Just a reminder that the Ridgeway Farmers Market is every Sunday in May and June. The vendors would like to see you starting at 10:00 a.m. and will be available for three hours until 1:00 p.m. The Ridgeway Depot is also open most every Sunday. Watch Facebook at Friends of the Military Ridge Trail. The Veterans Memorial area has seating for a picnic at your convenience.
The city-wide garage sale in both Ridgeway and Barneveld starts this weekend, Friday the 15th through Sunday the 17th. The Ridgeway Library will be set up in the Ridgeway Community Center from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday and until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. When at the community center, look around to see if it is a fit for your next family event. Business opportunities are also available.
There will be a retirement celebration for the Ridgeway Marshall on Monday, May 18th. This will be celebrated with an open house at the Ridgeway Community Center in the multi-purpose room from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Marshal has been a fixture in Ridgeway for the last eight years. Before that, he had served in many other positions in southern Wisconsin.
The Main Street/HHH Project is having an open-to-the-public, Public Involvement Meeting. This is by Jewell Engineering, Iowa County, and the Village of Ridgeway. This is on Monday, May 18th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the gym at the Ridgeway Community Center. If you have comments and concerns, this is the best place to make them known. The project is in the process of engineering, and what is not needed. A large earth view map of the area being studied will be available to scope and be pointed out in real time, along with your concerns.
The retaining walls and sidewalks will be discussed as needed, and where they are being considered, added, or removed. The different utilities that will be replaced or relocated. What is the timeline, and how will the traffic patterns be during this construction project? Will the curb and gutter areas be different, and will that change street parking and snow removal?
Iowa County General Government talked about Economic Development in options for the different communities in Iowa County. My summary from the different discussions is the desire by the different players to want to make a change. I also see that school districts are struggling with budgets of both time and finances. CESA 3 has had events to bring together business and education to slow the brain drain. The Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in February held a community building event. The purpose was to share best practices, strategies, and challenges for business support and retention. I just am not seeing the different players having common community discussions. I don’t see this as being a government led coalition but rather local governments being a part of something bigger.
Bikes for Kids Wisconsin for the everything bike sale recently loaded 100 bikes and had the last bike giveaway with partners in Adams County. Bikes for Kids Wisconsin is open six days a week through October. When you shop for bikes, accessories, or repairs at Bikes for Kids, you are supporting those that are financially struggling. Bikes for Kids is a 501(C)3 nonprofit on a mission to increase bicycle-based transportation for underserved communities. They regularly serve 10 counties in Wisconsin.
A couple of other discussions that are concerning are about housing. Southwest Community Action Program (SWCAP) has said the Opportunity House in Dodgeville is looking at closing because of funding. Safe housing for drug treatment is most times the difference between using again and recovery. Affordable housing in Iowa County is a concern, with 8% now spending over 50% of their income on housing. Spending under 30% is the goal. The report also said that 10% of households experience severe housing problems.
How does housing for the elderly affect the housing experiences of seniors? Many have a fixed income, and the need for caregiving falls either on a family member or an agency nurse to give support. Taking care of a family member or friend has employment concerns. Discussion was had at the Agrace Community Advisory Council discussion about partnering with other agencies in the area for events. Transportation to the events is also a need. The Agrace Adult Day Care is a very popular service to give relief to family caregivers when needed.
The Iowa County Nutrition Program is in need of a meal site supervisor at the end of May. There will be no interruption in services but we need a person in charge. The hours are in the middle of the day for a few hours a day five days a week! If you want more information, call Julia at Iowa County ADRC for an explanation. Volunteers to sometimes deliver the meals are also desired, (mileage reimbursement is available). 608- 930-9835.
I am told that there are signs. As a couple, Donna and I don’t play games that are hard to get. We feel safe with each other and share thoughts and concerns. We act like kids that are still finding our place in the world. Even after arguing we are the first to makeup, argue, laugh,and repair. We do tease each other but when one is out, we miss each other. We like just sitting with each other. Donna is my passenger princess! We love to share our experiences we enjoy with each other.