Valley Sentinel - 06-15-2023

American Players Theatre opens 44th season, unveils final phase of infrastructure project

American Players Theatre’s (APT’s) 44th season opened on June 10 with the first performance of William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. Also playing in June and July: David Ives’ farce The Liar; Marco Ramirez’s The Royale, based on the life of Black heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson; Wisconsin playwright Thornton Wilder’s American Classic Our Town, and the U.S. Premiere of Sonya Kelly’s Once Upon a Bridge

In addition, audiences can add to their experience with APT’s Beyond the Plays Events, including tours of the shops and theaters, discussions about the plays and talkbacks with the cast and artists. More information at americanplayers.org/events. Tickets are on sale now, online at americanplayers.org 24/7, or by calling the Box Office at 608-588-2361 from 10:00 AM CT – 5:00 PM CT. Tickets and information at americanplayers.org.

A Newly Upgraded, More Accessible Parking Lot

In late 2021, the state of Wisconsin announced a special grant program for capital projects that would promote tourism. In February of 2022, APT received word that the theater would receive nearly $1 million for improvements. The project, which began

in October of 2022, is nearing completion, and should be ready when the first audience arrives this week. Upgrades include: Better lighting; more parking spaces; an additional exit; improved water management to prevent washouts; an accessible picnic area; and around 50% has been asphalted for improved accessibility. Managing Director, Sara Young said of the project, “Parking lot improvements are one of the number one requests of APT patrons. Indeed, the parking lot has been on the list of needed improvements for years. Decades, even. Last year we were delighted to receive funding for the project from the Tourism Capital Grant program through the State of Wisconsin. APT’s Operations Manager Cari

Stebbins got to work immediately, working with our partners at Jewell Associates Engineers and getting contractor bids. We broke ground last October as soon as the Hill season closed, and everything seems to be on schedule for the start of the season. We’re so excited for these improvements, and I know our patrons are going to benefit from the upgrades – even the ones they may not notice.”

The 2023 Season

In the Hill Theatre

June 10 – October 8

The Merry Wives of Windsor

By William Shakespeare, Directed by Terri McMahon

June 16 – September 29

The Liar

By David Ives, Adapted from Le Menteur by Pierre Corneille, Directed by Keira Fromm August 11 – October 7

Romeo & Juliet

By William Shakespeare, Adapted by Joshua Castille & John Langs, Directed by John Langs

June 23 – September 22

Our Town

By Thornton Wilder, Directed by Tim Ocel August 4 – October 6

Anton’s Shorts

Brief Plays & Vaudevilles by the Young Anton Chekhov, Freely Adapted for the Stage by Aaron Posner, Directed by Jake Penner In the Touchstone Theatre

June 16 – September 27

The Royale

By Marco Ramirez, Directed by Tyrone Phillips

June 27 – October 7

Once Upon a Bridge

By Sonya Kelly, Directed by Laura Rook August 12 – October 5

Mala

By Melinda Lopez, Directed by Rosa Joshi

October 28 – November 19

Proof By David Auburn, Directed by Brenda DeVita

Make Music River Valley returns on June 21, free public music making events to be held across the River Valley

Make Music River Valley will return for its second year with a wild and wonderful mix of free musical events on Wednesday, June 21. Make Music River Valley is part of Make Music Day, a global music celebration that takes place on the summer solstice each year and brings people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This year, over 100 U.S. cities will host thousands of Make Music performances across the country as part of the world’s largest annual music event.

Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique, and has spread to over 1,000 cities across 120 countries. Completely different from a typical musical festival, Make Music concerts are performed by anyone who wants to take part and enjoyed by everyone who wants to attend. From classical to folk, hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock, live music of all kinds resounds on streets, sidewalks, porches, plazas, parks, gardens, store fronts and other public spaces on the longest day of the year.

Last year, there were several performances (ranging from interactive crafts to rollicking local groups to one that was mind-blowingly creative) for Make Music River Valley and many, many more are expected this year.

Highlights of Make Music River Valley 2023 will include:

• You Uke Too at the Spring Green General Store at 2:00 p.m.

• Family Music/Story Time at the Spring Green Community Library at 4:00 p.m.

• Nath Dresser and friends on the front

porch of 337 E. Jefferson Street

• Backyard String Band, Wild Love, and many, many more!

Any musician, amateur or professional, young or old, is invited to take part by contacting Nancy Cullen at nancy.cullen@ icloud.com. Likewise, businesses, buildings, schools, churches, and other institutions can contact Nancy to offer their indoor or outdoor spaces as concert locations.

The full schedule of events is still growing and can be viewed at https://www. makemusicday.org/rivervalley/.

Patty Heaston, American Players Theatre

Photo by Liz Lauren Left to right: Kelsey Brennan, Reginald André Jackson, David Daniel, Dee Dee Batteast & Josh Krause, The Merry Wives of Windsor, 2023.

Marnie Dresser, River Valley ARTS

Editor's Column

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other. The Best of the River Valley reader poll is always hard, especially on our small endeavor. Unfortunately, it came at a harder time than most. Shortly before things were meant to gear up for what was to be our June 1 edition, I received word that my grandfather, Otis Robert Scott, had passed away.

For our readers hailing from Richland County, that name may be familiar to you. It’s a name associated with public service. It’s a name associated with education. If you grew up in Richland County and are of a certain age, you likely had my grandpa as a teacher or a principal. He taught for nearly 40 years in the Richland School District.

For me, it was a name associated with family and farming. He was “papa” much of my young life, and then “grandpa” after the creativity of childhood waned, but to many he was “Bud”.

I never saw my grandpa as a dairy farmer, he stopped shortly after I was born, but I heard stories. When I wasn’t busy fishing his pond, or hunting deer or mushrooms, I saw him raise beef cattle, often in objectively the hardest way possible. Good luck telling him that, everyone says they did, but I never saw it — likely because we all knew how stubborn he was.

I’m thankful I got to see him not only do things the hard way, but also the kind way. One of my favorite memories is of him at 80 years old laying down in the haymow so he could play with kittens at their level. When I was young it wasn’t out of the ordinary for him to walk over while doing chores with a smile on his face like he had a secret to share, only for a kitten to pop its little head out of his pocket or sleeve.

Family is hard. Family is complicated. With family we often get to see the unvarnished, and we sometimes wish we could communicate better and towards a more constructive togetherness. But stubborn heads prevail as often as kind ones.

My last memory of my grandpa is seeing him beam and tell me he was proud as I shared the pictures of us here winning the awards that would grant us the designation of best newspaper our size in the state. He was a subscriber after all.

So I sit here, finishing up an edition harder than most, with a Werther’s Original in my mouth — his favorite. “Grandpa’s medicine” he’d say as he headed off to do chores, with a pocketful of candy, often doing those chores in a way that was harder than most.

Everyone is complicated, but at least family is our complicated.

— Taylor Scott, Managing Editor

The (not so) Plain and Simple Correspondent: Reunion — It Haas to be Fine

Katie Green, Columnist

When I was invited to write about the reunion of the Haas and Brander families of Plain and Spring Green/Lone Rock, the first thing that came to mind was the famous rendezvous once held each summer in the Green River valley in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. This Rendezvous had been an annual event for nigh onto 200 years, ever since Jacques Cartier and Samuel Champlain sailed up the St. Lawrence River and encountered natives wearing and trapping furs and introduced European entrepreneurs to the possibilities for amazing wealth in that line of trade.

Over time, the Rendezvous in Jackson Hole created legendary figures such as Jim Bridger and Jedediah Smith. a I read about these hairy guys in grammar school, sparking my own imagination about pursuing an adventurous life traipsing all over creation, long hair flowing behind me. (No chin whiskers until recently.)

In any case, there are many reasons for gathering together, be you human or migrating bird, lemming, or tarantula, but I'll limit myself to humans. The dictionary defines reunion as “any social gathering held more or less regularly.” Such affairs have been held, I dare say, ever since there were enough

antique road shows). State and County Fairs and every so often a World's Fair. Regattas. Fox hunts. Native heritage celebrations. Debutante balls, Sweet Sixteenth birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, confirmations, funerals, weddings, christenings, baptisms and all other milestones in a person's life, religious and otherwise, that prompt reunions. Political conventions and investiture ceremonies often bring on a reunion of people who are revivified by each other's company – or not. Part of the exciting uncertainty at reunions is to voice one's own memories only to find that, oops!, others have a far different recollection of those same events. My siblings, children, and I rarely agree how things occurred. And reunions can try one's patience, or turn toxic, as we all know. The drunken colleague, the bossy aunt, the obnoxious political opinions, racist remarks, etc..can be a repressive influence on good spirits. Not simply goodnatured disagreements, sometimes reunions disintegrate into violence.

School reunions are popular, particularly at small colleges and lower school grades. My high school class has an annual reunion but it also meets every two weeks via Zoom because we are extremely long in the tooth and may not live or have the energy or financial means to gather for the next official annual event. The Zoom has come to hold great importance for the remnant of our class who are regulars. They have become tighter knit than they ever were during high school. In fact, they cultivate feelings of affection for men and women they never even knew as youths.

Finding hosts for the annual Dairy Breakfasts is becoming more and more difficult, LuAnn added. Richland and Grant Counties had trouble finding hosts until the last minute so it sounds. This reluctance is partly because it's a big bother, a major disruption in the normal busy schedule of running a farm, to have swarms of guests descending all at once. Decisions have to be made about which areas of the property to open to the public. Barns have to be spiffed up for visitors, a portion of whom will be children who love to touch things. The accident liability issues, the fact that small dairy farms are disappearing at a rapid rate – something like a 90% reduction in the past twenty years –has brought on a crisis. Erstwhile dairy farmers have forsaken their old roles and turned to commodity crops and beef cattle or hogs instead, if not selling out altogether. According to DATCP (Dept. of Ag, Trade, & Consumer Protection), Wisconsin lost more than one dairy farm per day in 2022. In 2019 the state lost 818, more than two farms per day. In place of the small holders, giant factory farms have taken over. Milking about 400 cows, the Brander enterprise is midsized between truly gigantic and the traditional small family farm, where livestock once grazed on pasture.

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homo sapiens to comprise more than one tribe. Seasonal or annual need for help in hunting, planting, harvesting, mutual safety, or mystical celebration brought people together. Certain places were chosen as special meeting places, such as Council Bluffs, Iowa. At times a certain conspicuous tree or prominent rock or other geographical feature was where parleys were held, treaties solemnized, and they came to be considered sacred ground.

Nowadays there are annual meetings of historical societies, gatherings of military units from past wars, Boy Scout Jamborees and the Girl Scout equivalent, The Big Game or World Series in various sports, the Birkebeiner cross-country ski race, the Olympics. Mother's/Father's Day festivities, meetings of associates (think economic summits such as at Davos, gem shows, gun shows, comic book collectors,

Reunions take a lot of planning to have a hope of coming off well. In the case of the Haas - Brander reunion which met on June 10 at the Sauk County Dairy Breakfast, the Organizing Force was LuAnn Honeke, partner of Mike Haas. She says organizing is her strong point and is something she has done before with happy results. She feels some urgency about keeping these reunions going because one patriarch expired since the last one and several grandams and greybeards are on the brink. The possibility of being reunited in Heaven is less significant in her mind than providing an opportunity on Earth for the family to rejoice in each other once again. LuAnn forwarded information about the history of the Brander holdings provided by senior citizen Don Brander. Coming to these parts in 1937 during the Great Depression, the extended family of Brander grandparents, parents and five grandkids began slowly to buy and consolidate small plots into an empire of a thousand acres, nine hundred of which are tillable land. The farms of locally familiar names such as Sprecher, Greenheck, Mercer and Hayes were absorbed into what now comprises the Brander Farm.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Another Memorial Day has come and gone. The day Americans honor those who fought and died for their country. There were many songs and poems written to commemorate our participation in national and international conflicts. One was the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone knows it by heart. We stand facing the flag covering our hearts. We say the words. We think of family members, friends and others

who served their country in uniform.

The words LIBERTY and JUSTICE are at the heart of this poem. The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines “liberty” as: “the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views” & Justice as: “fairness, fair-play, impartial and just treatment or behavior without favoritism or discrimination, equity”.

What would those brave men and women, who gave the last measure of

The Brander Farm sits along Highway 14 at Hwy 60 near Lone Rock, and has now been in the family for five generations, milking registered Holsteins. The telltale pale blue paint job on buildings is an anomalous color among the typical red Midwestern barns and outbuildings. Current owners, Doug, Joni and their children Derek and Chelsea were hosts for the 2023 Sauk County Dairy Breakfast. Presumably all able-bodied friends and relatives pitched in to help. Spring Green Supervisor Gaile Burchill was also on hand to dish out the scrambled eggs and ham, cheese curds, and flip pancakes. Appropriately, in July Supervisor Burchill will be attending a family reunion in Lawrence, Kansas, where attendees will avoid barnyards and there will be zero chance of stepping into a cow pie.

One solution to keeping the relic of past times going without actually going to a dairy farm, is to hold the Dairy Breakfast at a substitute venue. Grant County's was at the Stonefield Historic Site in Cassville, and Iowa County's met at the Cheese Factory in Arena. Let's hope the hallowed tradition will continue, by hook or by crook...or perhaps I should have said by ham or by curds.

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

their lives, think of DJT when he called them “losers”? What would they think of the Republican Congress threatening to default on our national debt, denying women of needed medical attention during a failed or unwanted pregnancy, corporate-welfare, mega-billionaires paying less in taxes than teachers and bus drivers! Is this “liberty and justice for all”? Definitely NOT!

Lee D. Van Landuyt Hillsboro, Wisconsin

“Wyoming Valley School” (2023) Photo by Emily Benz

From the photographer:

"It has been marvelous to fill that solid structure with such good energy through my (yoga) classes. It is a grounding and inspiring place."

—Emily Benz

Otis Robert Scott 1937-2023

Katie Green

y/OpInIon

Meeting Our Needs — Part 9: Just Put Your Donation in the Box

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

911 and within minutes public servants were there with sandbags. They credit these folks with saving their home. How many pages could be filled with similar stories? How many of these calls would go unanswered without the folks who are willing to be the public servants our communities simply could not do without? I know that I don’t say thank you enough – so to all of you - “THANK YOU.”

Not all of us have the skills necessary to meet our community needs, but thank goodness there are some who do, and we are lucky that they are willing to use those skills to meet our needs. Those of us who don’t have those skills probably have a couple bucks that we can throw into the donation box when these folks ask for our help.

As I sat enjoying my pancakes and finishing my coffee, I watched the line keep forming - but never get too long - because the gal behind the grill made sure that pancakes kept flying off that grill. The Richland County EMS pancake breakfast fundraiser certainly looked like a success from my vantage point. By the way, the pancakes were excellent, and everything was served with a smile and a gracious and heartfelt “Hi, thanks for coming.”

I was talking with the folks across the table from me and heard the type of story that I am sure is repeated over and over again in the community. During the flood of 2018, these folks watched as the water rose closer and closer to their home. Unable to deal with the rising waters themselves, they called

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EDITORIAL

With the season of fundraisers upon us it is a poignant reminder of the needs in our communities that must be met or we all lose. Just a few weeks ago, I wandered onto the State Farm parking lot where another fundraiser was taking place. What can be better than kids, fire trucks, and free hot dogs – unless it is raising funds for yet another community need?

The local food pantry is suggesting that those of us with gardens plant an extra row and donate to the pantry. What a great idea. I think I’ll buy another package of green bean seeds to plant. Fresh green beans are almost as good as free hot dogs.

So, now here I am with my Golum/ Smeagal personas battling with one another for more space in these columns and I’m trying to keep them balanced. It is a constant struggle with me to “take the good and take the bad, you take them both and there you have, the facts of life.” So, I’m giving both of them space here.

The good is that these fundraisers for public safety and public health issues are enthusiastically supported by citizens.

The benefits, however, go beyond that. Critical needs are funded, but equally beneficial is that community members have opportunities to visit, and we all have a chance to meet new friends and participate in the building of community. The bad is that these fundraisers are necessary because the Wisconsin Legislature refuses to fund our local governmental needs at the required level. Readers of this column will know that I have been very critical of our current Wisconsin Legislature and their stinginess in returning our tax dollars back into our communities to meet our needs. I doubt that you will find me changing that tune anytime soon. In the face of a $7 billion state budget surplus, excuses for the need to be “fiscally responsible” ring hollow and mean spirited. Those $7 billion are our tax dollars, taxes collected for the purpose of being returned to local government agencies to meet our needs. Yes, the state needs to be responsible and not spend everything all at once, and maintain a rainy day fund, but we have that as well. There is an additional $1.7 billion in that fund. The Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature seem to think that our tax dollars are their personal investment funds to be held until they can be used – for what? Used to meet our needs? It seems not. So, what are they saving it for? I’d really like to know. I don’t mind donating to worthy projects, but I’d like to save it for things our state government is not obligated to support by returning of our tax dollars.

The Ocooch Mountain Humane Society recently held its “Howl and Meow” fundraiser and Animal House with its famous Chicago hot dogs will pop up all summer long as an additional fundraising enterprise. I don’t expect the government to fund homeless cats and dogs, so fundraisers for that are reasonable. Many expenses associated with long-term illnesses are also not

the responsibility of the government, so things like “Walk with Grace” with their flower and flower basket sales are important. Buying Vidalia onions sold by the Shiners to support their hospitals that serve children under 21 is a community service. Stuffing a donation in the box for a veteran-made poppy to support the American Legion Auxiliary is not just a patriotic thing to do, it is the right thing to do. All these initiatives fill the needs of community members who find themselves in need of some extra help. The list of these types of organizations is endless, and the fact that they continue to exist is a tribute to the generous spirit of Americans.

I need to learn more about these and the many other organizations and agencies that exist in our communities: how they operate, what they fund, what community needs are met by them, and why we should care enough to put some money in their donation boxes or purchase the items they offer for sale.

In the meantime, I’m going to try to attend more pancake breakfasts, chicken dinners, and brat stands this summer. There doesn’t seem to be any shortage of needs that deserve to be met or new friends that are worth meeting. But let us not forget, during this state budget season, that our state legislators need to take our community needs seriously. Prodding them in that direction with a call or email may be exactly what they need.

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

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

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Editor-in-Chief

Nicole Aimone

Managing Editor

Taylor Scott

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Editorial Policy

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

Graphic Design

Julianna Williams

Commentary/Opinion Column

Beverly Pestel

Commentary/Opinion Column

Grace Vosen

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.

Commentary/Opinion Column

Barb Garvoille

Commentary/Opinion Column

Katie Green

Literary Column

Mary Lanita Schulz

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 criticism and allow, in the same issue, the subject of the criticism chance for rebuttal, with expounded independent input. The format shall be point, counterpoint and expert analysis. This community discussion shall serve as a moderated dialogue that presents multiple views of important community topics.

Beverly Pestel, Columnist

Beverly Pestel

Reflections from Lost Horizon Farm — Making Hay (Part 2)

Each edition, retired dairy farmer Barb Garvoille brings her musings on dairy farm life from her own years of experience on Lost Horizon Farm with her late husband Vince “Mr. Farmer” Garvoille. This mooving memoir focuses on 1980-2000, join Barb as she rises with the herd.

Round bales were fed in special tubular steel round bale feeders. During the wintertime, the round bale feeders would be moved from place to place in the barnyard. Young stock would sleep on the bedding pack created by hay remnants left when a feeder was moved.. If a round bale was of poor quality, it could be put out in the barnyard sans feeder, and the young stock would bunt it, roll it around, raise their tails and jump around on it (We called that behavior “yee-hawing around.”). When the fun was over, the no longer round bale would become a winter bed. Although the young stock had the shelter of the deeply bedded heifer building, unless it was very blustery and snowy outside, they preferred sleeping on the bedding packs created on the ground outdoors.

Square bales were handy for feeding, but storing them was a very labor intensive proposition. The baler would pick up the hay from the windrow, compress it in "pats," tie the bale with sisal (or later plastic) baler twine, and then propel each bale into a hay wagon ( or "hay rack," a farmer would say). When the person driving the tractor had to make a turn in the field, sometimes the angle created between the tractor and following wagon would be such that a bale would miss the wagon and land directly on the field. Missed bales had to be picked up off the hay ground manually and thrown into the box of the pickup truck later in the day. Filled hay wagons would be pulled up to a hay elevator. A person or two on the hay rack would unload the hay bales one by one onto the hay elevator. The bales would be mechanically carried up by the elevator and dropped into a hay mow where another person would be waiting to stack them in the barn. The edges of the mow were stacked first with the bales perpendicular

to each barn wall. The middle was then packed with bales to create a solid core. Every one of the following layers (10-15) would be stacked in the same way with special attention to the comers of the mow. Bales were crosshatched in each layer for stability; every layer had to be sturdy enough to walk on and had to be stacked well in order to prevent a bale avalanche.

Hay was made in the heat of the summer, and working on the hay rack or in the hay mow was exceedingly hot work. Hay leaves would stick to a person's sweaty body, in every skin fold, and throughout one's hair. The cut stems of the dry hay were rough. If a person did not want to be scratched, one wore gloves and jeans; if a person didn't care and wanted to be cool, one wore shorts and had no gloves. If pants had cuffs, they would fill with hay leaves and dust; the fibers of socks would be embedded with hay particles. Bales on the hay rack were loaded tightly. Getting the first few bales out of the wagon was the hardest. Once a space was created for one's body, it was easier, but a person had to be careful because the bale being pulled might loosen others, and then a bunch of them would fall at once. Falling bales could knock a person right out of the hay wagon! The person unloading had to take care not to overextend and fall onto the moving hay elevator while simultaneously keeping an eye on the elevator’s operation. Too many bales on the elevator at one time could overheat the motor and blow a breaker switch. A bale haphazardly thrown could break apart, or knock the elevator chain off its track, or a wad of it might plug the elevator and break the chain. Seeing the back of

a hay rack was always an enervating sight to the person unloading it. On a really good baling day, the hay wagons would keep coming up from the field, 130 bales at a time, and 1000 bales would be stored away for winter feeding. On some days, the bales would be off the field and in the barn before the evening milking; on other days, some hay was unloaded before milking and then again after milking. In whichever pattern, haying days were long days of physical exertion. Because the hay elevators were on the eastern side of the barn, our work was in full view of anyone driving by on the county road. On particularly

taxing days, I fervently hoped that someone passing by would think that putting hay bales into the barn looked like a novel and entertaining experience and offer to help us, but that never happened!...

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

Barb Garvoille, Columnist

Barb Garvoille

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Heifers by a round bale feeder in the barnyard.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Hay windrows can be reminiscent of breaking waves on the ocean.

CHRIS HARDIE'S 'BACK HOME' COLUMN

Looking for rain

Chris Hardie, Columnist

I stood outside and watched the dark skies as the rumble of thunder echoed through the valley.

I checked the weather radar which indicated it was raining just over the hill. I could even see the mist in the distance. We needed the rain. Thanks to a recent warm stretch and the lack of moisture, the lawn had turned yellow and brown.

stopped. Soon the sun was shining as another rain storm moved away.

Only a few weeks ago we had flooding in our part of the state, but that’s how quickly the weather can change. As of this writing our farm is officially in the abnormally dry category as defined by the National Weather Service, but parts of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota are in a moderate to severe drought. Without rain we will be moving in the drought category – if we aren’t already in it.

The National Weather Service says since April 1 precipitation deficits have grown into the 2 to 7-inch range in northeast Iowa, 1 to 5-inch range in southeast Minnesota, and 3 to 6-inch range in southwest Wisconsin.

It didn’t help that we had some early summer temperatures, which averaged 3 to 6°F warmer than normal from May 25 through June 7, the National Weather Service says. That’s left the lawns looking more like August rather than early June.

only 17.47 inches of rain the entire year. My brother Kevin, Dad and I were in the barn doing daily chores when the sound of thunder rolled through the valley. We stopped our chores to watch the storm roll in from the barn’s entryway where sacks full of feed grain provided the perfect observation points.

For a few moments, the heavens opened. A hard rain fell on the parched earth. I was happy because I knew that Dad was worried about the crops. We relished the sweet smell of the rain.

But after a few minutes, the rain slowed and stopped. Dad walked out and kicked the sand. It was wet on top, but dry underneath.

“Only four-tenths,” he said. “It’s not enough.”

Sept. 1 that year, only 2.4 inches of rain were measured in La Crosse.

That was also the year that hay prices soared. I had a good first and second cutting and had visions of selling all of our sheep so that I could sell several thousand small hay bales at $8 or $9 each and actually make some decent money.

We kept the sheep, of course, for a few more years.

The sheep are gone now, which is just as well as the pasture looks pretty bleak. I have enough hay to supplement the five animals we have left, but this will be a light hay year.

I was watering our flower and vegetable gardens to keep them growing in our sandy soil.

But the clouds lightened. The thunder

As I looked to the skies for signs of rain, I was taken back 47 years ago to the summer of 1976. Our nation’s Bicentennial year was the third driest ever for our region of Wisconsin with

CLASSIFIEDS

Healthcare Employment Opportunities

*Occupational Therapist – full-time position, Up to a $5,000 Employment Bonus, prorated based on FTE!

*Physical Therapist & Physical Therapy Assistant – full or part time opportunities

*Dietitian – part time to full time day shift position

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

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

*Imaging Technologist – day or night shift position in the hospital available. Up to a $5,000 Employment Bonus, prorated based on FTE!

*Respiratory Therapist – part-time day and night shift positions

*Med Tech/MLT or CLS – .8 FTE Premium Pay Weekender Day shift position

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

*RN Float – .6 FTE evening/night shift position! Employment Bonus Eligible!

*RN Med/Surg – .75 evening/night shift position! Employment Bonus Eligible!

*RN Skilled Nursing Care – .6 FTE p.m. shift position

*Director of Finance – full-time management position

*Director of Marketing – full-time management position

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

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

*Grant Writing Coordinator – half time position

*Hospice Chaplain – 5 to 10 hours per month position

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

*Maintenance Technician – full time position with on-call responsibilities

*Environmental Services – part-time day and p.m. shift positions. $1,000 Employment Bonus!

*Culinary Aide – .8 and .5 FTE day shift positions available

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

Upland Hills Health 800 Compassion Way Dodgeville, WI 53533

The next year Dad borrowed money and had a high-capacity well drilled for a traveling gun irrigation system. A new farm chore emerged – carrying 20-foot sections of pipe through the woods.

It was a two-person job – one man on each end of two pipes – and it took many hours. There was enough pipe to bring artificial rain nearly a mile away.

The last major drought was in 2013, which was a year of extremes. That May we had 8 inches of rain and then after July 1 had very little. From July 1 to

Last night it was drizzling when I went to bed. I woke up early with the hope of a wet morning. But I went outside and saw we had barely enough to wet the ground. I kicked the sand with my foot. It’s not enough.

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

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

WE'RE LOOKING FOR INTERNS AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS

Looking for a challenge?

We are looking for interns/volunteers who want to be in the unique position to learn the nuts and bolts of a news media publication that started from the ground up.

You will have the chance to make an impact at the ground level of a startup and see the effect of your work and ideas carried out with a lot of flexibility, in an environment and creative culture you can help influence and create.

Available subject areas:

AND

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)

-Sports reporting

-Municipal meeting recorders/reporters

-School board reporters

-Social media posting/creation

-E-newsletter

-Website posting

-Agriculture reporter/columnist (current events)

We have the infrastructure set up for most of these areas, we're just in need of manpower from passionate community members.

Seeking office space

Valley Sentinel is seeking office space in the downtown area of Spring Green. Flexible ideas for the space include a newsroom, co-working space for small businesses and entrepreneurs, local retail/consignment, local art exhibition/ gallery space and (eventually) working collaboratively with area businesses to provide extended hours coffee and potentially grab-and-go food. We want to create a space that truly serves the entire community. Please let us know if you have any vacant or soon-to-be vacant commercial space, know of any space, or have any creative ideas or partnership opportunities. We'd be happy to look at a land contract arrangement to reduce your tax burden. By phone at 608-588-6694 or by email at editor@valleysentinelnews.com.

Chris Hardie

Photo contributed by Chris Hardie The lack of rain has put Chris Hardie's lawn into dormancy.

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.

Events for June 15 - June 29

Thursday, June 15

Community Read Along 10:30 AM Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com We'll be reading Wildwood by Colin Meloy. Choose your adventure: check out a copy from the library or buy one from Arcadia Books. Read aloud as a family or tackle it independently. Then join us for 3 sessions throughout the summer to share your reading experience! During this first session, we'll focus on setting the scene. We'll read aloud from the first chapter and discuss what's to come. Don't worry about reading any of the book before June 15 (unless you want a head start!)

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

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

Curious Kids Club 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Each month, kids will learn about a new world culture through crafts, food, and fun games. Join us this time to discuss Poland and Polish!

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.

Wine & Yoga 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr, Muscoda wildhillswinery.com Join certified Yoga Instructor for Wine & Yoga every Thursday evening in summer! Lara offers a fun and relaxing yoga session in the beauty of our vineyard. Please bring a mat and water. $12 per person.

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

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

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

LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic River at Local Night 5:30 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!

LIVE MUSIC: The Westerlies 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Charlene Adzima and Bob Newton are members of a band performing Irish traditional music called West Wind; as duos or trios, we are Te Westerlies. Featuring Charlene Adzima on fiddle and vocals and Bob Newton on octave mandola and mandocello, we are sometimes joined by Kara Rogers on concertina. We have been playing Irish traditional music together for countless years in sessions and in concert.

THEATER: The Merry Wives of Windsor 7:30 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org When the infamous Sir John Falstaff arrives in Windsor, he immediately decides his path to riches lies in finding a wealthy woman to woo. So he sets about writing identical love letters to two married ladies about town – Mistresses Ford and Page. Though the letters fail to have the intended effect, the ladies find them an excellent inlet to toy with Falstaff, resulting in a funny and energetic exploration of marriage, miscommunication and forgiveness, featuring charming characters and hijinks to spare.

Friday, June 16

Wine Down Fridays 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr, Muscoda wildhillswinery.com Come enjoy live music and wood fire pizzas from our food truck. There is no cover, but we ask that folks support free live music by not bringing in outside food or drink. Family friendly! You may want to bring lawn chairs and blankets for extra seating. Handmade and hand tossed wood fire pizzas for sale made from scratch by the Halverson family! Please expect a wait during peak serving times. Relax, enjoy the music, take in the fresh air, have a glass of wine, and enjoy some delicious snacks from our tasting room while you wait. It will be worth it!

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 285: The High Divers // Fellow Kinsman 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 The High Divers have seen some things. There are scars adorning each member that serve as constant reminders that the traveling rock n’ roll lifestyle is not for the faint of heart. After narrowly surviving a bloody scene with a semi on an Arizona Highway in 2017, and a stage silencing pandemic, the band has proved its resilience and dedication to crafting albums that they can continue to be proud of.

APT Presents: The Liar 8:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Ridiculousness abounds in this warm and hilarious adaptation of Corneille’s famous farce. Charming Dorante is a shameless liar, and he’s just arrived in Paris with good times on his mind. He very quickly falls in love with a local lady, Clarice, who he has mistaken for her best friend, Lucrece. Further complicating matters is that, unbeknownst to Dorante, Clarice is already engaged - to his childhood friend, Alcippe. Throw in a servant who cannot tell a lie, and a father who is anxious to marry off his wayward son, and you’ve got the type of uproarious comedies that APT does best. Don't miss it. Spring Green Night, use promo code SG23.

APT Presents: The Royale 8:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org In the early 1900s, Jay Jackson, known in boxing circles as “The Sport,” is primed to become the first Black heavyweight champion of the world. It’s an opportunity to open doors for himself, and all the potential prize-fighters who come after him - most immediately, his young could-be protégé, Fish. But what is the price of bringing those barriers down? And who is reaping the rewards of his sacrifice? What do his accomplishments mean to those who come after, and what do they mean to the safety of his family in an intolerant time? A graceful, theatrical play punctuated with percussion and movement; boxing as dance.

Saturday, June 17

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. Preorders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact info.

Mindfulness: Discussion and Practice (Zoom Only) 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM Event held off-site springgreenlibrary.com Our meetings will include discussions and short mindfulness exercises/practices. This event will be held off-site. If you are interested in attending, please fill out the form online, and we will be in touch. Roger Reynolds was introduced to mindfulness in a course led by a psychiatrist and titled “Mindfulness for Depression.” Living with PTSD, depression and anxiety, Roger credits mindfulness as a foundation of his mental health healing. The focus will be on general mindfulness, knowing everyone can benefit from increased awareness. Roger’s mental health mindfulness foundation will come through in his leading, yet not be the primary focus.

Driftless Landscape Tour 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center, 5607 County Rd C, Spring Green taliesinpreservation.org

Rates: Adult - $25 Student, Senior, Teacher & Military - $20 Children under 10 years old - Free Join us for a conversation about the interconnectedness of land and culture while enjoying an approximately 1-mile walk across the Taliesin property. Guests on this tour will explore the landscape that Wright felt so connected to and learn about the geology, ecology, and cultural history of the area while discovering what draws so many people to the Driftless Area.

"Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin", book signing with Kristine Hansen 2:00 PM4:00 PM . Arcadia Books, 102 East Jefferson St., Spring Green . readinutopia.com . This comprehensive guide to Wright’s designs is for the architecture or history fan looking for tours, overnight stays or creative inspiration. Grab a copy and meet the author!

LIVE MUSIC: Big Night Out on the River Stage 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM . Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green www.wiriversideresort.com

Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the Riverside stage! Let’s welcome in the summer!

Sping Green Pride Paddle 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Highway 14 Boat Launch, Spring Green

Look up Sping Green Pride Paddle on Facebook for more info Join us on Saturday, June 17th for the 4th annual Pride Paddle! Dress up and decorate your kayak, canoe, or paddle board for a fabulous paddle on the Wisconsin River! We will gather at the Highway 14 boat landing. Launch time is 3 p.m. We will paddle to Pecks Landing (less than 2 miles), and hopefully stop at a sandbar along the way to socialize. This event is rain or shine ! You are responsible for providing your own boat and shuttle back to the parking area. A few reminders: No glass on the river! Bring a beverage to enjoy but leave the glass at home. Paddlers are strongly encouraged to wear life jackets while on the river. Respect your fellow paddlers. Don’t forget a towel, bug spray, sunscreen, life jacket, beverages and most of all, your PRIDE!

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 286: John R. Miller // Todd Day Wait 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 John R Miller is a true hyphenate artist: singer-songwriter-picker. Every song on his thrilling debut solo album, Depreciated, is lush with intricate wordplay and haunting imagery, as well as being backed by a band that is on fire. Todd Day Wait is a Missouri native with an easy-going, good humored nature that will have you singing along faster than you know the words.

APT Presents: The Merry Wives of Windsor 8:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org When the infamous Sir John Falstaff arrives in Windsor, he immediately decides his path to riches lies in finding a wealthy woman to woo. So he sets about writing identical love letters to two married ladies about town – Mistresses Ford and Page. Though the letters fail to have the intended effect, the ladies find them an excellent inlet to toy with Falstaff, resulting in a funny and energetic exploration of marriage, miscommunication and forgiveness, featuring charming characters and hijinks to spare.

Sunday, June 18

Glenn “Spud” Rose 50 Bird Memorial Shoot 10:00 AM Spring Green Rod and Gun Club, S12314 County Rd G, Spring Green Look up Glenn Spud Memorial Shoot on Facebook for more info Come and Enjoy the nice weather an shoot some clay pigeons and win some prizes. Proceeds will go to new gun racks for the Spring Green Rod and Gun Club in Glenn’s honor. $20 Per Round.

LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic “Gentle” Jam 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green 608-5880-707 All are welcome- come to play, or come to listen. Kitchen open until 2 pm Free event This practice style jam is for learners and generous experienced players to make music together. We will practice leading songs, taking breaks, learning riffs, integrating our instruments with others, and generally making music with the expectation of learning and having fun.

LIVE MUSIC: Myles Talbott Dyad on the Riverside Stage 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green www.wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the Riverside stage! Let’s welcome in the summer!

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

LIVE MUSIC: Slowpoke Fourth Anniversary Bash 7:30 PM- 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Join us for a night of celebration with performances from Sugar Mama & The Rent Check and Violet Palms. No admission for the show but donations and tips for the bands are welcome and encouraged. We’ll get started around 7:30 with a set from Sugar Mama & The Rent Check, take a short break, and come back with Violet Palms.

Community

Events for June 19 - June 25

Monday, June 19

Free Family Flicks 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Join us for a Free Family Flicks at the library as we show the newly released and themed movies all summer long! Open to all ages. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and drinks included. This week: Homeward Bound

Lone Rock Market 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM . Under the Lone Rock Water Tower, 358 S Oak Street, Lone Rock For more information, look up Lone Rock Market on Facebook . We will be hosting a variety of Farmer's Market and Craft Vendors at our Weekly Community Market Mid-May Through Mid-October. Any items you would like to see at future markets or if you are a Vendor that would like to participate in our future market please message or contact for more information 608-604-3537.

Arena Historians: Kathy Stoltz 6:30 PM Grandma Mary's (Brisbane Hall), 175 Hwy 14, Arena Please join the Arena Historians as we welcome Kathy Stoltz as our featured guest. Stoltz, author of numerous books, will present a slideshow of the many places and events pertaining to Arena that she has documented throughout the years, such as plow days and Arena Historians activities. The meeting is free to the general public. We look forward to seeing you there!

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, June 20

Summer Family Storytime 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Summer Family Storytime lasts about 30 minutes and is full of stories, songs, and followed by a simple craft. Geared toward ages 3-5, but older and younger siblings and friends are always welcome. All children must attend with an adult.

Movies, Munchies and More: American Graffiti 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Come to the library for a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, a movie. Synopsis: On the last day of summer vacation in 1962, friends Curt, Steve, Terry and John cruise the streets of small-town California while a mysterious disc jockey spins classic rock'n'roll tunes. It's the last night before their grown-up lives begin (PG,1h 50m, 1973).

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

Weaving Craft 2:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Make a cardboard loom and weave your own colorful design! Sign-up required. Age 6+ recommended.

Wednesday, June 21

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join us for a morning of stories, songs, dance, and hands-on activities! Our summer theme is All Together Now. With the help of guest storytellers from Spring Green and beyond, we'll focus on all the ways that we can be part of a community: through the spoken word, music, art, nature, movement, and more. When the weather is nice, summer Storytimes will be outside outside on the lawn. We'll provide cushions and toys, but feel free to bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, or other outdoor gear!

LIVE MUSIC: Make Music Day: Backyard String Band 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org Make Music River Valley is a live, free musical celebration on June 21, the longest day of the year, with concerts across the valley. Across the country, cities, towns & states will be celebrating music throughout the day. Full lineup: www.makemusicday.org/rivervalley/

WORKSHOP — Together We Make Art! Series #1: Hands 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join Angel Dreams Studios as we explore how to make "your mark" on the community by creating bright and colorful handprint pieces. They are inspired by Mexican Folk Art known as Amate Bark Paintings and will be hung in the library over the summer as part a continued collaborative "Together We Make Art!" program series!

LIVE MUSIC: River Valley Arts — Make Music Day: You Uke Too 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org Make Music River Valley is a live, free musical celebration on June 21, the longest day of the year, with concerts across the valley.

LIVE MUSIC: River Valley Arts — Make Music Day: Family Music / Story Time

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org Come enjoy a family event at the library!

LIVE MUSIC: River Valley Arts — Make Music Day: Wild Love 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Arts Lab,143 S. Washington St., Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org Come enjoy this singing ukelele quartet!

LIVE MUSIC: River Valley Arts — Make Music Day: Don Greenwood 5:00 PM6:00 PM . Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org

LIVE MUSIC: River Valley Arts — Make Music Day: Nath Dresser & David Dati

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Porch of 337 E. jefferson St., Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org

Across the country, cities, towns & states will be celebrating music throughout the day.

LIVE MUSIC: River Valley Arts — Make Music Day: RV Community Chorus 6:15 PM - 6:30 PM Arts Lab,143 S. Washington St., Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org

Excerpts and short choral works, old and new!

LIVE MUSIC: River Valley Arts — Make Music Day: db peterson, Liz Sexe & Tim Russel 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Arts Lab,143 S. Washington St., Spring Green rivervalleyarts.org Instrumentals and non-traditional vocal gymnastics

Arcadia Book Club discusses "Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM This is a zoom book club meeting readinutopia.com Yellowface is a thriller, a ghost story, a tale of overwrought ambition, and a test of moral and ethical boundaries. A fairly impressive accomplishment for someone who in addition to her novels, has earned master's degrees from both Cambridge and Oxford, and is currently working on a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literature at Yale. A typical twenty-something slacker. Cooking with the Cap Times - Chefs Chance Spivey and Christian Amador of Homecoming 6:00 PM Online event captimes.com Join us for a live cooking demonstration at Kessenich's Innovation Center, hosted by Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians. This month's demo features chefs Chance Spivey and Christian Amador of Homecoming in Spring Green. They will demonstrate how to prepare two kinds of homemade pizza: Soppressata pie and Sausage pie.

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

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session Session 287: Long Mama // Old Pup 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 Long Mama’s music blisters with the heart and grit of someone who has lost hard, loved harder, and licked her burns until they stung then silvered. Old Pup is a folk outfit from Milwaukee with surrealistic leanings and a lyrical nod to American poets old and new.

Thursday, June 22

Storytime 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock Join us every Thursday for storytime!

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

Wine & Yoga 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr, Muscoda wildhillswinery.com Join certified Yoga Instructor for Wine & Yoga every Thursday evening in summer! Lara offers a fun and relaxing yoga session in the beauty of our vineyard. Please bring a mat and water. $12 per person.

LIVE MUSIC: Nath Dresser 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Nath Dresser has been writing songs and performing since back when he lived in the Carolinas. For the past twenty-some years he’s been living in Wisconsin, playing in a variety of venues.

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.

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

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

THEATER: The Liar 7:30 PM . American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org . Don't miss this romantic comedy performed by APT’s very best!

THEATER: The Royale 7:30 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Come enjoy this graceful, theatrical play punctuated with percussion and movement; boxing as dance.

LIVE MUSIC: Solstice Jazz Band at Local Night 5:30 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!

Friday, June 23

Wine Down Fridays 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM . Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr, Muscoda wildhillswinery.com Come enjoy live music and wood fire pizzas from our food truck. There is no cover, but we ask that folks support free live music by not bringing in outside food or drink. Family friendly! You may want to bring lawn chairs and blankets for extra seating. Handmade and hand tossed wood fire pizzas for sale made from scratch by the Halverson family! Please expect a wait during peak serving times. Relax, enjoy the music, take in the fresh air, have a glass of wine, and enjoy some delicious snacks from our tasting room while you wait. It will be worth it!

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 started 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.

THEATER: Our Town 8:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Wilder’s Pulitzer-Prize winning classic returns to the Hill Theatre for the first time since 1992. That little town of Grover’s Corners contains multitudes. Centered around George and Emily, a young couple in love, the story of their lives together evolves as the acts carry on, intertwined with the story of the town itself, the narrative stewarded by an all-knowing stage manager. A timeless tale that gently reminds us about the importance of appreciating the life we have, and the people with whom we share it. Spring Green Night, use promo code SG23.

Saturday, June 24

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. Preorders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact into.

Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Jefferson St., Spring Green springgreenartfair.com This Juried fair has over 150 artists! Browse displays in jewelry, pottery, photography, graphics, crafts, sculpture, wood, fiber, painting and glass. Food booths run by local organizations will be throughout the fair. Entertainment will be in the Post House Garden all weekend.

Restoration Tour of Grell Prairie 9:30 AM

231302 Harper Hill Lane, Lone Rock theprairieenthusiasts.org Diverse plant life, such as small skullcap, leadplant, fame flower and other moderate to dry prairie plants are present. The view from the burr oak savanna atop the hill Little Roundtop on the east end of the property will make the climb scenic and memorable. Difficulty: Moderate. We will be walking up a hillside.

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

THEATER: The Royale 2:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Come enjoy this graceful, theatrical play punctuated with percussion and movement; boxing as dance.

LIVE MUSIC: Bushman from Lodi on the River Stage 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM . Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green www.wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the Riverside stage! Let’s welcome in the summer!

APT Presents: The Liar 8:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Don't miss this romantic comedy performed by APT’s very best!

LIVE MUSIC: Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green springgreenartfair.com Live Music all day! 10:00 - 12:00: Janna Johnson-Fuchs and Steve Brown 12:30 - 2:00: John Haarbauer 2:30 - 4:30: Shekinah King

Sunday, June 25

LIVE MUSIC: Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green springgreenartfair.com Live Music! 11:001:00: Jambidextrous 1:30 - 3:30: Sugar Mama and the Rent Check

LIVE MUSIC: Waterstreet Jacks on the River Stage 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green www.wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the Riverside stage! Let’s welcome in the summer!

LIVE MUSIC: Donnie Reyzek 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Hyde Store, 5314 County Road H, Ridgeway Look up Hyde Store on Facebook for more info Stop out to hear some great music, and enjoy a cold one with great company!

LIVE MUSIC: Tony Rocker - Elvis Inspired Artist 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Ewing-Olson VFW Post 9336-Arena, 514 Willow Street, Arena Look up Arena VFW on Facebook for more info Tony Rocker was born and raised in Milwaukee and as a child he was hooked on music early on in his life. He was influenced by Elvis, Dion, Conway Twitty, Sam Cooke and more. Tony has performed over 25yrs. $10 cover charge at the door.

THEATER: The Merry Wives of Windsor 6:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org A funny and energetic exploration of marriage, miscommunication and forgiveness, featuring charming characters and hijinks to spare.

Events for June 26 - June 29

Monday, June 26

Lego Builders 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM . Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Do you love Lego's? Join us throughout the summer as we highlight different kinds of Legos . Each meeting will have a different challenge to complete. Free building will also be encouraged.

Lone Rock Market 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Under the Lone Rock Water Tower, 358 S Oak Street, Lone Rock For more information, look up Lone Rock Market on Facebook We will be hosting a variety of Farmer's Market and Craft Vendors at our Weekly Community Market Mid-May Through Mid-October. Any items you would like to see at future markets or if you are a Vendor that would like to participate in our future market please message or contact for more information 608-604-3537.

Rural Musicians Forum: Ryan Meisel Quartet- Featuring Vocalist Susan Hofer

7:00 PM Performing Arts Pavilion in the Westland Promenade, 114 Brodhead St. Mazomanie ruralmusiciansforum.org For more than a quarter-century, the Rural Musicians Forum has served the Wisconsin River Valley community and beyond.

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

Tuesday, June 27

Summer Family Storytime 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Summer Family Storytime lasts about 30 minutes and is full of stories, songs, and followed by a simple craft. Geared toward ages 3-5, but older and younger siblings and friends are always welcome. All children must attend with an adult.

Summer Movie: Strange World 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Come to the library for a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and either a movie or a presentation! Synopsis: A legendary family of explorers, the Clades, attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures (PG, 1h 45m, 2022).

Teen Time 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org It's all about Teen Unity this summer! It's time to test out the power of playing as a team. Can you trade the group for wool, wood or sheep in Catan or build the highest towers out of Lego or Jenga? Teen Time will give you a chance to participate in special games or activities through the summer. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Come on into the library for good vibes, books & fun!

Line Dancing for Kids 2:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Put on your dancing shoes and get in line. It’s exercise in disguise! No dance experience necessary.

THEATER: Once Upon a Bridge 7:30 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Based on a true story, three lives intersect for an instant, and are changed forever. A young woman starting out in a new city is bumped – or is she pushed? – or did she fall? – into the path of an oncoming bus, her life spared by bare inches. One man hustles off, while another risks his job to stay. Structured as a series of flowing monologues, these strangers tell a tale of the distance between our hopes and realities; our perceived futures and unchangeable past; between ourselves and the people around us. A poetic and hopeful meditation about choices, consequences and picking up the pieces when they fall.

Wednesday, June 28

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM North Park, Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Bring the whole family for a morning of song, stories, movement, and fun!

Book Discussion: Forty Acres Deep 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com For June, in preparation for the Morrill Lecture event in July, we will be reading Forty Acres Deep by Michael Perry. Synopsis: When farmer Harold wakes to find his wife dead beside him in bed and snow threatening to crush the last life from his dwindling farm, he takes drastic steps toward a fresh start. Set in a world of stark wintry beauty, Forty Acres Deep is the brief, unrelenting tale of one person's attempt to make sense of a world he no longer recognizes while pitilessly calling himself into account.

LIVE MUSIC: The Westerlies 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org We have been playing Irish traditional music together for countless years in sessions and in concert.

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

THEATER: The Liar 7:30 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Don't miss this romantic comedy performed by APT!

THEATER: The Royale 7:30 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Come enjoy this graceful, theatrical play punctuated with percussion and movement; boxing as dance.

Thursday, June 29

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

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

WHAT’S HANGINg ?

ongoing art exhibitions

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

Now and Then by Jen Salts has drawings on display in the Community Room Gallery throughout the month of June . Jen tells a bit about herself and her art, “I have always wanted to live in Spring Green. I finally moved here seven and a half years ago and never looked back. Who wouldn’t love this enchanted valley where the beautiful Wisconsin River winds around the landscape creating a tapestry of unexcelled beauty? This is the center of my artistic and creative spirit. I’ve never been more prolific with my art than here in Spring Green. It’s my home here at Crow’s Lair Cottage As a young child growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, I’d gone to nine different schools by the time I graduated from high school. With each move and each new school, I felt up-rooted and vulnerable, but the one place where I could always be myself and express my creativity was the art room. This was my safe haven... still is This exhibit is a retrospect of my drawings which began over thirty years ago with my self-portrait entitled “Defiance”. Each drawing has a special significance in my life. My hope is that the viewer may understand what I see in my mind’s eye The following art mediums are used within this exhibit: Graphite, Prismacolors and Caran d’ Ache pencils with a smattering of watercolors and pastels here and there. My hope is that each piece speaks for itself.” . Jen’s drawings are available for viewing during regular library hours when the Community Room is not in use. Please ask for the key at the circulation desk.

Carol Naughton has ceramic work on display in the Glass Case Gallery. Carol is a ceramic artist who lives in Dodgeville. Her studio is located in a remodeled 1876 stone granary on a farm in the beautiful driftless area of Wisconsin The shapes and functional uses of her ceramics reflects her love of gardening and cooking. The regional stonework and colors of the pottery studio are reflected in the material and color choices used in her work Carol creates one-of-a-kind, expressive tableware and functional pottery using porcelain and stoneware clays. The clay is wheel thrown and altered or hand-built from slabs to which line work and sculptural additions are added to complete the piece. The journey of creating pottery forms is endless and the winding road always leads to new destinations and discoveries which keeps the ideas fresh, as each piece is created Carol's glazes are mixed at the studio from raw ingredients and are durable, food-safe and dishwasher-safe. Many of the colors used reflect a fondness for Chinese and Japanese glazes. The completed pieces are high fired to 2250 degrees in a gas reduction kiln that provides a wide range of glaze surfaces and colors . The ceramic pieces are available for viewing during regular library hours.

CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR

This calendar is a place listing (for free) the typical meeting dates for area governmental bodies, and Please email us with these meetings, or use the form on our Community Calendar page — let's build community together: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

June 16:

VOLUNTEER: Build the Driftless Trail — Knobs Road Segment 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM . Knobs Road Trail, Knobs Rd, Ridgeway . driftlessconservancy.org . Volunteer to help finish and touch up a short piece of the Knobs Road Segment. All the necessary tools and equipment will be provided, but please bring layers, water, a snack, and gloves. If you plan to join this workday, please register online

June 17:

Plant Pressing Workshop 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Learn how to press and make art from plants with special guest Sami! This workshop is geared towards kids ages 5-11, but younger siblings and teens are very welcome to join.

LIVE MUSIC: Camela Widad at Local Night 5:30 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!

LIVE MUSIC: Tom Waselchuk 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Singer. Songwriter. Band leader. Producer. Tom has lead the Dang-Its (Americana) since 1998, presented Sweet Dreams & Honky Tonks (a classic country music revue) since 2012, toured the US and Far East with Harmonious Wail (Gypsy swing, 2001-2011), and free-lances in many music genres: jazz, bluegrass, country, Irish, and folk music. Tom currently performs with his Americana vocal group, Te Honey Pies.

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

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

THEATER: Our Town 7:30 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org A timeless tale that gently reminds us about the importance of appreciating the life we have, and the people with whom we share it.

THEATER: Once Upon a Bridge 7:30 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Based on a true story, a poetic and hopeful meditation about choices, consequences and picking up the fallen pieces.

VOLUNTEER: Work Day — Amphitheater 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville friendsofgovernordodge.org Can you spare a little time to help finish the amphitheater project? The benches were scraped and stained a few weeks ago by a couple of hardworking volunteers (see attached) but the steps, railing, and stage area still need scraping and staining. If you are available to help, please meet (weather permitting) at the park office where supplies will be furnished. Remember, many hands make light work! If you have any questions, please call Chip at 608-851-0210

June 26: MEETING: Plain Library Board Meeting 6:30 PM

510 Main Street, Plain villageofplain.com

June 28:

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

July 1: Friends of the Library Book Collection 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Commmunity Room, Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org The Friends of the Spring Green Community Library will accept donations of gently used books for resale on Saturday. Donations of no more than four boxes are preferred. Proceeds from book sales help support library programs and other amenities. Damaged books, encyclopedias, textbooks, and instruction manuals are not accepted, and the Friends reserve the right to limit the quantity of items accepted and/or refuse donations that do not meet library needs.

Jefferson

LITERARY 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.....

A 2ft Mouse and his Cheese

June is Dairy month, growing up in Wisconsin that meant we deemed the whole month to be a national holiday.

When you live on a farm AND you are in 4H AND your mother is the 4H leader it means that in June: Every day, Every hour, Every minute, Every second is focused on Cheese, Milk, Butter, Curds and Whey.

“Are you writing your letters” mom would ask as she would hand us a list of people and addresses to send letters to by early May. We would write to Senators, Governors, Heads of Companies, Radio and TV personalities, asking how they planned on helping promote dairy in Wisconsin. It was important to start early because once June was over a scrapbook would be compiled, with newspaper articles, activities accomplished, projects completed and most exciting of all………. The Replies we received.

My fist would squeeze the number two pencil between two determined fingers with force and conviction as I deeply concentrated on composing my letter. “Dear So and So, my name is Lanita and I live on a small farm in Wisconsin. Would you mind please telling me how you and your family plan to help support dairy?”

Eventually, a generic reply would arrive in the mail….” Thank you for asking Lanita. My family and I make it a point to eat dairy on a daily basis.”

The day that envelope would show up in our mailbox, addressed to me, might as well have been my birthday, because as a child I didn’t see it as a generic response. It made me feel special and important. I walked on air and held my head high for days after, so excited to see my contribution be placed into the scrapbook.

For three days a week, every week, for the entire month, we also would take over the lobby of the local bank. What is now BMO Harris was the newly constructed Bank of Spring Green, a Grand Round Stone Castle planted “squarely” in the center of town.

Our card table, set up in the entryway, a tag board sign hung at its front announcing, “The Spring Green Clovers”.

The sign was very important as “The Big Hollow Bears” passed out cheese on the opposite days and they were our sworn Enemies, our Nemesis, our Competition in ALL things 4H.

Trays of neatly cut cubes of cheese were arranged on the table, a cooler behind, holding reserves. Every customer that walked in would get accosted: Cheese excitedly pushed in their face by eager little 4Hers to the words,

“Would you like to try some cheese? Breathlessly we would list off a string of various cheeses “We have Swiss, Cheddar, Muenster, Colby, Jack, Fresh Curds, and…………(gasping breath)……. Crackers”.

There was nothing better than a day spent handing out cheese to unsuspecting victims, other than maybe…… The Butterfest Parade!!

When the neighboring town had “Butterfest”, a celebration that still goes on to this day, not only did we participate in the parade every year, but we also dreamt of someday being crowned “Miss Butterfest”. One year we walked all the way from Spring Green to Reedsburg, nearly 30 miles to promote dairy.

Well, not the entire way, as there was a car that would transport us a couple of miles, drop us in more “populated” areas and once we walked a bit, transport us a bit farther along the route.

In our small minds though we firmly considered it walking the whole way.

I remember strutting along the road, feeling so special in my homemade, cardboard, Swiss cheese shaped costume, complete with holes. My arms sticking out of two, the wedge shape with the point at my front and the base at my back. My legs looked like tiny sticks jutting out, adorned in white tights. I felt so special and wanted everyone to know it. As cars passed, I wanted to wave my hands, jump up and scream “Look at my holes, aren’t I cheesy?”

Accompanying me there was a Carton of Milk, a Butter Stick, a Cube of Cheddar and my sister, an Ice Cream Sandwich. I’m sure we were quite the sight tramping up Hwy 23 all decked out in our cardboard cheese and dairy costumes. Our young “honorary” 4H member, the 4 year old brother of the girl playing Cheddar, scurrying behind us, dressed as a Mouse, trying to get a bite of cheese.

Why had we been so eager and excited to promote and cheer on June is Dairy month? Sense of community? Feeling of belonging?

Honestly, I’m not sure, but for an entire month it was Our focus, Our mission, Our fun, and Our joy; and We Took it Seriously.

Or at least as seriously as a girl dressed as Swiss: being chased by a 2 foot Mouse, can.

— Mary Lanita Schulz

Driftless Grace — Illumination

It recently came about that my modest outdoor seating area got an upgrade in the form of lighting. I’ve never been against such a thing, but I admit it also never occurred to me before now. It wasn’t until the lights were up and running that I realized what a spartan existence I had been living.

Sure, I was more attuned to the natural shift from daylight to darkness. But that darkness gets pretty dark, and I prefer to squeeze as much enjoyment as possible out of summer nights. And when the evening sun is blocked by my building anyway, the whole concept goes out the window (so to speak).

The new addition also classes up the place considerably, to the point that

Tickets are $26 for River Valley School District Residents

Use promo code SG23.

In the Very Fine & Prime seating levels.

The Spring Green Night price is also available for the following performances

THE LIAR

By David Ives

Adapted from Les Menteur by Pierre Corneille

Directed by Keira Fromm

Friday, June 16 at 8:00

OUR TOWN

By Thornton Wilder

Directed by Tim Ocel

Friday, June 23 at 8:00

ANTON’S SHORTS

Brief Plays & Vaudevilles by the Young Anton Chekhov

Freely adapted for the stage by Aaron Posner

Directed by Jake Penner

Friday, August 4 at 8:00

ROMEO & JULIET

By William Shakespeare

Directed by John Langs

Friday, August 11 at 8:00

I have to remind myself I live here. Small improvements like this are a way to actively take pride in where I live. I talk and write a lot about how much I love this place, but that doesn’t change how it feels to wake up in it and spend time there. The lights do.

And I am proud: I’ve found a home, in both my physical location and my connections within the community. There have been times in the last few years when I didn’t know how long I’d get to stay in a given place. My possessions are still minimal as a result — which is the biggest reason I never had outdoor lights. I’m looking forward to putting down deeper and deeper roots, and to seeing them at night.

Gittings, David Daniel & Phoebe González, The Rivals, 2022.

Photo by Liz Lauren.

Grace Vosen, Columnist

The Sauk County Gardener

Preventing Garden Pests

Jeannie Manis Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“Bugs are not going to inherit the earth. They own it now. So we might as well make peace with the landlord.”

— Thomas Eisner

Yesterday, my husband set up the electric goat fencing around his bee yard to deter pests, namely bears. Last year, we lost all of our hives to a meandering bear and so he’s determined to keep bears away this year. Whether you have beehives or a vegetable garden, preventing garden pests is just part of the game. There are several techniques that you can use, depending on the type of pests you have.

If you have animal pests such as deer, bunnies, and birds, create barriers to prevent or minimize the havoc they wreak on your gardens. Electric or wire fencing is just one method you can use. You can also use row covers to hide your crops from hungry critters and they also

help for insect pests as well. To prevent your newly planted seeds from birds, place the row cover directly on the soil until the seeds germinate. Keep in mind that the crops you are covering need to be pollinated, you will need to remove the row covers with your crops bloom. If you have strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, use bird netting or tulle to cover your plants. Another technique to use is animal-deterring sprays. These sprays smell bad and help encourage deer and rabbits to move on and find something else to eat. We’ve had great success with animal-deterring sprays; the husband sprays it along the perimeter of the gardens (flower and vegetables), reapplying after rain, to get deer to develop a different route through the neighborhood.

If your pests tend to be of the insect kind, there are some different techniques you

Hot Weather Causing Unusual Plant Growth

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“In the summertime, when the weather is hot, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.”

— Mungo Jerry

All this weird weather has been wreaking havoc on local gardens. First it takes forever for it to warm up, we get snow on May 1st, and these past couple of weeks the weather has been scorching hot and super dry. It’s also really early to hear people talk about having to water their lawns and gardens regularly. All these ups and downs are definitely causing issues with our plants.

An example is some unusual growth on one of my daughter’s hostas. She was concerned it was diseased as the growth was nothing she had ever seen before. Her

Integrated Pest Management

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.”

— Henry David Thoreau

I haven’t had to contend with a lot of insect pests in the past, but I realize that can change any growing season if I’m not vigilant. The same holds true for garden diseases. What I have had to contend with in the past are Japanese beetles, cabbage loopers, and Septoria Leaf Spot on my tomatoes. In order to keep on top of garden insects, diseases, weeds, and other unwanted “pests”, I use Integrated Pest Management, also known as IMP.

IPM uses different types of controls to create an environment that’s unfriendly to anything

host is experiencing a type of growth called fasciation. Fasciated (meaning bundled) growth is when the scapes are fused into a broccoli-like formation. Fasciation is not unique to hostas. It is thought to be caused by a hormonal imbalance due to either a random genetic mutation or from environmental factors such as temperature at certain stages of development of the dormant plant. It doesn’t affect nearby plants and most likely will not occur next season. I’ve heard from others that they are also experiencing fasciated growth on their hostas as well.

Another unusual thing you may see in your garden is curling leaves or physiological leaf roll, particularly with your tomato plants. In some cases, it can be due to poor soil nutrition, viruses, and/

you consider a pest, taking away any advantages they may have and giving those advantages to the plants you want to keep. It involves being able to identify good and bad insects, regularly monitoring pest activity, setting a threshold for tolerable pest damage, creating a plan before pests cause concern, and taking prompt action when necessary. The best part of IPM when implemented correctly, it will help you manage pests, while having little or no impact on the environment or the beneficial birds, bees, and other insects you want to keep around.

Cultural controls involve making decisions to ensure your plants are healthy. Prevention is the best pest management as healthy plants can resist diseases and insects better than sickly ones. For example, select plants suited to our region or

can implement. If you grow a crop that tends to have specific problems, look for a pest resistant variety. Interplanting or companion planting can help by confusing insects as they try to find their delicious snack. We interplant onions and garlic among certain vegetables to deter insect pests. Different colored, versus the standard green-leaf, vegetables can also confuse insect pests. Some insects tend to show up at specific times of the year, so starting seedling indoors to get an earlier start or planting a late crop can help your crops miss those peak insect-feeding times. Growing vegetables in pots or raised beds can help get plants out of harm’s way from low-flying insects or ground-moving slugs. Barriers, such as row covers, help prevent access to your crops. Make sure to secure them to the ground so they don’t end up in your neighbor’s yard the next windy day. Cosmo, nasturtiums, sweet alyssum, and dill attract beneficial insects

or herbicide drift. However, based on our recent hot, sunny weather, it is more likely due to the extremely high temps, too much sun, and even underwatering. Tomatoes like warm temps but consistent temps over 90 degrees F will cause leaf curl. The heat is stressing the plant and the curling is the plants attempt to conserve water. Too much sun can also be an issue. You may notice your tomato leaves are turning yellow (getting sunburned). The curling of the leaves is an attempt to reduce the amount of exposed surface area. Finally, with all this hot weather, it is really hard to make sure your plants have enough water. If they can’t get enough water, they will curl their leaves to try and conserve water. This may be very evident in potted tomato plants. For curling leaves, it’s important to water deeply and at the right time. Mornings are

are disease- and pest-resistant varieties. Plant at the right time so crops can establish roots and thrive in the natural climate. Choose the proper site so plants get the right amount of light. Avoid overhead watering. Test your soil to ensure you have the right minerals in your soil. Biological controls can also be employed. This involves identifying natural enemies of the insects you don’t want around. Having the right plants in or near your garden will encourage these beneficial insects to visit and help manage pests naturally.

The key is knowing the difference between good and bad insects. Properly identify which one you have, and if it’s bad, research to see what its natural enemies are or if there is a biological pathogen that can be used for control.

Another method of control is mechanical/

who eat insect pests or even hatch their own young inside them. Well-watered and well-fed plants make for healthy plants, helping them be less susceptible to pests. If disease is a “pest” in your garden, there are also techniques you can use to minimize the damage from them. One technique you can use is to plant disease resistant varieties. For example, if you enjoy growing tomatoes but consistently have trouble with early blight, consider planting a variety that is resistant to early blight. Mulching heavily can help minimize weeds and splash-up from soilborne diseases. Use good garden hygiene to minimize disease pests by disposing of diseased plants properly. Some diseased plants can be put on the compost pile, but others should be buried, burned, or thrown in the trash. Finally, clean and sanitize garden equipment, especially when you are working with disease plants. Yum!

best as the plants have a chance to use the water before it evaporates. Watering in the evening can lead to fungal issues so it's best to avoid that time unless absolutely necessary. Also, mulch your plants to help retain moisture in the soil. Straw or leaf mulch works well.

Mark your calendars for the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association’s upcoming garden tour on Saturday, July 22 from 9 am to 4 pm. This year’s tour consists of 8 private and 2 public gardens located in the Reedsburg and LaValle area. Tickets are only $10 in advance and can be purchased at the Reedsburg and Baraboo Chamber of Commerces.

Visit www.facebook.com/ SaukCountyMasterGardenersAssociation/ events to learn about this event.

physical. Use mulch to prevent weeds and soilborne pathogens from splashing up on your plants when they are watered. Hoe or pull weeds so before they set seed. Use row covers or create barriers around various plants. Use netting to prevent birds from eating your entire crop of berries. Handpicking is another method and is what I typically use with the early Japanese beetle scouts and the later invasion.

Finally, pesticides controls can be used for prevention and active treatment, especially when all other IPM methods fail. For example, Japanese beetles don’t have any native predators in the US, so the use of Neem oil can help with controlling them. There are also preventative pesticides that can be used to prevent and treat diseases and control the spread.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Outdoorsman’s Journal

new wilderness should ago. Pete Ashland contact column, but Pribanich at Pete’s and several me Sylvania located in of Eagle on his would be for both next lake trout a total never little Sylvania far as and this dedicated to with zero how when I one was skeets relish the and Joe know of and be some of ever toss

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

their weightless Texas Rig set up with a stick bait in the brush and pull-out bass after bass without losing a rig. Yours truly on the other hand had a lot to learn, failed often but at days end understood a lot more than when Pete and I set sail. Joe Pribanich would be at a different campsite than us and Joe is my newest I want to age just like him person. Joe is 10 years older than me and can handle a canoe, sleep on the ground, and looks good.

Pete and I tried paddle trolling for lakers and had no luck but we caught at least 80 smallies and largemouth bass. I was extremely impressed watching these 2 long time buddies love the day they were living.

This past week I made some new friends and explored a wilderness area for the first time that I should have checked out 30-years ago. Pete Wasson is the editor of The Ashland Daily Press and has been a contact of mine as he runs this column, but we had never met. Joe Pribanich is 71, the former city planner at Wausau, a good friend of Pete’s and a true wilderness addict. For several years Pete has been inviting me to an annual getaway to Sylvania Wilderness Area which is located in the UP about 30 miles north of Eagle River, last week I took him up on his offer.

Friday May 26th

High 78°, Low 42°

Sunday May 28th

High 84°, Low 49°

My new buddies and I would be bass whacking out of canoes for both large and smallmouth and the next day I would try for my first lake trout out of a canoe. This would be a total learning experience, I had never met these guys, I have very little bass fishing experience and Sylvania has a lot of very wise rules as far as barbless hooks, no cans etc. and this 18,327 acres is basically dedicated to foot and watercraft travel with zero motors in most cases.

Heck, I did not even know how to get to where I was going when I pulled out of the driveway.

What I witnessed on day one was wise campers that deal with skeets and adverse conditions and relish the challenge.

Saturday May 27th

High 82°, Low 44°

Just like yesterday it was up at 5:00 and lots of mosquitoes. Today I would fish alone and Joe and Pete would go bass whacking as I paddled trolled for my first laker. I was dedicated to my cause and tried everything from a flasher/fly combination to several spoons and crankbaits. All setups had the barbs flattened on the hooks and basically what I did was pull lines and paddle a canoe for 9 hours straight. Just as the 7th hour passed one of my planer boards that had a deep diving crankbait with 1.5 ounces of weight in front of it started wobbling. By God if I didn’t catch me a lake trout. I am addicted to canoe fishing and to catch my first laker out of a canoe was very cool. An hour later that same setup was hit again, and I caught another with both being about 25-inches. Lake trout have to be 30-inches and I was very careful releasing them.

I have to tell you, I felt a very special bond to this place, the people, the ethics, and the wilderness were just how I roll and then I go and bonus out and make 2 new friends.

It was a good weekend!

I just met Pete last night and Joe this morning. I do not even know most bass fishing terminology of which it is 100-percent catch and release on the lake we would be fishing and these guys were some of the best bass whackers I have ever met. They can paddle a canoe, toss

Sunset of outdoor lives in began Outdoorsman’s hunting, writes for hopes you adventures!

columns at www.outdoorsmansjournal.com

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

their weightless Texas Rig set up with a stick bait in the brush and pull-out bass after bass without losing a rig. Yours truly on the other hand had a lot to learn, failed often but at days end understood a lot more than when Pete and I set sail. Joe Pribanich would be at a different campsite than us and Joe is my newest I want to age just like him person. Joe is 10 years older than me and can handle a canoe, sleep on the ground, and looks good.

Pete and I tried paddle trolling for lakers and had no luck but we caught at least 80 smallies and largemouth bass.

I was extremely impressed watching these 2 long time buddies love the day they were living.

Sunday May 28th

High 84°, Low 49°

This past week I made some new friends and explored a wilderness area for the first time that I should have checked out 30-years ago. Pete Wasson is the editor of The Ashland Daily Press and has been a contact of mine as he runs this column, but we had never met. Joe Pribanich is 71, the former city planner at Wausau, a good friend of Pete’s and a true wilderness addict. For several years Pete has been inviting me to an annual getaway to Sylvania Wilderness Area which is located in the UP about 30 miles north of Eagle River, last week I took him up on his offer.

their weightless Texas Rig set up with a stick bait in the brush and pull-out bass after bass without losing a rig. Yours truly on the other hand had a lot to learn, failed often but at days end understood a lot more than when Pete and I set sail. Joe Pribanich would be at a different campsite than us and Joe is my newest I want to age just like him person. Joe is 10 years older than me and can handle a canoe, sleep on the ground, and looks good.

Pete and I tried paddle trolling for lakers and had no luck but we caught at least 80 smallies and largemouth bass. I was extremely impressed watching these 2 long time buddies love the day they were living.

Sunday May 28th

Friday May 26th

High 78°, Low 42°

My new buddies and I would be bass whacking out of canoes for both large and smallmouth and the next day I would try for my first lake trout out of a canoe. This would be a total learning experience, I had never met these guys, I have very little bass fishing experience and Sylvania has a lot of very wise rules as far as barbless hooks, no cans etc. and this 18,327 acres is basically dedicated to foot and watercraft travel with zero motors in most cases.

Heck, I did not even know how to get to where I was going when I pulled out of the driveway.

What I witnessed on day one was wise campers that deal with skeets and adverse conditions and relish the challenge.

Just like yesterday it was up at 5:00 and lots of mosquitoes. Today I would fish alone and Joe and Pete would go bass whacking as I paddled trolled for my first laker. I was dedicated to my cause and tried everything from a flasher/fly combination to several spoons and crankbaits. All setups had the barbs flattened on the hooks and basically what I did was pull lines and paddle a canoe for 9 hours straight. Just as the 7th hour passed one of my planer boards that had a deep diving crankbait with 1.5 ounces of weight in front of it started wobbling. By God if I didn’t catch me a lake trout. I am addicted to canoe fishing and to catch my first laker out of a canoe was very cool. An hour later that same setup was hit again, and I caught another with both being about 25-inches. Lake trout have to be 30-inches and I was very careful releasing them.

Saturday May 27th

High 82°, Low 44°

High 84°, Low 49°

I have to tell you, I felt a very special bond to this place, the people, the ethics, and the wilderness were just how I roll and then I go and bonus out and make 2 new friends.

It was a good weekend!

I just met Pete last night and Joe this morning. I do not even know most bass fishing terminology of which it is 100-percent catch and release on the lake we would be fishing and these guys were some of the best bass whackers I have ever met. They can paddle a canoe, toss

Want to read more?

Check out previous weeks’ columns at www.outdoorsmansjournal.com

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

Just like yesterday it was up at 5:00 and lots of mosquitoes. Today I would fish alone and Joe and Pete would go bass whacking as I paddled trolled for my first laker. I was dedicated to my cause and tried everything from a flasher/fly combination to several spoons and crankbaits. All setups had the barbs flattened on the hooks and basically what I did was pull lines and paddle a canoe for 9 hours straight. Just as the 7th hour passed one of my planer boards that had a deep diving crankbait with 1.5 ounces of weight in front of it started wobbling. By God if I didn’t catch me a lake trout. I am addicted to canoe fishing and to catch my first laker out of a canoe was very cool. An hour later that same setup was hit again, and I caught another with both being about 25-inches. Lake trout have to be 30-inches and I was very careful releasing them. I have to tell you, I felt a very special bond to this place, the people, the ethics, and the wilderness were just how I roll and then I go and bonus out and make 2 new friends. It was a good weekend!

Sunset

You’re Invited

Community Information Session

The Richland Hospital and Clinics’ Facilities Replacement Project

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 •

A brief presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer period. Project leaders attending/presenting include The Richland Hospital and Clinics (TRHC) Executive Management Team, the TRHC Board of Directors, MedCraft (project management firm), and BWBR (architecture firm). This event will be recorded for later distribution. Questions about this event can be directed to communityrelations@richlandhospital.com

Sunset

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Joe Pribanich loves his backwoods experiences.

Sylvania

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Lake trout have to be 30 inches in the Sylvania Wilderness and recreation Area to be kept.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters (Left to Right) Pete Wasson and Joe Pribanich have been fishing out of a canoe together at Sylvania for over 25-years.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Joe Pribanich loves his backwoods experiences.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Lake trout have to be 30 inches in the Sylvania Wilderness and recreation Area to be kept.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters (Left to Right) Pete Wasson and Joe Pribanich have been fishing out of a canoe together at Sylvania for over 25-years.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Joe Pribanich loves his backwoods experiences.

Sylvania

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Lake trout have to be 30 inches in the Sylvania Wilderness and recreation Area

Photo contributed by Mark Walters (Left to Right) Pete Wasson and Joe Pribanich have been fishing out of a canoe together at Sylvania for over 25-years.

Mark Walters

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Up North Bluegill Fishing and Camping Trip

Hello friends,

I met Paul Bucher who is the owner and Publisher of The Cumberland Advocate about 25 years ago when I stopped at his office on a marketing run. We literally have been buddies since day one and have shared a heck of a bunch of outdoor experiences and became family friends on both sides. This past weekend I headed up to Barron County to camp on a lake on some county land and to do some serious fishing for bluegill.

Saturday, June 3rd High 88°, Low 61°

We all know about the heat that has been kicking every man, animal, and corn crops tail end. Last night I got here with an hour of daylight left, it had just rained which is rare these days and Paul Bucher and I had 3 trips of about 200-yards each to get my camping gear to a hike in only site. The mosquitoes were brutal and that is an understatement, a good cameraman could have had some excellent footage of 2 guys losing lots of blood until we got a good smoke fire burning.

Today would be a day of hardcore fishing on a Polk County lake in intense heat and nothing came easy but 2 buddies that have both had some huge challenges over the last 350 days really did not care. Paul likes to work the shoreline, he puts his trolling motor on spot lock and we used bobbers, and ice fishing jigs tipped with either a worm, wax worm or a leech. What did not happen in numbers as for the most part we were working deadfalls in the water, we made up in size. Each deadfall would yield us 1-3 sumo bluegill and I am serious when I say 8.5 at the smallest that we would keep with most over 9 inches.

One year ago this weekend I attended a surprise 55th birthday party for Paul that his wife Sarah had at their rural Cumberland home and it truly was a dandy. Five nights later I would lose the Queen of my life Michelle Chiaro in a surprise attack from Sepsis that would literally destroy the best part of my day-to-day life. At about the same time, Paul, who could be a model in a magazine started having problems with his heart and it required major surgery to fix this past February.

I believe it was last fall that Paul’s dad, Craig Bucher, who was very well known in the area passed away and my point is that since the two of us did something together we have both been put through the ringer.

The heat was intense today and we stayed in Paul’s 17.5 Alumacraft

“Competitor” all day, but 2 old buddies kept 33 beautiful bluegill and ended the day with a bluegill just under 11-inches and on one at 10.5 which we happily released. After cleaning our catch, we sat by my campfire until late in the evening and I cooked pork steaks over the campfire and we had a very good handle on the mosquitoes.

The following day I broke camp early in the morning, was consumed by many blood suckers on the treks out and then drove the “Chevy Hotel” over to Polk County by myself. As seems to be the norm during the open water season I had my canoe on the racks. I fished in a very casual way, watched good people enjoying summer at their cabins and I put a serious hurting on the big gills. Just before dark the old truck made it home and home is a good place to be. Live like there is no tomorrow!

Sunset

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

Want to read more?

Check out previous weeks’ columns at www.outdoorsmansjournal.com

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Photo contributed by Mark Walters Paul Bucher with a 10.5 inch bluegill that he released.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters

The mosquitoes were numerous on this adventure. with the pups and a real nice catch of perch.