Valley Sentinel - 07-13-2023

Inside this edition

Spring Green General Store again presents ChamberFest, a celebration of American classical music

The Spring Green General Store is proud to present ChamberFest, a classical chamber music festival in the heart of the River Valley community. For its second season, ChamberFest will celebrate the Americana and creative history of the Spring Green General Store with For You and Me: An Exploration of the American String Quartet. This hour-long chamber music concert will be preceded by a Children’s Concert featuring Llama Glamarama, a vibrant rhyming story about celebrating our differences.

ChamberFest will take place on August 5th at the Spring Green General Store (137 S Albany St.).

• Saturday, August 5th at 11 AM: Llama Glamarama in Concert. Join Jennifer Vosters (APT, Forward Theater) for a reading of Simon James Green's Llama Glamarama with a live string trio score featuring works by Scott Joplin, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky,

and more! This fun and inclusive concert will invite music lovers of all ages to learn more about the instruments, ask questions about the music, and enjoy the art of storytelling with a live soundtrack.

• Saturday, August 5th at 12 PM: For You and Me: A Celebration of the American String Quartet. Beginning and ending with excerpts from Antonín Dvořák's

beloved “American” String Quartet, this hour-long concert will trace the evolution of the string quartet sound in the American musical tradition. Along with the Dvořák, For You and Me will feature a variety of string quartets by American composers, including Wynton Marsalis, Philip Glass, and Caroline Shaw.

All ChamberFest events are free with a $10-$20 suggested donation.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to ChamberFest through their fiscal receiver, Create Wisconsin, at www. mightycause.com/story/Chamberfest. Cash and check donations will be accepted at all concerts.

Additional details can be found at www. springgreengeneralstore.com/chamberfest/.

ChamberFest is supported in part by grants from River Valley ARTS and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin.

Zou Zou Robidoux, ChamberFest Artistic Director

Photo by Nath Dresser

A view from the 2022 ChamberFest held last year at the Spring Green General Store.

Did you really think we'd let July go by without publishing the ever-elusively hard to take fireworks pictures? The Valley saw fireworks in both Lone Rock, at left, for Lone Rock's Fourth of July Celebration and in Arena, at right at the Yolanda Peterson and Mary Jones Memorial Arena Centennial

Celebration in early July.

Photo by Taylor Scott, Managing Editor

Photo by Karen Scott

The (not so) Plain and Simple Correspondent — July 4th Challenge: We Need Immigrants

Katie Green, Columnist

The Glorious Fourth is a time for sober reflection. My immigrant forebears came to this country to escape starvation, some to avoid religious persecution, all with improvement to their situation in mind. Chances are yours did, too. I am grateful that mine took the initiative, boarded ships, and braved the unknown hardships to sail here. Ultimately their coming was bad news for the native peoples, and this country is still dealing with the consequences of the policies of extinction visited upon them. Some of my ancestors were part of the problem, some were on the side of the beleaguered and tried to mitigate the suffering. But even as the First Nation tribes have refused to disappear, so migrants of all kinds have likewise persisted around the edges, hoping to move to the center and be found deserving of a piece of the pie. Consider the slaves who were imported from Africa against their wishes. Their descendants are here to stay and have slowly, slowly risen, even to the highest offices in the land, although your average African Americans are not accepted fully, in fact are labeled with insulting

warfare against each other's opinions regarding an affirmative action case and a free speech/religious freedom case about whether or not a wedding website designer could legally refuse to work with same-sex couples. The acrimonious exchanges between the Justices only proves that there is no unanimity shared by this or any cultural or racial group. We are individuals, not a homogeneous blob. The race card, the gender card, the grudge card– why not assiduously try to rise above categories to extend the compassionate human card? The Constitution needs to be more responsive in favor of protecting those most requiring a helping hand among us. On my daily walks, now that air quality has improved enough to resume those, I observe how many non-native immigrant plants line the prairie path. I enjoy them all, even the aggressive ones that are in danger of taking over, and would miss them if they were uprooted in the interests of floral purity. I also train my binoculars on the activities in a red tailed hawk nest, admiring the instinctive dedication to a new generation that keeps the hawk couple hustling food for their offspring, repairing the nest day after day during heat, storms, blankets of smoke. So it is with the desperate people crowding our southern borders. What they endure to reach what they hope will become a haven for them and their families, many with small children in tow, is unimaginable. Learning some of the stories that propelled them to flee, I know that in their shoes I would do the same. Why is the gate not opening? Our country needs workers. Most immigrants would make good citizens if given a chance and are notoriously hard workers.

was on display then and continues to be flaunted daily toward all manner of groups, making it discouraging to listen to the news. A friend told me that the Jewish mayor of her town, the first of that faith to hold the office, has received death threats simply because he's a Jew. Anti-semites have attended city council meetings to taunt him and disrupt the proceedings.

And then there are other presumptuous citizens who want to ban books many of us want to read, to fire teachers who feel a moral imperative to reveal the full history of this republic, including the violent, reprehensible things that have happened over the centuries. Again, death threats have been sent to school board members who support the truth-telling instructors. Need I say it, such behavior seriously undermines a democratic society. Whatever happened to freedom of inquiry? How did we arrive at this pass?

extended an extravagant welcome. The folk song “Lady of the Harbor” sums up my troubled thoughts about the outcomes if current attitudes and practices don't change soon.

The Lady of the Harbor (Joe

Jenks version)

From far away and distant lands The tempest-tossed with hopeful ears & calloused hands Reach toward the light, the torch held high, And cast their gaze upon the lady of the harbor

And she welcomes them with open arms, She says “Let my children in”, Oh you lady of the harbor.

stereotypes about their intelligence and habits. Their indisputable contributions by way of labor, their poignant, lively, exuberant music, food, clothing, literature, and language have been gifts that all but the most obtuse and resentful avow. Interestingly, the two current African American Supreme Court Justices have recently conducted open

On the cover

“Spring Green Preserve State Natural Area”

Photo by Don Greenwood

The state of Minnesota has passed legislation this year that smooths the way toward employment and participation of immigrants in civic life regardless of legal status. Would that Wisconsin found a thoughtful way to do the same.

In the lead-up to WWII, thousands of European Jews, including Anne Frank's family, were turned away from our shores by the successful lobbying efforts of vocal anti-semites. The ovens of the Nazi death camps awaited the Jews at their forced return. Our own inhumanity

In previous columns I've mentioned that my son's church has sponsored eight Afghan families who won the lottery to come to the US after collaborating with the American military in Afghanistan before our troops pulled out. Those families are doing well enough that in the fall the church will sponsor another family, counting on the assistance of the assimilating families already here to show them the ropes. Thousands of Afghans who applied for asylum are still sitting in refugee camps in Iran and Pakistan or are lying low in Afghanistan itself, hoping to escape eventually. President Biden increased the numbers allowed to immigrate, boosting the trickle set during the Trump era, but the administration is now relying increasingly on churches and other private sponsors as funds set aside for resettlement have been depleted. A few nicks in the bloated military budget or a fairer taxation system could easily refill the pot. It's lamentable that the Stingy Party has a stranglehold on all the expenditures that would make us civilized by any definition of the word. The stance of many Americans – of our nation as an impregnable castle surrounded by a moat filled with crocodiles, drawbridge up -- has damaged the economy and deprived us of the many gifts immigrants could supply if only we

And so it was with my own kin, They sailed from Sweden, from France & Ireland. Their earthly cares packed in their bags They cast their gaze upon the lady of the harbor.

Now we're locking down the borders, we're filling up the jails And we say they don't belong. How conveniently do we forget That we've all come to sing the same sweet song.

But will the dream survive the strain Will huddled masses have a chance to learn its refrain?

Or will we fall into our fears and turn our backs against the lady of the harbor?

Shine on, Shine on Oh you lady of the harbor.

(There is also an excellent version by David Crosby)

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.

Editor's Column — My experience: Weight loss medications can be life changing (for more than just shedding pounds)

Drugs like Ozempic can be a gamechanger for weight loss — it’s time we get serious about understanding how. Society must pivot to make these drugs available, accessible and destigmatized.

Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief

From the photographer:

—Don Greenwood

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

I think at this point, we’ve all heard of, seen articles or discussed the new “fad” of using the diabetes drug, Ozempic, for weight loss. I’ve heard the opinions that deride this as the “easy path” to a chronic problem that some would suggest we all just diet a little more and fit another walk into the day to fix. However, the reality isn’t always so simple and, as someone who has spent the last six months using this drug for weight loss, I want to share my experience, and why the general “we” of society should not write the drug off as a fad or as an easy way out.

I’ve been taking Wegovy (Ozempic’s twin sister and literally the same drug, but approved for use in weight loss) since January of this year, and the process has shocked me in ways I didn’t expect. It has changed my outlook on a lifelong problem I’ve had with weight loss and freed me of

things I didn’t know restrained me. Wegovy is the brand name of the measured weekly injectable of the drug semaglutide — again, the same drug as Ozempic. I’m told that semaglutide works by mimicking the action of gut hormone GLP-1, which is released after you eat, and slows down the time it takes your body to empty the stomach. The result of keeping this hormone activated is people feeling less hungry, feeling full for longer and eating less — which ultimately results in weight loss.

I first heard of Wegovy at a friend's birthday barbeque in August of 2022. A mutual friend casually mentioned a medication she was taking kept her appetite at bay and she had rapidly lost 40 pounds. That sparked my attention and we dove into an excited conversation all about the drug. At the time, it truly sounded like this miracle, a magic bullet for me to lose the weight I had been grappling with for a lifetime. What my friend shared with me that weekend stuck with me but I brushed it off, assuming my primary care provider would never prescribe it to me and just tell me to try diet and exercise. (Don’t even get me started on doctors ignoring

weight loss struggles in obese patients, that’s a conversation for a different day.) It wasn’t until December, after months of trying to count calories and burn off more than I take in, with very minimal results, that I made an appointment to

Katie Green

Spring Green Preserve State Natural Area. This property, sometimes known as The Wisconsin Desert, is home to numerous rare and endangered species in a variety of biomes. The preserve is owned and maintained by the Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Main access is available on Angelo Lane via Jones Road, Spring Green.

"Taken on a hazy morning in early July. Prickly Pear cacti and Lead Plant were in full bloom, and the landscape and sky were reminiscent of the art of Vincent Van Gogh."

Photo by Nicole Aimone Pictured is the author's first dose of Wegovy after injection, on January 7.

Meeting Our Needs — Part 11: Intolerance Has No Home Here

“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.

of accepting intolerance is something we need to be aware of. Tolerance of different customs, different religious beliefs, different lifestyles, different races, and the expression of different points of view are the bedrock of a liberal democracy. Free speech is also a bedrock, but when the intolerance of differences becomes acceptable speech and progresses to actions that risk the freedoms and safety of other citizens, toleration can become a danger.

John Rawls, in his book A Theory of Justice highlights this point. He maintains that a just society must tolerate intolerance or society itself would be intolerant and thus unjust.

He qualifies this statement, however, by asserting that to ensure equal liberty, society has a reasonable right of selfpreservation against acts of intolerance that would limit the liberty of others.

Hmmmm – a reasonable right of selfpreservation against acts of intolerance. Is it a reasonable right of selfpreservation against acts of intolerance to:

• fight book banning by those who are intolerant of some ideas?

argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.

Wow, that is more than kind of scary, but his solution to intolerance resonates as reasonable and possibly necessary. Where, however, is the line that separates intolerance that can be tolerated and intolerance that we dare not tolerate? Once we begin addressing intolerance, do we know when and where to stop? If rational argument is ineffective what possible type of force would be warranted? This is a terrible dilemma and a huge paradox for the tolerant. The flip side of the paradox is that this isn’t a problem for the intolerant, they see their cause as just and see no need to consider the needs and rights of others.

inclusion. If we allow the intolerant to turn this strength into a cause to vilify and divide, we place our democracy and our futures at risk. We can find the line beyond which intolerance cannot be tolerated by acknowledging the assertion within our Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Even though we have not fully lived up to this principle, it is the responsibility of the tolerant to see to it that we move ever closer to a fuller realization of it by refusing to accept the intolerance that would deny any fellow human being of these rights. We could, at the moment, be in danger of moving in the wrong direction and we must be willing to define and hold the line of “liberty and justice for all.”

Some time ago a friend introduced me to The Paradox of Tolerance. I’ve been letting it bounce about in my head since then and now that serendipity has struck (again) and I heard the phrase on TV recently, it seems time to deal with it in terms of meeting the needs of our society.

The concept is attributed to the philosopher Karl Popper in his 1945 book The Open Society and its Enemies. In a note that appears in that book Popper writes: “Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them.” (Yikes, got to read that again.) While exploring this subject with another friend recently, the response was, “We’re there now, aren’t we?” Yikes again.

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Intolerance is exceedingly dangerous in a liberal democracy. A liberal democracy is defined as a system of government in which individual rights and freedoms are officially recognized and protected, and the exercise of political power is limited by the rule of law. According to our Constitution, that’s us, so understanding the danger

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

• insist on the right of women to make their own reproductive health choices?

• suppress hate speech?

• resist the impositions on society of the religious convictions of certain groups?

• press for equal rights for all citizens regardless of their personal lifestyle?

• ensure that all citizens have equal access to voting rights?

The answers to these questions seem obvious, but the means of accomplishing them may not be so obvious and neither may it be without risk. Popper continues:

For the tolerant who believe in rights and freedoms and rule of law equally applied, however, this is a paradox full of risk and infused with doubt. Allowing doubt to delay action against intolerance, however, could put democracy in great peril.

Thomas Jefferson said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” Maybe it is time for the tolerant to drown out the voices of the intolerant with the mantra: “Intolerance has no home here.”

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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I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion…But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all

Specifically, one of the greatest risks to our democracy would be to ignore the danger the politically powerful intolerant pose in driving us toward autocracy. “One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.” This quote from the Tolkien book The Fellowship of the Ring immediately occurred to me as I was writing this, then I wondered if I was being hyperbolic, but the more I thought of it, the less I thought so. The evil of intolerance can lead to some very dark places for society.

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One remedy within a liberal democracy would be to handle this dilemma in the voting booth and make sure that the intolerant are removed from positions of political power before their voices can ignite the unwary and susceptible mob. This failed to happen in Germany in the 1930s and to think that we would without fail act rapidly enough to prevent it here is naïve.

Our strength as a country resides in our diversity, our equality, and our

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Editor's Column — My experience: Weight loss medications can be life changing

continued from page 2

discuss Wegovy as an option with my doctor. I went in with little hope that she would prescribe it to me. At that appointment, I got slapped in the face with two diagnoses, which motivated me even more to try something different.

I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I shouldn’t have been surprised by either of these, but what did surprise me was learning just how much PCOS can prohibit a person from losing weight. That is one of the main side effects — the body of someone with PCOS has hormones that are highly dysregulated, and can make our bodies process food differently and make our bodies hold fat in a death grip, seemingly refusinging to shed pounds no matter how much you restrict or sweat.

I’ll never forget how my doctor reacted when I mentioned Wegovy, there was a bit of a chuckle and she responded with something like “I have no problem giving you the prescription, if you can find it.” She went on to share that celebrities like Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian were rumored to have used this drug to lose weight quickly, so it was flying off pharmacy shelves and the manufacturer was struggling to keep up, they were preparing providers for a shortage. It was then that I realized the can of worms I’d opened had been a bit more than I bargained for.

Alas, prescription in hand, I went to my usual Walgreens pharmacy, and the pharmacist essentially laughed me out the door. She said their supplier would never be able to get it. Disappointed but determined, I went to a small town, local pharmacy, the pharmacist told me they would not attempt to get such an expensive drug, even after I told them my insurance would cover it and I had a manufacturer's coupon.

Finally, I found my winner. The pharmacist at Costco checked their suppliers list and told me the status of Wegovy was available and they would fill my prescription. About a week after that, I was autoinject-jabbed with the first dose and started, unknowingly, down one of the hardest paths I’d ever walked, with no obvious light at the end of the tunnel.

The side effects of Wegovy were a rude awakening for me, this was no magic bullet or easy way out. Extreme nausea, dizziness, constant stomach pain, belching, puking, constant fatigue, food aversions, the list goes on. I was barely living and I certainly wasn’t eating — I

was on a steady diet of saltine crackers and diet ginger ale. The metformin prescribed along with the Wegovy to help the pre-diabetes diagnosis likely didn’t help. There was a point that I was convinced drugs like these only worked by making you so sick you just have to lose weight. That went on for about three months. I wanted to give up so many times but I simply couldn’t argue with the results I’d seen.

By March, I’d lost nearly 30 pounds.

In April, the light at the end of the tunnel finally showed—it blinded me like the transition from nighttime to daytime in a movie at the theater—I woke up one morning feeling perfectly normal, and I never felt the nasty side effects again. It was like a switch flipped in my body and suddenly it accepted the medicine.

When I say Wegovy has changed my life, I don’t mean the nasty side effects and adjustment period. Sure, the drug has made physical changes to my body by shedding pounds but the most impactful change I’ve noticed are the mental changes—I no longer view food in the same ways, cravings and a lack of will power to ignore them are no more, my challenges with food addiction were changed, even my habit of mindless scrolling social media had changed.

I’ve never been the type of person who understood that friend who just forgot to eat, I simply could not comprehend that. I was the person who was always craving something specific, had a taste for something sweet or salty, I was the person deciding what to eat for dinner while stuffing my face with lunch. My mind was constantly bouncing food talk around, there were times it was an absolute obsession. It had been like that my entire life.

Nearly a month after the side effects stopped, I noticed the complete absence of that. I wasn’t thinking about my next meal, I found myself forgetting to eat lunch, I didn’t get an immediate craving if I saw an ad for pizza on TV, I didn’t need a sweet treat before bed. My partner couldn’t even sway me to get a scoop of ice cream (my literal favorite food) with them. It was like my food addiction disappeared in the blink of an eye.

I remember the day this realization hit me—it brought me to actual tears. That part of my mind was silent for the first time in 25 years. The food chatter in my brain ceased. As someone who learned from a young age to find emotional comfort in food, and leaned into that for a very long time, I never thought that would be possible. I had just accepted this cycle of diet, exercise and cheat

meals. Food was there for me when I was sad, when I was stressed, when I socialized, when I celebrated. Having those thoughts, those dependencies wholly absent, broke me free from chains I didn’t even realize were around my wrists, holding me down in unexpected aspects of my life. With the absence of this addiction, it suddenly felt easier to be active, to make healthier choices, to say no to a second serving or dessert, to put down the mindless scrolling I was using as a distraction from food, to find social activities that don’t revolve around food—to unconditionally enjoy my life.

I don’t want to discount the idea that, perhaps, the 30 pound weight loss could be a huge player in these feelings, but there are actual clinical studies looking into what I’ve experienced—the changes in addiction behaviors for a person taking GLP-1 medications like semaglutide. Studies in rats have shown that drugs that work like Ozepmic and Wegovy could be useful in treating addiction by lessening the brain's reward pathway, making addictive substances like food, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, TikTok and even gambling less appealing, and can even limit cravings for addictive substances that activate the reward pathway. Much like the Skinner and Milner experiments of old, we’re surrounded by small dopamine hits like rats with a lever, in the form of—yes—TikToks and other addictions. The studies seem to suggest that drugs like semaglutide do indeed change our relationship with dopamine and cause us to seek and build toward long term, fulfilling rewards rather than immediate satisfaction.

Now that I think about it, my doomscrolling on TikTok has almost ceased to exist.

While these studies have shown a huge reduction in alcohol consumption and shown less drug seeking tendencies in rats that have taken GLP-1 drugs, the use of these drugs for that purpose is still anecdotal. After my experience with this effect, I cannot implore medical professionals and scientists enough to continue these studies. If we can find that these types of medication can in fact provide relief for those struggling with all different forms of addiction—it could be a revolution.

This drug could be more than just a weight loss tool, and it’s important we view it as that. This isn’t an easy way out, it’s a treatment. An actual treatment for people with an actual medical condition— obesity. A treatment that doesn’t place the entire onus of a person's health and wellbeing on their ability to feel good

enough in the first place to workout hard enough, or restrict enough calories or to make the absolute healthiest choice 100% of the time, to end the cycle of a person thinking their health only matters if they lose the weight, or their value as a person is less because they are obese. This drug has the potential to end that stigma, not only within an obese person, or with their friends and family but with medical providers. I believe we need to shout stories like mine from the rooftop, we need society and medical providers to understand the effects of this drug can be so much more than rapid weight loss. It’s important that we don’t gatekeep this tool.

I want to make it very clear that I am one of the lucky ones. My insurance (foreshadowing: at the time) covered much of the very expensive cost of this medication, I was eligible for a $200 coupon from the manufacturer, it took me less than two weeks to receive my first dose, my primary care provider was supportive of prescribing this medication in the first place, and my body adjusted, my friends and family were supportive, my employer was understanding when I needed time off to get through the side effects. I am one of the lucky ones.

As of this writing, I’ve lost 60 pounds and I’m likely no longer pre-diabetic according to my doctor. I still have nearly 100 pounds to lose before I am at a healthy weight for my age and height.

