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.
2
MAY - JUNE 2015
4 To The Reader
Sarah Fletcher Botham
6 One Flag 8 Feature
Festival of Music
12 A Journey 14 The Little Clockwork Girl 15 This & That
Fading Heroes
16 The Watermark 18 Viewfinder
Brian Wolf
20 View from the Kitchen 21 Dodge County Musicians 22 Good Morning Babies Beef
Owner and founder of Botham, ink., a Madison-area marketing and public relations consulting firm that specializes in branding and strategic planning.
Sylvia Richards Involved with the Green Lake Festival of Music through the choral programs and as a board member since 1982, she presently serves as the Festival’s Historian.
Maria Dietrich Thrasher Opera House Development Director, adjunct instructor of music at Ripon College and church organist.; she slso operates a private piano studio in her home.
Scott Krenz Internationally recognized business consultant, motivational speaker, author, martial arts instructor, and close quarter combat instructor.
24 Feature Artist
Karla Jensen
28 Stump the Beaver
A freelance writer and published playwright, Karla is Director of Auxiliary Programs and Outreach at Wayland Academy and teaches writing at the Seippel Center.
Polly Knoll
29 Lines from Upstream 30 Social Luxury of Beer 32 Historical Society
WWII Eaglet
Bob Frankenstein Bob is an author, an advocate for the soldiers that courageously protect our country. Community history tugs at his heart and is one of the great joys of his retirement.
3
The MAGAZINE Well here we are: - Volume 4 Issue 3 Wie geht es dir? It happens to me every spring. Just before the trees begin to green up I tell myself now “pay attention” this is the year you’ll see it happen. I always want to catch the landscape just as it turns that beautiful chartreuse – you know when the grey magically disappears. Well – I missed it again. But the oaks always give me a little extra time. I heard somewhere that when the oak leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear – we should hunt for morels. Are there morels around here and is the legend of the squirrel’s ear correct? If so, it appears I’m a bit late for this as well. But perhaps I can get ready for next year … I had the pleasure of visiting the Paszek farm a few days ago when the babies were first let out to graze. Christine and Dennis were very accommodating -- escorting me into the pasture to capture a few photos. Seems I made the herd a little skittish -- as they managed to break a section of fence -- this required Dennis to implement a gather and rescue operation. A few minutes later I managed to step on the toes of one of the barn cats – I apologized profusely … Our cover for this issue comes with an interesting story that began when chatting with Jonas Zahn one day about a vast collection of vintage BD signage. After a couple seconds – “that could be a cover!” So the ball begins to roll -- Julie makes some photos, and we then have a bunch of images to compile. Knowing it is going to be an enormous task, we wonder, “Who wants to do the assembly?” We recruited Josh Devries to help -- you may remember him from his viewfinder spread in issue 18, and he accepts! We gathered a few more signs from the historical society -- Josh breaks his computer and voila! We hope you enjoy reminiscing with us. Special thanks to Josh for all the extra effort compiling and to Julie and Jonas for the idea and images … Thanks to our advertisers, they make this little magazine possible – please support them … To everyone who has contributed to the PWYW – we appreciate that so many enjoy the magazine – cheers!
Cover: Photography by Julie Zahn Compilation by Josh DeVries
VOLUME 4 - IssUE 3
EDITOR
PUBLISHER
Erik Dittmann
Jim Dittmann
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Preston Bowman TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Benjamin Dittmann COPY EDITOR
ADVISOR
Kathy Dittmann
Emma Sutter
LocaLeben The Magazine is mailed bi-monthly to 16,014 homes and businesses in Dodge County. 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 visit LocaLeben.com/subscribe.
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 ads@localeben.com.
READER SERVICES LocaLeben is Local Life. We invite you to share your stories in LocaLeben. All stories in LocaLeben are written by people like you. Phone: (920) 306-1189 Email:content@localeben.com Mailing Address: N8369 S. Sunset Pt. Rd. Beaver Dam, WI 53916 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) 2015. 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.
4
You’ll See Insurance Differently. Serving Beaver Dam and the surrounding communities since 1976.
130 Park Avenue | Beaver Dam 920.885.5589 myknowledgebroker.com
Not only do we have the widest selection of products to fit your needs, but we are dedicated to being your go-to service partner. N8309 Kellom Rd. Beaver Dam WI 53916 920. 887.2709 www.powersportscompany.com ®
5
BACK--FLAG WRAPS AROUND TO SLEAVE KNOW LET EVERY NATION R ILL, S US WELL O HE IS W IT WHETHER EN EAR ANY BURD ANY PRICE, B S HA L L P A Y E W D, E N I T R YF THA PORT AN RDSHPI , SUP ANY HA T E E L M SURVIVA E THE SSUR A O OE T NY F RTY OPPOSE A LIBE S OF S E C C E SU AND TH -JOH
EN N F. K
NEDY
BACK--FLAG WRAPS AROUND TO SLEAVE KNOW LET EVERY NATION OR ILL, HES US WELL WHETHER IT WIS URDEN BEAR ANY B AY ANY PRICE, LL E SHA P RIEND, THAT W RT ANY F SHPI , SUPPO RD HA ANY L MEET SURVIVA E THE SSUR TO A FOE Y Y T N R A OPPOSE LIBE S OF CCES E SU AND TH -JOH
N F. K
ENNED
Y
ONE FLAG, 48 STATES, 100 DAYS HONORING AMERICA'S ARMED FORCES
ONE FLAG, 48 STATES, 100 DAYS HONORING AMERICA'S ARMED FORCES
PATRI PATRIOT TOUR 2015 FRONT
SARAH FLETCHER BOTHAM
The Nation of Patriots Works to Unite a Divided Nation, Honor Military Sacrifices: The Sixth Annual Patriot Tour is set to launch Saturday, May 23 from Harley Davidson of Madison; the Dodge County contingent will ride from Hogz & Honeez in Beaver Dam.
D
uring this, perhaps the most divisive time in American history, one organization is working fervently to unite the citizens of this great country under the banner of patriotism, and in so doing, seeks to honor all military personnel by improving the lives of those who serve to protect us. While The Nation of Patriots promotes its mission and its message most visibly through the annual Patriot Tour, the organization is about so much more than one American flag and a 100-day motorcycle ride, said Bill Sherer, Nation of Patriots founder and executive director. “Our mission is to provide financial support to the families of wounded veterans, but we also want to bring this nation together to proudly wave the flag of freedom and honor the sacrifices of all military personnel; past, present and fallen,” Sherer explained. “The Patriot Tour is just one facet of the work we are doing and plan to do to further that mission.” The idea for the Patriot Tour came to Sherer in 2009 while riding in the eastern United States, carrying the American flag on the back of his motorcycle in support of the sacrifices that his friends, mostly veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, had made on behalf of our country. He rode all 33 states east of the Mississippi, raising money for the families of wounded veterans. Ending in Milwaukee, Sherer 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 rally a nation,” he said. “So I founded the Nation of Patriots. I wanted to include as many proud Americans as possible to stand with me
6
in a collective salute of appreciation to the U.S. military.” Now in its sixth season, the Patriot Tour is poised to break all fundraising and participation records, Sherer said. The Tour raised nearly $100,000 in 2014, 100 percent of which went directly to families of wounded veterans across the country. “We want those who contribute to know that every nickel we raise is distributed to those for whom it is intended. The Nation of Patriots is an all-volunteer organization,” he said. This year’s Tour departs from Harley of Davidson in Madison on Saturday, May 23 following the launch ceremony and flag-bearer’s oath at 11 a.m. A contingent of riders from Dodge County will gather and depart from Hogz & Honeez at 9:30 a.m. for the ride to Badger Harley Davidson and on to Woodstock, Illinois, the first stop on the Patriot Tour. More than 150,000 riders are expected to participate in escorting the flag city-to-city through all of the Continental 48 in 100 days beginning May 23. The flag returns to Wisconsin on Saturday, September 5 for a parade through Beaver Dam and closing ceremonies at Hogz & Honeez Bar & Grill. Anyone interested in participating locally or across the country is encouraged to pre-register at www.nationofpatriots. com. More information can also be found at www.hogzandhoneez. com. All are welcome to ride, to volunteer and to contribute. Corporate sponsorship is also welcome and appreciated. Weekly Coverage on LocaLeben.com brought to you by
Industrial Pipefitter - $23.015 Machine Maintenance - $23.015 Tool Room Machinist - $23.015 Tool & Die Maker - $24.345 Electrician - $23.165 JOURNEYMAN CARD OR EQUIVALENCY REQUIRED EXPERIENCE IN INDUSTRIAL SETTING (Overtime after 8 hours)
Hiring Relocation Benefit Miles from factory 0-300 Employee Benefit $1500.00
Lock in a great auto rate with Erie Insurance
Benefits include: Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurances; Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave; Retirement, 401K Plan, Profit Sharing, Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent & Medical); Paid Training, Tuition Reimbursement. Benefits coverage effective the first day of the month following attainment of seniority.
In May and June of 2015, John Deere will be recruiting for full-time CORE assemblers and welders. Check the John Deere website to look for the CORE positions to open.
Contact us to find out how:
Assemblers
Average compensation w/incentive pay $16-$18 per hr
Welders
Average compensation w/incentive pay $17-$19 per hr
For Information About These Jobs
Call Keri, Steve or Gordy today! Blochwitz Insurance Agency 300 W State St Fox Lake, WI 53933 920-928-2828
www.blochwitzinsurance.com Cost may change if you make a policy change. Not everyone is qualified to purchase ERIE Rate Lock. Insurance is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this advertisement (e.g. does not guarantee continued insurance coverage). For terms, conditions, exclusions, licensure and states of operation information, visit seriouslygoodinsurance.com. Patent pending. S1242e Š 2012 Erie Indemnity Company
Candidates can visit the Job Center of Wisconsin’s website at: www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com - OR To apply: Complete our online application at www.JohnDeere.jobs EOE This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41CFR 60-300.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability and qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified protected veterans.
7
SYLVIA RICHARDS
R
ipon College Music Professor Douglas Morris and a small group of community leaders founded the Green Lake Festival of Music in 1979 as a summer concert series. At the time of its founding, no other presenting organization in this area of the state offered summer chamber music, which made the Festival’s mission both important and unique. In the ensuing years, the Festival evolved into a comprehensive program, which was recognized for its outstanding record of bringing cultural enrichment to Central Wisconsin with a 2004 Governor’s Award in Support of the Arts. The Festival’s current programs comprise a series of concerts featuring top quality artists from throughout the United States and beyond, a two-week string workshop for high school and college students, an adult choral institute, and the Thomas E. Caestecker series of free family concerts with related programs in area libraries. Presently, the Festival concerts range from classical chamber and choral concerts to jazz, cabaret and ethnic music. One of the more notable accomplishments of the Festival’s founder Douglas Morris was luring the world renowned musician Sir David Willcocks, conductor of the London Bach Choir, and later his son Jonathan, Director of the Junior Division of the Royal College of Music, to spend a week each summer directing a choral workshop. This successful arrangement began in 1982 and lasted for 20 years. The Festival organization then took a year off from the choral program before selecting Stephen Alltop, conductor of the famed Apollo Chorus of Chicago and a member of the conducting faculty at Northwestern University, to conduct the Festival’s new Choral Institute. It is a four-day Institute culminating in a Sunday afternoon concert performed with orchestra. The joy for the amateur singer is that Dr. Alltop brings some of his top graduate and post-graduate voice students from Northwestern
8
University to enrich each vocal section. These singers perform a Friday evening concert and also sing in the Institute chorus, making it possible for the other participants to perform challenging choral works in limited practice time. During Jeannette Kreston’s tenure as Executive Director of the Festival, the Chamber Music Workshop was introduced. It provides an intensive, high-quality experience for high school and college string and piano students along with numerous free outreach events for the general public and senior centers, libraries, The Festival choir has included several singers from the Beaver Dam area over the years. Carpooling to rehearsals was always great fun. Local singers pictured with Sir David Willcocks in 1993 are, standing left to right, Marilyn VanHaren, Pam Kaney, Sir David Willcocks, Jim McMillan, Sharon Koenen and Sylvia Richards. Seated are Arleen and Ralph Wiedenhoeft.
and service groups. Kreston also initiated the Caestecker free concert series to make the Festival’s musical events more readily available to families and reach the youngest and oldest members of the audience. Through concert tours by its Chamber Choir to Poland, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Canada’s Maritime Provinces, the Festival has achieved international recognition. The Festival also reaches a statewide audience with regular broadcasts by Wisconsin Public Radio. Members from a wide variety of communities comprise the Festival’s Board of Directors, Associate Board and Friends Board. Their home territories are Chicago, IL, Middlebury, VT, and nine Wisconsin communities including Beaver Dam. Individuals who have served on the Festival’s board from the Beaver Dam area have included Judi Sullivan, Constance Koehne, Peter Seippel, Robert Dott, Ron Thompson, and presently Sylvia Richards and Bridget Hickey Sheridan. Many others have participated from the Beaver Dam area through the Friends Board, the Choral Workshops, Chamber Workshops, Chamber Choir tours and also attendance at concerts, benefits and other special events, and by making financial donations. In the Festival’s early years, concerts were performed in a variety of communities. The very first concert in Beaver Dam was the Festival’s Chamber Choir, after its tour to Poland. Not only was Beaver Dam an original location for concerts, but Beaver Dam performers have included pianist Connie Koehne, pianist Mary Indermuehle Drews, soprano Ronna Rawlins, and bass player Jerry Fuller performing annually in the orchestra with conductor Stephen Alltop and the Festival Chorus. Ryan Belongie originally joined the Festival as a member of the Children’s Honors Chorus under conductor Jonathan Willcocks and later sang in the adult choir under conductor Sir David Willcocks. After graduating from the Vocal Honors Program at Northwestern University, Ryan has gone on to a distinguished career as a well-known countertenor in the Chicago area and throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. The Green Lake Festival organization also joined with other arts organizations in Beaver Dam to host the “Festival of Arts” at Wayland Academy during the late 80s and early 90s. The Beaver Dam Area Arts Association would feature a
LIVE MUSIC ON SUNDAYS F E A T U R I N G
Pol kari oty - J u n e 7t h Sc otty M ey er - J u n e 14t h Kenny Jam es D uo - J u n e 21s t D av e C i c c antel l i - J u n e 28t h D y l an Kol tz - J u l y 5t h Hod g s on/ Fetti g D uo - J u l y 12t h
Metal Roofing Specialist Complete Interior & Exterior Contractor Insurance Restoration Specialists Free Estimates · Fully Insured
GENERAL CONTRACTOR, ROOFING, REMODELING, BUILDING, INSULATION, EGRESS WINDOWS.
Family Owned & Operated with Over 15 Years of Experience! N10351 Howard Drive FOX LAKE, WI 920.928.2281 www.mjsbythelake.com
9
Delfeayo Marsalis
special artist, the Dodge County Historical Society would give a preview of their exhibits, the Beaver Dam Area Orchestra would perform on the green, the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre would perform a preview of its summer musical, and the day would end with a Green Lake Festival concert in the evening. Of course, some found the food the highlight of the day with the pie and ice cream social during the day and a reception following the evening concert. The grounds and buildings of Wayland were beautified with wildflower bouquets picked and arranged by local gardeners. This event involved a large number of community volunteers working together to promote the various categories of the arts. The concerts in Beaver Dam were held at Wayland Chapel or the BDHS Auditorium until 1997 when the Festival finally found a home at the restored historic Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake. The Festival organization found the acoustics and size of the Opera House an ideal setting for their concerts and a logical choice since the location tied into the name of the Festival. Currently, the Festival is preparing for the opening of its 36th Season. Since the 14th Season in 1993, the Festival’s banner has been proudly displayed at our concerts. Artist Joye Moon of Oshkosh designed the Festival’s logo and Beaver Dam fabric artist Arleen Wiedenhoeft transferred the design into the creation of the Festival’s beautiful banner. The 2015 opening concert will be the free preview concert featuring The Acropolis Reed Quintet Amelia Piano Trio
10
The Thrasher Opera House
on Friday June 19, where the banner will again be unfurled at the Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake. This year the Festival will hold a special pre-season event at the Marcus Theater in Ripon on May 29 with a documentary film about Artur Rodzinski, a Polish conductor who served as music director for the Cleveland Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. His niece Magda Krance, who is an associate board member, will be present to answer questions at the conclusion of the film. The group will adjourn across the street to The Treasury for a meal and continued discussion. A new feature this season will be bus transportation available from various communities to three Sunday matinee concerts scheduled for July 5, July 12 and August 2. Please join us for these summer events. Details are available on the Festival’s updated website www.greenlakefestival.org or by calling the Festival office 920-748-9398. Bridget Sheridan, Marilyn VanHaren, Leila Ziebell, Maria Dietrich and Gladys Veidemanis provided photos and consultation. Jonathan Willcocks, Sylvia Richards, and Sir David Willcocks
MARIA DIETRICH
T
his summer will mark the 18th anniversary of the first concerts held in the Thrasher Opera House’s not-quite-fully-renovated hall in the summer of 1997 by the Green Lake Festival of Music. Built in 1910, the original opera house presented vaudeville acts and silent films. It was a hub of community activity, hosting school dances, basketball games and town meetings. By 1929, the Thrasher was showing “talkies” (movies with sound), which were shown until the opera house was forced to close during World War II. It was then used as a factory, a warehouse and eventually for boat storage. Rescued from the wrecking ball in the mid-1990s, it was restored and celebrated its official reopening on June 27, 1998. Since then, the Thrasher has hosted local artists as well as musicians, comedians, lecturers, and dramatists from around the world. Performers from five continents have graced the stage, enjoying an intimacy impossible in larger venues. World-renowned songwriter Jimmy Webb said of the Thrasher after his 2010 concert, “This may be the sweetest little place I’ve ever played.” He returned for subsequent concerts in 2012 and 2013. Listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, it is featured in the book Encore! The Renaissance of Wisconsin Opera Houses, published in 2009 by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. The former eyesore is now an attractive landmark. “People come from near and far to experience the magic of live performance in a cool little historic venue with great acoustics and a friendly vibe,” says
Executive Director Roby Irvin. The Thrasher Opera House sees an estimated 10,000 people walk through its doors every year. It operates with three staff members, a 15-member board of directors and about 60 committed volunteers. Each year the Thrasher hosts 50-60 nights of diverse programming that includes music and theater performances, comedy, educational workshops for youth and adults, school plays, as well as community forums and occasional films, and of course, the Green Lake Festival of Music concerts. In addition, the Thrasher annually presents two weeklong residencies by the Missoula Children’s Theatre, each involving 60 area children in January and in June. The opera house hosts revolving art exhibits in its adjacent gallery space and is also used for weddings, business meetings, community concerts, fundraisers, movies, parties, memorial services, and other events limited only by the imagination of the public, continuing its important and historic function as a community gathering place where emotions and ideas have been exchanged for over 100 years. Thrasher Opera House remains a symbol of the history of Green Lake and serves as a ready participant in the history that is yet to come. This summer’s offerings include the John Jorgenson Quintet (Gypsy jazz), the Second City comedy troupe, Vocality (a cappella quartet) and EVA (international folk from four countries). Other 2015 performers include Peter Yarrow, Dervish, Livingston Taylor, ArtsPower Children’s Theatre, Tom Chapin, the Doo-Wah Riders, and the Alley Cats. For more information about the Thrasher and a complete calendar of events, visit www.thrasheroperahouse.com or call 920-294-4279.
LIVE MUSIC EVERY THURSDAY
Join us every Thursday evening for Terrace Thursdays with fantastic music and great food.
with a little help from your friends at
Serving dinner every Thursday Night from May 28 - September 3 5:00 – 9:00pm
11
Photo submitted by Scott Krenz SCOTT KRENZ
T
he first educational “tutoring center” in Dodge County opened recently, but it was a long time coming. The center is the result of my 37-year journey from engineering to martial arts instructor to author to English and math teacher; much of it in Beaver Dam. I have been a fixture in the Beaver Dam community since 1982 and started over 30 businesses here and around the country during this time. I am best known for being the owner and Master Instructor for Martial Arts America in downtown Beaver Dam. One of the highest-ranking active Master Instructors in Wisconsin, I earned my 8th degree Black Belt in March of 2012. Over 2000 people have earned their Black Belts from my schools in Wisconsin, with many more each year. I opened my first school in Beaver Dam, on January 21, 1982 in a small room above Winnie and Alice’s Hideaway Bar. At the time martial arts was just a way to help pay my way through engineering school at UW-Madison, a means to earning a degree with the hope of one day owning my own engineering company. Oh, how things changed once I started teaching in Beaver Dam. My passion for martial arts and working with children, families and adults was stronger than my desire to be an engineer. After college, I chose to commit to teaching martial arts full-time with my second location on South Madison Street where I also opened the National Fitness Center and the National Gymnastics Center. In 1990, I moved downtown to the 10,000 sq. ft. old Langmack’s Drug Store, where I still teach today. Over the years, my martial arts company grew to eight locations in Wisconsin and over 300 locations worldwide using my very unique Life Skills and Character Education programs. I had decided to expand my area of influence for families and schoolage children by opening a chain of Sylvan Learning Centers in
12
2000. This was one of the great learning experiences of my life. I loved being able to work with kids that were struggling in school and help them learn to be successful in school and in life. Unfortunately, the cost of running the centers made it impossible for many families to afford our services. I also felt we were only fixing one piece of the problems faced each day by kids who are struggling in school. I sold the centers in 2002 with a plan to build and open a new kind of tutoring center in the future to help kids improve academic skills so they have the tools to be successful in school; help build their confidence and self-esteem so they become strong, confident and independent learners; and improve their focus and concentration skills so they can be successful in school and in life. I spent the next ten years looking at options and building programs to go along with the center that I planned to open. The catalyst for the next step in my life was the death of my father on November 7, 2008. My dad was 82 and had cancer but was supposed to live another one to two years when he had a complication. He passed away without me getting a chance to say good-bye. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life. It also inspired me to begin to write the books I had been thinking about writing for many years. I realized life is very short and there is no time to delay doing the important things in life. During the three years that followed, I began to write the books that became the foundation of a new company called Building Great Kids, writing books in four series: Building Great Character – a series of books to help teachers, schools, families and coaches teach Life Skills and Character Education. Building Great Leaders – a series of books written and designed to build leadership skills in children of all ages. Building Great Kids/Families – resource books for families with
school age children featuring themes like bullying, child safety, leadership skills for kids, success in school, building confidence and self-esteem in kids, etc. Building Great Little Kids – a series of books to help younger kids (ages 3-8) learn positive life skills in a fun and interactive format. After struggling to find a publisher, I decided to self-publish my books. To date, this includes over 35 different titles. During the past five years, my books and support materials have been used in schools throughout the world, and by 2013 the Great Kids Tutoring Center was getting closer to opening, because the books were one of the final pieces I needed to achieve my dream of opening an “affordable” tutoring center with the tools and skills to help kids learn to be successful in school and in life. I had three main goals that I wanted to achieve with the tutoring center: 1. It had to be affordable. I wanted to bring an AFFORDABLE tutoring/education option to families in Dodge County. 2. It had to be fun. I wanted kids to enjoy their time and experience in my center. I wanted to help make learning “fun” again. 3. We had to be able to help kids improve their focus, concentration, confidence and self-esteem at the same time we were helping them improve academically. The Great Kids Tutoring Center opened in October 2014 to a tremendous response. The center focuses on helping kids that struggle in school or with homework. They work on three basic subjects: phonics, reading/English and math. Parents are elated that they now have an option to help their kids get caught up and be successful. Kids that have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD or other similar issues also have had great success.
The first step for all students is a very special “educational skill gap assessment.” This is a very special “check-up from the neck up!” This assessment is very different from what is done in school and it gives us a very complete and accurate picture of where a student has strengths and weaknesses. This program works well with all of the great things they are doing in school. There is a focus on finding skill gaps from a student’s past and helping to fill them in. The goal is to help the kids get caught up so they can be successful in the classroom, at home and in life, and there is a guarantee that grades will improve. One unique aspect of the center is that kids have the option to sit on large colorful exercise balls while working rather than just chairs. This allows the kids to move and be mentally and physically active while they work on building their skills. It’s amazing to see how much fun the kids can have while they are working on what is traditionally boring schoolwork. Student progress is tracked every 25 minutes in the center so kids know and can get excited every day about the progress they are making. When is the best time to get started? The answer is simple. Right now! Spring and especially summer is a great time for kids who are struggling to get caught up and be ready for the next school year with all of the knowledge, confidence and focus they will need to be successful in school. To help families get started with the programs, the center is offering two weeks of FREE tutoring including FREE assessments for all students during the months of May and June. For more information call 920-887-7545 or visit the website www.greatkidstutoring.com WORLD-CL ASS ENTERTAINMENT
AT YOUR DOORSTEP
SISTER’S
SUMMER SCHOOL CATECHISM THU, JUN 18 2:00 & 7:00 pm 200 Front St. Suite 1C2, Beaver Dam
920.960.3000 www.systemsaroundyou.com
Sister ISN’T happy -the diocese has decided to offer a summer school course for students who weren’t paying attention.
KIDS FROM WISCONSIN
SINGERS • DANCERS • MUSICIANS
TUE, JUL 21 · 7:00 pm
The fully-staged show includes a mix of Big Band, Motown, country, Broadway, and current Top 40 hits.
KING ARTHUR’S QUEST MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE
FRI, AUG 21 · 7:00 pm SAT, AUG 22 · 1:00 pm LOW TO ZERO IMPACT TREE SERVICE CERTIFIED ARBORIST
Join the Knights of the Round Table as they weave through a landscape full of surprises!
TICKETS
262-670-0560, ext. 3
Downtown Hartford · SchauerCenter.ORG /SchauerCenter���@SchauerCenter
13
HANNAH DAVIS
Hannah Davis is an aspiring young author. She is an eighth grader at Beaver Dam Middle School. Hannah started writing in elementary school; she wrote her first novel in fifth grade. When asked what she hopes to achieve, she answers that she wants to inspire and affect with her stories. Hannah writes because with words she can explore places she’ll never go in real life and meet people that she never would have dreamt of knowing. She writes because her ideas are so numerous, to not write would be a waste. This story is written for all the children who look at the LocaLeben lying on the coffee table and wonder what’s in there. Here’s a bedtime story for you.
O
nce upon a time, far, far away, there was a little clockwork girl named Caterpillar. She had a body made of metal and gears and a heart made of kindness. And one day, when the sun was just peeking in through the windows, the clock face on her stomach went off. It was an old reliable alarm clock but goodness me, it had never rung! “Father!” she cried out in her slow, creaky voice. Her creator, a round tinker named Leonardo, hurried to her side. Leonardo knelt and carefully looked at the ringing clock. “What is it?” Caterpillar asked. Leonardo reached for his toolset. “I don’t know, but don’t be afraid, my dear,” he answered. Caterpillar looked down and tapped the glass surface of the clock. And just like that, the tinker and his shop disappeared. She was in a forest. “Father?” she called. Silence. “Hello?” she creaked. “Run for your life!” a shout came from around a tree. A little hedgehog man in a wool hat raced towards her. “Run, run, run! It’s coming!” he yelled. Caterpillar tried to hurry but her metal legs refused to move fast. “Hurry, hurry, hurry!” he screeched. A huge fox leaped through a bush, his paws thumping. As soon as his eyes caught Caterpillar’s, he jumped back and ran the other way. The hedgehog crept out of a clump of flowers. “It’s gone?” “It’s gone.” He sighed and plopped down on his bottom. “Thanks for scaring him away. Nasty thing,” he said. “The name’s Rumpatumpalumpala by the way, but please call me Tump.” “Caterpillar,” she answered, shaking his paw. “Thanks again for saving me,” he said, fiddling with his little red hat. “Anytime,” she smiled slowly.
14
They sat like that for a bit, hedgehog man and clockwork girl side by side on an old log, until Tump finally got up. “Would you like some tea or biscuits or something? My home’s not too far from here.” Caterpillar stood up with a screech. “Of course.” The hedgehog’s home was a burrow deep in the forest. The kettle was on and the table was set. Tump’s wife, Doe, set little china teacups out. “Tea for you, tea for me and a cup of oil for our guest!” She smiled as she poured. “To Caterpillar!” Tump toasted, raising his glass. Caterpillar had a lovely time with the hedgehogs and describing it more would only make you dreadfully jealous. So, when the time came to leave, she tapped her clock’s top and the forest melted away. “My darling!” Leonardo bear-hugged her when she appeared in the little shop. “Father! Oh, what a great time I’ve had!” she said excitedly. And so ended her first adventure. Illustration by Emma Sadowski
DAVE BOWMAN
T
his past week I attended my uncle’s funeral in Rockford. He had led a long and productive life there, and I have many fond memories of him. He was my mother’s older brother; her younger brother had passed away several years ago. One of the special opportunities I had was to honor his service to our country. He had served in the Army, 34th Division, 135th Infantry Battalion, in North Africa and Italy. He was wounded on November 7, 1943, and then returned as a military policeman in Italy. As I was growing up and visiting my grandparents’ house, I would often be regaled with stories about his service. My grandmother would casually mention a tea set on her hutch that he had gotten from one of Benito Mussolini’s houses and the letters he would write her from riding on the back of a mule that the troops used in the mountains. At the graveside was a tribute that I had witnessed just once before at my other uncle’s funeral. He had been in the Navy in World War II and served in the South Pacific. At both their funerals, their service was honored with a gun salute, the folding of the American flag on top of the casket, and words of comfort to the family as the flag was handed to a family member. It is something that still makes me pause and contemplate as I remember it.
I have had many opportunities to hear about veterans’ experiences in the various skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers where I have worked as a social worker. The stories veterans are willing to share are both enlightening and awe inspiring. Whether it was the B17 pilot who told me that “It’s not like in the movies,” the infantry engineer who landed on Utah Beach during D-Day in the first wave up the beach, or the battle-hardened veteran who looked at me in my tie with clipboard in hand and told me “You know, Dave, Patton would have kicked you all over Europe,” with a chuckle and a grin. What higher praise, indeed! General Douglas MacArthur once said, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” This generation of warriors, the “Greatest Generation” as Tom Brokaw so eloquently put it, is fading into the sunset of history. So, if you get a chance to talk to a veteran of any conflict, please lend an ear and listen to their tales. They have a story worth hearing, and a story worth remembering. Their story is why we can continue to cherish the freedom and liberties we enjoy. So, here is a big salute and thank you to my Uncle Wayne and my Uncle Don, two of our finest heroes from the “Greatest Generation” that is slowly, one by one, fading away.
Save the Date! 9-12-15 Beaver Dam Pepper Festival oom. Local. Heirl
Chef Ron Dombroski 920.210.5908 www.smokehauscatering.com
15
JAMIE KRATZ-GULLICKSON
T
he Watermark has a long and colorful history for a building that has yet to begin its transformation into a new Community Activities and Services Center. Bids for the renovation went out this spring and the city is hopeful that with construction crews on site by the end of summer, doors will open in 2016. The journey truly began over 50 years ago when the Older Americans Act established a federal initiative in 1965 for community-based services aimed to keep the senior population engaged and actively independent. With federal dollars to support programming, senior centers cropped up across the country. Our Beaver Dam Senior Center opened in 1970. After leasing the current location for two years, a benefactor donated $50,000 to cover over half the price for the city to purchase the current facility’s property for senior center use in 1972. Ardently utilized to its fullest for the past 40 years, the present location has been vastly outgrown and stands in need of repair. Additional space needs became apparent as early as 2006, when the Steering Committee of the Senior Center, a group elected by participants to provide monthly advisory assistance to the city department head, determined through an internal facility review that a new or expanded space would be necessary to meet the growing needs of the center for day to day use and accreditation. In January 2007, the City of Beaver Dam restructured, and the Senior Center was merged with parts of the Park and Recreation Department to create Community Activities and Services (BDCAS). The administration of all city-run recreation activities was consolidated into the existing Senior Center building. This merger made the need for additional space doubly apparent and auspicious, and in May 2007, the Senior Center Building Committee was created internally and spent almost a year gathering information, developing a strategic plan, considering collaborations and brainstorming community uses. This led to a broad vision of what a new facility might provide. An anonymous stock gift of $200,000 was made in January 2008 to help that vision become a reality. By July 2008, a potential floor plan of just over 25,000 square feet was drafted. This led the building committee to consider potential spaces; several were quickly deemed to be economically unfeasible and set aside for cost or timeline differences. Concurrent with the Senior Center Building Committee’s search, the Beaver Dam Common Council (BDCC) engaged in a Space Needs Study to determine the priority of building needs
16
citywide. In October 2008, the police station was singled out as the top priority, followed by both BDCAS and the Public Library. This study allocated 27,500 square feet needed for the BDCAS building and estimated cost of purchasing or renovating a building at $2.2 million with an additional $1.25 million for site acquisition, bringing the total needs assessment for BDCAS to $3.4 million to be built by 2010. Based on these figures and timelines, the Senior Center Building Committee met in January 2009 with the BDCC Operations Committee to discuss a new facility, and in February 2009, aware of the hefty price tag on a new facility, the Friends of the Beaver Dam Community Center was formed as a nonprofit group to “promote and financially support the current and future development of the Beaver Dam Community Center.” In June 2009, the Senior Center Building Committee hired a design firm to further explore potential properties. A successful project in Wisconsin Rapids that placed a community activities center inside a mall, which led to revitalization, was the inspiration for recommending the old Herberger’s space in the mall to the BDCC in September 2009. Based on this recommendation, the building committee decided to have a floor plan and funding analysis completed, utilizing a portion of the anonymous donation. The Mayor created an official Ad Hoc Committee of the BDCC in November 2009. It was comprised of BDCC members, the Administrator of BDCAS and the Senior Center Building Committee Chair. Additional advisors included the City Attorney and the City Director of Administration. By early 2010, floor plans for the renovation, as well as a feasibility study on costs for such, were completed and shared with the Ad Hoc Committee. The study determined that approximately $600,000 could be success-
fully generated from community donations. In September 2010, the Ad Hoc Committee determined costs were too high based on self-imposed spending caps, and the project was shelved. In the fall of 2010, the Senior Center Building Committee revised and continued their search for an appropriate location. In January 2011, hoping to spur the project to fruition, Charley and Gail Fakes offered to donate the Fullerton’s building to the city for the site of a new BDCAS Center. Much like the donation that initiated the city purchase of the current building in 1972, community support again proved vital. This donation would eliminate the $1.25 million estimated for the site acquisition costs in the city’s 2008 Space Needs Study. Exercising due diligence in determining if the donation was the best possible fit, the Senior Center Building Committee created a facility plan. Plausible collaborations were again explored. Senior Center membership was again surveyed. A consultant was hired to fully review six possible sites, the Animart warehouse, Beaver Gunite, Get Fit, Fullerton’s, vacant land near the YMCA and the Warmka warehouse. In March 2011, the Fullerton’s property was recommended, and in April, leaders of the Senior Center Building Committee presented a recommendation to the city to accept the building donation. In June, the BDCC unanimously accepted the gift, and in July 2011, the city took ownership of the property. With the Fullerton’s building firmly determined as the new site, the Ad Hoc Committee decided to create a group of facility users to develop a floor plan for approximately 22,500 square feet. Marty Sell was hired by the city to develop an architectural plan. Once these plans were completed, it was determined the final cost would be $3.5 million to renovate the building, exceeding the 2008 Space Needs Study estimate of $2.2 million for renovations. The Friends group set out to assist with raising $2.9 million of local funds needed to move the project forward. They hired a fundraising consultant with money from the original anonymous donation to develop and manage a capital campaign, which included a new feasibility study stating the $2.9 million goal could be achieved. By January 2012, “The Watermark” was born. Named and branded as a sign of quality, The Watermark capital campaign relied upon local supporters spearheading delivery of the concept. Within one short year, their efforts raised approximately $1 million, nearly double what was deemed possible just two years earlier. While a significant start, the $1 million was only a third of what the plans required. When it became apparent the $2.9 million goal could not be reached independently, collaborations were again considered. The community theater had already put plans in motion for their current building project, the YMCA collaboration was deemed too expensive and the arts association decided to remain at the Seippel Center. Based on a lull in new contributions with totals remaining significantly below the $2.9 million goal, the BDCC decided not to apply for a 2013 grant to subsidize costs and requested a redesign based on actual dollars available, condensing the plans from 22,500 to 12,500 square feet. The BDCC agreed in 2014 to apply for a community development grant to add to the pot of accumulating dollars for the project. The grant was awarded for the maximum amount possible. Along with TIF dollars and the amount raised by the Friends group, the assets for the project grew to $1.8 million dollars by early 2015. With accounts still below the $2.9 million goal, the BDCC approved about $135,000 in renovations to the current BDCAS facility via the annual Capital Improvement Plan for 2015 to allow more time to acquire funds for a new building. Concerns mounted over additional delays, investment in an old building and potential loss of granted and donated dollars. On March 16, 2015, the BDCC approved a resolution by an 11-1 vote to utilize the $1.8 million collected and pledged thus far, along with using the money allocated for repairs to the old building, to proceed with the bidding process for The Watermark. The new building would move forward! Although our community has traveled a long and sometimes contentious road to The Watermark -- a home for Community Activities and Services – we are nearly there. Everyone that provided input for this article -- Mayor Tom Kennedy, BDCC members Jon Litscher and Don Neuert, and BDCAS Administrator Evonne Boettge -- all had the same message: hopeful excitement in seeing the dream, that ultimately reaches back before many of us were born, become a reality. Donations to fulfill The Watermark dream can be designated as such and sent to City of Beaver Dam, 205 S. Lincoln Ave., Beaver Dam, WI 53916.
Shane Voss
Owner Operator
P.O. Box 432 Beaver Dam, WI 53916 920.539.4650 | truckinlittle@yahoo.com
GETTING YOU YOU GETTING
SUCCESS STORY! STORY! SUCCESS Looking to Buy Home? Looking to to Buy Buy aa a Home? Home? Looking Thinking of Refinancing? Thinking of of Refinancing? Refinancing? Thinking
Can Help! Help! II Can
Kris Weninger Kris Weninger Weninger Kris Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Consultant Consultant Mortgage NMLS# 225608 NMLS# 225608 225608 NMLS# 920-960-0852 (Mobile) 920-960-0852 (Mobile) (Mobile) 920-960-0852 920-219-9987 (Fax) 920-219-9987 (Fax) (Fax) 920-219-9987 836 Park Avenue 836 Park Park Avenue Avenue 836 Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Beaver Dam, Dam, WI WI 53916 53916 Beaver
www.HomeLoansByKris.com www.HomeLoansByKris.com www.HomeLoansByKris.com
920-960-0852 920-960-0852
kweninger@fairwaymc.com kweninger@fairwaymc.com kweninger@fairwaymc.com
Twitter @KrisWeninger Twitter @KrisWeninger @KrisWeninger Twitter Facebook.com/KrisSteinbachMortgageSuccess Facebook.com/KrisSteinbachMortgageSuccess Facebook.com/KrisSteinbachMortgageSuccess Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289. Copyright©2014. All Fairway Independent Corporation. NMLS#2289. Copyright©2014. All rights reserved. This isMortgage not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all Fairway Independent Corporation. NMLS#2289. All rights reserved. This Mortgage isInformation, not an offer to enter an agreement. Not to allchange customers will qualify. rates andinto programs areCopyright©2014. subject rights reserved. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates programs are subject to change without notice. All products are subject toand credit and property approval. Other customers will qualify. Information, ratesto and programs are subject to change without notice. All products are subject credit and property approval. Other restrictions and limitations should apply. Equal Housing Lender. without notice. Alllimitations products are subject to Equal credit and property approval. Other restrictions and should apply. Housing Lender. restrictions and limitations should apply. Equal Housing Lender.
17
B
rian Wolf has been enjoying and photographing nature for many years. To share his digital photos he established a website www.wolfsvisionphotography.com. He also posts photos regularly on Facebook at Wolf’s Vision Nature Photography. Along with his captivating photos, he shares the following: If you are looking to improve your photos, the first step is to stop using your camera on Auto. You need to read your camera’s manual page-by-page, function-by-function. Teaching beginning photographers, they tell me they have never read the manual, and as a result, they have no idea what their camera can do. When I get a new camera, I sit at the kitchen table taking pictures around the room so I can see how each function affects a photo or the camera operation. You don’t need a fancy DSLR camera to have access to a variety of camera functions. Many point-andshoot digital cameras have the same functions as the “fancy” cameras. My wife’s pocket camera has the same camera functions that my DSLR camera has, except the ability to switch lenses. A brief introductory class is a great idea. Such a class can help you learn about camera functions and basic principles of photography; sorry, you still need to read the manual. Many people don’t understand that a camera does not see things as our naked eye does. Once you learn how a camera sees and understand its functions, you are on the road to improving your photos. Perhaps the easiest way to begin “taking control of your camera” is to use the aperture setting. By doing this, you select
18
how much light you let into the camera’s sensor, and the camera then decides the shutter speed required to produce your result. Setting the aperture is also useful in determining the depth of field in your photo. (Depth of field determines the range of distance in your photo that is sharp and in focus.) Most cameras come with an exposure compensation function which allows you to over or underexpose the photo as desired. I typically start taking a photo by underexposing my photos just a bit (making it darker) and then I can darken it further or lighten it up as need be, depending on what I am taking a photo of. And don’t be afraid to experiment with the white balance function on your camera; you would be amazed as to how that can change a photo. I use cloudy white balance for my fall photos, and I also use cloudy white balance on a sunny day. As you begin to compose your shot, you should ask yourself a few questions: Is the lighting good? Is this the best or prettiest subject? Is the background distracting? Is there a better angle or perspective? Am I including something in the picture which will take away from my main subject area? You want to get your photo correct on the camera because you can’t fix a bad digital image on the computer. The best thing about digital photography is that it doesn’t cost anything to take a photo, so experiment, take lots of photos and have fun!
WE DONʼT HAVE A CLEVER TAGLINE BECAUSE OUR WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. Self Portrait: Brian Wolf
GENERAL ASPHALT Inc.
Phone: (920) 887-1436 Fax: (920) 887-7212 www.generalasphaltinc.net
19
CHEF RON DOMBROSKI
I
love barbecue. Who doesn’t? If you were to ask anyone what their least favorite food by category is you might get a smattering of “I hate Italian food” or “Greek food doesn’t agree with me” and my favorite “Sushi? Eeeew!” I’ve yet to hear anyone say “I hate barbecue” or maybe I did and blocked it from my memory like trauma. That’s highly unlikely. I’m sure I’ve never heard it. Barbecue or BBQ has a lot of meanings and there are many different “styles” of BBQ depending on the state and in some cases which part of the state you live in. The most popular style would have to be Kansas City-style barbecue only for the reason that this style employs the full gamut of proteins from brisket to pork ribs to turkey. This is due to Kansas City’s history of being the meatpacking center of the U.S. Most BBQ joints you’ve been to or have seen (in Wisco) are mainly Kansas City style with a little Carolina style thrown in for good measure. Carolina style BBQ is a loose term and can get confusing. You have North Carolina BBQ, which varies by region based on the sauce. I make an eastern North Carolina sauce and I have been questioned a few times by customers
when presenting the sauce as “Carolina style” as to which region of which Carolina the sauce was modeled after. South Carolina style is basically the same as North Carolina style (both primarily use pork) but is the only state or “style” that includes all four recognized barbecue sauces including vinegar-based, mustard-based, and light and heavy tomato-based. Memphis BBQ is known for its sauce, which is tomato and vinegar based. Every state has is own “style” or “styles.” I say eat what you want. I slather mustard, and another ingredient that I’m not going to share with you, on my ribs before the dry rub and smoke. Wisco style? Let’s make that a thing. Until next time … Cheers! 2 cups apple cider vinegar 3 tablespoons molasses 1 tablespoon dry must 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons Worcestershire 1 cup packed brown sugar ¼ cup cornstarch 4 oz butter cut into cubes
EAST CAROLINA BARBECUE SAUCE
In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, molasses, mustard, cayenne, Worcestershire and brown sugar. Bring to a light simmer. In a jar with a lid or a measuring cup, add enough water to the cornstarch to make it runny, not thick and pasty. Shake your closed jar well or mix with a fork until well combined. Add your slurry (that’s what you just made with the cornstarch) slowly to the simmering vinegar mixture while constantly mixing until it thickens to your liking. Let simmer for one minute, then remove from the heat and whisk in your butter cubes. Refrigerate and enjoy!
HOMEWORK TROUBLE?
WE CAN HELP!
WITH THE ENERGY-SAVING CARETAKER
BETTER GRADES
GUARANTEED! Only 11 Spots Available!
reporT Card speCial 5 hours Free Tutoring & assessments* *New students only.
Great Kids Tutoring Center
120 Front Street Beaver Dam, WI 53916 920-887-7545
www.GreatKidsTutoring.com
20
PHYLLIS BECKER
F
eeling a need to connect with other musicians to promote live music throughout the area, a few musicians and singers in our area began the Dodge County Musicians Association (DCMA) in January 2015. Their goal is to network with area musicians not only in Dodge County but also in the surrounding areas. The organization’s website, meetings and festivals will promote musicians as they provide support to each other whenever possible. Musicians can give back to the community by helping children learn more about the different styles of music in the world and going out into the community to provide music to the elderly, special events, community events and fundraisers for projects that are voted on. An instrument loan program is also being developed to help loan instruments to children/teenagers who want to learn how to play. DCMA is open to all musicians, singers, amateurs, professionals, writers, luminous and sound engineers, music teachers and anyone that loves music. We welcome all styles of music: chamber music, classical, rock, polka, blues, rap, country, jazz; we have musicians and singers in the organization that do everything from praise music to heavy metal. The wide range of musicians and music styles is evident in the bands and musicians that have been involved in the DCMA since it began: Starkweather Bay Band, Rock Collector, Bill Hill, Ron Graewin, Al Kohl “Willie Nelson Tribute - Willie’s Shadow,” Music Master Karaoke, Gypsy Entertainment Karaoke, Toadioke Karaoke, 35 South, Elwood Lee and Under The Gun, Tom Rueter, and Die Spiel Meisters. DCMA will host seminars and “how to” events to learn about publishing songs, sound system set-up, guitar camp, drums and congas, singing, and varied aspects of music. DCMA promotes live shows, entertainment and open jams that are going on almost every week in and around Dodge County. A list can be found on our Facebook page. The website, when up and running, will include links for members to announce their gigs and upcoming events. A small yearly fee will defray the cost of the website, festival events and other activities throughout the year that DCMA will be hosting. Networking is a big part of DCMA, providing the opportunity for musicians, singers, DJ/KJ to meet each other and help each other when there is a need. Through networking, for example, if a band is in need of a drummer because theirs is ill, they can see the list of available drummers that are members of the organization and see if they are available for that gig and then contact them. This avoids a band having to cancel a paying gig because they have one member ill. On August 30, in partnership with the Beaver Dam Exchange Club, DCMA will be co-hosting the American Hero Music Festival at Swan City Park. We are looking for young talented artists that would like to perform at this event. This is a yearly event to honor all American heroes and enjoy a fun day of music. The music will be a mix of country, blues, rock and many other styles. An announcement with more information is forthcoming. If you are interested in performing with your band, call 920-382-9222. DCMA is growing; at each meeting we see more people interested in what we are doing. Monthly meetings are every third Monday at the Beaver Dam Community Library starting at 6:30 p.m. sharp. The next meeting is June 15, and the July meeting is scheduled for July 20. For more information, contact DCMA by email at dodgecountymusicians@yahoo.com.
21
CHRISTINE AND DENNIS PASZEK
O
ur story begins when Dennis, a dairy farmer from Juneau, Wisconsin, and his lovely wife Chris began to receive AARP cards in the mail. They thought; maybe we are going to start getting too old to milk cows with the difficult labor and 80-hour weeks. Besides, their two wonderful children, ingrate children, graduated from college and left for other ventures. Who said studying would not get you anywhere! So they began to raise bull calves for steers along with the heifer calves for the dairy. Then one day, when Dennis was feeding the calves, the lovely wife Chris informed him that his problem was that he did not talk to the calves. Dennis, pondering this out loud, wondered if he should discuss the tax code or whether the car needed new shocks with the calves. The lovely wife Chris said, “Well, the least you can do is say ‘good morning babies.’ I say ‘good morning’ to them every day!” So in every effort to appease the lovely wife, Dennis started saying “good morning babies” to the calves, the yearlings, the two-year-old 1700-pound steers. Dennis said, “good morning” in the morning, afternoon and evening. One day Dennis said to the lovely wife Chris, we might as well call this place “Good Morning Babies Beef” because that’s all I do all day is run around here saying “good morning babies” all the time. – The rest is ready for you to prepare for your dinner table. That’s a cute story, and it is even true! But there is a message behind that story which is that animal husbandry is our job and we take how we raise our cattle very seriously. Our cattle are fed and checked twice a day. No letting them out to pasture or dumping a pile of feed today and we will check them next week. We learned by experience long ago that the cattle are much healthier when allowed to go out on pasture versus being in a shed and on a concrete lot their whole life. Even in winter, when there is no pasture, they are provided with large lots to get out and exercise, run around, lay in the sun on a nice
22
day, and provided with shelter to get out of the inclement weather. We try to provide an eco-friendly environment on our farm. The pasture system works well in this regard. Our land is rather hilly and the grass virtually eliminates erosion. Then the cows not only eat the grass but we can use their manure for fertilizer, so we do not have to rely on commercial fertilizers. Learning about and implementing these kinds of sustainable practices is what makes farming fun. For example, we have permanent buffer strips for controlling ditch erosion and to provide wildlife habitat. We get a lot of satisfaction out of using the land to produce food and yet seeing and providing for wildlife at the same time! What they are fed is as important to us as how they are handled. Cows are vegetarians so other than milk when they are calves, all their feed is vegetable based. We do not feed them any Christine and Dennis Pazek
animal by-products. We believe in letting them grow at their own pace, so we do not use any growth hormones, growth antibiotics, steroids or muscle enhancers, and we believe in them having a high forage diet of grass, hay and silage depending on the season. This provides optimal stomach function (they have 4!) and a healthy cow. Just as we believe in not artificially enhancing their growth, we strive to provide them with a balanced diet. This means we need to feed a comparatively low level of grain depending upon weather and pasture conditions. This low level of grain feeding has the added benefit of providing our meat with enough marbling to keep things juicy without producing an overly fatty cow. Which brings us to the next reason we do this: the consumer. As dairy farmers, we basically sold a commodity – raw milk -- to a company that processed it and sold it to the consumer. The joy of selling meat direct is that we get to provide food for people to eat and get to meet those customers face to face. The farm-consumer connection is direct. I think this is the biggest benefit to the consumer when they choose to buy local and directly from the farmer. They can meet producers and even tour their farms and find those that share their same philosophy about how their food is raised. So come and see us on the farm or at the farmers market, we would love to meet you. Dennis and Christine can be contacted by calling (920) 927-5314. You can visit the Paszek Family Farm at N4997 Cty. I in Juneau. Sign for Good Morning Babies Beef at the Paszek Family Farm
Open 7 Days a Week 529 W. State Street - Fox Lake, WI
920-928-0015
23
SHADOWS OF ELEGANCE The blush of morn finds a vision: Reflected in pond of shimmer sun
H
er soul is Arabian yet she hails from Wisconsin. The sanctuary where she feels most at home is among the animals she loves. Her passion leans more toward horses than humans, but she gracefully spins artistic expression on the index finger of the Arabian horse industry like a globetrotter. She is a celebrity veiled in the ordinary, humble and quiet about her reputation, and she lives next door. She is Polly Knoll, artist and photographer of the majestic Arabian horse, and her story is amazing. Polly Knoll carries the influence and status of a superstar, only in an entirely different genre, the equine industry. In 2013, the Pyramid Society, founded in 1969 to preserve the Egyptian Arabian horse, awarded Polly the most prestigious Trustee Award for serving her industry like no one else. Knoll is a Johnny Carson-like celebrity, keeping a low profile. From her youth onward, she fell hard for horses with an eternal schoolgirl crush; their mystery and their beauty have been her livelihood for half a century. In grade school and high school, she haunted the local library for books about all species of equines. She learned to ride,
24
studying English, Western, dressage, jumping, along with learning to train and drive harness race horses. She entered Milwaukee State Teachers College but at the last minute decided to switch to Prospect Hall Secretarial School. “Later, I studied real estate and for a couple summers took a Standardbred trotting mare to the races where I was the only single woman with a horse on the grounds.” She studied photography for three years at night school and was secretary to the chief surgeon at the VA hospital. She also worked for the VP in charge of research at American Scientific Labs in Madison and notes, “Working with all the vets and technicians gave me an opportunity to peruse incoming literature and study the latest equine problems.” Knoll sparkles with the knowledge of her unlikely incredible journey. She was a single divorced parent and odds against becoming a successful photographer were high. Her daughter Jan, her joy, was born in 1961, and it soon became evident she needed a livelihood to raise a child. Polly’s mother honored her with $500 to purchase photography equipment. “I purchased a 4x5 Super
Speed Graflex. Great for action, racehorses or the show ring. I constructed a dark room in the basement of my house and printed thousands of black and white photos.” With confidence, she vowed to make a success of her life and her career flourished. Her mother, who had retired from a nursing career in Ohio, moved to Beaver Dam to help raise Polly’s daughter. “Soon, I was working for all the major farms in Wisconsin. Then calls started coming from other states. While I was the official photographer at many of the state Arabian horse shows, I finally decided there were easier ways to die. The work proved too much for one person. Perhaps I could just photograph beautiful horses in their home surroundings and create the photos I was dying to try. Never in a thousand years did I believe my passion for horses coupled with cameras would become my life’s work – and it might not have, except for the escalating popularity of Arabian horses.” From Gleannloch Farms in Texas, which was an Arabian horse paradise for artists like Polly, to Egypt, Pakistan and Afghanistan, she has been fortunate to travel the world because of her work for prominent American and worldwide publications. Knoll’s path to improvement in the photography field started early and she never stopped taking lessons from mentors. “I knew several people who were successful equine photographers and consulted many about their profession. My favorite was John Horst.” She also referred endlessly to the 1952 book Portraiture of Horses. “George Ford Morris’ book was popular even before Arabian horses came into fashion. He photographed and painted the greats, like Man O’ War and trotting legend Greyhound.” To Polly, Morris’ book is the Holy Grail, a bible of all things horse
DREAMS If you have two dreams: You have a double dream The beautiful Dreamazon+++ meets his inbred son, AM Double Dream
photography and art related. Her copy is tattered from years of use like an ancient talisman. She searched for that book in her office among hundreds of vintage horse magazines and memorabilia and stacks of relics she has been collecting for what looked like eons. Knoll has used and nearly memorized this book more than any other resource to perfect her technique. “His thing was background, lighting and color. I attempted to incorporate Morris’
Real Milk Paint Natural
Earth friendly
VOC free
Milk paint is a centuries old finish that is safe, easy to use, and cleans up with water. Stop by to see our samples and full line of colors and finishes.
INNOVATION MEETS ELEGANCE, EFFICIENCY AND SECURITY. Choosing windows for your home is one of the most important homeowner decisions you make. You want the most attractive, durable and efficient window available to keep you comfortable and build
Carriage House Works
109 N. Lincoln Ave, Beaver Dam, WI www.carriagehouseworks.com (920) 631-7077
by LINDSAY WINDOWS
value in your home. The Pinnacle is the ultimate model of the Lindsay Window family. It incorporates innovative design and manufacturing with architectural appeal that compliments any home’s style. Pinnacle’s elegant styling, energy efficiency, strength and protection ensures that windows will be a wise investment not only now, but for the Racewayyour Rdnew · Beaver Dam · www.hometownglass.com lifetime of your home.
N7171 887.3757 Mon. - Fri. 7am - 5:30pm · Sat. 9am-Noon
25
techniques into my work. He taught me to consider first the lay of the land, followed by considering placement of the horse.” Polly surprises. She is not one to flaunt her success. She is like a hidden favored piece of china at the back of the cabinet that sparkles, but you might forget it is there. Beaver Dam doesn’t know what a gem we have in Polly. She is as elegant as the equine she captures on film, but a shrewd businesswoman at the same time. Her home, like her personality, is not extravagant, and she preserves items of great value like an archivist. There is a story behind every door. She is eager to point out her favorite mementos such as decorative horse halters linked to a famous person or time, or her authentic print by Rosa Bonheur, an artist who inspired Polly and is known for her timeless paintings. Industry professionals share their own vocabulary and so does Polly. She speaks a language of her own that makes holding a conversation with her seem like you might need to polish up on horse terminology. This horseman turned secretary turned photographer reels off names of award-winning horses and history like salt falls from a shaker. She name-drops celebrity horse lovers and owners, including her famous client Patrick Swayze. “Patrick was a very intense person but easy to work with. I wanted to photograph his stallion Tammen with no halter, which was not possible so horseman Tom McNair dyed twine the color of the horse. I was concerned when Patrick wound the twine tightly around his hand and around the horse’s jaw, but he insisted that he’d be fine. I kept the twine.” Knoll related what a multi-talented individual Patrick was and she keeps his photo on her piano as a reminder of TALISMAN The stallion, Talisman, NA at Plum Nearly Ranch in Texas
Polly Knoll driving Brodenoll Cheetah at Washington Park in Chicago
their friendship. His famous photo is preserved in Knoll’s elegant coffee-table book Treasures of a Lifetime: A look into the heart and soul of the true Arabian horse. A shining achievement, the book is available online and at The Seippel Arts Center where Knoll served on the exhibit committee and as a docent for many years. Horse enthusiasts and industry insiders who were familiar with Polly’s reputation would enter the Seippel Center and simply be in awe of sharing the same room with her. Knoll continues to be honored for her work and her entire career. The Kentucky Horse Park Museum showcased her work in an exhibit of 50 enlarged photos in 2014. This coincided with the presentation of the 2013 Trustee Award at the Egyptian Horse Event. A DVD showing many of Knoll’s photos was shown as the narrator read a script. The audience gave her a standing ovation. Ironically, as Knoll discussed her career highlights and accolades, she had just received the mounted photos from that exhibit. Still boxed up in her kitchen, we opened them together, and it was Christmas all over again right there by the kitchen table. We marveled at the beauty and preciseness caught on camera and the thrill of seeing a lifetime of work in one’s hands. “Arabians are the most beautiful of all horses,” claims Polly. She has stuck by that claim for decades and has proven it time and time again.
Polly Knoll; her signature style in action
26
Learn the Secrets of a Long Life June 16, 2015 | 6:00 pm Presented by Tony Buettner Beaver Dam High School Auditorium 500 Gould St.
BLUE ZONES Healthy Communities, Healthy Lives
TM
FREE presentation sponsored by BDCH (920) 887-4002 www.bdch.com/becomingbluezones
facilitated by BDCH
Thousands of women
entrust us with their health. And each and every one receives the personalized care they deserve. Join us at Beaver Dam Women’s Health— you’re not a number here.
27
of the Earth. However, the field extends thousands of miles into space and acts like a giant “force field” protecting us from deadly radiation and solar winds. Plus, it makes for beautiful Northern Lights! Steve from Alaska asks: My vacuum cleaner sucks. Do I need to buy a new one? Answer: Wait . . . is this a trick question?
THE BEAVER
Stan from Beaver Dam asks: I was at Fleet Farm getting ready to purchase a fancy compass when my buddy told me that the North and South poles of the Sun swap around every 11 years. He said the North and South poles of Earth also occasionally swap around. So, rather than get an expensive compass, I’m thinking of just picking up a cheap plastic model – since it won’t be much good after the poles swap around. What do you think? Answer: Splurge. The last permanent magnetic pole swap on Earth was over 700,000 years ago. Stan asks a follow-up question: What good is our magnetic field if it’s going to move around on us whenever it feels like it? Answer: Life and Death. We often think of the magnetic field as something beneath our feet, since it originates in the core
“With better health, there’s nothing I can’t do.”
Jay from Fox Lake asks: Einstein was famous for his relativity principle regarding space and time. Whenever my relatives eat a big meal and there is no more space in their stomachs, then it is time to play euchre. Should I report this phenomenon to Scientific American? Answer: Not quite; perhaps we should get together for a meal. Bill from Beaver Dam asks: For more than 10 years I’ve been planning to write a tremendous self-help book entitled How to Stop Procrastinating. When is the best time to start writing? Answer: Tomorrow. Ellen from Fox Lake asks: Do you have any acting talent? Answer: I can do a very convincing impersonation of myself. It’s uncanny. Send your questions to Beav@LocaLeben.com and check out The Beaver’s weekly updates on www.LocaLeben.com
The ideal comfort system is the one you will never notice.
We work with you to provide a tangible plan that includes
•Investment Management We work with you to provide •Retirement Planning a•401(k), tangible plan that includes Pension •Education Savings Planning
Investment management, retirement, trust and planning services provided by COUNTRY Trust Bank®.
www.countryfinancial.com
-We Education Planning work withSavings you to provide a tangible plan tha -Backing Investment Management •Education Savings Planning you up Dan - •Investment RetirementManagement Planning Ohlson CCMA 920-885-6209 We all know insurance and investing is complicated. Planning daniel.ohlson@ - •Retirement 401(k), Pension countryfinancial.com Securities products offered through COUNTRY® Capital Management Company, 1705 Towanda Ave., P.O. Box 2222, Bloomington, IL 61702-2222. Telephone (309)821-5228. Member FINRA/SPIC.
Heating and Air Conditioning Our trusted, expert service and quality heating and air-conditioning systems can bring energy-efficient, quiet, consistent comfort to your indoor space.
Call us today! • INSTALLATION • SERVICE • RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL • GEOTHERMAL
• GAS FIREPLACES • IN-FLOOR HEATING • INDOOR AIR QUALITY
That’s whyPension your COUNTRY representative, a person you •401(k), know and trust, is backed by a team of experts. And Investment management, retirement, trustteam and planning services www.countryfin the COUNTRY is here toprovided help you with auto, by COUNTRY Trust Bank®. Backing you up home, life insurance and investments. Call me today to Securities products offered through COUNTRY® Capital Management Company, 170 Westarted. all know insurance and investing is complicated. get Ave., P.O. Box 2222, Bloomington, IL 61702-2222. Telephone (309)821-5228. Memb
042015-05422AC
That’s why your COUNTRY representative, a person you know and trust, is backed by a team of experts. And Dan Dan the COUNTRY team is here to help you with auto, Ohlson CCMA home, life insurance andOhlson investments. Call me today to CCMA 920-885-6209 get started.
Beaver Dam
daniel.ohlson@
countryfinancial.com Dan920-885-6209
daniel.ohlson@
Ohlson CCMA countryfinancial.com Beaver Dam
920-885-6209
800-281- 4676 W8238 Hwy 33 Beaver Dam, WI 53916 920-356-8860
042015-05422AC
daniel.ohlson@ countryfinancial.com
We work with you to provide a tangible plan that includes •Education Savings Planning •Investment Management •Retirement Planning •401(k), Pension
Investment retirement, management, retirement, Investment management, trust, and planning services provided by COUNTRY Trust Bank® (80 and planning servicesare provided www.countryfinancial.com 422-8261.trust Securities products offered through COUNTRY ® Capital Management Company, by COUNTRYBloomington, Trust Bank®. IL 61702-2222, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Investment management, retirement, and planning services provided Company, by COUNTRY1705 TrustTowanda Bank® (800) ® Capital Securities products offered throughtrust, COUNTRY Management
Securities products are offered through COUNTRY(309)821-5228. Capital Management Company, 122014-03324AC Ave., 422-8261. P.O. Box 2222, Bloomington, IL 61702-2222. Telephone Member FINRA/SPIC. Bloomington, IL 61702-2222, Member FINRA/SIPC. ®
www.aircareinc.com
28
122014-03324AC
Dan Ohlson CCMA 920-885-6209 daniel.ohlson@ countryfinancial.com
SCOTT SCHMIDT
The legend lives on From Lake Wausau on down, Of the young man known only as Jordan. With his Daddy’s jet boat And a coil of rope, You could always see Jordan Wakeboardin’. Pulled across a lake, He could skip off a wake, And do tricks worthy of a Museum. Spinning around, He could flip upside down, And amaze all the people who’d see him. One day on the fly, Jordan looked to the sky, And saw a Tornado beside him. Jordan knew then, This would be the day when, He would jump on that Twister and ride him. He leaned in to a turn, Felt his arm muscles burn, As he launched himself off of the water. They cut the rope loose, Jordan tied up a noose, Threw it at the Tornado and caught’er. Using all of his might, Jordan kept the rope tight, And thought no ride could ever be finer. They flew up so high, Jordan looked in the eyes, Of the passengers on a Jet Liner. The Tornado twisted, It howled, and roared, Tried to shake off its unwanted rider, But Jordan persisted, And stayed on his board, And got himself sucked up inside her.
Witnesses said They thought Jordan was dead, Sucked in and chewed up and eaten, But Jordan went nuts In the Vortex’s guts, And knew that he wouldn’t be beaten. Soaring inside, And enjoying the ride, The Tornado kept trying to wreck him. When things got too bad, Jordan got Hockey Mad, And that’s when he laid back and checked him. The force of that blow, Laid the Tornado low, And Jordan burst out to his freedom. The Tornado swore, It would even the score, If ever again it should meet him. When Jordan just smiled, The Tornado went wild, Its tantrum made onlookers wonder. And calling out loud, As it tore through the clouds, Jordan said, “Next time, bring Thunder!” The legend lives on, From Lake Wausau on down, Of the young man known only as Jordan. Tornados, they say, Never more come this way, If they can see Jordan Wakeboardin.’ The End
1. Before listing, be willing to make improvements 2. Remember curb appeal is everyone’s first impression. 3. Paint-neutral colors are best 4. Brighten your space a. Clean carpets b. More interior lighting 5. Declutter your home and yard 6. Concentrate on updating the kitchen/baths 7. Be prepared for showings EVERYDAY 8. Use Real Estate Agent a. Do your homework-interview prospective FULL-time agents b. Get someone you trust 9. Provide agents with a backdrop for great photos a. Remember, photos are the best 1st impressions 10. Remember, with everything, the internet provides traffic a. We use: Craigslist, our website, our Facebook page, List Hub, Realtor.com
Your “HOME” for Information
29
MATT KENEVAN
Jeff Schepp at work
I
30
t all started three years ago when a friend sent me a social media message saying that I needed to go look at something on his aunt’s farm in Waterville, Minnesota. The message had a photo attached of a rusted 1950s Hamm’s beer truck sitting under a grove of towering oak trees. It was love at first sight. I frantically started making phone calls to get a date to see this gem and soon set out for Waterville armed with a fistfull of cash. When I arrived, a longstanding love-hate relationship began. Without a doubt, it was a one-of-a-kind find that I couldn’t simply walk away from. It was a 1959 Detroit International Vehicle Company (DIVCO) milk truck that had been retrofitted into a beer truck. On first look, I noticed a smattering of bullet holes in the doors and windows – but no matter. The motor had been replaced with a 50-gallon drum filled with cement, and a fold-up trailer hitch on the front bumper had been welded on so the truck could be towed to events to pour ice cold tap beer. No, none of this concerned me in the slightest. An offer was made. The owner accepted. As I pulled out of the driveway towards the nearest U-Haul lot, I said to myself, Oh crap, what did I just do? Two hours later this little buggy was loaded up and I headed home to St. Paul. A feeling
of dread washed over me – I hadn’t the slightest idea where I was going to store the truck, nor did I know anyone who even heard of a DIVCO before, much less serviced one. About 15 minutes into my drive I noticed I was being followed, so I pulled off the road at a tiny motel parking lot. A man hopped out of his car and went straight to the DIVCO. The first words out of his mouth put my mind at ease: “This is awesome. My dad had two of them when I was a boy and I think I have the seat that goes to this.” He never did find the seat, but still it was a cool feeling, knowing people were excited about it. Onward I went maxing out at 45 miles per hour. I got almost home and another guy stopped me and made an offer to buy it for $4,000 more then what I paid for it. If I were smarter, I would have asked where I should deliver it. Finally, I’m home, but still without a clue on what to do with it. My wife reached out to the show American Restoration to see if they had interest in this project. A few emails and a couple calls later it was decided; they wanted to make the project their season finale. The initial excitement didn’t last long however – turns out the show doesn’t pay for the restoration. The estimate came in and I was in no position to shell out those kinds of dollars.
Retrofitted 1959 Detroit International Vehicle Company milk truck
Noah Schepp, Terry Klapper, Jeff Schepp, and growlers
I loaded the truck back up and headed out to a local guy to get a second bid, which was almost half as much. I didn’t have much of a choice, so I regrettably turned down American Restoration and brought the truck to the local shop. It was at this point that the hate portion of the love-hate relationship was born. Just a couple months into the project, the entire budget was spent and it more or less didn’t look like anything had been done. It turns out, these sorts of refrigerated trucks often rusted from the inside out, and the damage to my truck was more extensive than originally thought. We also found out that finding parts for this truck wasn’t all that easy either. Who knows how long the restoration would take if we waited to find original parts, so the decision was made to drop modern parts into the shell of this 1959 truck. First came a shiny, new 454 Chevy big block motor to give it a little head turning power. Little did I realize that decision would set the pace for a whole different build out. Nothing was cheap after that. From a new chassis to custom side pipes, the project was getting expensive quickly. Finally two and a half years later, the truck was ready for some paint and some new rims. Seeing the truck is almost 9’ tall, many painters didn’t have a paint booth big enough.
WAS BREWED WITH THE HELP OF
Re-retrofitted 1959 Detroit International Vehicle Company milk truck
My friend Scott Reed at Reed Chrysler suggested I talk to Jeff Schepp at Shepy’s Auto Body. Sure enough, it was a match. I couldn’t be happier with the result. Sheep stuck to his quote, which was a rare feat in the overall project. He met the time requirements and was just a pleasure to work with. Even though I live four hours away, I will be sending all my work to him. I also can’t thank Scott and a few brains over at Reed Chrysler enough for finding rims and tires for the truck. Trust me, it wasn’t an easy task to find the bolt pattern that could carry the weight and matched the height. But a beer truck isn’t a beer truck without beer, right? The degradation of the original cooler meant I had to remove the old cooling system and replace it. To keep on pace with the over-the-top theme of the project, I installed 10 tap handles on both sides of the truck. That’s right, not only can the DIVCO make a cheetah look like it’s wearing an anchor, but it can pour 20 of my favorite beers all at the perfect temperature. My hope is that seeing the cherry-red tap truck roar down the road to my events, the occasional block party, and a few parades this summer, will make people smile. After three years of painstaking restoration, it’s hard to believe this truck is the same as the old milk truck I found in a farm field. Forget love-hate, this relationship is all love.
IF THIS STORY HAS GOT YOU THIRSTY, STOP BY AND CHECK OUT OUR WIDE SELECTION OF BEER, WINE, AND LIQUOR
31
BOB FRANKENSTEIN
T
he 1940s were tumultuous times in Beaver Dam. Recovery from the Depression was finally in sight, driven by the dreaded war preparation. October 1940, the local Company E, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division was called up for duty to Camp Beauregard, Alexandria, Louisiana. They boarded the train at the Beaver Dam North Junction after a parade from downtown with the Legion Band and Color Guard, the High School Band and the Eagle Drum Corps. They left with four officers, Captain Sam Horton, First Lt. Donald Rogers, 2nd Lt. Orin Rogers and 2nd Lt. Joseph Stehling, and 76 enlisted men. Beaver Dam practiced a blackout air raid drill on July 1, 1941 at 9:30 p.m. All cars were to stop and turn out lights. All lights in homes and businesses to be turned off or windows covered. It was a great success. Locally Beaver Dam was adjusting its mindset to inescapable war and was also planning a 100th birthday party for itself to be held on July 3-6, 1941. War became reality on December 7, 1941. Late spring 1942, a plane crashed while practicing bombing at the Beaver Dam sod airport located near the north end of De Clark Street during which Courtney Starkweather was injured and later died. Hundreds of Beaver Dam and Dodge County youth would be caught up in a world now out of control. Beaver Dam was forced to go on a full wartime footing; protecting its water system, electric grid, phone system, Beaver Dam Lake dam, factories and airport with special security. Military guards appeared in factories and vigilant local civil defense people hovered over the community. Block Wardens faithfully patrolled their assigned sections of Beaver Dam. Williams Free Library tower was set up as a military outpost, code named Bravo Poppa, devoted to monitoring and identifying all friendly and unknown airplanes flying over the community for the war’s duration. July 1942, a flock of chattering Eagles were gathered at 118 Rowell Street pondering the birth of an extraordinary baby. Their nest was called the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club Aerie No. 1638 and the new baby was named: The Eaglet. This Eaglet would soar around the world bringing humor, news, Beaver Dam gossip and Eagle members together for the war’s duration. It was a stunning little magazine that was chock-
32
full of hometown humor and news, providing a great forum by which Beaver Dam soldiers kept track of each other across the world. It was divided into special sections. HUMOR SECTION (MODERATOR EDWARD BEERS): Cpl. Frank Rosenmeier: ”Say…the sergeant sure is a hard guy isn’t he?” Cpl. Leo Rosenmeier: “He is that…he wasn’t born… he was quarried.” Mike Ptaschinski: “Hey look at this haircut I got! Does it look bad?” Gib Starr: “Well, you better have your head stamped… this end up.” PFC Cecil Stebbins: “I never felt so sick in my life.” Sgt. Eugene McMillan: “Do any drinking last night?” PFC Cecil Stebbins: “Yes and when I went to bed I was fine… but when I woke up I felt terrible. It was the sleep that did it!” LETTERS AND CARDS FROM THE “BOYS IN SERVICE” SECTION OF THE EAGLET: The Eaglet was filled with letters from across the globe. Gib Starr was editor and moderator of this forum. Beaver Dam men in North Africa could read about local men in Australia, China, Burma, France and Italy In the AUXILIARY SECTION, it was said that one of the local McMillan girls was a pinup. Pictured below right are Beverly, 29 months, and Elaine – family of Tech. Sergeant Glenn Dorn in Babenhausen, Germany. A new family picture was included on the back page of the Eaglet each month.
as follows: Dear Gib, I’m somewhere in Australia but I can’t tell you where. Hans Haas and Leo Malack… (Words censored with bold black lines here) The Yanks have landed again, this time in Australia and I am with them. The rest of the gang have transferred to other units. Today it turned cold and you should see the southern boys pack the clothes on, we are used to it so we don’t mind it so much. The camp isn’t bad and so far the grub has been okay, plenty of good fresh milk, cheese and butter, just like home. Beer, well that’s another story. Budweiser would have to work overtime to better it, it’s plenty powerful and cheap. It’s going to take a long time for mail to reach us Gib, but if any of the old gang would care to write we’d appreciate hearing from them and of course we’ll all look for the Eaglet every month, so don’t forget us. Have met quite a few of the Australian Aussies and can honestly say they are good friends as well as soldiers, very polite and helpful, in more ways than one. Talked with a lot of them that have just returned from Malaya and Singapore, also some who were in Libya and Syria, and they sure can tell some hair-raising stories. Time is short Gib, so will close…hoping to hear from you or some of the gang soon. Best of luck and good wishes. Sgt. M. Gurney. Letter dated November 3, 1944: Peter Janz comments on Philippine invasion. Dear Gib and Brothers: By this time you should know that I was in on the Philippine invasion. Take it from me, it was no easy job. I’ve dodged so many bullets that it
isn’t funny. At times there was so much lead flying around that it is a miracle that I am alive. The Good Lord above must have been watching over me. Digging foxhole after foxhole is merely routine but surely a life saver. It gets so hot here that a fellow sweats even in the shade… The natives were so overwhelmed with joy to see us land that I can’t begin to describe how much this means to them. THE “HOMEFRONT” SECTION OF THE EAGLET: Servicemen and women enjoyed reading about the good fishing on Beaver Dam Lake, Pa Jones winning the championship in the fish-skinners contest, and humor about local people. Humor softened the scourge of war. The Eaglet was a source of humor, a letter depot, a news network and a link to home, a precious first hand history record of Beaver Dam area servicemen and women stationed throughout the world. Seventy plus years later, we look back in awe at our community. They were fighting the most difficult war ever known on this earth and this little book records our local history in a unique, humorous way. If you enjoyed this little gem, visit the Veteran’s Museum at the Dodge County Historical Society.
LEAVE NO DREAM UNTURNED.
The Dodge County Historical Society is located at 105 Park Avenue in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. It is open to the public from 1-4, throughFont Saturday. Admission is free. 3.5”Wednesday x 2.5” | Maximum Size: 30 pt
3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt
Are you invested properly? Investing: Self-service You’re Retired. Are Get you invested properly? a second opinion. Your Money Isn’t. is no service. Get a second opinion. LEAVE NO DREAM UNTURNED. We can help you find the right coverage for Auto, Home, Business or Life. We’re always on call, online and just around the corner. Call to get a competitive quote.
All new patients can receive their exam and x-rays at no charge in exchange for a $15 donation or 15 food items.
’Tis the season!
David Geschke, AAMS® DavidAdvisor Geschke, AAMS® Financial David Geschke, FinancialAAMS® Advisor .
Financial200 Advisor Front Street Suite 2b .
200Dam, Front WI Street Suite 2b 200 FrontBeaver Street Suite 2b 53916 Beaver Dam, WI 53916 920-885-4885 Beaver Dam, 920-885-4885 WI 53916 920-885-4885 .
Wishing you and your family moments of magic to make your holidays bright. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the new year.
Member SIPC
All existing patients can receive their adjustment at no charge in exchange for a $15 donation or 15 food items.
Member SIPC
We can help you find the right coverage for Auto, Home, Business or Life. We’re always on call, online and just around the corner. Call to get a competitive quote.
Kevin Carnine Agency, LLC 718 Park Ave Kevin Carnine Agency, LLC Beaver Dam, WI 53916 American Star Certified Agency Excellence In Customer Experience (920) 887-9700 718 Park Ave (920) 887-9700 kcarnine@amfam.com
Also Treating Chronic Headache and TMD.
American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries Home Office – Madison, WI 53783 © 2006
002146 – 3/06
American Family Mutual Insurance Company, American Family Insurance Company, American Standard Insurance Company of Ohio, American Standard Insurance Company of Wisconsin, American Family Life Insurance Company. 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 007386 – Rev. 2/15
Kevin Carnine Agency, LLC 718 Park Ave
33
CCH had a strong showing of 35 participants at this year’s WHA Advocacy Day. Pictured are some of the hard working CCH Volunteers.
C
lose to 1,100 hospital leaders, employees, trustees and volunteers, including participants from Columbus Community Hospital (CCH), descended on Madison on April 28 to participate in the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s (WHA) Advocacy Day event. Advocacy Day is an annual event
that connects hospital supporters with their legislators in Madison so lawmakers can learn how issues impact local hospitals and communities. “This year’s event was the largest in WHA’s history and one of, if not the largest event of its kind held in Madison each year. We are proud to have been a part of this tremendous day,” said Dana Spychalla, Director of Marketing for CCH. “With the state budget process in full swing, we were able to talk with our legislators about key issues, like Medicaid funding and protecting Wisconsin’s Worker’s Compensation program.” The record-breaking crowd heard from the always popular bipartisan legislative panel of State Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R – River Falls), State Senator Jen Shilling (D – La Crosse), State Representative Joe Sanfelippo (R-West Allis) and State Representative Peter Barca (D-Kenosha). Advocacy Day attendees also heard from keynote speakers Tucker Carlson, veteran journalist and political commentator, and Governor Scott Walker. This year 650 attendees spent time in the afternoon meeting with elected officials in the State Capitol. Advocates made sure their legislators were aware of the role hospitals play in communities across the state in providing high quality, high value health care and how the legislature can support those efforts through the policies it enacts. “All of us at CCH are proud of Wisconsin’s reputation of providing some of the highest quality, highest value care in the nation,” said Spychalla. “Advocacy Day allows us to help legislators understand how their policy decisions can help protect our local hospital, patients and communities.”
SATURD SATURDAY::
~10~
35
*********ECRWSSEDDM****
Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Columbus, WI PERMIT NO. 73
Individualized, convenient care with surgical services at Whether elective or emergency surgery is needed, our highly skilled surgeons and nursing staff use the latest technology to provide personalized, expert care.
Craig Haberman, DO General Surgeon Gary Galvin, MD General Surgeon 1515 Park Avenue Columbus, WI 53925 920-623-2200