Sep 1st, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
We've been doing some bean counting here at westofthei.com HQ.
No we're not talking about accounting. We mean counting the jelly beans we displayed in our guessing contest at our Commercial Building booth at the Kenosha County Fair.
I guess this one was too easy. We had two winners:
- Diane Kreuscher of Paddock Lake.
- Stephen Squires III of Twin Lakes.
The winning number, after several confirming recounts, was…
Continue reading
Aug 21st, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
At
westofthei.com, we are proud of our sponsors. Periodically, we will be telling you a little more about them.
Lakeland Septic Service, a westofthei.com sponsor, is one of the two 2010 recipients of the Kenosha County Fair Livestock Auction Buyer Award.
Congratulations to Dan and Marie Weis and family on this honor…
Aug 17th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
View Larger Map
The above map shows the location of a proposed Dollar General store in Twin Lakes.
A developers agreement that could pave the way for a Dollar General store to come to Twin Lakes was tabled by village President Howard Skinner Monday.
Skinner said the developers agreement needs more negotiation and that he in particular is not satisfied with the building facade and landscaping of the site.
"This particular member of the…
Continue reading
Aug 12th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The second annual "Silver Lake Village Wide Garage Sale Weekend" is set for the weekend of Aug. 27 through the 29.
The Silvertown Mall at 301 East Lake St., Silver Lake, coordinates the event.
"The first event last year was very successful despite a rainy day, and we hope this years will be even better," said Andy Lorentz, owner of ShirtzHappen, a business…
Continue reading
Aug 11th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
There's still a little time -- but not much -- to sign-up to participate in the Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association's 20th Annual Golf Outing, Wednesday, Aug. 18 in association with the Twin Lakes Country Club.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. with a shot gun start at noon.
This year's event will feature a Wisconsin brat lunch, cocktails, buffet…
Continue reading
Aug 2nd, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
View Larger Map
The Twin Lakes General Dollar store would be located on North Lake Avenue on property now owned by developer Steve Mills.
National retailer Dollar General is seeking to place stores in Twin Lakes and Paddock Lake.
Todd Platt, a representative of the stores' developer, appeared at a Plan Commission meeting in Paddock Lake and a Village Board Committee of the Whole meeting in Twin Lakes on Monday night.
"Maybe…
Continue reading
Jul 15th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The Greater Silver Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners from the Fourth of July celebration events that were held on July 3 in Schmalfeldt Park in Silver Lake.
The winner of the pie eating contest, Holden Straob Straub, was awarded a $50 check.
The winner of the new cardboard boat race was the Faber Family Team. They earned…
Continue reading
Jul 3rd, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
I was one of the panelists on WGTD's (91.1 FM) Community Matters program that will air today at 11:15 a.m.
The topic: "The Right of the Public to Know."
The host is Len Iaquinta. Also on the program was Bill Lueders, Isthmus (Madison) news editor, named “2009 Person of the Year” by the Professional Association of Wisconsin Licensed Investigators, a trade group for private eyes. The award was given both for Lueders’…
Continue reading
Jun 18th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
If you have personal documents that you don't want to just throw in the trash you should check out Southport Bank's Community Shred Day.
Southport Bank's Paddock Lake location, 23604 75th St., will host the shred day from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday June 19.
There is no charge for the service. Only paper will be accepted. There is a limit of three bags per person…
Continue reading
May 7th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
Carl Edenhofer, Jr. was honored Thursday at Carthage College for his service and philanthropic contributions to the community.
Edenhofer is a small business owner who has practiced law for 27 years. His law office is located in Paddock Lake In addition, Edenhofer has taught paralegal studies with a focus on legal terminology at Carthage College for more than 23 years. He also owns the facility that now houses Brightree Reimbursement Services, the medical billing company…
Continue reading
May 4th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) issued the following statement in response to
the recent decision made by the medical billing company Brightree Reimbursement Services to relocate 80 jobs from Antioch to Paddock Lake:
“I am extremely pleased with Brightree’s decision to relocate their operations and jobs to Paddock Lake. Their services and opportunities are the breath…
Continue reading
May 3rd, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
There were 80 more people working in Paddock Lake today than there were Friday.
That's because Brightree Services, a medical reimbursements service company, moved from Antioch Friday afternoon into new 12,00 square foot quarters in a building in the Paddock Lake Heights office complex.
Speakers at a press conference to announce the move lauded a joint effort by Paddock Lake, the county executive's office, the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, comercial lender First…
Continue reading
Apr 24th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
Cabana Tan & Spa is extending its food drive dubbed "Tans for Cans" to benefit The Sharing Center.
Through April 30 enjoy a free tan with a donation of five or more canned goods or non-perishable food items, while helping to support a very needed and worthwhile cause in our community. Already have a membership? With your five-can donation you will receive a free upgrade to the bed/stand-up of your choice.
With…
Continue reading
Apr 16th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The chamber has partnered with Capital Brewery of Madison for "Bottoms up for Libertyfest."
"Libertyfest Lager" will be sold at during the months of April, May and June at area establishments, with the last sales being at Libertyfest itself, July 2 and 3.
"Our goal is to have a minimum of 4000 lagers sold!" said Anna Moldenhauer, chamber president. "This would raise $2000 to be used towards our fireworks and parade. So…
Continue reading
Apr 12th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
Regional Connections Spring Session will be held on April 21 at Bristol Oaks Country Club from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Regional Connections is a Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce program with the objective of bringing business professionals together for a network luncheon on a bi-annual basis. This speed networking event is held in collaboration with neighboring chambers.
Registration is $25; bring…
Continue reading
Apr 1st, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
Today marks an important milestone for westofthei.com.
We're one year old.
A year ago Karen and I said we "are striving to make this site the ultimate source of news and information about Western Kenosha County." That is still our goal. You are a big part of that. You contribute content or ideas for stories and that helps westofthei.com keep on top of all…
Continue reading
Mar 13th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The Twin Lakes Chamber and Business Association sponsored its annual business expo -- renamed The Lakes Area Business Expo this year -- at Wilmot High School Saturday.
Wilmot's atrium area was a new venue for the fair. Also new was the addition of mini-workshops offered throughout the day by exhibitors. Topics included computer advice to how to make your heating and cooling more efficient.
As always, many…
Continue reading
Mar 10th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The St. John the Evangelist Farmer's Market in Twin Lakes is gearing up for its season.
The market will take place every Saturday from 8 to 11:30 a.m., May 8 through Oct. 23 at the church, 701 North Lake Ave., Twin Lakes.
The market will focus on locally grown and produced agricultural and food products such as flowers, meat, produce, baked goods and honey. In addition, locally produced non-agricultural products will also be offered.
Right now, the…
Continue reading
Mar 10th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association is providing a fun and interesting place to ride out what is being forecast as a rain Saturday -- The Lakes Area Business Expo.
The event is a showcase of regional business with booths offering a variety of information. This year the event also has a new name, a new location and new mini…
Continue reading
Feb 26th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The 2010 Summer Youth Employment program is looking for mentoring worksites.
The 2010 Summer Youth Employment program provides training and work experience for youth between the ages of 14 and 21. The Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha is currently recruiting mentoring worksites/employers for eligible youth. This program is made possible through funding from Kenosha County and the Workforce Investment Act…
Continue reading
Feb 18th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
Paul Argiewicz of Paddock Lake shared his story of surviving the Holocaust as a teenager with the Twin Lakes Chamber and Business Association at the group's monthly meeting Wednesday.
Argiewicz told a compelling story, with many poignant moments and a bit of humor here and there too.
Here's some video of Argiewicz telling how he was arrested when he was 11 and sent to a transition camp, where he lied about his…
Continue reading
Feb 14th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
The annual business expo hosted by the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association has a new name, a new location and new mini workshops this year.
The Lakes Area Business Expo will be held on Saturday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilmot High School, 11112 308th Ave., Wilmot. Admission is $2 or $1 with a non-perishable food…
Continue reading
Jan 24th, 2010
by Darren Hillock.
When Jim Pelech passed the shuttered Siebert's tavern on Highway 83 in Salem, he thought of another time -- a time when he remembered the bar and restaurant being the place to eat and meet in the area.
"It was really a loss of for the community," said Pelech, who also operates his own marketing business.
Eventually, he decided it was his mission to bring it back to those glory years and maybe even expand the establishment's reach…
Continue reading
Dec 16th, 2009
by Darren Hillock.
Need a dose of holiday spirit? Check out West of the I's video holiday greetings.
Over 20 area business recorded greetings this year. A new group is featured on our front page this week and all are available for viewing on the
Video Holiday Greetings page.
Dec 5th, 2009
by Darren Hillock.
The popular campaign that has delivered hundreds of gifts to local needy seniors is being planned again this holiday season. Area retailers, along with agencies that serve older adults, have partnered with a local senior-care service to make sure that isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program.
The area office of Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest provider of non-medical home…
Continue reading
Dec 1st, 2009
by Darren Hillock.
This holiday season, Wilmot Auto Service in downtown Wilmot (Highways C and W) has teamed up with The Sharing Center in Paddock Lake.
Business owners Cindy and Dwayne Garwood will be hanging Anonymous Angel Christmas ornaments on their Christmas tree at 11307 Fox River Road. The public is invited to come by after Thanksgiving and pick the information of a family or a child in need off the Christmas tree. You…
Continue reading
Nov 25th, 2009
by Darren Hillock.
Bristol Hair Shoppe may have just opened five months ago in downtown Bristol. But they already are thinking about how to help the community at large.
Earlier this month the salon hosted an event for 30 of their guests to help collect items to donate. They called the event the "Dump and Dine" night. For every partially used product collected from each person Bristol Hair Shoppe gave them 20…
Continue reading
The second annual "Silver Lake Village Wide Garage Sale Weekend" is set for the weekend of Aug. 27 through the 29.
The Silvertown Mall at 301 East Lake St., Silver Lake, coordinates the event.
"The first event last year was very successful despite a rainy day, and we hope this years will be even better," said Andy Lorentz, owner of ShirtzHappen, a business… Continue reading 
The dentistry practice of James C. Fulmer DDS recently hosted The Blood Center of Wisconsin's blood donation bus. People like Karla Arzate, pictured above, took time out to donate and help maintain the blood supply in Southeast Wisconsin.
Fulmer's office is located at 7137 236th Ave., Paddock Lake. Phone: 843 4643… 
There's another outdoor flea market this Sunday, June 6, at Rustic Dairyland Antique Mall. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dealer space is available. Call for set-up rates: 262-857-9050
Rustic Dairyland Antique Mall is located at 12009 53rd Place (Interstate 94 and Highway 158), Paris.
Rustic Dairyland Antique Mall also is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. featuring antiques, collectibles… Continue reading 
