Beloit Stories
Remember | The Beloit Historical Society
The Beloit Historical Society, founded in 1910, is the oldest historical society in Rock County. Located on the west side of Beloit, the society manages two sites – The Lincoln Center and the Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead. The Beloit Historical Society includes five buildings on 30 acres of land. Programs, tours and community events are held throughout the year at both facilities. “We’re a worthwhile, important organization and we do unique work in Beloit,” says Paul Kerr,
Experience Beloit | Pops on the Rock
When it comes to celebrating America’s birthday, the Beloit community goes all out. Every Fourth of July, more than 2,500 families, friends and visitors get together in Riverside Park for “Pops on the Rock,” a special evening highlighted by a free concert performed by the Rock River Philharmonic, and fireworks that light up the sky. “It’s a big draw for Beloit and its residents to have this type of show every year,” says Rob Tomaro,
Experience Beloit | The Castle brings new life to old building
John and Jody Wittnebel have always supported the arts in Beloit. So much so, they decided to take a leap of faith and purchase a historic downtown icon to help keep the arts alive. In 2012, the Wittnebels purchased the former First Presbyterian church building at 501 Prospect St., and transformed it into a performing arts center called The Castle. The venue is available for use by the Beloit International Film Festival, Beloit College, Rock
Engage in Beloit | Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra and Children’s Music Camp
In 2012, a group of local residents who shared a passion for music, came together to discuss ways of creating a summer-only chamber orchestra as a way to reach out and teach music to the young people throughout Southern Wisconsin. “To supplement the offered music classes in the school system, we thought a summer string camp for students might be helpful in developing and encouraging young musicians,” says Greg Roy, business manager and a founding board
Live in Beloit | It’s All in the Family
Ben Thompson was well on his way to a successful career working for a hedge fund company in Chicago, when he made a startling discovery: he really missed the radio business. “Radio is a mix between entertainment and information,” says Ben, general manager of WGEZ-AM and the Janesville/Beloit market manager for the station’s parent company, Big Radio. “I like the urgency and immediacy aspect of the news side. But there’s also the entertainment side that
Work In Beloit | AccuLynx: Finding Software Solutions for Contractors
When Rich Spanton, president of Mastercraft Exteriors, a national roofing company, had a problem with his software, he didn’t turn to another company for answers. He created his own software. AccuLynx is the leading cloud-based business management software for specialty trade contractors. AccuLynx serves nearly 5,000 roofers, painters, drywallers, insulation installers, window/siding/gutter contractors, landscapers, electricians, HVAC businesses, concrete contractors and flooring installers across the country and Canada. “If you are a sell it, build it,
Engage in Beloit | Project 16:49
16:49 refers to the amount of hours and minutes between the end of the school day and when the school day starts again the next morning. In 2010, director R.E. Burgos created Sixteen Forty-Nine, a moving documentary film about the more than 1,000 homeless teens living in Rock County. The film was shown at the Beloit International Film Festival and later won the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth media award.
Live in Beloit | Caring for the Community
CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY Beloit is known for many things – dining, shopping and recreation, to name a few. Beloit also is a city to turn to when it comes to the best in healthcare. With 1,600 employees, including a strong team of experienced physicians, Beloit Health System is the largest employer in Beloit, and many of the organization's staff call Beloit home. “Physicians who have decided to join the health system are some of the most
Beloit Health System: Providing Quality Healthcare
Beloit is known for many things – dining, shopping and recreation, to name a few. Beloit also is a city to turn to when it comes to the best in healthcare. Dr. Neel Karne with Tim McKevett, Beloit Health System President and CEO, and Dr. Alice Townshend In 2010, those qualities were further enhanced when Beloit Memorial Hospital and Beloit Clinic merged to form Beloit Health System. “We became a comprehensive health system,” says Tim
Beloit International Film Festival Celebrates 10 Years
When organizers of the Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) started planning the big event a decade ago, they had one goal in mind. “We wanted to bring Beloit to the world and the world to Beloit,” says executive director Rod Beaudoin. Mission accomplished. This 10-day, one-of-a-kind event has put Beloit on the map within the film industry. Every year, BIFF has grown: In 2006, the first BIFF screened 80 films over four days; in 2015
