May/June 2014 by LocaLeben

Whether you始re looking for a new or used vehicle, the most valuable asset after price is time. At Countryside GM Auto Group, we won始t waste a minute of precious time in getting you the best price for new or used vehicles and we始ll work to get you on the road with less money spent and less time wasted. For every new or used vehicle purchase in the month of May, a portion will be donated to Church Health Services.

MAY - JUNE 2014

To The Reader Feature

Jersey Street Music Festival

Fish ‘n’ Fun

The Social Luxury of Beer

Stump The Beaver

This & That Feel the Music

Viewfinder Carl Corey

Living Abroad

View From The Kitchen

One Family Last Fall

Feature Artist

The Patriot Tour

The Wandering Man

Historical Society Welcome to Veterans Park

Parting Thoughts

Patsy Radtke

Multiplying Easter

What does community mean to you? There is nothing better than the feeling we get from the place we call home. The familiar faces and places are the foundation of treasured memories. From the grocery store you visit for Sunday night supper’s last minute ingredients to the coffee shop where you always run into a friend, it is these experiences that make our community so special. You can join us in supporting and thanking the businesses and organizations that make new memories possible by reviewing your favorite. The business/organization that receives the most 5-star customer reviews between April 15, 2014 and June 15, 2014 will win a profile in the July/August issue of LocaLeben and you could win $100 just for submitting a review. Last issue in Parting Thoughts we created a poll for the best fish fry in Dodge County. The top 5 were Old Hickory, The Bell, John’s Bar, Suzie’s Home Cooking and Hogz ‘n’ Honeez. We are extending that contest and working it into the 5-Star Review Contest with a separate prize based on your reviews. We will also be highlighting the unique story of many of these businesses online at www.LocaLeben.com throughout the contest. Make sure to check them out and share your favorite memories in the comments. Visit http://www.localeben.com/ businesses to leave your review. The local movement has massive reach. People in small communities are making an impact – both locally and nationally. I want to share a particular story with you that I just discovered today. It is a company with an idea that aligns perfectly with the movement we are hoping to create in Dodge County. A handcrafted fishing lure being made right here in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Slop Frog Baits is more than a start-up company. They are creating a full on movement of artisan baits made By Fishermen For Fishermen with only one goal: to catch more fish! It is downright inspiring to see something like this taking off right here in Beaver Dam. We will be featuring them next issue – but in the meantime jump online for some exclusive content from them.

Cover Photos by Rod Melotte Used with permission

Join LocaLeben in suppor/ng local businesses by par/cipa/ng in our 5-‐Star Reviews Contest! Join LocaLeben in suppor/ng local businesses by par/cipa/ng in our 5-‐Star Reviews Contest!

1.  www.LocaLeben.com Visit www.LocaLeben.com nd go directory. to our directory. 1. Visit and go ato our 2.  Find y our f avorite l ocal b usiness a nd name to vtheir iew tprofile. heir 2. Find your favorite local business and click onclick theirtheir name to view proﬁle. 3. Click the “write review” button on the left hand side of the page. 3.  (you Click may the be “write review” buCon an on the leD orhand ide of the page prompted to create account signsin) (you m ay b e p romoted t o c reate a n a ccount o r s ign in). 4. Leave your review and click save. 4.  Leave your review and click save.

That’s it! You’ll automa/cally be entered to win $100 cash! 1.  Visit www.LocaLeben.com and go to our directory. 2.  Find your favorite local business and click their name to view their proﬁle. 3.  Click the “write review” buCon on the leD hand side of the page (you may be promoted to create an account or sign in). 4.  Leave your review and click save.

That’s it! You’ll automa/cally be entered to win $100 cash!

1.  Visit www.LocaLeben.com and go to our directory. 2.  Find your favorite local business and click their name to view their proﬁle. PRESENTED BY BEAVER DAM AREA COMMUNITY THEATRE BY L. FRANK 3.  BAUM, HAROLD ARLENt& E.Y. HARBURG Click he “write review” buCon on the leD hand side of the page (you may be promoted to create an account or sign in). BEAVER DAM HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM 4.  Leave your review and click save. TICKETS $17 (EARLY BIRD $15) BEGINNING JUNE 30 AT RECHEK’S FOOD PRIDE

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Karla Jensen

Bill Boettge

Karla Jensen has been a freelance writer for 25 years. She is a published playwright with her husband Mark, and she teaches writing at the Seippel Center. Karla’s background includes radio, television, magazine publishing, tourism and real estate, not to mention Danish Dancing.

Bill retired from a career in the footwear industry in 2008 and moved to a home on Beaver Dam Lake. He became active in the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association and currently spends most of his time involved with projects to improve the lake and other citywide projects.

Daniel Buchner

Nathan Patterson

After graduating from Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Dan served as an aircraft mechanic in the USAF; then he worked with a touring band as the lighting director. Since June of 1992, he has been a Sr. Operations Supervisor for FedEx. He joined the Horicon Phoenix Program in 2008.

Nathan is a 2002 graduate of Beaver Dam High School who now calls Brazil home, having lived in Manaus, Brazil for the past ten years. He works there as an International Trade Analyst and is living “an American dream overseas.” His parents, Tom and Denise, live here in Beaver Dam.

Nation of Patriots

Ron Dombrowski

The Nation of Patriots organizes a national effort that pays tribute to and honors America’s Armed Forces. This united effort is known as The Patriot Tour, a ride to show America’s support, thanks and our united pride by passing one American Flag throughout the contiguous 48 states in 100 days.

Ron has a passion for food, and in his featured column on page 24, View from the Kitchen, he begins to share that passion with our readers as he introduces himself along with his wife Kara and children Billy, Kaycee and Madelyn. He also shares his recipe for Honey Smoked Salmon for you to try.

Jamie Gullickson

Bob Frankenstein

After receiving her Juris Doctorate in public interest law, Jamie dedicated 15 years to the domestic violence field. Now, she is taking time for herself and her family - gardening, creating art in her downtown studio and preparing for the adventure of homeschooling her tween daughter.

Bob grew up on a farm outside of Beaver Dam during the Great Depression and World War II and returned after serving in the Army in Korea, where he served as an engineer supporting hostile and rear areas. Community history tugs at his heart and is one of the great joys of his retirement.

The MAGAZINE

VOLUME 3 - IssUE 3

EDITOR

PUBLISHER

Erik Dittmann

Jim Dittmann

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Preston Bowman

Benjamin Dittmann

COPY EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

Kathy Dittmann

Emma Dittmann

LocaLeben The Magazine is mailed bi-monthly to 16,014 homes and businesses in the 53916 zip code and select carrier routes in the surrounding communities. An additional 2,500 copies are available for FREE at all public libraries in Dodge County and any advertiser in LocaLeben.

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION SUBSCRIPTION We offer a subscription to interested readers who live outside of our distribution for $15 per year. To subscribe to LocaLeben, please send payment to the mailing address below. Call (920) 306-1189 to subscribe by phone. Send E-mail requests to subscribe@localeben.com.

ADVERTISE WITH US Our purpose is to embrace Local - When you advertise in LocaLeben you will be promoting the local living economy - enabling an environment that is sustainable - growing - and prosperous! Please contact Erik to learn more about our marketing and advertising services.

READER SERVICES LocaLeben is Local Life. We invite you to share your stories in LocaLeben. They bring meaning to our lives together. Help us restore our town back to the vibrant community it longs to be. Phone: (920) 306-1189

Email: content@localeben.com

Mailing Address: N8369 S. Sunset Pt. Rd. Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Back Issues: Internship Inquiries: To order back issues, please intern@localeben.com send $5 per issue. Designed in Beaver Dam. LocaLeben The Magazine is published in Beaver Dam, WI by LocaLeben LLC. All rights reserved. The entire contents of LocaLeben The Magazine is Copyright (c) 2014. No portion may be reproduced, in whole or in part, by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the expressed, written consent of LocaLeben LLC.. LocaLeben The Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial or advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.

I’m Not A Pilot

oricon has been quietly building a reputation over the past five years as a place where Wisconsin’s best bands can be found tucked away in the intimate venue of Kiwanis Park every Wednesday evening. What started in 2009 as a concert in the park, hosted by the Horicon Phoenix Program with Mayville Steel Drums, has evolved into a program called Music At The Market. This summer concert series has grown to 19 weeks of music and events throughout the summer featuring some of the best musicians in the Midwest, hands-on children’s art workshops, craft beer and soda, community cookouts and the Horicon Farmers’ Market, one of the best farm markets in southeast Wisconsin. Taking another huge leap forward in 2013 with the first-ever Jersey Street Music Festival, the Horicon Phoenix Program began work on solidifying Horicon’s reputation as the place to go to find bands who are just on the verge of becoming national acts. The 2013 Jersey Street Music Festival was a day filled with music at Discher Park that featured 8 Wisconsin bands including Blessed Feathers, The Vitrolum Republic, and Hugh Bob and the Hustle who have most recently had their work featured in the television show Nashville. Never happy to be content with past successes, the Horicon Phoenix Program hit 2014 with an aggressive plan to expand the Jersey Street Music Festival to a three-day weekend June 20-22, 2014. Going toe-to-toe with some of the larger festivals in Milwaukee, the Phoenix have scored the best line-up of artists found anywhere in the Midwest in 2014, with 18 bands bringing their different music styles to the Horicon Marsh in a musical celebration unlike anything seen in Dodge County before. The Wisconsin Area Music Award winning country music trio the WhiskeyBelles will headline the 2014 Jersey Street Music Festival on Friday, June 20. An incomparable Milwaukee Latin jazz orchestra De La Buena kicks off the 2014 summer solstice in fine fashion on Saturday, June 21. Then on Sunday, June 22, indie rock band I’m Not A Pilot will bring the festival to a close with their classically infused pop music. Another showcase band in 2014 is the songwriting sister duo Vic and Gab who have been featured on the MTV reality tv show Skins, as well as more recently performing at the 2014 South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin in March of this year. The sisters will bring their powerful and groovy indie-pop music to the Fest on Saturday, June 21. This year the Jersey Street Music Festival is also reaching outside of Wisconsin to feature some of the best traveling acts currently performing, including one of the hardest-working bands in the country, Mutts, who will be performing on Saturday, June 21. Voted one of the best emerging bands in 2012 by Chicago’s The Deli magazine, Mutts play a gritty, heavy and dark brand of Americana and have a great deal of fun while doing it. Victoria Vox is a Berklee College of Music degreed artist who has been honing her songwriting and voice for the past ten years, performing on the ukulele around the globe in Australia, Europe, Canada, and across the USA. Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Vox now lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Victoria brings her beautiful voice, great melodies and loads of charm to the Jersey Street Music Festival Sunday, June 22.

Vic And Gab

CandyRat Records recording artist Calum Graham arrives in Horicon from Toronto, Ontario, Canada where he has returned from travelling throughout Europe and Germany with famed guitarist Don Ross during the spring of 2014. Calum was the youngest-ever winner of the Canadian Guitar Festival, where he won first place in 2010 at just 19 years of age. In March of 2014 Calum was selected as one of 30 Great Guitarists Under 30 by Acoustic Guitar magazine. Coincidentally (or not), the song that put Calum on the international map is called “Phoenix Rising.” Calum takes the mainstage on Sunday, June 22. Staying true to its local roots, the Horicon Phoenix Program is also featuring a number of local solo artists including Carrie Ann Seymour, Roxie Beane and Matt Davies, each of these artists has contributed significantly to the Wisconsin arts community. The festival boasts music of almost every genre, and the complete lineup can be found on the Horicon Phoenix Program website at www.horiconphoenix.com/jerseystreet. Free to the public, the 2014 Jersey Street Music Festival offers much more than just music. Striving to be an inexpensive, family-friendly event, there will be a petting zoo in operation from noon to 5:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Inflatable rides will be available for the kids for a nominal fee Friday through Sun-

Lorenzo Menzerschmidt

Matt Davies

day. Face painting will also be available. One of the highlights of the festival weekend will be the opportunity to participate in a walking parade around the block with the celebrated Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Samba Unit and Samba Dancers led by Julio Pabon and Cecilio Negron, Jr. The Horicon Aquatic Center will be operating all weekend with $1.00 from all pool passes purchased on Saturday going to the Horicon Phoenix Program’s Discher Park Dance Hall restoration project. For the adults, a competition volleyball tournament will be held on Saturday, June 21. Wild Goose Fine Arts United will be hosting an art show in the Discher Park dance hall on festival grounds from noon – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. To help raise revenue to pay for the event, 50/50 cash raffles will be held hourly all weekend long. Food and beverages will be available throughout the weekend with famed Taste of Horicon being held at noon on Saturday, June 21. Horicon American Legion Post 157 will be operating a beer tent Friday through Sunday and other service organizations will be operating foods stands during the festival weekend. The Largest Small-town Music Festival in the World is right in your backyard June 20-22! Well, maybe not your backyard, but at Discher Park in Horicon. We hope to see you here!

The Whiskey Belles

conversation at a New Year’s Eve party inspired four Horicon residents to form a group dedicated to improving Horicon. Instead of focusing on what the town didn’t have, the conversation focused on how Horicon could be better and on possible ideas for the town to bring to life. Bob and Jenni Rettmann, along with Jennee and Tory Harmuth, saw the need for an advocacy group – a group that would take grassroots ideas and activism, and use it to promote businesses, historical sites, and tourism. A group that could help put into action the ideas they had discussed. The group formed in February of 2007 and was modeled after the Wisconsin Main Street Program. Its first project was to attempt to create a bike trail through Horicon. Several fundraisers were held but city officials vetoed the plans. Over the next year, the group struggled to find its niche, enjoying moderate success as other individuals came to the group with ideas. In 2008, the group received permission from the city for a community garden that soon grew to include a pavilion, a shed, and a water-storage tank. The group started a farmers’ market in the park during that same year, and as donations and funding for the group increased, so did its scope. The next few years saw more growth of membership. Other events were added: the Music At The Market free summer concert series, a Labor Day Weekend Celebration, and in 2011, Winter Festival. Projects advanced and were completed including the construction of a disc golf course and implementing small

business grants, college scholarships and community recognition awards. The group also began to partner with other organizations, such as the high school FFA and the Horicon Public Library. The group grew to include 25 members and volunteers. What is unique about the Horicon Phoenix Program is that anyone can come to the group with an idea and see that idea become a reality – as long as they agree to spearhead the project. The Phoenix finds the funds and Phoenix volunteers help to see the project through to completion. The group is a viable force – visibly making Horicon better with plans to upgrade playground equipment, renovate city buildings, build Little Libraries, create a small business center, and of course, the Biggest Small-town Music Festival In The World, the Jersey Street Music Festival. In the future the Horicon Phoenix Program plans to keep doing what it was created to do: building their community and creating a unique culture for Horicon and its residents. More information can be found on the web at www.horiconphoenix.com

