Local

MIDDLETON–When a speaker came to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church to discuss the topic of foster care, it set the ball rolling for a free clothing service, Luke’s Closet, offered to foster families, adoptive families  and the kinship community, which consists of a family member, often a grandmother, who is caring for a child. 

“The idea for a clothing bank happened over lunch with myself and two other moms. We were connected with two other women who were already actively supporting foster families and boom…Luke’s Closet began,” said Kim Nickel who works as a communications specialist for the church. 

Luke’s Closet is run by volunteers and offers specific shopping days as well as shopping by appointment. In addition, the volunteers create clothing care packages that consist of a homemade pillowcase filled with clothes for foster kids. The pillowcases are then delivered to a location near the child. 

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Community Orchestra will hold their final concert of the season on May 30, 7:30 p.m. at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. 

The Spring 2019 concert will feature “The Carnival of Animals” and “Symphony No. 3” by Camille Saint Saens and” Concerto for 2 Pianos No. 10 k. 365” by Mozart. All of the selections are arranged for two pianos and an orchestra. 

Guest musicians for the eve.ing include pianists Satoko Hayami and Thomas Kardorf. Wisconsin Public Radio personality Norman Gilliand will narrate “Carnival of the animals.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office is looking for information on the whereabouts of Joshua T. Martin, age 30.  Joshua’s vehicle was located in rural Dane County in the Town of Dane.  It is believed Joshua recently left the area on foot and may have a dog described as a pit bull mixed breed with him.  Joshua is 5’10” and weighs about 175 lbs, with brown eyes and brown hair.

After speaking with family and friends, there is reason to believe Josh may be in a mental health crisis and they are concerned for his welfare.  If you have seen Joshua or know where he is, please call the Dane County Communications Center non-emergency line, at 608-255-2345.

MADISON–The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW), in partnership with the WorkSmart Network, is hosting an information session on Tuesday, May 14 aimed at connecting workers impacted

by retail closures, like Shopko, Toys “R” Us and Bon-Ton (Boston Stores), with local resources available to help them.

“Connecting former retail workers to high-demand jobs is a win-win for the community, especially in this time of record low unemployment when we’re hearing from businesses about their need for more skilled workers,” said Danica Nilsestuen, Director of Business Development at the WDBSCW. “Our teams at the American Job Center are ready to help these workers skill up and transition successfully.

MIDDLETON - Denise Schmidt, long-time chair of the town of Middleton Plan Commission, was recently appointed to fill the second year of Paul Connell’s term on the town board.

Schmidt is just the second woman to serve on the five-member board, after Cynthia Richson was elected town chair in 2017 and re-elected last month

“This is history making,” Richson said last week.

In recent years, the Plan Commission has served as a stepping stone to the town board for Stephen Tumbush and Bill Kolar, and Schmidt said the job serves to prepare a resident for the work of steering the town into the future.

“The Plan Commission not only looks at things in a holistic manner, it touches on the multiple operations of the town. It’s good experience to have,” Schmidt said.

MIDDLETON–Learning about wild edibles and medicinals, survival skills and naturalist skills may not seem like your typical summer camp, but at Wild Harvest Nature Connection, wants to change that mindset. The Dane County business offers outdoor experiences for not only children, but adults as well.

“We have homeschool programs from September through May, summer camps June through August, adult groups, and individual classes. All of our groups meet at various parks around Dane County, one of which is Indian Lake County Park (Cross Plains),” explained Heather Hutchinson, co-founder and mentor at Wild Harvest Nature Connection.

She said Wild Harvest takes a wholistic approach to nature that focuses on the well-being of the individual, the group and the land. The programs also aim at forming a sense of community with attendees. 

MIDDLETON–Traffic signals will be installed at Mineral Point (CTH S) and Pioneer Roads this summer during a months-long project that restricts travel on CTH S through the town of Middleton to CTH P.

CTH S will be closed to through traffic and open only to local traffic accessing residential and business driveways within the construction zone.

“If you have a way out of your neighborhood other than Mineral Point, then you must avoid the construction area,” Greggar Peterson, a Dane County Highway Department engineer, said during an April 16 informational meeting at the town of Middleton.

Residents in the Cherrywood neighborhood and those along Welcome Dr. will be among the most impacted, he said.

Through traffic will be detoured on US 12 to US 14 to CTH P. Peterson understands most motorists will know a shorter route than the detour or use a GPS to find one.

MIDDLETON–The Good Neighbor Festival Board of Trustees is honored to announce that Michael Leckrone, retiring director of the Marching Band and Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin and a long-time Middleton resident, has accepted the role of Parade Marshal for the 2019 Good Neighbor Festival. Leckrone will lead over 100 entries during the August 25 parade through the streets of downtown Middleton.

He retires this year after 50 years as Director of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. He has had a remarkable career, and has served as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator for concert and marching bands throughout the United States and Canada. His experience also includes considerable professional work as an arranger, composer and performer.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School Board reviewed the progress of the Internal Attendance Boundary Committee which held its first meeting March 6. More than 35 residents applied to serve on the committee and 25 were selected.

The committee is tasked with reviewing the attendance area with a focus on the district’s strategy map, a determined criterium, historical and future enrollment trends, and building capacity. The committee is also charged with making up to recommendations to the board regarding elementary and middle-school boundaries and communicate those to the broader community. 

The meetings are being facilitated by Drew Howick, who has also worked with DeForest, Sun Prairie and Verona school districts on committees looking at internal boundaries. Howick presented an update to the board April 22.

 MIDDLETON–The Middleton Public Library will undergo some changes in 2019 in an effort to more efficiently use existing space, with a remodel, named Next Chapter. A 2015 study of the building estimated that the library would need to triple its current square footage to accommodate the volume and needs of consumers. 

“This project is making the most of what we have while we have it,” said Jocelyne Sansing, Middleton Public Library Director.