My Week that Was - July 4

Brats at Millers every Saturday. 6/27/26 dwm

 We made our first summer trip to Miller's Supermarket last Saturday. The family-owned market allows local not-for-profits raise money by grilling and selling hot dogs and brats.

 This past Saturday, it was the Verona High School football boosters and some players working the grill and the corners. Players waved signs and encouraged cars to stop in the parking lot.

 The Miller's do quite a few things throughout the year to support local organizations - the brat stand is one of the most visible.

  After a nice program the previous Friday opening the Tancho Path, we had one more big event. It was originally scheduled the previous Wednesday but bad weather made that a no go, so instead we prepared for WMTV to come out Tuesday morning for a series of live shots focusing on the Tancho Path.

Tuesday's sunrise 5:40 am. 6/30/26 dwm

While I'm usually up early everyday, Tuesday morning the plan was to be ready on the east campus by 5 am. That meant a wake-up call before 4. With a looming alarm waiting to go off I didn't sleep very well, alternately dozing and waking up from 2:30 onward.

I was out of bed before the alarm sounded to get ready, brushing my teeth and shaving before getting dressed and out the door. I brought an extra shirt along, as 90-degrees and humidity settled over south Wisconsin.

There's not much traffic that time of day, in fact I was the first one on scene. The reporter and videographer were right behind escorted by our marketing manager and a summer intern.

Ellie Pomerleau interviews resident. 6/30/26 dm

 Two Oakwood residents who are avid bicyclists were interviewed in the first hour and a representative of Madison Bikes, Connor McCullough, celebrated the new path as a safer alternative of cyclists than the busy streets nearby.

 

 I was there as a back-up in case someone wasn't able to make it. My experience over the years as a 'pilot' of Oakwood's rickshaw bikes came in handy as I rode in the background and also delivered reporter Ellie Pomerleau into place in front of the camera.

 

 In addition to their live broadcast, after 7, there was one more live shot shown only on their streaming service. I'm not sure how many, if any, were watching, but that's when Ellie asked me a few questions about the rickshaw program and it's value for Oakwood residents. 

 

Brigit models a bicentennial dress. dm

After that, it was time to drive to the office on the west side, now three hours into my work day. I wasn't too sleep-deprived but was more than ready to head home around 2:30.

 

As part of the America 250 celebration, one of our residents showed off a dress she made for several occasions during the Bicentennial.

 

The pattern came from the Wisconsin Historical Society. She bought red and black plaid taffeta from a fabric store in New Glarus for $2.50 a yard, making it a $50 dress, not including the time she invested, which was more than 60 hours.

 

After the party for which the dress was intended, it got a life of its own and was displayed in several places around the country. This week, 50 years later, the mannequin she calls Brigit is wearing it for other residents to see.

 

Thursday was the end of my work week and I had several projects to complete. Thankfully I wrapped up a presentation to give next week and transferred records of donor visits to a different computer hard drive.

 

Friday was a work holiday for me, and it was nice to have the day off. At lunch we tried a new restaurant in Verona, Ian's Pizza opened its fourth location just a few weeks ago. I'll tell you about the trip in Sunday's blog.

 

I hope you enjoy the holiday - and thanks for reading.