Lake Country This Month

By Karen Pilarski Special to The Freeman PEWAUKEE —Tradition is important to the citizens of both Pewaukees, city and village. Every Fourth of July, downtown is bustling with excitement. Clusters of fam- ilies arrive at the lakefront clutching blan- kets preparing to stake out a spot for the fireworks show. Over the past few years, however, a dark cloud of uncertainty has been looming. Karen Merz, community volunteer and Fireworks Committee chairwoman, said, "There has been an issue with no funds being set aside through the village or city. This year concerned citizens such as myself have started talking in February to find out how to plan the fundraising." Every year it is a constant worry, said Merz. Last year they made it under the wire with fireworks funding by a week. The dazzling light show costs $15,000. She said, "This year we started with noth- ing. In the past we had some money to start with. So far $5,000 has been raised." Merz said, "If we don't have it, people will probably still be waiting out there with blankets in hand. The Fourth of July is such a normal thing, it is assumed it will go on. It would be a shame if it didn't." The Fireworks Committee and volun- teers such as Positively Pewaukee have been striving for a more permanent solu- tion. Merz said, "We have been trying to reach out and get a corporate sponsor. We have to push more and organize plans to have a sponsor ahead of time. It is hard for the business climate out there." Steinhafels joins fundraising effort Dirk Stallmann, marketing director at Steinhafels, was enjoying a sandwich downtown one day. He said, "It a was beautiful day and I wanted to eat by the lake. There was a donation jar and a pro- motion of a free soda with money going towards the fireworks." Stallmann inquired about the sign and that ignited the motivation to contribute. He said, "Pewaukee is not huge, and as a company that is based here, I wondered if we could lend a hand." Recently, Steinhafels called Merz. An online site, http://www.gofundme.com/tbe7vk, was created for donations. Steinhafels offered to match the final donation amount, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. "It was the best phone call I received all week and maybe longer than that," said Merz. Planting the seed for stability Stallman understands the economic reality. He said, "Everyone is looking for ways to save money." He encourages other businesses to get involved since there are ties to the community. "This impacts so many people in a nice way to help keep something alive in our hometown." Steinhafels' donation will help alleviate some of the funding anxiety. Stallman said, "We want to try to bring more stabil- ity by having left over seed money for next year." Stallman echoed Merz's sentiment about tradition. "Tradition means celebrating the birth of our nation," he said. "If you asked most people who grew up here, it is the July 4th picnic and fireworks that are a part of the experience." FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY • 7 JUNE 2015 We are innovators. We are Kubota. RTV-X900 Utility Vehicle • 21.6 HP Kubota Diesel Engine • Exclusive Variable Hydro Transmission • Front and Rear Independent Suspension Standard L Series Compact Tractors • 24.8 to 47.3 HP Kubota Diesel Engines • Powerful Transmission Options • High Quality, Versatile and Affordable M-GX Series Mid-Size Ag Tractors • Electronic-Shift Control with IntelliShift Transmission • Grand Cab, Among the Largest in Class • Highly Maneuverable, featuring Kubota Exclusive Bi-Speed Turn Z122R Zero-Turn Mower • 21.5 HP Air-Cooled Kawasaki ER Engine • 4.5"-Deep, Fully-Welded Durable 42" Mower Deck • Patented Steering System Design for Superior Handling and Ease of Operation POWER CENTER Bill's 13885 W. Capitol Drive Brookfield 262.781.6400 Mon. & Thurs. 8-8 Tues., Wed. & Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-3 www.billspowercenter.com www.kubota.com Optional equipment may be shown. ©Kubota Tractor Corporation 2015 244741001 Submitted photo Boaters look on during a previous Pewau- kee Fourth of July fireworks show. Festivals From Page 1A "People have learned, over the years, to share," Kroening said. Food is the main drawing card, but not the only attraction at Taste of Lake Country. Live music is plentiful, as is the opportunity to sam- ple new beers. Kroening said 14 different beers will be available at this year's Taste of Lake Country. "It's been interesting," Kroening said. "A lot of people said they started drinking a beer because they tasted it at our event." The Taste of Lake Country Vendor Tent fea- tures local businesses, such as Harvest Home Collection, which is located in downtown Pewaukee. Kroening also said Lang calendars will have a booth, among others. Kroening also stressed that Taste of Lake Country is a family-friendly environment, and is staged in cooperation with local law enforce- ment. Celebrate the season Summer fun in Lake Country is not limited to Taste of Lake Country, or by taste. The Shakespeare classic "Much Ado About Nothing" is being staged through June 20 at the SummerStage of Delafield in the Lapham Peak Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The iconic play is part of a summer of enter- tainment on the SummerStage. More informa- tion — including shows, dates and ticket infor- mation — is available at http://www.summer- stageofdelafield.org. Moonlit Movies is an ongoing entertainment offering in Oconomowoc's Fowler Park. The series will kick off its 10th season at 6 p.m. June 18 with a showing of the original "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Films will also be shown July 9 and Aug. 13. Films to be shown are determined through voting on Face- book at Moonlit Movies' page. The series is free, and is accompanied by a Badgerland Water Ski Show. More information is available at http://www.moonlitmovies.org. Hartland's Hometown Celebration Weekend is June 26-28 at Nixon Park, 175 E. Park Ave. The Hometown Celebration features every- thing one expects from a Wisconsin summer festival — music, food, beverages, fireworks and a parade. Details are available at http://hartland-wi.org, the website of the Hartland Chamber of Commerce. Nixon Park is also home to the Lake Country Rotary Splash Pad water park. The Splash Pad is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The Delafield Black Party Food & Musical Festival is July 10-11 in downtown Delafield, and is centered at Genesee and Main streets. The event is described by organizers as a fami- ly-friendly, free event. Live music and food and beverages are plentiful. More information is available at http://www.visitdelafield.org. Hartland hosts its annual Street Dance from 5:30 to 11 p.m. July 18 in downtown Hartland along East Capitol Drive. Popular southeast Wisconsin party band The Boogie Men will provide the entertainment. Additional details will be revealed closer to the date at http://hartland-wi.org. Oconomowoc's Festival of the Arts is Aug. 15-16 in Fowler Park, which is located next to Fowler Lake. The juried art festival is celebrat- ing its 45th season. Live music is available on three different stages, and activities abound for children. More information is available at http://oconomowocarts.org. A burst of light in Pewaukee fireworks funding quest Steinhafels helping to light up the sky on the Fourth of July Submitted photo The Wisconsin Spinal Rehabilitation Center joins Pewaukee chamber The Wisconsin Spinal Rehabilitation Center celebrates its induction into the Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce. Row 1 (Left to right): Dr.Tina Cox (The Chiropractors), Cathy Ilman, Dr. John Friedrichs, Dr. Cari Witzlib, Liz Vasquez, Rachel Golusinski (all of Wisconsin Spinal Rehabilita- tion Center), Nancy Waters (Pewaukee Chamber executive director), Duong Duong (Pewaukee Chamber event coordinator). Row 2: Kevin Pasqua (LearningRx), Lisa Omen (Johnson Bank), Greg Swanberg (Weissgerber's Gasthaus), Herb Coulthurst (Sky Zone).

• Cover