Along The Ad Routes

by Mike Reilly

It’s not often that there are two weddings held in the same day at the Iowa County Courthouse. But such was the case the other day! Also, it’s not very often the bride requests to change in the courthouse. But such was the case the other day! Enter Kanndie Basting, Iowa County Register in Probate, who realized there wasn’t a mirror in the rooms for the bride to check her makeup, gown or final look. What did Kanndie do? She borrowed a door mirror out of her daughter’s room. When her daughter got home from school, however, Kanndie received a call saying,”Mom, what happened to my mirror?” Then came the explaining!

*****

Last Thursday was a “day of meetings” for me. First we had a staff meeting to go over assignments for the week. Then I had a “Home For the Holidays” meeting (that’s November 29th) at the chamber of commerce building. I squeezed in time to run close by to Dino’s for a quick bite to eat and a half cup of coffee. Dewey and his wife Shirley were there from Indiana catching up with friends. He had called and texted me as to “Where are you?” so I figured I had better make an appearance. At 1:00 I had a “Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship” meeting, again at the chamber that’s April 2026). It was a good thing everything was close by!

*****

Saturday morning breakfast took us back to where we planned to be the week before - Golden Eagle in Barneveld. Tom was in the Dells shutting down his camper for the season (last weekend to get that done). Potsie was up north maybe for one of the last times this year. Royce was at a wedding to the northwest. So it was Bob, Terry, me and Dewey (who visited for the weekend) meeting at the Chronicle at 7:30 with Dave meeting us there from Klevenville. All the bigger tables were filled, so we squeezed the five of us into a four table. The place was pretty full and there was just Kayla (Ignatius) waiting on tables. She did get a little help from a young fellow out of the kitchen who delivered some of the food and filled our coffee cups a couple of times. The Ignatius family was once in Dodgeville throughout (I think) most of the older kids (Joe, Glenn, Matthew), schooling. Some of Ron and Judy’s grandkids graduated from Barneveld, where they ran Quantum Devices. It’s now run by sons there.

*****

Saturday was also the final Saturday for “Cars & Coffee” in downtown Dodgeville, next to the Chronicle office and in the Courthouse parking lot. The turnout was pretty good with both sides of West Merrimac Street filled and a good number of vehicles in the parking lot. They started arriving around 7:00 a.m. With the closing of the bakery, one of the members furnished rolls on a table while Cathryn’s Market was the place for coffee and whatever drink you wanted. The weather was a little cool, but not enough to keep some people from wearing short sleeved shirts and shorts!

*****

I had the chance to attend the Dodgeville Athletic Hall of Fame reception Friday night following the football game that was held at Dodger Bowl. That gave me the chance to see a lot of graduates and people I only get to see at events like that! The only problem with that it is that it makes an “old man” like me stay out until around midnight - but it’s worth it!

*****

I think my “relatives” October birthdays are done! After Ryan and Sean having birthdays on October 2, I had niece Amy and nephew Darren’s on October 9 and 10. That’s a few birthdays in about a week!

*****

Dean’s Liquor (north side of Dodgeville) and the former Casey’s (middle of town) are both changing hands. More on that will come later!

*****

I’m jumping to Friday, October 18 for my special day this week. It’s Sweetest Day that originated in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1921 when confectioners, led by philanthropist Herbert Birch Kingston, organized the first celebration to distribute candy and small gifts to orphans, shut-ins, and the poor. The holiday's goal was to spread kindness and appreciation, a mission that gained popularity in the Midwest and eventually spread across the country. Over time, the holiday evolved, and while its charitable roots remain, it is now also widely celebrated with cards, flowers, and chocolates to show appreciation to loved ones, similar in spirit to a fall Valentine's Day.