Journey through Wisconsin!
Fall 2014 $7.50 Aquaponics Portage Cty FFA Seniors One Last Mission! Ice Age Trail Heritage Park, Plover Feathered Gold Stables Millponds
Turning into Fall Eau Claire Dells
Photo by Pete Sanderson
Focus Article 28
Heritage Park, Plover Uniquely Wisconsin
By Pete Sanderson, MD, MBA
Table of Contents Fall 2014
42
Denise Krause, Feathered Gold Stables shares equine tips and photos of her Gypsy Vanners.
Features 6
Flying Feather
Aquaponics Thrive in WI All Natural Greens, Marinette, WI.
36 14
Portage County FFA Seniors
Day Trip’s writers travel a wonderland of unreal underground beauty.
Local chapters celebrate the accomplishments of graduating members.
18
Last Mission!
46
Ice Age Trail Nature writer Jill Sisson Quinn explores the New Hope section.
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Feathered Friends Photographer Leslie Pavlak shares her love of birds.
Steve Conway Jr.’s return to a plane similar to what he flew in WWII.
22
Cave of the Mounds
48
Millponds Enjoy the aesthetic beauty of our area’s millponds. Fall 2014
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Journey through Wisconsin!
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PUBLISHER, EDITOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, DESIGN, PRODUCTION, CIRCULATION/WEB/AD MANAGERS Ruth & Jim Faivre Facebook.com/JourneyWI journey@journeywi.com www.journeywi.com 715-347-3755
Grandchildren are so very precious , especially when they live far away as do my granddaughters, Madison (left) and Cally (right) and do not get to visit as often as you would like.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Denise Krause & Pete Sanderson
Your heart jumps with joy to see your grandchildren grow not only into their own entities but also for those brief glimpses you catch that remind you of their parents when they were children.
ADVERTISER INDEX We are building a network of businesses committed to our area. Please consider supporting them.
It reminds a person, how quickly time flies and how it only seems like yesterday that your own children were the age your grandchildren now are.
ADVERTISER B&B Paving Central Cities Credit Union Edward Jones/Bob Ebben Feathered Gold Stables Pete Sanderson Photography Scaffidi Trucks Ski’s Meat Market Todd Reilly United FCS
As we round the year into fall with a new year coming up quickly on its coattails, perhaps we should pause from our busy schedules and take stock of the time we spend with our families.
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Many of the activities we feature in Journey through Wisconsin such as the Ice Age Trail, Cave of the Mounds, Heritage Park-Plover and millponds, can be shared with all ages. However, your quality time with your family can be as simple as working together on a project, creating with Legos®, backyard ball games or reading a good book to a child. I hope you enjoy the diversity of articles we feature this month. Beyond what I have already named, we have stories about the new field of aquaponics, a WWII pilot’s memories and Leslie Pavlak’s beautiful bird photography Please feel free to email me and let your thoughts flow!
Editor journey@journeywi.com Page 4
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Left to Right: Robert Markley (Scaffidi Trucks), Bob Berard (Paramount Farms) and Joe Ebben (Scaffidi Trucks) with Paramount Farms’ Mack trucks from Scaffidi Trucks.
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Aquaponics Thrive in WI All Natural Greens, Marinette, WI Photos & Article by Ruth Faivre
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One giant step forward. Aquaponics, the newest ‘face’ on the farming block, blends the best of two worlds: aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture (also known as fish farming), is the breeding, rearing and harvesting of fish and marine life in all types of water environments including ponds, rivers, lakes and the ocean. Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in media such as coco coir, rock wool, gravel or liquid with added nutrients but without soil. Aquaculture and hydroponics are established industries producing 66.5 million tons of fish and growing produce inside 400,000 acres of greenhouses worldwide. Aquaponics, on the other hand is a fairly new field but one, which offers a promising future to those, willing to learn it. (Continued on Page 8) Opposite: All Natural Greens owner Jeff Veriha stands in front of a plant-growing segment of his aquaponics business. The entire operation encompasses 14,000 square feet. Above: Jeff peels back a section of rock wool, in which he starts his plants. Nutrient-rich wastewater from the fish tanks are filtered, and then piped into the waters constantly circulating under the rock wool, which is absorbed by the rock wool and fed into the plants. This process consumes 80% to 90% less water than traditional agricultural methods. Right: All Natural Green’s biggest crop is lettuce, in several varieties, which is sold to local restaurants year-round.
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ALL NATURAL GREENS Jeff Veriha stumbled across aquaponics when researching the pros and cons of aquaculture. According to Jeff, “The more I read about aquaponics, the greater my interest grew. I wanted to do something unique and different and this definitely fit the bill. Combining fish and vegetables in one system made a lot of sense to me.� Jeff established All Natural Greens, Marinette, WI, a family owned operation, in 2011. Dedicated to growing healthy sustainable food, the business is housed in 12,000 square feet of plant space and 10,000 gallons of fish tank water. Fish and plants grow together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the growing plants, which is circulated out to the plants. The plants then provide a natural filter for the water before it is re-circulated back to the fish tanks. (Continued on Page 9) Above: Currently, All Natural Greens raises yellow perch and tilapia in several large tanks like these. You can observe the fish from the side windows as well as from the top of the tank where they are fed. The fishnets help contain the fish during feedings. I watched Jeff feed the fish in several of the tanks. They literally erupt into a frenzy and even try to leap out of the tank. Left: These tomatoes and other vegetables are picked for the farm market customers who stop by and buy direct from All Natural Greens (www.allnaturalgreens.com, (715) 330-5899).
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SELF-SUSTAINING However, before the fish waste is pumped out to the plants, it goes through a converting media consisting of nitrifying bacteria microbes and composting red worms. This media transforms all the fish waste ammonia first into nitrites, then into nitrates. It turns the solids into vermicompost that becomes food for the plants. Jeff describes the system further, “Fish and plant disease is rare in aquaponics. You carefully monitor the system the first month to insure the recirculating process is working correctly and is stable.” “After that,” Jeff continues, “you need only monitor pH and ammonia levels occasionally or if you see that plants or fish seem stressed. Each fish-to media-to plant cycle is self-correcting. Additionally, you never need to replace your water. You only top it off as it evaporates.” (Continued on Page 10) Above: A close-up shows young plants growing in the rock wool. As they mature, they are transferred to rows in the main section to give them more room. Right: A close-up of aquaponic tomatoes, all yummy and ready to eat.
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Horizon Cranberry Farms, Hancock
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MECHANICS All Natural Green’s facility is a veritable montage of tanks, pipes, plants and lots and lots of light from the greenhouse ceiling. You almost feel like you are outdoors. You can truly appreciate how protected the fish and plants are from outside elements. As far as the fish section of the operation goes, the unique recirculating water system allows you to stock fish more densely per gallon of water, than outdoors pond aquaculture using a fraction of the water and space. After designing, building, stocking and now maintaining his aquaponics system for three years now, Jeff not only survived the learning curve but also looks forward to expansion. “I have a section out back, which we would like to transform into exterior fish ponds and raise a wider variety of species,” says Jeff. “We are examining the pros and cons of enlarging our indoor space as well.” (Continued on Page 12) Above: A wide-angle view of the crops reveals plants growing year-round in the greenhouse, without the stresses of adverse weather conditions affecting them. Blank rows will be filled shortly with new plant starts to be sold to commercial enterprises and residents. Left: All Natural Green’s crops include lettuce, basil, watercress, chard, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant as shown here.
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Old World Charm Taste beyond compare!
At family owned Ski’s, quality knows no bounds and you receive only the freshest, finest meats, seafood, 100+ Wisconsin cheeses, Boar’s Head deli products and other treats. Ski’s is an experience, not just shopping. When you walk into Ski’s, you know you are somewhere very special. Savor Ski’s famously delicious homemade brats and sausages and the most tender beef, pork and chicken, cut by our expert butchers. In-season seafood refreshed daily – from salmon, halibut and cod to crab legs and lobster! We offer Wisconsin’s finest artisan and master cheese makers with ‘squeaky fresh’ cheese curds on Friday and Saturday. Visit us soon for your good, old-fashioned, neighborly meat market experience! NEW WAUSAU FRANCHISE LOCATION OPEN: Visit 4516 Rib Mountain Dr, Marathon, WI or Contact franchise owner, Craig Wolf, phone (715) 870-2136 or email wausauskis@gmail.com.
5370 US Highway 10 E Stevens Point, WI 54482
(715) 344-8484 www.skismeatmarket.com Mon-Fri: 10am–6pm Sat: 9am–6pm Sun: 10am–4pm
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MARKETING For now, Jeff’s biggest challenge is marketing his products to wholesalers, finding diversified outlets and increasing their consumer and restaurant customer base. “We’ve spent time researching our product offerings and think we have the right vegetable combinations,” explains Jeff. “We also diversified our fish from just tilapia to add yellow perch.” Yellow perch are hard to find commercially. In the past, Lake Erie provided the bulk of those caught with a peak of 515 million in 2005. That number dropped dramatically since then due to the lake's ecological condition. This year, the catch is projected to rebound at 155 million, far short of the demand from fishing processors and chefs, who often have to go as far as Russia to fulfill their needs. No matter what All Natural Greens offers, their ‘clean and green’ methods give customers peace of mind that the food is healthy, pesticide and herbicide free and produced using minimal amounts of fossil fuels. Above: Jeff has several acres at the back of the greenhouse where he is considering building exterior fishponds and enlarging the current greenhouse footprint. Left: According to Jeff, “We selected fish and plants for our system that have similar needs as far as temperature and pH. The closer they match, the better our success.” This basil and chard are just two of the vegetables that fit those requirements.
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NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL! SATISFYING PAVING NEEDS ACROSS CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Residential Agricultural Commercial EVEN Railroads!
B&B Paving Co., owned by Jim & Marilyn Benjamin, earns many new customers via current customer referrals. Our work stands the test of time and the heaviest loads, whether they are simply pedestrians or fully loaded semis and trains! “We get the job done right the first time, every time!” EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE, REASONABLE RATES & FREE ESTIMATES! SITE PREPARATION ASPHALT PAVING PARKING LOT, DRIVEWAY, PATIO & WALKWAY PAVING ON-SITE PULVERIZING PAVEMENT REMOVAL & RECYCLING (We can even recycle your existing driveway in place.) ASPHALT REPAIR
James & Marilyn Benjamin 6817 Johnnies Lane Stevens Point, WI 54482
(715) 592-4775
Portage County FFA Seniors By Ruth Faivre
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Encouraging youth is a continuous objective for Future Farmers of America (FFA). The responsibility exhibited by young people in FFA is outstanding. Portage County’s 2014 seniors involved in FFA represent the Midwest work ethic that shines at the heart of their FFA chapters and will surely be tomorrow’s community leaders. MARY LUTZ Mary Lutz, daughter of Neal and Peggy Lutz, Stevens Point served as Vice President of the Stevens Point FFA and received the Outstanding FFA Senior award, High Honors through all her High School years and the Rasmussen Memorial Scholarship. For her project, she worked on her family’s 40-acre Christmas tree farm, planting and trimming trees and fertilizing seedlings. She will attend UW-River Falls with a major in Animal Science in pre-veterinary program. (Continued on Page 16) Opposite Page: Mary Lutz holds some of the many Christmas tree seedlings she planted on her family farm. She helped make 700+ Christmas wreaths for local charities. Above: Lindsay Rutz sold one of her project hogs at Portage County Fair of Rosholt. Right: Mary Lutz helps drills a hole for planting a seedling.
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LINDSAY RUTZ Lindsay Rutz, is the daughter of Karin Hatfield and David Rutz, Amherst, and was Amherst FFA’s Vice-President. She will attend Winona State majoring in Nursing and will participate in track and field there, throwing the shot put and discus. Her project involved working with livestock, raising and showing beef and swine. She participated in the market animal program in Portage County and sold steers and barrows at Portage County fairs. JANESSA LEPAK An Honor Roll student since 7th grade, Janessa Lepak, is the daughter of Tim and Michelle Lepak, Mosinee. She served as Reporter for Stevens Point FFA and received a Star Greenhand Award. She was involved in two projects: raising pigs to show at Amherst and Rosholt fairs for market animal projects and showing, riding, training and grooming the rare Gypsy Vanner Horses for Feathered Gold Stables. She will attend UW-Marathon County to complete general education and transfer to UW-River Falls for their veterinary program. (Continued on Page 17) Above: Janessa Lepak poses on Buck, a Gypsy Vanner horse, costumed in full gypsy attire
while giving a breed demo at Vilas County Fair. She also showed their stallions at the Midwest Horse Fair. Left: Margaret Hirzy prepares plants for the Stevens Point FFA greenhouse during Spring break.
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MARGARET HIRZY Margaret Hirzy, daughter of Heidi and Eric Hirzy, Stevens Point, won academic awards four years in a row. For her project, she took horticulture classes and worked in Stevens Point FFA greenhouse. She will attend Mid-State Technical College. RYAN FALKAVAGE Ryan Falkavage, son of Lee and Debbie Falkavage, Stevens Point, was a Stevens Point FFA Sentinel, Parliamentarian and won three State FFA awards. He won 5th place in Ag Processing and went to state. He will pursue business courses to prepare eventually to take over his parents’ meat market business. CASSANDRA PLASKI Cassandra Plaski, daughter of Steward and Ann Plaski, Amherst, served as Amherst FFA Vice-President. Her equine project involved competing with her horses at various fairs and shows and she did daily chores for a local dairy farmer. She will attend Sabertooth Commercial Driver Training Institution and then Mid-State Technical College majoring in Business. Above: Ryan Falkavage processes a side of beef at his parent’s business, People’s Meat Market. Left: Horse enthusiast, Cassandra Plaski, eventually wants to own a boarding stable or a trucking business. She performed in many fairs and parades like this one.
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Top: Steve Conway (bottom row, second from left) poses the 463rd Bomb Group, 5th Wing, 15th Air Force crew, circa WWII.
ONE LAST MISSION! Steve Conway Jr.’s Return
This time, instead of a crew of ten with Steve Jr. as the pilot, responsible for the safety of all, ten passengers boarded for a flight of a lifetime with a younger pilot at the controls of the B-17. The flight stayed the course at a mere few thousand feet on a sunny, 70° day. BEHIND THE SCENES
Color Phots and Article by Ben Niehaus
On November 5, 1944, 21 year-old B-17 pilot Steve Conway Jr., targeted an oil refinery in Vienna, Austria during his first mission of WWII. Nearly 70 years later, on July 17, 2014, Steve Conway Jr., WI, First Lieutenant, United States Army Air Corps, now 91 years old, was invited to once again soar into the clouds in the renowned B-17 “Flying Fortress.” This time it would be a ride in peaceful times, with son Steve Conway III, sitting at his side. There was no concern of flak; no 5,000-6,000 pound bomb load to drop and destruct areas below and no fifty-caliber machine guns with each loaded “nine yards long” worth of ammunition. Nor was it a flight just over 30,000 feet with air temps at minus 40°-60° below zero in an unpressurized plane that required oxygen masks. Page 18
Jet Air CEO, Al Timmerman, invited Steve Jr. on this honorary flight. Al is responsible for the B-17 Aluminum Overcast, one of a dozen still airworthy B-17s in the world. (Continued on Page 19) EDITOR’S NOTE: Steve Conway, Jr., was born and raised in Crandon, WI and except for his war years, has never lived elsewhere. He worked as a dry cleaner, then in land abstracting and title insurance until he retired last November at the age of 90. Steve Conway Sr., moved to Crandon in 1900 from Chicago and the family has been there ever since. Steve Jr.’s daughter, Rebecca Perry, Medical Director-Primary Care Ministry Medical Group Northern Region, submitted the idea for this article. Rebecca was also born and raised in Crandon and lived briefly in Madison during medical school. After living in Marshfield during her residency, she returned to Crandon and lives in the home in which her father, Steve Jr., was born almost 92 years ago. She has practiced medicine there since 1981 and will retire soon. Steve Conway III, Rebecca’s brother and Steve Jr.’s son, is a lifelong Crandon resident and also works in land abstracting and title insurance. Ben Niehaus is Rebecca’s son and Steve Jr.’s grandson. Ben wrote this article and took the color photos. Born in Marshfield, he was raised in Crandon but now lives in Argonne with his family, and is administrator of both Goodman/Armstrong Creek and Florence, Wisconsin school districts.
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EAA in Oshkosh owns and operates Aluminum Overcast, which is available for tours and flights. PACKER CONNECTIONS Steve Jr. was one of two combat veteran aviators on this special flight, the other being a B17 bombardier, who is the grandfather of Green Bay Packer Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s wife. Coach McCarthy had the opportunity to meet Steve Jr. and discuss some of Steve Jr.’s combat experiences before Steve Jr. and his son boarded the B17. After the flight, Coach Mike McCarthy posed for photos with Steve Jr., one of few remaining pilots of the mighty planes that ultimately helped the United States and allies prevail over Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich and the Empire of Japan. TAKE-OFF As the Aluminum Overcast’s door closed and the all clear sounded, each of the 1,200 horsepower Wright Cyclones fired up in sequence, with the familiar burst of smoke from the exhaust upon ignition. Page 19
While taxiing down the runway, Steve Jr. turned to his son, explaining the squealing brakes, “They all did that.” According to Steve III, a flood of emotion then overcame the man who as a 21-22 year old, flew into the unknown 42 times, thankfully returning each time. Many before and after him were not as fortunate. COMPARISONS This summer day, with many of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren present on the ground, Steve Jr. and Steve III launched into the air one more time in the mighty plane he flew out of Foggia, Italy. As part of the 463rd Bomb Group, 5th Wing, 15th Air Force, Steve Jr. was assigned to bomb oil refineries, ball-bearing plants, tank manufacturing and other similar targets. It is hard to imagine the scene at World War II airfields as ground crews anxiously counted planes as they returned, wondering if any of their crew would not return because they joined the ranks of the many heroes who ‘gave all’. (Continued on Page 20) Left: Steve Conway, Jr. and Boeing B-17G, Aluminum Overcast, at Austin Straubel International Airport, Ashwaubenon. Top Right: Steve Conway, Jr.is shown in the cockpit of his B-17 during WWII. Bottom Right: Steve Conway, Jr. (left) on base.
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PERSONAL EXPERIENCES Steve Jr. once returned with his B-17 riddled with 206 flak holes, no rear tail wheel, left landing gear damaged and a flat tire. He landed the B-17 on one wheel, keeping the opposite wing up until the plane transitioned from air to ground speed and came to a skidding halt just off the runway. HONORS Right before WWII ended, Steve Jr. courageously earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for staying in formation while still climbing and heavy enemy fire, despite losing one of the B-17 engines after take-off. He maximized power on the other three engines until the B-17 effectively reached its target.
SEGUEWAY TO 2014 For the July 2014 flight, the target was a Lambeau Field flyover. Instead of a bomb, the B-17G dropped wishes for another winning Packer season from their many fans. Unlike many WWII flights, the plane returned with all four engines running, looking as good as it did when it taxied to the runway about 30 minutes earlier.
These mighty B-17s fly solo now or in very small groups, instead of hundreds in tight formation and the numbers of surviving WWII and other war veterans dwindles daily. Thanks to these heroes and our current military service, we can all continue to stay safe and enjoy the freedoms of our great country. Giving thanks to them when an opportunity presents itself is the least we can do.
Steve Jr. was recognized for “outstanding pilotage and skill by being able to stay with the formation and completing the mission.”
