Issuu

Inside this edition

Octagon Barn hosts third annual Barn Sale

Art from Around the Valley: Jen Salt’s Mothers Day

RVHS Spring Sports snapshots, scores

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Spring Green, Wisconsin

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 Vol. 2, No. 19 Free, Single-Copy

Local citizens, state activist group hold BadgerCare rally in Spring Green Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief Citizen Action of Wisconsin, along with various area residents held a rally in May 5 in Spring Green to show support for BadgerCare expansion in the state 2021-2023 biennial budget, a single day before State Sen. Howard Marklein and the Committee on Joint Finance took its first votes to bring the budget “back to basics,” removing those expansions. Roughly 25-30 people met at North Park in Spring Green with signs and a plan to speak on why BadgerCare expansion is importance to them and the state. Speakers included organizer, Ben Wilson, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Driftless co-op organizer, Marie Raboin, owner of Brix Cider in Mount Horeb, Dr. Mark Neumann, a retired physician turned healthcare activist, Area residents Joni Anderson and Timm Zumm, who shared his story about currently going without healthcare. “Most people around here know me as the President of the Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, the volunteer group that works to protect the beautiful lower Wisconsin river. One of our challenges is finding people who can volunteer, who can afford to work for nothing,” said Zumm. “The Affordable Care Act helped me out alot, but if you make $8 an hour, working 40 hours a week, you don’t qualify for BadgerCare. You can’t live on $8 an hour. There’s just no good reason not to have it.” Attendees were invited to speak as well. Expansions the group advocated

Photo via Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief Area residents and Citizen Action of Wisconsin organizers met at North Part for a rally advocating for BadgerCare expansion on May 5. for included the possibility for $1.6 billion in new federal funding for the state and expanding eligibility for BadgerCare healthcare coverage for 90,000 Wisconsinites. Following speeches, rally organizers and attendees planted 100 mini American Flags along the sidewalk at North Park, each ﬂag representing 900 state residents that would be eligible under the proposed expansion.

Ben Wilson, organizer for the event said the group chose to hold the rally in Spring Green because it is part of the 17th senate district, and Sen. Howard Marklein’s hometown. Marklein is co-chairman of the Joint Finance Committee. Wilson stated that Marklein was not formally invited to attend the rally, but claims he was aware of the event. On May 6, the day of the JFC’s

votes, Marklein released an oﬃcial statement regarding the budget process and the committee’s votes on Gov. Tony Evers’ Badger Bounceback proposals. “Today, the Joint Committee on Finance took the ﬁrst votes in the budget process. We returned to base budget which means that

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Arena re-appoints trustee after failed attempt, enacts ordinance that raises oversight questions Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief The Arena Village Board met for their regular monthly meeting May 4 to attempt to ﬁx a failed trustee appointment, ﬁll another vacancy and take up an ordinance that looks to streamline claims against the village, in a meeting that saw disputes raised in everything from the approval of the agenda to public comment.

Trustee (re)appointment

The board ﬁrst took up action to appoint Rachel DePouw to the open village trustee seat vacated by Jessica Voight, with a term expiring in April 2022. The appointment was previously taken up at the board’s April 13 meeting, in a vote that purported to ﬁll the resulting vacancy, after Village President Kate Reimann

the motion to appoint DePouw had passed. An analysis by Valley Sentinel found that the vote didn’t include enough trustees to meet the statutory requirement to fill the position, rendering the appointment functionally void. The appointment was taken up at this meeting and passed unanimously, with DePouw filling the vacancy and again taking the oath of office. Village Clerk DeNean Naeger has not responded to emails seeking information on the process the appointment went through to initially appear on the agenda. Typically, interested residents have submitted letters of interest and appeared before the board under a general appointment agenda item.

Agenda dispute

The board then took up the ap-

proval of the meeting agenda, with Reimann quickly making a motion to approve the agenda excluding a new business item requested by Trustee Paul Pustina that would have discussed the issuing of permits that fall under the village building inspector’s duties. “We don’t have any information, I mean I know you asked for this to be put on, but next month we can put it back on if you have information to share with us so that we’re prepared,” stated Reimann. Reimann explained that Pustina had failed to provide any context for the agenda item, with Pustina stating the agenda item was requested to ask questions. “I had questions, that’s why it’s under discussion,” Pustina shared. “Well we need information,” Rei-

mann responded, before moving into a vote without further discussion. The agenda passed as amended, with only Pustina dissenting.

Public comment dispute

Among public comments, the board heard from current plan commission member and former trustee, ﬁnance committee chair and president pro tem Melissa Bandell, who passed out a statement to the board. Bandell shared that she felt harassed by Pustina, who she said had contacted her requesting her direct supervisor’s contact information at her employer, among other actions she felt constituted stalking and harassment. Bandell further requested no contact from Pustina, warning

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WednesdaY, May 12, 2021

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Wisconsin Watch—Oﬃcials use digital dodges to hide records David Armiak, via Wisconsin Watch

In March, The Washington Post reported that University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank sought to move a conversation around the COVID-19 pandemic and students returning to campus in the fall to a private portal used by presidents and chancellors of the 14 Big Ten universities. “I would be delighted to share information,” Blank responded in an email chain begun last August by University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel, “but perhaps we can do this through the Big 10 portal, which will assure conﬁdentiality?” Blank apologized after the story broke, but did not go so far as to say that she would provide responsive communications through the Big 10 portal to record requesters in the future. The disturbing trend toward using digital dodges to evade Wisconsin’s Open Records Law extends far beyond the university. Wisconsin lawmakers who are members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) are using the corporate pay-to-play group’s online portal, called ALEC Connect, to exchange important information that used to show up in public records requests.

David Armiak Through ALEC Connect, lawmakers participate in policy discussions, share research, and access archived materials. My group, the Center for Media and Democracy, has documented that 20 Wisconsin state representatives and eight state senators have ties to ALEC. Records on ALEC Connect, like the Big 10 portal, have remained secret despite public records requests. Members of the Republican Attorneys General Association use a similar ploy. In 2018, the Center for Media and Democracy sued Attorney General Brad Schimel for refusing to turn over records relating to his participa-

tion in a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act. The Wisconsin Department of Justice reached a settlement with CMD that included an acknowledgement that the open records law applies to documents accessed online. “Materials that otherwise meet the definition of ‘record’ … are not exempt from disclosure by virtue of their location on private email accounts, online apps, or filesharing services,” the settlement said. But ALEC legislators apparently didn’t get the memo. Last summer, I requested communications between ALEC and the office of John Nygren, then a Republican state representative. Nygren, who sat on ALEC’s board of directors at the time, provided me with a number of emails and an incomplete post by Lisa Nelsen, the CEO of ALEC, about the “safeguards needed for any voteby-mail program.” When I asked for the rest of Nelson’s message, Nygren’s chief of staff, Nathan Schwanz, responded, “Rep. Nygren’s office is not in possession of the web page or content you are requesting, beyond the record that was provided, and therefore has no additional records to provide.” An elected state representative’s

PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com Editorial Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone Managing Editor Taylor Scott Legal Editor Gary Ernest Grass, esq. Interns Graphic Design/Pagination

communications with an organization over voting clearly constitute public records. Their disclosure is presumed to be in the public interest, consistent with Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. The Republican Attorneys General Association maintains an online portal called “The Brieﬁng Room,” where Republican attorneys general and their staﬀ review policy documents, draft briefs, and write regulatory letters. It should be clear that these are public records. They should be released on request. Lawmakers and the University of Wisconsin System should not be able to conduct the public’s business through secret channels. Your Right to Know is a monthly column distributed by the Wisconsin Freedom ofInformation Council (wisfoic.org), a group dedicated to open government. David Armiak is the research director for the Center for Media and Democracy, based in Wisconsin.

Deadlines: The display and classiﬁed

Valley Sentinel is published in Spring Green, Wisconsin every Wednesday by Lower Wisconsin River Valley Sentinel, LLC. ISSN 2694-541X (print) — ISSN 2694-5401 (online) Anna Stocks-Hess Graphic Design/Infographics Whitney Back Editorial Adeline Holte Graphic Design/Editorial Nicole Hansen Editorial Matthew L. Beyer

Editorial Adam Meyer Distribution/Photography Kalen Scott Regular Contributors Arts & Culture/Editorial Bill Gordon Arts & Culture/Editorial Alison Graves

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

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Our team will be growing and changing as we settle into publishing regularly, please stay in touch. Thank you to all of our contributors, by name and by pen, for believing in our community.

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Community

WednesdaY, May 12, 2021

Arena Village Board vacancy discussed, claim resolution, ordinance passed continued from page 1 him that she would potentially seek a restraining order if his alleged conduct continued. Pustina disputed the harassment assertions following Bandell’s statement, sharing that he felt threatened by her accusations and her warning of a restraining order. Pustina conﬁrmed he contacted Bandell seeking her employer’s information, due to the nature of her employment with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and questions he had regarding what he alleged were potential oversteps when she was serving in her previous village positions in 2019. Bandell ended her statement by recommending that Pustina resign.

Toutz lawsuit and disallowance resolution

The board took up and passed a resolution that disallowed a claim, having postponed the action at their previous meeting based on village attorney advice. Village residents Christopher and Deana Toutz ﬁled a lawsuit against the village on March 24, claiming inaccurate assessment of property and asserting that the village did not provide written notice/appeal rights. The Toutz’s had received an omitted property tax bill for 2019 from Naeger of $5858.30 that was accruing interest, despite the fact that the Toutz’s hadn’t owned the property in 2019. Court records indicate that the lawsuit was dismissed on April 20 at the request of the plaintiﬀs, without prejudice, meaning the action can be brought before the court again. The village’s insurance carrier had recommended disallowance,

meaning the village would reject the claim in the lawsuit. The resolution outlines a six month period for the Toutz’s to appeal.

Claims against the village ordinance

Despite not passing committee, after failing to receive a second on the motion to recommend to the board, the board took up and passed an ordinance that purports to streamline the process the village and the clerks go through to pay claims against the village, raising questions about financial oversight. Pustina was the sole trustee to vote against the passing of the ordinance. The ordinance provides that, other than claims under certain statutes regarding those being “against governmental bodies or officers, agents or employees; notice of injury; limitation of damages and suits”, claims may be paid after the clerk audits and approves each claim. The ordinance includes an indefinite provision that the claims have to be “duly authorized” and provides that the clerk must provide a list of claims to the board for review at least monthly. The ordinance, written by Naeger and Village Attorney Paul Johnson, would allow the clerk flexibility to pay claims like invoices without fear of accruing interest or late fees. See analysis of ordinance below.

Approval of monthly ﬁnancial reports

After leaving them off the agenda last month, the board discussed an item brought by Pustina to consider if the board wished to approve monthly financial reports. “What we’re looking at with financial reports is, basically, if we have enough money to pay our bills,” said

Kathy Stoltz, trustee and finance committee chair. Previously, these reports were taken up in the finance committee before being reviewed by the board. During April’s meeting, Pustina noted that the monthly financials weren’t included in the consent agenda as they typically were. The consent agenda being monthly items approved as a package in one motion without discussion unless a trustee requests that an item be removed for individual discussion. Stoltz noted that it was her belief that the financial reports don’t need to be approved by the board, which is why they have since been removed from the consent agenda. The reports are included in the board packet for review by trustees, but would not have their own agenda item for review or approval. “Each board member really needs to take a look at them and acknowledge that they’ve taken a look at them,” stated Pustina. “My point is that by bringing it to the board and by letting the board vote on it, each board member acknowledges that they’ve looked at them and they’ve approved them.” Pustina motioned to include the monthly financial reports in the board packet for approval by the board, with Reimann declaring the motion dead without a second. “I’m hearing no second on this motion, motion dies,” said Reimann.

Board vacancy goes unﬁlled

Under two separate agenda items the board discussed the remaining vacancy in a trustee seat, with a term expiring April 2023, with the board ultimately declining to take action to ﬁll the seat. Under Speakers on the agenda,

the board was to consider a letter of interest from Matthew Schroeder, a former trustee. Schroeder wasn’t in attendance at the meeting and Reimann said that Naeger had told her that the village didn’t receive a formal letter of interest. Pustina claimed that the village hadn’t followed up with Schroeder after he stated he couldn’t attend the meeting and oﬀered to answer questions by email. Reimann ended discussion until the next vacancy agenda item. Reimann stated that there was interest by one resident in the seat outside of Schroeder, but didn’t identify the resident. Under the next agenda item, the board declined to appoint someone to ﬁll the seat, with a consensus of the board agreeing that those interested should submit a letter and attend the next meeting on June 1.

Other items and actions taken

— The board updated the 20212022 Standing Committees to reflect the appointment of DePouw. — The board heard from Dave Rasmussen, of MSA, on updates to the financing plan and timetable for tax incremental district (TID) projects. — The board heard from Kathy Jennings, of MSA, on updates for the second well project for the village and regarding sewer televising/ cleaning. The board approved a contract with MSA for sewer televising/ cleaning at a cost of $11,200. — The board heard from Public Works Superintendent Mike Schmidt and approved cleaning of the village water tower by National Wash Authority at a cost of $6,800. — After failing in committee, the board approved an operator license for Tiffany Statz.

Editorial Analysis: Ordinance pushes lack of oversight to the legal limit The ordinance doesn’t make any explicit grant of power, but it does remove the role of the ﬁnance committee, and impliedly leaves the clerk

to issue checks with no actual supervision. Mostly, the new ordinance trims the old one down to just the minimal necessary provisions required by stat-

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ute (with some redundancy). In that sense it seems designed for maximum ﬂexibility. It’s lawful but arguably quite imprudent and dangerous.

It literally pushes lack of oversight to the legal limit. —Gary Ernest Grass, esq., Legal Editor

Community

WednesdaY, may 12, 2021

Page 5

Rally held in Spring Green comes one day before JFC votes against Badgercare expansion continued from page 1 our next budget will begin with the current budget. This is the spending plan that Governor Evers signed and supported two years ago,” said Marklein. “From here, we will build the next state budget by adding to the current budget. We will focus on reasonable, responsible and realistic priorities to support all Wisconsinites. Our approach takes us back to basics as we build the next state budget.” Valley Sentinel requested comment on the rally from Marklein’s office, but did not hear back by press time. If we hear back from Marklein this story will be updated online. Evers also released an official statement following urging Wisconsinites to call their legislators to voice their desires and needs for the budget. Following the JFC’s vote on Thursday, Valley Sentinel reached out to Wilson for comment on the committee votes, and what this means for BadgerCare expansion and Wisconsinites in need of healthcare. Below are his responses. Valley Sentinel: Do you have any comment on the actions/votes taken by the JFC so far? Ben Wilson: The JFC’s actions are not designed to benefit the people of Wisconsin. Their decision was intended to prevent Governor Evers from having any form of success. Many of the proposals the JFC threw out (like cannabis reform and the expansion of BadgerCare) are widely popular across Wisconsin. They have polled very well among both Republican and Democratic voters. The JFC has turned the state budget into a political game and Republicans in control of the JCF are willing to allow the state of Wisconsin to suffer rather then help our Governor to protect the health and financial security of Wisconsin. The decision to remove BadgeCare expansion specifically means that over 90,000 uninsured Wisconsinites will continue to go without healthcare. These are Wisconsinites who are working full or part time. These are our friends and neighbors who are struggling. These are people who are one unexpected expense away from financial ruin. BadgeCare expansion would have been funded by the federal Government so not only is the GOP controlled JFC leaving Wisconsinites without healthcare

they are also leaving federal funds from the American Rescue Plan unclaimed. VS: Why was/wasn’t this the best route to take? BW: Rather than engage in debate and compromise the JFC has taken action to strip every proposal from the Governor’s budget. The Republicans in control of the JFC are showing that they have no interest in bipartisan cooperation. They threw out budget items related to everything from expanding BadgerCare, environmental protections, efforts to keep our waterways clean, investments in our schools, investments in child care and caregivers, expanding broadband in our rural areas and so many other programs. In 2018 the people of Wisconsin elected Tony Evers as Governor. Ever since that night the Wisconsin GOP has prioritized fighting Governor Evers rather than work to protect the health, well being and future of Wisconsin. Last year, in the middle of the biggest pandemic of our lives, the Wisconsin GOP fought every efforts Governor Evers made to fight the COVID virus and protect Wisconsin. The actions of the JCF last week are horrible but it fits within the pattern. Toxic partisan fighting is not a way to effectively lead Wisconsin yet that is the path the GOP has chosen. This decision by the JFC will not help anyone in Wisconsin. VS: What does it mean for residents of Wisconsin affected by the decisions? BW: Everyone in Wisconsin will be affected by this decision. Our water will continue to be threatened by PFAS, nitrates, and lead pipes. Our caregivers across the state will continue to go underfunded even while those caregivers are taking care of our loved ones. Wisconsin will continue to lack access affordable child care our working families need in order to work and thrive .Our public schools will still go underfunded. Cannabis will continue to be illegal in the state of Wisconsin while our neighboring states of Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota will generate millions of dollars (and thousands of new jobs) through the legalization of cannabis. Our small and medium sized family owned farms will continue to suffer and be forced out of business. Wisconsin will be less prepared to deal with the increasing

I S P WAN L E H TE UR

Photo by Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief Attendees at the BadgerCare Rally in Spring Green Monday planted 100 small American Flags at North Park, each flag represents 900 wisconsinites that would benefit from BadgerCare expansion, proposed in the 2021-23 budget. number of extreme whether events like flooding. Our small, rural communities will continue too suffer and lose their populations. Wisconsin will miss out on billions of dollars in federal aid funding from the American Rescue Plan. Worst of all over 90,000 hard working Wisconsinites will continue to go without healthcare. Currently someone in Wisconsin who works full time at $8.00 an hour makes too much to qualify for BadgerCare but clearly they do not make enough to be able to afford a healthcare plan on that kind of salary. Expanding BadgerCare would provide healthcare to those 90,000 Wisconsinites funded by the federal government. Wisconsin is leaving money on the table and hard working Wisconsinites are suffering because of it. Wisconsin is now one of only 12 states to refuse federal dollars to expand their medicaid programs. Even deep red states like Montana and Missouri has expanded their Medicaid programs. Healthcare is not a luxury item, it is a basic human right and the Wis-

consin GOP is forcing hard working Wisconsinites to go without it. These are the people who bag our groceries and the people preparing our order at the drive through. These are the people we were calling heroes last year and now we are denying them healthcare, even though it would not cost Wisconsin anything to expand BadgerCare to cover them. It is impossible to get ahead in life if your basic needs are not met. Healthcare is a basic need and the Republican leaders of the Joint Finance Committee are withholding that basic need from 90,000 of the people they represent. It is past time for the Wisconsin Republicans to come up with solutions rather than ﬁght against progress. It is time for them to come to the table and engage in good faith negotiations rather than being an obstructionist party. Wisconsin will suﬀer and left behind our neighboring states because of last week’s decision by the leaders of the JFC!

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Community

WednesdaY, May 12, 2021

COmmunitycalendar Community Calendar

Perennial Plant Sale The River Valley Area Community Gardens located at 900 N. Westmor in Spring Green is sponsoring a perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 15 from 10 to 1 or until plants are gone. Pictures of some of the plants that need to be rehomed are located on the Gardens Facebook page and on the Gardens website at rvacg.org. The Gardens received a Sauk County Native Plant Pollinator Grant Kit and is building a shelter so new homes need to be found for the plants that are being displaced. All proceeds will go toward the cost of building the new shelter. Your generosity will be appreciated. Any questions phone 608-588-6040 or email info@rvacg.org

We care about the community and want to showcase your events, especially in times like these! Our goal is to keep the community in touch with events, people, life and businesses of the River Valley. Email us to submit your local events, editor@valleysentinelnews.com

Muscoda Morel Mushroom Festival

Saturday, May 15 - 9 a.m. to dusk This year’s events will be held on one day, Saturday May 15 starting at 9 a.m. and will conclude with the ﬁreworks show at dusk. The activities this year will be held entirely outdoors. The Hometown Heroes Parade will start at 3 p.m. and the famous Firemen’s Steak feed will begin at 4 p.m.

Octagon Barn, Enos Farms put on vintage and antique barn sale Photos by Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief The Octagon Barn held it’s third annual Barn Sale, featuring antiques and vintage ﬁnds May 8. The event featured antique and vintage furniture, clothes and entertainment as well as items from local artists and pottery from Wilson Creek Pottery. The event also featured a food stand from Enos Farms. Pictured, top: Attendees wander through aisles of vintage and local items Saturday, in the lower level of the Octagon Barn. Pictured, bottom: A line stretches around the property as people wait to purchase Enos Farms pork or Roasted sunﬂower seed tacos.

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Page 7

COVID-19 Dashboard Wisconsin Summary

603,820 Positive Cases

Cases as of 5/11/2021

+3,523 from 5/4

2,885,355 Negative Test Results +25,682 from 5/4

6,917 Deaths +67 from 5/4

Vaccine Summary Statistics Updated: 5/11/2021

4,872,575

4,724,130

Allocated

2,534,400

Administered

2,008,166

Pfizer doses administered

Moderna doses administered

181,369

Johnson & Johnson doses administered

Vaccine Data Updated: 5/11/2021

These two core measures are all measures of herd immunity in Richland, Sauk and Iowa County. We do not yet know what level of vaccination leads to herd immunity for COVID-19, or how current or future variants might affect herd immunity. We know based on other diseases that herd immunity is likely at least 60%, and if more transmissible variants become more common, that threshold may become higher, so our current target range is 60-90%. -Madison Public Health and Dane County

Richland County

1,303 Positive Cases +0 from 5/4 8,316 Negative Tests +36 from 5/4 15 Deaths +0 from 5/4

Richland

Target Range

44.2%

Iowa County

2,028 Positive Cases +12 from 5/4 11,662 Negative Tests +92 from 5/4 10 Deaths +0 from 5/4

Sauk County

5,825 Positive Cases +45 from 5/4 35,746 Negative Tests +154 from 5/4 48 Deaths +1 from 5/4

45.2%

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

37.0%

39.0%

Percent fully vaccinated

Sauk

Percent fully vaccinated

Iowa

Target Range

51.8%

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

42.1%

Percent fully vaccinated

Cumulative total confirmed COVID-19 cases by date in Wisconsin Cases as of 5/11/2021

Graphic by Whitney Back

Cases per zip code Cases as of 5/11/2021

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

Target Range

“The good stuﬀ.”

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Community

WednesdaY, May 12, 2021

Art from around the Valley: Jen Salt’s Mothers Day

A few years ago I spent some time on the Rod and Loraine Anding farm in rural Arena near Coon Rock. I had asked if I could take photos of their beautiful white faced horned herefords, as I was interested in animal subjects for my future paintings. I’m not sure if this breed of cattle is generally known for their gentle disposition but these cows were very happy to have the freedom to graze amongst the various plants and ﬂora in the woods there on the farm. Seeing these beautiful animals, so well cared for and respected by the Andings made me feel so grateful for this opportunity to visit their homestead and learn a few things about herefords, chickens, horses and Prince, the English Shepherd family dog. The oil painting entitled “Mother’s Day” was taken from a photo that day. I almost felt as though they were posing for me.

—Jen Salt, Contributor Jen Salt is an artist who lives in a place she calls “Crow’s Lair Cottage”-just outside of Spring Green where she’s lived for ﬁve and a half years. “The Wisconsin River was the draw to move here and I’ve never looked back, coming from a big city. This is home.”

Painting via Jen Salt

River Valley High School Virtual Solo and Ensemble Results District Solos Class A - *1

Vocal Solo - Nicholas Daniel, Avery Wilson, Samuel Seguin, Gigi Royko Maurer, Ryan Klein, Melissa Ranum, Olivia Wittmann, Addison Brey, Aaron Christensen, Ryan Kane Musical Theater Solo - Nicholas Daniel, Avery Wilson, Gigi Royko Maurer, Ryan Kane Alto Sax Solo - Ryan Kane, Starr Camacho Soprano Sax Solo - Ryan Kane Clarinet Solo - Emily Kane Piano Solo - Emily Kane, Ryan Kane, Molly Peckham Bass Trombone Solo - Josh Maes

Solos Class A - 1

Vocal Solo - Paige Prem, Paula Hollenberger, Kris Langrehr Trombone Solo - Luke Snow Clarinet Solo - Arie Snow, Addison Brey Flute Solo - Matthew Gostomski

son Williams Alto Sax Solo - Melissa Ranum

Solos Class B - 1

Vocal Solo - Matthew Gostomski Alto Sax Solo - Ian Hamblen

Ensembles Class A - *1

Vocal Quartet - Aaron Christensen, Emily Kane, Anna Deibert, Ryan Kane Clarinet Quartet - Emily Kane, Paula Hollenberger, Anna Deibery, Arie Snow Clarinet Choir - Emily Kane, Anna Deibert, Addison Brey, Kelsey Olson, Paula Hollenberger, Arie Snow Vocal Jazz Ensemble - Paige Prem, Olivia Wittmann, Natalie Larson, Paula Hollenberger, Avery Wilson. Gigi Royko Maurer, Kennedy Kropp, Kris Langrehr, Emily Kane, Anna Deibert, Claire Eveland, Ryan Kane, Devon Caputo, Spencer Mack, Declan Daniel, Aaron Christensen, Isaac Daniel, Samuel Seguin, Ryan Klein, Lars Anding, Matthew Gostomski, Nicholas Daniel, Arie Snow

Ensembles Class A - 1

Vocal Duet - Avery Wilson, Devon Caputo

Daniel, Sam Seguin, Luke Snow, Aaron Christensen Starr Camacho Vocal Trio - Arie Snow, Guidry Ridge, Isaac Daniel Brass Ensemble - Sam Seguin, Morgan Brickl, Nate Borucki, Luke Snow, Julius Ross, Josh Maes, Kalen Scott, Matthew Fredrick, Ashton Price, Aiden Schmidt, Aaron Christensen, Gavin McCauley, Declan Daniel, Kris Langrehr, Conrad Youngquist, Cole Schaﬀer, Brad Hisel, Allison Williams, Svea Youngquist, Michael Westly, Brett Bindl, Tristen Schmidt, Jacob Klein, Garret Palmer Jazz Ensemble - Paula Holleberger, Starr Camacho, Zach Gloudeman, Ryan Kane, Isaac Daniel, Arie Snow, Ben Whitaker, Emily Kane, Luke Snow, Julius Ross, Caleb Maes, Josh Maes, Declan Daniels, Kris Langrehr, Michael Westly, Lars Anding, Sam Seguin, Addison Brey, and Paige Prem

Ensembles Class B - 2

Vocal Quartet - Avery Wilson, Anna Johnson, Olivia Wittmann, Madeline Hutnik

State

Sax Duet - Starr Camacho, Ben Whitaker, Emily Kane

First Rating Vocal Solos - Nicholas Daniel, Avery Wilson, Samuel Seguin, Gigi Royko Maurer, Ryan Klein, Olivia Wittmann, Aaron Christensen, Ryan Kane

Musical Theater Solo - Samuel Seguin, Jaci Accola, Natalie Larson, Allison Williams

Sax Quartet - Starr Camacho, Ryan Kane, Ben Whitaker, Emily Kane

Musical Theater Solos - Gigi Royko Maurer, Nicholas Daniel, Ryan Kane

Trumpet Solo - Kris Langrehr, Alli-

Brass Quintet - Josh Kerr, Declan

Alto Sax Solo - Starr Camacho

Solos Class A - 2

Vocal Solo - Kennedy Kropp, Allison Williams, Natalie Larson

Ensembles Class A - 2

Clarinet Solo - Emily Kane Piano Solos - Emily Kane, Molly Peckman, Ryan Kane Bass Trombone Solo - Josh Maes Vocal Quartet - Emily Kane, Anna Deibert, Ryan Kane, Aaron Christensen Clarinet Quartet - Emily Kane, Paula Hollenberger, Anna Deibert, Arie Snow Clarinet Choir - Emily Kane, Anna Deibert, Kelsey Olson, Addison Brey, Arie Snow, Paula Hollenberger Vocal Jazz Ensemble - Paige Prem, Olivia Wittmann, Natalie Larson, Paula Hollenberger, Avery Wilson, Gigi Royko Maurer, Kennedy Kropp, Kris Langrehr, Emily Kane, Anna Deibert, Claire Eveland, Ryan Kane, Devon Caputo, Spencer Mack, Declan Daniel, Aaron Christensen, Isaac Daniel, Samuel Seguin, Ryan Klein, Lars Anding, Matthew Gostomski, Nicholas Daniel, Arie Snow

Second Rating

Vocal Solos - Addison Brey, Melissa Ranum Alto Sax Solo - Ryan Kane Soprano Sax Solo - Ryan Kane Awaiting Results - Avery Wilson, Musical Theater Solo

Community/Sports

WednesdaY, May 12 2021

Page 9

Tortilleria Zepeda production facility oﬃcially open in Lone Rock

Photos by Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief Tortilleria Zepeda hosted an open house at it’s Lone Rock location Wednesday, which featured tours of the production facility, fresh tortillas and unconventional twists on traditional Mexican fare. The open house allowed members of the community to tour the facility where the Heidi and Julian Zepeda produce their authentic and organic nixtamal corn tortillas, and learn more about their unique process that differs from typical, mass produced corn tortilla manufacturing. The couple also uses locally grown ingredients. The open house offered samples of their original tortillas, dressed with serrano-avocado salsa and traditional tamales. The event also offered cocoa tortillas and dessert tamales with strawberries and cream cheese. Julian also offered a fermented mesa drink that is traditional to his home area of Mexico, called Tejuino.Currently, Heidi and Julian are planning to host different social events or host classes at the location, and are considering opening monthly to offer fresh tortillas and other options. For more information or to find a location to purchase tortillas, visits https://tortilleriazepeda.com/

Weekly School Activities Varsity Golf Lancaster Country Club 54p.m. May 13

Varsity Girls Soccer River Valley Elementary 5 p.m. May 14

JV Girls Soccer River Valley Elementary 12:30 p.m. May 15

Varsity Baseball River Valley High School 5 p.m. May 17

Varsity Baseball Prairie du Chien High School 5 p.m. May 13

JV Girls Soccer River Valley Elementary 7 p.m. May 14

Varsity Baseball Dane Baseball Field 11 a.m. May 15

Varsity Softball Dodgeville High School 5 p.m. May 17

JV Baseball Prairie du Chien High School 5 p.m. May 13

Varsity Softball River Valley High School 5 p.m. May 14

JV Baseball Lodi Elementary School 11 a.m. May 15

JV Baseball South Park, Spring Green 5:30 p.m. May 17

Varsity Softball River Valley High School 5 p.m. May 13

JV Softball River Valley High School 6:30 p.m. May 14

Varsity Softball Belmont High School 9 a.m. May 15

Varsity Baseball River Valley High School 5 p.m. May 18

JV Softball River Valley High School 6:30 p.m. May 13

JV Baseball River Valley High School 5:30 p.m. May 14

Trap Club Spring Green Rod and Gun Club 10 a.m. May 16

JV Baseball River Valley High School 5 p.m. May 18

Varsity Girls Soccer River Valley Elementary 5 p.m. May 13

Varsity Girls Soccer River Valley Elementary 10:30 a.m. May 15

Varsity Golf Wilderness Golf Club 9 a.m. May 17

Varsity Girls Soccer River Valley High School 5 p.m. May 18

JV Girls Soccer River Valley Elementary 7 p.m. May 13

Varsity Girls Soccer River Valley Elementary 5 p.m. May 14

Middle School Track Platteville High School 4 p.m. May 17

Varsity Softball Meister Park, Columbus 5 p.m. May 18

Student Pitches RVHS students make top ten in Madison College Pitch Competition

River Valley High School students, Jorja Box, Kelsey Olson, and Tyler Willoughby were chosen as three of the top ten finalists in this year’s Madison College Pitch Competition. The finalists were chosen based on their submission videos which can be viewed on River Valley’s YouTube channel. Jorja pitched The Laundry Net, Kelsey pitched her Touchless products, and Tyler pitched his Brim Bender. The final competition was held virtually on Thursday morning, May 6, 2021. The students did an amazing job pitching their products and fielding questions from the panel of judges. Kelsey Olson was awarded 1st place receiving $500, Tyler Willoughby took 4th place winning $200, and Jorja Box was awarded $100. Congratulations to these students for their outstanding achievement. Their hard work and dedication was rewarded. All three of these students were in Lori Hoffman’s Business Concepts class this year. —Lori Hoffman, RVHS Business Education Teacher

Sports

Page 10 WednesdaY, May 12, 2021

RVHS Varsity Baseball falls to Platteville Hillmen

RVHS Athletics Scores Girls Soccer May 7: Varsity RV vs. Driftless United Score: RV: 2, Driftless United: 7 Goals: Stephanie Limmex, Leah Deibert Assists: Leah Deibert (1), (second goal unassisted) Saves: Vivian Jenses, 15 May 8, Varsity RV vs. Wisconsin Heights Score: RV: 1, Wisconsin Heights: 11 Goal: Kylie Morrey Assist: Leah Deibert Saves: Vivian Jensen (unknown) May 8, JV RV vs. Wisconsin Heights Score: RV: 0, Wisconsin Heights: 9

Photo by Mike McDermott, Contributor Ryan Klein on the RV Varsity Baseball team pitches at the May 10 home game against Wisconsin Dells. RV Baseball took on the Platteville Hillman last week, and fell 7-6.

May 6, JV Score: RV: 0, Richland Center: 6 Saves: RV Vivian Jensen (6)

RV Golf placed 4th at conference home match May 4

Tuesday, May 4th, Conference Golf returned to host school River Valley as they competed at the House on the Rock Resort Golf Course. The Blackhawks struggled, placing 4th with a team score of 206 behind 1st place Dodgeville - 182, Platteville - 199, Lancaster - 199. The Black-

hawks were led by Eli Johnson - 43, followed by Ashton Price - 52, Connor Fields - 53, Luke Snow - 56, and Jackson Thier - 58. PDC’s James Reilly was medalist for the match with a score of 37. Other Team Scores were:

Girls Varsity Softball dominate with three-game streak

Richland Center - 222 PDC - 222

May 7

River Valley Golf competed in the Portage Warrior Invitational at Portage Country Club. While playing outside of normal conference play, Blackhawk golfers made individual

Free

COVID-19 VACCINES

progress on their personal games.

Eli Johnson led the blackhawks with an 83. Ashton Price - 98, Connor Fields - 102, Luke Snow - 102, and Jackson Thier - 106. —Matt Snow, RVHS Golf Head Coach

Choice of: Johnson & Johnson or Moderna Walk in Only No appointments

Friday, May 14 9 am - 12:30 pm Friday, May 21 9 am - 1 pm Thursday, May 27 9 am - 11 am

No ID Required Photo via Jane Briehl, Softball Head Coach The River Valley Varsity Softball team took on Richland Center May 4, taking down the RC team 15-1. The varsity girls also beat Deforest during a May 5 home game 6-1. On May 6, the team overtook Platteville 22-2. Pictured, varsity player No. 6 Katie Hahn hits at the away game May 6.

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Outdoors/recreation

WednesdaY, May 12, 2021 Page 11

Community Gardens host demo, prepare for 2021 season Photo by Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief The River Valley Area Community Gardens (RVACG) held a community gardening demonstration to kick off the 2021 growing season on Saturday, where new gardeners were given tips and tricks of the trade and a tour of their garden home. The garden offers free plots to students and a variety of sized plots at different price points, that gardeners, new or experienced, are allowed to plant and care for in any way they please. The garden organization provides manure, mulch water and some seeds. “Think of gardening as an experiment, some things work, some things don’t,” said Rose Ellen Schneider, of the Spring Green Community Gardens organizer. “It’s not always your fault that it died. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s how we learn.” Schneider and other organizers also offer some annual gardens featuring different berries and vegetables for gardeners to harvest. This year, the garden will also be offering a children’s garden, which will give kids at a variety of ages the chance to plant items in the garden, and participate in different fun activities. To find more information or get involved with RVACG, visit www.RVACG.org or find them on https://www. facebook.com/RVACG

The Sauk County Gardener— Oh Honey, it’s Time to Plant! Jeannie Manis, SCMGA President

“I wasn’t going to eat it, I was just going to taste it.” — Winnie The Pooh Recently I wrote about deterring bunnies and deer from eating your garden plants. This past week, we had a new visitor to our garden and our beehives – a bear. The first night, he just took down all our bird feeders, so we assumed it was a family of naughty raccoons. We brought in the bird feeders the next night and in the morning, we discovered he had tipped over and ripped the hinged roofs right off two of our four bee hives. Luckily, we were able to upright the hives without much drama (except for the three bees that got inside my bee suit and one small sting on my thigh). We moved the hives so they would be closer to the nearby trees so my husband, Scott, could chain the hives to the trees. That evening, as I was moving my plants I was hardening off back into the house, I was sure I heard the bear rustling around in the nearby bushes. You’ve never seen anyone run so fast in rubber garden boots! In the morning, Scott went to check his hives. The bear still got the chains off one hive and damaged it pretty good. Scott wasn’t ready to give up though. We moved all the hives closer to the house and put electric “goat” fencing around our

orchard/now apiary. We hung wind chimes and bells and left the yard lights on. Unfortunately, we had to re-queen a couple of the hives as they didn’t handle the trauma well. Luckily, we believe the bear has now moved on. All I can say is that this year’s honey is going to be the most expensive honey we’ve ever had. With all the work my husband had to do to protect his bee hives, he didn’t get a chance to notice all the pretty bedding plants I picked up this past week. I won’t be able to keep them hidden too long though; the weather hasn’t been cooperating by warming up enough so that I can safely plant them outside. Until I can plant my tender bedding plants, I’ll continue to work on my May garden tasks. If you stored any geraniums last fall, pot them up in well drained soil and you should see growth in about a week. After the danger of frost has passed, you can take them outside. I started several from small snippets of my plants from last year and they are doing great. I’ll just pop them into my various garden beds. When your chrysanthemums get six inches tall, pinch them back by half and continue to do so until July. This will encourage bushy growth. In the fall, I always plant daﬀodils in the same hole as my chrysanthemums. In the spring, the

daffodils come up and bloom while the mum is just starting to grow. Eventually, the mum’s new spring growth hides the daffodils’ foliage, allowing the daffodils to die back naturally. Bonus I don’t have to see the dying leaves and fading blooms. You should also pinch any of your other annuals when they reach four to six inches tall to promote growth. When the danger of frost has past, plant your dahlia tubers and then stake them and your delphiniums. Continue to split your perennials as needed if they are not too tall. If you let them get too big, they can get a bit mangled when you split them. I try to split plants in the spring before they’ve grown too much but it hasn’t stopped me from splitting them at less optimal times either. My divided plants just don’t look as pretty that year. In the vegetable garden, it’s time to start getting those warm weather crops in the ground. You can plant celery, melons, squash, cucumbers, and pumpkins. You can even plant your tomatoes and peppers but prepared to cover them if we get a cool night or two. Milk jugs with the bottoms cut off work well. I usually wait to plant my tomatoes and peppers until the last weekend of May as it tends to be a bit cooler where we live than in town. Once you’re done planting your seeds, store the extras in a cool, dry location.

Keep an eye out for your strawberry blooms; you should expect fruit about 30 days later. Pune junipers, arborvitae, and yews any time through early summer and pines up to two-thirds of their new growth. Prune your spring-blooming shrubs such as forsythia, viburnum, and lilacs as soon as they are done blooming to avoid cutting oﬀ next year’s buds. Warmer weather brings garden pests and diseases. Wisconsin’s Integrated Pest and Crop Management’s pest monitoring data - https://datcp. wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/ PestSurvey.aspx let’s you know what diseases and insects are showing up in the area so you can take action to protect your garden BEFORE you have damage. Until then, get out in the garden, plant your vegetable and annuals, watch for cold nights, and enjoy your spring visitors – unless it’s a bear. Remember to contact Extension Sauk County if you have any gardening questions. Please send an email to haley.weisert@saukcountywi.gov or call the University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension Sauk County oﬃce at 608-355-3250. This week’s article is written by Jeannie Manis, Sauk County Master Gardeners Association (SCMGA) President.

Business/Professional

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Outdoors/recreation

Page 12 WednesdaY, May 12, 2021

An Outdoorsman’s Journal

Mark Walters, Contributor

Six days in the Great Outdoors! Hello friends, This past week I spent six days either turkey hunting at my food plot in northern Juneau County or crappie ﬁshing on backwaters of the Wisconsin River in Columbia County.

Thursday, April 29 High 53, Low 32

My food plot is almost a half a mile behind my house in what in reality is a forest that runs from Mauston to just north of Neilsville. I created it last spring with a chainsaw, ATV and a rototiller and I absolutely love spending time there. This winter I cleared some more land and this weekend I put in a couple of long days with a rototiller and planted some alfalfa mixed with pasture grass which will give me close to a year round food source. Last year I planted radishes and turnips in late July and though they looked real pretty I had almost zero yield from them which was not good at all come November and December. The common opinion is that I may have planted them too close. Last weekend I also planted some peas and then an experimental crop of radishes in a 5x40 foot area. I have had trail cameras on the plot for about a month and deer and turkey are frequent visitors. That is until I just spent 20-hours working in it. In the last four days I have not got a single pic other than crows.

Yesterday was day one of my season and I did not see a turkey and I did not care. I might add that I am using my compound bow and today I took some practice shots at a target that I have on the plot and my rest came apart and I lost one of my arrows. An allen wrench and practice ﬁxed that problem. Last year my daughter Selina harvested a massive tom and I saved the wings and tail. I put the wings on my Jake decoy and last night even though I had the decoy laying down near my blind, something carried it oﬀ and ate the wings.

Saturday, May 1st High 88, Low 42

My stepson Travis is 28 and lives near Portage and is a carpenter. Anyone that knows Travis is well aware that what Travis actually is, is a man that is 100-percent addicted to the outdoors. Two days ago I texted Trav and told him that he needed to take me fishing Today we fished backwaters of the Wisconsin River in his 18-foot Pro Drive boat that is pushed by a 40 hsp shallow drive motor. An example of Trav would be just yesterday Trav and a buddy shot 9 barrels of carp and buffalo with their bows. Anyways, back to the fishing, Trav’s first crappie was 13.5 inches and we just kept catching bluegill and crappie until midday when it was time to go home. At one point Trav made the mistake of telling me I had to start catching some fish. I did and caught the biggest “14 inches” and did real good on the

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor Travis Dushek with his ﬁrst crappie of the day.

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor Travis Dushek is more at home in his boat than in his living room.

numbers. I think Trav would rather give up a hand than his boat.

Tuesday May 4th High 52, Low 33

Photo by Mark Walters, Contributor Soon Mark Walters food plot will be green and very alive!

Today was the last day of my turkey season and I have put 31 hours in my blind and seen three turkey so far and two coyote of which one was very large. I cut the eyes out of what is now 280 hills of Yukon Golds and Norland Reds in the blind. I did at least 8 hours of paperwork and Sunday I ﬁlleted 25 crappie and gills in the blind which I carried out to it in the dark. I guess you could call me a multi tasking redneck. This morning two positive things happened, I got permission to take

Selina to a very good spot for her hunt and a jake made the mistake of wandering into my plot. I have to be honest, the compound bow has been replaced with a 12-gauge and I wasted no time putting a whacking on the jake. I love my food plot, I seriously do! —Sunset

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