Valley Sentinel - 07-27-2023

Spring Green, Wisconsin FREE , Single-Copy

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Editor’s Column: Gallbladder attacks Community Calendar: Live music, markets and events

As Reunion opens, Homecoming refocuses

Page 2 Pages 4, 5, 6 Pages 1, 2, 7

As Reunion restaurant launches, Homecoming focuses on core menu and values

Since opening in 2021, Homecoming restaurant (242 N Lexington St, Spring Green), founded by locals Leah Spicer and Kyle Beach, has been a beloved part of the community, the restaurateurs have now given the Valley another dining option with the recent launch of Reunion (134 W Jefferson St, Spring Green).

Homecoming’s welcoming and lively atmosphere with warm-hearted hospitality has continued to draw crowds of customers from near and far. The masterfully made local, farmto-table food has customers returning for their favorite delicious meals since their opening just over two years ago. Now, with the launch of Reunion, some changes have been made at Homecoming.

Spicer and Beach made the decision to keep Homecoming open for weekends — on both Friday and Saturday nights — with a slightly modified menu, which includes apps, wood-fired pizzas and an extensive cocktail and wine menu. While Reunion will be open Monday through Thursday. Most

of the staff will crossover between both Homecoming and Reunion with the exception of the two leading chefs.. Christian Amador will serve as the Head Chef for Homecoming. Hailing

from the West Coast, he grew up in Southern California, drawing much of his love for cooking from his aunts and family growing up. He grew up in a culture centered around food.

The scents of home cooked meals and food made with love, helped kindle his zeal and passion for cooking, helping to pave the path that brought him to Spring Green and into the kitchen at Homecoming.

“I really enjoy cooking food for people. Food has a way of bringing people together. Seeing people enjoy the food you made is so great. It’s one of the best things ever.” Amador said passionately. “I have always felt so comfortable in the kitchen and that is the same way I feel about food; I just feel so comfortable and good about making it.”

Through the shared connection and friendship of Chance Spivey, Reunion’s leading chef, brought Amador into the kitchen of Homecoming.

“Christian just does it all here. He does the ordering, the prep, cleaning and making the food, he does so much.” said Spicer. “We are just so thankful for such a great team of people.”

As far as menu changes at

Riverway Board appoints members, to meet in Spring Green regarding reconstruction of CTH C

The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board met in Muscoda on July 13 to conduct a regular monthly business meeting. Robert Cary of Blue River is returning for his third stint as Grant County representative on the board. Cary replaces Steve Wetter who was forced to resign due to health considerations earlier this year. Cary, an original appointee to the board in 1989 served for several terms before relinquishing his slot to Nick Nice of Boscobel. When Nice stepped down due to health concerns, Cary stepped

up to serve as his replacement. Wetter was then named as the Grant County member. Cary has agreed to fill the remainder of Wetter’s term which will expire on May 1, 2024. This will enable Grant County to conduct a search for suitable candidates to submit to Governor Evers for appointment to a full three-year term beginning next spring. Previously, Cary has served in numerous leadership positions on the Riverway Board including several terms as ViceChairman and Budget Committee Chair.

George Brandt of Arcadia was welcomed to the board as a new recreational user

group or “at-large” member. Brandt fills a vacancy that has languished for a few years and his appointment by Governor Evers is subject to Senate confirmation.

Brandt noted he is a house painter by trade and has lived in Trempeleau County for 45 years. He enjoys spending time outdoors and appreciated the opportunity to canoe the Wisconsin River with the voyageur replica canoes prior to the board meeting.

Officers for the new fiscal year were elected with Gigi La Budde of Spring Green returning as Chair. Randy Poelma of La Crosse was elected Vice-Chair

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and Meredith Beckman of Mazomanie was elected Secretary. Committee assignments were approved with La Budde serving as Chair of the Executive Committee, Dan Hillberry of Blue River as Chair of the Operations Committee, Ritchie Brown of Black River Falls as Personnel Committee Chair, and Beckman as Budget Committee Chair. Mark Cupp, Executive Director, reported progress on the Lone Rock STH 130 bridge project continues at a steady pace. He approved a minor

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Amberly Mae-Cooper, Contributor

Photo by Amberly Mae-Cooper Christian Amador of Homecoming preps tomatoes at Homecoming's kitchen. Homecoming will be focusing on a simplified menu including traditional and speciality woodfired pizzas, appetizers and desserts.

Mark Cupp, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board

Editor's Column

We’re a little short on pages this week, not for lack of content however. Mostly, we’ve been dealing with an entirely unironic gallbladder attack that is limiting what we’re able to put together this edition, especially after spending most of Monday in a Northwoods emergency room. I am feeling slightly better as this edition goes to print and hoping the gallstone lodged in the neck of my gallbladder duct will pass and I’m able to pursue non-surgical or less invasive solutions. Suffice it to say, we haven’t had much time to put things together.

There’s SO MUCH we have to cut and so much more we’d like to include in the paper each week, this week especially. Inevitably the pieces that make the cut are a mix of the easiest to layout and — most importantly — the pieces that have the most value to readers and our community. Some pieces that don’t make the cut each edition are evergreen and can be included in the next edition — a piece about a pig named Wilbur on Lost Horizon Farms, beautiful prose in our literary section and some local government brief updates come to mind. Some pieces are timely and can’t be included.

What you see here in Valley Sentinel isn’t a final product (at least not in our minds), it’s truly a proof of concept and make do until manpower increases and more talented, creative people volunteer to help build something that builds community. Yet, somehow our proof of concept was judged to be the best small newspaper in the state, but we have so much more we want to do.

The single largest thing that stands between us and growth is building more graphic design and layout bandwidth (I mean ads and donations always help as well, we want to stay free for readers and increasing in pages will increase our printing costs). It’s extremely hard to curate, write, edit and run all other aspects of a small business, while also designing and laying out the paper. Our editors wear many hats, including hats that don’t come naturally to us and involve more brute force and mental exhaustion than someone with talents more respectively inclined would have to exert.

That extra time it takes prevents us from pursuing more stories that are important to our community — and believe me, our list of potential stories, both hard news and features, is a mile long.

If you can assist in any way, please let us know. And remember, if you’re a student going into the fields of graphic design, journalism or related, often you can get credit for an internship — or just darn good real world experience. Other community contributors are always welcome too. Hopefully the near future includes an office with collaborative community space to put all our endeavors in one place.

Here’s to hopes, dreams and hopefully keeping my gallbladder.

— Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief

On the cover

“Restoration in Progress” (2023) Photo by Taylor Scott

The (not so) Plain and Simple Correspondent: A Two Owl Day

Katie Green, Columnist

The prairie where I walk most days is home to a pair of Great Horned owls. They have become potent symbols for me of how I rank each day. If I see both of them it's a Two Owl Day, if only one it's a One Owl Day, if neither is perched where I can see them it's a No Owl Day. A true Two Owl Day has come to mean far more than seeing those majestic birds. It means a patchwork of things: such as that I slept well, that there were no mass shootings reported, political decisions were no more ridiculous than usual, our expensive favorite almond butter is on sale at the Co-op, that the mailbox contained personal mail and no bills, that all the sons phoned recently, that the radio music programs played compositions I love, the luxury of a library system that makes available anything I want to read, no questions asked. That we are still alive and kicking beyond the life spans of most of our ancestors is, I guess, a plus. Anyway, by most definitions it is as close to perfection as earthlings are granted.

A One Owl Day would, of course,

conscience in gear. What could you have done to have brought a different outcome?

One can often tell at a glance if friends, family, and even strangers are on solid ground. Some try bravely to disguise their state of being, some let it all hang out. How to respond to others if they are in the midst of varying degrees of crisis or despond is ticklish business. Some are grateful to be asked, some rebuff notice, let alone sympathy. My opinion is that it's better to err on the side of showing you care. If you believe the current experts who pontificate about cultural health, loneliness is on the rise. Many who have given up throw in the towel and exit by suicide, descend into a funk, or drug themselves unconscious. There are many ways to do this as well as chemically: golf, cards, t.v., religion. This is not a new phenomenon. Nothing ever is. Some ancients succumbed to the drag of hopelessness, too, and drank the hemlock or slit their wrists. Or were buoyed up by the equivalent of a Two Owl Day.

As a project in retirement to stimulate the few remaining brain cells, we have just watched three different film versions of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice. The gyrations in the temperaments of the individual members of the imaginary Bennett family are exhausting to witness second hand. In real life, seesawing up and down in moods according to the curve balls thrown our way taxes the heartiest constitution, heaven knows. Not being given to drink, I follow the advice of professionals to pop vitamins B and C, recommended for stresses of all kinds.

for an indisposed Glen Gould with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra as a teenager, which enabled him to get his toe in the door, and eventually he worked his way into the upper ranks of sought-after soloists through ceaseless toil and determination. He was half white, half black, born in Germany to an American Army officer and a displaced Hungarian woman. He found it hard to be accepted by either race after his parents came to this country. In an interview on NPR said he never did feel like anything but a misfit...but sort of liked it that way. He could then embrace being a unique individual. He told of learning to play from his amateur pianist mother, but since he never went to a conservatory and had a very personal, emotive style of playing was sometimes the target of gratuitously hurtful, even spiteful reviews after concerts. Such reviews were not constructive, he explained, just wounding. To evade depression from criticism, he learned not to rush out to see what the critics had to say in the papers but to trust his own instincts as to how well or badly he played. Up to the end of his life he practiced faithfully and brought what wisdom increasing age and experience gave to his technique and interpretation. “Performing is my way of being part of humanity -- of sharing,” he said.

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

contain fewer of the above boosters of endorphins and more stress. Maybe enui. The No Owl Days you'd just want to consign to the wastebasket of history. Ask Scottie to beam you up to another planet. Maybe lie abed all day and say prayers to the “Unseen Unborn Guileless Perfection (i.e. The Creator) for mercy for this hand you've drawn so innocently. Since childhood it's been my habit to do a personal reckoning, usually at bedtime, often with added commentary from an annoyed or a complimentary parent, partner, or friend, if lucky. Postmortems to gauge the success or failure of each day is common practice, isn't it, not something weird on my part. In fact, it strikes me as the responsible thing to do. Evaluate your record with

No national campaign could guarantee a Two Owl Day for everyone in this country but certain nostrums would certainly help. The usual –job training for meaningful work , a guaranteed annual wage, decent housing, help with mental health issues, nourishing food, child care for working parents, safety from violence. And so forth, as the saying is. Some states have experimented with some or all of these. Wisconsin doesn't measure up so well. My next undertaking might be to take a sample poll and see how others deal with their fluctuating moods as life events go right or wrong. The pianist Andre Watts died this week. Years ago we heard part of a concert of his which was interrupted when a storm blew out the lights and air conditioning in the hall. His rise to fame was equally influenced by the fickle finger of fate. He substituted

A friend here is having a Two Owl Day and everyone who knows her is rejoicing with her, our happiness increased by empathy. Family is coming from New York to visit and she was too excited to wait in her apartment for them to arrive. She went out with her rolling walker to pace the sidewalk at the appointed time. Mood is infectious, whether dark or light. One music critic wrote of listening to Ralph Vaughn Williams' compositions, it “is like watching a cow chew its cud.” So if serenity is what you're after, he's your man.

In thinking about how to even out the Two, One or No Owl days I looked into a book of essays by Mary Oliver entitled Upstream. In it Mary Oliver writes “...I did not give to anyone the responsibility for my life. I made it. And can do what I want with it. Live it. Give it back someday, without bitterness, to the wild and weedy dunes.”

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

As Reunion restaurant launches, Homecoming focuses on core menu and values

continued from page 1

Homecoming there will be a simplified, to-the-core menu.

