How Big is Too Big? A Community Decides. NO APPLICATIONS HAVE been filed, no permits have been granted. But plans are under way to bring the largest CAFO the region has ever seen.  Read More ... Anne O'Connor

Political Won't IF ALL POLITICS is indeed local, someone needs to tell Wisconsin’s politicians. When it comes to concentrated animal feed operations (CAFOs) in Wisconsin, local residents say that most Wisconsin legislators don’t listen to locals or environmental groups. Or at least the politicians aren’t willing to rock the current law to make a change... Read More ... Joseph O'Brien

Why Not Here? WE ALL KNOW we live in the Driftless area—the word is used in public meetings, in business names, in daily conversation. But we may not have more than a vague idea of what makes this region rare, what gives it not only loads of charm but also its importance in terms of geological history and scientific significance.  Read More ... Rick LaMartina

There Goes The Neighborhood IT WAS SUPPOSED to be the answer to many prayers, the solution to many problems, the fix for a lot that was broken in Wisconsin agriculture. But was it? Read More ... Joseph O'Brien

Contract Farming In the face of unsure returns, an alternative marketing option has become the primary outlet by which livestock farmers sell their products. It is called contract production. Actual terms vary by type of farm and contractor, but as with most contracts, the devil is in the details. Read More ... Keefe Keeley

Map of Petry's Properties Read More ...

United Front THE OPPOSITION BEGAN in Boscobel, during what the Wisconsin Air National Guard termed an informational meeting. Almost 15 years ago, the government came forward with this plan that would rattle and damage livestock and seriously undermine the quality of life in the region. But a lot of hard work by a lot of ordinary folks made the government see that their plan was destined to fail. Read More ... Marilyn Leys

Editorial

Say What You Want Read More ... Anne O'Connor

News

Star Trek in Middle Age STAR TREK IS about the same age as Brett Favre. However, one of them should hang up the cleats while the other will go on to become one of the most important cultural influences in the Western world. Read More ... John Sime

Greening Main Street IN THE MIDST of the changing spring landscape, you might notice some new buds blossoming in an unexpected place. A unique collaboration between many local entities, the Community Green Space project is turning an unused lot into a lush corner for all to enjoy. Read More ... Erin Ford

Sundays The potluck: a grand tradition of the shared cornucopia, the horn with plenty of food and friendship.  Read More ... Edward Schultz

Three is a Trend Public Radio pundits were talking at excruciating length about General Motors’ then-recent decision to eliminate several of their brands. Including Pontiac. And that’s what I was driving: a Pontiac Vibe...  Read More ... Marilyn Leys

Features

Apple Pie Award Read More ... Erin Ford

They're Baaaaaack! The original Societies’ Sons club retired in 1989. All of the original members had grown older, were raising families. But a group of youngsters asked if they could start up the club again. The former members agreed, saying “as long as you keep it clean, no barroom brawls, no law breaking, none of that.”  Read More ... Ann Morrison

Calendar

Editor's Picks for June Events Dairy Days, Comedic Murders, Square Dancing and more... Read More ...

Columns

Wellness: Invest in What Matters With shrinking investment accounts and eroding home values taking a chunk out of everyone’s net worth it’s time to assess your parenting portfolio of the life assets you provide your kids that can withstand whatever the stock market does. Read More ... Mark Taylor

Blood Brothers: Am I My Brother's Keeper? Fugazi says, “You are not what you own.” The Bible says “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) The second noble truth of Buddhism is that attachment to worldly things causes suffering, and nowhere is this more clearly seen than in the interactions between children. Read More ... Matthew Voz

A Spiritual Quest Fulfilled One Sunday morning, shortly after my family had moved into a new house in San Antonio, Texas, my mother woke us early and dressed us for church. Tidy and clean, patent-leather shoes, skirts and gloves for the girls, suits and ties for the boys, she gathered us into the station wagon and we set off towards God. Read More ... Theresa Washburn

Advice

Dear Prudence June 2009 Read More ... Prudence Tippins

Astrology

Astrology June 2009 Read More ... Ryan Evans

Editorial Cartoon

Taylor-made for June 2009 Read More ... Mark Taylor