2010 January | Lodi Valley News

Badger Contamination Has Reached Lake Wisconsin

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/28/10

A new environmental study has confirmed that groundwater contamination from an old hazardous waste dump at Badger Army Ammunition Plant has moved beyond the plant boundary and is discharging into Lake Wisconsin at Weigand’s Bay. Concentrations of the carcinogenic explosive DNT exceed state groundwater standards and low levels of solvents may have also migrated outside the plant. So far, contaminant concentrations in two affected drinking water wells are below health advisory levels.

The Army’s December 2009 groundwater investigation recommends that additional shallow and deeper monitoring wells be installed in three rural neighborhoods at Weigand’s Bay to monitor DNT and solvent concentrations and contaminant trends. The new well locations will be discussed with the WDNR, the report says.

The primary source of the groundwater contamination is the Deterrent Burning Ground – a closed hazardous waste disposal site located in the northeast corner of Badger. It was used as a demolition landfill and for open burning of deterrent, asphalt shingles, building timbers, and office wastes. Deterrent is an organic liquid containing dibutyl phthalate and DNT that is used to modify the burning characteristics of nitrocellulose-based propellants.

In September 2009, groundwater testing at the Deterrent Burning Ground detected DNT at 3.8 parts per billion (ppb) in groundwater which is 76 times higher than the safe drinking water advisory of 0.05 ppb.

Area residents do not feel the recommendations go far enough. “The Army should be taking steps to evaluate the cleanup remedy,” said Laura Olah, a Weigand’s Bay resident and Executive Director of Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger. “There is nothing in the plan to prevent further contamination of drinking water and the environment.”

A 2009 technical review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirms that Badger does not have a method in place to determine if operation of the on-site bioremediation system could be affecting groundwater contamination and migration. If the current cleanup remedy is found not to be effective, the Corps identified a number of alternative cleanup methods that could help remedy the problem.

The Deterrent Burning Ground, Landfill #3, and Landfill #5 are also potential sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater, the report says. All are located approximately 1.5 miles northwest (upgradient) of Weigand’s Bay.

The Army sampled private wells in the Weigand’s Bay area for volatile organic compounds twice during 2007. The carcinogenic solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in five private wells; none of the detections were above safe drinking water standards. The Army said that the source of the TCE is not known however the parent product perchloroethylene (PCE) has been detected in groundwater at Badger.

Certain forms of DNT are harmful to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. The Army report does not discuss potential harm to wetlands and fisheries.

Accurate Appraisal Website

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/28/10

Accurate Appraisal LLC, the new Town and City of Lodi appraisal service provider has announced that local tax information will be accessible through their website. Go to www.accurateassessor.com, click on the state of WI map and then your municipality name. You will have several search options.

This link makes it easy to compare all properties in the city and the town.

One Student Wins $2,500 EdVest Scholarship

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/27/10

7 others will take home $500 for writing essays about going to college

Madison – On Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 2:00pm at the Governor’s Mansion, Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass and First Lady Jessica Doyle will award 8 Wisconsin students EdVest College Scholarships. The students were among 400 who took part in the 2009 Higher Education Day Essay Contest. The 4th-6th graders wrote about why they want to continue their education beyond high school.
The winners are:
·        Zachary Atkins –Racine County, 6th grade, REAL School
·        Jillian Tuscher – Sauk County, 6th grade Jack Young Middle School
·        Kaitlyn Skala – Vernon County, 6th Grade, Hillsboro Elementary
·        Tyler Yang – Milwaukee County, 5th Grade, St. Bernadette
·        Cole Wirth – Milwaukee County, 6th Grade, Longfellow Middle School
·        Natasha Brantley – Manitowoc County, 6th Grade, Franklin Elementary
·        Jackson Her – Wood County, 6th Grade, Grove Elementary
·        Kyle Thieme – Brown County, 4th Grade, Forest Glen Elementary

The winners come from each of the state’s Congressional Districts. While all 8 know they have won college scholarship money through the EdVest Program, the grand prize winner of $2,500 will be announced at the event.

“I am proud of all the children who took the time to write the essays,” said Treasurer Sass. “These students already realize it’s never too early to start saving for their future.”

The EdVest essay contest was launched on Higher Education Day, created by the Treasurer’s Office four years ago in order to focus attention on the importance of higher education, and to highlight the many excellent resources already available in our state for students, parents and teachers. Teachers used the curriculum to create a teachable moment to talk about the importance of an education, especially in today’s financial world.

For more information on the EdVest College Scholarship program, visit www.statetreasury.wisconsin.gov.

L.O.D.I. Annual Meeting

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/26/10

Dear Friends of L.O.D.I,

L.O.D.I. cordially welcomes you to attend our Annual Meeting and New / Expanded Business Reception on Wednesday, January 27^th at Lodi’s Northern Edge. Hors d’oeuvres and musical entertainment begins at 5:30 pm. As you mingle, plan to register for numerous door prizes!

Following the reading of the L.O.D.I. Annual Report at 6:30, we will recognize over a dozen New or Expanded Businesses in the Lodi area. Recognition of these businesses is a great opportunity to hear about and meet the people who have committed to economically developing our business community. Three other awards will also be presented. They are:

Vilas Hibbard Beautification Award recognizes a business or organization that has renovated its facility or property.
L.O.D.I. Director’s Award is presented to an individual or organization for efforts exemplifying L.O.D.I.’s mission of promoting the Lodi area and supporting area economic development.
“Green Awards” recognize businesses which strive to conserve energy by installing energy efficient devices

Our keynote speaker is Mark O’Connell, Executive Director of Wisconsin Counties Association. His message will center on how to use your unique talents to help strengthen our community’s economic vitality.

Enclosed you will find your 2010 L.O.D.I. Membership Form. Please take a moment to complete and return it along with your dues to L.O.D.I. so that we may continue to support, improve and energize economic development. Your interest and involvement is greatly appreciated. We look forward to your attendance at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 27^th! Read more »

Tips, Tactics and Tuesdays With Wally

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/26/10

Gary N-Ski recently spent some time ice fishing with Guide Wally Banfi and they have this tip to share…

Van Dyke Honored by Hospice Family

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/26/10

Van Dyke received a Guardian Angel award from Rick Bourne with HHU CEO and Denise Gloede

Mildred Bruhn of Lodi made a donation to the Home Health United – Visiting Nurse Service Foundation in honor of John Van Dyke, registered nurse for Home Health United – Hospice. Van Dyke, a Madison resident, received a Guardian Angel award from Rick Bourne, president and CEO of Home Health United and Denise Gloede, hospice program director.

“John was our primary nurse for my Dad’s care while in hospice status,” wrote Bruhn. “He was excellent keeping us abreast of changes and giving us the support we needed at his passing.”

HHU offers an integrated and comprehensive variety of home health services in 25 counties of southern Wisconsin. Home Health United – Hospice has served patients facing life-limiting illnesses wherever they call home for 20 years.

Brett Favre’s Future

Rating 4.33 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/25/10

Family-Built Home

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/25/10
by Carole Roche

Bill Weber’s Town of Berry home near Black Earth, Wisconsin is not only striking in appearance and design, it has a compelling story to tell.

Built with the combined efforts of family and friends, it is a testament to the value of people working together to achieve a dream. Country

Nestled in an area known as Spring Valley, the home was designed by Weber’s son, Jonas, and daughter-in-law, Danica, both LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environment) architectural designers who have “the expertise to organize space to benefit their clients,” said Weber. “They are skilled architects and caring collaborators.”

There were other contributors to Weber’s dream, including his two younger sons, Nick and Wyatt, and a strong-willed neighbor by the name of LaVerne Holler.

Holler’s “energy and optimism combined with his genius for building and solving construction problems made the house possible,” said Weber. “He was always there to offer encouragement and support.”

Weber’s home is a hybrid, a post-frame structure blended with more conventional construction. Supported by Douglas fir posts and beams purchased from a company that reclaims lumber from building slated for demolition.

Weber knows that he could have purchased new beams for less, but he “ wanted to give older, more seasoned wood a second life. “ “Plus, said Weber, “ reclaimed wood is of better quality and is no longer shrinking.”

Purchasing the Spring Valley land in 1990, Weber had lived in a trailer on the property since 1994, waiting for eldest son Jonas to receive a master’s degree in architecture. In 2003, Jonas graduated, and he and his father spent a year designing the home.

Initial construction was due to begin in June, 2004.

Yet, before work could begin, the home site had to be prepared. This included building a retaining wall at the base of a hill at the rear of the property. “I had completed two rows of the retaining wall when a ‘fifty year deluge’ came, inundating the area with sixteen inches of rain. “All that water filled up hidden springs within the hill and gushed out thru the base,” said Weber. “The retaining wall was leveled.” Read more »

River Currents

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/22/10
by Gary Engberg
©2010 Gary Engberg Outdoors

Tips for the Novice Ice Anglers

Grandfather and grandson with their catch at the Yahara Fishing Club Kids Fishing Day.

This past weekend, the Yahara Fishing Club held their Annual Kids Ice Fishing Day at Brittingham Park in Madison, Wisconsin. The milder weather had many children out ice fishing with their parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters. A few of the past ice outings have had extreme cold weather and even poor ice, so this years weather brought out many who other wised might have stayed home.

The members of the Yahara Fishing Club do a wonderful job in giving so many local children and their guardians an introduction to ice fishing and experience the fun of catching fish through the ice. Saturday’s event started at 9:00 am at Lake Monona’s Brittingham Park and those that attended were provided with free gear, live bait, food, and club members to help beginning anglers learn a “little” about ice fishing basics. If you were brought up in Wisconsin or anywhere in the Upper Midwest then you probably were introduced to ice fishing at some time in your life or know people who ice fish.

The one thing that makes ice fishing more accessible to people is that you don’t need a boat to catch fish. Though many ice fishermen and women use ATV’s for greater mobility, many anglers still walk to their favorite fishing hole. Most of the gear that an angler needs can be put into a five gallon pail and pulled on a sled. The pail also can be used to sit on while you fish your holes in the ice. Everything that an ice fisherman needs can be put on a small plastic sled that costs under $10.00. Ice fishing rods and reels can be bought for $15.00 to $30.00 which is inexpensive when compared to what open water rod and reels cost. A beginning angler should get a sensitive rod with a spring bobber on the end to detect the lightest bite. Purchase a small spinning reel with 2 to 3 pound line spooled on it to your ice fishing jigs. Talk to local anglers and those in the know to find out what the best ice jigs are for the area that you’re fishing. Bait can be wax worms, spikes, plastics, or the new Berkley Gulp which is made from real fish and lasts longer than live bait and really catches fish. A new hand ice auger can be purchased for about $80.00 and power augers start at over $300.00, but a thrifty angler can usually find used hand augers for $25.00 at garage sales. You’d be surprised at the good deals you can find at “swap” and garage sales if you spend some time looking for good used gear. Ice skimmers for clearing your hole of ice are less than $10.00 when brand new. Then, about the only other thing that an angler needs is a good assortment of ice jigs and plastics which are inexpensive. It’s nice to have an ice shanty for the real cold weather and recently I’ve seen new ice shelters for under $200.00 for a 2-man tent. But, you can also spend over $400.00 for bigger and deluxe shelters. It’s also possible to find good used shelters for under $100.00, if you do some searching. Read more »

A Market-A Musing

Rating 4.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/21/10
by Gail Lamberty

New Market Manger Gail Lamberty is excited about the Market's season

Northern Edge is busy with Rick and Annette’s offerings, but you might wonder how does the Lodi Valley Farmers’ Market hibernate for the winter? November and December are recovery months, while January starts the brainstorming for the 2010 market. You know your vendors are dreaming dreams of flowers and vegetables as they ponder the many seed catalogs in their hands. A good cup of coffee, visions of warm sunny days, and plans for spring help beat the cold of January and February. Seeds are being evaluated and ordered.

You might ask what is your market manager doing in January? Contemplating, evaluating, revising, plotting, planning, strategizing, scheduling, organizing, designing and looking forward to the next season. The market team meet in December to assess the 2009 season. We defined what we saw as good and examined areas that could use fine tuning. Most exciting is the 10^th anniversary of the market in 2010. What a major accomplishment!! Congratulations to the entire community for making the Lodi market one of the very best around.

One of the best things about the market is the commitment to the vendors. Vendors enjoy the Lodi market for many reasons. The great location with easy access for the vendors ranks really high. The Lodi community support is outstanding. The special events not only bring shoppers, but bring delight to the vendors as well. The salsa contest brings out the best from the garden, the best from the recipe box and the best from the tasters. Fun is an important component for the almost 30 Fridays farmers truck their goodies from across town or down the road to market.

The commitment to the vendors extends beyond the Friday afternoons. I applied for a scholarship to attend the Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference and Wisconsin Local Food Summit later this week in Eau Claire. With a simple explanation of the dedication to keeping vendor costs as low as possible, the generous donations of Lodi organizations, the wonderful partnership with the Lodi food pantry, the scholarship was graciously given. It will surely benefit our vendors in the information that will be shared our monthly newsletters. Breakout sessions “Help, Hints and How-to of Local Foods Policy” and “Projects for Value Added Farmers” will benefit the market and our vendors. Keynote speaker Will Allen of Growing Power (creating food systems in in the inner city of Milwaukee) and Michael Perry’s presentation titled “Never stand behind a sneezing cow”, would be reason enough to attend.

Market team members will be meeting in February to plan for the 2010. This is your market and we value your suggestions and opinions. All are welcome. Contact me at gail@shopstop and tell me what you would like to see at the market in 2010.

I’ll tell you what I learned about standing behind a sneezing cow when I return..

River Currents

Rating 4.33 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/12/10
by Gary Engberg

Bald Eagle Watching Days and Keep Those Feeders Full

Wisconsin River Eagle soaring near a local farm.

This coming Friday evening and Saturday, January 15 & 16, 2010 is the 23^rd Sauk Prairie Bald Eagle Watching Days in the twin cities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. Most of activities with the exception of the Eagle Watching Bus Tours take place at the River Arts Center at the Sauk Prairie High School at 105 9^th Street. During the Bald Eagle Days, the bus tours leave every hour on the hour from the high school.

During the rest of January and February, the eagle tours leave from the Cedarberry Inn on Highway 12 (Phillips Street) at 10:00 am. The tour costs $5.00, lasts about one hour going to good locations for viewing eagles, has guides from the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council to answer questions, and make the tour educational and informative. To reserve a spot, which is suggested, call the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce at 1-800- 68EAGLE.

Bald Eagle Days has something for the entire family and is a wonderful way for families to see these majestic eagles and learn about them and the many other raptors that call Wisconsin home. Friday evening, David Stokes, a wildlife humorist, will present a program called “Fun with Animals” which has been a success for years. This family program starts at 7:00 pm in the River Arts Center.

Saturday, January 16^th, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council (FBEC) will have exhibits and displays in the River Arts Center Lobby beginning at 8:00 am. Beginning at 9:00 am, Kelly Kearns of the DNR Endangered Resources Department will have many diverse activities for children that will be open till 1:00 pm in the River Arts Center Gallery. Local photographer, Bill Pielsticker, will give tips on wildlife photography in the River Arts Center starting at 9:00 am. Throughout the day, there will also be wine-tasting at the Wollersheim Winery of their new “Eagle White” wine. The winery is located just across the Wisconsin River and only a few minutes out of town. Read more »

River Currents

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/8/10

Extend Your Winter Time Outdoors by Predator Hunting

Wade Feiner of Sauk City with a coyote.

Predator hunting has been around for years, but the last decade has seen a boom in this hunting which fills some of the gaps between other seasons and gives the hunter and outdoorsman another chance to be in the outdoors. The main predators in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest are; wolves, bears, bobcats, foxes, and now the most common predator the coyote. There is no open season for wolves in Wisconsin, bears are regulated with seasons and harvest quotas, bobcats are also highly regulated, foxes are more common and have set seasons, and the main predator that most hunters hunt, the coyote has a season open all year.

The coyote population has continued to grow with a population of 18,000 to 20,000 animals in Wisconsin. Development and growth into previously rural areas has brought people and coyotes into direct contact with each other and coyotes much like the whitetail deer have learned to adapt and live with man. All one has to do is read the local papers and see the numerous sightings and confrontations people and pets have with coyotes. The westside of Madison has seen coyotes killing smaller pet dogs and “stalking” people while showing no fear of humans. Though, I know of no verified reports of these predators attacking a human. But, small pets, like cats and dogs, should not be left or let outside alone. A few years back, I saw a coyote trotting along the Beltline Highway by Odana Golf Course. There are reports from all over the state about the numerous sightings and abundance of coyotes in every county and most towns and villages in this state.

As I said earlier, predator hunting is a rapidly growing sport for hunters and doesn’t require too much equipment and gear besides a good rifle, a quality scope, a manual or electronic call, and a decoy. Many of the same guns that you use for deer hunting are fine for predator hunting. The most common caliber rifles for predators are; the .223, 22-250, .243, and the .270 in a 50 grain bullet. I suggest a quality long gun made by Browning, Bennelli, Remington, Winchester, or Ruger. The Ruger M-77 is an excellent rifle at a reasonable price. Since most of your shots are going to long ones, you’ll also need a quality scope and the one that you used for deer hunting will most likely fill the bill. If it doesn’t, a Wisconsin company in Middleton, Vortex Optics, makes outstanding optics and has won numerous awards for their products and their quality the last few years in the hunting community. Besides rifle scopes, Vortex makes top-notch binoculars and spotting scopes at most price points with outstanding features. Personally, I’d check out the Viper and Diamondback series of scopes from Vortex if looking for optics that will perform in the worst conditions. Read more »

Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance’s Todd Berry to Speak in Lodi

Rating 2.33 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/7/10

Todd Berry, President of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX), the state’s oldest and most respected private government research organization, will address interested citizens in the Lodi area Monday, January 18, at 7:00 PM in the Lodi Elementary School large gymnasium. His topic will be, “Background Information on 2009-2010 school budgets”. The school board meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, will be postponed until 7:45 PM to provide time for Mr. Berry’s presentation.

Mr. Berry is speaking at the request of School District of Lodi District Administrator. Mr. Shimshak opined, “The state’s fiscal crisis was essentially handed down to local school districts in the reduction of state aid, which then became a local property tax burden. This, coupled with the voter approved referendum caused a double-digit property tax increase for taxpayers in the School District of Lodi.” The public is invited to hear Mr. Berry’s perspective on the background to 2009-10 school budgets.

Information about the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance may be found on their website: http://www.wistax.org

ST. FRANCIS HORSE RESCUE AND RETIREMENT FARM

Rating 4.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/6/10

The thirty equine residents of St Francis Horse Rescue and Retirement Farm in Rosholt, Wisconsin were awakened early Christmas Eve morning by an energetic group of ‘Santa’s Helpers’ who worked non-stop to muck out stalls, unload hay, and clean out the barn. They did not slow down until late afternoon.

Working to fulfill their commitment to community service, the fifteen ‘helpers’ were students from nearby Pacelli High School who were fulfilling their commitment to community service, a commitment they had kept with St. Francis for the last four years.

“We truly appreciate the efforts of these students who give up their Christmas Eve day each year to help out with the animals,” said Ms. Hetzel. “With thirty horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules to care for, the work here is almost non-stop.”

Born and raised in Northern Wisconsin, the Hetzels spent their early years with farm animals and, by 1996, they had married and acquired four horses of their own.

Yet the idea to establish a horse rescue would not be a part of their life plan until Mrs. Hetzel purchased a cookbook from Midwest Horse Rescue in 1996. Read more »

JAZZ ENSEMBLE/SPECIAL EFFECT CONCERTS

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/5/10

Three concerts will be performed by LHS Jazz Ensemble and Special Effect Show Choir and Band this week. On Thursday, Jan 7, at 1:45, Lodi Elementary will see the groups, followed by LAMS on Jan 8 @ 2:00 p.m. The concert for the public will be Sunday at 4 p.m. and include vocal performers competing at Special Effect competitions. A donation to the Lodi Food Pantry is encouraged and appreciated.