Now let the other shoe drop — that progress and any potential future progress has come to a screeching halt as

on page 5

Photo by David Vox Mullen Pictured is the author at a wedding on June 17, after over 50 pounds of weight loss. continued

Editor's Column — My experience: Weight loss medications can be life changing

continued from page 4

I haven’t been able to fill my prescription since May, with my last dose on June 6. I’ll have been off the drug for over a month as of printing, and with weekly calls to my pharmacy, there is no end date in sight—they have no idea when the medication will be available. After a phone call to the pharmacy while I wrote this, it’s now an unspecified date sometime in July…maybe.

It’s not consistent, but I can feel that food chatter encroaching again, and after knowing what it’s like to live without it—it’s almost crippling to hear those thoughts again. I’m working hard to restrict my caloric intake and mimic how I’m forced to eat when taking the medication, and to stay active in an effort to keep weight from holding on or worse…coming back.

But I’m feeling hopeless right now. I’m anxious about ensuring I don’t backslide. I’m terrified to live with those food obsessed thoughts running through my mind again.

We as a society need to work harder to understand obesity on a different level— obesity isn’t always because a person is making unhealthy choices, or doesn’t want to change. There are medical conditions that make weight loss and maintenance hard, there are people who struggle with food addiction. When we start allowing for those scenarios, and seeing how a drug like Wegovy can help change that, we can start to understand why this drug needs to be accessible, affordable and destigmatized.

I haven’t been able to get my prescription for nearly a month, and even when I can get it again, I’m unsure if my new insurance — Quartz — will cover it. As someone who turned 26 last month, my birthday present this year was a loss of my longtime insurance coverage (I could write a whole other 2000 words on the healthcare/ insurance problem in this country). In choosing my new insurance plan, I was

careful to research if my new plan would cover this medication.

The short answer is: no.

The long answer is that I will need prior authorization from my doctor, asking the insurance company to cover this drug (which is not an uncommon situation for many people). My doctor has assured me she will give authorization, but has told me not to get my hopes up. She told me she’s never had a prescription, regardless of prior authorization, for Wegovy approved and covered by this specific insurance company, even after months of appeals.

To me, that is utterly unacceptable. I cannot even fathom how an insurance company can deny a drug that has such potential to better the standard of living

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

*Clinic Registration Specialist – .8 to 1.0 FTE day shift position

*Patient Access Specialist – .5 FTE p.m./night and .6 FTE night shift positions available

*RN OR Circulator – .6 FTE day shift position!

*RN ICU – .6 day/evening shift position! This is a Premium Pay Position! 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

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

*Director of Marketing – full-time management position

*Director of Specialty Clinics – full-time management position

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

*Grant Writing Coordinator – half time position

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

*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

and health for so many.

I'm not in the medical insurance industry, but I imagine they should be in the business of covering the costs of preventative medicine. Covering the costs of a weight loss drug like Wegovy that is a tool in the tool box for tackling obesity would help prevent costly chronic medical conditions and emergencies that obesity inevitably leads to. Ultimately saving insurance companies money. But what do I know, I went to journalism school, not "administrative costs account for onequarter to one-third of health-care spending in the United States" school. At my pharmacy the retail price for Wegovy is $1,200. My previous insurance covered nearly $600 of that,

and the manufacturer's coupon covers another $200. I still pay roughly $400 out of pocket, monthly—when I can get it. I am lucky enough to be in a position to (barely) afford that, but not everyone who could benefit from this drug is. This, like a lack of insurance coverage, is also utterly unacceptable to me. For newly released drugs like these, the hope of a generic or cheaper option in the near future is abysmal. The FDA allows patent protection (not allowing for generic versions of this drug to be made or sold) for 20 years following the patent’s file date. For some uses of Wegovy, that will be Dec. 5, 2031. There are other drugs in testing and development, with a couple nearly hitting shelves or recently hitting shelves, but they will all face the same issues of availability, price and stigma. The ability for these drugs to help so many is incredible, but the lack of availability and accessibility are going to cripple those effects, and rob so many of the chance to live a better life. Sadly, the obstacles I’ve faced on this journey are not at all uncommon, in fact they are fairly minimal compared to others working to receive this treatment (or even those who struggle with access to higher stakes treatments, like insulin or cancer drugs), but it does narrate a systemic problem.

I don’t have all the answers, I just have me experience and my story and I will share that in every way I can, and hope that it can help push for change— change in society, change in medical treatment, a change in accessibility and affordability of these drugs, a change for the people who struggle in similar ways to me. I will push for hope.

The co-owner and editor-in-chief of Valley Sentinel, Nicole's day job includes working as media relations and as a public information officer for a top Wisconsin hospital. She may be reached at editor@valleysentinelnews. 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:

EDITORIAL/JOURNALISM

MEDIA

ADVERTISING/MARKETING

GRAPHIC DESIGN/PAGE DESIGN/LAYOUT DISTRIBUTION/CIRCULATION/CRM MNGMT PODCASTING/AUDIO PRODUCTION

AND MORE!

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

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.

Photo by Nicole Aimone Pictured is the last dose of Wegovy the author was able to take, on June 6. Note the 0.5 mg dosage is not even up to the highest tier 2.4mg dose that can eventually be stepped up to. The author fears drug shortages and refusal by insurance to cover the drug will limit her weight loss journey when it has only just started.

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 July 13 - July 27

Thursday, July 13

Sauk County Fair 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM 700 Washington Avenue, Baraboo saukcountyfair.com Livestock and animal shows, live music, carnival, auctions, storytime, and many more family friendly activites! See the full schedule online.

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

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

Saturday, July 15 cont.

LIVE MUSIC: Witwen Summer Concert Series — Doreen's Jazz New Orleans 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Witwen Campground, S9855 County Hwy. E Sauk City americanplayers.org Food will be available for purchase from Middleton BBQ. Gates open at 4:30 pm; music begins at 6 pm and ends at 8 pm. Free parking on site, with handicapped parking available. Beer is not served at Witwen, but carry-ins of adult beverages are allowed. Please bring your own lawn chairs (very limited picnic table seating available). All concerts are free of charge, with a "Pass the Hat" opportunity to donate during intermission.

Mechanical Bull at Keg & Kettle 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock For more info look up Keg & Kettle Bar on Facebook "THE PUNISHER" Mechanical bull will be returning to Keg & Kettle Bar, no charge to ride. Ending time is an estimate only.

Sunday, July 16

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.

Rockin' Reptiles & Awesome Amphibians Show 1:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Rockin' Reptiles & Awesome Amphibians. Sponsored by the Friends of the Kraemer Library. Learn about adaptation and the important roles they play in nature. A few live animals will stop by to help us learn! Registration is not required but, room capacity does apply. Children under 6 must be accompanied by adult.

Community Read Along 4:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com During this second session, we'll talk about the first half first half of Wildwood. Tell us what your favorite characters and moments were, and make predictions for the last half of the book.

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: Psycherelic 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, Guitarist 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Singer. Songwriter. Band leader. Producer. Member of The Honey Pies, Tom has lead a variety of musical groups with styles in Americana, classic country music revue, Gypsy swing, and free-lances in many music genres: jazz, bluegrass, country, Irish, and folk music.

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!

Friday, July 14

Sauk County Fair 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM 700 Washington Avenue, Baraboo saukcountyfair.com Livestock shows, live music, carnival, auctions, educational presentations, storytime, and many more family friendly activites! See the full schedule online.

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. 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.

LIVE MUSIC: Laney Jones & The Spirits 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137

W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door Stories Up High follows Jones’ 2013 debut, Golden Road, which landed her a nationally televised performance at The Kennedy Center, and 2016’s Laney Jones, which prompted Rolling Stones to dub her an Artist You Need To Know.

Saturday, July 15

Lone Rock Market 8:00 AM - 12:00 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.

Sauk County Fair 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

700 Washington Avenue, Baraboo saukcountyfair.com Horse show, Animal sale, educational presentations, live music, carnival, storytime, and many more family friendly activites! See the full schedule online.

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.

Kids' Yoga 10:30 AM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join local yoga teacher Emily Benz for a morning of animal-themed movement animal-themed movement. While the class is geared toward toddlers and younger kids, we encourage parents and older children to join in as well. Then, take a family trip to the Farmers Market!

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

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.

Sauk County Fair 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM .

700 Washington Avenue, Baraboo saukcountyfair.com Horse show, bags tournament, educational presentations, live music, carnival, storytime, and many more family friendly activites! See the full schedule online.

Sunday Salon 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Post House Park, Jefferson Street, Downtown Spring Green americanplayers.org A casual conversation with APT staff and leadership about whatever is on your mind. Free, no tickets required.

Summer Programs at the Library 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock "Little Bobber on the Road Fishing" with Wayne Morgenthaler. Fish identification, tying knots, games and casting. Participants will learn to build a homemade fishing pole. Prizes provided by the DNR Clyde Community Solar Celebration 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Clyde Community Center, 6281 WI-130, Spring Green For more info look up Clyde Community Center on Facebook . 11 - 2 (or until sold out!) Taco Bar by RC Tacos, and Bake Sale. Educational sessions and info tables about solar and other sustainable organizations. Learn how solar power can work for you to reduce electric costs and carbon emissions. See the full schedule of sessions on Facebook.

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

LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic River 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: Acoustic 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

APT: Hear from the Experts 4:00 PM Post House Park, Jefferson Street, Downtown Spring Green . americanplayers.org . $5.00 or Free with APT Insider's Card . A casual conversation with APT staff and leadership about whatever is on your mind. Inside intel on how APT operates from the folks who make it all happen.Free, no tickets required. This discussion will be “All about Casting.”

Monday, July 17

Free Family Flicks: Tarzan 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: Tarzan!

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 or call 608-604-3537 We will be hosting a variety of Farmer's Market and Craft Vendors at our Weekly Community Market Mid-May Through Mid-October.

LIVE MUSIC: Local Night Benefitting The Spring Green Fire and EMS District 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM The Shed, 123 N Lexington St, Spring Green Rain Date: Mon Aug. 7th. Live Music by Janna Johnson. Food and drinks served in The Garden. Come view the ladder truck, ambulance and talk to the crews!!

The Arena Historians Monthly Meeting 6:30 PM Grandma Mary's (Brisbane Hall), 175 Hwy 14, Arena 608-5880-707 Ewing-Olson VFW Post 9336 member Kenny Amble will be leading the discussion about our veterans from World War I and World War I. We wil also have a personal account on what it means to be "coming home." The meeting is open 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, or your own work that you’d like to share. Or maybe you just want to listen. It’s all good. Let’s hang out and share words together.

Tuesday, July 18

Field Day at Otter Creek Farm 9:00 AM uplandswatershedgroup.com 6679 WI-23, Spring Green Save the date for the Uplands Watershed Group field day at Otter Creek Organic Farm. We will cover growing rye and composting.

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: Julia (1977) 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: This Oscar-winning drama, based on the writing of Lillian Hellman, depicts the relationship between two friends and its unexpected consequences. After Lillian (Jane Fonda), a renowned playwright, reunites in Russia with her childhood playmate Julia (Vanessa Redgrave), the writer is recruited to smuggle funds into Germany to aid the anti-Nazi movement (PG, 1h 56m, 1977).

Dot Painting 2:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Create your own beautiful and colorful piece of art Participants will learn about Aboriginal Australian culture and dot art to create a work of art based on the traditional art of dot painting.

LIVE MUSIC: Scott Stieber and Don Myers 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org Don is a two-time inductee of the Iowa Rock’n’Roll Music Association Hall of Fame (2009 and 2016). He moved to Wisconsin in 2010, then met Scott, who has graciously included Don in his (formerly) solo shows ever since. Scott is just this guy who likes to play music, especially with Te Donmeister.

Community

Events for July 18 - July 27

Tuesday, July 18 cont.

The Morrill Lecture Series: Michael Perry and "Forty Acres Deep" 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Octagon Barn, E4350 Horseshoe Rd, Spring Green readinutopia.com rivervalleycommons.org 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. Seamed with grim humor and earthy revelations, it is an unforgiving story yet leaves the idea that we might surrender to hope. The evening will include a panel of farmers responding to the story and sharing their experiences about what it means to farm today. Please consider purchasing your book online or at Arcadia prior to the event if using a credit card. Copies will be available at the event for cash purchase.

Wednesday, July 19

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join Hannah, our new Youth Services librarian, for her first month of Storytime! March is all about food. Over the course of the month, we'll talk about going to the store and the market, how food is grown, international dishes and customs, what animals eat, and have a special session all about pasta. Bring the whole family, and enjoy food-themed stories, songs, movement, and more!

The Magic of Isaiah Show 10:30 AM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org The Magic of Isaiah is sponsored by the Friends of the Kraemer Library. Geared towards families and children of all ages. The show incorporates audience participation, comedy, magic, and illusion. No sign-up required. Children under 6 must be accompanied. Together We Make Art! #2: Woven Together 2:00 PM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Angel Dreams Studios Angel Dreams Studios is back for the 2nd art program in the Together We Make Art! series. We will embrace people of all ages and backgrounds to create a woven community mural to be displayed and worked on through the rest of the summer, Let's make like a spider and get weaving!

River Alliance Lower Wisconsin River Paddle 3:00 PM Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green wisconsinriverfriends.org On Join River Alliance of Wisconsin as we continue our 30th anniversary celebration with a paddle down the Lower Wisconsin River, in partnership with the Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Registration is $30 and no paddlers will be turned away for lack of funds. Register online.

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 The 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.

Arcadia Book Club discusses "The Language of Trees" by Katie Holten 6:00 PM7:00 PM This is a zoom book club meeting readinutopia.com Inspired by forests, trees, leaves, roots, and seeds, The Language of Trees: A Rewilding of Literature and Landscape invites readers to discover an unexpected and imaginative language to better read and write the natural world around us and reclaim our relationship with it. In this gorgeously illustrated and deeply thoughtful collection, Katie Holten gifts readers her tree alphabet and uses it to masterfully translate and illuminate beloved lost and new, original writing in praise of the natural world.

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 291: J.E. Sunde and Anna Vogelzang 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 J.E. Sunde (Jonathan Edward Sunde) is a songwriter and composer based out of Minneapolis, MN. Anna — a melody-driving, songwriting, multi-instrumentalist — has spent her formative years spread across the country, learning the musical languages of the Midwest, West Coast, New England and all that lies in between.

Thursday, July 20

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

Summer Programs at the Library 10:30 AM Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock Minute to Win It Game Day! Legos, Maker Brainflakes, Puzzles, and more! Prizes will be awarded!

Taliesin Workshop 10:30 AM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com . After reading the picture book “Prairie Boy” together and getting inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s own childhood experiences, we will use simple wooden blocks to explore space planning. In a variety of fast-paced block exercises, students will explore the concepts of space, the flow of space, and the quality of the space within. Designed by Caroline Hamblen from the Taliesin Preservation for ages 6-10. Please register online so we can account for materials!

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.

LIVE MUSIC: 4H 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: 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 venues ranging from cafes and house concerts to Sh*tty Barn.

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

Evenings Afield: Grass-Fed Beef — From Grazing to Grocer 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Cates Family Farm, 5992 County Hwy T, Spring Green driftlessconservancy.org

Whether you are a producer or consumer of grass-fed beef, learn the "why and how" of raising, grazing, processing, and marketing grass-fed cows at the Cates Family Farm, recipient of a Leopold Conservation Award. This event will be led by Dick and Eric Cates.

Friday, July 21

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! 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.

Saturday, July 22

Lone Rock Market 8:00 AM - 12:00 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.

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.

LIVE MUSIC: Myles Talbott Dyad 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: Witwen Summer Concert Series — Shakey - A Neil Young Tribute

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Witwen Campground, S9855 County Hwy. E Sauk City americanplayers.org Shakey goes to Sauk City! We are honored to have been selected to play at this summer's Witwen Concerts series! This show is FREE and open to the public, all ages. BYO chairs and beverages. Enjoy food from their concessions area or bring your own! Grounds and concessions open at 4:30pm, show starts at 6:00pm. We hope to see many of you there! UPDATE: food vendor will be Middleton BBQ, and there will be homemade pie and ice cream for sale as well. Carry-ins welcome also.

LIVE MUSIC: Bubbles Brown 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door Bubbles Brown is a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and two-piece outfit from Chicago. Bubbles and Washboard Ben cut their teeth on blues, folk, soul and country deep in the subways as well as on the streets of Chicago busking where they would soon be elevated to perform on stages across the country. Well-traveled, well respected, and well loved, the duo and their setup evoke the home-spun, kitchen-sink aesthetic while blending into it an aggressive and modern electricity to create a sound at-once both nostalgic and distinctly progressive.

Sunday, July 23

Sunday Salon 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Post House Park, Jefferson Street, Downtown Spring Green americanplayers.org A casual conversation with APT staff and leadership about whatever is on your mind. Free, no tickets required.

LIVE MUSIC: Spring Green “Gentle” Jam 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spring Green Community Center 117 S. Washington St. Spring Green springgreencommunitycenter@gmail.com Free event This practice style jam is for learners and generous experienced players to make music together. We will practice leading songs, taking breaks, learning riffs, integrating our instruments with others, and generally making music with the expectation of learning and having fun.

Monday, July 24

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.

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.

Rural Musicians Forum: Eric Tran, Solo Piano 7:00 PM Cornerstone Church, 210 N. Lexingtion St., Spring Green 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 are always welcome!

Tuesday, July 25

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: The Princess Bride 10:30 AM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Bring the whole family to the Library for a fun movie. Enjoy the show with snacks and a drink. Synopsis: A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other (PG, 1h 38m, 1987).

Finding Your Roots Kids 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Become a genealogy detective and learn more about your roots! Fill out your own family tree while exploring a variety of fun hand-on activities about DNA. Ages 6-18 recommended. Registration required per child or by family.

LIVE MUSIC: Scott Stieber and Don Myers 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org

Don is a two-time inductee of the Iowa Rock’n’Roll Music Association Hall of Fame (2009 and 2016). He moved to Wisconsin in 2010, then met Scott, who has graciously included Don in his (formerly) solo shows ever since. Scott is just this guy who likes to play music, especially with The Donmeister.

Wednesday, July 26

Popsicles in the Park 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM North Park, Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com 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.

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

Every Fourth Wednesday, join us for a cup of coffee and a chat about this month's selection. The book is available at the Library. For July, we will be reading Intimacies by Katie Kitamura. See the synopsis online.

Hoop Elation 3:30 PM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com

We're excited to welcome professional hula hooper Danielle Lee to the library! She’ll be kicking off the class with a performance, and then will get everyone up and hooping. Participants will learn beginner friendly moves through the 10-Trick Game and will explore creative movement through fun and games. All hoops are provided, ages 4+.

Reflections from Lost Horizon Farm — Pastures and Grazing

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.

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When cows are featured in promotional material, they are generally pictured grazing in a verdant pasture. At Lost Horizon Farm, the sight of someone setting up a tripod along the road to photograph our cows on pasture felt like a great compliment. It seemed like a tangible recognition of both our hours of husbandry of the land and the livestock as well as proof of the importance others gave to that serene natural vista. Viewing pastured cows certainly can evoke a palpable sense of natural order, peace, and contentment.

A well managed pasture reaps benefits not only to the cattle but also to the land because a pasture’s vegetative cover helps to hold soil in place. The cattle at Lost Horizon farm were grazed six months out of the year, and because the animals were rotationally grazed, intense pressure on the pasture paddocks was ameliorated. The cattle were moved daily from one paddock to the next; the feed was always fresh and, barring drought conditions, plentiful. Rotational grazing was better for herd health generally and excellent for the cows' legs and feet. Homegrown feed, natural surfaces, and exercise: what could be a better combination? Rotational grazing was more economical too because the cows were feeding themselves. Seeding and fencing the paddocks (wire, tape, treated posts, steel posts, braces, insulators, clips, staples, and cut-out switches) and purchasing a good low impedance fencer were really the only expenses involved. (Our own labor was free!) The cattle learned very quickly to respect an electric fence. One of the first things cattle in a newly created pasture will do is run from one end of it to the other to determine its boundaries. When we initially introduced cattle to a novel pasture, we would position ourselves on its periphery to dissuade any animal from running right through a new bit of fencing. We would tear strips of lightcolored fabric (Old t-shirts or sheets worked well, and the material was

biodegradable!) and tie those at intervals along a new fenceline. They would flap in the wind and provide a visual cue for the cows. Most of our electric fences had both a taut smooth wire and, running right alongside that, a specialized wide white tape threaded with thin wires. The fencing was “hot” and, because of the light-colored tape, highly visible as well. Our calculus was that a well constructed fence, checked often and maintained, would last a good 15-20 years.

The grasses, clovers and alfalfa best suited for the farm's pastures were determined through trial and error. Initially, 10 different types of forages were seeded into the pastures. In conjunction with a regional farmerled research project, the pastures were sampled every three weeks during the growing season to measure yield and determine protein levels in the various forages. Another of these grant-funded, on-farm studies provided data on tillage and productivity of pastures. For this project; a single paddock was selected and divided into thirds. One third was plowed up and then seeded, one third had seed drilled into the existing sod, and the last third was left undisturbed. Although the interseeded plot showed the best yield after the first year; by the third year, yield was shown to be equal for all three parts of that paddock. Mr. Farmer also experimented on his own; one time by adding some birdsfoot trefoil seed to the cows’ mineral to see if the hard seed could be spread in the pasture through the manure! Agronomists from both the University of Wisconsin and private industry set up gridded test plots with various forage species to study dairy cattle preference. Undoubtedly, the neighbors and passersby did wonder what those notebook- holding researchers sitting in lawn chairs at the southern edges of one test plot were doing!

Mechanized management of the pastures entailed harrowing in the early spring. As soon as the ground was dry enough and before forages had begun to grow, paddocks would be dragged to break up and spread manure patties. Thereafter, once a month the pastures would be clipped high with a sickle mower or discbine to cut off any seed heads and also to stimulate plant growth. Clipping would set back undesirable weeds like thistles and burdock. Thistles were a major nuisance because they would flourish directly under the fence line and very close to fence posts. In

some places these noxious weeds had to be controlled by hand clipping with the brush cutter. A person had to work very cautiously to avoid getting shocked by the fence, and a person had to watch the circular saw blade of the brush cutter so that the fence wire would not be inadvertently cut by an overly zealous move. Inattentive work created more work!

During the early part of the grazing season, when certain pasture grasses grew very rapidly in the cool of the

continued on page 10

Barb Garvoille, Columnist

Barb Garvoille

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Grid of one of the test plots on Lost Horizon Farm

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Mr. Farmer (arm raised) speaking to fellow graziers about our rotational grazing system.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a leguminous forage plant.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Smooth wire and white tape were the main components of the electric fence.

The Sauk County Gardener

Time to Plant, Water and Deadhead

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me, who could ask for more?”

— Bev Adams, Mountain Gardening

This past week has been challenging in the garden. Besides having to water much more than I’ve ever had to before in the past eight years we’ve been back in the Baraboo area, I’m now contending with rabbits getting into my raised garden beds. As the beds are on a hillside, the top half is only a foot off the ground while the bottom is two feet up. In particular, they love eating my beans and peas. The good thing is, there is still a little more time to plant more beans once I create a more effective barricade.

Mid-July is also a great time to plant numerous other vegetables if you want to enjoy a fall crop. Some common vegetables to direct seed are lettuce, kale, spinach, onions, turnips, and beets. You can also plant carrots, Swiss chard,

mustard, potatoes, peas, and radishes. There is a small window yet to plant cole crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. They can be direct-sowed until mid-July, but you may have better luck if you simply use transplants.

If you want to plant garlic and haven’t done it before or are looking for a new variety, visit your local farmers markets’ and look for hardneck varieties. There are a number of varieties that do well in Wisconsin – visit https://hort. extension.wisc.edu/articles/garlicallium-sativum/ to learn more about recommended varieties. Then when it comes time in late summer or early fall, within two weeks after the first killing frost, you can plant your garlic. If you’re in zone 4, the first frost is expected to be around September 21 – October 7. Zone 5 is expected to be between October 1321.

As our dry weather continues, you need to keep on top of watering. July is typically dry and hot, so your annuals need regular watering at least once a

Reflections from Lost Horizon Farm — Pastures and Grazing

spring, the cows were out during most of the day and at night. In the summer as the temperatures got hotter and the insect population surged, the cattle were grazed at night unless there was a cooler, more overcast day. Nighttime grazing allowed the cattle to graze with minimal heat stress and a less active population of bothersome insects.

Pasture fence lines were much desired perches for Eastern Kingbirds and Bluebirds; pasture posts made excellent hunting perches for Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, and Northern Shrikes. They were favored singing perches for Eastern Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows, Bobolinks, and Whip-poorwills. The pastures provided cover for deer, rabbits, skunks, woodchucks, and other small animals. Nectar from flowering legumes was sought by honey

bees and other pollinators. Thistle blossoms nourished nectar-feeding insects, and the ones that went to seed provided a favorite food source for American Goldfinches.

In the fall, the pastures were rested, and the forages were able to strengthen their root systems. Once the com had been chopped off for silage, a temporary fence was erected around the valley, and the hay fields and com ground could be grazed as one giant bovine smorgasbord. The cows were in the valley until there was deep snow or until opening day of the gun deer season. Whichever event came first determined the end of the grazing season for that year and marked the time when the cattle had to be totally confined to the barn and barnyard and fed on stored feed.

Because Lost Horizon Farm was one of the first farms in the county to develop

day (in some cases, twice a day.) As for your lawn, you have to decide whether or not to let your grass go dormant. It is really hard on your grass if it goes in and out of dormancy. If you don’t want it to go dormant, you’ll have to water it regularly.

Many of your flowering annuals (especially those in containers) can benefit from fertilizing about now. If you fertilize your lawn, July is the time for the second application. Keep on top of weeds in your gardens as they steal precious resources - nutrients and water - from your flowers and vegetables. Daylilies and roses are blooming and if you want to encourage them to continue blooming longer, it’s important to deadhead regularly. Many other flowers also benefit from regular deadheading such as zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, delphiniums, hollyhocks, hardy geraniums, petunias, snapdragons, blanket flowers, bee balm, campanulas, sweet peas, and salvia. It’s recommended to deadhead spent flowers and stems back to ¼ inch above a new lateral flower,

a system of pasture based dairying, it was host to many people, including international visitors to the World Dairy Exposition held in Madison, Wisconsin.. They came to attend pasture walks on the farm and learn more about the benefits of rotational grazing. Pasture walks soon became the outdoor classrooms for networks of “graziers" (farmers who rotationally grazed their cattle) that had formed throughout upper Midwestern states.

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.

lateral leaf, or bud. This encourages new growth and healthy foliage. If you pinch back your mums to encourage lush, full growth, you should complete the process one last time. You can also pinch back yarrow, cardinal flower, and goldenrod.

Visit the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association’s booth at the Sauk County Fair. You can ask your gardening questions, attend one of their demonstrations, and purchase tickets to their upcoming garden tour. This year’s tour is Saturday, July 22 from 9 am to 4 pm and consists of 8 private and 2 public gardens located in the Reedsburg and LaValle area. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of event. Tickets can also be purchased at either the Reedsburg's or Baraboo's Chamber of Commerce or visit https://shorturl.at/ftvyS to download a ticket form to complete.

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

to project manager Barry Larson, WIS 133 west of the WIS 130 intersection south of Lone Rock will be CLOSED starting Wednesday, July 19 through late November for construction. Half-mile segment west of the existing bridge will be closed. Existing bridges and WIS 130 toward Dodgeville

will remain open. Emergency vehicle access only thru the work zone – no local traffic access allowed. Work to be completed in July: erosion control, surveying, removals (signs, guardrail, asphalt pavement), possibly start installing new culvert pipes. South Bridge — South Abutment: finish drilling grouted tieback anchors for temporary shoring, excavate down to foundation elevation, drive piles, and start formwork by end of July. Pier #5: may start cofferdam installation by end of July. North Bridge — Piers #2 & #4 are constructed. Pier #6 concrete cap poured. Piers #1 & #5 construction to be finished in July. Piers #3 & #7 construction to start in July. South Abutment pile driving to be completed in July.

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille The beak of the American Goldfinch is perfect for gleaning seeds.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

If you are talking about family traditions I have one for you. Back in 1982 my Dad the late Robert Walters, my brother Mike Walters, our family friend Elmer Schlief and myself did our first fly in adventure to Shultz Lake. Schultz is 55-airmiles northwest of Red Lake, Ontario and we had so much fun that other than the Covid border shut down, we would return every year.

With travel this was a 9-day trip, and I will be writing about a super fun experience this week and next as 9 of us had literally as much fun as a body and brain can handle.

Saturday, June 17th

High 74°, Low 48°

Much of my adult history is due to Shultz lake (Chimo Lodge and Outposts, josie@chimolodge.com). There was the fun that started in ‘82, then I became camp manager of Chimo Lodge in ’88, and in ‘89 I started writing this column from the Canadian bush and of course the fun has never ended. Today, 9 of us were flown to Shultz and what was pretty amazing is that everyone of us but my brother Tom’s grandson Preston Walters, graduated from Poynette High School.

When I was a kid back in the 60’s and 70’s, my dad was raising 5 children as a single parent and we all had friends at the house with great regularity. On this trip my brother Mike would be along with Gary Gray, a good buddy of Mike’s that wants to beat me up because he thinks I am still a punk 12-year-old, but in

reality we are very good friends. One of Tom’s lifelong friends and our family friend “Roger I’m pretty crazy Frank,” Preston and Grandpa Tom all the way from Denham Springs, Louisiana and my brother-in-law Dick Schuster along with his early’ 30s boys Trent and Riley would make it along as well.

Along with about 30 other people, we travel in the outdoors frequently, as in deer camp, duck camp, Canada and every graduation, funeral, and wedding together. This year’s Canada Gang was about as tough and fun as we get.

After we were flown into Shultz by the good folks from Superior Air the fun began as we dusted off a bout of fatigue from travel and camping the night before.

I have to tell you an inside story and that though these guys love me, they hate me. It seems I have been winning too many big buck contests as well as gator bets and they universally along with the other members vote against me winning any fish or big buck bets.

Today I would be fishing with Dick Schuster and the first fish Dick caught was a 22-inch walleye and the catching was almost nonstop as in almost too much with walleye and gators, but most were small in the gator area.

Last year we started using RippinRaps and they won both our walleye and gator bet for the week as well as many daily bets. Today I hooked into a big fish with the RippinRap (same one as last year) and it was the fattest 37.25 inch gator I have ever seen. Naturally, Dick and I released it and last but certainly not least was my loving comrade, Gary “I wanna kick Mark Walters arse” Gray, with a 27.5 inch walleye. At camp tonight Gary did

the cooking which was fish fry.

Monday, June 20th

High 81°, Low 52°

Each day we switch fishing partners and today I would be fishing with my brother Tom and his 14- year-old grandson Preston. We did a portage into a lake, walk after traveling by boat from cabin to a trail and then hike to a lake with a boat on it. Tom is 64, I am 61 and we have been doing this stuff all of our lives. Tom brings one of his 4 grandsons up from Louisiana each year for this trip and this would be Preston’s 2nd time.

The fish catching was excellent, we laughed our heads off and right when we were about to call it a day, the RippinRap hooked into a 25.5 inch walleye that would beat, “Gary I wanna pound Mark Walters face into the ground,” by a half inch for big walleye of the day. Later to help the guys love me even more I won the jackpot in crap on your neighbor for the 2nd night in a row and now all I could do was laugh. The next day Roger Frank was fishing with Trent Schuster and there was a very ugly/beautiful storm about to hit camp. Everyone headed back to camp and Roger and Trent tried a spot within

eye range of camp and Roger caught a beautiful 29.5-inch walleye that would win the money for the week in the walleye bet.

Roger was so happy that he danced in the storm, looked at the clouds, laid on the plane pier, and watched the fury of nature as it pounded our camp.

If this ain’t fun, I must be from a different planet, actually, perhaps I am!

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!

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Photo contributed by Mark Walters Preston Walters and his grandpa Tom Walters on the trail to a portage lake.

Shultz Lake/AKA Pardadise

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Roger Frank with a beautiful walleye that he released.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Dick Schuster (left) and Mike Walters (right) enjoying their Canadian vacation.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

The Best Days of Our Lives

Hello friends,

A man would be a fool to admit in front of friends and his wife at a party that the happiest he is in a years’ time is when he is at deer camp and on an annual fly in fishing trip but I am telling you I think there are a few people on this planet that would agree that I may have a point. This week’s column is the 2nd part of what was a Saturday to Saturday fly in fishing trip to Shultz Lake which is 55 airmiles northwest of Red Lake, Ontario Canada “Chimo Lodge and Outposts” a place I have a whole ton of my adult history and it is all positive.

Thursday, June 22nd High 78°, Low 51°

What is peace and tranquility?

Staying at a cabin that is literally in the middle of nowhere for 7-days with people that you 100% get along with. Even if there is a bit of negativity, this group of 9 never, ever has a history of dragging out an issue. Our unwritten code is no slackers, complainers or tight wads and it works.

Peace is ending a great day of fishing with your brother and his grandson and then taking a short hike to a rapids on a river and watching the 2 of them catch 20-inch walleye on just about every cast.

The same can be said when I think about the 2 fires that have burnt the bush here, one back in 95 and the other in 99. Most people think a forest fire is the most horrible thing in the world, now the bush that used

to be mature jack pine, spruce and aspen is alive with new growth and the moose are loving the tender feed that has been created as they browse and live a much easier winter.

Happiness is seeing the joy on Roger Franks face after he caught a 29.5 inch walleye and literally kept smiling the entire rest of the trip. Roger’s walleye had a huge head in comparison to its body and I am guessing it was on the downward cycle of its life, kind of like the antler’s on a buck as they begin to get smaller after the aging process takes place. Both Roger’s big walleye and my big gator of the week were released.

Joy is having your day to cook for the entire gang over with. In other words on that day you do all the cooking and dishes, after that day all you have to do is watch and be served.

Satisfaction is seeing everyone’s hands in the group after the 4 th day that are now covered in small cuts because the fishing was so incredibly good that it seemed we were always taking fish off the hook.

The size average here on the walleye has always been about 16-18 inches, this year it was about 19.5 with dozens of 21s and 22s.

Joy is sitting around in the cabin at night, watching the cook, enjoying adult beverages, never running out of things to talk about and always laughter.

My dad the late Robert Walters was the man that found this place, my brother Bobby’s ashes are placed in a special place we call Bear Creek. When my brother Tom and I hunted when we

were kids, we harvested 2 bear on it as they were harvesting spawning suckers. At night we have a tradition when we come into camp of doing war whoops as we get near the cabin and do a couple of circles with the boat before we make it to the drive on ramp.

Triumph is winning the big gator bet for the 6th year in a row and knowing that the gang would like to see anyone but me, probably even the Russian leader Putin win!

My history as a writer has been created by this place, this column was originally called North of the Border and it was while I worked for this same business.

Victory is seeing 6 members of this same gang get off the plane to replace us at Shultz lake as we simply have that many people in our super cool group. Make your own adventure, push

yourself, enjoy life while you have the option!

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

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Photo contributed by Mark Walters Tom Walters and his grandson Preston living the good life on their vacation.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Bush mode of transportation for the perfect getaway.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters This beautiful northern pike was released.