Wisconsin Union: Winter Event Series Winter Carnival Continues During Warmer Conditions With More Than a Dozen Events Feb. 7-10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 6, 2024

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu 
Phone: (608) 262-8862

Read release online: union.wisc.edu/about/news/wintercarnival2024continues 

WINTER EVENT SERIES WINTER CARNIVAL CONTINUES DURING WARMER CONDITIONS WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN EVENTS FEB. 7-10

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union’s winter-themed event series, called Winter Carnival, will continue Feb. 7-10 during warmer-than-usual weather conditions with an updated events schedule that includes more than a dozen events, including an appearance of part of an inflatable version of Lady Liberty at Library Mall, rather than on Lake Mendota.

The Winter Carnival lineup currently includes:

• Feb. 7
  • $1 cheese curds
  • Open Mic Night
• Feb. 9
  • Inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head on Library Mall
  • Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games tournament, presented by University Recreation & Wellbeing
  • Winter Beats: a rhythm game challenge
  • Luminary-making
  • Snow Ball: live music, dancing and swing dancing instruction
• Feb. 10
  • Inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head on Library Mall
  • Free maple taffy-making
  • Scavenger hunt, called Secret Agent
  • Valentine’s Day and kindness greeting card-making as well as hot chocolate
  • Family Fun in Alumni Park, presented by the Wisconsin Alumni Association
  • Newly added on Feb. 6: Yard Games at the Memorial Union Terrace, presented in collaboration with University Recreation & Wellbeing
  • Sock snowperson-making
  • Mini horses photo opportunities and meet-and-greet
  • Limited-time, house-made mac and cheese available for purchase

Events are free unless otherwise noted at union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival. The event lineup is subject to change, including due to weather conditions.

The Wisconsin Union team has observed a thinning of ice and several weak and open spots, with ice being about 6 inches thick near the Lake Mendota shoreline alongside Memorial Union. The team continually monitors Lake Mendota’s ice throughout the winter season, including to evaluate its nearby ice skating and other wintertime activities. The Wisconsin Union team has canceled, re-imagined or moved some wintertime events in light of thinning ice, a low amount of snow, and predicted upcoming warmer-than-usual temperatures.

“We will still offer more than a dozen Winter Carnival events for guests to enjoy,” Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo said. “Our team of staff and student leaders gathered to ensure the continuation of Winter Carnival. We look forward to welcoming people to a Winter Carnival under early spring-like conditions.”

The Wisconsin Union team brings out a to-scale, inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch to frozen Lake Mendota each year during Winter Carnival. This year’s appearance will occur on land at Library Mall and will include the Statue’s head. More information about the Statue’s history of Madison appearances can be found here.

Winter Carnival has historically included both weather-dependent events and experiences that do not require any specific weather conditions. With weather having required lineup changes this year and in years past, the Wisconsin Union team encourages patrons to visit union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival for the most up-to-date Carnival lineup each year.

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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.  

Wellness Advocate, Author Jessamyn Stanley to Speak on Yoga, Empowerment at Wisconsin Union Directorate Event Feb. 28

MADISON – Entrepreneur and yoga instructor Jessamyn Stanley will share her thoughts on inclusive wellness approaches and intersectionality at Tripp Commons in Memorial Union Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee’s free lecture lineup.

The event, titled “Yoga, Diversity, and Empowerment: A Journey with Jessamyn Stanley,” will feature a 60-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute audience Q&A. No tickets are necessary – admission is free and open to the public, with live captioning and American Sign Language interpreters provided. 

Co-founder of The Underbelly, a virtual yoga studio focused on creating authenticity and approachability within the yoga community, Stanley believes in transforming wellness from a universal idealized look to an approach that adapts to the unique needs of each person and body.

Her books, “Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body.” and “Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance,” have reached global audiences and provide perspectives on a body-positive and inclusive approach to yoga, wellness and loving oneself.

“Yoga peels back the edges of your mask, pushing you to the edge of who you’re pretending to be, introducing you to the luminance that lies beneath,” Stanley said in a 2021 interview with CNN. “You can find the answers to life’s biggest questions within that light inside you.” 

In addition to her video and outreach content, Stanley was also the host of relationship podcast “Dear Jessamyn” and was on Essence’s Future 15 List in 2020.

This event is supported in part by the Ed Garvey Lecture Fund.

The WUD DLS Committee brings engaging and influential people to the UW–Madison campus to encourage thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 12 committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events each year.

University of Wisconsin–Madison students interested in becoming a leader of WUD DLS – or any WUD committee or club – during the 2024-2025 academic year may apply online. WUD student leaders may be eligible for reimbursement of the equivalent of up to 80% of in-state tuition. Applications for WUD officer positions close Feb. 9 and applications for WUD directors and summer coordinator positions close March 1.

Patrons can learn more about the upcoming free talk featuring Jessamyn Stanley here. 

UW-Madison to host Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife Friday, February 9

7475 Mineral Point Road Suite 49 | Madison, Wisconsin | (563) 359-5401

Madison, WI – UW-Madison will host a community blood drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, February 9 at Library Mall UW Madison Campus, inside Donor Bus.

APPOINTMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED. To schedule, email smurthy@impactlife.org.

What: University of Wisconsin/Madison Community Blood Drive

When: Friday, February 9, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Where: Donor Bus, Library Mall UW Madison Campus, Madison, WI
Appointments: To donate, please contact ImpactLife Madison at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 5808 to locate the drive.

Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 12/15/23 are eligible to give at this drive.

About Blood Donation: Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.

About ImpactLife: ImpactLife is the provider of blood and blood components to more than 125 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. In your area, ImpactLife is the exclusive provider to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, Stoughton Health.

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Lake Ridge Bank: 2024 Crop Insurance Info Meetings Help Local Farmers Understand Coverage Options

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2024 Crop Insurance Info Meetings Help Local Farmers Understand Coverage Options
Meetings Held January 24 and February 9

January 17, 2024, EVANSVILLE, Wisconsin— The deadline to purchase or make changes to crop insurance for the 2024 growing season is March 15. To help local farmers fully understand their options, Lake Ridge Bank invites farmers to attend one of two Crop Insurance Info Meetings held in late January and early February.

Wednesday, January 24 at 10:00 AM

Rex’s Innkeeper, 301 N. Century Ave.

Waunakee

Friday, February 9 at 10:00 AM

Red Barn Tavern & Banquet Hall, 7530 N. County Rd M

Evansville

This is a FREE public event and includes lunch. You do not need to be a customer of Lake Ridge Bank to participate. Each info meeting begins at 10:00 AM, with a complimentary lunch served after the presentation. Space is limited, so anyone interested should email kklitzman@lakeridge.bank or call 608-490-2225 to reserve a spot.

The meetings will be hosted by the Lake Ridge Bank Agricultural Team. Topics covered at each meeting include:

• FSA Updates: Local FSA staff will share what’s new in government programs

• 2024 Crop Insurance Updates: Tips for evaluating your coverage as the cost to grow a crop continues to rise, with information on how to customize your policy to fit the specific needs of your operation

• Lake Ridge Bank tools for farmers, along with an overview of the outlook for interest rates

In addition, each meeting will feature a local expert to provide a commodity update:

• January 24: Dewey Hull, Advance Trading Inc.
• February 9:  CHS, Inc. – global and local grain market update

“Like most business owners, farmers appreciate guidance on how to best tailor benefits to fit their unique needs,” says Jessica Sarbacker, who leads the bank’s crop insurance team. “The program options can be overwhelming, so we are here to answer questions, share insights, and help farmers determine the best path forward for their farm business.”

Disclosures:  This entity is an equal opportunity provider. Insurance contracts are products of the Insurance Agency and are:

— Not FDIC Insured
— Not Bank Guaranteed
— Not a Deposit
— Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency

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Lake Ridge Bank’s mission is to “create extraordinary banking experiences where everyone prospers.” For more than 100 years, this has meant getting to know each of our clients to offer personalized services to meet their specific financial goals. Lake Ridge Bank offers a full line of financial products and services. We focus on offering products and services to make your banking easy. Our business banking and mortgage lenders are trusted leaders in their field with the expertise to provide the right loan at the best rate possible for our clients. As a community bank, we are dedicated to reinvesting in, and making our communities great places to live, work and raise a family. Visit lakeridge.bank to learn more about how we can help you. Member FDIC

Lake Ridge Bank. Go Far. Go Together!

For additional information, please contact Mark Schellpfeffer at mschellpfeffer@lakeridge.bank.