Thursday, April 16, 2020 • Vol. 55, No. 48 • Verona, WI • Hometown USA • ConnectVerona.com • $1.50
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Verona Press The
Open For Business! Safe Service - Buyers & Sellers
Controversial election brought challenges
Verona Area School District
Community, Guard help with shortages of equipment, poll workers RENEE HICKMAN Unified Newspaper Group
Polling locations in Verona looked very different April 7, the day of the state’s spring election and presidential primary as a result of COVID-19 precautions. Clear plastic barriers separated poll workers from voters, while volunteers
and voters alike – including National Guard members – wore masks and gloves and gave each other a six-foot berth as they fulfilled their civic duty. Despite the dangers and an Election Eve full of confusion, voter turnout was much higher than she anticipated, city clerk Ellen Clark told the Press. Verona’s two open polling sites brought in 800 voters that Tuesday, with another 4,370 voters casting absentee ballots. Clark later told the Common Council that only 200 fewer voters
Turn to Aftermath/Page 10
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Two Way Immersion kindergarten teacher Krista Thusius and her son decorate her vehicle during a teacher caravan that led Sugar Creek Elementary staff through the communities of Verona and Fitchburg to wave and say hello to their students from afar. At the time of the caravan, it had been just short a month since educators had interacted with their students in person, as schools in Dane County closed as of March 13.
What their hearts needed Sugar Creek staff say hello to students with teacher caravan KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
A
s Sugar Creek bilingual resource teacher Lisette Venegas took a drive around Verona and Fitchburg last week, she was glad she wasn’t the one behind the wheel. One of the three organizers behind a Sugar Creek teacher caravan, Venegas said she cried throughout the entire route. The caravan took place
on Thursday, April 9, after almost an entire month of being apart from one another during a time when school should be in full swing, “The minute we saw the first family, I was so grateful that my husband was driving because I don’t know if I could have driven, cried and honked horns and waved at kids all at the same time,” she said. The concept of a Sugar Creek t e a c h e r c a r a va n s t a r t e d a f t e r three educators – Venegas, Laura
Marquardt and Shannon Searle – all brought the idea of it to principal Todd Brunner within the same day after seeing other caravans go by their homes or seeing them on social media. “We love our Sugar Creek kiddos and families so much, and it was hard for everybody – we were at school on a Friday, and we thought we were coming back on Monday
Turn to Caravan/Page 12
City of Verona
Department heads update alders on pandemic response Virtual meeting is first for council since COVID-19 shutdowns
the city took place on a computer screen. With alders visible sitting in their homes, they reviewed what has been happening in the city since the threat of the virus changed life for everyone across the city, state and RENEE HICKMAN world. City department heads were Unified Newspaper Group all online during the meeting, Rather than sitting next to with each giving updates on one another on a dais at the what they were doing. City administrator Adam Verona City Center, the first Common Council meeting Turn to VPD/Page 3 since the COVID-19 crisis hit
Private construction to lead Verona projects this year
KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
Much to the relief of Veronans who found themselves sitting in traffic the past few years, fewer major road projects will make it easier to get around. There will still be construction around Verona, but mainly buildings and developments scattered throughout the city.
There will be less road construction than in previous years, with only one road being resurfaced and other work consisting of chip sealing and maintenance, city public works director Theran Jacobson told the Press. The most significant road work is on the west side, where access roads and other improvements near the new Verona Area High School have been under way for months and should be finished by the time school starts in September. In the Town of Verona, County Hwy. PD from County Hwy. M west to Woods Road is being expanded. An asphalt rehabilitation project will take place in
the city on Northern Lights in June. The only bike and pedestrian project planned this summer is adding rapid flashing beacons at high-traffic sites, including near Military Ridge State Trail and the future Badger Ridge Middle School (the current Verona Area High School). The most significant road construction in the area is rebuilding part of McKee Road in Fitchburg. That is the last piece of the state Department of Transportation’s seven-year Verona Road project. The largest construction project is the
Turn to Construction/Page 10
The
Verona Press
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Yellow caution tape is draped across playground equipment at Fireman’s Park. All playground equipment was ordered to be closed by Gov. Tony Evers when he issued a “Safer at Home” order effective March 25.
Due to Coronavirus, we have postponed our April 25th concert, “Six Appeal”. We plan to reschedule this concert at a time to be determined.
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Road construction in city limited to asphalt rehab, maintenance
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April 16, 2020
The Verona Press
ConnectVerona.com
COVID-19 response
Grocery stores adapting to keep employees safe Cleaning, distancing have added challenges, managers say
Did You Know?
NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group
In the fifth week of countrywide business shutdowns intended to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, one sector has remained open and operational — grocery stores. The stores have had to balance keeping customers and employees safe and healthy. In Verona, those include Miller and Sons Supermarket and Festival Foods. “We appreciate everyone coming in, so we’re going to do the best we can for as long as we can, keeping shelves stocked and keeping a smile on our face,” said Andrea Miller of Miller and Sons. Stockers and checkout clerks all wear gloves at Miller’s, and hand sanitizer and cart wipes are available for customers near the front doors. Some of the normal amenities such as the coffee grinder, water refill station and self-serve kombucha tap are kept off-limits by yellow caution tape. Miller said customers have been treating workers with respect since the state ordered all nonessential businesses to close March 24, but kept grocery stores open. “You see some negative stories on Facebook, but nothing like that is happening here. Ninety-five percent of people are respectful and many are just thankful we’re here,” she said. “People are definitely doing more shopping; the cart sizes are big.”
Neal Patten/Unified Newspaper Group
Festival Foods employee Joanna Mena, wearing a face mask, sanitizes the self check-out terminals between every customer. To her left, Customer service representative Victoria Chavarria helps customers in the regular check-out line from behind a sneeze guard. Spencer Schultz, a bartender and manager at Avanti’s Italian Restaurant, has been working at Miller’s for the past month, as Avanti’s is closed for the quarantine. He helps to sanitize the freezer and refrigerator doors and handles daily. He worked for the supermarket in high school in the dairy department. Now he’s working alongside some of the same coworkers he did a decade ago. He also sees and interacts with regulars from Avanti’s, many of whom are surprised to see their favorite mixologist working at Miller’s. “I still get to see them through this craziness,” he said. While Miller and Sons has served Verona for over 60 years, Festival Foods has only just entered its sixth month.
Despite being the new store on the block, it has been faring well during the quarantine, all things considered, said assistant store director Nick Dziedzic. He said the ‘Click N Go’ shopping service has taken off, which allows customers to shop online and pick up their orders curbside. “We see people who may not have seen another person for days on end,” he said. “Our message as leaders has been ‘keep things light’ for customers. Keeping it light has trickled down to associates. The big message is to take care of ourselves.” A large sign from the Wisconsin Department of Health with tips to stop the spread of the virus greets customers at the store entrance. S n e e z e g u a r d s h ave b e e n installed at all the checkout
On April 8, the United Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW), which represents 1.3 million people in the United States and Canada, called on the Centers for Disease Control to issue standards that protect frontline workers in grocery stores, pharmacies and food processing plants and food and drug supply chain, according to its website. The call to action read in part: “it is absolutely critical that the CDC do more to help protect frontline workers who are at daily risk of being infected.” The suggestions for grocery stores and pharmacies include limiting the number of customers in a store to 20-30% of the store’s capacity, and mandate all employees wear personal protective equipment like gloves and masks.
lanes and customer service desk. An employee sanitizes the selfcheck-out kiosks in between uses. The store also has employees dedicated to cleaning the store, with all “high touch points” being regularly sanitized and cleaned. Dziedzic said overall, customers have been “fantastic” to employees during the past few weeks. “Everyone is aware this is a difficult time for every person,” he said. “We hear ‘we love the people in your store, we love what you’re doing.’” Like Miller and Sons, some of the self-serve areas of the store are off-limits, such as a grinder to make fresh peanut butter and the bulk food dispensers being kept empty. “It’s a very fluid situation;
we’re taking it in stride, taking it one day at a time, taking care of every guest one at a time,” Dziedzic said. He said certain areas of the store got hit hard during the initial burst of panic shopping last month, and they saw “loads more” customers than they were used to, but since then, employees have gradually pieced the store back together. “We have only been open six months, Dziedzic said. “Frankly, it’s been impressive we can hold it together at this point. People are really coming together; this is building our community and culture in store.” Neal Patten, community reporter, can be contacted at neal.patten@wcinet.com.
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any animal hospital. CVT’s study rigorously and must pass both a state and national exam to obtain their certification. Like veterinarians, CVT’s are required to continue their education to remain current with medical standards and maintain certification. In the hospital setting, CVT’s work closely with doctors to help provide the best possible care for patients. Common Ayla Feehery, CVT duties include triage, client education, laboratory work, radiology, surgical assistance, anesthesiology, and nursing care. There is no doubt if you have brought your furry, feathered, or scaly friend to the vet a CVT was there to help you and your pet, on the front lines and behind the scenes.
We are following updates and procedures from the CDC, State Department of Health, local and county authorities, the Home Care Association of America, and other agencies and resources.
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We are vigilant about our need to help protect our staff and clients from illness be it the flu, COVID-19, or any other communicable disease. The following are some of the protocols and procedures we have in place. • Our staff is trained in infectious disease control. • Our caregivers should not care for those who exhibit signs of or have been tested positive for the virus as a safekeeping measure for themselves and for their other clients and families. • Our caregivers have an established protocol to stay home if they are ill with any sickness so as to not infect any of our clients or their family members. • Our staff follows hygiene procedures directed by the CDC, including vigorous and frequent handwashing with soap and water, use of sanitizing gels (with 70% alcohol level or higher), use of disinfectant wipes to frequently wipe down surfaces, proper coughing and sneezing techniques, disposal of any items that may have virus or bacteria, and much more. • If any of our staff or their clients should show signs of COVID-19, we will report, isolate and quarantine, as necessary, abiding by national and local guidelines. • Rest assured your loved ones will always be safe with Comfort Keepers.
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April 16, 2020
3
The Verona Press
Spring election
Biddle wins second term on school board All other races in Verona area uncontested KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
Debbie Biddle has won her second term on the Verona Area Board of Education after being challenged by newcomer Bob Ross. Biddle was appointed in early 2019 after former board member Russell King resigned and a few months later won the election to succeed him. Biddle was declared the winner, 5,2222,744, nearing 1:30 a.m. when all of the City of Madison’s precincts reported.
The school board was the only contested race in the Verona area this spring. Incumbent Kristina Navarro-Haffner won her second term on the school board after Biddle first running in 2017. All five City of Verona seats had only incumbents running for them – Alds. Chad Kemp, Katie Kohl, Kate Cronin and Evan Touchett, in Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and mayor Luke Diaz. In the Town of Verona, two candidates for two supervisor seats were also elected without any challengers. Incumbent Doug Maxwell was re-elected to the Supervisor 3 seat, and
newcomer Phyllis Wiederhoeft was elected to the Supervisor 4 seat. She succeeds longtime incumbent Manfred Enburg, who decided last fall he wasn’t running for re-election. Mike Bare, a former City of Verona alder and current member of the city’s Plan Commission, was elected to District 32 supervisor on the Dane County Board of Supervisors, which consists of the city and town. Bare was the only person to run for the seat, which is being vacated by incumbent Jason Knoll after one term on the board. In the statewide Supreme Court justice race, Veronans overwhelmingly supported Dane County District Court judge Jill Karofsky over incumbent Daniel Kelly, a Scott Walker appointee. Karofsky was endorsed by several
unions and prominent Democrat politicians for the position, which is nominally nonpartisan. She appeared to have won the 10-year seat as results were announced Monday night, with 54 percent of the vote, according to reporting from several statewide and national news outlets. In the City of Verona, she received 3,899 votes to Kelly’s 1,084, and in the town, she got 579 votes to Kelly’s 250. In the statewide presidential primary, which former Vice President Joe Biden won by a 2-1 margin, he received the most votes than any other primary candidate from Veronans. Biden received 2,564 votes from city residents and 406 from town voters. The next closest candidate, Vermont
State parks closed until further notice MACKENZIE KRUMME Unified Newspaper Group
Unprecedented crowds, litter and vandalism have prompted the closure of 40 state parks, forests and recreational areas, according to a Thursday, April 9, release from Gov. Tony Evers. The areas will close starting at the end of the day until further notice. The Department of Natural Resources had made all registration fees voluntary as of March 19, to encourage people to spend time outdoors during the COVID-19 public health emergency, although camping, park offices, visitor centers and non-essential buildings were closed.
“I wanted to keep state parks open for the public to enjoy during this challenging time, which is why outdoor activity is listed as an essential activity under the Safer at Home order,” Evers said in the April 9 release. “Unfortunately, growing difficulty with ensuring social distancing compliance, dwindling cleaning supplies and mounting trash are some of the challenges faced by our state parks staff. We have to address the growing public health and safety concern and protect Wisconsinites.” The areas closed include the Capital Springs State Recreational Area, Blue Mound State Park and New Glarus Woods State Park. Others in the south central region are Aztalan State Park, Belmont Mound State
Park, Cadiz Springs State Recreational Area, Cross Plains State Park, Devil’s Lake State Park, Fenley State Recreational Area, Governor Dodge State Park, Governor Nelson State Park, Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Mackenzie Center, Mirror Lake State Park, Natural Bridge State Park, Nelson Dewey State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area, Tower Hill State Park, Wyalusing State Park, Yellowstone Lake State Park, Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area, Pewits Nest State Natural Area, Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area and Dells of The Wisconsin River State Natural Area. Contact Mackenzie Krumme at mackenzie. krumme@wcinet.com.
VPD: Police have issued one citation for violating Safer at Home order
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In an email to the Press from March 12, Anderson said the department had become “extra vigilant” when cleaning the ambulances and had started conversations about planning for future operations, should there be staffing shortages because of possible infections or quarantines. Fire, police and EMS department heads all noted that they are working together to assess which department members need to respond to emergency calls when departments respond together to minimize potential contact with the illness. Alders disagreed over sick pay changes for those working with the fire department. At issue were the number of hours firefighters who might be sick with the virus would receive, and whether they would have to receive a positive COVID-19 test in order to become eligible for those hours. Ald. Katie Kohl (Dist. 2) was concerned that requiring tests showed a lack of trust in city employees and that differing schedule structure meant
firefighters might need more hours off in order to meet the guidelines for a full two week recovery and quarantine period. “I think that could create morale issues,” Kohl said. Ald. Evan Touchett (D-4) said there should be parity in the hours that each first responder department receives and said the COVID-19 test was necessary to ensure that the hours only be used for instances where employees contract the virus. The council voted to give firefighters 80 hours on a vote of 4-3. Renee Hickman can be contacted at renee.hickman@ wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @ReneeNHickman
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The Town Board met remotely for its April 14 meeting. Starting at 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, the board convened using freeconferencecall.com, with members, staff and the public all joining from remote locations. To listen to the meeting, the public should call (987) 990-5252, and enter the access code 574046. While the public was able to listen to the entire thing, public comment was only allowed during that portion of the meeting, and anyone who wished to speak had to
register prior to the start of the meeting. To offer public comment for future meetings conducted remotely, email town administrator/planner Sarah Gaskell by calling 807-4460 or emailing her at sgaskell@ town.verona.wi.us. Gaskell announced in an email to town residents she will provide information about when people can provide public comment. Written comments may also be submitted to Gaskell or Town Board chair Mark Geller at mgeller@town. verona.wi.us. The meeting included possible action on contracts to chip seal and pavement strip specific roads, as well as approving a contract for the resurfacing of Cross Country Road and a resolution thanking Sup. Manfred Enburg for his years of service to the town after he chose not to run for re-election.
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Sayre told the council a hiring freeze is now in place for the city given the uncertain nature of future department schedules. Recreation director Casey Dudley said he was waiting for guidance from Gov. Tony Evers and state and county public health officials regarding scheduled summer programs. Under the March 24 Safer at Home order, all playgrounds are required to be closed through at least April 24, when the order is currently scheduled to end, and many other forms of recreation are prohibited. “Really we’re in a holding pattern,” he said. Dudley noted there is a possibility that mass refunds would have to be issued, especially for the scheduled soccer program. Trash pickup and other essential services will continue as normal, public works director Theran Jacobson told alders, with an exception. Curbside bulk pick up has been suspended and Dumpsters at the Public Works building are being provided as an alternative, Jacobson said.
Recycling continues at the recycling center, except for items that would involve human contact, such as tires and e-waste, which require fees. The police department continues to enforce the state order, although police chief Bernie Coughlin told the council the department had issued only one citation – in a case that involved repeated violations at the Reddan Soccer Park. Since then, signs have been put up at the park over the fields stating that they are closed to the public. Acting fire chief Dan Machotka told the council firefighters are still responding to calls as usual, although fire inspections of buildings are suspended except for new building occupancy. Fitch-Rona EMS chief Patrick Anderson said the department is lucky to have plenty of personal protective equipment of the kind that has seen shortages nationally, after a joint call was put out with the City of Fitchburg fire department asking for donations. Those donations included N95 respirator masks needed for healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients.
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Continued from page 1
Sen. Bernie Sanders, received the second most number of votes. In the city, Sanders got 1,419 votes, and 181 from voters in the town. Sanders had been the only other candidate still actively in the race at the time of the April 7 election, and he suspended his campaign the next day. While all ballots had to be either returned in person or postmarked by April 7, they had until April 13 to arrive in the mail because of postal delays related to the election, which has had record numbers of absentee ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberly_wethal.
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4
April 16, 2020
Opinion
The Verona Press
ConnectVerona.com
Letter to the editor
Town clerk embodies ‘ideal’ public servant John Wright, clerk/treasurer of the Town of Verona, has worked tirelessly to provide us with our right to a fair and open election. I am a poll worker at his voting location. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, John has kept his poll-workers updated and well informed, never asking any of us unwilling to serve. Week to week, he let us know how procedures were changing, how he was keeping up with those changes, and how those changes affected us. Leading up to election day, he processed
nearly half of our town citizen’s absentee/early votes. He ingeniously set up the entire voting space at the Town hall to provide every worker and voter a safer voting environment. John embodies the ideal of the public servant, doing all he can and thinking outside the box to keep us all safe and the government running smoothly and fairly. Thank you, John. Mona Cassis Town of Verona
Letters to the editor policy Unified Newspaper Group is proud to offer a venue for public debate and welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be no longer than 400 words. They should also contain contact information – the writer’s full name, address, and phone number – so that the paper may confirm authorship. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be printed under any circumstances. The editorial staff of Unified Newspaper Group reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and appropriateness. Letters with libelous or obscene content will not be printed. Unified Newspaper Group generally only accepts letters from writers with ties to our circulation area. Letters to the editor should be of general public interest. Letters that are strictly personal – lost pets, for example – will not be printed. Letters that recount personal experiences, good or bad, with individual businesses will not be printed unless there is an overwhelming and compelling public interest to do so. Letters that urge readers to patronize specific businesses or specific religious faiths will not be printed, either. “Thank-you” letters can be printed under limited circumstances, provided they do not contain material that should instead be placed as an advertisement and reflect public interests.
Thursday, April 16, 2020 • Vol. 55, No. 42 USPS No. 658-320
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Community Voices
We are all in this together, and our lives affect Mother Earth
S
ince moving back to Wisconsin, I have noticed that lawn mowing is a big part of life here. When I lived here before, I was on the garden committee for more than 20 years. We converted gravel, worn out soil, landscape cloth, dead and dying trees, shrubs and plants into thriving lovely garden beds. We took care of the trees, and they flourished. Now, I’m in a condo complex that has a huge yard. I have two lovely garden areas that were in fairly good shape, and when I started working on them, my neighbor noticed. She asked if I would help with the garden club. I resisted until I learned that there was a landscape contract that included the use of chemical spraying. There are many reasons I want to see this change. One is that I am growing cooking herbs and don’t want them sprayed. I eat mostly organic. I also feed the birds and am concerned for them. Bird populations are being affected by not having bugs to eat and climate change. I started to consider the other creatures and critters in my yard. I know pollinators are important for our plants including food grown for us. I am concerned that runoff will have yard chemicals in it and go into our wells. I also don’t want to be exposed to unnecessary chemical exposure. I only use vinegar to clean my house. I buy products that use minimal chemicals. I have an air filter. I get my drinking and cooking water from a spring that I believe is more pure than our city water. I eat the best food I can buy. I use minimal personal care products. I want to be a good steward to the land. I agree with Aldo Leopold, who lived in Wisconsin and believed that we have a
responsibility to preserve and protect nature. We are all in this together. Every choice we make affects other Lindberg living beings. As I research the options for having a nice looking lawn while considering the environmental consequences, I wonder whether we value life, health and well-being over cost, saving time and the need to have a perfect looking lawn. I’m watching the chemical trucks running around in my neighborhood. The number of gallons sold in America is staggering. So far, the “organic” products are questionable, as well as more expensive. I’ve learned that they may not be much better than the straight synthetics. Everything has advantages and disadvantages. It’s always risk vs possible benefit. I’ve made a request to my board that they take a season off from all spraying to see how that impacts our yard. It will buy me time while I learn as much as I can about how to have a nice looking yard, hopefully without the use of chemicals. I’ve reached out the UW Extension, and they sent me a couple of articles. Internet research has shown cities have prohibited the use of lawn chemicals in the United States and Canada. This is encouraging. I didn’t really want to become a lawn expert. I would prefer a no-mow lawn, like a couple I’ve seen in my neighborhood. I doubt that will be possible due to cost. Before I got involved, the board decided to remove an area that some said was too weedy. I thought it was a beautiful prairie look. It was also habitat. Our Verona library is an
On the Web For some good exercise opportunities, see adult classes at the city recreation department:
ci.verona.wi.us example of this raging controversy. The new building had prairie landscaping right up to the doors. Then I noticed that was taken out and grass was put in near the building. I heard from my friends at the senior center that some people don’t enjoy the natural look. I was sad, as I enjoy the fact that our library is next to Badger Prairie County Park. The view from the library is amazing. I often walk the trails in the park. I aspire to be a conservationist just like my grandfather and Aldo Leopold. I have fond memories of spending every summer with my grandparents in northern Wisconsin. He was politically active and helped to establish Sylvania Wilderness, among other projects. I enjoy outdoor sports and love being outside. I have great respect for Mother Nature. It’s my hope that others will consider using fewer, even no chemicals both in and outside their homes. My main concern is the cumulative effect on our health from multiple sources. I will keep researching and offer my best recommendation to the condo board. It’s going to take a while, as this is all new to me. In the meantime, I will keep requesting more natural methods on our lawn and garden areas. I have time to dig into this for the benefit of the humans, birds, trees, plants, critters, pollinators, water and air. I’m looking forward to enjoying the upcoming gardening season as much as possible. Jo Ann Lindberg is a City of Verona resident.
ConnectVerona.com
April 16, 2020
5
The Verona Press
COVID-19 response
Balloons bloom around town NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group
Tami Topper Schroeder, owner of Funny Faces Family Entertainment, has spent the past few weeks of the quarantine bringing color and cheer to Verona with balloon sculptures. After creating balloon flowers, beanstalks, and even an ice cream cone in front of her house for two weeks, the fun grew beyond her yard and spread across downtown Verona over Easter weekend. Schroeder crafted displays from over 50 balloons, which she then hung at businesses including Verona Vision Care, the Purple Goose,
On the Web
To see more photos, visit
connectverona.com Culver’s, Icki Sticki, Toot and Kate’s Wine Bar and the Verona Chamber of Commerce. Balloons also blossomed from the poles of street lamps along the sidewalks between the businesses. Cards affixed to the displays reminded passers-by to “spread joy, not germs” and “be safe, be kind.” Schroeder has spent most of her life sculpting balloons and entertaining families. After spending a summer as a balloon sculptor in Wisconsin
Dells, she was accepted into the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College in 1995 and toured with the circus in 1996. She founded Funny Faces Family Entertainment after her tour with the circus. Her work typically consists of commissions for birthday parties. Schroeder plans to compost the deflated balloons. She said latex is a biodegradable natural substance that breaks down at about the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree. She said she has been overwhelmed by the positive response to the project. “Thank you for the kind words, everyone. You fill my cup so I can Photo submitted pour it into other’s,” she wrote on Tami Topper Schroeder, owner of Funny Faces Family Entertainment. Facebook.
Woodward Community Media
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Apply today at WoodwardCommunityMedia.com/Grant
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April 16, 2020
The Verona Press
ConnectVerona.com
Many restaurants in Verona still open for to-go or delivery NEAL PATTEN
Wednesday-Sunday
Unified Newspaper Group
It’s Time Tavern
5th Quarter Sports Bar and Grill Available: Carryout and curbside delivery Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Saturday (no breakfast)
AJ’s Pizza and Diner
Available: Carryout, curbside and delivery Hours: 3-7 p.m., SundayWednesday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday; 3-8 p.m., Saturday
Arby’s
Available: Carryout, drive-through, delivery via DoorDash and EatStreet Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Caffe Depot
Available: Carryout, delivery, drive-thru Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Saturday
Available: Fish fry carryouts (online ordering only) Hours: 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays
Available: Curbside pick-up (bulk tea and coffee only) Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. MondayFriday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Jordandal Cookhouse
Subway
Available: Curbside Hours: 4-6:30 p.m. (for dinners, must register ahead for pick-up time); 10 a.m. to 1 pm., Saturday (for meat pick-up)
Available: Carryout Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. MondayFriday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday
Jimmy John’s
Available: Delivery, curbside Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., MondayThursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday; closed Sundays
Available: Delivery, pick-up Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
McDonald’s
Available: Carryout, drive-through Hours: 5 a.m. to midnight
Monk’s Bar and Grill
Available: Curbside, delivery Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Brew’s Taphouse
Culver’s
Available: Drive-through or curbside via a mobile ordering app Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Draft House
Available: Carryout or curbside (special menu) Hours: 4-8 p.m.
El Charro
Available: Delivery within 10 miles, carryout, curbside Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Fisher King Winery
Available: Pick-up orders, delivery within 15 miles Hours: 4-6 p.m., WednesdaySaturday
Hop Haus Brewing Company
Available: Carryout Hours: 1-3 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday
Icki Sticki
Sow’s Ear
Available: Contactless pick-up Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Available: Curbside, online ordering for delivery, can fill growlers and serving full menu Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
North and South Seafood and Smokehouse Available: Eat Street for delivery, curbside Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., SundayThursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday
Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro Available: Curbside and delivery Hours: 3 to 7 p.m., WednesdayThursday, Saturday-Sunday; noon to 7 p.m., Friday
Pizza Ranch
Available: Contactless delivery and regular delivery, curbside (lots of specials) Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Riley Tavern
Available: Carryout Hours: 4-8 p.m., Tuesday; 4-7 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to noon, Sunday
Sugar River Pizza
Taco Bell
Available: Drive-thru, delivery Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., SundayThursday; 9 a.m. to midnight, Friday-Saturday
Toot + Kate’s Winebar
Available: Curbside Hours: Arrange for pick-ups on Saturdays (arrange time online)
Tuvalu Coffeehouse and Gallery
Available: Carryout (limited menu – beverages and breakfast items) Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wisconsin Brewing Company Available: Taproom is closed, but gift shop is open for packaged beer, including growlers Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Closed:
Avantis Italian Restaurant Boulder Brewpub Chiang Jiang Dragon City Gus’ Diner Hop Garden Klassik Tavern Little Caesars N+1 Coffee and Beer Ole Duffer’s Pub Paoli Pub and Grill Pasqual’s Cantina
Virtual events at the library NEAL PATTEN
Baby story times
Unified Newspaper Group
The library is hosting baby story times via Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays. The story times will include developmentally-appropriate stories, songs, rhymes and fingerplays for infants and their caregivers.
