11/8/19 Fitchburg Star

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Friday, November 8, 2019 • Vol. 6, No. 9 • Fitchburg, WI • ConnectFitchburg.com • $1

Inside Alders propose budget amendments Page 3 Former Mayor Doug Morrissette dies Page 9

Halloween photos Page 10

Business

Cosa Boutique opens on west side Page 15

Sports

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Seeking a ‘better community’

Redeemer City Church using its spacious new location to build neighborhood connections MACKENZIE KRUMME Unified Newspaper Group

As you walk into Redeemer City Church on Fitchburg’s north side, there are no crosses, pictures of Jesus or stained glass windows. A communal kitchen is at the heart of the 11,000 square foot building, with office space and an auditorium-style room to the side for its services. The only indication that the 5356 King James Way facility houses a church is the portable banner that reads “Welcome.” Redeemer City, formerly set up and torn down weekly at Chavez Elementary School, has been in the new location for seven months, and its lack of religious decor is intentional, pastors Casey Johnson and Nate Hobert told the Star. The Jamestown neighborhood has been without a community center since the closure of the city’s Fire Station No. 2 in 2017, and Redeemer City is trying to fill that void. That means making people in the neighborhood feel comfortable being there, regardless of their religious beliefs, Johnson said. The two pastors say they want neighbors to have a connection point to resources in the neighborhood. The neighborhood, west of Verona Road, is isolated from other resources accessible to most Fitchburg residents, Hobert said. Valuable community centers such as the Boys and Girls Club, Allied Wellness Center and the Fitchburg

Photo by Mackenzie Krumme

Nate Hobert, pastor of spiritual formation at Redeemer City Church, sings with the congregation during a sermon on Sunday, Nov. 3. Community Center are an inconvenient bus ride away, and the Badger Prairie Needs Network, which also serves the area, is headquartered in Verona. “The reason why we want to be

“We want people to see value in the church again. Because when the church comes alongside, whatever work, whatever project, whatever nonprofit; it can be a better community.”

Turn to Community/Page 13

Casey Johnson, pastor at Redeemer City Church

BPNN has some new wheels for cool meals Group uses grant money for refrigerated van NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group

Verona boys soccer earns first state berth Page B1

Schools OSD narrows names for new school Page B6

Photo by Neal Patten

Volunteers Gregg and Jan Weaver proudly show off the new refrigerated van Badger Prairie Needs Network has purchased for pick-ups and deliveries. The funding came from a grant from the Walmart Foundation.

The Badger Prairie Needs Network has purchased its first vehicle, through a $51,500 grant from the Walmart Foundation, which will allow them to effectively transport unused food from local food donors. BPNN was one of 13 food banks nationally chosen to receive funding from hundreds of applicants. The funds had to be used to build food bank volunteer and agency capacity, according to a Walmart Foundation news release. BPNN used the money to purchase a refrigerated van to help collect food from area grocery and convenience stores that provide close-to-expiration foods such as meats, produce and dairy products.

Before purchasing the van, volunteers used 36 personal vehicles to collect food, presenting a concern for food safety in unrefrigerated vehicles. Last year, around 200,000 pounds of food collected required immediate refrigeration, preventing BPNN from collecting food outside of a 30-minute drive. The van will allow volunteers to pick up more food for repackaging. Donated food that is close to expiration is reheated and flash-cooled or frozen, extending the expiration date often by a week. Another benefit of the van is BPNN can now distribute food to smaller pantries, and also might help bring on new volunteers, since not all volunteers can bear the expense of using their private vehicles for pickups. BPNN estimates they have had over 800 people volunteer in the past two years, providing a combined 40,000 volunteer hours. Neal Patten can be contacted at neal. patten@wcinet.com.

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November 8, 2019

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Fitchburg Star

Great Pumpkin Giveaway nets $2,700 for charity Attendees of Oak Bank’s 19th annual Great Pumpkin Giveaway poured in cash donations to gain access to lively competitions, horse carriage rides and a lawn full of prospective jack-o’-lanterns. The fundraiser raised approximately $2,700 for the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center in

Madison and gave away over 1,500 pumpkins, Oak Bank senior vice president Jim McNaulty told the Star. The event also featured a colorful assortment of guests, including Bucky Badger and the Okinawan Taiko Drummers from Madison West High School.

Karleigh Klitzman, 9, of Oregon heaves her selected pumpkin.

Wyatt Formanek, 7, of Fitchburg cradles his chosen pumpkin.

Photos by Justin Loewen

From left, Benjamin Brown, 6, embraces Elizabeth Garcia, 3, of Verona during the Great Pumpkin Giveaway at Oat Bank on Saturday, Oct. 19.

On the Web To see more photos of the Great Pumpkin Giveaway visit:

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Hli Fauska, 1, of Oregon stands mesmerized by the performance of the Okinawan Taiko Drummers from Madison West High School.

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Eleanor Houger, 7, of Fitchburg admires a Jenga tower that eclipsed her own height.

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Neatly-arranged rows of massive pumpkins lined the Oak Bank lawn.

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November 8, 2019

Fitchburg Star

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City of Fitchburg

Alders aim to add staffing, grants to budget KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

Most of the proposed amendments to the mayor’s 2020 Fitchburg operating budget would slash maintenance or data initiatives in favor of staff, grants or other initiatives. All but one of the 12 amendments to Mayor Aaron Richardson’s budget were submitted by Alds. Julia Arata-Fratta (Dist. 2) and Tom Clauder (D-4), with the other an update on previously estimated numbers by finance director Misty Dodge. Both alders proposed amendments that would cut funding for two maintenance projects at McKee Farms Park – replacing the fence surrounding the tennis courts and the enclosure for the park’s utilities. Arata-Fratta’s cuts would fund an increase of $15,000 to the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative (to its previous level of $50,000) and a $4,800 study of the compensation given to elected officials, whose compensation hasn’t increased since 1997. Clauder’s would free up funds to promote three firefighters to lieutenant status and add a part-time code enforcement inspector. Another Clauder amendment would reallocate public works funds to prioritize road resurfacing in the Briarwood subdivision, delaying other, unspecified projects. The public will be able to comment on the amendments during a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road. After the hearing, the council is scheduled to consider the amendments and take a vote

on the budget. Richardson’s initial budget proposal put a priority on restricting the city’s spending, listing five “commitments” in the introductory letter of his budget and funding less than one-tenth of the personnel requests put in by city department heads. Staying within the state-mandated levy limit is the biggest restriction in the budget this year, Dodge told alders during an Oct. 23 Committee of the Whole meeting discussing the amendments. Richardson’s budget left a little under $4,o00 remaining until that limit is met, she added. At that meeting, Ald. Dan Bahr (D-2) argued delaying the one-time maintenance of the tennis courts for what in some cases would be ongoing costs would not be responsible. With Clauder absent, Bahr spoke directly to Arata-Fratta. “Some of the other amendments that you and Tom have are ongoing expenditures,” he said. “And so if you take the maintenance for this and delay it to next year, and then add additional money for staffing or whatever else that’s ongoing, you have compounded cost because next year … you’re paying to replace the fence and you’re also adding a staff person.”

Postponing park work

Both Arata-Fratta and Clauder argued replacing the tennis court fences and delaying the utility enclosure repair shouldn’t be the highest priority. But they didn’t collaborate on the amendments, Arata-Fratta told alders with a laugh. Even though it’s in her district, she said, the McKee Farms Park projects are two that can wait, while other initiatives take precedent. “It’s a park I really care about,” she said. “I live three blocks away from the park, so I know these tennis courts very well. The complaints I

Open house for comp plan set for Nov. 20 KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

The City of Fitchburg will hold an open house for the updated comprehensive plan draft this month. The comprehensive plan is a guide that provides a 20-year outlook on the future of a city’s growth, economic development and future financial investments. It is required by state law to be updated every 10 years. The update will be available for review and public input at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Common Council chambers at City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road. The plan has been scheduled to be passed by the April 2020 election. The council chose the abbreviated timeline for the comp plan update this summer. The draft of the comp plan was discussed at five community meetings this

fall throughout the city. It features a simplified format, dropping the number of sections in the document from 13 to four and reducing or eliminating duplicate information. Other municipalities have chosen different routes to their required updates under the so-called Smart Growth law, passed in 1999. Some are rebuilding them from scratch; others, like Verona, chose to reaffirm their existing plans with an eye on rebuilding after data comes out from the 2020 U.S. Census. For information, call community development planner Wade Thompson at 270-4258, or email him at wade.thompson@fitchburgwi.gov. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@ wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberly_wethal.​

receive about the tennis courts is not about the fence, but it’s about the cracks on the Amendment Proposed by Savings (cost) floors.” Delay tennis court fence maintenance at McKee Farms Park Clauder $25,000 The replacement for the tennis court fence came as Delay tennis court fence maintenance at McKee Farms Park Arata-Fratta $25,000 a recommendation from the Delay migration of city data to OneNeck Clauder $15,000 city’s insurance company Delay replacement of utility enclosure at McKee Farms Park Clauder $5,000 because of the potential for tripping or lacerations from Delay replacement of utility enclosure at McKee Farms Park Arata-Fratta $5,000 the fence. Wooden boards line Prioritize resurfacing of Briarwood subdivision interior streets Clauder $0 the bottom of the fence to preAdd a part-time code enforcement inspector Clauder ($44,465) vent balls from going underneath, city parks and recreIncrease Healthy Neighborhood Initiative grant funding Arata-Fratta ($15,000) ation director Scott Endl said. Reclassify three full-time firefighters to lieutenants Clauder ($13,544) “If (the fence is) turning up, Add funding to hire a consultant to look at reimbursement for council members, the mayor or those kind of things, that it could, in theory, people could and municipal judge Arata-Fratta ($4,800) get snagged on it,” he told Add back the filing fee for the Affordable Care Act Arata-Fratta ($750) the council. “With the boards there, I think that concern is Update debt service amounts based on actual issuance Staff TBD mitigated.” Bahr argued meeting the important,” she said. “It’s an insurance company’s recomincredibly valuable program mendation would be smart. for communities that need it more than anyone else in the Investing in City of Fitchburg staff are investigating if a Healthy city, who needs a little extra neighborhoods boost.” Neighborhoods Initiative grant given to Chapel Valley Arata-Fratta wants to see Church might be a violation of the First Amendment. more city funds used to bol- Meeting ster neighborhood initiatives. staffing demands A $10,000 grant was awarded to Chapel Valley Church Her amendment would Clauder’s amendments for secular community events that were not for religious make fund the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative attempted to fund some of the purposes during the last application cycle. The grant grant program $5,000 higher personnel requests Richardhasn’t been paid to the church yet. than the year before, but still son’s budget does not include. A full-time code enforceAccording to a Nov. 1 news release from the Freedom $10,000 short of the requested amount by the committee, of ment inspector was requestfrom Religion Foundation, church leaders described the ed by the building inspecwhich Arata-Fratta sits on. event, called the Daniel Project in June, as an opportunity The HNI funding began tion department, but Clauder to “bring the light of Jesus, in us, wherever we go.” three years ago, replacing a acknowledged in his amend$50,000 grant formerly given ment documents that finding Mayor Aaron Richardson said city staff is doing its reto the Boys and Girls Club the money for that would be a search and speaking to alders who attended the event challenge. from the city. to determine if the church violated its pledge to keep the Clauder wrote in his HNI is working in three difamendment that the increase event secular. ferent communities in Fitchburg that have residents with in building permits justilower socioeconomic status- fies the addition of the code data to OneNeck and using he would have talked to me,” es, Arata-Fratta said, and the enforcement position. The fire department lieu- the remainder of the levy he said. “What I would have committee hopes to add a tenant promotions were limit capacity, which togeth- recommended to Tom if he fourth. “This is a great initiative; approved in 2015 and sched- er equals a little more than was looking to help staff somewhere, there’s a position uled for 2018 but never $46,000. they really need it,” she said. Richardson said if the city that’s two-thirds funded by Ald. Dorothy Krause (D-1) occurred because funding agreed with Arata-Fratta’s wasn’t included in the budget. is going to add personnel, the the water utility.” Email reporter Kimberly Clauder proposed paying addition of a code enforcesuggestion saying she dislikes Wethal at kimberly.wethal@ seeing the program’s funding for those additions through ment inspector isn’t the right wcinet.com and follow her on delaying park maintenance way to go. decrease each year. “This is one where I wish Twitter @kimberly_wethal.​ “ I t ’ s g e t t i n g m o r e and the migration of the city’s

Amendment proposals 2020

City looking at HNI funds

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November 8, 2019

Opinion

Fitchburg Star

Legislative opinion

Clean drinking water a right From the very beginning of Gov. Tony Evers’ term, he made his priorities clear by declaring 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water. During his State of the State address in January, he promoted investing millions of dollars to address water quality, from replacing lead service lines to addressing manure contamination in Wisconsin. Many of our communities face challenges that threaten their health and safety due to polluted drinking water. That’s why Democrats are committed to strengthening clean water protections and addressing this public health crisis. While Evers proposed a bold budget that reflected the voices of the people, who simply want clean and safe drinking water, there is still a long road ahead. Every Wisconsinite should be able to drink water from their tap, but for a lot of people, that is not the reality. Legislative Democrats recently introduced a list of priorities – “Forward Together.” This agenda includes many of the areas that Democrats will be focusing on this fall, including clean water. Below are the Democrat’s top priorities for clean water: · Replace lead pipes to ensure clean drinking water · Promote sustainable water management practices for family farms · Help homeowners fix contaminated wells · Limit runoff pollution from large industrial farms · Prevent toxic PFAS

contamination The 2019-2021 budget invests more than $32.65 million in improving water quality. While these investments are essential, there is still more we can do. More than twothirds of Wisconsin residents use groundwater for drinking water, through a private well or public water system, and it is our job to enact standards and regulations to protect that supply. One of the ways Evers invested in improving water quality was through increasing bonding authority for Soil and Water Resource Management. He was successful in increasing bonding by $7 million.This program, which is administered by DATCP, provides assistance to farmers to implement conservation practices and reduce pollution from agriculture. This protects our natural resources and increases long-term farm profitability. Additionally, in July, Evers signed an executive order relating to addressing lead poisoning in Wisconsin. The executive order directs the Department of Health Services (DHS) to address this crisis in a robust and comprehensive way through a multi-pronged approach, and to promote collaboration among departments and community organizations to prevent, treat, remove, abate, and survey lead efforts. Sen. Jon Erpenbach represents the 27th district of Wisconsin, which includes western portion of Dane County, as well as portions of Green, Iowa, Sauk and Columbia counties.

Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 • Vol. 6, No. 9 Periodical Postage Paid, Verona, WI and additional offices. Published monthly on Friday by the Unified Newspaper Group, A Division of Woodward Communications, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send Address Corrections to The Fitchburg Star, 133 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI 53593.

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Healthy Living

You’re not cheating if it’s allowed

H

old on tight, the rush of holidays is upon us! From Halloween and Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Year’s, there are a lot of festivities, food and fun ahead. For some, this brings about great excitement – a chance to embrace each and every party. But for others, it can be a source of anxiety and fear, especially when it comes to what to eat. This anxiety can be the result of food guilt – the feeling we sometimes get after eating foods we think we “shouldn’t” be eating or after eating too much. It’s as though we’ve done something wrong when we chose to eat the fudge, mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie, even though there’s nothing inherently wrong with eating these foods at all. While some people try to resist the fun foods and keep to a strict diet during the holidays, many of the individuals I know treat the holidays like “cheat days.” They throw in the towel for that one day (or week), eating as much as they want of the foods they wouldn’t normally allow themselves to eat. They tell themselves they can enjoy all of these foods guilt-free since it’s a cheat day and they’ll resume their healthy eating afterwards. However, we can change our perspective and acknowledge that cookies, cinnamon rolls and stuffing are all part of a healthy diet. Having a healthy diet doesn’t mean we need to deprive ourselves of all foods that taste good – the ones that bring back

fond memories, warmth and comfort. For me, those are homemade chocolates and Oreo truffles. Having a “cheat day” makes it sound like Hoerr healthy eating is a punishment. But when you look at healthy eating as a way to enjoy all foods, it’s no longer an either/ or. You can have the salad and the cookie anytime – not just on your “cheat day.” Depriving ourselves of these indulgent foods can lead to resentment or obsessively thinking about them, eventually causing us to binge on the foods later (aka your “cheat day”). This brings about guilt, shame and overall negative feelings that only further increases our stress. This unhealthy relationship with food isn’t helping us any more than if we consciously indulged in our favorite foods. Life is about balance – even (or especially) during the holidays. Instead of having cheat days – which imply you’re doing something wrong for having the food – enjoy conscious indulgences. As the name implies, this doesn’t mean you’re just mindlessly eating all the things. You’re consciously making a choice to savor, enjoy and appreciate the flavors of the foods you selected to have. Giving yourself the freedom to have these foods can actually create more enjoyment, since you’re

not constantly thinking about how you shouldn’t be eating it and feeling guilty before you even finish it. You might even notice that you’re satisfied sooner. Once the food is no longer off limits and you know the food is always going to be there, the urge to have as much as you can isn’t there anymore. Indulge mindfully. Ask yourself why you want the special item and if right now is a time when you’ll be able to thoroughly enjoy and savor it. If not, save it for later. It’s not off limits, but you’ll get maximum enjoyment from it when you’re hungry, not distracted and can have a chance to sit down and notice how each bite tastes. A healthy diet isn’t all or nothing. It includes balance, variety and moderation. You don’t have to give up your favorite foods; you can enjoy your holiday favorites, without overdoing it and regretting your choices the next day. Once you consciously make the decision to have the special food, enjoy it! You’re not cheating and don’t need to feel guilty when the food is allowed. Kara Hoerr, MS, RDN, CD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Kara Hoerr Nutrition. Visit karahoerrnutrition.com, email kara@karahoerrnutrition. com or call 608-620-4461. This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

Consider moving on from gas-powered small engines; try battery-powered instead

G

rowing up in the 1980s, like most boys, I was introduced to using the family’s gas-powered lawnmower and snow blower. Like many boys in a small town, my first paid job was grass mowing and snow removal for neighbors. Then, I started mowing for my summer job by working at the local golf course for several summers. Now in my 40s, I continue to enjoy mowing and snow removal at my Fitchburg residence, as they root back to me providing a service of value in my community. This year, I made significant changes to my lifelong practice of using gas-powered small engines. When my gas-powered snow blower and lawnmower each reached the end of their respective life cycles, I replaced them with battery-powered alternatives. I was inspired to make a change after seeing several different people using battery-powered alternatives in my neighborhood. Before I could make the switch, I needed to get answers to my questions on whether these items could be functional for my needs. I had questions related to power, battery duration, and cost. My initial research was simply observing their performance and talking to neighbors about their battery-powered experience. But I also wanted to understand how much of a difference my potential purchases could make on the emissions. I was somewhat surprised to learn that my two-stroke snow blower put out significantly more emissions than the larger fourstroke cousin, which typically produces one-tenth of the pollutants

and by using a wider path, also cuts down the workload time. I had been a user of smaller 2-stroke snow blowers since the 1980s. According to the EPA, the average snow blower creates about one pound of carbon monoxide emissions per hour. It’s the equivalent of driving a car for 70 miles. For gas mowers, the EPA indicates that one gas mower emits 87 pounds of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and 54 pounds of other pollutants into the air every year. And refueling lawn and garden equipment results in more than 17 million gallons of gas spilled each year — more oil than spilled by the Exxon Valdez! I started with a battery-powered snow blower, powered by two 7.5 amp batteries. When neighbors asked about my snow blower, I advocated for battery-powered small engines out of the gate for factors I hadn’t thought much about during the purchase. For example, due to its low noise, I could remove snow earlier in the mornings after an overnight snow without worrying about disturbing sleeping neighbors. And my ears weren’t ringing when I finished the job. I appreciated that I would no longer need to have my snow blower tuned up or serviced each year. I also appreciated no longer needing to manage gas remaining in the equipment or storage containers before a long summer layoff. Most of all, I was most

thankful to no longer smell like gasoline or breathe in the gasoline vapors during snow removal. My only stumbling block was running out of battery power after about 35 minutes and needing to recharge. I soon realized to not get carried away doing more than my share of neighborhood sidewalks before clearing the end of the driveway. I decided the battery duration issue was a small sacrifice for all of the other benefits. When my lawnmower seized up early in a mow job early this past summer, I knew it was time to move to a battery-powered on the lawnmower as well. For many of the same reasons, I was a fan of the battery-powered lawnmower from the beginning. I found the lawnmower battery duration to be a non-issue with my particular model, since the one 7.5-amp battery is interchangeable with my two snow blower lithium batteries. Charging time has typically been 30 to 40 minutes. Overall, I am quite satisfied with making the transition from gas-powered to battery-powered small engine equipment. My goal now is to tackle transitioning to other battery-powered small engine equipment (weed trimmer, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower). When you make your next small engine purchase, consider looking at battery-powered equipment to help keep our air cleaner in Fitchburg. Chris Jimieson serves on Fitchburg’s Resource Conservation Commission and is a geological engineer at SCS Engineers in Madison. He lives in Swan Creek with his wife and their 10-year-old son.

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November 8, 2019

Fitchburg Star

5

Patten comes to UNG Renee Hickman joins UNG Patten also spent a year in AmeriCorps, stationed in Decorah, Iowa. His term had NEAL PATTEN him serving as a member of Unified Newspaper Group Green Iowa, headquartered out Neal Patten has joined the staff of Unified of the University of Northern Newspaper Group. He will be the new comIowa’s Center for Energy and munity reporter for Fitchburg and Verona. Patten moves to the Madison area from Environmental Education.

Dubuque, Iowa, where he had been the director of marketing and public relations at Shalom Spirituality Center. Shalom, owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque, is a former Catholic convent that has been turned into an interfaith retreat center. Patten helped to promote the center’s spiritual programPatten ming such as yoga, tai chi, prayer and mindfulness. A Southwest Wisconsin native, Patten attended the E.W. Scripps School Of Journalism at Ohio University. For two years he studied advertising before having a change of heart at the end of his sophomore year, which led him to pursue magazine journalism instead. During college, he and a friend co-founded Brick Beats Magazine, which covered local music and area concerts. He was editor-inchief for three issues, before stepping-down to become the Lifestyles and People section editor at College Green Magazine, a student-run environmental journalism blog. Patten has past history with Woodward Communications. In high school, he wrote weekly movie reviews for three years for the now-defunct Weekender, a feature-based community paper in Platteville. In 2009, Patten was the recipient of the Telegraph Herald Scholastic Journalist Award, granted annually to two students active in the editorial aspect of newspapers. Patten was the

first Wisconsinite to win the award in its then 16-year history. He fulfilled his senior year of high school job shadow requirement by spending a day at the TH in 2008. Patten also spent a year in AmeriCorps, stationed in Decorah, Iowa. His term had him serving as a member of Green Iowa, headquartered out of the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education. Patten and other service members provided energy usage audits and in-home weatherization services free to the elderly, the mentally/physically differently-abled, veterans and low-income individuals. He was the marketing coordinator, helping promote this service to the Northeast Iowa region. In his free time, Patten loves hiking in the woods, lifting weights, going to concerts and studying the history of animated films/cartoons. He also enjoys creative writing, particularly children’s books. He helps out during summers at Lake Joy Campground, located between Belmont and Mineral Point, which his family has owned and managed since 2001. Patten can be reached at neal.patten@ wcinet.com. Community coverage ideas for the Stoughton area can be sent to communityreporter@wcinet.com, and ideas for Verona can be sent to veronareporter@wcinet. com. Patten can be reached at neal.patten@ wcinet.com.

RENEE HICKMAN

Unified Newspaper Group

Renee Hickman has joined the staff of Unified Newspaper Group. Hickman, who was born in Missouri but raised in Rome, Georgia, has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and an undergraduate degree from the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland. Most recently, Hickman Hickman lived in Ukraine covering politics and culture while completing a Fulbright scholarship, and she has covered politics and agriculture policy at NBC News and Bloomberg, respectively. She also covered state government for the Columbia Missourian and local news at KBIA, the NPR station in Missouri. Before starting in the journalism industry, Hickman previously worked as a fundraiser for nonprofits.

Most recently, Hickman lived in Ukraine covering politics and culture while completing a Fulbright scholarship, and she has covered politics and agriculture policy at NBC News and Bloomberg, respectively.

Hickman is taking on beats held by two reporters. She will be covering the City of Stoughton, taking over for Amber Levenhagen, who died in August, and the City of Verona, taking over for editor Jim Ferolie, who has covered the beat for 13 years and will be taking on more administrative responsibilities. She will be working alongside fellow local government and education reporters Kimberly Wethal, Emilie Heidemann and Scott De Laruelle, with coverage of the communities of Stoughton, Verona, Fitchburg and Oregon. Renee Hickman can be contacted at renee. hickman@wcinet.com.

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Fitchburg teen arrested after causing collision with stolen vehicle At least five people with minor to serious injuries taken to hospitals A 17 year old Fitchburg boy was arrested after causing a four-vehicle collision on Hwy. 51 north of Stoughton around 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. At 9:10 a.m., the boy was driving in a 2011 Ford Edge that had been reported stolen from Stoughton was traveling southbound on Hwy. 51, when he lost control and crossed over into the northbound lane. At least five people were

transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious, but none are believed to be life threatening, according to a news release from the Dane County Sheriff ’s Department. The boy was arrested for operating while intoxicated, causing injury. The incident remains under investigation. State Hwy. 51 was closed in both directions for roughly an hour and a half. Dane County Sheriffs, along with Stoughton and McFarland Police and EMS, responded to the collision. Contact Mackenzie at mackenzie.krumme@ wcinet.com.

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24th Annual

Badger Ridge Middle School

Holiday Art and Craft Sale Date: Saturday, November 9, 2019 Sale Hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Location: Badger Ridge Middle School 740 N. Main St., Verona

• Free food and refreshments, treats from La Concha and more • Giveaways courtesy of Triple M radio • Bucky Badger™ will be celebrating with us from 1-2 p.m. Please consider bringing a nonperishable food donation to support our neighbors, the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Holiday items like sugar, flour, spices and cooking oil are especially welcome.

Many NEW Artisans and Crafters Refreshments and lunch available and NO admission charge! Proceeds from booth fees are donated to the Patrick Pfeffer Memorial: The Badger Ridge and Savanna Oaks Middle Schools’ Challenge Courses

Visit our new full-service branch just off the Beltline at 2885 Fish Hatchery Road for your banking needs. We look forward to serving you!

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Calendar of events Saturday, Nov. 9 • 10-11 a.m., In the news discussion of current events, Fitchburg Public Library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 10-11 a.m., Kids in the kitchen cooking class: Thanksgiving, Hy-Vee, 2920 Fitchrona Road, 273-5120 • 11 a.m. to noon, Friendship bracelets, library, 729-1760 • 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Anti-bullying seminar, Kicks Unlimited, 6111 Cottonwood Drive, 288-8466 • 6:30-10 p.m., Hypheria EP release with White Bush Unicorn and RJ Halstead, Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road, 275-1050

(for teens ages 13-17), Public Library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 6:30-7:30 p.m., Hamilton Tea, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Kamikaze Karaoke, Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co, 2980 Cahill Main, 442-9000

Friday, Nov. 15

• 11 a.m. to noon, Book Boogie, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 7:30-9:30 p.m., The Trophy Husbands Live, Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road #200, 275-1050 • 8-11 p.m., Live music with Dave Shaub, the Thirsty Sunday, Nov. 10 Goat, 3040 Cahill Main, 422• 2-4 p.m., Screening of doc- 5500 umentary “Almost Sunrise: Saturday, Nov. 16 Hope is on the Horizon,” • 9 a.m. to noon,, On the library, 729-1760 Move with Fitchburg RecreMonday, Nov. 11 ation, Fitchburg Recrea tion, 5510 Lacy Road, 270-4285 • 9:30-10 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m., Preschool • 11 a.m. to noon, Bullet Storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Journaling, library, 5530 Road, 729-1760 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 11 a.m. to noon., Veterans • 7:30-9:30 p.m., Live music: Day recognition, senior cen- Sam Grady, Yahara Bay ter, 5510 East Lacy Road, Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road 270-4290 #200, 275-1050 • 6-7 p.m., Knitting Club, Monday, Nov. 18 library, 5530 Lacy Road, • 9:30-10 a.m. and 729-1760 11-11:30 a.m., Preschool • 6-7 p.m., Domino Day, Storytime, library, 5530 Lacy library, 5530 Lacy Road, Road, 729-1760 729-1760 • 4-5 p.m., Afternoon Art & Tuesday, Nov. 12 Crafts, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 •11-11:45 a.m., Lapsit Storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Tuesday,Nov. 19 Road, 729-1760 •11-11:45 a.m., Lapsit Sto• 2-3 p.m., Veterans Day rytime, library, 5530 Lacy celebration, The Waterford Road, 729-1760 at Fitchburg, 5440 Caddis • 5-6:20 p.m., READ to a Bend, 270-9200 • 6-6:30 p.m. Family Pajama Dog, library, 5530 Lacy Storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 6:30-7:30 p.m., Adult Craft Road, 729-1760 Evening, library, 5530 Lacy Wednesday, Nov. 13 Road, 729-1760 • 8-9 a.m., Scripture and Wednesday, Nov. 20 Scones, Memorial United Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy • 8-9 a.m., Scripture and Scones, Memorial United Road, 273-1008 Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy • 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., ComRoad, 273-1008 munity Coworking Day, the •10-11 a.m., Toddler Art, Progress Center for Black library, 5530 Lacy Road, Women, 5936 Seminole 729-1760 Centre Court, 467-6744 • 9:30-11 a.m., Bridges Grief •10-11 a.m., Book DiscusSupport Group, Agrace Grief sion: “Born a Crime,” by Trevor Noah, library, 5530 Lacy Support Center. 2906 MarRoad, 729-1760 ketplace Drive, 327-7110 •10-11 a.m., World Kindness •1:30-3 p.m., caregiver SupDay Toddler Art, library, 5530 port Group, Agrace Grief Support Center. 2906 MarLacy Road, 729-1760 • 6- 6:30 p.m., Book Club for ketplace Drive, 327-7110 Kids (ages 5-8), library, 5530 • 5:45-6:30 p.m., Meditation, Perennial Yoga Studio, 5500 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 6-9 p.m., Concealed Carry E Cheryl Pkwy, 288-8448 • 6-6:30 p.m., Family Pajaclass, Wyndham Garden Fitchburg, 2969 Cahill Main, ma Storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729-1760 274-7200 • 6-7:30 p.m., Bridges Grief • 6:45-7:45 p.m., Book disSupport Group, Agrace Grief cussion: “In Love With the Support Center. 2906 MarWorld: What a Buddhist Monk Can Teach You About ketplace Drive, 327-7110 • 6:30-8 p.m., City-wide Living from Nearly Dying,” Perennial Yoga Studio, 5500 open house on comprehensive plan update, City Hall E Cheryl Pkwy, 288-8448 • 7-8 p.m., Cutting the Cable Council Chambers, 5520 Lacy Road Cord, library, 5530 Lacy • 6:30- 8 p.m., Bob Ross Road, 729-1760 • 7-8 p.m., Book Club @ the Paint Night, library, 5530 Pub: “When Death Becomes Lacy Road, 729-1760 Life: Notes from a Transplant Thursday, Nov. 21 Surgeon,” by Dr. Joshua • 10:30-11:15 a.m., Pediatric Mezrich, Great Dane, 2980 Therapy Centers for books Cahill Main, 729-1760 storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 Thursday, Nov. 14 • 1-1:45 p.m., Bouncing • 1-3 p.m., Screening of “Almost Sunrise: Hope is on Babies, library, 5530 Lacy the Horizon,” senior center, Road, 729-1760 5510 East Lacy Road, 729- • 6- 6:40 p.m., Book club for 1760 Tweens (ages 9-12), library, • 6-7 p.m., Cupcake Wars 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760

• 8 p.m., Madison Area Down Syndrome Society November Dad’s Night Out, Me & Julio Madison 2784 S. Fish Hatchery Road, 6927653 • 6-9 p.m., Batman Miniatures Game Open Play, Noble Knight Games, 2835 Commerce Park Dr., 7589901

Friday, Nov. 22 • 11a.m. to noon, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 4-5p.m., Make homemade flavored popcorn (ages 13-17), library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760| • 6:30 p.m., Live music: Lo Marie, Liliana’s Restaurant, 2951 Triverton Pike Dr., 4424444 • 7:30-9:30 p.m., Live music: Nick Venturella, Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road, 275-1050

Saturday, Nov. 23 • 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wish Upon A Star Gymnastics Invitational, Gymfinity Gymnastics, Fitness and Tumbling, 6300 Nesbitt Road, 848-3547 • 10:30-11:30 a.m., Thanksgiving crafts, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 •1-5 p.m., Madison Gaymers, Noble Knight Games, 2835 Commerce Park Dr., 758-9901 •8-9:30 p.m., Comedy night, Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road, 275-1050

4444 • 8 -11 p.m., Live music: Shekinah King, the Thirsty Goat, 3040 Cahill Main, 4225500

Saturday, Nov. 30 • 10-11 a.m., In the News discussion of current events, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 5 p.m., Old Fashioned Holiday Art Market, Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road, 275-1050

Monday, Dec. 2 • 9:30-10 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m., Preschool Storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760

Tuesday, Dec. 3 • 7:45-9 a.m., Capital Region vision presentation, Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce, 5421 Caddis Bend, 288-8284 • 11-11:45 a.m., Lapsit storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 • 4-5 p.m., Build a Boat for Kids (ages 5-12), library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760

• 7:30-9:30 p.m., live music: library, 5530 Lacy Road, Linn Jennings, Yahara Bay 729-1760 Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road, Monday, Dec. 16 275-1050 • 11 to noon, Holiday Crafts Saturday, Dec. 7 (for children ages 2-5), • 10 a.m. to noon, Greylibrary, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729hound Meet and Greet, 1760 Greyhound Pets of Amer• 4-5 p.m., Holiday Mug Art ica-Wisconsin, 5350 King (for ages 5-12), library, 5530 James Way, 414-299-9473 Lacy Rd, 729-1760

Wednesday, Dec. 11 • 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Community Coworking Day, the Progress Center for Black Women, 5936 Seminole Centre Court, 467-6744 • 10-11 a.m., Toddler Art (for ages 1-3), library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729-1760 • 5:45-6:30 p.m., Meditation, Perennial Yoga Studio, 5500 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Ste 101A, 288-8448 • 6-6:30 p.m., Book Club (for ages 5-8), library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729-1760 • 6-7 p.m., Legos for Grownups, library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729-1760

Thursday, Dec. 12

Tuesday, Dec. 17 • 10-11 a.m., Preschool art, library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 7291760 • 5-6:20 p.m., READ to a Dog, library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729-1760

Wednesday, Dec. 18 • 10-11 a.m., Toddler Art (for children ages 1-3), library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729-1760 • 10-11 a.m., Wednesday morning book discussion: “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,” by Gail Honeyman, library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729-1760 • 1:30-3 p.m., caregiver Support Group, Agrace Grief Support Center. 2906 Marketplace Dr., 327-7110 • 5:45-6:45 p.m., Circle of Sacred Activism, Perennial Yoga Studio, 5500 E. Cheryl Pkwy, 288-8448 • 6-6:30 p.m., Family pajama storytime, library, 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760

• 11 a.m. to noon, Cookbook Club cookie exchange, Wednesday, Dec. 4 library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729• 10-11 a.m., Blanket Fort 1760 Play Time, library, 5530 Lacy • 3-4 p.m., Knitting Club, Road, 729-1760 library, 5530 Lacy Rd, 729• 4-5 p.m., Family Holiday 1760 Movie Trivia, library, 5530 Friday, Dec. 13 Lacy Road, 729-1760 Thursday, Dec. 19 • 4:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m., Movie: • 7-8 p.m., Alexa, Google, • 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m., Nightmare Before ChristSiri: Smart Speakers 101, mas,” library, 5530 Lacy Rd, Pediatric Therapy Centers library, 5530 Lacy Road, for books Storytime, library, 729-1760 729-1760 • 6-9 p.m., Live music: Myles 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 Thursday, Dec. 5 • 1-1:45 p.m. Bouncing Talbott Dyad, the Thirsty • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., A Babies, library, 5530 Lacy Goat, 3040 Cahill Main, 422Monday, Nov. 25 Good Yarn Book Club: “The 5500 Road, 729-1760 • 9:30-10 a.m. and Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht,” • 3:45-7 p.m., Society for Saturday, Dec. 14 11-1:30 a.m., Preschool library, 5530 Lacy Road, Marketing Professional SerStorytime, library, 5530 Lacy 729-1760 • 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Annual vices Ugly Sweater Holiday Road, 729-1760 Winter Art Show, Fitchburg • 1-1:45 p.m., Bouncing Social, Yahara Bay Distillers, Farms, 1839 County Road Babies, library, 5530 Lacy 6250 Nesbitt Road, smpTuesday, Nov. 26 MM, 819-6693 Road, 729-1760 swisconsin.org • 6:30-8:30 p.m., Give • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Photos • 4-5 p.m., Deck the Halls! • 6-9 p.m., Batman MinThanks Community Meal, with Santa, the Progress iatures Game Open Play, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane (for children ages 5-12), Center for Black Women, library, 5530 Lacy Road, Noble Knight Games, 2835 County, 4619 Jenewein 5936 Seminole Centre 729-1760 Commerce Park Dr., 758Road, 257-2606 Court, 467-6744 • 6-8 p.m., First Thursday 9901 Wednesday, Nov. 27 Films: “Rocketman,” library, • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Drop-In Friday, Dec. 20 • 8-9 a.m., Scripture and 5530 Lacy Road, 729-1760 Holiday Crafts, library, 5530 • 7-10 p.m., live music: Ryan Lacy Road, 729-1760 Scones, Memorial United Friday, Dec. 6 Mauer & Jaye Barbeau, Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Holiday Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 • 3:20-8 p.m., 12th annual Road, 273-1008 Pop Up Shop at the DistillNesbitt Road, Pinnacle Indoor Triathlon, ery, Yahara Bay Distillers, • 9:30-11 a.m., Bridges Grief Saturday, Dec. 21 6250 Nesbitt Road, 275Support Group, Agrace Grief Pinnacle Health & Fitness, 5973 Executive Dr., 278• 11:00 a.m.-noon, Shaving 1050 Support Center. 2906 Mar8118 Crea.m. Art, , library, 5530 ketplace Dr., 327-7110 • 3-4 p.m., Perler Beads, • 7-8:30 p.m., Qoya Dance: Lacy Road, 729-1760 library, 5530 Lacy Road, • 5:45-6:45 p.m., Circle of Yoga Feminine Movement, Sunday, Dec. 22 729-1760 Sacred Activism, Perennial • 2-3:30 p.m., Kids Holiday Yoga Studio, 5500 E Cheryl Perennial Yoga Studio, 5500 Sunday, Dec. 15 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Ste 101A, Movie, library, 5530 Lacy Pkwy, 288-8448 288-8448 • 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m., Cookie Road, 729-1760 Thursday, Nov. 28 Decorating and Crafting, • 8:30-11 a.m., 16th Annual Berbee Derby Thanksgiving Day 10K run and 5K Run/ Walk, Fitchburg Business Park, 571-5576 • 2:30-4:30 p.m., On Our Own Thanksgiving dinner, Sharing Active Independent 16 YEARS OF AWARD-WINNING PIZZA. Lives, 6261 Nesbitt Road, 230-4321 $ • 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., after 9 Kamikaze Karaoke, Great Cheese Bread with any 16 6” One-Topping Pizza $25 order or more. Dane Pub & Brewing Co, Va alid Only After 9 p.m. 2980 Cahill Main, 442-9000 Online code: CHEESE O Online code: 9991T

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Friday, Nov. 29 • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Black Friday Parent’s Day Out, Gymfinity Gymnastics, Fitness & Tumbling, 6300 Nesbitt Road, 848-3547 • 11 a.m. Old Fashioned Holiday Art Market, Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road, 275-1050 • 6:30 p.m., Live music: Lo Marie, Liliana’s Restaurant, 2951 Triverton Pike Dr., 442-

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November 8, 2019

Documentary screening

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov .10, the library will screen the documentary “Almost Sunrise: Hope is on the Horizon.” Nominated for an Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Current-Affairs Documentary, it follows veterans’ Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, Wisconsin natives, on their 2,700-mile walk across America in an effort to confront the invisible wounds of war. At 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, there will be a second screening of the documentary, held at the senior center, 5510 E. Lacy Road. For information, call 7291760.

Recognizing veterans Join a Veterans Day Recognition at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the senior center. The Vietnam War will be the highlight of this year’s Fitchburg Singers program. The morning will also feature Eagle School students. Lunch will follow the program and include BBQ ribs, cheesy potatoes and pumpkin pie. Reservations are required for the meal. For information, call the senior center at 270-4290.

Community coworking day The Progress Center for Black Women is hosting a Community Coworking Day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 5936 Seminole Centre Court. For information, call 4676744.

Join a book discussion from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the library. Participants will read and discuss “Born a Crime,” by comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah. For information, call 7291760.

Bob Ross Paint Night Join a Bob Ross Paint Night from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the library. Paint like the late PBS show host, who specialized in landscapes and a blending technique involving wet paint on a blank canvas to help with blending various colors. For information, call 7291760.

Dad’s Night Out The Madison Area Down Syndrome Society is putting on its November Dad’s Night Out starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at 2784 Fish Hatchery Road. Attendees will meet at Me and Julio. Fathers, grandfathers and male caregivers welcome. For information, visit madss.org.

Homemade popcorn Craving one of the healthiest snacks you can make? Visit a homemade flavored popcorn making event from 4-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the library. Geared toward ages 13-17. For information, call 7291760.

Thanksgiving crafts

A Thanksgiving crafts event recommended for Cupcake wars ages 2-5 is from 10:30Teens ages 13-17 are invit- 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. ed to partake in cupcake wars 23, at the library. For information, call 729from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, 1760. Nov. 14, at the library. Participants will use their creative skills to decorate Community meal a cupcake inspired by their Enjoy family, fun and favorite book, graphic novel food at the “Give Thanks or comic. Community Meal,” orgaFor information, call 729- nized by the Boys and Girls 1760. Club of Dane County 6:308:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, On the move at the Allied Family Center Fitchburg Recreation is Boys and Girls Club, 4619 hosting an On the Move Jenewein Road. The dinner is free and event from 9 a.m. to noon

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open to the public. Menu includes turkey, dressing “and all the fixin’s.” For information call the Boys and Girls Club at 2049722.

Thanksgiving run Run off your Thanksgiving calories at the 16th annual Berbee Derby 8:3011 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. The run starts at the Fitchburg Business Park, 5500 E Cheryl Pkwy. There is a 10-kilometer run and 5-kilometer run. Walkers and joggers are also welcome. Pre-race kids activities are set for the morning and food will be served after the run is complete. All proceeds benefit the Te c h n o l o g y E d u c a t i o n Foundation. For information, visit berbeederby.com.

Black Friday day out Shop kid-free during the Black (and Red) Friday Parent’s Day Out from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Gymfinity Gymnastics, 6300 Nesbitt Road. Kids will enjoy a day of games, gym time, crafts and lunch while parents Christmas shop. Bringing a labeled water bottle is encouraged. For information, visit gymfinity.com.

Holiday market

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County Hwy. MM. The art show takes place inside the farm’s greenhouse. There are 60 spots available for vendors, and they fill up quickly. For information, visit fitchburgfarms.com.

Photos with Santa The Progress Center for Black Women is hosting a “photos with Santa” event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at The Progress Center for Black Women, 5936 Seminole Centre Court. A photographer will be at the center to take photos of people with Santa, young or old. There will also be holiday crafts and sweet treats. Registration is required. For information, call the center at 467-6744.

Holiday shop A “pop-up” Holiday craft shop is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road. There will be a variety of local vendors and artists selling holiday items. For information, call the distillery at 275-1050.

Cookie decorating Lindsay Koch invites children ages 5 and up to a “Cookie Decorating and Crafting,” class 10-11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the library. Known as “The Baking Realtor,” she will guide participants through the decorating process. Registration is required. For tickets, visit eventbrite. com For information, call the library at 729-1760.

The third annual Holiday Market returns to Yahara Bay Distillery. The two day event is set for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Local artists include Goldie Bennet and The Bohemian Bauble. Coffee will be available Holiday crafts for shoppers. For information, call the Enjoy making a holiday distillery at 275-1050. craft with your toddler from 11 a.m. to noon, Monday, Deck the Halls Dec. 16, at the library. Parents are welcome to Kick off the December with a garland making party bring their child, ages 2 to 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 5, and help them create a decoration. at the library. For information, call the Organizers have gathered craft supplies for par- library at 729-1760. ticipants can create “fun holiday garlands perfect Mug art for around the tree, draped Kids ages 5-12 can perfrom the banister, hung in s o n a l i z e a c o ff e e m u g the doorway or taped to the 4-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, wall down the hall.” at the library. The event is for ages 5 to Organizers provide all the 12. necessary materials includFor information, call the ing the mug and Sharpies. library at 729-1760. Participants will have to bake the mug at home to Annual winter art ensure the Sharpie design does not come off. show Registration is required. The annual Winter Art For information, call the Show returns 9 a.m. to youth services desk, 7293:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 1762. at Fitchburg Farms, 1839

Photo by Kimberly Wethal

Santa listens as Jaiden Jones, 3, tells him what he wants for Christmas last year during the 32nd Annual Children’s Holiday Party .

Children’s Holiday Party set for Dec. 8 Visit Santa early this holiday season at the annual Children’s Holiday Party organized by the City of Fitchburg. The event in its 33rd year is set for the second Sunday in December. Fa m i l i e s a r e w e l c o m e from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Fitchburg Community Center, 5510 Lacy Road. Videos of children with

Santa are available by request. In addition to sitting with Santa, children can run off their excess energy with an inflatable playground. There will also be face paintings, crafts and hot chocolate. For information, visit fitchburgchamber.com Contact Mackenzie at mackenzie.krumme@ wcinet.com.

If You Go What: Children’s Holiday Party When: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Where: Fitchburg Community Center, 5510 Lacy Road Info: fitchburgchamber.com

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Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Fitchburg Community CenFrom 6:30-10p.m. Sat- ter, 5510 Lacy Road. urday, Nov. 9, Warm Glow For information, call 270Studios celebrates the release 4285. of a new EP by the band Hypheria at Yahara Bay Dis- ‘Scripture and Scones’ tillers, 6250 Nesbitt Road. The Memorial United The Madison-based group Church of Christ is hosting describe their genre as “alien a Scripture and Scones event funk,” combining elements from 8-9 a.m. Wednesday, of funk, rock, jazz and sound Nov. 20, at 5705 Lacy Road. design. It will include discussions They will be joined by about the Bible and upcomMadison music group White ing Sunday services. Bush Unicorn and JanesFor information, call the ville singer/songwriter RJ church at 273-1008. Halstead. For information, call 352- Trevor Noah book 9276. discussion

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Fitchburg Star

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November 8, 2019

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Fitchburg Star

‘Get festive with Agora’ ‘Sipping for Scholars’ The Fitchburg-Verona Rotary Club is hosting its Sipping for Scholars wine tasting fundraiser next week, the proceeds for which go to scholarships for Verona Area School District students. The fundraiser is set for 6:308:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Yahara Bay Distillery, 6250 Nesbitt Road #200.

Rein in the holiday spirit with free carriage rides at the, “Get Festive with Agora” event 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at The Agora shopping center at 5500 East Cheryl Pkwy. Organized by the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce, the annual event features a photo booth, appetizers, desserts and holiday music. During the evening, visitors can also enjoy a luminary lighting benefit for Agrace Hospice Care. Contact Mackenzie at mackenzie. krumme@wcinet.com.

If You Go

If You Go What: Get Festive with Agora When: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 Where: 5500 East Cheryl Prkwy Info: agorafitchburg.com

Photo by Samantha Christian

Trees are decked out with holiday lights at Get Festive with Agora.

What: Stop the Bleed training When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 Where: Verona Public Library Info: stopthebleed.org

Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door. Search Sipping for Scholars on Eventbrite to purchase online. The public is invited to the distillery for an evening of wine andfood. Barriques will provide the wine. There will be a silent auction including hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates and wine.

If You Go What: Sipping for Scholars Wine Tasting Fundraiser When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 Where: Yahara Bay Distillery, 6250 Nesbitt Road Info: fitchburgveronarotaryclub.org

Training for emergencies A handful of people gathered at the Fitchburg Public Library on Oct. 29 for Stop the Bleed training led by Fitch-Rona EMS deputy chief Jeff Dostalek. Dostalek demonstrated how to control bleeding in an emergency situation until first responders are able to take care of the injured person. He showed people the skills and basic tools needed to stop bleeding, showing them on a dummy and then having

them try tourniquets on one another. The Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign led by the American College of Surgeons, which claims to have trained more than 1 million people on the technique. The next Stop the Bleed training will be held at the Verona Public Library at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. Registration is required. For information, visit stopthebleed. org.

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November 8, 2019

Fitchburg Star

9

City of Fitchburg

Mayor honors community members, Promega with awards Mayoral awards given out for first time Mayor Aaron Richardson honored three significant influencers on the Fitchburg community with a set of inaugural awards last month. At a mayoral awards event on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Fitchburg Senior Center, around a dozen city officials, local business owners and supporters of the honorees were present while Jeanie Sieling, Michael Zimmerman and the Promega Corporation were recognized for their service to the city. Sieling is a former mayor of Fitchburg and Zimmerman is its first and only economic development director. Richardson said all three honorees have made the city of Fitchburg the place it is today. Sieling, who updated the city’s recycling and its library and senior center projects during her tenure, said she was “just amazed” to

receive her award on Oct. 16. “I didn’t expect it,” she told the Star. Zimmerman has been with the city for 24 years, in which he has worked on various projects and developments. His position as economic development director was created in 1995. “I was surprised, honored and humbled, as there are many deserving city staff,” he wrote the Star in an email. Promega Corporation vice president of corporate affairs Penny Patterson told the Star that “to be recognized in the company of people like Jeanie Sieling and Mike Zimmerman is very special.” “These are people who brought heart and dedication to the continued growth and good health of the Fitchburg community,” she said. The biopharmaceutical company has worked with the city to help manage its stormwater runoff, in

Jeanie Sieling, former mayor of Fitchburg, accepts her mayoral award from current mayor Aaron Richardson. addition to promoting sustainable practices, Patterson said. It also plays a part in events like the Fitchburg Farmers Market and Agora art fair. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie. heidemann@wcinet.com or follow Photos by Emilie Heidemann her on Twitter at @HeidemannEm- Micheal Zimmerman, city economic development director, offers some ilie. words after receiving his mayoral award.

Former city, town leader Doug Morrissette dies at age 84 Was Fitchburg mayor from 1993-99 NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group

Former mayor Doug Morrissette, and current mayor Aaron Richardson are linked in more ways than just having shared the same role. Richardson’s first job was as a grocery bagger at Fauerbach’s Fine Foods, where he worked alongside Doug’s wife M a r y, w h o was a clerk. In the coming months, Morrissette there’ll be another connection between them: Richardson will give a proclamation honoring Doug, who died on Oct. 16, with a special resolution opening a city council meeting. Richardson will invite past council members and mayors to recognize all that Doug did for Fitchburg. “It was obviously a big loss of someone who had a big impact on the community,” Richardson said.

Doug was a town chair for Fitchburg from 19751981, and he later as served as mayor from 1993-1999. He and Mary lived in Fitchburg for 48 years, building one of the first houses on Pembroke Drive in 1971, at a time when Fitchburg was just forming and the street was still surrounded by cornfields. Mary died in February. Their daughter, Jean Morrissette, a kindergarten teacher who now lives in Texas, said she believes a broken heart might have contributed to his passing. “It was difficult for him to continue living in that house without Mom,” she told the Star. “He tried to put on a brave face, but the upcoming holidays were going to be hard.” They were married in New Richmond on Oct. 27, 1956, and were together for nearly 63 years. Fitchburg resident and historian Winnie Lacy was one of many people to speak highly of Doug, telling the Star that she enjoyed being in his company, and that he kept “ a good head on his shoulders.” “I enjoyed his company,” she said. “He did a good

job, he was a clear thinker, he did what he thought needed to be done for the community.” Jean remarked on how many comments she received at her father’s funeral about how fair her father conducted himself as a mayor: He never targeted anyone, defended everyone in a position lower than him and remaining level-headed. Jean was surprised to hear comments like that about her father, she said; that wasn’t exactly how she remembered him while growing up. She said he usually took the hard line as a parent while her mother went easy on her and her siblings. “I was surprised to hear he was like that as town chair and mayor, because as a parent, it was a totally

different thing,” she said. At the funeral, Fitchburg Fire & Police provided an honor guard and an escort the former public servant to the Oak Hall Cemetery. The Oregon-Brooklyn VFW Post provided military honors. Doug served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. During the funeral proceedings last month, Msgr. Thomas Baxter of Good Shepherd Catholic Parish spoke to Doug’s love for the city and its residents, and his dedication to making Fitchburg a better place for future generations. “Doug Morrissette truly lived to make life better for others and all the many gifts he gave to us and countless others will long serve as a testimony to his lifetime of serving and gifting others,”

Msgr. Baxter said during the service. Baxter added that Doug’s final resting place, next to Mary in a cemetery on Fitchburg’s south side along County Hwy. M, was fitting. “Doug Morrissette poured his heart and soul into the betterment of this community and all he did to enrich this community and make it better will be long remembered,” he said during the homily. “The land they so loved and served – Fitchburg – is now to be their final resting place.” Doug’s children moved out of Fitchburg in their adult years. He remained a supportive father, Jean said, as he would make an effort to talk to his four children and five grandchildren regularly. “Tech was hard for him,

but he tried, and was surprisingly good at it,” she said. Jean said she’s proud of her father’s accomplishments as mayor, particularly an initiative to get the recycling program started. It wasn’t something Doug boasted about, she added, but it was something he felt was the correct thing to do. “That was a big one for him, but I remember complaining about having to c l e a n j a r s a n d r e m ove labels,” Jean said. She also was proud of how he campaigned. “He wouldn’t answer critics,” Jean said. “He’d say, ‘people should know me for who I am.’” Neal Patten can be contacted at neal.patten@wcinet. com.

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November 8, 2019

ConnectFitchburg.com

Fitchburg Star

Dreaming of a white Halloween The landscape of Fitchburg was white as a ghost on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 31. A fresh layer of snow covered the city just in time for Halloween, but despite the conditions, it was business as usual for trick-or-treaters throughout the two communities. Samuel Kratz trick or treats with some help from his parents.

On the Web ConnectFitchburg.com

Randy and Vicki Lambe pause in the midst of trick-or-treating.

Photos by Neal Patten

Sophie Trias, dressed as Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc., and Piper Zeroth as Sulley share a laugh as they walk from house to house on Devoro Road. Hudson Curless, dressed as a shark, and Hadley Curless trick-ortreat on Halloween night.

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November 8, 2019

Fitchburg Star

11

Dane County

Pollinator project takes flight at Prairie Learning Center Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area receives educational grant SAMANTHA CHRISTIAN Unified Newspaper Group

Clare Carlson, naturalist with the Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area, points out several bees visiting goldenrod at a small pollinator garden, recently designated as a Monarch Waystation, near the Lussier Family Heritage Center in September.

Photo by Samantha Christian

Clare Carlson, naturalist with the Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area, holds up a sign indicating the area she is standing is the Prairie Learning Center near the Lussier Family Heritage Center. The Friends group received a grant to add interpretive signage about pollinators and prairies. since it “takes longer to establish by just seeds” and the plants are “quite delicate,” she said. The boxes will be located next to the LFHC parking lot, and Carlson said local students plan to help work on them this fall. The Friends group is focused on adding interpretive signage at the edge of the prairie by spring 2020. “When people are already stopping to use the restroom or get water at the Lussier Family Heritage Center, they can walk right over to the Prairie Learning Center and learn on their own and explore, or we could do walks and educational programs with student groups,” Carlson said. “The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is next year, so we’d also like to include information about stewardship work and why it matters.”

The Prairie Learning Center, right, is located between the small pollinator garden, foreground, and the Lussier Family Heritage Center, background. A smaller pollinator garden a few steps between t h e P L C fi e l d a n d t h e LFHC parking lot has been so successful in attracting pollinators that MonarchWatch.org designated it as a Monarch Way Station. The area is also a “bumble bee magnet,” Carson s a i d . T h e U W- A r b o r e tum-trained citizen science project group, the Capital Springs Bumble Bee Brigade, identifies different types and numbers of bees. This prairie garden is

only in its second year, having been created through the Environmental Council of Dane County grant funding, and she hopes people will consider planting their own. To l e a r n m o r e , v i s i t friendsofcapitalsprings.org or danecountyparks.com. Because of an internal miscommunication, the Star used the wrong photos for this package in last month’s issue. Therefore, we are re-running the story in its entirety.

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Obscured by tall grass and milkweed, a noisy wren made its presence known while Clare Carlson, a naturalist with the Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area, explained the significance of a prairie restoration project adjacent to the Lussier Family Heritage Center (LFHC). Just then, a Monarch butterfly flew overhead, landing on brown-eyed Susan flowers that had also caught the attention of several bees. It’s working. “We want to show people that planting natives is not only good for pollinators, but it’s also really beautiful and colorful,” she told the Star. The Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area, created in 2004, will be better equipped to share the benefits of prairies and pollinators using a Friends o f D a n e C o u n t y Pa r k s Endowment grant through the Foundation for Dane County Parks. The group received a grant of $1,706 for the development of educational materials and restoration of the Prairie Learning Center (PLC) at William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park on the northeast side of Fitchburg. Eleven conservation nonprofits, many Dane County Parks Friends g r o u p s , w e r e t h e fi r s t recipients of the endowment grants; awarded a total of $17,284 to support their efforts, according to a county news release. The funds will be used to help provide educational programming, interpretation and enhance volunteerism in local parks. The grant will be used to make the prairie resources in the Capital Springs State Recreation Area “more cohesive,” Carlson said. Funding will be used to purchase tools to construct nursery beds, create interpretive materials and signs for the PLC and add about 40 plant species labels in the nearby Lewis Nine Springs E-Way prairie. A board member with the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association (MAMGA) got the idea to restore the prairie three years ago having seen an increase in invasive plants. “Because it’s so close to the (Lussier Family) Heritage Center, they (MAMGA) took it up as their multi-year capital project,” Carlson said. Volunteers have planted hundreds of prairie plants here in the last few years. To help speed up the process, part of the grant will go toward construction of two nursery seed boxes and hand tools, such as spades, shovels and hoses, to help get the roots strong

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12

November 8, 2019

ConnectFitchburg.com

Fitchburg Star

City, county to partner on Hwy. MM improvements Traffic lights planned at Lacy, McCoy roads KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

Lindsay and Evan Robl, 6, Fitchburg, view some art by Christy Grace.

Photo by Emilie Heidemann

‘Dane Arts Buy Local’ EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

The Dane Arts Buy Local market made its way to Yahara Bay Distillery, 6250 Nesbitt Road earlier this month. Visitors view the pieces of talented painters, sculptors and photographers, all while sampling some wine and other spirits, in addition to other refreshments. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie. heidemann@wcinet.com or follow Kerry Stevens, Madison, and Ann Wichman, Eagle her on Twitter at @ River, take a look at some crafts and knick knacks HeidemannEmilie. at the Dane Arts Buy Local market.

Kite flying for peace

A little more than two months after a motorcyclist died on County Hwy. MM, the City of Fitchburg and Dane County are partnering to improve safety at two intersections along the road. Standing on the Capital City Trail around noon Tuesday, Nov. 5, a few hundred feet from the McCoy Road and Hwy. MM intersection where the 60 year old Stoughton man died in late August after being hit by a driver who failed to yield when making a left turn, Dane C o u n t y E xe c u t ive J o e Parisi and City of Fitchburg Mayor Aaron Richardson announced the upcoming installation of two traffic improvements. The improvements include the installation of traffic lights at the McCoy intersection, as well as the Lacy Road along Hwy. MM, an intersection which will be one of the connection points for the Terravessa development and an Oregon School District elementary school, both of which are currently under

Photo by Kimberly Wethal

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi talks about the partnership between the county and the City of Fitchburg for traffic light installations at two intersections on the city’s eastern side during a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 5, near the corner of Hwy. MM and McCoy Road, where one of the traffic lights will be installed to improve safety at the intersection. construction. The Capital City Trail crosses over Hwy. MM just to the north of the McCoy Road intersection, and is traveled by around 125,000 people, a news release from the county stated. The city and the county will share the cost of the projects. The project at McCoy Road will b e t wo - t h i r d s c ove r e d by the county, while the Lacy Road project will be shared equally by the city and the county. As the county’s population grows, Parisi said, the roads will see an increase in traffic of all kinds, and

subsequently there will be a larger interest in increasing commuter safety. “Our goal is for everyone, whether they’re a bicyclist, a motorcyclist, or cars or pedestrians, to be able to co-exist as safely as possible,” he said. According to the release, the traffic lights are anticipated to be functioning at the Lacy Road intersection by Aug. 1, and the set at McCoy Road by Oct. 31 of next year. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly. wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @ kimberly_wethal.​

See something wrong? The Fitchburg Star does not sweep errors under the rug. If you see something you know or even think is in error, please contact editor Jim Ferolie at 845-9559 or at fitchburgstar@wcinet.com so we can get it right.

Photos by Emilie Heidemann

Zoe Zimmer, 8, Fitchburg, tries to get her kite back in the air.

Jacob Riley, and his daughter Evelyn, 5, both of Fitchburg, fly a kite together on a chilly day at McKee Fams Park. Dozens of kite flyers the many colors that filled the attended the 33rd Internation- sky as well as celebrate inclual Kite Fly for Peace, “One sivity and diversity. Sky, One World” at McKee Email Emilie Heidemann at Farms Park in October. emilie.heidemann@wcinet. It was a fun day for kids com or follow her on Twitter and their parents to bond over at @HeidemannEmilie.

Fill your Day with the Mag ic of the Holidays!

Jingleand Mingle Verona Road Businesses invite you to

Saturday, December 7, 2019, 9 am - 5 pm

Schedule of Events:

Firefighter fun The public joined in on a Fitchburg Fire Department open house earlier this month. Families with children flocked to the 5791 Lacy Road station to meet their favorite firefighters, sit inside fire apparatuses and enjoy some refreshments. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie. heidemann@wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @ HeidemannEmilie.

Fitchburg District

Verona District

Breakfast with Santa

Visit with Santa

9am-11am - Hy-Vee 9am-12pm - Wisconsin Bank & Trust

Kids Holiday Activities

11:30am-1pm - Quivey’s Grove

Ice Sculpture Demonstration

11am-5pm - Princeton Club

Holiday Games

11am-5pm - Pet Supplies Plus

Free Wine & Cheese Pairing

1pm-3pm - Pet Supplies Plus

Holiday Gift Shopping

Strolling Carolers, Hot Cider & Ornament Making Hot Cocoa Bar & Cookies with Mrs.Claus Holiday Pet Portraits with Patches Horse Carriage Rides Holiday Gift Market

9am-5pm - Cosa Boutique

Holiday Planter Decorating & Ribbon Making

9am-12pm - State Bank of Cross Plains, Verona

11am-5pm - CI Pediatric Therapy Center, Verona Clinic 12pm -2pm - Hometown Junction Park, Verona

2pm-5pm - Hop Haus Brewing Co. 2:30pm-5:30pm - Fisher King Winery 10am-5pm - JnJ Craftworks with Ornament Making Station 10am-4pm The Purple Goose with Cookie Decorating & Hot Chocolate

12pm-2pm - Jung’s Garden Center

& Liam Sutter, 3, Mount Horeb, sits on the front of a Fitchburg firetruck with a smile.

Photos by Emilie Heidemann

Liam Sutter, 3, Mount Horeb, sits on the front of a Fitchburg firetruck with a smile.

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Continue the fun at Get FESTive with Agora & Fitchburg Holiday Market, 4 pm - 8 pm!

ConnectFitchburg.com

November 8, 2019

Fitchburg Star

13

Community: Church contributes to ‘behind the scenes service’ in Jamestown location

From left Pastor Casey Johnson and pastor Nate Hobert, at Redeemer City Church’s five year celebration. hotdogs and served food to support families interacting with teachers. “It is a behind the scenes kind of service,” Johnson said. A far more public event was when Redeemer opened its space for a backpack and school supply drive this fall which brought 400 people to the church. There was a line around the building and cars parked down the entire street, Johnson said. Redeemer also hosted one of the city’s five meetings on its comprehensive plan update in October and held a volunteer run workshop to repair bikes for neighbors. Supporting local organizations with a community space is critical, the pastors

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A key component of the remodel of the former Stevens Design building, which took nearly a year, is housing after school programming. The entrance is designed to drop off students by bus, who immediately enter a hallway with space for their

While some of the c h u r c h ’s a c t iv i t i e s a r e designed to draw attention, others are done more quietly. Congregation member Emily Meshnick volunteers with the Huegel African American Parent Power Engagement Network (HAAPPEN), which focuses on black student success in the Madison school district. Meshnick, a white woman, doesn’t interject in the group or speak during the session; rather, she provides childcare so parents have an opportunity to engage. And one of the neutral, private offices inside the new building is used by a social worker from JFF, who links Jamestown and area residents with crucial resources. During the Back to School picnic at Chavez in September, volunteers cooked 700

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here is because there is nothing, there’s no space,” Hobert said. “It was a no-brainer for us.” Now, the church hosts a stop-and-go pantry run by BPNN, four classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a kitchen, a room available for public meetings and private office spaces. The mission goes beyond offering those basic services, the pastors say. They witness all parts of the community removed from their neighbors because Fitchburg has no school district of its own and has students bused to Madison, Verona and Oregon schools. And since the closure of Fire Station No. 2, even voting is far away, at the Marketplace Drive fire station, a mile east of Verona Road and south of McKee Road. For some residents, this location isn’t even accessible by bus. “This is a high-needs neighborhood,” said Hobert. Hobert and Johnson recognize many organizations in Fitchburg are already providing resources and services. And as a new church, with a predominantly white, the pastors want to work with existing groups who know the area and residents best. Johnson said they hope to build on the trust they’ve established in other parts of Fitchburg’s northwest side. The pastors know the area, having built connections and trust while spending more than four years performing services at Chavez, a couple miles west, across the Madison border. During that time, Redeemer City was a transient church, housing all the materials for its services in a trailer parked in Johnson’s driveway, with rolling carts, Bible materials, speakers and a sound booth. Volunteers would build the children’s ministry and set up music Sunday mornings in the school, then dismantle it by noon. Members of the church work closely with area elementary schools – Chavez, Huegel and Country View – and organizations such as Joining Forces for Families (JFF), and both pastors emphasize community service in their sermons. During a sermon on Nov. 3, Johnson challenged the room full of 140 people to test their faith and reject the “culture of self” becoming prevalent in America. We should challenge those temptations and live by the gospel, he said, we should serve the people around us and consider the social, emotional and physical needs of our neighbors. “We want people to see value in the church again,” Johnson said. “Because when the church comes alongside, whatever work, whatever project, whatever nonprofit, it can be a better community.”

backpacks, boots and jackets. The classrooms, filled with tables, crafts and bright colors, are large enough to host after school programs scheduled to start in 2020. They will be modeled after the “Trail to Success” program created by partnership between Redeemer, Chavez and JFF. That program provides after school support for the 100 students who are bused to Chavez from The Pines Apartments, which are five miles from the school. Just as students in the Trail to Success program are unable to participate in afterschool programs at Chavez because of lack of transportation, Hobert and Johnson are finding students in Jamestown are often unable to participate in after school programs at Country View, where many are bused to. The pastors said their goal is to provide these same resources to Jamestown neighborhood students.

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Continued from page 1

14 Fitchburg Star - November 8, 2019

City Hall - Main Line Administration Assessing Building Inspections City Clerk Economic Development

270-4200 270-4213 270-4235 270-4240 270-4210 270-4246

FACTv Finance Fire Department FitchRona Human Resources Library Municipal Court

270-4225 270-4251 278-2980 275-7148 270-4211 729-1760 270-4224

Parks & Forestry Planning/Zoning Police Public Works Recreation/Community Center Senior Center Utilities

270-4288 270-4258 270-4300 270-4260 270-4285 270-4290 270-4270

5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 • www.fitchburgwi.gov

CLOSURES November 27 – Library Closing at 5:00 p.m. November 28 & 29 – Library, City Hall, Recreation Dept., & Senior Center Closed

VETERANS DAY RECOGNITION PROGRAM Monday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m. Oak Hall – Community Center This year’s program highlights the Vietnam War. All are welcome.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE OPEN HOUSE November 20th at 6:30 p.m. ~ City Hall – Council Chambers The City of Fitchburg is finishing a draft of the update to its Comprehensive Plan. The City’s Comp Plan provides a roadmap for the City’s growth and development over the next 10 years, and state law requires the update. The City has held five neighborhood meetings thus far, and has prepared a public opinion survey, to help inform the Plan update. The City is scheduled to adopt the Plan update in spring 2020.

This open house will provide information on the Plan update process thus far, as well as providing an opportunity for input on the draft update. All interested parties are encouraged to attend the open house. Please see the following webpage for further information on the Comp Plan update: http:// www.fitchburgwi.gov/2596/2019-Comprehensive-Plan-Update

PUBLIC HEARING ON COUNCIL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO 2020 OPERATING BUDGET On November 12, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., the Common Council will hold a public hearing at City Hall in the Council Chambers regarding Council proposed amendments to

the 2020 Operating Budget. To view the proposed Council amendments and the Mayor’s proposed budget, visit www.fitchburgwi. gov/1998/Financial-Records-Reports

GATEWAY: COMING TO AMERICA Friday, November 22nd at 12:45 p.m. at the Fitchburg Senior Center

FINAL ROUND OF LEAF & BRUSH COLLECTION November 11 – 15 Brush Collection Week November 25 – 29 Brush and Yardwaste Collection Week Place your leaves, brush and other yardwaste at the curb by Monday at 6:30 a.m. of the collection week. For information on yardwaste bagging methods and curbside brush placement, visit www.fitchburgwi.gov/2568/ Brush-Yard-Waste

Gateway is the story of immigrants as they made the harrowing journey to a place they had heard – and dreamed about: America. Set in 1907, Phil Martin plays Wilhelm Brenner, an apprentice at a print shop from Switzerland, who gives up everything he has for the dream

of a better life in Sheboygan, WI. Along the way he meets many others seeking America. Touching and humorous, Phil demonstrates his great skill at storytelling, weaving stories together in a moving tribute to some of the people who made this great country.

RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS

RECREATION DEPARTMENT

For holiday lights that no longer work, recycle them at City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road. A special cart will be available 24 hours a day in the lobby beginning November 18th. Fitchburg residents can drop

off non-working holiday light strings and extension cords for recycling. Residents must remove any bulbs larger than marble-size and recycle those separately.

Go to www.fitchburgwi.gov/recreation and click on “View Activities” to see our full list of programs!

Martial Arts Classes – December session (ages 9-15 & adults)

Martial Arts classes are held each month at the Fitchburg Community Center. Each student will receive a well-rounded martial arts and fitness education. We teach the standard striking and blocking movements, traditional forms, and weaponry. We also offer more unique aspects, such as practical self-defense and joint manipulation applications, tumbling and acrobatics, fitness tracking and goal setting, two different kinds of ground fighting, armored weapon fighting, two different kinds of stand-up fighting that incorporate elements of boxing and take-downs, throws, and more. Martial Arts are not about fighting, they are about self-defense and self-betterment. Therefore, we have a Code of Conduct that we expect all students to uphold. Students of any age can maximize their potential through our program and become better people. Values like courage, optimism, and humility, along with concepts of leadership including outstanding citizenship & community service are all character development goals embodied in the program. • Days – Mondays & Wednesdays, December 2 – December 18 • Time - 6:00-6:45 p.m. • Location – Fitchburg Community Center • Fee - $38

Youth Volleyball – 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

These recreational leagues are for 5th-8th graders who would like to have fun learning skills and getting involved in competition against players at their own skill level. Practices will be on Sundays, and tournaments will be played against other communities including: Cross Plains, Verona, Middleton, Stoughton, Cottage Grove and Mt. Horeb. • Days/Time – Sundays, January 12 – March 8 (see specific league for further details on time) • Location – Stoner Prairie School Gym and Traveling • Fee - $60 resident, $70 non-resident

Musikgarten – Songs & Sounds of Winter!

Enjoy revisiting songs and rhymes from childhood that encourage musical exploration of the colder season. We will sing, move, dance, and create “ice and lights” ensembles with simple percussion instruments.

This is a multi-age music experience for families of children ages birth-4 years old. Children are fully engaged in the playful music making process right along with their parent/ guardian! • Days – Thursdays, December 5 -19 • Time - 9:00-9:40 a.m. • Location – Fitchburg Community Center – Prairie View Room • Ages – Less than 5 yrs. • Fee - $36

Spanish for Preschoolers – Welcome to Spanish

Children ages 3-5 learn Spanish vocabulary and basic phrases in a fun and active way with these lively classes. Award-winning teacher, Marti Fechner of Grow into Spanish LLC, incorporates music, movement, games, stories and more to make learning Spanish easy and engaging for preschool-age children. It is easy for children to learn a foreign language at this young age, and SO beneficial. Come try it! It is a great way to prepare your child for a bilingual future. • Ages – 3-5 • Day – Tuesdays, January 21 – March 10 • Time – 9:30-10:15 a.m. • Location – Fitchburg Community Center • Fee - $90

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November 8, 2019

Fitchburg Star

‘Look Good, Do Good’

15

Cosa Boutique opens with focus on style, charity EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

Cosa Boutique opened in Fitchburg on Sunday, Sept. 8, in memory of one of owner Amanda Houdek’s former pediatric clients, named Jocosa. Houdek, also the founder and owner of CI Pediatric Therapy Centers, reminisced about the patient, who died before she could know the boutique would be named after her. Jocosa was nonverbal and couldn’t walk, but “had a definite spark inside of her that touched all the people she worked with,” Houdek told the Star. “She had a profound impact on my life,” Houdek added. While Cosa Boutique mainly sells women’s apparel and gifts, its business model also encompasses a future program that would focus on job training for people like Houdek’s patients. She said they would benefit from the avenues the program would create, helping participants become more independent through “meaningful employment.” That program will come about at the beginning of next year, Houdek said. T h o u g h C o s a B o u t i q u e ’s employees all are volunteers – other than manager Michelle Perkins – the business eventually will hire people from within the program, Houdek said. She said that is one part of the Cosa Boutique business motto – as depicted on a sign with neon lettering that reads “Look Good, Do Good,” inside a frame adorned above a trendy couch and coffee table setting. Houdek said Cosa Boutique doesn’t just sell clothes and accessories, but also a lifestyle of doing good in your community and looking stylish at the same time. She said shopping at the boutique offers many perks – besides Saturday morning mimosas and private shopping events – including helping to support local charities with a portion of sales. Last month, Cosa Boutique donated to the Madison Area Down Syndrome Society. And starting Friday, Nov. 1, the business is supporting Gios Garden in Middleton, an organization

Photos by Emilie Heidemann

In addition to clothes, Cosa Boutique sells a variety of gifts and accessories. to “nurture and strengthen families with children with special needs,” its website states. Charity aside, Houdek and Perkins both said Cosa Boutique exists to dress people from all walks of life – to encourage them to try styles and outfits that allow them to step out of their comfort zone. The manager and owner both said they view fashion as more than clothes, but as an art form their clients use to express themselves – whether they are edgy, trendy or just like “functional fashion.” A lot of Cosa Boutique’s pieces are on the higher end, but still affordable, Houdek said, from cozy pajamas to long and flowing pea coats to handcrafted hidden gems, jewelry, home goods and knick knacks. Houdek said potential customers should consider shopping at Cosa Boutique because it’s a “woman-owned and woman supported business” with a family-friendly, comfortable atmosphere. They will be welcomed by

Cosa Boutique 6250 Nesbitt Road 628-9134 Hours: Sunday-Monday: Appointment only Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. an open ceiling, cement flooring and tables with garments and bags neatly laid out on each surface. Clients can book appointments on Sundays and Mondays for more private shopping experiences, where Houdek, Perkins or other employees will provide different styling options for them. They ask them what they feel best in, and sometimes provide items that encourage the client to try

UW Credit Union opens second branch in Fitchburg Fish Hatchery Road location is company’s 28th KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

UW Credit Union has doubled its presence in Fitchburg. In addition to its branch that lies along the city’s western border on McKee Road, the financial institution opened a branch on Oct. 21, at 2885 Fish Hatchery Road. The branch is the second one to be opened this year, and features the company’s updated branding — an open concept design and glass features to allow for natural light. The branch will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, and will be running a food drive for St. Vincent de Paul Nov. 4 and ending Nov. 15.

Photo by Kimberly Wethal

UW Credit Union opened its second Fitchburg location last month. The branch is designed with an open concept layout and glass features for natural light.

Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly. wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @ kimberly_wethal.​

Amanda Houdek is the owner of Cosa Boutique, which opened earlier in September. something new. Boutique Instagram, Facebook Houdek said she wants clients page or through its website at costo feel as if they are stepping out aboutique.com. of Wisconsin for a second, and Email Emilie Heidemann at emiperhaps into space they would lie.heidemann@wcinet.com or find in a big city, like Chicago. Potential clients can request follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie. such appointments via the Cosa

Business in brief Luna’s Groceries, Jimieson receive Sustain Dane Awards Mariam Maldonado, founder and owner of Luna’s Groceries in the Allied/Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood, and Christopher Jimieson, who serves on the Resource Conservation Commission in Fitchburg, are nominees for the 2019 Live Forward Awards. Through Sustain Dane and Edgewood College, the awards recognize local “changemakers” and inclusive leaders, according to an email from Sustain Dane. The awardees will be recognized at the Sustain Dane Summit Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Greer is a certified public accountant and partner at Berndt CPA, which works with small businesses to educate and advise their employees. She has worked in both the private and public sectors in the accounting field, a Fitchburg 4 Minute Review email states.

Fitchburg gets 5G coverage

U.S. Cellular announced last month that the city of Fitchburg is one of several communities in Dane County that will be “among the first” to access the company’s 5G network. The company’s initial 5G deployment will be on its 600 MHz spectrum and provide its customers with Alicia Greer joins chamber of faster data speeds, according to an email from Alicia Wilson, account directors executive for Laughlin Constable, a The Fitchburg Chamber Visitor public relations company. Other communities to get the new and Business Bureau recently welcomed Alicia Greer to its board of service include Madison, Middleton, directors. Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove.

16 Fitchburg Star - November 8, 2019

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Friday, Nov. 8, 2019

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Edgewood girls golf

Crusaders capture state title Welch paces Edgewood as individual champion at University Ridge ADAM FEINER Sports editor

Photos by Adam Feiner

Edgewood senior Grace Welch chips onto the 7th green during the second round of the Division 2 state tournament Tuesday, Oct. 15, at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. She was the individual state champion, and helped the Crusaders win their second straight team title.

Madison Edgewood spent the entire season playing under pressure as the defending Division 2 state champions and the top-ranked team. The Crusaders ended on top of the D2 heap once again, winning the team title with 702 strokes on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. “I thought it came down to patience and accepting that out total score was going to be higher than it was last year due to the golf course and nerves,” Edgewood coach Peggy Gierhart said. Edgewood matched Madison West’s boys golf program with a record 15 state titles. All of those championships have come since 2001, which is a state record across all divisions. Senior Grace Welch won the individual state title with a two-day total of 14-over-par total 158, eight strokes ahead of Prescott’s Ava Salay. “I love this team and love that we did this together,” Welch said. “That’s definitely more important to me. The coaches put so much work into it, and I’m grateful for them.” Edgewood led Prescott by 29 strokes (347376) after the first day of competition Monday, Oct. 14, and ended up 71 strokes better. “(Assistant coach) Betsy (Zadra) and I have had a lot of experience on this course, so that’s good and bad,” Gierhart said. “We thought we might have given them too much information on the first day, but it’s a positive that we know the course.” St. Croix Central (790), Osseo-Fairchild/ Fall Creek (800), Xavier (801) and Wrightstown (842) rounded out the team scores. Welch fired a 4-over-par 76 in the first round. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay commit had five birdies and led Salay by five strokes. She closed with an 82. Welch’s victory gave her four top-five finishes in her illustrious Edgewood career. She

Edgewood junior Caitlyn Hegenbarth putts on the par-4 7th hole during the second round of the Division 2 state tournament. She finished in the in the top 10 for the third straight season. finished third as a freshman, fifth as a sophomore and tied for third as a junior. Crusaders junior Caitlyn Hegenbarth finished eighth overall with a two-round total of 175. She recorded birdies on the par-5 11th and par-4 18th en route to a 41 on the back nine in the first round, and shook off a 10 on the par-4 4th hole to card an 87. Hegenbarth closed the tournament with an 88, shooting 41 on the front and 47 on the back. She now has three top-10 finishes at state (fifth last year and 10th as a freshman). “Knowing my score will help the team to possibly win pushes me to play better,” Hegenbarth said. “You have to keep it straight and in play out here.” Senior Anaka Leske, another four-year letterwinner, tied for 11th with two rounds of 91. Junior Grace Jaeger finished 15th with a two-day total of 187 (93-94). She tied Welch for third last year, and was 15th as a freshman. Sophomore Alyssa Thao tied for 17th with a two-day total of 193 (98-95).

Boys soccer

The ultimate prize now in sight for Verona Popkewitz’s goal in sectional final sends Wildcats to state ADAM FEINER AND MARK NESBITT Sports editors

Verona senior Eliot Popkewitz scored from 25 yards out in the 88th minute to propel the Wildcats to a 1-0 win over Madison West in the Division 1 Sun Prairie Sectional championship on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Madison College’s Goodman Pitch. The goal paved the way for the Wildcats (19-1-2) to reach the state tournament for the first time in program history. “I saw a little gap to take it through,” Popkewitz said. “I knew I was going to eventually shoot. I just pulled the trigger and I guess it all worked out.” Verona earned the No. 1 seed in the Division 1 state tournament, and will play fourth-seeded Kenosha Tremper in the semifinals

“These senior boys have the heart and the spirit.” Wildcats coach Chris Handrick at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee. “These senior boys have the heart and the spirit,” Wildcats coach Chris Handrick said. “They deserve it. I would expect our boys to want to continue to take care of every step along the way. They want that state championship for Verona.” Popkewitz wasn’t surprised to see West goalkeeper Oscar Herrera stand tall in net for the majority of the game. He has grown accustomed to seeing dominance from his Madison 56ers club teammate. “Oscar is a fantastic goalie,” Popkewitz said. “All props to him. We were lucky we were able to pull out a goal.” Herrera had three saves for West (12-5-2), which was shut out for the first time all season.

“Oscar is one of the best goalies around,” Madison West coach Pat Bauch said. “He’s always going to do everything he can to win the game.” The Wildcats beat the Regents 4-1 on Sept. 19 at Reddan Soccer Park. The rematch was a defensive battle. “I don’t have any complaints with the way we played,” Bauch said. “It’s tougher when you are playing a team as athletic as Verona because you will not generate as many chances as you normally do.” After a scoreless first half in which scoring chances were hard to come by, the Wildcats focused on passing the ball quicker in the second half to generate more shots on goal. In the 50th minute, Popkewitz fired a shot that went off Herrera’s hands and over the crossbar. The Wildcats appeared to capitalize on the ensuing corner kick after Herrera recovered the ball out of

Turn to Boys soccer/Page 2

Photo by Mark Nesbitt

Verona senior Eliot Popkewitz (6) holds up the Division 1 Sun Prairie Sectional championship plaque as he celebrates with teammates Owen Gibson (1), Jacob Wing (20), Jorge Lagunes (17) and Alan De Los Santos after the Wildcats’ 1-0 win over Madison West on Saturday, Nov. 2.

