Making a difference, and a connection

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 22, 2016

Making a difference, and a connection

Physical therapist helps a West Bend woman get her life back

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

TOWN OF WEST BEND — Jean Wolff has four kids who live in the area, 17 grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren and two more great-grandchildren due in 2017.

She loves her family.

So, imagine her frustration when a bad bout of influenza and other health issues for several weeks severely impacted her mobility — her ability to see her family.

“It’s a big deal to see my family,” Wolff said. “It was very frustrating because I couldn’t get out.”

Thankfully, there was a solution and a person willing to help her: Michelle Jurena.

Jurena is a physical therapist at Cedar Home, which was recognized earlier this month as a top-performing home health agency by Ability Network and DecisionHealth.

In more than 25 years in the industry, Jurena can’t remember all of her patients. She remembers some. She remembers Wolff and likely won’t forget her.

“She was very motivated to progress, very eager to get her life back and open to do what it takes to get to that point,” Jurena said.

Because of the health issues, Wolff lost about 50 pounds, also taking away seemingly all of the strength in her arms and legs. It got to a point where the 69-year-old West Bend woman couldn’t climb up into her husband’s 2015 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.

“That was awful,” Wolff said.

The first thing Jurena had to do was tell Wolff that what she wanted to do was possible and they would work together to accomplish Wolff’s goal of climbing up into her husband’s pickup truck and see family.

Before that, Wolff had to either take a taxi or not go at all.

“It was very frustrating because I couldn’t get out,” Wolff said.

Gaining the trust of a patient is the most important step in physical therapy. In Wolff’s case, it wasn’t difficult to do that.

Wolff recognized she had a problem and wanted to fix it. She was all ears in her initial consultation with Jurena.

Wolff’s situation was standard, nothing out of the ordinary as far as what Jurena does daily. However, she said the reason she remembers Wolff’s situation and why she likely always will was how they connected. It was on a different level than what she experienced with other patients throughout her career.

“We kind of connected on a more personal level,” Jurena said. “She’s had some hard struggles in life and we could both relate to that. Some people just let you into their hearts a little easier than others and is one of those people.”

How Jurena presented herself and how they were going to tackle the bumpy road ahead resonated with Wolff.

“She’s one of the sweetest people I ever met,” Wolff said. “She knew all the circumstances behind everything. She’s not judgmental. She was here to work with me. I realized what she was saying was for my benefit.”

They met twice a week for an hour at a time. In a relatively short period of time, it was like they became friends of more than 20 years.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though.

“There were times where she thought she was too tired and couldn’t do anymore or she was afraid,” Jurena said.

“With some persistence and encouragement, she did trust me. We had a good rapport. I think that’s what we came down to.”

A few weeks into their workout together, Jurena introduced a homemade step stool and put it by Wolff’s husband’s pickup truck.

Wolff was terrified.

“I didn’t want to get in the truck because I was afraid I was going to fall,” Wolff said.

Jurena remained persistent. Just before Thanksgiving, they tried it again. This time, it was a success.

“That was a big milestone,” Wolff said. “Suddenly, I got my independence back.”

For Thanksgiving, Wolff met with all her family members — 28 of them — and had dinner.

“I got to go with no problem,” Wolff said. “I got to spend the evening with them.”

As a young girl, Jurena went through physical therapy. Then, when she was a junior in high school, she learned physical therapy was something she wanted to pursue as a career.

“I’ve always been kind of nurturer, wanting to help people; I enjoy interacting with people,” Jurena said.

Recently, Wolff reached out to Cedar Home and thanked them, specifically Jurena, for the care she got and the confidence to go about her day-to-day life without any fear.

“It was like God’s blessing,” Wolff said. “I’m like a new person. I can do whatever I want to do.”

To hear this, all Jurena can do is smile.

“I love what I do and that’s part of it,” she said. “I feel great that I can be a part of helping people back to living their life again. It’s very rewarding.”

“It just takes some determination,” Jurena said when asked what lesson can be learned from Wolff’s story. “Willingness to do the work involved and with a good support system and the right tools, you can regain that strength, that function and do the things that are meaningful in your life.”

As the county prepares for a harsh winter, West Bend uses a new product to keep roads safe

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 16, 2016

As the county prepares for a harsh winter, West Bend uses a new product to keep roads safe

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

The last few winters haven’t been strenuous on Public Works departments throughout Washington County. But with a storm that could bring nearly a foot of snow to the area, according to the National Weather Service in Sullivan, preparations are being made.

Several municipalities in the county are ready — one is even trying a new product to improve road conditions.

“We are trying a new product this year,” West Bend Public Works Director Doug Neumann said. “It’s a GeoMelt product for pre-treating some of our dangerous areas of concern — hills, curves, intersections.”

According to independentag.com, GeoMelt “is an agricultural byproduct of the sugar beet industry. Using GeoMelt in conjunction with rock salt or salt brine will enhance the melting power of the chemicals to 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. This patented product also works with other deicing liquids and, when added to salt or salt brine, is 60 percent less corrosive than rock salt alone.”

According to the website, it works two or three days longer than average salt and works in temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero.

The city used the product for the first time ahead of last weekend’s storm, which dumped about 6 inches of snow in West Bend.

“We were finding it worked very well,” Neumann said.

The GeoMelt works best on dry roads, which is what Neumann’s department did last week and again Thursday in preparation for this week’s anticipated blast of snow.

“The object is to reduce the amount of salt used and reduce the amount of chloride that is released into water ways and sewer systems,” Neumann said, adding the product can be sprayed onto the salt.

He learned of the product while attending a Public Works Conference and followed that up by talking to other municipalities that use it. “All the feedback I got was positive; the investment was minimal,” Neumann said. “It’s proven to work better than straight salt. It reduces the salt needed.”

With temperatures Thursday below zero, salt doesn’t work effectively. Neumann said a calcium chloride chemical would need to be added to the salt in order for the salt to work. That tactic is costly.

Neumann also reported his department is fully stocked with salt and the equipment is ready for the season.

“Our salt inventory is plenty full because of the mild winters,” Neumann said, adding the department has more than 5,500 tons of salt.

“It helps our budgeting for the salt that we don’t use,” he said. “We can reduce the contracted amount the following year.”

The city has 20 salt trucks with plows, three loaders with plows and several pickup trucks with plows.

“Everything went very smoothly,” Neumann said of the season’s first snow storm last weekend. “We had our early season issues with our trucks. But the kinks are worked out.”

In Slinger, Jim Haggerty, the village’s director of Public Works, also reported the village is ready for the winter.

His hunch, though, says this winter won’t be as mild as the last few.

“This is shaping up to be a little different,” Haggerty said. “We approach every year the same: to prepare for the worst-case conditions. We set everything up the same.”

He also has no worries about the village’s salt supply. Because the village hasn’t used as much salt as in previous winters, the money saved doesn’t go into a saving account for the department. Instead, the money is put into a general fund and spent elsewhere.

Haggerty and Neumann agree that snow storms that last more than a day are often more strenuous on their departments than isolated storms that dump 5 or more inches at once — staffing and overtime hours are two reasons for that.

However, Haggerty isn’t nervous heading into this snow-plowing season.

“I feel more comfortable this year than in previous years,” he said, adding the high-quality staff and the attention that was given to equipment maintenance are two reasons for that optimism.

12 Days of Christmas offers the gift of giving

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 15, 2016

12 Days of Christmas offers the gift of giving

KML program is in its 7th year

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Seven years ago, Kettle Moraine Lutheran’s Randy Hughes, pastor of Student Life, wanted to be realistic.

He couldn’t get past the look in his students’ eyes when they came up with this idea called 12 Days of Christmas.

He, along with the staff, students and supporters of KML, are grateful they went with it.

This is the seventh year of the program spearheaded by KML’s Student Council and National Honor Society. The goal is to collect money through student involvement to support families in need.

“As far as participation, the only thing that’ll trump it is Homecoming,” KML senior Aaron Vandermus said. “All of us get involved in one way or another.”

This year, three families were selected as eventual beneficiaries to the fundraising efforts of KML’s students and churches.

The families chosen were the Webers of West Bend, the Craigs of West Bend and the Poehlmans of Lannon.

The Craig family’s house burned down and they lost all their belongings.

The Poehlman family’s dad unexpectedly passed away at the age of 42.

And in the Weber family, the mom is battling a brain tumor, the dad has diabetes and their daughter has juvenile arthritis.

“We do go to Lutheran school, so a lot of students are looking for ways to show their faith and give back to other people,” Vandermus said. “It’s an easy way to implement what we’ve learned.”

Hughes added he consistently hears from families who were aided by KML’s efforts and thanks them for it and lets them know how they’re doing since.

A program like this has sentimental meaning for Hughes.

More than 20 years ago, his then-2-year-old daughter had liver cancer. The medical bills were quickly adding up. But Hughes was raised with the mentality to do things himself.

Living in Minnesota at the time, he recalled a conversation he had with someone who wanted to help the family but Hughes declined the help. That person was mad, claiming Hughes was selfish for not allowing people the opportunity to take part in the gift of giving.

That comment struck him and he graciously accepted the assistance from all who wanted to help.

“I didn’t want to rob anyone the gift of giving,” Hughes said.

It wasn’t long until the community raised $50,000 for Hughes and his family.

Today, his daughter is 27, a cancer survivor and a physician assistant.

Since then, the Hughes family do what they can to help, just like someone did for them.

“It did phenomenal things for us,” Hughes said.

Fast-forward to seven years ago: A former KML staff member was called to serve as a principal at a school in Nebraska, but later passed away at age 44, leaving behind a wife and five kids.

The KML students wanted to help and they came up with the idea of a 12 Days of Christmas program where they’d do several fundraisers in the course of 12 school days, collecting as much money or gifts as possible and present them to families in need.

Hughes was hesitant of the idea, but only for one reason: timing.

He recalled looking at his watch and seeing it was Nov. 29. He knew they had only a few days to get everything together before the semester ran out.

“My gut reaction was, ‘We can’t do this,’” Hughes said. “It takes too much organization.”

Then his mind was changed.

“I looked at the kids’ eyes. They were filled with excitement,” he said.

In that first year, $1,500 was raised. The students, teachers and supporters of KML haven’t looked back since.

“From there it kept growing exponentially,” Hughes said. “Last year, we collected almost $33,000 for three families over the 12 days.”

Each year, Hughes reminds his students that the money raised should not be used as a barometer for the success or failure of their efforts. It just so happens in each year, the students outdo themselves from the year before.

In the program’s second year, $7,000 was raised, then $16,000, then $23,000.

“Those families will be thankful with whatever they can get,” Hughes said.

This year, some of the fundraising activities included candy cane sales, penny wars, faculty servant, stocking auctions, student servant and a bake sale.

Also, Vandermus said one day before school started, a student stood at the foot of the driveway leading into KML’s parking lot and asked anyone driving in to toss change into a garbage can. He estimated the can to be at least 10 gallons.

The fundraising effort filled about a quarter of the can.

“I can’t believe how many students get involved,” Hughes said.

If the public wishes to participate, they can donate online or by mail. To do so, visit KML’s website, www.kmlhs.org.

Donations will be accepted until Dec. 31.

Students cope with finals week in a variety of ways

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 14, 2016

Students cope with finals week in a variety of ways

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

“Finals week” — that phrase is a college student’s nightmare.

But Boomer is relaxed.

Sure, Boomer has fur, four legs and barks. He doesn’t have to worry about finals. There is not a lot to worry about in this 4-yearold dog’s life.

His job is to make sure students at the University of Wisconsin-Washington County know it’s OK. They will get through finals week as long as they’re like him: relaxed.

“It’s really nice to be able to take a break, even if it’s just for five minutes,” second-year student Mary Greuel said, standing a few feet away from Boomer lying on his side on a two-seated couch. He moved for a few things: when his name was called or someone gave him a good scratch.

“It’s been a fun experience having Boomer here,” she added.

Tammy Becker, Boomer’s owner, said Boomer, a former racing greyhound, comes to campus regularly because she works on campus. During finals week, though, she’ll take him around campus to mingle with students.

“You can see the release on their face in a way,” Becker said. “They might be walking down the hallway, very serious and then their face just lights up. It’s like they forget everything but the dog.”

Colleges and universities around the country do different things to help students get through what is often an emotionally challenging week for students.

At UW-WC, the school offers a free breakfast the day before finals or sit-downs with therapy dogs such as Boomer, who is a member of Healing Paws Group of Fond du Lac, meaning Boomer is a certified therapy dog.

Michelle Appel, mental health counselor at UW-WC, said another way to help students focus on finals is to keep them on campus. That minimizes distractions or temptations that can be found at home or elsewhere.

Appel is also the College Life Exploration Center coordinator. There in Room 308, students can meet other students and do just about anything from socializing to study groups to academic advice. The idea? To make college, especially finals week, as relaxing as possible.

“We care,” Appel said when asked what advice she typically offers to a student stressed by finals. “We care about their success, their well-being.”

What finals mean to a college student varies depending on the student. Those variables include the value of the final toward the final grade.

Other variables include money. One’s financial aid could depend on a certain grade in a class.

The fall semester finals may be tougher than the spring semester finals, partially because fall finals line up with the holiday season. Or consider a firstyear student: It’s the first time he or she are experiencing college finals.

In high school, the tests and the timeline is more structured. In college, it’s more like “you’re on your own.”

Greuel remembers her first college exam experience well.

“It was a little more stressful than most,” she said. “I had major knee surgery coming up. That went halfway into finals so I had to half my finals early.

“So I had the stress of doing my finals early, surgery, holidays as well as trying to adjust to college. It’s really difficult.”

Another factor to consider during finals is that a test often reviews the entire semester of work rather than up to a certain point.

“There’s so much to digest,” Appel said. “The stress of doing well on one test and so much information coming at you is overwhelming.”

Christian La Cosse, a first-year UW-WC student, has a different approach to finals week.

He believes the high stress of finals is all in people’s heads.

“I think finals are more revved up than they should be,” the 2015 Port Washington High School graduate said. “I feel like kids are stressed probably because they feel it’s an obligation to.”

That might be aided by the horror stories of finals week, such as a calculator breaking, a professor not willing to cooperate with or accommodate a student, getting sick the day of or being up 24 hours straight or more cramming for exams.

“That was terrifying,” Greuel said when asked what horror stories worried her going into her first college finals week. “Am I going to be that stressed out for finals? Thankfully, I wasn’t.

“All the horror stories I had were honestly people not managing their time well.”

That may be the biggest lesson Greuel ever learned when it came to finals week.

Another lesson she learned was communication. Jenny Tiedt, a non-traditional student, learned that as well.

“If you’re having problems, you’ve got to talk to the teacher,” Tiedt said.

They’ve also learned it’s just another test. La Cosse said if you value finals like you do any other test earlier in the school year, then nothing will be different.

“If you know it’s coming, then there’s no reason to (stress out),” La Cosse said.

It should be business as usual.

“Don’t stress out,” Greuel said. “It seems simple and it’s hard to tell someone who’s stressed out to not stress out.

“In the end, these are just tests. They’re just a portion of your grade. Don’t let it have too much power over you.”

Prunty earns 2016 Kulwicki Cup

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 13, 2016

Prunty earns 2016 Kulwicki Cup

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Before 2016, Alex Prunty had one season of racing in a super late model under his seat belt.

It was a good one.

He earned 2015 Rookie of the Year in the super late model division at Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells.

The representatives from the Kulwicki Driver Development Program thought that was good enough and Prunty was one of seven drivers selected for the second class of the program. The winner was the recipient of the Kulwicki Cup and more than $54,000.

The inaugural winner was Seymour’s Ty Majeski, who is in the Roush Fenway Driver Development Program.

Some people disagreed with Prunty’s inclusion. They thought he got the chance only because he was a Prunty, a family that’s won more than 20 championships on the short tracks of Wisconsin, and two Slinger Nationals titles.

The 24-year-old heard a lot of criticism on social media.

“I think a lot of people felt the KDDP took a ‘chance’ on me as I didn’t really have much super late experience,” Prunty said. “I felt it was my duty to prove (KDDP) right.”

He didn’t disappoint.

In a season that saw eight winners at Slinger Super Speedway — the most since 2010 — Prunty finished third in the super late model points standings during his rookie season, which helped him capture the Kulwicki Cup.

He will be honored at a banquet Thursday in Charlotte.

Prunty finished 28 points behind champion Chris Blawat in the super late model division. He was one of three drivers still eligible to win the championship on the last race of the season.

Prunty won one feature this season in his 14th career start at Slinger. He was also second five times and third three times in 17 points races.

His worst finish was 11th. Excluding that result and 21st at Slinger Nationals (a non-points race), Prunty didn’t finish lower than eighth. He did that in the season opener.

After Slinger Nationals, in seven starts, he finished top 5 in each of them.

“It was beyond expectations,” Prunty said. “I came into the season with the Kulwicki Program, it was such a big deal to make it in. Now I have to prove myself.”

“I think it was pretty impressive that he won a race, which is hard to do in a rookie season,” said Rodney Erickson, co-promoter at Slinger. “He was consistent. That was impressive. It was an impressive run.”

When asked what was impressive about Prunty’s season, Slinger co-promoter Todd Thelen said, “How fast he adapted to the super late model and how consistent he was.”

Of the five drivers that started 17 races, Prunty had the best average finish (4.2), better than division champion Blawat (5.0) and threetime (2013-2015)champion Steve Apel (4.6).

“He was a rookie and ran really well,” Thelen said.

It was made more impressive, and spoke of his talent, that Prunty used old equipment and managed his own finances. He got little to no help from family for the latter — his father, Dan, helps on the car.

Alex has said his father and uncles are there for help if needed. Otherwise, it’s learn on his own.

“The money thing is one thing a lot of people don’t know about my team,” Alex said. “My dad told me Day 1 when I started in 4 cylinders that if I wanted to race, I needed to pay for it. I’ve paid my dad’s way into the race track since I was 16. I manage all finances. It’s my checkbook.”

He won a Slinger Bees championship in 2010. Two years later, he won the first of two limited late model championships in a 1996 Lefthander chassis. The other title was in 2015. It was his uncle Dennis’ old super late model.

Prunty sold that car to raise money to get tires for 2016. His super late model this season was a 2006 Pathfinder with a 2012 engine.

“To be in the talk of running for a championship, it’s a hard feat, especially at Slinger,” Erickson said. “A lot of people come here and fail. It was pretty impressive.”

It was the season Prunty needed to make a statement. He is a Prunty, but he has the talent to back it up.

“He’s achieved something that’s really great,” Thelen said.

Thelen added there is still work to be done.

“He’s only going to get better. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Thelen said.

Prunty admitted this season had a different tone. The KDDP was one reason.

“It’s always been Dennis (Prunty) first in the garage, then my limited late would come next,” Alex said. “But they pushed for me to believe in me. It was almost every week. Go out and show what Alex Prunty can do.”

On-track performance wasn’t the lone evaluator for the Kulwicki Cup champion. Off-track performance was accounted for, too.

Prunty is active in Slinger’s Memorial Go-Kart mentor program and also talks to students at local schools about racing, and the mechanics of the sport.

“It’s still sticking around in my head,” Prunty said. “Where do I go from here?”

When you win more than $50,000, things change. One of the first things was to update the engine. In a super late model, that’s about $25,000. The rest, he said, will likely be spent on other parts upgrades.

He also hopes to travel more than in the past, in addition to going after a super late model championship at Slinger, now that he knows he’s capable and talented enough to win one.

Alex wants to compete in a full season with the TUNDRA Series, a regional super late model touring series, and perhaps the Red-White-Blue series at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna.

“Next year, I need more seat time at bigger tracks,” Prunty said. “One step at a time.”

He also hopes he can follow Majeski’s footsteps and said the dream of NASCAR is still there.

“Ty has been a great example that if you’re really good, you can still make it on talent,” Prunty said.

His involvement in KDDP changed his life, attitude, confidence. He consistently thought of a phrase once said by the late Alan Kulwicki, the KDDP namesake: “If you don’t believe, you don’t belong

Chorus brings seniors together with music

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 8, 2016

Chorus brings seniors together with music

Performance Friday night at Enchantment in the Park in West Bend

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Max Sommerfeld’s mother loved to sing and did it often. He was involved in the chorus in high school.

Then, he became an adult with a full-time job, served in the Navy (1965-69) and encountered several other distractions that took him away from singing, at least in an organized setting.

Fifty years later, Sommerfeld was back singing. He’s loved every minute ever since.

Sommerfeld is one of the 21 members who make up the Senior Chorus, which performs out of the Senior Center in West Bend.

It rekindled fond memories from the early days of his life.

“My mother used to sing around the house a lot,” Sommerfeld said. “When I was in high school I was in the chorus; it just sort of carried on.”

The same goes for nearly all of the members. Singing brings back fond memories and that is one of the goals the group has at each performance.

Singing is also a stress reliever and, maybe most importantly, something fun to do with a group of people with a similar interest.

“We have a lot of fun,” Jim Derse said.

Of the 21 members, 17 are women.

“I used to like those odds,” Derse joked.

The chorus has been at the Senior Center for more than 25 years. The group ranges in age from their 60s to their 80s.

Group director, Dorothy Jansen, is a young 89 years old. She’s been involved with the chorus since 1990. In 2012, she became the group’s director.

When she took over, there were six members. Four years later, the group has ballooned into a strong 21 members, plus a pianist, Muggs McFadden.

One of the reasons for the growth was the admiration of Jansen’s work behind the scene by members.

Jansen said it has been a challenge to put it all together, but it’s also been rewarding.

“She does a fantastic job,” Sommerfeld said.

The group, which has a performance scheduled for Friday night at West Bend’s Regner Park during Enchantment in the Park, practices every Friday at the Senior Center and performs about twice a month.

They’ll sing about 20 songs, but always finish with something upbeat.

“We never want to leave them on a sad note,” Jansen said.

Derse and Sommerfeld kind of stumbled upon the Senior Chorus. Derse was part of a sheepshead group and Sommerfeld played cards with fellow Senior Center members.

They noticed the group practicing one day. So, Derse and Sommerfeld thought, “Why not give it a chance.?” And for Sommerfeld, it was something he hadn’t done in 50 years.

“The songs are familiar,” Sommerfeld said. “It was all stuff from the ’40s and ’50s.”

“The voice is still there ... somewhat,” he added with a smile.

Derse said, “I like to sing a lot. I’ve been in different groups over the years.”

“I don’t have as good a voice as I used to,” he added with a smile.

Derse’s father used to play guitar and sing at family gatherings, and he wrote some music. Those were fond memories from Derse’s childhood.

Songs his dad used to sing include “Oh! You Beautiful Doll” by Rosemary Clooney and “My Little Brown Eyes” by Crispian St. Peters.

“It made me feel good; it made me feel happy,” Derse said.

Singing in the Senior Chorus rejuvenates those memories. On top of that, he loves looking out into the crowd and seeing the smiling faces of people who recognize the songs, just like he does.

“We sing to mostly seniors at nursing homes and assisted living homes,” Derse said. “A lot of them also have disabilities. The music awakens them, somehow, someway in a lot of instances. That’s what gives me more satisfaction.”

“I just like to sing,” he added. “I don’t have that good of a voice, but if you put 25 people together I’m kind of drowned out.”

“It’s a fun group,” Bev Hartmann said.

“We have fun,” Derse said. “That, to me, is the biggest thing.”

A chance to learn about hair as keepsakes

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 3, 2016

A chance to learn about hair as keepsakes

County historical society hosts hair event Thursday

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Before there were cameras, there was hair. That’s how people used to memorialize loved ones.

“Families used to save hair,” said Jessica Sawinski Couch, Washington County Historical Society curator of education. “Sometimes, if somebody was sick or passed away, locks of hair would be cut off and they would share them with other family members.”

Hair was used for other things, too, especially in the mid-19th century. People made jewelry, such as bracelets, wreaths and watch chains out of hair.

“It’s a permanent reminder of somebody,” Couch said.

At 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Old Courthouse Museum, 320 S. Fifth Ave., West Bend, Couch will lead a discussion and demonstration called “Explore the Art of Victorian Hair Work.”

The event will review the history, symbolism and techniques of this style of art. It’s the first time the county’s historical society is hosting such a program.

“I did this program almost 12 years at another a museum I worked at (in Illinois),” Couch said. “I was always fascinated with it.

“It was like how did they do that, why did they do it? So I started reading what I could and started a modest collection. I put it all together for a program.”

Leila Cohoon runs and owns Leila’s Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri, an east suburb of Kansas City. According to the museum’s website, it is the only hair museum in the world.

She is also a founder of Victorian Hairworkers International.

Her fascination with hair art began in 1949 as a hairdresser. And like Couch, Cohoon was intrigued by the how and why behind hair art and the preservation of hair and hair art.

“It intrigued me as it was something that people used to do,” she said.

In 1956, she walked into an antique dealer in Kansas City, Missouri, and her collection began. Her first hair art was a small square piece about 5 inches long with hair made into a family tree.

Today, her museum has more than 600 hair wreaths and 2,000 pieces of jewelry made of human hair. Hair jewelry was worn by men and women of the Victorian period (1800-1900) and earlier.

How far the concept goes back is a mystery.

Cohoon said she can trace hair art preservation to the 15th century. She knows another person who traced it to the 12th century.

Couch said, “Even in ancient Egypt, the hair is still intact.”

“Photography was new in the 1830s and 1840s,” she added. “People couldn’t afford portraits. They were mementos.”

It was also a source of income.

At Cohoon’s museum, she has pieces of hair from Queen Victoria, four presidents and several celebrities, including Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe.

On the museum’s website, it says, “(Cohoon) receives calls, letters and emails from all over the world from people who want to donate or sell their unique antique hair art.”

“(Hair) really meant something to someone,” Cohoon said.

That’s one of the goals of Couch’s discussion, outside of helping people get over the “ick” factor.

The idea of preserving human hair is still around. For example, hair might be saved from a child’s first hair cut. Other than that, Couch said the concept of preserving hair and turning it into art is “foreign to us.” Couch hopes to change that with a concept never displayed before in Washington County.

“My hope is they come away with a better understanding that it’s not just for mourning, but there are a lot of reasons, ‘why people would keep others hair,’ ‘how they did it,’ ‘the techniques,’” Couch said.

A capella band returns to UW-WC

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Dec. 1, 2016

A capella band returns to UW-WC

Six Appeal performs Dec. 9

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

West Bend has a special place in the musical heart of Six Appeal, a six-person a capella group from Minneapolis.

It was in West Bend two years ago the group debuted its second album, “Ugly Sweater Party,” a Christmas-themed album.

“Anytime we release something and the first place we sell it, it’s like a mark for us,” said Trey Jones, who is low tenor for the group.

“We had it mailed to the venue,” said Andrew Berkowitz or Berko, vocal percussionist. “We were really excited to perform it.”

On Dec. 9, the group returns to West Bend for another sold-out show at the University of Wisconsin-Washington County in West Bend as part of UWWC’s Art Series.

When the university announced the 2016-17 series, Sue Bausch, UW Colleges-Southeast Region director of communications, said, “we don’t usually bring an act back.”

“They were so highly received,” she added. “... Everybody loved them.”

Six Appeal has promised another exciting show and hinted at the plan to debut some new material for their fans in West Bend and Washington County.

“We are excited to come back,” said Michael Brookens, mid-tenor. “Wisconsin has been a really good place for us. We feel like our northern sense of humor resonates with Wisconsin.”

The group started in 2006 when Brookens and Jordan Roll, who sings high tenor, were at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

“We put it together as a hobby,” Brookens said. “Mostly classical and jazz; make music with your friends.”

Throughout college, it was Brookens and Roll at the core of the group with several fillers or substitutes along the way.

In 2010, an agency contacted the group and told them they had the talent to go national. Soon after, Berkowitz and Reuben Hushagen joined the group. About a year later, Nathan Hickey joined. Another year later, Jones was added.

Six Appeal as they are today was formed and off they went.

Out of the six members, only Jones is not from the Midwest. Roll and Hushagen are from North Dakota, Brookens is from Kansas and Berkowitz is from Minnesota.

Jones was born in San Bernadino, California, and was raised in Orlando, Florida.

“I moved to Minnesota from Florida for a small job opportunity and ended up starting a little band and got that going,” Jones said, adding the band was a jazz and funk band that played original and cover music.

One day, he saw an ad for joining Six Appeal, which mentioned the group wanted to tour the U.S.

Jones thought it was a scam. For some strange reason, though, he was curious. So he applied anyway.

“I replied to the ad because I’m the type of person ... at that time, I was like, ‘If nothing comes of it, then nothing comes of it.’ I looked them up and it looked pretty legit.”

