIGHER QUALITY FASHION EYEWEAR MANUFACTURERS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY EYEWEAR SINCE 1918 Corner of Hwy. 36 & Main St., Waterford, WI

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• We offer BOTH Full Care and Preschool • State Licensed • Open 6am - 6pm • Year round enrollment for children 2-12 • 4 star rating with Youngstar • 4-k program taught by a certified teacher • Summer Programs • Dedicated, well trained staff • Hot Lunches

Clockwise from right: A dawn bright with purple and blue hues is captured Monday in a view that looks east over the Bay from Island View Court in Waterford; a piano concert is given at the Waterford Public Library; sunowers bloom in front of the Waterford Veterinary Clinic on Main Street; the Union Grove Broncos perform down Main Street during Absolutely Waterford’s Winter Wonderland Parade in 2014; bikers travel down Main Street on a warm spring day.

Seen around

town terry alby Our Town

Maureen Vander sanden Our Town

terry alby Our Town

Maureen Vander sanden Our Town

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

linnea lanGusCh Our Town

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linnea lanGusCh Our Town

The Fox River dam in the Village of Waterford is a hot fishing spot in the spring and summer, attracting anglers from all around.

IMPortant numbers

utilities

2015 WATERFORD OUR TOWN

Diggers hotline: (800) 242-8511 electric WE Energies – Customer service: (800) 242-9137; 24-hour emergency service: (800) 662-4797 (electric, lights) or (800) 261- 5325 (gas, odors, leaks, appliance repairs) telephone TDS Telecom: 262-534-5101 cable television companies • Time-Warner Cable Customer service: (888) 395-7175 • DirecTV Customer service: (800) 630-5795

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• Dish Network (TDS Telecom) Customer Service (888) 634-8410

airports • Burlington Municipal Airport 703 Airport Road Airport manager Gary Meisner ..... (262) 763-6600 • East Troy Municipal Airport Highways 20 and L Airport manager Walter Watkins . (262) 642-5008

GarBaGe picKup/ recyclinG • Town of Waterford: Veolia (800) 232-0860

• Village of Waterford: John’s Disposal Service Inc. (262) 473-4700

neWspapers Weekly • Waterford Post............... (262) 763-3330 Daily • Racine Journal Times .................................................(262) 634–3322 • Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ................................................. (414) 224-2000

post offices • Waterford Post Office, 218 N. Milwaukee St., 262-534-3255 • Rochester Post Office, 208 W. Main St., (262) 534-6100

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Selecting an assisted living facility is an important decision.

At Waterford Assisted Living & Memory Care, we strive to make it an easy choice for residents and their families.

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Activities Socialization Fitness Salon/Barber Shop Full Spa 14 more Assisted Living Apartments Available March 2015

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Visit Talk of the Town for more information.

4G LTE not available in all areas. See uscellular.com/4G for complete coverage details. 4G LTE service provided through King Street Wireless, a partner of U.S. Cellular. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.©2015 U.S. Cellular No_Contract_4GLTE_Version1_Print_DI_7_5x10

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Burlington Crossing Shopping Center CALL FOR STORE HOURS. 1709 Milwaukee Ave.(next to Dollar Tree), 262-763-8255

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