A belated, very large bouquet of blossoms to the members of the local Kiwanis organization for coming to the Green County Historical Society museum on Saturday morning, April 2, and helping get it ready for its opening next month. An additional blossom goes to Keith Downs for also volunteering on Friday afternoon. Their help is so appreciated! - Green County Historical Society
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A bouquet of blossoms to the Monroe Pizza Hut Crew on Monday night, April 18. They hosted Cystic Fibrosis Night with a buffet, while donating $2 for each adult buffet ordered. The staff had to trip over all of our volunteers there helping clear tables, resetting them, and raising awareness for CF. I am proud to announce that Pizza Hut donated $235 to CF research and we also accumulated $103.61 in donations. Way to go Monroe Pizza Hut! - Rena Welty, Monroe CF Chairman
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Thanks and blossoms to LaVerne Isely, John Waelti and Dan Wegmueller. Their intelligent, well-written articles add lots of "class" to The Monroe Times. - A Brodhead reader
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I would love to send a blossom out to the Monroe Parks and Rec Dept. They have so many wonderful programs to offer. As a working mom, I really appreciate the After School Program. Many blossoms to the staff and volunteers who make all the magic happen. Thank you all so very much. - Camille Pivonka-Johnson
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I would love to send out a blossom to the Monroe Booster Club. Not only do they now sponsor a portable restroom at the JV baseball field, but they also are selling concessions to support the Monroe athletes. After talking to the Booster Club president, Frank Pivonka, they buy most of their supplies locally, especially the yummy brats from Green County Locker. His intention with raising the funds is to be able to provide more help to the athletic teams. So I say to all you parents that attend your JV players baseball game - support your booster club. Go Cheesemakers! - Anonymous
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A big blossom to the Juda Park and Rec. Great job with the Easter egg hunt. Great job done by all who volunteer. Great idea having the hunt at the school - the kids stayed warm and dry. - The Nusbaum family
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The biggest thorn bush available to the editor and staff for once again allowing the staff's political leanings to show through. If a "conservative" or "Republican" or "Tea Party" member told untruths in a barb and then compounded it by saying that another commenter "lied," said conservative's comments would not be published. Said conservative would be told their comments were too harsh, or personally attacking or whatever. However, since the staff obviously agrees with Dave Searles' untruths and wants to make conservatives look bad, it is printed and peddled on the street as well as put online. Wow. Double Standards truly do reign supreme at The Monroe Times. - L. Vee
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Not sure I would call it a barb, but maybe a small thorn to The Monroe Times and your coverage of local baseball. We see a great deal on the Monroe team of course, but Monticello has had some great games, including a double header win at Black Hawk on Thursday, and no mention in the paper or the website. On one other occasion, it just mentioned that Monticello lost to Cassville and the score. While they may not be undefeated, they deserve some coverage. There is a great deal of talent on the team, and they should be recognized. - Pony Parent
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A barb to Monroe High School. My son informed me that there were teachers "pulling" Fine Arts Festival workshop tickets for their whole class. That's not fair. My kid was at school before 7 on Monday to be at the front of the line, and when he got to the ticket table, some of the workshops weren't even available. That is unfair. Kids aren't getting a chance to get these tickets if teachers are reserving them all. On a better note, a blossom to all of the people who volunteered their time to put this on for our kids. - A parent
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A barb to Monroe High School. Why don't we hear anything about cutting down on sports? Only about 5 percent of sports people go into sports for their lifetime. You should cut as many sports teachers as they do school teachers. The children need all the school for college and future life. - A taxpayer
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A big bouquet of blossoms needs to go out to the Monroe City Band for their recent Big Bands Concert at Turner Hall. All I can say is WOW! What a show that was. And a second bouquet to the people at Minhas Brewery. On April 6, we brought a UW-Madison field trip group out for a tour of the brewery. Our tour guide, as well as the tour, were both excellent. Monroe and all of Green County can be proud of the fascinating tours they provide as well as the pleasantly presented display of brewery collectibles. For many in our group, the stop at Baumgartner's provided them with their first taste of limburger and liverwurst sandwiches. And they loved it. The best comment of the day was, "there certainly is a difference between the odor and taste of limburger." Thanks! - Kim Tschudy
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A large blossom to Sharon and Steve Streiff, Wanda, cooks, waitresses and all the volunteers at the Turner Hall in Monroe for putting on such a wonderful Easter Brunch. The food was wonderful and very attractive, suitable for many diets. The Grand Hall and tables were beautiful with Easter colors and decorations. They all need to be commended for their services. We need to get more people involved in this club. As far as we know, this is the only one left in the U.S. - Del and Joanne Heins
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Many blossoms and much appreciation goes out to all those who made Saturday's food delivery so successful. Together with almost 35 volunteers, we were able to restock the shelves at Green Care in Monticello with over 11,000 pounds of food (not the previously reported 7,000 pounds). We are grateful to Piggly Wiggly, to Vince's Pizza for donating pizza to the volunteers, and to Sugar River Power Center of New Glarus for providing vehicles to transport food items. We feel blessed to have so many businesses and individuals supporting our organization so that we in turn are able to give back to the community. We look forward to another year of assisting individuals in need as we continue "Pullin' for the Community." - Green County Fall Nationals Truck and Tractor Pull
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A blossom to Dave Searles. You were correct, there was a Republican state legislator who thought parents should be able to decide how much and when their children could work. You stated that "some conservatives or Republicans (plural) wanting to do away with child labor laws," yet no other legislator, or anyone else for that matter, would cosponsor the measure and it died a quick death, as it should, because it was stupid. So, according to Dave S., because one legislator proposed something stupid, then that is the party line. Following that logic, when U.S. congresswoman, Democrat from Wisconsin, Gwen Moore stated on the congressional floor on Feb. 18, 2011 that abortion was better for unplanned babies than a life "eating Ramen noodles" or "mayonnaise sandwiches" that this is now the Democrat philosophy. Of course it isn't; it is absurd and insulting to paint an entire party by the statements of one person. Dave S. stated earlier that other states (plural) were pursuing child labor laws, yet he cites one bad example. I searched Google and other sites and could find nothing else. At least cite the exact circumstances if you are going to make outrageous claims.
Truth No. 1: Walker did not lie. If you are teacher, you must pay union dues whether or not you are a member of the WEA and the school district automatically deducts it from the paychecks. See MTI Collective Bargaining Agreement, page 18, part 3. Monroe teachers are required to pay approximately $800 per year to the teachers union whether they belong or not. Many teachers disagree with the policies and candidates that the WEA backs, but they can't do anything about it. Truth No. 2: You say that Walmart is a "slave" corporation. Talking with people who actually work there, they say Walmart has OK work conditions and Walmart pays more than many other private and corporate businesses and less than others. Does that mean that all businesses paying less than Walmart are slave drivers? Any employee practices that are unfair, the courts take care of. Truth No. 3" When I disagree with someone, I try to proffer logical and to-the-point arguments, citing facts to get my point across. It was you, Dave S., that used the words slavery and child labor in your generalizations of a whole political party. Personally I consider that race baiting and irresponsible, but others may disagree. - A taxpayer
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A bouquet of blossoms to the Monroe Pizza Hut Crew on Monday night, April 18. They hosted Cystic Fibrosis Night with a buffet, while donating $2 for each adult buffet ordered. The staff had to trip over all of our volunteers there helping clear tables, resetting them, and raising awareness for CF. I am proud to announce that Pizza Hut donated $235 to CF research and we also accumulated $103.61 in donations. Way to go Monroe Pizza Hut! - Rena Welty, Monroe CF Chairman
···
Thanks and blossoms to LaVerne Isely, John Waelti and Dan Wegmueller. Their intelligent, well-written articles add lots of "class" to The Monroe Times. - A Brodhead reader
···
I would love to send a blossom out to the Monroe Parks and Rec Dept. They have so many wonderful programs to offer. As a working mom, I really appreciate the After School Program. Many blossoms to the staff and volunteers who make all the magic happen. Thank you all so very much. - Camille Pivonka-Johnson
···
I would love to send out a blossom to the Monroe Booster Club. Not only do they now sponsor a portable restroom at the JV baseball field, but they also are selling concessions to support the Monroe athletes. After talking to the Booster Club president, Frank Pivonka, they buy most of their supplies locally, especially the yummy brats from Green County Locker. His intention with raising the funds is to be able to provide more help to the athletic teams. So I say to all you parents that attend your JV players baseball game - support your booster club. Go Cheesemakers! - Anonymous
···
A big blossom to the Juda Park and Rec. Great job with the Easter egg hunt. Great job done by all who volunteer. Great idea having the hunt at the school - the kids stayed warm and dry. - The Nusbaum family
···
The biggest thorn bush available to the editor and staff for once again allowing the staff's political leanings to show through. If a "conservative" or "Republican" or "Tea Party" member told untruths in a barb and then compounded it by saying that another commenter "lied," said conservative's comments would not be published. Said conservative would be told their comments were too harsh, or personally attacking or whatever. However, since the staff obviously agrees with Dave Searles' untruths and wants to make conservatives look bad, it is printed and peddled on the street as well as put online. Wow. Double Standards truly do reign supreme at The Monroe Times. - L. Vee
···
Not sure I would call it a barb, but maybe a small thorn to The Monroe Times and your coverage of local baseball. We see a great deal on the Monroe team of course, but Monticello has had some great games, including a double header win at Black Hawk on Thursday, and no mention in the paper or the website. On one other occasion, it just mentioned that Monticello lost to Cassville and the score. While they may not be undefeated, they deserve some coverage. There is a great deal of talent on the team, and they should be recognized. - Pony Parent
···
A barb to Monroe High School. My son informed me that there were teachers "pulling" Fine Arts Festival workshop tickets for their whole class. That's not fair. My kid was at school before 7 on Monday to be at the front of the line, and when he got to the ticket table, some of the workshops weren't even available. That is unfair. Kids aren't getting a chance to get these tickets if teachers are reserving them all. On a better note, a blossom to all of the people who volunteered their time to put this on for our kids. - A parent
···
A barb to Monroe High School. Why don't we hear anything about cutting down on sports? Only about 5 percent of sports people go into sports for their lifetime. You should cut as many sports teachers as they do school teachers. The children need all the school for college and future life. - A taxpayer
···
A big bouquet of blossoms needs to go out to the Monroe City Band for their recent Big Bands Concert at Turner Hall. All I can say is WOW! What a show that was. And a second bouquet to the people at Minhas Brewery. On April 6, we brought a UW-Madison field trip group out for a tour of the brewery. Our tour guide, as well as the tour, were both excellent. Monroe and all of Green County can be proud of the fascinating tours they provide as well as the pleasantly presented display of brewery collectibles. For many in our group, the stop at Baumgartner's provided them with their first taste of limburger and liverwurst sandwiches. And they loved it. The best comment of the day was, "there certainly is a difference between the odor and taste of limburger." Thanks! - Kim Tschudy
···
A large blossom to Sharon and Steve Streiff, Wanda, cooks, waitresses and all the volunteers at the Turner Hall in Monroe for putting on such a wonderful Easter Brunch. The food was wonderful and very attractive, suitable for many diets. The Grand Hall and tables were beautiful with Easter colors and decorations. They all need to be commended for their services. We need to get more people involved in this club. As far as we know, this is the only one left in the U.S. - Del and Joanne Heins
···
Many blossoms and much appreciation goes out to all those who made Saturday's food delivery so successful. Together with almost 35 volunteers, we were able to restock the shelves at Green Care in Monticello with over 11,000 pounds of food (not the previously reported 7,000 pounds). We are grateful to Piggly Wiggly, to Vince's Pizza for donating pizza to the volunteers, and to Sugar River Power Center of New Glarus for providing vehicles to transport food items. We feel blessed to have so many businesses and individuals supporting our organization so that we in turn are able to give back to the community. We look forward to another year of assisting individuals in need as we continue "Pullin' for the Community." - Green County Fall Nationals Truck and Tractor Pull
···
A blossom to Dave Searles. You were correct, there was a Republican state legislator who thought parents should be able to decide how much and when their children could work. You stated that "some conservatives or Republicans (plural) wanting to do away with child labor laws," yet no other legislator, or anyone else for that matter, would cosponsor the measure and it died a quick death, as it should, because it was stupid. So, according to Dave S., because one legislator proposed something stupid, then that is the party line. Following that logic, when U.S. congresswoman, Democrat from Wisconsin, Gwen Moore stated on the congressional floor on Feb. 18, 2011 that abortion was better for unplanned babies than a life "eating Ramen noodles" or "mayonnaise sandwiches" that this is now the Democrat philosophy. Of course it isn't; it is absurd and insulting to paint an entire party by the statements of one person. Dave S. stated earlier that other states (plural) were pursuing child labor laws, yet he cites one bad example. I searched Google and other sites and could find nothing else. At least cite the exact circumstances if you are going to make outrageous claims.
Truth No. 1: Walker did not lie. If you are teacher, you must pay union dues whether or not you are a member of the WEA and the school district automatically deducts it from the paychecks. See MTI Collective Bargaining Agreement, page 18, part 3. Monroe teachers are required to pay approximately $800 per year to the teachers union whether they belong or not. Many teachers disagree with the policies and candidates that the WEA backs, but they can't do anything about it. Truth No. 2: You say that Walmart is a "slave" corporation. Talking with people who actually work there, they say Walmart has OK work conditions and Walmart pays more than many other private and corporate businesses and less than others. Does that mean that all businesses paying less than Walmart are slave drivers? Any employee practices that are unfair, the courts take care of. Truth No. 3" When I disagree with someone, I try to proffer logical and to-the-point arguments, citing facts to get my point across. It was you, Dave S., that used the words slavery and child labor in your generalizations of a whole political party. Personally I consider that race baiting and irresponsible, but others may disagree. - A taxpayer
