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January 2022

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Nihilists

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:45

My sister-in-law doesn’t like hobbits, she informed us at dinner last week.

“Why not?” my wife asked.

“Their feet,” she replied bluntly. “And their optimism.”

She still loves the stories and worlds they inhabit, of course, but she thinks their naivety is annoying. The fact that she has such strong feelings about them makes them feel even more real, though. She has never tried to argue that they don’t exist; only that she thinks they need to stop being such idiots (and maybe shave their feet).

The thing is, hobbits live in stories. So do countless dragons and heroes. And living in a story is more important than anything else. It is a bastion of immortality and a reservoir of meaning. People can live in stories even if they never set foot in the “real” world, and if we are very lucky and try very hard, we, too, can live on in stories long after our bodies decay and rot.

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Town Renews Land Purchase Offer

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:44

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The Town Board Monday renewed an offer to buy an out lot in the Stone Brook Estates for a storm water detention pond.

The $36,000 offer for approximately two acres generally has the same conditions that residents of the 66-lot north side subdivision rejected last year. However, this time it has the full backing of Homeowners Association (HOA) President Ed Pardon, who thanked the town board for the renewed offer.

“I think it would be an ideal resolution to what has been…a choppy three or four-year period, it seems like dealing with this issue,” he said during the virtual meeting.

The HOA board favors the offer and intends to recommend to the membership, said Pardon. He hopes it resolves the matter that has generated some stiff resistance and one candidacy to the town board.

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Farmers Urged to Organize Watershed Group

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:43

CROSS PLAINS–Farmers in the Black Earth Creek Watershed, already using cover crops and contouring their fields, can make their soil conservation practices more effective by joining like-minded neighbors, said Dane County and Sand County Foundation conversationists.

It takes just five producers to organize and be recognized by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) as a farmer-led watershed group. Farmers with shared goals of improving soil health and water quality can find technical and financial assistance to achieve those goals, said Amy Piaget, a conservationist with the Dane County Land & Water Resources department.

State money, administered by the county has recently been boosted to $750,000 and is available to members of watershed organizations. Some programs provide money for cover crop seed and others help with equipment acquisition, she said.

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Plan Commission Approves Concept Proposals for 50-Unit Apartment, Six Townhomes

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:42

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a concept proposal for a 50-unit apartment building at 6904-6908 Century Ave. The plan commission also approved the concept for a proposal which would construct three two story duplexes at 7107-7109 University Ave. 

Concept approval from the plan commission is not required for development proposals in the city but it gives developers a chance to get preliminary review of a project before creating detailed design and architecture plans needed for a rezoning request or general building plan, termed general implementation plan (GIP).

The concept proposal for the apartment comes from Madison Development Corporation. It calls for a 50-unit building, four story multi-family building stepped back to appear like a three story. 

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Allen Jeffrey “Jeff” Martin

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:41

MIDDLETON–Allen Jeffrey “Jeff” Martin, 78 of Middleton, passed away on Dec. 13, 2021. He was born in Elsie, MI., the son of Robert and Gathal (Bell) Martin.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Jan (Goscinski, married in 1965); sons, Joel (Mary) and Jonathan (Erika) Martin; grandchildren, McKenna and Jack Martin; and sister, Sharon Olney. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, father-in-law, and mother-in-law.

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Richard Wayne “Dick” Carlson

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:41

MADISON–Richard Wayne “Dick” Carlson, 91, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, Dec. 15, 2021. Born to Edna (Tiedeman) and Ernest Carlson, Feb. 27, 1930, Dick was a lifelong Middleton-area resident.

He was known for his skill at ballroom dancing, wearing colorful shirts and buying and selling antiques. He worked at the antiques business with his wife Annette right up to his death.

Dick was a loving husband, dad and grandpapa. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Annette; daughter, Jill; son, Scott; grandkids; great-grandkids; and many friends and relatives.

A celebration to honor Dick's long and happy life was held at Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Care, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2021, with a luncheon that followed. Visitation was held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the start of the service on Tuesday.

The family invites you to share your memories of Dick at gundersonfh.com.

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Constance “Connie” Hefty

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:40

MIDDLETON / BARABOO / MADISON–Constance “Connie” Hefty, 100, passed peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 8, 2021. Connie was born on Aug. 7, 1921, to William and Meta Ladien. She grew up in the Johnson Creek area and graduated from Jefferson High School. Connie had a lifelong love of music. During her teen years, she played piano and sang at dances and shows, performing with her violinist father's band. Throughout her life, Connie entertained family and friends with her upbeat piano style.

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Losing a Good Neighbor

Submitted by admin on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 15:39

I would be remiss if I did not dedicate this column to someone who loved Middleton and worked to make it a better place–Jeff Martin.

Jeff passed away suddenly last week, leaving members of the community who knew him at the Middleton Area Historical Society (MAHS), volunteered with him at community events, such as Good Neighbor Fest, or enjoy his skilled photography shocked and saddened.

Jeff provided photos to the Times-Tribune for years and I have worked with him to bring “History Spotlight” to the newspaper each month. He was a big supporter of print media and was raised around newspapers. His father and two grandfathers were small town, newspaper men in Michigan, my home state.

I was also looking forward to working with him on the MAHS Newsletter, which I will be taking on in March. Jeff was very dedicated to preserving the history, and could often be seen working at the Rowley House and the MAHS’s annual Ice Cream & Pie Social his wife, Jan.

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MTT 52-21

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