Jones sent a video of himself performing and soon got a call from Roll.

When he learned more about the group, the first thing Jones noticed wasn’t their sound.

“I loved their camaraderie, the bond and where they were going,” Jones said. “They just wanted to work hard.”

In 2012, Six Appeal won an online competition to perform live with recording artist Andy Grammer. The performance took place March 30, 2013, in the Skyway Theater in Minneapolis.

Also in 2012, they won the National Harmony Sweepstakes, taking awards in Audience Favorite as well as Best Original Song categories.

Then, in 2013, they had two careerchanging achievements.

They performed the national anthem at the 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, which was broadcast live on national television by ESPN.

“That was insane,” Berkowitz said. “It was our first time in New Orleans. The stadium is amazing. It was an awesome experience. The amount of people in the stadium, to perform for that many people was amazing. It was life changing.”

“It was larger than life,” Brookens said. Later that year, they released their first album, “Plan A.”

While excited to get the album out, they admit the process of writing, singing and recording songs was a learning experience. It was a new concept for them, especially the recording part.

With the second album, they each believed they put together a stronger piece of work.

“We had figured out how to do the recording, how to do the process, make everything run smoothly,” Berkowitz said.

“I feel like with our second album, we had a better understanding of the mechanics of recording in a studio and how to plan out a cohesive album,” Brookens said. “We felt like we had our legs under us with the second one.

“It was a product we were all very proud of.”

The group has been to every state in the continental U.S., and have taped a PBS special with Kenny Loggins, which will air some time early in 2017.

“It’s been amazing,” Jones said. “I never expected to travel the world singing.”

Sisters learn to be confident together

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Nov. 26, 2016

Sisters learn to be confident together

Once-shy twins recently recognized for on-stage performances

STORY BY NICHOLAS DETTMANN, 262-306-5043, NDETTMANN@CONLEYNET.COM

Germantown High School senior Sydney Salter never imagined doing what she did during the Utah Shakespeare Festival in October in Cedar City, Utah.

She stood by herself on stage in front of people and recited a monologue.

Why was it a big deal? Well, once upon a time, she was shy, incredibly shy.

“I never liked putting myself out there,” Salter said. “I liked staying in my own box.”

In an almost perfect sign of how far she’s progressed as a performer and as a person, her monologue earned her the Larry Lott Acting award for outstanding performance in her division.

“It’s crazy to me. As a kid, I never thought I’d be able to do that,” she said. “I’ve gotten so comfortable in my skin, which helps not only in theater, but also every day life. I’ve come a long way.”

So has her twin sister, Alex, who was also shy.

Together, they overcame their shyness, are now regulars on stage and full of confidence.

The twins have been cast for First Stage’s production of “The Comedy of Errors,” which opens Dec. 9 at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee.

The show runs through Dec. 18.

Hubertus’ Grace Becker and Sylvia Arnold have also been cast in the show.

As it turned out, the Salters can’t imagine life without the theater.

“I couldn’t sit at a desk all day,” Sydney said. “I like the impact theater has on the audience.”

Being in theater shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Heidi Salter, their mom, went to college for theater. She met her future husband, Eric, in a community theater group performance of “Joseph.” Plus, Heidi and Eric run Imagination Theater in Germantown, founding it in 2008.

“Our parents grew up doing theater and they always said how much fun it was,” Alex said when asked why she got involved in the performing arts. “I thought it would be fun.”

The show “Comedy of Errors” is a story about two sets of twins separated at birth who collide in the same city. Alex and Sydney play half of those twins.

“It’s a comedy, but it’s kind of like a farce because there’s a bunch of misunderstandings between characters,” said Alex, who plays Dromio of Ephesus.

Sydney plays Dromio of Syracuse.

“It’s nice to have her be in the same show,” Alex said. “We run lines all the time.”

Being in the theater was one way the twins developed their relationship.

“It’s something we both really love to do,” Sydney said. “It’s something we have in common.”

Their first audition was when they were 7 years old. They auditioned for “The Sound of Music” for Patio Players in Menomonee Falls. Alex said the audition “didn’t go well.”

“I was extremely nervous,” she added. “I was a very shy kid. I had to sing in front of a bunch of people so I kind of shied away from it.”

Despite that, the opportunity still piqued an interest for Alex and Sydney. At about that time was when Heidi and Eric started Imagination Theater.

When Alex and Sydney were 9 years old, they took classes at First Stage. They kept at it, determined to not be shy.

“I met a whole bunch of people that were amazing and I learned so much,” Alex said.

Sydney said, “Theater definitely changed that for me. First Stage is such a willing and open atmosphere. I think after doing a few plays, getting in the hang of everything with people that weren’t shy. I think that rubbed off on me.”

Once clear of being shy, they each found a different reason to continue acting.

“There are messages in the shows that need to be presented to the world,” Alex said.

“It was really fun to me,” Sydney said. “Even though I was shy, I knew I wanted to do it.”

In the years that followed, the twins have done more than 15 shows together. Among the shows they’ve done together include “All’s Well That Ends Well” and “The Cat in the Hat.”

For “Cat in the Hat,” they were Thing 1 and Thing 2. Sydney said that hasn’t become a nickname for them. However, one has been mistaken for the other several times. They also often do things together and have most of the same friends.

“I want to pursue this as a career,” said Alex, adding Broadway would be a dream. “I’ve learned there are messages, important ideas that need to be shared. I want to be a part of that and give that to the community.”

Sydney wasn’t alone as far as bringing home recognition from the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Alex took first place for her duo scene with fellow First Stage member Lawson Mitchell.

“I don’t think of trophies that much,” Alex said. “It’s a nice acknowledgment to the hard work I’ve put in.”

“I put in a lot of work,” Sydney said. “It was a good feeling to win that. It made me more confident in myself. I didn’t think I could be someone that could win that kind of award.”

‘Do-gooders’ take their new bus out for a spin

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Nov. 25, 2016

‘Do-gooders’ take their new bus out for a spin

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Bus No. 952.

Starting in 2017, the long yellow school bus from Johnson School Bus Service in West Bend will not have a number. Instead, it will have a different purpose. To help people get out and do good.

On a cool, overcast and misty Wednesday morning, more than 30 community members, including West Bend School District Superintendent Erik Olson and West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow, went on a test run for a program with the Volunteer Center of Washington County, which is excited to finally be rolling, rolling, rolling.

It is the Do Good Bus volunteer program.

“Last week, this was Johnson Bus number 952,” said Susan Millin, executive director at Volunteer Center of Washington County. “Today it’s the centerpiece for the Volunteer Center Do Good Bus initiative.”

Getting to this point has taken about 13 months.

Millin said the process started when the center began to study ways to remain relevant. Finding volunteers hasn’t been the problem. It’s that the way people volunteer has changed.

Millin said fewer people do volunteer work that requires a weekly commitment, for example. Instead, most who volunteer do it as a one-day thing, such as dishing out meals during the holidays.

“We were looking at ways at engaging more and more people,” Millin said.

She perused the Internet looking for an idea and she came across the Do Good Bus.

“How were others addressing this shift in volunteer trends because we knew we needed to do something to keep up with the millenials and today’s mentality,” Millin said.

