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Spring Green band Violet Palms announce release show for debut album 'Compassion Fatigue' Band announces two opportunities to see them perform, Valley Sentinel reviews album

Spring Green-based alt-rock band Violet Palms will be launching their new album Compassion Fatigue during a special performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11 at the Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret (137 W Jefferson St, Spring Green). The event will be opened by music from Alys and the Ark. Slowpoke suggests that attendees donate $5-10 to help support live music from homegrown artists.

Marcus Truschinski, lead singer of Violet Palms, told us that the band emerged from him and guitarist Ben Feiner writing songs at his kitchen table late into the night working on their other band, Big Wing — which has a large format consisting of nearly two dozen members and is currently on hiatus while focusing on Violet Palms. Later Truschinski and Feiner were joined by

music engineer Michael Mertens on drums, Tim Gittings—who, along with Truschinski, is an actor at American Players Theater—on bass, and Craig Benzine—who is lead singer and guitarist

of Driftless Pony Club, as well as the popular YouTuber “WheezyWaiter”—on guitar. Every member of Violet Palms is from Spring Green, with the exception of Benzine, who lives in Madison.

Savor the River Valley and Cates Family Farm to host 'Open Farm Day' Sept. 17

What do farming and fishing have to do with one another? Find out during an Open Farm Day at Cates Family Farm.

Cates Family Farm will be open Sunday, September 17, from 1-3 p.m. Visitors can learn how the Cates family is raising grassfed beef in a way that protects the Class 1 trout stream running through their farm.

You can also watch a fish biologist scoop colorful native trout from Lowry Creek. Then take a haywagon ride through the farm to learn how the rolling pastures have been restored and managed to nourish the cows while protecting the soil and water. The day also includes a tour of the scenic barn and a sample of delicious summer sausage made with Cates beef.

Cates Family Farm is located at 5992 County Highway T in Spring Green.

This event is sponsored by Savor the River Valley. Savor is a grass-roots initiative of 40+ farmers, food processors, food retailers and restaurants in the River Valley. Savor’s mission is to increase the visibility of these businesses to the public and to connect food businesses to one

Violet Palms debuted their first single “Anything Can Happen” on August 25, following that up with another single “All This Joy Has Made You Dull” on September 1.

Violet Palms is heavily influenced by late-90s and early-2000s rock bands like The Strokes and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, while still retaining a modern edge.

“While we were working on Big Wing stuff, Ben approached me with a song that didn’t quite fit that style called ‘Inevitable’ that was very Strokes-like. We both really looove that band. They really are the heaviest influence on Violet Palms,” said Truschinski. “Ben really loves John Frusciante of the Chili Peppers, too, so that really features into our songs, harmony and melody-wise.”

Looking for a place to put that style, Violet Palms was born.

Violet Palms played their first live show in early 2022 when business

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another for support and solutions to common problems.

Tours begin at 1:30. This is a free, familyfriendly afternoon; however registration is required.

To register for this free event, please go to www.savortherivervalley.org/events. For more information, contact savor@ savortherivervalley.org.

September

2023 | Vol. 4, No. 16

Thursday,

FREE , Single-Copy

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Violet Palms announces album release, shows

Community

Calendar: live music, farmers markets and more

New Pestel column: Public Education

1, 10

Pages 6, 7, 8

Pages 3, 4

Alex Prochaska, Editorial Intern Photo by Rob Steffen Spring Green band Violet Palms at Slowpoke Lounge. Pictured, from left, is Craig Benzine, Ben Feiner, Marcus Truschinski, Michael Mertens and Tim Gittings. Patti Peltier, Savor the River Valley

The (not so) Plain and Simple Correspondent: River Valley Commons

Katie Green, Columnist

There is nothing precisely common about the River Valley Commons or its originator, Stefanie or “Stef” Morill, as she prefers to be called. While most of us in the herd of humanity plod along in a quiet groove, content to be cogs in the wheel, others chafe in that groove or never climb into it in the first place.

Over many generations the River Valley has attracted folks with energy, ambition, courage, organizational skills, and the ability to innovate. Only consider Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright and other noted local architects, APT, the vibrant arts community, and our famous groundbreaking organic agriculture. Stef Morill fits comfortably among that contingent who sprinkle a welcome bit of pixie dust over the scene.

happened. Joshua died. By then they were involved in the community and Stef, widowed at age 47, decided to stay on in a place that was obviously a good fit.

To rise above personal tragedy, she plunged into the work of forming the River Valley Commons, a not-for-profit foundation with multiple goals. An early focus was the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund, whereby one could contribute to people who need an economic boost during the COVID lockdown time. She said that “has morphed over time” to be largely taken over by St. Vincent de Paul and other philanthropic organizations with a long track record.

As in every generation in the great river of beings, change happens constantly and societies require change to remain relevant and healthy. Stef has the gift to perceive evolving needs that still need filling to improve the quality of life for all in her community, and acting upon it has taken a variety of forms.

She has lived in the River Valley since 2013, making her a relative newcomer. Originally from the Buffalo, New York area, she and her husband Joshua came to Madison, enjoyed the intellectual and artistic amenities of our capital city for seventeen years, and then made the progression westward many do after being introduced to similar enticements on a miniature scale in the Spring Green area. They drifted to the Driftless. There in a smaller population they could make a larger contribution. Then the unexpected

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Another of the first initiatives is the Morrill Lecture series, created in honor of Joshua. The lectures are held in the summer and early autumn in the historic 1892 octagonal barn owned by Carrie Stebbins and Owen Brush on Horseshoe Road north of Spring Green. In June, inimitable farmer, teacher, politician and conservationist, Dick Cates was interviewed by author Dan Egan, for instance. Writer and musician Michael Perry spoke there in July. On Sept. 19, Dr. Norlene Emerson will speak on the geology of the Driftless region. The barn is a popular wedding and events space which Stef proclaims is “fantastic!” She herself lives conveniently close by, but may sell her property after she remarries in October to Arena resident Phil Kerckhoff. True to form, she and Phil are including a fundraiser for River Valley ARTS and the Spring Green Community Library as part of their special day. No silver tea sets or toasters are wanted by the bride and groom, only silver of another kind in a good cause.

As COVID waned, River Valley Commons turned its focus to infrastructurerelated issues in the area. They formed a broadband coalition, which, like all the Commons arms has its own website, to assist individuals to enroll. She says “there's a lot of fiber [fiber optic cable] coming in now.” Finally. They are pursuing a grant to help seniors 65+, especially, learn how to use technology. In rural areas, satellites such as StarLink work well but there's a waiting list a year or more long to hook up to one of these for wifi. (StarLink is part of Elon Musk's empire, which is spread thin, and the service is very expensive, like all his

products.)

A housing coalition was the next focus. Like almost any community worth living in, it's diﬃcult to find housing to rent or buy that people of modest means can afford. After traveling down a few blind alleys in search of funding, the group was awarded a grant from WEDC (Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.) to do a plan and hire someone to do the work. That is in process.

Yet another arm of the Commons involves food. The aim of Savor the River Valley initiative, in which Stef provides support for organizer Patti Peltier, is to support and help those in local food endeavors. Their activities include classes, farm tours, and other events, along with promoting local food.

An article in Oneing magazine, a publication of the Center For Action And Contemplation, suggests that founders like Stef “possess remarkable gifts that allow organizations to emerge and thrive. But the transitions of founders [when they retire or leave] can reveal serious vulnerabilities... When this

fact is not recognized and addressed, transitions can turn into disasters. But when navigated with honesty and shared trust, a founder's transition can open ways to a creative new chapter for the organization.” Have you thought about this in advance, I asked? since I have seen programs fold after their charismatic founders leave. “We're already talking with our board about this and will be sharing information with the community at our annual meeting in December to discuss it,” she replied. She doesn't plan to leave anytime soon, but knows it is well to be prepared for the long term continuation of the various initiatives. The River Valley is lucky to have her.

Stef can be reached at: stef@ rivervalleycommons.org

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

Your Right to Know — Government lists are public information

Tom Kamenick, Wisconsin Transparency Project

As part of doing business, government agencies often maintain contact lists or distribution lists. These days those are typically email addresses, but they also can contain physical addresses or even phone numbers.

