July/August 2012 by LocaLeben

The MAGAZINE

JULY - AUGUST 2012

live life local

Waupun Chiropractic Center is donating ALL new patient services in exchange for a minimum of 10 canned goods or non-perishable items.

This Includes: ✓ Health History & Consultation ✓ Orthopedic & Neurological Exam ✓ Initial X-rays (if necessary) ✓ A Report of Findings

RMA E T WA THE

All food will be donated to the local Food Pantries. Please Help Us Support the Needs of our Community!

COME SEE US AT OUR BOOTH AT THE DODGE COUNTY FAIR! August 15-19 July 21 10 am-4 pm Secret Garden Tour See BDAAA at the River Market booth Second Saturdays Downtown 8 am-12 noon Green Thumb Art Exhibit through July 29th. 160 Gateway Drive, Waupun (920) 324 - 9899 www.waupunchiro.com

The 2012 Beaverland Must-skis Water Ski Show Team will thrill you with the Magic and Illusion of Show Skiing! Check www.mustskis.com for a complete schedule plus photos, membership, sponsorship and Learn-To-Ski clinic info.

For Up-to-Date Event Listings, Visit beaverdamchamber.com

“The Wedding Singer” ( Main Stage Musical) Show Dates: August 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, & 12 Tell-A-Tale Children’s Theatre (Grades 3 - 5) “The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White” Show Dates: July 11 – 14 Wed. July 18th, Indoor/Outdoor Movie 6:30 p.m. 114 E. Third Street FREE Family Event Thurs. July 19th, “Red Solo Cup” Senior Picnic, Tahoe Park $5.00 includes food and entertainment.

Building up the community. One project at a time.

111 Rowell Street Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Phone Fax (920) 356-1255 (920) 356-1270 Ballweg Implement Co.

VOLUME ONE - ISSUE FOUR

F e a tu r e A TREASURE of beaver dam’s past

6 Feature Artist LUCY ENOS Like Amelia Earhart, Enos is unafraid of trying something new, blazing a trail of glass and beauty.

CORBAN

JULY - AUGUST 2012

Taking a walk through the peaceful tree-lined lanes, one can find not only the final resting places of many famous citizens, but you can see the art of funeral architecture at its very best.

15 COMMUNITY A M E R IC A N H E R O M U S I C V E S T I VA L

LEGEND & LORE

THIS & THAT

HEART & HOME

Roy Gentz reminisces about dating and how he first met his million-dollar gal.

A music festival honoring all American heroes and their families held at Swan City Park on September 7 - 8.

VIEWFINDER

THE WANDERING MAN

PARTING THOUGHTS

Jim Dittmann shares abstract views and unique details of classic American cars.

S U S T A I N A B L E C OMP A S S I O N

This is no small project, but Child City will lift up the lives of thousands for many years to come.

contents

F.O.G.

FO R O U R G E N E R A T I O N

When school funding for the performing arts were at risk of becoming extinct, this musical revue was born.

Small insights and thoughts that life sends our way. “The Lunch Bunch”

A sisterhood that I myself sought my whole life and had not previously known.

Musings and Meanderings in the everyday life. “Summertime”

Bringing attention to things important to each of us, before they are lost.

coNTriBUTorS Lloyd Clark A 10-year resident of beaver dam, Lloyd has left politics and political writing to pursue his dream of doing something that will actually pay his bills. Thus, Lloyd has opened his own commercial writing and marketing shop. When not watching his wife and daughter figure skate, he spends his time driving a Zamboni, riding REAL horses and teaching the insane to joust.

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Karla Jensen Karla Jensen, Executive director of the beaver dam Area Arts Association, has been a freelance writer for 23 years. She is a published playwright with her husband mark. She teaches writing at the Seippel Center and serves as writers group leader at the beaver dam Community Activities and Services. Karla’s background includes radio, television, magazine publishing, tourism, and real estate, not to mention danish dancing.

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Jeana meyer Jeana meyer has lived in beaver dam for the past 8 years. She has mS and Education degrees, has taught as a qualified science teacher and is presently working toward her masters in Counseling. Her published writing includes non-fiction articles in odyssey Science, and children’s short fiction. for fun, she likes to kayak with her family and her water-crazy life-jacketed border Collie.

michelle Roth michelle Roth has lived in beaver dam for 7 years. She is the mother of 3, a freelance writer and photographer. Though she will photograph almost anything, she specializes in action photography and portraits. She believes that photography and writing go hand in hand, as they are both ways to tell a story. She is currently working on her first novel.

Cover Image: Jim dittmann

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FROM

THE EDITOR

beaver dam is an unbelievably fortunate city. As citizens of this town, we have access to a variety of outstanding programs and activities offered by both public and private organizations. The passion that is alive in beaver dam is truly encouraging to me as someone who is building a business and life in this community. Since I began working on LocaLeben, I have had the pleasure to learn about several diverse projects in and around beaver dam. While all of them are very different they all have a common goal. It is the same goal that you, as a member of the community, have in your contribution through your work, service and play. It is the constant desire to improve our experience with each other as a community. All of what we do contributes to the betterment of our city especially the little things we do everyday - supporting our local organizationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; events, attending our little brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little league games or performances, or simply starting downtown on your shopping trips makes a huge impact. They are the foundation of our great city. It is what allows all of us to pursue our passions, dreams and latent ideas we have had for years. With the support of a great community like this, ideas that take us to the next level can be realized. I know this because this little magazine is a great example.

Local Real Estate, Local Living. Kelly Hoffmann Broker Associate, ABR, e-PRO Licensed Appraiser Cell: 920-296-2752 Direct: 920-356-1100 ext 226 Email: HoffmannK@FirstWeber.com www.kellyhoffmann.firstweber.com

I am fortunate to have met many people who have wanted to participate in LocaLeben. Their time and talents are invaluable. Each day I am impressed by what they do to help their business or organization succeed. Even more impressive is how much they work to see others succeed - a true community. They understand that when the community benefits, each contributing member does as well. There are so many people, organizations and businesses that are working to create a better place for us to live. Seek them out - learn about them and see how you can help. You may be surprised by how your talents will make a difference.

LocaLeben is Local Life. We invite you to share your stories in LocaLeben. They bring meaning to our lives together. Help us restore our town back to the vibrant community it longs to be. Give me a call at (920) 306-1189 or send me an email at content@localeben.com.

MAKING IT HAPPEN NATIONWIDE

RIGHT HERE IN BEAVER DAM

Need extra copies? LocaLeben is available for pick up at all public libraries in dodge County and any advertiser in LocaLeben.

The MaGaZiNe PROUD PRINTER OF

EdIToR Erik dittmann

pUbLISHER Jim dittmann

TECHNICAL dIRECToR ben dittmann

ARTISTIC dIRECToR preston bowman

LocaLeben The magazine is published in beaver dam, WI by LocaLeben LLC. pHoNE: 920 306 1189 EmAIL inquire@localeben.com WEb localeben.com LocaLeben The magazine is mailed bi-monthly to all homes and businesses in the 53916 zip code. All rights reserved. The entire contents of LocaLeben The magazine is Copyright (c) 2011. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems with 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.

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SHELLY AT (920) 356-6708 CALL

555 BEICHL AVE. BEAVER DAM, WI 53916 (920) 887.0322 WWW.JBKENEHAN.COM

FEATURE ARTIST LUCY

ENOS

KARLA JENSEN

didn’t know I’d be opening up a history book, or a women’s lib chapter, or a Civil Air Patrol manual, or the ancient secrets of a stained glass maker, but that is exactly what I discovered when I sat with artist Lucy Enos in Beaver Dam. She is the embodiment of a modern-day Amelia Earhart, who loves to fly and trail blazed in her field when women were scarce in the business. We shared an artist’s toast with our words and images to vintage glassblowing techniques, modern glass sculpture, cold Minnesota winters, scorching Arizona heat, flying lessons and a chance meeting with the owner of Mars Candy back in the day. Lucy swept me up and sent me on a passage through the past with one artful media between us: Glass. I love encountering artists like Lucy Enos who are hip, humble and perfectionists at what they do. Lucy is as smooth as the glass she cuts, as shiny as the jewels she fashions, and is just as valuable as the work she sells across the United States. She looks like she should be famous. She is young at heart. She is successful. She has in no way lost her warmth, her beauty or her modesty, despite her sophistication and education. She is still that Midwestern Minnesota girl whose mother sent her to pursue an art degree and become a lady in New York back in the 40s. Her numerous stories promise as much sparkle and flair as the stained glass projects upon which she has left her mark. You may have unknowingly visited a town, a church or a business where her creations bend or catch the sun and glow like a neon sign in Vegas. Lucy is bead maker, potter, silversmith and metal sculptor, and carries just as many hats on the home front - grandmother, mother, partner and great-grandma. She has taught glassmaking for over thirty-five years, and in her work, as in her personality, this artist knows how to expertly form beauty under great pressure.

After appearing on television in the Minneapolis market as a silversmith, she and her husband ventured to Arizona, where they used every dime to start a business. “That might have been stupid to move without jobs, but we were adventurous and positive. We knew we could survive.” Five hundred dollars landed them a stained glass studio, where people off the streets would ask, “What kind of shop is this?” In the Midwest, stained glass appeared in many homes. In Arizona, the two quickly realized a desert of glass knowledge kept customers from realizing what their new enterprise entailed. They worked that much harder to be successful. Lucy also taught students about glasswork and stained glass. Young girls took classes and then returned to work for her. “If you look in the Phoenix phone book, most are former students,” she claims. In the interim, Lucy worked from home so she wouldn’t have to pay a sitter. Clients, including the president of Mars Candy in Chicago, stepped inside her home office in Tucson to order windows. “He offered my children candy and I said, No. I didn’t want my children getting more cavities!” Like Andy Rooney, who never truly retired, Enos doesn’t see an end to her creativity as a glass artisan either. “Why would I want to retire when I get to do what others enjoy in retirement?” asks Lucy. She has made her hobby her passion and her life’s work. Who doesn’t admire that? “Glass is just like painting. Style comes down to personal taste,” says Lucy, roaming around her home with totes reserved for projects in progress and yet to be fashioned. Then, just like those ancient medieval glass masters who trained apprentices, Lucy led me through the history of glass, the process of cutting, fusing and baking glass in kilns. Its history is fascinating. “People today are educated and know that glass is an art form. It’s not a technique you learn overnight. Most artists take five years to learn glassblowing and only then can they begin to create something good.”

Creating something good is an understatement for the kind of works Lucy Enos manufactures. She began crafting stained glass when men dominated the market. She lost jobs because of her sex, but she did not let that stop her. She persevered and her talent got her foot in the door. She produced quality merchandisable art. Then something even more interesting occurred. In the midst of teaching, running her retail operation and watching her family mature, she bid on five flying lessons and ground school at a charity auction and won. “I was fifty years old when I got my pilot’s license. I wondered...how could I be more reckless?” With a jovial laugh and a sparkle in her eye to match many of the glass pieces in the bdAAA gift shop, Lucy spoke of the passion she had and still has for flying. “I wish I had learned when I was 18. I spent a lot of money on learning how to fly and ultimately joined the Civil Air patrol in Arizona.” She tracked missing aircraft, missing persons and monitored border control. It was as if she transferred her ability to sort out and pair and match all those glass pieces to the same job dealing with humans rather than materials. Knowing Lucy as an artist who loves to fly compelled me to seek other artists who also took flying lessons. There are many. I believe artists consider things from all angles before, during and after they create their works. They require perspective from different angles and focus on proportions, frame of mind, and interpretation. Tactics you find in flying. details you must have to compete in the marketplace and appeal to the customer. Like Amelia Earhart, Enos is unafraid of trying something new, blazing a trail of glass and beauty. She subscribes to Glass Art magazine, keeping up with the evolving glass industry. She’s as enthusiastic as a novice, only we know she’s not. She has appeared in the most prominent of glass expos in the nation, like the mill Avenue Show in phoenix, and

“Abstractmika”

continues to teach at the mesa Art Center, one of the nation’s most prominent glassblowing facilities. “I don’t like to do the same thing twice,” admits Lucy. “I never hesitate to at least make an effort. I prefer everything to be an original.” This quest for originality has translated into paintings, sculptures, stained glass creations and glass, which can be painted on like cathedral windows in churches. It is evident in her custom plates, bracelets, earrings and pendants. “Glassblowing is heavy physical work. When I first started, no glass was available, so we imported it from Germany, france or England. It was very expensive. Now there are places in Seattle and portland that make purchasing glass less expensive,” says Lucy. “Now, ninety percent of glass artists are thirty years or under,” she adds. “When I started, no one in the industry was under age fifty or sixty. There’s been a revival.” I have seen Lucy up to her elbows in the messiness of art and loving every moment. She has assisted with Artdrenoline Camp at the Seippel Center and been the guest artist at the summer River market. Her partner bill Reible allows time and space for Lucy to pursue her passions. They make a cute couple, sharing two interesting lives that have intersected like two pieces of glass that were meant to be placed side-by-side, complimenting each other. They enjoy residing in beaver dam and Arizona. both love to fly and I can see them doing it, even on the ground.

CORBAN SUSTAINABLE COMPASSION JEANA MEYER

wo shops called “Corban” stand side-by-side on downtown Randolph’s Stark Street. They seem simple enough, but as I soon discover, there is more here than what meets the eye. As I walk into the first “Corban’s Kids” shop, a fresh laundered smell greets my nostrils. Displayed under a quaint wooden lean-to, is a rainbow of gently used baby and children’s clothing and accessories - all for give-away prices. Greeting me with a sunny smile is Suzanne Cothran. Suzanne directs me through to the adult section. Again, good quality clothes at reasonable prices. Volunteers are tastefully displaying jackets, sweaters, skirts, shirts, jewelry and shoes; their camaraderie tells me that this is an enjoyable and meaningful activity for them. Then some local women come into Corban’s Kids requesting free clothing. As they pick out some infant outfits, Suzanne explains that the local food pantry sent them here. I begin to see that Corban is more than a store - it’s a calling. Suzanne’s husband Art, an eighty-something retired teacher, is working next door in their sister resale store stocking household items. The doorbell jingles as I enter this Aladdin’s Cave of treasures. Rows of Homeless rural girl begging in city. Photo: Alex Mego

shelves brim with an assortment of absolutely everything - hanging lamps, wrapping paper, seasonal ornaments, gifts, quilts, crockery, small items of furniture, medical equipment. With a customary humorous quip hovering on his lips, Art is busy directing the volunteers pricing donated items bargains unlimited as usual. He turns and peers over his glasses at me, his eyes still twinkling with amusement. After introductions, he becomes serious. Urgency now lights his eyes as he says, “Have you heard of the larger vision of Corban?” He brings out a board - a professional display of photographs, maps and architectural plans of farmland, a school, a hospital and houses. “This is ‘Child City’ in Ica, Peru. Corban is building this self-contained city to provide homes, families and a new life for a thousand abandoned street children, in family units managed by Peruvian people.” No small vision. The story of Corban begins back in 1993, when as part of a church volunteer group, Art and Suzanne went to Lima, Peru, using their own funds. While there, they were shocked to see thousands of children, some only 3 and 4 years old, sleeping on the streets like stray dogs, begging, sniffing glue and prostituting themselves. Of Lima’s population of nine million people, 75% fall below the poverty level, and 900,000 are street children. There is little or no chance of breaking out of the cycle of poverty, as children must purchase their school uniform and their own books to attend school. Art and Suzanne learned that heavy labor, child trafficking, and slavery were the norm among older children and teens. Everyday the municipal services tipped garbage down the middle of a street and the children would forage through its filth like rats until sundown, when the authorities would set fire to it. The stench permeated the air, night and day. Art and Suzanne returned to the U.S. with heavy hearts. Art and Suzanne, Jim Recker, Chris Peterson and Vanessa VanderStreet performer doing gymnastics for money. Photo: Alex Mego

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Child City Rendering photo: oliver Etchebarne

Kids at meal time. photo: Jorge Arevalo

Galien, a teacher with work experience in Lima, founded Corban in 2003. Chris peterson is the only part-time paid member of Corban. At the tender age of 16, Chris raised the money needed to be part of a trip to peru in 1996, and he has been intrinsically involved with the project ever since. He runs the office, writes newsletters, and with his fluent Spanish, has been involved in all the communication, negotiations and organizing paperwork with peruvian authorities. partnering with a peruvian church, Corban’s first project was to start a soup kitchen in Lima, providing weekly meals to 100 children. plans for Child City were drawn up, and work began on manuals detailing how entities of the city would be run. A newsletter sent to 400 people helped to bring in $100,000 in funds for the project, and vision started to become reality. In 2007, the Corban group returned to peru to meet with mayors and lawmakers to discuss the project. The idea was met with great enthusiasm and the group went on to purchase a piece of fertile land near Ica, close to both the ocean and the Andes. The area had recently experienced a magnitude eight earthquake, and the group picked up details of how to build like the Incas to avoid wall collapse. An ideal crop to support Child City was identified, namely Tara, a plant unique to the area. powdered plant material is used for tanning leather, binding concrete in oil wells and tablet coatings. A local Tara grower has agreed to donate seedlings when the ground is ready. A group of locals were already squatting on the purchased land, so Corban deeded that section of land to them. This group will eventually benefit by obtaining work on the Tara plantation and make use of the schools and hospital, which are rare commodities in Ica. Corban’s generosity has already paid dividends, because the peruvian authorities have now become involved in the development of the area for these villagers. Initially commissioned by Corban, the digging of the first well has been completed, and funding for the school has been promised. Corban is working on proposals to philanthropic investors for the plantation and irrigation. donors have pledged items for the future hospital. most excitingly, the first house plans are in the pipeline… Now I understand the urgency in Art’s eyes. Since 2009, with the stressed US economy, donations have dropped off and so has work in Ica, and Art and Suzanne aren’t getting any younger. funds barely cover paperwork, legal and fundraising fees and permits, let alone hydro-ecological surveys, wells, training and construction work. An engineering firm in madison is considering participation, but they need a down payment of $60,000 by September! Art and Suzanne have devoted their retired years and funds to making this happen, and it is so close to realization, and yet so far.

All are welcome to visit the Corban shops in Randolph, Wisconsin. You can also visit their website www.corbaninc.org or call Chris at 920-319-3660 to make a donation. Help is needed to spread the word about this life-changing project, and Corban will be happy to make presentations to interested groups. volunteers to take part in future work parties will also be needed.

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F.O.G.

FOR OUR GENERATION

“Defying Gravity”- Wicked - 2005 Photo: Norma Tirado Kellenberger

MICHELLE ROTH

n one of the last days of the school year, a group of nearly 50 teenagers met to discuss the musical review they would perform in less than two months. It is the first meeting for the 9th annual For Our Generation (FOG) musical revue. In 2004, when school funding for the performing arts were at risk of becoming extinct at Beaver Dam High School, graduating senior Leah Miller and recent graduate Kim Sutter came up with an idea to give back to the programs that had given them so much. They called Brian Tuel, another recent graduate, telling him that they were going to do something really different, and they asked for his help. What evolved is FOG, a completely student-run musical review with teenagers arranging songs and teaching dances, alternating performing on stage and in the orchestra pit, as well as covering all executive functions. All the money they raised went right back to the school. Through the years, FOG has donated over $30,000 to the BDHS performing arts programs. “We just knew from our first rehearsal that we had something special,” says Brian. “As the name suggests, this show really is for our generation. In that sense, FOG never gets old… There is a natural passing of the baton year after year. In that way, it will always be for our generation.” Despite being in existence for nearly a decade, FOG has yet to be a household name in our community. FOG is a touching story about exceptional teenagers. Through the years, these teenagers have practiced dances in July under mid-afternoon sun in church parking lots. They beg and borrow for a place to call home for the summer to practice and teach “One Day More”- Les Miserables - 2004 Photo Courtesy of Kim (Sutter) Lea

songs and dances to a cast of up to 50 teenage kids. The executive teams have learned through the years that they have to earn respect from the kids in the show, knowing that they can’t demand it on a slim four- or five-year age difference. “We are amateurs. We are just kids,” says Cherith Zanghi, BDHS alumna, a student at UW-Stevens Point and this year’s music director. They may be just kids, but they have a passion for changing peoples’ lives. One story resonates in the hearts of many returning FOG alumni about a girl who joined one summer and told everyone in the cast circle just before the first show how she felt like she belonged for the first time. “It’s a very human element,” says Nick Pogorzelec, a senior at BDHS and this year’s director. He has a soft voice and is unpretentious, yet it’s clear that he knows what he’s doing as director this summer. “FOG has gotten kind of stale, and we want to revive it,” says Nick, as if putting on a completely student-run musical is not enough of a challenge. “I think people want to be blown away by young talent. I am aiming for technically perfect. Think show stopping.” His hope is that when someone comes to the show, they would never suspect that students did it all. This program is not just for the accomplished or extremely talented kids. Anyone in high school can audition for FOG, and every year the money goes to the music program at BDHS to be utilized by any student who wants to pick up an instrument or sing in the choir. Not one FOG member talks about what this does for him or her, they do it for every student in the district. Many said they do it for their music teachers at BDHS, who give so much of themselves and have influenced so many. Or for the kids who learn who they are through this program and find their voice along the way. Or for the community and those who come to see the show, as art speaks to all so differently. One condition for the FOG show is that an adult, just someone over 18, be on site with them at all times. This requirement is filled by a handful of returning alumni. They begin as kids who love music and drama, and through the years work their way up through an entirely voluntary and not for profit program that was completely created by students. They all learn as they go. They rely on the musical training they have received from the very talented music directors in the Beaver Dam Unified School District, and then they dig in and start teaching cast members that range in age from incoming freshmen to seniors.

“Holding out for a Hero”- footloose - 2004 photo Courtesy of Kim (Sutter) Lea

“It’s really simple. No hoops. Just do the work. And every kid who gets involved gets something out of it. Every kid is part of the movement, making it stronger and adding to it. This is basically activism. It is something bigger than you,” says Cherith. And when they get stuck and just don’t know what to do, they call past foG members. They ask for help and find out what worked. They pass on the music program designed to painstakingly create music for the show from one music director to the next. They have been building this program for nine years, piece by piece. The founding foG members have remained involved in some shows through the years, and even when alumni aren’t actively in the show, they serve as unofficial advisors. The show features songs that are both well known and completely obscure. This summer there are songs that feature Latin, Spanish and Hebrew. There is diversity, a mixture of culture ranging from broadway to children’s music; there is something for everyone to enjoy. “. . . standing on stage singing with a whole cast of kids who put all this talent and time and effort into the show. Standing up for the arts in front of a full house there to support us and validate what we do. feeling the energy as it comes together. Singing ‘When You believe,’ because that’s what this is all about. believing that we can do this, pushing through when we thought we couldn’t.” It is indeed a compelling moment not to be missed. foR oUR GENERATIoN is July 27th and 28th at 7 p.m. and July 29th at 2 p.m. in the beaver dam High School Auditorium. Tickets are $7. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Rechek’s food pride and will be sold at the door for all 3 shows. All proceeds go to the music programs at beaver dam High School.

“Willkommen”- Cabaret - 2004 photo Courtesy of Kim (Sutter) Lea

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f e a tu r e

A TREASURE O f Bea v er Da m ’ s Past

LLOYD CLARK

n 1869, Beaver Dam was plagued by an issue common to rapidly growing towns at that time - the local cemetery, the final resting place of our City’s Founders was full. Already, the lot sizes in the Beaver Dam Cemetery had been cut in half in order to attempt to address the issue causing an uprising among the citizens and a slew of articles in the paper. It was determined that a cemetery that could comfortably inter 5000 residents would be needed; however, the city budget had not accounted for the need to purchase such a large piece of property. To the rescue rode an unlikely savior, a former tavern owner from Indiana named Ingraham Gould. In 1855, Gould had founded the Gould Nursery on the land that now houses Lincoln Elementary, Beaver Dam High School and the Family Center. By 1869, Gould was renowned for his development of apple trees that were of “Wisconsin stock,” which allowed them to survive through the cold of our winters, and his nursery was touted as the largest nursery west of New York State. Gould owed his fame and fortune to Beaver Dam, its soil providing the perfect growing medium for his trees and shrubs, and to repay this debt, he purchased 20 acres of land east of the city with the intention of creating a new cemetery. Gould had the land cleared, surveyed and platted at the cost of $3000. Now, that seems to be a very inexpensive gift and a very small price to pay for 20 acres of cleared property, but that amount is equal to more than $50,000 today. He also retained the right to purchase 17 more acres adjacent to the property in case more was needed to meet the goal of 5000 lots. Without fanfare, he deeded the entire piece over to the Cemetery Association on July 24, 1869. Within a year, Oakwood Cemetery had already seen 22 interments, some of which were reinterred from the overcrowded Beaver Dam Cemetery on University Avenue. The Beaver Dam Argus on June 2, 1870, made note that lots in Oakwood were selling for between $3 and $15, depending upon their size and location, with blocks of four lots selling for as low as $20. Oakwood was touted as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the entire United States. The initial Board of Directors read like a list of “Who’s Who” of

early Beaver Dam. Its President was G.H. Stewart, who owned and ran the wool mill; James Ackerman, Vice President, a local farmer; Edward C. (E.C.) McFetridge, Secretary, a local attorney that served as Beaver Dam Mayor, Dodge County Treasurer, State Assembly Representative, State Senator and State Treasurer; G. Stolz, Treasurer, one of the town’s first aldermen; and Ingraham Gould, Superintendent and Sexton. Now, you must remember that not a single one of these men had, at that time, a single second of experience serving on a cemetery board, much less one that they were expected to create the rules, regulations and policy for (you must remember that, in this day, the State Legislature had to approve the creation of a new cemetery…the pressure to “get it right” had to be immense). The men were of a pragmatic nature, and as a pragmatist will, they asked for advice. They sent requests for copies of cemetery rules and regulations all across the state, Milwaukee and Janesville in particular, and out of state as well. They met regularly for five weeks, pouring over the copies that they had received, retaining the “best” of them and discarding the rest, until they created a policy manual that has served well for nearly 125 years. Taking a walk through the peaceful tree-lined lanes, one can find not only the final resting places of many famous Wisconsin citizens, but you can see the art of funeral architecture at its very best. There is no shortage of beautifully hand-carved statues created to commemorate many of Beaver Dam’s most refined and famous citizens. Perhaps the most striking is that of the Schutte-Schemmel monument. The statue, a life-size sculpture of a woman, eyes downcast in sorrow with her cheek resting in her left hand, and in the right, a garland of flowers, grabs your attention immediately. Though the stone is pitted with age, she stands guard over the graves of John Schutte and his family. John Schutte, if the following obituary is any indication, was a true Beaver Dam character. “Beaver Dam Argus, Friday, October 30, 1903 - page 5. DIED - SCHUTTE - At his home in the Fourth ward, Monday, October 26, 1903, 7:47 a.m., of old age, Mr. John Frederick Carl Schutte, aged 74 years, 8 months and 16 days.

Schutte-Schemmel Monument

Deceased was born in Buckeburg in Lepe Schaumburg, Germany, Feb. 10, 1829, where he received his early education. In October 1840, he came to America. In January 1847, he came to Washington county and engaged in farming. In 1853, he went to California and opened a general store at Feather River, and the next year, he went to Australia and engaged in gold mining for two years; then he returned to Washington County via London, Eng., Germany and New York. In 1857, he moved to Beaver Dam and built the Farmer’s Brewery, now owned by Mrs. L. C. Binzel, which he operated for about eight years. He then opened a general store under the firm name of Spuhler and Schluckebier, which he continued for nine years, after which he engaged in the insurance business representing the Germantown, Farmer’s, Phoenix and Concordia Fire Insurance Co.’s. Mr. Schutte was alderman of the First ward for four terms and School Commissioner of said ward for nine years. At one time he was assistant Superintendant (sic) of Oakwood cemetery and at the time of his death Ingraham Gould’s Headstone Scupture on Schutte-Schemmel Monument

was a director of the Beaver Dam Cotton Mills, Williams Free Library and Oakwood Cemetery. October 27, 1857, he was united in marriage with Mary Spuhler of Bavaria, who with three children, Mrs. Minnie Schemmel and Baldwin I. Schutte of this city, and Herman A. Schutte of Phoenix, Arizona, are left to mourn the loss of a kind loving husband and father. The funeral which was held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge of this city, was attended by a large number of our citizens. Interment at Oakwood. Thus one by one Beaver Dam’s pioneer settlers are crossing the dark river.” One of the more interesting monuments is that of Lyman Witherall, his wife Amia and their daughter Maria. From a distance, the upright monument and three on-ground tombstones appears to be of dark granite, the words and decorative elements carved deeply into its surface. As you approach, you wonder at the extremely crisp nature of the carvings, unbelievably legible, almost as if they were carved this very morning. If you reach out and touch the monument, you realize that it is not made from stone at all - but from metal that has not rusted or faded at all since its erection in 1867. The Witherall monument and all three of the “tombstones” are made from zinc. Zinc, often called “White Bronze” during the era, became an extremely popular material for the creation of funeral monuments. About one-third less expensive than marble or granite, the tombstones and upright monuments were cast in molds, which could be quickly created. Zinc tombstones were also touted as being more durable than stone, and since they could be created quickly, a family could have one placed on the

grave of their loved one very much sooner than one of stone. One of the more famous residents of Oakwood is Andrew “Scott” Sloan. Originally from Morrisville, New York, Sloan moved to Beaver Dam in 1854. It didn’t take the New York attorney long to make his mark on our city. In 1857, he both served in the state Assembly as well as Mayor. In 1858, he was appointed a Wisconsin District Judge, serving in this position until 1862, when he was elected to the 37th Congress. According to the Wisconsin Historical Dictionary, “In 1881 Sloan was elected judge of the newly created 13th judicial circuit, was re-elected in 1887 and 1893, and served from Jan., 1882, until his death. In 1886 he presided over the trial of the leaders of the Milwaukee labor rioters involved in the citywide strikes of that year.” Sloan also served as the state’s Attorney General, Dodge County Court judge and, in 1879, Beaver Dam’s Mayor, once again. He passed away on April 8, 1895 and has a very simple headstone for such an important historical figure. Historians find cemeteries to be filled with treasures not found anywhere else. In Beaver Dam, it is impossible to visit the log cabin of Thomas Mackie or even see the natural spring that once provided water for the new residents of our town. It is not possible to visit the historic mills that first gave Beaver Dam its industry or to even drink directly from the sacred springs in Swan Park that attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world to our fair city. However, you can walk through Oakwood Cemetery and visit the graves of the people who worked, fought, and created our town. Take the time to visit some evening, view the beautiful works of art, read the touching memorials and you are sure to come away from the experience with a new appreciation for Beaver Dam.

Just Because You’re Leaving Home, Doesn’t Mean They Have To.

coMMUNiTY THE AmERICAN HERo mUSIC fESTIvAL

KAY AppENfELdT

military detail at the opening ceremony. photo: Terry Appenfeldt

he American Hero music festival is co-sponsored by the Exchange Club of beaver dam. It originated to promote Americanism, which is one of the missions of the Exchange Club. Joe Cantafio, uncle of fallen marine pfc. Ryan Cantafio, presented the idea to the club to honor his nephew and other fallen servicemen and servicewomen serving in the military. Through the efforts of the members/volunteers of the Exchange Club, the event became a reality. The event was expanded to honor and remember the 3,000 victims killed at three locations on 9/11/2001. Those who assisted and helped during and after the attack were also to be honored. Additional honors are extended to all American Heroes (firefighters, police, EmS, gold star families, first responders and veterans). This year, poWs and mIAs will also be remembered. The event is always held close to 9/11. The musical performances at the event have always been free; there is no cover charge. The event is organized, staffed and managed each day by members of the Exchange Club of beaver dam. muriel Harper Exchange Club president shared, “When the Red Cross sent me to New York in the fall of 2001, I had not yet joined the Exchange Club of beaver dam. my heart wrenching assignment was counseling the surviving parents, widows and widowers, and the children of the heroic firefighters and police officers who ran into the inferno of the twin towers attempting to save lives while losing their own. When I was invited to become a member of the Exchange Club of beaver dam, which was honoring that sacrifice along with those of our brave military and their families, I was proud to join.” A parade was added to the event in 2010 and continues. parade entries stress patriotism and feature American Heroes in firefighting, police, military, veterans, EmS, dodge County Sheriff’s personnel, patriotic floats, and beaver dam Gold Star families. Any patriotic-themed entry is welcome to be in the parade. The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and moves through downtown beaver dam to its destination at Swan City park. Children’s events are provided on Saturday including a petting zoo, touring a fire truck, face painting, games and other activities. The music of the festival features local, statewide and nationally known bands. bands perform on friday evening and begin mid-afternoon on Saturday. Joe Cantafio and the 101st Rock division band round out the entertainment on Saturday evening. The band has toured U.S. bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, djibouti, Africa and bahrain. Joe says, “We plan on returning to Iraq and any other place on Earth where Americans are serving to preserve our rights and our freedom if only to give them a slight break and bring them a little taste of home.” Last year the Exchange Club provided a banner during the event, which was signed with well wishes for a departing company of Wisconsin Guard troops during their upcoming tour of duty. The signed banner was presented by the president and president-elect of the Exchange Club to the following Wisconsin Guard units on September 15, 2011, as they deployed to Kosovo: the 157th maneuver Enhancement brigade, the 32nd military police (mp) Company and Company f 2nd battalion 238th Aviation Regiment. Chair of the American Hero music festival dawn Klockow stated, “The Exchange Club of beaver dam is proud to co-sponsor this family friendly and patriotic event and is excited to honor all persons who give of their time, energy, and sacrifice to serve our community and country in the armed forces, law enforcement, and fire and EmS professions.” This year’s American Hero music festival will be held at Swan City park on September 7 and 8. An opening ceremony on Saturday at noon honors fallen firefighters and offers a patriotic tribute to all Americans and to local Gold Star families. WbEv/WXRo provided a live broadcast of the ceremony last year, and we anticipate this will occur again this year.

proceeds from the American Hero music festival go to Exchange Club charitable projects including a new scholarship.

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Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre presents

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Shows August 3-12 Beaver Dam High School Auditorium

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LEGEND & LORE S T OR I E S T OL D & U N T OL D ROY GENTZ

Editor’s Note: These are excerpts from the 150-page book that Roy sent to me after seeing LocaLeben. Preface his book is to honor my father; Anton B. Gentz 1902-1947. I dedicate this book to my wife Joyce - who has unfailingly supported my many years of research into Pommern - that I can show her what a great and beautiful land she is the inheritor of. This book is a memorial of my life. Different by the stories in alphabetic order. Some of the history, excerpted from books pertaining to my ethnic background. Especially my forefathers. It wasn’t until my daughter Dawn stated that I should get some of the stuff I had accumulated and piled in/around my desk of my relatives that I should put it together in book form. It was when we went to East Germany in 1975, visited Dr. Gerhardt Genz, here I had a major breakthrough, as a wealth of hidden family history came to light. They had accumulated the Genz Genealogy back to 1580. I’m very proud of my background, my life, things I did. Any legacy I may have left to my followers or readers of this book, I hope will benefit you also. - Roy G. Gentz

Roy with his father Anton - 1927

Roy with Joyce at her BDHS graduation - 1949

DATING: Harry (Bunkoske) and I were real bummers as we both were from the farm and bashful. Harry and I were good friends in high school and continued through our marriage years. We would go to high school games and dances that followed. . . we attended a lot of wedding dances, invited or not, as generally they were free and had single girls around, as we were interested in girls . . . Harry and I would roam around the dance halls. It would be lucky and brave for us to ask a girl to take her home. We would stop at some hamburger joint, our most popular was “The Greek” in Horicon and have a Sundae or Banana Split. For two we would spend about fifty cents. We weren’t no way rich, but made do with what we had and always had a good time. If we were low on money we didn’t ask to take a girl out. 1946-47 New Years dance, having a good time, no money, so we didn’t have any particular girlfriend, at midnight, as was the custom then, boys and girls whoever and anyone of the opposite sex and going from one girl to the next, kissing and wishing her a Happy New Year. I was kissing this one red head that I knew, when all at once, someone grabbed me from behind and started shaking me. I forced myself around and it was Douglas F. I said “Happy New Year” and got out of his way. I later learned he had brought this girl to the dance. We liked to hang out in Beaver Dam at the ‘Armory.’ There was rollerskating, wrestling matches and here were generally the people of our age, here I learned how to roller skate with the help of two girls on each side of me to keep me up . . . Harry and I were still roaming the dance halls, bashful - scared to take her home and then ask for a date, mainly afraid of being turned down. We did take girls home, but really didn’t date many. Blind dates were common in these early years and I was lined up with a few, but none were to my liking. My cousin had dated Joyce and I saw her at a show in Horicon with my cousin and liked what I saw. She had all the right lumps/bumps. On May 17, 1947, at the Beach by Beaver Dam, Joyce and her neighbor’s daughter Mildred Keel were dancing together on the dance floor and Harry Bunkoske and I cut in on the pair and took them home (three years later we married them). I had asked her where Marvin might be and she then

told me she had come with the neighbor girl. I had to ask her a couple times how she spelled her name (Joyce Wrzesinske). I asked to take her home, she gave me her lipstick, comb, compact to hang onto. Harry hadn’t asked his (he was bashful) girl mildred, but she had to sit on his lap, as I had the model ‘A,’ but we had agreed if the girls were willing to see us again that we would get together on the day/time. Joyce lived with her sister’s family as live-in babysitter. We dropped mildred off first; Harry walked mildred to the door, made a date. The two girls only lived a half mile apart. Then I took Joyce home, she was a mushy one, we kissed several times, walked her to the door made a date and then I learned she was 16 years of age. backing out the Wilson driveway, I backed over the mailbox (great impression?). July 4, 1947 we had a date, went to Hustisford dance and fireworks. After the fireworks a heavy thunderstorm with much wind took place. Heading for home, we had to detour a couple times and west of oak Grove trees were laying in the road and we had to drive into the ditch to get around these fallen trees. Arriving home late, dad couldn’t believe that there had been trees uprooted and in the road. I had a model ‘A’ ford so traveling too far was not an option. After taking Joyce home, my travel back home would take me past 2:00 in the morning and daddy didn’t approve of that at all, but my excuse of not being able to drive too fast didn’t matter. After my father passed away, I more or less inherited the 1936 plymouth, then we could travel to further away dance halls. dances in these years were held at various places, i.e. Wednesday, friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. . . We would go to several dance halls in one night. . . The beach was really the most popular; there also was the Amory in beaver dam, the Riverside in Kekoskee, discher park in Horicon, Gonnering’s in Slinger, Triangle Inn in Juneau, Sivkow’s in Hartford, the fireman’s hall in Hustisford, a dance hall in Theresa, and there was a dance hall in Iron Ridge. We had a printer (this was a box of the alphabet in capital and lower case letters) and different colored ink, we would go into the bar and look at other peoples hand to identify the stamp being used, then we would go out to the car and copy the design to the back of our hand. (I guess this was dishonest in a way and I pray the Lord to forgive me.) many times we would go to wedding dances, even though we didn’t know the people and generally these dances were free. At the dance we could purchase beer or soft drink, age was not of much trouble, as there were many adults around and if anyone would get out of hand, one of these adults would generally straighten things out. dancing was very popular . . . some dancing was done outdoors and (there were) lots of barn dances. dancing was not held during Lent. . . drive-in theaters were popular, and we did go when on dates and later after we were married went as a family. . . one time Harry and I took our future marriage partners to milwaukee to the State fair, and we had but three dollars between us, the girls made the picnic lunch, parking was free, admission was fifty cents, true it sounds cheap, but the dollar didn’t come any easier either. After Joyce and I became friends, our dates at first were like once a month or so. After about a year we started to date like two or three times a month. As Joyce was still in high school and worked at Woolworth’s 5&10-cent store, downtown beaver dam (today the ming Garden Restaurant). So I had my million-dollar gal in the 5&10-cent store. Sunday afternoons I would go to pick up Joyce and bring her to my home and after the chores were done we would go out to some movie or dance. Although we did break up twice (religious reason). my prayers answered and the LoRd blessed me with a lifelong mate.

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Roy and Joyce at their 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

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VIEWFINDER JIM DITTMANN

parked (pun) by the Father’s Day Car Show at Swan Park, I decided to feature some chrome in this edition. Mentioning this to my buddy Louie, he says, “You gotta’ check out the Car Show at Tower Lanes - pretty much local guys with some really nice cars - they meet every other Wednesday night.” Cool - So I check it out. I’m immediately beamed back to 1969, cruisin’ main, sweet cars Ford & Chevy boys. “Little Deuce Coupe” was rocking the parking lot - summer nights… I introduce myself to the owners of a couple of cars that catch my eye. We get talking about their “babies” - the passion and pride is overwhelming - moments before we were strangers - now it’s like we’ve known one another for years. With a tug from my youth - it seemed appropriate to feature a Ford Boys page and a Chevy Boys page - game on…

Ford: Dave Schuster’s 1965 Mustang Fastback with a 289 V8. Check out the dual exhaust and backup lights - very unusual for a non-GT model!

“I’m immediately beamed back to 1969, cruisin’ main, sweet cars - Ford & Chevy boys. ‘Little Deuce Coupe’ was rocking the parking lot - summer nights…” Photographing these gems was no easy task. Look carefully and you can see the whole world reflecting in the phenomenal paint jobs OH and the chrome! This is my attempt at showcasing the beauty of these wonderful machines. I hope you enjoy the images and many thanks to all of the great people I have met so far.

Just in case you missed it - that’s Bob Christian’s 1960 Corvette on the front and back cover. It was a real treat to spend time with this baby - it’s so pretty! I am very grateful to the owners for sharing so graciously for the enjoyment of our readers (and I had a pretty good time myself). Enjoy!

Chevy: Joe Abel’s 1967 Chevy II. The deepest blue I think I’ve ever seen - blink at it and it changes shade!

THiS & THaT “ T H E L U NC H b U NC H ” DAVE BOWMAN

he Lone Ranger and Tonto…Abbott and Costello…Gerald ford and Jimmy Carter…C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien…Shrek and donkey. Have you ever wondered what sparks a friendship? If you look at the list, you can certainly see that some are obvious and natural, but there is one that makes you stop and say… mmm! Who would have thought that after their bitter and contemptuous election battle in 1976, Gerald ford and Jimmy Carter could form an unbreakable friendship that lasted until the ends of their lives. It just goes to show you that friendship isn’t a big thing - it’s a million little things. When I went off to college in 1976, I was venturing out to an unknown place where I was hoping to at least meet one or two people who I would not drive crazy and maybe get along with. When I settled into my dorm room, I unpacked my meager belongings and awaited my fate. As I looked around, I noticed a pair of soccer cleats hanging on the bedpost of the top bunk bed. Great! Here I was a bona fide band geek, proudly displaying my marching band pen desk Set Award, about to share a room with a jock. I bet he even brought his letter jacket! We eventually met, and wouldn’t you know, he was a decent fellow, and he became probably one of my closest friends in my life. He shared later that he saw my desk band award, and he thought, “oh, great. A band geek!” Who would have thunk it! As I ventured into my social work career in health care, I soon began to realize that the challenges and situations that my colleagues and I

encountered created a bond. Through the years I have progressed through four different facilities, and each one has provided me with relationships that cannot be diminished. Which brings me to…“The Lunch bunch.” Where I am currently established, there is a group that meets for lunch on a daily basis, offering solace, support, laughter and lighthearted banter, which we coined “The Lunch bunch.” It’s an eclectic group with members drifting in and out while still maintaining the core principle of being there for our friends. It is like the scene of a situation comedy with quirky characters: A van driver who can regale us with consistent updates on his favorite television shows (The bachelor, The bachelorette, and Housewives of Whatever County), two or three folks rehashing the latest episode of the hip madmen around the water cooler (if we had one) and determining how stressful my day has been by how high I have pulled my hair on my head. We have even successfully solved the nation’s political and financial situation (not really). The relationships also foster a celebration of each other’s joys (weddings, births, graduations), as well as support and a shoulder to cry on for the sorrows and heartaches that come our way. It was once said, “friends are like walls. Sometimes you lean on them, and sometimes it’s good just knowing they are there.” I am blessed to have the friends I have in my life, and my hope is that you are able to find your “Lunch bunch.”

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ummertime, And the livin’ is easy - fish are jumpin’ - And the cotton is high - Your daddy’s rich - and your mamma’s good lookin’ - So hush little baby - don’t you cry - “Summertime”

It seems to be that when I wander about and see how others are doing, I’m doing all right. I had the morning of memorial day all planned out. The road could not have been more perfectly named: Cemetery Road. There’s an additional road sign that says: dead End. And yes, there’s a small cemetery there: Sweet Cemetery. The cemetery looked so small I thought I could count the graves, but that turned out to be as confusing as trying to count the leaves on a tree! (And I tried that once too.) When I googled it online, I found that 134 graves are recorded there. The graves went back to the 1700s. There were many graves decorated with flags. The little fluttering flags were the price tags of freedom. old and new. people named: Reals. people named: Sweet. A cemetery is an equalizing place; everyone goes there. It is another kind of parade. It doesn’t matter if you’re not there. one of these mornings - You’re going to rise up singing - Then you’ll spread your wings - And you’ll take to the sky - but til that morning There’s a’nothing can harm you - with daddy and mamma standing by - “Summertime”

That song came to life for me in that cemetery; wandering about looking at the graves with the flags, thinking of all the wars, the sacrifices, I noticed a fresh pile of dirt so I went over to read the stone. There was no flag, so it couldn’t have been a veteran. The simple marble stone read: baby 1880. The fresh pile of dirt was the doings of a groundhog. Imagine. making a home in the shadow of a tombstone. You can’t make up that kind of sense. of course, ‘father’ and ‘mother’ were buried right by. When I was growing up, memorial day always meant there was going to be a parade. Cookouts. maybe even fireworks. I never thought about the cemetery part until this year. Never had a close family member make the sacrifice that wars call for. Summertime, And the livin’ is easy - fish are jumpin’ - And the cotton is high - Your daddy’s rich - And your mamma’s good lookin’ - So hush little baby - don’t you cry - “Summertime” What made this memorial day different was not the bombs bursting in air or the flags that were still there, but the Quietness. War itself is kind of quiet. The enemy within. Just when you think the main event of the summer has passed, it hasn’t. “Wait,” you say, “wasn’t it the 4th of July?” And granted, you’d be right in thinking of the 4th of July as the main event of the summer if you are living in America. All of the fireworks displays, parades, the explosions, and flags must have convinced you by now… but no. Summer festivities will go on, in smaller and smaller fashion; the State fairs, the County fairs, City fests, Town fests, village fests. College Graduations, High School Graduations, Confirmations, bar and bat mitzvahs, funerals, Weddings, and baptisms. Which one is the main event of the Summertime? Really, my friend, the main event of the Summertime will be up to you. You might be lucky enough to see a fish jump.

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PARADISE LANDSCAPE 21

HEART & HOME BEAVER DAM’S BEST KEPT SECRET TRACY SCHEFFLER

“It’s so easy to get up on Wednesday mornings because I am going where I want to be.” ~ Bev

eautiful women. Coffee. Tea. Treats. God. What a lovely combination! Often one must live in a big city to experience this type of offering, but Beaver Dam is blessed with a non-denominational women’s Bible study to rival that of some mega-churches. Each Wednesday, women from all over Dodge County and all walks of life gather for fellowship, friendship, growth and celebration. What are we celebrating? Life and love of a great God and the saving grace of His son Jesus Christ. BUT...that doesn’t mean every attender is a believer; all are welcome and invited to seek and find and all WILL find friendship within the walls of Heart & Home on a Wednesday morning. Heart & Home was started in Beaver Dam in 1996 by a small group of women from Harvest Church who recognized a need for women to meet together to grow in God’s word. It was important to these ladies that Heart & Home encompassed not only Harvesters, but also the community at large in order to extend the possibilities for connection and friendship within the Beaver Dam area and beyond. Through the years, as women have come and gone through various life transitions, Heart & Home has influenced women and left its mark on many hearts and homes. A friend invited me to “something special” seven years ago. We had only lived in Wisconsin for a year, so I had not cemented many friendships yet. I must admit my initial reaction was skeptical. I thought, two hours, what could we possibly do for two hours of bible study? I promised my friend I would give it a try, but was very intentional about not committing. Then that first Wednesday came. I stuck by my girlfriend’s side at first, not knowing what to expect and not knowing any of the other women. What unfolded after that will forever be emblazoned in my mind

as the first day of a new beginning in my life, a path untrodden, and a harvest of friendships that would go on to mold me into who I am today. When I think back to my eye-rolling response to my friend’s invitation, I smile at my own pre-conceived notions, never happier to have been so wrong about something. I walked into the room that first day, and I saw so much fellowship, so much love, and so much knowing - knowing of each other, knowing of God, and knowing that there is always room to grow. Throughout those first weeks of getting to know these women, my phone started ringing so often that my husband finally asked, “Who are these people?” I joked that I went from having one friend to having sixty in just one day! That really is the bottom line: Heart & Home is about friendship in all of its forms and venues, in all of its strengths and weaknesses, and has changed me as an individual, as a wife, as a parent, as a disciple and as a friend. It is, by far, one of my favorite places to be. It is a place where we can come as we are and grow together, connecting with other women and doing life together. My kids often ask how I can still be excited on a Tuesday night about the coming Wednesday morning, even after all these years. It is simple. It is like a party every Wednesday, a date with my girlfriends and my God. It is a reprieve in the middle of a busy day, in the middle of a busy week, in the middle of a busy year, in the middle of a busy life. We are so blessed by each other that we feel like maybe we should apologize for being so ridiculously happy to have our Wednesday mornings together! What might you expect to find on any given Wednesday? A room full of 40 to 60 women spanning all generations - stay-at-home moms, small business owners, part-time workers, full-time workers, retirees and professionals. You can also expect music, videos, live speakers, large group and small groups, and more importantly, laughter, tears, shared joys and sorrows, and a sisterhood that I myself had sought my whole life and had not previously known until Heart & Home. In a room full of beautiful, intelligent, loving and broken women, I have found a home. Would you like to come over? FALL KICKOFF is Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Harvest Church, Beaver Dam (Hwy 33). Childcare is provided for a nominal fee for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Contact Information: Linda Allen (920) 887-9611. www.harvestefc.com “No matter how long I am away, I know I can always come back and it will be here; it’s like home.” ~ Lisa

PARTING THOUGHTS JIM DITTMANN

Well here we are: Parting thoughts Volume 1 Issue 4 I got to thinking earlier about our magazine and had a parting thought concerning paper… Humans have been making paper for thousands of years - the Chinese, credited with the invention, made the first sheets from macerated vegetable fibers in 105 AD. Lately paper seems to be getting a bad wrap - no pun intended. But with all of the recent chatter about environmental sensitivity - paper holds up pretty well. It is biodegradable, renewable and a highly sustainable product made from TREES - an endlessly renewable resource. Growing and harvesting trees provides good jobs for millions of people. Working forests are good for the environment - providing clean air, wildlife habitat and carbon storage. In the United States we plant more trees than we harvest - over 2.5 billion each year - mostly planted by the forest community. According to the Wisconsin Paper council - Wisconsin’s paper industry creates approximately 5.3 million tons of paper annually, employs nearly 53,000 people and is the number one paper producer in the United States. The industry does pretty well on energy management as well - producing its energy onsite from biomass and heat recovery while supplying

surplus to the grid. You could say the paper industry was green before it was cool! Paper has been around for 2,000 years and for good reason. It’s versatile and effective with practical appeal that is unmatched. You might say we like paper because we print a magazine - well that might be the truth, but it also makes sense - it works. It looks good and has special haptic features that people appreciate. Haptic perception involves both the tactile perceptions through our skin and the perception of the position and movement of our joints and muscles. Paper provides a tactilely rich immersive experience when paging through a book or magazine - it’s alive. It’s good for people to make things - and supporting the paper industry is good for the Wisconsin economy. It’s also good for the local economy - LocaLeben is printed at J.B. Kenehan right here in Beaver Dam - distributed by the United States Postal Service - supported by our advertisers - and enjoyed by you. Chances are you know someone who helps this Magazine become reality. My thanks to all… I had the pleasure of meeting a bunch of really nice people these past few weeks while attending the car show at Tower Lanes, as well as the auto show at Swan Park on Father’s Day. I poured over many really cool cars and talked to the owners, who by the way are the friendliest guys you’d ever want to meet! Some of the cars are featured this issue. Check out the Viewfinders spread - Enjoy... By the way - the next time you’re comfy in your favorite reading place - notice that dutiful little roll - sustainable - renewable - biodegradable. Paper - there’s no app for that… Be aware and the next time you receive an e-mail that says, “Please consider the environment before printing.” Go ahead and print it - It’s OK. Cheers !

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1960 Corvette Convertible - Bob Christian

It was the summer of 1978. I had just picked up my girlfriend in Port Washington, and we were on our way to Elkhart Lake to the races. We were driving north on Highway 57, and I happened to see this Corvette on the side of the road by Waldo. The owner wanted $6400. I got him down to $4400 for the car. I was $600 short, so I borrowed it from my girlfriend and never paid her back. Our attorney said she made a great deal since as my wife, she now owns half the car.