Rock County Businesses Scramble To Salvage Season

From Channel3000

NEWVILLE, Wis. -- The town of Newville experienced some of the worst flooding in Rock County earlier this summer.

Now that boating restrictions have finally been lifted along the Rock River and Lake Koshkonong, businesses like the Anchor Inn that depend on summer tourism are finally getting back to normal.

John Kinnett, owner of Newville's Anchor Inn, said about the flooding that shut down his business, "We had thought that our whole summer was wrecked. Luckily, when the water started to drop, it really dropped. It receded quickly."

Dozens of volunteers who helped restore the restaurant to pre-flood conditions sped up the Anchor Inn's re-opening, though Kinnett admits that business has been slow.

Saturday, the Anchor Inn held a pig roast with live music to attract customers. Said Kinnett, "We're just trying to make it so people will come out, and have a reason to come out."

Some attending the event said the flooding took away most of their summer and now is the time to enjoy what little there is left: "It feels like summer again," said Charlie Pritscher of Edgerton. "August first was like June first. Kids will be back in school soon, so we'll do what we can for a little bit of summer, and have fun."

Summer came late this year to Newville, but for area businesses, the hope is that things will improve for the remainder of this year and certainly next. Said Kinnett, "We rely on a lot of the tourism. It's nice to know that it's going to come back. It gives you hope for next year, to know that people are going to stick around the area and enjoy it."

Two months ago, hope was sparse in Newville. But now it seems everyone agrees that promising times are ahead