SURPRISING STUFF

The YMCA makes a strategic move and cuts off its back door entrance.
Why did the YMCA sell its hundred acres, or so, of land they acquired to build its new facility to J.B. Pritzker?  It seems rather obvious.  The YMCA board of directors is in a full-on effort to get a food chunk of the Hillmoor land for their club.  The argument put forward by many, because there is the huge overwhelming problem of traffic entrance and exits onto already packed Highway 50 (during the summer), is that the club should simply proceed with construction on the land it had already acquired out on Edwards Boulevard.  That land is far enough out of the city proper not to be affected by an increase in traffic due to membership attendance.

Now, that argument is over, and it was ended by the abrupt move to sell.  At the same time, the club has floated the idea that the deed restriction keeping them from openly purchasing part of the Hillmoor land instead of leasing it doesn’t apply because up to nine acres of the 220-acre plot can supposedly be sold to a non-profit, which the YMCA is.  In hockey, they call this a power play, which the YMCA pulled just as the new mayor stepped into office.  Not a nice bunch of people on that board, not if you want to look at them as the players in all this that they most definitely are.

Reading their original purchase agreement now pulled for reconsideration was like reading some sort of manifesto.  A document filled with demands based upon nothing at all.  Hopefully, the new council arrangement of alderpersons and the mayor will force the YMCA board to submit a plan for what it wants to do that is not only beautiful and effective in solving the traffic problem but also financially attractive.  The YMCA is playing hardball, however, and the new leadership of the city had better have some thick catcher’s gloves available to catch some hard-thrown pitches.

Backyard chickens have become a popular trend in rural America which includes almost all of Walworth County.
Raising chickens has pros and cons, but the benefits outweigh the negatives for those who do. The best reason for raising chickens is the fresh eggs. If you haven’t tried an egg from a free-range, pasteurized-raised, GMO-free organically-fed chicken, you need to. There are vast amounts of people making the switch and once they have crossed that line with eggs more buying local follows. There’s just something about getting up and grabbing your morning eggs right from the coop or stopping by your favorite small farm and purchasing your fresh eggs for the week.

Once families get to know their chickens the bond and love between the bird and the owner is unexpected. With farmers’ market season here, you can get to know some of the farm stand vendors and purchase your eggs at some of them. The big hat bakery lady has eggs at the farmers market in Williams Bay. A quick Google search will also give you some great options on where you can find small local hobby farms, farm fresh eggs, and more. A lot of people decide to do it themselves, to go small and get just enough chickens to support their family’s need for eggs.

Back in 2014, Walworth County Board voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance amendment allowing those with residentially zoned property to have up to six chickens and coops in their backyards. The interest in owning chickens has grown substantially since this change. Of course, with anything there is a lot to know before you jump into a new adventure. Care for the chickens is important, everyone wants happy chickens. Also, there are guidelines to be followed and there are some areas like trailer parks that the amended ordinance does not cover. Make sure you do your research and your due diligence before you head out to buy some chickens.  The free-range eggs are about two bucks more a dozen and they are now available almost everywhere locally.