Here is how the program will work:

■ Those interested in volunteering can sign up through the center’s website. There is a catch. The destination or destinations will be a surprise.

■ After signing up, volunteers will gather at the center, 215 N. Main St., West Bend, and get on the bus.

■ Then, it’ll be time to do good somewhere in Washington County. “They gave us a couple of hints as to where we would be, what we might be doing, but we really didn’t have a full grasp of the magnitude of a group of people like this, volunteers scattered from all across West Bend and Washington County getting together for one good cause and that is to be thankful for what we have and help others be thankful too,” Sadownikow said.

Wednesday’s test run was the second of three planned test runs. But this one was special, it was the first time the school bus purchased by the center was wrapped, which was done by TD Graphics in West Bend.

That was a special moment for Millin.

The test run took the group to Wellspring, a nonprofit education and retreat center, and organic farm. The mission, according to Wellspring’s website, “is to inspire and teach people to grow, prepare and eat healthy food.”

Wellspring was founded in 1982 and is the longest-running Community Supported Agriculture program in Wisconsin. The first board meeting was in 1983, with programs held in Milwaukee.

In 1987, Wellspring settled in its current location, 4382 Hickory Road, West Bend, with more than 35 acres of gardens, nature trails, woods, meadows, ponds, prairies and an outdoor labyrinth.

Of the 35 acres, 6 acres are an organic vegetable farm and 1 acre is an education garden. There is also a solar-heated greenhouse.

Upon arrival, the 30-plus volunteers were sent to the field and picked parsley and kale. From there, the group returned to the bus and went to The Norbert in downtown West Bend.

There, the group helped prepare the Thanksgiving dinner that the restaurant later hosted Thursday.

“The key word is community,” Sadownikow said. “A city is a bunch of people living around each other. But a community is how I would describe West Bend; folks recognizing a need and going after it, filling a hole, filling a void.”

The idea is rare. Los Angeles has a similar program. Nowhere else is there a program like the Do Good Bus, according to Millin.

“Look at the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,” she said. “People dumped water over their heads, patted themselves on the back and they go on with their day.

“It’s a much more fastpaced society that we live in.”

Not only was the destination a surprise for all, but for Sadownikow, he was amazed he learned there are more volunteers out there.

He thought he’d met them all.

“It’s neat to know there’s other people out there that care about this community,” Sadownikow said.

That’s one of the goals for the program and that was something Olson learned Wednesday as he continues to mesh into the community as the first-year superintendent.

“As I’ve entered into the community, I’ve learned that there’s a strong support for the community within this area,” he said. “As I learn more about the Volunteer Center of Washington County, it’s been pretty amazing.”

“This is a super exciting initiative,” Millin said. “It’s really a rolling billboard for the power of good. But it’s what is inside that bus that really counts, the groups of friends, families, co-workers making a difference in our community.”

“I think we’re onto something good,” she added.

BARTON Village annexed years ago proudly maintains its identity

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Nov. 25, 2016

BARTON

Village annexed years ago proudly maintains its identity

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Yes, Barton and West Bend became one 55 years ago in 1961.

But there are still signs out there that shows Barton is seperate from West Bend.

The biggest one is on the corner of Main Street and Barton Avenue: “Build, Boost, Buy in Barton.”

It’s one of the last pieces of evidence to prove those not around 50plus years ago there were two municipalities in Washington County next to each other, just like Minnesota’s Twin Cities — Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“The people that live in the Barton, the Barton-ites, they’re proud of having Barton as a village,” said Eileen Eckert, Barton Historical Society president. “We were very self-efficient. The people in Barton were very proud of their village. They still continue that today.”

But, how much longer is the question.

With time, former staples of the Barton community have gone away, including Barton Elementary School.

There are still establishments such as Barton Cafe and Barton Service. And, of course, the name of the road that goes through “downtown Barton” is Barton Avenue, formerly Main Street.

The introduction to a 1997 book by Richard H. Driessel says, “The question probably arises whether a history of the village of Barton serves any useful purpose at this time.”

To many, the answer is yes.

“They want to keep the Barton name alive,” Eckert said.

Barton was annexed by West Bend in November 1961. What helped settle Barton was the Milwaukee River.

Barton Salisbury, the town’s eventual namesake, built a saw mill along the river in 1845.

“Barton was originally a place like so many small villages and towns, they had a mill,” Eckert said. “We gradually started growing. West Bend and Barton really flourished with the railroad. Businesses took off because of the railroad.”

In Driessel’s book, it says there is debate about which settled first: Barton, West Bend or Young America.

According to Driesel, “Barton Salisbury came to Barton in early 1845, and the Buck family and a few others arrived later that year. Byron Kilbourn, Jasper Vliet and James Kneeland marked the place for the village of West Bend in November 1845. A squatter, E.N. Higgins, had been there since late 1844 or early 1845. Morris Wait began a sawmill and dam in Young America in 1851.”

In 1847, the mill was converted to a flour mill which Salisbury operated with Edward and William Caldwell. The settlement became known as Salisbury’s Mills.

Wisconsin became a state in 1848.

Salisbury’s Mills was officially named Newark in 1848 by the state Legislature, but the Washington County Board renamed it Barton.

In 1849, Salisbury moved onto Newburg where he started to build another mill and a hotel. During the hotel construction, Salisbury fell from a rafter and was seriously injured. He died within hours at the age of 36.

West Bend and Barton operated well as separate municipalities for several decades. Ten years after its founding, Barton had 1,095 residents. The milling industry was a reason for Barton’s growth.

Then, according to Eckert, two things began to work against Barton, which ultimately led to the annexation.

West Bend as county seat was one reason — the sewer system was another.

The economy — and real estate values — also contributed.

Jeff Faber, in a 1989 research paper titled “The Decline of the Village of Barton,” wrote “there was a depression in the 1870s. It seems like the West Bend township survived it. But the Barton township didn’t bounce back from it and the Barton township never competes with the West Bend township like the earlier years.”

Faber also wrote, “there were more wealthy men living in the West Bend township than were living in the Barton township in 1860. There were 14 percent of the West Bend township members worth over $2,500 compared to 8 percent in the Barton township.”

It didn’t take long for talk of joining Barton and West Bend to start. The talk lasted for decades, until it was accomplished in 1927.

Eventually, voters in West Bend favored the union 1,147-643 and voters in Barton agreed, 384-187.

If there is any animosity today, it’s fading.

“Most of the people that were against the annexation, a lot of them are gone,” Eckert said.

But the phrase painted on the side of the old Barton firehouse is one way the Barton-ites are trying to preserve what was once a proud history.

In some ways, they’re still proud of it.

Survey: The price of Thanksgiving is down

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Nov. 23, 2016

Survey: The price of Thanksgiving is down

Average dinner cost lowest since 2010

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

A new survey demonstrates Wisconsin consumers can spend less than $50 for a party of 10 this Thanksgiving — the lowest price since 2010.

Nationally, the cost is down 24 cents, the first decrease since 2009.

“The survey’s total price of $47.91, when divided by 10, shows preparing a nutritious, home-cooked Thanksgiving meal costs less than $5 per person,” said Amy Eckelberg, Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s spokesperson, in a news release. “This year’s survey came in $2.17 lower than last year’s price of $50.08.”

