Valley Sentinel - 04-20-2023

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Roarin 20s, Rocketman Pizza in Plain announce closure, plans to relocate pizza business

Taylor Scott, Managing Editor

Recently Mike Haight, co-owner of Lone Rock Bistro, Roarin 20s Dining and Social Club and Rocketman Pizza announced that Roarin 20s Dining and Social Club and Rocketman Pizza, both in Plain, would be closing April 22. However, Haight said this may not be the last we see of Rocketman Pizza.

In a statement posted on social media, Haight said that the head chef of Roarin 20s, Dave Moreno, was leaving to pursue a lucrative job offer and that there is no one to replace him.

"We wish him the best and want to thank him for all his hard work and friendship over the last two years," said Haight.

Haight also said they looked into Rocketman Pizza remaining open as is, but the math showed that the one business alone couldn't support that size of facility, but promised they were looking to relocate Rocketman Pizza in the future. For now, Haight says efforts will be on refocuing on Lone Rock Bistro.

Valley Sentinel reviewed Roarin 20s and Rocketman Pizza when they first opened, those reviews can be found on our website.

We asked Haight some questions about his surprise announcement and the future of his businesses:

Valley Sentinel: You said you hope to relocate and reopen Rocket Man in the future, what do you think that looks like?

Mike Haight: The Rocketman Pizza

part of the program in Plain was I would say our greatest success. Rich who managed it and is responsible for all the high quality products the pizza side put out did an amazing job. Both of our opinions are that it's too good to just let it die. It was never the problem in Plain...the Rocket was just tied to the rail of the Titanic that was Roarin 20s. We are actively looking for a new spot to house Rocketman as a solo business with lower overhead.

VS: Do you believe there will be a similar opportunity to bring back Roarin 20s in the future?

MH: I'm sure there will be talk of that and possibly opportunities to do so but there is no way I will be doing that mission again. To me even though it was a beautiful project at times the challenges of staffing, food costs and seasonal fluctuations in business was for sure too much for these small communities in my opinion to have something that complex. That being said we are leaving it more or less intact and I expect there will be someone that will follow us into that space. We created something I consider very attractive visually and my hope is it gets utilized with greater success that we were able to achieve.

VS: You said the reason for the closure was mostly based on losing your star chef - what, if anything, would you do differently if you could do it all over

continued on page 9

Spring Green Musician in Residency program unveils this year's artist

Roarin 20s and Rocketman Pizza to close in Plain Spring Green Musician in Residence announced

Richland County Column: Referendum and UW-Richland

Photo contributed by Mike Haight Owner Mike Haight, center, sits with Rocketman Chef Rich Peterson, on left, and Roarin 20s Chef Dave Moreno, on right at Roarin 20s in Plain. Roarin 20s and Rocketman Pizza had both won several awards in last year's Best of the River Valley reader poll.

The Spring Green Musician In Residence Board has selected Indianabased singer-songwriter Joshua Powell

as the 2023 Spring Green Musician in Residence. Joshua Powell crafts his self-described

"astral rock" music based on roots in the Midwest and Florida swamplands, informed by the culture and people he

has grown up with. Joshua and the band continued on page 9

Fiscal

Facts: Assessing Two Tax Proposals and the Possibility of Compromise

While starkly different in most details, competing plans to overhaul Wisconsin’s income tax code offered by Gov. Tony Evers and State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu share one common thread: they would sharply change how the state taxes its highest earners.

The dueling proposals also reflect different philosophies about how to bolster Wisconsin’s competitiveness with other states in measures of economic strength and quality of life. Wisconsin was the first state to successfully implement an income tax, and it remains a larger part of our state’s revenue mix – and tax burden – than many other states. Lawmakers and Evers already cut income taxes by about $1 billion a year in the current state budget. With Wisconsin facing its largest surplus on record, it’s likely the upcoming 2023-25 state budget will bring more tax changes.

LeMahieu’s proposal would establish a single “flat” income tax rate of 3.25%

and would lower income taxes for all filers who owe them. This approach delivers the greatest benefits to the highest earners. According to a Forum analysis based on projections from the state Department of Revenue and nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, once phased in by tax year 2026, those with state adjusted gross income (AGI) of more than $1 million would receive an average tax cut of $107,876.

Evers’ proposal would target low and middle-income earners with new tax credits or increases in existing credits while raising taxes on manufacturing profits and capital gains that mostly affect upper-income earners. Those changes would produce an average tax increase of $39,586 per taxpayer for Wisconsinites with AGI of $1 million or more. Meanwhile, it would lower taxes, on average, for those with annual AGI up to $200,000.

The LeMahieu plan would have a more substantial effect on state tax collections. It would decrease individual

income tax collections by a projected $2.11 billion in fiscal 2024, growing to $5.06 billion in 2027 and subsequent years. The Evers plan would increase state tax revenues by $257.3 million over the next two years, but would also increase expenditures through refundable tax credit payments to filers by more than $300 million, resulting in a net cost to the state.

Some advocate for lowering Wisconsin's top marginal tax rate of 7.65% to enhance its ability to attract and retain high earning residents. Marginal tax rates alone provide only a crude sense of how tax systems affect taxpayers of varying income levels, but more sophisticated analyses also show Wisconsin has higher than average effective rates on the highest earners.

Others note that other taxes collected by state and local governments, on sales and property, are more regressive and that an income tax makes taxation more fair based on one’s ability to pay.

Since Wisconsin relies on the income

WisPolitics — MU law pollster Franklin says this state Supreme Court race will be copied

By WisPolitics.com

In the wake of liberal Janet Protasiewicz's double-digit percentage win over conservative Daniel Kelly comes a variety of predictions: Wisconsin will turn blue in a big way; Republicans won't win statewide until they solve the abortion issue; and high-stakes judicial elections will be changed forever.

Of all those predictions, the safest seems to be that the 2023 liberal court victory will set a template to be repeated in judicial races in Wisconsin and beyond. Count Marquette University Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin as one who believes the tactics from April 4 will be copied.

“Nothing succeeds like success,” Franklin quipped at a recent WisPolitics. com luncheon in Madison. Franklin at the WisPolitics.com luncheon argued high-profile issues like abortion rights and legislative maps -plus Protasiewicz’s willingness to bluntly discuss her views -- helped her win a 10-year term on the high court and flip philosophical control of the court. The challenge for future candidates will be deciding how far to go on signaling where they will stand on issues that may come before the

On the cover

“Walkout” (2023) Photo, by Ashton Scott

River Valley High School students in Spring Green staged a walkout at the school April 5 to protest gun violence.

"River Valley will not be another school district ravaged by gun violence. We will not continue to stand by as innocent people, especially children, attending school as they are supposed to, are being slaughtered while members of our government and groups like the NRA claim their deaths as necessary casualties for some 'second amendment freedom'," stated Silas Eacret, a junior at River Valley High School.

The students said the walkout was part of a larger Students Demand Action movement, with more information at studentsdemandaction.org.

Submit your artwork or photography for cover consideration: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

court.

“There is this line about predefining cases, and where is the boundary between how you talk about issues and what that means for prejudicing cases that will come before you,” he said. “And that’ll be a lively topic, I predict.”

He also said the issue has raised the question of how voters can pick between candidates.

“You might debate whether we should elect judges at all, but if we’re going to, how do we give people information about who or what they’re voting for,” he said. “Well, this time sure took care of that problem.”

Protasiewicz early on focused much of her advertising on Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban.

Franklin argued that helped give her the win. Wisconsin is a perfect example of how the current polarized nature of politics will keep abortion on voters’ minds regardless of party affiliation, he added.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, is backing a bill that would create exceptions to the ban for rape and incest survivors. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has said he won’t approve anything less than a return to the federal protections under Roe v. Wade, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said he won’t take up the bill at all.

“You don’t have to be as divided as Wisconsin is to think that’s going to be very hard for states with divided

governments to solve,” Franklin said.

Franklin also said he decided against polling the Supreme Court race because he wasn’t confident any sample of respondents he could gather quickly would provide accurate results.

He said he may have reconsidered the decision had he known the record high-spending race would bring record turnout. He argued he trusts the system his team has established to implement the poll, but he has to have data to back up its results. And telling people Protasiewicz was up by double digits would be a hard sell.

“But if I had a sample of 20 percent out of 800 respondents; 160 respondents” he said. “I cannot walk out on that stage and tell you with sufficient confidence that that’s where we are.”

On another topic, Franklin said Donald Trump’s recent indictment likely won’t change his favorability rating, just like his first impeachment didn’t.

“It didn’t change a damn thing,” he said, referring to how the 2019 impeachment affected favorability ratings in the Marquette Law School poll.

Franklin argued many two-time Trump voters have said they are looking at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as an alternative because they want a candidate who can serve two terms. DeSantis also appeals to Trump voters because he’s not a never-Trumper.

“So DeSantis represents a threat from inside Trump’s house,” he said.

In an appearance on WISN's "UpFront"

tax more than other states, large cuts to its revenue could significantly affect funding for K-12 and higher education, health care, public safety, aid to local governments, and property tax relief.

Currently, Wisconsin’s top income tax rate is second highest among its neighbors and its bottom rate is the lowest. The state’s income tax has become less progressive over the past decade, though for now the state’s system remains more progressive than the average state income tax nationally. The two plans would determine whether the state accelerated that trend or reversed course.

This information is a service of the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the state’s leading resource for nonpartisan state and local government research and civic education. Learn more at wispolicyforum.org.

program, Franklin also commented on Dem U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin's expected reelection bid. She is up for reelection next year to a six-year term.

“What we saw Tammy Baldwin do in her previous race was make similar kind of inroads, winning in the BOW (Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago) counties, winning in the west, taking some of those more rural central and northern Wisconsin counties,” he said. “Open question is can she do that again?”

In the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, Franklin points to Kelly losing the BOW counties and underperforming in Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties in southeastern Wisconsin.

“The Republican or conservative margins in those counties have been going down steadily by a few points each election,” Franklin said. “But it’s not unique to one race or one personality. We’ve seen it in the governor’s races since 2010, the Senate races since 2010, the Supreme Court races and presidential races.”

For more, go to www.wispolitics.com

The Capitol Report is written by the editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics.

Richland County Column — Referendum committee takeaways, UW-Richland updates

Here is my latest update on the Richland County Board of Supervisors.

Referendum Committee Concludes Its Work

Early in January, the Ad Hoc Referendum Committee concluded its work. The final recommendation of the committee was against placing a referendum question on the April ballot. The question would have given voters the option to increase the property tax to avoid certain budget cuts. The budget cuts were necessary to solve the County’s unbalanced budget projections for 2023 – 2027, which were primarily caused by the need to keep up with rising costs, such as employee wages and health insurance premiums.

The committee met 11 times over the last half of 2022, and worked with members of the public, staff, and County Board members to come up with a solution, which was summarized in a 65-page

report. I learned many things along the way and want to share some of the highlights with you.

like

public safety, highways, and parks.

Over the last 20 years, the County has accumulated a loss of $9.8 million because the State has not kept up with rising costs through “shared revenue.”

Shared revenue started over a century ago when the State started taxing income in exchange for counties not taxing as many personal property items. It worked fairly well until about 20 years ago, when the State stopped giving inflationary increases. In the early 2000’s, Richland County received about $1.4 million in shared revenue each year, while our property tax was about $5 million. Today we still receive about $1.2 million in shared revenue, but our property tax has doubled to about $10 million.

The State Has Been Denying Increases in Shared Revenue

It’s been challenging to read headlines about the State’s surplus while Richland County struggles to provide basic services

Since our state legislature has been telling us this is a “formula” problem, whereby rural areas are getting the short end of the

continued on page 4

Shaun Murphy-Lopez, Richland County Board Supervisor

Shaun Murphy-Lopez

Meeting Our Needs — Part 6:

“Meeting Our Needs” is a series that acknowledges the organizations and individuals who work to make our communities better, stronger, healthier and more inclusive. We know we face challenges and divisions among us, but we miss and underestimate the essential goodness of rural Wisconsinites when we fail to celebrate those who are lifting us up in so many ways. Let us hear your stories, contact bpestel@msn.com to be included in this series.

A Reality Check

Martin-Thomas Award for Excellence in the Field of Human Services by the Wisconsin Correctional Association for her advocacy work with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.” Bev was a beautiful example of someone who touched countless lives and understood the importance of “meeting our needs.”

I took up a lot of space in this paper through the spring and summer of 2022 describing “Our Social Dilemma.” It was a story of doom and gloom that foreshadowed the potential of a future full of social division and turmoil if we can’t find a way to navigate beyond it. In this new series, however, it occurs to me that I might sound like Polyanna. That thought conjures up visions of Gollum and Smeagol (same creature) toggling back and forth and arguing with one another whether to love or to kill Frodo.

(Sorry if you’re not a Tolkien fan.)

in the bigger picture, that is not who we are. Enter Polyanna.

First, it is impossible to start this column without honoring a great public servant who was lost to us this March. Bev Burns was a long-term resident of Richland County who will be greatly missed. “The depth and breadth of Bev’s compassionate heart, gracious acts, and patient listening cannot be put into words. She touched so many lives through her work and ministry as a court and community coordinator, a victims advocate with Passages, and a lay minister at her church of 55 yrs. In 2016 Bev was awarded the Dr. Juliette

We need to celebrate the good-hearted and those with a devotion to service, but the other side of the story needed to be acknowledged as well. The series “Our Social Dilemma” sought to recognize and name the divisive elements that create conflict and work to demean and vilify others. Naming these groups and being able to recognize their character and motives could be a critical piece in allowing us to suppress their ability to tear us apart and destroy our communities. The premise for that series was that you can’t fix a problem you can’t name and don’t understand. As James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed unless it is faced.” But we dare not stay focused just on the problems, because even though divisive folks are among us,

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Dear Editor, I was recently told that I am too strident in my letters to the editor…. I should be kinder to our hard- working legislators. Hard-working?? They get huge paychecks, and work less than half time. When they do work, it’s not for their constituents! They work for themselves, their donors, and their party. Voters don’t matter….they know, because of gerrymandered maps, that they will be reelected.

Recently we received word from our press that costs for materials have risen over 19% in the past few months and that our printing cost will go up accordingly.

Too strident?? We should be screaming at the top of our lungs to our legislators. They send thoughts and prayers

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to gun victims, but do nothing to help prevent massacres.

They say they support education, yet pay 60% of private school children’s costs, much more than public schoolchildren’s cost. They say they give a lot of money to education, yet we are not back to pre-Act 10 levels. They say welfare recipients should have to work, yet if a woman wants to work, and has children, they do nothing to make childcare affordable.

publication with an accessible, hybrid model that allows anyone that wants to read local news to have access to it. We do not believe financial ability should be a barrier to reading local news. We may be a free paper, but unfortunately it’s not free to print papers.

Unfortunately, many of those who do good don’t see themselves as anything special. But every act of kindness, of a giving spirit, of service given to the general welfare, deserves to be acknowledged. Sharing these stories lifts us up and provides a reminder of all the good folks in our communities. There are friends, neighbors, strangers around us on every side who will do what we saw represented in the Buffalo snow storm this winter. A family taking in a bus full of South Korean tourists whose bus was stranded in the snowstorm. A woman pulling a freezing elderly man out of the snow and caring for him for hours while waiting for transport to the hospital. Teams of folks on snowmobiles rescuing people from their cars and delivering hot meals to those who had run out of food. And oh, “4PeteSake” let’s “WalkWithGrace” and not forget all the food pantries in our area, even in the small Village of Arena, all operated by our good local folks.

This is our reality; this is who we are. The acts of compassion, kindness, and a giving spirit cross all boundaries can drown out the negative that tends to wear us down – if we let it.

OK, I admit it, my Facebook feed is filled with kitten videos, some cute as all get out, others heartbreaking in seeing how some humans have treated these creatures. But stories of rescued animals and the incredible work done by humane societies and animal shelters always leave me with optimism about our species. I also occasionally see GoFundMe pleas, and they never seem to go unanswered. Those are individual acts of kindness carried out spontaneously by

good people. But that is only part of the story. Local, national and international charities do good across the globe on a daily basis.

Smaller charities and many nonprofit groups do good within our local communities. As of 2019 there were over 90 charitable organizations operating in Richland County. Groups form on a temporary or long-term basis to fill needs that come and go and many of the people involved join group after group as needs arise. I deliver papers to the Community Center and see the Meals on Wheels folks loading up to deliver nutritious meals even on snowy days, headed out on slippery roads. But many of these folks are hesitant to talk about what they do, they often don’t see themselves or their group as anything special. They are wrong.

So, I continue to ask. Share your stories, we need to hear them. Let us hear your stories and reach out to the others whose stories we need to hear, the stories of those folks whose culture tells them not to “toot their own horn.” We can drown out the background noise of bitterness and division with our stories of community. Share your “kitten videos” with us – they are a necessary part of meeting our needs.

How many other ways to meet our needs may have escaped our notice and deserve our support? Let me know at bpestel@msn.com.

Beverly is a retired professor. She lives in a remodeled farmhouse and tends 40 acres of woodland in Richland County. When not in the woods she spends her time reading, writing and enjoying the beauty of the Driftless Area.

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trol? Some Republican lawmakers in both houses think legalizing concealed carry in schools is a form of gun control. If this come up for a vote, will you also allow concealed carry into the legislature when it is meeting? If not, why not?

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How are you supporting public education and supporting the UW-Richland campus -which is in your districts?

Would you support a binding referendum statewide for fair non-gerrymandered maps?

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So I will, non-stridently, ask publicly…. Sen. Marklein and Rep. Novak and Rep. Kurtz…. What do you offer for gun con-

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Richland County Column — Referendum committee takeaways, UW-Richland updates

continued from page 2

stick, I dug through state budgets since 2000 to see if they had ever increased the total shared revenue pot. They had never done that. Additionally, according to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the “formula” doesn’t even exist anymore. My conclusion is that the State is denying increases in shared revenue, while the people (whether they are rural, urban, or suburban) are left with no choice but to adjust to this new financial reality.

Our Health & Human Services Department has More Employees than Similarly-Populated Counties

Part of our research included contacting peer counties to find out how many staff were in each county’s respective departments. We found that most departments were similar to our peers, with one exception: Health & Human Services (HHS). Our HHS department provides valuable services, like mental health therapy, senior benefit counseling, and child and adult protection.

However, since has higher HHS staffing levels, part of the budget solution was to reduce staffing in this department.

Pine Valley Community Village Will Increase Its Profits

Several years ago, when planning occurred for our new county-owned nursing home, a consultant laid out financial projections that Pine Valley Community Village would be able to cover 50% of its mortgage payments with profits. Those projections have not materialized to-date, and instead profits make up approximately 33% of mortgage payments.

Staff at Pine Valley came up with a solution to increase profits by over $400,000 annually. Our nursing home has had difficulty hiring enough employees to

provide adequate care for our seniors and other residents. The solution is to pursue hiring some overseas workers to augment local staff. Under the program, replacement of current staff is not allowed and hiring a foreign worker cannot adversely affect the wages of similarly employed workers . According to Pine Valley Administrator Tom Rislow, these workers would also be background checked and “known for excellent skills, dedication, honesty, hard work, and able to communicate in English.”

As a result, Pine Valley projects they can reach their 50% profit goal by 2027.

Property Taxes are Projected to Increase

To protect current service levels in the areas of the Sheriff, Register in Probate, Symons Recreation, Family Court, Treatment Court, Emergency Management, Mental Health Therapy, Coroner, UW Extension, Veterans, and Nutrition Program, the committee recommended shifting certain operating expenses in the Highway, Health & Human Services, and Administration Departments to “short-term borrowing.”

Short-term borrowing allows Richland County to borrow for certain capital and other high priority expenses for a 5-month period, and then pay the entire principal amount back at the end of the period. The result is an average annual property tax increase of 4% that keeps the County in compliance with tax restrictions by the State. These are projections only, and may or may not materialize depending upon the State’s impending decision on shared revenue increases for local government. This increase would also only apply to the county portion of your property tax bill, not the school, town, or technical college portions.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about the County’s solutions to balance the budget over the

CHRIS HARDIE'S 'BACK HOME' COLUMN

Late season snow memories

Late season snow storms always take me back to March 24, 1979 in the tiny town of Franklin in Jackson County. My feet were wet, and I was beginning to shiver as the three of us stood at the dark back door of my grandparent’s Keith and Cecile Hardie's house.

I had tagged along with my older brother Kevin and his friend Jim on a Friday night expedition to the Golden Palace bowling alley and theater in Holmen. The forecast called for rain turning to snow, but we paid little heed. We were young. It was Friday night, and we had things to do. The high on March 23 was 51 degrees and it was raining. They said it would turn to snow. By the time we got out of the late movie, the rain had indeed turned to snow — heavy, thick wet stuff. There were 6 to 8 inches on the road. It was still falling and we were about 35 miles from home. Somehow we managed to chug along in our big rear-wheel drive car until we were about two miles from home. It was the unlikeliest location — a straightaway

– but the tires hit a patch of ice and we slid into the ditch. It was about 1 a.m. Our tire tracks were the only ones visible on the lonely country highway.

The closest telephone was about a halfmile away at my grandparents’ house, so we trudged through the snow — clad only in windbreakers with no caps or mittens — to their door.

We pounded and pounded. Finally a light came on. Grandpa came to the door and let us in.

Grandma emerged from the bedroom wearing a bathrobe and deep scowl. As we stomped the snow from our shoes, she scolded us with her Norwegian lilt: “What kind of idiots would be out on a night like this? Anyone with common sense would have been home in bed hours ago. You better call your parents because I’m sure they’re worried sick about you boys.”

We never thought about calling the folks. No cell phones then, of course.

As we hung our heads in shame, there was another knock on the door. In walked my parents, who had also gotten stuck on the road on the way home.

“Grandma, there’s the answer to your idiot's question,” Kevin said, and the scowl on her brow lifted as she began to chuckle.

“Bobby,” she said to my dad. “I just called these boys idiots for being out on the road in the middle of a blizzard. Now I see where they got it from.”

We all laughed, the snow melting into tiny puddles on the floor. Suddenly there was another knock on the door. In walked another neighbor who had driven off the road.

“Well, as long as we’re all here I might as well make some coffee,” Grandma

next five years, and don’t forget to review the Referendum Committee report if you’d like to go beyond my highlights.

UW-Richland Campus Update

Most of you are probably already aware that UW System President Jay Rothman decided in November to end in-person instruction on the UW-Richland campus as of June 30th. This decision has set in motion a large community discussion about the value of higher education in a rural place like ours.

Like 13 other counties around the state, Richland County owns and maintains the buildings and leases those to UW System. UW System in turn provides instructors and supplies to operate a 2-year freshman and sophomore college education at a reduced tuition rate ($5,000/year instead of $7,000 - $11,000/year at other 4-year UW universities). The 75-year lease runs from 1967 to 2042.

Over the past five years since UWPlatteville was allowed to take over UWRichland, they have taken away popular local programs like dual high school

enrollment, international students, continuing education, recruitment in local high schools, local financial aid assistance, and local enrollment. This dismantling of UW-Richland has accelerated the decline in student enrollment.

There is currently a Save Our UWRichland Campus movement with which I have been involved. In the event UW System sticks with its decision, Richland County taxpayers may be left to foot the bill for disposal of the campus, which includes a gymnasium, cafeteria, theater, library, classrooms, and the recently refurbished Science Hall. I am concerned about the economic impact of this decision for students, businesses, and taxpayers of Richland County, and will keep you posted on the ultimate resolution.

Shaun Murphy-Lopez is the Richland County Board Supervisor for District 2 and Vice Chair of the County Board, as well as serving in leadership roles on multiple committees. He can be reached at shaun.murphy@co.richland.wi.us or 608462-3715.

said to her impromptu house guests. She put the pot on and prepared the social lubricant that was the mainstay in her house.

We drank a few cups, laughed some more and shared our storm stories until the neighbor’s son came with a tractor to remove the cars from the ditch.

Weather records for March 24 for nearby Blair say that 1.71 inches of precipitation and 6.9 inches of snow fell that day. It was the last snow Grandma would see. Spring snows don’t last long. A few months later she became ill. By fall she was gone.

To this day I think it was more than

just slippery roads that steered us to Grandma’s house that night.

Because 44 years later, whenever the late season snow falls, I think of Grandma and my father and smile. They’re probably smiling too, no doubt with a cup of coffee nearby.

Chris Hardie spent more than 30 years as a reporter, editor and publisher. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and won dozens of state and national journalism awards. He is a former president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Contact him at chardie1963@gmail.com.

Chris Hardie, Columnist

Chris Hardie

Photo contributed by Chris Hardie Cecile Hardie always had a pot of coffee going on the stove.

Legislation seeks attorneys’ fees for going after government agencies that block records requests

A bill in the state Legislature would raise the stakes for government agencies that stall requests made under Wisconsin’s open records law.

The legislation would roll back a 2022 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling relating to attorneys’ fees when someone making a records request is denied, or simply ignored, by the government entity holding the records, and files a lawsuit in response.

The state open records law states that a person who hires a lawyer after being denied access to a public record and subsequently “prevails” in obtaining it can be repaid for the attorney’s costs.

The definition of “prevails” shifted, however, in a July ruling by the high court in the case Friends of Frame Park v. City of Waukesha, witnesses said at a recent hearing before the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Elections and Consumer Protection.

“Since the modern public records law was enacted in 1982, requesters were generally deemed to have prevailed if the requested records were either ordered to be released by the court or voluntarily released by the [records] custodian following the filing of the court action, provided the requester

could prove to the court that the action resulted in the release,” said Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville).

But in a 4-3 vote in July, the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of the term, ruling that the agency only has to pay the requester’s attorneys’ fees if a judge orders the records to be released.

Stroebel is the Senate author of SB117, a bill to nullify that ruling and define “prevail” to mean if records are turned over through a court order or voluntarily after the requester sues, “if the court determines that the lawsuit was a substantial factor in causing the release,” Stroebel said.

The legislation has bipartisan support in both chambers of the Legislature.

State Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville), a former newspaper editor and the lead Assembly sponsor of the bill, said the ruling gives governments an incentive to delay turning over records and discourage requesters from going to court and bearing the legal expense themselves.

“A dangerous trend may arise when the government entities may feel compelled to withhold records knowing that the public requester will need to consider whether the cost of litigation is worth the release of records,” Novak said.

“Essentially, you’re setting up a system where municipalities can hold records saying, ‘I don’t have to turn this over. And if they want to take me to court, you know, then we’ll turn it over.’ That’s essentially what we’re opening the door to here.”

Pat Riley, president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and publisher of three weekly newspapers in south central Wisconsin, said the ruling would undercut open government in the state.

“If that is left to stand, this decision would make it financially difficult to legally pursue a contested request by denying the recovery of attorney fees,” he said. “To put it quite simply, we could no longer afford the cost of keeping government accountable when necessary.”

Thomas Kamenick, an attorney who specializes in handling open records cases for a wide range of clients, including the Wisconsin Examiner, said that neither the state Department of Justice nor local district attorneys pursue open records claims, although they have the authority to do so. As a result, access to public records has been “left up to enforcement by the private attorneys, but there are very few of us doing that work,” Kamenick said.

Employmentopportunities

“It’s typically done under a contingency because often these are individuals or small groups, local watchdog groups, who have limited resources, and they’re not seeking particular damages, so they can’t afford to pay the attorneys the money it takes to prosecute one of these cases to its fullest extent.”

Kamenick said lawyers have historically not abused the fee system: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen one where the delay on the request was not egregious that sought attorneys’ fees.”

The legislation is also supported by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, and other groups that have made extensive use of the state’s open records law.

Erik Gunn reports and writes on work and the economy, health policy and related subjects, for the Wisconsin Examiner. He spent 24 years as a freelance writer for Milwaukee Magazine, Isthmus, The Progressive, BNA Inc., and other publications, winning awards for investigative reporting, feature writing, beat coverage, business writing, and commentary.

CLASSIFIEDS

Healthcare Employment Opportunities

*Occupational Therapist – full-time OT position working in Home Health and in the Schools

*Physical Therapy Assistant – part-time to full-time position available

*Speech Therapist – .6 FTE Day shift position

*Clinical Dietitian – .5 FTE Day shift position

*OB RN – .9 FTE evening/night shift position. Employment Bonus Eligible!

*RN Emergency Department – .6 to a .9 FTE p.m./night shift position. Employment Bonus Eligible!

*RN Float Nurse – .75 FTE evening/night shift position! Employment Bonus Eligible!

*RN – .5 FTE p.m. shift position in our Nursing & Rehab Center

*Operating Room Technician – .8 FTE day shift position. $3,000 Employment Bonus eligible!

*Director of Marketing – full-time management position

*Director of Health Information Management – full-time management position

HIRING WE ARE

W e a r e l o o k i n g f o r a n e x p e r i e n c e d t r u c k d r i v e r t o d e l i v e r r e a d y m i x t o v a r i o u s l o c a t i o n s . J o b s t a r t c a n b e o u t o f P l a i n o r M u s c o d a .

SKILLS: P r o v e n w o r k e x p e r i e n c e a s a t r u c k d r i v e r A b i l i t y t o d r i v e l o n g h o u r s a n d t r a v e l r e g u l a r l y E x t e n s i v e k n o w l e d g e o f a p p l i c a b l e t r u c k d r i v i n g r u l e s a n d r e g u l a t i o n s N o r e c e n t m o v i n g o r d r i v i n g v i o l a t i o n s A d a p t a b i l i t y a n d f o r e s i g h t t o h a n d l e u n e x p e c t e d s i t u a t i o n s ( t r a f f i c , w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s e t c ) V a l i d t r u c k d r i v i n g l i c e n s e

TO APPLY:

*Certified Nursing Assistants – part-time positions available in our Nursing & Rehab Center on day, evening and night shifts, $3,000 Employment Bonus included!

*Imaging & Lab Technologist (Clinics) – full-time day shift position working 4 -10 hour day shifts.

*Respiratory Therapist – . 5 to .6 FTE day shift & a .9 FTE evening/night shift

*Med Tech/MLT or CLS – .6 FTE Premium Pay Weekender Day shift position

*Certified Nursing Assistants – .5 FTE day shift & .6 FTE p.m. shift on our Med/Surg unit

*MRI Imaging Technologist – .5 to a 1.0 FTE day shift position. Up to a $5,000 Employment Bonus, prorated based on FTE!

*Imaging Technologist – full-time night shift position. Up to a $5,000 Employment Bonus, prorated based on FTE!

*Patient Access Specialist – .5 to .6 FTE p.m./night shift & a .8 FTE night shift position!

*Clinic CMA or LPN – .8 FTE day shift positions in our Dodgeville Specialty Clinics & our Barneveld/Mt. Horeb Family Practice Clinic.

*Environmental Services Staff – full and part time p.m. and night shift positions. $1,000 Employment Bonus!

To find out more detailed information about all open positions and to apply, go to our website at www.uplandhillshealth.org

Upland Hills Health 800 Compassion Way Dodgeville, WI 53533

Seeking office space

Valley Sentinel is seeking office space in the downtown area of Spring Green. Flexible ideas for the space include a newsroom, co-working space for small businesses and entrepreneurs, local retail/consignment, local art exhibition/ gallery space and (eventually) working collaboratively with area businesses to provide extended hours coffee and potentially grab-and-go food.

Please let us know if you have any vacant or soon-to-be vacant commercial space, know of any space, or have any creative ideas or partnership opportunities. We'd be happy to look at a land contract arrangement to reduce your tax burden. By phone at 608-588-6694 or by email at editor@valleysentinelnews.com.

Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner

COmmunitycalendar

Events for April 20 - May 4

Thursday, April 20

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

Mid-Morning Matinee 11:30 AM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Join us Thursday, April 20th at 11:30 am for a meal followed by the movie matinee of "Trouble with the Curve" on our big screen. Lunch catered by The Roaring 20's Restaurant. RSVP at the library or by calling 608-546-4201 by 4/17 to reserve your seat. **A free-will offering of $2 per person is suggested.

Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome. Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St. Spring Green ninasdepartmentstore.com Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm.

Free Line Dancing Classes 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Keg & Kettle Bar, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock Free beginner line dancing classes!

Bingo at Arthur’s Supper Club 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Arthur’s Supper Club, E4885 US-14, Spring Green arthurssupperclub.com Every Thursday evening we play 7 games of Bingo. Bingo is FREE, we just ask that people order beverages and/or food. We do ask that Bingo goers are at least 18 years of age to play. We have prizes for the winner of each game...some are cash, gift cards, and other fun stuff that is donated from time to time by businesses.

Friday, April 21

LIVE MUSIC: Gin Mill Hollow 7:30 PM- 10:00 PM

Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com

Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door Gin Mill Hollow plays high-energ y roots and Americana music with an emphasis on strong composition and songwriting delivered in a fun and impactful way. Taking influence from genres like bluegrass and funk, Gin Mill Hollow brews an eclectic mix of styles together into a musical concoction that is sure to satisfy the soul and get your feet moving at the same time.

Saturday, April 22

Spring Green Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green Spring Green Farmers Market Is a year-round outdoor market offering seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods and many other wonderful items. Held outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning. Preorders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact into.

Farm and Food Tour 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Various Locations savortherivervalley.org

Five host sites—all businesses with an earth friendly orientation—will offer tours and information about the unique, sustainable ways they process food. Along the way, the tour highlights Savor members who sell and/or serve food, much of it locally sourced. Get behind-the-scenes intel not generally available to the public at these host sites: Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain, Tortilleria Zepeda in Lone Rock, Savanna Institute and BrewHaHa Roasters in Spring Green, and Future Fruit Farm and Meadowlark Organics in Ridgeway. Tour maps available online.

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Bring the whole family to the library for a morning of song, stories, movement, and fun!

LIVE MUSIC: Common Chord 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com Common Chord “From folk to swing and lots in between.” Their music is a blend of originals and unique covers with flavors of folk, blues, swing, country, pop and jazz. You’ll hear lots of harmonies and a few or more of these: guitars, bass, viola, mandolin, cello, keys, clarinet, hammered dulcimer and percussion.

Driving for Beginners 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM S10629 Wilson Creek Rd Spring Green

Look up Miracles on Hoof/ CR Therapy Center on Facebook for more information Are you interested in learning the basics of harnessing a horse and driving commands? Come on out to the farm. We will be harnessing our horses up for this Q&A session.

Dinner and a Comedy Show! 5:30 PM Arthur’s Supper Club, E4885 US-14, Spring Green arthurssupperclub.com Dinner and a Show featuring Comedian Jay Harris! We will serve a buffet style dinner before the show, then you will laugh your socks off with Jay Harris! You must purchase tickets in advance. Available at our hostess station and by calling 608.588.2521. All sales are final, no refunds.

LIVE MUSIC: King Cobra! 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM Traders Bar & Grill, 6147 US Highway 14, Spring Green Look up Robert Corbit on Facebook for more information Come grab a bite to eat and Rawk out with King Cobra!

Sunday, April 23

Winter Yoga 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Yoga, S7163 County Rd. G, Hillpoint ruralremedy.com Contact Emily for pricing at embenzgmail.com This series will help you build a regular movement and mobility practice based in the yoga traditions. Regular mindful movement can reduce your susceptibility to injury, contribute to your longevity, help you find some freedom, and just feels darn good.

Westbrook Hills Men's Golf League Chicken BBQ 10:30 PM - 1:00 PM Plain Municipal Park, Parkview Ave (street between the Swimming pool and KBI office), Plain The meal is $15 which will include 1/2 chicken, baked Potato, baked beans, roll and cookie. Net Proceeds to fund Golf Course.

Psychic Readings with Dianne Walters-Butler 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM North Earth

Crystals & Gifts, 124 W. Jefferson St, Spring Green northearth.com Dianne Walters-Butler is a Psychic Medium of over 30 years. Dianne connects with your loved ones on The Other Side, and is gifted with insight into such issues as relationships, business, addiction, and untimely deaths. $60 per half hour session. Walk-in appointments will be taken as availability allows. Time slots fill up quickly, so please call 608.588.3313 to set up an appointment.

Sunday, April 23 cont.

Bingo at Baron Brook's 1:00 PM Baron Brook’s,122 E Jefferson St, Spring Green, Look up Baron Brook’s on Facebook for more info Free to play, lots of prizes to win!

LIVE MUSIC: Vets on Frets 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com

Vets on Frets is a group that came out of the Guitars for Vets program in Madison, whose motto is “The healing power of music.” We are students and guitar instructors who play popular, folk, rock, and country hits from the 60s and 70s. Most of us served in the military during the Vietnam War (plus one who just protested). We’ve been together for 10 years and love to get everyone in the room to sing along.

LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic “Gentle” Jam 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spring Green Community Center 117 S. Washington St. Spring Green springgreencommunitycenter@gmail.com

Free event This practice style jam is for learners and generous experienced players to make music together. We will practice leading songs, taking breaks, learning riffs, integrating our instruments with others, and generally making music with the expectation of learning and having fun.

Plays Out Loud: Once Upon A Bridge 2:00 PM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Highway 23, Spring Green For more information look up Spring Green Literary Festival on Facebook Join us for the second in a series of four community readings of plays from American Players Theatre's 2023 season. Once Upon A Bridge, by Sonya Kelly, is a story is based on a real life event that happened in London. It is told by three characters through a series of soliloquys written in verse. The play is described as having "much to say about humanity, and fate, and forgiveness."

Musicians Unite to Fill an Empty Table 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM St. Luke’s Church, 1240 Nachreiner Ave, Plain The River Valley Community Chorus along with RV High School students will be performing a concert, Musicians Unite to Fill an Empty Table. The chorus will be performing a lovely Haydn’s Mass with soprano solo, organ and strings along with several other short selections. The RVHS students will be performing solo and ensemble competition pieces. A free-will donation will be requested with all proceeds going to local food pantries.

Monday, April 24

Open Mic 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Join us the fourth Monday of every month for an Open Mic, hosted by Dylan Harris. We’ve got the mics, the plug-ins, the piano - you bring the music! Whether you want to play solo, sing to a back up, or get the band together, this is the place. So come on out and show your stuff, or just support the folks on stage. Either way, we’re making music together! No cover, but tips for our host are always welcome!

Tuesday, April 25

Family Storytime 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Fun stories, songs, and themed activities each week for children and their caregivers. Stories and songs 20-30 minutes followed by craft/activity. Children under 6 must be accompanied.

Movies, Munchies and More: Joe Fahey 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Every Tuesday at 1pm, come to the Library for a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and either a movie or a presentation. This week, enjoy a presentation from Joe Fahey about his recent trip to Egypt.

Wednesday, April 26

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Bring the whole family to the library for a morning of song, stories, movement, and fun!

Book Discussion 2:00 PM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com

Every Fourth Wednesday at 2pm, join us for a cup of coffee and a chat about this month's selection. For April, we will be reading Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan. Synopsis: A too-fast friendship between a repressed queen bee and the ostracized wife of a once-famous rock musician explodes into a community uprising involving a dangerous sinkhole, a trapped child and shocking accusations.

DIY and Crafting for Teens 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Learn to do a new craft each month, or just bring your own and hang out! This program is designed for middle and high school aged teens.

YOGA - Slow Flow Yoga 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM S7163 County Road G, Hill Point 608.250.0966, lark@radiantspiritretreats.com . Cost varies Adults only Slow Flow yoga is a gentle to mid-tempo paced yoga class perfect for both beginners and intermediate yogis. This class will help you reduce stress, increase flexibility, improve posture, relax and rejuvenate.

Thursday, April 27

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome.

Family Movie Night 5:00 PM . Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Children and their families can sit back and enjoy a free family-friendly movie and pizza dinner at the library. We we will be showing the movie Puss in Boots : The Last Wish ! Children under 6 must have adult. PG 92 min

Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St. Spring Green ninasdepartmentstore.com Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm.

Free Line Dancing Classes 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Keg & Kettle Bar, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock Free beginner line dancing classes!

Bingo at Arthur’s Supper Club 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Arthur’s Supper Club, E4885 US-14, Spring Green arthurssupperclub.com Every Thursday evening we play 7 games of Bingo. Bingo is FREE, we just ask that people order beverages and/or food. We do ask that Bingo goers are at least 18 years of age to play. We have prizes for the winner of each game...some are cash, gift cards, and other fun stuff that is donated from time to time by businesses.

The Community Calendar is curated and designed by Julianna Williams. Events are subject to change, always check ahead for up-to-date information on any events you are interested in.

Community

April 27 cont.

Events for April 28 - May 4

Friday, April 28

Lone Rock Village Wide Rummage Sales Various Times and Locations in Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com Lists of sales will be available at the Royal Bank of Lone Rock, Lone Rock Community Library, D & Z's One Stop, and Lone Rock Shell Station. You can also view on the library's website.

Saturday, April 29

Lone Rock Village Wide Rummage Sales Various Times and Locations in Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com Lists of sales will be available at the Royal Bank of Lone Rock, Lone Rock Community Library, D & Z's One Stop, and Lone Rock Shell Station. You can also view on the library's website.

Spring Green Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green Spring Green Farmers Market Is a year-round outdoor market offering seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods and many other wonderful items. Held outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning. Preorders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact into.

Henna Designs with Tayanna 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM North Earth Crystals & Gifts, 124 W. Jefferson St, Spring Green, North Earth Crystals northearth.com Have you ever wanted to have a henna design on your hand? Master artist Tayanna will be here to create a henna design just for you. Most designs $25, however more elaborate designs may be more based on time. Walk-in appointments will be taken as availability allows. Time slots fill up quickly, so please call 608.588.3313 to set up an appointment.

LIVE MUSIC: Chad Moritz 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com Chad will begin with a set of his own compositions and a few of his favorite old-time polkas. He will follow with a second set of some classic country and 60s rock covers from performers like Hank Williams, Roger Miller, Dylan, Kinks, Beatles and more. It’s a solo performance featuring his wonderful old Hohner squeezebox. Chad is the Sultan of Squeeze and he looks forward to a happy gathering of folks that appreciate the melodic sound of an old Hohner in an intimate setting! See you there!

LIVE MUSIC: TAE and the Neighborly 7:30 PM- 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, TAE (writer/singer/guitarist/artist), utilizes the universal language of music as a vessel; with means to inspire social change, encourage exploration of inner dialogue, and to advocate for self love. TAE weaves between the genres and styles to mirror the topics on display, however, many of her original works are in the directions of Soul/ R&B/ Pop-Rock.

Sunday, April 30

Winter Yoga 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Yoga, S7163 County Rd. G, Hillpoint ruralremedy.com Contact Emily for pricing at embenzgmail.com This series will help you build a regular movement and mobility practice based in the yoga traditions. Regular mindful movement can reduce your susceptibility to injury, contribute to your longevity, help you find some freedom, and just feels darn good.

LIVE MUSIC: The Parrishes 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com The Parrishes are Catherine and Ted Parrish, an acoustic duo from Viroqua Wisconsin. They write original songs that cross the bridge between folk and blues, using musical knowledge honed through decades of performing, recording, and teaching. Catherine’s soaring vocals are the focal point of all the songs, with their multi-instrumental skills deployed on whichever instruments each song requires, whether guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, or flute.

Hymn Sing Announcement 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Lone Rock Community Church, 202 Chestnut Street, Lone Rock Contact Susan Turner Thering at 608-588-4362 with questions There has been a long tradition of hymn sings in the River Valley area beginning with those held at the Wyoming Valley Methodist Church in 1979. This year there will be a series of non-denominational hymn sings held at Lone Rock Church. All are welcome.

Slowpoke Paint Night 6:30 PM- 9:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Our very own Erik Marquess will host this night of watercolor painting right here at Slowpoke. He’ll provide all the supplies you need to create your very own framed work of art, including friendly and helpful guidance. Learn how to start from nothing and create something special. And yes, our bartenders are happy to help you find all the dutch courage you need. Tickets $25 and include all the supplies you need to take home your own framed watercolor painting.

Monday, May 1

Trivia Night 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Join us for a night of Trivia! Kyle Adams will host as we put teams together for a contest of trivia. Come for the prizes, stay for the fun! First Question at 7:00 - and it should last about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Family Storytime 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Fun stories, songs, and themed activities each week for children and their caregivers. Stories and songs 20-30 minutes followed by craft/activity. Children under 6 must be accompanied.

Movies, Munchies and More: The Philadelphia Story 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Movie Synopsis: When a rich woman’s ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself (1940, Rating: NR, 1hr 52min).

Wednesday, May 3

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM Children's Area, Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Bring the whole family to the library for a morning of song, stories, movement, and fun!

YOGA - Slow Flow Yoga 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM S7163 County Road G, Hill Point 608.250.0966, lark@radiantspiritretreats.com . Cost varies Adults only Slow Flow yoga is a gentle to mid-tempo paced yoga class perfect for both beginners and intermediate yogis. This class will help you reduce stress, increase flexibility, improve posture, relax and rejuvenate.

Thursday, May 4

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome.

Classics Conquered 6:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com For 2023, we are going to focus on Toni Morrison.

Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St. Spring Green ninasdepartmentstore.com Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm.

Bingo at Arthur’s Supper Club 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Arthur’s Supper Club, E4885 US-14, Spring Green arthurssupperclub.com Every Thursday evening we play 7 games of Bingo. Bingo is FREE, we just ask that people order beverages and/or food. We do ask that Bingo goers are at least 18 years of age to play. We have prizes for the winner of each game...some are cash, gift cards, and other fun stuff that is donated from time to time by businesses.

Community Calendar Sponsorship IS AVAILABLE

Interested? Give us a call at 608-588-6694 or an email at ads @valleysentinelnews.com

WHAT’S HANGINg ? ongoing art exhibitions

River Valley Elementary and Middle School Students at the Spring Green Community Library Open thru April Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green

Monday-Thursday: 10 AM - 7 PM

Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green River Valley fourth graders are exhibiting their art in the Community Room Gallery. Their teacher Megan Quigley reports, “Fourth grade artists at River Valley Elementary have been working hard in art class this year, learning about the principles of design. The student art may be viewed during regular library hours when the Community Room is not in use. Please ask for the key at the circulation desk.

The art of River Valley Middle School students is exhibited in the Glass Case Gallery. Teacher Monica Kmak shares that they have focused on using the Creative Process this year in the Art Studio. Artists work through the stages of Inspiration, Design, Creation and Reflection & Presentation. This past quarter, 6th and 8th grade artists experimented with collagraphs. Each grade level (5-8) engaged in a ceramic unit this year. This exhibit can be viewed at any time during regular library hours.

CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR

This calendar is a place listing (for free) the typical meeting dates for area governmental bodies, and

Please email us with these meetings, or use the form on our Community Calendar page — let's build community together: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

April 22:

Earth Day REUSE Collection 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM St. John the Evangelist parking lot, 129 Daley Street, Spring Green stjohnsspringgreen.com We're collecting gently used furniture, clothing, and household furnishings to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul store in Reedsburg. Everything should be clean and ready to use; clothing also should be clean, free of holes, stains, and in wearable condition. Help the earth by reusing and not discarding. (We cannot accept appliances, computers/printers, tube televisions, mattresses/box springs, car seats/booster seats or encyclopedias).

April 22:

VOLUNTEER: Spring Clean Up at Gov. Dodge 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Gov. Dodge State Park, 4175 State Hwy 23 North, Dodgeville Volunteers should meet at the park office by 9:00 a.m. The Cox Hollow Campground will be the focus of the cleanupbranches, etc. need to be picked up/ raked up. Bring gloves and rakes. There will also be a group of boy scouts and interested others who will be planting trees in different areas around the park. Bring shovels. Volunteers will also be working at the equestrian campground to clear branches and refresh footing for horse pens and under highlines. Bring gloves and rakes. A few shade trees will be planted.

April 29:

VOLUNTEER: Driftless Trail Volunteer Work Day 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Taliesin, 5481 County C, Spring Green www.driftlessconservancy.org Spend all or half of a day constructing a trail to Phoebe Point on the Taliesin property, 1/4 mile west of entrance on Cty C. Ages 16+ are welcome, tools will be provided. See driftlessconservancy.org/events for details and registration. No fee.

May 1:

4H: Clyde Go Getters 6:30 PM Clyde Community Center Interested in 4H? Ages 5-18. Typically meets the 1st Monday of each month. Contact Mia or Jonathan Hillebrand at clydegogetters4hclub@gmail.com.

MEETING: Lone Rock Library Board Meeting 5:30 PM The community is invited to attend all library board meetings. Meetings are the first Monday of each month unless otherwise noted. Agendas for the meetings are placed in the Post Office and two other locations around the community for review by the community.

May 6:

Friends of the Library Book Collection 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Commmunity Room, Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org The Friends of the Spring Green Community Library will accept donations of gently used books for resale on Saturday. Donations of no more than four boxes are preferred. Proceeds from book sales help support library programs and other amenities. Damaged books, encyclopedias, textbooks, and instruction manuals are not accepted, and the Friends reserve the right to limit the quantity of items accepted and/or refuse donations that do not meet library needs.

May 8:

MEETING: Spring Green Library Board Meeting 5:00 PM Commmunity Room, Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org The Library Board of Trustees meets each month, typically on the first or second Tuesday, at 5 PM. Changes to this schedule are posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The meetings are open to the public.

RVACG Board Meeting 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM rvacg.org River Valley Area Community Gardens Agenda to be published.

May 9:

PUBLIC MEETING: WIS 130-133 and Bridge Replacement 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Lone Rock Community Hall, 214 N Broadway Street, Lone Rock Open house, drop in anytime to engage with design-build team and learn about closure. Contact Greg Brecka, 608-245-2671, gregory.brecka@dot.wi.gov.

The Community Calendar is curated and designed by Julianna Williams. Events are subject to change, always check ahead for up-to-date information on any events you are interested in.

Tuesday, May 2

Recently, we announced the soft launch of a semi-regular to regular literary section we've been inspired by other literary compilations to call Lexington & Jefferson

As the pivotal intersection of our community, we envision this as a place that celebrates the cross-section of our greater community. We envision it as a place of curated and submitted prose, poetry and more that showcase the talents of our community.

Introducing Lexington & Jefferson

Each edition we receive submissions of artwork, poetry, prose and other musings that we have trouble placing in the paper on their own and often have to simply hold or regrettably turn down.

We hope this becomes a welcome place for them. This space will grow and change, as all things do, and we welcome talented individuals, organizations, authors, experts and artists to help curate this section - perhaps we'll compile and publish an

Lexington & Jefferson

Musings from the End of the Rainbow

Take a journey with me to the end of the Rainbow.

annual literary journal, who knows.

We may also use this space for arts & culture news and submitted musings that don't quite fit within the bounds of a traditional column, profile or letter to the editor.

Get involved: If you're interested in submitting, curating or have ideas, please don not hesitate at all to submit them to us at: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

LITERARY SECTION

I grew up at the end of Rainbow Road, a beautiful and magical place in a River Valley, just outside of a town called Spring Green. Following are stories and reflections of a simpler time.....

The Duck Egg

When you grow up on a farm, you grow up with a multitude of animals. There are different life lessons and discoveries that accompany each: Compassion, Nurturing, The Law of Nature. You tend to view your world and its surroundings, through a unique kaleidoscope of colors. There was Muggsy, the baby bunny dad found while mowing the lawn. I remember mom would feed him with an eye dropper and we would all gather around for our turn to hold him in our tiny hands.

There were the baby cows that we would let suckle on two fingers, gently placed in their ravenously hungry mouths. Their tongues were covered in what felt like octopus tentacles, as they latched on trying to nurse off our young fingers.

There was Arnold (named after the pig from Green Acres) having been crushed by its mom, couldn’t use its back legs. I was chosen to care for him.

I remember sleeping downstairs, next to the box I placed the day-old piglet in, feeding and comforting him all through the night. We became best friends.

Eventually, like nature tends to do, he made up for his deficiency and believe me when I tell you…… Learned how to walk balanced on his snout and front two legs!

I had my very own piglet that could walk on its “hands”!!

In time, Arnold went back to the pen to be with his real mother, as I was just a surrogate. Like the kids that believe their parents when their dog or cat goes to live happily on an uncle’s “farm”, I believed that my Arnold was frolicking happily with his momma, or rather I convinced myself of such.

There was JoJo, the baby pony, that was discovered one day when we walked around to the pasture behind the barn. Imagine our surprise, we had not even realized the Mare was pregnant! Yes, her name was simply “The Mare”. Our name giving wasn’t overly imaginative.

There was Spook (a black pony), Prince (a regal horse), Blackie (a black dog) Salt (a white cat) and Pepper (her black sister).

We witnessed many a calves being born, numerous litters of kittens, and for a very short time cared for a family of baby skunks. Every spring we would try unsuccessfully, to mother baby birds that had fallen from their nests. There was the baby racoon “Bandit”, that was found on the road, next to its lifeless momma. Dad scooped it up and we became its family until it could survive on its own.

Mine was an idyllic childhood, like the Disney scene of Snow-White, frolicking in the meadow with all the animals fluttering around her. Of all our pets and animals, the most amazing one by far was: The Duck Egg

I was in Junior High, and as it is with many teenagers, parents were more a source of embarrassment than anything else.

My brother found a single duck egg, abandoned in its nest. Why he didn’t toss it at a tree or just leave it in the nest, I’ll never know. Instead, he brought it up to the house and gave it to mom.

In a time before Google, mom simply……. Rolled up her sleeves and stepped up to the task. She placed the egg in a cardboard box, attached a light to shine down on it. A mason jar of warm water was in the corner, wrapped in a moist towel. She constantly was rotating that darn egg.

We watched her with skepticism and curiosity as day after day she tended to an egg that, One: no one knew how long had sat in an abandoned nest, and Two: no one believed would do anything but rot away in that box.

One day, as I was walking by, I was surprised by a faint noise coming from the box.

Upon closer inspection, I saw a crack in the egg. The shell continued to crumble and fall to the side as the little baby duckling, ever so slowly, fought for freedom. At this point, I had seen the birth of about every farm animal imaginable, but as I stood there watching that duckling struggle to escape its shell; My mother became a Superhero to me. The duck was just named……. Duck. It imprinted on us, but even more so on my mother: Following her around both inside and out.

Of all our pets, Duck holds a special place in my memory. He is the one that reminded a teenager of how uniquely special her mother was. Allowing Pride to take the place where Embarrassment once lived.

— Mary Lanita Schulz

Driftless Grace — Caffeine routine

While I’m more than happy to frequent my local coffee shops, I’ve also spent an inordinate amount of time and money creating my own “coffee station.” Call it a relic of COVID, or an adaptation to working from home. Or maybe I just like to stay in some mornings.

All told, these resources have gone into something that takes five minutes (although I can usually nurse one cup of coffee for half an hour). The process also changes according to the seasons and what I feel like drinking; I don’t have a go-to coffee drink at home. On some levels, at least, it seems silly to go through the trouble for something so

inconsequential.

Yet the benefits are many. Having a coffee routine means I know of one thing that will happen every day, which isn’t the case with my work situation. On the darkest winter mornings, it gives me a reason to leave the warm confines of my bed and thereby start the day.

It also pairs perfectly with a book or writing project: read a page, sip, write a sentence, sip. And don’t get me started on the joys of a good coffee mug.

I don’t roast my own beans or scientifically measure out the grounds. Instead, I pride myself on my ability to guess how much to use. I’ve learned a thing or two about coffee from

drinking it my whole adult life (and some of my childhood). I am proud of

well-rounded person and colors my mornings in a way I’d miss if I just went to Starbucks.

There are times when I love having a fancy machine or friendly barista brew the coffee for me. But I also like deliberately making it “by hand” with a pour-over at home. This is true no matter where I live or what I’m up to. It’s how I settle into another day of life in My Place.

this knowledge. It makes me a more

Grace Vosen is a writer and conservation educator living in Spring Green. She blogs about both the human and nonhuman communities of our region at DriftlessGrace.com.

Grace Vosen, Columnist

Grace Vosen

Musician in Residency program unveils this year's artist continued from page 1

have been featured on PBS' Backstage Pass, and their songs have been showcased on ABC, Freeform, AMC and MTV. Joshua is also an adjunct professor of music business at Anderson University.

Joshua will be in Spring Green from September 10th to the 23rd, and multiple public performances will be announced this spring. He will also collaborate with local community members on an artistic endeavor during his time in town . Watch the Musician in Residence Facebook page (facebook.com/sgmusicresidency) for more details.

The Spring Green Musician in Residence program was created to sow more support for the art of musicianship in Wisconsin by providing time and funding that can be dedicated to musical inspiration and creation.

Powell shared the following after the announcement:

I am exhilarated at the prospect of holing up and out of the way in Spring

Green for a fortnight, I just hope that the people of that fine town won't be disturbed by the strange ephemeral smoke lifting out my humble chimney, nor the strange, haunting chants they hear wafting across the fields on the wings of the night--just that they'll leave me to my dark alchemical musings lest the ritual be disturbed and the magic not take!

Just kidding! I visited Spring Green last year to play at the Shitty Barn and was immediately charmed. I wandered down a conversational trail that opened the doors to this residency, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity and excited to dive in. I work really hard in the music biz down around Indy way wearing about five different hats at a record label, a touring group, a music business uni program, and a popup concert promo group, sometimes my art takes second shrift to the pale and looming hand of capitalism. I mean, I'm happy to make a dollar too. But the gift that Spring Green is giving me: a gift of time and space is one that I do not receive lightly.

Maybe you'll spin my tune "Spirit of

the Trailer Park." I like it because my philosophy of art is in the mantra, "the art is to hide the art." That is to say, it may seem simple, and the on-ramp may be low, but hold it up to the light: there are layers to be pulled apart. "Spirit" sounds like a simple little pop melody, but the melody is an ouroboros. It cycles

Roarin 20s, Rocketman Pizza in Plain announce closure, plans to relocate pizza business

continued from page 1

again? What are you most proud of that you did accomplish?

MH: That was the nail in the coffin but not the only reason. Some of the other main factors are the 45% loss in business we felt in the winter months after the holidays passed, the rise in food costs and the limits to what we can charge for those prepared items. Offering steaks, high quality seafood and other low margin items is in my opinion virtually impossible these days. Much respect to any business that is managing to do so. We do it at the Bistro on a much smaller scale but see those items as mostly loss leaders. The percentage of low margin items at Roarin 20s was by far to big a percent of the overall program. The other HUGE problem is staffing and I understand that is in no way unique to us. Besides Maddie (our former bar manager) and myself I was never able to find another person who could handle the complex cocktail program. David was literally the only one we could find who could successfully pull

off the menu and had to do so many nights all by himself because we could not find or retain backup cooking staff. I could go on but there really is little reason to do so. The responsibility for failure to adapt and survive is mine and moving on is what we all must do. On a professional level I'm proud of the space I (with the help of my friends) built, the way my staff courageously fought to do our best while often being understaffed and overstressed, most of the food we put out at Roarin 20s, the amazing drink concoctions we made, and most of all the pizza on the Rocketman side. Personally just having the guts to try.... It might have been a mistake in the end but I'm a risk taker and believe you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

VS: Do you think the closure is a byproduct of too much, too fast for the area and your restaurant consortium? Or did you fill a need that you believe shows you we're not moving fast enough?

MH: There would probably be some truth in both. We did spread ourselves too thin for a program that complex with who we had for crew. I also think

we filled a few needs....at least needs I have as a resident. I hope someone else picks up the ball there and runs with it. There is a beautiful space available for anyone with the guts to try. Many of the costs we incurred will not have to be navigated for the next operators. My advice to them would be to make sure you have all the people needed and the capitol to survive the lean times.

VS: In terms of restaurants and related, what do you think the area is most in need of right now in order to thrive?

MH: More people that want to go out and support especially during the slow times is the easy answer to both things. Also more people that want to work in the places that provide these services to the community and promote the happenings that go on. I look forward to having some freetime and checking out places like Homecoming, The Shitty Barn and the Slowpoke. I'm in full support of safe environments for a dining scene and nightlife to flourish and hopefully it will.

Spring Home Energy Audit

in on itself strophically; plus it's in 5/4, which is usually only a time signature for nerds.

I am genuinely thankful to the community for allowing me to be your guest, and I hope that we can become friends. Shalom, and death to false metal.

Contact Chuck: Charles@driftlessconservancy.org

608-930-3252

Sponsored by Clean, Local Energy Alliance – Now! (CLEA-N) and Green Homeowners United

VS: What does the future hold for your restaurant consortium?

MH: We are going to do a refresh and hopefully expand hours at the Lone Rock Bistro, The No Rules Gallery and Bird of Paradise Tea shop is continuing as it has for years on Albany st in Spring Green, and we are looking for a new home for Rocketman Pizza. I currently have more ideas and opportunities than I have time for. Enjoying the Spring and regrouping is the first task after we wrap up our affairs in Plain.

VS: What changes can we expect at the Lone Rock Bistro as you re-concentrate your efforts there?

MH: I mentioned a few above but we will also be bringing a few staff over and just refocusing on that place being our flagship food offering. i think it will become a more dynamic place now that we will have more staff to help with the effort over there.

VS: How many jobs does the closure affect?

MH: Around 10, some if not all we will be able to place between the Lone Rock Bistro and the new Rocketman assuming we can rehouse it and they are available when we do. The reality is that everyone who worked there has opportunities and it won't be hard to find work for this hard working crew. Hard working people are hard to come by these days and my staff was nothing if not that.

VS: What can the community do to support you and your businesses in this time?

MH: Would be great to see you in Lone Rock at the Bistro and hopefully the new Rocketman in the near future. We met so many amazing locals and visitors in Plain and we hope to carry those relationships forward as we evolve.

VS: Please feel free to add anything else.

MH: Thank you to everyone who supported and continue to support our efforts in the area. I'm sorry for the times we fall short of your expectations. All I can say is we truly did our best. Thank you to all the amazing people who made up the staff of Roarin 20s and Rocketman for everything you did to try and make it work. Love and respect to all who do the work to keep these small communities alive.

Spirit

Reflections from Lost Horizon Farm — Cattle Going Down the Road

Each edition, retired dairy farmer Barb Garvoille brings her musings on dairy farm life from her own years of experience on Lost Horizon Farm with her late husband Vince “Mr. Farmer” Garvoille. This mooving memoir focuses on 19802000, join Barb as she rises with the herd.

A cow was sent to market (''went down the road" or ''was shipped" were the farmer descriptors) after her productive life had waned, usually as a result of age, an injury or sickness, or because of her inability to get pregnant (Farmers would say that cow wasn’t “bred back'," or she was “open too long.”). Every once in a while, there would be a heifer who would not adapt to a stanchion barn or who resisted being handled at milking; these animals were sent down the road too. Despite their very best efforts, farmers will always have animals that become sick or suffer injury. Disease, a hard calving, a slip on the walkway or outdoors, could so debilitate an animal that even after veterinary treatment, it was economic suicide to keep it. At this farm, young animals like newborn bull calves or heifers of breeding age that had not conceived after repeated breeding attempts were also candidates for culling. When a cow delivered twins with one female calf and one male calf, the calves were shipped. As mentioned before, there was a significant probability that the female calf would be a so-called “free-martin,” a heifer lacking part of her reproductive tract and therefore unable to conceive.

Mondays and Thursdays were designated cattle sale days at the local auction barn. The sale barn was about 25 miles from Lost Horizon Farm so the first part of a culled animal's journey to its next destination was a relatively short ride. While some farmers trucked culls themselves, when there were calves to ship or an animal to cull, Mr. Farmer would hire that job out to a livestock hauler whom he called well in advance of the next sale day. The ideal situation would be that the animals would leave the farm and arrive at the auction barn early enough so that the maximum number of buyers would be bidding. Animals leaving this farm had always been fed beforehand, and, in the case of a milk cow, she had also been milked. Buyers at the sale barn were generally other farmers, consignment buyers, or representatives from slaughtering plants. At Lost Horizon Farm, calves were never shipped as "wet" calves, or newborns. They always had at least several days of feeding and care on the farm and were provided a good start in life before they were put on the

truck for the sale barn. The hired livestock hauler had a separate compartment in the front of his trailer that was solely for baby calves. It kept the calves safe from trampling by the larger culled animals.

Cows do not like to walk uphill, so the

best thing that ever happened to livestock trucking was the advent and widely accepted farm use of the trailer. Unlike a straight truck where the cow had to enter by walking up a broad inclined plank sometimes to its upper level, the trailer entrance was just a step up for the animal. Because cattle balk at a change in surface, bedding (straw, corn stalks, or poor quality hay) was scattered on the path leading from our barn door to the trailer entrance to give the cattle the sense of walking on something they were used to. Once an animal began to walk toward the opened trailer, it was important to speak in an encouraging tone and, at the same time, keep the animal moving. If there were already cattle from another farm on the trailer, it could be helpful because the cow would be more willing to move to where there were other cows.

Occasionally, culled cows already onboard would want to get out when the trailer’s end gate was opened. In that case, someone was assigned the double duty of encouraging the already loaded cattle to stay on that trailer while, at the same time, trying not to distract or dissuade the entering cow . Because there was the likelihood that a shipped animal would end up in the human food chain, an animal that had been treated with antibiotics had to be withheld from the market until there were no residuals left in its body. The veterinarian would paste a “back tag” (The paste used had such a strong adhesive quality that it would often peel the hair right off the animal’s hide when it was removed.) on any animal that had received such an injection. That tag would indicate the name of the medication administered, the date it was safe to drink the animal's milk, and also the date its meat would be safe for human consumption (The usual time for that was 30 days.). If Mr.

Farmer had treated a cow or calf himself, the date and type of treatment was duly noted and highlighted on the barn calendar. All medications had labels indicating the number of withhold days for both meat and milk. No animal ever left Lost Horizon Farm before it was safe to sell it. To do so would have been unethical and could have exposed the farm/farmer to liability..

Despite how carefully a farmer monitored herd health and cared for the animals, it was inevitable that there would be cases of down cows or "downers" (A downer is an animal that is unable to get up). A difficult calving, an injury, metabolic imbalance, a systemic infection, or a severe illness could down a cow. There was a special trucking service for downers, and at Lost Horizon Farm, our on-farm experience was that those truckers went out of their way to treat the downed animal humanely. Considerable physical effort was needed to position, and then push or pull the cow onto a rubber mat that was then winched onto an inclined plane and pulled into the cattle trailer. Any adult present was enlisted to help: trucker, farmer,veterinarian,visitor. Specialized slaughtering plants took downers; farmers received no payment for downed animals. If an animal was suffering greatly, it was shot on the farm. In the history of Lost Horizon Farm, this happened only twice. Animals that had to be killed were not only a heartbreak, they were also a financial loss. Deceased animals were picked up by rendering company trucks equipped with a winch and a lot of cable. The "death truck" was not a pleasant smell or sight. When its rear door was opened to receive its new load, its contents revealed pigs, sheep, horses as well as cows in varied positions of rigor mortis. The cartoonist who draws a rendering truck identifiable by the flies around it must have had firsthand knowledge, because during warm seasons,

it's 100% accurate!

Until the mid-1990's, there was a rendering plant for deceased livestock a couple of miles from Lost Horizon Farm. Farmers called it: "The Dog Food Factory." A person would call for the collection of a large animal, but something small like a calf that was stillborn could easily be loaded onto the bed of a pickup truck and hauled up to that nearby place by the farmer. When a person neared the facility, one rolled up all the windows on the truck. In the summertime, especially, a person could smell the factory before actually seeing the building. The facility had a distinctive buzz from the great population of insects it attracted. There was a certain practiced protocol that needed to be followed upon arrival at the factory. That was to: put the truck in park, hold one's breath, jump out of the truck as fast as possible (to allow as little factory air as possible to invade the truck’s cab) while simultaneously pushing the truck door shut, run to hastily pull down the truck's end gate, grab the twine strings on the calf's legs and pull its body out of the truck box and onto the ground, slam the end gate shut, run and jump back into the truck, pull the door shut and begin to breathe again. It was best to try and not look around too much at the "deliveries" that had been made beforehand. To this day, the plant’s building still stands (somewhat remodeled and with different business tenants), and the name of the road where it is located remains Factory Road.

Barb has called Lost Horizon Farm, just north of Spring Green, her home for the past 43 years. She is fond of all creatures (including snakes). Her joy stems from being able to be outdoors every day observing and treasuring the plant and animal life on her small piece of this planet. She loved milking cows and is proud to have been a dairy farmer.

Barb Garvoille, Columnist

Barb Garvoille

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille A "back tag" like this one was pasted on an animal's hindquarter before it was shipped. The identification number became a part of the livestock trucker's records and also allowed the sale barn to reference the animal's owner for payment. The charges for the facility services of the sale barn and for the hired trucker appeared as deductions on the check the farmer received in person or by mail.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille

An example of a gooseneck cattle trailer parked at the nearby Sunny Slopes Farm.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille A view into the interior of a cattle trailer. The board resting to the side can be used to create a partition or to encourage animals to move foreword.

The Sauk County Gardener

Bringing the Outdoors Inside

“Just because you’ve only got houseplants doesn’t mean you don’t have the gardening spirit — I look upon myself as an indoor gardener.”

— Sara Moss-Wolfe

This past weekend, my granddaughter and I planted terrariums. Years ago, I helped her plant a fairy garden version for 4H. We wanted to try it again, this time each doing our own. Part of the fun was scouring my in-laws’ property for bits of moss, lichen, unique stones, dead wood, and other various bit bobs of nature. Once we had our “natural” treasures, we went to our back patio and got to work.

Although planting a terrarium is relatively easy to do, there are certain steps that can help ensure success. The first step is to decide if you’re going to build an open or closed terrarium. A closed terrarium traps humidity (requires little or no water) and creates a warmer, tropical environment for the plants. About once a month, it may need water and should have the lid removed for about 10-20 minutes to let it air out. An open terrarium does not have a lid and is ideal for plants that like drier conditions. This type will require more watering.

Next, select a glass container, preferably with a wider opening, as it is easier to get your hand in it. A large mason jar, a fishbowl, or even a vase works just fine. I found a couple of reasonably priced glass jars with a cork lid for our terrariums. I may later

replace it with a clear acrylic lid or simply remove it altogether if I feel it’s not getting enough light.

Gather small gravel, horticulture charcoal, potting soiling and a coffee filter to start creating layers. Put 1-2 inches of gravel in the bottom of the jar to help with drainage. Next, put in a layer of charcoal to help purify the smell. Place a coffee filter on top of the charcoal. Then, put a layer of potting soil on top of the coffee filter. The filter will keep the soil from trickling down into the gravel layer. The soil layer should be deep enough to support the plants you are going to put in your terrarium.

Now select the plants based on the type of terrarium you are building. If you’re doing a closed terrarium, select tropical plants. Think moss, ferns, African violets, strawberry begonias, nerve plant, baby tears, golden clubmoss, polka dot plant, money plant. If you’re doing an open terrarium, you can use these same plants, but they will need more water. Or you can use succulents and cacti.

Start by planting the largest plant first, and then add others. Try to keep them from touching too much of the glass. Then cover the soil with moss, pebbles, and/or sand as desired. Finally add in the various found bits of nature or decorations you want. I added small colorful or moss-covered stones, lichen covered sticks, an acorn or two, and some colorful clay mushrooms. As long as you pick things you like, you can’t go wrong.

Celebrate Arbor Day – Plant a Tree

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

— Warren Buffett

The last Friday in April is Arbor Day – a day to celebrate, preferably in our gardens and hopefully planting a tree of some sort. The history behind Arbor Day is quite interesting. When the pioneers were moving into the Nebraska territory, they missed all the trees they were leaving behind. Trees served as windbreaks, kept the soil in place, provided fuel and building materials, and shade. In 1872 J. Sterling Morton, a Nebraska newspaper editor, proposed the first tree planting holiday. It is estimated that over a million trees were planted on that first Arbor Day in Nebraska. Over the years,

the holiday spread across the states and today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.

The most common date now to celebrate National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April. If you’re lucky enough to have a fourth grader in your household, you’ll likely even get a tree seedling to plant in celebration of National Arbor Day. There are plenty of reasons to observe Arbor Day and consider planting a tree or two in your own yard.

Trees give off oxygen and help clean the air we breathe. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Forests are the lungs of our lands.” If you live in a town or city, they can help absorb pollutant gasses such as nitrogen oxides, ozone, and carbon monoxide. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, one tree can absorb nearly 10 pounds of polluted air a year and release 260

Finally, place your terrarium in the right location. Succulents will like a sunny window; enclosed terrariums will prefer bright, indirect light windows (think east-facing). The most important thing to remember is to have fun.

April 16-22 is Master Gardener Volunteer Week. Your local Sauk County master gardeners volunteer at local schools, community gardens, and public events, and provide numerous educational opportunities throughout the year. Within their ranks, five SCMGA members have achieved honored status – Carrie Covell, Doreen Hamburg, Gladys Proctor, Dale Terrill, and yours truly, Jeannie Manis. To receive this honor, recipients had to serve for 10 years, or volunteer 1,000 hours, and make significant contributions to the organization. If you know these master gardeners, or

pounds of oxygen. They are a great way to help reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change.

Trees help capture rainwater and prevent soil erosion and water runoff, reducing the risks of floods and landslides. Tree leaves help buffer falling rain and the roots capture pollutants, slow the water’s absorption into the soil, and hold the soil in place.

Trees can help improve biodiversity as they are home to all kinds of insects, fungi, moss, mammals, birds, and plants. When you plant a tree, you’ll provide nesting sites, food, and shelter for a variety of birds and other animals.

A tree can help conserve energy and save you money. You’ll spend less on your energy bills when your house is shaded from the hot sun or protected from cold winter winds. Trees also help

any other master gardener volunteer, please take the time to thank them for all they do in your community.

This week’s article is written by Jeannie Manis, a Wisconsin Certified Sauk County Master Gardener Volunteer. If you have gardening questions, visit the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association facebook page.

increase your home’s value by improving its curb appeal and making your yard more beautiful.

Trees are good for your mental health. There are numerous studies that show spending time in forests and simply looking at trees can reduce stress, lowers blood pressure, and improve your mood. Other studies have shown that trees on hospital grounds help improve healing in hospital patients. I know spending time outdoors around trees helps me manage my stress levels.

If you need another reason to plant a tree, consider it as a gift to your kids and grandkids. In fact, we don’t really plant trees for ourselves, they are for our future generations to enjoy. Consider planting a tree this year as a way to show your commitment to the environment and the world around you. Happy Arbor Day!

Jeannie Manis Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

Photo contributed by Jeannie Manis A terrarium created by the author.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

Before I get into this week’s column, I have a request. My neighbors say they will back me up and feed calves for me when I travel each week. I am looking for 3, 150-to-250-pound calves either beef or beef/dairy cross, thank you!

So as many of you may know I started writing while working and living in the Canadian bush at Chimo Lodge and Outposts. I started this column in 1989 and my good friends Pete and Elizabeth Hagedorn, the owners of Chimo get a visit from me each April for Pete’s birthday.

Saturday, April 1st

High 33°, Low 21°

The Chevy Hotel would add another 1400 miles to her speedometer, there was 40-inches of ice in northwest Ontario, and I love coming up here in April. Life is much different than we know it in Wisconsin but kind of the same. You can add 60 days to winter and subtract 20 degrees from the daily high and low as in comparison to Stevens Point. I have many friends here that I met in the 80’s and 90’s and the main pastimes are skidooing which in Wisconsin is snowmobiling, hockey, which even men my age play (early 60s), curling, and of course ice fishing.

I would spend three full days at Pete and Elizabeth’s and ice fish each day. One of my very good friends is Doug Vandusen who is also 61 and has raised 4 very happy and successful boys who live near their dad. They are now young men and are avid moose hunters at their fly in moose camp and also have a deer camp near Dryden. These kids are tough with both common sense and get out there and do it attitudes.

Today, Pete, Doug and I would go for a 30-minute ride for a day of fishing which covered several miles of Canadian bush in Doug’s Yamaha 800 UTV on tracks. Doug is a true bushmen and has learned through years of experience that UTVs on wheels do not go far in slush or snow, so this year he made the financial plunge and purchased tracks.

Our goal was to have a good time with the King of this group which was actually 3 days of fun and adventure and the lake we fished was loaded with small northern pike, as in at least 65 caught and released under 3-pounds. We were after walleye and our plan was to have a fish fry that evening. Elizabeth Hagedorn is 91, the boss of this operation, and wanted fish for supper.

Let me tell ya friends, this was day 2 and catching walleye was not coming easy. For some reason this winter, across the entire northland I have heard of a slow bite when it comes to

ice fishing success and that is the same story I was hearing north of the border. Naturally we had an electric chainsaw, I want one, and Doug who makes his own moose and venison brats cooked lunch and I do not think I have ever ate a better brat. We were supposed to be home around six for the fish fry and figured we would leave at 4:30 because we had many miles to travel. Yours truly would have 3 very pretty walleye to fillet in the 19-inch range who surrendered their lives to Queen Elizabeth. Human error kind played into the day as Doug’s watch had quit and for a very long time we thought it was 3:55. At 5:55 we realized our problem and got the heck out of Dodge as quick as we could and a great fish fry was had by the King, Queen, and the Young, Charming and very handsome Prince.

Short history! When I worked for Pete in the bush, I did not want to go town and I was alone a lot of the time. I was

camp manager but also was flown to outposts by bush plane and I built docks, decks and cut wood. Pete and I were an incredible team and there was a period of time that I was his only employee. We worked each day until it was dark and that is late in the Canadian bush. I would cook supper and each of us would have 2 bottles of Labatt’s.

I learned to call moose from Pete simply because we were in the bush, in the early evening when the wind let go, we would sit on the shoreline and say the word Orrrrrrr in a very long drawn out way. What a thrill it was to see a bull or a cow appear on a shoreline looking for a friend.

I started by saying I began writing from the Canadian bush, this column was called North of the Border, I was 27 and in another month it will be 34-years old.

Happy 85th Pete! Sunset

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Photo contributed by Mark Walters Pete Hagedorn, former owner of Chimo Lodge and Outposts after a day of making some meat back in the early 90’s with Mark Walters.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters This Yamaha 800 on tracks is a get it done machine.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters My good buddies Pete Hagedorn and Doug Vandusen of Red Lake, Ontario, Canada.