Valley Sentinel - 05-29-2025 by Valley Sentinel

Village of Arena holds yearly organizational meeting, waives water bill late fees for April

At the May 12 Village of Arena Board of Trustees special organizational meeting, the board appointed members to standing committees and commissions, waived late fees for April water bills and approved a beverage permit.

Board actions

The board discussed the ACES Home Talent beverage license. Temporary Village Clerk/Treasurer Robin Meier had informed the village typically requires a 15 day waiting period after the clerk receives an application and the board takes action on approving a beverage license, however, due to the lack of permanent

village clerk, an application could not be received 15 days prior. The board unanimously voted to accept the application and waive the 15 day waiting period clause for the license.

The board also voted unanimously in favor to waive the late fees for water and sewer billing for the month of April, as the village was unable to send out bills and receive payments for bills in time due to the resignation of the previous village clerk/treasurer.

Board organization

As the new members of the board had not yet to be seated in April, the board had to conduct its yearly organizational

meeting in May to seat members for the Public Works, Finance and Personnel committees.

Steve Wilkinson, Don Helt and Joe Hipsky were seated on the Public Works Committee. Matthew Schroeder, Joe Hipsky and Ted Strang were seated on the Finance, Technology and Licensing Committee. BeccaRaven Uminowicz, Steve Wilkinson and Matthew Schroeder were seated on the Personnel committee. The board voted on appointments to inter-governmental commissions. Nathan Pinkham was selected as the village representative to the Dane-Iowa Wastewater Commission. Pinkham had

River Valley School Board holds organizational meeting, approves raises

At its May 8 regular board meeting, the River Valley School District Board of Education conducted its yearly organizational meeting, approved salary raises for much of the district’s staff and heard a policy change on the tobacco and smoking devices policy.

Tobacco policy change

A change on Policy 832: Tobacco and Electronic Smoking Devices Possession and/or use on School Premises was reviewed by the board.

The policy change adds “tobacco product look-alikes (including all pouches, whether they contain tobacco or not)” in the list of items which are not allowed to be possessed or used by students or staff on school grounds.

Middle School Principal James Radke had reported to the board an incident where a student had brought pouches which contained caffeine into school.

The board voted to do first and second readings on the policy change to expedite the process and allow enforcement of the policy change sooner.

Salary Raises

The board discussed salary and benefit recommendations as provided from the Budget and Employee Relations Committee.

The committee recommended a 2.95% salary increase for River Valley Education Association union teaching staff, buildings and grounds staff, non-union staff, co-curricular/activities staff, junior high athletics, high school athletics and administrators,

as well as a 10% pay increase for hourly support staff, which includes building secretaries, food service staff and teaching assistants. Also recommended was a 2% base wage increase for RVEA staff as well as a 7% increase for support staff.

The board unanimously approved all salary and benefit recommendations.

Organizational

meeting

The meeting served as the board’s yearly organizational meeting in which they set the roles within the board. Kathy Jennings was nominated and voted in as School Board president, John Bettinger was nominated and voted in as School Board vice president, Sara Carstensen was nominated and voted as clerk, and Frederick Iausly was nominated and voted in as treasurer.

This was also the first meeting for newly

Valley Sentinel's 2025 Best of the River Valley reader poll open June 1 - 15 Valley Sentinel's 5th Annual Best of the River Valley reader poll opens June 1! The poll focuses on June 2024 to May 2025, limited roughly to 15 miles around the Spring Green area — Arena, Lone Rock, Plain and Spring Green — unless stated as regional.

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 26: Winners announced! On or around this date winners will be announced in Valley Sentinel.

expressed his interest in serving on the village board but was ultimately not chosen for trustee at a previous meeting, but his extensive credentials in water treatment drew the board to select him for the commission.

Trustee Ted Strang was selected for the village’s seat on the village-town Fire and EMS Commission.

The two open Plan Commission appointments were held for the next meeting for public outreach to find willing village residents.

Looking ahead

The board next meets June 3 at 7 p.m. at the Arena Village Hall.

elected board member Emily Beck. Beck won the Area 6 seat against Jess Heisl in the April 1 election, and took over the seat from Sara Young, who did not run to retain her seat.

The board voted to maintain the same time and place of meeting, the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., in the Intermediate School library. They also voted to retain Renning Lewis and Lacey as the district’s law firm, People’s Community Bank as the Depository of Funds and the Independent Star News as the official newspaper.

Looking ahead

The River Valley School District Board of Education next meets June 12 in the Middle School Library at 7 p.m. The board streams meetings to the district’s YouTube channel.

Luukas Palm-Leis, Reporter

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Guest Column: Maybe we don’t need a tax cut

Board continuing with forensic audits while increasing village transparency, tables ordinance that would include residents on committees

As Republicans in Congress struggle to deliver President Donald Trump’s massive cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, education, health research and just about every other social good you can think of, in order to clear the way for trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the richest people in the U.S., here in Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and state lawmakers are working on the next state budget.

The one thing our Democratic governor and Republican legislative leaders seem to agree on is that we need a tax cut.

After throwing away more than 600 items in Evers’ budget proposal, GOP leggies now say they can’t move forward with their own budget plan until Evers makes good on his promise to meet with them and negotiate the terms for the tax-cutting that both sides agree they want to do. Evers has expressed optimism that the budget will be done on time this summer, and said the tax cuts need to be part of the budget, not a separate, stand-alone bill. Evers wants a more progressive tax system, with cuts targeted to lower-income people. In the last budget, he opposed expanding the second-lowest tax bracket, which would have offered the same benefits to higher earners as the lower middle class.

But what if we don’t need a tax cut at all?

It has long been an article of faith in the Republican Party that tax cuts are a miracle cure for everything. Trickle-down economics is a proven failure: The wealthy and corporations tend to bank their tax cuts rather than injecting the extra money into the economy, as tax-cutters say they will. The benefits of the 2017 tax cuts that Congress is struggling to extend went exclusively to corporations and the very wealthy and failed to trickle down on the rest of us.

In the second Trump administration, we are in new territory when it comes to tax cutting. The administration and its enablers are hell-bent on destroy-

ing everything from the Department of Education to critical health research to food stamps and Medicaid in order to finance massive tax breaks for the very rich.

If ever there were a good time to reexamine the tax-cutting reflex, it’s now. Evers has said he is not willing to consider the Republicans’ stand-alone tax-cut legislation, and that, instead, tax cuts should be part of the state budget. That makes sense, since new projections show lower-than-expected tax revenue even without a cut, and state budget-writers have a lot to consider as we brace for the dire effects of federal budget cuts. The least our leaders can do is not blindly give away cash without even assessing future liabilities. But beyond that, we need to reconsider the knee-jerk idea that we are burdened with excessive taxes and regulations, that our state would be better off if we cut investments in our schools and universities, our roads and bridges, our clean environment, museums, libraries and other shared spaces and stopped keeping a floor under poor kids by providing basic food and health care assistance.

Wisconsin Republicans like to tout the list of states produced annually by the Tax Foundation promoting “business friendly” environments that reduce corporate taxes, including Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska and Florida. They also like to bring up ALEC’s “Rich States, Poor States” report that gave top billing last year to Utah, Idaho and Arizona for low taxes and deregulation.

What they don’t track when they lift up those states are pollution, low wages and bankrupt public school systems.

I’m old enough to remember when it was headline news that whole families in the U.S. were living in their cars, when homelessness was a new term, coined during the administration of Ronald Reagan, the father of bogus trickle-down economics and massive cuts to services for the poor.

Somehow, we got used to the idea that urban parts of the richest nation on Earth resemble the poorest developing countries, with human misery and massive wealth existing side by side in our live-and-let-die economy.

Wisconsin, thanks to its progressive history, managed to remain a less unequal state, with top public schools and a great university system, as well as a clean, beautiful environment and well-maintained infrastructure. But here, too, we have been getting used to our slide to the bottom of the list of states, thanks in large part to the damage done by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

We now rank 44th in the nation for investment in our once-great universities, and the austerity that’s been imposed

on higher education is taking a toll across the state. Our consistently highly rated public schools have suffered from a decade and a half of budget cuts that don’t allow districts to keep pace with inflation, and recent state budgets have not made up the gap.

Now threats to Medicaid, Head Start, AmeriCorps, our excellent library system, UW-Madison research and environmental protections do not bode well for Wisconsin’s future.

In the face of brutal federal cuts, we need to recommit to our shared interest in investing in a decent society, and figure out how to preserve what’s great about our state.

Tax cuts do not make the top of the list of priorities.

Ruth Conniff is Editor-in-chief of the Wisconsin Examiner. She formerly served as Editor-in-chief of The Progressive Magazine where she worked for many years from both Madison and Washington, DC.

On the cover

“Spring Gape” (2025) Photo, by Barb Garvoille

Contributor Barb Garvoille, of Lost Horizon Farm, shares some of the delights of spring, including a baby bird a bold jumping spider and a Scarlet Tanger that has been visiting her water feature.

" How about the iridescent color!" she shares, about the spider.

Ruth Coniff, Wisconsin Examiner

Ruth Coniff

Photo by Gov. Evers' Office via Wisconsin Examiner Gov. Tony Evers celebrates "historic" tax cuts in the last state budget. Schools are still facing austerity.

OPINION/EDITORIAL

The Tools of Conversation — Part 11: A Spirit of Hope

Beverly Pestel, Columnist

This series explores how our tools of conversation—from speech and print to television and social media—have shaped the way we think, learn and interact, often steering us into a state of fragmented discourse and misinformation. By examining seminal works on information networks, critical thinking and media influence, each column digs deeper into why our collective capacity for thoughtful conversation and civic engagement appears at risk. As we navigate new technologies and grapple with the merging of entertainment and news, we confront a crucial question: can we harness our evolving tools of communication to foster truth, community and meaningful dialogue, or will we be “amused into indifference”? Join me on this journey through reading, reflection, and inquiry, as we seek practical insight into building a more informed, empathetic and civically engaged society.

Rereading Healing the Heart of Democracy (2011) by Parker J. Palmer has been a balm for me. After reading many books that have helped me understand the problems inherent in our tools of conversation, finding someone who can compassionately and gently suggest a solution was welcome. It’s not that others have not said many of the same things, it is that Palmer is able to say it in a compelling and simple way that avoids all recriminations and in a way that appeals to the best within us. Palmer acknowledges the negative influence of mass media on us and how vulnerable we are to it. “…we create the market for what the media are selling.

DONATION DRIVE

We want our news in bite-size nuggets that fit our short attention spans; we are drawn to the latest disaster or scandal like gawkers at a highway crash…we are addicted to the high we get from hot rhetoric and gross exaggeration…We are the ideal customers for a product that contains toxins harmful to democracy’s health.” (pg. 154)

Palmer constantly returns to the need to begin “in here,” with self-examination and frequent self-correction. He refers to an inner space, a contemplative space, “where truth has a chance to come clear, and where we can get the news from within” that brings us to a place where we can properly process the news from without.

He says, ”We need safe spaces, silent and solitary spaces, but when it comes to forming the habits of the heart that make a democracy work, we also need safe spaces for small gatherings of the “company of strangers,” spaces where citizens can come together to explore

the challenge of living heartfelt lives in the neighborhood, in the workplace, and in the larger world.” (pg. 158)

“When we speak our truth in community,” he says, “it becomes harder to forget or deny that we said it and harder not to pursue its implications.” (pg. 162) It also makes it possible to compare and adjust “our truth” to community accepted truth. It is through this and in these spaces, he maintains, that we begin to build our political power.

Palmer refers to Marshall Ganz, a Harvard professor and community organizer who wrote of “the fierce urgency of now…realizing, after the sharing of values and aspirations, that the world out there is not as it ought to be. Instead, it is as it is. And that is a challenge to us…it forces upon us consideration of a choice. What do we do about that?

We’re called to answer that question in a spirit of hope.” (pg. 167)

And hope is what Palmer has, but understands the challenge of living in it.

“Of all the tensions we must hold in personal and political life, perhaps the most fundamental and most challenging is standing and acting with hope in the “tragic gap.” On one side of that gap, we see the hard realities of the world, realities that can crush our spirits and defeat our hopes. On the other side of that gap, we see real-world possibilities, life as we know it could be because we have seen it that way.” (pg. 191)

We have all seen the real-world possibilities of people who live the best in compassion for community. The elderly gentleman at the restaurant who collects for the Red Cross and always has a kind word. The folks who dedicate their time and talents to community

Bev Pestel's column sponsored by:

fundraising for those who need a little help. The volunteers at the food pantry and those who donate fresh produce from their personal gardens. The list is almost endless of the faithfulness of our neighbors to our communities.

And Palmer teaches us, “We must judge ourselves by…the standard called faithfulness. Are we faithful to the community on which we depend?…Are we faithful to the better angels of our nature?…Are we faithful to the eternal conversation of the human race, to speaking and listening in a way that take us closer to truth?...When faithfulness is our standard, we are more likely to sustain our engagement with task that will never end: doing justice, loving mercy, and calling the beloved community into being.” (pg.193)

Palmer ends his book with a quote from Reinhold Niebuhr. “Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we are saved by love.”

And now, in the context of “the eternal conversation of the human race,” I quote Forrest Gump, “that’s all I have to say about that.”

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.

Equity Now! — a nonpartisan community organization striving for a fair tax code for all. More information at Facebook.com/EconomicEquityNow, economicequitynow.com or at economicequitynow@gmail.com

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Beverly Pestel

Eventsfor May 29 - June 12

Thursday, May 29

COmmunitycalendar

Events are subject to change, always check ahead for up-to-date information on any events you are interested in.

Sunday, June 1

CLASS: Community Art Class – Pinch Pot Monsters (Part 2) 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM • Angel Dreams Studios, E2516 Brace Road, Lone Rock • angeldreamsstudios.com • All ages • Part two of this two-day clay project focuses on painting your dried pinch pot monster. Not to worry if you’ve missed part one, you can still make a monster. $20 per participant. Please remember to bring a snack and a water bottle!

Storytime 10:30 AM • Lone Rock Community Library, 234 North Broadway St, Lone Rock • lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com • All ages • FREE • Families are invited to enjoy stories and activity time!

CLASS: Line Dancing 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/line-dancing • Beginners welcome for this lively session featuring classic and contemporary line dances. No experience necessary—take it one step at a time and enjoy the fun!

Lone Rock Farmers Market 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM • Center Park, 326 E Liberty St., Lone Rock • Shop local produce, baked goods, handmade items, and more! Held every Thursday through the growing season.

Spring Green Recreational Soccer 5:30 PM • Spring Green North Park, behind the pool • For more information look up Spring Green Recreational Soccer on Facebook • Ages 12+ • Tuesday and Thursday evenings (weather permitting) Casual and fun community play for teens and adults.

LOCAL NIGHT: Janna and the Junkyard Dawgs 5:30 PM • Post House Garden, 119 East Jeﬀerson Street • No cover • Blues, rock, and soul from JJYD at Spring Green’s Local Night. Expect crowd favorites, fresh new tunes, and high-energy Dawg vibes on a Thursday evening ﬁlled with music, food, and fun.

Friday, May 30

Sons of the Never Wrong Creativity Retreat May 30 - June 1 • The Savanna Sanctuary, 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville • savannasanctuary.org • $375 • A weekend of songwriting, harmony, recording, and creative inspiration led by the Sons of the Never Wrong, joined by Jonas Friddle and guest astronomer Dr. Luke Leisman. Includes concerts, workshops, meals, and performance opportunities in a supportive and scenic setting. Registration required at savannasanctuary.org.

FUNDRAISER: Brats & Barks May 30 & 31 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM • 1125 Wachter Ave., Plain • Hosted by OccuPaws Guide Dog Association & the Lions Club • Support OccuPaws at this two-day brat fry fundraiser with help from the local Lions Club. Enjoy grilled brats while helping raise funds for guide dog training and services.

LIVE MUSIC: Jambidextrous 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM • Arthur’s Supper Club, E4885 US Hwy 14, Spring Green • arthurssupperclub.com • Jambidextrous brings their lively sound to Friday Night Live Music at Arthur’s.

Saturday, May 31

Spring Green Farmers Market 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM • Downtown Spring Green, Corner of Jefferson and Worcester Streets • For more information look up Spring Green Farmers Market on Facebook • Shop fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and crafts as the Spring Green Farmers Market kicks off its summer season. Open every Saturday through October, rain or shine.

Cyclone of 1918 — Weather Presentation with Alex Harrington 1:00 PM • Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • Chief Meteorologist Alex Harrington from Channel 3000-Madison explores the weather events that led to the devastating 1918 cyclone, which tore across southwestern Wisconsin. Co-sponsored by the Old Franklin Township Historical Society and Plain Kraemer Library. Refreshments served.

LIVE MUSIC: Merl & A Girl 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shiﬄet Rd., Spring Green • wisconsinriversideresort.com • Enjoy an afternoon of live music along the river as Merl & A Girl perform a lively mix of tunes! Spring Fish Boil 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Kaul Community Park, Hwy 130 (9 mi north of Lone Rock, 2 mi south of Bear Valley) • For more information look up Kaul Park Bear Valley WI on Facebook • Suggested donation: $15 adults, $7 children 12 & under • Enjoy Alaskan cod with red potatoes, carrots, onions, coleslaw, dessert, and a beverage. Live music by Crossﬁre from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. No pets or carry-ins, please. Open Euchre 5:00 PM • Arena VFW Hall 514 Willow Street, Arena • For more information look up Arena VFW on Facebook • $5 • BBQ, Chips and Beans available for purchase. No partner needed. Last Saturday of Every month!

LIVE MUSIC: Neil Knutson 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM • Post House Garden, 119 East Jeﬀerson Street • Neil Knutson brings decades of rock to life on the Garden Band Stage, performing classics spanning the last 50 years.

LIVE MUSIC: Music in the Park – The Old Grey Cats 7:00 PM • Governor Dodge State Park, Amphitheater/Trails End Pavilion, 4175 Hwy 23, Dodgeville • dnr.wi.gov • All ages • Enjoy a night of Wisconsin-based bluegrass and folk music with The Old Grey Cats in a scenic outdoor setting. Presented by the Friends of Governor Dodge State Park.

LIVE MUSIC: Drew Peterson // DellWood 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson Street, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com • $15 in advance, $20 at the door • Americana singer-songwriter Drew Peterson returns with DellWood to celebrate a new album and the 20th anniversary reissue of his debut. Expect clever lyrics, dry humor, and genre-blending sound from one of the Midwest’s standout

A Gathering in the Garden 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM • Post House Garden, 119 E Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green • christlutheransg.org • Worship begins at 10:00 AM, followed by lunch from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM with live music by the Solstice Jazz Band. Enjoy good food, great music, and desserts made by Christ Lutheran Church members. Stop for our service; stay for lunch. All are welcome! Email oﬃce@christlutheransg.org for any questions!

Open Jam on the River with Janna and the Junkyard Dawgs 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Trader’s Tiki Bar, 201 Hwy 14, Arena • For more information look up Traders Tiki Bar on Facebook • Join the fun at this scenic riverside jam session hosted by high-energy variety cover band Janna and the Junkyard Dawgs. All styles and skill levels welcome — Bring your instrument, your voice, and good vibes.

WORKSHOP: 7-Day Candle Mosaic 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM • North Earth Crystals & Gifts, 124 W Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green • angeldreamsstudios.com • $60 • Transform a 7-day candle into a vibrant mosaic in this calming, hands-on workshop led by Angel Dreams Studios. All supplies provided; bring personal embellishments if desired. To reserve your spot, call 608-588-3313.

Monday, June 2

Snack n’ Study 3:30PM – 6:30 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/snack-n-study • Middle–High School • Change up your study routine! We've got snacks, a comfy couch and pillows, quiet space, snacks, space to collab with friends, great cramming resources, and did we mention: SNACKS?! Bring your homework and your appetite!

Trivia Night 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson Street, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com • Join host Kyle Adams for a fun evening of team trivia with prizes and laughs. First question drops at 7:00 PM. Expect 2–2.5 hours of gameplay.

Tuesday, June 3

Yarn Rocks! 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Meet fellow knitters, get beginner to mid-level knitting help, learn new skills, and enjoy the social and health beneﬁts of craft work. Drop in anytime; no registration required.

Wednesday, June 4

LIVE VIEWING PROGRAM: Attracting Hummingbirds 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe Street, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Join us for a live viewing of this webinar! Learn how to invite hummingbirds to your garden with tips from gardening expert Melinda Myers. Includes guidance on plant choices, feeders, and safe garden design.

COMMUNITY: Snow Appreciation Event 7:00 PM • The Shed Bar & Grill, 123 N Lexington Street, Spring Green • shedbarandgrill.com • Stop by for an appreciation and farewell gathering honoring Matt and Jen Snow for their contributions to the River Valley music program and community. Enjoy cake, dinner, drinks, and good company. All who know and love the Snows are invited!

Thursday, June 5

Tech Drop-in 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • rvbroadband.org/techhelp • Free drop-in help with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop—no appointment needed. Knowledgeable volunteers or staﬀ assist with email setup, social media, software issues, and more. Part of a rotating weekly series across River Valley libraries.

Lone Rock Farmers Market 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM • Center Park, 326 E Liberty St., Lone Rock • Shop local produce, baked goods, handmade items, and more! Held every Thursday through the growing season.

Spring Green Recreational Soccer 5:30 PM • Spring Green North Park, behind the pool • For more information look up "Spring Green Recreational Soccer" on Facebook • Ages 12+ • Tuesday and Thursday evenings (weather permitting) Casual and fun community play for teens and adults.

LOCAL NIGHT: Jodi Jean 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Post House Garden, 119 East Jeﬀerson Street • Enjoy an early evening set of live music from Jodi Jean.

Friday, June 6

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session 334 – Caroline Rose (solo), Night 1 7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM) • Sh*tty Barn, 506 East Madison Street, Spring Green • shittybarnsessions.com • All ages • Advance tickets sold out. That said, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers • Known for genre-defying albums and oﬀbeat storytelling, Caroline Rose brings raw tracks from Year of the Slug to an intimate solo show. No streaming—just music, direct and unﬁltered.

The Community Calendar is curated by Bonnie Ostrander and designed by Julianna Williams.

Eventsfor May 29 - June 12

Karaoke Night 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM • The Shed Bar & Grill, 123 N Lexington St., Spring Green • shedbarandgrill.com • Step up to the mic and sing your favorites at The Shed’s lively karaoke night. A fun way to kick oﬀ the weekend with friends, music, and good vibes.

Free Fun Weekend: Free Access to Wisconsin Parks, Trails & Fishing All day • Statewide • dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/freefun • All ages • Free • Admission to state parks, state trail passes, and ﬁshing licenses are waived today. Explore over 50 parks, 44 trails, and 15,000 lakes, or try ﬁshing without a license—loaner gear and clinics available at many locations. ATV/UTV trail fees and registration also waived. Most properties open 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

2025 Iowa County Dairy Breakfast 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM (rain or shine) • B. Kurt Dairy, 4239 Reeson Rd, Barneveld • For more information look up Iowa County Dairy Promotion on Facebook • All ages • $10 adults / $5 children / Free for kids under 3 • Hosted by the Handel family, this breakfast features pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. Enjoy live music, a petting zoo, kids’ activities, and farm tours. Shuttle parking at 1 Vortex Drive, Barneveld; busing provided by Barneveld School.

34th Annual Sauk County Dairy Breakfast 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM • Narrows Dairy –Nolden Family Farm, S4197A Buckeye Rd, Rock Springs • For more information look up Sauk County Dairy Breakfast on Facebook • All ages • $10 adults / $5 children ages 5–11 / Free for children under 5 • Enjoy pancakes, eggs with ham, sausage, cheese curds, applesauce, milk, juice, coﬀee, and Culver’s custard with toppings including honey fudge. Dairy fun for the whole family!

CLASS: Concealed Carry Class 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Impact Fitness & Martial Arts Academy, 550 Sunrise Dr. #107, Spring Green • impactspringgreen.com • $75 • Taught by a Wisconsin State Certiﬁed Firearms Instructor, this four-hour course meets the DOJ training requirement for applying for a CCW. No ﬁrearms allowed except those provided for training. Written test at end. Registration required.

LIVE MUSIC: Hot Rod Eddie 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shiﬄet Rd., Spring Green • wisconsinriversideresort.com • Hot Rod Eddie brings energy and rockin’ rhythms to the riverfront for a fun afternoon of live music!

LIVE MUSIC: KT Johnson 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Post House Garden, 119 East Jeﬀerson Street • KT Johnson takes the stage to carry your Saturday evening into the night. Great tunes, great food, and a laid-back vibe.

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Session 335 – Caroline Rose (solo), Night 2 7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM) • Sh*tty Barn, 506 East Madison Street, Spring Green • shittybarnsessions.com • All ages • Advance tickets sold out. That said, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers • For Night 2, Caroline Rose brings her raw and eclectic Year of the Slug solo performance to one of the Driftless area's most beloved venues.

PREVIEW: 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' 8:00 PM • Hill Theatre, American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org • Tickets limited, purchase at americanplayers.org • Shakespeare’s beloved comedy returns to the Hill in a sparkling production ﬁlled with romance, magic, and mischief. With two Pucks and a cast of humans and fairies chasing love and transformation under the stars, this poetic romp is the perfect way to start your summer. Ideal for all ages—bring your loved ones and be merry.

Puzzle Night 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • All ages • Enjoy puzzles, snacks, and beverages during this relaxing community gathering. Bring your own puzzles to share or enjoy a variety from the library’s collection.

CLASS: Welcome to Basic Stained Glass 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM • Angel Dreams Studios, E2516 Brace Rd, Lone Rock • angeldreamsstudios.com (email BillieJo@angeldreamsstudios.com to register) • Learn stained glass techniques from pattern design to soldering while creating your own piece. Ongoing and ﬂexible enrollment- $150 for ﬁve-class session, materials are an additional $75–$150.

LIVE MUSIC: Westerlies 6:00 PM • American Players Theatre grounds, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org/events/midsummer-music • FREE • Bring your picnic and enjoy live acoustic music on the APT grounds as part of their Midsummer Music series. The Westerlies kick oﬀ the evening with a relaxed, open-air performance.

PREVIEW: 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' 7:30 PM • Hill Theatre, American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org • Tickets limited, purchase at americanplayers.org • Shakespeare’s beloved comedy returns to the Hill.

Sunday, June 8 Thursday, June 12

Free Fun Weekend: Free Access to Wisconsin Parks, Trails & Fishing All day • Statewide • dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/freefun • All ages • Free • Discover Wisconsin’s outdoors with free state park admission, trail access, and ﬁshing. All regulations still apply, but no fees or licenses are needed. Visit a hidden gem, hike a new trail, or cast a line—adventure awaits during this statewide celebration of public lands.

44th Annual Richland County Dairy Breakfast 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM • Schmidt Farms 29281 Fairview Rd, Lone Rock • For more information look up Richland County Dairy Breakfast on Facebook • All ages • Celebrate Wisconsin dairy with a hearty farm breakfast at this long-running Richland County tradition.

LIVE MUSIC: Donne Reyzek 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM • The Shed Bar & Grill, 123 N Lexington St., Spring Green • shedbarandgrill.com • Donne Reyzek brings a lively afternoon of music to The Shed—perfect for a relaxing Sunday with food, drinks, and tunes.

A Day at Taliesin 2025 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Hillside School, 6604 Highway 23 Trunk, Spring Green • taliesinpreservation.org/events • All ages • $15 adults, free for 17 and under • Celebrate Frank Lloyd Wright’s 158th birthday with walking tours, a scavenger hunt, local vendors, crafts, theater, and Driftless Landscape Tours. Space is limited and pre-registration is encouraged!

LIVE MUSIC: Countryfied 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Rd., Spring Green • wisconsinriversideresort.com • Kick back with an afternoon of live music by Countryfied on the banks of the Wisconsin River.

Book Signing with Jeff Elzinga 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Arcadia Books, 102 E Jefferson Street, Spring Green • readinutopia.com • Meet Jeff Elzinga, author of Pigeon Falls, a powerful novel set in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area that explores themes of labor, resilience, and personal legacy. Elzinga will sign books and discuss his work.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Gloria Swansong 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson Street, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com • $15 in advance, $20 at the door • NYC’s premier Judy Garland tribute artist resurrects the great dames of Broadway and Old Hollywood in a dazzling evening of song and storytelling. Also a political SLAM poet, Gloria openly shares personal insights as a trans non-binary artist, oﬀering sharp commentary on queer fashion, gender theory, and the modern trans rights movement.

Silent Writing Club 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com • Develop your writing practice in silence and in community! Led by "Driftless Grace" Vosen and recurring most second Mondays of the month. Visit the slowpokelounge.com to check for any conﬂicting events, or email driftlessgrace@gmail.com for more information.

PERFORMANCE: The Madison Savoyards – The Zoo & Assorted Sullivan Songs 7:00 PM • Cornerstone Church, 210 N Lexington Street, Spring Green • ruralmusiciansforum.org • Presented by the Rural Musicians Forum. This encore concert is delivered with humor and charm by The Madison Savoyards.

Storytime 10:30 AM • Lone Rock Community Library, 234 North Broadway St, Lone Rock • lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com • FREE • All ages • Families are invited to enjoy stories and activity time!

Squirt Gun Painting 10:30 AM • Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway Street, Lone Rock • lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com • Great family fun! Part of the Lone Rock Library’s Summer Reading Program.

Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM • Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St, Spring Green • springgreengeneralstore.com • FREE • The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome. Tech Drop-in 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock, WI • springgreenlibrary.org • Free drop-in help with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop—no appointment needed. Knowledgeable volunteers or staﬀ assist with email setup, social media, software issues, and more. Part of a rotating weekly series across River Valley libraries. More info: rvbroadband.org/techhelp.

Lone Rock Farmers Market 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM • Center Park, 326 E Liberty St., Lone Rock • Shop local produce, baked goods, handmade items, and more! Held every Thursday through the growing season.

LOCAL NIGHT: Acoustic River Band 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Post House Garden, 119 East Jeﬀerson Street • Enjoy a fun evening with Acoustic River Band, serving up a smooth blend of acoustic favorites! Spring Green Recreational Soccer 5:30 PM • Spring Green North Park, behind the pool • For more information look up Spring Green Recreational Soccer on Facebook • Ages 12+ • Tuesday and Thursday evenings (weather permitting) Casual and fun community play for teens and adults.

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session 336 – Pieta Brown & The Taken (featuring Erik Koskinen) 7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM) • Sh*tty Barn, 506 East Madison Street, Spring Green • shittybarnsessions.com • All ages • Advance tickets sold out. That said, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers • Acclaimed Americana artist Pieta Brown brings her rich catalog and experimental edge to the Barn, joined by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Erik Koskinen.

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

June 3: Village of Arena Board Meeting 7:00 PM • Arena Village Hall, 345 West St., Arena

June 6:

DONATE: American Red Cross Blood Drive 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM • Christ Lutheran Church, 237 E Daley, Spring Green • Appointment required • Visit redcrossblood.org to schedule or call 1-800-RED CROSS. June 9: Spring Green Library Board Meeting 5:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E Monroe St., Spring Green • Meetings are open to the public. Wildlife Forever ATV/UTV Club Meeting 6:30 PM • VFW Post, 514 Willow St., Arena • Monthly meeting of the Wildlife Forever ATV/UTV Club.

June 10:

VOLUNTEER: Stream Monitoring in the Lowery Creek Watershed 8:00 AM –10:00 AM • Lowery Creek Watershed, 6172 County Road Z, Spring Green • Register online at savannainstitute.org • Help monitor two stream sites at Savanna Institute’s South Farm. No experience needed—training provided. Dress for tall grass and muddy terrain. Bring water and a snack!

Village of Lone Rock Board Meeting 7:00 PM • Village Hall, 314 E Forest Street, Lone Rock

June 11:

Village of Spring Green Board Meeting 7:00 PM • Village Oﬃce, 154 N Lexington Street, Spring Green • vi.springgreen.wi.gov • In-person and virtual options available. Village of Plain Board Meeting 7:00 PM • Village Hall, 510 Main Street, Plain June 12: Village of Plain EMS Meeting 7:00 PM • Plain EMS Station, 1045 Cedar Street, Plain River Valley School Board Meeting 7:00 PM • River Valley Middle School Library, 660 W Daley Street, Spring Green

Bi-Weekly Sword Tip

Memorializing Some American Heroes

Driftless Grace: Human, Kind

change in my surface mood after I take a walk or the clouds disappear. We can create pinpricks of light in the darkness for one another. It takes so little effort to consider the people around us, but it can make a measurable difference to someone’s day. As a college professor of mine once said, we should eschew "random acts of kindness" and instead choose to be kind deliberately. If someone is still sad after I smile and say hello, so be it. I would rather say that I tried.

As I write this article on Memorial Day weekend, I am reminded of having lost an Uncle in WWII, a bomber photographer, Dean Wanless, (whom I never got to meet). And also of my good friend Joel who succumbed to Parkinson's about three years ago as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam as an Army nurse. And all of the other veterans I cared for in two different (Madison & Denver) Veteran Hospitals as a nursing assistant while working my way through nursing school. As I look back, I had entered quite the brother/ sisterhood that continues today when I see a member in uniform and/or when we visit a base, no matter what branch. I have SO much gratitude for my/our service that took us to many locations to learn of many fallen heroes… like our four-year tour to Okinawa, Japan. While stationed there we attended an Episcopal Church named “All Souls Episcopal Church” after all the souls lost in the Battle of Okinawa. In fact, while we were stationed there, the 50 year anniversary of that Battle was remembered as our church held services for the 100 days of the Battle. The names of each of the more than 120,000 Japanese and American lives cut short in the war were offered in prayers for peace. Wow…talk about bringing history back to life…or death as it were.

One of our favorite islands to visit by ferry was Ie Island. While speeding our way around the island on rented scooters, we came across a marker of America’s most popular war correspondent, Ernie Pyle. To this day, I’m still learning about this war hero. In fact, a book titled “The Soldier's Truth: Ernie Pyle and the Story of World War II” by acclaimed writer David Chrisinger brings Pyle’s journey to vivid life in all his heroism and experience.

