January/February 2012 by LocaLeben

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VOLUME TWO - ISSUE ONE

8 FEATUrE ArTIsT MICHAEL LEMKE

12 A dIFFErENT sETTING B M X / S K AT E B OA R D

PA R K

I want my daughters to have something I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, a place to skateboard freely.

14 BIG BrOThErs BIG sIsTErs One of the most enjoyable and gratifying things you will ever do.

16 L I F E d I s r U p T I O N AW E S O M E

Disruptions make it possible to experience the many things we want in life.

CONTENTS

The longer I stood in his studio, his work miraculously took on healing properties.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2013

The excitement began on receipt of an impending Indian descent THE GREAT HORICON WAR upon Horicon.

18 F E A T U r E 22 LEGENd & LOrE

Stories in families run wild and seem larger than life with time.

vIEwFINdEr

hIsTOrIcAL sOcIETY

Julie Zahn takes us through a typical week for a photographer.

We owe a debt of gratitude to those who saved our heritage.

28 ThIs & ThAT 30 ThE wATErMArK 31 ThE wANdErING MAN

29 EMBrAcE GrATITUdE 34 pArTING ThOUGhTs 35 rEAdEr ThOUGhTs 3

FROM THE EDITOR From the Technical Director: When my brother asked me to introduce this issue of LocaLeben to all of you, I was at first quite surprised. Erik had not asked me to write anything yet for the magazine, and so far that was just fine by me! My role as Technical Director keeps things running in the background; computers, phones, e-mail and software - and when any of these don’t work right, what do I hear? “Ben, can you come here?” This takes me back to what Erik once said about the right way and the hard way - and I must say most times my tasks are both. This is how I like it, though, because I feed off the challenge and the reward of success! When my father began talking about LocaLeben years ago, I did not know what it would become. We talked of many things, but opportunity and the amazing “AH HA!” moment has brought us down a yearlong road to where we are today. LocaLeben will continue to grow; as you will see we are now in a completely new “form factor” (yes, I’m throwing in some technical jargon - it will probably be my only chance), with a few extra pages. This has given us the opportunity to bring more content to you, the community, and hopefully provide new and exciting ways to deliver that content down the road.

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As I sit writing this introduction, I can only be overwhelmed with gratitude for the response we have received from the community over the course of the past year. If I ever had any doubts about LocaLeben or this magazine, I can certainly say you - our readers - our community - our friends - have put those doubts to rest. I look forward to many issues to come and ask you to keep sending in content - we all love a good story! - Benjamin I thought it was fitting that you get to meet Ben - a surprisingly good writer huh? All that is left after that introduction is to thank a few people that were very helpful in putting this issue together: Bev Dohmann for her wealth of information about our cover artist Herb Olsen and Monarch Range. Barbara Ellefson for her help on our Tour of Downtown article. We are on the lookout for excited interns who want to learn about publishing and help with LocaLeben. College credit available! I hope you like our re-design - it’s gorgeous isn’t it! Available Now At:

Cover Image: Herb Olsen Used by Permission

The MAGAZINE

JAN-FEB 2013

EDITOR Erik Dittmann

PUBLISHER Jim Dittmann

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Preston Bowman

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Benjamin Dittmann

COPY EDITOR Kathy Dittmann

BUSINESS MANAGER Emma Dittmann

LocaLeben The Magazine is mailed bi-monthly to 10,334 homes and businesses in the 53916 zip code

Local Real Estate, Local Living. Kelly Hoffmann

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

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

Reader Services LocaLeben is Local Life. We invite you to share your stories in LocaLeben. They bring meaning to our lives together. Help us restore our town back to the vibrant community it longs to be. Email: content@localeben.com Phone: (920) 306-1189 Mailing Address:

N8369 S. Sunset Pt. Rd. Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Internship Inquiries:

intern@localeben.com

Back Issues:

To order back issues, please send $5 per issue.

Opening May 4th On the corner of 4th and Spring

Out of 53916 Subscription We offer a subscription to interested readers who live outside of 53916 for $15 per year. To subscribe to LocaLeben, please send payment to the mailing address above. Call (920) 306-1189 to subscribe by phone. Send E-mail requests to subscribe@localeben.com

Need extra copies? LocaLeben is available for pick up at all public libraries in Dodge County and any advertiser in LocaLeben. 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) 2013. 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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JEssE KAFTANsKI

MArY cUdNOhFsKY

AMY JENNINGs

Jesse Kaftanski, a graduate of the BDHS Class of ‘91, is co-owner with his brother Lance Athearn of Walk On Water Surfboards LLC, manufacturers of custom wood skateboards and hollow wood surfboards. He also leads his family band The Madpolecats on banjo and vocals.

Mary feels being a wife and the mother of four wonderful daughters was her greatest achievement. After becoming a widow and retiring from teaching in Beaver Dam, she found her second great passion when she started working at the historical society and fell in love with local history.

Amy Jennings is a Beaver Dam native currently living in Tucson, Arizona, working at a massage therapy and wellness center, writing for local publications, and exploring her new southwestern city. Read more about Amy’s lively adventures on her blog at thesonoranlife.blogspot.com.

KELLY sIMON Kelly, a graduate of UW-Madison, lives in Beaver Dam with her husband Mark and their four children. She oversees Horicon and Mayville mentoring programs as a case manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dodge County and can often be found at her kid’s various activities.

I r T N cO

s r O T BU

LLOYd cLArK

KArLA JENsEN

Lloyd left politics and political writing to pursue his dream. 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.

Karla Jensen has been a freelance writer for 24 years. A published playwright with husband Mark, she teaches writing at the Seippel Center. Karla’s background includes radio, television, magazine publishing, tourism and real estate, not to mention Danish Dancing.

TiM GALLENBEcK Tim was born and raised in Beaver Dam. He moved away for a few years, but came back and decided to raise a family. He has a wife and three daughters. When not skateboarding or enjoying time with his lovely ladies, he can be found rebuilding and riding vintage motorcycles.

UpdATE:TOUR OF

DOWNTOWN KATHY DITTMANN

huck Oestriech’s childhood memories of his walk home from school were shared in our November-December 2012 issue, inviting readers to identify 23 places recalled from his journey through Beaver Dam’s bustling holiday downtown. Rita Kleindl was the first to respond. Les Zieske’s list arrived later that same day, and Del Guenther’s arrived the very next day. Bob and Jane Bortz mailed their answers along with a thank you note to Chuck for writing the article, and Kathy Birkholz (Trapp) was next in with “a little extra help from the Sesquicentennial book of 1991.” Marge (Marjorie) Schmidt mailed her response early in December and an additional anonymous submission arrived about one week later. Thank you all. Looking East - Front & Spring St. Photo: Dodge County Historical Society

Lehmann’s Restaurant Ad & Lechner Foot Clinic Listing Source: BD Telephone Directory - May 1945

Looking West on Front St. Photo: Dodge County Historical Society The 1943 Beaver Dam City Directory and a 1945 Beaver Dam Telephone Directory verify the following. 1) Blacksmith shop - Ben Neis Blacksmith, 407 South Spring Street. 2) Candy, ice cream and tobacco shop - Jack Liebig’s Sweet Shop, 232 South Spring Street. 3) Bakery - Bilitz Bakery, 224 South Spring Street. 4) All-purpose clothing and furniture - Nashban’s Beaver Trading and Exchange, 218 South Spring Street. 5) Shoe repair shop - Retichek Shoe Repair, 136 South Spring Street. 6) Department store - Drennan’s, 116-118 South Spring Street. 7) Library - Williams Free Library 8) Five and dime - F.W. Woolworth; however, the 1945 phonebook lists 128 Front Street for Woolworth’s. Their move to this corner in 1950 is noted in Sesquicentennial History. Lehmann’s Restaurant was here at 100 Park Avenue in 1945. 9) Corner popcorn stand - The Spot, 102 North Spring Street. William Straks was proprietor and operator of this popcorn stand per the 1943 city directory. Not certain what year the business became the Zamzow Popcorn Shop. 10) Pool hall - Lawrence & Daniel Cigar Store, 103 Front Street. 11) Drug store - Langmack Drug Store, 104 Front Street. 12) Box-of-chocolates store - Trojan Candy Co., 112 Front Street. 13) Larger drug store - Ford Hopkins, 120 Front Street. 14) Men’s clothing store - Carl Koch & Co., 124 Front Street. 15) Dad’s studio - Beaver Studio, Les Oestreich proprietor, 126-1/2 Front Street. 16) Loan company - Beaver Dam Finance Co., 126-1/2 Front Street. 17) Medical office - Chiropodist Dr Lechner, 124-1/2 Front Street and dentist Dr Ritsch, 125-1/2 Front Street. 18) Dime store - Schultz Bros., 126 Front Street. 19) Movie theater - Odeon Theatre, 148 Front Street. 20) Newspaper shack - Milwaukee Journal, 107 North Center Street. 21) Hardware store - Volkmann Hardware, 114 North Spring Street. 22) Catholic church - St. Patrick’s Church, 127 West Maple Avenue. 23) Gas stations - Jeske’s Cities Service Station, 201 North Center Street; Bilke’s Standard Station, 300 North Center Street; and Roedl’s Shell Petroleum Station, 301 North Center Street. A special thank you to the ladies at the historical society.

FEATUrE ArTIsT

M IC H A E L LEMKE KARLA JENSEN

hen artist Michael Lemke walked me through his home, which also doubles as his business and art studio in Juneau, I instantly thought of one of those mythological creatures in books and movies where unlikely regular guys (sometimes skinny and imperfect) transform into superheroes. Granted, they take forever to realize their special talents and true potential, but we grow to adore them and yearn for their success. Their humanity, humility and commitment (finally!) to use their powers for good, creates warmth in our hearts. Michael Lemke exudes this divine goodness and warmth. In his art past, he is a Renaissance man who wields his acrylic paint, fiber, metals, and a hairbrush and clippers, like a superhero and makes everything in the art world look easy to accomplish. He is that cute kid in a sandbox who never runs out of ideas from which to create. He deals with change and progress regularly and adapts like a Charles Darwin’s survival of the fittest creature, morphing from one artistic landscape to the next. He likely will not be voted off the island for lack of ingenuity. “I have liked art ever since I can remember,” claimed Michael. “I always asked for arts and crafts for Christmas. In fourth grade, I won first place and still remember the project - writing my name and making a mirror image of it.” Since

that time, he has made a home through art and it has found a home in him. Michael is a welcome tropical vacation - a bright spot in a dull day because of his diversity of art, talent and kindness. One can nearly feel the change in the atmosphere from ordinary to exotic at his doorstep. I almost expected to see palm trees and a beach around the next corner as we toured and talked. Taken from multiple genres, Michael’s works are as deep and diverse as he is versatile. The longer I stood in his studio, his work miraculously took on the healing properties of dazzling sunshine, ocean surf, and even my favorite music. His art is like a refreshing drink to quench a thirst you did not know you had. Lemke’s talent and his art have been praised often, purchased around the nation, and exclusively chosen by reps from Carson Pirie Scott and even QVC home shopping channel. Through the avenues of attending arts and craft fairs, a buyer from Carson Pirie Scott (then a holding company of Boston Store), approached him to wholesale his work. They were featuring ten Midwest artists and Lemke was chosen. “They chose four designs from me and wanted 300 of each item. Besides working full time, I worked every minute to fulfill 1200 items. Our garage and dining room were filled to the brim with boxes to ship,” recalls Michael. After the Boston Store experience, Michael found reps

throughout the U.S. to sell his work in four major gift shows, so off he went painting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For art shows, I started with landscapes, seascapes and still lifes. It did not bother me if I made money or not. I liked to paint and needed to get rid of some work. From the traditional landscapes, I moved to larger abstracts and floral paintings,â&#x20AC;? added Michael. He also dabbled in country art, which he says sold well, but was not his favorite. Most recently, he partnered with another artist and his cousin Judy Lauth and husband Alan, making unique spoon jewelry they first saw in Arkansas. Spoon necklaces, bracelets, bookmarks, key chains, rings and earrings are showcased at The Seippel Arts Center in Beaver Dam. When he made it to the final round to sell art with QVC, he decided against it, even though the process to qualify for QVC was intense and the experience eye opening. He sent photos, then actual pieces of art, and presented to buyers with 75 other companies and artists. With too many strings attached, he declined the offer, but remembers it fondly. Like other artists who spend hours, days, and many weekends at events to sell product, he admits that over the years, there is a high amount of burnout to create enough inventory and live on the road. Like a racecar driver addicted to that adrenaline rush, there must be the same kind of payoff, because Michael regularly sells his wares across the state and region to buyers whenever he can.

Get Cozy. Essentially, Michael Lemke’s home is his gallery. There are more phases in his art repertoire than revolutions of the moon in a year. Michael reinvents himself with every aspect of art, recalling various eras of painting, photography, metalwork, furniture refurbishing, paper cutting, jewelry, quilting, etc., creating an ever-changing kaleidoscope of color and rhythm. “Some of the artwork I keep has personal meaning, and some fills walls,” said Michael, pointing out his favorites. “I have given away pieces when someone really likes something. At a party we hosted, four pieces left the house.” After being diagnosed a year and a half ago with prostate cancer, Michael fell into a “confused stage.” He knew he would need something creative to pursue during recovery, so before surgery he bought and stretched his own canvases and chose painting utensils. “My work was pretty abstract and done solely to let my feelings out.” As a guest and art enthusiast visiting in Michael’s home that day, I considered the works created during his recovery phase to be his finest and most striking. I believe the further one must reach into his soul to make sense of his life and condition, the higher quality achieved in any artistic genre. There, in Michael’s office and bedroom, hung a few of his favorites. These pieces were also mine. They were not trite or diluted, but abundant with faith and fear and hope, as art should be. Although they were not lit by artificial light as in a formal gallery, I felt they stood out among all others, radiant, summoning forth that warmth and authenticity I felt upon entering. I expected Lemke to tell me all about how he owes his success to inspirational mentors or former art teachers. He did mention them, but added an unexpected mentor to his list. “In seventh grade…the art room was across from the science room. Floyd Henschel, my science teacher, knew that I was in the art room any time I could be. One day, Mr. Henschel called me in after class. I thought I was in big trouble. Low and behold, that meeting was life changing. Mr. Henschel had the insight and knowledge to see that I was a visual person. Instead of encouraging me to memorize (what we were studying), he taught me to visualize. Thanks again, Mr. Henschel.” That ability to visualize transformed Michael into a better student and allowed him to pursue the kind of artistic life he hoped for. Never missing an opportunity to visit with the public, I’ve had complete strangers stop in the Seippel Arts Center and suggest that Michael Lemke is the most creative person they know. Perhaps he will agree to a one-man exhibit soon, if we can pry him away from his salon. He has enjoyed work as a hair stylist for 33 years, one of those subtle catalysts of change in whom we can trust so we do not look outdated or untamed, and he has truly enjoyed being creative most of his life. This artist is just like those superheroes, silently doing great work without undue recognition. He is a deep well that is not about to run dry, and anyone who is lucky enough to get either a sip of his work or a full glass will not be disappointed.

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A dIFFErENT sETTING B M X / S K AT E B O A R D C OM M U N I T Y PA R K

TIM GALLENBECK

kateboarding challenges me every time I engage in it. It is a never-ending quest for improvement. It is also one of the best stress relievers I have ever found. When I step on my board and start pushing, any concern or worry I had disappears. I found skateboarding 18 years ago. I did try other sports, but I just did not connect with them in the same way that I connect with skateboarding. When I started skateboarding, there were not many serious skateboarders in this area. It was sometimes frustrating because we had nowhere to go with our sport. We were not allowed in public areas. Our sport required a different kind of setting - one that could take some abuse and hold up against our attempts at landing a trick. It was then that I made a resolution to make skateboarding accessible in our town. With the help of a friend, we took the first steps down a very long road (for me) toward getting Beaver Dam a skate park. We were quite young at the time, inexperienced to say the least, so our efforts were cut short when we were Early Rendering Photo: Spohn Ranch Skateparks

Swan City Skateboard Park Photo: Tim Gallenbeck intimidated. We did not know who to talk to or how to go about obtaining land or funds. Further attempts were made over the years, some with a bit more success. Success occurred because more adults participated at those times. At one point I decided to build my own ramps and share them with anyone that wanted to ride. I would set up at Swan City Park and everyone was welcome. It was huge! Kids from other areas even came to skate with us, and our average was about 30 kids every Wednesday night (we sometimes peaked at about 70 kids). I had some of the citizens who lived around the park say that they loved having us there and that we were fun to watch. I did this for about three years, and when I decided to take a break from it, I had parents ask me when I was going to start it back up. It was clear that a desire for a skate park was building. Looking for help regarding the development of a skateboard/BMX park here in Beaver Dam, Alderman Matt Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brion contacted me in the spring of this year. A small group of people was creating a proposal to present to the city for a land request. I happily agreed to help. I contacted a skateboard park construction company to get a design idea, as well as an estimate for cost. We all contacted friends, family, neighbors, anyone that we thought might be interested in seeing this happen to give us support. The response was amazing. People attended a council meeting where I explained what we would do with the land we were requesting, and the support clearly made a difference. The land was approved for the development of a skateboard/BMX park; it is located at the intersection of Fletcher Road and Beichl Avenue. Not only do we have support from many of the citizens here in Beaver Dam, we also have the support of the mayor and the chief of police, as well as many leaders in the community. We now have the land to make this happen,

but we still need the funds. The funding for this park needs to come from the citizens of Beaver Dam and the surrounding area. If you are on Facebook and wish to help out, I strongly urge you to “like” Skateboard/BMX Community Park Beaver Dam WI’s page. Enthusiasts who love to skateboard or ride BMX need a safe and well-constructed area to enjoy these sports. A skateboard/BMX park will provide this along with a venue for people to learn more about skateboarding and BMX. Currently, those who are interested in either sport may not know where to go to learn more about them. I have three daughters and they all have shown an interest in skateboarding. I am doing this in part for my daughters. I want them to have something I did not - a place to skateboard freely. I also want to help make this community a better place for kids and families. This park will be a great place for kids to come skate or bike and for parents to watch their kids and learn more about them, or maybe even for parents themselves to skateboard or BMX. This park could get people of all ages up, out, and moving around. The park will also be a great way to bring people in from surrounding areas, and perhaps while they are here, they may decide to eat lunch or browse some of the shops downtown. It certainly will bring revenue to Beaver Dam because “if you build it, they will come” truly applies to the world of skateboarding. I have been to skate parks in Canada and many states here in the U.S. including Washington, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida (the list is long). I even moved to Arizona for a while just for the skateboarding. I travel all over Wisconsin and usually take a few people with me.

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A Place to Skateboard Freely Photo: Tim Gallenbeck I truly appreciate the people I have met over the years because of skateboarding. My passion for skateboarding has also led to my co-owning a skateboard company. I do not think skateboarding is something I could ever give up completely. Even after my body refuses to cooperate, I will still be involved in some way.

Make Tax Deductible donation to: “City of Beaver Dam - BMX/Skatepark Fund” Send to the Association’s Secretary/Treasurer Michael Erwin, 115 James St. Beaver Dam WI 53916

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BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS KELLY SIMON

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dodge County & Watertown Community celebrates those who invest in a child through the gift of mentoring as part of National Mentoring Month this January.

o you remember someone who encouraged you to believe in yourself, who inspired you to work hard in school and in life? What if every child fulfilled his or her potential? Think how amazing that would be. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships. Two mentoring options are available: The school-based Big Buddies program and the traditional community-based Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple program. Kris Schefft has been Selena’s “big buddy” for over a year. Selena is 10 years old and in 5th grade at Dodgeland Elementary School in Juneau. They spend lunch and recess together once a week. Selena comes from a big family and one of her sisters is in the Big Buddies program as well. On the day I visited Kris and Selena, Selena proudly showed me a T-shirt that Kris had given her from a recent trip to Houston. She also was sampling some freeze-dried cookies & cream ice cream from the Houston Space Center. “The chocolate part is good, but the white part tastes like cardboard,” she said. Big Buddies is all about friendship and new experiences. Kris had heard about the school-based mentoring program Steve and Jacob at Lambeau Photo: Big Brothers Big Sisters Collection

and debated if it could fit into her work schedule. She works for Dodge County in the Aging and Disability Resource Center and receives a half-hour lunch break. The Big Buddies program typically requires 45 minutes, one day a week. Kris approached her boss about her desire to become a mentor and was told, “Absolutely, yes. We’ll make it work.” Selena is a very talkative girl and the two quickly became friends. They discovered a shared interest in crafts, so many of their meetings revolve around art projects. When Selena mentioned she hoped to become a fashion designer one day, Kris decided to ask around for donations of material scraps. She received a bunch and they have been used often. Last year, they handstitched a re-useable sandwich bag and today they were designing a play apron. Selena has learned how to sew on a button and how to embroider and cross-stitch. Although they admit their projects do not always get completed, they delight in the progress made. Kris said she is enjoying the experience of being a mentor. “It’s just a chance to come and hang out with a child…a fun and casual way to make a difference.” Selena summed up her feelings for Kris by calling her “my new best friend.” The Big Brothers Big Sisters Community Program offers time outside of school to spend with one another. Steve Gentz, an area farmer, looked into becoming a “Big” after his four children were grown and no longer living at home. He recalls wanting to give a child some of his time and attention. Steve first met with his “Little” Jacob Potter in 2004. Kris and Selena Photo: Big Brothers Big Sisters Collection

Specializing in Homemade personalized Cakes for all occasions. As well as Award-winning Catering services. Make a Gift Night Photo: Big Brothers Big Sisters Collection Jacob was matched with Steve when he was 10 and their formal relationship continued until last year, when Jacob reached the age of 18. Jacob graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 2012 and is currently attending Fox Valley Technical College to become a police officer. His mother Karen Potter feels the friendship between these two will last for many years to come. She mentioned that Steve took the time and drove to Appleton recently to meet Jacob for lunch. Karen approached Big Brothers Big Sisters about finding a mentor for Jacob after the death of his father. She wanted him to have someone to do “guy things” with - someone with whom he could form a male connection. Karen feels the pairing of Jacob and Steve was a perfect match. “They seemed to click right off the bat. Both of our families attend the same church, so we share the same Christian family values. Steve always supported Jacob,” she said. Steve said he did not realize he had made such an impact on Jacob’s life; he was just having fun and teaching him things. Karen believes when Steve taught her son about farm life, Jacob discovered the importance of hard work. He would sometimes help with the cows or bail hay; he even had the chance to show steers at the Dodge County Fair. Steve laughed saying, “I’m not sure Karen always appreciated me on those days when Jacob would come home dirty and smelling like a barn.” Throughout their eight years together, many of their outings focused on their mutual love for sports. Steve and Jacob bowled in an adult/child league for many years. Steve taught Jacob how to hook the ball and improve his game. Afterwards, they would sit and talk while eating a burger and fries. Karen remembered how happy her son was when his “Big” attended his basketball and football games. Because of the generosity of Big Brothers Big Sisters supporters, some of the pair’s favorite memories involve having had the opportunity to enjoy several Packer, Brewer and Badger games together. As we mark National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dodge County & Watertown Community is applauding all those who work together to make a mentoring match strong, enduring and successful. We honor our volunteers and parents for their commitment and trust. We pay tribute to our board members and staff, and we show gratitude to our donors. The need for mentors in both the community and school-based programs is great. Being a Big Brother or Big Sister could be one of the most enjoyable things you will ever do - not to mention one of the most gratifying. Getting together does not require a special occasion or an expensive activity - just a couple hours of time every week. Too few young people have a caring adult role model to provide encouragement and support. Resolve in 2013 to mentor a child and you will have a great and rewarding new year. For more information on how you can help, please contact us: Watertown Beaver Dam/Juneau/Hustisford Betsy Bright, Executive Director Lori Liddicoat 920-261-2315 920-344-0667 bbbsdodge@gmail.com dodge.liddicoat@gmail.com

Horicon/Mayville Kelly Simon 920-342-5029 dodgebbbs@gmail.com

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LIFE dIsrUpTION AW E S OM E

AMY JENNINGS

Tucson, Arizona Photo: Amy Jennings

hen I was a senior in college, ballroom dancing was my passion. I competed in it for two years and hoped to one day teach and run my own business. It led me to Tucson, Arizona, where I moved to work with a teacher and pursue this dream of mine. Having little experience in relocation, however, I underestimated the stress of starting over in a new place and how much it could interrupt my plans. Learning to live in a new community took more time and energy than I expected. Finding work, paying for basic needs, and connecting with other people, for instance, challenged me daily. I barely danced for months, as I struggled to figure everything out, and consequently watched my goals drift further and further away. In an attempt to find a place of calm in my unstable situation, I started taking yoga classes. The studio let me enroll for free in exchange for cleaning once a week. As it happened, these classes offered not only exercise and peace of mind, but also encouragement to make it through another day. Each session had a theme or idea to focus on, and one day it happened to be life disruptions. “A disruption is a life-changing event,” said the teacher Elizabeth. “It can be a new job, a death, or even having a child. It is interesting when you are with a group of yogis and they are sharing disruptions - someone will mention a terrible thing that has happened to them and the occasional yogi will respond, ‘Awesome!’ Of course, everyone wonders, ‘Why would they say that?’ But when you have a disruption in your life, that person knows it is a chance for you to grow…and let go of the previous lifestyle you were hanging onto.” I thought about this and my pursuit of dancing in Wisconsin. I made it the focus of my life and put it above almost everything else...including my personal wellbeing. I often sacrificed outings with friends or family in order to practice and afford lessons. I could not even go on vacation without setting time aside to practice jive or cha-cha in hotel hallways and bathrooms, sometimes at 3 a.m. Moreover, even after I stopped dancing consistently, I still held the mentality that it was the only thing that mattered. I measured myself

and other people in terms of dedication to dancing and the extent to which it was placed above everything else - travel, education, career development, getting married, and having a family. It was not until I came to Tucson and experienced several disruptions at once (geographically, socially, economically, mentally and physically) that this changed. “When you encounter a disruption,” Elizabeth finished, “it will bring you closer to the truth about yourself.” My disruption made me evaluate my priorities and look at who I - Amy Jennings - truly was. When I arrived in Tucson, I had to put dancing aside to concentrate on earning a living and surviving on my own. It was only then that I learned ballroom was not the sum of Amy Jennings, but only a part of her. It took awhile (a painful while) to see that perfect rumba walks and feather steps or the number of hours I practiced did not determine my self-worth. It took a severe separation from my “life’s passion” to see that I was a fun, beautiful person, regardless of how I moved on the floor. As I gradually let go of an old identity, my disruption gave me a chance to grow in ways that I had put on “pause” while I danced. I experienced a creative outpouring as I volunteered as a photographer for a middle school program, learned to fix a bike, created a promotional video for a hostel, took a four-day yoga intensive course, tried Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing and Argentine Tango (dances that I normally did not do) and had fun! I also watched a lot of movies, visited friends, went to a ballet performance, worked at a sushi restaurant, and wrote and wrote and wrote. I did give competitive dancing one more try though. I ended up finding a great partner, and for several months we practiced, studied technique theories, and began taking regular sessions with our coach. However, my desire to become an elite dancer and know everything about ballroom dissolved; it simply was not as important to me anymore. There were other things I wanted to learn and I did not want to spend the next several years in a studio. So I purposefully left competitive dancing behind and moved on - life is short after all. I think disruptions, as painful as they can be, make it possible for us to experience the many things we want in life. We choose a path, learn a new skill and gain a certain mastery of it, and then have a break to switch gears. We are allowed to “have it all” in doses. A break from our routines may or may not be welcome, but I think it keeps us from limiting ourselves to a single way of being. It lets us extend ourselves in more than one direction and become interesting multi-faceted people. Disruptions are not necessarily permanent either. I intend to dance again, but it will be different next time and, perhaps, only for fun. It seems that 2012 was a difficult year for many people, and we all had our share of challenges - forming and letting go of relationships, moving to a new place, losing and gaining work, etc. Instead of dwelling on the pain of our disruptions though, it might do us well to think about what we were hanging onto and how our new situation is asking us to change. In the end, I think that occasional yogi was right - a disruption is awesome, because awesome is what we will be when we come out on the other side.

FEATUrE

THE GREAT

HORICON

WAR LLOYD CLARK

Author’s Preface: Newspaper articles are a treasure trove of information about our past, our present, and possibly our future. I am indebted to the following early Wisconsin newspapers, the Horicon Gazette, the Beaver Dam Argus and the West Bend Post, as well as The Wisconsin Magazine of History, January 1917, in providing not only excellent and provocative information about the war, but a “unique” perspective from which to view it. I have drawn extensively from what was written, and to give the reader a keen sense of exactly what happened, will include it verbatim.

Front St. (Main St.) Circa 1860 Photo: Dodge County Historical Society

very one of us I am sure has, at one time or another, played the game “telephone” where one person whispers a message to another, who whispers it to another, who whispers it to yet another until the message has passed down an entire line of people. Except for rare occasions, the message that the last person in the row receives is entirely different from the initial message. It is a fun party game, and the change in the message is almost always hilarious. Unfortunately, on a hot August day in 1861, a real life version of the game played out that was anything but funny. Early in the morning of Monday, August 26, 1861, a “breathless messenger” came to the village (Horicon) with the information 14 houses had been burned by the Indians at Kekoskee and some of the inhabitants had been murdered. Not only that, the messenger told the shocked inhabitants “that 800 warriors were on their way to Horicon to burn and pillage the town.” As you might expect, this news spread rapidly through the village, as bad news is want to do, and the streets were thronged by panicked townsfolk. It is not hard to imagine the scene: On one corner of the village, crowds of women huddled together crying, while the men congregated on another corner to discuss what actions needed to be taken, immediately. To make the scene even more chaotic, children, dismissed from school, ran screaming and wailing through the streets adding to the cacophony of noise, increasing tension exponentially. It did not take long for wagonloads of farmers to arrive from the surrounding countryside, and an effort was made to arm all the men to defend the town. Only a motley array of firearms “with here and there a bludgeon and pitchfork” could be produced. It seemed certain that the town was doomed unless extraordinary measures, and perhaps some state and federal troops, managed to occur. A telegram went out to Milwaukee calling for state troops to come to the rescue of the beleaguered village. Several wagonloads of brave men headed out to Kekoskee to reconnoiter the damage and determine exactly where the native warriors were and how long until they reached Horicon. Others, reacting to the dire news, gathered their families, made hasty preparations to flee to safety, with some of these families actually piled into wagons and headed down the dirt road that would one day be Highway 33 to Milwaukee. Remember, Wisconsin was very much the “Western Frontier” of the United States in 1861 and even though there had been relative peace between the native tribes and the settlers, disputes often arose, sometimes leading to violence, and suspicion was ripe in both camps. Meanwhile, messengers dispatched to the surrounding villages for men to help repel the impending attack made great progress, and soon a large company of men from Hustisford marched to Horicon to bear a share in the defense of that place. In Beaver Dam, “dispatches were received by the mayor that 1500 Indians were at Horicon. A man rode through the countryside at full speed warning the farmers to flee for their lives, and many set out with their families for town, some with beds and blankets on which to pass the night.” According to the Beaver Dam Argus, “‘Determined men’ set out for Horicon, armed with a motley array of weapons, guns, pistols, corncutters, and pitchforks.” Worse, the reports were spreading panic throughout the region. According to the Wisconsin Magazine of History, “At West

Bend, in Washington County, the news from Horicon produced a night of terror. The excitement began in the afternoon on receipt of the first report of an impending Indian descent upon Horicon. It became more general when at about seven o’clock the evening Milwaukee paper arrived confirming the news of the outbreak. “Nothing of importance transpired, however, until ten o’clock, when a messenger came in from the Dekorra Road, some ten miles west, with the information that a large body of Indians was descending upon West Bend. This news, according to the contemporary scribe, ‘capt the climax.’ To the wild firing of guns and the roll of drums in the streets people sprang from their beds.” The West Bend Post reported, “Children were crying and men and women were seen running in all directions. Speeches were made advising the men to stand by their homes and their families till the last. Picket guards were immediately formed and sent out in every direction, armed with rifles, shotguns, pistols, pitchforks, or whatever could be got hold of.” The gunsmith was kept at work all night repairing ancient muskets and pistols. Some of the women packed their silverware, while others, still more prudent, advised their husbands to make their wills. One woman who had been bedridden for over a year and who lived half a mile out from town was hastily dumped into a wheelbarrow and trundled into the village for safety. “Mounted men went out at half-hourly intervals to visit the pickets and returned reporting all well until two o’clock A. M. Then a man was reported shot, but it was finally ascertained that he was shot in the neck with sidearms which he carried.” “At Barton, a short distance north of West Bend, one man stood picket all night armed with an ax and clad only in a shirt, not

Settlers and Natives Photo: Dodge County Historical Society

daring to leave his post long enough to dress. At Fox Lake, a similar state of excitement prevailed on receipt of the news from Horicon. The townsmen hastily armed, and about 200 were leaving for the scene of battle. Even at distant Galesville, almost across the state from Horicon, when the report of trouble at Horicon reached town the citizens suddenly recalled that Indians had been there buying powder and lead, and the story gained credence that Galesville was to be burned and its population massacred. Panic ensued and guns were collected and cleaned; pitchforks, corn knives, and fish spears were brought out and placed in the hands of an extempore Home Guard. For bullets, old type from the printing office, tea lead, and masons’ plummets were melted. In response to the story that 200 Indians were to attack in the night, patrols kept watch until daylight. Shortly after noon, the men who had gone to Kekoskee to reconnoiter returned with the report that all was quiet at that place. They had found only 25 or 30 Indians around the encampments there, thoroughly frightened at the appearance of so many armed men among them. Much like the news reports of terrorism today, the report did nothing to allay the fears of the townsfolk. In fact, the report achieved the opposite, striking further panic among the citizenry. They regarded the small number of natives to be highly suspicious, and before long, the theory that their enemies were concealed in the woods, waiting for night to fall to attack and destroy the town. Nothing of consequence happened that night in Horicon. The next day, cooler heads prevailed, and according to the Horicon Gazette, “At a public gathering in the afternoon a committee of 15 was appointed to make a second investigation of the situation and discover, if possible, the cause of the alarm. This committee journeyed to the Indian camp the same afternoon and the next morning proceeded with their investigation. They found that the camp contained 23 men, with three times as many women and children. With the aid of an interpreter, a long talk was had with the chiefs of the band, who expressed their ‘utter astonishment’ at the visitation from so large a body of armed men the day before, saying that if attacked they ‘should fold their hands and unresistingly be shot Woman Waiting at the Depot Photo: Dodge County Historical Society

down.’ They ridiculed the idea of so small a band of warriors rising in insurrection in the midst of thousands of white men; they had no other home than this small piece of land and here they wished to live in peace until gathered to their fathers.” The story continued, “Such sentiments were highly encouraging to the committee, which now proceeded to inquire into the origin of the report of hostilities.” It found the whole matter had grown out of a quarrel between a German settler named Dagen and a drunken Indian. The German had threatened to shoot one of the red men’s ponies, and about two weeks before the panic one of them had been shot, by Dagen as the Indians believed. On Sunday, August 25, one of the Indians, in a partially intoxicated condition, accused Dagen of the shooting and “chased him around a stump, but did not draw his knife from his girdle.” Dagen appealed to his neighbors to watch his house and stacks for fear they would be burned, and thus the rumor spread “and grew as it traveled until it became truly alarming.” When reporting their findings to the town’s citizens, the committee presented all of the information that they had gathered. They allayed the town’s fears, no doubt blamed the messengers, and concluded, “The fear inspired in a ‘Dutchman’s’ breast by one intoxicated Indian sufficed to produce a full-blown panic.” They further took the occasion to condemn, in strongest terms, the conduct of those who were in the habit of selling liquor to the Indians, “and especially those who, visiting their camps, take the opportunity of insulting their females.” It concluded by gravely expressing the belief “that the lives and property of whites in the vicinity are safe.” The “troops” from Beaver Dam, Fox Lake and the surrounding areas, informed of the mistake, returned to their homes before they even reached Horicon. The men from Hustisford returned to their homes and their fields. In West Bend, one man must have been very red-faced over shooting himself in the neck, especially when there had never been any actual enemies at all, and in Galesville, more than a few people must have laughed at their overreaction and embellishment of the initial story. As the editor of the Horicon Gazette commenting on the

Horse and Wagon Heading East and West Photo: Dodge County Historical Society “Great Horicon War” described the event, it was “…the most exciting day ever known to the inhabitants of Horicon,” no doubt an understatement of incredible proportion. This was definitely one game of “telephone” that quickly got out of hand. Starting with a single one intoxicated Native, enraged that one of his horses had been shot but who had not even drawn a knife on the suspected shooter, the story grew to first 800

and then 1500 Native warriors ravaging the countryside. It was not a prairie fire that spread over Wisconsin that day, it was fear; fear of the “other” that makes any statement, no matter how outlandish and ridiculous, believable. We still have these fears today, and it behooves us as a community to put these irrational fears and prejudices aside in order to continue the success of this “Great Melting Pot” we call America.

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Instrument Portrait Photo: The Madpolecats

JESSE KAFTANSKI

A Beaver Dam family, their heart and their music. n old English saying, a cliche actually, states: “Home is where the heart is.” This is true. In a nation where most families, at some point, left a home and crossed oceans or wide expanses of land to settle and grow, we have fond memories and traditions of the ‘old world’ - where we have been - but our hearts live and grow around the new homes where our family and close friends are found. Such is my tale of Beaver Dam. My hometown. From an Atlantic crossing to a home in Chicago, the Kaftanskis were like any other family - looking for an opportunity to grow, prosper and offer more opportunities to the following generations. My great grandfather Roman Kaftanski lived in Chicago and worked as a tailor of fine men’s suits. There with his wife Victoria, they bore and raised their two sons, Hubert and my grandfather Alvin. Stories in my family, as with most I am sure, run wild and seem larger than life with the passage of time. Some say there was a Capone-related shootout literally through the family car to its intended target that drove Roman to seek a new home for his wife and sons. The ‘legend’ goes that the next day he boarded a bus (or train?) and headed to Wisconsin to seek a new home. While waiting for a transfer in Beaver Dam, he set out walking and found men fishing on Beaver Dam Lake. They were welcoming to a stranger and had caught MANY fish. According to the story, that was enough

for him. In 1925 he brought the rest of his family to Beaver Dam. My grandfather Alvin was given violin lessons at Wayland Academy. This would become the cornerstone some of my family members would build upon for generations: A passion for music, and in a family, more importantly, a profession in music. Alvin and his older brother Hubert (known as ‘Babe’ to everyone else) would go on to perform in the community and surrounding areas for many years. In the beginning, there was The Son’s of Rhythm, later becoming The Sophisticates of Swing. Sorting through boxes of old photos, I have seen them in what must be the old armory, on the steps of what is now the Beaver Dam Middle School, and performing at certainly each and every public hall and band shell for miles around. I have an original poster advertising The 44th Annual Fireman’s Mask Ball with music provided by Al Paul and his Orchestra, just a few weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. But even World War II could not put an end to the music. Anyone familiar with the era knows how those songs and community dances carried the spirit of a nation at war. Alvin was a sergeant in the army air corps, playing saxophone, clarinet and violin. Upon returning from the war and marrying a beautiful farm girl (Virginia Hiedt) from Randolph, he owned and operated The Band Box Cleaners and Tailors (originally on the corner of Front and Center Streets below The Masons Club, and later in the building now filled by Expedition Supply). He built (by today’s standard) a modest home on Lake Shore Drive and

The Sophisticates of Swing Photo: Kaftanski Family Archives

Victoria and Roman Photo: Kaftanski Family Archives

raised a family. His children were born and raised in Beaver Dam. Jan (my father), ‘The World Famous’ Bobby Evans, Victoria and Jim would all be touched by the music bug over the years, be it playing in the Beaver Dam High School band, various ‘60s teenage ‘garage’ bands or professionally on stages and in studios for years to come. Each would grow, leave home and eventually return to Beaver Dam. My story is very similar, but I was not ‘born’ in Beaver Dam. Not even Wisconsin. Though I may have been conceived in a farmhouse just outside of Beaver Dam, I was born back east on the North Atlantic. Thankfully the heart of a family calls its own hometown. Beaver Dam welcomed me early on, from Kindergarten at Washington Elementary to the high school class of ‘91. All the while having lessons on grandpa Al’s grand piano, violins, clarinets, saxophones, drums and guitars that were available throughout the family homes. During my childhood, concerts led by my grandfather with The Beaver Dam Civic Orchestra were still underway at the Swan Park band shell in the summer. My Uncle ‘Bobby Evans’ and my father always encouraged me to play (actually, practice, practice, practice). My father still amazes me at how he can just play on anything. Seriously, he can sit with ANY musical instrument and play. And Bobby…well, it is obvious to anyone who meets him or hears him play music why he is ‘The World Famous…’ My cousin Paul Sukowski, Alvin’s other grandson (guitar/drums/accordion/etc), is currently pursuing an education at UW Oshkosh in Music Business. Another cousin Shannon Ballhorn, Hubert’s granddaughter (upright bass) performs with her string quartet The Sophisticates of String. As for my story, in time I too would leave Beaver Dam, over the years living in Milwaukee and Madison. Supporting my family as a truck driver and always performing music. But no matter where I roam, Beaver Dam is always home. And that, of course, brings us to The Madpolecats. A band I began forming with family members while in Madison, before I moved ‘back home.’ If so much was not invested in merchandising, I may have altered the name to The ‘Dam’ Madpolecats. Reflecting, it seems so natural that we would have begun to perform as a ‘family band,’ the perfect mixture of blood, heart, soul and rhythm. Sons, brothers, grandsons, cousins, nephews…there are many individual connections, but all stem from Alvin Paul Kaftanski, a Polish American musician who was the President of The American Federation of Musicians (Local 422). Truly through him, The Madpolecats were born. A family’s life with and love of each other, and many generations of music, brought together by a love of performing together. Today I have two wonderful children of my own, a son Jake and a daughter Esse Jo. Both seem to strangely enough possess a love for making music. For now we play together at home for fun, but maybe someday…we will see how this tradition carries on. But that is their story to tell.

Al Paul’s Tour Bus Photo: Kaftanski Family Archives

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JULIE ZAHN M

y journey as a photographer began in 1990 when my parents bought me my first Single Lens Reflex (SLR) film camera. It was a Nikon FE2 accompanied by a bag of lenses, filters and numerous other goodies, all of which I experimented with while teaching myself the basics of photography. It did not take long for me to fall in love. Today I proudly live and work in Beaver Dam with my husband Jonas and two beautiful little girls, Lillian and Cecelia. As a stay-at-home Mom, my family is my life, while photography is my passion. Diversity is the spice of life. I have been asked if I ever get burned out or tired of shooting the same things over and over again. My answer is always, “Never.” I genuinely enjoy people and especially in the case of weddings always feel privileged to be part of one of the most important days of a couple’s life. I also try to diversify my shooting repertoire as much as possible to avoid getting stale and burned out. In one week this past summer, I photographed a newborn, a family, a commercial property, a wedding and, last but not least, my own children. Each of these sessions demanded a different photography skill set and persona. Newborn sessions require enormous patience, but not much personality. Weddings, on the other hand, demand intense focus, quick thinking and lots of personality. My personal challenge as a photographer is to make each session unique to the subject so they are never left feeling like the dough in my cookie cutter.

The Big Day Wedding days are a unique challenge for a photographer. Every big day is different, and though some of the moments are predictable, none are ever the same. The couple, their families, the venue, the time of day, the weather, and unanticipated extenuating circumstances make each wedding unique. I can photograph two weddings on back to back weekends at the same time of day in the same venue and guarantee that they will be completely different, each with their own special set of memories. For nine to twelve physically grueling hours, I have to remain focused, yet fun and creative. In general, people tend to reflect back to you what you throw at them, so a fun and animated photographer will get better shots at a wedding than a dull and bored one.

Self Portrait: Zahn Family Portrait

When in Doubt, Improvise This session required a little bit of everything from my bag of tricks. These adorable brothers were very active and I quickly realized that getting them to sit still together for a traditional portrait was not going to happen. The idea came to me to have them do what every kid loves to do in the fall - play in the leaves. Problem solved. They had a great time and I got exactly what I wanted.

Ready, Set, Sleep Babies are a ton of fun to photograph. They start out so tiny and tired, and before you know it, they are running around the room quicker than you can keep up with even the fastest lens. I prefer to photograph infants in their own homes where they feel comfortable and I am most likely to capture their true personalities. This image was taken in baby Melanieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room only one week after she was born. The cradle is a family heirloom that has been passed down through several generations and is very dear to Melanieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother thus making the photograph even more meaningful.

Context is Key Candid photography can be a challenge to even the most experienced photographer. Most candid photographs require the right amount of context to tell the story. With too little or too much context, the meaning can be lost or misinterpreted. This photograph, from a commercial shoot of a local carpenter in his shop, would not have had the same meaning had I left out the walls of antique tools on either side of him. Had I shown more of the shop, he might have been lost in the clutter. As it is, the viewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes go right to him. He is clearly a carpenter who prefers doing things the old-fashioned way.

A Spiritual Session Photos are taken for many reasons; some are purely pragmatic while others are more emotional. Commercial work, such as photographing a product or property, tends to fall on the more predictable end of this scale. Weddings and portraits, on the other hand, are usually a pleasant mix of both anticipated and unexpected emotional moments. My session with Margaret topped out my scale at the emotional end and was definitely atypical. Margaret is a strong spirit and confidently wears her spirituality like an elegant evening gown. She came to me asking for a portrait unlike any I had ever done. A few days earlier, Margaret was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. She had started making her final arrangements and wanted a unique portrait taken in the cemetery where she wished to be buried. She wanted to dance, laugh, and spiritually connect with the special place where her body would forever remain at rest. We made plans, and the next day I was standing in a rural cemetery under a gorgeous autumn sky taking pictures of a lovely woman dancing around in her nightgown amid a grassy sea of ancient tombstones. It was wonderfully surreal and a session I will remember forever.

ThIs & ThAT DAVE BOWMAN

H A P P Y A N N I V E R S A RY

n the litany of greetings and salutations, “Happy Anniversary!” denotes the recognition of momentous achievements, as well as conveying the heartfelt sentiments of one to another. Anniversaries honor traditions and applaud what has been accomplished. We celebrate anniversaries for almost every milestone, sometimes with flair and panache. Each year of marriage, for example, is symbolized by materials: 1 year is paper, 2 years - cotton, 5 years - wood, 10 years - aluminum or tin, 25 years - silver and 50 years - gold. While I am sure this has a deep and resounding meaning, it also provides a great gift idea guide to those of us who need a bit of help in that department. Now, I did not go crazy and give my wife lovely aluminum siding for the house on our tenth anniversary, although I would have picked out her favorite color - purple. Historical anniversaries provide a certain gravitas and perspective to what we have accomplished and endured, as a people and as a nation. The year 2012 marked several historic benchmarks including the launch of the world’s first communications satellite, Telstar, providing the first live transatlantic television feed and telephone calls (the ultimate call waiting!) and the Cuban Missile Crisis

that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and panic; both of these events occurred 50 years ago in 1962. In 2013 we will be remembering that 150 years ago Abraham Lincoln gave the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, 100 years ago Richard Nixon was born, 50 years ago was the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War ended 40 years ago, CD players and discs came on the scene 30 years ago with only 16 albums on CD and 20 years ago in January 1993 Bill Clinton was inaugurated. Something else to ponder - in 2012 the Rolling Stones celebrated being together for 50 years as a band, although Keith Richards counts 2013 as the TRUE anniversary since Charlie Watts became their drummer in 1963. It must make you quake with anticipation when 2060 rolls around and Justin Bieber is featured in his “50 Years of the Bieb” tribute in Branson, Missouri. We can dream, can’t we? So with that, Happy One Year Anniversary LocaLeben! Thanks for providing a venue for insight into what makes this community so special for everyone who calls Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, their home.

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EMBrAcE GrATITUdE PEGGY GERO DAVALT

“Gratitude is the heart’s memory.” ~ French proverb

ratitude has always been a part of my life. As a young child, required “thank you” note writing to my grandmothers took place. We had to thank them for the Christmas money they sent and my mom used to purchase clothes for us. It was an important ritual. My mother was required to write thank you notes and she passed on this skill to my siblings and me. As I grew up, thank you notes were important for acknowledging high school and college graduation gifts, birthday gifts and other presents received throughout the year. It became a habit for me to send handwritten thank you notes to friends and family. In 2008, I was given the gift of an amazing book by one of my dearest gal pals. My co-worker and I became connected through a series of interesting synchronicities and coincidences that led her to give me this book. The book by Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, has been the basis for my gratitude building for well over four years now. Sarah, in her book, introduced this reader to a wonderful practice called gratitude journaling. Each and every day Sarah engages those who partake in her own personal life’s journey toward authenticity, simplicity, abundance and love, to begin gratitude journaling. In the January 14th entry, Sarah quotes a self-help author, Melody Beattie, as follows: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” As Sarah comments on the entry, she informs us that every night before bed she writes down five items that she was grateful for in her day. When you start, it may be a challenge. Believe me, from personal experience, when you get going the ideas and the items for which you are grateful multiply, and you will be amazed at how your inner thoughts flow. Sarah believes that gratitude has to “be the first step on the Simple Abundance path or it won’t work for you. Simplicity, order, harmony, beauty, and joy - all the other principles that can transform your life will not blossom and flourish without gratitude.” Her reason is clear to the reader “. . . you will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life.” My life changed when I started daily gratitude journaling. I saw a huge shift in how I lived and loved my life. As a divorced 50-something woman, this was a gift. Gratitude helped me to see who I truly was and have become. The journey has been remark-

able. I invite you to share with me some of these incredible spiritual shifts that have taken place over the past four years. Reading, as evidenced here, has also become vital to me. I love to read, and I love to write. I still read a novel now and then, but my book choices are more spiritual and self-help in nature. The authors are many, and if you look around, you will find that as you increase your awareness the information will come at you with lightning speed. This is where the practice of being grateful will help you to slow down the life you lead, so as to savor each precious moment - catching a daily sunrise over the horizon, the drop of dew that you may notice on the lush green grass on a summer morning, a simple and unique snowflake falling in winter, a child’s wonder at Christmas or an aging parent’s willingness to share their life’s memories. It is all an amazing part of our journey in life. I encourage you to learn by doing. Why not join me on this path to embracing gratitude? Grab a piece of paper, a journal, a legal pad or a beautiful bound notebook. As suggested, start by writing at least five things every day for which you are grateful. The choice, of course, is yours. Today, my five are as follows: 1. I am very grateful for my girlfriend Sam, who shared the book Simple Abundance with me and gave it to me as a gift. Thank you, Sam. 2. I am grateful for my love and passion for raising and showing dogs. 3. I am grateful for good health. 4. I am grateful for being invited to my friend Linda’s 50th birthday party, where I was introduced to Erik, the editor of this fine magazine. It was there that we shared an intro duction as to “What do you do?” that led me to this amaz ing writing assignment for LocaLeben. 5. I am grateful for all of you reading this column and welcome you and challenge you to embrace gratitude as a means of living a life of authenticity and abundance through the simple act of being grateful. Keep me posted on how many great things happen to you or shifts you see in your own life. Deepak Chopra, a famous medical doctor and self-help author, said this: “Gratitude opens the door to the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe. You open the door through gratitude.” Sarah Ban Breathnach’s famous mantra from Simple Abundance is this: “All you have is all you need. All you need is the awareness of how much you have and be grateful for it.” I encourage you to embrace an attitude of gratitude. It is truly life changing.

THE WANDERING MAN R E F L E C T IO N S F OR A N E W YEAR

TAMON MARK UTTECH

here shall I chance to wander for this New Year? This New Year will be wandering through our lives too. You will find no end of the world, no end of days’ scenarios with me. When I was a young boy, I was enthralled with the liturgy in the Lutheran church that my family belonged to. Even when I was nine, I loved to sing about “world without end…” I would hurry home and try to get into the garage without my mother seeing me; I knew she was going to tell me to “take off your suit and put on your play clothes!” But I would get into the garage unseen, set up chairs (for my congregation, you understand) climb up a step ladder with my hymnal and carry on with the service I had just come from. I never got carried away; I never played: ‘Cowboys straightening out the heathen Indians.’ Now that I have grown up some, even turned to Catholicism, Judaism and Buddhism, I believe in multiplicities; ‘worlds’ without end. What makes them are all the things that make

up this one; oceans and deserts, mountain ranges and deep valleys, to name just a few. And people, all kinds of people, all colors, all ages. With things called mistakes built in. I seem to know that humankind is well known for one simple thing, and that is a tendency to err. A few years ago I stumbled upon a New Year’s resolution that allowed me to be perfectly honest; I resolved to make “one less mistake” in the New Year to come. That resolution would help keep me focused on here and now. Here and Now has seasons too, all four. Here and Now has candles, flags at half-staff, and surprised laughter to see the baby stand up and take a few steps. Here and Now is the closest friend you will ever have, a chance for something new. “Be ready” is something I heard in a sermon when I was so much younger. It was repeated so often in that long sermon one summer morning that it never fails to bring me back into whatever present moment I am in. As a young adult I heard of ‘Beginner’s Mind,’ the mind full of possibilities. The Beginner’s Mind was also called a ready mind, clear like the mind you have when you wake up in the morning. You get up. And then the mind begins to wander and wonder. The young snowman liked the winter sunshine it made things sparkle; it didn’t melt anything. -tamon Yes, a happy new year is something like that.

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ThE wATErMArK C OM M U N I T Y C H A I R KARLA JENSEN

uth Mack is well known for her red dancing shoes and marvelous moves on the dance floor. Recently, Ruth has stepped into a new pair of shoes, temporarily welcoming a new project. She is the new Community Gifts Division Chairperson for The Watermark campaign. She and her team will welcome the final contacts and connections that will complete the campaign efforts supported by dozens of area businesses and individuals over the last year. Ruth brings an array of gifts to the campaign of The Watermark. She is one of few women in an industry dominated by men and deals across the country and around the world in scrap metal. “I am the Public Relations Manager for Loeb-Lorman Metals, Inc.,” Ruth says proudly. “I’ve been with them 29 years and they are a major scrap processor with locations in Watertown, Fort Atkinson, and Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and Argo, Indiana.” Ruth buys and sells scrap metal from the public and specific industries. Ruth is also a pilot. “I hold a single-engine land pilot rating. I am a member of EAA and a past officer,” explains Ruth. “Leaving earth is a passion of mine. Flying an airplane is unlike anything else I have ever done. It’s awesome,” she added. Her connections to the business community and the general public are numerous; Ruth and her husband Jim are well known for their generosity to this community and others. Many know them from their involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Macks were actually some of the first community members at large to donate personally to the Watermark campaign. Chairs John and Marge Haider, along with Friends of the Beaver Dam Community Center, are thrilled that Ruth has become part of the team who seek to wrap up solicitations by the end of March so that ground breaking will occur this spring. Two vice-chairs and several team captains assist the role of the Community Gifts Chairperson. She and her team continue to rally for the campaign and make face-to face calls with potential donors, discussing details of The Watermark project and sharing the vision for a true community center for all ages. Ruth personally stated how amazed she has been to witness the generosity of our community over the years. “It never ceases to amaze me…the generosity of this community. I am proud to call Beaver Dam home.” Ruth’s leadership is a natural fit with this community campaign. She admits that she loves to be at the helm of successful projects, service organizations, and in all aspects of life. “I need to fly the plane, drive the car, teach the class, give the blood, run the meeting, dance to the music and cook the meals,” Ruth jokes. She is certain that only a few women could match her dedication to giving blood because she recently reached the milestone of donating

Ruth Mack with Airplane Photo: Jim Dittmann pint 146. She has proven her leadership abilities by being an active member of the American Foundry Society on its Board of Directors, along with having served as a past Chamber of Commerce Board Member in Beaver Dam, Sullivan and Juneau. She also participates in the Watertown Chamber and the Fort Atkinson Chamber, and is very active in her home church in Watertown. Ruth Mack will become a familiar force in the efforts to bring to completion an exciting project that will benefit community members now and generations to come. One of her favorite quotes from Winston Churchill is, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” She is committed and passionate about doing good works in a community that has a reputation for positive collaborations and partnerships. Watch for Ruth around town, cheering at any Badger Football game, or on the dance floor. “My husband - aka Fred Astaire - and I are members of two dance clubs,” said Ruth. “We are in-coming Presidents of the Watertown Dance Club. We don’t sit and watch - we dance,” she added. Exactly why Ruth Mack is the perfect person to assume the Community Gifts Chair of The Watermark capital campaign. She is someone who is full of energy, excited about meeting people face-to-face and confident to engage in the quest to accomplish a grand challenge. Ruth is also a longtime passionate member of the Beaver Dam AM Kiwanis Club that will be sponsoring The Life & Times of Vince Lombardi A One Man Show starring John Pinero on Sunday January 27th at 2 p.m. in the Beaver Dam High School Auditorium. Reserved seating tickets for $15.00 can be purchased at Rechek’s Food Pride. S. Center St. Entrance Photo: The Watermark

dOdGE cOUNTY hIsTOrIcAL sOcIETY MARY CUDNOHFSKY

n 2013 the Dodge County Historical Society will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding. The local citizens who got together in 1938 to form this society did so in the depths of the Depression. They started the process of collecting artifacts, documents and information about our early pioneers. Their work continues to this day, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to these amateur historians who saved so much of our heritage. On February 11, 1938, the first meeting was held on the second floor of the Concert Hall on the south side of Front Street. They voted into office the first Board of Directors: Albert Arndorfer, Caroline Beule, Doctor R.R.Roberts, James Malone, Roy Butler, Joseph Hoyt, George B. Swan, Mary Spellman and Charles Starkweather. Officers were elected: President Joseph Hoyt, Vice-President Charles Starkweather, Secretary Albert Arndorfer and Treasurer Arthur Bedker. It was agreed dues for the society would be 50 cents per year. Two of the prime movers of this project were Mrs. Caroline Beule and Mr. Joseph Hoyt. For Caroline Beule, it was the realization of a dream. She had been tireless in her efforts to interest others in the project. She was born in 1856 of German immigrants and lived in Beaver Dam all of her life. At age 16, she worked in her father’s general merchandise store. After seven years, she married Peter Buele who was a partner in The Corner Drugstore with Dr. Babcock, Joe Hoyt’s grandfather. From 1898 until 1912 she was a cashier at the Old German Bank. This active public-spirited woman continued all her life to educate herself and others. A charter member of the Women’s Club, she also served as District Chairman of Public Health. That group was responsible for hiring a city nurse and a Dodge County nurse. She was active in the American Legion, and with Sadie Davison, launched the idea of Dodge County Memorial Drive, the planting of 7 miles of trees to honor veterans of American wars. In 1913 after attending a PTA meeting in Chicago, she returned home, enlisted the help of the Women’s Club and the Superintendent of Schools and soon Beaver Dam had a PTA. The first Girl Scout Troop meeting was held in the Beule barn. Mrs. Beule generously donated $1,000 for the museum that was to be used as the board saw fit. The Hoyt family owned the Concert Hall. Joseph was the grandson of two pioneer doctors, Dr. Hoyt who founded the Empire Flour Mill and Dr. Babcock who bought the Concert Hall in 1847. This three-story brick building was, and remained for some time, the tallest building in town. Through the years, stores, offices, and

even the City Council Chambers occupied the lower floors. The top floor was the theater. Joe’s brother Harlowe Hoyt, with Joe’s help, later wrote the definitive book about traveling theater in the 1800s. Town Hall Tonight was based on the incidents they witnessed growing up. The hall was also used for lectures, political rallies, dances and even roller-skating. The first local militia, The Burchard Guard, held their drills there. After this long history, it was only fitting that the museum should have its home there. Mr. Hoyt donated the use of two rooms on the second floor and provided heat and lights. He also served as custodian. An important first project was to compile lists of residents and former residents to seek information on people and events of the first 100 years with the possibility of publishing a book. Charles Starkweather took charge of the history. He interviewed many elderly local residents and sent letters to former residents. In the next few years, the stories poured in. They told of tragedies and hardships. There were fires and floods, crop failures and wars. But they also told of successes and triumphs over diversity. There were funny anecdotes of everyday life. Many of these letters were published in the newspaper. The history book they created is still used almost daily for research. At one time it was reported that 40 girls under the direction of 10 women were compiling all the data. Photographs and artifacts were sent from all over the country. The State Wide Museum Project in Milwaukee, a branch of the WPA, assisted in the setup and reconditioning of many of the items collected. Cases from the Milwaukee museum were donated and are still in use today. Soon the Dodge County Historical Society was a real asset to the community, open to the public from 2 until 5 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9. Teachers began bringing their students and documents. That practice continues. Times were tough. Like the rest of the country, the city was going through a deep depression. The closing of several factories, Bear Brand, Western Malleable, Solar Battery and Beaver Garment Company, had contributed to unemployment. A record number of families were on relief. The newly built tourist camp in Swan Park was closed because hoboes were living there. The rise of Hitler and the unrest in Europe contributed to the unease, although

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38 Years of Service

no one knew that the horror of WWII was looming on the horizon. Still, everyday life went on. There were concerts in Swan City Park, swimming at Crystal Lake Beach, and fishing and boating on Beaver Dam Lake. Librarian Hattie Doolittle still held sway at Williams Free Library, collecting fines for overdue books with a disapproving frown while introducing a new generation of children to the wonderful world of books as she had done since the 1890s. The movies were even more exciting because hometown boy Fred MacMurray was a rising leading man. And Brian Donlevy, whose father had once managed one of the woolen mills, was likely to turn up in a character role. He was the kid who had been mascot of Company K and once ran away to join the troops. In 1937, Maddy Horn was the first Wisconsin woman to win a national speed skating championship and Beaver Dam became known as the “typical” small American town. A Department of Agriculture report that year claimed that Beaver Dam was “average” in terms of income, spending habits and other matters. A British journalist circulated the report and photographers and interviewers who were anxious to talk to the residents about their wonderful town visited. The report had described the town as “Busy Beaver Dam where shoes, soaps, stoves and foodstuffs are made.” Motivation to create the historical society included preparation for Beaver Dam’s centennial celebration. Buoyed by national publicity and encouraged by the response of the residents, these children and grandchildren of pioneers faced the challenge to create a superb celebration for the 1941 centennial. A historical pageant with a cast of 800 locals was staged at the fair grounds. Two huge parades over two miles long were held on July 5th and July 6th. An old settlers picnic was held at Swan City Park. There were baseball games, an air show, and dances were held each night at the Armory.

The Dodge County Historical Society museum is located in the former Williams Free Library at the corner of Front and Center in downtown Beaver Dam. Regular hours are 1-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. In 2013, the museum will also be open from 10:00 until 1:00 on the last Saturday of each month for informal discussions on specific topics of local lore. Come join the discussion and view the exhibits.

Phone: 887-8296 110 Front Street Beaver Dam, Wis. 53916

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On Saturday January 19th at 1:00, Linda Firestone will display and share information about her collection of Monarch memorabilia. On Wednesday February 27, the society will sponsor a Fish Fry at the American Legion - a speaker for this event is to be announced.

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PARTING THOUGHTS JIM DITTMANN

Well here we are... One year and a thousand fleeting thoughts later, we begin our second year.

he real Leben stories our readers enjoy come from the hearts of our neighbors - our friends and all the wonderful people we have met along the way - truly amazing people we might not have met if it were not for our little magazine - my special thanks to all of you! I was invited to coffee a couple weeks before Christmas and introduced to a darling woman named Lena. Now into her 90s - born in Yugoslavia just after the First World War, she grew up through depression and a second world war. Winters of her youth she would hike railroad tracks in hopes of finding a few spilled pieces of coal to warm their home - she labored in camps and went eyeball to eyeball with death squads. Lena fills the kitchen with energy - discipline - grace and a marvelous sense of humor. As tears well - she asks if it’s all right to weep when recalling her late husband - after 73 years of marriage - I suggest it is ok... Lena has made available her complete memoirs - look for installments in upcoming issues. Thanks Lena - and the coffee cake (original family recipe), some of the best I have ever known!

Many of you have asked about LocaLeben and its business model. It is pretty straightforward and no big secret - Local advertisers foot the bill. I’ll bet you know many of these business owners by their first name - they bring you quality goods and services everyday. If you enjoy the unique content found only in LocaLeben - thank our advertisers - tell them you saw their ad - do business with them. They will stay in town - and you will be better off because of it Locally owned business is good for our economy. Our little town, its history - people - all the important events - past and present - defines who we are. LocaLeben is dedicated to sharing your accomplishments - we enjoy compiling these pages and look forward to learning a whole lot more along the way... Remember the “Welcome” sign mentioned in our first issue and what a good new years resolution it would be to “turn on the Welcome sign” - I noticed some of the same twigs still hanging on it :( Sometimes resolutions don’t always stick on the first attempt. That may be why there is always a New Year - perhaps in 2013 we will - “Light ‘er up.” There’s a few shacks on the lake - I asked about the fishin’ lot of walleye but still under limit. I wonder how well those caught and released really fare? Big one’s up on Fox Lake they say. But please - no matter where you go - be careful - ice always scares me and especially with this years’ snow - it could be very inconsistent. Stay safe - not a statistic - life is precious and way too short... Cheers!

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READER THOUGHTS

BITTERSWEET T R A N S I T IO N CLAYTON GROW

y family’s relocation to Middleton was in the making since February 2012. I accepted a job offer that was just too good to pass up, and I began driving from “The Beav” to Middleton and back 5 days a week to work as a technical writer. My recent relocation to Middleton has made me step back and realize just how many of my memories will be forever cast against the backdrop of this quaint, friendly, “hometown” city. My head is full of many, many beautiful memories of our 10 years of living in Beaver Dam. Some of the memories I will treasure from this great little city: -Slicing into a juicy porterhouse at a local restaurant on a Saturday night... the chatter of happy patrons building to a happy ruckus during a Brewer game... -Skipping across Crystal Creek on rocks after watching my Frisbee slice between two willow trees on Hole #14 at Crystal Lake Park... my disc careening down the impossibly steep hill towards the lake on Hole #18...

Photo: Clayton Grow -Smiling ear-to-ear as my blonde little princess twirled and swirled a ribbon at dance class, tiptoeing in a tutu... her tightlipped little grin as she eyed her own reflection... -Spying my beautiful wife’s smile through the window screen as she checked the status of the burgers grilling in the backyard... me casting a goofy glance back while sipping my ceremonial “Grilling Beer.” We adored the intentional mindful beauty of our early 20th century house in Beaver Dam, the steep impressive roof peaks, the crown molding in the archways and the smooth sturdy wooden floors. Our 1910-built house gave us a sense of genuine thoughtfulness in architecture. Compared with our Beaver Dam house, every late-20th century building we step into feels like a Styrofoam box. Beaver Dam sure felt like home. I would not trade our 10 years there for anything. I thoroughly enjoyed the walkability of Beaver Dam, the expansive beautiful cemeteries and the wonderful parks that will forever live in some of my kids’ first memories. Thanks, LocaLeben, for being a positive spark in the community!

-Supporting my fiery, passionate little red-headed man as he grew from scrambling T-baller to mohawked rookie... who knew coaching 5-year-olds was so much like herding cats?

Thank you, Beaver Dam, for being such a great city to live in.

Photo: Clayton Grow

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