I'd like to send out the biggest, sharpest barb to the City of Monroe and the Monroe Police Department >for their terrible handling of the marathon on Saturday, Sept. 20. I was trying to get to a local bank and found the street blocked off near the brewery. OK, fine, no big deal, the "square" area is closed for Cheese Days. I am well aware of this fact. So, in an attempt to find a different route, a few minutes have now passed and the marathon has now started, and as I'm approaching an intersection, one of Monroe's rudest, err, I mean "finest" steps in front of my vehicle and informs me that the road/intersection is now closed and either I sit and wait for the marathon to end (very practical, I might add), or find another route. OK, now I'm mad. Traffic is now piling up blocks deep behind me, coming to a dead standstill, with no way out. As a person who works in an industry where road closures and detours are common, I'd like to know what kind of idiot it takes to decide that the road closures should take place at THE very moment the runners were to come through? When roads or intersections need to be closed, whether it be for a special event, repairs, etc., barricades need be placed a block prior to the intersection that is closed, allowing traffic to find alternate routes. ... All the City of Monroe cares about for the almighty Cheese Days weekend is to capitalize on the tourist money. There is obviously no consideration for the citizens trying to take care of their personal business OR for local businesses that have nothing to gain from the event. - TK >
A large nasty barb to the Monroe City Council >to think it was a great idea to have open intoxicants on the Square this year for Cheese Days. A lot of families enjoy sitting and listening to the music and visiting with friends without having to worry about a bumbling drunk walking by and spilling alcohol on them. Let alone the fact of extra trash on the Square. Let them drink down in the beer tent like they have in previous years without the extra issues that law enforcement faced this year. It was a poor decision on the council's part. If it was meant to raise more revenue for the city, it was a sad way to do it. From a "family function" point of view, I hope that next Cheese Days it gets changed back. I am not a prude, and but I don't need to have alcohol to have fun. I am sure that the officers dealing with the drunks laying on the sidewalks and alleys would agree. - Anonymous>
A barb to the Monroe High School Band >for taking a joy ride through the Cheese Days parade instead of marching like all of the other high school bands. In a little over 700 days, it will be time for me to make my 10th three-hour trip down to explore the festivities. Perhaps they will have learned to march by then. - Gary Mueller, Clintonville>
A large blossom to the Monroe High School Cheese Days band and its directors >for having a new idea for the band. Ideas like these are exactly what communities and schools need. Think outside the box and try something new. Also, a huge blossom to the Albany high school band >for its interesting and colorful "GOT FUNK?" outfits. And a blossom to all the high school bands> who did wear their awesome (and, I am sure, quite hot) uniforms and marched like many traditional bands do. Hey Mr. Mueller, if you want to barb someone, barb me, I provided the truck and trailer, and from where I sat, they sounded awesome. Don't barb the kids, they don't deserve it. - Jeff Ditzenberger, Monticello>
A big blossom to the Monticello band students >who wore the hot uniforms that their community raised the funds to purchase, and marched in the parade. These students also worked hard to learn to march in various formations and memorize their new music. We're proud of our Monticello High School Band! - Band Parent >
A bouquet of blossoms to the Green County Humane Society >for the organization of the Paws on Parade. Our dog absolutely loved it. I think this was a great opportunity to get the adoptable dogs out and socialize with other dogs. I hope every adoptable dog finds a good home. They were all well behaved and adorable. Congratulations on a successful Cheese Days Parade! - Theresa Robertson>
I'd vote in favor of the barb to the Monroe band. But, even more importantly, I'd say let's send a huge bouquet of roses to those bands that marched >and wore those gorgeous uniforms! Didn't they look and sound awesome?! And, how about a bouquet of every color to the fabulous Brodhead band, >who looked great, sounded better AND I didn't see a sheet of music among them! Now that is something of which to be proud! Maybe now Monroe folks know why the band program was slated for budget cuts, because if you run it like a business, you're NOT getting much for an awful lot of money from the Monroe schools' instrumental departments. - Band Camp >
A big blossom to all the high school bands >that marched in the Cheese Days parade. Too bad that doesn't include Monroe H.S.; their band rode on a truck. They won't get a barb because they did participate; however, it seemed kind of lame that our hometown band couldn't march down the street. - Tom Boll>
A big blossom to all the high school bands >who marched in their uniforms, despite the heat of Cheese Days! It's wonderful to see the music programs demonstrating their marching skills and looking sharp in their brightly colored uniforms. I was impressed that some of the high schools even took the extra effort to require their musicians to memorize their music. Well done!
A big barb to the Monroe High School band. >What a shame that the hosting city had their high school band sitting on a float, in generic T-shirts, playing lackluster music. Hopefully this is not a symptom of a larger problem with Monroe's music program. As a new resident of Monroe, who happens to be a musician myself, I'm eager for my young children to grow up and have music enrich their lives. Let's hope that the next Cheese Days brings a different sense of pride in Monroe's high school program ... let's see some showmanship! - Lara Salyer Smith>
I was going to barb the Monroe High School band department, >but someone already did that. When I was in band last, everyone was expected to march in the parade ... not just the pep band riding on a float. The band is a big representation of not just Monroe, but the school system, as well. I think it honestly looked embarrassing. - Kelsey>
I would like to extend a blossom to our kids in the Monroe Bands. >Despite Monroe's marching program being cut due to budget constraints, they still found a way to participate and support their community's Cheese Days tradition. - Daniel>
A barb to the person who makes the decisions for the Monroe High School Band. >Other bands marched in the Cheese Day parade, what's wrong with Monroe? - Marlene Bergemann>
A huge blossom to all the volunteers >who worked so hard to make Cheese Days a success. Most times, these people don't have time to actually enjoy the festivities themselves but make sure our visitors do. We couldn't do it without you!
Also, a blossom to Frau Fowdy's German students and Tom Schilt's MHS band students, >who helped the Monroe Swiss Singers with set-up and tear-down of the "Heart of Cheese Days" display at Turner Hall. Your assistance was greatly appreciated and we can't thank you enough!
And the biggest blossom of all goes to all the Cheese Days chairpersons, board members and Noreen Rueckert, >our coordinator, who put in many, many long hours to ensure the success of our festival. There would be no Cheese Days without you!
And last but not least, a blossom to the business owners, city workers and citizens of Monroe >for how nice everything looked and for your wonderful Midwestern hospitality which brings people back time and time again. - Sherry Anderegg, Cheese Days Board member>
Cheese Days blossoms to all the Historic Cheesemaking Center/Green County Welcome Center volunteer members and non-members >who donated their time to make and serve all the Apple Jack grilled cheese sandwiches. We heard over and over again, "They were so good we had to come back for more." Thank you to everyone who stepped up and went above and beyond our expectations. Thank you to the business who sliced the cheese and to St John's Church for the extra bread. Appreciation also goes out to all of volunteers who staffed the Green County Welcome Center, providing information and conducting tours for Monroe's visitors. Thank you to Bob and Nancy Faith and to Dave and Glenda Buholzer for organizing the successful National Historic Cheesemaking Center benefit cheese auction. We anticipate this event will grow in future years. The Cheese Days committee deserves praise for organizing such a successful event. Thank you - Sharon Riese and Mary Ann Hanna>
I would like to hand out a Swiss wheel full of curd blossoms to all the wonderful individuals and groups who supported Cheese Days! >To Pat and Gloria Krutza and their crew for organizing the parade, the 4H, FFA, numerous civic organizations, and youth groups that served excellent treats, the numerous volunteers for Family Farm Adventure, the city employees, police and sheriff departments, Green County Emergency Management and fire departments, and many many others. You all did an amazing job!
A barb to whomever tried to break into >the Family Farm Adventure trailer and knocked down our signs. It's a family tent, for crying out loud.
A blossom to Tom Boll, Monroe Lumber and Scherer Moving >for getting the large "bricks" moved for the Family Farm Adventure tent at the last minute.
A blossom to all the spectators who watched the parade and cheered> as it went by, and to whomever it was that offered me a brat and water on the parade route. I have no idea who you are, but that was pretty nice.
A blossom to all the bands in the parade >that provided excellent music and some pretty neat new ideas. To Albany High School, I think I found my funk!
And, finally, a blossom to visionaries and people >who think outside the box. There are quite a few in this area, and you make the area a better place to live. They should put you all on a float in a parade, too. - Jeff Ditzenberger, Monticello>
A huge blossom to Jack and Marian Kundert, >who were instrumental in getting the miniature White House to Monroe during Cheese Days. This was quite a feat! And to the Zweifels and the Kunderts for holding it over for a day so more people could have the opportunity to view it. Those of us who were very involved in the Cheese Days activities and who couldn't take time during the weekend to see it, especially appreciated this! This exhibit is miraculous and a tribute to Mr. Zweifel's talent. Thank you for sharing it with everyone! - Sherry Anderegg>
A barb to the Monroe High School band directors. >There was great disappointment with the band's appearance in the Cheese Days parade - reasons being: not all band students were given an opportunity to play and those included should have been marching and playing instead of riding on the back of a truck. If there were extenuating circumstances that kept the band from marching, then other options should have been explored. Considering how this city has financially backed the band program over the past couple of years, this band should have represented themselves and the hosting city in a more positive way.
A blossom to ALL the band directors >who marched and directed their students in our parade. They looked and played wonderfully! - Disappointed citizens of Monroe>
A barb to Monroe Clinic >for bulldozing down beautiful brick homes and hauling them off to the landfill. What happened to the recycling they promised? Another barb for destroying so many old-growth trees in the process. These trees can never be replaced. As the Bob Dylan song goes ... Don't it always go to show, You'll never know what you got 'til it's gone? They paved paradise, they put up a parking lot. - A concerned Monroe resident>
A blossom to the MHS Band> department for making a gutsy, innovative decision to ride on Jeff Ditzenberger's trailer, and to Jeff >for graciously providing it. Everybody squabbles about this marching band issue like MHS is the UW Marching Band. If there ever was a once-proud tradition of great marching bands at MHS, it seems like it has died out quite a LONG time ago, and surely not this year. I would never have defined our experience as a band in the Cheese Days parade (2002, 2004) as one as a legitimate, marching band, although, as a drummer, I did enjoy breaking sticks while beating the cadence. "Wondering" is asking for the answer for their question on who decides what constitutes a band in a parade. It seems like everyone else has given it to him: Gaudy and sweaty uniforms, marching, clear formations, etc. Well, everyone, to tell you the truth, or maybe your failing memories don't remember, MHS hasn't had marching "uniforms" (unless you want to count the rugby shirts) since I was in school, nor did we ever push the marching band program. MHS' music program is and has always been SYMPHONIC in nature. Extra-curriculars like marching band, pep band and jazz band are only small facets of that program. If you really want to boost your ego, and show those isty-bitsy, tiny towns who's the big, bad, band boss, let's have an inter-community battle of the bands playing symphonic music. Cheese Days shouldn't be about competition. ... - Josh Boll>
A huge barb to the ones who brought to the Cheese Days Parade that hearse >with the casket sticking out the back. The way it was displayed was very gross. It was not very nice for us who take flowers to the cemetery for our wives, husbands and loved ones. This kind of trash should stay south of the border. I hope I never see anything like this again in a wonderful Cheese Days Parade like we had. - Rodney Zimmerman>
I give Sen. John McCain a barb >for even thinking about not appearing at the debate with Sen. Obama. It's a joke. - La Vern F. Isely, Monroe>
Blossoms to the high school band > (who cares if the walked or not?) for being involved in something positive! A huge to the folks who are barbing a bunch of kids! Do you also throws rocks and pull hair? Sheesh!
Blossoms to all the people who volunteered time >to help at Cheese Days, and did the best they could!
Barbs to all you folks whining >about what you didn't like. If you don't like it, volunteer your time, and change it! And as for Mr. Ditz ... a big ole blossom to you >for standing up for the kids, and not being afraid to speak your mind! Bravo! - Sheesh>
A blossom to the organizers and volunteers >who made the Cheese Days Chase such a huge success. Although I grew up in Monroe, Saturday was the first time I ever attempted to run in a 5K race. My goal was simply to finish, and it felt exhilarating to do just that. Thanks especially to everyone who cheered on the runners along the route. My only regret is that I waited until I was 44 to try it! See you in two years! -Matt Ulmen, Sparta>
