Valley Sentinel - 11-14-2024 by Valley Sentinel

ANNUAL WISCONSIN REGULAR

River Valley School Board reviews Fair report, approves contracts, sets 2025-2026 calendar

At the Oct. 10 River Valley School District Board of Education regular meeting, the board heard a report on fair operations, voted to utilize FEH Design for a FEMA grant, and voted to continue contracts with Rural Virtual Academy and Madison Area Technical College.

At the Nov. 14 regular board meeting, the board approved the calendar for the 20252026 school year, and heard ﬁrst readings on policy changes to the district’s emergency response policy, immunization policy and graduation requirements.

October 10

The board recognized School Fair leadership for the October Community Spotlight. Rachel Eberle, Tiffany Neuheisel and Shari Graffunder were thanked for their hard work in assembling the school fair this year. Leadership members also provided a report for the school board on the fair. Neuheisel reported that 4 beef cattle, 48 swine, 4 sheep and 1 goat sold at the school auction, providing exhibitors around $66,000 in proceeds, $954 was raised in silent auction baskets to FFA Alumni supporting students, $2650 was raised through paddle raisers, which was split between the school fair fund and FFA Scholarships. Graffunder thanked all of the members that assisted in school fair operations this year, and reported that donations brought in $5,740 from community members and businesses, as well as noting that FFA had

received a $2,000 community betterment grant from Corteva Agriscience.

The district’s third Friday of September pupil count for the 2024-2025 school year was 1,162 students. This number is up one student from the 2023-2024 school year, but overall represents a downward trend in student enrollment over the past ten years. This count is required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and is utilized to calculate school ﬁnances and budgeting.

Board member Frederic Iausly presented a report from the buildings and grounds committee regarding the district’s safety, security and technology systems. Iausly noted $380,000 worth of replacements, repairs and upgrades the buildings need to telephone, clock and bell, PA, video camera and ﬁre protection systems.

The buildings and grounds committee also recommended FEH Design, which the district has previously worked with, as the ﬁrm in which the district will use to continue with a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant. The board voted unanimously in favor to utilize services from FEH Design for the grant.

The board voted with all in favor to renew the district’s contract with Rural Virtual Academy Charter School through the 2027-2028 school year. The district has been part of the RVA consortium since the 2021-2022 school year, and utilizes their services as an option for virtual education to home-schooling students within the dis-

trict.

The board also voted unanimously in favor of continuing its contract with Madison Area Technical College, which provides the district with dual credit course options for high school students.

November 14

The board recognized the River Valley Music Boosters for its November Community Spotlight. Cheryl Whittmann and Michelle Mack provided the report from the Booster Club, noting that for 14 years, they have raised over $150,000, going towards Music trips, senior scholarships, music camps, state honors band and choir and direct support to the district music department.

Evaluations for the District Administrator are being prepared for December. These evaluations are conducted yearly by the board, and each board member individually completes and submits an evaluation, as well as a self-evaluation from the District Administrator to be compiled into a report. The evaluations are designed to help constructively improve the Administrator’s ability to undertake their responsibilities.

The board heard ﬁrst readings of several potential policy changes.

To the Planned Responses for Emergencies policy, the district would move to use its ﬁve focus words and processes; Shelter, Hold, Secure, Lockdown and Evacuate, to replace the previous three-code scheme. Other potential changes to this policy in-

clude more prescriptive deﬁnitions of each process, as well as instructions on how the district should communicate to families for each instance.

The student immunization policy also sees potential changes, with the addition of a Meningococcal vaccine required for 7th graders and a booster for 12th graders.

The graduation requirements sees the addition of a .5 credit Civics course, required for students graduating 2027 and on, and an additional full elective credit will be required for students graduating 2029 and on.

The board discussed the 2025-2026 school calendar. For next school year, the district is moving to a one hour early release each Wednesday to provide staff members with Professional Learning Community time. PLC time allows staff departments to plan, assess learning, improve curricula and to collaborate amongst each other. This change to a weekly early release allows for a more consistent and predictable schedule for both staff, families and students. The motion to approve the 2025-2026 calendar carried with all members in favor.

Looking Ahead

The River Valley School District Board of Education next meets Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Library and streams to the district’s YouTube Channel.

The District observes Thanksgiving break from Nov. 27 through Nov. 29. Students return to school December 2.

Luukas Palm-Leis, Reporter

OPINION/EDITORIAL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the Village of Arena residents who attended the Special Board Meeting on November 7, 2024, regarding the Fire/EMS service agreement. Your presence, input, and dedication demonstrated the strong

Dear Editor,

I am writing to share a letter I recently sent to the Village of Arena Board members concerning public safety and the Fire/EMS agreement with the township, which was set to expire on November 8, 2024.

As of November 1st, I received responses from two trustees, Becca Raven Uminowicz and Matthew Schroeder, thanking me for expressing my concerns.

I also urge all residents of the Village of Arena to attend a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, November 21st, at 6 PM at Village Hall. This meeting is crucial as it will address signiﬁcant issues concerning our Fire Protection and EMS Services.

On the agenda: Discuss possible terms of contract with Dane County District One EMS for the providing of future EMS Services, and to discuss possible

Dear Editor, November 19th is the public hearing to review the Town [of Spring Green]'s proposed 2025 budget. Immediately following is the Town Electors' meeting to approve the Town levy that impacts our property taxes and our budget. I

Dear Editor,

I am certain many people in our community are having a very diﬃcult time understanding why so many people in our country voted for Donald Trump and I would like to share my reasons for doing so as a millennial Catholic woman living in a town where liberal voices are often the loudest. For me, this vote was about principles that matter deeply to me— faith, family values, the sanctity of life, economic freedom, and security.

As a Catholic, my faith informs every aspect of my life, including my political beliefs. I want a leader who respects and protects religious freedoms, allowing people of all faiths to live out their beliefs without governmental interference. During Trump's time in oﬃce, I saw him defend these freedoms, supporting policies that protect religious institutions and the rights of faith based employers. As someone who values my ability to practice my faith openly, I appreciated his commitment to protecting these rights for people across the country.

I also value family and the traditional values that help create strong, supportive communities. I believe that policies supporting family stability and giving parents choices in education are essential to building a future where families can thrive. Trump's stance on school choice and his eﬀorts to empower parents

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community spirit that deﬁnes our village.

The urgency of this meeting, with the Fire/EMS service agreement set to expire on November 8, underscored the importance of collaboration and transparency in addressing critical issues. The willingness of so many of

terms of Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Arena for the providing of future Fire and EMS Services.

I am deeply concerned that some board members are rushing through these important decisions without adequately considering what is best for our community. The ﬁnancial burden of excessive attorney fees and the higher cost of the District One contract is also troubling. Longer wait times with higher costs seem like a bad idea.

The relationship between the Village of Arena and the Township has always been one of cooperation, with the Township providing excellent service to our community. As an engaged resident, I regularly attend meetings to stay informed about the challenges we face. However, I am increasingly concerned that a speciﬁc trustee's personal agenda is overshadowing the needs of our com-

will be attending and making a motion to change the Clerk position into fulltime, and another motion to set the compensation. Changes to compensation for Town Oﬃcials can only be made through a vote by the Town electors.

resonated with me, especially in a time when I feel that parental rights are often being undermined. Giving families more say in how their children are raised and educated is vital for building a society that respects diverse values and beliefs.

My faith also informs my views on the sacredness of human life, from conception until natural death. While not as pro-life as I would like, Trump became the ﬁrst sitting president to attend the March for Life and worked to appoint judges committed to upholding constitutional values on the issue. For those of us who feel strongly about protecting human life at all stages of development, Kamala Harris simply was not an option.

On the economic front, I saw Trump as someone who values hard work and individual initiative. His tax cuts and focus on

you to engage in this matter on short notice exempliﬁes the care and commitment that make Arena a truly special place to live. Thank you for showing up, sharing your concerns, and supporting one another. Your involvement in this process reminds us all of the value

munity and may jeopardize the safety of Arena residents. Decisions regarding our ﬁre protection and EMS services should be made with careful consideration and respect for the volunteers who have served us well.

I urge all residents to pay attention to these discussions and advocate for what truly serves our community’s best interests. Our safety depends on it.

Dear Village Board Members, I am writing to express my concerns regarding public safety in our village, speciﬁcally related to the Fire/EMS agreement with the township. As you may know, the current agreement is set to expire on November 8, 2024, and I am worried about the implications for our community if a new agreement is not reached.

I would like to know if there is a contin-

The Town caucus is in January (date TBD) and any resident over the age of 18 can easily get on the ballot for the April election to run for local oﬃce. (Note, the oﬃce of Clerk is now appointed by the Town Board because the Nov. 5th referendum passed.) No signatures or

reducing regulations were a relief for working people and small business owners alike. These policies foster an environment where people have the freedom to succeed based on their eﬀorts. I believe that a strong economy beneﬁts everyone and provides opportunities for growth, which is why I appreciated his efforts to build and protect American jobs and industries.

Another signiﬁcant factor in my decision was Trump's approach to border security and immigration. I believe that a country has the right—and the responsibility—to secure its borders and ensure that immigration laws are enforced for the safety of its citizens. A secure border is essential for our national safety, economic stability, and the integrity of our immigration system.

I recognize that Trump is a polarizing ﬁgure

of community and the impact we can make when we work together.

Becca Raven Uminowicz Arena, Wisconsin

Editor's note: Uminowicz is a Village of Arena Trustee.

gency plan in place should an agreement not be ﬁnalized. How will residents be informed of any changes in emergency services? It is crucial for the community to understand what steps to take in case of an emergency. For instance, if there is a ﬁre, a car accident, or a need for an ambulance, who should we call?

I urge the board to communicate this information clearly and proactively to ensure that all residents are prepared and know how to access emergency services in a timely manner. Transparency in this matter is essential for maintaining public trust and safety.

Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue. I look forward to your response and to understanding how we can ensure the safety of our community.

Sue Pustina Arena, Wisconsin

funds are required for ballot access. Those who are interested can just show up and nominate themselves and bring a friend to second the nomination.

Vicki Terpstra Spring Green, Wisconsin

and I understand why some people ﬁnd his style and approach hard to accept. However, I chose to look beyond his personality and focus on the principles and policies he promoted—principles that align with many of my own values. I believe he demonstrated a commitment to preserving religious liberty, respecting family values, defending the sanctity of life, fostering economic independence and growth, and securing our borders. Living in Spring Green, I recognize that my vote might seem out of step with the majority opinion here, but I feel strongly that our country beneﬁts from a diversity of perspectives. I hope this letter can help foster respectful understanding even when we disagree.

Rakelle Noble Spring Green, Wisconsin

“Halloween at Lost Horizon Farm” (2024) Photo, by Barb Garvoille

Shot on Halloween at Lost Horizon Farm just north of Spring Green by contributor Barb Garvoille.

OPINION/EDITORIAL

The Tools of Conversation — Part 1: Speech: The Primal Medium

Beverly Pestel, Columnist

-Pre November 6, 2024After my last column on civil discourse, or more appropriately uncivil discourse in the political arena, I found myself with nothing further to say. Like many of you, I needed to “do something” as Michelle Obama directed us, and those actions helped to keep anxiety at bay. Spending time and sharing actions with like minded friends was essential. Still, it was diﬃcult to focus on anything, walks in my woods didn’t even entice me, my mind wanders into unrestrained places when I walk and I was unwilling to go to those places. I was stuck in a waiting game, the only routine left to me was consuming unhealthy amounts of chocolate. The best advice I got was from a friend who forwarded a Heather Cox Richardson video where Heather spent an hour exhorting us “Don’t listen to the polls.” I gave it my best shot. I played solitaire online and even resurrected an old vice of online free casino slot machine games. Mindless distraction became my friend. I did eventually discipline myself to do some reading. I bought Nexus a new book by Yuval Noah Harari. I love the way this guy thinks. It is a history of information networks from the Stone Age to AI. About sixty pages in and it has me thinking. I also have Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman. A 1985 publication date but with a 2005 update by his son. There are three other books in my to-beread pile on this topic, I suspect I will get to them as well and my editor Taylor tells me there are at least two more I need to read -well, maybe twenty-ﬁve…

After my experience with uncivil discourse, and the misinformation/disinformation culture we live in, doing a dive into the whole information network topic intrigues me – so I’m going to see where it takes me. If you like, I invite you to follow my journey. I have no idea at the moment how it might evolve – so I promise nothing. I’m going to count on readers to let me know if it ends up going nowhere and if I should give it up.

In the meantime, I agree with Postman,

November 28: No publication due to the holiday

“…I have remained steadfast…that the clearest way to see through a culture is to attend to its tools of conversation.” (pg.8) So onward…

Even in 1985, Postman accurately described our current state of news: “The news of the day is a figment of our technological imagination…We attend to fragments of events from all over the world because we have multiple media whose forms are well suited to fragmented conversations.” (pg. 8) And he was referencing the transition from print to TV, not social media. One social media site (the one that shall not be named) restricts users to 280 characters. Facebook allows you to be as long as you want, but only after cutting you off with “…See more.” Even many of the reports on my news feed are only three-to-four-minute reads. It’s that – and then off to the next thing. Not even Postman could conceive of the emergence of memes and its effects on our information network, conversations and culture. He does, however, address iconography as being forbidden by God in the Second Commandment, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.” According to Postman, “Iconography thus became blasphemy so that a new kind of God could enter a culture.” (pg. 9) Which reminds me of a meme I saw on Facebook the other day, a robe-donned Donald Trump riding a donkey, a clear reference to Palm Sunday. I hope as I continue reading other authors that I can get some in-

sight into the full effect memes have on us. Postman continues, “Speech, of course, is the primal and indisputable medium. It made us human, keeps us human, and in fact defines what human means... language itself, makes possible a unique mode of discourse by providing a new orientation for thought, for expression, for sensibility.” (pg. 8,9) And that brings me to Harari and his first book, Sapiens which I featured in my very first column back in March of 2022. He writes:

“The truly unique feature of our language…[is] the ability to transmit information about things that do not exist at all… This ability to speak about fictions is the most unique feature of Sapiens language. It’s relatively easy to agree that only Homo sapiens can speak about things that don’t really exist, and believe six impossible things before breakfast…. fiction has enabled us not to merely imagine things, but to do so collectively…Sapiens can cooperate in extremely flexible ways with countless numbers of strangers…Large numbers of strangers can cooperate successfully by believing in common myths.” (Harari, pg. 24-27)

“Over the years, people have woven an incredibly complex network of stories…the kinds of things that people create through this network of stories are known [as] ‘imagined realities’… an imagined reality is something that everyone believes in, and as long as this communal belief persists, the imagined reality exerts a force in the world.” (Harari, pg. 31-32)

So, exactly what is this information network that speech has unleashed on us? And what inﬂuence has technology had on the fragmentation of that network? Postman believed that in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World the message was that “people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think…that truth would be

Upcoming Valley Sentinel Print Schedule

December 12: Publish (Local Holiday Gift Guide special section/Blaze Orange Board special section) December 26: No publication due to the holiday January 9, 2025: Publish (Tentative: Winter Wonderland special edition)

editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief

Nicole Aimone

Managing Editor

Taylor Scott

Legal Editor

Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

Editorial Policy

Graphic Design

Julianna Williams

Democracy, Society & Edu. Columnist

Beverly Pestel Calender & Events Coordinator Paige Gilberg

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.

drowned in a sea of irrelevance.” (pg. xxi) – November 6, 2024, 4:00 AM –So, has this fragmented information network created the chaos in our world?

Is this responsible for some portion of Americans choosing to reject a message of hope and joy, inclusion and unity, and instead accept one laced with division and denigration, woven together with lies. This question is what describes my reality. And what information network led me to this point and others to a totally diﬀerent one?

Breathe. Heather Cox Richardson went to bed on the 5th reminding everyone “that no matter what happens in the next several hours, the sun is going to come up again tomorrow.” OK.

What reality did that portion of Americans create using the fragmented information they chose to avail themselves of and accept, and how did that lead them to their choice? One commentator has suggested that people like Trump because he is willing to say awful things. Is that where we are?

In his forward to his father’s book, Andrew Postman writes: “Amusing Ourselves to Death is a call to action. It is, in my father’s words, ‘an inquiry…and a lamentation,’ yes, but it aspires to greater things. It is an exhortation to do something. It’s a counterpunch to what my father thought daily TV news was: ‘inert, consisting of information that gives us something to talk about but cannot lead to any meaningful action.’”

And this column has now come full circle – the exhortation to do something. But what? I need an answer, and I suspect many of you do as well. I’ll keep reading and searching for my answer – until then - the sun will come up tomorrow. But I go back to work today, because there is still something to do.

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.

Community Calendar: We need your support to ensure we have all of the community’s events. For the Dec. 12 edition, the calendar will be extended in print to cover the events of the next four weeks. So we’ll need any events for that time frame ahead of those publication dates:

• Please get us your events for Dec. 12 – Jan. 9, 2025 by Dec. 9.

Editorial Contributor & Literary

Journal Editor (At Large)

Alex Prochaska

Reporter

Luukas Palm-Leis

Letter to the Editor Policy

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

Column Policy

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

Columnist Barb Garvoille Crossword Contributor

Nick Zaborek

Literary Contributor

Amanda Thomas

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

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Community Discussion Policy

From time to time the editorial board may select letters to the editor of a particular compelling community interest where a public ﬁgure or accountable public action is the recipient of criticism and allow, in the same issue, the subject of the criticism chance for rebuttal, with expounded independent input. The format shall be point, counterpoint and expert analysis. This community discussion shall serve as a moderated dialogue that presents multiple views of important community topics.

Beverly Pestel

Back Home

Nature is calming medicine

AMy preparations for the upcoming gun deer season took me on a walk through the woods the other day. While my purpose was to prepare my deer stand, I also needed the walk for therapeutic reasons. A busy work schedule and non- stop political ads and news had put my brain into overload mode.

I needed to unplug.

Nature provides the release that can’t be found by scrolling through endless social media feeds. The noise of nature quiets my soul.

I stopped to cross Little Creek, a spring-fed waterway that runs through our valley. The stream is listed as a Class I trout water.

While the creek is too shallow to support trout year-round, it is used by brook trout in the fall for spawning – the process where trout lay eggs. Spawning season is triggered by water temperatures and trout swim upstream from Beaver Creek.

I heard some splashing as I neared the stream – signs that I had spooked some trout by my steps. I took a couple of steps back and waited.

Sure enough, the trout came out from under the streambank into the open water. I watched as several trout darted back and forth near a fallen log.

The female trout uses its tail ﬁn to make a small depression in the streambed called a nest or a redd and the female and a male will release eggs and milt –or sperm – simultaneously.

The process is repeated upstream with additional redds until the trout is out of eggs. A trout can lay thousands of eggs, depending on its size. The eggs remain in the redds over the winter – kept alive by oxygen from the ﬂowing water.

Then in the spring the small ﬁsh –called fry – will emerge. They will stay in the shallow stream seeking food and shelter until they are big enough to need deeper pools. The ones that survive and grow large enough will return to spawn in a year or two when they are mature. I crossed the stream and headed into the woods. It’s the time of year for the fall breeding season for deer, also known as the rut. It’s a time of physiological, behavior and chemical changes for deer. Bucks seek doe in estrus and they sometimes throw caution to the wind in their single-minded pursuit of breeding. That makes them move around more and present themselves as easier targets to hunters.

I’ve captured a few bucks on my security cameras, including one large 6-pointer who had some of his antlers broken off – either during a fight with another buck or because he was a little too vigorous in his attempts to scrape off the velvet. The light on the camera caught his attention and he came right up to the lens and snorted. Even when we don’t see bucks, there are other signs of the rut. Bucks like to mark their territory. Rubs are when bucks rake their antlers on brush, small trees or saplings. They peel the bark and leave behind scents from their forehead

CROSSWORD

glands.

Bucks also create scrapes by pawing a bare patch of ground, usually in an oval shape and often under trees. The buck leaves behind scent from a gland located between the toes of their front hooves and will sometimes urinate down the tarsal glands on their inner lower legs for some additional aroma.

The overheard branches or the ends of twigs are where bucks – and does – will chew and lick and deposit additional scent from their forehead and eye glands.

I spotted several rubs and some scrapes in the woods near my new deer stand, which I constructed from fallen tree branches. Of course it includes my traditional grill for keeping me warm. I sat with my back against a tree and closed my eyes.

The rustling leaves, the wind blowing and the birds calling stilled my brain. It was good medicine.

Chris Hardie spent more than 30 years as a reporter, editor and publisher. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and won dozens of state and national journalism awards. He is a former president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Contact him at chardie1963@gmail.com.

We were recently told "any newspaper worth its salt has a respectable crossword" — and to be clear, we're pretty salty

Give us feedback at editor@valleysentinelnews.com, as we've never made a crossword before, much less a respectable one, and it's surprisingly diﬃcult. Especially (maybe, eventually) with the goal of only including words or themes from the previous edition.

We're hoping to tighten up the grid over time and shift from an "indie" style to a respectable New York Times style with rotational symmetry — and we think we've done a good job of that. Which is why we've expanded our word pool and enlisted the help of passionate community members, who have created this crossword. This puzzle and section will absolutely change. Especially if you can help. We appreciate all the feedback and suggestions so far.

What about chess puzzles next? We're not joking. Seriously.

