Towertimes spring 2016 issue

The

Tower Times

City of Stoughton

Issue 1, Spring 2016

Voter ID: What to Expect For the 2016 elections the presentation of Voter ID will be required to vote. To make sure that you have everything you need to vote and have a smooth voting experience, please make sure that you have one of these items for Voter ID: • A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license • A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card • An identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service • A U.S. passport

• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin • An unexpired identification card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university or college that contains the following: • Date of Issuance - Signature of Student - Expiration date not later than two years after Date of Issuance Don’t have one of these? Not a problem! The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is offering free identification cards for voting purposes available at DMV locations around the state. Learn about getting a free Wisconsin ID card on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website: http://wisconsindot.gov/ Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/id-card.aspx

• Identifications above must be unexpired, or if expired, have expired after the date of the most recent general election When do we vote in 2016?

[November 4, 2014].

Here are the dates: • A veteran’s photo April 5, 2016 - Spring Election and Presidential identification card issued Preference by the Veterans Health August 9, 2016 - Partisan Primary Administration of the federal Department of November 8, 2016 - Fall General Election Veterans Affairs As always, feel free to call your Municipal Clerk with • A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented

• An unexpired driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT. • An unexpired identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT.

any questions you may have!

Happy Voting!

2 Spring 2016

The Tower Times

Election Day Poll Workers Needed

Thank You Citizens of Stoughton

Compensation

Each month approximately 190 families, made up of about 500 children and adults, come to the Stoughton Food Pantry. And each month the citizens of Stoughton have generously provided basic food necessities to those who come. In a typical month we distribute over 12,400 pounds of food and personal items.

$8/hr

Hours

6:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Without the help of poll workers, the election cannot be held. Poll workers assist with registering new voters, administering ballots to voters, and ensuring that the election laws of the state are followed precisely.

This is possible due to the unbelievable generosity of the hundreds of people who donate their time, talents and money. Each week volunteers donate their time to staff the pantry, pick up food, stock the shelves and order foods. Various community groups have held food drives. These groups include the schools of Stoughton, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Kiwanis Club, Post Office workers, and many other groups and individuals. These food drives have collected about 10,000 pounds of food. Elementary students have created gardens and donated fresh produce. Finally many Stoughton citizens, businesses and community groups have generously donated their money. In 2015 generous cash donations enabled the pantry to purchase canned and boxed goods, milk, eggs, dairy products and some fruits and vegetables.

What are the requirements to be a poll worker?

If you are interested in assisting in these ongoing efforts, please consider becoming a volunteer.

Volunteer application forms are available on the city of Stoughton web site.

Position Objectives

The City of Stoughton Clerk’s Office is looking for individuals to help us to serve the public by providing the most fair and efficient elections possible. By serving as a poll worker, you have the chance to give back to your community and to meet the citizens of the City of Stoughton.

Why do we need poll workers?

• Must be a registered and qualified voter of Dane County

It is truly hard to believe the generosity of this small town. Thank you Stoughton for all you do.

• Must enjoy working with the public

Sincerely, The Stoughton Food Pantry Board

• Must be able to work for an entire election day shift (7-8 hours) • Must help with all setup/ reconciliation of election (depending on shift worked) All City of Stoughton Poll Workers are compensated $8.00/ hour for their time at the polling place.

The Clerk’s office will make sure that you are trained on all election laws and procedure. A training session is held before every election.

If you are interested in helping the City of Stoughton’s voters, please complete an application and mail to 381 E Main St, Stoughton, WI 53589. Applications for the position of poll worker can be found on the City of Stoughton website. Please call the Stoughton City Clerk’s Office at 608-8736677, if you have any questions.

Stoughton Utilities Donates to City of Stoughton Economic Development Program Stoughton Mayor Donna Olson and Director of Finance and Economic Development Laurie Sullivan recently accepted a check for $1,000 from Technical Operations Supervisor Brian Hoops of Stoughton Utilities.

Stoughton Utilities LED Light Exchange and Holiday Food Drive a Success

Stoughton Utilities has long been committed to helping make the Stoughton community a great place to live and work. As a Public Power community, Stoughton Utilities seeks to assist the city in promoting Stoughton as an attractive location for new businesses, as well as retaining and expanding our valued existing businesses, and increasing the tax base and employment opportunities.

Stoughton Utilities took their energy efficiency efforts one step further this past holiday season, offering utility customers a “bright” reward for charitable donations to the City of Stoughton Food Pantry and the Stoughton Holiday Fund.

This donation is part of Stoughton Utilities’ Community Economic Development Program and is made in cooperation with its power provider, WPPI Energy.

Utility customers in Stoughton were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to the local food pantry, or cash donations to the community run holiday fund, to support the need to assist local residents during the holiday season. Stoughton Utilities’ customers received a strand of energy efficient LED holiday lights for exchanging their older incandescent lights, and an additional strand with a food or monetary donation to the City of Stoughton Food Pantry or the Stoughton Holiday Fund.

Founded in 1886, Stoughton Utilities serves electric customers in Stoughton and the surrounding area, and wastewater and water customers in Stoughton.

Drug Drop-Off Brought to you by: Stoughton Wellness Coalition

“During the holiday season there is an increased need for donations to help feed local residents, and our customers have the opportunity to be leaders in Stoughton by assisting those in need,” Stoughton Utilities Technical Operations Supervisor Brian Hoops said. “There was no limit to what non-perishable foods could be donated, and Stoughton Utilities encouraged customers to give what they could.”

Get Unwanted Meds Out...Of your homes, Of our waters & landfills Of the reach of children!!

Compared to standard incandescent holiday lights, LED lights offer several advantages. LED lights are more efficient, using 99 percent less energy, and are safer and last longer than standard holiday lights. LED lights produce almost no heat and do not have the same components that cause traditional lights to burn out or combust.

The drop off location is outside at the Stoughton Police Department, 321 South Fourth Street, Stoughton, WI 53589, (608) 8733374

“Through this promotion, our utility customers saved energy and helped their neighbors have a happier and healthier holiday season,” said Hoops. “It’s the type of win-win situation that we love to see, and the outpouring of support says a lot about the generosity of this community.”

2. If possible, leave all medications in their original containers. You may black out any personal information that is on the bottle.

2015 marked the fifth year Stoughton Utilities has held the annual LED Holiday Light Exchange. This year, Stoughton Utilities customers donated 596 nonperishable food items weighing 552 pounds to the City of Stoughton Food Pantry, as well as $840 in cash donations to the Stoughton Holiday Fund.

4. Questions about dropping off medications can be directed to the Stoughton Police Department. Please call: (608) 873-3374

Keeping unused, unwanted and expired prescription and overthe-counter drugs in your home poses a risk to you, your family and your community.

To provide you with an anonymous, easy, secure and responsible way to properly dispose of these drugs, the Stoughton Wellness Coalition has established a permanent pharmaceutical drug drop-off box for area residents.

Drop-Off Procedures

Please follow these instructions for free disposal of your unwanted medications: 1. Gather all unwanted medications from where you have them stored.

Accepted Substances

Prescription medications and medication samples, Over-the-counter medications, Inhalers, No Sharps, No Syringes, No Needles, No Lancets

Safe Storage and Tips

Always store medications in the original containers.

Never keep medications past their expiration date.

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Always store separately medications for family members.

Never guess on how much medication to take.

Read the label before you open the bottle to ensure the right dosage is taken.

Never let young children take medicine by themselves.

Don’t store medications in areas that are hot and humid, such as the bathroom medicine cabinet.

Always Enjoyed, Never Returned

Lock your medicine cabinet. A cabinet or a drawer with a lock on it would also work.

Do talk with your children about the dangers of drug abuse!

183 E. Main Street, Downtown Stoughton

608-873-1777

The drug drop-box is anonymous and available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. adno=455407-01

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3. Bring the medications to the secured drug collection box.

Stoughton Wellness Coalition. The Stoughton Wellness Coalition was formed in 2006, through collaborative efforts of Stoughton Hospital, the Stoughton School District and the City of Stoughton. The coalition promotes a collaborative approach to personal and community wellness through health promotion, educational programming and service to the Stoughton Area Community.

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4 Spring 2016

The Tower Times

The Benefits of Unstructured Play

By Tom Lynch, Stoughton Park and Recreation News outlets regularly report that Americans are less healthy than previous generations. We can blame our eating habits for higher caloric intake and the attractiveness of electronic diversions for our decreasing activity.

My generation—the Baby Boomers—is responsible for a lot of what has gone wrong with our country’s health despite growing up in a completely different world. Technology consisted of 4 channels on our single black and white TV, and other than Saturday morning cartoons, there was very little worth watching for a child. Our scheduled activities consisted of little league baseball (one day a week) and Cub Scouts.

This is what we did have: one parent stayed home and the neighborhood kids gathered every day in parks, school grounds, vacant lots and wooded places until our parents called us home at night, learning how to get along in play without adult direction. Leaders led, followers followed. We learned that keeping the game going was more important than a disagreement or the outcome. We grew to love sports and activity, without any conversations about the health benefits of playing more.

As we grew into adults, life became easier. Both parents worked and cable news kept everyone aware of the dangers out there.

Sport for Life Day Camps These camps are designed to start your child on their lifelong journey of participating in sports for life. There are two main components to the camps; physical literacy development and teaching them how to play pick-up/sandlot games.

Physical Literacy is defined as the ability, confidence, and desire to move. For years children developed these skills by playing in unstructured settings. Since the majority of children no longer participate in unstructured play, they need to learn how to move their bodies and feel confident while moving. The first hour of each day will work on developing physical literacy in the children through set activities. The activities will focus on developing fundamental movement skills like throwing.

Picture in your head throwing with your non-dominant hand.

That is what it feels like to lack physical literacy.

This led to the desire to keep our children close and seek out supervised activities. We had more money and time so we created youth sports teams and played games in other towns. This was everything we wished we had when we were young. Children were selected for their early ability and others were left behind.

another half-hour of sitting the bench); that child would burn a lot more calories and gain more playing experience if she or he spent those two and a half hours playing three-on-three basketball with friends at Norse Park. It can also be argued that free play creates higher degrees of development.

In Stoughton, this happened in the late 1980s. We now have organized groups for every team sport with selection by ability, opportunities based on cost, increased travel time, and pressure to win. Children are selected for their early ability and others are left behind. The National Alliance for Sports reports that seventy percent of our children quit sports by age 13.

Children should also be encouraged to play outside an often as possible. This will create a higher level of physical literacy, leading to better athletes, more fun playing the game, and playing longer in life. As a community we should work together to make outside play more attractive and safe. The Recreation Department is looking into ways to provide supervision during designated hours in certain parks. Neighborhoods can also work together to accomplish the same things.

While there are many different factors and causes of inactivity in children and adults, there is a significant correlation between the rise of these problems and the heavily structured, highly competitive culture of youth sports that has become the norm over the past 25 to 30 years. Those programs have their benefits for some children, and many have great coaches that focus on team and individual growth and development and keeping sports fun, rather than focusing on the results of individual games. But the competitive structure tends to alienate children who are late bloomers, and exclude those who did not become interested in a particular sport until after elementary school. The “traveling team” culture can never bring the same health benefits as pick-up games in the neighborhood park. After all, it might take an hour roundtrip car ride to an out-of-town game where a child has halfan-hour of waiting to play, 30 minutes of actual playing time (and Unstructured free play teaches children how to work collaboratively, to share, to negotiate, and to resolve conflicts. In other words, unstructured free play gives children the ownership of the activity and it becomes theirs. Unfortunately, pick-up games have gone the way of the dinosaur and are nowhere to be found. We want to bring it back so that children can gain these valuable benefits. The unstructured free play portion will be supervised by an adult, but they will only be there to teach how to play the game (rules and violations) and for safety reasons.

Class Details

Days: Mondays-Thursday. Fridays will be used for possible makeups due to weather.

We talk about this trend every day in the Recreation Department, hear similar comments from parents, and see numerous studies and articles reaching the same conclusion – many of which are posted on the Department’s Facebook page. But there is a difference between recognizing a problem, and finding the solutions that work best for the community.

If you would like to see more free play programs—or have other ideas for programs that would serve these goals—let us know! We believe there is a pent-up demand for new initiatives that re-think how we foster youth engagement and athletics. But we need your input, involvement, and interest to create these new initiatives and make them work for our community.

Spring Lacrosse Skills Camp This program is for children in grades 1st-4th and all skill levels.

The philosophy behind the program is to teach basic skills and fundamentals, develop athletic skills, make new friends, and most importantly have fun! The camp is coached by Stoughton High School Coach Josh Wollin and assistants. All equipment will be provided.

Days: Sundays Dates: April 17 - May 22 Time: 5:00-6:00 PM

Fee: $110 – Resident, $120 – Non-Residents

Location: Fox Prairie Lacrosse Fields

Deadline: Monday, May 2nd

Fee: $35 – Resident, $43 – Non-Resident

Min/Max: 6/30

Registration Deadline: April 8

Maximum Instructor to Child Ratio: 6:1

Grades

Equipment Needed: Only a glove is needed for the baseball/softball camp. All other equipment is provided.

1-2 1301.100 3-4 1301.101 Register Online: stoughtonrec.com

Session 1 – Basketball

Program Code

Dates: Monday, June 20 to Thursday, July 1 Location: Norse Park Times

Ages

Activity Code

12:00-2:00 pm

7-9

1900.200

2:00-4:00 pm

10-12

1900.201

Session 2 – Flag Football

Dates: Monday, July 11 to Thursday, July 22 Location: Bjoin Park Times

Ages

Activity Code

12:00-2:00 pm

7-9

1900.202

2:00-4:00 pm

- 12

1900.203

Session 3 – Soccer

Dates: Monday, July 25 to Thursday, August 4 Location: Norse Park Times Willie Mays playing stickball with neighborhood children.

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Activity Code

7-9

1900.204

2:00-4:00 pm

10-12

1900.205

T-Ball provides the perfect introduction to the American pastime. Each week will be divided into a separate practice time of 30 minutes and a game time of 30 minutes.

Players are responsible to bring their own glove. All other equipment is provided.

Program Code: 1111.200 Days & Dates: Sundays, June 5 – July 31, No Class on July 3

Session 4 – Baseball/Softball

Dates: Monday, August 8 to Thursday, August 18

Times: 4:45 and 5:30 PM Game Times. Please note that practice could start as early as 4:15 PM

Location: Norse Park

Place: Racetrack Park

Times

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Mon. - Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Ages

12:00-2:00 pm

Rally Cap Tee Ball

Ages

Activity Code

12:00-2:00 pm

7-9

1900.205

2:00-4:00 pm

10-12

1900.206

Fees: Resident - $45 Non-Resident - $53 (Register by May 23) Coaches: Volunteers are needed. Coaches training will be on May 26th at 5:30 pm at Racetrack Park.

Go to our website, www.cityofstoughton.com/rec for spring and summer sports and activities!

The Tower Times

Spring 2016 5

Needed: Troll Beach Pool Concession Provider The Stoughton Recreation Department is looking for a business, family or individual to provide concessions to customers at Troll Beach for the 2016 season. The pool opens June 11 and closes August 20. Daily hours run 12:00 PM-5:00 seven days a week.

Contact Tom Lynch if you are interested or have more que stions, tlynch@ci.stoughton.wi.us or 608-873-6746

Little Gridders Flag Football

Zumba

This program will introduce four and five year olds to the sport of football. Stoughton football coaches and high school players will run parent/child pairs through a variety of fun games and activities that teach movement skills (dodging, running, throwing) to future gridiron stars. Each week will consist of a practice and a fun scrimmage. Soft footballs will be used.

Active for Life

Days: Tuesdays Dates: 4/19-5/24 Times: 5:30-6:30 pm Location: Racetrack Park (green space near barn and playground) Ages: Pre-K, Ages 4+

Summer Tennis Programs

Fee: $30 – Residents. $38 – Non-Residents (Shirts are included)

Our summer tennis programs will be run by Bill Jepsen. Bill is a tennis pro with 14 years of experience, including at two private clubs in California. He is also in his 12th season as head coach for high school boys & girls varsity tennis teams. He also managed a small private tennis club for 3+ years. He enjoys teaching and coaching tennis and his goal is to help you improve your tennis skills and enjoy the great game of tennis!

Program Code: 1152.100

Come Bloom into Art!

Youth Tennis Lessons (Ages 6-12) Our tennis lessons program is intended to develop a love of tennis in your child while working on the FUNdamentals. The 10 year old and under program features age appropriate equipment that is recommend by the USTA. Groups will be divided each week by skill level so the children will be challenged and engaged each week. Participants must provide their own racket. The USTA recommends 21, 23, or 25 inch racquets for 10 year old and younger participants. http:// www.10andundertennis.com/organizers/get-the-equipment/about Dates: June 11 – August 6, No Class July 2 (8 weeks) Days: Saturday Mornings

For this class each child will be painting their own beautiful flower!

They will be using acrylic paint on a 16 x 20 canvas. Throughout the painting will be talking about primary, secondary and complimentary colors. We will also talk about bold, colorful graphics. These painting turn out to be beautiful bright master pieces, fun to hang as we head into spring and summer!!

Time: 9:00-11:00 am Location: Stoughton Youth Center (567 E. Main St) Ages: 6 to 12 year olds Min/Max Participant: 10/20

Place: High School Tennis Courts

Deadline: Friday, April 17 or when full

Max Participants/Class: 12

Painting in the Parks

Private Lessons

Private lessons are offered to those who wish to take their game to new heights or want to work on something specifically. Please contact Bill directly at wiljep3@hotmail.com for more information.

Junior Weekly Tennis Clinics

Day Times Dates Program Code Fee (Res/NR) Thursdays 6:10-7:00 pm 5/5-6/9 2211.102 $25/$30 Sundays 4:00-5:00 pm 5/15-6/26, 2211.103 $25/$30

No 5/29

These games are played on Friday evenings to help kick off a great social night out. Games are played at Mandt and Racetrack Parks.

The league is scheduled to start May 20th. Men are required to use wood bats. Contact the Recreation Department or go online for an entry form. Contact the Recreation Department if you would like to be put on a free agent list. Entries are due by April 28th.

Other Classes & Activities

Fee: $40

Join us for our painting in the parks class. Bring a beverage, relax, and socialize!

Our experienced instructor will give participants step by step instructions on their way to creating a masterpiece. This class is modeled after popular painting and wine classes. All art supplies included. The painting samples (what the participants will be painting) are listed below.

Min/Max Participants: 6/25

Adult Coed Softball

Day & Date: Friday, April 29 (No School Day)

Registration Deadline: May 26 or when full

Time 9:00 – 9:55 am 10:00 - 10:55 am 11:00 – Noon

Who: Ages 16+

We have four men’s softball leagues which is one of the largest in the area. We have leagues on Wednesday, and Friday nights.

The leagues are scheduled to start May 18th and May 20th and they run until the beginning of August. Contact the Recreation Department or go to our web site for a team entry form. Contact the Recreation Department if you would like to be put on a free agent list. Entries are due April 28th.

Program Code: 1383.100

Ages 6 – 7 8 – 9 10 – 11

Location: 2nd Floor of the Youth Center

Men’s Slow Pitch Softball

Fees: Resident - $45 Non-Resident - $53

Program Code 1180.200 1180.201 1180.203

Our Zumba classes are taught by certified instructor Heidi Schenkenberg. Heidi is constantly changing up the routine to make the class fun and fresh. Zumba takes the “work” out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an intervalstyle, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you’ll see why Zumba Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise. Super effective? Check. Super fun? Check and check.

We aren’t able to list all of our classes in the Tower Times. Below are some of the other programs we will be offering this spring and summer.

Please go to our website - stoughtonrec.com for more information.

Youth & Adult Golf Youth Track & Field Youth Cooking Youth Strength & Conditioning Club Yoga PiYo Full Body Fitness Dog Obedience 6/16 Class Sample

Junior Angler Fishing Club Youth Painting Camp

The summer weekly junior clinics are designed for middle school and high school aged players whose goal is to develop intermediate and advanced level tennis skills to prepare themselves for their high school teams and possibly collegiate play. The format will be similar to high school varsity level practices with up-tempo, advanced level drills and competitive match play. Coach Bill will help each player identify their relative strengths and weaknesses. The goal should be to become a better tennis player over the course of the 10 hours of court time.

Times: 6:00-8:00 pm

Days: Monday-Friday

Location: Bjoin Park Shelter Fee: $45/class

We have online registration available. Please go to https://apm. activecommunities.com/stoughtonrec/Home and click on ‘View Activities’ for a complete listing of classes.

Times: 9:00-11:00 am

Min/Max Participants: 10/20

Location: High School Tennis Courts

Paper Registration

Junior Viking Track Club

Deadline: 1 week before start date Dates June 13-June 17 July 18-July 21 July 25-July 29 August 1-August 5

Program Code 1181.200 1181.201 1181.202 1181.203

*Daily drop-ins may be available for $20 if space is available.

Learn to Play Softball (Grades K-2) Our youth softball program focuses on developing softball FUNdamentals, athletic skills, and the love of sports. Thursdays will feature a one hour practice, and Sundays will have both practices and informal games. The games will feature coach pitch or t-ball depending on the player’s ability level. Practices will focus on the FUNdamentals of softball such as proper overhand throwing motion. Players are responsible to bring their own glove. All other equipment is provided.

Program Code: 1100.2 09 Grade K, 1100.210 Grade 1, 1100.211 Grade 2 Game Days & Dates: Sundays, June 5 – July 31, No Games July 3 Practice Days & Dates: Thursdays, June No Practice July 7

2

–

July

Miniball Soccer

Days: Thursdays

How to Register for an Activity

Date & Program Code: June 16 – 2357.200, July 21 – 2357.201, August 18 – 2357.202

The Stoughton Recreation Department is proud to be working with Stoughton High School head girl’s track coach Eric Benedict and middle school to offer a summer track and field program for 7 to 14 year olds. Junior Viking Track Club is the only program of its kind in the City of Stoughton. The goal of the Junior Viking Track Club is to supply a program of physical activity that serves as a strong foundation for all sports in a fun manner. The Junior Viking Track Club Program is targeting the most critical period of motor skill development in youth (age 8-11 for girls, 9-12 for boys) which can lead to future success in many sports.

Min/Max Participants: 4/8 Session Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4

Ages: Adults

30,

Under the instruction of the SHS Track and Field staff and varsity track and field athletes, your child will have fun learning the fundamental skills of running, jumping and throwing in age appropriate sequential progressions. At the end of the five weeks we will finish up with a JVT meet, allowing your child to demonstrate their growth and improvement!

Paper registration forms can be found in our seasonal activity guides that are inserted into the Great Dane in March and August. The form can also be found on our website - www.stoughtonrec.com

How to Reserve a Park Shelter Park shelters in the city can be reserved two different ways. The first way is to go to our website and go through the online reservation process. This process will allow individuals to search for open dates and seek amenities that they need for their gathering.

The other way is to fill out a Park Shelter reservation forms. These forms can be found at our website or at the Recreation Department office. For more details, see our website, www.stoughtonrec.com Stoughton Parks & Recreation • 381 E. Main St 608-873-6746 • stoughtonrec.com

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This program is scheduled to be during the dates of Summer Excel and the class starts right after the Summer Excel classes let out each day. Parents are able to have their children go straight to the track before they need to be picked up for the day.

