What’s happening in #WalCo? Holiday office closure, Park volunteer work days, County Board meeting, ADRC Medicare workshops & more
Walworth County Offices Closed on April 7
Walworth County business offices will be closed on Friday, April 7, 2023. Normal business operations will resume on Monday, April 10, at 8 a.m.
Lakeland Health Care Center Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program
Lakeland Health Care Center (LHCC) was recently approved by the State of Wisconsin to hold Certified Nursing Assistant classes at its facility. The first class is scheduled to begin on April 3, 2023, and there are already five candidates signed up to take the course.
Recruits start as Resident Assistants and then the WisCaregiver Careers program pays for their CNA training and will supply a $500 bonus if they continue their employment with LHCC for at least 6 months. This program works with the State of Wisconsin to also pay for their testing.
To learn more, call Walworth County Human Resources at (262) 741-7950 or visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/walworthco.
They’re Back: Spongy Moths
Spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) populations increased dramatically last year causing many home and property owners concern about their trees. Starting in May, we can expect to see spongy moth caterpillars again. These caterpillars start out small and grow to a couple of inches. The caterpillars have distinctive red and blue dots on their backs, long hairs, and are voracious eaters, eating the leaves of many trees. The caterpillars cause the most damage to trees and are the biggest nuisance to people. Come July, they form cocoons, pupate, turn into adult moths, lay eggs and die. Those eggs overwinter and soon enough, those caterpillars will be hatching again, to eat and eat and eat!
Property owners have many different options for managing spongy moths at different stages in their life cycle, including things you can do right now! Find out what you can do by watching the video of Spongy Moths: What to Expect in 2023, presented by Mike Hillstrom, Forest Health Specialist from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and PJ Liesch, Entomologist and Director of the University of Wisconsin Insect Diagnostic Lab. The video recording is available at the following link: https://youtu.be/E1--rd47ess
County Board Meeting Notice
The Walworth County Board of Supervisors will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 18, at 3:30 p.m., in the County Board Room, first floor, Government Center, 100 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn. The meeting agenda, supporting documents, and livestream can be accessed at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/agendacenter.
Dressing for the Occasion: Seeking Donations for Lakeland Health Care Center’s Senior Prom
Lakeland Health Care Center (LHCC) is hosting a Senior Prom for residents and needs gently used donations of formal dresses, men’s vests, and ties for residents to wear to the big dance. LHCC staff will take care of alterations.
LHCC is requesting donations be dropped off at LHCC by April 10. Lakeland Health Care Center is located at 1922 County Road NN, Elkhorn. Questions can be directed to (262) 741-3600.
We appreciate any donations you can give to help make this Senior Prom extra special. Thank you!
ADRC Hosts Welcome to Medicare Workshops
The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer Welcome to Medicare workshops on Thursday, April 20, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. This popular educational session will provide information about Medicare for individuals turning 65 years of age, those over 65 and planning to retire, or individuals with disabilities that have received Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months or have End Stage Renal Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).
The Welcome to Medicare workshops will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. RSVPs are highly recommended by calling (262) 741-3400.
For residents who cannot attend in April, a Welcome to Medicare workshop will also be held on June 8. More information can be found at www.co.walworth.wi.us/883/Medicare.
Healthy Kids Day April 22
Join the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) at Healthy Kids Day, a free community event on April 22, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Geneva Lakes YMCA, 203 St. Wells St., Lake Geneva. In honor of Family Strengthening Month, DHHS will be on-site with free car seat checks, a limited supply of free car seats for qualifying individuals, chalk art activities, and information and resources for families. From 10 to 10:30 a.m., there will be a free kids’ run for children ages 10 and under.
Chalk Art Virtual Gallery
April is Family Strengthening Month. Every child deserves to grow up in a stable and nurturing environment. Getting outside and taking the time with your children to do chalk art is a great inexpensive way to spend time together. Take the time to flex your creative muscles and make some chalk masterpieces. When you are finished, snap a picture and send it to info@treehousforkids.net with the subject line Virtual Gallery. Photos can be submitted through April 26, 2023. Multiple submissions are welcome. Check out all the great artwork on the Family Strengthening Month Facebook page.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
April 9 through April 15 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. In 1991, Congress proclaimed the second week of April to be dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators.
The Walworth County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Telecommunications Center Team answered over 115,000 telephone calls and dispatched over 200,000 incidents for 30 police, fire, and EMS agencies in Walworth County.
As we approach the 2023 Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Sheriff Dave Gerber and the entire Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize the valuable work of the County’s dedicated 911 dispatchers. They are our first, first responders. Thank you!
We Need You: Volunteer for Park Work Days
We’re recruiting volunteers for three park work day events in April to assist with tree planting, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and park improvements at Natureland, Price, and White River parks. Water and snacks will be provided. Join us and make a difference in your community.
Park work day dates, times & locations:
- Arbor Day tree planting on Friday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Natureland Park, W8338 Territorial Rd., Whitewater
- Arbor Day tree planting on Friday, April 28, from noon to 2 p.m., at Price Park, N6421 Hodunk Rd., Elkhorn
- Get Ready for Earth Day native planting and invasive species removal, on Friday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, at White River Park, 6503 Sheridan Springs Rd., Lake Geneva
To volunteer, contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Karin Texidor at (262) 741-4223 or ketexidor@co.walworth.wi.us. Or fill out the online application at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/574/Volunteer.
AARP Driver Safety Class
The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer the AARP Driver Safety Class on Monday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at its facilities at the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services, 1910 County Road NN in Elkhorn.
This class is a great refresher on driving techniques and rules of the road and also provides a proven method for seniors to evaluate their driving and make necessary changes to remain safe. In addition, most insurance companies offer a discount for up to three years for completion of the course. The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members.
For questions or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.
Job of the Week: 911 Communications Training & Quality Assurance Manager
Are you a detail-oriented individual with experience in 911 dispatching/communications that enjoys teaching others the necessary skills to do your job? The Walworth County Sheriff's Office is seeking applicants for the position of Training & Quality Assurance Manager to work in our 911 Communications Center.
The Training & Quality Assurance Manager can earn up to $43.54 an hour and is eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance; scheduled and personal time off; holiday pay; and Wisconsin retirement benefits.
Learn more and apply.
Follow us 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: