8/15/19 Oregon Observer

HELP WANTED Seeking to hire a full-time

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Benefits for full-time employees include health insurance, dental/vision insurance, retirement, paid personal days, paid holidays, C.E. opportunity and animal care benefits.

Please send cover letter, references and resumé to Michelle, Hospital Manager, at office@countryviewvets.com

1350 S. Fish Hatchery Rd., Oregon, WI www.countryviewvets.com 608-835-0551

Thursday, August 15, 2019 • Vol. 135, No. 7 • Oregon, WI • ConnectOregonWI.com • $1.25

adno=97657

Oregon Observer The

UNG reporter Levenhagen dead at 25 Was in I-94 multivehicle collision STAFF Unified Newspaper Group

Unified Newspaper Group lost a rising star this past weekend.

Amber Levenhagen, our Oregon and Stoughton local government reporter, was fatally injured in a multive h i c l e c a r wreck Friday, Aug. 9, Levenhagen on Interstate 94 while returning home to Madison from Oconomowoc. She was 25.

Levenhagen joined UNG in October 2016, a few months after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She quickly became an indispensable member of our community reporting team, focusing on Stoughton, and helped establish a strong

bond with the community that had been lacking.

In short, she was everywhere, and she was wellknown around town.

When her opportunity came to take on the grittier, more painstaking work of reporting on budgets, ordinance changes and arguments over alcohol policies, she didn’t just tackle it, she loved it. The messier the better.

To her colleagues, she was a newsroom leader who held herself and others to high standards, and did so with grace and good humor.

She viewed it as her personal responsibility to ensure the quality of our newspapers.

She also had a strong and convincing voice in office debates about social justice issues, helping to promote equity through coverage decisions, phrasing and word choices.

One of the stories she enjoyed covering most was the ongoing Ted Bruno murder case, a yearslong process that involved sifting

Turn to Levenhagen/Page 10

Celebrating 125 years Oregon Fire Department hosts anniversary event, reflects on history EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

It will be 125 years ago Sunday, Aug. 25, that the first reference of a fire department was made in the Village of Oregon board minutes.

According to a fire department timeline assembled with the help of the Oregon Area Historical S o c i e t y, t h o s e m i n u t e s recorded the purchase of two ladders, two hooks, six pike poles and ropes.

Fire chief Glenn Linzmeier told the Observer

If You Go What: Oregon Area Fire/ EMS District celebrates 125 years of service When: Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25 Where: Oregon Area Fire/ EMS District building, 131 Spring St. Info: 835-5587 that until 1950, there were no formal “objectives” for how local fire departments should operate. So, back in 1888, the Oregon Fire Department looked very different from how it does today, with 35 members including six full-time staff

Turn to Fire/Page 9

Addison Kypreos crossing the finish line at the Oregon Kids Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 10.

Photo by Brynn Mancusi

Determined to shine

8 year old with sunlight sensitivity competes in kids triathlon BRYNN MANCUSI AND EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

Addison Kypreos competed in the Oregon Kids Triathlon Aug. 10 like many other youngsters, but her attire was a little bit different.

She was dressed in clothing from head to toe, with every bit of her skin covered, despite the summer temperatures.

The Brooklyn 8 year old participated with a condition known as Erythropoietic Protoporphyria, or EPP, a disorder that causes extreme sensitivity to sunlight.

After competing in the swimming portion of the triathlon, Addison transitioned from her swimsuit to her

Inside Photos from the kids triathlon Page 12 protective garb — leggings, sleeves, gloves, long socks, a ski mask and a sun hat for the biking and running portions.

That outfit prevented sensations of “skin stinging, prickling and burning on exposed areas” of the skin, all symptoms of EPP, according to the National Library of Medicine for the National Institute of Health.

Addison has been battling with these symptoms since she was six months old, her mother Erica Kypreos told the Observer.

Erica, sitting at a picnic table at the triathlon with Addison and husband, Sean, talked about the day she realized something was wrong.

The Kypreos family had been living in California at the time, and when Addison was a year old they decided to take her to a boardwalk out in the sun. The day didn’t go according to plan, as Addison was soon “screaming in pain,” Erica recalled, and when her skin became discolored and bruised Erica knew something was going on.

Turn to Triathlon/Page 12

Sex offender will be under ‘dual supervision’ at Rutland home Restrictions include one-year house arrest, GPS tracking JUSTIN LOEWEN Hub correspondent

Soon to be placed violent sex offender Ritchie H. Dumer will not be allowed to leave his Town of Rutland home without

supervision for at least a one year period and will wear a GPS monitoring device on his ankle for life, county officials said at a community notification meeting on Monday, Aug. 12.

A supervised release program will place 66 year old Dumer at 3482 Hwy. 138, where he will not even be allowed to perform lawn maintenance without

a monitor watching over him, officials said. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services program will be a part of Dumer’s “dual supervision,” with the Department of Corrections also monitoring Dumer until December 2024.

Supervisors will lease the building for one-year

Turn to Rutland/Page 3

Highlights • Ritchie Dumer, 66, has spent most of his life in jail • 1 year house arrest • GPS monitoring • Treatment costs $145k per year

NOW OPEN

608.441.9999 avanteproperties.com

RAVEN APARTMENTS

5116 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI

Studio, 1, 1+Den, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments adno=80632

2

August 15, 2019

ConnectOregonWI.com

Oregon Observer

From left, Coco Swanson, 6, and Cash Weaver Larson play a bag toss game during National Night Out.

Fun and safety The 24th annual National Night Out returned to Kiser Fireman’s Park for a second year Tuesday, Aug. 6, headlined by a vehicle extrication demonstration from Oregon firefighters. Kids also chased after police drones, toured emergency vehicles and scaled a rock climbing wall.

Photos by Justin Loewen

Jack Dewbre, 9, scales a rock climbing wall during National Night Out at Kiser Fireman’s Park on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

– Justin Loewen

Evan Barkelar, 6, sits in the passenger seat of an emergency vehicle during National Night Out at Kiser Fireman’s Park on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

                                           

      

    -              adno=95716

Oregon firefighters demonstrate how they open up the roof a crashed car during National Night Out.

ConnectOregonWI.com

August 15, 2019

Space to splash

Rutland: Restrictions include no buying alcohol, computer

Pool party Aug. 21, free entry for reading program participants After blasting through books this summer, kids and teens can celebrate their reading achievements with a pool party later this month.

The Oregon Public Library’s space-themed summer reading program, “A Universe of Stories,” concludes Saturday, but youth who meet their reading goals can earn free admission to the Oregon Community Pool from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Pool activities may include water volleyball, relay races, king and queen of the log, cannonball contests and watermelon push races. Four lifeguards and two supervisors will be on duty during the event, w h i c h t y p i c a l l y d r aw s around 150 people.

For an extra challenge, lifeguards used to smear Vaseline on the watermelons to make the floating fruit slippery, but the kids “have enough trouble pushing it anyway,” aquatics director Deb Bossingham recalled.

The library and pool have coordinated the End of Summer Pool Party since 2009, youth services librarian Kelly Allen said.

Allen estimated that over 1,400 people of all ages have participated in this year’s summer reading program. Children and teens

3

Oregon Observer

File photo by Samantha Christian

Kids anxiously wait until they can swim to collect as many ping pong balls as possible at the 2016 pool party.

baskets for children or one of three $50 gift cards for teens.

The library encouragWhat: End of Summer Pool Party es kids to also “complete When: 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21 activities or check out nonWhere: Oregon Pool, 249 Brook St., Oregon fiction or audiobooks to find new ways to explore Info: oregonpubliclibrary.org the library,” Allen said.

The public is also welcome to join the party at use a reading sheet to keep children must read for at the pool for an entry fee of track of the books and time least four hours during the $1.50 for children and $3 they read. three month period, and six for adults.

To receive a prize, a hours for teens. Those who – Samantha Christian book from the library and continue reading may enter free entry to the pool party, to win one of eight prize

If You Go

Continued from page 1 intervals and Dumer can only live there while he is on supervised release. He can petition for discharge from supervised release and if granted, he would no longer be monitored by the Department of Health Services and would be required to find a new place to live.

On average, offenders are on supervised release for 2 ½ to 3 ½ years, officials said.

About 20 people attended the meeting, with some expressing concerns for their safety. Attendees were particularly worried about being able to defend themselves and slow response times from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.

Dumer, who has spent most of his adult life in jail, was convicted in 1973 for rape and was in prison until 1982, when he was released on parole. He then was convicted again in 1985 of two counts of attempted sexual assault, with all of the victims being women he did not know.

After serving 37 ½ years for the 1985 crimes, he was eligible for release in 2013, but the state Department of Justice petitioned for commitment at Sand Ridge Secure Treatment

Center, deeming him likely to reoffend.

His placement in Rutland cannot be prevented by the town as part of a 2015 state law. But Sand Ridge takes precautions to risks for the communities where they place offenders, officials said.

Dumer’s restrictions include not being allowed to possess or consume alcohol or drugs and not being allowed to own a computer.

Officials also discussed “protective behaviors” for parents to teach their children.

A “community reintigration” team will comprise specialists from DOC and DHS and a sex offender treatment provider. Agents will also drop in at Dumer’s residence at unscheduled times during the week to ensure compliance with treatment and restrictions.

Once placed, Dumer will be required to search for a job and all earnings will go towards his cost of care, with tax dollars to fund the rest . Attendees expressed concerns over these costs, which officials said cost around $145,000 a year.

AT T I C C o r r e c t i o n a l Services Inc. will install furnishings for the home, owned by Richard Donahue.

WePRUNING Plant Trees

Tim Andrews Horticulturist LLC “Caring for our Green World since 1978” www.tahort.com • tahort@gmail.com

adno=94178

Trees store shade Winter is a carbon, great time for pruning or removal of trees your home, save electricity, and shrubs with little and add beautydamage to to the lawn. your landscape Call now for a FREE evaluation

608-795-9948

EPA Begins Review of City Disposal Corp. Landfill Dunn, Wisconsin Photo submitted

Brooke Ace shows her lamb alongside another exhibitor, Brady Brandt, of Rock Springs. Ace and Brandt are relatives.

Ace wins champion oxford Brooke Ace, of Oregon, a member of the Oregon FFA and the Paoli 4H Fireballs, exhibited the Champion Oxford breed market lamb at the State Fair and was also in the governor’s Blue Ribbon auction.

Approximately 1,300 sheep are shown at the Wisconsin State Fair. Ace’s market lamb, Cody, was evaluated for idleness for meat production, body proportions and how

well the characteristics match the standard for their breed. “(The hard work) is all worth it as the youth learn some much out of these programs. Leadership, responsibilities, organization, public speaking and presentation.

These are all valuable and lifelong experiences that are priceless,” Brooke Ace’s mother, Dee Ace, wrote to the Observer in an email.

PAR Concrete, Inc.

EMERALD INVESTMENTS MINI STORAGE

More information is available at the Dunn Town Hall, 4156 County Trunk Highway B, McFarland, and at www.epa.gov/superfund/city-disposal-landfill. The review should be completed by February 2020.

HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8 am-12 noon; 1:30 pm-6 pm Wednesday 8 am-12 noon; 1:30 pm-5 pm; 7-9 pm

Dr. John E. Breitbach

adno=80447

At Cleary Building Corp.

190 S. Paoli St., Verona WI (608) 845-9700

Serving the Community Since 1961 167 N. Main St., Oregon

Saturday 8 am-11 am

5'x10' $38 Month 10'x10' $60 Month 10'x15' $65 Month 10'x20' $80 Month 10'x25' $90 Month adno=62816

Phil Mountford 516-4130 (cell) 835-5129 (office)

EPA’s cleanup of tetrahydrofuran contamination at the abandoned landfill consisted of capping, fencing, controlling landfill gas, pumping and treating contaminated groundwater, implementing site controls, and monitoring.

835-5353

www.breitbachchiropractic.com

adno=94996

• Driveways • Floors • Patios • Sidewalks • Decorative Concrete

BREITBACH CHIROPRACTIC

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a fiveyear review of the City Disposal Corp. Landfill Superfund site on Sand Hill Road in rural Dane County about 7 miles south of Madison. The Superfund law requires regular checkups of sites that have been cleaned up – with waste managed on-site – to make sure that the cleanup continues to protect people and the environment. This is the fifth five-year review of this site.

The five-year-review report is an opportunity for you to tell EPA about site conditions and any concerns you have. Contact: Susan Pastor Community Involvement Coordinator 312-353-1325 pastor.susan@epa.gov

Karen Mason-Smith Remedial Project Manager 312-886-6150 mason-smith.karen@epa.gov

You may call Region 5 toll-free at 800-621-8431, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays.

adno=97019

Oregon Observer Remembering Amber Levenhagen 4 Amber was kind, funny person From the editor’s desk August 15, 2019

As one of the newest members of the UNG team, I wish I would have known Amber better; however, there were a few things about her I won’t forget.

I learned the name of her cat, Shelby, before I knew the name of her fiance, Zach. She loved Taco Bell runs, but hated bananas. She was desperately looking for a new home because of what she referred to as the “poopy ceiling” and this is the first year she’ll miss the Great Taste of the Midwest. Her style was on-point and her work ethic was like no

other.

No matter how tense Tuesday productions were, Amber would always spark funny conversations that lifted the mood.

Amber was kind – not the kissbutt kind – but the kind that seeped through even when she was being brutally honest. This is a great loss for journalism, for the UNG family and the community as a whole. #livelikeAmber – Mackenzie Krumme

Amber a role model for young journalists It’s difficult to write about a friend and colleague who so suddenly and unexpectedly passed from our lives, but it’s important.

I heard the news while on vacation last week, and checking my email, I found a message she sent just hours before her passing, just making sure I would be covering something.

I never got the chance to respond.

In a time when too many journalists are leaving the profession – for a variety of reasons – Amber was always eager to learn more and do more to help tell a better story. And she did it all with a sense of humor and a sense that what she was doing was important, whether it was

covering an important meeting or writing a funny cutline on a photo.

We lost a gifted young journalist, but my sincere hope is that Amber’s brief but bright light will help encourage more young people to step up into a profession that needs people like her more than ever. She was a positive force for change and a role model for what good reporting should be about, and she will not be forgotten among her many friends, colleagues and readers.

And I think I’ll leave that unanswered message in my email folder for a while.

– Scott De Laruelle

See something wrong?

The Oregon Observer does not sweep errors under the rug. If you see something you know or even think is in error, please call 835-6677 or email oregonobserver@wcinet.com so we can get it right.

Thursday, August 15, 2019 • Vol. 135, No. 7 USPS No. 411-300

Periodical Postage Paid, Oregon, WI and additional offices.

Published weekly on Thursday by the Unified Newspaper Group, A Division of Woodward Communications, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send Address Corrections to The Oregon Observer, PO Box 930427, Verona, WI 53593.

Office Location: 156 N. Main Street, Oregon, WI 53575 Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday Phone: 608-835-6677 • FAX: 608-835-0130 e-mail: ungeditor@wcinet.com Circulation customer service: (800) 355-1892

ConnectOregonWI.com

This newspaper is printed on recycled paper.

General Manager Lee Borkowski lborkowski@wcinet.com Sales Manager Kathy Neumeister kathy.neumeister@wcinet.com Advertising Daniel Duquette oregonsales@wcinet.com Classifieds ungclassified@wcinet.com Inside Sales Suzy Schleeper insidesales@wcinet.com

Circulation ungcirculation@wcinet.com News Jim Ferolie ungeditor@wcinet.com Sports Adam Feiner ungsportseditor@wcinet.com Assistant Editor Scott Girard ungreporter@wcinet.com Reporters Emilie Heidemann, Mark Nesbitt, Amber Levenhagen, Mackenzie Krumme, Scott De Laruelle, Kimberly Wethal

Unified Newspaper Group, a division of Woodward Communications,Inc. A Diversified, Employee-Owned Media Company Good People. Real Solutions. Shared Results.

Printed by Capital Newspapers - Madison

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION

SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year in Dane Co. & Rock Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45 One Year Elsewhere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $55 Oregon Observer Stoughton Courier Hub • Verona Press

ConnectOregonWI.com

Unbearable loss will have lasting effects on staff T he entire staff of Unified Newspaper Group is crushed this week.

The loss of our colleague and friend, Amber Levenhagen, was a sudden blow that has hit me like no other loss I’ve ever had.

I will never forget the wideeyed, bubbly, bushy-haired girl with a pet hedgehog who came to us three years ago, so grateful for the opportunity to escape what she found as soul-crushing work in retail. But what will haunt me forever is the memory of the still excitable, but now sharp, focused, Ferolie vibrant, tough and unquenchably curious government reporter who could not wait to dig into a complicated story.

“I love it so much!” she’d squeal when she would find a new layer in a story that would make so many other reporters groan.

When she took over her new beat in May, she moved out of the room where the other reporters put together the newspapers each week to a spot right outside my office. There, we’d often yell over to one another to start a conversation about how tax-increment financing works or to discuss a tactic for getting information from a reluctant bureaucrat or just talk about her plans for the weekend or my motherin-law’s battle with cancer.

It’s going to be difficult to leave my door open now, with her ghost sitting right there, grunting excitedly over something she heard playing back an interview or finding out some new nugget of information.

The horror of losing a 25 year old who was just finding her

place in the industry, engaged to be married to an emerging musician and full of life and love for the people she knew is beyond my comprehension right now.

For the hours after learning she’d soon be taken off life support after a gruesome Interstate 94 crash, I could not sleep, could not think. There were only two things I could manage – to talk to her former fellow community reporters – who also couldn’t sleep – and to write about her.

But even that was almost too much to bear.

The first time I typed her name, I broke down in tears as my wife and son came to comfort me. Then, just as I got myself together, I looked up her age for our unfortunate news story and saw her seemingly indefatigable smile grinning at me and lost it again.

I’m spending the week in Arizona, so I don’t even know what will happen when I walk by her desk to go to my office next Tuesday.

But the news doesn’t stop for personal tragedy, so soon enough, we had to go through the gut-wrenching exercise of moving her stories off our upcoming lists or changing her initials to someone else’s, parceling out her various beats temporarily and putting out an ad for a new reporter.

I’ve also had to figure out how to break the news to the other members of our staff and call reporters she had worked with in the past who would want to know about her untimely, utterly unfair demise.

I suppose I should count my blessings. At least I didn’t find out about this on my birthday and then have to call two of her best friends to break the news, as assistant editor Scott Girard did.

Amber was a wonderful photographer, an emerging writer, a

gifted, intelligent reporter, and an amazing ambassador for our company. She was on track to move into management, and she was a perfect counter to my grizzled style that sometimes comes off as insensitive. Even in her worst of moods, Amber always had an infectious smile that is now simply painful to look at.

As I finished writing this early Saturday, the confirmation of what I’d been fearing for several hours before was still fresh, and it still didn’t feel real.

Our work teaches us to be professional through traumas; we have to be able to speak with grieving widows, parents, children. And we’ve had to follow some terrible stories over the years, the kind of thing that makes you walk out to your car and then break down in sadness for the person you’ve just spoken with.

But this … this is beyond our reckoning.

That mangled car I saw was one I’d seen in our parking lot so many times, one she was proud of after driving around a beater for so many years. That news story about a two-hour shutdown of the interstate on every TV and newspaper site in the area, that was our colleague. Our friend.

We all love our work here, and for some of us – probably most of us – it’s our refuge from other problems in life. We all know Amber would be angry with us – in her sweet, but firm way – if we were to make excuses.

But there’s no denying it’s going to be a bit difficult for UNG to put out a good product for a while. So please bear with us as we do our best to honor her memory.

We love you, Amber.

Jim Ferolie is the editor of Unified Newspaper Group.

We’ll keep doing our best in Amber’s memory Amber Levenhagen’s spirit was infectious, her smile and enthusiasm spreading to everyone in our office whenever they made an appearance.

I can’t stop thinking about how much her new car brought both out a few months ago when she announced her purchase and made sure we all got to see it out in the parking lot.

That same car Girard showed up on a TV news station’s aerial video Friday as an almost unrecognizable hunk of metal after a collision with a large commercial truck took our 25-yearold friend and co-worker’s life.

This tragedy, the most sudden of my life to this point, came just as Amber was finding her home in government and enterprise reporting after a recent promotion. She was likely, someday, to be my successor in the assistant editor position – with all the tools of a team leader who cared about her coworkers no matter what she was dealing with herself.

If there’s anything we must carry with us from her life, it’s that: Be there for one another.

In the days since her death, I’ve

been reminded again and again of that spirit. In calling current and former coworkers to deliver the news and in sharing our grief, it’s been clear we’re a family here.

To lose a member of that family like this – rather than to a new job elsewhere or another exciting life development, like we normally do – was unthinkable until last week.

It will be a challenge these coming days, months, weeks and even years to try to put out a newspaper without her. Not because of the stories she would have written and photographs she would have taken, but because of her joy at creating them and being part of the team that put this newspaper out every week.

We will do our best, because it’s what she would have wanted – demanded, even.

Even through the stress of production days and the busyness of everyone’s weeks, that expectation of doing our best was always present from her. She mixed it in with a wisecrack or joke, but underlying it was her desire to put out the best product she and we all could, together, each and every week.

I had the pleasure of being her supervisor for two-and-a-half years, and as part of that, had the privilege of nominating her for a

Future Headliner award from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association in 2018. It was easy to write about why she deserved to be one of five journalists under the age of 30 recognized for that twoyear period – and it was no surprise when she was named one of the winners.

As part of that recognition, she created a video about herself and what she loved about her job.

“Being able to, at least as best I can, have my finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the community,” she explained in that video. “Most of my job is writing those features and business stories that make people feel good and are fun to read.”

She was so good at every part of that job, and watching that video again over the weekend only made me angrier at what the community and whatever world she would’ve moved to next will miss.

We’ve always tried to put out the best paper we could for you, our community. Now, we’re trying for Amber, too.

Rest in peace, Amber.

Scott Girard is the assistant editor of Unified Newspaper Group, managing the community reporting team.

ConnectOregonWI.com

Remembering Amber Levenhagen

August 15, 2019

Oregon Observer

5

Upholding a promise to my best friend Dreaming big, because Amber would It’s a little after 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

I should be sleeping. In an hour, I should be jolting myself awake, my brain remembering that I need to be at a senior portrait session in an hour, and I have only 15 minutes to make sure I have my camera gear in order and brush my teeth.

But instead, I’m looking at video footage taken of a collision on I-94 from a helicopter earlier the day before. The car is sitting on the side of the road, smashed Wethal and caved in.

I’m looking for a few things.

The car’s a 2019 Silver Honda Fit. It’s got a license plate I would recognize anywhere. I’m looking closely to see if I can spot a small hedgehog tree ornament on the dash under the shattered windshield glass.

It’s 5 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, and I’m looking at the crash that killed my coworker and my best friend.

It’s then I realize the woman who’s been my relentless cheerleader, my shoulder to cry on and sometimes my workout buddy – when we both had the ambition to get there – is gone.

I feel an aching in my heart that I haven’t ever felt before. I’ve gotten punched in the stomach, only to then immediately get hit in the throat.

And it hurts.

It hurts because the world lost a fantastic, passionate journalist who had just been promoted to her dream job, and was absolutely killing it. It hurts because I will never again hear her excited giggle, nor will I see her pixie cut pop up over my cubicle.

It hurts because I have to now write her out of all of my future memories I planned on having with her.

It hurts most of all because I’m

the only one left to remember what memories we do have.

I knew Amber for five years of my life, far less than I wanted. A friend I made at our college newspaper The Royal Purple and carried far beyond to Unified Newspaper Group, we shared countless memories, adventures and jokes in that half-decade of friendship.

Amber and I – Kamber, as we called ourselves – seemed like we were always on some sort of adventure. We braved a Trump rally together for the Royal Purple in 2016, crammed into the press booth like sardines, proud that we were the only UW students in the press box.

We spent three consecutive years photographing Syttende Mai together, where I introduced her to lefse and we started a tradition of eating Fosdal’s cookies while game-planning coverage.

Last year, when she wanted to don a protective bee suit for a story but was worried about how to take photos in it, I offered to take them for her and stand surrounded by 60,000 bees in a tank top and shorts.

I was so on edge that I’d get stung while photographing her having the time of her life, but I’d do it a hundred times over for Amber.

She was one of my biggest cheerleaders, giving me nothing but love and support as I built my photography business, being one of my second shooters multiple times.

She drove all the way to Whitewater to watch me present my senior capstone and was more excited over stories I was writing than me.

She was one-third of a group of young female journalists that included myself and our friend Erika. A day never went by where the three of us didn’t talk to one another (often, it was two talking and the third threatening to put the group chat on mute so they would get some work done). For more than three years, the three of us talked about everything and anything you could imagine and served as one

Prior to this week, the last time I stopped by Unified Newspaper Group’s main office was a Tuesday afternoon this June.

It was a convenient place to rest and get a drink of water during my bike ride through Verona, but really it was an excuse to see my friends and former coworkers – some of the people I care about most in the world.

I had expected to see Amber there, but she was out sick. We tried making plans when she felt better, but our schedules never matched up.

And then last Friday, I got the news, which my former colleagues blasted on their website Monday: “UNG reporter Levenhagen dead at 25.”

The last three words are tragic alone, but combined with the first three they are unfathomable for a newspaper to publish about one of its own. My friend.

Amber and I worked together for part of her first year here on a team that has done some great work.

UNG has been among the first on the scene covering tornadoes in Verona and Oregon in 2014, an explosion in Fitchburg in 2016 and a stabbing in Stoughton in 2017.

But nothing compares to the news of Amber’s accident.

This staff had so many reasons to sit this edition out or delay printing, but they showed up and worked even harder. Because Amber would have, too.

Amber was always, always there for her team, and she was always there for me. When my close friends moved away, she was there to lend an ear or offer a hug or words of encouragement, as she did for countless others. Because her love was boundless.

I admired this about her, just as I admired her ability to dream big and continually step outside her comfort zone, blossoming from a budding community reporter to a gritty and giddy government reporter.

The last time we spent time

another’s support systems through every bump in the road.

Amber helped talk me through some of the hardest times in my life, as I struggled with almost being evicted multiple times from my college apartment due to a roommate who flaked on me, and came to visit my mom and brought her flowers when she was in the hospital.

The love was always there between us, although we made a lot of people question it. We fought like an old married couple, whether it was how we should redo our AP Style guidelines for the paper, or over trite things like Stoughton trivia (which I always won, by the way).

Anyone who watched us interact in the office knew the insults that flew between us came from love, and that we were always laughing and joking about something.

But there was one joke we shared that I never wanted to come true.

Both community reporters, our job was to edit obituaries for AP Style, and to get them laid out on the newspaper page. Sitting across from one another, whenever we’d get a photo where some poor funeral home employee had been tasked with blacking out the background of a photo of a recently deceased person, we’d show it to one another and say, “Wow, that funeral home did them dirty.”

It was one time mid-last year where we promised one another that if one of us died, the other would make sure our obituary photo was decent. No one was going to remember us with a terrible Photoshop job.

It was only meant to be a mildly uncomfortable joke. I never imagined it would be my reality.

Amber Lynn Levenhagen: It was the honor of my life just to be a part of your life. I will carry your memory forward, and do my best to live a life that you would be proud of. I love you, and always will. #livelikeAmber

together, I had told her about a job opportunity that would have matched her personality, could have eased her financial worries and would have helped her find worklife balance. She thanked me but said she had just been promoted to the government reporter position at UNG, and she gushed about the stories she was already digging into.

Because in that moment, she was already doing what she loved.

We all know that how a person confronts challenges reveals their true character, and the way the UNG family has rallied together – even when separated by distance or time – has reminded me that this team is made up of some of the most compassionate and dedicated people.

Amber was one of the best.

She was the first person I thought to invite to the Brewing for Bigs event at Great Dane Pub scheduled for Aug. 13. I hoped she’d go so I could share with her the incredible need in our communities for adult mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, where I had just applied to become a Big Sister.

With her bubbly personality, an openness to try new things, and her love for every living person and animal on this planet, I knew Amber would make an incredible Big, too.

But I never told her any of that, because it was on a Tuesday at 6 p.m., and I knew Amber would surely be at the office on a production night.

And now, there are flowers at her desk instead of a laptop and an empty chair no one could ever replace.

In the days since we lost Amber, I realized she not only would have been a great Big Sister, she was actually my Big Sister.

I can’t catch up with my Big Sister tonight, but I’m with my Big Family.

Samantha Christian was a community reporter for Unified Newspaper Group from 2014-17.

The other side of multiple tragedies reveals strength of character in wake of sadness, brokenness he said, my mind suddenly in blur.

He spoke more, but I was fixated on that lone statement.

A memorial service, countless phone calls to grieving family members – some didn’t even know how she died – and various therapy appointments later, it’s still as surreal as the day I heard those words. I realized I’ll never be able to hug her or tell her I love her again.

I’m surprised I even got through planning the memorial service. That was its own monster.

I was bombarded by hugs and suffocated by meaningless small talk. A more introverted soul, I found myself escaping to be alone.

To think. To weep. To bask in the anger. To panic.

The next thing I knew, it was a Friday afternoon and I was staring at a marshy clearing adjacent to my three-story apartment building on my balcony. I was trying to find my mother in the brush, trying to feel her version of peace – her essence, as if she was one with nature now, like she had always wanted to be.

Then I got a Facebook message from my colleague Amber’s boyfriend, David.

Get Connected Find updates and links right away.

Search for us on Facebook as “Oregon Observer” and then LIKE us.

She had been in a car accident and rendered unconscious and was hopefully recovering in my mind in the intensive care unit of an unknown hospital in Madison.

Amber was going to recover because I needed her. I needed her to help me grieve and reconcile the loss of my mother.

We had been starting to hang out more, and were fortifying our bond with deep conversations about life, gender, politics, etc. I had just gone out for a drink with her a week earlier, and she let me spill from the deepest reaches of my subconscious into her compassionate ears.

That’s what made her great. I was intimidated by her intelligence and relished in her positive attitude.

There were times it seemed like she couldn’t catch a break, but she was strong. She was a fighter.

Her talent knew no bounds, and it was my hope to end up at least half the woman she was in a year. She was a rarity and a diamond in the rough.

I had worked with Amber only nine months, but time has no bearing on friendship. Ours was to be lifelong.

FREE

Stock Book

Unconscious doesn’t mean dead, I thought. She’s alive. I knew it.

Because I couldn’t lose another loved one. No, not another one.

Please God. Hours passed after I let my editor, Scott Girard, know about what had happened. He let other colleagues know, and they did some digging of their own.

When Scott called back, he was shakily trying to make out the fact that what Amber endured was serious. But serious didn’t mean critical. The optimist in me was feigning for all of my attention at that point.

It helped to envision her making sarcastic comments at her attending nurses.

And then, another phone call.

This time, it was 11:30 p.m. Scott called me again, this time his voice grave.

“Is she dead?” was the only thing I could muster.

“There’s no brain activity.”

First, I experienced a bout of shock and denial – very similarly to when my body started to shake upon hearing the news of my mother’s death. In both instances, I couldn’t form coherent sentences or words.

PAL STEEL

New • Used • Surplus MULTI-METAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Pipe - Plate - Channel - Angle - Tube - Rebar - Bar Grating, Expanded Metal Sheet - Lintels - B-Decking - Pipe Bollards - Decorative Iron Parts I & H Beams $3 & up per foot

STAINLESS STEEL & ALUMINUM ROUGH SAWN LUMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES STEEL ROOFING & SIDING

FABRICATION • CRANE SERVICE • STEEL PROCESSING 414 3rd Street, Palmyra • 262-495-4453 adno=97506

My heart shattered into a million more pieces – I didn’t even know it could break more than it already had. The shards of glass became sand.

My mother and I had a complicated dynamic, but we were going to heal. She was going to get treatment for her mental illness. She was going to get better, not blow her brains out with a firearm. At 63, she still had so much life to live.

Amber was only 25.

Like a dam bursting, the tears came and kept coming. Scott’s voice faded into the background. In my already fragile state, everything that held me together was no more. Time stopped.

The wound already so deeply embedded in my flesh was ripped open again, but this time it had widened.

My cries turned into wails. I wept at how the universe, seemingly indifferent to our feeble existence, anyway, could take a soul like Amber’s so early. I wept at how my mother, who was selfaware enough to get herself the help she deserved, took her life.

Somehow, I’m still standing.

August 15-18, 2019 Angell Park, Sun Prairie Includes: Parade on Thursday; carnival, Car Show Friday, family entertainment stage, craft fair, beer shelter, special attractions, bands Friday & Saturday, food and vendor booths, kiddie korner, midget auto racing Sunday.

Questions?

Sweet Corn served Sat. & Sun. (608) 837-4547, $8 per tote, $2.00 per single ear Parking $5 (includes admission) spchamber@tds.net or Admission: $1.00 Sat. & Sun. only sunprairiechamber.com

adno=97507

It was a sunny Saturday morning, and I was sitting down to do some light reading.

The next thing I knew, I was being informed of the first of two personal tragedies in a matter of two weeks. Overall, I experienced the loss of my mother, then a friend and colleague who was helping me cope with my feelings.

Somehow, I’m still standing.

And to say that my heart is broken is an understatement.

But you don’t really know how resilient you are until you find yourself on the other side of tragedies like these.

Heidemann Vibrations from my phone interrupted my reading session. The Caller ID said “Westfield, Wisconsin” but it was an unfamiliar number. I, in an already annoyed state because I get a slew of spam calls on a daily basis, reluctantly answered.

It was a call from a Marquette County Sheriff’s Department deputy.

“Your mother committed suicide,”

6

August 15, 2019

ConnectOregonWI.com

Oregon Observer

Coming up

Churches

Seed saving The Oregon Public Library will be hosting a fun learning event for adults 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Anne Michels, a graduate from the Dane County UW-Extension master gardener volunteer program, will talk about how to save seeds from garden plants, vegetables and flowers for next year.

For more information, contact Kara at kripley@oregonlibrary.org.

Putts for Paws The Oregon Police Department will be hosting the sixth annual Putts for Paws K9 Golf Outing 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 17, at Foxboro Golf Course, 1020 Co. Road MM. Entry fee covers 18 holes scramble, cart and lunch served at the end of the event. There will also be a silent auction and raffle. All proceeds will go directly to the ORPD K9 fund.

For information, call 835-3111.

VFW Sweet Corn and Brat Fest The annual VFW Sweet Corn Roast and Brat Fest takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at Triangle Park, 101 Janesville St. All proceeds go to the Oregon and Brooklyn VFW. There will be brats, hot

dogs, corn, chips and soda.

For information, call 834-7494.

Registration is required.

For information, call 835-5801.

‘Sounds of Summer’

Half lock-ins

From 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays, through Aug. 27, at Waterman Triangle Park, 101 Janesville St., the public can sit in on live “Sounds of Summer” performances. The next show will feature the Red Hot Horn Dawgs on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Each concert will highlight different musical talents and food vendors, which will serve food to purchase from 6-8 p.m.

The last concert will feature All That Jazz on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The performances are free. In the case of rain, concerts will take place at their established time at the Oregon Area Senior Center, 219 Park St. For information, call the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce at 835-3697.

From 6-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Oregon Youth Center, 110 N. Oak St., participants will engage in a half lock-in.

Instead of closing at the usual hours, OYC will stay open late for visitors to hang out with friends, play games, watch movies, eat pizza and have refreshments.

The event is for ages 10-15 and requires a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian.

The library and OYC are co-hosting the events to provide safe spaces and activities for area youth.

Registration is required.

For information, call 835-3656.

Meal planning Learn the basics of meal planning at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at the senior center.

Pat Powers, Oregon resident, will be at the event to show attendees how to prepare, store and freeze quick and easy meals for enjoyment without the hassle.

Visitors will also learn how to save money and time.

Piano, chimes recital The public is invited to a piano and chimes recital, starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at the senior center, Jeanne Felix will perform the piano recital with her students and joining the students will be CLUB members playing accompanying chimes.

Lunch will be provided after the event.

Registration for lunch is required.

For information call 835-5801.

Community calendar Thursday, Aug. 15

• 1-3 p.m., Kids Movie, library, 8353656 • 6-7 p.m., Seed Saving, library, 835-3656 • 6:30-8 p.m., Bookmobile at the gazebo, 100 Hotel St., Brooklyn, dcls.info • 7:30 p.m., Titanic - The Musical (Tickets adults $17, seniors $15, students $12), Oregon Performing Arts Center, 456 N. Perry Pkwy., 835-9126

Friday, Aug. 16

• 7:30 p.m., Titanic - The Musical (Tickets adults $17, seniors $15, students $12), Oregon Performing Arts Center, 456 N. Perry Pkwy., 835-9126

Saturday, Aug. 17

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Putts for Paws golf outing (hosted by Oregon Police Department), Foxboro Golf Course, 1020 County Road MM, 835-3111 • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., VFW Sweet

Corn Roast and Brat Fest, Waterman Triangle Park, 101 Janesville St., 834-7494 • 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Titanic The Musical (Tickets adults $17, seniors $15, students $12), Oregon Performing Arts Center, 456 N. Perry Pkwy., 835-9126

Monday, Aug. 19

• 5 p.m., Village Board meeting, Village Hall, 117 Spring St., 835-3118 • 6 p.m., Country Heat class, Brooklyn Community Building, 102 N. Rutland Ave., 455-4201

Tuesday, Aug. 20

• 9-11 a.m., Food distribution and collection, Oregon Area Food Pantry, 107 N. Alpine Parkway, oregonfoodpantry@hotmail.com • 2-3 p.m., Craftivism (with library), senior center, 835-3656 • 7-9 p.m., Sounds of Summer concert: Red Hot Horn Dawgs, Madsen Memorial and Waterman Triangle Park, 101 Janesville St., 835-3697

Community cable listings Village of Oregon Cable Access TV channels: WOW #983 & ORE #984 Phone: 291-0148 • Email: oregoncableaccess@charter.net Website: ocamedia.com • Facebook: ocamediawi New programs daily at 1 p.m. and repeats at 4, 7 and 10 p.m. and 1, 4, 7 and 10 a.m.

Thursday, August 15 WOW: Oregon Village Board Meeting (Aug. 5) ORE: OHS Panther Volleyball vs Janesville Parker (10.18.18)

Monday, August 19 WOW: Oregon Village Meeting – LIVE – 5pm ORE: Oregon School Board Meeting - LIVE6:30pm

Friday, August 16 WOW: Sounds of Summer: Common Chord (Aug. 13) ORE: OHS Fine Arts Week: Percussion Ensemble (April 9)

Tuesday, August 20 WOW: Sounds of Summer Music: Red Hot Horn Dawgs – LIVE 7pm ORE: OHS Fine Arts Week: Jazz Band (April 10)

Saturday, August 17 WOW: Oregon Progressives Open Mic: John Nichols (Aug. 2) ORE: OHS Fine Arts Week: West Point Glee Club (April 13)

Wednesday, August 21 WOW: Chamber of Commerce Meeting (Aug. 15) ORE: OHS Fine Arts Week: A Cappella Showcase (April 14)

Sunday, August 18 Thursday, August 22 WOW: Christ Memorial WOW: Oregon Village Lutheran Church Service Board Meeting (Aug. 19) ORE: OHS Fine Arts ORE: Oregon School Week: OHS Orchestra Board Meeting (Aug. 19) Ensemble (April 11)

Wednesday, Aug. 21

• 1-3 p.m., End of Summer Pool Party, Oregon Community Pool, 249 Brook St., 835-3656 • 6-7 p.m., Yoga, Brooklyn Community Building, 102 N. Rutland Ave., 455-4201

Thursday, Aug. 22

• Noon-1 p.m., Community potluck, Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church, 201 Church St., 4553344 • 1 p.m., Meal Planning for 1 or 2 (registration required), senior center, 835-5801 • 1-3 p.m., Kids Movie, library, 8353656 • 6:30-8 p.m., Bookmobile at the gazebo, 100 Hotel St., Brooklyn, dcls.info

Friday, Aug. 23

• 6-10 a.m., Half Lock-ins (with the library), Oregon Youth Center, 110 N. Oak St., 836-3656 • 1 p.m., Piano and chimes recital, senior center, 835-5801

Senior center Monday, Aug. 26 Roasted Turkey in Gravy Rice Pilaf, Creamed Corn Cranberry Sauce, Fruit Cocktail Brownie with Peanut Butter Frosting MO – Veggie Chicken in Gravy NCS – SF Pudding Tuesday, Aug. 27 Tuna Casserole Roasted Baby Carrots Pickled Beets Banana, Lime Sherbet MO – Hummus and Pita NCS – SF Ice Cream Wednesday, Aug. 28 Chicken Sandwich Cheesy Potatoes NAS – Baked Potato Four Bean Salad Orange Frosted Chocolate Cake MO – Multigrain Burger NCS – Spiced Pears Thursday, Aug. 29 My Meal, My Way at Ziggy’s Smokehouse and Ice Cream Parlor!

Friday, Aug. 30 Sloppy Joe, Kidney Bean Salad Mixed Vegetables, Banana Frosted Strawberry Cake MO – Chickpea Sloppy Joe NCS – SF Cookie SO - Pulled Po

*Contains Pork

Monday, Aug. 26 10:30 Dominoes 1:00 Weight Loss Support 1:00 RSVP Sewing 1:30 Bridge Tuesday, Aug. 27 8:30 Zumba Gold Advanced 9:00 Veterans’ Group 9:30 Bingo 9:45 Zumba Gold 12:30 Sheepshead 12:30 Shopping at Pick-N-Save 1:00 Technical Help with Gil 7:00 Sounds of Summer Wednesday, Aug. 28 11:45 Birthday Lunch 12:45 Silver Sneakers 1:00 Euchre 4:00 Protecting You and your PC Thursday, Aug. 29 8:30 Zumba Gold Advanced 9:00 Pool Players 9:45 Zumba Gold 10:30 StrongWomen 12:30 Shopping at Bill’s 1:00 Cribbage 1:00 Movie: “The Upside” 5:30 StrongWomen Friday, Aug. 30 9:00 Gentle Yoga 9:30 Blood Pressure 12:45 Silver Sneakers

All Saints Lutheran Church 2951 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg (608) 276-7729 Interim pastor SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. classic service 10:45 a.m. new song service Brooklyn Lutheran Church 101 Second Street, Brooklyn (608) 455-3852 Pastor Rebecca Ninke SUNDAY 9 a.m. Holy Communion 10 a.m. Fellowship Community of Life Lutheran Church PO Box 233, Oregon (608) 286-3121, office@ communityoflife.us Pastor Jim McCoid SUNDAY 8:45 a.m. Education Hour, 10 a.m.

Worship at 1111 S. Perry Parkway, Oregon Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church 201 Church Street, Brooklyn (608) 455-3344 Pastor George Kaminski SUNDAY 9 a.m. Worship (Nov.-April) 10:30 a.m. Worship (May-Oct.)

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 143 Washington Street, Oregon (608) 835-3554 Pastor Jeffrey Hendrix SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship Holy Communion 2nd & last Sundays First Presbyterian Church 408 N. Bergamont Blvd. (north of CC), Oregon, WI (608) 835-3082 - fpcoregonwi. org Pastor Kathleen Owens SUNDAY 10 a.m. Service 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Fellowship 11:15 a.m. Adult Education Memorial UCC 5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg (608) 273-1008, memorialucc. org Pastor Kristin Gorton SUNDAY 8:15 and 10 a.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ECLA

Central Campus: Raymond Road and Whitney Way SATURDAY - 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY - 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. Worship West Campus: Corner of Hwy. PD and Nine Mound Road, Verona SUNDAY - 9 & 10:15 a.m., 6 p.m.

Worship (608) 271-6633 Hillcrest Bible Church

752 E. Netherwood, Oregon Graham Blaikie, Interim Pastor (608) 835-7972, www.hbclife.com SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. worship at the Hillcrest Campus and 10:15 a.m. worship with Children’s ministries, birth – 4th grade Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church

651 N. Main Street, Oregon Pastor: Fr. Gary Wankerl (608) 835-5763 holymotherchurch.weconnect.com SATURDAY: 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY: 8 and 10:15 a.m. Worship People’s United Methodist Church 103 North Alpine Parkway, Oregon Pastor Jason Mahnke

(608) 835-3755, www.peoplesumc.org

Communion is the 1st & 3rd weekend SATURDAY - 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship and Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. Worship St. John’s Lutheran Church

625 E. Netherwood, Oregon Pastor Paul Markquart (Lead) (608) 291-4311 SATURDAY - 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY - 8, 10:30 a.m. Worship Vineyard Community Church

Oregon Community Bank & Trust, 105 S. Alpine Parkway, Oregon Bob Groth, Pastor (608) 513-3435, welcometovineyard.com SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship

Zwingli United Church of Christ – Paoli

At the intersection of Hwy. 69 & PB Pastor Rich Pleva paoliucc.com, (608) 225-1278 SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Family worship

Support groups • Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, First Presbyterian Church, every Monday and Friday at 7 p.m.

• Relationship & Divorce Support Group, State Bank of Cross Plains, every other Monday at 6:30 p.m.

• Navigating Life Elder Support Group, People’s United Methodist Church, 103 N. Alpine Pkwy., every first Monday at 7 p.m.

Love and Strife The two fundamental moral forces at work in the world are love and strife. Love nurtures and comforts us while strife depletes and annoys us. Love unites us while strife divides us. Love is the spirit of reconciliation and patient, unselfish endurance that allows us to get along with our fellow man, while strife is the spirit of struggle and selfish egoism that creates divisions among us. And while it is true that God is love, and that love is associated with virtue and holiness while strife tends toward vice and sin, the truth is more complicated. After all, God uses strife to help us grow and develop.The patriarchs of the Bible all encountered strife in their lives.The Israelites were enslaved, driven from their homeland, and forced to live in the desert. Jacob literally wrestled with God, and was renamed Israel after this struggle, a name which\ means “he who strives with God.” Perhaps the ideal way to think about the twin forces of love and strife is that love is the force that allows us to prevail when we strive. Love is usually the best way to settle strife; we don’t overcome hatred by hating, but by love. We know we will be challenged in our lives, and how much better to meet the myriad challenges of life than to know that we are loved, and loved unconditionally.

– Christopher Simon

Adam Feiner, sports editor

845-9559 x226 • ungsportseditor@wcinet.com

Mark Nesbitt, assistant sports editor 845-9559 x237 • sportsreporter@wcinet.com Fax: 845-9550

Sports

7

Thursday, August 15, 2019

The Oregon Observer For more sports coverage, visit: ConnectOregonWI.com

Special Olympics softball

Oregon slugs to state title MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor

The Oregon softball team won a Division 4 state championship in the Special Olympics State Games on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Carroll College in Waukesha.

Last year, Oregon took second in the state in Division 5.

The team started practicing in April ahead of this season, prepared to step up to face tougher competition in Division 4.

“They are an inspiration,” Oregon coach Don Dillman said. “That created a whole new attitude and even more motivation to bring home a state title to Oregon.”

The team also moved to a different practice location to get a feel for a different playing field.

“The idea was created to practice on a different type of field a couple of times because we had no idea at this level what the field conditions were going to be like” Dillman said.

In the first game at state, Oregon played a team from Kenosha and rolled to a 14-6 win. In the second game, Oregon played a team from the Great Lakes Division and cruised to a 9-0, rain-shortened victory.

“I’m glad we won,” left fielder Laurie Robbins said.

“I think it was a big surprise. All of the hard work paid off this year.”

David Thompson, who was a pitcher, first baseman and left fielder, was excited to win the title after finishing second last year.

Photo by John Gmeinder

Turn to Champs/Page 8 Oregon’s Isaah Foges blasts one of the four home runs he hit in the state tournament at the Special Olympic State Games on Saturday, Aug. 3, in Waukesha.

Girls tennis

Girls golf

Mohr takes over Panthers program Oregon shoots for sectional again ADAM FEINER

MARK NESBITT

Sports editor

Assistant sports editor

Former coach Roger Pribbenow was in attendance for Oregon girls tennis’ first practice Tuesday, Aug. 13, but there was a new leader commanding the courts.

Joan Mohr, a regular on the local tennis scene, is the new varsity head coach at Oregon.

She succeeds co-coaches Terry Geurkink and Alec Onesti.

Mohr, 67, is a Mauston High School and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduate.

She played softball collegiately, but never lost her love for tennis.

Mohr served as Fitchburg’s recreation director for 20 years, as she built up the youth tennis program in the town she still calls home.

“I started all the tennis programs,” she said. “I got

Behind junior Alyssa Schmidt, the Oregon girls golf team is shooting to qualify for the WIAA Division 1 sectional for a third straight year.

Despite several injuries last season, the Panthers made a run to the sectional and finished fourth in a deep tournament with Middleton, which was ranked fourth in the Golf Coaches Association state rankings, and sixth-ranked Waunakee.

Oregon took fourth in the Badger South Conference last year. The Panthers have four letterwinners back, led by Schmidt and fellow junior Sam McKee. Oregon coach Eric Instefjord said Schmidt and McKee will provide the most experience for a solid core of returning

Photo by Adam Feiner

The Oregon girls tennis team returns nine letterwinners from last season. They are (back row from left) Jordan Steiff, Jordana Burkeland, Lauren Gragg, Emma Schaeffer, Gianna Schulz, (front row from left) Ellie Koopman, Anna Donovan, Andrea Bennett and Joanie Sommers. kids when they were four years old and taught them how to play.”

Mohr was the junior varsity coach at Stoughton

the last three seasons, but seized the opportunity to be a head coach of the Vikings’ chief rival.

Turn to Tennis/Page 8

Photo by Mark Nesbitt

The Oregon girls golf team returns four letterwinners from last season. They are (from left) Sam McKee, Miller Stang, Alyssa Schmidt and Bella Lindert. The Panthers open their season at the Stoughton Scramble on Monday, Aug. 19. golfers. Schmidt shot an 86 to tie for ninth at the Reedsburg Sectional last year.

“Our expectations for our golfers are that they put in the work to better themselves daily and that

will translate into individual success throughout the season,” Instefjord said. “If we do that, this team will show improvement and a lot of growth by the end of the year.”

Turn to Golf/Page 8

8

August 15, 2019

ConnectOregonWI.com

Oregon Observer

Golf: Panthers return four letterwinners this season Continued from page 7

Photo by John Gmeinder

The Oregon softball team that won the championship at the Special Olympics State Games included (front row from left) Emily Elmer, Jake Casper, TJ Smith and Brian Ruby, (middle row from left) Coach Haley Mueller, DeJon McClain, Chris Schmidt, Laurie Robbins and Sam Larson, (back row from left) Coach Don Dillman, Isaah Foges, Jon Hackner, Ethan Muehlenbruch, David Thompson, Tom Topp, Coach Jamie Kramer and Coach Ben Dillman.

Champs: Oregon blasts six home runs at state tournament “It means a lot,” Thompson said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to do it with your best friends.”

Oregon slugged six home runs in its two games at the state tournament. Isaah Foges crushed four homers to lead the team.

“Our bats spoke loud and clear for what this

team is capable of doing,” Dillman said.

Oregon entered the state tournament with a 3-1 record.

The team earned its trip to state after playing in the West Madison Battle of the Bats on June 22, when it beat the Platteville Cardinals and the La Crosse Sluggers.

Oregon then made the trip to La Crosse for the

District tournament on July 13. Oregon split two games in the tournament, knocking off the Barron County Bullheads and losing to Cuba City.

Thompson said the team hit a rough spot in the loss to Cuba City, but he noticed a different mindset for the state tournament.

“I think it showed how much we really wanted to win it,” he said. “I think it

gave everyone some more power.”

Dillman credited the players and coaches for their dedication. “ T h e t e a m j u s t ke p t practicing hard and listening to the coaches” he said. “I am very proud of this team for not just bringing home the state title, but also for how they motivated themselves to get better and better.”

Tennis: New Oregon coach looking to mix with core players Continued from page 7 “There was the chance to be a head coach, and I thought I could do it,” Mohr said. “It’s close where I live and I knew all the coaches.

Plus, I’ve heard that Oregon has super kids, and I’m excited for it.”

Mohr still coaches tennis in the Monona recreation program, and hasn’t given up playing, either. She has competed in tournaments in Houston, Texas; Naples, Florida; Palm Desert, California and various locations in Michigan.

Mohr also takes lessons at the John Powless Tennis Center and the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison, where she’s seen some her current players taking lessons, as well.

Tennis coaches in Wisconsin can only have five days of contact during the offseason. Mohr got her first glimpse at the team in late July, but was pleasantly surprised to hear seniors Jordana Burkeland,

Anna Donovan and Gianna Schulz already had the Panthers practicing.

“Those three captains from last year have organized practices at the courts where they just hit and play,” Mohr said. “I’ve never seen that before.

They already have a leg up because they’ve been hitting all year.”

Burkeland played No. 3 varsity singles last season, while Schulz was slotted at No. 1 varsity doubles. Fellow returning letterwinners Lauren Gragg, Joanie Sommers and Donovan played varsity doubles.

Junior Jordan Streiff played varsity No. 3 doubles in 2018, while classmate Ellie Koopman could make the jump from JV No. 1 singles to varsity No. 1 singles this season. Fellow junior Andrea Bennett has singles and doubles experience, and sophomore Emma Schaeffer played JV singles last year.

“Right now, we’re trying to select teams,” Mohr

$89 Install Sale

Get a complete bath or shower system

INSTALLED for only $89 !

1

ZERO INTEREST & ZERO PAYMENTS FOR

said. “We’re going through the different strokes, going through our serves, and playing doubles matches. We’ll then see who our

top players are and make a lineup.”

The Panthers begin their season Aug. 21 at the McFarland Quadrangular.

Panthers schedule Tuesday, Aug. 20: at Milton Wednesday, Aug. 21: vs. McFarland, Portage, Ripon Tuesday, Aug. 27: vs.

Beaver Dam Thursday, Aug. 29: Baraboo Doubles Invite Tuesday, Spet. 3: at Monona Grove Thursday, Sept. 5: vs.

Monroe Saturday, Sept. 7: at Stoughton Invite Tuesday, Sept. 10: vs.

Fort Atkinson Thursday, Sept. 12: at Stoughton Tuesday, Sept. 17: vs.

Milton Thursday, Sept. 19: vs.

Madison Edgewood Monday, Sept. 23: at Watertown Friday, Sept. 27 & Saturday, Sept. 28: Badger Conference Meet, Nielsen Tennis Stadium,

Photo submitted

Get Connected

Find updates and links right away.

Search for us on Facebook as “Oregon Observer” and then LIKE us.

Receive a

WELL-LOCATED & INCOME PRODUCING

CALL TODAY!

with your in-home estimate!

SOUGHT AFTER MADISON AIRPORT LOCATION

152-ROOM COMFORT INN & SUITES 4822 E WASHINGTON AVENUE, MADISON, WI

Donate A Boat or Car Today!

SHOWING: AUGUST 14, 11AM - 12:30PM

Financing Available For Qualified Buyers

adno=97514

ew orders only. inimum purchase reuired. annot be combined with any other oer. oes not include material costs. 2 Financing available with minimum purchase and approved credit. ad ity oong nc. is neither a broer nor a lender. Financing is provided by third-party lenders unaliated with ad ity oong nc. under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender all subect to credit reuirements and satisfactory completion of nance documents. ny nance terms advertised are estimate only. s for details. ew orders only. ot valid with any other oer or previous ob. 3 With in-home estimate to homeowner(s). Limit one (1) card per household. nredeemed estaurant.com Gift ards cannot be applied toward purchase at restaurants. Limit of one (1) restaurant certicate at given restaurant per party per month. inimum spend reuirements may apply. isit httpine.estaurant.com for complete terms and conditions and participating restaurants. $100 Gift card voucher given upon completion of demonstration to be mailed in by homeowner(s). alespersons do not carry gift cards for security reasons. llow 2-3 wees after demonstration to receive gift card.

1

HOTEL SALE: OFFERS DUE AUG. 30

Gross Room Revenue: $2,803,141 (2018)

(608)-338-1170 www.madcitybaths.com

Monday, Aug. 19: at Stoughton Scramble Tuesday, Aug. 20: vs. Madison Edgewood Thursday, Aug. 22: at Verona Invitational Monday, Aug. 26: at Edgewood Invitational Friday, Aug. 30: at Monona Grove Saturday, Sept. 7: at Middleton Invitational Monday, Sept. 9: vs. Milton Tuesday, Sept. 10: vs. Fort Atkinson Wednesday, Sept. 11: at Madison Memorial Invitational Tuesday, Sept. 17: at Stoughton Thursday, Sept. 19: at Watertown Tuesday, Sept. 24: Badger Conference Meet, at Oregon

The Oregon Youth Softball 12U Inferno team went 39-1 this summer. The team won championships in all but one of its tournaments, when it finished second. Players and coaches were front, from left, Ada Marcin, Olivia Neis, Lauryn Etienne, Maya Rudy and Annabelle Monte. In the second row: coach Josh Zych, Carly Zych, Charlotte Swenson, Dariene Zimmerman, coach Bruce Carroll, McKenna Carroll, Rachel Cook, Mira Wilde and coach Chris Etienne.

2

$100

Panthers schedule

Oregon 12U softball team finishes 39-1

18 MONTHS!

RESTAURANT.COM 3 Gift Card!

• Ideal airport location with easy access to the capital building, governmental offices, The University of Wisconsin and downtown Madison • Immediately off US Hwy 151 & I-90 interchange

For Additional Info, Please Call or Visit our Website:

855.755.2300 HilcoRealEstate.com

Note: The above information is subject to inspection and verification by all parties who are relying on it to formulate a bid. adno=97511 No liability for its inaccuracy, errors, omissions, is assumed by the Seller or its agents.

“2-Night Free Vacation!”

800 - 700 - BOAT (2628) (2628)

w w w.boatangel.com

sponsored by boat angel outreach centers

STOP CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

adno=97508

Continued from page 7

The other returning letterwinners are senior Bella Lindert and sophomore Miller Stang.

The Panthers have six freshmen — Laura Berg, Elise Boyd, Tori Disch, Kennedy Gladden, Reese King and Abby Sargent — who will be competing for time on the varsity.

Instefjord said with a number of young players, their potential for growth is great.

“Hopefully, by the end of the season due to the amount of team competition, we could see some of these new players have breakout performances,”

he said. “Our expectation is that we strive to get better every day and utilize that improvement to better our scoring abilities.”

Stoughton won the Badger South Conference championship for the first time since 2013 last year.

Instefjord said Madison Edgewood is the favorite to win the conference this season. The Crusaders return four of their top five golfers from a Division 2 state championship team.

Oregon will open the season on Monday, Aug. 19, at the Stoughton Scramble. The next day, the Panthers host Edgewo o d a t Fo x b o r o G o l f Club.

ConnectOregonWI.com

9

Oregon Observer

August 15, 2019

Obituary Dennis P. Miller (Buffalo) Thompson) of Midlothian, continued part of that ser-

Dennis P. Miller

Dennis P. Miller, age 62, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 10. He passed away in the presence of his wife, Marian on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019.

Dennis is survived by his mother, Marilyn (Shryer) of Sidney, Iowa; sisters, Denise of Nebraska City, Nebraska, and Diane Sands of Malvern, Iowa; wife, Marian (Coleman) of Watertown; and three children, Dennis (Shayna

Texas, Zack (Sandye Strelow) of Madison and Melanie of Watertown. Dennis is also survived by his eight grandchildren.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Fred Miller of Sidney, Iowa, and brother-in-law, Richard Sands of Malvern, Iowa.

Dennis and his family moved to Oregon in 1967 and he was in the Class of 1975. Dennis participated in sports as a member of the championship Oregon football team and championship wrestling team. As the Class of ‘75, he felt to think of the wrestling team as the best Oregon ever had.

Dennis loved his classmates and traditions that the Class of ‘75 still holds true today, amongst many of those in that class.

Dennis was a veteran of our military (Vietnam era), having joined and been Honorably Discharged from the United States Marine Corps. He was proud of his service to our country and

vice as part-time member of the Watertown American Legion. After his service to our country, Dennis became an OTR truck driver and spent the next 30 years doing that “All American Job” on the road supporting his family. Thus, the nickname, Buffalo. (CB Handle) Dennis is also survived by his veteran brother and former U.S. Marine, best man at his wedding, closest confidant and childhood friend Ray Trosper, Norco, California. Dennis would often see Ray on his deliveries out to California.

Dennis and Ray loved getting together whenever they could and reminisce the past and those fond memories. Ray often credits Dennis with many of his life’s directions because of their service in the Marine Corps but especially a resolution called “21 Seconds.” Ray states this because it was Dennis that convinced Ray to join the Marines.

Having capped off their lifelong relationships with a trip to Washington, D.C. last November on the Badger Honor Flights, a weekend that both cherished but mostly that day of being an Honor Flight Veteran participant and Ray, as his veteran brother and guardian.

As said by Ray, “A great way to remember our lifelong friendship and service to our country.”

Dennis had a contagious, distinctive laugh that will be etched in our memories.

While we may have grown older, his laugh never did.

Throughout the years, Dennis liked seeing those he was also close with from time to time: Al Bentley, Bob Markham, Steve Wesphal, Dave Goplin and Greg Trosper. When Ray and Dennis would speak of the past, names that often were mentioned were, Diane Severson, Dixie Neath, Scott Nelson, Guy Gibney, John Wright, Dennis Christenson, Connie Christenson, Jeff Swinehart,

Kenny Smith and another veteran U.S. Marine, Mark Lehocky.

Dennis loved the Green Bay Packers, “The real and ONLY America’s Team,” the Milwaukee Brewers and any sport of the Wisconsin Badgers. Who doesn’t, right? Dennis lived for those teams on TV or at the stadiums in the seats. Bring on the brats and beer.

And we can’t leave out those Friday night fish frys.

We are so luck in Wisconsin. We can survive on brats, beer, fish frys and Lane’s donuts. Those cinnamon, iced peanut rolls rule.

That, in itself is Heaven.

And of course, coffee. Dennis loved Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and the same goes with his wife Marian.

From Ray Trosper: “Not many men can equal the honor and integrity of Dennis Miller. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. Guard those gates of Heaven, Marine.”

Cremation services by Peace of Mind Funeral

Home.

Services will be held at Holy Mother of Consolation Church, 651 N. Main Street, Oregon.

Services begin at 11 a.m. for extended family, friends and classmates. The immediate family will be arriving between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. via military veteran escort with a Military Veteran Flag by The Wisconsin Patriot Guard.

The family and Dennis will be honored on their entry into the Church and services will begin. Food and refreshments will be served.

Services end at 2 p.m. All who knew Dennis Miler are invited to attend.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Rainbow Hospice Care, Johnson Creek. Any contributions you may be considering, we ask that you support the Semper Fi Fund, and/or the Badger Honor Flights. Semper Fi, Dennis.

Salute. RIP Buffalo.

Send it here For general questions or inquiries, call our office at 835-6677 or email ungeditor@wcinet.com.

Our website accepts story ideas, community items, photos and letters to the editor, at ConnectOregonWI. com. Births, engagements and anniversaries can also be sent to the website.

Several types of items have specific emails where they can be sent directly.

Advertising inquiries oregonsales@wcinet.com Business announcements ungbusiness@wcinet.com College notes/graduations ungcollege@wcinet.com Community news communityreporter@wcinet.com

Johnson Creek

GUN SHOW

Comfort Suites, Air Cond. Conference Ctr.

$89 Install Sale Get Unlimited Windows

Fire: Event will feature a sprinkler demonstration, flyover Continued from page 1 – people from “all walks of life.”

It took a lot to get here, Linzmeier said.

Now known as the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District, it is hosting a 125th anniversary event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District building, 131 Spring St. With the help of local businesses, the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon Area Historical Society, Linzmeier said planning for the event started in back in April through a joint committee.

“We couldn’t do it without their help and all their

time and effort,” Linzmeier said.

At 12:30 p.m., there will be a presentation detailing the last 125 years of how the fire department has evolved to serve the village.

There will also be speeches from local dignitaries, and Linzmeier and the fire association president will also offer some words.

It will highlight points like how in 1897, the first fire hydrants were installed in the village at ($5 per hydrant) through a contract with Badger Cycle Company. In 1922, the department purchased its first fire truck.

In 1947, it bought its first oxygen masks.

I n 1 9 6 3 , t h e Vi l l a g e and townships of Oregon,

Rutland, Dunn and Fitchburg created the fire district, though Fitchburg eventually became its own entity, Linzmeier said. In 1995, the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District was born and continued to form into the public entity it is today, he said.

After the speeches, at 1 p.m., according to an event flyer, there will be a flyover of the American flag.

At 2 p.m., there will be water fights and a vehicle extrication demonstration, which Linzmeier said is a simulation of a car rollover.

The car doors are beaten in so they won’t open, he said, and a mannequin will be put inside the vehicle, which staff will attempt to

get it out.

At 2:30 p.m., there will be a sprinkler demonstration, which will involve lighting furniture on fire and showing how rapidly it suppresses fire.

Linzmeier said the event will all around be family friendly and community oriented, including bouncy houses for kids. In addition to the festivities, the department will display historical artifacts for the public to view.

For more information about the event, call 8355587.

Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@wcinet. com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.

August 16, 17 & 18, 2019

Fri 3-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-3pm $7 (14 & Under FREE) 608-752-6677 www.bobandrocco.com

adno=97505

Before the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District formed, the then Oregon Fire Department had volunteer community members sacrificing their time to put out fires in the village. Above, a couple of local butchers hold onto the back of an old fire truck on the way to save the day. The department will celebrate its 125h anniversary Sunday, Aug. 25.

725 Paradise Ln, Johnson Creek, WI (behind the Outlet Mall)

INSTALLED for only $89 !

1

ZERO INTEREST & ZERO PAYMENTS FOR

18 MONTHS!

2

Receive a

FACTORY DIRECT WINDOWS!

$100

RESTAURANT.COM 3 Gift Card!

with your in-home estimate!

CALL TODAY!

(608)-338-1170 www.madcitywindows.com

1 ew orders on. inimm prchase reired. annot e comined with an other oer. oes not incde materia costs. 2 inancin aaiae with minimm prchase and approed credit. ad it oon nc. is neither a roer nor a ender. inancin is proided  third-part enders naiated with ad it oon nc. nder terms and conditions arraned direct etween the cstomer and sch ender a sect to credit reirements and satisactor competion o nance docments. n nance terms adertised are estimate on. s or detais. ew orders on. ot aid with an other oer or preios o. 3 With in-home estimate to homeowner(s). Limit one (1) card per hosehod. nredeemed estarant.com it ards cannot e appied toward prchase at restarants. Limit o one (1) restarant certicate at ien restarant per part per month. inimm spend reirements ma app. isit httpine.estarant.com or compete terms and conditions and participatin restarants. 1 it card ocher ien pon competion o demonstration to e maied in  homeowner(s). aespersons do not carr it cards or secrit reasons. ow 2-3 wees ater demonstration to receie it card.

adno=97515

Photo courtesy of Oregon Area Historical Society

Proceeds go to Take a Kid Hunting Foundation’s CAMP NEAL

10

August 15, 2019

ConnectOregonWI.com

Oregon Observer

Levenhagen: Named Future Headliner by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association in 2018 Continued from page 1 through court documents and attending hearings. And she was particularly proud of a series she was working on regarding a sex offender facility in the Town of Rutland and the program that put it there. She enjoyed covering anything that got people riled up or was multifaceted, such as Stoughton’s ongoing riverfront redevelopment planning.

She was devastated when the Kittleson house – a story she had been covering for months – was scheduled for demolition at a time when she had a prior engagement.

When she got the opportunity to put on beekeeper gear last summer for a story, she jumped at it without a second thought. She was the kind of reporter who found satisfaction in being involved with every aspect of a story.

She also loved writing feature stories about our communities and lamented at having to pass them along to other reporters in recent months so she could continue to hone her skills covering governments.

She was also one of the most supportive people on UNG’s staff. She was always willing to lend an ear to help her coworkers through their difficult times, and was a relentless cheerleader as they worked with tough sources and impossible stories.

She also fervently

Amber Levenhagen holds her Future Headliners plaque in March 2018. She won the award from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

Photos by Kimberly Wethal

Amber Levenhagen, left, holds a recorder and watches excitedly as a Stoughton beekeeper pulls bees out of their wooden beehive. supported them outside of work, going to their photography exhibitions, college capstone presentations and other activities they were involved in.

She started early as a journalist, penning a blog on environmental issues as a teenager that garnered more attention than she’d anticipated. After that, she went on to study journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater,

writing and taking photos for its student newspaper, The Royal Purple.

There, she expanded her photography skills from art photography to that of photojournalism, learning on the fly as she was thrown into sports games, political rallies and even a flour fight event. She was also the first-ever student photographer hire for the university’s marketing department,

paving the way for other students to hone their craft.

Levenhagen was named a Future Headliner by the Wi s c o n s i n N e w s p a p e r Association in 2018, one of five reporters under the age of 30 across the state chosen as an emerging leader in the industry.

“Being able to walk down the street and ask people some of their favorite parts about the community and

if any 5. Staff Assignments, if any 6. Field Trip Requests, if any 7. Acceptance of Donations, if any: 8. Safety State Grant Drill Report Acceptance B. COMMUNICATION FROM PUBLIC 1. Public: Board Policy 180.04 has established an opportunity for the public to address the Board. In the event community members wish to address the Board, 15 minutes will be provided; otherwise the agenda will proceed as posted.

C. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. OEA Report 2. Student Report D. ACTION ITEMS 1. 2019-20 Academic Standards 2. 2019 Annual Meeting Agenda E. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. School Naming Process 2. 2019 District Resource Days (formerly District Registration) 3. Opening of 2019-2020 School Year 4. Superintendent’s Report F. CLOSING 1. Future Agenda 2. Check Out G. CLOSED SESSION Consideration of adjourning to

closed session on the agenda item noted below: 1. Discussion regarding the negotiation of potential land sale 19.85(1)(e) H. ADJOURNMENT Go to: www.OregonSD.org/board meetings/agendas for the most updated version agenda.

Published: August 15, 2019 WNAXLP

official posting locations (Town Hall, Town of Oregon Recycling Center and Oregon Village Hall) including the Town website at www.town.oregon.wi.us. It is possible that members of and possibly a quorum of members of other governmental bodies of the town may be in attendance at any of the meetings to gather information; however, no action will be taken by any governmental body at said meeting other than the governmental body specifically referred to in the meeting notice. Requests from persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting or hearing should be made to the Clerk’s office at 835-3200 with 48 hours notice.

Posted: August 13, 2019 Published: August 13, 2019 WNAXLP

then seeing how that translates into the story,” she said of her job in a video she made as part of the recognition. “I believe in journalism as a tool for getting the community engaged in what is happening outside of their own back door.”

She also won three second place awards: Two for her photography work at Syttende Mai in partnership with reporter Kimberly Wethal and another as a “Rookie Reporter of the Year.”

In a blog post from her senior year of college, she wrote that after she graduated, she hoped to continue

with a career in photojournalism to further her interests in environmental and social justice.

“Dream big, right?” she wrote.

State Patrol Sgt. Matt Noah told Unified Newspaper Group Levenhagen struck a truck in front of her at high speed as traffic slowed for a crash and that the investigation was still open Monday morning.

Levenhagen donated her organs, which will help up to 75 people.

A memorial service is not yet set, but this story will be updated online once details have been announced.

and the Consulting Engineer during regular business hours.

Digital project Bidding Documents are available at www.ruekertmielke.com for a fee of $30. These documents may be downloaded by selecting this project from the PROJECT BIDS link under the CLIENT ACCESS tab and inputting Project Number #6448213 in the website’s Browse Projects Search field. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@Questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information. QuestCDN is the Issuing Office.

Partial sets of Bidding Documents are not available. Neither Owner, Engineer nor Issuing Office is responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including any Addenda, obtained from other sources. The cost of Bidding Documents is non-refundable. Each entity obtaining Bidding Documents from the Issuing Office will be designated as a Plan Holder of Record. Bids received from entities who are not Plan Holders of Record may be returned as being nonresponsive.

Bids shall be accompanied by a Bond or Certified Check payable to Village of Oregon equal to 5 percent of the Bid. If the successful Bidder fails to execute the Contract and furnish payment and performance bonds within 15 days after the award, the Check or Bid Bond may be forfeited to Village of Oregon as liquidated damages.

Construction time is of the essence.

Completion delays are subject to liquidated damages.

Village of Oregon reserves the right to accept the most advantageous Bid, or to reject any and all Bids. Award of Work described herein is subject to the provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Village of Oregon Jeanne Carpenter, Village President Peggy Haag, Village Clerk RUEKERT & MIELKE, INC. 4001 Nakoosa Trail, Suite 200 Madison, WI 53714 Phone: (608) 819-2600 Published: August 8 and 15, 2019 WNAXLP

*** NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED BOUNDARY CHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF OREGON AND THE VILLAGE OF OREGON (RELATED TO LINCOLN ROAD) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the town board of the Town of Oregon will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as practicable, to discuss and act upon a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the Town of Oregon and the Village of Oregon. The agreement provides for a boundary adjustment between the Town of Oregon and the Village of Oregon (transferring part of Lincoln Road from the Town to the Village). The hearing will be at the Town of Oregon at 1138 Union Road, Oregon, Wisconsin. A copy of the resolution and the intergovernmental agreement is available at the Town Clerk’s office at the Town Hall.

Note: Agendas are subject to amendment after publication. Check the official posting locations (Town Hall, Town of Oregon Recycling Center and Oregon Village Hall) including the Town website at www.town.oregon.wi.us. It is possible that members of and possibly a quorum of members of other governmental bodies of the town may be in attendance at any of the meetings to gather information; however, no action will be taken by any governmental body at said meeting other than the governmental body specifically referred to in the meeting notice. Requests from persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting or hearing should be made to the Clerk’s office at 835-3200 with 48 hours notice.

Jennifer Hanson Town Clerk Posted: August 8, 2019 Published: August 15, 2019 WNAXLP

Looking for Class A CDL ton truck driver. Must have good driving record and references. Experience necessary. Insurance incentive after 90 days. Send resume to dearthlivestock@yahoo.com Paid weekly. Call 608-558-8165.

CHERYL’S HOUSEKEEPING Stoughton and Oregon. 608-3229554.

Legals OREGON SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION “…HELPING STUDENTS ACQUIRE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDES TO ACHIEVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL…” FROM OREGON SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 TIME: 6:30 PM PLACE: OSD INNOVATION CENTER, OHS, 456 NORTH PERRY PARKWAY Order of Business Call to Order Roll Call Proof of Notice of Meeting and Approval of Agenda AGENDA A. CONSENT CALENDAR NOTE: Items under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items prior to the time the Board votes unless a Board Member requests an item be removed from the calendar for separate action.

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting 2. Approval of Payments 3. Treasurer’s Report, if any 4. Staff Resignations/Retirements,

*** TOWN OF OREGON PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, AUGUST 20TH, 2019 6:30 PM OREGON TOWN HALL 1138 UNION ROAD OREGON, WI 53575 1. Call Plan Commission meeting to order.

2. Roll Call.

3. Approval of minutes.

4. Public Comments.

5. Discussion and possible Recommendation re: update of town comprehensive plan; including survey.

6. Communications.

7. Adjournment.

Note: Agendas are subject to amendment after publication. Check the

Early Deadlines Labor Day Week September 4, 2019 Great Dane Shopping News Display ad deadline: Wednesday, August 28 at 3 pm.

Classified ad deadline: Thursday, August 29 at Noon.

September 5, 2019 Community Papers Display & Classified Advertising: Friday, August 30 at Noon.

*** ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOXBORO STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS VILLAGE OF OREGON DANE COUNTY, WISCONSIN Sealed Bids will be received by Village of Oregon at Village Hall, 117 Spring Street, Oregon, WI 53575-1494 no later than 2:00 p.m. local time on August 22, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the above time and place.

Project involves, but is not limited to, installation of approximately 760 linear feet of 15” RCP storm sewer. Work will also include installation of 36” diameter precast storm catch basins, 48” diameter precast storm manholes, a 4’ x 6’ precast storm inlet box, approximately 65 feet of 6” PVC storm sewer laterals, concrete sidewalk removal and replacement, clearing and grubbing, erosion and sediment control measures, and restoration.

The Project Manager for this Project is Jason P. Lietha, who may be contacted at Ruekert & Mielke, Inc., 4001 Nakoosa Trail, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53714, (608) 819-2600, regarding the Project.

All Work is included in a single prime contract.

Bidding Documents, including Drawings and Specifications, may be examined at the offices of Village of Oregon

Notices STOUGHTON HOSPITAL Blood Drive. Friday, August 16. 8 am-1 pm in the Bryant Center Stoughton Hospital. $10 gift cards for all presenting donors. Walk-ins welcome or call Sharee at 800-747-5401 x4128 for an appointment. Photo I.D. required.

Automotive

2004 PARK Avenue 108K, nice; 2014 International semi, (Cummins). 608778-6600.

Help Wanted

ad

no

=9

42

63

Our offices will be closed Monday, September 2, 2019.

1998 GMC Sonoma. 5-speed, runs great, low miles, cold air, extra tires. $1,495 OBO. Doug 608-877-8345.

845-9559 • 873-6671 • 835-6677

Verona Hyatt Place is now hiring full & part time housekeeper. Must be able to work weekends and holidays.

Pay starting at $12.50 per hour based on experience. Immediate interviews available on property.

PT Office Assistant M-F First Lutheran Church, Stoughton MS-Office Proficient 30 hrs-wk 608873-7761.

STEEL FABRICATOR looking for FT Welder, Forklift Driver, and Maintenance positions. Experience in manufacturing preferred. $16-$20 per hour depending on experience. PT Truck Driver. Apply to Bradley Iron Works, INC, 2345 Kerper Blvd, Dubuque, IA 52001.

Services OFFICE CLEANING in StoughtonOregon Mon-Fri 5pm. Visit our website: www.capitalcityclean.com or call our office 608-831-8850.

***

HOUSECLEANING SERVICES. Natural and effective cleaning solutions. Meticulous, reputable and reliable. www.detailedhousecleaningservice.com. Call Detailed Cleaning 608-361-8999 HOUSECLEANING SERVICES. Willing to clean small home in Madison and Stoughton area. 608298-7477.

A&B ENTERPRISES Light Construction Remodeling No job too small 608-835-7791.

ART’S LAWNCARE: Mowing, trimming, weed control, fertilizing. Rough mowing available. 608-235-4389.

LAWN MOWING Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

608-873-7038 or 608-669-0025

RED HEELER puppies, shots, de-wormed. $300. 608-348-3810.

FOR SALE: Beagle puppies, tri-colored, AKC registered, vet checked.

My dogs are typically fast starters and quick learners, great hunters and companions, and field champions in the pedigree. $400-$450 each. 608437-8957.

AKC GOLDEN Retriever pups, first shots, dew claws removed, male and female. $800 cash. 608-490-0713.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER puppies and Labrador puppies, AKC, shots, de-wormed, dew claws removed, micro-chipped and vet checked. 608574-6204. License #267233.

UNION ROAD STORAGE 10x10 - 10x15 - 10x20 - 12x30 24-7 Access Security Lights & Cameras Credit Cards Accepted 608-835-0082 1128 Union Road, Oregon, WI Located on the corner of Union Road and Lincoln Road

DEER POINT STORAGE Convenient location behind Stoughton Lumber.

Clean-Dry Units 24-HOUR LIGHTED ACCESS 5x10 thru 12x25 608-335-3337

OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT In Oregon facing 15th hole on golf course Free Wi-Fi, Parking and Security System Conference rooms available Kitchenette-Breakroom Autumn Woods Prof. Centre Marty 608-835-3628

DANE COUNTY’S MARKETPLACE. The Oregon Observer Classifieds. Call 8736671 or 835-6677.

OREGON. 4735 Eisenhower Street.

816-817, 8a-5p. Wide-variety of items, including sewing machine, hand tools, stoneware, jugscrocks, vases, beer bottles, camping lanternequip., fishing poles, vinyl, record turntables, Schwinn bicycle, furniture, toys, lots more!

STOUGHTON. 2264 CTY AB. Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 8am-Noon. New American Girl items, womens Schwinn 10-speed, womens and girls clothing and shoes and household items.

FRITZ BARN PAINTING Rusty roofs, metal buildings, grain bins. Freeestimate. 608-221-3510 RENT SKID LOADERS MINIEXCAVATORS TELE-HANDLER and these attachments. Concrete breaker, posthole auger,landscape rake, concrete bucket,pallet forks, trencher, rock hound,broom, teleboom, stump grinder.

By the day, week, or month.

Carter & Gruenewald Co. 4417 Hwy 92, Brooklyn, WI 608-455-2411.

VERONA. 3,400 sq. ft. warehouse loading dock, 1 office. & 600 SQ. FT Warehouse. 608-576-0192.

CLASSIFIEDS, 873-6671 or 835-6677. It pays to read the fine print.

CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE IS Noon Friday for The Great Dane and Noon Monday for the Oregon Observer unless changed because of holiday work schedules. Call now to place your ad, 873-6671 or 835-6677.

THE Oregon Observer CLASSIFIEDS, the best place to buy or sell. Call 873-6671 or 835-6677.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE OF OREGON LIBRARY – PAGE

Garage Sales STOUGHTON. 817 Arendal Court, 815 and 816, 8a-5p. 55" TV, name brand clothes, American Girl dolls, collectibles, bike, jewelry, ballet bar, holiday, college bedding, and household items.

FOR SALE: 1,000 gallon DeLaval bulk tank and plate cooler, also a vacuum pump 7.5hp, 10 years old, really good condition. $5,000 obo.

Also a 3 inch milk line and jar for a double 5 parlor. 608-778-6026.

Office Space For Rent

FRENCHTOWN SELF-STORAGE Only 6 miles South of Verona on Hwy PB. Variety of sizes available now.

10x10=$65-month 10x15=$75-month 10x20=$85-month 10x25=$95-month 12x30=$120-month Call 608-424-6530 or 1-888-878-4244

Antiques BUYING US Gold & Silver Coins and Collectibles. Call 608-988-6406 Rick Miles Coin.

Farm

The Oregon Public Library is accepting applications for Library Page. This position averages 10 hours per week, which includes 2 weekday evenings 4:00-8:00 and weekend hours. The anticipated starting date is September 3rd, 2019. Salary is $10.46 per hour. Job description and application are available at the Oregon Public Library, 256 Brook St., Oregon, WI 53575 or the library website at oregonpubliclibrary.org. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM on August 26th, 2019.

Please allow approximately 15 minutes to complete a brief written assessment when submitting an application.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Wanted

Rentals BROOKLYN. 3806 Union-Dane Road.

4-bedroom house, 1.5-bath, all applicances furnished, large 2-stall garage.

Rural setting. Stoughton schools. $1500month plus utilities. 608-3385408.

GREENWOOD APARTMENTS. Apartments for Seniors 55+,currently has 1 & 2 bedroom units available starting at $810 per month,includes heat, water, and sewer. 608-8356717. Located at:139 Wolf St., Oregon, WI 53575 STOUGHTON 2-BEDROOM, 2-bath.

Available now and for Fall. In-unit laundry, garage, patio or balcony, dishwasher, Fox Prairie Elementary.

UpperLower from $1,050mo., townhouse from $1,325-$1,375mo. Call 608-807-0287 or visit kingandmain. stevebrownapts.com.

STOUGHTON. For rent 2-bedroom, 1-bath duplex, garage in center, $925/ month. No pets. 608-346-1263.

EARN APPROX. $1,600 A MONTH WORKING JUST A FEW HOURS PER DAY! $500 BONUS AFTER 6-MONTHS The Wisconsin State Journal

is looking for a carrier to deliver in the Belleville/New Glarus area.

Must be available early A.M.s, 7 days a week, and have a dependable vehicle.

For more information call Pat at 608-212-7216

3 Great CDL A Drivers Call to Qualify - Apply by Sept. 2, 2019 Within Hour of HWY 151 Steady Income 100% PAID Benefits Non-hazmat Tanker Company Training 2 years experience

Safety Award Thanks Drivers!

1-800-772-1734 • www.jensentransport.com Jensen Transport Inc • EOE

adno=97513

Commercial Cleaning Help Needed We are looking for a few good people to join our evening cleaning crew!

Permanent Part & Full-Time - Paid Weekly!

Oregon Area

Call 608-752-9465 for details

Increase Your sales opportunities…reach over 1.2 million households!

Advertise in our Wisconsin Advertising Network System.

For information call 835-6677.

Auction Miscellaneous 800+ Estate Guns @ Auction Friday Aug. 16 @ 9AM Preview: DIRECTV & AT&T. 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Thur. 15th 2-7 PM Fine Modern & Antique Colts, Winchesters, Demand (w/SELECT Package.) AT&T Internet 99 Percent Reliability. Unlimited Texts to 120 Countries w/AT&T Wireless. Call Ruger, Etc. www.KramerSales.com (CNOW) 4 FREE Quote- 1-866-252-8805. (CNOW) Construction, Remodeling Earthlink High Speed Internet. As Low As $14.95/month (for the ROOFERS INCREASE REVENUE? Will train contractors, first 3 months.) Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. proven, 40-year system for low slope metal/flat roofs. Low in- Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-877vestment. Margins: $2,500 day possible. Daniel: 660-605-3951, 794-5751 (CNOW) Emanuel: 715-314-0520 (CNOW) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR Help Wanted - Truck Driver THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, Stoughton Trucking is looking for local Flatbed Driver. Must All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-855-711-0379 (CNOW) have two years tractor/trailer experience and one year flatbed SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. experience, must have class A CDL and Medical card. Home Price Match Guarantee! Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified. every night. Weekends off. Health and Dental insurance, Holi- Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price day pay, $1,000.00 sign on bonus. Call Curt at (608) 873-2922 Quote. 1-866-546-5275 Call Now! (CNOW) (CNOW) DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels $14.95 High Speed InOTR VAN DRIVERS - Stoughton Trucking is looking for OTR ternet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Van drivers. Run the Midwest region - Yearly increase - Paid Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-855-997-5088 (CNOW) Vacations / Holidays , Health / Dental insurance , Short term Sporting Goods Disability , Life insurance , Also $1,000.00 sign on bonus, Home every weekend , Call Curt (608)-873-2922 M-F 7AM- GUN SHOW: Aug 16-18, Comfort Suites, Air Conditioned Conference Ctr, 725 Paradise Lane, Johnson Creek, WI Friday 5PM. (CNOW) 3pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. $7. 608-752Medical Care 6677 www.bobandrocco.com (CNOW) OXYGEN - Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill. No deliveries.

Wanted to Buy or Trade The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! WANTED FREON R12: We pay CA$H. R12 R500 R11 ConveFREE info kit: 888-332-9680 (CNOW) nient, Certified Professionals (312) 291-9169 RefrigerantFinders.com/ads (CNOW) adno=97504

Sloan Implement is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

adno=96119

Sloan Implement at our Mt. Horeb location is currently looking for a Lawn and Garden Service Technician 1 to perform basic diagnostics, service repairs and maintenance work on customer and/or dealer-owned turf equipment.

The qualified candidate must be able to pass a drug screen, possess a valid drivers license and have an excellent driving history as well as have the ability to perform basic repairs and required maintenance using special tools and equipment.

For additional job duties, requirements, and to see our full-time benefit package, please go online to sloans.com.

If you are interested and qualified for the position, please apply online at www.sloans.com.

Sloan Implement is currently looking for a full-time Truck Driver at our Mt. Horeb, WI location to transport equipment to/from customers and/or between dealer facilities.

Candidates that apply must have a valid CDL License, 1+ years experience as a semi-trailer truck operator, excellent driving record, and experience with loading and unloading heavy equipment is preferred. For additional job duties, requirements, and to see our full time benefit package, please go online to sloans.com. If you are interested and qualified for the position, please apply online or come into the store to fill out an application.

Sloan Implement is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

adno=96127

WE BUY Junk Cars and Trucks.

We sell used parts.

Monday thru Friday 8am-5:30pm.

Newville Auto Salvage 279 Hwy 59 Edgerton 608-884-3114

• Daytime, full-time Locate Technician positions available • 100% PAID TRAINING • Company vehicle & equipment provided • PLUS medical, dental, vision, & life insurance REQUIREMENTS: • Must be able to work outdoors • HS Diploma or GED • Ability to work OT & weekends • Must have valid driver’s license with safe driving record

adno=97509

ALL SEASONS SELF STORAGE 10x10 10x15 10x20 10x25 10x30 Security Lights-24/7 access OREGON/BROOKLYN CALL 608-444-2900

RASCHEIN PROPERTY STORAGE 6x10 thru 10x25 Market Street/Burr Oak Street in Oregon Call 608-520-0240

New Factory Built Homes, 3 BR, 2 BA put on your foundation. $59,980 HORKHEIMER HOMES Hazelton, IA. 800-632-5985.

adno=96766

MINI-GOLDENDOODLES, SHIPOOS,Teddy Bears, 2-Westies, 2-Whoodles, 3-Cavachons, 2-Cockapoos, 5-Poochons, Cavapoos & 3 Wheaton Terriers soon! $695 to $1,495 or more WWW. SPRINGGREENPUPS.COM Lic #474872 Brenda 608-574-7931

Storage Spaces For Rent

Real Estate

Sloan Implement in Mt. Horeb is looking for an experienced Ag Sales Representative to sell new and used Ag and Turf equipment.

To view the completed job description and job requirements as well as viewing our competitive benefits package, please go to www.sloans.com. You may apply directly online or send your resume to SMcRae@Sloans.com Sloan Implement is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

adno=96128

LAB-GERMAN SHORTHAIR puppies - shots, dewclaws removed, tails docked. 6 males 3 females. Hunting family. Textcall 608-732-0688 or 608485-0662. $300.

NORTH PARK STORAGE 10x10 through 10x40, plus 14x40 with 14' door for RV & Boats.

Come & go as you please.

608-873-5088

11

New Wage Scale!

Four Winds Manor and Four Winds Lodge Seeking dedicated individuals to join our team!

CNAs - FT/PT ⋅ PM and NOC shift RN - FT/PT ⋅ Day shift LPN - FT ⋅ PM shift RN PM Nurse Supervisor - FT M.A.A. - FT ⋅ PM Shift Contact Jessica Koerwitz, Director of Nursing 608-845-6465 or jkoerwitz@fourwindsmanor.com ------------------------------------------------------------------Housekeeper - Full-Time Contact Brent Marshall 608-845-6465 or bmarshall@fourwindsmanor.com ------------------------------------------------------------------Resident Assistant - FT Day/PM combination of shifts Contact Lisa Aders at 608-845-6465 or laders@fourwindsmanor.com or Jim Raab jraab@fourwindsmanor.com We offer competitive wages, shift and weekend differential. Health, dental, disability and life insurance. Retirement, vacation, sick and holiday pay.

Equal Opportunity Employer

303 S. Jefferson Street, Verona, WI 53593 • (608) 497-2362

adno=97270

ENGLISH BULLDOG puppy, white and black female, AKC registered, shots and dewormed. Wis. Lic. 466394, $1,000 obo. 608-943-6202.

ROSEWOOD APARTMENTS for Seniors 55+. 1 & 2 bedroom units available starting at $810 per month.

Includes heat, water and sewer.

Professionally managed. Located at 300 Silverado Drive, Stoughton, WI 53589. 608-877-9388

Oregon Observer

adno=97635

Pets

August 15, 2019

adno=97386

ConnectOregonWI.com

12

August 15, 2019

ConnectOregonWI.com

Oregon Observer

Oregon Kids Triathlon

Photo by Emilie Heidemann

Ben Minter, 8, Oregon, makes his way to the finish line.

Photo by Brynn Mancusi

Area youngsters bike through the Oregon Kids Triathlon course to make their way to the running portion of the race.

Triathlon: It took two years, five different doctors to correctly diagnose Addison’s ailments Continued from page 1 Addison’s parents took her to their doctor, who thought she had seizures. But Erica knew that couldn’t be right, she said. Over the next two years, going from California to Washington and back to California again, Addison was misdiagnosed with eczema and pollen allergies by four different doctors.

“None of it added up,” Erica said.

When Addison was 3 years old, she was diagnosed with EPP at Stanford Medical in California.

“It was the fifth doctor that finally diagnosed it,” Erica said.

While Addison plays indoor sports such as volleyball and hockey, she also often goes outside to play with her twin brother, who doesn’t have EPP, during what they call “Sissy Time”

after the sun goes down. EPP doesn’t stop Addison from going out in the sun, either, as long as she takes the proper precautions.

Addison’s parents often reassure her that it’s ok to be different, and her EPP hasn’t stopped Addison from doing what she wants to do.

“If everyone else can do it, I can do it.” Addison said.

Taking precautions Erica said as soon as the fifth doctor walked into the room, he knew what it was.

E ve r s i n c e t h e n , t h e Kypreos have been finding ways to protect Addison from the sun. If she is exposed Erica said Addison has described her suffering as her “skin feeling like a melting candle, her blood is boiling inside her body …

It’s like her skin’s on fire, like she’ll try to crawl out of her skin.

“When she gets a reaction, she just has to power through it … it’s just a waiting game,” Erica added.

Addison has found that using a fan, ice pack and cold towel can relieve some of the pain, along with taking a cold shower, she said.

There are other long term effects of EPP as well, including liver disease ,according to the National Library of Medicine for the National Institutes of Health. Addison’s parents have taken measures to avoid this, Erica said.

“Every six months she gets bloodwork done,” her mother said. “A liver transplant could be something in her future.”

Despite the challenges that EPP brings, Addison is determined to live a long, active life.

Photo by Brynn Mancusi “I want to be an outside Addison Kypreos with her mom Erica Kypreos after crossing the finish line at the Oregon person,” Addison said.

Kids Triathlon on Saturday Aug. 10.

Ask The Oregon

VETERINARIAN

DOG TRAINING

Q. How can I tell if my dog is playing or fighting with another dog?

A. Play fighting can be mistaken as aggressive behavior unless we know what to look for. It is also

Q: It’s gorgeous outside and I want to enjoy it with my dogs, how can I keep them safe from the heat?

A: With the hot summer days in full force we need to remember our four-legged friends to ensure they aren’t accidentally overheating. A dog’s normal body temperature ranges between 99.5-102.5°F, and though they can tolerate the heat for a little while, temperatures reaching 106°F or higher require emergency veterinary assistance. Dogs cool themselves down by panting, primarily, and by sweating from hairless skin like their paw pads and noses. Though these methods usually meet a dog’s needs, it is an owner’s duty to ensure their pups have ample opportunities to cool down. On hot days access to shade, plenty of fresh water to drink, and taking walks in the early morning or late evening are easy ways to beat the heat. Give field/working dogs plenty of breaks and let brachycephalic (short-snouted) breeds enjoy a little extra time inside. And never leave a dog unattended in a hot car even for a short time! Keep alert for any indicators of heat stress like excessive panting or drooling, vomiting, lack of coordination, or an altered mental state and don’t hesitate to consult your local veterinarian.

(608) 835-0551

adno=95230

adno=97400

1350 S. Fish Hatchery Road Oregon, WI 53575

Daniel H. Antolec PCT-A, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

an important social activity in which dogs learn communication, self-control and bite inhibition.

Dogs in conflict maintain direct, hard eye contact. They may become stiff and silent with a closed mouth, lips puckered forward. Muscle tension in the face creates stress ridges on the muzzle and around the eyes. Ear position may pin flat backward or perk toward the target. Body position of the aggressor will be up and forward. Mouth contact with be fast, intense and damaging.

Dogs who are about to play signal with different body language. They may do a play bow with foreleg elbows on the ground and butt in the air. Body movement will be bouncy and inefficient, often angular, including hip bumping. Eye contact will be brief and mouth contact will be light.

Action should be balanced and reciprocal with brief pauses, followed by more play signals and a resumption of the fun.

Imagine watching professional fighting matches vs. professional wrestling and you will get the idea!

Happy Buddha Dog Training (608) 719-2968 | HappyBuddhaTraining@gmail.com

If you would like to join our Ask a Professional page, call 608-835-6677 to find out how!

adno=49224