Citing ‘low morale’ due to village board Arena PD moves to part-time immediately after Arena police officer, DNR warden receive Life Saving Awards
The Village of Arena Police Department’s officers are transitioning to part-time positions due to low morale and conflicts with the Village Board of Trustees. Chief of Police Nicholas Stroik announced the shift, citing unjustified interference and non-supportive comments from board members. Despite the reduced hours, the department pledge to maintain the community’s safety, while acknowledging…
EDITORIAL: It’s a matter of health and safety now — It’s time to take Arena’s issues seriously
The Village of Arena Police Department announced its shift to part-time service, citing “low morale” due to issues with the village board. This change sparked concerns among residents about potential increase in emergency response times. Village President Kate Reimann’s response to these concerns — “No records were requested so no answer is given” — is…
Palestine needs the warmth of our collective action
I write to you kindled by the love of our community and the Palestinian people.
I am tired of all the caveats, the conditional statements, the analogies. I believe we are suffering from a crisis of imagination in a situation that actually does not require much. It may sound counterintuitive amidst a discourse that encourages…
Alys and the Ark captivates opening as Violet Palms album release electrifies the Slowpoke Lounge
On the stroke of midnight on Sept. 11, the electrifying sound waves from the band, Violet Palms, was released into the world. Twelve songs from the band’s debut album, “Compassion Fatigue”, were celebrated on the renowned stage at Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret in downtown Spring Green, in preparation for the marked, midnight release. Opening for…
REVIEW: Spring Green band Violet Palms announces release show for debut album ‘Compassion Fatigue’
Spring Green-based alt-rock band Violet Palms will be launching their new album Compassion Fatigue during a special performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11 at the Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret (137 W Jefferson St, Spring Green). The event will be opened by music from Alys and the Ark. Slowpoke suggests that attendees donate $5-10…
Meeting Our Needs: Dairy Breakfasts — Eggs and Pancakes and Sausage – Oh Yeah!
…and don’t forget the milk, yogurt, and cheese! Dairy Breakfast time in Wisconsin is right around the corner, check the dates, set your alarm, make sure your GPS is working, and get your “fat pants” out. Good times, and good food are coming.
LISTEN HERE: Our editors on community journalism, the future of journalism and just doing the news well
Our editors were on WXRW this weekend to discuss community journalism, the future of journalism and just doing the news well.
Valley Sentinel wins Best in Division E at Wisconsin Newspaper Association awards banquet
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association recently recognized the state’s newspapers for their exceptional work during its 2022 Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet. The event took place on March 24, at The Madison Concourse Hotel in downtown Madison. Among the winners, Valley Sentinel was awarded as the Best in Division E.
Editor-in-Chief’s Column: How our 2023 has gone so far, on just deciding to do the news well
I don’t say this to be dramatic, but 2023 has been the SICKEST season of my life ever. To be clear, I don’t mean that in the “that’s sick, bro” way, I mean that in the cold and flu season way and in the bronchitis/COVID-19/constant earache way. On a slightly more uplifting and inspirational note,…
EDITORIAL: Open government report card — Arena improves, Lone Rock sued, other local public bodies receive letters
Sunshine Week is a time to celebrate government transparency and public service, as well as a time to address lapses in the same. In October 2020, shortly after incorporating and shortly before our first edition, we sent out a Wis. Stat. 19.84(1)(b) written request by email from news media to our local governmental bodies asking…
Legal Editor’s Column: Lone Rock Lawsuit, open meetings update
A couple months back, I wrote here that the Valley Sentinel was suing the Village of Lone Rock. It feels like time for an update, and I wanted to talk about our two cases — one not yet filed and one possibly almost done, and why they are so different.
Arena board hears tenure of current Arena clerk audited in Monticello, discrepancies found in water bills
Audit reached no conclusions, but shows potentially large errors in water bills.
