Valley Sentinel - 05-04-2023

Lake Louie Brewing announces 'major water relocation project' with the move of Lake Louie from Arena to Verona

Lake Louie Brewing Company announced that they plan to relocate the body of water known as Lake Louie, from Arena Wisconsin to Verona Wisconsin. The moving of the lake will reunite it with the brewery that produces Lake Louie Brewing beers.

Lake Louie Brewing was founded by Tom Porter in 2000 when he cashed in his 401K to start a brewery out of his garage in Arena, WI. He named the brewery after the lake that sits on his property, which was named after his Uncle Louie. Later in 2019, Tom sold Lake Louie Brewing to Wisconsin Brewing Company (WBC) based in Verona. Tom shuttered his brewery and all of Lake Louie Brewing beers are now

produced in Verona. Despite this sale and closure of his facility, the body of water known as Lake Louie still sits on Tom’s property, far away from the new home of its namesake brewery.

In the fall of 2022, Wisconsin Brewing Company announced that they would be putting all of their attention and investment behind Lake Louie Brewing and announced a new visual identity

for the brand at the same time. “We are putting all of our focus on Lake Louie Brewing,” says Paul Verdu, President of WBC. “Having Lake Louie so far away from our brewery just doesn’t make sense. We have no choice but to move the lake.”

Thus, planning for this historic lake relocation project has been underway for months. On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Lake Louie will be moved from Arena to WBC’s beautiful property in Verona. “Sure, I’m a little sad to see it go, but I still love Lake Louie Brewing, and it needs to be next to Lake Louie lake,” said Tom Porter. “Plus, maybe they’ll finally leave me alone now.”

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Valley Sentinel announces the 2023 Best of the River Valley reader poll, nominations open now

Valley Sentinel is excited to announce our 3rd Annual Best of the River Valley reader poll! Again, drawing inspiration from cities like Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee, we’re excited to facilitate this reader poll that showcases your voice in sharing the best of what our area has to offer to our community and those who visit it.

As with last year, with winners announced in June, the Best of the River Valley is designed to maximize engagement with area businesses and attractions heading into the busy summer months.

The poll results will be on stands during the Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair and for the season opening of American Players Theatre.

The Best of the River Valley is not only a complement to existing guides that help community and newcomers alike navigate our area, but also — especially now more than ever — a time to share where you believe the area is headed,

what the area needs to focus on, and also a place to brag about your business or your favorite Old Fashioned, with a healthy competitive spirit. As voting opens towards the end of May, tools will be made available to businesses and those interested to share the poll and get out the word and drum up support for their favorites. But no funny business! Literally. Exchanging free or discounted goods and services for votes is prohibited. The poll will focus on the goings-on of the past year, from June 2022 to May 2023. Nominations will generally be limited to 15 miles around the Spring Green area — Arena, Lone Rock, Plain and Spring Green — unless stated as regional. The poll will cover various categories from the staple business services, to outdoor adventures, to arts and culture. Winners will range from businesses to continued on page 5

Paul Verdu, Lake Louie Brewing / Wisconsin Brewing Company

Photo contributed by Wisconsin Brewing Company Pictured is Tom Porter, founder of Lake Louie Brewing, which was started in Arena in 2000.

The (not so) Plain and Simple Correspondent: A Slap (in the face) For Earth Day

Katie Green, Columnist

Happy Earth Day, friends! Are you out there picking up trash? Polishing up your bicycle to get to the market in lieu of driving? Eating vegetarian faux meat and pretending you like it? As I ponder how I might make a difference, it was disappointing to read in the Wisconsin State Journal, “Republicans on the Legislature’s budget committee voted Tuesday to kill funding for the largest proposed land conservation project in Wisconsin history over concerns about the $15 million purchase of 56,000 acres of forest land that would have been open to both logging and recreational use. Republican lawmakers objected in November to using $4 million from the state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to help finance the purchase of the property east of Rhinelander in northern Wisconsin known as the Pelican River Forest. The rest of the funding for the conservation easement would come from a federal grant. Efforts to address lawmakers' concerns since objections were raised were unsuccessful, Sen. Mary Felzkowski, one of the Republicans who objected to the project, said Tuesday. She was among the 12 Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee who voted to kill the project, while all

Leopold, John Muir, and Gaylord Nelson, require retreats into peaceful natural surroundings. For us it is not a luxury but a necessity. Human brains are altered for the better when exposed to doses of unalloyed Mother Nature, scientists have discovered. Slow down, calm down. Observe. Be a humble speck in a variegated tribe of beings. Are the foes of the plan also against pure air and drinkable water? The proposal would link two other state forest preserves, allowing a much bigger, healthier landscape for the species of wildlife, including trees, small shrubs and plants as well as birds, beasts, and insects that have steadily migrated north in recent years to try to get away from deadly heat building up to the south. They are our companions on the planet and we are mutually interdependent. Fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, water sports, skiing, and hiking would all still be possible if it were a refuge. And since sustainable logging would still be an option, only the most delusionally-fanatical treehugger could work up a head of steam in opposition, presumably. What puzzles me is, what else is the KnowlesNelson Land Stewardship Program Fund for? The project seems like a perfect fit. No taxes would add to the burden you already carry, since the Federal government would pick up the rest of the tab for purchase beyond that provided by the Knowles-Nelson Fund. Republicans, explain thy selves.

complained might happen. No matter that the American Lung Association and other organizations whose mission is to enhance your chances to live long and prosper, are against the bills. Our neighboring state of Minnesota has banned such polluting equipment by 2025. All efforts in Wisconsin to follow suit have been foiled by the American Petroleum Institute, WI Manufacturers and Commerce, Koch Bros., and other mega-corporations and organizations listed in opposition, who don't stay up nights worrying about the health and welfare of the 99%. Or themselves. They aren't going to escape the consequences either if we avoid dealing with a steadily unraveling ecology. They are rowing against the current, which carries them closer and closer to the roaring falls with each passing day.

Playlist for Earth Under Threat

Poet activists, song writers, and performers have been alarmed for as long as I can remember about the fate of our earth, and have lifted their voices to bewail, to warn, but also to celebrate the earth in the hope of arousing protective feelings in the bosoms of fellow travelers. And action. Since in a true sense every day is Earth Day, here's a short list of voices in various moods reflecting on the challenges, well worthy of listening to as you decide how you can contribute:

• Joni Mitchell, “Big Yellow Taxi;

• Dar Williams, “Go To the Woods”;

• Brad Paisley, “Gone Green”;

four Democrats voted to fund it.” This land proposal certainly seemed like a win-win for all residents of Wisconsin and others who travel to our state to recreate, leave lots of filthy lucre in pockets of businesses who cater to them, and to enjoy the beauty of our verdant hills, meadows, bogs and forests filled with life. The spiritual element is likewise a large element. Some of us, such as was true of our famous Aldo

On the cover

One chief reason given for Republican opposition is that the plan would eliminate “future potential development,” according to Senator Mary Felzkowski. Heck, yes, that's the point. Since revenues from conventional tourist sources, hunting and fishing licenses and the like would balance out what mineral extraction industries or filling the north woods with vacation homes would bring in, the plan would be much more in line with efforts to stave off the climate disaster now hanging over us like the Sword of Damocles. In another self-serving move, the legislature proposed Assembly bills 141-2 aimed at preventing any attempts to take fossil fueled, carbonproducing equipment off the market -- gardening equipment, gas stoves, lawn mowers, etc., substituting electric and battery-powered items. Heaven forfend that we should “destroy the free market”, as the co-author of the bills

The River Valley's own Howard Marklein, who voted against the conservation plan, was among the 12 Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. Remember, the four Democrat members voted for it and for keeping in view the long term viability of generations to come. Keep that foremost in your mind in the next voting cycle. Meantime, pushing back strikes me as a good plan. Better than just sitting around wheezing, or watching your asthmatic children wheeze. Keep leaning on your elected reps. Work to elect better ones who value realistic lifeaffirming policies for our communities over perks for large corporations and keeping their wealthy friends' taxes low. A teacher I met recently told me how she was able to spend seven years on a nature preserve on an island in Panama doing primate research as a young woman when, technically speaking, she wasn't yet qualified to apply. She showed up every day at the administrator's office to point out how passionate she was to go, how she had been studying primates since childhood, and was the very person they needed. Laura was polite but wouldn't take no for an answer. After weeks of this pressure, much like Chinese water torture, in exasperation the administrator told her, “If you promise to never pester me again, you may go.” Pester! Pester! As the recent State Supreme Court election results demonstrated, popular sentiment can sometimes prevail even in a heavily gerrymandered state such as ours.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

The well-being and education of every child should be our top priority. Children are our legacy! Older generations retire as youth takes their rightful place in society. They are becoming our leaders and caregivers.

Our entrenched conservative state legislature has steadily defunded PUBLIC education. In response, progressive State Senator Chris Larson wrote the following: “As ranking member of the Senate Education and Universities Committees, I've consistently pushed

Dear Editor,

In a recent newsletter, Senator Howard Marklein, justifying plans to cut state benefits, told the story of some guy he knows who said he was “competing with the couch” for employees. I’m certain Marklein’s buddy is not a data scientist, because according to Wisconsin Workforce Development, at present more people in Wisconsin are in the workforce than ever before in state history. Maybe couch-guy was one of Marklein’s billionaire donors—you know the

back against attempts to undermine our public schools and shift an ever-increasing amount of resources toward unaccountable private schools. What you may not know is that we spend about $200 million each year to fund private education in our state that comes directly from state aid intended for neighborhood public schools.”

“Voters across the state have approved hundreds of referendums to boost public school funding in recent years, because they know how important education is to strong communities.

type, someone who has tons of money and thus no motivation to work? If the Senator worked on increasing taxes for billionaires instead of regular people, those dudes might have to get off their couches?

Another recent report, based on data from the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum, shows that Wisconsin ranks 43rd among states in funding the UW/ public university education. Is Wisconsin aiming, with the closing of UW-Richland and other campuses, to reach 50th

• Hozier, “Wasteland, Baby”;

• The Source, “Honey & The Sting”;

• Kacey Musgrave, “Oh What A World”;

• Pixus, “Monkey Gone to Heaven;

• Louis Armstrong, “What A Wonderful World”;

• Pete Seeger, “From Way up here the Earth is Just a Ball” [the earth as seen from space];

• Paul Simon, “American Tune” [asking “what went wrong?”];

• Chanticleer, “What you Gon' to Do When the World's on Fire?” and “Didn't it Rain?” [traditional gospel tunes];

• Randy Newman, “A Few Words'” [re Supreme Court decisions] and “Political Science”;

• Leonard Cohen, “Democracy is Comin'” and “May the Lights in the Land of Plenty Shine on the Truth Some Day”;

• Credence Clearwater, “Who'll Stop the Rain?”;

• Bobby McFerrin, “The 23rd Psalm” and “Medicine Man;

• Iris Dement, “Living in the Wasteland of the Free”;

• Van Morrison, “The Beauty of the Days Gone By.”

Katie, who until recently lived in Plain, has been writing for fun and profit since childhood. Self-described as opinionated, she writes in the interests of a more loving, betterfunctioning world for all. She may be reached at katiewgreen@icloud.com.

The voucher programs that take this ever-increasing share of money out of our PUBLIC SCHOOLS operate outside of public view with little regulation, no community input, and almost zero transparency…”

Our Constitution demands SEPARATION of church and state. Is this siphoning off of public money to unaccountable private schools appropriate? Definitely NOT!

Lee D. Van Landuyt Hillsboro, Wisconsin

place? Would that please couch-sitting, no funding-for-public-education billionaire donors?

Dorothy Thompson Richland Center, Wisconsin

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

“Northern lights at the Octagon Barn” (2023)

Photo by Lauren Dochnahl

The River Valley was graced with beautiful sights like this on the evening of April 23, as solar activity from the sun created northern lights, or aurora borealis, that lit up the sky for several hours.

Photos were taken at the Octagon Barn in Spring Green.

Katie Green

Meeting Our Needs — Part 7: Divide and Conquer or Un-Divide and Thrive

“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.

to the funding section of the report my heart sank and the longer I contemplated it, the angrier I got. I’m often amazed at how long it can take me to filter through information and begin to see more clearly what is going on under the surface. The funding protocol for plans going forward is to utilize federal grants, Richland County, and local fundraising. No indication of state funding. Gentes reported that every proposal given to the UW System resulted in a response from them of “no resources” for that. It was at this point I began descending into anger and despair.

the source of all these funding problems – draconian budget cuts orchestrated by the Republican-dominated legislature. Yes, this sounds like a blatantly partisan statement, but it is not, it is just a fact.

together to create a common, improved environment.

I attended the UW-Richland Plan Framework meeting on Monday, March 28 at Pippin Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposals designed to try to save the UW-Richland campus from closing. One thing immediately impressed me – UW-Platteville had been severed from the negotiations. That is one phenomenal success.

The second thing that impressed me is the incredible amount of work that is going into the attempt to save the campus. Kudos to County Supervisors Linda Gentes and Shaun Murphy-Lopez and all the others involved in the process. These are all public servants working to meet our needs.

The third thing that struck me gave me a sick feeling. When the presenters got

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(608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com

EDITORIAL

I am not angry at the UW System even though I think some of their decisions are wrong-headed. Years and years of insufficient funding orchestrated by the Republican-dominated state legislature has left the UW System in a position of having to make funding decisions that are going to hurt students, the overall health of higher education in Wisconsin, and definitely Richland County. The lead actor in these education cuts has been our own Sen. Marklein. Our three Richland County Representatives, Kurtz, Novak, and Trannel have fallen right in behind him. In the last biennial budget the legislature cut Gov. Evers proposed total education funding by 90%.

The UW System has made the decision to make dramatic cuts in UW-Richland and this is where the story gets nasty. Because of the draconian state budget cuts over multiple years, UW-System cuts must be made somewhere – if not UW-Richland, then somewhere else. By fighting to have funding restored to UW-Richland, we are doing so at the cost to some other UW institution. To believe that the Republican-dominated legislature is unaware of this, or that it is incidental rather than purposeful and planned, is naïve at best. The legislature is pitting us against one another in an attempt to deflect and distract us from

The budget-cutting is repeated at the county level with the result of Health and Human Services being pitted against Transportation, Transportation pitted against Economic Development, Economic Development pitted against Public Safety, and on and on. Just keep us tugging against each other for limited resources and the fact that the source of all these problems - the Republicandominated legislature and their decades long budget-cutting at our collective expense - fades into the background.

We need to band together and collaborate for our collective benefit by putting an end to the budget-cutting policies that are dividing Wisconsinites and weakening our state. Call, write, or email State Senator Marklein and Representatives Kurtz, Novak, and Trannel and let them know we are done with this. We deserve to have our needs met; we deserve better.

…and then serendipity strikes…I’m reading the book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee. I reached the chapter, ‘No one Fights Alone,’ and there it was again, those with more power pitting us against one another for their own benefit and to our detriment.

McGhee writes about labormanagement, not education or county government, but the tactic is identical, pitting us against one another. She writes about management using the power to assign different categories to workers to create different pay, different benefits, and different work rules. Experts call it stratification - create a sense of hierarchy and motivate parties to compete with one another instead of fighting

She talked to a union organizer who stated that “[I] have to get [workers] to think about the seed that the company is dropping to divide these people.” That seed often has a root in racism but moves beyond it and spreads the age-old story that there are those among us that are somehow unworthy. This seed has done immeasurable damage to our society for decades and by extension damaged the communities and the economy that should serve to meet the needs of all of us. We all deserve to have our needs met; we all deserve better.

I’m finished with McGhee’s book now, the final chapter is ‘The Solidarity Dividend.’ McGhee finishes with: “[M]any in power have made it their overarching goal to sow distrust about the goodness of the Other…Since this country’s founding, we have not allowed our diversity to be our superpower, and the result is that the United States is not more than the sum of its disparate parts. But it could be. And if it were, all of us would prosper.”

Why do we let those in search of power divide us for their own benefit and get us to buy into stories that serve only to lead us to fight one another for resources and, in the end, hurt us all when the story of “we all do better when we all do better” lifts us all up and meets the needs of all of us?

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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Editorial Policy

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Beverly Pestel, Columnist

Beverly Pestel

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Capitol Report — Marklein: Reading Between the Lies of Recalls

Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)

Recently, I received another call from a local meat processor who was forced to recall a product by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Over the last year, I have received several of these calls from frustrated, small, familyowned businesses who have never had a problem before. The department seems to have taken an aggressive approach to inspection and recall, rather than inspection and education.

I fully support the inspection process in our food industry. I believe it is important for processors to have rules and regulations to follow so that consumers are safe and protected. All of the meat processors and food supply companies I know are eager to comply with these rules and regulations. They want to produce a good, high-quality product that consumers want to buy. This is how they grow successful businesses!

But lately, DATCP has taken a punitive approach to inspection and has issued recalls of products for reasons that have very little to do with product safety. They are scaring people away from shopping at their local meat markets and creating fear about food safety when the recalls are actually about paperwork. Next time you see a recall notice for your local meat market, please ask them what it was for before you shop somewhere else. Read between the lines of the confusing recall announcement and vague news report by simply asking

the business for an explanation.

You may be very surprised to learn that the recall was issued because the market did not have an approved recipe for

the inspectors advice and disposing of the products mentioned in the recall. These products are deemed safe for consumption independently however Prem Meats does not have an approved recipe for wrapping bacon around beef or pork products therefore were advised the product was to be recalled. These products never left our store shelves, a simple label change has been made and it is now safe to consume.”

Let me repeat that, a label change has made it safe to consume. There was no risk to anyone’s health. Nobody is ill. Nothing is wrong with the product. But the business is still affected.

determine how they approach this role. There is a massive difference between inspecting and educating versus inspecting and recalling.

If a product is a health risk, it should be recalled. If a processor is not following the law, the inspector should work with them to be compliant. If a bunch of processors are all doing paperwork wrong, as was the case with a paperwork issue related to small batches of lard, then DATCP should reach out to all processors and educate them.

wrapping a pork tenderloin with a slice of bacon before they vacuum sealed it. You may scratch your head about the fact that the recall was issued because an inspector didn’t view the pork tenderloin with the bacon on it – but they did inspect the tenderloin and the bacon separately.

Prem Meats recently issued the following statement related to this recall: the recall was “issued after a clerical error resulted in the above listed products formulas from being properly submitted to the state for approval. While Prem Meats does not agree with the level of this recall we recommend following

CHRIS HARDIE'S 'BACK HOME' COLUMN

A surprise spring lesson

I’m putting the blame squarely on Mother Nature’s shoulders, but it’s happening again this year, despite my best efforts to prevent it.

Despite a brief tease of spring that was more like summer, the lingering cold weather and rain has once again brought on that overwhelming feeling that there are too many things to do and not enough time to get them done.

recent decline in fertilizer prices that were sky-high last spring, due to world market fluctuations when the war in Ukraine started. Anhydrous ammonia – a widely used nitrogen fertilizer –topped $1,600 per ton last year and has fallen to the $1,200 per ton range.

Other fertilizer prices also have declined, but the cost of fertilizer is still double what it was during the 2016 to 2020 seasons, according to the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

There’s far more pressure on farmers who rely on the land for their living, so I try to take the challenges in stride. And I was helped recently with some unexpected perspective from a new little friend.

I met my friend on one of our rare warmer days while I was moving some fence posts that were stacked against the barn. I found a gray tree frog clinging to the side of one of the posts.

When a business is spotlighted for a recall like this, customers become worried that the meat in their freezer is tainted. They call to express concern about beef that is hanging at the processor. They wonder about the quality of the product at that market. A recall casts doubt and creates fear – when it may have nothing to do with quality or safety. It’s often about paperwork.

Read between the lines. In 2023, there have already been seven recalls. This follows a banner year in 2022 when 20 recalls were issued, 18 of which occurred in the second and third quarters of the year. Compare this to 2019-2021 when a total of 11 recalls were issued over the three-year period! What has changed?

I recognize that DATCP is tasked with enforcing Federal laws when it comes to inspection. However, I also know that leadership of an organization can

Unfortunately, this is not happening. The legislature has made large investments in meat processing grants to encourage new meat processors and entrepreneurs in Wisconsin. DATCP has been promoting this out of one side of their mouth, while taking aggressive punitive action out of the other.

Again, I believe we need strong regulations and standards for our food processors. They want this too. But they also want a good partner in DATCP who will work with them to correct issues, not seek opportunities to punish them. These recalls are costing small, local, family-owned businesses thousands of dollars and creating needless fear and uncertainty for their customers. We need a new approach.

As always, please do not hesitate to connect with me to provide input, ideas or to seek assistance. Send an email to sen.marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-0703. I want to hear from you.

The calendar creeped quickly towards May and the vegetable garden has not been prepared. Flower beds need to be cleaned and new plantings arriving from nurseries have been temporarily planted in containers.

I can feel a sense of nervousness in the farming community too. Recent rain and heavy snow – along with river flooding — has left many fields too muddy for tilling. Statewide soil temperatures as of April 23 ranged from 37 to 41 degrees, far too cold for planting corn. While there are some hybrid seeds that push it, 50 degrees is the magical temperature for favorable corn germination. That’s assuming that you can even get into the fields to work them up. Recent rain, heavy snow and river and stream flooding has left many fields too muddy for tilling.

A bit of good news for farmers is a

The frogs are not rare, but are heard more than they are seen. And while there are many visual signs of spring, for me it’s the sound of frogs that tells me spring is here.

The gray tree frog, wood frogs and particularly the northern spring peeper compose the sweet music of spring. Their call fills the evenings and early mornings along the creek that runs the length of our valley with marshy areas that are perfect habitat for frogs.

My new friend was not frightened by my appearance. I gently moved it away from the stack so it wouldn’t be injured.

My amphibious friend didn’t rush away, despite having just emerged from hibernation. Perhaps it was still a little groggy. If it was a male, it would soon begin its nightly chorus to establish its breeding territory and find a mate.

The gray tree frog's name is actually

a misnomer because it’s not always gray. The frog’s scientific name is Hyla versicolor, which comes from the Latin for variable color. The frog’s color changes from green, to gray, or brown depending on the time of day and the surrounding temperature.

The frog wasn’t worried about having so many things to do and places to go. It wasn’t focused on the treadmill of fret, hurry, grind and repeat.

I finished my task of moving the posts, but I thought of the frog. It changes colors to adapt just as we change moods. My mood was lifted just seeing the frog in the midst of my hurry.

Sometimes we need to focus only on being here, in the present, right now. And to be grateful for that. And that’s OK.

Another spring is here. I’m never too old to keep learning about life. One step – or hop – at a time.

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

This gray tree frog recently emerged from hibernation on Chris Hardie's farm.

Senator Howard Marklein

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I write in response to an editorial I read recently by Senator Howard Marklein’s. Entitled “Capitol Report—Marklein: It’s Not a Cut,” his piece addresses the development of the current state budget. In making his point, Marklein employs an illustration from parenthood: A child (Governor Evers and Democrats) asks their parents (the Republican-dominated state Legislature and Marklein as JFC CoChair) for a ridiculous increase in their allowance. As the illustration continues, the

Dear Editor,

As most Wisconsinites know, the Wisconsin legislature is currently in the process of preparing our state’s next biennial budget. Senator Howard Marklein, who represents Wisconsin’s 17th Senate District is co-chair of the powerful Joint Committee on Finance.

In a recent “E-Update” from his office, Mr. Marklein stated that the budget presented by Governor Tony Evers is, in his words, a “wish list,” and the Committee will put together a “REAL” budget for the

wise parent rejects the child’s request settling for a lessor increase. The child then cries foul. It sees the increased allowance as a “cut,” not an increase at all. This is, apparently, Marklein’s vision of state government today. So, what is wrong with this illustration? For starters, it is self-righteous, authoritarian, and disrespectful. In likening Governor Evers to a child, Marklein belittles his opponent rather than viewing him as the duly elected and worthy head of state government. In doing this, Senator Mar-

Governor to approve. This shows that Mr. Marklein has no intention of collaborating and working together with the Governor. We, as taxpayers and voters, need to make our elected officials aware that we want a budget that works for REAL people, meeting REAL needs, such as public education, good roads, and rural broadband.

Mr. Marklein has also said that of the projected $7 billion surplus currently in the state’s coffers, only about $3 billion is the “ongoing surplus for the state,”

klein behaves below the dignity of any elected official. The development of the next state budget is a complicated process that requires the wisdom to negotiate and come to an agreement. It is not a fatherknows-best affair where Republican state representatives play the adults and the Democratic opposition the children.

I implore Senator Marklein to be civil in his public life. We look to him to model civility, not create division. I encourage him to engage others in a search for common ground, not engage in name calling

and the remaining $4 billion is one-time money. Regardless of what percentage of the surplus is ongoing and what percentage isn’t, the legislature should earmark these “one-time funds” to INVEST in the future of our state for the highest return possible, such as the REAL needs mentioned above. Anything less is fiscally irresponsible! Giving tax breaks to wealthy individuals and big business buys votes, but does nothing to invest in the state’s future.

The Governor’s “wish list” was compiled

and ridicule. In the months ahead, Senator Marklein should dedicate himself to crafting a state budget that respects the needs of Wisconsin taxpayers. I imagine a future when leaders of the state Legislature and the Executive branch pass a state budget and then put their political differences aside and celebrate their collaboration and success. We taxpayers and voters deserve it!

Patrick Hagen Spring Green, Wisconsin

from requests received by his office from public schools, local municipalities, public universities, and state agencies - the people who are on the front lines day in and day out and have suffered from the decrease in shared revenue for the past 12 years. Who knows better how to provide for the REAL needs of REAL people?

Senator Marklein - do your job for us and get REAL.

Dennis and Kathy Fry Richland Center, Wisconsin

Valley Sentinel announces the 2023 Best of the River Valley reader poll, nominations open now

continued from page 1

natural areas to artists and specific signature cocktails and burgers.

As always, details and much more are still being finalized and everything will be ironed out over the next couple weeks. We’ll need your help in the meantime, we want your thoughts and feedback, this is YOUR poll, YOU decide the winners.

We're looking for cover art for the section as well as a theme — what has this last year meant to you? Has there been a word or phrase that stuck with you that you believe represents the area the past year? Let us know.

This year we hope to showcase our "three-peat" winners who have won all three years of the poll. If there are categories and questions you believe we should add, let us know and we will consider them for next year.

The Best of the River Valley is an extension of our passion to build community and, in its third year running, is one of many ideas that we hope will become a part of what makes our community so great.

We’re excited to again facilitate this big undertaking and see how it grows and changes year after year.

Outdoors & Leisure

• Best Body of Water for Recreation

• Best Campground

• Best Golf Course

• Best Place to Get Fit

• Best Sledding Hill

• Best Trail - Hiking or Biking

• Best Canoe & Kayak Rental/Livery Arts & Culture

• Best Free Entertainment Option

• Best Holiday/Seasonal Event

• Best Local Play/Musical

• Best Regional Music Festival

• Best Mural

• Best Local Visual Artist (Illustration/Painting/Sculpture, etc.)

• Best Art Gallery

• Best Local Musician/Band

• Best Local Author

• Best Music Venue

• Best Photographer Noms & Nightlife

• Best Food Event

• Best Appetizer (location and item)

• Best Bakery

Timeline

May 4 - May 14: Open nominations! This is your time to share all your best choices for each category and question to create a list to vote on. Share your favorite business or place or thing. Instructions on how are below.

May 18 - June 1: Polls open! This is your time to vote on the nominations and help decide who or what wins each poll question. Popular write-in options will be added to the poll as well.

June 15: Winners announced! On or around this date winners will be announced in Valley Sentinel, followed shortly by an online announcement. For this year again we'll probably still limit awards and such to some fancy certificates for public posting, but in future years perhaps a recognition banquet or mixer can be in the works?

Right now: call for nominations

Using the categories and questions below, mail (P.O. Box 144, Spring Green, WI 53588 - feel free to use this page and write your nominations down), email (editor@valleysentinelnews.com), call (608-588-6694), or — our preferred way — visit our website www.valleysentinelnews.com/best-of/ and submit your nominations online. Online nominations will be live by the end of the week, so keep checking. Businesses! Don’t be afraid to nominate yourselves, and please reach out if you’re interested in ways to get involved.

CATEGORIES & QUESTIONS

• Best Place to Get Coffee

• Best Breakfast/Brunch Spot

• Best Friday Fish Fry

• Best Burger (location and item)

• Best Wings

• Best Food Truck/Food Pop-up

• Best Regional Beer (brewery/specific brew)

• Best New Restaurant

• Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining

• Best Pizza

• Best Steak

• Best Place for Dancing

• Best Bar

• Best Old Fashioned

• Best Subs/Sandwiches (Anything between 2 pieces of bread that’s not a burger)

• Best Restaurant

• Best Wedding Venue

• Best Supper Club in the Region

• Best Regional Winery

Oot & Aboot

• Best Day Trip

• Best Hotel

• Best Public Park

• Best All-Ages Hangout

• Best Tourist Attraction

• Best/Most Beautiful Local Spot Shopping

• Best Area Bookstore

• Best Clothing Boutique

• Best Gas Station (specific location)

• Best Sporting Goods/Tackle Store

• Best Place to Get Groceries

• Best Hardware Store

• Best Place for Jewelry

• Best Cheese Factory

• Best Place to Buy Meat

• Best Shop for Gifts Services

• Best Attorney

• Best Autobody Shop/Automotive Repair

• Best Bank/Credit Union

• Best Place to Get a Haircut

• Best Carpentry or Remodeling Company

• Best Construction Company

• Best Dental Practice

• Best Electrician

• Best Florist

• Best Heating & Cooling Company

• Best Area Hospital

• Best Area Clinic

• Best Plumber

• Best Senior Living Residence

• Best Tax Service

• Best Vet Clinic

• Best Real Estate Agent or Office

• Best Landscaping/Lawncare

• Best Local Insurance Agent or Office

• Best Nail Salon

• Best Wedding/Event DJ

Agriculture

• Best Area CSA

• Best Farm Extras

• Favorite Elected

COmmunitycalendar

Events for May 4 - May 18

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.

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 For info search 3 Souls on Facebook Free beginner line dancing classes!

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.

Friday, May 5

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 279: Kainalu // Pink Halo 7:00 PM 506 E Madison St, Spring Green . shittybarnsessions.com . Doors open at 6 . Advance tickets sold out. That sald, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers. Rest assured, all ticket sellers are legitimate and verified through the Ticket Spice system Kainalu is a psychedelic funk recording project by Trent Prall that draws influence from modern psychedelia and classic motown artists. Kainalu’s core is rooted in Prall’s Japanese-Hawaiian heritage; the concept of the ocean rising and breaking down the islands through time and the impermanence of life. Kainalu explores this meaning through both its sound and visuals. Joined by a guitarist, Joe Waldbillig, bassist, Evan Nelson, drummers, Matthew Allen and Julian Russell and conguero, Aaron Gochberg. Pink Halo is a synth driven indie dream-pop band from Madison, WI.

Saturday, May 6

Sunday, May 7 cont.

Plays Out Loud: Proof 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 It tells the story of Catherine who struggles with being a mathamatical genius and mentally ill, just like her father. Four characters include Catherine's father, formerly a mathamatics professor and recently deceased; Catherine's sister living in New York City; and a graduate student of her father's who makes a startling discovery that requires proof of authorship and authenticity. The reading is free and open to all. Those who attend are invited to choose a part to read out loud or just listen. Free scripts will be available at the door. Playbooks are available for sale at Arcadia Books or on loan from the Spring Green Community Library. Beverages and popcorn will be provided.

Monday, May 8

As Read By... 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Join us for a night of readings, written by Michael Broh, as read by Tracy Michelle Arnold, Colleen Madden, Nate Burger, Laura Rook, James Ridge, David Daniel, Kelsey Brennan, and Marcus Truschinski. No cover, but tips for the performers are always welcome.

Tuesday, May 9

Community Potluck 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Center, 117 S Washington St, Spring Green springgreen.com Bring a dish to pass! All are welcome! Ending time is an estimate only and varies.

Movies, Munchies and More: Strangers on a Train 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. Movie Synopsis: A psychopath forces a tennis star to comply with his theory that two strangers can get away with murder (1951, Rating: PG, 1hr 41min).

Wednesday, May 10

Craft Day for Mother's Day 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Nail Salon SG, 550 Sunrise Dr ste 104, Spring Green vagaro.com/fairybluffcreationsstudio Bring the kids or grandkids or even just yourself in and make a gift for Mom for Mother's Day. Book online or stop in!

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.

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!

Mindfulness: Discussion and Practice (Zoom Only) 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Virtual Event springgreen.com Our meetings will include discussions and short mindfulness exercises/practices. We will explore sitting, standing, lying down and moving mindfulness experiences. Find the zoom link online.

LIVE MUSIC: Paul Stiegler 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com Paul Stiegler is a singer/songwriter from Madison, WI. He is a past winner of the UK Songwriting Contest for Love Songs, and will share songs from his CD, Days Gone By. Born in Minnesota, Paul has lived and travelled around the world and now calls Madison home. Learn more at Paulstiegler.com

LIVE MUSIC: The Honey Pies 7:30 PM- 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door Displaying a formidable range of musical backgrounds and notable depth of experience, The Honey Pies apply crystal vocal harmonies and virtuoso instrumental skills to the best of traditional, contemporary, and original Americana music.

Sunday, May 7

Spring Yoga 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Yoga, S7163 County Rd. G, Hillpoint ruralremedy.com $150 for 9 classes Contact Emily for pricing at embenzgmail.com Springtime and all the frenzy has arrived! There is no better time than now to join some group yoga to stay grounded, move mindfully, and be in community.

Mothers Day Pot Painting Party 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM . Ederer's Do It Best, E5663 Co Rd B, Plain For more information look up Ederer's Do It Best on facebook Mothers Day Pot painting party. $10/ pot. Includes pot, soil art supplies and a flower/flowers for mom's planter.

LIVE MUSIC: Monthly Jam at Trader's — JJYD 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM . Traders Bar & Grill, 6147 US Highway 14, Spring Green wisconsincanoe.com Come on out and start your month off on a good foot with fun music and people, as well as great food at one of the best places around! All musicians and music lovers are welcome.

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: Acoustic Collective 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com Free event Acoustic Collective performs covers of feel-good music from the 60’s and 70’s, music that people know and like to sing along with. Come and join us!

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!

Classics Conquered 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com . For 2023, we are going to focus on Toni Morrison.

Teen Game Time 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Come try out video games, board games and more! Designed for middle and high school aged teens.

Tech Drop-in 6:00 PM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Stop by the Library with whatever piece of technology is causing you grief. Together, we will figure out the answers.

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.

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session Session 280: The Black Opry 7:00 PM 506 E Madison St, Spring Green shittybarnsessions.com Doors open at 6 Advance tickets sold out. That sald, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers. Rest assured, all ticket sellers are legitimate and verified through the Ticket Spice system Black Opry is a home for Black artists and Black fans of country, blues, folk, and Americana music. We invite you to discover, support and enjoy Black artists with us. One of the most valuable aspects of country music is its versatility and diversity in sound. Country, blues, folk, and Americana music often overlap or weave together- our artists explore all of those sounds and intersections.

Thursday, May 11

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. 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.

Driftless Trail: A New Footpath Through These Hills 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org In the Community Room, hear about how the Driftless Area Land Conservancy is developing the 50+ mile pedestrian-only Driftless Trail that will eventually connect Tower Hill, Governor Dodge, and Blue Mound State Parks. The Weaver Road Segment is currently open and two additional segments will open this summer. Learn about the vision of this unique project and how you can enjoy hiking the open and soon-to-be open segments on Weaver Road, Knobs Road, and the Taliesin property.

Free Line Dancing Classes 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Keg & Kettle Bar, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock . For info search 3 Souls on Facebook . Free beginner line dancing classes!

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

Events for May 13 - May 18

Saturday, May 13

Birding Hike: Knobs Road Trail 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Knobs Road Trail, Knobs Rd, Ridgeway driftlessconservancy.org . Explore this beautiful segment of the Driftless Trail with birding experts! Hike through hayfields, an orchard, woods, and streamside habitat to find warblers, red-headed woodpeckers, sandhill cranes, and more. All levels of birding skills are welcome. The trip will be led by Barb Barzen and Jennie Lanzendorf.

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!

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.

1st Annual Car Show 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 33133 US HWY 14, Lone Rock BBQ sold all day! All proceeds go to the Lone Rock Fire Department.

LIVE MUSIC: Rare Element 7:30 PM- 10:30PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door Madison, Wisconsin based funk band, RARE ELEMENT has developed a strong reputation for its high-intensity, live shows. The band's highly talented 7-piece roster, including 3-piece horn section, bring massive energy to the stage at each performance. The band is influenced by classic funk ar tists such as Fred Wesley, The Meters, Clyde Stubblefield, and Herbie Hancock.

Sunday, May 14

Tarot Readings with Brian Branch12:00 PM - 4:00 PM North Earth Crystals & Gifts, 124 W. Jefferson St, Spring Green northearth.com Brian Branch is a compassionate intuitive tarot reader, who is guided by spirit in his readings to help aid you on your journey in life. His readings open a portal of healing for those in need of guidance. Brian has been practicing healing and tarot for over ten years. He is an open channel for information and guidance of the divine.$50 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.

Monday, May 15

A Night of Words 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com An open mic. Friends sharing words. Watch. Listen. Speak. Share. Maybe you have a favorite poem, or passage from a book you’d like to share. Or maybe you write your own and are ready to share it with the rest of us. Maybe you just want to tell a story. Or maybe you just want to listen. It’s all good. Let’s hang out and share words together. Poetry. Stories. Original work and old favorites.

This and that. A Night of Words.

Arena Historians Monthly Meeting: Frank Wolf 6:00 PM . Grandma Mary's (Brisbane Hall), 175 Hwy 14, Arena For more information, look up Arena Historians on Facebook The Arena Historians are proud to welcome back Mazomanie author and historian Frank Wolf as he will be our featured guest for our monthly meeting. Wolf will present a slide show of photos he has accumulated throughout the years of Arena's history.

Tuesday, May 16

Movies, Munchies and More: Shop Around the Corner 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Movie Synopsis: Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand each other, without realizing that they are falling in love through the post as each other’s anonymous pen pal (1940, Rating: NR, 1hr 39min).

Wednesday, May 17

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.

Arcadia Book Club discusses "Still True" with author Maggie Ginsberg 6:00 PM7:00 PM This is a zoom book club meeting readinutopia.com Still True is a bookseller and customer favorite as well as one of our bestselling books of 2022. A kind and tender narrative that speaks true for every character, no matter how settled or flawed their lives are.

Thursday, May 18

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.

Author Event: Maggie Ginsberg — SG Library and Arcadia Books 6:00 PM 230

E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Maggie Ginsberg, author of Still True, will be at the library for a book reading and signing. Arcadia Books will be there with some copies for purchase. Still True, which has been a Spring Green favorite, based on Circulation numbers and talk at the desk, is a wonderful read about small town life with fantastic characters. It is also the Honorable Mention for the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award for 2022!

Free Line Dancing Classes 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Keg & Kettle Bar, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock For info search 3 Souls on Facebook Free beginner line dancing classes!

Spring Yoga 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Wyoming Valley School, 6306 State Road 23, Spring Green ruralremedy.com $150 for 9 classes Contact Emily for pricing at embenzgmail.com Springtime and all the frenzy has arrived! There is no better time than now to join some group yoga to stay grounded, move mindfully, and be in community.

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.

Evenings Afield: Driftless Groundwater 101 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Cates Family Farm, 5992 County Hwy T, Spring Green driftlessconservancy.org Rock layers deep underground have a big impact on water - both what we drink and what we see on the landscape. Learn the basics of Driftless Area geology and its relationship to springs and drinking water. This event will be led by Maureen Muldoon and Katie Abbott.

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

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: 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 This meeting will be held at the Gardens. Bring a lawn chair. In case of inclement weather we will be at the Spring Green Community Church, Rm 115. Come in the back door. Agenda published - see our site or look up RVACG on Facebook.

May 9: WIS 130-133 and Bridge Replacement Public Meeting 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Lone Rock Community Hall, 214 N. Broadway St. Greg Brecka, WisDOT Project Manager,608-245-2671 or gregory.brecka@dot.wi.gov The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is hosting a public involvement meeting for the WIS 130-133 and Bridge Replacement Project. During this open house-style meeting, we encourage you to engage with the design-build team and learn more about road and channel closures.

MEETING: Lone Rock Village Board Meeting 7:00 PM Village Office, 314 E Forest St, Lone Rock

May 10:

MEETING: Plain Village Board Meeting 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 510 Main Street, Plain villageofplain.com

MEETING: Village of Spring Green Board Meeting 7:00 PM Virtual and In-Person 154 N. Lexington Street, Spring Green vi.springgreen.wi.gov

BLOOD DRIVE: Donate Blood, Platelets, or Plasma 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM River Valley High School, 660 Varsity Blvd, Spring Green . Power Red: A Power Red donation collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. These donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.

May 11:

Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board Meeting 5:00 PM Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board Office, 202 N Wisconsin Ave, Muscoda lwr.state.wi.us The meeting also will be broadcast via Zoom. Information about the meeting can be found online. Prior to the meeting, board members will tour the Spring Green Preserve. The tour will be led by Hannah Spaul from The Nature Conversancy. The tour will begin at 1:30 p.m. For any further questions, contact Mark Cupp at (608) 739-3188 or by e-mail at mark.cupp@wisconsin.gov.

May 16:

Lone Rock Community Blood Drive 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM Lone Rock Community Building, 214 Broadway St, Lone Rock Appointments preferred. Call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code LoneRockWI

May 17:

MEETING: Village of Spring Green: Plan Commission & JEZC Meeting 7:00 PM . Virtual and In-Person 154 N. Lexington Street, Spring Green vi.springgreen.wi.gov

Friends of Governor Dodge Meeting 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville Contact FriendsofGovDodge@gmail.com

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 Calendar Sponsorship IS AVAILABLE

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

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.

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.

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.....

Still Hovering

Growing up, I had my very own Garden of Eden, Peter Pan’s Neverland and Dorothy’s Emerald City all rolled into one.

Behind the barn, just down the hill and around the bend:

There is where my world opened to a mystical place, hovering somewhere between……. The Edge of Reality and Make Believe,

In the Slough Bottoms there was an Enchanted Forest, a Little Desert, a Hill of Clay, a Crick, a Lake, and a Natural Spring.

Just a short hike down the lane, to the right, past the crick, through……..

The Enchanted Forest:

Where Flying Monkeys were sure to attack at any moment, and twisted tree spirits would awaken reaching out their long knotty fingers tying to keep out intruders. Beyond it lay………

The Little Desert:

A large patch of sand, sparse with plants, that came alive in my imagination, conjuring up quests for Egyptian treasure protected by a mine field of hidden quicksand traps. Spring would bring with it, high water that would flood areas normally accessible by foot. Rafts were strewn together to sail off into the “unknown”. My mind dreaming up Swamp monsters, Ogres and Goblins, hiding around every turn.

While flooded, the forest seemed to be much more eerie and dangerous. To bravely make it to where the threshold of the little desert had once been, was to find myself in open water, floating on my very own Nile. Crocodiles lurked beneath the surface hungrily waiting for my “river throne” to sink.

At the bottom of the lane, to the left of the crick, was a huge pussywillow tree, a marsh of cattails and towering above them, a………

Hill of Clay:

Many days were lost with hours spent digging into the side of the hill, mining buckets of gray earth.

At the base of the crick, we washed, rinsed, and squeezed it. Cleaning out all the impurities, repeating the process until finally only pure clay remained, to be crafted into amulets for warding off evil spirits.

The Crick:

Was a small offshoot right beyond the beaver’s dam, up from the main lake.

When we were very young, dad would go down with us. He would sit and watch, as we would splash about, scooping up tadpoles from the water’s edge. Every fifteen minutes or so, we would scamper out and stand before him as he would inspect us, front and back, pulling off any leeches that had attached themselves.

Once “cleared”, we would hurry back in for another round of splashing, giggling and tadpole catching.

The memory still sends shivers through me, but to us, it was normal, not a big deal, and by no means stomach turning. Each tadpole grew into a friendly river serpent and every leech held within them magical healing powers.

There was an old boat down in the slough, that we would take out onto…..

The Lake:

We would fish with homemade poles, catching bluegill and digging large clams from the water’s sand beds. Days were spent foraging for food, because just like the Skipper and Gilligan, we too, were lost and alone on a deserted island.

Lightening bugs, caught in jars, sparkling like friendly fairies, illuminated our campsites. In the winter, we would spend our days and nights skating on the lake pretending we could fly as we glided across the ice towards the far back corner by….

A Natural Spring:

Steam would rise slowly up from its unfrozen surface, as Big Foot appeared out of the shadows. The Loch Ness monster would chillingly emerge, backlit by the moon’s haunting glow.

I suppose just like Dorothy, discovering the secret behind the Wizard’s curtain, there are some things that are better left tucked away safe in a childhood fantasy.

I haven’t been back down in the slough bottoms for over forty years, although a part of me never left and can still be found:

Floating down The Nile, fighting off Flying monkeys, and catching Fairies in a jar. Still Hovering somewhere between…… The Edge of Reality and Make Believe.

— Mary Lanita Schulz

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

JOB INCLUDES:

F u l l t i m e , M o n d a y t h r o u g h F r i d a y B e n e f i t s i n c l u d e d S a l a r y s t a r t i n g a t

$ 3 9 , 0 0 0 / y e a r

TO APPLY:

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.

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

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Healthcare Employment Opportunities

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*Dietitian – .5 FTE Day shift position

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*Human Resources Recruitment Assistant – full-time day shift position

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

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*RN Float & House Supervisor positions – .75 FTE evening/night shift position! Employment Bonus Eligible!

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

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

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*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!

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*Environmental

Lake Louie Brewing announces 'major water relocation project' with the move of Lake Louie from Arena to Verona

continued from page 1

How will this happen you ask? “We racked our brains trying to figure out how to move the lake,” said Kirby Nelson, Brewmaster of WBC. “Then it came to us. Red solo cups and beer have always gone well together. So, let’s move the lake using red solo cups and a 30mile relay to move the lake.”

The move will take several hours and requires 30 or more ‘volunteers”. The relay will make its way from Arena to Verona, stopping halfway at Riley Tavern from noon to 1:30pm for a “pitstop”. Once they arrive at Verona,

Kirby Nelson will pour the water from the solo cups into the unnamed lake on their property in Verona. From that point forward Lake Louie, the lake will be in its new home. They will celebrate this historic occasion with a big party in Verona from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A special brew called Louie’s Lake Water will be tapped to commemorate this special moment, and tunes from Dead Henry! will keep the party going into the evening.

“Moving a lake is no small task. I am super proud of our team for making this dream a reality and helping us

New Patients at Spring Green Medical Center

join the ranks with many other historic water relocation projects in the state of Wisconsin,” said Paul Verdu.

Download this video to learn more: https://we.tl/t-PqswQ5CWdS

Wisconsin Brewing Company (WBC) began in August of 2013, later joining forces with Lake Louie Brewing in 2019. WBC operates out of their world class facility and taproom situated on a beautiful property in Verona, WI.

IF YOU GO

Interested in checking out Tom Porter passing along the lake water? Area fans are welcome to join for the ceremonial first hand off at the end of Tom’s driveway on Pine Road in Arena at 7:30 AM - May 6.

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. We want to create a space that truly serves the entire community. 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.

Photo contributed by Wisconsin Brewing Company Pictured is the new Lake Louie, at the Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona.

Photo contributed by Wisconsin Brewing Company

Pictured is Tom Porter, founder of Lake Louie Brewing, in front of the original Lake Louie on May 3 in Arena. "Maybe they’ll finally leave me alone now,” says Porter.

Reflections from Lost Horizon Farm — Making Hay (Part 1) that is weather-dependent cannot be scheduled with certainty. In terms of what to expect in and from a crop: first crop hay was two to three feet high and stemmier; second and third crops were about eighteen inches

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. ...

In the last edition of Valley Sentinel, the final paragraph in first column of Garvoille's 'Cattle Going Down the Road' was inadvertently cut off by misbehaving text wrapping. The issue has been fixed in our e-edition and the paragraph should have read:

"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."

Summertime at Lost Horizon Farm meant making hay at least three times during the season. Hay made with the farm's equipment was put up in large 1350 pound round bales and also in small square bales weighing an average of 40 pounds each. This farm's hay ground was heavy with grasses. Our hay fields were about ½ various grasses (orchard, reed canary, Italian rye, quack); about ¼ alfalfa, and the remaining ¼ a combination of red and white clovers. (Some neighbors had hay fields that were almost a straight stand of alfalfa; in our view, mixed hay worked best for the cattle feeding protocol on our farm.)

Haying time was a critical time because a person wanted to put up feed that was of superior quality for the milking cows. Better feed was a top contributing factor to good milk production. Hay that had been thoroughly dried and had not been rained on made the best quality hay. Hay making began around the first week in June, and the process was repeated on a 45 day schedule thereafter. Of course, the term schedule was idealistic; any process

high at harvest, softer, and higher in protein. Cutting first crop hay required the careful observation of the tractor operator. Because of the hay’s height and density, deer would often hide their young in the hay ground, and a person had to watch carefully for fawns that tended to stay tucked up on the earth, oblivious to the danger of oncoming machinery. To grow each crop of hay, a person hoped for plentiful rainfall and abundant sunshine. During the harvest, a person prayed both for good drying days (sunshine, low humidity and some wind) and no machinery breakdowns. First the hay was cut with a mower of some sort (sickle, haybine, discbine) in a windrow and allowed to dry. The second day the hay was turned to allow the other side to dry. Usually the third or fourth day the hay was raked, and then baled. The main requirement for hay was that it was baled dry. Haymaking was always a bit of a gamble; weather patterns and weather forecasts could be fickle. If there was a rain shower during any time after the hay had been cut, the hay would have to be turned another time (or two or three or more times) and allowed to dry again. If a person had hay cut (or had "hay down," as a farmer would say), and there was an extended period of rain and humidity, the hay would discolor and mold, and mycotoxins could thrive. This poor quality hay sometimes could be salvaged for young stock; in other instances, it could only be used for bedding. The farmer would have a job trying to get wet hay dried and off the field. As soon as a field was cut, the grasses and legumes in it would

begin growing again, and if a person had to wait too long to harvest, the new crop would begin to grow up through the cut hay. Top quality hay was hay that had been handled the least. With each and every mechanical step, nutritious leaves were lost.. Thankful and always lucky was the farmer who could say he had made some "beautiful hay:” high quality hay that had been cut and baled during ideal conditions. Large round bales were pushed out of the round baler right onto the hay ground. These bales were moved off the hay field as soon as possible so as not to smother the regrowth underneath. Because of limited space in our machine sheds, round bales had to be stored outside along the fence lines in long caterpillar-like rows. At first, the bales were stored naked. Then, because there was so much outer spoilage, each bale was lifted with a fork mounted on

the tractor and a protective plastic sleeve was pulled around it. During later years, as technology advanced, a water-repelling netted wrap would be mechanically wound around each bale as it left the baler. The rows of round bales pushed end to end looked lovely in the wintertime with a fresh layer of snow on top. Foxes and coyotes (and farm dogs) liked to sit on top of the “rounder” rows for a commanding view of the valley; critters like rodents and opossums sought shelter underneath them.

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 “Rounders” on a hay strip await getting moved off the field.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Mr. Farmer cutting hay in the valley.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille

This fawn is up and alert amongst the alfalfa plants in a new seeding

The Sauk County Gardener

May Day, May Day – It’s Time to Get in the Garden

Jeannie Manis Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“Despite the forecast, live like it's spring.” — Lilly Pulitzer

I don’t know about you, but April’s weather has really put me behind this year. On the nice days, I had to work; on my days off, it was raining, sleeting, or snowing. I finally gave up and worked the last day of April outdoors in the rain and snow mix. When the weather finally cooperates, here’s what needs to be done this month.

It’s time to start hardening off the annuals and vegetables you started indoors. This should be done about 1-2 weeks prior to when you want to set them out in the garden. Place them outside in a shaded, protected location on warm days, and then bring them in at night. Start out with just a few

hours and gradually increase the amount of time they are outdoors. Keep them out of strong wind and hard rain, and don’t allow them to dry out. You can also place them in a cold frame, opening it during the day and covering at night. Set out the Easter lilies in your garden if you keep yours. I rescued all the Easter lilies from my church, save one. I tried to rescue that one as well, but the person who donated decided he wanted it. I think he wants to see if he is going to try and grow his lily better than my rescued ones. That’s okay, I enjoy a good gardening challenge. While cleaning out your perennial beds, inspect iris for the iris borer larvae on the leaves and crush any that you find. Add organic matter to flower beds. It’s also time to fertilize perennials. The most common recommendation is to apply no more than

1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet if no compost is used. However, if you apply an inch of compost or leaf mold to your garden every year, you can usually forgo any additional fertilizing. Divide Shasta daisies that need to be divided before they are 3 inches tall. If you want bigger peony flowers, disbud several branches, and stake them. For your vegetables, make starter fertilizer by dissolving a half cup of 5-10-5 or 5-1010 fertilizer in a gallon of water; use a ½ cup with each transplant. Plant broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage seedlings when the air temps stay above 40 degrees F. Next plant snap beans, pole beans, sweet corn, and onion plants. Sweet corn that is planted early is supposed to have fewer pest problems. Be prepared to cover young transplants from frost damage by having floating row covers

Can bipartisan support save arts funding in Wisconsin?

Salvation for the arts in Wisconsin may yet be delivered by an unlikely partnership between non-profits, Donald Trump’s former chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and the former head of the state Republican Party.

Right now it doesn’t look good. What a state arts coalition terms a “generational” opportunity to endow the arts in Wisconsin was nixed on Tuesday, just one among 545 of Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposals to be cancelled by the Legislature’s Republicanled Joint Finance Committee.

The timing is swift. Joint Finance’s actions were outlined in a memo to committee members from co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein on Friday. The last of the committee’s three listening sessions around the state was just two days before that.

Early last week, Marklein’s chief of staff, Katy Prange, told Wisconsin Examiner, “Sen. Marklein does not have a comment on this particular [arts] funding request at this time. The Joint Finance Committee is looking at all of their options and will consider all spending as part of the full budget plan.” That consideration was wrapped up three days later with the Friday memo. .

“It doesn’t mean that it’s over. We just have to figure out how to finish,” says Anne Katz, executive director of Madison-based Create Wisconsin, an advocacy non-profit that helped organize the “creative economy coalition” of 134 member organizations from across the state. They include the Wisconsin Counties Association and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

Wisconsin ranks last among the 50 states for public arts funding. Badger arts groups had hoped the Legislature would set aside $100 million of the state’s record $7 billion

surplus for one-time financing of the Wisconsin Artistic Endowment Foundation. Created in 2001 with bipartisan support under Republican Gov. Scott McCallum, the foundation was never funded.

Its proceeds were to be used by the state’s arts agency, the Wisconsin Arts Board, to leverage a larger federal funding match from the National Endowment for the Arts. In recent years, state funding levels have sometimes been less than required to claim the full annual NEA grant. Wisconsin spends 14 cents per capita on the arts. Illinois spends $5.04 and Minnesota spends $7.34.

The legislature could still craft a bill to separately fund the endowment. “We’re in this for the long haul.” vows Katz. For now, though, Joint Finance’s position is a sharp disappointment for the coalition members assembled to back the proposal, most of them rural arts non-profits.

It’s a disappointment, too, for their lobbyist, Michael Best Strategies, a firm with impeccable conservative credentials.

The lobbyist is an affiliate of the Milwaukeebased law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, whose president and chief strategist is Reince Priebus, formerly chair of the Republican National Committee and White House chief of staff for President Trump. Priebus serves as chair of the board of advisors for Michael Best Strategies, which engineered the arts coalition’s public face. Katz credits the firm for the coalition’s branding.

Though it had been in the works for months, “Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition” was announced by Michael Best Strategies on April 20. Michael Best Strategies came up with the name, put together the coalition’s website and wrote the press release, which named principal and senior strategist Joe

Fadness as public contact. (Fadness has not responded to repeated requests for comment.)

The relationship between players is an example of politics making strange bedfellows. As a political party, Republicans tend not to favor funding government agencies that award arts grants, for a variety of reasons:

“As the U.S. Congress struggles to balance the federal budget and end the decades-long spiral of deficit spending, few programs seem more worthy of outright elimination than the National Endowment for the Arts,” argues a 1997 report from The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank.

The National Review, which calls itself the magazine that “defined the modern conservative movement and enjoys the broadest allegiance among American conservatives,” agreed in 2017 — kind of: “The case against the NEA is not that abolishing it will save the federal government a tremendous amount of money. It won’t.

The NEA’s budget is, relatively speaking, chickenfeed.” Rather, “the case against the NEA is that it is bad for art and bad for artists.”

The National Review argues that most NEA dollars go to “community-development programs with an arts component,” which it characterizes as a bad thing.

But some Wisconsin heavy-hitters involved in the coalition for the arts have strong GOP credentials. Fadness, campaign manager for former Gov. Scott Walker during his unsuccessful 2015-16 campaign for president, eventually became executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Earlier he served as director of external relations for Gov. Walker. In his 2013 book

Business/Professional Directory

or light tarps handy. With the weather we’ve had lately, I think we should expect just about any kind of weather.

It may be tempting, but do not mow your yard until the grass is at least 2 inches tall. Or observe “no mow May” as long as possible to offer early nectar sources for our pollinators. Optimal length is 2 ½ to 3/12 inches tall for healthy grass. Purchase your lawn fertilizer so you’re ready to fertilize around Memorial Day. Fertilize trees and shrubs with slowrelease fertilizer if you didn’t get it done earlier in the season. Finally, plant and transplant evergreens before they have new growth.

That’s it for the first half of the month. Let’s hope the weather starts to cooperate and we can get our gardening done without having to fight more cold and rain. Happy Spring!

“Unintimidated: A governor’s story and a nation’s challenge,” Walker credited Fadness as “part of that great team that did more than win – we laid out a roadmap for reform.”

One of those reforms hit the arts in Wisconsin hard. In 2011, after just three months in office, Walker announced plans to cut the Wisconsin Arts Board’s budget by as much as 73 percent, eliminate its staff and remove its agency status. He was largely successful.

Similarly, after just three months in office, Preibus’ boss, Donald Trump, attempted to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. He was not successful.

These are not arts fans of government support for the arts. But that’s exactly why the arts groups chose Michael Best Strategies.

“We shopped for the lobbying firms that had ties to the majority” in the state Legislature, says Katz. “And for those connections, Michael Best is a great fit.” Notably, Preibus’ roommate at University of WisconsinWhitewater was Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

“Michael Best provides an opportunity for the discussion to happen fully,” says another of the coalition organizers, Patrick Rath, president of Milwaukee’s United Performing Arts Fund (no relation to the writer). “That’s what we appreciate.”

The contract with Michael Best Strategies runs through mid-June. Katz says they’ve been working with eight of its staff. “They’re working pretty hard. They’re pretty engaged,” she says.

The cost of the firm’s retainer was covered by the coalition’s largest and most financially robust members. “Let’s just say we’re paying them a considerable amount,” says Katz.

Jay Rath, Wisconsin Examiner

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Water, Essential for

Hello friends,

This past week I really did not know what I was going to do for an adventure worth writing about. As it always does, an idea came to me and I think you will agree it was a good one. Well, in to this week’s column you will see some words of wisdom written by a friend and one of my daughter Selina Walters professors.

Justin A VanDeHey is an Associate Professor of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at UWSP in Stevens Point and also the owner of Cooperstown Kennels.

Monday, April 24th High 42°, Low 25°

My plan was to go up by Crandon, hike into some public land with Red and Ruby my golden retrievers, build a camp and do nothing for 3-days. That plan changed to hiking on the Ice Age Trail in southern Taylor County in the Chequamegon National Forest, building a camp and doing very little. High water everywhere kind of had me boxed in for this week’s options.

I was actually driving when I came up with the new plan and it was a wise choice, I could see it on my map in the Wisconsin Gazetteer. So, I drive into Owen/Withee, hit County T and continue north to paradise. Actually, I love this entire area, the well-kept

farms, large forests and good people all get my respect.

I am driving on gravel roads, there is snow in the forests and water everywhere. I came to a crossing for The Ice Age Trail parked my truck, loaded my pack, and let the trip begin.

My first observation besides the water and snow would be the lay of the land. I would call it knobs of maybe 2 to 6 acres of land that go up about 80feet and most lower edges have small wetlands. This was a constant and I would almost always hear Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese. My plan was simple, build camp on top of a knob, look at the world and hike the IAT with a base camp to come back to.

Tuesday, April 25th

High 46°, Low 26°

The moisture in this neck of the woods is everywhere to be seen and felt. Today, the pups and I went on an all-day hike, and I have found a new place to call home. What is amazing is the constant small wetlands around each knob and what I am seeing and not seeing. Due to snow on the ground, there is very little sign of wildlife tracks. I have to wonder do the animals leave for winter or did a very long winter harvest many of them, probably a bit of both.

Here are Justin VanDeHey’s words of wisdom, I think you will enjoy them. “While it may seem obvious to

us, there are many natural benefits of streams flowing over their banks and spilling onto the land. For example, when water moves out onto the land it slows the downstream flows and allows more water to leach into the soil replenishing groundwater. These slower flows allow silt and nutrients from the stream to be deposited onto the flooded land creating excellent growing areas for plants. The slower flow rates also reduce erosion downstream. The flooded areas are high in nutrients and low in predators, making them excellent breeding grounds for fish, frogs and aquatic bugs and are critical nursery areas for fish like Northern Pike. So all in all, allowing a river or stream to spill out onto the land has a lot of hidden benefits.” Think about what Justin wrote. That my friends is a huge way that nature works.

By the second night of this excellent adventure, I was 100-percent acclimatized and felt great during my

treks. The pups had some excellent training and loved swimming in still somewhat frozen lakes. If you are a hiker, consider this section of trail a must check out on your priority list.

Get lost, hang out, observe, you will come out of it with your batteries charged!

Sunset

Follow along the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers. He hopes you enjoy reading about his adventures!

Want

This

Walters

is a beautiful hidden

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Photo contributed by Mark

lake

getaway on The Ice Age Trail in southern Taylor County.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters

This photo shows a perfect setting for spring runoff filling nature’s reservoirs.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Many of Ruby and Red’s waking hours

spent like this.