Your state legislator probably has a list of email addresses to send newsletters. Your local governmental units might have multiple lists for different purposes — phone numbers to call for volunteers, mailing addresses to send recreation department brochures, or email addresses to send weekly announcements.

What many people do not realize is that all of these lists maintained by public agencies are public information. You have a right to access and use these same contact lists. All you have to do is make a record request for them. For example, if you receive an emailed newsletter from city hall, you can ask for the list of all email addresses to which that newsletter was sent.

This isn’t a new concept. Since the 1970s, Wisconsin’s Attorney General has issued formal opinions consistently saying that government distribution lists are public records and must be turned over, absent a showing of likely harm. The Wisconsin

Supreme Court in 1984 required a school to release names, addresses, and phone numbers of parents. And just this past year, in a case I litigated, a state appeals court ruled that a school had to release parent email addresses.

I sometimes hear objections that this information is private, that some random person has no right to obtain hundreds or thousands of people’s home addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses. That argument has been consistently rejected as a legal justification for non-disclosure by the courts. But even from a policy standpoint, I think, it doesn’t hold water.

There’s nothing inherently sensitive or secret about basic contact information like this. After all, the purpose of having contact information is so people can contact you. Your address tells people where they can send mail and how to find your home. Your phone number lets anybody with a phone reach out to you. The same goes for an email address.

This information used to be widely disseminated in phone books and is still readily available online (albeit sometimes for a small fee).

Can this information be abused?

Sure, but that’s not the standard for deciding whether government records

must be released. All information has some potential for misuse, but we have a presumption that information in government hands is public. It can only be withheld if a clear exception applies or the custodian can show a real likelihood of significant harm will be caused by the release of records.

People who are at unusual risk, including domestic abuse victims, have resources like the DOJ’s Safe At Home program to protect their home address at no charge.

What it comes down to is this: contact lists are a valuable resource to the government. Oﬃcials and employees use them to spread whatever messages they want. But the government shouldn’t be able to hog these lists. Government records are our records, and we have the same right to use lists of contact information obtained and maintained with our tax dollars as government oﬃcials do.

Your Right to Know is a regular column distributed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council (wisfoic.org), a group dedicated to open government. Council member Tom Kamenick is the president and founder of the Wisconsin Transparency Project.

Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 2 Commentary/Opinion

“Super Blue Moon” (2023) Photo by Mike Rohe

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

Pictured is a composite of the super blue moon in Spring Green on Aug. 30. With the moon looking larger than normal, the closest it'll be all year and full in its phase, it gave us something special that we won't see again until 2037. Katie Green Photo contributed by Stef Morril Stef Morril, founder of River Valley Commons and the Morril Lecture Series is pictured at a recent lecture.

Public Education — Part 1: Everything Else Will Follow

“If we get public education right, everything else will follow. But if we get it wrong, not much else will matter.”

There are a lot of powerful quotes regarding the value of public education, but this one by former Wisconsin U. S. House of Representatives, Steve Kagen, pretty much says it all.

And so begins this new series where I intend to explore the development of public education in the United States and the importance of public education to a healthy and stable liberal democracy.

I’m not sure yet where the story will start, although I think it goes back at least to the Greeks and flows through the Founding Fathers. Nor do I know how far it will take me, but the recent events regarding public education are certainly topic rich if not particularly encouraging. I do know that free public education has been a goal of many since colonial days. I also know that public education has had a complicated and controversial history.

At any rate, I’m just going to gear up my intellectual curiosity, do some research, and see where it takes me.

I’m anticipating an interesting and educational (pun?) journey

I’ve been considering this series partly because education has always been a large part of my adult life. Growing up in an evangelical home, there were really only two options that were considered acceptable for a woman besides wife, mother, and homemaker: teacher or nurse. Since the wife, mother, homemaker route held no appeal to me, and I am squeamish at the sight of blood, teacher was the path I saw open to me.

My mother was an elementary school teacher who began her career in the 1930s armed with a two-year Normal School degree. Her first job was at a one-room schoolhouse in the Blue Hills

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north of Bruce, Wisconsin where she served not only as the teacher but also the custodian and fire stoker. Mom quit teaching when she got married in the early 1940s. I found out from my aunt at my mother’s funeral that Mom had written a letter admitting how much she missed teaching. I’m not sure that wife, mother, and homemaker appealed any more to her than it did to me, but in her day, the expectations for her were less easy to resist. I guess I should be grateful for that, or I wouldn’t be here. Anyway, unsurprisingly, as soon as my youngest brother started school about 1960, Mom started substitute teaching and working on a bachelor’s degree. First, she began taking correspondence courses from UW-Eau Claire and then finished her degree at Mount Scenario College in Ladysmith. Mom ended up teaching fourth grade for about 20 years in Ladysmith. Based on what I saw, teaching was what she was meant to do. Other than telling me that she taught eight morons in her first year in that oneroom schoolhouse, Mom never talked about her teaching or her students. (Maybe that’s just as well.) She would, however, come home periodically and teach me a new word she had just learned. I think she loved learning as much as she loved teaching. In addition to cool words, Mom also loved history, especially Wisconsin history and Egyptian history. I can’t tell you why she was intrigued by those two subjects, or why when it came to it, I decided to major in Chemistry with Secondary Education certification. But learning and education were definitely our common interests.

The Secondary Education part never happened for me, instead I decided to go to graduate school and pursue a graduate degree in Chemistry. Long story short, I spent my entire professional adult life in higher education, either as a graduate student or as a college professor. My life has been all about education.

I walked away from the evangelical community of my youth years ago and I have wondered why that became my path when, as far as I know, no one else in my immediate family has done that. There had to be an answer to that somewhere so, of course, I bought a book. I had heard about the book, Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Failed a Generation by Jon Ward -so off to the bookstore. Ward had been raised

continued on page 4

In Defense of Freedom

The Aug. 11 raid on the Marion County Record in Kansas was an appalling attack on America, f ree press, and the First Amendment rights critical to a healthy democracy. The seizure of newsgathering equipment and journalists’ work f rom the Record newsroom and the publisher ’s home is an abomination that cannot be allowed or repeated

In Defense of Freedom

News organizations must be able to do their work without fear of punishment or interference

The proper functioning of our republic depends upon it

Wisconsin newspapers stand with journalism colleagues nationwide in condemnation of this invasion, and in support of the Marion County Record.

News organizations must be able to do their work without fear of punishment or interference

The proper functioning of our republic depends upon it

Wisconsin newspapers stand with journalism colleagues nationwide in condemnation of this invasion, and in support of the Marion County Record.

Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone

Managing Editor

Taylor Scott

Legal Editor

Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

Have

Editorial Policy

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

Graphic Design

Julianna Williams

Democracy and Society Columnist

Beverly Pestel

Community Columnist

Katie Green

Letter to the Editor Policy

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

Community Contributor

Amberly Mae-Cooper

Literary Contributor

Mary Lanita Schulz

Editorial Intern

Alex Prochaska

Column Policy

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

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

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.

Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 3 Commentary/OpInIon

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Beverly Pestel, Columnist Beverly Pestel

Public Education — Part 1: Everything Else Will Follow

continued from page 3

in a Pentecostal, evangelical home and as a young man was embedded in that culture. He describes himself as intellectually curious, and as a journalist held himself to high standards of research and confirmation of facts. His eventual rejection of the brand of evangelicalism that had been his life (although he remains committed to

Christianity) was a result of his devotion to learning and critical thinking. It was a commitment to education that allowed him to pull himself out of the emotional appeal of what was more a cult than religious conviction. Education will do that, it makes you question your beliefs, it makes you evaluate your positions in the light of logic and rationality. In his case, as with many others, it did not

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

“If your life’s work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you’re not thinking big enough.” -Wes Jackson

I have been listening to the cries ebbing from the land for nearly seventy years. These cries have been echoed from professors and environmentalists like Walter Brueggemann, Al Gore, Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, Aldo Leopold, and ordinary farmers like Argyle Skolas, from Westby, Wisconsin.

Not only have I heard about the cries of the earth I have seen its pain. I have visited Glacier National Park on several occasions. Each time I visit the park I have seen less and less ice on its mountains. I have witnessed soil erosion in epic proportions due to poor farming practices. Because of the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers on much of our fields I have seen many area wells tagged unhealthy to drink. I have witnessed pandemics with no cure in sight, a population growth that is out of control. I have seen climate change in the

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necessarily drive him away from faith, but it made him place it in a rational world of facts and truth. His experience resonated with me and made sense. After reading his book, I am convinced that it was a commitment to education inherited from my mother that set me on my life path. Thanks, Mom. So, off we go into an exploration of public education and its importance in

a liberal democracy. Everything else will follow.

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.

severity of the storms, the drought and extreme heat and cold.

Seasoned critics of our environmental crisis have written a manifesto concerning the urgent need for better, more responsible policies that care for the earth. They see the coming climate disaster as apocalyptic in scope while most of us just ignore the facts.

I have been taught and whole-heartedly believe that land is good, that land is a physical source of fertility and life. That land is a central theme of Biblical faith. That land is a gift, and we are called, expected to maintain it.

Our modern mega tractor is a symbol of the destructive power of industrial development where we are endangering traditional forms of human life. Large tractors do more work thus shutting down the small farms, people are displaced, soil is compacted, farmers go in debt to buy the big monsters, and the farmer is no longer in touch with her or his soil.

We are in a climate change and we each need to do our small part in cor-

recting the wrong. If you do not see what I see, nor hear what I hear, you are a part of the problem. We need to climb out of the trap that “bigger is better.” This climate change is not a phase that will work out by itself.

Our life’s work is far from being over. We need to make the hard choices now. If the earth is our friend, our creator and sustainer then let us act like we believe it.

I was exposed to the work and the writings of Aldo Leopold famous for “A Sand County Almanac.” Later I was challenged by “Farming the Lord’s Land.” It was in this book I was exposed to Argyle Skolas who owned an 80 acre farm near Westby, WI. Argyle was deeply concerned about the dependency farmers had on chemicals

The last several months I have been challenged by Wendell Berry author of “The Unsettling of America” and other books concerning our abuse of our agriculture lands through the use of chemicals, mega farms and a loss of connection with the earth.

Wes Jackson carries on the theme pleading us to put the cap on carbon dioxide. Wes challenged me to view the earth as our maker, our creator.

I have been challenged throughout my life with the question, “is the earth my friend?” I fear that we have climbed so high into our air-conditioned tractors that we have sped across our fields failing to notice the ailing soil beneath our tires.

We have major work ahead of us. Decline of natural resources, food insecurity, untreatable diseases, loss of certain species and the poisoning of many of our wells and streams in the rural area calls for some hard work and sacrifices from us all.

The earth is our creator, our maker and our redeemer. We are expected to respond in kind. The care of the earth is our most worthy and pleasing responsibility.

Dennis Siebert Sylvan Township, Wisconsin

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Thursday, September 7, 2023 Commentary/OpInIon Page 4

4PeteSake 4PeteSake is accepting applications for potential 2023 Fall Funding recipients Visit 4petesake.com for more information or to download an application. Applications may also be picked up at Arcadia Books, or by writing to P.O. Box 577, Spring Green, WI 53588 Applications must be received by September 14, 2023 OPINION/EDITORIAL

Scan to support local journalism! Recently we received word from our press that costs for materials have risen over 19% in the past few months and that our printing cost will go up accordingly. If we charged $1 for each copy of Valley Sentinel, just half of the copies that are picked up each week would entirely cover

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COmmunitycalendar

Events for September 7 - September 21

Thursday, September 7

Painting with Watercolor on Canvas, a 4-day workshop with Helen Klebesadel

10:00 AM Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 Wisconsin 23 Trunk, Spring Green Look up Helen Klebesadel on Facebook for more info Participants learn approaches for painting watercolor on non-porous surfaces. Painting with Watercolor on Canvas is an in-person workshop with Helen Klebesadel. Designed for artists with some experience painting with watercolor on paper, as well as painters more familiar with oils or acrylics and other painting media, who are interested in learning how to work with watercolor on canvas and other porous surfaces. Expressive experimentation will be explored in this relatively new approach to watercolor on nonabsorbent substrates. Bring your watercolor paints, brushes and other favorite painting tools. Helen will provide canvas and other substrates, and the materials for sealing and protecting your paintings. Plan to bring your lunches, snacks and drinks.

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.

LIVE MUSIC: Randy and Flo-Stars Entertainment 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

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 — Agroforestry: Where to Begin 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Savanna Institute, 6172 County Road Z, Spring Green driftlessconservancy.com Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems. Learn about the many beneﬁts of agroforestry and the basics of getting it started on your land by visiting the Savanna Institute's home farm. Hear their plans for turning it into a showcase for agroforestry and whole farm management.

Nature Hike on the Bluﬀ 6:00 PM Spring Green Preserve, Jones Rd., Spring Green

Look up Justin Sommerfeld or Cub Scout Pack 38 Spring Green on Facebook for more info Come join us for a hike up the Bluﬀ, and to learn more about Scouting in the River Valley! Please wear hiking and weather-appropriate clothing, and bring a water bottle and bug spray. The hike will go out rain or shine.

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 299: Elizabeth Moen 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 A self-taught guitarist, Moen wrote her ﬁrst songs while a student at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She gave up her lease in Iowa City and toured for two years across the USA, the UK, and the EU, eventually making Chicago her homebase. Moen conﬁdently exhumes the emotional hangover of our 20s: a turbulent, sometimes euphoric, often fraught time.

LIVE MUSIC: Warrior Songs 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com No cover charge Together, Doug and Jason provide audience members with unique insights about music and war, as well as an understanding of how music can be used to help heal the wounds of war. Jason will provide copies of the CDs produced by Warrior Songs free of charge to veterans in attendance. Doug's books and other CDs will be available for purchase.

Friday, September 8

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.

Saturday, September 9

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.

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 two-hour walking tour of the grounds, costume shop, backstage, 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: Smoke in the Valley BBQ Cook Oﬀ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Prem Meats, E5028 US-14, Spring Green Entry is $25 (21 & over) & $15 (Ages 13-20) There will be BBQ, Pizza, Wine, and Music, and also a Bean Bag Tournament! Registration begins at 11:30 and tournament starts at 12. 11 am Violent Palms,1:30 pm Psycherelic, 4 pm Shawn Schell. Make sure to grab your friends and come down to have some fun!

APT Play Talks: Romeo & Juliet 12:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org $5 or Free with an APT Insiders Card Dr. Lindsey D. Snyder, along with Romeo & Juliet actors Josh Castille (Romeo) and Robert Schleifer (Friar Lawrence), join us in John's Place to discuss how Shakespeare and American Sign Language make the perfect partnership.

Saturday, September 9 cont.

LIVE MUSIC: Bluegrass Jam 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green 608-5880-707, karin@springgreengeneralstore.com, SpringGreenGeneralStore.com Free event. All ages welcome! Bluegrass Jams will be held on the second Saturday of each month. While the weather permits they'll be held on our back deck. Bring your instrument and play along or come to listen; all are welcome.

Annual Town Pig Roast 4:00 PM Tower Hill State Park, 5808 County Rd C, Spring Green townofwyomingwi.gov Bring a dish to pass, and tell your neighbor! Your own plate and silverware are appreciated. See you there!

Monthly Steak Fry 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Arena VFW Hall 514 Willow Street, Arena For more info look up Ewing-Olson VFW Post 9336 on Facebook $15.00 Steak (done the way you like) $8.00- 8 ounce chicken breast. 608-753-2225 for carryout.

LIVE MUSIC: Fall Fish Boil 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Kaul Park, WI-130, Lone Rock For more info look up Kaul Park Bear Valley WI on Facebook Menu Includes: Alaskan Cod, Red Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Coleslaw, Dessert and Drink. Janna & The Junkyard Dawgs 5-9 PM. Suggested Donation: $15 and person $7 children 12 years and Younger.

LIVE MUSIC: 3 SOULS 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Keg & Kettle Bar Patio, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock . For info search 3 Souls on Facebook . We love playing at Keg & Kettle, come and join us for some Classic Rock!

Sunday, September 10

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.

