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NEIGHBORS
A Publication of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
EASTTROY.ORG EASTTROY.ORG
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MARCH 2021 2023 MARCH
VOLUME 32, 34, EDITION EDITION 11 VOLUME
You Asked, East Troy Schools facing deep We Answered cuts, look to community for help Our First Q&A Issue Why should I vote April 4? Our first Q&A issue combines two vital things: the real-life concerns of our readers and the knowledge and expertise of our community members.
Community = Magic
East Troy Lights:2023: Here’s How Did It East Troy AllWeYour
By Vanessa Lenz
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
We’ve all been told since elementary school that voting is our civic duty. While high profile national elections draw large numbers of voters, participation in local elections are traditionally low. If you care about East Troy, casting a vote in local elections on April 4 is a must. East Troy Community School District residents will see a referendum question that will play a major role in the future of
East Troy schools. The East Troy Community School District is asking voters to approve a referendum for operating expenses that would help continue funding its day-today operations, including paying for staff. District officials are facing a financial squeeze with state education funding not allowing it to keep pace with rising expenses, but they’re hopeful East Troy’s voters will ease the burden with additional funding. “The district has reached a point where it is impossible to support our students by • CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
A look at East Troy Schools’ traditions
Downtown East Troy twinkled like never had the chance to interact with it at www. before this December, thanks to the debut of easttroylights.com. The East Troy East Troy Lights – an all new holiday light Community School Vanessa Lenz: attraction. District has a rich history After unveiling this beta version in 2019, The interactive and imaginative light of traditions, some Our third annual Q&A issue combines questions about East Troy ... What is new the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce display experience transported visitors to common and others … two vital things: the real-life concerns in East Troy? How did we get the East and our entire community has worked a dazzling display of lights utilizing the are one of a kind. of our readers and the knowledge and Troy Village Square? What are some together in 2020 to give people a unique backdrop of the historic East Troy Village We ask locals to expertise of our community members. fascinating facts about our town? We did experience in beautiful, historic downtown Square. share some of their We asked for all of your burning our best to get the bottom of it for you. All month, people flocked to the square to East Troy this holiday season. favorites. See the newly The foundation of the project was walk through the lights or see the show from released Behind collaboration with the East their vehicles. to anyone who would buildTroy uponCommunity it. ETHS Q:NotHow get watch the shows lotSchool the Scenes East District (from 4K to 12), our only did couldwe attendees The public East Troy Village Square was Homecoming Village Square? businesses, attractions residents coming -the on the hour, every hour - but, with the help deeded Troy Lights video in perpetuity to theand village. Parade East phone, Troy area settled together to make it happen. of aThe mobile theywas were able in to try to on One EastTroy Today, East Troy Village Square Park of the most 1836, their whenown a man known as H. Roberts make light shows. continues to serve as the centerpiece for Lights.com! popular traditions began construction of a sawmill on the Q. What makes East the community and hosts festivals and among East Troy High shores of Honey Creek. The area quickly Q: How did the light Troy Lights soasspecial? band concerts, as well the residents and School students and grew and in the span of only four years, show come to be? visitors who stop to enjoy its historic charm. Jamie Rohrer: alumni alike is the also included a hotel, general store, Jamie Rohrer: Quite simply, community: each control Homecoming Parade blacksmith, chapel, school (held in the Q: When is the East Troy We finished a proof-of-concept box was hand crafted by local businesses This beautiful photo, submitted by Dogs and Dreams, instantly captured both furry friend of and – theour culmination chapel), post office, doctor, lawyerlight and show Lions Fourth of July Festival? photography loving hearts, winning second place (and $100 to East Troy Brewery) in theseries East Troy in 2019, and although it was not publicly and kids, the custom software running on a week-long of justice of the peace. Lights Photo Contest. See additional photos at easttroy.org. The East Troy Lions Club will hold announced, thousands of growth people either school spirited events. In order to encourage of the saw its annual Fourth of July • CONTINUED DREAMS Good of Neighbors Celebration ON PAGE 6 The East Troy Community School District DOGS has AND a rich history traditions with the show live,early on Instagram/Facebook, community, settlers Jacob Burgit or • CONTINUED many alumni listing Homecoming Week as a favorite. • CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 and Austin McCracken offered a free ON PAGE 2 PHOTO SUBMITTED Good Neighbors
Questions Answered
Elegant Farmer years the April 6 How does East celebrates Troy keep75bringing magic? Interactive light election show shines bright heats up in third season In celebration of its 75th anniversary, The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago, will host a yearlong celebration featuring family fun events and a variety of delicious food specials. • CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
This winter, downtown East Troy once again transformed into a holiday wonderland and delivered big results with the much-anticipated return of East Troy Lights. The interactive and imaginative light display experience transported visitors to
a dazzling display of lights utilizing the backdrop of the historic East Troy Village Square. The Elegant Farmer ispeople For the entire month of December, open daily 9through a.m. to 6the flocked to the square to walk p.m. Closed Easter, lights and create their own holiday magic Thanksgiving, Christmas with the brand-new Candy Cane Adventure. and New Year’s Day. For
The Lowdown
more information, call (262) 363-6770 or visit www.elegantfarmer.com.
The temperatures dropped for the occasion but it didn’t stop East Troy from bundling up in layers to welcome Santa, Mrs. Claus and their entourage to the East Troy Village Square. Santa helped the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce launch year three of East Troy Lights – a month-long interactive light show.
Jamie Rohrer, East Troy Lights creator, helps students in the Smart Lab at Little Prairie Primary School register their wands.
LAUREN & ANDY PHOTOGRAPHY Good Neighbors
VANESSA LENZ Good Neighbors
Vanessa Lenz, East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director (which presents East Troy Lights) and Jamie Rohrer, East Troy Lights Show Creator, give us an inside look at East Troy Lights 2022 and why they keep coming back for more.
Q: Describe year three of East Troy Lights in no more than five words. We’ve all been told since elementary school that voting is our civic duty. Jamie Rohrer: While high profilePretty national elections What?! 5 Words? great! draw large numbers of voters, participationLenz: in local elections are Vanessa traditionally low. Impressive. Magical. If you care about EastMemorable! Troy, casting a vote in local elections on April 6 is a must.Q: What made it so great? Village of East Troy, Town of East Troy, Town of Troy and East Troy Jamie Rohrer: Community School Hmm. Well, everyDistrict year weraces like to try starting heatideas. up asSome several newhave aare number oftonew ideas candidates throw their hats into the been more successful or interesting ring. than You This will be deciding is hit a good others. year I think who we really responsible for many of the government sweet spot with the light show interactivity functions that impact your Candy daily life. by introducing the wands/ Cane East Troy Community School District Adventure. residents willwe seestill twoare referendum Although only just dipping questions that will play major capable role in into the potential of whata we’re the the future of Eastfrom Troymost schools. of, response kids/adults was overwhelmingly positive.
Why should I vote?
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