Northeast Wisconsin beats the heat as temperatures soar

FOX CITIES, Wis. (WFRV) – A scorcher of a day on Monday left Northeast Wisconsinites finding ways to stay cool.

Naturally, pools were a popular destination including Doyle Pool in Little Chute. Pool officials said on hot days they get about 40 to 50 percent more patrons than on a day when the temperature is more normal.

They said on really hot days they have more lifeguards on standby and make sure that everybody is drinking enough water.

“It’s so rewarding to be able to have that spot for people to come and cool off and a safe place to come,” said Little Chute Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department director John McDonald.

Hot weather is also good news for ice cream shops including Sweet Treats Candies & Sweets in downtown Kaukauna.

Owner Stacey Hummell said the business has been around for only about 1.5 years. Although she said it’s difficult to provide exact quantities because of her business not being around too long, she said that the summer is definitely one of the busiest times of year for them.

“We get a lot of city workers that come in when they’re working on a bunch of construction projects throughout town,” said Hummell. “You can definitely tell they’re working because they come in for ice cream.”

Over at the Salvation Army of the Fox Cities, Kristal Knudtson and other staff there recognize that hot weather isn’t good for everybody.

Those who need help getting out of the heat this week can use their facility at 130 E North St. in Appleton as a cooling center. The hours are from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. They can hang out for as long as they want within those hours, have access to water, and they also have daily free lunches around the noon hour.

“It’s just important for us from a human being, a heart-to-heart standpoint to make sure that we’re making people feel comfortable and letting them know that we got you, we got your back,” said Knudtson.

The cooling center will be available on Tuesday when high temperatures are expected to be even higher than they were on Monday. The cooling center won’t be available on Wednesday because the Salvation Army of the Fox Cities observes Juneteenth.

The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay has also set up a cooling center at its 626 Union Court location in Green Bay.

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