LITTLE GEMS
How do the bubblers work, those that are now running full-time under and around the Riviera piers?
The bubblers do something very simple, yet most people have no idea. When a body of water freezes over (as long as it does not freeze solid) the water underneath the layer of ice on the surface is insulated and stays liquid. A bubbler is merely a pump that circulates this warmer water near the bottom of the water up under the layer of ice. The ice melts, even when temperatures outside might be as low as thirty degrees below zero. Birds gather there (geese and ducks) to dive and bring up minnows thereby putting off or obviating the need to laboriously fly south for the winter. Piers and buttresses are protected all-around structures nestled into the water nearby. The ecosystem is complex but also, many times, simple to understand when fully informed.
What’s going on out there in the unseeable backdrop of the old Hummel (now Pritzker) property occupying the entire southern third of Lake Geneva?
When J.B. Pritzker bought the property (through one of his many financial concerns) there was a rumored promise that he would never develop the property. Now, this man of uncommon honesty and directness is making good on his word. When drivers and passengers cruise by the property, mostly located along the entire southern stretch of South Lake Shore Drive heading south from town, cars, and worker’s trucks can be seen lining both sides of the road. Those workers are applying themselves to returning the wetlands the property was once to its original state. Quite an undertaking, as former farm owners put in tiles and drain all over to dump rainfall and irrigation waters into Geneva Lake. No more. J.B. remains silent about what’s going on, at great expense. The community cannot thank him enough, even if it is only by mentioning what he’s doing in this small newspaper.
Lake Geneva’s downtown theater.
The City of Lake Geneva and Shad Branen entered into a development agreement in March of 2016. The agreement includes different aspects regarding the renovations, purpose, and finances regarding the theater at 244 Broad Street. The big question being asked is; now that the theater is under renovations again to facilitate a slightly different use, what of that original contract grant’s requirements? The theater was originally renovated in 2016 with the goal to return it to its original glory and create a historic venue for movie-goers to enjoy current movies. The city, along with Branen has a shared financial investment in the project. The city granted approximately $867,500 to the project.
That the specific terms of the grant were not honored by the changes being approved did not fare as well with some of the public who’ve figured it out. People wanted to know about the grant, the stipulations, requirements, and the payback plan in the agreement. With the theater on several city meeting agendas recently the elephant in the room was finally addressed and the discussion was added to Monday night’s city council meeting. The council decided to ignore the fact that the original grant was not fully honored, due to the fact that the theater business has been hit so badly by the pandemic and that Shad and Peter, his builder, are working so hard to convert the building into something more resembling a fine arts center than an old-fashioned theater. The vote was taken, and the new form of a ‘theater’ was approved unanimously (while the old grant and any performance to its requirements were let slide indefinitely). Shad and Peter are honorable men, and hopefully, the communities representative support of them will pay great dividends.
Business of the Week
Lake Geneva Party Bus Company is one of the best operations in Wisconsin. John and Becca Schnabl are real go-getters and a lot of fun. Call 262-729-2776 for any transportation for your special event.
