We are now officially in March. That means lamb or lion madness! Some might say that is basketball and the brackets. The weather and time change is another. Others will say promotions for the election on Tuesday, April 7. Go to myvote.wi.gov for information about absentee voting, registering, and where to vote. What is on your ballot will be listed soon.
The Village of Ridgeway would really appreciate it if you would consider attending the Ridgeway Alerts and Services Help Day from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 7th. This is a hands-on workshop to help residents get notifications, alerts, updates on community events, and the different tools available for you to use. This has the potential to save you and the village time and money. Please bring your smartphone, tablet, computer, or just yourself. The Ridgeway Community Center has computer stations and free MHTC internet. You can bring your password to access your account. I bet you could log in as “Guest” and still learn much!
The Ridgeway Farmers Market will be held on the same day, from 10:00 a.m. to noon on March 7th. This is a great indoor market, so the weather is not an issue. Neither is the time change that night.
If you are in need of getting out and having a conversation, playing a game, or getting some advice, then Senior Social Hour at the Ridgeway Community Center might be something for you. The first session time is planned for Thursday, March 12th, from 10:30 to 11:30 in the Multi- Purpose Room. This will be on the second Thursday of every month, or more often if there is enough interest. Again, this is anyone who may just want to get out of the house and expand their friend circle. Invites and input is welcome!
Folklore Village is introducing Family Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. This will be every other Thursday afternoon starting on Thursday, March 12th. The hands-on fun is easy to try, fun to learn, and perfect for kids, grown-ups, and really everyone.
In a recent discussion a goal is to get more adults involved with our youth. When at the Ridgeway Library, it is great to see a parent play one of the many games that are at the Ridgeway Library. Kids’ books are plentiful, with a large variety to choose from. A great practice to get our youth ready to start school is getting them to enjoy reading a book, even if mostly pictures!
The Iowa County Health Department has a DATCP-certified laboratory and will be encouraging you to take advantage of the water testing support that they offer. The Iowa County Health Department wants you to test your water once a year if you have a private well. This is ultraimportant for infants and pregnant women. In Dodgeville, they can test for coliform and E. coli bacteria. The health department will package and send samples to an outside lab to test for nitrates, arsenic, and lead. Water test kits can be picked up at a public library in Dodgeville, Cobb, and Mineral Point. Test kits can be picked up in Barneveld at 101 S. Jones Street, home of the B. Kurt Dairy & Co store.
The Hidden Valley Community Church’s monthly serving focus for March is the ADRC Senior Meal Program in Iowa County. Valarie explained that donations are for seniors who are homebound, lack transportation, and may lack a caregiver to help with food preparation. The Senior Meal Program allows for improved health because of a balanced meal and a visit from someone who delivers the meal. Donations can be made in person or online at Hiddenv.com by clicking on Fund and Dodgeville Monthly Serving Focus. Jenna Jacobson will be at the Dodger Bowl Lanes on Wednesday, March 11th, at 5:00 p.m. This is your chance to ask questions and get some feedback on things in Madison. Jenna is running for the 17th Senate District in November and is presently the 50th Assembly District representative.
Bryanna & Dylan Handel of B. Kurt Dairy were named 2026 Compeer Financial GroundBreakers of the Year. The GroundBreaker award is for young and beginning farmers for their innovation, resilience, and dedication to advance ag and their communities. Bryanna & Dylan selected Iowa County Technical Rescue and the Marshall FFA to share a one-time charitable gift from Compeer. In the last year, B. Kurt Dairy Farm was host to the 2025 Iowa County Dairy Breakfast, Farm Camp for kids, Pop-up Farmers Market, and opened a Farm to Table store in downtown Barneveld.
The Town of Ridgeway Clean Sweep will be Saturday, April 25th, in the morning. Now, as the snow might be gone and before the grass and weeds start to grow, is the time to accumulate your stuff that clutters the yard. I have my stuff in the garage at this time, but Donna has April 25th marked. I bet this is her evaluation of my worth, and if I am responsible enough to clean the house!