Breeze
MAY/june 2017 • VOL. 36 No. 1 Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers
The
Serving the Whitewater Lake area
Boat sales on the rise • Hitting the SweetSpot • Things to do
Page 2 • MAY/june 2017 • The Breeze
Things to do
MAY
26 East Troy Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. on the East Troy Village Square Park. Vendors selling homegrown and local produce, specialty items, meats, baked goods, crafts, live music and activities. (262) 642-3770. 26 to 29 ChocolateFest, 4 p.m.11:59 p.m. This year’s theme: Chocolate Country, USA! For information on the activities at ChocolateFest, May 26-29, visit www.chocolatefest.com. ChocolateFest Grounds, Maryland Ave. Burlington. (262) 763-3300 26 Fish Fry – 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Lutherdale Ministries, N7891 Highway 12, north of Elkhorn. Tickets $14, adults, $7 for children 12 and younger. Reservations suggested for groups of eight or more. (262) 742-2352. 27 Music on the Patio, 3-7 p.m. – Ryan Lindsey at The Waterfront Restaurant on Brown’s Lake, 31100 Weiler Road, Burlington. (262) 763-9989 27 Minneiska Water Ski Show Team performs at 7 p.m. on Whitewater Lake at Scenic Ridge Campground, N7991 R & W Townline Road, Whitewater. 28 Music on the Patio, 3-7 p.m. – JT James Acoustic at The Waterfront Restaurant on Brown’s Lake, 31100 Weiler Road, Burlington. (262) 763-9989 29 Veteran’s Memorial Day Parade, 8:30-10:30 a.m. The parade starts on Kane Street/Edward Street and ends at Echo Park, Burlington, for the Veteran’s ceremonial tribute at approximately 10 a.m. (262) 763-3300 29 Memorial Day Parade – downtown Elkhorn, 10:30 a.m., followed by a special memorial service in Veterans Park. (262) 203-2434. 29 Music on the Patio, 3-7 p.m. – Ben Barels with? Poppin’ Bennies? Bullies? at The Waterfront Restaurant on Brown’s Lake, 31100 Weiler Road, Burlington. (262) 763-9989 30 The Whitewater City Market, 3:30-7:30 p.m. at the historic Train Depot, 301 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians. www. downtownwhitewater.com.
JUNE
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 East Troy Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. on the East Troy Village Square Park. Vendors selling homegrown and local produce, specialty items, meats, baked goods, crafts, live music and activities. (262) 642-3770. 2-4 Starin Park Showdown, softball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater. 3, 10, 17, 24 Whitewater Farmers Market, 8 a.m. until sell out, (around noon), rain or shine, in the parking lot at the Winchester True Value Hardware, 1415 W. Main St. 3-4 Wisconsin DNR Free Fun
Weekend – Free entry to state parks and forest, free DNR trails, free fishing on all Wisconsin waters and free ATV/UTV vehicle riding on public trails open to such uses. No license required. 3, 10, 17 Minneiska Water Ski Show Team performs at 7 p.m. on Whitewater Lake at Scenic Ridge Campground, N7991 R & W Townline Road, Whitewater. 4 Chocolate City International Short Film Festival – free to the public, 3-5 p.m. Plaza Theater, 448 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington. In the spirit of community service, the Chocolate City Short Film Festival is free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a food item for the local food pantry or a small monetary donation to the local living assistance. Sponsored by the Burlington Rotary. (262) 210-9962 6, 13, 20, 27 The Whitewater City Market, 3:30-7:30 p.m. at the historic Train Depot, 301 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians. www.downtownwhitewater.com. 6, 13, 20, 27 Tunes on Tuesday, 6-9 p.m. Featuring different performers each week at The Waterfront Restaurant on Brown’s Lake, 31100 Weiler Road, Burlington. (262) 763-9989 9 Night Under the Lights – a free, community event hosted by the Elkhorn Parks and Recreation Department, featuring baseball games under the lights, concessions and raffles, inflatable fun, face painting and a variety of child-friendly activities. 5 p.m. at Harris Park, Wright Street. (262) 741-5114 www.nutlfest.com. 9-10 Elkhorn City Wide Rummage – explore and shop area rummage sales. Maps of rummages that place ads will be available at the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce. Businesses may also be offering specials. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (262) 7235788 info@elkhornchamber.com. 9-11 Summer Classic baseball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater. 10, 17, 24 Walworth County farmers market – Veterans Park on the downtown square, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (262) 723-7733. 12 Chip in Fore Kids Golf Outing, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Evergreen Country Club, Elkhorn. Four-person scramble and shotgun start at $90 a person includes: golf, cart, lunch, dinner and prizes. Dinner only for $25. (262) 741-1440 www. wcac4kids.org. 15 Savory Sounds, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., featuring Carl Cole & Co., at Birge Fountain in front of the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. 16 Elkhorn Area High School All Sports Booster Club Golf Outing in partnership with the Elkhorn Rotary, 11:30 a.m. at Evergreen Country Club, N6246 Highway 12, Elkhorn. Day includes 18-holes of golf, special event holes, a silent auction, raffle prizes, box lunch and
submitted photo The Breeze
Kids decorate a pole during the 2016 May Day celebration at the Whitewater City Market with volunteer Brienne Diebolt-Brown. The market, held Tuesdays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., May through October at the historic Train Depot, 301 W. Whitewater St. The market features local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and musicians. steak dinner. (262) 723-3444. 16 Holton-Elkhorn Band Concert, a free open-air concert at Elkhorn’s historic band shell in Sunset Park, 7:30 p.m. (262) 741-5114. 16-18 Community Days of Elkhorn – a celebration of all things Elkhorn featuring a water ski show by the Lauderdale Aqua Skiers, a movie in the park, a car show and more. (262) 723-5788 elkhornchamber.com. 17 Walworth County Farm Bureau Dairy Breakfast, 6-11 a.m. at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. Event features full breakfast, crafters, live animals and a tour of a Walworth County farm. (262) 723-3228. 17 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast, 6:30-10:30 a.m., hosted by the Daniels Dairy Farm, 1077 248th Ave., Kansasville. Enjoy a morning on the farm that includes – a big farm breakfast, milking demonstrations, a Wisconsin products tent, an Agriculture In-Action tent, old-fashioned children’s games, farm toys for sale and much more. Cost for the breakfast is $6, free for children 6 and younger. Tickets are available at the event only. Parking will be available on the farm, with entrance off of Highway 75. In the event of rain, alternate parking with shuttle service will be available for all visitors. (262) 515-5254 17 Steppin’ Out Singles – Ages 55 and wiser for dinner. Take the first step and join us from 6-8 p.m. at Pine Street Café, 141 N. Pine St., Burlington. (262) 763-9697 17 Annual Elkhorn Firefighters Street Dance, 6 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. at the Elkhorn Fire Station on South Broad Street. The street dance features raffles, food, drinks and live music. Cost is $10 for entry.
18 Pride and Joy Car Show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. across from the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce, 203 E. Walworth St., at the Elkhorn Garage. There is no entry fee, though donations will be accepted for the Elkhorn Food Pantry. Goodie bags and dash plaques will be available for the first 75 cars. (262) 7235788 elkhornchamber.com. 20 Homebuyer’s Workshop, 6:307:30 p.m. The Burlington Public Library, 166 E. Jefferson will hold a workshop for new homebuyers with a local mortgage loan officer, realtor, and insurance agent who will explain the process and answer questions about where to start. Take the first step toward home ownership by having your questions answered and the process clarified for you. This is an informational session only. No registration or sign-up will be requested. (262) 763-7623 21 Pork Chop Cookout, 4-7 p.m. Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. (262) 723-3228 walworthcountyfair.com. 22 Savory Sounds, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., featuring Jay Craggs and Friends, at Birge Fountain in front of the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. 23-25 Summer Classic softball tournament at Treyton’s Field of Dreams, 504 W. Starin Road, Whitewater. Although we make every attempt to provide accurate information regarding area events, dates and times may change or events may be cancelled. We suggest you visit elkhornchamber.com or visitwalworthcounty.com prior to making travel plans.
The Breeze • MAY/june 2017 • Page 3
Sending forward
~ Jenna Karstens, cafe manager and barista
The SweetSpot Cafe manager Jenna Karstens (left) and owner Lacey Reichwald have witnessed a chalkboard in their cafe grow into hub for people doing their part in helping others in their community.
Coffee shop bulletin board lifts spirits owner Lacey Reichwald said. “I was at a cafe in La Crosse. It was a coffee shop and also a bar. In very town seems to the bar, they had a board where have stories about customers could buy a coffee for local businesses a beer for another customer. So, it with customers who would have like, ‘Miller Lite’ and surprise other patrons then a customer’s name. I thought it by paying for their was really cool. I snapped a picture coffee. However, an area business of it and thought it was neat and has taken that whole idea one step had it in the back of my head for a forward, or possibly “paid” it one while.” step forward. Right around the same time, the Shortly after its 10th anniversary good side of customers became and subsequent updates to its even more apparent in the coffee facility, The SweetSpot Cafe in shop. Whitewater put up a chalk board, “Then here, customers just first to make it a specials board, then started asking, ‘Can I buy a coffee later a bulletin board. However, for the next customer who comes the concept soon became a deeper, in?’ or ‘Can you add $5 on my more impactful approach for using bill so I can buy the next person’s the space. item?’” Reichwald said. It is now used for customers So, Reichwald meshed the paying for drinks or meals for other customers’ kindness with the idea customers, with specific people in she saw in La Crosse, and came up mind who may be going through a with a use for the new board, which rough stretch. is now the “Pay it Forward” board. “It kind of evolved to what it is Since its inception, the Pay it today through a couple of things,” Forward board’s money total has By
Ryan Spoehr
Staff Writer
risen to more than $500. “I think that’s so cool,” cafe manager and barista Jenna Karstens said. How it works is a customer may suggest a category to put on the Pay it Forward board, or contribute to an existing category. Then they pay money to put on a SweetSpot gift card that is kept next to the board. Categories are written on the board with dollar amounts next to them. Categories include “Foster Parent/Family,” “Divorced Mom and “Divorced Dad.” There are also categories such as “Social Worker,” “Trans Person” and “Struggling with Anxiety.” There has been up to 30 different categories on the board at one time. A person who can be identified in one of the categories may claim money from the gift card to use toward their drink, meal or both. “The categories started pretty bland. It started right around the time the Cubs were in the World Series, so I think one of the first ones up there was ‘Cubs Fan,’”
Reichwald said. “They’ve evolved to be more sentimental and heartfelt. Some of them are really kind of heartbreaking, but also beautiful. It’s neat. It’s neat to get that feedback from customers.” Karstens estimates 10 categories are put on the board daily with five
The
taken down each day. “They’re not always the same. A lot of times a category will keep getting added to and then go back to zero, and then brought back up. But, sometimes it goes back to
See sweetness, Page 4
Breeze
Serving the Whitewater Lake Area A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC 1102 Ann Street, Delavan, WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411 Editor:. . ................................................ Tracy Ouellette Creative/Production Director:........................ Sue Z. Lange Advertising Director: ....................................Vicki Vanderwerff Special Sections Advertising:..........................Karen Dubinsky
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Page 4 • MAY/june 2017 • The Breeze
• Sweetness
(Continued from page 3) zero and gets replaced by something else,” expressing those situations in public. Reichwald said. “Some stay up there for a while. The touchy Some categories are meant for fun, subjects stay up there for a while,” Karstens while some are just to bring the spirits up of said. “We’re getting closer to being able to talk someone who is having a downer of a day or about things up front, but I think some things is in genuine need of help. are definitely hard to come up to us baristas “I remember one day when a customer and say, ‘I Just Lost My Husband.’” came in and she had found out that she didn’t Karstens said the goal is not to out get a job that she was really hoping to get, so anyone, so everyone at The SweetSpot is she was really upset,” Reichwald said. “When understanding if people may not want to she came in, she had a coffee and a cupcake. share if they would be classified in certain Afterwards, she came up and she said she felt categories. better after having the cupcake and the coffee, “We’ve had widowers up there for a while. and wanted to do the same for someone. We’ve had ‘Military Personnel or Parents” I think the category she said was ‘Missed that has been up there for a while. I think Opportunity.’” mostly that’s just kind of pride for military “We also have a lot of money on the board people. They don’t want to take that. They for single parents, for those who are widowed want that for other people. It’s mostly just or who have lost a family member. A lot of stuff that is hard to talk about,” Karstens said. times, that money comes from people who One of the categories that tends to stay are also in that same situation and just want up on the board for extended periods of time to comfort someone who is feeling that same without someone claiming from it