The TLW Fall Convention & Trade Show that ran from September 30 through October 3 in Wisconsin Dells inspired all who attended.
Since 2004, the SafeRide Program has provided more than a million safe rides, proving its value to TLW members and patrons alike.
PLATINUM
5TH DISTRICT TAVERN LEAGUE
OSHKOSH CITY/WINNEBAGO COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE
DOOR COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE
MARINETTE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE
OCONTO COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE
PLATINUM $1,000 Annual Membership Level
GOLD $500 Annual Membership Level
SILVER $250 Annual Membership Level
For more information on becoming a Special Club Member, call the TLW office at (608) 270-8591.
PRESIDENT
Keith Kern
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Cathy Vales
SECRETARY
Kris Zappa
TREASURER
Todd Giraud
SOUTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT
Jennifer Collison
SOUTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT
Keith Koehler
EASTERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT
Vinny Egle
EASTERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT
Don Mjelde
CENTRAL ZONE VICE PRESIDENT
Paul Salzwedel
CENTRAL DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT
Bob Carpenter
NORTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT
Donn “Dino” Amundson
NORTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT
Nancy Lorbetske
CLASS A DIRECTOR
Jenny Malcore
PAST PRESIDENT
Chris Marsicano
MANAGING EDITOR
Carrie Mantey, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Jerriann Mullen, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc. jem@ntmediagroup.com
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE
Danielle Letenyei Nei-Turner Media Group Inc. danielle@ntmediagroup.com
PRINTED BY Kodi Collective, Illinois
On Premise (ISSN #1051-4562) is a bimonthly publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin Inc., 11801 W. Silver Spring Dr., Ste. 200, Milwaukee, WI 53225, Phone: (608) 270-8591.
On Premise is produced by Nei-Turner Media Group Inc., 400 Broad St., Unit D, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. Gary Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher.
For advertising information, please contact Danielle Letenyei at (608) 438-6996 or danielle@ntmediagroup.com. Subscriptions are included in TLW membership dues; nonmember subscriptions cost $15 per year.
Postmaster: Send address corrections to the Tavern League of Wisconsin Office, 11801 W. Silver Spring Dr., Ste. 200, Milwaukee, WI 53225. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI and other additional offices.
©2024 Tavern League of Wisconsin Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication, and credit given to author and On Premise.
We have made it through yet another election cycle, both federally and statewide. No more robot calls and text surveys, and enough combustibles to start fires all winter long.
Once again, 2024 proved to not hold back, not only by being the most expensive, but also by revealing surprises with every day that passed.
With this election being my first national election since becoming TLW president, I can say it was another educational experience. Back in 2020, when I ran for Assembly, there were only a few races aside from my own that mattered to me. Of course, for the TLW, every race is a must-win for all candidates we endorse.
So to say the least, it was a big change for me on November 5 as, like many of you, I looked to the TV for results from not only my local area, but also from around the state and nationally.
Historically, the TLW is heavily involved in races around the state and this year was no different than any other in that respect. Historic contributions — on various levels — were distributed with the help of every one of you to the candidates who support our industry.
The endorsement of the TLW brings something no other group can — a direct grassroots system that hits every county in our state. A system that goes through our local leagues and then passes to members who usually share it with many of their customers. It’s a networking system that truly has no dollar amount associated with it; candidates recognize its value, and strive to earn and keep it.
Regardless of the political side you stand on, legislation needs votes to pass or fail, no matter the party pushing the bill. We have fought hard once again as an association to elect or re-elect those who have supported us, and the result showed on that first Tuesday.
Not every candidate that was endorsed might be your personal favorite, but much thought and consideration went into each race, knowing they were the best for the association as a whole.
some new faces that will have to be educated on all the great things we, as the TLW, accomplish back home in each one of our districts. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and prepare for the years to come and what they have in store for our industry.
Left or right, we must stay focused on what is best to preserve the ability to achieve success not only today, but for years to come!
With the election now over, we also find ourselves entering into another busy season. Holiday parties, winter recreation, employment and the cost of goods continue to be the most important topics I hear around the state.
The endorsement of the TLW brings something no other group can — a direct grassroots system that hits every county in our state. A system that goes through our local leagues and then passes to members who usually share it with many of their customers. It’s a networking system that truly has no dollar amount associated with it; candidates recognize its value, and strive to earn and keep it.
Let’s all hope that we start to see things get back to normal moving forward and that we get plenty of the white gold in the areas that need it to be prosperous.
Coming off too many consecutive hard years with issue after issue, I hope you all can find some time to enjoy family over the holiday season or, at the very least, right after. Best wishes and I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks!
Cheers,
As we move forward following any election, relationships will have to be maintained or even mended. We will see
Keith Kern TLW President
Another election season is in the books. The political ads are gone for now and, as expected, we are going to see a lot of new faces sworn into office in January.
The TLW has tended to focus most of its efforts on elections held at the state level because it’s where most of the policy affecting the alcohol retail industry is decided. (Credit card processing and the growing issue of music licensing are among the notable exceptions handled at the federal level.)
This year, the Tavern League endorsed over 60 candidates from both sides of the aisle. All but one of those candidates were victorious! We’re grateful to our longtime government affairs expert and lobbyist Scott Stenger for his leadership in successfully advising the board and members through all of the changes posed by the new maps, as well as the endorsement process.
In some cases, state Tavern League leaders heard from members who wanted a candidate from a different party endorsed. While many of the candidates supporting the Tavern League and its members tended to be more conservative, some were not. In some cases, individual Democrats had a strong record of working with the Tavern League and its members on issues important to the industry, and helped supply votes necessary to pass bills we supported. They were poised to do so in the future as well, so we supported them.
Republican majorities in both houses are significantly smaller after the November election, largely due to new district lines that put Democrats in a strong position to pick up seats. Come January, Assembly Republicans will hold a 54-45 majority, down from the present 64-35 margin. In the Senate, Republicans will hold an 18-15 edge, down from a 22-11 majority. Many speculate Democrats could win the majority in the Senate after the 2026 election cycle.
All this means is that the Tavern League must build and maintain relationships with any member of the legislature who is willing to work with us and our 5,000 members. That’s why the Tavern League board and league leaders chose to endorse candidates based on their support for a state tavern industry that provides 160,000 jobs, $3 billion in wages and over $2.5 billion in taxes, plus donates over
$15 million. Personal views may lead some of us to a different conclusion, but the Tavern League is committed to working with anyone willing to work with us.
Now more change is on the horizon. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) Division of Alcohol Beverages will begin the process of implementing the rules it will follow after the legislature passed sweeping changes to Wisconsin’s alcohol regulations last year. There will be several issues we’ll be monitoring and we will be particularly interested in the operator’s permits that are set to be issued at the state level starting in January. Any proposals brought by the DOR will eventually make their way to the legislature for approval. In the coming session, the legislature could also consider THC regulations that could affect Delta 9 drinks, among many other bills that could affect the industry.
With a Democratic Governor and the Democrats with larger minorities in both houses of the legislature, we will continue to take a bipartisan approach to best protect and promote the state’s alcohol retail industry.
Furthermore, we remain grateful for the support of the industry under the GOP leadership of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, and look forward to continuing our work with the Republican majorities in both houses. Because of their support, more Republicans than Democrats were endorsed in this election cycle — especially in the Assembly — but there were notable exceptions.
With the elections behind us, we will be adapting to the changes in Madison. We’ll also continue adapting to changing times internally at the TLW. Believe it or not, more candidates for office will be spending December circulating nomination papers for the next round of elections in the spring. After a brief rest, get ready for more political ads because next April will bring a Wisconsin Supreme Court race that will decide conservative or liberal control of the court. There will also be a race for the Superintendent of Public Instruction (the state’s top education official) and hundreds of local elections. These races will not require as much campaign activity from the Tavern League. Nevertheless, it seems it’s always election season in Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Mark Jefferson TLW Executive Director
• Co-Sponsor of TLW Legislative Day
• Underwriter of TLW Video on Jobs and Employment
• Provider of Coin-Operated Games at TLW Conferences & Shows to Benefit TIPAC
• Sponsor of the TLW Trip Giveaway at TLW Spring Conference & Show
• Donor of Large-Screen TV at TLW Fall Convention & Show
(SafeRide, Golf, Others)
• Contributions and Support from Individual WAMO Members
• Matching Funds from WAMO to Taver n League Locals
• Contributions to SafeRide Program, Golf and Others
• Active Participation and Attendance
KLB Insurance is a TLW corporate sponsor, and Kim Brown and her staff are ready to work for Tavern League members at any hour of the day.
“I am different from any other agent you’ll meet. We are a small agency, but extremely dedicated to our clients,” says Brown, owner of KLB Insurance. “We are known for taking 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. calls, and being first on the scene for your insurance needs. We take pride in being there when you need us.”
Brown’s commitment to her clients is evident in her ability to resolve complex insurance issues. For example, she helped a client significantly reduce his workers’ compensation premium by correcting a longstanding claim error. The client had struggled with his former insurance company for several years to address a claim incorrectly assigned to the workers’ compensation carrier.
“We are known for taking 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. calls, and being first on the scene for your insurance needs. We take pride in being there when you need us.”
— Kim Brown, KLB Insurance
Brown stepped in, quickly identified the problem and took decisive action. As a result, she was able to lower the client’s premium by 40%, providing substantial long-term savings.
“I jumped in and got it done,” she says. “I deal personally with claims and work to get the best outcomes for you as soon as possible. Your claim is the most important thing to us.”
This dedication is also supported by the fact that KLB Insurance doesn’t have an 800 number — when you call, you get a person and action.
The company provides any line of insurance a TLW member may need, including property, general liability, workers’ compensation, cyber insurance, liquor liability, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), umbrella policies, group medical, employee benefits liability and more. The business also works with a variety of carriers to provide the best coverage at the most competitive rate.
In the insurance industry for nearly 40 years, and a former server and bartender, Brown knows Tavern League members work hard to maintain their businesses. That’s why she became a corporate sponsor many years ago. “I believe in the membership and I’m familiar with the work it takes to run that type of business,” she says.
Brown emphasizes the importance of educating clients about insurance. This includes helping clients understand how to read their policies, how policies should be drafted for smooth claim payments and the impact of current trends on insurance coverage.
For example, Brown advises TLW members to re-evaluate their property insurance, particularly business interruption coverage. She warns that, if an establishment experiences a fire, and needs a new walk-in cooler or HVAC system, for instance, it could face significant delays and increased costs due to supply chain issues or contractor availability.
Additionally, she mentions that most insurers only cover business interruption for 12 months, which is often insufficient given current construction timelines. Instead, she recommends extending this coverage to 18 to 24 months.
Brown also encourages clients to review their EPLI coverage or obtain it if they don’t have it already. EPLI covers businesses against workers’ claims that their legal rights as employees have been violated, such as by sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination or discipline, negligent evaluation and more.
Due to increased political polarization and social sensitivity, EPLI claims are on the rise. Brown says that the minimum cost per claim is typically between $25,000 and $50,000.
She suggests that Tavern League members shop for insurance based on service, not price. Brown is confident KLB Insurance offers top-notch service. “The cheapest price will not pay your claims and I’ll give you the best service,” she concludes. TLW
KLB INSURANCE
P.O. Box 25407, Woodbury, MN 55125
(651) 730-9803
kim@klbins.com klbins.com
SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION
SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION these groups for their support, and encourage others not on the list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support us.”
Make sure to thank these groups for their support and encourage others not on the list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call the TLW office at (608) 270-8591 for more information regarding the benefits of the different categories. Remember to “support those who support us.”
sure and thank these groups for their support, and encourage others not on the list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support us.”
September 30 - October 3, 2024
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells
TLW members’ spirits were high at the TLW Fall Convention & Trade Show that ran from September 30 through October 3 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells. The conference drew more than 1,000 attendees and the trade show sold out. In addition, attendees raised $54,200 at the Live Auction and more than $2,000 at the Silent Auction.
On Monday, the TLW Board of Directors met, while some members participated in the food safety class and exam. In the evening, the Dells/Delton Area County Tavern League hosted a welcome party at Bobbers Island Grill in Wisconsin Dells, while the band Retro Specz entertained.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1
The Nominating Committee held a meeting before everyone convened for the general session. TLW President Keith Kern (and owner of Jimmy’s Saloon in Superior) welcomed TLW members to Wisconsin Dells.
After the opening ceremony, Keith Koehler, Southern District vice president of the TLW, president of the Dells/ Delton Area Tavern League, and owner of The Keg & Patio , Kilbourn Cork and Rockin Chicken Shack in Wisconsin Dells, started off the session with a welcome.
“ Hogs for Heroes is our theme this year. In 2021, the TLW gifted our first bike to Kevin and Audra Thompson of Hogs for Heroes. We’ve given three more. It’s going to be the Hogs for Heroes 10th year anniversary. Their goal was to donate one bike a year, but they gifted bike No. 50 this year,” said Koehler, who summoned Kevin to the stage.
“Our mission is simple. We raise money to buy HarleyDavidsons for injured Wisconsin veterans. You provide the support and make it happen. You know 100% of each
dollar you raise goes to veterans. It takes a lot of courage to be a veteran. It also takes a lot of courage to say I’m a veteran and I’m not OK. I need help,” said Kevin.
Andy Beck, the most recent recipient of Hogs for Heroes and a Marine serving in two deployments to Iraq, was welcomed to speak next. “It’s hard to find the words to express my gratitude,” began Andy.
“It’s more than a bike. The application process gives us a platform for getting our story out there,” he said. “After answering the questions and essays, I realized that was the first time in 20 years that I put my story together, in my own handwriting. Just being able to tell my story gave me a sense of relief and ownership over my story. I can’t thank you enough for supporting this program.”
Audra shared the joy a Harley-Davidson can bring a distressed veteran. “We gift more than just a motorcycle,” she said. “Riders can find some personal freedom. Adrenaline. It gets them excited, engaged and back in the public again. It enhances relationships. That family unit becomes stronger. When we said let’s do this 10 years ago, we never saw the family we’d create coming. The lives we’d touch. The lives we’d save.”
Then she turned the microphone over to Jen Driebel, another Hogs for Heroes recipient, who said, “Hogs for Heroes has changed my life. I gained a family and freedom again. All the Hogs for Heroes recipients just went on a ride last weekend. The support I felt was unmatched. That’s how we heal.”
Cathy Vales, senior vice president of the TLW, and of Mike & Cathy’s Good Old Days in Montello, introduced Kern
to make a couple of announcements. “I want to welcome everyone and thank you for taking time away from your establishments. We continue to be busy,” he said.
“We passed our budget in July. We have a little bit of a surplus and we’re hoping to give more back to the members. We have a 401(k) program to talk about, which will be great for our members and employee retention. We have a state-wide venture with Uber right now,” he listed.
“We have a lot of things in the hopper, but for now, I’m going to introduce Kris Zappa, our state secretary,” concluded Kern.
Zappa of Bourbon’s Bar in Cumblerland summarized that the trade show sold out and attracted new exhibitors; about 100 people attended League Leaders Day; TLW executive director Mark Jefferson recently gave a report on, and there was discussion about, fake IDs; Tour Ozaukee will become the TLW’s new magazine producer; the golf outing raised over $8,000; and the TLW is still looking for a bilingual instructor for food safety classes.
Kern then offered the podium to Todd Giraud, TLW treasurer, and owner of Rite Spot Bar & Grill in Sparta, for his detailed financial report.
Jefferson introduced the next speaker. “We hope you never have an active shooter situation, but we know it happens. Please welcome Robert Smith, the CEO of Nightlife Security Consultants .”
Smith has been conducting active shooter awareness training for 24 years. “Law enforcement and bar owners, your job is similar to what ours is. We have to stop the party when it gets too rowdy,” started Smith.
He suggested that taverns are more likely to see an active shooter than other businesses, and more likely to be
affected by unplanned active shooters as a result of alcohol consumption, big egos and flaring tempers. “Your tavern is ground zero. We need to accept that an unplanned shooter is our most common issue. Take this information to your
team at work. Take this to your family. If someone is shooting, there should be a protocol and the whole team should know what it is,” he warned.
“About 91% of bar and tavern uplanned shooting incidents involve an intoxicated or over-intoxicated shooter. You can refuse anyone you want. Get the No Weapons sign up if you want to be able to call the police. Or you can keep tabs on someone who’s intoxicated,” he reminded the audience. “And if you discover someone has their gun on them, you can ask them to leave.”
After Smith concluded, Jefferson returned to the podium to introduce the next speaker, Andrew Disher from Society Insurance , to discuss changes in the insurance industry.
“The last few years have been tough. You’re seeing increases on your insurance. We’re seeing increases on our reinsurance. We have to pass that down to the insured, but we now put liquor liability on its own line. You don’t have to buy it if you don’t want to have it,” he shared.
Next, Kern introduced Don Mjelde, the TLW Eastern District vice president and owner of Richard Craniums in Green Bay, to present the President’s Award. “Wayne Machut owns Machut’s Supper Club in Two Rivers. He’s the treasurer of the Manitowoc County Tavern League. He worked for his parents. He married Jean in ‘74. He had three kids. He acted as a TLW state director for over 10 years. Ask anybody in Two Rivers about Wayne, and they’ll tell you about a loving husband and father,” congratulated Mjelde.
Machut accepted the award with: “I love this association.”
At that point, Kern invited Barb Bigalke, the executive director and founder of the Center for Suicide Awareness , to say a few words. “How are my certifiable unlicensed therapists? That’s you! We have hundreds of crisis counselors to help out. Realize that the HOPELINE is there 24/7. You’re there for us and we’re there for you.”
At noon, the trade show opened for TLW members to explore, talk to vendors and sample new products, while other members attended the seminars. First, Smith of Nightlife Security, offered a Q&A on active shooter situations. A second seminar introduced the new TLW 401(k) program from VantagePointe Financial Group
At the Tuesday Night Party, TLW members enjoyed the band SuperTuesday, the TLW Live Auction benefiting Direct Givers and each other’s company.
The general session began when Kern introduced Scott Stenger, the TLW’s lobbyist, for his legislative report.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on these new races,” said Stenger. “Who wins affects you and how you operate your business. We want to build relationships and, frankly, we need to build more relationships with democrats. Tammy Baldwin has supported some of our biggest legislation in Wisconsin. We don’t care what party you are. If you don’t support us, we won’t support you. We’re very transparent and consistent on supporting candidates who support us.”
Jefferson introduced the next speaker, “It’s my pleasure to introduce Mark Meyer who took over as the administrator at the Department of Revenue for the big alcohol bill last year for the Division of Alcohol Beverages.”