During public comment at last month’s regular meeting of the Village of Arena Board of Trustees on March 7, board members were handed papers by former Village President Paul Pustina. Those papers contained an “Independent Accountant’s Report” covering current Arena Village Clerk/Treasurer DeNean…
The (not so) Plain and Simple Correspondent: Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom
In the Roman pantheon, Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade and strategy. Gracious! It boggles the mind that even a goddess could possibly incorporate so many sterling qualities. As it happens, there is a human being who comes close. She lives at Taliesin – “Shining Brow”,…
UW-Richland information session and town hall meeting to be held
Community is invited to share ideas about how to save campus.
An information session and town hall meeting will be held on Thursday, January 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. on the UW-Richland campus in the Pippin Conference Center of Melvill Hall.
Legal Editor’s Column: We’re suing Lone Rock over public records, here’s why
Last Halloween, the Village of Lone Rock held a public meeting and did not notify the Valley Sentinel. The next night they held public hearings on their annual budget and a village board meeting. The Valley Sentinel was sent an e-mail notice less than an hour before the meeting started. We asked for various public…
EDITORIAL: UW-Richland will not be saved outside the courtroom, action is needed now
Richland County and the greater community were disheartened just over a month ago when a unilateral directive from University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman directed the administration of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Richland campus in Richland Center to start winding down operations and to plan to discontinue in-person instruction starting fall 2023, with the…
Area blood drives scheduled in January, February
Blood drives are scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2023, in Spring Green and Arena, and Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in Lone Rock.
Area hospitals announce top baby names of 2022
The top baby names for boys and girls born in 2022 have been announced by hospitals in the area.
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Mississippi Duck Hunt/The Best of Times
“Fifty-one opening days of duck hunting ago I was a very young boy in a very low income, single parent family, and my dad was raising my brothers Mike, Tom, myself, my sister Lynn and sometimes my brother Bob. We lived kind of like I do now, which is a very busy life that is…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Success on the Bear Hunt
“This week’s column is about a successful conclusion to my 2022 bear hunting season that has absorbed large parts of my time, thoughts, and pocket book since I began running baits in northern Juneau County as well as southern Jackson on April 15th.”
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Ten Sunsets on a Bear Stand
“This week’s column is a short summary of the first ten days of my bear hunting situation in which I did not miss a day sitting in a tree.”
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Operation Musky 2022
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading…
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Independent Living 101
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading…
Shitty Barn session preview: With phenomenal ‘Carving Canyons’ indie-folk artist Lissie brings heartbreak, rebirth to forefront
“It’s allowed to hurt; I’m allowed to burn.” Midwestern Folk artist Lissie sings gently on her recent single: “Flowers.” With a soft yet melancholy tone, Lissie allows her strong, smoky voice to carry listeners to another world almost: a world of heartbreak and rebirth.
Local EMS directors respond to Marklein’s rural EMS bill as Evers issues a veto, expert weighs in
On March 31, Gov. Tony Evers announced that he had vetoed recently passed Senate Bill 89. The bill, introduced by Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, would have made the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam optional for emergency medical responders. Marklein argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention for rural emergency medical services.…
Local musician Jake’O competes in national televised song contest representing Wisconsin
‘There’s music everywhere but the Driftless is definitely magical for me’
A local artist from our very own River Valley area recently returned home after representing Wisconsin on the national stage as part of NBC’s “American Song Contest”. Jake’O performed an original song on the show last month and shared his inspiration and thoughts with…
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation announces creation of Taliesin Institute, sparks conversations about educational legacy
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation recently announced the creation of the Taliesin Institute, a new collection of programs that seek to advance the principles of organic architecture, seen as the core of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. However, other stalwarts of Wright’s legacy debate the need for such an initiative following the Foundation’s final split…
Legal Column: Complaints filed with DA against Arena officials, open meetings law violated – analysis
On Tuesday, February 22, at 8 a.m. the Village of Arena Personnel Committee met, made a recommendation to accept the resignation of Arena’s superintendent of public works effective March 31, and started right in working on interviewing for a replacement. If nothing else, the committee moved with laudable speed to fill a hole that was…
Arena Public Works superintendent resigns, rush to fill position internally leads to open meetings law complaints
On Feb. 15, Village of Arena’s Public Works Superintendent Michael Schmidt submitted his resignation, with a month and a half notice. By the next week, the village was already holding a meeting to interview internal candidates. That rush to hold an interview resulted in several village officials having open meetings law complaints filed against them.
An Outdoorsman’s Journal: Volunteers
Follow along each week on the adventures of Mark Walters, a syndicated outdoor adventure columnist who lives in Necedah, Wisconsin. He began writing his column, An Outdoorsman’s Journal, in 1989. It includes hunting, fishing, lots of canoeing and backpacking. He currently writes for around 60 newspapers on a weekly basis. He hopes you enjoy reading…
Valley Sentinel moves to a bi-weekly model to offer more in-depth content, better serve and build community
We’ve shared many times some of the quotes that grace the wall of our newsroom. We’ve definitely focused on the first, making things work and then making them work better. We’ve definitely focused on the second quote and we’ve called people and powers-that-be out where necessary. The third quote we haven’t covered enough because —…
Review: Lake Louie offers a taste of summer with hard kombucha
Local favorite Lake Louie Brewing, formerly of Arena and now part of Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona, recently sent over a couple cases of their newest product — hard kombucha!
Valley Sentinel launches Impulse Initiative
Valley Sentinel lends platform in print and online to foster community ideas
We are pleased to announce the (soft) launch of Valley Sentinel’s Impulse Initiative. It has always been our goal to build community and over the past year plus we’ve been talking to area residents every day about their wants, hopes and dreams for…
Governor Evers visits Spring Green businesses that received ‘We’re All In’ grants
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited Spring Green Tuesday to tour two businesses that received “We’re All In” grants, in the midst of a proposal that would seek to change how federal moneys, including those that fund grants like these, are allocated and by whom.
Review: Roarin 20s offers inspired 2020s options surrounded by 1920s flair
We finally had the chance to Waltz by and try out the newest dining and social club in the Valley. Pairing veteran businessman Mike Haight as owner and general manager with classically trained executive chef David Moreno, Roarin 20s Dining and Social Club (1170 Main Street, Plain) adds art deco charm to downtown Plain. In…
Review, Q&A as Rocket Man Pizza lifts off, bringing hand tossed pizza to Plain
We recently had the chance to stop by and try out the newest pizza place in the Valley. With veteran pizzaman and restaurateur Rich Peterson at the helm, Rocket Man Pizza (1150 Main Street, Plain) is a gem in downtown Plain that will delight. (Disclosure: They even sent us home with some more options to…
River Valley School Board recommends masks, implements new plan that outlines when masking would be mandatory
On August 12 the River Valley School Board met, in its last meeting before the school year starts, to discuss masking, new COVID-19 protocols and more, before ultimately stopping short of requiring students and staff to wear masks to start the year.
The School of Architecture founded by Frank Lloyd Wright back in Spring Green for summer immersive design program
The School of Architecture, founded by Frank Lloyd Wright as the Taliesin Fellowship in 1932,was back in Spring Green July 11-17 for a “Summer Design Discovery 2021” immersive design program. The visit comes months after the School dropped ‘Taliesin’ from its name following a split from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, settling into a new…
Rehabilitation complete on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wyoming Valley School, new era of cultural arts begins for the space
Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Wyoming Valley School just wrapped up on a four month renovation to get the building back in the best shape—and back to some of its original design.
Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Gender-Neutral Language Options to be Added to Wisconsin Birth Certificates
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers June 28 with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that beginning Thurs., July 1, 2021, Wisconsin parents will have a new, gender-neutral option for identifying the parents of a child. Birth forms used to generate birth certificates will be updated to include an option for “parent-parent,” in addition…
Local gymnastics student raises money for gym with lemonade stand
A student from Hard Core Gymnastics in Arena held a lemonade stand fundraiser July 2 at the corner of Sharon Street and Village Edge Road in Arena.
From The Plain and Simple Correspondent…Them and Us: Transcending Gender Differences 2
Humans have been debating the definition of “normal” as regards sexuality ever since we climbed dripping wet out of the swamps and looked around in search of intimacy. In between conducting sieges, banging vengefully on each other, and finding other fun ways to be hurtful, our ancestors have loved and lived in a bewildering variety…
VIDEO: Committee finds no wrongdoing in complaint against Arena Police Chief
The Arena Police Committee did not take any disciplinary action against Arena Police Chief Nicholas Stroik following a complaint from an area resident who said she felt harassed and targeted by the chief.
Representative Dave Considine— Personal Property Tax Bill
On June 29th the Wisconsin State Assembly voted on Assembly Bill 117 relating to eliminating the personal property tax. I have been an advocate of repealing the personal property tax since I was elected. The personal property tax is unfair to small businesses. It taxes the tools they own which are necessary to conduct their…
Driftless Grace— Something (or nothing) happens
My mind inevitably goes blank when someone asks me what I did yesterday (or over the weekend, or on Tuesday — wait, isn’t today Tuesday?!). Lately, though, that response has been close to the truth of what I’ve been doing: nothing. At least, nothing that strikes me as worth talking about.
Column: Republican Budget Falls Short—Wisconsinites Pandemic Recovery Disregarded by GOP
MADISON – Despite overwhelming public support for Governor Tony Evers’ state budget proposal that prioritized a successful economic recovery for the state, Republican politicians settled for less. Senate Democrats introduced an amendment to enact key proposals from the Governor’s Bounceback Budget, including investing in schools, increasing access to affordable health care, securing federal funding for…
Sen. Howard Marklein: State Budget Passes the Legislature
MADISON, WI – Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) made the following statement June 30 following the final Senate’s passage of the State Budget bill: “I am very proud of the legislature’s state budget. We made strategic investments to support the priorities of the people of Wisconsin while respecting the hard-working taxpayers we serve.
PSC reconsidering permit for Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission lines after potential conflict of interest surfaces
The Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to reconsider the controversial Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission line project July 1, following secret messages between a former regulator and employees of the utilities involved in the projects came to light.
Community comes together following tragic Wisconsin River accident that leaves a local man missing
“One of the most dangerous things about the Lower Wisconsin River is that it doesn’t look dangerous.”
Timm Zumm, president of Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW), shared those words of warning and wisdom this week during a brief break in the search for 22-year-old Parker Kruse, of Arena, who was knocked overboard in…
River Valley celebrates 4th of July with parade, fireworks in Lone Rock
The Valley came out in full force to celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July, congregating in Lone Rock to enjoy everything from a parade, to a chicken BBQ, a lawn tractor pull, fireworks and more.
The Sauk County Gardener— Help Your Garden Feed You
This past week I was checking out our basswood tree that finally started blooming, trying to see what bees and other pollinators were visiting it. As I moved the branches around, a whole kaleidoscope of moths just flew out of the tree. Although it was actually quite pretty to see, I knew my broccoli, Brussels…
Art from around the Valley: Jen Salt’s “Prickly Pear Cactus”
The Prickly Pear Cactus is native to Wisconsin and one of the best places to view these beautiful yellow treasures is at the Spring Green Preserve Natural Area.
4PeteSake announces date for day in the park and golf outing, new recipients
Spring Green, WI – After a year hiatus, 4PeteSake’s Day In The Park returns to Spring Green’s North Park on Sunday, August 15th. What began in 2005 as an impassioned eff ort to help a 20-year-old cancer survivor has become a summer tradition and a symbol of the River Valley’s commitment to helping neighbors in…
Local kids jam in Downtown Spring Green
On recent hot summer days you may have seen Eli Saperstein and Dylan Perry sitting on the corner of Lexington and Jefferson Streets in Spring Green — or, rather, you may have heard them first. Equipped with five gallon buckets and drumsticks, both describe themselves as long time drummers.