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 Nature-centered Psychic Medium and Dreamwalker. She uses tarot and oracle cards as a tool for inner guidance and self-exploration for her client readings. During her readings be open to messages from beyond the veil as she never can tell who may come forth to offer supporting energy. Dream interpretation and magic is another one of Gwyn’s specialties. 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.

Ramen Noodles 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Red Barn Catering, 525 E. Madison Street, Spring Green savortherivervalley.org $50 per person. Register online Join Jay Miller of RedBarn Catering for the first of his two-part Japanese-themed classes. This first class will focus on one of Jay's favorite go-to meals: ramen. Class participants will learn how to make flawless ramen eggs, various broths, vegetables and protein additions, as well as the delicious garnishes that elevate the humble ramen bowl.

Driftless Ramblers at Hyde Store 2:00 PM- 5:00 PM Hyde Store, 5314 County Road H, Ridgeway For more info look up The Driftless Ramblers on Facebook Come see the Driftless Ramblers debut at the Hyde Store. Country, Red Dirt, 90s, Rockabilly, Classic Rock, Bluegrass!

Celebrate Arena's Centennial with Poetry and Prose 2:30 PM Brisbane House, 7050 Reimann Rd, Arena brisbanehouse.net Readings from William Henry Brisbane's journals and contemporary poetry. Details and reserve: samanthacrownover@sbcglobal.net Supported by RV Arts.

APT Play Talks: Our Town 4:00 PM American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green americanplayers.org $5 or Free with an APT Insiders Card Sarah Day travels from Grover's Corners to the picnic grounds of APT to discuss Tornton Wilder's beloved classic Our Town.

Celebrate Arena's Centennial with Poetry and Prose 5:30 PM Brisbane House, 7050 Reimann Rd, Arena brisbanehouse.net Readings from William Henry Brisbane's journals and contemporary poetry. Details and reserve: samanthacrownover@sbcglobal.net Supported by RV Arts.

Euchre 6:00 PM Dave's On Main, 1170 Main St, Plain For more info look up Dave’s on Main on Facebook Join us every Sunday for Euchre!

LIVE MUSIC: Joshua Powell - SG Musician in Residence 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM .

Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Josh will start out the night with mellow set, before settling in to rock the house late night style. Along the way, we’ll make time to get to know our town’s two-week guest. Sure, you’ve got work on Monday or whatever, but why not stay out and party instead. You can always call in sick. There is no charge, though tips for our performers are always welcome!

Monday, September 11

Lone Rock Market 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Under the Lone Rock Water Tower, 358 S Oak Street, Lone Rock For more information, look up Lone Rock Market on Facebook or call 608-604-3537 We will be hosting a variety of Farmer's Market and Craft Vendors at our Weekly Community Market Mid-May Through Mid-October.

LIVE MUSIC: Violet Palms with Alys and the Ark 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Violet Palms have will be releasing their new album: Compassion Fatigue at this special show. Show your love and give them a great kick oﬀ! Violet Palms is a late 90’s early aughts styled band with both original music and favorites. Help support original live music with a suggested donation/cover of $5-10.

Tuesday, September 12

Movies, Munchies and More: A Fish Called Wanda 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Movie Synopsis: British gangster George Thomason (Tom Georgeson) and his hapless aide, Ken Pile (Michael Palin), draft a pair of arrogant Americans, grifter Wanda Gerschwitz (Jamie Lee Curtis) and weapons expert Otto West (Kevin Kline), for a massive diamond heist. When the job goes badly, Wanda attempts to seduce George's stuﬀy lawyer, Archie Leach (John Cleese), to ﬁnd out where George hid the diamonds. Meanwhile, Ken repeatedly attempts to kill an elderly woman (Patricia Hayes) who witnessed the robbery (R, 1h 57m, 1988).

Tech Drop-In 4:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Stop by the Library with whatever piece of technology is causing you grief. Together, we will ﬁgure out the solution.

Thursday, September 7, 2023 Community Page 6

Hills Winery gift cards, part, trivia is FREE!

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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 September 13 - September 21

Wednesday, September 13

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com For September and October, join Emily, our Librarian, as we discuss language, stories, poems, and books! Bring the whole family, and enjoy songs, stories, dance, and more.

Music in the Park: Shawn Schell 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM White Mound County Park, S7995 White Mound Dr, Hill Point co.sauk.wi.us/parksandrecreation Bring a blanket or lawn chair with your family and friends. Shawn Schell has new and old country music with originals and covers. The fee is only $5 per vehicle, or free if you have the Sauk County annual sticker. State park stickers are not valid. In the event of bad weather, contact our oﬃce at 608-355-4800 for updates. Rain date to be determined.

Bingo 6:00 PM Dave's On Main, 1170 Main St, Plain For more info look up Dave’s on Main on Facebook A cozy restaurant where you are welcome to have a drink. Join us every Wednesday for Bingo!

Snorytime 6:30 PM Spring Green Community Library, 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.

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 300: Sway Wild // Auralai 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 Sway Wild’s songs navigate the corners of rock, folk, pop, jazz, prog, and funk. At its nucleus, it is music saturated in gratitude for well-lived lives and sympathetic to our shared humanity. A foundation of cello, abstract but vivid lyrics, and complex and catchy rhythms and melodies make for a ﬁercely engaging experience. No slave to conventional songwriting or classical cello form, Auralai's unique brand of cello-pop brings a breath of fresh air to the contemporary music scene.

Thursday, September 14

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

Join us every Thursday for storytime!

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, September 15

4PeteSake Golf Outing 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM House on the Rock Resort, 400 Springs Dr, Spring Green 4petesake.com . $450 per 4 person team . 2023 4petesake Golf Outing Join us for a safe, fun event that supports The River Valley Community. 10:30 am Registration Check In, Box Lunch. Putting Contest 12 PM start, Scramble Format. Post Play outdoor gathering awards & prizes. No host bar. No rain date, No refunds. If the event is cancelled due to severe weather, golfers will receive their box lunch, swag, and a certiﬁcate for a round of golf with cart. Please go to www.4petesake.com for more information and the registration form.

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.

LIVE MUSIC: Panchromatic Steel 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door With top-shelf instrumentalism and wide-ranging appeal, Panchromatic’s music brightens any day, transports listeners to their happiest moments in the sun, and threads the needle by being artful yet accessible to virtually everyone.

Saturday, September 16

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.

7th Annual Hill & Valley Exploration Tour 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sauk, Richland, & Juneau Counties explorehillandvalley.com No Admission Fee Occurring on the last two full weekends of September (16-17, and 23-24) the Hill and Valley Exploration Tour: A Celebration of Rural Living is a unique opportunity to explore the beautiful hills and valleys, view the fall colors, shop the fall harvest at rural farms, restaurants and businesses, and learn about the vibrant small farm economy of Northern Sauk, Juneau, and Richland Counties! Prepare yourself to experience farm and rural living ﬁrst hand! Don’t forget to pack your boots and an extra sweater. Bring the cooler to ﬁll with all the farm fresh goodies you buy along the drive! This is a rain or shine event! Come and Join the Fun!

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

Introduction to Knitting 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join us to experience the fun of social knitting! Learn or brush up on the basic knitting techniques (cast on, knit and purl stitches, and cast oﬀ) in a friendly, fun, and supportive setting. Materials for practicing the techniques and for a small project will be supplied (Thank you to Nina's Department and Variety Store for the Supplies). Space is limited; don’t miss out. This series is geared toward those 15 years old and up.

Sunday, September 17

St. Patrick's, Loreto Fall Festival 7:30 AM St. Luke Catholic Church - Plain, WI

1240 Nachreiner Ave., Plain stlukecatholicchurchplain.com Join us for mass at 7:30

AM, then enjoy the fun! Open-pit barbequed beef with all the trimmings! Served buﬀet style or drive thru. Serving from: 11 AM -2:30 PM. Adults: $17, Children 5-12: $7, 4 & under: Free. Drive thru $17. Refreshments, Fun and games, good family fun for all!

Raﬄe tickets! Prizes: 1st: Handmade quilt, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $250, 4th: $250, 5th: $100, Drawing Nov 18. 6 tickets $10, or 1 for $2.

