Wak\

St.

America's Heartland!

42nd Edition January, 2016

Headlines

Lake Mills on

(MPTV)

Grist Bar &

Table

New Restaurant

Current

Statistics on

Guns

Presidential

Candidates

Zephyr Café

The Newbie

Pollitically

Correct

Scamming

Paris & Now

What

Back To Basics

Real Self

Lake Mills Online Online

"Happy New Year" to all our Readers around the World!

As we welcome in 2016,

let us all Hope and Pray for a more Peaceful World and remember the words of the song "Peace on Earth"!

Let there be Peace on Earth

The Peace that was meant to be. Let there be Peace on Earth

And let it begin with me.

With ever step I take Let this be my solemn vow.

Let me walk with my brother In perfect harmony

To take each moment

And live each moment In Peace eternally

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Lake Mills, where History and Legend meet.

As many of our readers know, Lake Mills, is a small town in Wisconsin located in the southeast corner of the state. The city of Lake Mills is nestled into the town of Lake Mills making a combined population of 5,708. Lake Mills is often referred to as idyllic. For some reason, it seems to attract artists of every kind, has great schools and a beautiful lake, called Rock Lake, that lies between the city and the town and offers all kinds of recreational activities. It is only about two miles from Aztalan State Park which is an archaeology site of an ancient Mississippian settlement that is at least 1000 years old. There are many people who have speculated that the Rock Lake area was the necropolis for this ancient civilization, meaning it was where they buried their dead. That would have been many years before the lake was formed. Old timers in Lake Mills often speak of the mysteries of the Lake. The most frequent story you hear around town is that there are pyramids lying on the bottom of Rock Lake and divers who claim they have seen them. Because of the advancement in technology and side-scanning sonar these rumors could possibly be confirmed. Another strange occurrence, is that descendants of five tribes of the HoChunk Indians often come to our lake and pray at the lakeside. If you ask them what they are doing they say they are praying to their ancestors. If you live in Lake Mills you would find it to be a unique and special place. Some feel there is a mystic quality here due to the closeness to Aztalan and the secrets preserved within the lake.

Editorial from Editor Carol Harcarik Is there a chance we can find an avenue for Peace in our country in 2016.

Man's Inhumanity to man is overflowing with violence and hatred.

Most religions in the world teach us to "Love One Another". That teaching seems to have disappeared into a world of Hate.

Fear seems to permeate our society. Is it safe to go to a movie? Safe to go to a shopping

mall? Safe to go to a music festival? New Years Eve Celebrations in New York, Washington DC and Chicago were staffed with thousands of police to keep whoever

was attending safe from threaten terrorists attacks. Is this the kind of world we want to leave to our children and grandchildren to live in?

Current statistics on gun violence in the US in 2015 Today more people now die by guns than by cars. For decades, the most dangerous piece of machinery was an automobile. Now it is a gun. The US has approximately

300 million guns - nearly one for every member of the population. There were 353 mass shootings in the US in 2015.

A mass shooting is defined as a single shooting, which kills or injures four or more people, including the assailant.

There were 62 school shootings. So many people die annually from gunfire in the US that the death toll between 1968 and

2011 eclipses all wars ever fought by this country. According to research by Politifact, there were about 1.4 million firearm deaths in that period, compared with 1.2 million US

deaths in every conflict from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War.

When looking at gun ownership in other industrialized countries, including, Japan, France, the United Kingdom and Australia, we find that these countries have similar rates of crime,

violence, bulling and depression as American school children. However, American gun laws are much weaker and more permissive than theirs and more Americans own

handguns. Also, some states have tighter laws than others but we have no national or universal approach to gun safety. A United Nations survey of 14 developed nations found

that all require gun licensing and all but one have gun storage laws and the US has neither.

As a result death by guns are strikingly higher in America.

SAVE THE DATE for another great event brought to

you by the Lake Mills Main Street Program!

This year’s Knickerbocker Ice Festival will be held on

Saturday, February 6.

Let’s hope Rock Lake is frozen over by then!

"Around the Corner with John McGivern" is a show produced by Milwaukee Public Television(MPTV) that airs statewide on. At

each half-hour episode Emmy Award-winning actor and Milwaukee native John McGivern explores living, working and

playing in Wisconsin's unique communities. A different community is featured on each half-hour show.

The new season begins this month and the January 28th episode features Lake Mills!

Listen Up! Big News!!! Lake Mills on Public TV!

John McGivern, his producers and crew came to Lake Mills on 4 different days last summer and filmed interviews with a number of interesting people who each represent something unique about our community. Katie Otto, Director of the Lake Mills Main Street Program, acted as liaison and facilitated getting the producers linked up with people to interview. The show’s producers chose to interview the following people:

Michael Allison - Sound Haven Learning Center Carol Burrows – The Cedars Boathouses

Wendy Butler Berns – art quilter Mary & Patrick Doyle - Doyle’s Dogs

Tracey & Isabelle Guerrero – triathletes Kevin Hicks –Ephraim Faience Pottery

Rob Larson – Tyranena Brewing Keith Kulow - Thundering Acres

Erica Neis - Dancing Lotus Fitness Terry Railing – AeroTow

Rae & Shawn Rediske – Water House Foods Alyssa and Ty Villareal - young/new family residents

Eli Wedel – Eli Wedel Photo & Design; community volunteer Cynthia Weston - Resident/church home on Main Street

Steve Wilke – City Manager

On Monday evening, January 25th, John McGivern and his crew will be in Lake Mills for a preview screening of the episode, and the entire community is invited. The Lake Mills Main Street

Program is hosting the preview party in the Community Room of the Municipal Building. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00. To quote John McGivern: “It’s free! It’s fun! It’s free fun!”

Doyles being Interviewed!

Mainstreet by Kristin Cramer Ice Sculpture 2015

Lake Mills School District

Superintendent Search

The Lake Mills School District has enlisted the services of the Wisconsin

Association School Boards (WASB) to assist in the facilitation of the search for

the next superintendent of the Lake Mills Area School District. Mr. Dean

Sanders is retiring at the end of June 2016 after a successful 12 years as

District Superintendent. The new superintendent is expected to begin on July

1, 2016.

On Monday December 8, 2015 the School Board met with WASB Search

Consultant Roger Foegen for a planning session that included development of

a timeline for the search, discussion of ways to gather feedback from staff and

the community, scheduling focus groups, and conducting an online survey that

will be available on the district website.

The position has been posted with the deadline for applications being January

29, 2016. Focus groups take place on January 6, 2016 and the online survey

will be available on the Lake Mills School District website January 7, 2016.

The board plans on reviewing candidates materials on February 10, 2016 with

the first round of interviews scheduled for February 17 & 18, 2016. As part of

the second round of interviews for the finalists on February 29, 2016, the

board plans to have a public forum where staff and community members are

encouraged to meet and ask questions of the finalists.

As the district moves forward with the search, further information will be

made available.

Richard Mason, President

Lake Mills Area School Board

Bird of the Month Cedar Waxwing

c

A number of birds with us all year long may be easier to see during winter. One of the most attractive is the Cedar Waxwing. They make me think of carved and painted wooden toys. "Waxwing" comes from the red marks on its wings which reminded some of envelope sealing wax. They often live in tree tops, making them difficult to see until leaves are gone. They are very fond of fruit. This brings them down to feed in berry bushes, good places to see them in winter. They inhabit woodlots, gardens and anywhere they can find fruit. During the summer they do spend much time hunting insects, resembling slightly large but less graceful swallows. In winter they favor cedar berries, hence the cedar in their name. Sometimes, feeding on fermented berries, drunken Cedars can be seen. While humorous, this does not aid in avoiding predators. Cedar Waxwings' unusual ability to survive on fruit for long periods has a surprising benefit. When Brown headed Cowbirds lay eggs in Cedar nests, their chicks often do not survive. The high fruit diet won't support them. This reduces chances of Cowbird chicks out-competing the Cedar's own babies. Social birds, Cedars tend to gather in flocks and are seldom seen solo. Their flight reminds some of Starling flocks. Their calls are very high pitched. Older ears may not be able to hear them. Hope you get to see some of these cheerful splashes of color in our winter landscape! Brad Webb, Vice-President, Horicon Marsh Bird Club

Brad Webb, Vice-President, Horicon Marsh Bird Club

Book of the Month "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee

If one is looking for a book on a par with ’To Kill a Mockingbird", this is not it. Although Go Set a Watchman is certainly well written, and is presented in a relaxed Southern style that only Mockingbird has shown us previously, it is a profoundly one-dimensional narrative. The entirety of the story focuses on one, and only one, subject. Given media attention in the few days leading up to the book's release, I don't think that it is a spoiler to say that the one subject is the fall from grace of Atticus Finch due to his newly revealed racist beliefs. Back stories about the childhood of Jean-Louise fail to come across as much more than filler, and are occasionally a bit monotonous. Atticus was, for generations, one of the few unquestioned heroes of American literature, and the loss of this icon is as heart wrenching for the reader as the novel describes it and as for his daughter. The ending tries to portray a reconciliation of Atticus' attitudes on race based on justifications that might have seemed persuasive in the 1950's, but fall far short of efficacy today. This book was written in the 1950's, and when prospective publishers saw it, they apparently recognized the genius of Harper Lee as a writer and storyteller, but they saw a novel that was not well rounded enough for publication. They insisted that she write another book, and that other book became arguably the greatest work in the history of American Literature. The legendary status of Mockingbird is the only reason that this book has now seen the light of day. Nothing can detract from Lee's triumph with Mockingbird, but Watchman will not add to it.

Quote of the month

Start the New Year by:

Looking out every Window

Seize the Day

Live your Dreams

Relish the Night

Dwell in Possibilities

Lake Mills Chit Chat

The Rock Lake Activity Center

One of our final goals of 2015 was to refocus our efforts on what the Center’s mission is. It is the mission of the Rock Lake Activity Center to positively affect the health and wellness of the community through quality programming and

activities. With that focus, the Center has engaged with other community programs and organizations to build more opportunities

or Lake Mills, and the surrounding communities.

The Center has been rejuvenated and our 2016 planning is underway. We are pleased to announce two new programs to our already fabulous lineup! We will be offering the Lake Mills Theatre Academy under the direction of our own Jenn

Davids. Natalie Wollin will be organizing Kids Cuisine programs. The Kids Cuisine programs will offer easy, fun, and healthy recipes to get our kids cooking in their kitchens at home! We have also hired an additional dance instructor, and are

able to offer even more requested classes. The enthusiasm and excitement is building. We are so pleased you are here to join us!

Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library Did you know that the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library is available to Wisconsin residents

who may qualify for FREE library services if their ability to read is affected by a vision impairment, a

physical impairment, or a reading disability? The Wisconsin Talking Book Program is part of the

Library of Congress Talking Book Program and has been serving the state of Wisconsin since 1961.

The equipment with which to listen to the books, and all materials, are provided free of charge via

postage-free mail to participants’ residences. Rebecca Manz, Outreach Librarian, from the Wisconsin

Talking Book and Braille Library will give a presentation, show equipment, and answer questions about

the program on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at 1pm at the L.D. Fargo Library, 120 E. Madison St., Lake

Mills, WI. This program is free and open to anyone who is interested in learning about this program.

The Lake Mills Memory Café

The Lake Mills Memory Café will meet January 18, 2106, at 1 pm. in the meeting room of the L.D. Fargo

Library, 120 E. Madison St., Lake Mills. This opportunity for social engagement is open to all who have

memory loss or concerns about their memory, and their caregivers. There will be a program and

refreshments. Please join us, and get to know others from our local community. This program is made

possible through a partnership of the L.D. Fargo Library, Willowbrook, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

New Restaurant in Lake Mills

"The Grist Bar and Table" Located on the corner of

S. Main and E. Lake!

The Bar has been open on the weekends for the last month or so and the kitchen will be open soon! They do not consider themselves to be a Sports Bar. Their

emphasis will be a restaurant with food made from scratch using local ingredients whenever possible!

They will feature nightly Dinner Specials!!!!!!

Welcome to Lake Mills

.

Editorial from Editor Carol Harcarik Is there a chance we can find an avenue for Peace in our country in 2016.

Man's Inhumanity to man is overflowing with violence and hatred.

Most religions in the world teach us to "Love One Another". That teaching seems to have disappeared into a world of Hate.

Fear seems to permeate our society. Is it safe to go to a movie? Safe to go to a shopping

mall? Safe to go to a music festival? New Years Eve Celebrations in New York, Washington DC and Chicago were staffed with thousands of police to keep whoever was

attending safe from threaten terrorists attacks. Is this the kind of world we want to leave to our children and grandchildren to live in?

Current statistics on gun violence in the US in 2015 Today more people now die by guns than by cars. For decades, the most dangerous piece of machinery was an automobile. Now it is a gun. The US has approximately

300 million guns - nearly one for every member of the population. There were 353 mass shootings in the US in 2015.

A mass shooting is defined as a single shooting, which kills or injures four or more people, including the assailant.

There were 62 school shootings. So many people die annually from gunfire in the US that the gun death toll between 1968

and 2011 eclipsed all wars ever fought by this country. According to research by Politifact, there were about 1.4 million firearm deaths in that period, compared with 1.2 million US

deaths in every conflict from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War.

What are other Civilized Countries doing in regard to handguns! When looking at gun ownership in other industrialized countries, including, Japan, France, the United Kingdom and Australia, children in these countries experience similar rates of

crime, violence, bulling and depression as American school children do, but fewer deaths by guns. A United Nations survey of 14 developed nations found that all these nations require gun licensing and all but one have gun storage laws and the US has neither. The gun laws

that America does have are much weaker and more permissive along with more Americans owning handguns. In America we have no National or Universal approach to gun safety.

As a result death by guns is strikingly higher in America.

When are we going to wake up!

We need to enforce more stringent universal laws statewide, like licensing and storage laws to protect our children and our citizens. Okay, enforce the second amendment but for God's sake enforce obvious requirements needed to protect our most precious possessions,

our children. The future of America!

Observations from the Middle of the Crowd

Television Media, Presidential Candidates

and the United States Constitution

Full disclosure: I have not watched the presidential debates through to completion. I have a weak

stomach. The definition of “Debate” seems to have eluded the TV moderators. Rather than a debate of

the issues each candidate is asked to respond to what another candidate said about him/her. Most of us

stopped playing that game shortly after third grade.

The press, which includes TV journalism, is quick to point out the important role they play in

discussing issues, the need for freedom of the press and for being an important pillar of democracy. I

agree with every bit of that, please just do it. Don’t embarrass us with cheap entertainment being

passed off as journalism.

Observations of what we are getting versus what we should be getting from the Debates.

Observation 1: The candidates are asked what they would do as president about (take your pick),

national security, the economy, gay marriage, tax structure, immigrants, etc. The assumption is the

president can singularly institute these changes. There is another document, the US Constitution, that

says laws are introduced in Congress and after being passed by both houses are submitted to the

president for his/her signing or veto. All of the candidates speak as if they will be virtual dictators.

Observation 2: When asked a question by the TV moderators about a particular subject, the

candidates launch into a monolog on what they will do as president about a completely different

subject. The TV moderators never attempt to pull them back on course. Each candidate is allowed to

expound on any subject regardless of what was asked. High School Debates are much more structured

and professional.

Observation 3: The candidates tell us how “They” are going to buy this and fund that. The president

cannot spend a single penny that has not been authorized and appropriated by both houses of Congress.

That darn constitution sure messes up these debates!!

Observation 4: Some of the candidate’s responses to issues are clearly unconstitutional. (Deport

children born in the United States, etc.) The TV moderators never call them on their answers. They are

apparently as unaware of the US Constitution and its contents as are some of the candidates.

Bottom Line: What if the TV moderators asked this question and held the candidates to actually

answer what was asked: “As the President of the United States what three Congressional Bills would

you actively support that have a reasonable probability of being passed in both houses of Congress?”

Possibly less entertaining than making wild accusations and acclamations, but it would certainly give

the average citizen something more realistic to base their vote on.

Kerry G. Denson

Brig. Gen. (Ret)

From: " Joe, at the back of the room"™

“Politically Correct” Scamming

Politically Correct (PC) is the idea that people should be careful not to use language in a way that could offend a particular group of people. Before PC became a popular term in our language there was another term called “good manners” and it was expected to be practiced. PC, however, has evolved through use by media and politicians to the point that protecting the sensibility of the identified group is not the focus of PC criticism. Rather, PC is often misused by selecting parts from what a person said that is taken out of context or exaggerated. The selected parts can be broadcast over and over by the media by distorting the truth and the character of the individual under attack. The goal is to unjustly vilify the person as a bigot or damage political aspirations. A recent example of PC misuse is the media coverage of words used by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in an oral argument in a Supreme Court Case, Fisher vs. the University of Texas. The case centers on Affirmative Action and admission practices of the University of Texas that gives favorable treatment to minorities.

The purpose of oral argument in this case, as well as other cases, was to provide the Supreme Court Justices an opportunity, in open court, to question the Party’s attorneys. This provides an opportunity for the Justices to clarify or challenge information submitted in the written briefs before the Justices begin deliberation. At the oral argument hearing, Scalia questioned one of the Party’s lawyer about the “Miss Match” theory presented by the Attorney in a written brief. Miss Match centers around studies that suggest some minority students who are admitted to colleges under Affirmative Action may do the student more harm than good. It is clear from the proceedings that Scalia was not talking about his opinion but about the opinion of the Attorney who raised the Miss Match theory. The news media was aware of this but chose to ignore this important fact.

The media began broadcasting selected recordings from the hearing and intentionally only included parts of Scalia’s questioning. The Media purposely created the erroneous impression that it was Scalia’s opinion that African Americas should attend slower track schools. The media’s irresponsible action started a fire storm unjustly tarnishing Scalia’s reputation with harsh criticism.

Fortunately, the American public has become aware that PC attacks by the media often are unfounded. This has become apparent in the Presidential primary contests. Traditional candidates are clearly aware of the deceptive practices of the media and have been trained to say as little as possible about issues to avoid the risk of unjustified PC attacks. As a result, nontraditional candidates appear more genuine since they are less concerned about unjust PC criticism as they present their issues.

The American Electorate will not vote a candidate into the Presidency who is in fact a bigot. But the Electorate has become more aware of the lack of sincerity in Media criticism and will judge for themselves who is a bigot and who is unfairly portrayed as a bigot.

195 countries formally adopted the Paris Agreement on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. This is huge. Yes, Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, is vowing to crush this, and the Republican Presidential candidates are saying they don’t need to pay attention to climate change because there are serious problems for them to tend to. But the Paris agreement is the whole world acknowledging that the future of life on Earth is in our hands right now, and, for the first time in history, we are committing to take action. This legally binding agreement sets in motion actions to

Abandon fossil fuels in this century

Finance the transition to clean energy

Stop global warming below 2 degrees C, and if possible, at 1.5 C

Evaluate progress and commitments every five years The agreement creates a framework to get this done, giving countries the flexibility to find their own way to achieve their targets. So what happens now? The agreement must be ratified by 55 countries representing 55% of global emissions, which is expected by early spring. The agreement then becomes legally binding on all parties. For a lot of complicated legal reasons, experts say the President can do this through executive action, so this does not have to come before Congress. The U.S.’ goal is to reduce emissions 26% to 28% from 2005 levels by 2025. There will be lots of kerfuffle about this, no doubt. Republicans will come out in favor as they see that it is politically safe to do so. A number in both the House and the Senate this year have already publically taken this step. The tide of public opinion in the U.S. is turning quickly. People are worrying about the weirdness of our weather. Mayors and city planners all over the country are making adaptation decisions that can’t wait for Congressional action. People like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg have very publically pledged billions for climate technology research as a result of the Paris agreement. Financial institutions now have a fiduciary responsibility to their investors to disclose the costs of climate changes and the risks of fossil fuel investment. Insurers, bankers, utilities, farmers, businesses, consumers—everyone—can now make decisions about their future knowing that the path to that future will be fossil free. There is much work to be done before we can realize the promise of Paris, but change is coming. That change could be piece-meal, chaotic, and expensive. Or Congress can do its job and pass the big, logical legislation that can smooth this transition: carbon fee and dividend. Alyson Schmeisser is the Chapter Leader of Jefferson County Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Sources: “Hooray for the Paris climate agreement! Now What?” John D. Sutter. cnn.com/2015/12/14/opinions/sutter-COP21. “After historic Paris agreement, U.S. must lead climate efforts by pricing carbon,” Mark Reynolds. citzensclimatelobby.org. 12-2015.

Paris! And Now What?

By Alyson Schmeisser

Alyson Schmeisser is Chapter Leader of Jefferson County Citizens’ Climate Lobby

"Alyson Schmeisser (left) on the steps of the Capitol in WashingtonD.C."

It is the start of the New Year, time to take stock, to reflect and resolve to improve schools and close achievement gaps. Education is simple. It is a social relationship focused on learning. Education requires teachers and students who care about each other and learning. Teachers, students, caring, and learning are the four basics of quality schools. Successful schools are learning communities where teachers and students know each other, believe in each other, and care about the success of all. In a learning community everybody cares and everybody learns. No school totally achieves this ideal, but the most successful schools work to be inclusive, caring and challenging. Creating a learning community is always difficult, but the challenge is greater in diverse and poor schools where social and economic conditions impact student-teacher relationships, motivation and learning. The idea of schools as learning communities is not a new idea or an educational “reform.” Learning communities, both public and private, were always part of education. The one-room school house where everyone knew and helped each other to learn was common throughout rural Wisconsin. Catholic and other religious schools where students and teachers shared the same religion, values and ethnic background were an important part of the Wisconsin urban tradition. The neighborhood school and the rural common school ideal are still valued throughout the state. More recent so-called education “reforms” designed to improve public education are effective only to the degree that they honor and build on the traditions of the past and improve the basics: teachers, students, caring and learning. ACT 10, school choice, vouchers, the Common Core, increased accountability and high stakes testing are all legislated educational “reforms.”

Teachers are a basic. Will reducing teacher compensation, “busting” unions and firing more teachers

attract and retain the best and brightest?

Students are a basic. Will school choice and vouchers improve the social and economic conditions

that limit students’ motivation and interest in learning?

Learning is a basic. Will the Common Core increase learning and raise expectations for all students?

Caring is a basic. Will increased accountability, school report cards and more high stakes testing

improve caring between students and teachers?

My hope is the “reforms” improve the basics of Wisconsin education; that all schools become learning communities with quality teachers and motivated students who care about each other and learning. My experience is that “reforms” don’t make learning communities; teachers who care and students who learn do. Mind the Gap!

Mind the Gap! by Jim Shaw

Dr. James Shaw is an educational consultant, author, retired Superintendent of the Racine Unified School District, and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served as an educational leader and superintendent of schools for more than thirty years. He is a former Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year and has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the National Education Association, the Saturn Corporation and the University of Wisconsin for leadership and contributions to public education at the state and national level.

Back to the Basics

Health Care Transitions By Cecilia Smoniewski, RN, BSN, CCRN

Over the past year, this column has discussed how health care is moving toward a more patient-centered approach.

In response to this transition, I have outlined how to more effectively access care providers and use the patient portals (knowing symptoms, providing clear descriptions of problems and issues and being specific).

I have discussed the patients' responsibilities in health promotion and disease prevention including a yearly physical, updated immunization and tests, weight management and healthy choices. We've reviewed record-keeping such as printing accurate medication records and having lists of current specialists and their phone numbers. Recently I have had to navigate the new system from a different perspective. Rather than the professional at the bedside, I was the worried daughter outside the door of Intensive Care. As I watched the IV's, oxygen and monitors that connected my Dad to those in charge of his life force, I found the sounds and rhythms of technology were far less meaningful than the look in my father's eyes, the flush of his face or the touch of my mother's trembling hands as they reached for mine.

Our family had all the tools and practices in place that allowed us not to be intimidated during our hospital experience. We expected and received more complete and respectful communication during multiple hospital interactions over the holidays: My parents' primary care provider was notified within 24 hours of their arrival at the hospital. Their specialists listed on the index card that they carried were consulted. A Case Manager began arranging home needs at admission. A pharmacist reviewed and updated medication lists. We received a book of discharge instructions that took five adults three days to sift through. Follow-up appointments were scheduled prior to our departure.

My father returned home from the hospital the day before Thanksgiving with a new pacemaker and an indwelling catheter. By Christmas Eve, my mother was also home with a new diagnosis, half a dozen new medications, a walker and wound care.

In the process of effectively interacting with the healthcare system, my parents, siblings and I all put into practice many different communication techniques. By repeating, reinforcing, simplifying and sharing information with each other and our caregivers, we all had a better understanding of how to keep ourselves and loved ones home and healthy.

Wisdom by Marilyn Lohman Charles “Chuck” Frandson wears many hats. Chuck spent most of his years in Fort Atkinson, WI, graduated from Fort High School, attended UW-Whitewater, majoring in political science; worked at a men’s clothing store; General Manager of Hometown News consisting of several area newspapers; Ad Manager at the Daily Union and Walworth County Publishing in Delavan, WI; Trust Officer at the Citizens Bank in Fort; Rainbow Hospice’s Board President; now serves Rainbow Hospice as President of its Foundation. He pretty much is the top honcho with the two Hospice golf tournaments held each summer in Cambridge and Watertown raising money for this non-profit organization. His most notable accomplishment has been helping to build a Hospice Inpatient Facility in Johnson Creek, WI and that’s not all. Chuck has been, since 2007, Fort Atkinson’s Municipal Judge, up for re-election shortly. Chuck’s picture is in newspapers often showing him receiving money or talking on behalf of Hospice. Chuck was introduced to his wife, Fran (from Indiana), by her brother, married 42 years, have a daughter Sarah married to Simon Dorfman. Sarah is a stay-at-home mom with a photography business on the side while Simon works for CUNA, Madison, WI in Business Development. They have 3 children: Thea, a precocious 3-year old going on 30; Harper, following in sister’s footsteps and happy, smiling baby Charlie. They are the loves of Chuck’s life. Chuck’s travels have taken him to most of the 50 states. One of his favorites is going to his time-share in Door County. He enjoys golf, yard work and cooking. His grandchildren take up a lot of his spare time. What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? “If you don’t have anything good to say – don’t say anything at all.” What did you want to be when you grew up? Governor! If you were marooned on a desert island, what 3 things would you want to have with you? My golf clubs, a Bible and a box of matches. What is a favorite memory? Watching a team of 15 year old boys win the State VFW Teener Baseball Championship. Can you think of something that was really funny that happened to you? I once played the character, Paul Bratter, in the Fort Community Theater production of “Barefoot In The Park” (the Robert Redford role). Greeting the audience after the show, a woman told me she loved my performance and that I reminded her “so much” of Gordon Jump on WFRP in Cincinnati. It was clear I was no Robert Redford. What advice would you give young people today? Be kind. Take a sincere interest in everyone you meet. They all have something to teach you.

Chuck Frandson

I’m sitting in the new Zephyr Cafe at the Mobil station just north of Interstate 94, on Highway

89. It’s not too surprising to find Jill Armentrout and her husband Vincent Carrillo running a

restaurant, since they met in the 1990s at the famous Art-Deco Zephyr Cafe in Chicago, named

after the streamlined silver train that whisked passengers from the Windy City to California. But

the whole family has a finger in this pie: Louise Austin, the renowned musician and Jill’s

mother, who wants restaurant aesthetics: “It’s not just a truck stop!” Jill and Vincent’s daughter

Jill Jr. (“J.J.”) Carrillo, on board as manager. Vincent’s son Clicerio. Various cousins and in-

laws. Family friends like Clayton Bowman, who designed the classy menu and “Daily Specials”

signs.

Though Jill Armentrout majored in dance at Skidmore College in upstate New York, she worked

to support herself for many years in restaurants and bars, including Chicago’s Second City

Comedy Club. Her family is now applying what she learned. 1) Make good, home-made food

from fresh ingredients. 2) Don’t cut corners. 3) Treat your customers very well. 4) Treat your

employees very very well.

“Right now we’re trying to pull together a smooth-running team,” says Jill. “Vince is the chef.

He’s always cooked, likes to try new things, loves pleasing people with food. Although he

worked full-time in construction, he’s been wanting to do something like this for a long time. We

have a complete menu, breakfast through dinner, though we’re learning what people want and

like. One day I made a big pot of my gourmet carrot soup. Nobody ordered it! But people love

Vince’s Mexican specials: burritos, enchiladas, Mexican omlettes, eggs ranchero. Yet he’s

cooking a full range of food and right now is enthusiastic about promoting steaks and prime rib.

We’re open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Yes, every day.”

To be clear. Jill Armentrout has NOT given up her Aroma Massage Therapy, which she has

practiced for five years and at which she excels. Her massage business is located on Jefferson

Street in the building that houses TJS Cabinetry and the Jazzercise Studio. “For me it’s a

beautiful oasis of calm,” says Jill. “I am happy there, happy helping people unwind and heal their

bodies. I’m content to leave the Zephyr mostly to my family. I do love to cook, however, and

have big plans for pastries and making our own ice cream like the Chicago Zephyr did.”

“Not incidentally,” I say, “I had a very good breakfast here with friends a couple of Sundays

ago.”

Jill laughs. “We’ve started on a wing and a prayer.” Margot Peters writes a monthly column for Lake Mills Online, continues to write poetry, and is working on a childhood memoir. She’s the author of Unquiet Soul: A Biography of Charlotte Brontë and most recently Summers: A True Love Story and Lorine Niedecker: A Poet’s Life.

Margot Meets……… The Zephyr Cafe

by Margot Peters

The Newbie

By Richard Zimdars

Last month, at the official launch of my third and latest book, Mother’s Night, I was approached by the editor of the Facebook page, Lake Mills Online, and asked if I would be interested in writing a monthly column for submission to this publication. After two weeks’ time and much thought (and hoping I wasn’t missing a deadline), I decided to take a risk and write my first article for LMO. Though some of my smaller writings have been for fun, while trying to establish a career out of writing books, the first attempt at something new will always be experimental for me. Sometimes, it’s not as easy as I’d like it to be. As for some of my previous articles I’ve written, I have posted them to other various Facebook pages, many of which have been given gracious comments by the community members and/or numerous ‘likes’. This, however, will be my newest challenge at trying to write a consistent monthly article. That’s how this piece came to be called, “The Newbie”. I may not be a newbie to writing, as I’ve been writing professionally for the last 10 years, but writing voluntarily for a monthly publication definitely makes me feel to be one. If you were to look up ‘newbie’ in the dictionary, it generally means, “a person who has recently started a particular activity”, and it has several synonyms associated with it, most notably; ‘rookie’, ‘novice’, and ‘newcomer’, to name a few. I was surprised when the definition of newbie didn’t mean the one phrase I thought it would: “New kid on the block.” I think it should, because that’s how I really feel about writing this at the moment. In writing, it doesn’t take much to come up with an idea, anyone you know can do it. But to take an idea for an article or a story and build upon its foundation, takes a lot of time, determination and care for the craft, but like thinking of an idea, anyone you know, including yourself, can write. I hope that in the coming months, I will be able to improve upon the foundation I’ve put down in this issue, but I also hope everyone will bear with me as I get to know the feel of my way around this new and exciting experience. Welcome to taking my first steps with me, as it feels like I’m taking a major leap forward in my career. There’s a very old and deep-rooted saying that asks; “What have you got to lose?” If you don’t take a chance in your life with friendships, relationships and your happiness, what exactly will you be gaining if you don’t take the risk?”

The Lake Mills Aztalan Historical Society is beginning its 75th year in 2016 and would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. A favorite New Year’s tradition is creating a New Year’s Resolution .How about a New Year’s resolution that relates and supports your family history or local history? Organize your family photos: label the photos on the back using pencil (pen may bleed or transfer to other photos)be sure to include the full name of the individuals in the picture, date or approximate date and where the photo was taken, perhaps even why the photo is significant. You could scan the photos into a digital file, label them and share them digitally with family. Have a family photo party where everyone works together on the project. You could donate digital copies of the photos with your local historical society or genealogy society to expand their collections. Conduct an oral history with a person you find interesting, young or old: Record the history via voice recording or video. Be sure to ask some basic questions about who they are, when they were born and where they live, but keep questions simple to guide the dialog. Allow the interviewee to reminisce about their childhood, important events in their lives or in history as they experienced/remember them. Do more than one session with an individual for a more complete oral history, consider donating a copy of the oral history with your local Historical Society with the permission of the interviewee. Volunteer with your local historical society: volunteers are always in short supply for non-profit groups. Volunteerism can range from helping at fundraisers and events, hanging up posters, maintaining historical sites and collections, general organizing, administration work, cleaning and even serving as Board members. A few hours of your time are a very valuable asset to preserving and sharing history. Providing financial support and general donations: whether it be through a membership purchase, monetary donation, donation of goods or services: all are essential to the success of local Historical Societies which relies on donations to offset operational and preservation costs.

Lake Mills Aztalan Historical Society Robin Untz, President, Historical Society

All dogs should learn bite inhibition. Bite inhibition is teaching dogs not to use the full force of their jaws when grabbing or playing or ‘biting’. If they have bite inhibition they will cause less damage when playing or in confrontations. The following are different ways to teach bite inhibition; some work better for some dogs. I try to use all of them.

Puppy socialization with like-age peers. The absolute best way for a pup to learn bite inhibition is when playing with other pups of similar size and age. They will teach each other when one bites too hard with their yips. Just watch a group of puppies play sometime, one yips and all play stops and then it resumes again. Lots of trials for learning there.

No Pressure. This sequence depends on the age of the dog. If the dog is less than 6 months you want to allow the dog to place his mouth on you while playing and permit some pressure of his jaws. When he applies pressure, give a high pitched ‘yip’. When he stops, give him another chance to play nicely. Over time progress to allowing softer pressure. What the pup learns is that no pressure is allowed and to use a soft touch. Once a dog reaches 7-9 months of age the ‘yip’ no longer works and may lead to more excitement. At this age we can give a loud ‘ouch’ or ‘no’ when he bites too hard. So you offer the dog a toy or a rawhide while holding it, allow him to put his mouth on the toy. The instant he puts pressure on your hand, say ‘ouch’ or ‘no’. He should at least hesitate before going back, if he doesn’t all games end until he settles. When he does back off, give him a second chance. You continue with this ‘game’ every day in short spurts. The key is to never allow him to get too worked up and progress to less pressure.

Drop it/ Take it. Find something a dog likes and something a dog LOVES. Offer him the item he likes. After a bit offer him what he LOVES. Place what he loves in front of his nose, wait for him to drop the other item, say ‘drop it’, and give him the item he loves and say ‘take it’. Repeat this sequence several times a day. This teaches the dog to allow us near his mouth and that keeping a loose hold on items is valuable to him. It also works like a charm when the dog grabs something you really don’t want him to have like a chicken bone.

Off. Using a closed fist method, offer the dog a treat, slowly offering him licks or tiny pieces of food through your fist. Hold the food until he hesitates to come forward for even a second. Then say ‘ok’, ‘take it’. Ask him to come forward to get the reward. This practice teaches him the use of space between you and him and to use a gentle approach.

Pet Training Tips by Lisa Bach - Boomerang Pet Care, Deerfield,WI

The owner and operator of Boomerang Pet Care, Lisa Bach, has

more than 22 years experience in the veterinary field working with a wide array of species as a Certified Veterinary Technician and an

Applied Animal Behaviorist. Boomerangpetcare.com

Boomerang Pet Care We'll Keep You Coming Back!

by Venessa Farn, Music Psychotherapist

Venessa Farn LPC-SASD,NCC,CTS, Resonating Change, Lake Mills

Learning to Listen

to Our Inner Wisdom by Mary Edwards

Obviously at this time of year some of us think about maybe trying to lose some

weight and/or getting back to more regular exercise, or figuring out some ways to de-

stress more often, and maybe get more sleep. How often do we really set aside some

time to take care of ourselves? Recently I saw a sign that said, “Once upon a time

there was enough time”.

Probably many of us don’t take any time to really take care of ourselves until

we ‘happen’ to get quite sick or maybe it isn’t until we start to notice that we are

actually getting “up there” in years…. and want to try to stay healthy if we can. Do

we listen more to our body as we get older?

It is strange how long it can take to really take some time to befriend ourselves

and nurture our selves. And it is interesting that the better we get to know our true

selves, the better we begin to take care of ourselves: take some daily meditative time,

get in some regular exercise, start drinking more water, spend some time in nature,

and focus more on healthier eating (more on nutritional research next time).

Do you ever remember a time, when alone, that even though you could be

going through some big changes, or even the future unknown…that the more you

spent time with yourself, taking more care of yourself, there seemed to be more trust

that things will turn out OK.

These self-care tools also link with deeper inner listening and discerning what

is most important to focus on and also to what gives us joy. The better we love and

take care of ourselves, the more we will be able to love and care for others as well.

I have come to believe that caring for myself

Is not self indulgent. Caring for myself is an

Act of survival.

Andre Lorde

Recipe from marthastewart.com INGREDIENTS

1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

1 teaspoon ground cardamom or 1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

2 large eggs

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract, divided

2 cups grated parsnip (from 1 large peeled parsnip)

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, cardamom, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, eggs, oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and parsnip. Stir in flour mixture.

2. Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners. Divide batter among cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cake comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

3. In a large bowl, with a mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, and remaining teaspoon vanilla until combined. Spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes.

Submitted by Mary Vasquez

Spiced Parsnip Cupcakes

IN THIS NEW YEAR by Doug Bruss

In this new year I resolve to see the light No matter how dim Even as the world grows dark In this new year I will hear the voice of reason No matter how soft Even as it gets drowned out by the noise of conflict, hatred, and politicians In this new year I will celebrate life while knowing longevity is not always possible for the ones I love In this new year I will strive to be silent While learning to value the voice of others In this new year What can you do for me? Will become, what is expected of me? For the good of others In this new year I will love words even more Using them to bare my soul as they perhaps, make no sense to anyone else In this new year My family will know their place in my heart through words saved just for them

In this new year The Cubs will win the World Series The Packers will win the Super Bowl and Wisconsin will win the Big Ten Championship in everything Dreaming is so much fun In this new year I will resist the urge to escape relearning the value of community in living life with meaning In this new year I will continue to run, ride, paddle, to keep the grim reaper at bay or, more importantly, to not be a burden on the health care system In this new year I will revere my friend the cardiologist, my friend the plumber, my friend the teacher, my friend the lawn care expert Knowing there is honor in all work In this new year I resolve to exercise the thirteen muscles it takes to smile more often and say “bah hum bug” to the seventy two muscles it takes to frown In this new year Everything beautiful Will stop me in my tracks Oh my gosh This poem weighs a ton Trust me when I say “In this new year I will laugh and scratch and Be a kid at heart”

Lake Mills Online

Editor: Carol Harcarik - Carol has been an investigative reporter for many newspapers and done newsletters for charitable organizations.

She has written three books, "One-Room Schoolhouses", "Mommies Cry Too", with the Mayo Clinic and

"Restorative Justice Is Changing the World".

The Lake Mills Online Staff

Copy Editors: Margaret Pezzi, Mary Ann Jackson & Barb Zastrow Photographer: Kerry Denson (Available to all Columnists & Reporters)

Cartoonist: Chris Whalen Agatha: Kim Bethea

Bird Columnist: Brad Webb Climate Change Columnist: Alyson Schmeisser

Computers & Networkng: Laurie Null Education Columnist: Jim Shaw

Fashion Tips: Jeanne Manley Healthcare Transitions: Cecilia Smoniewski

International Correspondent: Rian Davis Lake Mills Atztalan Historical Society: Robin Untz

Margot Meets……….: Margot Peters Motivational Columnist: Mary Edwards Music Psychotherapist -Venessa Farn

LMO Operations and " Joe, from the Back of the Room": Joe Harcarik "Observations from the Middle of the Crowd": Kerry Denson

Pet Care & Training Columnist: Lisa Bach Poet: Doug Bruss

Recipes: Mary Vasquez Wisdom: Marilyn Lohman

All-Volunteer Staff

Send Us Your Public-Interest Stories!

PUBLICATION STATEMENT Lake Mills Online is a publication in the public interest and we responsibly publish a variety of information and opinions. Submissions with new information and supporting or differing opinions are gladly accepted. All submissions are given serious consideration for publication.

The contents of a published article submitted by others do not necessarily reflect the views of Hartington Press. Submissions are to be sent to lakemillsonline@gmail.com

"Hartington Press" publishing in the Public Interest since 2004

"Lake Mills Online" is a trademark of Hartington Press, LLC.

Copyright, Hartington Press, LLC, 2015 Carol S. Harcarik is the Editor for Lake Mills Online & Hartington Press.

If you, or your family & friends would like to subscribe to "Lake Mills Online" send the email address to lakemillsonline@gmail.com Your email address will not be used for any other purpose.