MUSIC More @ www.localeben.com

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BILL BOETTGE

dgewater Park is the site for Beaver Dam’s 12th annual Fish ‘n Fun, which will be held Saturday, June 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is a popular kick-off to summer in Beaver Dam. Sponsored by the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association (BDLIA) and co-sponsored by the Beaver Dam Bass Anglers and the Beaver Dam Senior Center Fishing Club, the event has grown considerably since its launch in 2003. According to Fish ‘n Fun chairwoman Nancy Schraufnagel, a long-term member of the BDLIA’s Board of Directors who has chaired the annual event for the past 11 years, it started with 50 kids and then picked up another 15 to total 65 in its second year, and it “has gotten a little bit bigger every year.” Last year’s Fish ‘n Fun attracted nearly 400 people, including more than 180 kids, their parents, the adult groups that volunteer their expert help and other community volunteers who just want to make sure the kids have a great day. The original idea for Fish ‘n Fun came when Steve Baldwin, then an executive with a major food processing company with offices in Beaver Dam, came to the BDLIA with an offer of $1,000 to sponsor an event with two stipulations: That it be a non-competitive event for children with every kid treated equally, and that Schraufnagel, whom he had known for years, agree to chair it. “Of course I said yes,” she remembers, laughing. “That’s not the kind of thing you say no to. And the idea just came together. I mean, Beaver Dam Lake, the Improvement Association, fishing – they just kind of come together. So we decided to make it a Fish ‘n Fun event. At first we called it Quimby’s Fish ‘n Fun, because Steve’s company made Quimby’s macaroni and cheese, and

they donated mac and cheese for our first lunch. When Quimby’s was no longer, we kept the ‘Fish ‘n Fun’ because it described the day so well.” In the morning, short workshops led by Beaver Dam Bass Anglers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will teach kids about boat safety, baits and lures, tying knots, casting, fish recognition and fishing regulations. After the workshops, volunteers will prepare and serve a light lunch of hot dogs and brats to participating parents and their children. Fishing starts after lunch. Kids will receive complimentary rods and reels all set up for fishing, including bait. They can then test their skills with some shoreline fishing, with guidance and supervision from the sponsoring organizations. This year, two special guests will also attend: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Cathy Stepp, who will speak to the kids just after Beaver Dam’s mayor Tom Kennedy welcomes participants. Stepp is an avid outdoors’ woman, who has been enjoying Wisconsin’s natural resources since her own childhood. The other special guest has lived outdoors all his life and makes protection of the nation’s natural resources his sole mission: Smokey Bear. In addition, the Department of Natural Resources will offer kids temporary “Warden” tattoos and will bring to the event DNR enforcement boats and vehicles that kids can explore, as well as flash the lights and blow the siren. The event is supported by donations from many area individuals and businesses. Fish ‘n Fun would not be possible without their contributions or the help from the many volunteers who set up the event, cook and serve the food and make the day run smoothly, providing fun for all the kids. Schraufnagel says there is a framed print in her home that shows a little boy holding a fishing pole. The caption under it is simple: “Take a kid fishing before it’s too late.” She loves the print – and it has been motivating her to chair the annual Fish ‘n Fun day for a dozen years. “It’s an honor,” she says. “The volunteers involved in this are awesome, and this gives each of us a chance to make a difference in a child’s life. You can’t beat that.” For additional information regarding the event call the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association at 920-356-1200.

Community Activities & Services “Your Partner for a Lifetime”

You have a beautiful home YouYou have a another beautiful home You have a one beautiful home have beautiful home Can you afford a just like it? Most folks can

MATT KENEVAN

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Dan BeaverOhlson Dam reweries figured out a long time ago that canning beer protects the liquid inside from Ohlson Ohlson Beaver Dam 920-885-6209 daniel.ohlson@ two of its natural enemies: light and oxygen. Cans are opaque, like kegs, and do not Beaver Dam Beaver Dam 920-885-6209 countryfinancial.com daniel.ohlson@ let beer become light-struck. A good can tightly seals the product in its package to 920-885-6209 920-885-6209 countryfinancial.com daniel.ohlson@ daniel.ohlson@ keep the carbonation in and oxygen out. Add in the ease of recycling and lower costs countryfinancial.com countryfinancial.com to store and ship aluminum cans, and the case for using cans is even stronger. Next to draft beer in kegs, bottles are the other preferred package for the craft breweries. Bottles with a tight crown (bottle cap) protect beer from the air very well; however, glass only diffuses ultraviolet light to varying degrees. Clear bottles do not protect 042014-03026AC beer from UV light at all. Green bottles diffuse more light than clear, but aren’t as protecPolicies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company , Bloomington, IL. tive as brown bottles. Thus, brown bottles are the most common type of glass container Policies issued Policies by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company , Bloomington, issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company IL. , Bloomington, IL. used for packaging beer. 042014-03026AC 042014-03026AC 042014-03026AC Although the can is undeniably better for beer, the aisles of most craft beer stores are still filled with six-packs of brown bottles. The reason stems from an issue of brand identity rather than functionality. After craft beer became a distinct category from macro brews, craft breweries worked to set themselves apart from canned domestic lagers that filled the beer coolers of liquor stores by using bottles. The marketing tactic worked, and many microbrew and craft beer fans began to believe canned beer equaled cheap beer. Over the last few decades, things have changed. We now have better aluminum for food and beverage safety. We have sophisticated infrastructure for beer distribution and for recycling programs. In addition, we also have more safety rules and policies such as NO GLASS. Golf courses, disc golf courses, pools, campgrounds, waterways, and music festivals more often than not have “No Glass” policies. So how’s a guy or gal supJune 15, 2014 posed to have a craft beer? CAN IT. Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show Cans have rounded the corner to become the new cool package for craft beers. August 14-17, 2014 As summer rolls out, you’ll see more and Scavenger Hunt Rally Road more canned crafties in stores. Cheers to summertime and refreshing, tasty beer.

Policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, Bloomington, IL.

To see what’s on deck this summer for us over here at The Beer Dabbler, visit us on the web at thebeerdabbler.com

October 18, 2014 Time-Speed-Distance Rally

If you have questions or requests for topics, feel free to email me at mkenevan@ thebeerdabbler.com Until next time, be nice to each other and have a beer together.

JUSTIN SUTTER

y name is Justin Sutter, and I am a Beaver Dam native. I was born in the hospital here, grew up in the house my parents still live in, went to school here, and only spent time away during my college years. When I graduated, I chose to return because I always saw potential in this town. I think everyone hopes that their choice in career or volunteer work might make a difference in some way, and that has been a motivating factor for me. After studying architecture, busiStaircase Before

Kitchen Before

Justin Sutter pictured with his father Gary; they are the “we” in the story of the Park Avenue “flip.” Justin truly appreciates this opportunity to work closely with his father. Sharing his passion for design and architectural integrity while working side by side with his dad is really special.

