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Friday, April 8, 2016 Vol. 2, No. 14 Fitchburg, WI ConnectFitchburg.com $1
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FIre station
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Full
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Council approves
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Page 3
Oregon, Verona
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Page 5
Schools
City aims to break

ground on west
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PALs program
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Kate Newton
Page 11
Unified Newspaper Group
Sports
Photo by Samantha Christian
Terrance (TC) and Melissa (Mel) Boyd hope to adopt an infant and bring him or her back to their home in Fitchburg.
Baby 4 Boyd
Fitchburg couple facing infertility waiting to adopt

Samantha Christian
Page 19
City
Commission
denies permit for
landfill excavation
Page 29
Business
Local companys
cheese chosen as
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Page 31
When people ask Melissa Boyd if

she has kids, she has learned its easier to just say yes. Their names are
Scrappy, Chloe and Norman.
If Mel gets puzzled looks, she clarifies that they are her furbabies two
dogs and a cat and typically leaves
it at that to avoid an uncomfortable
conversation.
But she may soon be able to add
another name to that list.
Mel and her husband, Terrance
(TC), want a child more than anything, but their journey to parenthood has been agonizing so far.
After a miscarriage, failed fertility
treatments and an unsuccessful surrogate, the Boyds are taking a step in
another direction: adoption.
Since the process is lengthy and
expensive, the Boyds know they will
only be able to adopt once. They
want to be able to experience every
stage of the childs life, which is
why they are waiting to bring home
an infant.
To make their long-awaited dream
of becoming parents come true, the
Boyds set up a GoFundMe page with
a goal of $25,000, which would help
offset adoption costs. Friends have
also organized a Baby 4 Boyd fundraiser April 23 at Madisons Badger
Bowl, which will feature bowling,
family entertainment, silent auctions
The Boyds journey

through infertility
Page 27
Photo submitted
Melissa Boyd made this sign for their

adoption announcement. For now we are
enjoying being paper pregnant, she wrote
in a blog post three months ago.
and live music for the community.

Their fundraisers have another
function that, to them, is just as
important as funding their adoption
raising awareness about infertility
and the struggle couples like them go
through to be able to raise children.
They want those who suffer in
silence to know theyre not alone
especially since nearly one in four
pregnancies ends in miscarriage and
one in eight couples struggles with
infertility.
The Boyds have been through it
all failed fertility treatments and
surrogacy and now the anxiety of
adoption and theyre grateful for
the support theyve received along
the way. They hope these efforts will
ease their fears of missing out on a
child due to a lack of funds.

They have already completed a
series of steps through the adoption
agency, including taking classes, creating a profile about themselves and
scheduling home study visits. They
decided not to pursue the foster-toadopt option, because they couldnt
bear the thought of losing another
child.
So far, the three expectant mothers
who have viewed their profile chose
other families.
The Boyds are optimistic for the
future, though, which is why theyve
recently started doing some things
that would have caused them heartache just a few years ago: venturing
into the aisles of the baby section
and converting their spare room into
a nursery.
Unfortunately there are a lot of
children who have to be adopted, just
in the U.S. alone, Mel said. And
if we can give one the most loving
home ever, it doesnt matter to us
that we dont share a blood type, that
our faces arent going to look the
same. That stuff doesnt matter.
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VAHS girls win first

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Inside
The city is on track to

break ground on the first of
two new fire stations in July
two years after land for
the project was purchased
and seven years after initial
planning began.
Expecting things to
go according to plan for
the long-awaited project,
though, has proven problematic in the past, with
design changes causing
months-long delays and
mounting costs leaving
some city leaders concerned
about the inflated budget.
But with the date looming to open bids in June, the
city has continued to move
forward with plans that
have drawn a $5.9 million
cost estimate for the west
station, which will be located on the northwest corner
of Marketplace Drive and
Executive Drive on the
citys northwest side.
And that will be the
less expensive of the two
stations by a significant
amount.
The estimate, submitted
last month by the Fitchburg-based construction
management company TriNorth Builders, does not
include furnishing costs,
land acquisition or architect
fees, among other expenses
and equipment costs, but
Dennis Limmex, a senior
project manager with TriNorth, said the price tag
could decrease once bids
start coming in.
The numbers we have
here are on the soft side,
Limmex told the Fire Station Oversight Committee
during its March 29 meeting. I would anticipate
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
ConnectFitchburg.com
Photo submitted
From left to right, Fitchburg residents Eily Duffy, 9, Sage French,

9, and John Crim, 16, will appear in Dance Wisconsins Alices
Adventures in Wonderland Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April
10 at the Mitby Theater at Madison College.
Three Fitchburg dancers in

Dance Wisconsin show
Dance Wisconsins April
production of Alices
Adventures in Wonderland will feature several
dancers from Fitchburg.
John Crim, 16, Sage
French, 9, and Eily Duffy,
9, will appear in the ballet,
which debuts at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at the Mitby
Theater at Madison College. Another performance
is slated for 2 p.m. Sunday,
April 10.
French and Duffy will
dance as butterflies, and
Crim, a Dance Wisconsin
company member, is the
Cheshire Cat.
The three-act show,
choreographed by Chelsey
Bradley with costuming
by Ashley Dahm, is an all
new Alice that plays on
the original story, according
to a news release from the
dance company.
Tickets are $20 for
adults, $15 for seniors age
62 and older and $10 for
children under 17. They
can be purchased online
at madisoncollege.edu/
plus/mitby-theater/mitbytheater, or by calling the
Mitby Theater box office
at 246-6100. There is an
additional $1 service charge
on each ticket sold.
Photos by Kate Newton
Shape shifters
Preschoolers and their parents took over the kids section of the Fitchburg Public Library Monday, April 4 to sing songs and participate in
crafts and activities centered around learning different shapes. Above, Mara Coffey, 2, of McFarland, makes shapes out of PlayDoh at one
of the crafting tables.
Elizabeth Burke, 11
months, turns activity time into snack
time by munching on
her star.
On the web
See more photos from
the shapes event:
ConnectFitchburg.
com
Hadley Condella, 4, of Fitchburg, isnt shy about sharing her shapes knowledge.
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City of Fitchburg
Ordinance requires earlier notice

from festivals to protect staff time
Scott Girard
A Fitchburg ordinance approved

in March would require large-scale
events planned for city property to turn
in required information earlier than in
the past.
The ordinance would affect only a
handful of events, including Fitchburg
Days and Festa Italia.
We have procedures in place for
smaller events, but we really didnt
have procedures in place for these large
scale events, said Ald. Carol Poole
(Dist. 1) at the March 8 meeting.
The ordinance only applies to events
that meet each of the following requirements: located in a city park, open to
the public, requires a sound permit,
serves alcohol through acquiring an
alcohol license and is not sponsored by
the city.
Poole said the ordinance will protect
our staff time, rather than staff having to rush if event organizers turned in
their information at the last minute. The
ordinance also requires organizers to
pay for some city costs, such as police
coverage for security, within 60 days of
the event.
The intention of this ordinance is to
make sure that big events dont come
into the Public Safety meeting on Tuesday when the carnie is already setting up, Mayor Steve Arnold said.
Staff could also make a recommendation to require a deposit ahead of an
event, though alders debated whether
that amount should be set or if staff can
change the amount based on what city
costs the event could incur.
I think we should be requiring a
security deposit thats compensable
with what the event is doing, not just
some arbitrary low number, said Ald.
Patrick Stern (D-2).
Alders decided that the public safety
committee can condition its approval on

the payment of a deposit of an amount
sufficient to cover the anticipated services provided by the city.
Last year, some alders questioned the
process Fitchburg Days, organized by
former Mayor Jay Allen, went through
with approvals at the last minute. Some
also took issue with Allens timing in
sending payments to the city after the
event.
Allen, who spoke about the proposed
ordinance at a Parks Commission meeting in February, said his permits were
already in ahead of what would be the
deadline for the Fitchburg Days, set for
May 20-22 in McKee Farms Park. Festa Italia will be held June 3-5.
The ordinance passed unanimously at
the March 8 Common Council meeting.
Running it through this first festival
season will give us a chance to see what
we run into, do we have issues that we
need to address, and we can address
them over the summer and have them in
place for next year, Poole said.
Star launches new website, still at ConnectFitchburg.com

new site should offer an
improved web experience
for our online readers.
The change comes as all of
Unified Newspaper Groups
papers aim to foster a webT h e F i t c h b u r g S t a r first mentality, to bring news
launched a new website this to our readers faster. The
week.
new site will help us improve
While its still at Con- our digital-first practices, and
nectFitchburg.com, the
TownNews sites
aim for better user
experience
includes options to feature or

highlight certain topics, like
the recent Verona Area High
School girls basketball state
championship.
Other parts of our online
presence will not change,
though, so you can still
purchase photos through
SmugMug and find the
weekly e-editions featured

on the website.
The Star last changed its
website in March 2013.
Let us know if you experience problems, broken
links or have questions
about where to find items
on the new site by emailing
[email protected].
The Fitchburg Star
The case of a deceased

Madison man found in
Fitchburg March 22 is
not being investigated as
a homicide, city police
said.
Its a death investigation and were working
with the medical examiners office, Lt. Chad
Brecklin told the Star on
Wednesday. Were waiting for additional test
results.
Brecklin said the test
results could take a few
weeks.
Madison resident Kenneth Jones, 46, was found
in a parked vehicle at
about 8:35 a.m. March 22
behind 1911 Pike Drive in
Fitchburg.
Barry Irmen, director
of operations at the Dane
County Medical Examiners Office, said preliminary results of a forensic
autopsy required further
study.
Tom Alesia
Yard waste collection begins

The city will collect
curbside yard waste from
Monday, April 11 through
Friday, April 15.
Yard waste must be
placed in a bag or container no larger than 50
gallons or 50 pounds at
the curb by 6:30 a.m.
Monday, and should be
left untied. To have bags
left behind for future use,
leave a container to put
empty bags in along with
a visible note on container, or leave a brick/rock to
place on the bags to keep
them from blowing away
once emptied. Yard waste
can also be taken to the
city recycling drop off site
at 2373 S. Fish Hatchery
Road.
Brush, tree branches,

holiday wreaths, rocks
and dirt will not be
accepted. The next collection week is scheduled for
May 9-13.
Water mains flushed

Fitchburg Utilities will
be flushing water mains
through Friday, April 15.
Due to the flushing, the
water may be temporarily
discolored.
Discoloration can be
cleared by opening the
cold water tap to full flow
for a few minutes.
Fitchburg Utilities also
suggests doing the laundry in the evening when
water is clear to avoid
damage to clothes.
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Committee can require

deposit for large events
3
No homicide investigation
in Pike Drive death
April 8, 2016
April 8, 2016
Opinion
The Fitchburg Star
Letter to the editor
Alders column stoked rancor

The March Star tells the
story of a political activity ordinance, passed by
the council and subsequently
vetoed by the mayor. The
ordinance provides that a
city employee shall be terminated if found guilty of
knowingly attempting to
promote a political candidate on city time or with city
resources.
Why did the Star provide
Alderman Stern a front and
center platform to reiterate
accusations and innuendo?
The article about the ordinance and the sidebar on the
alleged incident clearly state
that there was no intentional
wrongdoing.
Both the mayor and the
city attorney clearly stated
that the proposed ordinance
was not legally vetted and
needed further work. It
seems that the sponsoring
alders are trying to score
political points rather than
thoughtfully govern.
It is most disturbing that

the Star gives additional
space to Ald. Stern, under
the guise of Legislative
Opinion, to reiterate all
of his talking points and to
repeat accusations as fact,
even though no wrongdoing
was found in the cases cited.
The mayor and city attorney
did their job. Lets hope that
Ald. Stern can lay off the
sour grapes and do his.
When I first moved to
Fitchburg from Waukesha,
18 months ago, I enjoyed
getting the Star, with its
information on the local
community and activities
and the informative coverage of the candidates running for local office. In
recent months, however, it
seems that the reporting and
presentation have served
more to stoke rancor rather
than present the facts.
Teresa Mahoney,
City of Fitchburg
Corrections
In a story last month about political campaigning rules, a
misunderstanding of what constitutes a co-sponsor of an
ordinance led to Ald. Dan Carpenter being incorrectly identified as the person who requested that the ordinance move
forward without recommended changes.
Furthermore, the dates of two council meetings were
incorrectly identified as Feb. 8 and Feb. 22. In February, the
Common Council met on Feb. 9 and Feb. 23.
The Fitchburg Star regrets these errors.
Friday, April 8, 2016 Vol. 2, No. 14

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Community Voices
Following the Golden Rule amid politics

The dust from Wisconsins presidential primary
has started to settle, and the
spotlight is now shifting to
other states like New York
and Pennsylvania.
But the issues raised here
in the
past few
weeks are
ones that
continue
to play
out all
across the
nation.
Haslanger
Thats
why some
faith leaders gathered in Madison
last Monday on the eve of
the Wisconsin primary to
advocate what they called
the Politics of the Golden
Rule an approach to
issues that treats others as
we would want to be treated ourselves.
Two rabbis, three Christian ministers and Fitchburgs own Greg Jones,
representing the Dane
County Chapter of the
NAACP, joined with faith
voices all across the nation
in advocating for a national
examination of conscience
on issues like economic
inequality and climate

change, mass incarceration of African-Americans
and the gun violence that
tears apart communities, a
broken immigration system
and the fears engendered by
terrorism.
We need to say yes to
the common good and no
to fear and division, said
the Rev. Cindy Crane of the
Lutheran Office of Public
Policy in Wisconsin.
This is all part of a
national effort by a group
called Faith in Public Life
to keep the moral dimensions of issues in the spotlight in the midst of all the
rhetoric of the campaigns.
Addressing moral issues
can seem to give support
or opposition to particular
candidates, of course. But
I would argue that staying
silent on these issues suggests indifference, which
is why I am glad there are
faith leaders engaging in
these conversations.
There is plenty of room
for thinking about different ways to approach these
issues, some embraced
by Republicans, some
embraced by Democrats
and some embraced by
independents. But these

issues do have moral
dimensions that we hear in
our ancient scriptures and
in our contemporary reflections.
When there is sharp economic inequality, we can
hear the thundering of the
Jewish prophets.
When there is indifference to what is happening
to our climate and its affect
on our planet, we can hear
repeated Biblical exhortations to care for creation.
When peoples race or
ethnicity is thrown at them
to oppress them or lock
them out of the opportunities of our society, we can
hear the words of how
we are all made in Gods
image and, for Christians,
how we are all one in
Christ.
Jones, for instance,
reminded the people gathered at Grace Episcopal
Church in downtown
Madison that redemption
is at the heart of faith. He
called for people to listen
to those who have been left
out of the national conversation and to move public
policies around criminal justice to policies of
restorative justice, policies

that can heal the wounds of
a community.
Rev. Nick Upthall, pastor of Advent Lutheran
Church on the west side
of Madison, talked about
the 18,000 congregations
across the nation adopting green policies in
their efforts to deal with
the threats from climate
change.
The array of issues are
among those that faith
groups from across the religious spectrum have tried
to highlight in many ways
in the public arena. The
message from Monday was
summarized well by Rabbi
Jonathan Biatch of Temple
Beth El in Madison: We
call upon candidates to take
the Politics of the Golden
Rule to heart as they pursue their goals and as they
pursue their legislative
agenda.
The election in Wisconsin is over for now. The
struggle for a caring society
continues.
The Rev. Phil Haslanger is
pastor of Memorial United
Church of Christ in Fitchburg.
Community Voices
Keep pulling garlic mustard

to save your landscape
ifteen years ago, when I moved

to Fitchburg from Madisons
near east side, I was beginning
a new chapter with
my young family
in a new home we
built.
We had a newly
seeded yard in a
new surrounding,
including wider
streets, open spaces,
expansive parks and
Kiela
trails.
After I got
settled, I took a hike at Blue Mound
State Park with a friend, and she
spoke to me of her concern about
invasive species and how they could
take over the trail we were enjoying. I
remember wondering if invasive species werent just a natural means for
change.
Now that I have learned so much
more, Im grateful my friend didnt
just laugh at my ignorance. Invasive
species like garlic mustard require
everyones methodical, persistent
attention.
Inaction is not an option, because
in ignorance, it flourishes.
The first spring activity I joined
my Harlan Hills neighbors in, as a
way of getting to know them, was an
Earth Day celebration. Together with
my 4-year-old daughter, we picked
up trash in the parks and had our first
introduction to garlic mustard. Here
what I had thought was a pretty little
flowering plant along the Capitol
City trail was actually one of the
more problematic invasive species
my friend had warned me about the
previous fall.
We picked bag upon bag of this
garlic-smelling, yet noxious weed,
and for the next few years, we did it
together, often involving my daughters Girl Scout troop. Then I got

busy with soccer and landscaping my
own yard, and thought someone else
could take a turn at it.
They did. Id walk my new puppy
on the trail and see bags of garlic
mustard piled up, and noticed that
my neighbors or other weed-pulling
groups had been busy.
I was grateful. My house borders
the park, and I would do my own
little mustard pull each spring, trying to keep the area around my lot
weed-free and hopefully keep it from
encroaching into my yard.
A few more years later, my kids
are grown and their activities are less
demanding. While garlic mustard is
still thriving, Im also more informed
about it. Some areas I and others have
worked on look amazingly garlic
mustard-free, but new areas require
attention.
Not only has the dreaded plant
cropped up in my landscaped raspberries, but it is showing up in others
yards, especially those that border the
neighboring woodland trails. It was a
good thing we dug into the problem
when we first noticed it, because garlic mustard can establish a seed bed
that can take 10 years to eliminate.
Ive learned that the thin little frond
that remains after it is done flowering
its four-petal shaped flower can cast
thousands of seeds from a single plant.
It has no natural predator, and it commits chemical warfare underground,
destroying the gut bacteria of trees
and leading to the eventual demise of
the canopy as trees cant get the nourishment they need. It has overtaken
the wild geranium and other desirable
plants along the trail, and is requiring
persistent, immediate attention.
Basically, its gotta go.
I like to look for a silver lining, and

in this case, eradicating this pernicious weed has allowed me to forge
new friendships, as I am now working
with new neighbors on this issue. We
formed the Harlan Hills Biodiversity
Committee in an effort to coordinate
our efforts more broadly not only in
our neighborhood association, but also
with those that border us.
Weve learned that to get rid of
garlic mustard, we have to establish a
perimeter and work our way through
to the center in a concerted effort. We
have met with the City of Fitchburg
to try and establish a long-lasting
partnership so that we can educate
others to not only combat this invasive species, but replace it with desirable, diverse plant species so wildlife
and recreationalists can enjoy the
landscape for years to come.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a video that can help you
understand why we should all be
concerned. Visit invasivespeciesinfo.
gov and click plants, then garlic mustard. The state Department of Natural
Resources has an excellent flier that
helps people identify the plant and
instruct them how to properly remove
it at dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/pubs/fr/
fr0350.pdf.
Our neighborhood is hoping the
proactive steps we are taking
working with the city to establish a
management plan, distributing educational fliers and organizing garlic
mustard pull events will have longterm benefits for our property and for
the trails we enjoy.
The old expression, Nip it in the
bud, has never had a more perfect
application.
Celia Kiela is a resident of Fitchburgs Harlan Hills subdivision.
Letters policy
Please keep submissions under 400 letters will not be printed.
For questions on our editorial poliwords. All letters should be signed
The editorial staff reserves the right cy, call editor Jim Ferolie at 845-9559
and include addresses and phone not to print any letter, including those or email [email protected].
numbers for verification. Anonymous with libelous or obscene content.
April 8, 2016
Celebrate Earth Day all year
ach spring, as we welcome

warmer weather and are
greeted by the newly budding
trees and plants, we are reminded that
people across the globe are celebrating Earth Day.
Wisconsin has special ties to Earth
Day; our own U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson is credited with suggesting the
first observance on April 22 back in
1970. It was first celebrated as a way
to demonstrate support for environmental protections, and is now coordinated and celebrated in more than
192 countries.
My family has committed to doing
what we can to make a difference not
just on Earth Day, but all year long.
For example, we drive one car, ride
the bus, plant a garden, compost, use
a rain barrel, shop at local farmers
markets, recycle and are organizing
a neighborhood tree planting in our
neighborhood park.
Ive incorporated those items into
a list of specific actions you and your
family can carry out in your daily
life. By doing so, your children will
understand the importance of protecting and conserving our natural
resources and you will practice good
conservation stewardship, making
an impact on the earth that they will
inherit.
Be a one car family
Shop at local farmers markets
Ride the bus

My husband and I ride the bus a
minimum of once or twice a week.
Taking the bus allows us to relax rather than fight the traffic, and we arrive
home more quickly.
Grow a garden
There is nothing greater than growing your own vegetables and knowing
where your food comes from.
When my son was born, I made
all of his baby food from our garden.
Now he loves eating fresh vegetables
from the garden and loves to help me
plant and care for it.
He is also learning where his food
comes from and understanding what
it means to eat fresh, healthy food that
is cheaper, more nutritious and convenient.
Compost food scraps

After we put in our garden, it
became clear how much food scraps
we were throwing away.
Composting means we keep food
scraps out of the landfill and save
money by making soil for our garden.
Our garden is producing at a higher
rate because of all of the nutrients
from compost.
For over three years, our family

has gotten along with only one car.
We carpool to school and work every
day.
Not only does this save on gas and
other expenses, it helps to reduce our Install a rain barrel
carbon footprint. We talk about our
By installing a rain barrel we not
day and are more mindful about not
only conserve water, but can also
making wasted trips, combining them water our plants during dry spells
to be more efficient while saving time when watering is restricted.
and money.
We are fortunate to be surrounded by

farmers markets throughout the region
offering fresh and local produce.
Shopping at your local farmers
market supports both area farmers and
the economy while helping the environment by keeping trips local and
reducing the carbon footprint.
Organize a tree-planting day

Through my neighborhood association and the Fitchburg Parks Department, Im organizing a tree planting
for our new neighborhood park. Any
neighbor/neighborhood association who
wants to plant trees in their park should
contact their local Parks Department.
There is often money in the budget
for trees, and all you have to do is provide the shovels and manpower.
Recycle
We recycle everything that we can.
Understanding what can be recycled
is as easy as going on the citys website (fitchburgwi.gov) and visiting the
recycling information under Services.
For single-family homes, visit Curbside Refuse, and for apartments, visit
Commercial Refuse and Recycling.
Our landfills are filling up with plastics and other items that should instead
be recycled. Plastics can be harmful to
animals and are leaching into our water
sources. By recycling, you are giving
these items a second chance to be made
into other usable products.
Kim Warkentin is the youth education director for the Wisconsin Land
and Water Conservation Association
and serves on the Fitchburg Resource
Conservation Commission. She lives
in Fitchburg with her husband and
7-year- old son.
Letters to the editor
End of PALs program will harm engagement

As concern grows over
who will lead our country
next year, I grow concerned
about who is currently leading the Verona Area Schools.
A former VASD student,
I moved to Detroit in 2012
and entered a teacher certification program. Over the last
few years I have grown more
and more appreciative of the
amazing educational environment in which I was raised.
But I worry that new protocol is discouraging both
community involvement and
teacher innovation.
My worry started with
events involving the PALs
multi-age program at Stoner
Prairie Elementary, which
may no longer exist after
June. Administrators were
given early notice of the
impending retirement of two
founding teachers. Yet a plan

was never made to hire new
teachers and continue this
community of learning.
Simply a cohesive set of
classrooms rather than a
charter, a gifted program, or
a special education department, PALs is budget neutral
and has a 24-year successful
history.
In February, dozens of
alumni wrote Stoner Prairie
principal Mike Pisani, superintendent Dean Gorrell, and
the board in support of continuing PALs. By the first
week in March, current and
former students joined parents and grandparents among
the 300-plus signers of a
petition asking for communication of how the continuation decision is being made.
Superintendent Gorrell
Stop deflecting blame, mayor

I was very surprised to
see Mayor Arnold blame
everyone else except himself for the citys status as
the most expensive in the
state. If it isnt our elected
officials who determine our
taxes, than who does?
In his letter to the editor,
Mayor Arnold neglected
to mention that he recommended a 9 percent increase
in the citys budget. When
inflation and CPI are running at or below 1 percent,
there is no justification
for proposing a 9 percent
increase.
If the city is in such a
desperate need for money,
just raising taxes shows a
lack of creative problem
solving. When municipalities are in dire need, usually there is combination of

cuts, tax increases, user fees
and consolidation of services. It takes little ingenuity
to just raise taxes.
So the reason why Fitchburg is considered the most
expensive in the state is
because we have a mayor
who proposes 9 percent
increases when inflation is
about 1 percent. So, I would
encourage Mayor Arnold to
stop blaming everyone else,
and start making the tough
choices and manage the
citys budget effectively.
Jason Strauss,
City of Fitchburg
remains silent and members

of the board have deferred to
Pisani, who has only recently
disclosed the vague factors in
his decision-making process.
Gorrell seems to see such
programs as an inconvenience. He has overseen an
effective end to the districts
site councils through which
parents, teachers, and administrators previously came
together to make budget
decisions that affected innovation at each school. Gorrell
wants to concentrate decisions in a way that provides
uniformity across the district.
And he should not be
faulted for wanting to make
his own job easier by achieving that. But achieving concentrated budget and curricular decisions does not by
itself create a great school
district. And in the case of

the PALs program, that decision-making system seems to
be trumping the input of hundreds of interested persons.
These are parents, grandparents, and alumni who
are invested in the success
of current VASD students
exactly the people who can
make a great school district.
Please ask superintendent
Gorrell (gorrelld@verona.
k12.wi.us) why a budget-neutral program will be discontinued. And please demand
that Verona Area school
board members value community involvement over
administrator convenience.
Kirke Elsass,
Ann Arbor, Mich.
The Fitchburg Star
Veteran election inspector

resigns after 13 years
Michael Leon
Star correspondent
Voters missed a familiar face and the sound of a hearty

laugh at the polling place at Fire Station #2 during election
day on Tuesday.
Al Potts, a Fitchburg chief election inspector for 12
years, was the face of elections for many in District 1, typically working some 15 hours each election day to manage
the voting in his precinct.
Even on record high turnout elections, Potts, an avid
Brewers fan, was always good for a laugh and could often
be heard sharing a funny story with electors, all of whom
seemed to know him well.
But Potts resigned as election inspector. He said partisan-inspired changes to election law in the
last five years leave him concerned about
Wisconsin voters being able to participate
in our democratic processes.
He views the photo voter ID law with
particular disdain, ridiculing lawmakers
stated unease about in-person voter-impersonation fraud.
I wont help perpetuate a fraud on vot- Potts
ers. Voter impersonation doesnt happen
any more than space aliens impersonating
voters, except for maybe one guy I know, Potts said.
Voter ID was strike three for me, though. We gutted
campaign financing laws, demolished the GAB (Wisconsin Government Accountability Board which administers
elections statewide), and then started implementation of
the photo voter ID law.
Neighbors used to seeing Potts, a retired IT technician,
at the polls say they will miss him and his civic commitment.
In my experience Al runs a polling place that is both
efficient and friendly, said Don Kosterman, a longtime
Fitchburg resident, professional photographer and retired
journalist. Al could always be counted on to administer a
no-nonsense and by-the-rules voting process at the polls.
On Aug. 9, the next election day, its possible that Potts
will be at Miller Park with a beer in his hand, watching the
Brewers host the Atlanta Braves in a night game.
But Potts said he may stand ready after the polls close to
help with any issues that may arise.
Considering Potts considerable institutional knowledge
of procedures, such an offer is consistent with a man who
said he always saw election-related work as a civic duty to
his community.
Spring election
Big winners in school

board elections
Roberts in VASD; Flanagan, Krause in OSD
Scott Girard
The top vote-getters for Oregon and Verona Area

school boards won their elections by wide margins
Tuesday, April 5.
Noah Roberts defeated Charyn Grandau for an open
seat on the Verona Area School Board by nearly 3,000
votes, while Krista Flanagan won the three-way race in
Oregon with 4,964 votes. Incumbent board president
Dan Krause also emerged from that race with the second seat.
Uriah Carpenter was 639 votes behind Krause.
Contact us
Editorial
General news, city government, business: Jim Ferolie at
[email protected]
Community news and happenings: Samantha Christian
at
communityreporter@
wcinet.com
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events:
[email protected]
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April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
Arbor, bird day celebration May 7

Event features
raptors and tree,
milkweed planting
If you go
What: Arbor Day/
International Migratory
Bird Day
When: 8:30-11:30
a.m. Saturday, May 7
Where: Swan Creek
Park, 5175 E. Cheryl
Pkwy.
Info: 270-4289
Samantha Christian
Families can enjoy

a morning of nature
activities on Saturday,
May 7 during the citys
annual Arbor Day/
International Migratory
Bird Day festivities.
This year, the event will
be held at Swan Creek
Park.
David Drake, UW
Extension wildlife
specialist, will lead a
birding walk from 8:3010 a.m. through the
park. Participants should
bring a pair of binoculars
and a bird book for
identification.
Then, at 9:30 a.m., the
City of Fitchburg will be
recognized as a Tree City
USA. Bird City Wisconsin

will also designate
Fitchburg as a Bird City.
Mayor Steve Arnold will
organize a tree planting in
the park at 10 a.m.
Experience live birds of
prey up close and personal
with a presentation from
Hoos Woods Raptor
Center at 10:30 a.m. Kids
and adults can learn more
about raptor biology and
conservation.
Finally, at 11:30 a.m.,
there will be a Monarch
Waystation installation,
where attendees can
learn about Monarch
butterflies and their
natural history and
conservation. Waystations
provide resources for the
butterflies as they embark
on their spring migration,
and help offset habitat
loss.
A variety of milkweed
species will be planted to
make more habitat for the
butterflies.
A local grassroots group
that supports Monarch
Waystations will also
have about a thousand
milkweed plants to give
away to families at the
event for them to plant at
their homes.
For information about
the event, contact Anna
Healy, urban forester and
naturalist, at 270-4289.
For information about
planning a Monarch
Waystation, visit
monarchwatch.org.
Task force
offering free
energy service
File photo by Samantha Christian
Seamus Sidney, 8, of Fitchburg, waters one of the newly planted

trees during last years Arbor Day event.
The Fitchburg Senior Center Energy Task Force Team

is performing free dryer
vent checks and cleaning by
appointment.
A clogged vent not only
makes your dryer work
harder, but it costs you more
money on your energy bill.
The groups retired volunteers will check your vent and
make other simple changes in
your home, such as changing
furnace filters, removing old
paint, no throw-away light
bulbs, batteries, checking outside water faucets and more.
The Task Force Team will
also be able to identify possible resources for further
improvement through Focus
on Energy, Project Home and
others. Services are free, but
donations are welcomed and
appreciated. For information
or to make an appointment,
call 270-4292.
Calendar of Events
Saturday, April 9
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Free tax preparation

assistance (by appointment), Goodwill
Career Center, 6291 McKee Road, 2463140, ext. 155
1 p.m., LEGOs @ the Library (ages
5-12), library, 729-1760
Monday, April 11
6:30 a.m., Yard waste collection begins

9:30 a.m., Preschool Storytime (ages
2-5), library, 729-1760
11 a.m., Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5),
library, 729-1760
2 p.m., Dementia informational program
(registration required), senior center, 2704290
7 p.m., Library eMagazines, library, 7291760
Tuesday, April 12
11 a.m., Lapsit Storytime (ages 0-2),

library, 729-1760
6 p.m., Pajama Storytime (ages 2-5),
library, 729-1760
Wednesday, April 13
10 a.m., Build It! (ages 2-5), library, 7291760

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Independent
Painting Studio session begins ($140;
weekly through May 25), senior center,
270-4290
1 p.m., Advance Care Planning: Its
About the Conversation, senior center,
270-4290
6 p.m., Read Like a Girl Book Club
(ages 5-8), library, 729-1760
Thursday, April 14
10 a.m., Dane County Polkas: Pint Size

Polka (ages 2-6), library, 729-1760
1:30 p.m., REACH Book Club:
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy
Chevalier, senior center, 270-4290
4-7 p.m., Spring Business Expo,
Fitchburg Community Center, 5510 Lacy
Road, 288-8284
6 p.m., Teen Library Council, library,
729-1760
7 p.m., Active Working Adults open
game night, senior center, 270-4290
Friday, April 15
12:40 p.m., Movie Day: Brooklyn (111

min.), senior center, 270-4290
Saturday, April 16
2 p.m., Kids Movie, library, 729-1760

3 p.m., Islam 101 program, library,
729-1760
Sunday, April 17
1:30 p.m., How Cows Created

Wisconsin program with Ed Janus,
library, 270-4290
Monday, April 18

2-5), library, 729-1760
10:30 a.m. to noon, iPad class (registration required), senior center, 270-4290
11 a.m., Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5),
library, 729-1760
6 p.m., Perler Beads (ages 5-12), library,
729-1760
7 p.m., Travel eResources program,
library, 729-1760
Tuesday, April 19

library, 729-1760
2 p.m., Learning Annex: Improving
Nutrition, senior center, 270-4290
5 p.m., Read to a Dog (sign-up), library,
729-1760
5 p.m., Couples Dinner Out group,
Quiveys Grove, 6261 Nesbitt Road, 4673990
6 p.m., Plant It! (for teens), library, 7291760
7 p.m., Gmail class, library, 729-1760
Tuesday, April 26

library, 729-1760
4 p.m., Marshmallow Builders program
(ages 9-12), library, 729-1760
Wednesday, April 27
10:30 a.m., Toddler Dance Party (ages

1-3), library, 729-1760
Thursday, April 28
10 a.m., Diggers, Dozers and Dumps

(ages 2-5), library, 729-1760
11 a.m., Cookbook Club: Healthy
Favorites, library, 729-1760
1:30 p.m., I Love a Mystery Book
Club: The Bones Beneath by Mark
Billingham, senior center, 270-4290
2-5 p.m., 2016 Spring Waterway
Cleanup (details at fitchburgwi.gov/
stormwater), Target, 6321 McKee Road,
Wednesday, April 20
270-4264
9 a.m., Outsmarting Scammers pro 4 p.m., DIY Temporary Tattoos program (registration required), senior center, gram (ages 9-12), library, 729-1760
270-4290
6 p.m., Assisted Living 101 program,
10 a.m., Toddler Art (ages 1-3), library,
library, 729-1760
729-1760
7 p.m., Active Working Adults movie
10 a.m., Book Discussion: The
night: Spotlight, senior center, 270Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood,
4290
library, 729-1760
Friday, April 29
7 p.m., Mother Daughter Book Club
6:30 p.m., 28th annual Capital City
(ages 9-12), library, 729-1760
Jazz Fest session one ($35), Wyndham
Thursday, April 21
Garden Hotel, 2969 Cahill Main, madi 11 a.m., Storytime (ages 2-5), library,
sonjazz.com
729-1760
Saturday, April 30
1 p.m., Bouncing Babies (ages 0-1),
10 a.m., Coloring Club, library, 729library, 729-1760
1760
1 p.m., Wednesday Nite @ The Lab:
11 a.m., 28th annual Capital City Jazz
The Bionic Ear Beyond Hearing Aids,
Fest session two (sold out), Wyndham
senior center, 270-4290
Garden Hotel, 2969 Cahill Main, madi 6:30 p.m., Fitchburg Dog Park
sonjazz.com
Advocates public meeting and open
6 p.m., 28th annual Capital City Jazz
house, Fitchburg Community Center,
Fest session three ($35), Wyndham
5510 Lacy Road, 278-8726
Garden Hotel, 2969 Cahill Main, madi 7 p.m., Its Almost Time for Medicare
sonjazz.com
Are you Ready? program (registration
required), library, 662-8288
Sunday, May 1
7 p.m., Active Working Adults open
11:30 a.m., 28th annual Capital
game night, senior center, 270-4290
City Jazz Fest session four ($35),
Wyndham Garden Hotel, 2969 Cahill
Saturday, April 23
Main, madisonjazz.com
8:30-10:30 a.m. and 9-11 a.m., 2016
Spring Waterway Cleanups (various
Monday, May 2
locations; details at fitchburgwi.gov/
stormwater), 270-4264
2-5), library, 729-1760
8-11 a.m., Medication drop, Fitchburg
11 a.m., Preschool Storytime (ages
Police Department, 5520 Lacy Road, 270- 2-5), library, 729-1760
4264
Tuesday, May 3
8-11 a.m., Document shredding, Oak
Bank, 5951 McKee Road, 270-4264
library, 729-1760
10 a.m., Earth Day Challenge (ages
5-12), library, 729-1760
Wednesday, May 4
10
a.m.,
Toddler Art (ages 1-3),
Monday, April 25
library, 729-1760
9:30-11:30 a.m., 1000 Books 1st
6 p.m., Read Like a Girl Book Club
Birthday Party (ages 0-5), library, 729(ages 5-8), library, 729-1760
1760
Thursday, May 5
8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2016

International Forum on Consciousness
(registration required at btci.org/
consciousness/), BTC Institute, 5445
East Cheryl Pkwy., 277-2508
10 a.m., Cinco de Mayo Fiesta (ages
2-5), library, 729-1760
Friday, May 6
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 2016

International Forum on Consciousness
(registration required at btci.org/
consciousness/), BTC Institute, 5445
East Cheryl Pkwy., 277-2508
11 a.m., Book Boogie (ages 1-3),
library, 729-1760
Saturday, May 7
8-11 a.m., Electronics recycling,

Surplus-IT Warehouse, 901 Watson
Ave., 270-4263
8:30-11:30 a.m., Arbor Day/
International Migratory Bird Day, Swan
Creek Park, 5175 E. Cheryl Pkwy.,
270-4289
Monday, May 9

2-5), library, 729-1760
11 a.m., Preschool Storytime (ages
2-5), library, 729-1760
5 p.m., Board Game Bonanza (ages
5-12), library, 729-1760
7 p.m., Snapchat class, library, 7291760
Tuesday, May 10

library, 729-1760
6 p.m., Teen Library Council, library,
729-1760
Thursday, May 12
10 a.m., Train Storytime and Crafts

(ages 2-5), library, 729-1760
1 p.m., Bouncing Babies (ages 0-1),
library, 729-1760
Friday, May 13
4 p.m., Balloon Powered Cars program (ages 9-12), library, 729-1760
Saturday, May 14
10:30 a.m., Donuts with Dad (ages

2-5), library, 729-1760
Monday, May 16
7 p.m., Microsoft Word - Templates,

library, 729-1760
Tuesday, May 17
5 p.m., READ to a Dog (sign-up),

library, 729-1760
Wednesday, May 18
10 a.m., Book Discussion, library,

729-1760
6 p.m., Picture Cubes (for teens),
library, 729-1760
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
Coming Up
Senior Games
Registration is open for the
Wisconsin Senior Games,
which offers competitive
events for seniors 50 and over
in Madison and surrounding
areas June 4 through June 18.
Registration books are
available at the senior center.
For information, visit
wiseniorgames.org.
Dementia program
Learn how to understand
and respond to dementiarelated behavior at 2 p.m.
Monday, April 11 at the
senior center. This free event
is sponsored by the Alzheimers Association of South
Central Wisconsin. For information or to register, call 2704290.
Library eMagazines
Learn how to access eMagazines through the library at 7
p.m. Monday, April 11.
The workshop will cover a
variety of resources provided
Islam 101
Learn about the basics of
Islam at 3 p.m. Saturday,
April 16 at the library.
Imam Jallow from Madisons Madinah Community
Center will lead an informational program with a discussion including the articles of
faith and acts of worship.
For information, call 7291760.
iPad class
The senior center is bringing back its iPad informational program from 10:30 a.m. to
noon Monday, April 18.
The FACTv Department
will guide a class focusing
on tips to take your iPad use
beyond the beginner level.
The class is free, but registration is required. For information, call 270-4290.
Travel eResources
Learn about a variety of
electronic resources for traveling at 7 p.m. Monday, April
18 at the library.
This class will cover both
websites and apps to use
when planning a trip or while
on a vacation. For information or to register, call 7291763.
Learning Annex
Learn about the benefits of
a healthy diet during Learning Annex: Improving Nutrition at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April
19 at the senior center.
Krista Kohls, a nutrition
Educate yourself about the

increasing threat of fraud at 9
a.m. Wednesday, April 20 at
the senior center.
Rob Waterman of Edward
Jones will act as keynote
speaker for the program, discussing important strategies
for fraud protection, how
to spot red flags, available
resources and preventative
measures. Refreshments will
be provided. For information
or to register, call 270-4290.
UW video lectures
Visit the senior center to
watch the University of Wisconsin Alumnis Wednesday
Nite @ The Lab video lecture at 1 p.m. Thursday, April
21.
Volunteer coordinator
Judith Hirsch will facilitate
the lecture The Bionic Ear
Beyond Hearing Aids, featuring speaker Ruth Litovsky,
a professor of communication
sciences and disorders and
surgery/otolaryngology. Her
research focuses on hearing
abilities covering the lifespan
of humans from infants to
elderly adults on cochlear
implants.
The lecture is approximately 45 minutes with a guided
discussion to follow. Registration is encouraged. For
information or to register, call
Jill at 270-4290 or email jill.
[email protected].
Dog park meeting

The Fitchburg Dog Park
Advocates will hold an informational public meeting
and open house at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 21 in the
community centers Fitchburg room, 5510 Lacy Road.
facebook.com/fitchburgdpa.
Participate in Spring
Waterway Cleanups from
8:30-10:30 a.m. and 9-11 a.m.
Saturday, April 23, and from
2-5 p.m. Thursday, April 28
at various locations across the
city.
For Thursdays session
from 8:30-10:30 a.m., participants will meet at the east
end of Ninebark Drive at the
asphalt multiuse path near
Syene Road. The second session from 9-11 a.m. will meet
at the Apache Pond, 4523
Crescent Road. Those participating in the cleanup on April
28 will meet at Target Fitchburg, 6321 McKee Rd., and
join Target staff volunteers
to clean up streets and waterways throughout the Orchard
Pointe area.
Garbage bags, recycling
bags, and refreshments will
be provided. Volunteers are
encouraged to wear boots and
bring work gloves. Further
details and maps of the waterway cleanups will be posted
at www.fitchburgwi.gov/
stormwater.
Anyone interested in coordinating a cleanup in their
neighborhood may contact
city environmental engineer
Rick Eilertson at 270-4264.
Med drop
The Fitchburg Police
Department, 5520 Lacy
Road, will hold a free Med
Drop from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, April 23.
Pills should be emptied
into a clear plastic bag, and
containers can be recycled
at home. Any liquids, gels
and creams should be left in
the original container and
placed in a clear plastic bag.
No sharps or lancets will be
accepted. For information,
call 270-4264.
Shred day
Fitchburg residents can

shred their confidential paper
documents from 8-11 a.m.
Saturday, April 23 behind
Oak Bank, 5951 McKee
Road. Up to five bankers boxes of confidential paper documents can be shredded and
recycled free of charge. For
Medicare class
Learn what Medicare information, call 270-4264.
options are available during 1000 Books party
Its Almost Time for MediCelebrate the first annicare Are you Ready? at 7
versary
of the 1000 Books
p.m. Thursday, April 21 at the
Before
Kindergarten
prolibrary conference room.
Diane Dillett of the Dil- gram from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
lett Company, Inc., will dis- Monday, April 25 at the
cuss topics including how to library.
Kids can participate in
avoid penalties, how to tell
Part A from Part B and what birthday-themed stories,
to look for in a plan which songs and crafts, followed
meets your needs. Michael by a reading of Sophies
Daniels of Farmers Insurance Squash by local author Pat
will also assist with questions Zietlow Miller. The book,
Zietlow Millers debut, won
about home and auto plans.
For information or to the Golden Kite Award for
reserve a spot, call 662-8288. best picture book text, an
2 Off Family Size Pizza
6285 Nesbitt Road

Fitchburg, WI 53719
(608) 845-1010
Marshmallow builders
Kids ages 9-12 can participate in Marshmallow Builders at 4 p.m. Friday, April 26
at the library.
Attendees can build structures using only marshmallows and toothpicks.
DIY temporary tattoos

Experiment with creativity
by creating your own temporary tattoo design from 4-5
p.m. Thursday, April 28 at the
library.
This program is recommended for ages 9-12. For
information, call 729-1762.
Assisted Living 101

Curious what options you
or a loved one might have for
care as you age? Learn about
your choices in the Madison
area from Beth Johnson of
Oakwood Village at 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 28 at the
library.
Cinco de Mayo fiesta

Honor Mexicos heritage
during a Cinco de Mayo
fiesta at 10 a.m. Thursday,
May 5 at the library.
Children ages 2-5 and
their parents/caregivers can
celebrate with stories, songs,
crafts and cultural activities. For information, call
729-1762.
Electronics recycling
Fitchburg residents can
recycle their electronics from
8-11 a.m. Saturday, May 7 at
the Surplus-IT Warehouse,
901 Watson Ave.
Items accepted free of
charge include computers,
LCD monitors, printers, stereo equipment, media (CDs,
DVDs, floppy disks), lead
acid and other recyclable batteries and Styrofoam packing peanuts. There will be a
25-cent/lb. charge for VCR
and cassette tapes and alkaline batteries; a $5 charge for
microwaves and other kitchen electronics; a $15 charge
for all CRT monitors; a $25
charge for TVs less than
27, refrigerators, dehumidifiers and air conditioners;
and a $35 charge for TVs
27 or larger (console TVs
may cost more for disposal).
Balloon powered cars

Try your hand at being an
automotive engineer during
Balloon Powered Cars at
4 p.m. Friday, May 13 at the
library.
Kids ages 9-12 can build
cars out of cardboard and
balloons and see how fast it
can go. For information, call
729-1762.
Donuts with Dads

Visit the library for
Donuts with Dads at 10:30
a.m. Saturday, May 14 at the
library.
Kids ages 2-5 and their
dads (moms and other caregivers are welcome, too)
can participate in stories and
songs, and snacks will be
provided. For information,
call 729-1762.
LUNCH BUFFET: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM

DINNER MENU: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
(608) 274-3333
5957 McKEE ROAD Suite 108 FITCHBURG, WI 53719
www.HaveliMadison.com
Lunch Buffet $9.95
$4 off $25 -or- $8 off $50*
*Dinner only
*Not valid with any other offer
(MUST PRESENT COUPON)
ce C
Cream
Social
IIce
ream S
ocial
is sweet!
VOLUNTEERING WITH AGRACE
Join us for ice cream treats

and hear from current
Agrace volunteers how what
they do makes life sweeter.
Join our VIP Text Club:

Text tenpin to 36000
Childrens Birthday Parties

OPEN BOWLING DAILY
Call for lane availability
Happy Hour
Monday-Friday 4-6pm
Fantastic Deck
Corporate Parties
Banquet Facilities
DROP BY WED., APRIL 13, 3 P.M. 6 P.M
Daily
Lunch
Specials
adno=460541-01
Friday
Fish
Fry
Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor and a Charlotte

Zolotow Honor. The program
will conclude with a special
graduation ceremony for
those who completed the program. Those not signed up for
the program can do so at the
library, or at anytime by visiting the youth services desk.
adno=460531-01
The senior center will be

holding new hours for pickleball, with advanced play
from 8:30-10:30 a.m. every
Tuesday. Beginner and intermediate players can play
from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, with open play
from 1-3 p.m. in the upper
level Oak Hall Room.
All levels of play are free.
Scam awareness
Waterways cleanup
Fitchburg
2980 Cahill Main
268-4444
Offer expires 4/30/16
Oregon
710 Janesville St.
835-0883
papamurphys.com
Verona
1021 N. Edge Trail
848-7000
Not valid with other offers
adno=460534-01
Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care

5395 E. CHERYL PARKWAY, MADISON
Already know you want to volunteer?
CALL (608) 327-7163 OR VISIT AGRACE.ORG/VOLUNTEER

AGRA CE.ORG/VOLUNTEE R
adno=458936-01
Pickleball play
educator from Meriter/Unity/

Point Health, will discuss
benefits including mental awareness, an improved
immune system, higher energy levels and better management of chronic health problems.
GD-FS
by the library, including Flipster and Overdrive.

Promegas spring art showFor information or to regiscase, Pop Art from Santa ter, contact the reference desk
Fe, will be open to the public at 729-1763.
until June 3 at the Promega
BioPharmaceutical Technol- Painting studio
ogy Center, 5445 East Cheryl
Join instructor Mary Ann
Pkwy.
Inman for the Independent
The exhibit is open from Painting Studio session from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every
through Friday, and features Wednesday from April 13
Billy Schenck, an originator through May 25 at the senior
of the Western Pop Art move- center. The instruction and
ment, and painter Stan Nat- facility fee for the sevenchez.
week session is $140; checks
Groups larger than 10 can should be made out to the
schedule an appointment to Fitchburg Senior Center. For
visit the showcase by calling information or to register, call
277-2669. This exhibit 270-4290.
is made possible through
s u p p o r t f r o m P r o m e g a Care planning
Corporation, and is curated
Learn more about advance
and produced by Daniel care planning at 1 p.m.
Swadener. For information, Wednesday, April 13 at the
call 277-2669 or visit senior center.
promega-artshow.com.
In Advance Care Planning: Its About the ConverUkulele groups
sation, attendees will considThe ukulele group will er their health care values and
continue to meet in April at goals, consider health care
1 p.m. Tuesdays at the senior choices they might face and
center. The intro/beginners make a written plan for the
ukulele group will meet at future (known as an advance
1 p.m. Thursdays, with an directive). A representative
emphasis on learning 16 basic from Honoring Choices Wischords. For information or to consin will lead the converregister for the groups, call sation. For information, call
270-4290.
270-4290.
Pop art showcase
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
Oregon schools
The case for teachers compensation

Board wants referendum
survey to explain the
why
Scott De Laruelle
With a targeted teacher compensation referendum in November getting closer, Oregon School
District officials still have to find
a way to sell the plan to district
residents.
At the March 14 school board
meeting, members hashed out
pros and cons of the latest draft
survey from referendum consultant Joe Donovan and a district
committee tasked to come up
with a recommendation on a new
teacher compensation plan.
The survey now in its 11th
version was initially planned for
release April 4, but has been put
on hold until it can better explain
why a referendum is needed, and
how it would ultimately improve
students education and the community itself.
Board members agreed to send
revisions and suggestions to the
districts teacher compensation
committee and revisit the matter
during another meeting.
Its an important piece of
information and we want to make
sure we do it right, committee member and district human
resources director Jina Jonen said
of the survey.
A teacher compensation referendum aiming to attract and
retain top educators by increasing
pay and benefits has been a stated
goal of Oregon School District
administrators and board members since 2014. That fall, a $55

million capital projects referendum was easily passed by voters,
but it was originally to be joined
by one also covering teacher
compensation.
As that latter referendum was
delayed both to gather more
information and to not overwhelm voters with two expensive
projects the Oregon Education
Association has been working
with school board members and
administrators to come up with a
new system of paying staff.
Jonen said the survey is intended to get a temperature check
on how residents feel about a
teacher compensation referendum, and how much they would
be willing to pay to support it. It
also follows up a January 2015
community survey that was largely critical of the plan, and she said
the idea is to let residents know
district officials are listening to
them and are making changes to
the plan based on that feedback.
Jonen said the committees goal
is to make a final recommendation on the details of the referendum to the board before summer
and the survey is a critical tool
in the process of creating a teacher compensation referendum that
voters will pass.
Informed feedback wanted

But as important as the timing
is, some on the board apparently
feel the wording is even more
important.
Board member Steve Zach said
he was concerned the underlying
question in the survey was will
you pay more, something he
said the district has already gotten pretty good feedback on

from the 2015 survey. He said its
also difficult for the board to get
behind an effort to educate district residents on a plan they have
yet to finalize.
To go to the public and say,
Would you spend more money
in taxes for a plan we dont know
what its going to look like is
backwards, he said. We need to
make the economic case beyond
the statement of, Teachers should
be paid more than they are now.
This document doesnt make that
case for me.
Board member Rae Vogeler
said the current survey creates
more questions for residents.
Theyre not getting the sense
of the value added, she said.
How do I as a taxpayer benefit
from this, as a parent with students in the district, or as a parent
with students no longer in the district? Thats what we need to be
answering here on a high level.
Board member Charles Uphoff
said improving education for
students is the main theme that
needs to be communicated, with
increasing teacher compensation serving as the means to get
there. He said residents also
need to be reminded how public
schools are getting less money
from the state, necessitating districts going to their residents with
referendums.
If we want to retain a quality education for our students, its
going to require asking people to
step up a little bit, he said.
Zach and other board members stressed the need for gaining
informed feedback from the
Trouble ahead?
At the March 14 school board meeting, district human resources
director Jina Jonen laid out several reasons why the district needs
financial help to stay true to its stated value and goal of attracting
and retaining the best teachers. She said while the district is able to
recruit highly effective educators right now, shes greatly concerned about its ability to keep that advantage moving forward,
citing a shrinking pool of teacher candidates and updated teacher
compensation plans at neighboring school districts.
Last year was the first year I really felt that I received calls
before people even came to round one, (to find out about the district), Jonen said. Once we can talk and they see our schools
and they see what we have to offer, they readily accept our offers,
and thats really exciting. But Im concerned about our ability to
get them in the door, because I did lose a handful of folks last year
who didnt even come to round one because we didnt have a compensation plan in place, or the salary they were expecting, I didnt
feel was appropriate, given our internal equity.
Jonen said while she believes the district is now highly competitive in vying for top teacher candidates, shes greatly worried
about our ability to remain competitive, particularly as every school
around us has adopted a different compensation plan.
We are not growing at the rate that Monona, Sun Prairie and
Middleton are growing, so we need somehow to have new monies
to fund a plan to remain competitive with those schools we want to
remain competitive with, she said.
survey, and are concerned that

residents dont yet have enough
information to provide that. He
said the No. 1 question he hears
is why the district needs a teacher
compensation referendum, and
said the draft survey doesnt articulate those reasons.
Its not going to convince anyone, Zach said. The board has
not, as a whole, been provided
with a financial justification.
Board president Dan Krause
said the district needs to inform
residents about key factors that
have led to the decision to go to
referendum to fund the plan, like

declining income from the state,
compensation plans in neighboring districts and the declining pool
of applicants for teaching jobs at
OSD. Then, the board needs to
take a bit of initiative and leadership take that plan out to the
public.
At some point, were going to
have to say, This is what we think
is best for the school district,
Krause said. We need to come
with what we think is the best plan
for the district, just like we did for
the capital (2014) referendum.
Whats online
Read more Oregon School District
stories at ConnectFitchburg.com:
STEAM series part 1
Explore Life to the Fullest
In a sense, the Oregon School District has had a Science, Technology,

Engineering, Art and Mathematics
program for years it just wasnt
called STEAM.
Now, in the midst of multi-million
dollar construction and public support, initiatives at the Oregon School
District are ramping up, invigorated by
the addition of art turning STEM to
STEAM and spurred by good jobs
waiting for graduates with critical
thinking and problem-solving skills.
Read the rest of the first part of
a spring series on STEAM in OSD
online.
Johnson wins Kohl Fellowship
surgery, injury, or illness. Expert physical and occupational
Oregon High School teacher Nathan Johnson was one of 100 teachers in the state honored as a Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellow for 2016.
Johnson who teaches chemistry, biochemistry and applied physics at OHS is the
schools Science Olympiad adviser and also serves as an Oregon Education Association
representative. He will receive a $3,000 fellowship as part of the award, according to a
Kohl Foundation press release.
therapists will guide you through daily sessions to rebuild
OHS students win duck stamp competition
OUR REHABILITATION PROGRAMS at Oakwood Village

offer comprehensive care to speed up your recovery from
Oregon High School artists showed off their skills once again this year, with five of
the top nine places in a statewide stamp drawing competition. OHS senior Maddie LeBrun took home first place for the second time.
strength, balance, and mobility so that you can enjoy an

active lifestyle with those you love. We are here to support
every step of your rehabilitation.
Photo by Scott De Laruelle
Pioneer
games
5565 Tancho Drive, Madison
608-230-4620
6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison

608-230-4253
www.oakwoodvillage.net
adno=461134-01
Right, Brooklyn Elementary

students and a parent volunteer
play a game of jacks at the
Brooklyn Community Center as
part of the annual Pioneer Days.
Other activities throughout the
four-day event included games
like swat em bottom, soap making and Civil War-era family life
demonstrations.
Madison schools
April 8, 2016
Mancilla wins
district award
Shape-up
Cherokee
promotes
wellness
Cherokee Middle School
will celebrate health and wellness the week of May 2-6.
The Shape-up Cherokee
event will include daily activities focused on nutrition and
fitness topics. The week will
end with a school-wide fitness session on Friday, May
6, that will include music,
giveaways and field events.
Parents are invited to that
celebration, and those who
would like to volunteer
are asked to contact Marj
Kutsche at 204-1271 or Margaret Corbae at 204-1263.
Cherokee teacher
recognized
for cultural
responsiveness
Cherokee Middle School
sixth-grade teacher Gerardo Mancilla will receive
an award at the Excellence
with Equity Awards April
14.
The event, held at the
Gordon Dining and Event
Center on the University
of Wisconsin-Madison
campus, recognizes staff
members nominated by
colleagues.
The Cherokee school
newsletter said Mancilla

was recognized with the
Cultural and Linguistic
Responsiveness award for
his commendable expertise, dedication, innovation and commitment to
his work on behalf of students.
The annual awards recognize staff in 14 different categories, including
family and community
engagement, professional
development, continuous
improvement and a teacher
collaboration team.
A teacher, principal and
support employee of the
year are also recognized at
the event.
The Fitchburg Star
Get Connected
Find updates and links right away.
Search for us on Facebook as

Fitchburg Star and then LIKE us.
New Families
Join and Pay by May 1 and get $25 off 2016 Annual Dues
Church Garage Sale Weekend

Memorial United Church of Christ
adno=452569-01
5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg
Friday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Furniture, household goods, childrens clothes, toys & more.
Sunday Worship
8:15 and 10:00 a.m.

Special Focus on April 24:
Break the Silence Sunday
with Guest Speaker
Erin Thornley of the Rape Crisis Center
www.memorialucc.org 273-1008
adno=460539-01
Aging Mastery Program
YOU KNOW A GREAT
MONEY MARKET RATE
WHEN YOU SEE ONE.

So when was the last time you saw one like this?
1.00%
Intro Rate until

October 31, 2016*
Join the adventure!
Balances of $10,000 or more.
0.61%
First Year APY*
Balances of $10,000 or more.
Summits Money Market Plus account is the perfect blend

of higher interest rates and access to your cash. Get started
at SummitCreditUnion.com or just come on in. The sooner
you open your account the longer you can take advantage
of our introductory rate.
The Fitchburg and Oregon Senior Centers will be cosponsoring the Aging Mastery Program soon!
The Aging Mastery Program (AMP) encourages masterydeveloping
behaviors across many dimensions that will lead to improved health,
stronger financial security, and overall well-being.
SummitCreditUnion.com
800-236-5560 | 608-243-5000
By participating in this ten week

program, you will:
Gain impactful changes in your health behaviors, financial wellbeing and enrichment later in life.
Increase your knowledge in the following areas: exercise, sleep,
healthy eating and hydration, financial fitness, medication
management, advance planning, healthy relationships, fall
prevention and community engagement.
Get REAL incentives and rewards for taking small steps that
can improve your well-being.
I T.
N
OW
Limited spots available: Sign up now!

AMP will launch on April 27th, but participants have to be signed up by April 20th. It will take
place weekly at the Fitchburg Senior Center from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.
This program is valued at $100 but will only cost you $25.
Scholarships and transportation available.
Please RSVP to the Fitchburg Senior Center at 2704290 or email at [email protected] Please
respond by April 20th if you are interested.
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Federally insured by NCUA

* APY is annual percentage yield. Offer expires April 16, 2016. Advertised introductory rate is available on new Money Market Plus Special accounts only. The introductory
rate may not be applied to funds from another Summit Credit Union account. A minimum of $10,000 in new money to Summit Credit Union required to open the account and
earn the introductory rate. Introductory rate is guaranteed through October 31, 2016 at which time the account will earn the rate on Summits Money Market Plus at that
time. The first year APY is a blended APY that combines the introductory rate from the account opening date to October 31, 2016 with the current posted rates on our Money
Market Plus account for the remainder of your first year. Example given is based on $10,000. The exact APY you earn over the first year may differ depending on your
balance and the rate paid on the Money Market Plus over the remainder of your first year, which is subject to change periodically. The current tiers and ongoing rates on
Money Market Plus as of March 18, 2016 are $100,000+ 0.25%APY, $50,000-$99,999 0.20%APY, $25,000-$49,999 0.20%APY, $10,000-$24,999 0.15%APY, $2,500- $9,999
0.15%APY, $0-$2,499 0.10%APY. Minimum to open Money Market Plus is $2,500. Sorry, we cannot accept any more than $250,000 at this introductory rate per account.
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The Fitchburg Star
EUGSTERS FARM MARKET

AND PETTING FARM
Lambing & Kidding Days
Summer Camp program

For Children 7 - 12 Years Old
DailY FielD Trips

$195 for one child or
$340 for two siblings
LEGACY ACADEMY
Open by 6:30 am for Student Drop-Offs
(608) 270-9977 www.LegacyAcademy.info
adno=460535-01
Weekly Fee is only
WEEKENDS ONLY
APRIL 2&3, 9&10,
16&17, 23&24
10:00am - 4:00pm
www.eugsters.com
ADMISSION $7.00
adno=460399-01
April 8, 2016
adno=460780-01
10
(Last admission sold at 3:00)
Ask the Fitchburg
WINDOW FASHIONS & COVERINGS
Assisted Living And MeMory CAre
Q. How can Music and Memory benefit seniors?

A. Music can be powerful for people with dementia. Studies have shown music may
Q. How can I make my Naked windows more interesting without compromising the view?
A.
reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues that are common in the middle-stages
of the disease. Even in the late-stages of Alzheimers, a person may be able to tap a
beat, sing lyrics to a song or even recall events form their past. Music provides a way
to connect even after verbal communication has become difficult.
Use these tips when selecting music for a person with dementia:
Identify music thats familiar and enjoyable to the person. If possible, let the person
Ryan Wagner
choose the music. Choose a source of music that isnt interrupted by commercials,
which can cause confusion. Use music to create the mood you want. For example, a tranquil piece of music
can help create a calm environment, while a faster paced song from someones childhood may boost spirit
and evoke happy memories. Encourage movement (Clapping, Dancing) to add the enjoyment. Lastly,
avoid sensory overload; eliminate competing noises by shutting windows and doors and by turning off the
television. Make sure the volume of the music is not too loud.
Sylvan Crossing of Fitchburg uses music and memory to enhance the quality of
lives in our residents. Feel free to contact us to learn more.
5784 Chapel Valley Rd. Fitchburg WI 53711
adno=460444-01
608-274-1111
CHIROPRACTOR
SENIOR CARE
Q. What can Comfort Keepers do for Elders with Dementia?

A. Comfort Keepers dementia care is dedicated to preserving the happiness and independence
of elders living in their own homes for as long as safely possible. With a trained and dedicated
team of care providers ready to meet new elders, Comfort Keepers offers personal and dementia
care in the homes of many elders.
Elders with dementia who are still living at home may require extra assistance to ensure their
safety. In addition to staying safe, elders with dementia may also appreciate spending time with
a caregiver while doing activities that they enjoy and that can stimulate their mental or physical
Stephen Rudolph
health.
FACHE, CSA
Comfort Keepers caregivers are trained in dementia care and are also trained to implement
Comfort Keepers unique Interactive Caregiving(TM) system. With Interactive Caregiving, the dementia care provider
will get to know the senior on a personal level, learning about likes, dislikes and even past events in the seniors life. While
developing a relationship with the senior, the caregiver can plan activities that could help the senior simulate mental or
physical activities that have been shown to create more lucid thought.
Comfort Keepers is able to assist those with dementia to prosper in their own home.
Q. I am suffering from Iliotibial Band Syndrome and want to
get back to running. How can you help?

A. ITBS commonly causes pain on the outside of the knee and is seen most
often in people who run and bike, but can afflict people that are sedentary as
well. Most cases of ITBS respond very well to a combination of chiropractic
and therapeutic massage treatment and usually require only 4-6 weeks of care.
A chiropractor will make sure the joints in the entire lower extremity are
Jill Unwin,
Lee Unwin,
functioning and moving properly. This includes checking your feet, ankles,
DC, CCEP
BCMT, CSCS
knees and hips. We want to identify the cause of your pain, not just treat the
symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments will help restore normal biomechanics to the foot, ankle, knee, hip and pelvic joints.
Massage therapy will address the soft tissue components of the ITBS and will allow for better gains in releasing adhesions and tight
muscles beyond just stretching. Stretching and strengthening exercises will be prescribed to correct muscle imbalances, and orthotics
may be prescribed to stabilize joint alignment of the foot and function of the lower limb. Recommendations on training schedule,
footwear and choice of terrain may be given and well have you back in action in no time.
102 N. Franklin Street Verona, WI 53593

(608) 848-1800 unwinchiropractic.com
5396 King James Way, Suite 210, Madison, WI 53719

(608) 442-1898 www.comfortkeepers.com/madison-wi
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adno=459937-01
MORTGAGE BANKING
Attorney
Q. What can I do to protect my elderly relatives from nursing home neglect and
Q. What is a debt to income ratio and why is it important?
abuse?
A. The best thing you can do to protect a loved one is by doing some smart research.
3002 Fish Hatchery Rd. Fitchburg, WI 53713

608-259-2085
adno=460441-01
CHILD & FAMILY THERAPY
Q. Im so tired of dealing with my childs bad attitude and behaviors! Is there a better way?
A. Yes! When parents begin to understand that all behavior IS communication, they can attune to
Kathleen Harwood
MS, NCC, LPC-IT, LMFT-IT, CPC
what is really going on with their child. Punishment doesnt really work because it causes fear and
relational distance between parents and their children. A better way to respond involves growing the
desired behaviors that you want in your child through the improvement of the relationship between
parents and children. To learn how to become your childs success mentor instead of the behavior
police, sign up for a free parenting workshop on April 23 from 8:30 am to 11:30am at Resurrection
Lutheran Church. Child care will be provided.
In The Moment Child and Family Therapy, LLC will be having a FREE Parenting Workshop on
April 23 in Verona. To register, or for more information, please go to www.inthemomenttherapy.com
(space will be limited). We can help you and your spouse to parent lovingly and effectively, and on
the same page.
In The Moment Child and Family Therapy, LLC

6705 Wesner Rd., Verona, WI 53593
(a ministry of Resurrection Lutheran Church)
(608) 620-3486
[email protected]
adno=460446-01
Sign Up For Our FREE Newsletter: InTheMomentTherapy.com
Gail C. Groy
Attorney at Law
600 W. Verona Avenue, Verona, WI 53593 (608) 709-5565 Email: [email protected]
RealtoR
Q. Do I still need a Realtor since homes are selling fast this Spring?
A. Yes, there are several reasons why home sellers should work with
a
Realtor when selling their home this Spring. Real estate transactions involve
the understanding of complex legal documents and deadlines that most
people are not trained or experienced in dealing with on a regular basis.
Currently, many sellers are receiving multiple offers (a good problem to
have). Realtors are essential to assist sellers by negotiating on their behalf
Shawn Pfaff
with potential buyers by drafting and presenting counter offers and working
through contingencies like closing dates and financing that may arise during
the transaction. Realtors also are needed when unfortunately, some sellers see a potential deal for
their home fall through due to possible defects that may occur during the home inspection.
Please contact me at [email protected]. Id be happy to help you work with you in selling
your home in this Springs hot real estate market.
(608) 628-3275
2985 Triverton Pike Dr., Ste. 200, Fitchburg, WI 53711

[email protected] www.shawnpfaff.firstweber.com
adno=460442-01
Kathleen C. Aiken
your debt to income ratio (DTI). Most mortgage lenders use a rule called the 28/36 rule.
The 28 is the percentage of your max income that is allowed for housing expenses. Housing
expenses include a formula called (PITI), short for Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance.
The second number in the equation is 36. This is the percentage that lenders allow for debt
plus housing expenses. These are things like car payments, credit cards, child support and
other long term commitments that you need to budget for. Reducing your debt is the name
of the game when considering a new home purchase or refinance. Too much debt can affect
your buying options and you may not get the home you were hoping for. That being said
every situation is different and the world of mortgage has changed a lot over the years.
There are many different types of mortgage products and options for home buyers today.
First, figure out whether the nursing home is licensed in the State of Wisconsin.
Determine if the staff (RPNs, LPNs, CNAs) are all licensed and have service training
for nursing home care. Find out if its up to you to observe what is happening in the
nursing home or if a physician will be relied upon for this task. Remember that Google
is your friend: check out the nursing homes reputation and how it cares for the elderly.
Finally, ask around. Ask your elderly relatives physician what his/her opinion is on
that particular nursing home. Ask around the community, your own friends and family,
and your relatives friends. You may find someone who has had first-hand experience
with that homes staff or treatment. Remember to always monitor and be aware of your
relatives living conditions and if you are uncomfortable about anything always put the
staff on notice. Ask questions and constantly stay informed of any changes.
adno=460443-01
A. When purchasing a new home lenders look at two key factors, your credit score and
If you would like to join our Ask a Professional page, contact Donna Larson at 608-845-9559 or Sandy Opsal at 835-6677 to find out how!
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draperies blinds shades home furnishings
[email protected]
(608) 609-1488, call/text
www.exquisiteWD.com
Find me on
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Andrea Hedquist,
Owner/Designer
Im not a fan of covering windows that do not need to be. Some windows
may not require sun shading or privacy, but lack style and feel Naked. To add
the finishing touch, there are so many options for dressing windows from valances
and cornices, mounted high enough not to cover any glass, or drapery panels that
add color, texture and drama to enhance the view without covering it. Explore the
possibilities with your free in-home consultation. Booking appointment now for
graduations and spring weddings!
Verona schools
Whats online
Read more Verona Area School District stories at
ConnectFitchburg.com:
Behavior series: Stoner Prairie, Country View

The spring behavior series continues with a look at
strategies being put in place at Stoner Prairie and Country
View elementary schools.
The schools, though they have not been recognized
for their work on Positive Behaviorial Interventions and
Supports like Glacier Edge and Sugar Creek elementary
schools, are using similar techniques, such as the Nurtured Heart Approach and restorative practices.
Administrators propose $500K more for iPads

VASD administrators proposed an additional $500,000
to complete the districts transition to one iPad for every
student.
The proposal came at a time when the district is getting
ready for what could be a tough budget planning season.
Gorrell seeking other jobs

Superintendent Dean Gorrell has applied
for at least three positions in Ohio, and is
currently in the running for at least two.
Gorrell, whose wife is from the state,
has kept board members informed of his
actions, board president Dennis Beres said.
Gorrell declined to comment before a
recent school board meeting.
Gorrell
Health insurance change could

plug $700K budget hole
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
11
PALs to end at Stoner Prairie

1-3 multiage classes will
continue
Scott Girard
A 24-year Stoner Prairie Elementary School program lauded by parents and former students will end
with this school year, but the principal hopes changes elsewhere can
make up for its loss.
Stoner Prairie Elementary School
principal Mike Pisani announced last
week the Partners Actively Learning,
or PALs, program will not continue
into the 2016-17 school year.
The program, which began in
1992, includes sections of grades 1-3
and 4-5, with five teachers collaborating on a philosophy to focus on
individual learners and create traditions and community as students rise
through the program.
Next year, the school will instead
have three grade 1-3 multiage sections, which Pisani said would
allow for some continuity with the
underlying ideas of PALs. Fourth

and fifth grades, though, will be separated.
Pisani notified parents at the
school of the change in a letter sent
home Tuesday, March 22.
He and VASD public information officer Kelly Kloepping said
they recognized the strengths of the
PALs program like the community
and building leadership opportunities
as students grow in the program but
wanted to spread those strengths to the
entire school.
Pisani said there will be further discussions before a transition plan for
students currently in the PALs program is released in April, with an even
more-detailed plan following in May.
PALs is leaving a legacy, he said.
Were taking strengths of that legacy
and moving it through to the whole
building.
The program has been popular and
appreciated by alumni and their parents, with more than 300 people signing an online petition asking Pisani to
continue the program, but three of the
five teachers in the program, including
two of its founders, will retire at the
end of the year.

The decision comes after more than
a month of input, which included a
parent meeting with Pisani at which
more than two dozen asked him not
to end the program. Those parents
showed up a week later at a school
board meeting to plead their case to
board members, and asked them to
review whatever decision Pisani ultimately made.
Well wait to see what he comes
up with, and well respond appropriately, board president Dennis Beres
said at that March 7 meeting.
Pisani acknowledged the collaboration among the teachers and the leadership opportunities for students as
specific pieces the rest of the school
could use.
Put people together as much as
possible, he told the Star.
Pisani said he and others were also
looking at ways to ramp up leadership opportunities for students, as
the PALs program does with book
buddies and other programs that the
older students get to be part of after
seeing their peers perform in them in
earlier years.
Changes to health insurance for district employees

could help plug an anticipated $700,000 budget hole for
the 2016-17 school year.
Despite the end of a deal that superintendent Dean Gorrell has praised for the last five years, the district might
find even more savings in year one of its next deal.
VAEF helps teachers get creative

The Verona Area Education Foundation, a non-profit
that runs the annual craft show in the fall, gave out more
than $3,500 in grants to teachers this school year to help
them get creative in their classrooms.
Study projects 1,600 more students by 2030

A population study presented April 4 projects the Verona Area School District will grow by more than 1,600 students by 2030.
The biggest growth comes in the Country View and
Glacier Edge elementary school attendance areas. Both
schools, along with Stoner Prairie Elementary School,
will be over capacity by 2020, according to the study.
Savanna Oaks Middle School and Verona Area High
School are also projected to surpass their capacity before
2030, but not until after 2020.
The presentation Monday was part of the districts outreach efforts as the board and administrators consider an
April 2017 referendum to build a new school or renovate
current buildings.
Scott Girard
The Verona Area School

board has two vacancies
after a pair of board members
resigned in March.
The first resignation,
J o a n n e
Gauthier, was
announced at
the March 21
board meeting in a letter read by
board presid e n t D e n - Gauthier
nis Beres.
Gauthier cited the overwhelming
time commitment and
a desire to
spend more
time with her
own children.
Less than Connor
one week later, Derrell Connor resigned
after it became known that he
was living just blocks outside
of the districts boundaries
after a recent move. Court

records show an address
change in January related to
a divorce case.
Though the resignations
were under extremely different circumstances, they each
had the same effect: The
school board needs applicants to fill the seats until
April 2017.
Applications for those
interested are due Monday,
April 11.
Those applying for Connors seat can reside anywhere within the districts
boundaries. Gauthier,
though, represented areas
outside the cities of Fitchburg and Verona, meaning
an applicant would have to
live in outside of the two cities that mainly feed the district.
Applicants can submit
a letter of application and
a short resume to Beres at
Verona Area School District,
700 N. Main St., Verona, WI
53593. The board hopes to
fill the vacancies at its April
18 meeting.
Photo by Scott Girard
Breakfast with Bucky

Bucky Badger visited Stoner Prairie Elementary School Friday, March 11, to help students celebrate
National School Breakfast Week. The Wisconsin Badgers mascot provided plenty of excitement for
students and staff, who took selfies with him and danced to Jump Around during the visit. The
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board helped organize the event, along with two other Bucky visits to
schools in Dane County earlier in the week. The week encourages healthy options at school breakfasts around the United States.
On the web
See more photos from Buckys
visit to Stoner Prairie:
Above, Eve Coan smiles for a selfie with the Badgers mascot.
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Gauthier, Connor
resign from board
12
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
Fitchburg author wins childrens lit prize

After decades,
Rosengren savors
novel writing
success
Tom Alesia
At 65, Fitchburg author

Gayle Rosengren won her
first prominent writing
prize last month, earning
top honors for a childrens
literature novel in Wisconsin.
But dont call Rosengren
a late bloomer. Shes a
hard worker.
Cold War on Maplewood Street, her second
novel published by the
powerhouse Penguin Random House since 2014,
earned Rosengren a $500
prize and a one-week stay
at a Mineral Point writers retreat. The award
came from the competitive Council for Wisconsin
Writers annual contest.
Rosengren calls herself
the poster child for perseverance, as she has been
writing since she studied
creative writing in college. Over decades, she has
had numerous short stories appear in publications
including Cricket and Childrens Digest.
A published novel, however, eluded her until 2014
when her childrens novel,
What the Moon Said, set
during the Great Depression, was released.
Penguin Random House
editors wanted more of
Rosengrens historical
fiction, and she turned
to Cold War on Maplewood Street, which sat
Photo by Tom Alesia
Fitchburg author Gayle

Rosengren, whose award-winning book is pictured at right,
relaxes in her home with her
dog Fiona.
for 13 years after nearly

being published. She spent
endless hours rewriting
Cold War, a book for
middle school student that
revolves around the tense
week of the Cuban Missile
Crisis in 1962 through the
eyes of a 12-year-old Chicago girl.
Rosengren experienced
the Russian nuclear weapon threat as a pre-teen, but
all else is fictional, except
It was a memorable
week. I remember all the
kids in the schoolyard in
this huddle really scared,
she said. I realized so
many people did not know
what the Cuban Missile
Crisis was. How could
that be skipped over? Its
a great model that they
didnt go to war.
A Milwaukee-area
school district is using
Rosenbergs book at several grade levels, especially
fifth to seventh graders, to
study the Cold War.
Every age group is hard
to write to, but I like writing to middle schoolers and
younger students, Rosengren said. Theyre starting
to make choices for themselves. This gives them a
vicarious experience.
Rosengren continued
writing while she raised
three children and worked,
at various times, as a
librarian, Pleasant Company copy editor and business administrator.
Im thrilled with this
award, Rosengren said.
There are not many peaks
in writing. Its not easy
having a book rejected.
You put your heart on a
plate.
Now retired, she plans
to keep writing for a long
time, and is currently
working on a book for middle schoolers about twin
siblings dealing with the
aftermath of their fathers
death.
Im really happy. Im
doing what I always wanted, she said. How many
for one of the books les- people get to make their
sons that family as well as dreams come true? It took
political communication is longer than I thought, but
vital.
the journey wasnt bad.
Fitchburg Historical Society
Historical presentation to honor dairy industry

Dairy farms once blanketed Fitchburg fencerow
to fencerow, and the farms
consumed virtually every
acre of arable land.
Picture the Fitchburg
landscape in 1950 as a
continuous series of farms
with dairy cattle grazing
peacefully in the summer
sun wherever you look,
wrote Catherine Schneider,
president of the Fitchburg
Historical Society, when
asked to paint a picture of
Fitchburg as it was.
That was then. Now,
there are two dairy farms
remaining in the city, and
although Fitchburg still
boasts 11,000 acres of
farmland, the number of
dairy farms in Wisconsin
has declined tenfold since
1940.
The Fitchburg Historical
Society will pay tribute to
the glory days of the dairy
industry during its annual meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 17, at the
library. The meeting will
feature a special presentation from Creating Dairyland author Ed Janus,
who will detail How
Cows Created Wisconsin
by providing insight into
how cows and the dairy
industry shaped Wisconsins landscape, economics
and way of life.
Janus will discuss dairy
families renowned for
Photo submitted
Chicagos Fat Babies Jazz Band performs vintage music from the
1920s and 1930s.
Capital City Jazz Fest

keeps tradition alive
Fitchburg hotel to
host 28th annual
event
Four lively bands, featuring vintage decades-old
tunes, will perform several
sets daily during the threeday 28th annual Capital
City Jazz Fest at the Wyndham Grand Hotel Friday,
April 29 to Sunday, May 1.
Sponsored by the Madison Jazz Society, the event
presents four sessions with
the four acts performing a
set at each one. All of the
groups will be performing
at the festival for the first
time.
The acts are:
The Fat Babies Jazz
Band: A Chicago group,
they interpret styles from
the 1920s and 1930s with
an emphasis on early
Windy City jazz.
Swing Central: Led by
renowned drummer Hal
Smith, the group plays
small-band classics of the
1930s and 1940s.
Wolverine Jazz Band:
Together since 1995, the
Massachusetts-based group
arranges Dixieland and
swing favorites.
Yerba Buena Stompers:
With vocalist Ida Blue, the
group plays a rousing West
Coast jazz style from the
1940s.
The festivals matinee
second session on Saturday,
April 30 is sold out. The
hotels venue holds up to
200 people, seated at tables.
Advance individual session tickets $35 each
may be purchased at the
door 30 minutes before the
If you go
What: 28th annual
Capital City Jazz Fest
Where: Wyndham
Garden Hotel, 2969 Cahill
Main, Fitchburg
Tickets: $35 per session. For purchasing information, call 850-5400 or
go to madisonjazz.com
Schedule and times:
See below
session begins. For ticket

details, call 850-5400 or go
to madisonjazz.com.
In keeping with the Madison Jazz Societys emphasis on outreach, Swing Central will perform during a 9
a.m. jazz worship celebration at First United Methodist Church in Madison.
Madison Jazz Society
members have contributed
more than $14,000 to maintain the festival and many
other events throughout the
year. Eight Madison area
corporations have also provided support.
In addition to the music,
the festival will feature a
Jazz Mall with books,
records, CDs, videos, jazz
clothing and souvenirs for
sale.
The Madison Jazz Society is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization formed to
encourage the performance
of and education about jazz.
It annually sponsors six
concerts and awards grants
to school music departments to enhance their jazz
education programs.
Tom Alesia
Schedule and times:
Photo submitted
land stewardship, like the

Klessigs of Cleveland in
Sheboygan County, whose
patriarch, Ed, brought one
of his cows to the Capitol
to protest plans to build
I-43. He will also relate
how one Wisconsin farmer freed his cows from
imprisonment in the barn
to munch freely in the pasture, a lifestyle change that
the cows at first balked at,
but soon embraced.
Janus has worked as a
journalist, oral historian,

community organizer,
dairy farmer, business
manager and entrepreneur. His book, Creating
Dairyland, was the result
of producing audio stories
from dairy farmers and
cheesemakers that lead to
the current landscape of
the dairy industry.
The presentation is free
and open to the public.
Rich Eggleston
If you go
What: How Cows
Created Wisconsin
presentation with the
Fitchburg Historical
Society
When: 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 17
Where: Fitchburg
Public Library, 5530 Lacy
Road
Info: 270-4290
Friday, April 29 (Session 1):

6:30 p.m. Yerba Buena Stompers with Ida Blue
7:40 p.m. Swing Central
8:50 p.m. Fat Babies Jazz Band
10 p.m. Wolverine Jazz Band
Saturday, April 30 (Session 2) (sold out):
11 a.m. Fat Babies Jazz Band
12:15 p.m. Wolverine Jazz Band
Saturday, April 30 (Session 3):
6 p.m. Wolverine Jazz Band
7:15 p.m. Fat Babies Jazz Band
Sunday, May 1 (Session 4):
11:30 a.m. Yerba Buena Stompers with Ida Blue
1:50 p.m. Wolverine Jazz Band
3 p.m. Fat Babies Jazz Band
April 8, 2016 - Spring Home & Garden - Fitchburg Star - 13
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14 - The Fitchburg Star - Spring Home & Garden - April 8, 2016
How to ensure a successful basement remodel

Americans continue to fuel remodeling spending across the country, driven by
upward growth in real estate prices and the
rising cost to trade up to a larger home. Basement renovations are expected to be a hot
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available living space rather than move, and
as young buyers look to offset the cost of
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While finishing a basement can be a great
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love your neighborhood there are some
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when tackling below-grade living spaces.
Choosing the right products is vital to the
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Here are the top points to consider to
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W aterproof it. Check the interior
foundation and floors to make sure there

are no existing moisture issues, water
damage or mold problems. Address any
primary moisture issues before finishing the space. Examine grading to ensure
water runs away from your foundation.
Insulation is key. Insulation plays a critical role in making your basement feel
comfortable, while keeping it safe and
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The board is mechanically fastened or
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the studs, providing better thermal performance. Finish with a moisture-resistant and dimensionally stable insulation
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Clean filters. Whether a home is kept cool by a wholehouse central air conditioning system or window units,
clean filters are necessary to keep the units working
efficiently. Routinely replacing or cleaning filters is
one of the most important maintenance tasks to improve
airflow and increase efficiency. The U.S. Office of
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a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower an air
conditioners energy consumption by anywhere from 5
to 15 percent.
Know the square footage. When replacing a cooling
system, have an understanding of the size of your home
(or room if installing an window unit). Determine the
area of the home so you buy a unit that suits your needs.
Air conditioners use BTUs (British Thermal Units) to
define cooling power. The more BTUs, the larger the
space that can be cooled. However, homeowners do not
want to exceed the necessary cooling power. This leads

loss.
Hire a technician.
to energy waste. EnergyStar.gov can help homeowners
find the right cooling system for their needs.
Air conditioner
I nspect system coils. The evaporator and condenser
technicians can be
coils on air conditioners can collect dirt, even when
very helpful and
filters are maintained. Dirty coils are less efficient at
will know how to
prepare a system
absorbing heat, so periodically remove the dirt. Outdoor coils can be kept cleaner by cutting back foliage
for hot weather.
from the unit to allow better air flow.
Technicians typi Inspect condensate drains. Energy.gov also suggests
cally conduct mulmaking sure condensate drains, which take moisture
tipoint inspections
pulled from the air away, are functioning properly. If
and measure such
things as refrigertheyre clogged, they may not be effective at reducing
humidity in a home, and they may even leak.
ant levels and duct
C lear debris. Remove fallen leaves or other plant
leakage. Airflow
material from condenser units and fan blades. Obstructthrough the evapoed components can cause the system to retain heat,
rator coil also may
compromising its ability to work effectively. Some
be checked. If a
homeowners prefer to cover their condensers at the end
homeowner susof the cooling season to keep leaves and dirt out of the
pects the thermounit.
stat is not working properly, a technician can verify if
that is true and even install a new one if necessary.
C heck window unit seals. When installing window
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16 - The Fitchburg Star - Spring Home & Garden - April 8, 2016
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The Fitchburg Star

18
Aging Mastery programs
at senior center this spring
April 8, 2016
Former Fitchburg Mayor Shawn Pfaff has been

selected to serve another
three-year term on the Madison College District Board
beginning July 1, 2016.
Pfaff has served on the
Board since 2013. He was
elected vice chair in 2014
and still serves in that role.
A Fitchburg resident,
Pfaff owns a public affairs
firm and is an agent with
First Weber Realtors.
Im happy to continue
helping shape Madison College policies and practices
for the good of students
across the district, Pfaff
said in a news release.
These appointments are
608-441-9999
avanteproperties.com
contingent upon approval

by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board
at its May
10 meeting. Madison Coll e g e s
B o a r d
Appointment Committee is
Pfaff
comprised
of county
board chairs within each
of the counties that are
part of Madison Colleges
12-county district. This
committee meets annually
to fill three vacancies on the
District Board.
Yellow caution tape

stretched across the double
door entrance to the childrens storyroom at the
Fitchburg Public Library.
The dramatic scene served
to remind young kids and
their caretakers that this
wasnt a typical, cozy picture book event.
Instead, the library presented Banned Childrens
Books Storytime on the
morning of March 28. The
program developed from
an idea by Tiffani Roltgen, who works as a library
assistant in the childrens
section.
Her twist to focus on
banned or challenged childrens books altered the
frequent emphasis on controversial books aimed at
teens and adults.
Its unusual, Roltgen
said. People dont always
think of childrens books
on the banned or challenged list.
She pitched the concept
to her supervisors, and they
encouraged it.
Given the background
of libraries and librarians
and their relationship to
free speech, no one gave
me any warning to stop,
Roltgen explained. They
said, Go for it.
At the storytime, Roltgen
read And Tango Makes
Three, a picture book featuring two partner male
penguins seeking a baby
penguin as their child. The
story was deemed anti
family by some adults and
landed high on the American Library Associations
list of banned or challenged books.
The (associations)
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5121 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Fitchburg
Photos by Tom Alesia
Above, Tiffani Roltgen of

the Fitchburg Library created Banned Childrens Book
Storytime and presented a few
examples before 45 kids and
adults March 28.
Right, Roltgen placed yellow
caution tape at the entrance to
the room before the event.
lists are always evolv ing, but its a reflection of

the times, Roltgen said.
(The) Harry Potter (series)
was at the top of the list for
many years. When we look
back at what was banned
or considered not acceptable, you wonder what was
the historical context. And
Tango Makes Three might
become one of those.
About 50 kids, mostly
ages 3 to 8, and their caregivers gathered for the storytime event. The library
normally aims storytimes
at ages 2 to 5, but this
event was listed for ages 3

to 12.
Roltgen also read the
book I Am Jazz, which
follows the experiences
of a young transgender
girl and created a stir in
the Mount Horeb school
district last year. Roltgen
said she expects I Am
Jazz to be on the American Library Association
banned or challenged list
soon.
At the storytime, Roltgen played a video clip of
Elvis Presleys once-controversial tune Jailhouse
Rock. She also presented
a display of several oncechallenged childrens
books, including Daddys
Roommate and Maurice
Sendaks In the Night
Kitchen.
Despite Sendaks status
as one of the greatest childrens writers, Kitchen

was contested because,
despite being based on a
nighttime dream, the child
doesnt have clothes on.
We just present the
material, Roltgen said. It
would be great if this storytime starts a family discussion.
Near the end of the
event, Roltgen showed
a clip from author Dav
Pilkey, who created the
popular Captain Underpants series about a young
superhero. Pilkey urged
anyone who opposed his
series to emphasize that
the material is not allowed
in my home or for my
family rather than saying,
Not at my library.
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Shawn Pfaff reappointed

to Madison College Board
Tom Alesia
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The Oregon and Fitchburg senior centers will cosponsor an Aging Mastery
Program from the National Council on Aging this
spring.
The program with a
goal of around 25 participants encourages developing behaviors that will
lead to improved health,
stronger financial security
and overall well-being.
According to a press
release from the National
Council on Aging, the program is an innovative and
person-centered education
program that empowers
participants to developing
sustainable behaviors and
spend more time each day
Library event features childrens banned books
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Programs likely to
start in May or June
doing things that are good

for themselves and for others.
Preliminary results have
shown that older adults in
the program significantly
increased their social connectedness, physical activity levels, healthy eating
habits, use of advanced
planning and adoption of
several other healthy behaviors.
The 10-week program is
$25 and will run weekly at
the Fitchburg Senior Center. The program will likely
start in late May or June,
and people are encouraged
to sign up early.
Scholarships and transportation will be available.
For information, call the
center at 270-4290 or email
director Jill McHone at
jillmchone@fitchburgwi.
gov.
Bypassing the bans
Jeremy Jones, sports editor
845-9559 x226 [email protected]
Anthony Iozzo, assistant sports editor

845-9559 x237 [email protected]
Fax: 845-9550
Sports
Friday, April 8, 2016
The
19
Fitchburg Star
For more sports coverage, visit:

MWHS Football
VAHS girls basketball
Murphy takes
over as Regent
football coach
Evan Halpop
Photo by Anthony Iozzo
The Verona Area High School girls basketball team won its first state title with a 52-46 win over Mukwonago in the WIAA Division 1 state championship Saturday, March
12, at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Taking home the gold

Verona wins first state
title, sets two state
records in semifinals
Anthony Iozzo
Assistant sports editor
School history was made March

12 inside the Resch Center in Green
Bay as the Verona Area High
School girls basketball team defeated Mukwonago 52-46 to take home
the WIAA Division 1 state title, the
first in school history.
In a tournament that included a
record-breaking 69-41 win over
Appleton North in the state semifinals on March 11 where the Wildcats broke state records for shooting
percentage (77.1) and assists (21) in
a game Saturdays championship
outcome seemed like it was destined.
And when the final buzzer sounded, it was all smiles, especially for
seniors Grace Mueller, Kira Opsal,
Cheyenne Trilling, Heather Rudnicki, Alyssa Erdman, Bria Sweeney
and Cassie Hei.
I just feel really blessed to do
this with such amazing teammates,
Mueller said. I cant even describe
how I am feeling right now. It is just
amazing.
Veronas (25-3 overall) only losses all season were to D2 state runner-up Stoughton, D3 state qualifier
Madison Edgewood and Big Eight
Conference opponent Middleton.
It was also a season that included
the passing of Ebony Nettles-Bey, a
name that forever touched the hearts
of all the girls.
When Nettles-Bey was fighting
cancer during the 2013-14 season,
her dream was to make state and
win a title. But that season was cut
Seniors Cheyenne Trilling and Heather Rudnicki carry the WIAA Division 1 state
championship trophy the win over Mukwonago in the state final on March 12.
short in an upset to Madison West in

regionals.
Junior Alex Luehring who
finished with 18 points, seven
rebounds, three blocks and two
steals in the final was a freshman
that season.
She said she remembered the look
on her face and used that as motivation to get better and win this one for
Ebony.
She was just so crushed, and ever

since then, I will always remember
that look on her face, Luehring
said. She just wanted it so bad, so it
just feels so good that we can finally
do it for her.
State final: Verona 52,

Mukwonago 46
The Wildcats trailed Mukwonago
37-32 with 7 minutes, 11 seconds
left, but Luehring hit a jumper, and

junior Alley Johnson picked up a big
steal and a layup to cut the deficit to
37-36.
After freshman forward Natalie
Andersen hit a 3-pointer to make it
40-36, Trilling came right back to
drain one of her own to put Verona
down 40-39.
Then Luehring picked up a steal
and hit another 3-pointer to give the
Wildcats the lead for good.
We pressed them and picked
up the tempo a little bit. They took
some quick shots, which was our
goal, Murphy said. We got our
momentum back. We werent quite
sure if the press was going to rattle
them, and it did.
Mueller drained four free throws
down the stretch, and Johnson hit
the final two as the Wildcats (15for-17) bounced back from a tough
state semifinal showing to finish off
Mukwonago.
It was so fitting we won it at
the free-throw line, because if I got
one more text about practicing free
throws I was going to break my
phone, Murphy said. For them
to step up and hit those, especially
Grace, who puts in so much extra
time to become the player she has
become, it was really great to see her
in that moment. You couldnt have
scripted that any better.
Verona trailed 29-21 with 14:49
left, but Luehring started a comeback with a layup and after a
couple of Rudnicki free throws
later blocked a 3-point attempt from
senior Amanda Brown. That block
led to a layup by Mueller to cut
Veronas deficit to 29-27.
Mueller tied the game at 29 with
a jumper, and Luehring later drained
a 3-pointer with 8:56 left to make it
Turn to VAHS champs/Page 20
Madison West High

School athletic director
Sandy Botham confirmed
that former Monona Grove
offensive coordinator Brad
Murphy has been hired as
the new varsity head football coach for the Regents.
Murphy has a proven
track record of success at
every football program
hes been involved with,
Botham said. We have
complete confidence that
Murphy is a leader that
will bring the winning tradition back to Madison
West Football.
In five of the 10 years
that Murphy was offensive coordinator at Monona Grove High School,
the team compiled a 55-5
record, winning a state title
in 2013.
In 2014, Murphy joined
the Regents staff as the
offensive coordinator
when West made the playoffs and he left to be
the defensive coordinator
at Madison Memorial in
Turn to Murphy/Page 22
Area All-Stars
Several area athletes
made the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star teams this
year.
The girls games are on
Friday, June 17, while the
boys games are on Saturday, June 18.
All nominees must raise
at least $500 before the
games, with a chance to
win a $1,000 scholarship
for the athlete that has the
most donations.
Here are the athletes:
Verona
Girls - Grace Mueller,
Kira Opsal and Cheyenne
Trilling
Boys - Cole Schmitz
Oregon
Girls - Leah Koopman
Boys - Charlie Soule
Madison Edgewood
Boys - Sam Noyce
To donate
Visit wisbca.sportn
gin.com/register/
form/562017833,
choose either boys or
girls basketball and
pick the athlete from
the dropdown menu.
All athletes need
to raise a minimum
of $500 with money
going to the Midwest
Athletes Against
Childhood Cancer
fund.
20
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
Verona Area High School
Boys lacrosse
Cats hope to compete for another Division 1 Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation title
Anthony Iozzo
The Verona Area High School

boys lacrosse team is once again
looking to be a contender for the
Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation Division 1 state title.
The Wildcats, which won titles in
2014, 2011, 2005 and 2004, return 20
players from last seasons team that

earned a No. 1 seed in the playoffs
and made the state semifinal against
eventual champion Middleton.
Seniors midfielder Dom Sabbarese
(21 goals, 9 assists), captain midfielder Josh Novotny (12G, 28A),
goalie Alex Jones (200 saves, 4.8
goals against average), defender Derek Bukolt, captain defender Shane
Herkert, attacker Noah Maurer (7G,

3A), defender Peter Janssen, defender Ben Procknow, midfielder Brycen
Smith (3G, 3A), captain defender
David Romens, attacker Taylor
Scott, midfielder Alex Schultz, midfielder Peter Christian (4G, 3A);
juniors captain attacker Jake Keyes
(58G, 23A), midfielder Jack Scott
(6G, 3A), long stick middle Henry
Smith and midfielder Patrick Stigsell

(7G, 2A); and sophomores attacker
Ian Edwards (23G, 4A), goalie Ethan
Maurisek and attacker Graham Sticha (5G, 3A).
The newcomers are senior midfielder Patrick Hammen, senior long
stick middle Forrest Hammen, senior
midfielder Austin Powers, junior
long stick middle Thomas Gerlach,
Sport shorts
junior attacker Peyton Lightfoot,

junior midfielder Braedan Schindler,
sophomore goalie Cameron Corless,
sophomore attacker Ryan Hyland,
sophomore defender Matt Jindra,
sophomore midfielder Jake Doerfler,
sophomore defender Declan Makuch
and freshman Logan Peterson.
Verona was 25-2 overall (14-0
Madison Area Red) last season.
All-conference/All-State
Softball Skill Assessments

On Sunday, April 17, the Verona
Area Girls Softball Association
(VAGSA) will be hosting a Skill
Assessments from 8:30 to 3:30 at
VAHS Main Gym.
Athletes will be separated by age
into two-hour sessions. Girls interested in playing fastpitch softball
through VAGSA this summer are
invited to attend.
Skill Evaluations are used to create Recreational and Competitive
League teams for the coming summer girls fastpitch softball season.
Athletes will compete against
teams from surrounding communities as well as other Verona area
teams. Competitive leagues are
also available for more dedicated
and advanced softball players ages
10U-16U.
Practices will begin in mid to
late May with the season starting in
June and running through the end
of July concluding with our end-ofseason party.

Additional information (including
times by age) and registration form
(including costs) is available at
www.vagsa.org. Registrations can
also be completed at the door on the
day of the assessments.
Russell wins national title at UWWhitewater

Lucas Russell, a junior social work
major from Verona, won a national
title as a player on the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater mens wheelchair basketball team.
The Warhawks capped a perfect
27-0 season by defeating the University of Alabama 73-55 at the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Association championship on
March 12, held at the University of
Edinboro in Pennsylvania.
We are very excited to end our
season with a win! It was a tough
road and our undefeated record does

not accurately depict the challenges
we faced as a team this season, head
coach Jeremy Lade said. Our athletes came together as a team at the
best time and we were able to play
our best basketball of the season at
the correct time.
The victory marks the teams 13th
national title since 1982.
Tiedemann makes DII

Nationals
Former Verona Area High School
swimmer Emily Tiedemann once
again qualified for the NCAA Division II Nationals Swimming and
Diving championships in Indianapolis three weeks ago.
Tiedemann, now a junior at St.
Cloud State, competed in both the
100- and 200-yard backstrokes.
Queens University won both the
mens and womens national title
for the second year in a row.
Girls basketball
mention.
Senior Grace Mueller was

a first-team WIAA Division
1 All-State selection, and she
also claimed first-team AllBig Eight Conference and Big
Eight Player of the Year honors.
Junior Alex Luehring (second-team) and senior Kira
Opsal (third-team) joined
Mueller.
Boys hockey
Boys basketball
Girls hockey
Senior Cole Schmitz led

the Verona High School boys
basketball team with a second-team All-Big Eight selection
this season.
Joining Schmitz on the all-conference team were senior
Kwan Clements, who earned
a third-team selection, and
junior Nathaniel Buss, who
was named an honorable
Senior defenseman Zach

Lanz (honorable mention
All-State), senior goaltender
Nathan Cleghorn and junior
forward Jack Anderson earned
second-team All-Big Eight
honors.
Senior captain and forward
Zach Ritter earned an honorable mention spot.
Metro Lynx senior forward
Lizzy Conybear (first-team),
senior defenseman Anna
Schieldt (second-team), junior
forward Julia Dragoo (secondteam) and sophomore defenseman Mackenzie Bakken (honorable mention) were named
to the all-conference team
Monday, March 7.
Champs: Seniors end high school careers as champs, Wildcats finish 25-3 overall
Continued from page 19
32-31.
I dont even think I looked
at the scoreboard once,
Luehring said. We just wanted it so bad. If were down by
50 or up by 50, that was the
same intensity we were going
to have throughout.
The first half was back-andforth, but after Trilling hit a
3-pointer to make it 8-7 Mukwonago, the Indians decided
to stall with the ball for over
three minutes. That strategy
backfired after a miss led to a
Luehring 3-pointer and 10-8

Verona lead.
It gave the girls energy,
because the girls thought,
This guy doesnt think they
can beat us, Verona head
coach Angie Murphy said.
Mukwonago is a heck of a
team, but if he wanted to sit
there for the whole half, we
would have let him.
Mukwonago did end up
leading 20-19 at halftime,
however.
It was one of those games
where we didnt hit our shots
in certain circumstances and
(Verona) did, Mukwonago
best we could.
It is really exciting, LuehWe contested everyone ring said. We just have been
elses shots and tried to make having so much fun, and
I think that really showed
the other kids beat us.
tonight. We were having
State semifinals: Verona fun. We were playing loose
and calm and were work69, App. North 41
ing together. We got up here
The March 11 win over (Thursday) and have been
Appleton North in the D1 having a ton of fun. It is a
state semifinals was record- good experience for us, and
breaking.
it was good we showed up
Not only did the Wildcats tonight.
make the first state final in
Veronas lead was cut to
school history, but they did so eight, 40-32, with 14:07 left
by breaking two state records in the game, but that was the
in a game shooting percent- closest Appleton North would
age (77.1) and assists (21).
get for the rest of the night.
The Lightning finished
15-for-56 from the field,
including 3-for-27 from
3-point range.
Verona was the best team
we played all year their size,
their togetherness, how they
share the ball, everything,
Appleton North head coach
Joseph Russom said. They
shot lights out, and we just
tightened a little bit at times.
We just couldnt cut the
lead. Our shots werent falling. Normally we are a good
3-point shooting team, and
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Rudnicki picked up a steal
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your health is important to you.
Trilling who scored to put the
Wildcats up 44-32. Rudnicki
then picked up another steal,
and Luehring nailed a jumper to make a 14-point lead,
46-34.
Mueller later picked up
a steal with 7:18 to go, and
Luehring who finished with
19 points, seven rebounds, six
assists and three steals hit a
3-pointer to make it 53-36.
The Wildcats then built
the lead to 26 with 4:53 left.
Trilling stole a pass and ran
down the floor for a layup,
and Johnson and Mueller followed with baskets to make it
62-36.
Luehring hit another
000647e.mm3-6 12/15 CS
3-pointer late in the game to
put Verona up 29, and junior
head coach Rick Kolinske

said.
Besides Luehrings standout performance, Mueller added 12 points, seven rebounds
and two steals, while Trilling
and Opsal chipped in nine and
six points, respectively.
Senior Bre Cera led Mukwonago with 25 points on
8-for-16 shooting. The rest of
the Indians went 8-for-31.
We tried to stop (Cera)
too, but that didnt go quite as
planned, Murphy said. She
is a phenomenal player. Every
loose ball, she gets to it, and
we just tried to contain her the
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Sisi Mitchell hit two free

throws to make a 31-point
lead at 69-38.
The thing that really
impressed me about the girls
is that we really didnt take
very many bad shots, Murphy said. We really pride
ourselves on taking the good
shots, and when you take the
high-percentage shot, good
things will happen. That
shooting percentage was outstanding.
In the first half, Verona
established the post early,
scoring 12 straight baskets
in the paint to build a 27-14
lead.
Opsal, who scored 11 of
her 14 points in the first half
and added seven rebounds
and three steals, had five of
those baskets. Verona led
33-18 at halftime.
I think we all work really
well together, so having that
and knowing where each other is going to be helps a lot,
Opsal said.
Despite the record-breaking night, there were a couple
of things Verona wanted to
clean up before the state final.
The Wildcats shot 11-for-28
from the free-throw line, and
they ended with 21 turnovers.
(Appleton North) thrives
off of that. They need to turn
you over and score in transition. I think we did well stopping the transition, Murphy
said. Our half-court defense
is tough to score on when
we are playing well with our
length and our positioning.
We havent been pressed
in a long time to be honest,
so we are not happy with that
but the 77 percent field goals
overshadows everything.
Mueller finished with 14
points and seven rebounds,
while Trilling picked up
nine points, five steals, five
rebounds and five assists.
Rudnicki collected five
points, three assists and three
steals, and Johnson finished
with four points and three
assists.
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
21
A dream come true
Jen Brien signs Letter

of Intent to play soccer
for Division 1 Southeast
Missouri State
Anthony Iozzo
It has been quite a year for

senior Jen Brien.
After helping the Oregon High
School girls soccer team win the
first state title in school history as
a junior, Brien began to get ready
to make her college decision to
continue her soccer career one
that ultimately led her to sign a
National Letter of Intent to go to
NCAA Division I Southeast Missouri State in February.
I have always dreamed of
playing at the collegiate level so
it was definitely a huge moment
for me, and it was actually really
emotional for me because to see
everyone there supporting me
really meant so much, Brien
said. I am loving every second
of it. The state championship was
amazing. It was something I will
never forget, and to be an official
Redhawk I just cant put it into
words. It is just awesome.
With her college decision
locked up, Brien said she can now
focus on helping Oregon make
state for the second straight season this spring and defend the
Panthers title.
For this year, as a team, our
expectations wont fall short of
back-to-back state appearances.
Coming off of a phenomenal season last year, I think it will really
motivate us to keep pushing ourselves and to continue our dominant drive against our opponents,
Brien said. Every year, to me, I
take it as that I can improve my
game and grow as a player and
give me another opportunity to
work on skills and then hopefully
to bring them over to the collegiate level too.
And she said the motivation is
there for her and her teammates to
once again make Oregon history.
We know teams are after us.
Knowing what we are capable of
doing and when we work together
and how amazing the end result is
a motivator in and of itself, Brien
said. So being there and having
that experience and bringing home
the gold ball, I think it definitely
will play a huge part with how we
prepare for this season and how
we enter into each game.
Choosing SEMO
It was not a difficult choice for
Brien to pick Southeast Missouri
State, but there were a few obstacles she had overcome in order to
get an offer.
Brien played basketball and ran
cross country through her sophomore year, but when she became a
junior, Brien decided to put all of

her efforts into soccer, especially
since she learned that colleges
tend to begin looking at players
during their junior season.
SEMO recruiters first saw Brien
her sophomore year during her
club season with the Madison
56ers, without Brien even knowing they were there.
SEMO recruiters began contacting the club coach that month.
SEMO caught my eye because
the team is incredibly talented
both on the field and in the classroom. They have great success in
the Ohio Valley Conference and,
academically, hold the secondhighest team GPA in the nation,
Brien said. The coaches and the
team were so welcoming on all
of my visits, and they just really
made me feel a part of the family
right off the bat.
The interest remained as recruiters visited Oregon High School
on May 12 for the Panthers game
against Monona Grove.
But Brien was injured during
that game, and the recruiters had
to reschedule another time.
That time happened to be the
rematch with the Silver Eagles
in the WIAA Division 2 regional
final on June 6. Brien scored two
goals and added an assist in that
win.
Brien verbally committed to
SEMO soon afterward.
It was great. I am so blessed to
File photo by Anthony Iozzo
Senior Jen Brien (25) celebrates with graduate Kelsey Jahn after Brien scored a
goal in the WIAA Division 2 state final last June. Brien signed a National Letter of
Intent to play soccer for NCAA Division 1 Southeast Missouri State in February.
go to SEMO and play for them. it was one of those where you just
I definitely think it is a perfect
Turn to Brien/Page 22
opportunity that came around, and
Boys basketball
Collegebound with heart and Soule

OHS senior commits
to play basketball
at DIII Carroll
University
Anthony Iozzo
Assistant Sports editor
Senior Charlie Soule had

to have knee surgery after his
freshman season with a torn
anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and meniscus.
But that didnt stop him
from coming back and being
one of the top scorers and
rebounders on the Oregon
High School boys basketball
team the next three seasons.
It was after seeing the
results of his rehabilitation
that Soule who committed
to the NCAA Division III
Carroll University in Waukesha earlier this year knew
he wanted to continue to play
basketball in college.
I really wanted to come
back. It really motivated me
to work harder and harder and
be the best player I could be,
Soule said. And all the hard
work finally paid off, so that
is how I knew that basketball
was my sport.
When I went to go see one

of their games, I liked the student life that was there. The
campus was really nice, and I
want to go into sports marketing, and the sports marketing
(program) at Carroll is pretty
good too, Soule said.
Those reasons were all key
in Soules decision to become
a Pioneer, and it doesnt
hurt that Soule also has connections and friends in the
Waukesha area.
Recruitment
Panther lessons
Soule was on the radar

of Carroll head coach Paul
Combs starting in the summer, and the two first officially met in the fall at one of the
Oregon football games as
Soule was a tight end/linebacker for the Panthers.
The two kept in contact,
and Combs came to several
basketball games at Oregon,
eventually leading to Soules
commitment.
Soule capped his high

school career with a firstteam All-Badger South selection and was honored as conference player of the year. He
was later named an All-State
honorable mention and was
chosen to play on the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches
Association Division 2 South
All-Star team.
To know I was the top
player in the conference
File photo by Anthony Iozzo
Senior Charlie Soule earned Badger South Player of the Year as a first-team all-conference selection
this past season. Soule also earned an honorable mention All-State selection and was picked for the
Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 2 South All-Star team.
really said something about

what all the coaches thought
about me, said Soule, who
finished with 462 points and
178 rebounds his senior year.
Being an All-State honorable mention was also something huge for me, as that was
one of my goals at the beginning of the season.
The All-Star game is also
pretty cool because I get to
play with some of my teammates from the summer (on
the Wisconsin Academy

team).
Soule played for the Academy for one season this last
summer, and he said his time
with that team coupled with
his time in the Oregon program which began back in
fourth grade with Tri-County
and Oregon Youth Basketball
helped shape the player he
is today.
Individuals Businesses Estates
Senior Dylan Ziomek

(honorable mention AllState) was named to the firstteam All-Badger South boys
hockey team as a unanimous
selection. Junior Lucas
Hefty was named to the
second team, while junior
Henry Roskos was named
an honorable mention.
Girls basketball
Girls hockey
Senior Leah Koopman

was named to the firstteam All-Badger South
squad, while senior Cassidy Nikolai and junior
Danica Keisling were
named honorable mentions.
Sophomore Samantha
Eyers was named to the
second-team All-Badger
Conference team. She was
joined by senior Savannah
Kopf and sophomore Sydney Urso, both named honorable mentions.
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Girls soccer
Oregon High School
22
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
Madison West baseball
Madison Edgewood girls basketball
Regents look to retool, compete in the Big 8 Crusaders fall in

Evan Halpop
The Madison West Regent baseball team is gearing up for a new season after losing to the eventual 2015
state champion Janesville Craig in
the sectional semifinals.
The Regents return six starters and
nine letterwinners from last years
team that finished 17-12.
Senior right-handed pitcher
Cam Porter will anchor our pitching staff, Regent head coach Ben
Greiber said. The Regents outfield
should be fundamentally sound with
Daelon Savage at third base, Austin
Cotharn at shortstop, Mark Alesia at
second base and with Keenan Woltmann and Zach Lottes rotating at
first base.
Offensively our batting lineup
should be consistent 1-9. Tommy
Hill, Savage and Woltmann will
hold down the middle of the lineup,

and we will look to score a bunch of
runs to win ball games.
The biggest hole for the Regents to
fill is their pitching position which
lost 75 percent of its productivity Greiber said. With pitcher Simon
Rosenblum-Larson pitching for Harvard University, as well as Rock
Cates playing at St. Thomas University and Spencer Bauer playing at
Knox College, the Regents will need
others to step up and fill in the gaps.
Greiber said he needs pitchers to
set up and throw strikes, making the
other team put the ball in play.
The Regents should have a solid
defense and hitters in their lineup
to help support their pitching staff,
however.
Seniors Mark Alesia and Max
Golden have both looked strong so
far and sophomores Eli Sorensen
and Charlie Met could also see some
significant time on the mound this

year, Greiber said.
The Regents will need to be solid to make a run for the playoffs,
especially in the difficult Big Eight
Conference that includes Janesville
Parker, Janesville Craig, Verona,
Middleton and Sun Prairie all of
which are perennial powerhouses.
Were never going to overlook
any team on our schedule, however,
Sun Prairie, Verona, and Janesville
Craig will be all tough opponents
this year, Greiber said. Hopefully,
we can play a solid seven innings of
baseball when we play these teams.
We will work hard and get better every day in practice. I have been
challenging guys to push each other
at every practice, every day we need
our players to compete. Hopefully,
our work ethic in practice will carry
over in game situations and we get
better as the season goes on.
Madison West boys basketball
Regents season ends in sectional final

Anthony Iozzo
The Madison West High School

boys basketball team fell just a few
points shy of a WIAA Division 1
state berth this season, falling 69-67
to fourth-seeded Muskego in the
sectional final on March 12.
The seventh-seeded Regents
defeated third-seeded Madison
Memorial 51-38 in the sectional
semifinal on March 10.
Muskego knocked off fifth-seeded Madison East and top-seeded
Sun Prairie to make the sectional
final, eventually going all the way
to the D1 state final.
Muskego lost to Stevens Point in

the D1 championship.
West finished the season 15-11
overall (10-8 Big Eight Conference), four games back of co-conference champions Sun Prairie,
Middleton and Madison Memorial.
West 51, Memorial 38

The Regents outscored the Spartans 32-15 in the second half.
Junior Terrell Carey led West
with 15 points, while junior Larry
Hawkins added 10.
Senior Isaiah McFadden chipped
in seven points, and junior Simeon
Parker and senior Raekwon Hess
both scored six a piece.
Junior Chris Knight led Madison

Memorial with 17 points.
Muskego 69, West 67

In the sectional final, West had a
five-point lead at halftime but were
outscored 39-32 in the second half.
Hawkins and Carey both scored
12 points, while Hess added 10.
Junior Greg Wright and McFadden both chipped in nine points, and
Parker and senior Sam Meyer scored
eight and seven points, respectively.
Senior Caleb Wagner led Muskego with 28 points, while seniors
Tommy Anderson and Matty Farner
scored 16 and 14 points, respectively.
Soule: Looks to compete for minutes at Carroll

All of our coaches are great. We do
so many drills for man-on-man, Soule
said. We dont do a lot of 5-on-5 stuff.
We do a lot of 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 stuff
that really makes you work to guard the
guy in front of you ... The way coach
(Jon) Nedelcoff and other coaches preferred to run the practices really prepared us for the game.
And besides defense, the program
also helped hone Soules shooting and
rebounding skills.
Soule said he had a problem with
having his arm coming across his body
while shooting the ball. Nedelcoff told
him to go straight up and line himself

up to the hoop.
When I do that, most of the time,
it goes in, Soule said. It is the small
things like that that the coaches really
helped me with to improve my game.
Soule also learned to crash the boards
on the weak side because of the frequency of missed shots that bounce that
way.
Preparing for college

Soule still hopes to get some work
in over the summer to get ready for his
new role on Carroll University.
While Soule doesnt expect to start,
he plans on working toward getting
minutes off the bench.

He said he is going to hit the weight
room and work on his speed and vertical.
I am going to be playing a wing in
college, so I will improve my jump shot
a little bit more, and my quickness will
help my driving ability more, Soule
said.
Soule said he also connected with
some of the other recruits at Carroll
already and hopes to get some 5-on-5
work with them to begin to build chemistry.
There are no guarantees of course,
so I just have to work hard and hope for
the best, he said.
Brien: Looks to make it back to state as a senior

had to take it, Brien said. I am so
lucky to be able to get an opportunity
to go there.
Growing up with soccer

Brien began to kick soccer balls
around when she was four or five
years old, and it was a sport she
instantly fell in love with.
Brien loved the competitiveness
of soccer, and she enjoyed its physicality and aggressiveness, as well as
the speed and the atmosphere during
games.
Brien also played basketball and
ran cross country, even qualifying for
state as a sophomore, but in the end
she chose soccer.
I love to run, so I thought it was
just a great fit at a young age, she
said.
Besides playing with the Oregon
program, Brien also played club for
the Madison 56ers. Together, both
programs shaped her into the player
she is today.
Whether it was Oregon head coach

Julie Grutzner or assistant varsity
coach Dariane Schneider or any other
coaches and players she learned from,
Brien said she was gaining confidence
in herself and learning how to play
with different teammates and styles.
No matter what the team was, as
long as I was playing soccer, I was
happy, Brien said. Everything I
have learned can be credited to Oregon and my club team. I will definitely carry that over to SEMO.
As a sophomore, she scored six
goals and had two assists, but her
junior role changed, allowing her to
be a starting forward where she finished with 23 goals and 15 assists.
Despite being a member of varsity
since she was a sophomore and taking on an expanded role as a forward
last season, Brien is now going to
have the added role of being one of
the senior leaders for the Panthers.
While a little different than before,
Brien said she is ready to embrace
that role and use this season as a
means to add to her skills and help
mentor the younger players along.

But most importantly, it is about
enjoying the final year in an Oregon
Panther uniform.
You wont ever get another high
school senior season, so it is just
about enjoying this one, Brien said.
What the future holds

With one goal crossed off the list
with the signing at SEMO, Brien
who will be majoring in sports management can now work on crossing
off future goals from making state
in her final high school year to one
day playing for the national team.
As a young girl, Brien looked up to
U.S. womens soccer legends such as
Mia Hamm and Alex Morgan. Perhaps one day, Brien will be looked
up to by other soccer players.
Just seeing the World Cup and
the national team and being like, I
want to be like that one day. It was
always such a dream of mine to play
Division I, and for it to actually happen is just amazing and I really cant
believe it, Brien said.
D3 state semifinals
Anthony Iozzo
With 3 minutes, 21 seconds left in the D3 state

semifinal, it looked like
the Madison Edgewood
High School girls basketball team was on its way to
the WIAA Division 3 state
championship with a threepoint lead over Hayward.
However, a turnover by
junior Katie Meriggioli
led to a foul and two free
throws by Madelyn Neff
to cut Edgewoods lead to
49-48.
Junior Estella Moschkau
then missed a layup with
43 seconds left. And after
a timeout, Neff was put on
the free-throw line once
again hitting both free
throws to make it 50-49
Hayward and pushing the
Hurricanes past Edgewood.
Hayward eventually won
the D3 state title over the
Milwaukee School of Languages.
The Crusaders finished
the season 20-7 overall (7-5
conference) and took fourth
in the Badger South.
Hayward 50, Edgewood 49

The fourth-seeded Crusaders surged into the D3
state tournament with wins
over fifth-seeded Wal worth Big Foot, top-seeded

Whitewater, second-seeded
Marshall and fifth-seeded
Prairie du Chien.
But Hayward proved to
be the end of the line.
Edgewood led 30-24 at
halftime, going 12-for-22
from the field.
But the shooting percentage came down just a bit in
the second half as the Crusaders went 6-for-16.
Hayward, on the other
hand, shot 8-for-20 from
the field in the first half and
9-for-24 in the second half,
including going 4-for-12
from 3-point range in the
game.
Despite the tough shooting numbers, it was Hayward that ended up on the
winning side.
Moschkau finished with
20 points and 13 rebounds.
She also added six blocks.
Meriggioli was next with
12 points and two steals,
while sophomore Caitlin
Link also scored 12 points.
Neff finished with 23
points for Hayward, including going 11-for-12 at the
free-throw line.
Katie Stark chipped in
nine points, while Trinity
Myer and Katie Taylor both
added eight points.
Madison Edgewood
Girls basketball
Seniors Nick Tancill and

Blake Richter and sophomore Carter Hottmann
were all second-team selections.
Junior Vincent Weis was
an honorable mention.
Reichenbacher and Mohs
were also first-team AllState selections, while Dragoo and Tancil were honorable mention All-State
selections.
Juniors Estella Moschkau (first-team) and Katie

Meriggioli (honorable
mention) were both named
to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association
All-State team.
Both girls were also
named to the first-team AllBadger South Conference.
Sophomore Caitlin Link Madison West
was an honorable mention
all-conference selection.
Girls basketball
Sophomore Kate Carlson
Boys basketball
was named to the thirdSenior Sam Noyce was team All-Big Eight Confernamed to the first-team ence.
All-Badger South boys basketball squad this season.
Boys basketball
He was joined on the list
Senior Sam Meyer was
by junior Alex Arians (sec- named to the second-team
ond-team), senior Lee Witz All-Big Eight Conference.
(honorable mention) and
Senior Greg Wright was
sophomore Mandela Deang named an honorable men(honorable mention).
tion.
Boys hockey
Seniors Justin Dragoo,
and Tommy Mohs and
junior Grant Reichenbacher
were named to the firstteam All-Badger South
boys hockey team.
Boys hockey
Freshman Drake Baldwin was named as an honorable mention All-Big
Eight boys hockey selection.
Murphy: New head coach

rejoins West staff
2015.
I wanted to show that
I could be a well rounded
coach, Murphy said. I
want to bring passion and
excitement to the game of
football at West.
Murphy has expectations
that his players will not just
do well on the football field

but also be well-rounded in
the classroom.
Murphy said he believes
this upcoming season will
be a lot better than the last.
I have high expectations
of these kids, he said. I
dont want to let them have
a losing season.
Kids
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
In the Spotlight
23
Area youngsters shine in Overtures Rising Stars program

YouTube has made

it possible for anyone
including pets to become
instantly famous. But without broadcasting it for the
world to see, some talent
can be more difficult to discover.
In an effort to unearth
these local gems and help
them shine, the Overture
Center for the Arts in Madison launched a Rising
Stars program.
Now in its third year, the
competition celebrates
the talent in our surrounding communities by showcasing a variety of music,
dance and other creative
performances, said Tim
Sauers, vice president of
programming and community engagement at the
Overture.
Last year the Overture
welcomed 160 acts of all
ages (including one as
young as 5) to audition,
and 59 were invited for a
callback. Judges narrowed
the finalists to 22, who
performed in front of 600
On the web
Violinist
To read a full article about Declan

Killeen Toomey and see photos of a
recent performance, search for Little
leprechaun charms on violin at:
Name: Declan
Killeen Toomey
Age: 5
Rising Star
category: Youth
music (winner)
Song performed: Little
Beggar Man
Hometown:
Verona
Music instructor: Rin Ribble,
Heid Music in
Middleton
Age started
playing: 3
ConnectVerona.com
Learn more about the Rising Stars:
overturecenter.org/
risingstars
people in the historic Capitol Theater.
Sharing the Rising Star
title as grand-prize winners
were 30-year-old singer and
trumpet player John Parker
DeHaven, of Verona, and
18-year-old singer/songwriter Charles Scott Yeager, of Lake Mills.
But younger performers also made a big impact
on stage and took home
awards in their respective
categories, as well. And
they might just be the kids
next door.
A female hip-hop dance
trio from Verona and a
nearby male dancing and
singing trio competed in the
Declan Killeen
Toomey performs at
the 2016 Madison
Kids Expo.
Photo by Samantha
Christian
2015 season, with Mount

Horebs Forte Funktion
winning the Overtures
teen dance champion title.
Though its members are
all 16 and younger, the
group has been dancing and
singing together for nearly

seven years (formerly as the
Treble Trio).
Rising Stars is such a
nice way for everyone to
showcase their talents as
there are really no limits
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Shaping lives
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Declan Killeen Toomey,
for instance, was 5 when he
was named Overtures best
child musician. At only 2,
he started begging his mom,
Siobhan, to get him a violin. He started taking lessons a year later, and since
then has also performed his
own musical arrangements,
by memory.
His mother said the Overture staff and other contestants were very welcoming and helped him feel
comfortable, regardless of
size, on stage.
Clearly Overture has a
kinder approach designed
more to find and help talented performers further
develop in their area of
expertise and in performing
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theater and be critiqued by
such talented judges was
incredible."
Even those who didnt
win still reveled in the spotlight and made connections
with other performers.
Every one of them is a
winner just for making it
this far, for putting themselves out there and sharing
their talents with us, Sauers
said in a news release. Im
thrilled that we can give this
extra recognition and spotlight to a few, and hopefully
give them the next push
toward their goals.
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Fitchburg - Middleton - Verona - Sun Prairie
24
April 8, 2016
Kids
The Fitchburg Star
Inventive education
Camp Invention keeps kids learning, having fun
Scott De Laruelle
Want Camp
Invention?
The fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are not only
some of the best job markets for graduates,
they also happen to be a lot of fun. Just
ask the hundreds of Dane County area kids
who come back every year to participate in
Camp Invention.
Created in 1990 by the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, Camp
Invention is a national program that focuses on creativity, innovation, real-world
problem solving and the spirit of invention, according to its website. It partners
with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Collegiate Inventors
Competition to hold week-long camps for
children entering grades 1-6 that focus on
STEM subjects through hands-on, creative
learning.
Camp Invention Wisconsin regional
representative Stephanie Stortz said kids
can learn a variety of skills at the camps,
including teamwork, collaboration and
problem-solving.
They stretch their creative and innovative muscles and have fun while attending a national program hosted in their own
local community, she said. Also, campers get to learn from some of the greatest
minds in the country, our National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees who tell us
time and again that someone encouraged
them at a very young age to keep asking
If you would like to bring Camp

Invention to a location near you,
call 1-800-968-4332 or email
[email protected].
Photo courtesy Invent Now
questions, find new solutions, and love

what they do.
For this years program, people like Jaap
Haartsen, inventor of Bluetooth, and Steve
Sasson, inventor of the digital camera, will
lead students through video challenges and
inventor-inspired activities. Thats also
important for the students futures, Stortz
said, because the jobs of tomorrow will
be about finding innovative solutions to
problems.
Students need to see that science is
everywhere, she said. We want to share
the excitement of creativity and innovation, the cornerstones for STEM, with
kids at an early age to spark their interest
in fields they may not have even known
about. We hope to inspire the next generation of big thinkers.
Area programs
Dane County hosts several Camp Invention sites: DeForest, Madison, Middleton,
Mount Horeb, Oregon, Sun Prairie, Verona
and Waunakee.
Oregon School District Camp Invention

coordinator Maria Katsaros-Molzahn said
this years camp theme is EPIC!, in which
campers will explore solar energy by creating a sun-powered cricket robot.
Each day of camp the kids move from
module to module, she said. They work
in teams, play and have fun. The great
aspect of this camp is how science and creativity are integrated into the whole day.
Dave Nelson, who has coordinated
Camp Invention programs in the Verona
Area School District, said Camp Invention
works because kids of that age are innately curious and enjoy working in a high
energy environment.
This program gives kids an opportunity to take apart and manipulate simple
machines to see how they work, he said.
Camp Invention provides opportunities
for kids to be messy and have fun in a
safe and structured learning environment.
(And) the kids discover that learning about
the applications of math and science can be
really fun.
How to register locally

Oregon and Verona are hosting Camp Invention programs the week of June 20-24.
To register or for information, visit campinvention.org.
Oregon
Come Swim with Us this Summer!

Ongoing Open Enrollment in Swim Lessons
Small Classes Taught in Warm Water
When: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, June 20 through

Friday, June 24
Where: Rome Corners Intermediate School, 1111 S.
Perry Pkwy.
Cost: $220
Info: 835-4700
Scholarships: A limited number remain. For information,
email coordinator Maria Katsaros-Molzahn at mkm@
oregonsd.net
Check out MSA for:

Otter Adventure Summer Camp
Stroke Clinics
Swim Birthday Parties
Family Open Swim
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5200 Anton Drive, Fitchburg
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When: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 20 through

Friday, June 24
Where: Glacier Edge Elementary School, 800 Kimball Lane
Cost: $230
Info: 497-2100
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Mount Horeb Primary Center | June 20 - 24, 2016
Kids
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
The kids can play
25
Youth sports tournaments gear up in April
Compiled by Anthony Iozzo

File photos by Anthony Iozzo
The Oregon Spring Smash tournament is in its sixth year and will
be held from June 3-5 at Kiser Park, featuring youth softball teams
from around the area.
East Madison Little

Youth athletes will get
out and play during tournaments throughout Wisconsin this spring and
summer.
From baseball to softball
to soccer to golf to volley- League Classic U10, 14U
ball, there will be plenty of June 24-26
action around Dane County.
Basketball
Here is a listing of some
Website: wissports.net/
of the tournaments from
eventdirectory
April to June around the
area:
Badger City Classic
(NCAA Certified Event)
5th-8th grade, JV, varsity
April 8 at the Sports
Enhancement Academy
in Verona and Stoughton
Cost: $395 for high
Baseball
Website: infosports.com/ schoolers; $295 for middle
and elementary schoolers
listing.cgi?t=t&s=b&lr=WI
Junior Trojans Play the
THE ROCK Spring
Turf 3rd Annual Spring
Classic Boys National
Tournament 13U, 14U Tournament 8th grade,
April 22-24 Wauwatosa
HS April 8 Sports
2016 Under-Armour
Kick-off 8U, 10U,
12U, 14U April 22-24
Waukesha
2nd annual Play for Trey
10U, 12U April 23-24
Whitewater
Junior Blackhawk
Baseball Classic 8U-14U
May 6-8 Fort Atkinson
Outsiders Baseball
Classic 9U-12U, 14U
May 7-8 Verona
Interested in enhancing your soccer skills?

Verona Area Soccer Club is the place for YOU!
Ages 6-17 years old
Skills Development Clinics
Summer Camps
Excellent Coaching
Midwest Elite Invite

9U-14U May 20-22
Watertown
Waunakee Early Season
Tournament 10U-14U
May 21-22
Junior Blackhawk
Baseball Classic - 8U-13U
June 10-12
Contact Us!
(608) 848-7616
[email protected]
www.veronasoccer.org
Mount Horeb Summer

Frolic Tournament 10U,
U10, U12, U14, Adult

May 28 Ace Soccer Club
in Stoughton Cost: $150
12U June 11-12
Enhancement Academy in
Verona and Stoughton
Cost: $400 for one team;
$375 each for 2 teams or
more
North American Youth

Sports 26th Annual
Spring Youth Basketball
Tournaments 5th-8th
grade, JV, varsity April
29 and June 10, May 6 and
May 27 Madison College,
East Troy High School
Cost: $160
Capitol City Classic
6th-8th grades, HS April
29 Middleton High
School Cost: $325 for
HS; $295 for MS/ES
5th Annual HOOPS 4
A CAUSE Boys and Girls
Basketball Tournament
U9-U17 May 7 (girls),
May 8 (boys) Sports
Enhancement Academy in
Verona and Stoughton
Cost: $225
Golf
Website: wiscjuniorgolf.
com
WI Jr PGA junior tour
June 16 Edelweiss CC
Reddan Thunder
U11-U19 June 3-4
Reddan Soccer Park in
Verona Cost: U11-12
$410; U13-14 $475;
U15-U19 $485
WI Jr PGA future tour

June 17 Jefferson GC
WI Jr PGA tournament
June 21-22 Brown Deer
Park and Dretzka Park Cost: $70
Softball
WI Jr PGA junior tour

June 27 Yahara Hills GC
Website:
softballtournaments.com/
index/id/tourn_find/st/WI
Wildcat Weekend
10U, 12U, 14U May
21-22 Schilberg Park
in Milton
Soccer
Janesville May Melee

10U, 12U, 14U May
21-22 JYBSA Sports
Complex - Cost: 10U
$275; 12U-14U $350
Website: wissports.net/
eventdirectory
Reddan Spring Shootout
U11-U19 April 8-10
Reddan Soccer Park in
Verona Cost: U11-12
$410; U13-U14 $475; U15
and older $485
Rush Spring Classic
U8-U19 April 29-May
1 Rush Wisconsin at
Wisconsin Dells Cost:
U8 $260; U9-10 $360;
U11-12 $505; U13-19
$550
Rock Soccer Clash
U8-U10, U11-14 May
7-8 Rock Soccer Club in
Janesville Cost: U8 $65;
U9-U10 $250; U11-U12
$300; U13-U14 $325
MAYSA Cup U9-U14
May 13-15 Reddan
Soccer Park in Verona
Cost: U9-10 $275; U11-12
$290; U13-14 $320
Aces Cup 4v4 U6, U8,
Summer Blaze Tourney

U10-U18 June 17-19
Fort Atkinson - Cost:
U10-18 $425
Oregon Spring Smash
U10, U12, U14 June
3-5 Kiser Park in
Oregon Cost: U10
$300; U12 $375; U14
$375
Volleyball
Website:
advancedeventsystems.
com/#events
Capital Spike-A-Rama
G17-18 March 27
Sports Enhancement
Academy in Stoughton
UW-Whitewater Open
B16, G12-17 April 3,
April 10, April 16-17
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26
April 8, 2016
Kids
The Fitchburg Star
Stars: Kids test musical abilities at Overture

the secret stage door the
real stars use before they
perform. Declan also took
a liking to Mister Tim
(Sauers), and the feeling
seems to be mutual.
(Declan is) a special
boy. Its rare to find such
accomplishment in musicianship from a child his
age, Sauers said. Besides
the skill and focus of his
playing, Im impressed with
his ability to hear music and
then be able to make his
own arrangements based
on that. Thats the sign of
a child genius. He also is
very professional in his
verbal introductions of the
pieces he performs.
Sauers attended another
one of Declans performances a month later and
had a sincere conversation
with the youngster to help
him manage his stage fright,
Siobhan said, and now
Declan seems to enjoy his
audiences more than ever.
We will forever be
grateful to Tim for his
belief in, kindness towards,
and gentle guidance of
Declan at such an impressionable age, Siobhan
said.
The search is on
Overtures Rising Stars is a talent search aimed at
showcasing the wealth of creative ability in the community.
Auditions for the third season will be held at three
locations throughout the summer, and participants selected from the regional auditions by a panel of judges will
be invited to the callbacks on Aug. 27.
The finalists will then come together on the historic Capitol Theater stage on Sept. 24, with cash prizes
awarded in each category. Grand prize winners will be
awarded a performance in the 2017-18 Overture Presents
season. Acts will be categorized by age (youth 6-12, teen
13-18 or adult 19+) and by type (music, dance or variety).
For information and to register for an audition,
visit overturecenter.org/risingstars or contact Emily
Goretski at [email protected].
This story
originally
appeared in the
spring edition
of Your Family
magazine.
Take a night off

Five ways parents can find time to get away
Jim Ferolie
Photo submitted
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June 20 - August 12
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Anyone with kids especially if there are no grandparents nearby knows

how difficult it can be to
find time to get away and
just be adults.
Even worse, if you manage to find a baby sitter,
you might spend the whole
time away worrying whether your kids are fixed on the
boob tube or engrossed in
video games.
This need hasnt gone
unrecognized. Just as many
kid-focused businesses
and nonprofit groups have
cast their lot into summer
camps, theyve also begun
offering opportunities to
drop off the kids into a
social environment.
Most run between $15
and $25 for three to five
hours, usually on Fridays
and Saturdays, and in most
cases they require kids to be
potty trained.
Usually theyre called
Parents Night Out (PNO)
or Parents Survival Nights,
and typically they involve
movies, active play, structured activities and often
dinner.
Gymnastics
Easily the most common
option, there are several
gyms in Dane County and
the surrounding areas that
offer some form of PNOs.
Gymfinity, the Little Gym
and Stoughton Tumblers all
host regular parent nights,
as often as twice a month.
These places are generally experienced with training

kids for safety and corralling the little ones and often
use events like these, along
with day camps and open
gyms, as a way to promote
their gymnastics programs.
Church, hosted several of

these events last fall.
Sometimes high school
groups, such as leadership
or home skills classes, will
hold events, and occasionally college groups, such as
a program last fall run by
the University of WisconSpecialty sports spots sin-Whitewater gymnastics
There are plenty of other team.
places that will try to treat
the limits of your kids Members only
Several fitness centers
seemingly boundless energy.
and similar facilities offer
Pump it Up normally parents nights for their
offers daytime open gyms members. The YMCA of
and birthday parties at its Dane County has a variety
inflatable wonderland in of drop-in programs for its
Fitchburg, but on occa- members.
Harbor Fitness in Midsional Fridays its open
for evening drop-offs. And dleton also offers members
Keva Sports Center, in monthly drop in programs.
Middleton, hosts monthly
PNOs at its gigantic sports Find them online
complex.
Parents night offerings
Other kids programs change frequently, and
come and go. Madison there are often new plans,
Swim Academys website so its always good to
promises theyll be starting check.
parents nights soon they
Madison Mamas,
have locations in Fitch- Moms Club of Madison,
burg and Sun Prairie and Moms in Madison and
Animart, on the east side M a d i s o n w i t h k i d s . c o m
of Madison, was offering and Hulafrog are some of
such programs at its pet the big ones around here,
store until recently.
offering blogs, support
groups and event listings.
Schools and churches The Madison Moms blog
This isnt really what it even hosts its own date
sounds like, but nonprofit nights.
groups like school PTOs
None usually had a comand church groups often plete listing, so it can be
take advantage of their good to consult all of them.
knowledge of kids and
Hulafrog is another
ready access to adults with option to find such offerkids by offering occasional ings. Its an aggregator
nights out.
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Photo courtesy Pump it Up
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
27
One couples journey through infertility

Samantha Christian
Facts about
infertility
Exhausting the options

Although doctors reassured the Boyds they didnt
do anything wrong to cause
the miscarriage and that the
baby just stopped growing,
they were devastated by the
news in 2012 and needed
time to heal.
They tried for another
year without any luck, and
Mel felt like something
was wrong since their first
pregnancy had happened so
quickly.
So in 2013, doctors ran
some tests and recommended
Mel see a fertility specialist.
The Boyds had heard of
different routes to treat infertility, so they walked into
the specialists office confident that one would work for
Photo by Samantha Christian
Mel and TC Boyd at home in Fitchburg with their pets Chloe, Scrappy and Norman. The couple hope to adopt an infant in the near future
to complete their family plan.
How to help
To make a donation
to help the Boyds
offset costs associated
with adoption, visit:
gofundme.com/
adoptbabyboyd
For information
about the Baby 4 Boyd
fundraiser April 23 at
the Badger Bowl, email
adoptbabyboyd@gmail.
com.
But after the segment

aired, the Boyds felt comforted by the flood of kind
words from people they had
never met, many of whom
said they had gone through
similar situations.
Although they had shared
their journey with a few people before then, the stigma
surrounding the topics had
prevented them from making
it public early on.
At first it was very difficult, TC said. But this
is the life weve been dealt.
Why hide it?
Infertility treatments
them. Their feelings began
to change when the doctor
showed them a chart.
My age wasnt on the
chart, because I was so young
to have such a low egg quality, Mel said. It was like a
26-year-old woman who has
an egg quality of a 40-yearold. Which is pretty rare.
The diagnosis was diminishing ovarian reserve, and
the Boyds later found out
they would only have a 2
percent chance of conceiving
on their own.
They first tried intrauterine
insemination (IUI), which
Mel described as getting a
shot to help eggs drop and
hope everything finds each
other. After that didnt
work, they tried in vitro fertilization (IVF) and even a
surrogate using Mels sister, but none of the options
worked.
Although the Boyds had
prepared themselves for bad
news, finding out if the surrogacy worked while being
filmed by a local TV station
was a challenge.
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After the Boyds saw

their first fertility specialist in 2013, Mel said it
made sense why her first
pregnancy didnt stick,
because her egg probably
wasnt healthy enough. But
success rates of alternative
options they knew little
about at the time were not
promising, either.
They had a 10 percent
chance of using IUI and a
15 percent chance of Mel
being able to use her own
eggs for IVF, which combines the egg and sperm
outside of the body and
transfers the embryo to the
uterus.
I just remember that
doctors face, Mel said. It
was like this, we-cant-doanything-for-you kind of
face without saying it.
Overwhelmed and in
shock, the Boyds took

a step back, did some
research online and got a
second opinion, which verified those odds. But they
were determined to have a
child.
They chose to do treatments through the Wisconsin Fertility Institute
in Middleton, which was
more spa-like than sterile
and became like a second
home to them. Making
the experience easier was
Dr. Elizabeth Pritts, whom
the Boyds put their trust in
because she personally and
professionally understood
infertility.
That was a big difference for us, Mel said. She
always stayed very optimistic and very reasonable. She
was very forward, but so
kind about it.
The Boyds started with
the least expensive option
and went through three
rounds of IUI and injection
medications, but they did
not work. They were left
with a choice of IVF with
an egg donor, which had an
80 percent success rate, or
adoption.
Both costs were roughly
the same about $30,000
but the possibility of having somewhat of a biological connection to their child
through TCs sperm swayed
them to look for egg donors
instead of birth mothers.
They decided to take out
It wasnt easy for Mel

to find the strength to try
again, especially at a time
when her grandfather just
passed away and she found
out she needed to have a
hysteroscopy to remove a
build up of film from her
uterus.
But she did, and the second embryo transfer failed
as well. And then they
faced the ultimate decision:
try surrogacy or adopt.
The surrogacy option was
very expensive, but Mels
sister volunteered to be a
surrogate for the third and
final transfer, which failed,
too.
But with all of the medical terminology swirling
in their heads, love for a
future child is what opened

their hearts to adoption and
kept the couple from falling
apart.
Through all the highs
and lows, the Boyds were
thankful for the people
and organizations they met
along the way. One of them,
Baby Quest Foundation,
even selected the Boyds for
a grant in 2015 to help with
legal fees associated with
the surrogacy.
Unfortunately (the
expense) is the main reason
most couples dont pursue treatment, Mel said.
I cant imagine being told
you have a heart condition
and insurance wont cover
your treatments; to me it is
the same thing.
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home equity and personal

loans to begin IVF. They
were hopeful Mel would be
able to carry the child, but
after the first embryo transfer, Mel received a phone
call that still brings the
Boyds to tears: it was negative.
I sat in my car and cried
for a really long time, Mel
said. And then you have to
restart.
Infertility is a disease
that results in the
abnormal functioning
of the male or
female reproductive
system. It is defined
as the inability to
conceive after one
year of unprotected
intercourse (six
months if the woman
is over age 35) or the
inability to carry a
pregnancy to live birth.
1 in 8 couples
have trouble getting
pregnant or sustaining
a pregnancy
7.4 million women
(11.9 percent of
women) have received
any infertility services
in their lifetime
85-90 percent of
infertility cases are
treated with drug
therapy or surgical
procedures (fewer
than 3 percent need
advanced reproductive
technologies like in
vitro fertilization)
15 states have
either an insurance
mandate to offer or an
insurance mandate to
cover some level of
infertility treatment
*Source: resolve.org
(The National Infertility
Association)
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As Melissa and Terrance

Boyd shared their story of
loss and hope with the Fitchburg Star, their dog Chloe
jumped up onto Mels lap,
nudging her arm at the dining room table as if to comfort her.
The Boyds spoke in measured tones, trying not to
get swept up in the emotional roller coaster they
were reliving of the past few
years together.
It had started out so high.
Overlooking the city of
St. Louis, Terrance who
goes by TC proposed to
Mel at the top of the Gateway Arch in 2010. The couple, who had started dating
shortly after they met working at Menards in Plover in
2009, moved to Madison
when they were engaged
and bought a house in Fitchburg after they were married
in 2011.
In January 2012, they
started trying to have a
baby, and in spring Mel was
pregnant.
We went in for a 7-8
week ultrasound, saw the
babys heartbeat, got a little
picture and all that good
stuff, Mel said, her smile
fading as she continued.
But as she neared the
second trimester, the little
flicker wasnt there anymore.
That moment started a
3-year journey for the Boyds
as they spent time, money
and tears at fertility doctors
offices to try to expand their
family once again.
It was often a very lonely
process, as they originally
only told a few close friends
and family members of their
struggles. They have since
understood how cathartic
sharing their story could be,
and they encourage others to
find strength to do the same.
Now, as they are considering adoption, the Boyds
are just waiting for the light
at the end of what has been
a long, dark hallway with
many locked doors.
28
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
Fire: Land purchase for east station still pending as city prepares for expansion
that once the drawings and
the details and the specifications are complete and it
gets to be in a competitive
environment you may
get better pricing.
At the meeting, Limmex
said Tri-North planned to
get completed design drawings to the Common Council by the first week in May
for final comment, and
could then move forward
to issuing bids if no other
changes to the schedule
occurred.
Meanwhile, the citys
offer on a site for the east
station near Ninebark Drive

and Syene Road is still
awaiting a final response
from the property owners.
Once a purchase is made,
the design process will
take several months, and
the city would hope to start
construction next spring or
summer.
Cost adjustments
The final cost on the station will in many ways
depend on factors outside
the citys control, including
competition for bids and
the luck of the draw when
it comes to the price of
materials at the time of the
NOW TAKING CONSIGNMENTS
Farm & Construction Hay & Forage

Planting & Tillage Combines & Tractors
Wagons & Carts Trucks & Trailers
Skid Loaders & Attachments
adno=457517-01
ANNUAL STATE-LINE CONSIGNMENT AUCTION

FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2016 @ 9:00 A.M.
101 E. Murray Street Browntown, WI 53522
bidding.
But the city has made
some adjustments to elements that have raised the
price in the past several
months.
Tri-North had provided
an early cost estimate of
$5.4 million last fall for
the station before the city
decided to opt for a geothermal system over a traditional HVAC system,
resulting in an increase of
approximately $263,000
that was reflected in the
new estimate. The decision to move forward with
gender-neutral bathrooms
necessitating a redesign of a
portion of the facility cost
an additional $12,000 to
$15,000.
The city also discussed
adding a top-of-the-line
Phoenix alert system for
when calls come in. Its
audible alert and lighting
start off low and increase
gradually, rather than giving personnel a sudden jolt,
and it is estimated to cost a
maximum of $57K.
Its like getting a
Cadillac alarm clock, Ald.

Jason Gonzalez (Dist. 3)
told the committee. I think
part of the benefit of it is
tangible, the health aspect
of it.
And while the estimate
allotted $625,000 for electrical and communications
wiring, Limmex said that
number would likely be
closer to $575,000, in addition to possible decreases in
insurance, permitting and
HVAC costs.
Overseeing the project

In addition to bringing
on a general contractor to
perform construction of the
station, the city will retain
Tri-North as a project
representative, city planner Tom Hovel said in the
meeting.
Hovel explained that the
company would perform
quality control at the site
and communicate directly
with the city to avoid issues
similar to those experienced
by the City of Verona while
constructing its new fire
station.
INFORMATION:
Office: (608) 439-5764 or Dan Powers, Jr: (608) 214-1883
Comfort Keepers in Madison
Consignment Deadline
INFORMATION: WWW.POWERSAUCTION.COM
Sign-On Bonus Up To $2,000

Call 608-442-1898
PROGRAMMED CLEANING, INC.
Commercial Cleaning Company is Looking for

Part-Time General Cleaners and Project Floor
Care Workers in the Madison Area.
Apply now in person at 2001 W. Broadway,

call 608-222-0217 if you have questions or fill out an
online application at: programmedcleaning.com
adno=460642-01
Part-time evening hours starting after 5pm, M-F, 3 to up to 6

hours a night, NO WEEKENDS!
Must be Independent, reliable and detail oriented and MUST have
own transportation. Project Workers MUST have a valid drivers
license and floor care experience is preferred.
Starting pay for General Cleaners is $9 an hour, Project Workers
start at $15 an hour.
Higher pay rate based on experienced.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN EXCITING CAREER?

JOIN THE TEAM AT CLEARY BUILDING CORP.!
We are a thriving, growing, debt-free, nationwide, post frame construction company
headquartered in Verona, WI. Our success is
predicated upon our high sense of urgency and
exceeding our customers expectations.
IMMEDIATE FULL-TIME OPENINGS FOR:

Diesel Mechanic/Equipment Maintenance
Human Resources Assistant
Regional Semi Driver
Construction Crew Members/Carpenters
We offer competitive wages based on experience
and opportunities for career growth. Full benefits
including life, health, dental vision and disability
plans, paid vacation and holidays, along with a
401(k) Retirement Plan.
Cleary Building Corp. is proud to be an Equal
Opportunity Employer with a smoke-free/drug-free
work place. Pre-employment substance abuse
testing is required. Veterans are encouraged to
apply.
To apply, complete an online application at
www.workforcleary.com.
adno=457651-01
adno=449940-01
Seeking caregivers to provide care to

seniors in their homes.
Need valid DL and dependable vehicle.
FT & PT positions available.
Flexible scheduling.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 by 5:00 P.M.
Veronas station was

delayed early on by weather, and as the project finished, several subcontractors were unavailable to put
on the finishing touches.
The station remains usable
but incomplete nine months
after it opened.
After also receiving a
proposal of $108,000 from
the Verona-based Homan
Construction Management,
the committee approved
Tri-Norths $197,000 proposal for construction manager services at the meeting
after Hovel explained that
Tri-Norths experience with
similar projects and greater
depth of personnel made
it a natural choice for the
project.
After bidding opens to
general contractor candidates, the city will receive
a staff recommendation
from Tri-North before proceeding with a resolution
to formally hire a candidate. Mayor Steve Arnold
assured the committee the
Common Council would
have final say in what
that candidate would be,
and that a special council
session could be held to
approve bids and move the
process along more quickly.
Committee members
revisited several times the
potential penalties the city
might experience after missing what Limmex called the
ideal bid window for public works projects in January or February. While the
expectation that the station
will take about nine months
to construct might lead to
complications when the
winter months arrive, Hovel
said in an email to the Star

on Monday that Tri-North
and project architect SEH
seem confident that breaking ground in July will be
getting the project near
enclosure.
East site pending

Timing is also tight in
regard to the east station.
With the city preparing to
expand into a large portion
of the Town of Madison,
which will dissolve by 2022
and possibly earlier the
city has been planning for
several years to build a station that has quicker access
to that side of the city.
The larger of the two
stations, it is expected to
house a training facility.
While the city had recently made an offer on what
is referred to as the Ninebark property near Ninebark Drive and Syene Road,
Arnold told the committee during the meeting that
they expected to know by
mid-April whether the purchase would move forward
or if the city would need to
explore other sites.
To begin the estimated
nine-month design process
for the east station, Hovel
said a site would need to be
acquired first, which could
narrow the possibility for a
prospective bid opening in
January-February 2017.
Given that (design process), we would need to get
the land in the next couple
months to meet that timeline, Hovel said.
Unified Newspaper
Group editor Jim Ferolie
contributed to this story.
Retail Store Manager

Supporting Partnership of adults
with disabilities and employers
Join an excellent team and work with clients with disabilities in
the community at job sites in Madison and outside of Madison,
including Oregon, Stoughton, Verona, Fitchburg, Black Earth and
Mt. Horeb. Need the ability to work independently with 1 or more
clients at a time. Need to be creative, caring and conscientious.
Must be willing to be flexible in schedule from day-to-day. Must
be dependable and on-time person. Need own transportation
between job sites. Looking for people with morning availability.
This is for a Monday to Friday position, with no weekends or
evening hours. Hours would most likely be 25-30 hours per week.
Looking for people with experience in the human service field, but
willing to train the right person. Pay starts at $11.66 per hour, and
are eligible for mileage reimbursement between job sites.
To be considered for this opportunity, please email your resume
to: [email protected], or mail to Working Partnerships,
2645 Branch St, Middleton, WI 53562.
adno=459308-01
Experienced retail store manager needed to manage a high

volume garden center and flower shop. Knowledge of
blooming plants, green plants, annuals and perennials very
helpful. Candidate must possess superior leadership and
problem solving skills as well as being able to communicate
effectively with a wide variety of customers and employees.
Duties and responsibilities include leading a team of 16-25
employees, staffing, store accounting, product purchasing,
merchandising and strategic planning.
We offer a competitive wage, incentive bonuses, vacation
pay, holiday pay, health insurance and short term disability
insurance. Fellys Flowers has three flower shops in
addition to our Garden Center. This position is for a store
in Madison.
Email your resume to:

[email protected]
adno=458911-01
Caring Individuals
Needed!
Please join us for our upcoming
Hiring Event for onsite interviews with
our hiring managers!
Where: St. Mary's Care Center, 3401

Maple Grove Drive Madison, WI 53719
Date: Monday, April 18th, 2016
Time: 9:00 - 12:00pm & 4:00-7:00pm
We'd love to talk to you if you are interested in any of
the following positions/program:
C.N.A's
LPN's
RN's
Come Grow with us - C.N.A. training and certification program*

For more information, please contact
Alisa Bue at 608-373-8901 or [email protected]
adno=459709-01
Are you a compassionate, dependable

person looking for a rewarding
position?
Are you sick of feeling like a number in
your current or previous positions?
CAREGiving with Home Instead
Senior Care may be for you!
Our flexible schedules and unique
clients make Home Instead a premier
place to work in Dane County.
Contact Haili at (608) 663-2605 today!
adno=458698-01
City news
Commission denies permit

for MM landfill excavation
While the possible presence of asbestos was a main

issue, no measurements
have been taken to confirm
its presence, as residents are
worried many materials in
the landfill that lie beneath
layers of concrete are contaminated.
I saw a great amount of
product that was not clean,
said Lucianne Long, who
lives at 3022 Hwy. MM. It

was not a clean landfill.
Ald. Jake Johnson (Dist.
4), who represents the area
along with Ald. Tony Hartmann, told the commission
he was opposed to the proposal, because there were
too many unknowns. He
said residents reported tires
and televisions being thrown
in the landfill.
Unless we can find a way
to enclose it, to do air filtration and to verify that things
will be treated properly, he
said. No one went in there
and did tests on it (for asbestos). This is visual testimony
from neighbors over the
years.
City staff had recommended a set of 18 conditions that wouldve limited
the operations hours and
required it to meet certain
standards in its process.
Commissioner Ed Kinney, who seconded the
motion to deny the permit,
said allowing for the proposal to go forward would
be bailing out the property
owner at the expense of the
neighbors. Kinney said the
property owner should have
been crushing the concrete
over the years, instead.
Im not convinced the
end result of this operation
is worth the pain that the
neighborhood is going to go
through in the meantime,
Kinney said.
Personal Banker/
Consumer Lender
High performing and fast growing community

bank is seeking motivated, sales and service
oriented personal banker. Experience opening
all types of deposit accounts required as well
as experience originating consumer loans.
Excellent benefit package.
Send resume to:
[email protected]
733 N. Main St., Oregon, WI 53575
Plow truck
As spring nears, the
Common Council agreed
to look at purchasing a
new plow truck in time
from next winter.
Library book sale
A used book and other

items sale at the Fitchburg
Library raised more than
$1,700 and drew 403 customers. The amount raised
was considered successful
Lacy Road
given that items cost $2 or
Lacy Road reconstruction less. Another sale will be
continued to move ahead, done in a few months.
Experience the
ElderSpan Difference!
Were proud to employ top-notch staff at the senior living
buildings we manage. We have a campus administrator
position and a variety of resident assistant/CNA shifts
available at our Madison assisted living location.
We offer competitive wages, Paid Time Off, $1/hour
night & weekend shift differentials, plus other benefits.
to download an application:
www.elderspan.com
to request an
application:
N o t j u s t car i n g. . . b u t l i v i n g !
608.243.8800
Driveways
Floors
Patios
Sidewalks
Decorative Concrete
NOW HIRING
adno=460154-01
Immediate Openings for:

Front Desk Associates
and Night Auditors
Cutting Edge
Lawn Care
(608) 835-2162 or
(608) 695-4910
Office ReceptiOnist
Do You Like to Meet People?
Are You Self-Motivated?
Do You Possess Computer Skills?
If youve answered yes, we are very interested in talking to you. We are
seeking a candidate for a part-time opening in our front office. Hours
are 9am-3pm Monday-Friday. Responsibilities for this position include,
but are not limited to, selling and processing classified ads, receptionist
duties, assisting walk-in customers and processing reports. Previous sales
experience preferred. The position is located in the Stoughton office.
We are an employee-owned company offering a competitive benefits
package including 401K, ESOP, vacation, and more.
Drivers
Housekeepers
We are looking for vibrant, energetic, customer service and detail oriented team
members to join our Super 8 team. Must be computer proficient, able to work
flexible hours, have reliable transportation, and a clean, valid drivers license.
Full and part-time positions available.
Salary: $8-$12/hr. plus bonuses. Compensation includes paid
vacation, free room nights, paid training and uniform.
If this part-time position interests you and you have the equivalent of a
high school diploma and at least two years of office/computer experience,
apply on-line today at www.wcinet.com/careers.
Oregon Observer, Stoughton Courier Hub,
Verona Press, The Great Dane Shopping News
Unified Newspaper Group is a part of Woodward Community Media,
a division of Woodward Communications, Inc.
and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Customer service experience preferred but willing to train the

right candidates.
Apply in person at:
131 Horizon Drive, Verona, WI 53593
Alders approved seeking

funds for the Badger State
Trail tunnel across McKee
Road.
The Transportation
Alternatives Program
could give grant support to
the project. There is concern that flashy lights at
the location are not enough
to help bike riders.
Its absolutely a safety issue, said Ald. Jake
Johnson.
Lawn care team members

with valid drivers license
and good record.
The Verona Area School District is looking for a dedicated, hard-working Custodian 2 at the High School. This full
time, first shift position is responsible for planning, organizing and supervising the cleaning and general upkeep of
buildings, performing general maintenance, planning for facility use and coordinating/performing grounds work.
Prior experience with all aspects of building and grounds maintenance desired. The starting salary is $16.83 per
hour plus exceptional fringe benefits, including health, dental, vacation, sick leave and pension contributions.
How to Apply: Complete the WECAN online application at www.verona.k12.wi.us, and attach electronic copies resume
and any certifications/credentials to your application.
Deadline: Deadline: Open until filled.
An Equal Opportunity Educator/Employer Minorities are Strongly Encouraged to Apply
Bike path grant
with the alders approving a

contract for acquisition and
appraisal services from the
Community Center to South
Syene Road.
Ald. Dan Carpenter, who
is on the Board of Public Works, said neighbors
appear to be supporting it.
PAR Concrete, Inc.
Phil Mountford 516-4130 (cell)

835-5129 (office)
Custodian 2
www.verona.k12.wi.us
A proposal to build one

house on farmland could
become a point of contention for the council at its
next meeting because of
what the mayor called an
important precedent.
The proposal involves a
tiny space 1.5 acres but
Mayor Steve Arnold told
the Star after the March 22
Common Council meeting it probably wont get
the required six votes. He
explained it could open
the door for more residential requests on agriculture
property.
Its an important precedent, Arnold said. Some
are aggravated. They like
the farm land for food.
Roger Cohee, who owns
the property along County Hwy. MM south of
Haight Farm Road, wants
to change the zoning from
farmland to rural housing
and waive the requirement
for a history of tillage.
One neighbor spoke
against the proposal at
the public hearing March
15, and several residents
opposed to the change
were ready to speak at the
Common Council meeting
before alders opted to postpone the discussion to April
12 because two of the eight
alders were not present.
The citys Ag and Rural

Affairs Committee and
the Plan Commission both
gave approval to the zoning change with some reservations, but Arnold is
skeptical that it will pass.
adno=460427-01
Health concern
adno=461712-01
The City of Fitchburg

Planning Commission
March 15 denied a permit to
a company seeking to excavate a landfill on Hwy. MM.
The proposal of LJ Superior Excavation would have
allowed the company to
crush the concrete in the
landfill at 2991 County
Hwy. MM and dig out the
other materials in the fill.
The operation would have
also brought concrete in
from other construction jobs
to crush and send out for
road construction.
Opponents, many of
whom spoke at a March 14
neighborhood meeting and
March 15 commission meeting, expressed concerns
about potential asbestos in
the fill that could become
airborne. Some also had
concerns about increased
truck traffic and general
noise and dust from the
operation.
In total, 34 people either
registered or spoke against
the proposal, with three registered in support.
The unanimous denial of
the conditional use permit,
which sets requirements for
a landowner for how the
land can be used, could have
been appealed to the Common Council. Mayor Steve
Arnold said Monday he
expected an appeal regardless of the commissions
decision, but city community planner Susan Badtke
said Wednesday no appeal
had been filed ahead of the
10-day deadline.
A stated goal of the proposal was to make the land
developable in the long
term, because given the current landfill, its unlikely
the land near the Northeast
Neighborhood can be developed.
Arnold acknowledged
that denying the permit left
Tom Alesia
adno=460328-01
adno=457652-01
29
adno=455980-01
Scott Girard
The Fitchburg Star
Farmland zoning change postponed
adno=461498-01
Company does not

appeal by deadline
it unclear if the area could

ever be developed.
I do recognize that this
will be harder later and were
probably making a forever
decision here, he said.
LJ Superior Excavation
representatives also noted
the companys financial
backing was not a bank, and
it would be hard to find one
that would take on the risk
of the site.
You really need a certain
set of conditions to make this
happen, and theyre in place
now, said Steve Gaffield of
Montgomery Associates.
Many commissioners and
those against the excavation
proposal said they support
reclaiming the land, but not
that way.
The long-term gain may
only be for the landowners or
the tax base, but it shouldnt
be done on the backs of the
surrounding community,
Keith Dickinson, a nearby
resident, said Tuesday.
April 8, 2016
adno=459511-01
30 - The Fitchburg Star - April 8, 2016
City Hall - Main Line

Administration
Assessing
Building Inspections
City Clerk
Economic Development
270-4200
270-4213
270-4235
270-4240
270-4210
270-4246
FACTv
Finance
Fire Department
FitchRona
Human Resources
Library
Municipal Court
270-4225
270-4251
278-2980
275-7148
270-4211
729-1760
270-4224
Parks & Forestry

Planning/Zoning
Police
Public Works
Recreation/Community Center
Senior Center
Utilities
270-4288
270-4258
270-4300
270-4260
270-4285
270-4290
270-4270
5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 www.fitchburgwi.gov

adno=460536-01
PLASTIC BULKY ITEM RECYCLING IS CONTINUING AT

FITCHBURGS RECYCLING DROP OFF SITE
In 2015, a special Plastic Bulky Items
dumpster was added at Fitchburgs Recycling
Drop Off Site, 2373 S. Fish Hatchery Rd.
Plastic containers smaller than basketball size
are best to put in your blue curbside recycling
cart; however, larger plastic bulky items (e.g.
plastic pails, plastic bins, plastic crates, plastic
jugs, plastic coolers, plastic lawn furniture,
other bulky items that are all plastic) can
still be taken to Fitchburgs Recycling Drop
Off Site. Please refer to the graphic on the
sign and make sure that items placed in this
dumpster are all plastic, in order to avoid
the ~$200/item fine.
Information about other options for solid
waste reduction, reuse, or recycling may be
found in Fitchburgs 2016 Recycling Guide
on Fitchburgs web page at: www.fitchburgwi.
gov/solidwaste. Hard copies are available at

Fitchburgs Recycling Drop Off Site and in the
lobby of Fitchburg City Hall.
This event provides shredding to destroy

your confidential paper documents. Up to 5
bankers boxes of confidential paper documents can be shredded and recycled FREE
of cost.
Please contact Jeff Potter (Pellitteri) at
257-6232 ext 323, [email protected] or
Rick Eilertson at 270-4264 or rick.eilertson@
fitchburgwi.gov, with any questions about the
shred event.
For more information and to register visit www. fitchburgwi.gov/recreation, call the
Rec. Dept. at 608-270-4285 or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fitchrec
All Summer 2016 Programs are now available online at www.fitchburgwi.gov/recreation.
Below are a few of the camps we are offering.
Adventure Camps
Camp McKee
Half Day Camps
Meet Me at the Park
These twice a week camps have a new

theme each week. From Backyard Fun to
Science Time, your kids are sure to have a
blast.
Ages 4-5 years old
Days/Times Tuesdays and Thursdays,
throughout the Summer, 9:30-11:30am
Location McKee Farms Park Shelter
Fee $20 each camp
FITCHBURGS SPRING 2016 MEDDROP

& SHRED DAY EVENT TO BE HELD
8-11AM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD
The City of Fitchburg, Oak Bank, Pellitteri
Waste Systems, and Surplus-IT have scheduled
Fitchburgs Spring 2016 Electronics Recycling
Shred Day Event from 8-11am on Saturday, April
23, 2016.
The Shred Day Event will be held
from 8-11am on Sat., April 23rd behind Oak
Bank (5951 McKee Road) at the corner of
Executive & Marketplace Drives. Look for
Pellitteris Shred Truck in the parking lot.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Med Drop will be held from 8-11am

on Sat., April 23rd at the Fitchburg Police
Department, west entrance to City Hall,
5520 Lacy Rd. Empty pills into a clear plastic
bag and recycle the containers at home. Any
liquids, gels, creams, etc. should be left in
the original container and placed in a clear
plastic bag. No sharps, or lancets will be
accepted Sharps and lancets can be taken
to Hometown Pharmacy (3000 Cahill Main,
Ste 114) or Walgreens (2931 S. Fish Hatchery
Rd.). Fitchburgs permanent MedDrop box is
also available Mondays through Fridays from
7:30am to 4:30pm at the Fitchburg Police
Department. Hometown Pharmacy also takes
uncontrolled substances during their regular
business hours. Please contact Rick Eilertson,
Environmental Engineer, at rick.eilertson@
fitchburgwi.gov, 270-4264, with any questions
about the Med Drop Event.
Idling Reduction signage will be posted at
each event to remind drivers to turn off their
engine while waiting more than 10 seconds.
Information about other options for solid
waste reduction, reuse, or recycling may be
found in Fitchburgs 2016 Recycling Guide
on Fitchburgs web page at: www.fitchburgwi.
gov/solidwaste. Hard copies are available in
the lobby of Fitchburg City Hall.
FITCHBURGS SPRING 2016 ELECTRONICS

RECYCLING EVENT TO BE HELD ON
SATURDAY, MAY 7TH FROM 8-11AM
(Please note this date has changed since the March Fitchburg Star article)*
The Electronics Recycling Event will be
held on Sat., May 7th from 8-11am at SurplusITs warehouse (901 Watson Avenue). Look
for directional signage from the intersection
of Fish Hatchery Road and Greenway Cross
heading to the east.
These four times a week camps have a new

theme each week. Some of the camps offered
are Olympic Village 2016, Adventure Week,
Scout Days and Detective Week!
Ages 6-11 years old
Days/Times Mon-Thur., throughout the
Summer, 1-4pm
Fee - $50 each camp
Join us for games, arts, crafts, music, sports

and FUN!!!
Ages 4-5 years old
Days/Times Session 1: M, W, F June
13-July 15, 9:30-11:30am
Session 2: M, W, F July 18-August 10,
9:30am-11:30am
Fee Session 1: $55 Session 2: $45
Join us for this fun and educational, themebased program in the Fitchburg Park System
this summer. Each week we will be at a new
park and will have a new theme to the program! Every days class will include games, stories, and a craft or snack related to the theme.
Ages 3-5 years old
Days/Times Mondays, 9:30-10:15am,
June 13-August 8
Location Fitchburg Parks
Fee - $20
BRUSH AND YARD WASTE COLLECTION

BEGINS APRIL 11TH
Residents participating in the Citys Solid
Waste Collection Contract receive fourteen curbside brush collections and four
yard waste collections between April and
November. Paper copies of the collection
schedule were included in the December
2015 Fitchburg Star and are available at City
Hall or at: www.fitchburgwi.gov/solidwaste.
Yard waste includes leaves and grass
clippings, twigs less than 3/4-inch diameter
(thumb-size), as well as non-woody garden
material, such as flowers, weeds, and garden
waste.
Yard waste must be placed in a reusable
container or bag no larger than 50 gallons
or 50 lbs and at the curb by 6:30am Monday
morning of the collection week, regardless of
which day your refuse and recyclables are collected. Yard waste should be placed on your
driveway or terrace, and not in the street.
A photo is included below providing the
greenest (#1) to least green (#4), but still
acceptable, curbside yard waste set out
options:
1 No yard waste set out - resident mulches into the lawn or composts on site, reduces
labor and transportation costs and emissions
2a Reused plastic cart or container, reusable hundreds of times
2b Reusable ~50 gallon polybag w/ drawstring (~$3-6/polybag)
2c Reusable ~50 gallon polybag w/ handles and drawcord (~$8-10/polybag)
3a Compostable ~30 gallon paper bag w/

folded top (~$0.50-1/bag)
3b Compostable ~50 gallon plastic-like
bag ($0.60-1.20/bag)
3c Compostable ~30 gallon plastic-like
bag ($0.60-1.20/bag)
4 Non-recyclable ~30 gallon black plastic
bag MUST be left untied* ($0.10-0.50/bag)
*Please note that Non-compostable bags
must not be tied to allow for emptying yard
waste without ripping the bag open. Residents
are encouraged to leave a container (with
note: Please place bags in here after emptying.) for Pellitteri to place the bags in after
they are emptied so the bags can be reused
again and not sent to the landfill.
All residents may also take yard waste to
the Citys Recycling Drop Off Site, located at
2373 S. Fish Hatchery Road. The site is open
every day during daylight hours.
Brush collected curbside includes branches greater than thumb size (3/4 diameter),
less than 6 diameter, and cut to lengths of 5
or less. Brush should be placed on your driveway or terrace, and not in the street.
Please have yard waste and/or brush at the
curb by 6:30 am Monday on the week of collection, regardless of which day your refuse
and recyclables are collected. Visit www.
fitchburgwi.gov/solidwaste for full guidelines
or contact Public Works at publicworks@
fitchburgwi.gov or 270-4260 if you have any
questions.
Items Accepted
Free!: Computers, LCD (Flat panel liquid
crystal display) Monitors, Printers, Stereo
Equipment, Media (CDs, DVDs, floppy disks),
lead acid and other recyclable batteries,
Styrofoam Packing Peanuts
$0.25/lb Charge: VCR & Cassette Tapes
& Alkaline Batteries
$5 Charge: Microwaves, other Kitchen
Electronics
$15 Charge: All CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
Monitors
$25 Charge: TVs less than 27,
Refrigerators, Dehumidifiers, Air Conditioners
$35 Charge: TVs 27 or larger (console
TVs may cost more for disposal)
Please contact Lee Shinefield (Surplus-IT)

at 209-8000, [email protected] or Holly
Powell at 270-4263 or [email protected], with any questions about the
electronics recycling.
Idling Reduction signage will be posted at
each event to remind drivers to turn off their
engine while waiting more than 10 seconds.
Like us on
www.facebook.com/FitchburgWI and Follow us on
@FitchburgWI
Business
April 8, 2016
The Fitchburg Star
31
Spring Business Expo returns April 14

Fitchburgs everexpanding business community will have a chance
to mingle and share details
about their company with
the public Thursday at the
annual Fitchburg Chamber
Spring Business Expo.
More than 60 area businesses will be present to
showcase their goods
and services at the event,
according to the chamber
website. Admission to the
expo, which runs from 4-7
p.m. Thursday, April 14 at
the Fitchburg Community
Center, 5510 Lacy Road,
is free.
This event is more
than businesses networking with other businesses,
Kate Wicker, the chambers membership director,
said in a promotional video
for the event. We make it
If you go
What: Spring Business
Expo
When: 4-7 p.m.
Thursday, April 14
Where: Fitchburg
Community Center, 5510
Lacy Road
Info: fitchburgchamber.
com
a community event: Come
out and meet your local
businesses and nonprofit
organizations.
Attendees can have
their shoes shined, get a
chair massage and sample free food, as well as
free beer provided by the
Great Dane. Prizes will
be awarded throughout
File photo by Samantha Christian
Mike Hamilton tells Denise Pederson, of Bergholter Travel

Company, how to form or join a team for the Bike for Boys and
Girls Club at last years expo.
the evening, including Bingo.

an prize pack worth $800
that people can win by fitchburgchamber.com or
participating in Business call 288-8284.
Photos by Tom Alesia
Vanessa Bailey, senior brand manager at Emmi Roth USA in

Fitchburg, slices pieces of the companys World Championshipwinning cheese.
Cheese greater
Fitchburg companys product
wins world title in taste
Tom Alesia
In a Fitchburg companys
small lunchroom, Vanessa Bailey pulled a block
of cheese from the refrigerator and casually sliced
a few bite-sized pieces. On
the plate, the cheese was
unassuming; cut differently, it would appear set for
a grilled cheese or grated
onto tacos.
But this is no ordinary
appetizer. Its the Roth
Grand Cru Surchoix, named
best in show last month
at the World Championship
Cheese Contest in Madison among 3,000 entries,
becoming the first American-made cheese to earn
this award since 1988.
At this time, there is
pause for effect no better
cheese.
In. The. World.
And its one of the products from Fitchburg-based
Emmi Roth USA, which
has its cheeses made in
Monroe but maintains its
headquarters here.
Bailey, Roth USAs
senior brand manager, was
at the contest with other
company officials. She
noticed the judges fussing
with the Roth cheese wheel
before the top three were
named.
I had a gut feeling we
won something, she said.
But it didnt seem real
until the judges held the
wheel up as the (top) winner.
That spiked interest in the
Surchoix and, in general,
Roth USA. No longer were
the cheese and the company
known best to food connoisseurs. The cheese title
gives Roths Surchoix an
elaborate blue ribbon and
the curiosity of countless
foodies.
When Bailey sliced the
Surchoix in the companys
lunchroom, she offered a
piece to a hesitant visitor.
Its not scary, she
insisted.
After one delicious piece
In brief
Mens salon opens
A new mens salon opened March
24 at 6317 McKee Road, Unit 100.
The salon, a franchise of the
national Eighteen Eight salon chain,
is more of an upscale, fine mens
salon, explained owner John Shaw.
It caters toward guys who are
going to womens salons for the better quality haircuts, Shaw told the
Star.
The salon includes services like
straight-edge shaves, waxing and
nail services.
Shaw emphasized the privacy of
the space in the Orchard Pointe location, which he said had good visibility.
For information on the salon, visit
EighteenEight.com/Fitchburg-WI.
Chamber moves to new

location
The Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce has a new home.
The chamber moved to 5500 E.
Cheryl Parkway, Suite 106, last
month after previously being housed
in the Terso Solutions, Inc. building
on Research Park Drive, just around
the corner from its new location.
Holistic Grooming
Healthy Diets
Holistic Doggie Daycare

Toys and Treats
Fitchburgs Emmi Roth USA

touts its World Championship
Cheese Contest winner.
adno=460540-01
and three tasty more

were eaten, Bailey made
her point again.
Being part of Wisconsin, theres no snobbery
here, she said. We try to
make cheese that people
will enjoy. Its approachable.
Baileys two-year-old
daughter likes it, she said.
It costs between $19.95 and
$25 per pound at various
Madison area stores.
The World Championship
cheese title, Bailey added,
pushed some Wisconsinites
to search the cheese aisle.
People can be scared off
by the specialty cheese aisle
because of the different
smells and its more expensive, Bailey said. But (the
Surchoix) has a lot of flavor. Its a good snacking
cheese.
Roth USA moved its
corporate headquarters
from Monroe to Fitchburg
in late 2014. It now has
45 employees in Fitchburg, where Roth is part of
Swiss-owned Emmi.
Press attention for the
World Championship
title ranged from Food &
Wine to Huffington Post to
Cheese Market Weekly.
Its been good for the
company. Its been a tremendous boost in morale,
Bailey said. This is going
to help us keep growing.
Do You Have a Banker

in the Family?
If you work with Oak Bank you do.
Oak Bank has a family feel. The minute

you walk in the door you feel like youre a
part of the family.
Oak Banks Mary Kay Clauder
Well work together

Well find solutions
Well be there when you need us
adno=460543-01
5951 McKee Rd, Suite 100 Fitchburg WI 6

08.441.6000 OakBankOnline.com
From Your Hometown Grocer

Miller & Sons 210 S. Main St., Verona (608) 845-6478
adno=460533-01
A TASTE OF
SPRING
32 - The Fitchburg Star - April 8, 2016

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