“It was a true honor to be a part of my grandfather, Steve Conway Jr.’s, special day. To witness my hero take flight in the plane he piloted in World War II, will be a memory I will treasure always!” ~Ben Niehaus.
After flying 31 victorious missions, Steve Jr. earned three more medals for efforts of valor and safe return to the airfield in Foggia.
Top Left: WWII B-17 damaged during battle. Middle Left: The cockpit of a WWII B-17. Bottom Left: WWII vintage photo of B-17s in formation during battle. Right: Coach Mike McCarthy with Steve Conway Jr. shortly after the coach’s July 2014 flight landed.
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Ice Age Trail New Hope Section Written by Jill Sisson Quinn & Photos by Tom Quinn Scandinavia, WI
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I will not lie. For much of the year, ticks quest here, mosquitoes probe and deer flies ferret. Nevertheless, I take the trail of this New Hope section of the Ice Age Trail, anyway—a ribbon of pine needles, roots and rocks. Hills incline steeply. My legs burn from the inside, straining against gravity, and on the outside from the bites of greedy six-legged creatures and the occasional sting of wood nettle. I pause under a tall tree, look up at its tangram-puzzle of leaves, and my soul—no matter how agitated or by what—has a way of clearing. It sounds morbid, and maybe it is, but when I hike the New Hope segment of the Ice Age Trail, I feel I could die here, and it would not feel like death, really. (Continued on Page 24) Opposite Page: Journey along a wilderness trail on the Ice Age Trail - New Hope section. Above: Native thistles are often viewed as weeds that should be destroyed. However, their flowers provide nectar to bumble bees, soldier beetles and unknown beetles. Giant Swallowtail, Monarch, Painted Lady and Fritillary butterflies not only extract nectar from thistles, they also lay eggs on them and their caterpillars eat the leaves. Goldfinches eat thistle seeds and use the seed fluff to line their nests. Right: This autumn-hued leaf seems almost alive, as it lies suspended in a spider’s web, like some unlucky insect.
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The whole trail speaks of endings: Wisconsin’s last glacier, the glacier’s farthest reach. RUDIMENTS The ghost of a river floats along a sinuous ridge and empties into a conical hill. In each deep kettle, images of large ice chunks, detached from the main glacier and melting, crystalize like fragmented memories. The full Ice Age Trail, one of eleven official U.S. national scenic trails, snakes across the state of Wisconsin for 1,000 miles, in the shape of a backward S, along the terminal moraine of the Laurentide ice sheet. The trail, which winds through a variety of unique landscape features, from eskers to kames to kettles, reveals how the glaciers shaped the land, offering some of the best examples of glacial geology in the world. (Continued on Page 25) Above: Did you know that thousands of different species inhabit still waters? Motionless waters nurture plants, weeds, bacteria, microscopic creatures, fish, insects, amphibians, birds, reptiles, mammals and more. Left: If you study trees long enough, you will discover their personality, like this lonely sentinel, reaching up to the sky while also scanning the forest floor. Every tree along the trail is uniquely, intrinsically complex.
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ASSURANCES The New Hope segment of the trail, my favorite section, runs for about three miles from Portage County Trunk T to Z. As much as the trail speaks of endings, highlighting, as it does, the terminal moraine, it also speaks of beginnings. Where once the earth was mineral, mushrooms push up along with bee balm and doll’s eyes—the fruit of white baneberry. Thistles release their seeds across a silvery, cut field. In one spot, acres of spotted and pale touch-me-nots grow close to the path—the cool, soft stems and leaves serve as salve for exposed skin. Several ponds stew ducks and muskrats in the summer heat. A muraled barn on Krogwold road seems to sum up the hiking experience: it is the confluence of all things. (Continued on Page 26) Above: If a barn could be happy, that is what the barn decorated with bright, cheerful murals, would be. Middle: These white spherical berries with black dots on the tip resemble dolls’ eyes; hence, the white baneberry plant’s common name is Doll's Eye. Bottom: Indigenous North Americans have long used Jewelweed as a remedy for skin-irritating disorders resulting from poison oak, poison ivy, stinging nettle and insect bites.
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FINALE Along the trail, Leopold benches invite contemplation, and bridges aid in getting over things, surface depressions cyclically full or empty. Little wooden boxes that contain trail maps stand in two places, though I have not seen a map in either for years. Jill Sisson Quinn Jill, a Mid-State Technical College teacher, lives in Scandinavia, WI with her husband, Tom. Jill won a 2013 Rona Jaffe Writers Award, 2011 John Burroughs Award (Best Published Nature Essay) and 2003 Annie Dillard Award. In 2010, Apprentice House published her first book, Deranged: Finding a Sense of Place in the Landscape and in the Lifespan. Visit her blog, naturescribe.blogspot.com or website, jillsissonquinn.com Tom Quinn is program manager at Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. Northwest Earth Institute has published Tom’s photos. He also won the Wisconsin DNR Great Lakes photo contest.
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No matter. I know what the map would say: You are here. I understand what this means--not where, but what I am. It is why I could die here and be happy; why, here, dying loses its meaning. On the Ice Age Trail, time is expansive. There is new hope. You become the land. Above: This rustic wooden footbridge over a swampy area along the trail provides safe passage for trail goers as well as a peak vantage point to enjoy the grandeur and beauty along that section of the trail. Middle: One of the best ways to appreciate fully the impact of the Ice Age glaciers’ geologic transformation of the heart of Wisconsin is to trek a section or more of the Ice Age trail. Hike and you will discover the hidden gems, otherwise not accessible, like this woodland pond, which offers a plethora of wildlife, plant and marine life.
Fall 2014
(Continued from Page 26) Above: While on your hiking adventure along the Ice Age Trail, benches like this offer a welcome respite as well as a place to reflect on the diversity of nature and enjoy the flora and fauna. Left Below: Tree bracket fungus is often labeled as shelf fungus because it sticks out from the infected tree. Unlike many of their mushroom cousins, most are inedible and many of those soft enough to eat, are poisonous. Try to remove one of these brackets and you will find that they are rock hard. Artisans embrace their beauty though, and carve them into works of art and beautiful jewelry. Right Below: An abandoned deer stand shows signs of neglect, which leaves one wondering what happened to its builder. The yellow rectangle on the left tree is one of the trail markers.
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PetePete Sanderson Sanderson
UniquelyWisconsin Plover Heritage Park By Pete Sanderson, MD, MBA
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Peek through the windows of the buildings in Heritage Park in Plover, WI, and you will be transported in time back to the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s in Portage County. To pay homage to those eras, I shot most of the photos in this series directly through the windows, which gives them a somewhat ghostly feel and a ‘time capsule’ effect as if the clock stuck in the era depicted. A community treasure, Heritage Park had humble beginnings springing forth as the brainchild of Professor Emeritus Maurice Perret, noted author and contributor to the Portage County Historical Society (PCHS) and fellow philanthropist, John Anderson. (Continued on Page 32) Pages 28-29 Centerspread: When the influential Pierce family of Plover originally built what is now the park’s Pierce building (ca. 1880), it served as a butcher shop and grocery store. Now, it is slated to display Portage County Historical Society’s wide collection of printing presses. Arsonists destroyed the back of the building in 1994, but recently, Village of Plover approved PCHS’ plans to rebuild that section. Page 30 Top: The hub of the Bancroft Railroad Station was the Ticket Takers Office, now beautifully preserved, as if the ticket master just left for lunch. Page 30 Bottom: The Bancroft Depot (ca. 1897) and GB&W Caboose 167 rest quietly, no longer the community’s hub. Page 31 Top: The caboose interior offers many amenities. Page 31 Bottom: Franklin-Calkins House‘s kitchen (ca. 1857) was revamped to look like a prosperous 1870s farm family’s home.
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The two men acquired the Old Methodist Church (ca. 1850s) and two plots of land in the late 1970s, which was later donated to the Portage County Historical Society. In 1983, the Portage County Historical Society purchased six additional lots adjacent to Heritage Park in the park and moved the Franklin-Calkins House to the site. George Washington Franklin, a potato grower, was the original builder of the Franklin-Calkins House, which passed onto the Calkins family through his granddaughter who married a Calkins. Mrs. Calkins died in 1981 and the Society obtained the house two years later. (Continued on Page 33) Above: The craftsmanship of the Bancroft Station Depot passenger room is quite remarkable, evoking vintage 1920s. Central Wisconsin Model Railroaders, Ltd. remodeled the Depot’s exterior and first floor and its basement serves as the group’s meeting hall. Middle: The HIE Corners School (ca. 1894) brings back memories for those who attended one room country schoolhouses in the 50s and 60s. Serving Amherst and Scandinavia, the school’s name originates from the Norwegian word Hei, which means an upland or moor. Since it was located at an intersection of two roads (County Road T and V) as well as being on an upland, it was called Hei Corners School. Bottom: Robert Engford, a pioneer in motorized circus equipment industry, purchased the Engford House (ca. 1850) in 1923. Locally, it is known as the Circus House because of Robert’s connections and his close association with the Barnsdale family of circus entertainers across the street in Plover. Together, they traveled the summer circus circuit. The restored house has many circus displays that recount circus history in Portage County.
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Over the years, the Portage Historical Society has collected eight other buildings along with a Green Bay & Western Caboose 617 from several other sites, restoring and preserving them to depict what life was like between 1870 and 1910 in Portage County. Thanks to area resident, Milo Harpstead, Heritage Park also has a large collection of farm equipment including walking plows; sulky plows and cultivators; potato diggers and planters; drills; mowers, grass strippers and rakes. All equipment was either used in Portage County or similar to what was used here. Milo personally restored the pieces to original colors and condition. More pieces will be acquired and added to the park in the future. (Continued on Page 34) th
Above: Approximately 600 4 -grade students visit the HEI classroom annually to experience firsthand how it felt to attend a one-room school. Most of the desks were discovered in the attic and refurbished. The room was furnished with accessories appropriate to the period. Left: The Yellowstone Cabin is not one of the original cabins built about 1925 for the Park Ridge Yellowstone Motel on the Yellowstone Trail, (now U.S. Highway 10), but a replacement cabin built before 1940. This interior reflects that decade. The Yellowstone Trail was a route known for its yellow markers pointing the way to Yellowstone Park. It originated in Chicago and then took a scenic path through Wisconsin.
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Heritage Park attracts visitors throughout Wisconsin and beyond. It is a living monument to life in Portage County as it was during our State’s early settlement years. Visitors to the park step back in time and view the carefully restored mini ‘village’ in an accurate reflection of their original condition. The Portage County Historical Society’s attention to detail is quite remarkable. The restoration efforts for each building took years and when you stroll through the park, you can see the care and love that went into each one. Visit Heritage Part and discover how it was ‘back then’ when life was not easy but it was simpler and quieter. Above: The Engford House’s kitchen evokes 1930’s farmhouse living conditions with its Hoosier baking cabinet and Depression glass dinnerware. Below: Portage County Historical Society moved this small Post Office (ca. 1870) to the Park in 1990. The Post Office is actually two smaller buildings butted together back to back. The front end is restored as a Post Office and the back end, a doctor's office.
Peter A Sanderson pete.sanderson@ministryhealth.org For more images, visit my blog, mdleader.wordpress.com Page 34
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Turning into Fall Dells of Eau Claire County Park Marathon County, WI Imagine having your own Pete Sanderson Limited Edition print! Strangely enough, this park is not in Wisconsin Dells, nor is it anywhere near the city of Eau Claire. Even though the Dells of Eau Claire County Park is designated a State of Wisconsin Natural Area, it is a county park. It is on the Eau Claire River, just east of Wausau and offers year-round, breathtaking beauty. Its unique beauty perfectly captured in this exquisite print by renowned photographer, Pete Sanderson.
Pete Sanderson
Pete Sanderson personally prints and signs each 11”x17” pigmented ink jet print on cotton paper.
This Turning into Fall print is $40.00/each (add $10.00 if you prefer it shipped direct to you), until December 31, 2014. Prints can be picked up at Koerten's Fine Framing & Gifts or delivered direct, (no program enrollment required). To order, contact Koerten's Fine Framing & Gifts: (715) 341-7773, sales@koertens.com or visit 2501 Church St, Stevens Point, WI 54481,
Many other Pete Sanderson images also available at Koerten’s Fine Framing & Gifts!
Cave of the Mounds Day Trips Adventure by Heather Kizewski & Ann Marie Worzalla
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WELCOME TO DAY TRIPS! Inspired by an authentic passion for travel, we share unique adventures accomplished in one day; no overnight bags required. We are sisters-in-law from Stevens Point and Amherst. Our families are involved in potato farming, so we are firmly entrenched in Central Wisconsin. For over eight years, we have ventured forth together searching for unique destinations. It is amazing how far you do not have to go to experience the moments we so often seek in faraway lands. We hope to spark your wheels into motion. You are only a ‘day trip’ away! SPECIAL NOTE: Click to visit Day Trips’ Facebook
Our trip to Cave of the Mounds took place on a bright ninety degree August day. Located south of Madison near Mt. Horeb, the drive took less than two hours from Stevens Point. Upon arrival, Ann Marie and I were surprised to discover an entire nature park full of lush foliage, vivid perennials and cheerful butterfly gardens supplemented by prairie and woodland trails. Next stop was the Discovery Center. We studied many geological history and scientific facts pertaining to the formations in the cave. We also examined fossils found in the original Cave of the Mounds fossil dig that ranged from 60,000 to 500 million years old. The authentic specimens’ collection included shark teeth, sand dollars, dinosaur bones, ridged oyster and echinoid (sea urchin) along with many others. (Continued on Page 38) Opposite Page: Discovered in 1939, Cave of the Mounds, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1988. The title was based on the site possessing "exceptional value as an illustration of the nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of man's environment." It is often referred to as the ‘jewel box’ of America's major caves because of the variety, color and delicacy of its formations and is recognized by the Chicago Academy of Sciences as "the significant cave of the upper Midwest." Above: Heather Kizewski (left) and Ann Marie Worzalla (right), pose in front of the Historic Barn Discovery Center, tour entrance and gift shop at the Cave of the Mounds. Built over the cave's original opening, the barn houses a stunning variety of geological items. Right: During the guided cave tour, you walk past a vast expanse of vibrantly multihued stalactites, stalagmites, columns, fossils and other formations similar to the ones shown in this photo.
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INTO THE DEPTHS Excited to learn more, we ventured forth on our cave tour. Thankfully, walkways with handrails eased the journey, but I advise caution. Passages can be slippery and a good pair of walking shoes is recommended. Since the Cave is fifty degrees year round, I highly suggest bringing a light jacket despite the season. The cave’s formations (dubbed speleothems) are quite diverse and depend on whether the water drips, seeps, condenses or flows. Stalactites reach down from the ceiling while stalagmites develop upwards from the floor and flowstone covers surfaces. The speleothems’ color and composition suggest what kinds of rocks and minerals exist along the flow path. Manganese oxides create the blue and gray effects while reds and browns derive from iron oxides. (Continued on Page 39) Above: Over eons, ground water seeping through limestone created rock formations seen throughout the cave. Left: This is flowstone, formed when water flows over rock, along walls or floor, creating sheet-like deposits of calcite when water recedes.
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The cave itself is more than a million years old and made of natural limestone (galena dolomite) from the Ordovician Period, 450-500 million years ago, which is mind-boggling. During this period, abundant shell life and sea creatures thrived in the warm shallow seas covering the area. As they died, they sank and were buried by sediment. The sediment envelops the sea life and ‘cements’ it into place, preserving its imprint in the sediment rock, transforming it into a fossil for eternity. One of the most popular fossils in the cave is a six-foot fossil of a cephalopod, a relative to the squid and octopus ANOTHER PLANET I marveled at how some of the formations seemed almost alien and otherworldly, straight out of a science fiction movie. Comprehending the age of the cave and its geological significance truly takes you back into another place and time. (Continued on Page 40) Above: It takes more than a century for a cave’s mineral deposits to add a cubic inch to formations like these. Right: Speleothems generate a psychedelic show of colors in shades of white, cream, red, orange, black, gray, bluish-purple and more.
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DISCOVERY
Quarry workers for the Brigham Farm inadvertently discovered Cave of the Mounds in 1939, during a routine quarry blast to extract top-quality limestone. The blast tore off the quarry’s face, exposing a huge subterranean limestone cavern over 20 feet high. One can only imagine their bewilderment at this geologic wonder world! For years, the Brighams farmed above an ancient cave and no one knew it. No animals live in the Cave of the Mounds because it was entirely sealed until its accidental unearthing in 1939. The cave is a ‘living’ mutable phenomenon since its formations constantly evolve due to the trickling water continuously depositing minerals. (Continued on Page 41) Above: Years ago, the Brigham Farm barn was converted into the Cave of the Mound’s Discovery Center. Display cases overflow with examples of cave formations, fossils and rock specimens from the cave and across the globe.Middle: The cave’s stunning interior amazes visitors with its multi-hued mineral formations that astonishingly look like liquid seeping out of the cracks. Left: Water trickles throughout the cavern, creating crystal clear pools of water like the Dream River pictured here. Chambers of curving rock disappear into the distance underground. The shapes and colors of the walls and ceiling are mirrored in a reflecting pool.
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THE GRUMPY TROLL We found our perfect place to eat in Mt. Horeb, just five minutes from Cave of the Mounds. The smell of smoky char-grilled food grabbed us before we even made it to the front steps. The ambience was cozy, casual and upbeat. Our chargrilled bacon cheeseburgers were perfect and hands-down, the best either of us ever had! FINAL REFLECTIONS Often called ‘the premier cave in the upper Midwest’, the Cave of the Mounds is an exceptionally ‘wowing’ destination, created by nature and uniquely exciting for kids and adults alike! Cave of the Mounds is a popular field trip amongst third or fourth graders. If you get the opportunity to chaperone, I highly recommend it! The park is fun to explore but the cave has a mystical appeal that is unforgettable no matter the season. Above: Located in a historic 1916 building, The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub serves beer, cheer and food with 12 handcrafted beers on tap. Award-winning brew master Mark Knoebl, graduated from Siebel Institute of Technology, America’s oldest brewing school. Right: The cave entrance is inside the Visitor’s Center gift shop. You can peruse a variety of rocks and fossils while you wait to be ushered into the cave, like this giant crystal conglomerate.
