JCTC Monthly Newsletter

JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COUNCIL  �  FEBRUARY 2012 

 
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In This Issue
Knickerbocker Ice Festival
Best of Hospitality
Calendar of Events

Quick Links

Jefferson County Discounts  

Viva Vegas
WSLD
WFAW
Kool 106.5
County City Credit Union

Dear ,

 
So far, we've had a pretty quiet winter, and not much snow. But there are many weeks to go before spring and Jefferson County has lots to keep you busy!

 

Knickerbocker Ice Festival   

 

     

There is lots of fun planned for the annual Lake Mills Main Street Knickerbocker 2012Program's Knickerbocker Ice Festival, scheduled for Saturday, February 4. Look for the ever-popular ice sculptures around downtown Lake Mills, Iceberg Open Golf Tournament and Ice Fisheree on Rock Lake, games in the park, a chili cook-off at Carp's Landing and the Knickerbocker Ice Wine release at Lewis Station Winery. 

There will be a raffle for a cash prize - look for the strolling raffle ticket sellers around downtown Lake Mills on Saturday. Tickets will be $5 for 1 ticket, or 5 tickets for $20. This will be a 50/50 raffle - the more tickets sold, the bigger the winner's half will be! 


Ice carvers will invade downtown Lake Mills beginning at 9am on Saturday, and will be working on their carvings all day. Fourteen whimsical sculptures will take shape throughout the day - don't miss out on this unique experience as the carvers use power tools and chisels to carve intricate shapes out of blocks of ice! 


At 10am, the Knickerbocker King and Queen will be crowned at TT's Time Out. You can also register for the Iceberg Open Golf Tournament that starts at 10:30am. 


The Ice Fisheree will begin at 6am and continue until the late afternoon. The Wrap Up Party will take place at 6pm at 

Sportsman's Pub - winners will be announced and prizes will be handed out.

Carp's Landing Restaurant will host their annual Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off from noon until 2pm. Contestants will compete for cash prizes in two chili categories - red and "other." Judging will be done by the event goers who will pay a flat fee of $5 to sample each chili and rate their favorites. The chili in each category with the most votes will win that category. Carp's will follow up the Chili Cook-Off with live music later in the day. 


Lewis Station Winery will be releasing their Ice Wine at noon in tribute to the Knickerbocker Ice festival. The wine, "Knickerbocker Ice" is made from grapes frozen on the vine. This is a dessert wine that you'll be able to sample for the first time during this festival. Ice wine is a special treat and Lake Mills is thrilled that their own local winery will be creating this delicacy!  

 

Do you love horse and wagon rides? From noon to 4pm on Saturday, Thundering Acres will have their horses at the ready to take you on a snowy Knickerbocker ride through Lake Mills. They will load up at Commons Park on Lake Street.

Water House Foods will be in their new location, just down the block from their old home on Lake Street, but much much bigger than ever before! This will be their first weekend in their new home, and you won't want to miss it! 


Commons Park will be the setting for the Sled Parade at 1pm, and the Snow Ball Eating Contest, the Fish Toss and the IdiderDAD race, scheduled to start at 1:30. The Frozen Fish Toss will be like an old-fashioned egg toss, with teams of two tossing the fish back and forth across an ever-widening space. Drop the fish and get disqualified. The winners get incredibly cute fish hats knit by our very own yarn store owner, Karen Anderson of Kaleidoscope Fibers! The IdiderDAD race will harness Dads to sleds, with a kid of their choice on board. 


See the website for more information and registration forms.   

 

"Like" the Knickerbocker Facebook page for event information and photos posted after the events. 

 

Jefferson County Best of Hospitality Awards   

 

     

 Hospitality1
Please join the Jefferson County Tourism Council in locating, nominating and honoring Jefferson County's BEST - the people that best promote our local businesses. 

 

Have you ever had an exemplary customer service experience in Jefferson County? Has someone gone above and beyond to help you? The Jefferson County Tourism Council (JCTC) bets you have had many such experiences and we want to hear about these experiences. Please reward those Jefferson County service people with a nomination for the 2nd annual JCTC Golden Pineapple Award! 

 

It might be the waiter or waitress at your favorite cafe or restaurant - the one who knows your name and makes you feel special each time you come through the door. Or maybe it's your first visit to their establishment, but their service guarantees that you will return again. The store clerk who takes the time to find just what you are looking for. The receptionist who greets you at a hotel or bed & breakfast and ensures that your stay exceeds your expectations. Whether you are a returning customer or new to that business, the person you nominate stands out above the rest, and is a star in Jefferson County. They help to make Jefferson County a "destination." And we don't think they get enough credit, so  this annual award ceremony was created just for them! 

