week 52

The Middleton Times-Tribune has anew website.

MiddletonTimes.com is currentlylive, and Matt Geiger, the newspaper’ssales manager and news editor, said thesite is designed to serve as a digital hubfor community news.

The site features selected news itemsfrom each week’s print edition, as wellas up-to-the-moment updates and fol-low-up articles. It includes live Twitterfeeds from Geiger and sports editorRob Reischel, so readers who want toknow the score of a tournament gameor what the common council is up tocan find out right away. Importantcrime, traffic and weather updates arealso available on the site.

MiddletonTimes.com also offers aneasy way for readers to submit an-nouncements and letters to the editor,as well an opportunity to purchase afull e-edition of the weekly newspaper.(Whenever customers pay for a printsubscription, they have the option ofgetting the e-edition for an additional$1.)

Geiger said News Publishing Co.’sgoal was to create a site that is easy tovisit and simple to navigate.

“I knew we’d achieved that goalwhen I visited MiddletonTimes.comusing my Kindle Fire,” he said. “It wasreally important that it work with dif-ferent browsers and look good ontablets and other mobile devices.”

“First and foremost, we wanted it tobe user friendly,” Geiger continued.“Sitting down and reading a printnewspaper is an immersive experience– many of our readers like to gothrough their paper as they relax on aSaturday morning, catching up on whatlocal kids are doing in school, howtheir government is spending money,and what entertainment events arecoming up at the PAC. With our web-site, our goal was to create somethingentirely different; something that com-pliments our core product and canthrive in a symbiotic relationship.”

MiddletonTimes.com will give read-ers an opportunity to easily share im-portant local stories with friends andfamily, using social media includingTwitter, Facebook and Google+.

Functioning without space limita-tions, the site will allow an opportunityfor readers to see expanded versions ofcertain stories, including the award-winning Geiger Counter column.

“There are a lot of things that will re-

main exclusive to the print edition andthe identical e-edition,” said Geiger.“But both the print newspaper and thewebsite are focused solely on hyper-local news coverage. For the past 119years we’ve covered the Middletoncommunity. We don’t do Madison, andwe don’t try to compete with regionalnews sources.”

MiddletonTimes.com is also in-tended to work as a place where localresidents can reconnect with Middleto-nians who have traveled elsewhere. Forstarters, it’s an easy way to access theFeral Scribe, a site run by MiddletonHigh School graduate Nathan Comp.”

“Nathan and I have actually workedtogether at two different publications,”

said Geiger, “at Coreweekly magazineand here at the Times-Tribune. He de-parted several years ago and he’shoned an affable Gonzo style of jour-nalism as he moves around the country.I jumped at the chance to help peoplere-connect with one of the most tal-

VOL. 120, NO. 52 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 SINGLE COPY PRICE: $1.25

www.MiddletonTimes.com

by JOhn DOnalDSOnNews Publishing Co.

Inside this issue:Local: School: Sports:Turville Bay Medical Clinicbreaks ground. Page 3

Sunset Ridge blanket program grows. Page 8

A look back at 2012.2

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Dining Guide . . . . . . 11-12Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Middleton bears brunt of winter stormA massive white tempest set up shop

in Middleton on Wednesday of lastweek and didn’t leave town until Fri-day morning. Multiple media outletsreported that Middleton experiencedmarkedly heavier snowfall than manyof its neighbors during the storm, withestimates hovering at around 19 incheswhen it was all said and done.

Middleton Police Chief Brad Keilsaid that, despite the size of the bliz-zard, there were no serious accidentswithin city limits and the EmergencyOperations Center at the police stationwas not forced to open.

“Since 9:30 p.m. Wednesdayevening our officers, and the commu-nity services manager, responded to 47assist motorist calls for vehicles thatwere stuck in the roadway or slid off ofthe road into ditches or drifts,” Keil re-

ported late Friday morning. “We re-sponded to multiple calls of trees orbranches … blocking the roadway,three motor vehicle accident calls, twocalls of damage to vehicles in parkinglots where branches and/or trees hadfallen on vehicles, and two calls [for]wires down across the road.”

Keil said dangerous road conditionsprevented many officers and dispatch-ers from either driving to work or driv-ing home from work. Several eitherslept at police headquarters on DonnaDrive or at the EMS building on Par-menter Street.

Many worked multiple shifts inorder to help maintain minimumstaffing levels, according to Keil. Someworked up to 16 hours straight. The po-lice chief went on to say he waspleased by cooperation between his de-partment and others in the Good

Times-Tribune introduces new online presence

Times-Tribune photo

An image of the Middleton Times-Tribune’s new website while still under construction.

by MaTT GEIGERTimes-Tribune

See STORM, page 6

See WEBSITE, page 6

Image contributed

Mary Jo Ayers contributed this photo of a tree, located on the 1300 Block of Stratford Court, that succumbed tolast week’s storm.

From a Department of Natural Re-sources (DNR) press release:

Hunting and trapping will be al-lowed in most Wisconsin State Parksfrom Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 andfrom April 1 through the third springturkey period, under a plan the State

Natural Resources Board approvedTuesday.

In addition, deer hunting with bowswill be open Nov. 15 until the end ofthe archery season in early January.

However, bullets won’t be whizzingaround Governor Nelson State Park,which borders Middleton, anytimesoon. That park is classified as being inan “urban” area and will not allow thenew hunting.

The board modified and approved aplan the Department of Natural Re-sources presented to carry out a newstate law – Act 168 known as theSporting Heritage Act – the legislatureapproved last spring that expandedhunting and opened trapping on statepark properties. The law, which goesinto effect Jan. 1, 2013, allows theDNR to prohibit hunting and trappingwithin 100 yards of a designated use

area, such as a campground, picnicarea, or beach, or where there are pub-lic safety concerns, or to protect uniquehabitat.

The final proposal opens more than62,000 acres, about two-thirds of statepark properties, to some form of hunt-ing and to trapping. The plan keepssome smaller parks and ones located inurban areas – such as Lakeshore StatePark in Milwaukee, Heritage Hill StatePark in Green Bay and Governor Nel-son State Park north of Madison –closed to hunting and trapping. It also

allows only archery hunting at someparks that receive heavy year-rounduse, such as Peninsula State Park inDoor County and High Cliff State Parkon Lake Winnebago.

A determination to prohibit huntingand trapping in any other areas of astate park, a portion of a state park, orduring certain time periods had to beapproved by a majority of the NaturalResources Board.

Dane County Executive Joe Parisiand officials from the Town of Spring-field on Thursday, Dec. 13 announcedan agreement they say will help keepfamilies farming and protect thousandsof acres in the town for decades tocome.

Springfield is moving forward withimplementation of a “transfer of devel-opment rights” program, that will helpfocus where any future developmentoccurs and preserve the town’s agricul-tural heritage.

According to a statement issued bythe country executive, the town hasbeen working on such a proposal foryears and Parisi “helped bring it to re-ality through a new agreement he of-fered for how the county can work withthe town on future county led land ac-quisitions and easements in Spring-field.”

“Farming is a multi-billion dollar ayear part of our economy and a richpart of the heritage of the Town ofSpringfield,” Parisi said. “This agree-ment ensures that as our county contin-ues to grow, there will be family farmsproudly working the lands and cowsgrazing the countryside just a shortdrive from the west side of Madison.”

Parisi noted the Town of Springfieldis between two of the county’s fastestgrowing areas - the Village of Wauna-

kee and City and Town of Middleton. “This agreement is an opportunity

for the town of Springfield to workwith Dane County and neighboringmunicipalities to preserve, protect andpromote the agricultural nature of thetown of Springfield,” said SpringfieldTown Chairman Don Hoffman.

“The Springfield Town Board islooking forward to working with DaneCounty and Joe Parisi with mutual re-spect on land issues and developmentrights of our Town residents in the fu-ture,” said Jim Pulvermacher, Spring-field Town supervisor. “The Town ofSpringfield has worked long and hardto come up with a program to allowwilling farmers to use some of theirland value without having to sell theirland for development. Many of ourfarms are multi-generational and wantto be able to pass on their land to thenext generation and still gain someland value to retire.”

“Springfield’s leadership will be feltacross the county and perhaps the restof the state,” added Jim Welsh, execu-tive director of the Natural HeritageLand Trust. “There isn’t nearly enoughgovernment funding available to pro-tect our high-quality farmland throughour traditional program of purchasingdevelopment rights – the town’s mar-ket-based approach will help farmers

permanently protect their farm landand give them an infusion of capital toinvest in our agricultural economy. Itwill be a great model for other townsto consider.”

Implementing the new program willrequire a modification to the Town ofSpringfield’s Comprehensive Planwhich will be reviewed by the TownBoard and eventually the Dane County

Board.The Town of Springfield Board has

already approved pursuing the transferof development rights program.

PAGE 2 MIDDLETON TIMES-TRIBUNE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Springfield moves ahead with development rights program

Times-Tribune photo by Matt Geiger

The fields that cover the Town of Springfield stand in stark contrast to the heavy development in nearby Middletonand Madison.

More hunting, trapping at most state parks, but not Nelson

See PaRKS, page 6

Barb Thiermann, Executive directorof Turville Bay MRI & Radiation On-cology Center, recently announcedplans for a new Turville Bay MRIclinic. The groundbreaking ceremonytook place on Thursday of last week,

and work began in earnest Tuesday onthe newest location for Turville BayMRI.

Thiermann noted Turville Bay’s cur-rent locations at Meriter and St. Mary’shospitals and at 1104 John Nolen Drivewill continue to serve patients. The ad-ditional center at 2275 Deming Wayadds convenience for patients requiringMRI diagnostics, she said.

“Turville Bay MRI & Radiation On-cology Center is the Madison area’scommunity heath care technology cen-ter,” Thiermann said. “State-of-the-artimaging is part of our mission, andserving the far west side of Madison,Middleton, and the surrounding com-munities enables us to further that mis-sion.”

Turville Bay MRI uses 1.5T and 3TSiemens MRI magnet technology in itshospital and freestanding locations. Allof Turville Bay’s technologists haveadvanced certification in MRI from theAmerican Registry of Radiologic Tech-nologists (ARRT), noted a companypress release.

Turville Bay MRI & Radiation On-

cology Center has been a collaborativeeffort of Meriter and St. Mary’s Hospi-tal’s since 1986. In addition to diagnos-tic imaging, the center at 1104 JohnNolen Drive offers radiation therapy topatients for the treatment of cancer.

At the groundbreaking ceremonylast week were representatives fromMeriter Hospital including KevinBoren, CFO; Dave Childers, Directorof Clinical Operations and SpecialtyClinics; Nick Crompton, ConstructionManager/Facilities Management;Turville Bay’s Barb Thiermann, exec-utive director; Mike Graffin, MRIManager; John K. Livesey, developer;Middleton Mayor Kurt Sonnentag;Dale Hensen, Vice-President of Con-struction; and John Seamon, Architec-tural Director, Iconica.

“The groundbreaking for the addi-tion to this building is also breakingground for the patients that will beserved,” said Meriter representativeDave Childers.

Turville Bay MRI expects to com-plete the 4,200 square foot center nextspring.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 MIDDLETON TIMES-TRIBUNE PAGE 3

Monday, December 104:36 p.m. – Theft, 2200 block

of Middleton Beach Rd.5:03 p.m. – Fraud, 2000 block

of Mayflower Dr.5:38 p.m. – Domestic distur-

bance, 3400 block of Roma Ln.7:15 p.m. – Domestic distur-

bance, 5100 block of ChurchillLn.

Tuesday, December 112:58 a.m. – Noise disturbance,

3900 block of Patrick Henry Way.9:11 a.m. – Malicious mis-

chief, 2100 block of Bristol St.5:00 p.m. – Property damage,

1800 block of Deming Way.

Wednesday, December 123:31 a.m. – Theft, 6200 block

of Century Ave.

Thursday, December 135:43 a.m. – Substance control,

3500 block of Salerno Ct.9:34 a.m. – Trespass, 2100

block of Bristol St.7:38 p.m. – Burglary occurred,

2100 block of Gateway North.

Friday, December 1410:32 a.m. – Theft from auto,

2500 block of Middleton BeachRd.

12:57 p.m. – Theft, 2100 blockof Bristol St.

2:43 p.m. – Theft, 6500 blockof Cooper Ave.

Saturday, December 159:41 a.m. – Assist citizen/ mo-

torist, 2100 block of ParmenterSt.

10:18 a.m. – Burglary oc-curred, 2000 block of Allen Blvd.

5:20 p.m. – Theft, 2600 blockof Pleasant View Rd.

Sunday, December 161:45 p.m. – Theft, 3500 block

of High Rd.

Turville clinic breaks ground POLICE BEAT

Image contributed

At the groundbreaking ceremony, from left: Nick Crompton, John K. Livesey, Dave Childers, Mike Graffin,Barb Thiermann, Kevin Boren, Kurt Sonnentag and John Seamon.

SSPIRITSPIRITSDeath’s DoorPunch: Anopportunityto drink local

The Middleton Public Librarywill host a Kids New Year’s PartyFriday, Dec. 28, from 10-10:45a.m. Say goodbye to 2012 andhello to 2013 with fun books, ac-tivities, and a short film. Donutswill be served. All ages are wel-come.

Stop by the Main Level HelpDesk or call 608-827-7402 to signup.

Libraryushers inNew Year

With snow on the ground and De-cember coming to an end, chances aremost Middletonians will be makingmerry with friends and family in thecoming days and nights. Many areeven gearing up to host or attend aNew Year’s Eve party.Those who wish to make holiday

punch using spirits produced here inthe Good Neighbor City are in luck, be-cause John Kinder, National BrandManager with Death’s Door Spirits,provided the Times-Tribune with arecipe for “Squirrel Mittens Punch.”He also offered a historical perspectiveon the holiday drink.

Getting started:Do you have a punch bowl?

You know. That item you receivedfor your wedding that wasn’t on yourregistry? If so, when was the last timeyou used it? More specifically, whenwas the last time you used it withoutputting orange sherbet or some sugary,sweet soda in it?

“Punch doesn’t mean having to sac-rifice the next morning due to a sugarhangover,” said Kinder, who added that“punch” was first conceived by Britishofficers stationed in India centuriesago. The word “punch” is derived fromthe Hindu word for “five,” he said, be-cause that’s the number of ingredientsused in making the concoction: 1) al-cohol, 2) sugar, 3) fruit (including cit-rus), 4) water and 5) spices.

“Punch was made to drink likewine,” said Kinder, “so that means itshouldn’t be overly sweet nor overlyhigh in alcohol. It needs to be bal-

by MaTT GEIGER

Times-Tribune

See PUnCh, page 4

Deneen Carmichael visited Madisonwith her family on a cold, snowy dayin March to look for a new home, tostart a new life.

The outlook wasn’t great. Madisonwas not her first choice.

She moved early in 2008 and bysummertime her feelings toward Madi-son had warmed. Moving into a beau-tiful colonial on a wooded lot helped.She felt connected to her Virginia rootsand a sense of belonging took hold.

For all the change she experiencedin such a short amount of time, one sig-nificant carry-over for Carmichael washer interest in dance.

Before the move to WisconsinCarmichael began dancing lessons. Shewas a natural.

Beginner lessons quickly turned toadvanced lessons, ultimately landingCarmichael in national dance competi-tions and even an appearance on theOprah Winfrey Show.

Carmichael kept up her lessonsthrough the move to Wisconsin. Sheworked well with John Abrams, hernew instructor, but lamented the three-hour round-trip from Madison to hisstudio in Milwaukee.

Carmichael wasn’t the only Madisondancer interested in a shorter commuteto dance lessons.

And so in 2009 Carmichael com-bined her public relations experiencewith Abrams’s dance expertise to formTempo Dance Studio in Madison.

Running a business was exciting andspending time with like-mindeddancers felt good to Carmichael. Butthe demands of the business requiredlong hours, mostly weekends andevenings. The costs outweighed thebenefits. Carmichael wanted to see herdaughter more.

In 2010 she sold her stake in thecompany to Abrams.

Carmichael was young and jobless.She needed to provide for a daughtershe was committed to seeing more. Shecontemplated her future and what she

wanted it to look like.“I knew [after selling Tempo] I

wanted to open another business,”Carmichael said.

Sitting at Villa Dolce on a beautifulevening in early October, Carmichaellooked into the empty windows acrossParmenter Street and felt a connectionto the vacant historic space. Shewalked up to the former Opera Houseand felt a jolt of excitement runthrough her.

“This is the place,” Carmichael re-membered thinking.

Looking through the glass she sawunending possibilities. And a whole lotof pink.

Dormant for three years, the formertenants, Tickled Pink, had painted theentire interior bright pink. Carmichaeldoesn’t like pink. But she loved thespace.

Next she had to decide what to putinside.

Fashion interested Carmichael. Andlike the dance studio, this area didn’thave a clothing store Carmichaelloved.

She wanted to shop at a local cloth-ing boutique that catered to her fashionsensibilities and styles.

Carmichael decided to fill her storewith clothes.

After deciding to open a clothingboutique, Carmichael called up RonniLevine, her former store manager atTempo, to plan out the new business.

That week Carmichael filed her ar-ticles of incorporation papers with thestate. On October 9, 2010 the businessNeena was born.

Neena’s beginning marked the endof Carmichael’s leisure time. No longera distant admirer of fashion but a cloth-ing buyer, she began furiously re-searching fashion trends and changesin style, both online and through storevisits.

Two weeks after incorporating,Carmichael and Levine drove down toChicago for their first market. Just tolook.

“[At market] Ronni came up to askif I had seen anything I liked,”Carmichael recalled, “I told her, ‘Ibought seven lines.’”

Carmichael was ready to begin. Opening the store she had always

wished existed meant each season –

there are five seasons in fashion:Spring/Summer, Summer, Fall, Holi-day, and Resort – Carmichael boughtclothes she loved. And to this day,“there are very few pieces [I buy] thatI wouldn’t wear.”

Trusting her personal connectionwith the location proved to be a goodbusiness decision. Since Neena offi-cially opened on January 22, 2011 thebusiness has grown steadily.

To continue sustained sales growth,

Carmichael is undergoing a 21st cen-tury retail business expansion – she’sbuilding an online store.

Slated to open early in 2013, the on-line store will allow Carmichael to en-large her reach without altering thecommunity she’s fostered at Neena.

Five years ago Carmichael couldnever have imagined her life as it istoday living in Wisconsin, owningNeena. The road to 1827 Parmenter

Street has been difficult and her futureis still far from certain. But one thingis for certain.

Carmichael has found, in Neena,what everyone who has moved desires– a sense of belonging.

Standing behind the antique icecream counter that serves as her salescounter, Carmichael can’t think of any-where she’d rather be, stating: “I’mhome here.”


In Neena, Carmichael finds business success and sense of home

Times-Tribune photo by Nathan Mabie

Deneen Carmichael, left, and Ronnie Levine.

by naThan MaBIETimes-Tribune

anced.”In fact, if you break down the in-

gredients used for the originalpunches, you’ll see that they bearsimilarities to many popular drinksenjoyed today. For example, if youlooked at a ‘Mojito’ through the lensof punch making, this is what you’llsee: 1) Rum (alcohol), 2) Sugar(sugar), 3) fruit (limes), 4) Waterfrom shake and club soda (water) and5) Mint (spices).

For those looking to impress theirfriends, Kinder will be giving punchmaking demos at an open house atDeath’s Door Distillery (2220 EagleDr., Middleton) on Friday from 6 to9 p.m. Admission is $5 and includes

Roman Candle pizza, Wisconsincheese, soda, distillery tours and $5cocktails and punch.

The Recipe:Squirrel Mittens Punch

Punch Bowl (1-1/2 or 2 gallonsize):

2 btls (750ml) Death’s Door Gin orDeath’s Door Vodka

8 oz. (1 cup) Sugar16 oz. (2 cups) Amaretto16 oz. (2 cups) Lemon juice, fresh

(appx. 12 medium lemons)48 oz. (1 ½ qts) Rooibus Tea,

brewed and cooled16 oz. (1/2 qt) Ginger Beer (or

spicy Ginger Ale)

Garnish: Cranberries and thin slices of

lemons

Combine sugar, amaretto andlemon juice in punch bowl and stir tothoroughly dissolve sugar. AddDeath’s Door gin or vodka, rooibostea and ginger beer and stir to thor-oughly combine. Garnish withlemon slices and cranberries. If serv-ing immediately, add approximatelyfour cups of ice to chill and ladle intopunch glass (8 oz.). Otherwise, leaveout ice in punch bowl and ladle intoice-filled glass during the course ofevening. This recipe makes 28 to 32servings.

PUnCh continued from page 3

Most wine collectors die with stock-piles of vintages held safely in storage.But not Finn Berge, wine enthusiastand owner of Barriques Market cafés.When Berge is gone he wants peopleto remember him and think, “At leasthe drank well.”

He buys bottles of wine to be used.In Berge’s opinion, wine is meant fordrinking, ideally with great food andfriendly company. And 22 years of tast-ing and buying wine has only ce-mented this belief.

Today Berge is a successful busi-nessman - he owns six Barriquesthroughout the Madison area includingone in Middleton’s Cayuga Court - butthis wasn’t always the case. His suc-cess is more than two decades in themaking, with ups and downs and turnsunforeseen.

The first Barriques, on Madison’sMonroe Street, opened in 1998 as awine-only shop. But the story of Bar-riques begins much earlier, in thespring of 1990 with the opening of asmall, new restaurant on the CapitolSquare.

Long-time residents of Middletonwill remember the Square in the earlynineties. “It was dead,” Berge recalls.Berge and three other enterprisingyoung restaurateurs saw opportunitywhere others did not.

Twenty-two-year-old Berge joinedhis brother and two friends as partnersin the Blue Marlin, an upscale seafoodrestaurant. Berge was the bartender andwine buyer for the young restaurant.He began learning about wine, tastingwine, and visiting vineyards in theStates and abroad.

Business was good. Berge and his brother opened an-

other eatery, Restaurant Magnus, in1998. This was when Berge said he,“lost the concept of a work week.”Working long days and even longernights at Blue Marlin, Berge watchedcouples, families, businessmen and

businesswomen enjoy good companyover expensive wines.

Stuck behind his bar – in an effort tomaximize seating capacity Berge wasblocked in all night – Berge had anepiphany: good wine and good timesneed not be an extravagance.

He wanted to enjoy the wine heloved so much, with kindred spirits,without breaking the bank to do so.Berge guessed he wasn’t alone.

Later that year, Berge and his part-ners remodeled the space that becameBarriques Wine Cave, on MonroeStreet. The centerpiece of the WineCave was, and remains, the “Wall of100” – 100 wines from all over theworld, all under $10. Berge and hisbrother-in-law, Matt Weygandt, ran theWine Cave for five years before they

decided to expand. Berge and Weygandt sought a new

model for the second Barriques, onethat could expand the customer baseand maximize the space. The twolanded on a simple solution: coffee inthe morning and wine in the evening.

Berge and Weygandt leased the specspace on the corner of Cayuga andElmwood, in Middleton’s then newlybuilt Cayuga Court. Originally the en-deavor was a partnership betweenBerge and a coffee company, but thebean people walked away before thedoors even opened.

Berge pressed on. Thirteen years after learning wines

on the fly, Berge began his crash coarsein coffee with the 2003 opening of Bar-riques in Middleton. He was a fast

learner. By the end of the year he added a

third Barriques in Fitchburg. Since then Berge has opened three

more Barriques locations throughoutMadison. The sixth and newest loca-tion, opened in August 2011 on ParkStreet, is especially unique.

