Thursday, January 2, 2020 • Vol. 135, No. 29 • Oregon, WI • ConnectOregonWI.com • $1.25
Senior center re-accredited More stringent policies on commercial use have been effective, director says EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
The Oregon Area Senior Center is to remain an accredited organization for the next five years. The center officially re-received the status in December after a yearand-a-half long process, one that has taken place every five years since 1994. Senior center director Rachel Brickner said accreditation is important because it holds the facility accountable to its seniors who use it every day. She said staff had worked on the latest process since summer 2018, using Wisconsin Association of Senior Centers (WASC) guidelines and a re-accreditation committee of seniors who work with the center’s Council on Aging. Brickner and the committee examined the senior center policies, making sure they accurately reflect the goals and services senior center staff aim to meet and provide. WASC has nine areas of standards for accreditation, Brickner said,
including purpose, comm u n i t y, g o v e r n a n c e , administration, programming, fiscal management, records and facilities. One of the initiatives the senior center implemented to help meet those standards was to establish more stringent guidelines on commercial entities and Brickner businesses seeking to gain access to seniors to promote products or services. “ We ’v e s e e n a n increase in people approaching us and wanting to rent our building after hours for commercial purposes – putting on a presentation, for example, about insurance and Medicare aimed at seniors,” Brickner told t h e O b s e r ve r i n J u l y. “We don’t feel comfortable having our building used for those purposes. The senior center is a safe haven … seniors are a vulnerable part of the population.” WASC representatives visited the center on Nov. 5, 2019, to meet with staff to tour it and talk with seniors. They asked the seniors about their favorite things to do at the center, and what amenities they are most proud of. Patrons reported they
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Oregon Allies Facebook page administrator, Dana Kobernusz, acknowledges to police chief Brian Uhl that confronting ones own implicit biases isn’t an easy process. She said it’s frustrating and something that takes time, understanding and education.
Clearing the slate Department strategizes community policing after chief comes under criticism EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
Oregon police chief Brian Uhl is responding to public criticism with three strategies designed to increase public confidence in the police department and his handling of it.
In November, the Village Board held a closed session meeting to discuss Uhl’s performance. Village President Jeanne Carpenter read a prepared statement after the Uhl closed session outlining the board’s concerns, including relations with some members of the public and the Oregon School District. Carpenter noted some citizens had
complained about his conduct during various interactions with him, and she called into question his comments on the department’s Facebook page relating to an agreement that was being worked on to continue stationing a school resource officer in the high school. Uhl has so far responded to those concerns with public outreach, part of a strategic plan he presented to the board in November.
Turn to Police/Page 2
Turn to Center/Page 12
Stories to watch in 2020
Building for the future Observer staff members pick their top photos of 2019 Page 7
A new school, a new library, a new splash pad, a new park and a new link of the bike trail. These are some of the ambitious projects the Oregon community will be working on this year as it continues to accommodate the growth it has been experiencing. The school, on the growing east side of Fitchburg, is opening in the fall and is bringing with it changes in how parents choose their children’s elementary schools and in voting for school board
members. It’s even bringing a change in the school district’s administration, as the completion of the project allowed superintendent Brian Busler to head into retirement having accomplished a major task. The library is a bit farther off, likely to start construction in 2021 and open in 2022, but by June, fundraising will be over and its budget will be set. Library architects, under direction from the
Stories of 2020 1. Building new school; planning for next referendum 2. Library capital campaign to continue 3. Focus on flooding solutions 4. Splash Pad could start 5. Bergstrom set to succeed Busler at OSD 6. Jaycee Park West aims for first phase
Turn to 2020/Page 10
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Police: Chief Uhl says all complaints are taken seriously Continued from page 1
Solving problems
The first strategy in Uhl’s report is solving problems related to seven issues – traffic, home burglaries, drugs and alcohol, mental health, school safety, race and domestic violence. Solving those issues, Uhl said, reflects how the department places high importance on community policing. If people know those who keep them safe care about their struggles, they will be more apt to trust their local police department. “We simply cannot do our jobs effectively without a partnership with the community,” Uhl saidTo address traffic safety, Uhl’s report states, the department will use data to ensure less speeding by motorists and more pedestrian and bike safety. For burglaries, it will make more use of social media to spread awareness, establish connections with neighborhood associations and assign overtime for unmarked patrols. For drugs and alcohol, the department plans to partner with the Oregon Area Wellness Coalition and Oregon Cares, participating in national drug take back days and more in service training for officers to understand the effects of substances on the brain. For mental health, the goal is also more officer
Photo by Emilie Heidemann
Oregon Allies members Ildi Matronffy, Harry Hawkins and Kim Smith discuss ways the Oregon Police Department can better keep track of its treatment of underrepresented people in the community, whether it be through data collection or bias training for officers. training and more work with the Oregon Area Senior Center. To address school safety, OPD plans to hold school safety meetings, engage in threat and security assessments, pay more attention to online threats to kids and continue to help alleviate traffic congestion at peak times when parents drop kids off and pick them up. The report has several plans to address concerns of race, a key issue brought up by the Allies. Those include collecting traffic stop data, diversifying the police department by hiring more women and minorities, gathering data about how citizens feel about their interactions with police and increasing bias training – something the Allies specifically asked for in their meeting with Uhl.
Education and enforcement
the village. The department will also use accident data and publicize it, increase enforcement around the areas that need it and ask the public to assist this issue in slowing down on their own. Uhl’s report says OPD might also increase the number of fixed speed signs in the community from the current three. The community has brought up pedestrian safety multiple times over the past year, both near schools and at other intersections. To help Oregon pedestrians, the department plans to spread this messaging around schools, partner with the Oregon Area Wellness Coalition to ensure zones are well marked, ensure flashing beacons are timed properly, especially for the elderly and for the young and work with the senior center. To address underage drinking, the department will explore different approaches to communicate with parents, once again partner with the Oregon Area Wellness Coalition and have the SRO engage with students. It will specifically educate parents about locking their liquor cabinets and hold sessions for parents, bringing in a doctor to talk about the effects of alcohol on the brain, growth and learning.
The department’s emphasis on enforcement will focus on seatbelt compliance, pedestrians, speeding and underage drinking. “I need to understand what the issues are in order to determine how best to address possible concerns,” Uhl said. Speeding, Uhl’s report states, is the No. 1 complaint the department receives. To improve enforcement, Thorough investigation Uhl’s report says the third the department plans to use speed trailer data and estab- strategy – investigating crimlish trouble areas throughout inal acts and providing relief
EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
O r eg o n p o l i c e c h i e f Brian Uhl met with the local activist group to hear feedback about how the department can do better Wednesday, Dec. 18, in what could be the first of many such meetings. The Allies, according to the group’s Facebook page, work to ensure Oregon is welcoming to all people. Uhl emphasized that his intentions for the department are also in line with that objective. He said he hopes to conduct additional meetings with other groups and members of the public. “My focus at these initial meetings will be to listen to what the community members feel is important for me to know,” Uhl said in an email to the Observer dated Nov. 26.“I do not plan to offer suggestions at these initial meetings, but simply listen and learn from the community.” The two parties sat in a circle inside the village hall, with the chief and Lt. Jennifer Pagenkopf on one side, and 12 Oregon Allies members on the other. Uhl kept a large notepad to outline objectives from the feedback the Allies provided him. Themes included transparency, accountabili ty and the treatment of village minorities. The Allies advocated for m o r e O P D o ffi c e r s t o examine their own biases and behavior patterns when interacting with minorities in Oregon and asked that the police department act as a community leader, as well. Some members spoke to how imagery can play
a huge role in implicit biases or unconscious beliefs about an individual or group of people. They asked Uhl to no longer use imagery regarding the Blue Lives Matter movement, to use the OPD Facebook page as a platform to start dialogues about underrepresented voices and to monitor his interactions with community members. The Blue Lives Matter movement advocates for law enforcement officials who have faced scrutiny for the treatment of minorities. It started as a response to Black Lives Matter. Allies members said the community looks to Uhl as a role model. He admitted he doesn’t always realize how much power he has in that way. W h i l e t h e a c t iv i s t s asked for more introspection from police officers, they asked the department to examine data on these matters. To encourage transparency, the Allies asked for more data posting — relating to traffic stops, conduct toward minorities, etc. — on the police website, regular and ongoing community outreach meetings, up to date police commission agendas and meetings and budget postings. By the end of the meeting, Uhl’s notepad was filled with ideas. Underl i n e d w e r e t h e wo r d s “Take ownership.” Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@ wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.
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One community meeting was with one of his more vocal critics, a local Facebook group known as the Oregon Allies, who say they speak on behalf of underrepresented voices in the village. During that meeting, Uhl apologized to residents who were upset and explained how the police department would improve relations with the community and school leaders. He told members there would be more focus on community policing, outreach and ways to keep kids safe and prevent violence in schools. Uhl’s report to the board outlines three key strategies: collaborating with community members to identify and solve problems; engaging in education and enforcement efforts to gain voluntary compliance with the law; and thoroughly investigating criminal acts to hold perpetrators accountable and provide relief for crime victims. He told the Observer in an Nov. 26 email his plan starts with having community monthly meetings, beginning in January, at various locations and different times of the day so as many people who would like to attend, can. Uhl wrote that he would let people know when these meetings are on the department’s Facebook page. As examples of his outreach efforts, he said he attended the Oregon’s Tree Lighting and Chili Dinner that evening — and planned to go to more of the Oregon Area Progressives’ monthly open mic nights. “My initial plan is to be more active and show a greater presence in the community,” Uhl wrote. “You will see me at local events as well as reaching out to organizations like the Chamber, Rotary and Optimist Clubs.”
for victims – is connected to the police department becoming an accredited organization. The department will continue to operate within the hundreds of guidelines set by Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, which accredited OPD on Nov. 8. Part of keeping this accreditation is highlighting a policy in summary forum for each of its monthly reports to the board, which will provide an opportunity for the public to educate themselves. “We invited assessors to make sure we are operating within the law and providing the best police services as one of the only 43 accredited agencies in the state and we hope the community will recognize this achievement and be proud of their police department,” Uhl said. The department updated more than 100 policies over the past year to gain the accreditation, and those include handling of citizen complaints. Uhl’s report says in addition to following state law and being timely, the department will use footage from body cameras worn by its officers, report to complaint resolutions to the Village Board and perform a general review of traffic stops to investigate officer conduct. Another plan is to use restorative justice practices to help crime victims, pay special attention to domestic violence and sexual assault, assign offers to follow up with victims – in increments of 30, 60 and 90 days for welfare services – and consider assigning a community officer to victims with specific needs. Uhl said all those complaints are taken seriously. “All citizen complaints are thoroughly investigated,” he said. “By doing this, we look to understand how things could have been handled differently while holding ourselves accountable for our actions.”
Police chief meets with Oregon Allies group
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Oregon library trying to become more inclusive NEAL PATTEN Unified Newspaper Group
Over the next few years, the state is asking its member libraries to take steps to better listen to underrepresented voices in their communities. Those voices will likely include people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, the elderly, low income individuals and people from all walks of life, Tessa Michaealson Schmidt, youth and inclusive library consultant at the state Department of Public Instruction said. The voices at each library will differ based on the community. In her role, Michaelson Schmidt serves the roughly 400 libraries across the state’s 16 regional public library systems. For the past eight years, she has focused her work on supporting inclusive libraries, and that has resulted in an inclusivity statement in May 2017 and an assessment guide for libraries in July 2019. In Oregon, that assessment has led to several initiatives already, including diversity and inclusivity training for staff members, offering adaptive technology
libraries to learn what would provide more inclusive services. “Things like income, race, identity – what that actually looks like and concerns or hesitations or complexities will look different in every community,” Michaelson Schmidt said. “There’s not one prescription that will work for everyone.” She held a retreat that led to the drafting of the statement, then brought library staff together from over the state to look at race, social justice and bias – using examples of experiences guests have had – for the Inclusive Services Institute. Among the topic areas the resulting assessment guide addresses are collections, services, practices, policies, procedures, perceived friendliness, programming, location, hours, restrooms, computers and technology, library card registration, online access (website and internet card catalog), marketing, community engagement, funding, self care for library workers, and inclusive culture at the library. The assessment includes a checklist of questions and prompts representing these topics which were made to align with Wisconsin Public Library
accessories such as a track ball mouse and portable digital magnifier and making their Facebook page and website more accessible on screen reader devices. Other changes the library staff wanted to make are not possible in the current building because the space doesn’t allow for it, Oregon Public Library director Jennifer Endres Way said adding that the changes will be implemented in the new library. Endres Way said for her staff, it’s a great framework to evaluate how they are doing. “It really helps us take a step back to make sure we are being as inclusive as possible and eliminate any barriers,” she said. Michaelson Schmidt said the statement and resulting assessment guide are partially intended to provide how DPI interprets state statute 43.24(2)(k), the law that sets requirements for libraries to remain eligible for state aid. The trends that shaped the statement – which was drafted by people actively working in Wisconsin libraries – came from local library input, as stakeholders found it helpful to have a set definition of the law, Michaelson Schmidt said. To get there, she said, she did a lot of listening to the different
standards. Endres Way said the tools in the assessment have been helping them make sure that the new library will be accessible for everyone. She believes the plans have exceeded what’s recommended in the document, not just met the minimum requirements for the new building. Based on recommendations from the guide, goals for the new library include providing state of the art technology in meeting and event spaces, like microphones and sound system; adjustable lighting; reducing the height of shelving to allow easier access to top shelves; a new mothers and caregivers room for people who are nursing or pumping and to offer a hearing loop system in meeting rooms, which lets people with hearing aids hear better during meetings and programs. “There’s a lot to it,” Way said, “We are going through it systematically to determine where we are now and we’d like to be.” Michaelson Schmidt said the assessment provides overall goals that all the regional libraries can be striving for, but adapt to the needs of their local community. “In many ways, it’s exciting words like equity, social justice
and inclusion are more understood now than even one to five years ago,” Michaelson Schmidt said. “I am pleased to hear libraries are taking these documents to heart and not just having these conversations because this is a nice thing to do or trendy or on the radar for now. This is what libraries have always stood for, to be a place for everyone regardless of literacy or income, it’s one of the true democratic institutions in our country.” She said she is now working on additional resources tying together the statement and assessment document. This includes new checklist prompts based upon the feedback she’s been hearing of more areas where libraries are not inclusive. She is also creating video modules which could be used at board meetings or staff inservices to help buffer difficult conversations on topics like race or class and diffuse potential tensions. “Libraries can be a great location for having conversations that can be hard to wrap your head around, a place of safety and trust,” Michaelson Schmidt said. Neal Patten can be contacted at neal.patten@wcinet.com.
Town of Rutland
Website getting upgrade after January JIM FEROLIE Unified Newspaper Group
The Town of Rutland’s aging website is getting an update. The current site, which is not optimized for increasingly common mobile use, is difficult to keep maintained, a presentation by the town’s website committee explained.
The website committee recommended Town Web, M a d i s o n - b a s e d c o m p any that provides websites for 531 municipal boards and councils in 29 states, according to its own website. Supervisors voted 4-0 to accept a three-year agreement that clerk Dawn George would execute. The committee presentation noted that the new website will cost less than
the current $500-per-quarter charge and that several area municipalities, including the towns of Oregon, Albion, Montrose and Vienna, use Town Web. Among its amenities are an option for people to subscribe to receive automated information. It is also expected to take less time for the clerk to update it, a key motivation for switching vendors. The launch will be
delayed until at least after taxes are due. Supervisor Deana Zentner told the board the vendor and committee are looking for photos of the town to use on the website. To contribute, call 4553925 or email clerk@town. rutland.wi.us. Email Verona Press editor Jim Ferolie at veronapress@wcinet.com.
Officials plan to assist Census effort without spending extra money JIM FEROLIE Unified Newspaper Group
The Town of Rutland will assist the federal government’s U.S. Census efforts as much as it can without spending extra money. That effort will stop short of mailing informational packets
Photo submitted
SRO Alex Koratko visits Oregon Middle School
to each household – at a cost Town Chair Peter Loughrin estimated at $600 – but will include offering those packets at Town Hall and personal outreach efforts from town officials when they see opportunities to help. The matter was the subject of discussion at the
Oregon Police Department student resource officer (SRO) Alex Koratko talks with Oregon Middle School students last month during a visit to the school.
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Letters to the editor
Thanks for welcoming our hockey tournament Last month, Oregon Youth Hockey hosted eight teams, including five from out-ofstate, in a 10-and-under tournament. Several team parents shared how much they enjoyed visiting our community of Oregon and the great experience they had competing and spending quality time with their teams and families. It was nice to hear from one parent who specifically wanted to come to Oregon for another tournament
after their positive experience with the Fall Fury soccer tournament. We appreciate the many businesses who sponsored our raffle and made donations to help make this weekend a success for all of our visitors. Thank you to all of our community members who made our guests feel welcome. Kelly Sullivan Oregon Youth Hockey Tournament Director
Correction In the Thursday, Dec. 19, edition of the Observer, a news brief incorrectly stated village winter parking times due to a typographical error. From 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. between Nov. 15 and April 1, parking is prohibited in the parking lot adjacent to Village Hall, 117 Spring St. It is also not allowed in Hitching Park. The Observer regrets the error.
Send it in! We like to send reporters to shoot photos, but we can’t be everywhere. And we know you all have cameras. So if you have a photo of an event or just a slice of life you think the community might be interested in, send it to us and we’ll use it if we can. Please include contact information, what’s happening in the photo and the names of people pictured. You can submit it on our website at ConnectOregonWI.com, email to editor Jim Ferolie at ungeditor@wcinet.com or drop off a electronic media at our office at 156 N. Main St. Questions? Call 835-6677.
Thursday, January 2, 2020 • Vol. 135, No. 29 USPS No. 411-300
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Community Voices
Making, keeping relationships is the key to our happiness
T
hink about a day when you didn’t interact with someone you have a relationship with. At the Firefly or the Post Office, with family, friends, neighbors or teachers, even at Bill’s. We are social beings who need to connect to others in life. This starts from when we’re infants. Feeling securely attached to our parents or caregivers, allows us not to worry about being abandoned, to trust and to explore the world around us. Without that, all other future relationships will be challenging, and this can affect our happiness. In my psychology class, I ask my students at the beginning of each semester to write down the top five things that make them happy. After many semesters of asking this question, the answer has some consistency – the top three all relate to happiness, including relationships with family and friends. These informal findings echo a longstanding Harvard research study that followed a group of men from various backgrounds throughout their life and focused on what made them happy. The state of their relationships not only had implications for their sustained happiness, but also their ongoing health and well-being. With that in mind, there are several things pertaining to all types of relationships we all need to constantly remind ourselves. The first and most important is communication. Also important are respect and trust, authenticity, effort and the recognition that relationships and people change. Good communication doesn’t mean talking all the time; sometimes just being across the table in the same space, like having a cup of coffee at the Firefly is enough. Not everyone is a great verbal communicator, and sometimes actions speak louder than words. Letting people know you appreciate them with a thank-you or a kind word like
please goes a long way. These days, we spend too much time on smart phones, texting, looking at social media, comGlysch municating through electronic screens. We’ve all seen this, a couple out for a nice dinner, both on their phones checking email or Facebook. We are forgetting how to communicate face-toface. Just as important is listening. Everyone has a story to tell, so we just need to stop and listen. And be prepared to be amazed. Great relationships are built on caring, support, listening and helping, but most of all respect and trust. No judgment, just unconditional love, wanting the best for others. We must be there in good times as well as bad and be kind to each other. With all the things happening in the world, sometimes it’s hard to stay positive, but we have to. We need to turn the negative into positive actions, and our relationships with others is one way of making this happen. Part of that is keeping your word. When you say you’ll do something or be somewhere, follow through. It’s also important to be authentic and honest. Share your real thoughts and feelings with others, be open. Often, people are so worried about what others are going to think of them, they wear masks. They’ll use a public mask to show people what we want them to see and a private mask of things we want to hide from others. By doing this, many people pretend to be someone they are not because they think others won’t like them if they see them as they truly are. We shouldn’t pretend to be something we are not; others around us have to accept us for who we are, and we need to do the same, idiosyncrasies and all. Like most things in life,
Not everyone is a great verbal communicator, and sometimes actions speak louder than words. Letting people know you appreciate them with a thank-you or a kind word like please goes a long way. relationships take work, maintenance and nurturing, whether this is a spouse or partner, family member or friends. Sometimes, we can think that once we develop a relationship with someone, the hard work is over. This is not so. Like us as individuals, relationships continue to grow, change and develop. So often we hear people say, “We just grew apart.” So never take anything for granted. That brings me to my final point, that relationships change over time. We are not the same people today as we were yesterday, and our relationships work the same way. It can be easy to get into a rut. Bringing some novelty and less predictability keeps relationships fresh and exciting. Embrace change and concentrate on the positive qualities of the relationship. The relationships we have with those around us, from our spouses, partners, kids and parents to our friends, co-workers, members of the community and even the encounters we have even with strangers are all about the connections we make that binds us to each other. Our true happiness comes from these relationships. As we start 2020, let’s recognize the importance of all the relationships we have in our lives, what truly makes most of us happy. We will always accomplish and be happier with the help of good relationships. Randy Glysch is a Village of Oregon resident and psychology instructor at Madison College.
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Wellness expo to feature 20+ vendors CONNOR WOOD
If You Go
Observer correspondent
Photos by Emiilie Heidemann
From left, Amanda Peterson, Barb Feeney and Rick Bechen, all members of the Union Bell Band, play some tunes while they await State Supreme Court candidate Lisa Neubauer’s at a different open mic night on Feb. 1, 2019.
Court candidates to visit Firefly
The author of “The Grieving Heart,” a collection of poetry, is set to present in Oregon. From 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at the library, 256 Brook St., Deb Rosman will perform an author reading, complete a Q&A and a book signing. Rosman said her poetry features the theme of life’s changes and accepting the truth. “My book … was written because it is critical to grieve,” she said. “It is my firm belief that, only after you have grieved completely, can you turn around and embrace life fully again. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, $5 for the paperback and
If You Go
Observer correspondent
If You Go What: Parkinson’s exercise class When: 10:45-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays Jan. 7 through April 7 Where: Oregon Senior Center, 219 Park St. Info: 835-5373 Peerenboom, a physical therapist from the Stoughton Hospital. For more informat i o n a n d t o r e g i s t e r, call Peerenboom at the Stoughton Hospital at 835-5373. -Mackenzie Krumme
To quilter Karen Saunders, her quilts are more than creations — they tell visual stories with morals. Saunders is set to present some of her quilts at 1 0 : 4 5 a . m . We d n e s d a y, Jan. 8, at the Oregon Area Senior Center, 219 Park St. She is a local quilter who will share her pieces and tell stories about them to the public in a presentation. After the presentation, there will be a lunch of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Those who want food are asked to register by Monday, Jan. 6. For more information, call the senior center at 8355801 or email oasc1980@ gmail.com.
What: Quilting presentation When: 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 Where: Oregon Area Senior Center, 219 Park St. Cost: Free, register for lunch by noon, Monday, Jan. 6 Contact: 835-5801
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What: Author visit: “Grieving Heart Poetry” When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 Where: Oregon Public Library, 256 Brook St. Info: Kara at 835-6268 or kripley@oregonlibrary.org
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Rec, Pool, Fire/EMS, and Police Department, the Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Rec, Rotary Club and Stoughton Hospital. The event is free and there will be door prizes attendees can win. For more information, contact Deb Bossingham at dab@oregonsd.net or visit the Oregon Area Wellness Coalition WI Facebook page.
1New orders only. Minimum purchase required. Does not include material costs 2 Financing available with minimum purchase and approved credit. Mad City Windows & Baths, Inc. is neither a broker nor a lender. Financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Mad City Windows & Baths, Inc., under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender, all subject to credit requirements and satisfactory completion of finance documents. Any finance terms advertised are estimate only. Ask for details. New orders only. Not valid with any other offer, or previous job.3 With in-home estimate and product demonstration to homeowner(s). Limit one per household. Gift card given upon completion of demonstration to be mailed in by homeowner(s). Salespersons do not carry gift cards for security reasons. Allow 2-3 weeks after demonstration to receive gift card. Gift card valued at $50.
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What: Wellness Expo When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 11 Where: Oregon High School, 456 N. Perry Parkway Contact: Deb Bossingham, dab@oregonsd.net
Wisconsin author to present ‘Grieving Heart Poetry’ at library
What: Supreme Court Candidates at the Firefly When:6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3 Where: Firefly Coffeehouse and Artisan Cheese, 114 N. Main St. Info: oregonareaprogressives. org
Quilter to present
Parkinson’s exercise class starts at senior center Jan. 7 A c l a s s s p e c i fi c a l l y designed for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease starts Tuesday, Jan. 7. The class will be held from 10:45-11:30 a.m. each Tuesday until April 7 at the Oregon Senior C e n t e r, 2 1 9 P a r k S t . There is a $5 donation requested per class. The class will focus on specific movement deficits related to Parkinson’s Disease. The class f o c u s e s o n i m p r ov i n g function, mobility, mood, quality of life and fall reduction, according to the event description. The instructor is Rachel
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Connect the name to the face, before you head to the ballot box in February. Wisconsin state Supreme Court candidates Jill Karofsky and Ed Fallone will present from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at the Firefly Coffeehouse and Artisan Cheese, 114 N. Main St. They will discuss their judicial philosophies, qualifications and answer questions as a part of the
Oregon Area Progressives’ monthly open mic night. Karofsky is a Dane County Circuit Court Judge, and Fallone is a law professor at Marquette University. The event is in preparation for the Tuesday, Feb. 18 non-partisan primary. For more information, contact oregonareaprogressives.org. -Mackenzie Krumme
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Karofsky, Fallone to discuss legal philosophies
The public can get a dose of wellness next week. The Oregon Area Wellness Coalition plans to host its fourth annual wellness expo from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 11, at the high school, 456 N. Perry Pkwy. Attendees can visit over 20 booths from wellness vendors and organizations in the area and learn new activities during six 20-minutes class sessions. Booths cost $30 to the vendors and new booths will be accepted until Thursday, Jan. 9. The Oregon Area Wellness Coalition is a group of local organizations and community members including Oregon Library, Oregon School District, Community Ed &
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January 2, 2020
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Oregon Observer
Coming up
Churches
First Monday
All Saints Lutheran Church 2951 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg (608) 276-7729 Interim pastor SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. classic service 10:45 a.m. new song service
The following week participants can Anderson Park annual A presentation on “Yoga and laugh- watch a “drive- in movie” at the library meeting ter” is being presented at noon on with their new creations. The 2020 Anderson Park Friends Monday, Jan. 6, at the United MethodFor information, contact Kelly Allen annual meeting is set for 3:30-5 p.m. ist Church, 103 N. Alpine Pkwy. at kallen@oregonlibrary.org. Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Dane County A potluck lunch is set to be served Parks Office, 5201 Fen Oak Dr., Mad‘Stepping on’ at 11 a.m. ison. A falls prevention course starts The presentation is put on by memFor information email Andy bers of the Oregon Area Historical Thursday, Jan. 9, at the senior center. Hoernemann at andrew_hoernemann Society. Registration is required. @hotmail.com The conversation targets adults The class runs 1-3 p.m. Thursdays 50 years and older and everyone is from Jan. 9 to Feb. 20. The cost of the Preschool open gym Kids ages 5 years and younger are encouraged to bring a dish to pass. class is $35. invited to engage in a preschool open For information, call the church at The class is meant to help partici- gym from 6-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 835-3755. pants address their falls risk, balance in the Netherwood Knoll Elementary Photography group concerns or fear of falling. School big gym, 276 Soden. Dr. The Oregon Wisconsin Photography The class includes instruction by The children can enjoy gym games, Group will hold their monthly meeting Ron Dorr, guest expert presentations, but must be accompanied by an adult. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Oregon printed materials, and snacks. Scholar- The event is sponsored by Oregon Public Library. Community Ed and Rec and the library. ships available upon request. All interested in photography, no Enter through Door 10 or the district For information and to register, call matter your skill level are welcome. office main entrance. Anne at 835-5801 to register. Topics for January’s meeting include For information, call 835-3656. “Finding Your Niche in Photography”, Sensory Storytime Anderson Park work day “Mirrorless Cameras”, and our popular The Oregon Public Library will host A work day focusing on forest res“Photographic Feedback” segment. For information, visit oregonwiscon- a Sensory Storytime 10-11 a.m. Thurs- toration will take place from 8-11 a.m. Saturday Jan. 11 at the Anderson Farm day, Jan. 9. Registration is required. sinphotographygroup.com The library invites children ages 0-5 County Park, 914 Union Rd. Cardboard crafts Newcomers are welcome to the for a sensory sensitive storytime expeUse cardboard to make some crafts rience, which includes visual supports, event. Anderson Park Friends, Inc. will from 10 a.m. Jan. 7-9, at the library. sensory activities, fidgets and orienta- provide the training, equipment and Children 6 years and younger are gear for the day. welcome to make cars and trucks out tions. Attendees are welcome to enjoy Activities for the park repeat every stories, songs, movement activities, second Saturday at the 8 a.m. start of cardboard boxes. All supplies are provided by the yoga and more. time. For information, contact kallen@ library but students are welcome to For information, visit anderson bring their own boxes. oregonlibrary.org or call 835-3656. parkfriends.org.
Community calendar Thursday, Jan. 2
• Oregon School District classes resume • 9:30 a.m., Memory Cafe (first Thursday), Sienna Crest Corporate Offices, 845 Market St., 835-5801 • 6:30-8 p.m., Book Mobile, Brooklyn Gazebo, brooklynwi.gov
School, 300 Soden Drive. 835-8037
Monday, Jan. 6
•11 a.m., First Monday, “Laughter and yoga” presentation, United Methodist Church, 103 N. Alpine Pkwy, 835-3755
Tuesday, Jan. 7
• 10 a.m., Make a cardSaturday, Jan. 4 board car, library, 835• 7-11 a.m., Blood drive, 3656 St. John’s Lutheran • 5 p.m., Deadline for Church, 625 E Netherspring election candidates wood St., 291-4311 to file nomination papers • 10-10:30 a.m., Dads and • 6 p.m., Photography donuts, library, 835-3656 group meeting, library, oregonwisconsinphotograSunday, Jan. 5 phygroup.com • 1:15 p.m., KC Free throw contest (ages 9-14), Wednesday, Jan. 8 Prairie View Elementary • 10 a.m., Make a card-
Community cable listings Village of Oregon Cable Access TV channels: WOW #983 & ORE #984 Phone: 291-0148 • Email: oregoncableaccess@charter.net Website: ocamedia.com • Facebook: ocamediawi New programs daily at 1 p.m. and repeats at 4, 7 and 10 p.m. and 1, 4, 7 and 10 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 2 WOW: Senior Center Presentation: Middleton Jazz Concert (April 17) ORE: OHS Wrestling vs Fort Atkinson (Dec. 6) AIRS Friday, Jan. 3 WOW: Senior Center Presentation: Helen Keller (Sept. 19) ORE: Friday Night LIVE: OHS Boys Hockey vs Janesville (Jan. 3) Saturday, Jan. 4 WOW: Movie: Of Human Bondage (1934) ORE: OHS Boys Basketball vs Stoughton (Jan. 4) Sunday, Jan. 5 WOW: Senior Center Presentation: Shari Sarazin (Sept. 5) ORE: OMS and OHS Combined Choir Concert (Dec. 5)
Monday, Jan. 6 WOW: Sounds of Summer Common Chord (Aug. 13) ORE: BKE Musical: Giants in the Sky (March 1) Tuesday, Jan. 7 WOW: Music with Greg and Kacy (Dec. 31) ORE: PVE Orchestra and Choir Concert (May 15) Wednesday, Jan. 8 WOW: Senior Center Presentation: 2019 Volunteers with Bob Lindmeier ORE: Wrestling (Jan. 3) Thursday, Jan. 9 WOW: Oregon Community Band (Nov. 19) ORE: NKE Spring Musical: Alice the Musical (April 26)
board car, library, 8353656 • 1 p.m., Movie Matinees (“The Bookshop”), senior center, 835-5801 • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Energy assistance program, senior center, 333-0333 • 10:45 a.m., Quilts by Karen Saunders, senior center, 835-5801
Thursday, Jan. 9
• 10-10:30 a.m., Sensory storytime (registration required for ages 0-5), library, 835-3656 • 1-3 p.m., Stepping on falls prevention class ($35), senior center, 8355801 • 3:30-5 p.m., Anderson
Park Friends annual meeting, Dane County Parks Office, 5201 Fen Oak Drive, andrew_hoernemann@hotmail.com
Friday, Jan. 10
• 10 a.m., Make a cardboard car, library, 8353656 Saturday, Jan. 11 • 8-11 a.m., Anderson Park work days, Anderson Farm County Park, 914 Union Road, andersonparkfriends.org. • 9 a.m. to noon, Oregon Area Wellness expo, Oregon High School, 456 N. Perry Pkwy, 835-4086 • 1-3 p.m., Author Visit, Grieving Heart Poetry, library, 835-3656
Senior center Monday, Jan. 6 Chicken Stew Whole Wheat Dinner Roll Broccoli Tropical Fruit Frosted White Cake MO – Veggie Stew NCS – Spiced Apples Tuesday, Jan. 7 Beef Pot Pie with Biscuit Top Creamed Spinach Apple Juice Strawberry Jell-O MO – Veggie Pot Pie NCS – SF Jell-O Wednesday, Jan. 8 Chicken and Gravy over White Bread Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Mandarin Oranges Chocolate Frosted White Cake MO – Veggie Chicken and Gravy NCS – SF Pudding Thursday, Jan. 9 My Meal, My Way Lunch at Ziggy’s Smokehouse and Ice Cream Parlor! Drop in between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM Friday, Jan. 10 Meatballs in Marinara over Penne Pasta Carrots Mixed Greens Salad Banana Ambrosia Salad MO – Veggie Meatballs in Marinara NCS – Pineapple SO — Tuna Salad
Monday, Jan. 6 Morning: Diabetic Foot Care 9:00 CLUB 10:30 StrongWomen 10:30 Dominoes 1:00 Weight Loss Support 1:30 Bridge 1:45 Balance Class Tuesday, Jan. 7 8:30 Zumba Gold Advanced 9:30 Ride to Food Pantry 9:45 Zumba Gold 10:45 Parkinson’s Exercise 12:30 Sheepshead 5:00 StrongWomen Wednesday, Jan. 8 Energy Assistance by Appointment 9:00 CLUB 10:00 Shopping in Madison 10:30 Book Club 10:45 Quilt Presentation 12:15 Shopping at Pick-N-Save 1:00 Movie: The Bookshop 1:00 Euchre Thursday, Jan. 9 8:30 Zumba Gold Advanced 9:00 Pool Players 9:00 COA Meeting 9:45 Zumba Gold 10:30 StrongWomen 12:30 Mahjongg 1:00 Stepping On 5:00 StrongWomen Friday, Jan. 10 9:00 CLUB 9:00 Gentle Yoga 9:30 Blood Pressure 10:45 Balance Class 11:45 Shopping at Bill’s 2:45 Zumba at the High School
Brooklyn Lutheran Church 101 Second Street, Brooklyn (608) 455-3852 Pastor Rebecca Ninke SUNDAY 9 a.m. Holy Communion 10 a.m. Fellowship Community of Life Lutheran Church PO Box 233, Oregon (608) 286-3121, office@ communityoflife.us Pastor Jim McCoid SUNDAY 8:45 a.m. Education Hour, 10 a.m. Worship at 1111 S. Perry Parkway, Oregon Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church 201 Church Street, Brooklyn (608) 455-3344 Pastor George Kaminski SUNDAY 9 a.m. Worship (Nov.-April) 10:30 a.m. Worship (May-Oct.)
Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 143 Washington Street, Oregon (608) 835-3554 Pastor Jeffrey Hendrix SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship Holy Communion 2nd & last Sundays First Presbyterian Church 408 N. Bergamont Blvd. (north of CC), Oregon, WI (608) 835-3082 - fpcoregonwi. org Pastor Kathleen Owens SUNDAY 10 a.m. Service 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Fellowship 11:15 a.m. Adult Education Memorial UCC 5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg (608) 273-1008, memorialucc. org Pastor Kristin Gorton SUNDAY 8:15 and 10 a.m.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ECLA
Central Campus: Raymond Road and Whitney Way SATURDAY - 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY - 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. Worship West Campus: Corner of Hwy. PD and Nine Mound Road, Verona SUNDAY - 9 & 10:15 a.m., 6 p.m. Worship (608) 271-6633 Hillcrest Bible Church
752 E. Netherwood, Oregon David Bartosik, Lead Pastor (608) 835-7972, www.hbclife.com SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. worship at the Hillcrest Campus and 10:15 a.m. worship with Children’s ministries, birth – 4th grade Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church
651 N. Main Street, Oregon Pastor: Fr. Gary Wankerl (608) 835-5763 holymotherchurch.weconnect.com SATURDAY: 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY: 8 and 10:15 a.m. Worship People’s United Methodist Church 103 North Alpine Parkway, Oregon Pastor Jason Mahnke
(608) 835-3755, www.peoplesumc.org
Communion is the 1st & 3rd weekend SATURDAY - 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship and Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. Worship St. John’s Lutheran Church
625 E. Netherwood, Oregon Pastor Paul Markquart (Lead) (608) 291-4311 SATURDAY - 5 p.m. Worship SUNDAY - 8, 10:30 a.m. Worship Vineyard Community Church
Oregon Community Bank & Trust, 105 S. Alpine Parkway, Oregon Bob Groth, Pastor (608) 513-3435, welcometovineyard.com SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship
Zwingli United Church of Christ – Paoli
At the intersection of Hwy. 69 & PB Pastor Rich Pleva paoliucc.com, (608) 225-1278 SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Family worship
Support groups • Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, First Presbyterian Church, every Monday and Friday at 7 p.m. • Relationship & Divorce Support Group, State Bank of Cross Plains, every other Monday at 6:30 p.m. • Navigating Life Elder Support Group, People’s United Methodist Church, 103 N. Alpine Pkwy., every first Monday at 7 p.m.
A Vale of Tears The world has often been described as a vale of tears, a place of profound and often pointless suffering. Many of the psalms are drenched in those tears, and even the usually hopeful Saint Paul describes creation as “groaning as in the pains of childbirth.”(Romans 8:22 NIV) The Buddha concurred,saying that life is essentially suffering, and philosophers throughout the ages have tended to agree, some even going so far as to suggest that it would be better to have never been born. The philosopher who composed Ecclesiastes says “And I declared that the dead,who had already died, are happier than the living,who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born,who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.”(Ecclesiastes 4:2-3 NIV) It would be foolish to deny that the world is rife with suffering, and yet perhaps all this pessimism says more about the philosophers and psalmists than it does about the world. Life is surely also a source of great pleasure and indescribable beauty, and many of us find meaning in life precisely to the extent that we help to relieve the suffering of ourselves and others. We shouldn’t deny the pain and suffering inherent in the world, but we shouldn’t fall prey to the delusion that it is all there is to the world. – Christopher Simon
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7
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Photo by Emilie Heidemann
Photo by Justin Loewen
Kevin Stockton of Oregon Public Works power-washes a gravestone during restoration of Prairie Mound Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 25.
Safety officials from around Dane County gathered at Oregon Middle School last week for an active shooter training. They underwent training for different scenarios, including what to do when there is a casualty.
John Brown, Town of Oregon resident, sits in what’s left of his basement. A rising water table forced him to take action last fall, when he filled the basement with around four feet of concrete to prevent water from collecting. His basement, previously a little more than eight feet tall, has been reduced to around four.
Photos of 2019 Journalists at the Observer are as much photographers as they are watchdogs and writers. We’ve selected some of our favorite photos from 2019 snapped by a variety of our reporters.
On the Web To view all Photos of the Year visit
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Olivia Paul, 9, smiles as she swings through the air during Summer Fest Thursday, June 20.
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Brenna Pliner, 3, cuts fringe on the edge of a piece of paper during the Madison Museum of Contemporary’s Art Cart on Saturday, July 27, at Waterman Triangle Park.
Photo by Mark Nesbitt
Oregon junior Mattea Thomason swims the backstroke during the 200-meter individual medley on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in a dual meet against Monroe/New Glarus. Thomason finished third in the event with a time of 2:45.94. Photo by Emilie Heidemann
Deana Zentner, Town of Rutland supervisor, gives a presentation about the Rutland Cemetery.
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Thursday, January 2, 2020
The Oregon Observer For more sports coverage, visit: ConnectOregonWI.com
Sports
Adam Feiner, sports editor
845-9559 x226 • ungsportseditor@wcinet.com
Mark Nesbitt, assistant sports editor 845-9559 x237 • sportsreporter@wcinet.com Fax: 845-9550
Wrestling
Niday on top of podium again ADAM FEINER Sports editor
Oregon freshman Seth Niday won his second tournament title in a week’s span, as he captured the 152-pound crown at the Mid-States Classic on Saturday, Dec. 28. The Panthers started strong a day earlier and ended up eighth out of 37 teams with 186 points at the Williams Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Niday’s victory came a week after he won the 152-pound title at the Mount Horeb Invitational. He won via 17-2 technical fall over Harvard (IL)’s Devin Van Deveer and 13-3 major decision over Evansville/Albany’s Riley Long, then pinned Horicon’s Josh Thomsen in 56 seconds to reach the semifinals. He won a 2-1 decision over Whitefish Bay’s Connor Dyke, and beat Delavan-Darien’s Cole Hanson 4-2 in overtime of the championship match. Oregon’s Owen Heiser (145 pounds) finished second with a 3-1 record. He won by tech fall over Poynette’s Owen Bahr (17-1), Janesville Craig’s Sebastian Getchell (16-0) and Oconomowoc’s Jacob Mindiola (21-5) before losing to Nicolet’s Braeden Ott 9-4 in the championship bout. Michael Schliem (138) battled his way to third place after winning four consolation matches. He won a 17-5 major decision over Reedsville’s Jordan Ingalls, but fell to Poynette’s Gunnar Hamre 3-0. Schliem then pinned Wauconda’s Vince Bennett in 1:52 and New Trier (IL)’s Matthew Boyer in 2:50, won a 10-2 major decision over Bradley-Bourbonnais (IL)’s Anthony Mancilla, and beat Janesville Parker’s Jakob Williams 4-2 in overtime of the third-place match. Brandon Liddle (126) finished seventh with a 4-2 record. He pinned Weyauwega-Fremont’s Danny Wilson in 1:54 and won a 10-1 major decision over Lake Geneva Badger’s Robert Zilskie before losing to Harvard’s Nik Jimenez 7-0. Liddle beat Delavan-Darien’s Jacob Greidanus 8-4, lost to Zilskie 4-1, and beat Pecatonica-Argyle’s Noah Krahenbuhl 6-3 in the seventh-place match. Nate Hall (195) and Cooper King (160) each finished 10th with 3-3 records. Hall pinned Reedsville’s Jade Busse in 2:22 and Milwaukee Lutheran’s Jawon Carr in 3:09, but lost to Harvard’s Nathan Rosas 6-2 in the quarterfinals and fell to Janesville Craig’s Mitchell Schumann 6-5 in the consolation bracket. He beat Carr 7-3 and lost 8-6 to Appleton North’s Demetrius Davis. King won a 10-2 major decision over Evansville/Albany’s Charlie Braunschweig and beat Chicago Mather (IL)’s Anas Hirsi 7-5. He lost his next two matches, received a forfeit victory, then lost via pin to Weyauwega-Fremont’s Max Meyerhofer in the ninth-place match. Ryan Payne (106) placed 12th with a 1-4 record. He pinned Poynette’s Isaiah Gauer in 2:21 in the consolation bracket. Karl Brooks (170) pinned River Ridge-Cassville’s Zach Zimmer in 4:53, but lost his next two matches. Tyler Wald (182) beat Waukesha North’s Elijah Johnson 6-3 in the consolation bracket, but lost his two other matches. Ramiro Ramos (113), Dakota Brown (120), Alex Vieaux (132) and Lexi Verhage (220) lost both of their matches.
Photos submitted
Oregon’s Seth Niday (bottom) prepares to escape from Delavan-Darien’s Cole Hanson in the 152-pound championship match at the Mid-States Classic on Saturday, Dec. 28, in Whitewater. Niday won a 4-2 decision in overtime.
Oregon’s Owen Heiser (top) wraps up Nicolet’s Braeden Ott during the 145-pound championship match at the Mid-States Classic. Heiser lost a 9-4 decision.
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Oregon Observer
Boys hockey
Panthers split pair of games in Hartland MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor
Oregon freshman forward Kyle Rohrer had two goals and two assists to lead the Panthers to a two-game split at the Mullett Cup last week. Oregon (3-5-1) lost to tournament host Arrowhead 2-1 on Saturday, Dec. 28, at Howard G. Mullet Center in Hartland. The Panthers were coming off a 5-0 win over Homestead a day previous.
Arrowhead 2, Oregon 1
Both defenses played strong despite being short-handed at times, but Nick Catalano scored the game-winning goal with 6:18 left in the third period. The Panthers finished 0-for3 on the power play, while the Warhawks were 0-for-7. Oregon senior forward Laszlo Orosz put the Panthers on the board first with a goal off assists from Rohrer and Joe Roemer at the 4-minute mark of the first period. Arrowhead’s TJ Haas tied the game just 2:06 later. The Warhawks outshot the Panthers 41-15. Oregon junior goaltender Colton Dailey made 39 saves.
Oregon 5, Homestead 0
File photo
Oregon goaltender Colton Dailey collected his first shutout of the season with 30 saves in a 5-0 win over Homestead on Friday, Dec. 27, at the Mullett Cup. He made 39 saves in a 2-1 loss to tournament host Arrowhead a day later.
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Girls hockey
Icebergs head north for three-game tournament ADAM FEINER Sports editor
The Icebergs girls hockey team competed in the Hodagland Holiday Tournament at Rhinelander Ice Arena on Friday, Dec. 27, Saturday, Dec. 28, and Sunday, Dec. 29, in Rhinelander. The co-op earned its first win of the season Saturday with a 4-1 victory against Northern Edge. The win came a day after a 7-1 loss to Northland
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Pines. Stoughton freshman Aven Gruner No results from Saturday and Sun- made 20 saves. day were sent to the Observer. Northland Pines outshot the Icebergs 27-12. Northland Pines 7, Icebergs 1 Madison Stebbeds racked up six The Eagles picked up their second points (two goals, four assists) for the win of the season against the Icebergs. Eagles. Grace Wittkopf netted a hat Oregon junior Izzy Newton scored on the power play with 10:13 left off trick and dished out two assists, while a pass from Stoughton junior Sydney Allie Kieffer added two goals and two Schipper to trim the Icebergs’ deficit assists. Ashlynn Boxrucker made 11 saves to 5-1. The Icebergs finished 1-for-3 on the power play. in the win.
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Girls basketball
Balanced Panthers fight off Spartans on the road MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor
Oregon senior Liz Uhl scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Panthers to a 77-68 road win over nonconference foe Laconia on Saturday, Dec. 28, in
Rosendale. Uhl also grabbed six rebounds and swiped three steals. Junior Kaitlyn Schrimpf also stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, five r e b o u n d s a n d s i x assists. Fellow junior Megan
Bloyer added 14 points and six rebounds. Senior Izzie Peterson and junior Carleigh Roberts chipped in eight and seven points, respectively. Oregon (6-3, 3-1 Badger South Conference) led 31-26 at halftime, and
withstood the Spartans’ comeback attempt in the second half. The Panthers are in a tie atop the conference with Edgewood, Monona Grove and Watertown. Oregon plays at Fort Atkinson on Friday night.
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(608)-338-1170 www.madcitybaths.com 1New orders only. Minimum purchase required. Does not include material costs 2 Financing available with minimum purchase and approved credit. Mad City Windows & Baths, Inc. is neither a broker nor a lender. Financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Mad City Windows & Baths, Inc., under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender, all subject to credit requirements and satisfactory completion of finance documents. Any finance terms advertised are estimate only. Ask for details. New orders only. Not valid with any other offer, or previous job.3 With in-home estimate and product demonstration to homeowner(s). Limit one per household. Gift card given upon completion of demonstration to be mailed in by homeowner(s). Salespersons do not carry gift cards for security reasons. Allow 2-3 weeks after demonstration to receive gift card. Gift card valued at $50.
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Rohrer and junior forward Adam Franken scored two goals apiece in the Panthers’ shutout of the Highlanders. Oregon scored two goals in the first and second periods. Rohrer started the scoring off assists from Orosz and Roemer. Orosz then scored off passes from Rohrer and Kaden Peterson. Franken scored two second-period goals to push the lead to 4-0. Orosz collected his second assist on the first goal, and Parker Schmidt assisted on the second tally. Rohrer capped the scoring in the third period. Homestead held a 30-29 edge in shots, but Dailey posted his first shutout of the season with 30 saves.
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January 2, 2020
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2020: More library funding and new elementary school are upcoming in the new year sensory room, an area for new mothers, a drive-thru book drop, a second-floor makerspace and several quiet, study and conference rooms. The plans include three options within the same floor plan – one for a lower investment, one for a medium investment and one for a higher investment. Amenities in the $12.1 million higher-end version include a labor-saving automatic book drop return, additional computer equipment, more expensive furnishings and additional audio/visual equipment.
Continued from page 1 capital campaign committee, prepared three options for the building depending on the results of the campaign. Fundraising is a big theme this year, with two other major projects hoping to follow the stunning fundraising success of the water tower and pump, the food pantry and the youth center. This year, the Jaycee Park West renovation and the splash pad project are looking to hit their goals so they can be ready for people in 2021. A different kind of fundraising is in the works for the bike trail, which opened in 2015 but has been unusable for much of its four year lifespan. The Village of Oregon has secured a county grant but is holding off while it works on big-picture flooding problems and looks for more funding reroute the $889,000 trail. Other projects in the works in Oregon include intersection upgrades to S o u t h P e r r y P a r k w a y, where some people have experienced safety issues, and the Highlands of Netherwood subdivision.
1. Building new school; planning for next referendum It will be a busy year around the Oregon School District in 2020, with a new elementary school scheduled for completion in time for students to arrive for the first day of classes Sept. 1. After nearly two years of research, the district in 2018 identified the fast-growing northern section of the district in the City of Fitchburg as the most effective location for new schools. It determined the student population was expected to soar from around 4,000 to more than 6,000 by 2030. A K-6 elementary near the Lacy Road interchange was seen as the most pressing need, with a new middle school planned just north of the Village of Oregon to address the expected increase of students in that age group. Site work started at the r e c e n t l y n a m e d Fo r e s t Edge Elementary School last spring, in the Terravessa Development, with a groundbreaking held June 6. Throughout this year, work will continue on the 130,000 square foot building, which is expected to be finished in August for teachers to begin moving in. The school will feature several playgrounds, three inner courtyards and a butterfly garden and will be the first “net zero” school in the state, with geothermal heating and cooling and solar panels on the roof taking in more energy than expended. This spring, the district will select students and teachers to go to the school, which will be led by longtime Brooklyn Elementary School principal Kerri Modjeski. And even while opening one school, the district will likely be planning for the next – a middle school on the border of Fitchburg and the Village of Oregon.
– Emilie Heidemann and Jim Ferolie
3. Focus on flooding solutions
Photo courtesy Oregon School District
The new site for an Oregon School District elementary school will be in Fitchburg’s Terravessa development. The district will purchase the 12.1-acre parcel for $926,080 and pay $250,000 for roads into the site.
Rendering by OPN Architects
An exterior view of the library concept plan from Main Street as shown to the Village Board Aug. 19.
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 will continue into 2020. Other flooding issues include persistent closures of Netherwood Road and more homes in the middle of the village being affected by stormwater. This year, the district is expected to do preliminary planning on a new referendum. It already has spent $926,080 for around 107 acres south of the U.S. Hwy. 14/County Hwy. MM interchange. It won’t be long before the wave of students expected to hit the elementary schools will reach seventh grade, and last year, district officials
expected another referen- finalizing plans is a priority dum may be needed as soon in 2020 for the village and as 2022 to fund the build- the community. ing. Fundraising efforts for the $10 million project are – Scott De Laruelle being taken public earlier than anticipated, in Febru2. Library capital ary, Trustee Randy Glysch campaign to continue announced during a Oregon While the actual build- Village Board meeting in ing won’t be finished until December. He said donors 2022, finding money for had been inquiring about it. the new library site and The village has already
squared away $6 million for the building, to be located on North Main Street, but the remaining $4 million or more – there are three different designs for different funding levels – is to come from the community. Library director Jennifer Endres Way told the Observer in August 2019 the building will be more than a space for knowledge and quiet reading – it also will be a place for the public to gather and even for moms to spend quality time with their newborns. At that point, the fundraising had kicked off with a $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor. It was the same donor also gave $800,000 to build a new Oregon Youth Center this year. While the building designs are well on their way to being prepared, project organizers are still working on two major components of the new library – the location of the pedestrian crosswalks across Main Street and how the project will be managed. That, along with other aspects of the design, is likely to be set in the next joint meeting of the village and library boards in June. The design of the two-story building is full of windows with a first floor centered on an all-purpose, 150-seat community room and children’s space and a second floor with more quiet areas, with adult and young adult sections. The initial plan is 33,000 square feet. Though if the $4 million fundraising goal isn’t reached, one of the options to save money might be shortening one end of the building. And the building also could accommodate a 5,500 square foot addition to accommodate future growth. Some key features include an area for children’s programming, a
Flooding and increased precipitation are an ongoing problem, so problems like this year’s No. 3 story are likely to be commonplace in our stories of the year lists. As WKOW meteorologist and Oregon resident Bob Lindmeier put it at a public forum in November, climate change is a global affair that requires a worldly solution. But in the meantime, the Oregon community will be working on local solutions to handle flooding issues all over the village and area towns. Those issues include the destruction of the 4-yearold Rotary Bike Trail, persistent closures of Netherwood Road and more and more homes in the middle of the village being affected by stormwater. Most of Oregon sits on low land, and it’s becoming more of a nuisance for the people who live, work and come here to visit. It starts with dealing in facts, as public works director Jeff Rau said. If the public understands what is going on, they are likely to involve themselves in those long term fixes. The Rotary Bike Trail was a big focus for the village in 2019, and it secured grants and budgeted money to fix it, but it hasn’t been enough yet. As a result, the village is working on other, more immediate projects while it looks for additional funding and possible more land. Expenditures for the project have so far exceeded its revenue, even including a $173,000 grant from the county, Rau pointed out in December. Rau pointed out both in interviews with the Observer and during the public forum that he hears complaints from people almost daily about how water affects their daily lives. – Emilie Heidemann
4. Splash Pad could start
It has been five years since the Splash Pad project was introduced to the community. But in 2020, project co-leaders Deb Bossingham and Margaret Straub are doing all they can to construct it, as parents and kids “want it yesterday.” If everything goes according to plan, Bossingham
Turn to 2020/Page 11
ConnectOregonWI.com
January 2, 2020
11
Oregon Observer
2020: A new splash pad, a new superintendent and renovation at Jaycee Park West Continued from page 10
A rendering of the future Oregon Splash Pad, which would be located on the west side of the Oregon Community Pool building, shows early designs of the project’s interactive water features, shade structures and facilities.
6. Jaycee Park West aims for first phase
I n J u l y, t h e O r e g o n School District will have a new leader for the first time since 2006, as Leslie Bergstrom succeeds retiring superintendent Brian Busler. In November, at Busler’s recommendation, the school board selected the deputy superintendent, a
longtime district educator, to take over the district’s top job. Bergstrom started her career in education as a teacher at Madison East High School before joining the Oregon School District in 2003. Since then, she’s served in a variety of teaching and administrative roles, including Oregon High School associate principal, Rome Corners Intermediate School
principal and district director of learning and student achievement. Bergstrom was promoted to the newly created position of deputy superintendent in April, with responsibilities for leading the district’s task forces on growth/student population and attendance boundaries. Announcing her hiring in November, board president Steve Zach said members had been working with
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5. Bergstrom set to succeed Busler at OSD
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Photo submitted
Oregon School District superintendent Brian Busler (right) is retiring in June, and will be succeeded by deputy superintendent Leslie Bergstrom, who was congratulated by Busler after being appointed to the position by the board.
Honorable Mentions South Perry analysis
The South Perry Parkway intersection was under much village scrutiny in fall 2019 after two pedestrians were almost hit by oncoming traffic mere days apart. Public works director Jeff Rau strategized a three month traffic and warrant analysis of the intersection to examine the full scope of safety issues around the area. The village will likely revisit issues at that intersection in early spring when the analysis comes back.
Highlands of Netherwood Park expands
Though it isn’t expected to start construction until 2021, preparations for a major expansion to the west are likely to be set this year. When fully developed, the 76-acre project would consist of 124 single family residential lots, 25 carriage homes, 13 townhomes and a community park.
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The first phase of Jaycee Park West which is not likely to be constructed this year, involves grading and preparing the site with utilities and parking, which is costing $1.5 million.
Supporters of the Jaycee Park West renovation project will continue to amass funds in 2020. Fundraising efforts for the $3.7 million project kicked off in September 2019. The plan, presented by planning firm Rettler Corp. in 2018, showed four ball fields, eight soccer fields, two new parking lots, walking paths, three new pedestrian bridges and a concessions plaza on 25.3 acres. The first phase, which is not likely to be constructed this year, involves grading and preparing the site with utilities and parking, which is costing $1.5 million. The community must raise $500,000 in total for the renovation, trustee Randy Glysch told the Observer in September. – Emilie Heidemann
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told the Observer in November, she might have a major announcement this year regarding changes to the pad’s design that would speed up the building process. Bossingham said the project is still accepting donations for the project, which costs around $800,000. Construction of the splash pad should begin by mid-2020, Bossingham told the Observer in December. In theory, that could mean an opening before the summer season is over. If it doesn’t start within the next six months, however, the project could lose some of its donations and grants that are time-sensitive. It won’t take on loans or use taxes, she said, saying the pad will be available for public use. The planning is done, and the Oregon School District already has constructed the pump house that would power the pad’s water features at the downtown site next to Oregon Community Pool. – Emilie Heidemann
Busler for the past several months on a succession plan before coming to a consensus on promoting Bergstrom. Board member Krista Flanagan said Bergstrom “possessed the educational background, the skills and acumen we desired, and a steep knowledge of our value system.” “(She is) already a highly respected member of our district community, had been successful in leading a lot of our most strategic long term initiatives and she was being sought after by other districts,” Flanagan said. – Scott De Laruelle
12
January 2, 2020
ConnectOregonWI.com
Oregon Observer
Director leaves youth center Board president resigned in November CONNOR WOOD Observer correspondent
Three months after the Oregon Youth Center lost its longtime director, her successor has left the position. The center does not plan to seek applicants in the immediate future after the exit of Ashleigh Smiley. Elisa Kaether, who previously had been the assistant director, is now serving as interim director. “Elisa has already developed a trusting relationship with the program participants, and we are confident that she will carry the program with passion and consistency as we move forward,” board
File photo by Emilie Heidemann
The Oregon Youth Center is located at 110 N. Oak St. member Ashley Disrud wrote in a Dec. 19 email to the Observer. S m i l ey s t a r t e d i n the position in early November after the departure of Diane Newlin, who had been director since 2010 before resigning in September. “Ashleigh is setting out on the next chapter for her career,” Disrud wrote in her email. “
We wish her the very best, and are grateful for the work she did with our organization.” The center also lost its board president this fall, when Erin Chisman resigned. Vice president Kelly Allen has been serving as interim president since then. Chisman is one of the founders of OYC and continues to volunteer at the center.
The board is selected for one year terms, those interested in serving on the board can find the application on the OYC website. Applications are open throughout the entire year. The center opened its new building May 30. Disrud said in her email the center would be focusing on finishing a few building projects and continuing to serve the kids who use the center. It is still growing used to its new building, she added. The center also plans to introduce a volunteer program in the spring for people who would like to get involved. People can also donate. The center has a wishlist available on its website and it could always use more snacks, Disrud wrote.
Center: Patrons want more board games and puzzles Continued from page 1 enjoyed having a home away from home, being around other seniors, the exercise programs, making new friends, health check ups, fellowship and opportunities for volunteer, according to the WASC eva l u a t i o n . T h e t w o m o s t commonly enjoyed activities were social interaction and fitness classes. Center patrons also told WASC representatives they wa n t e d t o s e e m o r e b o a r d games and puzzles, more exercise space, more sharing time with desserts and coffee, daily bingo and even embroidery courses. In a letter from WASC to the senior center, the organization commended staff for its executive board being made up of many community members, its large print monthly newsletter, Brickner’s articles in the Observer and good policies and procedures. In a letter from Brickner to village board members
Ronald “Ronnie” Odegard Ronald “Ronnie” Odegard, age 64, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on June 29, 1955, in Dodgeville, the son of Lester and LaVon (Rickli) Odegard. Ronald married Betts MacLeod on May 6, 1978, at Oregon Methodist Church. Ronnie and Betts were married for 42 years and enjoyed spending time with each other and family. Ronnie worked as a commercial roofer for Pioneer Roofing for over 20 years he was very dedicated and a very hardworking employee. He was a member of Wisconsin Masons Labor Temple Local No. 13. Ronnie’s passion was racing late model stock cars at Madison International Speedway where he could be found on Friday and Saturday nights. He raced for 20 plus years with car No. 33. He loved watching NASCAR and was a very big fan of Matt Kennseth. Ronnie was also an avid Badgers and Packers fan. Most of all, Ronnie was very dedicated and loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. Ronald is survived by his wife, Betts; his children, Ashley Cheramy (Jared Staudenmeyer) and Amos Odegard (Wendy Christensen); grandchildren, Braiden, Carson, Landon, Ariana, Ali and Taylor; siblings, Connie (David) Lowrey, Doug (Diana) Odegard, Jeff Odegard and Luann (Jeff)
Ronald “Ronnie” Odegard
Tober; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dickie; and sisters, Dolores and Sharon. A funeral service will be held at Gunderson Oregon Funeral and Cremation Care, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at noon on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2019. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until time of the service. A celebration luncheon will follow the service. The family would like to give a special thanks to Brady Liddle for letting Ronnie live out his passion for racing, and to John Beottcher of Pioneer Roofing for his support and dedication to Ronnie. They would also like to thank all the staff at UW Carbone Cancer Center, Agrace HospiceCare and Meriter Hospital for their care and compassion. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh. com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park St. 835-3515
Joseph L. Sommers
File photo by Emilie Heidemann
An audience of dozens watches the annual holiday play at Oregon Area Senior Center. Patrons reporting during the accreditation process they enjoy the opportunities to socialize and make friends, among other things. dated Dec. 11, she said not every senior center in the state meets the standards set by WASC. “I would like to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of the more recent re-accreditation committee members and
thank them for all they contributed to the successful completion of this process,” Brickner wrote. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @ HeidemannEmilie.
Joseph L. Sommers, born on Nov. 20, 1961, passed away at the age of 58 on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at home, as a result of multiple myeloma. Over the years, Joe was a manager of a homeless shelter, a social worker caring for the mentally ill and a criminal defense attorney. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 32 years, Joan (Schaefer) Sommers; his children, Robert (Jessica), Therese (Dan) Breunig, Veronica, Clare, Martha Rose, Cosette, Patrick, Jack, Joanie, Kristelle, MaryJo, Dietrich and Oscar; and grandchildren, Lily, Irene, Victor, and Alfred Sommers, Edith, Sylvia, and Faye Breunig, and LeNora Sommers. He is also survived by his 12 siblings and their spouses; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Joan (Fitzpatrick) Sommers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Mother of Consolation Caotholic Church, 651 N.
Joseph L. Sommers
Main St., Oregon, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, with Father Randy Budnar presiding. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oregon. A meal will follow burial at the church in Consolation Hall. Visitation will be held at the church from 12:15 p.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park St. 835-3515
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