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November 8, 2019

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Fitchburg Star

Girls tennis

‘I’m speechless’: Deang brings home gold Junior becomes first No. 1 singles player from Edgewood to win state title MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor

Baluck Deang will go down in the history books at Edgewood as the first No. 1 singles player in program history to win a Division 2 state championship. The talented junior outl a s t e d t o p - s e e d e d S a rah Gesner of The Prairie School 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4 in the championship match Saturday, Oct. 19, at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison. “It’s really exciting to know that I’m the first one from Edgewood,” Deang said. “I’m speechless.” Deang finished the season 33-4. Last year, she took fourth at state in No. 1 singles. “I’m really proud of h e r,” E d g ew o o d c o a c h Kara Amundson said. “She always works hard in practice. We set some goals at the beginning of the year and she always had this in the back of her mind.” The second-seeded Deang trailed 2-1 to start the decisive third set, but she bounced back by winning five straight games to capture the state crown. “I had to be mentally strong and I told myself there were a lot of people that came to watch me play,” she said. “I just had to flip a switch and get my

Photos by Mark Nesbitt

Edgewood junior Baluck Deang won the Division 2 singles state championship Saturday, Oct. 19, at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison. Deang became the first singles player to win a state title in program history. game face on.” The 6-foot-1 Deang mixed powerful ground strokes with speedy serves and elite athleticism to come out on top. “I think she had a lot of nerves because she wanted it so bad,” Amundson said. “She was just pretty tight. I went out and told her she had to trust in her game.”

Madison West

The Regents qualified for the Division 1 team state tournament, and two singles players and the No. 1 doubles team advanced to the second day of the D1 individual state tournament. Third-seeded West won three of the four singles matches in a 4-3 victory

over Neenah in the team state quarterfinals Friday, Oct. 25, at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. No. 1 singles player Maddi Bremel defeated Neenah’s Ava Dunsirn 6-2, 6-2. Abby Bremel outlasted Sophia Paape 6-3, 6-4 in No. 2 singles, and Abby Lin swept Olivia Heroux 6-0, 6-0 in No. 3 singles. The Regents’ No. 1 doubles team of Camille Vadas and Sophia Knigge defeated Ashlyn Brown and Alex Van Zeeland 6-1, 6-2. West then lost to Muskego 5-2 in the semifinals Saturday, Oct. 26. Abby Bremel beat Michelle Pan 7-5, 6-1 in No. 2 singles, and Lucy Friedman edged Mia Barrett 6-3, 6-4 in No.

4 singles. Va d a s a n d K n i g g e reached the semifinals of the individual state doubles tournament Friday, Oct. 18, at Nielsen. After a first-round bye Thursday, Oct. 17, Vadas and Knigge defeated Stevens Point’s Meghan De Bot and Anna Hlavac 6-1, 6-2. The West duo clipped Cedarburg’s Alex Andrae and Zoe Larson 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the semis. Whitefish Bay’s Elena Deslongchamps and Katie Kavanagh defeated Vadas and Knigge 6-2, 1-6, 6-1. Vadas and Knigge (34-5) lost to Arrowhead’s Grace Cady and Hannah Cady in the fifth-place match 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

The Bremel twins both reached the Round of 16. Maddi Bremel (33-6) knocked off Whitnall’s Jenna Dundas 6-2, 6-3 in the first round. Dundas entered the state tournament 23-0. Bremel cruised past New Berlin Eisenhower’s Cindy Bain 7-5, 6-0 in the second round, but lost to Muskego’s Elizabeth Sobieski 6-4, 6-3 in the third round. Abby Bremel (32-7) breezed past Sheboygan North’s Louisa Damkot 6-0, 6-1 and Whitefish Bay’s Mia Hessel 6-3, 6-2 to reach the Round of 16. She lost to eventual state champion Jordan Schifano of Divine Savior Holy Angels 6-3, 6-0. Madison West junior Maddi Bremel made it to the third Verona No. 1 singles player Mer- round of the Division 1 edith Conley closed out her state tournament and lost to illustrious prep career with Muskego’s Elizabeth Sobieski 6-4, 6-3. a run to the Round of 16 at the Division 1 individual to do. The Whitnall girl had state tournament. an answer. There is a betWhitnall junior Autumn ter player out there someBruno defeated Conley times.” 7-5, 6-1 on Friday, Oct. 18. Conley earned all-state Conley finished the season honors by making it to the 26-4. It’s the furthest Con- Round of 16. She breezed ley, a four-time state quali- by Whitefish Bay junior fier, advanced at state. Olivia Eckes 6-3, 6-1 in Bruno (24-3) went on to the first round, and picked finish sixth at state. Vero- opportune times to attack na coach Mark Happel was the net and put away winexcited to see Conley make ners in a 6-1, 6-4 victory it to the second day of com- over Beaver Dam senior petition. Morgan Nelson in the sec“Meredith played great ond round. tennis, but just came up on Verona’s No. 1 doubles the short end,” Happel said. team of seniors Sydney “The other girl just played Breitbach and Kasie Keyes phenomenal. She (Bruno) (18-15) were special qualhits with a lot of pace, has ifiers at state, but lost to all the shots, a great serve Oconomowoc’s Sarah Kopand ground strokes. Mer- fer and Aubrey Berther 6-1, edith did what she wanted 6-1 in the first round.

Boys soccer: Wildcats are looking for first state championship in program history Continued from page 1 a scrum but the momentum took him across the goal line. The officials huddled and ruled that Herrera had stopped the shot before crossing the line. “In these tight games, it’s frustrating when you get so close, but you just have to keep going,” Lynch said. “That is what we did and it paid off.” Verona senior forward Bennett Luttinen hammered a shot just wide of the near post, and senior defender Tavion McNuckle’s low-lining shot to the near post went off Herrera’s hands and out of play in the 60th minute. The Wildcats did not have a corner kick in the first half, but had three in the first 25 minutes of the second half. “We took control in the second half,” Handrick said. “We started to get our game back where we were getting corners. We started to possess more with our one-two touch.” The Wildcats did have to deal with some adversity. Senior goalkeeper Nate Hanson was inadvertently punched in the face on a corner kick late in the second half, and had to leave the game before re-entering moments later. “It gets a little messy,” Hanson said of defending corner kicks. “Whenever you see the ball coming in, it always goes way slower than what it actually is. As soon as it gets in the box and someone makes contact, it’s just chaos all

Photo by Mark Nesbitt

Verona junior forward Jonathan Gamez (right) battles Madison West’s Alex Yin for the ball during the second half Saturday at Madison College’s Goodman Pitch. around. I got hit in the face, but we got the ball out. That’s all that matters.” Hanson said if the game would have remained tied after overtime and heading into a shootout, he was confident the Wildcats could pull out the win. “We all stuck together no matter what happened in this game,” he said. “I’m so glad I get to go (to state) with these boys.”

semifinal matchup against the Cardinals on Friday, Nov. 1, at Reddan Soccer Park. Sam Abreu played a part in three of Verona’s goals, benefitting from an offense that looked to score early and often. “The movement of our forwards allowed our midfielders to step up,” Abreu said. “That allowed us to diversify our attack and score goals.” Verona led 2-1 at halftime, and Verona 5, Middleton 3 Cold temperatures, snow flur- tacked on two insurance goals ries and a slick field didn’t slow early in the second half. A throwthe Wildcats in their sectional in by Jack Knight found its way

to Jonathan Gamez, who flicked a shot just over the reach of Middleton goalkeeper Nick Hinz in the 52nd minute. Popkewitz was taken down in the box three minutes later, and Abreu converted the penalty kick with a shot into the lower right corner. Middleton beat Hanson three times, but the senior goalkeeper came up with a pair of crucial saves for the Wildcats. Hanson made a diving save on a shot by Isaac Gueu in the 38th minute to preserve the 2-1 halftime lead, and denied Ezra Joseph with a diving stop in the 61st minute to keep it 4-1 Verona. “It could have become a very different game if he doesn’t make those saves,” Handrick said of Hanson, who finished with five saves. “He’s a huge part of a defense that only allowed eight goals in the regular season.” Hanson stopped Cian Carlson’s header off a free kick by Joseph in the 60th minute, but Carlson gathered the rebound and put it into the back of the net to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 4-2. McNuckle seized a rare scoring opportunity in the 72nd minute, as he worked his way into the middle of the box, eluded three defenders and blasted a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net. “I saw that their center back was trying the ball, so I came from behind and took it from him,” McNuckle said. “Then I saw a bunch of open space, cut in

and beat two more defenders, and tucked it into the corner.” Middleton’s Peter Tuttle scored off an assist by Max Rateau in the 75th minute, but Verona controlled possession for the remainder of the game. The Wildcats put pressure on the Cardinals’ defense right away. Abreu was taken down near the north sideline in the 17th minute. Gannon Simonett corralled the ensuing free kick and blasted a right-footed shot past Hinz for the first tally. “We wanted to come out hot so we had a cushion to play our game off of,” Simonett said. “I was just in the right spot, put my head down and buried it into the right corner.” Lynch went unaccounted for on the back side of a corner kick by Abreu, and headed in the ball for a 2-0 Verona lead in the 29th minute. Middleton’s Ben Tutewohl put a shot on goal in the 36th minute, and the ball slipped through Hanson’s hands and into the back of the net.

Madison West 2, Madison East 1

The Regents knocked out the Purgolders in the sectional semifinals Friday, Nov. 1 at Goodman Pitch. Khedive Miguel scored the game-winning game goal late in the second half. West’s Jackson Stair converted a penalty kick in the 39th minute.

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November 8, 2019

Fitchburg Star

3

Boys cross country

Runners cap seasons with strong state showings ADAM FEINER

the hills. It was a little disappointing, but I’m glad I got the opportunity to come here.” Manning averaged 6:09.6 per mile. He stayed close to the front in 15th at the mile mark (4:58.2), but dropped to 30th at the twomile mark (10:26.8). Manning finished fourth with a time of 16:21.5 at the Madison West Sectional, and DiMaggio took fifth in 16:33.7. Verona finished third with 86 points. Freshman Blake Oleson took 17th (17:05.4), senior Nathan Neitzel placed 29th (17:23.9) and freshman Ryan Cassidy finished 31st (17:25.7).

Sports editor

A strong senior class led Madison West to a fourth-place finish at the Division 1 state meet Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. The Regents finished with 182 points. Star senior Julian Gary paced the Regents with a ninth-place finish with a time of 16:03.6. Gary averaged 5:42.2 per mile, and made up ground as the race went on. He was 30th at the mile mark (5:01.5) and 16th at the twomile mark (10:21.4). “I was really huffing and puffing by the end, but I wasn’t feeling too bad,” Gary said. “I’m happy with how the race turned out.” Senior Ryan Reed averaged 5:56.3 per mile, and made up 22 spots in the final two miles to finish 42nd with a time of 16:37.8. Classmate Eli Gore averaged 6:03.3 per mile en route to a 66th-place finish (16:55.4) Senior Michael Kuhn placed 79th (17:01.5), and junior John Lee rounded out the Regents’ counting times in 96th (17:09.9). West hosted a sectional meet Saturday, Oct. 26, at Lake Farm County Park in Madison. The Regents claimed a state-qualifying spot with a second-place finish (73 points). Gary placed second with a time of 16:06.4. Reed finished eighth (16:33.7), Lee took 13th (16:50) and Gore claimed 15th (17:01.1). Sophomore Paul Treiber rounded out West’s lineup in 35th with a time of 17:31.8.

Edgewood

Junior Leo Richardson and senior Jack Brolin capped their seasons with top-five finishes at the Division 2 state meet Saturday, Nov. 2, and the D2 River Valley Sectional on Saturday, Oct. 26. Richardson was the runner-up at the state meet with a time of 16:11.9 at the Ridges. He hung with the lead pack throughout the

Oregon

Madison West senior Julian Gary races to the finish line at the Division 1 state meet. He finished ninth with a time of 16:03.6. Photos by Adam Feiner

Edegwood junior Leo Richardson races to the finish line at the Division 2 state meet Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. He finished second with a time of 16:11.9.

race, as he averaged 5:47.4 per mile. “I was just trying to hang on in the first mile,” Richardson said. “I surged a bit in the second mile, then I tried to hang on again in the third mile.” Brolin, who said he was hoping for a top-10 finish at state, surged to fifth with a time of 16:33.2. He averaged 5:53.1 per mile and ran past three runners in the final 400 meters. “I’m really happy I got to end my career here,” Brolin said. “I left it all out there, and I think those last 200 meters really summed up my four years at

Edgewood, just hard work and dedication.” Richardson crossed the finish line first with a time of 16:08.3 at the River Valley Sectional, held at Spring Green Municipal Golf Course. Brolin took third with a time of 16:57.7. Edgewood placed fifth in the team standings with 132 points. Senior Oriol Canto Moline (32nd, 18:11.7), junior Geoffrey Rossow (47th, 18:36.4) and senior Ethan Hughes (49th, 18:37.3) rounded out the Crusaders’ counting times.

Verona

Senior Luka DiMaggio turned on the jets in the final 400 meters, surging past 10 runners in the homestretch to finish 33rd with a time of 16:28.9 at the Division 1 state meet. Sophomore teammate Aidan Manning grinded his way to 40th

Edgewood senior Jack Brolin races to the finish line. He finished fifth with a time of 16:33.2. place with a time of 16:36.4. DiMaggio averaged 5:55.6 per mile. He was 37th after the first mile (5:02.5) and 44th at the twomile mark (10:33.3) before blowing past three Middleton runners and Madison La Follette’s Chris Wolfe near the finish line. “We went out a bit fast, but I felt pretty good at the mile mark,” DiMaggio said. “At the two-mile mark, I told myself I had to go. That last mile is one where the pretenders die and the contenders push it and get a good time.” Manning’s time was third-best among all sophomores in a race dominated by upperclassmen. “Finishing in the top 20 was the goal, but my legs just felt dead and I got dizzy,” he said. “Those last two miles are brutal with all

Sophomore Yordanos Zelinski finished 82nd with a time of 17:03.5 at the Division 1 state meet, the 10th-best time among all sophomores. “It felt like another 5K race,” he said. “I didn’t want to psych myself out. I was chill about it, and nothing really affected me.” Zelinski averaged 6:10.5 per mile. He was 81st after the first mile (5:12.5), and crossed the two-mile mark in 85th (10:53). “He ran a great, consistent race,” Oregon coach Erik Haakenson said. “His PR is just south of 17 minutes, so that’s a good time on a challenging course. He was very smooth and calm.” Zelinski qualified for state with a 14-place finish (17:12.7) at the Kettle Moraine Sectional on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Naga-Waukee Park in Hartland. He became the first Oregon boy to qualify for state since 2011. The Panthers placed seventh with 187 points. Freshman Leo Schleck took 26th with a time of 17:49.2. Junior Brenden Dieter placed 43rd (18:28.8), sophomore Turner Sieren was 50th (18:37.2) and senior Adam Hanke finished his high school career in 54th (18:55).

Girls cross country

Regents, Vorontsov fare well down the stretch ADAM FEINER Sports editor

Photo by Adam Feiner

Madison West sophomore Genevieve Nashold (right) races Kaukauna’s Anna Fauske to the finish line at the Division 1 state meet Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. Nashold finished eighth with a time of 18:39.3.

Madison West backed up its top-10 ranking throughout the season with a ninth-place finish at the Division 1 state meet Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. The Regents finished with 246 points. Sophomore standout Genevieve Nashold placed eighth with a time of 18:39.3. She averaged 6:46.8 per mile, was fifth at the mile mark (5:45.4) and maintained her position at the two-mile mark (11:52.5) before crossing the finish line. Fellow sophomore Cecily Greblo averaged 7:04.8 per mile on her way to a 49th-place finish (19:38.9). She passed 20 competitors in the final two miles. Senior Grace Weigl (107th, 20:24.2) and freshmen Kate Aman-Lavicky (108th, 20:26.2) and Hypatia Newton (111th, 20:27.2) rounded out the Regents’ lineup. Muskego won the Division 1 team title for the second year in a row with 72 points. Onalaska’s Kora Malecek crossed the finish

line first with a time of 17:44.6. West finished second with 60 points as sectional hosts Saturday, Oct. 26, at Lake Farm County Park in Madison. Nashold was the runner-up with a time of 18:18. Greblo placed fourth in 19:16.8. Weigl (20:16.2) and Aman-Lavicky (20:23.8) finished 16th and 17th, respectively. Newton rounded out the counting times in 21st (20:30.5).

Oregon

Freshman Dasha Vorontsov finished 46th with a time of 19:37.4 at the Division 1 state meet. Her time was the fifth-best among all freshmen, as well as 27.2 seconds and 35 spots better than Badger South Conference champion Grace Jenny of Stoughton. “I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I watched a video of a race on the course, but you don’t truly know until you run it with all those people.” Vorontsov averaged 7:06.5 per mile. She was 46th after the first mile (6:01.8), moved up three spots after crossing the two-mile

mark at 12:31, and crossed the finish line in a large park of runners. “I ran the first two miles pretty well,” she said. “I felt like I could’ve run the third mile faster, but overall, I think I did pretty well pace-wise.” Vorontsov qualified for state with a fourth-place finish (19:40) at the Kettle Moraine Sectional on Saturday, Oct. 26, held at Naga-Waukee Park in Hartland. Oregon took fourth in the team standings with 106 points. Senior Zoe Frank finished 12th with a time of 20:27.5. Junior Clara Hughes (21:15.7) and sophomore Grace Riedl (21:25.2) took 26th and 28th, respectively. Freshman Libby Beirne rounded out the Panthers’ counting times in 36th (21:43.8).