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Flying Feather* Regular Column and Photos by Denise Krause, Owner, Feathered Gold Stables, Ogdensburg, WI, www.featheredgold.com
Showing Your Horse Competing in horse events is a great way for riders who have spent many hours honing their skills with a trainer, to evaluate their progress individually and abilities relative to their peers. It can also highlight the skills you need to sharpen at home. For most, winning is the dream, the end goal as owners, riders, stables and trainers jockey to win the ribbons and awards that help substantiate that they are the best and brightest contenders. Showing can be a lot of fun and is a good opportunity to meet other horse enthusiasts and learn many ‘tricks of the trade’. Additionally, showing provides a chance to acclimate your horse to the public. A horse exposed to showing experiences is less likely to be surprised, distracted or skittish around people. This kind of ‘seasoning’ Is often what is required to create a real champion or if you are a stable owner, the kind of horses that build your reputation as a breeder. Showing does not need to be expensive and high-pressure. Most areas offer small, unrated schooling shows that boast a casual, friendly learning environment and a significantly lower price tag. PREPARATION The most important thing to do is to fine-tune basic horsemanship skills. If you are not currently riding with an instructor, take some lessons with a reputable trainer to get you started in the right direction. Ask your boarding barn or equestrian friends for recommendations on local trainers. If a trainer cannot come to your barn, you may be able to go to their facility and use their horse. Even if regular weekly lessons are not part of your schedule, go periodically to get feedback about how you are progressing and areas you need to improve with practice at home. When you feel confident you and your horse are ready to compete, ask your trainer to recommend local shows, search online or check with your local feed or tack store. Choose a show to which you can easily transport your horse and send in your entry form before the closing date. (Continued on Page 43) Top: Audrey Nusz performs competition jumping with Mickey Finn. Bottom: Courtney Casey puts Diesel of Feathered Gold through the paces at Heartland Feathered Classic . *Feather is the flowing hair on Gypsy Vanners’ legs
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If this is your first show, you can gain confidence for you and your horse by entering a class or two at the lowest levels. Find out if full show attire is required. If so, you need tack and show attire. Quality and well-maintained used tack and apparel can last decades and will help cut costs. Tall English boots can be expensive and difficult to fit, so explore used and new options. Before journeying to the show, pack your horse’s negative Coggins test and health certificate for travel inspection. Basic supplies will help get you and your horse through the day: cell phone for emergencies, cooler filled with healthy snacks and drinks, hay net and day’s worth of hay for your horse. Bring many large camping-size jugs filled with water to provide an abundant water supply right at the stall/trailer, especially useful if it is very hot. Pack grooming supplies for touch-ups at the show and leather cleaner and tack polish for last minute saddle and boots buffing. Check in advance to see if you need to bring your own bedding. Above: Romeo assumes a stately stance for judging at the Heartland Fall Classic.
Throw in a manure fork and muck bucket especially since some shows require you to strip your stall to get your deposit back. SPECIFIC SHOWS For any type show, groom your horse well and keep tack clean. English rider hunter/jumper shows are great places to start and require a hunt-seat saddle, plain brown snaffle bridle to match saddle, leather girth and shaped fleece saddle pad. For attire, wear a new black velvet covered ASTM-SEI certified safety helmet (used ones are less safe), navy hunt coat, light colored shirt, tan breeches, black tall boots, short black gloves and black crop for jumping classes. If in hunter classes, stay away from splint boots, bell boots, breastplates or too colorful attire. For jumper classes, use open-front or splint boots, breastplate and square saddle pad. Braiding may be optional, but will help you present the best turnout to the judge. Academy shows are a good option for saddle seat riders but they accept only lesson program students and mounts used regularly as a lesson horse. You need Kentucky jodhpurs, vest, tie, paddock or jodhpur boots, button-down shirt with collar and helmet. (Continued on Page 44)
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You will need Kentucky jodhpurs, paddock or jodhpur boots, vest, tie, button-down shirt with collar and helmet. For regular competition, you need all of the above plus day coat or full saddle suit. Equitation requires conservatively colored suit with jodhpurs and coat of the same color. Per United States Equestrian Federation rules, you can opt to wear a helmet in any saddle seat class without penalty; however, most riders choose to wear a traditional derby instead. Western offers variety in showing: run barrels, trail obstacles or compete in Western Pleasure. Clothing is a catchy color scheme that complements your horse. For rail and performance classes, find well-fitting chaps, matching colored pants, eye-catching complementary shirt, lighter-colored shaped hat and regular riding boots. Compete in barrels and gaming in regular boots and jeans, neat button-down shirt and shaped felt hat. Riding shin guards are a smart addition for the barrel racer. SHOW TIME! Walk your horse when you get to the show so he can look around and relax prior to the show. Allow him to take in sights and sounds. After you tack up, take plenty of time to warm up and relax your nerves. Visualize yourself riding the course perfectly in your mind. Take a practice ride beforehand, if possible. Keep it slow and simple. Stay out of busy areas and keep your horse calm. If your horse is extremely hot and excitable, work him on a long line well before going into the warm-up arena to edge off his excess energy. Before your class, do the minimum warm-up you need and save your best work for the show ring. Stay out of other riders’ way. Colliding with another horse is not what you need prior to going in front of the judge! Generally, when sharing an arena, pass left shoulder to left shoulder and travel in opposite directions. If you have a rail class with numerous other horses and riders, adjust pace to stay out of the crowd so the judge can see you ride. Be sure to breathe and keep in mind that you’re doing the best you can with whatever mood your horse might be in that day. Congratulate yourself for having the nerve to try showing. Horse shows are about you and your horse alone against all odds. Even if you do not win your class, you gain self-confidence. If or when you do win, you know on some level - no matter how long you live or what you do - that you 'made it’. Top: Justin Krause walks his horse, Feathered Gold Jasmyn, around the show grounds prior to the Heartland Summer Show. Middle: Audrey Nusz steadies Mickey Finn during judging at the Heartland Fall Classic Show in Danville, IN. Bottom: Denise Krause and Seraphim with Cheyenne Widmer and Precious strolls around the Heartland Fall Classic show ring.
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Imagine having your own Gypsy Vanner! Enjoy their beauty and grace at home and in the ring!
Derek & Denise Krause Ogdensburg, WI info@featheredgold.com www.featheredgold.com
(715) 445-5345
Feathered Friends Photos by Leslie Pavlak Article by Ruth Faivre “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all.� ~Emily Dickinson
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Soaring high above the sky, swooping down upon a lake, perched securely in a tree or simply gliding through the water, no matter what a bird is doing, Leslie Pavlak captures their special moments. Leslie asserts, “Birds are one of my favorite subjects; no matter what kind they are or what activity they are engaged in doing.” “Primarily,” Leslie continues, “that is because they are difficult to photograph; you have to operate in stealth mode so as not to scare them away. That is particularly true with waterfowl.” Leslie provided us with equally stunning photos of several birds previously in the article, Winter Birds, in our Winter 2014 issue, which focused on tips for photographing birds in winter, one of which was a rare Trumpeter swan. Opposite page: The elegant swan is the largest waterfowl and amongst the largest flying birds. Swans form monogamous bonds with their mates that often last for life. Above: We call this the ‘unknown duck’ since Leslie is not sure what kind it is although it looks similar to some Bantam duck breeds. Right: Up to three feet tall and slender, the Great Egret is a large heron with glorious white plumage. During breeding season, the birds develop spectacular plumes they raise like fans in their courtship rituals.
