What’s happening in #WalCo this week?
Hey, #WalCo! What’s going on this week? Basket raffle at Lakeland Health Care Center; POW/MIA Silent March; grants for local non-profit agencies; QPR suicide-prevention training program; and ADRC September events.
County Administrator's Budget
At a special Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, September 13, the County Administrator presented the 2023 County Administrator’s Budget – Operating Budget and 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan to the Board of Supervisors. This is the first step in the budget finalization process. The County Board will work over the next few months to refine and finalize the budget, culminating in the November 7, County Board meeting when the budget is adopted.
At the September committee meetings, several committees will hear supplementary budget presentations from the larger departments, including Public Works (capital projects) and Human Resources (personnel). But, ultimately, it will be the Finance Committee that will hear all suggested changes before recommending a preliminary budget to the County Board.
On November 1, at 6 p.m., the preliminary budget is presented to the public for comments and feedback. More details about the Nov. 1 meeting will become available over the coming weeks. In the meantime, the County Administrator’s proposed Operating Budget and 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan can be viewed at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/250/Budget.
POW/MIA Recognition Day and Silent March
All veterans and the public are invited to participate in a Silent March in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Saturday, September 17, at 11 a.m., at Veterans Park in downtown Elkhorn, 100 W. Walworth St.
The March is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a short ceremony in Veterans Park. American Legion State Commander Julie Muhle will be in attendance as will American Legion District 1 Commander and Walworth County Veterans Service Officer Nathan Bond, and VFW District 1 Commander Manuel Salas. The guest speaker is Glenn Boyd, a WWII veteran of the Burma Campaign.
What is National POW/MIA Recognition Day?
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is designated on the third Friday in September. This is a day for Americans to reflect and remember all unaccounted-for U. S. military personnel who served their country in time of war.
What is a Silent March?
The Silent March is best described as a quiet, solemn procession. The participants of the March walk in unison with reverent silence and the only sound to be heard is a lone drumbeat. It is not a parade with marching bands, sirens, and a great deal of fanfare.
Do you Know the Signs of a Suicide Crisis?
The first step in suicide prevention is knowing how to recognize the warning signs of a friend or family member who is struggling and what you can do to help. That’s the goal of the Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Training, hosted by the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
QPR is a nationally recognized, emergency mental health intervention for suicidal persons created in 1995 by Paul Quinnett. Its goal is to identify and interrupt the crisis and direct that person to the proper care. During the QPR Training program, participants will learn the three simple steps to help save a life from suicide—Question, Persuade, and Refer. Just as people trained in CPR save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis, how to offer hope, and how to refer someone to help.
The free educational program is open to anyone over the age of 15. The event will be held at the Walworth County DHHS building at 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn.
Pre-registration is required at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/399034130827 or (262) 741-3200. Learn more about QPR at www.co.walworth.wi.us/1002/QPR-Question-Persuade-Refer.
You Could Win! Lakeland Health Care Center Basket Raffle
Lakeland Health Care Center (LHCC) is holding a basket raffle to raise money for entertainment and special events for LHCC residents. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, September 20, at 3 p.m. There are 15 baskets up for raffle with loads of fun goodies. Hoping to strike it rich? Put your raffle tickets in for the lottery-themed basket. Got a sweet tooth? There’s more than one basket overflowing with sweets and treats. Anyone can participate. Raffle tickets cost $1 each, 6 for $5, or 25 for $20, and can be purchased at the LHCC front desk Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (cash or check only). Winner need not be present to win.
Volunteers Wanted for Park Work Day on Sept. 30
Does your idea of the perfect work day involve fresh air, pulling weeds, and getting dirty? Do you love our County parks? If so, join us! We’re looking for volunteers to help with an upcoming park work day on Friday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to noon, at White River County Park. Volunteers with be assisting Walworth County and Geneva Lake Conservancy in the removal of invasive plant species. Click the link to register: https://bit.ly/WRCPVolunteer
Applications Now Available: Walworth County and the United Way Team Up to Support Local Non-Profits
Attention local non-profit agencies: This could be you receiving a check from Walworth County and the United Way of Walworth County!
Starting today, local non-profit agencies may apply for grants between $1,000 and $7,500 through the Walworth County/United Way of Walworth County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant-funding programs.
Grants may be utilized for assistance implementing COVID-19 prevention or mitigation tactics; technical assistance, consulting, or other services for business planning; assistance with payroll support, costs to retain employees or other operating costs; or assistance to those impacted by COVID-19.
Only 501(c)(3) organizations may apply. To be eligible, organizations must maintain their principal place of business in Walworth County, conduct their business in Walworth County, and serve people within Walworth County.
Agencies interested in applying should contact United Way of Walworth County CEO Tammy Dunn at (262) 374-4474, or access the application at https://unitedwaywalworth.org.
Hurry! The deadline to apply is September 30, 2022, at noon. The goal is to issue the awards by the end of October.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number FAIN #SLFRP 2146 awarded to Walworth County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Register Today: Aging & Disability Resource Center's September Events
Meeting for WEA Insurance Members: Wisconsin Educators Association (WEA) insurance members will be losing their health insurance as of December 31, 2022. To assist WEA members with this transition, the ADRC will host a meeting on Thursday, September 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. to discuss available options and provide information. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the Walworth County Elder Benefit Specialist. If you have questions about this program, contact Julie Juranek at (262) 741-3366.
- Stepping On is a program designed specifically for individuals aged 60 or older who have fallen and have a fear of falling. The program provides participants with strategies for avoiding falls including balance and strength exercises, home safety check suggestions, medication review, and more. Stepping On will be held on Thursdays, September 22 to November 3, 2022, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Auditorium at the Aurora Lakeland Medical Center building located at W4051 County Road NN, Elkhorn. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10. For questions or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.
Job of the Week: Communications Officer
Communications Officers, also known as 911 Dispatchers, are the first of the first responders, providing 24 hour 911 communications services to Walworth County police, fire, and EMS agencies. Candidates should be cool under pressure, skilled multitaskers, comfortable working in fast-paced environments, strong communicators, and customer-service oriented. Pay range is $22.99 to $30.65 an hour. Click to learn more and apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/walworthco
Community Events: What's Going on Around the County
Get in on the fall fun at Scarecrow Fest, Saturday, September 17, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in downtown Delavan. Throughout the day, there will be WallDogs walking tours and geocache scavenger hunts, along with a car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pumpkin carving, pet photo ops, guided tractor tours, a petting zoo and walking ghost tours at the library, and DIY scarecrow kits round out the festivities. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place on Saturday, September 17, starting at 8:30 a.m. Participants walk along the Geneva Lake Shore Path to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Heel-toe, dosey doe your way around Lake Geneva’s Honky-Tonk Fest, September 16 to September 18 in downtown Lake Geneva. The event is a celebration of all things honky-tonk, with live music, line dancing, food, and drink.
*We do our best to ensure the accuracy of event information. However, please confirm all details with event hosts either directly or online. Changes to locations, dates, and times are beyond our control. Thank you!
Follow us! Walworth County is on Facebook
Walworth County has launched an official Facebook page. Here’s what you can expect to see on the page: News alerts, information about upcoming County Board meetings and public hearings, details about programs and services, park events and highlights, construction updates, community updates, career and volunteer opportunities, answers to FAQs, behind-the-scenes snapshots, and more. We hope you’ll give us a follow and share this page with your friends, family, and neighbors. Also, check out these County departments on Facebook: