Valley Sentinel - 05-02-2024

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Arena police department resigns completely, Village of Arena Board terminates fire/EMS agreement with Town of Arena

Trustee resigns amid arrest, village president seeks to fill vacancy with handpicked appointment as public safety concerns loom

At the April 20 meeting of the Village of Arena Public Safety Committee, Chief of Police Nicolas Stroik, Sergeant Wyatt Miller and Officer Stephanie Benish of the Arena Police Department submitted their letters of resignation effective May 8, 2024. K9 unit Cougar, who is 9, intends to retire as well and reside with Miller.

Later, at an April 22 special meeting, the Village of Arena Board of Trustees decided to terminate the existing Fire Protections and EMS Services Agreement with the Town of Arena effective at midnight July

31, then authorized village staff to enter negotiations with the Town of Arena to create a new agreement.

Police Resignations

Stroik said he and his colleagues resigned because the board’s future plans do not include the current officers, as shown by a community survey the board created.

The board is currently in the process of mailing the survey to Arena residents presenting three options for the future of policing in Arena: two full-time and one part-time officers, one full-time officer or getting rid of the Arena Police Department entirely and relying instead on the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department.

Stroik also said the board’s replacement of the Public Safety Committee as

motivating the officers to resign. At their April 9 meeting, the board abolished the committee—which was composed of three Arena residents and no board members—and voted to replace it with a new committee composed of two board members and one resident. Prior to an official ordinance change, this meeting consisted of the old committee.

When asked by someone in attendance if the board can choose to retain the current officers at the upcoming May 7 regular board meeting, Stroik said yes.

“If the board chooses not to accept resignations and chooses to have discussion regarding how to go forward— absolutely. That's a discussion that can be entertained,” said Stroik. “But basically, the [survey option] information that we're

seeing right now—that was provided via the internet and not by the board itself— it doesn't look as if we're included in the future plans of the Village of Arena.”

The officers decided to go from full-time to part-time in November 2023, and cited low morale and disrespect from the board as reasons for their decision. Now the officers have resigned completely, and will not work even part-time hours in Arena. They have since taken positions with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department.

The committee passed a motion to present the board a legal agreement that would retire the department’s canine unit, Cougar, and allow Miller to adopt the animal. Miller requested the adoption.

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Valley Sentinel announces the 2024 Best of the River Valley reader poll, nominations open May 16

Valley Sentinel is excited to announce our 4th 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 always, 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.

The poll results will be on stands during the Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair and when the start of the season for American Players Theatre is in full swing.

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 now more than ever — 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 the beginning of June, 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 2023 to May 2024. Nominations will generally be limited to 15 miles around the Spring Green area — Arena, Lone Rock, Plain and Spring Green — 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 continued on page 5

police department resigns

Best of the River Valley Reader Poll dates announced

Alex Prochaska, Editorial Intern

OPINION/EDITORIAL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

The Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) has been a vocal advocate for the fair treatment of rural communities since our founding in 1979, when the five rural hospital founders of RWHC and myself led the charge to defeat a federally funded plan to close or consolidate most rural hospitals in southern Wisconsin.

RWHC is now owned and operated by 44 rural hospitals around Wisconsin with its offices and training center based in Sauk City. Our fight for fair treatment continues in all areas that impact rural health, especially with insurance companies and government payers/regulators.

We want to encourage all who care for rural Wisconsin to join us in working with health insurers to negotiate fair and value oriented agreements with rural

Dear Editor,

Every Spring I look forward to the migration of Red Wing Blackbirds, Monarch Butterflies, Turkey Vultures and the Rose Breasted Grossbeaks. Throughout their migration a variety of people get to enjoy the beauty of these birds.

There was a time when Christianity was blessed by people everywhere. According to some politicians Christianity has stopped its migration and has set up housekeeping solely in the United States. We peddle the idea that God blesses only America, and we pretend that “we are one nation under God.”

I fear we no longer believe in or follow a Jesus who is meek and mild, a person of sin-

On the cover

“In Bloom” (2024) Photo, by Taylor Scott

Plants are in full bloom in the Valley this Spring. You can see beautiful apple and crap apple trees, wood violets and tulips.

You can smell the apple trees as the wind blows lightly and....ewww, what's that foul smell? It's coming from, no not the white apple tree blossoms, the other white blossoms lining Jefferson Street. Of course, it's the invasive, weak menace of ornamentals—the Bradford pear. (Sounds like an editorial for another time.)

Let's enjoy the purple and white wood violets right now instead. And what's this? This tall white flower in various backyards? Let's smell it and find out! Why does it smell like... oh gosh, it's invasive garlic mustard... Time to pull it up and make pesto.

hospitals and clinics and to ensure that access to high quality care remains local. It is a mystery to many of us why some insurers with record-breaking profits are choosing this time to come down so hard on rural healthcare. It has become common practice for some insurers to offer contracts with reimbursement terms that are less than what it costs the hospitals and clinics to provide the services, ultimately expecting the providers to lose money while they maintain double digit profits.

It is not uncommon for health insurers to use a “take it or leave it” approach in contract negotiations with rural providers and treat them differently by not considering, let alone making changes found in contracts for large, urban providers. In any event, RWHC has called out a set

cerity, one who is inclusive, feeds the hungry, honors the weak, houses the homeless and welcomes the stranger.

Trump and many other conservative Christians are peddling a diluted Jesus who builds walls, creates his own God Bless the U.S.A. Bible costing $59.99 to pad his own savings, uses a Bible as a stage prop in front of a church, who refers to those crossing the border as less than people, tries to take over the country and lies about visiting a family who lately lost a child. They wrap themselves with gold necklaces and a large cross dangling around their necks.

It is time for us to see through Trump’s self-interests, selling the Bible as a com-

of health insurer behaviors which we believe rural communities need to see more widespread. When a business or individual chooses a health insurer, we are asking that it becomes a priority to learn how the insurer will help or hurt their ability to get quality care locally and to keep their community strong and attractive. For the first time in many years, we have seen hospital closures in Wisconsin. We need to work hard to make sure we do not see more of them.

In addition to the premium, some important questions to ask a health insurer before being locked into a contract: Do they…

• Include local providers in their network?

• Engage in good faith contracting

modity, wrapping himself in scripture, the way he bullies those who go against him, and completely ignoring all the present charges against him as false news. Not all his accusers can be that wrong.

Then we have President Putin wearing his “miracle” cross and making the sign of the cross during his private time in church on Easter and at the same time invading Ukraine. Putin has weaponized religion to advance his own personal ambition.

May we all get away from peddling and diluting the good news of God and become people of sincerity, generosity, and uncompromising, sticking to our principles.

The good news of God’s love is for every-

with local providers?

• Recognize the actual cost of efficient and quality rural health care?

• Reveal “prior approval” delays for care; how many requests are denied and then overturned?

• Show how their profit margins compare with that of a local non-profit hospital?

• Support local providers in improving health of the community?

• Acknowledge the critical economic impact of local care? We encourage businesses and individuals to reach out to their local health care team before choosing a health insurance company.

Tim Size, RWHC Executive Director Sauk City, Wisconsin

one. Peddlers and hucksters trying to sell the good news for their own profits is not what we need to lead our country. Our real Bible gives us a mandate to love God, neighbor, honor the weak, feed the hungry, challenges us how we think, see, speak, and live. We are challenged to an alternate narrative where racism, consumerism, nationalism, militarism, and materialism are replaced with genuine love.

The greed of economics, controlling others, dominating the disenfranchised needs to be replaced by steadfast love and hospitality.

Dennis Siebert Sylvan Township, Wisconsin

UW-Platteville vacating Richland campus, Senate Democrats blame Republicans

The University of Wisconsin system announced this week that UW-Platteville will vacate its Richland campus by July — a decision that local officials said will cause adverse effects for the local economy and that Senate Democrats blame on ongoing underfunding of the state’s public universities by Republican lawmakers.

UW-Platteville eliminated in-person classes at its two-year Richland campus about a year ago due to low enrollment, which fell to a low of about 60 students, and financial pressures. Since the initial announcement, community members and local leaders worked for months on trying to save the campus.

Universities of Wisconsin Vice President for University Relations

Spears, Wisconsin Examiner continued on page 4

Jeff Buhrandt wrote in a letter to the Richland County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that despite “tremendous efforts,” UW-Platteville will completely vacate the Richland County campus by July 1, 2024.

“While we are disappointed that we were unable to find a path forward, we also know this change can provide significant new opportunities in Richland County,” Buhrandt wrote.

Buhrandt said Richland County would be eligible for $2 million in funding under a law recently passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Tony Evers.

“This potential investment by the State of Wisconsin represents the full consideration of the costs expressed by Richland County,” Buhrandt wrote. Once UW-Platteville vacates, the land and associated improvements including utilities, water will become the responsibility of the county.

County Administrator Candace Pesch said in a statement that the UW system was “shirking their responsibilities” by vacating the campus.

“At no time, under any circumstance, did the Legislature indicate that receipt of the $2 million grant would absolve the UW Universities System of their

Baylor

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Project 2025: The Conservative Promise — Part 2: In for a Penny…

Beverly Pestel, Columnist

I hate to leave the Public Education series and may come back to it but addressing "Project 2025" is something I both dread and feel compelled to do. I’m certainly not the first to attempt it but many who have tried have given up and that may be dangerous. I may need to watch a lot of cute kitten videos to get through this series, but here we go…

I’ve managed to wade into the Forward of Project 2025

The Forward is more partisan rhetoric and attacks than anything else. Certain words are used over and over again: globalist elites, cultural elites, party elites, ruling elites, progressive elites, political elites, pro-open borders elites, America's elites, Marxist elites. Over twenty of them. Next, I did a search of the word “woke”, thirty-five of those: The Great Awokening, woke progressivism, woke extremism, woke cultural warriors, woke propaganda, woke agenda, woke Left, wokeism, woke-dominated

system of public schools, woke public diplomacy, woke nonprofits with leftist policy agendas, woke gender ideology, the Left’s wokeness and weaponization, woke transgenderism, woke ‘diversicrats’, and radicalism, climate extremism, and other woke ideas. It will wear you out and wear you down. The origin of “woke” goes back at least to the 1920s as a concept of black polit-

ical consciousness. The phrase became dominant in the political arena following the shooting of Michael Brown in 2014 and was used primarily by activists of the Black Lives Matter movement. Diversity for Social Impact says that the term has “evolved to describe a broader social and political movement advocating for social justice, equality, and the dismantling of systemic discrimination.” This appears to be consistent with how the term is used by those who lean to the Left.

According to Wikipedia, “By 2019 opponents of progressive social movements…use[d] the term mockingly…implying that ‘wokeness’ was an insincere form of performative activism…and the term is used to mock ‘overrighteous liberalism’.” This is certainly how the term is used in this document.

I probably don’t have to tell you what else is in there – you get the picture, but this quote is necessary:

“The next conservative President must make the institutions of American civil society

Editors’ Note on our Village of Arena/Government Coverage

Contact us PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694

editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone

Managing Editor

Taylor Scott

Legal Editor Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

Editorial Policy

Graphic Design Julianna Williams

Democracy, Society & Edu. Columnist Beverly Pestel

Literary Contributor Mary Lanita Schulz

We certainly haven’t gotten any complaints about our coverage of the Village of Arena, its Board of Trustees and its ongoing public safety and other concerns. To the contrary, we’ve gotten many notes of thanks. However, as we’ve made civics and governance a focus area we want to grow in, we want to acknowledge and address our coverage of Arena—when many other municipalities aren’t seeing consistent news stories from us.

To respectfully borrow from the analogy that cropped up near the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement and was popularized on social media nearly a half decade ago:

If one house is on fire in a neighborhood and a firefighter comes and sprays water on that house, it would be ridiculous for a neighbor to say, “Well what about my house?!” It doesn’t mean that the other houses don’t matter; it just means that one specific house is in danger and needs attention.

There are important things happening in every one of our municipalities and governing bodies in our coverage area, and we are keeping abreast of them (an example: we were the news organization that first raised alarm about a Richland County board meeting last week where it was revealed the UW System would vacate the UW Richland campus). However, to borrow from the analogy, Arena is in danger and needs attention. The village board is conducting itself and

Literary Contributor Amanda Thomas

Editorial & Lit. Intern Alex Prochaska

hard targets for woke culture warriors. This starts with deleting the terms sexual orientation and gender identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender, gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender-sensitive, abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights, and any other term used to deprive Americans of their First Amendment rights out of every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists.” (pg.4-5)

The brazenness of associating “wokeness” with elitism while this document promises to delete the individual rights of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and anyone who falls into the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) categories makes my head hurt. The definition of elitism is the advocacy or existence of an elite as a dominating element in a

continued on page 4

its actions recklessly and without regard for public health and safety, as our editorial board opined in a November editorial. So Arena has our attention right now and, with the meager fire department (read: journalists and limited resources) we have, we are focusing our water (read: covering their board and ensuring the public has a baseline of information to be informed on their government) on the (dumpster) fire that is the Village of Arena.

(Let’s just hope the fire hydrant doesn’t run dry when the village board kicks water tower maintenance down the road or the tower pump fails—again.)

We always seek to cover meetings topically and indepth, we are a bi-weekly after all. Important actions big and small are taken at each meeting, even if they don’t make our coverage. If you want to read meeting minutes, read them online or at the village hall, we’re happy to help point you in the right direction.

We’re always looking for reporters, recorders, donations and support in making our all-volunteer reporting happen. Want to help us put out fires as well as water the positive human interest stories that lift up our communities? Ask yourself how you can support local independent journalism and reach out, because we can’t do this alone.

Deadlines: The display and classified advertising deadline is Monday at noon for that week. If you would like our design team to design the ad then please allow extra time for the creative process and proofing.

On certain topics in areas of great community interest, the editors of the Valley Sentinel may take positions they believe best repre- sent 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 ap- pears in the rest of the publication and does not affect the integri- ty and impartiality of our reporting.

Letter to the Editor Policy

Letters submitted for consideration are subject to fact-checking and editing for space and clarity. Submissions must have a compelling local community interest. Letters to the editor must fit within a 500-word limit, and include name, city and phone number. Phone numbers are for office use only and will not be published. Letters of a political nature, without chance of rebuttal, will not be published the week before an election.

Column Policy

Editors may feature opinion columns written by public figures, members of the public or other publication staff. Columns reflect the opinions of the individual contributors and do not represent positions of the publication. Guest columns of an anticipated length more than 500 words should seek prior editor authorization.

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Community Discussion Policy

From time to time the editorial board may select letters to the editor of a particular compelling community interest where a public figure or accountable public action is the recipient of crit- icism and allow, in the same issue, the subject of the criticism chance for rebuttal, with expounded independent input. The format shall be point, counterpoint and expert analysis. This community discussion shall serve as a moderated dialogue that presents multiple views of important community topics.

Beverly Pestel

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Project 2025: The Conservative Promise — Part 2: In for a Penny…

continued from page 3

system of society. When this document labels as elites those who support including all in the “dominant element” as opposed to those who want to delete the rights of so many, the irony threatens to make my head explode.

In the midst of this litany of deletions from our political language, the document outlines the recommendations of the Heritage Foundation that they maintain “will decide America's future.” (pg.3)

1. Restore the family as the centerpiece of American life and protect our children.

2. Dismantle the administrative state and return self-government to the American people.

3. Defend our nation’s sovereignty, borders, and bounty against global threats.

4. Secure our God-given individual rights to live freely – what our Constitution calls ”the Blessing of Liberty.”

The irony and hypocrisy in this document is mind-boggling. Whose children are they committed to protect? Certainly not the LGBTQ+. Which portion of the American people will gain self-government? Evidently not women over their own bodies. What bounty is the target of global threats? I’m going to have to read further to figure that out. And who gets to assert their individual rights to live freely and at the expense of which others? It sounds like white, straight guys will get the best of this –but almost certainly only the rich ones. Or, since history tends to repeat itself, a significant number of them may be pre-

tend straight guys full of self-loathing. I can’t finish commenting on the Forward without pointing out some glaring inconsistencies with “return self-government to the American people.” This is what that sounds like.

“…parents’ rights as their children’s primary educators should be non-negotiable in American schools. States, cities and counties, school boards, union bosses, principals, and teachers who disagree should be immediately cut off from federal funds.” (pg.5)

States, cities and counties, school boards, union bosses, principals, and teachers – that sounds a lot like self-government by the American people to me – but not to those who wrote this document.

Now we get to the imagined classism promoted to encourage rural rage. It is the mantra the authors and progenitors of this document have been whispering in ears for decades, that the more educated look down on the less educated country folk. They promote the perception that it is the educated ‘elites’ who are holding them back and holding them in contempt. It’s no longer a whisper, however, they put it right out there now…

“Many elites’ entire identity, it seems, is wrapped up in their sense of superiority over those people. But under our Constitution, they are the mere equals of the workers who shower after work instead of before...

Intellectual sophistication, advanced degrees, financial success, and all other markers of elite status have no bearing on

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Since November 2022, when the dictate came from UW System President to stop in person classes at Richland, I have been pleased to be a Richland County resident and at that time be on the county board. This is because it was heartwarming to have the community, no matter political persuasion, profession, or years of living here come together and support saving the Richland Campus. The community understands the value of an education.

In 2014-15 the Richland campus had a head count of 571 students and was a lively thriving educational and cultural center. We were the least expensive for the UW System to educate a student and were affordable and obviously accessible for rural southwest Wisconsin students. In addition, studies showed that our students transferring to four-year campuses had better final grade point averages than students who had started at a four-year. What happened?

To tell the whole saga would take a very long article. I wish to share some thoughts and try to correct some misconceptions:

The reason given for closing the campus was declining enrollment. This

was an intentional planned declined. In a decade Richland’s enrollment went down 84%. This is not understandable since there has not been anywhere near an 84 % decline in student population in southwest Wisconsin. That decrease was on purpose in a larger milieu of national and statewide decisions that for some unknown reasons are made to undermine higher education. This was done with budget cuts that reduced vital services, no recruiter, no advisor, no direct registration process, cuts to youth pipeline programming, elimination of international students, cuts that make college life more fun such as athletics, music, and theatre. All stated to save $$$ and increase efficiency.

As part of that milieu, the main reason was cutting of funding. The Legislature has consistently, especially since 2011, cut the UW System budget and is still cutting. Wisconsin is now 43rd in the nation of supporting public higher education.

When finances are cut, inter-political fighting occurs. I feel the four-year campuses pushed to have the 2-year campuses dismantled. The final straw was that Richland was put under the auspices of UW Platteville, a campus facing financial difficulties who took all

a person’s knowledge of the one thing most necessary for governance: what it means to live well. That knowledge is available to each of us, no matter how humble our backgrounds or how unpretentious our attainments.” (pg. 10)

I don’t know where you go with that. Maybe the folks who wrote this drivel should have read what the Founding Fathers had to say about education. Then again, they probably know that the Founders considered education the safeguard of democracy and that is why they denigrate it.

I feel safe in saying that the people who wrote this mess don’t “shower after work instead of before” like they are trying to pretend they do. I suspect the majority have advanced university degrees. So, who are the real elites here? We’ve heard this “no, you’re the puppet” stuff before.

So, now I need to reference the 1956 and 1980 Republican Platforms. Here are some quotes: 1956: Our Government was created by the people for all the people, and it must serve no less a purpose…Our great President Dwight D. Eisenhower has counseled us further: "In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human”... We shall ever build anew, that our children and their children, without distinction because of race, creed or color, may know the blessings of our free land… America does not prosper unless all Americans prosper…

the Richland financial reserves and then slowly dismantled staff and offerings of the Richland campus. Almost all 2-year campuses were placed with 4 -year campuses under financial duress.

Cutting funding to higher education causes tuition increases and has potential students worrying about debt when they are finished. Therefore, it is an underhanded way by legislators to only have education be for the rich.

It has been mentioned, especially by legislators, your degree should only prepare you for a certain job. We live in an age when job roles are constantly changing. What we need is a population educated in Math, English, Humanities, History, Economics, Sciences and languages to be able to maneuver through a world workforce for jobs that may not currently exist. UW Richland offered those options.

Covid and online classes had an impact. But those factors have passed. It is now recommended to have in-person classes for structure and engagement with a mix of online courses.

Rural areas do not have political clout. We live in area that has great potential, especially with broadband grants coming. We can attract and retain those who have a college degree and wish to live in

UW-Platteville vacating Richland campus, Senate Democrats blame Republicans

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obligations to affected counties,” Pesch said. “Richland County, which had previously relied on the contractual relationship between the parties, is now facing a potential economic crisis due to the Universities’ decision.”

Lawmakers passed the law that will allow $2 million grants, which can be used for economic development, housing

and other redevelopment opportunities, to be distributed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation as several UW campuses have made tough decisions to close their two-year branch campuses.

The end of in-person classes at UWMilwaukee’s Washington County and UW-Oshkosh’s Fond du Lac campuses were announced last fall. In January,

Government must have a heart as well as a head.

1980: We affirm our deep commitment to the fulfillment of the hopes and aspirations of all Americans…Republicans also treasure the ethnic, cultural, and regional diversity of our people. This diversity fosters a dynamism in American society that is the envy of the world… The truths we hold and the values we share affirm that no individual should be victimized by unfair discrimination because of race, sex…Next to religious training and the home, education is the most important means by which families hand down to each new generation their ideals and beliefs. It is a pillar of a free society.

Rather a stark difference, isn’t it? I see nothing so far in Project 2025 that has any relationship whatsoever to Eisenhower or Reagan Republicanism. And that is not a good thing for the future of our democracy. And now I need a kitten video.

If you want to fact check me as I go through this, here is a link so you can read it for yourself: tinyurl.com/ReadProject2025

Beverly is a retired professor. She lives in a remodeled farmhouse and tends 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. Beverly may be contacted at bpestel@msn.com.

these beautiful hills, work for a major company and have clients around the world. We are no longer isolated; our rural students need access to an education to prepare them and to allow them to remain in this community.

The campus closing is an economic loss to the area and a great detriment for recruitment for professionals in the medical, legal, accounting, etc. fields.

Our local legislators do not see the broad picture. I feel they have been brainwashed into a national anti-education phenomenon.

What do we do?

Our county negotiators are still working to have a better outcome from UW System. Probably a legal suit would have been best but it takes lots of money and time. We need to shout out what devastation has happened to this area as a result of actions by our legislators and UW System President, Jay Rothman. When it is time to vote, ask the candidates what they would do to reinvigorate funding for Wisconsin higher education and how they envision the future for their rural constituencies. Vote to save southwest Wisconsin.

Linda

Gentes Richland Center, Wisconsin

UW-Milwaukee announced that its Waukesha County campus will also close after the spring of 2025.

The grants are targeted at helping a county where a UW branch campus has been closed transition and redevelop underutilized campus buildings.

Senate Democrats chastised Republican lawmakers for inadequately funding the UW during a Thursday press conference

held outside the state Capitol. “It will hurt our students and their education and the University system as a whole and the Richland County local economy, where local officials have already warned of the pending economic crisis when this happens,” Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein continued on page 5

UW-Platteville vacating Richland campus, Senate Democrats blame Republicans

continued from page 4

(D-Middleton) said.

Hesselbein added that there is a “direct line” between the fate of the Richland campus and a lack of state funding. The state of Wisconsin’s contributions to UW campuses have been in steady decline for years due in part to Republican lawmakers’ state budget decisions.

“[Republicans] have cut the University system significantly in 2011 and in 2013 and by $250 million in 2015, and we’re still seeing the effects of those

devastating cuts,” Hesselbein said.

The lawmakers, who specifically pointed to Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) who is running for reelection in the new 14th Senate district that includes Richland Center, were seeking to call attention to the issue as a part of their goal of flipping the 14th district. Sens. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and Sarah Keyeski, the Democratic candidate who is challenging Ballweg in the 14th district, also spoke at the press conference.

Keyeski also said the Richland closure is the result of Republican decisions to cut funding and hold up essential funds over “petty, political squabbles.”

“We need legislators who will stick up for our rural students and keep these essential educational institutions afloat,” she said.

Ballweg said in a statement that the Legislature took notice when it was announced classes would end, and that she “greatly” sympathizes with the county. She said the concerns about the

campus closure were why the Legislature passed SB-518, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 250, allocating the redevelopment money this year.

“I’m in conversation with members of the Richland County Board to be a resource and advocate for their community,” Ballweg said. “Despite these unfortunate circumstances, I was happy to support the branch campus redevelopment grant legislation and will continue to do everything I can to fight for rural Wisconsin.”

Valley Sentinel announces the 2024 Best of the River Valley reader poll, nominations open now

continued from page 1

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.

We're looking for cover art for the section as well as a theme — what has this last year meant to you? Has there been a word or phrase that stuck with you that you believe represents the area the past year? Let us know.

This year we will showcase our "threepeat" and "four-peat" winners who have won three and four years of the poll. If there are categories and questions you believe we should add, let us know and we will consider them for next year.

The Best of the River Valley is an extension of our passion to build community and, in its third 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

May 16 - May 27: 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.

June 1 - June 15: 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 27: Winners announced! On or around this date winners will be announced in Valley Sentinel, followed shortly by an online announcement. For this year again we'll probably still limit awards and such to some fancy certificates for public posting, but in future years perhaps a recognition banquet or mixer can be in the works?

Soon: 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/best-of/ and submit your nominations online. Website will be updated soon. Businesses! Don’t be afraid to nominate yourselves, and please reach out if you’re interested in ways to get involved or for ads.

If you are looking for previous years' winning certificates please let us know! 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 Noms & Nightlife

• Best Food Event

• Best Appetizer (location and item)

• Best Bakery

CATEGORIES & QUESTIONS

• 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 Oot & Aboot

• Best Day Trip

• Best Hotel

• Best Public Park

WE'RE LOOKING FOR INTERNS AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS

Want to help build community? Know a college student that’s looking for a summer or fall internship for academic credit or to gain experience? Already attending village board or school board meetings and want to record or report on them? Want to engage with arts & culture, ag, businesses and other topics important to our community? We have so many ideas to grow and do more for our community, but we need help, we CAN’T do it alone. If you want to be a part of something bigger please email us and let us know what your interests are: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Areas in most need:

• Graphic design (publication layout, visual story design, infographics)

• Municipal meeting recorders/reporters

• School board reporters

• Social media posting/creation

• E-newsletter • Website posting

• Agriculture reporter/columnist (current events)

• Calendar/events coordinator/editor

• Music contributor/editor

• Theater contributor/editor AND MORE

• 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 Services

• 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

• Best Florist

Presented by the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center Timed to be on newsstands during Memorial Day for tourists/visitors. Just ahead of June, the most popular wedding month, and perfectly timed with the average wedding taking just under a year to plan.

The Spring Green area has so many wonderful sights, venues and food options that it is truly becoming a wedding destination.

• Best Heating & Cooling Company

• Best Area Hospital

• Best Area 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 Agriculture

• Best Area CSA

• Best Farm Extras

• Favorite Elected Official

UPCOMING SPECIAL SECTIONS/EDITORIAL

May 16: Local Guide to Getting Hitched: Spring Green area wedding special section

Events for May 2 - May 16

Thursday, May 2

COmmunitycalendar

COmmunitycalendar

The Community Calendar is curated and designed by Julianna Williams. Events are subject to change, always check ahead for up-to-date information on any events you are interested in.

Monday, May 6

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Storytime 10:30 AM . Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com Join us every Thursday for storytime!

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.

Tech Drop-In 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Whether you're grappling with setting up email accounts, navigating social media platforms, or troubleshooting software issues, knowledgeable volunteers or library staff will be on hand to lend a helping hand.

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.

Evenings Afield: Frogs & Toads - A Chorus of Peepers 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM . Cates Family Farm, 5992 County Hwy T, Spring Green driftlessconservancy.org Frogs and toads play key roles in the ecology of aquatic areas, and fluctuations in their populations tell us a lot about what is going on in the environment. Learn about these fascinating amphibians, ID their calls, and hear how you can conduct an annual frog and toad phenology survey at a wetland near you.

Friday, May 3

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session 305: Marty O'Reilly // Dean Johnson 7:00 PM . 506 E Madison St, Spring Green shittybarnsessions.com Doors open at 6 Advance tickets sold out. That sald, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers Explaining Marty O’Reilly’s music is like describing a dream. It feels familiar, but at the same time unchartered. His songs sound bluesy but not blues, folk but not folk, soulful but not soul. The phrase “hidden gem” would seem appropriate, but it’s a misnomer when talking about Dean Johnson. He shines bright, in plain sight.

LIVE MUSIC: Red Rose 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door Red Rose is a 4 piece live looping Space-Funk/House/Trip-Hop band from Madison, joined on stage with special guest Raquel Aleman. Each show is different and you are guaranteed to never hear a song played the same twice.

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

RV Nature Journaling 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM River Valley Area Community Gardens, Spring Green rvacg.org Participants will observe various aspects of nature and record what they see in a journalling method of their choice. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on, as well as paper, pencil, and a hard surface to write/draw on. All ages welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult.

River Valley FFA Plant Sale 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM River Valley Greenhouse, Varsity Blvd, Spring Green Email lucy.spahn@rvschools.org or sgraffunder@rvschools.org with questions Purchase a variety of plants: Annuals, Bedding plants, Suculents, Vegetables. All proceeds go to RVFFA.

Spring Green Winter Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green Spring Green Farmers Market Is a year-round outdoor market offering seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods and many other wonderful items. Held outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning.

Mindfulness: Discussion and Practice 10:00 AM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Our meetings will include discussions and short mindfulness exercises/practices. This meeting will be held outside at the Library. Bring a chair or comfortable seat for the session.

LIVE MUSIC: Concert in the Cafe with the Acoustic Collective Band 1:00 PM4:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green 608-5880-707 This five person ensemble recreates vocal harmonies of groups like CSN, Simon & Garfunkel, America, The Youngbloods, The Eagles etc.

Sunday, May 5

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Retreats Yoga, S7163 County Rd G, Hill Point ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Gardeners Pre-Season Meeting 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Corner of Westmor Street and Locust Drive, Spring Green rvacg.org New and returning gardeners will gather to review Gardener Guidelines and preview the season. Anyone who would like to garden but hasn't registered is invited to attend. New gardeners will get a tour of the Gardens, have time to ask questions and find their plots. Returning gardeners may work in their plots after the meeting or there may even be some general garden work to do.

River Valley FFA Plant Sale 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM . River Valley Greenhouse, Varsity Blvd, Spring Green Email lucy.spahn@rvschools.org or sgraffunder@rvschools.org with questions Purchase a variety of plants: Annuals, Bedding plants, Suculents, Vegetables. All proceeds go to RVFFA.

Lego Builders 4:00 PM- 5:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain kraemerlibrary.org Join us for Lego Builders Club each month for a fun challenge or to free build your own masterpiece! Open to all ages. Children under 6 must have adult at program. We will be meeting in the library's community room.

River Valley Film Club Presents... 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Join us once a month on Sundays (and occasional Mondays) as we screen a movie selected by the River Valley Film Club. Movie titles remain under wraps until showtime, so follow RVFC on Facebook for details.

Tuesday, May 7

Spring Afternoon Storytime 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain kraemerlibrary.org Story time includes stories and songs followed by a fun themed craft and activity.

Yarn Rocks! 5:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Come to the Library on the first and third Tuesday of the month to meet fellow knitters in the community; come for help (beginner to mid-level knitting help available); come to learn new skills or brush up on current skills; come to get out of the house for a few hours; come for the health benefits (recent research out of Denmark demonstrated the overall health benefits of craft work, including knitting and crocheting).

Yoga with Rural Remedy 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Wednesday, May 8

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Throughout the month of May we'll be sharing books, songs and activities about GROWTH: Growing plants, blooming flowers, growing children! All ages welcome. Is your child active, noisy or "fidgety"? No worries! It's okay if your kiddo needs to wiggle and giggle to enjoy their time at the library!

Magical Lantern Making 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Angel Dreams Studios, E2516 Brace Road, Lone Rock Call, text or message with questions or to sign up 608.350.9989

Saturday, May 4 Friday, May 10

Spring Green Literary Festival — Plays Out Loud: Constellations 2:00 PM . Spring Green Community Center, 117 S. Washington Street, Spring Green For more info look up Spring Green Literary Festival on Facebook Join us for the fifth, and final, of five community readings of plays from American Players Theatre's 2024 Season! Constellations, by Nick Payne, tells the story of Roland, a beekeeper, and Marianne, a physicist, who fall in love. The play, which premiered in London in 2012, explores love, science and the infinite possibilities for heartbreak and hope.

Cost : $45 As summer approaches, it's the perfect time to add a touch of magic to your outdoor space. Join Angel Dreams Studios for an enchanting evening where you'll unleash your creativity and craft unique lanterns using up-cycled materials. Whether you're looking to illuminate your garden, patio, or any outdoor area, this class offers a fun and eco-conscious way to enhance your surroundings. At the end of the class, you'll depart with a beautiful garden lantern that you've crafted yourself. Reserve your spot today and embark on a magical journey of lantern making! All materials are included. Everyone is welcome to bring snack and drinks!

Thursday, May 9

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com Join us every Thursday for storytime!

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.

Tech Help 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com rvbroadband.org/techhelp Come on in with any devices or technology you need help with! No appoiontment necessary.

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.

Lexington & Jefferson Literary Journal Workgroup 6:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green Questions? Contact: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Join us for a Lexington & Jefferson Literary Journal Workgroup meeting as we endeavor to launch an annual literary journal for the Spring Green area. This gathering marks the start of our collaborative effort to launch the journal. Share your ideas and help shape our collective vision. We'll discuss contributions, objectives, and more.

Regular bi-weekly meetings thru spring.

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session Session 306: Haley Heynderickx 7:00 PM 506 E Madison St, Spring Green shittybarnsessions.com Doors open at 6 Advance tickets sold out. That sald, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers Heynderickx’s music immediately recalls folk music of the ‘60s and ‘70s mixed with a love of jazz radio. But Heynderickx’s singing—her vocals that range from tender to operatic—belie a tenacity in her soul.

Plain Village Wide Garage Sales Various Times and Locations thorughout Plain villageofplain.com . Whether you’re hosting or hunting for unique finds, explore what the people of Plain have to offer!

River Valley FFA Plant Sale 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM River Valley Greenhouse, Varsity Blvd, Spring Green Email lucy.spahn@rvschools.org or sgraffunder@rvschools.org with questions Purchase a variety of plants: Annuals, Bedding plants, Suculents, Vegetables. All proceeds go to RVFFA.

Events for May 2 - May 16

Saturday, May 11

Plain Village Wide Garage Sales Various Times and Locations thorughout Plain villageofplain.com Whether you’re hosting or hunting for unique finds, explore what the people of Plain have to offer!

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

River Valley FFA Plant Sale 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM . River Valley Greenhouse, Varsity Blvd, Spring Green Email lucy.spahn@rvschools.org or sgraffunder@rvschools.org with questions Purchase a variety of plants: Annuals, Bedding plants, Suculents, Vegetables. All proceeds go to RVFFA.

Spring 2024 Ring Game! 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM . Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville For more infrmation about this event, look up Jack Barker on Facebook If you are unfamiliar with Ring Game, learn more at ringgame.net.

Gardening Basics Workshop 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Corner of Westmor Street and Locust Drive, Spring Green rvacg.org Join Doug and other gardeners as we demonstrate and share tips on starting a garden, preparing the soil, tilling, planting seeds, tending the garden through the season, weed control. Techniques for raised beds, elevataed beds, in-ground planting, square foot gardening, no-till or raised row gardens will be shared. Great opportunity to pick up some new techniques or tips and ask questions or to ask questions about starting your garden at home. Public is welcome. Please bring a lawn chair.

Learn EFT Tapping 9:30 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Free one-hour workshop to Learn EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), otherwise known as Tapping, to reduce stress and anxiety with Unfolding Wisdom, LLC practitioner Leah Griffith Boyce, CAM. For nearly 25 years, Boyce has used EFT to transform life’s challenges for her, her family, friends, clients, and even an occasional stranger in distress! It is a well-studied and scientifically verified self-help modality that is a powerful, easy, and drug-free way to heal the mind and body. It reduces stress by lowering blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels by tapping specific acupressure points along the body. Learn it for free, so you can use it in your everyday life!

Spring Green Winter Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green Spring Green Farmers Market Is a year-round outdoor market offering seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods and many other wonderful items. Held outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning.

LIVE MUSIC: Ellie Martin Jazz Quartet 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door Recognized in the vocal jazz performance and scholarship worlds, Ellie Martin is a highly respected vocalist, composer, educator, and Jazz studies scholar.

Sunday, May 12

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Retreats Yoga, S7163 County Rd G, Hill Point ruralremedy.com . Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Mother’s Day Brunch 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Grandma Mary’s Cafe, 175 U. S. Highway 14, Arena Breakfast and Lunch will be served. See Gradnma Mary’s Cafe on Facebook for the full menu. Call with your reservation or questions at 608-753-2151 Turkish Inspired Lamp Making Class 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM North Earth Crystals & Gifts, 124 W. Jefferson St, Spring Green northearth.com The class is $55, please contact North Earth either through messenger or call 608-588-3313 to sign up BillieJo Scharfenberg from Angel Dreams Studios will be here to lead the class in constructing a beautiful Turkish inspired lamp. The Turkish lamp is a beautiful decorative item with significant spiritual meaning. In addition to bringing positive energy, protection, and good luck to the home, the intricate patterns and colorful glass shades are said to create a calming and peaceful atmosphere, promoting relaxation and mental clarity. Supplies will be included for the mosaic.

Monday, May 13

Homeschool Hangout 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Join other area homeschoolers for a fun morning of play and learning as we explore spring through some seasonal activities. All ages welcome. Feel free to bring a snack to share.

Tuesday, May 14

Spring Afternoon Storytime 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain kraemerlibrary.org . Story time includes stories and songs followed by a fun themed craft and activity.

Yoga with Rural Remedy 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Library Trivia 7:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Are you up for the challenge? Come by yourself or bring a team of up to 4 teens or adults to see if you can beat the Spring Green Community Library's Trivia. Themes will change with each session. Bragging rights to the winners!

Wednesday, May 15

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Throughout the month of May we'll be sharing books, songs and activities about GROWTH: Growing plants, blooming flowers, growing children! All ages welcome. Is your child active, noisy or "fidgety"? No worries! It's okay if your kiddo needs to wiggle and giggle to enjoy their time at the library!

Art Club: Art in Bloom 3:30 PM Community Room, Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Celebrate spring by creating artwork inspired by plants and flowers! We'll explore this theme through your choice of a wide variety of styles and materials. Ages 10-18. Registration required!

Arcadia Book Club discusses "James" by Percival Everett 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM This is a zoom book club meeting readinutopia.com A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view • From the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and author of Erasure, Percival Everett. "If you liked Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver, read James, by Percival Everett" —The Washington Post

Thursday, May 16

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Thursday, May 16 cont.

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com Join us every Thursday for storytime!

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.

WHAT’S HANGINg ? ongoing art exhibitions

Spring Green Community Library Art Exhibitions . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green Monday-Thursday: 10 AM - 7 PM Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM

The Community Room Gallery will feature the art of fourth grade students at River Valley Elementary. They have been working hard in art class this year learning about the principles of design. Works of art incorporating contrast, emphasis, pattern, movement, and unity will be on display. They have picked their very best work to share with you! We hope you come to see their work during the month of April! This display is available for viewing during regular library hours. Please ask for the key at the circulation desk.

CIVICS & SERVICES

CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR

This calendar is a place listing (for free) the typical meeting dates for area governmental bodies, and Please email us with these meetings, or use the form on our Community Calendar page — let's build community together: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

May 3:

VOLUNTEER: Driftless Trail Workday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Welsh Hills, Taliesin, 5481 County Rd C, Spring Green Help us give this view from the top of the Welsh Hills on the Taliesin property to future Driftless Trail hikers! Volunteer work days to build trail tread traversing the north side of the Welsh Hills, near the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center. Come for all or part of the day. Willie Bitter from Great Lakes Trailbuilders will lead volunteers and provide tools. No previous experience needed. Please register for Driftless Trail workdays online so they can send details and notify you in case of weather cancellation.

May 4:

VOLUNTEER: Driftless Trail Workday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Welsh Hills, Taliesin, 5481 County Rd C, Spring Green Help us give this view from the top of the Welsh Hills on the Taliesin property to future Driftless Trail hikers! Come for all or part of the day. No previous experience needed. Please register for Driftless Trail workdays online so they can send details and notify you in case of weather cancellation.

Friends of the Library Book Collection 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Commmunity Room, Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org The Friends of the Spring Green Community Library will accept donations of gently used books, DVDs, and CDs for resale. Donations of no more than four boxes are preferred. Proceeds from book sales help support library programs and other amenities. Damaged books, encyclopedias, textbooks, and instruction manuals are not accepted, and the Friends reserve the right to limit the quantity of items accepted and/or refuse donations that do not meet library needs.

Plain LIONS Informational Meeting 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lone Rock Community Building, 214 Broadway St., Lone Rock See Facebook for full agenda.

May 5:

Spring Green Library Board Meeting 5:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com The Library Board of Trustees meets each month, typically on the first or second Monday, at 5 PM. Changes to this schedule are posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

Arena Historians Room Open to Public 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Grandma Mary's (Brisbane Hall), 175 US Hwy 14, Arena The Arena Historians room (where the kitchen was in the school) will be open the first Sunday of every month. Come visit and enjoy scrapbooks, pictures, and all kinds of things relating to Arena History.

May 7:

Plain LIONS Organizational Meeting 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Lone Rock Community Building, 214 Broadway St., Lone Rock See Facebook for full agenda.

Village Of Arena Regular Board Meeting 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Village Hall, 345 West Street, Arena villageofarena.net

Plain LIONS Meeting 7:00 PM 510 Main Street, Plain villageofplain.com

May 8:

Plain Village Board Meeting 6:30 PM 510 Main Street, Plain villageofplain.com

Village of Spring Green Board Meeting 7:00 PM In person and virtual event 154 N. Lexington Street, Spring Green vi.springgreen.wi.gov

May 13:

MEETING: Wildlife Forever ATV Club 6:30 PM Arena VFW, 514 Willow St, Arena

For more info look up Wildlife Forever ATV Club on Facebook.

Arena Historians Meeting 6:30 PM Grandma Mary's (Brisbane Hall), 175 US Hwy 14, Arena This meeting will be aboutRoberts Store. If you are unable to attend, the meeting will be held via Zoom as well. If you need more info on connecting via Zoom, please contact Peggy Peterson at pondex1@hotmail.com at least one hour prior to the meeting.

May 14:

MEETING: Village of Lone Rock Board Meeting 7:00 PM villageoflonerock.com

Village Hall, 314 E Forest St, Lone Rock See full agenda online.

Some time ago, we announced the soft launch of a semi-regular to regular literary section we've been inspired by other literary compilations to call Lexington & Jefferson

As the pivotal intersection of our community, we envision this as a place that celebrates the cross-section of arts in our greater community.

We envision it as a place of curated and submitted prose, poetry and more that showcase the talents of our community.

What is Lexington & Jefferson?

Each edition we receive submissions of artwork, poetry, prose and other musings that we have trouble placing in the paper on their own and often have to simply hold or regrettably turn down.

We hope this becomes a welcome place for them.

This space will grow and change, as all things do, and we welcome talented individuals, organizations, authors, experts and artists to help curate this section. We are beginning to actively seek to publish an

annual literary journal. If interested, please reach out on ways to help. We may also use this space for arts & culture news and submitted musings that don't quite fit within the bounds of a traditional column, profile or letter to the editor.

Get involved: If you're interested in submitting, curating or have ideas, please do not hesitate at all to submit them to us at: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Lexington & Jefferson

Musings from the End of the Rainbow

Momma A Trilogy part three (2023-2024)

Is it an ending or a beginning?

Every day of your life can be thought of that way.

You get married and it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter but the end of your previous single life. You have a child the beginning of parenthood the end of “childlessness”

Just as with a rainbow the search for the end deems fruitless as the possibilities are unending and the beginning or ending always seem just an arm’s length away.

Here I stand at what seems like the end of a juncture, maybe an end to the story or is it the beginning?

Soon momma will be leaving our home at The end of The Rainbow, the one that she has known for the past 80 years of her adult life but lately does not know at all anymore.

My once strong determined mother, who selflessly raised and nurtured her family, lives in a weakened body, a deteriorating mind

The world inside her mind is miles apart from reality or maybe it’s just a reality that only she visits?

I place blankets on her body that is always cold rub her knees with pain reliever soothe her dry skin with warmed lotion, watch as she devours her malted ice cream with childlike gusto. I have done all I have been able to keep her at the rainbows end but it proves to be not enough: Momma needs more than what we can provide so she will soon be leaving our little farm at The end of The Rainbow to be cared for at the same place that cared for the love of her life before his passing.

The ruffled little 8th grade beauty my Dad declared he would marry the first time he laid eyes on her will be leaving the farm they both dedicated their lives to I know it’s for the best, yet I can’t help but wonder:

Who will cover her up as she sits and says she’s cold?

Who will comb her hair and gently brush it out of her eyes?

Who will answer her questions as she asks over and over where her kitty is?

Who will feed her ice cream?

And,

Who will answer when she calls out in the middle of the night, “Who’s there?”

Momma hates to be alone, and I hate to think of her as afraid I do hope in her mind, that has drifted so far away, she is feeling the love of a full life and reliving walking across that graduation stage into the arms of her destiny

LITERARY + ARTS & CULTURE SECTION

Quatrains: allegretto

Your voice echoes of lost hymnals, never sung,

While I look and see this death all around;

Like a quartet kept always, just out and among, Empty fields of a no longer fertile ground. a.thomas 1May2024

Arena police department resigns completely, Village of Arena Board terminates fire/EMS agreement with Town of Arena

continued from page 1

The agreement states Miller will be responsible for providing the dog all proper care and financial and logistical support, that Miller accepts all risks and consequences of the future conduct and acts of the dog and that Miller cannot gift or sell the dog to another person or family.

Stroik shared notable calls involving Arena. In March, an arrest was made for Possession of Methamphetamine in the village and a stolen vehicle was recovered. In April, an arrest was made for Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Fentanyl while the perpetrator was leaving the village. Another male resident was arrested for Delivery of Cocaine, Delivery of Fentanyl and eight counts of Bail Jumping.

While summarizing other notable calls to the Arena police, Stroik mentioned the April 13 arrest of Jim Doerflinger for Disorderly Conduct-Domestic and Battery. Stroik did not reveal Doerflinger’s name or the specific charges at the meeting, but a release by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office made the information public.

“We had to have Dane County Sheriff's Office respond to the village to investigate one of our board members who was arrested for a couple of criminal charges,” said Stroik. “There was going to be a conflict of interest with us being involved. Dane County came down and investigated that. Subject was also arrested a few days later for Bail Jumping. But he turned himself into the sheriff's office and there was no mutual aid request for that one.”

Doerflinger was a board trustee at the time of his arrest, but handed in his

On April 20, the president of the village of Arena directed the clerk to place an item on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the village board: appointing a new village board member to fill a vacancy after James Doerfinger resigned as a village trustee three days before. The replacement will either serve the remainder of Doerfinger’s term, or until a special election is held.

An interesting and somewhat questionable feature of this is that the president did not simply place the filling of the vacancy on the agenda, but asked that the agenda item be placed as the filling of the vacancy with a particular candidate, one who generally supports the president’s positions. We’ll get to that wrinkle soon, but first some words about the general process.

First of all, is appointment by the board the proper general legal mechanism for filling a vacancy on the board? Most probably yes. An overclever lawyer might make an argument otherwise, but there is nothing clearly wrong with this kind of appointment, which is pretty standard. State statute 17.24 says this process may be used.1

What about specific limits on how this should be done?

Arena Ordinance 2.10.170(c) adopts Roberts Rules of Order for the conduct of proceedings, except where it conflicts with other ordinances or statutes. Roberts has a section on internal elections and describes how they are to be conducted. But it is not clear this rule should apply. If the board were electing one of its members to serve as an officer of the board, such as president or a temporary secretary, or the head of a committee, it would either have to conduct nominations or a roll call vote, or use one of the other mechanisms described in Roberts. But the board’s task here is not really election but appointment. The position is to be filled by an eligible candidate who is not part of the body making the appointment, and the statute actually uses the words “by appointment” which should be given some meaning. Nevertheless, the Board might consider looking to

resignation April 17, effective immediately. In an email to Clerk-Treasurer DaNean Naeger, Reimann indicated she intends to fill Doerflinger’s seat with Kristen Shea, a former trustee.

“Please add the following agenda item to our May 7th 2024 regular board meeting to appoint Kristen Shea to fill the vacated seat from Jim Doerflinger’s resignation,” said Reimann, in the email obtained by public records request.

Under statute and relevant ordinances it is the board that has the authority by majority vote to make an appointment to fill a vacancy. Under the language of the agenda item, if not changed by Reimann or requested by another trustee, the board would unnecessarily forgo open nominations and only contemplate Shea’s appointment to the vacancy.

Stroik defended the public safety committee from accusations that it did not meet enough and did not communicate with the board.

“In the last five years that I've been chief, I've never had a board member attend our meetings and say, ‘Hey, we want to see more of this,’” said Stroik. “In 2019 or 2020—that's the last time I've seen board members attend a meeting. I have never had a board member say, ‘Why isn't there more meetings? You need more meetings.’ I've never had a board member say that the committee is not doing their job. You've been doing this same exact job for the past 18 years I've been here. In the past five I've been chief you've been doing the exact same job. But suddenly it's become an issue. Nothing has changed on our end. But now it's become a concern for board members.”

Officer Benish expressed her gratitude to the three members of the committee, as it was the last meeting they would have before the board replaced them.

“You are the committee who gave me my position and who I am and what I do. Thank you,” said Benish.

Fire and EMS Agreement Termination

At the April 22 special board meeting, Trustee Melissa Bandell said Municipal Attorney Paul Johnson advised the board to terminate and amend the current fire and EMS agreement. Johnson was not in attendance, but Bandell explained Johnson’s reasoning.

“We are paying more for our EMS services than what this agreement says,” said Bandell. “Our EMS agreements don't even consider the entire EMT budget. You're looking at only wages, and you're doing a fancy funding ratio that's not based anywhere in common law, statute or precedent, for one tiny budget item. I don't want to get rid of EMT service. I want us to continue to offer EMT service.

But I want the funding to be fair to the people that live in Arena.”

Newly elected Trustee BeccaRaven Uminowicz asked Bandell what statute the current agreement is not compliant with, but Bandell and other trustees were unable to provide an answer.

At its April 9 meeting, the board voted to give notice to the Town of Arena that they want a new agreement, but must now give notice that the board is terminating the agreement to start a negotiation period.

Per the original 2007 agreement, the village board must give notice they wish to amend or terminate to the town by

Legal Editor's Analysis: I don't think it's misconduct, just undemocratic.

what Roberts considers the best system. Of course, there is much else a conscientious board should take into account. If a special or general election were right around the corner, it might make sense to leave the position open until then (which is explicitly allowed under the statute) or if another trustee were deemed urgently needed, appoint one for a short period using a fairly short process. The idea for an interim appointment is to have a less extensive or involved process than required for a whole public election, of course, but the more opportunities for democratic input the better. Under the Roberts system, open nominations are typical but not absolutely required. A secret ballot is allowed in some circumstances, in others a full roll call vote is needed. Nothing in the law or any of the village’s adopted rules dictates one exclusive process, but whatever they do, they should keep in mind ideals of democracy, transparency, and the advantages of giving full consideration to a variety of potential trustees.

There are also a couple of particular limitations. The statute does say that an absolute majority of board members must support the appointment. This is to prevent a candidate from assuming the position who does not have the full support of board by accident of who was in attendance at a particular meeting. Also, Roberts prohibits a new member of the body from being appointed in midmeeting.

One issue to be considered is that old devil, Open Meetings Law. Arena has fluctuated in the quality of public notice it provides. To take two recent examples, on April 22, an agenda item read, “Consider and take action to authorize Village staff to enter into negotiations with the Town of Arena to create a new Fire Protection and EMS Services Agreement.” This was clear and specific in terms of letting the public know what the board was contemplating.

In contrast, April 30 saw the village putting out a notice that had this agenda item: “Well House/park

May 1, otherwise the agreement would automatically renew.

Newly elected Trustee Matthew Schraeder was concerned if the board terminated the current agreement, there was no guarantee the town would agree to a new contract, and services for village residents would cease July 31.

At different points in the April 22 meeting, Bandell stated the board already notified the town they wanted a new amended agreement, or already gave the town a proposed amendment. After Uminowicz asked how the proposed amendment was given to the town, Bandell said Naeger gave it after the previous board meeting. However, Bandell said she did not have a copy of the proposed amendment. Emails obtained through public records request reveal no proposed amendment but show Reimann sent a notice of the termination to the Town on April 24.

The board also passed a motion to authorize staff of the Village of Arena to enter into negotiations with the Town of Arena to create a new Fire Protection and EMS Services agreement.

Schraeder and Uminowicz were the only board members to vote against the motion to terminate and amend the current agreement and the motion to authorize staff to enter negotiations with the town, after expressing concerns about their ability to make an informed decision, due to lack of resources.

After being elected nearly two weeks prior, neither trustee had been given computers or email addresses to use for village business, and were unable to review documents relating to the special meeting.

parking lot.” That’s a head-scratcher. Last year Arena solicited bids for a roughly 760-square-foot masonry block municipal wellhouse building, with a vertical turbine well pump, motor, and gas generator. But even if one knew that, it is unclear what is to be done to the parking lot, or even how the “/park” fits into the grammar of that description.

The April 30 case was particularly bad because this was a special meeting rather than one of the regularly scheduled monthly meetings of the board, so it was required to comply with state statute 61.32 and Arena ordinance 2.10.100. For the meeting to have been legally called in the first place, the clerk was to have filed an affidavit certifying that it had provided personal notice to each trustee stating the purpose of the meeting. According to the ordinance, “No business shall be transacted at a special meeting except for the purpose stated in the notice thereof.”

The ordinance does not state explicitly that this purpose must also appear in notice to the public, but as readers of this space may recall, one of the factors to be considered in determining whether public notice is legally sufficient is how burdensome it would have been to provide more informative notice. If the clerk by law had to already have known the purpose of the meeting, why not state it in the public notice, rather than a five-word title that shrouds the contemplated action in mystery?

Now we come at last to the issue that triggered this discussion: the president seemingly seeking to lock the board into considering only her favorite nominee by putting only that nominee on the agenda. I don’t know that there is any nefarious goal here: perhaps there is only one nominee and the president was not being super-careful in asking that filling the vacancy be put on the agenda.

I don’t see anything in this that is prohibited by law. But I think the most responsible action by the clerk would be to put a general item on the agenda that allows for anyone to be appointed to the position. It might look something like, “Consideration of nominees to fill the vacancy in the

board left by the resignation of James Doerfinger, and potential action to fill that position. (Note: President Reimann has nominated Kristen Shea.)” That’s pretty informative and would be easy to put on the agenda. The clerk doesn’t even have to write it, now!

The statute is clear that the board makes the appointment. There is nothing wrong with the president, who is after all a member of the board herself, playing a role in that by making a nomination. But the law does not say that the president makes the appointment and the board ratifies. The statute allows for the board to appoint anyone it wants. It’s at least most consistent with the spirit of the statutes that the meeting agenda reflect this.

As an esteemed advisor to the village once commented on such legal issues, “it’s not a problem until it’s a problem.” If the majority of the board goes along with the president’s proposal, then it’s hard to see who would have a legal claim against that no matter how the board gets there. If they don’t, then there’s also no problem: any trustee could request that the agenda include consideration of a different nominee, or consideration of all nominations using an open process. What the president is doing is not unfair to any trustee as long as each trustee has the equal power to do the same.

An open process may be the most democratic option, and the one with the best optics, but the board can select whomever they like however they like as long as it’s within the law. It’s their power, and if the people don’t like it they can elect different trustees or organize a recall—or initiate a 17.13(3) petition for removal to the circuit court judge in their administrative role, if some other cause exists. And if the people of the Village like it, or don’t think it’s a big deal, that’s their business too.

I'm an attorney, I'm not your attorney. This is not intended as legal advice.

—Gary Ernest Grass,

esq., Legal Editor

1 If anyone wants to get into the weeds of what I think is ultimately a kind of silly argument, here goes: Yes, the village “may” use the process in the statute. Does this mean the village can always use it, or can they create ordinances giving up that power and making the process harder? I think they probably have to follow their ordinances. What do their ordinances say? Well, the ordinance on filling vacancies, 2.55.120(b), adopts the statute. But again, if you really wanted to force an argument, you could point to ordinance 2.10.120(a) that says three trustees shall be elected to a two year term at each spring election. “Shall” usually indicates something mandatory, which one could read to say that this is an exclusive mechanism. This line of argument faces two big problems. First is grammatical. You could claim this means all trustees must be elected, but the more natural reading is that the statute is satisfied if three are elected at each election, which was done. The second is that the vacancy ordinance probably trumps it. I say probably again because even though vacancy rules are

Reflections

from Lost Horizon

Each edition, retired dairy farmer Barb Garvoille brings her musings on dairy farm life from her own years of experience on Lost Horizon Farm with her late husband Vince “Mr. Farmer” Garvoille. This mooving memoir focuses on 1980-2000, join Barb as she rises with the herd.

Oma

Oma was born an old soul. She was calm and friendly as a calf, and those traits remained a constant into her adulthood. She was an unflappable presence that was a perfect fit for a milking herd.

Helicopters in use by Med Flight, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or the military occasionally flew over our valley but always well above the earth. On a summer day when the dairy herd was on pasture, some of the milk cows had found shade under the giant Red Oak tree in the very center of that pasture paddock. A military chopper had veered from its east to west flight path and buzzed the cows gathered under or by the oak tree. Its sudden appearance, downdraft, and the loud thumps of the rotors struck fear into the animals. In her sudden movement from recumbent to upright position, Oma’s hoof had connected and sliced through one of her teats. Although we called the veterinarian to the farm, the injury and trauma to her udder was irreparable. Oma’s productive life was cut short by a showoff! Although the Department of Defense eventually did compensate us for our loss, money was a poor substitute for the absence of this creature of such a gentle demeanor. Mr. Farmer, the Air Force veteran, was sure the helicopter pilot had not only got an earful from his commanding officer but also had to fill out an incident report in triplicate!

Neighborhood Stories

The patchwork of small farms that used to comprise our neighborhood provided a quilt of varying personalities and unique characteristics. Farm couples lived and worked at home, and the farm provided a sufficient income for a way of life that was intimately tied to land and livestock. There was a spirit of sharing and cooperation among farmers, and usually a neighboring farmer was the closest not only in proximity but also in terms of friendship. A farmer would describe this working friendship as being "back and forth" with that particular person. There was always abundant laughter when farmers gathered because they never missed an opportunity to poke fun at themselves when sharing stories. The following are a few of the best remembered stories.

******

Two neighbors were assisting a third farmer who had just harvested a large field of hay. Each was driving a tractor with a fully loaded bale wagon behind it. They were coming down a steep hill following one another. The man in the rear was driving an Allis Chalmers WD 45; he attempted to downshift his tractor, missed the lower gear, and began freewheeling down the incline. His attempt to slow the speeding tractor down by standing on the brakes proved futile, and he smacked right into the back of the hay wagon he had been following. After the first neighbor stopped his tractor to see what had hit his load, he walked back to discover the man on the Allis holding up the shifting lever that he had pulled right out of the gearbox repeating: "My tractor...it jumped out of gear."

******

This snippet was a story heard from several sources, and, not knowing the siblings involved, I wondered if it was rural legend or fact. However, the tale, in my mind, emphasized most farmers’ absolute devotion to the husbandry of their animals…… Two bachelor brothers went to town. When they came home, they both were tired and took a nap. One awoke and seeing his brother still asleep, went out to milk their cows. When he was done, he had gone back to bed. A while afterwards, the other brother woke

Farm — Cows to Remember (Part 3) & Neighborhood Stories

up and noticed his brother fast asleep in his bed. He then went out to the barn and milked the cows AGAIN!!

******

A neighborhood character had a reputation as a free spirit and a bit of a huckster as well. He was familiar to the local police because he would never bother to get his automobile licensed; when he felt like driving, he just drove! He was the same man who had protested a new local ordinance by running naked through town.

This man raised Charolais beef cattle. He offered another farmer a calf for a very modest price. Thinking the calf looked not very healthy, the farmer said he would think about it and stop over the next morning..

"Oh, this calf is very healthy," said the character. The following day, the farmer stopped by again, and the calf was dead. The character swore up and down that he just could not understand what had happened. The farmer knew exactly what had happened: the character had tried to sell him a sick calf.

*********

Another neighbor had hired a high school junior to help him with farm work. The first year, the neighbor had been delighted with the boy's work ethic. He had bragged that the fellow was just about perfect except for when they would head to the house for a break. Much to the neighbor’s annoyance, the young man would always choose to sit in the older man’s favorite recliner.

This same neighbor wondered what went wrong with his hired helper when he became a high school senior. The young fellow had been sent to plow a large field on the prairie. His employer wondered about the inordinate length of time it was taking to get this field plowed. Finally, the neighbor got in his truck and drove to the field and found out what was really going on. The tractor had broken down, and the young man, fearful of what his farmer boss might say, had taken it all apart in an attempt to fix it himself. Apparently, the youngster couldn't quite figure out how to reassemble the tractor! When the neighbor saw his tractor, its innards were still in pieces with prairie sand blowing onto all the exposed parts.

"He just didn't have his mind on farming," the neighbor would say, shaking his head.

*********

Our milkman liked to recall the time he pulled into a neighbor's farmyard to pick up milk. As he stepped out of the milk truck, he heard the farmer's voice above the sound of running equipment. When he located the hollering farmer, the milkman, a former farm kid himself, knew how to shut down the equipment involved. The neighbor had climbed up the ladder in the tube of the silo, and while he was in the silo watching the silo unloader running, the lazy susan feeder below had quit rotating, the silage had piled vertically and filled up the tube (and his way down) completely. Luckily, the milkman had heard the farmer's cries and was able to enlist the closest neighbor to help him unplug the silo tube so the stuck farmer had an unobstructed path to find his way back down to earth.

**********

For some people, reading the directions provided in a machinery manual was much less fun than trying to figure out something by oneself. The very last thing Mr. Farmer was inclined to do was read directions! Mrs.

Farmer liked to relate, in a way not too smug, the story of the time Mr. Farmer tried to get a slip clutch apart. He had applied his biggest pipe wrench to the task, and he had even attached an extra section of pipe to the handle for more leverage. He had been trying to unscrew that darned slip clutch, and it would not budge. Mrs. Farmer suggested a peek at the implement’s manual (referred to as “the book.”) or a call to the implement dealer. After spending an inordinate amount of time in his persistent but fruitless efforts, a pretty “worked up” Mr. Farmer finally left his workout with the machine and made a phone call. He was told that the slip clutch simply pulled apart rather than unscrewed. In a few moments, with minimal exertion, the pieces separated easily!

Barb has called Lost Horizon Farm, just north of Spring Green, her home for the past 44 years. She is fond of all creatures (including snakes). Her joy stems from being able to be outdoors every day observing and treasuring the plant and animal life on her small piece of this planet. She loved milking cows and is proud to have been a dairy farmer.

Barb Garvoille, Columnist

Barb Garvoille

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille “Oma” (top, center) at rest under the valley’s Red Oak tree.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Mr. Farmer making an adjustment on his tractor.

The Sauk County Gardener

Celebrate Earth Week All Year Round

“Every day is Earth Day, and I vote we start investing in a secure climate future right now.”

— Jackie Speier

The week of April 22 – April 26 is considered Earth Week. Earth Day is officially celebrated on Monday, April 22 and then the week is wrapped up with Arbor Day on Friday, April 26. Earth Day, and all of Earth Week, is meant to help increase our awareness of environmental problems such as air pollution, poor water quality and excessive pesticide use, to name a few. Although it is wonderful to celebrate this week, you can make more of an impact if you implement some, if not all, of these Earth Week activities all year long.

Look for ways to bring pollinators and beneficial insects into your garden. Select pollinator-friendly plants that not only provide nectar and pollen but also serve as host plants. Select plants that also attract beneficial insects that can help with pest control and aid with pollination. You’ll find many of these plants are native and

make a beautiful addition to your gardens. In the garden, reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible. Wash and reuse old seed trays and pots year after year to start seeds. Or create your own pots from newspaper or toilet paper rolls. If you need to purchase a lot of topsoil, compost, or mulch, have it delivered instead of buying it by the bag. This will reduce and/or eliminate all those plastic bags. When creating a new garden bed, instead of digging up all that sod, lay all those Amazon cardboard boxes (you know you have them) down first and then cover with some mulch. The cardboard will help smother the grass and weeds and will eventually break down and put all those nutrients back into the soil. Simply cut holes in the cardboard where you want to plant your flowers and trees. Conserve water. Use timers, soaker hoses, drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to avoid overwatering. Water in the morning or late afternoon to minimize evaporation. If you can, install a rain barrel and use the water for your flowers. Avoid using rainwater that was collected from a

2024 Sauk County Pasture Walks announced

Join us to learn about rotational grazing, pasture management, silvopasture, grazing cover crops, and more at our upcoming 2024 pasture walk events for Sauk County Land Resources & Environment. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of practices with this year’s lineup of pasture walks. The pasture walks will consist of a guided walk through the field and include time for discussion with the farmer as well as conservation staff. Learn from local experts and fellow farmers about what practices they have found to be successful and what they have learned along the way.