is the way,” Reichwald said. “In Need of Dinner” category. Just a few Reichwald estimates that people have put weeks ago, there was a total of $40 listed as categories on the Pay it Forward board more available for that category on the board. than 100 times since it was created last year. “The hardest thing for us is that we get so Karstens predicts it may have even reached many people putting money on the board, 150 already, without taking an official tally there’s not as many people taking it. I guess of it. Either way, they both see joy, and it’s a positive thing that there aren’t, but we sometimes, great impact in many people’s almost wish people who need it know about days because of the board. it more and would come in and use it more,” The kindness, or sweetness, often carries Reichwald said. on from one person to the next. “I know there are people in our community “It does seem like when someone uses one who are in need of dinner every once in a of them, like ‘Single Mom,’ if a single mom while, but I don’t know how to reach those comes in and says she wants to use the $5 folks and make them aware that’s there for up there for single moms, then a lot of times them and it’s an opportunity for them to come she’ll turn around and say, ‘I want to put $5 in and have a nice dinner at The SweetSpot.” up for ‘Military Moms’ or something like Karstens said categories like “Divorced that,” Reichwald said. Parents” or “Single Parents” tend to be However, some categories like that, may categories that are left up on the board for long stay up for a while because of the difficulty of periods of time because those are hard subjects
and people may not be able to talk about that with baristas, or just in public in general. However, Karstens said those are some of her favorite categories on the board. “I think it’s really cool that if you are going through something like that and you come in here, it’s just really cool to see someone else is going through that and someone else is on your side. Whether you take it or not, I think it’s just nice to see it,” Karstens said. Other categories like, “Struggling High School Senior” and “Try Something New” have been put up and taken down often, Karstens said. “I think it’s mostly people who are going through the thing they are going through,” Karstens said. “We had a mother and a daughter come in here, and it was the summer before the daughter first coming to college here. So, they were checking out all the restaurants here, and the mom was all into her daughter going to school where something like this exists. She was really hyped up about it, so she put up, “Try New Things” up there for $5, just as a motivation for someone else to try something new.” However, the board hasn’t just been about hard topics. The board has also provided some laughs along the way too. “The funny ones are definitely cool. We have a freestyle rap one up there, and that’s actually one that has gone back up there several times,” Karstens said. “It’s just the fun ones that kind of create a sense of connection between the baristas and the people using it where you kind of break down your walls, do something stupid and get free money out of it.” Karstens has noticed other topics, like “Do the Chicken Dance” tend to go more quickly, which led to one of Karstens’ favorite moments in the history of the Pay it Forward board.
Some of Karstens’ other favorites include “someone who has a nice beard” and “Show Us a Picture of Your Cute Dog.” “That one we just kept putting back up for a while. That one was probably the one we spent the most money on because we’re just obsessed with dogs, and it’s just a nice part of the day just looking at pictures of dogs,” Karstens said. Reichwald hasn’t seen an uptick in business as a result of the board nor has she kept track of if there have been any trends as a result of the board. “I didn’t do it as a business promotion because it was a feel-good thing for the staff here,” Reichwald said. “Ever since The SweetSpot opened, it has really been a community hub and it’s important to reach out to the community in as many ways as possible. With the service side of our business, we have a really strong mission statement. In our mission statement is our promise to our staff, our customers and our community, and it’s really important to give back to our community in as many ways as possible. So, that’s what the board is all about.” The board had some growing pains in its initial stages. “When we first started it it was really hard to keep things on the board. We saw a lot of college kids coming and taking what they could get, and just feeding off of it,” Karstens said. “As baristas, we put probably about $20 of our own tips up there so we could keep it rolling. We thought it was going to turn into something cool, and look at it now. It’s really cool. It definitely took some hits at the beginning, but where it is now, I really like it.” The SweetSpot is at 226 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Boating sales on the rebound The Breeze • MAY/june 2017 • Page 5
Marinas, boat slips across the state filling up fast
By Tracy Ouellette Editor