The public library is providing a variety of virtual events to keep the community entertained and occupied while practicing social distancing. Most of these events require advanced registra- Yoga and meditation Prajkta Date, a certified tion to receive links to the Zoom meetings. For infor- yoga teacher, will teach modmation, visit veronapublicli- erate yoga and breathing exercise followed by guidbrary.org. ed meditations via Zoom at Anime and manga 6 p.m. on Friday, April 18 and Friday, April 25. club Youth ages 12-18 inter- ”The Tales of Beedle ested in Japanese animathe Bard” tion and comics may join a Join librarian Mary Zoom meeting at 4 p.m. on Ostrander as she reads stoThursday, April 16. ries from “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” by J.K. Mind and meditation The library is offering a Rowling. The stories will 30-minute guided medita- be streamed via Facebook tion via Zoom. The medita- Live at 1:30 p.m. The story tion will be led by Prajkta schedule is as follows: MonDate, a certified yoga teach- day, April 20: “The Wizer. Join at 6 p.m. on Thurs- ard and the Hopping Pot,” Wednesday, April 22: “The day, April 16. Fountain of Fair Fortune,” Pajama story time Friday, April 24: “The WarThe library is hosting a lock’s Hairy Heart,” Monpajama story time via Face- day, April 27: “Babbitty book Live at 7 p.m. on Thurs- Rabbitty and Her Cackling day, April 16. The story time Stump,” Wednesday, April will include stories, songs and 29: “The Tale of the Three movement activities. Be sure Brothers.” to wear your PJs. Open Book Club
Live streamed story times
The library is hosting live streamed story times via Facebook Live. Families may listen to books and sing songs from the comfort of home. Join at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
”Princess in Black”
At 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, librarian Mary Ostrander will read from “Princess in Black” by Shannon and Dean Hale, and will post follow-up activities online after the live reading.
”Donut County” Discord hang out
What’s on VHAT-98 Thursday, April 16 7 a.m. Falls Prevention at Senior Center 8 a.m. Zumba Gold 9 a.m. Daily Exercise 10 a.m. Personal Safety at Senior Center 2 p.m. Zumba Gold 3 p.m. Daily Exercise 4 p.m. Happy Hour Trio at Senior Center 5 p.m. Japan at Senior Center 6 p.m. Salem Church Service 7 p.m. Asthma at Senior Center 8 p.m. Daily Exercise 9 p.m. Greg Anderson at Senior Center 10 p.m. Quiveys Grove at Historical Society Friday, April 17 7 a.m. Happy Hour Trio at Senior Center 1 p.m. Greg Anderson at Senior Center 3 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 4 p.m. Japan at Senior Center 5 p.m. 2018 Wildcats Football 9 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 10 p.m. Falls Prevention at Senior Center 11 p.m. Personal Safety at
Coming up
Senior Center Saturday, April 18 8 a.m. Virtual Common Council from 04/13/20 11 a.m. Vintage Verona Sports 1 p.m. 2018 Wildcats Football 4:30 p.m. Quiveys Grove at Historical Society 6 p.m. Virtual Common Council from 04/13/20 9 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 10 p.m. Quiveys Grove at Historical Society 11 p.m. Personal Safety at Senior Center Sunday, April 19 7 a.m. Hindu Cultural Hour 9 a.m. Resurrection Church 10 a.m. Salem Church Service 12 p.m. Virtual Common Council from 04/13/20 3 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 4:30 p.m. Quiveys Grove at Historical Society 6 p.m. Virtual Common Council from 04/13/20 9 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 10 p.m. Quiveys Grove at Historical Society 11 p.m. Personal Safety at Senior Center
Monday, April 20 7 a.m. Happy Hour Trio at Senior Center 1 p.m. Greg Anderson at Senior Center 3 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 4 p.m. Japan at Senior Center 5 p.m. 2018 Wildcats Football 9 p.m. Hindu Cultural Hour 10 p.m. Falls Prevention at Senior Center 11 p.m. Personal Safety at Senior Center Tuesday, April 21 7 a.m. Falls Prevention at Senior Center 10 a.m. Zumba Gold 9 a.m. Daily Exercise 10 a.m. Personal Safety at Senior Center 2 p.m. Zumba Gold 3 p.m. Daily Exercise 4 p.m. Happy Hour Trio at Senior Center 5 p.m. Japan at Senior Center 6 p.m. Resurrection Church 6:30 p.m. Virtual Common Council Live 8 p.m. Asthma at Senior Center 9 p.m. Greg Anderson at Senior Center 10 p.m. Quiveys Grove at Historical Society
Wednesday, April 22 7 a.m. Happy Hour Trio at Senior Center 1 p.m. Greg Anderson at Senior Center 3 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 5 p.m. Virtual Common Council from 04/21/20 7 p.m. Capital City Band 8 p.m. Vintage Verona Sports 10 p.m. Falls Prevention at Senior Center 11 p.m. Personal Safety at Senior Center Thursday, April 23 7 a.m. Falls Prevention at Senior Center 8 a.m. Zumba Gold 9 a.m. Daily Exercise 10 a.m. Personal Safety at Senior Center 2 p.m. Zumba Gold 3 p.m. Daily Exercise 4 p.m. Happy Hour Trio at Senior Center 5 p.m. Japan at Senior Center 6 p.m. Salem Church Service 7 p.m. Asthma at Senior Center 8 p.m. Daily Exercise 9 p.m. Greg Anderson at Senior Center 10 p.m. Quiveys Grove at Historical Society
Kids ages 12-18 are invited to chat with librarians Dusty and Mary on the Discord app while they play the game “Donut County.” Join at 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays.”
The library invites you to meet with others on Zoom to discuss what you’ve been reading lately. Unlike other book clubs, this one isn’t dedicated to a single book, so everyone is welcome to join. The book club will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.
Teen gaming
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to play games online with other teens via Zoom at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. Games will include “Drawful” and “Quiplash.”
Books ‘N Booze Book Club
Join in a discussion of “The Soul of an Octopus” by naturalist Sy Montgomery at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 via Zoom. Contact Neal Patten, Verona, Community Reporter, at neal.patten@wcinet.com.
Do the Good You Can Human beings know how to help each other. We rise to the occasion after natural disasters,for instance, and demonstrate that we are at our best when our fellow humans need us most. But why can’t we do this all the time? What keeps us from reaching out and helping others in the mundane give and take of our everyday lives? Or why do we sometimes fail to rise to the occasion in certain crises, such as helping refugees from war-torn regions. The fact that we sometimes help and other times look away or just plain refuse to help is perhaps an indictment of our moral sentiments, the feelings of empathy and sympathy which move us to help. Sometimes our heartstrings are pulled and we rise to the occasion and other times we fail to do so. Social Psychology offers some clues to this puzzle. It turns out that what is referred to as bystander apathy (not helping when you see someone in need) can be overcome by 1) noticing that someone needs help; 2) interpreting the situation as one where you could be helpful; 3) taking responsibility for helping; 4) developing a plan (or deciding what should be done); and 5) implementing the plan. It’s not terribly complicated. Most of us could be doing more to help our sisters and brothers in need. – Christopher Simon
210 S. Main St., Verona • 845-6478 adno=132740
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6
April 16, 2020 - The Verona Press 7
Ask the Verona
HEATING/COOLING
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Q. Can whole home air purifiers make my home
Q. Is Stellar Rehab open? A. Stellar Rehabilitation IS open, following all Federal, State, Local and Company guidelines to
safer?
provide excellent care in our clinics. Stellar’s clinics are sanitized daily and after each appointment, each employee is screened and records their temperature daily and maintains the highest level of precautions to ensure staff and clients are safe during their visit. Each client is also screened and their temperature is taken/recorded prior to any visit. However, we also understand that this is not an option for everyone and/or some clients do not feel comfortable leaving their homes. In that situation, Stellar Rehab can continue to follow those same Susan Armstrong, MPT precautions AND come to you! There is no more important time to be able to stay in your home, safely. We can provide in-home nursing and therapy services through our partnerships, can assist Physical Therapist with obtaining the proper physician referral, verify insurance coverage, and arranging times that are convenient with your schedule, providing options for treatment and self-help instructions. If you are in need of in-home nursing and/or therapy services, let us help!
A. Several whole home air purifiers are available that can effectively kill up to 99% of viruses, mold and bacteria. Some of these require the pollutant to pass through the unit, while others can actively purify pollutants at the source. Often times a combination of these may be best.
Dave Kaltenberg
For information on air purifiers or any other questions on your HVAC system, contact Dave at OK Heating and Air Conditioning.
161 Horizon Dr., Verona, WI 53593
DENTIST
THE CARING CENTER
Q. Do you have a special check-in procedure in place during Covid-19? A. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Main Street Dentists is here to provide emergency
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dental care for our patients. Thank you for your cooperation with the check-in procedures we have put in place for everyone’s safety: 1. You will be screened for symptoms prior to your appointment. Patients with symptoms will be rescheduled or referred for care, as appropriate. 2. Adults, please come to your appointment by yourself, if you are able. Drs. Kate & John Schacherl, D.D.S. 3. Parents who are bringing a child, please bring only the child with the scheduled appointment. 4. After check-in, you may be asked to wait in your vehicle to limit the number of people in the office. We’ll call or text you when the doctor is ready to see you. Our team is prepared to provide your emergency dental care now. We look forward to seeing all of our patients back in the office soon!
(608) 845-6127
105 N. Main St., Verona • MainStreetDentists.com
Q. My 8 year-old is a lot more clingy than usual. Should I be concerned? A. The world has been a pretty scary place in recent weeks. Many children may be experiencing concerns about the COVID-19 virus situation. Most adults have been closely following news reports on this health crisis and children are often hearing those same disturbing reports. The important thing is to encourage conversation with your child to better understand what may be causing the clinging behavior.
The Caring Center/Verona Montessori House 402 W. Verona Ave. • Verona • (608) 845-8620 www.caringcenter.com
Hansen Law
for Medicare? Are you still able to help me?
A. First, I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the first responders, Healthcare
workers, and anyone on the front lines who are helping to keep us safe. Secondly, I’m sorry for the families that are dealing directly with the Covid-19. My prayers go out to you. Many of my clients are 65 and older and are not leaving the house. I’ve had to learn to do things differently. I’m now meeting with people virtually on the computer. If you Sharon Shenberger have an email…I can still sign you up for Medicare. If you don’t have a computer, I can still sign you up for Medicare. Everything can be done through the mail and the phone. We will mail or email you booklets about different Medicare plans, educate you and even do an application together. It’s the same as if we’d meet with you in person, but we’ll do it via the computer or phone to play it safe. There is no cost or obligation for my time.
608-630-2651
sharon@shiconnections.com sovereignselectins.com/agents/sharon-shenberger
REAL ESTATE
CHIROPRACTOR
Q. I am looking forward to getting out on my bike with nicer weather right around the corner but I usually get neck pain when I ride. Would chiropractic or massage help with this?
Q. How is COVID-19 affecting the real estate market? A. As part of Governor Evers “Safer at Home” orders, real estate services including lending, sales,
neck is forced into a position that puts pressure on the posterior portion of the cervical spine. This position also forces the neck to remain in a state of continued contraction that can cause joint and muscle soreness. Chiropractic adjustments will help maintain healthy joint mobility and function. This will help alleviate pain and will prolong your years of cycling. Therapeutic massage will help reduce muscle soreness and any restrictions in the neck caused by that continued contraction. Along with regular chiropractic and massage, exercises would be prescribed to help increase strength and mobility in your neck and upper back. Jill Unwin, DC, CCEP
Lee Unwin, BCMT, CSCS
Contact us today and we’ll keep you riding pain free!
102 N. Franklin Street • Verona, WI 53593 (608) 848-1800 • unwinchiropractic.com
Making a Difference, One Home at a Time! (608) 492-2272 kschulz@KeithAndKinsey.com • www.KeithAndKinsey.com
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PERSONAL/BUSINESS BANKER
INVESTMENTS
Q. How do I look past the market selloff? A. . These are challenging times. You want to protect your family and community from
Q. Is Associated Bank one of the banks that is participating in the Paycheck Protection Program? A. Yes! Associated Bank has been taking applications for the Paycheck Protection Program. We are only allowed to accept applications from our current business customers who currently have a business checking account with us before 02/15/2020.
the coronavirus. And as an investor, you’re wondering how to respond to the large declines in investment prices. First of all, don’t panic. The current market selloff seems to be driven more by fear and panic than by any economic or financial reality. In fact, the overall financial and investment environment contains some favorable conditions, such as low unemployment, a stronger housing market and low interest rates – now even lower after recent cuts by the Federal Reserve. Once the health crisis has been resolved, these factors could lead to a quick rebound in investment prices. In the meantime, review your investment strategy to make sure it’s aligned with your risk tolerance. And remember, you’re investing for goals that may be Brendon Diers, AAMS® decades away, so there’s time for the markets to recover. Finally, if your portfolio is out of balance or in need of certain assets, look for buying opportunities. With patience, discipline Financial Advisor and a long-term perspective, you can make it through this period – and end up well-positioned for a positive future. This article was written by Edward Jones for the use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. 161 Horizon Dr., Suite 107a • Verona, WI 53593 (608) 845-2533 • Member SIPC brendon.diers@edwardjones.com • www.edwardjones.com
Julianne Therriault
To get started visit AssociatedBank.com! Also, we are open and in the drive-thru. We anticipate opening our lobby doors May 1st.
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Brendon Diers, AAMS®, Financial Advisor
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appraisal, property management, and construction have been deemed essential. Many of these services have people working from home, resulting in some slowdowns in the processing of some transactions. The number of home showings are currently 46.4% lower than the same time last year. This means many buyers have opted to stay home and stop searching, but serious buyers are still out looking. The number of listings is also down compared to this time last year. We’ve seen a few sellers stop allowing showings Keith & Kinsey Schulz on their homes to prevent any possibility of surface contamination. This means inventory is even tighter than it should be. While it’s a slower Spring than normal years, many homes are still selling with multiple Real Estate Team offers and bidding wars due to the continued lack of inventory. Many agents are now offering more virtual tours and video chatting with their clients to show homes. This way clients don’t have to leave their house. Also, we are using antibacterial wipes on doorknobs, light switches, lockboxes, etc. to prevent the spread of germs. The bottom line is, we are doing our best adapt to the everchanging environment and to serve or clients, while respectfully helping prevent the spread.
A. Whether you are riding a recreational bike, road bike, or tri bike the
117 King St. • Stoughton, WI 53589 608-719-6000 Julianne.Therriault@associatedbank.com
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Terese M. Hansen Attorney-At-Law
Q. With all this devastating news about Coronavirus, how can I get signed up
Is it possible for me to complete my Will during this time of Covid-19?
A. Yes. Law offices are essential businesses. To minimize potential exposure to the Covid-19 virus it is best that the initial meeting take place over the phone. Your attorney can make note of your wishes as to who will administer your estate and receive gifts from you. Thereafter, drafts of your documents can be provided to you via email. Documents that are often completed at the same time as the Will such as Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Power of Attorney for Finances can be drafted and reviewed in this same way. Please note that it is still necessary to have your Will and Power of Attorney for Healthcare witnessed by two witnesses and to have your Power of Attorney for Finances notarized. It is best therefore to sign your documents at your attorney’s office. Since the weather is improving, we are conducting document signings outside and allowing clients to remain in their vehicles while they sign their documents. 111 E. Verona Ave., Verona, WI 53593 (608) 772-3939 • hansenlawverona.com hansenlawverona@gmail.com adno=150184
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MEDICARE
ATTORNEY
Q.
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608-845-8494
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Comprehensive Therapy Services 1049 N. Edge Trail • Prairie Oaks (608) 845-2100 • Verona, WI 53593 • www.stellarrehab.com
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Stellar Rehab has been honored to provide 16+ years of the highest quality services to those in our communities. We will help you to find the correct solution for your health care needs. Contact us at 608-845-2100 or info@stellarrehab.com for more information.
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If you would like to join our Ask the Professional Section, contact Donna Larson at 845-9559 to find out how!
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8
Thursday, April 16, 2020
The
Verona Press For more sports coverage, visit: ConnectVerona.com
Sports
Adam Feiner, sports editor
845-9559 x226 • ungsportseditor@wcinet.com
Mark Nesbitt, assistant sports editor 845-9559 x237 • sportsreporter@wcinet.com Fax: 845-9550
Golf
Play suspended statewide
Photo by Mark Nesbitt
University Ridge Golf Course was one of the state’s courses that closed when Gov. Tony Evers issued a “Safer at Home” order on March 25. The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department announced the Verona course would stay closed through June 30.
University Ridge, Hawk’s Landing, Edelweiss Chalet anxious to re-open soon
safety restrictions when the game is deemed safe for players to return to the links. University Ridge Golf Course and Hawks Landing Golf Club have been shut down since Gov. Tony Evers’ “Safer at Home” order, which took effect March MARK NESBITT 25 and closed all nonessential businesses to slow the spread of Assistant sports editor COVID-19. While local course owners G o l f c o u r s e s i n Ve r o na are planning to implement and golf professionals agree
that Evers’ order may have been needed to slow the spread of the respiratory disease, they contend the game could go on with safety restrictions. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker originally announced golf courses in the state would be open, but changed his ruling to close courses. There are 13 states that have shut down golf courses, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan.
The Wisconsin PGA, Wisconsin Golf Association and other organizations have spoken with state representatives about allowing golf courses to open. A petition on change.org requesting courses to be open had more than 66,000 signatures as of Tuesday, April 14. “Golfers are a resilient bunch who can abide by aspects (restrictions) of the game, stay away from each other and still enjoy
the game,” said Rich Bartley, the operations manager, membership coordinator and PGA professional at Hawks Landing. The golf course, pool and tennis courts are currently closed at Hawks Landing, while Dahmen’s restaurant is open for carry-out. Bartley is working on a safety policy the course will implement and said Hawks Landing will
Turn to Golf/Page 9
College sports
Herkert brothers support each other amid pandemic MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor
Photo courtesy Stanford Athletics
Stanford junior Jack Herkert ranks fourth on the program’s all-time list in the heptathlon (4,420 points) and ninth all-time in the high jump (6 feet, 10 1/4 inches).
It will be more than two years since Jack Herkert has competed in a track and field meet the next time he steps on the track for Stanford University. Injuries have derailed Herkert’s career so far at Stanford. Despite battling tendinitis in his knees, the junior ranks fourth in program history in the heptathlon (4,420 points) and ninth all-time in the high jump (6 feet, 10 1/4 inches). Herkert is one of three brothers who have excelled in college athletics and had to deal with the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic canceling their spring sports season. Max Herkert, a 2019 Verona Area High School graduate, is a member of the University of Wisconsin men’s track and field team. His oldest brother, Sam Herkert, is a member of the lacrosse team at Monmouth College in Monmouth,
Illinois. Jack, a 2017 VAHS graduate, was a two-time Division 1 high jump state champion, clearing 6-8 to win the gold medal as a junior and senior. He said he may have over-trained early in his college career, which led to jumper’s knee. As a freshman in 2018, Jack Herkert finished seventh in the heptathlon at the MPSF Championships (4,420). He took eighth in the decathlon at the Pac-12 Outdoor Championships before his battle with tendinitis. Jack Herkert skipped Stanford’s 2020 indoor season, but planned to return for the outdoor season. Now he will have at least eight more months to build up strength and recover after the NCAA on March 12 canceled remaining winter and spring championships. “It’s been really hard jumping,” he said. “Last year, I had no clue when I would be healthy again. I was scared I wouldn’t be back to full health this spring.
Jack has leaned on Max in his recovery. The two brothers are lifting weights, running and playing basketball in between online classes. “It was really competitive growing up,” Jack said. “If I stay in shape, I will be in the best shape of my life next year.” Max Herkert competed as a heptathlete in his first indoor season for the Badgers. On Jan. 17, He finished 17th in the long jump (198 1/4) and 22nd in the 60-meter hurdles (9.02) at Iowa’s Larry Wieczonek Invitational. He placed seventh in the 60 hurdles (8.75) and seventh in the pole vault (135 1/4) at the Northern Iowa’s Jack Jennett Open on Jan. 24. A week later, he took fifth in the heptathlon (4,546) at Minnesota’s Jack Johnson Classic. “It’s a huge benefit having Jack around,” Max said. “He told me to do my best and that I wouldn’t win many meets.”
Turn to Herkerts/Page 9
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April 16, 2020
9
The Verona Press
Prep sports
UW-Madison cancellations impact WIAA spring tournaments ADAM FEINER Sports editor
The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced Friday, April 10, it is extending the cancellation of campus events through June 30, which eliminates
the possibility of conducting WIAA state tournaments scheduled at campus venues this spring. The events impacted by the closure include the boys individual and team tennis tournaments scheduled at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on June 4-6 and June 12-13, respectfully; the boys golf
championship at University Ridge on June 15-16; and the softball tournament at Goodman Diamond on June 11-13. The decision to extend the closure addresses the ongoing concern and efforts to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. At its special meeting on March
19, the WIAA Board of Control resolved to postpone any decision to cancel the spring sports seasons and spring state tournaments to a later date or until new developments arise and new information becomes available. The Board of Control will conduct its scheduled meeting on
April 21 via video conferencing and will discuss options for the remainder of the spring sports seasons and summertime contact. The WIAA will continue to be in alliance with the directives issued by Gov. Tony Evers in relation to the closure or reopening of schools.
Golf: Local courses implementing safety measures
Photo by Mark Nesbitt
The golf course, pool and tennis courts are currently closed at Hawks Landing Golf Club in Verona. Continued from page 8 follow state, federal and PGA America safeguards when they get the green light to re-open. The restrictions include instituting remote check-in and pre-pay callin for members and nonmembers, removing pins and flags, using a raised hole and limiting carts to one golfer. Golf courses across the state are still required to maintain the courses. Mowing the fairways and greens, continued fertilization and chemical application plans are
essential. Edelweiss Chalet Country Club in New Glarus, the home course of the Verona boys and girls golf teams, was open two days for walkers before Evers’ order went into effect. Jeff Ellingson, the general manager and PGA pro at Edelweiss, said the nonprofit club applied for a federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan through the small business association. “I feel like every golf course will have to apply for some loan to pay for equipment and
“It’s definitely one of the safest things you can do. You could book a tee time and get out on the course and not touch anything else someone else has touched.” Jeff Ellingson, the general manager and PGA pro at Edelweiss maintenance,” he said. Ellingson said money from the low-interest loan has to be paid back in full, but it can be used to help offset the cost of payroll and operations. E d e l w e i s s w i l l a l s o h ave
safety measures put in place when it reopens, including paying online or by phone, staggering tee times, providing hand sanitizer on the course and only selling pre-packaged food, beer, liquor and soda to go.
The course is eliminating ball washers, bunker rakes and benches, spacing golf carts at least six feet apart and prohibiting coolers. More than 60 of Edelweiss’ members have private carts, and Ellingson maintained he wants them to use their vehicles whenever possible. “It’s definitely one of the safest things you can do,” Ellinsgon said of golf. “You could book a tee time and get out on the course and not touch anything else someone else has touched.”
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Herkerts: Brothers at different stages of college journey Continued from page 8 Max Herkert, who finished sixth in the pole vault and eighth in the high jump at last year’s Division 1 state meet, said he was going to redshirt his first outdoor season at UW. “It was a shock and bummer,” he said. “It didn’t hit me as hard as it did some others. I really felt bad for the seniors. It will definitely be a year to remember.” Max Herkert said the collegiate indoor season is a lot longer than the high school season. He changed his technique to build more speed into his approach in the high jump and worked on honing some finer details in the pole vault. “I had to relearn how to pole vault,” he said. “I did a lot more technical work to carry my momentum from the jump.” Unlike Jack and Max, Shane Herkert’s collegiate career came to an abrupt close. He started all six games this season for the Fighting Scots, who started strong Photo courtesy Wisconsin Athletics with a 4-2 record. Four of his 11 shots on goal found Wisconsin freshman Max Herkert competes in the 60-meter hurdles at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational on Jan. 18 at the University of Iowa Recreation Building in Iowa City, Iowa. the back of the net.
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April 16, 2020
The Verona Press
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Construction: Plenty of subdivisions planned to start in the city, but some timelines being reconsidered Continued from page 1 new high school, entering its last few months. This summer, the $160 million campus, which at the time was part of the largest school district referendum in state history, is expected to open for staff to prepare for the start of the 2020 school year. Other schools will look like new because of the facelifts they’ll receive this summer. Three of the district’s buildings – what is currently the high school site, the high school’s K-Wing and Badger Ridge Middle School – will all receive age appropriate renovations this summer to accommodate younger grades of students, Findorff project manager Aaron Zutz said. The spread of coronavirus could have an impact on the subdivisions being built, city administrator Adam Sayre said. While construction has been deemed as essential business during the “Safer at Home” order, some developers are reconsidering their timelines for building. Veridian Homes, the developer for The Woods at Cathedral Point is taking a second look at when the project would start. The city approved that 51-acre development off Range Trail in February. Forward Development Group has also planned to start the first phase of Sugar Creek Commons this spring, two years after its original target. That multimillion-dollar taxpayer-supported project features two retail/apartment buildings close to West Verona Avenue and a hotel. Farther west on Verona Avenue, Market No. 5, a 29,000 square foot retail development that includes a Summit Credit Union, is also well underway on the city’s west side, and a Kwik Trip on Half Mile Road not far from it plans to start this year, Sayre said. Epic also plans to add two buildings to its Storybook campus, bringing its total to seven. There are four other office building campuses on Epic’s property. Residential projects include the Lincoln Street apartments across from the Verona Area Community Theater building, which are almost done and expected to start leasing by the summer, Sayre said. The Kettle Creek North development, a 174-unit subdivision on the city’s north side, near Country View Elementary, still has homes going up, with phase 3 potentially starting this year. The 200-acre Whispering Coves
Notable projects
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Crews work on finishing the exterior of the Lincoln Street apartments on Thursday, April 2. development on the city’s north could break ground in spring, and the Hometown Grove subdivision across from Glacier Edge Elementary School is finishing its third phase.
Verona Road enters last phase
This year marks the last round of construction Veronans and other travelers will see on their trek northward to Madison for a while. The $251 million project has plagued Verona travelers with slow commute times to get to Madison in the past few years as crews reconstructed and widened Verona Road from the Beltline to just south of McKee Road, making the highway three lanes and adding an overpass at McKee Road and an underpass at . The project, which will make McKee Road three lanes each way between Commerce Park Drive and Fitchrona Road, is split into four stages. The first will be median work for future traffic pattern changes; the second phase will shift all traffic to the westbound lanes on the north side of the road. The third will switch traffic over to the eastbound lanes on new pavement; the final phase includes median work. Two lanes each way will remain open throughout the duration of the project, minus lane closures in nonpeak travel hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. PD lanes take shape County Hwy. PD west of County Hwy. M will start to look a little bit more like the road to the east this year. The project, which started in
August while the PD/M intersection was being finished, will widen the road from a two-lane rural highway to a four-lane divided roadway, with improvements at both the Hwy. M and Woods Road intersections. The project is being funded by the county and the City of Verona, as its boundary extends up to Hwy. PD with the Whispering Coves subdivision. The third phase of the project, which extends through July, will include the construction of eastbound lanes south of the existing lanes. Once those are finished, traffic will be switched onto the new paved lanes while the existing roadway will be ripped up and repaved through September. After the westbound lanes are finished, work in the medians will be finished in October, when all work is scheduled for completion.
VAHS down to final months
The largest building project in the school district’s history is on schedule to be finished on time. Zutz said his crew is working on finishing touches inside the high school and looking to be finished by June 5. “Right now, the high school’s coming along very well,” he said. “It’s very exciting to see things come into place … it’s an exciting time in the project.” Throughout the rest of the site, Zutz said there is remaining work that could extend into summer, including work on the track, fencing, paving and landscaping expected to be finished by fall. The new campus, on 161 acres on the west side of the City of Verona, contains a new set of auxiliary
• Verona Area High School • Renovation projects at current Badger Ridge, high school • Hwy. PD expansion • Whispering Coves subdivision • Kettle Creek subdivision • Sugar Creek Commons • Market No. 5 retail development facilities, a 55-acre forest known as Stewart’s Woods the district purchased in 2017 and access to the Military Ridge State Trail. Road work around the high school site includes improvements on West Verona Avenue near the high school, construction of a second access road, named Wildcat Way, and a bridge over the Military Ridge State Trail. Among the new facilities are football and soccer fields with artificial turf, two pools (one for practice and community use and the other for competition), on-site baseball and softball fields for the first time, a greenhouse, a 2,500-seat fieldhouse and a performing arts center that pushes the building height to 65 feet – taller than anything in Verona other than Epic’s Wizard’s Academy campus. The 343,000 square foot building features geothermal heating and cooling and is designed to accommodate solar panels and electric car charging stations. It’s also been designed to accommodate future expansion of up to 300 more students. Zutz said the spread of coronavirus hasn’t affected the schedule for completing construction on the high school, but it has led to employees changing how they work, including social distancing and encouraging people to stay home from work if they feel sick. “We certainly are very cognizant of it with all of our employees and following CDC guidelines to make sure everyone is able to work safely,” he said.
elementary schools than just moving the signs. Zutz said his Findorff crew will be remodeling the office area and converting technology education and music spaces in Badger Ridge to be kindergarten rooms for Sugar Creek Elementary School when students arrive in September. The kindergarten rooms will all get connected bathrooms, as well as an additional set of bathrooms near the kindergarten classrooms. Zutz said other bathroom renovations will also be done to make them more usable for younger children. At the high school, similar remodeling is set for Badger Ridge middle schoolers and Core Knowledge Charter School students, who range from grades K-8. Some of that work will also include new HVAC systems to allow for air conditioning. The K-Wing building, which will house New Century School and Verona Area International School next fall, will undergo the same age-appropriate remodeling, but also get extensive work done on the air system. “Those systems in that building are kind of reaching the end of their life cycle, so it’ll be a lot of work to replace those,” he said.
Residential growth
Verona could see some serious growth to the north of the city starting this year. The Whispering Coves subdivision would include space for condominium-style housing, apartments, commercial space and a school. It would expand the city north toward Hwy. PD. As far as Sayre knows, Forward Development Group is planning to start building this spring, with homes going up as early as this fall. “However, once again, asterisk on every single one of these,” he said, noting that COVID-19 could push back the timelines for any of the city’s subdivisions going in. If Veridian Homes chooses to keep the current timeline for The Woods at Cathedral Point, the city could start seeing new construction there starting this spring. Nestled at the corner of M and Range Trail on the south side of the U.S. Hwy. 18-151 bypass, the subdivision would include 257 houses on 51 acres and include three multi-family housing units. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at District sites get renovations kimberly.wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberIt’s a little more complicated to turn middle and high schools into ly_wethal.
Aftermath: Turnout similar to 2016 despite COVID-19 pandemic, late court decisions had cast ballots than in the 2016 presidential primary. With the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic looming this year, 16 states postponed their primaries, but Wisconsin moved forward with its election, the fate of its Democratic primary delegates, a Wisconsin Supreme Court judge, and many local offices hanging in the balance. Fears of the virus spreading led Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, to try to persuade the Republican-dominated state Legislature to postpone the election in the weeks prior, all the while stating he did not have the authority to do so on his own. On the day before the election, Evers attempted to move it himself by executive order, but Republican-backed lawsuits led to decisions by the state Supreme Court and U.S.
Supreme Court to move the election back to Tuesday and mostly rescind an extension on the absentee ballot deadline. That extension, delivered by a federal judge the previous week, had allowed voters to return ballots as late as April 13, as the unprecedented number of ballots requested caused many people to receive them late. The U.S. Supreme Court decision kept the April 13 deadline but required all ballots to be returned in person or postmarked by the close of polls April 7. The chaos left municipal clerks like Clark scrambling to organize a safe election in the city despite rapidly changing orders at the state level. That came after weeks of poll worker cancellations because of concerns about contracting COVID-19. “It was very frustrating,” Clark said. Aware that legal action against the postponement
order was likely, Clark said, city staff prepared as though the election were going to take place. She added that for something as important as an election, it was disturbing to have to wait for direction at the last minute. There were also challenges in making sure the election was as safe as possible once Clark knew the election was going to move forward. Clark said her office received masks, gloves and sanitizing spray from the state. She also gathered donated equipment from other departments and had the public works department build clear, plastic barriers built for the Verona polling sites. At one point, Clark said, her team received a box of masks from the state that were actually meant for healthcare workers, that then had to be returned. Clark said 10 National Guard members were sent
to help out, given the short- said Clark. wcinet.com or follow her on age of poll workers. Poll Renee Hickman can be conTwitter at @ReneeNHickworkers across the state tacted at renee.hickman@ man canceled over concerns about the virus, with many Get a Houseful of over 65, putting them in Windows for the high-risk category for 1 COVID-19. Guard members, who had been trained by a video just days before the election, Down, helped by acting as greeters, Payments, & Interest answering voters’ questions and cleaning and sanitizing FOR 18 MONTHS! the areas. Senior & Previous Customer Discounts! “Honestly, they were a BONUS! Buy 7 or More godsend,” Clark said. Controversy continued Premium Windows 3 after the election over issues Get a Patio Door installed for Free! such as whether clerks could count absentee ballots received without a postmark. But despite problems at the legislative and judicial level, Clark said she CALL TODAY! (608)-338-1170 believes the city of Verowww.madcitywindows.com na was able to navigate the obstacles thrown in front of them on Election Day. “We went into it as prepared as we could be,”
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Obituaries
ConnectVerona.com Kevin Richard Farrell It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Kevin Richard Farrell, age 66. He went peacefully to his “second home” on Thursday, April 9, 2020, after his fight against malignant melanoma while surrounded by his family at the home he built in Verona. He was born on June 16, 1953, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, the son of Robert and Rosemary Farrell of Pine Bluff. He married Jody Davis on his birthday, June 16, 1984. Kevin spent the majority of his 30-year carpentry
Kevin Richard Farrell
career working as a contractor at St. Mary’s Hospital where he formed many lasting friendships that continued into his time as a maintenance mechanic for St. Mary’s. He enjoyed
taking motorcycle trips on his Goldwing and spending time with his family when he wasn’t working at one of his rental properties. He made friends everywhere he went due to his positive outlook, his giving nature, and always putting others first. He is survived by his wife, Jody; parents, Robert and Rosemary Farrell; children, Robert, Benjamin (Kathleen) and Chase (Sara); grandchildren, Kayla, Jack and Paige; siblings, Colleen, Deb (Pat) Allen, Cheryl (Gary) Karls, Mark (Chris), Shawn, Pat
April 16, 2020
(Connie), Michelle (Mikel) Kelley and Mike (Carla); father-in-law, Jim Davis; sister-in-law, Lisa (Jim) Wedekind; brother-in-law, John (Tia) Davis; and many amazing nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, a celebration of life will be held at a future date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb Funeral & Cremation Care 500 N. Eighth St. 608-437-5077
Verona Area School District
Meal distribution schedule, times change Staff move to every other day pick-ups KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
The district has implemented a new schedule for meal distribution that will start Monday, April 13. Staff will be out distributing free breakfast and lunch grab-and-go meals for students on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule for all five locations. Students and families will be able to pick up enough meals for a two-day span. Those locations will also feature different time frames for when people can pick up meals. From 10:3011:30 a.m., meals will be distributed at Harriet Park, 414 Mary Lou St., Verona, and the community rooms of Nakoma Heights Apartments, 4929 Chalet Gardens Road, and Stone Crest Apartments, 5673 King James Court, both in Fitchburg. From 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., meals can be picked up at Hometown Junction Park, 101. W. Railroad St., Verona.
In Fitchburg, starting at noon, meals will be distributed at the New Fountains Apartments tennis court area until 1 p.m. Originally scheduled to end March 27, the last day of Spring Break, the district extended the length of meal distribution to until further notice at the end of March, spokesperson Kelly Kloepping said. Since the original announcement was made, state and county restrictions have extended the timeline for students to come back to in-person schooling. Under Gov. Tony Evers’ “Safer at Home” order, the earliest districts across the state could reopen doors for students is April 24, a month after the order took place on March 25. Previously, the timeline for coming back was left as undefined, and before that, April 6, when school closures were first announced. While it’s possible students could return to classrooms yet this school year, the district has received a waiver for instructional hours for fourth quarter from the state Department of Public Instruction and wouldn’t be required to bring students back to meet those benchmarks.