The grocery list includes a 16-pound turkey ($21.92), 1-gallon whole white milk ($3.18), a half-pint of cream ($1.75), 12 rolls ($1.96), relish tray for 1 pound carrots/celery ($0.69), 12 ounces fresh cranberries ($2.37), 30 ounces pumpkin pie mix ($3.20), two pie shells ($2.40), 14 ounces cube stuffing ($2.89), 3 pounds sweet potatoes ($3.30), 1 pound green peas ($1.44) and miscellaneous ingredients ($2.81).

Jeff Klotz, co-owner of Klotz’s Piggly Wiggly in West Bend, says feeding a party of 10 for less than $50 is possible.

“You’re talking about a turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, rolls, everything you would buy for Thanksgiving, everything is on sale,” Klotz said. “Everything you need for a pretty good dinner, even the dessert. ... It’s a possibility.”

The state data was collected by members of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. They collected 12 Thanksgiving food items in 25 communities in October and November.

Nationally, 148 volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in 40 states.

Grocers often offer their best deals for the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas — holidays often associated with large gatherings and plenty of food.

“There’s no doubt holidays are a big time of year for us,” said Emilie Williamson, senior manager of brand development and consumer engagement for Roundy’s, which owns Pick n’ Save. “Our hope is to provide for all families.”

Grocers work that into their discount offerings.

“We are doing our best to make Thanksgiving affordable,” Williamson added.

As far as revenue, grocers don’t see Thanksgiving and Christmas the same way retailers such as Kohl’s or Best Buy see Black Friday sales.

While some of the best deals of the season for grocers are at this time of the year. However, Klotz said sales at his Piggly Wiggly store are consistent. But he acknowledges Thanksgiving is one holiday where sales will spike.

“We definitely take some notes,” Klotz said. “Experience in the business helps, trying to think ahead.

“These are some of the biggest ads of the year. You got to be geared up for the holidays.”

Nationally, the cost is also less than $50 — $49.87, which is a decrease from 2015 ($50.11). Last year was the first time the national cost eclipsed $50 in the 31-year history of the survey.

So why the difference between Wisconsin’s prices to the national prices?

“From the turkey to potatoes, cranberries and milk, Wisconsin farmers are proud to produce much of the food served at a traditional Thanksgiving celebration,” Eckelberg said. “Our diverse agricultural economy provides a variety of local, fresh and affordable food; something to be thankful for this holiday.”

Prices are decreasing across the U.S.

Arkansas’ farm bureau reported the cost for a party of 10 on Thanksgiving could cost $44.84 — its lowest point since 2013.

In Indiana, its farm bureau reported a significant drop in cost from $50.33 to $46.81 — its lowest point since 2010.

Another factor potentially linked to lower prices was turkey production in the U.S. was up 8 percent from 2015, rebounding from the avian influenza crisis that occurred throughout the Midwest.

Klotz has been in the grocery business for more than 40 years. In the last few years, he’s noticed an interesting trend.

“We’ve seen actually a little bit more buying beef, prime rib,” Klotz said. “Years ago, all you would see is turkey. Things have changed a little bit. People are buying steaks, prime rib and tenderloin. They’re expanding the horizon a little bit.”

That trend surprised him.

“They usually hold that stuff until Christmas,” Klotz said. “Prime rib is our biggest seller for Christmas.

“There’s a lot different diets out there now, too. People are looking for different things. We’re trying to watch what people are looking for.”

Other trends include canned yams’ decrease in popularity and and Stove Top Stuffing’s increase — it has “gone wild the last couple of years,” Klotz said.

“All retailers look forward to the holidays,” Klotz added. “Good sales are there to be had.”

West Bend students take on ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Nov. 17, 2016

West Bend students take on ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Tonya Fordham, West Bend High Schools drama director, has wanted to stage the play “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” for three years. Copyright licensing rights prevented it.

Then, she finally got the good news: She got the goahead to do the play.

Then, Gene Wilder died.

Wilder played the famous role of Willy Wonka in the movie, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

Suddenly, there was a new purpose to stage the production for Fordham and the West Bend High School/Middle School Drama Club.

The show opens at 7 p.m. today at the Silver Lining Arts Center at the West Bend high schools. There is also a show at 7 p.m. Friday and two shows Saturday — 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults, and $6 for students and senior citizens.

“There has been a lot of excitement for this show,” Fordham. “We were trying to get the licensing rights for about three years, but it was bogged down in red tape because of another production company in London who was going to use it. So they weren’t releasing the rights to do the show.”

The story is based on the 1964 children’s book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” by Roald Dahl.

It focuses on Charlie Bucket, a boy who is kindhearted and selfless, but ridden in poverty, living with his mother, father and four bedridden grandparents. Then, he is the lucky bearer of a golden ticket that gives him and four other children an opportunity to tour a chocolate factory.

Fordham said she can’t remember how many times she’s seen the movie, but always remembers the feeling it gives her: a tale that rewards humility.

In 1971, the story hit the big screen, starring Wilder as Willy Wonka — “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

In 1972, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score, and Wilder was nominated for a Golden Glob for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.

It was remade as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” starring Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton, in 2005.

Fordham was impressed her students knew the original tale, not the one from 2005.

“A huge majority of them appreciate the original more than the remake,” Fordham said.

Miciah Wallace, a freshman at West, is cast as the title character — Charlie.

It is Wallace’s fourth show, but first in high school. In middle school, he did three productions, including “The Little Mermaid,” “Little Princess” and “Treasure Island.”

He got into performing after walking past a room one day in middle school and seeing his friend auditioning for a play. He was intrigued and auditioned the next day.

“I like being a different character and I enjoy meeting new people,” Wallace said.

East junior Nick Theisen is cast as Willy Wonka. He said it is an honor to play the part, especially this year.

Wilder died Aug. 29 after a battle with Alzheimer’s. He was 83. That was only weeks after Fordham and the club learned they got the OK to stage the play.

The club has since viewed the production as an opportunity to tell a classic tale, but also pay tribute to Wilder.

On the club’s poster promoting the show, there is a message that reads, “In Honor of the Late Great Gene Wilder!” There is also a tribute to Wilder.

“He’s a very interesting character,” Theisen said of Willy Wonka. “It definitely meant a lot to me (to be cast the part).”

Wilder being from Milwaukee added another factor as to the importance of putting on the play.

“It means a great deal to not just me, but the whole cast,” Theisen said. “We have to pull this off.”

While exciting to put on a production that’s embedded deep in entertainment history, it’s also nervewracking. Many know the tale, so a bobble with a line, for example, won’t be hard to miss. And there is the added pressure with paying tribute to Wilder.

“I know it sounds crazy but I think he’s looking down on us,” Theisen said.

In a bit of irony, this is not the first time Fordham and the club have picked a production and someone connected to the story died.

Last year, the club performed the 1947 film, “Miracle on 34th Street.” The movie’s lead actress, Maureen O’Hara, died Oct. 24, 2015, the week the club put on the show.

“When that happens, we always feel a stronger sense of responsibility to honor the original portrayer of the role,” Fordham said. “We try to recreate that same awe, that same wonder, the same feelings the original actor did.”

The club pledges this production is a show not to be missed.

“This was one piece in over 20 shows I’ve done that I really, really, really wanted to ... get a lot of inspiration from the original film,” Fordham said. “It was such a classic, a timeless classic.”

Experts expect good holiday spending season

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Nov. 16, 2016

Experts expect good holiday spending season

Who is open when?

