Valley Sentinel - 09-21-2023

Spring Green, Wisconsin FREE , Single-Copy

Wilson Creek Pottery turns 50 years old

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Community Calendar: Live music, farmers markets and more

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Rural Wisconsin, woman-owned Wilson Creek Pottery turns 50 years old

The bowls that hold the culinary creations of a community...

Wilson Creek Pottery (E6101 County Road WC, Spring Green) is thrilled to be celebrating 50 years of creating handmade, functional stoneware for its community of Spring Green, WI. Reaching this milestone as a rural, exclusively womanowned, artist microbusiness is cause for celebration indeed! Join them for their 50th Anniversary Party on Saturday, September 30th (details below).

In 1973—after apprenticing with Betty Woodman, a renowned ceramic artist— Peggy Ahlgren converted the defunct cheese factory, which had once served the Wilson Creek valley, into her pottery studio. Peggy set up her own shop and started creating the mugs, bowls, and plates that have been gracing the tables of this Driftless Wisconsin valley for decades.

Peggy worked tirelessly to create tens of thousands of wheel-thrown pieces using her proprietary clay body, which proved durable and long lasting. She was essentially a one-woman shop, with intermittent helpers throughout her 39year tenure, and garnered an extensive and committed following of customers

Thursday, September 21, 2023 | Vol. 4, No. 17

and enthusiasts. Customers still come into the shop to share stories of dish sets that have been in daily use for over 30 years. Ready for retirement, Peggy began the search for a new potter to take over at Wilson Creek Pottery. Ashley Pfannenstiel and Shannon Porter caught wind of the sale through a mutual friend. In April 2012, the couple purchased the business, and Ashley and Peggy spent that summer working together to help Ashley transition into the space and business. Ashley

Katie Green: National Literacy Month

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recreation for nearly a decade when the itch to return to art came calling. Shannon was even more novel to ceramics, but the two could not pass up the opportunity to move away from the city and get their hands dirty. The lifestyle was a leap of faith, but somehow they have been able to hold the landing and maintain both the business and the relationship.

Currently, a tight-knit trio creates Wilson Creek Pottery. Ashley, at the helm, leads the creative direction and production process, which starts with her throwing every piece that comes off the wheel and ends with her tending to every 30-plushour firing that creates the finished product. Shannon handles all other business operations as well as some production, and Katie Wyer holds things together as an enthusiastic production assistant.

worked side-by-side with Peggy, learning the ways of the production process, the large hand-built kiln and its firing cycle. She grew her skills on the wheel, making bowls, pie plates, and more in a similar tradition to Peggy’s.

With a college degree in art, Ashley came from an artistic background but had not studied ceramics or wheel throwing extensively. Instead, she had focused on sculpture using found objects. While living in Chicago, Ashley had worked in outdoor

Public invited to Frank's Hill in Richland County for autumnal equinox event

Frank’s Hill, an effigy mound site in southern Richland County, will be open to the public for observance of the autumnal equinox. Fall officially begins at 1:50 a.m. on Saturday, September 23rd.

Everyone is invited to gather at Frank’s Hill near Muscoda to view the sunset and gather around a campfire on the evening of September 22nd to bid farewell to summer or to view the first sunrise of

autumn on the morning of September 23rd. The site also may be visited during the day to see the mounds and the grand vista. The Three Eagles Foundation will have a tour guide available at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening prior to the sunset. Participants should arrive by 6:00 a.m. to view the sunrise on Saturday the 23rd. The events are subject to suitable weather conditions. A short hike will be required to the top of the hill that offers

a stunning view of the lower Wisconsin River valley. The site is located 2 miles west of Muscoda near the intersection of Hwy. 60 and Hwy. 193.

Frank’s Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places. A group of unique effigy mounds is situated on the east ridge where the observances will occur. Across Hwy. 193 lies the west ridge where a line of small conical mounds, thought to be calendar mounds, is situated. The

The brick and mortar retail shop is open daily (Monday - Sunday) in Spring Green from 10am until 6pm with the whole of their collection available for sale. At certain times of year, they open up their online store to purchase plates and to make items available to those who can’t get to Spring Green.

With evidence of pottery from the Late Woodland Indians (1000 BC - 1000 AD)

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lands around the site once contained the highest concentration of bird effigy mounds found anywhere in the world. The mounds are thought to have been built during the Late Woodland period dating back to one thousand or more years ago.

To learn more about the equinox event or for directions, contact Mark Cupp at (608) 739-2179 or visit the Three Eagles Foundation website or Facebook page.

Shannon Porter, Wilson Creek Pottery

Photo by Ray + Kelly Photography

From left, Ashley Pfannenstiel and Shannon Porter open the kiln at Wilson Creek Pottery.

Mark Cupp, Contributed

The (not so) Plain and Simple Correspondent: National Literacy Month

Katie Green, Columnist

36 million Americans are illiterate. That means, literally (as it were), that they can't read. At your local library one may volunteer to rectify that for someone and change the trajectory of his or her life. However, far more of us are illiterate in other ways. We don't know how things work, such as the political system, how many people live in poverty, how poor services are if you are poor or disabled, how many women can't return to the workforce because of the lack of affordable child care, how ridiculous it is to think anyone can live on the current official minimum wage, how close to incineration we are growing as the world warms up. These forms of illiteracy are puzzling. Partly, they happen because information is sometimes scarce, as local newspapers implode, but also because it takes an effort to excavate facts. And besides, facts can cause you to squirm if you are completely “woke”. How badly do I want to know about graft in companies and politicians I trusted, about poverty when I am living modestly but well enough, and about dire forecasts warning of the end of life as we know it when it's time for the entertaining, mindless tv sitcom I'm addicted to, or the football game kickoff, or friends have invited me to lunch, or a great book is calling my name.

In regard to global warming, I heard a program on the radio recently about how scientists are scheming to save the species already endangered under the

Endangered Species Act as temperatures rise. This involves relocating the species – flora as well as fauna – to some to other cooler or wetter places in hopes they will adapt. And other scientists have revived the notion of trying to artificially block some of the sun's rays to cool the planet by spreading aerosol mists above the ocean while we scramble to get off fossil fuels permanently. There is the possibility of many unintended consequences to doing this and thus screwing things up even worse, of course. Changing our individual habits help a little but international agreements are needed to have a measurable impact.

There is much I'm illiterate about, frankly. I'm uncertain about how to be a good person in all situations. I want to be accountable to myself for my actions and I wonder how far to go in insisting that others do the same. To the point of

being obnoxious? For instance, State Senator Howard Marklein's newsletter this morning was larded with much I couldn't possibly agree with, and was notable for all he ignored in the budget that I consider extremely important. I detect much hypocrisy in his vote not to extend the appointment of Meagan Wolfe as administrator of the WI Elections Commission on the grounds that a “fresh” approach is called for. Why? Our elections have gone smoothly under her leadership. The dust-up seems to be about her adding drop boxes during Covid so everyone could vote, a move greatly appreciated by many of us. Same with the call to oust Judge Janet Protasiewicz from the State Supreme Court before she has had time to hear a single case, which Marklein also seems to support. She is blamed for accepting lots of money from supporters and refusing to recuse herself in advance in cases involving gerrymandered maps. Before she was elected, the “conservative” Court had no problem stockpiling cash from well-wishers and refused to craft laws spelling out the rules for recusals. The other day my son and I were arguing genially about whether one could actually love a politician, as opposed to admiring one or two outstanding individuals. He can't. I can, as the boundaries for me between liking and loving are more porous. But I also pray for the eventual awakening of the tribe who are knowingly heartless, corrupt, or else clueless. (If your fingers are crossed behind your back when you

speak or vote, you are in the clutches of the Evil One.) Really, guys and gals, it is necessary to learn to hang together, or we hang separately. And yet ...On the other hand, the price of citizenship is that sometimes it's necessary to push back, hard, if there is intransigence against rectifying what we perceive at our sincerest core to be immoral or unethical. Literacy takes courage.

