Madison Reading Project/Dolly Parton Collaboration Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

January 13, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MORE INFORMATION:
Rowan Childs, Rowan@madisonreadingproject.com, (608) 347-7970
Sarah Burke, sarah@madisonreadingproject.com

Madison Reading Project/Dolly Parton Collaboration Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

DANE COUNTY –  As the new year begins, Madison Reading Project and The Dolly Parton Imagination Library celebrate the 3rd anniversary of providing free books to young children across Dane County.

Madison Reading Project enrolls any child, from birth to their 5th birthday, who lives in Dane County. They are eligible to receive a free book mailed to their home every month. The books are new, age-appropriate board and picture books that are designed to be shared with families.

“In the past year, we’ve sent more than 143,000 books to more than 14,720 children throughout the county, and we’d love to add more to our mailing list,” says Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project co-executive director. “Shared reading experiences in the home are a proven way to increase literacy rates in early childhood and beyond.”

“We are so excited to make an impact and put more books into the hands of young children in Dane County,” adds Sarah Burke, Madison Reading Project Early Literacy Coordinator.

To enroll a child residing in Dane County visit https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/imaginationlibrary and click on the Register button. There is no charge to participate.  Your first book will arrive in approximately 60 days. 

The collaboration between Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Madison Reading Project is made possible through funding from Roots & Wings Foundation. Madison Reading Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect the community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading. 

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Orange Shoe Personal Fitness Celebrates 20 Years

Two Decades of Empowering Members with Comfort and Confidence in Their Health & Fitness Journeys 

MADISON, Wisc. – Orange Shoe Personal Fitness (Orange Shoe) knows that it takes more than physical strength to lift one’s confidence about incorporating a healthy workout routine into their life. The studio concept has been inspiring optimistic outlooks on fitness now for two decades and it is celebrating its members’ successes with a 20-year anniversary celebration.

The Madison, Wisconsin-born personal fitness studio, now with 3 locations locally and 12 locations between Madison, Milwaukee and Chicagoland, is marking this milestone with a community open house across all studios on no other day than of course — December 20. It will include personal fitness assessments, mini personal training consultations and a free community introduction class. In addition to the gathering, all Orange Shoe locations will be honoring their 20th anniversary with a celebratory 20 percent discount offer. The savings can be applied to the first month of membership packages.

“Our journey started here in Madison 20 years ago fueled by a mission to provide a personal, supportive, and inclusive fitness experience for everyone, regardless of where they are in their health and wellness journey,” said Lauren Birkel,  Owner of the Madison West and Downtown, Wisc. Studios. “Over the past two decades, we’ve had the privilege of being part of countless transformations, not just in terms of fitness, but in confidence, resilience, and a sense of community. This celebration is more than a milestone; it’s a heartfelt thank you to the incredible people who have made it all possible—our loyal clients who inspire us every day, our talented trainers who bring passion and expertise to their work, and our supportive staff who embody the spirit of Orange Shoe.”

Known for its highly personalized approach to training and wellness, Orange Shoe has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their fitness goals through customized training and a welcoming community environment.

Since its inception 20 years ago, Orange Shoe has achieved several memorable milestones, including opening its first franchised studio in Madison in 2008 and expanding to Milwaukee and Chicago by 2010. Likewise, as it has expanded, the brand has consistently provided the exceptional personal trainers working at their studios with opportunities to begin their entrepreneurial journeys within existing and newly built locations.

“Paying it forward, whether to our trainers, our members or communities has always been at the heart of Orange Shoe,” said Birkel. “As we celebrate 20 years of empowering people through fitness, we’re proud to reflect on the impact we’ve made beyond the gym. Each year, we partner with local nonprofits, sponsor community events, and lead initiatives like ‘Burpees for Bucks,’ where our trainers do a burpee for every dollar donated to a chosen charity. It’s a fun and meaningful way to engage our clients, support important causes, and show our gratitude to the communities that have supported us over the past two decades.”

This year, the brand expanded its presence in Chicagoland with its fourth opening in the market, this one arriving in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Looking ahead, Orange Shoe Fitness aims to continue being the premier personal training studio in each of its markets, which include Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago.

To explore membership options in https://www.orangeshoe.com/MadisonDowntown and at all studios, visit https://www.orangeshoe.com/.

About Orange Shoe Fitness

Orange Shoe Fitness is a leading provider of personalized fitness solutions, dedicated to empowering individuals through tailored workout programs and expert guidance. Orange Shoe was founded in 2004 by Josh Martin in Madison, Wisconsin while working as a successful pharmaceutical rep. Known for always wearing bright orange sneakers during his visits to local hospitals and clinics, Josh was inspired to help people avoid the need for medication by focusing on personal fitness and wellness. With the support of Scott and Katie Michel, both passionate professionals with degrees in Exercise Sports Science and Teaching, Orange Shoe Personal Fitness expanded its reach across the Midwest. Emphasizing one-on-one attention and community engagement, Orange Shoe Fitness delivers a unique fitness experience designed to meet each client’s specific goals and needs. From weight loss and strength building to overall wellness and mobility, Orange Shoe Fitness creates customized plans that fit seamlessly into clients’ lifestyles. The brand has 12 studios open across Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin and throughout the Chicagoland area.

For more information, visit https://www.orangeshoe.com

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Boardman Clark Attorney Dan Gartzke Elected President-Elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin

Boardman Clark Attorney Dan Gartzke has been elected president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is a professional association of attorneys that provides its 25,000 members with educational, career development, and other services. It also provides services to the public, including attorney referrals, public education, and reduced-fee legal assistance for low-income state residents.

Dan will serve as president-elect until July 1, 2025, when he will begin his one-year term as president. As president of the State Bar, Dan will assist in overseeing the policy-making, operations, and strategic planning of the association. One of Dan’s main goals as president will be to focus on attorney mentoring to aid the next generation of lawyers in improving their professional skills and civility both in and out of the courtroom.

In his 38 years as an attorney, Dan has practiced in both cities and small towns and has experience in a variety of legal fields, including criminal defense, worker’s compensation, and personal injury. His practice has spanned Wisconsin, and he has appeared in over a third of the state’s 72 counties. Since joining Boardman Clark in 2016, Dan has focused his practice on family law. He works on various matters like divorce, child custody, and property division. Dan has served his local legal communities in leadership roles as the Dane County Bar Association’s president from 2009-2010 and Green County Bar president in 2001, and is a Life Fellow with the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

Outside of his practice, Dan is active in his communities. Among other things, he’s the Bayview Foundation’s legal advisor, a member of Green County’s Forestry Education Center, treasurer of the Green’s Prairie Cemetery Association, and coached the New Glarus High School Mock Trial team for nearly 20 years. He and his wife Tracey Schwalbe have three adult children, and they live on their 15-acre farmette in rural New Glarus where they enjoy prairie restoration, sheepherding and woodlot management.

Boardman Clark Attorney Michelle Behnke, who previously served as the president of the State Bar of Wisconsin from 2004-2005, was also named president-elect of the American Bar Association earlier this year.

Boardman Clark is one of Madison’s largest and longest-standing law firms. The firm serves individuals, businesses, school districts, and local governments. Its areas of service include litigation, franchise and dealership law, business law, taxation, estate planning and probate, intellectual property, family law, municipal law, banking, labor and employment, land use, elder services, real estate, and school law.

More Than 8 Tons Shredded at Summit Credit Union’s ShredFest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2024

Media Contact:
Mary Fanning-Penny
Vice President Communications
(608) 243-5000 ext. 9662
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com   

More Than 8 Tons Shredded at Summit Credit Union’s ShredFest

Madison, Wisc. – Summit Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative, hosted its annual ShredFest on September 28. Held in partnership with the Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin and Pellitteri Waste Systems, the free event helps protect citizens and Summit’s members against identify theft by shredding paperwork that contains personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, bills, credit card statements, documents that include signatures and more.

More than 350 vehicles pulled through Summit’s headquarters in Cottage Grove to drop-off up to three boxes of material for shredding. Two shred trucks were on hand and 8.3 tons was shredded and recycled.

“ShredFest is another example of Summit’s commitment to keeping our members’ information safe. When people take care to shred documents containing sensitive information, they stop fraudsters in their tracks,” said Summit Credit Union CEO & President Kim Sponem. “We value this partnership with The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin and Pellitteri Waste Systems and wish to thank all the volunteers who made another successful ShredFest possible.”

To learn more about how to prevent identify theft, visit summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. To download photos from ShredFest, click here.

About Summit Credit Union  

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $7.4 billion in assets and has more than 262,100 members and 932 employees across 60 locations throughout Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union.

In 2024, Summit was recognized for continued excellence in employee engagement as a Top Workplace USA by USA Today for the fourth consecutive year and a Top Workplace in the Madison area by the Wisconsin State Journal the fifth year in a row. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel named Summit a Top Workplace in Milwaukee in both 2023 and 2024. Additionally, and representative of its focus on financial education, Summit received the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award in 2010, 2014, and 2016 and the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award – Legacy in 2019.

For additional media information, visit summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook and Instagram.

About The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin
The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance marketplace trust by creating a marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. We provide balance by calling out substandard business behavior (scams, fraud, etc.) and recognizing ethical, trustworthy businesses through the BBB Accreditation program. The BBB of Wisconsin Foundation supports local programs such as the BBB Students of Integrity Scholarship, BBB Torch Awards for Ethics and BBB Spark Awards. Go to ethicsawards.org for more.

About Pellitteri Waste Systems
Pellitteri Waste Systems is a Madison-based, family-owned, and state-of-the-art waste disposal and recycling business focused on outstanding customer service. With the Pellitteri tradition of service that has endured for more than 80 years, you can rest assured that you will receive the professional and high-quality level of service that has kept us in business all that time. We provide trash pickup, recycling, temporary dumpsters, compactor systems and confidential paper shredding services to Residential and Commercial customers in the Greater Madison Area and throughout Southern Wisconsin. We are always looking for better ways to meet the needs of our customers.

From 1994 to 2024: SupraNet’s 30-Year Mission to Help Everyone Do More on the Internet

Madison, WI (September 24, 2024) – SupraNet Communications, Inc., a Madison-born and based Internet service provider (ISP), celebrates their 30th anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in its journey of connecting the city to the ever-evolving world of the Internet. 

Founded in 1994, SupraNet witnessed firsthand the transformational power of the Internet, growing alongside its users as the online landscape exploded from its infancy to the ubiquitous presence it is today.

A Look Back at 30 Years of Internet History

Established the same year as the release of the first web browser, Mosaic, SupraNet connected Madison businesses to the Internet with dial-up connections and witnessed the start of early websites like Yahoo! and Amazon. Dial up Internet cost $30/month back in 1994. See more Internet history and nostalgia here on our interactive “vintage” Internet timeline.

Celebrating 30 Years and Looking Ahead

Fast forward to the present, SupraNet now offers fiber-optic Internet plans to multifamily developments and businesses with speeds exceeding one gigabit per second, a far cry from the early days. The cost of Internet access has also decreased dramatically, with SupraNet offering competitive plans that make broadband available to a wider audience. An ongoing project includes the high-profile Bayview development, now in Phase 3.

“The support provided to our residents by SupraNet has been exceptional. Many of our residents are experiencing Wi-Fi for the first time, allowing them to connect with the world and communicate in ways they couldn’t before,” said Xong Vang, Bayview Housing Coordinator. 

As SupraNet celebrates three decades in business, the company remains committed to providing not just fast and reliable Internet, but also offering affordable options that enable individuals and communities to thrive in the digital age. SupraNet actively participates in programs that bridge the digital divide and advocates for policies that promote universal access to the Internet.

Affordable Internet Access: A Gateway to Opportunity

In today’s digital world, access to the Internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. From searching and applying for jobs to completing online coursework and participating in virtual classrooms, an affordable Internet connection unlocks a multitude of opportunities for individuals and communities. 

Research from pewtrust.org indicates that Internet access significantly enhances student performance and health outcomes, while also providing essential educational opportunities and promoting healthy aging. The opportunity for broadband connections that SupraNet provides to low-income developments is crucial. It equals the playing field by connecting residents to job opportunities. Connection to broadband has proven to increase employment rates in affordable housing properties.

“SupraNet was born out of a passion for technology and a belief in the democratizing potential of the Internet,” says Bryan Chan, Founder and CEO of SupraNet Communications. “Over the past three decades, we’ve seen the Internet evolve from a niche tool for academics and tech enthusiasts to an essential part of everyday life for individuals, businesses, and communities alike.”

About SupraNet Communications

SupraNet Communications is a locally owned and operated Internet service provider headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1994, Supranet has been providing businesses and residents with reliable and affordable Internet access, starting with dial-up services, transitioning to wireless Internet and now operates its own local fiber-optic network. Supranet is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and supporting the local community.