FS1013 by Woodward Community Media

It’s your paper! Friday, October 13, 2017 • Vol. 4, No. 8 • Fitchburg, WI • ConnectFitchburg.com • $1

Inside

Great starting wage, plus excellent shift differentials up to $2.00/hour!

CALL TODAY! 608.243.8800 allsaintsneighborhood.org

adno=541806-01

NOW HIRING!

City of Fitchburg

Ride share pilot program approved Page 3 Lacy Road reconstruction nears completion Page 5

Schools

Homecoming parade photos Pages 8-9

Photo by Scott Girard

Mayor Jason Gonzaelz, center, listens to criticism from Boys and Girls Club of Dane County CEO Michael Johnson, left, about cutting city funding to the organization. Soon after, Badger Prairie Needs Network executive director Marcia Kasieta, right, offered similar criticism about the funding cut to her organization.

Budget battle

Sports

Hundreds show up to criticize Mayor’s proposed cut to funding for nonprofits SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

Edgewood girls golf finishes runner up Page 10

Business

For the second time in less than a year, hundreds of people turned out to a public hearing to criticize a proposed City of Fitchburg budget. Many of them had returned, at the behest of Boys and Girls Club of Dane County CEO Michael Johnson to express their dismay about a plan to cut funding entirely for the BGC and Badger Prairie Needs Network. Johnson has criticized Mayor Jason Gonzalez through a variety of traditional and social media

outlets since Sept. 22, when Gonzalez introduced his plan. Gonzalez said the cuts were necessary to keep taxes manageable and plan ahead, but he had promised during the mayoral campaign earlier this year to fund the club as its own line item. That was in contrast to a proposal last year to funnel the money through a separate branch of the city with its own funding mechanism, which also brought a protest from BGC supporters. Fitchburg resident Timothy Mayman told the council he had voted for Gonzalez, but was disappointed

with this proposal. He worried what it would mean for underprivileged kids. “I do know there (were) things said that I feel are not being carried out,” Mayman said. “You take the funding, you take the opportunity.” Gonzalez has explained in several interviews with area media since introducing his plan that it’s a challenging year for the budget, especially because of expected expenses in 2019. He told the Star soon after the backlash to his budget began, that

Turn to Budget/Page 5

Budget schedule Sept. 22: Mayor’s budget proposal released Oct. 10: Public hearing on mayor’s proposal Oct. 12: Alder amendments due Oct. 20: Alder amendments posted to website Oct. 25: Committee of the Whole budget discussion Nov. 14: Public hearing on amendments; possible vote on amendments, final budget

Police, fire departments get the word out Extended stay hotel offers plenty of amenities Page 19

Public safety agencies using social media to engage

Department’s Facebook page shows police officers filling a grocery cart for a program to help the Allied Food Pantry. Another has a short video of an officer getHELU WANG ting a high-five from a K9 unit training dog. Unified Newspaper Group And one from last week O n e r e c e n t p o s t o n shows photos from the Coft h e F i t c h b u r g P o l i c e fee with a Cop event the PRSRT STANDARD ECRWSS US POSTAGE

PAID

department held in front of Starbuck’s on Triverton Pike Drive, including police serving coffee in the drive-thru. They’re part of a strategy Sgt. Edward Hartwick has been using to help “humanize” police officers and engage with Fitchburg citizens. FPD and the Fitchburg

Fire Department have both been putting an emphasis on social media to accomplish this goal over the past couple of years. Representatives from both departments say it’s led to improved interactions between neighbors and public safety departments. “The more content we put out, the more people

respond to it, which gets us to put out more interesting posts,” FFD business manager Meredith Shelton said. “It’s a spiral from there.” Posts have informed people of natural disasters, incident reports, road closures, training, new hirings and

Turn to Social/Page 17

Elevated Uptown Living

UNIFIED NEWSPAPER GROUP

avanteproperties.com

608.441.9999

adno=540535-01

October 13, 2017

ConnectFitchburg.com

Fitchburg Star

Pumpkin giveaway benefits charity Oak Bank held it’s 17th annual Great Pumpkin Giveaway Saturday, Oct. 7. Donations were accepted in exchange for pumpkins, kids activities and horse and carriage rides. All proceeds benefited STARS Summer Teaching to Advance Reading Success. According to it’s website, STARS “improves the academic performance of at risk students by raising confidence and encouraging excellence in our community’s youngest scholars.” For more information about STARS, visit chhimadison.org/programs/stars.

Kaleigh Beuthien, 7, slides head first out of a bounce house.

Photos by Amber Levenhagen

Jonny Tucci, 7, picks out a pumpkin.

Your Fitchburg Realtor

The Okinawan Taiko Drummers of Wisconsin perform during the pumpkin giveaway.

Get

ConneCted

Top Producer since 2002

Fall is here, time to get settled before the snow flies! Call me NOW!

Find updates and links right away.

Kathy Zastrow

(608) 575-8761 • KathyZastrow@gmail.com

adno=540619-01

Chamber Ambassador

Search for us on Facebook as “Fitchburg Star” and then LIKE us.

November 3rd - 5th

City Hall parking lot reconstruction 601 Junction Road Madison, WI 53717 608.836.3911 adno=539559-01

Photo by Scott Girard

The south parking lot at Fitchburg’s City Hall was under construction Sept. 25 into early October. Construction crews rebuilt the surfact of one lot as well as a drive up to the lot.

ConnectFitchburg.com

October 13, 2017

Fitchburg Star

City of Fitchburg

Group plans recall of Gonzalez Effort would require 2,800 signatures, must wait until spring to begin

Richwood Transport beats out Lyft in bid SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

A group announced this week a plan to recall Fitchburg Mayor Jason Gonzalez – though the process can’t begin until next spring. Activists from Madison and Fitchburg spoke in front of City Hall during a news conference Tuesday, citing what they called a lack of support for minority communities from Gonzalez. “As a mother, I feel uncomfortable with this budget because it hurts many,” said Andrea Shorter, a Fitchburg resident with four children. Gonzalez cannot be recalled until he has been in office for at least one year, however, and that will come next April as he reaches the middle of his two-year term. Organizers could begin collecting signatures 60 days prior to that and would need more than 2,800 to sign a recall petition to force an election. The opposition to Gonzalez has grown since his budget proposal was posted to the city website Sept. 22. The proposal removed $60,000 of funding the city has provided in past years for a pair of nonprofits – the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and Badger Prairie Needs Network – as well as money for grant programs to other nonprofits. BGCDC CEO Michael Johnson has taken to Facebook to express outrage over the removal of the funding, though he was not at the press conference Tuesday and clarified that BGC is not a part of the recall effort directly. Gonzalez said during the mayoral campaign earlier this year that he would make the funding for BGC and BPNN a line item, but he told the Star that was before he fully realized the budget situation. “When I talked with Michael Johnson, I did make a commitment to being a partner with the Boys and Girls Club,” Gonzalez told the Star

Rideshare program approved

Photo by Scott Girard

A pair of women hold up a banner promoting the effort to recall Mayor Jason Gonzalez before the Oct. 10 Common Council meeting. The plan for the recall, which cannot begin until spring 2018, was announced Oct. 3. last week. “I had no idea the fiscal house my predecessor left us in.” Gonzalez’s budget would offer a slight decrease in the tax rate but also leaves $300,000 under the levy limit that will allow alders to offer amendments. He told alders at a Finance committee meeting Oct. 3 that he would not veto any amendments they approved as a body. He and Ald. Julia Arata-Fratta (Dist. 2) indicated the possibility of creating funding for nonprofits through an application process, rather than in line items like BGC and BPNN were in this year’s budget. “I thought it was appropriate that we go away from earmarks,” Gonzalez said Tuesday, adding that he wanted to make the process “more transparent (and) more inclusive.” A similar proposal last year drew hundreds – led by Johnson – to oppose the effort at a November budget hearing. The city ended up leaving in the line items for both organizations last year, as well as creating an application program. Caliph Muab-El, a Madison resident who helped organize the Tuesday press conference, said they would reconsider the recall effort only once the city actually provided money to BGC. “We’re not going to trust (Gonzalez’s) word anymore,” Muab-El said.

SAVE THE RAINFOREST PRESENTS

“We have to see a new demonstration of behavior and concern to the people.” Johnson and Muab-El promised that 1,000 people would be at the city’s public hearing on the budget Tuesday, Oct. 10, to advocate for the nonprofit funding. Gonzalez and Johnson got into a back-and-forth in a Fitchburg-focused Facebook group during the Oct. 3 Finance committee meeting after Gonzalez posted that he was, “Sad to see a total of 4 people who are non-council members or city staff in the council chambers to hear the explanation about the budget from city staff and myself.” Johnson, who did attend the meeting, got a chance to speak toward the end and asked alders to reconsider the funding cut. Any amendments proposed by alders are due to the city’s finance director Oct. 12, and a discussion of those proposals is set for Oct. 25, with a public hearing Nov. 14. The council is also expected to vote on the budget Nov. 14. Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

Fitchburg has a new way to get from point A to B after the Common Council approved a new rideshare program Oct. 10. Alders voted to pay Richwood Transport, LLC just over $50,000 for a pilot program to provide service to and from anywhere in the city. It will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The routes include designated stops at current Madison Metro bus stops, mostly along McKee and Fish Hatchery roads, Cheryl Parkway and the King James and Allied areas. The agreement also adds stops at McGaw and McKee Farms parks, the senior center and the Metro Transit South Transit Point. Those rides will cost $2 per passenger, $1 for each rider under 18. Rides to and from non-designated stops within the city will cost a rider an additional $2 fee for each custom location involved within the city. “It is something that adds up as you customize that trip, but that’s available,” project engineer Ahna Bizjak told the Transportation and Transit Committee Oct. 9. Stops outside of the city will cost $1.50 per mile traveled outside of the urban service area boundaries. The city will cover $1.50 per mile of travel for requested trips, according to the agreement, with whatever fare is paid offsetting part of that payment. Richwood will accept cash, credit and debit card payments, but exact change

is required for cash payments and credit card payments are subject to a 3 percent fee. Riders will be able to request a ride online, by phone or by scanning a QR code available on draft pamphlets about the program. The vehicles and stops will have signage to indicate they are part of the ride share program. Bizjak said because it’s a pilot program, the city plans to collect as much data as possible to find out how interested residents are. She added that marketing will be a key. “This is really going to be important with the implementation of this program is getting enough advertising out … to the people who can take advantage of this resource,” Bizjak said. “It’s gonna take some time, and I … don’t know what to expect as far as how quickly people will learn about it or want to use it.” The city has previously discussed an intracity bus system, but alders decided a pilot ride share program would be a better first step to test city resident interest. Officials have talked for years about the inability of many residents to conveniently access some of the city’s amenities, including the two major parks, the senior center and the library, which are all located well away from much of the city’s lower socioeconomic population. Funding is also included in the 2018 budget to continue the pilot program, but Bizjak said 2019 funding will likely depend on what data they find. “If we don’t do a good job of marketing and implementing it … that’s going to be a disservice to the program in my opinion,” Bizjak said.

17th Annual Great Pumpkin Give Away THANK YOU SPONSORS

The representatives of three charities get more than they bargain for when they accept an invitation from a millionaire to spend the weekend in his creepy mansion. OCT 27 & 28, 2017 AT 7:30PM OCT 29 AT 2PM & 7:30PM

Verona Area Performing Arts Center

Adesys Anytime Fitness Avoidance Acres Badger Popcorn & Concession Supply Co. Barriques Market Culver’s First Choice Dental Fitchburg Fire Department Fitchburg Optimists Club Fitchburg Police Fun Play Inatables Funk’s Pub Innity Martial Arts

Kehl School of Dance Madison Mallards Baseball Club Madison West High School Massage Envy Milio’s Sandwiches Peck’s Farm Market Pizza Hut Rippe Keane Marketing SprintPrint SwimWest Verona Area High School Athletics Wind River Financial

Thank you sponsors for your generous donations!

Go to saverfn.org/plays/ to purchase tickets Proceeds will go to protect jaguar habitat in Panama adno=542173-01

adno=536444-01

For more information call 608.441.6000 or visit us on

• OakBankOnline.com

October 13, 2017

Opinion

Fitchburg Star

Letters to the editor

Budget cuts resources for kids The following is an excerpt of a letter sent to the city on Sept. 25. I received a call from Mayor Jason Gonzalez that he decided to cut all funding for youth programs in the City of Fitchburg, and he told me the reason was the city had a tight budget and we were competing against resources for the fire department. The mayor’s 335-page operating budget has been balanced on the backs of the kids and families who are the most vulnerable. I don’t understand why the City of Fitchburg needs to spend $787,000 more than last year and cut kids out the equation. The mayor’s office is proposing a budget that increases drastically from last year and yet eliminates funding to a food pantry and nonprofits, closes down programming for kids in King James Way, offers African-American and other kids of color from King James Way no assistance and eliminates programming support by sending these young people to play on the streets and no place to go. Boys and Girls Clubs had to pick up the tab by providing a $5,000 grant after the mayor’s office failed to come up with a plan to support these young Fitchburg residents. In the mayor’s 2018 proposed operating budget, I don’t see any allocation to support kids in Allied Drive or King James Way, nor do I see support that shows their efforts to address support for kids in Fitchburg.

The mayor’s operating budget for 2018 provides additional money for new city employees, additional hours for city staff, new motor vehicles, tens of thousands of dollars in new computers, gym membership fees for city employees, publications fees and thousands of taxpayer dollars on expenditures for training and conferences. Yet the only major programming cut, as communicated in the mayor’s executive summary, was that of a food pantry to support hungry residents and to the most vulnerable citizens, our kids. If the budget was so nibble, why are kids being kicked out of a community center, funds being pulled from Boys and Girls Clubs, then the proposed budget calls on spending almost $40,000 in new ammunition and supplies for the police department? Is the police department doing that much shooting and training in Fitchburg that they need that much ammunition? The mayor is proposing tens of thousands of dollars in professional fees and services. Who are receiving these contracts? Before sending this letter, I reached out to the mayor and asked him to resolve this problem, and he did not accept my offer. Therefore, we have no choice but to advocate for our kids and ask that our concerns are heard and funding for our local kids are restored. Michael Johnson Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County CEO

ConnectFitchburg.com

Community Voices

When a granola bar becomes a candy bar

hen it comes to healthy convenience and eating on-the- run, granola bars or energy bars are one of the most common foods to grab from your bag, purse or cupboard. It’s understandable – they’re portable, quick to eat and usually pretty tasty. Kids and adults alike enjoy them, making them one of the few snack options the entire family can agree on. I agree, a trusty granola bar can be a lifesaver in our rush-to- get-thingsdone lifestyles. A granola bar in my purse comes in handy when my errands last longer than expected and Hoerr my stomach starts to growl or to have as an afternoon pick-me- up at work when dinner still feels too far away. But if we’re not careful, granola bars can act like a candy bar in disguise. Granola bars often have a “health halo” around their name. That’s when marketing successfully has us believe that a food item is a “healthy choice” without us questioning it or looking at the nutrition label to confirm. If you hear the words yogurt, granola bar or granola, chances are, you won’t question the health of it like you otherwise might with chips or candy. Let’s take a look at just one example: A white chocolate macadamia nut Clif Bar, coming in at 260 calories, contains 40 calories more than a package of Reese’s peanut butter cups and has nearly as many grams of sugar. Yes, the Clif Bar contains

21 grams – over five teaspoons! – of sugar in a single bar. While it’s important to look at the big picture when comparing two different products, a quick comparison might have you questioning your favorite granola bar. Since not all granola bars are created equal, it can be difficult to decide which is best. There are aisles and rows of bars to choose from now, which can be almost overwhelming. To avoid being a victim of marketing ploys and strategies, it’s best to check the labels ourselves to find ones that live up to the “health halo” they’ve been given. Here are some tips to look for:

for products that have a short ingredient list (fewer than 10 ingredients) or an ingredient list that is free of any foreign names that you wouldn’t normally be able to find on their own. LaraBars and RXBars are popular for their short, whole foods ingredient lists. Some LaraBar flavors only having two ingredients in them.

Fit your needs

Depending on your activity or purpose for wanting a bar, you may need a meal-replacement bar, an energy bar for when you’re doing an intense or long workout or a multi-purpose in-between meal bar. For instance, you probably don’t need a Clif Bar as an afternoon 6 grams of added sugar or less snack; it’s designed to fuel endurWith four grams of sugar in a ance athletes who need a conveteaspoon, this is still giving you nient, quick source of energy (in the almost two teaspoons of sugar in the form of sugar) to keep them going. granola bar. Any more than that and A Kind bar that has five grams of you’re closer to having a wateredsugar in it, five grams of protein and down dessert than a healthy snack 200 calories would be enough to that will energize you. sustain you through a typical afterAdded sugar is different from nat- noon at work. ural sugar. Dried fruit or fruit puree Organic isn’t always healthy are natural sources of sugar, which are often added to bars. LaraBars, Several bars will advertise in RXBars, Kind Pressed Bars are all flashy packaging that it’s an all-orsweetened naturally and contain no ganic choice, but when the organic added sugar. ingredients are cane sugar, chocoor honey, it might be closer to At least three grams of fiber late just an organic candy bar. If you’re If a granola bar is 100 percent conscious about buying organic whole grain or has real fruit in it, foods, purchase an organic apple you should be able to find a good and nut butter for a quick and amount of fiber on the nutrition healthy snack instead. facts label. The fiber is important to help keep you satisfied and to preKara Hoerr, MS, RDN, CD, is the vent your blood sugars from jumpregistered dietitian at the Fitchburg ing up too high. Hy-Vee. For more nutrition information or questions, contact her at Read the ingredient list khoerr@hy-vee.com or 273-5125. A good rule of thumb is to look

From the Editor

Friday, October 13, 2017 • Vol. 4, No. 8 Periodical Postage Paid, Verona, WI and additional offices. Published weekly on Friday by the Unified Newspaper Group, A Division of Woodward Communications, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send Address Corrections to The Fitchburg Star, 133 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI 53593.

Office Location: 133 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI 53593 Phone: 608-845-9559 • FAX: 608-845-9550 e-mail: ungeditor@wcinet.com Circulation customer service: (608) 845-9559

ConnectFitchburg.com

This newspaper is printed on recycled paper.

General Manager Lee Borkowski lborkowski@wcinet.com Sales Manager Kathy Neumeister kathy.neumeister@wcinet.com Classifieds Diane Beaman ungclassified@wcinet.com Circulation Carolyn Schultz ungcirculation@wcinet.com News Jim Ferolie fitchburgstar@wcinet.com Sports Jeremy Jones ungsportseditor@wcinet.com Assistant Editor Scott Girard ungreporter@wcinet.com Reporters Anthony Iozzo, Helu Wang, Amber Levenhagen, Scott De Laruelle, Bill Livick

Unified Newspaper Group, a division of

Woodward Communications,Inc. A dynamic, employee-owned media company Good People. Real Solutions. Shared Results.

Printed by Woodward Printing Services — Platteville

Fight over nonprofits is misleading, destructive

he fighting has already started. I should have expected as much. After all, at every level of government – and in almost every part of the world – we are seeing constituents dig their heels in on many issues and compromise is starting to be seen as weakness. So if you’re going to have bad news to deliver, it’s becoming easier and easier for politicians to simply appease their base and tell those who would disagree with the decision to suck eggs. Ferolie And since you’re already going to make them mad, might as well not bother to throw them a bone. Just keep all the scraps for your team when you win and scream loudly when you lose. That’s the situation we seem to have here, with one grandstanding lobbyist for a worthy nonprofit and one grandstanding mayor squaring off over an initial budget plan. Mayor Jason Gonzalez has proposed cutting all city funding for the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and the Badger Prairie Needs Network, and their supporters are naturally up in arms about it. There are appropriate arguments to be made both ways, but the leaders on both sides are skipping over them in favor of sound bites and rallying cries. Budgets are always tight of course, and this one is as complicated as any because of the specter of the second new fire station and third

ambulance crew being added next year. Those are big-ticket items, and not everyone is going to agree on how to prepare for them. Some will say we should raise taxes a little this year so next year’s hit is not as hard. Others will say keep money in taxpayers’ pockets as long as possible. There’s no right or wrong there. Even on a normal year, the mayor would be faced with some difficult choices – the kind that seem that much easier when you’re an alder. You sacrifice one service or another or you raise taxes. It’s all about priorities. Much of Gonzalez’s job is easier than Steve Arnold’s was last year, with the council majority generally supporting him. But he has known since before he even announced his candidacy that this year would be tough. He also knew that if he cut spending for the Boys and Girls Club by even a dollar this year, he was going to hear hollering from its bigtalking CEO, who is going to fight for every dollar he can get. So in a move that’s becoming more and more common all over the world, he put away his scalpel and brought out the hatchet, lopping off all funding. No point in compromise if you’re going to be attacked either way, right? The people who are at risk of being hurt here are the same ones who are always hurt in battles between men in positions of power – the poor and downtrodden. Both men will strengthen their political clout no matter how this turns out as long as they go at each other like WWE wrestlers in a pre-match promo. But instead of

well-considered compromises over the next month that benefit everyone, we stand a good chance of getting stupid decisions made for political reasons. The biggest reason for this is how we as a society react. All too often we’re either in support of the beneficiary of our tax dollars or against it. We see heroes and bogeymen. Social media has only furthered these divides and the ease with which our heroes and bogeymen can grandstand. It makes miscommunications more likely, and it ends up blowing issues out of proportion, creating false narratives. This very small piece of Fitchburg’s budget has been worked over in Facebook groups that include hundreds of people. And most of them have no real clue how either the city budget or the nonprofit budget are used. When then they spread the “information” to their friends, it becomes so much easier for people with an agenda – and there are plenty of them in this case – to rile up their followers. It would be great to see the mayor and nonprofit leaders take the time to work through how the money is used, other ways the city could use existing personnel or services to help offset cuts and how to either make the funding sustainable in the future or phase it out smoothly. A good compromise would take more patience and get less attention than either side seems to want. Jim Ferolie is the editor of Unified Newspaper Group, which publishes the Fitchburg Star.

ConnectFitchburg.com

October 13, 2017

Lacy Road

Fitchburg Star

City of Fitchburg

Reconstruction nears completion Council approves beekeeping ordinance SCOTT GIRARD

Unified Newspaper Group

The months-long reconstruction of Lacy Road from the City Center to Syene Road is nearly complete. Construction crews spent the week of Oct. 5 placing the final asphalt surface and marking the new pavement. The road has been closed to through traffic since early March to allow for utility construction, burial of overhead power lines, new turn lanes at some intersections and a hard-use path on one side of the street. The final plan was the product of a 2015 compromise on the shared-use path after some officials had supported putting sidewalks on both sides of the street. After opposition from many of the street’s residents and confirmation that a federal grant could still be applied to the project, that was changed to put the path on one side of the road. There remain some smaller items to complete, but the road is expected to reopen to traffic sometime this month.

SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

Photo by Scott Girard

Contact Scott Girard at ungreport- Construction crews put down the new asphalt surface on Lacy Road earlier this er@wcinet.com and follow him on month as the project reaches its final stages with the road expected to reopen this Twitter @sgirard9. month.

City of Fitchburg residents have new rules for beekeeping on their property after the Common Council approved an ordinance Sept. 26. The city now allows an unlimited number of hives on parcels of 5 acres or more, while limiting owners to six on lots of 2 acres or fewer and allowing up to eight hives for parcels between 2 and 5 acres. Hives cannot be any larger than 20 cubic feet. The ordinance only allows beehives to be kept on lots with residential as the “primary use” rather than a commercial operation, and they cannot be located in the front yard of a lot. A n y h iv e s a r e a l s o

required to be at least three feet from a property line with the openings facing away from the nearest property. They must be at least 25 feet from any public sidewalk or path, as well as any principal building on a neighboring property. Any resident who wants to put hives on their property is required to obtain a permit from the city’s zoning administrator through an application process, which includes notification of all neighboring property owners before any beekeeping begins. The permit application is available on the “Planning and Zoning” section of the city’s website, fitchburgwi.gov. Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

Budget: Discussion on alder amendments planned for Oct. 25, public hearing Nov. 14 Continued from page 1

Alder amendments Alder amendments to the Mayor Jason Gonzalez’s proposed budget were due Thursday, Oct. 12, the day after the Star went to print. The summary of amendments will be posted on the city’s website on Oct. 20. Check the Star’s website, ConnectFitchburg.com, for updates on the amendments submitted.

6285 Nesbitt Road Fitchburg, WI 53719

(608) 845-1010

Photo by Scott Girard

Boys and Girls Club of Dane County CEO Michael Johnson, left, waits for his turn to speak during the public hearing on Mayor Jason Gonzalez’s budget proposal Tuesday, Oct. 10. an amendment. “Public safety is a responsibility of local government,” Huntley-Cooper said “We want our government to meet its responsibilities in the most effective and the most cost-effective way. Providing wholesome activities for underserved youth will have big payback in both the short term, preventing crimes, and the long term.” Supporters and leaders at BPNN, which is located in Verona but has more than half its clientele from Fitchburg, also spoke out against the proposal Tuesday night. Johnson set out to raise money from local businesses and citizens over the weekend before the public hearing, and wrote on Facebook that he had raised more than $70,000, which he said proved the community supported funding the club. A few speakers at the meeting, though, argued that fundraising showed the organization did not need city funding, and instead could rely on private donations to fill the gap.

‘A year to breathe’ The budget would lower the city’s share of property taxes to $8.52 per $1,000 of property value, down from a mill rate of $8.54 last year.

For the owner of a home assessed at $250,000, that would amount to a $5 difference in their tax bill. “I thought it was important that we give people a year to sort of breathe and maybe get caught up in their ability to budget,” Gonzalez told alders. He had noted in his budget introduction letter that he included a 2 percent cost-ofliving adjustment for staff, the first since the new pay plan was adopted in 2015, as well a new full-time parks and forestry maintenance worker to “address the additional park acreage the city has accumulated over the past several years and acreage expected to be obtained in the very near future.” Elsewhere in the budget, Gonzalez removed an $897,990 project to pave shoulders on Whalen Road that had been approved in the capital improvement plan. Proposals from alders to change the budget – known as amendments – were due Thursday, Oct. 12, to allow for staff analysis. A discussion on the alder amendments is planned for Oct. 25 at a Committee of the Whole meeting, where no formal decisions will be made. A second public hearing,

set for Nov. 14, will be followed by votes on any amendments. The council will have the option to approve the budget that night, but can delay to Nov. 15 or 28 if necessary.

Join our VIP Text Club: Text tenpin to 36000

Children’s Birthday Parties OPEN BOWLING DAILY

Friday Fish Fry

Call for lane availability Happy Hour Monday-Friday 4-6pm Fantastic Deck

Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

Corporate Parties Banquet Facilities

Daily Lunch Specials

adno=536451-01

when he got into office he found the budget situation more dire than he had initially realized. He told the Star the nonprofit funding model, which has provided $10,000 for BPNN and $50,000 for BGC in recent years, was “nonsustainable” for the city. “Setting aside all the drama … I’m not happy that I removed it,” he said. “All things being equal, I think both nonprofits … do wonderful things in our community.” City finance director Misty Dodge told alders at a meeting earlier this month that keeping some room below the levy limit – which the city cannot exceed by state law – is “important.” “Although this is a oneyear document, we are not a one-year city,” Dodge said. “Yes it looks like we have room and we do, but it’s important to think about the future.” Johnson largely led the crowd at the Oct. 10 meeting. But many were from another group, which had announced the week before it had planned to lead a recall of Gonzalez because of what they saw as a lack of support for minority communities. Johnson told the council cutting the funding would lead to long-term increases in other costs. “We should be concerned about racial disparities, we should be concerned about the resources we put in our budgets for young people, we should be concerned about the disparities that will happen in this community if we don’t make investments in the lives of the young people that live in this city,” Johnson said. Former Mayor Frances Huntley-Cooper – the city’s first and only black mayor – offered a similar sentiment, asking the council to restore the funding through

PIZZAMAZING. 16 YEARS OF AWARD-WINNING PIZZA. $

9.99

after 9 16 6” One-Topping Pizza Va alid Only After 9 p.m.

Online code: 9991T O

FREE!

Cheese Bread with any $25 order or more.

Online code: CHEESE

Fetalicious ®

Ask about our $6 Buck Lunch dealls!

LATE NIGHT DELIVERY!

2:00 a.m. Fridays & Saturdays L O C A L LY OW N E D A N D O P E R AT E D

Please Pleasemention mentioncoupon couponwhen when ordering. ordering. One One coupon, coupon, specialorordiscount discountper perorder/table. order/table. Prices Prices subject to special change.Sales Salestax taxnot notincluded. included.Expires Expires 10/31/17. 6/30/15. VP change.

Please ordering. One One coupon, coupon, Please mention mention coupon coupon when when ordering. special or or discount discount per order/table. Prices special Prices subject subjecttoto change.Sales Salestax tax not not included. included. Expires Expires 6/30/15. change. 10/31/17. VP

For a full menu, coupons or ordering online, tap your fingers to glassnickelpizza.com Sign up for PizzaMai l ™ at glassnickelpizza.com and get special, subscriberonly deals and promotions. It’s email you can use, not email we abuse.

608

848-4877

3191 Muir Field Road • Fitchburg, WI 53719

Late Night Delivery. Dine-in. Carry-out. Catering. *Gluten-Free Crust is made offsite, but pizzas may share equipment with items containing gluten. We accept Credit Cards, Business Checks, Charge Accounts & Cash. Sorry, no Personal Checks. Please note that products and pricing may vary by location. Pricing is subject to change. $10 minimum for delivery. adno=533231-01

October 13, 2017

ConnectFitchburg.com

Fitchburg Star

Coming up

Each type of license will be edition of Bouncing Babies. This and provides information to help be led by a licensed speech lanFire department open house explained, as well as what they program will have lap rhymes, grow your business. The event is guage pathologist and occupationThe Fitchburg Fire Department’s annual open house will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 14, at 5791 Lacy Road. Attendees will be able to see safety demonstrations and visit with personnel from fire rescue, police and EMS. Hot dogs and popcorn will be available. For information, call 278-2980.

Book sale T h e F r i e n d s o f F i t c h bu rg Library Used Book Sale will be from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 21, at the library. There will be a variety of fiction, non-fiction, mystery, children’s and audio books at low prices. Proceeds will support Fitchburg Library programming. For information, call 729-1760.

Senior housing Visit the senior center at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, for a program about senior housing. The presentation will provide insight into what home health agencies, independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing communities offer.

mean for regulatory requirements. songs and stories from 1-1:45 p.m. The event is free. For information, Thursday, Oct 26. After the procall 270-4290. gram, enjoy social time with othparents/caregivers and tummy Spooky Escape Challenge er time for the babies. For information, call 729-1762. Solve Halloween puzzles, decipher spooky clues and unlock a scary mystery in the library at the Halloween Hunt Spooky Escape Challenge from The library will host the 10th 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. annual Great Halloween Hunt 25. It’s recommended for kids ages from 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5-12 and registration is required. 28. Library staff will wear cosFor information, call 729-1762. tumes and hold activities including a scavenger hunt, crafts and games, Tequila for TaTas a magician, balloon twisters and a Visit Tri-North Builders, 2625 movie. For information, call 729Research Park Dr., to help raise 1762. money for breast cancer research and awareness from 4-9 p.m. BB9 Wednesday, Oct. 25. A minimum Business Before Nine will be $25 donation will cover margaritas held at Wyndham Garden, 2969 and appetizers. All donations will Cahill Main, from 7:45-9 a.m. benefit UW Carbone Cancer Center Tuesday, Nov. 7. More for Stage IV Fund. There will be a program, “Ask Tickets and more information can the Expert: 10 Point Selling with be found at fitchburgchamber.com/ AJ Sue,” that covers how to manevent/tequila-for-tatas. age selling activities and get better results. Halloween Bouncing Babies sales BB9 is a monthly professionBring your baby, in costume, al development and networking to the library for the Halloween series. It’s an opportunity to network with other chamber members

open to everyone: free for cham- al therapist. For information, visit ber members, $25 for non-mem- therapymadison.com. bers. For information, visit Leadership workshops fitchburgchamber.com. “Robert’s Rules of Order LeaderAntique appraisal ship Workshop Series” will be held The library will hold its fourth at the library beginning at 10 a.m. antique appraisal featuring Wis- Saturday, Nov. 11. Coordinated by the Madison Unit consin author and antiques expert Mark F. Moran at 1:30 p.m., Sun- of Parliamentarians, the program day, Nov. 5. Categories include will have several key topics: How fine art, jewelry, furniture, ceram- to adjourn on time using motions, ics, glassware, photographs, meetings from start to finish, pracbooks. People can bring their tice using meeting scripts, meeting items to the library or request agendas and minutes and meeting Moran’s home visits for big or supplies. Registration is due Nov. 4. fragile items, which costs $75. Cost is $40 or $20 for students. For To register, call 729-1760 or information, email wheelerroad@ 281-5060 to reserve a home visit. chartermi.net. Kids ages 2-5 (with their parents) can meet with a speech language pathologist from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the library. Therapists from Communication Innovations Pediatric Therapy Services will have books and activities to help parents learn how to enhance children’s language skills through reading and incorporate songs and motor activities with books. It will

Learn more about sphero, a robotic sphere, at the library from 3-4 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. Designed for kids ages 9-12, the robot was created to inspire children to engage with STEAM skills and coding through creative play. Registration is required. For information, and to register, call 729-1762.

library, 729-1760‌ • 3-6 p.m., Fitchburg Farmers Market (repeats Thursdays through October), Agora Pavilion, 5511 E. Cheryl Pkwy., fitchburgmarket.wordpress.com‌ • 6-6:30 p.m., Guys Read, library, 729-1762‌

• 6-6:45 p.m., Scratch coding for tweens, library, 729-1760‌

729-1760‌ • 6-6:30 p.m., Guys read, library, 729-1760‌

Communication innovation Sphero Robotics

Calendar of events‌

‌Monday, October 16‌

• 9:30 a.m., Play-Doh Palooza, library, 729-1760‌ • 1 p.m., Paper crafting, senior center, 270-4290‌ • 4:15-5:15 p.m., Prairie Swale Toastmasters Club Open House, Promega BioPharmaceutical Technology Ctr. Building, 5445 E. Cheryl Pkwy, 270-4266‌

‌Tuesday, October 17‌

• 2 p.m., Maple syrup 101, senior center, 270-4290‌ • 5 p.m., Read to a dog, library, 729-1760‌ • 6 p.m., Decorate a coffee mug with Sharpies, library, 729-1760‌

‌Friday, October 18‌

• 10 a.m., Book discussion, library, 729-1760‌ • 10 a.m., Toddler art, library, 729-1760‌ • 6 p.m., Nuts and bolts of returning to school, library, 7291760‌

‌Thursday, October 19‌

• 10 a.m., Farm storytime,

‌Friday, October 20‌

• 11 a.m., Fall Crafts, library, 729-1760‌ • Noon to 5 p.m., Friends of Fitchburg Library used book sale, library, 729-1760‌ • 12:40 p.m., Movie: The Hero, senior center, 270-4290‌

‌Saturday, October 21‌

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friends of Fitchburg Library used book sale, library, 729-1760‌

‌Tuesday, October 24‌

• 9-11 a.m., Flu shots and family pharmacy, senior center, 270-4290‌ • 2 p.m., Active women’s group, senior center, 270-4290‌

‌Wednesday, October 25‌

• 10-11 a.m., (1 p.m. at senior center) Senior housing program (registration is requested), 602 N. Segoe Road, 204-0900‌ • 2 p.m., Parkinson’s support group meeting, senior center, 270-4290‌ • 4:30-5:30 p.m., Spooky Escape Challenge, library, 7291760‌ • 4-9 p.m., Tequila for TaTas

($25 minimum donation), TriNorth Builders, 2625 Research Park Dr., fitchburgchamber. com/event/tequila-for-tatas‌ • 7 p.m., 3D printing basics, library, 729-1760‌

‌Thursday, October 26‌

‌Sunday, November 5‌

• 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Free blood pressure check-up, senior center, 270-4290‌ • 11 a.m., Cookbook club, library, 729-1760‌ • 1-1:45 p.m., Halloween Bouncing Babies, library, 7291762‌ • 1:30 p.m., Mystery book club: A Mind to Murder by P. D. James, senior center, 270-4290‌ • 3-6 p.m., Fitchburg Farmers Market (repeats Thursdays through October), Agora Pavilion, 5511 E. Cheryl Pkwy., fitchburgmarket.wordpress.com‌

• 1:30 p.m., Antiques appraisal, senior center, 729-1763‌

‌Saturday, October 28‌

• 10:30-11 a.m., Toddler dance party, library, 729-1760‌ • 2 p.m., Parkinson’s support group meeting, senior center, 270-4290‌

• 6-9:30 p.m., Great Halloween Hunt, library, 729-1760‌

‌Tuesday, October 31‌

• 4-8 p.m., City wide trick-ortreat hours‌

‌Friday, November 10‌

• 11-11:45 a.m., Book Boogie, library, 729-1760‌

‌Saturday, November 11‌

‌Monday, November 6‌

• 10 a.m., Leadership workshop series, library, wheelerroad@ chartermi.net‌

‌Tuesday, November 7‌

• 9:30-10 a.m., Preschool storytime, library, 729-1760‌ • 10 a.m., Women’s brunch, senior center, 467-3990‌ • 11-11:30 a.m., Preschool storytime, library, 729-1760‌

• 9:30-10 a.m., Preschool storytime, library, 729-1760‌ • 11-11:30 a.m., Preschool storytime, library, 729-1760‌ • 7:45-9 a.m., Business Before Nine, Wyndham Garden, 2969 Cahill Main, fitchburgchamber. com‌ • 11-11:30 a.m., Lapsit storytime, library, 729-1760‌

‌Wednesday, November 8‌

‌Thursday, November 9‌

• 10:30 a.m., Storytime, library, ‌Wednesday, November 1‌ 729-1760‌ • 6-6:30 p.m., Book club, library, • 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Free 729-1760‌ blood pressure check-up, senior center, 270-4290‌ ‌Thursday, November 2‌ • 11:30 a.m., Craftnoon, library, • 1:30 p.m., REACH book club: News of the World by Paulette 729-1760‌ Jiles, senior center, 270-4290‌ • 5-5:45 p.m., Scratch coding • 1-1:45 p.m., Bouncing babies, for tweens, library, 729-1760‌

Memorial United Church of Christ

‌Monday, November 13‌

‌Tuesday, November 14‌

• 11-11:30 a.m., Lapsit storytime, library, 729-1760‌ • 6-7 p.m., Harry Potter game night, library, 729-1760‌

‌Wednesday, November 15‌

• 10 a.m., Book discussion: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, library, 729-1760‌ • 7 p.m., Introduction to WordPress, library, 729-1760‌ • 7-7:45 p.m., Mother daughter book club, library, 729-1760‌

‌Thursday, November 16‌

• 3-4 p.m., Sphero Robotics, library, 729-1760‌ • 6-7 p.m., Sphero Robotics, library, 729-1760‌

INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

MIDDLETON CENTER PH 2, LLC

A welcoming community growing together in Christ

Come welcome our new Pastor, Kristin Gorton

® A TWALL ENTERPRISES URBAN VILLAGE

Join Us As We Get Ready For Fall

For more information contact us today:

twallinvestment.com invest@twallenterprises.com 608-345-9848

Two services 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m.

• Located in the heart of downtown Middleton • 98 apartments & 14,000 Sqft of retail space • Adjacent t o a variety of shops & restuarants • Construction scheduled to begin summer 2017

Sunday school 10 a.m.

adno=539263-01

Nursery available at both services

5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg 273-1008 • www.memorialucc.org

‌Friday, November 3‌

• 10:30-11:30 a.m., Hungry caterpillar party, library, 729-1760‌

*Wisconsin Residents Only

adno=521315-01

‌Saturday, October 14‌

• 10 a.m. to noon, Fire department open house, 5791 Lacy Road, 278-2980‌ • Noon, Habitat for Humanity open house, 2504 Equity Lane, habitatdane.org‌ • 2-3:35 p.m., Kids movie: Hocus Pocus, library, 729-1762‌

Minimum investment is one unit at $5,000. This communication does not constitute an offer of securities. All offers made solely through disclosure statement.Offers and sales of these securities will be made only to residents of the State of Wisconsin. Offers and sales of these securities are made under an exemption from registration and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Wisconsin Uniform Securities Law. For a period of six months from the date of sale of the securities, any resale of the securities shall be made only to persons resident within the State of Wisconsin. This investment opportunity is described in more detail in a Disclosure Statement. No investment commitments will be accepted until an investor receives a copy of the Disclosure Statement and a subscription agreement for the investment. Any investment will involve a high degree of risk, including the risk factors that will be described in the Disclosure Statement. If you are interested in this investment opportunity, please contact invest@twallenterprises.com or call 608-826-4000 to receive a copy of the Disclosure Statement. These securities have not been recommended by any federal or state regulatory authority and no such authority has confirmed the accuracy or determined the adequacy of this document or any information referenced in this document. If you are interested in this investment opportunity, please contact invest@twallenterprises.com or call 608-826-4000 to receive a copy of the Disclosure Statement.

ConnectFitchburg.com

October 13, 2017

Fitchburg Star

Senior center earns WCI acquiring West re-accreditation Branch Communications Unified Newspaper Group

The Fitchburg Area Senior Center was one of about 30 to receive state accreditation this year out of the more than 110 centers around Wisconsin. This is the fifth time the senior center has received its re-accreditation, which comes up every five years. The accreditation recognizes high standards in nine areas ranging from management, and personnel to facilities and programming. An accreditation committee, comprised of people from other senior centers, visit the center and interview staff and board members before approving the re-accreditation. Jill McHone, director of the Fitchburg Area Senior Center, said the accreditation is the “highest standard” in the state for senior center operations, which ke e p s s o m e f r o m eve n applying for the recognition. It took the center staff

and volunteers almost six months to go through all requirements and evaluating their work in past five years. “It’s a good check and balance to keep you on task,” McHone told the Star. McHone said the Fitchburg facility provides nice study and workout space to connect the community by organizing “active” and “progressive” programming and classes for people from 50 to over 100 years old. Since the center was re-accredited five years ago, the number of seniors served has increased from 2,300 to 2,700 annually, she added. McHone hopes the center can work with more volunteers and reach out to diverse populations. “ We ’r e a l w a y s s e e k ing out new programs and opportunities to collaborate with the community,” McHone said.

Contact Helu Wang at helu.wang@wcinet.com.

Unified Newspaper Group will soon have seven new newspapers in its family. Woodward Communications, Inc. announced last month it will acquire West Branch Communications from Jake Krob and Stuart Clark. The sale of the company was scheduled to close on Sept. 29. Wo o d wa r d , b a s e d i n Dubuque, Iowa, is the parent company of UNG, which publishes the Fitchburg Star and its three sister newspapers, the Stoughton Courier Hub, Oregon Observer and Verona Press, along with quarterly magazine Your Fa m i l y a n d t h e G r e a t Dane Shopping News. West Branch includes t h e f o l l ow i n g w e e k l y

newspapers: Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun, Solon Economist, West Liberty Index, West Branch Ti m e s , N o r t h L i b e r t y Leader, Marion Times and Linn News-Letter, in addition to adjoining shoppers, and specialty publications. The company was formed in 2001 by Krob and Clark, who also publishes the Tipton Conservative and Clarence Lowden Sun-News, which are not included in the sale. The newspaper group will become part of WCI’s Community Media Division, which consists of six weekly newspapers, including three Iowa weeklies, in Dyersville, Cascade and Manchester, Iowa, and four other shopper publications.

AMBER LEVENHAGEN Unified Newspaper Group

The doors are opening on another Habitat for Humanity home this weekend. Habitat for Humanity of Dane County Builds will celebrate the completion of the 263rd Habitat home in Dane County, located at 2504 Equity Lane, with a celebration at noon Saturday, Oct. 14. The public is invited to meet the family, tour the home and share refreshments. The home is sponsored by the Habitat for Humanity UW-Madison Campus Chapter and will be the 11th home in Fitchburg’s Renaissance on the Park neighborhood. There are 23 more homes scheduled to be built in the neighborhood by 2021, according to a news release. The home has three bedrooms and is wheelchair accessible. The soon-tobe homeowner, Maricela, works for the Department of Workforce Development and will move in with her two sons, Emilio and Elian Miguel. Previously, the family has moved between apartments often and struggled to find affordable housing. “I can only afford a small

The Fitchburg Star does not sweep errors under the rug. If you see something you know or even think is in error, please contact editor Jim Ferolie at 845-9559 or at fitchburgstar@wcinet.com so we can get it right.

Corre la Voz Available at a newsstand near you! Corré la Voz is a monthly Spanish language newspaper covering the Verona and Fitchburg communities.

Corre la Voz

If You Go What: Habitat for Humanity open house When: Noon Saturday, Oct. 14 Where: 2504 Equity Lane Info: habitatdane.org apartment and my sons are getting to the age that they need their own space and privacy,” Maricela said in the release. Valerie Johnson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, said she is proud to work with Maricela’s family. “This isn’t just a home for this family, it’s really giving them the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future,” Johnson said in the release. Habitat homeowners are required to take educational courses to prepare for homeownership, according to the release. They also spend hundreds of hours volunteering on the construction site, building their home. Maricela worked at the Habitat office and Habitat ReStore, and baked treats for volunteers, in addition to other charitable deeds. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, visit habitatdane.org. Contact Amber Levenhagen at amber.levenhagen@ wcinet.com.

advertising and readership support over the past 16 years. Woodward Communications will be great stewards of the newspapers we love.” “We are committed to community media and are excited to add these quality publications into our portfolio,” said Tom Woodward, chief executive officer and president of Woodward Communications, Inc. “West Branch Communications extends our eastern Iowa market area and creates synergies with our entire community publishing division. Jake’s continued leadership of this group will provide for a smooth transition.”

See something wrong?

Habitat celebrates 263rd home Wheelchair accessible home is 11th in Fitchburg neighborhood

The newspapers will continue to operate from their current locations, and maintain their existing publication cycles. Krob will join WCI as regional publisher in charge of the West Branch Communications group. Krob will report to Steve Fisher, publisher of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, and group publisher of Woodward Community Media. “I’m incredibly excited about Woodward’s rich history and proven innovation being put to use in our communities,” Krob said. “Like us, Woodward is committed to local media and the communities they serve.” Krob added: “Stu and I are grateful for the

Disponible en un quiosco cerca de usted! Corré la Voz es un periódico mensual en español que cubre las comunidades de Verona y Fitchburg.

Pick up your free copy of Corré la Voz at any of these locations: Recoja su copia gratuita de Corré la Voz en cualquiera de estas ubicaciones: Verona Badger Ridge Middle School Glacier Edge Elementary Miller’s Grocery Verona Country View Elementary Verona High School Verona Public Library Verona Sugar Creek Elementary Verona Vision Verona Press

Fitchburg Certco Fitchburg Public Library La Concha La Hacienda La Michoacana Latino Chamber of Commerce Savanna Oaks Middle School Stone Crest Apartments Stoner Prairie Elementary The Fountains Apartments

Madison Centro Hispano La Hacienda Taqueria El Jalapeno

Llame al 608-835-9559 Correo electrónico veronasales@wcinet.com

Corre la Voz

adno=536987-01

HELU WANG

October 13, 2017

Madison/Oregon schools

Fitchburg Star

West homecoming

ConnectFitchburg.com

Oregon School District

Managing its growth OSD task force explores options for new schools, configurations SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group

Seniors, from left, Ciara Hart, Zenab Nafid, Ceili Cordero and Deonto Seroy pass by crowd in a red car.

Photo by Helu Wang

Regents on parade Over 100 students and teachers participated in the Homecoming parade on Sept. 15 at West High School. This year’s theme was Heroes vs. Villains. Students and staff dressed in costumes and passed by the crowd on bikes, cars and trucks.

OHS homecoming

Photo by Scott De Laruelle

Panther pride

Oregon High School held its annual Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 6. Despite some rainy conditions, it had a well-attended parade in the afternoon and a 35-7 victory over Watertown in the football game that night. Before the parade, OHS held a pep rally in the new gymnasium, with classes competing in dance-offs and showing their school spirit. Here, OHS junior Natalie Walker heads back to her bandmates after interacting with elementary school students during the Homecoming parade.

for a more sustainable future

• • •

Check out energy-saving tips. Explore new technologies. Learn about our commitment to customers.

A resource of Madison Gas and Electric GS3168 10/2/2017

Visit energy2030together.com

adno=536049-01

The Oregon School District has around 4,000 students, but by the time this year’s kindergarteners graduate, that number is projected to have risen to around 6,000. Facing this 50 percent increase by 2030, it’s just a matter of time before the district must expand its footprint by adding new schools or expanding existing ones. In February, the district created a growth task force to explore how to deal with the expected explosion of growth. The task force has met nine times so far, with a goal of making a recommendation to the board in February 2018 in three areas: population projections, how those projections would affect current building and grade configurations and where and when additional buildings would be needed. It’s so far established a solid projection of student enrollment increases based on research from district consultant Mark Roffers, and it will take the next few months to determine those other two recommendations. “I don’t think it’s if new facilities are required, I think it’s a question of when are new facilities required and what would those new facilities look like,” superintendent Brian Busler told the Observer last week. “That’s the part that’s next up for the task force to look at.” Still, with recent additions to Oregon High School, Busler said the district isn’t “super-pressed” for additional space until about 2020. The group is looking 10-15 years down the road, and Busler said there will likely be another task force to look at the next 10-15 years beyond 2030. “Particularly in communities like ours where you see significant and strong economic growth, that’s something that really never stops,” he said. “The notion of always having a growth task force committee, that’s probably going to become a staple.” Busler said the task force is a “small cross-section of the community,” with every member of the group “a real learner.” “For some people, that is not their thing, but we are fortunate to have 10 individuals who this is their thing, and they are really good at it,” he said. District director of curriculum Leslie Bergstrom, one of the facilitators, said the group has been a “wonderful experience” so far. “We have people on the task force who bring a variety of perspective and because of that I feel as if our discussion and eventual decision-making will be significantly stronger,” she said.

Narrowing choices Bergstrom said the district is “very confident” about the projected student enrollment numbers, so now the next step is to figure out how the district can “continue to meet the needs of our students and provide the highest quality experience and growth.” “That’s what we’re talking about now,” she said. “What can we do with facilities to make sure we maintain the high quality experience we currently offer?” Bergstrom said the task force is also narrowing down its choices for possible new building sites or configurations of grades. “Right now we’re thinking of every conceivable option and measuring it against what we value as a district,” she said. Bergstrom said before the task force makes its recommendation in February, they want to meet with district residents and “make sure everybody is aware schools will be coming.” “We definitely want to be able to listen to the thinking of the community,” she said.

Where and how big One major challenge for the group is trying to figure out the “right size” for the district’s three elementary schools. “When I came to the district (11 years ago), we were in the 400-450 (range),” he said. “Now we’re in the 425 to a little over 500.” Rome Corners Intermediate School, which has room to expand, has around 600 students, as does the middle school, Busler said. He said space needs at the schools aren’t yet urgent, but district officials are planning ahead for expected growth. “We’re probably most comfortable at the high school,” given the recent additions, he said. District officials already know where new schools are likely to be. They are focusing mainly along the “Highway 14 corridor” in Fitchburg, but also in the western part of Oregon. “Whenever you locate a school, you attempt to locate it in an area where there is population density,” he said. “(That) gives us the opportunity to ensure we are spending more money on classroom instruction and less money on all the other costs of operating school – transportation piece, land acquisition.” About 20 years ago, the district purchased land from the village near Alpine Parkway for a possible future school, and Busler noted that parcel is “definitely in play,” given it’s the only piece of undeveloped land the district owns “If you go over to Alpine (Parkway) on the corner of Lerner Park, it looks like a racetrack full of construction vehicles — those superlarge dump trucks, and frontend loading equipment,” he said. “Behind that is a wooded hill, and you know that wooded hill is going to change as houses come there. That warms everyone’s heart… that is progress, we’re thriving.”

Verona schools

ConnectFitchburg.com

October 13, 2017

Fitchburg Star

Rendering courtesy Eppstein Uhen Architects

This angle shows the Verona Aquatic Center, with the performing arts center and rest of the school building in the background.

Renderings revealed Building design is over its target of 600,000 square feet SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

The preliminary design for the new Verona Area High School building shows an access street to Nine Mound Road, a sunken gymnasium and a large, multiuse common area. School board members got to see the designs for the first time at Monday night’s school board meeting. They had an opportunity to see different angles of a rendering of the building, the layout of the entire site and a floor-byfloor plan for the educational spaces as consultants led them through each of the different looks. The documents were the result of the schematic design phase of the construction process, which concluded a few weeks ago, as planners have moved into the design development stage. That will include a cost estimate based on the plans as created. Architects from Epstein Uhen Architects and employees of Findorff, which is serving as the construction manager for the project, have

a long way to go, as the initial designs have come in about 4 percent above the size projections for the building. VASD superintendent Dean Gorrell told board members that they had targeted a 600,000-square-foot building, but the current plans have it around 625,000. He said the district’s consultants will be coming up with a list of potential space cuts, and Matt Breunig of Findorff said the current plan was based on everything staff had asked for in the design of a new space. “This is totally normal at this point in time to really begin that prioritization,” Breunig said. “It’s part of getting the input from the staff and then working to prioritize what’s going to be cost-effective (and best for the district).” Board members are expected to discuss those priorities at the next board meeting, Oct. 30. The plans, therefore, are not “etched in stone,” as board member Tom Duerst asked early on in the meeting, and are likely to change before construction begins. The design shows a field house with a floor that will be situated below the rest of the building, which EUA project designer Chris Michaud said helped designers handle the

On the web Photo by Anthony Iozzo

See more renderings and a map of the site:

Showing off school spirit

ConnectFitchburg.com challenging grading changes on the site, which is full of hills and different elevations. The plan also shows two roads coming into the site, one from East Verona Avenue and a second from Nine Mound Road. The latter has not received approvals from the City of Verona yet, and it seems to be the fallback after a road further south, from Paoli Street, was deemed unworkable. Both the second and third floors of the building show bridges across the “common space” on the first floor, which will serve as a place to eat, collaborate or work outside of the classroom. Michaud said EUA has done its best to design each space with as much flexibility as possible. “We want the teachers and the students to be able to use that space in any way they possibly can,” Michaud said.

The Verona Area High School Homecoming parade took place Friday from the school’s main entrance down Main Street to West Verona Avenue. Several sports teams and student clubs, including the Black Student Union, seen above, participated in the parade and showed their spirit by dressing up in school colors and throwing candy to the crowd. Some danced, some laughed, some screamed and some even sang during the festivities.

What’s online Read these and more Verona Area School District stories at ConnectFitchburg.com:

VAHS dress code tweet goes viral A tweet from a Verona Area High School senior about her photo being deemed “inapropriate” for the yearbook got nationwide attention over the past few weeks.

Special ed advisory committee forms The Verona Area School District and some parents are partnering to form an advisory committee on special education. The group will serve as a way for the district to get feedback on its performance as well as a support mechanism for parents.

Committee considers TWI future The district has begun planning for what happens when students in the elementary Two Way Immersion program move on to middle school.

Contact Scott Girard at ungreporter@wcinet.com and follow him on Twitter @sgirard9.

BY IN 1ST VE G . 10 SA VIN DEC -60 O M ORE 20 F -6 BE 08

INDEPEND DENT, ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE • • • •

Spacious Apartments with a Variety of Floor Plans Free Transportaon 7 Days A Week Underground Parking Restaurant Style Dining • Full-Time Nursing & 24 Hour Staﬀ • Housekeeping • Daily Acvies • Movie Theatre & On-Site Salon

SSM Health Recognizes

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

WINTER MOVE-IN SPECIAL

Move in before December 1st, and receive half oﬀ your lifestyle fee Our mission is to take care of our loved ones with compassion and grace.

471 Prairie Way Blvd. • Verona, WI • 608-620-6010 • noelmanorliving.com

adno=533039-01

Have You Had Your Mammogram?

Sports

Friday, October 13, 2017

The

Fitchburg Star For more sports coverage, visit: ConnectFitchburg.com

Jeremy Jones, sports editor

845-9559 x226 • ungsportseditor@wcinet.com

Anthony Iozzo, assistant sports editor 845-9559 x237 • sportsreporter@wcinet.com Fax: 845-9550

Edgewood girls golf

VAHS girls golf

Saving the best for state

Verona shoots a season-low 339 as Ott, Gaillard put up career-best scores ‌ ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

Coach Jon Rebholz talked with the Verona Area High School girls golf team during the practice round at University Ridge Golf Course. He asked the girls what their team goals were and after a pause, Rebholz told the girls they could finish in the top eight, beat Middleton and shoot under 340 for a round. And all three of those goals came true Tuesday during round 2 at state as the Wildcats finished sixth overall after shooting a 339 in round 2. Verona had a 664 overall with a 355

Turn to State/Page 12

Photo submitted

The Madison Edgewood High School girls golf team finished WIAA Division 2 state runner-up Monday-Tuesday at University Ridge Golf Course. The Regents finished with a combined 732. Aquinas won the D2 state title with a 717.

Taking home the silver Crusaders shoot a 732 to take second to Aquinas ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

The Madison Edgewood High School girls golf team missed out on state as a team last season, but the Crusaders came back strong this year and made it back after a one-year absence. As in 2015, Edgewood ended up finishing WIAA Division 2 state runner-up, but the Crusaders only trailed eventual champion Aquinas by one stroke after Monday’s score of 360. Edgewood didn’t do much worse in

D2 state team scores 1: Aquinas, 359-358 717 2: Edgewood, 360-372 732 3: Fox Valley Lutheran, 374-367 741 4: Catholic Memorial, 375-375 750 5: Stanley-Boyd, 395-394 789 6: Somerset, 427-436 863 round 2 Tuesday, finishing with a 372 and a 732 overall, but Aquinas bested its first round sore by a stroke with a 358 and ended up with a 717 for the tournament. Edgewood’s Grace Welch finished fifth

overall with a 166 (80-86). Welch was tied for first after Monday’s round. Caitlyn Hegenbarth was 10th overall with a 182 (94-88), and Grace Jaeger tied for 15th overall with a 187 (90-97). Anaka Leske was 25th with a 200 (99-101). Corinna Smith finished 30th out of 39 individuals with a 209 (96-113). Fox Valley Lutheran’s Erica Priebe was the D2 individual champion with a 160 (80-80). Hayward’s Emily Neff was second with a 162 (81-81), and Catholic Memorial’s Sydney Brandt was third with a 164 (80-84). The Prairie School’s Kate Munro took fourth with a 165 (80-85), and Aquinas’ Annie Balduzzi was the final medalist with a sixth-place 167 (85-82).

West football

Regents go 4-1 last month, clinch postseason berth ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

The Madison West High School football team finished 4-1 over the last month, clinching a postseason berth with a 6-2 overall record. The Regents defeated Verona, Madison La Follette, Madison East and Janesville Craig and fell to third-ranked Sun Prairie. If West wins Friday at Janesville Parker, the Regents will be hoping to get a top-four seed and a home game for the WIAA D1 playoffs. Seeds come out Saturday.

Big Eight Team W-L Sun Prairie 8-0 Middleton 7-1 Madison West 6-2 Verona 5-3 Janesville Craig 4-4 Madison La Follette 4-4 Madison Memorial 3-5 Beloit Memorial 2-6 Janesville Parker 1-7 Madison East 0-8

Photo by Anthony Iozzo quarterback Keishawn Shanklin took over the second half on Senior running back Jaden Stephens rushes for a first down on Sept. 8 against Verona. Stephens had 115 yards and two touchSenior running back Turn to West football/Page 11 downs in a 23-16 win over Verona. The Regents finished 4-1 this Jaden Stephens and senior past month and are now 6-2 overall with a postseason berth.

West 23, Verona 17

Photo by Anthony Iozzo

Verona senior Alexis Gaillard hits her second shot on the fourth hole Monday at the WIAA Division 1 state girls golf meet. Gaillard shot a career-best 87 in round 2 at state Tuesday at University Ridge Golf course. The Wildcats finished with a 694 and took sixth overall, edging rival Middleton for the first time all season.

OHS volleyball

Spiking the Silver Eagles Panthers upset MG, take fourth at conference tourney ‌ ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

Everything was clicking for the Oregon High School volleyball team Saturday at the Badger South Conference tournament, as the Panthers went 2-2 and finished fourth overall. The offense, defense and serving were all working from the start of the

Turn to Conference/Page 14

ConnectFitchburg.com

Madison West/Madison Edgewood

October 13, 2017

Fitchburg Star

Edgewood volleyball

West girls tennis

A return to state Crusaders take third at Badger South tournament team tournament ANTHONY IOZZO

Assistant sports editor

The Madison Edgewood High School volleyball team needed to step up after dropping its opening match Oct. 7 in the Badger South Conference tournament. The Crusaders bounced back from a 2-1 (25-27, 25-23, 16-18) loss to

JEREMY JONES Sports editor

The Regent girls tennis team won three out of seven sectional titles earlier this month to advance back to the WIAA Division 1 team state tennis tournament. Madison West, which advanced six of the seven flights, won titles at No. 4 singles and Nos. 1 and 3 doubles. The Regents didn’t finish worse than third at any flight to score 21 points. That, along with the 22 points West had from subsectionals, gave the Regents a 15 point lead over La Crosse Central and Onalaska. It marks the second straight year (12th overall) that the Regents advanced to the WIAA Division 1 team state tennis tournament. The tournament is Oct. 20-21 inside Madison’s Nielsen Tennis Stadium. New this year, the top four teams were seeded at the state team tournament. Madison West (19-2) earned the No. 3 seed behind Homestead (230) and Neenah (14-1). Nicolet (15-6) is seeded fourth. The Regents will play Big Eight rival Sun Prairie (133) in the opening round of state. West defeated the Cardinals 4-3 during the regular season. Notre Dame (14-10), Brookfield East (18-3) and Eau Claire Memorial (18-4) round out the field. M a d i s o n We s t a l s o advanced three flights to this week’s WIAA Division 1 individual state tennis tournament. Regent No. 2 singles player freshman Maddi Bremel (21-8) earned a special qualifier and will play fellow special qualifier Kellie Hierl (18-9), a junior from Fond du Lac at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Senior No. 1 singles player Ellie Kaji (19-11) drew ninth-seeded Eau Claire Memorial junior Sierra Auleta (24-6) in the first round at state and will play at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12. The winner of that match advances to face either Arrowhead senior Maddie Shipshock (22-11) or special qualifier Mandy Schuster (1214), a senior from Waunakee. Top-seeded sophomore Cecile Fuchs (33-2) of

Stoughton in the opening round by sweeping Fort Atkinson 2-0 (25-21, 25-19). Edgewood then eliminated Stoughton in a rematch with a 2-0 (25-22, 25-18) sweep before knocking off Oregon 2-0 (25-15, 25-17) and making the semifinals against Milton. The Crusaders took the first set over Milton 27-25, but the Red Hawks fought back with 28-26 and

15-8 wins in the next two sets to eliminate Edgewood. Edgewood finished third in the tournament and had eight points in the Badger South when adding its 3-4 record. That was good enough for third in the final standings. Watertown won the title, and Milton took second. Oregon and Monona Grove tied for fourth with six points each.

Edgewood girls tennis

Crusaders fall short of team state JEREMY JONES Photo by Jeremy Jones

Senior No. 1 singles player Ellie Kaji (19-11) drew ninth-seeded Eau Claire Memorial junior Sierra Auleta (24-6) in the first round at the WIAA Division 1 individual state.

DeForest won the sectional 6-1, 6-3 over Verona sophomore Meredith Conley. Both qualified for state. Madison Memorial sophomore No. 2 singles player Grace Olson (26-3) and Onalaska sophomore Faith Leithold (24-8) also qualified from the sectional, along with No. 2 singles sectional champion Samantha Fuchs (34-1), a freshman from DeForest. Middleton senior Kai Heineman (12-12) and Madison Memorial junior Ingrid Goldstrand (11-13) each earned a special qualifier. Other area individual state qualifiers were fellow Big Eight competitor Maycee Maslonka of Janesville Craig, who earned a special qualifier in the Oconomowoc sectional, and Sun Prairie freshman Lauren Hope Bruemmer (26-5) and senior Latsami Sysouvanh (27-3). Hope Bruemmer won the No. 2 singles flight at the Oconomowoc sectional, and Sysouvanh won the No. 1 singles flight and earned the 13th seed at state. The Regents won two doubles titles and finished second at the other at sectionals. Senior Laura Nicholas and freshman Abby Bremel (28-2) won the sectional and earned the No. 6 seed at state. They received a firstround bye and will play the winner of Divine Savior Holy Angels (8-4) and Janesville Craig (8-8) in the second round at 9 a.m. Friday.

Sports editor

Madison Edgewood failed to reach the WIAA Division 2 state team tennis tournament for the first time in nine years. The Crusaders led the East Troy subsectional with 20 points but were unable to keep place with second-ranked Kenosha St. Joseph, which outscored sixth-ranked Edgewood 23-11 at the Whitewater sectional. The 47 points combined from the subsectional and sectional meet

vaulted Kenosha back to state. Edgewood slipped to third with 31 points, while third-ranked Catholic Memorial slipped into second place with 38. Freshman Baluck Deang (26-4) had the Crusaders’ top finish at sectionals, playing to second place at No. 1 singles. Deang lost her just her fourth match of the season in the finals to one of the state’s premiere players in Olivia Czerwonka (28-1) at the Whitewater sectional. It was one of four titles by the Lancers, who added

championships at No. 2 and 3 singles and No. 1 doubles. Kenosha finished second at No. 2 doubles and third at No. 3 doubles. Deang received the seventh seed at state and will face Osceola freshman Trista Haan (11-7) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Junior singles player Julia Hess (16-8) finished third at No. 2 singles at sectionals, and freshman Hailey Rothewll (22-9) was second at No. 3 singles. Edgewood’s other state qualifier, senior Grace Drake and junior Kinsey Kessel

(17-9) finished fourth in Whitewater but earned a sixth seed for state at No. 1 doubles. They will face Rice Lake senior Katy Dong and junior Alicia Kinziger (10-9) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Other local qualifiers were Lodi seniors Alex Armbrust and Anya Armbrust (17-4). Kenosha St. Joseph (141) earned the top seed at team state and will face Amery (7-2) in the first round. Second-seeded University School of Milwaukee (14-5) will face Eau Claire Regis (22-4).

West football: Wins over Verona, La Follette, East, Craig Continued from page 10 Sept. 8 in a 23-17 win over Verona. Stephens broke a 10-10 tie with a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and Shanklin followed with an 11-yard touchdown run to make it 23-10. Verona senior quarterback Aaron Young found senior split end Jaden King for a 6-yard touchdown pass to make it a one-score game, but that was the end of the offense on the night. Stephens, who had 115 yards on 22 carries, scored on a 14-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Verona’s lone first-half t o u c h d ow n c a m e o n a 35-yard fumble return by senior defensive back Bui Clements. Senior linebacker David Maravilla led all defenders with 13 total tackles. Stephens added an

interception on defense.

West 14, La Follette 7

What’s next

The Regents moved to Madison West travels 2-0 in the battle for the city to Janesville Parker at title with a 14-7 win over Madison La Follette on 7 p.m. Friday to conSept. 15. clude the regular seaSenior fullback Armoson. Postseason seeds ni Warfield broke a 7-7 tie come out Saturday, with with a 25-yard touchdown Level 1 playoffs slated run in the third quarter. Shanklin found sophofor Oct. 20. more Ezra Thompson on a 23-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. a touchdown on 12 carries. Shanklin added a forced Senior running back fumble on defense. Mikey Hoye and Shanklin both added rushing touchWest 41, East 7 downs. Madison West won the Defensively, Shanklin city title and clinched a had an interception, and postseason berth with a Maravilla forced a fumble. 41-7 win over Madison Sun Prairie 37, West 7 East on Sept. 22. The Regents rushed for Madison fell to third360 total yards in the win. ranked Sun Prairie 37-7 on Stephens had 188 yards Sept. 28. and three touchdowns on Shanklin found senior 13 carries, and Warfield D i o n d r e D a v i s f o r a finished with 90 yards and

31-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the lone score. Senior defensive back Zach Mercier forced two fumbles, and Stephens forced another on defense.

West 26, Craig 19 The Regents came back from a 10-point deficit to knock off Janesville Craig 26-19 on Oct. 6. Shanklin found Stephens on a 69-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 19-19 in the fourth quarter, and Shanklin later ran in a 3-yard touchdown run to take the lead for good. Shanklin and Stephen also connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Shanklin finished 6-for-14 for 126 yards, and Stephens had three catches for 106 yards. Senior safety Ryan Wendland and Stephens each had an interception.

West girls golf

ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

Madison West junior Lillian Knetter earned an individual state girls golf qualifier this season and finished tied for 36th with a 178 (9088) Monday-Tuesday at University Ridge Golf Course. Knetter qualified for state at the D1 Verona sectional at Edelweiss Golf Course with an 83. The Madison West team

finished fifth at sectionals with a 380. Freshman Aspen Fleming had a 96, and sophomore Margo Bush had a 98. Sophomore Ashley Fleming finished with a 103. The Regents took runner-up at the D1 Middleton regional at Pleasant View Golf Course with a 350. Knetter had an 84, and Ashley Fleming had an 86. Bush finished with an 87, and freshman Ava Downing had a 93.

adno=542273-01

Knetter qualifies for state, finishes tied for 36th

October 13, 2017

Fitchburg Star

Verona Area High School

ConnectFitchburg.com

Football

Wildcats clinch playoff berth, go 2-3 last month ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

The Verona Area High School football team had a much better time on the field on Sept. 22 than they had the past two weeks, which ended in losses against Madison West and Middleton. The Wildcats scored on their first three possessions at Lussier Stadium and dominated the second half against Madison La Follette in a 41-18 win. Verona led 17-6 at halftime and had an even better second half. Other than a lost fumble on a 38-yard run by senior running back Luke Slekar, there weren’t many mistakes. T h e Wi l d c a t s f o r c e d a three-and-out after the turnover, and senior Jacob Walton scooped up a short bouncing punt and ran 15 yards to bring it to the La Follette 20-yard line. Senior running back Joe Riley and sophomore running back Keegan Lindell traded runs for 11 yards combined, and senior quarterback Aaron Young (13-for-24 for 149 yards) found senior tight end Logan Lindell on a

Photo by Anthony Iozzo

Senior tight end Logan Lindell (middle) celebrates a 9-yard touchdown reception with senior split end Carson Bull (3) and senior running back Luke Slekar (39) in the third quarter Sept. 22 against Madison La Follette at Lussier Stadium. The Wildcats won 41-18 and clinched a playoff berth at Madison East the following week. short pass to the right. Lindell, who finished with four receptions for 48 yards, bowled over two defenders and powered his way into the end zone, making it 24-6. The Wildcats also used multiple backs and switched off carries. That led to Slekar, Riley Bull and Keegan Lindell all contributing on the ground. Slekar had seven carries for 66 yards, and Riley had

State: Cats finish six strokes ahead of Middleton at state Continued from page 10 in round 1 and finished six strokes ahead of Middleton. “It is pretty cool,” Rebholz said. “Best round of the year on the last day of the year on the toughest course of the year. When we got on the first tee today, it was not warm. ... These kids looked like they were cold, but they stepped up and they had at it.” Senior Alexis Gaillard and sophomore Caitlyn Ott both shot career-best rounds. Gaillard reached 87, and Ott followed with an 89. Gaillard shot a 99 in round 1 and said she wanted to bounce back from one of her highest scores of the year Tuesday. “I am so excited because yesterday was the first day of state and I was really nervous,” Gaillard said. “I am really happy I went out in my senior year with my best score ever.” Ott hadn’t broken 90 on varsity, and she shot a 10 on her first hole at state. Rebholz said she looked shellshocked after that hole, but Ott didn’t stay that way for long. On Tuesday, she only had two holes worse than a bogey and no 10s and bested her Monday score by 17 strokes. “It is really to do my best, especially since the seniors our leaving next year,” said Ott, who had a 195 overall at state. “It is cool to show everyone that I can do it. I am sad they are leaving, but I am going to have to fill a bigger role next year and hopefully I can do it.” Besides the season-best scores, seniors Lauren Shorter and Courtney Shorter continued to excel at state. Lauren Shorter shot a 79 in round 1, and she came out hot in round 2 after parring 10 straight holes. She ran into a little trouble

on the back nine but birdied holes 15 and 16 to get some strokes back, finishing the day with a 77. “I knew that I wanted to have something to remember and now that I have those birdies it means a lot,” said Lauren Shorter, who finished tied for 10th overall. “We came in knowing that we wanted to shoot as low as possible. ... I told them before today, ‘This is the last round. Just give it your all. No regrets.’” Courtney Shorter had the better day in round 1, but she followed up a solid 78 with an 86 to finish tied for 18th overall with a 164. Senior Claire Swain also helped the team despite a 103 in round 2, as she came out strong in round 1 and shot a 99 to finish as the team’s fourth scorer. “I started as a freshman with very little experience and to just see both my game get better and my bonds with my teammates grow stronger, it has just been a really big part of my life for the past four years,” Swain said. And together, those five girls were able to do something they haven’t done all season in topping Middleton. All five of them were mostly excited about that, regardless of where they would end up when the tournament officially finished. “I think they started to believe a little bit more in themselves and what we can do as a team at conference when we were two shots behind Middleton,” Rebholz said. “It feels good, and it feels like we really did something big today.” Hartland Arrowhead held off Milton 630-657 for the Division 1 team title, bu Milton’s Mia Seeman took home the individual title with a 145 (71-74).

11 carries for 56 yards. Bull had four carries for 35 yards, and Keegan Lindell finished with eight carries for 34 yards. “The more guys we can get into the mix that are running hard and know they are not going to get 20 carries a game – they are going to get five or six – I think that helps our football team,” coach Dave Richardson said. Sophomore split end

Aubrey Dawkins caught two passes for 26 yards on the drive, including a 20-yard slant that allowed him to use his feet and get to the edge for the eventual touchdown. “I am just looking to get myself open whenever I can, and when they do throw it to me, I just make the most of my opportunities,” Dawkins said.

backs Jack Lilly, Jacob Walton and Tucker Teskey also had interceptions. “They are ball hawkers man,” Richardson said. “If you let one up in the air like that, then our guys are going to have it.” Senior defensive lineman Reagan Stauffer added six total tackles and a sack for the defense.

Verona 28, Madison East 7

Sun Prairie 31, Verona 9

It wasn’t pretty Sept. 28 at Breese Stevens Field, but after a sloppy game with 30 flags, the Wildcats were finally able to clinch postseason eligibility with a 28-7 win over Madison East. Young (16-for-32, 151 yards) found senior split end Jaden King (four receptions for 40 yards) on two eightyard touchdown passes in the first half and Dawkins on a slant that Dawkins ran in for an 18-yard touchdown in the third quarter to build a 28-0 lead. Verona senior defensive back Bui clements had two interceptions, including a one-handed grab on a deep ball by sophomore Phillip Roh III. Senior defensive

It wasn’t a win on Oct. 6, but Verona showed some resolve in a 31-9 loss to thirdranked Sun Prairie during the Homecoming game. The host Wildcats marched down the field in the final 3 minutes, 37 seconds before halftime and became the first team to score more than seven points against the Cardinals this season. “We just played football and played hard,” coach Dave Richardson said. “I am pleased with our guys and proud of how they played tonight.” Riley ran 12 yards for a first down to the Sun Prairie 8-yard line on second-and-10, and Young later found Dawkins on a 6-yard touchdown slant pass. The

point after was no good, but Verona trailed 14-9 at halftime after the play. The Wildcats started with the ball in the second half but had to punt into the wind from deep in their own territory on three straight drives, and Sun Prairie took advantage of three short fields to get a touchdown, field goal and a touchdown and grab a 31-9 lead early in the fourth quarter. Young was 18-for-38 for 157 yards, and King caught nine catches for 111 yards. The Wildcats’ first points came after a forced fumble by senior linebacker Ruben Zavala that was recovered by junior linebacker Jake Coshun, leading to a 27-yard field goal by Young. Junior captain linebacker Dylan Bourne, who led Verona with 21 total tackles, said he’d never felt more confident that Verona can still make a deep run in the playoffs this season. Bourne said the Wildcats have “all the components” of a championship team – quarterback, coaches, defense. “We start putting them together, and we can beat any team,” he said.

Girls tennis

Conley qualifies for second state tourney JEREMY JONES Sports editor

Meredith Conley played her way to a second-place finish Oct. 5 at the WIAA Division 1 Waunakee sectional meet. But more importantly she automatically qualified for the individual state tournament Oct. 12-14 back inside UW-Madison’s Nielsen Tennis Stadium. Conley (22-6) beat Onalaska sophomore Faith Leithold (24-8) by a score of 6-3, 6-0 in the opening round to automatically qualify for state. It was one of the sophomore’s goals this season after losing in subsectionals last year and having to earn a special qualifier in order to make state. “I wanted to outright qualify, rather

than get a special qualifier,” she said. “I knew going into subsectionals, I would get a qualifier no matter what just based on my record. This was just kind of a fun goal for me. I knew if I played my best, I could achieve what I wanted this season.” From there Conley went on to shut out Leah Hollander of Portage (12-9) to set up a second match this season with Cecile Fuchs. “I just want to go have fun,” Conley said. “I’m going to just play my game and have fun.” Top-seeded Fuchs (33-2) won the sectional 6-1, 6-3 over Conley. Madison West, which advanced six of the seven flights, won titles at No. 4 singles and Nos. 1 and 3 doubles. Regents didn’t finish worse than third

at any flight to score 21 points. That, along with the 22 points West had from subsectionals, gave the Regents a 15 point lead over La Crosse Central and Onalaska. It marks the second straight year (12th overall) that the Regents advanced to the WIAA Division 1 team state tennis tournament.

State Conley (22-6) drew a familiar firstround opponent at state, playing Sun Prairie senior Latsami Sysouvanh (27-3) Thursday. Sysouvanh is seeded 14th at state. The winner advanced to play either freshman Samantha Fuchs (34-1) or Faith Leithold (24-8) Friday in the second round.

Volleyball

Cats spike ninth-ranked Cards in five-set match ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

Five-set matches don’t seem to be a problem for the Verona Area High School volleyball team this season. The host Wildcats (19-7 overall, 8-1 Big Eight) won their second match that went the distance in a week after toppling ninth-ranked Sun Prairie 3-2 (17-25, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 15-7) on Oct. 3. “They really had the fire and endurance to go five sets and not lose any steam,” coach Kelly Annen said. Senior middle blocker Kirstin Tidd was key on both offense and defense, finishing with 12 kills and four blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Maddy Kelley also had four blocks. “The middle blockers did a fantastic job moving around for defense and also getting to the outside for offense,” Annen said.

Senior defensive specialist Katie Karnosky had 29 digs and four aces and junior setter Emma Frahm finished with 26 assists. S u n P r a i r i e ’s C l a i r e Chaussee had 22 kills, but Annen said the Wildcats were able to identify her on the court and limit the Cardinals’ attack and take them out of their system. Next up is Janesville Craig Thursday. If Verona wins, it will clinch at least a share of the conference regular season title. Annen said all 15 players on varsity are committed to working hard in practice, and that makes the team stronger, allowing for the girls to adapt to in-game situations.

Verona 3, Craig 0 T h e Wi l d c a t s s w e p t Janesville Craig 3-0 (2520, 25-23, 25-21) on Oct. 5 and now enter the Big Eight Conference tournament Saturday with a share of the

Photo by Anthony Iozzo

Sophomore Maddy Kelley (14) goes for a kill in the first set Oct. 10 in a nonconference match against Stoughton.

regular season title with Middleton and Sun Prairie (8-1). “I think it goes to show the hard work they have put in,” coach Kelly Annen said. “They started the season really strong, and we have been working through a few

lineups to see what works best. … The Sun Prairie and Janesville games were really good opportunities to show how good we are at analyzing and strategizing.” And the Craig game also showed how much perseverance the girls have after falling down 13-2 in the third set. Verona finished off the sweep with a 23-8 run. Annen said that the Cougars run different offensive routes during each rotation, and that led to the need to not only adapt to that but to make the necessary shortterm adjustments to change the momentum. A big key in doing so was with the blocking, and Tidd led the Wildcats with six. Karnosky added 13 digs. Tidd tied Megan Touchett with nine kills, and sophomore libero Amelia Hust added four aces to help the offensive attack. Sophomore setter Jordan Armstrong finished with 16 assists.

October 13, 2017 - Fitchburg Star 13

Ask the Fitchburg

REALTOR

CHIROPRACTOR

Q. Is this Fall a good time to buy a home? A. Yes, this Fall is a perfect time to buy a new home for several reasons.

Q. Can I receive massage therapy while under

(608) 628-3275

102 N. Franklin Street • Verona, WI 53593 (608) 848-1800 • unwinchiropractic.com

adno=540381-01

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Q. What

does the continuity of care mean in the New Glarus Retirement community?

A. The retirement campus is designed to help your loved ones receive the best

2985 Triverton Pike Dr., Ste. 200, Fitchburg, WI 53711 pfaffs@firstweber.com • www.shawnpfaff.firstweber.com

VETERINARIAN

Q. Why should I microchip my pet? A. One of the leading pet microchip databases reports that microchips have helped more than two million

pets reunite with their families. The recent hurricanes are testimony to why microchipping is important as countless unidentified pets are now without their families. Pet microchips are tiny implants easily placed beneath your pet's skin. Veterinarians and shelters across the country have scanners that can 'read' these chips containing a link to your name, address and phone number. That data is stored in a national database for a nominal fee. When an animal shows up without identification tags, we are able to scan for a microchip and contact the owner. It is important that once microchipped, the pet is scanned annually to ensure the chip is still active. If your pet does not have a chip, including house cats, we urge you to get them one. While we don't have hurricanes in Wisconsin, we do have other disasters that can separate us from our loved ones.

1350 S. Fish Hatchery Road Oregon, WI 53575

adno=540376-01

care in a community within a community. The first two independent options are our chalet duplexes and apartments. The duplexes are a ROI based program where the apartments are rent based. One level of care up from the apartments is the Glarner Lodge. The lodge was built six years ago and overlooks the entire campus. This beautiful building offers 28 hours per week of supportive, personal nursing services. For skilled care we offer a 97 bed facility for short stay rehabilitation and long term stays. Skilled Nursing services are provided 24/7! We are excited to announce that we have added a Nurse Practitioner on site to treat acute as well as chronic conditions. Additionally, she is certified in Congestive Heart Failure. We are also expanding our current facility to add a brand new 32 bed rehabilitation center opening Summer 2017!

600 2nd Avenue New Glarus, WI 53574 608-527-2126 • www.nghome.org

(608) 835-0551

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Q. If I’m purchasing a home, should I get pre-approved for a loan before I find a property? A. Yes. Getting pre-approved lets you know how much home you Kathleen C. Aiken

adno=540364-01

RESPITE CARE

WINDOW FASHIONS & COVERINGS

Q. What is respite care? A. Respite care is temporary, intermittent care provided to an elder or those

with disabilities so the regular caregivers may have an opportunity to have some time for themselves. Respite care not only benefits the senior caregiver. Seniors appreciate respite care as it provides them an opportunity to socialize and converse with someone other than their primary caregiver. The variety of having someone else come into the home adds to their enjoyment of life. Stephen Rudolph And when you schedule respite care to give yourself valuable downtime, FACHE, CSA you’ll likely be more enjoyable company for your loved one, as you will be more rested and relaxed. Without respite care, you’re more likely to become resentful, depressed and more susceptible to infection and illness--all of which you can pass on to the loved one you are caring for. Do yourself and your loved one a favor by making good use of respite care.

can buy before you go house hunting. Plus, it lets realtors and sellers know that you’re a serious buyer because your financing is already arranged—which can be an advantage when making an offer.

117 King St. • Stoughton, WI 53589 608-873-6755 kathy.aiken@associatedbank.com

adno=540377-01

and mandible (lower jaw) meet. There are 2 TMJ’s (one located in front of each ear canal) that work as a modified ‘ball and socket’ joint to allow the jaw to open and close. These joints work hundreds of times a day (more than any other joint in the body), while a person is talking, biting, chewing, and yawning. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) occurs when one or both TMJ’s are not functioning properly. This can occur due to muscle imbalance, repetitive use injury, direct trauma, stress or with cervical spine issues. Common symptoms of TMD include: pain with jaw movement or with palpation Susan Armstrong, MPT of the joints, locking of the jaw, upper neck pain, headaches, ear pain (similar to an earache), grinding, Physical Therapist crunching, or popping sounds with jaw movement, dizziness, fullness of the ear, and ringing in the ear. At Stellar Rehabilitation, a trained therapist would provide an individualized treatment program including exercise, stress management, the use modailites (ultrasound or infrared therapy) to help speed the healing process and myofascial release/manual techniques to allow the TMJ to return to proper alignment and function. Contact Stellar Rehab at 845-2100 or www.stellarrehab.com.

Q. I heard that October is “National Windows Covering Safety Month.” How can I make my existing window coverings safer for children?

A. About one child each month dies as a result of corded window coverings, according to

Andrea Hedquist, Owner/Designer

U.S. regulators. Children can get caught in the cords which hold blinds together or the cord which raise and lower. New tougher guidelines were implemented in the last couple of years on all manufacturers of corded blinds or shrouding products to eliminate the threat of forming a deadly loop around a child’s neck. Ensure all tie-downs and tension devices are secured to the wall or molding. Eliminate all other loops and install cord stops to shorten excess length and secure unused cord high up out of a child’s reach. Free retro-fit fits and instructions are available from the Window Covering Safety Council at www.windowcoverings.org. I urge parents to use only cordless products in young children’s bedrooms.

5396 King James Way, Suite 210, Madison, WI 53719 (608) 442-1898 • www.comfortkeepers.com/madison-wi

adno=540366-01

draperies • blinds • shades • home furnishings

ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE

adno=540380-01

5784 Chapel Valley Rd. Fitchburg WI 53711 • 608-274-1111

Andrea@exquisiteWD.com (608) 609-1488, call/text www.exquisiteWD.com Find me on

ADVERTISING

Q. What do you look for when touring a community? A. This is a MAJOR decision; first impression is ALWAYS the best indicator.

When you walk in the door, are you greeted by staff in a warm welcoming manner? Attitude and friendliness are great indicators if staff enjoy their job, does it appear that staff are enjoying what they do? Take a breath, what do you smell? Does the community smell of a home cooked meal? Cookies baking? If there are odors, is it concentrated in one area, or throughout the entire building? Feel free to ask staff what they think is causing the odor. Cleanliness is very important, does the community look clean, look past the furnishings, is there any garbage laying around, cracked or dirty walls, dusty air vents? Do the resident’s look clean and well kept? Are there activities going on, if they are, are the residents engaged in the activity? Does staff leading the activity look like they are enjoying the activity? Is there a monthly calendar and would it match your loved one’s interests? When talking to staff, do they listen and establish eye contact, watch how staff interact with the resident’s and is it in a manner you would want your loved one interacted with. Ask about staffing patterns, staff turnover and education. Meet the management team, spend time getting to know them. It is VERY important you have confidence in the staff providing care for your loved one. LASTLY, go with your gut, trust your instincts. Would you rather have a community that will treat your loved one with dignity and respect? Or a community that has great décor?

adno=541502-01

MORTGAGE BANKING

Q. What is a “TMD”? A. The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is formed at the location where the maxilla (upper jaw)

Comprehensive Therapy Services 1049 N. Edge Trail • Prairie Oaks (608) 845-2100 • Verona, WI 53593 • www.stellarrehab.com

adno=540374-01

begin another treatment or therapy and it is important that you, your chiropractor, and massage therapist are all working in unison. The benefit of combining the two makes your adjustJill Unwin, Lee Unwin, ments easier and last longer because the muscles around the DC, CCEP BCMT, CSCS joint have greater circulation and are more relaxed. This allows you to restore and maintain your health more quickly, effectively, and completely. Chiropractic and massage work wonderfully as preventive care as well. Periodic adjustments restore normal nerve function, alignment and mobility while regular massage can release adhered or tight muscle. Together they help keep your body moving freely without restrictions that can cause pain or discomfort and help you achieve optimum health.

Interest rates continue to remain low. Low interest rates allow buyers to afford more and achieve long-term savings. Today’s economy is stable and in a positive place and consumer confidence is high. Even though home prices are rising, many homes still remain affordable. Buying when prices are increasing is safer than buying during a recession when prices are falling. Rents are rising and all indications are that rental rates will continue to climb. Shawn Pfaff When owning your own home, your payment stays flat and you gain equity in your home. I would welcome the opportunity to help you buy a new home. Please contact me at pfaffs@firstweber.com, so we can get started! If you’re interested in finding out the value of your home, please visit www.shawnpfaff.firstweber.com.

adno=540372-01

A. You should always consult your chiropractor before you

Q. You’re an expert in your line of work interested in joining our Ask a Professional page. What should you do?

Your Photo Here!

A. It’s simple, just call Donna Larson at (608) 845-9559 or Dawn Zapp at (608) 835-6677. We can fill you in on all the details. Don’t miss out on this valuable piece of advertising that runs every month in the Fitchburg Star and Great Dane Shopping News. Fitchburg Star & Great Dane Shopping News 133 Enterprise Dr. • Verona, WI 53593 • (608) 845-9559 connectfitchburg.com

adno=500629-01

chiropractic care?

Oregon High School

Fitchburg Star

Conference: Panthers hitting their ‘peak’ at the ‘right time’ Continued from page 10 day against second-seeded Milton. The host and seventh-seeded Panthers, which came into the tournament with two points due to their 2-5 conference record, ended up tied for fourth with Monona Grove with six points after knocking off the Silver Eagles in an elimination match. “At the end of the season, we are starting to peak at the right time, with all the skills coming together,” coach Katie Heitz said. Junior outside hitters Leah Rogers and Bekken Pearson and junior rightside hitter Erin Wriedt were all connecting on good passing from junior setter Erin Flanagan. Junior libero Emily Konop was all over the court on defense, and Pearson and Flanagan also contributed with big digs throughout the day. The serving was also key, taking both Monroe and Monona Grove out of their offensive game and also helping to push And at the net, senior middle blocker Jenna Igl, junior middle blocker Sydona Roberts and Pearson were on point with the their blocking. “Our serves both Thursday (against Monroe) and today were on point,” coach Katie Heitz said. “They were low trajectory and everything we asked from them all season. Emily’s defense was phenomenal and continues to step up each game, and our blocking started to come on.” Second-seeded Milton was the first test Saturday, and Oregon came out fired up in the first set, Heitz said. Pearson, Rogers, Flanagan and Wriedt all had kills, and Konop had a big dig to keep a back-andforth volley alive that led to another Panthers’ point, as Oregon led 18-14 in the first set. Heitz said her and assistant coach Robyn

Girls golf

Oregon finishes fourth at sectionals

Yamamoto saw something in the girls before the tournament started. “(We) looked at each other and said, ‘We got this. This is the team that we know can play with anyone,’” Heitz said. The Panthers ended up losing in two to the Red Hawks (23-25, 15-25), but the first set really got them going for the rest of the day. Oregon staved off elimination later with a 2-0 (2520, 25-11) win over Monroe, and that set up another elimination match with Monona Grove. After dropping the first set 25-19, the Panthers outserved the Silver Eagles in the second and third sets. Oregon ended the second set on an 8-3 run for a 25-20 win and then scored seven straight points to start the third set, leading to a 15-7 win. “Our servers came out and took Monona Grove out of their system, and they couldn’t run their system,” Heitz said. “They have a very good outside hitter, and she wasn’t able to do anything because she couldn’t get a pass.” The day came to an end in the next elimination match, as Madison Edgewood won its third straight match after losing in round one to Stoughton. The Panthers were outscored 12-2 in a 25-15 loss in the first set, and they were outscored 11-3 in a 25-17 loss in the final set to the Crusaders, which ended up third. Wa t e r t ow n d e f e a t e d Milton in the final. Despite falling short against Edgewood, Heitz said it was exciting to see Oregon defeat the Silver Eagles and tie them for third in the conference, and the tournament is only going to prepare the girls for regionals. “It is a very strong conference across the board,” Heitz said. “We played in a bunch of five-set matches already in duals. The girls are getting prepared and getting experience.”

ANTHONY IOZZO Assistant sports editor

The storybook ending didn’t happen for the Oregon girls golf team last Wednesday in one of the toughest sectionals in the state, but the Panthers finished the season strong. After taking second to top-ranked Milton at the Badger South Conference meet and winning regionals, Oregon closed the chapter on 2017 with a fourth-place finish in the WIAA Division 1 Verona sectional at Edelweiss Country Club. The Panthers had a 366 and finished behind state qualifiers Verona and Middleton (345) and third-place Waunakee (356). “I thought the kids worked hard and got better, and we had opportunities today,” coach Eric Instefjord said. “It is one of those days where it is a oneday shot. You can be off just a little bit, and you just don’t get that time to recuperate and play again.” Senior Andi McCorkle has been one of the best golfers in the state all season, nearly winning a Badger South Conference title over Milton’s Mia Seeman and consistently shooting in the low 80s-upper 70s range. McCorkle fell just shy of making state as an individual with a team-leading 87, but Instefjord said it doesn’t diminish her accomplishments in 2017 despite how disappointed she might be. McCorkle finished behind individual qualifiers Waunakee junior Sam Soulier (82), Monona Grove junior Klairissa O’Reilly Dye (82) and Madison West junior Lillian Knetter (83). “You feel really bad for her as a

senior because she has put so much time and effort in and has played very well,” Instefjord said. “She just had a couple of hiccups today. She wasn’t quite completely spot on and missed it by a little bit.” As for the future, there is hope that the returning class will be able to come back stronger next season, as they showed improvement all season. Junior Sydney McKee shot 88 at sectionals, and junior Ally Payne, who was an all-conference selection,

finished with a 92. Freshman Alyssa Schmidt had a 99 to round out the top four scores, and junior Brooke McCallum had a 116. “They all had stretches where they played very well today,” Instefjord said. “They had a couple of things that didn’t bounce their way here and there, but that is golf.” Freshman Sam McKee, who was also a contributor on varsity this season, is also expected to return next year.

Oregon marches toward the playoffs with 5-3 record JEREMY JONES Sports editor

Kardelle Phillips has found ways to score touchdowns for the Oregon football team all season. On Oct. 6, Phillips did all the damage he needed with his legs, racking up three touchdowns in a 35-7 blowout of Watertown on homecoming. The win made Oregon (5-3 overall, 4-2 Badger South) playoff-eligible for the first time since 2015.

Service, Inc. Honey Do List

608.845.8110

161 Horizon Drive Suite 105A, Verona

dougshandymanserviceinc.com

Book completely online with the comfort of knowing there is personalized service waiting to help you if you need it! Or just give us a call - it’s that easy.

Since 1999

adno=535985-01

• Gutter Cleaning • Gutter Protectors • Bathroom Remodeling

PLAN YOUR NEXT VACATION NOW!

Phillips scored on runs of 17, 40 and 39 yards and the Panthers’ defense did its part for the second straight week, owning a 35-0 shutout until the fourth quarter. “Kardelle is a pretty talented young man who when he gets into open space he is hard to take down,” coach Dan Kissling said. “Watertown put its best defender on him and mirrored him all night and he still managed to have some impressive numbers.” The Panthers’ O-line also has a hand in his success. They started out a little slow in the first half but really controlled the game in the second half and kept the ball out of Watertown’s h a n d s ,” K i s s l i n g s a i d .

PAR Concrete, Inc. • Driveways • Floors • Patios • Sidewalks • Decorative Concrete Phil Mountford 516-4130 (cell) 835-5129 (office)

1 Month Free on Yearly Lease Sun Valley Apartments

Scan Here To Shop For Your Next Vacation

3620 Breckenridge Ct #8, Fitchburg, WI 53713 608-271-6851 • liveatsunvalley.com adno=536277-01

www.ncptravel.com

Photo by Anthony Iozzo

Senior Andi McCorkle putts on the 17th hole Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the WIAA Division 1 Verona sectional at Edelweiss Country Club. McCorkle led the Panthers with an 87. Oregon finished fourth with a 366.

Football

Doug’s Handyman

1-877-270-7260

ConnectFitchburg.com

adno=509470-01

October 13, 2017

Large 1, 2, &3 bedroom apartments. Nicely decorated and priced just right. New kitchen cabinets and counter tops. New bathroom vanities and countertops. Beautiful park-like setting.

Weekly Special: 2 Bdrm 2 bath $895

• Central Air/Gas Furnace • 2 Bedroom – 2 Bath • Fitness Center

• Laundry on Each Floor • All Appliances • Recently Remodeled

adno=541865-01

“When our other backs get going it opens up a lot of possibilities.” Phillip scored in the first quarter and quarterback Cedric Girard added a 1-yard touchdown run and a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Oregon a 21-0 lead at halftime. Defensively, linebacker Sam Reynolds and the Panthers flustered Watertown quarterback Dylan Fagerland and the Goslings’ vaunted passing attack, which struggled for the second straight game. “We have seen five or six spread teams this year, and our kids have a pretty good handle on what they are trying to do,” Kissling said. “Every time we have play one we add a wrinkle or two but we have some athletic kids out there that can run so that helps a lot. The weather was also a factor and their QB had a hard time adjusting in the first half.” Fagerland completed 31 of 54 passes for 227 yards, including 100 yards to Daniel Denault. Kory Stas caught the Gosling lone touchdown, a 4-yard strike. The Goslings were down 35-0 at that point. Reynolds recovered three fumbles in the first half. All three set up touchdowns. Cedric Girard managed the game, hitting 2 of 5 passes for 30 yards, which included a 16-yard touchdown to Carter Erickson in the second quarter. That strike gave the Panthers a

21-0 lead at halftime. Girard gave Oregon an early 7-0 lead with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Oregon 37, Edgewood 6 Oregon scored touchdowns on three of its first four offensive possessions on Sept. 29 before the lights literally went out on the Panthers in a 37-6 victory over Madison Edgewood. Senior Kardelle Phillips caught a 32-yard touchdown pass and ran 81 yards for another to put the Panthers up 21-0 before a power surge late in the second quarter at Panther Stadium sent both teams to the locker room early. Oregon pounced on the Crusaders early, as Dylan DiMaggio capped an eightplay, 59-yard drive on an 8-yard touchdown run with 6:53 left in the first quarter. Linebacker Sam Reynolds helped set up the Panthers offense with a short field for its second possession, recovering a fumble on the Edgewood 35-yard line. Oregon took just three plays to capitalize, probing the Crusader defense with a pair of short runs before Phillips got behind the defense for a 32-yard TD catch. D i M a g g i o a n d Ke i o n Szudy, who along with Phillips have stepped up even more after the team lost Brett Wannebo to an ACL injury, added touchdown runs of 1 and 8 yards in the second half.

KEEP IT LOCAL IN FITCHBURG! Where Your Style Inspires Our Artistry

2 for $22 Two 22-oz Beers and a 16" Two Topping Pizza Every Tuesday through November! Weekday Lunch All-You-Can-Eat Soup & Salad Every Monday and Tuesday 1/2 Priced Bottles of Wine

adno=536468-01

271.7270 Find us on Facebook or visit our website.

LUNCH BUFFET: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM ($9.95) DINNER MENU: 5:00 - 9:30 PM CLOSED MONDAYS

Offer valid at Fitchburg location only

(608) 274-3333 5957 McKEE ROAD Suite 108, FITCHBURG

adno=536467-01

Please visit

salonkb.com

$4 off $25 or $8 off $50* *Dinner only *Not valid with any other offer

WWW.BENVENUTOS.COM for locations

(MUST PRESENT COUPON)

Would you like to see your ad on this page? Contact your Account Executive at 608-845-9559

GET THE CARD.

JOIN THE

FIGHT. WisconsinBankandTrust.com

adno=536470-01

Strike a blow to cancer with a Pink Ribbon Debit Card from Wisconsin Bank & Trust. With every purchase, Wisconsin Bank & Trust makes a donation to help women in our community ﬁght breast cancer, at no cost to you. Stop into any location and request your Pink Ribbon Card today!

Nobody covers

Design Remodeling Home Accessories

Fitchburg like the

3000 Cahill Main, Ste 215 Fitchburg, WI 53711 dcinteriorsllc.com 608 444 0571 Hours: 9:30 - 5:30 m-f

It’s your paper!

Come visit our showroom & check out our home accessories

ConnectFitchburg.com

608-845-9559

F O R

S P A C E S

T H A T

A R E

U N I Q U E L Y

Y O U R S adno=542481-01

adno=540362-01

We’re Your Hair Color Experts! 2935 S. Fish Hatchery Rd. Fitchburg

adno=533296-01

October 13, 2017 - Fitchburg Star 15

October 13, 2017

ConnectFitchburg.com

Fitchburg Star

See something wrong?

Fitchburg Police Department

The Fitchburg Star does not sweep errors under the rug. If you see something you know or even think is in error, contact editor Jim Ferolie at 845-9559 or fitchburgstar@wcinet.com.

K9 unit wins two statewide awards SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group

IMMEDIATE FULL-TIME OPENINGS FOR:

• Construction Crew • Construction Estimator/Job Processor • Sawyer Saw Operator • Truss Builder • Payroll Assistant We offer competitive wages based on experience, opportunities for career growth, and a full benefit package. Cleary Building Corp. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer with a smoke-free/drug-free work place. Pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks are performed. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

adno=542932-01

Please apply online at www.workforcleary.com Or apply in person at: 190 Paoli St., Verona, WI 53593

The Fitchburg Police Department’s K9 unit was recognized with a pair of awards earlier this month at a state conference. Officer John Parker and K9 Drago, whom the department got in May, received the “Meritorious Narcotics Find of the Year” and the “Rookie Handler of the Year” awards at the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handler Association’s annual conference. According to an FPD Facebook post, the narcotics find award was related to Parker and Drago locating a “baseball” size amount of narcotics this year while assisting another agency after a vehicle chase. Drago was tasked with locating any items that may have been thrown from the car during the pursuit. “In a marshy area, approximately 40 feet from the car, in grass several feet tall and in the middle of the night, Drago almost immediately alerted on the bag of drugs tossed from the car,” the post states. “Locating these drugs kept them off of the street and led to felony charges for one of the passengers.” Parker was recognized for his “commitment to the success of the K9 program” at FPD, including the six weeks he spent training with Drago, according to the post. Contact Scott Girard at ungreportPhoto by Scott Girard er@wcinet.com and follow him on The Fitchburg Police Department’s K9 team of officer John Parker, center, and Twitter @sgirard9. Drago, recently received two statewide awards for their work this year.

Photo by Scott Girard

WELL-BEING

FUN

DEVELOPMENT

SERVICE

TEAMWORK

Delivery Driver

PROGRAMMED CLEANING, INC.

HAS SEVERAL OPENINGS FOR IMMEDIATE HIRE!

Part-Time

Building Supervisors

Wages start at $13.00, MUST have Supervisory experience.

Be one of the friendly faces of the Unified Newspaper Group (UNG) in the Verona, Stoughton, Oregon and Fitchburg, WI delivery area*. This is the perfect part-time driver position for someone seeking an active job that still allows time for other activities or another job.

General Cleaners

Various wages, starting at $9.25-$12.00 depending on building. In the following areas. Downtown/East Washington Avenue West Side - Verona Road/Fish Hatchery Road Monday-Friday, shifts start after 5pm, working 15-25 (or more) hours a week. Must be independent, reliable and detailed oriented. Some accounts/buildings, on the bus line. MUST pass criminal background check. Opportunity for growth. Apply now in person at 2001 W. Broadway, Madison, WI 53713 Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm If you have questions please call 608-222-0217, or fill out an online application at: www.programmedcleaning.com

adno=542409-01

Our driver delivers newspapers and other publications to vendors and dealer outlets, ensures vehicle is clean and well-maintained, updates vehicle maintenance records, contracts and works with vendor outlet managers, and collects money from vendors and vending machines. Candidates for this opportunity will have good customer service skills, be reliable with a Midwest work ethic and be able to lift 25-50 lb. bundles. A valid driver’s license with a good driving record is required.

Oregon Manor Skilled Nursing Facility 354 N Main St., Oregon

Wed., October 18 10 am-2 pm

*Learn more about UNG publications at http://www.unifiednewsgroup.com/site/about.html

Seeking:

adno=543303-01

Woodward Communications, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Construction began on Fitchburg’s dog park late last month, and crews have begun preparing the land for parking lot installation, storm water facility construction and perimeter fencing. A soft opening is expected this fall, with some finishing work planned for spring 2018. Volunteers have also spent time clearing trails through the woods near the site at 5564 Irish Lane.

OPEN HOUSE INTERVIEW DAY

Standard hours are: • Monday - 9:00 a.m. to Noon • Wednesday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • Occasional additional hours for specialty publications

To learn more about this opportunity, submit your application and resume today at www.wcinet.com/careers

Dog Park construction begins

OWNERSHIP

* Certified Nursing Assistants (C.N.A.’s) for Full-time, Part-time & Per Diem AM/PM shifts. * Full-time Social Worker * Full-time Housekeeper (Day shift)

We offer competitive wages and compensation packages. If you are unable to attend the Open House, please apply directly at http://OregonManor.biz or contact Colleen, Business Office Manager or Beth Adon, RN at 608-835-3535, colleen@oregonmanor.biz, beth@oregonmanor.biz

adno=543183-01

RESPECT

ConnectFitchburg.com

October 13, 2017

Fitchburg Star

Social: Police, fire departments social media help inform viewers of events, emergencies

Since the FPD’s Facebook account was launched in July, 2015, Hartwick has designed dozens of graphics, some of which look like posters. The most widely shared is about a K-9 unit fundraiser,

Engineering Industries, Inc.

social media in similar ways, and it has worked with the police department to coordinate its posts. It has 1,359 followers. Shelton is in charge of running the page, posting general safety information and “spontaneous” snapshots, as well as planning out posts and videos. It made its first Facebook post on March 15, 2016, answering a question from “a young man during a recent firehouse tour” about why the department has no dog. Last year, one of her videos featured fire department mascot Sparky, who reads books and rides a car, prepares for the Open House. Firefighter Adam Dorn has been involved with public outreach for several years and said many people are Fire: A look inside unfamiliar with his job and The fire department uses believe firefighters don’t do

much besides “going out for fire calls.” Shelton tries to make the posts show firefighters’ daily activities to the public and get people to look forward to the department’s upcoming events. Years ago, before the department had its own page, Shelton had to plan the fire department’s activity promotions a month ahead to

Full/Part Time Positions Available

Drive Locally andWages Support your Community •Excellent Badger BusTraining Offers: •Paid • $150 Sign-On Bonus for Van Drivers •CDL Program • $500 Sign-On Bonus for (If Qualified School Bus Drivers •Signing Bonus Applicable) • Paid Training and Available Bonus to get in your CDL •Positions Madison and Verona • Full and Part-Time Positions Available Call: 608-255-1551

Apply Locally at: 219 Paoli St., Verona, WI E-mail: Jobs@BadgerBus.com Call: 608-845-2255 or Go Online: BadgerBus.com

Apply in Person: 5501 Femrite Drive Madison, WI

A SUPER

• Licensed Journeyman or Master Electricians • Electrical Estimators • Electrical Designers • Electrical Engineer

DULUTH TRADING

HOME OF BUCK NAKED UNDERWEAR!

SEASONAL POSITIONS

Press Operators

NOW AVAILABLE

Hours: 5:45pm to 3:45am Four Day Work Week - (Monday - Thursday) Competitive Wages and Excellent Benefits

Finishing and Assembly Operator Hours: 7:50am to 5:50pm Four Day Work Week - (Monday - Thursday) Competitive Wages and Excellent Benefits

CALL CENTER

DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Starting at $12.50/hour

Starting at $11.50 to $13.50/hour

POSITIONS: Call Center Representatives

POSITIONS: Pickers/Packers, Forklift Operators, Returns Processors and Returns Analyzers, Retail Prep Associates and Material Handlers

LOCATIONS: Belleville, WI SHIFTS:

1st Shift, 2nd Shift and weekends

1st Shift, 2nd Shift, 3rd Shift and weekends

Please stop at our corporate office to complete an application between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

WALK-IN INTERVIEWS WELCOME!

Drug Free Workplace

FOR DETAILS, GO TO:

Equal Opportunity Employer adno=543058-01

Why work with us? Excellent benefit package including: Medical, dental and vision insurance Company paid life insurance Paid vacation and 8 paid holidays Retirement plan with company match Tuition reimbursement Advancement opportunities Potential for annual bonus (4) Ten-hour work days for production employees Potential for overtime

LOCATIONS: Belleville, WI / Verona, WI SHIFTS:

We’re Hiring!

1,500 Sign-On Bonus

TO WORK

Taking applications for:

Contact Helu Wang at helu. wang@wcinet.com.

VERONA DRIVERS WANTED

PLACE

407 S. Nine Mound Rd., Verona, WI 53593 Making Plastic Parts Since 1963

get them posted on the city’s website. But now, she can post on a daily basis, reaching more and younger people. “As long as you have people ready to listen to you, social media is definitely an effective way to get that message out,” she said.

DULUTHTRADING.COM/JOBS

APPLY ONLINE! www.trachteusa.com Trachte, LLC. 490 N. Burr Oak Ave. Oregon, WI 53575

Cooks Needed As a cook on Epic’s culinary team, you will be scratch cooking for our staff, customers, and guests.

O N - S ITE TR A I N I N G !

Our menu changes daily to reflect a variety of regional, seasonal, and international dishes. You’ll learn new recipes as you rotate through the grill, entrée, and soup/salad/sandwich stations.

W E ’ R E G ROW I N G ! Machine Operators - Fabrication Located in Fitchburg, WI Starting Pay: $17.00/hr + up to an additional $ 2.74/hr for incentive pay

Our team feeds a campus of nearly 9,500 people, in addition to internal caterings, receptions, and large-scale conferences.

2nd Shift

2pm - 10pm Monday - Friday

You will work with a dynamic team in state-ofof-the-art, air-conditioned kitchens and will enjoy full-time, weekday hours, competitive wages, and full benefits—including paid vacation and holidays.

3rd Shift

10pm - 6am

Sunday - Thursday

WHY SUBZERO WOLF? Comprehensive fabrication training provided State of the art fabrication equipment n Clean, temperature controlled working environment n Excellent employee benefit package n On-site employee clinic and fitness center available n n

All experience levels are encouraged to apply online at careers.epic.com

Apply Online: www.subzero-wolf.com/careers adno=540475-01

adno=541545-01

Police: Getting ‘personal’

back home sooner, Hartwick said. And he can put out timely reminders such as locking vehicles and paying attention to fraud scams after getting tips from other officers. Hartwick spends about two hours working on a couple posts each week. He sees social media as a way for people to feel like insiders, looking more closely at what’s going in the department. To that end, he tries to put himself “in shoes of the community members” when planning the posts. “Nationally, people construct their own way to portray law enforcement, not as human beings or members of the community,” he said. “It’s important to show we have a sense of humor.”

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer adno=543026-01

adno=543270-01

community educational programs. Hartwick said they have also contributed to getting additional feedback and information, such as clues to crimes, while motivating more people to attend their public events. While a visit to the police department’s page does not show any comments, Hartwick said the department does get many responses. City policy requires that the comments not be public, and police follow up with commenters individually. “We don’t want to get into the business of filtering comments,” Hartwick said. “(Social media is) still relatively new to government in general.”

which was “liked” by over 25,000 people. The department’s Facebook account has more than 2,700 followers, and its Twitter account has about 900 followers. Rather than relying on newsletters and press releases, the Facebook posts reach out to people with the goal of sharing information in a “personal” way. “Now people can see us outside of our formal duties,” Hartwick told the Star. “We are a human agency, rather than an agency that responds robotically.” Many of the Twitter posts are similar to Facebook, but Hartwick also uses it to alert people to emergent issues, such as crimes and road closures. “My hope is when a major incident does happen, we can increase our reach to the area,” he said. Social media posts have led to the arrest of a robbery suspect, persuading a panhandler to move to a different location and getting lost pets

adno=534482-01

Continued from page 1

18 Fitchburg Star - October 13, 2017

City Hall - Main Line Administration Assessing Building Inspections City Clerk Economic Development

270-4200 270-4213 270-4235 270-4240 270-4210 270-4246

FACTv Finance Fire Department FitchRona Human Resources Library Municipal Court

270-4225 270-4251 278-2980 275-7148 270-4211 729-1760 270-4224

Parks & Forestry Planning/Zoning Police Public Works Recreation/Community Center Senior Center Utilities

270-4288 270-4258 270-4300 270-4260 270-4285 270-4290 270-4270

5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 • www.fitchburgwi.gov adno=540617-01

TRICK-OR-TREAT HOURS FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST ARE 4:00-8:00 PM Children should be dressed with some reflective clothing and be reminded of these safety tips: - Stay with a friend, group or parent - Only trick or treat at homes with porch lights on - Never go into a stranger’s home or vehicle.

BULKY PLASTIC RECYCLING PROGRAM SUSPENDED The bulky plastic recycling dumpster at the Fitchburg Recycling Drop-off Site, 2373 S. Fish Hatchery Rd., ended on September 30th. Bulky plastic material, such as five-gallon buckets & children’s toys, if they cannot be reused, resold, or donated, should be placed into the refuse to be sent to the landfill. Residents are reminded that the landfill is the last option for bulky plastic materials. Useable items could be donated or listed on social media networks to see if their items could have another life in the home of a friend or neighbor.

RECREATION DEPARTMENT Go to www.fitchburgwi.gov/recreation and click on “View Activities” to see our list of programs for this upcoming Fall Season!

Youth Basketball Leagues

Recreation basketball leagues are now open for registration. We have leagues for boys and girls from 1st grade up to 8th grade. Leagues for the younger grades start in early November and the older grades start in early December. Please visit our website at www.fitchburgwi.gov/recreation to view more information on our programs and to register!

Spanish for Preschoolers

Children ages 3-5 learn Spanish vocabulary and basic phrases in a fun and active way with these lively classes. Award-winning teacher, Marti Fechner of Grow into Spanish LLC, incorporates music, movement, games, stories and more to make learning Spanish easy and engaging for preschool-age children. It is easy for children to learn a foreign language at this young age, and SO beneficial. Come try it! It’s a great way to prepare your child for a bilingual future. • Ages – 3-5 yrs old • Day/Time – Mondays, October 30 from 1pm-3pm • Location – Fitchburg Community Center • Fee - $40

Kids Painting Class – Mr. Cat and Jack-o-Lantern

For this class each child will create a fun painting of a Halloween scene. Kids will be using acrylic paint on a 16 x 20 canvas. Throughout this project we will work on shading and using complimentary colors. These paintings turn out colorful and whimsical and they are so much fun to do! This is a great Halloween project that will be a beautiful piece of art to hang during the spooky holiday season! • Ages – 5-12 yrs old • Day/Time – Saturday, October 14 from 1pm-3pm • Location – Fitchburg Community Center • Fee - $40

Nurtured Heart Parent Training

Are you ready to improve your parenting skills and build a better relationship with your children? If so, the revolutionary, Nurtured Heart Approach is for you! This approach will help you become the agent of change in your child’s life. Through the methods recommended in this class, you will see your children develop “inner wealth” and make choices that reflect the values and character you believe in. Your child will come to identify with success. Program is taught by: Gail K. Anderson, PhD and Paula Wick, PhD, Advanced Nurtured Heart Approach trainers and coaches. • Ages – Adults • Day/Time – Wednesdays, October 18 – November 8, 6:00-8:00 pm • Location – Community Center – Prairie View Room • Fee - $75 for an individual or $100 for a couple

Beginner Photography Workshop for Parents

In this workshop participants will go over the basics of shooting in manual mode (shutter, aperture, ISO), focusing settings, some affordable gear talk, composing an image, and capturing moments. The goal is for all participants to walk away more confident and creative so they can begin telling their story through meaningful photos. Please bring your camera & camera manual. • Ages – Adults • Day/Time – Saturday, November 4, 1:00-3:00 pm • Location – Community Center – Prairie View Room • Fee - $90

FALL LEAF AND LAWN CLEANUP – CURBSIDE COLLECTION ON WEEKS OF OCT. 23RD & NOV. 13TH Leaves will soon begin falling as the colorful autumn season approaches. Before hauling your yard waste out for collection, consider the natural value of your fallen leaves. Fallen leaves and other yard waste are a valuable source of nutrients for your lawn and garden since they are high in phosphorus, which is important for plant growth, but a harmful pollutant for our lakes and streams. Putting these nutrients to good use and preventing them from entering our storm drains can be done easily by mulching or composting leaves. Mulching your lawn is done by periodically mowing small amounts of leaves and yard waste, which reduces the need for raking and provides a good source of nutrients to your lawn. Shredding the leaves with a mulching mower greatly reduces the volume of leaves and speeds up their decomposition. Raked leaves also make excellent mulch. They can be used to protect roses and other plants over the winter. Adding leaves to your vegetable or flower garden in the fall is a great source of nutrients and a soil conditioner. Any leaves which do not break down over the winter can be tilled into the soil in the spring. Fall leaves can also be recycled at home by composting. Composting is a simple process and requires little time or effort on the part of homeowners. Compost provides essential nutrients for healthy plant growth. It improves soil structure and helps hold in moisture so you can save money by reducing the amount of water and commercial fertilizers you use on your lawn and garden. Leaves are rich in carbon and useful for balancing nitrogen-rich materials like fresh grass clippings and food waste when you’re composting. Stocking your compost piles with leaves in the fall will give you plenty of carbon rich material to balance out your grass clippings in the spring. For information on other Leaf and Lawn Cleanup options and techniques, visit www.myfairlakes.com, www.fitchburgwi.gov/solidwaste. You can also stop by Fitchburg City Hall to view the “Leaf and Lawn Cleanup” display in the main hallway. Free “Love your Lakes, Don’t Leaf Them” yard signs, and beverage coasters are available in the main lobby for you to use and show your love of Fitchburg’s creeks and the lakes and rivers they drain to. If you are setting your leaves and other yardwaste out for curbside collection this fall, there are three guidelines to be aware of. 1. Keep the leaves contained in a bag or container on the terrace of your yard, not in the street. 2. Know the collection dates of the curbside collection so that your bagged/containerized yardwaste is at the curb for as short a time as possible. This year’s fall yard waste collection will take place the weeks of October 23rd and November 13th, 2017 for residents of single family homes and apartments with up to four-units who receive City refuse & recycling collection. Pellitteri Waste Systems will begin collection on Monday of each week, and may continue through Saturday (or later depending on weather constraints). Your yard waste will not

Like us on

necessarily be collected on the same day as your pickup for refuse and recycling. Please have yardwaste at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the Monday that collection begins, regardless of which day your refuse and recycling is collected. 3. Know your yardwaste collection container options. Place leaves and yard waste at the curb (not in the street) in reusable containers or in bags no larger than 50 gallons or 50 lbs. each. The non-reusable black plastic bags are to be left untied with a container for Pellitteri staff to place them in. Loose leaves will not be collected. Although the fall cleanup is intended primarily for leaves, other non-woody yard waste will be collected, including grass clippings, weeds, flowers, garden debris, etc. The photo below depicting the most sustainable options (#1) to least sustainable (#4), but still acceptable, curbside yard waste set out options: 1 – No yard waste set out - resident mulches into the lawn or composts on site, reduces labor and transportation costs and emissions 2a – Reused plastic cart or container, reusable hundreds of times 2b – Reusable ~50 gallon polybag w/ drawstring (~$3-6/polybag) 2c – Reusable ~50 gallon polybag w/ handles and drawcord (~$8-10/polybag) 3a – Compostable ~30 gallon paper bag w/ folded top (~$0.50-1/bag) 3b – Compostable ~50 gallon plastic-like bag ($0.60-1.20/bag) 3c – Compostable ~30 gallon plastic-like bag ($0.60-1.20/bag) 4 – Non-recyclable ~30 gallon black plastic bag – MUST be left untied* ($0.10-0.50/bag) Reusable Yardwaste Polybags (2b in photos) will continue to be available at Fitchburg City Hall (for $2/polybag) during regular hours from 7:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday, while supplies last. One polybag is Free each year to residents who pay the “Refuse & Recycling” special charge on their property tax bill. All residents may also take yard waste to the Fitchburg Recycling Drop Off Site, located at 2373 S. Fish Hatchery Rd. The site is open every day during daylight hours. Visit www.fitchburgwi.gov/solidwaste for full guidelines or contact Public Works at publicworks@ fitchburgwi.gov or 270-4260 if you have any questions.

www.facebook.com/FitchburgWI and Follow us on

@FitchburgWI

Business

ConnectFitchburg.com

October 13, 2017

Timed travel

Fitchburg Star

New Staybridge Suites offers ‘upscale’ extended stay option SCOTT DE LARUELLE

Staybridge Suites MadisonFitchburg

Unified Newspaper Group

2916 Hardrock Road, Fitchburg 616-5664 ihg.com

Photos by Scott De Laruelle

Staybridge Suites Madison — Fitchburg owner and general manager Raveen Shah and his staff have been busy since opening Aug. 22.

it was there, and it was one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at.’” As owner, the energetic Shah takes a personal interest in the hotel and tries to get to know each guest personally; a personal touch, he feels, is important, as not only an ambassador to the hotel, but to Fitchburg itself. “I’m here all the time, and I think that really goes a long way in trying to put a face to not only the hotel, but the community in general,” he said. “The public is welcome to swing by anytime – if they even want a tour, we love doing that, showing them the rooms and amenities.” Contact Scott De Laruelle at scott.delaruelle@wcinet. com.

Lacy Rd

VERONA NE IGHBORHOOD VERONA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Fish Hatchery Rd

Cross Country Rd

FITCHBURG NEIGHBORHOOD OREGON SCHOOL DISTRIC T

With a large dining area combined with a lounge, guests have room to relax and socialize.

adno=542662-01

— and we’ve had some people staying for several months for a project. At the same token, a lot of our business has been corporate clients Monday through Friday, staying three or four nights.” Shah said so far, large companies in the area like CDW and Promega have brought employees or clients to the hotel for events, and the feedback has been “great.” “They love the contemporary feel and a touch of luxury as you walk in,” he said. “It’s a refreshing change of pace for them, it’s a new hotel and it really brings some fresh blood in

While the hotel is within easy reach of Madison and all it offers, it’s in the midst of an emerging shopping and entertainment center of its own Orchard Pointe. Within walking distance of a dozen restaurants and bars and everything from a Gold’s Gym to an IMAX theater, there’s a lot to do for those staying around for more than a few days. “We have a great location here, excellent neighbors, we love the community,” said Shah, a Fort Atkinson native who recently moved to the area. “A lot of our guests really enjoy Fitchburg and all that is has to offer.” In turn, Shah said the Staybridge is adding value to the area — and customers — to those various businesses. “By having this new hotel here, it’s exposing a lot of these guests to what Fitchburg has to offer,” he said. “I think it’s been a tremendous boon to all the business in our area next door … a lot of guests ask for recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, where

• Movie theatre • Indoor pool • Basketball court • Free weeknight dinner and happy hour • Business lounge • Gym • Putting green • 24/7 marketplace • Outdoor patio with fire pits and barbeque grills

Fitchburg fit

“Some of my guests go to to visit, and we’re constantly recommending local Quivey’s Grove, for example, and say, ‘I had no idea businesses.

Ve r

Amenities

the community.”

N Main St

Not many hotels feature their own movie theater and basketball court, but if you have to stay out of town for weeks at a time on business, you might as well enjoy it. That’s where Raveen Shah comes in. Owner and general manager of the Staybridge Suites Madison — Fitchburg, Shah has been busy guiding the hotel through its first few weeks of existence. After a busy year of construction, the hotel opened Aug. 22 and celebrated its opening with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Oct. 6. So far, the newest and most contemporary extended stay hotel in the area has been filled with guests from Epic and the World Dairy Expo, giving Shah and around 30 staff members a chance right off the bat to show off “one of the flagship properties in the country” for Staybridge. “There’s a lot of other Staybridges around the country that have some of these things, but we kind of went all out for the guests and and provided a little more than usual,” he said with a wide smile. The hotel is part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group franchise, which includes the Holiday Inn groups. It’s not only new, it’s large, at five stories, with 100 rooms and banquet space for up to 150 people. The rooms are spacious, with fully equipped kitchens and plenty of storage — even for bicycles. There are several conference rooms, and a business center with free WiFi is open 24 hours, as is a shopping area. During the week, the hotel serves a free light dinner and happy hour. For guests looking for more entertainment, there is an outdoor putting green and basketball court, small movie theater, indoor pool, gym and outdoor patio and grilling area. Shah said all the amenities are what customers are looking for in an extended stay hotel. “ P e o p l e k i n d o f l i ke to settle in, so we go for a feel-like-home kind of mentality,” he said. “We try to cater to guests that stay anywhere from seven nights to as much as a month

20 Fitchburg Star - October 13, 2017

Miller & Sons Supermarket

Serving You For Over 113 Years! IT’S APPLE SEASON… and we have too many varieties to list… Every Day! Our produce section is always

FRESH! Quality meats, produce, deli, spirits and so much more!

210 S. Main Street Verona 845-6478 Open Daily 6:30 am - 9:30 pm

adno=540614-01

We Support our Local Farmers!