A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke It’s pretty neat when the Valley gets national attention, which happened twice recently. Jake O’ from Plain appeared on the television program American Song Contest. (I’m the process of interviewing him about it.) Nina’s Department and Variety Store was the second one. Nina’s was named one of the top 10 – number three in fact – Greatest 5 & 10 Stores Still Open in 2022 by Vidler’s 5&10, the largest and most well-known variety store in America, according to their blog. It’s located in East Aurora, New York.  “Vidler’s has received numerous awards for New York state’s small business of the year.  In addition the Hallmark network has filmed five movies using the stores exterior and interiors.  Don is also an amateur historian, chronicling the variety store in American history in a series  of blogs.  He visited our store about 10 years ago. “The rankings are subjective based on Don’s experience in the industry. (It would be like the editor of the New York Times naming  the Home News to a ten best list of small town newspapers without any criteria given-but hey, he is the editor of the NYT).  I guess you could call it peer recognition,” Joel Marcus, who, with his lovely wife Judy, is the owner of the beloved store, told me. The blog reads: “#3 Nina’s Dept. & Variety Store - Spring Green, Wisconsin. Founded In 1916 “Nina’s Dept. & Variety Store, located at 143 E. Jefferson St. Spring Green, Wisconsin, is a historic department store that’s filled with all kinds of awesome historic and modern goods.  “It’s been family-owned-and-operated for four generations, since 1916. You’ll find clothing, home essentials, natural yarns, classic toys, and so much more. “This store also has a really interesting history. For example, back in 1933, during the blight of the Great Depression, the name of the store was temporarily changed to The Economy Store, to reflect new lower-priced inventory and merchandise.” The other stores on the list are:  #1. A.L. Stickle Variety Store - Rhinebeck, New York. Founded In 1951 #2 Dick’s 5 & 10 - Branson, Missouri. Founded In 1961 #4 Emery’s 5 & 10 - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Founded In 1927 #5 Vidler’s 5 & 10 - East Aurora, New York. Founded In 1930 #6 Bachman’s Store - Central Lake, Michigan. Founded In 1942 #7 National 5 & 10 - Newark, Delaware. Founded In 1931 #8 Sag Harbor Variety Store - Sag Harbor, New York. Founded In 1922 #9 Miller’s 5 & 10 - Boonville, Indiana. Founded In 1958 #10 Ward’s 5 & 10 - Closter, New Jersey. Founded In 1960 Interestingly, Nina’s is the oldest store on Vidler’s list. Nina’s, as  you may or may not remember, celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2016. Sauk County recognized it in 2002 as a Sauk County Historical Site.  While I’m not exactly a 5 & 10 aficionado, I am a big fan of Nina’s. I cannot tell you how much I’ve appreciated having them in our community. When my kids were young and the Home News office was right around the corner, I’d send them to Nina’s with a blank check for their back-to-school supplies all by themselves. Joel and whoever was working knew them because they knew all the kids in town. They’d help them get what they needed – and let them buy a treat because I’d signed off on it. It was really neat to give the kids that kind of freedom and to know I could trust everyone at Nina’s. And I hope one day soon granddaughter Mildred will be able to shop at Nina’s all by herself. Because it’s a one of those cornerstones that are what small town life is all about. In last week’s A View of the Valley I wrote about the avian flu. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said that it has been found in wild birds in Wisconsin. The DNR asks the public to email or call with reports of waterfowl, waterbirds, raptors (especially bald eagles) and avian scavengers such as crows, ravens and gulls showing tremors, circling movement or holding their heads in an unusual position. These symptoms may be a sign of bird flu. The reports can be made to the DNR Wildlife Hotline by emailing DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wi.gov or by leaving a voicemail message for a return phone call at (608) 267-0866. Anyone who observes sick or dead birds should minimize contact with them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this strain of bird flu “does not present an immediate public health concern, and no human cases of avian influenza have been found in the United States” but it’s a good idea to be careful. I also want to let you know that the bird flu has been found in a backyard flock of chickens in Rock County, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reported last week.  Stay in touch. My phone number is (608) 574-3159 – call or text me anytime. You can also email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  Visit our website at homenewsrv.com Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.