7th Annual Hill & Valley Exploration Tour 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sauk, Richland, & Juneau Counties explorehillandvalley.com No Admission Fee The Hill and Valley Exploration Tour: A Celebration of Rural Living is a unique opportunity to explore the beautiful hills and valleys, view the fall colors, shop the fall harvest at rural farms, restaurants and businesses, and learn about the vibrant small farm economy of Northern Sauk, Juneau, and Richland Counties! Prepare yourself to experience farm and rural living ﬁrst hand! Don’t forget to pack your boots and an extra sweater. Bring the cooler to ﬁll with all the farm fresh goodies you buy along the drive!

Sunday, September 17cont.

Brown Church Fall Service 10:30 AM The Brown Church, 29864 Brown Church Dr., Lone Rock For information email FriendsOfLittleBrownChurch@gmail.com or call 608-356-8421 The Brown Church annual Fall Service is hosted by the Friends of the Little Brown Church, and a coﬀee hour with light refreshments will be provided. The service is Ecumenical and open to public. Judy Emerson, originally from the Ash Creek area, will present the message. Meredith and David Moseley, from Warrens, WI, will provide the special music and the accompiant.

Intro and Demo of EFT Tapping with Leah Griffiths Boyce 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM North Earth Crystals & Gifts, 124 W. Jefferson St, Spring Green northearth.com Trust the Unfolding practitioner, Leah Griffiths Boyce, is excited to share EFT Tapping with you in a free introductory demo. Come and learn the basic techniques and start living a life where eliminating stress and experiencing emotional freedom is just a tap away!

Visit Cates Family Farm 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Cates Family Farm, County Highway T, Spring Green savortherivervalley.org What do farming and ﬁshing have to do with one another? Find out how the Cates family is raising grass-fed beef in a way that protects the Class 1 trout stream running through their farm. Watch a ﬁsh biologist scoop colorful native trout from Lowry Creek. Then take a haywagon ride through the farm to learn how the rolling pastures have been restored and managed to nourish the cows while protecting the soil and water. Tour the scenic barn and enjoy a sample of delicious summer sausage made with Cates beef. This is a free, family-friendly afternoon. Registration is required.

Euchre 6:00 PM Dave's On Main, 1170 Main St, Plain For more info look up Dave’s on Main on Facebook Join us every Sunday for Euchre!

Monday, September 18

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

Arena Historians 6:30 PM Grandma Mary's (Brisbane Hall),175 US Hwy 14, Arena For more information, look up Lone Rock Market on Facebook . Join as we share memories of school days with guest speakers Monte Hottmann and Loren Glasbrenner, along with archival commentary from the late Paul Swenson. We look forward to seeing you there!

A Night of Words 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com An open mic. Friends sharing words. Watch. Listen. Speak. Share. Maybe you have a favorite poem, or passage from a book you’d like to share. Or maybe you write your own and are ready to share it with the rest of us. Maybe you just want to tell a story. Or maybe you just want to listen. It’s all good. Let’s hang out and share words together. Poetry. Stories. Original work and old favorites. This and that. A Night of Words.

Tuesday, September 19

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: Ladyhawke 1:00 PM 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Movie Synopsis: Upon breaking out of a dungeon, youthful thief Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick) befriends Capt. Navarre (Rutger Hauer), a man with a strange secret. Navarre and his lover Lady Isabeau d'Anjou (Michelle Pfeiﬀer) were cursed by the wicked Bishop of Aquila (John Wood), who desires Lady Isabeau for himself. His dark magic prevents the pair from ever being in each other's presence except at twilight, so they enlist Gaston in a dangerous plot to overthrow the Bishop and break his evil enchantment (PG-13, 2h 4m, 1985).

The Morrill Lecture Series 6:30 PM The Octagon Barn, E4350 Horseshoe Road, Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com The landscape of Southwest Wisconsin, along with northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and northwest Illinois, comprise a topographic region known as the Driftless Area. This approximately 24,000 square- mile area escaped glaciation during the last glacial advance of the past 26,000 years. Because of this, the area includes a topography that is uniquely diﬀerent from the surrounding glaciated landscapes. It is an area characterized by a rugged terrane that includes narrow ﬂat-topped ridges, steep rocky hillsides, and dissected valleys that contain abundant cold-water springs and well-developed stream networks.

Wednesday, September 20

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

Arcadia Book Club discusses "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

This is a zoom book club meeting . readinutopia.com . Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart. As in all of her novels, Ann Patchett combines compelling narrative artistry with piercing insights into family dynamics. The result is a rich and luminous story, told with profound intelligence and emotional subtlety, that demonstrates once again why she is one of the most revered and acclaimed literary talents working today.

Bingo 6:00 PM Dave's On Main, 1170 Main St, Plain For more info look up Dave’s on Main on Facebook A cozy restaurant where you are welcome to have a drink. Join us every Wednesday for Bingo!

Family Bingo Night 6:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Enjoy a night of fun with the whole family at the Library. Play a game of Bingo, win some prizes, eat some snacks, and the possibility of bragging rights if you beat your adult at the game!

Thursday, September 21

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

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 301: NEWSKI // Dan Tedesco 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 Newski is a three-piece will hit American, European, and South African highways for a 100 date touring year behind the new LP, featuring Steve "Mr Bicep" Vorass on drums, Sean "Tubs" Anderson on 4-string, and Brett Newski on guitars and vocals. Dan grew up playing a variety of instruments: Piano, Violin, Guitar. He found inspiration from grunge, jazz, and rock and roll. “Let Me Play My Old Guitar, and sing for you my song I promise you my friend. I Will Not Do You Wrong.”

Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 7

calendar

WHAT’S HANGINg ? ongoing art exhibitions

American Players Theatre Presents: Art in the Woods . American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green Open through October 8 Free, no tickets required APT has always been a place where art and nature are inextricably linked. This exhibition features works from seven artists, placed throughout the picnic area, designed to weave into and amplify the natural surroundings. We hope you take full advantage of this special event. Explore. Enjoy. Take a selﬁe. These woods are a canvas, and this is the newest masterpiece. 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.

Bunny For Nothing by Craig Snyder When I first started in sculpture, I often used various castoffs to create. One such was a “bunny.” Didn’t mean to do it, but that’s what the material wanted to be. Ever since, I wanted to make a larger version — and now I am happy to offer the biggest “bunny” you are likely to see.

Samsara by Thomas “Bud “ Skupniewitz My sculptures attempt to bring metals of the earth back to nature in contemporary geometric forms that provide harmony of the shape, sound and setting. I enjoy the process of combining metals both new and reclaimed. My work is sometimes whimsical but more often honors familiar shapes and forms in various states of balance and symmetry.

Stick Houses by Paul Moran This installation includes; sticks, feathers, glue and twine, pods, pine needles and pine cones, grass, bones and leaves. These houses of sticks may have been built by gnomes or fairies, or elves! I’d like to suggest the magic and wonder of nature through my work, it is always the job of the artist to deepen the mystery!

Blue Reeds by Dennis Robert Blue Reeds is made of steel wire for the frame, cut steel sheeting for the scales (w/ an acid wash) and copper tubing and wire for the reeds (w/patina). This sculpture is inspired by the land (grasses in the prairie) and the sea (shells and scales).

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.

Blue Reeds by Dennis Robert Blue Reeds is made of

CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR

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

September 8:

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

editor@valleysentinelnews.com

VOLUNTEER: Ridgeway Pine Relict Workday

September 8:

Help us care for some of our state's most pristine public lands, State Natural Areas. Encourage native plants and animals to thrive by cutting brush, controlling invasive species, collecting seeds, monitoring rare species, and preparing ﬁre breaks. Contact Bob Scheidegger 608-319-2083

VOLUNTEER: Ridgeway Pine Relict Workday

September 11:

MEETING: Library Board Meeting 5:00 PM Commmunity Room, Spring Green

Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Spring Green

September 11:

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.

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

MEETING: Library Board Meeting 5:00 PM Commmunity Room, Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Spring Green 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.

September 12:

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

September 12:

VOLUNTEER: September Volunteer Stream Monitoring 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: Village of Lone Rock Board Meeting 7:00 PM villageoﬂonerock.com Village Hall, 314 E Forest St, Lone Rock See full agenda online

September 13:

VOLUNTEER: September Volunteer Stream Monitoring 9:00 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: Village of Lone Rock Board Meeting 7:00 PM villageoﬂonerock.com

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

Village Hall, 314 E Forest St, Lone Rock See full agenda online

September 13:

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

September 14:

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

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

MEETING: Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board 5:30 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green lwr.state.wi.us The meeting also will be broadcast via Zoom. During the business meeting, the board will review permit requests and hear committee reports. A portion of the agenda will be reserved for public comment. For further information regarding the September 14th Riverway Board meeting, contact Mark E. Cupp, Executive Director, at (608) 739-3188.

September 14:

September 19:

MEETING: Richland County Board Meeting 7:00 PM Webex & The Phoenix Center, 100 South Orange Street, Richland Center co.richland.wi.us

September 20:

MEETING: Friends of Governor Dodge Meeting 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville Contact FriendsofGovDodge@gmail.com

September 19:

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

MEETING: Richland County Board Meeting 7:00 PM Webex & The Phoenix Center, 100 South Orange Street, Richland Center co.richland.wi.us

September 20:

The Community Calendar is curated and designed by Julianna Williams.

MEETING: Friends of Governor Dodge Meeting 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM . Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville Contact FriendsofGovDodge@gmail.com

Events are subject to change, always check ahead for up-to-date information on any events you are interested in.

MEETING: Village of Spring Green Plan Commission & JEZC Meeting 7:00 PM In person and virtual event 154 N. Lexington Street, Spring Green vi.springgreen.-

Prevent or delay type 2 diabetes

Our Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Change program can help

You may be at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you are:

• Overweight

• Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes

• Physically active fewer than three times per week

• Had gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)

Interested?

Fall session starts September 13. Includes a free Wellspring membership and 1-to-1 health coaching sessions.

SaukPrairieHealthcare.org/Diabetes-Prevention

unity LtUre Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 8 “The good stuff .”

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.

steel wire for the frame, cut steel sheeting for the scales (w/ an acid wash) and copper tubing and wire for the reeds (w/patina). This sculpture is inspired by the land (grasses in the prairie) and the sea (shells and scales). Bunny For Nothing, CS Samsara, Bud Stick Houses, PM Blue Reeds , DR

these

the

Please email us with

meetings,

use

form on our Community Calendar page — let's build community together:

Bunny For Nothing, CS Samsara, Bud Stick Houses, PM Blue Reeds , DR

for public Board meeting, September MEETING: Center, 100 September MEETING: Dodge State MEETING: person and wi.gov

Bunny For Nothing, CS Samsara, Bud Stick Houses, PM Blue Reeds , DR

Some time ago, we announced the soft launch of a semi-regular to regular literary section we've been inspired by other literary compilations to call Lexington & Jeﬀerson

As the pivotal intersection of our community, we envision this as a place that celebrates the cross-section of arts in our greater community.

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

What is Lexington & Jeﬀerson?

Each edition we receive submissions of artwork, poetry, prose and other musings that we have trouble placing in the paper on their own and often have to simply hold or regrettably turn down.

We hope this becomes a welcome place for them.

This space will grow and change, as all things do, and we welcome talented individuals, organizations, authors, experts and artists to help curate this section - perhaps we'll compile and publish an annual

Lexington & Jefferson

Poetic Wonderer

maybe the world isn't kind or careful or deliberate or even present maybe my foot is on the gas with no release and does anyone ever see? perhaps perhaps all this time so heavy footed

Amberly Mae-Cooper, Contributor

perhaps it is: just that

in those that stay silent there is an explosion perhaps it just may kill us all take the air and make it glow like ﬁreworks in the dark night their sight even brighter than the sun

a.thomas 31august2023

With this year’s season of Sh*tty Barn sessions (506 E. Madison Street, Spring Green) almost over, organizers are reflecting on the changes they made this year and what the community should plan on for next season. This season brought more than just down-to-earth music in the faded, well-loved barn, but also a new season format and new way to initiate the transfer of tickets to the usually sold out shows.

The “Ticket Swap” is done through the Sh*tty Barn’s online website, and provides a legitimate, safe way to exchange tickets, attendee to attendee, in instances when someone is no longer able to attend a certain show, or wants to swap tickets from one show to another

“It is a safe experience. The new system is a safer experience than doing a direct transaction apart from the website, it connects the buyer directly to the seller,” said Sara Stellick, an owner of the music venue.. “It has been really working well for everyone and we are so thankful to have something like this in place for people.”

Seth Alt, another owner of the venue, said the new ticket exchange option came as a solution after people were attempting to fraudulently sell tickets that were not even in their possession. “We ended up coming up with the Ticket Swap. It’s been great so far and people are really liking it,”said Alt “We are always working to continue to make

continued on page 10

literary journal, who knows?

We may also use this space for arts & culture news and submitted musings that don't quite ﬁt within the bounds of a traditional column, proﬁle or letter to the editor.

Get involved: If you're interested in submitting, curating or have ideas, please do not hesitate at all to submit them to us at: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

LITERARY SECTION

Musings from the End of the Rainbow

Take a journey with me to the end of the Rainbow. I grew up at the end of Rainbow Road, a beautiful and magical place in a River Valley, just outside of a town called Spring Green. Following are stories and reﬂections of a simpler time.....

Naked Beauty

Momma was born at home, entering this world at a mere,

Two and a Half Pounds: At least that’s what the ﬂour scale they used to weigh her, read.

Powder blue eyes, Ten little ﬁngers and Ten little matching toes. An itty-bitty naked package of pure, innocent: “Perfection”.

Her small fragile body kept warm the only way they knew how: By gingerly placing her on an open oven door: Right next to the family’s rising bread. At night, carefully tucked into a bedroom dresser drawer, nestled securely amongst her parent’s clothes: For her grampa had declared it was:

“The safest place for such a tiny baby” Helpless, weak, innocent, exquisitely perfect, that little two-pound baby girl was a ﬁghter. Her parents would gently bathe her in a water basin, under Grampa’s watchful eye: Delicately washing each tiny pink limb with care.

Petite and stubborn, she thrived off the love bestowed upon her.

A lifetime later, one hundred and two years to be precise,

I watch as the shower’s warm water cascades down her body like a river flowing over shriveled ridges and finding its way along the wrinkled valleys of aged skin: Just as her parents did a century before I delicately wash and dry each fragile limb with care. As the washcloth’s foamy suds slides across her body I marvel at her flawless perfection I see not a flabby stomach puckered around a barely visible belly button: I see one that grew, protected, and bore 12 children. Nor do I see wrinkled old arthritic riddled hands with crooked fingers: Fearfully clutching on to the safety bar. I see beautifully soft tender ones that wiped away thousands of her children’s tears. Nor arms leathery and covered with age spots but ones strong enough to chase monsters away and gentle enough to embrace a frightened child while they sob.

Nor legs covered with bulging varicose veins that

shake while standing but strong, sturdy ones that proudly and steadily stood at a stove lovingly preparing meals for her family. As I wash her chest, I don’t see drooping breasts that dangle aimlessly, I see billowing ones that nourished her growing children.

Slowly moving the warm washcloth past her heart, I don’t feel a heart that struggles to carry on, I feel a heart beating strongly with ﬁerce love and devotion for her family.

I can feel my heart beating with hers, just as it did when she carried me in her womb. Gently wiping away the water dripping from her brow she looks at me with a blank distant stare, I don’t see weary eyes with swollen puffed lids, I see soft blue reﬂecting pools sparkling with visions of her life:

I can see her standing at the big picture window watching as dad and us kids plant the watermelon ﬁeld, or sitting at the sewing machine meticulously crafting costumes for 4H:

I see her spending hours peeling and assembling apple pies to freeze for the winter, or watching at the front door, wringing her hands with worry as one by one each of her children leaves home, I see her looking out across the stage at eighth grade graduation in her hand-made ruﬄed dress, seeing, for the ﬁrst time, the boy she would eventually marry staring back at her in.

Standing there looking at me with those haunting eyes as I continue to softly brush the water from her face it is apparent that she is not sure of who I am, but she is sure of the love she feels.

I see a life well lived in those eyes, those hands, those legs, those arms: That Heart

My mommas naked pure body holds within it a lifetime of eternal beauty.

Arriving at the end of her life she is as helpless as she was at two and a half pounds: Like the day she was born: Naked, Pure, Innocent, Perfection.

Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 9 arts & cULtUre

— Mary Lanita Schulz

As season approaches end, Sh*tty Barn reﬂects on splitting the sessions season and ticket exchange launch

Photo by Amberly Mae-Cooper King Pari greets fans after their show at the Sh*tty Barn on Thursday, August 17.

Spring Green band Violet Palms announce release show for debut album 'Compassion Fatigue'

owner Michael Broh asked them to help fundraise for Slowpoke’s impressionistic, jazzy mural Spring Green residents have come to know and love. After selling out their ﬁrst show and making a lot more tip money than expected, it became obvious what the band had to do next: record an album. It’s very ﬁtting that the album, Compassion Fatigue, is being unveiled right where they debuted as a group, at Slowpoke.

Truschinski told us that: “Compassion Fatigue emerged fully formed and ready to climb inside your head and take a seat in your favorite easy chair.” Intrigued by his colorful pitch, we decided to listen and review Compassion Fatigue for the public—with our favorite easy chairs in sight and our heads ready to be entered.

Review

I didn’t know what to expect from Compassion Fatigue. But after absorbing it, and sitting with it for a while, I’ve discovered that the album contains many choice gems which are worth returning to for a re-listen.

Violet Palms have a snappy and invigorating sound which had me nodding to the beat and humming their infectious melodies. There are no tricks here, just catchy instrumentation and adroit lyrics.

The album delves into nostalgia without dwelling in adolescence, which I appreciated. I like to view albums holistically, and to decipher the story that they tell. The singer’s character frequently spoke with the jaded humor of somebody world-weary. They’ve made peace with the uncertainty of life and don’t get their hopes up. But as the album progresses, there are more and more glimpses of sentimentality and, dare I say it, tenderness. This wavering between hard and soft, between tough and vulnerable,

is exempliﬁed by the track “Sentimental Fool,” which goes: “You sentimental fool / I’m in love with you / Same old lie that it’s ever been / Same old lie that we’ve ever held on to.”

Some of my favorites from the album include “Burnt Photo,” with echoing, hauntingly angelic vocals. “In It Now,” a gut-punch of a song about growing up. And “RELAXER,” the last and most directly heartfelt song of Compassion Fatigue. Go check it out! Please!

—Alex Prochaska, Editorial Intern

Upon listening to “Anything Can Happen” I was hit with two thoughts, ﬁrst: I’ll be putting Violet Palms in my regular rotation (which consists mostly of Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, Green Day, The Wrecks, Bon Iver and a smattering of Them Coulee Boys), and second: this single sounds exactly like … [blank]. I had it and I lost it. So I moved on to listening to the rest of the album, ﬁguring it would

come back to me.

After listening to “Anything Can Happen” and “All This Joy Has Made You Dull” my other editor Nicole had it. She very convincingly argued those two singles sounded like a mix of The Strokes (à la “Last Nite”) and Lord Huron (à la “The Night We Met” and “Meet Me in the Woods”) But she was likely inﬂuenced by the band stating their inﬂuences. Although, as the only fan of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in the newsroom, she said

she didn’t see much familiarity there in the lead singles (one could argue album opener “Chill” deﬁnitely has a Pepper-y feel). As someone who thinks the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are overplayed, I was thankful I saw more Strokes than Peppers. But that’s personal preference.

Violet Palms is familiar in the way all aughts-style anthems are, but with a new sound that I’d attribute to their jaunty, funky twist on punk-alternative and Truschinski’s deep voice. As for who the Violet Palms exactly reminded me of? It never came back to me, I suppose I’ll take the band’s motto to heart: “don’t think about it too much”.

—Taylor Scott, Managing Editor

Compassion Fatigue is available to purchase and stream in full at violetpalms.bandcamp.com and streaming everywhere on September 12.

IF YOU GO

• What: Violet Palms album release

When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 11

Where: Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson St. Spring Green

• What: Violet Palms at Smoke in the Valley

When: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sept. 9

Where: Smoke in the Valley, Prem Meats E5028 US 14 Spring Green

As season approaches end, Sh*tty Barn reﬂects on splitting the sessions season and ticket exchange launch continued from page 9 improvements here. We all feel like this has really been working well for everyone. We are also here to answer any questions people may have.”

All ticket transfers go through the venus ticketing system, Ticket Spice. The venue is then able to verify the tickets and then people are able to securely enter credit card information. With a mailing list over 4,000 people, a season's worth of shows typically sells out quickly. Stellick said in addition to providing a way to securely exchange tickets, the venue also adjusted how they open purchasing for the season.

The venue divided the season into two diﬀerent parts, selling tickets to the ﬁrst half of the season starting in April. On April 1, concert-goers were able purchase tickets to all shows in May, June and July.

The second half of the season went on sale July 1, selling tickets for August, September and October shows.

“We have started selling out very quickly now. We can sell out as fast as ﬁve or six minutes,” said Stellick. “ Dividing the season like that has been really good so far. It has really done well this year and we plan to continue it next year.”

Mike Lashua, sound engineer and part of the booking team of The Sh*tty Barn said he thinks this season has gone well and is looking forward to the rest of the shows for this season and the next season of music.

“I am so thankful to be a part of the amazing team here. We are doing lots of National acts now. I love to book new bands. Together we work to use a curated series of musicians. If it's good, we will book it,” said Lashua, “We have and love to have all diﬀerent genres of music here; Rock, R&B, Punk, County, Rap, Americana and Folk.”

The Sh*tty Barn continues to thrive as

Business/Professional Directory

a charming venue just outside of town in Spring Green, where people can enjoy local food from Wander Provisions, celebrate, relax near the blazing ﬁre from the ﬁre pit on the nearby lawn, and explore the heart of music from within the walls of the well worn and wellloved barn..

“We want to continue to have fun and provide a valuable service to the community. We have had some great shows and we are excited to continue doing that here,” said Lashua.

To learn more about the Sh*tty Barn and their Ticket Swap, visit shittybarnsessions.com

Bigger than business card sized, full color, updated annually or for a ﬂat $25 design fee. Perfect for top-of-mind awareness, runs under an attention-grabbing header.

Want to run it every edition at a discounted rate?

$750 for 6 months, $1000 for 1 year (36% discount)

Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 10 Community / arts & cULtUre

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Reserve a spot in our business/professional directory! Add $30 to any ad order or $60 as a stand-alone order and you’ll be added to the next edition’s premium placement business/professional directory.

Photo by Rob Steﬀen Violet Palms performs at Slowpoke Lounge in Spring Green.

continued

Reﬂections from Lost Horizon Farm — Vet Calls on the Farm: Part 1

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

Every cow was a valuable asset worthy of good care; and on a small, family dairy farm like ours, the loss of a single animal was keenly felt. The protocol that Lost Horizon Farm adopted was that every animal (the farm had a 98% "closed" herd which meant that just about every animal in the milking herd had been home bred and raised) deserved an honest chance for survival. Some farmers would ship a cow immediately when it showed the first signs of illness and hope to get some return from its sale and save the expense of a vet bill. Ill cows on this farm were always treated by Mr. Farmer or the veterinarian; we never just shipped a cow if her health was questionable. The beauty of a small herd in a stanchion barn is that the farmer knows each cow, and that intimate association fosters such a close connection that the farmer knows and can sometimes even sense when an animal is unwell. A cow not eating her feed (being "off feed") was a red flag to a farmer; other signs included a listless look, abnormal temperature, or cold and droopy ears.

The milk cows always knew when the veterinary had arrived. Undoubtedly, they recognized the unique smell of the disinfectant that only the large animal practitioners used. The adult animals had grown up associating that scent with examinations, dehorning, vaccinations, or IVs. The moment the veterinarian entered the barn, each cow would stand up in her stanchion in an almost synchronous motion.

During its history, Lost Horizon Farm held between 30 and 46 milking cows, and every one of those cows had been looked at on numerous occasions during herd health programs. "Program" was scheduled each month for a set date and time. Preparation beforehand demanded listing animals that needed to be examined. Good record keeping on cow

histories, calving dates, breeding dates, heat dates, dates when some sign of illness had been detected, dates of drug treatment, and the like was essential. The veterinarian would check cows for pregnancy, examine cows that had

calved during the previous month, and look at any herd member that the farmer felt might have a health issue. As the vet stepped down the walkway, we would identify each cow requiring examination, and the doctor would check her. A bit of a story relating to accuracy ought to be mentioned here. One day, Mr. Farmer stopped the veterinarian behind a cow named “Frito,” who needed a pregnancy check. Our daughter, Rebecca, began to cry when her father identified the cow. “It’s not Frito,” our 3-year-old maintained. At that young age, Rebecca could walk through the barn and name each cow on either side of the walkway, and she was right! When the cows had come into the barn that morning, Frito had switched stanchions with her neighboring herdmate.

A herd notebook holding up-to-date cards for each animal was always carried into the barn for program. Mrs. Farmer, the self-appointed scribe, would turn to the particular cow's card and record the day's date and the vet's finding. Sometimes the vet would need a history on the cow to make a determination; that information would be on the cow card as well. Semiannually, the milking herd would be vaccinated with a 9-way viral vaccine and with a Blackleg vaccine. (Blackleg is a soil-borne bacterial disease, debilitating and fatal; its name comes from the telltale discoloring effect on flesh.) The veterinarian would

inject those doses after he had examined individual cows.

After the cows in the barn had been checked, the veterinarian would work on the calves. Unique to the large animal practice was this farm's policy to remove the rear legs' inner dew claws from newborn heifer calves. (This minor surgery seemed to reduce the number of teat injuries in our milking cows. In moving from a reclining posture to an erect one, a cow’s dew claw could catch on a teat and lacerate it.)

Usually the vet would have a few new calves to do. The slightly older calves requiring dehorning had their horn buds cut or removed with an electric dehorner at program time. Calves between 4 and 6 months old received both their Bangs' (Brucellosis) vaccination and their numbered ear tag as required by state law. At the same time, calves udders would be inspected for extra teats. Extras would be clipped off with scissors. The top line of each animal would be treated with a pour-on wormer as well. Our farm dogs were conditioned to expect that when the veterinarian worked by the calf hutches, there might be a dew claw, a teat,or a bit of horn tossed toward them. These items were highly coveted as canine candy!

If a group of heifers needed pregnancy checked, or needed to be injected for synchronized breeding, this would be done during a separate vet visit scheduled especially for that purpose. Heifer vaccinations or booster shots would be given, and wormer paste administered when the young stock were pregnancy checked.

Occasionally, a cow or calf would need medication that came in pill form. These pills, called boluses, were hard and cylindrical in shape. A balling gun of the appropriate size was employed. For calves, the “gun” was plastic. A bolus would be positioned inside the end of the device. The farmer would insert the gun well into the calf’s throat and push the plunger at the opposite end. It was a quick delivery system.

Although the large animal clinic was a group practice, each farm generally had the same veterinarian for program work. Since each farm is a little different in layout and management, that vet would be familiar with that farmer's routine

and idiosyncrasies. Emergency calls would bring whomever was on call that night or weekend, so farmers eventually knew each vet working at the clinic they used. Emergencies occurred at all times, so the practice was open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Some health problems could be solved by an injection of a treatment we kept within our refrigerated medical storage. For example, penicillin could legally be kept on the farm and would be used for respiratory ailments. If there was an early onset case of mastitis, Mr. Farmer would inject the cow with a Staph aureus vaccine and rub the udder with white liniment. It was very apparent to us if a cow's disease was not responding to the treatment that had been administered or if an illness fell in a more serious category; in these cases the veterinarian was summoned promptly. Ketosis, milk fever and mastitis were probably the most prevalent of the diseases that required emergency veterinary treatment. Ketosis was easy to detect because the sickly cow would have a very noticeable sweetness to her breath. Ketosis, a metabolic disorder, occurred when a cow was milking heavily and was not taking in enough feed to keep up with her production level. It was a problem that manifested itself a few weeks or even months after calving. Lost Horizon’s herd had a memorable exception. That was Princess, a Brown Swiss cow, who would, like clockwork, come down with ketosis every year about 3 or 4 days after calving. There was a notable variety of ketosis, aptly named nervous ketosis, that was easily diagnosed because the affected cow would display weird compulsive, repetitive behaviors like licking or chewing constantly in one spot, moving in circles when out of her stanchion, getting up and down or throwing her head often...

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

Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 11 Commentary/AGrIcuLture

Barb Garvoille, Columnist Barb Garvoille Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille A so-called “ balling gun “ was used to administer boluses (hard, cylindrical pills) to calves and cows. Pictured is the one used for calves. Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Balling gun for administering boluses to cows.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

From 1981 to 1987 I did an enlistment for the Wisconsin Air National Guard at Truax Field, and I was a weapons loader on the A-10 aircraft. Back in 2000, I participated in a for fun musky outing with several of my buddies from WANG for the first time and I have not missed since that year. As the years passed our guardsmen numbers declined and many of my friends and family "deer camp" were allowed to join this group. For the last six years we have held this outing on the Eagle River chain of lakes and this year we had 37 people in our very fun group that stays at The Hiawatha Motel.

Sunday, August 26th

High 71°, Low 44°

My partner is Jeff Moll and we would be fishing in his Lund “Alaskan”. Jeff and I have been hunting and fishing together all of our lives and in this particular outing, we seem to be incapable of catching a northern pike for “the side bet” or a musky. Today we put 12 hours on the water and came in well after dark, caught nothing and had a blast. Our day included no hard hit on a Shallow Raider and a whole lot of laughs along with our usual good food in the boat. This weekend’s meals were bacon, snacks, and barbecued ribs.

Due to the fact that I know I am a failure at catching fish on this annual adventure, I have an entirely different perspective than your typical tournament fishermen and that is how I will finish with this column. First, throughout the day I saw fathers and either one or two children that were

not part of our group, fishing in simple, 14 foot boats and it was obvious that they were enjoying themselves immensely. These experiences kept reminding me of raising Selina and three stepsons, one of which is in this outing and the simple boats we had, how much we used them and how much fun we had.

On this particular outing, one of our members has a bad case of cancer and the future is not good, there was no mention of this and both father and his adult son spent the weekend together and made as many positive memories as the adventure would allow.

The highlight of my memories and probably for most people was when my boss from the days back in the guard, Gary Jensen hooked into a big musky while fishing with his son Brian. His grandson Kenneth caught what was a 47.25 inch fish which was the largest ever in this outings 30 year history. Kenneth Jensen, I believe was the youngest person to ever fish this event and it took him and dad to net grandpa’s fish as Brian has an arm injury that does not make netting a 20 some pound musky an easy job.

This 3-generation team was so concerned with getting the big fish back in the water that their picture did not turn out real well but it still tells the story.

The story behind this story is that last year the Jensen’s lost their wife, mom, grandma to a long illness and my guess is that Linda helped get that big fish in the net and was smiling just much as her 3 favorite fishermen. I might add that Kenneth who is like 13 (guess) was a huge help all weekend and a very positive, “new person”, to the gang.

Mr. Moll and I were up early on Sunday and fishing in a dense fog, we

ate some good chow and as usual, did not register a fish for the group board! All’s well that ends well!

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!

THIS BANNER AD Sponsorship IS AVAILABLE

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Positive memories are being created by this family!

to read more? Check out previous weeks’ columns at www.outdoorsmansjournal.com

Want

Operation Musky 2023 Photo contributed by Mark Walters Walters and Moll living on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes. Photo contributed by Mark Walters Gary Jensen and his grandson Kenneth about to release Gary’s 47 inch musky.

"An Outdoorsman's Journal" is a paid syndicated column written by professional outdoorsman and Necedah native Mark Walters. In order to continue running his outdoors column, we need sponsor(s) to ﬁll the space in print and online so we can continue to support Mark in his adventures and follow along. This space is premium placement top-of-mind awareness, perfect for both businesses that engage with the outdoors or businesses whose customers engage with the outdoors. Only $150 per week. May be divided among businesses, inquire by email. Interested? Give us a call at 608-588-6694 or an email at ads @valleysentinelnews.com Thursday, September 7, 2023 Page 12 Outdoors & Recreation