August 2020

It would have been easy for first-year Middleton girls tennis coach Matt Given to be bummed last week.

Across the state, several schools started tennis practice. By the weekend, there were dual meets, triangulars and quadrangulars everywhere you looked.

At Middleton High School?
Crickets.

But Given wasn’t complaining.

Middleton recently elected not to play sports this fall due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, and instead will try having a season in the spring. The Cardinals’ alternate season is scheduled to run from March 8 until April 26.

While waiting is the hardest part, Given believes the wait will be worthwhile.

“Honestly, we would love to be starting practice, but unfortunately due to circumstances out of our control we will just have to wait,” Given said. “Like I have told my girls and their parents, the overall safety of my athletes is the No. 1 priority.

Editor's Note: This is a column by Sports Editor Rob Reischel

Jamie Sims has been Middleton’s athletic director for just six weeks.

Sims inherited a pair of size 19 shoes left behind by the late, great Bob Joers. He was quickly forced to deal with the fallout of a global pandemic and help make tough decisions regarding fall sports.

Sims still has a lengthy to-do list — most notably how to schedule three sports seasons into the winter and spring. When he comes up for air, though, it’s imperative for Sims — and assistant A.D. Ben White — to reclaim control of Middleton’s co-op girls hockey program.

Middleton’s co-op, also known as the Madison Metro Lynx, consists of players from Middleton, Madison West, Madison Memorial, Madison Edgewood and Verona. The Lynx was also one program Joers took immense pride in.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Airport Commission last week delayed recommending updated language to the city’s Comprehensive Plan until the Common Council can meet with the Town of Middleton and Town of Springfield on Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field issues.

As part of the city’s required 10-year update to the Comprehensive Plan, City Planner & Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz presented language regarding the airport which was criticized for lessening concern for the airport’s impact on its neighbors.

The 2006 Comprehensive Plan recognizes the increased air traffic and the city’s need to monitor the airport so it operates “as safely and efficiently as possible while at the same time minimizing potentially negative impacts on nearby properties.”                

The proposed language presented to the Commission on Aug. 6 eliminates minimizing potentially negative impacts and promotes the airport’s role in economic development.

It read:

MIDDLETON–Ruth Clare Wood, age 85, of Middleton, passed away on Aug. 3, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Dec. 17, 1934, in Portage, the daughter of Eugene and Esther (Gerstenkorn) McMahon. Ruth graduated from Portage High School. She married the love of her life, John "Jack" Wood, on Dec. 28, 1957.

Ruth was a longtime resident of Middleton, living in and staying involved in the community for over 50 years. She worked for the City of Middleton for nearly 40 years, retiring in 1998. She enjoyed spending time with her friends in card clubs, playing Bridge, bowling, traveling and shopping. Most of all, Ruth loved spending time with her grandkids and attending all of their events and activities. She loved celebrating the holidays with her family, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, and she brought joy to everyone with her presence. Her bright smile and kind heart will be missed by all who knew her.