Valley Sentinel - 11-04-2021

Inside this edition

Commentary: ‘...things are falling apart and the grownups can’t handle it.’

Page 2-3

Live music, theatre, karaoke, fish fry and more in our Community Calendar Page 4

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Spring Green EMS to offer pediatric Pfizer vaccines to those 5-11 years old Page 6

Thursday, November 4, 2021 | Vol. 2, No. 44 FREE, Single-Copy

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County to host ‘Conserve Sauk Film Festival’ Nov. 6

Halloween comes to the valley as area fire stations host trick or treaters

John Christensen, UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County The Conserve Sauk Film Festival is a daylong showcase for environmental and conservationthemed short and feature-length films that offers global stories and local actions.

“We hope people get information, but even more some inspiration,” said Justine Bula, education coordinator with Sauk County Land Resources and Environment and a member of the organizing committee of the Conserve Sauk Film Festival that takes place Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County campus.

Admission is free, though attendees must preregister via go.uwplatt.edu/conservefilmfest.

The 2021 Festival, the second on the campus, will show films in multiple spaces, offer facilitated discussions on the films and their themes, and will give attendees the chance to connect with local conservation and environmental organizations.

“Involvement means something different for every person, so there will be multiple local groups offering lots of chances to participate,” said Bula.

Representatives from local groups including the Friends of the Baraboo River, the UWExtension, and the International Crane Foundation will be in attendance, along with many others. The campus’ Bluffview Café will be open Saturday for lunch, where attendees will have a focused chance to interact and be together.

“We want the community to feel empowered and connected, which it’s been so hard to do,” said Bula.

The festival will feature the premiere of a new documentary “Running Free: The Baraboo River Restoration Story,” commemorating the 20th anniversary of the removal of the area’s Linen Mill Dam. Other films among the 20 on the program include “An American Ascent,” documenting the first African-American expedition to tackle Denali, the highest peak in North America; “Gather,” showcasing Native Americans in the growing movement to reclaim spiritual, political, and cultural identity through food sovereignty; “Fantastic Fungi,” which uses time-lapse photography to show the majesty and mystery of fungi around the Earth; and “Felled,” which traces the journey of an urban pine tree downed by a summer storm and saved from landfill by two woodworkers.

There will also be live presentations from local and regional experts on a range of environmental and conservation topics.

The full lineup is at the Festival’s website, conservesaukfilmfest.org.

Assistant Professor David J. Olson, from the biology faculty of UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, serves on the organizing committee as well, and is very glad to have the campus serving as the host location for the Festival for the second time.

“Our campus is in such a beautiful spot in the Baraboo hills, I think it’s the perfect setting to learn so much about conservation, exploration, restoration, education, and all the important work and care for the land and environment that people are doing around the world. It will be a wonderful day to share with everyone who comes.”

The campus requires face coverings inside all buildings. See the festival’s full schedule and learn more about all the films and presentations at conservesaukfilmfest.org.

Photo by Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief The Arena and Plain Fire Stations were two of many places for area trick or treaters to get treats — and even hot dogs — on Halloween over the weekend. The Plain Fire Station featured candy, hot dogs, face painting and more, with Arena opting for displaying several of its engines outside the station. Pictured above: a hay-wagon UTV ride brings trick or treaters to the Arena Fire Station for treats.

American Players Theatre announces 2022 season, includes five plays originally slated for 2020 American Players Theatre American Players Theatre (APT) has announced the 2022 season lineup, including five plays originally slated to run in the 2020 season, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The summer season will run June 11 through October 9, 2022.

The lineup in the 1,089-seat, outdoor Hill Theatre includes William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Love’s Labour’s Lost; Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s comedy of manners The Rivals; Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, adapted

by Jessica Swale; and Lorraine Hansberry’s great American classic, A Raisin in the Sun. And in the 200-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre, the season includes The River Bride by Marisela Treviño Orta; The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney; and The Moors by Jen Silverman. Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones will run in fall of 2022, dates to be announced later.

Artistic Director Brenda DeVita said, “2022 is about moving forward and building on all that we’ve accomplished, not just this year – and let’s be clear, our 2021 season was a huge, amazing accomplishment – but building on the plans that we’ve been making over the last decade. That examination of what makes a classic, and how do we continue to evolve and grow as an organization and a company? And you’ll see that conversation continue in the 2022 plays.”

“We are welcoming back a big, beautiful, quintessential APT season, with two Shakespeares and a restoration comedy, which our company is singularly suited to perform. We are returning to our

repertory structure, which we missed more than we ever would have imagined.

And we are exploring incredible plays by playwrights that APT has not been able to stage in the past, like Lorraine Hansberry and Tarell Alvin McCraney and Jen Silverman. It’s a season that fits perfectly within our foundation, and with our future plans, and it’s just thrilling to be starting work on what we hope and expect will be a glorious summer.”

Ticket on-sale dates will be released at a later date. The season calendar will be released in early January, 2022. More information at americanplayers.org.

In the meantime, the 2021 season continues in the Touchstone Theatre, with Shana Cooper’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew running through November 14. And on November 26, James DeVita and Josh Schmidt’s original musical The Gift of the Magi directed by Malkia Stampley will return to the Touchstone and will run through December 19, 2021. Tickets for both plays are on sale now at americanplayers.org/tickets.

The 2022 Plays In the Hill Theatre: The Rivals

By Richard Brinsley Sheridan Directed by Aaron Posner Featuring Kelsey Brennan, Phoebe González, David Daniel, Brian Mani & Marcus Truschinski Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility Adapted by Jessica Swale Directed by Marti Lyons Featuring Tracy Michelle Arnold, Sarah Day, Tim Gittings, Jamal James, Brian Mani & Marcus Truschinski

Hamlet

By William Shakespeare Directed by James DeVita Featuring Nate Burger as Hamlet. Also featuring Kelsey Brennan, David Daniel, Alys Dickerson, Jamal James, Chiké Johnson, Colleen Madden & Triney Sandoval.

A Raisin in the Sun

By Lorraine Hansberry Directed by Tasia A. Jones Featuring Chiké Johnson, Gavin Lawrence & Greta Oglesby Love’s Labour’s Lost

By William Shakespeare Directed by Brenda DeVita Featuring Nate Burger, David Daniel, Melisa Pereyra, James Ridge, Marcus Truschinski & Triney Sandoval In the Touchstone Theatre: The River Bride

By Marisela Treviño Orta Directed by Robert Ramirez Featuring Erica Cruz Hernández, Melisa Pereyra, Ronald Román-Meléndez & Triney Sandoval The Brothers Size

By Tarell Alvin McCraney Directed by Gavin Lawrence Featuring Nathan Barlow, Jalen Gilbert & Rasell Holt The Moors

By Jen Silverman Directed by Keira Fromm Featuring Tracy Michelle Arnold, Kelsey Brennan, Jim DeVita & Colleen Madden.

Stones in His Pockets

By Marie Jones Directed by Tim Ocel Featuring Nate Burger & Marcus Trushinski playing every role.

Page 2

Thursday, November 4, 2021

opinion/LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Column: The Plain and Simple Correspondent — Truth or Consequences Katie Green, The Plain and Simple Correspondent In 1940 a radio game show made its debut, the first in radio history, called “Truth or Consequences”. It was based on a guessing game that the originator played with his peers as a child, and the program became very popular. My family tuned in occasionally. It was a wacky mixture of contestants trying to answer trivia questions in the few seconds before a gong sounded to disqualify most of them, after which they endured some “consequences” such as having to do something mildly embarrassing in a public place. The episodes I remember liking best were emotional ones in which the show flew in friends and relatives to surprise the contestant — soldiers granted furloughs from battlegrounds overseas, or reuniting with long-lost kin.

The theme of that old radio (and later t.v.) show — that there is truth and if not there will be consequences — popped into my head again after a series of prompts, you might say. Since Year One the promises made and “facts” uttered by politicians in togas, used chariot salesmen, and such like have been taken with a grain of salt. But the topic of establishing truth in communications between humans has gained outsized significance and notoriety lately. Statements from scientists about the seriousness of Covid-19 and its variants and the efficacy of vaccines and masks are being questioned. The NY Times on Hallowe’en (appropriately) printed that in the 11th and 12th Centuries diseases such as t.b. and rabies were attributed to vampires, and now a conspiracy theory is circulating among anti-vaxxers that the film I Am Legend “proves that the vaccines can turn you into a blood-sucking monster”. Was there poisoned popcorn at the theater? Come on, everybody! Get real!

Equally freighted with potential consequences, the veracity of statements about the mob which stormed the US Capitol on January 6 are hotly contested. Were those who breached the police cordon merely tourists out for a jolly, if noisy, visit or were they well-coordinated rioters trying to prevent the ballot-counting and installation of Joe Biden as our next President? If some sort of truth about events cannot be established and agreed upon by a majority of citizens, dire consequences follow.

I believe they are happening already.

Thousands die and are crippled by the most recent plague as the debate rages; rapidly increasing crises attributable to a warming, polluted planet and methods for halting the damage are contested.

That there is even a crisis at all is challenged, and thus no remediation takes place. Depending on where you live, we shall die of heat stroke watching the crops shrivel or drown in our beds, or both, while the decision-makers dither.

Without agreed-upon facts, truth, and good faith, how can decisive actions be taken for the benefit of all?

Pondering these challenges became more than idle speculation or the sometimes disbelief-verging-on-despondency that punctuates my days after I engaged in a business transaction in Plain. Finding myself the lone customer, I dropped

an offhand comment of a political nature about some item of national “news” just breaking which I had just heard reported on the radio. The youngish employee, a single mother with children flying the nest to college and careers, instantly looked pained. “They all lie. All politicians lie,” she said flatly. A little taken aback, I asked if she didn’t think that some may lie more than others. She shrugged. She went on to say that in order to maintain her sanity she no longer listens to the news, which once was a nightly ritual, because everything has become so fractious and uncivil. The incivility has spilled over into everyday life, as when her daughter was harassed at work for wearing a mask. As this sweet lady drives in her car place to place, she no longer listens to the radio, but prays instead. When I asked if she still votes and how she decides on her vote on candidates and issues, she replied that she does vote and does bone up just before elections. She just can’t cope with negativity on a daily basis, instead focuses on her responsibilities at home and at work.

“I have a hard enough time dealing with my own shit,” she added with a sigh.

Walking home, not even the outrageous blazing autumn leaf display captured my attention for long. I kept thinking about this young woman’s disillusionment and alienation, and have been brooding about it ever since. For our society to improve and better serve our people and every atom we share this planet with, we need all and sundry to be engaged in a positive way. However, I confess that although I grieved to witness such a cynical view of the democratic process, I empathized. Life these days can seem like being pecked to death by ducks, as we used to say when I was young. The bombast comes in different forms. I myself ration how much reporting I expose myself to, skeptical even while attempting to remain open to many points of view. I keep checking repeatedly what I am offered as facts. I listen to a lot of soothing music. Unequivocally, however, I am angered to the point of shouting epithets at our telephone, because it assaults us with dozens of robo calls daily, starting at 8 in the morning and continuing until past 8 in the evening, invading our privacy to sell ideas and objects and abusing the gift of telephone communication. But even worse than these unwanted calls, are the calculated untruths and biases uttered at the highest levels of government, not excluding the judiciary. They erode our trust in the body politic, which can be catastrophic.

Intentional untruth undermines who we are as a people, so that we no longer feel certain of, or guided by, our Constitutional principles and ordinary standards of courtesy.

There are some objective facts and objective truths, it seems to me. One of them is that nothing is accomplished if people abandon thoughtful debate in favor of obstructing everything on a perceived rival’s agenda. This occurs repeatedly now in the political circus.

No debate is allowed, thoughtful or not.

Instead, we see attacks based on past history, along party lines, or from any number of reasons not rooted in the

Public domain What’s wrong with this photo? Among other deficiencies, the State Seal doesn’t represent the labor of women and children in the making of this state, says the author Katie Green. present. Lies and even half-truths we have no way of evaluating can cause injury or death.

There is important work that needs attending to which can only be done by a larger body with access to resources that an individual, a family, a neighborhood, or even a community doesn’t command.

Clean-up after tornadoes or floods come to mind, as does assistance after loss of jobs through no fault of one’s own. We even bail out large corporations when they fail as a result of bad management.

Providing vaccinations against a deadly disease – which people raced to receive when the polio epidemic was the scourge of the 1950s, no questions asked, as many have pointed out. “But for the grace go I,” we used to think when responding with compassion to need, giving people a second chance.

My son told me of a pilot partnership at UW school of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Social Work to provide free care to the pet companions of homeless people, while at the same time giving social workers an opportunity to engage with some individuals, to offer help with their mental health issues, joblessness, and the like. The helping hand in its many forms. The creative imagination of people of good will can do wonders.

Secrecy is as bad as outright lies in breaking down a sense of shared community. The gerrymandered redistricting process of ten years ago in Wisconsin was a betrayal, when there was no citizen input, and the whole process was conducted behind closed doors by a single party (which shall remain nameless) set on cementing its power and control.

A largely unchanged version of that plan was passed by our State Legislature this week, supposedly an “update”. This sort of shenanigans breeds more cynicism and mistrust. By contrast, the State of Iowa just announced passage of its new bipartisan redistricting plan, a collaboration whose goal was to balance party affiliations within each district. It will give each party a fighting chance to win over voters on the strength of its platform, ideas, and record, not a rigged system of perpetuating the party in power at the moment. Both parties agreed that

would be healthy long term for Iowa. We desperately need similar bipartisanship in Wisconsin.

I’m going out on a limb here and say that deep down we all have a truth sensor that knows when we are telling the truth and when others are truthful, as well. (It’s the ‘Conscience Thing’, when applied to yourself.) From time to time intuition fails me, but not often. As Ricky J., the premier magician and sleight-ofhand artist, said, anyone can be taken in.

We depend upon truth when consulting a physician, taking our car to the mechanic, purchasing any large-ticket item.

If those who we deal with are not competent or lie to us, the consequences can be devastating to our wholeness and our budget and off we go in search of better service, feeling battered and betrayed.

So I exist in a trusting/doubting, in-between state some of the time, but mostly I dare to trust.

Investigative reporters Robert Costa and Bob Woodward’s new book, Peril, claims our democracy is in grave danger of being overturned and replaced with tyranny if we’re not watchful, and distortion of the truth (and the willingness of many to perpetuate those distortions and outright lies for a variety of self-serving reasons) is at the heart of the danger. Orchestrated mob violence in a number of American cities, a plot to abduct or kill the Governor of Michigan, and the invasion of the Capitol to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power after a fair and secure election, are signs and portents of that danger. Will these acts be tolerated and set a new pattern of accepted behavior or be repudiated?

I’m getting too old to hobble to the barricades, so I trust we Badgers will soon embrace fairness and ultimately repose our faith in MLK’s prophecy that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”. Justice will have a much better chance if we allow the clear air of transparency to blow through our everyday living and political halls, and truth-telling is once more revered, nay, insisted upon. And practiced. Like the saying of the ‘60s about peace, let there be truthfulness on earth, and let it begin with me.

Letter to the Editor: No One Supports Gerrymandering, But Cheaters Dear Editor: Last Thursday, the Legislature held just one hearing in Madison to hear the public’s response to their proposed voting district maps – maps that will impact our lives, our state, and our nation for the next decade. Over 200 people from around the state showed up to register opposition. Other than the two party bosses who benefit most

from the maps. NOT ONE PERSON TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT! The maps proposed in Senate Bill 621 and Assembly Bill 624 are as unfair and unjust as the rigged maps from 2011 that were deemed unconstitutional by a panel of federal judges. The new maps would cement another decade of unjust rule.

Wisconsinites believe in fair play, and have said loud and clear – we demand

fair maps! 55 county boards voiced support for a nonpartisan redistricting process. In poll after poll, large majorities of voters from both parties say maps should not favor one party over another. The maps now proposed are so bad Princeton University graded them an F! The supporters of gerrymandering know the truth: they can’t win without cheating with rigged maps.

Join me in contacting your state legislators. It’s easy to find out who they are: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/. Tell them to VOTE NO on SB 621/AB 624.

If they vote to continue to gerrymander our state and rig future elections, join me in working to oust them from office.

We deserve better.

—Claudia Looze Highland, WI

Thursday, November 4, 2021 Page 3 Commentary/Opinion Commentary — Kids are watching: We need to stop society from falling apart Ruth Conniff, Wisconsin Examiner The video on my 14-year-old daughter’s cell phone played in an endless loop: kids protesting outside Madison East High School, outraged by allegations of a sexual assault at a party after Homecoming this year, and by the school administration’s failure to muster a response. As the students in the crowd got more and more worked up, one of them pointed at the principal. The crowd parted, exposing him as he stood in the middle of the sidewalk.

A student confronted him, screaming curse words: “F— you Mr. Leavy!” The principal stood mute, expression hidden by his mask, absorbing the attack.

What was my daughter, a freshman, to make of this? Brand new to high school, excited to finally have in-person classes with her peers, she is full of school spirit. She came to the protest to support her friends, some of whom told their own tales of sexual abuse at home.

It was a lot to take in.

The principal, who was also brand new to the school, and to town, had responded awkwardly when students demanded the alleged assaulter be expelled from school. The allegation had not been proven, he said, the assault didn’t happen on school property, and the school could not expel a student before he was charged. More comments that appeared to show insensitivity to victims of assault and to equate rape with consensual sex. It sounded like victim-blaming to the students, who were infuriated.

The principal sent out a half-hearted apology and claimed he was “proud” of the students who protested. The district sent out its own apology. No one seemed to have the principal’s back.

And none of the emails we received as parents reassured us that the adminis-

tration had a handle on things.

That video clip of the student screaming obscenities and the principal just standing there pretty much summed up the whole disaster — things were spinning out of control.

So it wasn’t exactly a surprise when we got the next email from the district, informing us of the “leadership change” at East High School. The principal had “accepted another administrative position” in the district with the cringe-worthy title “Director of Secondary Multi-Tiered Support and Scheduling.”

“That’s really a job?” my daughter asked.

What is the lesson in all of this? The adults, scrambling to appease the students without taking any particular action on their demands, look weak.

The problems the students raise are serious — some are horrifying — and no one seems to be able to help. The upshot appears to be that things are falling apart and the grownups can’t handle it.

The drama at East High School is particularly disturbing because it unfolded against a backdrop of what increasingly looks like general societal collapse.

Irate citizens have been packing school board meetings around the state, targeting school board members who support COVID-19 safety measures and anti-racist curriculum, making threats that are scary enough to force some people to quit, while others fight to stay in office against recall campaigns.

Worse, the harassment and intimidation of ordinary citizens who serve on their local school boards is being funded and stirred up by heavyweight donors and high-profile Republican officials at both the state and national

levels.

Anarchy and rage are all the rage this year. Truth and reasonableness are out of style.

Part of the explanation for that is political — with the rise of the GOP’s aggressive, know-nothing politics under former President Donald Trump. There is no doubt that Trumpism has infected our state Republican caucus, as evidenced last week, when the Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, oozing contempt for his Democratic colleagues and half of Wisconsin voters, held a public hearing on the new, gerrymandered GOP map and claimed that Democrats only win statewide when they cheat.

Vos knows perfectly well that the plethora of fraud “investigations” the Republicans are running — including the recent, ridiculous charges by the Racine County Sheriff’s Office that state elections officials engaged in “illegal activity” in 2020, are meritless. But that doesn’t matter. What matters to them is stirring people up.

This is not just a Republican problem.

Faith in institutions of all kinds — from the administration of the local high school to the state and federal government — has cratered. Without a social compact that includes civility, honesty, and decency, we are spiraling. The problem is getting worse and worse the more the social media machine gins up outrage, appealing to people’s basest instincts and drowning out reasonable, thoughtful discussion and facts.

The anarchy at East really brings home what a messed up world we are creating for our children. And how much they need caring, compassionate, strong adults who are both good listeners and good leaders.

Real leadership is in short supply these days. I caught a glimpse of it in

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Ruth Conniff is Editor-in-chief of the Wisconsin Examiner. She formerly served as Editor-in-chief of The Progressive Magazine where she worked for many years from both Madison and Washington, DC. She graduated from Yale University in 1990, where she ran track and edited the campus magazine The New Journal. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and three daughters.

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PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com Editorial Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone Managing Editor Taylor Scott Legal Editor Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

the Capitol last week, where a determined citizen’s movement to restore democracy and create fair, nonpartisan maps turned out in force. It was impressive to see the hundreds of Wisconsinites who showed up to resist gerrymandering and hyperpartisanship, and to hear the 8-plus hours of citizen and expert testimony — 100% of which opposed the Republicans’ new gerrymandered maps. But legislative leaders appeared to be tuning it out while taunting Democrats. As Calena Roberts, Wisconsin state field director of the SEIU, put it “The insults, the rudeness, acting like little toddlers. …

I already feel we are at a disadvantage when we’re sitting in this space.”

We can’t expect our kids to develop the habits of thoughtful debate or the civil give-and-take required of a functional democracy if adults can’t model those traits. Their future, and ours, depends on whether we can get our act together.

Contributors Arts & Culture/Editorial Columns Graphic Design/Pagination Bill Gordon Grace Vosen Anna Stocks-Hess Arts & Culture/Editorial Sports Editorial Intern Alison Graves Mike McDermott Adeline Holte Arts Community/Opinion Sports/Photography Intern Jen Salt Katie Green Kalen Scott Our team will be growing and changing as we settle into publishing regularly, please stay in touch. Thank you to all of our contributors for believing in our community.

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Page 4

Community

Thursday, November 4, 2021

COmmunitycalendar Events for November 5 - November 17 Friday, November 5 Karaoke Night 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM . Keg and Kettle, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock . There’s nothing like singing your heart out on stage in front of a wild audience. Karaoke is a marvelous concept because it gives anyone the chance to be a rock star. You get to hold a microphone in your hand, stand under the colorful lights, and be the singer you’ve always dreamed you could be—even for just one song.

St. Luke's Fish Fry 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM . 1240 Nachreiner Ave, Plain . Our first in-person fish fry since the beginning of COVID has been set for Friday, November 5, and will be an all-you-can eat served buffet style.

Saturday, November 6 Pop-Up Spring Green Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM . S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . The Spring Green Farmers Market is continuing in the Spring Green Community Public Library Lot through the winter every Saturday morning. Pre-orders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact information.

Taste Testing 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM . Inspired Nutrition, 130 W Jefferson St, Spring Green . Inspired Nutrition is hosting a taste testing event to try our shakes, teas and coffees. If you have been curious about us stop in. This is a perfect time to try our products for a small fee.

Try Hockey For Free 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM . 600 N. Bennett Road, Dodgeville . TThe Ice Wolves Youth Hockey Association is excited to host Try Hockey For Free! This event is designed to provide kids ages 4 to 9 the opportunity to try hockey in a FUN, safe environment with trained coaching staff. No experience necessary! There will be assistance on hand to be sure your child has the best experience and answer any questions.

Live Music: Honey Pies 7:30 PM . Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . www.slowpokelounge.com . The Honey Pies is an exciting collaboration of Madison-based music veterans. Displaying a formidable range of musical backgrounds and notable depth of experience, The Honey Pies apply crystal vocal harmonies and virtuoso instrumental skills to the best of traditional, contemporary, and original Americana music. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required for all Slowpoke events.

Sunday, November 7 Plain Fireman's Pancake Breakfast 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM . Plain Fire Station, 1045 Cedar Street, Plain . The Plain Fire Department is hosting a pancake breakfast. Breakfast includes Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, applesauce, milk choice and orange juice.

All proceeds go to our equipment fund for new items to help better serve our community.

Tuesday, November 9 APT — Spring Green Night: Taming of the Shrew 7:30 PM . American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green . Special Spring Green Night ticket price: $25 for River Valley School District residents of Taming of the Shrew in the Touchstone Theatre. Use promo code SG21 at checkout or mention it at the Box Office or call by phone: 608-588-2361. www.americanplayers.org

Wednesday, November 10 Family Outdoor Storytime 10:00 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . www.springgreenlibrary.org . Join us for stories, songs, and fun. Meet on the library's east lawn. Seating pads are provided for children; adults please bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

Saturday, November 13 Nature Walk and Storytime at Bakken's Pond 10:00 AM . Bakken’s Pond, Kennedy Road, Spring Green . www.springgreenlibrary.org . Join Ms. Grace and Ms. Autumn on a Saturday morning for an outdoor storytime and a nature walk on the trail along Bakken's Pond! All ages welcome! Enjoy a story and leisurely stroll while learning about the plants and animals present in the area. Please come dressed for the weather and season. (We will be out mid-day, and won't venture far from the parking area, but it is bowhunting season). Directions: From Spring Green, go west 3 miles on Hwy 14, then south on Dyke Road 0.6 mile, then west on Kennedy Road 0.6 mile to parking lot.

Live music: Ritt and Wilder Deitz 7:30 PM . Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . www.slowpokelounge.com . Join us for father and son singer/songwriter duo Ritt and Wilder Deitz. A regular performer in listening rooms and house concerts from Wisconsin to his native Kentucky, acoustic roots rocker and Uvutlittle recording artist Ritt Deitz has been writing and recording since the age of eleven. Madison's Isthmus says, "Deitz combines rugged mountain sonics with an aesthetic that’s closer to ragtime than anything else. At times, he resembles Tom Waits in his ability to marry sophistication with down-homeness." Ritt is joined in this set by his son Wilder Deitz, folk/jazz pianist, leader of the neo-soul Wilder Deitz Group, and founder of the Wilder Deitz School for Creative Music.Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required for all Slowpoke events.

Live DJ at Keg & Kettle 8:00 PM - 12:00 PM . Keg and Kettle, 104 S Oak St, Lone Rock .

Live DJ, come out to hear your favorite music.

Monday, November 15 Fall Gourd Ornament Take-and-Make 10:00 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . www.springgreenlibrary.org .Stop by the library beginning at 10 AM and pick up a "Fall Gourd Ornament" Take-and-Make craft.

Kit includes a small gourd, beads, twine, and other embellishments, along with instructions. Suitable for adults and teens. Available while supplies last outside the parking lot entrance.

The Power of Tourism Series 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM . 5607 County Road C, Spring Green . www.taliesinpreservation.org/event/the-power-of-tourism/ . We invite local business owners to join Drew Nussbaum, Regional Tourism Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism will discuss the power of tourism in the tri-county area.

Learn about the impact of our biggest attractions, how tourism impacts the local economy, and how COVID recovery is impacting the industry.

Arena Historians Harvest Celebration Food Pantry Benefit 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM .

Grandma Mary's Brisbane Hall, 175 Hwy 14, Arena . 608-228-0261 . Sample home made breads while Cecilia Farran tells a true story of the land, harvest and a philosopher farmer facing life. Free-will donation to Arena Food Pantry. .Open to public.

Guests invited to bring samples of their own home baked bread and copies of recipe.

Wednesday, November 17 Family Outdoor Storytime 10:00 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . www.springgreenlibrary.org . Join us for stories, songs, and fun. Meet on the library's east lawn. Seating pads are provided for children; adults please bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

Family Friendly Deer Camp at Fr. Garrett's 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM . 1240 Nachreiner Ave, Plain . www.stlukecatholicchurchplain.com • Beer • Brats • Burgers • Soda • Cider • Cocoa | Come gather around the fire and share your favorite hunting stories! Please bring your own camp chair! Join us at the front porch of the rectory at St. Luke any time from 6:00pm -9:00pm! Fr. Garrett will offer a blessing to all those hunting at 7:30pm.

FUNtivity Grab-and-Go Kits 10:00 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . www.springgreenlibrary.org .Drop by beginning at 10 AM to pick up a "FUNtivity" grab-and-go kit. Kits are geared toward children and families, and are available while supplies last outside the parking lot entrance. It's a Jr Chef Funtivity kit! Containing items to make a Turkey Placemat and Harvest Napkin Ring along with all our recipes for our Virtual Jr Chef program live on Facebook November 17th at 4 pm!

Looking for some Teen Volunteers to participate in Jr Chef November 17th at 4pm! If you know any teen chefs interested please call (608) 588-2276 or stop in at the library and let us know!

APT — Spring Green Night: Taming of the Shrew 7:30 PM . American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green . Special Spring Green Night ticket price: $25 for River Valley School District residents of Taming of the Shrew in the Touchstone Theatre. Use promo code SG21 at checkout or mention it at the Box Office or call by phone: 608-588-2361. www.americanplayers.org

Thursday, November 11 Alex Ramsey, Annie E. and Tim Eddy at the Slowpoke Lounge Songwriters Round 7:30 PM . Slowpoke Lounge, 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . www.slowpokelounge.com . Alex Ramsey (The Pines) has a fantastic new solo album out. Annie Emmenegger can be found singing and playing guitar for Annie and the Oaks. Tim Eddy leads Lone Goat Rodeo. This will be a beautiful night. No cover. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required for all Slowpoke events.

Saturday, November 13 Pop-Up Spring Green Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM . S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green . The Spring Green Farmers Market is continuing in the Spring Green Community Public Library Lot through the winter every Saturday morning. Pre-orders are recommended. Visit our Facebook or Instagram page or email SGFarmersMarket@gmail.com for a list of participating vendors and their contact information.

Reminder The risk of participating in a certain activity depends on many factors. Because of this, there’s no way to assign risk levels to certain actions. That’s why it’s important to consider your own situation and the risks for you, your family, and your community.

Here are some important guidelines to help ensure everyone’s safety: Get vaccinated.

Stay at least 6 feet away from other people when possible.

Wash hands frequently.

Wear a mask.

Stay home when sick.

Get tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated indoor spaces when possible.

Taken from: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community.htm

Community

Thursday, November 4, 2021 Page 5

COVID-19 Dashboard Wisconsin Summary

799,174 Positive Cases +15,087 from 10/26

Cases as of 11/2/2021

3,554,752 Negative Test Results +35,751 from 10/26

8,554 Deaths +134 from 10/26 Updated: 11/2/2021

Critically High Very High High Medium Low

covid case activity level This graph shows information on case burden and trajectory. Burden (case rate) is the total number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Wisconsin residents in the last two weeks. Trajectory is the percent case change from the previous to the current week. These are different from Community Transmission Level, which is the total confirmed cases per 100,000 persons reported in the past 7 days.

Case activity is a combination of burden and trajectory over the prior two weeks.

Iowa County

6,527,698

Administered

2,525,511

Pfizer doses administered

275,743

Moderna doses administered

Johnson & Johnson doses administered

Vaccine Data These two core measures are measures of herd immunity in Richland, Sauk and Iowa County. We do not yet know what level of vaccination leads to herd immunity for COVID-19, or how current or future variants might affect herd immunity. We know based on other diseases that herd immunity is likely at least 60%, and if more transmissible variants become more common, that threshold may become higher, so the current target range is 60-90%. -Adapted from Madison Public Health and Dane County

+47 from 10/26 +109 from 10/26 +5 from 10/26

2,718 Positive Cases 13,906 Negative Tests 16 Deaths

Updated: 11/2/2021

3,726,444

county level weekly statistics Richland County 2,156 Positive Cases 9,633 Negative Tests 26 Deaths

Vaccine Summary Statistics

Richland

+82 from 10/26 +128 from 10/26 +0 from 10/26

Sauk County

+214 from 10/26 +339 from 10/26 +1 from 10/26

8,235 Positive Cases 42,268 Negative Tests 64 Deaths Updated: 11/2/2021

Target Range

Sauk

55.4%

59.4%

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

53.3%

56.6%

Percent fully vaccinated

Percent fully vaccinated

Iowa

Target Range

Target Range

64.3% Percent with at least one vaccine dose

62.2% Percent fully vaccinated

Cases per zip code

Percent of Wisconsin residents ages 12-15 who have received at least one dose by county

Cases as of 11/2/2021

Updated: 11/2/2021 Lower %

Richland County Ages 12-15

Iowa County

Ages 12-15

Higher %

43.1%

Percent of Wisconsin residents who have received at least one dose

56.1%

Sauk County

Ages 12-15

Updated: 11/2/2021

46.9% Dane County Ages 12-15

Graphic by Anna Stocks-Hess

Ages

81.6%

12-15 16-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

Data From: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm

48.5% 53.1% 53.3% 58.0% 65.3% 66.1% 74.6% 86.6%

Page 6

Community/Outdoors

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Sauk County Gardener — Rodent resistant bulbs Jeannie Manis, Sauk County Master Gardener “The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.” —S. Brown Welcome to November! The beautiful weather we had the last week of October made me wonder if fall was every going to truly arrive. With a forecast in the 40’s for the first week of November, I guess fall will finally show up. In previous years, I would have been well into my fall clean-up and almost finished up. I still have to dig my dahlias, cut down and remove any diseased foliage from my perennial beds, clean out my garden beds, plant my garlic and eventually mulch all my fallen leaves. With all that going on, it’s wonder that I’m considering putting a few more spring-blooming bulbs.

Over the years, I’ve planted thousands of tulip bulbs and other spring bulbs. I have always gravitated to tulips and have even attended a tulip dig just so I could get an extremely large number of bulbs at discount prices. Then there’s the digging of all those holes; sometimes I would dig a larger hole and plant 10 – 12 bulbs in a hole; other times, I would use my bulb auger attached to my husband’s cordless drill and plant them one by one. I don’t mind the work; I just hate it when the squirrels and other rodents decide to dig them up and eat them. Even worse is when they dig them up, take one bite and toss the bulb to the side. Then if the mice and squirrels don’t eat them, I can typically count on the deer to come along next spring and eat the tulips just before they flower.

I’ve tried just about every trick in the book to make sure the squirrels and their rodent buddies don’t find my tulip and crocus bulbs and have had limited success. This has caused me to incorporate other springblooming bulbs and flowers that less desirable to squirrels and mice. If you too have this problem, there are quite a few for you to consider that are early, mid-season, and late bloomers.

The first list of bulbs to consider are members of the Amaryllis family – daffodils, snowdrops, and snowflakes (look almost identical to snowdrops)– and they are rodent AND deer resistant. The bulbs and flowers contain Lycorine which is bitter-tasting and poisonous, so the squirrels, mice and deer won’t eat them. Daffodils are typically reliable spreaders, come in a variety of colors, and can bloom from early to late spring depending on the variety. Snowdrops are one of the first spring bloomers and will push up through the snow just to bloom – a welcomed sight after a long-cold winter.

Winter aconite (Eranthus hymenalis) is another early bloomer. It has bright, yellow flowers with ferny green leaves. Glory of the

Snow (Chionodoxa) blooms early as well with pink, blue, lavender, and white star-shaped blooms. Plant Glory of the Snow in large groups for maximum impact under deciduous trees and in fronts of beds. Added bonus – although they have short stems, they hold up well in cut-flower arrangements.

Wood Squill is another spring-bulb to consider that deer and rodents’ dislike. This bulb only grows 4 – 6 inches tall, tolerates full sun to part shade, is great for naturalizing, and is also a good cut flower. It’s blue or white flowers looks amazing with early-blooming daffodils.

A new favorite of mine is Fritillaria. They are technically members of the lily family, but they are cold hardy. The bulbs have a skunky order that repels rodents. My favorite is the Checkered Lily, also called the Guinea-hen flower (F.melagris). It showed up unexpectedly in my garden, most likely it came from a plant that was gifted to me. Yeah – bonus flowers!

The last group to talk about is Alliums.

They are members of the onion family so needless to say, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and voles don’t like the smell or flavor of the bulbs. They come in colors of white, purple, lavender, and yellow, can be anywhere from 10 – 36 inches tall, and prefer a little drier soil. They are typically the last to bloom of all the bulbs mentioned.

If you have some spots in your yard that could use some spring-flowering blooms, consider planting some of these rodentresistant bulbs before the ground freezes.

You’ll successfully thwart rodents from eating your bulbs and come next spring, you’ll still be able to appreciate some early color.

If you have any gardening questions, please contact the Extension Sauk County by emailing to trripp@wisc.edu or calling the University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension Sauk County office at 608-3553250.

In Other News/Briefs Spring Green EMS to offer pediatric Pfizer vaccines to those 5-11 years old can be any dose (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or booster).

Spring Green EMS will be offering the Pfizer Pediatric vaccine for those 5-11 years old on Friday 11/5 from 6 - 8 pm. A parent or guardian must be present.

Information on who should get a booster or additional dose is available on the WI DHS website.

Go to https://www.springgreenems.com/vaccine to make your appointment and for the most updated information.

They will also be offering Pfizer and Moderna on Friday 11/12 and Friday 12/3 from 6 - 7 pm. This

Arena Historians Harvest celebration to benefit food pantry The Arena Historians will host a Harvest Celebration at Grandma Mary’s Brisbane Hall Hwy 14, Arena, on Monday evening November 15, 6:30 pm. The public is invited to come and enjoy a sampling of home made breads, jellies, jams, and more while Cecilia Farran tells the story of “Daily Bread”.

It is a story of the land and harvest and of a philosopher farmer accepting life as it is given to him. it takes place while she and her farmer father share a noon meal savoring a

loaf of home baked bread made with wheat from the farm.

As a gift to the community, the evening is free and open to the public. Donations accepted for the Food Pantry. Guests are encouraged to bring a sampling of their own home made bread for community sharing.

Either have slices pre-cut or bring a bread knife and a cutting board or plate. It is also suggested to bring a few copies of the recipe.

For more information: 608-228-0261

Photo contributed by Arena Historians Family heirlooms to be used in the performance of Daily Bread. Bowl c1910, Tablecloth c1950, Picture of Farran’s father in the family kitchen.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY Looking for a challenge?

We are looking for interns/volunteers who want to be in the unique position to learn the nuts and bolts of a news media publication that started from the ground up.

You will have the chance to make an impact at the ground level of a startup and see the effect of your work and ideas carried out with a lot of flexibility, in an environment and creative culture you can help influence and create.

Available subject areas: EDITORIAL/JOURNALISM SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING/MARKETING

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

We are a new, all volunteer local news source that holds a strong belief that by working to keep our communities informed and engaged on a variety of topics including arts & culture, events, community news and serving as a watchdog for our local governmental bodies, we can help create a strong identity for our community and ignite positive growth and change throughout the area.

Interested? Send us your area(s) of interest and a resume to: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Photo contributed by Sauk County Checkered Lily, also called Guinea-hen flower (F.melagris).

Internship will be unpaid, interns will be required to sign a FSLA-compliant internship agreement.

If credit is available from intern’s educational institution for participation in an internship, we are glad to work with you to meet any requirements for receiving credit.

Employment opportunities

Now Hiring!

CleanPower is looking for a bank cleaner in Spring Green.

Work is Monday thru Saturday for 1.25 hours after 5:30pm.

This job has a flexible start time! Wage is $15 per hour.

Apply direct at www.cleanpower1.com by clicking careers at the top or call 608-213-9863 for more info.

EEO/AA Employer

Commercial Project Manager/Estimator

Duties: • Manage multiple projects in various stages of planning and construction • Prepare and manage detailed schematic budgeting and estimating • Coordinate subcontractor bids Requirements: • 5+ years of Commercial Project Manager/Estimator experience • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering • Understanding of our self-performed trades • Familiar with estimating software, have strong client service orientation, and demonstrate outstanding communication and organization skills

Commercial Construction Superintendent

Duties: • Management of construction activities • Ensuring compliance with design, schedule, and budget requirements • Overseeing multiple subcontractors Requirements • 5+ years of commercial field management experience • Experience in one of our self-performed trades • Must be able to demonstrate prior success in working effectively as a team with project owners, architects, and subcontractors. Must possess the leadership abilities to achieve top-flight results

For more info visit www.kraemerbrothers.com

Salary will be based on experience EEO/AA employer

Please send your resume to:

Kraemer Brothers, LLC 925 Park Ave | PO Box 219 Plain, WI 53577 Email: jobs@kraemerbrothers.com Phone: 608-546-2411

Sports

Thursday, November 4, 2021 Page 7

River Valley Equestrian Team takes home multiple individual awards at state Photo contributed by Kellie Roske Left: Isabelle Roske, Roske:1st Hunter Hack, 3rd Hunt Seat Equitation, 5th Walk Trot Equitation, 7th, Discipline Rail, 8th Western Horsemanship , 10th Western Showmanship, 10th Ranch Riding Right: Jake Barnett:Trail 7th, Ranch Riding 8th, Saddle Seat 2nd, Hunter Hack 3rd, Mascot Race 5th

RVRC Girls kick-off swimming sectionals with match in Baraboo Mike Nachreiner, RVRC Girl’s Swimming Coach The RVRC Swim Team started their tournament season with an inter-squad meet at Baraboo on Saturday. The team has been tapering their practices the last couple of weeks to prepare for the upcoming sectional meet this coming Saturday.

“In an effort to see how the taper practices have been benefiting the team, we decided to have an inter-squad meet” said Coach Nachreiner. Once again, the team did not disappoint. There were several season best and personal best times swam at the meet.

Coach Emily Nachreiner said, “After this long season, the swimmers still have great attitudes going into the last couple weeks of the season. Their performance Saturday showed us that the team is ready going into the Sectional week.”

The team was lead by the Senior group, Molly Peckham, Beverly Harper, Kris Langrehr and Elizabeth Jewell. Peckham swam a personal best time in her 50 freestyle and had a season best time in the 100 freestyle, 50 breaststroke and in the 100 breaststroke. Kris Langrehr had a personal best time in the 50 butterfly. Beverly Harper swam a season best time in the 50 freestyle.

And Elizabeth Jewell had a person best 50 free split in 200 medley relay, a personal best 100 free split in the 400 free relay and personal best in the 100 freestlye.

Junior Charlotte Ferstl had a great day, clocking four personal best time. Ferstl swam a personal best time in her 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, 200 freestyle and in the 100-yard butterfly. Junior Megan Nachreiner swam a season best in her 50 freestyle and in 50-yard butterfly.

Junior Grace Tjossem had personal best times in her 50 yard freestyle and in her 50 yard butterfly. Junior Alexis Webb had a personal best time in her 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke and in her 100 freestyle split in the 400 yard free relay. Freshman Lily Saperstein clocked personal best time in her 50-yard freestyle and in her 100-yard freestyle. Freshman Marissa Needham had personal best times in the 100-yard freestyle and in her 200-yard freestyle.

Freshman Tessa Schluter swam personal best times in her 50-yard breaststroke split in the 200 medley relay and in her 100-yard breaststroke.

The team is looking forward to their Sectional Meet this Saturday on November 6th in DeForest.

Photo by Mike Nachreiner From left to right: Marissa Needham, Megan Langrehr, Alivia Glasbrenner, Kris Langrehr, Olivia Hackl, Molly Peckham, Elizabeth Jewell, Charlotte Ferstl, Tessa Schluter, Grace Tjossem, Lily Saperstein, Alexis Webb, Beverly Harper, Megan Nachreiner, Bobbi DuCharme.

Trap team fall conference champs The River Valley Trap team completed its fall season recently and after all the scores were entered the RV team won yet another conference championship for the large school division.

The team had three individuals place in the top 25 in the state., they were Chase Bindl who tied for first place overall and tied for first place in the male division.

Hannah Hegland finished 5th overall and finished in first place in the female division.

Lucas Palmer also finished 20 overall in the state.

The top male conference place winners were; Chase Bindl – 1 Lucas Palmer – 8 Garrett Palmer – 12 Andrew Maxwell – 14 Mason Peterson – 18

Eli Johnson – 18 Copper Fields – 22 Colin Stokes – 25 The top female conference place winners were; Hannah Hegland – 1 Alexa Eveland – 10 Taya Hatfield – 11 Emma Anding – 16 Ella Hillebrand – 23 I would like to thank all the parents and coaches who helped make this another great season. The team is already looking forward to the 2022 spring season and a chance to defend their state championship. If you know of a student who is in 6th grade or older and would like to join the team please have them contact John Crook at 608-712-3525 or Tim Johnson at 608504-6838.

Business/Professional

Directory ork y W red t i l a u •Qu lly Ins ates •Fu e Estim e •Fr

J J

Total Lawn Care

M-F Sat 8am-5p and 8am -noo m and n James Harwood •608-588-2453• E4792 Kennedy Rd.

Snow Removal

•Natural double shredded oak bark mulch - $30/yard •Colored decorative mulch Red-Brown-Gold-Orange - $30/yard •Free delivery to the River Valley area (min. 2 yards) •Other landscape supplies available!

Gravel-Boulders-Screened Topsoil-Sand, etc.

We offer complete landscape and lawn care service •Full Landscaping from start to finish •Lawn Mowing We’ re y •Plantings stop our on sho e •Grading & Seedings p!

•Bark Spreading •Limestone & Boulder Retaining Walls

Want to help distribute Valley Sentinel?

More subscriptions mean more routes, and our distribution intern is back at college so we’re looking for help distributing the paper!

We can’t thank those who have recently stepped up to offer to help enough, thank you!

Paper Distribution Routes Arena Subscribers: COVERED Arena Businesses: COVERED Lone Rock Subscribers: AVAILABLE Lone Rock Businesses: COVERED Plain Subscribers: AVAILABLE

Plain Businesses: AVAILABLE Spring Green Subscribers: AVAILABLE Spring Green Businesses: AVAILABLE Want to enjoy scenic fall drives or a walk around town and assist in connecting our businesses, subscribers and community? Whether for fun or for volunteer experience, just one village, route, or more, we’d be happy to have you!

Interested?

Email: editor@valleysentinelnews.com or call 608-588-6694

CLASSIFIEDS

Healthcare Employment Opportunities

*Director of Heart, Lung & Sleep Services – full-time exempt leadership position, $7,500.00 Employment Bonus! *Respiratory Therapists – full-time or part-time Evening/Night shift positions, 12 hour shifts available during the week days. Also a .6 FTE evening/night weekender shift premium pay position! $5,000.00 Employment Bonus available for benefit eligible positions! *Director of DME Services – full-time exempt management position in our Platteville office. *DME Delivery Service Technician – 1.0 FTE full-time position in our Platteville office. *RN opportunities – on our Med/Surg, Float, Emergency, ICU and OB units.

To find out more detailed information about all open positions and to apply, go to our website at www.uplandhillshealth.org.

Upland Hills Health 800 Compassion Way Dodgeville, WI 53533

“The good stuff.”

Page 8

Outdoors/recreation

Thursday, November 4, 2021

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Contributor

First Deer Hello friends, Last fall Michelle Chiaro, who is an ICU nurse and a mother of four, took part in her first bear hunt.

This spring I was sitting with Michelle when she harvested her first turkey — which was a dandy and is currently at the taxidermist, where she is having a full body mount done on it.

This summer, Warren Bartels, who reads this column in The Price County Review, gave Michelle a Horton “Summit 150” crossbow. Michelle has been practicing with her bow ever since and this fall she began bow hunting for whitetail deer. To date we have sat in the woods 16 times together and that is what this week’s column is about.

In reality this story began with Michelle running bear baits with me for three summers before she got a tag and deciding that she liked bear hunting — or should I say hunting all together.

Eighteen months ago, I was given permission to put a food plot on my neighbor’s land behind my house and began the huge job of clearing land with a chainsaw and a rototiller. I put trail cameras on the plot and there were some big bucks working it with regularity and lots of doe.

Last fall I could not get an antlerless

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor A very exciting time for Michelle Chiaro to get her first deer!

tag for the zone my plot is in and there was one buck, that was a pure sumo working the plot all summer, that I hoped to put an arrow in. Here is another interesting fact. I go on some really cool

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor Michelle Chiaro climbing up the tree to get into her tree stand.

bow hunting trips, if I fill my tag in my plot on Sept 20th, those trips do not happen. So as crazy as this sounds, the two years that I have had my food plot I have been a spectator.

So, on opening weekend of bow hunting Michelle took off work and we sat in a ground blind on the food plot and I had even planted European wheat in the spring to hide the blind. She had a doe tag as well as her buck tag and, long story short, after six hunts in a row morning and night we decided that we like sitting in a tree over on the ground.

On almost every hunt we saw deer and what was very interesting was that for the most part the deer that we saw could care less about the food plot as they were eating acorns. Michelle and I had our stands placed about 60-yards apart and, to be perfectly honest, hers was the one that was going to get the action.

Our morning and evening hunts always started out in the dark or ended in the dark. For me it was like watching a movie, as we generally had one or two deer experiences a hunt and I could have easily taken a six-pointer on one of the hunts but had plans and wanted Michelle to have the action.

I mentioned earlier that we started hunting in portable tree stands. I always make sure Michelle makes it up the tree and then I climb part way up, hand her crossbow to her, and then climb down and go to my tree. When our hunt is over, I climb back up her tree and get her bow.

What I am getting at is that it is pretty cool to watch a gal that is pushing fifty, go 16-feet up climbing sticks, make the

maneuver on to a stand and do it effortlessly. I have helped introduce a couple of dozen people to hunting from a tree and my number one teaching rule is both hands and both feet count, if something goes wrong, you still have three to count on.

So last Tuesday night I am watching the ‘movie’, which is Michelle bow hunting, and the forest in general. A large doe was, as usual, feeding on acorns — but this time it was heading Michelle’s way.

I mentioned earlier she practices a lot with Warren’s bow and she can hit both shooting free hand and from a rest in a tree stand. When the doe was about 20-yards away Michelle let a bolt fly — and that is how she was introduced to, and got, her first deer, which was a very large adult doe.

It is very cool to meet someone, whether they are 10 or 49, that wants to hunt, but does not have a clue how to hunt and teach them how to hunt.

Next is my turn. I am headed to the Chippewa River, near Durand, where I will travel by canoe, sleep in a tent and spend my days in a tree. No cares on the size of the rack, I just want to make some meat and a memory.

Live like there is no tomorrow!

—Sunset

Want to read more?

Check out previous weeks’ columns at www.outdoorsmansjournal.com

I’m standing up to extreme partisanship in our state.

Visit www.tripp.vote to learn more. You can follow me on social media @VoteForTripp.

Paid for by Tripp Stroud’s Friends and Neighbors PO Box 512, Spring Green, WI 53588

@VoteForTripp — www.tripp.vote