Good Morning, Fitchrona!

Did you know Verona’s only been a city for 46 years? It made the leap from village to city this very week—back on April 18, 1978.
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The Focus will be the highlight of your Monday morning - something you can enjoy in under 5 minutes with your coffee ☕︎ ! Let’s fill our cups!

-Liv - Fitchrona Focus Founder

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Ready to Explore Dane County for a Great Cause?

THE HUNT is back! From April 25 to May 18, join a county-wide scavenger hunt packed with fun missions, community exploration, and fundraising for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County. Teams of up to 10 (6 adults max) will complete over 150 photo and video challenges—ranging from Dane County landmarks to silly at-home tasks—all while raising funds to support local youth.

2024’s HUNT featured many fun stops right here in Fitchburg and Verona—so you might find some familiar spots on this year’s adventure, too!

Registration is open now ($30 adults, $20 Bigs, $5 Littles/kids) and includes a T-shirt and local goodies. Grab your crew, join the fun, and help make a difference—one mission at a time!

Check out the event or register here.

Questions: Bethany Ordaz -[email protected]

Local Flavor, Farm Fresh

The Farm & Food Tour is more than just a day of visiting farms—it's an opportunity to connect with the passionate people behind your favorite local food. The farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, and artisans you’ll meet are dedicated to providing delicious, wholesome, and unique food while also caring for the land, water, and their communities.

Many of these farms and businesses aren’t normally open to the public, making this a rare chance to go behind the scenes, meet the makers, and experience firsthand what makes them special.

The tour is organized by Savor the River Valley, a grassroots initiative that brings together farmers, food producers, and local businesses to support one another and showcase the incredible food being grown and made right here.

This year’s Farm & Food Tour is happening Saturday, April 26th from 10 AM to 4 PM (with some evening festivities after). It’s a one-day, self-guided adventure where you can pick your own pace and stops—explore farms, sample food, join in on tours, and enjoy hands-on activities for all ages.

Supporting our local farmers matters—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Whether you're new to the area or a longtime local, this is a wonderful way to invest in our community’s future.

And while you're out exploring, if you haven’t yet checked out the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) options from Seven Seeds Farm and Steadfast Acres, now’s a great time. Both are featured in our CSA Guide, which includes a comprehensive list of 24 CSA programs convenient for Fitchrona residents—from veggies and eggs to flowers and pasture-raised meats.

And don’t forget to plan your Farm & Food Tour route at savortherivervalley.org

• Meadowlark Farm & Mill (Ridgeway): Small-batch grain milling tours, kids’ activities, printmaking, and local pastries.

• Future Fruit Farm (Ridgeway): Organic orchard tours and unique apple tastings.

• Seven Seeds Farm (Spring Green): Learn about regenerative ag, meet baby animals, and grab a smash burger.

• Elderflower Retreat at Savanna Institute (Spring Green): Taste perennial fruits and dive into the story of Black Currants.

• Taliesin Kitchen Garden (Spring Green): Guided walks through historic gardens linked to Frank Lloyd Wright.

• Ducks in a Row Family Farm (Arena): Meet lambs, tour the pasture-based farm, and shop for meats and wool goods.

• RedBarn Catering (Spring Green): Watch truffles being made and take some home.

• Spring Green General Store: Meet a local beekeeper, enjoy a honey tasting, and grab breakfast or lunch.

• Steadfast Acres & Reunion at The Octagon Barn (Spring Green): Shop herb starts, get growing tips, and savor BBQ pork sandwiches.

• Tortilleria Zepeda (Lone Rock): Watch tortillas being made from scratch and taste the difference.

• Cedar Grove Cheese (Plain): Cheese tastings and a tour of their eco-friendly water system.

• Twin Crix Blueberry Farm (Spring Green): End the day with wood-fired pizza, live music, and community vibes.

Want more details on specific farm tour times, sample offerings, kid-friendly activities, or what tasty treats will be available for purchase? Click here.

Student Art to Brighten Verona Avenue

The Verona Area Education Foundation has announced the 2025 City Street Banner Project, showcasing artwork from local students in the Verona Area School District. This year’s theme, “Design Your Own Book Cover,” inspired a wide range of creative submissions, with 14 student pieces selected to be featured on street banners along West Verona Avenue.

Before the banners are installed by the Parks and Public Works Departments, the community is invited to view them on display at the Verona Public Library through the end of April.

A public reception honoring the student artists will take place at the library on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. Congratulations to all of the young artists whose work will soon be brightening the streets of Verona!

Vintage Style Meets Community Spirit at Isaac’s Fashion Show

Looking for a fun way to give back and get your fashion fix? On Wednesday, April 24 from 5–7 p.m., Isaac’s Antiques in Mount Horeb is rolling out the runway for their first-ever “Vintage for Today—A Fashion Show With a Purpose”!

Partnering with Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN), this stylish soirée blends fashion and community support. Your ticket in? Simply bring a donation of gently used, in-season clothing or footwear, which will go directly to NHN’s free Clothes Closet.

Once inside, enjoy light refreshments while local models strut their stuff in fabulous vintage looks—head to toe—including hats, shoes, and accessories, all available for purchase. And the fashion doesn’t stop at the runway—guests are invited to explore all three levels of Isaac’s to discover one-of-a-kind vintage treasures.

So whether you're a thrift lover, fashion fanatic, or just looking for a fun midweek outing, this event promises charm, character, and a chance to do a little good while having a whole lot of fun.

Isaac’s Antiques – 132 E. Main St, Mount Horeb
April 24 | 🕔 5–7 p.m.

HAPPENINGS

There are too many events to feature here! Check out FitchronaFocus.com for all happenings!

Starting next week - we’ll feature ~30 events in the newsletter & the rest can be found on the events calendar, so be sure to bookmark it here!

• Monday, April 14th

  • 🌽 - Farmer Peer Discussion Series @ FairShare CSA

  • 🩺 - 4:00 pm - Industry Night @ Delta Beer Lab

  • 🍨 - 6:00 pm - Choose 2025 Ice Cream Flavor of the Year (Free) @ Driftless Historium

  • 🍪 - 6:30 pm - Cookie Decorating Class w/ Vicki Cookies @ Fitchburg Community Center

• Tuesday, April 15th

  • ⁉️ - Quizmaster’s Trivia @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 💪 - Titanic Workout @ Lioness Fitness

  • 🍪 - 1:00 pm - Bites @ Insights - Introduction to The Cesta @ Fitchburg Public Library

  • 📖 + 🖊️ - 6:00 pm - Art Journaling w/ Overt Space Gallery @ Hello Art Hatchery @ Dairyland Dessert Cafe

  • ⁉️ - 7:00 pm - America’s Pub Quiz Trivia @ Hop Haus Fitchburg

• Wednesday, April 16th

  • 🤝 - 🍨4:30 pm - Fitchburg Biz After Hours @ Loxley

  • 🧀 - 6:00 pm - Champion Cheesemaker’s Dinner @ Landmark Creamery

  • 🔦 - 6:00 pm - Dining in the Dark @ Crossroads Coffeehouse

  • 🍸 - 7:00 pm - Growing Great Bourbon w/ J Henry & Sons @ Delta Beer Lab

  • ⁉️ - 7:00 pm - Premier Trivia @ Delta Beer Lab

  • 🎙️ - 7:00 pm - Live Music: Elizabeth Mary @ Paddy Mac’s

• Thursday, April 17th

  • 👨‍🌾 - Farm to Table Dinner w/ Chef Luke Zahm @ Seven Acre Dairy

  • 📚 - 6:00 pm - Sugar Troll Book Club - The Rescue @ Sugar Troll

  • ⁉️ - 6:30 pm - America’s Pub Quiz Trivia @ Hop Haus Verona

  • 🎉 - 6:30 pm - Music Video Bingo @ Seminole Tap

  • 🧩 - 7:00 pm - Pairs Puzzle Contest @ Delta Beer Lab

  • 🎙️ - 8:00 pm - Live Music: Pat Mccurdy @ Paddy Mac’s

• Friday, April 18th

  • 🎙️ - Live Music: Elizabeth Duo @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 🥚- 9:00 am - Easter Eggstravaganza @ Cave of the Mounds

  • 🐑 - 10:00 am - Lambing & Kidding Days @ Eugster’s Farm Market

  • 🔨 - 1:00 pm - Ladies’ Night @ Crash Box Therapy

  • 🎨 - 5:00 pm - Queer (and Ally) Crafting Night @ Sow’s Ear

  • 🏊‍♂️ - 5:30 pm - Seminole Swimmers on Ice @ Verona Ice Arena

  • 🦈 - 7:00 pm - Shrek Themed Trivia @ Delta Beer Lab

• Saturday, April 19th

  • 👟 - Cottontail Classic @ Fleet Feet

  • 🐇+ 🥚- 9:00 am - Hop Into Spring @ Vitense Golfland

  • 🐰 - 10:00 am - Bunny Bowl @ Spare Time

  • 🐑 - 10:00 am - Lambing & Kidding Days @ Eugster’s Farm Market

  • 🧘‍♂️ - 9:00 am - Namaste and Lattes @ Seven Acres

  • 🥚 - 12:00 pm - Easter Egg Hunt @ Allied/Dunn Marsh Neighborhood Association

  • 🌷 - 7:00 pm - Earth Day Celebration @ Cave of the Mounds

  • 🎙️ - 9:00 pm - Live Music: Top Shelf @ Paddy Mac’s

• Sunday, April 20th

  • 🌷 - 9:00 am - Easter Brunch @ Seven Acre Dairy

  • 🌷 - 10:00 am - Easter Brunch @ Quivey’s Grove

MAKER FEATURE

This week’s maker feature is Mike Lind, from Aspen Farm Studios.

Aspen Farm Studios is a one-person graphic design and art studio rooted in the Driftless area of southwest Wisconsin. After studying art and graphic design in college, I took a different path—spending 15 years farming vegetables and raising grass-fed beef. Eventually, I merged my two passions—art and farming—into a design and branding business that helps farmers and small businesses share their stories and creatively showcase their products. Approaching design from an artist’s perspective, I aim to bring a more handcrafted and earthy look to the digital landscape. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with passionate, hardworking producers to craft websites, packaging, promotional materials, and more. When I’m not “plugged in,” I paint, draw or make prints, and some of my work can be seen on my website and at the VIVA Gallery in Viroqua, WI. I will be demoing linocut printing at the Meadowlark Farm & Mill Open House, which is part of the Savor the River Valley Farm Tour on April 26th, 2025.

Find out more on his website or instagram @aspenfarmstudios.

Know a local maker who should be featured - submit here!

CHECK IT OUT

This week’s business that we think you should check out is - Good Works Brewing Company.

Good Works started as a simple passion to make good beer and do good things for the community. We still operate on that basic premise and work every day with a simple mission to create a positive experience, atmosphere, and interaction with everyone we encounter. That includes partnerships with many businesses and charities to create events that promote and support the great work of so many in our communities. You can follow us on social media to keep up with everything going on! And then stop in our taproom to show us your Fitchrona Focus newsletter highlighting GWBC and get $1 off a pint.

Have a place that we should check out? Submit it here.

NEIGHBORHOOD DEAL

This week’s neighborhood deal is from - Cox Hill Farm. They are offering 20% off Spring Hams until 4/30. Order now.

THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading the Fitchrona Focus today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who would love to Savor The River Valley!

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