Madison Essentials November/December 2019 by Towns & Associates

Pictures with Santa and Holiday Crafting

November 29 & 30 and December 7, 14 & 21, 10 am–1 pm Get in the holiday spirit and head to DreamBank with the family for free hot cocoa, a holiday crafting workshop and photos with Santa!

TO RSVP AND FIND MORE EVENTS, VISIT AMFAM.COM/DREAMBANK

Mon – Thur: 8 am – 8 pm | Fri: 8 am – 5 pm Sat: 9 am – 4 pm | Sun: Closed 821 East Washington Ave. | Madison, WI 53703 608.286.3150 | amfam.com/dreambank

15TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

CONTENTS november/december 2019

vol. 64

publisher Towns & Associates, Inc. PO Box 174 Baraboo, WI 53913-0174 P (608) 356-8757 • F (608) 356-8875

essential

madisonessentials.com

arts

editor-in-chief

The Hilton Monona Terrace Art Collection..............................44

Amy S. Johnson ajohnson@madisonessentials.com

community 15-Year-Old Publication Celebrates 15th Birthday...........59 Forgive the Mess............................48 Pam McCloud Smith.....................22 Policing..........................................53

publication designer Barbara Wilson

senior copy editor Kyle Jacobson

copy editor

dining

Krystle Engh Naab

Common Ground............................6

sales & marketing director Amy S. Johnson ajohnson@madisonessentials.com

design team Jennifer Denman, Crea Stellmacher, Linda Walker

administration Cathy Bacon, Debora Knutson

food & beverage Brennan’s.......................................26 Play that Yeast with the Funky Strain...........................50

landmark Italian Workmen’s Club.................40

nonprofit

contributing writers Cassandra Bowers, Ellen Carlson, Sandy Eichel, Jeanne Engle, Dave Fidlin, Kyle Jacobson, Lauri Lee, Krystle Engh Naab, Lori Scarlett, DVM

photographer

Food and Housing Security are Key to Well-Being........................14

pets Communicable Disease or Not....56

shopping

Eric Tadsen

additional photographs Megan Auman, Dennis Dahl, Dane County Humane Society, Italian Workmen’s Club, Kyle Jacobson, Katy’s American Indian Arts, Middleton Outreach Ministry, MMoCA, Rebel Design, Sunshine Brewing Company, UW Athletic Communications, Barbara Wilson, Hannah R. Simpson Wong

Calabash Gifts...............................10 Jewelry...........................................36 Tradition Market............................18

sports & recreation UW Badgers Hockey......................32

including From the Editor................................4 Contest Information......................62 Contest Winners............................62

(continued) madisonessentials.com

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additional copies Madison Essentials is available free at

over 200 locations. If you would like a copy sent to you, please send mailing information and $4 (payable to Towns & Associates) for each copy to Madison Essentials, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., PO Box 174, Baraboo, WI 53913-0174.

subscriptions

from the editor “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” –Zig Ziglar

To purchase an annual subscription (six issues), send mailing information and $24 (payable to Towns & Associates) to Madison Essentials, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., PO Box 174, Baraboo, WI 53913-0174. Or sign up for a FREE online subscription at madisonessentials.com.

It’s incredible that it’s been 15 years since we set off on this adventure, and the quote above expresses my sentiments perfectly—being grateful leads to more to be grateful for.

comments

Finally, my thanks to Sherry E. Towns, who took a chance on letting me run with the idea of creating a true local community magazine. Look how far we’ve come!

We welcome your questions and comments. Please submit to Madison Essentials, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., PO Box 174, Baraboo, WI 53913-0174 or email ajohnson@madisonessentials.com.

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To place an advertisement, please call (608) 215-5240 or email ajohnson@madisonessentials.com.

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 2020. Cover photograph— Brian Kluge, Untitled (buoy series) taken at Hilton Monona Terrace by Eric Tadsen Photographs on page 3: top—Taken at Tradition Market by Eric Tadsen middle—Taken at Calabash Gifts by Eric Tadsen bottom—Taken at Common Ground by Eric Tadsen

Thank you to our readers and sponsors. Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We also owe a debt of gratitude to all who have contributed over the years—you’ll always be part of the Madison Essentials family.

To all our editorial contributors over the years: Abel Contemporary Gallery • Erin Abler • Susie Anderson • Will Anderson Cathy Bacon • Jennifer Baird • Michael Banas • Joan Bayer • Deb Biechler Liz Birkhauser • Cassandra Bowers • Jackie Bradley • Rick Brooks • Broyles & Company CPAs • Ellen Carlson • Jill Carlson • Sandy Carlson • Jeanne Carpenter • Uriah Carpenter • Michael Connell • Peggy Considine • Jean Cornelius • The Creative Company • Lori Czajka • Dane County Humane Society • Rosalind Deschane-Reed • Marissa DeGroot • Jennifer Denman Chelsey Dequaine • Mary Lynn Downey • Nicole Dowland • Sandy Eichel Peggy Elath • Jeanne Engle • Cara Erickson • Megan Ferra • Yvette Ferris • Judi Ferstl • Dave Fidlin • Rachel Fox • Curt Fuszard • Lynn Geitz • Jacob Grace Green Concierge Travel • Terri Groves • David Gwidt • Josh Heath • Dave Heide • Barbara Hernandez • Sarah Hill • Kelly Hopkins • Andrea Hughes John Imes • Kira Jacobson • Kyle Jacobson • Yvette Jones • Shayla Kalish Sharyl Kato • Asma Kadri Keeler • Bill Keeton • Tara Kindschi • Kimberly Klahn • Debora Knutson • Elissa Koppel • Michael Krakora • Mary Landry Karen Larson • Lisa Lathrop • Darren LeCount • Lauri Lee • Rose Lee • Ben LeFort • Emily Locke • Cara Lombardo • Lisa Lombardo • Don Luria • Lily Mank • Evelyn Mattison • Lauren Miller • Monique Minkens • Bryant Moroder Amy Mosher-Garvey • John Motoviloff • Kay Myers • Krystle Engh Naab Derek Notman • Vivian Obarski • Patrick O’Halloran • MaraLee Olson • Jessica Pastelin • Lillie Perry • Jennifer Phillips • Katy Plantenberg • Eric Redding Dusty Rogers • Steve Royalton • Lori Scarlett • Amy Lynn Schereck • K.F. Smith • Lauren Smith • Sarah Soldat • Crea Stellmacher • Callie Stefen • Craig Stemen • Hawk Sullivan • Eric Tadsen • Dana Tanyeri • Alyssa Theder • Donna Thompson • Kali Timm • Missy Tracy • Brian Trongaard • Jared Vincent Molly Wagner • Linda Walker • Andrew Wanek • Liz Wessel • Barbara Wilson Elizabeth Winston • Trudi Witonsky • Holly Whittlef • Wisconsin Historical Society • Wisconsin Trust for Historical Preservation • Barbara Wright • Gordy Young • ZDA, Inc. • Faye Zemel • Joan Ziegler • Steven Ziegler

Thank You …and all those who contributed editorial to represent their businesses and organizations, Thank You. I apologize if I’ve missed anyone or there are any errors.

Eric Tadsen

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amy johnson

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essential dining

Common Ground Bringing People Together by Krystle Engh Naab “Common Ground is in the business of bringing people together.” A simple, yet impressive mission by Adrienne Hulburt-Stroud when she envisioned her restaurant and community event space nestled between nature and neighborhood on a bustling corner in Middleton. The backbone of Common Ground will always be to build and support the community through a variety of activities, classes, workshops, and events to create unique ways for individuals of all stripes and ages to find common ground among each other. It’s a noble aim that makes sense to Adrienne, but was initially a little difficult to sell to the bank.

of it. She’d see neighbors, give them a polite nod or hello, but she had no real connection. Being a mother of two small children and having a husband with his own business led her to try to find time for herself and her daydream of a utopian space. “Event hosting was a hobby,” says Adrienne. “I had themed parties and invited friends over, as well as hosted community events here and there. The hobby grew into wanting to do it all the time. I liked seeing people brought together, and watching them interact and form relationships that weren’t there before.”

“[For] Five years I was a stay-at-home mom, and I was stagnating. I thought I was done learning and trying new things—it was way harder than I ever imagined. Then I had an epiphany…it doesn’t have to be like that. I can figure out how to be involved in things and have kids. And, of course, find ways to incorporate kids into the community as well.…Especially with social media and the internet, it can be hard to find real-life places to meet people and make meaningful connections.”

A work-from-home mother and former preschool educator, Adrienne missed the connections she got through work and social settings. She lived inside a community, but wasn’t really part

A year before she got the building, Adrienne worked on a business plan, scoured local commercial properties, met with a business consultant, talked with local restaurant owners, attended

After many months of property hunting, Adrienne acquired the building at 2644 Branch Street on December 1, 2017, and then quickly renovated and opened her business on January 22,

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bank meetings, corralled event hosts, and did a ton of research all while at home with her one- and four-year old.

Caprese Grilled Cheese

2018. Having separate meeting rooms, space to host larger events, ample parking, and neighboring the Pheasant Branch Conservancy, the property was the perfect match for what Adrienne had envisioned. The building needed a lot of work and updating—it was dark and closed in. Now it’s a warm welcoming space with wood flooring, white tile ceiling, and local artwork for viewing and purchase. There’s a full sound stage for bluegrass, New Orleans and modern jazz, open mic, and a live radio show on Saturday night. The large upstairs space transforms into what’s needed, even hosting a UW-Madison Continuing Studies course that started this fall. Outdoor areas offer a quiet place to relax, while kids can let loose in both inside and outside play areas. People come and go with an ease of knowing it’s their community space.

Being allergy friendly was very important because Adrienne’s son is allergic to nuts. They decided to be a peanut-free, gluten-friendly restaurant accommodating those with allergies as much as possible. Only rice flour is used in house, and any wheat-based breads are from Monona Bakery and other local vendors. The bakery cases are separated and labeled for the convenience of those with allergies. I tried Adrienne and chef Cory’s collaborative creation: Apple Cheddar

Grilled Cheese with cheddar, fresh apple slices, candied walnuts, and garlic aioli on a cheddar-crusted sourdough. It was well worth my time, and I look forward to trying other entreés.

Beet Salad

Initially, Adrienne envisioned only serving coffee and light café items, but the building had a full kitchen, so it made sense to branch out with a full menu. She brought in head chef Cory Topel to help craft the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, including Friday fish fry and Sunday brunch. The menus provide changing and diverse options seasonally while keeping year-round staples, like the beet salad, sweet potato fries, caprese grilled cheese, and housemade bakery. madisonessentials.com

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It opens minds, hearts, and experiences to the everyday and extraordinary.

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In addition, Adrienne wanted “really good coffee,” so they worked with local Madison roaster Just Coffee Cooperative to pick the perfect house blends. Equally important was creating a great pancake recipe from ingredients that aren’t just flour and sugar. “We want to provide a healthier breakfast that tastes deceptively delicious.” The kitchen staff took months to perfect the Common Ground Pancake recipe, which uses rice flour, chia, flax, and oats to create a filling pancake that is flavorful enough to eat without syrup.

businesses in Middleton. Staff are trained on how to best serve those with cognitive loss. In collaboration with Heidi Forney, they host a Memory Café the second Tuesday morning of the month, which offers a comfortable environment for those with Alzheimer’s to gather for refreshments and activities. The Alzheimer’s Association holds Coffee with Caregivers meetings in the upstairs space the second Monday of the month to support Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.

Common Ground prides itself on being one of many dementia-friendly

A neutral place within a vibrant community, Common Ground supports

HOME DESIGN WITH VALUE IN MIND

Mushroom Swiss Burger

Adrienne is proud of what her daydreams have become, and she’s not slowing down. In the works is an outdoor Little Free Pantry of nonperishable items and converting the detached garage into an outdoor art studio. The long-term plan is to find a location for phase two: Common Ground Farm. Not a traditional agricultural farm, but a larger venue

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for outdoor art, music, various classes, and retreats. Common Ground doesn’t fit an easy definition—community event space isn’t enough. It opens minds, hearts, and experiences to the everyday and extraordinary. Adrienne appreciates

6/13/19 9:45 AM

being a part of people’s moments of connections and sharing. People come to learn, listen, discuss, participate, organize, and taste something desperately needed—a place to exist and support one another. Krystle Engh Naab is a freelance writer and copy editor for Madison Essentials. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.

Krystle Engh Naab

Photograph by Barbara Wilson

and contributes to cultural dialogue. Adrienne says, “People like consistency with events—that’s how you form a community. I was always looking for something to do. And there would be a one-time event, but then you’d never see those people again. I wanted recurring events so there’d always be a community to return to and connect with.”

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essential shopping

Calabash Gifts BY LAURI LEE

The large, eclectic array of gift items from southern Africa at Calabash Gifts makes the store visually seem like a colorful year-round African market. Beautiful art, jewelry, sculptures, ceramics, carvings, baskets, dolls, crafts, and decorative home items handcrafted by people living in southern Africa fill the walls and cover the tables.

Owners Leah and Raymond Kessel moved to Madison in 1968. Raymond worked in the genetics department at University of Wisconsin–Madison. As the couple were raising their children, Roy and Sharon, owning a store never crossed Leah and Raymond’s minds until a 1996 trip home to Johannesburg to visit Raymond’s parents.

The visit to southern Africa opened their eyes. It amazed them that the lives of black people were essentially the same in 1996 as they were during apartheid, when there was purposeful segregation and economic inequality. They were disturbed by the extreme poverty in the region and almost unlivable conditions of the black Africans. People were dressed in old and torn clothes; multiple families lived together in one tiny room; and women with many children often lived in a broken down, stripped lorry (truck) or van pieced together from steel scraps and car parts. There wasn’t electricity or running water, so women cooked over an open fire, and the children slept on the grass outside the structure without blankets or pillows. Men could sometimes find low-paying factory work with long hours. Women had to care for the children, and their opportunities were limited to cleaning the mansions of wealthy white people and handcrafting items to sell to tourists who came to the village. The items were

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well made and beautiful, but there was barely any profit. Thus, the cycle of poverty continued. Leah was moved to do something about what she saw, and an idea came to mind. “I desperately wanted to help people living in extreme poverty in southern Africa. I saw extraordinary, exotic, and unique African art, and wondered if it would work for us to buy their beautiful items and bring them back to Madison to sell. The people were economically disadvantaged, but possessed great talent and skill acquired from previous generations to handcraft things of beauty.” If Leah was so struck by the work of the artisans, perhaps other Madisonians might also appreciate the beauty.

With a strong sense of purpose, the couple drove to the markets in the villages, and Leah carefully hand selected items. People begged her to buy everything, so to be fair, she bought something from each. “The purchases did not make the families wealthy, but it did provide a little more money to help feed their children more or with better food, or improve their living conditions,” says Leah. Initially, Leah’s goal was to rent a storefront for six months to see if people would buy the items. “We found affordable rent at a building on Monroe Street and set up shop. We named the business Calabash Gifts after the calabash gourd, which grows in Africa. When dried, the outer shell

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...eclectic array of gift items...like a colorful year-round African market. of the gourd hardens to serve as an excellent watertight container to collect food, carry water, and other uses.” In a similar fashion, the store would hold the collection of handcrafted items from southern Africa.

The plan worked. People loved the brightly colored, unique African items, and they asked for more. On return trips, the couple shared stories about how items were shipped in containers and trunks to America by boat. In one of their

Tadsen Photography Drone/Aerial Imagery

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first shipments, the carved elephants were confiscated by Milwaukee customs because the agents couldn’t tell if the wooden tusks were made from ivory. “I never would buy anything with ivory because it means elephants were killed to obtain the tusk,” says Leah. “After that, I carried the wooden tusks in my luggage for safekeeping.” Through Leah’s keen eye for buying, Calabash grew in reputation as an African art and home accents store with an amazingly high-quality collection of both fine art and traditional African art. Locals and tourists alike often treat the store as an African museum or gallery. They come with their questions and love to hear Leah and Raymond convey the history of the artists and their work. Every two years since 1996, the trips to southern Africa are both a visit to see Raymond’s parents and a buying trip for Leah. She often returns to the same artists she discovered before their work became world renowned. The work of Portchie, an artist born in Portugal who moved to Cape Town, is just one example. “The locals derogatorily called him Portchie, so he used the name they taunted him with to sign his paintings. Now his originals sell for thousands of dollars,” says Leah. A number of his prints are sold at the store.

Upon retirement from UW–Madison six years ago, Raymond joined Leah to help operate the business. Local teachers use the store as a resource on Africa, bringing classes to listen to Raymond talk about the country’s culture and customs. Leah uses fair trade policies and respects the creativity of individual artists. Some items are purchased from local cooperatives and job creation programs that don’t exploit people. “The Kaross co-op has changed the economic base of 900 women from remote impoverished areas of Africa so they can support themselves,” says Raymond. One intricate embroidered wall hanging was the work of two women who created the piece to be as beautiful on the backside as the front.

“It has been satisfying to us that we’ve been able to help people in southern Africa for 23 years so they can provide more food, blankets, and necessities for their families and improve their living conditions,” says Leah. “In addition to serving as a retail outlet, we’ve changed the perspectives of customers who had no idea of the talent of African artisans.”

Lauri Lee is a freelance writer living in Madison. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.

Lauri Lee

Visit Calabash Gifts to discover tradition, culture, and talent from southern Africa.

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essential nonprofit

Food and Housing Security ARE KEY TO WELL-BEING BY ELLEN CARLSON Because what we eat, where we live, and our community connection are determinants of health and well-being, MOM (Middleton Outreach Ministry) brings our community together to create food and housing security through action and advocacy. MOM’s Food Pantry is one of the largest in Dane County. Operating six days per week year-round, the pantry serves an average of 65 households a day with groceries to last a family nearly a week. In 2018, MOM’s Food Pantry and its programs had 30,000 total household visits and distributed nearly 1.3 million pounds of food, with almost half those served being children. The pantry employs a come-as-youneed model, welcoming guests to use 14 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

it without fear of when they’ll be able to visit again. Guests are encouraged to take as much food as they can use because having access to nutritious food is critical for health, especially for children. Some of the produce the pantry offers comes from MOM’s three gardens. The gardens are planted with a variety of vegetables, requested and enjoyed by diverse shoppers. One is a teaching garden, bringing community members and volunteers together to cultivate and harvest, teaching each other how to prepare and enjoy fresh produce. A client recently said, “My kids and I had a good time gardening in the community garden. Thank you for running this program! All of us learned a lot, and we really enjoyed

eating the fresh vegetables we grew.” Healthy greens, peppers, root vegetables, squash, and much more were grown and harvested this past growing season. This past year, shopping at MOM’s Clothing Center saved households a total of $664,823 (thrift store prices) and made it possible for job hunters to have suitable attire for interviews, families to stay warm during winter, and kids to proudly wear clothing as stylish as their peers. Free clothing helps families stretch their budgets, especially as kids grow and families’ needs change. Case managers are at the heart of MOM’s Housing Stability program providing advocacy, referrals, and a

listening ear. In 2018, they met with more than 1,000 families and assisted more than 400 in preventing eviction while providing stabilization. Each year, they also distribute over 500 financial grants. Seasonal programs help cover additional expenses that can be impossible to meet on a tight budget. During backto-school season, students of all ages receive backpacks filled with gradeappropriate supplies. Thanksgiving baskets and holiday gifts provide needed relief during often stressful times of the year. MOM’s more than 400 volunteers donated nearly 35,000 hours in 2018, the equivalent of 17 full-time employees. They and MOM’s 11-member staff work to ensure MOM’s Food Pantry and all other programs promote values of individual dignity, social justice, racial equity, and hope for a better tomorrow. The story below provides one example of MOM’s community work.

Amira, Ayden, and Alisha

“This past year, shopping at MOM’s Clothing Center saved households a total of $664,823 (thrift store prices) and made it possible for job hunters to have suitable attire for interviews, families to stay warm during winter, and kids to proudly wear clothing as stylish as their peers.“

(names changed to protect privacy) Both Amira and Ayden worked as many hours as their near-minimum-wage jobs would provide. Along with their teenage daughter, Alisha, they lived in a small two-bedroom apartment. They managed to pay the bills each month until Amira had to take unpaid medical leave. Soon they fell behind on rent, and the stress caused Alisha, who was a consistent student, to fall behind in school. Unsure what to do, the family turned to MOM. “From the first time I walked in the door, I felt safe,” Amira says. The family met with a case manager, who helped them locate and access community resources and provided a small grant from MOM’s Housing Stabilization program to help with an urgent rent payment. This grant, along with access to the food pantry, helped the family avoid eviction and find hope for a more secure future. MOM is supported almost entirely by individuals, businesses, community groups, and faith-based organizations. Only 13 percent of MOM’s madisonessentials.com

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Join us for a night of inspiration as we look forward to longer and lighter days!

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION Friday, December 20th

330 Femrite Drive

•

6:30 to 8:30pm

Monona

aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org Pre-registration preferred. Walk-ins welcome.

financial donations are provided by nongovernmental grants and private foundations. Nearly half of the food distributed is donated through food drives and everyday donations. On December 3 this year, MOM will participate in Giving Tuesday, a global movement fueled by the power of social media to support nonprofits. You can support MOM by following and sharing the work on Facebook. Giving Tuesday donations can be made through Facebook, at MOM’s website, and by providing matching grants to encourage others to give.

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Plan to visit MOM’s Creating for a Cause: Holiday Art Fair in the Food Pantry on December 7 and 8, where you can purchase quality gifts produced by local artists with a percent of all sales supporting MOM. Items include the ever-popular ReMitts upcycled mittens, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to MOM; pottery by Scott Draves, a nationally known potter whose works are collected all around the country; intricate wood carvings by Roger Becker; and more. ReMitts can be found at many other locations throughout the community as well.

You may also purchase Gifts of Home at the Holiday Art Fair and momhelps.org as an alternative gift thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect for the person who has everything. Purchasers receive a card to give their recipient explaining that a donation was made in their honor, and that it will help people in need of food and stable housing. Our community is stronger because of your support! Ellen Carlson is the executive director at MOM. Photographs provided by Middleton Outreach Ministry.

Middleton Outreach Ministry

Ellen Carlson

3502 Parmenter Street â&#x20AC;˘ Middleton, WI 53562 (608) 836-7338 momhelps.org

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essential shopping

TRADITION Market BY LAURI LEE

Jen Wuebben embarked on a 14-year journey of self-discovery to determine where she could best use her talents and explore her interests. She loved fashion illustration and dreamed of owning her own store, so she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in textile and apparel design, where she took advantage of the program option to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City her senior year. Jen graduated from UW–Madison with a BS in textiles and fashion design. School reinforced her skills in design and illustration for women, men, and children’s clothing, and taught her about fabrics, sewing, clothing construction, clothing collections, and the fashion world. Postcollege, jobs as a designer, merchandiser, and buyer took this Twin Cities native far and wide. Jen worked as assistant to a vice president at Burberry in London, England; an assistant designer at Land’s End; a sales associate for a high-end women’s boutique in Madison; and a fashion illustration instructor at UW–Madison School of Human Ecology. After marrying her husband, Eric, they moved to San Francisco, where she was an accessory buyer for women, men, and children at Kmart apparel. Years of many great behind-the-scenes fashion jobs allowed Jen to realize her passion to open a store. She wanted to work directly with customers to get to know them and what they wanted as they moved through their phases of life. Owning a store would allow her to express her creativity and use the fashion and business skills she’d acquired since college. In 2016, Jen and Eric moved back to the Midwest to be near family and allow Jen to start the retail store of her dreams. Jen saw a gap in the Madison market for a children’s store like the ones she and Eric visited in San Francisco, where they’d shop on the weekend to select gifts for their nieces, nephews, and the children of their friends. She started the creative process of finding just the right store name, which had to provide a dual purpose: serve as an umbrella

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for future growth since the first venture would be a children’s store, followed down the road by a clothing store for women, and the name had to capture how the store would be a fun, inspirational shopping destination to visit again and again. “While sleeping one night, ‘Tradition’ came to me,” says Jen. “I immediately grabbed my cellphone to look up the meaning and was excited about how this word fit my vision. Traditions hold a strong place in our hearts, and I wanted customers to be able to start a new tradition by visiting the store to shop, browse, or gain inspiration through all stages of life. The logo is a simple line drawing of three different sizes of stars connected to each other to symbolize the Tradition clothing ventures, and to connect generations of customers who would shop at the stores.” Tradition Children’s Market opened in September 2016 in a small store space in Middleton. When a larger store space opened a year later a short madisonessentials.com

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distance away, the store moved to 1823 Parmenter Street. Jen and Eric did the build-outs themselves for both stores. Tradition Market’s merchandise is an imaginative, innovative, and nostalgic assortment of apparel, accessories, and toys for young children. Jen travels to market shows across the country and abroad to select just the right

merchandise from over 50 vendors for fashion styles that fit the budget and don’t display the brand name across the front. Her talent for merchandising and store design makes it welcoming and appealing to all generations. “Children love entertaining themselves in the store’s playhouse and being able to select their own fun outfit. Parents often visit to find a special outfit for family photos or holidays, and grandparents come to seek the perfect gift. Sometimes people come in just to have a whimsical place to escape.” There’s a 50/50 ratio of girls to boys classic-style clothing that is merchandised together in sizes 2T to 10 with some baby items and a few styles in sizes 12 and 14. The garments are steamed so customers get the true look of the outfit and can feel the fabric. Customers will find a variety of tailored, preppy, bohemian, and vintage-inspired styles. The clothing and accessories are displayed together throughout the store to make it easy to layer and coordinate a great outfit. For footwear, there are cowgirl and cowboy boots, native shoes, and Hunter rain boots in seven colors. “The popular boot saves a family money when it is purchased a little larger in the fall so it can be worn with a heavy sock for winter and, after the child’s feet grow, with a thinner sock in the spring.” In early 2019, the store next to Tradition Children’s Market closed, allowing

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Tradition is part of a Middleton shopping destination that is home to many fun and unique stores, so hop on the community trolley and make shopping in Middleton a tradition for years to come. Lauri Lee is a freelance writer living in Madison. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.

Jen to move to the next phase of her expansion plan for a womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store. A fitting room was converted to a passage to connect the stores and allow staff and customers to easily flow back and forth. Having opened in September 2019, Tradition Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market is the grown-up version of the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Market with the same essence, but a more mature environment. The clothing ranges from small to extra large of name brands, including Hunter, Rylee + Cru, Joules, and new brands with crossover appeal geared to the 30-something woman. The styles are basic instead of trendy, with soft fabrics and textures to make the clothing interesting and unique.

Lauri Lee

Tradition Market 1823 Parmenter Street Middleton, WI 53562 (608) 841-2345 tradition.market

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e ssential community

RESHAPING REALITY

The heart of Madison beats a sustained arrhythmia whose hiccups only strengthen its core. Each uplifting offbeat is echoed through the efforts of those individuals who define the kindness and tenacity of our community. For many, past experiences and professions enable them to take on roles they would’ve once felt unprepared to assume. For Pam McCloud Smith, the role she stepped into at Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) in 1989 shook and shaped her constitution until she found herself in a position to reimagine the organization, interlacing her story with that of DCHS to the point where discussing one is inherently discussing the other.

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“Living through how things were [at DCHS] in the late ‘80s and ‘90s and seeing a lot of loss and missed opportunities because there just weren’t the resources ... there wasn’t a lot of collaboration. It felt like we were just pretty much alone taking care of getting animals off the streets.” After being a volunteer for two years, Pam became 1 of 10 employees at DCHS in 1991. But her background in accounting only accounted for a fraction of her job. “I was hired to do all the recordkeeping,” Pam says, “but I also assisted the front desk, admitted animals, cleaned cages, and did adoptions.” Then she worked to get certified as an on-call humane officer. “So once a month, for a week, I would carry a pager. And if there were

emergencies in the night, I would get paged. ... I had one where a raccoon fell through someone’s skylight in the night onto their bed, and it was running loose in their house.” Not every night was like this, but it makes for an amusing story—certainly a welcome distraction considering the day to day. “At noon, when we opened, there would be people lined up down the street with boxes of puppies and kittens. They’d be loose in the backs of pickup trucks and, basically, one right after the other. ... About 50 percent of the animals didn’t make it out of the building.” This was Pam’s trauma—when animal shelters were commonly referred to as “the pound” and lived up to their reputations. “All we could do was try to keep up with the onslaught of animals coming in on a daily basis and just provide basic care. ... We had animals in cages in the

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bathrooms and closets just to do what we could.” Throughout the ‘90s, DCHS had 14,000 animals coming in a year. Then there was the parvo outbreak. “Every day, our kennel manager would have to select which dogs would be euthanized because there were never open cages. And we always needed to have at least 10 open. I don’t know why they picked 10, but we had to have 10 open at noon every day to put some of the incoming in. And some that came in would just automatically be euthanized. I remember this dog came in that just had all this bloody stool, and none of us knew. We just thought ‘oh no, she’s dying’ or ‘something’s physically wrong with her.’ So she had to be euthanized. They cleaned it up, and then they kept putting more dogs in. By the morning, there were three dogs with the bloody stool, and the next day there were more. We’re like, ‘Something’s going on here.’ We reached out to a veterinarian, and they did some tests and said, ‘You have parvo.’ And then we consulted with some others. The only way we were told

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In July 2000, DCHS moved to their current location with just 36 staff. Then, in 2002, Pam became the director and established a leadership team. Her belief in the importance of connection and her dedication to saving animals helped change everything. to treat it back then was to depopulate the entire kennel.” For two weeks, in order to fulfill their contract with the county, DCHS had to use the Dane County Fairgrounds while the facility was cleaned. “The

dogs would show up at our front door. We had to drive them over, get them set up in this building that didn’t have heat or air, and it was winter because I remember having to carry space heaters over there.” Pam’s voice falters on occasion as she relives her story.

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One of the strongest examples of her dedication manifested in 2004, after years of having to put down injured and orphaned wildlife. “We had a barn out to the side here. I said, ‘Why don’t we try on a small scale and see what we can do.’” It started with one stall, then two, then half the barn. Soon, the horses were being boarded. “A couple years ago, we remodeled the entire barn and expanded. Now we have a wildlife center out here that services about 4,000 animals a year.”

Fast forward to today, where, thanks in large part to spay/neuter initiatives, DCHS sees 6,000 companion animals a year and has a save rate up to 91 percent. “It’s not perfect,” says Pam, but they’re saving all healthy and treatable animals that come in, and those animals can stay as long as they want. In addition, they accept all animals, regardless of age, health, and temperament, making DCHS a nationwide top-tier shelter. Screening and vaccination protocols are in place as well, preventing anything like the past parvo outbreak. The momentum built up by Pam’s efforts to advance and grow DCHS is sustained by every one of her 80 staff and 1,200 volunteers. Pam never really takes off her DCHS hat. It’s where she works and spends a lot of her time. “I’m grateful to have this opportunity to be able to share my passion. To be able to have a job where it’s also my passion.” Without reservation, all of the successful DCHS initiatives are shared, serving as models for other shelters to adapt. When Pam says, “I love to share things. I like change,” I think she’s really saying she has seen firsthand how positive change can be and wants to personally encourage everyone to embrace taking their first steps. The big heart Pam wears on her sleeve is her resilience—a lesson she says the animals teach her every day. It’s simple. “Be patient. Be kind. Be forgiving.” Our community is stronger for it. Kyle Jacobson is a copy editor for Madison Essentials, and a writer and beer enthusiast (sometimes all at once) living in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

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Kyle Jacobson

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essential food & beverage

by Dave Fidlin

The announcement came in the summer of 2017 that Brennan’s—a well-known, deeply rooted local retailer—was going to be retired, joining a long list of establishments now nothing more than memories in the annals of history. But Tim Mulcahy, who had been overseeing the sole remaining Brennan’s on Madison’s west side, had other plans and wasn’t ready to give up on the concept. After closing for a brief period in the second half of 2017, Tim and a team of other veterans within the company reopened the Watts Road store in the same building, but with a smaller footprint. Most of Tim’s professional life has been spent at Brennan’s, which has roots as a retailer stretching back to World War II. His first job was at the company’s 26 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

Brennan’s

flagship store in Monroe; over time, he transferred to other locations. “I had that connection in Monroe,” Tim says. “It was always in my mind that I would work at Brennan’s one day.” Tim managed the Brennan’s on University Avenue for eight years before assuming the same role at the still-open Watts Road location in the years leading up to the closing announcement. “I always felt a sense of ownership. I felt pretty connected to the Brennan’s family,” Tim says. “It was a pretty tightknit group.” Contemplating career ideas as the closing announcement was made, Tim says, “There were other options, but they just didn’t seem as appealing. This just seemed like the right thing to do.”

While Tim had the desire to keep the Brennan’s name alive in the Madison marketplace, a number of pieces had to come together for his vision to become reality, including securing the rights for the name from previous owner Timothy Culhane, who purchased the stores in 2014 from Skip Brennan. Tim also brought into the fold developer Fred Rouse as an investor of the new enterprise. Tim points out that the new-era Brennan’s never would have been able to launch without having longtime veteran employees in the mix, including management-level staffers with keen knowledge of some of the specific departments. “To make this work, I knew right away I would need certain people along for the ride. They made the transition possible.”

Since reopening the store, Tim and his team have been operating under the revamped name Brennan’s Cellars, but plans are in motion for a transition back to the original moniker, Brennan’s, along with a remodel and other tweaks. The changes underway are a sign of Tim’s philosophy to hold true to much of Brennan’s legacy while making adjustments as necessary. Reverting back to Brennan’s is designed to avoid confusion and will coincide with a refreshed branding effort. “We’re looking at a more efficient use of our space. Every area of the store is going to get a fresh facelift,” Tim says. “But we’re not looking to reinvent the wheel.” Many of Brennan’s classic touches were featured at the west side store, including the product assortment of signature fruits, wines, and cheeses. Many of the retailer’s popular fruit favorites, such as the chin-drippin’ peaches and supply of Michigan blueberries and Door County cherries, remain front and center at the new store. Also in the mix are locally produced coffees, Amish-made products, and a bakery.

a certain kind of sensory experience when you’re food shopping.” While Tim is looking to maintain much of Brennan’s original spirit, the ongoing tweaks have been introduced since the doors first reopened nearly two years

ago. Meat and deli operations, which were outsourced in the old business model, have now been brought in house. “For this to be successful, we had to put our own spin on the departments. It gave us the flexibility to have our own operation.”

Frequent visitors to the original Brennan’s stores knew samples of some of the fruits, cheeses, and other products were in abundant supply. Tim has been continuing the practice. “There’s

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The revamped meat and deli area features such new touches as a classic fish fry on Fridays and a daily rotating assortment of made-fromscratch soups. The new deli and meat area also features seating for customers looking to make Brennan’s a lunch stop.

In its nearly two years in the revamped model, Tim has been pleased with the community’s response and aspires to continue building on the longstanding trust behind the Brennan’s name. “When I began working at Brennan’s, my bosses would pitch right in. I’ve always been attracted to that—rolling

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up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. That work ethic was instilled in me, and it continues with our group today.” Regardless of any pivots, Tim adamantly says there is one core mission that will continuously remain front-and-center at Brennan’s—the relentless attention to customer satisfaction, which has grown increasingly important as a number of businesses, including grocery retailing, have gone through widespread metamorphoses. “This has always been a customer-focused business,” he says. “Customers have always been held in very high regard because you can lose them.” Tim believes the new Brennan’s is holding true to the mantras of prior eras based on the response he’s received the past few years. “I’ve always thought this location was in a good corner of town for what we do because we are more of a destination store at some level.” He adds, “Business has been good, but we’re always looking for ways to improve, and we’re going to continue to do so.” Dave Fidlin is a freelance writer who has a special affinity for Madison. Dave’s career spans nearly 20 years, and he’s grateful for the opportunity to learn something new each day through his professional pursuits. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.

Dave Fidlin

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essential sports & recreation

UW Badgers Spotlight

Women’s Hockey As 2019 fades into the sunset, this much is certain for the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s women’s hockey program: it’s been a year of milestones, and the momentum is carrying over onto the ice in this new season. The Badgers have hosted a women’s hockey team for two decades on campus. The players capped off their 2018-19 anniversary season with their fifth NCAA championship under the guidance of head coach Mark Johnson. The season-ending victory against fellow Midwest archrivals Minnesota in March was the first time in eight years the Badgers received a national championship trophy, though they’ve come close to the coveted top prize on 32 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

multiple occasions in the intervening seasons between 2011 and 2019. “Obviously, winning a national championship is a big deal in and of itself,” says AJ Harrison, the program’s assistant director of athletic communications. “They had gotten so close the past few years. This championship obviously meant a lot because of all the tribulations the team went through.” The closeness to the championship AJ references includes a number of celebratory occasions. The team won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) regular-season and tournament title in the 201617 season before eventually closing

it out with a 33-3-4 record season. The team also claimed their seventh WCHA regular-season crown in the 2017-18 season. Several factors have been attributed to the women hockey players’ strong performances on the ice throughout the 2018-19 season. In postseason play, several players helped the team collectively reach the long-sought-after victory. Kristen Campbell became the first goaltender to post three NCAA shutouts in the NCAA tournament, and Annie Pankowski also received high honors, scoring 11 goals in seven of the Badgers’ postseason games. The triumphant 2018-19 season is the latest in a string of high points for

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by Dave Fidlin the program, which currently has a 26-player roster. In 2006, early in the team’s existence, the athletes made a name for themselves by becoming the first team outside Minnesota within the region to win the Women’s Frozen Four championship. In the years since, the Frozen Four has been a familiar accomplishment for the team. This past season marked the sixth straight appearance in the competition, resulting in the longest streak in women’s hockey history. Subsequent championships in advance of this year’s victory occurred in 2007, 2009, and 2011. The Badgers have been connected to the Frozen Four in other areas as well,

particularly with the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, which is presented annually during the championship event. The recognition, designed to pay homage to top-performing women athletes in ice hockey, is named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier-Sandt, who died of a rare blood disease at age

28. She excelled in ice hockey while attending Princeton University from 1981 to 1986. Over the years, five Badgers women have received the award in Patty’s honor by virtue of being named top NCAA Division I women’s hockey players.

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...the fan support truly is the

figurative icing on the cake of victory. Sara Bauer was the first UW player to earn the recognition, 2006; followed by Jessie Vetter, 2009; Meghan Duggan, 2011; Brianna Decker, 2012; and AnnRenée Desbiens, 2017. At the culmination of the 2018-19 season, Mark’s career record as the team’s head coach stood at 494-87-43, according to information supplied by Badgers officials. He has notched the highest number of wins—not only in Badgers history, but in the full breadth of the record books of NCAA collegiate women’s hockey. Mark has coached the team for all but four of its seasons, and has overseen the team in each of its five national championships. He began coaching the team in the 2002-03 season, and with the exception of a one-year sabbatical in the 2009-10 season to coach the U.S. 34 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

Olympic Women’s Hockey team, he has offered steady guidance for more than a decade and a half. Mark’s long-tenured leadership of the team is the latest in a series of Madison-related connections. He grew up in Madison and earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His coaching resume includes stints elsewhere in the area, including roles as an assistant coach with the Madison Memorial High School boy’s team from 1993 to 1994, and the Badgers men’s team from 1996 to 2002. Other leaders of the Badgers women’s hockey staff include Dan Koch, assistant head coach; Jackie Crum, assistant coach; Mark Greenhalgh, volunteer coach; Sis Paulsen, director of operations and equipment manager;

Stefanie Arndt, athletic trainer; and Jim Snider, strength coach. While Mark, other front-office staff, and the players themselves are at the heart of the team’s success, AJ says the fan support is another important part of the equation that should not be overlooked. Since day one, October 8, 1999, when 3,892 were in attendance, fans have flocked to the local arena and traveled to away games to cheer on the team. “Last year, we actually sold out of season tickets,” AJ says, illustrating the strength of the support in more recent years.

components of the team’s success, AJ says the fan support truly is the figurative icing on the cake of victory. “It really makes a huge difference,” he says. “The players definitely feel that support out on the ice, and it means a lot to them.” Dave Fidlin is a freelance writer who has a special affinity for Madison. Dave’s career spans nearly 20 years, and he’s grateful for the opportunity to learn something new each day through his professional pursuits.

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In fact, spectator support has garnered attention outside Madison. The NCAA has recognized the team’s fans multiple times over the years, including in 2012, when the Badgers shattered the organization’s attendance record for a third consecutive year as 12,402 fans were notched in one particular matchup that monumental season. While the abundant practices and training are obvious important

Dave Fidlin

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essential shopping

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Photographs by Dennis Dahl

Photograph by Dennis Dahl

Dave Fidlin

38 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

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essential landmark

Italian Workmen’s Club by Jeanne Engle One of the oldest continuously active Italian clubs in the United States is the Italian Workmen’s Club at 914 Regent Street in Madison. The building is one of only a few still standing from the old Greenbush neighborhood. Nearly 100 years ago, it was the cultural and social center of the neighborhood, where everything from wedding receptions to funerals were held. Built in 1922 by volunteer members of the Club, the building was designated a Madison Landmark in 1990. In the early 1900s, a group of Sicilian men came to the United States to escape starvation and unemployment. But life here was still difficult. One of the immigrants, Theodore Paratore, learned from a friend in Chicago that Italians there had organized a mutual benefit society to help the new arrivals. So he did the same for his fellow Madison Sicilians, and Club Lavoratori Italiani Sicilia was born in 1912. Charter membership included 43 men. 40 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

The Club provided aid to members who were ill or injured in accidents and also offered a death benefit. “That’s what they did back in the Old Country,” says David Rizzo, immediate past president of the Italian Workmen’s Club. “And that was the right thing to do in this new land.” Today, the Club’s mission is to preserve and promote the history, culture, language, and traditions of Italians and Italian Americans. Social opportunities encourage Club members to embrace their Italian heritage. Members also engage with the surrounding community to increase awareness of and appreciation for the achievements, honors, and contributions of their ancestors. At the turn of the 20th century, these Italian ancestors experienced a great deal of discrimination in Madison, whose residents were mainly German, English, and Norwegian. The housing that was available to the new immigrants was in a swampy area off Lake Monona bounded

by West Washington Avenue and Park and Regent Streets: Greenbush. Finding work was not an easy task. Few places were willing to employ these Italian men. Regardless, they became hardworking laborers in order to survive and to earn enough to bring their families to Madison. John Icke, the city engineer and later a private contractor, employed Italian workers in both city and private jobs. Some were stonecutters who worked on the State Capitol and Wisconsin Historical Society buildings. During winter, the men worked in the nearby tobacco warehouses. The clubhouse, a vernacular style architecture reflecting local traditions and cultural practices, was constructed of brick and mortar with steel trusses. Bricks in reds, browns, and sandy golds were used. Ever the benefactor, Mr. Icke loaned shovels, tools, and other equipment to Club members who worked weekends on the construction of the

clubhouse. Only the assembly of the steel framework was done by paid labor. The front of the building was extended 15 feet in 1936 to accommodate a larger entrance and bathrooms. In subsequent years, repairs were made to the brick work. Better insulation was installed in the ceiling. The old roof has been replaced with a metal one. “We have never done anything to change the outside look of the building, which has been the same for nearly 100 years,” says David. The original building had a kitchenette. Members within walking distance of the clubhouse would bring food from their homes for potluck meals. A stage in the building accommodated bands that played for wedding dances. In the mid-1970s, the stage was removed and replaced with a full-size kitchen, recently remodeled. “Today the walls in the building are covered with maps and artifacts of the old Greenbush neighborhood and stories of the early days. You can see pictures of resident families from the 1920s and 1930s gathered for summer picnics,” David says. “We have a wine press, old as the building itself, to press grapes and make wine that we drink at our membership meetings.” Members of the Italian Workmen’s Club stayed with their heritage and conducted

meetings in Italian until 1948. After that, English was the official language because many of the younger members preferred it to their native tongue. Utmost loyalty to the United States was demonstrated by Club members who were prime purchasers of war bonds during World War II. More than 40 members served in the armed forces during that war. A custom of early members was to stage a Columbus Day parade from Park and Regent Streets to the Capitol Park and back. The Club band led the parade. Heading the band was Tony Piazza, Sam Piazza, and Joe Stassi, the only ones who could read music. “My grandfather Sam and great uncle Tony had been in a circus band. Sam, who was a shoemaker by trade, played an accordion,” says Norm Piazza. In 1982, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Workmen’s Cub, a traditional 4th of July picnic became a Regent Street block party and the precursor to Festa Italia. The day began with an outdoor Mass. Prizes were awarded. Italian dancers performed. A marker at the corners of Park and Regent Streets commemorating the original Italian community was dedicated. Bands played and the community danced. “The celebration was what one might think of as an old-world Italian party. Street vendors served food and drink—pasta,

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sausage, and wine,” says David. Today, Festa Italia has moved to McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg, and it has become a three-day event always held the weekend after Memorial Day, May 29 to May 31 in 2020. “Club membership has been stable at 160 for the past few years. Our

youngest is 21 and the oldest is 93, with an average age of 57 according to a membership analysis,” says David. “Monthly business meetings are followed by a meal prepared by our members. We average about 60 members per meeting and are very happy with the participation. It’s a nice time to get together and share stories of bygone days.” Any man interested in becoming a member of the Club needs to be sponsored, and must be at least one-eighth Italian or be

married to a women of Italian heritage. The Club hosts beginning, intermediate, and advanced language classes in the fall and spring to members of the public interested in learning Italian. Members of the Italian Workmen’s Club are charitable, giving $5,000 to $8,000 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors of Italian ancestry who plan to attend a two- or four-year higher education program. Additionally, the Club raises $3,000 a year for the Badger Childhood Cancer Network exclusively through its golf outing. Urban renewal in the early 1960s resulted in the razing of the old Greenbush neighborhood, and Italian families were scattered to different parts of Madison. But the feeling of family was strong among members of the Club, and as Historic Madison, Inc. notes, “The Italian Workmen’s Club remains a symbol of mutual help—inspired by necessity in a strange land in an earlier day.” Jeanne Engle is a freelance writer.

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essential arts

Brian Kluge

Untitled (buoy series)

THE Hilton Monona Terrace BY KYLE JACOBSON

There are quite a few places you can go in downtown Madison to see 2-D and 3-D artwork from local artists. You’ll find everything from photography to sculpture from amateurs, students, and professionals. What isn’t as common is finding a place with curated pieces handpicked by a designer to fit into a space and a theme. Designer Linda Snyder did just that when she was hired by the Hilton Monona Terrace to reimagine their lobby and restaurant spaces. The process of finding the right artwork started with Linda contacting Madisonbased artist Brian Kluge. Brian had just the piece in mind when Linda told him about the water theme she was going for. “[It’s] related to an ongoing project that I’ve been doing prior to the Hilton project,” says Brian. On display are over 50 unique clay buoys. Some are shaped like bobbers, others like eggplants. They’re tall, they’re short. They’re fat,

Brian Kluge

Concept Drawings

44 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

Art Collection

they’re thin. Bright, faded colors create an aged look, giving a utilitarian quality to them. “I see those as referencing both weights and buoys,” says Brian. “Oftentimes in the projects I’m working on I try and find dualities, particularly contrasting dualities, that are simultaneously referenced. I like the open-ended reading that can give to the objects.” Linda made Brian’s work a central piece in the hotel’s restaurant, but she needed more. Brian directed her to some of his peers as well as to Abel Contemporary

Gallery, where Linda met Theresa Abel, artist and owner. “Right away she was attracted to Eric Thomas Wolever’s work,” says Theresa. “And he had these boat themes that ended up being reproduced in the lobby.” His pieces really are different. “Eric definitely uses abstract shapes to convey his concepts,” says Theresa. With an array of blues and splashes of orange and greens over a white background, the idea of a boat is created through purposeful use of lines. The more it’s looked at, the more obscure the image becomes.

Meghan Sullivan

Forget Me Nots

A painting by Deb Gottschalk also caught Linda’s eye. It’s of a bare tree in the water, presented in such a way that an onlooker might believe the painting could be displayed upside down, though the distortion from the water makes the aspect easy to accept. “She just has this beautiful, very detailed style that creates something dreamy,” says Theresa. “Her work becomes abstracted and contemporary when she really just focuses in on the water and the sky, but the method she uses is very traditional.” That method being oil paintings on panels. Another dreamy piece discovered at the gallery belongs to Barry Roal Carlsen. He’s quite well known for his oil paintings, but the piece of his in the Hilton uses lithography on a black background. The result is a really clear image of a boat with ghost or godlike hands in the background tying a monkey-fist knot.

the time to appreciate it. The curation and presentation are very much part of the creative process, and something that adds to the collective voice of all the presented artwork. Bringing us to Meghan Sullivan, one of Brian’s peers from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her ceramic forgetme-not piece is thoughtfully assembled

on half of the wall behind the front desk in the lobby. “It’s about the idea of memory and the loss of memory,” says Meghan. “If you look at the piece, the flowers go from blue, and then they start changing into a greyish color, and then they become white. ... It’s about the passage of time and how that will change how we perceive the past.” The piece really defines the space it takes up. Each

The last artist Linda found at Abel is local printmaker John S. Miller. “There were a number of pieces that were made specifically for the Hilton by John S. Miller,” says Theresa. “He did these beautiful pieces that are very stylized wave imagery.” His pieces in the Hilton look as though a diorama in a shadowbox has been flattened, each depicting very identifiable segments and features of some of Wisconsin’s most-traveled waterways. With the exception of Eric Thomas Wolever, these pieces are arranged around a fireplace as they might be in an artist’s studio space or a collector’s home—leaning up against the wall as opposed to hung. Something often lost on those admiring different works of art is that a piece doesn’t inherently speak for itself. Rather, it speaks to the space in which it’s displayed, though it says quite a bit more to the individual taking madisonessentials.com

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Barry Roal Carlsen

John S. Miller

Devil’s L ake Sunri se

individually sculpted flower fits into an arrangement Meghan determined, the final composition essential to the work’s completion.

Eric Thomas Wolever Boat Full of Regrets, Reprise

46 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

Fathom

Deb Gottschalk

Different Blue

“They were looking for artists from the region that were working around concepts of the lakes and waters of the area,” says Emily Arthur, artist

Emily Arthur

White Egrets with Peony

of the egret piece on the ceiling in the restaurant. With dark blue walls and a white ceiling, the room gets a near-horizon sun’s orange from Emily’s piece. The process of getting the piece to look just right paid off in capturing the vibrancy in color. “I drew the egrets from observation in a zoology collection and then transferred the drawing into a screen print. So the original artwork is a screen print with dyed paper, and then that screen print, which is 22 by 30 inches, was scanned and made into a high-resolution fabric piece, which is what you see on the ceiling.”

Kyle Jacobson is a copy editor for Madison Essentials, and a writer and beer enthusiast (sometimes all at once) living in Sun Prairie. Photographs by Eric Tadsen.

Kyle Jacobson

To learn more about each of these artists, check out their biographies at madisonessentials.com. To learn more about designer/ curator Linda Snyder’s process, check out her exclusive at homeelementsandconcepts.com. To learn more about the entire remodel, pick up a copy of Home Elements & Concepts, available in many of the same locations as Madison Essentials.

With the pictures in this article, you might get a sense of the layout, but if you’re in the downtown area right now, take a walk over to the Hilton Monona Terrace. If not, make it a stop the next time you’re downtown. These Wisconsin artists and their works deserve an interactive audience. Emily says, “I hope people will get a chance to see it.” And my hope is this article will encourage people to do just that. madisonessentials.com

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essential community

Forgive THE Mess Forgiveness is tricky. While it sounds lovely, it’s actually very difficult to do in a healthy way. You’ve probably heard the idea that forgiveness is really for you, and that it can be freeing. The words are beautiful, but forgiving people, especially those in our immediate family, is very difficult—especially so if what they’ve done has been done before and is likely to happen again. That’s when forgiveness becomes “forgiving the mess.” Forgiving the mess is about accepting who someone is and the situation, but not the behavior that damages us. It’s about drawing and maintaining boundaries while accepting that a person probably isn’t going to change dramatically. Sounds like a mess, right? That’s why I call it forgiving the mess. Life is messy, and people are messy. Our job is to determine what is acceptable behavior and let go of what we can’t control, like the way someone is, so we can move through our lives in a peaceful way. Many people wouldn’t describe family relationships as peaceful. Even when family members are close and they love each other deeply, there isn’t always peace. Forgiving the mess can change that. 48 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

The conversation around forgiveness starts with letting down our guard with reality and accepting what is (see previous discussions about staying in your own business, and check out Byron Katie’s Loving What Is). You’ll never get people to do what you want them to do. “Why won’t they just be nice to me or do this or do that?” Let that dream go! People will do what they’re going to do. You get to decide what behaviors harm you. You can ask yourself about a recurring situation—what is it that this person does that hurts me? Not their difference in perspective, but the thing they do. Maybe it’s a remark about your house, your hair, the way you mow the lawn, or how you make a casserole. A recurring thing that your parent or sibling says that makes you feel like you’re less of a person. People usually don’t purposefully try to put people down, and they may not even realize they’re doing it. In order something down with in a calm doing that

to bring awareness to that is harming you, sit the person one on one and, tone, explain what they’re negatively affects you and

BY SANDY EICHEL

how it impacts you. You can say, “I’m sure your intent is not for me to feel this way, but when you say this, this is how it makes me feel.” I truly believe that most people don’t intend to hurt others (if they do, that’s a different story, and one you should run screaming from as fast as you can). People don’t realize the impact of their words and actions because of the static in their own brains. You aren’t asking them to change who they are, but you can ask them to change their behavior around you because it hurts you. It may take them time to process, but after they have that time, many people will say they didn’t realize the negative impact. Then you can have a conversation about how to move on. You should be aware that you may also be doing something that hurts them, and you should be willing to talk about it. No one is perfect—we’re messy creatures doing the best we can. Once you’ve expressed how you feel and ask them to change their behavior, draw a boundary, and be ready to redraw the boundary no fewer than 100 times. The pattern that had been created will not

be broken overnight. It will take time. But you’ve opened the door to have a conversation when it happens again. “Hey, I know we talked about this, so I’m going to ask you not to say or do that thing that makes me feel bad.” Boundaries are some of the hardest things we learn to do, but some of the most important. I’ll be going into boundaries in more depth in our next segment, so stay tuned. After accepting people as they are and setting and maintaining boundaries, the next step is to forgive the mess to let it go. It’s really hard, but this step sets you free. You fully realize the mess that isn’t yours, and you take care of yourself in that context and then let go of everything else. You don’t allow yourself to hash and rehash past scenarios in your head, which will make you upset and pissed again. I call this “story fondling.” Tell yourself that this is the new pattern you’re working on, and that they’re trying to change their behavior while you’re staying in your own business. Breathe and move on. And if there are other past transgressions that you can’t get over, have another conversation about it or simply work to accept the reality. Life and people are messy, but we can find calm by taking care of ourselves. We weren’t taught how to do this, so we must learn. It takes practice and patience with yourself and others, so embrace and forgive the mess. Then let it go! (cue Elsa) Sandy Eichel is a happy ex-should-er. Check out our video podcast series with Sandy, After Should, at madisonessentials.com.

Sandy Eichel

madisonessentials.com

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essential food & beverage

PLAY THAT YEAST WITH THE

Funky Strain

BY KYLE JACOBSON Every beer is made up of four ingredients: grain, hops, water, and yeast. It’s like a four-piece rock band. Hops are on vocals, getting a lot of attention, but sometimes receiving more credit than is warranted. Grain plays lead guitar. They can steal the spotlight if they choose, but often prefer to create music and make every song work. Water walks the bass. Cool lines thumping as both rhythm and harmony—everything sounds better, and the untrained ear, or palate, has no idea why.

of the role yeast plays in the brewing process. After mashing, wherein grains are broken down to a sugar-rich liquid called wort, and after the boil, where hops are added to instill bitterness and aromatics, the wort is chilled, then the yeast is pitched. The yeast consumes the sugars, leaving behind ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. Yeast is quite sensitive to temperature—different strains thrive at temperatures where others would be inactive. If the temperature gets too high, yeast will die.

But what I want to talk about is the oftunsung hero: the yeast—the drummer. It can keep rhythm, but sometimes it just wants to put on a show. That eccentric side is Belgian yeast (omitting wild strains for this article). Coming alive like Keith Moon of The Who or Sheila E. with Prince. Focusing on the essentials at other moments à la Debbi Peterson of The Bangles.

Back to it. Belgian yeasts are often noted for their phenols, associated with the spice and peppery notes in Wits, and esters, associated with fruity and floral aromas, including banana, apple, honey, and roses, common in Abbey-style ales. Lane Smith, owner and brewmaster of Sunshine Brewing Company in Lake Mills, discusses how manipulating temperature changes the way telltale traits come out of various yeast strains. “I’ve learned to play with the temperatures a lot. My house yeast is a

Before getting into the particulars of Belgian yeasts, here’s a quick reminder 50 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

Photograph by Kyle Jacobson

Active Fermentation

really clean and dry-finishing strain. If I keep the temp down, it doesn’t really get a lot of the Belgian esters. This allows me to brew a beer such as True West (a West Coast IPA) without it coming across as a Belgian IPA. ... If I’m brewing Tripel 8, our flagship Tripel, I’m using a different yeast that brings out a little more of the malt character I want and let the temperature rise a bit to get those great Belgian esters.”

Photograph provided by Sunshine Brewing Company

An important note Lane makes, “There’s only so much you can do with temperature. A yeast strain is what it is.” Adjusting temperatures and the amount of fermentable sugars available to the yeast will give the beer different characteristics, but you can’t make a pie a cake.

Photograph provided by Sunshine Brewing Company

What you can do is make two variations of the same style of beer. “[Fermenting at higher temps] just starts to really bring out the different esters in the beers,” says Lane. “Stonefly Saison, it’s a pretty mild Saison—it really doesn’t punch you in the face. So we keep the temp [at 68 degrees Fahrenheit] because I just want this crisp, clean Saison. ...

Turn It Up Saison, we let the temp rise a little bit because I really want it to just have that peppery quality where you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s a Saison.’ That’s a unique profile. With that one, it’s a great example of me just playing around and experimenting with flavor profiles.”

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That’s the draw for me to Belgian yeast strains. They feel more like playing. In the brewing world, there are a lot of unwritten rules that, 95 percent of the time, are sage advice. However, those rules don’t always apply to Belgian strains. In fact, they almost challenge the brewer to see what they can and can’t get away with through some mindful manipulations in recipe and process. One such rule is to not mix yeast strains. “With our Dubbel, we brewed it several times with different strains,” says Lane, “and ultimately ended up blending two of the yeasts to come up with kind of a different profile that when my assistant brewer and I first tasted it, we were like, ‘Yeah, we’re done. We figured out what we’re doing with this one.’ It really brought out everything we wanted— the raisins, the plums. Just what I was looking for.”

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Perhaps this speaks more to Lane’s experience working exclusively in Belgian yeasts. If you look into the topic, you’ll see a lot of homebrewers experimenting with blending yeast strains having mixed results. True that some of the macro breweries blend

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www.townofmerrimac.net yeast, but to my knowledge it’s all the same strain per beer to ensure the Bud or Miller you drink today is the same as the one you drank 10 years ago. There’s an art to blending different yeast strains, and knowing which will take over is difficult. Just because you like, say, an orange peel note in one strain and a less tart, dry finish in another doesn’t mean combining the two will give you a pronounced orange peel note. Think in terms of colors—to get a richer black might mean adding dark blue rather than more black.

If a brewer is clever enough, and often patient enough, they can make yeast behave in unexpected ways with the right malt bill. The discovery aspect of brewing might not be more ubiquitous in Belgian strains, but it is often more obvious. “If I could make a nice Wee Heavy and use a Belgian yeast strain for it, I’d be like, ‘Okay. I figured it out. That’s pretty cool.’ It’s what keeps me excited about doing what I’m doing. ... Trying to do normal things with different ingredients.” Often I’ve heard the old adage “there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel.” I hate it. I believe it speaks to people’s fears of changing the foundation to the things they’ve grown familiar with. Though I love traditional styles done flawlessly, variations born out of experimentation in the tried and true continues to help the world determine America’s

contributions to the world of beer and style. May who we are today Test who we are tomorrow Kyle Jacobson is a copy editor for Madison Essentials, and a writer and beer enthusiast (sometimes all at once) living in Sun Prairie.

Kyle Jacobson

SUNSHINE BREWING COMPANY does it all Belgian. Start with Diablo Sun and go from there.

Lane also recommends: Ale Asylum—Tripel Nova, Bedlam Dead Bird Brewing—Wine Thief Giant Jones Brewing—Grand Tripel Right Bauer—Screw the Dealer Full Mile—Buoyant Regards Door County Brewing—Little Sister, Big Sister

52 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

e s s en t i a l community

Policing by Cassandra Bowers

Policing in the United States might not go back as far as you think. True that part-time watchmen and the like existed beforehand, but until 1838, there wasn’t a publically funded organization with full-time officers. As the first police forces came from the economics of different regions, so too did the biases around discrimination instilled in those areas. One of the original functions of some branches of organized law enforcement was to preserve slavery through state-sanctioned control of black people. Some of the very first police departments in American history were formed with the intention of enforcing black codes, vagrancy laws, the fugitive slave act, convict-leasing, and various other policies designed to reify racial hierarchy during and in the absence of slavery.4 This is not to say that all law enforcement officials are racist, and indeed most who join the profession do so for the right reasons. It’s a tough job that at times requires tremendous sacrifice, but we must allow ourselves to have a national reckoning with policing’s lasting legacy of racism and unreservedly confront how the system’s past impacts how it operates today.

Movements like Black Lives Matter have led the way in this regard, shining a powerful light on the problem of police violence while galvanizing a groundswell of everyday Americans to push for sweeping reform. For its part, ACLU of Wisconsin has secured landmark legal victories to combat racial profiling and overpolicing in Wisconsin. Last summer, ACLU of Wisconsin successfully settled a lawsuit with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) that put an end to the practice of racially motivated stop-and-frisk, a biased law enforcement technique which resulted in hundreds of thousands of city residents being stopped unlawfully by authorities, with African Americans stopped at six times the rate of their white counterparts. Additionally, MPD is expected to document how it conducts traffic and pedestrian stops, undergo anti-bias training, and grant oversight authority to an outside monitor. But the issues don’t end with stop-andfrisk. In Milwaukee, as in many parts of the country, instances of officers abusing and using excessive force in encounters with people of color has added to the growing conversation over imposing

stricter limits on how and when police can deploy lethal weapons. Appropriate use of tasers or stun guns, for example, has recently come under fire following the death of Adam Trammell and the altercation involving Sterling Brown. Tasers are typically classified as nonlethal instruments, but cases like these should compel us to reconsider that analysis. One explanation for the persistent occurrences of excessive use of force by officers could be connected to the fact that, over the past several decades, the scope of policing’s role in society has expanded well beyond the parameters of maintaining public safety. Officers are now expected to take on entrenched social problems, like poverty, addiction, homelessness, and mental health— issues requiring solutions that don’t involve the criminal justice system. An officer’s chief responsibility is to keep citizens safe, and it’s both unfair and unwise for us to task law enforcement with the burden of taking care of these broader structural failings. For us to actually alleviate these social maladies, we must look for answers apart from the criminal legal system. madisonessentials.com

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crimeless revocation, a process by which thousands go to prison each year for violating minor technical rules constituted as conditions of their parole. In effect, crimeless revocation allows for the reimprisonment of individuals who have not reoffended, but may have instead done something as innocuous as borrow money or miss an appointment. These rules-only violations accounted for a staggering 37 percent of all admissions into state prisons in 2017.1 By taking the simple step of doing away with this onerous penalty, Wisconsin could dramatically decrease incarceration, free thousands of people across the state, and truly help directly impacted individuals lead prosperous, productive lives after prison.

This means struggling communities must have adequate schools, access to healthcare, improved mental health and addiction services, affordable housing, pathways to meaningful employment, and so on. It’s crucial that we don’t leave these obligations solely to law enforcement.

What You Need to Know • While comprising 13 percent of the United States’ population, African Americans account for 31 percent of people killed by police, while people of color overall account for 62.7 percent of unarmed killings.3 • Although white people and people of color report using drugs at roughly equal rates, those arrested for drug offenses are far more likely to be black or brown. Black people, in particular, are six times more likely to be incarcerated for drug crimes.2

Prisons and Criminal Law Reform The United States is the most punitive society on Earth, with approximately 2.3 million of its citizens sitting behind bars in jails and prisons. Ignited by the senseless war on drugs that began in the ‘70s, the prison population has skyrocketed to unprecedented proportions, paving the way for 54 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

the emergence of an era of mass incarceration. The growth of the carceral state has had a disproportionately harmful effect on communities of color. If current trends continue, projections estimate that one in every three black boys born today can expect to experience incarceration at some point in their lifetimes. Perhaps no city in the country has felt the devastating implications of mass incarceration more acutely than Milwaukee. With one of the highest imprisonment rates in the nation, statistics show that half of all black men in their 30s have spent time in a state correctional facility.3 As the prison system continues to ravage the people of Wisconsin, ACLU of Wisconsin launched its Smart Justice Campaign, a long-term project aiming to cut Wisconsin jail and prison populations in half by 2025, and to eliminate racial disparities within the criminal legal system. From expanding drug-treatment programs and parole eligibility to rewriting sentencing guidelines and ending mandatory minimums, ACLU of Wisconsin has identified several areas in desperate need of reform. One of the most critical changes being pushed for is to stop the epidemic of

To build a system that is both effective and fair, we need more than decarceration. Efforts meant to lessen reliance on the prison industrial complex must also be paired with antiracist and impartial initiatives that foster equal treatment for all. Eradicating the enormous disparities within the criminal justice system requires targeted solutions that specifically address bias, discrimination, and inequality. Instilling equity in criminal justice necessitates a far-reaching interrogation of every contour of the system, including policing, prosecution, the judicial process, cash bail, and carceral debt. ACLU of Wisconsin has helped make significant strides in solving mass incarceration. In 2018, it led litigation that eventually forced the state to agree to close the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons, two institutions with long and troubling histories of holding minors under horrific and abusive conditions. While they remain open, the facilities can no longer use punitive solitary confinement or pepper spray, and must strictly limit employing handcuffs, belly chains, and other restraints. In addition, the prisons will be overseen by an independent monitor who will ensure satisfactory compliance. Amid intensifying criminalization of immigration, ACLU of Wisconsin, along with a coalition of community members and activists, organized to defeat a proposal that would’ve brought

a for-profit ICE detention center to New Richmond.

Results Matter

What You Need to Know

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• In 2016, 1 out of every 45 people in Wisconsin were under some form of correctional control.1

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• Wisconsin spent more than $1 billion of its general fund on corrections in 2017.1 The statistics in this article point to a systemic problem in an institution often given permission to act without community oversight. The individuals who make up the majority of the policing forces in the United States deserve better than to be required to enter specialty roles they have not been trained for, often putting themselves and the public at undue risk. Only by taking an honest look at the state of policing forces and asking tough, but fair questions can we hope to create safer communities for all American citizens.

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orthoteam.com ACLU of Wisconsin. Smart justice blueprint. aclu-wi.org/sites/default/files/field_documents /040819-sj-blueprint-wi.pdf 1

Lopez, German. Vox. vox.com /identities/2016/8/13/17938186/police-shootings -killings-racism-racial-disparities 2

Milwaukee Independent. milwaukeeindependent.com /featured/reggie-jackson-growth-mass-incarceration -milwaukee 3

Time Magazine. time.com/4779112/police -history-origins 4

Additional sources: Huff Post. huffpost.com/entry/racial-disparities -criminal-justice_n_4045144 NAACP. Criminal justice fact sheet. naacp.org /criminal-justice-fact-sheet

Cassandra Bowers is the communications director at ACLU of Wisconsin.

Cassandra Bowers

ACLU

of Wisconsin 207 E. Buffalo Street #325 Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 272-4032

aclu-wi.org madisonessentials.com

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essential pets

Communicable Disease or Not by Lori Scarlett, DVM

I often see animals with diseases and infections that sound scary. Owners ask if a cat diagnosed with feline AIDS is contagious to them or if a dog’s warts can infect their child. Here are the answers to those questions and more.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Better known as FIV or feline AIDS, feline immunodeficiency virus is not communicable to people and is species specific. It’s a serious cat disease that’s most commonly spread by deep bite wounds, particularly when outdoor cats fight. But like HIV, it can also be spread sexually, from infected mother to baby, and through blood transfusions. Casual contact, like shared water and food bowls or cats snuggling, is unlikely to transmit the virus. FIVpositive cats don’t necessarily need to be isolated from other cats unless they fight with them. There’s currently no vaccine or treatment.

Heartworms

Rarely communicable to people, heartworms can infect both dogs and 56 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

cats. They’re parasites transmitted by female mosquitoes taking a blood meal from your pet. It’s very serious, which is why you should keep your pet (even inside cats) on year-round heartworm prevention. Heartworms in humans most frequently cause asymptomatic lung disease, but can be found in the brain, eye, and testicle, though this is uncommon. According to the CDC, there were only 81 cases in people reported between 1941 and 2005.

Ear Mites

While very contagious between cats and dogs, they’re rarely communicable to people. These eight-legged, almostmicroscopic mites feed on ear wax, are very itchy, and most frequently affect young kittens. In very rare instances, people have developed an itchy rash from them, but unless you’re putting them in your ears, it’s unlikely you’ll have issues. They’re easy to diagnose by seeing the mite in ear gunk (yes, that’s a scientific term) under a microscope, and treatment is very effective.

Sarcoptic Mange

Sometimes communicable to people, sarcoptic mange is caused by a different mite species than ear mites, and also causes an itchy rash on dogs, foxes, and coyotes. The mite is species specific, but humans can develop an itchy rash from close contact with an infected dog. It can be difficult to find mites, but oral flea and tick preventatives make treatment very easy.

Demodectic Mange

Found in dogs or cats, but not communicable to people. Every mammalian species has its own Demodex mites that live in hair follicles. Most people are carriers of human Demodex mites, particularly in their eyelashes and other faceand neck-hair follicles. Unless you’re immune suppressed, they don’t cause problems. Demodex mites are rarely communicable between dogs, but are contagious between cats. Newer flea and tick preventatives have been found very effective in treating dogs and cats.

Leptospirosis

Communicable to humans, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals. The bacteria gets into water or soil, and can survive for weeks or months. Infected dogs and humans often develop a fever, are lethargic, drink excessively, don’t want to eat, and become jaundiced. And while it’s easily treatable, it’s not easy to diagnose because the signs can be mistaken for other diseases. Without treatment, it can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, and even death. Yearly vaccinations offer the best protection, although there are at least 10 serovars (subtypes) of leptospirosis that infect dogs, and most vaccines only contain 4.

Conjunctivitis

Not communicable to humans, the inflammation of the eye can cause redness and discharge. In dogs, this is generally due to pollen, smoke, or other irritants and allergens in the environment. In cats, it can be due to chlamydia, which is very rarely communicable to humans.

Ringworm

A fungal infection causing a lesion on the skin with a ring of crusts around the outside, ringworm is very contagious to people, although the spores can only infect skin that’s abraded or cut. Kittens are a common source of ringworm, but

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most children become infected from spores found in soil when playing outside. Athlete’s-foot cream usually clears up infections in people, and most kittens are treated with oral medication or an all-body dip. If your pet is diagnosed with ringworm, cleaning

the house to remove spores is very important to prevent reinfection.

Herpes

Common in cats, but not communicable to people. All mammals have their own herpes virus that can cause an infection, but they aren’t spread between species. Herpes in cats causes watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion. Herpes in humans causes cold sores. Herpes in adult dogs may only cause a mild upper respiratory infection, but if the dog is pregnant, it can cause an abortion, stillbirth, or death of a very young puppy.

Tapeworms

Not directly communicable to humans or other pets, the life cycle of a tapeworm requires an intermediate host to eat it (dog, cat, human, etc.) in order for the tapeworm to become infective. Most tapeworms in dogs and cats come from eating infected fleas, but another tapeworm species comes from eating undercooked meat (rodents, pork, beef, lamb, rabbits, etc.). If you see something that looks like flat rice or sesame seeds madisonessentials.com

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Parvo

This is a serious disease in young dogs that causes diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and possibly death. All mammals can be infected by parvo, but each virus is species specific, so the dog parvo virus can’t infect humans. The human parvo virus causes fifth disease, mainly affecting young children, and leaves a rash on the cheeks. Vaccinating puppies is very important to protect dogs.

Kennel Cough

Inflammation of the trachea and bronchi in the lungs that leads to a hacking cough in dogs, kennel cough is caused by a number of different viruses and bacteria, none of which are contagious to humans but are very contagious to other dogs! If your dog has been exposed to other dogs and is then coughing, it may have kennel cough and shouldn’t be around other dogs until the coughing has stopped. Sometimes kennel cough is self-limiting and goes away on its own after a couple weeks, but it can progress to pneumonia and require antibiotics.

and kittens are born with roundworms, so regular deworming and stool checks by your vet are important to treat them. Roundworms in puppies and kittens can cause vomiting, diarrhea, unthriftiness, or even an intestinal obstruction. In people, roundworm larvae will move through the body affecting various organs and, if they get in the eye, potentially causing blindness. Be sure you and your children wash your hands after playing outside or with pets. There are many other scary-sounding diseases and infections that dogs, cats, and other animals can get. Please don’t wait to take a sick pet to the doctor— you should feel comfortable talking with your vet if you have questions or are concerned about a diagnosis. 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.

Roundworms

Communicable to humans through infective eggs in the soil, it takes 30 days for eggs to become infectious, so pick up your pet’s poop frequently! Most puppies

58 | m a d i s o n e s s e n t i a l s

Lori Scarlett, DVM & Charlie

Photograph by Brenda Eckhardt

around your pet’s back end, collect and take some to your vet, who can often tell you where the pet picked up the parasite and provide treatment.

essential community

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Celebrates 15TH BIRTHDAY by Kyle Jacobson

I’m holding, in my hand, the very first issue of our magazine. Full 4-color printing, 24 pages, 4 writers, 7 articles, and a page of recipes [insert Martha Stuart grunting à la Tim Allen]. On the table-of-contents page, in mustard-orange print: November 2004 Vol. 1. A lot can change in 15 years, and when it comes to the look of Madison Essentials, it’s night and day—different lighting, same magazine. “As we all grow as designers, we have seen the design change for the better,” says director of design & technology Barbara Wilson. Director of design & production Jennifer Denman adds, “Our

first issues were a lot smaller, so it was more crowded—text heavy. A lot of our photos were stock photos or shots that a business sent us, but we didn’t have as many options.” Today, the photos are professionally shot, and they’re bigger and more attractive, complementing the words and rounding out the story. It took a long time to get here, and issue to issue, you probably don’t notice the subtle changes we’re continually implementing. Graphic designer Linda Walker says, “Each time you pick [Madison Essentials] up, it never looks the same.” She loves finding surprises in each issue, whether it be one of those Madison jewels rediscovered

time and time again, or something truly unique to the times and the area. But what hasn’t changed over the years is our focus to introduce you to the people and businesses that we believe define Greater Madison. Editor-in-chief Amy Johnson says, “I think our community is very interesting—these businesses and the people.” It’s because of her interest in the community that we pursue the stories we do. It’s also her belief that the magazine has improved because of everybody working on it. “We’re really lucky that we’re a small publishing company,” says Amy, “because when somebody says madisonessentials.com

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something to me or suggests a topic, or I see something that gives me an idea, we pretty much implement it. ... It’s allowed us to be more creative in what we’re doing.” I know you won’t be surprised to hear that we think we put out a quality magazine, but where I think the true value of our publication lies is in its accessibility. Keeping Madison Essentials free for you or anyone to pick up at over 200 locations and online speaks to the importance we place in the Greater Madison community. What’s really great is we’ve upheld this throughout the magazine’s tenure, and will continue doing so with no end in sight. Living in Sun Prairie, I often get a push after reading Madison Essentials to go

to some event or restaurant I’ve heard about but never experienced. Barbara puts it another way, “I like to keep it local and try restaurants that aren’t chains. Madison offers so many unique food options.” For those living outside the area, Jennifer says, “I’m kind of learning as the readers are about different businesses, and I’ve been able to recommend places for people who are looking for dining or shopping spots just from what I see in each magazine issue. I’ve tried new places that I might not have tried before just because I’m more familiar with them.” Linda adds, “Being from Illinois, what I really like is that the ads and articles we work on give me a sense of what’s there. So I get kind of excited when I see somebody that we

MadisonEssentialsMagazine.com

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have in our magazine, and then I see the place. ... When I see the place, I’m more excited to go in.” Unique to the experiences of our readers are the experiences of our writers. Copy editor and writer Krystle Engh Naab gets to visit places in the Madison area she may not have gone to otherwise when she interviews a business for an article. “Going to different parts I’ve never been to really gives me an idea of what these businesses and people do, and what they do for the community. Just seeing there’s more out there than I ever expected.” I second Krystle’s perspective. Before I moved to the area, my idea of Madison was the university and the Wisconsin State Capitol. After I started working with Madison Essentials, I’ve come to realize that I was looking at the city as though it were only a part of its landmarks. It’s so much more than that, and really has a lot to give. Linda points out, “There’s a lot more going on in a

which has been a long time coming. “I didn’t want to do online content for the sake of having online content. I wanted it to make sense. I wanted it to be able to do things that work well with our print publication, and now we’re doing it.” We have Back of the House videos, featuring local drink and menu items, and the Sandy Eichel video podcast series After Should, which is on episode two.

university town than just the university; however, I do believe universities bring a sort of new generation that makes the town constantly have to stay current.” Yeah, I like that too. Between the six of us in this article, there’s a sense of pride in the creation of each issue, and it’s coupled with a sense of good fortune. Barbara says, “It’s always fun to see the magazines when you’re out. See them on racks, people taking them, people reading them.” Jennifer adds, “I like the range of topics. It’s something for everybody. If they don’t care as much about the dining, maybe they want to read about shopping or nonprofits or the beer or landmarks or different parks. The pet article is nice.” And Krystle’s take, “It’s a great way to show glimpses of what Madison can be depending on what you’re looking for.” As for the future, Amy has high hopes. We’re aiming to do more digitally,

To be incredibly biased, I think there’s something really special about our magazine. Madison is, of course, more than its restaurants and businesses and community events, but if someone had never been to Madison before and only read Madison Essentials to get a feel for it, I believe they’d have an authentic concept of what the Greater Madison area has to offer visitors and residents alike. Krystle Engh Naab, Kyle Jacobson, Barbara Wilson, Linda Walker, Jennifer Denman, and Amy Johnson are all proud members of team Madison Essentials. Photographs by Barbara Wilson.

p.s. from Amy Johnson While we’ve recognized six Madison Essentials contributors in this piece, we understand that we wouldn’t be where we are, or I assume even be here at all, without the support of our readers and advertising sponsors and the efforts of contributing writers, photographers, and past staff. For us, celebrating 15 years of Madison Essentials is celebrating 15 years of you.

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advertiser index association

Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison......................... 64

Aldo Leopold Nature Center........................ 16

Home Elements & Concepts......................... 61

Dane Buy Local............................................... 57

Journey of Aging............................................. 61

Dane County Humane Society.................... 23

Madison Opera............................................... 21

Holiday Fantasy in Lights................................ 63

MOD Media Productions............................... 29

Livsreise............................................................. 52

Olbrich Botanical Gardens........................... 23

Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of

Our Lives Magazine........................................ 35

Commerce.................................................. 13

Simply Creative Productions......................... 49

Town of Merrimac........................................... 52

Stoughton Opera House................................ 41

dining, food & beverage

WORT-FM........................................................... 28

Athens Grill....................................................... 20

home & landscaping

Bavaria Sausage Kitchen, Inc.................30, 34

Coyle Carpet One.......................................... 15

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream....................... 8

Dream House Dream Kitchens........................ 9

City Tins............................................................. 43

ZDA, Inc............................................................. 61

Clasen’s European Bakery............................. 20 Common Ground.............................................. 7

services

Dorf Haus Supper Club................................... 38

American Family Insurance DreamBank...... 2

Food Fight......................................................... 11

Bergamot Massage & Bodywork.................. 33

Lombardino’s................................................... 19

Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic.......................... 57

Madison Originals........................................... 25

Inner Fire Yoga................................................. 16

The Mixing Bowl Bakery.................................. 13

Monroe Street Framing................................... 17

The Nitty Gritty................................................. 24

Stoughton Hospital......................................... 55

The Old Feed Mill Restaurant........................ 42

Tadsen Photography...................................... 12

Old Sugar Distillery.......................................... 31 Otto’s Restaurant & Bar.................................. 25

shopping

Paisan’s............................................................. 45

Abel Contemporary Gallery......................... 47

Paoli Schoolhouse Shops & Café................... 8

Anthology......................................................... 30

Porta Bella........................................................ 45

Calabash Gifts................................................. 30

Quivey’s Grove.................................................. 5

Community Pharmacy................................... 31

Riley’s Wines of the World.............................. 39

Community Wellness Shop............................ 31

Samba Brazilian Grill....................................... 39

Deconstruction Inc......................................... 47

The Side Door Grill and Tap........................... 39

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier.......................... 31

Sugar River Pizza Company........................... 51

John/Christine Designs..................................... 5

Tangent............................................................. 35

Karen & Co......................................................... 5

Tempest Oyster Bar......................................... 58

Katy’s American Indian Arts.......................... 30

Tornado Steak House..................................... 58

Lidtke Motors.................................................... 37

Vintage Brewing Co. ...................................... 35

Little Luxuries.................................................... 31

Willy Street Co-op........................................... 42

Luceo Boutique & Styling Co........................ 27

entertainment & media

Pieces Unimagined......................................... 31 Plum Crazy........................................................ 30

After Should Online Video Podcast............. 49

(shoo)................................................................ 31

Back of the House Online Video Series....... 38

Woodland Studios........................................... 46

CONTEST Win a $50

Gift Card! Question: “Which local, bimonthly community magazine is celebrating its 15th anniversary in November 2019?” 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. PO Box 174 Baraboo, WI 53913-0174 All entries with the correct answer will be entered into a drawing for one of two $50 gift cards. Contest deadline is November 25, 2019. Gift cards will be honored at all Food Fight® Restaurant Group restaurants (see foodfightinc.com).

Good Luck!

Winners Thank you to everyone who entered our previous contest. The answer to the question “Which Madison business has Hike & Heal Wellness, which incorporates naturebased programming and wellness practice?” is Bergamot Massage Therapy & Bodywork. A $50 Food Fight® Gift Card was sent to each of our winners, Pat Perrucci of Monona and Lila Meyer of Madison.

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May your car be full of Love and your eyes full of Light Have a wonderful Holiday season And Make some fond Memories this night.

The Holiday Fantasy in Lights would not be possible without: • The Electric Group • Madison Area Businesses • Retired IBEW Local 159 Electricians

• NECA Contractors • Volunteer Booth Groups • Madison Parks

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November 9, 2019 to January 4, 2020 Drive Thru • Dusk till Dawn • Olin Park • Free Admission

Contractors

A&A Electric of Baraboo

Born’s Electric, Inc.

Krantz Electric, Inc.

Schultz/Pieper Electric

Elite Building Control

Control Works, Inc.

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Wiersma Electric

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