What’s happening in #WalCo this week?
A conversation about dementia care, holiday crafting at Lakeland Health Care Center, community leaders talk suicide prevention, Thanksgiving holiday observance & more.
A Conversation about Suicide Prevention
Join the Walworth County Suicide Prevention & Resource Awareness Coalition this Thursday, November 17, for a conversation with Walworth County community leaders and suicide prevention advocates to break the stigma surrounding suicide, raise awareness, and lift up resources. Doors open at 5 p.m. at Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce. RSVP by emailing: wcsuicideprevention@gmail.com.
ADRC Hosting Community Listening Session Focused on Dementia Care
The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will host a Community Conversation centered around dementia care needs in our communities on Friday, November 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This listening session is an opportunity for the community to share their experiences with dementia care to influence the development of the 2024-2028 Wisconsin State Dementia Plan. Through these conversations, we hope to identify challenges and solutions that will help us improve our dementia care systems.
“Your opinion matters and is vital in helping develop the 2024 to 2028 State Dementia Plan,” says Dementia Care Specialist Jake Sawyers. “Your feedback is important in helping us assess community dementia care needs and build a dementia care system that works for everyone.”
The Community Conversation will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. Please call (262) 741-3273 if you are unable to attend in person and would like to attend virtually via Zoom. View the press release.
#FriYay Fun: Volunteers Wanted for Natureland Park Work Day
Walworth County Public Works is seeking volunteers for its final park work day of the year on Friday, November 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers will assist Kettle Moraine Land Trust and Walworth County Public Works with the removal of buckthorn and other invasive plant species at Natureland County Park, W8338 Territorial Rd. in Whitewater. Volunteers should dress appropriately and be ready to have fun, get dirty, and enjoy a few hours in the great outdoors.
Those interested in volunteering should contact Walworth County Volunteer Services Coordinator Colleen Lesniak at (262) 741-4223, clesniak@co.walworth.wi.us.
Get Crafty at Family Volunteer Day Event
Help deck the Lakeland Health Care Center (LHCC) halls for the holidays and spread holiday cheer by volunteering at the Family Volunteer Day event on Saturday, November 19, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers and residents will make holiday crafts and decorations to display throughout the facility during the holiday season. Children age 8 and older are invited to participate with their caregivers. Face masks are required for anyone entering the facility. Those interested in volunteering should contact Walworth County Volunteer Services Coordinator Colleen Lesniak at (262) 741-4223, clesniak@co.walworth.wi.us. LHCC is also seeking donations of holiday candy for residents. Donations may be dropped off at the front desk Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The White Stuff: Highway Division Talks Winter Road Maintenance Operations
From 70 degrees and sunny to 34 degrees and snowing in the span of a week? That’s Wisconsin for you. With the arrival of snow, the Walworth County Highway division began rolling out its winter road maintenance operations.
The Highway division is responsible for clearing snow from approximately 400 lane miles of County Trunk Highways and approximately 700 lane miles of State Highways. Maps of the routes we plow are available in our Winter Maintenance Manual at www.co.walworth.wi.us/331/Highway-Division.
The primary goal of winter maintenance for the Highway division is to achieve passable roadways. This does not mean that the traveled portion of a roadway will be cleared to bare pavement. In fact, traveled portions of a roadway and/or bridges will, at times, have snow and/or ice creating slippery conditions. A “passable roadway” is defined as a roadway surface that is free from as much ice and snow pack as is practical and can be traveled safely at a reasonable speed.
Read more about winter roadway maintenance in the Highway division’s Winter Operations article.
Thanksgiving Holiday Observance
Walworth County business offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal business operations will resume on Monday, November 28. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Event Recap: Lakeland School Veterans Day Ceremony
Lakeland School held a Veterans Day assembly for staff and students to honor those who have served. The posting of colors was presented by the American Legion, followed by performances by the Lakeland Choir and Dance Team, and a speech by guest speaker, veteran Anna Porter. Thank you to all who attended and to the students and staff for hosting such an inspiring ceremony.
Santa's Helpers Needed for Holiday Care
Volunteers are needed for the annual Walworth County Health and Human Services (HHS) Holiday Care program. Holiday Care serves over 400 families in need during the holidays and numerous volunteers are needed during the second week of December. Volunteers or, as we like to call them, "Santa's Helpers", assist with organizing the donations and setting up the large auditorium at HHS, filling the wish list of families with the donated toys, and assisting with the "drive thru" as families pick up their items at the end of the week. Various shifts and days are available. Please use the link to view the electronic sign-up sheet or contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Colleen Lesniak at (262) 741-4223 or clesniak@co.walworth.wi.us.
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: