Valley Sentinel - 05-16-2024

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Arena village president shuts down trustee nominations 2024 Best of the River Valley Reader Poll nominations open

Movie & Film: ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ Inside this edition

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Arena Village Board deals with on-going public safety issues, debates unilateral powers of village president

Board accepts police department resignation as village president shuts down open nominations to fill vacant board seat

At the May 7 regular meeting of the Village of Arena Board, the board accepted the resignations of Chief Nicholas Stroik, Sergeant Wyatt Miller, Officer Stephanie Benish and K9 Cougar—who made up the entirety of the Arena Police Department—approved

two temporary agreements for public safety services and debated powers of the village president.

Future of Public Safety Services

On April 20, the Arena Police Department announced their resignations effective May 8, while leaving open the possibility that the board could refuse to accept the resignations and instead opt to negotiate with them at the May 7 regular board meeting. The officers went from full-time to part-time

in Nov. 2023, citing lack of benefits and disrespect from the board—and then accepted positions with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department, while remaining part-time for Arena.

Trustees BeccaRaven Uminowicz and Matthew Schroeder expressed their desire to retain Stroik and Miller.

Trustee Brittany Carney doubted the soundness of such a proposal, given the small number of part-time hours worked by Stroik and Miller and the superior pay and benefits offered to Iowa County

Travel Wisconsin launches 'Here’s to Being Here' campaign highlighting Spring Green

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism/Travel Wisconsin has introduced the "Here’s to Being Here" travel series, showcasing unique experiences throughout the state. This series complements the 2024 summer advertising campaign, "Here’s to Those Who Wisconsin," which highlights the state's top summer attractions. Spring Green is prominently featured in the new series. The promotional video, available at youtube.com/ watch?v=CaCtYY6dxCA, highlights activities such as hiking at Tower Hill State Park, exploring Taliesin and attending performances at the American Players Theatre. Other attractions include Wild Hills Winery, The Sh*tty Barn and Homecoming Restaurant.

According to a Travel Wisconsin spokesperson, the series aims to showcase the variety of activities visitors can enjoy in the Spring Green area. "We’re excited to highlight all the fun activities visitors can discover in the Spring Green area through our newly launched travel series 'Here’s to Being Here,'" said the spokesperson.

The "Here’s to Being Here" campaign,

launched on May 13, aims to inspire travelers through immersive storytelling. The series features multiple locations across Wisconsin, including Madison, Stevens Point, and Milwaukee. More destinations will be introduced throughout the year, showcasing both autumn and winter activities.

A spokesperson for Travel Wisconsin added that the "Here’s to Being Here'"series is designed to showcase

unique experiences and shared moments of joy that travelers can have in Wisconsin. The series uses immersive storytelling to help travelers envision themselves experiencing the wonders of the state, encouraging them to create their own itineraries. By placing the traveler’s experience at the forefront, the first-person narrative technique captivates audiences and inspires them to plan memorable vacations. The campaign is designed to resonate

officers.

“I don't know how we go backwards at this point,” said Carney. “I'm not necessarily saying I'm for getting rid of the police officers or the police department. But where do we move forward from here is my question? They have full time jobs [with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department]. I doubt we can pay better than Iowa County. So I'm just not sure what that looks like. And if we

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with the target audience, who value authentic and real-life experiences and seek destinations with a variety of activities and options. Locations for the series were selected to promote tourism across the state and provide viewers with an immersive experience of Wisconsin's diverse attractions. Season one features Madison, Spring Green, Stevens Point, and Milwaukee, with more destinations to be showcased throughout the year, including autumn and winter adventures.

This series complements Travel Wisconsin's "Here’s to Those Who Wisconsin" summer advertising campaign, which includes a 30-second commercial on various platforms. The summer campaign promotes iconic Wisconsin activities such as visiting waterparks, enjoying supper clubs, and exploring outdoor recreation. It aims to enhance tourism by emphasizing shared experiences and the state's unique attractions.

For planning a trip to Spring Green, Travel Wisconsin says more information can be found at https://bit.ly/4b9imXz.

For more information about Wisconsin's tourism initiatives, visit www.TravelWisconsin.com.

Alex Prochaska, Editorial Intern

Taylor Scott, Managing Editor

Photo via Travel Wisconsin

The "Here's to Being Here" Travel Wisconsin video featuring Spring Green. QR code inlaid to watch.

Your Right to Know: Rights clash in records dispute

Matthew DeFour, Contributed

In the last column I included this quote f The Wisconsin Supreme Court will soon hear a case involving records related to the voting rights of mentally incompetent people. No matter which side wins, the public has in some ways already lost. That’s because while the case pits the public’s right to scrutinize voter eligibility against the rights of voters to protect their own private health information, elected officials have missed a chance to solve the underlying problem.

Wisconsin law allows a court to remove someone’s right to vote in certain cases. The idea is to prevent their vote from being co-opted by someone else, like a nefarious relative or nursing home attendant.

State law specifies that court records dealing with mental competency are not public records unless a court decides otherwise. It’s one of the limited exceptions to the state’s open records law, which holds that most public records kept by state and local governments are public information.

Lacking clear guidance in law, the courts have developed a system by which a form is sent to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The commission updates its voter records and then alerts a local election clerk to remove the person from the voter rolls. It’s public access to that form that is being disputed in the case now before the state Supreme Court.

The plaintiff in the case is conservative Wisconsin Voter Alliance president Ron Heuer, who previously worked on former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman’s partisan, $2.5 million taxpayer-funded 2020 election investigation that found no evidence of widespread fraud.

What it did find were a few examples of nursing home residents casting absentee

On the cover

ballots despite their families saying they were incompetent. However, in most cases, Gableman presented no evidence that a court removed their voting rights.

After the Gableman investigation fizzled, Heuer continued investigating the issue and filed lawsuits in 13 counties

seeking records related to those deemed incompetent.

Heuer lost at the circuit court level and appealed in two separate appellate districts. He lost before the District 4 court based in liberal Madison. But then, in an unusual twist, the District 2 court based in conservative Waukesha County ruled in his favor. Wisconsin appellate courts aren’t supposed to contradict each other. And so the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.

The problem is that, in order to check whether people adjudicated incompetent to vote have actually been removed from the voter rolls, their names have to be disclosed. And that could violate their right to privacy about their personal health.

Heuer wants access to the records because he claims there could be as many as 20,000 adjudicated incompetent people still casting illegal ballots. That’s incorrect. A Wisconsin Watch investigation found that’s an artificially inflated figure

based on everyone under a court-ordered guardianship, not everyone who has lost their right to vote.

But the number is not zero. At Wisconsin Watch’s request, Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell reviewed the voting record of adjudicated incompetent people in Dane County. He found 95 examples of people who combined had cast more than 300 ballots since 2008. The Wisconsin Elections Commission checked its files and advised clerks to review their records.

McDonell, a Democrat, and the Wisconsin County Clerks Association advocated for a change in law that would make the law clearer on how the sensitive court records should be communicated to election clerks. Assembly Campaign and Elections Committee chair Rep. Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa, moved a fix through his committee and it passed with bipar-

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2024 Best of the River Valley reader poll nominations open now

Timeline

May 16 - May 27: 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.

June 1 - June 15: 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 27: 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?

Now: call for nominations Visit our website www.valleysentinelnews.com/ best-of/ and submit your nominations online. Website will be updated soon.

Businesses! Don’t be afraid to nominate yourselves, and please reach out if you’re interested in ways to get involved or for ads.

If you are looking for previous years' winning certificates please let us know!

“Northern Lights” (2024) Photo, by Karen Scott

On May 10, the northern lights again brightened the skies as the sun goes through the height of it's solar cycle.

Last year the Valley was dazzled with lights of a similar or greater intensity. These pictures were taken between Arena and Spring Green, with the magic of the cosmos touching our fragile Earth as

large metor streaked across the sky in front of our editors and the whippoorwills called.

Matthew DeFour

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Project 2025: The Conservative Promise — Part 3: Waco or Wacko or Worse?

Beverly Pestel, Columnist

In the last column I included this quote from Project 2025: “Many elites’ entire identity…is wrapped up in their sense of superiority over those people…they are the mere equals of the workers who shower after work instead of before… Intellectual sophistication, advanced degrees, financial success, and all other markers of elite status have no bearing on a person’s knowledge of the one thing most necessary for governance: what it means to live well.” (pg. 10)

You already know what I think of this attempt to inflame the festering resentment promulgated by “after work” pretenders. ? (By the way, all italics are in the original document, what is that all about?)

The three words that immediately precede this quote are “in Waco, Texas.” Here is the full sentence, “Today, nearly every top-tier U.S. university president or Wall Street hedge fund manager has more in common with a socialist, European head of state than with the parents at a high school football game in Waco, Texas.”

Ok, that is a loaded sentence, but why the entirely unnecessary reference to Waco, Texas? Or is the reference to Waco the actual point?

What does Waco, Texas immediately bring to mind? David Koresh, Branch Davidians, Waco massacre, siege by the U. S. federal government, Timothy McVeigh, and the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Federal Building.

I don’t believe for a moment that the reference to Waco was anything but planned.

We are meant to bring up visions of chaos, violence, and charges of government overreach, overreaction, and possible responsibility for the fire that resulted in the deaths of 82 Branch Davidians and 4 federal agents. We are meant to question whether Timothy McVeigh was a domestic terrorist or a patriot fighting to inspire a revolution against what he perceived as a tyrannical government.

Neither do I believe that Donald Trump’s choice of Waco, Texas as the location for the launch of his 2024 Presidential campaign was innocent.

I keep trying to convince myself that I am overreacting to this reference, but I just can’t get there.

Contact us PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone

Managing Editor

Taylor Scott

Legal Editor

Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

Editorial Policy

There is much in this document that is saying the quiet part out loud, but there is also much that is only slightly subliminal, designed to disengage the intellect and kick in an emotional response. Choice words and phrases are interspersed throughout for reasons that appear to defy decency. Note the word choices here:

“‘Cheap grace’ aptly describes the Left’s love affair with environmental extremism. Those who suffer most from the policies environmentalism would have us enact are the aged, poor, and vulnerable. It is not a political cause, but a pseudo-religion meant to baptize liberals’ ruthless pursuit of absolute power in the holy water of environmental virtue…At its very heart, environmental extremism is decidedly anti-human…They would stand human affairs on their head, regarding human activity itself as fundamentally a threat to be sacrificed to the god of nature.” (pg.11)

Get the picture? The Left are all Pantheists trying to destroy our Christian nation and pervert our Christian ethics and heritage. The Davidians were all good Christians, after all – weren’t they?

It is almost too easy to miss the part about environmental extremists causing the suffering of the most vulnerable. Decades of research indicate that the opposite is true. It is the poor who suffer most from unregulated polluters who destroy the financial, physical, and emotional health of surrounding communities. This is just more “no, you’re the puppet” stuff that is so infuriating in this document.

Interspersed between the lies, the ap-

Graphic Design

Julianna Williams

Democracy, Society & Edu. Columnist

Beverly Pestel

On certain topics in areas of great community interest, the editors of the Valley Sentinel may take positions they believe best repre- sent and serve the interests of the community. Any opinions or positions taken by the editorial board are separate and distinct in labeling and substance from the community journalism that ap- pears in the rest of the publication and does not affect the integri- ty and impartiality of our reporting.

peals to fear, and the pseudo-religious attacks is an attempt to sound reasonable and compassionate.

For instance, from pages 4-5.

“The next conservative President must get to work pursuing the true priority of politics – the well-being of the American family.” Who could disagree with that?

But they can’t seem to rein themselves in, because they follow that immediately with, “In many ways, the entire point of centralizing political power is to subvert the family. Its purpose is to replace natural loves and loyalties with unnatural ones.”

Just let that reference to unnatural love sink in and absorb the implications. It should make you queasy. I don’t have a clue as to what unnatural loyalty is, but they make it sound very unwholesome and threatening.

In one breath they demonize “centralizing political power” because it subverts the family. In the next breath they propose to “even use government power…to restore the American family” and “Federal power must be wielded to…rescue America’s kids from familial breakdown.”

The contradictions pile on top of one another until nothing and everything makes sense at the same time. It is almost as if they planned it that way? Or did they simply assume that no rational person would ever read this? Or do they simply not care because if they get their conservative President, they will be free to do as they please and criticism of them will not matter because they will hold all the levers of power?

Just to make sure they are not restricting themselves to any additional “pro-family” pogroms, they state that “the next conservative President’s agenda must go much further than the traditional, narrow definition of ‘family values’”. Every threat to family stability must be confronted.”

They don’t tell us what their expanded definition of family values is. Let’s return to their own statement, “the entire point of centralizing political power is to subvert the family.” When people tell you what they are going to do, we should believe them.

Are you scared yet? I am.

Meanwhile, some of their solutions to restoring the well-being of families is to install work requirements for food stamps, prevent the Left from threatening the tax-exempt status of churches, imprison educators and librarians for the “prop-

Literary Contributor

Letter to the Editor Policy

Letters submitted for consideration are subject to fact-checking and editing for space and clarity. Submissions must have a compelling local community interest. Letters to the editor must fit within a 500-word limit, and include name, city and phone number. Phone numbers are for office use only and will not be published. Letters of a political nature, without chance of rebuttal, will not be published the week before an election.

agation of transgender ideology,” and “celebrate the greatest pro-family win in a generation: overturning Roe v. Wade.” I guess this is their idea of natural love. Propagation of transgender ideology, they maintain, has no claim to First Amendment protection and any “telecommunications and technology firms that facilitate its spread should be shuttered.” They call for parent’s rights except that “allowing parents to ‘reassign’ the sex of a minor child is child abuse and must end.”

Any parent who reads this and cannot see the danger to themselves and their children is refusing to see beyond their blind loyalty to a Republican Party that no longer exists.

Which bring me back to the 1980 Republican Party Platform: “We seek to restore the family, the neighborhood, the community, and the workplace as vital alternatives in our national life to ever-expanding federal power…Republicans… have always taken the side of the individual, whose freedoms are threatened…Our case for the individual is stronger than ever. A defense of the individual against government was never more needed. And we will continue to mount it.”

Ok, I don’t necessarily agree, but can live with that.

There is nothing in this 1980 platform about unnatural love, or wielding federal power to rescue families, or imprisoning educators and librarians. Nothing about shuttering telecommunications and technology firms, nothing about threatening parents’ rights to meet the physical and emotional needs of their children.

Then back to Ike and the 1956 Republican Platform: Our great President Dwight D. Eisenhower has counseled us further: “In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human.”

I’m not a conservative, but can we please have this Republican Party back?

If you want to fact check me as I go through this, here is a link so you can read it for yourself: tinyurl.com/ReadProject2025

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. Beverly may be contacted at bpestel@msn.com.

Deadlines: The display and classified advertising deadline is Monday at noon for that week. If you would like our design team to design the ad then please allow extra time for the creative process and proofing.

Column Policy

Editors may feature opinion columns written by public figures, members of the public or other publication staff. Columns reflect the opinions of the individual contributors and do not represent positions of the publication. Guest columns of an anticipated length more than 500 words should seek prior editor authorization.

Community Discussion Policy

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

Mary Lanita Schulz

Editorial & Lit. Intern

Alex Prochaska

Beverly Pestel

Sauk County offers free mental health resources through partnership with CredibleMind

Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief

Public Health Sauk County has partnered with the digital platform CredibleMind to provide free access to mental health resources during Mental Health Awareness Month. This collaboration, initiated by the Sauk County Health & Wellness Steering Committee, aims to enhance the availability of mental health and wellbeing tools for residents.

The platform offers over a dozen

Your Right to Know:

scientific assessments covering topics such as anxiety, depression, loneliness and substance use. Additionally, users can find thousands of expert-reviewed apps, podcasts, books, articles and videos tailored to various mental health needs.

"CredibleMind provides a range of resources to support individuals through different mental health challenges and to maintain good mental health,” said Jessie Phalen,

Rights clash in records dispute

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tisan support.

But the bill died in the Senate because Republicans objected to an unrelated provision allowing absentee ballots to be processed on Mondays before Election Day. Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a separate

Spring Green Village Board approves renovations at pool and legal appointment

The Spring Green Village Board held its regular meeting on May 8. The board approved several actions, including the appointment of a new Village Attorney and the approval of funding for municipal pool renovations.

Among the consent agenda items, the board approved a financial report and disbursements, as well as temporary Class "B" retailer’s licenses for upcoming summer screenings at The Gard Theater. Key decisions included the appointment of Aaron Holverson as Chair of the Technology and Telecommunications Committee, Fred Lausly as Chair of the Joint Extraterritorial Zoning Committee, and Nate Robson to a vacant seat on the same committee. Additionally, the board appointed Eric Hagen as the new Village Attorney.

Republican fix because it would have required nursing homes to contact families before residents could vote.

Wisconsin needs to find a way to make these records available without compromising the medical privacy of individual voters, and then get to work passing

nurse manager for Public Health Sauk County. “Our partnership aims to empower residents with the tools they need to proactively manage their mental health."

Residents interested in these resources can visit Sauk County's dedicated page on CredibleMind at https:// saukcounty.crediblemind.com/.

The initiative has received support from Sauk Prairie Healthcare and SSM Health St. Clare Hospital-Baraboo,

bipartisan fixes to obvious problems. A functional government requires both an informed public and elected leaders responsive to problems identified by the public.

Your Right to Know is a monthly col-

In Brief

A significant allocation was approved for municipal pool renovations, with the board accepting a $42,405 quote from Danny Williams Home Improvement LLC to replace the pool doors.

No action was taken on the proposed location of Well #3 or on funding applications for street improvements on E. Hoxie St. and E. Jefferson St. from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The next meeting of the Spring Green Village Board is scheduled for May 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

The agenda includes the introduction of Attorney Eric Hagen, discussions on multiple Certified Survey Maps, and a request to rezone a lot on US Hwy 14.

Village of Plain Board advances infrastructure and public safety initiatives

The Village of Plain Board of Trustees met on May 8, at the Municipal Office Building to discuss significant local issues.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR INTERNS AND COMMUNITY

CONTRIBUTORS

The board reviewed the progress on the Cedar Street/St. Luke's Avenue project, noting the completion of underground work and the upcoming installation of curbs. They also discussed updates on the Highway 23 project.

Public safety was a key agenda item, with Police Chief Mike Stoddard reporting on a recent significant ordinance violation that was resolved with the help of community cooperation.

The board also finalized the sale of land to Dollar General, adding $97,748 to village funds.

Discussions on adapting fire inspection frequencies to state legislation were initiated to improve compliance and safety.

Licenses were approved for community events including St. Luke’s Catholic Congregation's festival and the Plain Fire & EMS Celebration.

The meeting concluded with the scheduling of the Board of Review for May 22.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

you can help influence and create.

We are a new, all volunteer local news source that holds a strong belief that by working to keep our communities informed and engaged on a variety of topics including arts & culture, events, community news and serving as a watchdog for our local governmental bodies, we can help create a strong identity for our community and ignite positive growth and change throughout the area.

Interested? Send us your area(s) of interest and a resume to: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Internship will be unpaid, interns will be required to sign a FSLA-compliant internship agreement. If credit is available from intern’s educational institution for participation in an internship, we are glad to work with you to meet any requirements for receiving credit.

Want to help build community? Know a college student that’s looking for a summer or fall internship for academic credit or to gain experience? Already attending village board or school board meetings and want to record or report on them? Want to engage with arts & culture, ag, businesses and other topics important to our community? Want to take scenic walks or drives delivering papers to subscribers and businesses?

We have so many ideas to grow and do more for our community, but we need help, we CAN’T do it alone. If you want to be a part of something bigger please email us and let us know what your interests are: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Areas in most need:

• Graphic design (publication layout, visual story design, infographics)

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• Social media posting/creation

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• Agriculture reporter/columnist (current events)

• Calendar/events coordinator/editor

• Music contributor/editor

• Theater contributor/editor AND MORE

We have the infrastructure set up for most of these areas, we're just in need of manpower from passionate community members. We offer a private collaborative office and bi-weekly staff meetings to guide you. There are so many more things we want to do and are always up for new ideas. We can be and do so much more with your support. This is YOUR paper, we are what the community makes us.

WE TRULY CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU AND THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU!

both of which have contributed to making these mental health resources available to the public.

Individuals seeking immediate mental health support can contact the crisis hotline by calling or texting 988, or by visiting https://988lifeline.org for a chat service.

For more information about public health programs and initiatives in Sauk County, visit https://www.co.sauk. wi.us/publichealth.

umn distributed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council (wisfoic. org), a nonprofit, nonpartisan group dedicated to open government. Matthew DeFour is the statehouse bureau chief for Wisconsin Watch, where this piece was originally published.

River Valley Housing Coalition seeks Lone Rock village input

Residents of Lone Rock have a unique opportunity to share their opinions on housing in the community through a survey conducted by the River Valley Housing Coalition. The survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, is available online at https:// app.maptionnaire.com/q/4cor9vig2b97 and will remain open until the end of the month.

The village said the results will help assist in the strategy and planning process for the housing coalition.

The coalition aims to create a comprehensive understanding of the current housing situation to better inform future planning efforts.

For more information about the River Valley Housing Coalition and its mission, visit the website at https://www.rvhousing.org/.

U S I N E S S I N S I D E R

UPDATED—May 30: Local Guide to Getting Hitched: Spring Green wedding special section

Presented by the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center Timed to be on newsstands during Memorial Day for tourists/visitors. Just ahead of June, the most popular wedding month, and perfectly timed with the average wedding taking just under a year to plan.

The Spring Green area has so many wonderful sights, venues and food options that it is truly becoming a wedding destination. This section will cover what the area has to offer as well as include listings and sponsored article opportunities.

Ad reservations due EOD May 24. Ad copy due EOD May 27.

OPPORTUNITIES IN ALL SPECIAL SECTIONS

Presenting Sponsor of the section — $400 (1 available each special section)

A presenting sponsorship grants your logo and business name on the section itself. A sponsorship also includes a banner ad to be run within the section. Sponsor will also receive half off any sponsored article content within the special section. Supporting Sponsor — Supporting sponsorships of special sections may be available at $200 for all benefits above, excluding banner (limited availability), but including 50% off ads in the section.

Presenting and supporting sponsors are included on any promotional materials and spots are limited, so reserve spots ASAP.

Featured Business/Sponsored Articles — $200 for 1/2 page promotional article with 1-2 pictures ($100 if a sponsor for the section). Editorial freedom to decide what is featured - Limited availability. Runs online as well.

All special sections subject to change and participation. The more support and engagement we get, the more we can offer the community together.

Advertising Spots

Arena Village Board deals with on-going public safety issues, debates unilateral powers of village president

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want police coverage, then we need to hire police coverage.”

Schroeder argued police officers, and military veterans like himself, don’t do their jobs simply for money. He also said the board’s survey to Arena residents has not been completed—the board is currently in the process of mailing a survey to Arena residents presenting three options for the future of policing in Arena: two full-time and one part-time officers, one full-time officer or getting rid of the Arena Police Department entirely and relying instead on the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department.

The survey will not be completed until May 17.

The board ultimately accepted the resignations of Stroik, Miller, Benish and Cougar, while Schroeder and Uminowicz voted against the decision. Miller’s proposal to adopt K9 Cougar was unanimously accepted.

In lieu of having police services funded and based in Arena, the board approved a temporary agreement with Iowa County Sheriff’s Department for them to provide a minimum of 4 hours per week of police protective services to the Village of Arena through the end of 2024.

“The four hours is to cover ordinances,” said Clerk-Treasurer DaNean Naeger. “That's not the only police that we will have here. Iowa County will cover us completely. The four hours in the contract are just for the village ordinances.”

Schroeder expressed his concern with the small number of hours, to which

Trustee Kathy Stoltz responded.

“[Stroik and Miller are] working parttime now, anyway, so they're not here all the time,” said Stoltz. “So if they're not on the clock, we're still getting Iowa County. So with their part-time hours it works out all the same anyway. And personally, if it should come around to that the village residents want to keep police coverage and everything—they can always be rehired.”

It was revealed by the board at their March 27 special meeting that, from Jan. 14 to March 23, Miller worked an average of 23.25 part-time hours in Arena per week, Stroik approximately 3 hours, and Officer Stephanie Benish approximately one hour—for a total of over 27 hours per week.

Additionally, the board passed a temporary agreement with the Town of Arena to provide Fire and EMS services through the end of 2024.

This temporary agreement is part of an on-going process to renegotiate the agreement for Fire and EMS services between the town and village. At the May 7 meeting, Schroeder expressed concerns the board was not following proper procedures for this agreement, citing the April 22 meeting where Trustee Melissa Bendll claimed the clerk sent a proposed amendment to the agreement to the town.

However, emails obtained through a public records request reveal no proposed amendment, but show Reimann sent a notice of the termination to the Town on April 24.

Replacement of Trustee Doerflinger

The board accepted Trustee Jim Doerflinger’s resignation at their May 7 regular meeting.

Doerflinger was arrested for Disorderly Conduct-Domestic and Battery on April 13. He submitted his letter of resignation April 17. It’s not clear why the board took action to accept Doerflinger’s resignation, as state statute pronounces the seat vacant upon the time stated in the resignation, which was immediate.

Immediately after the board accepted this resignation, Reimann said she had the authority, as village president, to nominate someone to fill Doerflinger’s empty seat on the board. Reimann then nominated Kristen Shea, a former village trustee. Shea’s previous term ended this spring, after she declined to file for reelection to the board.

"Next item on our agenda is appointment to the open Village Trustee seat and as President I get to nominate that person," said Reimann. "And I am nominating Kristen Shea for the open seat and I make a motion to seat Kristen Shea."

“It says that—Statute 61.65—can be selected by appointment by the village board, appointment by the village president or appointment by the village president subject to board confirmation,” said Reimann.

Statute 61.65, which Reimann cited, pertains to police and fire departments, not to the procedures of village boards or the appointment of village board members. Additionally, it appears she quoted the words of a different statute

entirely—Statute 61.197, which refers to the appointment of “Officers other than members of the village board. . .”

Based on the statutes Reimann cited at the meeting, it’s unclear what authority Reimann purports to have to unilaterally appoint trustees. The statute is clear that the board makes the appointment, no where are trustees locked in to only considering the village president’s nominee for appointment. The agenda item for appointment, which Reimann had originally asked Naeger to list as “appoint Kristen Shea to fill the vacated seat from Jim Doerflinger’s resignation” instead called for an open nomination. It’s unclear what authority Reimann believes she has in preventing other trustees from nominating for board appointments.

Reimann however quickly progressed through the motion, at times speaking over the objections of other trustees.

Schroeder questioned whether Reimann had the authority to nominate a new trustee, but the board passed Shea’s appointment with Reimann shutting down discussion.

“I have a right to make a nomination so there's a motion, there's a motion on the floor,” said Reimann. “Do I have a second? All those in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. All right, next item on our agenda is approval of the May 7 agenda…”

Schroeder and Uminowicz voted against the appointment.

The Arena Village Board of Trustees meets next on June 4 at 7 p.m. at the Arena Village Hall.

Legal Editor's Analysis: When the law says, “yeah, technically, but I really don’t care…”

Let’s talk a little about what happened at the Arena Village Board meeting. We previously discussed the meeting notice that was issued which called for the filling of an open board seat with a particular individual. The village issued a new notice instead calling for “appointment to open village trustee seat.”

Yet when the meeting actually happened, the village president simply steamrolled the board with her own nominee. In the same breath as calling the item on the agenda, she added, “and as president I get to nominate that person and I am nominating Kristen Shea for the open seat and I make a motion to seat Kristen Shea.”

Since she stated she had this power, Trustee Schroeder inquired by what state law and she cited “the League [of Wisconsin Municipalities]’s book, page 13.” There was a helpful offer that it might be in the village ordinances, but Schroeder stated that it is not. (Whether that was correct is liable to interpretation: the president, like any other trustee, can certainly make a nominee, but the president does not have any special power to a presumptive selection, which is what the president seemed to imply.)

The president went on to cite section 61.65 of the statutes, which in fact is titled, “Police and Fire Departments; Pension funds.” She appeared to actually quote section 61.197, which refers to “selection of officers” but explicitly excludes village trustees from its ambit. She explained she was making the appointment subject to board confirmation, which she simply cannot do. State law does not give her that authority and it is contrary to village ordinance, which conforms to statute 17.24. Schroeder referred to that statue but Reimann simply reiterated that she had the power, and the board caved in and voted to approve her nominee.

So the question is not, “was this legal?”— because it clearly wasn’t. The question is whether anything can be done about it. The law has had some offenses for which no remedy or penalty is offered, but generally the law abhors this kind of arrangement, and the state constitution actually has a no-wrong-without-a-remedy provision, but there are remedies and then there are remedies,

and in this case, there are no remedies

So can one fight the appointment by saying this person was not properly appointed, is it obligatory that the board not treat them as a trustee and not count their vote? Can one levy charges against the president for misconduct in office? Perhaps use the extraordinary procedure in statute 17.13(3) to have a county judge remove Reimann for cause? All intriguing and they all probably have the same answer: technically, yes—but practically no. The law says it cares, but it’s just humoring you until you go away.

There are several factors that play into this.

Technically one could seek a writ of mandamus or prohibition against the board to force it and its members and clerk not to recognize the new trustee. The process wasn’t proper, so the board has a ministerial duty — a clear absolute responsibility over which it has no discretion — not to treat a non-trustee as a trustee.

But here the law doesn’t really care because so what? It’s a distinction without a difference. The board voted to approve, and had the process gone legally, the board would have voted, who is to say they would not have voted the same way? If they don’t really want the new trustee, they don’t need to be forced into not having her. They can just treat the vacancy as still being open and re-fill it without an order. These writs are discretionary, not automatic. The judge who decides whether to issue the writ will look at the matter and decline to act. Technically it was the wrong process, but what is the actual harm?

A judge asked to remove Reimann might say the same thing, as might a district attorney asked to prosecute her. As might a judge from whom a Chapter 17 order is sought.

There are answers, to be sure: this was not a good process or a good look, and it might have effectively cowed the board into relinquishing its responsibilities because some of its members either did not know or care enough to stand for their rights. This affected the rights of board members in the minority to influence their peers by debate and counter-nominations. It was an instance of bad government. This is how you get poor nominees. Perhaps Shea will be stellar

nominee, but this was not a process designed to secure quality but to shift power away from the broad body to a single individual.

But ultimately, the law will ho-hum it. If not for that reason, then for others.

The statute barring misconduct in office contains language requiring that an officer not knowingly exercise a power they do not have, or that they not violate a right though seeking to obtain an illicit advantage. Implicit is that the officer understand that advantage to be illicit. So these sections, which one can find in section 946.12 (2) and (3), require knowing and intentional conduct. They do not reach mistakes, either honest ones, or semi-honest ones.

Sometimes the criminal law is so concerned with something that it demands extra care not to make a mistake, where it expects someone to know what is wrong and exercise special care, but usually it does not care about people just getting stuff wrong.

Perhaps you can say, Reimann knew this power was BS. She’s been around a while, she’s been told this. She knew her power was in question and instead of getting a reliable answer, she ludicrously misconstrued a statute to work in her favor, how convenient!

But even then, she will get the benefit of the doubt. It’s just not a big deal.

The law works like this when a kind of offense involves a very common wrong that’s seen as relatively minor, especially among people that are trying to do something of social benefit. You want to run a business but violate some regulations? We’ll give you some time to correct them, we like to encourage entrepreneurship. You want to become more civically involved, become a public servant? We laud that, we’ll just issue a warning.

It’s much different for low-level officials than higher-ups. It’s nice to have government close to the people, and these people are seen not as career politicians but local volunteers who get a little pay and a little power, but not a whole lot, and are basically putting in a little time after their day jobs. There are so many of them, they’re not drawn from an elite pool and don’t commit vast parts of their life to this. They don’t get degrees

in law or political science or run million-dollar campaigns, so we expect plenty of small mistakes. And in most cases the official that would enforce these duties against a village president is a district attorney or judge. In both cases there are special reasons to butt out.

Judges understand the doctrine of separation of powers, and are reluctant to intrude on any nonjudicial branch of government. When an official is elected, they look at that and say, the remedy intended by the legislature is not me, at least not primarily. The people have spoken in electing this person in, the preferred remedy is for them to elect the person back out again.

District attorneys have to worry about the intrusion of criminal sanctions on the political system for just this reason. In a democracy, voters should not have their choices constrained by legal action against officials and candidates. No one is above the law, but going after a political figure looks unsavory because it can be easily cast as a political move. Hence there’s a sound basis to approach any potential action reluctantly. One can look at all the states in the world where political contenders have been corruptly removed from contention by fearful dictators or just corrupt opponents in a mostly free system.

For the most part, this kind of hands-off system is not terrible. The reasons behind it make sense. But it can also be incredibly frustrating when wrongs occur that seem unable to be righted. What tends to happen is that the figures who decide when the law should remain hands-off and when action must be taken gradually lose patience, and after successive warnings fail to make an impact, the intentional wrongfulness of the conduct starts to become more apparent, and action does start to get taken.

This is all a function of the law being executed by humans and not by books. It may be, as has been said of democracy, the worst system except for all the others.

I'm an attorney, I'm not your attorney. This is not intended as legal advice.

—Gary Ernest Grass, esq., Legal Editor

Events for May 16 - May 30

Thursday, May 16

COmmunitycalendar

COmmunitycalendar

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.

Sunday, May 19

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com 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.

Tech Help 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Arena Village Hall, 345 West St, Arena rvbroadband.org/techhelp Come on in with any devices or technology you need help with! No appoiontment necessary.

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.

Friday, May 17

2024 Muscoda Morel Fest All Day Downtwon Muscoda For more information look up Muscoda Morel Mushroom Fest on Facebook Antique and Farm tractor pull, and Car cruise in.

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session 307: Adam Greuel & the Space

Burritos 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 Rooted in country, blues, bluegrass, and show music, as Levon Helm put it, you could just call it "rock n' roll". Performing a hearty swamp of original music, as well as select covers from some of time's finest rock n' rollers (Little Feat, The Band, Jerry Jeff Walker), the Space Burritos embark on a mission to get you dancing off that festyburrito, while also potentially, quite possibly, frankly, taking your mind to...space.

Saturday, May 18

2024 Muscoda Morel Fest All Day . Downtown Muscoda . For more information look up Muscoda Morel Mushroom Fest on Facebook Morels, Music, Food stands, Chili cook-off, Petting zoo, Arts & Crafts show, Fireworks at dusk and much more! See online for full event details.

EVENT FULL: Birding the Driftless Trail to Taliesin's Phoebe Point 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Phoebe Point Trail, 4WVG+7JJ, Spring Green driftlessconservancy.org The Lower Wisconsin Riverway is a major corridor for spring migration, and the new Phoebe Point Trail is in the heart of it. Whether you are learning birds or know them well, join us in finding warblers, thrushes, and many more migrants along this mile-long trail.

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

Rumble on the Ridge-Last Person Standing 8:00 AM 5749 CR-H, Arena driftlessendurance.com For more information, look up Driftless Endurance on Facebook Welcome to year #3 of Rumble on the Ridge!! This take on the traditional Backyard Ultra Last Person Standing format has you competing on a 1ish mile looped course completing a loop every 20 minutes until only 1 person remains. Sounds easy enough right....Within the 1ish mile loop you’ll accumulate ~300 feet of elevation gain along gravel road, single track and prairie path. Barn Sale at The Octagon Barn 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Horseshoe Rd, Spring Green For more information, look up The Octagon Barn or Wilson Creek Pottery on Facebook This treasure packed sale is back again! Antiques, Vintage items, Wilson Creek Pottery and Heart of the Sky Fair Trade items will be available for a single day sale. Stay tuned for updates and sneak peeks as they prep for the sale.

Forage with Abbie - The Field School at Riverview Terrace 8:45 AM - 11:00 AM Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center 5607 County Road C, Spring Green . Enrich your knowledge, palate, and appreciation for the environment in this hands-on, immersive experience. The event will begin with a lesson, then, the group will hike the Phoebe Point Trail. Plan to arrive at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center by 8:45 a.m. to check in. After checking in you will drive your vehicle to the Phoebe Point Trail. The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. Talk, hike, and forage until 11:00 a.m. GRAND REOPENING: The Frozen Local 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM The Frozen Local, 136 S Albany St., Spring Green For more information, look up The Frozen Local on Facebook Stop by the store to shop and sample locally-made goodies.

Spring Green Farmers Market 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 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.

RV Nature Journaling 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM River Valley Area Community Gardens, Spring Green rvacg.org Participants will observe various aspects of nature and record what they see in a journalling method of their choice. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on, as well as paper, pencil, and a hard surface to write/draw on. All ages welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult.

Native plants for your garden - presented by Patti Peltier 10:00 AM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green For more information, look up River Valley Birders on Facebook This event is a guide to adding native plants to residential yards. The talk will focus on plants that are the most valuable to birds, bees and butterflies. Learn about native wildflowers, shrubs and grasses, gain ideas to keep plants manageable and attractive., and learn how to transform a “food desert” into an appealing stop for pollinators and seed eaters.

LIVE MUSIC: Kit Mayer 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green 608-5880-707 Kit Mayer is a singer/songwriter from Lacrosse, WI who plays a blend of his own Americana, Folk-Rock and Country infused Blues. He has a large body of homegrown songs that he performs with a soulful blend of urgency, tenderness and humor from bluesy-folk rockers to love ballads and much more.

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Retreats Yoga, S7163 County Rd G, Hill Point ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Brown Church Spring Service 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM 29864 Brown Church Dr., Lone Rock 608-356-8421 The Friends of the Little Brown Church will host a Spring Service at the Brown Church on May 19, 2024. The message will be delivered by Ron Fruit with special music by Loren Glassbrenner. The service is Ecumenical, and all are welcome to attend. A coffee hour will follow the service.

LIVE MUSIC: NEWSKI // Fine & True 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com NEWSKI is a 90s Alternative revival three-piece group with catchy tunes that grab your ear and then you dig deep and hear how they cut to the heart of it all. Starting off the evening, local favorites Ben Feiner and Marcus Trushinski (Fine & True) of Violet Palms will share some of their favorites, both as a duo, and with special guests.

Monday, May 20

River Valley Film Club Presents... 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Gard Theater, 111 E.

Jefferson St., Spring Green For more info look up River Valley Film CLub on Facebook Join us once a month on Sundays (and occasional Mondays) as we screen a movie selected by the River Valley Film Club. Movie titles remain under wraps until showtime, so follow RVFC on Facebook for details RVFC's 90s Big Star Blockbuster series kicks off with a 25th-anniversary screening of the iconic sci-fi action film. See the film that's been blowing minds since '99 the way it was meant to be seen: on the big screen. Free thanks to a generous grant from RV Arts. Concessions, including beer, will be available for purchase. "The Matrix" is Rated R for violence and language.

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.

Tuesday, May 21

Tea Party with the Animals 10:30 AM -12:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Bring your favorite stuffed animal, doll or other toy friend. Help make some yummy treats (both edible and pretend!) and enjoy a tea party with friends! Feel free to come and go any time between 10:30 and noon!

Spring Afternoon Storytime 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain kraemerlibrary.org Story time includes stories and songs followed by a fun themed craft and activity.

Yarn Rocks! 5:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Come to the Library on the first and third Tuesday of the month to meet fellow knitters in the community; come for help (beginner to mid-level knitting help available); come to learn new skills or brush up on current skills; come to get out of the house for a few hours; come for the health benefits (recent research out of Denmark demonstrated the overall health benefits of craft work, including knitting and crocheting).

Yoga with Rural Remedy 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Wednesday, May 22

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Throughout the month of May we'll be sharing books, songs and activities about GROWTH: Growing plants, blooming flowers, growing children! All ages welcome. Is your child active, noisy or "fidgety"? No worries! It's okay if your kiddo needs to wiggle and giggle to enjoy their time at the library!

Book Discussion— Movie Viewing: "The Wonder" 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com . Every Fourth Wednesday at 2pm, join us for a cup of coffee, snack, and a chat about this month's selection. The book is available at the Library a month before the discussion.

Author Talk: Joy Ann Ribar 7:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join us for a talk and book signing with Joy Ann Ribar, author of The Deep Lakes Mystery Series and The Bay Browning Mysteries. Joy Ann Ribar Joy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders.

Thursday, May 23

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com 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.

Tech Help 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain kraemerlibrary.org . rvbroadband.org/techhelp Come on in with any devices or technology you need help with! No appoiontment necessary.

Events for May 16 - May 30

Thursday, May 23 cont.

LIVE MUSIC: John Haarbauer at Local Night 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green . Look up The Shed on Facebook for more info The Shed Patio will be opening for the first Local Night of the season! Come to the patio for some great music, delicious food, and ice cold drinks! As they continue indoor renovations, they plan to have the patio bar and grill open for you to enjoy. Stay tuned for updates on music lineup as they continue to book local talent! Music will be 5:30-7:30, with food being served from 4-8. Drinks will be flowing!

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.

Lexington & Jefferson Literary Journal Workgroup 6:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green Questions? Contact: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Join us for a Lexington & Jefferson Literary Journal Workgroup meeting as we endeavor to launch an annual literary journal for the Spring Green area. This gathering marks the start of our collaborative effort to launch the journal. Share your ideas and help shape our collective vision. We'll discuss contributions, objectives, and more. Regular bi-weekly meetings thru spring.

Arcadia Book Club discusses "James" by Percival Everett 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM This is a zoom book club meeting readinutopia.com A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view • From the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and author of Erasure, Percival Everett.

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session Session 308: Thomas Dollbaum // Holy Pinto 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 Thomas worked as a carpenter and began writing the songs that eventually became Wellswood. The album was recorded over many sessions during the pandemic in New Orleans in an old hotel suite turned recording studio. Holy Pinto is an indie-pop group led by songwriter, Aymen Saleh. It originally began as two kids in their hometown of Canterbury, England and is now one adult based in Milwaukee/ Sweetening their youthful raw, punk sound with a blend of colourful indie-pop and singer-songwriter stylings, they released their sophomore record “Adult” in the spring of 2019.

Friday, May 24

Karaoke 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Join us the fourth Friday of every month for a night of Karaoke at Slowpoke. Janna Johnson hosts this night for the community to come together in song. Take a chance and come up on stage, or just cheer on your friends. We’ll get star ted around 8:00, and go until last call. That could be as early as 10:00 or as late as 2:00am. It all depends on you! No cover, but tips for our host are always welcome.

Saturday, May 25

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

Spring Green Farmers Market 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM . 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.

Sunday, May 26

Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena For more info look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.

Thursday, May 30 cont.

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com 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.

LIVE MUSIC: Janna and the Junkyard Dawgs at Local Night 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green Look up The Shed on Facebook for more info Come enjoy a summer outdoor music series featuring different local artists every week! Grills will be fired and beverages available, so come and enjoy the best that River Valley has to offer! Music will be 5:30-7:30, with food being served from 4-8. Drinks will be flowing!

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.

SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session Session 309: John Moreland // Ken Pomeroy 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 NOTE: This show will be filmed. If you do not want to be on camera we recommend you do not buy tickets for this show! Moreland’s songs feel intimate––like overheard conversations or solitary meditations. Moreland’s singing contributes to the feelings of hushed intimacy. Wielding a warm, sandpaper soul voice, Moreland got used to singing loudly as he began playing in bars, fighting to be heard over chattering crowds. Ken Pomeroy, brings an earthy presence to the world of Folk/Americana music. Pomeroy has long captivated audiences through her unfeigned storytelling and seasoned musicianship at a young age. Her unique sound, anchored in her Native American heritage, resonates with fans who value genuine, raw talent and the intimate connection only music can foster.

Spring Green Community Library Art Exhibitions . 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

On the Wing—Ink and acrylic drawings by bird artist Kim Russell presented by River Valley Birders are on display in the Community Room Gallery throughout the month of May. Russell thoroughly researches the birds before touching pencil to paper. By the time she’s ready to draw, she feels as if she knows them like a friend. She comments, “I’ve learned so much in the process of drawing birds, and I’m always eager to learn more. I love sharing my enthusiasm with others.” Russell's beautiful work is available for viewing during regular library hours. Please ask for the key at the circulation desk.

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Retreats Yoga, S7163 County Rd G, Hill Point ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

LIVE MUSIC: BobFest 2024 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Outside of Spring Green General Store,137 South Albany Street, Spring Green 608-5880-707 All day outdoor music festival celebrating the music of Bob Dylan. See Facebook for the full schedule - artisits will be on a 20 minute set schedule.

LIVE MUSIC: 3 Souls at the River Stage 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM . Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Rd, Spring Green 608-5880-707 . Let's kick off summer on the Wisconsin River!

Open Jam with Dylan Harris 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com No cover, but tips for our host are always welcome! Dylan Harris hosts this special post-Bobfest open jam at Slowpoke. We’ll have a drumkit, mics, and assorted plug-ins. Come on down and share the stage with old friends and new.

Monday, May 27

Open Mic 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com No cover, but tips for our host are always welcome! 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!

Tuesday, May 28

Spring Afternoon Storytime 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain kraemerlibrary.org Story time includes stories and songs followed by a fun themed craft and activity.

Yoga with Rural Remedy 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

Lone Rock Community Blood Drive 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Lone Rock Community Library Gym, 214 Broadway Street ruralremedy.com For an appointment call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: LoneRockWI.

Wednesday, May 29

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Throughout the month of May we'll be sharing books, songs and activities about GROWTH: Growing plants, blooming flowers, growing children! All ages welcome. Is your child active, noisy or "fidgety"? No worries! It's okay if your kiddo needs to wiggle and giggle to enjoy their time at the library!

Thursday, May 30

Yoga with Rural Remedy 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Yoga is for all bodies. There is something for everyone. Join and find out. Classes will be adapted for the group that attends. More info and registration details online.

of Prey—photos

in the Glass Case

the

a selection of raptors common to the River Valley area. Lynn Jegerlehner, a lifelong resident of Arena, took up photographing birds as a young boy. His interest grew to the point that he spends much of his spare time scouring the local countryside and waterways to find and “capture” birds and their behavior with his camera. On his outings, he often amazes passengers with his ability to spot birds as he drives. The exhibit is available for viewing during regular library hours.

CIVICS & SERVICES

CIVICS & SERVICES

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 20: Remembering Roberts Store with Arena Historians 6:30 PM Grandma Mary's (Brisbane Hall), 175 US Hwy 14, Arena If you are unable to attend in person, we will be live streaming the meeting via Zoom (see attached link.) If you have any questions regarding viewing the livestream, please contact Peggy Peterson at (608) 628-6629 or at pondex1@hotmail.com The Roberts Store was a staple of the Arena community for many years, 34 of those under John Roberts' ownership. Also welcoming Ray Porter, Site Manager for the Arena Food Pantry, as guest speaker. Porter will expound upon last month's discussion about the Arena Food Pantry.

May 21: Lone Rock LIONS: Organization Meeting-(Elections of Officers) 6:30 PM Lone Rock Community Building, 214 Broadway St., Lone Rock For more information Look up Lone Rock Volunteer Club on Facebook See online for full meeting agenda.

May 22:

Village of Spring Green Board Meeting 7:00 PM In person and virtual event 154 N. Lexington Street, Spring Green vi.springgreen.wi.gov

Birds

by Lynn Jegerlehner presented by River Valley Birder are on display

Gallery during

month of May. The exhibit features

Some time ago, 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 arts in our greater community.

We envision it as a place of curated and submitted prose, poetry and more that showcase the talents of our community.

What is 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. We are beginning to actively seek to publish an

annual literary journal. If interested, please reach out on ways to help.

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 do not hesitate at all to submit them to us at: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Lexington & Jefferson

LITERARY + ARTS & CULTURE SECTION

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.....

Note: the May 2, 2024 'Musings from the End of the Rainbow' should have ended in full: "My father, Their farm, and a Magical journey along The end of The Rainbow. [sic]"

The Ride: An Epilogue, (but not the End)

It was a cold January day sandwiched between the two heaviest snowfalls of the winter.

Lonely and isolated, yet still surrounded by her family: Five of us, four siblings and a cousin wrapped momma up in an abundance of blankets and using a jimmy rigged ramp carefully wheeled her down the steps and out of the family farmhouse

The Ride:

An Epilogue, (but not the End)

It was a cold January day sandwiched between the two heaviest snowfalls of the winter.

We assured her we were going for a ride, to a place where she could heal

A ride from which, we all knew, she would not be returning.

It is with much comfort and yes even joy I can now say that mom has acclimated and adjusted wonderfully to her new “home” that I question why I cried so hard that day and had dreaded the journey for so many weeks preceding that drive.

Lonely and isolated, yet still surrounded by her family: Five of us, four siblings and a cousin wrapped momma up in an abundance of blankets and using a jimmy rigged ramp carefully wheeled her down the steps and out of the family farmhouse

Many of my siblings and I have since begun the task of closing out our family homestead.

Years of accumulated items, sorted through, dived up, so many of which hold special memories, unique to each of us.

We assured her we were going for a ride, to a place where she could heal

Alone in my car, I followed the van momma was being transported in as it made its way along a snow- covered Rainbow Road, tears streaming down my cheeks

Sadly, I will admit, it hasn’t been pretty, nor nice, nor easy, and it would sadden my mother to know her kids were acting as they are but when there are so many

A ride from which we all knew she would not be returning.

It was a slow caravan of cars creeping along: Passing first the old telephone pole that as young children, we were forbidden to bike beyond. Glancing to the left I could still see us carefreely running barefoot plucking up dandelions or galloping bareback through the fields on our chestnut- colored gelding, Prince

How can you expect anything different?

Alone in my car, I followed the van momma was being transported in as it made its way along a snow- covered Rainbow Road, tears streaming down my cheeks

As we approached what once had been a very sharp corner at Rainbow Curve, I turned on my car’s blinker, remembering with a smile, momma turning on her’s, EVERY time she neared that curve

Recently my sister Luann and I took mom, wheelchair, and all on a walk from the nursing home to my house on Lexington I brought my puppy Zena out to visit Mom held and pet her, like only she knows how, she spoke lovingly to my

It was a slow caravan of cars creeping along: Passing first the old telephone pole that as young children, we were forbidden to bike beyond. Glancing to the left I could still see us, carefreely running barefoot plucking up dandelions, or galloping bareback through the fields, on our chestnut- colored gelding Prince

She would explain to me, “I’m just making sure if there are any cars behind us, (there never were) they know there is a sharp corner ahead ”

As our parade of cars passed the long-forgotten remnants of Rainbow Gardens where mom and dad’s wedding dance was held, I swear I could hear the orchestra still playing

kitty ” It was a perfectly beautiful moment

Mom had such compassion and care for this living thing it didn’t matter that Zena wasn’t the species she believed her to be:

As we approached what once had been a very sharp corner at Rainbow Curve, I turned on my car’s blinker, remembering with a smile, momma turning on her’s, EVERY time she neared that curve

She was soft and gentle, kind and caring 102 and still being a mom I consider myself lucky to not only hold memories of a carefree childhood but also honored to still be able to create new ones

She would explain to me, “I’m just making sure if there are any cars behind us, (there never were) they know there is a sharp corner ahead

Driving by Merit s old farm to the left I couldn’t help but relive the day we all attended a family held “carnival “in their yard complete with a ring toss game, balloon darts, pony rides home-made lemonade, and prizes of penny candy direct from Louis’s Shell

As our parade of cars passed the long-forgotten remnants of Rainbow Gardens, where mom and dad’s wedding dance was held, I swear I could hear the orchestra still playing

My stomach tightened as I crossed over the Hwy by what had been Porter’s motel remembering the story Mom always told of her brakes failing at that very intersection and her repeated warnings to always approach that stop sign slowly and with caution.

Admittedly, I’ve been stressed and torn by the process of picking through and cleaning out our family home It occurs to me that although it seems by breaking apart collections and dispersing household items it somehow vanishes or erases a lifetime:

Yet as Glynda said to Dorthy all those years ago: “ You had it in you all along.”

Driving by Merit s old farm to the left I couldn’t help but relive the day we all attended a family held “carnival “in their yard complete with a ring toss game, balloon darts, pony rides, home-made lemonade, and prizes of penny candy direct from Louis’s Shell

Ahead of me I watched the van come to a stop. Suddenly, my arms grew weak, I could barely hold onto the steering wheel, my shoulders giving way to convulsing sobs

I watched as the van slowly made its turn at Rainbow and Winsted: Momma had now officially left Rainbow Road.

I don’t need to drive down Rainbow Road to become that barefoot child planting watermelons, or carrying potatoes to The Dinner Table, tossing darts at balloons, or scooping up dandelions.

My stomach tightened as I crossed over the Hwy by what had been Porter’s motel remembering the story Mom always told of her brakes failing at that very intersection and her repeated warnings to always approach that stop sign slowly and with caution.

— Mary Lanita Schulz

I don’t need an object, a farmhouse or anything to remind me of My amazing upbringing and idyllic childhood at the end of The Rainbow I only need to look inside myself

Ahead of me I watched the van come to a stop. Suddenly, my arms grew weak, I could barely hold onto the steering wheel, my shoulders giving way to convulsing sobs

I watched as the van slowly made its turn at Rainbow and Winsted: Momma had now officially left Rainbow Road.

A Page of Time

THE PLANS OF LIFE

THE PLANS OF LIFE TAKING TIME WITH A LITTLE BLACK BOOK

Found today among my mother s things; a day planner 1991.

TAKING TIME WITH A LITTLE BLACK BOOK

Found today among my mother ’s things; a day planner 1991. Opening it softly, not daring to breathe, I check the date of May 12. Mother ’s Day A day for the gathering of family I am not surprised to find the page empty, although it is indelibly marked in my heart; May 12, 1991. On that day, while planting flowers, a stroke, sudden and unplanned, (as strokes forever are), ceased Mom’s plans for ever after and instead brought all of us round to planning of a very different sort.

Opening it softly, not daring to breathe, I check the date of May 12. Mother ’s Day A day for the gathering of family I am not surprised to find the page empty, although it is indelibly marked in my heart; May 12, 1991. On that day, while planting flowers, a stroke, sudden and unplanned, (as strokes forever are), ceased Mom’s plans for ever after and instead brought all of us round to planning of a very different sort.

She lingered in a coma for nine days and then quietly passed. Of consequence no longer, this little book lay upon her desk along with stacks of once important papers and plans. For the remainder of 1991, two hundred thirty-three days to be exact, and forward, and beyond, the book lay untouched. Of no apparent value, but somehow saved, it gave witness to empty pages, empty days, empty hours, no longer to be shaped by her mind or pen.

Addenda

Although I had not planned to spend time thusly on this sunny afternoon, sometimes such musings come unbidden and stop us in our tracks as suddenly as a fluttered heart beat in a garden of flowers.

I breathe again, close the book, but do not throw it away I am not ready to do that yet. I carefully set it back into its age-old box and I bow to both life ….and death of Unplanned Time.

She lingered in a coma for nine days and then quietly passed. Of consequence no longer, this little book lay upon her desk along with stacks of once important papers and plans. For the remainder of 1991, two hundred thirty-three days to be exact, and forward, and beyond, the book lay untouched. Of no apparent value, but somehow saved, it gave witness to empty pages, empty days, empty hours, no longer to be shaped by her mind or pen.

Cecilia Farran

January 22, 2024, (Merely a date on a page of time )

And a final thought

Now, thirty-two years and two hundred fifty-five days since May 21, 1991, I discover it in a long-ago box. Startled that it still exists. Equally startled to be holding it in my hand. Now found, it takes me on a journey to consider the foreverness of Unplanned Time

Now, thirty-two years and two hundred fifty-five days since May 21, 1991, I discover it in a long-ago box. Startled that it still exists. Equally startled to be holding it in my hand. Now found, it takes me on a journey to consider the foreverness of Unplanned Time

We are a species, you see, hell, (or heaven) bent on planning the future, be it an hour, a day, a year I ponder how the day of one’s death interferes with that plan; and how this empty square marked only by the number 21 in the month of May, stares back at me from a vastness not only of time but of space.

Closer inspection shows stamped in gold-tone ink on the front cover of her planner the words Complements of Galleon Brae Productions, Big Bend Wisconsin And in bold letters A World of Thanks with a globe showing the western hemisphere embossed into its black surface

We are a species, you see, hell, (or heaven) bent on planning the future, be it an hour, a day, a year I ponder how the day of one’s death interferes with that plan; and how this empty square marked only by the number 21 in the month of May, stares back at me from a vastness not only of time but of space.

Yes Mom, a World of Thank You's for your life, and the life you gave me, and all you did up to that blank square that marked May 21, 1991 An event, which of course I never anticipated, when I gave you this little black day planner as a thank you from my event planning business, Galleon Brae

Like a dog turning to make a bed in the tall grass, my mind turns around and round to bed down it’s thoughts in that space. At what date will my own day planner go empty? I wonder who will pick it up to see appointments and notes scattered through terminal number

Like a dog turning to make a bed in the tall grass, my mind turns around and round to bed down it’s thoughts in that space. At what date will my own day planner go empty? I wonder who will pick it up to see appointments and notes scattered through the pages up to that terminal number

Where might their own thoughts take them as they perhaps, their own that will someday be fixed in a numbered square suddenly doings; squares that once metered The Hours of Life but now mark only Dead.

Where might their own thoughts take them as they ponder my existence, and perhaps, their own that will someday be fixed in a numbered square suddenly devoid of plans and doings; squares that once metered The Hours of Life but now mark only the Empty Days of the Dead.

And yes of course, a few dates will sprinkle on beyond

And yes of course, a few dates will sprinkle on beyond that unplanned day to be attended by the living. A birthday celebration to be cancelled, a gig promoter to be contacted with the words “we are so terribly sorry to inform you…..”, the hair salon to be called, a seat left empty, third row, center stage, at the theater A distant friend, who had not heard, now wondering, as I fail to keep a luncheon date.

attended by the living. A birthday celebration to be cancelled, a gig with the words “we are so terribly sorry to inform you…..”, the hair empty third row, center stage, at the theater A distant friend, who wondering, as I fail to keep a luncheon date.

Someday yes, I too shall have a black book of days the black day planner now laying upon my own desk.

Someday yes, I too shall have a black book of days no longer lived. Perhaps even the black day planner now laying upon my own desk.

Phoebe González & Samatha Newcomb, The Liar , 2023.

Photo by Liz Lauren.

MOVIE & FILM

Costumes, comedy and cabins: The Wisconsin roots of the critically acclaimed

There’s been a lot of excitement over the slapstick comedy “Hundreds of Beavers,” with movie fans and critics leaving theaters around the globe in awe. It was filmed in northern Wisconsin and its star and writer, Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, is a Whitefish Bay native. As WPR’s Evan Casey tells us, the 33 year-old has always been obsessed with making movies.

Ever since he was a kid growing up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Ryland Brickson Cole Tews had a camera in his hands.

“I always enjoyed performing,” Tews said. “I think movies really stuck with me because once I learned the power of editing and being able to compile footage and make your own little mini movie — like a real movie — that was kind of a profound thing.”

Tews started making homemade movies with his siblings and friends in his backyard with his dad’s bulky camcorder, trying to recreate what he saw on the big screen.

“We would shoot a lot of stuff around the house and around the neighborhood,” he said. “Then we let our imagination do the rest.”

Some of his finest early work includes a remake of “Gladiator,” complete with ketchup for fake blood and plastic toy weapons.

“It’s just us in our backyard on the freshly mowed grass and you could see like, ‘Oh, there’s a lawnmower in that shot and there’s a hose in that shot,'” Tews said laughing. “We would sort of be able to imagine it in our mind.”

In middle school and high school, he made videos for class projects. He also made a promotional video for his high school with his best friend, Mike Cheslik. After high school, Tews decided to try to make a living out of his hobby. After attending film school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Tews made his first feature length film with Cheslik. Tews was still working as a pizza delivery driver at the time.

“I just sort of cashed in all my favors with my friends and family,” Tews said about bankrolling the film. That movie? A fictional tale about a sea monster lurking deep in the waters of the Great Lakes, titled “Lake Michigan Monster.”

“I think its total budget was about $7,000, and it shows — it’s a pretty cheap movie,” Tews said. “But it’s a lot of fun. (We) just did what we could with what we had — and that was cheap costumes, cheap props, cheap camera.”

The making of “Hundreds of Beavers” After finishing “Lake Michigan Monster,” Tews and Cheslik wanted more. They decided to move onto their next project, a film about fur trappers. That film premise idea was dreamed up at a bar, “as most great ideas happen,” Tews said.

“(It was) sort of this combination of let’s make it like an outdoor winter movie with no dialogue, because no one else is trying to do that. And, let’s do a story with mascots,” Tews said. “So it started as a small kernel of an idea that ballooned and got bigger and bigger and bigger.”

“Before we knew it was like this big epic,” he added.

That epic is “Hundreds of Beavers.”

The film, written by both Cheslik and Tews and directed by Cheslik, focuses on an alcoholic fur trapper, Jean Kayak, who goes from ’zero’ to a ’hero’ by the end of the film. It was filmed in the northwoods of Wisconsin during the winter of 2020.

“We just wanted to make this very accessible movie for everyone around the world, while also making it pretty Midwestern and something that Wisconsin can be proud of,” Tews said. Unlike many movies today, it’s a silent, black and white film. The film’s website describes it as a “supernatural winter epic.” Kayak, a drunken applejack salesman played by Tews, becomes “North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.”

The film has several inspirations, including early slapstick favorites like “Looney Tunes” or “Tom & Jerry,” as well as video games like “Super Mario Galaxy 2.” Some of the influences are clear to see — the film’s poster is a nod to the classic film “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Tews said some of his inspirations include Monty Python, “The Simpsons” and Jackie Chan movies.

“It’s just many, many different influences, and when you combine all this stuff together, you get ‘Hundreds of Beavers,'” Tews said.

The movie is “do it yourself” in every sense of the word. Much like “Lake Michigan Monster,” Tews and Cheslik kept production close to home — several family members and friends worked on the film with them.

“For the most part, it was just four or five guys in the woods,” Tews said. “There were a few actual film professionals on “Beavers,” but more or less it was just buddies from either grade school or high school or college who were willing to go out in the snow with us and lug heavy equipment and props and whatnot into the woods. (They would) freeze their butts off playing beavers or bunnies or any number of different animals.”

The film crew stayed in a tiny cabin in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. Many of the scenes were filmed in empty Wisconsin fields in places like Boulder Junction, Black River Falls, Iron Mountain and Hurley.

“The great thing about shooting a movie in the wintertime in northern Wisconsin is there’s just no one up there,” Tews said. “You just go out in the woods and just start shooting and there’s no one up there to bug you.”

Tews said they weren’t completely isolated.

“If there are people who ask questions, they’re just kind of enamored — I mean weirded out — by the fact that you’re making a movie in the middle of the woods with mascots,” Tews added.

Another person enamored with the film is Tews’ father, Wayne Tews. The Whitefish Bay musician has written and performed songs for his son’s films, including “Hundreds of Beavers.”

“We came up with a bunch of different ideas,” Wayne Tews said. “Then I went to the file cabinet and looked under ‘F’ for Trapper songs, and we came up with one and messed around with it for a while,”

Wayne Tews said.

“I think the proudest part is in both songs from ‘Lake Michigan Monster’ last year and from ‘Hundreds of Beavers,’ I was able to get the word ‘fart’ in both songs,” Wayne Tews said laughing. “So I think it really is a … testament to my ability as a songwriter.”

Wayne Tews said he’s proud of his son, and happy he gets to live out his dreams.

“We (his parents) didn’t know that he was going to stick with this and make a thing out of it,” Wayne Tews said. “But people seem to like it.”

A ‘furry fracas’ of acclaim

Since its 2022 release, the film has mesmerized audiences, film festival judges and critics alike.

The “Los Angeles Times” called it an

“onslaught of retro slapstick.”

The “AV Club” dubbed it a “furry fracas.”

The “New York Times” said it was a “madcap genre-hopper, mixing silent film performance styles with hand-drawn animation, slapstick comedy, Looney Tunes-like sound effects and stop-motion graphics.”

Meanwhile, the film has also received critical praise and the screenings have been anything but normal.

Tews, Cheslik and a traveling assortment of friends and family in the movie travel around the globe and wearing beaver costumes. They tackle each other in the crowd before, during and after screenings of the film.

It’s caught a lot of attention.

“During one of these screenings, I was tackling some beavers in the audience and I threw a couple (beaver) heads into the audience and unfortunately one of the spectators took the beaver head and was never to be heard from again,” Tews said. “So we just lost the beaver head in

Toronto … (we’re) still looking for it.”

Looking back on the past few years, Tews said the main goal of making “Hundreds of Beavers” was to bring joy to the audience.

“Its sole purpose for existing is just to entertain, just to be a big joke,” Tews said.

“It’s just a big entertainment picture. It’s a movie for all ages, creeds and nations,” he added. “If you just turn your brain off and allow this movie to just unfold in front of you, you’re going to have a good time.”

“Hundreds of Beavers” can now be streamed online at: www.hundredsofbeavers.com/watch-athome/

Evan Casey is a general assignment reporter for Wisconsin Public Radio, covering Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin. This piece originally appeared in Wisconsin Life.

Evan Casey, Contributed

Photo courtesy of SRH Ryland Brickson Cole Tews and Olivia Graves star in the film, “Hundreds of Beavers.” QR code inlaid to watch trailer.

The Sauk County Gardener

Picking the Perfect Tomato

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“At the end of the day, you can't compete with Mother Nature. If you've got a great tomato, just a pinch of sea salt is all you need.”

—

Jackie Speier

Although it’s a little early to plant tomatoes, you should start buying your tomatoes, especially if you want something special. Picking the perfect tomato isn’t hard if you do a little research ahead of time. Here are a few questions to ask yourself. Do you have a large or small garden area? How do you plan to use your tomatoes – to create lots of sauce or salsa or just for enjoying as a snack and with meals? If you’ve grown tomatoes before, did you have any disease problems? With these things in mind, you can narrow down your selection. The first thing I consider is how I plan to use the tomatoes. I like to have plenty of my family’s favorites to eat throughout the summer. My 4-year-old grandson loves to eat ‘Sun Sugar’ yellow cherry tomatoes right off the vine. He’s not the only one either. My daughter and granddaughter

have been known to pick my tomatoes clean in one visit as well. I also like to have an abundance of fresh tomatoes for salsa, Caprese salads, and BLTs. Finally, I need lots to can whole and make into sauce. Next, consider if the tomato plant is determinate or indeterminate. A determinate tomato has most of its fruit ripen about the same time. They tend to be bushier and shorter overall (approximately 3-4’ tall), making them ideal for smaller gardens. They’re also a good choice if you want to can and process your tomatoes as the majority will ripen around the same time. An indeterminate tomato keeps growing all season long, up to 15’ feet, typically producing fruit up until frost or disease kills the plant. They tend to need staking to keep the ripening tomatoes off the ground and do best when they’re pruned to increase air flow and promote new flower buds. If you want to enjoy tomatoes all season long, this is the way to go. You’ll find many heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate. Semideterminate tomatoes have growth and fruiting patterns that fall between these

two types.

If you have trouble with diseases on your tomatoes, look on the plant label to see if the tomato is resistant, not immune, to common tomato diseases. Examples include EB – Early Blight, F- Fusarium Wilt, LB – Late Blight, and ToMV – Tomato Mosaic Virus. You’ll find that many hybrid tomatoes have been developed to be tomato disease resistant, provide higher yields, mature earlier and are easier to care for. Some good hybrids for canning are ‘Early Girl’, ‘Celebrity’ and ‘Roma’. ‘Lemon Boy’ is a less-acidic eating tomato.

I tend to favor heirloom tomatoes as I think they’re more flavorful than many hybrids. However, they are not without their own issues. Heirlooms tend to have more disease problems, lower yields, and travel poorly due to their thinner skins. The ‘Sun Sugar’ tomato I mentioned earlier is a hybrid; a similar one is ‘Sun Gold”. I’ve grown both but have gravitated to the ‘Sun Sugar’ as they just seem to do better in my garden and containers. I do love a good ‘Hillbilly’ or ‘Aunt Ruby’s German Green’

tomato to make an amazing fresh salad or BLT. I grow ‘Opalka’ or ‘Amish Paste’ for canning. This year I’m growing some ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes as well. There is no right or wrong answer to what type of tomato you choose. It’s more important to know how you plan to use the tomato, how much space you have available, and if your tomatoes tend to get diseases year after year. We grow both heirloom and hybrid tomatoes. That way we have lots of delicious tomatoes to eat fresh and plenty to use in the winter when our garden is under several feet of snow. For more information on growing tomatoes in Wisconsin, visit https:// hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/homegrown-tomatoes-wisconsin/.

This week’s article is written by Jeannie Manis, a Wisconsin Certified Sauk County Master Gardener Volunteer. If you have any gardening questions, please contact the Extension Sauk County by emailing to trripp@wisc.edu or calling the University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension Sauk County office at 608-3553250.

In Brief

River Valley Area Community Gardens — Wanted: Junior Gardeners

Students in Grades 5-12 are eligible for FREE 10’ x 10’ garden plots at the River Valley Area Community Gardens, 900 N Westmor, Spring Green (behind Rings Classic Auto Body). Water, fertilizer, and mulch are included as well as the use of community tools. Mentors are available to teach gardening skills. More information can be found at www.rvacg.org/students. Application forms are available online: www.rvacg.org or you may request one at info@rvacg.org or 608-5886040. Application deadline is May 31, 2024. All are welcome!

2024 Garden Plots Available

The River Valley Area Community Gardens has garden plots available for 2024. 10’ x 10’ plots rent for $20/season. 10’ x 20’ plots are $40/season and 20’ x 20’ plots are $60/season. The fee includes straw mulch, use of our rototiller and other tools, manure/compost, organic fertilizer, water to each plot section and hoses.

SPRING GREEN MEDICAL CENTER

Print registration forms are available in the INFO BOX at the Gardens located in the 900 block of North Westmor, Spring Green (behind Ring Brothers Classic Auto). Forms may also be requested via email at info@rvacg.org , by texting 608-588-6040 or through the RVACG Facebook page or website rvacg.org. All are welcome.

Do You Have A Gardening Question? UW Extension Has Answers

The Wisconsin Extension Horticulture Program provides plant health advising services through the online Ask Your Gardening Question webpage on the Extension Horticulture website, available at https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/ask-a-gardening-question/.

Members of the public can submit their lawn, landscape and gardening questions and photos, which are then routed to the appropriate county, multi-county or statewide Extension person or program. This service may be of interest to your urban residents and homeowners looking for answers to their yard tree questions.

New to care giving? No problem! We provide all the paid training needed. This can be a great opportunity to feel great about what you've done at the end of the day.

Applicants must:

• be 18 years of age

• possess of valid driver’s license

• pass a caregiver background check

Contact Leah at (608)347-0271 to set up a time to fill out an application on site.

Photos contributed by Jeannie Manis The author's showcases varieties of tomato plants and suggests we start buying now.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

I am currently in a simply crazy, busy, but positive section of my life. This week I hunted hard for turkey during the second season in zone 1 and I did all of my hunting in a large oak forest directly behind my house in northern Juneau County. Along with turkey hunting, my 2-year-old golden retriever Red was due to give birth to her first litter.

Wednesday, April 24th

High 53°, Low 31°

Here is my goal; hunt turkey with my compound bow and by the end of my 7-day season have a litter of pups and hopefully put an arrow in a gobbler. I would hunt the first three days in a food plot behind my house and that is an entire different story. I created this food plot 4 years ago with the goal of having a place for my daughter Selina and just as importantly for my girlfriend Michelle Chiaro to hunt for both deer and turkey. The food plot was literally carved out of an oak forest/hazelnut brush with a chainsaw and a rototiller. For two years Michelle and I loved the food plot and then on 6-15-22 Michelle passed away unexpectedly, and I have not been able to spend time in it.

This turkey hunt would be where I attempted to get past that demon.

Hunt 1. Up at 4:00 set up in my blind at 5:00, I saw one hen and there was very little gobbling. I was at peace and that was more important than harvesting a turkey with my bow.

Hunt 2. Thursday, I did not see a turkey today but had an incredible experience in the afternoon with 15 high schoolers from Necedah as we worked on a fishing area for our community. We cleared brush, hung bird houses and I think everyone enjoyed the experience.

Hunt 3. Friday, I called a jake in and was too hungry for a tom experience to fling an arrow at it. So far three hunts, only 2 birds spotted.

Hunt 4. Saturday, Red is swelling up so fast that it is almost unbelievable, this will be my 16th litter. I started when I was 22, I truly do raise and create a quality golden retriever and am proud of that. I relocated about ¾’s of a mile south of the house in the same forest, this where Selina has harvested 7 toms and many others have been whacked including Michelles first and only bird which was a 25-pound gobbler and an incredible memory. We did a full body mount on it, and it is in my livingroom, Michelle passed away before the taxidermy work was complete. I did not see or hear a turkey today.

Hunt 5. Sunday, lots of rain, cold weather. I love it, Mother Earth is coming back to life, it would be so cool

to see a normal summer weather wise. Red is now uncomfortable and, on my mind, all the time.

Hunt 6. Monday, I am worn down from either hunting, doing hobby farm work or concern about Red, I saw a hen this morning, not a single gobble. When I came home from my afternoon hunt, I heard whimpering in my living room, next to the turkey mount but on the floor. Red had given birth to 2 pups. Sleeping would not be a part of this night once again. When I left to go hunting at 4:45 a.m. my mood was excellent but very wore down. There was 6 bundles of gold in my living room, when I returned after a pretty cool hunt where I saw 4 turkey, there was another pup! 6 males and 1 female.

If you are interested, I have some quality golden retriever pups! My busy season is here and will last until December, life is positive, I miss

Michelle!

Sunset

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!

THIS BANNER AD Sponsorship IS AVAILABLE

"An Outdoorsman's Journal" is a paid syndicated column written by professional outdoorsman and Necedah native Mark Walters. In order to continue running his outdoors column, we need sponsor(s) to fill the space in print and online so we can continue to support Mark in his adventures and follow along.

This space is premium placement top-of-mind awareness, perfect for both businesses that engage with the outdoors or businesses whose customers engage with the outdoors. Only $150 per edition. May be divided into two or three spots among businesses, inquire by email.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Michelle Chiaro’s first and last turkey was a dandy.

Turkey Hunt/Puppy Watch

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Red loves her litter of pups.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters This is about as big as turkey get in Wisconsin.

Follow along the adventures of Mark Walters,