Connections 2021-2022

2021-22

CONNECTIONS

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Published by

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Includes listings for: Brodhead, Albany, Orfordville & Juda

Independent • Register The

922 W. Exchange St. • Brodhead, WI 608-897-2193 • www.indreg.com

and

Rock Valley Publishing LLC

AREA DIRECTORY ADVERTISING Independent Register 922 W. Exchange Street Brodhead 897-2193 ANTIQUES Sugar River Mall W1111 State Road 11-81 Brodhead 897-2001 APPRAISERS Timberline Appraisals P.O. Box 27 Brodhead 897-3355 ASPHALT PAVING & MAINTENANCE Bartelt Enterprises, Inc. 800 Briggs Drive Albany 862-3395 AUTO PARTS, REPAIR-PAINTING Body Crafters Auto Body Repair 2508 1st Center Avenue Brodhead 897-8447 Brodhead Collision 208 1st Center Avenue Brodhead 897-8234 AUTO REPAIR & SERVICE Arn’s Auto Service 802 2nd Street Brodhead 897-3330 or 897-8088 BANKS

CONNECTIONS 2021-22

The Bank of New Glarus 501 First Street New Glarus (608) 424-2124

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BAKERY Country Lane Bakery 1602 Scotch Hill Rd. Brodhead 897-3820 CHEESE Maple Leaf Cheese Store W2616 State Road 11-81 Juda • 934-1237

CHIROPRACTORS United Chiropractic Joseph K. Murphy, D.C. 2504 1st Center Avenue Brodhead 897-2136 CHURCHES Bethany Lutheran Church 16529 W. Church Road Brodhead 897-4158 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 405 E. 9th Avenue Brodhead 897-2341 Brodhead Baptist Church 507 E. 9th Avenue Brodhead 897-8344

Luther Valley Church ELCA 7107 S. Luther Valley Beloit 879-2934 New Horizon Methodist Church 1726 S. Murphy Road Footville 876-6256 Orfordville Lutheran Church 210 N. Main Street Orfordville 879-2575 Pleasant View Mennonite Church N3881 Cty. Road E Brodhead 897-4565

Church of the Nazarene 1004 13th Street Brodhead 897-9277

Plymouth United Methodist Church Plymouth Church Road/Cty. Road H Orfordville 879-9443

Congregational United Church of Christ 204 E. 23rd Street Brodhead 897-2917

St. Augustine’s Catholic Church 280 Haberdale Footville 876-6252

Footville Church of Christ 117 Church Street Footville 466-4710

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 410 E. State Street Albany 608-424-3681

Gospel Hall 908 1st Center Avenue Brodhead Grace Independent Baptist Church W624 Clarence Lane Brodhead 897-8084 Harvest Community Church of Orfordville 519 E. Beloit Orfordville 879-2640 Hilltop Community Church of Albany 101 S. Jackson Street Albany 862-3790 Living Word Church 3825 County Road T Brodhead 897-8246

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 1708 W. 6th Avenue Brodhead 897-2092 St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 1005 W. 2nd Avenue Brodhead 325-9506 United Methodist Church of Albany 500 Park Street Albany 862-3206 United Methodist Church of Brodhead 501 1st Center Avenue Brodhead 897-2515

United Methodist Zion Church N2350 Church Street Juda 934-5398 CONCRETE & LANDSCAPING DP Concrete & Landscaping 1934 N. State Road #104 Albany 862-3156 CONSTRUCTION EXCAVATING Schlittler Construction Co., Inc. 909 E. 9th Avenue Brodhead 897-4262 CUSTOM CABINETRY Horst Kitchens, LLC 15846 W. Hafeman Road Brodhead 897-4010 DAIRY CATTLE SALES Valspring Holsteins P.O. Box 346 Orfordville 214-6484 EXCAVATING CONTRACTORS Kranig Excavating, Inc. 704 4th Street Albany 862-7867 Schlittler Construction 909 E. 9th Avenue Brodhead 897-4262 DRY CLEANING Monroe One Hour Cleaners 1629 9th Street, Monroe 325-5860 FINANCIAL SERVICES Greenwoods State Bank LPL Financial 1015 1st Center Avenue Brodhead 897-3015

Bob’s Carpets N2706 City Hwy GG- Box 136 Brodhead 897-4893 FUELS & LUBRICANTS Insight FS West 664 Highway 81 Brodhead 897-8671 FUNERAL HOMES D.L. Newcomer Funeral Home 1105 E. 9th Avenue Brodhead 897-2484 GOVERNMENT Green County - Ag Building Auditorium 2842 6th Street Monroe 325-1638 Green County - Child Support Agency Courthouse Monroe 328-9460 Green County - Circuit Court-Clerk 2841 6th Street Monroe 328-9433 Green County - Civil Process Courthouse Monroe 328-9569 Green County - Clerk Courthouse Monroe 328-9430 Green County - Coroner Monroe 328-9400 Green County Crimestoppers 800-422-7463 Green County - District Attorney Courthouse Monroe 328-9424

Green County Emergency Management Director Pleasant View Complex Monroe 328-9415 Green County Emergency Medical Services-Non-Emergency 1821 12th Street Monroe 329-4367 Green County - Fair Association 2600 10th Street Monroe 325-9159 Green County - Family Court Commissioner Courthouse Monroe 328-9429 Green County - Finance Courthouse Monroe 328-9449 Green County Health Department Courthouse Monroe 328-9429 Green County Highway Shop 2813 6th Street Monroe 328-9411 Green County Human Services N3152 State Rd 81 Monroe 328-9393 Green County - Jail 2827 8th Avenue Monroe 328-9400 Green County - Judge Courthouse Monroe 328-9420 Green County - Juvenile Intake Worker Courthouse Monroe 328-9572 Green County - Land Conservation Monroe 328-9525

Dairy on the air 2020-’21 Green County Dairy Queen Marrissa Vosberg (left) and Green County Dairy Princess Ellie Eichelkraut wear headsets to do a live radio broadcast during the Green County Dairy Breakfast. Girls in the Community Dairy Queen program serve as agriculture ambassadors for their communities and the county.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Connections

Green County - Pleasant View Nursing Home N3150 State Rd. 81 Monroe 325-2171 Green County Property Lister Monroe 328-9436 Green County Register in Probate Monroe 328-9567 Green County Register of Deeds Courthouse Monroe 328-9439

Green County - Safe Kids N3150 State Rd. 81 Monroe 328-9508 Green County - SheriffNon-Emergency 2827 6th Street Monroe 328-9400 Green County - Tourism Coordinator N3150 Hwy. 81 Monroe 328-1838 Green County - Treasurer Courthouse Monroe 328-9435

CONNECTIONS 2021-22

FLOORING

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Countryside Bent & Dent W363 Atkinson Rd. Albany 897-2867

Green County - Veteran’s Service Office N3150 State Rd. 81 #B, Pleasant View Complex Monroe 328-9415

TruHome Inc 2803 8th Ave Monroe (608) 426-6767

Green County - Welcome Center 2108 7th Avenue Monroe 325-4636

Sagan & Associates Insurance 1104 1st Center Avenue Brodhead 897-9100

Green County - Zoning & Land Use 1016 16th Avenue Monroe 328-9423

Spring Grove Mutual Insurance Company 1105 W. 2nd Avenue Brodhead 897-2148

GROCERS Brodhead Piggly Wiggly 1604 1st Center Avenue Brodhead 897-2105

HOME IMPROVEMENT

LIMESTONE

SADDLE & TACK

Footville Rock and Lime Corp.

14249 W. Dorner Road Brodhead 876-6608

Brodhead Harness 1602 S. Scotch Hill Road Brodhead, 897-3820

Ryan Farm Quarries 13566 West Brandherm Road Beloit 879-2623

INSURANCE

MONUMENTS DL Newcomer Funeral Home 1105 E. 9th Avenue Brodhead 897-2484

Southern Wisconsin Septic Service, LLC 704 4th Street Albany 862-7867

Independent Register 922 W. Exchange Street Brodhead 897-2193

SEWER SYSTEMS DESIGNED & INSTALLED

REAL ESTATE

Footville Rock & Lime Corp.

14249 W. Dorner Road Brodhead 876-6608

Footville Rock and Lime Corp. and Trucking 14249 W. Dorner Road Brodhead 876-6608 SEPTIC CLEANING

NEWSPAPERS

LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES

SAND & GRAVEL

Real Estate Connections SCW, LLC 1203 1st Center Ave. Brodhead (608) 897-9500

Kranig Excavating, Inc. 704 4th Street Albany 862-7867

DP CONCRETE & LANDSCAPING, Inc.

Open Everyday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Specializing in Concrete Installation & Repair We do projects of all sizes!

1604 1st Center Ave. Brodhead, WI

• • • •

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608-862-3156 - Albany, WI - www.dpconcrete.com arns auto.qxp_Layout 1 8/18/21 10:13 AM Page 1 - jdpluss@hotmail.com arnsdavepluss@tds.net auto.qxp_Layout 1 8/18/21 10:13 AM Page 1 arns arns auto.qxp_Layout auto.qxp_Layout 1 1 8/18/21 8/18/21 10:13 10:13 AM AM Page Page 1 1

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CONNECTIONS 2021-22

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ARN’S AUTO ARN’SAUTO AUTO SERVICE SERVICE ARN’S SERVICE

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802 2ND ST. • BRODHEAD, WI 53520 • M-F 7:30AM-5PM • arnsauto.com

Complete Complete Automotive Automotive Repair Repair Shop Shop

Complete Automotive Repair Shop Complete Automotive Repair Shop FOR 608-897-3330 FOR SERVICE SERVICE 608-897-3330 • 4 Wheel Computerized Alignment • Engine Repair

FOR SERVICE••• Tire 608-897-3330 4 Alignment 4 Wheel Wheel Computerized Alignment SalesComputerized – Most Brands

Engine Repair EngineService Repair ••• Brake

Brake Service Tire Sales – Most Tire Sales –Changer Most Brands Brands Brake Service Hunter Tire & Balancing ••• Suspension & Steering •••• 4 Wheel Computerized Alignment • Engine Repair Suspension & Steering Steering Hunter Tire Changer & Hunter Tire Changer & Balancing Balancing Suspension Exhaust Systems ••• Oil Changes & ••••• Tire Sales – Most Brands • Brake Service ••• Electrical Oil Changes Exhaust Systems ExhaustTire Systems Oil Changes •• Hunter Transmission Maintenance Systems • Changer & Balancing • Suspension & Steering • Heating Electrical& Systems Systems • Radiator Transmission Maintenance Transmission Maintenance Electrical Service A/C ••••• Exhaust Systems • Oil••••Changes Heating & & A/C A/C Radiator Radiator Service Service Heating • Transmission Maintenance • Electrical Systems 802 2ND & ST. • BRODHEAD, WI 53520 • M-F 7:30AM-5PM • Radiator Service •• arnsauto.com • Heating A/C 802 2ND ST. • BRODHEAD, WI 53520 • M-F 7:30AM-5PM arnsauto.com

802 2ND ST. • BRODHEAD, WI 53520 • M-F 7:30AM-5PM • arnsauto.com 404276 casey@arnsauto.com

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Green County - University Extension Agent N3150 State Rd 81 #B, Pleasant View Complex Monroe 328-9440

BRIAN SCHAVER

Serving Green, Rock & Lafayette Counties FAST Reliable & Personalized Service Single Family Residential • 2-4 Family Units Farmettes • Agricultural Land • Building Sites • Asset Division Estate Planning • Pre Sale Opinion of Market Value

608-897-3355

www.timberlineappraisals.com

P.O. Box 27 • Brodhead, WI 53520 WI Certified Residential Appraiser #1337-009 404278

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Albany FIRE - EMERGENCY..................................................911 NON-EMERGENCY 205 N Mechanic .................................608-862-3919 POLICE - EMERGENCY.............................................911 NON-EMERGENCY 206 N Water ......................................608-862-3255 AMBULANCE ............................................................911 NON-EMERGENCY ...................................608-862-3249

Brodhead FIRE - EMERGENCY..................................................911 NON-EMERGENCY ...................................608-897-2112 POLICE - EMERGENCY.............................................911 NON-EMERGENCY ..................................608-897-2112 AMBULANCE ............................................................911

Juda

LIBRARY Albertson Memorial Library 200 N. Water Street, Albany ........................... 862-3491 Memorial Public Library 1207 25th Street, Brodhead ............................ 897-4070 Orfordville Library 203 W. Beloit Street, Orfordville ..................... 879-9229

CITY AND VILLAGE GOVERNMENT Albany Township N6065 County Hwy E, Albany ................... 608-862-3000 Albany Village Hall 206 N. Water Street, Albany ..................... 608-862-3240

FIRE - EMERGENCY..................................................911 NON-EMERGENCY ....... 608-934-5563 or 608-934-1628 POLICE - EMERGENCY.............................................911 NON-EMERGENCY ...................................608-328-9400 AMBULANCE ............................................................911

Brodhead City of-Clerk/Treasurer 1111 W. 2nd Avenue, Brodhead ............... 608-897-4018

Orfordville

Brodhead Parks Department Director 1111 W. Second Avenue, Brodhead ......... 608-897-2159

FIRE - EMERGENCY..................................................911 NON-EMERGENCY ...................................608-879-2122 POLICE - EMERGENCY.............................................911 NON-EMERGENCY ..................................608-879-9212 AMBULANCE ...........................................................911

SCHOOLS

Brodhead Historical Society 1108 1st Center Avenue, Brodhead .......... 608-897-4150

Brodhead Senior Center 1103 W. 2nd Avenue, Brodhead ............... 608-897-4796 Brodhead Swimming Pool 1106 4th Street, Brodhead ......................... 608-897-8091 Brodhead Public Works 1700 11th Street, Brodhead ...................... 608-897-4384

Albany School District 400 5th St., Albany .................................... 608-862-3135

Brodhead Water & Light Commission 1108 11th Street, Brodhead ...................... 608-897-2505

Albrecht Elementary School 1400 21st St., Brodhead ........................... 608-897-2146

Brodhead Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 16, Brodhead .............................. 608-897-8411

Brodhead High School 2501 W. 5th Ave., Brodhead ..................... 608-897-2155

Orfordville Clerk 106 N. Center Street, Orfordville .............. 608-879-2004

Brodhead Middle School 2100 W. 9th Ave., Brodhead ..................... 608-897-2184

Town of Jefferson (Juda) .................. 608-934-5255

Juda School N2385 Spring St., Juda ............................. 608-934-5251 Parkview Elementary School 106 W. Church St., Orfordville .................. 608-879-2956 Parkview High School 408 W. Beloit St., Orfordville .................... 608-879-2994

CONNECTIONS2021-22 2020-21 CONNECTIONS

AMBULANCE FIRE - POLICE

55

Let the sunshine in

Solar projects will produce clean energy, shared revenue for local communities

By Mary Hookham

CONNECTIONS 2021-22

CORRESPONDENT

s part of Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Blueprint initiative, the company is adding 1,089 megawatts of solar energy to the electrical grid in Wisconsin by the end of 2023. Two of the planned 12 solar projects will be in southern Wisconsin.

A Green County project near Albany in the town of Decatur will create about 50 megawatts of energy while a town of Beloit project, called the Paddock project, in Rock County will provide 65 megawatts of energy. Construction for both projects will begin in 2022 and end late in 2023.