A Sweet Deal – Northwoods Premium Confections
A SWEET DEAL - NORTHWOODS PREMIUM CONFECTIONS Teala and Scott Lamoreux loved visiting the popular Beloit’s farmers market so much, that they decided to relocate their business, Northwoods Premium Confections, from Rockford to Beloit two years ago. And it didn’t take long for the couple to adjust to their new location at 314 State St. Sales are up, and new customers arrive daily to buy confections, fine chocolates, gourmet popcorn and other treats. In fact,
Live In Beloit – Coming Home
COMING HOME Beth Jacobsen has plenty of childhood memories. Born and raised in Beloit, Jacobsen fondly recalls spending time outdoors with neighborhood friends, whether it was climbing trees, riding bicycles or swimming in her backyard pool. “Beloit was a neat place to grow up,” she says. “It was a fun and safe place to be.” After being gone for a number of years, Jacobsen is home again. An opportunity to work at Beloit City Hall
Experience Beloit – Festival on the Rock
Festival on the Rock lights up the riverfront in Beloit Live music, carnival rides and spectacular fireworks are just some of the fun activities that have made Festival on the Rock, a popular celebration in the Beloit area for more than 20 years. “It’s a fun, family-style event for people of all ages,” says Bryce Patch, festival chairman. “It’s a great way to end the summer.” The three-day festival is held every year at Preservation
Engage in Beloit with Leadership Development Academy of Rock County
Leadership Development Academy of Rock County LDA members team up to help keep our communities clean. About a decade ago, some Rock County business leaders came together and determined they needed to create a leadership pipeline. With that in mind, they formed the Leadership Development Academy of Rock County (LDA), an organization that gives participants the opportunity to learn about Rock County’s history, economy, culture and government. “It’s a wonderful concept,” says executive director Russell
Savor Beloit – The Flying Pig, A Treat for All Ages
The Flying Pig has landed in Beloit. The Flying Pig, a popular treat shop known for its many shaved ice flavors and toppings, opened its doors in downtown Beloit in November 2014. “We wanted to expand and thought downtown Beloit would be the perfect spot,” says Lisa Dodd, who owns the business with husband, Greg. The Dodds and their four children moved to the area eight years ago, after living in Little Rock, Ark., where Lisa
Work In Beloit – Ironworks Campus
The Ironworks campus is home to 13 different businesses occupying a million square feet on 24 acres. One of the most popular landmarks in Beloit is the Ironworks campus, located on the banks of the Rock River in the heart of Beloit’s City Center. For nearly 150 years this site was home to the Beloit Corporation. Like many industries in the region, Beloit Corporation struggled and ultimately closed its doors in 1999. But rather than
Work in Beloit – Regal
Regal has long been known as a company where talented people want to work. Regal is proud to say that their employees treat each other with mutual respect and dignity. They believe that no matter how large they grow, each employee can make a difference. They value a workplace where bureaucracy is discouraged, entrepreneurial thinking is fostered, and decision-making is streamlined by an “open-door” management style. Regal is dedicated to community service, making a positive difference in the communities where they live and work.
Work In Beloit – North American Tool
"The Greater Beloit area is the ideal location for our business." When K.Y. Taylor and his son Roger opened North American Tool in 1986, Curt Lansbery served as one of the first members of the company’s board of directors. Two years later, Lansbery sold his Beloit funeral home business to join the Taylors fulltime. The decision to join the thriving company, he said, was a relatively easy one. “I was impressed with the reputation of
Work In Beloit – Kettle Foods
With close proximity to the rich potato farms of America’s heartland, Beloit was a natural choice for Kettle Brand’s second U.S. potato chip factory. The 140,000 square-foot Kettle Brand plant opened in 2007 with 200 employees, earning the first Gold level certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®). The Wisconsin facility was constructed with the goal of creating a great work environment for employees when it comes to physical space and indoor air quality.
Work in Beloit – ABC Supply
ABC Supply Co., Inc. not only dominates Beloit's riverfront, but stands out in Beloit's employment landscape. ABC Supply's bold white building is a focal point of Beloit riverfront landscape. With their location on a hill overlooking the riverfront, employees have sweeping views of the river, lagoon and beautiful River Side Park. ABC Supply Co., Inc. not only dominates the Beloit riverfront, but stands out in Beloit's employment landscape. ABC Supply Co., Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing
Blackhack Technical College – Your College. Your Future.
