Columbia County Horse Project Drill Team to perform at Lodi Ag Fair

Columbia County Horse Project Drill Team will perform at the Lodi Ag Fair Grand Stand 7:30 pm Thursday July 9th.

Muskies are hungry in Southern Wisconsin Waters !

Muskies have been jumping into boats in Southern Wisconsin waters today. Please feel free to donate a brat or burger to your nearest hungry muskie this holiday weekend !

Buying a Home . . . What You Need To Know

Lodi, WI
7/2/09

A free “Buying A Home . . . What You Need To Know” seminar is being presented by a panel of experts on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.  Detailed information on the “First Time Home Buyer Credit” will be provided.  You will learn about the steps to become pre-qualified for a home purchase and just how much home you can afford.  Title insurance will be explained and why you may need a GAP policy.  The pros and cons of investing in a foreclosed property will be shared, along with the benefits of a buyer agency relationship.

Mark your calendar to attend this presentation ~ it will take place on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at Community Business Bank, 1111 Sycamore Street, Sauk City from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  Registration and light meal begin at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required as space is limited.  RSVP by July 10 to reserve your spot – phone 608.643.6300 or email bbreunig@cbbwi.com.

46th Annual “Art in the Park” July 4th

Lodi Art Club will host the 46th annual "Art in the Park" July 4th in Habermann Park Lodi Wi from 10am to 4pm

A Market – A Musing

Lodi, WI Wisconsin
7/1/2009
By Gail Lamberty

When we scheduled the “get grilling” market for Friday June 25^th were not thinking of grilling our own hides.  It was a scorcher!  Never to be called “wimps” our vendors showed up in good spirits with garden goodies galore!  The first beans and (probably) the last asparagus were at the vendor booths.     As always, you can get the expected and unexpected at the Lodi market. Read more »

River Currents

Hanson's 52" Madison Chain Muskie

Lodi, WI Wisconsin
6/30/2009
by Gary Engberg
©2009 Gary Engberg Outdoors

Understand Fish Movement Through the Seasons for Success

Last week’s hot weather has raised local water temperatures to mid summer temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees. The warmer water has allowed all fish species to finish their spawning and recuperate for the rigors of this annual ritual. Even the last fish to spawn (largemouth, catfish, bluegills, and sunfish) are recovered and feeding heavily in local lakes and rivers.

What warm water, weed growth, and post spawn fish when all put together mean that fish are active, aggressive, and hungry. The metabolism of fish has been raised and most fish must regularly feed just to maintain their weight. The young fish of the year are trying not to be eaten themselves while feeding non-stop for their own growth. If you can now find fish, they should be willing biters! Read more »

144th Lodi Ag Fair Opens July 9th thru 12th

Fair Official Paul Dalton and his neighbor Rocky www.lodiagfair.com

Payment Relief In Sight for Those Struggling With Student Loan

Lodi, WI Wisconsin
6/30/2009

Madison, Wis. People struggling to make student loan payments may find welcome relief beginning July 1, when a new income-based repayment option becomes available. This new option allows certain lower income borrowers with federal student loans, regardless of when they first borrowed, to make monthly payments based on how much they earn, rather than the amount they owe. Read more »

6-28-09 Whalen’s Grade Sunset

Sunset over Whalens Grade prior to cold front

Lodi Blue Lightening U11 Girls

Lodi, WI
06/28/09

Lodi Blue Lightening U11 Girls
The 5th grade U11 Girls Lodi Blue Lightening soccer team would like to thank its coaches, sponsors, and parents for another terrific soccer season!    The girls finished undefeated and in first place in their MAYSA Classic Division.  Congratulations Lodi Blue Lightening!!

Front Row:  Samantha Lindloff, Taylor Levihn, Skye Baron, Aidan Campbell, Kayla Rolli, and Kailey Shields.
Back Row:  Assistant Coach Karl English, Alison Roach, Chyann Schmidt, Karli English, Jordyn Kellogg, Molly Ness, Grace Lee, Alison Kramer, Kennedy Herbsleb, and Coach Tim Herbsleb.

