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Editor’s note: The Burmese comprise the vast majority of the peoples in Myanmar, a primarily agrarian society. But the country is populated with more than 120 ethnic groups. After independence from Britain in 1947, and prior to 1962 when the military dictatorship rose to power, Burma functioned as a democracy. After the coup, the country declined into economic and political isolation, impoverished and without basic freedoms. In 1989, the authoritarian government officially changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar. Various countries recognize both names.

In this 21st century global village, serendipity abounds. How else to explain that a handful of folks from Middleton and Madison are able to directly impact Myanmar, a newly emerging democracy?

A man who sold hundreds of pounds of marijuana before moving to his father’s Century Avenue condominium pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to conspiring to sell a controlled substance.

According to a complaint filed in court:

Nicholas Bokas, 33, began selling ounces of marijuana per week in late 2011, which escalated into sales of up to 10 pounds weekly at $3,400 a pound, according to a complaint filed with the court.

Bokas and Justin Triplett shared an apartment on E. Mifflin Street in the spring of 2012 when Bokas arranged to sell 50 pounds of pot to Joshua Campbell through Triplett.

Campbell was wearing a recording device when he met Triplett at the Mifflin Street apartment. There, Campbell saw 20 pounds of marijuana and Triplett said he could provide another 30 pounds within an hour.

Seven Madison Youth Special Olympics athletes went to the Special Olympics State Summer Games at the UW-Stevens Point campus June 6-9. Six of them were from Middleton-Cross Plains. They are Lauren Hopp (MHS): shot put - 2nd place, 100M run - 3rd place, 4x100 relay - 6th place; Nick Annen (Cross Plains): shot put - 1st place, 4x100 relay - 6th place; Nikki Ordaz (Madison): 200M dash - 4th place, 1500M run - 4th place, relay - 6th place; Faith Engle (MHS): Turbo jav - 5th place, 4x100 relay - 6th place; Ashlee Hrdlicka (MHS) - Standing Long Jump - 1st place; Regina MacLean (MHS) - 50M run - 2nd place; Gavin Katovich (Kromery Middle School) - 100M run - 5th place.

Pictured here from left to right are agency manager/coach Jean Hopp, Regina MacLean, Coach Joe Ordaz, Ashlee Hrdlicka, Lauren Hopp, Nick Annen, Gavin Katovich and coach Debbie Borth. Not pictured are athletes Faith Engle and Nikki Ordaz and chaperone Jane MacLean.

Middleton Good Neighbor Festival organizers are seeking nominations for the 2013 Good Neighbor Awards.  Each year, in association with the Middleton Good Neighbor Festival, the Good Neighbor Award is given in recognition of individuals whose volunteer efforts have made a difference in the Middleton community and who embody what it means to be a Good Neighbor.

In this fast-paced era replete with technology, Rudy and Malinda Stutzman prefer keeping to the old ways.

The Amish couple, hailing from outside Readstown, run R&M Bakery & Candy Shoppe. They’ve only been in operation since April 2012.

Twenty-seven-year-old Rudy Stutzman explained they founded the business to support their three young children because of dire circumstances.

“The reason we got started was for four years I used to go out and help a guy who takes down old barns and resells the wood,” he recalled. “One year, me and my brother were on our way to work and a bad car accident shattered the buggy into 100 pieces,.”

“Actually, I’m lucky I’m still here,” he said.

Stutzman remained in the hospital for twelve days with a badly broken leg, and admitted his back still pains him.

“So I quit working, and we had to do something,” he concluded.

Dagmar LeMans learned a valuable skill that could come in handy during months of Wisconsin winters – and even in spring. She said if she ever sees someone fall through lake ice, she’ll know what to do. LeMans, age 16, is one of twelve Junior Firefighters with the Middleton Fire Department.

According to Battalion Chief Brad Subera, 16 high school students participated in the “Juniors” program over the past four years. Although not allowed to actively fight fires, or on EMS assists or at car accident sites, at the station they learn and practice skills along with the rest of the department, he said.

Skills include extrication, ice rescue, search and rescue, and fire attacks. In addition, they are allowed on fire calls as adjunct staff.

While Middletonians heading to the city’s post office likely expected a logjam in the parking lot, they probably didn’t anticipate meeting Judy Clark, who was holding a large sign that depicted the President of the United States with a Hitler-esque mustache.

Today marks 10 months to the day since the howling waters of the Wolf River silenced 20-year-old Lina Vergara’s laughter forever. But on Saturday in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy, the late Middleton woman’s family hopes the community will smile, laugh and honor Lina's life, even as they continue to mourn her death.

The first annual Glowing Smiles 5k Run/Walk and Kids Dash will raise funds for the Lina Vergara Memorial Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the school where Lina was majoring in bilingual education and English as a Second Language at the time of her death. It will start at Orchid Heights Park in the City of Middleton, continuing through the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Vergara, who was swept under the rain-bloated Wolf River during what was intended to be an innocuous outdoor adventure in July, had a passion for two things, according to her mother, Margarita Vergara. “She loved kids and she loved nature,” she said.

Tickets are on sale now for REAP Food Group’s 6th Annual Burgers & Brew event, taking place Saturday, June 1 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. at the Capital Brewery Bier Garten in Middleton.

Burgers & Brew is a celebration of three of Wisconsin’s favorite traditions: grilling out, enjoying craft beers, and supporting local farms.                         

Each $30 ticket entitles guests to three combos featuring a fabulous mini-burger paired with a five-ounce beer pour. Unique burgers, grilled onsite, will feature dynamite flavor combinations of locally raised meats, vegetables and cheese found only in Southern Wisconsin. Wash them down with local craft brews, served by brewery representatives and selected to complement each chef’s creation.

Growing since 2012, the burger/beer pairing will increase from 14 to 16 stations.

Thanks to area businesses and groups, Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) Food Pantry guests will find shelves full of food this summer.

MOM hosted the third annual Canstruction® Madison Thursday, which in conjunction with a community-wide food drive raised 27 tons of food. The event took place at Keva Sports Center.

Canstruction is a competition in which community members come together to build highly imaginative structures out of canned goods and packaged food.  After the structures are built and the winners are declared, all food used in the structures is donated to the MOM Food Pantry.  Teams plan their structures weeks in advance, and then come together on the day of the event to build their displays.  Prior to the evening event, the structures are judged by design professionals and community leaders.

THIS YEAR’S WINNERS ARE: