Spring Green, Wisconsin
Thursday, June 29, 2023 | Vol. 4, No. 11 FREE, Single-Copy
Inside this edition
Katie Green on Cecilia Farran
Fourth of July Community Calendar
Q&A: Richland County vice chair resigns, reflects
Page 2
Pages 6, 7
Pages 3, 5
4PeteSake introduces recipients, reminds community to put Day in the Park on their calendars Jean Alt, 4PeteSake With summer upon us the list of local things to do can be enthralling! First to get on my calendar in ink is the 4PeteSake Day in the Park. This year it will fall on Sunday, August 20th, starting with the 5K run/walk, 15 or 30 mile bike ride, and pickleball tournament and continuing all day with live music, a silent auction, kids’ activities, food, drinks, and most importantly, an incredible turn out of you and your neighbors. The Day in the Park is fun, no doubt about it, but it is really about all of us turning out to help our neighbors who, through no fault of their own, have come upon truly hard times. The money raised while you enjoy this summer gathering helps them through their hard times. Over the next two months I will be introducing you to the recipients of your generosity and kindness. May you hold them in your hearts as you enjoy the Day in the Park.
Diana Brown
Diana Brown has spent her life exploring. She grew up in Orange County, California and moved to rural Lone
Rock later in her life, after losing her husband, in order to be near her sister who had relocated here years before. Before moving here Diana had snow skied the White Mountains in Arizona, and ridden all over the United States on her motorcycle with her husband, absorbing the beauty of the country from the mountains to the deserts. Those were amazing, fun, and interesting years culminating in living in Reno, Nevada with her beloved husband. Now, as she battles pancreatic and liver cancer, and since Sharon has passed away, the illness and the regular trips to Dodgeville and Madison for treatments wear her out. When her pain nurses in Madison saw how she was struggling, they recommended she turn to 4PeteSake for assistance. Diana is no longer able to explore the world, but she enjoys the view out of the windows at Sharon’s house, where she still lives. She appreciates her namesake niece, Diana and her husband, Bob, and her nephew, Art, all of whom help her as needed. Diana is incredibly grateful to 4PS for
how nice they have been, the ways in which they have made the process easy, and the generosity of their help. And she thanks everyone, who, through 4PS, is helping her through this difficult time.
Corey Rock
Corey Rock grew up in Spring Green the youngest of Eleanor and Eugene Rock’s eight children. Growing up in the service industry taught him the value of hard work. He remembers being a young boy doing the work his family demonstrated– peeling potatoes, clearing tables, getting the chicken out of the freezer for chicken night, and always emulating his Dad’s meticulous cleanliness of the Round Barn. In his memory it never felt like a burden to be in a service industry family– in fact today he says, “if you ever feel like something is missing (in your life)--help out. Ask yourself what you can do to help someone.” In the past few years Corey has experienced great sadness, losing four siblings and his mother (at 101 years of age) and then his own diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma and its treatment.
Through it all he focuses on the good– loving his pet cockatiels, remembering his athletic achievements, and looking toward getting to the other side of his illness. He is grateful to his sister, Laurie, for the support she gives him (although he maintains that he can cook for himself!). Instead of losing hope, he focuses on what he wants to do when he is better. And on living now, when he feels well enough to do so. In talking with Corey, it is clear that making other people happy drives him. He misses the days of his childhood when he remembers people being courteous and respectful of one another. He wants people to be happy and does everything he can to listen to the people in his life, in the hopes of helping them to achieve happiness. Corey is so very grateful to each of you for helping 4PS to be able to take his focus away from paying his tremendous medical bills, and put it on healing and thinking of others. He looks forward to the day when he is well enough to return the generosity. For more information about 4PeteSake please go to 4PeteSake.com.
Savor the River Valley receives Iowa County Grantto fund advertising and marketing Patti Peltier, Savor the River Valley Savor the River Valley, a grass-roots initiative of more than 40 food businesses in the River Valley, has received a grant from Iowa County. Now in its second year, Savor is building on its network of support for farmers, food processors, food retailers and restaurants. The Outdoor Recreation for Tourism Grant will fund advertising and marketing materials for Savor’s 2024 Earth Day Farm & Food Tour. The $3,200 grant will be matched by the hundreds of hours Savor members and volunteers will spend planning, implementing and hosting the
tour. In 2023, Savor introduced the Earth Day Farm & Food Tour featuring six host sites and highlighting Savor member businesses along the tour route. Despite the mix of snow and sleet that day, more than 300 people attended the inaugural event. “Even though the weather was less than favorable, you could feel people’s excitement and eagerness to get out and do something,” said Heidi Zepeda, co-owner of Tortilleria Zepeda, one of the host sites. “It was such a wonderful opportunity to invite our community to come and experience our farm and mill,” said
Halee Wepking, co-owner of Meadowlark Community Mill, another host site. “We had an excellent turn out, with folks coming from all over the region. Hosting an open house had been a goal of ours for a long time, and Savor played a huge part in making it a reality.” “Part of Savor’s mission is to connect people—especially tourists—to the awesome farmers, food processors, food retailers and restaurants in the River Valley,” said Patti Peltier, the tour organizer. “It’s easy for visitors to pass through our communities without engaging with our food businesses. Once they discover all the quality local food
we offer, we feel certain people will return again and again.” “We at Savor are so grateful for Iowa County’s support,” she added. “This grant will enable us to get the word out to even more people in 2024.” River Valley Commons, a non-profit that seeks to increase the well-being of the River Valley community, acts as fiscal agent and provides project management for Savor the River Valley. For more information on Savor the River Valley, its local food directory, events, classes and tours, go to www. savortherivervalley.org.