Valley Sentinel - 5-19-2022

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Thursday, May 19, 2022 | Vol. 3, No. 13 FREE, Single-Copy

Inside this edition

Plain looks to change Main Street parking

Editorial Cartoon: Commentary on CAFOs

What’s in season at the farmers market?

Pages 1, 5

Page 4

Page 11

Plain board discusses Main Street parking changes, recreation program Adeline Holte, Editorial Intern The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Plain was held on Wednesday, May 11.

Among some of the topics discussed was possible action to change Main Street parking to parallel only, as well as the seasonal opening of the pool and the recreation program.

Main Street Parking

A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the discussion on the possibility of change to the current parking on Main Street. It was recommended by the Streets Committee to change all parking on the street from diagonal, or angle, to parallel.

Many businesses along Main Street, including The Peoples Community Bank, Sam’s Place, and Roarin’ 20s registered opposition to the change, as

it would eliminate some parking spaces which they believe could potentially harm business. Some of the concerns and opposition discussed included worry that not all people are able to parallel park, that eliminating parking spaces could hinder new businesses on the street, such as Roarin’ 20s and that people may begin to park in neighboring residential areas , which may make homeowners unhappy.

Board member Kelly Yanke said she is concerned for emergency vehicles potentially struggling to get past parked vehicles with the current diagonal parking situation and also stated that they had recently seen two cars parked three feet from the curb, further endangering drivers by parking too far into the street.

Board member Wade Neubauer stated that with the concern of people not being able to properly and safely parallel park, that those who have

Conserve Sauk Film Festival: 2023 festival call for entries Justine Bula, Sauk Co. Education Coordinator The next Conserve Sauk Film Festival will be held in November of 2023 and the organizers of the festival are looking for films to include in the official lineup for the 2023 festival. Help bring awareness to important conservation topics through film by submitting a film or creating a film for the 2023 Conserve Sauk Film Festival.

Films submitted for the 2023 festival should address one of the following topic areas such as agriculture, geology, forestry, land use, wildlife, water, recreation, human-nature experience, and conservation history.

Films should address an issue, challenge, best management practice,

important resource, significant history, or historical figure associated either directly or indirectly, with the environment of Sauk County. Films that meet these requirements can be submitted for review by the steering committee to be included in the official 2023 festival lineup. Please submit films no later than 11:59 PM (CDT) on Saturday, April 1, 2023, via Film Freeway www.filmfreeway. com/ConserveSaukFilmFestival or email Justine Bula at justine.bula@ saukcountywi.gov. There will not be any film contest for 2023 and no cash prizes or awards will be given out. Recognition for participation as an official selection of the festival will be provided and participants will be invited to attend and

trouble should: “maybe work on it,” stating that the ability to parallel park is a part of drivers education.

Neubauer stated that he does not want to put the safety of the public underneath someone’s ability to parallel park. He also stated that with the concern of small or new businesses losing customers due to the change in parking, he feels that if the business is worth going to then where you park probably would not be that big of a hurdle.

Village President Raymond Ring stated that he can’t argue with Neubauer’s comments about an individual’s ability to parallel park but said that there are people who are challenged with the task. Neubauer commented that he is open to options on the proposed layout, but that the lane of travel cannot be maintained if there are cars parked on that stretch.

Yanke also noted that the proposed

parking stalls would be larger than a normal parallel parking stall.

Ring suggested potentially installing signs stating that no large trucks can park in the diagonal parking stalls because the size could be a potential hazard. Board member Merry Lynn Riek expressed agreement with the no truck parking signs.

Also stated by Plain and Spring Green Police Chief, Mike Stoddard, was that cars not fully pulled up to the curb are illegally parked. He stated that he sees this all the time, claiming that it is partially because of spoilers underneath the car. Though, if an accident was caused because a car had not been fully pulled up to the curb, that car would be a part of the accident report because it was not legally parked.

Stoddard also reminded the board to take their constituents' opinions into consideration. He stated that at the end

speak at their film’s screening.

The Conserve Sauk Film Festival is an event created to highlight, celebrate, and promote the creation of environmentally themed films that relate directly or indirectly to Sauk County and its residents. The festival offers an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the natural beauty and resources of the area, celebrate our conservation successes, reflect upon our relationship to the environment, address challenges that we face, consider how we can be part of the solution, and connect as a county and a community over our shared world. We hope to inspire creative thought, discussion, and potential solutions to these challenges by coming together through this project.

This project began in 2019 and is a collaboration effort between the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library, the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department, UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, the Sauk County Conservation Network, the International Crane Foundation, and the Nature Conservancy.

The 2023 Conserve Sauk Film Festival will be free and open to the public.

Screenings of films will be followed by facilitated discussions on the topics and themes presented in the films, led by local experts. For more information about the Conserve Sauk Film Festival, visit the event website at www. conservesaukfilmfest.org

continued on page 5

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Commentary/Opinion/Lte

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Are the Richland County Court and Richland County Sheriff's Dept. corrupt or just inept?

Dear editor, My sister and her husband owned a mobile home in Prairie Summit trailer park in Lone Rock since 1999. In 2021 a petition was sent to most recent owners of trailer park to have a family (a mom and 3 teenagers) removed from park due to problems caused by teenagers and many calls to Richland County Sheriff Dept by residents of park.

October 24, 2021, my sister was assaulted and battered by the grandmother of the teens; Sheriff Dept called; ambulance called for sister; Richland County deputies took statements from various people in trailer park; ambulance took sister to Richland Hospital emergency room; Richland County Sheriff's deputies arrested the victim of battery after

x-rays and exam completed in E.R. My sister was jailed and had to post bail to return home. In re-reading the deputies report, it is not entirely accurate.

My sister suffered a breakdown due to her arrest when she was the victim.

She was hospitalized at Winnebago MHI near Oshkosh December 10, 2021 and then transferred to Dane County Health Care in Madison, WI She was released but was returned to Winnebago MHI January 2022 under a mental health law 51.35 by Richland County Court and Health & Human Services in R.C. Then transferred to La Crosse Health Care facility, and March 7, 2022 transferred to a group home in Necedah. She has been in the system over 80 days and Judge Sharp signed an order for 6 months commitment before he retired

the end of March 2022. My sister needs to be released!

The owners of the mobile home park retained an attorney to file eviction in small claims court in Richland County against my sister and her husband. In the last Zoom court hearing heard by Circuit Court Judge Sharp, my sister was still hospitalized in Madison.

Her husband asked for the case to be postponed since his wife was still in the hospital. Judge Sharp said that his wife should have made arrangements.

The social worker for my sister at Winnebago MHI said they only allow patients to be on Zoom for commitment cases, not small claims cases. The judge would not hear anything that her husband had to say. The owner of the trailer court had their attorney

Ron Johnson benefits from tax break he demanded

What about my rights?

Dear editor, Senator Ron Johnson has doubled his wealth since being in office, certainly not from his senatorial salary, but largely through benefiting from the tax break that he demanded be part of Trump’s 2017 tax bill. He claimed the bill would benefit small businesses, but ProPublica reported it was mainly profitable for large “pass through companies” like his. For the first time in modern history, workers now pay a greater share of the general tax burden than wealthy investment holders.

In addition, Johnson dares to blame pensions and other worker benefits for shortages in funding for local

Dear editor, I’m scared. The Supreme Court is taking away my rights. The Justices say the Constitution doesn’t mention women’s rights. What’s next? LGBTQ’s aren’t protected. Same sex marriage isn’t protected. Same sex parenting isn’t protected. People of color aren’t protected. Who is protected in the Constitution if it is read literally? Only white adult men who own property.

The Republicans and SCOTUS say they are protecting the unborn, but they have done very little to help the “born”.

In our state, gerrymandering keeps the Republicans in control. SCOTUS has not protected any of us by allowing gerrymandering. The Republicans in our state are controlled by the NRA. They refuse to allow any type of gun control.

They stand by while mass murders are committed. Yet, they say they are for

On the cover

government programs. I’m sure he won’t need his pension in addition to his recently doubled multi-million dollar fortune. However, with his present salary of $174,000, he’s eligible for a lifelong taxpayer-funded pension of $139,200, compared with my retired teacher’s net pension of $15,463.56 after deduction of taxes. I certainly hope he chooses to decline his pension, or at least donate it to our roads, internet expansion, or some other underfunded worthy cause!

Along with all the other Republican senators, he supports only his wealthy donors, rather than the working public who need everything that our government should provide for us all.

Kay Ziegahn, Richland Center

First Regular Season Farmers Market, Photo (May 2022) by Taylor Scott

to ask questions of the owner and two witnesses for harassment against my sister and her husband. The owner won small claims case and mobile home could not be safely moved since it was winter, so home was sold but could not be sold to a family member. So even though my sister was hospitalized, they basically became 'homeless' due to the owner of mobile home park and Judge Sharp's ruling.

My sister's husband is staying with friends until he can find low-income housing for him and wife.

My prayers to God through LORD Christ Jesus that this situation involving my sister will be resolved soon. Amen Mary Schroeder, Avoca, Wisconsin

the unborn. Just think….the children in Sandy Hook who were murdered would now be in high school….learning math (sorry, DeSantis); learning about the Oxford Comma, going to their first prom. But to Republicans, they don’t matter. Look at Kleefisch who said she is for the unborn. She said a 10 year old girl, raped and impregnated by her father, would have to carry that baby to term, and have her tiny body ripped apart in childbirth. Why has the Republican party gone so far off the rails that they believe lies, and tell lies, and their willfully ignorant voters believe them?

I am scared. Our democracy is failingbecause the old, powerful rich men continue their rule.

Barbara Voyce, Lone Rock

Building for the future of healthcare

The first regular Spring Green Farmers Market of the season, with expanded hours, was held on May 14.

The Spring Green Farmers Market is a year round outdoor market offering seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods and many other items.

Hours are 9am-noon each Saturday from May 14 October 15. The market is located outside the Spring Green Community Library (230 E. Monroe Street, Spring Green).

To see vendors or for more information, visit www.facebook.com/SGFMarket/ or email sgfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

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

During the week of May 8-14 health care workers celebrated National Hospital Week; the theme being “We Are Health Care.” We know that to be true in our area, where our medical care is centered in one organization that strives to provide quality care close to home.

The Board of Directors of The Richland Hospital and Clinics, with the support of the medical staff and the hospital leaders, has embarked on a journey to be visionary about the best way to continue to provide highquality care. Having purchased the east campus site for future expansion, we now begin to best make each decision along the way to the day when we open the doors to a new facility.

Our first steps have been to visit some of the area hospitals that have built new facilities in the last few years. The first thing we learn is that we are likely to be engaged in a process that could take five years or more. These healthcare organizations, like ours, faced issues of being in locations where it would be difficult

to expand for future growth. Their buildings, like ours, would have faced expensive upgrades to meet building codes and government regulations.

Innovations in health care were hard to incorporate when the infrastructure of the buildings would not accommodate some of the advances in diagnostic equipment. In fact, the pandemic required some of the newer hospitals to make some creative corrective measures. Selection of the best consultants, architects, and builders is a set of decisions that need to be made wisely.

We are learning about how those communities became involved at points along the way. Community input in each case guided them to prioritize local values. In some cases that meant a great deal of cooperation with city and county government, bringing together various partners and stakeholders, honoring contributions and key leaders over several decades, and commitment to shared economic values. Each place we visited considered environmental and wellness goals, some with beautiful

views from patient rooms and some with walking paths around the grounds. We can do that!

Most of us only see the inside of a hospital a few times in our lives as patients or family members. These site visits have given board members a deeper awareness, especially when many of us do not have health care backgrounds. Board members bring expertise in a variety of other areas.

Hospital leaders share “lessons learned” with their counterparts as we move through the building.

We are seeing great possibilities for what we can have for the Richland area. As we honored health care workers during National Hospital Week, we remain committed to assuring that The Richland Hospital and Clinics will be ready for the future and will continue to grow to meet the increasingly complex demands for our health and our health care system.

expertise, support and caring manner these professionals bring with them on every call. The events of the past two years have made us keenly aware of the sacrifices and risks they take to serve our community. Over the years, countless lives have been saved by their heroic efforts to respond in crisis.

I encourage you to take this

opportunity to say thank you to those who serve on our EMS. Please let them know how much you value their dedicated service and that you appreciate knowing they are there when you need them.

Marilyn Rinehart, Chair The Richland Hospital and Clinics Board of Directors

Thank you to our EMS

Check out (and cut out) the helpful infographic on page 11 from our friends up north on when fruits & vegetables are in season and can be expected at farmers markets in Wisconsin.

Cover graphic image line traced by Julianna Williams

May 15 – 21 marks National Emergency Medical Services Week, and on behalf of Sauk Prairie Healthcare’s board of directors, medical staff and employees, I would like to recognize and thank our local EMS members who give their time selflessly for the good of our community, friends and loved ones.

As partners in care, we appreciate the

Shawn Lerch, CEO Sauk Prairie Healthcare Prairie du Sac

Commentary/OpInIon

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022 Page 3

Our Social Dilemma — Part 6: Emotional Intelligence Beverly Pestel, Columnist “Our Social Dilemma” is a series of thought-provoking columns by retired local professor Beverly Pestel exploring a description and explanation of our current social, cultural and political tensions — looking at solutions and means of learning to accept one another.

