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It’s your paper! Friday, August 14, 2020 • Vol. 7, No. 6 • Fitchburg, WI • ConnectFitchburg.com • $1

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City of Fitchburg

Inside

Community hub, teen center added to city’s plans

Fitchburg artist wins inclusion award

Alders also reduce scope of police department expansion

Page 2 Grocery plan moves forward

KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

Page 3

Page 8

Photo by Emilie Heidemann

Fresh produce lines the tables of the Fitchburg Farmers Market as customers wearing masks browse the fare underneath the Agora Pavilion.

Pandemic leads to unexpected profits for some farmers

Sports

Fitchburg market vendors diversity services, adapt business models Big Eight and Badger conferences cancel fall sports competitions Page 10

Schools Police officer agreement extended Page 16

Business

New Vision Theater closes permanently Page 19

EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

he Fitchburg Farmers Market looked like any other under the Agora Pavilion on a warm July afternoon – except for one difference. F r e s h veg e t a b l e s , f r u i t s , cheeses and spices fill vendors’ tables, and members of the public by the dozens line up to purchase their fare. Conversations echo like they normally do – except the people having them are six feet apart. Faces are muffled by masks meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 – the disease responsible for a six-month long global pandemic that doesn’t appear to have any end in sight. Many vendors the Star spoke to July 23 said they faced financial uncertainty when restaurants closed down, and grocery stores limited customer capacities in March. But as the COVID-19 health crisis resulted in an economic downturn, more people found themselves unemployed and lacking income. They turned to

Turn to Community/Page 15

The Fitchburg Farmers Market will continue through October. local pantries and farms to help keep food on the table. Some Fitchburg vendors were able to cash in on those misfortunes and diversify their services, while others experienced only slight revenue dips. John Dougherty of Farmer Johns’ Cheese told the Star vendors were able to travel around to Dane County-area farmers markets — even when they were deemed essential under the

state’s Safer at Home order in March. He said since then, he’s seen an uptick in traffic at smaller markets in particular. As a dairy farmer, Dougherty said he got lucky, even though the outlook for the season was unfavorable in March. W h e n h e s t a r t e d bu y i n g his share of cows, Dougherty explained, the demand for milk changed. Instead of bottling it

Turn to Market/Page 15

Rendering courtesy Ayres

An adventure playground and a bike track would be built as a part of the community hub project near Fish Hatchery Road. The community hub along Traceway Drive was one of the two projects approved in the Capital Improvement Plan by City of Fitchburg alders at their Tuesday, Aug. 11, meeting. The other, a teen center, would be placed in the former A-1 Furniture and Mattress building. 151

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Two Fitchburg neighborhoods could soon have new community centers. One, in the Jamestown neighborhood on the city’s northwest side, would be for teens, while the other would be for the general public near Fish Hatchery Road. Both could open as early as next year. The Common Council approved adding the projects to the city’s capital improvement plan at its Tuesday, Aug. 11, meeting. The teen center would be west of Verona Road, and the community hub would be along Traceway Drive. Putting projects in the CIP does not commit the city to funding or a set timeframe. Rather, the CIP provides a framework for planning budgets 10 years out. The council must approve funding through the budget process in the fall and would borrow for the projects the following year. In order to make room for funding for the two projects, proposed by the city’s two District 2 alders, Joe Maldonado and Julia Arata-Fratta, the city would reduce the scope of its police department expansion from a standalone building to an expansion built onto City Hall, where the department is located. The city is not limited to a certain amount of borrowing each year, but financial advisers typically advise keeping the borrowing level consistent. Plans for

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August 14, 2020

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Fitchburg Star

Creating art in spite of the pain NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group

When it comes to creating her next masterpiece, for artist Christy Grace, there are many days where her mind is prepared to work, but her body is not. There are times when Grace is painting, and her hand will go numb – requiring her to switch to her other hand to continue working, while shaking the numbness out of the other. She has worked while lying on the floor on days where she is low energy and has answered emails from the bathtub on days where she is in significant pain from dealing with three medical conditions, endometriosis, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. “It can be very frustrating because I have the ideas, skills and ambition and know I could do so much more,” Grace said. “I have to budget energy, especially when there is a specific deadline or event and sometimes household chores suffer because I just can’t do it all.” But despite those setbacks, Grace, a full-time artist with her own business and stay-athome mother, was honored with the Creative Power award by Arts for All Wisconsin, an organization that has recognized and celebrated artists with disabilities since 1985. According to a news release from Arts for All, artists from 59 Wisconsin communities submitted art to this year’s competition, and Fitchburg was one of nine communities with a winner. Ten artists were honored with the Creative Power award this year. “Submissions are juried by arts professionals who look for creativity, originality, and craftsmanship in selecting ten artworks,” the news release stated. Grace is primarily a watercolor painter who also makes diorama and shadowbox-style art in addition to pendants and enamel pins. She said she does not have one medium she is partial to. “My preferred medium depends on what I am trying to convey,” she said.

“Historically, I have used watercolor and colored pencils for my more illustrative work and acrylic or oil paint for my emotive or large-scale art. It is hard for me to choose just one because the experimentation and discovery of different mediums is very fun for me.” Grace said art plays an important role in her therapy and recovery, using it as a journal that documents her health journey through self-portraits and communicating out what she thinks her pain might look or feel like. She said she draws her inspirations from her imagination more than reality. “A lot of my illustration ideas come from my imagination and dreams brought together by poignant memories of pretending to be a unicorn on the grade school playground or creating tiny worlds out of found objects,” she said. “My more emotive, personal pieces come from processing my pain or trying to communicate a certain feeling or experience.”

Multiple diagnoses

Fitchburg artist Christy Grace was recently named one of ten recipients of the ARTS for All Wisconsin Creative Power award, given to artists with disabilities from around the state. experiencing pain that was not directly related to endometriosis, and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Grace said her body reacted poorly to fibromyalgia medications, experiencing side-effects including depression, rapid heart rate and weight gain. So with her second diagnosis, she has had to strike a balance between work and rest, as she said she creates art daily whether it is just a little piece or a sketch or it is a mural or a painting, start to finish. “There are days when I don’t feel inspired and that is okay because I always have business emails, organization and promotion to do,” she said. “There are also days that I wake up already exhausted and need to rest when I can in between being a mom and wife – so the rest days don’t come as a needed break from art, they are there because sometimes it is hard to keep my eyes open or stay upright.”

While Grace said she experienced pain beginning in middle and high school, she wasn’t able to put a name to it until years later after she got married and began trying to have children with her husband. It was then, after researching her failed attempts to get pregnant and her infertility issues that she was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis – a disease that causes the cells that would typically grow inside of the uterus to grow on the outside – and her ovaries were wrapped around her uterus and covered in cysts and adhesions. These cells go through the same menstruation cycle as those inside the uterus, but when the blood is shed month- Being an advocate ly, it has nowhere to go – which At times, her health has sufleads to inflammation, cysts fered in other ways. She has and adhesions in the pelvic cav- been diagnosed with IBS and ity, Grace said. Grace said there is no known cure and that surgery is required to remove the adhesions, of which she’s had three so far. After her second surgery, she was able to get pregnant after four years of trying, and gave birth to a daughter in 2015. With that joy came another blow. A little after her daughter’s birth, Grace started

last October she got an upper respiratory illness that made her cough so hard that she ended up pulling a muscle in her neck and slipping some discs in her

upper spine. “I am still searching for answers and trying to advocate for myself, even during such circumstances,” she said. “I don’t want to be in pain or be exhausted every day.” She has also used her art to be an advocate for others. Recently, Grace said she has been “really inspired” by the Black Lives Matter movement. The national movement has taught her that she still has a lot to learn, even though she tries to be inclusive and aware of her actions. She created a hand-letter brush calligraphy piece out of the word “beautiful” that used different skin tones after hearing a subtle dismissal of racism. “I recently did a piece on my iPad which states, ‘I see you. I see our differences and I think they are beautiful,’” she said. “ I did this piece after thinking on the phrase, “I don’t see color” which on the surface sounds accepting but in reality, it is not respectful.”

While she said she has also been inspired by the pandemic, she is still processing how to convey those experiences artistically. Apart from her own health issues, her husband has a mechanical heart valve, so her family has been taking quarantining seriously. Grace said once she has processed the pandemic some more, she has a large canvas waiting for a more personal painting that will most likely be a self-portrait that documents the state of her body and the world. She said that a “human aspect” is one of the overarching themes of her art. “With the human aspect, a lot of it comes down to making connections, helping people feel seen and not alone, and showing that we are all going through something and it would best to live with a kind heart,” she said. Neal Patten, community reporter, can be contacted at neal. patten@wcinet.com.

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Fitchburg artist Christy Grace holds up the placard she won after being selected as one of Arts for All’s 10 Creative Power awardees for 2020. The award is given to Wisconsin artists with disabilities.

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August 14, 2020

Fitchburg Star

City of Fitchburg

Council gives nod to grocery store plan KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

A plan to site a fourth grocery store at the corner of McKee and Fitchrona Roads has earned the city’s approval. That’s the first step for Meijer, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company that is working with the city to develop the 60-acre parcel opposite the Wingra Stone quarry. The Common Council unanimously approved a comprehensive development plan for the site at its Tuesday, July 28, meeting. Two alders, Joe Maldonado (Dist. 1) and Julia Arata-Fratta (D-2), abstained, saying they wanted more information from the company. The approval came after an hour of discussion, with some alders initially expressing uncertainty about the prospect of a Meijer at that location before voting to support it. This is the second Meijer proposal in Dane County

in the last few months. The day before the proposed 159,000-square foot Fitchburg store proposal was provided to the city on June 30, Meijer also proposed a site in Sun Prairie near the Woodman’s and Costco on the west side. Maldonado questioned the location being within a mile of four other grocery stores – a SuperTarget, a Hy-Vee and an Aldi across McKee Road, and a Pick ‘n Save on Maple Grove Road – and said he wanted to see more locally owned companies that are tailored to the needs of local residents. Maldonado, whose wife owns Luna’s Groceries in an underserved area in the Allied Drive/Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood, added that this location did not address other places in Fitchburg that are a “food desert.” “There’s a lot of areas in our city that lack close access to grocery stores,” he said. “There are a lot of really large companies, and that’s fine; however, there’s a lack of companies that are both locally owned and are specifically tailored to the needs to the bulk of residents.” Three residents registered in opposition to the grocery store,

all of whom urged the city to address other food deserts. One claimed that allowing a corporation to develop that parcel perpetuates systemic racism, as it would not address the needs of the residents in the Verona Road West neighborhood. Ald. Dorothy Krause (D-1) said she had concerns about the environmental characteristics of the site. She added that one of the main positives of putting a grocery store there is residents in the Verona Road West neighborhood would not need to make the “treacherous” trip across McKee Road to access a grocery store, and that the Meijer development was along the lines of what the owner would like to see that parcel used for as a part of the Anton Drive redevelopment plan. “I know this is what he wants, and he’s not going to move forward on the rest of the surrounding properties until this gets settled out,” she said. Other concerns involved the complexity of the site, and what would need to be done in order to make the site buildable. Meijer real estate manager Ashley Mack said that

New leadership at Fitchburg Star Ferolie becomes general manager; Wethal promoted to news editor JIM FEROLIE UNG general manager

The leadership structure at Unified Newspaper Group has changed as of Aug. 3. Longtime group editor Jim Ferolie has assumed the role of general manager with the retirement of Woodward Communit y M e d i a ’s regional publ i s h e r, L e e Borkowski. Those two Ferolie changes have resulted in several other promotions and new roles within the organization, which publishes the Wethal Fitchburg Star, Verona Press, Oregon Observer, Stoughton Courier Hub, Great Dane and Your Family magazine. Kimberly Wethal is now the group’s news editor. She will have the final responsibility for all content and news coverage decisions and will supervise the government reporting team. Emilie Heidemann is the community/business editor and will continue to ensure balance in our storytelling and an appropriate mix of content. Mark Nesbitt is the new sports editor. He had been the assistant sports editor under Adam Feiner, who moved to Missouri for family reasons and is resigning as of Aug. 6.

“The biggest staffing changes have been in the works in some form for several months and should not result in significant changes to our newspapers,” Ferolie said. “Our editors, in particular, are well prepared for their new roles.” Ferolie will oversee the sales and front office team for UNG, as well as the three editors. He will continue to be involved in the operation of the editorial team, especially with mentoring, training and coaching. Ferolie started with UNG in 2006 as the Verona Press editor and became group editor overseeing the three weeklies and the ConnectFitchburg. com website Heidemann in 2011. Kathy Neumeister will continue to be involved in UNG’s operations in an administrative capacity while Nesbitt becoming general manager at the Grant-Iowa-Lafayette shopping news. She had previously served as sales manager for both operations. At another Woodward location, Jodi Peterson has been promoted to general manager at the Richland Center Shopping News and Wisconsin-Iowa Shopping News. Wethal will continue to cover her Verona schools and Fitchburg government beats and oversee election coverage. Wethal has worked with UNG on and off since her junior year in high school, first as an intern and correspondent, then as community reporter for Verona and Fitchburg in March 2018, two months

before graduating from college. Heidemann started with UNG in November 2018 as a community reporter for Oregon and became the Oregon government reporter in September 2018 while transitioning into the community/business editor role. Nesbitt joined UNG in 2017 after 14 years as a sports and news reporter with the Monroe Times.

in addition to grading issues on the land, there would need to be soil remediation and a retaining wall put in, as well as stormwater management. Because of the challenges posed by the property, Mack said, it will be expensive for Meijer to build on it, and would basically be cost prohibitive for any local business owners.

Ald. Gabriella Gerhardt (D-2) said that the city needed to focus on finding solutions to food deserts, but argued that finding ways to attract stores to underserved areas is a separate issue from the Meijer proposal. “When I think about developing an area, it seems like it would be a difficult thing for a small business to develop, just

given the complexity of that area,” she said. “It seems like a good opportunity for the city to actually fill this lot in a way that it might not be filled otherwise.” Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@ wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberly_wethal.

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Meijer gets approval on comprehensive development plan

August 14, 2020

Opinion

Fitchburg Star

Letters to the editor policy Unified Newspaper Group is proud to offer a venue for public debate and welcomes letters to the editor, provided they comply with our guidelines. Letters should be no longer than 400 words. They should also contain contact information – the writer’s full name, address, and phone number – so that the paper may confirm authorship. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be printed under any circumstances. The editorial staff of Unified Newspaper Group reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and appropriateness. Letters with libelous or obscene content will not be printed. Unified Newspaper Group generally only accepts letters from writers with ties to our circulation area. Letters to the editor should be of general public interest. Letters that are strictly personal – lost pets, for example – will not be printed. Letters that recount personal experiences, good or bad, with individual businesses will not be printed unless there is an overwhelming and compelling public interest to do so. Letters that urge readers to patronize specific businesses or specific religious faiths will not be printed, either. “Thank-you” letters can be printed under limited circumstances, provided they do not contain material that should instead be placed as an advertisement and reflect public, rather than promotional interests.

Get the Star’s newsletter Fitchburg Star readers can now get our top headlines of the week delivered to their email every Thursday. Signing up for the newsletter is easy — just visit ConnectFitchburg.com and find the “Join our newsletter” box on the right side (scroll down toward the end of the page on mobile devices). Input your email address, and you’re done! Don’t forget to activate your online subscriber account so you can go right to the news. For questions, call 845-9559 or email ungeditor@ wcinet.com.

Friday, August 14, 2020 • Vol. 7, No. 6 Periodical Postage Paid, Verona, WI and additional offices. Published monthly on Friday by the Unified Newspaper Group, A Division of Woodward Communications, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send Address Corrections to The Fitchburg Star, 133 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI 53593.

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Community Voices

There are many creative ways to stay connected

was scrolling through pictures on my phone the other day and paused on some of a girls’ trip up north in early March of this year. It was before COVID began to get real around here. We had gathered close for the pictures as we toasted my sister-inlaw’s birthday. Mask-wearing was not yet a thing, and staying at the same cabin was a given. It felt like a lifetime ago and instantly contrasted with how different things are now. When the stay-at-home order took effect later in March, everyone’s social calendars suddenly looked pretty blank. It was disorienting to arrive to a weekend with nothing on the books. Some of you are natural introverts and have told me that you were made for quarantine. Like one of my patients (I’ll use initials), A.G., who has been putting four-plus hours per day into her prairie restoration project (I’ve seen the pictures, it’s awesome!), or J.S.’s son, who has been happily working from home and had to have a neighbor let him know a package had been sitting on his front step for several days. For those of you, the social isolation really hasn’t been a challenge. But for others, we have had to get creative and find ways to maintain and build social connections within the new distancing rules we were given. I’ve heard great stories of classic outdoor movie nights, S’mores around a campfire, biking to get take-out and adopting a new pet family member. Then there’s J.B. and her family, who have been getting out on their boat with their small camping grill

on board. Their friends meet up and can easily distance because, hey, separate boats! My next-door neighbors might win for most creative, new social Konopacki event born out of the quarantine. Each evening their four goats are let out for a walk along our shared property, and any neighbors that are free walk along and catch up. While not everyone has access to boats or goats, the point is, we are being asked to step out of our normal routine, adapt and become intentional about connecting with others. Rachele Klassy, a local psychotherapist with Mind Evolution, shared some great thoughts on staying connected during this time. As she points out, social distancing is really actually physical distancing. “We can remain emotionally and socially engaged with friends, family and our communities while maintaining a physical distance,” she wrote. “Given the propensity for depression that comes with isolation, it is necessary to maintain these connections during this very unusual time in our lives.” Klassy points out that technology is the obvious way to remain connected, but we should go beyond our everyday connections to use it. “I recommend Dane County TimeBank, where you can volunteer time to help others out with tasks that don’t need to be done in person or make calls to check in on those that are isolated,” she writes. “This often helps people feel connected to their community and fills a need to

“We can remain emotionally and socially engaged with friends, family and our communities while maintaining a physical distance. Given the propensity for depression that comes with isolation, it is necessary to maintain these connections during this very unusual time in our lives.” Rachele Klassy, psychotherapist with Mind Evolution do for others that is lacking in this time of isolation.” Finally, if you don’t have a therapist to take care of your mental and emotional well-being, consider how well our health care system has adapted to telehealth. It’s now recognized by most major carriers, which gives people who have trouble carving out the time in their day an easy opportunity to just get on a call. That, she says, can help give us more support and human connection, something we all need. “In doing so,” she writes, “People will recognize our collective experience is connecting, not isolating.” I couldn’t agree more! Dr. Laura Konopacki is the owner of Body Wave chiropractic in Fitchburg, and she has training in pediatrics and functional neurology.

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General Manager Jim Ferolie jim.ferolie@wcinet.com Display Advertising Donna Larson veronasales@wcinet.com Catherine Stang stoughtonsales@wcinet.com Classified advertisements ungclassified@wcinet.com Legal advertisements unglegals@wcinet.com Circulation ungcirculation@wcinet.com News Kimberly Wethal newseditor@wcinet.com Sports Mark Nesbitt ungsportseditor@wcinet.com Business news Emilie Heidemann ungbusiness@wcinet.com Community news Emilie Heidemann communityreporter@wcinet.com Reporters Mackenzie Krumme, Neal Patten, Scott De Laruelle

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Your actions can reduce climate change

he past two years’ weather, locally and across the country, continues to convince previous skeptics that there might be something to the “climate change” talk. However, it’s not enough to believe the talk about climate change. We all need to do something about it. And there are many, many things each of us can do to help reduce climate change. “Reduce, reuse and recycle” does not just pertain to your garbage/ waste. Reduce your emissions by walking or biking more instead of taking a vehicle; carpooling; using a broom instead of a leaf blower; using a shovel for light snowfalls instead of a snowblower. You can also help lessen your impact (and further reduce emissions) by adjusting your use of energy at home, buying local, conserving water and consuming less. The best things about all of these actions is they all result in improved air quality, most of them save you money and they reduce your negative impact on climate change. Start by using window coverings to keep the house cooler in the summer, dressing in layers in the winter and adjusting your thermostat a degree or two when you’re home and more significantly when no one is home. You can also switch your most often used lights to LED lightbulbs. Buying locally produced products reduces the travel necessary

waste a shocking 30%-40% of food. In short, and in this order, reduce your waste, reuse or repurpose items and then recycle. Other things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint: Add for shipping and supports the local more insulation in your ceiling and economy. If you shop online, resist around your windows and doors; the urge for immediate gratification buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle; and combine purchases for fewer add solar or invest in a solar farm. deliveries. The list goes on. These are just a Conserving water will also save few of the relatively easy ways you energy and thereby reduced emiscan help reduce climate change. sions because electricity, primarily You don’t need to all of these, coal-generated, is used to pump either. Anything and everything water to your house. you do will make a difference. Ways to conserve water include taking shorter showers and/or few- Start with the easiest things for er showers; using low-flow toilets; you, then challenge yourself and your family to do more. Take using a rain barrel to water your advantage of extra time at home gardens; and resist watering your during the pandemic to get started. grass. Awhile back, the author of a letInstead of watering your grass, ter-to-the editor of a local paper you can let it go dormant in dry months. As long as it’s well estab- claimed the actions of climate change believers are no different lished and soil temperatures don’t exceed 85 degrees, your grass will from climate change deniers. I couldn’t disagree more. green up again when rain returns. Climate change believers work Then, think about your consumpon reducing their carbon foottion. Consider whether you really need the latest and greatest device. print by doing the simple things If you must replace your gadget, mentioned above. Climate change donate it if it’s still usable, or e-cy- deniers do not. You can either help the climate cle it if it isn’t. Donate used, but by reducing your impact, or you still wearable, clothing. Purchase can contribute to climate change by smarter. continuing past behaviors. Which To paraphrase John Welch, one do you choose? Director of Dane County Landfill, think about what you’re buying and Diane Streck is a member of Fitchburg’s Resource Conservation how it’s packaged. Don’t buy more groceries than you need. Americans Commission.

ConnectFitchburg.com

August 14, 2020

Fitchburg Star

Car thefts, stolen vehicles on the rise Police Department responds to spike of incidents every summer NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group

Police squads lined up outside of the police station. County. He said it’s safe to say at least one group of young people engage in these activities somewhere in the county every night. Fo o t a g e p r ov i d e d b y homeowners has led police to believe that most of the thefts were committed by juveniles in an already stolen vehicle. “Groups of kids make i t t h r o u g h a n e i g h b o rhood in fairly short order,” Hartwick said.

Changing motives

Hartwick said one of the trends the department has seen with thefts is an evolution from what he called “car shopping, or entertainment.” He said that prior to the trend, thefts from cars u s u a l l y i nvo l ve d i t e m s such as GPS systems, cigarettes and loose change. Now, in many of the incidents, police are seeing keys or fobs left inside the automobile, allowing for it to be stolen, as well as garage door openers. “Generally speaking, t h e r e ’s b e e n a s h i f t i n motive as to why theft from auto cases are occurring,” Hartwick said. “The goal now is to find garage keys or door openers.” This has led to an increase in two related c r i m e s : Ve h i c l e s b e i n g stolen and burglaries from homes. There were 20 incidents of entry into a garage or home resulting in burglary f r o m a r e s i d e n c e ove r May-July in 2018, 18 incidents during that time in 2019, and 23 incidents for that quarter as of noon on July 24. From May-July, there were 16 stolen vehicles in 2018, 18 during that time in 2019 and 19 in 2020 as of July 24.

Tina’s Home

Hartwick said that the primary driver of entering residences is to steal cars, and those stolen cars are not always recovered and are sometimes found with damage. “If they’re able to get access to your home, it’s to get keys – not wallets,” he said. “One point easy to overlook is the presence of a garage door opener left in a car. I understand the convenience, but it’s a double whammy if you leave your car unlocked and leave the opener inside.”

Communal prevention

One other trend has made the job of law enforcement more difficult: Unreported thefts from vehicles. Hartwick said after a reported incident of theft, o ffi c e r s w i l l c a nva s a neighborhood to interview other residents, and often learn of related incidents after the fact. “It’s important to notify us,” he said. “People see their car was gone through, but don’t contact us. We’d rather find out about it at the time.” Hartwick said being aware of incidents allows the department to put them on a radius on a map, which is helpful to drive a couple things – knowing where to allocate resources, and knowing where officers should spend time and focus prevention

efforts. “It’s a two-way street, we try to get the word out, but also get info back from the community, like footage or seeing a car that’s been gone through,” Hartwick said. He encourages “active and thoughtful crime prevention” such as developing a nightly bedtime routine of making sure car doors are locked and garage doors are d ow n . T h e d e p a r t m e n t also responds with extra patrol, and if time permits, attempting to alert residents to open garage doors. Hartwick said one of the department’s prevention tools has been advocating for neighbors to look out for each other too, and know how to get a hold of each other. He said while one household may be efficient about closing a garage door, if a neighbor is not good about it – it puts a whole neighborhood at risk and perpetrators are finding several homes to target at once. “It’s alarming and concerning on many fronts, but one positive is people can take an ownership role and do their best,” he said. “Anything to make those thefts more difficult is super effective.” Neal Patten can be contacted at neal.patten@ wcinet.com.

Census takers start locally Aug. 11 MACKENZIE KRUMME Unified Newspaper Group

The 2020 Census is still taking place and Fitchburg is taking part in high numbers. That is evidenced in how 74.3%% of Fitchburg people have responded to the 2020 Census as of Monday, Aug. 10, according to the United States Census Bureau. Efforts to collect the remaining answers are expected to start Aug. 11. The Fitchburg statistic is comparable to a response rate of 80.3% in Stoughton, 72.8% in Madison, 80.2%% in Middleton, 83.2% in Verona and 84.5% in Oregon. Dane County had an overall rate of 75.6%, as compared to the statewide rate of 69.8%. The census is collected every 10 years with the goal of counting

everyone who lives in the U.S. The information collected by the census is used to redraw legislative districts based on population and determine the number of seats each state holds in the House of Representatives. It informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually and influences programs including highway planning, grants for buses, Head Start programs and planning and funding for Medicaid, according to the bureau’s website. Census takers are hired from local communities and are expected to wear masks while collecting, the website states. Anyone who has not responded yet can visit my2020census.gov to complete forms online, call (844) 330-2020 or complete and return forms sent through the mail. - Renee Hickman’s reporting contributed to this story

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“It’s a two-way street, we try to get the word out, but also get info back from the community, like footage or seeing a car that’s been gone through.”

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T h e f t s f r o m ve h i c l e s have risen sharply in Fitchburg this summer, according to a June 27 news release from the Fitchburg Police Department. It’s a continuation of a trend that began three years ago, Lt. Edward Hartwick said. The thefts have risen steadily since then. There were 22 thefts from automobiles over the months of May to July in 2018, and 46 thefts during that threemonth period in 2019. As of noon on Friday, July 24, there had been 58 thefts since the beginning of May this year. “In kind of broad strokes, what we are seeing is a continuation of a trend that started Labor Day 2017,” he told the Star on July 24. Last month, the department recorded its largest number of thefts from vehicles during a single summer month yet, with 27 incidents in June. Hartwick said the department typically sees an uptick in thefts from vehicles during the summer because nicer weather and increased travel prompts people to leave their vehicles outside more frequently. Hartwick added that not only are vehicles more likely to be unlocked during the summer months, but also garage doors are more likely to be open as people are more likely to be outside spending time in their yards. “It’s important that in the busyness of summer, preparing for returning to school, you be deliberate in crime prevention techniques so we don’t have to talk to you because your car was stolen,” he said. The spike in incidents has been spread across the city in areas including Schumann Drive, Placid Street, Triverton Pike Drive and the neighborhoods south of McKee Road and south of Lacy Road. The majority of incidents involve vehicles not being locked, with incidents typically occurring late at night or early morning. “One thing we are not seeing is cars broken into like breaking a window to steal a purse,” he said. Hartwick notes it’s not just a Fitchburg issue – it’s happening all over Dane

August 14, 2020

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Fitchburg Star

Bars, cafes, restaurants offering to-go, delivery, or dine-in Unified Newspaper Hours: 5-9 p.m. H o u r s : 1 1  a . m . t o Group has compiled a list- 9 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Saturdays, Hy-Vee Market Grille ing of restaurants still serv- 4-8:30 p.m. Sundays Available: Carryout ing Fitchburg throughout Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., the COVID-19 crisis. Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Monday-Saturday All listings are as of Tuesno-contact delivery day, Aug. 11. Jimmy John’s Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Please email ungbusiness@ Av a i l a b l e : P i c k u p , wcinet.com if you’d like to be Enrique’s Grill no-contact delivery added to this list or to make an Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Available: Carryout update to your listing. (Fish Hatchery); 10:30 a.m. to Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 9 p.m. (McKee) Barriques Available: Curbside pick- The Flying Hound Laredo’s Available: Carryout up, delivery, outdoor seating Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. no-contact delivery, dine-in Benvenuto’s Italian Grill Funk’s Pub Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Available: Carryout Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Hours: 3-8 p.m. Thurs- Liliana’s Restaurant curbside pickup, no-contact Available: Curbside pickday-Saturday delivery Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Glass Nickel Pizza Co. up, delivery Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. Available: Pickup, deliv- no-contact delivery to 10 p.m., Friday-SaturH o u r s : 1 0 : 3 0  a . m . t o day; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and ery, dine-in Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. FriChocolate Shoppe Ice day-Saturday Little Caesars Pizza Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Cream delivery Ava i l a b l e : C u r b s i d e , The Great Dane Pub Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. delivery, outdoor seating Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. delivery Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Curry In The Box

Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , curbside, delivery

Haveli Indian Restaurant Available: Carryout

delivery, dine-in Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday

Mod Pizza

Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , curbside, delivery Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Moo-Yah

Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , curbside, delivery H o u r s : 1 1  a . m . t o 10 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday

Monkeyshines Bar and Grill

Available: Curbside pickup, delivery Food hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Noodles And Company

Ava i l a b l e : C u r b s i d e , delivery, dine-in H o u r s : 1 0 : 3 0  a . m . t o 9 p.m., Monday-Sunday

Oasis Café

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Pancheros

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Tapatios

Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery, dine-in Hours: 4-8 p.m. Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , dine-in Thai Noodles Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery Panera Bread H o u r s : 1 0  a . m . t o Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; curbside, delivery, dine-in H o u r s : 6  a . m . t o 1-9 p.m., Sunday 7:30 p.m. Thirsty Goat Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Quivey’s Grove delivery Availability: Carryout Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. H o u r s : 1 1 : 3 0  a . m . t o 2:30 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Toppers Pizza Tuesday-Thursday and SatAvailable: Carryout, conurday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. tactless delivery Friday H o u r s : 1 0 : 3 0  a . m . t o Rolling Pin Bake Shop 1 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday, Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. curbside, dine-in Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Monday-Friday; 7:30 a.m. Yahara Bay Distillery to 2 p.m. Saturday Available: Curbside Starbucks Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Available: Drive-through Monday-Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Pancake Café

Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery, dine-in H o u r s : 6 : 3 0  a . m . t o Surya Cafe Me And Julio 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; Availability: Carryout, outdoor dining Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Closed:

Atomic Koi Cocktail Lounge Tuscany Grill

Blood drives set for Aug. 20, 25 EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

Christ Memorial Lutheran and Blackhawk churches will hold blood drives later this month through the American Red Cross. The Christ Memorial Lutheran blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at its 2833 Raritan Road location. The Blackhawk blood drive will occur from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at its 5935 Astor Drive.

If You Go What: Red Cross blood drive When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20; 12:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25 Where: Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 2833 Raritan Road; Blackhawk Church, 5935 Astor Drive Info: 1-800-733-2767

Photo submitted

Huntington’s Society holds “Hope Walk/Run” EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Wisconsin Chapter will host the “Madison Team Hope Walk/Run” next week. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Road. The “Hope Walk/Run” will include a walk and a timed 2K/5K run and “will align with (federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for events to help ensure the safety and health of our participants,” an email to the Star stated. Participants must wear masks, sign an HDAS COVID-19 Awareness Waiver, practice physical distancing and show up in 10-minute time slots for registration, with no more than 10 people at a time,

If You Go What: Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s “Hope Walk/Run” When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 Where: McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Road Info: 698-8171 according to a document detailing the event’s health guidelines. Volunteers will be behind plexiglass shields and there will be a “no cash handling” policy. For information, call 698-8171. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.

VERONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING (Section 120.08[1]) Notice is hereby given to the qualified electors of the Verona Area School District, Dane County, that the Annual Meeting for the transaction of business of said district will be held at the Administration Building, 700 North Main Street in Verona on the 17th day of August, 2020, immediately following the Budget Hearing, which begins at 6:00 p.m. This meeting shall be conducted as a virtual meeting due to COVID-19 pandemic. Board members may participate in the meeting from remote locations through the use of technology. Public may access the meeting via live stream video at: http://www.verona.k12.wi.us/about_vasd/board_of_education/board_meeting_webcasts Dated this 6th day of August, 2020. adno=172989 Carolyn Jahnke, Clerk Verona Area School District

Coming up Fitchburg Farmers Market

T h e F i t c h bu rg Fa r mers Market will continue through October from 3-6 p.m. Thursdays at the Agora Pavilion, 5500 E. Cheryl Pkwy. Visitors should follow guidelines outlined in the Forward Dane plan, including wearing masks while browsing the market. Staff strongly recommends pre-ordering for pickup. Wa l n u t a n d b a k e r y pre-orders must be submitted by 4 p.m. Wednesdays. For information, call 2772592.

Dollar Drumsticks

The senior center is holding a “Dollar Drumstick Drive By” from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 5510 Lacy Road. When driving up to pick up a treat, visitors will have

the option to purchase a cloth mask hand-made by Fitchburg Senior Center Friends members. A suggested donation of $5 will support senior center programming. For information, call 2704290.

‘I Love a Mystery’

The senior center’s “I Love a Mystery Book Club” will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 over Zoom. The group will discuss “The Chatham School A ffa i r ” b y T h o m a s H . Cook. For information, call 2704290.

REACH Book Club

The senior center REACH book club will resume its meetings at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 over Zoom.

The group will discuss “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead, according to the senior center newsletter. The book is a #1 New York Times bestseller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize. For information, call 2704290.

Aging Mastery Starter Kit

The senior center will hold an “Aging Mastery Start Kit” program starting 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, over Zoom. The program will inspire seniors to “take steps t ow a r d p o s i t iv e a g i n g across six dimensions,” the senior center newsletter states. The format is similar to a book club where advanced readings and homework are required. For information, call 2704290.

VERONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING (SECTION 65.90[4])

Notice is hereby given to the qualified electors of the Verona Area School District, Dane County, that the Budget Hearing will be held at the Administration Building, 700 North Main Street in Verona, on the 17th day of August, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., which is the time and place of the Annual District Meeting. This meeting shall be conducted as a virtual meeting due to COVID-19 pandemic. Board members may participate in the meeting from remote locations through the use of technology. Public may access the meeting via live stream video at: http://www.verona.k12.wi.us/about_vasd/board_of_education/board_meeting_webcasts Copies of the budget are available at the Administration Building, 700 North Main Street, Verona, Wisconsin. Dated this 6th day of August 2020. Carolyn Jahnke, Clerk Verona Area School District

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The Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Wisconsin Chapter will host the “Madison Team Hope Walk/Run” next week.

ConnectFitchburg.com

August 14, 2020

Fitchburg Star

Agora Art Fair still on … virtually Works can be viewed on website from Aug. 8-22 EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

Photos by Neal Patten

Nancy Bartlett, president of the Republican Women of Dane County, hands Sgt. Ryan Michels cookies and thin blue line flags to show support

Community group shows police appreciation Event organized by Republican Women of Dane County

The Agora Art Fair is still occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, but virtually. Even though staff canceled the in-person event, people can still participate in the month-long affair from Saturday, Aug. 8, through Saturday, Aug. 22. “This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make and it was not made lightly,” a June 10 art fair Facebook post reads about the in-person cancellation. “We are aware of the significant impact this will have on artists, businesses, service groups, tourism and the supportive community we live in.” According to the Facebook event, virtual visitors will be able to shop and connect with the Wisconsin artists who showcase their work at the online fair at agoraartfair.com. The types of art being displayed include ceramics, paintings, sculptures,

File photo by Samantha Christian

Olivia Kalscheur, 2, of Fitchburg, makes a treasure box in the Children’s Art Yard in 2019. jewelry, wood, glass, photography and other mediums, the Agora Art Fair website states. For information and to read about the individual artists, call 277-2592. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie. heidemann@wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.

If You Go What: Virtual Agora Art Fair When: Saturday, Aug. 8-22 Where: agoraartfair.com Info: 277-2592

NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group

Nancy Bartlett, president of the Republican Women of Dane County, organized a caravan to show support for police officers on Monday, July 13. The group began at the Ve r o n a p a r k a n d r i d e , streaming American flags and thin blue line flags out of vehicle windows as they rode to the Verona Police Department. Meanwhile, a group of community members with signs such as “Back the Blue,” “Police Matter,” and “Verona Supports Our Police” mingled with officers in the parking lot of the department while waiting for the caravan to arrive. While there was not a crowd to greet them at the Fitchburg Police Department, Bartlett, along with members and volunteers from the Republican Women of Dane County, met with Sgt. Ryan Michels. They provided Michels

A sign on a vehicle expresses support for the police.

On the Web To see more photos from the event, visit

connectverona.com with chips and cookies, thin blue line flags and handwritten notes of appreciation to pass along to Fitchburg officers. Bartlett said she plans to continue the caravans around the county to show gratitude for police amid impassioned conversations around the country about the role police should play in communities. Neal Patten can be contacted at neal.patten@wcinet. com.

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Sgt. Ryan Michels meets with a group of supporters.

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August 14, 2020

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Fitchburg Star

Fitchburg Police Department

Planting community seeds, teaching people to bloom Johnson-Crowder picks up trash, provides food, rides, supplies in Allied area NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group

File photo by Kimberly Wethal

Lt. Edward Hartwick is spearheading a Facebook spotlight series to highlight different aspects of the Fitchburg Police Department and how its staff responds to tense situations.

FPD starts Facebook spotlight series EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

Quite often, police officers are the first safety personnel to respond to incidents where mental health is a concern, Lt. Edward Hartwick told the Star. So as the Fitchburg Police Department has received more calls relating to mental health, Hartwick said there was a need to inform the public about how officers handle them. Since in-person events aren’t an option right now, he thought of another way. Hartwick started a Facebook spotlight series, which covers topics like de escalation, use of force, body cameras and other issues in the national sphere. Each post discusses an incident and factors in how evolving FPD policies, training, procedural changes and community service provider partnerships aid officers in their response to it. Hartwick said the series also keeps the department transparent and accountable, especially amid health, economic and social justice crises. He is set to post every

few weeks as time allows. “With a high volume of mental health related calls for service, a significant amount of work has been completed by members of our department to address (those) concerns,” the first June 22 series post reads. “This work has resulted in the recognition that while we are not trained mental health providers, we are often the first and sometimes only responders to those experiencing acute or long-term mental health issues.” Nearly 30% of sworn FPD personnel have completed a weeklong program in crisis intervention taught by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the post reads. Those who have completed that training are part of the department’s Crisis Intervention Team, one of 2,700 nationwide, according to the post. “We have long sought to share information on crime trends and crime p r e v e n t i o n ,” t h e p o s t reads. “As we look forward to further improvements and enhancements to our department and our service, we are also seeking more opportunities to listen and learn from those we serve.” Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@ wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.