New distribution schedule
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Business owners around Verona are looking to spread some joy and inspiration during the ongoing isolation brought on by last month’s stay-athome order. Displays of hearts have been appearing in windows around the city, part of a national movement to lift spirits. The movement appears to have begun in the midwest, but has since spread across the country and even the world. A first grade teacher in Milton began a Facebook group called “Happy Heart Hunt” on March 18, which now has over 250,000 members. A mom in Galesburg, Illinois created the group “Heart Hunters” on March 21, which boasts over
The Verona Press
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Livestock TEN BEEF cows, due in May and June, 4 Parks, 7 Angus, $1,250 each. 17878 W. Mound Rd., Platteville, WI 53818. WILL HAVE brown laying hens for sale all summer, $2.00 each. 17878 W. Mound Rd., Platteville, WI. 53818.
and pink hearts. Farm The window of the Caring Center preschool has a message RENT SKID LOADERS AVAILABLE in MINI-EXCAVATORS for its students “see you soon,” WAREHOUSE Fitchburg. 1,500 sq.ft. with assigned TELE-HANDLER Photo by Neal Patten with hearts forming flowers. parking. $700 monthly. Ask for Bill and these attachments. A sign on the Caring Center preschool on West Verona 608-444-2986. The Treehouse has a rainbow Concrete breaker, posthole auger, Avenue has a message for its kids: “see you soon.” landscape rake, concrete bucket, of flowers in its windows, with ROSEWOOD APARTMENTS for pallet forks, trencher, rock hound, some ‘advice from a sunflow- Seniors 55+. 1 & 2 bedroom units broom, teleboom, stump grinder. starting at $810 per month. community to “Keep smiling.” er’: “spread seeds of happiness, available 800,000 members. By the day, week, or month. Includes heat, water and sewer. Carter & Gruenewald Co. “The way I see it, if you want rise, shine and hold your head Professionally managed. Located at The intention is simple: cre4417 Hwy 92, Brooklyn, WI 300 Silverado Drive, Stoughton, WI ate a display of hearts in win- the rainbow, you gotta put up high.” 608-455-2411 53589. 608-877-9388 dows — typically cut from with the rain,” is the encouragconstruction paper — to pro- ing message in the Home Town Increase your sales opportunities…reach over 1.2 million households! vide happiness and positivity to Preschool window. Advrtise in our Wisconsin Advertising Network System. Pizza Ranch thanks Veropeople passing by, particularly For information call 835-6677. children. na for supporting local busiAgricultural/Farming Services Help Wanted - Truck Driver Verona Vision Care says to nesses with its painted hearts. “Stay strong Verona” with its Sugar River Pizza has an PROTECT YOUR YIELD from soybean white mold and SDS. Stoughton Trucking is looking for local flatbed driver. Must have your seed dealer for Heads Up Seed Treatment. Cost effec- 1 year experience in flatbed, two years tractor trailer experidisplay. Kwik Trip reminds the array of neon green, yellow Ask tive. Proven results. headsupST.com/plant20 or 866/368 9306 ence. With medical card, home every night, weekends off, med-
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take action on the Resolution at its Common Council meeting on Monday, April 27, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. at the City Center, 111 Lincoln Street. A copy of the Resolution may be reviewed by contacting the City Clerks Office, Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., or Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. A copy of the Resolution may be obtained once the copying fee is paid. Please contact City Administrator Adam Sayre for additional information regarding the Resolution. Any interested person or his/her agent will be heard at the public hearing. Dated: March 12, 2020. _______________________________ Ellen Clark, City Clerk Published: April 2, 9 and 16, 2020 WNAXLP ***
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CITY OF VERONA COMMON COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PETITION TO VACATE AND DISCONTINUE PORTIONS OF NORTHERN LIGHTS ROAD AND CROSS COUNTRY ROAD Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 66.1003(4), the City of Verona Common Council introduced a resolution (the Resolution) at its March 9, 2020 meeting declaring that, since the public interest requires it, portions of Northern Lights Road and Cross Country Road identified in the Resolution and adjacent to land owned by Epic Systems Corporation should be vacated and discontinued. For avoidance of doubt, Northern Lights Road and Cross Country Road, as they exist today, will not be relocated as part of the Resolution. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Verona Common Council will hold a public hearing and then discuss and
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Legals
12
April 16, 2020
The Verona Press
ConnectVerona.com
Caravan: Sugar Creek staff received positive feedback from families who didn’t realize how much they needed it Continued from page 1 when we left, and then we did not,” Marquardt, a kindergarten teacher, said. “So we thought this would be a really fun way to get out there and say hi, and be able to wave and see their faces so that they get to see us from a very safe distance.” Starting at 10:30 a.m. April 9, teachers started to form the caravan in the bus parking lot at the school, where they decorated their vehicles with signs and phrases such as “We love you,” “We love Sugar Creek” and “We miss you.” Around 40 teachers and staff, as well as Brunner participated, creating a caravan dozens of cars long that could be heard from blocks away as they drove along close to bus stops in both Verona and northwestern Fitchburg. The three worked with both the district’s bus company for routing and the Verona police department, who gave them permission to do the caravan as long as teachers practiced social distancing and followed the rules of the road, Venegas said. It took around an hour and a half to drive the entirety of the route, Venegas said. Searle said the staff participation was incredible, and many found the caravan was just what they needed. “Even afterward, the email threads that went around were, ‘holy cow, my bucket is filled, my heart is full, I really needed that’” she said. Third grade bilingual teacher Jessica Carter said she had “lots and lots” of happy tears from participating in the caravan.
“I couldn’t stop smiling today,” she said. “Just seeing and waving to everyone, it was really special.” Fourth grade teacher Lori Martin said she misses the personal connection she has with her students, so participating in the teacher caravan was a way for her to get some of that back, for even a short period of time. “How fun, to get to see staff and kids and families,” she said. “It was kind of hard to drive … I’m trying to drive and wave and cry.” For Searle personally, she said the experience was like a rollercoaster, and that it was hard not to hug some of her fellow teachers she’d become close to after not being able to see them for almost a month, but seeing students out on the caravan route made her feel overjoyed. The messages from parents afterward expressing appreciation came flooding in, Venegas said, stating how much the teacher caravan meant to them and how it was something they needed. “One of the moms said she first got teary-eyed from the wind, and then she couldn’t stop crying,” she said. “They were so grateful that we did (the caravan), because they realized they needed it as much as the kids did.” Marquardt said one of Sugar Creek’s mainstays is maintaining good relationships between students and staff, and that’s difficult with virtual learning, where face-to-face interaction isn’t possible. Holding the teacher caravan was a way for staff to let students know how much they
Photos by Kimberly Wethal
From left, Jeff Whitman, of Wausau, grandchildren Porter and Addy Ganeley, a Sugar Creek kindergartener, and wife Lana sit outside to wave to the teacher caravan that led Sugar Creek Elementary staff through the communities of Verona and Fitchburg to wave and say hello to their students from afar. At the time of the caravan, it had been just short a month since educators had interacted with their students in person, as schools in Dane County closed as of March 13. care about them. “They’ll make up the learning – everybody across the world right now is going to be a little bit behind – but that kind of stuff can be made up,” she said. “We want to make sure they stay healthy and happy, and have that connection so that when we do get to come back to school, they’ll be ready for the learning part, too.” Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberly_wethal. Kindergarten teacher Laura Marquardt waves hello to children out of the sunroof of her car.
Kopke’s Greenhouse is now open for the season, but it is not business as usual. As a locally-owned, agriculture business that grows the majority of our product for direct sale to our customers, we humbly accept our responsibility as an ‘essential business’. Due to the COVID-19 situation, we are implementing the following changes for the added safety for our employees and our customers:
Expanded Shopping Hours o Senior/Age 60+ Only: Mon-Fri 8:00am-9:30am o General Public Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-8:00pm, Sat 8am-7pm, Sun: 8am-6pm
Social Distancing and Safety Measures o o o o
We will limit the number of customers in the store to ensure safe shopping and proper distancing. Shopping carts and checkout devices are sanitized after each use. Conveniently visible distance markings in our checkout area. Limited contact with staff.
Convenient Shopping Alternatives o Email and Phone ordering o Curbside Pickup o Local Delivery for a reasonable fee
For the most up-to-date details, please visit our website at www.kopkesgreehouse.com. Unlike many of our competitors and big-box style stores who buy in, rather than grow, most of what they sell, we are Dane County’s largest greenhouse that sells what we grow, direct to our consumers. We also offer an extensive selection of garden vegetable plants from Arugula to Zucchini, including a wonderful variety of USDA Certified Organic plants (Certified by N.I.C.S., Viroqua, WI) grown by hand, right here at our farm facility.
Here are a few tips you can use to make your shopping experiences a success: o o o o
Please plan ahead to expedite your shopping time as a courtesy to others. Please respect the space of others while in our store. When visiting our greenhouse, we ask that you please observe CDC guidelines for social distancing, face-coverings, and gloves. The best times to avoid crowds are early evenings and rainy days.
Thank you for your patience as we work out the details and improve our processes this season. We appreciate you supporting a small, family-owned and run business. And we count on you for our survival. Things will be a little different this year, but we will do the best we can to make your gardening experience successful!
*Order HOTLINE Phone Number: 608-719-7400 *Order HOTLINE email address: sales@kopkesgreenhouse.com
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1828 Sandhill Rd. • Oregon, WI 53575 (Located in the Town of Dunn) Main Phone Number: 608-835-7569