Writers | Lodi Valley News

Lodi Area Needs Network (LANN)

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI Wisconsin
7/16/2009

We are Jon & Chris Plumer. We own and operate the Karate America karate school here in Lodi. We have recently formed a charitable organization called the Lodi Area Needs Network or LANN. What we plan to do with LANN is organize periodic
food drives to help supply the local food pantry here in Lodi. Our other main activity will be to host an annual Thanksgiving dinner for those who either can’t afford to, have no family in the area or for elderly folks who are not capable of preparing such a mean any longer. We will also be offering delivery that day to older folks who are unable to join us. Paster Mike Lee has so generously offered to let us use the kitchen and dining area at First Luthern Church on Pleasant Street. What we are in need of is donations for food and help in getting the word out to those in need. We’re hoping to have them call with reservations so we have some idea of how much food and help we’ll need. Please contact us if you can help in any way.

A Market – A Musing

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Is that Larry beneath the Hat?

Lodi WI, Wisconsin
7/8/09

By Gail Lamberty

The wagon came and circled. It wasn’t followed by war whoops or shooting. It was surrounded by generosity and kindness instead.

Lodi Valley Farmers’ Market and the Lodi Area Food Pantry have been partners for a number of years in providing fresh produce to the elderly, shut-ins and those among our community who are experiencing rough times. Donations from the market on Friday are stored in two coolers in the market barn and distributed on Saturday am. Read more »

River Currents

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Gary's New Puppy

Lodi, WI Wisconsin
7/7/2009

My New Roommate and Companion

Many of you readers have sent me wonderful and heart-touching letters and emails over the years when I have had to put a dog down and more recently when my last Labrador, Bo, passed away last December. Dogs and their stories, many of them sad and tear-jerking, strike a common bond with many people from many different walks of life in today’s world.

I have written about my Labs and their escapades both good and bad over the last two decades. My dogs are my family and only dog owners can feel the heartache and joys that they bring to you in a life that is way too short. Throughout all my writing, stories about losing a companion bring me more emails and letters than anything that I do in the world of the outdoors. Dogs of all breeds and kinds are a common thread between so many of us. Losing a life-long pet is one of the worst things that can happen to a dog owner and brings all of us to tears when facing this terrible time. You never completely get over the loss of a dog that you have raised and spent year’s together hunting and enjoying the outdoors. The bond is a strong one and many who don’t have dogs don’t understand this powerful relationship. Read more »

A Market – A Musing

Rating 3.00 out of 5

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

Rating 3.00 out of 5

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 »

A Day of Silence at LHS

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI-5/12/09
by Maxwell Love

A Day of Silence is meant to be a day of respect. Ironically, a few incidents preceding Lodi High School’s Day of Silence turned the day into a much more meaningful experience. These acts of disrespect, which need not be mentioned, forced Thursday’s guest speaker on diversity, Paul Wesselmann, to leave with feelings of disgust and hurt. Thankfully Paul is a man of compassion and forgiveness. Read more »

Foibles of Finney-pt. 5

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI-4/24/09

“That Wonderful Wet Stuff”
By Lisa Fichter

Ever since that first full day in Wisconsin, when The Woman made me swim in Lake Wisconsin, I have loved the water. I was not a natural born swimmer. It was a learned skill. At first, it was my instinct to try to swim up and out of the water. But of course that just created an inordinate amount of splashing and didn’t get me anywhere at all. The Woman, who was very patient, gave me lots of encouragement and in no time I was swimming like the star that I am. Read more »

Foibles of Finney, pt. 4

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI-4/17/09

by Lisa Fichter
“A Dog’s Best Friend”

I mentioned her earlier, Camille The Cat. She had become very special to me in the first year of my life. I considered her one of my best friends although I’m not sure the feeling was always mutual. You see, I grew to be around 50 lbs that first year and sometimes I didn’t know my own strength. Camille was an old cat that much I knew. The Woman had adopted her from the Humane Society several years before I came to live with them and she was never sure how old Camille was. The Woman said of Camille that she was a good girl who never, ever, caused anyone any trouble. I hated to admit it but I had to agree. Read more…

Review of Your Marketing Sucks

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Your Marketing Sucks
Reviewed by Wendy Soucie

Talk about controversial! Imagine saying that to your client or manager? Mark Stevens, as president of a marketing firm, has done it and lived to tell about working with those clients to improve their sales and profits through his “Extreme Marketing” approach. I first read this book when I started at my current job. In fact, it is required reading to ensure our professional staff focuses on the right things when working with a client. Read more…

Foibles of Finney, pt. 3

Rating 3.00 out of 5

“Rollin’ on the River”
By Lisa Fichter
Lodi, WI-4/10/09

Camping is always an adventure for us, but the first trip had some very memorable moments. We arrived late in the afternoon, after having spent several hours waiting at the mechanic’s office. Earlier in the day, I had gone on a very short joy ride in The Woman’s car and ended up crashing the car into the sign at the mini mall in Baraboo. As a result of the great car crashing incident, certain things needed to be fixed to make things legal for us to drive. So, we got to our campsite a little later than planned but there was still plenty of daylight left for at least one good adventure. Read more…

Without Zoloft

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI-4/09/09

Writer Toni Martin creates a poem about the trials and tribulations of coming off Zoloft. Please click on “Local Scribes” above to read poem. Lodi Valley News encourages submissions by writers from the Lodi WI and Lake Wisconsin area. We encourage writer and artists of all ages and abilities to submit their poetry, short stories, photograhy, cartoons or other artwork for publication.

Gary’s Fishing Poem

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Our own Gary N-Ski, resident photographer and co-owner of Lodi Valley News, has penned an ode to the simpler days of fishing-the days before glitter boats, tsunami-like wakes, high tech rods and bullet-proof fishing line. Find the poem on our Local Scribes page.