ness, and finally settling on interior design, I think I found a way to make a difference in my hometown while doing something that I love. “Flipping” is a term often used to describe a “quick in, quick out” philosophy regarding home renovation. You buy a house, do some cosmetic updates, hide any glaring issues and put it back up on the market, attempting to make a quick profit on the sale. This is not what we do. A house is not just a big box with some beds and a refrigerator; it’s a home for a family. For many, your home is where you spend the most time, you make memories that last a lifetime, and you raise children that grow up too fast. A house is also the largest financial investment that most people will make in their lives. For these reasons, we do things differently than your typical “flip.” When we first walked through this old house at 329 Park Avenue, we knew it had the potential to be a special home for many years to come. It needed a lot of TLC, some hard work, and a redesign to fit modern family life. We believe that an old house like

this can be rehabilitated while respecting its inherent character, and we did just that. Why is this philosophy important? When a home is properly renovated, it raises the property value of other houses on the block, it attracts new people to the area, and it is something nice to look at for any travelers passing through. Most of the work we do is actually not visible; it is the bones of the home: electrical, plumbing, insulation, roofing, etc. Those are the things that may not be obvious, but that a homeowner notices a year, two years or five years into owning the home. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to worry about these important things down the line, because we took the time and spent a little extra money so we could be proud to sell that home, knowing that this will be a great home for you and your family for years to come. Of course we do the cosmetic work too. One of my great passions is walking into a home and seeing what it could be. I love to maximize space and add modern features that look like they belong in a house that has seen many eras. I want a homeowner to walk in and see that the house has met its potential, but still feel like they can add personal touches to make it their home. Staircase After

Kitchen After

This is my way of trying to make a difference in the community that helped make me the person I am today. My team and I are doing what we can to improve the city, one house at a time. Please visit www.LocaLeben.com for more pictures; the photos will be updated as we progress to the completion of this project, and on June 13, we will post a virtual tour of the finished home.

PHOTOS & VIDEO More on www.LocaLeben.com

THE BEAVER

rank from Beaver Dam asks: Back in the day, Beaver Dam was famous for producing some mighty fine beer – Ziegler’s Beer. How come we don’t have any vintners who produce wine around here? Answer: We’re working on that. Glaciers left Dodge County with a high concentration of limestone ridgelines (drumlins) that when combined with our naturally occurring clay results in great grape soil. The limestone provides proper drainage and the ridges deflect the cool temperatures downhill, protecting the grapes from frost damage in spring and fall. Traditional wine grapes dislike our cold Wisconsin winters, but a number of varieties have recently expanded the climate envelope. Armed with these hardy grapes is the first commercial vineyard in Dodge County that I know of: Edwin Brix Vineyard (check out their Facebook page). Many magnificent mauve masterpieces from Marty’s marvelous merlot meadows are sure to follow . . . Al from Beaver Dam asks: Why is Wisconsin called the Badger State? I have seen a number of beavers in Wisconsin, but I have

never seen a badger. Should we change our name to the Beaver State? Answer: It’s hard to argue with that logic; however, you should know that Wisconsin folks are not called “badgers” because of the abundance of badgers within our territory. Rather, we are called badgers because of where some of our early settlers chose to live. Legend has it that early lead miners lived near their work by burrowing into the sides of hills, similarly to how badgers burrow and live in their badger homes called “setts.” Thankfully, our lead miners did not choose to build their tunnel homes in pastures, for then we would be the Dung Beetle State. Mary from De Pere asks: Do you have any long-term goals? Answer: A couple of goals come to mind: 1. It’s kinda lonely around here for us wooden beavers. Heck, the only other wooden beaver that I know of is the one at the Chamber of Commerce. If it were up to me, every home in Beaver Dam would have a pet wooden beaver that got dressed up every Sunday. Of course, I’m biased. (Editor’s note: A third wooden beaver resides just to the north of Beaver Dam on the corner of Sunset Bay Drive and South Sunset Point Road, although not a fashionista like Stump and the Chamber Beaver; I believe this country beaver prefers the buff.) 2. A billboard south of Beaver Dam on Highway 151 read: “WELCOME TO BEAVER DAM, HOME OF 14,000 BUSY BEAVERS” and I’d love to see the day when the citizens of Beaver Dam are proud enough of our beaver heritage to display that sign once again. Send your questions to: Beav@localeben.com.

DAVE BOWMAN

oing to rock concerts has not been a big part of my repertoire in life. The experiences I have had are scarce at best; however, I have been able to delve into the “concert scene” several times. Although I have to admit I was NOT at Woodstock, as millions have claimed (even though only 400,000 did actually attend that historic event). My list is varied and low in numbers, and snickering is allowed and encouraged. Through the years I have attended concerts by different types of artists in different types of venues. When I began dating my wife, I really impressed her by winning tickets on a local radio trivia contest to a Barry Manilow concert at Alpine Valley. Now not only did she like Barry Manilow, but I know she could begin to see the luck she had in dating a guy with useless information in his head that could really pay off ! Suffice it to say there was no “mosh pit” when Barry began to croon Mandy. And unknown to me at the time, there would be an Air Supply concert in my future with her. Rock on! The venue can play an important part in the enjoyment of the experience, as when I attended The World Series of Rock in the old County Stadium in Milwaukee in 1981, with a variety of

bands playing under the scoreboard in center field. And then there has been the myriad of bands reliving their glory days by working their way through Wisconsin county fairs with the Dodge County Fair headlining Blood Sweat and Tears, .38 Special and REO Speedwagon. I am sure all those bands insisted in their contract rider that they get a county fair funnel cake and foot-long corn dog. Recently I attended a Christian rock concert at the Alliant Center with my family, ten bands for ten dollars. A pretty good “bang for the buck” as they say. Being the seasoned concert pro that I am, I settled in and began to wonder if we were near a blasting proving ground or a military airfield, because not only was my hearing capacity going but I could feel a low vibration and rumble though my entire chest cavity. I realized that it was the vibration and rumble of the band that was playing, and that was the opening act of ten! The message was uplifting, but so were our seats as the bolts worked their way out of their sockets. And when it comes to the mandatory part of the concert when lighters are thrust in the air in unison, I noticed the soft glow of cell phones throughout the concert hall, swaying back and forth. There must be a Zippo lighter app. Oh, kids these days.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the long history of humankind those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.â&#x20AC;? ~ Charles Darwin

like keeping things simple. Simple pictures, simple story, simple life. Simplicity provides clarity of vision. The criteria for this project were simple: Wisconsin family-owned businesses with fifty years existence minimum. Simple works for these pictures because the story is not. The story is steeped in history, love, family, business, and community, each of which is singularly complex but together become a maze of reason. Simple works because the family businesses portrayed have lived and evolved over a minimum of fifty years against all the odds of survival that can be thrown at them. They remained loyal to their business, their family and themselves. They weathered tough economic times and big business competition. Here they are, ready to serve you and proud to do so. Here they are in their commitment, dedication, and perseverance. Here they are, pure and simple. ~ Carl Corey, 2014

SELF PORTRAIT CARL COREY

Carlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye is simultaneously hard-edged and sympathetic. He knows the difficulties these businesses face. They are hard jobs often involving long hours, harsh conditions, low pay, and physical exertion. He does not glamorize this and in his shots there is an honesty, a realism, and a barely hidden admiration for his subjects. The respect is returned: the subjects appreciate that someone knows what they do and why they do it and that they are not alone. As disparate as the businesses are, there is a common denominator of community and providing a service that people want. The series is called For Love and Money, I think for Carl it is about dignity.

~ Graeme Reid, Director of Collections and Exhibitions Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, Wisconsin

TAYLOR JOHNSON WITH MARK AND DAN HORSELOGGER SPRINGBROOK, WISCONSIN #2919

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INTERVIEW WITH NATHAN PATTERSON

How are you connected to Beaver Dam? I graduated from BDHS in 2002. I was an active member of the music and theater programs, as well as Trinity United Methodist Church. I went to Ripon College for my first years of double majoring in Religion and Music. Later on, I ended up changing my major and earned a Business Administration degree overseas. How long have you been out of the country? Ten years as of New Year 2014. Where did you go? Manaus, Brazil (a 2-million-populated industrial city in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon). What originally took you overseas? I had a friend on a chiropractic exchange program from Brazil and I wanted to visit Brazil just as a tourist. I ended up liking it so much that I started working, finished my undergraduate studies, and have lived an American dream overseas since then. What can you initially tell us about the 2014 FIFA World Soccer Cup in Brazil? This year, the World Cup will be held in Brazil from June 12 to July 15 and one of the host cities is where I have been living this past whole decade. I managed prime seats for two great games here: our own team USA vs. Portugal and England vs. Italy. They should be amazing games to see! The other two games being played in Manaus will be Cameroon vs. Croatia and Switzerland vs. Honduras. I recently participated in a TV station report about my expectation as an American living in one of the cities where my home team will play. Portugal has the soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. I think the game will be tied 1-1. I would recommend to anyone who comes to Brazil for the games in Manaus to take advantage of an Amazon jungle excursion. I know people from Beaver Dam who have gone on an Amazon River trip and absolutely loved it. What do you miss being so far from the United States? Excellent infrastructure, pop tarts, homemade casseroles, snow (even

considering these past few years), and my family. Nearly everything American-made is at my fingertips abroad, too – even the latest tech releases and international cable television. Where do you work? For nearly five years now, I have been working as an International Trade Analyst (special account coordinator) at an import/export customs clearance brokerage house and international freight-forwarding agency. It is comparable to UPS, FedEx, or DHL, but with big freight instead of just little neighborhood packages. We fully manage import/export logistic operations for major industrial companies like Procter & Gamble, BIC, Gillette razors, Owens Illinois glass, Varilux lenses, Bombardier watercraft, and even Rexam – just to name a few. We also transport American Blackhawk helicopter parts for the Brazilian Army Air Division located in the Amazon. Did you find it hard to get hired as a foreigner overseas? The language difference was a barrier at first, but it was funny that my first job here was working at a McDonald’s. From there, I worked as an international telephone operator at a five-star hotel, taught English in a private language school while finishing college and, at the same time did a human resources-related internship at the Brazil Bureau of Weights and Measurements Division. What language do they speak in Brazil? Brazil is the only country in South America that does not speak Spanish. We speak Portuguese. It takes a while to get the hang of Portuguese, but I have been fluent for years now. The best way to master any language is to assimilate and live it. That is what I would recommend for anyone seeking to become proficient in another language. The more languages you learn, the easier the next one is. I studied German at BDHS for three years and learning Portuguese was much faster because of my previous experiences with a foreign language. So, do you think and dream in English or in Portuguese then? This is my favorite question people tend to ask. Since I do not need to translate between English and Portuguese, my dreams and con-

And what about travel back to the U.S. or other places in the world? I have taken several trips through my work in international trade. I have been to Miami and Boston on Procter & Gamble business twice. On a weeklong vacation I took to Boston last year, I happened to be only a few blocks up from the Boston marathon bombing, on my way back from the Patriot’s Day Red Sox baseball game. On other leisure trips, I have been to other major cities throughout Brazil. Teatro Amazonas (Amazon Theatre) in Manaus, Brazil

versations all depend upon whom I am talking to at the time. For example, if I am talking to a co-worker in Portuguese, then I think in Portuguese, but then if an English-speaking customer calls me up all of a sudden, I automatically think and am able to carry on in English. Dreams happen the same way. What do you do for leisure? I love going to classical and jazz music events. We have an opera house where many concerts are held and my favorite part of the season is the month-long international opera festival. Besides music activities, ever since 1996 I’ve been a stamp collector. In a foreign country, you can get some pretty neat stuff, and with the World Cup this year, I have taken advantage of some excellent deals on collector’s items.

What do you enjoy about living abroad? I enjoy fully experiencing and sharing rich diversity and the good found around the world. Along with obvious differences in perspective, the culinary, artistic, and social contrasts have positively influenced me, turning me into a more conscious, erudite, and eclectic person. Cultural differences complement and nurture each other, enlightening both those I come in contact with and myself. What are you looking forward to? I am not a fanatic soccer fan, but I am a fan of the Olympics, so I am looking forward to hopefully attending the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro! Do you plan on moving back to the United States? Since I always plan my vacations to the U.S., for now I don’t plan on moving, but in 10 or 20 years from now, I think I would like to get back to my roots. Although I call Brazil my home now, I can say that in relation to Wisconsin “there’s no place like home.” 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt

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CHEF RON DOMBROSKI

ood: Everybody eats it. You are probably thinking about it right now. Some people like food so much that they dedicate their lives to learning every which way to grow it, cultivate it, cook it and sometimes sell it. I fall into the “cook it” category. My story began in Chicago, where I was born and raised into a very Polish family on the south side. Needless to say, the culinary scene consisted of a never-ending parade of hot dog, Italian beef and pizza joints. Good eating, if you’re a kid. While in college, I was inspired by a friend to check out culinary school. It was chaotic, but it did open the door to some of the best restaurants in Chicago and thus, my passion for food. LIFE BEGINS: I moved to Wisconsin in 1997 to be with my family as my father had become very ill. My plan was to move back to Chicago after my help was no longer needed, but as most stories go, I met my future wife and it is a story we are still writing. My education and background were primarily in baking and pastry, so after seven years of creme brûlée, sourdough and chocolate, I had to teach myself how to cook. I was fortunate to work at some excellent restaurants, starting in pastry and working my way up to Executive Chef in the process. My last job really set the stage for my love of catering. From simple picnics to full-blown, sit-down parties for 500, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. It has almost been one year to the date that I quit my restaurant job and started SmokeHaus Catering. I can hear you thinking, “What’s with the smokehaus?” A few years back I purchased a small smoker to basically experiment with, and after a few tries, I became hooked. I smoked everything. That is not hyperbole. If you could eat it, I smoked it. I wasn’t sure of the demand, but I knew that I wanted a place that would cater (no pun intended) to my BBQ cravings. We started small but after the Arts & Ales festival in Columbus and the LocaLeben 2nd Annual Party, we started to garner a small following. Compound that with the functions we do at Kestrel Ridge Golf Club (we are their in-house caterer), and we are blessed with work.

We love what we do. “We” refers to my staff, which also happens to be my family, my wife Kara who is my right hand, and Billy, Kaycee and Madelyn. When we’re not working, we like to keep ourselves balanced by running and biking. Life balance is the key to a happier you. That and a BBQ brisket sandwich. Now that you know who I am, let me tell you why I am here. My plan is to talk food and beverage. From apples to ziti. Recipes, trends, nationwide topics, you name it. I love food and experiment in some small way everyday. Alas, I am still learning on the job. My hope is to bring you an enticing reading experience that is as informative as it is entertaining. If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to email me at smokehauscatering@gmail.com See you next issue. Ron’s Honey Smoked Salmon Brine: 1 gallon water 1 cup honey 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup kosher or sea salt 2 tablespoons peppercorn Spices or herbs if desired Mix all brine ingredients until dissolved. Add salmon (the fattier, the better) and completely submerge. Let salmon sit for at least 8 hours. After at least 8 hours, rinse salmon under cold water and place on smoker rack skin side down. Coat with honey and cracked black pepper if desired. Smoke at 180 degrees for about 2 hours (internal should be 140 degrees) using 3 ounces of wood. I prefer alder, but apple, pecan and hickory work well also. Once your salmon has hit 140 degrees, remove from the smoker and refrigerate.

JAMIE GULLICKSON

ast fall, I returned home from an after dinner meeting to find my daughter unhappily knee deep in prime numbers homework and my husband ravenously reading the Wikipedia article on primes in an attempt to activate a 25-year-old math class memory that would provide the necessary insight to help. Both were frustrated, and neither was saying much. With no one’s consent, and barely their assent, I packed them both up in the car and drove down to Waterworks Park on Beaver Dam Lake. We walked onto one of the piers and sat. Just sat. No talking, no Googling and certainly no prime numbers. We listened to the lake rippling onto the rocks on the shoreline, we inhaled

the crisp autumn air, and we silently watched the sunset together. After about 30 minutes, we got back in the car and returned home to the awaiting assignment with some new perspective and even a few smiles. This is not the only example of curative nature in our family; there are many. Our annual Memorial Day camping adventure at Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo (just an hour’s drive from Beaver Dam) has saved us thousands in the therapy (or meds) I would require without it. Three days in the woods eating pudgy pies, and feigning an attempt to hike them off, does wonders for your attitude. A hot shower and central heat (or A/C, depending on the year) are things I find myself grateful for, when I should be glad for them every day. Most recently, Horicon Marsh posted on Facebook that their floating boardwalk was ready for spring and I dragged my overbooked family out on a school night to walk it. We got some great photos and did our best to identify several migrating birds that had just flown in. The magic happened when my tween daughter shared the plot for a story she wanted to write, as well as the drama d’jour from school that day. My husband told us about an article he read on making electric engines from alternators. I honed my listening skills (which always need work). There was a real family conversation happening. The point is this - we have this amazing locally grown remedy for tween angst and family exhaustion. It took me years to discover its value. I thought fancy vacations to Disneyland or another Monster High doll would bring us closer as a family, but the truth was, what we were seeking was in our backyard all along.

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LUCKENBACH NEIGHBORS

‘LEST WE FORGET

MINNESOTA MILL

atsy Radtke paints like she breathes. Deeply, with lots of fresh air, discovering the simplest of subjects, a pebble on a beach or the point of a church steeple, from which to draw the deep, cleansing breaths of creativity. Patsy is a prolific artist who jokes easily about her talent and escapades on the way to becoming an artist. Her sense of humor equals her sense of wonder. She is as down to earth as she is elegant and kind, with a beautiful smile that is always present. When Patsy met me at her home studio in Randolph, I discovered walls on both floors of her home tastefully loaded with reflections of her. We began in the living room, but ended up in New York, Texas, Door County, Portage and even Iowa. All she would need to do is put up an “Open” sign and there would easily be another snazzy high caliber art gallery in Dodge County. Radtke did not pick up a paintbrush until the late ‘90s, raising three children and helping her pharmacist husband Dennis in their drugstore in Randolph. Over time, she left behind evidence of her creativity, breadcrumbs of clues to her true passion, in classes like cake decorating, sewing and stained glass. Painting waited for her like a house on the market ready to be occupied. She tried on her creativity, like a ranch, a condo or a colonial, until she found one that suited her best of all, painting. This is where she has dwelled happily, finding herself and forging an identity as an artist for nearly a decade and a half. Taking a private tour of an artist’s full body of work is like holding up an x-ray of someone’s chest to the light. There is no way to hide what is inside; Patsy’s heart, her genetic make-

up, her stamina or frailties, her past. Her family tree, her passions and her soul are there in broad daylight, illuminated in paintings. For Patsy, there is not one subject or theme she paints; she tackles many. For each situation, for every circumstance, Patsy discovers exactly how to reflect what is on her mind, often materializing in people or places dear to her. Patsy has been involved with BDAAA since The Seippel Center became its home on Spring Street. She has served on the exhibit committee, on the board, as a docent and an artist. Patsy also came highly recommended as a mentor to high school senior Emily McKnight, the most recent Proctor Award winner at BDAAA, and has worked to pass along her knowledge and experience. She has trained at the prestigious Peninsula School of Arts

BURST OF BLUE in Fish Creek and continues to be active in the Columbus Area Arts Association at the Senior Center and with a group in Texas every winter. She is a fixture in the annual Randolph Library art exhibit and has participated often in the Portage art walk. Patsy is incredibly plugged into the art scene around the country and she is as put together as a puzzle: complete, connected and whole because of her art. One of her most sought after prints is an image of the New York City skyline with the Statue of Liberty. “It’s not a happy painting, but it’s thoughtful,” reflects Patsy. In the days following the collapse of the Twin Towers, her spirits had fallen because of the tragedy in our nation. “I had visited New York with friends and my German immigrant parents had come through Ellis Island. New York was an important place to me. I felt as if my emotions came through every brush stroke. I entitled the painting Lest We Forget…” The hazy skyline expertly captures the overcast atmosphere of American hearts in the most touching but simplest of manners. No, Patsy, we have not forgotten, and this kind of art treasure assures that we will not. With dozens of individually framed paintings to her name, one might wonder why she did not just skip all the fuss and just draw on the wall. Oh wait…she has done that too. Her kitchen mural is a work in progress; she tweaks the painting and adds to it, changing anything she believes could be better. “I began the painting the fall of ‘13,” Patsy explains, like she is a tour guide welcoming guests to a marvelous get-away, although the entire scene is simply from her fertile imagination. She began with the sketch of a tree, then included birds, foliage, two characters fishing and a dog. She added sailboats, and of course, her tranquil water. “Dennis’ favorite part is the tree with the heart, right here,” she points to

the left where “D + P” obviously equal a lifetime of love. She might as well have written a love poem, because this is what the mural truly is – a love poem in the disguise of a panoramic painting. She is not fooling anyone. Patsy speaks highly of her adored mentors who helped achieve success as an artist, knowing she could not have arrived at this point alone. She had family members who were artists – kindred spirits who urged her to hone her skill. “Carmie Dunning became my mentor back in ’98. I had individual lessons from her,” recalls Patsy fondly. They became fast friends and when Carmie died with an uncompleted sketch for a future painting, Dunning’s family contacted Patsy to complete her ‘final’ work. “I had six great years of wonderful times with Carmie and felt honored to complete the painting. ‘Fish House 1934’ is a labor of love.” She also has a self-portrait of this mentor in her living room. Patsy does not hesitate to give kudos to her Columbus group as well for their ongoing encouragement and support. “I paint what I love – I don’t know why I paint – I just have to.” This is the compulsion of those afflicted with the creative spirit, to find purpose in their gift and to carry it out. Patsy has done exactly that. Her low profile is getting higher every year. “I’ve painted in my studio. I’ve painted outside in the winter. I’ve had my work fall into snow while creating en plein air and stuck my fingers in my coffee to warm up,” said Patsy. “You really cannot know nature unless you are in it.” Her artwork sincerely reflects that principle, especially noticeable as she flirts with all kinds of clouds with their varying form and depth and height that captivate her imagination and ours.

CARMIE

At one time, Radtke showcased her work in up to ten galleries. These days, she is represented in the Cornerstone Gallery in Baraboo and The Paint Box Gallery in Fish Creek. She and Dennis are ‘snowbirds’ traveling to Texas for three winter months. She joined an artist group in Texas and stays active in summer with Rural Rembrandts of Wautoma until her return to the group in Columbus. At her home studio, she files references of all kinds, with the same meticulous enthusiasm and devotion to her craft, keeping tidbits about technique for light, shadows, angles, or any new ideas. Forget the living room or even the screened porch. This is where Patsy truly lives…in her studio. Although Patsy mentioned her favorites, I found many outstanding pieces she should consider keeping in rotation to the public eye, including one of those cloud sanctuaries. There is a magnificent standout piece of a shifting effervescent Texas sky that will not be ignored. She also has painted her church, Friedens Lutheran in Randolph, from four separate angles, a fascinating study in detail and perspective. “Lest We Forget…” should also be added to the list. How does she know when her art is complete? “I hold the painting in front of a mirror and upside down; if something stands out, I fix it.” Before I left this artists’ retreat, I noticed how smartly every frame matched her artwork, which can often become a chore. Not one looked out of place, which truly enhances the entire painting, the entire room and her full body of work. “I am very fortunate to have a Door County artist couple who ‘critique’ my work and I value highly their opinions. My greatest admirer, though, is my husband Dennis; he also helps works in-progress”....like Patsy and painting….meant to be together. After examining so many paintings, any guest in Patsy’s home would come to the conclusion that her work cannot be categorized as just another gallery. This collection is Patsy’s autobiography. It is not bound by a spine or identified with an ISBN number, but within flattering frames safeguarding emotions, people, places and moments in time. If you get the chance to see Patsy’s work, it is clearly the passageway to an artistic time capsule worth opening.

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NATION OF PATRIOTS BOARD

hen Bill Sherer was the sole flag bearer on the 2009 Patriot Tour, he traveled all 33 states east of the Mississippi at his own expense, raising awareness and money for the families of wounded veterans. He ended his tour in Milwaukee and worked with the VA Hospital there to direct the money he had raised to military families. “I realized that my voice was not strong enough to reach coast to coast or all the way to our men and women overseas,” he said. “So I decided to form the Nation of Patriots . . .” More than 100,000 riders across the United States have answered the Nation of Patriots’ call each spring since 2010 in an effort to honor America’s past, present and fallen armed forces, raising money for wounded veterans and their families. In 2013, more than $80,000 was raised and distributed to families of wounded veterans in Wisconsin and across the United States with 100% of all donations received given directly to the veterans and their families. The Patriot Tour begins on Saturday May 24. Riders from the Beaver Dam area will gather at Hogz & Honeez in Beaver Dam and ride to join launch ceremonies in Madison, and then escort the flag to its first stop in Woodstock, Illinois. The flag will spend the night in Woodstock, before departing with riders for Elkhart, Indiana on Sunday and will travel in similar fashion, escorted city-to-city through all 48 of the continental United States, for approximately the next 100 days. On Saturday August 30, the flag will return to Wisconsin and will be escorted back to Beaver Dam for homecoming ceremonies. More information, donor opportunities and a complete tour schedule can be found at www.nationofpatriots.com.

PHOTOS & VIDEO More on www.LocaLeben.com

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

TAMON MARK UTTECH

negaishimasu, how are you Matsu-san? Thanks for writing; as of this morning, April 16, there are 68 days of spring until the summer solstice. Doing countdowns is a waking up practice, an awareness practice. No, I’m not trying to leap ahead into at    another season. One season a time resonates just fine with me;  68 days is a long time. If I count the other way, I’ll end up close to  Valentine’s Day and remember all over again that I didn’t receive ♦  a single valentine.  I think I’ve mentioned before about a thing called Thirty     Thousand Days. That is the  average length of a human life. I think  how it works is to multiply 365.2 times your age at your most re cent birthdate. Then you subtract that from 30,000 and you get a        rough idea of how much time you have left. That’s another wake  up practice. For example, I have less than 7,800 days and my moth her allotment. None of this is a given; life er has already gone over ♦      is a surprise.     You wrote in your letter that being in prison was like  be    ing on a raft that was floating you further away from a changing    

world you once knew; this ‘further’ may just be a delusion. The world is full of prisons of all kinds and much as we hate to admit it, sometimes we create them. The library in Marshall is taking donations for their annual spring book sale. I’ve taken a boxful of books off of my shelves to make more room for the books I have lying around in every room of the house; it isn’t spring cleaning, it’s more like spring rearranging. The book My Return by Jack Henry Abbott is a hardcover used library book that I bought online. I chuckle as I put it in the box of donations, thinking of the twisted irony. Maybe I shall always wonder what happened to Jack Henry between his success of In the Belly of the Beast (which made the New York Times bestseller list) and subsequent downfall, which took him back to prison and his failure to recreate the success of Beast with My Return. In the Zen tradition there are two sicknesses: one is the sickness that comes with success, the other is the sickness that comes with failure. I think it is better denoted as: there’s the sickness we know about and the sickness we don’t know about. I like what you wrote in your letter Matsu-san, about noticing that when you engage in one activity like painting, drawing diminishes; when writing fiction soars, poetry shrinks. Multitasking is a true sickness of our times. Even though there are many birds and many stones available, “one bird, one stone” is the way to wake up.



And if the bird is sitting on the stone? Life everlasting.

                  - Great on Beaver Dam Lake,  Fishing     Wisconsinʼs 14th largest lake   World Class Bird Watching ♦ -  at the Horicon Marsh ♦               - Racing Saturdays thru September  at Beaver Dam Raceway                      ♦                  ♦                                            ♦                    Shows    Free Ski Sundays thru September at Tahoe Park    ♦    - Live music, Karaoke ﬁnals 5/25 Race Into Summer      Taste of Wisconsin - Beer & Cheese Tasting 6/14       Swan City Car Show - Classic Auto show 6/15      Lake Days Festival at Beaver Dam Lake 7/11 - 7/13   “A Day in the Park” - Arts & Craft Show 7/13   

   

BOB FRANKENSTEIN

he granite “Flame of Freedom” grabs your attention when you arrive. On its face, it invites you into Veterans Memorial Park. As you proceed up the “Walk of Honor” leading to the memorial, you soon realize your wheelchair is welcome too. Looking ahead, you see a treat to the eye in brick, stone, green grass, flowers and trees. You note the walk lights form a “V” to symbolize the sign of victory. “War Buddy Circle” encircles a garden of flowers. Flowers caress the senses and are a message of respect and love. You are reminded of the loyalty and friendships formed by survivors of long hours of terror while sharing a foxhole, ship, tank, gun position, etc. You may even sit down on one of the granite benches and share a story with your grandchildren about a buddy from your outfit, a buddy who enriched your life. You continue up the walk to “Memory Square.” In the middle of this square stands a special memorial with a beautifully polished black granite top stone imported from India, one of the most populace democratic countries in the world. To some this may be a simple rectangular stone, but to others this warrior stands proudly at attention, tall and straight, shoulders squared, feet firmly planted in solid American grey granite. On our granite soldier’s chest is carved a heartfelt thank you from our community for the sacrifice each veteran gave for our freedom. Our soldier is heavily armed with six crests, three on each side. Army, Navy, Marines, on one side, and Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine on the other. This warrior carries a backpack of powerful printed words carved in stone, thanking this community for its incredible war production efforts and support of our soldiers. The granite warrior faces south with great granite arms (walls) outstretched, embracing the brave confederate soldiers who gave their lives during the civil war. Our granite warrior has no head, but if you look real close on the mirrored surface of the stone, you might see a heroes face! Moving on to discover why it is called “Memory Square,” the “Warrior Wall” greets you. You see name after name of sacrifice in our homeland or terrifying foreign lands. They bought our freedom with an arm here, an eye there, or maybe you even find one marked (KIA) killed in action, (POW) prisoner of war, or (MIA) missing in action. Unknown or missing veterans can only be remembered in our hearts, but chiseled in stone is our thanks. The courage that these men and women summoned is legendary. They all did their part! We still have our freedom! You may see your great grandfather’s name, your aunt’s name, your brother’s or your father’s name, and you get a lump in your throat. Certain

walls have names on both front and back as warriors are in battle protecting each other’s back. Other walls face the eastern and the western oceans to honor those lost at sea. You feel the spirit of GIs around you! You grow quiet…you are in the presence of greatness. Wall after wall, you are treated to the history of our communities’ veterans. As you move about the park, walking on a carpet of grass, you feel the warmth of the sun and the touch of the wind. You admire the beautiful evergreen trees. There is a tree for each branch of the service. They stand guard over the fallen. Color

is added with shrubs and flowers. Admiration and respect invade your thoughts. Nearby, a POW/MIA Memorial stands mute, ever vigilant, awaiting the return of a veteran! This memorial is a very special one…it symbolizes openly what each veteran’s club does in a ceremony privately at every meeting. Every veterans’ group begins its formal meetings with a salute to our beloved flag (our symbol of liberty) after which an empty chair is designated with a black POW/MIA place marker, and thus in spirit, prisoners of war and those missing in action attend all our meetings. This is a core value of each and every veteran. The POW/MIA Memorial consists of a six foot grey granite compass with planet earth in the center; meaning we will search in every direction possible to find and bring them home to rest in peace and honor in the soil of the United States. This memorial also features a black granite bench reserved for returning POW/MIAs so they may find peaceful rest upon returning. The sturdy walkway surrounding this memorial is wide and solid symbolizing the need to travel around the earth time and again searching each point of the compass. A black granite book documents their plight and hammered in stone is a pledge to never give up looking for them! The POW/MIA Memorial is set beneath three flowering trees …renewing our promise each new season… in Veterans Memorial Park, and overhead is the POW/MIA flag acting as a beacon for the returning spirits of missing soldiers still on faithful duty. Veterans Memorial Park memorializes the struggles and sacrifices of families on both our home and war fronts. This park reflects the indomitable human spirit of our community, but we are

not alone! High overhead there is an umbrella of protection and icons of all that we hold dear in our land. They were paid for with flesh and blood. One of them was carried into every battle, on a supply ship, in a soldier’s pocket or painted on a plane. Flowing in the wind is our guarantee to live in freedom. If we lose them, we lose our freedom. If we lose one, we lose the other! They are the great flags of Wisconsin and the United States of America! Veterans Memorial Park is located on eastbound Wisconsin Highway 33 just east of its intersection with U.S. 151 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

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have been working with cancer patients for the past 13 years and I know that a cancer diagnosis often produces an overwhelming emotional response, including feelings of shock, denial, fear, anxiety, anger, grief and /or depression. Because a multitude of medical tests and consultations typically are needed to determine a definitive diagnosis and course of treatment, a cancer patient’s path through the health care system can be complicated and confusing. Even worse, some patients may not fully comprehend the importance of prompt evaluation and treatment of their disease. To address these challenges, Columbus Community Hospital embarked on its journey to create a Cancer Navigation Program to meet the unique needs of the people it serves.

When I meet with patients and their families, I can see how scared they are and how lost they are with this new diagnosis. It is a very difficult time, and it is a lot to learn about in a short period before their surgery, chemotherapy, labs, etc. With the navigation program, we have a multidisciplinary team that works with the patient through every facet of their disease. As the Cancer Navigation Specialist, I help the patient understand the disease process and help alleviate any barriers within the health care system. Our model of care for cancer patients puts the patient at the center of decision mak-

ing with navigation to assist them as they move through the cancer treatment continuum. This helps the patient and the family better understand their journey. The overall goal of our navigation program is to ensure seamless and coordinated care among the physicians, the diagnostic tests, and the cancer treatments, while offering education, support, and guidance to help patients and families cope with their challenges. I follow patients for approximately a year after their diagnosis. For some patients, the scariest time is when they are done with their treatments, because there is a sense of “what is fighting my cancer now.” With emotional support and continuing screenings, the anxiety lessens; that is why it is important to have a Patient Navigation Specialist to help during these sensitive times. With the program, we offer a Cancer Support Group along with a Survivorship Program. As we look to the future, I know we are all hoping for a cure for cancer. But until that happens, I’m committed to growing CCH’s Cancer Navigation Program to help many more patients through diagnosis and recovery. For more information about the Navigating through cancer you can contact CCH at (920) 623-2200 or call Cathy directly at (920) 623-6434. Cancer Support Group 6-7 p.m. Thursday June 12 and Thursday August 14 at the Columbus Public Library

CAlENDAR

JIM DITTMANN

Well here we are: - Volume 3 Issue 3 Wie geht es dir?

ay brings Memorial Day with an appreciation for those with courage and my personal memories of being afraid. I still remember JFK speaking to the nation during the Berlin Crisis. That stark B&W television broadcast is filled with the words “iron curtain” - “nuclear war” - “defending freedom” - “fallout shelters” - “order to active duty certain reserve units” - “husbands and sons will be called away.” We heard of the impending possibility of war. The National Guard - Wisconsin 32nd Infantry (Red Arrow) Division was ordered to active duty. To this eight-year-old that meant my dad would be going to war. My family was lucky - the 32nd was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington. They returned to Wisconsin without being deployed overseas… Veterans Park is the focus of the Historical Society this issue from Robert (Bob) Frankenstein who set about recording the history of local veterans and published two books filled with these pieces of history, with the profits donated to help build the local Veterans Center and Veterans Museum.

Nation of Patriots founder Bill Sherer describes his initiative, “So I decided to form the Nation of Patriots. I wanted to include as many proud Americans as possible to stand with me in a collective salute of appreciation to the U.S. military.” LocaLeben. com is proud to partner with the Nation of Patriots to provide updates during the tour: One Flag - 48 States - 100 Days. There are thousands in our community who are heroes. Many families have sacrificed for our freedoms - we can never say “Thank You” often enough… We are very happy to share some remarkable images from Carl Corey’s new book - For Love and Money. Erik and I heard Carl being interviewed and thought the criteria fit closely with LocaLeben’s celebration of community. So I looked up Carl, took a “long shot” and sent him a message. Carl wrote back almost immediately - it was meant to be. The images are portraits of our neighbors - hardworking real Wisconsin people - you may recognize them - Enjoy! Horicon Phoenix Program - formed from a discussion on what was possible for the town to bring to life! Bring things to life they have – Jersey Street Music Festival - three days - FREE music. A visit to Horicon June 20-22, perhaps daily visits, are certainly in order to enjoy international performers at the largest smalltown music festival in the world right next door – You don’t want to miss this! This magazine is sponsored and brought to you by our advertisers – please support them… Cheers!

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Some of my best images are taken in inclement weather. These cover photos are a before and after photo of the same storm. I noticed on radar that there were some good-sized cells bearing down on Lake Mills, so I hopped in my car and did my version of thunderstorm chasing. The front cover shows the storm as it just starts to cross Rock Lake. The air was dead calm, and the lake, the same. After the storm passed, I rushed to my car and drove to the other side of the lake. The back cover is the image presented to me by the Thunder Gods. One last rain squall and it was over. What I love about weather is that it is so random; you never know what will happen next. Rod Melotte

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Columbus, WI PERMIT NO. 73