Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/146350
AUGUST 2013 Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove • Page 3A Beer pong goes dry Liquidless version debuts at Brookfield Square after getting inspired by his father, Michael Bergmann. Kahn said they went through around 30 foam-based protoBROOKFIELD – A pingpong ball soartypes, which drained them of funds. But ing into a plastic cup is a sight common Kris' father, Dennis Kahn, decided to to parties, not shopping malls. However, invest in the idea, becoming the third if you visit Brookfield Square on Moorpartner and CEO of the company. land Road, you'll find just that at the After near two years of prototyping, Rooster and Kahn Skill Pong booth next Kahn came up with the idea to use a liqto the Food Court. uid-filled bag. Following their new Kris Kahn and Rick "Rooster" design direction, they eventually created Bergmann quit their day jobs and opened a working and reproducible insert, which a stand at the mall on June 25, selling they patented. their own patented version of the classic Kahn said Skill Pong is played with party game of beer pong in the mall. classic rules but also has a few unique Their system is liquidless, using thermal variants he and Bergmann created, plastic rubber pucks at the bottom of the including Close Quarters Pong and cups which hold the pingpong ball Tower Pong. Kahn added that they hope inside. to eventually allow players to post their Both said many are shocked they're own game ideas on their website. selling something for what looks like According to Kahn, the game will be classic beer pong in the mall. Kahn said available to order from their website they've sold about a dozen sets with a (www.skillpong.com) in July. Currently, base price of $44.95 apiece. they are running a Fourth of July color The two entrepreneurs said they want- scheme of red and blue, but Kahn mened to make Skill Pong a family-friendly tioned they will come out with more game and ultimately a sport, not just a color options and hope to introduce their drinking game. Kahn said he is passion- own line of tables and dry-erase boards ate about pulling kids away video games for scoring. and from binge drinking because "noth"We're the Callahan brake pads of beer ing good comes of it [drinking]." pong products," said Bergmann smiling. "It's rewarding to see families engage The two said they are passionate about in something they normally wouldn't creating a quality product, and they hope because of our new design," said to eventually partner with a larger comBergmann. pany to bring their design into the interBergmann brought the idea to Kahn national sport arena. By Erik S. Hanley Special to The Freeman Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Rick "Rooster" Bergmann, left, and Kris Kahn hold up the two colors of Rooster and Kahn's Skill Pong near their kiosk at Brookfield Square Mall. The puck that makes Rooster and Kahn's Skill Pong the game it is sits before a set of their game recently at Brookfield Square Mall. DNR officials warn of invasive plant Japanese hedgeparsley found in southern parts of state By Darryl Enriquez Special to The Freeman Submitted photo Japanese hedgeparsley, an invasive species that has alarmed DNR officials, is making inroads in southern Wisconsin. WAUKESHA – A relatively new invasive plant species has started spreading widely in southern Wisconsin and has now been found as far north as Portage County, a state Department of Natural Resources official announced. State invasive species specialists say most populations are still small enough to be contained before they expand, said Nisa Karimi, a DNR plant pest and disease specialist. the carrot family. "The first year plants have finely divided fern-like leaves in a rosette near the ground. It can be easily hidden "Landowners who have fin- amongst other plants and ished pulling garlic mustard generally isn't found until it for the year may need to flowers. In the second year, search their forests for flower stalks 'bolt' and can Japanese hedgeparsley," she grow anywhere from a few said. inches to six feet," she said. Japanese hedgeparsley was Most plants are found in first reported in Wisconsin in the 2- to 4-foot range. Fern1976. It has started spreading like leaves along the flower widely in Green, Dane and stem give rise to thin branchIowa counties in the last 10 es that hold multiple umbrelyears. It has also been found la-shaped clusters of small in the Kettle Moraine area, white flowers. around Portage County, and Small patches are easily in other locations. hand pulled. If the plants are "It has the potential to already flowering or have spread to most regions of the seeds, they should be dried state," Karimi said. and burned or bagged up and The plant is a member of put in the trash. Matt Zine, a DNR natural areas management specialist, said larger patches can be mowed when they are in the early flowering stage. Once a plant has been allowed to go to seed it is likely there will be new seedlings germinating for at least six years. As with most invasive plants, persistence and removing all flowering plants is the key to keeping this plant from taking over your forest, he said. Anyone finding Japanese hedgeparsley outside of the south central counties should send their report to invasive.species@wi.gov. 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