Verona

Junior Anna Knueve finished 14th with a time of 19:52.25 at the Madison West Sectional, which was 6.9 seconds and two spots away from qualifying for state. “I knew I was a little short,” she said. “It’s disappointing being that close. I gave it everything I had.” Knueve made up ground on

the third mile and put herself in position down the stretch. “I came back on the girls in the third mile, but it wasn’t enough,” she said. “I didn’t get to train all summer, so my base isn’t as strong. That last mile is really hard for me because I don’t have the base a lot of the other girls have.” Verona took sixth with 182 points. Senior Jamie Hogan took 29th (20:46), and sophomore Payette Neess was 34th (21:08.4). Freshman Sotera Boado placed 47th (21:51.3), and Colleen Quinn was 58th (22:19.5).

Edgewood

The Crusaders finished fifth with 152 points at the Division 2 River Valley Sectional on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Spring Green Municipal Golf Course, and did not have a state qualifier. Senior Erin McClimon (21:28.4), sophomore Clara Powless (21:32.3) and junior Grace Nemeth (21:33.1) placed 24th, 25th and 26th, respectively. Seniors Francesca Masciopinto (37th, 22:08.7) and Emily Maiers (40th, 22:12) rounded out Edgewood’s counting times.

4

November 8, 2019

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Fitchburg Star

Mountain biking

Verona volleyball

Madison West team captures state title

Wildcats fall in sectional of elimination. Jordan Armstrong dished out 23 assists for the Wildcats. Touchett finished with eight kills, Kelley had four blocks, and Hust served six aces. McIntosh added 10 digs.

ADAM FEINER Sports editor

Verona won a regional title for the third year in a row, but the sectional round again proved to be a stumbling block for the Wildcats. S u n P r a i r i e k n o c ke d off Verona 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-7 in the Division 1 Sun Prairie Sectional semifinals Thursday, Oct. 31, on the Wildcats’ home court. Verona defeated Onalaska 25-18, 24-26, 25-11, 25-20 on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the regional final

JUSTIN LOEWEN Star correspondent

A day after a heavy rainstorm, undeterred student-athletes from around the state busted out their mountain bikes to chase glory and adventure across muddy trails. The state mountain biking championship took place at Trek Trails outside of Waterloo on Sunday, Oct. 27, featuring two divisions of competition. The Madison West mountain bike team, which includes feeder middle schools, won the event with 3,718 points. After winning each event in a five-race season that began Sept. 8, Madison West took the Division 1 state title with 18,235 points on the season. Madison West competes in the Wisconsin High School Cycling League, one of the 31 mountain biking leagues of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. NICA started in 2009, and the Madison West team started six years ago. The program has grown to include a team from Madison Memorial as well as a Verona “composite” team, which groups Verona Area School

Verona def. Onalaska 25-18, 24-26, 25-11, 25-20

Sun Prairie def. Verona 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-7

Photo by Mark Nesbitt

Verona seniors Jordan Armstrong (1) and Maddy Kelley (14) look to block a hit by Onalaska’s Samantha Plantz in a Division 1 regional championship Saturday, Oct. 26, in T h e Wi l d c a t s s t r u g - Verona. The Wildcats beat the Hilltoppers in four sets to gled to stay in their offen- win their third regional title in a row. sive system and couldn’t Ve r o n a s c o r e d s i x timeouts in the set’s first 12 c o n t a i n S u n P r a i r i e ’s straight points to take a points with her team trailing high-powered offense. Verona (34-6) controlled 7-3 lead it would not relin- 10-2. Sun Prairie’s Kristen the third set with its season quish. Amelia Hust served Anderson served four aces three aces, Megan Touchett in a row after a Verona hiton the line. “I asked them how bad slammed a kill, and Mad- ting error to push the Cardithey wanted it,” Wild- dy Kelley recorded a stuff nals’ lead to 15-2. Four service errors in the cats coach Jillian Bau- block during the stretch. er said. “You’re on your Five Wildcat service errors first set cost the Wildcats. home court, and at that kept the Cardinals in the Rachel Karnosky served an point it was about playing third, but a hitting error ace to tie it at 22, but the with pride. The seniors and an ace by Delaney Cardinals closed the set on have been in that position McIntosh forced a fourth a 3-1 run. The second set featured before, and kudos to them set. Verona had three more nine ties, but Sun Prairie to get us back in it in the service errors in the fourth, scored the final four points third set.” a n d B a u e r u s e d b o t h to push Verona to the brink

The Wildcats clawed past the Hilltoppers to win a regional title on their home court. Verona jumped out to a 9-5 lead in the first set. Onalaska rallied and got within 17-16, but the Wildcats answered by scoring eight of the final 10 points to take the set. Verona let an 18-14 lead in the second set slip away, but the Wildcats rolled in the third. Caludia Bobb had eight straight service points to give the Wildcats a 10-2 lead. Kelley took over at the net with three kills during a six-point run that extended the lead to 19-8. The final set was another see-saw battle. Bobb delivered an ace and a kill to give the Wildcats a 10-6 lead. The Hilltoppers rallied to take an 18-17 lead, but Bobb answered with a tip to tie the set at 18. Verona closed the match with a 7-2 run.

District athletes with Madison “West Side” students from Edgewood, Belleville and New Glarus. Under head coach Mike McGarry, the program has expanded from 14 kids to 96, including 29 Madison West riders. They all practice together at a mountain bike trail in the Quarry Ridge Recreation Area, 2740 Fitchrona Road, in Fitchburg. “Eventually we’re going to be so big that Memorial is going to have to do its own thing and Verona is going to have to do its own thing,” McGarry told the Star. “And in a good way, not like, ‘Oh, we have to split up,’ but just because there’s so many of us. To bring 70 to 80 kids and coaches out there two times a week really takes over the trail system, so we want to be respectful of other trail users.” The program’s growth is reflected across the state, expanding from about 160 racers at Madison West’s inaugural race to over 850 riders at this year’s championship, McGarry said. “The season’s always amazing,” he said. “We’re having a great time. The kids are enjoying themselves, they’re progressing.”

Congratulations West High Cross Country For Going To State!

Photo credit Madison West High School

Photo credit Madison West High School

Congratulations on a great season!

Sectional Meet Scorers.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY #54 Julian Gary

Sectional Meet Scorers.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

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Fitchburg Star

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Oregon boys soccer

Panthers come up a win short of state MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor

Photo by Mark Nesbitt

Oregon senior Aaron Kluck (6) takes a shot on goal in front of Elkhorn’s Alec Birbaum in the Division 2 Elkhorn Sectional championship Saturday, Nov. 2.

For the past two years, Oregon was a stumbling block in Elkhorn’s path to state, beating the Elks twice in shootouts in the sectional championship. On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Division 2 sectional hosts broke through with two early goals to beat the Panthers 2-0. One year after graduating 17 players from a Division 2 state championship team, Oregon (14-7-1) put itself in position to earn a third straight state berth. “This is a group of guys who had big goals and the only one they didn’t realize was getting back to state,”

Oregon coach Chris Mitchell said. “I think this team accomplished more than a lot of people expected them to.” Elkhorn (21-1) got on the board when senior Ben Vogel scored off a corner kick by junior Gavino Perez in the 23rd minute. Senior Alec Birbaum added an insurance goal in the 39th minute. Oregon junior goalkeeper Coltrane LoBreglio had two saves.

Oregon 2, Monona Grove 0

LoBreglio played a pivotal role in helping the Panthers post their 12th shutout of the season in the sectional semifinals Friday, Nov. 1, at McFarland High School. With snow blending in with the

ball, LoBreglio made a critical save on Isaac Becker’s penalty kick shot in the 15th minute. “Cole made some humongous saves in the game to give us energy and momentum as a team,” Oregon junior Ben Statz said. M o m e n t s l a t e r, S t a t z c a p i t a l ized on a handball in the box, scoring on a penalty kick in the 25th minute to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. LoBreglio had seven saves, including a diving stop in the 56th minute that preserved the one-goal lead. Junior Pat Brognano made a pass to the corner of the post and senior Collin Bjerke scored in the 78th minute.

Oregon football

Verona football

Wildcats can’t handle Cardinals Panthers qualify ADAM FEINER

third quarter after reaggravating an ankle injury that caused him to miss the final two games of the regular season. Verona’s James Rae and Ben Cramer had a sack each, and Adam Vandervest recorded a tackle for loss.

Sports editor

Sun Prairie controlled the line of scrimmage and time of possession on its way to a 51-28 victory over Verona in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs on Friday, Oct. 25. It was the last game the Wildcats (7-3) will play at Curtis Jones Field. Verona tied Middleton for second place in the Big Eight Conference with a 55-6 road win over Madison East on Friday, Oct. 18. The Wildcats were coming off a 49-7 home win over Beloit Memorial a week earlier.

Sun Prairie 51, Verona 28

The Cardinals ran 75 plays to the Wildcats’ 47, and held a 29-17 advantage in first downs. Sun Prairie finished with a balanced 441 yards of offense, with 233 coming on the ground and 208 through the air, and scored on all four of their second-half drives. “They didn’t do anything different scheme-wise, they just beat us up front,” Verona coach Dave Richardson said of Sun Prairie. “We couldn’t stop their run game, and then you’re in big trouble because you have to add a guy to the box and then they can pass. They just had a little more juice than us, and we couldn’t respond.” Brady Stevens rifled a 20-yard touchdown pass to Colin Schaefer, giving Sun Prairie a 30-13 lead with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Verona’s Xavier Howard muffed the ensuing kickoff, but gathered the ball in time to run 90 yards for a touchdown. “I scooped it up and my first instinct was to look what I have in front of me,” Howard said. “I saw Cole (Zoromski) block two guys, so I took it up the sideline. That play was made because of him blocking two guys and the guys in the front line.” A turnover and fumble hurt the

Verona 55, Madison East 6

Photo by Adam Feiner

Verona offensive lineman Joe Gervasi (64) pulls to make a hole for running back Jackson Acker (left) during the second quarter against Sun Prairie on Friday, Oct. 25, at Curtis Jones Field. The Wildcats lost the first-round playoff matchup 51-28.

Wildcats’ chances at a comeback. Kyle Krantz had a 39-yard touchdown burst up the gut with 8:41 left, and ran in the two-point conversion. He led the Verona in rushing with 73 yards on four carries. Verona got on the board with 9:41 left in the second quarter. Haakon Anderson had catches of 15 and 42 and a 7-yard touchdown run on consecutive plays. Howard caught a quick slant from senior quarterback Adam Bekx and ran 75 yards up the Verona sideline for a touchdown with 5:25 left in the second. The Cardinals blocked Mason Armstrong’s extra-point attempt to keep the game tied at 13. Sun Prairie scored 10 points in the final 1:51 of the first half. Howard had four catches for 98 yards and three carries for 14 yards. Anderson also served as a versatile option with four catches, five carries and 105 all-purpose yards (77 receiving, 27 rushing). Bekx completed 12 of 24 for 208 yards, while Aubrey Dawkins was limited to one catch for 16 yards. Jackson Acker was held to 36 yards on 10 carries, and left the game in the

Bekx tossed four touchdown passes for the second straight week and the Wildcats’ offense clicked on all cylinders at Madison’s Breese Stevens Field. Anderson scored three touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving and an interception return. “He’s just a great athlete,” Bekx said of Anderson. “We can get him the ball so many ways. We know he’s going to get the job done. He’s probably the best athlete to go through Verona.” Dawkins had seven receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Krantz had a 6-yard touchdown run with 1:53 left in the first, Anthony Kinney caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to start the second half, and Howard scored on a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Verona 49, Beloit Memorial 7

Bekx tossed four touchdowns in the first half, and completed 15 of 23 passes for 223 yards. He opened the scoring with a 17-yard strike to Dawkins. Verona exploded for 28 points in the second quarter. Bekx connected with Anderson on a 64-yard touchdown pass, and Armstrong scored on a 3-yard run. Bekx hooked up with Dawkins on a 14-yard touchdown pass and tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Graham Stier to give Verona a 35-7 lead at the half. Krantz scored on a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter, and Chris Gonzalez had a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

for playoffs ADAM FEINER Sports editor

Kissling caught a 27-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers rushed for 150 yards. Grender and Teague Szudy each had eight carries for 34 and 38 yards, respectively. The Oregon defense posted its second shutout of the season. Gabe Pearson had 12 tackles and a sack.

Oregon’s season came to an end with a 31-0 road loss to Hartford in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs on Friday, Oct. 25. The Panthers finished the season 4-6. Oregon shut out Fort Watertown 42, Atkinson 28-0 in the regular-season finale Friday, Oregon 13 The Panthers fell behind Oct. 18, a week after a 42-13 home loss to Water- early and could not catch up to the high-powered town. Goslings. Hartford 31, Oregon 0 Watertown quarterback The Orioles broke a Ethan Pauly threw for two scoreless tie with 6:07 left touchdowns and ran for in the second quarter and two more, and the Gosnever looked back against lings’ defense scored 14 the Panthers. points in the rout. Oregon struggled to Oregon took its only lead stop Hartford’s spread of the game early in the first offense in the second half, quarter, as Szudy rushed for as Jacob Frantl tossed two a 5-yard score at the 9:56 touchdown passes and ran mark of the first. Watertown for another score. then scored 42 unanswered points. Oregon 28, Damien Johnson had Fort Atkinson 0 a 5-yard touchdown run Quarterback Erik Vic- with 7:38 left in the fourth, torson tossed two touch- and Grender tacked on the downs to power the Pan- extra point. thers to a road win over Johnson racked up 78 the Blackhawks. yards on eight carries, and Victorson completed 6 Szudy rushed 13 times for of 13 passes for 167 yards, 76 yards. and also ran for a score. Grender (34 yards), Brevin Brisack also threw Matt Kissling (27 yards) a 10-yard touchdown pass. and Austin Saunders (16 Mason Grender had two yards) each had six rushcatches for 80 yards and es. Victorson was 0-for-9 two touchdowns. Matt passing.

Madison West football

Regents return to the playoffs, but fall to Spartans MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor

The Madison West football team made the playoffs for the second time in three years under coach Brad Murphy. The Regents went 4-5 in the Big Eight Conference to qualify for the playoffs, but lost to conference champion Madison Memorial 42-6 on Friday, Oct. 25, in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs. The Regents overcame a 1-4 start to reach the postseason.

Madison Memorial 42, Madison West 6

completed 9 of 14 passes for 94 yards and 12 tackles. an interception. He rushed for 57 yards and Madison West 36, a touchdown on 20 carries. The Regents couldn’t slow down the West junior running back Nazier Jones Janesville Craig 12 Spartans’ multi-dimensional rushing attack had six receptions for 51 yards. The Regents scored 15 points in the first in a rematch at Mansfield Stadium. quarter en route to a third straight win FriThe Spartas racked up 237 yards on the Sun Prairie 21, Madison West 13 day, Oct. 11, at Mansfield Stadium. ground behind the one-two punch of Kam Gutknecht rushed for 195 yards and two Gutknecht rushed for 232 yards and Marshall and Kabaris Vasser. Marshall touchdowns on 18 carries in a road loss to three touchdowns on 25 carries. Jones ran rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns, the Cardinals in the regular-season finale for 60 yards and a score on 13 carries. and Vasser ran for 96 yards and three Friday, Oct. 18. West linebacker Sammy Smith had 14 scores. Jones added 70 rushing yards on 25 car- tackles and an interception. McLain had a West quarterback William Gutknecht ries, and Matthew McLain had a team-high team-high 19 tackles.

6

November 8, 2019

Oregon schools

Fitchburg Star

ConnectFitchburg.com

Longtime district leader Busler retiring SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group

The end of this school year will be very different one for Brian Busler. After more than three decades working with educators and students, first as a business manager and since 2006, the Oregon School District superintendent, Busler, 58, announced Tuesday he plans to retire at the end of the year school year, on June 30. School board members are expected to make an announcement on the superintendent transition plan at their Monday, Oct. 28 meeting. In a letter to school board members last week, Busler wrote “it has been the

highest honor to be a part of the Oregon School District community and serve as your superintendent for the past 14 years.” Busler leaves with a new elementary school under construction in Fitchburg after a successful 2018 referendum and with voters already aware of plans for a middle school to be built just north of the Village of Oregon in the next few years. Busler said he’s “committed to ensuring a seamless transition” to the school’s next superintendent and has been working with school board members on succession and transition plans. “Our district’s future is bright,” he said. “There is much work to be done as we

plan to open our fourth elementary school in the City of Fitchburg. I am looking forward to continuing Busler to focus on our mission throughout the 2019-2020 school year.” A resident of Brooklyn and parent of two OHS graduates, Busler said he has “seen firsthand the positive impact of a strong school system and community support.” “I am humbled to have worked with amazing colleagues and to have received tremendous support from our community.

Our students, families, staff, community members and board members have left me with a lifetime worth of positive memories.” Busler moved into education from a business background in 1988 as district business manager for the Verona Area School District. There, he worked for Tony Evers, Wisconsin’s current governor, who was then VASD’s superintendent. He was later recruited to join the Sun Prairie School District, where he was deputy superintendent for 10 years before being hired as superintendent of the Beaver Dam School District in 1998. He was hired as OSD superintendent when the position opened up in 2006.

