A View of the Valley

 by Linda Schwanke It’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) tells us the theme this year is “This is EMS: Caring for Our Communities.”  That can’t be more true anywhere than it is here in the Valley. The EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) do care, day in and day out, every single day of the year. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to test EMS professionals like never before. EMTs, paramedics and other frontline workers are rising to the challenge and each has a crucial role in responding to the public health crisis of our lifetime,” said ACEP President Mark Rosenberg, DO, MBA, FACEP, in a statement. “National EMS Week is a time to recognize and honor EMS professionals for their tireless dedication to their communities—not just during this pandemic but every day.”  This week is a good time to thank our EMTs for their service and sacrifices. Tireless dedication from people we know who give their all for us is what the EMS are all about.  If you’ve ever had to call 911 for an ambulance you know how much they care. And how much they are needed. My memories of the last time I had to call for an ambulance are pretty muddy. I remember my step-mother calling me one morning at about 5 a.m. crying that my dad couldn’t get up and couldn’t talk except to say no. He wouldn’t let her call an ambulance so she called me. I hauled butt out to their house, took a look at dad and called 911. The EMTs were there in minutes and I remember Mark Baryenbruch giving me a hug. He knew without telling me not to expect much because it didn’t look good. I don’t remember who the other two people on the call were but that hug has stuck with me for all these years because I was so scared and it was a huge comfort to have people I know on scene, helping out.  That’s how it is with EMTs in our communities. They care for us. And now it’s our turn to care for them. Thank them for all they do for us, yes, and also help round up people to become an EMT. In this age when it’s so hard to find people to do all kinds of work because of the pandemic, we need people to take a step up and care for our community in this most vital way.   Get in touch with EMT directors to help. In Arena, contact Tyler Tisdale in Arena at (608) 753-2335 or email arenaems84@gmail.com. In Lone Rock call Theresa Jensen at (608) 583-0099. In Plain contact Tracy Brent at (608) 574-9200 or email brent.trac@gmail.com. In Spring Green, contact Derek Miller at (608) 575-3198 or email dmiller2300@gmail.com. Or simply reach out and say thank you. Stay well, stay safe. Let your green grass go and plant native species. Stay in touch. My number is 574-3159. Email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  The news deadline is 12 noon on Mondays but we’ll have a deadline of noon on Friday, May 28, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. All deadlines are moved up 24 business hours. Visit our website at homenewsrv.com for information about the Home News and our e-edition.  Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.