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Millponds Central Wisconsin’s Water Treasures Amherst and Iola, WI Article and Photos by Ruth Faivre
“Four ducks on a pond, A grass-bank beyond, A blue sky of spring, White clouds on the wing: What a little thing To remember for years To remember with tears!” ~ William Allingham
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The quiet, still waters of millponds, restrained by a dam that once provided vital energy for grist or flour producing mills, are by nature, unwavering. Today, many communities harness the power of millpond dams through dam power stations, producing hydroelectric energy. They then sell excess energy back to their local electric company. Millponds also furnish natural recreation, spectacular scenic beauty, wildlife and marine refuge, abundant plant life and serve as a living historical reminder of the past. Typically, millponds have more plant growth than lakes because they are shallow yet have a larger watershed that drains water into the pond, contributing more sediments and nutrients. (Continued on Page 50) Opposite Page: I photographed the Iola Millpond from the attic of the Iola Mill just as a small flock of ducks skimmed across the millpond’s surface. Above: Millponds produce multi-generational memories for area residents, their friends and families. My oldest son, Casey recreates a scene in the exact same spot I took a photo of his brother, Dustin and himself, years ago, just east of Amherst millpond dam spillway (inset photo). Only, this time, Casey is with his own son, Gabriel. Right: While shooting photos on the Amherst millpond’s south side, I spotted a Little Blue Heron close to the shore, pacing busily in shallow water searching for insects and fish through the pond’s extensive aquatic plant life.
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AMHERST MILLPOND The Amherst Mill Pond covers 48 acres with a maximum depth of seven feet. It was created by damming the Tomorrow River Since 1858, the pond has served as a local sanctuary – a serene spot to catch a stringer full of pan fish and Northern Pike, enjoy a picnic, take a stroll or roam the lake via paddleboats, canoes, johnboats and kayaks. Homes outline the pond’s edges, along with public boat access (non-motorized), Cate Park and picnic tables. Recently though, residents of the Village of Amherst, WI (pop. 1,050), faced an uncertain future for their millpond, which is smack dab in the center of the village and a beloved attraction for residents and visitors alike. Unfortunately, the millpond’s 156-year-old dam is in need of repair, a situation facing many millpond dams. (Continued on Page 51) Above: A paddleboat and canoe sit ready, waiting for their next adventure. Left: This photo of the shoreline looking west reveals the section many consider the most scenic portion of the millpond. Much of it is not conducive to home building. At the very western edge is an old railroad bridge. On the bridge’s opposite side is where the Tomorrow River flows into the Amherst Millpond.
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HARD CHOICES The village had two options: fix the dam to prevent possible flooding of residential areas below the dam; or remove the dam and pond, opening the flow of the Tomorrow River through the area. In August 2014, after much deliberation and presentations by the DNR and other groups, residents voted in favor of restoring the pond and dam. Subsequently, in early September 2014, Amherst board members voted to respect the taxpayers’ vote and spend an estimated $1.2 million rebuilding the village's iconic millpond dam. Addressing other improvements to the pond, like silt removal, are tabled for future study and discussions. Other Central Wisconsin residents have faced similar decisions regarding the future of their local water habitat. (Continued on Page 52) Above: This view of the Amherst Millpond reveals the east side, with the dam and power station at upper left and Amherst’s downtown on the upper right. Right: The steeper north shoreline like the other shorelines is kept naturally wild, even in populated areas, promoting ideal habitats for aquatic and marine life, birds, amphibians and wildlife populations.
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Two local millponds pursued very different philosophies to address problems with the conditions of their dams or needed improvements, resulting in equally dissimilar results. Nelsonville removed its dam and pond, after which the millpond reverted to a small stream, while the drained pond bed remained swampier, mosquito-ridden ground. Meanwhile, the Village of Plover worked with the DNR, WI State entities, shoreline residents, businesses, farmers and community members, pursuing multiple remedies for Springville Pond to reduce the invasive Eurasian water milfoil, restore aesthetic beauty and reestablish recreational enjoyment without destroying their dam or millpond. (Continued on Page 53)
Above: Remnants of the old Amherst Millpond mill, which was at the right of the dam’s power station, are no longer visible. Deemed not salvageable, the building was razed and replaced with the Village of Amherst’s new offices and a park. The dam’s spillway area is a favorite fishing spot of countless people, like the man pictured at right of the power station who is tying lures onto his line. Right: The Tomorrow River flows through the center of the millpond, down the spillway, under this bridge, then past a park, playground, softball diamond, another bridge and railroad overpass. The strongly flowing Tomorrow River helps the millpond maintain below average phosphorus levels.
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IOLA MILLPOND In 1854, Silas Miller dammed the Iola River (now known as the South Branch of the Little Wolf River), to power his sawmill, which created the Iola Millpond. No natural way existed to contain the water so a levee dam was subsequently built. Iola Millpond, located in Iola, Waupaca County now covers 220 acres. Maximum depth is nine feet. Anglers catch bluegill and other pan fish, largemouth bass and northern pike. Visitors access the lake from public boat landings. In the last few years, the Village of Iola drew down Lake Iola to eliminate invasive weeds, build higher water levels and restore fish species, which is always a continuous process. Luckily, the millpond did not have a Eurasian water milfoil problem. (Continued on Page 54)
Above: Iola Mill is one of the oldest mills in this part of the state and the last of its kind in Portage County. Built around 1860, the mill operated until 1984. Over the years, it was restored is now a restaurant, which serves homemade, scrumptious Italian gelato and hosts concerts for area musicians and bands. Middle: A unique display of pond driftwood beautifies the Iola Mills grounds adjoining the pond. Bottom: Plant life flourishes on the Iola pond banks while aquatic plants in the pond provide cover for amphibians, fish and their babies.
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OTHER MILLPONDS There are many millponds throughout Central Wisconsin. Here are a few of them: Neshkoro Millpond, 208-acres, Marquette Cty; Rosholt Millpond, 18-acres, Portage Cty; Waupaca Millpond, 16-acres, Waupaca Cty; Auroraville Millpond, 180-acres, Waushara Cty and West Branch Millpond, 60-acres, Waushara Cty.
Overall, the future of all millponds rests with the taxpayers, who ultimately weigh increased maintenance costs against the intrinsic value and importance of their millpond’s overall beauty, power generation potential, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, recreational and sporting focal points and heritage significance. Above: Blue vervain steals the spotlight in this photo taken from Iola Millpond’s dam. Marsh milkweed, purple milkweed, cattails, bulrush and sedges are a few of the wildflowers and other plants that help keep the shoreline from eroding. Anchoring felled trees to the shoreline helps add woodier habitat for many fish species.
Journey
through Wisconsin 7374 Lepak Lane Custer, WI 54423
PRSRT STD AUTO U.S. POSTAGE PAID STEVENS POINT, WI PERMIT NO. 272
Fall Splendor McDill Pond, Stevens Point Lushly vibrant autumnal colors splash across McDill Pond’s perimeter in brilliant chartreuse and bittersweet orange hues. This photo was taken by photographer Emily Hild, Stevens Point.
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