“We will have the same quality, the same staff, the same care, and a few more desserts.” Spicer explained.

“Homecoming will still have that same comfortable, welcome and at home feel to it.”

Spicer and Amador say it will be similar to what diners are accustomed to from the restaurant.

“Homecoming will still have that busy holiday/Thanksgiving celebration at home feel in the air.” said Amador

The pizza oven at Homecoming has been a central feature, blazing at 800 degrees F or higher. The woodfire pizzas are known and loved for the special taste and texture of the

crust with classic topping options or creative specialty pizzas.

“Homecoming will remain mostly pizza-focused. We will have the same

set-up with appetizers and salads that showcase the local producers in the area. Homecoming will continue with our more relaxed setting and keep the pizza central. We have great fresh produce every week from our community farmers,” said Amador.

“We also have a full-time baker now, so we will be able to offer more desserts.”

“We just work with so many great people. So many people help make all of this happen. Everyone does their part and we just have great people working with us here between Homecoming and now Reunion, said Amador “Kyle has so much energy, optimism and charisma. People really like coming back and talking with him. Leah grew up here so people just love

continued on page 7

Katie Green

Pictured is the early result of one and two years of prairie and native wildflower seeding and restoration on an old farm in Richland County.

Christian Amador

Meeting Our Needs — Part 12: May The Force Be With Us

“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.

and freedoms are officially recognized and protected, and the exercise of political power is limited by the rule of law. Consequently, a liberal democracy must be committed to a constant movement toward the goal of equality and inclusion as contained in the Constitution. Our record on that has never been stellar, but failure to fully implement equality is a weakness to be addressed, not a weakness to be exploited.

During the Black Lives Matter protests, multiple people committing violence were arrested and processed through the legal system on the spot – and that is as it should be. During the Jan. 6 insurrection however, where violence against law enforcement officers and destruction of property was obvious, virtually no one was arrested. There may be multiple reasons for this, including that law enforcement was not prepared for the onslaught at the Capitol, but because of that hundreds, if not thousands, of people who broke the law that day may never be held accountable to the rule of law.

During the last hot spell instead of working outside and marinating in my own sweat (yuck), I sat inside in the air conditioning and marinated in my own thoughts. Then, at the Spring Green Arts Fair I encountered this masterpiece by the artist Don Ott that fully captures my process of trying to formulate a coherent idea for a column. Valley Sentinel thanks the artist for allowing us to share his work with you. The title of the piece is: Finally…the full genome sequencing of an interesting idea. As always, you readers are the judge of whether I have been succeeding at producing interesting ideas. Here goes another try…

I was unsettled about leaving my column on intolerance where I did, especially regarding the quote about possibly having to use force to combat intolerance when it begins to pose a threat to our democracy. Since violent force should never be the answer, I want to go back to that issue. Our democracy depends on us being able to maintain a commitment to our Constitution and the rule of law, not on violence. Recently, we’ve been hearing over and over again “No one is above the law.” It should be beyond question in our country that no one is treated differently when coming up against the rule of law.

A liberal democracy is defined as a system of government in which individual rights

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EDITORIAL

Many of us on Jan. 6, 2021 saw, in real time, the attacks on law enforcement officers, the destruction of public property, and the obstruction of an official proceeding. As of May 2023, over 1000 people have been arrested with only roughly half of them sentenced. But that is only a fraction of those who were there. There are some among us who call these people heroes – that is more than astounding, it is incomprehensible. Application of the rule of law should have been and should be a no-brainer here, and it seems that the Department of Justice is doing that however delayed and however incomplete it may ultimately be. The rule of law is the force being applied to those who, that day, expressed their intolerance of the official presidential election results – so indictment and imprisonment is an acceptable and essential force to be applied to them. Meeting violence with violence would never be an acceptable recourse.

We are still waiting to see if those who stirred up that mob and pointed them to the Capitol also experience the application of the force of the rule of law. As delayed as it may be, I am optimistic that they will. Failure to apply that force would result in an unthinkable risk to our democracy by giving those expressing an intolerance of truth a pass on the rule of law. The denial of truth may be one of the greatest threats the intolerant pose to democracy. Meanwhile, a 12-year veteran ex-FBI analyst in Kansas was recently sentenced to 46 months in prison for storing classified

material in her bathtub. (Lordy, you can’t make this stuff up.) She was charged with the same violations of the Espionage Act as those in the indictment of Donald Trump. Will the force of the rule of law be applied equally here? Conviction is decided by the jury, not the prosecutor or judge, so the application of the rule of law will ultimately be up to them. The Special Prosecutor in the Trump case has filed the charges in the place the offenses allegedly occurred, not in the place where the friendliest judge and jurors might be found – good for him and for the rule of law. How the force of the rule of law will fare here remains to be seen.

In 2019 John Durham was designated by Attorney General William Barr as the federal prosecutor to review the origins of the FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. AG Barr elevated Durham’s status to Special Counsel in December 2020, allowing him to continue the investigation after the end of the Trump presidency. In his 306-page report, released in May 2023, Durham was critical of the FBI but found no wrongdoing. Regardless, a number of Republicans touted Durham’s report as evidence of a “deep state” plot that would justify the defunding of the FBI. (Good grief.) This intolerance of an inconvenient truth, even when coming from an investigator appointed by a fellow partisan, is appalling. How could the tolerant not see this an offense against truth and reason that calls for a forceful response? The force required here needs to be done at the voting booth. Politicians who refuse to accept the truth, even from their own investigators, need to be replaced with others more worthy of the

So, as I see it, besides drowning out their voices, there are two legitimate forces available to combat intolerance in meeting our needs as a democracy: the rule of law and the voting booth. Our system of both has served us so far, but only because watchdogs, journalists, activists, civil rights attorneys, and responsible politicians have exposed cracks and fissures in our systems that required fixing by voters, legislators, and judges. We also need to honor jurists who have conscientiously listened and made decisions based on evidence and facts. Maintaining our democracy has required over 200 years of constant vigilance against the intolerance that would destroy it. I don’t see that the tolerant have any choice but to continually fight intolerance by supporting and using these forces built into our democratic system. But is it reasonable to think these forces are sufficient for the task?

In her book, Lady Justice, Dahlia Lithwick interviewed a number of women lawyers. Their take on how much faith we can put in our legal system to address important issues like this is worth hearing. Professor Anita Hill of the notorious Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings said this: “Part of the reason I think the processes and systems alone can’t get us there is because I think the processes and systems are in such bad shape.” But when asked if it was appropriate to give up on the legal system, to walk away and claim that it was a force for more harm than good her response was, “Without law it’s chaos, right” Because we will lose. We will lose with chaos. We will always lose.”

Likewise, Vanita Gupta, a civil rights attorney, organizer, and United States Associate Attorney General since April 2021 told Lithwick, “If everyone just becomes cynical, we lose. That’s how we lose…[but] using the system to seek change while recognizing the gross injustice of the system itself, that’s a paradox.”

On Jan. 6 the intolerant resorted to violence to address their grievance. The tolerant are determined to hold the line and trust the application of voting and the rule of law to preserve democracy even though that introduces another troublesome paradox – because the alternative is unthinkable.

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

Legal Editor

Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

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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.

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Beverly Pestel

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Amberly Mae-Cooper

Commentary/Opinion Column

Katie Green

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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

Photo by Taylor Scott

The piece in question by Don Ott at the recent Spring Green Arts and Craft Fair.

COmmunitycalendar

Events for July 27 - August 10

Thursday, July 27

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

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

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

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: Point Five 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!

Sauk County Pasture Walk 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Savanna Institute Hillside Farm 6511 Hillside School Rd., Spring Green co.sauk.wi.us/landconservation Stop out to the Savanna Institute's Hillside Farm for this pasture walk to learn more about silvopasture and how to manage animals, trees, and forages across the landscape.

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

Friday, July 28

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: Plain Fire and EMS Celebration 5:45 PM - 11:00 PM . Plain Community

Park For info search Plain Fire & EMS on Facebook Youth Softball Tournament starting at 5:45. Live music from High Mileage Band from 7-11. Inflatables and Fun for the kids, live entertainment and food, and cold beer for the adults!

Starhead Topminnow: The rare star of the backwaters of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM . Virtual Event / Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green wisconsinwetlands.org This is a free virtual event. Join this webinar by registering online! Learn about the starhead topminnow's importance in Wisconsin's high quality vegetated backwater habitats.

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 292: Will Hoge // Lou Shields 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 Will Hoge is a mainstay of 21st century rock & roll, carrying a blue-collar sound rooted in ringing Telecaster guitars and anthemic songwriting. Lou Shields continues the tradition of American music with a solo-performance that pulls in styles of days-gone-by. Using his 1931 National Resonator Guitar or Banjo accompanied by a unique front porch style of foot percussion and harmonica, he uses his voice as an extension of the past.

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.

Saturday, July 29

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.

LIVE MUSIC: Plain Fire and EMS Celebration 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Plain Community

Park For info search Plain Fire & EMS on Facebook Inflatables and Fun for the kids, live entertainment and food, and cold beer for the adults! Youth Softball Tournament starting at 9. Volleyball Tournament at 10:30. Bean Bag Tournament at 1. Live music from Donnie Reyzek from 4-7. Youth Baseball Tournament at 6. Live music from Cherry Pie from 8-11.

APT: Inside Out Tour 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM American Players Theatre 5950 Golf Course Rd Spring Green springgreen.com $17.50 or free w APT insider card. Get a peek at APT’s inner workings during our popular two-hour walking tour of the grounds, costume shop, backstage areas and more. You'll see all that goes into making the productions you ultimately see on the Hill and in the Touchstone Theatre. Stair-Free tour option availble.

Tarot Readings with Gwyn Padden-Lechten 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM North Earth Crystals & Gifts, 124 W. Jefferson St, Spring Green northearth.com $60 per half hour session, $30 for fifteen minute three card draw Gwyn Padden-Lechten is a Psychic Medium and Dreamworker. She uses tarot and oracle cards as a tool for inner guidance and self-exploration for her client readings. Walk-in appointments will be taken as availability allows. Time slots fill up quickly, so please call 608.588.3313 to set up an appointment.

LIVE MUSIC: No End in Sight on the River Stage 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the Riverside stage! Let’s welcome in the summer!

Saturday, July 29 cont.

LIVE MUSIC: Witwen Summer Concert Series — Leonardo Garcia y Son

Horizonte 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.

APT Presents: 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 into the path of an oncoming bus, her life spared by bare inches. One man hustles off, while another risks his job to stay. A poetic and hopeful meditation about choices, consequences and picking up the pieces when they fall.

The Sweet Tooth Jazz Band 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door New York’s Sweet Tooth Jazz Band mixes speakeasy ambiance, Manhattan sophistication, and Brooklyn weekend vibes. Formed in 2018 by band leader and bassist Abe Pollack, the band thrills crowds with its high-energy spin on American songbook, gypsy jazz, and original repertoire. Collaboration and spontaneity take center stage as the band arranges on the fly.

Sunday, July 30

LIVE MUSIC: Plain Fire and EMS Celebration 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Plain Community Park For info search Plain Fire & EMS on Facebook Inflatables and Fun for the kids, live entertainment and food, and cold beer for the adults! Youth Baseball Tournament at 8. Parade at 11. Chicken BBQ at 12, Drive-Thru on Bridge Rd. Ted Oliver Dueling Pianos at 1. Childrens Pedal pull at 1. Fire Truck rides 3-4.

LIVE MUSIC: Don & Scott on the River Stage 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green 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: Hymn Sing Announcement 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM . Brown Church on County Highway B, Bear Valley stthering@gmail.com There has been a long tradition of hymn sings in the River Valley area beginning with those held at the Wyoming Valley Methodist Church in 1979. This year there will be a series of non-denominational hymn sings held at the Lone Rock Community Church. All are welcome.

Monday, July 31

Free Family Flicks: Mouse Hunt 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 movies all summer long! Open to all ages. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and drinks included.

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.

Tuesday,August 1

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: Back To The Future 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: In this 1980s sci-fi classic, small-town California teen Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is thrown back into the '50s when an experiment by his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) goes awry. Traveling through time in a modified DeLorean car, Marty encounters young versions of his parents (Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson), and must make sure that they fall in love or he'll cease to exist (PG, 1h 56m, 1985).

Wednesday, August 2

Storytime at the Community Garden 10:30 AM River Valley Area Community Gardens, Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join us for a special Storytime in the River Valley Area Community Gardens! Get ready for books, songs, and rhymes about collaboration in nature and gardening together. Bring a picnic blanket or folding chair to sit on if you wish! We'll provide some cushions and toys.

Together We Make Art! #3: Teamwork! 2:00 PM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com In our final art collaboration with Angel Dreams Studios, we will work with others to create art that can stand on it's own and also become part of a larger work when displayed together. The final art is meant to be displayed within the library for the duration of August for all to view!

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 293: The Heavy Heavy // The Thing 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 connect ticket buyers and sellers Led by lifelong musicians Will Turner and Georgie Fuller, The Heavy Heavy create the kind of unfettered rock-and-roll that warps time and space, pulling the audience into a euphoric fugue state with its sun-soaked atmosphere. The Thing is a four piece rock band out of Brooklyn, New York. Composed of Jack Bradley (guitar), Michael Carter (guitar), Lucas Ebeling (drums) and frontman Zane Acord (vocals, bass).

Thursday, August 3

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 Miss Purdy and Nestor the donkeys, provided by Sandy Kramer.

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

Community

Events for August 3 - August 10

Thursday, August 3 cont.

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 India / Bengali!

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: Jan’s Country Classics 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!

LIVE MUSIC: 4H 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org John Haarbauer, Dave Hopper, Ned Hodgson, and Mark Hubanks make up the group 4H. Their music is acoustic folk-rock, covering songs from the '60s and '70s.

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.

Women's Full Moon Gathering 7:30 PM Peck's Landing, Spring Green ruralremedy.com Bring something to sit on (a blanket orchair). We will have a fire on the sand, share a meditation, words on this full moon, good conversation, and possibly a dip in the water.

Friday, August 4

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.

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 294: JD McPherson 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 “Timeless, forward-thinking rock & roll.” His 2017 LP, Undivided Heart & Soul, was released to widespread critical acclaim with NPR praising, “McPherson’s mastery of rock and soul fundamentals is beyond question, but his voice moves in wild ways on these songs, and the band exudes a new kind of risky energy.”

Saturday, August 5

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.

lowa County Cops & Bobbers 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Twin Valley Boat Landing, Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville . This is a program that allows kids to interact with local law enforcement in a very positive light and have a little fun fishing. All participants will be need to be registered in advance and must be at least 3 years old. All kids will be leaving with a t-shirt, fishing pole and bag of goodies. We do have to limit participants to 100 kids to make sure that we have adequate space and adults. You may register by Facebook messaging Autume Gollon, Realtor or email me at autume@gollonrealestate.com with your child's name, age and shirt size.

Saturday, August 5 cont.

Smokey the Bear's Birthday Party 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville Meet Smokey, hear his story, enjoy cake and ice cream and FUN! Information, games and activities for the kids.

LIVE MUSIC: Hotrod Eddie @ Keg & Kettle 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM . Keg & Kettle Bar, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock . For info search 3 Souls on Facebook . Join us for high energy vintage rock n roll and rockabilly at this super cool venue.They sometimes have a mechanical bull. Come to the show to find out!

LIVE MUSIC: The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet has been honoring and keeping alive the latin jazz tradition for over 10 years, playing the music of what some call the Golden Age of Latin Jazz. (1940's-1960's) Constantly searching for the obscure gems of that era, the band felt a responsibility to present these treasures to a new audience with new vigor and life! The Afro-Cuban Jazz arrangements of that period are outrageously timeless and remain on a par with any jazz music coming out today.

Sunday, August 6

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: 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!

Monday, August 7

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.

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

Rural Musicians Forum: The Driftless Plowboys 7:00 PM Performing Arts Pavilion, 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.

Tuesday, August 8

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: CoCo 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: Despite his family's generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Héctor, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history (PG, 1h 49m, 2017).

Paper Lantern Craft 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM . Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain . kraemerlibrary.org . Create a festive Paper Lantern to display at home Ages 6+ encouraged. Sign-up required.

Wednesday, August 9

Arena Fire & EMS Safety Days 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Arena Fire Station, 111 David Cir, Arena For more info look up Arena Fire & EMS on Facebook There will be a variety of demonstrations: Arena K-9 and Drone, Fire truck rides, Iowa County Tech Rescue Team, Fire Extinguisher Dmeo for kids, F.L.O.W - River Boating Safety, Medflight Landing @ 12, Prepared Iowa County Dispath, Spring Green Aerial Fire Truck. There will also be hamburgers, brats, hotdogs, chips, sweet corn, and soda/ water.

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

APT: Inside Out Tour 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM American Players Theatre 5950 Golf Course Rd Spring Green springgreen.com $17.50 or free w APT insider card. Get a peek at APT’s inner workings during our popular two-hour walking tour of the grounds, costume shop, backstage areas and more. You'll see all that goes into making the productions you ultimately see on the Hill and in the Touchstone Theatre. Stair-Free tour option availble.

LIVE MUSIC: ChamberFest 2023 11:00 AM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green springgreengeneralstore.com 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. All ChamberFest events are free with a $10-$20 donation. At 11 AM: Llama Glamarama in Concert, at 12 PM: "For You and Me: An Exploration of the American String Quartet."

APT: Hear from the Experts 12:00 PM Post House Park, Jefferson Street, Downtown Spring Green americanplayers.org $5.00 or Free with APT Insider's Card The Art of Fight Choreography. 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.”

LIVE MUSIC: Big Night Out 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!

Annual Kaul Community Park Co-ed Softball Tourney 2:00 PM Kaul Park, WI-130, Lone Rock For more info look up Kaul Park on Facebook 130) $100 entry 100% payout, unlimited arc to guys, 6-12' for women. Supplied balls and bats. Camping with hookup and shower available at the park. We will be accepting a free will offering for the Huebsch corn with all proceeds being donated to Ben Huebsch and his family to help offset expenses as Ben continues his fight against cancer. This year, Kaul Community Park will be matching all free will offerings up to $750! We will again be offering pulled pork sandwiches and roasted chicken sandwiches along with our regular menu. We also invite local companies and organizations to join us with monetary matches.

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!

Classics Conquered: Song of Solomon 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join us for a conversation about a classic work or author you have always meant to read. Don't let the reputation scare you; we will get through the book together. We are going to focus on Toni Morrison. For August: Song of Solomon (216 – end or Part 2).

Music in the Park: Tis-TisTheBand 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM White Mound County Park, S7995 White Mound Dr, Hill Point co.sauk.wi.us/parksandrecreation Traditional Irish songs, jigs and reels. Rain date of August 16. $5 per vehicle, free if you have the Sauk County annual sticker!

Snorytime 6:30 PM . 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com . Put on your pjs, grab your stuffed animals, and come to the library for bedtime stories, calming music, and more! All ages welcome.

Thursday, August 10

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 Finale Party! Lone Rock Fire and EMS will bring the fire truck and ambulance over to show everyone what they do. Lunch is provided. There will be

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.

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.

LIVE MUSIC: Friends and Nick Ehlinger 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

Events for July 31 - August 14

Thursday, August 10 cont.

LIVE MUSIC: Paul Bentzen and Doug Lloyd 5:45 PM American Players Theatre, Picnic Area, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org

Paul Bentzen and Doug Lloyd have been making music together for over twenty years. They play a combination of traditional and modern bluegrass, old-time country, and old string band tunes from the Southern mountains.

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

Evenings Afield: Biological Farming and Perennial Crops 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Otter Creek Organic Farm, 6679 WI-23, Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Biological farming is an integrated farming system that employs natural biological processes to dramatically improve agricultural yields and reduce farm costs. Visit fields managed by the author of The Biological Farmer, plus a variety of perennial crops including elderberries and blueberries. This event will be led by Gary Zimmer and Patrick Michaels.

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 295: Alisa Amador // Julia Blair

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 Alisa showcases almost-spoken-word territory to a powerful chorus without hesitation and illustrates a repetitive refrain that's so affecting it feels like you might want to live inside it for a little while. Julia Blair was born of this world as a force to smother the disquieting agents of despair- and as a gentle soul that no-less employs her mighty voice to speak truth to power.

CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR

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

WHAT’S HANGINg ?

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

Terry McNeill of Dodgeville will display work at the Community Room Gallery during the month of July . The exhibit shows works from our Driftless area to faraway places, and is titled “Traveling Light.” Terry says these two words say a lot of what photography is all about to him . “ Like packing light for a journey, less is usually better. I find that a photograph should also be narrowed down to the essentials, but yet still be enough to tell a story or convey a mood. That is the challenge I continually strive for. By the way, I seem to always pack too much.” It is Terry’s hope that his images help us get out there and realize the beauty around us each day. Terry’s photos can be viewed during regular library hours when the Community Room is not being used. Please ask for the key at the circulation desk.

Heloise Idstein is exhibiting her jewelry in the Glass Case Gallery during the month of July. Heloise speaks of herself and her work, “I was born in South Africa, where I spent the wild and wonderful years of my childhood and studied architecture. However, in my final year, I branched off to construction management. I was curious to discover how to create, build and fast track high-rise buildings Prior to Spring Green, I lived in Germany for forty years where I raised my daughter and traveled to large construction projects around the world. Here, I have chosen to express my inner world through the colors and textures of the elements I have come to love; stones, from simple to precious, and metals. My influences are from expo-sure to historical bead work and jewelry, especially tribal. There is something personal about the art we choose to wear. I consider it as a “meeting of the hearts” when someone selects my work as a means of expressing their personality.” Heloise Idstein’s work is available for viewing during regular library hours. You can also enjoy her work at her studio/shop, 120 N Worcester St. in Spring Green. Shop hours are Wed. – Fri. 12 noon - 5pm, Saturday. 10am - 1pm OR by appointment, phone 608-588-5305

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

July 31:

MEETING: Plain Village Library Board 6:30 PM 510 Main Street, Plain villageofplain.com

August 1:

MEETING: Arena Village Board 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM . Village Hall, 345 West Street, Arena . villageofarena.net .

August 4:

DONATE: Lone Rock Red Cross Blood Drive 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM Christ Lutheran Church

237 E Daley, Spring Green redcross.org

August 5:

DONATE: 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.

August 6:

MEETING: Coon Rock 4H 5:00 PM . 303 W Chapel Street, Dodgeville . 1st Sunday of even months. Contact one of the 4-H leaders listed on this page. They will invite you and your family to a club meeting so you can learn more. You may also contact Tom Harman at the UW-Extension Office at 303 W Chapel in Dodgeville for more information (930-9850). Arena: Kristen Strobush (608-279-5170) Spring Green: Sami Longseth (608-212-9936).

August 7:

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

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

August 8:

VOLUNTEER: Stream Monitoring 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM South Farm, 6172 County Road Z, Spring Green savannainstitute.org We’ll be monitoring two stream sites. No experience required; training will be provided. Please dress appropriately for outdoor work (weather appropriate, tall grass, muddy conditions). Tall rubber boots or waders are useful but not strictly required. Be prepared to walk a quarter mile through grass and uneven terrain. Please bring plenty of water and a snack. Plan on about two hours of sampling.

MEETING: Clyge-Go-Getters 4H Club 6:30 PM Clyde Community Center, 6281 WI-130, Spring Green Contact Mia or Jonathan Hillebrand at clydegogetters4hclub@gmail.com Community service, life skills, citizenship, and so much more!

MEETING: Village of Arena — Joint Mtg Plan Commission & Special Mtg 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Village Hall, 345 West Street, Arena villageofarena.net

MEETING: Village of Lone Rock Board 7:00 PM villageoflonerock.com Village

Office, 314 E Forest St, Lone Rock See full agenda online

August 9:

MEETING: Village of Spring Green Board 7:00 PM . 154 N Lexingtion St, Spring Green Optional Virtual event vi.springgreen.wi.gov

MEETING: Village of Plain Board 7:00 PM 510 Main Street, Plain villageofplain.com

August 14:

MEETING: Buena Vista Lions Club 7:00 PM Buena Vista Town Hall, 32886 3rd St., Gotham e-clubhouse.org Accepting charter members and filling club leadership positions

MEETING: RVACG Board 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM rvacg.org River Valley Area Community Gardens, 900 N. Westmor Spring Green Meeting will be held at the shelter at the Gardens. May bring lawn chairs for social distancing. In case of inclement weather, meet at the SG Community Church. Agenda will be posted around Aug. 1

MEETING: Wildlife Forever ATV Club 6:30 PM Arena VFW, 514 Willow St, Arena

For more info look up Wildlife Forever ATV Club on Facebook

American Players Theatre Presents: Art in the Woods . American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green July 23 - October 8 Free, no tickets required Come early and explore this season’s creations! Art in the Woods is a series of art installations displayed throughout the APT property. Art that evokes conversation, that intertwines with our landscape, that sparks your imagination.

White Mound County Park Sasquatch Search . White Mound County Park, S7995

Whitemound Dr, Hill Point July 23 - October 8 Free, no tickets required Sasquatch search! We’ve hidden a life-size Sasquatch in the woods of White Mound County Park! If you find him, simply take a picture with him, send the picture to our office and be entered to win a prize. We’ll have 3 winners total – one for the first person to submit their photo, one for the most creative photo and the last prize will be drawn randomly. Rules and details: Send pictures of you and Sasquatch to parks.rec@saukcountywi.gov or by mail to Sauk County Parks, S7995 White Mound Drive, Hillpoint, WI 53937. No purchase necessary, however, there is an entrance fee required for motorized vehicles in White Mound County Park. Only one prize per person. There are only 3 prizes total. Photos must be submitted by 4:00 PM on August 11, 2023 Visit our website for complete rules and details. Good luck!

The Sauk County Gardener

A Return of Victory Gardens

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“Backyard gardening can inspire you to take an interest in the origins of your food and make better choices about what you put on your plate.”

— Helen Delichatsios

The Sauk County Master Gardeners Association just recently wrapped up their annual Home Garden Tour. Attendees were able to visit eight private and two public gardens. One of the public gardens featured a Victory Garden, a throw-back to World War I and World War II.

The Victory Garden movement first started during WWI. At that time, and then again during WWII, people were encouraged to plant fruit and vegetable gardens at home and in public spaces to help supplement or minimize their rations with produce from their own gardens. It was also a way for American citizens to assist with the war effort. During WWII, the movement was widely promoted using posters featuring slogans such as “Sow the Seeds of Victory” and “Plant a Victory Garden – Our Food is Fighting” These posters touched on Americans’ sense of duty, resulting in more than 20 million Americans taking up the call to “victory” and producing much of their own food. According to the National WWII Museum, victory gardens were responsible for 40% of all vegetables grown in the US by 1944.

Schools took up the call as well, with many of them planting school gardens to help supplement school lunches. The number of canning supplies sold increased substantially during WWII. Even Eleanor Roosevelt got in on the action and had a Victory Garden planted on the White House lawn.

Victory Gardens popped up everywhere, with ordinary people planting easygrowing vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, beets, squash, and peas. Home gardeners with limited space were encouraged to plant in their flower beds. Prior to the movement, many people had never grown or harvested crops before.

Unfortunately, after WWII ended, many communities abandoned their Victory Garden efforts. Grocery stores and commercially grown food became readily available, and people didn’t see the need to grow their own food anymore. Instead, gardening became a hobby instead of necessity for supplementing one’s food sources. Today, it is a wellknown fact that we do not eat enough of the recommended fruits and vegetables for good health. Much of our food has a long journey before it gets to grocery store shelves, losing nutrients along the way. And much of our commercially grown food today uses pesticides.

There are a number of reasons to grow your own Victory Garden today. You might not need it to supplement rations, but growing your own fruits

As Reunion restaurant launches, Homecoming refocuses

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seeing her. She is just doing it all… she is a mom, a wife and a business owner. I am so glad to be here. I feel like there is no limit to what we can do.”

Spicer and Beach’s love for food and people was one of the foundations both Homecoming and Reunion were built on and Spicer attributes that to the restaurant's success.

“Spring Green is such a great community. There is so much here — beautiful outdoors, great people, a wonderful bookstore and library, so many shops and businesses, the American Players Theatre. There is just a lot going on,” said Spicer. “It

is such a rich community and a great place to raise a family. We are so thankful for people welcoming us and we are so grateful to be a part of it.”

Homecoming, within the beloved historic building in downtown Spring Green, bringing delicious woodfire pizza with its warm and intimate appeal, is certain to continue, forged in the fire and strength of celebratory moments and long lasting memories while Reunion is just beginning a new adventure in the area.

To learn more about what Reunion has to offer for the Valley, read more in the next edition of Valley Sentinel

Riverway Board appoints members, to discuss CTH C

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design change in the piers. The closure of STH 133 west of the bridge to the intersection with Bigelow Hill Road will begin on July 19th and will continue for 89 days. Cupp said the annual voyageur replica canoes were successful again this year although low water conditions made navigation challenging. He noted flows recorded at Muscoda neared the record lows from the famous drought year of 1988, when most of the record low flows were set.

In other action, Cupp said permits had been issued to Carlin Martin for a timber harvest on lands not visible from the river in the Town of Clyde, Iowa County. The bottomlands area is adjacent to STH 133 near the intersection with Bigelow Hill Road. A structure permit was issued to Laura Helm for addition of a three-season porch to an existing home in the Town of Spring Green, Sauk County, on Riverside Drive, downstream of Wisconsin Riverside Resort. Two general permits for activities on lands not visible from the river on adjacent properties on Seitz Road in Sauk County were issued. A permit for a new storage

shed was issued to Matt Smith and a permit for addition of a deck on an existing home was issued to Brody and Jenna Stuettgen. A general permit was issued to William and Sherrill Borrer for a timber harvest on lands not visible from the river in the Town of Buena Vista, Richland County. A salvage harvest of storm damaged trees and commercial harvest of miscellaneous species on the bluff facing away from the river will occur on a parcel near the Button Cemetery. The consultant is Mark Berg. Cupp also reported he met with Terry Askevold to review removal of hazard trees at Trader’s Campground in the Town of Arena, Iowa County.

The trees included dead ash trees from Emerald Ash Borer and other species that had suffered storm damage or that had significant health issues.

The next regularly scheduled business meeting will be held on September 14th at the Spring Green Community Library. A presentation on the proposed reconstruction of CTH C between Hwy. 14 and Hwy. 23 will be given by Jewell and Associates and the Iowa County Highway Department.

and vegetables can greatly help reduce your grocery bill. Planting your own victory garden allows you to control your food supply and become more self-sufficient. You have the ability to control the amount of pesticides used. Your vegetable garden’s close proximity minimizes nutrient loss and your carbon footprint. It offers you and your family fresh air and exercise. For most of us, gardening is a great way to reduce

stress. You also don’t need a ton of space to grow most vegetables. You can use containers on your porch or patio to grow vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, beans, lettuce, radishes, and even summer squash. Colorful vegetables can be tucked into your flower beds. Whether you have a lot of space or just a little bit, you too can plant a Victory Garden and reap all the rewards it can offer.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends, This week I found the perfect place for you to explore if you would like to do a day hike or multiday trek with a backpack. Read on to get the scoop! This would be one of those adventures where I had the gear and the knowledge of how to live out of a backpack, but my homework and maps were incomplete. The Ice Age Trail is one of Wisconsin’s gems and is nearly 1200 miles in length and my goal was to see what kind of physical condition I was in. In just 95 days I will be living in the Montana mountains hunting elk and mule deer.

Sunday, July 9th High 81°, Low 49°

I parked my truck at the wayside on highway 13 just north of Chelsea, 12 miles north of Medford and with my golden retrievers Ruby and her pup Red, began our adventure while carrying a 60-pound backpack. We would be heading west; it was just after 3:00 and I was thinking that I had a 6 mile hike to the Mondeaux Flowage. The vast majority of what would be a 3 day round trip would be in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest with sprinkles of very beautiful privately owned farmland.

First observation, I started far east and would have a 3.4 mile road walk on Fawn Ave. Not a big problem but I like the trail/woods more. Second observation, lots of deer. Third observation, I had made a mistake and

actually had to travel 11 miles to get to Eastwood Campground which is on the Mondeaux Flowage and is a very quiet campground and most importantly a place I could get drinking water. Had I been smart enough to know I had to travel 11 miles, not 6 I would have started 3 hours earlier. I arrived at Eastwood just before dark, and I was done in. I put up my backpackers’ tent, laid out my sleeping bag and had 2 cans of air temperature beer as I watched day become night. When I hit the tent, the pups were thrilled to death when they realized they would get to sleep next to me.

Monday, July 10th

High 76°, Low 46°

I recreated my plan today. I kept my tent up instead of taking my camp down and hauling it on my back all day and then ending up in the same area, as this was a round trip. I left my camp up and hiked with my pack and some water and food. My goal was to hike 6 miles to County rd E, turn around and head home. Folks this is the area you need to put it in your memory banks. Much of this hike since it was round trip was around the Mondeaux Flowage, and it is a beautiful, perfect getaway with 3 USFS campgrounds on it. The views on the eskers of the west bank, the simple but perfect campgrounds and the narrow, but long flowage are a recipe for a simple and inexpensive getaway for those that take advantage of it. To top it off the Mondeaux Lodge on the flowage is open Tuesday through Sunday, has a beach, I believe USFS managed and is like going back to 1970.

I did 12 miles and made it back to camp for a 30-minute break before a rain began that would last all night.

Tuesday, July 11th

High 71°, Low 45°

Sleeping on the ground and I just turned 62 last week. My tent is too small for 2 goldens and an adult to be real comfy but I made it work. Today I knew would be a test as I had to go 11 miles with my pack and make it home in time for a KAMO meeting. Folks, I aced it, not a single mark as far as my knees, spine or actually just enjoying myself. Once upon a time I hiked 1244 miles on the Appalachian Trail. Today I met two very cool ladies, actually I met 4 very cool ladies on this hike, but I got a picture of day hikers from Chetek and Barronette, Joan Zelltner and Marilynn Shaurette. Marilynn reads this column in the Cumberland Advocate, and we

had a very positive conversation. My legs were sluggish for a couple of days after I got home but I really enjoyed my 3 days on The Ice Age Trail.

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!

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Day hikers Joan Zeltner of Chetek and Marilynn Shaurette of Barronette are regulars on the Ice Age Trail.

Hiking The Ice Age Trail near Medford

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Mark Walters, Red and Ruby exploring the Ice Age Trail near Medford.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Water is extremely important to man and beast when backpacking.