Young Benjamin Franklin outlined thirteen virtues to live by, one being to speak ill of no man, save if that person broke the law or led a life full of vice. Soon this tested his sense of outrage over lesser crimes, so he resorted to writing letters to the editor of his own newspaper under comical assumed names, lambasting the bad behavior of others. Later, as his natural appetite for meaty substances waged a losing war with his vegetarian vows, he wrote to a friend, “So convenient it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for every thing one has a mind to do.” Right. At the moment what I have a mind to do is take a nap, and wake to find the world transformed into utopia.

–Ferdinand FedUp

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.

The possible impeachment of a newly elected state Supreme Court justice is raising questions with political insiders

By WisPolitics.com

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos continues to talk about the possibility of impeaching liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, while state Democrat Party Chair Ben Wikler announces a $4 million campaign to pressure Republicans to back off the threat.

Insiders are asking:

What is the off ramp for the GOP Assembly speaker? And what’s the endgame for the state Democrat chair?

And though it seems to many that an impeachment vote in the GOP-run Assembly is inevitable, insiders generally believe Republicans would like to avoid it entirely. They also ask just how effective a Democratic pressure campaign will prove to be. Insiders note if Protasiewicz agreed to recuse herself from the two redistricting suits pending before the state Supreme Court, the potential constitutional crisis would go away. But insiders also say there is almost no chance that happens.

For one thing, Protasiewicz made clear on the campaign trail that while she would step away from cases involving the state

Democratic Party over the contributions it gave her campaign, she would hear a redistricting suit despite complaints from Republicans that she was biased after calling the maps rigged. As they’re asked about impeachment, Republicans continue to point to the $10 million from the state Democratic Party to argue Protasiewicz must recuse. No matter that it’s not a direct party in the two suits, they argue.

Republicans say the Democratic Party’s interests are so intertwined in the outcome that there’s no difference. After Democrats announced the $4 million pressure campaign, Vos said it wouldn’t make it more or less likely that Republicans would vote to impeach Protasiewicz. He also vows Republicans won’t back down.

Still, insiders parse Vos’ words carefully, particularly the part where he says Republicans would have to do an analysis of whether impeachment would be justified should Protasiewicz refuse to step off the case. That, insiders say, fits with the perception that Republicans really don’t want to go through with such a vote.

They’re just trying to pressure Protasiewicz to step off.

So when she doesn’t, then what?

Insiders aren’t sure if at least 50 of the 64 Assembly Republicans would vote to impeach Protasiewicz. But they’re pretty positive Republicans don’t have the 22 votes needed in the Senate to remove her. And even if they did, insiders note, it would just mean Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointing a replacement who would be even more liberal than the former Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge.

Freshman state Rep. Scott Johnson, R-Jefferson, is one of the first Republican lawmakers to publicly oppose the effort, saying: “The people of Wisconsin have historically shown that they do not support uprooting a duly elected official on the sheer basis of political disagreement. Our court has shifted in a new direction, which is the consequence of an election.”

To some, this is all about delay. If

Republicans can just push things off long enough to keep the current maps in place for the 2024 election cycle, they could live to fight another day, maybe after taking their best shot at liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley in 2025.

To that end, some conservatives argue the GOP’s best bet is a due process argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Persuade the 6-3 conservative majority that Protasiewicz’s participation is so problematic that the court either halts proceedings or overturns anything that comes from the Wisconsin justices. There’s no guarantee that gambit would work, insiders say. But it could at least slow things down enough that there’s no time to put new maps in place.

That also plays into the perception some have that Vos, R-Rochester, is looking for a way off the impeachment path. Many insiders see it as a political loser overall; they also mention long-term damage it could do to Wisconsin’s institutions and the public perception of them. At the same time, some believe Vos has talked about the prospect so openly that he’s built up an expectation among the GOP base that it’s about to go to war over the issue. If he doesn’t push the issue, it could cause him problems with the very activists who have had doubts about his conservative bona fides due to his feud with Donald Trump.

It’s also why some question just what $4 million from Democrats would do. Sure, you can target vulnerable Republicans in targeted districts. But if those lawmakers think they’re going to lose their seats under new maps anyway, some ask, what do they have to lose? Some more strident Democrats believe pressure is pointless after what they’ve seen come out of the GOP majorities over the past dozen years. Never defend, they say, attack. And that means saber-rattling about recalling conservative justices Rebecca Bradley or Annette Ziegler as a show of force. Others remember how that backfired on Democrats against Scott Walker in 2012

and say there’s a wiser path.

Sure, Wikler isn’t likely to change the minds of Republicans intent on going after Protasiewicz. But the pressure campaign is going to be a fundraising boom for the party. What’s more, it’s given Democrats a way to get engaged in this fight. And the party’s allies are not only doing their part through a paid media campaign, they’re laying an early foundation to get donors even more fired up about getting involved in Wisconsin going into 2024. The Democratic message – this isn’t just about “fair” maps but an attempt by Republicans to protect the state’s 1849 abortion ban. Some also argue Wikler had no choice but to find a way to counter the GOP talk of impeachment. As state chair, you can’t sit on the sidelines when a fight like this is brewing. But now what? Insiders sketch out scenarios of the timing of impeachment and what it would mean for a new appointment, if it could result in another Supreme Court race this spring and how it all would impact the court’s progress on a host of issues.

Others, though, bemoan the gradual erosion of the guardrails that used to exist to preserve “normal order” in Wisconsin politics. After a dozen years of high-stakes battles and elections, the state is heading into 2024 amid national headlines over GOP efforts to remove the state’s top elections official and possibly impeach a newly elected justice. It is a troubling reminder to some that politics is all about power and keeping a hold of it.

For more, go to www.wispolitics.com

Katie Green

The Capitol Report is written by the editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics.

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Public Education — Part 2: The Challenge of Getting an Education on Education

I’ve downloaded a variety of documents off the internet trying to be careful to only include those that are prepared by scholars on the history of education and those that are reinforced by numerous references and documented quotes. It requires a lot of sifting and sorting, and that is a commentary on the challenge

winning journalist and military history columnist for the New York Times Books Review. OK, that’s a good start on his qualifications as a reliable source. In his prologue to the book, Ricks admits:

of obtaining information in order to form a valid perspective on any issue. It appears that acquiring an education on education is a particularly challenging pursuit in our atmosphere of attacks on education from multiple sources that live on the internet.

“…I found myself examining my assumptions about this country and its design, not only questioning what the founders had thought but wondering what had shaped their thinking. What did they read, what did they think, what resonated with them? How different were their intellectual influences from today’s? What were they thinking as they constructed this nation?...So I read the books they read and the letters they wrote to one another about those books…Not everyone has the time, opportunity, or inclination to spend several years in the basement of college libraries reading ancient Roman political speeches or minor Greek philosophers, and then comparing them to the wartime letters of George Washington and essays of James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. But I did, and I loved every day of it.”

has some answers to that in their publication, “History and Evolution of Public Education in the US.” The CEP defines itself as an independent source for research and information about public education. Its mission is to help Americans better understand the role of public education in a democracy and to try to help citizens make sense of the conflicting opinions and perceptions about public education. It took a little searching to find this, but again, I feel confident I’ve found a reliable source of information.

According to the CEP, “in the early years of our nation, schooling was haphazard. Many children were excluded on the basis of income, race, ethnicity, geographic location, and other reasons.” For the most part, education was available only to those able to afford tuition. There were a few schools supported by charitable contributions, but they were limited mostly to cities. Many rural areas had either no schools or very skimpily equipped schools often with transient, undereducated teachers.

virtue at this time in history was defined as “putting the common good before one’s own interest.” Hmmmm.

Washington proved himself to be a prodigious reader and a “sturdy practical thinker.” His military leadership, enhanced by the experiential education obtained during the French and Indian War, proved that he was also a critical thinker – maybe the most important outcome an education can provide.

I realized midway through my teaching career – no excuse for it taking me so long – that if you want to understand an issue you have to start at the very beginning, build slowly and you have to try to avoid gaps. You can memorize anything pretty quickly, but you develop an understanding only slowly and methodically. So, bear with me, I’m on this journey with you to explore the education and thinking of our founders that led us eventually to the principle of public education as a right and a necessary component of our growing and developing liberal democracy. It’s too important an issue to rush it.

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This may be one of the most significant aspects regarding the value of an education. Are we careful consumers of information? Do we pay attention to the need to check references, look for multiple sources of confirmation, and consider the qualifications and expertise of those providing the information? Are the sources we read or listen to giving us verifiable facts or unsubstantiated opinions? Are we capable of distinguishing between the two? I’ve got more research to do, but I think the Founding Fathers were very concerned about this issue, an issue that can be defined simply as critical thinking. Meanwhile, wandering through the bookstore, I came across the book, First Principles: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country by Thomas E. Ricks. Ricks is a Pulitzer Prize

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.

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Alright, I think I’m in the right place to get some of the information I need. This is a person who takes education seriously and rigorously – a good place to start in this series on the importance of public education in the founding and sustaining of our Country.

So, what was in the education and thinking of our founders that led us eventually to the principle of public education as a right and a necessary component of our growing and developing liberal democracy? What was it that led James Madison to say, “A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.”

Okay, so it is not surprising that Ricks reports that the Founding Fathers received their early education primarily from private tutors, which means that their families were rich or at least relatively affluent. Well, we pretty much knew that already.

According to Ricks’ research, George Washington had the least amount of formal education but the greatest amount of experiential education.

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

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Before I dig into the actual education of the Founding Fathers, a sense of the educational opportunities available to them needs to be explored. The Center on Education Policy (CEP) at George Washington University

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EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone

Managing Editor

Taylor Scott

Legal Editor Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

Editorial Policy

Graphic Design

Julianna Williams

Democracy & Society Columnist

Beverly Pestel

Community Columnist

Katie Green

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.

Letter to the Editor Policy

know you read Valley Sentinel each week.

What does independent news mean to us? It means NOT influenced by corporations or government, NO big corporate backers, NO corporate umbrella organizations, NO big money investors. Just a handful of people with a dream to build community.

Valley Sentinel is all-volunteer, independently owned and operated by its editors and is a majority woman-owned business. Community fueled and community focused. We only succeed if the community succeeds.

Washington’s formal education was limited because his father died when he was only eleven years old. As a result, he grew up similar to other young white boys who were lucky to get a year or two of schooling, enough to learn how to read and do simple math. However, Washington used that schooling to further his education. He was a reader and was influenced mainly by Roman literature, specifically Caesar’s Commentaries, and his favorite play was Cato, as was true of many during colonial times. Cato was seen as the very embodiment of virtue – and the word

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We wanted to take a moment to apologize for the unbalanced nature of this edition. Please do not expect the paper to look like this each edition. This edition really needed to be a 16 page at minimum, but we don't have the manpower currently to get everything edited and laid out the way we'd like to each edition. You'll notice some content teases to online and there was a lot of content we needed to hold that will appear next edition. Expect some fun fall articles and, if there is interest from our readers and our advertisers, we may put together a fall and/or spooky season special section or two in the next edition or two. Please support our advertisers and let them know you read Valley Sentinel. Again, we apologize for this edition feeling a bit more unbalanced than most. Every line, story, text box and picture is laid out individually by hand digitally each edition and we had a number of advertising spots come in last minute. We appreciate our advertisers and we appreciate our readers. We welcome feedback and would love to hear what you think. We have a lot of irons in the fire and exciting updates to come. Thank you for caring with us.

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Beverly Pestel, Columnist

Beverly Pestel

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee considers all bills introduced in either house of the legislature for the appropriation of money for all state funded programs. “These bills shall be referred to the joint committee on finance before being passed into law” according to the State Constitution. There are sixteen members on this Standing Committee. Of this number, 4 are Democratic members and 12 are Republican members. This extremely lopsided total, in a heavi-

Dear Editor,

After reading the Sept. 14th article in The Dodgeville Chronicle regarding the issue between JI Construction, MSA and Madison Gas & Electric about the relocation of a gas main during the sewer project in the Village of Arena, I am wondering.

Where is the Village leadership in all of this? This is the Village’s project, after all.

It seems there is culpability on all sides here. JI, MG&E, MSA and most certainly, the Village. When it was determined

ly gerrymandered state, is an example of how power corrupts our political system.

Republican Sen. Marklein is co-chair of the State Finance Committee and Republican Rep. Kurtz are on the Joint Finance Committee. Together, they, along with other conservatives, are responsible for past underfunding of public schools while dramatic increasing funds for private voucher schools. Schools that have little oversight or accountability to the state. In addition, the conservative legislature has continuously underfund-

that there were issues between JI, MSA and MG&E, the Village should have stepped in and worked to resolve the issue. The article reads as if there may be a delay request turned in by JI Construction and work is being moved, in order to give MG&E time to move the gas main. Wouldn’t it have been better to have a delay in the project due to the Village working for a resolution to the issue before more work was done and an understanding between all parties as to what was expected? Again, this is the Village’s project.

ed the UW system in general, UW-R in particular through the recent UW Regent’s decision, and continues to undermine and undervalue public education throughout the state.

Wisconsin was once the envy of the nation when it came to public education under Democratic governance. Foreign students and students from around the country flocked to our schools to receive the best education available. I graduated from high school in 1962, during the hay day of public education. I remember well

Now, you have attorneys involved and discord between the parties.

There were Public Works meetings in April and May and this issue was not on either agenda.

I was not present at the Sept. meeting due to a vacation and I do attend and record Committee and Board meetings.

It is discouraging to see the lack of involvement by the Community and, also, the lack of preparation by members of the Village Board for meetings.

At the February meeting, when the contracts were voted on and approved

Rural Wisconsin, woman-owned Wilson Creek Pottery turns 50 years old

continued from page 1

found in the Wilson Creek valley, Ashley and Shannon are deeply honored to join the lineage of local potters and to create pieces that serve, nourish, and uplift their community. You will find Wilson Creek Pottery serving everyday meals across the community and at local restaurants like Sardine, Homecoming, and Reunion. To honor the community that has

supported and valued this work for the past 50 years, Wilson Creek Pottery will host an open house event at their studio on Saturday, September 30th. The open house will include studio tours, demonstrations, local snacks and treats, and an official toast at 3pm. The potter invites the celebration to continue at Homecoming, a favorite restaurant in downtown Spring Green. Homecoming

will be serving their usual fare of woodfired pizza, specialty salads, entrees and cocktails, and all are invited to dine there after visiting the studio. The celebration will close with silent disco-style dancing starting around 8pm at the Sh*tty Barn, the renowned local, and totally unique music venue. All are welcome to join the celebration at any time. The studio will be open that day, as it is every single day,

A DAY AT TALIESIN join

the impact the University of Wisconsin had on students of my generation. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case under Republican anti-public-school rule. It will be up to each of us to restore our faith in our public-school systems across the board during the upcoming 2024 elections. We still are a democracy and every vote still counts. Prepare for a better future and do your civic duty. Vote.

Lee D. Van Landuyt Hillsboro, Wisconsin

by the Board, Village President Kate Reimann asked MSA rep, Andy Zimmer, about the overseeing of the projects by MSA. Now, in my experience in dealing with projects like these, that is written in the contract language. Did the Village President not familiarize herself with the contract before the meeting?

If anyone would like recordings of meetings, contact me at: paulpustinaarena@ gmail.com and I will send them to you.

Paul Pustina Arena, Wisconsin

from 10am until 6pm.

Full details about the event and timing are available at wilsoncreekpottery.com. Catch more stories about the 50-year history and the upcoming celebration on their social media (Instagram: @wilsoncreekpottery; Facebook: WilsonCreekPottery)

Inquires, please direct to Shannon at wilsoncreekpottery@gmail.com

Valley Sentinel 5.125x8.25

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COmmunitycalendar

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

Events for September 21 - October 5

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.

LIVE MUSIC: Sugar Mama & the Rent Check at Local Night 5:30 PM Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green Look up The Shed on Facebook for more info Come enjoy a summer outdoor music series featuring different local artists every week! Grills will be fired and beverages available, so come and enjoy the best that River

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.”

Friday, September 22

LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session MIR5: Joshua Powell 7:00 PM 506 E Madison St, Spring Green shittybarnsessions.com Doors open at 6 $15 Joshua Powell is the exhausted wizard at the helm of Indiana’s most haunted astral rock band. From his hardcore roots in the Floridian swamps and beyond the fever dream of his troubadour folk era, Powell’s songs have drifted through genres but maintained a crystalline vision for literarily-informed lyrics that dig for enlightenment in a surrealist muck.

Karaoke 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Join us the fourth Friday of every month for a night of Karaoke at Slowpoke. Janna Johnson hosts this night for the community to come together in song. Take a chance and come up on stage, or just cheer on your friends. We’ll get star ted around 8:00, and go until last call. That could be as early as 10:00 or as late as 2:00am. It all depends on you! No cover, but tips for our host are always welcome.

Saturday, September 23

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.

7th Annual Hill & Valley Exploration Tour 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sauk, Richland, & Juneau Counties explorehillandvalley.com 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 goodies you buy along the drive! This is a rain or shine event! Come and Join the Fun!

Sunday, September 24 cont.

7th Annual Hill & Valley Exploration Tour 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM . Sauk, Richland, & Juneau Counties explorehillandvalley.com

This 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 small farm economy of our area!

A Day At Taliesin 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Taliesin, 5607 County Road C, Spring Green explorehillandvalley.com Adults: $10, Students 17 and Under: Free! taliesinpreservation.org Enjoy the colors of the harvest season while roaming the landscape and basking in the beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 800-acre homestead at this family-oriented event! Discover the seamless blend of architecture and nature on a self-guided tour of the grounds, or participate in various immersive and educational add-on activities. We’re here to help you create the Taliesin experience you’ve always envisioned. Space is limited, so register today!

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!

River Valley Community Anime Club 4:00 PM Spring Green Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join us for the first meeting of the RVS Anime Club! We will have a small meet-and-greet, then dive right into watching a few episodes of My Hero Academia! This event is geared toward teens.

Monday, September 25

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.

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

Tuesday, September 26

Movies, Munchies and More — Tootsie 1:00 PM Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Come to the library for a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, a movie. Movie Synopsis: New York actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a talented perfectionist who is so hard on himself and others that his agent (Sydney Pollack) can no longer find work for him. After a soap opera audition goes poorly, Michael reinvents himself as actress Dorothy Michaels and wins the part. What was supposed to be a short-lived role turns into a long-term contract, but when Michael falls for his castmate Julie (Jessica Lange), complications develop that could wreck everything (PG, 1h 51m, 1982).

Afternoon Storytime: National Pancake Day 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org More Pancakes, PLEASE! Join us for a fun, Pancake Day Storytime full of stories, songs, crafts, & pancakes for everyone!

Spring Green's Early History, Part 1 7:00 PM Community Room, Spring Green Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com The early history of Spring Green will be the subject of two presentation by Sauk County Historical Society Executive Director Paul Wolter, the second being Tuesday, October 3. Topics explored will range from the naming of the community to the villages early years as a temperance community and much more. The presentations are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Sauk County Historical Society at 608-356-1001.

Wednesday, September 27

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!

Education Fund Raiser for Joey Ksioszk 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Wintergreen (The Old Ski Hill), 5320 CTY RD C, Spring Green For more information, look up Riteway Shell on Facebook A day of fun and giving in memory of Nicole Carolann Bliesner. Music, Drinks, and Food by Fat Jacks BBQ, Raffles and Prizes! Silent and Live Auction! Direct donations can be made at rivervalleycommons.org/Joey.

Introduction to Knitting 1:00 PM . Community Room, Spring Green Library, 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. Register online.

Savanna Institute: Spring Green Open House 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM North Farm, E6856 State Rd 60, Spring Green savannainstitute.org Join us for our annual open house with family-fun activities, farm tours, and local food and drinks featuring perennial agriculture products and Driftless producers. There will be a free continuous shuttle running from River Valley High School to our Spring Green Campus from 1-5. Registration is encouraged but not required. This is a free event and all are welcome!

LIVE MUSIC: Broun Fellinis 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door The Broun Fellinis are a jazz/hip-hop trio hailing from the Bay Area whose members include percussionist Professor Boris Karnaz (born Kevin Carnes), bassist Kirk the Redeemer, and woodwind player Black Edgar Kenyatta.

Sunday, September 24

Fall Yoga 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Retreats Yoga, S7163 County Rd G, Hill Point ruralremedy.com Suggested payment: $20 / drop-in session. Payment is appreciated but you are always welcome to come no matter your financial situation. Register online.

Book Discussion: Maybe you should talk to someone: a therapist, HER therapist, and our lives revealed by Lori Gottlieb 2:00 PM . Spring Green Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com . Every 4th Wednesday at 2pm, join us for a cup of coffee, snack, and a chat about this month's selection. The book is available at the Library a month before the discussion. Synopsis: Lori Gottlieb is a therapist who helps patients in her Los Angeles practice. A crisis causes her world to come crashing down. Enter Wendell, the quirky but seasoned therapist in whose office she suddenly lands. As Gottlieb explores the inner chambers of her patients' lives, she finds that the questions they are struggling with are the very ones she is now bringing to Wendell. With startling wisdom and humor, Gottlieb invites us into her world, examining the truths and fictions we tell ourselves and others as we teeter on the tightrope between meaning and mortality, guilt and redemption, hope and change.

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!

Thursday, September 28

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

Mid Morning Matinee 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Community Room, Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain kraemerlibrary.org Join us for our Mid Morning Matinee. Lunch starting at 11:30 followed by a feature film showing. All welcome. Sign up at the front desk or by calling 608-546-4201. This month's film is a classic: The Odd Couple.

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.

LIVE MUSIC: Jodi Jean Amble & The Honey Pies at Local Night 5:30 PM Post House Garden, 127 E Jefferson St, Spring Green Look up The Shed on Facebook for more info Come enjoy a summer outdoor music series featuring different local artists every week! Grills will be fired and beverages available, so come and enjoy the best that River Valley has to offer!

Community

Events for September 30 - October 5

Friday, September 29

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 302: Joshua Hedley 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 Joshua Hedley is “a singing professor of country & western,” he declares on his raucous and witty new album, Neon Blue. It might sound like a punchline, but it’s not. An ace fiddle player, a sharp guitarist, and a singer with a granite twang, he’s devoted his entire life to the study of this genre.

Saturday, September 30

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.

Wilson Creek Pottery's 50th Anniversary Celebration 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM . Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com An open house 10-6, tours and demonstrations, and an official toast at 3pm with snacks from Wander Provisions. Then Ashley, the potter invites all to enjoy dinner in town Homecoming for their usual wood-fired pizza and dinner specials. Then close it out with a silent disco dance party at The Sh*tty Barn around 8pm.

Introduction to Knitting 1:00 PM Community Room, Spring Green Library, 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. Register online.

Euchre 5:00 PM Arena VFW Hall 514 Willow Street, Arena For more info look up Ewing-Olson VFW Post 9336 on Facebook Open Euchre last Saturday every month. $5.00 entry fee. Will have BBQ, beans and chips for sale. No partner needed.

LIVE MUSIC: Caravan 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green slowpokelounge.com Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door Caravan is a world traveling acoustic instrumental jazz group from Madison, WI. They are primarily influenced by the legendary Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. The ensemble also pulls influence from American Swing, Jazz, Latin, Parisian Waltz, European Folk and other vintage Jazz sources!

Sunday, October 1

Fall Yoga 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Radiant Spirit Retreats Yoga, S7163 County Rd G, Hill Point ruralremedy.com Suggested payment: $20 / drop-in session. Payment is appreciated but you are always welcome to come no matter your financial situation. Register online.

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!

Arcadia Book Club discusses "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM This is a zoom book club meeting readinutopia.com In this beautiful and moving novel about family, love, and growing up, Ann Patchett once again proves herself one of America’s finest writers. “Patchett leads us to a truth that feels like life rather than literature.” —The Guardian.

Monday, October 2

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

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

Tuesday, October 3

River Valley Community Anime Club 4:00 PM . Spring Green Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Join us for the first meeting of the RVS Anime Club! We will have a small meet-and-greet, then dive right into watching a few episodes of My Hero Academia! This event is geared toward teens.

Spring Green's Early History, Part 2 7:00 PM Community Room, Spring Green Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com The early history of Spring Green will be the subject of two presentation by Sauk County Historical Society Executive Director Paul Wolter, the second being Tuesday, October 3. Topics explored will range from the naming of the community to the villages early years as a temperance community and much more. The presentations are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Sauk County Historical Society at 608-356-1001.

Wednesday, October 4

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!

Knitting Help Drop-in 5:00 PM Community Room, Spring Green Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.com Mary-Margaret has been knitter for more than 40 years. She enjoys designing and making knitwear and the many friendships she has made through the art of knitting.

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!

SOLD OUT – LIVE MUSIC: Shitty Barn Session 30303: The Handsome Family 7:00 PM 506 E Madison St, Spring Green shittybarnsessions.com Doors open at 6 Advance tickets sold out. That sald, tickets often come up that people can't use, so check out SH*TTY TICKET SWAP, which helps to connect ticket buyers and sellers For almost as long as they've been married (26 years) Brett and Rennie have written songs together (Brett, music; Rennie, words). Their finished work is never fully one or the other’s, but lives in unseen space between them.

Thursday, October 5

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.

CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR

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

September 25:

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

September 27:

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

October 3:

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

MEETING: Plain Lions Club Meeting 7:00 PM . 510 Main Street, Plain . villageofplain.com

October 7:

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

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. These woods are a canvas, and this is the newest masterpiece. Art that evokes conversation, intertwines with our landscape, and sparks your imagination.

Spring Green Community Library Art Exhibitions . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green Monday-Thursday: 10 AM - 7 PM Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM

Leah Griffith Boyce, a Spring Green artist, is displaying an oil painting “Hope", in the Community Room. This was created as a meditation on being human in this vast and undolding cosmos. This is the first time the painting has been exhibited. Boyce holds her master of fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her beautiful oil painting can be viewed at anytime during regular library hours when the Community Room is not already in use. Please ask for the room key at the circulation desk.

Win and Sandra Byers are the featured artists in the Glass Case Gallery. The Byers have both been making pots for 50 years. After 2 years in New York City, they moved to Madison, and then to the small village of Rock Springs where they found a 6 room school building suitable for both a home and studio. Win makes functional stoneware and porcelain pieces on the potters wheel. Sandra creates small nature-inspired vessels and sculptures of porcelain by throwing and pinching. The Byers' ceramics work is available for viewing during regular library hours.

Bunny For Nothing, CS

Samsara, Bud

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

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.....

One by One (part one) — Forever Carefree

One by One they left our farmhouse on Rainbow Road, my ten siblings that is. Being the youngest I had both the pleasure and the displeasure of watching them leave. Most of their departures are a blur that I have just a faint memory of and others, I recall a sense of joy of finally being rid of a tormentor.

Still the feeling of emptiness and of… in a way being deserted, remains with me to this day. However true some of my memories are, they are my memories and I hold them as my truth. The first to leave was Kenny, the oldest. I couldn’t have been more than four. At that age there’s no real understanding as to what is happening, only the sense of being left by someone you look up to and although you don’t real comprehend the feeling: You love. My brother Kenny was strikingly handsome with movie star features, tall, a chiseled jaw, thick dark hair, a wide smile, and a deep hearty laugh. As a child it was hard for me to accept why he would be leaving our little home yet there he was packing up his ragtop convertible. It was the same one we used to hop in and tootle over to the drive-in with. Lulu and I’s hair, all tied up in rag curls, our pj’s on and of course, as always, barefoot. We would arrive home with a gallon jug of root beer in hand. Mom would pull out the Schoep’s Vanilla and make us all root beer floats. It was the best before bedtime treat.

That is one of my only memories of Kenny: His car, my rag curls, and those bedtime root beer floats.

The day he left I stood on our road watching as he drove off, with the top down, disappearing around rainbow curve. My small mind wondered: Who would take us to the drive-in? How long it would be before I heard his deep hearty laugh again? But mainly, who would take us to the drive-in?

Kenny was off on a grand new adventure: My big brother: Was off to Vietnam!! I didn’t know what that meant but I was sure it would be wonderful. Why else would he be

leaving the family, me, and our little farm at the end of the Rainbow. As I watched, I wished I was going with him: My hair tied up in rag curls riding next to him with the top down and see for myself what excitement this Vietnam place held.

My tall, handsome, carefree brother with movie star good looks never returned: Rather the guy that did, didn’t resemble the one that left. His hair wasn’t as thick, as dark, his smile as wide, his laugh, as deep, nor hearty. Returning to a country divided: Ashamed of him. His eyes that once had a zest for life emanating from them: Now held just a blank... distant... stare.

His face with its chiseled jaw, now carried a pained expression: Haunted by memories, too horrifying to talk about.

Glimpses of my brother emerged now and then but as time went on, they completely faded into the background and seemed to be swallowed up by grief, anger, and sadness.

I wish I could say I tried to pull out the brother I had known or to get to know this new version of him but by this time I’d grown, and he didn’t hold the mystery that he once had, my life seemed to have gotten in the way and taken center stage.

I honestly have no excuse for not getting to know the brother that did return and now I never will: My brother Kenny: The first to leave. The first to die. Passed last week, alone and penniless. I don’t want to think of him alone, nor do I want to think of him tormented and haunted by ghosts of the past.

No, I choose to remember the strikingly handsome brother I watched drive away in his ragtop convertible all those years back, laughing a deep hearty laugh, smiling wide with his thick dark hair blowing in the wind, waving back at me as he takes off: On his final, grand new adventure. Forever Carefree

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

Alys and the Ark captivates opening as Violet Palms album release electrifies the Slowpoke Lounge

On the stroke of midnight on Sept. 11, the electrifying sound waves from the band, Violet Palms, was released into the world. Twelve songs from the band's debut album, “Compassion Fatigue”, were celebrated on the renowned stage at Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret in downtown Spring Green, in preparation for the marked, midnight release.

The fall evening held a crispness in the autumn air and the Slowpoke Lounge was brimming full of people, gathering together at the warm and cozy music venue for the evening's exciting musical performances to celebrate the anticipated album release.

Opening for the Violet Palms was another local band—Alys and the Ark.

Alys and the Ark is comprised of band members Alys Dickerson, Ron Roman Melendez, Patrick Michaels and Phoebe Gonzalez.

Alys and the Ark made its own debut that evening and ascended the stage together, marking their first time to ever open a show. The emerging stars shone from the stage with Dickerson’s smooth, rich and soulful voice emanating from the stage.

Capturing beautiful harmonies that filled the room with deeply resonating heartfelt songs; Dickerson and fellow bandmates Melendez, Michaels and Gonzalez continued to captivate the audience with a soulful performance. The passionate display had everyone

continued on page 9

— Mary Lanita Schulz

Amberly Mae-Cooper, Contributor

Photo by Amberly Mae-Cooper Alys and the Ark pictured at the Slowpoke Lounge September 11.

Whalen, MD | David Ringold, MD | Andrew Bland, MD | Connie Kramer, ARNP

Alys and the Ark captivates opening as Violet Palms album release electrifies the Slowpoke Lounge

continued from page 8 swaying rhythmically to the music. Enthusiastic cheers echoed through the crowd after each song. The nourishing and soulful vocals met the grand instrumental expression as the band performed for moments that seemed to stand still in time. Reminding the audience of the power of the sung word and the impact of heartfelt ballads; Alys and the Ark regaled the audience with breathtaking music and will certainly continue to shimmer and shine.

Dickerson is the lead singer for the band Alys and the Ark. She and the Violet

Palms lead singer, Marcus Truschinski, are connected through the American Players Theatre, where Dickerson has taken the stage as an gifted actor and now holds the title of Artistic Associate; a new and exciting role for Dickerson.

Alys and the Ark were thrilled when they were invited to open for the Violet Palms on their special night; marking the release of the debut album.

Dickerson has always had a love for singing and acting with a supportive family; including her parents and younger sister. Having provided continued encouragement early on and

helping to pave the way for Dickerson’s past and current artistic endeavors.

“My father and mother are big musical influences; I grew up singing in church and have always found a way to do music…My dad was a singer and stage personality,” said Dickerson. “My dad and mom tell me to keep singing and keep praising the Lord through my music. I feel like my family believes in me; in everything I choose to do.”

Alys and the Ark used inspiration from Noah’s Ark and a true mission to make music. Bandmate Patrick Michaels’ land held a big red barn on his berry

Art Exploration Workshops

WOOD SPOON CARVING

TIM DENNISON

Students will each receive a pre-prepared spoon blank and will have an opportunity to work it closer to its final form Tim will demonstrate safe handling of the tools involved, discuss spoon design, and coach participants through various stages of the carving process Two carving knives are included in the course registration fee This is a beginners class in green woodworking, and excellent for those with no prior woodworking experience

Saturday September 23rd 1-4PM

Location: Homecoming at The White School 242 N Lexington, Spring Green, WI

ARTFUL MENDING

Our clothing It says who we are, who we are trying to be who we want to become In our Artful Mending workshop, we will practice three techniques of mending: darning, Sashiko (mending embroidery), and patching We’ll figure out what types of garments need which style of mending and when mending styles can be blended We’ll provide participants with the tools to take mending into their own lives No previous sewing skills required

Saturday October 7th 1-4PM

Location: Homecoming at The White School 242 N Lexington, Spring Green, WI

Registration and information online at www ruralremedy com/offerings Workshops are open to anyone 16 years and older

Please inquire about younger participants

Special thanks for contributions from Homecoming and the generous instructors who are offering their energy and expertise Art Exploration Workshops are supported in part by grants from River Valley ARTS and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funding by the State of Wisconsin

farm where they eventually built a stage within the barn, which became, The Ark, a place where “We often jam and create music; at the Ark, our mission is that, we invite people in and invite people to create.” The Ark remains a special place and continues to host music nights and jam sessions.

Patrick Michaels of Alys and the Ark had met Dickerson pre-pandemic and the two “started jamming together,” so creating the band, Alys and the Ark ...

Read the rest exclusively online at valleysentinelnews.com

EARRING CONSTRUCTION

BECKY ELLIS

Earrings are such a fun accessory Big and colorful or delicate and minimal explore tools and materials to create two pairs of earrings Things to consider: size, balance, weight, and movement Participants will make two unique pairs of earrings using a variety of materials including beads, wire, and stones Some materials will be sent home for further construction and play

Tuesday October 3rd 6:30-8:30PM

Location: Homecoming at the White School 242 N Lexington St Spring Green, WI

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)

REN LADASSOR

Reflections from Lost Horizon Farm — Vet Calls on the Farm: Part 2

Each edition, retired dairy farmer Barb Garvoille brings her musings on dairy farm life from her own years of experience on Lost Horizon Farm with her late husband Vince “Mr. Farmer” Garvoille. This mooving memoir focuses on 19802000, join Barb as she rises with the herd. The treatment for ketosis was drenching the cow with propylene glycol or administering an IV with dextrose into the jugular vein. If Mr. Farmer caught the disease early, a timely drench might cure it. Oftentimes, though, treatment required the veterinarian to insert a drip with dextrose that would be followed up with drenchings. In order to do either of these things, a person would have to put a nose lead on the cow and tie her head to one side so that she would not struggle and injure herself or the human trying to treat her. Once a cow had experienced a nose lead, she did not forget about it. The real trick was trying not to get hurt by the cow while trying to get a hold of her head long enough to get the nose lead in place. Some cows would forcefully throw their heads up, down, and sideways to avoid the lead; sometimes it helped if a person hid the lead behind their back and relied on the element of surprise. The nose lead's end was a u-shaped pliers with a ball at each end of the u. It was spread apart so that each ball fit into one of the cow’s nostrils. Pressure to the cartilage between the nostrils was applied once the rope of the lead was pulled, wrapped around a steel upright, and tied securely. Even a pretty sick cow could put up powerful resistance to a nose lead; a person had to act quickly and decisively. The cow's mouth had to be pried open in order to drench her. An inserted aluminum tube (The metal had to be soft so as not to break a cow's teeth) or a pistol-grip drenching "gun" (not unlike a caulking gun) was used to convey gelled liquid into the cow. On a hot summer day, when a cow had to be drenched, the person who had put the nose lead in the cow and then administered the fluids would also be drenched—with sweat!!

Milk fever could occur before, during or immediately after calving. Not yet completely understood, this metabolic

disorder was thought to be the result of an imbalance of calcium, magnesium or potassium. A complex disease, it had baffling aspects. Some cows responded to treatment while others did not; and some breeds, like Jerseys, were more prone to

this malady. At Lost Horizon Farm, we found that some cow families were more susceptible to milk fever than others. If a springing cow looked as if she was coming down with milk fever (her ears would be droopy; her head would be hanging), Mr. Farmer would get the nose lead, secure the cow’s head, and a tube of buffered calcium chloride paste would be administered. The tube would fit in a caulking gun and be metered into the cow's mouth. More severe cases would require the vet, and he would treat the cow with a combination of calcium and dextrose via an IV in the jugular vein.

Subcutaneous injections in addition to the IV could be given also. Sometimes, a cow would go down with this disease, and sometimes, despite numerous treatments, the case would be incurable.

Mastitis was a disease of the mammary system of the cow. It could affect one of the cow's quarters, one side of the udder, or all four quarters. In bad cases, such as those caused by Coliform bacteria, the disease could become systemic. Mastitis was caused by bacteria entering the teat canal. It was the reason cows were dipped with a sanitizer within moments of having the milking machine removed. It was also the reason that milker inflations at Lost Horizon Farm were replaced routinely every three months. An inflation with a minute crack could look clean after the

wash cycle, but the crack could provide the perfect medium for bacterial bloom. Mastitis could be the result of dirty environmental conditions or malfunctions in milking equipment (such as an improper vacuum level), and it was a disease that could be spread from cow to cow by contaminated milking equipment or even the milker's hands.

A dairy farmer was always on the lookout for signs of mastitis. The protocol for mastitic cows at Lost Horizon Farm was that the infected cow was milked last, and the mastitic milk deposited in the gutter well away from all other animals. (A cow's swishing tail connecting with contaminated milk in the gutter could spread the disease to another cow or cows!) As with other diseases, the initial treatment for mastitis could be done by Mr. Farmer; persistent or really bad cases needed the veterinarian to administer the proper antibiotic. Some of the less common bacterial types required culture before they could be identified with certainty; and then, in some cases, treatment had to be modified accordingly. Mastitis could become gangrenous or systemic; it could be incurable, and it could be deadly.

When a calf is born, the front legs pointed down come first, followed by the head centered between them. Sometimes the farmer can tell the calf is not in the correct position by what is visible; sometimes the farmer's clue of something amiss is that the cow is straining to deliver, but there is no sign of a calf. Calves can be twisted around, upside down, caught up with another calf inside, too large (especially in the case of first-calf heifers), dead, or even mummified inside the cow. Calving difficulties often mandated a vet visit because two and sometimes three lives were at stake. On occasion, the cow's uterus would have twisted over once, and the veterinarian would have the extraordinarily difficult task of manually flipping the uterus back over so that the calf could be delivered. Most of the time though, the vet just needed to manually ascertain the position of the calf (or calves) and try to turn the calf inside the cow in the proper position for delivery. This task was physically taxing, and required quite an arm length as well as considerable arm strength.

If the calf looked to be coming in the correct position, but the cow seemed to be

having a hard time delivering it, birth could carefully be assisted by using a special calving rope. Once the feet were visible, one end of an always useful bale twine string was attached to the protruding front legs of the calf and the other end to the hook on the calving rope. The rope would span the barn walkway and be snugly tied around a barn support post. In synchrony with each cow's contraction, a person would push down on the taut rope to help pull the calf out. The rope would be retied again and again so that tautness could be maintained . Good judgment was necessary in assisting a cow; too much of a pull or a pull at the wrong time could cause internal injury to the animal. Heifers, as a rule, took longer to calve (Afterall, it was a first time experience for them.), and the farmer had to ask himself: "How long is too long before I need to help this animal?" Heifers were bred to sires that had been noted as "calving ease" sires, but, of course, there were exceptions to artificial insemination service designations and data.

The calf born during a hard calving sometimes had quite a bit of amniotic fluid in its lungs from the retarded birthing, and it was not uncommon for Mr. Farmer or the veterinarian to pick up the newborn and hold it upside down or swing it to help to dislodge the extra fluid. Routinely and immediately following its birth, a newborn calf had each nostril tickled with a piece of hay by its attending human. This gentle poke provided an additional stimulus to get the calf breathing.

Cows that experienced a hard calving (or those that had twin calves) often retained their placentas. The vet would have to come within a week's time to remove the putrefying placenta and insert antibiotic boluses through the cervix. The farmer would then declare the cow had been "cleaned" or had "lost her cleanings." A retained placenta could cause infection, and it usually meant the cow would be harder to breed again ("get bred back").

A week or so after calving, cows could sometimes have DA's or displaced abomasums. This condition occurred because the abomasum, the fourth or main cow stomach, had flipped over after filling with gas. (Cows cannot belch like humans to rid themselves of stomach gas.) Besides being off feed, the cow suffering from a DA

Barb Garvoille, Columnist

Barb Garvoille

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Cow magnets were administered for hardware prevention. FYI - They make the best refrigerator magnets ever!!

Photo contributed by Barb Garvoille Pictured is a cow nose lead with accompanying rope used to secure and still a cow’s head so IVs to the jugular vein can be administered safely. continued on page 11

The Sauk County Gardener

September’s Gardening To-do List

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“The earth is so rich in September. Apples and quinces fall from heavy branches. Cabbage, squash, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes ripen in every garden. White and blue grapes hang heavy clusters on the vines.”

—

Gladys Taber, "Fall," Stillmeadow Sampler, 1959

The hubby and I just returned from a twoweek trip to Alaska and found our tomatoes were going gangbusters! Although our Alaskan trip had been planned for quite a while, I didn’t adjust my garden plans to accommodate our absence. Luckily, our daughter, daughter-in-law, and even my daughter-in-law’s mother, came and picked tomatoes. It was a little challenging as we are growers of heirloom tomatoes and many of our tomatoes are colors other than red. Instead, we had ripe tomatoes in shades of yellow, orange, dark red, and even green. I explained to my daughter that if she couldn’t find the plant labels, she’d have to feel the tomatoes to make sure they were ripe. Between the three of them, there were enough tomatoes for them to give to a variety of people and fill

a small freezer for future processing this winter. Even with all the picking that they did, there are still lots of tomatoes on the vine, waiting to ripen. Unfortunately, the deer and bunnies took care of the rest of my beans, so I greatly appreciated the extra ones our friends from church gave us for canning. Our neighbor, John, also had a good gardening year as he showed us several of his amazing onions, leeks, shallots, beets, and garlic. He definitely knows how to grow them – they were huge! As you finish up harvesting your vegetables, it’s time to start prepping our garden for the fall and watching for frost. Locate whatever you use to cover and protect your garden so you’re ready if we get an unexpected early frost. Keep in mind a well-watered garden also provides additional frost protection. Harvest carrots, beets, and turnips before the first frost kills the foliage. You’ll also want to harvest squash, pumpkins, and gourds as they ripen and before they are damaged by frost. Leave a two-inch stem for better storage. If you like to use fresh herbs throughout the winter, pot up tender herbs

Overwintering and Storing Tropicals, Tender Bulbs & Tubers

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“There is a time in late September when the leaves are still green, and the days are still warm, but somehow you know that it is all about to end, as if summer was holding its breath, and when it let it out again, it would be autumn.”

— Sharyn McCrumb

These past few cool days have me thinking about what I will soon need to do once we get our first killing frost. September 30th is the first predicted frost in the 53913 zip code, but I only use that date to help me plan for taking in my various bulbs, tubers and plants. I have some tender bulbs and tubers that have sentimental value and I want to make sure I save them for future enjoyment. Here’s a quick reminder of what you need to do if you wish to save some of your tender bulbs, tubers, and other tropical plants.

Dahlias and begonias are tender tubers I like to save from year to year. For dahlias, wait until their foliage dies back and turns brown. Then dig and rinse to remove any excess soil. Remove any damaged or

rotted parts and then allow them to dry in a well-ventilated location with indirect light. Let them dry until the tubers’ skins are slightly wrinkled. Dust with antifungal powder (if desired) and then store them in a container of peat moss, wood shavings, cedar chips, or perlite that will stay dry, have good circulation, and in a cool (but won’t freeze), dark location. Check throughout the winter for spoiled tubers. Once begonia foliage has turned yellow or been killed by frost, dig up the entire plant and its tuber. Remove excess soil and roots. Allow the entire plant and tuber to dry in a warm area for a few days. Then remove the foliage and stem. Wrap each tuber in newsprint or place in a paper bag and store them in a cool dark container. Check periodically for rotted ones.

If you have the space, you can bring in your cannas and elephant ears. I don’t have room for all of mine indoors, so I wait for a killing frost to knock them back before I dig and store them. There are four basic steps: digging, cleaning, curing, and storage. Elephant ears are technically

such as parsley, chives, oregano, etc. and bring them indoors to spend the winter in a sunny window. If you planted Brussels sprouts, pinch the growing point at the top of the stem so the bottom sprouts will mature. Remove any newly set blooms and new growth from your tomatoes as they won’t have time to mature. I will let the tomatoes in my greenhouse continue to set blooms as last year I had fresh tomatoes through November. Start cleaning up your vegetable beds as soon as vegetables are harvested. Remove all diseased plants but do not compost them unless you have a hot compost pile. Instead, burn or dispose of them in your regular trash.

In your flower beds, cut back perennials after frost if you like a tidier-looking garden. I tend to keep some standing for winter interest and to provide homes for various pollinators and other beneficial insects. It’s time to start lifting gladioli corms when the leaves turn brown. Let them dry in the sun for a few days so they store well over the winter. You’ll also want to start to bring in any coleus, geraniums, caladiums, and begonias. You can continue

corms, not bulbs. Dig them but leave the foliage intake. Next, wash off excess soil and allow the foliage and corm to dry a few days. Once they’ve dried, remove the leaves one by one and trim the roots to approximately an inch. Dust them with antifungal powder to help prevent rot and store them in peat moss or dry wood shavings. Check them periodically throughout the winter and toss any spoiled ones.

Once your cannas have been killed by frost, cut back the leaves to about two inches and then carefully dig them as they can get quite big. Remove excess soil, rinse, and allow to air dry in a wellcirculated location that’s between 70 and 80 degrees for approximately a week. Remove any remaining foliage and store them in a cool, dark location in peat moss or dry wood shavings. As with other stored bulbs, check them periodically throughout the winter.

You can also save your lantanas and angel’s trumpets. These plants are actually perennial woody shrubs where they regularly grow; they just can’t

Reflections from Lost Horizon Farm — Vet Calls on the Farm: Part 2

continued from page 10

would be noticed because she would hardly produce any manure. Correcting a DA meant surgery. The cow in the stanchion next to the surgical subject would have to be turned outside so that the vet could set up his surgical instruments, table, and lamp in that stall space and also stand next to where he would make the incision.

After the incision had been made (DA's could be either on the left side or right side of the animal), the veterinarian would use a small, motorized pump to rid the affected stomach of any fluid. The doctor would manually put the stomach in the correct position and suture it in place. The animal would be closed up with stitches, and the incision sprayed with disinfectant. If the cow survived her first post-surgical night, she would usually be alright. Sometimes an old blanket or mattress pad would come in handy as a cover for the recovering cow if she had trouble thermoregulating. At Lost Horizon Farm, a surgery cow received extra fine quality hay to aid in her recovery. She was kept inside for a few days so that the healing process could proceed without risk of her having the incision being bumped accidentally by another cow in the barnyard.

When the cows exited the barn, there was a foot bath filled with a mixture of copper sulfate and water through which

the cows had to pass during the warmer months. The foot bath really helped keep feet in good condition. Sometimes a cow would have an abscess on her hoof caused by an embedded object, like a small stone, and sometimes a cow's hoof would be overgrown. The veterinarian would hammer a beam hook into the barn beam nearest the afflicted stanchioned cow. This hook had a ring on it through which a rope could be pulled. The affected foot was roped and pulled up into the air and into the working range of the doctor. No cow was ever happy standing like a tripod, but acting quickly and carefully the vet could, by standing to the side of the extended leg and foot, trim the hoof or work on the abscessed area and treat it. A lame cow not only is in pain, she is also a poorer producer because she spends too much time lying down rather than standing up and eating because her feet hurt! Healthy feet equate to good milk production and cow comfort.

"Hardware" was a problem on some farms. A piece of metal could be ingested with feed and could lodge in a stomach or actually perforate it and cause distress. At Lost Horizon Farm, we were very careful about picking up nails, screws, and staples after construction projects, wire from fencing projects, parts from in-the-field machinery repairs, and we scouted our

fields in the early spring for any trash a thoughtless person may have thrown from the highway onto our hay ground. As a rule, whenever a cow needed a treatment requiring a nose lead, the veterinarian would slip a cow magnet (a cylindrical affair about 2" long) down her throat as an insurance policy against steel hardware. No cow on this farm ever had to actually be treated for a case of “hardware.”

A slip on the ice, being chased or mounted by another animal, foolhardy running in the spring, or a hard calving could result in a leg injury. The most serious of these was damage to the stifle joint. The veterinarian's diagnosis of stifle injury meant irreparable tendon damage to the leg, and the animal would have to be shipped.

The DVM who usually attended to our cows unfailingly mentioned, in a kind tone and with a twinkle in his eye, that Lost Horizon Farm’s cows were a bit on the “over conditioned” side. That was a very sweet way of saying our cows were a bit fat!

The nicest feature of a vet visit was that unless the practice had a lot of emergency calls, the veterinarian always had time to come into the house for cookies and coffee (and sometimes lunch), and a visit. During the winter months, this tradition gave everyone a chance to warm up in front of the wood stove too.

to divide most perennials other than asters and mums that haven’t bloomed. If you have a peony that needs dividing or you wish to share it with someone else, you have until about October 15 to do so. Just make sure you don’t plant it too deeply and mulch it after the ground freezes. You can also plant German bearded iris. Sow snapdragons, cornflowers, and other hardy annuals a few weeks before the first frost. Harvest pears when they are still slightly green with a slight twisting motion. If you have apples, finish harvesting them and clean up any fallen leaves and fallen fruit to control disease and insect problems. Last year, my husband cleaned up all the fallen fruit around our pear and apple trees and this year, almost all of our apples were blemish-free.

Finally, it's time to start prepping your amaryllis and Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus for the holidays. Bring your amaryllis into your cool basement for a three-month resting period. Place your cactus in the cool basement as well in the dark for 15 hours for six to eight weeks so it will set blooms.

tolerate our cool winter. They can be forced into dormancy by cutting back to remove the foliage and storing them in a cool, dark location. Keep them barely moist and when spring arrives, watch for sprouting. You can do the same with tropical grasses such as fountain grass or lemongrass.

If you want to save some of your beautiful coleus, pentas, geraniums, and other soft-stemmed plants, Simply take a cutting, root them in a pot, and place in a sunny windowsill. Take care not to overwater and watch for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Geraniums can also be overwintered by storing them as potted plants or placing bare-root plants in a paper bag or hanging them upside down in a cool, dry location. Visit https://extension.umn.edu/yard-andgarden-news/overwintering-geraniums for more detailed instructions.

Take a little extra time this fall to save some of your favorite tender bulbs, tubers, and plants. That way you can enjoy them again next year and save a little money at the same time.

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.

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

This week I have lots to write about and it’s all good as I officially hit the trail that has me scheduled until the last day of Wisconsin’s deer gun season. First, the experience of not having wheels for 3 weeks has officially passed as the Chevy Hotel went to heaven and two very good friends, actually three, took care of me. Graham and Nate Counihan are longtime friends and this father/son team who own and run Grahams Auto and Truck Clinic located in Poynette, Cottage Grove and Middleton heard my pathetic story, reached out to me and gave me a whopper of a deal on a 2017 GMC Sierra with 34,000 miles. I worked with Graham in the late 70’s when he came over from Ireland and the Counihan’s are good people.

Sunday, September 7th

High 75°, Low 52°

Here is the plan, drive to Lake Wisconsin which is between Poynette and Lodi and part of the Wisconsin River. Load my canoe with duck hunting, camping gear, two happy golden retrievers, and myself, paddle it to a backwaters that is heavily loaded with wild rice, hunt teal and geese for two days, sleep in my canoe at night and that would be the inaugural/ muddy trip of my new truck.

I might add, this truck still even smells new, Ruby and Red are doing their best to change that. So, in case you do not know, I grew up in Poynette and used to ice fish and skate where I would be hunting. Silt followed by wild rice has filled in the 5–6-foot water and the ducks love it. In the past I have slept here as many as 10 days as I trapped muskrat, raccoon, and hunted ducks. I have also hunted

deer with a muzzle loader and camped here and took a beautiful buck one year and the day that trip ended the water became ice.

I have ignored this spot for 3 years because my good friend from Burnett, Rod Bensley was terminally ill and I field hunted for geese with him instead “I miss you Rod, I really do”.

So anyways, this is day 7 of the 9-day teal season and I am a bit late to the party as the local flock is either dead or educated but since I just got wheels yesterday, my options were minimal. A big learning experience would be that there is a lot more and denser, wild rice than there was a few years back and that combined with a long term drought in muck, made for difficult travel.

None the less, I was very excited to train my pup Red and literally live out of my canoe as I had zero intention of getting out of it, until I hit the landing the following day. First setback, the pole for my Robo Duck was broken, I had purchased 2 new batteries on the way down, the Robo Duck was not an option, there will be other hunts.

Next, I put out my decoys in an area that I have hunted in the past and in the very least I would have plenty of wood ducks to watch. Next, I hid my canoe in the wild rice and realized seeing ducks until they were right in range would be a challenge as the rice is tall and thick. Next, I realized I had forgot to bring a lighter. I was going to cook my meals on a single burner camp stove. That idea flamed out and my diet would be cheese, a 2-pound stick of garlic flavored bear sausage, and apples.

On occasion I would get burned by teal flying at Mach 8 and I had no cares as the pups, and I were very happy for a multitude of reasons. Late in the afternoon I came to the conclusion that due to the fact that I had two inches

of muck in the bottom of the canoe, I would not be able to use my sleeping bag as I would destroy it. I decided that when day became night, I would keep wearing my chest waders, roll up in a tarp and live like royalty.

I have to admit, I had a flock of 6 teal fly by and I missed 2 true bunny shots, I also have to admit, I did not care. With 3 minutes of legal hunting left, I had a pair of teal land in easy range, I could not shoot them on the set and let them swim into the wild rice.

When legal shooting ended, I cased my gun, opened a beer and watched about a billion-wood duck and mallard come to what is their rice paradise, for the night. While watching my version of tv, a raccoon swam by, and Ruby wanted to chase it.

I laid on the deck of my canoe wearing chest waders and a rain jacket with my tarp on top of 2 inches of muck and realized that at the ripe old age of 62,

this is living.

The next day, I stayed put until 2:00 pm, did not get a shot, pulled my decoys and paddled back to my new truck.

There will be plenty of shooting on upcoming trips.

Sunset

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

Photo contributed by Mark Walters

Hunting season is Ruby’s favorite time of the year!

Photo contributed by Mark Walters Mark Walters, Ruby and Red spending a night in the canoe.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters The end of another positive adventure.