2024-07-13-007-Godafrid

Solution to the previous

Chris Hardie, Columnist

Chris Hardie

Photo contributed by Chris Hardie The woods near where Chris Hardie will be deer hunting this year.

Photo contributed by Chris Hardie

Several trout were spawning in Little Creek on Chris Hardie’s farm. Female trout deposit their eggs in the bottom of the stream.

COmmunitycalendar

The Community Calendar is

Events for November 18 - December 12

Monday, November 18

Homeschool Hangout 1:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green springgreenlibrary.org Join other area homeschoolers for a fun morning of play and learning as we explore spring through some seasonal activities. All ages welcome. Feel free to bring a snack to share.

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

Tuesday, November 19

Intro to Zazen Meditation 8:00 AM Wyoming Valley School, 6306 State Road 23, Spring Green choseizen.org • wyomingvalleyschool.org Please join for an introductory meditation class at Wyoming Valley School. Zazen is a style of seated meditation that emphasizes breath, posture, and gravity. No prior meditation experience is necessary. Please arrive 5-15 minutes early. We recommend wearing loose-ﬁtting pants (eg, sweatpants). Meditation cushions and chairs will be provided.

Movies, Munchies, and More: Good Will Hunting 1:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Movie

Summary: Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a diﬃcult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. When Will is arrested for attacking a police oﬃcer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he will get treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) (R, 2hr 6min, 1998).

Moving Senior Bodies 4:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.com • Join Upland Hills Health professionals for weekly classes focusing on balance and strength training to promote healthy aging. For the classes, please bring your own weights, wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. You will also need to bring water.

Afternoon Fall Family Storytime 4:30 PM • Plain Kraemer Library, 910 Main St., Plain • kraemerlibrary.org • Join us for Themed Stories, Songs & Crafts ! Running from September 17- December 17 at 4:30PM. All are Welcome. Aimed at ages 0-5.

Yarn Rocks! 5:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org Come to the Library on the ﬁrst and third Tuesday of the month to meet fellow knitters in the community; come for help; come to learn new skills or brush up on current skills; come to get out of the house for a few hours; come for the health beneﬁts.

MAGIC HUNKS® at Keg & Kettle 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM • Keg & Kettle Bar, 104 South Oak Street, Lone Rock • For more information look up Keg & Kettle on Facebook • MAGIC HUNKS® the Hottest Male Revue on tour will be taking stage at Keg & Kettle! Showtime 8pm! Get ready for the MAGIC MIKE Experience! Tickets on Sale Now!

Wednesday, November 20

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM • Spring Green Community Library, Community Room, 230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Share stories, songs and crafts with library friends. Our theme for October is "Spooky," but very mildly. Halloween stories will be more sweet than scary. Is your little one ﬁdgety or noisy? No worries! We have quiet toys so busy bodies can listen to stories and wiggle at the same time!

ADRC Drop-In 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM • Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • kraemerlibrary.org/adrc-drop • Elder Beneﬁt Specialist Mindy Shrader will be available to provide free walk-in assistance with understanding complex paperwork, resolving billing issues, and navigating appeals processes. This monthly event, held every third Wednesday, connects seniors with valuable resources and services to support their needs. No appointment is necessary.

Book Discussion: "The Only Good Indians" by Stephen Graham Jones 2:00 PM3:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe Street, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/book-discussion-10 • FREE • Join fellow book lovers for coﬀee, snacks, and a discussion of The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones. Copies are available for checkout at the library circulation desk. This monthly book discussion takes place on the third Wednesday of each month. Drop-in Makerspace 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe Street, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/drop-makerspace • FREE • Be the ﬁrst to try creative projects using the library’s new Cricut Maker 3! Supplies will be provided to make vinyl stickers for notebooks or water bottles. This event is made possible by a grant from River Valley ARTS. No registration required.

Annual Deer Camp at the Rectory 6:30 PM • St. Luke Rectory, 1240 Nachreiner Ave, Plain • pastorate6.org • FREE • Attention all hunters! You're invited to the Annual Deer Camp at St. Luke Rectory for an evening of good food and even better stories. Join fellow hunting enthusiasts for a memorable night of camaraderie and tales from the woods.

Thursday, November 21

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

Mid Morning Matinee 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM • Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • kraemerlibrary.org/mid-morning-matinee-3 • All ages • FREE • Enjoy a catered lunch followed by a screening of a popular movie at this monthly event, held every third Thursday. Donations are welcome to support future events. Sign-up is encouraged but not required. Call 608-546-4201 or visit the library's front desk for more information or to reserve your spot.

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

Thursday, November 21 cont.

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

Tech Help 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Community Room, Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • kraemerlibrary.org/tech-help-0 • FREE • Struggling with technology? Whether it’s a computer, Kindle, phone, or other device, the Kraemer Library oﬀers free tech assistance every third Thursday. A knowledgeable librarian will provide guidance on setup, troubleshooting, and using speciﬁc applications in a friendly, welcoming environment. No appointment necessary.

Porch Pot Class 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM • 420 E Forrest St, Lone Rock • For more information look up “Porch Pot Class” on Facebook • FREE • Get into the festive spirit by creating your own porch pot for the season. This hands-on class is perfect for all skill levels, and you'll leave with a beautiful decoration to enhance your home.

Lone Rock Farmers Market 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM • Lone Rock Community Building, 214 N Broadway St., Lone Rock • For more information look up Lone Rock Farmers Market on Facebook • Lone Rock Farmers Market. Sandwiches will ber served by the farmers market committee while market is held indoors. Vendor fee is $10. Pre-registration is required, as at least 8 vendors are required to hold the indoor market.

Silent Book Club 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Arcadia Books, 102 E Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • readinutopia.com/events • FREE • Bring your favorite book and join Arcadia Books for a relaxed evening of silent reading. Enjoy 30 minutes of socializing, followed by an hour of reading, and wrap up with more visiting or quiet time. After-hours browsing in the bookstore is also available. No registration required.

Family Craft Night - String Turkeys 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM • Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • kraemerlibrary.org/family-craft-night • FREE • Bring the family and get creative with crafts for all ages. This fun, hands-on evening is perfect for sharing quality time while making something special. All materials are provided, and no registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

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

Friday, November 22

Music Together 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe Street, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/music-together • FREE • Join Music Together teacher Catherine Olson for an hour of interactive music and movement. This class is ideal for children from birth to age 8, oﬀering a fun and engaging way for families to explore music together.

Karaoke at Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com FREE • Join Charles Boheme for a fun-ﬁlled karaoke night! Whether you take the mic or cheer on your friends, this is a great opportunity for the community to come together in song. Tips for the host are welcome.

Saturday, November 23

Clyde Annual Rummage Sale 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM • Clyde Community Center, 6281 WI-130, Avoca • For more information look up "CCC Annual Rummage Sale" on Facebook • Explore a variety of goods at the CCC Annual Rummage Sale. Find treasures and bargains, all while supporting community eﬀorts.

Spring Green Farmers Winter/Holiday Market 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM • S230 E. Monroe St., Spring Green • Explore a special winter/holiday edition of the Spring Green Farmers Market inside the library and in the parking lot. Shop for seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods, and unique holiday items in a festive, community-focused atmosphere.

Holiday Barn Sale at The Wandering Rae Barn & Venue 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM • E4233 Horseshoe Rd, Spring Green • For more information look up "Holiday Barn Sale at The Wandering Rae Barn & Venue" on Facebook • Join us for a festive holiday shopping experience at The Wandering Rae Barn & Venue. Discover unique gifts, handmade crafts, and seasonal items from local artisans. Perfect for your holiday shopping needs! Pop-Up Shop with Arena Potter Andrew Linderman 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM • 137 S. Albany St, Spring Green • Stop by to explore a unique pop-up shop featuring the pottery of local artist Andrew Linderman. This event is a wonderful opportunity to discover handcrafted ceramics and support a local artisan. Don't miss the chance to ﬁnd a one-of-a-kind piece for your collection!

LIVE MUSIC: STS & Vicki 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM • 139 N Lexington St, Spring Green • For more information look up "STS & Vicki / Live" on Facebook • FREE • Enjoy an afternoon of live music with STS & Vicki, performing a mix of original songs and covers. Bring your friends and enjoy the lively tunes in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Donations Meet the Authors: Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM • Arcadia Books, 102 East Jeﬀerson St., Spring Green Spring Green • readinutopia.com/events • FREE • Authors Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden present their mystery novel The Bones of Bascom Hall, blending fact and ﬁction in a thrilling tale set on the UW-Madison campus. Follow sleuths Nora Barnes and Toby Sandler as they unravel a case tied to Wisconsin’s history and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy.

LIVE MUSIC: Harmonious Wail 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com/events • $15 advance, $20 at the door • Experience Americana-ﬂavored Gypsy jazz with Harmonious Wail, blending virtuosic mandolin, Django Reinhardt-inspired panache, and Edith Piaf-inspired vocals. This Madison-based group delivers an unforgettable musical journey that’s both soulful and dynamic.

curated by Paige Gilberg and designed by Julianna Williams.

Events for November 18 - December 12

Monday, November 25

LEGO Builders Club 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Plain Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • FREE • Join the fun at the LEGO Builders Club! Kids and families are invited to let their imaginations soar as they build and create with LEGO bricks. No registration is required. Perfect for children of all ages to enjoy a creative afternoon. Alice’s Restaurant Sing-along & Open Mic with Dylan Harris 7:30 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com • FREE • This month’s Open Mic with Dylan Harris features a special community sing-along of Arlo Guthrie’s iconic anti-war song, Alice’s Restaurant. Sign up to read a portion, play along on your favorite instrument, or simply enjoy the music. Afterward, the evening continues with the monthly Open Mic, where local talent takes the stage. Whether you perform solo, with a band, or cheer on the performers, this event celebrates music and community. No cover, but tips for the host are welcome. Bring your music and your spirit of fun!

Tuesday, November 26

Movies, Munchies, and More: The Holdovers 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Cozy up with a warm drink, a sugary treat, and a screening of The Holdovers. Starring Paul Giamatti, this heartwarming ﬁlm follows a curmudgeonly prep school instructor who forms an unlikely bond with a student and the school cook during Christmas break. (R, 2h 13m). For more details, visit the library's website.

Afternoon Fall Family Storytime 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Celebrate fall with family-friendly stories and activities! Perfect for children of all ages and their caregivers. Join us for an hour of fun and seasonal storytelling in a welcoming library setting. For more information, contact the library.

Thursday, November 28

14th Annual Plain Pilgrimage 8:00 AM • Plain Municipal Park, 925 Park View Ave, Plain • For more information look up “14th Annual Plain Pilgrimage” on Facebook • FREE (donations encouraged) • Join the community for a Thanksgiving Day run or walk! Choose between a 5.5K out-and-back route or a 10.5K loop, both starting and ending at the Plain Municipal Park Shelter. This fun and casual event encourages gratitude for health and community, with all donations supporting the Spring Green Food Pantry. Brewhaha Coﬀee will provide post-run refreshments—BYO to-go cup! Registration is not required; just show up with your donation (cash, check, or Venmo accepted).

LIVE MUSIC: The Commercialists Present: The Music of a Charlie Brown Christmas 7:30 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 147 W Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • $15-$30 • Celebrate the holiday season with a delightful evening of jazz and nostalgia as The Commercialists bring the beloved music of A Charlie Brown Christmas to life. Enjoy the iconic Vince Guaraldi soundtrack performed live in the cozy ambiance of the Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret. Tickets are available online.

Birthday Party 80s Style 9:00 PM • Keg & Kettle Bar, Lone Rock • FREE • Celebrate the '80s with music, dancing, and nostalgia at this themed birthday party. Dust oﬀ your leg warmers and neon outﬁts for a night of fun and community spirit

Saturday, November 30 Friday, November 29

Lattes with Llamas 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM • S9651 Marklein Rd, Plain • Look up “Lattes with Llamas” on Facebook • FREE • Enjoy a delightful day with llamas in a charming rural setting. Perfect for all ages, this event oﬀers a unique opportunity to interact with these gentle animals while sipping on a latte.

Spring Green Farmers Winter Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM • 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.

Héloïse et Frank Pop-Up Event 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM • Spring Green General Store, 137 S Albany St, Spring Green • For more information look up “Pop Up Shop with ”Heloise et Frank” on Facebook • FREE • Browse the latest creations from Héloïse et Frank at this special pop-up event. Discover unique items and enjoy the charm of the Spring Green General Store.

Best Flatland Trick Challenge 12:00 PM • Spring Green Skate Park, Spring Green • Look up Spring Green Skate Park on Facebook • FREE • Show oﬀ your skills or cheer on participants at this exciting ﬂatland trick challenge! Open to skaters and BMX riders of all levels. Winner takes home $200, chosen by crowd vote! Registration required. Contact Andrew Armstrong at 608-459-5421 to enter. Entries accepted until 11:45 AM on the day of the event.

Christkindlmarkt 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM • Downtown Plain, 1065 Main Street, Plain • villageofplain.com • Celebrate the holiday season with this annual Christkindlmarkt. Enjoy a Community Tree Lighting, a visit from Santa and his animal friends, a Cookie & Cake Walk, Community Trivia, a Children’s Craft Workshop, and Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides.

River Valley Community Chorus Holiday Concert 7:30 PM • St. Luke Catholic Church, Plain, WI • FREE (Donations welcome) • Join the River Valley Community Chorus and the Wisconical Horn Quartet for a festive holiday concert featuring traditional Christmas music. Enjoy choral arrangements by a chorus of 30 singers under the direction of Dan Krunnfusz and performances by the French Horn quartet including Julia Bird, Katie LaVigne, Rebecca Schroeder, and Mary Jo Wilson. The concert follows the Plain, WI Christkindlmarkt. No tickets required, but free-will donations are appreciated.

LIVE MUSIC: King Cobra - Cranksgiving 9:00 PM • Keg & Kettle Bar, Lone Rock • FREE • Celebrate Cranksgiving with King Cobra!! and enjoy a night of electrifying live music. Dance, drink, and join the fun at this lively community event. Perfect for wrapping up Thanksgiving weekend with a bang!

Tuesday, December 3

Monday, December 2 Tuesday, December 3 cont. Friday, December 6

Trivia Night 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com/events • FREE • Join host Kyle Adams for a fun evening of trivia at Slowpoke Lounge. Gather your team, compete for prizes, and enjoy a night of friendly competition. First question starts at 7:00 PM.

Movies, Munchies, and More: The Proposal 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Enjoy a cozy afternoon with a warm drink, a treat, and a screening of The Proposal. Starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, this PG-13 romantic comedy follows an unexpected love story amidst comical mishaps. Run time: 1h 48m.

featured event: River Valley Music Boosters Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Arthur's Supper Club, E4885 US Hwy 14, Spring Green, Wisconsin • bit.ly/3NYpJqY • $12 adult, $6 child (10 and under) in advance; $13 adult, $7 child at the door • Support the River Valley High School Musical with a delicious spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Dine-in or drive-thru options available. Purchase tickets online or at the door.

Afternoon Fall Family Storytime 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • kraemerlibrary.org • FREE • Bring the whole family to enjoy a cozy storytime session at the library. Perfect for children and adults alike, this event oﬀers an engaging and relaxed way to wind down and share the joy of stories.

Wednesday, December 4

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe Street, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Share stories, songs, and crafts with library friends! Busy bodies are welcome—quiet toys are available for children who love to wiggle while they listen. Perfect for families and children of all ages.

Drop-In Fused Glass Ornaments Workshop 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM • Angel Dreams Studios, 2516 Brace Road, Lone Rock • For more information look up Angel Dreams Studios on Facebook • $75 for four ornaments, $15 for each additional • Design and create your own fused glass holiday ornaments, including trees, snowmen, poinsettias, or your unique designs. Materials, tools, and kiln time included. Ornaments will be ready for pick-up within a week. Drop in anytime during event hours!

Thursday, December 5

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

Tech Drop-In 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/tech-drop-5 • FREE • Struggling with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop? Drop by for assistance with your tech-related questions, no appointment necessary. Volunteers and library staﬀ will provide guidance to help you troubleshoot or learn new skills. Sessions are hosted weekly by River Valley area public libraries.

Country Christmas Holiday Light Parade 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM • Through the streets of downtown Spring Green • springgreen.com/events• FREE • Celebrate the season with the glitz, glitter, and lights of the Spring Green Holiday Light Parade! Sip hot cocoa, enjoy festive music, and look out for Santa and Mrs. Claus in this community favorite event!

LIVE MUSIC: Holiday Sing-along 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM • Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret, 137 W Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • slowpokelounge.com/events • FREE • Join John Christensen at the piano for a festive night of holiday sing-alongs featuring Christmas carols and classic holiday tunes. Gather around for casual holiday fun with special guest players. Arrive early to enjoy the Holiday Light Parade from the lounge’s porch.

LIVE MUSIC: Holiday Sing-along A Christmas Story free movie 7:30 PM • Gard Theater, 111 E Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • gardtheater.com • FREE • Enjoy a free screening of the holiday classic A Christmas Story at the historic Gard Theater. Celebrate the season with this beloved tale of holiday humor and nostalgia. Perfect for all ages!

Saturday, December 7

Santa's Workshop 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM • 514 Willow Street, Arena, WI • For more informtaion, call Roxy at 608-320-9510 • FREE • Hosted by Arena VFW and Wildlife

Forever UTV, this festive workshop is perfect for kids of all ages to buy gifts for their families. All items will be gift wrapped. Donation barrels located at Prem’s Spring Green, Grandma Mary’s-Arena, Crappie Shop-Arena, and Arena VFW Hall.

Holiday Bazaar 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM • First Lutheran Church, 250 W Richland St, Lone Rock, WI • For more information, contact Judy Temby at 608-583-4548 or jatemby@gmail.com • Experience the joy of the season at the Holiday Bazaar at First Lutheran Church. Shop from a variety of holiday bake items, jams, relishes, and pickles. Check out the Craft Corner for homemade crafts. Enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast served from 8 AM to 10 AM. Everyone is welcome!

Country Christmas Breakfast with Santa 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM • River Valley Elementary School, 830 Daley Street, Spring Green • springgreen.com • FREE • Enjoy a full hot breakfast with pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit, and more while visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Kids can enter the toy raﬄe, with winners drawn at 11:30 AM. Brittney Brent Design will take family photos with Santa, and there is no charge for the photos! Reservations are requested. Contact Julie Jensen at 608-588-2054 to reserve your spot.

River Valley Craft Bazaar 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM • River Valley High School, Spring Green

• For more information look up "River Valley Craft Bazaar" on Facebook • FREE • Browse a wide selection of handcrafted items and unique treasures from local artisans and crafters. Perfect for holiday shopping or ﬁnding one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting the creative community.

17th Annual Spring Green Community Church Cookie Walk 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (or until cookies are gone) • Spring Green Community Church, 151 E. Bossard St, Spring Green • sgcommunitychurch.org • Free Entry • Dive into the holiday spirit with over 400 dozen cookies available at the annual Cookie Walk! Fill up containers with assorted cookies and homemade goodies, including dessert breads and a limited selection of crafts. Enjoy live holiday music by Kendall Harger from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, and feel free to sing along! Proceeds support local community and church initiatives.

Events for November 18 - December 12

Saturday, December 7 cont.

Pop-Up Shop with Katie Doescher from Indigo Ridge Lavender Farm 10:00 AM2:00 PM • Spring Green General Store, 137 S Albany St, Spring Green • For more information look up "Indigo Ridge Lavender Farm" on Facebook • Explore locally-made lavender products at this special pop-up shop featuring Katie Doescher of Indigo Ridge Lavender Farm. Discover unique gifts and indulge in the soothing scents of lavender while supporting local artisans. Perfect for holiday shopping!

Free Pedicab Rides 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM • Starting at the Elementary School, Spring Green • FREE • Enjoy free pedicab rides through Spring Green, courtesy of Eugene's Bike Services.

Friends of the Library Book & Bake Sale - Country Christmas 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Join the Friends of the Spring Green Library for a festive Book and Bake Sale. Enjoy early entry at 8:30 AM if you're a Friends' member. The sale continues on Monday, December 9, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Perfect for ﬁnding unique gifts and delicious treats while supporting the library!

Spring Green Farmers Winter Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM • 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.

Holiday Open House at Spring Branch Pottery 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM • Spring Branch Pottery, 504 W Leeson, Spring Green • For more information look up "Holiday Open House at Spring Branch Pottery" on Facebook • FREE • Celebrate the holiday season with a visit to Spring Branch Pottery’s Open House. Enjoy cookies, cocoa, and 10% oﬀ all pottery purchases during this festive event.

Meet Grinchie 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM • Lions Den Taekwondo, Spring Green • FREE • Meet the Grinch at Lions Den Taekwondo! Enjoy a fun-ﬁlled afternoon with cookie decorating and a photo opportunity with the holiday’s favorite grouch. Children's Community Crafting 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM • Spring Green Community Center, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Bring the kids to the Spring Green Community Center for an afternoon of crafting fun! Hosted by the Spring Green Community Library staﬀ and volunteers, this event is perfect for children to create festive crafts and embrace their creativity.

ELF - Free Movie 1:00 PM • Gard Theater, 111 E Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • For more information look up "ELF Free Movie" on Facebook • FREE • Enjoy a festive afternoon with a screening of the holiday classic Elf. Join in for some seasonal cheer and family-friendly fun at the Gard Theater. Perfect for all ages!

LIVE MUSIC: Bluegrass Jam 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM • 137 S Albany St, Spring Green • For more informaton look up "Bluegrass Jam" on Facebook • FREE • Join local musicians and bluegrass enthusiasts for an afternoon of lively music. Bring your instrument to join the jam or simply enjoy listening to the tunes in a welcoming community atmosphere. Country Christmas Holiday Fireworks in the Park 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM • Veterans Park, 500 Park Dr, Spring Green • springgreen.com • FREE • Celebrate the season with beautiful holiday ﬁreworks at Veterans Park. Please park on the streets and gather in the park for a magical experience to kick oﬀ your holiday festivities!

Sunday, December 8

Tarot Readings with Gwyn Padden-Lechten 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM • North Earth Crystals & Gifts, 116 E Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green • For more information look up "Tarot Readings with Gwyn Padden-Lechten" on Facebook • $30 per reading • Experience the art of tarot reading with Gwyn Padden-Lechten. Whether seeking insight or personal guidance, these readings provide a unique opportunity for reﬂection. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome!

Monday, December 9

LEGO Builders Club 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Plain Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • kraemerlibrary.org • FREE • Join the fun at the Plain LEGO Builders Club! Kids and families are invited to let their imaginations soar as they build and create with LEGO bricks. No registration required. Perfect for children of all ages to enjoy a creative afternoon.

Holiday Book Sale 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • Shop for books as gifts or for yourself at the Holiday Book Sale! Hosted by the Friends of the Spring Green Community Library.

Tuesday, December 10

Intro to Zazen Meditation 8:00 AM • Wyoming Valley School, 6306 State Road 23, Spring Green • choseizen.org • FREE (Donations welcome) • Join us for an introductory meditation class focusing on Zazen, a style of seated meditation that emphasizes breath, posture, and gravity. No prior meditation experience is necessary. Please arrive 5-15 minutes early. Loose-ﬁtting pants like sweatpants are recommended. Meditation cushions and chairs will be provided.

Movies, Munchies, and More: The Holiday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Enjoy a cozy afternoon with a screening of The Holiday. Two women, one from America and one from Britain, swap homes during Christmastime, leading to unexpected romance. Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. PG-13, 2 hr 12 min.

Nifty Gifty 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/nifty-gifty • FREE • Get into the holiday spirit by creating your own handmade gifts at the Nifty Gifty event! This drop-in workshop is open to kids of all ages and provides the perfect opportunity to make thoughtful crafts for family and friends. All supplies are provided.

Afternoon Fall Family Storytime 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM • Kraemer Library & Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain • kraemerlibrary.org • FREE • Join us for an engaging afternoon of stories, songs, and crafts. This event is perfect for families with children ages 0-5, oﬀering a fun and interactive way to learn and enjoy reading together. Quiet toys will be available for little ones while they listen.

Puzzle Night 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org/puzzle-night • FREE • Join us for an evening of puzzle fun! Work together on 300-500 piece puzzles, or try your hand at puzzle chess—a competitive twist using 100-200 piece puzzles. Bring your own puzzles to share or enjoy those provided by the library. All ages are welcome!

Wednesday, December 11

All Ages Storytime 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Enjoy an interactive storytime session with stories, songs, and crafts perfect for little ones and their families. Busy bodies can wiggle and play with quiet toys while listening to stories.

Wednesday, December 11 cont.

Why Does My Hand Hurt? 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM • Spring Green Medical Center, 117 S Washington St, Spring Green • For more information look up "Why Does My Hand Hurt?" on Facebook • FREE • Join us for an informative session on common hand ailments and their remedies, ideal for anyone experiencing hand pain or interested in learning about hand health. This session will provide insights into preventing and treating hand issues eﬀectively.

Drop-in Makerspace 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Explore your creativity at the library's Drop-in Makerspace! This event is perfect for all ages, oﬀering various crafting and tech tools to create personal projects or learn new skills. Come by and make something amazing with us!

Thursday, December 12

Holiday Night Market at Arcadia Books/Convivio/Victoria Sterling 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Arcadia Books, 102 East Jeﬀerson St, Spring Green/Convivio, 122 N Lexington St, Spring Green/Victoria Sterling, 100 N Lexington St, Spring Green • readinutopia.com/events • Explore the festive Holiday Night Market at three charming locations: Arcadia Books, Convivio, and Victoria Sterling. Enjoy a cozy evening of unique gifts, local crafts, and special after-hours browsing. This multi-venue event is perfect for ﬁnding one-of-a-kind holiday presents.

Library Trivia Night 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM • Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St, Spring Green • springgreenlibrary.org • FREE • Test your trivia knowledge at the Spring Green Community Library! Bring a team of up to 4 teens or adults, or come solo to join others. Themes change each session, oﬀering fun and challenging questions with bragging rights for the winners.

Saturday, December 14

Pop-Up Shop with Local Artist Kim Russell 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM • 137 S Albany St, Spring Green • For more information look up "Pop-Up Shop with Kim Russell" on Facebook • FREE • Explore the creative work of local artist Kim Russell at this special one-day event. Support local artistry and ﬁnd unique pieces perfect for gifting or adding to your collection.

Winter Wine Walk 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM • Spring Green Area Chamber of Commerce, 208 N Winstead St, Spring Green • springgreen.com • Join the holiday fun at the Winter Wine Walk. Sample wines, enjoy local treats, and explore participating businesses in a festive atmosphere. Perfect for celebrating the season with friends and the community. Tickets required.

CIVICS & SERVICES

CIVICS & SERVICES CALENDAR

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

November 19: Richland County Board Meeting 7:00 PM • Richland County Board Room, 181 W Seminary St, Richland Center • co.richland.wi.us/meetings

November 20:

Plain Fire Department Meeting 7:00 PM • Village of Plain Fire Department, 1000-1110 Cedar St, Plain • villageofplain.com

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

November 21:

Village Of Arena Special Board Meeting 6:00 PM Village Hall, 345 West Street, Arena In this meeting: Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other speciﬁed public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, speciﬁcally to discuss possible terms of contract with Dane County District One EMS for the providing of future EMS Services, and to discuss possible terms of Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Arena for the providing of future Fire and EMS Services.

Arena Fire Board Meeting 7:30 PM • Arena Fire Department, 111 David Cir, Arena

December 4:

Village of Spring Green Board Meeting 7:00 PM • In person and virtual event • 154 N. Lexington Street, Spring Green • vi.springgreen.wi.gov Plain Fire Department Meeting 7:00 PM • Village of Plain Fire Department, 1000-1110 Cedar St, Plain • villageofplain.com

December 9: Wildlife Forever ATV Club 6:30 PM Arena VFW, 514 Willow St, Arena For more info look up Wildlife Forever ATV Club on Facebook

December 10: Village of Lone Rock Board Meeting 7:00 PM • Village Hall, 214 North Broadway St., Lone Rock • villageoﬂonerock-wi.gov

December 11: Plain Village Board Meeting 7:00 PM • 510 Main Street, Plain • villageofplain.com

December 12: River Valley School Board Meeting 7:00 PM • rvschools.org • River Valley Middle School, Library, 660 Daley St, Spring Green

December 13: VOLUNTEER: Ridgeway Pine Relict Workday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM • Help us care for some of our state's most pristine public lands, State Natural Areas. Encourage native plants and animals to thrive by cutting brush, controlling invasive species, collecting seeds, monitoring rare species, and preparing ﬁre breaks. RSVP to Bob Scheidegger 608-319-2083 for more information.

Continued on page 8

Community

WHAT’S HANGINg ?

ongoing art exhibitions

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

Kyle Martin’s exhibit, “Capturing the Essence of Nature” is on exhibit in the Community Room Gallery during the month of November.

Kyle notes that he ﬁrst noticed diﬀerent qualities of light while milking cows at sunrise at the age of 12. When the sun rose, the whole pasture was bathed in warm orange light. He thought to himself, "I'm going to learn to paint that some day!" Now an award-winning artist, Kyle creates shape-based interpretations of still life and the landscape. Kyle holds a degree in art education, is a licensed teacher in the state of Wisconsin, and is a lecturer at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk-County.

In this captivating exhibition, Kyle Martin invites viewers into the vibrant world of plein air painting, where nature unfolds in real-time and the beauty of the Wisconsin landscape is captured on canvas. With a deep reverence for the natural world, Martin immerses himself in diverse environments—from tranquil forests to farmers ﬁelds—transforming ﬂeeting moments into enduring works of art.

Each piece in this collection reﬂects Martin's commitment to authenticity and spontaneity. This collection reﬂects Martin’s belief that art has the power to inspire mindfulness and a deeper appreciation for our surroundings. Using a rich palette and expressive brushwork, he captures the dynamic interplay of light, color, and form, conveying not just the visual experience of the outdoors, but also the emotional resonance of being present in these spaces. His paintings evoke a sense of place, inviting viewers to share in the serenity and wonder of nature. Through this exhibition, Martin challenges us to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us, reminding us of the profound connection we share with the environment. Join us in celebrating the artistry of plein air painting and the captivating landscapes that inspire it.

Kyle Martin’s paintings are available for viewing during regular library hours when the Community Room is not in use. Please ask for the key at the circulation desk.

Jeremy Newberry is exhibiting his woodworking in the Glass Case Gallery throughout the month of November.

He tells about himself, “I am a carpenter by trade and love working with wood. One of my earliest memories of woodworking is making paddle boats from a box of leftover cedar shingles on our rural Richland County farm, where I was born, raised and still live today. From there, I worked with several local contractors and farmers through high school. After graduation I ventured out and tried many diﬀerent professions before settling in the building trades and starting my own business, “Newberry Carpentry”. Now, along with my wife Courtney who designs and draws most of our bigger building projects, we do every kind of building or remodeling imaginable. We are nestled on a hillside deep in the woods where I get my inspiration and materials. We have a band sawmill and a chainsaw sawmill to help turn logs or interesting pieces of wood into usable sizes.”

Jeremy is showing his wooden bowls as well as wine racks. He’s also included photos of some of his larger projects. His work is available for sale at Dennis Phillips’s shop “Alfred Art to Wear” in downtown Spring Green and “Grand Inspired” in Stoughton. He is open to creating custom pieces and also to selling project lumber to other woodworkers.

Jeremy’s woodworking can be viewed during regular library hours

Two Perspectives

"Remember Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes exhausts and murders itself. There never was a Democracy Yet, that did not commit suicide. It is in vain to Say that Democracy is less vain, less proud, less selfish, less ambitious or less avaricious than Aristocracy or Monarchy. It is not true in Fact and no where appears in history. Those Passions are the same in all Men under all forms of Simple Government, and when unchecked, produce the same Effects of Fraud Violence and Cruelty. When clear Prospects are opened before Vanity, Pride, Avarice or Ambition, for their easy gratification, it is hard for the most considerate Phylosophers and the most conscientious Moralists to resist the temptation. Individuals have conquered themselves, Nations and large Bodies of Men, never."

—John Adams

In a letter to John Taylor, 17 December 1814

Calling on All Silent Minorities

HEY C’MON COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE WE NEED TO HAVE THIS MEETING AT THIS TREE

AIN’ EVEN BEEN PLANTED YET

June Jordan 1936 –2002

From Directed by Desire: The Complete Poems of June Jordan

Works can be submitted at: valleysentinelnews.com/literary-journal/. Questions about submissions can be directed to: editor@valleysentinelnews.com Submissions will remain open until enough journal-quality submissions are received.

Lexington & Jefferson

Arts In Brief

The Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair recently announced the opening of their 2025 artist applications.

Applications need to be postmarked by February 5, 2025.

The 2025 Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair will take place downtown Spring Green on June 28 & June 29, 2025. Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair Applications Open

More information can be found online at: www.springgreenartfair.com/Artist/Apply/.

Driftless Grace: Double Down on Community for HomeGrown Hope

Before the recent fraught election, our nation experienced the annual “fall back” into standard time. Many of us are hurting from this one-two punch (especially the second one). No fan of November myself, I am sensitive to the outward darkness and have developed techniques over the years to keep it from translating to my inner weather.

These are not adaptations so much as instruments of denial: books, shows, crafts, and home projects that keep me too busy to notice what’s happening outside. This year, I’m also playing a role in the River Valley Players’ winter show. I welcome the excuse to escape to another world for a few hours each week.

It’s also good mental exercise to work with people whom I may not know very well, even if we see each other every day. Having a common goal encourages us to share more of ourselves. I watched this pattern unfold again and again during my childhood of church dinners, condo association meetings, and coﬀee shop events. And as an adult, I have now spent a decade working in the nonproﬁt sector with its traditions of community and volunteerism.

Community groups care for their neighbors in need, support the arts and other forms of enrichment, study and protect their natural environment, and ensure that local businesses have a chance to thrive. All of these are absolutely essential to the health of local residents. Even when our largest institutions fail to provide for us, we can choose to strengthen our bonds with the people we see face-to-face. We can help one another on a human scale. One of the common refrains I’ve heard in the last week is that no one in power seems to care about the consequences their ac-

tions will have on others. Entire political platforms are built on not feeling the need to take care of one’s fellow human beings. What should we do when this is reﬂected in policy? Should we cut our losses and store up our empathy for better days? Or do we double down, knowing that community members are best equipped to help one another because they know one another?

Let’s feed each other good food. Let’s provide opportunities for creative expression. Let’s speak up for our land and water. Let’s build communities that are ruled by a community mindset, instead of collections of individuals who live in the same place and are individually struggling. None of us can do it all, but we can each put some of our time into the community eﬀort. I can’t think of a better place to spend the coming years than the community where I now live. This is why I have not succumbed to the darkness.

Grace Vosen is a writer and conservation educator living in Spring Green. She blogs about both the human and nonhuman communities of our region at DriftlessGrace.com.

Jeremy Newberry

Kyle Martin

Poetic Wonderer

Grace Vosen, Contributor

Grace Vosen

Book Excerpt: Deer hunting on Wisconsin’s disappearing farms present, and future within its bounds— except for the ways in which it is all too real. I knew growing up that our way of life was special, in part because it was becoming rarer. Teachers talked about it, and I’d seen how many kids stepped onto the school bus each morning from dormant farms and how many more lived in town. Still, none of us could have known the depth of the devastation to come. A deep winter had set in on the American family farm as well as on the journey my dad and I were on together, as farms like ours went through a great, and perhaps terrifyingly ﬁnal, shift.

The following excerpt has been adapted with permission from author and River Valley graduate Brian Reisinger’s “Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family’s Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer.” Unearthing hidden history from the Great Depression to today and weaving it with the four-generation ﬁght for survival of Reisinger’s family on their farm in southern Wisconsin, “Land Rich, Cash Poor” reveals a crisis that today aﬀects every American dinner table. This excerpt from Chapter 1 has been edited for length and clarity.

We were hunting deer, my dad looming before me in a hard yet beautiful Wisconsin winter.

I was a nervous, 12-year-old boy, struggling to follow my dad’s path, then as now. Old trails, packed hard by cattle and wild game alike through generations of farming, twisted among the trees and underbrush beneath a thick and growing blanket of snow. I thought of those trails, and of the ﬁelds stretching across the hillsides beyond these woods, for even in the face of this harsh Wisconsin winter, we were always aware of the earth beneath us and the life that sprouts forth each spring, for us and our animals and the world beyond. Yet, on this day, the land was cold and spare, its trees black against the stark white of winter.

I knew by the time of my first deer hunt that our way of life farming this land was changing, but I had no idea just how much. On that morning, I was doing as I had always done: following my father as he followed his, and his father followed his. The path was not yet broken, and I hoped, against the doubts I felt even then, that I could still find my way upon it. The cold stung against our sweat as we walked. Ice clung to my dad’s dark moustache, visible in flashes as he looked back at me through the snow.

He was tall, with an angling stride defying the limp of a broken leg he’d had years ago. I was small for my age, and rushing to keep up. The lever-action .30-30 I carried weighed heavy and foreign in my hands. The excitement in my chest rose and fell with the shifting currents of the howling wind. Its only rival was the quiet fear, lingering among the snow accumulating and drifting across the forest ﬂoor. I didn’t know what I was more afraid of: not seeing anything or confronting whatever showed itself.

We reached the edge of a rock ledge extending out into the woods beyond, and my dad stopped. He peered over the edge, then motioned to me and put a ﬁnger to his mouth. There was a deer below, sheltering from the wind.

The memory could be a dream—that winter landscape that holds so much of the past,

From the 1970s—when my parents bought our farm from my grandparents—to 2017, America would lose a staggering 85 percent of its dairy farms, according to federal data. The decline was driven not by any one American ﬁgure or force, and certainly not by a lack of farmland work ethic, but by a perfect storm of economic, governmental, and technological forces, stronger than any winter wind or snow we’d endured. Family farms across the country had been vanishing for nearly a century by then.

The forty-year fall in dairy, which was at one time one of America’s more durable sources of family farming, would force a new level of urgency upon a nationwide shift that was reaching a troubling tipping point. ***

I nodded my head to my dad and stepped past him, slipping through the trees, aware now of every sound even in the sharp winter wind.

I reached the edge of the rock ledge and peered over. The deer, a big mother doe, was curled up under the ledge, braced against the snow blowing past. I was young and uneasy with my rifle, and I struggled at first to find her in the scope fogging beneath my breath, trees and ground and snow passing before me. Finally, I caught my focus and aimed where I’d been taught to, right behind her front shoulders. In that final moment, the fatal shot felt elusive—the wind and my heaving lungs and the very pulse of the blood in my veins urging the crosshairs off course. I saw her there and thought she must feel tired and cold like me. I fired.

The riﬂe cracked, and I blinked against the kick as the scope went black. When I looked again, the doe was scrambling out from under the rock ledge and then bounding down the hill and through the trees to disappear behind the white curtain of falling snow. There was no time for another shot. I looked down, the bitter tang of the gunpowder lingering in my nose and mouth. We walked in silence, and I squinted against the tears rising in my eyes, hoping that my father would not hear me cry if I was sure to do it softly.

I would get more chances to please my dad, on that ﬁrst day of hunting and others, but the fear of failure would remain. And there would be even more fears as many farm

families lost everything. We’d wrestle with how to chart a path forward as I left the farm for my own career—the ﬁrst in four generations of eldest sons who would not take over our farm—then return, searching for a way to help save our way of life as my sister and dad farmed proudly together.

Until then, as a 12-year-old boy still unaware of what was to come, there was nothing to do but trudge onward behind my dad. I followed his footsteps in the snow, looking up to make sure I hadn’t lost him.

The silhouette of our barn and silos marked the skyline before us, the snow getting lighter now. I wiped the tears from my windstung cheeks and hurried along again to keep

up. There was work to be done. And truths on this land—from the past, and years still to come—we had yet to face.

Brian Reisinger is an award-winning writer and farm boy who grew up working with his father on their farm in rural Spring Green from the time he could walk. He graduated from River Valley High School in 2003. “Land Rich Cash Poor” is available at Arcadia Books in Spring Green and other bookstores nationwide, as well as online at Amazon and Audible, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. It was published by Skyhorse in August. More information is available at brian-reisinger.com.

Brian Reisinger, Contributed

Photo contributed by Brian Reisinger

The author pictured in recent years with a buck harvested during gun deer season on his family farm north of Spring Green.

Photo contributed by Brian Reisinger The author, on right, and his dad, Jim Reisinger, when the author was a kid.

The Sauk County Gardener

Putting your Garden to Bed

Certiﬁed

“In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for ﬂowers and small creatures.”

— Cynthia Rylant

This past weekend I officially called it quits with my vegetable garden – well, almost. My tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and even my zucchini were still producing but I knew that a frost was going to soon kill them off. I left my kale and some very small cabbages still growing with plans of using it shortly. I even got my garlic planted and mulched. My vegetable garden is cleaned out and ready for next year. Preparing your gardening for winter helps keep your soil healthy, plus it gives you a head start next spring. The first step is to remove all the plant material from your annual flowers and vegetables, especially any that have any type of disease. If you don’t remove it, those

diseases can work their way into your soil, and you’ll be ﬁtting them again next year. I always remove any plants from the nightshade or solanaceae family. That includes eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, ground cherries, tomatillos, and peppers. These plants are prone to diseases such as early blight, septoria leaf spot, bacterial spot and various insect problems. If you dealt with any of these problems over the summer, they’ll overwinter in the plant material, working into the soil, so you’ll be dealing with them again next summer. Some species of powdery mildew can overwinter as well so you’ll also want to remove any plant material that may have experienced that disease this summer. You can leave your root vegetables in the ground until it frosts, or we have consistent freezing temps.

The next thing to do is try and remove as many weeds and their seeds as you possibly can. I have to keep a close eye on Creeping Charlie,

Perennial Garden Bed Cleanup is for the Birds!

Last column I wrote about cleaning up your vegetable gardens, but it’s also time to clean up those perennial beds. Before you go all out and clean up everything, take a moment to consider what beneﬁcial insects and birds who might beneﬁt from plant material left in the garden until next spring. It might even make your fall clean up just a little easier. Here’s some ways you can help out.

I know many of us like a tidy lawn as we go into the winter but consider leaving some leaf piles in your gardens and under your shrubs. These leaves provide a place for a number of pollinators to overwinter. You just don’t want to leave

a lot of leaves on your turf as they will mat and cause problems for your turf. If you can, simply mulch your leaves and let the chopped-up leaves add nutrients and organic matter back into your lawn. It will require a few more passes from the lawn mower but that’s better than raking in my book. If you have a bagger and mulcher for your mower, it’s easy to create a pile and make leaf mold for future use in your garden beds. We even spread some of the shredded leaves back into our perennial beds to provide insulation and break down there.

Many of our perennial plants’ stems and seedpods can provide places for beneficial insects to winter over as well. Carpenter, mason, and leaf-cutter bees like to overwinter in hollow stems. You’ll find butterfly chrysalis hanging on trees and stems as well. The seedheads of your

Wandering the Driftless

Chronic Wasting Disease in the Driftless

It should come as no surprise to anyone that enjoys deer hunting, that the arrival of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has changed the activity. The opening day of the gun deer season is still among the most important annual celebrations for those that enjoy hunting, but it now comes with a dose of doubt and uncertainty. In this article, we hope to present the facts on the disease, so that hunters may make decisions they feel comfortable with.

CWD was ﬁrst detected in a captive deer herd at a government research facility, in Colorado, during 1967. Sick deer lost weight, became listless and eventually died. Every deer in the facility was eventually infected and died. The disease was detected in a deer harvested in Wisconsin, near Mt. Horeb, in 2002. It has since spread across most of the driftless area and other areas of the state. It is now found in 30 states and four Canadian provinces. It aﬀects all members of the cervid (deer) family which include deer, elk, moose and caribou.

The disease is among a group of diseases that scientists call a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). These diseases are caused by a misfolded protein (prion) that causes other proteins to also misfold. These proteins accumulate in the brain, creating holes that give brain tissue a sponge-like (spongiform) appearance under the microscope. This results in a brain disease, or encephalopathy. The disease is transmissible, or capable of being transmitted from one animal to another. TSE diseases include Mad Cow disease in cattle, Scrapie in sheep and a disease called Kuru that was found among tribes that cannibalized dead relatives. Scrapie has been in sheep herds for over 300 years, without being passed to humans. Kuru disappeared when the tribes involved dropped the practice of eating relatives as a sign of respect.

along with dandelions and oxalis to ensure they don’t get a foothold in my garden beds. Luckily, I have raised garden beds so it’s a little easier to manage weeds.

Once you have all the plant material removed from your old vegetables and weeds, it’s time to assess your soil. If you have raised beds, you may even have to add soil. Add an inch or two of well-rotted compost at this time as your beds to help replenish any nutrients used by your summer garden. You can also add garden fertilizer but be sure to read the labels for proper amounts for your space.

If your garden did not perform as well as you thought it should have, this is a great time of year to do a soil test. I have two raised beds that performed very poorly this year, so I plan to have the soil tested. Visit https://uwlab.soils. wisc.edu/soil-samples/lawn-garden/ for information on testing your soil. A standard analysis is only $15 and includes soil pH, organic matter

coneﬂowers, sedum, black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye weed, and even your marigolds, can be a winter food source for many birds. That doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t cut back some perennials. You’ll want to cut back iris to about 3-5 inches to reduce the risk of iris borers overwintering in/ on the foliage. You’ll want to cut back peonies to minimize overwintering disease. In fact, you’ll want to remove any diseased plants to avoid overwintering fungi and bad insects.

If you have a place for them, consider making small brush piles of your shrub and tree trimming around your yard. This will provide another safe harbor for birds, frogs, and various other insects. If you have shrubs that produce berries, avoid pruning the berries; instead leave them for birds to eat in the winter.

One fun thing to do is plant spring-blooming

%, phosphorus and potassium. It also gives you lime and fertilizer recommendations. You can use a soil sample bag or a heavy-duty plastic bag to collect and submit your sample. If you are doing a soil test, I would suggest waiting until you get your analysis returned before adding any amendments to your soil. It's also a great idea to mulch your garden. Mulching helps prevent winter winds from blowing away your soil and blowing in weed seeds. You’ll want to mulch after the ground is frozen. You can use chopped up leaves or straw. Finally, this is a great time to expand your garden beds, especially if you’re wanting to add an in-ground garden bed. Simply cover the area you want to create your bed with a tarp or a thick layer of cardboard and secure them with rocks, stakes or other heavy items. Over the winter, the grass will die and next spring you’ll have a nice cleared out area for you to use.

bulbs. Daffodils, crocus, grape hyacinths, snowdrops, and fritillary can be sources of early nectar for bees and other pollinators. Not much else is flowering when these bulbs are blooming, so they are a welcoming food source for emerging, hungry bumble bees and other insects. Scale back some of your yard cleanup this fall and relish the thought that helping provide a safe haven and food for our beneficial pollinators and birds. Plus, you’ll save your back a little. Do you live in (or know of a wonderful garden in) the area between Lake Buckhorn, Lake Delton, and Lyndon Station? Sauk County Master Gardeners invite you to apply to host a garden in their annual Garden Tour to be held July 26, 2025. For more information and to offer your prize vegetable, herb, flower, or other garden, email saukctymg@gmail.com.

Mad Cow disease, however, is a diﬀerent story.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or Mad Cow disease spread through cattle herds in Europe during the 1980’s. Cattle began to lose weight, become uncoordinated and die. The disease killed around 200,000 cattle and spread to the human population in 1996, by consumption of contaminated beef. There is a prion disease in humans called Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) that occurs randomly and is not transmissible. Humans infected by eating BSE contaminated beef were said to have vCJD or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The 232 people with vCJD eventually suﬀered from progressive dementia and died. This is why caution is urged with CWD.

There has never been a case of CWD being passed to a human being from eating venison. Public health oﬃcials, however, caution against eating deer meat that comes from an animal that tests positive for CWD. The chance of the disease being passed to a human is not zero.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oﬀers free CWD testing all across the state. Orange, self-service kiosks have been placed in locations available to the public. Deer heads may be placed in a plastic bag, along with paperwork provided. The lymph nodes will be tested for the presence of CWD, with results being sent via e-mail, or Go Wild account, in 8-10 days. If the hunter wants to have the head mounted, most taxidermists will return the head after removal of the cape and antlers, or submit the lymph nodes for testing.

The test results help the DNR in tracking the spread and prevalence of the disease. Bucks tend to be more prone to infection, probably because of contact with other bucks during the year. Infection rates may be 40-50% among adult male deer in ar-

eas where CWD has become established. Female deer test positive at a rate around 30% in these same areas. Generally, older animals have a higher chance of having the disease.

Should you have a buck that tests positive for CWD a replacement buck tag will be issued to your Go Wild account. That tag may be used during archery or ﬁrearms seasons where bucks are legal game. The tag is good for the year it is issued AND the following year. New for the 2024 season: If you submit an antlerless deer head that tests positive for the disease, you will be issued an either/or tag that may be used on a buck or an antlerless deer. This tag is, again, valid for the year of issue and the next year.

The one thing that can be done to help stem the spread of CWD, is to insure deer carcasses are not placed back on the land, to potentially spread the disease. Many CWD testing kiosks are paired with dumpsters for deer waste. Once an animal is butchered bones and other waste should be placed in an available dumpster. Meat from animals testing positive may also be

placed here, should you choose not to consume it. Dumpsters are often sponsored by concerned organizations or individuals. Dumpster and kiosk locations may be found on the DNR website.

Enjoy the hunt. It is one of those things that makes Wisconsin and the Driftless Area special. Plan how you will handle a deer, should you harvest one. Good Luck ! Don’t forget the rules of ﬁrearm safety: TAB-K

T- Treat every ﬁrearm as if it is loaded.

A- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

B- Be sure of your target and what is beyond.

K- Keep your ﬁnger oﬀ of the trigger until ready to shoot.

John Cler is a retired High School Science Teacher and Principal residing in Richland Center. He is an avid hunter, trapper, ﬁsher and nature nut. He currently chairs the Richland County Deer Advisory Council and the Richland County Delegation of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

John Cler, Columnist

Photo contributed by John Cler Orange CWD testing kiosk and deer carcass waste dumpster in Richland County.

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin

Master Gardener

“Autumn birds speak cheerful poetry from their berry-stained beaks.”

— Terri Guillemets

Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certiﬁed Master Gardener

Jeff Pritzl, DNR Deer Program Specialist Jeffrey.Pritzl@wisconsin.gov

DEER SEASON FORECAST 2024

Jeff Pritzl, DNR Deer Program Specialist Jeffrey.Pritzl@wisconsin.gov

The 2024 deer hunting season will bring new opportunity for hunters to secure venison for the freezer and create memories to cherish for years to come. More antlerless harvest authorizations are available than last year in most parts of the state, as well as more late-season opportunity in more counties, such as the Holiday Hunt and January archery seasons. In other words, 2024 is the year of opportunity!

NEW FOR 2024

Jeff Pritzl, DNR Deer Program Specialist Jeffrey.Pritzl@wisconsin.gov

2024 SEASON DATES

ARCHERY

Hunters should keep in mind that Wisconsin’s varied landscapes support different deer population densities. The presence or absence of deer at a given time depends on a multitude of factors, including forage, cover and hunting pressure. As always, spending time in the field and scouting prior to the hunting season is important! The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers resources to help hunters get prepared, from public land mapping tools to recent harvest data trends to resources for chronic wasting disease testing.

NEW FOR 2024

The antlerless-only holiday hunt will run from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, 2025 in 41 counties this year. Of these 41 counties, 35 are also extending the archery and crossbow deer seasons to close Jan. 31, 2025. Farmland Zone counties have modified the number of antlerless harvest authorizations that will be issued with each license. Two permits issued with each license are most common, which is consistent with past years. Fifteen County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) chose three permits, and four CDACs chose four permits in 2024. The remaining Farmland Zone CDACs chose one permit to be issued with each license. Some metro sub-units also have modified permit availability. Baiting and feeding regulations have changed in select counties. For more information, visit the DNR’s Baiting and Feeding webpage

2024 DISTRICT FORECASTS

Eric Canania, WDNR Deer Biologist

SOUTHERN DISTRICT

NEW FOR 2024

Across the Southern District, wildlife staﬀ are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the time-honored tradition of Wisconsin’s regular gun deer deer season. Last year’s deer harvest in the Southern District was on par with the past 5-year average, and the unbelievably mild winter conditions should lead to ample opportunities and happy hunters this coming fall.

Eric Canania, DNR Deer Biologist Eric.Canania@wisconsin.gov

Across the Southern District, wildlife staff are eagerly anticipating the arrival of fall and the time-honored tradition of Wisconsin’s deer season.

An early spring with much needed rain has provided abundant cover and high quality spring forage for does that are nursing fawns and bucks that are in the midst of antler development. In addition, lower than recommended antlerless harvests and our highly productive farm ground continue to grow the deer population throughout much of the Southern Farmland Zone. Even with such favorable conditions, it is important for hunters to keep in mind that there is great variation in the quality of the habitat across the landscape, and, as a result, the number of deer inhabiting individual properties can vary signiﬁcantly.

The Southern District encompasses a wide range of deer habitat types, ranging from the high wooded ridges and coulees in the southwest to the ﬂat, productive farmlands of the southcentral, all the way to the highly urbanized landscape in the southeastern counties along Lake Michigan’s border. We also host the rolling southern kettles in the east and the extensive mix of wetland, woodland and ag-land areas of Dodge, Jeﬀerson and Columbia counties. This high level of variation in habitat types, conditions and quality deer habitat contributes to great hunting and a robust deer population that has been stable to increasing year after year in many areas of southern Wisconsin. Excellent opportunities to harvest deer and quality bucks can be found in all counties that make up the Southern District. This is a testament to the productivity and resiliency of our habitat and local deer herd. It’s no wonder why Wisconsin is and has been a world-class destination for white-tail deer hunting. Most deer within the Southern District are harvested on private property,

DEER SEASON FORECAST 2024

Last year’s deer harvest in the Southern District was on par with the past 5-year average, and the unbelievably mild winter conditions should lead to ample opportunities and happy hunters this coming fall.

which makes up more than 90% of the landscape here. Landowners interested in improving their properties should check out the Deer Management Assistance Program, which is a private land management program oﬀered by the Wisconsin DNR that helps landowners manage their properties for better wildlife habitat.

mix of wetland, woodland and ag-land areas of Dodge, Jefferson and Columbia counties. This high level of variation in habitat types, conditions and quality deer habitat contributes to great hunting and a robust deer population that has been stable to increasing year after year in many areas of southern Wisconsin. Excellent opportunities to harvest deer and quality bucks can be found in all counties that make up the Southern District. This is a testament to the productivity and resiliency of our habitat and local deer herd. It’s no wonder why Wisconsin is and has been a world-class destination for white-tail deer hunting.

With that said, excellent deer hunting can also be found on the tens of thousands of acres of county, state and federally owned lands open to deer hunting in southern Wisconsin. Public lands often get a bad rap as being diﬃcult to hunt, but savvy hunters who are dedicated, adaptable and not afraid to go the extra mile (sometimes literally) will ﬁnd adventure and plenty of deer to match wits with this fall. If you’re looking for a new area to hunt and have never explored our public lands, I highly recommend giving it a shot!

The Southern District encompasses a wide range of deer habitat types, ranging from the high wooded ridges and coulees in the southwest to the flat, productive farmlands of the

Another important aspect for Southern District deer hunters to keep in mind is that CWD continues to slowly increase in prevalence and geographic area within the district and state. Last year, Wisconsin detected just over 1,586 CWD positive deer through annual sampling eﬀorts, the majority of which came from the Southern District. County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) are oﬀering similar quotas and antlerless deer harvest authorizations, in addition to extra hunting seasons, in response to public feedback and the stable to increasing deer

Jeff Pritzl, DNR Deer Program Specialist Jeffrey.Pritzl@wisconsin.gov

Most deer within the Southern District are harvested on private property, which makes up more than 90% of the landscape here. Landowners interested in improving their properties should check out the Deer Management Assistance Program, which is a private land management program offered by the Wisconsin DNR that helps landowners manage their properties for better wildlife habitat.

population trend. Check out the DNR’s Deer Hunting webpage for more details and maps showing which counties are oﬀering additional seasons. These additional seasons are a great way to enjoy family time aﬁeld during the holiday season and to put extra meat in the freezer.

The 2024 deer season will be here before we know it and will be welcomed by deer hunters all over the nation. On behalf of the Wisconsin DNR, we’d like to wish everyone a safe and successful hunting season! We hope you take time this fall to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty and world class hunting opportunities that Wisconsin has to oﬀer.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

The 2024 deer hunting season will bring new opportunity for hunters freezer and create memories to cherish for years to come. More antlerless are available than last year in most parts of the state, as well as more counties, such as the Holiday Hunt and January archery seasons. year of opportunity!

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF CWD

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious neurological disease of deer, elk, moose and reindeer (caribou) caused by a misshapen form of a protein called a prion.

With that said, excellent deer hunting can also be found on the tens of thousands of acres of county, state and federally owned lands open to deer hunting in southern Wisconsin. Public lands often get a bad rap as being difficult to hunt, but savvy hunters who are dedicated, adaptable and not afraid to go the extra mile (sometimes literally) will find adventure and plenty of deer to match wits with this fall. If you’re looking for a new area to hunt and have never explored our public lands, I highly recommend giving it a shot!

Infected deer shed CWD prions in their saliva, urine and feces. They can also shed prions after death as their bodies decompose into the

Hunters should keep in mind that Wisconsin’s varied landscapes densities. The presence or absence of deer at a given time depends including forage, cover and hunting pressure. As always, spending prior to the hunting season is important! The Wisconsin Department offers resources to help hunters get prepared, from public land mapping data trends to resources for chronic wasting disease testing.

NEW FOR 2024

For a complete overview of all deer hunting rules, including changes for this season, please check the 2024 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations, which are available online, at hunting license vendors or at DNR Service Centers. For additional information, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “deer.”

CWD is spread to healthy animals through contact with an infected animal’s saliva, urine, blood, feces, carcass or contaminated environment. CWD prions are extremely resistant to destruction and disinfection. They can persist in the environment for a long time, exposing deer to the disease and making containment a challenge.

also be available Wisconsin There are in Wisconsin farm-raised

Infected deer shed CWD prions in their saliva, urine and feces. They can also shed prions after death as their bodies decompose into the soil. CWD is spread to healthy animals through contact with an infected animal’s saliva, urine, blood, feces, carcass or contaminated environment. CWD prions are extremely resistant to destruction and disinfection. They can persist in the environment for a long time, exposing deer to the disease and making containment a challenge.

By taking precautions while in the field, hunters can minimize the spread of CWD. Using synthetic scents, refraining from baiting and feeding and proper deer carcass

The antlerless-only holiday hunt will run from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, 2025 these 41 counties, 35 are also extending the archery and crossbow 2025. Farmland Zone counties have modified the number of antlerless will be issued with each license. Two permits issued with each license consistent with past years. Fifteen County Deer Advisory Councils four CDACs chose four permits in 2024. The remaining Farmland Zone issued with each license. Some metro sub-units also have modified Baiting and feeding regulations have changed in select counties. DNR’s Baiting and Feeding webpage.

Another important aspect for Southern District deer hunters to keep in mind is that CWD continues to slowly increase in prevalence and

By taking precautions while in the field, hunters can minimize the spread of CWD. Using synthetic scents, refraining from baiting and feeding and proper deer carcass disposal are just a few of the many ways hunters can help. Visit the DNR’s Resource On Slowing The Spread of CWD for more information.

iStock/aheflin

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Hello friends,

This week and next I will write about my most anticipated, expensive and in some ways, challenging trip of my life. I would head west with my golden retrievers to southwest Montana, pulling a 7000-pound, 14-foot enclosed trailer rigged for camping that would hold my ATV and enough gear for 2 camps. After 2 days my daughter Selina Walters who is a biologist with the USFWS out of Missoula would join us for a week of elk and mule deer hunting.

This week’s column is on the journey west and the days before the elk/mule deer season opened.

Tuesday, October 22nd

High 63°, Low 42°

With gear, propane and the ATV I am sure my 2017 GMC was pulling 9000 pounds when I left home at 1:00 this morning. I can honestly say that I have never been so excited about an adventure in my life. Not only would I be hunting and living in the mountains but my daughter Selina who just 9 months ago moved to Montana would be my partner. I miss Selina a ton and this would be my 3rd trip west in 2024,

the last one to scout the area we would be calling home this week with her and of course Ruby and Red.

Today, I drove 1005 miles before pulling over for a nap in The GMC Hotel in northeastern Wyoming. At one point I hit a 25-mph head wind that knocked my gas mileage down to 4.5 miles per gallon. After the wind, if I was willing to drive 65 or under, I averaged 10. I literally had enough cash for 10 not 4.5mpg.

Wednesday, October 23rd

High 58°, Low 32°

Next I went scouting to the spot Selina and I found in August and the number of elk and deer sign was almost unbelievable. I made it back to my base camp at dark and could not have been in a better mood.

Thursday, October 24th

High 55°, Low 30°

Another trip up the mountain with a load, put up another Eskimo shack, away from the sleeper shack and more scouting, lots of animal sign, new sign made where I scouted yesterday.

Pure joy over took me as I made it to my US Forest Service campground where my truck and trailer would be the only one for the next 11-days.

As soon as I got out of the truck I started unloading the trailer and loading the ATV and its trailer for the 5 mile journey up a forest service road that at least in my mind was a constant concern. Sharp rocks that can tear tires apart, over worked machine and going off the edge of the mountain kept me on top of my game as any one would have spelled disaster for the rest of the trip and potentially beyond.

I would stay at my lower camp the first 2 nights, haul gear, build the upper camp and scout for elk. This, my friends, is the life I was created for. I have put every dime and piece of thought into this journey and everything seemed perfect. On the drive up, which I averaged a speed of 5 mph the trail, areas dirt/mud instead of rock had ample elk sign. My first load consisted of one of my Eskimo pop ice shacks and a lot of camping gear.

The Eskimo ice shack when tarped, creates an impressive camp and it stays warm.

Selina worked a full day in Missoula, drove 180-miles and made it to camp at 9:00 tonight. Until this year, everything to do with Selina was either raising her or being a part of her college experience. Now she lives 1,500 miles away and is truly becoming a young woman of the outdoors both in her career and her hobbies, fly fishing, kayaking, hiking and lots of hunting this fall.

We sat up and she played with her pups, we talked and the mood was perfect.

Friday, October 25th

High 60°, Low 29°

With the pups and last load of gear we headed up the mountain, for Selina it would be 5 days. We had Ruby hike the first 2-miles than she got to ride with Selina and I on our 570-Polaris “Sportsman.” I have to give a plug for this machine, 100-percent flawless and it uses very little fuel.

Selina and I went into where we would hunt the following morning. We followed all grizzly bear protocol which I will get into next week and had several hours at camp to prepare for plenty of hard days of hunting but on this afternoon and early evening, we simply had fun.

Take your kids hunting/fishing and they will be your friend when they are adults!

Sunset

Want to read more?

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

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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

We filtered all of our water from a mountain stream and it tasted incredible.

Montana Elk Hunt, The Journey

Photo contributed by Mark Walters

From our base camp to our camp at the top of the mountain was a 5 mile ATV journey that was quite challenging.

Photo contributed by Mark Walters

The afternoon before opening day of Montana’s elk rifle season at our camp 5 miles up the mountain.