Valley Sentinel - 02-24-2021 by Valley Sentinel

Inside this edition

Movie Review: The Little Things Page 7

APT Winter Words give unique view Page 8

An Outdoorsman’s Journal Page 11

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 Vol. 2, No. 8 Free, Single-Copy

Equity, diversity and inclusion come to the forefront at school board meeting Quincy Aston-Lott, Managing Editor Editor’s Note: Valley Sentinel decided to hold the Feb. 11 school board story from its Feb. 17 edition and publish it in this edition in order to ensure full consideration of the important equity, diversity and inclusion issues that were brought up at the meeting.

The River Valley School Board was asked to reckon with equity, diversity and inclusion issues at its Feb. 11 meeting, as a district parent brought concerns of racial harassment to the board, leading to an apology from the school board president and a promise to do more.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

During public comment, Susan Lee,

a parent of two River Valley Middle School students, expressed her concerns regarding comments her multiracial family and others have gotten. “Both of my kids, but mainly my son, has been a recipient of racial comments and harassment from other classmates in the last couple of years. Mainly directed towards him. My daughter is racially Chinese and she too has suﬀered from

Local teacher brings winter fun to backyard

racially biased comments. And then recently through social media, I became aware of another family struggling with some serious racial harassment in elementary school,” said Lee. “I feel like I’ve had good responses from [Middle School Principal] Mr. [James] Radtke, [teacher and former building adminis-

See page 9

Sauk County Board ends year-long vacancy Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief

Top: Bryan Quigley and his son Elijah Quigley skate in Sunday’s snowing weather on the family’s backyard ice rink. Left: Lilian Quigley skates up and down the Quigley family’s ice rink, as their dog, Finley, follows after her.

See page 6

After nearly a year without a steady Corporation Counsel, the Sauk County Board voted to hire Brian Desmond to fill the long-empty office and end a period of heavy turnover for the county. Desmond has served as corporation counsel in Oneida County for 14 years, and will begin in his position in Sauk on March 22, with a starting salary of approximately $120,000. During his time in Oneida County, Desmond was responsible for overseeing the general counsel for the county, land use, zoning and land conservation as well as termination of parental rights. The job description in Sauk County will require much of the same. Desmond was one of seven applicants for the job, according to County Administrator Brent Miller. The hiring process was handled by a committee which included various county department heads and county board supervisors. Miller said the hiring of Desmond was unanimously approved by the Executive and Legislative and Personnel Committees prior to full board approval. The board unanimously voted in favor of his hiring, a 28-0 vote and three supervisors absent. Supervisor and member of the Executive and Legislative Committee, Wally Czuprynko, expressed that he believed Desmond will be a good fit in the county.

See page 5

Spring Green state senator pushes for food label clarity Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief Earlier this month, Republican Sen. Howard Marklein, Spring Green, re-introduced “Truth in Food Labeling” legislation that would require food labels to reﬂect the use of actual dairy and meat products, prohibiting plant based products from using those descriptors. The proposed legislation consists of three bills, all stating food products carrying a label using common terms

for milk, meat or dairy products must be made from real milk, meat and dairy products, meaning terms such as “milk”, “cheese”, “yogurt” “burger” or “chicken wing” can only be given those labels if they contain cow’s milk, beef or chicken. “This legislation is extremely important to the farmers and food processors in my district,” said Marklein. “They feel very strongly about the integrity of food labeling and are frustrated by the misleading labeling that has invaded dairy

and meat cases throughout our grocery stores. It’s disappointing when you open a carton of ‘ice cream’ and discover that you mistakenly bought a ﬂavor-less, dairy-free alternative, rather than the creamy, delicious treat you expected.” In a press release, Marklein, along with republican Rep. Travis Tranel, Cuba City, and republican Rep. Clint Moses, Menomonie, stated the purpose of the proposed legislation is to protect and promote real, healthy and high quality

agricultural products for consumers, as well as apply pressure to the federal government for action on regulating food labels, something they believe is not currently being enforced. “Milk is from a cow. Meat is from an animal. Cheese is made from milk. Consumers, farmers and producers deserve clear labeling,” said Tranel. The three bills, senate bill (SB) 83,

See page 5

Page 2

opinion/editorial

WednesdaY, Feb. 24, 2021

EDITORIAL It’s never too early to start planning winter activities for next year As winter gives way to spring (seriously, 40 degree weather? At least a few of you are guilty of breaking out the shorts this week), we’d like to revisit some of the ideas we’ve heard most over this past winter, while acknowledging that it’s never too early to start planning out next year’s winter activities and how we make them happen. It’s hard to tell how much is lack of socializing during the pandemic and how much is a healthy appreciation for this greater community and the potential it has, but we’ve run into dozens of people over the course of this winter that all agree that we need more to do for winter activities. From bonﬁres, to sledding, to cross country skiing, to ice skating, to winter after dark opportunities to support our local businesses and maybe get a cup of hot cocoa, hot toddy or a bottle of mulled wine, and more, Valley resi-

dents seem to want more to do when it gets cold. We write this in the waning days of winter not because we’re going to miss the cold sub-zero days, but because this means we have a year to ﬁgure out how to weather winter better next year. More likely than not, things will be tough next winter, we can’t expect any one village or organization alone to build and maintain an ice rink, clear and designate a sledding hill, mark out cross country skiing trails, bring the wood and light a bonﬁre — it’s going to take all of us coming together to make it happen. A village may approve of the ideas, a village may permit the ideas, but a village government alone can’t take the mantle and carryout these ideas and more. If this is something we want we’ll have to work together. If we want to bring in young professionals to this community, if we want to retain and

attract families, if we want businesses open later than 5 pm, then we need to show up and support our community. We keep wanting to print words about entropy, about how if something isn’t maintained, isn’t built onto, if something doesn’t grow, then you slowly lose it. There is much to be said about maintaining what we have, our villages can only do so much themselves, but the community can do so much more. One of our biggest inspirations for building community is what we’ve seen from Volume One, an arts & culture publication in Eau Claire that has been a big part of bringing people together and ﬁnding ways to build community. The owner/editor of the publication describes a feedback loop philosophy (volumeone.org/feedbackloop) that he believes drives community engagement, where creative people bring creative ideas (“impulses” as he calls

them) and discusses how the community supports them, works together to enact them and how it creates a feedback loop of new creative ideas to then be acted on to better the community. We were watching a meeting recently where a creative person had a creative idea and they didn’t know where to go with their idea. We don’t know if a solution was ever found, but ideas that better the community need to be supported and fostered. We can’t sit back and wait for someone else do the work. If you have a good idea don’t let it live and die solely in your creative mind. Share it. Support the ideas of others. An ice rink isn’t just an ice rink, it’s an idea, an impulse. The question is, can we come together to support it and jump start that feedback loop? Please reach out with your ideas and let’s build community together.

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Left: As touched on in the story on page 1 and in the above editorial, there appears to be a desire for an ice rink and additional outdoor winter activities in the Valley. In our weekly social media poll, we asked if our readers agreed: does the Valley need a community ice rink? Overwhelmingly, our readers said yes, with 94% of voters agreeing and 6% saying no. Above right: Some additional feedback from our readers and social media followers on a weekly poll question. Pictured are three diﬀerent social media responses we received regarding the need for not only a community ice rink but additional activity options in the winter months. It seems there is a general consensus that the Valley stays pretty quiet during the winter months, but many of us are ready for a change. If you missed the weekly poll but would like to share your thoughts on the need for a community ice rink or additional winter activities, please email editor@valleysentinelnews.com. To vote in our weekly polls, follow us on Instagram, @vs_wisconsin or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/valleysentinel.

opinion

WednesdaY, Feb. 24, 2021

Page 3

Funding Our Priorities While Respecting Taxpayers Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green Governor Tony Evers presented his budget message on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 via a video recording. The Governor’s budget message, once again, is a wish list of things for Madison and includes several divisive policy items that should be discussed in the regular legislative process. Despite the fact that Wisconsinites have weathered an unprecedented pandemic, economic impacts and ongoing uncertainty, the Governor’s budget does not focus on our most important priorities, nor does it respect taxpayers. The Governor’s budget spends $91 billion, which is nearly $7.9 billion more than our last budget! This new spending is equal to $1,350 for every resident of the state of Wisconsin. The net tax increase for his budget proposal is more than $1 billion. The Governor’s budget would un-do all of the hard work and responsible budgeting that have put us in a terriﬁc ﬁscal position. He is selling his budget as a “change” budget. But I don’t know why we would want to change the responsible budgeting that has

produced a massive budget surplus despite a pandemic. I don’t know why we would want to change the reforms that have given us the largest rainy day fund in state history. And I definitely don’t want to change our focus on respecting taxpayers while funding our priorities. The Governor’s change budget is a bad budget for Wisconsin. Along with huge spending and tax increases, the Governor’s budget includes divisive policy like legalization of recreational and medicinal marijuana, repeals of Republican reforms that have put us into positive fiscal position despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales tax increase options and other non-fiscal items. I firmly believe that these types of topics should be discussed in the course of the regular legislative process so that all Wisconsinites have a chance to debate, provide input and contribute to the discussion. These ideas are a big deal and should not be buried in a massive document like the state budget. There are some items in the Governor’s budget that I agree with. I want to increase funding for broadband expansion. I want to fully

fund the Funding Assistance Program (FAP) offered to our community first responders. Transportation, education and healthcare remain top priorities for me. However, I believe we need to craft a budget that considers every individual element as part of the whole. We cannot focus on pieces without comprehending the entire package. As the Co-Chair of the legislature’s budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), I have been waiting anxiously for the budget process to begin. This is arguably the most important piece of legislation we craft every session. The Governor’s budget address is the first step in a long, meticulous process of analysis, research, discussions and negotiations. It all starts now. The Governor’s budget is now being deeply analyzed by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) before their analysis is shared with the JFC. The JFC will be meeting with each of the state agencies to discuss their portion of the state budget beginning in April. We will hold a number of public hearings around the state for citizens to share their thoughts, ideas

and concerns before we deliberate as a committee. We are also discussing ways for citizens to communicate with us virtually. I am also personally planning to hold budget listening sessions for residents of the 17th Senate District in the coming weeks. I am working out logistics and will provide more information as soon as I am able. Please visit my website for more information. Our goal is to draft a legislative version of the state budget and move it through the legislative process before the ﬁscal year ends on June 30, 2021. I am optimistic that the legislature will be able to achieve this goal. I am also certain that we will craft a budget that funds our state’s priorities while respecting taxpayers. I will continue to protect Wisconsin’s checkbook. For more information and to connect with me, visit my website http://legis. wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@ legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have any questions or need assistance with any state-related matters.

Letter to the Editor: Truth in food labeling legislation Dear Editor, As an owner and Master Cheesemaker at Klondike Cheese Company in Monroe, I am thankful to see State Senator Howard Marklein re-introducing his Truth in Food Labeling legislation to promote dairy product protections in our state. At Klondike Cheese Co., all of our products contain real dairy milk,

and we’re proud of it. Real dairy products, like the award winning cheese crafted at Klondike Cheese Co., is not only delicious – but also an outstanding source of protein, calcium, vitamins, zinc, phosphorus, and riboflavin. The dairy imitators that are promoted with misleading packaging often only offer a fraction of these nutritional benefits. Our community members deserve

to clearly know what is in the food they buy, yet oftentimes companies misrepresent the actual contents of their food. Senator Marklein’s bill will protect the consumer from deceptive food labeling so that they can clearly know when cheese is real cheese. I know Howard was raised on a dairy farm in Spring Green and has continuously advocated for rural is-

PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com Editorial Editor-in-Chief Emilie Conlon Creative Director Morgan Marlenga Managing Editor Quincy Aston-Lott Legal Editor Gerry Strang, esq.

sues in the Legislature. I am grateful for his work promoting this Truth in Food Labeling legislation so that people know when they are buying genuine dairy products here in the cheese state. —Dave Buholzer Master Cheesemaker Klondike Cheese Co. Monroe, WI

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On certain topics in areas of great community interest, the editors of the Valley Sentinel may take positions they believe best represent and serve the interests of the community. Any opinions or positions taken by the editorial board are separate and distinct in labeling and substance from the community journalism that appears in the rest of the publication and does not aﬀect the integrity

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From time to time the editorial board may select letters to the editor of a particular compelling community interest where a public ﬁgure or accountable public action is the recipient of criticism and allow, in the same issue, the subject of the criticism chance for rebuttal, with expounded independent input. The format shall be point, counterpoint and expert analysis. This community discussion shall serve as a moderated dialogue that presents multiple views of important community topics.

Page 4

Community

WednesdaY, feb. 24, 2021

COVID-19 Testing Information Iowa County

Sauk County Mondays from 11am to 1pm at Spring Green Fire/EMS 2 Step Online Registration & Appointment REQUIRED: www.springgreenems.com Tuesdays from 8am to 12pm at Reedsburg Ambulance Service Online Registration REQUIRED: www.register.covidconnect.wi.gov *Note: Even if you have previously registered via covidconnect site, you must re-register each time you are tested.*

Wednesdays from 4:30pm to 8pm at Merrimac Fire & Rescue Appointments REQUIRED: Call (608) 393-3205 2 Step Online Registration & Appointment REQUIRED: 1. Complete questionnaire at www.register.covidconnect.wi.gov 2. Call (608) 643-7603 to schedule appointment. Call MondayFriday 8am-4pm *Note: Even if you have previously registered via covidconnect site, you must re-register each time you are tested. Enter the car line from Water St to Lincoln Ave, then follow the yellow directional signs to check in station located at 55 Prairie Ave. Vehicles with more than one person in them are welcome but each person MUST have pre-registered and have scheduled an appointment.*

Fridays from 8am to 12pm at Circus World Parking Lot (testing conducted by Baraboo Fire & EMS) Online Registration only. Unable to accept phone calls 2 Step Online Registration & Appointment REQUIRED: www. forms.gle/uXHPPe86hiosRHbN8

From the Iowa County Health Department: Testing has been suspended at the Health and Human Services Center at 303 West Chapel Street in Dodgeville due to very low volumes. We will continue to evaluate testing demand and may resume a test site in the future. There are testing sites in southwest Wisconsin in surrounding counties. Visit the Iowa County COVID-19 website to see the full regional schedule and/or follow our Facebook page for a list of weekly testing opportunities in southwest Wisconsin. Upland Hills Hospital continues to provide COVID testing. Please see the Upland Hills website for information on getting tested at their facility. Call the Iowa County Health Department at (608) 930-9870 for the most up-to-date testing information.

Richland County

The Richland Hospital COVID-19 drive-thru testing site is closed; however, symptomatic individuals needing a test will be served through Urgent Care. FREE COVID-19 drive-thru community testing events continue in Richland County, but the events will not be held if the outside temperature at 9am is in the single digits or below. Additional testing available: February 25th from 10am to 2pm at Richland County Fairgrounds March 1st from 9am to 11am at Richland County Fairgrounds March 4th from 10am to 2pm at Richland County Fairgrounds Appointments are not required, but it is requested that those who wish to be tested pre-register at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov. Tests will be available on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE basis.

Gov. approves Marklein authored tax relief, reform bill Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief In the ﬁrst legislative acts passed in nearly a year, Gov. Tony Evers signed two tax bills into law last week that will provide $480 million in tax relief to businesses and families that have been aﬀected by COVID-19. Assembly Bill 2, signed into law as Act 1, includes tax reforms and updates to align state tax code with federal changes that exclude forgive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from taxable state income.

Along with many other tax code reforms for self-employed individuals, businesses and municipalities. “I was proud to author this legislation which provides tax relief and tax reforms for the citizens of Wisconsin,” said Sen. Howard Marklein, an author of the bill. “Act 1 provides more than $400 million in tax relief. It also creates uniformity between the federal and state tax codes, allows self-employed people to subtract their medical care insurance costs and continues

to update our statutes for the realities of e-commerce.” The act also made state grants given to businesses and organizations throughout the pandemic exempt from taxable income. Through these reforms and updates, the bill provides nearly $450 million in tax relief to businesses throughout the state, and nearly $30 million in tax relief for low-income families. “This past year has been challenging and unrelenting for so many, but since

the beginning of this pandemic, we’ve been committed to providing economic relief to the folks who’ve been aﬀected by the pandemic,” said Evers. “We know business and families across Wisconsin need help now, so I’m proud to be able to deliver $480 million in tax relief for folks across our state.” Evers also signed Assembly Bill 3 into law as Act 2, which simpliﬁes tax rules for S corporations and partnerships.

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Community

WednesdaY, Feb. 24, 2021

Page 5

Sauk County ﬁlls Corporation Counsel oﬃce after tumultuous past continued from page 1

“I think he will fit in very well with our little county family,” said Czuprynko. Supervisor Brian Peper expressed his desire for Desmond to excel in the long-vacant position. “He seems like a well qualified young man. I hope he does a good job and with a first name like Brian, how could we go wrong?” Peper said.

Investigations

The county’s corporation counsel office has remained without in-house counsel since January 2020, after former corporation counsel Daniel Olson was placed on paid leave pending the results of an investigation into personnel complaints from within his department. In December 2019, Olson brought forth findings of a private investigation that he conducted to the Executive and Legislative Committee, that alleged misconduct by 11 different county officials, department heads and staff. The alleged misconduct included violation of open meetings law, misuse of public comment period by staff members

and an unauthorized investigation of a department head by a county board member. Olson’s independent investigation of county officials was unrelated to personnel matters he was allegedly under investigation for. The names of the officials and staff Olson alleged misconduct against were never officially released. In January 2020, the Executive and Legislative Committee voted to send Olson’s report to the Sauk County District Attorney Micheal Albrecht, who denied investigation. Albrecht forwarded the report to the Sauk County Sheriff’s office, who also denied an investigation, citing a conflict of interest. The Sheriff’s office forwarded the report to the Attorney General’s office, who in April 2020 stated it would not be pursuing criminal investigation or prosecution of any Sauk County officials or staff named in Olson’s report. Following his leave, Olson filed a civil lawsuit against the county in February 2020, seeking relief and the court to reverse the county’s decision to place him on paid leave. Olson claimed without his work privileges, he would be unable to combat

misconduct by “public officials who chose politics over principle and personal interest over public trust.” Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Barrett dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Olson could not file the same case again. Barrett ruled Olson did not fulfill the burden of proof. Olson was officially fired from the county in May 2020. While the corporation counsel’s office remained vacant for almost a year, the county contracted with various attorneys to provide corporation counsel services. Directly following Olson’s leave, the county hired Gary Rehfeldt, a retired former corporation counsel for Dane County. Rehfeldt worked with the county from February to June, after being hired to fulfill the role two or three months, at a rate of $200 per hour. Rehfeldt left his contract with the county to return to retirement, but voiced concerns of a large amount of backlogged work in the corporation counsel office. Rehfeldt expressed the office was experiencing a six to nine month backlog of work in land use, land conservation and child support. The county contract-

ed with outside lawyers to complete the outstanding work. Following Rehfeldt’s return to retirement, the county contracted corporation counsel services with Von Brisen and Roper, for $17,500 per month. The prestigious Madison law ﬁrm provided three attorneys to the county to provide corporation counsel services. In the middle of last year, the county was facing an approximately $150,000 deﬁcit in the corporation counsel’s budget because of the on-going outside contracting. Miller said in 2020 and 2021, the county has spent a total of $681,491 in contracted attorney fees. This includes $303,174 for contracted counsel for Human Services legal cases, such as mental commitments, guardianships and children’s matters. “The number of cases in 2020 was exceedingly high, and we have no way of knowing if this was tied to COVID-19 or not,” said Miller. The county spent $378,316 for all other contract attorney’s fees, such as contracted attorney’s for land and zoning cases and corporation counsel services.

Food labeling bill sees support from organizations, opposition in plant-based industry continued from page 1

which related to milk labeling, SB 82 relating to meat labeling and SB 81 relating to dairy product labeling have the support of various state agriculture groups and local cheese producers and organizations, such as Dave Buholzer, an owner of Klondike Cheese in Monroe, who appeared in support of the bills at a committee hearing on Feb. 11, and Sid Cook, owner and operator of Carr Valley Cheese in La Valle. “We agree with WCMA and truth in labeling,” said Cook. According to the press release, the proposed bills have support from the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), The Dairy Business Association (DBA), the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) and the Wisconsin Cattle Association (WCA). ‘ While the proposed legislation has

support from various organizations and companies, the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) states that it is strongly opposed to the bills, and is working against them in their current iteration. “The bills are unnecessary, unjust and unconstitutional,” said Michael Robbins, policy and media consultant for PBFA. “First of all, the bills are unnecessary – they are a solution in search of a problem. There is no consumer confusion. Quite the opposite is in fact true; it is in the interest of plant-based food companies to make it clear that they are oﬀering a plant based alternative to animal-based milk, as that is what their customers, new and returning, are explicitly looking for.” Robbins goes on to state the food labeling problems presented in the bills are “alternative facts” and are an attempt by Wisconsin lawmakers to interfere with the free market and the plant based food

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FEB 19 2021

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Tourism. SB 81 passed through the committee in an 8-0 vote, with 31 republicans and four democrats sponsoring the bill. SB 82 passed with a 7-1 vote, Sen. Jeﬀ Smith, a democrat representing Eau Claire voted “no”. The bill has 26 republican and 3 democrat sponsors. On Feb. 12, an amendment for SB 82 was proposed, stating that a company may label meat alternatives as such, if the label clearly indicated that product does not contain any animal products by using one or more of the terms “plantbased,” “vegan,” “meatless,” “meat-free” “vegetarian,” “veggie,” “made from plants,” or “veggie-based.” The amendment has not yet been considered. SB 83 passed the committee with an 8-0 vote, and has 33 republican and 4 democrat sponsors. Each bill can be taken up by the senate at any point.

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Did you know? There are 2,116 people age 65+ on our COVID19 vaccination waitlist.

market. “Most importantly, and what should be of the greatest concern to Wisconsin lawmakers, the bills are a violation of our members’ First Amendment rights to truthfully and accurately label their products, as has been routinely demonstrated in court,” said Robbins. Robbins stated he believes a common ground is possible between state lawmakers and the plant based food industry, citing examples of compromise in other states, which maintain that product labels must clearly display when a product is dairy or meat free, to ensure consumer clarity. This is not the first time Marklein and Tranel have brought this legislation to the floor, the bill’s first introduction was in the 2019-2020 legislative session. As of Feb. 11, all three bills have been recommended for approval by the Senate Committee on Agriculture and

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Community

WednesdaY, feb. 24, 2021

Family enjoys winter, weathers COVID-19 with unique DIY project continued from page 1 The swishing and icy-slashing sounds you’ve been hearing over near Hoxie Street in Spring Green just might be the sound of skates gliding over the ice as the Quigley family enjoys their homemade labor of love—a backyard ice rink. River Valley High School history teacher Bryan Quigley, his wife Megan, son Elijah and daughter Lilian take to the ice just about every night to enjoy a skate or a pick-up game of hockey on the 20 X 80 foot homemade ice rink. The family’s dog Finley often joins, running back and forth on the sidelines, following the family’s laps around the ice. “It’s really just about getting the kids out,” said Bryan. “We’re just trying to get them skating and having fun. We just pop out and get a short skate or a long skate in, it’s a good way for me to let some steam out.” The family said they often invited friends and family over to enjoy the rink as well, with this past weekend being their busiest social event as the weather finally returned to “normal” winter temperatures after a blast of cold weather the past couple weeks. Bryan said the rink is a great way to socialize, especially during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic because it provides an easily socially-distanced and outdoor location. “It’s kind of the perfect COVID thing, so I guess if silver linings can be found in such a thing,” said Bryan. Four years ago Bryan ordered a 20 X 40 foot DIY ice rink kit off the internet, and has built the rink up to almost double the size. The family has slowly grown the atmosphere of the outdoor rink as well, adding a string of lights above the rink to provide cozy illumination and a small fire pit to warm cold hands and feet near.

Each year, Bryan starts the days-long process of constructing and filling the ice rink as soon as the ground has a chance to freeze, so the stakes holding the structure together can be solidly placed in the ground. He then fills the structure with water, which freezes to give about five to six inches of ice. As he has continued the process of building a rink each year, Bryan said he has learned a lot about the area, and the potential desire of residents to have a community skating rink in Spring Green. “I think there’s an appetite, it’s a small town, people are looking for things to do,” said Byran. “Anything you can do to get fresh air, I think we could find financial avenues to support it and maintenance.” Bryan said he learned Spring Green used to be host to an ice rink in South Park, about 10 to 15 years ago. Currently, the closest outdoor winter ice rink near the area is in Richland Center, where visitors can rent skates and hockey equipment. There are indoor ice rinks in Dodgeville and Prairie du Sac.

Photos by Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief Top: Bryan Quigley, left, and his son, Elijah stoke up the ﬁre that is next to their ice rink. Above: Elijah Quigley, left, Lilian Quigley, center, and Megan Quigley, right, go for a skate in the snowing weather on Sunday. Left: Elijah Quigley spins around on the family’s homemade, outdoor ice rink. Bottom: Bryan Quigley uses a large shovel to remove snow from the ice rink as his wife Megan, daughter Lilian and son Elijah shoot across the ice, following.

In other news Spring Green Lions Club Spaghetti Dinner The Spring Green Lions Club will host a drive-thru spaghetti dinner 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. March 2 at The Shed to fund-raise for the club’s various projects. Tickets are available from local Lions members, The Shed, Pamela’s Fine Jewelry and Oﬃce Market. Tickets will be $7 for adults if purchased in advance or $8 at the door. For children K-8th grade tickets are $5 if purchased in advance or $6 at the door. The dinner will include spaghetti and meatballs, french bread and coleslaw. For more information, call Jim Thering at 608-588-7088.

State Natural Areas featured on PBS Wisconsin premier A new PBS Wisconsin show, “Wisconsin’s Scenic Treasures: Southern Vistas” will feature 15 state natural areas, including the Spring Green Preserve. The show will debut at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. March 1, with repeat broadcasts 7 p.m. March 10 and March 14. Natural areas featured include Ridgeway Pine Relict, Scuppernong Prairie, Lulu Lake, Quincy Bluﬀ, Beulah Bog, Spring Green Preserve, and Fern Dell Gorge. The show includes several state parks and wildlife areas as well.

Arts & Culture Valley Sentinel Presents

WednesdaY, feb. 24, 2021

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Movie Review: The Little Things Rating: R

Duration:137 minutes

Where to watch: Theaters and HBO Max

Released: 2021 Genre: psychological crime drama

Movie Review: Denzel’s Washington’s The Little Things Found Guilty Bill Gordon, Contributor

Director John Lee Hancock’s “The Little Things” shows us the smallest of mistakes—even a wrong split-second reaction—can change a life forever. “The Little Things” is a psychological crime drama starring Denzell Washington as Joe “Deke Deacon, a Kern County Deputy Sheriff who left his all-consuming life as a high-profile Los Angeles homicide detective, only to be drawn back on a serial killer case that rekindles past trauma. The story takes place in 1990 and stars Rami Malek as Jim Baxter, a young, upstart detective who has replaced Deacon. We quickly learn that as a highly successful LA detective, Deacon became overly involved and obsessed with solving grisly murder cases, so much so that he needed to walk away from it all. (Later, we discover the dark secret he carries that contributed to his departure from the LAPD). As the movie title implies, a theme in this story is the little things matter, especially when gathering evidence and reviewing a crime scene in a murder investigation. It’s the little things that make the difference in solving a crime and Deacon is one of the best at identifying them. The little things can also get us into trouble, and we see this as well. Jared Leto is convincing as Albert Sparma, a creepy person of interest in the

series of murders Deacon and Baxter are investigating. Denzel is not in peak physical condition for this film, he’s not the lean and mean cop we see in Training Day or the precision fighter from The Equalizer. But Denzel’s appearance fits his character, an emotionally scarred former detective running from a past and broken life he’d like to forget. There are some actors that make most any movie worthwhile watching, such as Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and certainly Denzel Washington. While the Little Things may not be perfect, Denzel keeps us engaged. The film maintains good suspense, but toward the end, the plot line seems a bit forced and mechanical, and some may find the conclusion unsatisfying. 3/5 stars.

Photos via Warner Bros

Viewing information “The Little Things” is available for viewing on in theaters now. The movie is available for home streaming via HBO Max until Feb. 28.

A still featuring Denzel Washington, left, and Jared Leto, right, from “The Little Things.”

Photos via Warner Bros Pictures

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Arts & Culture

WednesdaY, feb. 24, 2021

APT The Road Back Chapter 5: Summer season return Q&A American Players Theatre

We heard you have questions! Join us for some of the answers in this week’s ‘The Road Back.’ Last week, we asked you what questions you have about APT’s plans to put on a season this summer. Today, we’re back to answer as many as we can in the latest edition of The Road Back. Q: When are you going to announce the season? A: The short answer is we’re not sure. We have submitted our safety plans for the first few plays to the unions we work with for their approval. We’re not sure how long it will take to (hopefully) get their blessing to move forward, but we think it’s prudent to wait until we have some positive indication from them – if not final approval – before we share titles with you. We hope that will come in the next month or so. When it became clear last fall that we could not simply move our 2020 season to 2021, Brenda DeVita and the rest of the artistic staff immediately began work to put together a season that would be viable under these odd circumstances. It’s happened at a very swift pace; they usually start season planning a couple years in advance. For example, if we were in normal times the titles and directors for the 2022 season would be set and we would be working on the budget. But all that is out the window this year. Here are a few hints, though: Expect to see a couple holdovers that were slated for the 2020 season and perhaps a couple favorites from seasons past. Also, Brenda and her team found inspiration in the Out of the Woods play-reading series, and one or more of those pieces may be promoted to full productions. One thing Brenda emphasizes again and again is that this season will be very different in many ways from a “normal” APT season in terms of the play selection, casting and too many other elements to list. The silver lining there is that it allows us to explore new plays and new ways to

cast them without the constraints of a repertory structure. Along the way, we expect to learn some things that could carry over post-pandemic. For these reasons, and for so many others, we are all excited for the opportunity to bring these plays to you. Q: When will tickets go on sale? Once again, we don’t know the answer to this but our best guess is that it will be sometime in April. We don’t want to sell tickets until we are conﬁdent that we will actually be able to produce, which depends on getting approval from the unions to hire their members (actors, directors, designers and stage managers) and begin rehearsal. Essentially this means we will be prepared to begin selling tickets at the same time rehearsals begin, and sooner if we get positive news from the unions earlier than expected. Since approval from the unions is granted for each play individually, we won’t be able to put the whole season on sale at once this year. Rather, plays will go on sale as we get approval to produce each one, or each pair if possible. More on that down the page. We thank you for your patience and understanding on this. We hope you’ll think of this as a nice surprise just as spring is beginning to, well, spring, and you won’t have as much time to wait between the time you order your tickets and the time you see your play. Q: I read in The Road Back that the actors have to live in pods and not see anyone else. What does this mean for actors who live in Spring Green with their families? This will vary from person to person. Company members who are in a “pod” are allowed to live at home if all of the members of their family also agree to stay home during the weeks the artist is working on a play. This may be practical for some people – for instance, if both members of the household are working at APT on the same proj-

ect. However, many members of the company that are also Spring Green residents will temporarily move out of their homes and into APT housing. This is especially true for people who have kids – kids who are on swim team, or in baseball, or who have part-time jobs. It’s a personal decision for each family. Q: I come to APT from Chicago and really like seeing several plays in a weekend. Why aren’t you going to have your usual rep schedule this season? A: We were heartbroken when we realized that the festival nature of APT was not compatible with our COVID safety plan. In a normal season, most staff members work on more than one play, making them what contract tracers consider “close contacts” of upwards of 50-60 people. If an employee were to test positive in such a scenario, the entire theater would have to be shut down. Though we are taking many precautions to make sure nobody gets COVID, it’s just too much of a risk to take. So, this year it is very important for everyone to only work on one play at a time and limit contacts within the organization. Rest assured: we will gleefully return to our beloved festival schedule as soon as the pandemic is behind us. Q: If you’re only going to sell tickets for 25% of the theater, am I going to be able to get tickets? A: We definitely won’t have as much availability this season. However, we are increasing the number of performances to partially make up for the limited capacity. In a usual season, there are an average of 18 performances per Hill Theatre production and about 25 per Touchstone performance. Though the final schedule for the season is still in progress, we’ll average 3035 performances for Hill productions and about 45 per Touchstone production to maximize the number of seats we can make available for sale. Another factor is that we anticipate a

portion of our patrons will elect not to come to APT in person, and will choose to view the filmed versions of the plays. For those patrons who feel comfortable coming to APT in person this summer, we’re going to do our very best to accommodate as many as possible while still adhering to the requirements set out by state and local health officials and the labor unions. This may mean that you won’t always be able to get your favorite seats, or your first choice of performance. Once the schedule is released, we recommend making a list of dates that work for your party in case your first choice isn’t available. Q: Will you be able to get everyone that works at APT vaccinated? Will that change the safety precautions you’re taking? We encourage our staff to get vaccinated when state guidelines permit it. However, we are planning that the strong safety requirements we are putting in place for our company – podding, for instance – will remain for the entire 2021 season. If at some point in the season guidance from health officials and the labor unions changes, we may be able to revise our safety requirements. We look at the safety precautions on the audience side the same way. We anticipate that all of our safety measures such as mandatory masking and 25% capacity will be in force all year, even for fully vaccinated patrons. But we will stay in touch with health officials and will revise our protocols if the situation warrants. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. We’ll be doing more of these Q&As as we get closer to spring, so send us your questions at info@americanplayers.org as they arise. Thank you, too, for your support, your engagement and your evident love of this theater. We’re so excited to plan for a future where we see you at APT. Next week, On the Grounds at APT: What to Expect This Year

Review: APT Winter Words kick-oﬀ gives fresh view of ‘real life’ Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief

American Players Theatre (APT) has returned its annual Winter Words play reading series that provides the audience with a unique glimpse into the minds and personalities of APT actors and directors. The winter words series began Feb. 22, kicking oﬀ with a somewhat modernized version of “Agamemnon,” a Greek tragedy originally created by Aeschylus, and adapted by Simon Scardiﬁeld and directed by David Daniel. The performance of the play itself was wonderful, the actors showcased the characters in an engaging way that kept me interested throughout a play I otherwise wouldn’t be interested in. Greek classics have always been something I struggle to understand and follow, but in this adaption I followed the plot with ease. What really stood out to me with this premier was the Q&A period with the actors, director and Brenda Devita. Not only did the audience ask wonderful, conversation-inducing questions, they were met with smart and engaging answers—it truly gave the audience a glimpse into the incredible, notorious mind of David Daniel as he spoke excitedly about all aspects of the adaptation, casting choices, the symbolism, imagery and relevance of this piece. While I was listening to this intelligent

A screenshot from APT’s Winter Words reading of “Agamemnon.” conversation, I couldn’t help but think that this was sort of the APT version of sharing your pets on your work zoom call. (Bare with me, I promise it makes sense). As you were watching not only the reading but listening to the actors share their thoughts, occasionally throwing in a joke or a callback to APT plays past, you realized that you were seeing a

unique side of these actors. Suddenly they weren’t just actors but regular people sitting in their homes, experiencing the same pandemic and working hard to continue doing what they love. For the residents of this area, the APT actors who live locally may just simply be your neighbor, someone you see at Hometown buying a gallon of milk, but

to the thousands of outside fans, these are the people who transport them away from reality, the infamous APT actors. This reading provided such a unique opportunity to break that fourth wall and get an up close and personal view of the actual, real people they are familiar with, not the people they portray. I think it’s exactly what we needed right now.

sports/Schools

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School board hears 82% of grade 2 students reading below grade level continued from page 1 trator] Sue Quale when she was there, Sara [Young] on the board and [District Administrator] Mr. [Loren] Glasbrenner. But I do feel like we kind of dropped the ball when COVID hit as far as moving forward and talking more about the issues related to bias, race, things like that. ...I feel like we need to take some action. I think it’s been long enough.” Lee continued that she was surprised that the district hadn’t issued a public anti-racist and inclusion statement, saying she noticed many other districts had included such statements recently. She expressed her concern that experiences of racism have a traumatic effect on kids. “I feel like whether depending how you or anyone else sees these issues as major or minor or inconsequential, they have effects on the kids, they’re traumatic experiences. The kids seem, you know, they seem fine, they handle it, but it still has an effect. It’s a lasting effect. And I don’t feel like they should have to experience that kind of emotional insults.” Lee went on to make several requests for the school board to take action on: • a strong statement by the River Valley School District rejecting racism, in the form of a mission statement, or an equality and inclusion statement. • training on diversity and inclusion, and personal bias education for teachers, staff, students and parents. • the development of a rapid response protocol for situations that occur that are racially charged. • forming a committee to develop and oversee the implementation of district wide equality and understanding. “I feel we need the school board on board to get going and get action taken in this way,” said Lee. “...I think that by not saying anything, you’re, you know, it makes us complicit in allowing it to continue.” Lee said kids need to know how to stand up, expressing thanks that in the situations her kids were in, their friends stood up for them. “I think that, again, we need to send a clear message, that racism and other discrimination is not going to be tolerated here. If we don’t say anything, we’re basically not saying that it’s not tolerated and ought to do something before there’s a more severe incident, a more violent incident, a more embarrassing incident, or a scandal, because that’s happened around us in different school districts,” said Lee. “So we’re, you know, we’re in the situation that we can get ahead of that now, and do something now.” School Board member Sara Young requested to be recognized in public comment for a chance to respond to Lee’s remarks, echoing Lee’s words and sharing she is confident the school board can find ways to be inclusive and tackle this issue.

“I just want to echo what Susan said, and thank her for speaking. I talked about this, I believe it was last July, after the murder of George Floyd. And said, right at that point, we were trying to figure out how to have school in the middle of a pandemic, and we’re trying to figure out Loren was just starting. And so I remember saying at that time, ‘we can’t, I’m not saying we should tackle this now, but, but it’s going to come up.’ And here we are. So I do think it’s time to do it. It’s never going to be a good time, as Susan pointed out, but it’s up to us to make sure that all students feel welcome, and that equity gets addressed in our school district,” said Young. “I will nod to the fact that this [working on equity and inclusion] is scary and uncomfortable, that there are going to be people that do not agree that we should be spending time or resources on this. ...I understand that it’s, it’s easy for people to feel defensive and to feel like they’ve done something wrong.” “We can handle that. And we can talk about this in a way, talk about equity and talking about students feel[ing] welcome and address those issues all at the same time. And, you know, include everybody in our process,” said Young. Young said she has expressed to School Board President Kathy Jennings and District Administrator Loren Glasbrenner that she would like to be a part of finding a solution to the difficulty the district faces with this topic, and said she looks forward to getting started. Jennings took a moment to respond to Lee’s comments, offering an apology for failure from herself and the district to address this issue, and promising a timely solution. “I’m sorry that this happened to you and your family and the other families in the district. ...Loren and I have been talking about how to proceed with this. And I think we’ll see some action in this next month,” said Jennings. “The pandemic is not an excuse. I didn’t move forward. But that’s really been huge on our plate recently. But now we have a chance to address this. And I think this is a good time to move forward.” Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program The board heard from Elementary Principal Carla Peterson and took up an end of semester review of reports for the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) program. Peterson said the funding is generally used to help keep class sizes low. The reports outlined measured baseline performance levels across several core subjects. Of particular note when reviewing the reports, River Valley Elementary Grade 2 Reading showed that only 18% of students were at grade level during the fall testing period. River Valley Elementary Grade 2 Math marked another low, with 36% of students at grade level during the fall testing period. Other subjects and elementary grade

levels were a mixed bag ranging from between 41-75% assessed to be at grade level. “Overall, our baseline assessments from the fall were deﬁnitely lower than they have been in previous years. But when we miss three months of in-person school, that was to be expected,” Peterson said.

Vaccination of teachers

In his administration school district operations report, Glasbrenner advised the board that teaching staff are part of the 1B phase of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, with teaching staff becoming eligible Mar. 1. Glasbrenner stated that, under the guidance of the Department of Public Instruction, the district human resources department was working to identify the staff that will fit into certain categories to prioritize vaccinations. The district has already reached out to local hospitals, pharmacies and clinics to coordinate vaccinating and anticipates staggering vaccinations, but there is no specific plan in place yet.

Spring sports and athletic complex redevelopment

Glasbrenner also informed the board he has been working with Activities Director Jaimie Hegland on spring sports and that they will be allowed to start, but will be late, starting on April 19. The board heard from District Business Manager Brian Krey and School Forest/Buildings and Grounds Committee Mark Strozinsky regarding a preliminary cost estimate by Rettler Corporation for an Athletics Redevelopment Plan that would affect the current football field complex, redoing the entire field to include football and soccer. Krey shared that he still had “sticker shock” from first seeing the numbers, “It’s a lot of money. One segment would be the track. If we just re-did the asphalt and the rubber, their preliminary cost estimate was about $470,000. And we had been talking about it being about $400,000-ish based on previous estimates.” To pursue the entire redevelopment was estimated at $1,239,000, according to the preliminary cost estimate. “We will have to have a serious discussion to determine the scope of this project and how we’re going to fund it,” Strozinsky stated, reminding everyone that the next School Forest/Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting will be March 15. Krey assured the board that the project could go out for bids to see if a lower cost could be found. The board moved forward with soliciting bids. “So we can come back and say, ‘You know what, not the right time.’ We got to live within our means, we’re not doing anything,” said Krey. “Or maybe we just do the track?”

2021-22 Budget Forecast/Projection

Krey also updated the board on the district’s 2021-22 Budget Forecast/ Projection, projecting a surplus around $311,000 for 2021-2022.

“There’s pretty much a stable surplus we’re gonna have in fiscal year ‘22. But in ‘23, and beyond, you can see what our annual deficits will be,” said Krey projecting scenarios where the budget deficits climb to $3.5 million, $4.5 million and $5 million, over the next three years. “We’re still waiting on the biennial budget, which will greatly dictate our revenues for the fiscal year of 2022 and 2023.”

High school science position

The board also filled the high school science teacher position left vacant by the departure of Mike Hill. The position was approved to be filled for one semester only by John Cler. “Longtime science teacher, former high school principal and Richland Center, taught in Ithaca then actually, I think kind of in postretirement and he was willing and able to come back for this semester,” said Krey. “So we feel fortunate to have John on board.” The district will seek to fill the position permanently for the next school year.

Summer school pay

The board also took action to raise the pay for teachers of academic summer school classes in 2021 to $30 per hour, from $22 an hour. “Obviously teachers have worked really hard this year. And we’re really impressed with that with what they’ve done,” said Glasbrenner. “But there may need to be some added incentive to get them to be here during the summer as well.”

Other items

The board also reviewed round two of River Valley School District Endowment Fund grants awarded to teachers during the “COVID-19 Relief Matching Grant” Initiative. The board also took the following action on Policy Committee recommendations: • They approved various policy changes for a second reading including policies that shorten the required direct exposure COVID-19 quarantine for students and staff from 14 days to 10, streamline the process to remove Internet filters on district electronic equipment, clean up facilities maintenance language, outline new ‘Building and Grounds Inspection Procedures’. • Discussed and recommended to the board for a first reading policies that accomplished goal setting through a multi-year strategic plan, strengthened staff involvement in board decision making, and clarified student activity fund management and disposition. A video recording of the Feb. 11 school board meeting is available at: www. youtube.com/watch?v=BMkcXCln2JQ. Board meetings are streamed live and can be viewed on the ‘River Valley School District’ YouTube channel.

RV Agriculture educator, FFA advisor elected vice president oﬀ NAAE National Association of Agricultural Educators

Shari Graﬀunder, agriculture teacher at River Valley High School, in Spring Green, Wisconsin, has been elected the Region III Vice President of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) at the 2020 NAAE Virtual Convention after her service as NAAE Region III Secretary. Graﬀunder is in her 25th year of teaching. During her tenure she has been a leader in agricultural education on many levels, including both the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators. As an NAAE member, she served on the National FFA Awards and Recognition Advisory Council for 2015-

2018 and has been a member of the NAAE Policy and Bylaws Committee representing Region III for 2019-2021and was the Policy and Bylaws Committee Secretary in 2020-2021. In 2015, Shari participated in NAAE’s National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy. She served as the WAAE president in 2013-2014, the co-chairperson of the Wisconsin Agriscience Inquiry Institute for 2016, the chairperson of the Wisconsin FFA Center Board of Directors in 2014-2015, and on the Wisconsin FFA Board of Directors for 2015-2019. She has four main teaching objectives: To prepare students to function as high-

ly-skilled and competent citizens, to foster critical thinking skills, to facilitate the acquisition of lifelong learning skills, to assist students as they develop inquiry and problem-solving skills. “The ability to work with amazing individuals, who are passionate about the same interests motivates me to be a leader in the NAAE,” said Shari. “I’ve enjoyed the opportunities of meeting other educators from other states and attending professional development conferences, so I would like to promote these insightful possibilities to other members.” As Region III Vice President, Graﬀunder will assist the current President and Presi-

dent-Elect in setting the tone and direction for agricultural education initiatives in the upcoming year. NAAE is the professional organization in the United States for agricultural educators. It provides its’ more than 8,000 members with professional networking and development opportunities, professional liability coverage, and extensive awards and recognition programs. Its’ mission is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE headquarters are in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Page 10 WednesdaY, feb. 24, 2021

Q&A: River Valley celebrates national FFA week

National FFA week is celebrated this year from Feb. 21 to Feb 27. Valley Sentinel spoke with River Valley High School FFA advisor Shari Graﬀunder about how the RV chapter plans to celebrate. Below are her answers.

VS: Can you tell us about FFA week? Shari Graffunder: National FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, George Washington’s birthday. The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, in recognition of Washington’s legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928. During classes students are engaged in hands-on activities for the week to incorporate the many facets of agriculture in our district. Promotion of the students’ various Supervised Agricultural Experiences and involvement in the Leadership Development Events and Career Development Events are highlighted to exhibit what opportunities are available to members. Traditionally we host a pancake breakfast for the community and use the funds to sponsor FFA scholarships for the graduating class. We acquire goods from local businesses and prepare breakfast foods for the community members who attend. VS: What does FFA week look like at River Valley this year? SG: At River Valley this year for FFA week we have activities such as dress up days, and find the emblem. Find the emblem is a student favorite because if they find one of the many paper FFA emblems around the school they are able to turn it in for a sweet treat. We also hide a cloth emblem and give clues as to where it is, if you find a cloth emblem you are able to turn it in for a big treat or a gift card to a local business. This activity has students searching the halls during breaks and lunch periods for the emblem. VS: How has COVID-19 affect it this year, compared to others? SG: Covid has affected this years FFA week in many ways, one of those ways is

Photo via River Valley School District 2020-2021 FFA officer team led by Mrs. Graffunder our usual assembly where we do some sort of speeches by our officer team as well as fun activities like the basketball game of “horse” between a few teachers vs a few students as well as kiss the cow, where we bring a calf in and students are allowed to guess how old it is, weather its a bull or heifer calf and students can spend time with the calf. VS: In your words, why is FFA important to students? The community? SG: FFA has many opportunities for individuals to participate in. There are three main components to a strong Agricultural Education program - the classroom, SAE, and FFA organization. First the classroom challenges students to learn various con-

cepts related to the agriculture industry. Secondly Supervised Agricultural Experiences have students work with career exploration, conduct experiments, become entrepreneurs, or have a placement occupation. Finally the FFA organization allows students to develop leadership skills and create networking opportunities for their future careers. Encouraging students to participate in various activities allows students to build conﬁdence and take risks with the support of their advisor. I enjoy seeing students plan their goals, put their plans into action, and then exceed their expectations. I have truly been blessed with many amazing leaders over the years and thankful for all the opportunities

the students have been oﬀered year after year. The support of the FFA Alumni and Supporters Organization, the River Valley Administration, and the community has been outstanding over the years which has really impacted and beneﬁted our youth! Heston Amble, an RV FFA member also provided an answer to the importance of FFA, below is his answer. Heston Amble: FFA is a good way for students to get more involved in the community and give back to the community. It helps students get out of their comfort zones with things such as public speaking, large group activities, and one to one discussions. It is also a good way to help students explore their interests.

RV-Barneveld’s Lorisa Shatrawka advancing to the WIAA State Gymnastics meet Todd C. Clark, Director of Communications, Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

The 51st Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Gymnastics State Championships will take place Saturday, Feb. 27. Junior Lorisa Shatrawka of River Valley/Barneveld will compete at Elite Performance Gymnastics in La Crosse, Wis., under Division 2, which will be hosted by Onalaska High School. Both divisions will be conducted in two sessions. The ﬁrst is scheduled to begin at noon with the second session to follow at 5 p.m.

Division 2 notebook

Two former champions are returning to competition this season. Senior Addie Gallun of Whitefish Bay is a previous champion in three individual events and the all-around. She is a three-time champion in the uneven bars in pursuit of becoming just the second gymnast in State history to win four championships on the uneven bars. Gallun is attempting to win her third all around title, which has been accomplished by only two other gymnasts. She is also the defending champion in the vault, and finished sixth last season in the floor exercise after winning gold in the event in 2019. Gallun could also contend for the balance beam crown after finishing runner-up the past two seasons. Shatrawka of River Valley/ Barneveld looks to return to championship form in the balance beam. She qualifies this year after winning the title in record-setting fashion in 2019 and slipping to 18th in the event last year. However, the event should be hotly contested with three of the top six finishers from last year returning for another shot

at the title, including Gallun, and her junior teammate from Whiteﬁsh Bay, Anneh Britz, who placed third last year and fourth in 2019. Senior Autumn Tiede of River Falls is back after placing sixth in 2020. Shatrawka will also be competing in the uneven bars.

Championships format

The top two teams from the four sectionals (eight in all), the first five gymnasts in individual events, and the first five gymnasts in all-around qualify for the State meet in both Division 1 and Division 2. The State championship will be individual competition that will be conducted concurrently with the team tournament rotation in vaulting, uneven parallel bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Only the four individual events count toward the team standings. The all around competition is conducted only as an individual event. Results can be found at: www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Winter/ Gymnastics

Championships streamed live

All events of the State Gymnastics Championships will be streamed live and can be viewed with a subscription to the NFHS Network. To purchase a subscription to the live programming for only $10.99 per month, log-on to www.wiaa. tv or www.nfhsnetwork.com and click on the subscription button in the header of the page. Archived streams of the sessions will be available on demand on www.nfhsnetwork.com 72 hours after the tournament. River Valley-Barneveld gymnastics team is coached by Julie Kuhse (Head Coach), Brianna Bindl and Jessica Gilbert.

Photos by Jackie Johnson-Kruse (via River Valley School District Facebook page) Photos of Lorisa Shatrawka competing in a gymnastics meet.

Outdoors/recreation

WednesdaY, feb. 24, 2021 Page 11

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Contributor

Sturgeon Spearing/The Big Chill

Hello friends, This week I made my annual trek over to Lake Winnebago (Stockbridge on the east side) to camp on the ice and try to spear a sturgeon. As always there is plenty to say so here goes.

Friday, February 12th High 6, Low -15

Deep snow on a frozen body of water and temperatures 113 degrees colder than the blood in my body can be intimidating. This year’s spearing partners would be Kevin Bornemann from Kaukauna, Dean Bornemann from Stockbridge, Hailey Bornemann from Stockbridge, and Bob Javenkoski from Sherwood. Dean is the father of Hailey and I met them when they bought a pup two years ago and now have another one ordered. This fatherdaughter team reminds me 100 percent of the relationship that I have with my daughter, in simple terms, they are very active in the outdoors together. One example would be that this winter they both purchased new snowmobiles with Hailey getting a Ski Doo MXZ and Dean buying the ultimate machine which is a Ski Doo Expedition. So, I hit the ice just after one and it is the day before the season opens and there is work to be done as in two holes cut, one for my shack and one for Dean’s. I will be using my Eskimo “Fat Shack” as my home

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor Hailey Bornemann hoping that a sturgeon swims by!

and spear shack. Our spearing holes which are about the size of a coffin were cut by Scotty Broehm and his very ambitious crew. First, they plow out an area and then with a chainsaw that has like a 40inch bar they cut holes. It was very chilly on the ice and my hole flooded what would become the floor of my shack, so we decided it needed to “freeze up” and we adjourned to the other shack for some quality Pabst Blue Ribbons. An hour before dark we put up my shack and a tarp over it and just like that, I think I was about the only person on Lake Winnebago, twice while in my cot I had trucks come in at very close range and very fast and I had visions of me getting smucked.

Saturday, February 13th High 5, Low -15

I had to clean out my spearing hole this morning as it had a half inch of ice. Then I had to drop an 8-foot piece of steel down 15-feet with the white side up so that if a sturgeon swims by I can see it. This was a horrible experience as I could not get it level as it was not all the way to the bottom. Kevin Bornemann helped me and once went outside the shack and told me that our neighbors just got a sturgeon. Soon after the 7:00 a.m. opener we were sitting comfortably and looking into our coﬃn at a whole bunch of nothing. Later in the morning Hailey came by with her friend Cassie Buelow. These girls were on snowmobiles and both are extremely active in the outdoor world and work at Scheel’s in Appleton together. It was very cool to listen to young gals talk outdoors and see them have a blast on their snow machines. After the 1:00 closing for the day we all got together at my shack for a super cool cookout and were now joined by Amber Kornack of Kaukauna who had brought along her famous Jack Daniels brownies which are very good for any form of pain. We cooked chicken legs, hamburgers, and Kevin made bacon wrapped mule deer steaks and in case you are not aware of this, socialization is a huge part of the spearing tradition. Just before dark the gang left, and I still had a little energy left so I made the intelligent decision to walk 1.6 miles on the ice to the Harbor Bar in an air temp of minus 6. When I walked in the bar I must have looked

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor Hailey Bornemann and Cassie Buelow enjoying a cold winter day on Lake Winnebago.

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor The father/son team of Chuck and Todd Schneider had a great time spearing sturgeon this year!

kind of nutso, because lots of people started talking about me, actually I had a major ice beard. Because I am really cool, I bellied up the bar and ordered an expensive and tasty glass of beer which I spilled within seconds across the bar. The walk back in an air temp of minus ten with a strong north wind was a challenge where you know if you fail, you will be an ice cube. As soon as I got to camp my heater went out as the propane line had frozen solid. I rigged up a new one and all was well. The next morning our neighbors and good friends of the Bornemann’s the

father/son team of Chuck and Todd Schneider of Chilton each speared a sturgeon. In all reality, when I got home my body and brain were toast but holy moly, both still kind of worked.

—Sunset

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Community

Page 12 WednesdaY, feb. 24, 2021

COVID-19 Dashboard 560,564 Positive Cases

+4,232 from 2/16

Wisconsin Summary

2,598,601 Negative Cases

Cases as of 2/23/2021

+27,803 from 2/16

6,317 Deaths +113 from 2/16

On February 8, DHS removed the 7-day percent positive by person and

comparison of percent positive by test and by person visualizations from our website. As the pandemic continues, calculating 7-day percent positive by person becomes a less useful metric than percent positive by test. This is because many Wisconsinites have been tested multiple times for COVID-19. In percent positive by person calculations, people are only counted once – either as a positive or negative case. Over time, the proportion of people with positive test results has increased, causing the 7-day percent positive by person to increase as well. For a more accurate picture of COVID-19 percent positivity in Wisconsin, reference 7-day percent positive by test which counts all positive and negative results by day.

Vaccine Summary Statistics

Up to date as of the numbers provided on 2/23/2021

1,410,300

157,225

Allocated

In Transit

1,058,725

1,208,151

Ordered

Administered

Percent of Wisconsin residents who have received at least one dose Updated: 2/23/2021

Richland County

1,281 Positive Cases +16 from 2/16 8,026 Negative Cases +96 from 2/16 14 Deaths +1 from 2/16

14.0%

815,516

Percent of Wisconsin residents who have completed the vaccine series

Iowa County

1,848 Positive Cases +14 from 2/16 10,659 Negative Cases +96 from 2/16 9 Deaths +0 from 2/16

Sauk County

Updated: 2/23/2021

5,240 Positive Cases +55 from 2/16 34,110 Negative Cases +157 from 2/16 39 Deaths +0 from 2/16

6.3%

366,096

The orange represents the population for whom the vaccine is authorized. The gray indicates the population under 16 years of age whom the vaccines are not authorized.

River Valley School District

Cases per zip code Cases as of 2/23/2021

Total cases since 3/15/2020

Cases as of 2/23/2021

Please note, case numbers reflect the River Valley School District as a geographical area, not as an entity. Graphic by Whitney Back

Data From: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm