Middleton Good Neighbor 'Fest Planning Plus

We awarded the third scholarship to Jackson Keeler at our Good Neighbor Fest planning meeting. (See our previous post) Remember, Jackson was not present at the scholarship awards meeting as Middleton HS Baseball team was on a "run" to the state championship. Mark Oesterle is presenting Jackson with his scholarship. Jackson plans on attending UW Lacrosse and major in journalism. 

During the business portion of the meeting, we were planning for this year's fest from Aug. 22nd to the 24th. A snap-shot of our menu from a prior year follows.

MHS Senior Scholarships

Middleton Sertoma awarded three scholarships to  MHS seniors,Yoko Kohmoto, Connor Acker, and Jackson Keeler (not present). They recieved their scholarship at a dinner in their honor at Fitzgeralds. The scholarships were presented by Middleton Sertoma President, Mark Oesterle (on the left in each photo). Yoko plans to attend Northwestern University where she will major in music. Connor plans to attend University of Wisconsin in Madison where he plans to major in Engineering.  We wish the these students every success in their next phase of life.

2014 Service to Mankind Award

Middleton Sertoma recognized one of our neighbors for his outstanding service volunteering in our community.  Dan Johnson has contributed much to the Middleton and surrounding community with his work as Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) garden manager and elsewhere in the community. 

Dan lead a group to start the garden. The garden is now in its fifth year where clients can grow their own food and give any excess to the MOM food pantry. Over these years the number of gardeners has grown. This year the number of gardeners is up to 26 plus there are 15 mentors available for them.

Dan and team have made a huge impact in the community through this innovative program.  By mixing community gardeners, who donate part of their produce to the food pantry, with MOM clients who can help feed their households, he has helped break down the barriers between those living in poverty and those who do not and give opportunity for people to provide for themselves by gardening.
 

Additionally Dan with a small group of friends "affectionately refer to themselves as the "geezer gleaners" rounded up nearly 34,000 pounds of food in 20012, the challenging, dry summer. In 2013 as part of the Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens (link), they rescued and harvested over 100,000 pounds of food, with the food going to Second Harvest Food Bank, Community Action Coalition (CAC), MOM and the Goodman Center.
Dan is also part of the "Green Team" installing lawn and landscaping at the new homes for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Dan also works with Friends of Dane County Ferals where he is a coordinator for Outdoor and Feral Cat Rescue.

Thank you, Dan, for sharing your zeal for gardening and inspiring others to get involved in their community!

Dan received the Service to Mankind award from Middleton Sertoma club, presented by Mark Oesterle, club president (on the left in the attached photo) at an awards dinner at Fitzgeralds recently.

Middleton Sertoma's April meeting

In Middleton Sertoma's April meeting, Amy Good, Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County receives check from Mark Oesterly, president of Middleton Sertoma at Fitchgeralds. She also receives a tool box with a set of basic tools (shown lower right) for a new Habitat home owner.

Amy reported that Habitat for Humanity of Dane County completed 15 homes since she last met with Middleton Sertoma. Locations of completed homes include East Madison, Sun Prairie, Stoughton and Fitchburg. The cold winter has had some slowing effect on completing homes. They do not have another home underway in Middleton at this time. They have two Madison locations where they are rebuilding an old home.

She also reported that the East-side Habitat Restore will be moving. The Habitat Restore stores are important to Habitat's operation in Dane County and for their partner Habitat for Humanity Al Salvador. 

 Habitat For Humanity of Dane Co. Link

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 Mike Hinz of Middleton Baseball and Softball Commission also met with Middleton Sertoma Club at Fitchgeralds where he gave us an update on the ommission's plans and where they use our donation. The Sertoma donation helps for purchase of shirts and for scholarships for youth who otherwise could not afford to participate.  Mike received a check from Mark Oesterly, Middleton Sertoma Club President.  Middleton Baseball and Softball Commission is basicly self-funded.