…

Part 5 addressed the resentment associated with one group feeling they are not getting their “fair share.” It involved a discussion of Game Theory, specifically the danger of seeing the world as a zero-sum-game composed of winners and losers. When this understanding of the world is applied to cultures or castes, any gains seen by one caste is seen as a loss to another and discontent and social conflict is inevitable. However, non-zero-sum games which don’t require a loser are possible in society. When individuals in different cultures or castes can approach conflicts as non-zero-sum, win-win situations can result. Everyone gains something and resentments and conflicts can be avoided.

So, the obvious question is: What is it that leads some people to assume the zero-sum game framework and not accept “we all do better when we all do better”? The answer may be found in emotions. Daniel Goleman in “Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ” (1995) puts it this way: “A view of human nature that ignores the power of emotions is sadly shortsighted.

The very name Homo sapiens, the thinking species, is misleading…passions overwhelm reason time and again.”

We tend to think of intelligence in terms of an IQ score, but what may be much more critical to solving our social dilemma is not the cognitive ability measured by an IQ test, but our level of emotional intelligence (EQ). Goleman prefaces his book by posing the question: How can civility be brought to our streets and caring to our increasingly pluralistic community? His answer is that we need to bring intelligence to our emotions.

Studies have been done indicating that feelings are indispensable in making rational decisions. Our approach to the world is dominated by the ratio and nature of the rational-to-emotional control in our brain. Intense feelings can result in a less effectual rational mind where the “passions overwhelm reason.” So, in our current context, if we harbor resentment toward another caste, making rational decisions toward them becomes more difficult.

Bringing intelligence to our emotions means we need to understand our emotional mind, recognize the emotional abilities essential to interpersonal interactions, and realize what is needed to engage those abilities effectively.

The components of EQ fall into four categories: Self-awareness, selfregulation, social awareness, and social skills.

Self-awareness and self-regulation involve our ability to understand our

emotions, the impact they have on others, and the ability to manage our own emotions and behaviors in order to maintain standards of honesty and

Beverly Pestel integrity. With these abilities in place (not as easily said as done), dealing with others in an acceptable manner becomes possible through social awareness and social skills.

The fundamental of social awareness is empathy; the ability to identify and understand the emotions of others, share in those emotions, and a wish to improve the existence of others. We cannot expect to develop social awareness, however, until we have done the personal work of developing our self-awareness and selfregulation.

With self-awareness and self-regulation in place, the addition of social awareness allows us to see the world from a position of mutual interest rather than self-interest and the possibility of seeing a win-win world is possible. A lack of

empathy will not allow an individual to approach personal interactions in a win-win manner. Low empathy people will forever be stuck in the arena of winlose and zero-sum thinking. So, if some other group is getting “a fair share” as expressed in Part 5, their position will be that my group must be losing that “fair share.”

Once we have reached the point of having brought empathy and intelligence to our emotions, solving social conflict becomes possible through social skills.

Social skills require the development of good interpersonal skills including sending clear messages, initiating or managing change, and resolving disagreement.

I’m not pretending it is easy, I’m saying this path to solving some of our social dilemmas exists. Some of the skills required to resolve disagreement from a position of emotional intelligence will be covered in future columns.

But as in most things, skills cannot effectively be utilized in the absence of a clear understanding of the underlying principles.

Beverly had a 37 year career as a chemistry professor specializing in chemistry education and learning theory. In 2012 she was able to retire and move home to Wisconsin to focus on remodeling an old farmhouse and tending 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.

Driftless Grace — Service announcement

Grace Vosen, Columnist The other day, I went into a store and was immediately helped by three considerate employees. These folks knew exactly what I wanted and where to find it. They talked me through my options and I left promptly, glad I had made the trip.

There’s no way to tell this story without making it sound like a complaint: about “kids these days” and their “work ethic”, or the very real nationwide staffing shortage. The fact that I remember this day at all could be seen as a testament to deteriorating standards. But I don’t see it that way. My experience was noteworthy, COVID or no COVID. It has always been the case that someone who’s new to a job needs time to learn how to do it well. And

being part of a skeleton crew can be counterproductive. This is especially true in times of stress for both the employee and the business (read: a global pandemic).

It is also true, and always has been, that employees who get poor training or poor support are prevented from doing their job well. Their managers may be stretched thin or new to the work themselves. From my experience in foodservice and retail, I can say that poor training is the root cause of most problems that get passed on to customers. If an employee can’t magically overcome this obstacle, it is a reflection on the obstacle and not on the trainee.

Imagine you’ve just started a job and no one is explaining what to do – or you get conflicting instructions. If

you try to make it through by using common sense, you might fail. Common sense isn’t always a factor when these

Grace Vosen environments are set up. Then add the pressure of customers who (rightly) want to be helped and managers who want to

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look like they’re in control, and you will always be stuck in the crossfire.

Okay, maybe this is a complaint. But my intention was to praise some people for exceeding my expectations, which were not low. I thought these human beings would be a little uncertain about what I needed because I, a human being, was also uncertain. I expected that we would work through it together. Had I chosen to go online, I would have flailed around miserably for an hour before giving up.

Instead, I took a chance on the human route. Not only did I not regret it, but I was rewarded for it.

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.

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PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS EDITION Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone Graphic Design/Pagination Graphic Design Intern Sports Managing Editor Anna Stocks-Hess Julianna Williams Coaches Matt Snow, Todd Deibert & Jane Briehl Taylor Scott Editorial Intern Community Column Commentary/Opinion Legal Editor Adeline Holte Grace Vosen Beverly Pestel Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

Have graphic design experience or interested in writing and becoming a community contributor? Let us know. Thank you to all of our contributors for believing in our community.

Editorial Policy

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

Est. 2020 igne conflatum “Forged in Fire”

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Editors may feature opinion columns written by public figures, Letters submitted for consideration are subject to fact-checking and members of the public or other publication staff. Columns reflect editing for space and clarity. Submissions must have a compelling local the opinions of the individual contributors and do not represent community interest. Letters to the editor must fit within a 500-word positions of the publication. Guest columns of an anticipated 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, length more than 500 words should seek prior editor authorizawithout chance of rebuttal, will not be published the week before an tion. . election.

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Covering Arena, Lone Rock, Plain, Spring Green and the surrounding areas in Sauk, Iowa and Richland counties.

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.

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Page 4

Regional/Opinion

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022

It’s hard to ignore some facts about the largest hog Confined Animal Feed Operation in Wisconsin The deck is stacked against average folks in favor of siting these operations Bill Berry, Wisconsin Examiner After the so-called Roth II hog factory in the town of Marietta, Crawford County, was granted a Wisconsin Pollution Elimination Discharge Permit by the Department of Natural Resources, Forest Jahnke, a longtime opponent of such giant operations told me, “To me, it says a CAFO of any type and size can be sited anywhere in the state. If you think you’re safe, you’re not.”

Jahnke is program coordinator with the Crawford Stewardship Project and a Crawford County resident.

He was among dozens of local folks disappointed but not necessarily shocked that the permit was granted.

The permit will allow A.V. Roth to establish a hog farrowing operation of about 3,000 animal units on a ridge near the Kickapoo River in the area of southwest Wisconsin known as the Driftless Region. Combined with another Roth facility nearby, it will be the largest of its kind in the state. (One ‘animal unit’ in CAFO regulations is equivalent to one 1,000-pound cow or about two-and-a-half sows.)

About 2,000 sows will be housed in the new facility, creating a lot of new piglets that will need to be fattened and then killed and cut up in processing facilities. That, said Jahnke, means more Wisconsin hog CAFOS are on the way.

Roth says he wouldn’t build the CAFO if it wasn’t safe. And to be fair, I know several CAFO operators who do a good job policing their operations. It’s just that the risk is so much greater with operations of this size.

The permit was granted without any changes from a draft document, despite comments from dozens of local residents who opposed it. Concerned about your well water? Get your wells tested, was the DNR’s reply. What about monitoring wells on fields where manure is spread? Manure spreading might pollute groundwater because of the complicated geology of the region the DNR acknowledged. Yes, the DNR is hamstrung by the rules, but opponents of the CAFO were taken aback by the matter-of-fact approval that on the surface ignored their concerns.

Another fact: Yes, the deck is stacked, but some local citizens aren’t taking it sitting down.

In northwest Wisconsin, six towns in tourist-reliant Polk and Burnette counties have formed a partnership to institute local ordinances to regulate proposed hog CAFOs proposed in that area. Modeled after a Bayfield County

Bill Berry ordinance, three of the towns have passed similar rules, claiming local policing authority. The twist is the ordinances would address operation, not siting, of CAFOs. They would regulate the operations on issues like polluted runoff, health impacts, air pollution, carcass disposal, biosecurity and road damage. The ordinances would also seek to extend the regulations downward to livestock operations of 500 or more animal units (500 cows or about 1,300 sows), below the pollution discharge permit threshold of 1,000. This is a new twist on an old dance in which many operators stay somewhere below 1,000 animal units to avoid pollution discharge permits.

Predictably, big ag and its allies are up in arms. The Dairy Business Association has asked the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection to conduct a “material review” of the ordinances in an effort to squash them.

One more fact: The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently ruled that the DNR has the responsibility to monitor wells near CAFOs for impacts on water quality.

Pushback was ND immediate.

Kinnard Farms, a huge dairy operation in Kewaunee County sued the DNR, challenging requirements that the operation test water quality near fields where manure is spread.

In Portage County, a resolution generated last week by the office of County Executive John Pavelski opposed monitoring wells

near the Gordondale Farms dairy CAFO in Nelsonville. The ordinance was tabled after not making it out of committee. It was proposed even though almost half of the residential wells in Nelsonville have levels of nitrates well above safety standards.

One final fact: Despite all these developments, Wisconsin’s CAFO wars are still in the early stages.

Wisconsin’s CAFO siting rules were established almost 20 years ago, at a time when CAFOs were nowhere near the size of some proposed today, and have not changed substantially since then. Twenty years ago, a CAFO of 1,000 animals seemed huge. Today, Kinnard Farms, located in a karst region characterized by fragile geology that can rapidly transport runoff to groundwater, has 8,000 animals. A proposed hog farrowing CAFO in the town of Trade Lake, one of the towns in northwest Wisconsin seeking local control, would house up to 26,000 animals.

As Jahnke notes, Wisconsin has a one-size-fits-all system that doesn’t take into consideration regional variations in hydrology, geology, cultural, economic or other site- or region-specific variations. If you follow the siting rules, such as they are, you’re in. Animal factories also seek the path of least resistance. It’s no accident that northeastern Wisconsin has a high concentration of CAFOs. Many of the locations have little or no local zoning.

Same for Crawford and other counties in the hilly driftless region, with its

steep slopes prone to runoff. Call it private property and Right to Farm rights gone awry.

Is the door open to hundreds, maybe thousands more CAFOs in Wisconsin?

Consider the current one-size-fits all model and a state Legislature dominated by industry sycophants.

Then think about our neighboring state of Iowa, which has 10,000 hog-feeding operations. One county alone has 200.

The state is saturated, and cities like Des Moines are left to deal with the resulting water pollution. With that many CAFOs so closely located, there are also concerns about biosecurity and the potential for diseases and pathogens to rapidly spread across the state.

But the news isn’t all bad for average folks. The combination of local ordinances and the recent Supreme Court ruling provide some hope. Local citizens are determined to fight the rise of CAFOs before Wisconsin is “Iowaized.”

Bill Berry has been a working journalist and environmental communicator for a hell of a long time. (or you could say several decades).

His main areas of focus are the environment and the human condition, which he says are often intertwined.

Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. To read more: wisconsinexaminer.com.

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Community/Regional

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022 Page 5

Plain summer recreation program sign-up is June 4 continued from page 1 of the day the responsibility is to the safety of the community, and that he lives by the saying: “if it is predictable, it is preventable.”

Ring stated that the Board should not make the decision on their own and should seek the people’s input.

Neubauer made a motion to accept the Streets Committee recommendation to change the parking on Main Street from diagonal parking to parallel parking.

Trustee Steve Whitford seconded the motion. The motion carried with Ring and Marx voting no. Riek abstained, due to not doing enough research.

Plain Recreation Program

Also discussed was the village’s summer recreation program, which will start June 6 and end August 12. There are new co-rec directors this year taking over for Marissa Anderson. In person sign-ups will be held at the Plain park pavilion on June 4 from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The program is open to all River Valley School District children aged four to 14 years old. Those interested may also find the form on the website www. villageofplain.com under “Forms” and email the completed form to clerk@ villageofplain.com.

Plain Pool Updates

Also on the agenda was the discussion of the meeting from the Pool Committee. The Plain Pool will be officially open on June 4, with some maintenance needed before opening.

The pool will still have its usual fee, and will be offering water aerobics Monday through Thursday, with details still yet to be decided. Fully staffed with three new lifeguards, the pool will continue with its normal hours with some new rules and regulations. There will be concrete repair, cleaning and painting before it officially opens in June. The pool will be open every day from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Development and Planning

Discussed in development and planning was the request from Driftless

Extracts to lease farmland in the village.

The land would be used as sample plots for research and as an example for potential growers and it was stated that they will put up signs deterring trespassing. This would also involve a plot rotation with Liegal Farms, where the same cost for Liegal Farms would be applied, though with an annual increase of 3%, which will be discussed further if there are any drastic changes to the market. Because harvesting will occur in September, the October Wormfarm Institute Farm/Art DTour puppet show will not be deterred in any way, which Village Clerk Sheila Carver said has had a considerable amount of effort put into it already. The puppet show will be occurring on October 1 and 2, so it will not be disturbed by the harvest.

Other Actions of the Board

Another topic discussed was an update on the funding for the reconstruction of Bridge Road. The Streets Committee has been allowed grant funding of $175,720. The estimated total project cost is $219,650, with construction being planned for 2023.

The Parks and Fire Emergency District was also on the agenda, with the Parks Committee discussing ball diamond improvements and a possible dugout replacement. Also discussed for this topic was the submission of the Big Dig Grant, sponsored by Milestone Materials. This included the help of Ring, Dustin Myers, Bob Jewell and Carver.

The Golf Course Committee meeting was also discussed, where it was mentioned that the Men’s League fee was reduced, and that online advertising with GolfNow was approved, though the fee must be no more than $40.00 annually. Also mentioned was that the four and five tees on the course had irrigation finished.

Also on the agenda was the library report. The Library Board recently approved $20,000 towards the roof replacement project.

FULL EDITORIAL CALENDAR COMING SOON Upcoming special sections/editorial notes: June 2: Summer in the Valley Season Guide (special section) - Similar to our Winter Wonderland special section, we’ll publish a guide to summer in the Valley. Relax, eat, play, recreation and more! Have ideas or want to be included? Reach out.

Summer Job Board (special section) – The return of a job board for the summer! Post-it listings, display ads and more.

Company Profiles – Have something that makes your company special? Have a great work environment that you want to share to entice job seekers?

June 16: 2022 Best of the River Valley (special section or themed edition) - The results of our online reader poll will be revealed in print in this edition. This edition will be on stands during the Spring Green Arts & Craft Fair.

June 30: TBD - Shortly we'll be establishing an editorial calendar for special sections and edition themes to give business partners more time to work with us in engaging the community. We wanted to give the area business community an opportunity to weigh in first. Let us know what themed sections, special sections and more you think we should feature in Valley Sentinel to engage with our community and help them better engage with you: editor@valleysentinelnews.com All special sections subject to change depending on participation.

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Sign up for our Business Insider email newsletter at: valleysentinelnews.com/advertising-businesses

The next regular monthly board meeting will be June 8 at 7 p.m.

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OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SUMMER JOB BOARD SPECIAL SECTION TENTATIVELY RUNNING JUNE 2 *NEW* Company Profiles — $50 for 1/4 page promotional profile questionnaire with 1 picture to showcase your business and why it’s a great place to work.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SUMMER JOB BOARD and SUMMER IN THE VALLEY SPECIAL SECTIONS RUNNING JUNE 2 Presenting Sponsor of the Section — $400 (1 available each edition) A presenting sponsorship grants your logo and business name on the section itself. A sponsorship also includes a banner ad to be run within the section. Sponsor will also receive half off any sponsored article content within the special section. Supporting sponsorships of special sections may be available at $300 for all benefits above, excluding banner (limited availability).

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SUMMER in the VALLEY

Page 6

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022

Community

COmmunitycalendar

Community

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022 Page 7

COVID-19 Dashboard Wisconsin Summary Cases as of 5/18/2022

1,450,536 Positive Cases +28,225 from 5/4

12,959 Deaths +57 from 5/4 Updated: 5/18/2022 18/2022 18 /2022

Vaccine Summary Statistics

cdc covid-19 community levels

Updated: 5/18/2022

Updated: 5/18/2022 5/4/2022 This map shows the current CDC COVID-19 Community Level for each county in Wisconsin. Community levels measure the impact of COVID-19 illness on health and health care systems in communities.

COVID-19 community levels can help communities and individuals make decisions based on their local context and their unique needs. Community vaccination coverage and other local information can also inform decision-making for health officials and individuals.

9,500,442

5,572,375

3,581,930

346,137

Total doses administered

Pfizer doses administered

Moderna doses administered

Johnson & Johnson doses administered

2,026,466

1,167,729

833,203

25,534

Total boosters administered

Pfizer doses administered

Moderna doses administered

Johnson & Johnson doses administered

Vaccine Data These two core measures are measures of herd immunity in Richland, Sauk and Iowa County.

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

Richland County 4,017 Positive Cases +68 from 5/4 +0 from 5/4 48 Deaths

Richland

Iowa County 5,455 Positive Cases +116 from 5/4 29 Deaths +1 from 5/4 1.) Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. 2.) New COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. 3.) Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Target Range

59.6%

65.4% Percent with at least one vaccine dose

57.6%

62.4%

Percent fully vaccinated

Percent fully vaccinated Target Range

Iowa

16,669 Positive Cases +481 from 5/4 +3 from 5/4 136 Deaths

Using these data, the COVID-19 community level is classified as low, medium, or high. county level weekly statistics

Sauk

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

Sauk County

CDC looks at the combination of three metrics:

Target Range

70.4% Percent with at least one vaccine dose

67.8% Percent fully vaccinated

Cases per zip code

Percent of Wisconsin residents ages 5-11 who have received at least one dose by county

Cases as of 5/18/2022

Updated: 5/18/2022 Lower %

Richland County

18.7%

Ages 5-11

Iowa County Ages 5-11

Higher %

Percent of Wisconsin residents who have received at least one dose

32.5%

Sauk County Ages 5-11

Ages

25.7% Dane County Ages 5-11

58.6%

Updated: 5/18/2022

5-11 12-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

Graphic by Anna Stocks-Hess

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

“The good stuff.”

Page 8

SPoRtS/Schools

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022

RVHS Spring Sports

Girls Soccer

Todd Deibert, RVHS Girls Soccer Coach The Tuesday, May 3, River Valley High School Girls Soccer match with Galena was rescheduled for Wednesday May 4 because we didn't have referees, so we went to Galena on Wednesday to face the Pirates. It was a very close match.

Galena got out to a one goal lead before Emily Noble scored her first goal of the season off a Kylie Morrey corner kick.

Galena scored again before halftime to make it 1-2. In the second half, the Blackhawks equalized with another goal by Emily Noble. This time off a corner kick from Grace Morrey. The Blackhawks kept the pressure on down the stretch and scored a late goal in the 80th minute when Karina Osborn's cross found Kylie Morrey at the far post who placed it in the top corner for the game winner. It was a really exciting game, coming down to the wire like that. Once again, our defense and goalie played extremely well and kept us in the game.

On Thursday, May 5, the Blackhawks hosted Platteville. Platteville dominated the first half scoring 4 unanswered goals for a 0-4 halftime lead. Platteville added one more in the second half to make it 0-5. The Blackhawks were able to find the back of the net with time running out. It was another Karina Osborn cross to Kylie Morrey to make it 1-5. We played really hard and gave it our all, but Platteville is a disciplined and well coached team. They were able to capitalize on our mistakes. Vivian Jensen had 4 saves in the first half and Delaney Johnson had 3 saves in the second half. JV played a good game but came up short, losing 3-4. Jaksiri Rincon scored a goal and Elizabeth Baumberger scored 2. Oriana Krueger had an assist and Jessa Foster had 2 assists.

Photo contributed by Kellie Roske Claire Eveland, #10, playing against Dodgeville.

On Friday, May 6, we traveled to Madison Country Day School in Waunakee. We dominated the first 15 or so minutes of the game but were unable to score. We had two goals called back due to offsides. MCDS was able to score twice before Karina Osborn made it 1-2 just before halftime. The Blackhawks came out in the second half and broke out for 5 unanswered goals. Grace Morrey started the scoring with a great move to the middle where she finished from the top of the box. Karina Osborn scored 3 more, including a beautiful header off a corner kick from Kylie Morrey. Our defense had another great game and Delaney Johnson made 6 saves.

We finished out the week with a season record of 8-4-1.

On Tuesday, May 10 we faced Edgerton. JV won 1-0 on a goal by

Jessa Foster. Varsity played to a 2-2 tie on goals by Kylie Morrey and Grace Morrey. Assists were from Karina Osborn and Kylie Morrey. It was a hot night and the girls lacked some energy. We got out to an early lead, but then struggled to keep our energy up.

Edgerton equalized later in the first half, and took a one goal lead toward the end of the second half We kept fighting and managed to score with about 5 minutes left to tie it up. Delaney Johnson had 10 saves and kept us in the game.

Thursday, May 12 we had a home game against Prairie du Chien. Karina Osborn scored 2 goals in the second half and RV won 2-0. Assists were by Kylie Morrey and Svea Youngquist.

We struggled to score in this one. We outplayed them the whole game and just couldn't find the back of the net.

I was proud of how the girls kept the

pressure on, even on a night where we had trouble scoring we didn't give up.

Our defense was great again and we out shot PDC 19-3. Delaney Johnson had 3 saves. JV beat PDC 4-2 on goals from Elizabeth Baumberger (2) and Jessa Foster (2). Jaksiri Rincon had 2 assists and Lily Thao had 1 assist.

On Friday, May 13 we faced Columbus.

We played really well but came up short, losing 1-2. Karina Osborn scored on a shot from the top of the 18 off a pass from Kylie Morrey. This was one of those games where we did a lot of things right but just couldn't get much offense going. They're a good team. Last year we would have been crushed by this team. This season we are competitive and even had a chance to win. We made a couple of mistakes in the back is all, and they took advantage of them.

Our season record halfway through May is 9-5-2.

Lukas Bettinger and Max Solomon (63).

Wednesday, May 11th, River Valley traveled to Edelweiss Country Club for the New Glarus Golf Invitational. The Blackhawks placed 8th out of 12 teams with a team score of 391. Eli Johnson led the Blackhawks with an 88. Ashton Price (97), Jackson Thier (102), Gavin Davidson (104), and Connor Fields (113).

Thursday, May 12th, the SWC Conference pulled off an unprecedented doubleheader due to previous poor weather conditions. In the morning, the conference played their 5th match of the season at the House on the Rock Resort with River Valley as the host school. Very hot and humid conditions prevailed throughout the day. The conference played the North Nine on Thursday morning Lancaster took 1st place with a 181 along with Noah Kirsch’s 35 as Medalist and “King of the North.” River Valley rallied with a team score of 184 and second place. Eli Johnson led the Blackhawks with a 44, Ashton Price (45), Jackson Thier (47), Connor Fields (48), and Gavin Davidson (51). RV JV golfers again took 1st place with a team score of 216. Cooper Fields led the JV with 51, Lars Anding (53), Lukas Bettinger (55), Max Solomon (57) and Zach Rohe (58).

After a short break, the conference rallied at Quail Run golf course in Richland Center for the sixth and final conference match of the season.

Conditions remained hot and humid for all players, however, Lancaster remained strong and finished with a 168, led by medalist Noah Kirsch’s 35.

River Valley placed 4th led by Ashton

Price’s 46, Eli Johnson (49) Connor Fields (61) Gavin Davidson (49) and Jackson Thier (49). RV JV golfers wrapped up their sweep of conference play with another victory and team score of 212, led by Cooper Fields (49), Matthew Frederick (52), Max Solomon (55), Lukas Bettinger (56), Lars Anding (57) The Conference final match will be held at Lake Wisconsin Country Club in Prairie du Sac on Wednesday, May 18th.

Friday, May 13th, members of the River Valley Junior Varsity squad participated in the first annual Pardeeville JV Scramble invitational at Portage Country Club. Schools brought three 2-person teams playing “Bestshot.” Out of 16 schools and over 40 teams, River Valley JV golfers all placed in the top 15. Teams for the Blackhawks were: Cooper Fields/Max Solomon (83), Lukas Bettinger/Connor Grant (83), and Matthew Frederick/Zach Rohe (85).

Saturday, May 14th was the annual SWC vs SWAL Golf Cup event at DodgePoint Country Club. The top 24 golfers from each conference go head to head playing match play format. The SWAL edged out the SWC 9-7 in match play.

Eli Johnson finished 2 up over Pec/ Argyle’s Ruetten. Ashton Price finished 3 up with 2 to play over Barneveld’s Neuhalfen. Gavin Davidson and Connor Fields Best Ball combination defeated their SWAL opponents 2:1 as Fields sank a par putt on Hole #17. Matthew Fredrick and his partner from Prairie du Chien in Best Shot format, went the distance against their SWAL opponent but could not overcome losing by 1 hole.

Golf Matt Snow, RVHS Golf Coach Week #1 RV Golf began conference play this season traveling to Lancaster Country Club, on Tuesday, April 19th. The Blackhawks took 2nd place behind Lanaster with strong play from seniors Eli Johnson (40) and Connor Fields (45) as well as freshman Gavin Davidson’s 44. Other varsity scores included Ashton Price (49) and Max Solomon (58).

Thursday, April 21st, conference play continued at Prairie du Chien Country Club. Conditions were sunny and very windy. Competition was very close as the Blackhawks placed 4th, only 9 strokes from 1st place Lancaster. The Hawks were led by Eli Johnson (45), Ashton Price (49), Connor Fields (52), Jackson Thier (53) and Max Solomon (62).

Week #2 The 3rd conference match of the season was Thursday April 28 at DodgePoint Country Club. RV finished 5th.

Eli Johnson led the Blackhawks with a 44. Freshman Gavin Davidson and Senior Connor Fields shot 49, followed

by Ashton Price (50) and Lukas Bettinger (60). The RV Junior Varsity team continued their winning streak by shooting an even 200. Junior Lars Anding turned in a career best (45) to lead the JV squad.

Week #3 May 4th - Lake Arrowhead - Nekoosa Invitational River Valley traveled to Lake

Arrowhead Wednesday for the Nekoosa Invitational. The Blackhawks placed 18th of 22 teams. Eli Johnson led the Blackhawks with an 88. Ashton Price (107), Gavin Davidson (110), Connor Fields (124) and Cooper Fields (126) rounded out the team scores.

May 6th - Portage Warrior Invitational No information as of today.

May 7th - River Valley Invitational House on the Rock Resort The House on the Rock was host to 14 schools Saturday as they hosted the River Valley Invitational. Mineral Point was first with a team score of 336, La Crosse Aquinas second with a team score of 341, and Mount Horeb finished third with a score of 342.

Medalist for the day was Noah Kirsch of Lancaster with a round of 71. River Valley placed 7th with a team score of 387. Eli Johnson led the Blackhawks with a score of 88. Connor Fields had a personal best of 95, while Gavin Davidson (101), Jackson Thier (103) and Ashton Price (110) rounded out the team scores.

Week #4 SWC Competition resumed this week on Tuesday, May 10th at Platteville Country Club. Host school Platteville shared first place with Richland Center as Lancaster took 3rd and River Valley took 4th place. Eli Johnson led the Blackhawks with a 45, followed by Gavin Davidson’s (51), Ashton Price (48), Connor Fields (59), and Jackson Thier (56). River Valley Junior Varsity kept their winning streak alive by taking 1st place again, led by Lars Anding and Zach Rohe (53), Cooper Fields (55),

SPoRtS/Schools

Thursday, MAy 19, 2022 Page 9

RVHS Spring Sports Girls Softball Jane Briehl, RVHS Softball Head Coach

April 29 River Valley 5, Sauk Prairie 4

April 19 Platteville 2, River Valley 6

We were missing 5 kids during these two games!

April 21 Dodgeville 1, River Valley 2 We won two games this week by scoring runs late in the games. This team never gives up!

They understand the potential they have offensively, so they always believe they can win.

April 25 River Valley 11, Lancaster 0 April 26 River Valley 14, Richland Center 2 April 28 River Valley 4, Prairie du Chien 7 April 29 River Valley 7, Sauk Prairie 1

May 3 River Valley 8, Platteville 1 May 6 River Valley 11, Cuba City 2 May 10 River Valley 7, Lancaster 0 May 13 River Valley 7, Dodgeville 0 May 14 River Valley 5, Belmont 6

Photo contributed by Janeen Nachriener Lydia Weiss at the plate against Cuba City.

May 14 River Valley 1, Cuba City 2 Current record: 14-5

Honoring RVSD Staff Opportunity Continues throughout May Jennifer Kraemer, RVSDEF Board Member The official Teacher Appreciation Week has passed for 2022, however the Board of the River Valley School District Endowments continues to gratefully receive donations from community members to honor the work of staff members, past or present, in our district.

This opportunity to recognize and celebrate their contributions will continue through the end of May. All funds received are used to support education grants that encourage innovative educational experiences for our students.

Please consider joining current donors by donating through the Madison Community Foundation or PayPal whose information is located on our website, or a check for any amount made payable to RVSDEF and mailed to the River Valley School District, 660 W. Daley St. Spring Green, WI 53588. After donating please email jnkraemer@ charter.net with the following information: Your name, the name of the honoree, and the amount of the donation. A personalized card from the RVSD board will be delivered to the staff member being

honored to thank them for all they have done to inspire you or your child. Any personal notes from the donor will also be included.

While the donations mentioned above honor the work of individual staff members, all funds raised through the RVSD endowment and managed by the Madison Community Foundation, are distributed through an annual grant process. For the 2022-2023 cycle the board is pleased to announce that $7650 was awarded through 7 grants to projects in all four of our schools. Please read about each of them on the district website at rvschools.org under the Family and Community Tab/River Valley School District Endowment.

These projects demonstrate that our teachers and staff are always working to go above and beyond for our children.

We thank our generous and loyal supporters and hope that you will continue to encourage the efforts of the endowment both financially and through contact with others who endorse our mission. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Photo contributed by Janeen Anderson Shortstop Brooke Anderson throws a runner out at home plate against Platteville. She successfully cut down 3 runners that week trying to score, two against Platteville and one against Dodgeville.

Don't See your student's sport?

Due to limited manpower, our sports coverage is dependent upon engagement with coaches and parents. If you don't see your student's sport then please reach out to the coach and encourage them to send along write-ups or comments, stats and pictures.

Parents are also welcome to send along pictures and write ups as well for consideration.

Want to help out with our community sports coverage? Email us at: editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Business/Professional

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Outdoors & Recreation

Page 10 Thursday, MAy 19, 2022

The Sauk County Gardener Lots of garden tasks with summer’s early arrival Jeannie Manis, Wisconsin Certified Master Gardener

“Plant and your spouse plants with you; weed and you weed alone.” − Jean-Jacques Rousseau I continue to clean and weed my garden beds. It is a lonely task; my husband is helpful with most gardening tasks, but this is one task he conveniently makes himself absent.

With eight large perennial beds, six cutting gardens, and eight vegetable beds, I have a lot of work and I would appreciate the help. Don’t feel bad for me though; this is the guy who installed two hanging retractable hose reels, got the tractor’s bucket put back on (for moving mulch), set up the trellising for the tomatoes, and got my greenhouse fully operational this year. I resolve this fall I will cut most everything back,

mulch my leaves, and then spread them back into my flowerbeds. This will help curb spring weeds and still provide a home for wintering over insects. Come next spring, I might have a chance of getting my flower beds ready before summer arrives.

We should be past the point of frost so you can plant any stored geraniums; you’ll see new growth in about a week.

Start checking your mums; once they reach six inches, pinch off one-half of it and continue until July to encourage them to be bushier. As spring blooming bulbs fade, remove the faded flowers, but allow the foliage to die back naturally to put energy back into the bulbs. I typically interplant my mums and daffodils as the mums’ summer growth covers the dying leaves of the daffodils. Pinch your annuals when they are 4 – 6 inches tall to promote

growth. Stake your delphinium and put rings around your peonies before they get too tall. Plant and stake dahlia divisions. I potted up mine earlier in the season, so I’ll be putting out nearly 40 full size plants. I already have stakes set aside for them.

In the vegetable garden, plant celery, melons, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, and my favorite, tomatoes. When you plant your tomatoes, remove the lower leaves, and bury the stems a little deeper to provide stability. Place a thin layer of newspaper and then a layer of straw mulch under the tomatoes.

This will help retain soil moisture and prevent soil-borne diseases such as Verticillium Wilt or Fusarium Wilt from splashing up on the bottom of tomato leaves. Try to plant your tomatoes in a different location than last year. A three- to five-year rotation is recommended if possible. Store extra seeds in a cool, dry location for future use. Cover beans, cucumbers,

and melons with lightweight floating row covers after planting to aid insect control. Record when strawberries bloom; you can expect strawberries in approximately 30 days.

Continue to prune junipers, arborvitae, yews, and hemlock through early summer. Hedges can also be pruned, smaller at the top and wider at the base. Prune pines by cutting two-thirds of the new growth. Prune spring blooming shrubs shortly after they flower. Finally, mow your yard before dandelions go to seed. My grass is tall right now but I’m waiting for the dandelions to finish blooming for the pollinators. Once I start seeing those seed heads though, the mower will come out. I had to dig out too many dandelions out of my flower beds this year. I don’t mind them in my grass, but once they are in my flower beds, it’s no holds barred. Enjoy the beautiful weather and happy weeding, I mean planting!

April showers bring May garlic mustard Jaqi Christopher, DNR Forest Invasive Plant Specialist Spring is here! Invasive plants, like garlic mustard, are often among the first green life to emerge in the new season.

Garlic mustard is an aggressive invasive species that can blanket a forest and outcompete native vegetation. It releases chemicals into the soil that prevent other plants from growing too close.

These chemicals can disrupt associations between mycorrhizal fungi and native plants, thereby suppressing plant growth.

Garlic mustard grows in two life stages (biennial). As shown below, the leaves grow as basal rosettes, or small heart-

Photo by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Basal rosette of garlic mustard leaves in first year.

shaped leaves close to the ground, in its first year. In its second year, mature flowering stems develop. Garlic mustard leaves have a strong garlic fragrance.

The substantial number of seeds produced by a single garlic mustard plant also contributes to its ability to outcompete other plants. Garlic mustard seeds also remain viable in the soil for years.

Luckily, there are solutions to combat this persistent plant. The most common management techniques for garlic mustard include hand pulling and chemical control.

The Midwest Invasive Plant Network provides a guide for those interested in garlic mustard management on their property. It can feel like a daunting task to control the species on your property, but early detection can make a big difference. Set a goal for yourself to prevent plants from flowering. This will help you get ahead of it setting seed.

So, get out there! Take a walk through your woods to look for this early emerging invasive.

Photo by Rachel Rogge, via the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has a two-year life cycle, and one plant can produce more than 7,000 seeds before dying.

—IT'S BACK—

IRISH FEST IN THE BARN

May 29, 2022 • Sugarland Barn • Arena

Full schedule and tickets at www.irishfestwi.com

Trinity Ensemble Touring Company

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Outdoors & Recreation

Page 12 Thursday, MAy 19, 2022

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Columnist

Polk/Burnett counties trout fishing trip Hello friends, This week’s column is about a very cool experience where I went with a friend's advice but lost my information and completely winged it as to where to fish, camp and enjoy life..

Friday, May 6th High 53°, Low 36°

Quite often much of my life experiences take place real close to a day late and a dollar short. Today, as I filled my gas tank in Cumberland, I realized that my gasoline budget has now hit a minimum of $200.00 a week and in reality it is more than that.

As I drove towards Clam Falls in northeast Polk County, which is an area that I have never seen before, I realized that I had lost my info on creeks to fish but the one name that stuck out was Clam Falls. It was 5:30 in the afternoon and I did not know where I was going to camp today or fish the following morning, which was Wisconsin’s state fishing opener.

I worked my way north on County O and saw a woman harvesting firewood with her children. I asked her about fishing streams and camping ideas. She told me that she was a vegetarian and did not know. Good luck came my way when I saw a man rigging up his bass boat and I stopped and talked to him.

At first he did not not know what to tell me and then he had a brainstorm and mentioned a neighbor that has land on

Photo by Mark Walters, Columnist Trout are challenging and fun to catch.

the Clam River that in this section would be in the Mckenzie Creek State Wildlife Area.

I drove over to the neighbors house, was given permission, did an exploratory hike and — oh my God — did I like what I saw in the form of both a beautiful body of water for trout fishing and a remote setting.

It's now 6:30 p.m., I have to figure out the camping thing. I headed over to Clam Falls, which is a super beautiful setting and found Moodys’ Wildwoods Campground. I met the owners Jackie and Rod Moodys, who did not have a spot for me to camp but let me stay in the yard where they have their camper and,

by God, I opened up a PBR and built my camp.

Photo by Mark Walters, Columnist Suckers were in the peak of their spawning run on the Clam River.

Saturday, May 7th High 62°, Low 37°

Yesterday I found the hole I would fish in and it is about a 500 yard walk through a heck of a pretty forest. I did this with my headlamp lit as if I am gonna go trout fishing I honestly believe you should be on the water at first light. My plan would be the usual, number ten hook, split shot, 6-pound test line and a night crawler. I was literally amazed when after two hours all I had caught was 2 suckers.

I kept seeing fish surfacing downstream but there were some deadfalls and so I waited. When I made my move it was well worth the effort, as I worked a long, fast moving hole that within seconds

Photo by Mark Walters, Columnist When trout fishing, Mark Walters likes to be on the water at first light.

yielded me a 12-inch brown trout. I am not fibbing when I say the next two hours was a non stop brook trout catching experience. I landed and released at least 30, and decided to head back to camp, cook a few of them over the campfire and life was incredible considering how this trip fell into place.

Later in the day my buddy Paul Bucher, who runs the Cumberland Advocate (buy it/advertise in it, it's a great local paper), stopped by for some quality campfire time.

The following day I was exploring before daylight on a different section of the Clam River in both Polk and Burnett Counties and I witnessed quite the sight as the suckers were spawning and it was a non stop show that in many cases the fish were dropping spawn within inches of my feet if I stood real quietly in the river.

I found some stretches of river in southeast Burnett County that I honestly believe had it been earlier in the morning would have yielded me a world record brown trout, maybe even two. What I like about my style of trout fishing is that once I am fishing, I have

nothing but time “kind of like bowhunting”. I make a point of blending with my environment and watch the world around me.

This trip had me doing a lot of hiking in chest waders and my health seemed excellent.

Finally I want to give a tip of my hat to the folks that have done some incredible work on stream/trout habitat reclamation, most likely fisheries people in the Department of Natural Resources and possibly with help from Trout Unlimited.

Sometimes it’s good to live on the edge!

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