 

The winner(s) will be recognized at the 2nd annual Best of Hospitality Award Dinner, which will be held at Carp's Landing Restaurant in Lake Mills on March 22. Last year's winner was Donna Ganser of Culvers in Johnson Creek. Runners-up included Becky Mehringer of Jelli's Market in Helenville and Gail Zastrow of the Jefferson County Fair Grounds.  

 

This is your chance to nominate your favorite Jefferson County hospitality employee by providing their name and a short paragraph telling us why you believe they should be selected as the Best of Hospitality Award winner for 2011.  

 

Let's honor those people on the front lines who take such good care of us! 

 

Please submit your nomination(s) to Mark Nordeen of the Jefferson County Tourism Council by email or phone: 920-563-3210, or by visiting the JCTC website. You will be asked to provide your nominee's name, place of work or volunteer location and a short paragraph telling why you believe he or she should be selected as the Golden Pineapple Award winner for 2012.   


Nominations must be received by March 1, 2012.
Hospitality Award logo

 

 

Our thanks to the businesses sponsoring the 2012 Jefferson County Best of Hospitality awards:

  • Jellystone Park of Fort Atkinson
  • Johnson Creek Premium Outlets
  • The Fireside Dinner Theatre
  • Culvers of Johnson Creek
  • Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Fort Atkinson 

 

February Events in Jefferson County

 

 

 

February 03, 2012 - Knickerbocker Trivia Contest

 

Team Trivia FlyerThe Team Trivia Contest will start at 7pm on Friday, February 3, at City Hall (200 Water Street), and continue until approximately 10pm in the Community Center. Teams can have between six and eight players; each player pays $10 to pay. The top-scoring (read: BRAINIEST) team will win $100 and the coveted Brain Trophy.  


Teams will play five rounds with ten general trivia questions per round. All money raised benefits the Lake Mills Main Street Program. See the Trivia Rules & Registration Form 2012 on the website for more information.

 

Lake Mills - City Hall Community Center - 200 Water Street
Lake Mills, WI (920) 648-6721 - www.LegendaryLakeMills.com
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February 04, 2012 - Knickerbocker Ice Festival

 

Saturday, February 4 is the annual Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Lake Mills, WI. See the story above for additional information and events.


 See the website for more information and registration forms.

Lake Mills - Lake and downtown locations - (920) 648-6721

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Through March 04, 2012 - VIVA VEGAS

 

Vegas! All you have to do is say the name and you can instantlyViva Vegas imagine the sights and sounds of the greatest entertainment capital in the world! From the swinging years of the 50's and 60's to the breathtaking spectacle of today, Las Vegas has been home to the world's greatest entertainers and the most exciting shows. The Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin! Elvis Presley! Liberace! Bette Midler! Celine Dion! The list of show business legends who have lit up the famous Las Vegas Strip goes on and on. The Fireside continues its cherished tradition of live band revues with a sparkling tribute to the ultimate center of music, laughter, glitz, and glamour featuring a stunning cast of performers and The Fireside's own LIVE BAND!  

 

Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun matinees arrive 10:30 a.m., Thurs eve arrive 5:15 p.m. Sat eve arrive 4:45 p.m., Sun midday arrive 2:30pm.  

 

Fort Atkinson - The Fireside Dinner Theatre

1131 Janesville Avenue  

(800) 477-9505 - http://www.firesidetheatre.com 

 

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February 10, 2012 - Blue Suede Shoes -The Ultimate Elvis Bash

 

Ultimate ElvisFebruary 10, 2012 at 7:30pm at Young Auditorium be sure to watch the "top Elvis impersonator" give the show of a lifetime. 


Blue Suede Shoes - The Ultimate Elvis Bash with Scot Bruce as Elvis in the early years and Mike Albert as Elvis during the Vegas years. Both are outstanding artists and are backed by The Big 'E' Band!

Don't miss Blue Suede Shoes - The Ultimate Elvis Bash that will have audience members believing that Elvis has just entered the building and will have them All Shook Up when the show is over!

Tickets prices are $29/$26/$99 general public and $14.50/$13/$9.50 for UW-Whitewater students.

 

Whitewater - Young Auditorium, 930 W. Main St. (262) 472-2222  www.uww.edu

 

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February 11, 2012 - Vocal Trash

 

This Texas-based group has been engaging audiences with theirVocal Trash unique and exciting brand of entertainment for over a decade from New York to Seattle, Las Vegas to Puerto Rico. Whether it be Madison Square Garden or The Venetian Hotel and Casino, Vocal Trash continues to energize all ages with their first class singing, industrial style drumming, comedy antics and award winning break-dancing. This is "Glee" with a kick. Bring your Sweetheart and celebrate Valentine's with us on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 7:00pm.

 

Jefferson - 700 W. Milwaukee Street (920) 674-2179   www.councilfortheperformingarts.org

 

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February 11, 2012 - Dip for Dozer

 

Dip for Dozer
 

 

This is a great charity event to raise scholarship funds for select football players of Cambridge High in the memory of one of their teammates that lost his life. They will be plunging into the cold waters of Lake Ripley for as many donations as they can raise.

 

Cambridge - Lake Ripley (608) 423-3241
www.cambridgewi.com

 

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February 12, 2012 - Lake Mills Rotary Club's Scholarship Pancake Brunch   

 

pancakes
The Rotary Club of Lake Mills' 39th Annual Scholarship Brunch is set for Sunday, February 12 at the Lake Mills High School (615 Catlin Drive). Brunch will be served from 7am to 12pm. The all-you-can-eat brunch menu is melt-in-your-mouth pancakes, special recipe Rotary eggs, golden hash browns, seasoned sausages, refreshing juice or milk, eye-opening coffee, and homemade desserts. 
 

Ticket price is $8 for adults and $3 for children 6-12 years old. Children under the age of 6 are free.

 

Advance tickets are available from any Lake Mills Rotarian member and locally from Countryside Jewelry (920-648-5755). Tickets are also available at the door.

 

All proceeds to towards college/university and technical college scholarships for Lake Mills area students.


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February 12, 2012 - Jefferson Rotary Club's Second Annual  

Valentine's Day in Paradise

 

Valentine's Day in Paradise Raffle and gala will he held at the Jefferson Area Business Center on Sunday February 12, 3:00-6:00pm. 

 

The grand prize for this year's raffle is a seven night CaribbeanHeart cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines valued at $3,000 plus other prizes. Tickets are $45 each and include a raffle ticket, and an individual invitation to a three-hour festive gala, including hors d'oeuvres, exotic beers and wine sampling. The winning ticket will be drawn at the event. Funds raised for this year's event will go toward building the pavilion at Rotary Waterfront Park.

Tickets are available from any Jefferson Rotary member and the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce also has tickets - 920-674-4511.

Jefferson - Jefferson Area Business Center (920) 674-7020 www.jeffersonwirotary.com 

 

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February 14 - 18, 2012 - Lovers and Patriots: The Love Story of John and Abigail Adams - To Benefit the Waterloo Historical Society 


Valentines Day Dinner Theatre, Tuesday February 14

 

Reservations: 920.478.3230 - Limited Seating

 

$30 per person - dinner 6:30p, show 7:30p

 

Additional Performances:Friday & Saturday Feb 17/18 7:30pm $12


A limited engagement of an original and loving tribute to the 'Romeo and Juliet' of the American Revolution. Lovers & Patriots: The Love Story of John & Abigail Adams, starring award-winning actors, Lisa Burgess and Gary Anderson, tells one of the most moving love stories in American history. The Valentines Day (February 14) dinner will feature American Colonial cuisine with live music of the era.

 

Waterloo - The Mode Theater 121 S. Monroe Street
(920) 478-3230 -  
www.themodeonline.com

 

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February 16, 2012 - Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors

 

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 7:30pm 

 

Comedy of Errors

The Acting Company in association with The Guthrie Theater presents the national tour of William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors performed at UW-Whitewater's Young Auditorium. This is the Acting Company's 39th national tour and features a new production of The Comedy of Errors, one of William Shakespeare's most delightful comedies, that will begin in January at the Guthrie in Minneapolis and travel to 31 communities in 21 states plus Ontario, Canada.
 

 

Tickets prices are $29/$26/$19 general public and $14.25 for UW-Whitewater students.

 

Whitewater - Young Auditorium, 930 W. Main St. (262) 472-2222  www.uww.edu/youngauditorium

 

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February 17 - 20, 2012 - The President's Day Sale at Johnson Creek Premium Outlets

 

Come enjoy the President's Day Sale at Johnson Creek Premium Outlets February 17-20, Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sunday 10am-6pm. Find extraordinary savings on top of low outlet prices. More information can be found on the Premium Outlets website.

 

Johnson Creek - Johnson Creek Premium Outlets
575 W. Linmar Lane (920) 699-4112  

 

 

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February 26, 2012 - Taste of Literacy

A Fundraiser for the Jefferson County Literacy Council 

 

Appetizers, Cheese and Chocolate - paired with wines by Rob Lewis, professional sommelier and vintner. Music, door prizes, and silent auction.

 

Tickets: $22.00 per person

Lake Mills- 217 N. Main St. Lewis Station Winery (920) 675-0500   
www.jclc.us

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COUNCIL CONTACT INFO  

 

JCTC Logo

President:  Steven Cline  |  [email protected]  |   920-728-2267

Vice President: Kate Anderson   |   [email protected]   |   920-648-3585

Treasurer:  Janet Werner   |   [email protected]   |   920-674-4511

Secretary:  Connie Oestreich  |  [email protected]  |  920-563-3210

Newsletter Editor: Katie Otto |  [email protected]  | 920-648-2367 

Official Guide Representative:  Jennifer Erdman   |   [email protected]  
                                                  |   414-213-4125