See something wrong? The Fitchburg Star does not sweep errors under the rug. If you see something you know or even think is in error, please contact editor Jim Ferolie at 845-9559 or at fitchburgstar@wcinet.com so we can get it right.

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The Grow Where You’re Planted event on Saturday, July 18, provided Allied Drive neighborhood residents with free household items and a hot meal. household items, such as bath sets and There were seven bags of adult diatoiletries. The donations mostly came pers left over from the event, which from community members in Verona, she donated to a senior living facility. As Madison Metropolitan schools Fitchburg and Madison. Hy-Vee also will start virtually this coming semesdonated items. Rhea Schultz of Westminster ter, and VASD administrators have Church’s mission committee and the proposed distance learning, JohnPresbyterian Women of Westminster son-Crowder wants to next do somehelped organize some donated items thing to help parents mentally prepare. She says she knows it will be stresson behalf of the church. “You name it, we had it,” John- ful going back to school this year. She son-Crowder. plans to gather anyone with expeJohnson-Crowder said despite rain rience to talk to parents, and foster delaying the event by an hour, around community dialogue about how to 10 people were waiting for free goods support families and children navigatand food when it started and by the ing virtual schooling. The event will be called “We Are end about 50 to 60 people stopped by Parents,” but further details are still for assistance. She cooked two big pans of spa- being worked out. ghetti, in addition to brats and hot Johnson-Crowder said she doesn’t dogs to feed attendees. know what she’ll be giving out to the Johnson-Crowder designed a flyer community at the event quite yet, and for the event, which she handed out to said she will have to meditate on it. whomever she saw on her walks. She “My goal is to spread love any way and her children went around putting possible and to bring communities them inside the mailboxes of neigh- together,” she said. “I’m not working bors, as well. right now, so anywhere I can help you “These are our streets, neighbor- bloom, I want to help.” hoods and communities. Let’s show Neal Patten, community relporter, can our communities some love and help be contacted at neal.patten@wcinet. each other bloom,” the flyer read. com.

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Posts meant to keep public informed, Hartwick says

One woman is spending her free time this summer planting seeds – but in her community, not in a garden. Monique Johnson-Crowder is an education assistant at Verona Area School District’s Core Knowledge Charter School who lives in the Allied/Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood on Fitchburg’s northwest side. Originally she planned to work over the summer at a pharmacy, but keeping the health and safety of her nine kids in mind, she decided to take the summer off. Johnson-Crowder has a volunteer’s spirit, picking up trash three times a week in the neighborhood. She also delivers meals to her community through the Feed it Forward initiative once a week and provides free cab rides a couple of times a month when financially able One day she was just walking down the street – Johnson-Crowder said she likes to walk an hour around her neighborhood every day – when she noticed in the window of one house a big blanket being used as a curtain. That got her thinking about people in need at the moment, in the wake of unprecedented unemployment across the country resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s when she decided to host an event called “Bloom Where You’re Planted: Prune Away All That Stops You From Blooming.” The event, held on Saturday, July 18, at Belmar Hills Park, was a way to provide community members with free household items and a hot meal, while bringing people together. “The event was to teach you to bloom wherever you are, to show people you can bloom through any circumstances,” Johnson-Crowder said. Johnson-Crowder gathered donated

ConnectFitchburg.com

August 14, 2020

Goal is to save lives NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group

Photo submitted

An aerial drone shot of Lake Barney depicts how water overflow affected the Rotary Bike Trail in 2018. That situation has gotten worse in 2019, and doesn’t look like its going to get any better without intervention.

Lake Barney groundwater wells approved by alders Unified Newspaper Group

The City of Fitchburg is one step closer to understanding how groundwater levels contribute to significant flooding near its southern border. At their Tuesday, July 28, meeting, city alders unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the state Department of Corrections to place two groundwater monitoring wheels near Lake Barney on its land. The wells were recommended by St. Paul-based consultant Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc. to collect data and find solutions to mitigate Lake Barney flooding. Lake Barney, which sits near the top of the Badfish Creek Watershed, grew from the 32-acre body it was 33 years ago to around 800 acres during times of heavy rains, which has continued to cause problems for Fitchburg and Oregon residents. In addition to the individual costs to keep the water at bay, the glacial kettle has also put

City of Fitchburg Common Council postponed any commitment to continue a future partnership with Metro Transit after an hour-long discussion. Ald. Gabriella Gerhardt (Dist. 2) had proposed a resetting for the relationship between the city and the bus service, but Gerhardt said she didn’t want it to mean that it would lock them into a future partnership. Alders and administrator Patrick Marsh were hesitant because of an unexpected increase in the bill for 2019 of

pressure on the water table, causing fields to flood and drowning out the roots of trees that predate the Revolutionary War. Downstream, in the Village of Oregon, flooding has caused Netherwood Road to close down multiple times in the last two-and-a-half years, causing stormwater issues for people living around Lerner Park. The first well would be placed on the eastern side of the lake, and the second would be placed near the border for the city and the town, according to a map in the committee packet. Those wells would need to be placed on land owned by the state Department of Corrections south of County Hwy. M, according to documents provided by the city, and require a land use agreement between the two entities to move forward. The city is also working on finding solutions with the Town of Verona for Goose Lake, which has caused multiple instances of flooding in the past 20 years that have required the closure of Fitchrona Road.

$85,000 more than what the city had been told it was going to be charged. The council came to an agreement to invite the Madison Metro’s new director to a future meeting to discuss future partnerships and to keep an open mind on other alternatives for providing public transportation.

Workforce housing approved The Common Council approved changes to a workforce housing development near Target and Hy-Vee. J.T. Klein, the developer for Limestone Apartments project at Fitchrona Road and

Limestone Lane, on the city’s west side, had asked the council to allow reducing the number of apartment buildings to one and fewer total units. The new plan would have 116 apartments, with all of the apartments available for rent at an affordable market rate, rather than 135 total. The county deems affordable market rates as between 30-80% of the market rate for apartments, and tenants usually need to make less than a certain amount of income based on the number of adults living there to qualify. That qualification is often based off of the average Dane County income.

City of Fitchburg police are investigating an incident involving an unknown man attacking a woman while running on the Capital City Trail Wednesday, Aug. 5. The attacker is still at large, as of Friday, Aug. 7, according to a FP news release. To aid the investigation, the department has released a sketch of the person. Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, officers responded to a call for help from a 27 year old woman who was attacked along the trail between Yarmouth Greenway and Caddis Bend, a department news release reads. The woman told officers a man asked her for money, then grabbed her. The woman was able to break free and

call 911, and was transported to the hospital for minor injuries, according to the release. The woman told police once she broke free, she saw the attacker flee into the wooded area near the trail. Officers set-up a perimeter and searched for the man with a K9 unit but were unable to locate him. In addition to releasing a sketch, officers have also published a description for the man. The attacker is described as a Black male with a thin build, approximately 5’7” to 6’. He was possibly wearing a blue t-shirt and black sweatpants. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Fitchburg Police Department by calling the tip line at 270-4321, texting “Fitchburg” and information to 847411 or calling Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.

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For most drivers and passengers in vehicles, getting from point A to point B in Wisconsin is a safe experience, but for around 200 people a year, road trips turn fatal as a result of drunk driving. That number comes from a news release put out by the Fitchburg Police Department, announcing the annual “Drive Sober Get Pulled Over” campaign, which runs Friday, Aug. 21 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. Fitchburg police officers will be joining law enforcement agencies across the state in the campaign, with a goal of getting drunk

or drugged drivers off the roads before they injure or kill themselves or other civilians. In addition to 200 deaths, almost 3,000 injuries result from an average of over 5,000 alcohol related crashes per year, the release states. While drunk driving fatalities have fallen nationally over the last 30 years, according to the release, drunk driving still accounts for a significant portion of total vehicle crash injuries and fatalities. The release states that law enforcement officers have also seen an increase in drugged driving, or operating a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance. Drunk or drugged driving convictions can lead to fines, loss of drivers’ licenses and jail time, according to the news release. Neal Patten can be contacted at neal.patten@wcinet.com.

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Fitchburg Star

Sports

Friday, August 14, 2020

The

Fitchburg Star For more sports coverage, visit: ConnectFitchburg.com

Mark Nesbitt, sports editor 845-9559 x237 • ungsportseditor@wcinet.com Fax: 845-9550

Prep sports

WIAA Board of Control offers clarity Big Eight, Badger Conferences cancel fall sports competition MARK NESBITT Sports editor

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association pushed forward with starting fall sports, but with the stipulation that “higher risk” and “lower risk” sports will be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During a special business meeting conducted virtually Thursday, July 23, the WIAA Board of Control approved a plan for the 2020-21 school year to start girls golf, girls tennis, girls swimming and diving and boys and girls cross country – sports deemed “lower risk” on Aug. 17. The “higher risk” sports of football, boys soccer and boys and girls volleyball can start Sept. 7. “The WIAA had a difficult decision to make, and I think that they did the best that they could in deciding with the cards that were on the table,” Verona athletic director Joel Zimba wrote in an email to the Star. “Their decision takes into account the varying impact of the virus from county to county.” The motion to move forward with fall sports was approved 8-3, and also included language that would provide schools and conferences that cannot play in the fall potential opportunities to play in the spring. The WIAA will work to develop spring options for

Photo by Mark Nesbitt

Photo by Adam Feiner

Oregon’s Ryan McCorkle (left) sacks Edgewood quarterback Logan Ritchie Verona’s Abby Wampfler (left) races Madison West’s Kate Aman-Lavicky to during the Panthers’ 35-0 victory last September. Badger Conference schools the finish line at last year’s Verona Invitational. Big Eight Conference schools will not play any league competitions this fall. will not play any league competitions this fall. those schools that cancel fall sports. The decision by the state’s high school sports governing body came two days after athletic directors from the Big Eight Conference voted unanimously to cancel league competitions and would not crown conference champions, and a week after Badger Conference athletic directors decided to do the same. “We must ensure that the athletic model aligns with that of academics, whether it be virtual, blended, or in-person instruction,” Zimba said. “For example, if we go the direction of virtual education, the proposed plan to move fall sports to the spring would be a viable option. Once again, what is the best choice for one district may not be for another, even within the Big Eight Conference. We must acknowledge and respect these differences.”

“The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and communities is our top priority,” Oregon athletic director Mike Carr said. “We understand that this is frustrating and disappointing news for all involved. We know that co-curriculars play an important role in the lives of our students. We will continue to rely on the guidance of our educational partners, including the WIAA, the Badger Conference and local and state health officials in determining when it is safe to resume athletic activities.” Carr said the district is planning to offer fall sports during the spring semester, pending WIAA details and guidance from local health officials. The Star obtained a press release sent out by the Badger Conference athletic directors, which gave insight into the fall sports decision. Complicating matters is

the fact that the conference’s 16 schools are spread out across seven counties. Seven schools in the conference are in Dane County. “This means that plans will vary in different parts of the conference and state, depending on how the virus is spreading in the local area and the guidance from county health departments,” the statement said. “Since all member schools are not able to participate fully in conference contests during the current fall season dates as scheduled, Badger Conference competitions will not be held and conference champions will not be named.” Eight of the 10 Big Eight Conference members are located in Dane County, which is still in a modified version of Phase 2 of the Forward Dane reopening plan. Most sporting events are still prohibited in the county. Indoor gatherings are limited

to 10 people or less and outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 or less. Schools in the Badger Conference have the option to play nonconference competitions as long as they follow guidelines laid out by local public county health departments and the WIAA. The WIAA also outlined the earliest dates for competition in each fall sport – girls golf (Aug. 20), girls tennis (Aug. 21), boys and girls cross country and girls swimming (Aug. 25), boys soccer and boys and girls volleyball (Sept. 15) and football (Sept. 23 if the first practice is conducted on Sept. 7). An amendment to move up the start date for “higher risk” sports – which would have been Aug. 24 – failed by a 9-2 vote. The end of the fall sports seasons remained unchanged, but the Board indicated sports may or may

not culminate with traditional state tournament series. In addition, the winter and spring season calendars were not altered. A proposal by administrators from the southwest part of the state – including Platteville, Black Hawk and Darlington – called on the WIAA to move fall sports to spring 2021 and spring sports to the summer. Fall sports would have started in March and concluded in late May, and spring sports would have started in late May and wrapped up in July. The “Southwest Plan” is still under consideration, though some administrators objected because of a possible shortage of coaches, officials, facilities, fields and courts. Administrators also noted some senior athletes may not choose to play for their high school, AAU or club teams in the summer after they graduate.

Prep sports

Thank you, but Show-Me a new adventure ADAM FEINER For Unified Newspaper Group

Effective communication and the ability to develop positive relationships have led to an enjoyable 13 months at Unified Newspaper Group. Now, I’m looking forward to taking those qualities with me to a new environment in a new city. Thursday, Aug. 6, was my last day as UNG’s sports editor. This fall, I will be an eighth grade writing teacher at Lewis & Clark Middle School in Jefferson City, Missouri. The primary reason for my moving is the opportunity to live with my girlfriend Emily, who works in Jefferson City as the Missouri Chief Capitol Bureau Reporter for eight TV stations across the Show-Me State. We’ve had a long-distance relationship for almost four years now and are excited to live together on the south edge of Columbia – home to the University of Missouri. While I’m nervous to start my new profession, the challenge of getting eighth graders ready to write in high school and beyond is very exciting. It will be a joy imparting the lessons I’ve learned as a journalist onto the next generation of writers. All of this doesn’t mean I won’t miss

Madison and its surrounding communities. It’s been an honor to tell the stories of student-athletes from Verona, Oregon, Stoughton, Madison West and Madison Edgewood. I really enjoyed the opportunity to cover girls golf, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls hockey, individual wrestling and team wrestling at the state tournament level. Assistant sports editor Mark Nesbitt and I were looking forward to covering the Oregon girls basketball team at the Division 2 state tournament, but COVID-19 had other ideas. It was also a pleasure to take in a handful of Home Talent baseball games last summer. My family and I watched our cousins play for Sun Prairie back in the day, so the chance to cover games brought back lots of good memories. Many thank you’s are in order – first to my colleagues at UNG. All of you have been wonderful to work with and be around. The communities we serve are incredibly fortunate to have you telling their stories. To Mark Nesbitt, thank you for being an absolute joy to work alongside. I always viewed us as equals – sports editors – no matter the difference in our titles. I’m so proud of the work we’ve done the last 13 months. To my boss, Jim Ferolie, thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead this department. You gave me the keys to the car, but

were always there when I needed guidance. You were patient when I got upset and receptive to my new ideas, which I appreciate more than you know. The leadership qualities you fostered will go to good use. Thanks to the athletic directors I worked with – Verona’s Joel Zimba, Oregon’s Mike Carr, Stoughton’s Mel Dow, Edgewood’s Chris Zwettler and West’s Alicia Pelton. You made my job so much easier thanks to open and honest communication. It’s been amazing to watch you all work so selflessly for the benefit of your student-athletes, especially during this difficult time. Finally, thank you to the coaches and athletes I had the opportunity to cover and interview. Your success made work not feel like work. So I’m getting out of the journalism business on a full-time basis, but not entirely. I’ll be freelancing for UNG from afar, as well as covering local high school sports for the Columbia Daily Tribune and Jefferson City News Tribune. I’d like to leave you with two pieces of advice. First, support your local student-athletes in-person (when local health guidelines allow you to do so). I went to a high school with 100 kids and we had better attendance at football and basketball games than

Photo by Adam Feiner

Adam Feiner is looking forward to living in Columbia, Missouri with his girlfriend Emily and their dog Marlee.

Verona (2020-21 enrollment of 1,668), Oregon (1,161), Stoughton (978), Madison West (2,213) and Edgewood (485). All of these schools have great programs that deserve great backing. Finally, if you subscribe to one or more of our publications, thank you for supporting quality journalism. If you have friends or family that don’t subscribe, please encourage them to do so. All of UNG’s work is essential to the communities we serve.

ConnectFitchburg.com

August 14, 2020

Girls hockey

Fitchburg Star

Football

Anderson takes over reins for Metro Lynx MARK NESBITT Sports editor

N ew M a d i s o n M e t r o Lynx girls hockey head coach Kathryn Anderson won’t need to stick masking tape on helmets to learn the names of players. After serving as an assistant coach for the Middleton co-op for the past four years, the 2013 Madison Edgewood High School graduate is taking on a program she starred for seven years ago. Anderson has been a fixture in the Metro Lynx program since its inception, playing four years before moving on to play hockey at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. “I’m definitely not starting from scratch,” she said. “I’m super honored to lead the girls. They did some amazing things last year that have never been done before. Once I finished in college, I always thought I would come back as a coach. I’m proud to do it. I fulfilled that a lot quicker than I thought.” Anderson replaces Mike McKersie, who served as the coach of the Metro Lynx the past two years and led them to the WIAA state tournament last year for the first time in the history of the program. The Metro Lynx finished as the state runner-up, losing the championship game to the Appleton Xavier co-op 5-3. The girls hockey co-op consisted of Verona, Madison West, Madison Edgewood, Madison Memorial and Middleton last year. The Metro Lynx (21-3) reached the title game by rolling past the Beloit co-op, the Rock County Fury, 5-2 in a state semifinal. The Metro Lynx tied the Rock County Fury and the

Photo by Mark Nesbitt

Verona running back Jackson Acker dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Middleton last fall. The University of Wisconsin commit was recently named to the watch list for the 2020 Sports Illustrated All-American team.

Acker named to SI All-American watch list ADAM FEINER For Unified Newspaper Group Photo submitted

Kathryn Anderson, a 2013 Madison Edgewood High School graduate, was named the new Madison Metro Lynx girls hockey coach recently. She is with assistant coach Chris Anderson after the Metro Lynx won a sectional championship to advance to the WIAA state tournament last year. The Lynx finished as the state runner-up in their first trip to state. Sun Prairie co-op for the Badger Conference championship last season with 10-2 marks. The Lynx will bring back 27 players from its state team, including second-team Badger All-Conference sophomore defender Grace Bonnell (Madison Memorial) and honorable mention all-conference Verona junior forward Rachel Mirwald, who was seventh in scoring points in the conference (34 points with eight goals and 26 assists). Madison West Athletic Director Alicia Pelton said the school took over supervision, hiring, paying and evaluation of the girls hockey program to help distribute responsibilities of the co-op. The teams expected to be

a seven-school co-op this season, with Dodgville and Mount Horeb joining the team. With the Badger and Big Eight Conferences canceling fall sports competitions because of the COVID-19 crisis, many school districts are looking to move fall sports to the spring. The first sports to begin in the 2020-21 school year may be winter sports like girls hockey. Anderson is excited to get started with her new group. “I feel like I can relate to them better than maybe some other coaches,” she said. “That’s because I have been in their shoes. Being a student-athlete is a challenge. I know what they are going through balancing everything.”

Verona senior Jackson Acker was one of seven high school football players from the state of Wisconsin on the watch list for the 2020 Sports Illustrated All-American team, SI.com announced July 14. The Wildcats running back joined Eau Claire Memorial running back Loyal Crawford, Grafton offensive tackle J.P. Benzschawel, Homestead defensive end Ayo Adebogun, Muskego safety Hunter Wohler, Mukwonago tight end Garrett Gillette and Wauwatosa East offensive tackle Marcus Mbow on the list. Acker, Adebogun, Benzschawel, Crawford and Wohler have verbally committed to the University of Wisconsin. Gillete and Mbow are verbally committed to Arizona State. Acker committed to the Badgers in June 2019, soon after placing second in the discus and ninth in the shot put at the Division 1 state track and field meet. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder

followed that up with 929 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in eight games as a junior. He is a three-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals and 247sports. Sports Illustrated will narrow the watch list candidates from 1,000 to 250 in October, 99 in November and then announce a first team of 25, second team of 25 and an honorable mention group in December. The first-team honorees will be invited to the SI Sportsperson of the Year banquet in New York City. SI All-American’s website provided scouting analysis on each member of the watch list. Here is the site’s breakdown of Acker:

Frame

Tall, with broad shoulders and thick waist. Relatively-developed lower, tightly-wound legs. Impressive trunk. Plenty of room for additional mass and muscle.

Athleticism

Good long speed for power back. Posted 4.63 40-yard dash at Wisconsin’s camp as sophomore, prompting scholarship offer shortly thereafter. Above-average

play strength. Lacks initial burst. Good feet, but doesn’t pop in and out of cuts.

Instincts

Physical. Runs with consistent forward lean, though occasionally loses base. Keeps two hands on the ball in traffic. Struggles to turn the corner, routinely being forced back inside. Good vision between the tackles.

Polish

Clean footwork and technique at exchange. Can sometimes exercise too much patience behind LOS (line of scrimmage); at his best getting vertical after one cut. Pass-catching and blocking ability largely unknown, but has tools to be effective.

Bottom Line

Acker is a big, powerful back who will reach his peak with additional weight. Lacks versatility as a runner, which is why development as a pass-catcher looms so large to the degree of his effectiveness at the next level. Should be a key part of a backfield committee for Wisconsin at worst, and has three-down upside.

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Swimming

Racing to the next level Nelson to begin pro career after earning Big Ten Medal of Honor ADAM FEINER For Unified Newspaper Group

Most collegiate swimmers’ careers end at their respective institutions, whether they want it to or not. Throughout her prep and college career, Beata Nelson has proven she is not like most swimmers. The 2016 Verona Area High School graduate and former Wisconsin standout will begin her professional swimming career this fall in the International Swimming League. The club Nelson signed with has not announced its roster yet, and she is not even allowed to tell family and friends which club she signed with. She does know it will be one of the four U.S. clubs in the Americas Conference — New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Washington D.C. Toronto is also part of the Americas Conference. The European-Asian Conference is composed of teams in London, Paris, Budapest, Rome and Tokyo. “It was similar to the college recruiting process where coaches reach out and offer spots on their team,” Nelson said. “Once the NCAA’s were canceled, the offers came flooding in. I talked with a lot of managers, coaches and athletes and finally came to a decision.” The ISL was established in 2019 and typically has its season split into a regular championship and a final meet. Clubs earn points from participating in matches and the four clubs with the highest number of points advance to the final.

Each club can have a maximum roster of 32 athletes. Twenty-eight are permitted to compete – 12 men and 12 women can swim individual races, while two men and two women can be used as “relay only” athletes. Meets are swam in short-course meters, not long-course meters. “That’s great for me because I’m a better short-course swimmer,” Nelson said. “It’s an opportunity for me to make some money, travel and race against some of the best international athletes that I wouldn’t see unless I made a senior national team.” The ISL is in the process of finalizing its “Solidarity Program” — a six-week stretch of training and competition from Oct. 14 to Nov. 17 with Australia’s Gold Coast likely to be the location. The league announced in April that it will pay all contracted athletes a guaranteed $1,500 a month from Sept. 1 to July 1, 2021 with $11 million set aside to cover wages, bonuses, ambassador payments and prize money in the condensed season. The payments will extend through the rescheduled date of June 13, 2021 for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. The trials were originally scheduled to take place last month, but the International Olympic Committee postponed the Tokyo Summer Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nelson said she still has the goal of representing the U.S. at the Games, which the IOC rescheduled for July 23-Aug. 8, 2021.

UW career capped in style

The NCAA announced March 1 2 t h a t a l l r e m a i n i n g w i nter and spring championships were canceled because of the pandemic, six days before the women’s swimming national

Photo courtesy Wisconsin Athletics

Wisconsin’s Beata Nelson swims to one of three individual national titles at the 2019 NCAA Division I National Championships. The 2016 Verona Area High School grad had her 2020 season with the Badgers cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is planning to begin her professional career in the International Swimming League. championships were scheduled to begin. Nelson was the reigning NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year after winning three individual national titles in 2019 and had her sights set on more hardware as a senior. The former Verona star won four titles and six total medals at the 2020 Big Ten Championships, making her a nine-time conference champion. She qualified for the national championships in the 200-yard individual medley, 100 backstroke, 200 back, 400 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay. Despite her collegiate career coming to an abrupt end, Nelson was a seven-time All-American

and six-time honorable mention All-American. She was one of 33 national semifinalists for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award, given annually to the nation’s best amateur athlete. In May, Nelson and men’s track and field athlete Zach Lorbeck were Wisconsin’s Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients for the 201920 school year. The conference’s most prestigious award honors those who excel academically and athletically. “Over the years, I’ve watched UW athletes I looked up to win the award,” Nelson said. “It’s really cool because I’m proud to have competed in the Big Ten. I

know I’m biased, but I believe it’s the best conference in the country.” Nelson finished with a 3.7 cumulative grade-point average and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. The 4.0 GPA she posted in her final semester helped Wisconsin’s women’s swimming and diving team finish the spring semester with a 3.66 team GPA. Nelson was an Academic AllBig Ten honoree in her final three years in Madison. She also served as the Vice President of Wisconsin’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a senior.

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August 14, 2020

Youth softball

Fitchburg Star

Prep sports

Indoor track at new VAHS may not include future meets Fieldhouse facility includes 160-meter track, pole vault, high jump pits and sand pit MARK NESBITT Sports editor

Photo submitted

Verona Fastpitch Club’s 10U team won all five of its games en route to first place at the Hartford Velocity Hometown Throwdown Tournament.

VFC 10U blasts way to title ADAM FEINER For Unified Newspaper Group

Verona Fastpitch Club’s 10U team dominated the competition at the Hartford Velocity Hometown Throwdown Tournament. VFC went 5-0, led by co-tournament MVP’s Malorie Miller and Addison Quackenboss. Both players hit out-of-the-park home runs. In the championship game, the Wildcats no-hit the tournament hosts and won 17-0 in 2 1/2 innings

on Sunday, July 19. VFC won both of its pool play games, including a 10-2 victory over Janesville Cyclones Gray. After winning their quarterfinal game, the Wildcats used a five-run fourth inning to beat the Thundercats 12-1 in the semifinals. All of the games were played at Peace Ball Diamond in Hartford. VFC will host tryouts for its 10U, 12U and 14U teams on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 9, at Hometown USA Community Park.

The new Verona Area High School will be one of a select few in the state to have an indoor track, but initial plans to host meets have been met by hurdles, as for now, the facility will be used just for practice. The fieldhouse for the new indoor 160-meter multi-purpose urethane track, complete with pole vault and high jump pits, is a key part of the Verona Area School District’s $182 million referendum in April 2017 to build a new high school. It was the largest referendum in state history at the time. Verona boys track coach Joff Pedretti said the initial vision was a 200-meter track that could host meets, with the potential to bring in a gross profit of $10,000 or more each weekend. However, he said the challenge in hosting indoor meets is the new flooring isn’t surfaced for track spikes, so athletes would have to run in flat training shoes instead of competition spikes. Also, because of the reduced size of the track, the curves are at a much tighter angle, making it harder for runners to maintain control at faster speeds. He said a “combination of the two” raised his concerns about the safety of athletes in a competitive environment. “For this reason, I now envision the facility as a place where we can practice

and get ready for meets when it isn’t possible to be on the outdoor track,” Pedretti said. VAHS athletic director Joel Zimba said hosting events at the new track is something that can be explored “down the road,” however. He said the biggest advantage of having the indoor track is it offers protection from the unpredictable weather in Wisconsin. “As of now, the fieldhouse will be used for practices whenever the need arises,” Zimba said. A typical indoor track is 200-meters, one-half the size of an outdoor track. The new indoor track at the fieldhouse is 20% smaller. District superintendent Dean Gorrell said the track was 200 meters in one of the early iterations of the design of the fieldhouse, but was pared to 160 to reduce costs. He said it was one of several proposed items throughout the school that were “scaled down or eliminated.” USA Track and Field and International Association of Athletics Federations, the governing body of track and field nationwide, both limit the length of spikes on indoor tracks to 6 mm. Gorrell said the surface of track is multipurpose so as to be compatible with the most number of uses like basketball and volleyball, which would be affected by spikes of any length. “An indoor track surface that would permit the use of spikes would have a considerable texture to it and create potential injury issues for other uses such as volleyball and basketball,” he said, noting the new fieldhouse surface

Photo by Kim Wethal

The fieldhouse inside the new Verona Area High School. The fieldhouse features a 160-meter indoor track, five basketball courts, four for practice and one for game play. There also is a pole vault pit, high jump pit and a sand pit for athetes to use for indoor track practices.

is the typical running/multi-sport surface used for similar high school tracks around the country. VAHS student-athletes will benefit from the new track, Pedretti said, with the ability to pole vault indoors, and a sand pit for long jumpers and triple jumpers to practice landing safely inside during poor weather. “Only a handful of schools in the area have this ability, so that is a big plus,” he said. “By being able to start these events earlier in the season, it will not only help those athletes perform better, it will also help them compete in their events more safely.”

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Fitchburg Star

Celebrating 100 years, roaring 20s style Bob Barry honored with themed birthday party

his wife by his side on Tuesday, July 7. Barry was born on July 6, 1920. Dressed as newsboys, gangNEAL PATTEN sters and flappers, employees helped Barry’s neighbors and Unified Newspaper Group friends offer him socially-disEmployees and residents at The tanced birthday well-wishes, and Waterford at Fitchburg celebrated hand him birthday greeting cards Bob Barry’s 100th birthday with in a roving fashion.

1920s music played in the background while Waterford residents enjoyed glasses of champagne to toast Barry’s century of life. A photo booth provided residents with lasting memories of the event. Neal Patten can be contacted at neal.patten@wcinet.com.

Neal Patten/Unified Newspaper Group

Bob Barry, with his wife dressed as a flapper girl, look at a greeting card received for his 100th birthday during a party on Tuesday, July 7

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CHIROPRACTOR

A. Chiropractic addresses the health and integrity of your spinal column which provides for your mobility and also contains your communication system/nervous system. Without a properly Jill Unwin, Lee Unwin, working nervous system, your body cannot adapt to all of the DC, CCEP BCMT, CSCS stress and demands placed upon it on a daily basis. An optimum level of health is achieved with chiropractic care by restoring function to the nervous system and that is why conditions like asthma, sinus trouble, heartburn and many other health issues respond favorably while under care. Just like working out and eating right, incorporating a chiropractic wellness program into your lifestyle will lead you down the path to better health.

A. If you are missing a tooth, a dental implant can provide a permanent, naturallooking tooth that functions identically to your own teeth. In this procedure, an implant post in inserted into the patient’s jaw at the site of the missing tooth. After this surgical procedure, a temporary crown is placed on top of the implant post. Following several months of healing time, the temporary crown is removed, and a permanent crown is attached to the implant, replacing the missing tooth. Candidates for this procedure require adequate bone to support the implant post. They should also be non-smokers and have healthy gums. All of these factors are critical to optimal healing of the implant. If you are missing a tooth and interested in learning whether a dental implant is right for you, we are happy to meet with you and discuss your options.

Drs. Kate & John Schacherl, D.D.S.

102 N. Franklin Street • Verona, WI 53593 (608) 848-1800 • unwinchiropractic.com

(608) 845-6127

105 N. Main St., Verona • MainStreetDentists.com

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CREMATION SERVICES

Q. Do interest rates affect your mortgage?

Q. Is cremation the new normal? We are asked every day; can I buy this now just in case…the unexpected happens? A. Yes, absolutely. In this changing world we are currently living in, we have turned to direct cremation. We can help you make a simple, affordable & dignified decision in a difficult time. Call Jodi, your local representative. She can discuss options over the phone, via US mail, or by email. We will get through this difficult time together!

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Cremation Society

PHYSICAL THERAPY

A. An order for Physical Therapy from a licensed physician in the State of Wisconsin

drop off appointments were designed to minimize contact and the time spent directly next to each other between staff members and clients, while also allowing veterinary services to remain operational at this time. While it may be stressful to get your cat into a carrier, this is the safest, most practical option for everyone involved. The ideal drop off scenario involves you, the client, after being notified an employee is coming to get your pet, either specifying which car door to open to retrieve the carrier, or to be waiting outside your car, wearing a mask, with the patient in a carrier (for cats and small dogs) or on a leash. By having your pet out of the vehicle and safely restrained by a snug collar/ harness, or in a carrier, we limit the chance for free animals in cars to escape when the door is opened, and minimize safety hazards should your dog display territorial behaviors at the stranger in scrubs and a mask approaching your vehicle. Your clinic might have slightly different protocols in place, it is best to check with them before your next appointment. It may seem like an unnecessary number of hoops to jump through for a simple vet visit, but trust that these protocols are in place for the right reasons. They were set up with the health and safety of the public, your pet, and the employees at the veterinary clinic in mind. Your help and patience ensure we can all continue doing our best for your pet. Communication during this time is crucial, with these and other questions do not hesitate to call your local veterinarian!

1350 S. Fish Hatchery Road Oregon, WI 53575

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allows you to go to any clinic in Wisconsin that you desire for outpatient Physical Therapy treatment. A majority of the referrals from large hospital systems will list clinics associated with their system. This doesn’t prevent you from requesting a specific PT clinic. In fact, the doctor’s office should inform you that you are allowed to choose your Susan Armstrong, MPT place of service. Physical Therapy is a covered benefit for almost every insurance plan, so it is important to check this before beginning PT. If you need assistance with checking Physical Therapist if Stellar Rehabilitation is in your insurance’s network, a quick phone call to Stellar will allow our staff to check this information for you. Stellar Rehab offers personalized, hands-on, one-on-one care and utilizes a variety of techniques and modalities to achieve your goals. Stellar offers Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy services in Verona and Madison’s outpatient clinics and follows all Federal, State, and local COVID-19 guidelines. Contact us at 608-845-2100 or www.stellarrehab.com.

it stresses her out? Can’t she just be carried into the clinic in a staff member’s arms?

A. Unfortunately, the possibility for escape or potential injury to your cat or the staff member is too high, it is not a good idea. Curbside

(608) 835-0551

SENIOR CARE

REALTOR

Q. Is summer a difficult time for Elders? A. Summer’s hot weather can pose a threat to older people. As people age, their ability to regulate heat

Jim Rudolph President & CEO

becomes compromised, making them more prone to injury and illness from hot weather. A number of factors can increase elders’ susceptibility to hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature that can lead to heat stroke. Among these are decreased perspiration, dehydration, alcohol use, medications, poor blood circulation in the skin, and obesity (or anorexia). In elders, chronic conditions can substantially increase older adults’ risk to heat sensitivity. Elders who are managing heart disease with salt-restricted diets or medications that reduce sodium levels in the body, for example, are at a much higher risk for heat stress. Older adults with diabetes face additional problems with heat as well. High temperatures can cause dangerous imbalances in blood sugar levels so that the elder may experience either low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar. Elders with other medical problems, such as lung disease, kidney disease, or any other illness that causes general illness or fever. Dress in cool, lightweight clothing; take frequent breaks in cool, air-conditioned locations; drinking plenty of fluids and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks. Families and friends can help keep an eye on older adults during the summer months and assist if they notice the person is displaying symptoms of heat exhaustion. And, as always, check with your physician if you have any concerns or questions.

579 D’onofrio Dr., #10, Madison, WI 53719 (608) 218-4861 • www.comfortkeepers.com

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Q. Does a Buyer need a Realtor when purchasing a home?

Shawn Pfaff

A. Yes; a Buyer should have Buyer Agency contract with a Realtor when purchasing a home. This contract creates a legal responsibility between the Buyer and their Realtor. It allows the Buyer’s Realtor to work for the Buyer and not for the Seller - all while being paid by the Seller. Otherwise, by law, a Realtor communicating with a Buyer without a Buyer Agency contract is working on behalf of the Seller and NOT on behalf of the Buyer. As a Buyer’s agent, I can advise, write an offer and draft provisions, prepare an estimate of value for a property of interest and express a professional opinion of the property and negotiate on my Buyer’s behalf throughout the entire transaction.

Please contact me by visiting www.shawnpfaff.firstweber.com to learn more about how I can help you as your Fitchburg Buyer’s agent.

(608) 628-3275

2985 Triverton Pike Dr., Ste. 200, Fitchburg, WI 53711 pfaffs@firstweber.com • www.shawnpfaff.firstweber.com

If you would like to join our Ask the Professional Section, contact Donna Larson at 845-9559 to find out how!

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Therapy, but I can’t be seen by a PT for several weeks. How long would it take to be scheduled at Stellar Rehabilitation?

VETERINARIAN

Q. : With curbside drop off appointments being the norm for now, does my cat need to be in a carrier if

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Q. My doctor’s office told me that I have to go to one of their clinics for Physical

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117 King St. • Stoughton, WI 53589 608-873-6755 kathy.aiken@associatedbank.com

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Comprehensive Therapy Services 1049 N. Edge Trail • Prairie Oaks (608) 845-2100 • Verona, WI 53593 • www.stellarrehab.com

A. High interest rates bring higher monthly payments and increase the overall interest you’ll pay over the life of your loan. A low interest rate saves you money in both the short and long term. Of course, just like you can’t time the stock market, it’s nearly impossible to time your home purchase with the best interest rates. The past five years have held some of the most affordable interest rates ever. It may be hard to time your home purchase with the best interest rates, but there are things you can do to get a lower rate. For example, a benefit of the 15-year, fixed mortgage is that it has a lower interest rate than a 30-year, fixed mortgage. Sometimes a bigger down payment can also help you get a better interest rate.

To apply online, go to: associatedbank.com/kaiken

Jodi Johnston • 1-608-438-7437 email: jjohnston_4@charter.net www.cremationsocietyofmadison.com Affordable, Simple & Dignified

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Q. Is chiropractic beneficial for overall health or just neck and back pain?

Q. What exactly is a dental implant? And, who is a good candidate for one?

ConnectFitchburg.com

August 14, 2020

Market: CSA sales are up amid the pandemic

Fitchburg Star

Community: Addition of projects is not an attempt to reduce police funding, alder said Continued from page 1

in cup-sized portions for school children, processors switched over to just doing gallons that are bought at grocery stores. “Suddenly, in a matter of a week-anda-half, all those venues had closed,” he said. “Milk just backed up … the only thing to do was dump it. But in a matter of three weeks to a month, they got the milk going back to the stores.” And so, Dougherty said farmers were told to “dry some cows up” and sell them. That led to some reasonable prices on cows, he said. Now, Dougherty said the farm is “doing well,” as he sells his cheese curds and other specialties by travelling to county-area farmers markets and delivering to area restaurants and stores. Another farmer, Scott Laeser of Plowshares and Prairie Farm, said he also saw increased traffic at county farmers markets and a rise in community supported agriculture box sales. Laeser said his farm has seen an overall 10-15% increase in income since the pandemic began in March. The farm sells mainly produce and eggs, Laeser said, and staff worked to plant additional crops just to keep up with all the customer demand. Kyle Carcamo, farmer for Savory Accents, told the Star the business’s revenue is down by 30%, mainly due to not being able to provide samples. A large portion of Savory Accents’ money also comes from the Dane County Farmers Market, around Madison’s Capitol Square. That market usually brings thousands each weekend into downtown Madison, but Capitol police revoked its permit earlier this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Carcamo’s business sells pepper products, which market customers can typically sample while browsing. But since

“Suddenly, in a matter of a week-and-a-half, all those venues had closed. Milk just backed up … the only thing to do was dump it. But in a matter of three weeks to a month, they got the milk going back to the stores.” John Dougherty, Farmer Johns’ Cheese sampling poses a risk for spreading COVID-19, “it’s hard to get the word out” about flavors, Carcamo said. Savory Accents implemented online ordering and sells its products to two Fitchburg restaurants, including Lilana’s, Carcamo said. Kyle Thom, owner of Roots Down Community Farm, LLC, told the Star he also took his business online to remedy not being able to sell at the Dane County Farmers Market. Sales at farmers markets are down by 70%, Thom said, but his online CSA sales, which have increased 100%, make up for part of the loss. Like Savory Accents, Thom built a website to minimize contact and give customers the option to pay with a credit card. Customers can also pre-order goods to pick up at places like Fitchburg’s Thursday market. Thom said Roots Down also “diversified” by growing hemp for CBD oil and other products. The farm also sells to restaurants throughout Dane County. “We are working hard to get through (the pandemic) … trying to grow good food for people,” he said. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie. heidemann@wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.

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One of the community buildings that could be built south of Traceway Drive. changed repeatedly after each CIP process under three mayoral administrations. “We’re changing the department because we outgrew it,” he said. “This city has to think for the future, and this department cannot be built for the next five years.” He then referred to a growing nationwide movement to reduce funding for police and divert the money to mental health, community building and other programs, Defund the Police, and asked the sponsors of the amendment if that was part of their reasoning. “Defund is maybe a little too strong of a word, I don’t mean it like that, but it takes away from the police department,” Clauder said. Maldonado responded that it was not a way of taking funds away from the police budget since they were funds that had not yet been allocated, and he added that having these two community centers would assist police by reducing crime in the neighborhoods. “I want to make it clear that this is not defunding, nor is it taking away,” he said. “These are needs that are occurring right now … for years, neighbors in both neighborhoods have called for spaces in these communities.” Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberly_wethal.

Rendering courtesy Ayres

One of the community buldings and the outdoor plaza that are included in the community hub project. The community hub along Traceway Drive was one of the two projects approved in the Capital Improvement Plan by City of Fitchburg alders at their Tuesday, Aug. 11, meeting. The other, a teen center, would be placed in the former A-1 Furniture and Mattress building.

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Sloan Implement at our Mt. Horeb, WI location is currently looking for an experienced Service Technician to perform advanced diagnostics, service repairs and maintenance work on customer and/or dealer-owned agricultural. For all job duties, requirements, and to see our full-time beneﬁt package, please go online to sloans.com. If you are interested and qualiﬁed for the position, please apply online at www. sloans.com or in person at the store. Sloan Implement is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Continued from page 1

Photo by Emilie Heidemann

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Farmers market visitors purchase vegetables from a vendor.

the police department expansion have changed several times over the past five years. Alders approved all four amendments – one to reduce the size of the police department’s expansion, two for the different phases of the Fish Hatchery community hub and one for the Jamestown teen center. The public hearing for the amendments took up the first two hours of a nearly seven-hour meeting that stretched into early morning hours. The vast majority of the dozens who spoke in person over Zoom or wrote in comments were in favor of the community centers, citing lower crime rates, expanding access to resources in socioeconomically challenged areas and providing safe places for children to gather. The community hub on Traceway Drive would be built just west of the new senior living apartments that border Fish Hatchery Road, the amendment document reads. Phase 1 would include a 14,500-square foot recreation facility, two community buildings, an adventure playground, bike tracks and an outdoor plaza. The Jamestown teen center would be placed in the vacant A-1 Furniture and Mattress building, and would fill a gap in programming for children between the ages of 13 and 18 by providing mental health and academic support and reducing involvement in the juvenile justice system. Ald. Tom Clauder (Dist. 4), a former City of Fitchburg police officer, agreed the city needs spaces like the community hub and the teen center, but he did not like seeing the funding come out of the police expansion budget, and questioned whether the city could afford it. Clauder also expressed frustrations that the plans for the new department have

August 14, 2020

Fitchburg Star

Oregon schools

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Police officer agreement extended Board praises cooperation, trust with chief, SRO SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group

Less than a year after the Oregon School District board members unanimously rejected the village’s version of an agreement to keep a police officer at the high school, they were much happier with the new plan. The school board not only unanimously approved a 2020-21 deal for a school resource officer at its Mond a y, A u g . 1 0 m e e t i n g , members praised what they called a new level of cooperation with the Oregon Police Department. The result is mostly a continuation from last year’s agreement, with an understanding that Oregon police chief Jennifer Pagenkopf will be in charge of the program and that it might need to change if she were to resign. It states the mission of the program is to “improve school safety and the educational climate at the school” and that the SRO has three roles – educator, informal counselor/mentor and law enforcement officer. It also says the program’s goal includes providing a safe learning environment and

valuable resources to school staff, fostering positive relationships with youth and developing strategies to resolve problems affecting youth and protecting all students. The “big decision point” in the contract, district legal counsel Jina Jonen said, was deciding to reimburse the village for 700 hours of work for SRO Alex Koratko in a school year that at the very least will start virtually. Jonen said district officials were confident Koratko would provide that value, and the board appeared to be happy with the process that led to the deal. District officials, in particular Jonen, had been meeting over the summer with Pagenkopf and other members of the department to plan for this year’s program. On Aug. 3, Jonen, district superintendent Leslie Bergstrom and board members Krista Flanagan and Tim LeBrun, met with the Village of Oregon’s Personnel, Public Safety and Protection Committee and agreed that no substantive changes were needed to the agreement from last year, other than updating new titles and dates. W h e r e t h ey ’ve c o m e from is a much different place from Aug. 26, 2019, when the board rejected the village’s version of an

SRO main roles 1. Educator – as an educator, the SRO may work with students to positively influence student behavior and to mitigate more serious behaviors. 2. Informal Counselor/ Mentor – the SRO may address school violations in an effort to positively impact student behavior and character and may refer students to school personnel as necessary. 3. Law Enforcement Officer – the SRO may engage in law enforcement activities in accordance with federal, state and local laws. (Source — Oregon School District)

agreement and then-chief Brian Uhl posted a rebuttal the next day on Facebook, leading to a rebuke from the Village Board. That version had included, at Uhl’s request, allowing an assault rifle to be kept inside OHS and students to be interviewed by

police without their parents’ presence. School board members also complained it was not clear enough about the SRO’s role as an educator, and Jonen recommended not agreeing to the village’s proposal. Monday, Jonen told the board district officials “felt pretty strongly” they wanted to work with Pagenkopf, who succeeded Uhl as chief after he resigned in February. She said if Pagenkopf were to leave the position, “we’ll have to come back and talk about (the agreement).” Jonen also said the SRO will have plenty to do with more than 100 students in K-4 buildings for programming and students in grades 7-12 at school occasionally for labs or social emotional learning projects. “We do anticipate having students on campus that could need his assistance,” she said. “If we are able to add more students in person, then we anticipate that we will need significant hours from him as well, in terms of prevention strategies and education strategies.” Flanagan credited Jonen and Pagenkopf for the time they’ve spent working on the agreement and the relationship they are building between the district and police department. “This is really a program that is built on trust, and

Photo submitted

Oregon police officer Alex Koratko is the Student Resource Officer (SRO) for the Oregon School District. He’s shown here talking to Oregon Middle School students last year. Koratko was praised by OSD officials Monday for his training work over the summer. those two have a lot of trust, and Jenny’s worked really hard to get this program to where it’s at today from where it was a year ago,” Flanagan said. LeBrun said he “wholeheartedly agreed” with that assessment. “Jina and Jenny have done such a great job

developing that relationship that we’ve always wanted to have (and) I can feel it’s very genuine,” he said. “They are both working very well in the interest of our kids, and I couldn’t have asked for a better relationship from them, especially concerning where we’ve come from.”

OSD news in brief If Oregon School District students and staff need to return to virtual instruction this fall, they’ll have a bit more experience after completing four weeks of virtual summer school. This week, the district wrapped up a pair of two-week sessions, scheduled from July 6-31.

OSD summer sessions focus on social/emotional learning

virtual learning and the emo- with the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, although tions that come with it. he didn’t quite grasp it at the District to buy more time. Months later, he and Chromebooks, tablets other educators had learned L a s t m o n t h , O r e g o n important lessons about how school board members on virtual learning needs to be Monday approved spend- handled, giving them what ing $1.2 million in leftover they hope is enough for a fund balance to purchase successful, mostly online tablets for K-2 students start to the fall school year and additional chrome- next month. books for high schoolers. With the move, all K-12 PAR Concrete, Inc. students will have access • Driveways to a device when classes • Floors begin Tuesday, Sept. 2. • Patios OSD hopes to learn • Sidewalks

While school isn’t in session, many Oregon School District educators have been working on a variety of pro- lessons from spring fessional development oppor- shutdown Brian Busler remembers tunities so staff can guide students and families through a sign of what was to come

Phil Mountford 516-4130 (cell) 835-5129 (office)

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Verona schools

August 14, 2020

‘We keep moving’ KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group

hen the Class of 2020 walked into the Verona Area High School for its final first day of school last September, no one envisioned they’d be ending it at home. “As seniors, we missed out on a lot of things, our last prom … senior skip day, senior prank day and our senior class trip,” student speaker Tamiya Smith said. “But most importantly, we missed out on creating those last memories with our friends before we part ways for whatever comes next.” The district held its 119th commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 on Saturday, July 25, after staff in May postponed it in hopes that COVID-19 restrictions would loosen in time to do an in-person celebration. But since then, while the state’s Safer at Home plan ended, Dane County’s Forward Dane plan has taken over and imposed legal restrictions on how many people are allowed to gather together at once. Those restrictions tightened to only 10 people indoors, and 25 outdoors, after the county saw a large spike of cases in late June and early July, many of them attributed to clusters from bars and restaurants. No graduates attended in person, but that didn’t stop the singing of the National Anthem by the VAHS Accidentals Vocal Jazz, which performed together virtually from behind computer screens. The ceremony featured two student speakers, Derek Argall and Smith, who recorded their speeches prior to the ceremony. Smith was the speaker chosen by a vote from her peers, and Argall was the Summa Cum Laude speaker. The ceremony also featured the reading of all of the students’ names, class superlatives and slides stating their future plans

and favorite memories. Principal Pam Hammen opened the ceremony, saying some of the most vital lessons students will learn, and have learned in the last few months, will take place outside of school buildings. “We live in an unprecedented time, so it is appropriate in some ways for this graduation ceremony also to take place in an unprecedented way,” she said. “You too, are extraordinary, without precedent, and I have been privileged to watch you navigate the overwhelming difficulties of this spring in the upheaval of our world with resilience, integrity and mature perspective.” Hammen also spoke of the national resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement after the death of George Floyd in late May, and what students have taken away from it. Students didn’t learn these lessons about standing up for social justice in the classroom, Hammen added, but rather, they are the result of being encouraged to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. “That great wave is rolling back to reveal the magnitude of work that we all need to do as a society to move forward toward a just future,” she said. “You learned that when the courage of your convictions compels you to speak up against a wrong, you are powerful enough to challenge the world, and you are brave enough to reflect on your place in it.” Argall spoke of a feeling of consistency he got from being in school – each day, he had a good idea of what might happen. But COVID-19 changed that. “I knew where I was heading, and the friends I would see passing in the halls – I knew where to sit, and who to talk to,” he said. “When schools shut down, everything that had become a constant became a variable, and I became pretty disheartened.” For some clarity on the situation, Argall said he turned to Greco-Roman philosophers,

namely Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, both Stoic philosophers who lived during the first and second century AD. What it taught him was that the ability to control his mind and his emotions lie squarely within himself, Argall said. And while the world is out of your control, how you react to it is all based on you. “The uncertainty of life can be overwhelming. Just the last four years have presented more opportunities for anxiety than you can count,” he said. “Trouble is bound to happen to everyone, and everything, and it is through struggling times that the human will is tested and built. Once you realize that turmoil is not happening to you, but for you, it comes easier to control your emotions and look objectively upon the world.” Smith encouraged her classmates to reminisce on the great memories made throughout their years in high school rather than dwell on what they missed out on when schools were ordered to close in March. “We have to make the best out of what is here,” she said. “We need to make sure we take this day to celebrate all of the hard work, and acknowledge each and every one, from all of the late night studies to early morning grind. “We can’t run, but we’re still walking,” Smith added in reference to a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., that encouraged people to keep moving forward in any way possible. “Each and every one of us is capable of achieving our dreams, but it’s up to you to push through those tough times. “Through all of this, we keep moving.” Superintendent Dean Gorrell finished the speech portion of the ceremony by reading a letter he wrote to the graduates. Each year, Gorrell said he finds it hard to figure out what he’s going to say to the graduating class, but this year seems even harder. “First, I feel compelled to say

I’m sorry for what the coronavirus has done to your school experience,” he said, holding back tears. “Milestones and everyday activities that we both take for granted, and hold in great anticipation – canceled. It is a hollow feeling to end this way. “Whether in the classroom, the community or on the field, the court or in the pool, you’ve made us all so proud,” Gorrell added. “These current moments don’t define you, but they surely will propel you.”

Fitchburg Star

Screenshot

Summa Cum Laude speaker Derek Argall addresses his peers, talking about how each person has the ability to control their thoughts and emotions even if the situation facing them is creating anxiety or fear. Verona Area School District’s virtual commencement ceremony was streamed on Saturday, July 25, after county COVID-19 restrictions prevented the district from holding an in-person ceremony.

