MADISON ESSENTIALS
CONTENTS november–december 2017
publisher Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water Street Baraboo, WI 53913-2445 P (608) 356-8757 • F (608) 356-8875
essential arts
madisonessentials.com
Rachelle Miller...............................40
editor-in-chief
community
Amy S. Johnson ajohnson@madisonessentials.com
Common Wealth...........................10
publication designer Linda Walker
Nick’s Restaurant.............................22 OM Indian Fusion..............................6
senior copy editor
food & beverage
Kyle Jacobson
vol. 52
dining
Fisher King Winery..........................14 Gluten-Free Your Mind..................52
copy editor Krystle Naab
home
sales & marketing director
The Fireplace Professionals............44 Kids Need Nature...........................60
Amy S. Johnson ajohnson@madisonessentials.com
sales & marketing manager Kelly Hopkins khopkins@madisonessentials.com
landmark Hoff Mall.........................................26
pets Arthritis Pain in Cats and Dogs.......34
sales representatives Terri Groves tgroves@madisonessentials.com
service
graphic designers
Building a More Humane Future.....48 Healthcare: It’s Complicated.......20
Jenny Denman, Crea Stellmacher, Barbara Wilson
shopping
administration Jennifer Baird, Sandy Carlson, Lori Czajka
Monroe Street Framing.................30
travel Stay Merry with Music......................56
contributing writers Jeanne Carpenter, Marissa DeGroot, Jeanne Engle, Kyle Jacobson, Elissa Koppel, Mary S. Landry, MD, Lily Mank, Lori Scarlett, DVM, Liz Wessel, Joan W. Ziegler
photographer
including From the Editor................................4 Contest Information......................62 Contest Winners............................62
Eric Tadsen
(continued) madisonessentials.com
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additional photographs Jason Anderson, Natalie Armstrong, Common Wealth Development, Inc., Dane County Humane Society, The Fireplace Professionals, Inc., Hoff Mall, Kyle Jacobson, Becky McKenzie, Rachelle Miller, Tim Olson, ZDA, Inc.
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comments
We welcome your questions and comments. Please submit to Madison Essentials, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913 or email ajohnson@madisonessentials.com.
advertise
from the editor
Welcome to our first bimonthly issue! We look forward to visiting you more frequently with stories of area businesses, organizations, and people. We were motivated to do this because you asked for it and because we have more to give. With the expansion, we’re also incorporating a new annual content calendar. While we will retain our exclusive local focus, we will select many of the topics based on each issue’s theme. The following are the themes for 2018. January/February: Epicurean Issue March/April: Well-Being Issue May/June: Open Air Issue July/August: Feed the Brain Issue September/October: Community & Culture Issue November/December: Giving & Sharing Issue Meanwhile, inside this issue we feature OM Indian Fusion, Fisher King Winery, Nick’s Restaurant, Monroe Street Framing, The Fireplace Professionals, Common Wealth, and artist Rachelle Miller. There are also our regular pets, beer, landscape, and things to do topics. And the Dane County Humane Society makes another contribution, while Share the Health completes their healthcare series. We appreciate the behind-the-scenes views provided by each—they perfectly fit our idea of essential organizations. We are excited to go on this new adventure with you!
To place an advertisement, please call (608) 445-5556 or email khopkins@madisonessentials.com.
amy johnson
all rights reserved. ©2017
No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission by the publisher, Towns & Associates, Inc.
Watch for the next issue January/February 2018. Cover photograph provided by
Rachelle Miller Photographs on page 3: top—taken at Fisher King Winery by
Eric Tadsen.
middle—taken at Monroe Street Framing by Eric Tadsen. bottom—taken at Nick’s Restaurant by Eric Tadsen.
4 | madison essentials
Photograph provided by Dane County Humane Society
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essential dining Kadai Paneer
Indian Fusion C U I SI N E
Open just little more than a year, OM Indian Fusion Cuisine on the east side of Madison has quickly risen to the top of the list in a capital city already known for its stellar Indian restaurants. The restaurant’s name and logo plays homage to Om, a sacred sound and a spiritual icon in Hindu religion. The Om symbol, with its three curves, semicircle, and dot, is expertly woven into OM Indian Fusion Cuisine’s logo. Owners Nancy and Sumanth Viswanathan worked the traditional Om symbol’s curves instead into the 6 | madison essentials
face of Ganesh, the elephant god, an important symbol in Sumanth’s family heritage in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. “We wanted to honor our blended family’s Indian heritage—the fusion of America and India,” says Nancy, who met Sumanth in college in Minneapolis. The couple married and dreamed of opening a restaurant for years, but when they befriended Dilli Shankar, a highly skilled culinary professional from Chennai, India, they knew it was an auspicious sign. In 2016, the trio
by Jeanne Carpenter
opened OM Indian Fusion Cuisine at 3579 E. Washington Avenue at the intersection of Stoughton Road. Ever since, they’ve been getting rave reviews for their southern Indian dishes, IndoChinese food, and Tandoori specials. Running a restaurant seems like a natural choice for Nancy, a born leader and organizer who was eager to build a business. An American military veteran who spent 10 years in the Army, she was deployed to Iraq as a logistics manager for an aviation brigade. She’s been in the hospitality business for more than 15
years and holds a Masters of Business Administration in human resource management and a bachelor’s degree in business management. She was born in California, but raised in the Midwest. Sumanth was born and raised in Ooty in Tamil Nadu, and moved to the United States in 2010. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer applications and information technology, he continues to work fulltime as a project manager at American Family Insurance in Madison, helping Nancy run the restaurant in the evenings and on weekends. Running the kitchen is Executive Chef Dilli, who rounds out the trio of highly educated restauranteurs. With an American bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, he also trained in India for culinary arts and food and beverage management. Today, he is highly recognized by Madison chefs for his comprehensive knowledge of international cuisine and innovative approaches to creating unique dishes.
One of his favorite foods to prepare is the Family Dosa, a signature dish of OM Indian Fusion Cuisine fondly known as the Dilli Dosa on the menu. Measuring nearly four feet in length, the Family Dosa is a large plain dosa, a type of Indian pancake, made from a fermented batter. Think of it as a big crispy rice and lentil crepe. Other dosas on the menu are filled with ground lamb or chicken, or coconut-based sauce and Indian spices. All are served with assorted chutneys and sambar, a hot and spicy lentil soup with mixed vegetables. The menu at OM Indian Fusion Cuisine is extensive, with pages of appetizers, soups and salads, breads, Indo-Chinese fare, Tandoori specials, vegetarian entrees, southern Indian dishes, biryani and rice specialties, and several fusion dishes all curiously Italian inspired. That’s because Chef Shankar spent considerable time training as a chef in Italy. OM Indian Fusion may be the only Indian restaurant in Wisconsin where you can get the best Florentine sauce outside Florence, Italy.
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Masal Dosa with sambar and chutneys, and mango lassi
One of the most popular dishes, and the one dish that has perhaps put OM Indian Fusion on the map, is actually an
appetizer: the Mirchi Bajji. Chef Shankar stuffs three crispy green chilies with seasoned onions, then fries them golden brown in a chickpea batter and serves it with mint and tamarind chutneys. The dish is ordered by nearly everyone who visits the restaurant. One of Nancy’s favorite dishes is the Kadai Paneer, a northern Indian dish featuring sautéed paneer, capsicum, tomato, onion, and spices. “It’s classic Indian fare, and Chef Shankar does it better than anyone,” Nancy says. Open for lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday, OM Indian Fusion
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Cuisine features a generous lunch buffet and extensive dinner menu in a beautifully designed and decorated, sage-colored interior that is both modern and family friendly. Customers may choose to sit at the chef’s table, a counter with high stools facing an open kitchen and attended to by Chef Shankar. Both the chef’s table and bar feature one-of-akind, backlit, green, grass-filled panels at foot level, making customers feel as if they might be sitting in an Indian forest while enjoying a martini. The restaurant features separate meeting spaces and a sitting area with a fireplace, games, and books for kids.
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Nancy recently completed a separate Bollywood Theater room, which she hopes will soon start showing weekly Bollywood films for fun.
Hyderabadi Dum Biryani with Chicken
“It’s very cool to think that this is something we built from scratch,” says Nancy. “It makes me really proud, and the fact that our customers really enjoy our food and service and keep coming back is just the icing on the cake.” Jeanne Carpenter is a cheese geek and food writer living in Oregon, Wisconsin. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.
OM INDIAN FUSION CUISINE 3579 E. Washington Avenue Madison, WI 53704 (608) 467-2110 omindianfusioncuisine.com
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e ss ential community
Yahara River View Apartments-60 Unit housing on East Main Street and the Yahara River.
Common Wealth Development by Jeanne Engle Common Wealth Development, Inc. has been supporting and preserving the vitality of neighborhoods in the Madison metropolitan area since 1979. Its current executive director, Justice Casteñeda, has been at the helm of the nonprofit organization since February of this year. He took over from Marianne Morton, who retired after more than 35 years. As Justice considers the future of his organization, within a framework of racial justice and health equity, he thinks about healthy housing, equitable 10 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
economic development, and sustainable land use. Common Wealth owns and manages 146 apartments. These units, renovated and rehabbed by Common Wealth, are targeted toward low- and moderateincome households. Apartments vary in size from studio to 3-bedroom. One hundred eleven of the apartments are scattered throughout the WilliamsonMarquette neighborhood on Madison’s east side; 35 are located in the
Meadowood neighborhood on Madison’s southwest side. The city, being aware of the organization’s institutional knowledge and expertise in housing, approached Common Wealth in 2012 to take over the buildings around Meadowood Park. Common Wealth works with partner agencies to lower screening criteria for housing applicants and will also work with its tenants to make sure the rent is paid. Housing as if people matter is
important to Justice. “We want people to fall in love with the places where they live,” he says. In 2002, Common Wealth developed the Yahara River View Apartments, a 60unit, three-story building on the Yahara River. Justice feels now may be the time for Common Wealth to be involved in such a development project again.
Madison Enterprise Center-At 100 S. Baldwin Street, the MEC is a lightindustrial business incubator that serves start-up and expanding small businesses.
Justice makes the case that affordable housing is good for business. “If people can live near where they work, stress is reduced because their commute is reduced,” he maintains. Common Wealth is good for many local businesses that rent space in its two business incubators. The Madison Enterprise Center (MEC), 100 S. Baldwin Street, is a partnership with Madison Gas & Electric that began in 1987. This space is for office and light-industrial businesses that are just starting up or expanding. A for-profit business can stay in the space from three to five years, produce a product or
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Main Street Industries-At 931 E. Main Street, second-stage business incubator Main Street Industries keeps a good start rolling . The building offers attractive, affordable office and light industrial spaces and shared services.
Program, named after longtime city clerk Wanda Fullmore, who retired in 2014. Fifty young people were placed in eight-week summer internships in 2017. Once young people are earning a paycheck, they learn about basic finances—saving and budgeting, debt, and how to manage money—avoiding mistakes through financial literacy programs presented by Common Wealth.
the MEC except the businesses are not required to leave after a certain period of years. “There are no spaces like this in downtown corridors in any national urban area,” Justice says.
service, and have the potential for future job creation. “It’s incredibly affordable space,” Justice claims. The other incubator operated by Common Wealth, Main Street Industries, at 931 E. Main Street, is for businesses with more capital invested than those at MEC. The 50,000-square-foot building was a Greyhound Bus terminal renovated in 1996. Requirements are the same as
For Justice, equitable economic development means a focus on the workforce along with a focus on business. Programs for both adults and youth are offered by Common Wealth. The Youth-Business Mentoring Program helps teens, whose unemployment rate is three times that of adults, enter the job market. Pre-employment training— how to find, apply, and interview for a job—is followed by placement with supportive businesses. Madison youth facing racial, economic, and other barriers to employment can also get involved in local government and gain training and employment through the Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship
Employment support is also offered for adults. Job Shop, in conjunction with the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ and Joining Forces for Family, in the southwest area is a voluntary service center. One-to-one, handson help is available for people looking for work. Another program in the same neighborhood is the Southwest Transitional Employment Project (STEP), a collaborative program that helps local families who need a stable income and are often teetering on the precipice of homelessness. Justice believes southwest Madison is in need of commercial development so jobs are available where people live. “I want Common Wealth to be involved in ensuring equitable access to all economic processes in Madison,” he states. Sustainable land use is accomplished through the Madison Area Community Land Trust (MACLT), an organization affiliated with Common Wealth. The two share office space on Williamson Street. Since 1990, MACLT has provided affordable homes for low- to moderateincome home buyers in Madison. These homes are more affordable because the buyer purchases the home only, and ownership of the land remains with the land trust. Homeowners rent the land from MACLT for an affordable monthly fee. This model saves homeowners about $200 or more per month. When MACLT homeowners sell their home, a shared-appreciation formula ensures the home will be affordable for the next lowincome buyer and remain permanently affordable. “The world is volatile. Demand far exceeds resources, but Common Wealth
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is up to the challenge. We come out of a great tradition of supporting and sustaining healthy neighborhoods where people live, love, work, and play,” says Justice. One of Common Wealth’s first efforts to bring the community together was the Willy Street Fair, which has grown into a major two-day event and fundraiser drawing people from all over the city, presented now in collaboration with the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. The 40th Annual Willy Street Fair took place this past September. Neighborly spirit, a Common Wealth asset, is evident at the Fair. Common Wealth’s annual budget is $2.5 million. About 60 percent comes from earned revenue (housing and business incubator rents) and 40 percent from grants and gifts. Justice likes working for an organization that is not beholden to investors who demand sizeable profit margins. “We are able to be nimble, aggressive, and love each other along the way,” Justice declares. He goes on to praise Common Wealth and its people. “You can’t swing a dead sea snake without running into phenomenal people here in Madison.” The community should keep an eye on Justice, who grew up in Madison, learned leadership and organizational theory during his eight years with the Marine Corps, and went on to earn his master’s degrees from Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He’s back in Madison getting to know a younger sister and bringing his vast array of experience from several cities and communities throughout the United States to bear on building community and achieving the goals of Common Wealth Development, Inc. for many years to come.
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e ss ential food & beverage
FISHER
KING WINERY by Jeanne Engle “If it tastes good, it is good.” That’s the measure of a quality wine according to Alwyn Fitzgerald, founder of Fisher King Winery. Earlier this year, Fisher King moved from Mount Horeb to 1105 Laser Street, Verona, in the Liberty Business Park along Highway M and near Highway 18 and 151. The Verona tasting room is about three times the size, and visitors can view wine being created in stainless steel tanks ranging in size from 80 to 1,100 gallons.
beer but had wanted to create a winery for a long time. As a hobbyist, he began producing wine in his basement. To perfect his skills, Alwyn was involved in programs through Michigan State University; wine-making courses at Carbondale, Illinois; and as part of the certificate program at the University of California, Davis. Alwyn credits mentors Philippe Coquard of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac and Alan Dillard of Limestone Creek Winery in southern Illinois with helping him to improve his proficiency.
After 35 years in the corporate world, Alwyn opened his winery in Mount Horeb in 2011. He started out brewing
Alwyn first started using the Fisher King name when he was purchasing ingredients and equipment in
14 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
2006. Being an avid reader, he would occasionally come across the mythological Fisher King and became fascinated with the legend. The character is present in pagan mythology as a connection between the land and its people. In winter, the Fisher King is at his weakest, but with the arrival of spring, his health is renewed and the land rejuvenated. By summer, the land and its people are hale and hearty. In this spirit, the grapes are harvested and Fisher King wine is produced. Alwyn is passionate about promoting the buy local movement. He believes more and more of today’s consumers want to know where their food and
drink are coming from. “People respond positively to a local enterprise. Our customers like that our wines taste really good and we’re supporting local farmers,” he says. About 65 percent of Fisher King wine is produced from grapes grown in the southern third of Wisconsin. Wisconsin grapes are not like the classic grapes of France, where the climate is more temperate. Grapes grown here are hybrids having fruity, berry-like flavors; a light body; and higher acidity. Alwyn is a fan of the Marquette grape varietal that was developed at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. This cold-hardy grape, resistant to mold and mildew, is able to survive through a harsh Wisconsin winter. Its high sugar content and moderate acidity make Marquette desirable in the winery. Fisher King’s Marquette (dry red wine) has won gold and silver industry awards in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Other award-winning wines include Meadow Song Moscato and Blue Rapture, light sweet white wines that were honored in 2013, 2014, and 2016, and White Whisper and Saint Pepin, semisweet whites that received recognition in 2014 and 2016. In addition to Marquette, the other red wine that has earned industry accolades is Troll Town Red, a Pinot Noir-style dry wine that earned a double-gold medal from the American Wine Society in
2014. Fisher King was also named the 2015 Wisconsin Winery of the Year at the New York International Wine Competition. Along with the medal winners, Alwyn recommends Perfection Port, fortified with premium oak-aged brandy, for sipping in front of a roaring fire. This wine pairs well with dark chocolate and stronger-flavored, savory cheeses. Also for winter, he points to Glühwein,
a hot, spiced red wine his mother served to customers of his parents’ Christmas tree farm in western Massachusetts. Customers at the tasting room can sample this seasonal specialty and purchase a packet of spices to make their own Glühwein at home with the appropriate wine suggested by Alwyn. Alwyn also serves as president of the Wisconsin Winery Association. He maintains that Wisconsin has a great
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deal of room to grow its wine business. In 2000, Wisconsin had just 13 permitted wineries; now there are upwards of 140. “Having more wineries in Wisconsin will give customers a choice and more of a range of things to try,” he says. According to a study undertaken in 2012 by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, the economic impact of Wisconsin’s wine industry was about $150 million. A 2015 Michigan State
University study shows that when direct spending on wine tourism is factored in, the impact increases another $50 million. “The old model of a winery in a rural area where people visit to sample and then buy a bottle or two to take out for off-site consumption is being turned on its ear,” Alwyn states. “People want to come and linger. See the production process, stay for special events.” At Fisher King Winery, live music and other entertainment is offered several
nights per week. Local musicians are regularly featured on Friday nights and oftentimes on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This past summer and fall, Fisher King was also designated the exclusive wine provider at Breese Stevens Field, an outdoor venue for concerts, sporting events, public markets, fish fries, and movies near downtown Madison. After six years in business, Alywn finds two aspects of his operation have been most fulfilling. When he first opened, he converted an old, dilapidated building in Mount Horeb that had been a plumbing supply store into a beautiful, upscale space and built a loyal following of customers who packed the venue, thus necessitating the move to a new, larger location. Second, Alwyn remarks, “I marvel at the group of people I have working for me. They care about the winery and are stepping up to take on more responsibility. It’s great to see staff vested in the winery’s success, and allows me to delegate an increasing number of functions to others.” For example, Alwyn gave the title and responsibility of head winemaker to Bill Lancaster. Fisher King Winery made 8,000 gallons of wine in 2016, up from 6,000 gallons in 2015. The wines can be purchased in over 150 locations around Wisconsin. Alwyn suggests giving the gift of local wine for the holidays, whether as an individual to a friend or family member or as a business to customers in a gift
basket. Wines can be ordered online at fisherkingwinery.com. Before giving that gift, Alwyn encourages people to come to the tasting room, where about a dozen wines are served along with craft beer. Cheese and sausage sampler plates, as well as truffles, chocolates, and artisan breads, are on the menu. Visitors can sample five wines for $7.
The tasting room is open Monday through Wednesday, noon to 7:00 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, noon to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6:00 p.m. Jeanne Engle is a freelance writer. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.
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e ssential service
Healthcare: It’s Complicated by Mary S. Landry, MD While efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act are behind us for now [as of this writing], and Congress is looking ahead at fixes to address increasing premiums and unstable insurance markets, we can all be certain of one thing when it comes to healthcare: the need for free clinics. The American healthcare system is fractured. In order to access healthcare, you need to have health insurance. In order to have health insurance, you need to be able to afford it or get enough financial help in order to afford it. If you’re not able to afford it at all, you may qualify for Medicaid. If you’re over 65 or have a long-term disability, you may also qualify for Medicare. If you’re new to this country and don’t earn much money, you likely do not qualify for any program unless you’ve been here for more than five years, in which case you may be eligible for coverage. If your employer offers you coverage that’s affordable but offers your family coverage that’s unaffordable, then they too are probably out of luck.
Still with me? No? How about this: The truth is, healthcare and health insurance in America IS complicated. The Affordable Care Act made great progress in extending coverage to millions who had traditionally been left out of the healthcare system, but it’s not perfect. And while we don’t have a coverage gap in Wisconsin, we do have an affordability gap. Low-income Wisconsinites in particular experience great fluctuations in their incomes on a month-to-month basis. In terms of health insurance, this means they move from being eligible for Medicaid to coverage on the Marketplace, and are frequently uninsured for short or long windows of time. Thankfully, free clinics, like Share the Health Free Gynecology Clinic, exist and fill in the gaps left by our fractured healthcare system. Share the Health is a free gynecology clinic that operates thanks to the support of its partners, namely Madison Women’s Health, LLP
and University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, to provide gynecologic specialty care to underserved women, all the while training future healthcare professionals to serve their communities. While Madison has a strong network of health safety net providers, like Access Community Health Centers and Planned Parenthood, specialty care for uninsured populations is incredibly hard to find. This is where Share the Health comes in. Here’s a realistic hypothetical situation: Share the Health’s team of volunteer providers and medical students see a 43-year-old uninsured woman who is referred by another provider for specialty care for abnormal bleeding due to a thickened uterine lining. Her condition is so bad that it impacts her ability to work regular hours; spend time with her aging and ailing father, for whom she grocery shops and sends daily medication reminders; as well as her primary role as a mom to two young children. An evaluation with a biopsy shows a precancerous change. We can’t say for certain what her medical situation will be if we don’t see her, but we do know that regular excessive bleeding requires blood transfusions. Untreated precancerous cells found in the uterine lining often lead to uterine cancer, treated by hysterectomy and radiation. She can only see us during evening hours because she has used up her limited sick time at work trying to manage her condition from home. If she misses
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additional work at a new temporary job, her employer would likely contact her agency to find someone who could more reliably work every day. She hasn’t yet found affordable insurance because her new job pushes her above the monthly income limit for BadgerCare. Luckily, her kids remain insured, but like many moms, she sacrifices her own coverage and puts her additional income toward household needs and professional caregiving for her father. If her condition worsens, as it likely will, she’ll continue to put everything she cares about and all of her personal contributions to her family and community at risk. After evaluating the biopsy, Share the Health provides her with a prescription for monthly progesterone, which her referring provider can get for her at a discounted cost. We work with her primary physician to understand the need for continued progesterone until she reaches menopause to mitigate the risk of future cancer. And our student volunteers work with local enrollment partners to help her find an insurance plan on the Marketplace that offers her $213 in premium tax credits. It’s still a stretch for her financially, but she can make it work given her risk factors and a glimpse into what her life could look like with a treatable, but unmanaged health condition. In order to access healthcare, you need to have health insurance. In order to
have a healthy life, you need more than what health insurance can buy. Family, community, work, and a safe environment are all part of what makes us healthy, happy, and productive. Free clinics are a band-aid solution to an imperfect system, but the volunteer team at Share the Health is happy to do its part until we come together and truly tackle the root causes that have created these gaps in our community and disparities in the health of our community members. Sadly, our community is one of dozens in a state with hundreds of
similar family stories with mom’s who wouldn’t get cancer if they could get the simple care that insurance allows. There is only one Share the Health in Wisconsin, and the other communities continue their struggles. Mary S. Landry, MD, is president and cofounder of Share the Health Free Gynecology Clinic, Inc., and is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University Health Service Women’s Clinic at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
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essential dining
Dino’s Arugula Burger
NICK’S Restaurant by Jeanne Carpenter
Like a lot of children who grow up in a family-owned business, Dino Christ knew it was only a matter of time before he and his brother, Tom, took over their parents’ restaurant. But unlike many second-generation owners, Dino knew better than to change much at Nick’s Restaurant on State Street. A local institution since 1959, Nick’s is famous for its old-fashioned booths, celebrity sightings, and the smell of made-fromscratch food. 22 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
“As a kid, I got to meet so many famous people because everybody knew Nick, and they all ate here when they came to town—I’m talking about everybody, from a U.S. Senator to Johnny Cash,” says Dino. “My mom stayed at home, so we kids had the best of both worlds—we could be at the restaurant a few nights a week with our dad, and at home with mom after school. I grew up working in the restaurant and loved it. After college, I came back and never left.”
When co-owner Nick Kristakos passed away in the 1980s, Dino’s parents, coowners Arist and Anastasia Christ, took sole ownership of the restaurant. Today, Nick’s looks nearly the same as it did 40 years ago. The same starving-artist prints are on the walls, the lights are still dimmed, the kitchen is still in the basement, and a dumbwaiter still brings food to the dining room. The biggest challenge facing wait staff is to learn what food gets cooked downstairs and
Greek Chicken Salad
what food gets made in the small prep area in the dining area. “Our servers have to essentially submit two orders for every table—one order goes downstairs and one stays upstairs—but it doesn’t take too long for them to get the hang of it,” says Dino. Famous for its Reuben sandwich and Patty Melt, both made with freshly grilled pumpernickel bread, Nick’s is home to many a customer who has eaten at the bar for decades and never ordered anything else. The menu features dozens of traditional dishes using original recipes from Dino’s mom, such as Homemade Spinach Pie, layered spinach and feta cheese wrapped in filo
dough and served with a boiled potato. However, Dino is always on the lookout for new menu items. A recent addition is Dino’s Arugula Burger, topped with provolone and organic arugula. He got the idea from watching a famous chef make a much fancier version on television. “Sometimes simpler is better,” Dino says. “Now everybody orders it.” Another popular item is the Chicken Gyro, made with grilled chicken strips on a pita, topped with grilled vegetables, and served with fries. A side of Nick’s famous Tzatziki sauce is the secret ingredient, and is a stellar reflection of his family’s Greek heritage. And almost everyone orders the Feta Cheese with madisonessentials.com
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Classic Corned Beef Club Sandwich
Kalamata Olives as an appetizer. Served with pita bread and cucumber slices, it’s the perfect precurser to any meal. While Dino knew that running a restaurant was probably always his destiny, he took time away for a few years to work for other people. He started washing dishes at Nick’s when he was a kid, but his first “real job”— one with a paycheck— was at Poole’s Cuba Club, a famous old-school supper club on University Avenue torn down in 1992 and now home to a strip mall housing Panera Bread. “I wanted to work for someone other than my father—I wanted to work somewhere where I wasn’t the boss’ son. It was a valuable learning experience. By my mid-30s, I was ready to take over Nick’s.” And while many a celebrity still comes in the door, these days Nick’s is becoming better known as a destination restaurant for folks going to shows at the Overture, Orpheum, and the Comedy Club. “I think people know they’re going to get real food here, made from scratch, and we’ll get them out the door in time to get to their seats. We’ve got service down to a science,” Dino says. So what makes Nick’s so special? “I ask people that all the time,” Dino says, “because I’ve never really been sure. Nothing’s changed over the decades. We’re still the original restaurant we’ve always been. Maybe in today’s world, 24 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
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real food in a classic setting means a little more to folks.” While Dino isn’t planning on closing Nick’s anytime soon, he says he thinks more about the future than he used to. He knows there are fewer days ahead of him in the restaurant business than there are behind him. And with no third-generation person in the family identified to take over, Dino suspects that one day Nick’s will be no more. But until then, Dino says, “We’ve got plenty of good days ahead of us yet. I still need something to do and some place to be. Where else would I go every morning?” Jeanne Carpenter is a cheese geek and food writer living in Oregon, Wisconsin. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.
NICK’S RESTAURANT 226 State Street Madison, WI 53703 (608) 255-5450 nicksrestaurantmadison.com
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es s ential landmark
HOFF MALL BY JEANNE ENGLE Developer Joe Gallina used to drive through Mount Horeb from Madison on his way to ski at Tyrol Basin. He would have breakfast at Schubert’s Café, where he could look upon the historic Hoff Department Store across the street. At that time, Joe was remodeling older buildings into apartments and saw a business opportunity with the store. Enter University of Wisconsin– Extension Professor (now emeritus) and Dane County Development Specialist Dennis Domack. The professor had conducted studies of economic growth in smaller communities and helped bring in business to those places. He connected Joe to Lyle Johnson, who owned the store building. Lyle was ready to retire and had already closed the store he had operated for 36 years. Joe purchased the building August 7, 1986, and began construction of a new Hoff Mall (first floor) and Hoff Apartments (second floor), still keeping the Hoff name—a name well known in the community. Rather than a ground-breaking ceremony to start construction, a wall-breaking ceremony took place in September. The wall that was broken was on a side of the building which, at one time, had large windows similar to those in the front. The intent was to renovate the building back to its original design. 26 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
The Hoff Mall, at 101 E. Main Street, consisting of six shops on the first floor and an antique center on the lower level, was completed in December. Its grand opening was April 3 through 5, 1987. The schedule of events included the ribbon cutting, a live radio broadcast, a clown and juggler, costumed Sons of Norway members serving Norwegian specialties, folk music, and door prizes. A month earlier, 12 contemporary apartments opened on the second floor. The predecessor to the Hoff Department Store was the first business in Mount Horeb—a general store opened in 1866 by George Burrows. With the coming of the railroad, the store building was moved in 1881, to what is now the current site of the Hoff Mall, to be closer to the depot. Just about all traffic to and from the train depot had to go by the Burrows store. With more people settling in and around Mount Horeb, the demand for more and different types of goods was increasing. Andrew Hoff, who had purchased the Burrows
general store in 1887, first remodeled and enlarged it in 1905. Between 1900 and 1916, Mount Horeb experienced a growth spurt, with 45 new businesses starting during that time. Andrew Hoff, probably wanting to remain the largest retail store in the village, decided to expand his store again. Construction began in 1916 on a new Hoff Department Store, and it was completed the following year. The new store was built over the old store, a meat market, and a vacant adjacent lot. A series of construction and demolition stages was designed to keep the store open without missing a single day of business. The Hoff Department Store was the largest and most successful of the commercial enterprises in Mount Horeb. The storefront, the size of a city block, drew its customers from a predominantly rural area. It was the commercial powerhouse of Mount Horeb until closeout began November 17, 1983. It was
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reported that people were lined up on the outside before the store opened that day. After shopping, some customers had to wait up to one and one-half hours before reaching the checkout. In 1989, the Hoff Department Store was added to the National Register of Historic Places. According to the Register nomination, the building “exhibits a high degree of historic integrity as a representative example of the Commercial Style,” popular with commercial buildings at the beginning of the 20th century. The Hoff Department Store was Joe’s first substantial restoration project. It was touch and go at the beginning of the $1,000,000 undertaking. The local bank’s board voted 5 to 4 against giving
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Joe a $600,000 loan even though the village board had given its approval for the project. But all was not lost. In less than a month, Joe obtained financing from his long-time financial partner, the M&I Bank of Hilldale. Construction proceeded as planned. Not only did the restoration finish on time, it also came in on budget. According to Joe, this job put The Gallina Companies on the map. The Hoff Mall was the first commercial building in Mount Horeb to be retrofitted with a sprinkler system and an elevator for the second-floor apartments. Because of solid rock underlying the structure, dynamite was used in the digging of the pit for the elevator. According to Joe, “The Hoff Department Store was a very well built building. There was no need for additional structural support, and
it was safe as a tornado shelter. Wood beams and wood columns were in good condition.” Joe was recognized for his work when he received a Dane County Small Business Award in 1987. The Hoff Mall received a state of Wisconsin Community Development Award that same year. But Joe wasn’t done. In 2007, he made more changes to the Hoff Mall. The six spaces on the first floor were renovated into four improved retail spaces. New awnings were installed on the outside of
the building to keep the historical feel. Today, the businesses on the first floor of the Hoff Mall include Elegant Bridal, New York Minute Boutique, Red Carpet Salon, and the recently expanded Hoff Bistro 101. Inspired by Gary Gorman, an Oregon, Wisconsin, developer who had transformed a former high school into his company’s office space, Joe decided to move The Gallina Companies offices from Madison’s west side to the Hoff Mall. The lower-level antique center became offices, and a new atrium grand staircase was installed to enter that level. “It was the smartest thing we did for our business,” he remarks. Then in 2014, Joe continued to make improvements to the building— refurbishing windows with marble sills, repairing the parapet walls, tuck pointing, and installing a new parking lot. Recently, Joe renovated all 12 onebedroom apartments on the second floor with new wood floors, modern appliances, large kitchens, and some with 10-foot ceilings. Amenities include an on-site laundry and on-site fitness center. “This is the favorite part of my job, providing quality housing projects—places that people enjoy and can truly call a home.” Jeanne Engle is a freelance writer. Photographs provided by Hoff Mall.
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essential shopping
INSTINCT It started with a one- by one-halfinch newspaper ad in 1998 that read “Experienced Picture Framer Wanted.” No store name. No address. Just the phone number. Michelle Waldeck came across the ad for a part-time picture framer at Monroe Street Framing. “I took out the yellow pages and looked up the address,” Michelle says, who has owned the shop since 2007. “They thought I was too young, but I was persistent.” Monroe Street Framing was founded in 1983 by Dave Gunderson at 2616 Monroe Street. After five years, the shop grew and moved to its current location 30 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
at 1901 Monroe Street, a historic building previously home to doctors’ offices and a World War II bomb shelter. Michelle credits Dave, her former boss and business partner, with creating a great local business on which Monroe Street Framing could continue to build and grow. “I was shy when I started, but he encouraged me to trust in myself,” she says. “He was a great mentor.” When it comes to her business plan, Michelle reflects on what Dave taught her about instinct. “Dave is so good with customers and framing, and he goes with his gut,” she says.
Monroe Street Framing Strives to Take Artistic Chances for its Customers By Chelsey Dequaine Monroe Street Framing continues to provide framing services to commercial and residential clients and local organizations, such as Chazen Museum of Art, Epic Systems, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Duluth Trading Co., and Wisconsin State Historical Society. “We are proud to say we have always been, and always will be, locally owned and owner operated,” the shop’s website reads. Today, Monroe Street Framing houses a staff of six. With minimal room for storage, products and frames are kept out in the open. You can walk through
the store to shop the vast variety of frame textures and styles. Organization and tidiness are key for the staff. “All our work is done on the premises, and there is no back workroom—it’s all right there for our customers to see,” Michelle says. “That is part of the fun for us. Customers can see every step of the process and ask questions if they see us working on something. We love what we do, so we also love it when people are curious and want to be informed framing consumers. “We take pride in offering services that are above and beyond what other frames shops might offer. Attention to detail, craftsmanship, and customer service are all extremely important to us.” Services include conservation framing, custom design, gilding, restoration, photo printing, delivery, and installation. Hand-crafted custom molding lines include their popular barnwood line,
sourced from Argyle, Wisconsin, which is then hand-finished in the woodshop in the building’s basement. Along with barnwood, Monroe Street Framing also offers frames in welded steel, handtooled leather, gold leaf, acrylic, and local hardwoods. “Custom picture framers are truly artists and skilled craftsmen,” Michelle says. “We look for ways to invent new things to frame and techniques to try.” Monroe Street Framing maintains a large selection by continuously searching for new suppliers and framing companies to work with. While most customers prefer to browse the colors and materials inside the shop, Michelle says there are some customers who rarely step foot through the front door. Some corporate customers find it easier to have art picked up, framed, delivered, and installed. “We’ve done it for decades,” Michelle says. Within madisonessentials.com
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the last year, Monroe Street Framing has purchased a van ready with a team dedicated strictly to delivery and installation. The delivery range isn’t just Dane County. From Janesville to Green Bay, Monroe Street Framing will deliver and install across the Midwest. While you might expect some of the framing services previously mentioned, what’s being framed may catch you off guard. “We frame unusual things
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sometimes,” Michelle says. One example is a doctor who wanted a visual teaching tool. So, he had a collection of kidney stones framed. “The best things we frame are the sentimental pieces—the ones that have a story and connection to them,” Michelle says. Framing children’s artwork is something she truly enjoys. Another favorite is when a father had the dress framed his daughter wore while
dancing in The Nutcracker. It brought back memories from when she danced in the same production as a young girl. Looking back over the years, Michelle says she has learned to look for opportunities where she wouldn’t expect them. Born and raised in Dane County, she received her bachelor’s in art therapy from Edgewood College in Madison and her master’s in art therapy from Mount Mary University
in Milwaukee. Her emphasis was on children with behavioral disorders. Michelle also volunteered at American Family Children’s Hospital and Meriter Retirement Center. “I had a great art teacher in high school,” she says. “He was the one who handed me a brochure about Edgewood College’s art therapy program.”
Whatever framing service the customer needs, Michelle is certain Monroe Street Framing can provide a solution. “Challenge us. We love to think outside the box and come up with solutions that work best for our customers’ needs.”
Chelsey Dequaine works as director of social media strategy for designCraft Advertising and is a freelance writer. Photographs by Eric Tadsen
But as Dave taught her, she went with her gut. “I was scared to do this job. I never expected I would be a business owner. Ever. You might think, ‘I’m supposed to be an artist,’ but there are a lot of ways to be an artist.” And as the Monroe Street construction begins in March 2018, Michelle hopes things will be business as usual until it ends in November 2018. During that time, Monroe Street Framing will offer free pick-up and delivery service. The team will even deliver samples for onsite framing consultations. The on-site parking lot also will remain open to customers during the road construction.
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e ssential pets
in Cats and Dogs by Lori Scarlett, DVM
“Ouch!” The typical response when you stub your toe, but when you have muscle pain the day after a pickup soccer game, you might just groan, move slower, or simply pop an ibuprofen to get on with your day. Cats and dogs have similar reactions to pain. Acute, sudden pain will often cause them to vocalize, but when pain is low grade and chronic, it can be hard to know they’re uncomfortable. Many cats and dogs have arthritis— even at a young age—and their owners 34 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
don’t know it. I often hear owners say their dog is a little slower getting up in the morning or needs help getting into the car, but that the dog couldn’t possibly be in pain since it runs after a squirrel. I recently fell and chipped a bone in my wrist. While it hurt, it didn’t stop me from doing the things I needed or wanted to do, even if meant discomfort afterward. Cats are very good at hiding pain. They tend to sleep the majority of the day, so determining if inactivity is normal
or due to pain is difficult. The majority of cats over age 12 have some degree of arthritis. Since they live on average 16 to 18 years, that can be a long time to live with pain. Subtle signs include not jumping up on the bed or counters anymore and sleeping on the floor or low surfaces. Have you ever tried to pet or brush your cat on the lower back only to have it swat or try to bite you? It’s telling you its lower back hurts. Older cats may also get mats or dandruff on their lower
back. This is due to pain—it hurts to turn and groom those areas. Has your cat started pooping outside the litter box? Hip, knee, and lower-back arthritis make it painful to get into a tall litter box, squat, and have a bowel movement. A decrease in appetite is a sure sign a cat doesn’t feel well, and discomfort going to a food bowl or crunching on hard kibble can be a painful if the cat has joint or dental pain. While dogs sleep a lot during the day, most are ready to jump up to greet you or go on a walk. But if they have pain when they move, it’s easier to just lie quietly and wag their tail when they see you. Dogs with arthritis move more
slowly, especially in the morning. They start to lag behind on a walk or sit and watch the activity at the dog park instead of joining in. They will be more reluctant to go up or down stairs. Their legs may tremble or they will pant excessively at rest. When I went to urgent care about my wrist, the nurse asked me to grade my pain on a scale from 1 to 10. I’ve tried this with my furry patients, but mostly I get blank looks. Dr. Dorothy Cimino Brown at the University of Pennsylvania developed a “Canine Brief Pain Inventory” to help owners put a number to their dog’s pain. There are 11 questions to answer with a number
from 1 to 10. I think the most useful is the description of the dog’s function. Is pain interfering with the dog’s general activity or enjoyment of life? Does it prevent the dog from running, walking, getting up, or climbing stairs? Your veterinarian should be able to provide you with this form and help determine if your dog needs relief from pain. What if your dog seems a little stiff? Does that mean they need daily
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treatment for pain? Yes! In arthritis, there is a vicious cycle at work. As cartilage in the joint starts to break down, it causes inflammation and pain. Inflammation causes more deterioration of the cartilage. Pain keeps dogs from being active. Inactivity leads to muscle atrophy, which leads to more stiffness. Activity is actually very good for arthritic joints, so being inactive makes things worse. Because inflammation does so much damage to a joint, it’s important to keep that inflammation to a minimum every day. Just giving an anti-inflammatory when your dog is obviously in pain isn’t as helpful as giving a daily dose. Giving it daily helps prevent wind-up pain and helps dogs stay more comfortable all the time. I took ibuprofen daily for a week after I hurt my wrist to help with swelling and inflammation, which in turn kept me relatively pain free. There are a number of medications and therapies to help dogs with arthritis. For an overweight dog, losing 10 percent of body weight is considered equivalent
to taking a daily nonsteroidal antiinflammatory pill (NSAID). But for a dog in pain, getting up to exercise for weight loss is challenging. Daily antiinflammatory medication is necessary to keep your dog active. There are several brands of NSAIDS available, and your veterinarian will have a favorite to recommend. There is a new pain medication called piprant. It isn’t an NSAID, but a new class of
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drug called a piprant. According to Elanco, it blocks the specific receptor for pain, which is the primary cause of pain and inflammation, without potentially affecting the liver or stomach lining as some NSAIDS can do. As the degeneration in the joints progress, stronger pain medication, like gabapentin or opioids, may be necessary. If you don’t think pain is interfering much with your dog’s enjoyment of
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life, then starting a nutraceutical, like glucosamine, might be enough. Because nutraceuticals aren’t regulated by the FDA, it’s best to start with the brand recommended by your veterinarian. Not all dogs respond to these medications, so if you don’t see any change, then you’ll know it’s your dog and not the medication. Physical rehabilitation, including an underwater treadmill, can help build muscles and help with weight loss. Acupuncture and chiropractic treatments can also provide short-term relief from arthritis pain. I took my dog for treatment when he was having difficulty going up and down stairs. After treatment, he slept soundly and jumped into the car to go home. He hadn’t done that in a long time. Cats with arthritis are more challenging to treat. Weight loss is very important. Acupuncture can be worthwhile, if your cat will tolerate the procedure. Glucosamine supplements are available, if your cat will eat them. Cats don’t
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metabolize NSAIDS as quickly as dogs, so care must be taken in the dosing and administration of anti-inflammatory medications. But there are options available—just talk to your cat-friendly veterinarian. The important thing is to recognize your pet is having chronic pain. Don’t be fooled if you don’t see a limp. There could be multiple joints involved on both sides of the body. Don’t assume that a pet in pain will whine. And please talk to your veterinarian sooner rather than later about ways to keep your pet comfortable and active into old age.
Lori Scarlett, DVM, is the owner and veterinarian at Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic. For more information, visit fourlakesvet.com. Photographs provided by Dane County Humane Society
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es s ential arts
Rachelle Miller by Elissa Koppel
Winnebago Studios is a rabbit hole to navigate. The warehouse turned artist facility is a seemingly impenetrable block, unmarked save one tarp listing its name. Inside, unlabelled personal studios stud concrete hallways littered with random work. The place is desolate. Tucked behind a corner sits Studio Z. From the outside, it’s the darkest, smallest unit in the complex. How could life thrive in this most ignored spot? Faint music begins to answer as the door opens to a bright space housing diatoms, quartz, seed pods, and conch shells in generous 40 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
shades of teal, emerald, and scarlet. The room is an eden, and its gardener, Rachelle MilIer, a warm welcome. Rachelle began as a dedicated vocalperformance student at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. After she was diagnosed with vocal-chord nodules, the art classes she had interspersed throughout her schedule to fracture a demanding regimen of music classes grew more attractive. “I took a 2-D design class and it was really fun. I felt like I had found what I was missing in performance. It was filling
that void by allowing me to be visually creative.” In a union of the technicality of vocal performance and the freedom of visual art, Rachelle began devising her own glaze formulas. As she began progressively exploring art over other studies, it became apparent that not only was the discipline encouraging her creative passion, but it was supporting her love for community building. “I liked the culture of the art department more than the music department
because it was a lot less competitive. So I started taking more and more classes,” says Rachelle. She graduated with a major in art and a minor in music, and spent the following few years throwing for production potters throughout Wisconsin, including Rowe Pottery Works, Lakeside Pottery, and Rockdale Union Stoneware, where she trained as an apprentice. Despite her apprenticeship, she didn’t have the access or funds necessary to generate her own work. Rachelle was unphased. “I began auditing classes from Whitewater. On the nights and weekends, I was throwing my own work there after throwing all week. I had been smitten with clay and wanted it to be a livelihood for me.” After a few years, Rachelle moved to Milwaukee with her husband and began working as a second and third grade classroom teacher. “At the school where I worked, the [original art] teacher was less than part-time. She’d come in with
a cart of supplies, and the kids would see her once a week if they were lucky.” Rachelle wanted to be a reliable presence in the classroom for her students, so she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee to earn a master’s degree in education. In an effort to stay committed to her craft while offering her best to her students, she pursued her master’s degree without leaving her teaching position and utilized the summers off to create art. With her master’s, she began crafting curriculum that both satisfied public requirements and enabled creative exploration in clay for her students and their homeroom teachers. On the importance of exploring clay, Rachelle maintains, “I’m always amazed at the response people give when you give them clay. It’s not even about making stuff always. It’s that tactile interaction that I don’t think we have much. Things are these hard surfaces that are rigid, and you just have to live within those parameters. But all of a
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sudden you have this material that conforms to your hand. It’s therapeutic.� Since moving back to Madison, Rachelle has made her livelihood through teaching and selling her work. Making art for its own sake fits in whenever she
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has time between work and caring for her family. Despite a thorough history in production pottery and throwing, Rachelle has branched out into hand molding. She shapes air plant carriers, decorative boxes, jewelry, stacked pieces, and mounted pieces to name a
few. “I am smitten with all the beautiful design and order that nature creates,” she explains. That infatuation is highly visible in Rachelle’s work; it centers natural phenomenon with a clear focus in small organic patterns and communities. Two of her series, the resin-filled rocks and the mounted diatoms, mimic microorganisms. Other pieces present larger natural motifs. The box series is a group of rigid objects whose compositions simulate soft, natural textures, including leaves, rose petals, and pea pods. While the scale of her inspiration may shift, what remains constant throughout Rachelle’s oeuvre is the interaction between pieces. “They’re like little individuals to me. It’s fun to see the way that they interact. You’re playing with negative space as well as positive space, and depending on the way you arrange them, they can be totally different.” While Rachelle is enthused to talk about any part of her work in clay as if its discovery is still new, she notably lights up when she tells me about the apprenticeship and how it enabled her learning of every fragment of the pottery process. Rachelle wants to be touching all facets of her discipline and wants those facets to interface within themselves. “It’s hard to focus on just one thing.”
It’s this insistence upon breadth, upon inclusion, that runs like a current through Rachelle’s story, her character, and her work. What’s miraculous and veritably special about her lack of emphasis is that it’s not only a strength, but one of her defining triumphs. Her pieces vary greatly in function and shape, and it’s their differences that unite them. Even in Rachelle’s studio, the series are abundant but each has its own place, purposefully chosen and perfectly contributing to the harmony of the room. This knack for harnessing difference to generate success sets her apart as an exemplar teacher and as an artist who excels in any discipline. Elissa Koppel is a freelance writer and a local artist. Photographs provided by Rachelle Miller.
Rachelle Miller facebook.com/handsinclay
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e ss ential home
The Fireplace Professionals by Jeanne Engle
On a crisp autumn evening, what could be better than sitting in front of a fireplace in your living room and enjoying the warmth radiating from the flames? Add a companion, a glass of wine, some soft music in the background, and the picture is complete. 44 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
The place to find just the right fireplace for your picture is The Fireplace Professionals, Inc. at 2289 Wisconsin Highway 73, in the midst of the rolling hills west of Cambridge. The showroom, with 25 operating fireplaces, 8 working stoves, and 10 static displays, is a short
drive from anywhere in south central Wisconsin. Owner Scott Engelberger has been in business since 1992. Customers looking for the right fireplace can also find appropriate flooring for their fireplace
“There’s always something in bloom at the showroom, either inside or out.”
room at Scott’s sister business, Flooring Professionals Inc., located at the same site. He and his five employees work with both homeowners and contractors. The majority of customers are in Dane, Rock, and Jefferson Counties. Scott doesn’t do it all alone. His wife, Mary Ann, is the accountant and also decorates the showroom for each season. “There’s always something in bloom at the showroom, either inside or out,” Scott says appreciatively. Daughter Abbie Jacob, sales assistant, runs the showroom and handles marketing and customer service. Son Aaron is an outside sales person and installer.
While in school, Scott started the fireplace division for another company. Scott’s trademark was his suit that he always wore when he called on builder customers. He would walk onto a job site and “everyone would take notice. I would be recognized by people years and years later.” After 10 years with that company, Scott left and went to work for a flooring company in Janesville, but found that sales were tough. “The builders had prior relationships with
flooring people and didn’t want to try a new supplier,” he says. Because he’s always been a self-starter, Scott started The Fireplace Professionals out of the back of his car working parttime at nights while he was with the flooring company. Scott credits Roger Johnson, his long-time former partner who had been an installer with another fireplace company, for his initial success. “Within six months we had a truck, and
Initially, Scott wanted to be a dairy farmer. After graduating from high school, he farmed in the Black Earth, Richland Center, and Oregon areas for several years. He also attended the now-defunct Madison Business College to study accounting and computer programming. madisonessentials.com
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within a year I was able to draw a salary for Roger. I wouldn’t have been able to do this if not for him,” Scott states. Roger still helps out when needed. A customer coming to The Fireplace Professionals showroom will have a variety of fireplaces and stoves to choose from as well as grills, smokers, and fire pits for outdoor rooms. “I enjoy dealing with people, helping them figure out what they like and want in a fireplace, and then supplying that design to the builder all the while staying on budget
for the homeowner.” Customers building homes, remodeling, or adding fireplaces will receive a custom design that helps them visualize the final product as well as customize it to their own tastes. This is accomplished either with a visit to the showroom or an in-home appointment. Typically in a new home the builder allows $5,000 to $7,000 for a finished fireplace. A remodeling project from scratch can cost $8,000 to $12,000. A linear fireplace with a contemporary look could run twice that much.
The Fireplace Professionals installed fireplaces in two of the four condominiums at the top of the Edgewater Hotel in downtown Madison. “It was not an easy job,” says Scott. “There were special construction requirements and venting issues, but we got the job done.” Customers can have confidence in Scott’s know-how in the fireplace business. “I tell them that I can safely install everything that can burn their house down or blow it up because all The Fireplace Professionals sales staff and installers are National Fireplace Institute (NFI) certified. That makes us different from other companies.” NFI professional certification involves passing a rigorous exam covering important topics, like safety and placement, venting requirements, and installation guidelines. The knowledge required to pass the exam gives The Fireplace Professionals staff the expertise in fireplace-area design and installation. In turn, the customer has a safe and beautiful fireplace that will provide warmth and pleasure for years
46 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
to come. Scott argues that certification is something a customer should look for because it shows that the installer has paid proper attention to the safety and performance of the fireplace.
times for service are kept at a minimum with a dedicated service crew. Most customers are waiting no more than two weeks for service, which is possibly the quickest turnaround in the area.
Prior to the recession of 2008, about 70 percent of Scott’s business was new construction and 30 percent was remodels. That flipped during the recession and has come back to about half new construction and half remodels today. Most remodeling takes place from October through February and new construction from March through September. During the later part of the year, his crew is working double time because customers want fireplaces for the holidays. Customers overwhelmingly prefer gas fireplaces, but Scott does sell wood-burning stoves and fireplaces and pellet stoves.
“Doing a good job, taking care of people in the right way, and knowing what we are doing are the values that drive our business,” Scott declares. “We’re all about making a house a home.”
As well as designing and installing fireplaces, Scott and his team will service and clean fireplaces, stoves, and chimneys. A maintenance check-up is especially important before starting up a fireplace for the fall/winter season. Lead
Jeanne Engle is a freelance writer. Photographs provided by The Fireplace Professionals, Inc.
NARI member mentioned in this article: The Fireplace Professionals, Inc. 2289 Wisconsin Highway 73 Cambridge, WI 53523 (608) 423-4973 madisonessentials.com
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e ssential service
Finn...
the one-eyed collie, is a frequent visitor.
BUILDING A More Humane Future by Marissa DeGroot Summer was a busy, yet exciting time at Dane County Humane Society (DCHS). Hundreds of baby wild animals were brought to the Wildlife Center, dozens of kittens found new homes, and the shelter was abuzz every week with 40 campers eager to learn. These kids were a part of Camp Pawprint - Summer Break and came to the shelter for weeklong day camps where they interacted with a variety of animals, learned about diverse animal careers, and completed shelter service projects. 48 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
Ursula...
the classroom bearded dragon, introduces herself to campers.
Natalie has been coming to Camp Pawprint since the first year she could, at age 7. Now 10-years-old, Natalie’s interest in animals has grown into a true passion. One of her favorite lessons at camp was on guinea pig care. After these lessons and completing her own research, Natalie and her family decided to adopt Ditto, a 3-year-old guinea pig who had been surrendered because his owners did not have enough time to care for him. Natalie learned what it takes to be a responsible pet owner, and Ditto is now getting all the love, care, and attention he deserves. Natalie has been so inspired by all the animals she has met and those caring for them that she hopes to one day become a veterinarian.
Gizmo...
the classroom guinea pig, is Natalie’s favorite.
DCHS Humane Educator Ash Collins directs all education programs at the shelter, including Camp Pawprint. Helping inspire children like Natalie is why she and her team of camp counselors and volunteers work tirelessly to connect with over 3,000 children and community members every year. “We focus our education program on providing one-of-a-kind experiences that teach the public not only about DCHS, but also how they can make our community a better place for both people and animals,” says Ash. These one-of-a-kind experiences are offered year-round at DCHS through Girl Scout workshops, school field trips, and more. Groups that come to
Connecting your business to our local LGBTQ community Celebrating 10 years Madison’s LGBT & XYZ Magazine
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...
Nothing but smiles when Key Reptiles visits camp.
Snakes!
the shelter get a behind-the-scenes tour and an up-close look at day-today happenings. Staff and volunteers are also available to visit schools and organizations to present on a variety of animal welfare topics, from pet care and safety to helping native Wisconsin wildlife. 50 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
These lessons on the services provided at DCHS and animal welfare are just as valuable and enjoyable for adults too. Businesses, organizations, and senior centers frequently come to tour the shelter or invite DCHS to their own facilities for Lunch & Learn style events.
Brisby...
the classroom rat, loves spending time with campers.
One presentation at a time, DCHS is working to create a more compassionate community now and in the future. By bringing a variety of topics to classrooms and offices around Dane County and beyond, our education program serves the community while helping raise funds to provide comfort and care for animals at DCHS. DCHS is a private, nonprofit animal shelter with an adoption guarantee. Over 8,000 animals come through the DCHS doors every year and receive much-needed care thanks to generous supporters and fees from both adoptions and humane education programs. Please visit giveshelter.org to support DCHS and learn more about the humane education opportunities. Marissa DeGroot, is the public relations coordinator at Dane County Humane Society. Photographs provided by Dane County Humane Society
madisonessentials.com
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es s ential food & beverage
YOUR MIND by Kyle Jacobson
“I don’t like beer.” A dagger to the heart, but understandable when coming from someone with celiac disease. Having an autoimmune disease that allows gluten to damage the small intestine creates a reasonable enough barrier between beer and the drinker. When it comes to the available options for the gluten-intolerant…heck, I’ve tried some gluten-free beers in the past and thought I was sick. Brewmaster Trevor Easton of Alt Brew points out the main reason for the stigma is the overuse of sorghum. “A lot of the gulten-free beers 52 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
had a huge sorghum punch to them.” As Chad & Jeremy wrote, “But that was yesterday and yesterday’s gone.” A handful of breweries are going against the grain to prove gluten-free beer doesn’t have to be a second cousin once forcibly removed from the houses of Ale and Lager. One such brewery is located right here in Madison, and it only took one visit to completely change my perception. I don’t normally do plugs for breweries, but Alt Brew, located between Karben4 and Ale Asylum, is
unique enough that I feel it necessary to call out by name and note that it’s one of the best gluten-free breweries in the nation. Before we get into that, rewind. I want to talk about what it is I look for in a beer and how I determine what’s good and what’s lacking. Everyone has their opinions on what beers taste bad, and I can accept that someone doesn’t like a style of beer. But I can’t find it in me to believe that a beer that’s well rounded and achieves a high degree of
balance isn’t objectively better than a beer that doesn’t. When I drink a beer, I have two things in mind: what is the style and what was the brewer’s objective. If it’s a Saison, I’m looking for some fruity and spicy notes as I determine if those accents are presented in a way that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for gimmicks. But that’s not the fun part. Usually the name of a beer can give a clue as to what the brewer wanted to achieve. The description on the packaging can fill in some blanks as well. Perhaps the brewer wanted to go full on traditional, which sets the bar high considering there are going to be a lot of other breweries putting out that same beer. Not only will an off note be much more prominent, but all the anticipated flavors should come clean and play nice with one another.
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Then there are those beers that try to feather the hops a bit. They stretch the definition of the style by presenting flavors in a peculiar fashion. An example of this might include someone making a Saison that tries to play up
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a fruity characteristic along with the peppery notes associated with Saison yeast strains. In addition, they want that dry tang at the end to feel like a natural consequence of the fruit they chose to include. I’m thinking raisin. With that in mind, time to discuss these gluten-free beers. Paraphrasing Trevor, a good gluten-free beer lets the yeast and hops drive the flavor. I had to do a hard reset of everything I expected. I started with Alt Brew’s Kölsch. It was different. There were citrus notes playing with that yeast flavor, and I didn’t find that anticipated crispness. This is not a fault of Trevor’s, but him making the style work within the limitations of gluten free. The result was a beer that seems to toe the line of malt beverage, but remained distinctly beer. Unlike gluten-free beers I’ve had in the past, this was something I could recommend to pretty much anyone, if not for anything but the experience.
I moved on to the Blonde IPA. The trick for Trevor here was making a fermentable base that, again, isn’t all sorghum. Honey does the trick, as it has been doing in mead for centuries. Expecting that hoppy flavor associated with IPAs, I took my first taste. With the yeast in the foreground, I pull out something reminiscent of the bitterness generally derived from malts. That uniqueness starts to settle in, and the ensuing drinks really start to take on the aromatics of the hops as an easy-todrink IPA emerges. Taking in these beers as I ramble on in an attempt to collect my thoughts, Trevor drops some wisdom on the situation. “One of the things we really try to focus on is making a craft beer that happens to be gluten free, as opposed to ‘let’s make a gluten-free beer.’” This is something that more brewers should be imparting in all styles. Make the beer you want to make, and don’t worry so much about what umbrella it sits under. Then Trevor
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tells me something I’d never considered. Using sorghum can make a beer big when used as an adjunct, giving a little bit of a scotch flavor. Nodding along, genuinely intrigued, I tried their Copper Ale. A lot of roasted millet. A crystal red. A chocolate roast. All these pull out this darker, malty, roasted beer, which balances surprisingly well with the yeast. It’s like a roasted amber Saison. Just an incredible beer that speaks to the complexity inherent in the malt bill while taming the yeast to a quieter note. It’s not that this is a good gluten-free beer, it’s a solid beer overall. For too long, the gift of beer has been out of reach for the gluten-intolerant, but those days are long gone. Considering we’re at the cusp of the holiday season, pick up an Alt Brew for your friend with celiac and any one of your beerdrinking friends. We are living in the future, where access to taste is abundant to all dietary restrictions. To trying new things Not because they are easy But because they are delicious Kyle Jacobson is a copy editor for Madison Essentials, and a writer and beer enthusiast (sometimes all at once) living in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Photographs by Kyle Jacobson.
Trevor’s recommended Gluten-Free Breweries BURNING BROTHERS BREWING St. Paul, Minnesota GROUND BREAKER BREWING Portland, Oregon GHOSTFISH BREWING COMPANY Seattle, Washington Be sure to try ALT BREW’S COPPERHEAD COPPER ALE along with the rest of their unique lineup.
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es s ential travel
wit h
MUSIC by Liz Wessel
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato
A partial list of The Nutcracker productions in the Madison area.
Great Russian Nutcracker
Moscow Ballet production nutcracker.com November 26 in Eau Claire and December 1 in Milwaukee.
The Nutcracker
Madison Ballet production madisonballet.org/nutcracker/ December 9 – 26.
Nutcracker Ballet
Dance Wisconsin production dancewisconsin.com/2017-2018-season December 16 and 17.
The Nutcracker
What makes you feel joyous, light hearted, and merry through end-of-year holidays and winter’s dark days? You can ask my husband and he’ll confirm I cannot contain my excitement and anticipation during the opening bars of the Overture to The Nutcracker ballet by Tchaikovsky. The original story by Hoffmann is somewhat dark, but the ballet exudes holiday festive spirit. 56 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
For many, attending The Nutcracker ballet has become a holiday tradition, or more. I’ve started a quest to see as many productions of The Nutcracker as possible. Last year, we went to the Milwaukee ballet. We arrived at the Marcus Center just as heavy snowflakes started to fall. Enjoying our glasses of wine, surrounded by the small white lights and decorations inside, we
Milwaukee Ballet production milwaukeeballet.org /performance/nutcracker-2017 December 9 – 26
Nutcracker
Valley Academy for the Arts production valleyacademyarts.org/important-dates November 17 – January 9.
Photograph by Natalie Armstrong
STAY
It’s also a time to sing out strong! Personal barriers are knocked down when it comes to holiday singing, even when surrounded by strangers. I remember standing with a group of strangers for the lighting of the town holiday tree. Song sheets were passed around so we could sing carols inspired by the lovely setting. No one cares what you sound like; there is just the comradery of being together, singing, and sharing the moment. The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has started Community Hymn Sings in partnership with the Overture Center for the Arts. Bring friends, family, or just yourself to “raise joyful noise” accompanied by the Overture concert organ. These community sings last about an hour and do not require tickets or reservations—all are welcome. The 2017 carol sing will be held on November 27 with other events to be announced. For more information or other dates, go to
madisonsymphony.org/hymnsings or contact the MSO at (608) 257-3734 or info@madisonsymphony.org.
Underground Cocktail Lounge
And if you’re too shy to sing, attend a village holiday fair or celebration to enjoy the festive sounds from small groups of singers. Cambridge Classic Christmas (cambridgewi.com /events-calendar) provides a laid back atmosphere for shopping, browsing, and slowing down the pace of the last few weeks of the year. The air will be filled with songs from carolers as well as the Strolling Madrigal Singers. Hayrides, cookies, and kids activities ensure everyone will have a great time. Events are held Friday, December 1, and run through Sunday, December 3, with the tree lighting ceremony on Saturday evening.
Photograph by Jason Anderson, Operations Manager at Cave of the Mounds
watched the snow—a precursor of the magic to come!
For amazing acoustics and a one-ofa-kind experience, take a trip to Cave of the Mounds. Descend into the large north room of the cave for Caroling in the Cave, Friday through Sunday, the first weekend of December. Enjoy
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Photograph by Becky McKenzie
Waltz of the Flowers
holiday music while seated in the candle lit cavern. Your ticket supports a charity chosen by each performing group. If you want to try out the acoustics yourself (who can resist?), sign up for the sing along tours on Sundays during December. And families may enjoy the Jingle and Rock event the second Saturday of December, which features
youth performers. Keep your eye on the Cave of the Mounds website for specifics on all of these events (caveofthemounds .com/events/upcoming-events). If you play an instrument, join one of many jam sessions that spring up or organize your own. Open jam sessions for bluegrass are held throughout the
year in a variety of locations. A directory of locations and events can be found on the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association website (swbmai.org /Drupal). For a classical experience, MSO offers an opportunity to listen behind the scenes by attending one of the Open Dress
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5 6 Other 7 Voices 8 9 F O 10 Global 11 Revolutions 12 1 L E T 2 3 All Around 4 Jazz 5 6 7 Access Hour 8 9 Something 10 Wonderful 11 12 Mosh Pit 1 2 Rolling 3 with 4 Scissors
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C L A S S I C A L Los After Hours 5 Back Porch A Musical Anything Hmong 6 Madrugadores Fantasia Serenade Offering Goes (en Español) Radio 7 E I G H T O ’ C L O C K B U Z Z 8 Soul Expressions Musica L K a n d I N T E R N A T I O N A L (R&B) 9 Antiqua One Fine Back to the Mud 10 Entertainment Diaspora Morning Country Acres (Big Band) Her Turn 11 A P U B L I C A F F A I R Tropical Her Infinite 12 T E R S A N D P O L I T I C S Mel & Floyd Riddims Variety (11:30) 1 J A Z Z Who Cooks Showtunes 2 PanAfrica Fire Journeys Strictly For You? On the 3 Worship into Jazz Jazz Sounds Horizon Dem NOW (4:30) 4 La Junta DEMOCRACY NOW! Labor Radio (5:30) World View 5 WORT LOCAL NEWS Salamat 6 Blues I Like It En Nuestro Queery Perpetual Notion Machine Pachyderm Parade (6:30) Cruise Like That Patio (Esp.) This Way Out Radio Literature Best of 7 R O C K a n d E X P E R I M E N T A L Two for Gospel (7:00) 8 The Original Guilty Psychoacoustics Friday The Blues 9 R.T.Q.E. Wilson Bros. Pleasures HOUR OF SLACK on My Mind 10 Saturday Night at Leopard Print Lounge (1st Th.) Rattlesnake Shake *Below The Radar 11 Smokey’s Joint Weekly Rock (alternating with) The Vinyl Rob’s Universal World 12 en Espanol Kosmik Radiation Resting Place Music Shop Soul Noise 1 Phil Live On the Air Feed Me Explosion In 2 TBA (alternating with) Weird The EI8HT Life Music One 3 Capitol Boombox Things End 4 With G.O.T.T.O. *Below the Radar: 1st Fri - Music Shop, 2nd Fri - Live and Local, other - Fiction Jones More information on all shows LIVE STREAM and ARCHIVED EPISODES at wortfm.org plus Podcasts and More!
half page air schedule-color.indd 1
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8/29/2017 9:35:37 AM
Groove and Glide
Photograph provided by Tim Olson
Rehearsals. This is a rare opportunity to experience a professional orchestra at work while enjoying a range of music. Once the 2017–2018 schedule has been set, reservations can be made beginning one month prior to each Dress Rehearsal. Seating is limited. Keep an eye on the website (madisonsymphony.org/odr).
I hope this sampling of communitybased festive musical events inspires you to have some fun this holiday season. In addition to the more traditional homes for performance arts, make sure to check local houses of worship and nonprofits. Stay merry!
Liz Wessel is the owner of Green Concierge Travel, which has information for honeymoons and other ecotravel at greenconciergetravel.com.
Calling all young professionals: Club 201! MSO offers a fantastic evening out just for young professionals. Get your ticket from the Will Call window and enjoy the concert from a block of seats reserved just for Club 201 guests. Then make your way to an after-party at a local venue featuring free hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. You will be joined by young MSO musicians as well as a possible drop-in appearance by a superstar guest. Can’t make the concert? You can also purchase tickets just for the after-party. And for the final event that will bring a smile to your face, Groove and Glide! Yes, you can always have your own personal music while skating, but at Groove and Glide, the city creates the atmosphere by providing lights, fun music, and games. Get a group together or go alone—no registration required. Skates are available, first come, first served, at some locations. Check the Madison City Parks website (www.cityofmadison .com/parks/events/grooveandglide.cfm) for dates and locations. madisonessentials.com
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es s en tial home
Children embracing the irresistible call to roll down a hill
Girls work together to construct a teepee from found branches
Over the past few decades, children have spent less and less time in nature. Our grandparents did not return home from playing outside until sunset, something parents of today cannot fathom. At present, most children’s outside experiences are highly structured. Be it a brief school recess or sports practice, children no longer have the opportunity to create their own imaginative outdoor worlds. This trend has resulted in what author Richard Louv called nature deficit disorder, a condition with real health consequences. The cure is simple: bring kids back to nature. The word nature may bring to mind expansive forests or national parks, but in reality nature is found in our everyday worlds. This includes our own backyards. With a few modifications, your backyard can become a natural 60 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s
Need NATURE play space that harmonizes children’s innate need to be in nature with their desire to play.
Naturally Fun Materials Several design elements make natural play spaces successful and can easily be incorporated in your home landscape. However, no two natural play spaces look alike. Part of the allure is in the informal design and loose pieces that leave play entirely up to children. Natural materials that kids can play with, build, touch, and move around engage all their senses and provide physical activity. These may be logs, pinecones, or a mudpit, but smaller objects, like seeds, shells, and leaves, can quickly be repurposed into teacups and plates for a tea party. Kids can be endlessly creative with these materials,
making each playtime an entirely new experience, something they don’t get from a traditional playground. Plants are also an essential element in natural play. They are beautiful in their own right, but the birds and butterflies they attract are a delight to all. Children often enjoy showy plants that change dramatically through the seasons. The immense growth spurt of a sunflower or the crunchy fall leaves of a maple tree are awe inspiring. My own experience has also proven that children are far more likely to eat their vegetables if they have grown them themselves. Larger spaces in the natural play area should cater to the ways in which children play. Kids like to create their own games and engage in active play with one another. This requires some
Older children enjoy quiet spaces too. Adolescents seek places of seclusion to hang out with one another. Giving them a designed space, perhaps a table under the canopy of a willow tree or a boulder wall to sit upon, recognizes their need for nature.
Bring Your Kids Into the Process The exuberant energy of children can be put to good use when building a natural play space. Including them in the design process is a learning experience that also gets them excited about the space. Allow them to select and plant some of the plantings and give them the opportunity to build a fort from the materials on a location of their choosing. Their creative minds may even teach you a thing or two. This collaboration between parent and child does not have to end. Natural play spaces are shown to foster relationships
photo Marcia Hansen Timothy Hughes Photographics
amount of open space. Oftentimes this is lawn, but it could be a winding path or wide driveway. For the adventurous child, climbing, jumping, and physical activity are necessary. A tire swing from a tree, terraced slope, or steering wheel mounted to the deck will quickly become favorite places.
site planners landscape architects garden designers 831.5098 zdainc.com
OUTDOOR OUTDOORCREATIVE CREATIVE between adults and children more so than traditional playgrounds. It’s as much a space for you to play as it is for your children. The absence of illness is not what makes us healthy. The health of a whole child includes spending time in nature. In a natural play space, children are engaged in physical, sensory, and social activities. They are invited to explore and learn. These spaces encourage a respect for the environment and appreciation for its resources. Your backyard can become a haven of health, creating joyful childhood experiences remembered for a lifetime.
Joan W. Ziegler is a horticulturist and garden designer and winner of the 2015 Perennial Plant Association Merit Award for Residential Landscape Design. Lily Mank is an intern landscape architect for ZDA, Inc. Landscape Architecture, 4797 Capitol View Road, Middleton. Call (608) 831-5098 or visit zdainc.com. Photographs provided by ZDA, Inc.
Children are drawn to explore even in messy conditions. These kids have worked together to construct a makeshift bridge.
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Dane Buy Local............................................. 20 Dane County Humane Society.................. 36 Madison Originals......................................... 55 Share the Health............................................21
Aldo Leopold Nature Center.......................37 Fantasy in Lights............................................. 63 Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison....................... 64 Home Elements & Concepts........................47 Madison Opera..............................................57 Olbrich Botanical Gardens..........................18 Our Lives......................................................... 49 Red Arrow Production.................................. 59 Stoughton Opera House...............................27 WORT-FM......................................................... 58
dining, food & beverage Bavaria Sausage Kitchen, Inc..................... 50 Bering Bounty LLC......................................... 38 Brickhouse BBQ.............................................. 46 Bunky’s Catering............................................16 Cambridge Winery..........................................5 Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream....................61 Clasen’s European Bakery............................28 The Conscious Carnivore..............................11 Drumlin Ridge Winery................................... 32 Fisher King Winery..........................................15 Fraboni’s Italian Specialties & Delicatessen..............................................17 Gates & Brovi..................................................17 Hilldale...............................................................9 Imperial Garden............................................ 29 J. Henry Tasting Room...................................19 Landmark Creamery.................................... 32 Lombardino’s Italian Restaurant & Bar.......11 Marigold Kitchen..............................................7 Metcalfe’s........................................................13 Mid Town Pub................................................. 32 The Nitty Gritty................................................27 Norske Nook Restaurant & Bakery.............. 43 Off Broadway Drafthouse............................ 46 The Old Feed Mill Restaurant.......................28 Old Sugar Distillery........................................ 54 Oliver’s Public House.................................... 53 Otto’s Restaurant & Bar................................ 45 Paoli Schoolhouse Cafe...............................15 Pizza Brutta..................................................... 50 Porta Bella.........................................................8 Quivey’s Grove...............................................51 Riley’s Wines of the World.............................23 Sa-Bai Thong...................................................47 Samba Brazilian Grill......................................31 Sardine.............................................................16 The Side Door Grill and Tap..........................31 Sofra Family Bistro...........................................23 Sugar River Pizza.............................................41 Tempest Oyster Bar....................................... 54 Tornado Steak House................................... 54 The University Club........................................ 53 UW Provision-The Meat Market....................18 Villa Dolce.......................................................23 Vintage Brewing Co. .....................................24 Willy Street Co-op.................................... 37, 39 Wollersheim Winery & Distillery......................9
home & landscaping ZDA, Inc............................................................61
services American Family Insurance DreamBank.....2 Ashley Sheridan Pet Portraits....................... 35 Capital Fitness................................................21 Elevation Salon & Spa.................................. 36 Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic........................ 35 Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care............................................................25 Midwest Komputers & Phonelab................ 29 Monroe Street Framing................................. 33 Tadsen Photography.................................... 53
shopping A Room of One’s Own...................................18 Abel Contemporary Gallery....................... 42 Anthology........................................................18 Atwood Avenue...............................................5 Burnie’s Rock Shop.........................................19 CLUCK the Chicken Store.............................39 Deconstruction Inc........................................27 Dykman’s Time Shop......................................19 The Gingko Tree..............................................39 Hilldale...............................................................9 Iconi Interiors & Consignment......................12 I’m Board! Games & Family Fun...................19 Jewelers Workshop........................................19 John/Christine Designs..................................41 Karen & Co........................................................5 Kessenich’s......................................................15 Lidtke Motors.................................................. 29 Little Luxuries...................................................19 Mystery To Me................................................ 38 Orange Tree Imports......................................18 Playthings........................................................21 Plum Crazy...................................................... 38 The University Bookstore................................19 Vanilla Bean................................................... 49 Wine and Hop Shop.......................................19 Woodland Studios......................................... 43
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CONTEST Win a $50 Madison Originals® Gift Certificate! Question: Which Madison business resides in a building that was at one time a World War II bomb shelter? Enter by submitting your answer to the above question online at madisonessentials.com, or by mail with your name, mailing address, phone number, and email to: Madison Essentials c/o Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water Street Baraboo, WI 53913 All entries with the correct answer will be entered into a drawing for one of two $50 gift certificates. Contest deadline is December 15, 2017. Gift certificates will be honored at all current Madison Originals® member restaurants (see madisonoriginals.com— subject to change).
Good Luck!
Winners
Thank you to everyone who entered our previous contest. The answer to the question “Which restaurant originally opened in Osseo in 1973?” is Norske Nook. A $50 Madison Originals® Gift Certificate was sent to each of our winners: Andrew Standish of Madison and Michelle Tryggestad of Viroqua.
CONGRATULATIONS!
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