Community column: Katie Green’s ‘Along the Milky Way’
My maternal grandmother in Iowa loved her milk cows. Born in 1878, she and millions of others like her in the 19th Century nourished a tender relationship with their farm animals. In the first Federal Census in 1790, 90-some percent of the people enumerated in this country were engaged in farming of one kind of…
Finding your gender and sexuality in a rural small town
Discovering yourself in any space can pose challenges for someone. Whether it be your career choice or becoming the person you were born to be, figuring yourself out is a long journey. This is also a journey that never ends. Don’t expect to wake up one day, and suddenly be your completed self. You should…
Editorial: Love is love—it’s not just a logo change for a month each year
We hope for a day when this is a given in our society, but put simply, it is the editorial policy of Valley Sentinel that love is love. Period.
Spring Green finds new location for StoryWalks, looks to revisit signage ordinance
The village of Spring Green met for its bi-weekly meeting June 23, where the board discussed the continued, temporary placement of village library StoryWalk signs in North Park.
Weather won’t stop Pride Paddle to bring together, support LGBTQ+ community
Despite inclement weather cancelling the official Pride Paddle, organizers of the event stuck it out and went out on the Wisconsin River with Pride gear and decorated boats to paddle from the Highway 14 boat landing to Pecks Landing June 26.
Business Spotlight: Inspired Nutrition
Tell us a bit about Inspired Nutrition and your mission Inspired Nutrition started after my cousin opened her Nutrition club in Muscoda. We started these nutrition clubs because we were seeing great results with the Herbalife product. Our mission is to get our products into households to help people live a more healthy active lifestyle.
River Valley competes in WIAA Division 2 Track & Field Sectionals, sends athletes to state
Senior Kalen Scott, throws a personal record (PR) of 43 feet, 2.5 inches at WIAA Division 2 Sectionals in Whitewater June 17. Scott placed 12th.
2021 River Valley Spring All-Southwest Conference Student-Athletes
2021 River Valley Spring All-Southwest Conference Student-Athletes
The Sauk County Gardener— Insects and Other Bugs to Watch for in the Garden
Last week I wrote about the proper way to water your garden and now I am listening blissfully to a nice gentle rain as I write this article. Maybe I should have written about watering earlier. At least with some rain, I won’t have to use my gardening time to water. Instead, I will get…
Late June Birding Report—Wisconsin Sees Influx Of Dickcissels And Other Plains Birds
This year continues to be better than average for Wilson’s phalaropes, yellow-headed blackbirds and now another Great Plains species, the Dickcissel. Large numbers of this sparrow-like grassland bird have been reported from weedy fields, pastures and other dry open areas around the state.
Last Leaf public house open for apps, cocktails in pub and patio
Last Leaf Public House (134 W. Jefferson Street, Spring Green), in the former Freddy Valentine’s location, is now open 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. serving cocktails and appetizers for dinning inside the pub and on the patio. Appetizers include hand cut fries, sweet potato fries, smoked salmon dip, chicken curried frites and chicken wings. Menu…
Award winning farming family shutters dairy barn doors among difficult industry
This was a 4th Generation Farm, Steve himself has farmed for 38 years of his life. He was now farming with his 2 daughters Cassie and Mandi. The Fuller’s have many honors they have received over the years, 2 time Richland County Outstanding young farmer and with Steve’s mom and Grandma receiving Richland County Outstanding…
Family sticks by Wisconsin dairy farming despite on-going industry struggles
The Millers milk 250 plus cows and milk 3 times a day. The Farm is a 3rd Generation dairy farm. Dan’s dad and his grandpa farmed together and than Dan and Jody took the Farm over. Dan Miller’s Grandpa purchased the farm in 1951.
Driftless Grace— Missed connections and adapting to less-than-ideal situations
For reasons I won’t go into, I don’t have my own Internet connection. This is usually not a problem, but it has created some awkward situations during this time of a cautious reopening of public spaces. Such was the case the other day when I was invited to attend a short webinar.
Representative Dave Considine— Celebrate our dairy farmers
It’s been one heck of a year. Through it all, our farmers have been strong and steady. They have added extra hours onto their already long days to ensure that we have safe and healthy foods on our table each night. They also have weathered unpredictable markets, pricing, and supply issues. Producers and processors are…
Community Column: River Valley celebrates return of Frank Lloyd Wright students
The return of students from the architectural school founded by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1932 will be celebrated with a community event in Mazomanie on July 15. The city’s new Performing Arts Pavilion, designed as a project of the School of Architecture at Taliesin, will be dedicated at 7 p.m. It opened on Memorial Day.
Community Column: Racial injustices and the importance of Juneteenth
We had our own homegrown Juneteenth celebration here in Plain last weekend, in a village known more for its homogeneity than diversity. The party in our neighborhood was ostensibly a birthday party for a one-year-old, but it was charming and inspiring in its inclusion of a wide variety of ages, races, and genders.
Letter to the Editor: ‘Truth in Food Labeling’ legislation
During June Dairy month, it is a perfect time to have a conversation about how the general public is being misled about the food they consume.
APT’s The Road Back: More COVID protocol changes on the way
With new guidance from the unions we work with, and the local government, we thought now would be an ideal time to recap the rules in place, and the changes to come July 1 (including the new Facemask Fridays).
Rainbow surrounds Spring Green following much needed rainfall
The National Weather Service reported nearly an inch of rain fell June 20 in the midst of a drought in the Spring Green Area.
‘I Did This All My Life’: One Family Farm’s Fight For Survival
In honor of June Dairy Month, Valley Sentinel is sharing stories of three regional farms throughout Sauk and Iowa Counties. The following story is a first-person account of the Reisinger’s dairy farm between Plain and Spring Green as the family made the decision to end their generational milking operation.
Letter to the Editor: Constant dissent in village of Arena, Response
Every week, week after week, we read about the Arena Village Board and the constant dissent that is prevalent in all their actions. Trustees keep resigning, and no-one can be persuaded to run for their positions.
RVACG holds inaugural student gardening program to get young students outside
The River Valley Area Community Garden started a Student Gardening program to get young students out in nature and learning about gardening. The program had its first event June 8 where students had the chance to assist gardeners with planting different type of plants and produce in garden beds. The program will include planting and…
RV trap team takes home the Division 2A state title
The River Valley Trap Team won the Division 2A State Title June 13 in Rome, Wisconsin. River Valley’s score of 485 edged out West Salem’s team by one point to take the title. Clear Lake’s team finished third with 482.
Regional Arts: Driftless Music Gardens in Yuba hosts Bonfire Festival
People of all ages enjoy and dance to People Brothers Band at Bonfire Festival hosted at the Driftless Music Gardens in Yuba. The festival marks the first in-person festival at the gardens since COVID-19 shutdowns began.
Review: An Improbable Fiction perfect homage to APT history to kick-off Hill Theater season
An Improbable Fiction kicked off American Players Theatre’s (APT) 2021 Hill Theater season on May 27 with a nod to APT’s strong connection to Shakespearean theater in the quippy play written by James DeVita.
Art from around the Valley: Jen Salt’s “Cat Nap” will melt your heart
My favorite cat, Louisa posed for this painting……she loved her naps.
Board Actions: Lone Rock Village Board approves various licenses, permits
The Lone Rock Village Board met June 8 for it monthly regular meeting.
Board Actions: Spring Green Village Board approves block party, Liquor Licenses
The Spring Green Village Board met for a regular meeting June 9.
Community Column: Flag Day — Wave The Thing But Don’t Worship It
The radio this morning has paid homage to Flag Day by playing some of my favorite music –for example, John Philip Souza’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”– and some that I have an aversion to –e.g. our national anthem, which is unsingable and filled with bloodthirsty war images besides. I much prefer “America the Beautiful”, which…
Editor’s column: Passion needs rest too—upcoming at VS
If you follow Valley Sentinel on social media, over the last few weeks you’ve seen that we have been struggling with inconsistencies and missteps with the printing company that prints the paper each week.
Plain plans for parade, street dance and approves various annual liquor licenses
The Village of Plain met for its regular, monthly meeting June 8 where the board approved a parade, a dance and various liquor licenses within the village.
Taliesin premieres Driftless Landscape Tour to emphasize Wright’s dedication to agriculture
After workshopping the tour last fall, the Taliesin Preservation debuted it’s Driftless Landscape Tour June 12 with an hour long tour of the landscape and agricultural areas of the Taliesin estate.
School Board rolls back mask mandate and COVID restrictions as pandemic wanes
The River Valley School Board met June 10 as the school year wrapped up to take action on their COVID-19 policies put in place during the pandemic, as well as the resignation of an art teacher and the hiring of a science teacher.
Movie Review: American Players Theatre Actors Power Short Film ‘One Foot In’
American Players Theatre actors James DeVita and Marcus Truschinski star as grave robbers seeking to reconcile their troubled past by making a big score in One Foot In. The twenty-five-minute independent film was written and directed by Eric Schabla, and produced by Jack Whaley, both APT alumni. Whaley was also director of photography for the…
RV Golf takes on conference cup
Saturday, May 29th was the 11th annual SW Golf Cup between rival SWAL and SWC conferences. The event is held each year at Dodgepoint Golf Course. The top 24 golfers from each conference compete head to head in various formats of match play.
RV Girls Soccer
This week was a fun week of soccer. Our JV team played extremely well against Platteville. We moved the ball well and Claire and Isabelle scored great goals.
RV Trap first in the conference
RV Trap Shooting finished 1st in the top conference for the Spring 2021 season. With a total of 59 shooters, we had 5 finish in the Top 100 for the State: Joseph Day, Jaydon Rose, Sam Cady, Gaige Dilley and Joshua Crook.
RV softball dominates season
RV Softball Player Emily Esser making a catch. The RV softball team is currently No. 1 in conference play, dominating Lancaster June 1 11-0, and beating out Mount Horeb 6-4 June 5.
Birding report: Early June — migration wanes and nesting waxes
As we head into the unofficial start of summer, bird migration is winding down. Shorebirds are the most prominent remaining migrants, many of them headed for breeding areas on the far northern tundra. Species most commonly being seen include semipalmated, least, and white-rumped sandpipers, ruddy turnstone, sanderling, dunlin, and semipalmated plover. Unusual finds include whimbrel…
The Sauk County Gardener — scouting for Japanese beetles
This last week’s higher temps and humidity made me think we skipped summer and jumped right to August! I tried as best I could to time my plantings between the bouts of rain and the times of high heat. I wasn’t able to completely avoid the high heat as I spent one afternoon out in…
Home Talent: Plain A’s Fight Back in Loss to Mazo Mustangs
Plain A’s’s effort to come back from down six runs in the seventh inning came up just short, as they fell 14-12 to Mazomanie Mustangs on Sunday. Plain A’s put up nine runs in the failed comeback. Keegan Smith, Jack Meixelsperger, Derek Bodendein, Will Jewell, Zach Paulus, and Brock Mahoney powered the rally with RBIs.
Lone Rock sees first Family Fun Fair to fill gap between Memorial Day, Fourth of July
Lone Rock saw its first Family Fun Fair this past weekend, with the idea behind the traditional carnival to bring fun attractions to the village in June, between events the village holds for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
Village of Plain opens, dedicates new playground with emphasis on play and joy
The village of Plain and village residents gathered to celebrate the opening of a new playground.
Driftless Grace — this week: seeing double
I just made a short visit to a place three degrees of latitude farther north. That’s not much for seasoned travelers, but it served to remind me that my home is only halfway to the equator. The farther north you go, the more the spring is compressed into a few fleeting days. (We had our…
Before and after: See how Wisconsin republicans redrew the state’s congressional districts to their advantage
tatewide election in the last four years, including U.S. president, governor, U.S. senator and attorney general. Yet Republicans have easily held five of the state’s eight seats in the U.S. House for all of the last decade. And they nearly took a sixth in the 2020 election. Some experts say gerrymandering is at least partially…