My Week that Was - November 27

Dan Atkins shared the story of
his Verona bike shop with the
city's Historical Society.
11/20/2021 dwm photo

 My favorite store in Verona is Atkins Bike Shop.

 Since we moved back to Wisconsin in 2012, Dan Atkins, Vicki, Alli, and his crew have wrenched and cleaned our family bikes and serviced Oakwood's rickshaws when I brought them to him as well.

 Every time I've walked in the door, I'm greeted like an old friend.  He remembers a rolodex of names and what kind of bike you ride.  They do good work.  Atkins does EXCELLENT customer service.

 When I've brought my bike at the start of the season for a tune-up, he makes sure my bike computer has a new battery.  I can count on him to tell me what repairs need to be made and which ones I can let slide awhile.

 In early 2020, we wanted to get a bike rack that worked with a trailer hitch.  He listened to what we wanted, showed us the rack and referred us to a local shop that could provide and install the hitch.

Dan's father and grandfather ran a Bike Shop in downtown Madison for years.  He and his twin started working on bikes when they were 8, he said in his talk to the Verona Historical Society, and after a few years in adulthood doing other things got into the bike business himself.

It was interesting to hear how many people in the community helped him get started, none of them a bigger help than the couple who co-signed the loan which allowed to purchase his first supply of bikes to sell in the shop.  I'm glad he made it, although small business is always a difficult proposition.  Atkins said he sold all the new bikes in stock at the start of the pandemic and then sold all the used bikes he could handle.  In 2021 as supply chains broke down, it's a challenge to get new bikes in stock.

If you bike and live anywhere near Verona Wisconsin, I strongly recommend you check out the Atkins Bike Shop.

The Green Bay Packers rolled into Minneapolis with the best record in the NFC and the opportunity to knock the Vikings out of contention in their division.  The Pack fought its way back from and early 16 - 3 deficit to take a lead, then tied the game at 31 on a 75-yard TD pass.  Going into the two-minute warning it looked like Green Bay had picked off a Minnesota pass, but further review noticed a bobble at the end of the play which gave the ball back to the Vikes.  They controlled the ball the rest of the way, then kicked the winning field goal as time ran out.  The Packers welcome the Rams to town Sunday in a game they need to keep hope alive for a first-round bye in the playoffs.

After updating the Packer season it makes sense to let you know what is happening with the Veronison Pointdexters, my first-ever fantasy team.  I'm stuck in 5th place in the East Division of the Sportz Boyz Fantasy league, but with a winning record have a 99% chance of reaching the play-offs.  There is no money on the line, but it's been fun. 

There were little white flakes floating around Thanksgiving to add a holiday feel to the air during my morning run.  It was nice to sleep-in a bit and run in daylight conditions.

The family is in the house for the big meal, joining us in giving thanks.  It was nice getting together again.

Lutheran High's field shot from the press box.
7/8/2021 dwm photo

The week ended on a high note as the Saints of Lutheran High School won the Class A football state championship.

I wasn't there at the very beginning, but came along a couple years later, and privileged to serve as the public address announcer for several seasons. 

Hall of Fame Coach Ray Schultz persuaded the school board to add football as a sport, then became the teams' first coach guiding it to respectability from humble beginnings.

I've been gone nine years, a lifetime for a high school which turns over its student body completely every four years, but remain privileged to be associated with the school and thrilled for the students, parents, coaches, and all the people who brought the program to life.

The highlight for me came in the post-game interview as Coach Pasch first said Lutheran High is a ministry proclaiming Jesus Christ is Savior.  Congratulations, Lutheran High - Go Saints!