Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz

In 2021, Melissa and Matthew Theisen of Slinger learned something that no expecting parents should ever have to hear. Their son, Morgan Matthew, was developing with a syndrome called, VACTERL association. This syndrome, affects multiple body systems—including the heart, vertebrae, limbs, the esophagus, and more (VACTERL is an acronym for the various systems). While the caring and unbelievably tale...

At this point, unfortunately, nearly everyone has been affected by an opioid overdose—whether that's from a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor, friend of a friend—it has worked its way into all of our lives. One of the major reasons for the recent spikes in opioid overdose deaths is the introduction of fentanyl, which is an even more powerful drug. This week, Mary Simon from Elevate, Inc.,...

A couple of months ago, a listener named Stacy reached out at fuzz.cc/guest and recommended that I get Renee and David Paape from Soup Korner in West Bend on the show. I was all about it since it has quickly become one of my favorite places to get a sandwich. And now they've just announced news that they're going to be opening a second Soup Korner location in Hartford, Wis. this coming spring. Ren...

Pete Rettler hasn't missed a day of running in 29 years! That's longer than his eldest son, Jack, has been alive. Pete and Jack join me this week to talk about the 2022 Rettler Run, taking place at the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center on New Year's Eve - December 31st, 2022 from 12-3P. There are some great door prizes from Jeff's Spirits on Main! You also have an opportunity to win f...

Just a quick update on the show and life. I've been working on taking care of some personal and professional responsibilities, so it's been a bit tough to schedule interviews over the past month. But, it looks like we're turning a corner. In this episode, I make a bunch of excuses and talk about some of the cool things around Washington County that the family and I have been doing over the past fe...

Last month, Colleen Mayer took over as the new executive director of the Volunteer Center of Washington County (home of The Hub, Social Good Brews). Colleen joins me this week to talk about the Volunteer Center, her new role, the construction going on at The Hub, and how you can get involved as a volunteer in your community. Mentioned in this episode: The Hub – Social Good Brews Volunteer Center o...

Hello Washington County! This week, we're talking to West Bend's City Administrator Jay Shambeau about some of the great developments in West Bend. In this episode, Jay joins me to talk about the Downtown West Bend Main Street renovation, the west side of the Riverwalk, and Christmas decorations. We also talk about what is going in to the old Boston Store building: Old Navy, Dunhams, and Ross Dres...

There's another referendum on the ballot on Tuesday, November 8th. The Washington County Anti-Crime Plan Referendum will add staff to the Washington County Sheriff's Department — including adding patrols to each shift — something that hasn't happened since the 1980s. Sheriff Martin Schulteis joins me this week to talk about the Anti-Crime Plan Referendum, why it's needed, what's at stake, and what...

There are a couple of important referendums coming up in Washington County this November. One of which is the Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) referendum. This referendum, if approved, will support students in 130 municipalities throughout 10 different counties in the Fox Valley and Southeastern Wisconsin (Washington County included). MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald and West Bend Campus Dean P...

The need for employees in Washington County, Wisconsin is as great as ever. While we all rely on emergency services like Fire and EMTs to be there when we need them, the area is suffering from a drought of new employees to take over for those retiring. This week, Jackson Fire Chief Aaron Swaney joins me to talk about the need for EMTs in our area, what goes into being an EMT, and how to get starte...

Just Us of Washington County is an 501(c)3 organization dedicated supporting and providing guidance to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Washington County. This week, Barseana Simond and Hadwat Sankari join me to discuss Just Us, how the organization got its start, and why their organization is important to promoting inclusion and acceptance here in our county. Learn more about Just Us...

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Tarra Gundrum recently rode her bicycle from West Bend, Wis., to Washington D.C. The nearly 1,000 mile ride was a two-week trip that she took to support educational outreach efforts at the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center in Kewaskum, Wis. All told, Tarra raise more than $10,000 for the Memorial! This week, I sit down with Tarra to talk about her ride, what...

Hello Washington County, Wisconsin! Hope you're having a wonderful start to the unofficial beginning of fall. This week, my lovely wife, Shanna, from the Tech Tools for Teachers podcast joins me to talk about a little side trip we took to an organic apple orchard on the southwest edge of Washington County. Peck and Bushel is an organic apple orchard on County Road Q in Colgate. It's actually liste...

This year marks the first year the Milwaukee Power Junior Hockey Team plays its season from the Kettle Moraine Ice Center in West Bend, Wis. This week, Kris Marion joins me to talk about the Milwaukee Power, how they came to West Bend, and what to expect as a fan!!! Mentioned in this episode: West Bend Power Hockey If you like the show, please consider subscribing at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or...

Today, Jeff Szukalski of Jeff's Spirits on Main jumps into the studio to talk about the West Bend Christmas Parade. Yes, yes...Christmas in July and all of that. No, I didn't plan for this episode to land in July... it just matched up because their annual Jingle Bell Open golf outing fundraiser is coming up on Monday, August 1st. Jeff talks about some of the really interesting history of the West...

We have a really fun episode this week where I get to learn something that I've heard a lot about, but have never really learned a lot about. Tami and Wade Mauland are pioneers in the the world of geocaching in West Bend. Their whole family is passionate about geocaching and they share a lot of fun stories about their experiences. West Bend's Cache Ba$h is coming up August 5th and 6th. Tami and Wa...

This year marks the 164th Washington County, Wis. Fair! The fair runs Tuesday, July 26th through Sunday, July 31st, and there are so many great things to do at this year's fair. Tuesday, July 26 — Opening Night (opens at 3p) with Fireworks Wednesday, July 27 — Military Day & Horse Pull Thursday, July 28 — Tyler Farr w/Warren Zeiders Friday, July 29 — Bret Michaels w/Frank Ray Saturday, July 30...

We certainly love a good festival! And coming up next week, West Bend, Wisconsin's Regner Park is home to two great festivals. German Night is a celebration of German food and culture will be coming to Regner Park on Wednesday, July 13. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and features music by the River City Blaskapelle starting at 5:30 and Until Dawn from 7:30-10:30. Then, just a few days later, Regner...

Justice Madl is a local business owner (Do Your Hair Justice), West Bend's 7th District Alderman overseeing the Barton area, and the president of the Historic Barton Business Association. This week, Alderman Madl joins me to talk about the new Barton Garten garden along the Eisenbahn Trail on Highway 144. Mentioned in this episode: Historic Barton Business Association on Facebook If you like the s...

The parks in Washington County, Wis. have a ton to offer. From lakes and ponds to swim in to dog parks, hiking trails, and beer gardens! This week, Jamie Ludovic—Washington County's Chief Community Development Officer, and Nick Marking—owner/operator of The Tap Yard Beer Gardens, join me to talk about the all new beer garden at Ackerman's Grove County Park in Polk, Wis. It's a must-attend venue th...

Juneteenth Day is a federal holiday that takes place on June 19th, each year, and commemorates the emancipation of the slaves in the United States. It has been celebrated in various parts of the country since 1865. In Washington County, Wis., it has become an officially celebrated holiday, with an annual event taking place at The Tower Heritage Center in West Bend each June. This week, County Exec...

Hello friends. This week, Joletta Kerpan and Lynn Grgich of the Germantown Chamber of Commerce join me to talk about the chamber and their upcoming golf outing. We explore how the Chamber of Commerce supports businesses and the Germantown community, why it's important for businesses to join their local chambers, and how you can participate in the fundraiser which takes place on Thursday, June 23rd...

Kewaskum's 125th Founders Day Celebration is 127 years in the making (thanks, COVID). Aaron Laatsch of the Kewaskum Historical Society and Geidel's Piggly Wiggly, and Kristy Vogt of the Kewaskum Chamber of Commerce and Westbury Bank, join me to talk about all of the fun and historical events taking place at Kewaskum's River Hill Park June 10th through the 12th. Mentioned in this episode: Kewaskum...

It all started with a raffle prize. About seven years ago, Mike Christian won a raffle prize which gave him access to Regner Park in West Bend, Wis. for a day. As a musician and music lover, he thought it would be great to have a number of local bands come play at the park. The idea has now turned into an annual event—along with two other great concert series. Mike joins me this week to talk about...

There are a ton of great things going on in the City of Hartford, Wis. This week, City Administrator Steve Volkert joins me to talk about the new Festival Foods, the newly rebuilt Culver's, some industrial developments, park upgrades, and some upcoming events happening in the City. Mentioned in this episode: 2022 Classic Car Show - May 21, 2022 - Details on the Hartford, WI Classic Car Show Hartfo...