Ages Time Program Code 7-11 11:00-11:45 1300.200 12-14 12:00-1:00 1300.201 Dates: 6/20-6/30

Times: Sundays 6:15 – 7:15 pm, Thursdays 6:00-7:00 pm

Deadline: 6/12

Place: Racetrack Park Diamond #1

Days: Monday-Thursday Both Weeks

Fees: Resident - $45, Non-Resident - $53

Locations: Collins Field Track (High School Track)

Deadline: Register by May 22

Fee: $40 includes shirt

Coaches: Volunteers needed. Training day and time is Tuesday May 26th at 6:30 pm at Racetrack Park.

Online

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Fee: $75.

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6 Spring 2016

The Tower Times

“Welcome to Sundays at the Library”

Annual Friends events coming up soon

That’s what we’ve been saying Sunday afternoons since January 10. As of the end of March there have been 1,719 Sunday visitors who borrowed 4,553 items on those Sundays. Sunday hours are 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. now through (including) May 22.

Come in and enjoy “Sunday at the Library.”

May 13 & 14, 2016: Syttende Mai Weekend - Annual Pie Place in the Library Carnegie Room

April 9, 2016: Annual Spring Brunch at Sons of Norway 11 – 2:00 p.m.

June 9 – 11, 2016: Book Sale in the Library Carnegie Room Friends book bags are also available at the Library.

Summer Library Program

The overall public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. In polling other Dane County Libraries, we that learned about half of them offer Sunday hours – many of which are their busiest times.

Sundays are sometimes the only time a family is able to come to the library. For Lisa Resch, she was happy to be able to bring her daughter to the library on a Sunday since she works on Saturday.

Resch shares, “I love that the library’s open.” Another mom, Katie Holt states, “It’s so nice having the flexibility to come when we want.” And Phil Hindman, a dad with two kids who moved here from out of state explains, “We missed not being able to come to the library on Sundays.”

Whether or not the library is able to stay open on Sundays in the future depends on funding from the city. Library Board President Linda Schaefer reports, “We understand we are competing for limited dollars. The city funds many important services. We hope through this pilot program, we are able to demonstrate the community support for the additional library funding.”

If you would like Library Sunday hours to continue, please contact your local City Council alders and let them know how much you appreciate the Sunday hours. And don’t forget to come and enjoy “Sunday at the Library.”

Music on the Mezz The next “Music on the Mezz” concert will be Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy free performances by some of Stoughton’s most talented high school instrumental musicians under the direction of Mr. Dan Schmidt. The students will be performing in small ensembles such as duets, trios, and quartets; both with and without piano accompaniment.

Friends of the Library The Friends of the Stoughton Public Library is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting and improving library services, materials, and facilities for the Stoughton community; encouraging gifts and bequests to the library; and promoting the broadest possible use of its facilities, materials and services.

Library staff rely on the money raised by various Friends events to supplement the library budget. Without these funds, the Children’s Summer Library Program would not be able to afford many of the presenters for programs, as well as purchase supplies and reading incentive prizes. The Adult Summer Reading Program and the Adult Craft Club receive their funding from the annual Friends donation. The Friends donation is used to purchase high-demand DVDs and books for the Lucky Day collections, replace worn or lost copies of classic books and DVDs, and provide more magazine subscriptions for the collection. These are just a few of the ways the Friends benefit the library.

We are gearing up for another great summer of reading. Starting Saturday, June 4, children and teens can sign up for the Summer Library Program and earn prizes for reading. Prizes include free items and discounts for local businesses, as well as a free book! Saturday, August 13 is the last day to turn in hours. Keep an eye out for a special flyer sent home with students, or check out our website to see the special activities we have planned such as Magic Lessons, a Bubble Wonders show, the chance to use a Stop-Motion Animation Studio to create a movie, and more.

Read Down Your Fines

The library is offering a brand-new Summer Library Program prize this summer-the chance to “read down your fines.”

All children and teens who complete the Summer Library Program will receive a coupon good for up to $5 off overdue materials fines. We are asking children ages 0-5 to read 9 hours to complete the program and receive the coupon; ages 6-11 to read 15 hours; and 12-17 to read 18 hours.

Come In For a Free Library Card

Visit the Stoughton Public Library, located at 304 S. Fourth St., at the corner of 4th & Main, just west of the clock tower in downtown Stoughton.

Hours are Monday-Thursday 9-9, Friday & Saturday 9-5. And Sundays 1-5 through May 22. There is no charge for a library card – just bring in picture identification with proof of current address. If your ID does not show your current address, please bring another proof of address such as a piece of mail, personal check, lease agreement, etc…. Parents must sign the registration form for children under age 18.

Your library card can be used in any public library in Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk, or Wood counties, al l members of the South Central Library System, and materials may be returned to any library. Call the Library at 873-6281 or visit online at www.stoughtonpubliclibrary.org and on Facebook.

Library Events

Strategies for Social Security and Retirement Income: The Retirement Classroom Monday, April 25 at 6:00pm

This class is designed to help accomplish the most prevalent goal among retirees – to not run out of money. It is imperative to learn the various options for filing for benefits and how to maximize them. This class will also help determine retirement income needs, and introduce options on structuring income in retirement.

Adult Book Discussion A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Tuesday, April 26 at 7pm at the Library Wednesday, April 27 at 1pm at the Senior Center

Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon--the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.

May

Art Club: Mother’s Day Gift Monday, May 2, 3:30pm

Turn a cookie cutter and an embroidery hoop into a work of art to give to your mom. Sample on display near the Circulation Desk. Ages 9-14. Ages 7-8 welcome with adult assistance. Materials are limited; please call or drop by the Children’s Desk to pre-register.

The Foundation

Wednesday, May 4 at 6:30pm

Fridays, April 15 and 22, 12-12:45pm

Teen Chess Club

Lunchtime Yoga

An instructor from Stoughton Yoga will lead four sessions of classes. Through coordination of breath and movement you will notice improved mental calm and clarity, and overall well-being.

This Gentle Hatha Yoga class is appropriate for all levels, even those brand new to yoga. Please bring a large towel or yoga mat and a bottle of water, and wear comfortable clothes. Space is limited and registration is required. Please call 873-6281 to register. Ages 18 and up.

Thursday, April 14 at 6:30pm

Tonight we’ll discuss three Christie favorites: “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” “The Body in the Library,” and “And Then There Were None”.

Monday, April 18, 3:30pm

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Whether you are approaching Medicare or already enrolled, attend this class to gain a thorough understanding of the Medicare System and keep up with its changes. The class will provide a broad, non-biased overview of Medicare coverage options.

April

Art Club: Secret Ingredient Chalk Paintings

3097 Sunnyside St., Stoughton (608) 205-9300 • springersonthelake.com

Monday, April 25 at 4:30pm

The topic is colonization of alien worlds.

Reading will be “Coyote” by Allen Steele and “The Word for World is Forest” by Ursula K. Le Guin

Thursdays with Murder: Agatha Christie “Great waterfront dining, drinks & fun!”

Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials • Sunday Breakfast

Getting to Know Medicare: The Retirement Classroom

Use a special ingredient to make smooth, rich colored chalk drawings.

Ages 9-14. 8 and younger welcome with adult assistance. No registration required.

Thursday, May 5 at 3:15pm Meet on the second floor where volunteers from the Stoughton Area Senior Center will be on hand to teach you how to play chess. Already know how to play? Challenge others to a game instead. For ages 9 and up. No registration required.

LEGO Club

Saturdays, May 7 at 10-11am What will you build today? The library provides the LEGOs and DUPLOs, you provide the imagination.

No registration required.

Free Comic Book Day Saturday, May 7, 9am4:30pm

Stop by the library to pick up a free comic! Children’s comics at the Children’s Desk on the first floor, adult and teen comics at the Adult Desk on the second floor.

The Tower Times

Spring 2016 7

Thursdays with Murder

Community Play: “Peter Rabbit” at the Stoughton Opera House

July

Thursday, May 12 at 6:30pm

The Foundation

Come see teens in our community perform a play based on these classic stories. Donations will fund our Summer 2017 production. Watch for more information on dates and times.

Wednesday, July at 6:30pm

The Amish-Country mysteries of P. L. Gaus, with protagonist Michael Branden, college professor in Ohio Amish country.

The science fiction of Octavia Butler

Reader’s Theater

June

Practices Tuesday, July 12, Thursday, July 14; and Tuesday, July 19, 1:30pm Performance Tuesday, July 19, 6:30pm

The Foundation

Wednesday, June 1 at 6:30pm “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card, plus one additional book by the author.

Thursdays with Murder Thursday, June 9 at 6:30pm

Mysteries of Faye Kellerman featuring Peter Decker, a police detective, and his wife Rina Lazarus.

LEGO Club

Tuesday, June 14, 2pm Saturday, July 16, 10am Tuesday, August 16, 6:30pm Come and build a masterpiece with a variety of Legos. The library will provide the Legos and Duplo’s—all you need are the ideas! All ages. No registration required.

August

Summer Library Program Finale: Bubble Wonders Christ Lutheran Church, 700 County Road B Thursday, August 18, 6-7:15pm

Readers Theater is a dramatic play in which readers read from a script with little to no memorization and use minimal costumes and background. The focus is on reading the text, using expressive voices and gestures. For children ages 7-12. Space is limited— please drop by or call to register starting June 20.

Celebrate a great summer spent reading! Join us at 6pm for free sundaes provided by Culver’s. Then enjoy the show “Bubble Wonders” at 6:30pm. Geoff Akins presents a high-energy, interactive, fun and educational show performing amazing feats with bubbles.

All ages. No registration required. Completion of Summer Library Program not required.

Thursdays with Murder Thursday, July 14 at 6:30pm

Discover author Harold Adams, “the mystery writer who stirred the dust.” His stories feature Carl Wilcox: ex-con, drifter, and sign painter in depression era South Dakota.

Father’s Day Gift: Garden Stones Wednesday, June 15, 2-3pm

Truck Day

Looking for a unique gift to give your dad--or to keep for yourself? Use a hammer to break apart old dishes and use the shards to create a mosaic design in a cement garden stone.

For people entering grades 6-12 in the fall. Call or drop by to register starting Monday, May 23.

Wednesday, July 20, 2-2:45pm (Rain date Wednesday, July 27, 2-2:45pm) Mandt Park Parking Lot

Your Home Town Electronics Store

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Take a tour of trucks provided by community helpers here in Stoughton. Be sure to bring your camera! All ages. No preregistration required.

Run Like a Cheetah, Hop Like a Hare

Preschool Storytime

Thursday, July 21, 6:30pm Stoughton Fire Department Training Room

Wednesdays, June 15 –August 10, 10-10:35am Fridays, June 17-August 12, 9:3010:05am Storytime for children ages 0-5 and their families, with stories, songs, puppets, flannel boards and more!

No registration required. No story time July 6 or 8.

Baby Lapsit Story Time

home with you! For children ages 4 and up (younger siblings welcome with adult supervision). No pre-registration required.

Tuesdays, June 21-August 9, 6:30pm Story time for children ages 0-2 and their families with rhymes, fingerplays, songs and more! No registration required. Older siblings welcome. No story time July 5.

Magic Lessons

Wednesday, June 22 or Thursday, June 23, 2-3pm Stoughton Fire Department Training Room

Mary Tooley returns with her “Art in a Suitcase” program. Exercise your body by trying to run like a cheetah, hop like a hare, and imitate other animal actions. Then make an origami cheetah to take

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Professional magician Nickey Fynn will teach you how to perform magic tricks! All supplies are provided in this FREE class.

Ages 8 and up. Space is limited and registration is required. Please drop by or call to register starting June 1.

Computer Computer Setup Data Backup & Transfer Virus & Spyware Removal Computer Training Computer Repair Wireless Network

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People You Know & Trust - We Are Your Neighbors

Stop Motion Animation Workshop Wednesday, June 29

Ages 9-14: 2-4pm Ages 15+ and children with caretakers: 4-7pm We will provide a professional mini studio and teach you how to create your own animated film! Use toys or clay to tell a story one frame at a time. Space is limited and registration is recommended. Please drop by or call to register starting June 8.

• Proud to be Serving the Stoughton Community for over 53 years!

• Family Owned and Operated • Stop In During Happy Hour Fridays 3-5pm 1/2 Price Single Stem Flowers (Cash & Carry)

STOUGHTON FLORAL Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Open Sat. 8am-3pm

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Service is more than just a funeral home, we are people you know and trust.

For generations, providing the Circle of Care, before, during and after the loss of your loved one.

Day or Night (800) 235-9681 www.CressFuneralService.com

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Think Spring!

8 Spring 2016

The Tower Times

News from the Stoughton Area Senior Center Spring Music Appreciation Series with John Beutel

Book Discussion at the Senior Center

Mondays at 3:00 PM

Wed, April 27, 1:00 PM

The Music Appreciation Series will continue in April with the following presentations. The programs are open to “anyone who loves music and would like to learn more about it”. Sessions will be on Mondays at 3:00 pm until May 9. The sessions are free. Donations are appreciatively accepted. All the programs are at the Senior Center, except the program on Mon. April 4, which will be at the Opera House.

• April 4-The Faculty Piano Trio from UW-Whitewater (piano, violin, cello) at the Stoughton Opera House

This month’s book is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Join us for an afternoon book discussion group with support from the Stoughton Library the 4th Wednesday of each month. Questions? Please call 8736281.

Parkinson’s & Communication: Turn the Triple Whammy into a Triple Crown Wednesday, April 27, 1:30 PM

• April 25-TBA

Learn how to deal with the three most frustrating aspects of communication when you have Parkinson’s disease: the voice, the facial expression and the possible cognitive speed. Join Vicki Conte, the Program Manager of Community Education at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Department of Neurology.

Finding Peace in an Election Year

Travelogue

Fridays, April 8, 15 and May 6, 3:00-4:15 PM

Wednesday, April 27 at 3:00 PM

• April 11-UW Madison Graduate Student Brass Trio • April 18-SHS Aspiring Young Musicians

This 4-week class will encourage you to cultivate a stable mind during the election year. This non-partisan, unbiased course applies Buddhist wisdom to modern political life. Relying on “Lojong” -- a Tibetan Buddhist mind-training practice -- we will transform stress and worry into energy for peace and stability.

As a group, Venerable Chodon, will lead us through discussing the daily challenges we meet and examine methods for working with anger, fear, anxiety, and confusion. We will create weekly strategies to try at home and at work, check our progress together, and celebrate our efforts.

Habits like feeling a victim or acting out of aggression diminish us and exhaust our vitality. We will work together to change our response and support the 2016 election year with stability and peace of mind. Venerable Lhundup Chodon is an American-born Buddhist nun who has been teaching Buddhist philosophy since 1990.

She currently lives, and teaches, in Madison and the surrounding areas, and is the Spiritual Director of the Eastside Friends of the Dharma.

Stoughton’s Urban Forest Update Tuesday, April 12, 10:00 AM

Join Randy Nelson, Urban Forester with the City of Stoughton/Street Department Worker and Certified Arborist with WAA/ISA for a discussion and Q&A about the status of our urban forest. He will also provide a general overview of the strategies the city will take regarding Emerald Ash Borer.

Outing to Viking Brew Pub Wednesday, April 13 at 4:00 PM

Join Brewmaster David Worth for an afternoon at the Viking Brew Pub. You’ll tour the facilities, learn more about their pub and details of brewing and have a chance to sample beverages and appetizers.

There is no charge for the tour however you will be responsible to for the cost of sampling the brews or appetizers. Sign up is required as space is limited.

Healthy Aging - Heart Health: Know Your Numbers Thursday, April 14 at 1:00 PM

Join Sue Richards, a registered nurse, for this one-hour session all about one of the leading causes of death in men & the leading cause of death in women: heart disease. Learn about ways to protect your heart health by knowing your numbers and identifying your personal risk.

There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored. Perhaps you’ve already gone on your adventure of a lifetime or have checked off the destinations on your list. However if you’re still looking to swim in the Great Barrier Reef, view the iconic Stonehenge, walk along the Great Wall of China, study the artwork at the Louvre or go on other amazing adventures then join us for a new monthly travelogue. Each month we’ll take a one hour trip to a new destination, from the luxury of the Senior Center. No airline tickets or hotel reservations required:). Join us this month as we explore Argentina!

Over 90 Luncheon Thursday, April 28, 12:00 PM

Join us in celebrating your life longevity at our annual Luncheon. Enjoy music from Shari Sarazin as she provides her program “Celebrating Spring with the Celtic Harp.” Make your reservation for lunch by noon, April 26.

Carfit with AARP Wednesday, May 4th from 9:30-11:00 AM

CarFit includes a 12-point assessment of the fit of the car to you.

You will be provided a 20-minute free and confidential assessment by trained student technicians from the Madison Area Technical College. You will not be doing any actual driving, however positioned in your car as if you were actually driving. The assessment will include positioning, using devices, recommendations and conversation about safe driving.

Drivers will be scheduled every 30 minutes starting at 9:30 (9:30, 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00). Advanced sign up is preferred so please contact the Senior Center at 873-8585.

Walking Club Friday, May 6, 13, 20 & 27, 1:00 PM

This month as we celebrate Older Americans Month, an annual event organized by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources. In honor of this years theme, Blaze a Trail we will be starting a new walking program out at Lake Kegonsa State Park on Friday afternoons at 1:00 PM beginning May 6th.

The park has more than five miles of accessible hiking trails along the lake and through varied habitat. Please being your ID with you and meet in the trail parking lots just passed the park office entrance off Door Creek Drive.

The session will cover:

Outing to Epic

• Types of heart disease

Wednesday, May 11th

• Risk factors • Heart attack symptoms • Prevention of heart disease • Screenings to identify heart disease risk • Resources for a healthy heart Handouts on the topic and a small gift will be available for participants at the end of the session.

Classic Movie Friday: Friday, April 15, 1:00 PM Bang the Drum Slowly (PG) The story of a friendship between a star pitcher (Michael Moriarty), wise to the world, and a half-wit catcher (Robert De Niro), as they cope with the catcher’s terminal illness through a baseball season.

Lunch and Learn: The Real Power in Power of Attorney Documents Tuesday, April 19, 12:00-1:00 PM

Power of attorney documents can be extremely helpful and prevent unnecessary court involvement.

The key to making these common documents work as effectively as possible is to complete them properly and include special provisions that give your agents some “extra” powers. Attorney Iris Christenson will discuss many useful common sense tips that you will be able to apply immediately.

She will focus on Health Care Power of Attorney documents, Power of Attorney for Finances and Property documents and the Declaration to Physicians form. Sign up is required.

Low Vision Trip to the Sharper Vision Store Thursday, April 21, 1:00 PM Pick-up from & 4:00 PM return to the Senior Center

Join us for our annual trip to the Sharper Vision Store. The store is located in the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired in Madison and carries more than 1,400 products for individuals with blindness, vision impairment or changing vision. Registration is required. Call Hollee at 873-8585 by April 18 to reserve a seat on the bus. Donations are accepted to offset travel costs.

Join us for a guided tour at Epic in Verona. Epic is a healthcare software company that employs over 9000 people. The large campus displays vibrant artwork, themed rooms including a New York City subway car replica, and model of the New York Stock Exchange (Indiana Jones office tunnel noted above) and other unique features. We will leave the Senior Center at 1:00 PM for our 2:00 PM tour and will plan to car pool there. This tour is free of charge and will involve almost a mile of walking.

Sign up is required.

Healthy Aging: Mental Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know Thursday, May 12, 1:00 PM

This free presentation will be given by Sue Richards, a registered nurse. During his one-hour session will cover the most common mental health disorders among women: depression and anxiety. Join us to learn about ways to improve your mental wellness, and how to help others who may be struggling.

The session will cover: • What is Mental Health • Who is affected • Types of depression and anxiety • Symptoms of depression and anxiety • Gender differences • How to advocate for yourself and others who may have depression or anxiety • Screenings • Treatments • Self-help tips • Available resources Handouts on the topic and a small gift will be available for participants at the end of the session.

The Tower Times

Spring 2016 9

Creatin’ N Coloring

Bridge Players

Tuesday, May 17, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM

If you are interested in learning how to play bridge or have played in the past but would enjoy a refresher course? Please contact Tricia Nicoll for more information.

Experience the fun and calming effect of coloring. Local artist, Lynn Gifford will provide you with over 30 hand drawn designs that you can choose from to color. You will receive 3 designs and an 8x10 mat (to fit a standard size frame) to take home with you. The cost is $15 and sign up is required. Come see what the coloring craze is all about!

Swing into Spring Wednesday, May 18, 3:00 PM

Join Music Historian Erik Larson in a look back as music over the decades. Erik brings a very interactive program to you with reminiscing and learning about the musicians, the bandleaders and the music that was played.

Lunch and Learn Tuesday, May 24, 12:00 PM

Mary Driscoll, Outreach Librarian from the Dane County Library Service will be here to talk about the Dane County Library Service Home Service Program. This program provides large print books and audio books to homebound individuals who are unable to travel to the library . Anyone living in Dane County outside the Madison City limits who has an ongoing physical condition that prevents them from coming to the library is eligible for this service. The large print books and audio books are sent postage free through the mail and may be returned the same way. It’s a fun and easy way to have the library delivered right to you!

Senior Fitness Day Wednesday, May 25

Join the Senior Center and Stoughton community in participating in events and activities throughout the day that promotes and encourages keeping older Americans healthy and fit! This year’s theme is “Improve your Health for a Better Self.” Look for more information to come in the May newsletter!

Main Street Kitchen Offers Additional Tuesday Meal Options!

Choice of the below sandwich, dessert and soup or side salad and fruit cup, or garden salad. Sandwiches include cheese, lettuce & tomato. Call 873-8585 the prior day by 12PM to order.

• April 12:

BBQ

• April 19:

Ham & Turkey

• April 26:

Egg Salads

• May 3:

Turkey Salad with Apples & Pecans

Medicare Some people turning age 65 (or older) need to sign up for Part A and Part B What if I’m close to age 65, but not getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits?

If you aren’t getting Social Security or RRB benefits (for example, because you’re still working) and you want Part A or Part B, you’ll need to sign up (even if you’re eligible to get Part A premium free). If you’re not eligible for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A and Part B. If you’re not getting Social Security benefits, you won’t get any enrollment information from Medicare. You’ll need to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 at least 3 months before you turn 65 if you want Medicare to begin the month you turn 65. You can also apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov or make an appointment at the Madison Social Security office t 1-866-770-2262. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. If you worked for a railroad, contact the RRB to sign up. After you enroll, you’ll receive your Medicare card.

From CMS, Enrolling in Medicare Part A and B

For more information on these and other activities please contact the Stoughton Area Senior Center at 248 W. Main Street, Stoughton WI, 53589 (608) 873-8585 • www.ci.stoughton.wi.us/senior

Create A Better Future As a customer of Stoughton Utilities, you can purchase renewable energy blocks to offset a part or all of your electrical usage through our Renewable Energy Program. Renewable energy is generated from clean, green energy sources such as wind, biogas, and the sun, and is purchased in 300 kilowatt- hour (kWh) blocks; each block costs $3.

Purchasing one block of renewable energy each month for one year has the equivalent impact on the environment as not driving a car for six months and avoids emitting over three tons of carbon dioxide.

In Stoughton, 422 customers purchase a total of 1,068 blocks of renewable energy each month. That’s a customer participation rate of over 4.9%, and the 320,400 kWh or renewable energy generated and sold is enough to power 458 average-sized homes in Wisconsin without using any fossil-fuels.

To learn more about the utility’s Renewable Energy or Green Power for Business programs, please contact us at 873-3379 or visit us online at renewable.stoughtonutilities.com. To enroll your home or business, please visit epay.stoughtonutilities.com.

