October 2023

“Two down, four to go.”

That’s how Middleton boys soccer coach Kevin Pauls described the opening weekend of postseason play in which his Cardinals captured a regional title.

Middleton, the No. 2 seed in its sectional, defeated 15^th-seeded Madison La Follette, 2-0, in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal on Oct. 17. The Cardinals then edged seventh-seeded Waunakee, 1-0, in a regional final last Saturday.

Middleton advanced to the sectional semifinals, where it will host surprising 14^th-seeded Sussex Hamilton Thursday at 7 p.m. The Chargers upset third-seeded Sun Prairie West and sixth-seeded Oregon to win a regional title of their own.

If Middleton defeats Hamilton, it would face the winner of top-seeded Arrowhead and fourth-seeded Verona in a sectional final Saturday at 1 p.m. at Madison Memorial’s Mansfield Stadium.

The state tournament then takes place Nov. 3-4 at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.

Gabe Passini picked the perfect time to call his own number.

With his team clinging to a 21-20 lead late in the fourth quarter last Friday, Middleton’s senior quarterback faked a handoff then scampered down the sideline 60 yards on a keeper deep into Madison Memorial territory.

Passini’s run eventually led to a touchdown and helped the Cardinals clinch a 28-20 triumph over the visiting Spartans in a WIAA Division 1 first round playoff game at Breitenbach Stadium.

“They were expecting us to want to run out the clock with the running back,” Passini said. “Usually when my key goes in at the running back I can have my freedom to pull it. I just felt my opening, felt my time was there from what we practiced and tried to turn on my jets the best I could, but my tall lengthy self can’t beat those little fast guys.”

Middleton co-interim coach Tim Simon actually missed the play, but heard the reaction from the sideline.

MIDDLETON–Carol Anne Jensen, 82, passed away on Oct. 1, 2023, at Cardinal View Senior Living. She was born on July 12, 1941, to George and Mary Louise (Trundy) Jensen in Peekskill, NY.

Carol grew up in Morrison, IL and graduated from Morrison Community High School in 1959. She studied at Northern Illinois University before moving to Madison, which she made it her home for many decades before moving to Middleton.

She worked at Greenway Properties, Inc. before retiring.  She was very involved in politics from local races to national races. She was also part of the Middleton Kiwanis Club.

Carol is survived by her children, Sean (Sandy) McCarthy, Megan McCarthy, her grandchildren – Will Hinze, Jack McCarthy, Maddy Wrasse and Kennedy McCarthy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Sigrid Houston, and brother Michael Jensen.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The Town of Middleton Board Monday approved a preliminary 2024 budget that increases expenditures but decreases the budget deficit.

The town has routinely drawn from cash reserves or other sources to balance its annual budget which had revenue shortfalls of $1.6 million in 2021 and $989,000 in 2022.

The proposed 2024 budget has a $207,243 deficit, which Town Chair Cynthia Richson called, “An amazing accomplishment.” in relation to prior years.

The board approved Board Supervisor Tom Stemrich’s motion to borrow funds to cover the deficit instead of using cash reserves.

The proposed budget will be presented at a public hearing on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. At that time, town’s voting residents will decide the tax levy and the amount of the road budget.

The budget’s impact on residential property taxpayers won’t be available until the mil rate has been announced and the state certifies the value of taxable property in the town.