CBB To Sponsor Collette Vacations Seminar – July 15

Lodi, WI
June 26,2009

Discover spectacular Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria on a tour featuring multiple nights in three cities. The ten-day tour concludes with a stay in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, which includes the amazing Passion Play. This original performance dates back to 1634. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast start to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance, with the intricate costumes made locally by the villagers. This high-end tour is recommended for both the experienced and inexperienced traveler. Mr. Julius Stecker, Collette Vacations Representative, and Ms. Debbie Corrao, Travelog Travel Agency, will provide detailed information on Oberammergau – July 2010 on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at a seminar to be held at Community Business Bank, 1111 Sycamore Street, Sauk City from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Registration and light meal begin at 5:30 p.m.

Reservations are required as space is limited. RSVP by July 10 to reserve your spot – phone 608.643.6300 or email bbreunig@cbbwi.com.

Town of Lodi Board Meeting

LODI TOWN BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009
7:00 PM
TOWN OF LODI MUNICIPAL OFFICE
125 LODI STREET, LODI, WI

PRELIMINARY AGENDA
Preliminary agenda for publication purposes only, subject to changes prior to final legal posting

Fixed Agenda Items:
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Call to order and roll call
3. Approve agenda
4. Citizen Input
5. Meeting minutes: May 26, 2009
6. Payment of Bills
7. Clerk-Treasurer Report:
8. Building Report
9. Communications
10. Commission/Committee Reports: Parks, Solid Waste, Plan, EMS, and Fire Commission
11. Assessor’s Reports

Review, discussion and possible action on the following:
12. Gene & Ingrid Fleming/Bill & Melanie Hellenbrand/Dave & Angela Zirk/Greg Morris petition for 4-way stop signs at intersection of Tonja & East Harmony
13. Petition against curb and gutter on Cty. Hwy. V (Okee) – Martha Alberti
14. County Highway V (Okee) Update
15. Miscellaneous roadwork, such as but not limited to: Lindsay, Cactus Acres; drainage work, unbudgeted roadwork needed
16. Class A and Class B Intoxicating Liquor and Fermented Malt Beverage licenses; Operator licenses, Tobacco Products licenses (see back of this agenda for list of licenses applied for)
17. Update on action taken re: 5/26/09 agenda item #18. Investment Options for town’s funds
18. Lodi Parade – August 8, 2009
19. Solid Waste Committee request for 2 part-time substitute workers
20. Resolution 2009-XX to move $780 budgeted for website from Acct. #100-553480-390 (which is a Parks account number) to Acct. #100-516030-225 (Town Hall Communications)
21. Next Regular Town Board meeting: July 28, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m.
22. Future agenda items
23. Adjourn

April D. Goeske
Clerk-Treasurer

A Market-A Musing

Lodi, Wisconsin
6/24/09

Yes, a river ran through it.  Around 5pm on June 19th the market became the banks of the Lodi Running River.  Vendors sold plants, popcorn, benches, vegetables and strawberries before the heavens opened. Dads chewed on  bison sticks donated by Bednarek’s. A few of us waited out the storm.  I waded in the water to take the weather radio to the hard core vendors (3) who watched the drops flood the parking lot.  At the market we have an emergency radio to warn us of severe weather conditions.  Lyn brought us a new one last Friday.  Did she know something was in the wind?

Gail Lamberty, Market Manager for the Lodi Valley Farmer's Market in Lodi, WI

This Friday is “get grilling day” at the market.  We are featuring delicious marinades to add to your vegetables and meat you just bought from the vendors.  Stop by the market table for a taste of the marinades and the recipes to go with them.

We’re making very special plans for the Independence Day market on July 3rd.  Stay tuned. Details in next week’s blog.

And the search for Larry the Leek continues.  After serious consultation with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, it was suggested “Stop waiting—do something!”  So I’m on the pursuit to find Larry (so far without calling in the FBI).  I sent an all points bulletin (market poster) to Prairie du Sac.  On Saturday I stopped to visit a market vendor there and I discovered Luciano the Leek–a distant cousin to Larry.  He didn’t have the charm of Larry’s face, but the hair was a dead give away.  No doubt they were related!! He didn’t know where Larry was, but the family newsletter (Leeks Lament) detailed Larry’s celebrity status as post boy.    However, I’m feeling my Larry lust is cooling down after this long pursuit.

On Saturday while looking for Larry and chatting with Luciano, I was introduced to “Peanut”–the most charming, beautiful pygmy goat I have ever seen.  (Be still my heart!) Peanut has promised to visit me at the Lodi market in a couple of weeks.  Charm and good looks make it a tough run for Larry to compete.  Peanut’s hair is soft and silky, while Larry’s hair looks like he just pulled his finger out of a light socket.  Peanut’s beard is so cute, you just can’t stop running your fingers through it.  Peanut’s voice is soft and sweet.  Does love at first sight last?  You’ll have to help me decide when “Peanut” comes for a visit.  Stay tuned.

The Lodi Valley Farmer’s Market is held on Friday afternoons from 2 – 6 May through October at the Northern Edge Restaurant, located at N1430 Highway 113, Lodi, WI.

River Currents

Lodi, Wisconsin
6/24/09
by Gary Engberg
©2009 Gary Engberg Outdoors

Mille Lacs Lake, the Jewel of Minnesota

This nice walleye is just an example of the plentiful fish in Mille Lacs.

Last week, I had the pleasure of being invited to a Media Event on the premier fishing lake in Minnesota, Mille Lacs Lake. The “Event” was sponsored by Waypoint Technologies (LakeMaster) which makes some of the best digital map cards or “chips” for today’s new electronics. LakeMaster still produces paper maps with some of the best detail and contours on today’s market.

Mille Lacs Lake for those who don’t know is the second largest lake in Minnesota after Lake of the Woods. It spans 132,000 surface acres or slightly more than 200 square miles. This would be equal to over 13 Lake Mendota’s in size. The lake is relatively shallow without a thermo cline, so fish can be scattered throughout the water column. Most of the main lake falls into the 20 to 35 foot range with the north half of the lake containing mud flats and the southern portion of Mille Lacs offering more gravel and rock bars. The deep water angling takes place on the southern deep gravel and rocks as well as the numerous mud flats in the northern part of the lake. There also is shoreline break fishing on varied bottom types all around the entire lake. The weed line average is at 9 to 10 feet.
Mille Lacs Lake is often called the “Walleye Capital” of the United States and after fishing it for over two decades I know this lake well and jumped at the opportunity to once again fish this lake. The annual harvest is usually between 250,000 and 400,000 walleyes plus a quota allowed to the Native Americans who can legally use gill nets. But, besides the walleyes there is very good fishing for northern pike, muskie, jumbo perch, smallmouth bass, crappies, and tullibee on open water and on ice. Read more »

BioBlitz Summary Gibraltar Rock

Lodi, WI Wisconsin
6/23/09

A wide variety of citizens enjoyed the BioBlitz event at Gibraltar Rock Natural Area.

Approximately 20 citizens joined six biologists for the “BioBlitz” held at Gibraltar Rock on Saturday June 13^th.  Although the biologists are still finalizing their reports, they were very happy with the results of their species inventories.  The DNR-owned Gibraltar Rock and adjoining private lands (with landowner consent) were surveyed for plants (including lichens) and animals (birds, mammals).  Citizens from the area were invited to join the biologists as they undertook their species surveys.

Gibraltar Rock and adjoining lands houses a variety of habitats, including deep woods, meadow, prairie remnant, shrubby field, bluff face, woodland edge, and leatherleaf bog.  This variety of natural communities provide habitat for a wide diversity of plant and animal species.  A total of 58 bird species were identified at the site.  The DNR ornithologists (bird specialists) Mike Mossman and Sumner Matteson did the breeding bird survey starting at 5am.  Mossman reported, “Most unusual breeding birds were Acadian Flycatcher (state-threatened) and Broad-winged Hawk (common up north but in southern WI breeds only in large upland forest tracts).  Overall, we found a good complement of forest interior and generalist birds (e.g., Broad-winged Hawk, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ovenbird, Pileated Woodpecker) a good community of shrub-loving species in the old fields and woods edge (Alder Flycatcher, Blue-winged Warbler, Field Sparrow, Black-billed Cuckoo, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee), and a few open-country and grassland obligates (Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow).  A good mix of birds responding to a good mix of habitats embedded within a pretty healthy landscape of forest, shrub habitat and agriculture. Read more »