River Valley School Board meets ahead of the school year
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At its Aug. 6 meeting, the Village of Arena Board of Trustees continued discussions regarding police assets — voting to sell its two police vehicles. The board also heard reports regarding construction projects in the village and the Dane/Iowa wastewater commission.
Police Equipment Liquidation
The board continued discussions from the July 2 meeting regarding liquidation of police department assets as part of the board’s decision to phase out the Village of Arena police department. At that meeting the board decided to liquidate all items not purchased with grant money.
At this meeting, the board discussed where to donate the grant-related items, which include a thermal monocular, AEDs, radios and computers, as they are restricted from selling them. Village President Kate Reimann and Trustee BeccaRaven Uminowicz suggested the Arena Fire and EMS Department may have use for these items.
Trustee Melissa Bandell motioned to table the grant-related items that they are liquidating to query the Fire and EMS Department, as well as Arena Manor and the Arena VFW, if they would find use for the items. All members voted in favor of the motion.
The board also discussed the liquida-
tion of its two police vehicles. Village Clerk/Treasurer DaNean Naeger noted that the police vehicles would either have to be sold to a police department or they would have to be decommissioned to be sold to the general public.
“I think it would be better and a faster turnaround to have the vehicles decommissioned and then send them to Wisconsin Surplus,” Reimann said.
Trustee Kathy Stoltz suggested the board should attempt to sell the vehicles still upfitted to allow local police departments the opportunity to purchase them.
Bandell made the motion to attempt to sell the 2020 police vehicle as-is to a
River Valley Board of Education updates crisis response plans, hears reports on district wellness
At its Aug. 8 meeting, the River Valley School District Board of Education heard the district’s health and wellness report, voted to continue its school liaison agreement and reviewed a new crisis response plan.
District Policing and Safety
The board considered and discussed its long-standing police liaison agreement with the Spring Green Police Department. The purpose of a liaison is to help provide educational programs and resources to students and staff, act as a communicator between law enforcement and the district and perform policing duties on the district campuses.
The agreement, which provides the school with a police liaison officer for a minimum of 20 hours per week, costs the district $14,400 per year, and has not changed for the current school year. The board unanimously voted in favor of continuing the policing agreement.
The board voted to update the district’s crisis response plan. School Resource Officer Andy Kurek detailed the changes
that were made, which included modernizing the plan and making it more concise. Kurek also noted the new plan uses resources from the I Love U Guys Foundation, which provides schools with crisis response resources, crisis reunification protocols and related trainings. The school is utilizing the foundation for response and reunification protocols, as well as utilizing the provided trainings. All members voted in favor of the new crisis plan.
Wellness Policy
The board reviewed its triennial local wellness assessment. The district received a 2.77/3 score on its local wellness policy triennial assessment report card from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The district received overall good marks on nutrition standards, nutrition education and physical education.
The district received a comprehensiveness score of 88/100 and a strength score 67/100 on its WellSAT assessment. The WellSAT allows school food authorities to rate the extent to which their poli-
cy contains language related to 67 policy items considered to be best practices for school wellness.
River Valley School District Pupil Services Director Claire Knoll noted that areas of improvement include strengthening wording within wellness related policies, adding policies regarding mental health, reducing caffeinated beverages sold in high school vending machines and having the wellness committee meet more often.
Resignation and Hirings
The board accepted the resignation of Nate Hunstiger, a high school English teacher. Hunstiger had been with the district for 5 years and left to pursue a career with First Tee, a youth golf organization. The board accepted the hiring of three new teachers. Simonne Starr, who is coming from Minnesota and has three years of teaching experience, was hired for middle school special education, at a starting salary of $48,500. Greg Rauls, who is coming from the North Crawford School District and has six years of teaching experience and a masters degree, has
Village of Arena Board continues discussions on police asset liquidations, hears reports on construction, wastewater commission
different police department and decommission the 2017 police vehicle to sell to the general public. The motion passed with all members in favor.
Village Construction Projects
The ongoing project for the Village’s well #2 has been facing issues with electrical due to a contractor doing unauthorized work, according to Zach Adams at MSA Professional Services, the Village’s engineering firm.
The generators for the new wellhouse and Pine Street lift station were commissioned and are currently operational.
continued on page 2
been hired for high school English, at a starting salary of $63,500. Stephanie Pulvermacher, who is coming from the Richland Center School District and has three years of teaching experience, has been hired for middle school science and math at a starting salary of $47,500.
Community Spotlight
The board recognized Kurek as this month’s recipient of the district's community spotlight. Kurek has been the district’s police resource officer for 24 years. The board thanked Kurek for his assistance and support he has provided to the district over the years.
Looking ahead
Grades 1-9 and new high school students begin school on Sept. 3, grades 10-12 and 5 year-old kindergarten begin Sept. 4, 4 year-old kindergarten begins Sept. 5 and early childhood classes begin Sept. 6.
The River Valley School District Board of Education next meets Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Library and streams to the district’s YouTube Channel.
Luukas Palm-Leis, Reporter
Luukas Palm-Leis, Reporter
The Capitol Report
Legislative study committee tackles future of UW system
The Universities of Wisconsin system, which has been rocked by financial problems and closures, is getting a major review from a legislative study committee.
The Legislative Council Study Committee on the Future of the University of Wisconsin System launched this summer with a big mission: ``examine demographic trends affecting the University of Wisconsin System (UWS) and evaluate institutional infrastructure needs based on geographic access, workforce planning, and student demand for specific areas of study. The committee is also directed to review the administrative staff needs and governance structure of the UWS, including the Board of Regents. In response to its findings, the committee shall recommend legislation to modify current statutes to address the future plans for the UWS.''
The committee's work could have a major impact on higher education in Wisconsin and help reassure prospective college students and their parents that their local campus will be there. The committee is chaired by state Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, who has a degree from UW-Parkside.
Born and raised in Kenosha County, she began her
professional career as a technology consultant and then as a senior professional in Financial Planning and Analysis for CNH Global in Racine. Her official bio describes her as "passionate about economics,'' which may come in handy in untangling the system's finances.
Other lawmakers on the study committee: Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee; Rep. Alex Joers, D-Middleton; and Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee. Other notables: Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce leader Kurt Bauer plus former regents Scott Beightol and Robert Atwell.
At a recent study committee meeting, Atwell questioned whether the closure of four branch campuses this year would actually help the universities’ financial situation.
Two additional two-year campuses are slated to close in 2025 due to enrollment challenges.
“Stop closing campuses until we have a comprehensive decision about how we’re going to invest in the future of the state,” Atwell said. “Are we going to subsidize inefficiency? Or are we going to fix, and then invest?”
Atwell, who was appointed to the Board of Regents by former GOP Gov. Scott Walker in 2017, also criticized the pay differential between UW faculty and
Race for legislative control gets serious
By WisPolitics.com
In the Assembly, it’s about control. In the Senate, it’s about setting the stage for 2026.
Insiders are watching more than a dozen fall races under new maps to see if: Republicans can keep legislative control for another two years; or if Democrats can beat the odds and seize control of the Assembly for the first time since 2010 and set the stage for a Senate takeover two years from now.
With the primaries now out of the way, the focus turns to the November elections and the races that will most likely get the most attention from the caucuses and outside groups.
In the Senate, the calculation is simple. There’s no real path for Democrats to retake the majority after going into this session down 22-11. But there are four GOP-held seats considered in play. To create a path in 2026 to flip the chamber, Democrats have to pick up at least three of those seats and defend state Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, to have a shot at the majority in two years.
In the Assembly, the puzzle is more complicated. Republicans went into this session with a 64-35 majority and are expected to see their majority
shrink under the new maps.
Longtime GOP redistricting consultant Joe Handrick rates 46 Assembly seats as “safe” or “strong” Republican. He rates 44 seats “safe,” “strong” or “lean” Democrat. That leaves nine seats that he considers the most competitive. For Republicans, keeping their majority is a matter of winning all 46 that are safe or strong GOP and winning four of the nine remaining seats. For Democrats, it’s a matter of winning the 44 safe, strong or lean seats on their side and winning six of the nine.
State Reps. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek, and Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, are now in lean Democrat seats under the new map. Meanwhile, state Rep. Loren Oldenburg, R-Viroqua, is seeking reelection to a strong Democrat seat. All three have run ahead of the top of the ticket in the past. If they can pull that off again this fall, it could create additional paths for Republicans to hold the majority.
A WisPolitics virtual event on Aug. 20 focused on the race for the Legislature. Experts on the program expect tight races and heavy spending in legislative races under new maps this fall.
faculty at peer institutions.
UW President Jay Rothman argued the campuses need more resources and questioned where the money to increase pay would come from if the state did not provide more financial support. He also presented data showing that compared to peer universities, UW — other than the Madison campus — pays assistant faculty 5% less, associate faculty 13% less and full faculty 19% less.
Presenting to the committee, Rothman highlighted decreasing enrollment numbers, financial support and public perception as current key challenges to the UW system. Total enrollment reached a peak of 156,039 students in the 2009-2010 academic year and declined to 136,643 in the 2023-2024 academic year, Legislative Fiscal Bureau fiscal analyst Erin Probst told the committee.
Rothman cited a Wisconsin Policy Forum study showing that Wisconsin currently ranks 43rd out of the 50 states in terms of public funding provided to its four-year universities and called for legislators to increase these funding levels to bring Wisconsin “up to the middle”among states.
“The universities of Wisconsin remain nationally and internationally respected, but a lack of adequate resources will eventually undermine our well-
Ex-GOP Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen and former Gov. Tony Evers aide and current GPS Impact consultant Melissa Baldauff participated in the virtual WisPolitics event.
The new legislative district lines, signed into law earlier this year — widely expected to be more favorable to Democrats — will be used for the first time in the 2024 elections. Republicans currently have wide majorities in both the Senate and the Assembly.
“Anybody who thinks that the ground is settled… has not been paying attention,” Jensen said, adding that 2024 “could match 1968” in terms of “twists of turns” during the lead-up to the elections. “This is going to be a rollercoaster ride all the way to the end.”
Baldauff and Jensen agreed the race for the Senate is a multi-cycle task for Democrats but that several races, including the 8th SD in suburban Milwaukee, are key to watch.
The 8th could set a record for Wisconsin Senate spending, upwards of $5 million on all sides, Jensen predicted. The district pits GOP Sen. Duey Stroebel against Dem Jodi Habush Sinykin.
In the Assembly, Baldauff predicted Democrats
deserved reputation for academic excellence. I spent my entire life in this state—that’s not the Wisconsin I grew up in, and it is not the recipe for long term success, in my humble opinion, for future generations of Wisconsin,” Rothman said.
Gov. Tony Evers has said he will seek an $800 million budget increase for UW in his next budget proposal.
Pointing out demographic changes in Wisconsin, including the aging population and declining birth rate, Rothman said he aimed to increase the annual number of graduates from the UW system in part to meet the demand for skilled workers.
Rothman also spoke about initiatives intended to expand access to a UW education, including the direct admit program. Beginning in fall 2025, the program would directly admit qualifying high school juniors and seniors performing at the top of their classes to 10 participating UW schools without the students needing to apply. Additionally, Rothman said he hoped to revive the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, which was a one-time program run in 2023 “covering the cost of tuition and fees for eligible undergraduate students” at all campuses except UW-Madison, according to UW’s website.
“We will need state support,” Rothman said.
could win 53 out of the 99 assembly seats, flipping the majority from Republicans to Democrats, while Jensen said he expected GOP members to keep 54 to 55 seats in the chamber.
Baldauff said she thought excitement over the new Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is helpful to downballot Democratic candidates but that a lot of success depends upon the quality of the candidate.
“After the change at the top of the ticket, [voters] were even more excited about Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, and even downballot… these young people are all about voting, they are excited to vote,” Baldauff said. “We are seeing so many candidates who are running in legislative districts around the state, who are people that have really deep roots in their community and people who are super well known, and they might actually be driving the support up.”
For more, go to www.wispolitics.com
The Capitol Report is written by the editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madisonbased news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics.
Village of Arena Board continues discussions on police asset liquidations, hears reports on construction, wastewater commission
continued from page 1
The older wellhouse, well #1, currently has outstanding rehabilitation work which needs to be scheduled.
The wellhouse projects were slated to be completed June 28, but due to the outstanding work the project completion date is undetermined.
The sewer project, which includes the lift station, had an original completion date of July 31, has also seen delays in completion. Due to the wetness of the soil in the area, restoration work has not been able to be completed.
On the cover
Dane/Iowa Wastewater Commission
Reimann gave a report regarding the Dane/Iowa Wastewater Commission. She queried the board if they would prefer to have a group or individual meetings with the other municipalities involved with the commission. Board members generally agreed group meetings would be preferred.
Reimann also reported on the commission's priority list for repairs and upgrades. The total cost for all the high priority items for the commission are $11,297,791.
The board heard that if the commission approves the list of repairs and upgrades at its August meeting, the plans are sent to the DNR for approval, project bids are slated to begin in January
Notable Quotables
(As found in the news)
of 2026 and actual construction would begin in 2027.
Reimann also noted that the projected monthly RLU rate that Dane/Iowa charges the Village per customer is expected to go up to $38. The current rate is $21.
During public comment, Paul Pustina, a village resident and former trustee, brought up his concern that there is already currently a 46.3% base rate markup that the Village is imposing on residents and businesses, who currently pay a monthly fixed sewer rate of $30.72, of which $21 goes to Dane/Iowa. Pustina continued his concerns if the Village maintains the same markup after the rate increase, the monthly fixed sewer rate would increase to $55.59.
Fire/EMS
The agenda included an item to discuss the Town of Arena signing the fire/ EMS agreement extension and to discuss dates which the Town and Village could hold a joint meeting to negotiate the new agreement(s).
Reimann shared with the board that the Town agreed to the Nov. 8 extension but that the Village is waiting to hear back on dates.
“They’re going to get back to us,” Bandell said.
“So basically, we’re kind of in a holding pattern,” Reimann said.
Looking ahead
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees is set to meet next on Sept. 3 for a regular board meeting.
“I was up there in Spring Green, Wisconsin—a super small town of 60 people. I was in this little studio apartment. No internet, no TV, barely any cell service. I was kind of clearing out my mind and sober. I wasn’t partying or anything. I was like, ‘How does food save the world?’”
—Truett
“Blaine” Bailey, as told to The Colorado Sun in “Colorado nonprofit aims to help kitchen workers cut stress, embrace healthier habits” Editors’ note: Spring Green is a super small village of 1,566 people.
"A.P.T., in its 45th season, describes itself as a language-based company, which explains why it has doubled down on idiosyncratic choices in the current theatrical landscape. One is not doing musicals. Another is eschewing mics. ...banking on the glory of the human voice is primarily an artistic decision: Nothing comes between the actors, their words and the public.” —Elisabeth Vincentelli, The New York Times in “An Unexpected Bright Spot in Theater? Look to Wisconsin.”
“Down the tracks” (2024) Photo, by Luukas Palm-Leis, Reporter
Shot from near Albany Street in Spring Green looking east in July.
OPINION/EDITORIAL
Project 2025: The Conservative Promise — Part 10: The Experts
Beverly Pestel, Columnist
Not done with Project 2025 yet – but soon, I hope…
Rachel Maddow had a segment recently with Dr. Fauci who continues to face threats from MAGA-types even after his retirement. Rachel proposed that the reason for continued threats on Dr. Fauci are based on the need of the Project 2025 crowd to attack any experts who do not agree with them. The suggestion is that truth that exists outside their ideology must be aggressively discredited if not silenced altogether.
In Part 7 I said I wasn’t going to try to count how many times Project 2025 maintains that they don’t need experts. I’ve changed my mind on that, I am going to see if what Rachel asserts is validated by what can be found in Project 2025
Just to be clear, not all experts are bad. Project 2025 maintains that it “is the product of more than 400 scholars and policy experts from across the conservative movement and around the country.” However, Project 2025 also says this: “Ruling elites slash and tear at restrictions and accountability placed on them. They centralize power up and away from the American people: …to left-wing ‘experts,’” (pg.8) OK, right-wing experts - good; left-wing expertsbad. Got it.
Well, they even go further. “When it comes to ensuring that freedom can flourish…Political appointees who are answerable to the President and have decision-making authority in the executive branch are key to this essential task. The next Administration must not cede such authority to non-partisan “experts,” who pursue their own ends while engaging in groupthink, insulated from American voters.” (pg.21) So, right-wing experts – good, left-wing experts - bad, non-partisan experts also– bad. Also, it annoys me that they keep referring to the wishes of American voters without providing any polling as to what those wishes are – any guesses as to why?
This whole business about caring about American voters is something I intended to deal with later, polling is pretty clear that American voters overwhelmingly do NOT support the policy
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proposals in Project 2025. But back to experts… This example is noteworthy. The Special Assistant to the President
Policy Council “should demonstrate a working knowledge of the rulemaking process (although they need not necessarily be experts on regulation) because a working knowledge of the rulemaking process will facilitate the DPC’s effectiveness in coordinating Administration policy.” ( pg. 39) I read this as – you don’t need to worry about what is already established policy, it doesn’t matter and it will just slow you down, just throw it out and do your own rulemaking that is in alignment with the President’s wishes. And they write the same thing about the folks in the National Economic Council. I haven’t read far enough to document other places they make the same point. Remember the part I referenced in an earlier column about tearing out the bureaucracy root and branch and rebuilding it in their image? They have to get rid of all the stuff those non-partisan experts built into the policies. What were we thinking in assuming that experts should make recommendations based on their subject-matter expertise rather than their political ideology?
OK, if you can stomach the rant about how the progressives have systematically and maliciously peopled every level of the bureaucracy with left-leaning, incompetent partisan hacks
because “they” have subject-matter expertise, read pages 70-71.
Here is just a part:
“The civil service was devised to replace the amateurism and presumed corruption of the old spoils system, wherein government jobs rewarded loyal partisans who might or might not have professional backgrounds.[Pendleton Act of 1883]…Progressives designed a merit system to promote expertise and shield bureaucrats from partisan political pressure, but it soon began to insulate civil servants from accountability.” (pg. 71) OK, but accountability to what or to whom? Project 2025 has already said multiple times that they intend to fill their new bureaucracy with those who don’t need expertise but “will be above all loyal to the President.” I don’t know how they could say it more clearly. They want the amateurism and corruption of their political hacks to rule their new bureaucracy. For them, accountability is to loyalty, not competence, and certainly not to the American public.
Project 2025 goes on to state that the merit system within the bureaucracy has led to “[c] omplying with arcane rules regarding recruiting, rating, hiring, and firing [which] simply replaced the goal of cultivating competence and expertise.” Do you hear the racial “DEI hire” mantra here?
Want to know just how serious these folks are about “cleansing” the ranks of federal workers?
On a segment of the “The Weekend” on MSNBC (June 6), Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, claimed that more than 50,000 federal employees would be summarily fired after complaining that 95 percent of government employees "give political contributions to the liberal Democratic party."
I’m not going to try to claim that there has never been a person hired into a bureaucratic position that didn’t deserve to be fired. However, researching and exposing political contributions and using it as an excuse to replace virtually every federal employee with a right-wing political lackey is about as un-American as it gets.
Just one more of the Project 2025 references to experts before I put this column to bed.
“The National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board…convened to advise the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), endorsed the joint policy… Congress must enact laws permitting the BLM to dispose humanely of these animals.” (pg. 528-9)
According to the BLM website: “The BLM uses multiple humane, non-lethal tools to maintain balance and support healthy herds of wild horses and burros on healthy public lands.” Since March 2023, the BLM removed 11,784 animals from overpopulated herds and offered them for adoption to qualified homes. Since then, BLM has placed 7,887 animals into private care through adoptions, sales and transfers. Between 2020 and 2023, the BLM removed about 50,000 wild horses and burros. This compares to about 27,000 animals that were removed in the prior four years, 2016-2019.”
Well, that is probably more than you needed and wanted to know about wild horses and burros – but, what do you suspect the Project 2025 writers have in mind when they say, “dispose humanely of these animals”? Does the word “dispose” suggest anything to you?
I haven’t read anything in Project 2025 that implies that “humanely” is a word that has meaning to them in any context.
Meanwhile back on Earth 1 – Kamala is Brat and Tim Walz is Midwest Princess - both exuding smiles and joy. I really need to do some research on the cultural movements of the Millennial and GenZers. I had to ask the GenZers about Brat a couple weeks ago, now I need to find those two gals and ask what “Midwest Princess” is all about. This is fun, huh? I may have to order a hat and share the joy.
If you want to fact check me as I go through this, here is a link so you can read it for yourself: tinyurl.com/ReadProject2025
Beverly is a retired professor. She lives in a remodeled farmhouse and tends 40 acres of woodland in Richland County. When not in the woods she spends her time reading, writing and enjoying the beauty of the Driftless Area. Beverly may be contacted at bpestel@msn. com.
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From time to time the editorial board may select letters to the editor of a particular compelling community interest where a public figure or accountable public action is the recipient of crit- icism and allow, in the same issue, the subject of the criticism chance for rebuttal, with expounded independent input. The format shall be point, counterpoint and expert analysis. This community discussion shall serve as a moderated dialogue that presents multiple views of important community topics.
Beverly Pestel
Thursday,August 22
COmmunitycalendar
COmmunitycalendar
The Community Calendar is curated and designed by Julianna Williams. Events are subject to change, always check ahead for up-to-date information on any events you are interested in.
Events for August 22 - September 5
Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM • Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green • springgreengeneralstore.com • FREE • -The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome.
Tech Help 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain • kraemerlibrary.org rvbroadband.org/techhelp • Come on in with any devices or technology you need help with! No appointment necessary.
Lone Rock Farmers Market 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Located at the Center Park on Hwy 130, across from the Lone Rock Community Building. • For more information look up Lone Rock Farmers Market on Facebook • Lone Rock Farmers Market. Opening Market! Located at the Center Park on Hwy 130, across from the Lone Rock Community Building. Food trucks welcome and home gardeners bring your overstock veggies! Vendor fee is $10. pre-registration not required.
LIVE MUSIC: Randy & Flo Stars Entertainment Band at Local Night 5:30 PM7:30 PM • Post House Garden, 119 E Jefferson St, Spring Green • For more information look up The Shed on Facebook Come to the patio for some great music, delicious food, and ice cold drinks! Music 5:30-7:30, with food served from 4-8. Drinks will be flowing!
Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St Spring Green • ninasdepartmentstore.com • FREE • Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm.
Midsummer Music: Paul and Doug 6:00 PM • American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org • Most weekdays June through August, live acoustic music plays on the grounds!
Brian Reisinger: 'Land Rich, Cash Poor' in Conversation with Daniel Smith 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM • Arcadia Books, 102 E Jefferson St, Spring Green • readinutopia.com/events • FREE • Join Brian Reisinger and Daniel Smith for a discussion on the state of modern farming. Reisinger’s book explores the economic and cultural crises threatening American farmers. Smith, a poet and agribusiness executive, shares insights from his experience on a multi-generational farm and work in agricultural development.
Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St Spring Green • ninasdepartmentstore.com • FREE • Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm.
Evenings Afield: Boosting Biodiversity on Farms 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Twin Crix Farm, 6679 WI-23, Spring Green • driftlessconservancy.org • Learn how we can improve the health of our farm landscapes by increasing biodiversity with edge of field conservation practices, agroforestry, and many other ideas.
SOLD OUT: LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session 323: Eddie 9V 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 • For three decades, Mama Digdown's has traveled the world spreading the gospel of New Orleans music. Mama Digdown's respectively embraces the craft and tradition of New Orleans brass band music and the infectious vibe they bring to the stage has earned them the reputation as one of the most exciting brass bands on the scene today.
Friday, August 23
Karaoke 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM • Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com • Join us the fourth Friday of every month for a night of Karaoke at Slowpoke. Janna Johnson hosts this night for the community to come together in song. Take a chance and come up on stage, or just cheer on your friends. We’ll get star ted around 8:00, and go until last call. That could be as early as 10:00 or as late as 2:00am. It all depends on you! No cover, but tips for our host are always welcome.
Saturday, August 24
Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM • Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena • For more information look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook • Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.
Spring Green Farmers Market 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM • S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • Spring Green Farmers Market Is a year-round outdoor market offering seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods and many other wonderful items. Held outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning.
Summer Foraging with Abbie Lehman - Riverview Terrace Field School 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM • Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center 5607 County Road C, Spring Green • taliesinpreservation.org • $10 per person, ages 10+ • Join Field School Kitchen Gardener, Abbie Lehman, as we explore the abundant bounty of the Driftless, learning to identify wild edibles on Phoebe Point trail. This event is open to all skill and knowledge levels! Located on the Taliesin property, Phoebe Point Trail is a moderate, 1.1 mile trail, with views of the Wisconsin River. Please arrive at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center by 9:30 AM. The shuttle bus will depart from the Visitor Center at 9:45 AM. Talk, hike, and forage until 11:45 AM.
APT: Inside Out Tour – Stair-Free Option 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM • American Players Theatre 5950 Golf Course Rd Spring Green springgreen.com • $15 or free w APT insider card. A less rugged alternative to the popular Inside Out Tour, this modified two-hour walking tour includes most areas on the regular tour but skips the second floor of our production facility, and offers a shuttle ride to the Touchstone Theatre and to the Hill Theatre. Please note, this is still a walking tour. You will need to be comfortable with a half-mile walk, and nearly two hours of standing.
Play Talks: King Lear 12:00 PM • American Players Theater, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org Must attend show prior to. Afer the performance for a candid 20-minute post-show conversation with the actors involved with the play.
LIVE MUSIC: Psycherelic 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 outside on the River stage!
Sunday, August 25
Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM • Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena • For more information look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook • Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.
APT: Sunday Salon 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM • Post House Garden, 119 East Jefferson Street, Spring Green americanplayers.org Free | No tickets required Select Sundays bring the opportunity to chat with APT leadership at Sunday Salons! Visit downtown Spring Green for a free-wheeling chat about whatever might be on your mind.
LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic RIver on the River Stage 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM • Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the River stage!
BOOK READING: Marcia Bjornerud "Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks" 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Arcadia Books, 102 E Jefferson St, Spring Green • readinutopia.com/events • FREE • Professor Bjornerud will be speaking about her newest book, Turning To Stone Turning To Stone. From 3:30-5, she will be available to sign books and talk one-on-one. We hope you'll join!
River Valley Film Club Presents... 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green For more information look up River Valley Film Club on Facebook • Join us once a month on Sundays (and occasional Mondays) as we screen a movie selected by the River Valley Film Club. Movie titles remain under wraps until showtime, so follow RVFC on Facebook for details. Come 30 minutes before showtime to grab a drink and meet fellow movie-lovers. Bring your own popcorn (or dinner).
Monday, August 26
Open Mic 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM • Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com • No cover, but tips for our host are always welcome! Join us the fourth Monday of every month for an Open Mic, hosted by Dylan Harris. We’ve got the mics, the plug-ins, the piano - you bring the music! Whether you want to play solo, sing to a back up, or get the band together, this is the place. So come on out and show your stuff, or just support the folks on stage. Either way, we’re making music together!
Wednesday, August 28
All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM • Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Our theme this week is Everything School: Starting School, different kinds of schools, unusual creatures in school, amazing things to learn, so much to look forward to! Is your little one fidgety or noisy? No worries! We welcome active participants too, and have quiet toys and room to wiggle while "listening."
Book Discussion 2:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Every Fourth Wednesday at 2pm, join for a cup of coffee, snack, and a chat about this month's selection. The book is available at the Library a month before the discussion. August: "Romantic Comedy" by Curtis Sittenfeld.
Midsummer Music: Still Strummin’ 6:00 PM • American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org • Most weekdays June through August, live acoustic music plays on the grounds!
Talk Backs: Dancing at Lughnasa After the showing of the play at 8:00 PM • American Players Theater, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org Stick around afer the performance for a candid 20-minute post-show conversation with the actors intimately involved with the play.
Thursday, August 29
Silvopasture & Soil Walk 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM • Savanna Institute, North Farm, E6856 WI-60 Trunk, Spring Green savannainstitute.org Join Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department and The Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership for an informative Silvopasture Walk. Learn about silvopasture practices and soil health at The Savanna Institute's North Farm in Spring Green. Topics will cover silvopasture by addition, grazing infrastructure, associated soil health benefits, financial resources for implementation, and much more!
Storytime 10:30 AM • Lone Rock Community Library, 234 N Broadway St, Lone Rock lonerocklibrary.wordpress.com Join us every Thursday for storytime!
Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM • Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green • springgreengeneralstore.com • FREE • The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome.
Lone Rock Farmers Market 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Located at the Center Park on Hwy 130, across from the Lone Rock Community Building. • For more information look up Lone Rock Farmers Market on Facebook • Lone Rock Farmers Market. Opening Market! Located at the Center Park on Hwy 130, across from the Lone Rock Community Building. Food trucks welcome and home gardeners bring your overstock veggies! Vendor fee is $10. pre-registration not required.
LIVE MUSIC: Sugar Mama & The Rent Check at Local Night 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Post House Garden, 119 E Jefferson St, Spring Green • For more information look up The Shed on Facebook • Come to the patio for some great music, delicious food, and ice cold drinks! Stay tuned for updates on music lineup as they continue to book local talent! Music will be 5:30-7:30, with food being served from 4-8. Drinks will be flowing!
Midsummer Music: Doug Brown / Maureen McCarty Duo 6:00 PM • American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green • americanplayers.org • Most weekdays June through August, live acoustic music plays on the grounds!
Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St Spring Green • ninasdepartmentstore.com FREE Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm.
LIVE MUSIC — Sh*tty Barn Session 324: Joe Policastro Trio // Mr. Chair 7:00 PM • 506 E Madison St, Spring Green • shittybarnsessions.com Doors open at 6 Tickets are $20 While firmly rooted in jazz, the Joe Policastro Trio’s open-minded, inclusive nature draws upon a wide array of musical styles and sources while still keeping the aesthetic of an acoustic trio intact. Mr. Chair looks like a jazz combo, enchants like a string quartet, and electrifies like a rock band, all while delighting listeners with their fresh and authentic sound. As classically-trained musicians well-versed in jazz, electronics, prog rock, world music and beyond, Mr. Chair is a contemporary fusion ensemble for music fans of all backgrounds. Their sound palette is diverse, and used to tell stories in styles cinematic, surreal, romantic, funky, and whimsical.
Events for August 22 - September 5
Saturday, August 31
Yoga at the Library 7:30 AM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • ruralremedy.com • Before the Farmer’s Market, come to the yard at the side of the Library for a free hour of yoga led by Emily Benz of Rural Remedy! Beginners and all ages welcome. Mats are available as well.
Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM • Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena • For more information look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook • Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.
Spring Green Farmers Market 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM • S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • Spring Green Farmers Market Is a year-round outdoor market offering seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods and many other wonderful items. Held outside the Spring Green Community Public Library every Saturday morning.
LIVE MUSIC: Retrobus on the River Stage 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the River stage!
Sunday, September 1
Heck’s Vendor/Flea Market 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM • Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 US Highway 14, Arena • For more information look up Heck’s Farm Market on Facebook • Various types of vendors to shop every Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting. Vendors must contact Heck’s Farm Market for free registration.
APT: Sunday Salon 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM • Post House Garden, 119 East Jefferson Street, Spring Green americanplayers.org Free | No tickets required Select Sundays bring the opportunity to chat with APT leadership at Sunday Salons! Visit downtown Spring Green for a free-wheeling chat about whatever might be on your mind.
Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Wyoming Valley School Tours 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM • Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23, Spring Green wyomingvalleyschool.org Tour is 60 minutes Adults: $20 Children under 15 are free Discover the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Art Center and enjoy a remarkable and immersive experience in this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed space, the only elementary school ever designed by FLLW. During the 60-minute tour, you will be accompanied by a highly knowledgeable guide. This tour is perfect for those who enjoy interactive learning in a small group setting, where you can ask questions, discuss, and learn. You will have the opportunity to explore all the indoor and outdoor spaces of the building.
LIVE MUSIC: Just Merl & A Girl on the River Stage 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM • Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the River stage!
LIVE MUSIC: Open Old Timey Jam 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM • White Oak Savanna, 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville • whiteoaksavanna.com Held rain or shine as event will be in a shelter - most will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes.
Arena Manor Open House 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM • Former Arena Elementary School, Memorabilia room, 314 Willow Street, Arena • For more info look up Arena Historians on Facebook • A tour of Arena Manor will be available, along with refreshments.
LIVE MUSIC: 3 Souls on the River Stage 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green wiriversideresort.com Warm weather, cold cocktails, and great live music! Join us outside on the River stage! Fireworks at dusk!
Rural Musicians Forum Summer Concert Series Awful Purdies 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Hwy 23, Spring Green • ruralmusiciansforum.org • Ticketed event - bring a picnic. Outdoor venue • This Folk-Americana collective of multi-instrumental women will entertain with harmonies, humor and insight.
LIVE MUSIC: Don & Scott on the River Stage 12:00 PM - 3:00 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!
Yarn Rocks! 5:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org Come to the Library on the first and third Tuesday of the month to meet fellow knitters in the community; come for help; come to learn new skills or brush up on current skills; come to get out of the house for a few hours; come for the health benefits.
All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM • Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Share stories, songs and crafts with library friends. Is your little one fidgety or noisy? No worries! We have quiet toys so busy bodies can listen to stories and wiggle at the same time!
Stitch and Bitch 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM • Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St. Spring Green • springgreengeneralstore.com • FREE • The Spring Green General Store’s Stitch and Bitch handwork group meets Thursday afternoons weekly. All are welcome.
Tech Drop-In 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org • Whether you're grappling with setting up email accounts, navigating social media platforms, or troubleshooting software issues, knowledgeable volunteers or library staff will be on hand to lend a helping hand.
Creative Writing Workshop: Planning Your Novel or Memoir 3:00 PM • Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center, 5607 County Rd C, Spring Green • taliesinpreservation.org • $1,800 • This multi-day workshop, led by award-winning author Geoff Herbach, focuses on developing key scenes and understanding novel or memoir structures. The workshop runs from September 5th at 3:00 PM to September 8th at 4:00 PM. Participants will enjoy an immersive experience at Taliesin, including a tour, welcome reception, and evening lecture. Housing, breakfast, and lunch are included. Registration required.
Lone Rock Farmers Market 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Located at the Center Park on Hwy 130, across from the Lone Rock Community Building. • For more information look up Lone Rock Farmers Market on Facebook • Lone Rock Farmers Market. Opening Market! Located at the Center Park on Hwy 130, across from the Lone Rock Community Building. Food trucks welcome and home gardeners bring your overstock veggies! Vendor fee is $10. pre-registration not required.
LIVE MUSIC: Don Greenwood at Local Night 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Post House Garden, 119 E Jefferson St, Spring Green • For more information look up The Shed on Facebook • Come to the patio for some great music, delicious food, and ice cold drinks! Stay tuned for updates on music lineup as they continue to book local talent! Music will be 5:30-7:30, with food being served from 4-8. Drinks will be flowing!
Hillside Lecture: "Organic Architecture in Storytelling" 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM • Taliesin Hillside Theater, 6604 Hwy 23 Trunk, Spring Green • taliesinpreservation.org • FREE • Doors open at 5:15 PM • Geoff Herbach, an award-winning author, will discuss Frank Lloyd Wright's concept of organic architecture and how it can be applied to storytelling. Herbach will explore how understanding genre expectations and intentional structure can maximize the impact of stories. Registration required.
Knit Night at Nina’s 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Nina’s Department Store, 143 E. Jefferson St Spring Green • ninasdepartmentstore.com • FREE • Every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome. Store closed after 5:30 pm
CIVICS & SERVICES
CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR
This calendar is a place listing (for free) the typical meeting dates for area governmental bodies, and Please email us with these meetings, or use the form on our Community Calendar page — let's build community together: editor@valleysentinelnews.com
September 3: Plain LIONS Meeting 7:00 PM 510 Main Street, Plain villageofplain.com
Arena Village Board Meeting 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Village Hall, 345 West Street, Arena • villageofarena.net
River Valley School District First Day of School: Grade 9 and all new high school students X:00 AM River Valley High School, 660 Varsity Blvd, Spring Green • rvschools.org
River Valley School District First Day of School: Grades 5-8 River Valley Middle School, 660 Daley St, Spring Green • rvschools.org
River Valley School District First Day of School: Grades 1-4 River Valley Elementary School, E830 W. Daley Street, Spring Green • rvschools.org
September 4:
River Valley School District First Day of School: Grades 10-12 (except all new high school students) River Valley High School, 660 Varsity Blvd, Spring Green • rvschools.org
River Valley School District First Day of School: 5 Year Old Kindergarten River Valley Early Learning Center, 1370 Cherry St, Plain • rvschools.org
September 5:
River Valley School District First Day of School: 4 Year Old Kindergarten River Valley Early Learning Center, 1370 Cherry St, Plain • rvschools.org
September 6:
River Valley School District First Day of School: Early Childhood River Valley Early Learning Center, 1370 Cherry St, Plain • rvschools.org
WHAT’S HANGINg ?
ongoing art exhibitions
Spring Green Community Library Art Exhibitions Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green Monday-Thursday: 10 AM - 7 PM • Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM • Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM Through August. New local exhibitors each month. Aris Georges’ Archifitti Exhibition is in the Community Room Gallery throughout August. Georges lives and works in Spring Green where he was initially transplanted in 1987, as a student at Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. After he completed the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Taliesin, he stayed at the school where he taught for a couple of decades. Since 2015, he founded his studio OMstudio Design and lives year-round in Spring Green. His primary focus is to design custom homes for Seattle’s Lindal Cedar Homes company. His exhibit is available for viewing during regular library hours when the Community Room is not in use. Please ask for the key at the circulation desk.
BillieJo Scharfenberg is the artist and dreamer behind Angel Dreams Studios who will be showing her art in the Glass Case Gallery. BillieJo is a creator, teacher, and mentor for those of all ages and abilities. After high school, BillieJo ventured out East, spending over 20 years in New England, learning and refining her skills. BillieJo studied fine arts while in New England and that is where she discovered her passion for stained glass. Since returning to Wisconsin almost a decade ago, BillieJo has made major efforts to involve youth in art, including offering art groups for homeschooled youth. And now, she has a studio of her very own not only to create but to share her passion with others Her exhibit can be viewed at any time during regular library hours.
Watch what they did, not what they said
The Driftless Area’s rivers and streams are great for fishing, canoeing, wildlife, enjoying the outdoors, and tourism.
The Trump Administration’s EPA rolled back protections for clean water, putting these areas more at risk.
The Sauk County Gardener
Planting for Fall Harvest
Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener
“Last night we had three small zucchini for dinner that were grown within fifty feet of our back door. I estimate they cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $371.49 each."
— Andy Rooney
This past weekend I had the opportunity to really work in my vegetable garden. I pulled the garlic and onions and now have them curing on a covered screen. I have to cure them if I plan to store them for the winter. If you’ve never cured onions before, here's a quick run-down. First, remove the dirt and withered leaves. Next, dry out the roots by laying your onions in a single layer away from direct sunlight. Provide good air circulation so their outer skins can dry. Once the green tops have dried completely and the necks have closed up, the onions are cured. Cut off the tops and trim the roots if necessary. Also inspect your onions for any damage; use
the damaged ones first. Finally store them in a dark, cool place or hang them in mesh bags. Curing garlic is very similar. The entire process can take anywhere from two weeks to a month or so, depending on the humidity and if we get rain. I also cut down my peas as they were done producing and had developed powdery mildew. Unfortunately, my delicata and butternut squash and cantaloupe also have powdery mildew. I’m going to try and treat them with a solution of 1 part milk to 2-3 parts water and hopefully hold off having the entire plants killed off before I really can harvest anything. The vines with powdery mildew won’t go into my compost pile though as that just encourages more powdery mildew next year when I use that compost. I’m fortunate that we have enough space that I can create smaller piles of diseased plants that never get used after they decompose. My beans are
Last August Flowering Gardening Tasks
“August is ripening grain in the fields… Vivid dahlias fling huge, tousled blossoms through gardens and joe-pye-weed dusts the meadow purple.”
— Jean Hersey
The cooler mornings we have been enjoying these past couple days remind me that fall is coming and there are some flower garden tasks I need to take care of. Here’s just a few tasks that make sense to do in August. Take time to do a good assessment of your perennial beds to determine what plants need to be moved or given away next year. I’ve been assessing my front flowerbed as I have redone it twice and I’m still not happy with it. Unfortunately, it means my husband will have to move some overgrown and crowded shrubs. It’s also time to cut back any perennials that have stopped blooming to neaten up my yard. I’ll leave some that’ll provide seeds such as coneflowers (Echina-
cea) or will provide winter interest. I’ll also continue to deadhead my blooming flowers to extend their bloom time – zinnias and daylilies in particular come to mind. For those one-time bloomers, I’ll deadhead them as well to improve their appearance and to allow them to put their energy back into the plant itself to improve its vigor. Remove seed pods from any vigorous reseeders that you don’t want to have show up everywhere in next year’s garden. Once you’ve tidied up, you can add some fall color. Plants to consider are aster, flowering kale, chrysanthemums, and pansies. Keep in mind any mums you plant in your garden at this time of year will most likely not overwinter as they won’t have enough time to establish a good root system. At the end of last fall, I put the two from my front porch in my semi-heated greenhouse to overwinter them. One survived and I planted it in my garden this year. I’m hoping that
Wandering the Driftless
Most avid fishermen and fisherwomen in our corner of the Badger State have heard about, or experienced, the fishing on the Mississippi River. The river forms our western border and is a huge, somewhat intimidating, body of water. Beyond the normal recreational boat traffic, there are barges moving up and down the river, locks and dams to deal with and state and federal regulations that are unique and somewhat confusing.
The Mississippi River in Wisconsin boasts some of the best fishing in the country. The spring walleye bite draws anglers from across the country, as soon as the ice leaves the river. This is followed by spring perch fishing that produces some very nice fish, in good numbers. These species can be found all year long, but are concentrated during their spawning runs in the spring. The river also supports great populations of other game fish and panfish. There is no closed season on game fish or panfish on our portion of the Mississippi River.
I admit that I would rather fish for panfish,
than larger, harder-fighting, game fish species. The action (fish catching) is far more consistent. The methods used are generally more relaxing for the people involved, allowing for conversation and good-natured insults. The big reward comes in the form of a great meal of panfish filets. Perch, bluegills and crappies are among the best table-fare that may be shared with family and friends.
I was joined by two friends, recently, on a trip to the big river. We were targeting summer bluegills. Following a brief search, we found a spot that contained a good number of hungry gills. We fished a sharp drop-off that went from shore to ten feet of water. We used a small section of night crawler for bait. Each of us used different types of gear. Drop-shots, small jigs, spring bobbers, slip bobbers and hook and split-shot rigs all produced fish. We ended up with more than thirty good-sized bluegills in the cooler.
Fishing the Mississippi River is a bit more complicated than the experience on an inland body of water. Since the river is a federally controlled body of water, there are a few more
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essentially all gone due to the bunnies. With these onions, garlic, peas and beans now removed, I have some open real estate in my garden. This is great as I want to plant some vegetables to extend my garden season. Here are some you can plant now for a fall harvest: beets, carrots, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens and turnips. You can also plant seedlings of cabbage and broccoli. The easiest things to plant are all kinds of lettuce mixes, bok choy, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, radishes and green onions. Some of these plants are frost-tolerant and some even taste better after a frost or two.
If you plan to direct sow, the key is to select crops with short maturity days, so your plants have time to mature for harvesting. In Baraboo, the first anticipated fall frost is September 30th – that’s about seven more weeks of growing time or 49 days. By using row covers, I can potential-
it will survive this year’s winter as it had an entire season to establish its root system. This is also a great time to take cuttings from coleus. Simply, look for stems 4-6 inches long and cut the stem right above a leaf node. Remove all the extra leaves, leaving only the top set of four leaves. Next, place the coleus cuttings in a glass jar of water. Place it in a location with bright, indirect sunlight with a temp between 60 to 75 degrees. Rooting should take 3-4 weeks and the coleus will be ready to plant when the roots are 1-2 inches long. Plant the coleus in a 3-4 inch pot of premoistened potting mix so the roots are at least an inch below the soil. Tend to your new plant throughout the winter and you’ll have a good start on next year’s plants.
You can also take cuttings of your geraniums. This is a great way to save some of your favorites, especially if you don’t have a place to overwinter your existing plants (or have
ly extend my outdoor growing season a little longer as well. It’s recommended to add 2-3 weeks to the maturing time noted on seed packets to allow for shorter, cooler days as well.
If you plan to use a bed that had a summer crop in it earlier in the season, you want to amend your soil with compost. Also, you’ll want to choose a location that gets the most sun. As the days will be cooling off, you can plant your leafy greens in the sun without worrying about them bolting quickly.
There are a few vegetables that I’m going to push the limits with and hopefully get some produce from before the plants freeze. One of those plants is zucchini –last night I planted some with a 45-day maturity. Unfortunately, I have difficulty growing zucchini and need a lot for a family relish recipe that I was hoping to can to this year. I hope my gamble pays off.
been unsuccessful with the overwintering process). Break off 3-4” long pieces and remove all the lower leaves, leaving only the top 3-4 leaves. Allow the end to dry a day, then dip the end in rooting hormone and put the stem in wet sand or sterile organic potting soil. Keep the cutting moist by spritzing with water daily (do not cover). In about 3 weeks, you’ll have new plants that you can transplant into a larger container(s). Next spring you’ll have geraniums to plant outside.
This Saturday, August 24, the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association will hold their annual tomato tasting event. From 10 am to noon, come to the Baraboo Civic Center, taste and select your favorite tomatoes grown by local master gardeners. You’ll also get to hear about fellow gardeners’ growing successes and challenges. If you love tomatoes, plan to attend this fun event. You can find full details on the SCMGA’s facebook.
rules that need to be followed. You need to carry a paper copy of your fishing license, as federal wardens are not equipped with the electronics that Wisconsin wardens are. If your boat is equipped with a wristband that shuts the motor off should you fall overboard, it MUST be worn while moving on the river. You must also have a visual distress signal on board. Check a copy of Wisconsin boating regulations for details.
We also share the river with our neighbors in Minnesota and Iowa, further complicating things. The navigation channel is the border between states. This is marked with green and red buoys. Red buoys are on the right side of the channel while heading upstream, green buoys on the left. When fishing in Wisconsin waters you are allowed to fish with three rods. Two are allowed in Iowa waters and a single rod may only be used in Minnesota waters.
The Wisconsin Fishing Regulations have two different sections for regulations pertaining to Wisconsin’s shared waters with Iowa and Minnesota. In our shared waters with Iowa
you are allowed 25 bluegills, 25 perch and 25 crappies each day. The daily bag limit in Wisconsin-Minnesota waters 15 of each species. If your fishing adventure has you crossing the extended border between Iowa and Minnesota, it is best to play it safe and stop fishing when you have reached the Minnesota (lower) limit. The panfish limit on most inland lakes is 25 panfish combined (bluegills + perch + crappies). There is no shortage of boat landings along the river. Some charge a small launching fee while others are free. Be sure that your boat is in good working order and properly equipped prior to heading west. Even if the fish are not biting, you will be treated to some of the best scenery that the Driftless Area has to offer.
John Cler is a retired High School Science Teacher and Principal residing in Richland Center. He is an avid hunter, trapper, fisher and nature nut. He currently chairs the Richland County Deer Advisory Council and the Richland County Delegation of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.
John Cler, Columnist
Looking for a Fish Fry? Go West, Young Man (or Woman)!
Photo contributed by John Cler Jerry Lynch (L) and Scott Puls (R) of the Richland Center area with the beginning of a great fish fry.
Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener
An Outdoorsman’s Journal
Mark Walters, Columnist
Hello friends,
This week I am writing my annual column about hobby farming/ independent living and how engrained it is in my way of life. Shortly I after I write this column I will be loading the pups into the GMC Hotel and heading to the Montana mountains to spend a few days camping, hiking, and ATVing, with my daughter Selina who is a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The entire 35 years that I have been writing this column, I have heated my house with wood, grown a garden that would make my friends, the Mennonites, and Amish proud, and harvested enough fish and game to give my body and brain the energy it requires to keep plowing through life.
This summer, at least until midJuly gardening was a challenge as it simply was too wet and cold. As often happens persistence and a good plan is paying off and this week I made my first 18-quart batch of chili. I freeze in the chili in 1 quart bags and between now and next August the 5 Nescro’s (90 quarts) will be very real and simple food for myself and Selina as well as friends and neighbors.
This first batch (which is going to Selina) is almost entirely grown from 7 different types of peppers, tomatoes, onions, and corn grown in my gardens and given protein with bear, venison, and elk meat. This is also the corn growing season and I grow four crops of which the final one will be ready in mid-September. I freeze one person servings all the way up to one gallon bags and it is another staple in my life.
Potatoes, squash and onions are a must and I grow about 400-pounds of Yukon Golds and Norland Reds with my goal each year being that I have enough until the next year’s harvest.
Heating with wood, it kicks my behind sometimes as in dropping large oak trees, hauling, splitting and stacking. But I am addicted to it and it is very cool when I walk in my house at the end of the day in the winter which is generally about 8:00 at night, open a can of beer and just relax in front of my woodstove right in my living room. I am 63 and have lived a hard life but I attribute at least in part, wood heat and soaking in the bathtub every night, the reason that I have zero pain in my body unless it is from a recent injury.
I raise 3 steers each year and sell them to friends when they are ready for slaughter. In the cold season they reside in my gardens which is probably the main reason that I have very healthy yields. To be honest, I do not make a dime raising cattle and right now in the last month of this groups lives, it costs me $500 per month to feed them.
When they are young, my feed expenses are about $200 per month.
I raise cattle for the garden and as a way of saving money for my retirement plan, just as importantly, I have always wanted to be a rancher and in my simple mindset, having some cattle helps me to feel like I am meeting that goal.
The pond, or should I say “Lake Matilda” which I named after my girlfriend Michelle Chiaro who passed away 26 months ago. I have been working on that project for 15 months and like so many parts of my life, it absorbs me in thought, action and financially. Lake Matilda is 15 paces out my front door, a direct view from my living room and bedroom and literally a dream come true. I planted fatheads’ “minnows” in it in April, bluegill in May and now I have some unfortunate news. The bluegill of which some of them are over 9-inches are biting me when I swim, and I am serious when I say it hurts. There are about 35 gills and in September I am purchasing about 100-perch, which do not bite. The gills are going to be caught and consumed, when they bite, it hurts, and I am putting a stop to that before there are a thousand in the pond.
This time of the year, when I am home. I am outside until between 10 and midnight, I end the outside experience sitting on lawn chair, by a fire and looking at the pond with Ruby and Red by my side.
Time to load the truck and head to Montana!
Sunset
Photo contributed by Mark Walters Ruby wih a very healthy tomato plant grown in Walters’ garden.
Farm Living is the Life for Me
Photo contributed by Mark Walters One of the calves in Mark Walters next group.
Photo contributed by Mark Walters Mark Walters chili operation.
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!
