The June art exhibit at the Iowa County Courthouse is presented by returning artist Mary Kay Baum. “Ridgeway Pine Relict Scenes: Today’s Views of Ancient Natural Area” includes numerous nature photographs, some featured on metal backgrounds, that provide an indoor virtual tour of the 551 acres of the Ridgeway Pine Relict State Natural Area. The exhibit is open to the public within floors one and two of the Dodgeville Courthouse Annex 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Baum is a volunteer steward and a co-founder of the Friends of the Ridgeway Pine Relict. Pine Relict are descendants of pine forests that covered all of Wisconsin after the ice age. Protected from prairie fires by the rock outcrops, the alpine communities survived alongside its new neighbors of southern species. This State Natural Area in the town of Ridgeway, just north of the Village of Ridgeway, is the largest high-quality pine relict open to the public.
On June 8 Baum will recount her adventures in the pine relict — including the discovery of a Great Blue Heron rookery — during an artist reception at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the second-floor conference room. On June 9, join Baum in an on-site walking tour of the northwest part of the Ridgeway Pine Relict SNA beginning at 1 p.m. near where Ridgevue Road takes a 90-degree turn to the west.
For more information about the volunteer work of the Friends of the Ridgeway Pine Relict SNA, Inc., see www.friendsofridgewaypinerelict.org, its Facebook Page or call (608) 935-5834.
On June 3, the Friends of Governor Dodge-Equestrian Committee will host their fourth annual fundraiser at Governor Dodge State Park. The Poker Ride/Hike was so popular last year that it will be repeated this year for the official fundraising kickoff for a new 21-site equestrian campground at Governor Dodge State Park . Riders gather at the Twin Valley Picnic shelter and then follow a marked trail, collecting poker chips that are exchanged for playing cards upon return. Hikers will take a guided hike with a park naturalist who will explain features along the trail and distribute poker chips. Holders of the top three hands win cash prizes totaling over $200. Registration fee is $30 per participant, including lunch.
In addition to the poker ride/hike, participants and guests are invited to bid on a wide array of silent auction items, including a weekend get-away for two at Big Valley Ranch, artwork, jewelry, and, of course, horse-related items. The silent auction runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Park user fees are waived this weekend, so no vehicle sticker or trail pass is needed. Lunch and silent auction will be held rain or shine.
For more information, see www.GovDodgeEquestrians.com or email GovDodgeHorses@gmail.com.
Bust June wide during the June 1-3 Arts on Point Gallery Weekend in Mineral Point.
Check out 20-some art galleries open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and keep on enjoying this creative oasis through Sunday afternoon, including a screening of the classic film “Casablanca” on the big screen at the Mineral Point Opera House. Plus, there’s a local (very funny) improv group, a quirky arts parade with crazy costumes, intriguing shops to explore, and live music on the street and in the evenings. There are art workshops for kids and adults at Shake Rag Alley and at several art studios. Gallery receptions and artist demos enliven the art scene day and night. You can be a street artist adding color to a mural, try your hand at tapestry weaving, explore letterpress printing, take historical tours, nibble fresh Hooks cheese curds on Friday, enjoy restaurant and pub “Casablanca” specials, wine-tasting, snooze in B&Bs and other charming places to stay, eat ice cream on High, and dance to music from the ’80s.
For more information, see ArtsOnPoint.com. And stay tuned and mark your calendars for the next Arts on Point happenings the first weekends of August and December.
Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts invites the public to spend a lovely summer day strolling through special gardens during the June 16 Garden Tour & Art Sale. Proceeds from the $15 tickets to this biennial rain-or-shine event, which starts at the Lind Pavilion at 411 Commerce St., benefit Shake Rag Alley educational programming and historic preservation. In lieu of a plant sale, which will not be held to avoid the possibility of spreading the invasive jumping worm, visitors can browse a delightful selection of garden-themed art and crafts 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Lind Pavilion. For more information, call (608) 987-3292 or see www.shakeragalley.com.
Are you moving to a new home in the next five years or entering the housing market soon in Sauk County? Have you been looking for a home without success? Many Wisconsin communities are struggling to find the right balance of housing for their residents. To better understand the housing needs and the preferred housing preferences for current and potential residents, Sauk County Development Corp. along with Sauk County and six partner communities are seeking housing input from residents and those working in the county.
SCDC contracted with Vierbicher, a planning and engineering firm, to complete a Housing Study and Needs Assessment, which is expected to be complete by August. To kick off the study, SCDC and the six partner communities — Sauk County, City of Baraboo and Reedsburg, Villages of Prairie du Sac, Sauk City, Spring Green and West Baraboo — request that residents and those working in Sauk County complete the housing needs/questionnaire found at this link https://scdchousingstudy.questionpro.com/
If you prefer a hard copy, contact your Village Hall, City Hall, or the Sauk County Clerk’s Office. If you have any questions about the study and the planning process, contact Katherine Westaby, AICP at kwes@vierbicher.com or (608) 821-3976.