The first event will be on Thursday, May 16th, at 6:00 p.m. Join us out at the Repka farm to learn about fencing for multiple species of livestock. “If I could do it again, I would change a few things like fence placement, gate placement, fence style…”, says Luke Repka. Come learn from Luke’s experience and see a well-managed grazing system featuring British White cattle.

Other upcoming pasture walks are as follows:

Tuesday, June 11th from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm. We will be co-hosting the Grazing Workshop with Jim Gerrish in collaboration with The Sauk Soil & Water Improvement Group, the Producers Lake Redstone, Farmers of the Lemonweir Valley, and the Lake Wisconsin Farmer Watershed Council. For this program, there will be a morning classroom presentation held at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Campus, located at 1006 Connie Rd., Baraboo, and then an afternoon pasture walk, which will be held at the Sauk County farm. The cost to attend this program is $15/person. Registration by June 4th is required for this event. Visit www.sswig.org/events to register and save your seat for this program. Please contact Sauk County at 608-3556245 or email conservation@saukcountywi.gov with any questions.

Thursday, July 24th at 6:00 pm. Hosted by Mike Hoppenjan at 5916 Section Line Rd., Dodgeville, this pasture walk will fo-

Sauk County CORP open house planned

Sauk County is launching a planning process for the update of the Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The Plan identifies needs for future recreational opportunities and lands to serve both residents and visitors of Sauk County. The Plan also makes Sauk County eligible for cost sharing aid and grant funding for recreational

development projects. Overall, the primary goal of the planning process is to advance and expand the Sauk County Parks System and to utilize the CORP as guiding policy implementation document. The priority areas and objectives within the plan will provide guidance to the LRE Department for planning and operational decisions over the next five years. (2025-2029).

asphalt-shingled roof on your vegetable garden as your shingles may leach toxins. Eat locally sourced produce and what’s in season. Plant your own fruits and vegetables, but only grow what you and your family and friends will use or can be donated to a local food pantry. Otherwise, you’ll just waste water and soil nutrients if you don’t eat the food you grow. If you don’t have space to grow your own produce, purchase it at your local farmers’ market. You’ll help reduce your carbon footprint from food being transported across the nation.

Plant a tree and reap these benefits: trees capture carbon, help cool our homes with their shade, and support pollinators. Trees also help support insects and birds. Birds use the trees for roosting, nesting, and feeding. Many of our trees provide early season pollen and nectar for many of our pollinators.

Introduce your children or grandchildren to nature and gardening. It will help create a love of our world that will encourage them to continually strive to find ways to protect and use our earth’s resources

cus on grazing stockers. What does a herd of 250 stocker cattle look like on a pasture? Come to this pasture walk and see for yourself. Cattle handling, vaccination protocols, and watering 250 heads at one time will also be discussed, along with cattle insurance.

Thursday, August 29th from 9:00 am –12:00 pm. This program will be hosted by the Savanna Institute in partnership with the American Farmland Trust at 6856 State Rd. 60, Spring Green. This pasture walk is focused on the integration of trees into pastured livestock systems for shade, additional forage, ecological restoration, soil health, and enhanced economic opportunities. Lunch is to be provided; registration is required. https://forms.office.com/r/JGijKEfppY or 608-390-2756.

Thursday, September 19th at 5:00 pm. This program will be hosted by Roman Miller at S5247 County Rd. D, Rock Springs. Learn about the Total Grazing method of managing pastures that can significantly increase forage and, consequently, the stocking rate

wisely.

These are just a few ways to celebrate Earth Week all year long. I hope you find a way to incorporate as many of these ideas and more into your own gardening practices.

On a separate note, mark your calendar for the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association’s annual Tomato Plant Sale and Class. The sale and class are on Saturday, May 4th from 10 am to noon at the Baraboo Civic Center, 124 2nd Street, Room 14, Baraboo. Bring a friend, attend the tomato planting class, and then purchase your heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, and miscellaneous vegetables and herbs raised by Sauk County Master Gardeners,

This week’s article is written by Jeannie Manis, a Wisconsin Certified Sauk County Master Gardener Volunteer. If you have any gardening questions, please contact the Extension Sauk County by emailing to trripp@wisc.edu or calling the University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension Sauk County office at 608-3553250.

of your pastures. Roman has been experimenting with this method over the past two seasons. His pastures continued to produce an abundance of forage during the drought we had during the 2023 growing season. Come and learn from Roman’s experiences. Thursday, October 24th at 5:00 pm. Hosted by Roger Bindl at S10620 Weidner Rd, Spring Green, this pasture walk, hosted in partnership with the Sauk Soil & Water Improvement Group (SSWIG), will focus on grazing cover crops and showcase how to use cover crops to extend the grazing season. Winter feeding is the number one expense for raising livestock. Reducing winter feeding days by using cover crops is a practical way of lowering this expense. These events are free and open to the public unless otherwise posted. For more information on these events and other pasture walks, please visit our website at www.co.sauk.wi.us/landconservation/conservation-events or contact Serge Koenig at (608) 355-4837 or email serge.koenig@ saukcountywi.gov.

than business card sized, full color, updated annually or for a flat $25 design fee. Perfect for top-of-mind awareness, runs under an attention-grabbing header. Want to run your ad every edition at a discounted rate? $750 for 6 months, $1000 for 1 year (36% discount)

The Department will be hosting an Open House on May 30th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at White Mound County Park in the Prairie Smoke Terrace located at S7995 White Mound Dr, Hillpoint, WI 53937. Please join us to discuss the future of Sauk County Parks and Recreation. There will be a short presentation at 5:00 pm and again at 6:00 pm followed by open discussions on all active recreational projects. Please contact Cassandra Fowler at 608-355-4832 or email cassandra. fowler@saukcountywi.gov with any questions on the event.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information on this event and or the Sauk County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan., please visit our website at bit.ly/Sauk_CORP .

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

Justine Bula, Contributed

Cassandra Fowler, Contributed

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

This week’s column is chalk full of interesting experiences, so I have to be vague. Carsyn and Conner Thiede are the 13- and 11-year-old children of Tyler and Patsy Thiede of Mayville. I met this family through my very good friend the late Rod Bensley and we have become very good friends and do at least one deer hunt and one turkey hunt together in the Burnett area at what is called The Foul Mouth Hunt Club. Each hunt, I switch kids and have witnessed them shoot deer and turkey.

Justin “Beaner” Braun is part of this group and one of Tyler’s lifelong friends from growing up in the Burnett area, and Justin is very good at helping people to harvest turkey.

Chad Reifschneider is also a part of this gang and this weekend his children Kensie and Joey would be hunting as well with Chad and Tanner Weber.

To close out our gang we would have Jim Klug and his 8-year-old son Jameson. Jim grew up with Beaner and Tyler, is now a fire chief in Greely, Colorado and came home to introduce his son to hunting and see his buddies.

Jim and Jameson would be guided by Beaner.

Wednesday, April 12th

High 66°, Low 40°

I would like to add that since getting to know these guys Chad and Tyler and their children they have become very active in The Dodge County Chapter of KAMO. So today I arrived at “The Lodge” and there is an immediate problem. The land I was going to take Conner hunting is no longer available. I had to do some hard thinking and came up with Jeff Pausma. Jeff and his wife Melissa are local dairy farmers. I had never met Jeff, but he reads this column and when Michelle passed away he contacted me and said some very nice things. I just happened to put Jeff in my phone, made a call and just like that we had the green light.

Conner, Tyler and I headed over to the Pausma farm which I fell in love with as soon as I saw it, Jeff gave us the tour and all was perfect in our world.

Thursday, April 13th

High 59° Low 31°

Our morning started off at camp with a very tired Tyler. Fourteen-year-old Joey Reifschneider and Tanner Weber would be hunting public land near Beaver Dam

and these guys would see 13 toms but they were on private land. Tyler and Carsyn would have lots of deer experiences while hunting private land adjacent to the Horicon Marsh. Jim, Jameson and Beaner would have an excellent hunt as they all realized that Jameson loves to hunt.

The afternoon hunt was where big memories were made. Beaner did an excellent job calling in a beautiful tom and Jameson whacked his first bird and without a doubt, a hunter was born. Conner and I had moved our setup to where I thought the birds had roosted the night before and had hundreds of amazing experiences watching ducks and geese.

With 30 minutes of legal hunting left I heard a bird fly into its roost, the problem was it was on private land and we were hunting a marshy pasture, no problem, we would get one in the morning. Over the next 15 minutes we watched 13 hens and toms fly into trees 25 to 40 yards away.

Our luck switched, a hen appeared as it had crossed the marsh, we could not shoot it, but it was fun to watch. I kept working the call, there were 6 minutes left to hunt. A very large tom made a mistake and came on our side of the fence but out of range. The hen flew up to the roost, the tom was furious with my jake decoy, four minutes left, he got in range, Conner made an excellent shot and whacked a humongous turkey.

Tyler had made a bet hours earlier with me that if I did not get my hunter a turkey both my hunter and I would have to jump into a very cold stream. Tyler and Carsyn would go swimming not Mark and Conner!

Sunset

Follow along the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers. He hopes you enjoy reading about his adventures!

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Photo contributed by Mark Walters

The swimming team of Tyler Thiede and his daughter Carsyn Thiede.

An Excellent Youth Turkey Hunt

Photo contributed by Mark Walters

Successful hunters Justin “Beaner” Braun, Jameson Klug, and his father Jim Klug.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters 11-year-old Conner Thiede with his first tom turkey.