FREE March 2019
of the River Valley VoiceCELEBRATING LIFE IN THE LOWER WISCONSIN AND SUGAR-PECATONICA RIVER BASINS
voiceoftherivervalley.com 1 2 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 INSIDE VOICES THANK YOU, ADVERTISERS 4 Editors’ Note 14 Calendar of Events BUSINESS & CONSUMER SERVICES 20 Community Resources Angel & Angel, S.C. Attorneys, 26 Kaul Family Properties, 24 Mary the Tax, 24 VENTURE FORTH Neider & Boucher Attorneys, 24 Royal Bank, 24
DESIGN SERVICES & REAL ESTATE Poem Homes, 9
EDUCATION, CULTURE & OUTDOORS Camp Woodbrooke, 14 David Couper, Poet, 6 Driftless Area Land Conservancy, 12 Folklore Village, 15 Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums, 17 Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance, 12 Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, 28
ENTERTAINMENT Arthur’s Supper Club, 16 Crossroads Coffeehouse, 12 Folklore Village, 15 Gray Dog Deli, 10 Spring Green General Store, 15 Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship, 2 FARMS, FARM MARKETS & PLANTS 5 Enos Farms, 14 The Tireless Team Behind My Fine Homestead, 10 5 Percussion Rock Alpaca Farm, 26 CCFC’s Annual Spring Auction Spring Green Indoor Farmers Market, 12 Vandehoney, 12 9 7 Limericks by Voice Readers FOOD & BEVERAGE Arcadia Books, 6 Kick Your Creativity Into Arthur’s Supper Club, 16 9 Crossroads Coffeehouse, 12 High Gear at Shake Rag Alley Enos Farms Brunch & Cocktails, 14 Freddy Valentine’s Public House, 13 COLUMNS Gray Dog Deli, 10 The Shoppe at Herbs, Spices & More, 16 Spring Green General Store, 15 6 Between the Lines BY KATHY STEFFEN GALLERIES, STUDIOS & RETAILERS Arcadia Books, 6 8 Living Well, Dying Well Linda Kelen, 10 BY MARY FRIEDEL-HUNT Nina’s Department & Variety Store, 23 North Earth Gifts, 9 10 Time Capsules The Shoppe at Herbs Spices & More, 16 BY JENNIFER MOORE-KERR Spring Green General Store, 15 Wantoot, 24 White Rose Florist, 10 13 Tracking Your Past BY DORIS GREEN Wildwood Woodworks, 12 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY 25 19 Garden Blitz High Barre, 17 BY PATRICE PELTIER Iowa County Aikido, 16 L’Bri/Toasty Toes & Nails, 17 North Earth Gifts, 9 21 Where the Land Meets the Sky BY ETIENNE WHITE Robin Ann Reid, Soul Coach, 26 Yoga in the Lowlands, 12 Upland Hills Health, 8 22 Driftless Terroir BY ERIN CROOKS LYNCH HOME & AUTO ESSENTIALS Center Stove & Fireplace, 24 25 Badger Bookshelf Driftless Electric, 24 BY PETER SCHMALZ Foggy Bottom Woodworks, LLC, 21 Specialty Auto, 21 Strang Heating and Electric, 24 26 Driftless Dark Skies BY JOHN HEASLEY
voiceoftherivervalley.com 3 WELCOME TO MARCH
ach new month is cause for celebration Friedel-Hunt, Doris Green, John Heasley, — but especially this month, which de- Jennifer Moore-Kerr, Patrice Peltier, Kathy Elivers us into a new season thick with Steffen and Etienne White, weave a beauti- green daydreams. With the vernal equinox on ful universe of ideas from farm to family to March 20, we careen toward the promises of cosmos. Volume 14 • Number 3 March 2019 spring even while we sneak in some more ski We bring new three voices to these pages days before the thaw. Some of us embrace the this month — Ricki Bishop (photography, Voice of the River Valley is a monthly hope of chlorophyll by cover and this page), Shirley Barnes (story, p. independent arts and culture magazine swilling green beer on 5) and Peter Schmalz (“Badger Bookshelf,” p. published by Wording LLC. March 17. 23) — and bring new perspectives on the re- Since 2006, Voice of the River Something else gion we call home. Pat Fargen shares the start Valley has been a guide to people folks do around St. of a new chapter at the Spring Green Senior and events that inspire, inform and enrich life in the Lower Wisconsin and Patrick’s Day here Center (p. 9). Erin Crooks Lynch shares the Sugar-Pecatonica River Basins of in our nook of the joy of making pastry with diverse whole-grain Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Driftless Area is to flours such as those grown right here in the This all-volunteer publication chuckle over a few good Driftless by Meadowland Organics (p. 22). is made possible by the creative limericks. Our annual call for limericks We hope you enjoy every page! voices of our region and the generous garnered a robust reaction from Voice of the Happy reading, support of area advertisers. For submission guidelines, advertising River Valley readers. You will find a few on and subscription options, and to submit Page 7 to get the juices flowing. events to the calendar, please visit our Our regular monthly columnists Mary & website at voiceoftherivervalley.com. Each month, 4,000 copies of Voice of the River Valley are distributed to 190 locations in seven counties across southwestern Wisconsin. Copyright © 2019 by Wording LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
P.O. Box 745 Spring Green, WI 53588 (608) 588-6251
VOICE OF THE RIVER VALLEY
Sara Lomasz Flesch editor & publisher
Erik Flesch editor & design director
Mary Friedel-Hunt (2006-2012) & Bill Hunt (2006-2010) founding publishers Ricki Bishop facebook.com/voiceoftherivervalley ‘Love at First Sight:’ Ricki Bishop of Richland Center couldn’t resist these big brown eyes as young cattle enjoyed a fresh snowfall near the Buena Vista Boat Landing near Gotham. twitter.com/voiceriver
ON THE COVER linkedin.com/voiceoftherivervalley
cy Fingers,’ our cover photograph by Ricki Bishop shows ice forming interesting shapes along the rock walls on Willow Creek north of Ithaca. Nature, Culture & Events Ricki, of Richland Center, explores the nooks and crannies of the Wisconsin Find the full calendar of events and sign up for River Valley with her camera. Many thanks to Ricki for her contribution to our mailing list to stay in touch with the region. Visit voiceoftherivervalley.com. our cover! To share art or photography for a future cover, contact us at [email protected]. ‘I4 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 Community Connections Everyone Free Clinic Spring Auction Something By Shirley Barnes Wins enny and Jerry Koerner of Ridgeway, co-chairs of this Pyear’s Community Connections Free Clinic Spring IOWA Auction, are a COUNTY tireless team whose infectious enthusiasm for their cause offers a textbook example of successful community action. No sooner had the proceeds from last year’s event been tallied (raising close to $30,000), than the Koerners were searching for new one-of-a- kind experiences and adventures to be auctioned off at this year’s Spring Auction to be held at the Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring Green at 5-9 p.m. April 13. Perhaps the Koerners’ greatest gift is their ability to make connections with people throughout the community in an effort to introduce them to the work of the Community Connections Free Clinic. Now in its 13th year, the Dodgeville- based clinic provides free basic healthcare to those who cannot afford or access medical services in Iowa and the surrounding counties. Staffed by over 90 volunteer medical professionals and lay people, it is supported entirely by private donations and grants from the community. The annual Spring Auction Courtesy of Lauren Thuli brings in approximately one-quarter of Penny Koerner holds the one-of-a-kind painting created by Dodgeville artist Lauren its annual funding. With over 11,200 Thuli, left, for this year’s Community Connections Free Clinic Spring Auction. Penny and people who have no medical insurance her husband, Jerry, right, are again co-chairing the auction, which takes place April 13. in its service area, the Free Clinic clearly fills a gaping hole in local community of adventures and experiences you just specially to be auctioned off to benefit services. can’t buy,” he said. the Free Clinic. That’s the message the Koerners are Among the many unique offerings Dodgeville artist Lauren Thuli has eager to share to encourage people to be last year were A Women’s Fly Fishing created a singular work to be used in part of the auction. and Stream Walking experience, the promotional pieces for the spring “We want people to come to the stargazing for two through a large auction. The original, an 18x24-inch auction and bid … bid … bid,” says telescope at a local private research acrylic titled “Flowers in Clear Vase,” Jerry. “In the first place, auctions are observatory or the opportunity to have will then go to the highest bidder at the fun. We have great food and great six enthusiastic gardeners create, refresh event. music.” The guitar-playing/singing duo or reclaim a portion of a local home Bidders will also be able to vie for of Scott Stieber and Don Myers are garden. a dinner for eight at a local bison farm, donating their musical talents again this At this year’s auction, a headliner where the guests will have a chance to year. “But what makes the Free Clinic will be the stunning black walnut “Elk” see the bison up close and personal. A Auction particularly special is that that Mineral Point’s award-winning private truffle-making class led by a woodcarver John Sharp has crafted you’ll have a chance to bid on all kinds COURAGE Continued p. 27
voiceoftherivervalley.com 5 BETWEEN THE LINES Call for Poetry and Haiku
“I never made a mistake in grammar but one in my life and as In anticipation of National Poetry Month and National soon as I done it I seen it.” —Carl Sandburg Haiku Poetry Day, Voice of the River Valley invites submissions of original poetry to ou see them on online, in blogs and in social media. You be published in our April issue. see them in print. Common writing/grammar errors Please submit poetry by March Ywill destroy your credibility as a writer and negate any 15 to info@voiceoftherivervalley. message you are trying to deliver. Here’s some good news: You com with your name and location. don’t have to have a degree in English to avoid the most common Publication is at the discretion of and glaring mistakes. English is full of rules that aren’t user the editor based on space, subject friendly, but here are some easy ways to keep your writing at a top-notch level without matter and quality. Thank you! losing your mind. There/Their/They’re. This has to be the most common, or at least, it’s one I see all the time. And this one is easy to get right! There is a location. “We are going over there.” Their is possessive. “Their use of grammar is terrible.” They’re is short for Kathy Steffen “they are.” They’re so good at writing. (As an aside — as I typed this Word changed every spelling to “there” The River Valley’s so watch out for that pesky AI. It’s not as intelligent as it seems!) independent bookstore & café. Spelling Errors. Here me and take my advise, don’t by spell- check’s claims. It doesn’t always insure witch spelling is write, readinutopia.com and the affect can be quite a gaff. (It only caught one here.) 102 E. Jefferson St., Spring Green Open every day Sentence Fragments. You can use fragments in fiction. 608.588.7638 Sparingly. Non-fiction? Even less. Really. They wear a reader out. & evening. first rate book selection u author events u gift certificates Not kidding. I like using them. But too many? Annoying! It’s vs. Its. This one is part of grammar rules not being user- friendly. Although you are using “its” as a possessive (which usually needs an apostrophe) “its” is the exception. It’s means “it is.” It’s true! Grammar has its weird rules, right? Pronoun Identification. Use these to identify someone without repeating his or her name. He, she, they, it, we, etc. But, be sure the pronoun you use is clearly identified. Angie walks her dog Petunia, and it makes her so happy. Who is happy? Angie? Petunia? Both of them? Putting a name in twice is too repetitive, so get creative. When Angie asks her dog Petunia if she wants to go for a walk, she wags her tail so hard it almost knocks her off her paws. In addition to identifying who is happy, the second sentence shows emotion (tail wag) instead of tells (happy) allowing the reader to conclude the happiness. Your sentence is now clear, more compelling (the reader has something to see) and the reader gets pulled in to the writing. Misplaced Modifier. I often see this in advertisements and headlines. A modifier must be closest to what it is modifying, otherwise confusion and often hilarity ensues. Crawling across the floor and leaving a slimy trail, Tommy watched the snail.Or… I passed several dead deer driving to Madison. Addendum: Some rules are slightly different between American and British English, but hey, we’re in southwestern Wisconsin. I can tell by all the snow I had to shovel today.
Kathy Steffen is an award-winning novelist and author of the “Spirit of the River Series:” “First, There is a River,” “Jasper Mountain,” and “Theater of Illusion.” She writes from her home in Spring Green she shares with her husband and cats. Find out more at www.kathysteffen.com.
6 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 Limericks by Readers Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Voice readers responded to our call to share limericks, the poetic form of five lines and two rhymes, typically accompanied by a lilting rhythm and a bit of humor. Our thanks to the poets who contributed the lines below.
My haiku are written to open a door I will do with it all is a mystery. The Choughs are named after a bird to a world, for you to feel, see and explore Michael Brandt, Arena whose singing is best left unheard. if you find a word It’s handsome and smart, that you think is absurd § but you’ll quickly depart your comments, I’ll politely ignore from its squawking, so please take my word Groundhog Daze Charles Baker, Mineral Point that the gentlemen of the Chough Singers A groundhog trying hard to regroup, will make you quite happy to linger, Quite groggy and out of the loop, § to hear the sweet notes Came out of his den from the ensemble’s throats— A pot-dealing sous chef from Aragon Put paper to pen every Chough song’s a humdinger. as Renaissance Man was a paragon. And said, “Only 12 more weeks yet of His clients he’d feed hoops!” Nearby there’s an old oak savannah, fois gras trimmed with weed, Justin O’Brien, Mineral Point the home of an errant piranha. while lacing their doobies with tarragon. § I easily caught her, a fish out of water, There was a percussionist stout I’ve been trying to keep my core flexed and wrapped her in my red bandanna. who beat his bass drum with a trout. But I’ve become more and more vexed. She told me she never eats meat, When asked if that aided I would go to the gym, but prefers all the fruits that are sweet. the way he paraded But I’ve been frozen in, So we shared a banana, he said, “It depends on the route.” I think I have been polar vortexed. and several sultanas; she said, “What a flavorful treat!” A traffic cop in Ulan Bator Winter driving these hills is such fun! Nancy Schmalz, Mineral Point arrested a large alligator. I am off on a grocery store run. He wrestled with it My panic is huge! § discovered it bit Down the driveway I luge ... and wound up a post-ambulator. There was a young lad, Mike Maloney And returning uphill can’t be done. who some thought was full of baloney Sharon Rowe, Mineral Point/Dodgeville The beard of the Naval Attache He could spin a yarn was made only of papier mache. § as big as a barn, The visage impinged but WE KNEW that he was a phony. he must be unhinged You’ve heard of the group called the Chough; to wear such a flammable cachet. these lads clearly do know their stuff. He met a young lass, Kate Mahoney They’ll sing in a mine, who soon became Mrs. Maloney I have poured over volumes of history they’ll sing rain or shine, and then to their joy ’til the tips of my fingers grew blistery. ’til the chough-in-chief says, “That’s came a fine baby boy Though I’ve learned quite a lot enough.” and that folks, IS TRUE...NO BALONEY still the question of what Marie Sersch, Dodgeville
Driftless Writing Center Anthology Deadline April 1 With narrow river valleys complement to the 200 years of work col- to be part of this collection of voices from VIROQUA prone to flooding and steep lected in ‘The Driftless Reader,’” said DWC the Driftless,” Morales added. hills that make farming dif- Board President Jennifer Morales. (See The anthology will be published in pa- ficult, the rugged Driftless region has both review, p. 25.) The DWC anthology will perback and e-book form on Feb. 3, 2020, to enchanted and challenged those who call contain unpublished new works by current coincide with the Driftless Writing Center’s it home. To capture the unique culture and writers and artists. Submissions of essays, 10th anniversary. For more information on experiences of people drawn to this enig- poems, short stories, novel excerpts, black- submission guidelines, go to www.driftless- matic landscape, the Driftless Writing Cen- and-white artwork and hybrid forms rooted writingcenter.org or call (608) 492-1669. ter plans to publish an anthology showcas- in the Driftless will be accepted until April The Driftless Writing Center is a non- ing local writers and artists or those who 1, 2019. “We are seeking a broad range of profit organization that connects writers, have been influenced by the region. voices, styles, topics and experiences, and readers, and audiences through workshops, “We envision this anthology as a we encourage people from all backgrounds discussions, and public performances. voiceoftherivervalley.com 7 LIVING WELL, DYING WELL
just finished reading a book by Gregory Boyle, who happens to be a Jesuit priest in California. This book, “Tattoos on the I Heart,” led me to laughter, tears and inspiration. Gregory is the founder of Homeboy Industries, a program he started about 30 years ago to assist boys and girls who were involved with gangs. In order to assist these young people, slowly over time services were created to help them change their lives. These include tattoo removal, Homegirl Café, a bakery, workforce development and much more. The café and bakery provide jobs for the participants. Parenting classes assist those who have children but who were never parented. Their literature states that “Homeboy Mary Friedel-Hunt Industries has evolved into the largest gang intervention, rehab and reentry program in the world. Each year it welcomes 8,000+ people through its doors seeking to transform their lives.” One must read the book or watch the documentary on Amazon Prime (“G-Dog”) to soak up the incredible facets of this program. Having spent about 20 years of my life working with adolescents either in the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago or in residential treatment, and knowing well the challenges inherent in this work, the book astounded me. I highly recommend it. So why am I sharing this with you, the reader? Well, one of the statements Gregory made in his book was: “Close both eyes, see with the other one. Then we are no longer saddled by the burden of our persistent judgments, our ceaseless withholding, our constant exclusion. Our sphere has widened and we find ourselves quite unexpectedly in a new expansive location, in a place of endless acceptance and infinite love.” Seeing life and people and situations with the “other eye” is seeing with the third eye. According to tokenrock.com, “In many Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, the third eye is known as the ‘inner eye;’ the mystical and esoteric concept referring to the ‘ajna’ chakra.” The third eye refers to the gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness. It is our ability to see what might be, to see potential. Everyone has access to his or her third eye. For example, when you have a hunch and act on it. Another explanation is simply to see with our hearts. As soon as our mind becomes involved, judgment is not far behind. I believe we all started out as children seeing with the third eye, the heart. We just took in the world without judgments before we were taught about fear. Once we learned to be afraid, it was more difficult to see with the third eye or with our hearts first. With work, we can return to that way of seeing, i.e., become more childlike (not childish). No easy task and it demands balance, of course. There is a place for love, fear and judgment. But think about what our world would be like if we chose to “close both eyes and see with the other one.” Mary Friedel-Hunt MA LCSW is a clinical social worker, thano- tologist and certified bereavement counselor. She can be reached at [email protected]; P.O. Box 1036, Spring Green, WI 53588; or www.PersonalGrowthandGriefSupportCenter.com. Vincent Kavaloski’s “Parables and Ponderings” will return next month.
8 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 This Center’s Not Just for Seniors Anymore By Patricia Fargen providing wonderful meals every Thursday will include many ages and enhance our The Spring Green Area and Friday. For only $5 you can enjoy a already diverse community. SPRING Senior Center, 117 N. wonderful hot lunch with a luscious dessert In the future we hope to provide a coffee GREEN Washington St., had included. Reservations can be called in on hour with WiFi access, classes such as how become somewhat inactive over the past Tuesdays to (608) 588-2924. to mend those jeans or how to use your new few years. After some research throughout Our first program on our Calendar of smart phone. Many great suggestions have the community, many people felt the need to Events is our St. Patrick’s Day celebration come forward for programs so we have a uplift and put a new face on our center. So a sponsored by The Meadows, Spring great deal of information to work with. new Board of Directors was elected and the Green. On March 15, Cecilia Farran will Remember, too, that our building is work began. After forming our new board, present her “Spoken Word Journeys” at 1:30 handicap accessible and available for rent. our first order of business was to brighten up p.m. at the center. Cecilia is well known in Many families have enjoyed our space the existing building and make it appealing our surrounding communities for her Irish for birthday parties and Thanksgiving for everyone to enjoy the space. We created wit and storytelling. Refreshments will top dinners. Our full kitchen makes any event a new website to get information out there off the afternoon. an easy one, too. so people knew who we were and what our Our monthly meetings occur at the Thanks to so much support from the objectives are. Please go to our website Spring Green Area Senior Citizen Center community, the Spring Green Area Senior at springgreenseniorcenter.com to meet our at 4 p.m. on the second Monday of the Citizen Center looks forward to offering the new board, see our calendar of events, and month. We welcome all who wish to attend Spring Green area opportunities to learn, see our Thursday and Friday menu. and appreciate their input as to how we can enjoy and share in the many valuable assets Rumble Seats on Highway 14 has been move forward with an organization that of our area.
Irish Wit and Stories With Cecilia Farran “’T’isn’t it everyone, who wants for a drop Spring Green Senior Center: At 1:30 and Memory Care. (See story, this page.) of Irish blood in their veins,” the old man p.m. March 15, Cecilia will be offering For more information about March 15 murmured as he bent into his pint. One a community performance at the Spring performance, call (608) 588-4392. might imagine that he spoke true, for is Green Senior Center building, 117 N. Plymouth UCC Church: On Sunday, it not everyone, at least a wee bit, who is Washington St. Engaging stories will whet March 17, the actual High Holy Day of St. enthralled by the spirit and wit of the Irish? the imagination as you gather with your Patrick’s, all are welcome to the Plymouth If you have ever traveled to Ireland, you friends for a winsome journey too far away Congregational United Church of Christ, know the sense of magic in the air. and long ago. Refreshments and cookies 115 W. Merrimac St., Dodgeville, as St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, and the will be served. It is free and open to the Cecilia offers “The Woven Knots of Celtic days leading up to it are a once-a-year community with stories appropriate for all Grace.” Using excerpts and adaptations opportunity to celebrate the winsome fun ages. A free will donation to the center is from W.B. Yeats, Dylan Thomas, Arthur of Irishness. To that end, Story Bard Cecilia appreciated. O’Shaughnessy, Patrick Kavanaugh, Tommy Farran, herself no stranger to the magic and This event is the first in a series of Makem and other Celtic authors and poets, mirth of the Emerald Isle, will share the monthly community events/activities co- Cecilia invites us on a journey into the cleverness of Irish wit and poignant story sponsored by the Spring Green Senior at two venues in the River Valley. Center and The Meadows Assisted Living IRISH Continued p. 12
voiceoftherivervalley.com 9 TIME CAPSULES
now. Ice. Wind. Missed days of school … wow, that was a winter like we haven’t had in quite a few years! Snowy Swinters of the past may have been challenging for us, but they brought delight to the kids. Each new snowfall brought an opportunity to embellish snow forts, add moguls to sledding hills and drink more hot chocolate. The snow days this year have brought those memories back. Phones have been put away, and my teenage boy has come back out to play. Watching him and his teenage friends revisit the fun and play of their younger years has been an absolute joy. Even if we end up making up school days into June, I am grateful for the play that has come with this snow. What allows teenagers to let go and truly Jennifer Moore-Kerr play, I wonder as I watch them, encrusted in snow, laughing and playing. In December I wrote this about play: It does, however, require a change of mindset, a willingness to let go… The key is to let your mind move away from your everyday work and responsibilities. The everyday work of being a teenager is to figure out who they are and where they fit; who they will be as a grownup. And somehow our culture has removed play from the definition of being a grownup. We seem to have determined that the passage of time from childhood into adulthood means that we need to give up burying each other in the snow for the sheer pleasure of embracing the abundance! As parents, the question becomes, Can we help teenagers move through this time of real change without losing the joy found in play…? Young children naturally play. Then, as we add responsibilities to our lives, we lose that natural inclination. But when it snows, when in nature (because, isn’t it true that waves also bring out the play in everyone?) we often find it again. I have asked other parents of teenagers when their children play. For this generation of kids there is a transition from play in nature to play with a device. Each generation sees the next as engaging in something that doesn’t make sense to them. Is this our difficult change? Does the nostalgia we bring to the discussion for “eating a bowl of cereal and heading out to the crick for the day” disallow us from seeing what they are doing as play? What is the role of electronic play? Where does nature fit in a world where play is so often something that is done on a screen indoors? These are hard questions for me. I worry that we have done away with any free-flowing behavior, that our children will not know how to explore, how to be bored, how to let go. And yet I remember the words of Kahlil Gibran: For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,/which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams./You may strive to be like them,/but seek not to make them like you./For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. In my struggle I am glad for snow days, and I am glad that my teenager can still hear the call of a snow day to play, and I hope that his house of tomorrow has some nature in it.
Jennifer Moore-Kerr is a mom, a free spirit and a barefoot dancer living in Spring Green where she can walk to the river and commune with friends. She is delighted to share her thoughts on kids, time and nature on a rotating basis with other columnists focused on creativity, education and kids.
10 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 Shake Rag Alley Catalog Bursts with Creativity
Shake Rag Alley Center Beyond arts and crafts workshops, MINERAL POINT for the Arts’ 2019 catalog Shake Rag Alley offers bountiful is packed with more than opportunities to make magical memories 230 arts and crafts workshops for adults this year. In addition to the Winter Writers and youth, and a variety of special events Series of free readings by award-winning for all ages. authors that runs through April, and annual Founded 15 years ago this year by family programs including the June 1 Tour local artists and community members, of Fairy Homes, Oct. 31 Trick’r Treat event the nonprofit Shake Rag Alley Center and Dec. 7 Santa Day, several events and for the Arts exists to provide educational programs are in store in 2019. experiences in visual, performing, and Women’s Art Parties resume the third literary arts for adults and children; cultivate Wednesday of the month beginning in the creativity that thrives in our rural March, and the Shake Rag Alley Spring community; and rehabilitate and preserve and Summer Garage Sales will again feature our historic buildings and rustic campus. fun and eclectic finds in April and August. This year’s adult workshop lineup In conjunction with the workshop season, an features 25 new instructors — from across ongoing exhibit will showcase arts and crafts the country and across the street — teaching created by Shake Rag Alley instructors, arts and crafts classes in blacksmithing, and the popular jewelry sale will be held coppersmithing and gas-forge welding; in conjunction with Jewelry Boot Camp jewelry, photography and pottery; hand- weekend May 3-5. In June, Shake Rag Alley carving spoons and weaving wool rugs; will join Pendarvis and the Mineral Point silk-scarf painting and watercolor painting; Historical Society in celebrating Mineral culinary herbalism and flower arranging; Point Museum Night, and Point Five will and assemblage and mixed media. Classes grace Alley Stage in July. are already selling out since the Dec. 1 launch of the 2019 catalog, which can Community Chest and United Fund of For additional information about be viewed, downloaded, or a print copy Iowa County, scholarships are available Shake Rag Alley’s 2019 workshops and requested at www.shakeragalley.com. by filling out an online application on the events or to request a catalog, see www. Students can register and make lodging website or calling the office. shakeragalley.com or call (608) 987-3292. reservations online or call the office Monday-Friday for assistance. From March through November, classes range from introductory half-day classes to three- or four-day in-depth workshops. Five in-depth retreats — Writers Retreat, Jewelry Boot Camp, Woodlanders Gathering, Art Adventure and Printmaking Retreat — are again being offered, each with its own unique character and capacity to nurture participants. Workshop students enjoy a 10 percent discount off Shake Rag Alley lodging, which includes three private rooms in the historic Coach House on the Shake Rag Alley campus, and Roland’s Loft and the Tuckpoint Garden Suite at The Sardeson building in the heart of Mineral Point’s historic downtown. The Summer Youth Program, which
runs June 17 through Aug. 19 with mid- Courtesy of Cliff Krainik morning and afternoon classes, features three dozen K-12 workshops including One of Mineral Point’s first artists, Ava Fernekes, created these rosemaled mouse traps, Paper Mache Art for the Fourth of July which are owned by William Treweek of Dodgeville. Shake Rag Alley’s monthly Women’s Art Party resumes March 20 with a fun project to honor Fernekes. Bring a trap and any fun Parade, two Free Arts Camps, Laura materials you wish. Beads, buttons, photos, fabric, ribbon, sequins, wire, paint, etc., will Ingalls Wilder Day and Be in a Play Camp. be provided, and traps will be available for a nominal cost. Meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Ellery Thanks to the support of the Mineral Point House on the Shake Rag Alley campus at 18 Shake Rag St., Mineral Point. voiceoftherivervalley.com 11 For more information, call IRISH from p. 9 (608) 935-5727 or see www. Celtic mind and spirit using the PlymouthUCCDodgeville.org. interweaving threads of knot However you choose to work as our way map. Candles celebrate the whimsey of the Irish, lit from the eternal flame of St. just remember this: The Irish are Bridget in Kildare Ireland will the only people on the face of the be given to all as a keepsake. earth who can argue both sides of Following worship the a question … at the same time. congregation invites everyone May the “luck of the Irish” to a traditional corn beef be with you. and cabbage luncheon in For more information, the fellowship hall for a free contact Cecilia at cecilia. will offering to the church. [email protected].
12 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 TRACKING YOUR PAST: Prepping for a Trip to the Old Country
amily historians sometimes manage to visit the land of their national holidays occurring during your trip. ancestors. Yet booking an overseas genealogy “vacation” Set realistic time frames and avoid tight schedules. Allow Fcan get complicated. serendipity to reveal new data, contacts and ancestor stories. Where to begin? Consider your goals. Maybe you simply Consider taking an organized genealogy tour or hiring a local wish to walk in your ancestors’ footsteps and absorb the local guide or researcher to help make the best use of the time available. culture. Maybe you want to do actual research and plan to arrive Pack carefully and bring: with knowledge of where to look for specific records. • A GPS unit Review the research you have completed to date. Could a • A camera or smartphone to photograph places, people trip to the Old Country answer a lingering question or help you and records move beyond a brick wall? Online resources • A laptop or tablet might suggest where to look. A short-term • A binder with pockets for the records and brochures you subscription to www.arkivdigital.com will collect might help you locate Swedish church • A summary of your research, with ancestors’ names and records, or the free site www.ddd.dda.dk/ vital records information dddform_uk.asp might point you to useful • A phrase book if you are visiting a non-English Danish census records. speaking country, adding common genealogy terms like Consider what contacts you may have “ancestor,” “cemetery” or “marriage record” in the Old Country through U.S. relatives or Leave room in your luggage for books and other new Doris Green acquaintances? Distant relatives you found treasures. Leave room in your itinerary for unexpected through Ancestry or DNA testing? Tell them your plans. The opportunities. Finally, be brave: Tell people you meet what you are more you share, the more likely you will find new information. seeking; you may be surprised at what you find. As you clarify your goals, your itinerary will begin to take shape. Towns with the most potential to answer your questions Doris Green is the author of “Elsie’s Story: Chasing a Family will light up like beacons on a map. Plan morning and afternoon Mystery” and a new edition of “Wisconsin Underground: A sessions in the places of most interest. Print out your itinerary and Guide to Cave, Mines, and Tunnels in and Around the Badger take it with you to keep you on track. Include the addresses and State.” Both are available from http://henschelhausbooks.com. open days and times for the places you plan to visit. Be aware of Reach Doris via https://dorisgreenbooks.com.
voiceoftherivervalley.com 13 VOICE OF THE RIVER VALLEY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
mining.jamison.museum. ONGOING MARCH 2019 Through November Mineral Point 1 2 Through March Dodgeville Arts and Crafts Workshops. Shake Rag Alley 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Art Exhibit: Youth Art Month: Iowa County Center for the Arts, 18 Shake Rag St., (608) 987- 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Schools and Guest Lafayette County/Darlington 3292, www.shakeragalley.com. High School Artists, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday- 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Friday. Iowa County Courthouse, 222 N. Iowa St., Year-Round Dodgeville 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 (608) 935- 5483. Adamah Clay Workshops. Educational work- 31 shops for beginners through professional levels. Through March Spring Green Adamah Clay Studios of Bethel Horizons, 4651 Cty For more events information, see the Meet the Maker: River Valley Elementary and Rd. ZZ, (608) 574-8100, jennifer@bethelhorizons. Middle School Show, Multimedia. Mon.-Thurs. org, www.adamahartstudios.org. recurring community resources listings 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-1 on p. 20 and voiceoftherivervalley.com/ p.m. Community Room, Spring Green Community Year-Round Mazomanie events. Submit events online at www. Library, 230 E. Monroe St., (608) 588-2276, spring- Yoga and Circus Classes. The Rumpus Room, 15 voiceoftherivervalley.com. greenlibrary.org. Brodhead St., (608) 669-6403, therumpusroom.org. All events subject to change. Through March 15 Cross Plains Year-Round Mazomanie Art Exhibit: Luci Shirek, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.- After-School Classes for Kids and Adult Gather- booksmith.com. Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Wa- ings. SHEnanigans, 25 Brodhead St., (608) 212- tercolors, oil, acrylic and mixed media. Rosemary 9987, shenanigans4u.com. 1 Cross Plains Garfoot Public Library, 2107 Julius St., 608-798- Across Plains Artist Collective Monthly Gather- 3881, www.rgpl.org. Year-Round Mount Horeb ing, 9-11 a.m. Connect to a variety of creative folk Driftless Historium, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday including fiber artists, painters, photographers, mak- Through March 17 Prairie du Sac to Sunday. Mount Horeb Area Historical Society ers, writers, performers and community-builders. Public Ice Skating sponsored by the Sauk Prai- history center. 100 S. 2nd St., (608) 437-6486, Our purpose is to socialize, inspire and share rie Youth Hockey Association. For calendar and mthorebhistory.org. information about creative efforts in the area. Cross- rates, see http://saukprairiehockey.com. Sauk Prai- roads Coffeehouse, 2020 Main St., AcrossPlainsAr- rie Ice Rink, 1700 Tower St. Year-Round Mount Horeb [email protected]. Wisconsin Eudaimonia Center. Workshop and Through March 22 Prairie du Sac retreat-based center devoted to fostering human 1 Dodgeville Art Exhibits: Wisconsin Regional Art Program flourishing through the explorative act of self-study. Iowa County Astronomers Monthly Meeting, (Gallery) and Creative Power: VSA, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. For more information, see https://wieudaimoniacen- 7-8:30 p.m. Free and open to all stargazing enthu- on school days. River Arts Center, 105 9th St., (608) ter.com. 643-5215, www.riverartsinc.org. siasts. John Heasley will share a talk on the 50th Year-Round Prairie du Sac anniversary of the Apollo moon landing. Free and Through March 30 Prairie du Sac Art Workshops and Classes. River Arts on Water open to all stargazing enthusiasts. QLF Agronomy Featured Artists: Charmaine Harbort (polymer Gallery Studio, 590 Water St., (608) 643-5215, Research Center, 3625 Hwy. 23 N, www.icastro. clay) & Susan Hale (oil paintings), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. www.riverartsinc.org. org. (See column, p. 26.) Tuesday-Saturday. River Arts on Water, 590 Water St., (608) 643-5215, www.riverartsinc.org. 1 Mineral Point MARCH Live Music: Cupola, 7:30 p.m. Gray Dog Deli, 215 Through April Platteville High St., (608) 987-4000, graydogdeli.com. The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums. Self- 1 Baraboo guided tours of exhibits on the natural history, cul- Classic Movie Night: “Of Human Bondage,” 1 Prairie du Sac tural history and science and industry of Platteville 7:30-9 p.m. We’ll celebrate the Vintage Shop Hop Art Reception: Wisconsin Regional Art Program and the Upper Mississippi Valley mining district of with the film that made Bette Davis a star, 1934’s (Gallery) and Creative Power: VSA (Lobby), 5-7 the southern Driftless by reservation. Guided tours “Of Human Bondage.” Leslie Howard co-stars in p.m. River Arts Center, 105 9th St., (608) 643-5215, of the underground 1845 Bevans Mine also avail- this adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s tale of www.riverartsinc.org. able by appointment. The Mining & Rollo Jamison obsession and betrayal. Free. The Village Book- Museums, 405 E. Main St., (608) 348-3301, http:// smith, 526 Oak St., (608) 355-1001, www.village- 1 Prairie du Sac
at the Riverview Terrace Café at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center an Enos Farms Pop-Up Restaurant 10 am – 2 pm Sat & Sun, December – March brunch buffet, cocktails, coffee, & pastries Local. Organic. From Scratch. EnosFarms.com
14 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 Live Music: Bettman & Halpin, 7-9 p.m. Original 2-3 Barneveld pointoperahouse.org. folk/Americana. $10-$20. River Arts Center, 105 Botham Vineyards’ Opening Weekend, 10 a.m.-5 9th St. p.m. Celebrate the opening of the 2019 season in 8 Mineral Point the Tasting Room! Stop by and restock your wine Live Music: Melanie Devaney & Richard Shal- 1 Spring Green rack after this snow-filled winter while sipping a uly, 7:30 p.m. Gray Dog Deli, 215 High St., (608) Film Screening: “Decoding the Driftless,” 7-8:30 glass (or bottle) of your favorite Botham wine and 987-4000, graydogdeli.com. p.m. With guest speaker film producer George enjoying a tasty Wisconsin cheeseboard. Botham Howe. Sponsored by Arcadia Books, Driftless Area Vineyards, 8180 Langberry Rd., (608) 924-1412, 8 Baraboo Land Conservancy and Friends of the Lower Wis- www.bothamvineyards.com. Author Talk: Jeff Nania, 7:30-9 p.m. Murder and consin Riverway. $5 tickets available online at www. vengeance stalk the North Woods, as Portage readinutopia.com or at Arcadia Books. The Gard 3 Platteville author and outdoorsman extraordinaire Jeff Nania Theater, 111 E. Jefferson St. Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums Winter Ly- regales us with tales from his first novel, “Figure 8.” ceum Lecture Series: “Native American Lead Free. The Village Booksmith, 526 Oak St., (608) 2 Dodgeville Mining in the Upper Mississippi Valley District,” 355-1001, www.villagebooksmith.com. Healthy Hoedown, 6-9:30 p.m. Enjoy a fun-filled 5 p.m. Presented by archaeologist Philip Millhouse. barn dance evening featuring live string-band music $4. Platteville Municipal Auditorium, 75 N. Bonson 8 Mineral Point by the The Dull Chisels: Paul Kienitz, Chuck Horne- St., (608) 348-3301, http://mining.jamison.museum. Of Sea & Hill, 6-10 p.m. Join us for a celebration mann, Colin Bazsali and Dave Havas; with Jesse of the visual and palatal on International Women’s Downs, caller. No experience or costume required. 3 Richland Center Day! Featuring the works of Esther Hill & Melissa Families and beginners always welcome! Bring a Live Music: The Richland Concert Associa- Langholff (of Sjölinds Chocolate). Art. Tea. Choco- dish to pass for the potluck. 6 p.m. potluck; dancing tion Presents Johanna Wienholts, 2-4 p.m. $15. late. (Also open for viewing 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March starts at 7:15 p.m. The 2019 Healthy Hoedown sea- Seventh-day Adventist Church, 26625 Crestview 9.) Buttonhill Music Studio, 154 High St. son is supported in part by the Green Bay Packers Dr., (608) 647-2977. Foundation and Upland Hills Health. $4-$8. Folklore 9 Arena Village, 3210 Cty Rd. BB, (608) 924-4000, www. 3 Spring Green Arena VFW Post 9336 Steak/Chicken Fry, 5-8 folklorevillage.org. Live Music: Acoustic Jam, 1-3 p.m. Come to p.m. Enjoy 8-oz. UW Provision steaks ($12) or 5-oz. listen or come to play. Spring Green General Store, Chicken breast ($8) with full salad bar and dessert 2 Lone Rock 137 S. Albany St., (608) 588-7070, www.spring- table the second Saturday of the month through Beat the Cabin Fever Dance, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fun- greengeneralstore.com. May. Carryouts available. Proceeds benefit student draising dance benefitting VetsRoll, an organization scholarships, help for those in need and community that sends WWII and Korean War-era veterans 5 Dodgeville projects. Arena VFW Post 9336, 514 Willow St., to Washington, D.C., to see their war memorials. Folklore Village Open Mic, 7-9 p.m. A traditional (608) 753-2225. Bingo, live music, 2 p.m. live auction, silent auction, open mic format for all ages, from aspiring and ac- meat paddles, 50/50 raffle and more. Lone Rock complished musicians and poets to appreciative 9 Mineral Point Driftless Poets Workshopping Group, 2 p.m. Community Hall, (608) 929-4690. audience members. MC’d by Mike Wolkomir with Monthly workshopping group for local or aspiring sound by Scott Stieber. Piano available. Donations poets. RSVP requested to director.shakeragalley@ 2 Mineral Point greatly appreciated. Coffee and tea provided. Feel gmail.com. Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts Live Music: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra free to bring a treat to share. Folklore Village, 3210 Cafe, 18 Shake Rag St., (608) 987-3282, www. Chamber Players, 7:30 p.m. $15. Mineral Point Cty. Hwy BB, (608) 924-4000, www.folklorevillage. shakeragalley.com. Opera House, 139 High St., www.mineralpointop- org. erahouse.org. 9 Spring Green 6 Platteville Bluegrass Jam, 1:30-4 p.m. Come and listen, play 2 Spring Green Pioneer Talks: Impacts of Climate Change, 5-6 or sing along. Spring Green General Store, 137 Spring Green Indoor Farmers Market, 9 a.m.- p.m. Join Rick Palmer of the Northeast Climate S. Albany St., (608) 588-7070, www.springgreen- noon. Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Science Center (https://necsc.umass.edu) to learn generalstore.com. Monroe St. what climate change impacts we can expect in the Northeast and Midwest. Free; light refreshments 10 Platteville 2 Spring Green served; no RSVP required. Nohr Gallery, Ullsvik Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums Winter Lyce- 25th Annual Paul Bentzen Day, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Hall, UW-Platteville, Hickory and Main Streets, um Lecture Series: “Mine Land Reclamation in Paul will cook his fabulous jambalaya and we’ll https://campus.uwplatt.edu/pioneer-talks. Free Wisconsin: A Legacy and Link to Modernity,” 5 serve it from noon until it’s all gone. Special Blue- parking available in Lot 2. p.m. Presented by UW-Platteville Professor Emeri- grass Jam 1-5 p.m. Come and wish Paul a happy tus Tom Hunt. $4. Platteville Municipal Auditorium, 74th birthday! Spring Green General Store, 137 7 Mineral Point 75 N. Bonson St., (608) 348-3301, http://mining. S. Albany St., (608) 588-7070, www.springgreen- Movie Night: “A Star Is Born,” 7 p.m.$5. Mineral generalstore.com. Point Opera House, 139 High St., www.mineral- Continued p. 16
voiceoftherivervalley.com 15 15 Richland Center Calendar Cont. from p. 15 O’Delicious Bake Sale Plus, 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Bake sale to raise funds jamison.museum. to help the Pet Care Program of the Ocooch Mountain Humane Society 10 Spring Green and cage-free shelter. Traditional Author Talk: David Couper, 2-3 baked goods such as breads, bars, p.m. Former Madison chief of police, cookies, as well as ethnic specialties: pastor and poet discusses his lat- kolachy, biscotti, pizelles, Irish soda est collection of poetry, “In My 80th bread, scones, homemade noodles. Year: Poems of Reflection and Re- Plus handmade craft items just in membrance.” Arcadia Books, 102 E. time for spring such as bird houses Jefferson St., (608) 588-7638, www. and llama fiber nets for nest building. readinutopia.com. Richland County Bank, 195 W. Court St., www.omhumanesociety.com. 11 Arena Wildlife Forever Monthly ATV Meet- 15 Spring Green ing, 7-8:30 p.m. All ATV-UTV enthusi- Irish Stories, Wit and Wisdom asts are welcome! We are accepting with Cecilia Farran, 1:30 p.m. Free, membership applications and dona- open to all ages. Co-sponsored by tions are always welcome to support The Meadows Assisted Living and to signage for roads and trails. Trad- Memory Care. Spring Green Senior ers Bar and Grill, 6174 Hwy 14. Center Building, 117 N. Washington St., (608) 588-4392, springgreense- 13 Black Earth niorcenter.com. (See story, p. 9.) Support Group: Next Steps in Flood Recovery, 6-7:30 p.m. A 15-17 Dodgeville free public gathering for residents of Norwegian Dance & Music Week- Mazomanie, Black Earth and Cross end at Folklore Village. Explore the Plains who have been impacted by richness of Scandinavian cultural the flooding of 2018. An opportunity traditions with a primary focus on the to check in with our neighbors, gather distinctive “border” music and dance resources and discuss the next steps from the Finnish forests in Norway in flood recovery. Presentations on and across the border in Sweden. flood-related issues will be given Morning and afternoon workshops; throughout the coming months. evening dance parties. All levels of Outreach workers available through dancers and musicians welcome. Project Recovery. Light refreshments Pre-registration is required. Folklore provided. Black Earth Community Village, 3210 Cty Rd. BB, (608) 924- Building, 1210 Mills St. 4000, www.folklorevillage.org.
14 Mineral Point 15-17 Sauk City Movie Night: “The Big Lebowski,” Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild Pres- 7 p.m.$5. Mineral Point Opera House, ents Three Spring Comedies: “For 139 High St., www.mineralpointopera- No Particular Reason,” 7-9 p.m. house.org. March 15-16, 2 p.m. March 17. $8- $12. Park Hall, 307 Polk St., spthe- 15 Voice of the River Valley atreguild.org. Deadline for Haiku and Poetry Submissions. Submit poems to 15-24 Spring Green [email protected] for Live Theater: “Someone Who’ll consideration for the April magazine’s Watch Over Me,” previews 7:30 National Poetry Month feature. p.m. March 15 and 1 p.m. March 16, opening 6 p.m. March 16 and run- 15 Baraboo ning through March 24. Two Crows Toast of the Town Open Stage, Theatre Company presents Frank 7:30-9 p.m. Don’t fear the Ides of McGuinness’ play featuring Marcus March, as benevolent dictator Ron Truschinski, Josh Krause and Robert Frye presides over a legion of tal- R. Doyle and directed by James De- ent during our mostly musical Open Vita. Tickets and showtimes at www. Stage! All acts welcome! Audience twocrowstheatre.org. The Jefferson, encouraged! Et tu, too? The Village 137 W. Jefferson St., (608) 588-0242. Booksmith, 526 Oak St., (608) 355- 1001, www.villagebooksmith.com. 16 Blue Mounds Cave After Dark: Hooley in the Hol- 15 Mineral Point lows, 6-9 p.m. A hooley is an Irish Live Music: The Dang-Its Featur- party or celebration. Come celebrate ing Tom Waselchuk, 7:30-10 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day in a unique way with “Americana” forms the core of the live music above and below ground, roots-oriented repertoire of this Madi- tasty treats and beverages, and a son Area Music Association awarding- chance to collect tokens for beer winning ensemble. Gray Dog Deli, and wine samples, as well as rock 215 High St., (608) 987-4000, gray- and mineral treasures. In the Visitor dogdeli.com. Continued p. 17
16 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums Calendar Cont. from p. 16 Winter Lyceum Lecture Series: “Courtship and Wedding Rituals of Center, enjoy live bluegrass with an the Late 18th Century through the Irish twist by Down from the Hills. 1940s,” 5 p.m. Presented by Wis- Traditional Irish music will be featured consin Historical Society Outreach inside the cave. $30. Cave of the Curator Tamara Funk. $4. Platteville Mounds, 2975 Cave of the Mounds Municipal Auditorium, 75 N. Bonson Rd., (608) 437-3038, www.caveofthe- St., (608) 348-3301, http://mining. mounds.com. jamison.museum.
16 Mineral Point 17 Spring Green Live Music: “WheelHouse,” 7:30 Poem Homes Open House, 12-4 p.m.$15. Mineral Point Opera House, p.m. Tour Spring Green’s first net- 139 High St., www.mineralpointop- zero home now under construction a erahouse.org. block north of the high school. Meet contractor Amber Westerman and 16 Prairie du Sac learn about how this passive/active Social Saturday: Coloring & Cof- solar, super-insulated home works. fee, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Stop in for Find out what makes it barrier-free for freshly brewed John Joseph Coffee people of all ages and abilities and and enjoy some stress-relieving adult how to build with non-toxic materi- coloring (or anything else you’d like als for clean indoor air. Free. Poem to bring) while you chat with friends. Home, 770 North Westmor St. (See Free; all coloring supplies provided. ad, p. 9.) Adult supervision required for chil- dren under 12. River Arts on Water, 18 Sauk City 590 Water St., (608) 643-5215, www. “Facing the Surge” Social and riverartsinc.org. Film Screening, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Doc- umentary about the tangible costs of 16 Spring Green sea level rise for the people of Nor- Spring Green Indoor Farmers Mar- folk, VA, home to the largest naval ket, 9 a.m.-noon. Spring Green Com- base in the country and the citizens munity Library, 230 E. Monroe St. from across the United States raising awareness about climate change. 16 Spring Green Free will donation. Park Hall, 307 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 11 Polk St., www.freecongregation.org. a.m.-4 p.m. St. Pat’s corned beef and cabbage lunch, served from 11 19 Mineral Point a.m. until it’s all gone! Live music 2-4 Live Music: Opera for the Young, p.m. with Wrannock Trio: Mike, Lisa 6:30 p.m. “Super Storm” performed and Angus Mossman. Hailing from with Mineral Point Elementary’s 5th- Co. Sauk, WI, they play Celtic music, Grade Chorus. Free. Mineral Point with vocals, instrumentals and stories Opera House, 139 High St., www. about their music and their wander- mineralpointoperahouse.org. ings. Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., (608) 588-7070, 20 Vernal Equinox www.springgreengeneralstore.com. 20 Mineral Point 16 Spring Green Women’s Art Party: Mousetraps, Inga Witscher Cooking Demo, 1-3 6:30-8:30 p.m. Shake Rag Alley’s p.m. Join Wisconsin Public Televi- March women’s art party is dedicated sion’s “Around the Farm Table” host to the creative spirit of Ava Fernekes, Inga Witscher for a fun and entertain- one of Mineral Point’s first artists who ing cooking demonstration. Spring was known to paint anything put in Green Community Library, 230 E. front of her, including mousetraps. Monroe St., (608) 588-2276, spring- Decorate your own with beads, but- greenlibrary.org. tons, sequins, collage, ribbon, paint, wire, etc., or bring your own project. 16 Spring Green $5 suggested donation, drop-ins wel- Author Talk: Nickolas Butler, 4-5 come. Ellery House, 18 Shake Rag p.m. Author of the novel “Little Faith.” St., (608) 987-3292, www.ShakeRa- Arcadia Books, 102 E. Jefferson St., gAlley.com. (See story, p. 11.) (608) 588-7638, www.readinutopia. com. 20 Mineral Point Shake Rag Alley Winter Writer 17 Dodgeville Reading Series: Matt Cashion, 7 The Woven Knots of Celtic Grace p.m. Meet the 2017 Council for Wis- with Cecilia Farran, 10 a.m. Plym- consin Writers Edna Ferber Fiction outh UCC Church, 115 W. Merrimac Award winner and enjoy refresh- St., (608) 935-5727, www.Plym- ments and literary conversation. outhUCCDodgeville.org. (See story, Free. Lind Pavilion, 411 Commerce p. 9.) St., (608) 987-3292, www.shakera-
17 Platteville Continued p. 18 voiceoftherivervalley.com 17 erners have worshipped, feared, studied, hunted, Live Music: The Basement Band, 2-4 p.m. Mem- Calendar Cont. from p. 17 eaten and protected the birds surrounding them bers of The Basement Band “come upstairs” for a over the last 12,000 years. Free. The Village Book- series of performances of music ranging from blue- galley.com. (See story, p. 11.) smith, 526 Oak St., (608) 355-1001, www.village- grass to roots and originals. Spring Green General booksmith.com. Store, 137 S. Albany St., (608) 588-7070, www. 21 Mineral Point springgreengeneralstore.com. Pendarvis Winter Speaker Series: Victorian 22 Mineral Point Era Etiquette, 6 p.m. Enjoy a culinary tour of the Live Music: Don Greenwood with Medicinal 24 Clyde late 19th century with menus and recipes from the Purposes, 7:30 p.m. Gray Dog Deli, 215 High St., Clyde Chili/Chicken Noodle Soup Dinner, 11 Dousman family, who built and lived at Villa Louis. (608) 987-4000, graydogdeli.com. a.m.-2 p.m. Homemade chili, homemade chicken Explore the foods, etiquette and technology of the noodle soup, home-baked rolls and homemade Victorian era and get a taste of the time period with 22. Prairie du Sac pies top the menu. Spread the word, bring a friend samples of jams and preserves with the director of Live Music: Alina Kiryayeva: Moving Pictures, and enjoy good food and good company. $3-$7. Villa Louis, Susan Caya-Slusser. $4. Pendarvis His- 7-9 p.m. A collection of the most exciting and Clyde Community Center, 6281 State Rd. 130. toric Site (Education Center), 114 Shake Rag St., colorful classical masterworks featured in famous (608) 987-2122, pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org. movies and cartoons. With works by Beethoven, 24 Spring Green Debussy, Liszt and more, Alina’s unique interpreta- Bent Paddle Poetry, 2 p.m. An afternoon of poetry 21 Mineral Point tions and captivating stage presence along with with Four Bent Paddle Press authors: Ron Czer- Movie Night: “The Princess Bride,” 7 p.m.$5. her virtuosic fireworks of nearly unplayable piano wien, Ronnie Hess, Richard Merelman and Jeanie Mineral Point Opera House, 139 High St., www. transcriptions will simply take listeners’ breath away. Tomasko read from their latest works. Arcadia mineralpointoperahouse.org. $10-$20. River Arts Center, 105 9th St., (608) 643- Books, 102 E. Jefferson St., (608) 588-7638, www. 5215, www.riverartsinc.org. readinutopia.com. 21 Prairie du Sac We Are Sauk Prairie Lecture: The Recovery, 23 Richland Center 24 Platteville Management and Future of Wisconsin’s Per- 7th Annual UW-Platteville/Richland Garden Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums Winter Lyce- egrine Falcons, 6:30-8 p.m. Greg Septon and Bill Expo, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the um Lecture Series: “Wisconsin Underground: Smith present their richly illustrated overview of door includes lunch. UW-Platteville/Richland Wal- A Guide to Caves, Mines, and Tunnels in and peregrine falcon recovery efforts in Wisconsin be- lace Student Center, 1200 US Hwy 14 W, https:// Around the Badger State,” 5 p.m. Presented by tween 1987-2018, mainly focusing on Sauk County campus.uwplatt.edu. author Doris Green. $4. Platteville Municipal Audi- and the Lower Wisconsin River. Free. Ruth Culver torium, 75 N. Bonson St., (608) 348-3301, http:// Community Library, 540 Water St., (608) 358-7120, 23 Spring Green mining.jamison.museum. www.saukprairievision.org. Craft Supply Swap, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Attention all craftaholics! Come join fellow crafters at the library 27 Mineral Point 22 Baraboo for an exchange of craft supplies. Spring Green Shake Rag Alley Winter Writer Reading Series: Author Talk: Michael Edmonds, 7:30-9 p.m. As Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., (608) 588- Jenna Rindo, 7 p.m. Meet the 2018 Wisconsin our feathered friends return, join award-winning 2276, springgreenlibrary.org. People & Ideas Poetry Contest winner and enjoy writer and historian Michael Edmonds, author of refreshments and literary conversation. Free. Lind “Taking Flight,” to explore how and why Midwest- 23 Spring Green Pavilion, 411 Commerce St., (608) 987-3292, www.
18 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 Calendar Cont. from p. 18 GARDEN BLITZ: Bliss Tempered by Reality shakeragalley.com. (See story, p. 11.)
27 Spring Green 2019 Betty Irwin Memorial Readers’ The- ater 10-Minute Play Contest, 7-9 p.m. The Friends of the Spring Green Community Library invites the public to 10-minute plays that will be performed at their annual meet- ing. For the past several years the Friends’ group has performed a Readers’ Theater of winning original plays by local authors. Spring Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St., (608) 588-2276, springgreenli- brary.org.
28 Mineral Point Movie Night: “Ralph Breaks the Inter- net,” 6 p.m.$5. Mineral Point Opera House, Courtesy of Emily Landmann 139 High St., www.mineralpointoperahouse. org. y husband, Saint Paul, is a retired branches I wanted removed. Paul was a bit 29 Mineral Point foot and ankle surgeon. Before he dubious when he saw the number of 3-inch- Live Music: Mark Zalaznik, 7:30 p.m. Gray was a doctor, he was a physician diameter branches I had chosen. Dog Deli, 215 High St., (608) 987-4000, M assistant who worked on a heart transplant “Don’t worry,” I told him. “I went to a graydogdeli.com. team. Even so, he is not allowed to prune our lecture about this. I know what I’m doing.” trees and shrubs without supervision from a The lilac responded beautifully, sending 29-31 Dodgeville Cajun Music & Dance Weekend at Folk- more knowledgeable person … me. up new shoots before the summer was over. lore Village. Take advantage of an in-depth I’m an expert on this topic. Just ask me. The following year, those new branches learning experience with Cajun music That’s why I declared I was taking charge looked vigorous and leafy and just the right and dance instruction from the very finest of taming the overgrown lilac bushes in our height, but they did not produce any flowers. tradition-bearers offering multiple levels of instruction in Cajun fiddle, accordion and back yard. “Maybe they need one more year,” I said dance, plus cultural discussion, an all-levels Common lilacs can grow 8 to 10 somewhat less confidently. Nonetheless, I jam session, a guitar workshop, open jam- feet or taller. As they grow, the plunged ahead with removing the ming, dance parties, traditional food and lovely flowers tend to cluster at next third of the old branches. more! Folklore Village, 3210 Cty Rd. BB, (608) 924-4000, www.folklorevillage.org. the top. Before long, you have to The following spring, the crane your neck to see where the only flowers on the lilac were 30 Spring Green fragrance is coming from. Come those on the remaining third of old Live Music: John Haarbauer, 2-4 p.m. A spring, you might be tempted to branches. Taking a leap of faith, I self-described solo semi-pro minor-league cut those shrubs back a bit, but cut them back because by now they musician and member of Better Daze and Still Strummin’ bands,John Haarbauer plays you’d be making a big mistake. just looked silly and awkward rising a lot of ancient rock featuring his guitar, That’s why you need an expert Patrice Peltier so far above the new foliage. harmonica and vocals. Free. Spring Green like me. The next year, the sainted General Store, 137 S. Albany St., (608) 588- Lilacs flower on old wood. Through the Paul had not mentioned that there were 7070, www.springgreengeneralstore.com. summer, they actually make the buds that still no flowers on this shrub, which was, 31 Platteville will turn into flowers next spring. If you finally, the right height. I was preparing to Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums Win- prune your lilac before it flowers, you’ll have admit my fallibility when I was saved by ter Lyceum Lecture Series: “50th An- to wait another year until it blooms. I knew a guest on Larry Meiller’s “Garden Talk” niversary of the Apollo 11 spaceflight,” 5 p.m. Presented by John Heasley of Driftless that, so I waited until after it bloomed to start radio program. The guest, an actual expert, Stargazing. $4. Platteville Municipal Audi- cutting our lilac back. mentioned that lilacs often take three to five torium, 75 N. Bonson St., (608) 348-3301, As lilacs mature, they tend to get years to start blooming again after renewal http://mining.jamison.museum. “leggy.” That means many of the branches pruning. are leafless at the bottom. All the action’s In year four, pretty much on schedule, 31 Spring Green Plays at the Pub: “A Doll’s House” by taking place at the top. To rectify this, our lilac started blooming, allowing me to Henrik Ibsen, 2 p.m. The Spring Green Lit- horticulturists recommend a technique continue to believe I know what I’m doing. erary Festival sponsors a community read- known as “renewal pruning.” The idea is to And that’s blitz. ing of the first of four plays from American select one-third of the oldest, tallest, woodiest Players Theatre’s 2019 season. Choose the Patrice Peltier lives in Spring Green and part you want to read or come to listen and branches, cutting them off at the base of the discuss. Free scripts available at the door plant. This will spur the plant to send up new writes regularly for Wisconsin Gardening, the afternoon of the event or playbooks are shoots. The next year, you remove another Chicagoland Gardening and The Landscape for sale at Arcadia Books or at the Spring third, and so on, until your shrub is filled out Contractor magazines. Her work has Green Community Library with a South with shorter, robustly growing branches. appeared in Better Homes and Gardens and Central library card. The Jefferson, 137 W. Midwest Living magazines. Jefferson. So, that first year, I pointed out the voiceoftherivervalley.com 19 RECURRING COMMUNITY RESOURCES Dodgeville MARCH 2019 www.makingservicepersonal.org. Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous Meetings, Dodgeville Serenity Club, 1 2 3rd Wednesday Dodgeville 401 N. Union, (608) 695-6662. Sunday: N.A. 4 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Dodgeville Public Library Adult Book Club, p.m., A.A. 6 p.m. Monday: A.A. 7 p.m. (closed). 6:30 p.m. 139 S. Iowa St., (608) 935-3728, www. Tuesday: Al-Anon 7 p.m., N.A. 7 p.m. Wednesday: 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 dodgevillelibrary.com. A.A. 12 p.m. (closed), A.A. 7 p.m. (women only). 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Thursday: A.A. 7 p.m. (closed). Friday: A.A. 12 p.m. 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Thursdays Mineral Point (closed), N.A. 7 p.m. (closed). Saturday: A.A. 7 p.m. 31 Cafe Con Amigos, 8 a.m. Weekly gathering for native Spanish speakers and those learning. Sundays Clyde For more events information, see pp. 14- Newcomers welcome. Cafe 43, 43 High St. Sunday Morning Meetings, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. All are welcome to join an hour of silent meditation, 19 and voiceoftherivervalley.com/events. Thursdays Richland Center a Quaker-style meeting, and an hour of sharing, Submit events online at www. Al-Anon support group for family and friends songs and tea. First Sundays are potluck lunches. voiceoftherivervalley.com. of alcoholics, 12 p.m., Peace United Methodist Clyde Community Center, 6281 State Road 130, All events subject to change. Church, 265 N. Church St., use Union St. entrance. (608) 532-6365. Building, Room 1001, 303 W. Chapel St. For more Thursdays Sauk City 2nd Sunday Clyde information, contact (608) 930-9835. Women’s AA Group, 6:30 p.m. Free Congregation Clyde Jam, 2-5 p.m. Everyone’s welcome to of Sauk County Community Hall, 307 Polk St. enjoy laid-back jamming whether you’re playing or 1st/3rd Tuesday Sauk City listening. Clyde Community Center, 6281 State Rd. Joyful Path Meditation Group, 7-8:10 p.m. In the 2nd Thursday Dodgeville 130, (608) 583-4162. tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, each meeting includes SOS, Survivors of Suicide Support Group, 7-9 an introduction, guided sitting meditation, recitation p.m. Health & Human Services Building, 303 W. Last Sunday Rockbridge of the Five Mindfulness Trainings or a short talk, Chapel St., [email protected]. Rockbridge Geology and History Hikes, 12 p.m. question and answer period and closing. Park Hall, Meet at the Rockbridge Park near 17520 Hwy 80 Free Congregation of Sauk City, 307 Polk St., (608) 3rd Thursday Sauk City at noon for an hour-long hike through 500 million 437-0520, www.joyfulpath.org. Memory Cafe, 9:30-11 a.m. The Alzheimer’s & years. Learn about rock formations, human history Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin sponsors a social and future development of the park and surrounding 2nd/4th Tuesday Richland Center gathering place for persons with memory loss, mild area. For more information, contact Marilyn at (608) Rolling Hills Toastmasters (previously the Plain cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer’s, or other 347-5473 or [email protected]. Toastmasters), 7-9 p.m. Members from Richland dementia, and their family and friends. Sauk Prairie Center, Reedsburg, Spring Green, Avoca, Ithaca, Community Center, Cafe Connections, 730 Monroe 1st Monday Clyde, Viroqua, Arena and Gotham enjoy fun, fast- St., (608) 742-9055, alzwisc.org. PFLAG Mount Horeb Area, 6 p.m. Monthly paced speech and leadership activities. Richland speaker and support meeting. All are welcome. Hospital, Pippin 1, 333 E. 2nd St. For more 4th Thursday Richland Center Mt. Horeb American Legion Hall, 102 S. 3rd St., information, contact [email protected]. Memory Cafe, 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Alzheimer’s & [email protected]. Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin sponsors a social 2nd/4th Tuesday Sauk City gathering place for persons with memory loss, mild 2nd Monday Spring Green Conscious Communication Group, 7-8:30 p.m. cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer’s, or other NEW! Spring Green Area Senior Citizen Center Learn to express yourself in ways that are easily dementia, and their family and friends. Woodman Monthly Meeting, 4 p.m. 117 N. Washington St., heard by the people you would like to connect with. Senior Center, 1050 N. Orange St., (608) 723-4288, springgreenseniorcenter.com. (See story, p. 9.) Park Hall, Free Congregation of Sauk City, 307 Polk alzwisc.org. St., (608) 437-0520, www.joyfulpath.org. 3rd Monday Richland Center Fridays Sauk City Autism Support Group, 7-8:30 p.m. Country 3rd Tuesday Dodgeville Reformers Unanimous, 7-9 p.m. Open to all Kitchen/White House, (608) 588-2585, www. Dodgeville Area Compassionate Friends, 7 p.m. adults who struggle with an addiction or a “stubborn angelautismnetwork.org. Support group for anyone who has lost a child of habit.” Calvary Baptist Church, 309 Water St., www. any age. Grace Lutheran Church, (608) 935-2693. rusaukprairie.com, (608) 448-9515. Tuesdays Cross Plains Hikes with the Driftless Dames, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays Dodgeville 1st Friday Spring Green Weekly hike of a segment of the Ice Age Trail Feeding Friends Community Meal, 5-6:30 p.m. Wisconsin Department of Workforce and other local conservancy and park trails in the Free; all welcome. Dodgeville United Methodist Development/Job Service, 9 a.m.-noon. Get one- Gateway to the Driftless Area. Meet at 9:30 a.m., Church, 327 N. Iowa St., (608) 935-5451. on-one help applying for unemployment benefits, leave by 9:40 a.m. Approximate duration: 2 hours. resume writing, job search strategies, interview Crossroads Coffeehouse, 2020 Main St., (608) Wednesdays Spring Green skills and more. Sign up for 30- or 60-minute 798-2080. Al-Anon Meetings, 10 a.m., Christ Lutheran appointments by calling (608) 588-2276. Spring Church, 237 E. Daley St. Green Community Library, 230 E. Monroe St. Tuesdays Muscoda Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, 8 p.m., west 1st Wednesday Dodgeville 3rd Friday Spring Green door at St. John’s School, 116 W. Beech St., (608) Memory Cafe, 1-2:30 p.m. The Alzheimer’s & NEW! Spring Green Area Senior Citizen 929-4970. Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin sponsors a social Center programs, activities and educational gathering place for persons with memory loss, mild opportunities, 1:30 p.m. Co-sponsored with The Tuesdays Spring Green cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer’s, or other Meadows Assisted Living and Memory Care. 117 N. Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings, 10 a.m. Scent- dementia, and their family and friends. Stonefield Washington St., springgreenseniorcenter.com. (See free. Christ Lutheran Church, 237 E. Daley St. Apartments Community Room, 407 E. Madison St., story, p. 9.) (608) 843-3402, alzwisc.org. 1st Tuesday Dodgeville 3rd Saturday Clyde Aging and Disability Resource Center of Open Basketball, 7-9 p.m. All ages and abilities Southwest Wisconsin Caregivers Support 2nd/4th Wednesday Sauk City are welcome to come shoot baskets or play a pick- Group, 10:30 a.m.-noon. All caregivers welcome. 6:8 Community Meals, 5-7 p.m. Free; childcare up game. Clyde Community Center, 6281 State Rd. Free. Iowa County Health & Human Services available. 821 Industry Dr., [email protected], 130, (608) 583-2911. 20 WHERE THE LAND MEETS THE SKY
wonder if Marie Kondo has ever farmed? I wonder what the the stack of window screens I stumbled upon while cleaning out Japanese author and queen of organizing (who’s taken Netflix another part of my barn last summer. I gasped with delight when I Iand The New York Times Bestseller list by storm) would think of saw them, because when I do grow herbs in bulk for organic teas, me, and just about every other farmer I know, who keeps a stash of salves and tinctures, the screens will make the most excellent (and discarded hay bale twine hanging in their barn. A twisted jumble of free) drying racks. orange and purple, reminding me, as I pass it, of the various farmers And if I don’t, if I don’t do all these things, it might be that I’ve bought hay from. There was a pre-existing hook nailed into someone else does. Or someone else realizes their own, very the wall, already full of twine when I arrived, carefully collected different, farmer dream, with the same materials on hand. Not all day after day, chore after chore, by the family stuff needs to “spark joy,” unused does not equate to useless, and not who farmed in my little valley before me. all surplus should be tossed out and upon the “unwanted” seas lost. Sometimes those twines go unused for years, Frugal farmgirls know that “sparking joy” exists across a different then just when you least expect it and could time-space continuum than the one that other folks might use. not have planned for it, there is suddenly Especially when even just the musing, and the dreaming, about the a dire NEED for them. To hang the water greenhouse and the herb drying brings joy. feeders for the new day-old chicks. Or when So why not let things gather dust and wait? For just like spring you’re trying to jerry-rig a thingamabob to a bulbs resting underground, they will delight us when we didn’t know whatsit and don’t have any rope on hand. we needed them, bursting forth into our lives as a riot of color, ideas and Etienne White I wonder what Marie would think of the infinite options. So, let’s surrender ourselves, to an outcome that cannot old piano parts stacked up in one part of my barn, with no current be measured with certainty. Let’s believe there are “joys” in existence use for them, but surely with a latent one brewing, as decided by that are impossible to calculate before they reveal themselves to us. the original farmer who put them there. Or those two old, dusty headboards that were lingering up in the hay loft for years, until a Etienne White lives where the land meets the sky on a farm in Iowa girlfriend and I dragged them out, scrubbed, cleaned, polished them County where she raises grass-fed, Old English Babydoll sheep, as and then used them at my Airbnb as the finishing touch in the attic well as pastured chickens, a happy farm dog, a wily barn cat and her bedroom. There are a multitude of old windows in my barn. One day two spirited children. She runs a consulting business working at the a spell will be cast allowing them to fly seamlessly through the air intersection of sustainability and marketing, and is a sought-after and assemble themselves into the greenhouse of my dreams. There’s speaker on sustainability in the United States and Europe.
voiceoftherivervalley.com 21 DRIFTLESS TERROIR:The Proof of Our Placeness Is in the Pastry
Driftless Terroir (ter-WAHR) is a series featuring guest voices celebrating the intersection of land and culture — the essence of life in the Driftless Area — with topics including art and architecture, farming and gardening, cooking and eating, fermenting and drinking, and more. To read past columns, see voiceoftherivervalley.com. To contribute to Driftless Terroir, e-mail [email protected].
n my efforts to ever strengthen our Driftless terroir cuisine, culture, and traditions through food found in our region, I’m excited to Iadd a new staple to the pantry. So far, I’ve written about ways to incorporate wild edibles into our diet including Szechuan peppercorn (prickly ash), sumac, morels and nettles, which can all be found in the back woods. This next group of comestibles is cultivated right on our region’s hillsides by farmers whose mission it is to preserve the precious soil of our unique topography while offering a hearty and healthy necessity to our “Driftless Ingredients” collection: whole grain flours. Halee and John Wepking at Meadow- lark Organics in Ridgeway are on a mission to preserve and improve our soils here in the Driftless. A by-product of their efforts includes a diverse selection of small grains milled in Lone Rock at Lonesome Stone Milling and available for our everyday baking Erin Crooks Lynch needs in the form of flour. Offerings include an all-purpose wheat, bread flour, heritage Turkey Red and (heritage) Red Fife, cornmeal, rye and spelt flour. I can only begin to describe the difference using these flours has made in my baking, but also in my eating (and anyone else’s whom I feed). As a self-taught baker who owns a catering busi- ness, I’ve had the task of transforming the expectations of my cli- ents when it comes to baked goods made with whole-grain flours, a diversion from the norm. The color of my finished products with whole grains tends to be darker, browner, the crumb not as refined compared to that of a white flour pastry. I’m embracing these facts and doing my darnedest to teach others to embrace them as well because the flavor can’t be beat. Most customers are simply sur- prised or interested by their appearance, but once they try a pastry, a bite of layer cake or cookie, they’re hooked. “Why does it taste Erin Crooks Lynch used diverse Meadowlark Organics flours as star so goooood?” “What did you do differently?” they ask. I believe ingredients in a recent Pies, Pages, Pottery & Puzzles event in Plain. it’s the integrity of all the ingredients I use, but especially the flour. In less than 100 years, we’ve gone from eating, baking and Each new grain offers us a flavor profile using whole-grain flours from small grains grown locally (and milled locally), to manufactured and refined white flours, bleached that pairs with different ingredients, like or unbleached, stripped of their nutrients and character. The evolu- rye with chocolate, cornmeal with fruit, tion of this product, what is known as “all-purpose white flour” or wheat with nuts, modern wheat, has been bred not for the benefit of flavor, nutrition or health, but for the benefit of machinery, efficiency, and profit, and so on. not to mention to the demise of our croplands. I wish I had known this while growing up baking for family fats, vitamins E (think hydrated skin), and phytochemicals that have and friends. Baking was fun for me, but it came with a price in the been linked to reductions in chronic disease. “Sure, I’ll have another form of a stomach ache and lots of guilt, which I now attribute to cookie made with whole grains from Meadowlark, thanks!” I love long-chain gluten, sugars and lack of nutrients that left me feeling baking even more these days because when I taste my finished downright sick. I had no idea that whole grains, like the ones grown product, I feel good. I call them my “wholesome desserts” and I at Meadowlark, have shorter gluten strands that are more easily enjoy them entirely without a lick of guilt. My pastries are satisfying digestible, not to mention a bounty of nutrients including fiber, B because of the density of nutrients and the healthy fats in the flours vitamins and minerals. Whole grains provide a complete package of that leave one feeling happy, energized and tummy-trouble free. A nutrients, everything your body needs to digest and absorb it prop- true reverse effect from my prior experience. erly. Imagine that! The germ of a whole grain even contains healthy But how do we use these flours in everyday baking? That’s the 22 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 Photos by Erin Crooks Lynch
One of Erin’s all-time favorite tarts is a rye galette with dark berries and late summer fruits that is to die for. You can make the crust ahead of time and freeze it. You can use any combo of fruit to fill the galette any time of year. trick and it’s really no trick at all. I’ve replaced “all-purpose flour” in (apple or pear) and one more tart (like rhubarb or cranberry) and almost every recipe with 100 percent spelt flour from Meadowlark. any jam can be spread on the bottom (like raspberry or apricot). For recipes with chocolate (like brownies), 100 percent rye is the You’ll taste the difference of your crusts when using high-quality, perfect companion and cornmeal in fruit scones is a winner (replace whole-grain flours like these and don’t be afraid to experiment by 25 percent of the flour with cornmeal). It’s that simple! Kim Boyce, a mixing and playing with ratios. Just remember to store your whole James Beard Award-winning cookbook author of “Good to the Grain,” grains in the freezer to preserve their nutrients. It’s telling that our says that baking with white flour is like painting with one color. I commercial white flours and modern wheats can sit on the shelf simply love that analogy. Each new grain offers us a flavor profile for years and not go bad. To me that means that there was noth- that pairs with different ingredients, like rye with chocolate, cornmeal ing good in them to begin with. And if you want to compare price, with fruit, wheat with nuts, and so on. Even a plain sugar cookie made that’s like comparing apples to oranges. There is no comparison. with a whole-grain flour of your choice offers new, complex, nutty, The proof is in the pudding, or rather, in the pastry. delicious flavors. I hadn’t even realized this possibility existed when I began baking. I can’t wait to continue my exploration of the different Erin Crooks Lynch and her husband, Jeremy, own and operate Enos pairings with these new Driftless staples! Farms, a sustainably minded operation in the Wyoming Valley, and One of my all-time favorite tarts is a rye galette with dark ber- Enos Farms Catering, a farm-to-table affair offering menus based on ries and late summer fruits that is to die for. You can make the crust the seasons. Enos Farms offers Brunch & Cocktails at the Riverview ahead of time and freeze it. You can use any combo of fruit to fill Terrace Café in the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center on Saturdays the galette any time of year. I recommend using one sweeter fruit and Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through March. For more information, see enosfarms.com or e-mail [email protected]. voiceoftherivervalley.com 23 24 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 BADGER BOOKSHELF: ‘The Driftless Reader’
The “Badger” in Badger Bookshelf been settled by humans for about 12,000 does not refer to UW-Madison sports years; the first European exploration teams, or even the state of Wisconsin occurred in 1673 during the expedition as a whole. Rather, the reference is to of Joliet and Marquette, which began in the original meaning of the word as an Green Bay, negotiated the Fox River, and identifier of place, predating both sports followed the Wisconsin River into the and statehood. The early 19th-century Mississippi. Mining by Europeans began lead miners in what would become with the arrival of Julien Dubuque in 1785, southwestern Wisconsin were said to be and led to conflict with the American “badgers” because of the shallow holes Indians, who were already removing ore they dug to gain access to lead ore. Books from surface mines. Britain, Spain and reviewed here will be selected from works France all had claims in the area. Control of authors who either live (or lived) in of the Driftless by the United States southwestern Wisconsin, or who write resulted from the Treaty of Paris, which about natural, cultural or historical ended the Revolutionary War in 1783, and aspects of the area. from the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. I learned much by reading “The By Peter Schmalz Driftless Reader,” including some ost people like to think that their unfamiliar facts about the area. Land home turf is special, or at least use, for example, is currently 47 percent above average, as a place to agricultural, 34 percent forested, and
M Press University of Wisconsin live. Everyone living in the Driftless Area only 13 percent developed, providing knows that our physical environment is those beautiful vistas we enjoy. Another The Driftless Reader something unusual; most would support Edited by Curt Meine and Keefe Keeley interesting fact is that the honeycrisp the observation that it is also beautiful. Life The University of Wisconsin Press (2017) apple was developed at the University satisfaction, however, has requirements 348 pp., $26.95 of Minnesota specifically for Driftless that go beyond the aesthetic reward we Area soils and weather. For those readers feel when taking a drive through rolling statements found in early sources to the wanting to experience the entire books and varied topography, or even looking facility and smoothness of recent writers from which the excerpts are gleaned, out the window on a sunny day after a like William Cronin. The longer essays a list of sources is provided. For those snowfall. Good government, clean air and provided by the editors at the beginning wanting to go beyond the resources of this water, cultural resources, access to health of each major section are a valuable single volume, a list of further reading is care and food sources and good schools aspect of the book. These are well- included for each chapter. The production are all important for a rich and rewarding researched, and bear repeated reading. values of this book are high, due in part life. Above all, personal relationships with The Driftless Area is the geologic to the many black-and-white illustrations, caring and generous people are vital to a identification of a unique portion of the which include maps, drawings, woodcuts positive sense of home. upper Midwest that was glacier-free during and photos. Especially appealing visually If you are curious about the geologic the last several ice ages. The “drift” in the are the 16 pages of color illustrations. foundations and ecology of our area, its name refers to the boulders, gravel and I enjoyed everything in this collection, settlement and use by humans, and how sand left on the landscape after glacial even the excerpts about subjects of it looks to locals and outsiders, “The retreat during a period of warming. Hence, minor interest to me. I am impressed that Driftless Reader” may be of interest to “driftless” is land without “drift.” Other specialists have devoted time (sometimes you. The book is made up of excerpts names for this special landscape include lifetimes) to the exploration of important from a wide variety of sources. The oldest coulee country, uplands and ridge and aspects of Driftless nature and culture. of these dates from 1674, the most recent valley region. It encompasses about 10,000 The hours spent with this book will from 2015, with most excerpts written square miles, mostly in southwestern stimulate your curiosity to learn more in the last 100 years. The selections Wisconsin, but also includes significant about the area we call home, and will range from two to nine pages in length; portions of southeastern Minnesota clarify why people here are so attached to reading several items in one sitting is a and northeastern Iowa, and a sliver of the Driftless, as a special geographic area stimulating way to spend a half hour. The northwestern Illinois. Although the land and as a satisfying way of life. most common sources of the selections has not been touched by glaciers, its are scientific, historic and literary, and flora and fauna have been in flux over Peter Schmalz is a retired high school each is preceded by a short introduction. many thousands of years. A geologic teacher with interests in classical music, The editors have grouped the excerpts by interpretation of the Driftless was first philosophy, history, literature, visual arts, subject, in a rough chronological order. proposed in 1805, with the first correct model railroading, and cooking. He lives Writing quality varies from the staccato explanation dating from 1877. The area has in Mineral Point. voiceoftherivervalley.com 25 DRIFTLESS DARK SKIES: Vernal Equinox
pring returns to the Driftless (and all over the Northern but 23.5 degrees lower than summer solstice when the sun will be Hemisphere) at 4:58 p.m. March 20. We’ve now traveled a 70 degrees above the horizon. Squarter of the way around our sun since the winter solstice This year’s vernal equinox is all the more special because it on Dec. 20. Earth’s axis is pointed neither toward nor away from coincides with a full moon. This one is called the Full Sap or Full the sun as it is on the solstices but is balanced wonderfully between Worm Moon. I like how the name celebrates a seemingly dead the two extremes. On the equinox, we have roughly equal day and world returning to life as the sap starts flowing in the trees as night with 12 hours of each. That’s three more the worms return to composting the soil. On the vernal equinox, hours of daylight than we had back on the the full moon is directly opposite the sun and follows the same winter solstice. And the amount of daylight path across the sky 12 hours later. That morning, you’ll see the is quickening. Every day we have about moon setting in the west at 7:13 as the sun is rising in the east at three more minutes of it — almost 80 more 7:05. That evening, the moon rises in the east at 6:57 just as the minutes of daylight from the start of the sun sets in the west at 7:12. Experience the syzygistic alignment month to the end. The amount of daylight for yourself as you watch your long shadow from the rising and continues to increase until it reaches 15 hours setting sun point the way to the rising and setting moon! This day on the summer solstice on June 21. is even weirder at the poles. At the North Pole, the moon neither John Heasley The path of the sun across the sky has rises nor sets but stays opposite the sun as it chases it around also shifted. The sun is not rising in the southeast nor setting in the horizon all day long. A most amazing sight! For the folks at the southwest as it did in December nor rising in the northeast and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, the full moon never rises setting in the northwest as it will in June. Watch through the month above the horizon. Wherever you are on March 20, I hope you are as the places of sunrise and sunset move steadily northward. On awed by the vernal equinox. the vernal equinox, the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west. And the sun tracks higher in the southern sky. At solar John Heasley is an astronomy educator and stargazer who noon (around 1 p.m. after we move our clocks ahead one hour for enjoys connecting people with the cosmos. For more information daylight saving time on March 10), the sun is 47 degrees above the about stargazing in southwestern Wisconsin, like Driftless horizon. That’s 23.5 degrees (the amount of axial tilt) higher than Stargazing LLC on Facebook and find out whenever there’s winter solstice when the sun only got 23 degrees above the horizon something awesome happening in the skies above.
26 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019 CLINIC AUCTION from p. 5 noted local chocolatier; dinners in private homes – each with a special theme – and a wide assortment of local artisan foods and handcrafted pieces will be among the wide selection of auction items. Everyone donates his or her time, including auctioneer extraordinaire Larry Spring, whose talent for getting top dollar is unparalleled. Jerry Koerner and Heather Harris of Mineral Point, the masters of ceremony, keep the event lively. “Just as the clinic has been an all- community effort from the beginning, so is the Auction,” said Penny Koerner. Dr. Aaron Dunn and June Meudt, then head of the Iowa County Health Department, came up with the idea that eventually became the clinic. Upland Hills Health and Wally Orzechowski of Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program were among the vital organizing partners. Monica Dunn chaired the early spring auction events, followed by Ginger Brand Biere. “Monica and Courtesy of Shirley Barnes Ginger had so many connections in the “The Elk,” carved by award-winning Mineral Point artist John Sharp specifically for this community,” said Penny. By the time she year’s auction, is black walnut and measures 6 inches by 11 inches by 10 inches. and Jerry agreed to head the auction, a The Koerner home becomes action lot of the groundwork was already set. IF YOU GO central. Volunteers are assigned to Both of the Koerners came to their What: Community Connections Free pick up all donated items. Big tubs are task committed to community service. Clinic Spring Auction distributed throughout the house – each “My folks didn’t have much money and When: 5-9 p.m. April 13 labeled as to where the items will be no political influence but they were Where: Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Rd. kind and always helped out. That’s placed on the display tables once they How: To register, go to www.ccfcwi.org. are delivered to the Riverside Resort the way I was brought up,” said Jerry. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the When he first moved to Dodgeville door and include silent and live auctions, banquet area several days later, some for wine pull, prize wheel, cash bar, hor the silent, others for the live auction. from Connecticut some 20 years ago, he d’oeuvres, music and plenty of fun. volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Gift certificates and selected items and met a wide circle of people who are packaged as part of the Spin to Win enjoyed involvement. very satisfying to be able to share the wheel where the partygoers will pay $20 “It’s very fulfilling for me to be able fun we’ve had putting this whole thing each to have a chance to win a treasure to give back to the community,” said together,” Penny said, vowing to mentor trove worth $15 to $100. “Everyone wins Penny, who is constantly reaching out to the leaders who will follow them as their something,” said Jerry. “It’s a very active others in her bowling league or exercise predecessors have helped them. evening with lots going on.” class or card clubs who she suspects When do the Koerners start thinking The Koerners’ goal for the 2019 would enjoy the same pleasure of being about the auction every year? “I never stop auction is to have at least 20 more people involved with the Free Clinic Auction. thinking about it,” said Penny. On vacation there than attended last year. “The more This year’s working committee in Door County last summer, she spotted people, the more bidding and the more includes about a dozen people but many some great ideas for auction items. Jerry, fun,” said Jerry. “So register early, and more contribute in other ways. For too, is always on the lookout. “I heard a bring friends.” $500, a donor organization will become conversation about singing telegrams on a sponsor. Among this year’s sponsors the radio the other day. It got me thinking. Shirley Barnes was are Thrivent Financial and Farmers I could enlist some of my musician a freelance writer Implement Store. friends and dress up in costumes to fit the for the Chicago The Koerners have chaired the event occasion. It could be great fun.” Tribune before for three years and plan to step down after The committee will finalize all auction moving to rural the auction this year to give other people donations this year by March 18. That’s when Dodgeville with a chance to maintain the enthusiasm. “It’s the final countdown to the event begins. her husband, Earl. voiceoftherivervalley.com 27 28 Voice of the River Valley | March 2019