July 2020

I have been wearing a mask since March, as I have stated before in this column. Furthermore, I have been calling for a mask mandate for months because I know that any variety of SARS, a classification COVID-19 falls under, is spread primarily through the respiratory system. Honestly, it seems like a no brainer.

We should never underestimate the ability of ignorance and stupidity to politicize something that is not political. Masks fall into this category. For weeks I have seen all sorts of nonsense on social media about “owning liberals” by not wearing a mask. Let me tell you, you aren’t owning a thing, except that ignorance and stupidity.

MIDDLETON–Hundreds of people turned out for the United We Stand Against Racism March in Middleton on July 12. The event, which was in support of Black Lives Matter, kicked off at Middleton High School (MHS) with speakers addressing the crowd gathering on the south lawn. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Everett Mitchell spoke to the group before they made their way down Bristol Street, ending at Stone Horse Green downtown.

Mitchell told the collection of educators, students, city officials, police officers and Middleton residents, “We don’t need more white allies, we need white co-conspirators.” He asked that white people band together with people of color to shake up systems that are oppressive.

Mitchell paraphrased Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saying that he wants to see Black people, “judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.” 

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Cross Plains School District (MCPASD) Board of Education reviewed and discussed the options district administration is considering for instruction in the fall. The options include a full return to in-person instruction, fully virtual and various hybrid models. The board meets on July 20 for a decision. Any plan approved by the board will need to meet the requirements and guidelines established by Public Health Madison Dane County (PHMDC) which have been delayed in light of emerging data on COVID-19 infection rates locally.

Superintendent Dana Monogue said the administration will have a final recommendation for the board and expect a vote at the July 20 meeting to give district staff as much time as possible to plan for fall.

The task was daunting.

The Times-Tribune recently asked a 16-person panel to rank the best male and female athletes to pass through Middleton High School in the 21st century. Any athlete who competed in the 21st century was eligible to be nominated and their exploits across their entire career were considered, even if a portion of their playing days came in the 1990s.

The panel consisted of past and present coaches, local sportswriters and community members that have seen countless Middleton events.

There were no set criteria outlined. Beauty was in the eye of each beholder.

If one voter thought a multi-sport athlete with solid production across the board rated ahead of a one-sport athlete who excelled at their craft, that was their prerogative. If another voter prioritized team success, that was fine, too.

Nearly 60 boys and 60 girls were nominated for consideration, and after the votes were tabulated, each field was trimmed to a top-20.