Bachmann Construction Completes First Build-Out at Historic Garver Feed Mill

Media Contact: Joan Collins Publicity (608) 222-2899

Bachmann Construction Completes First Build-Out at Historic Garver Feed Mill

Bachmann Construction, the Madison-based general contractor for the $14.4 million restoration of the historic Garver Feed Mill, behind Olbrich Gardens, has completed the 16,000 square foot space for NessAlla Kombucha, the first business to open in the Registered National Historic Landmark building. The kombucha craft brewery moved from Park Street to double its space. NessAlla Kombucha, one of the first craft kombucha brewing companies in the country, distributes its organic products throughout the Upper Midwest.

Garver Feed Mill developer, Baum Revision, LLC, specializing in revitalizing old buildings, is turning the former beet factory and later a feed mill, into a hub for food producers and retailers plus wellness-focused businesses. Bryant Moroder, Baum project manager, said Garver Feed Mill, built in 1906 will preserve Madison’s rich agricultural and industrial history by becoming a next–generation food production center.

Currently, Bachmann Construction is creating individual spaces in the 60,000 square foot building for local businesses moving in this summer, including Ian’s Pizza, Calliope Ice Cream, Surya Café, Sitka Salmon Shares, Underground Catering, Kosa Wellness, Perennial-East Yoga Studio and others.

Al Bachmann, president of Bachmann Construction, said the firm is paying close attention to restoration guidelines required for an historic building and upgrading it for its sustainable future. Bachmann will complete the 18-month restoration project this summer.

Wisconsin Union Returns Lady Liberty to Lake Mendota

Feb. 1, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information: Shauna Breneman, Wisconsin Union, (608) 262-8862, sbreneman@wisc.edu 

WISCONSIN UNION RETURNS LADY LIBERTY TO LAKE MENDOTA

MADISON – In a surprise addition to the annual Winter Carnival, the Wisconsin Union brought the Statue of Liberty tradition back to Lake Mendota Feb. 1 as a to-scale, inflatable replica of the Statue’s head, arm and torch.

This marks the return of a decades-old tradition of placing Styrofoam portions of Lady Liberty on frozen Lake Mendota.

The Statue of Liberty tradition began with a prank in 1979 by the Pail and Shovel Party, which was led by UW-Madison alumni Leon Varjian and Jim Mallon ’79. Varjian and Mallon made a campaign promise that, if elected to the Wisconsin Student Association, they would bring the Statue of Liberty to Madison.

After a successful election, the Pail and Shovel Party stayed true to their Lady Liberty promise by erecting a Styrofoam Statue of Liberty head, arm and torch on Lake Mendota Feb. 22, 1979.

Wisconsin Union President and University of Wisconsin-Madison senior Mills Botham led this year’s effort to create the inflatable version of the Statue of Liberty.

“The idea to return Lady Liberty to Lake Mendota as part of Winter Carnival is one that I’ve been working for about two years,” Botham said. “This was the first year that I found a practical means of making its revival possible.”

The new Lady Liberty will allow for faster setup, will require less storage space, and is made of more durable polyester blend dye sublimated fabric.

The Statue of Liberty is expected to be available for viewing Feb. 1 from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Feb. 2 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., as conditions allow.

Before this re-creation of Lady Liberty, the Styrofoam Statue of Liberty was last seen on Lake Mendota in 2010.

The Union team is aiming to reinstitute Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota as an annual Winter Carnival tradition.

In addition to the return of this legend to its Lake Mendota home, the Wisconsin Union’s Winter Carnival includes more than a dozen events and activities, including live music, arts and crafts, yoga, and more. The Carnival continues through Feb. 3.

Put on by the Wisconsin Union team since 1940, Winter Carnival provides ways for the community to take part in outdoor recreation and celebrate winter.

All members of the community, including UW-Madison staff, faculty and students as well as Wisconsin Union members and guests are invited to experience the Carnival, including visiting the new Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota.