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Retail experts are expecting a high-spending holiday season, which is good news for retailers and the nation’s economy.

According to a consumer survey conducted in October by the National Retail Federation, U.S. consumers will spend an average of $938.58 this holiday shopping season — the second- highest level in the 13year history of the survey.

The highest level was last year at $952.58.

In addition, six out of 10 consumers surveyed said they plan to buy for themselves at an average of $140, which is up 4 percent from 2015.

Spending has increased nearly 20 percent since 2009, the lowest point in the NRF’s survey.

“All of the fundamentals are in a good place, giving strength to consumers and leading us to believe that this will be a very positive season,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of NRF, in a news release.

NRF’s holiday sales forecast is based on several indicators, including consumer credit, disposable income and previous monthly retail sales.

Retail sales, according to NRF, are a solid barometer for the state of the nation’s economy, contributing more than $2.6 trillion annually.

In 2015, consumers spent more than $620 billion during the holiday shopping season, which the NRF defines as starting in October. Nearly 20 percent (19.3) of annual sales in 2015 were during the holidays.

The NRF expects retail sales in November and December to increase 3.6 percent compared to 2015, and a 7- to- 10-percent increase in online sales.

The so-called “heavyweights” in retail, such as Walmart, Best Buy and Target, will be open Thanksgiving Day, according to the website www.dealnews.com. The hours they’ll be open will vary.

Best Buy, for example, will be open 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and close at 1 a.m. Friday, then reopen several hours later.

Toys ‘R Us will open at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and close at 11 p.m. Friday.

Retailers with Washington County locations expected to be open Thanksgiving Day include Kohl’s, Boston Store, Dollar General, Shopko and Walgreens.

Dollar General in West Bend will be open 7 a.m.10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. However, Dollar General stores in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be closed because state law prohibits retailers from being open.

Should others follow suit? It depends on who is asked.

“Operating stores on Thanksgiving Day provides Dollar General customers with an everyday low-price retail option in their nearby community with a selection of health items, overthe- counter medications, housewares, seasonal items and a grocery assortment including milk, bread, eggs, baking items and more,” said Crystal Ghassemi from Dollar General’s corporate communications office.

Ana Serafin Smith, senior director of media relations for NRF, said each retailer researches whether to be open Thanksgiving Day or not. She added each retailer has different customer demands.

“Consumers want to be in their stores,” Smith said.

Cabela’s, which has a store in Richfield, will be among the retailers with Washington County locations not open Thanksgiving Day. “It’s a long history being closed on Thanksgiving Day,” said Nathan Borowski, Cabela’s communications specialist. “It’s a tradition that started years ago. We will continue it. We like to give the employees the opportunity to spend time at home.”

Other retailers in Washington County expected to be closed Thanksgiving Day include Hobby Lobby, Menards, Mills Fleet Farm and Home Depot.

“We are set in our ways being closed on Thanksgiving Day,” Borowski said. “We do offer an online Thanksgiving Day sale.”

Cabela’s has remained closed on Thanksgiving Day because of customer feedback.

“Every year we have customers reaching out to us that they appreciate we’re closed on Thanksgiving,” Borowski said.

The Cowsills are coming to Hartford

Daily News (West Bend, Wis.)
Published: Sept. 23, 2016

The Cowsills are coming to Hartford

By NICHOLAS DETTMANN

ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043

Bob Cowsill, an original member of the band that bears his family’s name, has promised he and his siblings can still sing.

And yes, they can still put on a great show as they’re in the middle of a resurgence in their music careers.

Fans of the group that produced top-10 hits like “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” “Hair” and “Indian Lake,” can see Bob, his brother Paul and sister Susan at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Schauer Arts and Activities Center, 147 N. Rural St., Hartford.

“It will be a blast,” Bob said.

The band is eager to return to Wisconsin.

They played at this summer’s Wisconsin State Fair, which was the band’s first appearance in the state since 1969.

“It was such a huge audience,” Bob said. “In the old days, there were always great crowds in Wisconsin.”

Plus, at one time, they were spokespeople for the American Dairy Association, appearing in commercials promoting milk.

“We are all about Wisconsin,” Bob said.

The band has gone through several breakups and transformations over the years. But one thing has remained constant: the love of music.

That love never wavered far from their hearts and it’s what brought them back together through the years. They also believe now they might be better than ever, while maintaining the sound people fell in love with in the 1960s.

“We’ve just kind of resurfaced,” Bob said. “Our kids are grown and everyone’s older now and we can come out and have fun.

“It’s pretty exciting actually. We’re all alive and well.”

Last summer, The Cowsills got back on the road — The Happy Together Tour, also starring The Turtles.

“We’re building our new history,” Bob said. “We didn’t create this resurgence; it’s happening though. I think the songs that are powerful, the songs of our day are so strong that it keeps all of us going, including our audience. It’s bonded all of us.”

The group was started by brothers Bob, Bill and Barry in 1965. Soon after, brother John joined the fun. A short time later, sister Susan, brother Paul and mom Barbara completed the group.

In 1967, MGM Records signed them. Their self-titled debut album featured the song “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” also known as “The Flower Girl” song. It has sold 3 million copies.

In 1968, “Indian Lake” was on the band’s album, “Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools,” and it reached No. 10 on the Billboard chart, including No. 3 in Australia and No. 1 in New Zealand.

In 1969, the band recorded its third top-10 hit, “Hair.” It was No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard chart, but No. 1 in Australia and New Zealand.

To Susan, “Hair” and “The Rain, The Park and Other Things” are the songs that mean the most to the group and not just because they were the two most successful songs the band produced and released.

“Hair” was initially meant to be part of a television show to showcase the boom of the long hair and fashion trends of the 1960s.

So when they got to recording it, they felt differently about how the song played out. They loved it.

“My brothers took it with them to a Chicago radio station and played it and the switchboard lit up,” Susan said. “It was a hit and MGM was forced to put it out.”

Paul said it was also special because it was a rare opportunity where each member had a singing part in the song.

It was from the 1968 Broadway musical “Hair” and was in the 1979 film adaptation.

As for “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” Susan was 8 years old when it was released.

“She was our little flower sister,” Bob joked.

It has maintained popularity with the help of pop culture as it was used in a scene in the 1994 film “Dumb and Dumber,” starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. The song was used as background of a dream Carrey’s character was having in the movie.

“That’s just my childhood heart song,” Susan said.

The band broke up at least twice for several reasons — personal squabbles, solo music aspirations, family, etc.

The family reason was the most important, Paul said.

“We spent 18 years raising our children,” he said. “We went to 13 different schools because our dad was in the Navy. It kept putting us in different school after different school.

“I didn’t go to a prom. I didn’t go to a graduation. I don’t really have people that I can call up and go, ‘Hey remember when we were in high school?’ I didn’t want that for my kids.”

Other groups seen as their competition in the 1960s and ’70s kept going. The Cowsills took breaks.

“Through it all, we all kept singing,” Bob said. “We all kept performing.”

It was the right thing to do, especially looking back on it today.

“One thing when you’re an older artist is an appreciation for what you did as a younger artist and the fact that other people appreciate it still really blew us away,” Bob said. “We’ve had great crowds. The audiences have been amazing.

“It seems like they’re glad to see us and we’re glad to see them.”