The back half of Barriques Park St.is devoted entirely to coffee bean roast-ing. Headed by Rob Jeffries, Berge’sfull-time roaster, the Park Street loca-tion now supplies each of the six Bar-riques with all their coffee beans.

In addition to supplying his ownstores with coffee, Berge’s now sellshis beans, wholesale, to other coffeeshops, restaurants, and businesses. Hebelieves wholesale business is wherefuture growth within his company lies.

Looking ahead, Berge plans to con-tinue selling wholesale beans and op-

erating his six Barriques locations. Ahusband and father, he appreciates hiscurrent work and life schedule afteryears of working long nights, earlymornings, and practically every holi-day and weekend.

“Last year I went skiing on NewYear’s Eve,” Berge said, “it was myfirst time not working New Year’s Evein 25 years.”

Berge expects to continue to enjoysome weekends and holidays with hisfamily, a privilege in the food servicebusiness he’s earned thanks to hardwork and years of sacrifice. Enjoyinglife outside of work is consistent withwho he wants to be, he reflects. Bergeunderstands what long-term successlooks like for him and it doesn’t in-clude stockpiling anything.

He has the wine, and he plans todrink well.


Drinks on him: The man behind Barriques

Times-Tribune photo by Nathan Mabie

Middleton resident Finn Berge, wine enthusiast and owner of BarriquesMarket cafés.

by naThan MaBIETimes-Tribune

CCOFFEEOFFEE

ented writers with whom I’ve had theopportunity to work.”

The site also offers a link to “Seek-ing Shama,” a site run by Middleton

native Kee Kee Buckley, whose writ-ing has been feature by the HuffingtonPost. A local birding site, the Middle-ton Chamber of Commerce and the

Middleton Tourism Department can allbe quickly accessed through the web-site as well.

Municipal governments have

worked increasingly hard in recentyears to provide digital information tocitizens. Both the City of Middletonand the Town of Middleton make an ef-fort to reach out to residents throughelectronic means.

“Still,” said Geiger, “it’s nice to

know there is a community newspaperout there – run by people who aren’tbeing compensated by local govern-ment – keeping tabs on them. The factthat we are here – both in print and on-line – does help me sleep a little betterat night.”


Neighbor City, including PublicWorks, Public Lands, Fire and EMS.

“We were able get roads and inter-sections cleared in a timely manner inorder to get stranded motorists movingor, in the case of the fire department,get them out of their cars and moved toa safe location,” he said. “Our citizensshould be pleased with the hard workand dedication of our city employeesduring this snow incident.”

Keil added that the Middleton FireDistrict responded to multiple callsoutside the city, and that many of theirvolunteers brought in personal snow-mobiles that allowed them to respondto emergencies that would be otherwiseinaccessible.

Middleton Fire Chief Aaron Harrissaid his department responded to 17emergency incidents “along with nu-merous citizen assists, [including]shoveling out driveways, freeingstranded cars [and] clearing blockedvent pipes.” The Middleton Fire Dis-trict had as many as 23 volunteersstaffing in-house with a multitude ofadditional volunteers on standby dur-ing the storm.

During events such as this, MIFDpersonnel generally assist by bringing

in personal all terrain vehicles, snow-mobiles and 4x4 trucks. The MIFDplow truck, operated by Assistant ChiefGary Gillitzer, was utilized on numer-ous occasions throughout the district togain emergency access to citizens inmedical distress and to guide the trans-porting ambulances from Cross Plains,Waunakee and Middleton to their var-ious destinations.

Harris praised everyone who helpedout within the fire district during thestorm. “Over this three day blizzardevent I’m left in awe as I witnessedfirst hand the combined emergencyservices efforts of the Middleton PoliceDepartment, Dane County SheriffsDeputies, Dane County 911 DispatchCenter, Middleton Paramedics, CrossPlains Fire Department, Cross PlainsEMS, Waunakee EMS, Middleton De-partment of Public Works, DaneCounty Highway Department and theTown of Middleton, Westport andSpringfield road crews,” Harris saidFriday. “As the storm passed it becameclear to me that the consolidated proac-tive/reactive efforts put forth by every-one, citizens included, is what madethe overall response to this winteremergency a success.”

Staff at Middleton City Hall re-ported snow removal crews beganclearing roads when the storm hit,working until 5 p.m. Thursday. Theywere back on the roadways again at 2a.m. Friday

In the nearby Town of Middleton,clerk Sara Ludke said workers teamedup with the Dane County Sheriff’s Of-fice to clear roads.

“Our road crew has been out work-ing continuously trying to clear theroads,” Ludke wrote in an email to res-idents on Friday. “Providing access toemergency personnel has been [a] toppriority [as] several residents are deal-ing with a gas leak and power out-ages. We have all available employees,along with additional resources includ-ing tractors and end-loaders clearingthe streets as fast as possible.”

Town administrator David Shaw putit simply: “Obviously, with almost 20inches of snow, we have faced somereal challenges getting to everyone’sdriveway and we want to thank all ofyou for your patience. We have all fiveof our trucks, plus a large tractor andan end-loader out to get the snow takencare of as quickly as possible.”

The storm caused most schools and

businesses to close, as well as alteringsome trash and recycling pickup times.However, the Middleton CommunityOrchestra reported strong audienceturnout Wednesday night at the Mid-dleton Performing Arts Center despitethe gathering storm, according to or-chestra co-founder Mindy Taranto.

Casey Slaughter Becker, the com-munications specialist for DaneCounty Executive Joe Parisi, said thestorm made many county roads impas-sible, downing power lines and trees asit howled across the region. Parisi saidthe Dane County 911 Center experi-enced a nearly 60 percent increase incall volume Thursday.

“Heavy snow has fallen throughoutthe day and didn’t change to rain as ini-tially forecast[ed],” said Parisi lastweek. “Those snows combined withhigh winds have left many east-westroads difficult to drive on and in somecases impassable due to drifting.”

Parisi said the state of emergencydeclaration that went into effect wouldallow the county to seek federal disas-ter reimbursement for recovery costsrelated to the blizzard. Dane Countyshut down non-essential services andoffices through Friday. With the holi-

day this week, that meant normalcounty operations were scheduled toresume Wednesday, December 26.

An array of county highways werestill impassible well into Friday, in-cluding Highway Q from Middleton toWaunakee, where abandoned vehicleslittered the sides of the roadway.

Middleton EMS director SteveWunsch said his department respondedto nine calls during the storm, includ-ing one for cold exposure suffered bya stranded motorist.

“Overall it went very well,” saidWunsch. “Volume-wise there wasn’t alot of traffic, but there were still – andthis always puzzles me – some peoplewho didn’t have to be out on the roadsbut decided to drive anyway. We hadroads where snowdrifts were so highthey were over the tops of the plows.For some reason some citizens decidedto try them in their front wheel drivecars. They got stuck, and we had to gotry to get them out safely.”

Wunsch urged citizens to heedwarnings to stay home whenever futurewinter storms come rolling into Mid-dleton.

STORM continued from page 1

PaRKS continued from page 2

WEBSITE continued from page 1

The DNR received more than 2000comments on a draft proposal that waspresented to the public at five listeningsessions across the state. In response tothe public comments, the DNR movedback the opening date on additionalproperties and closed additional areasaround popular recreational trails onsome properties to protect publicsafety.

More than 60 people spoke during

the public participation portion of theboard meeting. In response to concernsexpressed, the board voted to furtherreduce the amount of time open tohunting and trapping, and also closedGovernor Nelson State Park north ofMadison to hunting and trapping.

The DNR plan proposed openinghunting and trapping from Oct. 15through the Thursday before MemorialDay on most state properties, with an

opening date of Nov. 15 on seven prop-erties with a high volume of late fallvisitors and horseback riders. Theboard amended the plan to open hunt-ing and trapping on Nov. 15 on allproperties and to close firearm huntingon Dec. 15, and then reopen huntingand trapping April 1 through the end ofthe third spring turkey hunting season,which ends in late April or early May.

The board voted to allow archery

hunting to continue in state parksthrough the late archery season, whichends the first week of January and forarchery hunting to continue at Buck-horn State Park near Necedah on itshistorical schedule of mid-Septemberthrough the end of the archery season.

The board also limited the types oftraps used at state parks to those thatwould prevent catching dogs. A repre-sentative of the Wisconsin Trappers

Association appeared during the publicparticipation portion of the meetingand demonstrated the dog-safe trapsand said they were the traps endorsedby the organization for use in parks.

The board also directed the DNR tobegin work on an emergency rule thatwould prohibit shooting across statetrails and trails within park boundaries.

Acker, Eric J, 23, Cross Plains, WI53528, 12/26/2011, FTS/ImproperStop at Stop Sign, $88.80

Alongi, Betty J, 53, Baraboo, WI53913, 12/27/2011, Speeding 55 MPHZone, $88.80

Andersen, Erin M, 29, Reedsburg,WI 53959, 01/02/2012, Speeding 55MPH Zone, $114.00

Barman, Laurie Lynn, 26, Lexing-ton, SC 29072 7361, 12/23/2011, Ex-ceeding Zones and Posted Limits,$88.10

Bedward, Lyle Dean III, 19, Verona,WI 53593, 12/03/2011, Method ofGiving Signals, $76.20

Boyd, Brittaney M, 24, Middleton,WI 53562, 01/03/2012, DisorderlyConduct, $114.00

Brand, Robin, 24, Middleton, WI53562, 12/22/2011, Criminal DamageProperty, $1311.00

Brummer, Christopher R, 44,Mount Horeb, WI 53572, 12/24/2011,Improperly Attached License Plates,$0.00

Bujniewicz, Tracy S, 41, Verona,WI 53593, 01/09/2012, Motor vehicleliability insurance required, $10.00

Byrd, Kaci A, 20, Lodi, WI 53555,01/08/2012, Exceeding Zones andPosted Limits, $114.00

Capps, Jill E, 51, Poynette, WI53955, 01/06/2012, Auto FollowingToo Closely, $114.00

Chapman, Anna R, 35, Madison,WI 53711, 03/02/2010, IssuanceWorthless Checks, $57.30

Dasiyici, Mehmet Celal, 28, Madi-son, WI 53719, 01/04/2012, Exceed-ing Zones and Posted Limits, $88.80

Diels, Gary R, 65, Waunakee, WI53597, 01/10/2012, Speeding 55 MPHZone, $88.80

Diels, Gary R, 65, Waunakee, WI53597, 01/10/2012, Seatbelt RequiredOper/Pass, $10.00

Driese, Ricky T, 46, Middleton, WI53562, 12/02/2011, Vehicle Registra-tion Revoked/Suspended/Cancel,$88.80

Driese, Ricky T, 46, Middleton, WI53562, 12/02/2011, Operating vehiclewithout insurance, $114.00

Driese, Ricky T, 46, Middleton, WI53562, 12/02/2011, Motor vehicle lia-bility insurance required, $10.00

Dudek, James D, 46, Columbus, WI53925, 12/27/2011, Speeding 55 MPHZone, $88.80

Dugan, Danielle M, 22, Waunakee,WI 53597, 01/03/2012, ExceedingZones and Posted Limits, $88.80

Dugan, Danielle M, 22, Waunakee,WI 53597, 01/03/2012, Operatingwhile Suspended, $88.80

Dugan, Danielle M, 22, Waunakee,WI 53597, 01/03/2012, Operating ve-hicle without insurance, $0.00

Elgebaly, Mohamed A, 62, Madi-son, WI 53719, 01/10/2012, Speeding55 MPH Zone, $88.80

Erickson, Christopher L, 27, Ma-zomanie, WI 53560, 01/06/2012,Motor vehicle liability insurance re-quired, $10.00

Erickson, Diana J, 66, Oregon, WI53575, 01/06/2012, Non Registration,$0.00

Eytalis, Sarah Ann, 31, Rockford,IL 61114, 01/10/2012, ExceedingZones and Posted Limits, $164.40

Eytalis, Sarah Ann, 31, Rockford,IL 61114, 01/10/2012, Operating afterrevocation, $114.00

Fuller, Mark K, 51, Baraboo, WI53913, 10/14/2011, Failure to ProperlyObtain a salvage title, $88.80

Fumusa, Vincent P, 46, Middleton,WI 53562, 12/26/2011, FTS/ImproperStop at Stop Sign, $88.80

Gallagher, Nicole M, 25, Madison,WI 53704, 01/10/2012, Speeding 55MPH Zone, $88.80

Gessel, Jenna A, 22, Madison, WI53711, 12/26/2011, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $88.80

Gessel, Jenna A, 22, Madison, WI53711, 12/26/2011, Operating vehiclewithout insurance, $114.00

Givens, Phillip B, 28, Madison, WI53704, 01/10/2012, Speeding 55 MPHZone, $88.80

Gleeson, James T, 53, Madison, WI53705, 01/06/2012, Non Registration,$0.00

Gleeson, James T, 53, Madison, WI53705, 01/06/2012, Motor vehicle lia-bility insurance required, $10.00

Gottlieb, Benjamin C, 40, Madison,WI 53703, 12/30/2011, PrivateUse/Sale Firework, $88.80

Griffin, Chad A, 29, Madison, WI53711, 12/29/2011, Motor vehicle lia-bility insurance required, $10.00

Hanna, Reema F, 21, Verona, WI53593, 01/10/2012, Unsafe Lane Devi-ation, $88.00

Hanna, Reema F, 21, Verona, WI53593, 01/10/2012, Motor vehicle lia-bility insurance required, $10.00

Haralampopoulos, Arthur G, 35,Fitchburg, WI 53711, 01/06/2012,Motor vehicle liability insurance re-quired, $10.00

Haralampopoulos, Arthur G, 35,Fitchburg, WI 53711, 01/06/2012,Non Registration, $88.80

Haraldson, Eric P, 56, Middleton,WI 53562, 01/10/2012, Speeding 55MPH Zone, $88.80

Hellenbrand, Steven John, 46, Mid-dleton, WI 53562, 01/05/2012, Ex-ceeding Zones and Posted Limits,$114.00

Heneghan, Lynne M, 19, Madison,WI 53703, 08/17/2011, Operating ve-hicle without insurance, $154.00

Heneghan, Lynne M, 19, Madison,WI 53703, 08/17/2011, Motor vehicleliability insurance required, $10.00

Hill, Guy A, 51, Black Earth, WI53515, 01/05/2012, Ride in Vehiclewithout seatbelt, $10.00

Johnson, Shad M, 36, Black Earth,WI 53515, 01/05/2012, Operating w/oa Valid Driver’s License, $0.00

Johnson, Shad M, 36, Black Earth,WI 53515, 01/05/2012, Operating ve-

hicle without insurance, $0.00Johnson, Shad M, 36, Black Earth,

WI 53515, 01/05/2012, Seatbelt Re-quired Oper/Pass, $10.00

Joncas, Michael P, 22, Madison, WI53715, 10/22/2011, Operating WhileIntoxicated, $731.00

Joncas, Michael P, 22, Madison, WI53715, 10/22/2011, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $114.00

Kraemer, Teresa L, 40, Madison,WI 53716, 01/07/2012, Non Registra-tion, $88.80

Kraemer, Teresa L, 40, Madison,WI 53716, 01/07/2012, Operating ve-hicle without insurance, $114.00

Kraemer, Teresa L, 40, Madison,WI 53716, 01/07/2012, Motor vehicleliability insurance required, $10.00

Lucas, Terrance Kinard, 32, BlackEarth, WI 53515, 01/05/2012, Ride inVehicle without seatbelt, $10.00

Mc Conkie, Sandi S, 54, Middleton,WI 53562, 12/30/2011, Non Registra-tion, $88.80

Mc Conkie, Sandi S, 54, Middleton,WI 53562, 12/30/2011, Motor vehicleliability insurance required, $10.00

Mc Conkie, Sandi S, 54, Middleton,WI 53562, 12/30/2011, Operating ve-hicle without insurance, $114.00

Mc Dermott, Michael J, 57, SunPrairie, WI 53590, 01/02/2012, Ex-ceeding Zones and Posted Limits,$88.80

Mccarty, Jill A, 29, Janesville, WI53548, 01/09/2012, Non Registration,$88.80

Mccarty, Jill A, 29, Janesville, WI53548, 01/09/2012, Operating vehiclewithout insurance, $114.00

Mechelke, Michael J, 28, BlackEarth, WI 53515, 12/30/2011, Methodof Giving Signals, $88.80

Murphy, Brian Harlan, 21, Verona,WI 53593, 01/05/2012, Motor vehicleliability insurance required, $10.00

Park, Shannon M, 24, Waunakee,WI 53597, 01/12/2012, Method ofGiving Signals, $76.60

Pierick, Jacob D, 26, Madison, WI53711, 01/05/2012, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $114.00

Pitts, April D, 38, Middleton, WI53562, 01/06/2012, Motor vehicle lia-

bility insurance required, $10.00Resch, Noy, 35, Madison, WI

53705, 12/27/2011, FTS/ImproperStop at Stop Sign, $88.80

Resch, Noy, 35, Madison, WI53705, 12/27/2011, Operating vehiclewithout insurance, $114.00

Resch, Noy, 35, Madison, WI53705, 12/27/2011, Non Registration,$88.80

Ruiz, Rosalino Antonio, 40, Mid-dleton, WI 53562, 12/10/2011, Ob-structing Traffic, $114.00

Schmidt, Misty R, 27, Sauk City,WI 53583, 12/27/2011, Speeding 55MPH Zone, $88.80

Schnelle, Sara Elizabeth, 17, Mid-dleton, WI 53562, 11/10/2011,Method of Giving Signals, $88.00

Schumacher, Lynn A, 52, Madison,WI 53714, 01/02/2012, Non Registra-tion, $88.00

Shackleton, David J, 47, Ma-zomanie, WI 53560, 01/10/2012,Speeding 55 MPH Zone, $88.80

Shackleton, David J, 47, Ma-zomanie, WI 53560, 01/10/2012,Motor vehicle liability insurance re-quired, $10.00

Solt, Michael A JR, 31, Arlington,WI 53911, 01/04/2012, ExceedingZones and Posted Limits, $88.80

Stalkol, Eran, 27, Madison, WI53713, 01/10/2012, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $88.80

Stalkol, Eran, 27, Madison, WI53713, 01/10/2012, Motor vehicle lia-bility insurance required, $0.00

Strand, Matthew A, 39, South Be-loit, IL 61080, 08/13/2011, Refusal,$0.00

Tarrant, Christine A, 61, Madison,WI 53726, 12/28/2011, ExceedingZones and Posted Limits, $164.40

Thao, Khue, 29, Madison, WI53704, 12/31/2011, FTS/ImproperStop at Stop Sign, $88.80

Thompson, Joy L, 43, CottageGrove, WI 53527, 01/10/2012, Speed-ing 55 MPH Zone, $88.80

Thompson, Quintina M, 28, Mid-dleton, WI 53562, 01/03/2012, Disor-derly Conduct, $120.00

Touray, Abdou, 41, Madison, WI

53714, 01/06/2012, Operating vehiclewithout insurance, $114.00

Traxler, Aaron L, 19, Madison, WI53716, 01/08/2012, Operating whileSuspended, $114.00

Traxler, Aaron L, 19, Madison, WI53716, 01/08/2012, Operating vehiclewithout insurance, $114.00

VanDoros, Takis S, 77, Middleton,WI 53562, 01/08/2012, Traffic Con-trol Signal Violation red, $88.80

Wagabaza, Sara A, 30, Middleton,WI 53562, 01/01/2012, DisorderlyConduct, $240.00

Walker, Charles E JR, 41, Madison,WI 53713, 12/31/2011, Operating ve-hicle without insurance, $114.00

Walker, Charles E JR, 41, Madison,WI 53713, 12/31/2011, Non Registra-tion, $88.80

Walker, Charles E JR, 41, Madison,WI 53713, 12/31/2011, Motor vehicleliability insurance required, $10.00

Walker, Charles E JR, 41, Madison,WI 53713, 12/31/2011, Operatingwhile Suspended, $114.00

Walters, Chantea D, 26, Middleton,WI 53562, 05/12/2011, Operatingwhile Suspended, $154.00

Warren, George E, 68, Madison, WI53705, 12/31/2011, Traffic ControlSignal Violation red, $88.80

Warren, George E, 68, Madison, WI53705, 12/31/2011, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $88.80

Way, Jeremy S, 19, Middleton, WI53562, 01/03/2012, Non Registration,$0.00

Way, Jeremy S, 19, Middleton, WI53562, 01/03/2012, Failure to Applyfor a Transfer of Title, $0.00

Way, Jeremy S, 19, Middleton, WI53562, 01/03/2012, Motor vehicle lia-bility insurance required, $10.00

Zahid, Fatima, 38, Madison, WI53719, 11/28/2011, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $114.00

Zander, Ashley R, 20, Madison, WI53703, 01/06/2012, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $88.80

Zhang, Allen Fan, 22, Madison, WI53703, 12/07/2011, Exceeding Zonesand Posted Limits, $114.00.


IN COURT (Finding Date: 2/2/12)

MIDDLETON TIMES-TRIBUNE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Finally, ‘success’ for thelong-term un-, under-and self-employed

Part 4 of 4This 4-part column represents ex-

cerpts of an extensive online conver-sation on a jobs board, hopingrecruiters, HR folks, fellow profes-sional job seekers and others onLinkedIn might address the stigma onlong-term un/under/self-employment.For 60 days, hundreds of us pursue thequestion of ‘stigma.’ The major take-aways and life lessons from a 31-pagetranscript may be tightly summarized:

HR folks agree a stigma is heldagainst the unemployed; it is systemic,not just self-imposed: (a) the unem-ployed are viewed as a flight-risk, al-ways leaving for greener pastures; (b)the unemployed have lost competitiveskills; (c) if a true ‘A-gamer,’ the un-

employed would have secured em-ployment, or something is wrong withthem.

The reality of stigma assigned isshocking, even offensive, to many; thiscan block future success.

A recruiter would sooner hire awayfrom another organization or competi-tor than take a risk on the unemployed.

Ageism runs rampant and preventsbaby boomers from continuing towork.

The stigma is worldwide, with feed-back from the U.S., Canada, the U.K.,Australia, India, South Africa, and oth-ers.

Yet HR has also takes on blame re-garding the stigma; HR wants bettertools to clearly identify qualified can-didates.

HR recommends that unemployedindividuals stay active through volun-teering, continuing ed, associationwith professional groups, and consult-ing.

The un- and under-employed have avoice, blogging at a grassroots level;

e.g., see www.thewilltowork.com.We must convince organizations,

big and small, to adjust to a new econ-omy that will heavily depend on theexperience and innovation that thelong-term un- under- and self-em-ployed can bring.

I close with a related hospice inci-dent, one that shows how debilitatingthis stigma can be, even to the point ofwanting to end one’s life. It happenedover Thanksgiving weekend. I’mcalled to the bedside of a dying man.There I found myself not only com-forting the family in their imminentloss, but also confronting and over-coming this same stigma of long-termun- under- and self-employment. Notjust in myself—but in the 45-year-oldson of this dying man. The son is feel-ing societal and family pressure to suc-ceed in business, yet his 10-year careeras a trucker ends in bankruptcy. Feel-ing like a total “failure” in his dad’seyes, “useless” and a “burden” to hisfamily, he is threatening to end his lifewith a gun.

The tears and self-doubts comingfrom this son were familiar to me, butnot just as a reflection of my own. Yousee, my dad in his last days was alsothinking his life had not amounted tomuch, that for all his 55 years of work-ing for one company, he would not beleaving much of a legacy. “Bah, hum-

bug!” I had told Dad. I then proceededto assure him of what every dying manwants to know—that he did right byhis kids, that we are Dad’s proudestachievement, that he raised us the besthe could. So I asked the son crying onmy shoulder what self-doubts hisdying dad might be having at thispoint, and what final reassurances hemight want to hear from his one andonly son.

The grieving son raced into theother room to tell his dad what an “out-standing” job he had done raising ason. Further, he promised Dad that hewould “honor” him with his life andtake care of Mom, soon to be wid-owed. This end-of-life talk with Dadwas also, in effect, a sorely neededself-talk and a suicide-preventionpledge by the son.

Meanwhile, I direct this conversa-tion to our heavenly Father, as well.With wisdom from above, I help thisdistraught son unhook his identity andsense of worth from what he earns. Itis, rather, the work of Christ, not ours,which vindicates. We consider ourgood works and God’s justifyinggrace. God makes no junk, includingthis son, I remind him. We are theapple of God’s eye, who loves us forwho we are, no matter what, and notfor what we do.

Further, I tell my friend (and my-

self), our contribution to others ex-ceeds any compensation we may re-ceive. “It is more blessed to give thanto receive” (Paul, quoting Jesus). “Noone is useless in this world who light-ens the burdens of another” (CharlesDickens). To illustrate my point, I’mgoing with church friends, December15-23, to Staten Island, NYC, a placehard-hit by Hurricane Sandy. We’llhelp those without livable homes tomake it home for the holidays.

The stigma is lifted, for one and all,as this conversation now comes fullcircle. What began as a crowded on-line discussion group and self-talkabout stigma is ending up as a quietconversation and action plan with thishospice family, with people in jobtransition feeling “useless,” with NewYork’s homeless—and now with youdear readers. Amen.

If you want to capture and sharewith friends any or all four weeks ofthis case for the long-term un- under-and self-employed, see my blog atwww.thegruengroup.weebly.com. Ifyou want to meet others in the sameboat, and get help for your job search,come to the Madison Area Job Transi-tion group; we meet 1st and 3rd Satur-days of the month at the GoodShepherd Lutheran Church.

Students give heartwarming gift A year ago Sunset Ridge teacher

Cindy Wolfinger and her second-grade students decided to make tie-blankets and give them to children atAmerican Family Children’s Hospi-tal.

The program grew by leaps andbounds this year.

Eleven teachers and more than 200students participated in the voluntaryprogram this year. Wolfinger esti-mates more than 115 blankets will becompleted by the students.

“The children are loving it,’’ first-grade teacher Wendy Judd said.

In fact, two second-grade classesvisited St. Mary’s Hospital last weekfor a field trip and brought someblankets with them, Judd said.

The inspiration for the project re-sulted when a former student ofWolfinger’s missed the first week ofschool because she was in the hospi-tal having surgery. When the studentarrived for her first day, she sharedwith our class her experiences in thehospital, including receiving a blan-ket.

“The feedback has been amazingfrom the students,’’ Wolfinger said.“Many teachers are finding that stu-dents want to keep tying and tyingblankets and they never get tired ofit. Many of the students are now un-derstanding the message of how goodit feels to give rather than receive.’’

Room parents collected money inadvance for each class that was par-

ticipating. A few teachers then wentto Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts just be-fore Thanksgiving to get the fabriccut for each of the classrooms.

“This was a huge favor,’’ Wolfin-ger said. “We would have been in thecutting line for hours and hours hadwe needed to wait for Black Fridayto start the process.’’

The discounted fabric was pickedup the day after Thanksgiving.

“It was the longest receipt I’veever seen. It seemed like it was 20feet long,’’ she said.

The students began tying blanketsthe Monday after Thanksgiving. Stu-dents will tie before school, duringrecess or over their lunch hour,Wolfinger said.

The response has been over-whelming.

“The students in my class havebeen begging to come in to help withblankets,’’ first-grade teacher KarinKoenig said. “We randomly pick fourstudents each recess and almostevery child wants to be chosen eachday. I have heard my students ‘brag-ging’ about it to othersI think they re-ally get it as to what these blanketsare for and why it is important to helpothers.’’

Wolfinger planned to distribute theblankets on Dec. 22 to AmericanFamily Children’s Hospital, Gio’sGarden and Ronald McDonaldHouse. She plans to continue the tra-dition for many years to come andhopes it will grow even bigger.

“It is the gift that keeps on giv-ing,’’ she said.

Former Park Elementary read-ing specialist Clifford J. Kramer,61, died Nov. 17.

Kramer earned a bachelor’s de-gree in education from UW-Oshkosh and a master’s incurriculum and instruction andadministration from UW-Madi-son. He joined the school districtin February 1985 after previouslyworking in the Sheboygan andHartford school districts.

In 1988 he did a study on thepreferences of students towardBasal readers as opposed to chil-dren’s novels and chapter books.

“At the time, it was very cut-ting edge and I suspect that thiswas about when our districtbegan to make that turn in read-ing instruction,” Director of Em-ployee Services TabathaGundrum said.

He published articles in profes-sional journals and newspapers,books for use by teachers, and aremedial reading screening test.He also received a “Congres-sional Award for Excellence inTeaching” in 1993.

“He was ahead of his time asfar as data analysis,” Assistant

Kramerwas readingpioneerPark school

See KRaMER, page 9

by PERRy hIBnER

MCPASD

by PERRy hIBnER

MCPASD

Photo contributed

The blankets went to American Family Children’s Hospital, Gio’s Garden,and Ronald McDonald House.

Superintendent for EducationalServices George Mavroulis said.

Jane Conaway first met Kramerwhen she joined the district as areading specialist at Elm Lawn in1987. The reading specialists wouldmeet one afternoon every month todiscuss curriculum and assessment.

“We thought he was the voice ofreason regarding reading instructionphilosophies, not influenced by ‘thelatest,’ ’’ she said. “Students, staffand parents were drawn to him be-cause of his charm, warmth andcourage.’’

Kramer retired from the district inJune 2006.

“He was passionate about workingwith elementary school kids, andhelped them grow into successfulreaders,’’ said Jeanne Heindel, areading specialist at Kromrey. “Hewas also very knowledgeable aboutreading research, and I enjoyed dis-cussing issues with him.’’

Numerous staff members sharedhow Kramer loved to give his stu-dents a piece of “broccoli” after theywere done working with him.

“He had an old shoe box on histable,’’ Conaway said. “He wouldask if you wanted some broccoli thatwas in the box. Most said, ‘No,’ andhe would laugh and open the box.There was candy inside! Even if yousaid no, he gave you candy. That wasone of his favorite jokes. He laughedevery time.’’

Whenever a Park family had ababy, Kramer would give them acopy of Dr. Seuss’ “ABC” book.

“He said it should be the firstbook a child has to become areader,’’ Conaway said.

Park kindergarten teacher AmyCallies spoke at a celebration thatheld at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburgon Nov. 23.

“I vividly remember the very firsttime I met Mr. Kramer,” she told a

packed house at the celebration. “Hetook me to the enormous wall ofworksheets that was used for everygrade level. This was during my firstweek at Park in 1991. I had a sinkingfeeling of, ‘Oh no, what have Idone?’ As many of you know I amnot a worksheet type of gal. ... As itturned, out Cliff was not a worksheettype of guy, either.

“Cliff was the catalyst for thegrand book room we have today.Cliff loved teaching kids how toread. I can hear him saying ‘right!’He always said his whole job was toconvince each child he worked withthat they were a great reader!’’

If you would like to make a dona-tion to purchase books at Park,please contact MCPASD Community

Relations-Education FoundationSpecialist Perry Hibner at 829-9014.


KRaMER continued from page 8

CHURCH NOTES


Photo contributedThe show must go onThe Middleton Community Orchestra concert last week attracted a good crowd, according to organizers, despite

taking place on the brink of a major storm. Pictured above, soprano guest artist Emily Birsan.

Ordinance requires citizensto clear sidewalks, hydrants

Times-Tribune photo by Matt GeigerDogs days of winterThe Middleton Public Lands, Recreation & Forestry Department on Dec. 19 celebrated the Grand Opening

of the Quisling Park – Off Leash Dog Exercise Area at 8780 Airport Road. The new off leash park includesmore than three acres of fenced area, with picnic tables and trails. “There is ample parking, and it’s convenientlylocated near Middleton neighborhoods,” said Middleton Public Lands manager Penni Klein, far right. “Thepark will provide a fine excuse to get some exercise for the whole family and your dog!”

Mark Walther, community servicesdirector for the City of Middleton, is-sued a statement this week remindingresidents and property owners it istheir responsibility under Middletonordinance 8.07(1) to clear public side-walks and handicap ramps adjacent totheir properties of all snow and icewithin 24 hours of the end of snow andice accumulation.

Walther said it is less well knownthat it is also citizens’ responsibilityunder the same ordinance to dig outfire hydrants adjacent to their proper-ties.

“A properly dug out fire hydrant willaid responding fire fighters to morequickly locate and connect to fire hy-drants to fight a fire on your or yourneighbors’ property,” said Walther.“There are too many fire hydrants forMiddleton work crews to dig out in a

timely manner. Instead, the ordinancerequires you to dig out adjacent fire hy-drants - usually just one - within 24hours of the end of any snow accumu-lation.”

Walther said it is not necessary todig out a fire hydrant down to groundlevel; it is only necessary to dig out aradius of two feet and only down to atleast four inches below the lowest out-let hydrant cap. Connecting fire hosescan simply lie atop the surroundingsnow.

“While it is the responsibility of ad-jacent property owners to dig out thefire hydrant, it is in everyone’s interestto see that it is done,” said Walther.“Neighbors in the Good Neighbor Cityare welcome to dig them out to get itdone as soon as possible. This can beespecially helpful to neighbors withless ability to do this.”

The Madison-based MadisonMarimba Quartet (MMQ) will performthe 17th annual Our Gift To You freeconcert on Saturday, December 29 at 1p.m. in the afternoon at Mills ConcertHall on the UW campus. Quartet mem-bers Laura Guse, Tim Gruber, TomShaver and Jim Latimer team togetherto rehearse and perform this “betweenthe holidays” concert as their way togive back to the community – some-thing this quartet has been doing since1996.

Guse has played with the quartetsince 2003. She, husband Berkley andsons Calvin and Jonah live in Middle-ton. Guse has an extended career inmusic performance, electrical engi-neering and is currently Doctor ofPhysical Therapy at UW Hospital andClinics.

“We’ve played together for a longtime even though I’m relatively new inthe group’s 30-year history,” Guse said,indicating that weekly rehearsals areintense but fun and a stress-relieverfrom usual day-to-day activities eventhough juggling the activities of workand family life can be a challenge.

Other quartet members are Jim La-timer (Oregon WI) who is ProfessorEmeritus from the UW-MadisonSchool of Music, conductor of Madi-son’s own Capitol City Band andfounder of the quartet; Tom Shaver,Portage resident and band director atPortage High School and Tim Gruber0f Madison, a free-lance percussionistand music teacher in the MadisonSchools.

MMQ was founded in 1980 and hasplayed throughout Wisconsin and onWI Public Radio; from Rockford ILand Tulsa OK to Bethesda MD andWashington DC. They delight audi-ences of all ages with their combinedtalents, virtuosity and personalities andperform regularly by invitation for afee.

MMQ promises an exciting programof music from the classical BeethovenFinale-Allegro from Quartet No. 13,Opus 130 to A Shot in the Dark or In-spector Clouseau by Mancini.

The program is also likely to includeone movement from Quartets by AliceSmith and Felix Mendelssohn, Can-Can by Offenbach, Theme and Varia-

tions on Simple Gifts by Copland asarranged for the quartet by Madisoncomposer, Frank Ferriano. A little jazzcompletes any MMQ concert - it couldbe Satin Doll, Freedom Jazz Dance,Take Five, So What or something else.As in the past, the quartet will play thetraditional Sleigh Ride to celebrate theseason. The concert will last about 75minutes with a brief intermission.

“The music is the message” accord-ing to Latimer, the Quartet’s founder,who went on to say that folks are usu-ally looking for positive, creative andfamily things to do between the Christ-mas and New Year’s holidays. ForMMQ the past sixteen concerts billedas “Our Gift To You” have been excit-ing and successful.

Mills Concert Hall is located at theUW School of Music, Mosse Humani-ties Building at the corner of Univer-sity Avenue and N. Park Street inMadison. The concert is free and opento the public.

Nearby parking is available at theLake Street and Southeast Area Park-ing Ramps (enter from Lake Streetfrom University Ave. or W. Johnson);

at Grainger Hall (enter on BrooksStreet from W. Johnson or UniversityAvenue) or Helen C. White Hall (enterfrom N Park Street across from theMemorial Union Theater).

For addition information visitwww.mmqccb.org, [email protected] or call 608 835-9861.


Middletonian Laura Guse featured in Saturday concert

Photo contributed

Middleton resident Laura Guse performs.

Thrilling victories. Magnificentindividual performances. Memories tolast a lifetime.

These are the norm inside theremarkably successful sports pro-grams at Middleton High School.

And 2012 was certainly no differ-ent.

MHS provided area sports fanswith a bevy of highlights this pastyear. Here’s one person’s view of thetop-10.

1. The beat goes onThe losses were extreme.

Expectations weren’t high.When Middleton’s girls basketball

team began the 2011-’12 campaign,few believed they would continuetheir recent run of success.

“I think going into the year, peoplewere like, ‘Middleton, they’ll have anaverage year. They’re not going to beas good as they were last year,’ ”Middleton guard Mika Passini said.“But I think going into the season withthat mentality motivated us a lot

more.”It showed.To the surprise of many, Middleton

put together its typical sensationalseason.

The Cardinals won the Big EightConference’s outright championshipwith a 16-2 record. That marked thesixth straight year Middleton won atleast a share of the league.

The Cardinals had three winningstreaks of at least four games, high-lighted by an eight-game run fromlate-January to late-February.

And to top it off, Middletonreached the WIAA Division 1 statetournament for a fifth straight year.The Cardinals became just the seventhprogram in state history to accomplishthat.

Middleton’s year ended in disap-pointment when it lost to MilwaukeeKing, 78-73, in a state semifinal gameat the UW Kohl Center last Friday.But considering where the Cardinalsbegan — and where they finished —there was far more pride than disap-pointment.

“I don’t think a lot of peoplethought we’d be back here one moreyear,” said Middleton center MadelineStaples, whose team finished the year21-6. “I think that motivated us, espe-cially the seniors, from day one of the

season. “We got back here … and the dis-

appointment is the loss, but we’re notdisappointed about the season. Weaccomplished a lot this year.”

Middleton lost all-state point guardKerry Gardner and all-Big EightConference forward Rachael Eklundfrom its 2011 state finals team. But theCardinals had several players emergeas big-time players.

Staples was as good as any postplayer in the league, and as Middletonhead coach Jeff Kind said, “she car-ried us to state.”

Passini was one of the area’s mostcomplete and versatile players. Passinimoved from small forward to pointguard at midseason when theCardinals needed help there, andbrought stability to the position.

Senior guard Kirsten Gundersonwas one of the league’s more explo-sive scorers and one of the Cardinals’top athletes.

Perhaps the biggest lift, though,came from sophomore forward LizMcMahon, who emerged as an insideforce and finished as Middleton’sleading scorer.

Middleton proved once again thateven in what many considered arebuilding year, it’s foolish to over-look the Cardinals.

“How can you be disappointed?”Kind said moments after the statesemifinals. “It’s momentary disap-pointment, but I can’t be prouder ofthe group and the accomplishmentsthey had this year.

“To lose as many players as we didoff of last year’s team … our seniorsjust kind of took control of the teamand kind of refused to lose and we justgot better as the season went on. Theyaccomplished a lot. It was a little bitunexpected, I think.”

2. Bye, bye BurghyThe going away party was sup-

posed to take place in Milwaukee.Maybe with a second state champi-

onship for outgoing coach KenBurghy. Most certainly with a trip tothe WIAA Division 1 boys state soc-cer tournament.

But the best laid plans don’t alwaysgo the way they’re supposed to.

Middleton’s boys soccer team fellto Madison Memorial in a shootout inthe WIAA Division 1 sectional semifi-nals. And that ended Burghy’s sensa-tional run as Middleton’s head coach.

“I’m disappointed of course,” saidBurghy, whose team was ranked No. 2in the state heading to the postseason.“But I’m more disappointed becausethis team and these players had theirrun cut short.

“This was one of the best teamswe’ve ever had at Middleton. Butsometimes things just don’t go yourway, even when you’re the betterteam.”

Burghy finished with a 515-139-49overall record. He led the Cardinals to12 state tournaments, 18 conferencechampionships, won a state title in2004 and was the state runner-up in2000.

Afterwards, though, he longed forone more win.

“That game was one we did nottake for granted by any means,”Burghy said. “Certainly I thought wecould handle them and for the mostpart we did. And if we don’t run intosome bad luck, we beat them nine outof 10 times. But things don’t alwaysgo your way.”

Another memorable yearOn field successes,off field departuresheadline 2012

M I D D l E T O n ’ S y E a R I n S P O R T S

RobReischel

See 2012, page 14

Follow RobReischel onTwitter at@robreischel

Times-Tribune photos by Mary Langenfeld

Boys soccer coach Ken Burghy (left) and girls basketball player Madeline Staples (right) were part of Middleton’s top two sports stories of 2012.

Middleton took a 1-0 lead againstVerona when senior defenseman JakeBunz had an unassisted goal less thannine minutes into the game.

But the Cardinals didn’t scoreagain. And Verona had one goal inevery period to eventually prevail.

Against West, Middleton trailed, 1-0, midway through the first period.Then Bunz got the equalizer withassists from Nico Campbell and EthanMcLeod.

But the Regents took a 2-1 lead

after the first period, tacked on twosecond period goals and another in thethird.

Middleton is now off until Jan. 4when it hosts Onalaska.


Offense has been a problem forMiddleton’s girls basketball team attimes this season.

And that was the case once againlast Saturday.

Host Verona slowed the pace andslowed the Cardinals in a 37-22Wildcats victory.

Middleton fell to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big Eight Conference. Veronaimproved to 5-3, 4-1.

Janesville Parker leads the leaguewith a 5-0 mark, while Verona, SunPrairie and Madison La Follette allhave one loss.

“It was disappointing,” Middletoncoach Jeff Kind said. “Verona did avery good job of dictating the pace ofthe game both offensively and defen-sively. They played sound fundamen-tally and capitalized on our mistakes.”

The Wildcats used a 7-0 runbetween the first and second quartersto go ahead, 14-4. Verona then held a16-6 lead at halftime.

Things didn’t improve much in thesecond half, as Verona stretched itslead to 27-11 through three quarters.

The Wildcats then maintained acomfortable advantage throughout thefourth quarter.

“We had some open looks againsttheir zone, but failed to knock themdown and we were very sluggish withour offensive attack,” Kind said.“Defensively, without scoring, we hadtrouble getting into the press, and theydid a good job of pulling the ball outand making us play extended posses-sions. We must learn how to dictateour tempo versus teams like Verona.”

Sophomore forward Cole Jordeeled Middleton with nine points, whilesenior guard Natalie Staples addedseven.

Middleton is now at the eight-teamRathke Memorial Tournament atFranklin Thursday through Saturday.

The Cardinals open against RacineCase Thursday at noon. The rest oftheir schedule will be determined byhow they fare in the quarterfinals.

• Boys basketball: Finding abranch of consistency to grab ahold ofhas been a tough thing for Middletonthis winter. And that was the caseagain last Saturday.

The Cardinals dug a 15-8 hole afterthe first quarter, played catch-up allday, and fell to host Fort Atkinson, 49-45.

Middleton shot just 4-of-19 fromthree-point range and 11-of-19 fromthe free throw line.

“Tough one,” Middleton coachKevin Bavery said. “At some pointyou have to make some shots.”

Demond Hill, Kade Schultz andMax Oelerich all scored eight pointsto pace the Cardinals.

Middleton fell to 4-4 on the yearand remained 4-3 in the Big EightConference. Fort Atkinson improvedto 5-2 overall.

The game was tight throughout.Fort led, 21-17, at halftime and 34-28through three quarters.

Middleton kept charging in thefourth quarter, but never could seizecontrol.

Middleton next faces MadisonEdgewood Friday at 7:30 p.m.

• Hockey: It was a rough week forMiddleton.

The host Cardinals dropped a 3-1decision to league-leading VeronaSaturday. Middleton also fell, 5-1, toMadison West last Tuesday.

Middleton, which is 6-3 overall,has now slipped to third place in theBig Eight at 4-2. Verona (7-1, 6-0)leads the league.

Rough weekfor MiddletonBasketball teamsand hockey squadall dealt lossesby ROB REISChEl

Times-Tribune

Times-Tribune photo by Mary Langenfeld

Max Waelti and Middleton’s boys basketball team fell at Fort Atkinson last Saturday.


Most things certainly wentMiddleton’s way this season.

The Cardinals went 19-3-3 overalland won the Big Eight Conferencewith a perfect 9-0 mark. Middleton’spath to the state finals certainlyseemed manageable, too, as itwouldn’t have met No. 1 Marquetteuntil the title game.

That’s why the loss was so hard totake.

“It’s tough to look back on thisyear,” junior defender Jack Hagstromsaid. “We really had something spe-cial that ended earlier than we wanted.We had a great schedule, playingalmost every team in the state’s top10, and winning the Big Eight.”

Senior forward Derek Ott agreed.“It was a great year,” Ott said.

“Dominating the conference like wedid was a huge success and is some-thing that was very important to us.What I will remember most is that wehad an amazing group of personalitiesthat made practices, games and freetime so much fun.”

As for Burghy, he’ll alwaysremember the wins from his storiedcareer. But more importantly, he’llremember the people, the relation-ships, and ultimately the friendshipsthat will last for years.

“I hate to sound trite, but I’ve justgot to look back and realize how luckyand great this has been,” Burghy said.“It’s been great.”

3. Spolar exits in styleWhen it comes to going away pres-

ents, this was perfect.Middleton cross country coach Joe

Spolar announced his retirement thisseason after a terrific 20-year run. TheCardinals’ girls team then went outand finished fourth at the WIAADivision 1 state meet.

“The ride home was definitely afun one,” Middleton’s Delaney Fostersaid. “We were so excited and weexceeded our expectations and thecoaches’ expectations.”

No one was happier with the finalchapter than Spolar himself.

“We exceeded even my expecta-tions,” Spolar said. “Unlike otheryears that we’ve been at state, this wasreally the first year that I could say upand down the line that the girls all rantheir best race of the season at one ofthe tougher courses at the state meet.”

The fact Spolar had his team peak-ing shouldn’t have been a surprise.That was the norm for the Cardinalsduring his time.

When Spolar took over in 1993,there were 20 total kids in the pro-gram. This season, there were 106between the boys and girls teams.

Sure winning was always the goal,and Middleton did a lot of that.

The Cardinals’ girls won threestraight state titles between 1995-’97and also won the 2006 crown. In addi-tion, Middleton was second at state in2005 and finished fourth in both 2007

and 2012.Middleton’s boys were always

among the Big Eight’s top teams andfinished as high as sixth at state in2001.

But those that knew Spolar bestunderstood it wasn’t just about thewins and losses. It was about keepingeveryone involved, achieving theunachievable, and turning runninginto a lifetime sport for as many kidsas possible.

“Joe had a policy that no runnerwas more important than any other,and he actually lived it daily in prac-tice,” said Cardinals assistant coachIsaac Mezera said. “He loved workingwith the non-varsity runners, helpingthem set goals and work to their nextPR.

“From a whole team perspective,we’re going to miss Joe quite a bit. Hewas able to make each runner feel spe-cial and therefore bring out the best inall of them.”

Several athletes that competed forSpolar still rave about him today.

“Coach Spolar was always mybiggest encourager and my biggestfan,” said Liz Reusser-Black said. “Hehad a calming effect before races anda great way of bringing perspectiveafter a disappointing race. He wantedeveryone to succeed and was alwaysthere cheering for every single runner.

“I could always hear the cheers ofhis booming voice from about a mileaway and it gave me that extra motiva-tion that I needed. He was such a pos-itive role model for me and his passionfor the sport was contagious. He hashelped give me a lifelong passion forthe sport of running.”

4. Saying goodbye to aMiddleton legend

The day Dewey Stendahl was laidto rest was packed with immense sad-ness, remarkable stories, a handful oflaughs and an outpouring of love.

Mike Zimmerman gave a movingtribute. Son Derek recappedStendahl’s remarkable life.

And a jam-packed church smiledand cried.

Stendahl was one of the finestcoaches in the history of MiddletonHigh School athletics. And remark-ably, Stendahl was a better person.

So when Stendahl died Nov. 1 frompneumonia at the age of 64, it wasn’tjust a blow to MHS. It was a giganticloss for the entire community.

“Mr. Stendahl was the definition ofa class act who always led by exam-ple,” said Jill Ries, a 2002 MHS grad-uate who played four years of golfunder Stendahl. “The influence he hadon my life as not just a student-athlete,but as a person, I will carry with meforever. I’ll never forget his smile andhow he found the good in every situa-tion.

“He was a tremendous man to

2012 continued from page 12n

See 2012, page 15

Times-Tribune photos by Mary Langenfeld

Middleton cross country coach Joe Spolar (top) retired in October after 20 years. Middleton legend DeweyStendahl passed away on Nov. 1.


those of us who were lucky enough tocall him our teacher, coach, andfriend. He touched so many lives pos-itively by just being himself; caring,kind, and warm-hearted.”

Becky White, a standout golfer forStendahl from 1995-’98 and a girlsgolf assistant at MHS today, agreedwith Ries.

“I could go on about coachStendahl for days,” White said. “Hewas so much more than a golf coach.He became my mentor and friend. Heis the reason for my wanting to coachgirls golf for Middleton.

“I saw the commitment that hemade to us girls to make us betterplayers and individuals both on andoff the course. He turned Middleton’sgolf program into a program that otherschools admired. My goal is to contin-ue his legacy in my coaching atMiddleton. I hope every year to beable to inspire and teach the girls inthe MHS girls golf program the waythat Coach Stendahl did for me.”

Inspire is certainly somethingStendahl did.

Stendahl was a standout footballand baseball player at UW-La Crosse.And after his graduation in 1970,Stendahl had tryouts to kick for thePittsburgh Steelers and WashingtonRedskins.

When the NFL didn’t work out,Stendahl came to the Middleton-CrossPlains Area School District in 1971 asan elementary physical educationteacher.

From 1971-94, Stendahl was a var-sity football assistant and was part ofthe Cardinals’ state championshipteams in 1983 and ’87. Stendahl alsocoached freshman baseball and sopho-more basketball.

But Stendahl became best knownfor his success with Middleton’s golfprograms later in his career.

Stendahl was Middleton’s boyscoach from 1990-2004, and in thattime, he led the Cardinals to fourWIAA Division 1 state champi-onships, two runner-up finishes and 11overall state appearances. Middletonwon the 1993 state title, then capturedthree straight championships between

1997-’99.In Stendahl’s 15 seasons,

Middleton went 107-9-3 in dualmeets. The Cardinals also won 15conference championships in thattime.

Stendahl also resurrectedMiddleton’s once-defunct girls golfprogram and led it to lofty heights.

From 1994-2001, Stendahl guidedMiddleton to five state appearancesand a second place finish in 2001 —the best in school history at the time.

That success isn’t what many peo-ple remembered, though. It was theclass which Stendahl and his teamconducted themselves that often stoodout.

“He always taught his players to bevery respectful and courteous of oth-ers,” said Mike Turner, a key memberof Middleton’s three title teams in thelate 1990s and a later standout at UW-Eau Claire. “After every match thatwe played, Coach had all his playerspersonally thank the staff and hostteam. It’s a tradition that he made atMiddleton. It showed us how to treatand be considerate of others. Hismotto was the Golden Rule.”

5. Girls golfers bounce back

Sheenagh Cleary will be the first totell you that this was simply the appe-tizer.

The main course promises to be adoozy.

Middleton’s girls golf team went tothe WIAA Division 1 state tournamentat Cherokee Country Club and tied forsixth place. A year from now, the goalswill be even higher.

“I think we’ll be one of the teamsto beat next year,” said Cleary, a jun-ior. “I think next year is going to be alot of fun.”

This season certainly turned out tobe a blast.

Middleton, which admittedlydidn’t play its best on a pair of daysthat featured heavy winds and laterrain, tied for sixth with New


See 2012, page 16


Middleton freshman Loren Skibba led the Cardinals’ girls golf team to a sixth place finish at state.

Richmond at 714.Homestead won its second straight

state title, posting a two-day score of671, 11 shots ahead of runner-upKettle Moraine (682). Green BayNotre Dame (683), Milton (694) andArrowhead (701) rounded out the topfive.

“I’m pretty happy how it went,”said Cardinals freshman LorenSkibba. “I wanted to do better, butthese were tough conditions and wehad a really good year.

“A lot of schools will lose a lot ofseniors and we’re not losing anybody.So I think next year could be reallygreat.”

This year will be remembered quitefondly, as well.

One year after failing to qualify forstate, Middleton played with both pas-sion and precision. The Cardinals wonthe Big Eight Conference dual meetchampionship, then won regional andsectional titles for the first time inhead coach Jeff Kenas’ six years.

The Cardinals then capped thatwith a solid showing at state, one thatwill leave them battle-tested for 2013.

“There is absolutely nothing wecan complain about,” Kenas said.“This was such a great experience fornext year.

“With everything we’ll have com-ing back, I think we’ll be disappointedif we don’t finish in the top two or topthree. That will be a goal we’ll set. Wecan’t just be happy to get here.

“The girls improved a lot and reallyplayed great golf. But they’re stillcapable of a lot more. We’ve come along way, but there’s a lot more wecan do. I think we’re already excitedabout next year.”

6. Baseball heads back to state

There were times when thingslooked bleak.

A three-game losing streak early inthe season. Trouble against the topteams in the Big Eight Conference.And a late-season loss to MadisonMemorial.

But Middleton’s baseball team gothot when it mattered most, and turnedits 2012 campaign into a memorableone.

The Cardinals reached the statetournament for the 11th time in schoolhistory — and sixth since 2002 —before falling to Hartford, 5-1, in aWIAA Division 1 quarterfinal.

“Really good year,” said Middletonmanager Tom Schmitt, whose teamended the year 20-8. “It’ll be onewhere you tell the guys when you’redown to keep plugging away becausethis is what can happen.”

Middleton, like many teams, spentmuch of the year looking for answersin certain spots.

But the Cardinals overcame a lot,strung together six straight wins earlyin the year and compiled an eight-game winning streak later in the sea-son. In the postseason, Middletonoutscored its three foes, 21-5, beforefalling to the Orioles.

“The season was very successful inmy mind,” junior shortstop BrianLochner said.

The Cardinals, of course, hoped formore success at state. But no onecould argue their year was a terrificsuccess.

“It’s hard to lose,” Middleton sen-ior pitcher Drew Haack said. “But itwas huge for our program to get backhere after how hard we worked. Wereally worked hard.

“We thought we had momentum.We played our best ball all year at sec-tionals. But things just didn’t go ourway. We beat ourselves. But it was agood year overall.”

7. Gymnasts swing to sixth

It was a memorable year forMiddleton’s girls gymnastics team.The Cardinals won the Big EightConference dual meet season, postsea-son crown, then captured theWaunakee Sectional.

To top it off, Middleton finishedsixth at the WIAA Division 1 teamstate meet.

The combined team ofF r a n k l i n / M u s k e g o / O a kCreek/Whitnall was first with a newstate record of 147.6480. Middletonwas sixth at 137.8320.

“I felt the girls overcame a lot ofadversity to get to state and pulledthrough strongly with a conferencechampionship, sectional champi-onship, and an awesome state appear-

ance,” Middleton coach Kari Egansaid afterwards. “We knew going intostate that the competition was going tobe tough, so I was extremely proud ofthe girls for their sixth place finish,”Egan said. “The team goal was to havefun and enjoy the meet, and the girlsdefinitely accomplished that.”

Aryn Skibba, a sophomore, wasmaking her first-ever state appearanceand performed admirably. Despite bat-tling shoulder and back injuries,Skibba posted an impressive score of36.416 and finished fourth overall.

1 2 3 4 5 6

11 12 13 14

SportscalendarThursday, Dec. 27

TBD — Girls varsity hockey at Culver CupNoon — Girls varsity basketball vs. Racine Case at Franklin Holiday Tournament3:30 p.m. — Girls JV basketball at Franklin Holiday Tournament

Friday, Dec. 28TBD — Girls varsity basketball at Franklin Holiday TournamentTBD — Girls JV basketball at Franklin Holiday TournamentTBD — Boys JV hockey Invitational at HartmeyerTBD — Girls varsity hockey at Culver Cup9:30 a.m. — Varsity wrestling at Bi-State Classic at La Crosse5:45 p.m. — Boys sophomore basketball vs. Madison Edgewood5:45 p.m. — Boys freshman Red basketball vs. Madison Edgewood5:45 p.m. — Boys freshman White basketball vs. Madison Edgewood7:30 p.m. — Boys varsity basketball vs. Madison Edgewood

Saturday, Dec. 29TBD — Girls varsity basketball at Franklin Holiday TournamentTBD — Girls JV basketball at Franklin Holiday TournamentTBD — Boys JV hockey Invitational at HartmeyerTBD — Girls varsity hockey at Culver Cup9:30 a.m. — Varsity wrestling at Bi-State Classic at La Crosse10 a.m. — Boys JV basketball at Madison La Follette Tournament

Monday, Dec. 3111 a.m. — Girls varsity hockey vs. Alumni

Friday, Jan. 35:45 p.m. — Girls sophomore basketball vs. Janesville Craig7:30 p.m. — Girls varsity basketball vs. Janesville Craig

Saturday, Jan. 45:45 p.m. — Boys sophomore basketball vs. Verona7:30 p.m. — Boys varsity basketball vs. Verona

Times-Tribune2012 continued from page 15n

See 2012, page 17


Middleton’s Drew Haack and the Cardinals’ baseball team reached thestate quarterfinals.

Bailey Fitzpatrick of Burlington’sco-op won the meet with a 37.350.Madison Memorial’s Caroline Smithwas second (36.833) and MollyBenavides of Burlington was third(36.650).

“It was awesome going to individ-ual state and especially because it wasmy first time going,” Skibba said.“The atmosphere was cool, and I likedrotating event to event and cheeringon my “new” teammates for thatFriday night like (Memorial’s)Caroline Smith and (Verona’s) MariSchroeder.

“I was happy with my meet andgetting fourth. In general I had a greatmeet. In the end, I was happy with theresults.”

Skibba’s top showing came on thefloor routine, where she was secondwith a 9.383. Skibba was also seventhon the balance beam (8.933) anduneven bars (8.967), and 10th on thevault (9.133).

Junior Bianca Bakkar also had abig night and finished 18th in the all-around with a 34.499.

Bakkar was ninth on the unevenbars (8.933) and 12th on the balancebeam (8.750).

“Aryn and Bianca had amazingperformances during the individualcompetition,” Egan said. “Individual(state) is so different for the girlsbecause the team focus is no longerthere.

“Bianca had been to state before,but for Aryn, it was a whole differentmeet. The pressure is extremely strongand both Aryn and Bianca did

extremely well under it. I am so proudof them.”

8. Swimmers shine at state

It was a banner year in the pool forMiddleton’s boys and girls swimmers.

The boys finished fourth at statelast February. The girls followed thatup with a fourth place finish of theirown in November.

“My primary goal was to be topfive,” Middleton boys coach LukeLengfeld said. “Coming into state,with the guys that we have, we shouldbe able to be a top five team. We fin-ished fourth and I’m very happy withthat. We accomplished our goals.

“I challenged the guys at the begin-ning of the year and a lot of the guys,when they set goals, a lot them weresaying we want to be top eight, top sixand we got fourth. We just came upshort of third place, but fourth place isjust as good as third to me.”

Middleton senior R.J. Leifermanstole the show for the boys by winninga state title in the 100-yard butterfly.

“I didn’t have the best sectionaltime so I didn’t get right where I want-ed to be going in,” said Leiferman,whose sectional time ranked 10th best.“So I was in the second heat and I justtried to go as hard as I could because Iknew that the race was going to be inthe next heat. I just tried to get a timethat could compete with the times theywere going to go in the next heat.”

On the girls’ side, Ashley Aegerterled the way with a third place finish in

the 100 yard breaststroke and a fourthin the 200 individual medley in aschool record time of 2:06.31.

“When I dove in the water every-thing went out of my mind and I justswam as hard as I could,” Aergetersaid. “It was just really fun, it wassuch a rush.”

9. Tennis teams bothreach state

Middleton’s tennis programs havejoined the state’s elite in recent sea-sons. And this year was no different.

Middleton’s boys reached the statequarterfinals in June before losing toeventual state champion MilwaukeeMarquette.

The Cardinals’ girls also reachedthe state quarterfinals, where they fellto eventual state champion MequonHomestead.

“We were a true team this seasonand whenever we needed someone tostep up, they did,” Middleton boyscoach Bubba Schultz said. “When itwasn’t looking like things were goingto go our way, someone came up witha big upset to help us win.

“This is just a great group of kidsthat like to work hard, have fun, andcompete. I couldn’t have asked for abetter group of kids and this was a per-fect season for me as a coach. I can’tthank these guys enough.”

Despite heavy graduation losses,Middleton’s boys reached the statetournament for a fourth straight year,won the Big Eight Conference dualmeet title and the conference tourna-

ment.“This was a fantastic season for

us,” Schultz said. “We knew it wasn’tgoing to be easy this year and our guysreally stepped up to the challenge andcame out on top in just about every-thing.

“We were so excited when wedefeated Verona to win the conferencedual title, but we didn’t stop there andwent on to win the conference tourna-ment. Then we were able to come outon top for a third time this season andwin the sectional title aswell. Unfortunately we had a toughdraw at state, but that is how it goes.”

Middleton’s girls went unbeaten inthe Big Eight Conference dual meetseason, then won the conference tour-nament.

The Cardinals then rolled throughsectionals, sent two singles and dou-bles flights to individual state, andreached the state team tournament fora third straight year.

At state, Middleton ran into aHomestead team that would go on andwin a fifth straight state title.“I’ll remember this season forever,definitely for the accomplishments,but also for the team members,”Middleton’s Lindsey Heidel said.“The thing that really helped usexceed expectations this year was theteam dynamic we have.

“Not only are we all involved inthis team together, but we are friendsoff the court too. Being able to sharethese memories with some of my bestfriends has really made this season mybest.”

10. Spikers rollMiddleton’s boys and girls volley-

ball teams accomplished a rarity: bothwon Big Eight Conference titles.

Middleton’s girls won the BigEight Conference’s regular seasonwith a perfect 9-0 mark. The Cardinalsalso fared well in several high-profileinvitationals throughout the state.

Middleton eventually fell toWaunakee in the WIAA Division 1sectional semifinals. But even thoughthe Cardinals missed out on their ulti-mate goal of reaching the state tourna-ment, the year was a giant success.

“Even though our goal was state Icouldn’t have asked for a better team,”senior Dee Dee Maier said. “The pastthree years on varsity will always be apart of who I am.

“I learned so much from this expe-rience. I couldn’t and would never for-get the memories that have come outof playing volleyball.”

Middleton’s boys reclaimed theBig Eight Conference title after hav-ing its five year streak atop the leaguesnapped in 2011. Middleton went 24-8 overall. And the Cardinals reachedthe sectional final for the first timesince 2009, where they fell to KettleMoraine.

“It was a great year,” boys coachBen White said. “We only had oneloss to an unranked team. All-in-all itwas a huge positive.”


Times-Tribune photoby Mary Langenfeld

C l o c k w i s e(from top) gym-nast Aryn Skibba,tennis playerEmily Oberwetter,swimmer R.J.Leiferman andboys volleyballplayer ConnorZimmick allhelped their teamsto memorable sea-sons.


MIDDLETON-CROSS PLAINSAREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Board of EducationMeeting Minutes of

Monday, December 3, 2012

1. BOARD CANDIDATE ORIENTA-TION TIME @ 6:30 P.M. 2. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR BOE

MEETING @ 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the Mid-

dleton-Cross Plains Area SchoolDistrict Board of Education wascalled to order at 7:07˚p.m. by Pres-ident Ellen Lindgren.Present: President Ellen Lindgren,

Clerk Annette Ashley, Treasurer BobGreen, and Board Members AnneBauer, Leeanne Hallquist, Bob Hes-selbein, and Terry MetzgerNot Present: Vice President Diane

Hornung and Board Member JimGreerOthers Present: Superintendent

Don Johnson, Assistant Superin-tendent Tom Wohlleber,˚AssistantSuperintendent George Mavroulis,Principal Roz Craney, Principal ToddMann, Principal Monica Schommer,

and Continuous Improvement Spe-cialist MaryBeth Paulisse3. RECOGNITION - None 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOVED by Green SECONDED by

Hesselbein to approve the Regularand Closed Minutes of November26, 2012. Motion carried unani-mously, 7-0.5. COMMUNICATIONS 1. Correspondence/Board Com-

munication Anne Bauer stated that she

has˚toured several of the 4K sitesand has scheduled to see severalmore. Ellen, Annette and several ad-ministrators are attending the con-ference prepared by the UrbanLeague of Greater Madison later thisweek. Ellen Lindgren, Diane Hor-nung˚and Jim Greer˚will be runningfor the board again. Several citizensstopped in during the Board Orien-tation time.2. Citizen Comments - None6. SUPERINTENDENTÕS REPORT 1. Upcoming Events and Updates Don will attend a United Way

meeting regarding achievementgaps on Thursday morning. Don willbe sharing our district experienceswith other schools in Dane County.Don announced that the˚district willbe˚teaming up with Big˚City Moun-taineers, a group that Bob Weitzelwas raising money for when hepassed away. We will be sponsoringtwo trips this summer. One˚group of

boys and one˚group of girls willbenefit from this experience.˚ Donshared that Nancy Wyngaard˚is re-tiring.2. Open Enrollment for 2013-

2014 Don Johnson stated that admin-

istration is recommending that thedistrict does not accept any openenrollment at our buildings. Thedistrict will accept open enrollmentsat 4K and the 21st Century eSchool.There is a possibility we may acceptopen enrollment students at ClarkStreet Community School. We˚willaccept siblings of current open en-rollment students. The board willvote on this at the December 17Regular Board Meeting.7. CONSENT AGENDA MOVED by˚Green, SECONDED by

Hesselbein to approve the followingitems for consent agenda: 7.1.a.Approval of Bills Payable,˚7.2.d. Ap-proval of Staff Retirements, and9.2˚Final˚Approval of Policies IV-G˚through IV-H.˚Motion carriedunanimously 7-0.1. Administrative/Business Serv-

ices 2. Employee Services 3. District Consent Items a. Approval of Bills Payable Computer check num -

bers˚225624 through˚225738 total-ing $91,485.79 were reviewed bythe Board Treasurer and approvedunder consent agenda. (Exhibit A)b. Approval of TreasurerÕs Report There is no TreasurerÕs Report to

approve at this time.8. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/DIS-

CUSSION 1. School Improvement Team Re-

ports - Sunset Ridge, Northside,Park Roz Craney, principal of North-

side Elementary, shared informationabout the state report card data,concerns and areas to work on, andthe˚goals for Northside. The SchoolImprovement Team at Northsidehas gone through the˚entire reportcard and analyzed the data results.They will use the data to determinethe schoolÕs focus.Monica Schommer, principal of

Park Elementary,˚presented infor-mation on the state report card andVARC data for Park. There is a dis-crepancy between math and readingscores, which is similar to most ofthe elementary results. The goalsand focus for Park were also sharedwith the board.Todd Mann, principal of Sunset

Ridge Elementary,˚presented theplaque that˚the school˚received inWashington D.C. as a BlueRibbon˚School designee. Toddshared school report card˚and VARCdata. One of the main focuses forSunset Ridge is to˚work on closingthe achievement gaps at their build-ing. Sunset Ridge has seen a largetransition in their student commu-nity.˚Several big things Sunset isdoing: analyzing data, utilizing re-source time for student practice,problem solving groups, support,

team teaching, and providing in-struction at the level studentsneed.˚(Exhibit B)2. Elementary School Projections

by Building George Mavroulis distributed in-

formation on the updated enroll-ment projections for the2013-2014 school year. Adminis-tration shared several possible oneyear options to help with over-crowding at the elementary schools.The board discussed possible op-tions and ideas. They will continueto have this conversation at futureboard meetings.3. Report on Elementary Report

Card MaryBeth Paulisse presented the

board with background on the de-velopment of the elementary reportcards. Educational Services has beenworking with curriculum renewalteams˚on common curriculumand˚the district˚needed to develop acommon report card. This reportcard will allow teachers to evaluatestudents with consistency acrossthe elementary levels. These reportcards will be on Infinite Campus justlike 4K, middle and high school. ˚4. Survey of Public on Referen-

dum Ellen Lindgren distributed a draft

of a public survey regarding the No-vember referendum. The board hada brief discussion on items and sev-eral suggestions were given to im-prove the survey.˚Joe DonovanÕscompany will create the survey, col-lect and analysis data for the dis-trict.5. Review Policy IV-I through IV-

L The board reviewed the policies

and made several changes. Thisitem will be brought to the Decem-ber 17, 2012˚Regular Board of Edu-cation meeting for initial approval.9. ITEMS FOR ACTION 1. Initial Approval of Policy IV-H.1 MOVED by˚Green SECONDED by

Bauer to approve to Initial Approvalof Policy IV-H.1. Motion carriedunanimously, 7-0.2. Final Approval of Policies IV-G

through IV-H The board approved under con-

sent agenda the Final Approval ofPolicies IV-G through IV-H. (ExhibitC)3. Resolution Authorizing Disso-

lution of Post-Employment BenefitsTrust MOVED by Green SECONDED by

Hesselbein to approve˚the Resolu-tion Authorizing Dissolution ofPost-Employment BenefitsTrust.˚Motion carried unanimously,7-0. (Exhibit D)4. Resolution Authorizing the

Adoption of the Wisconsin OPEBTrust MOVED by Bauer, SECONDED by

Green to approve the ResolutionAuthorizing the Adoption of theWisconsin OPEB Trust.˚Motion car-ried unanimously, 7-0. (Exhibit E)10. CONVENE IN POSSIBLE

CLOSED SESSION UNDER S.S. 19.85(1)(e) MOVED by˚Green˚SECONDED by

SSCHOOLCHOOLBBOARDOARD

PPROCEEDINGSROCEEDINGS

Photo submitted

What ayear

Midd l e t o n ’ssophomore foot-ball team enjoyeda terrific season,finishing 7-1 over-all and sharing theBig EightConference titlewith JanesvilleCraig.


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week 52

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