To learn more about the Winter Carnival, including the full schedule of events and activities, visit union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival.

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About the Wisconsin Union

The Wisconsin Union enhances the lives of members and visitors through recreational, cultural, educational and social opportunities. Formed in 1907, the Wisconsin Union is a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Union and its tradition of providing experiences for a lifetime: union.wisc.edu.

[Note to the editor: Click here to download a photo of the previous Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota in February 2009.Photo provided by the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Photo by Bryce Richter.]

Susan Armstrong Elected to Capitol Bank’s Verona Advisory Board

Madison, WI: Ken Thompson, President and CEO of Capitol Bank, is pleased to announce that Susan Armstrong has been elected to the Bank’s Verona Advisory Board. Armstrong, owner of Stellar Rehabilitation in Verona, has 15 years of experience as a business owner and manager and has been a physical therapist for over 23 years. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Physical Therapy Program.

“Susan’s experience as a business owner, combined with her involvement in Verona, will be invaluable as we continue to be the truly local bank for the Verona community,” said Thompson.

Susan has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce. She is also past-president of the Fitchburg-Verona Rotary Club. Susan continues to provide Falls Prevention Programs to senior centers, community groups and residents of senior living facilities.

Susan and her family reside in Verona and enjoy participating in sports, recreational, community, and fundraising activities within the Madison area and surrounding communities.

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, locally-owned and operated, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses and individuals in the Madison and Verona communities. Our philosophy of community support is demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees devote to our community each year.

My Choice Family Care to acquire Trilogy Health Insurance

My Choice Family Care is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Trilogy Health Insurance, a Wisconsin‐based HMO.

As a Managed Care Organization, My Choice has nearly two decades of experience serving older adults and persons with disabilities. Through the Family Care program, My Choice serves enrolled members in twenty‐six counties with emphasis on helping people live independently in the community rather than institutional settings. The company, now a nonprofit entity, was an original pilot partner for the Wisconsin Family Care program in 2000.

Trilogy’s lines of business are closely aligned with My Choice’s mission to serve vulnerable populations with a focus on quality of services to its members.

“As an organization that continues to experience sustained, planned growth while maintaining high levels of member satisfaction, we are very happy for the opportunity to expand our breadth of services to improve the quality of life for a broader group of consumers”, said Maria
Ledger, My Choice CEO. “We look forward to collaborating with the current Trilogy leadership to ensure smooth transition and continuity of services for clients and members alike. We are also committed to continued development of effective working relationships with our network
providers,” Ledger added.

My Choice currently serves approximately 8,600 Wisconsinites through the Family Care program. Trilogy serves approximately 11,600 members.

This transaction is subject to acquiring the necessary regulatory approvals.

Services to persons currently served by both My Choice and Trilogy Health Insurance will be uninterrupted. Family Care members served by My Choice and BadgerCare Plus clients served by Trilogy will remain fully intact with no changes to service, coverage or service plans.

For more information, please contact Maria Ledger at 414-287-7600.

Brian Donarski Promoted to Vice President of Finance & Accounting at M3

Brian Donarski has recently been promoted to Vice President of Finance & Accounting at M3 Insurance. In his four years with M3, Brian has led his team in a number of significant process improvements including the implementation of financial performance indicators and the automation of real-time reporting.  He provides standard, measurable data and insight to M3’s sales team, shareholders, executive leadership, and board members in support of M3’s commitment to proactive operational planning.

Brian joined M3 in 2014 as the Director of Finance and Accounting. He came to this role with a diverse business background spanning 20 years, including experience in manufacturing, distribution and healthcare industries. He belongs to the Madison Chapter of Financial Executives International and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

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About M3

M3 Insurance offers insight, advice and strategies to help clients manage risk, purchase insurance and provide employee benefits. We are committed to being experts in both the products we represent and the industries we serve. Our people advance M3’s competitive advantage in the marketplace, and our focus on community builds better places to live and work. M3 is consistently ranked a top 100 broker in America and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.