Local

The aroma of hot dogs smothered in ketchup and mustard was on the air Saturday morning. A large, boisterous crowd filled the bleachers and chattered between bursts of applause. Five-year-old Cole Truitt wore a perpetual grin as he played around on the PA system, confidently predicted victory for the firefighters’ team, threw out a heater for a first pitch, and generally wore out any adult who tried to keep up with him.

In many ways it was just a fun summertime baseball game at Firefighter’s Park in the City of Middleton. In other ways it was not; this was the second annual Battle of the Badges, raising awareness and funds to help families impacted by childhood cancer. Everyone there - including police, firefighters,  medics, volunteers and fans - was rallying around Truitt, who was diagnosed in November with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Dane County citizens who say they are alarmed by gun violence joined with the Sikh Society of Wisconsin in Middleton on Sunday of last week to commemorate the six worshipers who lost their lives one year ago to a white supremacist who opened fire at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek.

The Sikh Society in Middleton, 6970 Century Ave., invited people of all faiths to join in remembering the victims in a service at its temple beginning at 1 p.m. and lasting approximately half an hour.  The service was followed by a two-mile walk along Century Avenue, continuing on to Allen Boulevard to University Avenue and St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church parking lot.  

“One deranged individual will not destroy the Sikh resolve to face every adversity with courage and peaceful means,” said Harry Brar, president of the Middleton temple. 

Upon entering the Sikh temple in Middleton, a visitor quickly learns at least a few of the basics of the faith. 

For instance, the importance of covering one’s hair to show respect, and the requirement that visitors take off their shoes when they enter.

There is also the overall sense of generosity and kindness, which is demonstrated through the large meal that is served and offered to anyone who wishes to attend on Sundays, or through the eager willingness to help those who ask for it. 

Sikhism is a monotheistic faith that promotes an honest lifestyle, sharing, meditation and selfless service among its basic beliefs.  Sikhism also upholds the idea that all humans are equal in the eyes of God regardless of gender or caste, and lists three duties as being sacred: praying, giving and working. 

Ronda Schwetz, Henry Vilas Zoo director, has had a lifelong affinity for Madison’s popular menagerie. Growing up in McFarland, now residing in the Town of Middleton, she remembers well the exact location where her dream job at the free zoo was born.

“I was by the rhinos – the exact same ones we have today, in fact – when I first thought, ‘I want to do this some day,’” she recalled. The 43-year-old is the first female director in the 102-year-old zoo’s history. She took charge of the facility in June of 2012.

She held her first position at this zoo in 1991, as an intern while at UW-Stevens Point, in a program that continues today. After graduating in 1992 with a double major – psychology and biology- and a minor in Captive Wildlife Management, Schwetz moved to Chippewa Falls. Her stint at the Irvine Park Zoo lasted several years, gaining her valuable hands-on knowledge.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging citizens in the Town of Middleton to attend a Community Notification meeting regarding the release of Kenneth Adams.

A core team evaluates and makes decisions on the level of notification to the community for the release of sex offenders under Wisconsin Statutes 301.45 and 301.46.  The Core Team will be holding a Community Notification meeting on Tuesday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the Middleton Town Hall, located at 7555 W. Old Sauk Rd.  The Core Team will offer information about the Community Notification Law and the release of Kenneth Adams.

New confusion about an old federal law is forcing local governments to choose between the right to privacy and the public’s right to information. Further muddying the waters is the fact that cities, villages and towns know they run the risk of getting sued either way.

Many government agencies in Wisconsin have begun blacking out names and addresses from what had previously been public police reports in response to a new interpretation of the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

Government decision-makers essentially have two choices. They can continue releasing names to the public and risk lawsuits from individuals who claim their right to privacy has been violated, or they can redact the information and face lawsuits from newspapers and other government watchdog groups that believe the information must be turned over under state open records law.

It was simple coin toss, but its meaning was so much more.

Independence Day is fast approaching, and that means Freedom Fest: An Ol’ Fashioned Picnic in the Park is right around the corner.

The celebration will take place Thursday, July 4 at Pioneer Park  (located corner of W. Old Sauk and Pioneer roads next to the Middleton Town Hall).

The day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K Run/Walk.

A fire truck parade will follow at  11 a.m. It will begins near Betsy Court and end at Pioneer Park.

Food and an array of festivities at the park will start at 11:30 a.m.

“The last couple of  summers we have really enjoyed celebrating and honoring the fourth of July by staying near home and keeping it simple,” said organizer Melanie Kranz. “Watching the kids in the bike parade, playing games that we played as kids and meeting and chatting with neighbors is a fun way to spend the afternoon.”

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?