Your College. Your Future. Take the Next Step! When you discover Blackhawk Technical College, you are on the road to success. As a proud member of the 16-school Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), Blackhawk Technical College relishes its role as an innovative and productive resource for Beloit and all of south central Wisconsin. It certainly isn’t any wonder that Beloit schools are the largest feeder system to Blackhawk. Those students, as well as students from
Healthcare Spotlight – NorthPointe Health and Wellness Campus
NorthPointe Health and Wellness Campus in Roscoe, IL Located just minutes from Beloit, NorthPointe’s 122-acre health and wellness campus is truly a unique health environment. Located on a rolling prairie setting near the corner of Willowbrook and E. Rockton Roads in Roscoe, with a convenient location off- I-90, the campus focuses on prevention, diagnostics and treatment. “The innovative, state-of-the-art health and wellness campus is a natural, healing environment for all ages,” explains Gus Larson, Director
This is My Home – Donna Sykora
Two years ago, Donna Sykora moved to Beloit for a new position. What she found here in southern Wisconsin was so much more. Donna is key account manager for Alliant Energy. In her role, she manages large industrial customers in the Beloit area. In addition, she represents the company on a number of local boards such as the Beloit Chamber of Commerce, Blackhawk Technical College Foundation Board and United Way Blackhawk Region. While taking care
Having A Ball – Recreation Name of the Game in Beloit
One of the reasons Jessie Everson appreciates Beloit is for its surplus of recreational activities. From playing in winter volleyball leagues to biking to participating in summer pickle ball with her husband Tom, the mother of two takes full advantage of Beloit’s many offerings. “We’re very active,” she says. “We try to get involved in something every weekend. If there’s a community event, we make sure to stop by. We take our three dogs to
Live In Beloit – A Special Place
James Pearson has lived all over the country. He’s lived in Portland, Philadelphia and Myrtle Beach, just to name a few cities. But Pearson thinks he’s finally found a special place in Beloit that is ideal for both his family and his career. Pearson came to Beloit in 2012 as curator of the Wright Museum of Art, one of Beloit’s crown jewels. In 1930, the college partnered with the city of Beloit to fund the
Rising Professionals promote Beloit
RISING PROFESSIONALS PROMOTE BELOIT In an effort to get more young professionals involved in the community, the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce has created the Rising Professionals, an organization comprised of young professionals under the age of 40. The group was created to empower young professionals in the region, provide networking opportunities and promote civic engagement, professional development and mentoring. “We have plenty of young people here in Beloit,” said Tim Dutter, executive director of the
Bushel & Peck’s Local Market
BUSHEL & PECK'S LOCAL MARKET Nine years ago, Jackie Gennett and Rich Horbaczewski of Grass is Greener Gardens, an organic farm located in Monroe, started selling eggs, lamb and chicken at the weekly Beloit Farmers’ Market. Little did they know it would open a whole new world for their business right here in downtown Beloit. The business partners are owners of the popular Bushel & Peck’s Local Market, 328 State St., which opened in 2008. The restaurant
Nature at the Confluence: A Project for 2020
NATURE AT THE CONFLUENCE: A PROJECT FOR 2020 "This is a process of rediscovery and trying to make the Confluence become a community asset once again.” Beloit is located at the Confluence of the Rock River and Turtle Creek. These streams have played a key part in the history and development of the city. They’ve provided diverse habitats for plants and animals, and also have a rich history of being utilized by people. The Confluence
Fulfilling a Dream: Diane Hendricks
FULFILLING A DREAM: DIANE HENDRICKS Diane and Ken Hendricks had a dream for how they wanted their lives to play out. “In 1982, Ken and I had a vision,” says Diane, chairman of ABC Supply Co., Inc., the company she co-founded with her late husband. “We wanted to be productive with our lives, make a difference in our industry and give back to those who helped us achieve our dreams. Ken and I were blessed to
Finding a Place to Call Home
FINDING A PLACE TO CALL HOME Derrick Wash could have made his home anywhere following college graduation. But he chose to move to Beloit where he’s happy to be home again. “There’s so much diversity in Beloit,” he says. “It’s not a small community, but it certainly doesn’t have a big city feel. Everything I need is within driving distance, and it’s a good place to raise kids. For the most part, you know everyone