Valley Sentinel - 04-21-2022

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Thursday, April 21, 2022 | Vol. 3, No. 11 FREE, Single-Copy

Inside this edition

Marklein announces reelection bid for state Senate

Sauk County Gardener: navigating hardiness zones

2022 BEST OF THE RIVER VALLEY NOMINATIONS OPEN

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Marklein announces re-election bid for state Senate 17th district Taylor Scott, Managing Editor On April 20, state Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) announced his bid for re-election to the Senate's 17th district, which covers much of south west Wisconsin. With a Democrat already announced, the race will be contested during the November election.

In his statement, Marklein touted the progress he’s made on the fiscal fitness of the state and promoting rural interests such as broadband expansion, rural EMS, schools and health care.

“Together, we are making sure that rural, southwestern Wisconsin has a strong voice in the state legislature. We have been heard and I am anxious to continue our work in the next session," said Marklein in his campaign announcement.

"I am running again to continue our work

to protect Wisconsin’s checkbook, fight for rural communities and promote our local values."

The current legislative session saw the first year of Marklein serving as Co-Chair of the Legislature’s powerful, budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance (JFC).

Marklein, a CPA by trade, describes working on the state budget as "fun".

In the current session, Marklein authored 52 bills. He says many received bi-partisan support and several were signed into law

by Gov. Tony Evers.

Marklein is currently circulating nomination papers.

Local attorney Tripp Stroud announced on Aug. 14 last year that he intended to run for Marklein's seat as a Democrat. Barring a primary surprise, Stroud and Marklein will face off on the ballot Nov. 8.

Photo provided by Taxpayers for Howard Marklein Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) is seen in front of a corn field in a photo released by the campaign.

History of Muscoda bridges heard at Riverway Board meeting Mark Cupp, LWSRB Executive Director The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board met in Muscoda on April 14 to conduct a regular monthly business meeting Mark Cupp, Executive Director, gave a presentation on river crossings at Muscoda. Cupp said the Moore family originally ran a ferry across the river from Muscoda to Richland County. Following the Civil War, General Jonathon B. Moore, a former Sheriff of Grant County and former member of the Legislature, agreed to invest $16,000 in a new toll bridge with additional investors putting in another $8,000. There were complaints about the tolls for using the new bridge but it provided an important link across the Wisconsin River. In 1888, the toll bridge was sold to John Postel and John Schwingle for $10,000. The remnants of the stone piers for the toll bridge may still be seen on the upstream side

of the existing bridge. By the early 1920’s, the public demands for a “free” bridge had intensified and, after years of legal battles and planning, a new highway bridge was constructed with a grand opening in 1929. According to Richard Durbin’s book, “The Wisconsin River: An Odyssey Through Time and Space,” over 5,000 people attended the big event with a parade, two dances, a free lunch, and other activities. Local legend suggests the only time the draw span was ever opened was on the day of the festivities. Finally, in 1989, the modern highway bridge in use today was constructed with Governor Tommy Thompson dedicating the bridge the following year.

In other action, the board recognized Chairman Jerry Dorscheid for 18 years of service as Iowa County representative.

Dorscheid, of Arena, served for six three-years terms beginning in 2004,

including three years as LWSRB Chair. Cupp thanked Dorscheid for his leadership and noted the many miles they had paddled and hiked together over the years. Dorscheid said it had been a pleasure serving on the board, which was a good fit for his interests in hunting, fishing, paddling, and enjoying the scenic beauty and wonders of nature found in the lower Wisconsin River valley.

Permits were approved for three timber harvests on state owned lands in the Riverway. The parcels are located in the Town of Marietta, Crawford County, at Georgetown Road near Hubl’s Motel; off Easter Rock Lane near the intersection of STH 60 and CTH E; while the third harvest will occur in the bottomlands near Fish Trip Flowage east of Blue River in the Town of Muscoda, Grant County.

Plans call for patch clear cuts to be used in conjunction with underplanting

of trees followed by timber stand improvement work at the Crawford County sites. At the Fish Trap Flowage site, east and north of Jones Lake, plans call for removal of trees 14 inches DBH or greater with a second harvest to occur after proper regeneration has taken hold.

The board amended a permit previously granted to Galen Bremmer for a timber harvest in the Town of Orion, Richland County. The action will move the start date of the harvest from October into September. Cupp also reported he had issued a permit to Eric Rapp for construction of a noise barrier at his property along STH 133 in the Town of Clyde, Iowa County. The structure will not be visible from the Wisconsin River during leaf-on conditions and is intended to reduce highway noise from truck traffic on the roadway.

The next LWSRB meeting will be held in Boscobel on May 12.

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Commentary/Opinion

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Editors' Column It's been awhile since we've taken the space to update our readers on things of importance to us here at Valley Sentinel.

In the past couple months we've been transitioning to a bi-weekly as we continue to work through press issues, cost increases and smoothing out our workflow as we continue to build Valley Sentinel into a vehicle to build community.

We are extremely flattered most every edition when we hear nice feedback and kind words — and we're thankful — but we know we have so much more growth to do and community to engage.

It's our belief that we do some things really well and we're proud at what we're good at and some of the changes we've made along the way.

There are also many things and areas that we need to work on. A list comes to mind including our Impulse Initiative and related mixers, being a community forum, our editorial calendar and our Business Insider email newsletter to help businesses plan content that

engages with the right audiences, and so on.

We also want to redouble our efforts in open meetings and public records after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback when we engage our watchdog role.

We also want to redouble our efforts in governmental reporting. We don't want our stories to read like meeting minutes, so we'll continue to experiment with covering governments and meetings topically.

We also want to explore our arts and culture coverage more. focusing on the books our community is buying and reading, the music our community is listening to on Spotify or live in concerts in our community, the movies people are watching.

This may look like movie reviews, popular book lists, curated music playlists and more.

There are so many ideas that we have to better engage with and build community, that sometimes we have to remind

ourselves and our readers that we're less than two years old and we're still only a handful of people that independently started by liquidating less than $5,000 in savings bonds — and a dream.

So, to keep the wheels turning and to keep the momentum moving forward, we want to share some short term goals so we can hold ourselves accountable to them and so that in our service of giving back to the community, that we're also creating opportunities for the community to engage with us.

We're proud to have adopted a section of highway, seen on this edition's cover.

We hope it's but one part of an effort to better ground us to the community.

You'd be surprised how hard it is to enjoy the community when you're busy covering it and seemingly "work mode" is always on.

Another way we hope to ground ourselves is to find an office in the downtown Spring Green area. We've maintained from the beginning that we believe as newspaper should have an

office in the community (and we have so many ideas on what to do with it!) — this goal we'd like to complete by June, to utilize state grants. Please let us know if you have vacant commercial space!

To do all of these things and so much more, we have to realize — while acknowledging that we're all-volunteer — that we can do this all alone.

Having enough content is never an issue, often the issue is laying out the content, especially when there's about a hundred other things for a small group of people to accomplish each edition.

So we want to appeal to the community, do you have an interest that you want to share? Do you know or are you going to school for graphic design or journalism? We are your paper and we're looking for contributors in page layout/graphic design, government meeting recorders/reporters, arts & culture reporters/commentators and — more than you'd expect — distribution.

If you're interested in helping please email: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Hagedorn blinks on Wisconsin redistricting maps Matt Rothschild, Wisconsin Examiner The horrendous ruling on redistricting maps by Wisconsin’s Supreme Court on Good Friday marks a new low for our state. The 4-3 decision by the conservatives on the court imposed the rigged maps that the Republican Legislature passed last fall, which Gov. Evers had vetoed. Those maps are even more tilted toward Republicans than the notorious ones the Republicans passed in 2011. And they admitted they rigged the maps.

Speaker Robin Vos, when he testified about the maps last fall, acknowledged that the Republicans “used partisanship” when drawing the maps. Up in River Falls, for instance, they split the district where UW River Falls is located, splintering the largely Democratic voters into more conservative rural areas.

The decision marked a sharp reversal from the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year to accept Gov.

On the cover Adopt-A-Highway, Photo (2022) by Taylor Scott

Tony Evers’s maps. In that decision, the court acknowledged that it couldn’t accept the Republican maps because the governor had vetoed them. But now it turned around and accepted them anyway. As Justice Jill Karofsky noted in her brilliant dissent, this is a violation of the separation of powers and the people’s will.

“We are not to act as a gubernatorial veto override body,” she wrote. “Here, the Legislature, having failed to override the gubernatorial veto, submitted the very same proposal to us. By now implementing that failed bill, this court judicially overrides the Governor’s veto, thus nullifying the will of the Wisconsin voters who elected that governor into office. But our constitution provides only one avenue to override such a veto; no judicial override textually exists … Nor, historically, has this court ever exercised such a supreme power. By judicially enacting the very bill that failed the political process, a bare majority of this court, rather than a supermajority of the legislature, has taken the unprecedented step of removing the process of lawmaking from its constitutional confines and overriding a governor’s veto ourselves.”

In this case, swing Justice Brian Hagedorn blinked. Once the U.S. Supreme Court scolded his original decision accepting Evers’s maps, and under withering criticism from the three other conservatives on the Wisconsin

Supreme Court, Hagedorn basically threw up his hands and threw in the towel.

Matt Rothschild “Complying with the directive of the United States Supreme Court at this stage of the proceedings raises some difficult challenges,” he wrote, noting the criticism about the way he had engaged with the requirements of the Voting Rights Act. “Most notably, our record is, at best, incomplete. One solution could be to develop a fuller record, make factual findings, and adjudicate a VRA claim with a firmer factual foundation. But the timing does not work. It would undoubtedly require delaying statutory deadlines and otherwise disrupting the administration of the fall elections. The window of opportunity to conduct a fresh trial with new evidence, new briefing, and potentially new arguments is well past.

Supplementing the record would pose the same logistical challenges. For better or worse, the only reasonable course I see is selecting a map based on the record we have. We could construct one ourselves or with the assistance of an expert, but time and our institutional limitations make that unrealistic at this juncture. The remaining option is to choose one of the proposed maps we received as the baseline. Only one proposal was represented as raceneutral in its construction: the maps submitted by the Legislature.”

But part of the problem was that the Wisconsin Supreme Court dilly-dallied in making its original decision, and it dilly-dallied again once the U.S. Supreme Court sent it back. Hagedorn has to own those delays. As the swing justice, he set the speed limit — at a crawl.

And secondly, once the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled, it certainly would have been possible for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hire an expert to redraw the districts in and around Milwaukee while keeping the rest of Gov. Evers’s maps intact.

History, and the Wisconsin public, will not look kindly on this decision.

Prior to joining the Democracy Campaign at the start of 2015, Matt worked at The Progressive magazine for 32 years. For most of those, he was the editor and publisher of The Progressive.

Reflections on 2021-2022 Legislative Session If you've recently driven on HWY 23, between the Spring Green village limits and Peck's Landing, you'll notice there's a new sign greeting you!

Erected sometime in the last month, the sign is a formal memorialization of Valley Sentinel's adoption of the roughly two mile section of highway as part of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway program.

As part of the program, Valley Sentinel staff and contributors (and family that are roped in) will be keeping the highway clean several times a year.

This initiative is just one of several ways Valley Sentinel is seeking to invest back in the community.

For more information on the DOT's Adopt-A-Highway program, visit wisconsindot.gov Submit your artwork or photography for cover consideration: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Representative Dave Considine, (D-Baraboo) At the end of February, the leaders of the Wisconsin Assembly adjourned the 2021-2022 Legislative Session for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, this meant that many great bills from both sides of the aisle did not get the opportunity to arrive at Governor Evers’ desk. Since the session began in January of 2021, I have introduced many bills along with my colleagues that would improve the state of Wisconsin.

Yet only 52% of bills introduced in the Legislature received a public hearing.

Additionally, only 1.9% of assembly bills authored by a Democrat received a public hearing, which is an essential step for the bill to become law.

I enjoyed learning about many pieces of quality legislation in committee this session. In both Transportation Committee and Agriculture Committee,

a majority of the bills that went through committee received bipartisan support.

We were able to discuss the bills together and find common ground for the people of Wisconsin. It is my hope that next session we will see bipartisan efforts in all committees.

One bill that became law and exemplified bipartisanship was Assembly Bill 727 (now 2021 Wisconsin Act 223), which was a collaboration between Rep. Joel Kitchens (R – Sturgeon Bay) and Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), among others. This bill established a nitrogen optimization pilot program, created a cover crop insurance rebate program, and set up a full time hydrologist project position at the UW-Madison Division of the Extension. I co-sponsored this legislation along with many of my colleagues, as it is a step towards cleaner

water in Wisconsin.

While none of my proposals received a public hearing, despite the positive impact they could have in the state, I have hope that next session will be better. This session, the Wisconsin Legislature was able to find common ground at least 252 times. Last week, Governor Evers signed 35 bills into law, ending with 2021 Wisconsin Act 252.

While I have not always agreed with every one of Governor Evers’ decisions, I am really glad to have his leadership. I look forward to Governor Evers’ action on the remainder of the bills passed this session, which I expect will be coming in the near future. During this off-season in the Assembly, I will continue to prepare proposals with input from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle so that we are able to hit the ground running when January arrives once again.

Commentary/OpInIon

Thursday, April 21, 2022 Page 3

Our Social Dilemma — Part 4: Resentment Beverly Pestel, Columnist “Our Social Dilemma” is a series of thought-provoking columns by retired local professor Beverly Pestel exploring a description and explanation of our current social, cultural and political tensions — looking at solutions and means of learning to accept one another.

…

It is impossible to continue this series without addressing the war in Ukraine.

The atrocities of Russian soldiers being documented by multiple sources is an example of the worst of what can happen when the social fabric of the world begins to unravel.

In “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” author Yuval Noah Harari warned of what can happen when the “them/us” dichotomy reaches extremes: “We are people like you and me…We are all responsible for one another, but not responsible for them.

We are always distinct from them, and owe them nothing…They are barely even human.”

This horrendous situation brought so close to us through real-time media coverage is a warning of what can happen when “them/us” conflicts are allowed to grow.

In this context, some of our current and local “them/us” conflicts are worth exploring.

A few years ago I had a political campaign sticker on the back of my car. It wasn’t there long before it and the back of my Jeep was peppered with buckshot. Possibly the most divisive thing tearing through the social fabric in our country now is politics – right?

Well, maybe not. Katherine J. Cramer,

professor of political science at UWMadison, makes a good case to say it isn’t.

Parts 2 & 3 of this series presented some of the cultures and castes that have caused social division in the United States. Some of these divisions have their origin in the struggle for equal rights under the Constitution.

Other divisions involve castes created by the imagined realities we weave into the stories we tell one another that separate “them” from “us”. Many of those castes are based on superficial things like nation of origin, ethnicity, job type, degree of education and rural versus urban. So, what about the divisions that appear to revolve around our political affiliation?

Consider for a moment yourself and the folks you know. How many of us could describe the policy platform of the political party to which we ascribe?

Does our commitment to a particular party have anything to do with actual politics? Sometimes, sure. But all the time? Most of the time?

In her research, Dr. Cramer found that “people interpret politics by focusing on whom they are against and whom they resent,” instead of what the political party stands for. So, according to her research, party affiliation for many is not a matter of actual politics, it is a matter of cultural identity and “them/ us’ resentments. Resentments which lead to social division.

Dr. Cramer’s book “The Politics of Resentment” was published in 2016.

Between May of 2007 and November of 2012 Dr. Cramer engaged in informal conversations with ordinary citizens in over two dozen rural communities throughout Wisconsin.

Most of her book is an account of those conversations. However, she

begins her book with an analysis of theories and research done by others that suggest that people make sense of politics through the “them/us” lens

Beverly Pestel and those divisions can coincide with real geographical boundaries. She goes on to explain that “we tend to talk about red versus blue when we look at electoral maps, but perhaps a more important divide is urban versus rural.” What she discovered by listening and participating in political conversations with rural Wisconsinites was a perceived rural/urban caste distinction that created a deep sense of resentment among many rural residents toward urban residents. Since Dr. Cramer’s research was conducted only in rural areas, the very real possibility of resentments also traveling in the opposite direction is not discounted, it simply is not included in her work.

Dr. Cramer found that ranking high in the resentment is “a sense that rural folks have fundamentally distinct values and lifestyles which are misunderstood and disrespected by city folks.” It does not matter whether this perception is an objective reality or an imagined reality, either way it exerts a force in the world. There can be no disagreement

about city life and country life being two different cultures. There are city folks who have no idea how their meat and potatoes get to store shelves, and there are country folks (like me) who are lost trying to order a meal from a fancy city restaurant. But why is there a perceived hierarchy to these two cultures and why does it create resentment? One distinct possibility is that it is “encouraged, perhaps fomented, by political leaders who exploit these divisions for political gain.”

So, the origin of some of our political feuds may not be political at all, but instead be founded on a perceived unequal caste system. Since we have a strong tendency to talk only with people in our own social circles, we don’t give ourselves a chance to find out if our perceptions are true. In the meantime, we tend to live as if they are true. If we can peel away the political layer, we may find that our differences are a result of divisive cultural stories we have told ourselves. Politics may only be involved because some politicians have overlayed the cultural issues with a false political identity for their own political advantage. We may be able to begin to solve some of our social dilemma one conversation at a time by acknowledging and speaking openly about our cultural stories rather than our political party affiliation.

Beverly had a 37 year career as a chemistry professor specializing in chemistry education and learning theory. In 2012 she was able to retire and move home to Wisconsin to focus on remodeling an old farmhouse and tending 40 acres of woodland in Richland County. When not in the woods she spends her time reading, writing and enjoying the beauty of the Driftless Area.

Will Federal funding reach our local, rural roads? $1 billion more headed to Wisconsin. Will we see it in rural communities?

Senator Howard Marklein, (R-Spring Green) The Federal government recently made headlines by announcing that $5 billion will be sent to Wisconsin for roads and infrastructure. I was intrigued because roads are one of the hottest topics in the 17th Senate District. Everywhere I go, I am encouraged to invest in and prioritize roads. I wholeheartedly agree.

In fact, in the most recent state budget, we invested an additional $100 million for local, rural roads and increased General Transportation Aids (GTA)

Senator Howard Marklein

in both years of the biennia. This investment will go a long way toward improving our infrastructure. The Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) said that this is the best budget for town roads in the history of our state.

I am proud to have led and supported this effort.

Now, the federal government announced that they are adding to our resources to fix roads. This is great news. But, as with most big announcements like this, it is important

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to understand the details.

The most important detail is that the $5 billion they announced includes $4 billion in funding we already expected from the feds in a baseline appropriation that we usually receive.

Therefore, the “new” money is really $1 billion and it is spread over five years.

So, in reality, we can expect about $200 million in additional road funding each year for five years.

Don’t get me wrong – an additional

Contributors Arts & Culture/Editorial Columns Graphic Design/Pagination Bill Gordon Grace Vosen Anna Stocks-Hess Arts & Culture/Editorial Sports Editorial Intern Alison Graves Mike McDermott Adeline Holte Arts Community/Opinion Graphic Design Intern Jen Salt Katie Green Julianna Williams Our team will be growing and changing as we settle into publishing regularly, please stay in touch. Thank you to all of our contributors for believing in our community.

Editorial Policy

On certain topics in areas of great community interest, the editors of the Valley Sentinel may take positions they believe best represent and serve the interests of the community. Any opinions or positions taken by the editorial board are separate and distinct in labeling and substance from the community journalism that appears in the rest of the publication and does not affect the integrity and impartiality of our reporting. .

Est. 2020 igne conflatum “Forged in Fire”

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Covering Arena, Lone Rock, Plain, Spring Green and the surrounding areas in Sauk, Iowa and Richland counties.

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Regional/Opinion

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Chris Hardie's 'Back Home' column

Maple season brings back sweet memory Chris Hardie, Columnist Moving back to the country 16 years ago brought me back to many tasks and chores I experienced as a farm kid, but it also gave us the chance to try some new activities.

One of them was raising pigs – which we never had on the farm when I was young – and one of the others was making maple syrup. Most of the maples on our farm aren’t sugar, but you can make syrup from any maple tree. We have lots of silver maples, which means you need to collect a little more sap because it’s not as high in sugar content.

We started with a few spiles and pails and then graduated to sap bags, which are a little more efficient when you’re having to cover a lot of territory. One weekend we collected more than 50 gallons of sap from trees up and down our creek bed and yard. After it was cooked down we had about a gallon and three cups of syrup that were filtered

Chris Hardie in front of the barn, started a fire, and poured the sap into the pan.

Dad came out to observe and we settled into a couple of lawn chairs. It was a cool March day, but it was cozy next to the stove. I fetched a couple of beers and some peanuts. Dad and I sat and shot the breeze.

burning and like in nearly all things, she was right. But at that moment it was a chance to kick back and enjoy some Dad time.

Those were the years before Dad’s dementia set in. I don’t remember what we talked about, baseball, the weather … it doesn’t matter. It’s just one of those memories that come rushing back every time I think about making syrup.

Just a father and son sharing time without thinking about how precious it was.

The next year I moved the stove into our old garage and we got serious about making syrup. The sap would cook off outside and we’d bring it in the house to finish it off on the stove and filter it before bottling.

The way the weather has been so far this spring – cold nights and even below-normal days – this could be a sap season like 2013 which was when Wisconsin produced 265,000 gallons of syrup, a record that stood until 2019.

That was a sharp contrast from 2012 when we had 80 degrees in the middle of March that ended the sap run.

Last year Wisconsin’s maple syrup production was 300,000 gallons from 850,000 taps.

It’s been quite a few years since we’ve made syrup, but we still have a few pints left from our last batch. Pure maple syrup-like honey – will last indefinitely because of the high sugar

Photo contributed by Chris Hardie

Special bags and holders collect the sap.

content.

Maybe when I retire – if that day ever happens – we’ll start making syrup again. I’ll be sure to fire up the old wood stove, grab a couple of beers and invite the kids and grandkids.

Chris Hardie spent more than 30 years as a reporter, editor, and publisher. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and won dozens of state and national journalism awards. He is a former president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

Photo contributed by Chris Hardie

Chris Hardie drills into a maple tree before setting the spile.

and stored in canning jars.

The first year we made syrup was probably 2008 or 2009. I set up an old wood stove outside – it has a flat surface that can hold two roasting pans.

I put a canopy over the top of the stove

My wife Sherry came out and asked what we were doing. “Watching the sap boil,” I told her, which was sort of the truth. “I don’t want it to burn.”

I was informed that it would be hours before the sap was in any danger of

Photo contributed by Chris Hardie

Two pans of sap cook down atop an old wood stove.

Column: $1 billion more headed to Wisconsin for roads. Will we see it in rural communities? Marklein asks. continued from page 3 $200 million for roads is great news!

This is definitely not something to dismiss. But, again, the details matter.

Some of this new federal funding has a very short, compressed timeline for us to meet. To access some of the money, we need to have it obligated

by September 30, 2022. In order to accomplish this, DOT set an initial project deadline of April 1, 2022 and the next project deadline is June 3, 2022.

This means that we need to have plans and engineering done in just a couple of short months during the height of construction season in Wisconsin.

It also involves a much more complicated process and requirements than some small municipalities, like towns, have managed in the past.

Federal money is never “free.” It almost always has strings attached to it and unique requirements that we do not have at the state level. This is a new

experience for many smaller towns.

Fortunately, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is working hard to help municipalities and counties to access these funds and spread this new investment in infrastructure to communities all over the state. I recently met with Craig Thompson, Secretary of the DOT to learn more about the plan they will be proposing to the legislature.

Secretary Thompson has connected with the groups that work with local governments to get ahead of this process while the federal government works out the details. He said that their intent is to dedicate the majority of the new federal funding to local governments in Wisconsin. While I appreciate their efforts to provide funding to local governments for local projects, I also understand the challenges we face to expedite planning, meet deadlines and manage inflation.

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Over the last couple of weeks, I have connected with several of our county highway commissioners and municipal leaders. Chris Narveson (Green County), Craig Hardy (Iowa County) and Dan Rielly (Lafayette County), have told me that inflation is significantly impacting their road construction plans.

Costs are way up! We are not getting as much bang for our buck and cannot do as much work – for the same money – as we have in the past.

But that isn’t stopping them from working hard to improve roads with the investments we made in our state budget and to access the new federal funds.

I am optimistic that the DOT, in concert with the WTA, the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities (LWM), will find ways to support our local communities in pursuit of this increase in federal funding. Keep in mind that most of this funding will be

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applied to projects that will begin in the 2023 construction season. Don’t expect additional orange cones and detours this year.

However, you will see plenty of construction and road work this summer. With the massive investments we made in our Wisconsin budget this year, local road work is already beginning all over the state. While we may grumble when we are delayed or detoured, it is important to remember that all of the work done in our short Wisconsin construction season makes a huge difference throughout the year.

We’re putting more than $1.2 billion in state dollars into local, rural roads over the next two years. This will make a noticeable difference in our communities.

As always, please do not hesitate to connect with me to provide input, ideas or to seek assistance. Send an email to sen.marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-0703.

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Community

Thursday, April 21, 2022 Page 5

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VOTED

BBEST EST

Valley Sentinel is excited to announce our 2nd Annual Best of the River Valley reader poll! Again, drawing inspiration from cities like Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee, we’re excited to facilitate this reader poll that showcases your voice in sharing the best of what our area has to offer to our community and those who visit it.

As with last year, with winners announced in June, the Best of the River Valley is designed to maximize engagement with area businesses and attractions heading into the busy summer months.

This is especially important at a time where we are still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some events tentatively scheduled to come back for the first time in two years.

The Best of the River Valley is not only a complement to existing guides that help community and newcomers alike navigate our area, but also — especially in its second year — a time to share where you believe the area is headed, what the area needs to

focus on, and also a place to brag about your business or your favorite Old Fashioned, with a healthy competitive spirit.

As voting opens in May, tools will be made available to businesses and those interested to share the poll and get out the word and drum up support for their favorites. But no funny business! Literally. Exchanging free or discounted goods and services for votes is prohibited.

The poll will focus on the goings-on of the past year, from June 2021 to May 2022.

Nominations will generally be limited to 15 miles around our River Valley area, unless stated as regional. The poll will cover various categories from the staple business services, to outdoor adventures, to arts and culture. Winners will range from businesses to natural areas to artists and specific signature cocktails and burgers.

As always, details and much more are still being finalized and everything will be ironed out over the next couple weeks.

We’ll need your help in the meantime, we

want your thoughts and feedback, this is YOUR poll, YOU decide the winners.

If there are categories and questions you believe we should add, let us know and we will consider them for this year or next.

The Best of the River Valley is an extension of our passion to build community and, in its second year running, is one of many ideas that we hope will become a part of what makes our community so great.

We’re excited to again facilitate this big undertaking and see how it grows and changes year after year.

Timeline

April 22 - May 3: Open nominations! This is your time to share all your best choices for each category and question to create a list to vote on. Share your favorite business or place or thing. Instructions on how are below.

May 5 - June 1: Polls open! This is your time to vote on the nominations and help decide who or what wins each poll question. Popular write-in options will be added to the

poll as well.

June 16: Winners announced! On or around this date winners will be announced in Valley Sentinel, followed shortly by an online announcement. For this year we'll probably still limit awards and such to some fancy certificates by email for public posting, but in future years perhaps a recognition banquet or mixer can be in the works?

Right now: call for nominations

Using the categories and questions below, mail (P.O. Box 144, Spring Green, WI 53588 - feel free to use this page and write your nominations down), email (editor@ valleysentinelnews.com), call (608-5886694), or — our preferred way — visit our website www.valleysentinelnews.com and submit your nominations online. Online nominations will be live by the end of the week, so keep checking.

Businesses! Don’t be afraid to nominate yourselves, and please reach out if you’re interested in ways to get involved.

CATEGORIES & QUESTIONS • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Outdoors & Leisure

Best Body of Water for Recreation Best Campground Best Golf Course Best Place to Get Fit Best Sledding Hill Best Trail - Hiking or Biking Best Canoe & Kayak Rental/Livery

Arts & Culture

• • • • •

Best Free Entertainment Option Best Holiday/Seasonal Event Best Local Play/Musical Best Regional Music Festival Best Mural Best Local Visual Artist (Illustration/Painting/Sculpture, etc.)

Best Art Gallery Best Local Musician/Band Best Local Author Best Music Venue Best Photographer

• • •

Best Food Event Best Appetizer (location and item) Best Bakery

Noms & Nightlife

• • • • • • •

• • • •

Best Place to Get Coffee Best Breakfast/Brunch Spot Best Friday Fish Fry Best Burger (location and item) Best Wings Best Food Truck/Food Pop-up Best Regional Beer (brewery/specific brew) Best New Restaurant Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining Best Pizza Best Steak Best Place for Dancing Best Bar Best Old Fashioned Best Subs/Sandwiches (Anything between 2 pieces of bread that’s not a burger) Best Restaurant Best Wedding Venue Best Supper Club in the Region Best Regional Winery

• • •

Best Day Trip Best Hotel Best Public Park

• • • • • • • •

Oot & Aboot

• • •

Best All-Ages Hangout Best Tourist Attraction Best/Most Beautiful Local Spot

Shopping

• • • • • • • • • •

Best Area Bookstore Best Clothing Boutique Best Gas Station (specific location) Best Sporting Goods/Tackle Store Best Place to Get Groceries Best Hardware Store Best Place for Jewelry Best Cheese Factory Best Place to Buy Meat Best Shop for Gifts

• •

Best Attorney Best Autobody Shop/Automotive Repair Best Bank/Credit Union Best Place to Get a Haircut Best Carpentry or Remodeling Company Best Construction Company Best Dental Practice Best Electrician

• • • • • •

Services

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Best Florist Best Heating & Cooling Company Best Area Hospital or Clinic Best Plumber Best Senior Living Residence Best Tax Service Best Vet Clinic Best Real Estate Agent or Office Best Landscaping/Lawncare Best Local Insurance Agent or Office Best Nail Salon Best Wedding/Event DJ

• •

Best Area CSA Best Farm

• • •

Favorite Elected Official Most Overrated Thing in the Valley Most Underrated Thing in the Valley Thing the Valley is Best At Thing the Valley is Worst At Biggest Thing We Should Make Happen Soon

• • •

Agriculture

Extras

Page 6

Community

Thursday, April 21, 2022

COmmunitycalendar Events for April 22- May 5 Friday, April 22 ART EXHIBITION: Jennifer Angus: A is for Ant, B is for Bug, C is for Cicada 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Hwy 23 Spring Green . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org . Cost is $8 . Jennifer Angus is a professor in Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Creating some of the most provocative work in an art museum setting, Angus’ medium is insects. Her exhibition at Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center will fill our entire School with bugs! Her unique installations show insects as art, with her intricate displays showing how something as humble as an insect can be beautiful.

Saturday, April 23 Spring Garden Opening for Volunteers at Taliesin 8:00 AM -12:00 PM . 5481 County Rd C, Spring Green We are pleased to welcome volunteers to the Spring Garden Opening weather permitting, of course. Our garden activities will include weeding, raking, and general clean-up of the garden beds. When you arrive, please park in the Orchard parking lot. We suggest that you bring the following with you: – Gloves and hand tools – Kneeling pad – Water/water bottle. We will take a break mid-morning for light refreshments. Please RSVP to Barb Louis blous@taliesinpreservation.org We look forward to seeing you!

Garlic Mustard Weed Out 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM . American Players Theatre, Spring Green 5950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green, . Join us for the 2022 Garlic Mustard Weed Out, and help APT eliminate this invasive plant! Garlic mustard is a non-native species that grows early and quickly, stealing sun and nutrients from surrounding vegetation. And we want it off of our lawn. Volunteers for the Garlic Mustard Weed Out will receive an admission certificate for two free tickets to a 2022 performance in the Hill Theatre (not redeemable for Saturday performances; subject to availability). This year's Weed Out dates are Saturday, April 23, Saturday April 30 & Saturday, May 7 Sign up to volunteer.

ART EXHIBITION: Jennifer Angus: A is for Ant, B is for Bug, C is for Cicada 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Hwy 23 Spring Green . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org . Cost is $8 Pop-Up Spring Green Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM . S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . The Spring Green Farmers Market is outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning. Pre-orders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact information.

Bee Pickup & Education Day 12:00 PM . Kruse Farms, S7175 Sandusky Rd, Hillpoint . facebook.com/KruseBacon/ . If you are looking to start beekeeping or expand your knowledge, this is for you. I will talk you through the basics of beekeeping and coach you towards a successful year! Bring your bee suit. We will cover things hands on!

LIVE MUSIC: Violet Palms 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM . Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . slowpokelounge.com . The latest project from Marcus Truschinski and Ben Feiner includes both originals from these great songwriters, and some of their favorites from the late 90's and early 2000's. Featuring: Marcus Truschinski - vocals, Ben Feiner - guitar and vocals, Mike Mertins - drums, Tim Gittings - bass, and more. This will be the first live performance with this group, and don't want to miss it. Help support original live music with a suggested donation/cover of $5-10.

Sunday, April 24 Chicken BBQ (Drive up only) 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM . Westbrook Hills Golf Course, 1225 American Legion Dr, Plain. Westbrook Hills Golf Course, annual Chicken BBQ…. 50/50 raffle in the drive through… All proceeds go towards golf course improvements. $13.

Plays Out Loud: “The Moors” by Jen Silverman 2:00 PM . Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . springgreenlitfest.org . Join with friends and other lovers of dramatic literature in a community reading of The Moors, a play from American Players Theatre's upcoming 2022 season. Choose the part you want to read out loud or come just listen and discuss. Free scripts available at the door the afternoon of the event, or playbooks are for sale at Arcadia Books or on loan at the Spring Green Community Library with a South Central library card. The free event is sponsored by the Spring Green Literary Festival. Beverages will be for sale during the readings.

Tuesday, April 26 Spring Family Storytime 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM . Kraemer Library, 910 Main St, Plain . kraemerlibrary.org . Come join us for 45 minutes of fun-filled interactive stories, songs and rhymes! Meet new friends, sing songs, and have fun! Enjoy a story session that encourages a love of reading and fosters the development of early literacy skills. Ages 0-5. Masks encouraged.

Author Visit at the Library 6:00 PM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green, . springgreenlibrary.org . Tuesday, April 26th, beginning at 6 PM, come and meet Rand Atkinson, author of the book Revolt: Practical Ecology to Save Planet Earth for Our Children. Filled with essays written over a 40-year career, he shares his passion and concern for the land and natural resources. Rand is an ecologist, professor, fish farmer, and a passionate seeker of knowledge about the natural world. Following a short presentation, there will be time for Q & A, and ending with a book signing. This program is free and open to everyone.

Wednesday, April 27 Storytime at the Library 10:30 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green . Join Ms. Grace for storytime at the library. We'll have stories, songs, and fun! There is no sign up required for now, but attendance is limited to 19 people, so get there early to reserve your spot. With signs of spring all around, if the weather is nice we will meet outside! We do require masks for everyone age 2 and up when we meet inside. See you there!

Thursday, April 28 ART EXHIBITION: Jennifer Angus: A is for Ant, B is for Bug, C is for Cicada 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Hwy 23 Spring Green . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org . Cost is $8 Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM . Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green . springgreengeneralstore.com . The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome.

Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM . Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St. Spring Green . ninasdepartmentstore.com . Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm.

Friday, April 29 ART EXHIBITION: Jennifer Angus: A is for Ant, B is for Bug, C is for Cicada 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Hwy 23 Spring Green . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org . Cost is $8 DNR Unveils New Equestrian Campground At Governor Dodge State Park 2:00 PM . Governor Dodge State Park 4175 Hwy 23 N Dodgeville . Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Scheduled.

Saturday, April 30 ART EXHIBITION: Jennifer Angus: A is for Ant, B is for Bug, C is for Cicada 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Hwy 23 Spring Green . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org . Cost is $8 Garlic Mustard Weed Out 9:00 AM . American Players Theatre, Spring Green 5950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green, . Join us for the 2022 Garlic Mustard Weed Out, and help APT eliminate this invasive plant! This year's Weed Out dates are Saturday, April 23, Saturday April 30 & Saturday, Sign up to volunteer.

Spring Fling - Craft & Vendor Event 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Lone Rock Community Building, 214 Broadway St., Lone Rock . Join us for a fun new event. Celebrating local small businesses! We will have many vendors and crafters to shop. Grab your friends and family and come shop this Spring Fling event.

Pop-Up Spring Green Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM . S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . The Spring Green Farmers Market is outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning. Pre-orders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact information.

Fundraiser Euchre Tournament 1:00 PM . Brisbane Hall (Grandma Mary's Cafe) 175 US-14, Arena . Euchre tournament fundraiser for Dreydon who is 10 years old and has a rare medical condition. $20.00 buy in with a 50% pay out.

LIVE MUSIC: Sugar Mama and The Rent Check 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM . Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . slowpokelounge.com . Join us for another wild night with Sugar Mama and the Rent Check. Playing a mix of funk, soul and rock 'n roll, Sugar Mama and the Rent Check are a Spring Green-based band featuring Laura Burbaugh on vocals, Ellie Barta-Moran on vocals, killer tambourine and guitar, Todd Miller on lead guitar, John Christensen on vocals and keyboard, Tim Gittings on bass and harmonica, and Rob Steffen on drums $5 in advance, $10 at the door.

Sunday, May 1 Plays Out Loud: “Stones in His Pockets” by Marie Jones 2:00 PM . Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . springgreenlitfest.org . Join with friends and other lovers of dramatic literature in a community reading of Stones in His Pockets, a play from American Players Theatre's upcoming 2022 season.

Choose the part you want to read out loud or come just listen and discuss. Free scripts available at the door the afternoon of the event, or playbooks are for sale at Arcadia Books or on loan at the Spring Green Community Library with a South Central library card. The free event is sponsored by the Spring Green Literary Festival. Beverages will be for sale during the readings.

Monday,May 2 Trivia Night 6:30 PM . Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . slowpokelounge.com . Join us for a night of Trivia! Kyle Adams will host as we put teams together for a contest of trivia. Come for the prizes, stay for the fun!

First Question at 7:00 - and it should last about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Wednesday,May 4 LIVE MUSIC: Logan Ledger and Sway Wild - SOLD OUT 7:00 PM . Sh*tty Barn, 506 E Madison St, Spring Green . shittybarnsessions.com . Sway Wild’s infectious sound explores the corners of rock, pop, funk, prog, worldbeat, and folk, but at its nucleus it is undeniably a music full of joy. Mandy Fer also tours as the lead guitarist for Grammy nominated Allison Russell and recently performed with Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell. Advance tickets sold out. That said, tickets often come up that people can't use. Check website or socials for the latest details about ticket availability.

Storytime at the Library 10:30 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green . Join Ms. Grace for storytime at the library. We'll have stories, songs, and fun! There is no sign up required for now, but attendance is limited to 19 people, so get there early to reserve your spot. With signs of spring all around, if the weather is nice we will meet outside! We do require masks for everyone age 2 and up when we meet inside. See you there!

Thursday, May 5 ART EXHIBITION: Jennifer Angus: A is for Ant, B is for Bug, C is for Cicada 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Hwy 23 Spring Green . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org . Cost is $8

Community

Thursday, April 21, 2022 Page 7

COVID-19 Dashboard Wisconsin Summary Cases as of 4/20/2022

1,404,957 Positive Cases +9,791 from 4/6

12,868 Deaths +53 from 4/6 Updated: 4/20/2022 /2022

Vaccine Summary Statistics

covid case activity level

Updated: 4/20/2022

This graph shows information on case burden and trajectory. Burden (case rate) is the total number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Wisconsin residents in the last two weeks. Trajectory is the percent case change from the previous to the current week. These are different from Community Transmission Level, which is the total confirmed cases per 100,000 persons reported in the past 7 days.

Case activity is a combination of burden and trajectory over the prior two weeks.

5,534,402

3,560,882

345,198

Total doses administered

Pfizer doses administered

Moderna doses administered

Johnson & Johnson doses administered

1,996,824

1,149,157

822,305

25,362

Total boosters administered

Pfizer doses administered

Moderna doses administered

Johnson & Johnson doses administered

Vaccine Data These two core measures are measures of herd immunity in Richland, Sauk and Iowa County.

We do not yet know what level of vaccination leads to herd immunity for COVID-19, or how current or future variants might affect herd immunity. We know based on other diseases that herd immunity is likely at least 60%, and if more transmissible variants become more common, that threshold may become higher, so the current target range is 60-90%. -Adapted from Madison Public Health and Dane County

county level weekly statistics Richland County 3,872 Positive Cases +25 from 4/6 +1 from 4/6 48 Deaths

Richland

Iowa County 5,267 Positive Cases 28 Deaths

9,440,482

+26 from 4/6 +0 from 4/6

Sauk County

NOTE: The above graph represents the new CDC case activity level, which the Wisconsin DHS has switched over to using. We'll be updating our language next edition to reflect the change.

We are also hoping to reincorporate the negative test data that the DHS has recently moved or made unavailable.

Target Range

Sauk

Target Range

59.6%

65.3%

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

57.5%

62.3%

Percent fully vaccinated

Percent fully vaccinated Target Range

Iowa 70.2%

15,956 Positive Cases 132 Deaths

Updated: 4/20/2022

+105 from 4/6 +1 from 4/6

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

67.6% Percent fully vaccinated

Cases per zip code

Percent of Wisconsin residents ages 5-11 who have received at least one dose by county

Cases as of 4/20/2022

Updated: 4/20/2022 Lower %

Richland County

18.7%

Ages 5-11

Iowa County Ages 5-11

Higher %

Percent of Wisconsin residents who have received at least one dose

32.2%

Sauk County Ages 5-11

Ages

25.5% Dane County Ages 5-11

Graphic by Anna Stocks-Hess

57.9%

5-11 12-17 18-24 25-34 35-44

Updated: 4/20/2022 27.5% 61.5% 60.2% 64.2%

45-54

69.2% 71.7%

55-64 65+

78.1% 85.4%

Data From: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm

“The good stuff.”

Page 8

Community/ Regional

Thursday, April 21, 2022

UW-Platteville Richland extends Richland Promise scholarship to sophomore year John Christensen, UW-Platteville Richland The Richland County Campus Foundation, whose mission is to support students at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Richland, has pledged to continue funding its $1,200 first-year Richland Promise minimum scholarship guarantee for a student’s second year at UW-Platteville Richland.

The Richland Promise currently guarantees a minimum scholarship award of $1,200 to every full-time freshman student at UW-Platteville Richland, and now the program is expanding to guarantee the same minimum award for a student’s second year on the campus. Foundation

President Terry Sebranek says the commitment makes sense, as students’ need for financial aid doesn’t end after their first year.

“The Foundation has continually found ways to expand our support of Richland campus students, and we’re glad to be able to do that again, by continuing the Richland Promise into a student's second year," said Sebranek. "We are very grateful to our tremendous donors whose generosity and belief in Richland students make this possible.”

Dr. Michael Compton, assistant provost for the branch campuses, says he’s eager to see what this expanded commitment can do for student

recruitment and retention, as the campus continues to find ways to renew its mission in Richland county.

“The Richland Promise makes our campus one of the most affordable places in the whole state to earn real university credits that get students started toward an eventual bachelor’s degree, and now that students know they can count on it for two years at Richland, it makes the campus an even better option,” said Compton.

The $1,200 per year minimum for the Richland Promise is just that – a minimum. Sebranek says students who apply may be awarded other scholarships as well, depending on their academic achievements

or other factors that align with the qualifications for specific scholarships.

“Most students are eligible for even more funding when they apply, and we match students with as many scholarships as we can,” Sebranek said.

All students who are accepted to UWPlatteville Richland will be directed toward the short application that makes them eligible for Foundation scholarships, Sebranek added, and all students, even those who enroll right at a semester’s start, will be fully eligible.

More information on the Richland Promise scholarship, how to start an application, schedule a campus visit, and other information is online at uwplatt.edu/richland.

Community Gardens thank community

Waiting for Whippoorwills to return

Photo contributed by Rose Ellen Schneider Representatives from the River Valley Area Community Gardens gathered at the Gardens recently to thank the Spring Green Lions Club for sponsoring the Spaghetti Dinner at the Shed on March 1.

All proceeds from the dinner are designated to the building of an equipment shed for the Gardens.

The event netted $3546 from the dinner and additional donations brought the total to a tad over $3717. Wynn Dedrick reported that 444 meals were served. Rose Ellen Schneider reports that this event brought the Gardens half- way to their goal for building the new shed. Construction of the shed will start when all the money is raised. The RVACG appreciates all the public support from our River Valley area. The RVACG is currently a 501c4 making contributions non-tax deductible. Thank you! Stop over and visit this summer.

The gardens are located on Westmor Street in Spring Green. More info is at: www.rvacg.org

Photo contributed by Diane Schwartz On April 10, I ventured to Ferry Bluff State Natural Area to see if the whippoorwills had returned. I reached the top of the bluff at about 7:30 pm and waited until dark for the whippoorwills to start singing. They didn’t, so I assume that they must not be back yet.

That’s okay. The night was beautiful and the bottomlands had just a hint of pink. It’s always an exciting time of year just before the landscape greens. Soon the pasque flowers will bloom, the first flower of the prairie.

While I didn’t hear the whippoorwills, I did see 11 pelicans and 5 teal fly just beneath the bluffs. I’ll report my findings on eBird.

I’ll be back next week to see if the whippoorwills have returned. To attend my Whippoorwills and Words event on July 6, you can register at: voicesofthelwr.com. This is an opportunity to listen to Whippoorwills and read from the works of August Derleth. Hope to see you there!

In Other News/Briefs Slowpoke lifts vaccine requirement Citing the CDC's labeling of our area as one of low risk, Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret (137 W Jefferson St, Spring Green) recently announced they will no longer be checking vaccination status of patrons attending events at the lounge.

Slowpoke was one of the only businesses in the area that was screening customers for COVID-19 vaccination status.

In the update, Slowpoke said they continue to recommend that all our customers get vaccinated against Covid-19 and that they will continue to monitor the risks in our area, and adjust as needed.

Spring Green Musician in Residence program launches fundraiser The Spring Green Musician in Residence program, which brings artists to the area for a two week experience that includes performances and workshops, announced that they are seeking to raise $5,000.

The program has been around since 2018 and they say they're seeking to build a financial foundation for future years. The musician receives a stipend, lodging, performance bookings, and support for collaborations during their stay. In turn, they agree to create something with a local creative during their stay.

The fundraiser can be found at: gofund.me/33c57db7

Business/Professional

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SPoRtS/Schools

Thursday, April 21, 2022 Page 9

RVHS Spring Sports

Girls soccer sees mixed start, goes 3-2 in first games Todd Deibert, RVHS Girls Soccer Coach The River Valley High School girls soccer season started off with a tough road game against Aquinas in the cold and rain on April 5. They had beaten us twice last year by 10 or more goals, so we knew it would be a difficult match. We went up 1-0 early in the match with a goal off a free kick taken

by Kylie Morrey. We were tied 1-1 at halftime and ended up losing 1-6. I was really proud of how hard we played and that we held them to 6 goals. They have several very talented players that created a lot of chances in the second half. Our defense did well to hold them as long as we did.

Our game at Platteville on April 7 was canceled due to poor field conditions.

On April 9 we had our first home game against Jefferson. We won 1-0 on an early second half goal by Karina Osborn. Our defense dominated Jefferson’s attack by holding them to just two shots on goal. JV also won their game by a score of 4-1. Elizabeth Baumberger and Claire Eveland each

had two goals. Jessa Foster had an assist.

The girls soccer team started the next week off on the road at Platteville. We played well but lost 1-4. Platteville won conference last season and have another good team this year. We gave up three goals in the first half but kept battling. Leah Deibert scored near the end of the first half (Karina Osborn assist) to make it 1-3. Vivian Jensen had 16 saves. JV lost 1-4. Claire Eveland scored the lone goal for the Blackhawks.

Delanie Johnson had 23 saves.

April 12 we played at PDC and beat the Ladyhawks 8-1. Goals were scored

by Karina Osborn 3, Kylie Morrey 3, Svea Youngquist, and Leah Deibert.

Leah Deibert had 6 assists. The Blackhawk defense shut down the PDC attack allowing just two shots on goal all game. JV won 4-0. Elizabeth Baumberger and Isabelle Roske each scored a brace for the Blackhawks.

Madeline Hutnik and Isabelle Roske each had an assist.

Photo contributed by Kellie Roske On April 14, Galena came to town and RV jumped out to an early 3 goal lead behind a hat trick by Karina Osborn.

Galena answered with 2 goals of their own before halftime to make it 3-2.

The Blackhawks came out strong in the second half and put the game away with a goal by Grace Morrey and 2

goals by Kylie Morrey. Emily Noble, Svea Youngquist, Grace Morrey and Kylie Morrey each had one assist. The Blackhawks midfield play was excellent and controlled much of the game.

Defensively, Galena was held to very few scoring opportunities.

The JV team lost to Galena 0-2.

Softball goes 2-2 on the week, 2-0 the next Jane Briehl, RVHS Softball Head Coach Brodhead 2, River Valley 0 River Valley gave up 2 unearned runs in the top of the first inning in their first night out against Brodhead on April 4. That was enough for Brodhead to come away with the win. Monday was the first night the Blackhawks had been on a field in two weeks and only the second night all season. After the first inning, the team settled in and shut out the Cardinals for the remainder of the game. Offensively the team outhit Brodhead four to two, but could not string enough hits together to plate any runs. Brooke Anderson had two of the Blackhawks four hits. Katie Hahn and Aryana McElwee shared the duties on the mound for River Valley striking out a total of 13 Brodhead hitters and giving up just 2 hits and no earned runs.

Hahn took the loss for the Blackhawks.

Columbus 13, River Valley 1 Tuesday night April 5 proved to be a very difficult night for the Blackhawks as they fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 13-1 loss to Columbus.

River Valley struggled to contain the high-powered offense of Columbus.

There were eight errors committed by the Blackhawks on the night. Katie Hahn and Aryana McElwee shared the duties on the mound giving up a combined 10 hits while walking 5 batters. River Valley managed five hits on the night. Offensively for the Blackhawks, Hahn went 2 for 3 on the night at the plate. Delaney Milanowski got the lone RBI on the night with a sacrifice fly, scoring Kylie Merritt.

River Valley 9, McFarland 0 River Valley 7, McFarland 3 River Valley played McFarland in a double header on Saturday winning both games. Katie Hahn had all the right stuff on Saturday, April 9, for River Valley, allowing zero runs and besting McFarland by a score of 9-0.

The team got things moving in the first inning when Delaney Milanowski homered on an 0-1 count, scoring two runs. The Blackhawks struck again in the second inning notching three runs. The offense was led by Hahn and Milanowski who both knocked in runs in the inning. Hahn pitched the victory allowing three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking

out 15 and walking zero. River Valley racked up nine hits in the game. Brooke Anderson and Morgan Brickl each collected multiple hits for the team.

Anderson went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Blackhawks in hits. In game two an early lead helped River Valley defeat McFarland 7-3. They scored on a sacrifice fly by Delaney Milanowski in the first inning, a triple by Morgan Brickl in the first inning, and a double

by Kora Eberle in the second inning.

River Valley pulled away for good with one run in the second inning. In the second Eberle doubled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run. The Blackhawks notched three runs in the third inning.

The offensive onslaught came from a single by Brooke Anderson and a fielder's choice by Lydia Weiss. Aryana McElwee was the winning pitcher for River Valley. McElwee went four innings, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out three and walking zero. Katie Hahn threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen. Anderson went for the long ball in the fifth inning giving River Valley their final seventh run.

River Valley racked up 14 hits. Brickl, Eberle, Anderson, and Milanowski each racked up multiple hits for the Blackhawks. Brickl went 5-for-5 at the plate to lead team in hits. River Valley didn't commit a single error in the field.

Coaches Comments I believe the game Monday against Brodhead is one we let get away. I felt as though we hit the ball better than Brodhead. We not only had more hits, but we also made better contact in our at bats. Besides not being able to push any runs across the plate, the biggest difference in the game was in the errors that we committed. Though we were obviously disappointed with our play on Tuesday against Columbus, we were very pleased at how well the team bounced back. The girls improved the communication on the field defensively on Saturday against McFarland. The pitchers did a fine job of shutting down a strong McFarland team and limiting the walks they gave up. Offensively, I felt as though our approach at the plate on Saturday was much improved from the beginning of the week. We had better discipline at the plate and had much better pitch selection in both games.

Photo contributed by Janeen Anderson Morgan Brickl hitting against McFarland...she went 5 for 5 in the second game.

April 11 River Valley 16, DeForest 6 April 12 River Valley 3, PDC 2 Coaches Comments I was pleased with how the players

responded to being down most of the game in our conference opener on Tuesday night. They never gave up, they believed in themselves and in each other and together they got the job done.

Photo contributed by Janeen Anderson Aryana McElwee receiving a ball at first base during the game against Prairie du Chien.

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Page 10 Thursday, April 21, 2022

Outdoors & Recreation

DNR unveils new equestrian campground at Governor Dodge State Park Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that a new equestrian campground is set to open at Governor Dodge State Park on April 29.

Located in Wisconsin's scenic driftless area, Governor Dodge State Park is one of the state's largest parks, with over 5,000 acres of steep hills, bluffs and deep valleys, plus two lakes and a waterfall. With over 25 miles of equestrian trails, Governor Dodge also offers some of Wisconsin’s best horseback riding.

The new equestrian campground boasts 20 campsites, 18 with electric hook-ups. Each campsite includes a high-line hitching post with cable, a picnic table and fire ring.

Improvements include easier access to maneuver horse trailers and campers.

The campground and equestrian trails will be open from May 1 to Nov. 15.

"Projects like this would not be possible without the significant fundraising and efforts on behalf of our partnership groups," said Missy VanLanduyt, DNR Recreation Partnerships Section Chief. "The equestrian group at Governor Dodge has spent years fundraising, designing and constructing this incredible addition to the park."

Funding for the campground was made possible by the Friends of Governor Dodge State Park – Equestrians which donated almost $625,000 to the project through their fundraising efforts. The Friends group is also building a Friends Equestrian endowment to ensure that the campground can continue to provide an unmatched experience for future

generations.

“We are confident that campers will now find a campground matching the variety and scenic beauty of the park and will want to return often with their equine companions to seek out and experience this treasure of the driftless region,” said Jean Warrior, committee member of the Friends of Governor Dodge State Park – Equestrians.

With this new facility, Governor Dodge State Park will offer equestrian campers a great home base to find their adventure.

Reservations for the new equestrian campground are now open through the Wisconsin State Park system. In addition to outstanding horseback riding, the park also offers a variety of recreation and scenic opportunities, including family, group, backpack and accessible camping; hiking; road

biking; hunting; and more. A state trails pass is required for equestrian and bike riders aged 16 and older.

Friends Groups are volunteer organizations whose members have an interest in Wisconsin’s natural resources and recreation areas, volunteering their time and services at state parks, forests and trails. They provide direct support and financial resources to individual properties.

EVENT DETAILS WHAT: Governor Dodge State Park Equestrian Campground RibbonCutting Ceremony WHEN: 2 p.m. Friday, April 29 WHERE: Governor Dodge State Park 4175 Hwy 23 N, Dodgeville, WI 53533 Meet at Hickory Ridge area

Spring Green General Store announces BobFest, 'Jams' resuming along with new events

Photo contributed by Karin Miller This season we will celebrate the 25th annual BobFest on Sunday, May 29 from 11 am to 6 pm-Ish. This outdoor music festival is held in the backyard of the Spring Green General Store, with 14 local bands and solo performers.

Lake Louie/Wisconsin Brewing Company beers, Cider Farm cider and a special festival menu honoring Bob Dylan will add to the fun. See our website for more information and the performance schedule.

On Saturday, July 16, we’ll hold the 1st annual “A Day of Painting in Spring Green” this event was created for artists of all skill levels:from seasoned professionals, to new artists and children. Enjoy a day outside in the Village of Spring Green while you get your Plein Air on. Fun prizes, Trail Snack Bags. Kids’ workshop 12:30 - 3 pm. The fun begins at 7 am and ends with an Award Ceremony at 4 pm. Register online at our website: $25 for adults, $5 for children. If it rains we will hold it on Sunday, July 17.

On Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 we’ll introduce ChamberFest, a fun two day event including a Folk Inspired Classical Chamber Music Concert followed on Saturday at noon.Followed by an open Mic for Folk musicians.

At 12 noon and 1 pm on Sunday we’ll offer two children’s concerts featuring the Chamber Orchestra and a live storyteller. All events will be held on our back deck, and inside if it rains. The concerts are free with a suggested donation of $10 - $20. Check our website for more information.

We will present the 14th annual BeatleFest on Labor Day Monday, September 5 from 11 am to 6ish pm. Live music by regional groups and solo musicians, special festival menu, local beers by Lake Louie/Wisconsin Brewing Co., and cider from the Cider Farm. Check our website for further information.

Bluegrass Jams will be held on the second Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 pm. Acoustic Jams begin in May and will be held on the third Sunday of each month from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Jams will be on our new back deck (weather allowing). Come to play, come to listen & all are welcome.

For information on any of these events please go to SpringGreenGeneralStore.com/events.

Pictured is a jam indoors, pre-COVID.

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Interested? Send us your area(s) of interest and a resume to: editor@valleysentinelnews.com Internship will be unpaid, interns will be required to sign a FSLA-compliant internship agreement.

If credit is available from intern’s educational institution for participation in an internship, we are glad to work with you to meet any requirements for receiving credit.

CLASSIFIEDS Healthcare Employment Opportunities

*Vice President of Finance/CFO – full-time financial management position. *Health Information Management Supervisor – 1.0 FTE exempt supervisory position. *Director of Home Medical Services – full-time management position in our Platteville office. *Director of Marketing & Community Relations – full-time management position. *CRNA – full-time position with excellent compensation/benefits and incentive package! *APNP or PA Hospitalist – seeking a full to part-time APP Hospitalist. *RN Float Nurse – .6 and a .75 FTE evening/night shift position. $3,750 Employment Bonus Eligible! Additional Float RN differential! *RN OB unit - .75 FTE evening/night shift position. $3,750 Employment Bonus Eligible! *Certified Nursing Assistants – part-time positions available in our Nursing & Rehab Center on day, evening and night shifts, $3,000 Employment Bonus included along with a competitive wage and benefits package for part or full time work! *Imaging Technologist – premium pay Weekender Program with 2 -12 hour day/evening shifts! As well there is a 1.0 FTE p.m. shift position. Up to a $5,000 Employment Bonus, prorated based on FTE! *MRI Imaging - .5 to a 1.0 FTE day shift position. Up to a $5,000 Employment Bonus, prorated based on FTE! *Sleep Technologist - .9 FTE Sleep Tech night shift position. *Patient Access Specialist – .8 FTE night shift position. *Home Medical Equipment Billing Lead – full-time position in our Platteville office. *Culinary Aide - .6 FTE day shift position. *Environmental Services Supervisor – full-time exempt supervisory position. *Environmental Services Staff – full p.m. and night shift positions. $1,000 Employment Bonus Eligible! *Clinic Registration – part-time .6 FTE position. *Clinic Triage RN – Full-time position, Monday through Friday. *Clinic X-ray/Lab Technician - .5 FTE position To find out more detailed information about all open positions and to apply, go to our website at www.uplandhillshealth.org.

Upland Hills Health 800 Compassion Way Dodgeville, WI 53533

Outdoors & Recreation

Thursday, April 21, 2022 Page 11

The Sauk County Gardener

Celebrate Earth Day with these gardening tasks, plus navigating hardiness zones Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” ― Wendel Berry, novelist Here we are over halfway through April and I am way behind on prepping my perennial and vegetable beds for the upcoming growing season. The weather we had the first half of April did not help dry out my gardens, so it’s been difficult to clear out beds without worrying about compacting the soil. I did plant my onions and spinach, as my raised vegetable beds are dry enough to plant those early crops. Next up to plant is lettuce, Swiss chard, peas and radishes.

During the last half of April, plant early potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes if you didn’t plant them last fall. I always seem to miss digging all my Jerusalem artichokes in the fall, so mine come back year after year. Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) are a variety of sunflower that has a lumpy brown tuber that resembles a ginger root.

They’re 4’ - 10’ tall and have 2” - 4” yellow flowers. They can be prepared and eaten much like you would potatoes or parsnips. It’s also time to side dress your asparagus and rhubarb with a light application of compost or well-rotted manure.

You can now plant bare-root roses, but don’t purchase any that have broken dormancy. It’s tempting because you can see they are alive, but those tender leaves won’t handle the cool temps and frost we can expect to have at least until mid-May. If your soil can be worked without compacting it, start planting your gladioli corms every week through June. Planting them this way will ensure a succession of blooms to enjoy throughout the summer. If you left your leaves in your perennial beds to serve as mulch and help overwinter beneficial insects, rake them out before your spring bulbs and early emerging perennials get too tall. Also, divide fall-blooming perennials before vigorous tip growth. I’ll be paying close attention to chrysanthemums and asters when I’m cleaning my beds out to see if they need dividing.

Remove the mulch from your strawberry beds when the leaves start growing. Keep the mulch close in case you need to cover them if they are blooming, and we get a late frost.

Plant additional plants as soon as you can work the soil thoroughly. If you’re just starting a bed, pay attention to the type you are purchasing. A June berry will only bear a large crop once a season; an everbearing berry produces fruit one or more times until the first heavy frost. I like having some of both types – the first one so I have enough to make batches of strawberry jams; the everbearing type so my grandson can look for berries all summer long. To learn more about growing strawberries in Wisconsin, visit: barron.extension.wisc.edu/ files/2021/09/Growing-Strawberriesin-WI-A1597.pdf. Control weeds in your raspberry beds – straw is an excellent choice. Fertilize bush fruits and ornamental shrubs and prune your spring-blooming shrubs after they have finished flowering.

Friday, April 22 is Earth Day. Earth Day was started in 1970 to bring attention to environmental issues of the day. Today, it is one of the biggest

community events in the world and is celebrated by actions that can help protect and restore our earth.

As gardeners, we can do our part – simply think: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Examples can include implementing gardening techniques to reduce your use of water, reuse old plastic pots from year to year when starting plants or finding new uses for old items, and recycle your household and yard waste by composting. These are just a few examples of what we can do to help, I hope you can find more and incorporate them into your gardening this year. …

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.”

— Gertrude Jekyll This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit a non-local nursery and spied a beautiful chartreuse lace leaf elderberry. For many years, I have admired the Japanese maple, especially those with the lacey foliage. This shorter, slow growing tree is well-known for its beautiful color and form, but unfortunately, is typically not very hardy in our area and can be expensive. This beautiful elderberry seems to be an excellent substitute for the Zone 5 Japanese maple I’ve always wanted.

It's important to understand your growing zones as it can be very disappointing to plant something that is not hardy in our area, and it dies over the winter. I’m willing to push the zones a bit but not when the plant or tree is especially expensive.

In this case, I decided to purchase the elderberry – it was affordable, had the look I was going for, and bonus, it has a moderate growth rate so I should see the stature I’m looking for in a few years.

Knowing your plant hardiness zone will help you understand what plants will grow best in your area.

It’s amazing to me how much the zones change, even within a short distance. Hardiness zones are ten degrees different from the next one.

For example, Zone 4’s average lowest temp is 10 degrees colder than Zone 5’s average temp. To make it even precise, sometimes a zone is reduced even further into “a” and “b” zones.

The difference between them is 5 degrees. To find your hardiness zone, you can visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: planthardiness. ars.usda.gov. This site allows you to enter your actual street address to determine your hardiness zone. I entered my address and it said it was Zone 5b (-15 to -10 degrees F); when I entered my son’s address in Baraboo, it was Zone 4b (-25 to -20 degrees F). We live about only 7 miles or 15 minutes apart. However, I live in the Baraboo Bluffs and for some reason, it tends to be 3 – 4 degrees cooler at our house than in town. Because of this, I tend to play it a bit safe and select plants that are hardier in cooler temps. Factor in your last expected frost date and your planting efforts will be even more successful. Once you know your hardiness zone, look for the hardiness zone on the plant or tree tag and select zone-appropriate plants.

Do you want to push the envelope and try plants that are the fringe of your hardiness zone? If so, try to find a “microclimate” in your yard that is warmer than the rest of your yard. I have a south-facing section of my side yard that is very sheltered from the wind and tends to be warmer than the more open areas of my yard. This is where I consider putting plants, trees, and shrubs that are on the fringe of my zone. Of course, the moisture and light conditions should also match the

plant’s needs, but you get the idea. I also tend to do this with plants that are not terribly expensive.

If you like to experiment, can afford to potentially fail, and have a microclimate that meets your desired plant’s preferred growing conditions, then, by all means, push the boundaries a bit. Just don’t expect success if you go more than one full zone without considerable pampering.

If the right priced Japanese maple comes along, I might just try it myself.

Outdoors & Recreation

Page 12 Thursday, April 21, 2022

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

A Pup Named Red/A Happy Ending came to an end with the loss of Ice. I

would eventually have Fire bred with Duke who was a field trial Hello friends, champion from Waupun and the This week I have some very positive pups that they created were second news mixed in with what at times was a to none. difficult situation.

I kept Ruby, who is the toughest Please read on for details of a pretty cool female golden retriever that I have story. ever known, has fine, dark red hair Back in 1981 I purchased my first and likes to talk to people. Ruby golden retriever and the same year I likes to sleep on the ice as much as rented a farm and worked on a she does a couch, is addicted to neighboring farm. I raised hogs, steers, being in the truck, and like me, loves chickens, market rabbits and my golden the canoe. My chickens love Ruby retriever Ranger would be the start of because she is free roaming and does what has been nonstop goldens in my her best to protect them from coyote, life since day one. coon, opossum, and feral cats.

Ranger gave birth to Ben in ‘85, and in Last June, at the age of five, I had ‘89 I started writing this column. In ‘91 I Ruby bred and was super excited all hiked 1,244 miles of the Appalachian summer for a litter of pups and to Trail with Ben and he carried a 12keep a young female. Ruby went pound pack. into what was a false pregnancy and When I returned from the AT hike I she gained 14-pounds and grew purchased Star who I had intended on breasts. I was completely convinced eventually breeding with Ben. The day that she was pregnant and became after I purchased Star, the three of us concerned at day 63 when no pups left for a canoe trip of the Wisconsin were born. An x-ray showed that River. That trip was filled with there were no pups, and I was very adventure, paddling hundreds of miles bummed out and embarrassed. and doing twenty something portages This past late January, Ruby went with a 7–11-week-old pup and Ben into heat, and I had her bred with created hundreds of memories.

Tango. Ruby and Tango had a litter Star and Ben eventually gave birth to three years ago, I did not keep one. I Pearl, who would eventually create Ice, have been seeing the pups from this who died at the age of seven due to incredible pair and wanted one.

Anaplasmosis (a form of Lymes). I had Tango’s bloodline is tough dogs purchased Fire, which was a golden pup, with lots of field trial background and my plan was to get a pup from her and Tango’s owner Dave Robel loves and Ice and keep my line going. My line his buddy, Tango.

Photo by Mark Walters, Columnist Ruby loves her pups.

Photo by Mark Walters, Columnist Goldens love truck rides!

Photo by Mark Walters, Columnist There is a good chance this pup will be running and gunning with Mark Walters for many years to come!

So, naturally, Ruby is due when I am scheduled to be on a 4-day trip to Red Lake, Ontario for my buddy Pete Hagedorn’s 84th birthday. I gave my word, and I was going. I have a backup plan of Michelle Chiaro, and her daughter Kylie for the first 36-hours and my daughter Selina for the last 48.

Calamity/stress strikes when Ruby gives birth to two beautiful golden pups but not a third.

From Canada I call two vets, and I am advised to get her in for a look. This is not an easy process for Michelle and Kylie. I am given a call by the veterinarian and am advised that she needs a C section, a pup is blocking the birth canal and there are two behind it.

Ruby is in tough shape, Michelle is an ICU nurse, worked the night before and has to sleep. Selina cuts out from an important afternoon at UWSP. Mark Walters is super stressed out!

Three hours later I get the call, there are a total of four living pups, two males and two females. Ruby and her litter are on their way home, both Michelle and Selina are very worried about Ruby as she has simply lost too much blood.

Meanwhile back in Red Lake, I have several friends to visit with from my days of working in the fly in fishing business. I do my best to be Mark Walters the fun guy, I felt very guilty and slept very little.

I drove home two days after the pups were born, for the most part there were no longer any health issues for Ruby or the pups.

When I opened the door to my house Ruby was in her nest box and it was obvious that she was beat up and mad at me. By 10:00 the next morning, she would wag her tail when I came around and now, ten days later, she lays on her back and whines and moans, which is her way of talking to me.

Purchased my first golden forty-one years ago, it was the best decision that I have ever made!

P.S. My pup's name is Red! —Sunset

Want to read more?

Check out previous weeks’ columns at www.outdoorsmansjournal.com

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