March 2013

While many Middletonians suspected the city's newest resident had moved here for the great beer produced at Capital Brewery, there might be another reason for all the great grey owl sightings on Terrace Avenue.

This year’s long winter is having an impact on owls in Wisconsin, including three species of rare owls that have come down from the boreal forest north of the U.S. border.

According to a statement issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, every few years small rodent populations crash. The decline forces owls to move south in search of food. 

That's exactly what happened this year and because of it, Wisconsin is becoming a temporary home to three species not normally seen here: the northern hawk owl, the great grey owl and the boreal owl.

Arin Oppermann was in mid-sentence.

Middleton’s third-year girls softball coach had already discussed the strengths of her team. Oppermann talked how last year’s weaknesses could be corrected.

Then Oppermann stopped midstream and proclaimed this year’s motto.

“It’s about time,” Oppermann said.

Middleton’s softball community couldn’t agree more.

In Oppermann’s first two years, the Cardinals are 19-26 overall and 16-19 in the Big Eight Conference. Middleton finished eighth in the league last year and fifth in 2011.

Oppermann hopes this is the year her team begins to resemble past Middleton outfits that dominated the Big Eight and were an annual challenger for the state tournament.

“These are awesome girls,” Oppermann said. “And with this group, we believe we have the talent and the parts to make a jump in the standings.

Nick Miller (Nicholas Joseph Miller), 102, passed away peacefully at Wynscape Rehabilitation Center (Wheaton, IL) on March 5. Nick, born February 3, 1911 in Waunakee, WI was the son of Nicholas and Margaret Miller (Brausen). Nick graduated Waunakee High School and soon began working in the Civilian Conservation Corps part of FDRʼs program to get the country moving again. The CCC gave birth to Conservation Departments across the United States. As a 40+ year employee of the Wisconsin Conservation Department, now Department of Natural Resources, Nick wore many hats - game warden, manager of fish crews seining rough fish and planting game fish in the stateʼs streams and lakes, and finally Southern Area Fish Manager at Nevin Hatchery.

Nickʼs wife of 74 years, Sue (Voelcker) preceded him in death December 19, 2011.

James  Helmuth, the 10-year-old boy who inspired local first responders to create a charity softball game, lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, surrounded by his family, Lisa, Jeff and Jack.

Helmuth was honored during the 1st annual "Battle of the Badges" charity softball game in the summer of 2012. A statement posted on the MIPD website said Middleton Police, Fire & EMS Departments will continue to hold the charity softball games each summer to benefit local charities, such as the Badger Childhood Cancer Network.

Helmuth loved to watch and play basketball and football and loved karate and swimming. He had many friends, including a special place in his heart for Bella, Buddy, and Sparkle - the family dog and two cats. 

Services will take place Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Church, 7337 Hubbard Avenue in Middleton.