“Solar energy helps reduce Alliant Energy’s dependence on fossil fuels,” said Chase Coleman, communications partner with Alliant Energy.

The town of Decatur project will occupy 400 acres while the town of Beloit one will use 500 acres. Both developments will create new local tax revenue that will add thousands of dollars in annual shared

revenue for Brodhead, Green County, Beloit and Rock County. Project construction will provide jobs and upon completion, each location will employ at least a few full-time employees, Coleman said.

“Once complete, they will positively impact the environment and generate enough clean, low-cost energy to power thousands of homes,” he said.

Locally, Alliant Energy provides electric service in Albany and Orfordville.

Alliant Energy will lease the land for the solar projects, so landowners will receive lease payments throughout the 30-year duration of each project. When the project is decommissioned, the land will return to its original state, Coleman said.

The costs of solar projects are low while the benefits are high, Coleman said. Solar energy costs less to operate and maintain, and installation costs are at an all-time low.

Those savings will go to customers.

Communities where the projects are located will see increased tax revenue. For example, the Albany project will bring in an estimated shared revenue total of $200,000 between the county and the town. The

This is a projected view of the town of Decatur solar project planned by Alliant Energy. The location is along County Highway E near Albany.

PHOTO RENDERING COURTESY ALLIANT ENERGY Connections

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Paddock project will bring in an estimated shared revenue total of $260,000 between the county and the town.

Locations for both of these projects were based on the following criteria: • Obtaining as much contiguous acreage needed for the megawatt capacity per project (availability of participating landowners in a smaller footprint) • Siting close to an ATC electrical transmission circuit that has available capacity and with lower network upgrade costs • Appropriately zoned (usually agricultural), typically rural areas with ideally low-population density • Siting away from residential zoned areas • Good constructible locations based on topography and access • Low environmental concerns such as wetlands and waterways, sensitive habitats and natural areas Other counties slated to gain solar energy projects through this initiative include Richland, Grant, Dodge, Jefferson, Sheboygan, Wood and Waushara counties.

Barn quilts color the countryside Green County display adds to nature’s rural beauty

By Margaret Plevak CORRESPONDENT

A barn quilt pattern called “Queen’s Jewels” is featured at the Elmer family farm, located at 7173 N. McDermott Road in Albany.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Connections

the past, they’ve looked to sponsors, and have been aided by businesses like Zweifel Construction in Monroe, which offers a discount on their purchases. Barn owners are asked to pay only for the cost of materials of the quilt block — typically an 8-by-8 sheet of wood. Originally, the two women donated their time to paint the blocks. Now, Lokken said, they primarily serve as consultants, helping draw out a design or giving suggestions.

“Over the years we had some people that either helped us paint or wanted to paint it themselves,” Winkler said. “One family had the block at their family reunion to paint.”

Most of the designs would look right at home at a 19th-century quilting bee, but there are twists, like the block that includes the image of a John Deere tractor. Some designs came from quilts belonging to a farm family. Others, like “Nifty Nine Patch” and “Palace Star” were designed by farm owners themselves.

Over the years, the program has been promoted by both Green County Tourism

and the UW-Extension.

Winkler said she’s surprised, but gladdened by the growth of county barn quilts, and the program’s results.

“Several barns were repaired or restored instead of falling into ruins,” she said. “We also have heard stories from farm owners about people driving around looking and taking photos of the barn quilts. Many have stopped by, asking questions about not only the barn quilt but also the farm.

“One farmer invited visitors to help clean out the barn! One owner was working in her flower garden when some ladies came looking at her barn quilt (Rainbow Blossom). She invited them to sit at her patio table and gave them lemonade and cookies.

They were complete strangers but had a wonderful chat.”

Over the years, the Green County Quilt Trail has attracted bus tours, with Winkler and Lokken often serving as guides, providing information on the barn quilts, as • CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

CONNECTIONS 2021-22

ou’ve spotted them as you were driving down a country road: large painted wooden quilt squares hung on barns around area farms. You may have slowed down or stopped to take in the quilts’ colors and designs, or admired the picturesque barns that provide the framework. Maybe you even visited the farm when you saw a sign offering fresh sweet corn or honey for sale. That’s just what the creators of The Barn Quilts of Green County were hoping for.

Monroe quilters Kris Winkler and Lynn Lokken started the program. They saw the value in combining the popularity of quilting with art, agricultural architecture and Green County tourism.

According to the program’s website, more than 150 barns or farm outbuildings in the county have quilt blocks. People interested in seeing them can follow the Green County Quilt Trail by checking www. greencountybarnquilts.com for the addresses of each barn, along with a Google map of all of them. Visitors also can get a fold-out county map from the Green County Tourism office and plot out their own route.

Wisconsin has 17 counties with barn quilt trails, according to barnquiltinfo.com. While they’re popular in Midwestern states like Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, barn quilt trails can be found from Maine to Alaska. Winkler said a local University of WisconsinExtension agent suggested the idea to her in 2007 after spotting barn quilts along a highway in Iowa.

“She knew Lynn and I were both quilters,” Winkler said, adding that the two purchased instructions on constructing the blocks and tried their hand at making some that winter.

The first barn quilts went up in April 2008.

In looking for barn owners, Lokken and Winkler initially asked those who had barns located along highways, thinking that would make a preferred route, but soon discovered that visitors liked taking a more leisurely drive along back roads to view the quilts.

In the early years of the program, Winkler and Lokken were contacted by a number of farm owners who wanted to participate.

The requests have slowed a little over the last few years, and in 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, only a couple of new quilt blocks were added.

Winkler said while costs for creating the quilts have increased, she and Lokken have tried to keep the project affordable. In

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Checking out the locations on the Green County Quilt Trail makes for a leisurely trip through the countryside. A barn quilt called “Sunshine in the Valley” is located at W3552 County Highway SS, near Monroe at the Don and Joan Sherfield farm.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Connections

BARN QUILTS

OLIN’S MINI MARTS

well as area farms and cheese factories. Some of the tourists include quilters, like author Suzi Parron Smith, whose website lists quilt trails around the country. Another group tour featured members of an Austin-Healy car club, who also made the rounds of area restaurants and cheese places, Winkler remembered.

The tours point to the appeal of those colorful quilt blocks.

“I still get phone calls and emails on the quilts,” Lokken said. “I still get a thrill from rounding a corner and seeing a quilt anywhere that we are driving ourselves. I will always love barn quilts.”

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on the cover: A barn quilt called “Patriotic Star” is installed at the Ron and Norma Bader farm, N2128 Wisconsin Highway 89. More than 150 buildings in Green County have the quilt blocks; go online to greencountybarnquilts.com for a list of locations.

AlbAny Mini MArt & CAr WAsh Hwy. 59 (next to Sugar River Bike Trail)

608-862-3303

Olin’s Juda Oasis

PHOTO SUBMITTED Connections

Mini Mart • Restaurant • Fuel • Cheese Store 2616 Hwy. 11 West & Hwy. 81 • 608-934-5588

FOOTVILLE ROCK & LIME CORP

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CONNECTIONS 2021-22

Monroe Northsider

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• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

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404275

Visiting cheese buyers from Kraft Food Co. in Chicago fly into the Brodhead Airport in the 1940s in this vintage photo. There were several twinengine corporate aircraft like this one that would use the airport in its early days. The airport is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2021.

PHOTO COURTESY PAT WEEDEN Connections

History soars at Brodhead Airport

By Margaret Plevak CORRESPONDENT

he Brodhead Airport marked its 75th anniversary in 2021.

The airport is a mile south of the city on Airport Road, near the junction of state highways 11 and 81.

Though privately owned, it is open to the public.

Brodhead Airport has earned a reputation among pilots as one of the best grass airports in the Midwest. It’s also known for its homebuilt airplanes; 56 hangars and 75 planes in various stages of construction are on the grounds, according to the airport’s website.

“Brodhead Airport has long been a home for aircraft homebuilders and vintage aircraft restorers,” said Pat Weeden, executive director of the Kelch Aviation Museum, located at the airport, in an

email. “(EAA) Chapter 431, based in Oshkosh, was formed here in 1973 and has facilitated ‘fly-in’ events for vintage and homebuilt aircraft since the mid-1970s.

Over the years, there have been dozens of award-winning restorations completed here in the various shops around the field.

There are even a few professional aircraft restoration operations based at Brodhead Airport.”

Here are five legendary stories about Brodhead Airport you may not know:

Taking off In January 1946, Maj. Bill Earleywine, a World War II bomber pilot, rented a field from Wheeler Searles, another World War II fighter pilot. The land, first known as “Bill’s Airpark,” eventually became the site of the Brodhead Airport. Earleywine started with an office building and a hangar to house his Taylorcraft plane. He acquired a Taylorcraft dealership, gave

flight instruction, and provided charter and sightseeing flights. A Taylorcraft airplane originally sold by Earleywine is still based on the field and flown.

“The story of the airport’s founding is pretty cool in its own right,” Weeden said.

“In addition to the Taylorcraft dealership, Bill Earleywine also had an Ercoupe dealership. I can only find evidence of one model being sold here, and that aircraft is still flying in the Chicago area.”

Tragically, Earleywine died in a plane crash in 1947, but local pilots rallied to support the airport, mowing the field and paying rent. In 1973, the newly formed EAA Chapter 431 was able to purchase the field by forming two corporations. The two later merged into Hawk Aire; shareholders are field hangar owners and some nonpilots who helped with the 1973 purchase. As a private airport, it receives no funding from • CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

CONNECTIONS 2021-22

75-year-old ‘airpark’ known for grass runways, homebuilt and restored planes

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CONNECTIONS 2021-22

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• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

the city, county, state or Federal Aviation Administration.

Grassroots “Brodhead Airport is a ‘Home for Grassroots Aviation,’ which means simple, often vintage aircraft, flying for fun, and an open environment,” Weeden said. “You’ll notice there’s no razor-wire fence like you see at most airports, and that’s by design.”

Weeden said the field is inspected by the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics for standard compliance annually, and appears on aviation charts and navigational maps.

The airport has three runways — but you won’t find asphalt on them.

“The runways are not paved and never will be. The grass runways provide a more forgiving surface for some of the antique and training aircraft that frequently fly here,” Weeden said.

Grass allows plane tires to slide a bit, making directional control easier — important on tailwheel airplanes, Weeden explained. But many modern aircraft aren’t built for grass’s rougher surface, and some manufacturers and insurance companies won’t allow certain planes to land on grass, he said.

Flight history In 2014, the Kelch Aviation Museum was established, with funding through the Alfred & Lois Kelch Charitable Trust.

Alfred Kelch was a Wisconsin antique

airplane collector and restorer who moved a collection of vintage planes to the Brodhead Airport.

The museum is located in a 12,000-square-foot airplane hangar.

Besides Kelch’s collection, the museum holds two aircraft that hauled airmail in the late 1920s — including one flown by Charles Lindbergh, who made the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. There is also an airmail beacon tower that once helped light the navigation route between Chicago and St. Paul, and original artifacts from early Hollywood aviation movies.

Additionally, there’s a kids’ area with hands-on exhibits and outdoor observation areas to watch action at the airport.

dancing, mowing lawns and picking strawberries. She soloed at 16 and got her pilots license two years later. And she met her future husband — a crop-dusting pilot — at ground school.

While raising a family kept her grounded for the most part, she’s gotten opportunities over the years to fly in some vintage planes, including a Waco Taperwing, a Stearman C3-B and, for her last flight in November, a PT-19.

Young Eagles

Since 1992, 2.3 million would-be aviators ages 8 to 17 have received their first airplane ride courtesy of the EAA’s Young Eagles program. Among the pilots flying Young Eagles flights have been Brodhead aviatrix actor Harrison Ford and Jeff Skiles, first Jeanne Scholes caught her first ride in officer and copilot with Captain Chesley an airplane when she was 15, and 77 years Sullenberger on the “Miracle on the later, she still takes to the skies. Scholes is Hudson” flight. the first female pilot to fly out of Brodhead After the flight, youngsters receive Airport. a certificate and a one-year EAA youth As a teen, Scholes remembers a neighbor membership. They’re also eligible for an who often flew his Culver Cadet plane over all-expenses paid online ground school the kids playing baseball in a nearby field. course for pilot training and flight training “He flew so low, you could see his scholarships, said Joe Snow, EAA Chapter eyes,” she said. “It just fascinated me no 431’s Young Eagles coordinator since 2015. end.”

“Some Young Eagles have gone on to The neighbor gave her a ride, and let her become military aviators, airline captains handle the controls. She was so hooked that and even astronauts,” Snow said in an when they landed, she asked her father if email. “Even if they don’t go on to become she could take flying lessons. She earned aviators, the thrill of the experience will last enough money for the lessons by teaching a lifetime.”

An aerial view shows the Brodhead Airport during an antique fly-in event.

PHOTO COURTESY PAT WEEDEN Connections

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The Bank of Brodhead has been a cornerstone in the community for 125 years. Customers and bank officials alike say the strong commitment to the community has allowed the bank to stay strong through changing times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

MARY HOOKHAM PHOTO Connections

Going strong at 125 years CORRESPONDENT

he Bank of Brodhead was around not only at the turn of the last century in 2001, but also at the turn of the prior century in 1901. In fact, its predecessors date back to 1869, when a private bank named Bowen and Company was formed, according to a 1996 centennial anniversary book published by the Bank of Brodhead. Over the next 25 years, that business became the National Bank of Brodhead, then gave up its national charter and became known as the Bank of Brodhead.

In 1896, several members of the community who were interested in banking applied for a state charter. They took over the private bank’s assets in a reorganization — but kept the name — and began operating with $50,000 in capital.

“Although the seeds of banking were planted in 1869 — April 30, 1896, is recognized as the birth date of the present Bank of Brodhead,” explained the centennial book.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Bank of Brodhead. That’s a span covering two world wars, the stock market crash, the Great Depression, the admission to the Union of the last six states, 22 U.S. presidents —dating back to William McKinley, the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also includes a personal history that

reflects the times, from expansion and renovation of buildings in boom years to an armed bank robbery in 1926, when three men took $8,000 in cash and $8,000 more in bonds. “Just like Bonnie and Clyde,” said bank employee Avis Olson, describing the incident in the bank’s centennial book.

In 1944 retired Orfordville farmer Albert Lofthus left his estate to the bank in his will, calling the officials there his “best friends,” according to a newspaper article. The bank renounced any claim to the property, but even customers today say the bank has earned their loyalty.

“Being in business for 125 years in a small community tells a story of having good business practices and management,” said Carroll Sheafor in an email. He and his wife have been customers at the Bank of Brodhead for 43 years.

“I will say they have been true to their motto of ‘Strength, stability and service,’” Sheafor said, adding that friendly, helpful bank employees conduct business in a respectful manner. “We wish them well and continued success.”

Larry Ayres, who owned Ayres Chevrolet Pontiac Buick dealership in Brodhead for decades, had just obtained a Chevy franchise in 1985, but GM required that he construct a new building on his property. Ayres remembered turning to the Bank of Brodhead for a $1 million business loan.

“The Bank of Brodhead has always been an icon of progressiveness in our town,” he said.

“They seemed to be able to help the farmers

a little more with loans and things like that.

If you owned stock there, there was a better return on your investment.”

Bank of Brodhead President and CEO Mike Olson said the bank’s staff and focus on the community are two vital reasons for the business’ longevity.

“Banks that do not maintain an emphasis on serving their communities will not succeed. Brodhead is a perfect example of that,” Olson said in an email.

“The Bank of Brodhead is, and always has been, a major supporter of the Brodhead Chamber of Commerce. Staff continue to support the community by volunteering at chamber festivals, Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, and on local government boards and committees,” Olson said.

After starting with a handful of local residents who founded the bank, Olson said the Bank of Brodhead has grown to 413 shareholders who live in 24 states around the country.

The way the bank operates has evolved over the years. Discount brokerage and personal accounting services were added, and an insurance agency was obtained in the 1990s. Also in the ’90s, drive-up ATMs, check cards and bank credit cards came into use. In 1981 computers systems were on the premises and by 1996, the bank had started its own internet services. Since then, technology has grown exponentially.

“So much has changed in the last 25 years • CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

CONNECTIONS 2021-22

Bank of Brodhead’s local focus hasn’t wavered

By Margaret Plevak

13

Brodhead students take fast track to CNA certification

By Margaret Plevak

CONNECTIONS 2021-22

CORRESPONDENT

14

uring her senior year in 2019, Anna Corbit enrolled in a new training program at Brodhead High School that allowed her to earn college credit while working toward her certification as a nursing assistant. It also gave her an edge at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she’s now a pre-nursing student.

“I wanted to take the program so I would be CNA certified before I went to college,” Corbit said in an email. “The nursing programs in college are extremely competitive, and getting as much experience as possible before entering is really beneficial.”

Corbit liked the fact that program was offered right at her high school. She also appreciated the amount of hands-on practice the program offered, and how well it prepared her for both the written and skills portion of the state exam.

“I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in being a CNA, and especially to interested students who can fit it into their schedule. It is a great opportunity,” she said.

Corbit passed the state exam last summer, and now, in her second semester of college, she’s going to try to work as a CNA. The CNA training program, a partnership between Brodhead High School and Blackhawk Technical College, started in the 2018-’19 school year at the high school.

“Enrollment has been steady. We have not had any problems filling the allotted number of students in the program,” said Jim Matthys, Brodhead High School’s principal, in an email.

Katie Lange, student enrollment manager at Blackhawk Technical College, said in an email that the number of students who can enroll in the nursing assistant course is set by state regulations that depend on a student-toinstructor ratio. At Brodhead High School, the maximum enrollment is eight students, with three BHS students in the current class.

BTC offers the CNA program during its spring semester, and a medical terminology course in the fall semester. The courses are open to all Green County high school students.

Lange said the CNA program is offered at the Monroe and central campuses, in addition to other off-site locations throughout the district.

She said the college has been able to continue offering the program despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with health and safety precautions in place.

At Brodhead, the CNA classes are taught

Students get an overview of the certified nursing aide class from instructor and nurse Laura Powers at Brodhead High School. Powers, the district nurse, teaches the dual credit course as an adjunct instructor for Blackhawk Technical College.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Connections

by the district school nurse, Laura Powers, known as Nurse Laura by students.

Besides basic nursing skills, Powers gives students a bit of wisdom garnered over the years.

“I tell my students the patients you care for are real human beings and deserve one hundred percent of your attention. Plus patience. Enjoy people and the art of caring for people,” Powers said in an email.

“Something this pandemic has shown us is that we need well-trained health care workers to take care of us all,” she said. “I am hoping when my time comes one of my students will one day provide skilled care for me with compassion, kindness and empathy.”

Although it’s not part of the curriculum, Powers also adds a life skill trick: folding a fitted sheet.

“A lot of students have gone home and taught their family members how to fold a fitted sheet,” she said. “We do this because part of being a CNA is learning how to make an unoccupied and occupied hospital bed.”

The textbook component of the hybrid course is taught online, with labs at the high school and hands-on clinical practice at the Monroe Clinic. Once students pass their certification exam, they become CNAs. Lange said Blackhawk Technical College offers dual-credit courses for high school students in all their program areas, including health sciences, public safety, manufacturing, traditional business, culinary arts, education, agriculture, transportation and technology.

Students’ dual credit options include courses that are offered at their high schools, which vary based on each high school, and

courses at the college, Lange said.

“In general, our dual credit programs are incredibly popular. Across our district, which includes Rock and Green counties, we have over 2,700 students engaged in dual-credit opportunities,” Lange said. “The nursing assistant course certainly draws a lot of attention because it is a great way for high school students to get in-depth exposure to the health care field and is excellent experience to gain, especially while still in high school.

There is also a demand in the workforce for it.”

She said the dual-credit programs are a way students can save both time and money.

Matthys said over the last five years, dual credit courses at the high school have grown to include programs in welding, English, psychology, physiology and anatomy and shop math. The school is also currently working on a Building Construction Academy.

“The CNA program and others like it provide our students the opportunity to get a jump start on their careers and course work right here at BHS either free or at a very reduced tuition cost. These programs also provide our students with skills to make them employable at graduation from high school,” Matthys said.

“The Brodhead School District has made a commitment to providing and growing opportunities for students to get a jump start on their careers here on site,” he said. “We anticipate as we move towards the end of the COVID situation that we will continue to look at more programs in which students can get post-secondary experiences and training.”

No time like the present Entrepreneurs forge ahead as business experts see reason for optimisms CORRESPONDENT

he COVID-19 pandemic hit the economy hard. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, about 29 percent of small businesses across the country closed during 2020.

Yet this year is seeing a surge of startups. A TOP Data analysis report of business growth across the country showed new business applications in Wisconsin up 39 percent in February 2021, compared to February 2020.

Cara Carper, executive director of Green County Development Corp., is hopeful about the local outlook.

“We are fortunate here to have steady growth, rather than large booms and busts and that’s what we’re seeing now, just continued growth and strong performance across all sectors in Green County,” Carper said in an email. “The pandemic certainly has caused some starts and stops, but overall, our businesses have overcome and are ready to grow and produce. I think there’s a sense of optimism, rightfully so, among our entrepreneurs. We’re all anxious to move forward and that’s reflected in our business community.”

Kristi Smith, a business consultant with the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center, has noticed an increase in residents looking for business help. For the region she serves — Green, Lafayette, Iowa, Grant, Crawford and Richland counties — she recorded nine clients who started new businesses in the first quarter of 2021, compared to three in the first quarter of 2020.

Smith said that while industries have been affected differently by the pandemic, a number of clients are trying to tweak the way businesses traditionally operate.

“Some industries, like restaurants, have been very hard hit, but see opportunities to focus on specific service areas, such as providing carry-out and delivery from less prominent storefront locations.

BANK OF BRODHEAD that it is hard to imagine what we might look like after the next 25,” Olson said. “Consider in 1996 we did not have email addresses, internet connections were just beginning via 56K dial-up modems, and online banking was non-existent.

“Technology, specifically the internet and mobile phones, have changed our business forever. Currently Bitcoin and blockchain are in vogue, but are the Wild West of a new era of digital assets. Will they remain that way?

Only time will tell.”

Other industries like trucking, warehousing and storage have seen increased demand and are responding to those market conditions,” Smith said in an email.

Aaron Hagar, vice president for entrepreneurship and innovation at Cara Carper Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., mentioned entertainment venues, tourism and personal services like barbers and nail salons all taking a hit last year. He thinks Wisconsin’s more diversified economy means the state has sectors that can still grow under today’s challenging conditions.

“We saw a lot of activity in technology and innovation sectors through the second half of 2020 and through this spring,” Hagar said in an email. “There are clearly a lot of entrepreneurs seeing opportunity to bring new products, technologies and services to market. There have been some interesting business innovations creating opportunity where the pandemic presented needs — be it in communications, health or retail businesses going online and providing delivery.

“We also know that the housing market is really hot so any businesses related to housing are likely doing well. There are still sectors facing pandemic-related challenges, particularly those in leisure and hospitality.”

The reasons for the growth of new businesses during the pandemic vary. Some people may see entrepreneurship as a way to take control of their own destiny in uncertain times. Others may have lost jobs and are now turning to what once was a hobby or side-gig for income.

Smith said her organization is seeing a number of long-term business owners who have decided to retire now and are transferring ownership to others, like

family members or employees. Others see themselves filling a hole in the economy brought about by COVID. “Many entrepreneurs are responding to local and regional needs that are either unfilled or where the current businesses are not adapting to change,” she said.

Hagar agreed. “Some are likely sensing an opportunity and looking to capitalize on a unique ability to address change in the market. Others are doing so out of necessity, or perhaps an opportunity to realize a longstanding desire created out of losing a job or other pressures,” he said. “We also know that opening a business takes time because of the need to secure financing, leases, supplier agreements and other things. Some of the businesses you see opening now may have been in motion well before the pandemic and really have no other choice than to open their doors to generate what business they can.”

Starting a business any time is challenging.

Starting one during a pandemic poses additional problems.

“For some, it could be supply chain and inventory issues limiting their ability to produce and sell goods. For others it might be that the market has changed and the traditional business model just doesn’t work right now,” Hagar said. “I wouldn’t point to any single issue that’s universal except that until we get the pandemic under control, we’re going to continue to see uncertainty in the overall economy.”

“One of the primary challenges right now is the lack of real estate available for sale or lease,” Smith said. “Finding the right location for the business before it sells or is rented to another party is a challenge at this time.”

Smith said a bright spot for entrepreneurs is the assistance offered to them.

“As far as financing, the SBA loan terms are currently better than we have seen previously, making some new businesses and expansion of existing businesses more attractive than ever,” she said.

Smith said confidential business consulting is provided at no cost through the SWSBDC.

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Like almost all businesses, banks were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety protocols meant bank lobbies were closed, and drive-thru and digital banking services were expanded. Some of those changes have proven so popular for customers, they may become permanent, Olson said.

“I believe banking, just like many other industries, will be forever changed

by COVID-19,” he said. “For example, electronic signatures were a convenience we were aware of prior to COVID-19, but

became a necessity during the pandemic.

After using them for a while now, we find it’s hard to believe we ever operated without them.

“Another change we have seen is in cashless payments. Cashless payments had been increasing in volume prior to the pandemic. That growth rate has only accelerated in the last year. Moreover, as society slowly begins to return to normal, we are not seeing any retraction in cashless payments.”

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By Margaret Plevak

15

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