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VERONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION NOTICE OF VACANCY The School Board of the VERONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking applicants for the At Large seat held by Deborah Biddle who resigned, effective Monday, July 20th, 2020. Anyone who is interested should submit a cover letter and resume to Noah Roberts (robertsn@verona.k12.wi.us), School Board President - Verona Area School District, 700 N. Main Street, Verona, Wisconsin 53593 no later than 12:00 pm on August 24, 2020. adno=172159

VASD news in brief Students return to Country View for summer school

It took 137 days, but students were finally back in a Verona Area School District school, as the district held two week-long sessions of summer school, July 27-31 and Aug. 3-7 at Country View Elementary School. Around 100 elementary and middle school students were required to social distance, with desks six feet apart, and wear masks.

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break-out areas, all designed to give students areas to both collaborate with their peers and be able to keep to themselves.

Education is looking to fill an open seat. Any resident of the Verona Area School District can apply to fill the at-large seat of Debbie Biddle, who Applications for announced her resignation school board vacancy during the July 20 board meeting, as she and her husband are due Aug. 24 The Verona Area Board of moving to Illinois.

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The first semester of the 2020-21 school year will be all-virtual for any family that does not tell the Verona Area School District of its preference by Wednesday, Aug. 12. That was the reality described by superintendent Dean Gorrell during the Verona Area Board of Education’s Thursday, Aug. 6, board meeting.

18 Fitchburg Star - August 14, 2020

City Hall - Main Line Administration Assessing Building Inspections City Clerk Economic Development

270-4200 270-4213 270-4235 270-4240 270-4210 270-4246

FACTv Finance Fire Department FitchRona Human Resources Library Municipal Court

270-4225 270-4251 278-2980 275-7148 270-4211 729-1760 270-4224

Parks & Forestry Planning/Zoning Police Public Works Recreation/Community Center Senior Center Utilities

270-4288 270-4258 270-4300 270-4260 270-4285 270-4290 270-4270

5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 • www.fitchburgwi.gov

FORWARD FITCHBURG BIZ BOOST LOAN PROGRAM FOR FITCHBURG BUSINESSES This program continues to take applications. Two loans have been issued and funding is still available to help relaunch and reopen your business. The next applications are due on or before August 15th at 4:30 pm. Details of the program can be found at https://bit. ly/3fro2yF.

The loan guidelines have been slightly modified so please read them carefully as your business may have not been eligible before but might now qualify. Please direct any questions on the program to Michael Zimmerman michael.zimmerman@fitchburgwi.gov or Joyce Frey joyce. frey@fitchburgwi.gov

SENIOR CENTER CONTINUES TO SERVE YOU! Although the Senior Center is not open to the public, we continue to provide essential services that include meals, transportation and social work services. Many of our popular health and wellness classes are available on our website with more programs are being added each month. Like everyone, we hope to get back to “normal” soon but in the mean time we will continue to do our best to meet your needs. For more information about ongoing programs and services please give us a call at 270-4290, check out our website – www.fitchburgwi.gov or shoot us an email FitchburgSeniorCenter@ fitchburgwi.gov We would also be happy to mail you a newsletter.

SENIOR CENTER DRUM STICK ICE CREAM EVENT Drive-through the Senior Center back parking area on August 19th from 1-2 p.m. for our Drum Stick ice cream event. We miss you & would love to see you! $1 donation requested. Masks also available.

FRIENDS GROUP DINE-OUT

Benvenutos in Fitchburg Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 ~ Lunch or Dinner 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Curbside pickup, dine inside or on the patio. Orders must be made with Benvenutos directly. Orders placed with food delivery apps will not support the Friends group. To order call (608) 278-7800. Say “I want to support the Fitchburg Senior Center Friends.” 25% of profits go directly to the Friends.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW YOUR TAX BILL IS CALCULATED? Assessment notices and tax bills - How does this all work together? Misty Dodge, Finance Director for the city explains in this video. Visit this link to view “How a Tax Bill is Calculated” and see if this answers questions you might have. https://bit.ly/2PA5OjT

Want to stay informed on Sustainable suggestions, issues and area events? Sign up for Green Fitchburg e-blasts. Scroll down the page at http://www.fitchburgwi.gov/list. aspx until you find Green Fitchburg and follow the instructions from there. Fitchburg does not share email addresses.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE AS A NOVEMBER POLL WORKER? The November election will be here before we know it and we are looking for citizens to serve as poll workers for the election. Due to the COVID19 pandemic many of our veteran poll workers have had to

decline working at the polls, so we need available citizens to step up to assist with running the election. If you are interested, please visit https://bit.ly/2VuCU8c to learn more and apply.

VOTER INFORMATION

At myvote.wi.gov you can register to vote, check your voter registration status, find your polling place, see what’s on your ballot, request an absentee ballot and check pro-

visional ballot status. Learn about photo ID, answer questions & more. If you want to vote absentee for the November election, you can set that up today. Don’t delay!

REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE TIPS Should aluminum cans and plastic bottles be flattened before being put in the recycling cart?

No! Flattening interferes with the sorting process. Please do not flatten any of your recyclables other than cardboard or paper boxes.

Are plastic bottle caps/lids recyclable? If so, how should I recycle them?

Yes; plastic bottle caps and lids can be recycled. Replace the cap/lid on the empty plastic bottle or milk carton and put in your recycle cart.

Are jar lids recyclable?

Yes; metal lids (e.g. pickle jars, salsa jars) are recyclable. Place them in your (blue) recycling cart. Note: Plastic lids (mayonnaise jars, peanut butter lids) should be left on the plastic container for easiest recycling.

Can plastic bags be recycled curbside?

YES! Simply place clean, plastic bags (grocery, newspaper, dry cleaning, etc.) inside a see-through plastic bag and tie it shut. (Note: black and brown plastic bags are not accepted.) A full bag should be no larger than a basketball. (Pellitteri requires clean plastic bags be placed inside another bag to reduce litter (caused when the wind catches the bags as they are being collected and blows them through the neighborhood) and to allow eas-

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ier sorting.) Place the full bag in your recycling cart. By the way, you can distinguish plastic from cellophane (which is not recyclable) using the Tear Test. Push your thumb into the material in question. If it stretches or your thumb pokes a hole through it, it’s plastic... recycle it. If, instead, it tears in almost a straight line, it’s cellophane and not recyclable. (Courtesy of The Future Weather Report)

Are aerosol cans recyclable?

Yes, empty aerosol cans should be put in your recycling cart. Aerosol cans that aren’t empty should be set aside and taken to Clean Sweep (now located at 7102 Hwy 12, across from Yahara Golf Course).

Are milk/juice cartons recyclable?

Yes, empty juice cartons can be recycled and should be placed in your recycling cart. However, juice boxes and juice pouches are not recyclable. Place them in your refuse (green) cart, or better yet, avoid buying them.

How do I recycle shredded paper?

Place the shredded paper in a clear plastic bag (no larger than a basketball), tie the bag and put it in your recycling cart.

Are dog/pet food bags recyclable?

If they contain a foil liner, they currently cannot be recycled. Put them in your refuse cart.

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WISCONSIN SALT WISE APPLICATION TRAINING The City of Fitchburg is dedicated to protecting our fresh water, and asks you to join us in doing so. If you use a salt application service during the winter, we invite you to encourage your applicator to attend a Salt Application Training put on by Wisconsin Salt Wise. Wisconsin Salt Wise is a coalition of organizations from across Dane County, including the City of Fitchburg, working together to reduce salt pollution in our lakes, streams and drinking water. Did you know that once salt is in the environment, it doesn’t go away? It degrades our infrastructure and ends up in our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, putting our aquatic life at risk and endangering our freshwater resources. It only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water to a level that is toxic for freshwater ecosystems. Use the link below to find training dates and other information. Be sure to let your applicator know that this training is available! https://www.wisaltwise.com/WinterSalt-Certi…/2020-Trainings

Business

ConnectFitchburg.com

Photo by Emilie Heidemann

Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care is located at 2950 Chapel Valley Road.

August 14, 2020

Fitchburg Star

Agrace is located at 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy.

Photo by Emilie Heidemann

Finding new ways to say goodbye Gunderson, Agrace help adapt business models to help clients grieve amid pandemic EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

ith ever-evolving social restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, mourning the death of a loved one can be difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. That’s why Fitchburg businesses like Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, and Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy. have conceptualized ways to serve their clients in their grief process despite distancing. At Gunderson, saying goodbye has taken the shape of drivethrough wakes, where cars can gather in the parking lot and

photo boards are placed around the property’s outdoor space. A greeter usually stands at the entrance and directs people where to go. Clients also have the option of live streaming or recording funerals, which their loved ones can view remotely, president Pete Gunderson told the Star. “Grief work begins with coming together,” Gunderson said. “But it doesn’t mean people need to (hold funerals) the way they did so decades ago.” Per the Forward Dane reopening plan, rules allow only 10 people at indoor gatherings and 25 outdoors. Gunderson said if clients opt for in-person services, they must wear a mask and practice physical distancing. But if more than 10 people want to attend a funeral service, officiants are able to repeat the service multiple times the same day to accommodate all those who want to say goodbye to their loved one. To help clients decide what

Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road 442-5002 gundersonfh.com kind of service they want, Gunderson staff meets with them over Zoom or in person by appointment. Employees receive temperature checks every morning, wipe surfaces down vigorously, wear masks and are trained to care for the deceased from transport to display during the funeral, Gunderson said. Rev. Susan Shands, Agrace manager of spiritual and grief services, told the Star that Agrace counselors have pivoted to providing support to patients’ families online and over the phone before and after a death occurs. The goal there

“Grief work begins with coming together. But it doesn’t mean people need to (hold funerals) the way they did so decades ago.”

EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group

New Jersey-based New Vision Theater IMAX is closing its 18 nationwide locations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — including Fitchburg’s. Former general manager Adam Hasz confirmed the permanent closing of the 6091 McKee Road theater to Channel3000.com after months of unsuccessful lease negotiations in a July 13 story. The Fitchburg 18 + IMAX building, formerly AMC Fitchburg, was not yet up for sale as of July 17, according to PropertyDrive, a commercial real estate listing service. The Star attempted contact with the Fitchburg New Vision, but it appeared the email

Photo by Emilie Heidemann

New Jersey-based New Vision Theater IMAX is closing its 18 nationwide locations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — including Fitchburg’s. address, phone number and theater website were no longer operational. Attendance was never an issue at the Fitchburg location, Hasz told Channel3000, but the pandemic has had a major financial impact on the film industry overall – including the cost of running a theater.

Last month, the nation’s largest movie chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, issued a warning about its own finances. N ew Vi s i o n a c q u i r e d the location in April 2017 from AMC Theatres. The company was created that same month by the Beekman Group to purchase

5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy. 276-4600 agrace.org

Forward Dane rules. Like Gunderson, Agrace Pete Gunderson, president of Gunderson Funeral and Cremation employees receive temperature Care checks and must wear face coverings. Kopling said when a patient is to “normalize that memorial dies at Agrace, it is customary to services and opportunities to do a procession — a walk from celebrate and remember loved the patient’s room to the funeral ones can take many forms,” van. Shands said. “We don’t try to hide the fact Agrace counselors also teach that someone died,” Kopling their clients how prevalent virtu- said. “We normalize it. Someal services are becoming and the times we will play music, sing, advantages that come with those have a moment of silence or give connections. But family mem- a blessing. People from our facilbers are allowed to visit Agrace ities stop what they are doing to hospice patients nearing the end pay their respects.” of life, marking and communica- Email Emilie Heidemann at emitions director Liz Kopling said. lie.heidemann@wcinet.com or They can have up to five visi- follow her on Twitter at @Heidetors as long as people adhere to mannEmilie.

Fitchburg theater shuts down permanently New Vision IMAX closes all locations nationwide due to pandemic

Agrace

16 locations across the United States. The sale of the Fitchburg location had been prompted by AMC’s purchase of Sundance Cinemas, according to a Capital Times story that month. Five years ago, AMC completed a multimillion-dollar remodel of the Fitchburg theater, which included reclining seats and a bar area in the lobby. The remodel didn’t allow for the equity to remain open amid the pandemic, Hasz told Channel3000. Hasz told Channel3000 the company “could just never agree to anything. So they decided … it was the best time to shut down.” “I’ve made a ton of great memories from this place and I know a lot of people in the Fitchburg area can say the same,” Hasz told Channel3000. “I actually met my wife here.” Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@ wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.

Business in brief Promega COVID-19 update More Promega products have become part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 testing protocol. According to a July 17 Wisconsin State Journal story, the products help isolate genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and includes the “Maxwell Extraction System.” The story states the Food and Drug Administration authorized system’s use in testing Monday, July 13. The system can process and purify around 400 samples in an eight hour shift, the company told the Journal.

Oak Bank hires new employee Oak Bank, which has a branch in Fitchburg, has hired a new director of first impressions. Stacey Gibson, according to a news release, will be the first person bank clients encounter.

“This position reflects our company culture and character that makes it a very important role for the bank,” the release reads. Gibson was born and raised in Rhinelander, the release states, and now lives in Stoughton with her husband Josh, two daughters and two dogs. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and spent the last 10 years teaching at Sandhill Elementary.

Placon donates to senior center Packaging company Placon, 6096 McKee Road, donated $300 to the Fitchburg Senior Center last month. In addition to the money, the company also donated 100 face shields for center staff. senior center volunteer program and nutrition site manager Mandi M. Miller told the Star. “We are so pleased with our partnership with Placon as they have had a Meals on Wheels driving team with us for over 25 years,” Miller wrote in an email.

20 Fitchburg Star - August 14, 2020

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