Letters to the editor

Institutional Pillars of Black Earth   The institutional pillars of the Black Earth Community are those organizations with major contributions of time from volunteers, which provide services to residents, businesses and non-governmental organizations, as well as to visitors to our community.  If these pillars are strong and mutually supportive, then it is more likely that community problems we experience can be resolved.    Also, if these pillars are strong, people looking for a place to live will more likely to become residents, and businesses and NGOs looking to invest will more likely investment in our community. Community members can help strengthen these pillars by participating in their functioning according to their interests and talents. What are these pillars?  We start with a list of 18 (the order is random).  What would you add?     Black Earth Fire District  Emergency Medical Service (EMS) District 1 Black Earth Library and Friends of the Library Wisconsin Heights School District Black Earth Historical Society Black Earth Village Board of Trustees Black Earth Chamber of Commerce New Heights Lutheran Church Vermont Lutheran Church Midland United Methodist Church Town of Vermont Town of Black Earth Town of Berry Black Earth Creek Watershed Association Gateway to the Driftless Vanguard Commission (Black Earth Electric and Vanguard Electric) Village Dept. of Public Works Star News   You may notice that these pillars do not stand alone – in practice they are interconnected.  These interconnections help make them stronger. How can you help assure they remain strong and vibrant?   David Stanfield Peter Antonie Vermont Township   The immediate difficulties and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults resulted in an incredible response by the Dane County Aging Network that includes your Senior Focal Point.  When COVID-19 spread to our community, our aging population were the most impacted as they were the ones that were disproportionately affected by the easily transmittable disease. Instead of focusing programs on bringing older adults together, immediate efforts were taken to help them stay safe in sheltering at home.  Focal Point staff kept the Aging Network up-to-date by reporting the constant changes in their operations to ensure vital programs continued to be safely offered to our vulnerable older adults.  Programs continued without a hitch despite staff working remotely. Case mangers checked on and “window” visited vulnerable clients to address their needs and support them living independently in their homes.  Meals for older adults that were previously provided at local restaurants or dining sites were switched overnight to home-delivered meals or curbside deliveries. Focal Point staff and volunteers quickly pivoted to successfully provide an amazing amount of meals.  In order to combat the serious concern for loneliness and social isolation, Focal Point staff and volunteers distributed activities to the home-bound and offered virtual programming to engage those able to use technology.  Please join the AAA Board in thanking the Senior Focal Point staff and volunteers in supporting our aging population who are resilient and a valuable asset to our County.    Melissa Ratcliff County Board Supervisor District 36 Area Agency on Aging Board Chair