Deputy superintent chosen to lead SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group

“Dr. B” will still be leading the way for the Oregon School District, its hundreds of educators and its 4,100some students. But starting July 1, it will be Dr. Bergstrom, rather than Dr. Busler. The school board Monday appointed longtime district educator and current deputy superintendent Leslie Bergstrom to succeed Brian Busler as the OSD superintendent. Busler announced his retirement last month after 14 years in the role, and his last day is the official end of the 2019-20 school year, June 30. Board president Steve Zach said members have been working with Busler for the past several months on a succession plan before coming to a consensus on promoting Bergstrom. She is Busler’s top deputy and has filled a variety of roles since joining the district in 2003. “And so with endings, we have beginnings,” Zach told Busler, in the first board meeting since the retirement announcement. “We’re saddened to see you go, but really excited to announce (Bergstrom) as our new superintendent.” Bergstrom said it was an honor to be selected for the position and credited Busler for his leadership and mentoring of district educators. “(He) is a leader we would all like to emulate,” she said. “We will

Photo submitted

Oregon School District superintendent Brian Busler (right) is retiring at the end of the school year in June, and will be succeeded by deputy superintendent Leslie Bergstrom, who was congratulated by Busler after being appointed to the position by the board.

continue to work to create a school system where every child walks in the door and feels like they belong, and like who they are now and who they will be honored and valued. “I truly believe there is no profession more honorable than education, I feel it in my heart, and to have the opportunity to serve as the superintendent for the Oregon School District means more than I can say.”

Fourteen years later, he leaves a growing school district that has won a bevy of awards in recent years for healthy schools and standout educators. Likely, his greatest legacy will be the shepherding of successful referendum drives in 2014 (capital improvements), 2016 (teacher compensation) and 2018 (new school, land), totaling more than $100 million. Those victories – all gained with around 2-to1 margins – demonstrated local support of the schools have provided needed space for the fast-growing district to expand in coming years, though he also presided over a failed referendum in 2012 to spend $33 million

plan to upgrade the high school, middle school and athletic fields. When asked about his time in the district, Busler quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, saying, “We all have an opportunity to take care of the garden for a period of time, and we do our best during our time to take the best care of the garden as a possibility.” “To the best of my ability, that’s what I’ve always tried to do,” he said. “Building relationships with school staff and students and of course, within the community. “My time in Oregon has been marked with tremendous community support for public education.”

What’s online for OSD

Krista Flanagan said the board again worked with educational consultant Dr. James Rickabaugh, a former Wisconsin state Superintendent of the Year, on the search for a new district leader. “That went pretty darn well, because it led to Dr. Busler,” she said. Bergstrom’s interview with all seven board members lasted around three hours, Flanagan said. She said it was “in depth” and left them with a strong impression. “(Bergstrom) possessed the educational background, the skills and acumen we desired, and possessed a steep knowledge of our value system,” Flanagan said. “(She was) already a highly respected member of our district community, had been successful in leading a lot of our most strategic long term initiatives and she was being sought after by other districts.” Zach and Courtney Odorico were on the board that hired Busler in 2006, and Zach said while the board “took a different route” in hiring an internal candidate this time around, the process was “no less thorough, no less probing, no less thoughtful.” “I think the seven of us today sit here with the same degree of confidence as we did 14 years ago (in hiring Busler),” he said, nodding at Odorico. Email Unified Newspaper Group reporter Scott De Laruelle at scott. delaruelle@wcinet.com.

Read these and more Oregon School District stories at Connectfitchburg.com

Board narrows school name choices

I t ’s d o w n t o N i n e Springs or Forest Edge Elementary School. The Oregon school board narrowed the choices for a name for the new K-6 elementary school in Fitchburg to two at its Oct. 28 meeting. Students will vote this month to choose the winner.

Taxes likely a bit higher

On Nov. 4, the Oregon School Board approved a 2019-20 budget is of $29,058, 509 and mill rate of $11.20 per $1,000 property value, down from $11.38 last year. However, increasing property values could negate much or all of the mill rate drop.

New STEAM course fitting right in at OHS

It’s safe to say OHS students have never had as much fun learning as they do now in the space that hosts the school’s sprawing STEAM lab. And in the new course — Art Tech Workshop – students interested in disciplines that previously were thought to be far apart from one another are seeing how it all comes together.

RCI leader excited to work with tweens

They’re not little kids anymore, but they’re also not yet in the category of “precocious teens.” The lives of fifth- and sixth-graders might not be as simple as kindergartners, or as drama-filled as middle or high schoolers, but for RCl principal Darci Jarstad-Krueger, the fit is just right.

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Verona schools

November 8, 2019

Campus might close for underclass Security concerns, more space, improved food choices among factors KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

There’ll be a lot of “new” f o r Ve r o n a A r e a H i g h School students at the start of the 2020-21 school year. District officials are hoping to add to that a new lunch policy that would restrict which grade levels could leave campus during lunchtime. Under a proposal brought to the school board Monday night by VAHS principal Pam Hammen and district school security coordinator Corey Saffold, only juniors and seniors would be allowed to take advantage of an open campus lunch. Freshmen and sophomores won’t be permitted to leave the school premises. “If we’re going to make a rule like this, this seems like a perfect time,” Hammen said. Hammen pointed out that students will face many new procedures, including

parking, where to enter and using collaborative spaces. “I think it would be harder for us to move into the school, and then a year later make the move (to change lunch),” she said. Currently, VA H S h a s open lunch for all grade Hammen levels, partly driven by the school being overcrowded; having students leave for lunch frees up space. Juniors and seniors have an additional privilege, with an option twice a week to take an hour-long “double lunch” and skip their A+ session. B u t a t t h e n ew h i g h school, overcrowding won’t be a problem, Hammen said, as the main atrium will be able to comfortably fit 1,000 students during each of the two lunch periods. She said creating a limited open campus lunch would remedy some of the issues being had with students, where students from other districts are coming to VAHS to fight, students are holding “fight clubs” i n H a r r i e t Pa r k o r a r e going off-campus to smoke

marijuana and coming back to classes under the influence. VA H S a d m i n i s t r a t o r s have also received complaints about how students are conducting themselves at local businesses when they leave campus to get lunch, she said, and they’ve seen an increase in tardy reports after the lunch period. Board members were receptive to the idea but raised several concerns, including whether students might be able to find loopholes and how they would enforce individual situations, and they also discussed how the potential of improved food options and updated policies on food delivery to students might work with such a policy. They generally agreed it would be a good way to balance security and giving older students some independence. Hammen said as students mature, they need less intervention from support staff, and board member Meredith Stier Christensen agreed from a parent perspective. “As a mom of a junior, the concerns that I had about open campus as a

freshman do not exist anymore,” board member Meredith Stier Christensen said. “That seems like a really natural transition to start opening up some freedoms.” Hammen said closing down part of the campus is a complement to all the money the district has invested into security at the new high school. To simplify enforcement, juniors and seniors would be asked to both leave and enter back into the school at a single access point off one of the southern parking lots. They would have to show ID confirming their grade level. Because there’s also a large number of adults who access the high school during passing times for lunch, Hammen said, having separate entrances for where students exit and where adults enter through the front office on the north side of the building will increase safety for staff and students. “ I t ’s e a s y f o r p e o p l e to get mixed in with our students and have access into the interior of our building and to our staff and students unregistered, unseen, not noticed,” she said.

New visitor rules limit access during fights KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

New rules for visitors to Verona Area School District’s school grounds will set restrictions during student conflicts and clarify the district’s handling of sex offenders and family legal conflicts. The school board approved the new rules and the district policy unanimously and without discussion on Monday night. The updated language for the rule and policy defines what guidelines parents must follow, and rights are given to a school site, in the case of

an escalated student conflict, as well as what steps a registered sex offender must take in order to access school grounds based on their relation to the school, and it also defines the district’s neutrality in family legal conflicts. In May 2019, the high school had three fights escalate out of personal conflicts between students in one day, prompting many parents to come to campus, causing additional security concerns. During a student conflict, adults who are attempting to access a student site who are not the parent or

caregiver of an enrolled student can be prohibited from entering a building and parents of students will have limited access and can be asked to move or take specified routes to a destination. The updated language asserts that school staff have the right to limit where a parent is located on the school grounds, what students they can talk to while on the premises and how long they can be there. An adult who does not follow the rules can be removed. A separate section of the updated rule sets a policy for registered sex offenders. Any registered sex offender

who wishes to visit will need to inform school administration each time they plan to come to campus, and each site has the right to refuse entrance.

Fitchburg Star

7

What’s onlne for VASD Read these and more Verona Area School District stories at ConnectFitchburg.com

Enrollment up for fifth straight year

For the fifth year in a row, Verona Area School District has seen an increase in student enrollment. According to the state’s official third Friday in September count, the total number of students within the district is 5,736, 110 more than the year prior. That increase is twice what the district expected.

Verona ranks first in high school grad rate

Out of all of the ZIP codes in the state, Verona’s has the highest percentage of people with a high school diploma. Verona’s 53593 ZIP code has a graduation rate of 98.5%, slightly higher than last year’s 98.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

continuing a winning s t r e a k f o r i t s h e a l t hy school environment and initiatives. For the second year in a row, Sugar Creek has won a Wisconsin School Health Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child award, earning a silver distinction.

District working on social wellness plan

In an effort to increase social wellness for students throughout the district, officials are working on streamlining processes for behavior discipline and finding ways to eliminate bias.

New Century launches program

Teachers Emily Utzig a n d S u e A u s t e n h ave started service project as a way of meeting one of the school’s overarching goals of service learning and giving back to the community. The The K-1 class has a goal of raising Sugar Creek recog$100 for the Dane Counnized for environment ty Humane Society by the S u g a r C r e e k i s end of the year.

WE’RE ALL EARS Questions? Comments? Story Ideas?

Let us know how we’re doing. Your opinion is something we always want to hear. Call 845-9559 or at connectfitchburg.com

Crossing Guards Needed in Verona! $14.76 per hour

The Verona Police Department is in need of Adult School Crossing Guards! We are currently seeking regular and substitute crossing guards who can fill vacant posts in Verona. Hours vary, based on time of day and post location. 2019 wage is $14.76 per hour.

Visit www.ci.verona.wi.us/516/Jobs or the

Verona Police Department to obtain an application.

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ConnectFitchburg.com

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8 Fitchburg Star - November 8, 2019

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PHYSICAL THERAPY

CHIROPRACTOR

Q. What is a “TMD”? A. The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is found where the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower

Q. I get pain in my jaw when I eat and it sometimes makes a clicking noise. Is there anything a chiropractor can do to help?

A.

Yes, and with great success. You are exhibiting two of the most common symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Other common symptoms include: headaches, dizziness, limited ability to open the mouth, and a jaw that gets “stuck”. Some of the common causes include: injuries to the head, neck or face from an accident or Jill Unwin, Lee Unwin, whiplash injury, stress, and clenching of the teeth. DC, CCEP BCMT, CSCS In our office, we utilize Chiropractic Adjustments, Massage, and Rehabilitation Exercises to treat TMD. Chiropractic treatment may involve adjusting the joint between the jaw and the skull (TMJ). This relieves pressure on the disc in that joint and allows the jaw to open and close properly, which reduces pain and restores normal function. With specific adjustments to the spine and TMJ, chiropractic treatment restores proper nervous system control of involved muscles and ligaments. Massage treatment to the affected muscles will reduce adhesions, trigger points, and tension which are all factors that can be contributing to your symptoms. Lastly, we prescribe specific exercise that works to strengthen and balance the muscles of the head and neck. We find this 3-tiered approach to be most successful.

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SENIOR CARE

DENTIST

Q. What is pediatric sleep apnea? A. Sleep disorders in children and adolescents

themselves in a senior loved one’s home or their own home, or they arrange for a professional elder care provider, or a combination of the two. With the American senior citizen population on a trajectory to double to 89 million by 2050, options for elder care are on the rise. In-home elder care: This option is quickly gaining ground as a growing number of seniors clearly voice their preference to live in the comfort of their own home as they age. In-home elder care offers the flexibility of choosing the specific home care services they need to maintain independence and achieve a high quality of life. In-home elder care providers include home health care agencies, which provide a combination of skilled nursing and health care services and nonmedical services provided by aides, and home care agencies, which provide exclusively Stephen Rudolph nonmedical, supportive care. Home care offers personal care services, such as assistance with hygiene FACHE, CSA and mobility, as well as companionship services that include conversation, light housekeeping and meal preparation. In-home elder care providers partner with families helping them provide quality care for their loved ones. Comfort Keepers has been providing these services to greater Dane County for nearly 20 years and would be pleased to work with you and your loved one. Call for a free-in-home assessment.

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are common. Even infants may have sleep disorders. Studies have shown that poor sleep quality and/or quantity in children are associated with a host of problems, including academic, behavioral, developmental and social difficulties, weight abnormalities, and other health problems. Not only can pediatric sleep problems affect your child’s health, but they can impact family dynamics and parental or sibling sleep. Children may have problems falling or staying asleep, suffer from Drs. Kate & John physiological problems including obstructive sleep apnea or sleep behaviors Schacherl, D.D.S. such as sleepwalking, have parasomnias such as restless legs syndrome, and even daytime symptoms such as excessive sleepiness. While adults may also suffer from sleep apnea, the types of symptoms experienced by children may be very different than those seen in adults. The first step to discovering the cause is an airway examination. Drs. John and Kate Schacherl have extensive training in airway orthodontics and breathing disorders. We’re here to help. Call to schedule your free consultation appointment.

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ONLINE SALES

Q. What can I sell on eBay for the upcoming holidays? A. The holidays are coming and we all are all looking for creative ways to make

process and what my family needs to do when I die?

A. YES!! Jodi Johnston, the local Cremation Society of Madison representative, holds FREE MONTHLY INFORMATIONAL SEMINARS. Please call her to register and attend one of the FOUR being held in the area this November!

Cremation Society Jodi Johnston • 1-608-438-7437 E-Mail: jjohnston_4@charter.net

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more money and also declutter our homes. Global shopping behavior continues to rise. It is truly a seller’s market. Shopping online appeals to consumers who may be more inclined to shop online than face crowds at a big-box retailer. Utilize this opportunity to gather items in your home to sell on eBay. November is the best month to get items listed online for the holiday season. Many people buy new and vintage items as gifts or decor. Examples of items great to sell online: Dept 56 holiday collections, fishing/ hunting items, kid’s toys, unique/one of a kind items, winter apparel and footwear, collections, etc. Use our services and experience to make the holidays more at ease, and put extra money in your pocket. Drop off at our Verona location or schedule an appointment for us to come to you. Once listed and sold, we ship it out and pay you. We assist clients with single items, large collections, downsizing, estates, and even liquidating businesses.

CREMATION SERVICES

Q. Is there a local person giving seminars to learn about the Cremation

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VETERINARIAN

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Q. What Does Comfort Keepers Do for elders? A. As elders live longer, more families are involved in their care. They either provide elder care

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jaw) meet. There are 2 TMJs (one located in front of each ear canal) that work as a modified ‘ball and socket’ joint to allow the jaw to open and close. These joints work hundreds of times a day (more than any other joint in the body), while a person is talking, biting, chewing, and yawning. Temporolmandibular Disorder (TMD) occurs when one or both TMJs are not functioning properly. This can occur due to muscle imbalance, repetitive use injury, direct trauma, stress or with cervical Susan Armstrong, MPT spine issues. Common symptoms of TMD include: pain with jaw movement or with palpation of the joints, locking of the jaw, upper neck pain, headaches, ear pain (similar to an earache), grinding, Physical Therapist crunching, or popping sounds with jaw movement, dizziness, fullness of the ear, and ringing in the ear. Treatment for TMD generally involves a potential bite splint, use of anti-inflammatory medications, and stress management. Physical therapy would include exercises, stretching, improving alignment, and the use of modalities for reducing inflammation and pain. Contact Stellar Rehabilitation at 608845-2100 or www.stellarrehab.com to find a physical therapist to expertly assess and treat you properly.

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in less competition when writing an offer to purchase on a home. In comparison to the “spring rush” were there are more buyers looking at homes and writing offers, which leads to home prices being driven up considerably. Housing inventory is still considered to be “tight” in Fitchburg and its surrounding communities, however, indicators are that there are more homes on the market this fall as compared to other times of the year. This increase in inventory gives home buyers Shawn Pfaff the opportunity to look at more homes and write a solid offer. Other reasons that this fall is a good time to buy a home is that the economy is in good condition, interest rates still remain low and a home purchase is the best way to invest in your long-term future. If you’re interested in finding out the value of your home, please visit www.shawnpfaff.firstweber.com.

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Q. What’s the difference between being prequalified and preapproved? A. A quick conversation with your lender about your income, assets and down payment is all it takes to get prequalified. But if you want to get preapproved, your lender will need to verify your financial information and submit your loan for preliminary underwriting. A preapproval takes a little more time and documentation, but it also carries a lot more weight. Which is better? Think of prequalification as an initial step and preapproval as the green light signaling that you’re ready to start your home search. When sellers review your offer, a preapproval means you’re a serious buyer whose lender has already started the loan process.

Q. Is this fall the right time to buy a home? A. During the fall there are usually fewer buyers out looking at homes, resulting