When the recession struck in 2008, recreational spending took a nosedive and it’s been a long, slow recovery for dealers of “luxury” items such as boats and personal watercraft. But, things are turning around in the industry. “We’ve seen a nice rebound in the last 18 to 24 months,” Wisconsin Marine Association Chairperson Michelle Shrider said. “We’ve seen more of an upturn in brokerage sales, dealers are still struggling a bit, but the brokerage sales are up.” Dealers sell new boats from manufacturers and brokers deal in the used-boat market, Shrider said. “The used-boat market is coming back strong, we’re probably close to what we were seeing before 2008,” she said. Shrider said the association had a board meeting recently and most of the board of directors, who are marina owners, reported their marinas were nearly full already this season. Shrider said that while spring had been a bit on the cool side – and more “wintery” than usual, most of the marinas she knew of throughout the state were launching boats or would be ready to launch in the next few days. According to a press release from the National Marine Manufacturers Association it expects unit sales of new powerboats to have increased between six and seven percent in 2016, reaching an estimated 250,000 boats sold as consumer confidence soared and manufacturers introduced products attracting younger boaters. In addition to increases in unit sales of new boats, recreational boating industry dollar sales are expected to rise between 10 to 11 percent from $8.4 billion in 2016. Wisconsin was one of the top 10 leaders in the nation in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories in 2015, up 10 percent over 2014 with $617 million in sales. The 2016 national new powerboat sales numbers will be released in May, but new powerboat registrations are already up 6.1 percent nationwide over last year in February. According to NMMA’s 2016 U.S.
Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract – Pre-Owned Boat Market 2015-2016, sales of pre-owned boats in the United States were up for the second consecutive year in 2016, increasing 2.5 percent in units and 2 percent in dollar value. Sales of pre-owned inboard ski/wakeboard boats led the growth, up 6.8 percent in units, representing 2.1 percent of total unit sales. The full report is available on NMMA.org. One of the few original American-made industries – 95 percent of boats sold in the United States are made in the United
States – recreational boating is seeing some of its healthiest gains in nearly a decade, a trajectory the NMMA expects to continue through 2018, the release stated. “With the U.S. boating industry having one of its strongest years in the last decade in 2016, and manufacturers saying, ‘we’re back!’ it’s likely we will reflect on this period as a golden age for our economy and our industry,” NMMA President Thom Dammrich stated in the release. “Economic
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GOINGRATE
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indicators are working in the industry’s favor – a continuously improving housing market, strong consumer confidence, growing disposable income and consumer spending, and low interest rates all contribute to a healthy recreational boating market. “Looking ahead, 2017 is likely to bring new dollar and unit sales gains on par with or better than 2016, and this trend will likely continue through 2018.” For more information, visit www.nmma.org.
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927 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-1806 Built in 1908, the Historic John Jennings Home is a brick American Foursquare located in the Maple Park historic district across the street from Geneva Lake in the midst of downtown Lake Geneva offering incredible views of the Lake. This 2 1/2 story home is in excellent condition offering a bright and warm ambiance while providing modern comforts with newer: central air, windows, roof, and leaf guard gutters. Charming: Old World Craftsman-style woodwork; built-ins; beveled leaded glass windows; red oak and birdseye maple floors. Two car heated garage with upper apartment - metered separately. MLS#: 1509752 .........Price:$675,000
Lt12 Rose Ter, La Grange, WI 53121 Build your dream home on this 1.7 Acre lot with Lauderdale Lakes Access through Gladhurst Association’s lake park. This wooded lot with mature trees is close to the association beach and pier on Green Lake. The Gladhurst Lake Park is the Gem of Lauderdale Lakes - never crowded, sandy beach with a beautiful view of Green Lake. The property has a lot to offer located close to recreational area of the Kettle Moraine State Forest which offers Biking, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Skiing and more. MLS#: 1526391 ............................................ Price:$69,900
W5395 Gladhurst Ln., La Grange, WI 53121-2478 Superior Craftsmanship and Design describes this 3 bedroom 2.5 Bath ranch on 2.08 acres in the Gladhurst Subd on Lauderdale Lakes. Enjoy stunning views of Green Lake at the private association park with sand beach and your own boat slip. The low maintenance landscape design is impeccable featuring water garden and blossoms from spring to fall. Home features include: gas fireplace; main floor laundry; finished lower level family room and sewing studio; ceramic tile; 3 car att garage; concrete drive; deck and patio. Perfect boat storage and workshop in the 28x42 heated auxiliary garage. MLS#: 1526359 ......................... Price:$449,000
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John Sotherland now offers oneon-one sessions for people to learn about customizing a bicycle. His career has spanned four decades and has travelled to several countries in that time.
John Sotherland starts working on a custom bike at his store, Sotherland Custom Bicycle in Whitewater.
1971: Learned metal work and brazing 1981: Started studying business 1983: Started bike frame repair and modification 1987: Started working at Schwinn Paramount in Waterford
ryan SPOEHR The Breeze
Building it from scratch Whitewater bicycle maker now teaching customization By Ryan Spoehr Staff Writer
ohn Sotherland has been building bicycles for decades between his days at Schwinn Paramount in Waterford and now as owner of Sotherland Custom Bicycle in Whitewater. Now he is sharing that passion with others in one-on-one experiences. Sotherland is now teaching clients how to build a bike and letting them sit in on the building process, a practice he started last fall. “It’s different than a classroom. There’s only a couple of places that teach people framework,” Sotherland said, adding that those institutions typically do not allow students to work one-on-one with someone or with high-end material. “I take a different approach. It’s very personal. It’s an intimate-type thing because I’m teaching them how to use their hands,” Sotherland added. “There’s a lot of nuances to metal work, especially fabricating a bike.” Sotherland believes that the uniqueness of bicycles is a thing of beauty. “A bicycle is a cross between an auto chassis and jewelry. You’ve got to have the structural capacity to hold up a person going 50 miles per hour safely and not scare you, but it has to be beautiful like jewelry,” Sotherland said. “It’s kind of neat taking a handful of stuff and making it into something you can ride around the world on, and be involved in the process of creating it.” After working at Schwinn Paramount in Waterford, he worked in various places for Schwinn. To this day, he still uses the same practices that he was taught in Waterford, which was the “right way” to build a bicycle, he said. “I got the proper education at Schwinn,” he said. “I learned the Schwinn way because they had a lot of test materials for processes
because of their teachings and research. That’s what I follow.” “Safety first. I don’t want people to have crashes because of experimental design,” he added. “So, it’s tradition. That’s what I teach.” One project for Sotherland with a client typically takes 30 hours. He said time can vary on a client’s aptitude, but they will get the same quality product after projects are completed. “The goal with teaching is to produce a Sotherland-quality level with their participation. I keep them from getting in trouble, and depending on the student’s aptitude, it determines their level of participation. But, they will get the same quality when it’s finished. It just depends on them, as far as what they get to do and how much they learn when they leave after the project,” he said. Sotherland keeps to the window of approximately 30 hours to keep lessons on a timely schedule and not interfere with other clients’ lessons. If he is working on the bicycle on his own, he said, he will typically get the project done more quickly, but he wants to allow for more time to educate the clients, so he pads the schedule. While the sessions with clients won’t produce proficient bicycle makers, it will give people a start on developing the skill. “I’m not turning out competent frame builders necessarily, but I’m getting them started. It takes a lot of practice to be good,” Sotherland said. “You make a lot of mistakes along the way. Some make more than others, and some mistakes can be quite costly. One tube on a bike costs $40-50, and when you make a mistake, that’s really expensive scrap.”
Getting started Sotherland has discussions after potential clients submit inquiries regarding the one-on-one sessions. He first
determines if the bicycle the client wants to work on is something he produces. He does not weld at all and he does not produce dual-suspension bicycles. He uses steel and produces double-diamond bicycles, which are bikes that are not hinged. After determining if the desired bike is something he is able to produce, Sotherland then works with clients to determine a schedule that is manageable for both him and the client. If a potential client can come to an agreement with him on a schedule, he will then move ahead in working with the client. Clients can be based in Whitewater or the surrounding area. He said he takes clients from Madison and Milwaukee as well. “The people that are able to drive, I’ll rearrange my schedule,” he said. “I’m able to work nights. I work early in the morning. I work weekends. So basically, it is whatever makes sense to give the customers the best experience.” However, clients may hail from outside those areas also. If clients come from Chicago or any other area that may be farther away than Madison or Milwaukee, Sotherland will do his best to accommodate that person’s schedule. “The timing of the class is more condensed because of hotel accommodations,” Sotherland said. Then, Sotherland will determine the cost of the session, which depends foremost on the type of the bicycle that will be produced. In addition to that cost, the 30 hours of class time costs $1,500. “It starts with people’s curiosity. Next, it’s the desire. Next is the time and the money. It’s not for everyone, but it’s special.” However, for the people who would enjoy the experience, Sotherland said it is one of a kind.
1988: Transferred to Schwinn plant in Greenville, Miss.; was QC manager 1991: Transferred to Schwinn Headquarters in Chicago after plant closing; worked in engineering department 1992: Became specifications manager at Schwinn; was sent overseas to plants to check on bicycle production 1992: Transferred back to Paramount, became manager 1994: Became frame builder after Paramount was sold and became Waterford Precision Bicycles 2001: Opened up BicycleWise, a bicycle retail store 2005: Started Sotherland Custom Bicycle 2016: Announced the start of one-on-one lessons on bicycle customizing
“It sure is fun to ride a bike, especially one that you make.” Sotherland began scheduling sessions in March. His availability does vary. Sotherland also runs BicycleWise & Sports Fitness in Whitewater. During his offseason between the customizing and Bicyclewise is when he ramps up for possible one-on-one sessions. “The next sign up will be for next season. I fabricate when the bugs aren’t out,” he said. “I get bikes done before the bugs come out because when the bugs come out, the bikes come out. Bicyclewise has priority when there are bugs. Sotherland has priority when there’s no bugs. So basically, November, December, January, February (and) March is when I fabricate. It’s reciprocal for bicycle riding for most people.” For more information or to inquire about future sessions, call (262) 473-4730. Sotherland Custom Bicycle is in the same building as BicycleWise & Sports Fitness at 1155 West Main Street, Whitewater.
The Breeze • MAY/june 2017 • Page 7
Marine Trading Post
281028
BUYING, SELLING & SERVICING BOATS AND MARINE EQUIPMENT
LAUDERDALE LAKES CLASSIFIEDS BOATS FOR SALE Competition Ski Boats 1988 Supra Comp, red, low hours, stereo, great handling ski boat, $2,750 delivered to your Lauderdale location. Text only (630) 886-6667 1990 Mastercraft Prostar 190, aqua blue, stereo, low hours, runs great, $4975. (262) 949-6997
1998 Supra Legacy, green/ Boat Lifts maroon, 230 hours, bow rider, very clean, fuel injection, smooth Shorestation, aluminum 2600 running boat, $9975 or best. lb lift, can be setup for ski boat, (262) 742-3665 pontoon, or fishing boat. $299. 1996 Mastercraft Sammy Delivery and setup at your Duvall series, very smooth Lauderdale dock available. Text wakes, limited use, garage kept, runs strong. Lauderdale Lakes. only (630) 886-6667 $11,750. (262) 949-6997 Jet ski lift, older style, needs 1990 Supra comp ski boat, low new wood, $75. Delivered to hours, includes trailer and cover. your dock for $35. (262) 742$6,950. (262) 949-2830 3665
Competition
ski
boat
lift,
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accessories,
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Boating equipment Slalom ski, HO, competition ski, paid $500 - sell for $95. Text only (630) 886-6667 Ski trainer, perfect for teaching kids to ski, $75. (262) 949-6997 Electric golf cart, road ready, lights, seat belts and signals, very
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KEN’S PONTOON TRAILERING 262-5343893, 262-332-1416.
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Advance Reservation Required. Must present coupon at time of rental. Subject to availablity. Not valid on Holiday Weekends - Offer expires 9/30/2017 281030
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15 FT CHRYSLER SAIL BOAT New sails, $675. 1988 SUPRA, great running ski boat, low hours, needs some cosmetic work. $2,750 or best. ElkBurlington 623-444-2589. horn (262) 949-6997.
281020
Boats
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5x10 $29.00 5x15 (Wave runner size) 35.00 10x15 (Wave runner or boat) 55.00 10x20 (boat or car) 75.00 10x24 (boat or car) 79.00 10x30 (boat and wave runner) 95.00 20x24 (2 boats or 2 cars) 145.00
6 MONTH RATE (prepaid one month free)
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Page 8 • MAY/june 2017 • The Breeze
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