There’s No Natural Resource Like Community

At Stoughton Utilities, “local” isn’t a buzzword. It’s a promise. We’ve been a part of the Stoughton community for 126 years, and have always promised our neighbors a few things. Clean, affordable power; giving back through public investment; scholarships and education; helping folks with energy-saving advice and ways to lower utility bills. And to put Stoughton’s future – your future – first.

Stoughton Utilities believes affordable public power strengthens our community and helps our neighbors. That’s why, through WPPI Energy, were partnering with other local not-for-profit utilities to share resources and lower costs.

With public power from Stoughton Utilities, the decisions we make, and the good we for the environment happens right here. To learn more, please visit us online at www.WhyPublicPower.org or at www.stoughtonutilities.com.

10 Spring 2016

The Tower Times

2015 Drinking Water Quality Report

our local area, the limited availability of funds requires us to establish these funding priority categories.

Educational Information

Contributed funds will be used geographically within the area served by Stoughton Utilities and will include the City of Stoughton and the Townships of Dunn, Dunkirk, Pleasant Springs, Porter, and Rutland. Organizations which provide programs and benefits to people who live in this geographic area are eligible for funding consideration, even if the organization is headquartered elsewhere.

The sources of drinking water, both tap water and bottled water, include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.

• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which shall provide the same protection for public health. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.

The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)426-4791.

We always welcome new applicants, so if you are aware of any local non-profit organization that would like to be considered for future donations, please have them contact us for an application.

Past Recipients

Past recipients of funds include the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, American Legion Post 59, Friends of the Stoughton Area Youth Center, the Friends of the Stoughton Public Library, Martin Luther Christian School, Shalom Holistic Health Services, Stoughton Area Resource Team (START), Stoughton Holiday Fund, Stoughton Lions and Lionesses Clubs, Stoughton United Ministries, and the Stoughton Wellness Coalition.

If you are a customer and would like to sign up to participate in the program, or if you’re a non-profit organization that could benefit from a donation from Stoughton Utilities’ RoundUP program, please contact us at (608) 873-3379 or online at http://roundup.stoughtonutilities.com.

Online E-Billing and E-Pay… Go Green, Go Paperless!

Paperless E-Billing is simple, convenient, and smart. With paperless billing, there are no bills to mail, file or to clutter your mailbox.

You can manage the entire bill-paying process online using our EPay system, including access 24 hours a day to view past bills and payment activity and flexible payment options. It also puts you in control of your personal information and reduces your impact on the environment.

In addition to E-Billing, you can also manage other payment and billing options through our online EPay system. You can receive an instant Budget-Billing payment amount quote, and enroll right there on the spot. You can also enroll right in Renewable Energy or Project RoundUP, and current enrollees can view information regarding their contributions. Customers signed up for our AutoPay program can view their payment account details, and will soon be able to make instant updates. If you’ve recently changed your contact information or mailing address, you can also now update that online.

We’ve also added new and improved ways to monitor and review your energy and water consumption. You can compare your bills to those of other customers near your neighborhood, analyze your present and past bills to learn more about how your usage has changed over time, see how the weather may be affecting your consumption patterns, and more!

Visit epay.stoughtonutilities.com to get started.

Save Time and Money With Autopay How would you like to never have to write another check to Stoughton Utilities? You can, by enrolling in our Autopay payment program. Each month, the billed amount due will be deducted from your checking account or charged to your credit or debit card. All banking information is securely stored within our systems, and you will never have to transmit your sensitive account numbers through the mail again.

You can add, cancel, or change your automatic payment program participation at any time. Simply log in to your account online at epay.stoughtonutilities.com, or give us a call at (608) 873-3379.

Deferred Payment Arrangements

Support Stoughton Non-Profits

by Enrolling in Project RoundUP Stoughton Utilities began our Project RoundUP program in 2006 as a way to further assist local non-profit organizations in our community. Currently 374 of your neighbors participate in the program with voluntary monthly contributions. In 2014 alone, we collected and awarded $2,000 in funds to two local non-profit.

The customers that participate in this program are continuing the “neighbor helping neighbor” concept that founded Stoughton Utilities over a century ago.

About Project RoundUP

Stoughton Utilities customers can opt to enroll in the voluntary RoundUP program. Each month, your utility bill will “round up” to the next highest dollar amount. This small tax-deductible contribution may seem like only pennies a month to you, but the dollars add up quickly when many customers participate. All contributions are tax-deductible and a summary for the prior year is mailed each January.

Customer Contribution

The typical contribution per program participant is approximately $6.00 per year. Amongst all participating customers, over $2,000 is raised each year and awarded by the Stoughton Utilities Committee twice annually to local community service organizations.

How It Works

Contributing through the RoundUP program is really very simple. Each month Stoughton Utilities will round up your utility bill to the next full dollar. For example, if your bill is $41.17, it would be rounded up to $42.00 and your monthly contribution will be $0.83. Your maximum contribution per year could be $11.88, but generally will be less than that and averages around $6 per year.

If you also participate in our Budget Billing program, the actual costs of your monthly service will be rounded up and not your monthly payment. Your budgeted payment will not change as a result of enrollment in Project RoundUP.

Major Funding Categories

Collected funds are administered by the Stoughton Utilities Committee and overseen by the Stoughton City Council. Donations are awarded bi-annually to qualifying registered applicants selected by the Stoughton Utilities Committee. Selection is based upon the merits of the application and the intended use of the funds.

To qualify for funding, organizations and projects must generally be related to community service, economic development, education and youth, environment, emergency energy assistance or disaster relief. Although there are many worthy charitable and educational projects and community needs in

If you’re having trouble paying your bill in full, you can request a deferred payment arrangement to receive up to an additional 90 days to fulfill your payment obligation. To request a deferred payment arrangement, you must visit our office in person.

Any deferred payment agreement must be negotiated to be acceptable to both parties, and a down-payment of at least one-third the past-due balance will be required at the time of negotiation.

Deferred payment arrangements will only be offered to residential customers; no payment agreements shall be offered or given to non-residential accounts, including commercial, income/rental, or industrial properties.

A minimum of one-third of the delinquent balance is due at the time of the payment agreement. The remaining balance must be paid in installments no less than monthly. The full amount must be paid within 90 days of the date of the agreement. At its discretion, depending upon the time of year or a customer’s specific circumstances, SU can require down-payments greater than one-third, up to 75% of the past-due balance. At its discretion, SU can also require that the full amounts be paid anywhere between 10 and 90 days of the date the agreement is created.

An agreement will be considered in default and cancelled if payment is not made by the due-date, is less than the agreed amount, or is returned / declined by the bank for any reason. If the customer defaults on the agreement, the agreement becomes void and the full past-due balance is due immediately otherwise disconnection will occur.

If SU and the customer negotiate a new agreement, a minimum of one-half of the remaining balance will be due immediately. The remaining balance must be paid in installments no less than monthly.

The full amount must be paid within 60 days of the date of the new agreement. At its discretion, depending upon the time of year or a customer’s specific circumstances, SU can require down-payments greater than one-half, up to 90% of the past-due balance. At its discretion, SU can also require that the full amounts be paid anywhere between 10 and 60 days of the date the agreement is created.

Accounts in violation of a second payment agreement will be subject to immediate disconnection following the required 10-day mailed notice. No additional deferred payment agreements will be offered or allowed, and the full past-due balance is due immediately to prevent disconnect.

If a customer’s payment is returned for insufficient funds, any deferred payment agreements held by the customer will immediately be considered in default. All future payments made by the customer must be made by cash or money-order for a period of 6-months.

In special circumstances, we may also direct you to a community action agency that may be able to provide low-income energy assistance and financial counseling.

An extension only protects you from disconnection of service through the extended date. All new monthly billing statements must be paid in full by the listed due-date, otherwise any prior deferred payment arrangement will be considered void. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Go to our website, www.stoughtonutilities.com

The Tower Times

Spring 2016 11

STREET TALKS This will be my last article that I will be writing for the Tower Times, as after 37 years of employment with the City of Stoughton, I am retiring in May.

Sec 50-5

I have had a great time working with the residents of the City of Stoughton and hope I have made a positive difference in your life with the customer service we provided you with.

Some of this information has been mentioned before, but we feel it is worth mentioning it again as it provides important instructions and dates for services provided by the Street Department.

Offense against public peace, order and other public interests (h) Littering Prohibited (1) No person shall throw any glass, garbage, rubbish, waste, slop, dirty water, brush, yard waste, dirt, rocky materials or noxious liquid or other litter or unwholesome substance upon the streets, alleys, highways, public parks, or other property of the city of upon any private property not owned by him or upon the surface of any body of water within the city. This violation is subject to fines from $50.00 to $1,000.00

We want your feedback, is this information beneficial? What else will you like to see published in Street Talks? Lets us know by calling 873-6303 or email at kmanthe@ci.stoughton.wi.us

Street Construction Schedule

*PLEASE READ – IMPORTANT INFORMATION* * To report a pothole, please call the Street Department 873-6303 * Yardwaste Site opened for the season on Saturday April 2, 2016

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed In City of Stoughton Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was officially confirmed in the City of Stoughton on March 8, 2016. What does this mean for the city? It means that the city will be very busy removing Ash trees from city owned properties. The City of Stoughton has about 300 Ash trees in the parkrow that will be removed by contractors. City street crews will focus on maintaining the rest of the 6,000 plus trees in the urban forestry and the other daily responsibilities (street sweeping, stormwater maintenance, street maintenance, leaf collection, etc).

Trees that are removed will also have stumped removed and new tree planted.

For more information on tree removal or identifying EAB for your own trees, please contact City Arborist Randy Nelson at 873-6303.

Yardwaste Site The site is located at 1051 Collins Road (off County Hwy A) in the Township of Dunkirk. The site accepts yardwaste (grass clippings, leaves, garden waste, and sod), shrubbery, and brush. The opening date is Saturday April 2nd and the Yardwaste site will remain open until Tuesday November 22nd (weather permitting). The site is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. A Permit (window decal) is required for the site and the cost is $20 dollars and is good for the entire season. Permits can be purchased at the Street Department during normal business hours at 515 S. Fourth Street or at the yardwaste site during hours of operations.

Curbside Brush Collection Curbside brush collection will be collected ONLY during the first week of the following months; April, May, October and November. Brush must be piled in parkrow and away from any obstacles or parked vehicles. Any brush placed in street will not be collected and is subject to violation. Please have brush placed in the parkrow on the first Monday of the month for collection by 6:30 am.

**** 2016 BRUSH COLLECTION SCHEDULE **** Monday April 4, 2016 Monday May 2, 2016 Monday October 3, 2016 Monday November 7, 2016 Reminder: Once crews have gone down your street, they won’t be back until next scheduled brush collection.

Refuse & Recycling Cart Placement Still have a few residents that don’t follow guidelines for proper cart placement.

John’s Disposal Service Inc. and the City of Stoughton request and require that carts not be placed in the street, but instead place refuse carts on the terrace or your driveway approach. Please place cart(s) a minimum of 2 feet apart at the end of your driveway or terrace area. Please do not set carts to close to mailboxes, trees, and light poles. Keeping the carts out of the street also allows street crews to effectively sweep streets, vacuum leaves and plow snow during the fall and winter season.

Spring Leaf Collection The Street Department provides a spring leaf collection for those leaves that fell late or for those who like to rake in the spring. Depending on the weather (when all the snow melts and we can see our lawns again) Spring Leaf Collection will occur for two weeks (Tentative dates are the weeks of April 11th and 18th). It is important to make sure leaves are placed in the terrace (area between curb and sidewalk) for collection. It is a violation to rake leaves into the gutter/street. Leaves raked into the street often wash into the stormwater system and pollute our lakes and rivers.

Our leaf vacuums need to be close to the curb line of the street and it really helps if you can keep that area free of parked vehicles and trailers.

Grass Clippings When mowing your lawn, make sure to keep the grass clippings on your property and do not blow or sweep clippings from the driveway or sidewalk into the street. There is a city ordinance prohibiting yard waste in the street which will be strictly enforced.

The city has scheduled major street reconstruction on the following streets this year; Van Buren Street (Main St to Wilson St), Wilson Street (N. Page St to N Van Buren St), Clyde Street (N. Madison St to N Van Buren St).

Street pulverization projects are scheduled for Industrial Circle (Ortega Dr to Commerce Rd)), Kings Lynn Road (Jackson St to Felland), King St (W. South St to Kvamme), Brewer Court (Eisenhower to Dead-end).

The city has also scheduled yearly preventive maintenance of crack sealing and boiler chip slag sealer. Streets to be determined, but residents affected by this work will be notified by door hanger/letter of scheduled work.

Portable Basketball Hoops are Not Permitted in Street or City Right-of-Way We have noticed many portable basketball hoops in the street or city right-ofway. Per City Ordinance, they are not allowed to be placed in street or city rightof-way. We have sent letters out to homeowners to notify them of this ordinance and violation. We may have missed a few and would appreciate it if you read this, that you remove it from the street or city right-of-way.

The basketball hoops interfere with garbage collection, street sweeping, leaf collection and snow removal operations.

E-Waste Drop-off The E-waste collection has been a very successful program, thanks to the residents for bringing in their E-waste items to be properly disposed. This service is available to City of Stoughton residents only. City residents need to bring their e-waste items to Street Department during normal business hours to be properly disposed. City residents need to check in first at the Street Department office and show ID to verify city residency and make payment if they are disposing TV’s or Computer Monitors. If you have any questions, please contact us at (608) 873-6303.

There is a $10 dollar fee for TV’s and Computer Monitors. All other items are free disposal.

List of Acceptable Items • Televisions

• Desktop Computers • Laptops • Printers, scanners, copiers • Fax machines • Video display devices, monitors • Keyboards, mice, hard drives, flash drives, external modems & other computer devices • DVD, VCR, DVR & Video NOTE: With computers make sure to remove all personal information or take out the hard drive and destroy it.

NOTE: No Microwaves- they can be placed out at the end of the month for bulky item collection.

Encumbrance Permits An encumbrance permit is required if you are going to leave a dumpster, POD, landscape materials, un-licensed trailers, etc. in the street or city right-of-way for more than 2 hours. Permits can be obtained at the Street Department office or online at www. ci.stoughton.wi.us and click on street department tab and then permits link. Cost is $25 dollars and the permit is good for 30 days, when it can be renewed for another $25 dollars.

Mailbox Placement To reduce the chances that your mailbox may be hit by a snow plow during winter, you still have time to move your mailbox and follow US Postal regulations and place your mailbox 40-42 inches above the road surface and back 6 inches from the curb with the door down. Following these guidelines will increase productivity by snow plow operators.

These articles are published in Tower Times issues and placed on the city Street Department web site at www.ci.stoughton.wi.us with time related information. While on the web site, check out Frequently Asked Questions.

Feel free to call the Street Department office with any questions; I hope you find some helpful information.

Thanks for all memories :) Sincerely, Karl Manthe Street Superintendent Karl Manthe 608-873-6303 kmanthe@ci.stoughton.wi.us

12 - The Tower Times - Season Year

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DP+ enrollment required. The monthly charge for DP+ is $8.99 for Smartphones. A deductible per approved claim applies. You may cancel DP+ anytime. Federal Warranty Service Corporation is the Provider of the DP+ ESC benefits, except in CA and OK. Limitations and exclusions apply. For complete details, see an associate for a DP+ brochure. Kansas Customers: In areas in which U.S. Cellular receives support from the Federal Universal Service Fund, all reasonable requests for service must be met. Unresolved questions concerning services availability can be directed to the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027. Offers valid at participating locations only and cannot be combined. See store or uscellular.com for details. Limited-time offer. Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.©2016 U.S. Cellular P2A_2016_EscapePlan_Print_6x9

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