Oregon Observer The
Buy Local in Oregon
112 Janesville Street, Oregon, WI 53575 Phone: 835-8276 • Fax: 835-8277 Mon., Fri. & Sat. appointment only Tues. & Thurs. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed. 12 p.m.-6 p.m.,
Thursday, January 16, 2020 • Vol. 135, No. 29 • Oregon, WI • ConnectOregonWI.com • $1.25
adno=131524
Gerlach Wholesale Flooring
Community orchestra to hold first concert Jan. 29 BY NEAL PATTEN
If You Go
Unified Newspaper Group
Photos by Neal Patten
Makayla Schmidt, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes epileptic seizures, was given the bedroom makeover of her dreams by Beaver Dam-based charity Designing Dreams.
Designing a dream W
hen Makayla Schmidt began waking up her parents at night crying and disoriented in October 2017, they thought she was just having night terrors. It turned out the sixth grade Rome Corners Intermediate School student was having grand mal seizures during the night. Schmidt started taking epilepsy medicine to remedy that, but in January 2018,
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. Project leaders are seeking public and private donations to fund the splash pad, which is estimated to cost about $750,000.
other area orchestras. “There are a number of people who had put their instrument away for a few years and needed to get comfortable with it again, s o m e w h o h a d f o r m e rly played in professional orchestras but retired, some who have been playing all along,” Sanyer said. There are two other
Turn to Orchestra/Page 11
Panthers lock down Watertown at home
she began having them during the day. That was “shocking and scary” said her mom, Angela, because it meant Makayla’s medication wasn’t working the way it should. Then began many hospital trips, MRIs and EKGs. Makayla underwent surgery where sensors were planted deep in her brain to find the source of the seizures. It turned out Beaver Dam-based charity Designing she had multiple tumors. Makayla was diagnosed with Dreams gifts children with cancer and cancer-like conditions their dream Turn to Bedroom/Page 12 bedrooms. Seen here is the bedroom of Makayla Schmidt.
Page A7
Splash pad effort gets $30,000 grant Design changes still being discussed EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
The Oregon Splash Pad received a $30,000 grant from the Madison Community Foundation on Monday, Jan. 13. Deb Bossingham, project co-leader, along with the Oregon-Brooklyn Optimist Club, said the money will
help the overall project, which is still seeking funds after five years of slow progress. In December, Bossingham told the Observer the pad is likely to undergo design changes to expedite the construction process. In an email, she said she and project staff were still working on those details Tuesday, Jan. 7. While project organizers last year received a $650,000 estimate for
Turn to Grant/Page 11
ANY DRAIN - ANY TIME Start the New Year with a New JOB! Now hiring-Paid Training Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Municipal
Inspection Service, Septic Pumping, Pipe & Tank Locating, Jet-Vac Service, Sewer Cleaning
Serving Dane & Rock Counties Since 1948! Terra Herale Owner
608-256-5189
adno=134955
adno=554025-01
Unified Newspaper Group
What: Verona Area Community Orchestra inaugural concert When: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29 Where: Performing Arts Center, 300 Richard St. Info: Call 608-516-1339
Inside
RCI student with rare seizure disorder gets new bedroom NEAL PATTEN
A community orchestra composed primarily of Verona, Oregon and Mount Horeb residents is busy practicing for its inaugural concert. The group has been practicing since mid-August. This concert, which begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Verona High School Performing Arts Center, 300 Richard St. is its first public performance. The Verona Area Community Orchestra was created to fill a void for community members who play, but not professionally. Co-director Leyla Sanyer said the orchestra was created after people felt there wasn’t a good fit for them elsewhere in