Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, I would like to tell you a Thanksgiving story: Fifty years ago a baby girl named Cathleen was born who was a terrible shock to her young mother and dad. She was tiny but also had an incomplete spine, virtually no pelvis, and even tinier legs. They did not feel capable of caring for such a damaged daughter and she was placed in a hospital north of Madison where she was cared for in her early years and then placed in foster homes.  Catt came to live with us when she was nine years old, getting around in a wheelchair and attending a school for handicapped children. The next two years were difficult for her as she not only was in a new home but had to have several surgeries. Then the surgeon believed he could improve her life and performed a rather amazing feat. He removed the useless legs and designed a bucket-like prosthesis into which she could sit. Artificial legs were attached in such a way that she could “walk” with crutches, leaning one way and then the other. She was determined to make this work and even tried to pull herself up our basement stairs, but the strain on her damaged spine was such that she had to return to the wheelchair or risk losing the use of her arms. Several years passed while she continued to be part of our family, and during her senior year at high school, she took her first job at a coop. She moved to a state job in 1984 and worked there until 2003 when she went back to school at MATC, graduating in 2005. She also became active in martial arts, even teaching a class of young children in addition. In 2010 she Joined the Kiwanis Club after she had been given a scholarship to an adaptive skiing trip in Durango, Colorado, and had a great time. The following years she worked at Sam’s Club and then Walmart when Sam’s Club closed their doors. During these years she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy. Early this year, she twice had to take on leaves of absence because too many people were coming in with no face covering and her delicate body was thought to be very vulnerable. Thanksgiving this year will be different for everyone, but Catt continues to amaze us with her energy, courage, and cheerfulness. She has bought a turkey and the fixings and asked for recipes and hints. She plans to have her own dinner just as we have always had, stuffing a big bird, and making a pumpkin pie. How many of us can accept our lives with thanksgiving as has this amazing woman? Helen Birkemeier Spring Green  Cathleen Piotrowski Madison    Dear editor, In October, the River Valley School District Endowment  Board received a $10,000 anonymous challenge match, with the stipulation that the funds be used district wide for tools and assistance related to teaching virtually during the pandemic.  Thanks to the wonderful response by our committed supporters, we have received $11,325 as of November 23!  Recently the board met to review the requests and awarded over $19,451.  We have received grateful responses from all recipients, many mentioning their appreciation for the support from the community through the Endowment.  Thank you so much to the following community members who helped us meet and exceed this goal: Jerry and Mary Lou Baryenbruch, Gigi La Budde and Michael Whaley, Bob and Jane Elmer, Grace Stanton, Dale Koehler, Monte Hottmann, Rosemarie and Gary Zimmer, Donna and Bradley Mulholland, Pamela’s Fine Jewelry, Henry and Judith Ferstl, Teresa Lins, Ethan and Janet Erdman, Jack and Kay Taylor, Howard and Michelle Orcutt, Quinn and Natasha Peterson, Brian Krey, Prem Meats, James and Maureen O’Neill, Paul Zillgitt and Patrice Peltier, John and Wendy Dunagan, Wes and Karen Halverson, Jacqueline and Nicholas Luther, Steven and Jill VonBoeckman, Matthew and Vicki Beglinger, Baxter and Suanne Gutknecht, Alan and Mary Zimmerman, Jan von Stein, Tom and Soni Kraemer, Tom Peck, Barb Pratt, Spring Green Vision Center, Ringbrothers LLC, The Kraemer Company, Jean Alt, The Peoples Community Bank, Hottmann Plumbing, Jewell Associates, Paul and Julie Kardatzke, Jennifer Labatt, Rose Ellen Schneider, and Sara Young and John Christensen. We were not able to fund all of the requests, and teachers continue to face new challenges every day.  So the endowment board would gratefully accept any additional donations through December 31 and hope to be able to fund additional requests in January.   To donate, we ask that you send a check to RVSD Endowment at 660 W. Daley St. Spring Green, WI 53588.  Thank you for your support.  It’s all about the children. Jean Alt - jean.m.alt@gmail.com, Lisa Brown - lbrown@rvschools.org, Loren Glasbrenner - lglasbrenner@rvschools.org, Tom Gloudeman - tfgloud@frontier.com, Joe Gorman - JGorman@ThePeoplesCommuityBank.com, Fred Iausly - fred.iausly@gmail.com, Jennifer Kraemer - jkraemer@kraemerbrothers.com, Brian Krey - bkrey@rvschools.org, Mike McDermott - mac6066@gmail.com, Bryan Quigley - bquigley@rvschools.org, Kay Lynn Taylor - kltaylor@mhtc.net   Dear editor, Did you know that there are currently three different COVID-19 tests available? Two test for active infection: the gold standard Molecular Test and the rapid Antigen Test.  