There was a time when Ernie Pyle, as a journalist, was the most trusted man in America. He carried a portable Corona typewriter to the front lines of World War II, and gave the folks back home an honest, graphic look at life in the trenches for the grunts, the infantryman–his guys.

He called them the “underdogs” — “the mud-rain-frost-and wind boys that wars can’t be won without.” You can’t tell that story from the rear talking to generals, you have to be at the front with the grunts seeing it with your own eyes.

From North Africa, through Europe, to the final Pacific Theater including The Battle of Okinawa), Pyle told their stories, and every word was taken as gospel back home. War wasn’t about heroes and bravery, he wrote, it was about fear and constant anxiety, about scared boys who were barely men just

Sherry Hillesheim, R.N.

trying to stay alive, have each other’s backs, and make it home.

A moving tribute to an ordinary American hero whose impact on the war is still too little understood, and a powerful account of that war’s impact and how it is remembered, The Soldier's Truth takes its place among the essential contributions to our perception of war and how we make sense of it.

Drawing on access to all of Pyle’s personal correspondence, his book captures every dramatic turn of Pyle’s war with a powerful feel for both the outer and the inner landscape. With a background in helping veterans and other survivors of trauma come to terms with their experiences through storytelling, Chrisinger brings enormous reservoirs of empathy and insight to bear on Pyle’s trials. Woven in and out of his chronicle is the golden thread of his own travels across these same landscapes, many of them still battle-scarred, searching for the landmarks Pyle wrote about

On April 18, 1945, just six days after President Franklin Roosevelt succumbed to a fatal stroke, a bullet from a Japanese machine gun prematurely ended the 44-year-old journalist’s (Ernie Pyles’) life. In less than a week, Americans everywhere found themselves collectively mourning—and publicly commemorating—the loss of two national heroes. Pyle is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

May we never forget the honor these brave heroes gave us through their selfless service. True history helps keep us woke, Warriors!

Spiritual Meditation: Lessons in life are like arrows in your quiver. They only work if you use them. - Daily Medicine

I have often found myself acting as an ambassador for the places I live, work, or frequent. Even before I moved to this tourist town -- where we spend the summer eating lunch and drinking coffee with thousands of our closest friends -- I had a number of jobs that put me in this position. I have been the first face people saw, the first voice they heard, or the first email they received upon their arrival to the Driftless. At my current job, I'm also the first person my coworkers see when they arrive at work every morning. I enjoy this duty, although it can be a lot of pressure to set the tone for the day ahead. It makes me proud to see my colleagues visibly relax as they enter our space. Just by taking a moment to smile and say hello, I can make those around me feel safe, comfortable, and cared for.

This role took on even more significance in the aftermath of last fall’s election. Emotions are still running high from that dark day. It was hard for me on November 6th not to feel guilty about my smiling greetings to coworkers. I wanted to suppress my tendency to provide a ray of hope; after all, who was I to say that people shouldn't be grief-stricken?

I’ve had my share of grief in life, though, which might make me uniquely suited to face this situation. I know it’s possible to be sad about the big things and happy about the little things all at once. Neither takes away from the other.

A smile can have the same effect as exercise, a good cry, or a sunny day. There are times when this is all I need to feel better. It doesn’t mean I’m not grieving a loss, but rather that I'm taking every chance to pause and breathe and try to reset. Many of my journal entries reflect a 180-degree

Grace Vosen is a writer and conservation educator living in Spring Green. She blogs about both the human and nonhuman communities of our region at DriftlessGrace.com.

Grace will be hosting a Silent Writing Club 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green June 9 to develop your writing practice in silence and in community! Recurring most second Mondays of the month. Visit the slowpokelounge.com to check for any conflicting events, or email driftlessgrace@gmail.com for more info.

A DAY AT TALIESIN join us

SUNDAY, JUNE 8 | 12-4 PM TH

ADULTS $15 | AGES 17 AND UNDER FREE REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Political Humor: May your bone spurs not hold you back from service or doing the right thing.

My blog and contact information: www.holisticseekers.com; 719-2139963

Your ad here, same size as above, for ONLY $20 /edition!

Guided Driftless Landscape Tours

Independent walking tour

Scavenger hunt

Access to rarely-opened spaces

Entertainment in Hillside Theater

Crafts & activities

Local food vendors

Discounted Taliesin House Tours

Grace Vosen, Contributor

Grace Vosen

Wandering the Driftless

The Quest for A Wild Turkey

John Cler, Columnist

Setting goals is part of life. Goals are often financial, career oriented or family centered. Those that cherish the outdoors set goals, as well. Youngsters work toward a first legal buck or a first legal muskie, usually with the help of an older relative. Once met, these goals are set and re-set as the outdoorsperson matures and gains experience in the outdoors, but those “firsts” hold a special place in the memory.

Those that did not have the opportunity to be introduced to the outdoors as youngsters, missed out on many of those “firsts”, while growing up. This makes those “firsts” a bit more difficult, but not impossible. Groups like The National Deer Association (NDA) have stepped forward with Learn To Hunt (LTH) programs, aimed at providing an opportunity to accomplish one of those “firsts” in the outdoors.

Brock Rosenkranz works to set up LTH experiences for adults for the Deer Association. He was instrumental in setting up a Learn To Hunt Wild Turkeys event during the first portion of the Memorial Day weekend recently. He contacted a number of mentors to assist adults new to turkey hunting, to the activity. Those adults, mentees, signed up on-line via the Department of Natural Resources Go Wild website. My family’s hunting cabin would serve as headquarters for the event.