Meyer pointed out that he wanted to discuss four items:
1. The New Bill
“I’m coming from a position of wanting to put a big emphasis on stakeholders,” he said. “I want the TLW to help set up this division. I want you to be able to pick up
and call me anytime. I want to break the paradigm of us vs. them and include you as stakeholders. The new bill added up to 150 changes to Chapter 125. My job is to implement those and obtain the staff to do it. We’re up and running, making progress and administering all of the permits that have been authorized.”
2. The New Administrative Rules and How to Implement Them
“The agency must draw up administrative rules. How are we going to implement these policies? We’ve been working on it,” Meyer said. “They’re written and being reviewed with the legal team at the governor’s office. Ultimately, they’ll be sent to the legislature for review. There will be five opportunities by way of public hearings to let us know what you don’t like.”
3. The Statewide Operator’s Permit
“The statewide operator’s permit will be available on Jan. 1, 2025. You can use this permit to work in any municipality in the state,” Meyer said.
“The dilemma we face is that we’re not sure what to expect. In the state, there are more than 17,000 retail establishments, 12,000 of which are bars and restaurants, and the rest are Class C stores. We don’t know how many operator’s permits exist right now, and in many cases, we don’t know what the pool is in the state. We know some bartenders have several licenses. Stay tuned,” he continued.
4.
“As of May 1, you can make batch cocktails under certain conditions,” Meyer said. “We have a form on our website that tells you which containers you can pour your batch cocktails out of. I’m curious to hear how this is working for you.”
He concluded, “Thanks for letting me come and share my views. I look forward to working with all of you.”
“We want to have a good working partnership with the Department of Revenue,” acknowledged Kern before welcoming Jefferson to speak.
“We’re the largest association of our kind in the world. We’re a league of 5,000 members,” observed Jefferson. “But it’s the stories that tell people who we are and what we’re about. We need to be the grassroots effort of the alcohol industry. Legislators know who you are. You can make personal connections with them in your areas. We support those who support us and we encourage you to get involved locally. It makes our clout stronger.”
Tasks for Front-of-House
• Make sure servers have closed their tables properly and have cashed out for the night
• Take out the trash and secure the garbage or dumpster area
• Polish glassware and roll silverware for the next day
Tasks for Back-of-House
• Clean and sanitize food prep areas and work surfaces
• Take inventory and report low-stock items
• Update food labels
Tasks for Managers:
• Reconcile or balance cash registers
• Properly secure all cash in a drop safe
• Take notes on the night’s operations
• Set building alarms and lock the doors
Some of the main benefits of a thorough and consistent closing checklist include enhanced restaurant safety, energy savings, improved organization and smoother business operations, and reduced business risk.
To learn more about how Society Insurance can help your business, contact your local agent today.
This information is provided as a convenience for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. It is provided to assist you in recognizing potential unsafe work problems or conditions and not to establish compliance with any law, rule or regulation.
Then Kern invited Tina Conley, TLW managing director, to the stage.
“You’ve been adopted into my family and I feel as though I’ve been adopted into yours,” she noted. “Let’s keep the lines of communication open. We want to make sure local and state leagues are aligned. I’m glad you’re my people.”
The trade show, a League Leader meeting, a Q&A with the Division of Alcohol Enforcement and the district caucuses followed the general session before everyone headed to the President’s Reception to enjoy the evening.
The TLW kicked off the general session with the Spring 2025 Election Parade of Candidates and briefed members on the nominating committee report. The general session concluded with a number of drawings and a video wrap-up of the conference.
Shortly thereafter, TLW members took off for The Keg & Patio in Wisconsin Dells to celebrate the end of the 88th Annual Fall Convention & Trade Show at the Dells/Delton Area Tavern League President’s Reception. TLW
Long-standing industry expertise means that nobody understands the unique challenges of protecting your hospitality business better than Society Insurance. Offering tried-and-true specialized programs, we are proud to provide comprehensive coverage for restaurants and bars.
The program continues to prove its value to TLW members and patrons.
One of the top priorities of the TLW and its more than 4,500 members is to keep its patrons safe. That’s why, for over two decades, TLW has offered its SafeRide Program, which aims to eliminate drunk driving on Wisconsin’s roadways by providing free rides home to patrons who need them.
In fact, over the last year, the TLW’s SafeRide Program has provided more than 40,400 free rides home from all over the state of Wisconsin.
Don Mjelde, chair of the TLW’s SafeRide Committee, president of the Brown County Tavern League and owner of Richard Craniums in Green Bay, says “A lot of other states have congratulated us on our program, but none of them have been able to accomplish anything like what we have because they don’t have a league as strong as us.”
SafeRide began in 1994 when a small group of tavern owners committed to forming a program to provide safe transportation home for patrons. Since 2004, the program has provided more than 1 million safe rides home.
It costs nearly $1 million annually to operate SafeRide, which is borne by both Tavern League members and funds
generated by surcharges on operating while impaired (OWI) convictions. The Tavern League administers the program, along with oversight from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
In 1999, Wisconsin Act 109 established a small $5 surcharge on every OWI to be used for alternative transportation from Class B licensees to a customer’s home. The surcharge is now $50 per OWI.
The SafeRide Program has more than proven that it is a valuable program worthy of the investment. Over the last seven years, not including the last few reporting years, SafeRide has provided an average of more than 73,000 rides per year, which translates to 200 per day.
Since 2007, OWI convictions have declined by 44% and alcohol-related facilities by nearly 50%.
However, a reduction of cab services in many communities is presenting challenges and making partnerships with ride-sharing companies more of an imperative. “We are seeing the paradigm shift in ride-sharing and we need to be as vigilant as possible to maximize the SafeRide Program,” concludes Mjelde. TLW
BY JOHN BODNOVICH, ABL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Congress returned in September following its summer recess and, despite the protestations of conservative House Republicans, passed a stop-gap spending bill that will fund the federal government through December 20, 2024. American Beverage Licensees (ABL) did not take a position on the bill. Funding was set to run out on September 30, 2024. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) initially sought a six-month funding extension that would have punted the appropriations debate to the 119th Congress.
The three-month extension increases the likelihood that there will be an omnibus package of fiscal year 2025 spending bills hammered out in the lame-duck session and presents another legislative opportunity to advance ABL legislative priorities like the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) by attaching them to a larger piece of legislation.
Of note before the end of the year will be anticipated reports on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), a potential Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on alcohol industry trade practices, possibly further action by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on competition under the Robinson-Patman Act and efforts to delay Corporate Transparency Act reporting requirements. Planning and discussions about extending the 2017 tax measures, many of which expire at the end of 2025, remain ongoing and will continue in the next Congress.
Main Street bars, taverns and package liquor stores compete every day and, in doing so, ensure that American consumers have the best beer, wine and spirits marketplace in the world.
ABL has engaged on those issues and others during the summer and fall, and expects to continue its lobbying and advocacy efforts for the rest of the year. This will include supporting additional fly-ins on the CCCA; adding cosponsors to the Creating Hospitality Economic Enhancement for Restaurants and Servers (CHEERS) Act; supporting media engagement, grassroots action and potential legislation addressing the dietary guidelines process; and building membership in the 21st Amendment Caucus .
Every five years, the departments of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) update the DGAs. These guidelines must be grounded in the body of scientific and medical knowledge available at the time, and not based on any individual studies or opinions. The process for developing the 2025–2030 DGAs is underway.
However, for this cycle, the HHS and USDA have broken from a decades-long process, and determined that updating the alcohol guidelines should be handled separately from the work of the 2025 DGA Advisory Committee, the group officially tasked with reviewing the science for DGA topics. Instead, they have created a duplicative process with a group that was appointed without transparency or public input. In the advisory committee’s place, two parallel reviews are being conducted on the topic of adult alcohol consumption.
The first review, conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), was congressionally mandated. ABL supports the transparent DGA review process that was funded and mandated by Congress. The second review, conducted by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), has been marred by issues such as unaddressed conflicts of interest, a lack of stakeholder input, a lack of public transparency and the use of an unprecedented review process. This ICCPUD process threatens to undermine the bedrock credibility of the DGAs, which rests on transparency and accurate descriptions of the existing body of scientific knowledge.
ABL has been working with other industry members to raise awareness of this issue on Capitol Hill, and with the Biden administration and the public. ABL staff anticipates that the NASEM and ICCPUD reports will be published before the end of 2024. Until they are, ABL will continue to engage legislators and the administration in calling for a science-based process as authorized by Congress. TLW members can visit scienceoverbias.com to learn more.
The 21st Amendment Caucus hosted a panel discussion on September 18, 2024, at the U.S. Capitol. The event brought together key CEOs from some of the beverage
alcohol industry’s leading trade associations, including Francis Creighton of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America , Amanda Nguyen of the American Distilled Spirits Alliance , Craig Purser of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and me representing ABL. Caucus co-chair Susie Lee (D-NV) introduced the panel, which is focused on the impact of the 21st Amendment on the U.S. alcohol market.
Key topics include the benefits of the three-tier system, which promotes competition and ensures consumer safety, as well as the looming expiration of critical tax provisions in 2025, which could significantly affect the industry. The panel emphasized the importance of maintaining statebased regulation and the 199A tax deduction to support small, family-owned businesses in the alcohol sector.
I said, “Main Street bars, taverns and package liquor stores compete every day and, in doing so, ensure that American consumers have the best beer, wine and spirits marketplace in the world. These small businesses remain committed to working within well-established, state-based alcohol regulatory systems, balanced with a constitutionally appropriate level of federal policy engagement on beverage alcohol issues.”
The Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) held a fly-in on September 25, 2024, for retailers to meet with members of Congress and staff to reiterate the importance of passing the bipartisan CCCA this year. ABL took part in the meetings with the Senate offices. The CCCA calls for a minimum of two routing networks (i.e., competition) for credit card transactions. It improves security and redundancy for credit card transactions, but it does not set fees. Credit card and debit card swipe fees totaled $224 billion in 2023 and the average credit card swipe fee rate was 2.94%, according to CMSPI. The CCCA would save the average family $1,700 a year.
The prospects for the CCCA passing Congress remain uncertain due to strong opposition from the financial and payments industry, which continues to lobby aggressively against the bill. But ABL, its members and its partners will continue to advocate for the bill and a vote on it before the end of the year.
MPC is also working on state sign-on letters in support of the CCCA that will go to congressional offices. Senate offices have indicated that these state-specific letters are one of the most impactful items they’ve received on the CCCA. ABL strongly urges TLW members to sign on to this letter.
The CHEERS Act is gaining momentum and support in the House of Representatives. Introduced on March 7, 2024, by Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), the bipartisan bill now has 34 co-sponsors, although Rep. Scott Fitzgerald
(R-WI) is the only member of the Wisconsin delegation that is currently a co-sponsor.
The CHEERS Act would expand the Section 179D deduction for qualifying investments in energy-efficient systems on commercial premises to apply to all new keg and tap properties. The legislation would also provide an additional benefit for the remodeling of draft property, and for lost or stolen kegs, and expand Section 179D again to include an incentive for energy-efficient draft containers and installation property, providing immediate tax relief to on-premise businesses.
A coalition supporting the CHEERS Act recently launched cheersact.org to help bill supporters encourage members of Congress to support local bars and taverns by signing on in support of the legislation.
In September 2024, Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Protect Small Business from Excessive Paperwork Act — legislation which would delay the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA’s) reporting requirements by one year. ABL supports this bill.
The CTA was enacted in 2021 to curb illicit finance and requires certain business entities (each defined as a “reporting company”) to file, in the absence of an exemption, information on their “beneficial owners” with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Any person violating the reporting requirements of the CTA is liable for civil penalties of not more than $500 for each day that the violation continues, and criminal penalties of imprisonment of up to two years and fines of up to $10,000. The U.S. Beneficial Ownership Information Registry began accepting reports on January 1, 2024. Reporting companies created or registered to do business in the United States before January 1 must file by January 1, 2025.
Delaying the CTA would provide federal regulators additional time to educate millions of small business owners regarding the CTA’s new reporting requirements and the onerous penalties resulting if they fail to comply. It would also allow time for the ongoing legal challenge to work its way through the courts while restoring Congress’ original intent to give covered entities a full two years to comply with the statute’s reporting requirements. TLW
ABL is the voice of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers in Washington, D.C. The association represents the TLW and its many members, as well as thousands of other onand off-premise retailers of beverage alcohol across the United States.
Covering four counties — Adams, Columbia, Juneau and Sauk — the Dells/Delton Area Tavern League might be small, but it’s mighty. “We currently have 54 members,” says Keith Koehler, TLW Southern District vice president, president of the Dells/Delton Area Tavern League, and owner of The Keg & Patio, Kilbourn Cork and Rockin Chicken Shack in Wisconsin Dells.
“One of the best things is giving back to our local area, but we concentrate on a much smaller area than most leagues,” acknowledges Koehler. The Dells/Delton league focuses on the Wisconsin Dells area, covering a roughly 4-mile radius that includes the city of Wisconsin Dells and village of Lake Delton.
It is also one of the newest local Tavern League chapters at just about 10 years old. Koehler explains that, back in 2013, he approached the state league to inquire about the possibility of the area becoming its own chapter. The Dells/ Delton area, he says, deals with more Chapter 125 issues than many other counties, including over-quota licenses with resorts, and Koehler felt it was important for local establishments to form a league to have its own voice.
The request moved through the state board and was eventually approved. One stipulation was that Koehler had to serve as the new league’s first president. “I understand that this was tried once or twice prior, but wasn’t successful,” says Koehler, who owns three establishments in the area, “but here we are, 10 years later.”
The Dells/Delton Area Tavern League is comprised of a broad swath of establishments, including area water parks and resorts. Koehler reports there is only one “major” establishment that is not a member of the Tavern League, but otherwise, “we’re basically at 100%.”
And with all the resorts and meeting spaces in the area, the Dells/Delton league has hosted the Fall Convention & Trade Show every other year for over a decade, including the one that just concluded in October. “We’re in a good position to host and it’s a place people like to come,” explains Koehler, who also serves as chair of the convention committee.
Being a regular convention host allows Koehler and the Dells/Delton league to try new things. One thing Koehler introduced at the 2022 Fall Convention & Trade Show was offering a challenge coin as a fundraiser. This year’s Fall Convention challenge coin supported Hogs for Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Wisconsin veterans heal from the mental and physical wounds suffered during service through the therapeutic benefits of owning and riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
“We’re donating money through the convention anyway and the challenge coins are a way to make it personal,” says Koehler. “We’ve had them for five conventions now and I hope they keep going.”
Speaking of, the Dells/Delton Area Tavern League donates to several area charities. It is also particularly proud to have an almost fully endowed fund that provides a $1,000 scholarship to a Wisconsin Dells high school student pursuing an education in hospitality. The next goal for the program, says Koehler, is to provide recipients with $1,000 a year to cover up to four years of college.
“We wanted a way to leave our legacy and this was something everyone on the board wanted to do. We are proud to have made this happen,” says Koehler.
Being a Tavern League member has many benefits and Koehler finds the legislative focus particularly important. “Our local league lets us know what’s going on at the state level, and contribute to what’s being talked about and examine what could affect us. That’s very important to my business and other local businesses,” he says.
The TLW offers a level of connection and focus that benefits local communities. “One reason we wanted to break off is to keep the money we raise in our own backyard. One thing about the Dells is that over 60% of people here live under the poverty line, so to be able to help our friends and neighbors, that’s a big thing,” he concludes. TLW
BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Ihave done nearly 200 On Premise articles and this will be my last one. I can’t say I will miss doing these articles, but I will miss the people I have met with the Tavern League since my first On Premise article in 1993. Instead, in the coming years, I will be focusing more on trout, musky and walleye fishing as I move on to new challenges in life, and retire after many years of lobbying!
But before I depart, the results are in from the November 2024 election.
Wisconsin delivered for Donald Trump as he beat Vice President Kamala Harris by 1 percentage point — 49.8% to 48.8%. Meanwhile, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) narrowly defeated Eric Hovde (R), 49.3% to 48.6%.
Legislative elections took place on new maps, giving the Democrats an
opportunity to pick up seats in both houses. Democrats picked up four seats in the state Senate, defeating incumbents Sens. Duey Stroebel and Joan Ballweg and taking two newly created seats.
Despite Democrats gaining four seats in the state Senate, Republicans continue to control the Senate by 18-15. All TLW-endorsed candidates won with the exception of Sen. Joan Ballweg.
The Tavern League stands with those leaders who stand with us. The TLWendorsed Senate contested candidates who won include:
• Mary Felzkowski (R), Senate District 12 Incumbent
• Daniel Feyen (R) of Senate District 20
• Rob Stafsholt (R), Senate District 10 Incumbent
• Patrick Testin (R), SenateDistrict 24 Incumbent
• Eric Wimberger (R) of Senate District 2
• Brad Pfaff (D), Senate District 32 Incumbent
• Jodi Habush Sinykin (D) of Senate District 8
• Jamie Wall (D) of Senate District 30
Meanwhile, Republicans overperformed in the state Assembly, gaining approximately 55 seats at the time of this publication, whereas only nine Assembly seats went to Democrats.
In the state Assembly, Republicans held a 64-35 edge going into the election. They had a good night and only lost nine seats with the newly drawn maps, winning 54 seats to Democrats’ 45.
TLW member Dean Kaufert (R) is holding onto a narrow lead in his race.
In Kenosha, TLW member Ben DeSmidt won and is the first democratic TLW member in the Assembly.
There are now seven TLW members in the state Assembly, including Rob Summerfield (R), Rob Swearingen (R), Robert Brooks (R), Chanz Green (R), Dan Knodl (R), Kaufert and DeSmidt (D).
All the incumbent congressional candidates won their races, including all of the TLW’s endorsed candidates. TLW
In 1993, Scott Stenger, owner of Stenger Government Relations, began his career lobbying the state Legislature and Congress for the TLW in Madison.
As of October 22, 2024
SIX-MONTH TRIAL MEMBERSHIP
Dave’s Outboard
Robert Duncan Sarona
MULTI-UNIT MEMBERSHIP
Burnett County
Pine Wood Motel
Tim Vasatka Frederic
Fond du Lac County
Capones
Maria Katris
Fond du Lac
Kenosha City
Balls & Racks
Billiards Kenosha
Oconto County
Wouter’s Sports Bar & Grill
Diane Urban Green Bay
Ozaukee County
Traditions Pub and Grill
Jewelia Cook Fredonia
Wood County
Crabby’s Lounge
Troy Purkis
Marshfield
DISTRICT 1
Kenosha City
Fin and Ale
Jim Matzur
Kenosha
Kenosha County
Kelly’s Pub
Kerry Verenski
Salem
Racine City
2 Sheets to the Wind
Sheila Sheets
Racine
Marko’s
David Ferderer
Racine
Racine County
Tavern on H
Jori Antonneau Franksville
Rock County
Jerry’s Mexican Kitchen & Bar
Gerardo Garcia Beloit
Maxine’s Social Beloit
Walworth County
Red’s on 7th Delavan
DISTRICT 2
Columbia County
Smokey Hollow
Campground
Don Fulkerson Lodi
Dodge County
Budahn’s Bar Mayville
Jefferson County
Spirits Cocktail Club
Bradley Bakken
Jefferson
Madison/ Dane County
Regent Mart and Café
Meenu Kaushal Sun Prairie
Waukesha County
Famous Cigar Wauwatosa
Tabi’s Lake Country Tabi McBride Hartland
DISTRICT 3
Crawford County
Dodge Feedmill Bar and Grill
Thomas Weinberger Lomira
Swing Inn
Kristopher Knutson Ferryville
Grant/Iowa County
Big R’s Bar
Victoria Richter Cuba City
Grindstone Pub
Jenny Jacobsen Shullsburg
Hideaway Bar and Grill
Mellisa Martin Boscobel
Red’s Supper Club Cuba City
Juneau County
Corkscrew Wine Bar, Pizza and Ice Cream
Pamela Papierniak LaValle
Rockin’ 9 Golf Course
Lucas Winchel Union Center
La Crosse City/County
Diesel’s Pub
Steve Strasser Stoddard
Norwegian Hollow Hideaway
Anthony Horner
Viroqua
Monroe County
Wisco 8
Josh Connelly
Sparta
Sauk County
Bender’s Tap Inn
Matthew Fasbender
Reedsburg
DISTRICT 4
Fond du Lac County
Boondocks
Jenifer Laidler
Fond du Lac
Faros Restaurant & Cocktails
Vasilike Sakoulas
Fond du Lac
Hot Shots Pub
Jill Vanbuskirk Kewaskum
JP’S 4 Mile House
Oakfield
Sunset on the Water Grill & Bar
Maria Katris
Fond du Lac
Three Aces North Fond du Lac
Manitowoc County
Belly Up Bar and Grill
New Holstein
Dugout Bar & Grill
Christine Bialek
Lombard Manitowoc
Oshkosh City/ Winnebago County
Flights Wine and Cocktail Club
Andrea Reichenberger Oshkosh
Houge’s Bar Oshkosh
Sheboygan County
Tommy’s Bar
Barry Drews
Sheboygan
Twinz Bar & Grill
Tyler Themar
Sheboygan
Washington County
Cedar Jacks
Jackson
The GOAT Bar & Grill
Sussex
Jimmy’s Restaurant & Bar
Angela Koutsios
Jackson
Mavericks
Kelley Martell
Hartford
DISTRICT 5
Green Lake Area
The Log Cabin
Bar and Grill
Ripon
Langlade County
9 Mile All
Sport Resort
Shannon Nelson
White Lake
Marathon County
Bantr
Rothschild On the Hill
Billiards Club
Todd Holzer Mosinee
Marquette County
Connie’s American Legion Bar
Connie Achterberg Montello
Sunny’s Sunset Supper Club
Westfield
Portage County
Comfort Inn PloverYellowstone Pub
Denise Blader Plover
Jake’s Place in Ellis
Sondra Bennett Custer
Ranchito Perez
Mexican Restaurant
Gabriel Perez
Stevens Point
Ryder’s Roadhouse and Grill
Kami Indermuehle
Wisconsin Rapids
Steve-o’s
Stevens Point
Shawano County
Pine Hills Golf Course
Jeremey Pennewell
Gresham
Sportsman’s Bar of Navarino
Baylee Mauthe
Pulaski
Waupaca County
Bart’s Pizza Pub
Andrew Bartelt
Iola
C&R Waterfront
Bar & Grill
Samantha Stuebs
New London
Chain O’ Lakes
Bar and Grill
Trent Handrich
Waupaca
T’s Corner Bar
Trisha Robinson
Weyauwega
Waushara County
Anthony’s Bar and Grill
Anthony McAlister
Coloma
Wood County Belvedere
Supper Club
Dale Leffel
Marshfield
Marshfield
Country Club
Jesse Jacobson
Marshfield
Pee Wee’s Bar
Chad Krueger
Marshfield
Riverside Roadhouse
Troy Purkis
Marshfield
DISTRICT 6
Brown County
1st and Goal
Bar and Grill
Jon Jeske
Green Bay
Bay Area Burger Co
Alix Stiles
Green Bay
Duck Creek Vineyard and Winery/
Denmark Distilling/ New Denmark
Brewing Company
Jim Ploetz
Denmark
Florence County
Bartoletti’s Supper Club
John Declark
Niagara
Forest County
Newald Junction
Bar and Grill
Kathleen Farber
Newald
Round 2 Bar & Grill
Amanda Smith
Wabeno
Kewaunee County
Copper Top Saloon
Stacy Walechka
Kewaunee
Luxy Raceway
Tracy Thrun
Horicon
Outagamie County
Naughty Monkey’s Bar and Grill
Hortonville
Thirst Bar and Grill
Glenn Procknow Greenville
Tipsy Missy’s Bar & Grill
Melissa Johnson
Freedom
Wiggy’s on Main Little Chute
DISTRICT 7
Barron County
Lincolnwood Resort
Tim Connor
Birchwood
Clark County
Raven’s Nest Tavern
Beau Schmidt
Loyal
Eau Claire
City/County
Lincolnwood Resort
Tim Connor Birchwood
Pierce County
The 715 Steer & Beer
Josh Rhy Ellsworth
American Legion
Post 61
Dale Green Prescott
Venus & Ole Farm to Tavern
Faith Ulwelling
Maiden Rock
St. Croix County
The Highway
Hideout Amery
Trempealeau/ Buffalo County 1880 Doughboyz Elevas
Backroads Pub and Grill Galesville
As of October 22, 2024
Astonishing Hypnotist
Jim Mitchell
1122 S. Third St. Watertown, WI 53094 (920) 988-6171 astonishinghypnotist@gmail.com astonishinghypnotist.com Hypnosis entertainment
Boho Promo Inc
Christian Caliendo 2704 Burries Rd. Hartland, WI 53029 (262) 244-0511 bohopromo@gmail.com Promotional products
Diversified Management Group
Jenny Matysik P.O. Box 3155 Eau Claire, WI 54702-3155 (715) 839-5210
jenny.matysik@megacoop.com Business management
Huebsch Services
Bobbi Johnston
3605 White Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54703 (715) 835-3101
sales@huebsch-services.com huebsch-services.com
Floor matting, towel and mop rental, restroom services and branded apparel
Block House
Kelly Froegel
Melrose
Off Broadway
Bar and Grill
Amey Knopps
Blair
West End Bar
JR Waldera
Blair
DISTRICT 8
Ashland/Bayfield County
The Other Place
Bar and Grill
Peter Paananen
Iron River
Poncho’s Tavern
Maggie Emond Cornucopia
Sparky’s Bar & Grill
Jessie Defoe Bayfield
Greater Northwoods
VO Basement Bar
Daniel Van Oss Hurley
Lakeland Area
The Whitetail Inn
Angela M. Keevers
St. Germain
Oneida County
Adams’ Alcoholics
Herbert Adams
Monico
Blind Pig Rhinelander
Rummy’s Bar
Eric Anderson
Rhinelander
Trailhead Pub/ Little Pine Motel
Mark Ferris Hiles
Price County
Flyway Resort
Phillips
Superior/ Douglas County El Jefe Superior
Dee Morales
Superior
Taylor County
Bugged Out Bar & Grill
Medford
Vilas County
Sweetwater Spirits and Resort
Eagle River
Washburn County
Blackbear Tennis and Golf Club
Melissa Wing Minong
DISTRICT 9
Milwaukee County
Dragons’ Place
Reyn Wang
Milwaukee
Dreamers Classic Bar
Katie O’Keefe Franklin
Inter-County Cooperative Publishing
Association Printing
Richard Lee 303 Wisconsin Ave. N Frederic, WI 54837 (715) 327-4236
richardlee@iccpawi.com iccpaprinting.com Short-run printing
Kickass Beef Jerky
Chris Auerbach 6265 W. Fifth St. Winona, MN 55987 (507) 961-1180 chris@kickassbeefjerky.com kickassbeefjerky.com Beef jerky, pickled items, vodka and more
Mir Business Solutions
Mee Chai Yang 6025 Ledge Crest Dr. De Pere, WI 54115 (920) 265-2382 meechaiyang@gmail.com Manpower sourcing and labor law concepts
North Country Business Products
Barb Trushenski 1112 S. Rail Road St. SE, Ste. 200 Bemidji, MN 56601 (800) 937-4140
trushenskib@ncbpinc.com; ncbpinc.com Point-of-sale products
THC Social
Adam Burish 5980 Executive Dr., Ste. A Fitchburg, WI 53719 (763) 670-8388 jared@biospectrumhemp.com drinkthcsocial.com Cannabis cocktails
Torzala Brewing Co
Tricia Torzala 2018 S. First St., Ste. 207 Milwaukee, WI 53207 (414) 810-3000 tricia@torzalabrewing.com torzalabrewing.com Brewery
VantagePointe Financial Group
Gerald Arnholt 13400 Bishops Lane, No. 150 Brookfield, WI 53005 (262) 955-1527
garnholt@vpfgroup.com vpfgroup.com
Financial advisor services, including personal financial planning, life insurance, long-term care, 401(k) rollovers, executive compensation plans, IRAs and Roth IRAs, 529 college savings plans and more
To see details and register online, please visit tlw.org/food-safety-courses. Have questions? Call the TLW Food Safety Hotline at (608) 296-9226.
Date
Location
Site
Monday, December 2 La Crosse La Crosse Eagles Club No. 1254, 630 Sixth St.
Tuesday, December 3 Antigo
Wednesday, December 4 Janesville
Northstar Lanes, 400 Prosser Place
Elks Lodge No. 254, 2100 N. Washington St.
Monday, December 9 Green Bay Stadium View, 1963 Holmgren Way
Monday, December 9 Hudson/New Richmond Ready Randy’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1492 131st St.
Tuesday, December 10 Eau Claire Elks Lodge No. 402, 3411 Stein Blvd.
Wednesday, December 11 Kenosha Brat Stop/Parkway Chateau, 12304 75th St.
Monday, December 16 Dodgeville Dodger Bowl Lanes, 314 King St.
Wednesday, December 18 Milwaukee Dugout 54, 5328 W. Bluemound Rd.
Monday, January 6, 2025 Wisconsin Rapids Jammers Bar & Grill, 2810 Eagle Rd.
Monday, January 6, 2025 Fond du Lac
Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Fond du Lac 625 W. Rolling Meadows Dr.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 Janesville Elks Lodge No. 254, 2100 N. Washington St.
Monday, January 13, 2025 Appleton Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Appleton, 355 Fox River Dr.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Wausau/Weston Dale’s Weston Lanes, 5902 Schofield Ave.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 Milwaukee Dugout 54, 5328 W. Bluemound Rd.
Monday, January 20, 2025 Marshfield Eagles Club No. 624, 1104 S. Oak Ave.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Madison/Cottage Grove Doubledays, 4586 Baxter Rd.
Monday, January 27, 2025 Solon Springs St. Croix Inn, 11390 S. Fifth St. E
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Kenosha Brat Stop/Parkway Chateau, 12304 75th St.
Monday, February 3, 2025 Green Bay Stadium View, 1963 Holmgren Way
Monday, February 3, 2025 Hudson/New Richmond Ready Randy’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1492 131st St.
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 Plover Springville Sports Barn, 2811 Plover Springs Dr.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Janesville Elks Lodge No. 254, 2100 N. Washington St.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Eau Claire Elks Lodge No. 402, 3411 Stein Blvd.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Waukesha Sunset Bowl Entertainment Center, 333 W. Sunset Dr.
Monday, February 17, 2025 Rhinelander Cabaret Cove, 1540 Pueblo Dr.
Monday, February 17, 2025 Oshkosh Fox River Brewing Company, 1501 Arboretum Dr.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Madison/Cottage Grove Doubledays, 4586 Baxter Rd.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Two Rivers/Mishicot Good Times Restaurant & Banquet Hall, 16607 County Rd. B
Monday, March 3, 2025 Appleton
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Appleton, 355 Fox River Dr.