The Molecular Test (also called a PCR test) is a nasal swab test used at free community testing sites in Sauk County (see https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth/free-covid-testing-information). It’s the most accurate test, but it can take a day or more to get results. This test cannot tell if a person previously had COVID-19 and has now recovered. The Antigen Test (also called a Rapid Test) is a nasal or saliva swab. It gives results within minutes, but it’s less accurate, so people may need to follow up with a Molecular Test, especially if they have symptoms or get a positive Antigen Test result. With their rapid results, Antigen Tests make it easier to quickly screen and isolate infected people and quarantine their contacts. It’s especially useful for settings like long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, workplaces, and schools. Like the Molecular Test, the Antigen Test looks for active infection only. A third test, the Antibody Test, is a blood test that assesses if a person was infected with COVID-19 in the past. A positive Antibody Test means that the person tested was infected with COVID-19 previously and developed antibodies to try to fight it off. Antibody Tests do not diagnose active COVID-19 infection. Instead, this test helps determine who is qualified to donate convalescent blood plasma, a COVID-19 treatment. Antibody Tests are not as accurate as Molecular or Antigen Tests. Antibody Tests are more likely to result in false negative or false positive results. People who have only a positive Antibody Test are not included in confirmed COVID case counts. And since we do not know yet if having antibodies can protect someone from being re-infected, or how long this protection may last, even those with positive Antibody Tests need to take precautions to keep themselves and their community safe: wear a mask, watch your distance, wash your hands, and stay home.   Jeff Jelinek Incident Commander of Sauk County Public Health COVID-19 Response  Baraboo   Dear editor, The Sauk County constitutional officers would like to thank everyone for the support provided during this year’s election. The pandemic certainly presented many new challenges for everyone and this campaign season was no exception. From start to finish, your signatures, kind words of encouragement and votes were greatly appreciated and remind us, as elected officials, what an honor and privilege it is to serve the people of Sauk County. Thanks again for your support and stay healthy! Becky Evert, Sauk County Clerk Elizabeth Geoghegan, Sauk County Treasurer Brent Bailey, Sauk County Register of Deeds   Dear editor, The  Spring Green food pantry is in need of financial donations, now, more than ever.  Due to COVID-19, many people are either unemployed or on furlough. Thanksgiving and Christmas are near.  The pantry is asking people to please consider a financial donation to the Spring Green area community food pantry.   Pictured is the line of cars at a recent food pantry. We appreciate your kind and generous support. Paula Washow Spring Green Area Community   Food pantry board member Spring Green   Dear editor, ‘Tis the season to be thankful, grateful and help our neighbors that are less fortunate. It has been a difficult year for everyone on some level. Most of us are dealing with at least one of these major life stressors, if not several: job or income loss, eldercare, childcare and education, food insecurity, physical and mental health concerns, and more. While we are all experiencing and handling the pandemic differently, one thing probably rings true for most of us: We. Feel. Helpless. So how can we overcome this?  We feel helpless because, on a global scale, it may be hard to see how our actions and contributions can impact the outcome of this pandemic and economic situation. The United Fund of Iowa County (UFIC) Board of Directors is here to remind you that your actions can and do make a difference when you focus in on your immediate surroundings: your friends, family and neighbors in our community. If we all focus on supporting our local communities, these aggregate actions will impact the outcome globally.  For those that have been fortunate in 2020, consider the impact you could have by donating just $25 to UFIC. The population of Iowa County is (roughly) just under 24,000. If 2,000 people (less than 1/8 our county’s population) gave $25, that amounts to $50,000 to help support important programs and causes in Iowa County! We are pleased to announce that we have already raised over $31,000, so our goal of $50,000 by year end seems within reach!  When considering donating, don’t just consider the impact of having important programs and services in Iowa County. More importantly, consider what Iowa County would look like without these organizations and the impact that would have.   In honor of the social movement “Giving Tuesday” on December 1st, we appreciate your consideration to donate to UFIC if you are able to do so. If you’ve already donated to UFIC, your support is appreciated! By giving, you support the UFIC mission:  To lead a united effort that improves the quality of life in our community To support community health and human service needs To raise and distribute financial resources You may donate through our website at www.unitedfundiowacounty.org or mail your donation in the form of a check to United Fund of Iowa County, P.O. Box 63, Dodgeville, WI 53533. To see the complete list of organizations we have provided support to during 2019-2020, visit our website: www.unitedfundiowacounty.org.  The United Fund of Iowa County, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates entirely with a volunteer Board of Directors and citizen volunteers.  Best Wishes for a Blessed and Healthy Holiday Season! United Fund of Iowa County Board of Directors, Donna Peterson (president), Audrey Rue (vice president), Deb Slaney (treasurer), Brooke Boelman (secretary), Karen Tennessen (historian), Cheryl Lee, Jeanne Lisser, Steve Moore, Larry McNeill, Casey Olson, Mayra Angel and Natalie Gregerson.