Firearm safety and sighting-in of turkey guns was the first order of business. Mentees were given a box call and diaphragm calls during the next session and instructed in how to produce yelps, clucks and purrs that might be required to call in a big bird. A discussion on tips for finding places to hunt followed.

The highlight of the first day was three mentor/mentee groups heading out for an evening hunt/scouting expedition to various parts of Richland County. No shots were fired, but each group saw or heard turkeys, resulting in high hopes for a good hunt the following morning. Brock had prepared a dinner of brats and burgers for the group to consume around a campfire.

A short night was interrupted by a 3:45 AM wake-up call. Coffee was quickly swallowed, along with some baked goods, as each group headed out into the pre-dawn darkness to their chosen ridge top. Spirits were high, despite the short night typical of late season turkey hunts. Plans were made to wrap up the hunt around 10 AM. Mentors began comparing notes around 8 AM, via text message. One group had lots of gobbling but no sightings. Another had a close encounter at 6 o’clock, but no bird. The other group heard a few gobbles but had seen nothing. Things were looking grim. Just prior to 10 AM the text arrived: Gobbler Down!

Erika Gonzalez had scored on a very nice bird with the help of mentor Billy Kellogg. They gladly shared the story with the assembled group back at camp. They had located a pair of gobblers sounding off regularly. They hurriedly got in front of their line of travel and set up. Billy told Erika to get her gun up, as things might happen very quickly. Thunderous gobbles followed the first yelps, as the gobblers approached to 15 yards. Erika, exhib-

CROSSWORD & CHESS PUZZLES

iting nerves of steel, held still until one of the birds walked in front of her shotgun barrel. That bird was butchered by the mentors as the mentees watched. Erika’s quest for a wild turkey began in 2008, when a friend took her on a hunt on Washington Island. She hunted a bit, on her own, off and on since then, but decided to attend the LTH event in an attempt to learn more and possibly harvest that first bird. Sometimes an outdoor

“first” takes a long time, making it all the sweeter.

John Cler is a retired high school science teacher and principal residing in Richland Center. He is an avid hunter, trapper, fisher and nature nut. He currently chairs the Richland County Deer Advisory Council and the Richland County Delegation of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

Photo contributed by John Cler

The Learn To Hunt Wild Turkeys mentors and mentees share in a successful hunt.

Puzzle created by Jen Zaborek, edited by Nick Zaborek

Viktor Pilipenko 1969

Photo contributed by John Cler Mentor Billy Kellog(L) and successful mentee Erika Gonzalez with her first wild turkey.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

Once a year I try to catch a salmon out of my canoe. Generally, if I spend two days trying I catch between 1 to 3 and have never caught over 3. This year I have been thinking about my annual challenge for several months and was very excited to head to Port Washington and try my luck. To make life a little more interesting I decided not to use electronics and pretty much fish like someone may have many a hundred years ago.

Saturday, May 10th

High 56°, Low 42°

I started my day at a KAMO function near Wisconsin Dells where the high was 82, when I arrived at Port Washington at 6:00 pm the high had been 56 and there was a stiff northeast wind blowing and not a single boat on the water. I rigged lines and relaxed at a beach before heading to the local Walmart to spend the night in the GMC Hotel.

Sunday, May 11th

High 57°, Low 43°

There was too much wind to launch my canoe until 7:00 this morning but I was ready and super excited as all reports from the last week were that the coho were hitting. My plan was to pull two dodger, peanut fly combinations with a one-ounce weight on each one and on my 3rd line I was going to experiment with crankbaits and spoons.

I would use a kayak paddle, and the biggest name of the game is to paddle hard enough to get your lures working to fool a coho. I headed south from the harbor towards Milwaukee and within 15 minutes had my first strike and landed about a 3-pound coho, in other words the pressure was off. For the next 4 hours I paddled without a strike and only saw 2 fish caught by people in boats.

At 11:30 I decided to try paddling in the harbor and within a minute had a strike and caught my 2nd coho. I was resetting the dodger/fly combo when another fish smacked it, and I went 3 for 3 and was all smiles as the best I have ever done is 3 salmon.

For the next 3 hours I paddled and had yet to get out of my canoe. I straddle a milk crate and live on my knees and things get a bit numb from the waist down. I missed two fish at about 1:00 but was confident as I had plenty of daylight. At 2:30 I was paddling outside of the harbor and once again the dodger/fly was smacked and I caught number 4 which put another big smile on my face. I paddled maybe 50 yards, got smacked again and iced number 5. I

felt like a freaking hero, I have never seen anyone fishing out of a canoe on Lake Michigan and have had many slow experiences plus two times where I sunk my rig, HOORAY!

I was done cleaning my fish by 5 and decided to walk the long north wall and talk to shore fishermen, there were hundreds, maybe thousands of pounds of alewife swimming in the very clear water and I did not talk to a fisherman that had caught a fish.

Most recognized me as the crazy guy in the canoe.

Sunday, May 11th

High 57°, Low 43°

I was paddling at 6:00 this morning after night 2 in the Walmart parking lot in the GMC Hotel. Like yesterday, my first hit/fish came within 15 minutes, unlike yesterday there was no break between number one and number two and 74 minutes after launching my canoe I had 5 fish in the box and was heading to my truck. Today I went 5 for 5 and have to admit, electronics, my 18.6 War Eagle, I don’t miss you a bit, sometimes ya bore me!

I have never been able to make it home without taking a nap after this type of adventure. I was within 10 minutes of my house, and I lost almost all sense of sanity, it was like I just drank a bottle of whiskey. I literally almost pulled over two miles from my house.

Long story short, I made it home with plenty of coho fillets for friends and family and was feeling like I was king of my canoe, at least this week!

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Sunset

Anything for a Coho

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Mark Walters caught this limit of coho salmon out of his canoe in 74 minutes at Port Washington.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters A nice limit of coho salmon caught by Mark Walters at Port Washington.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters This rig is a fish catching machine.