A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke Last Tuesday’s ice storm on February 22, 2022, came exactly 100 years after one of the worst ice storms in state history on February 22, 1922. The Sauk County Historical Society planned a presentation about it not knowing that Mother Nature had a  reprise planned for the day.  It was definitely a day to stay home but that was not possible for many people. The crews out working to salt the roads and do what plowing they could without polishing the ice to an even glassier surface are to be thanked. They did a good job in a really challenging situation. Emergency service workers like the police were on duty. And people in medical fields were on the job. Which, I have to say, was something of a mixed blessing. Jim and I had to go Madison that day for a doctor’s appointment. Because specialists are hard to get to see in normal times (it’s been understandably worse with the pandemic) we couldn’t reschedule, although we checked. The office-person, when Jim called to see if the appointment would be postponed, seemed surprised to be asked. I mean, what’s a little bad weather? Most of their patients must live close by because when we actually made it there and mentioned the road conditions, they were apologetic. Although the guy at the desk had never heard of Spring Green and had no idea getting there would be an issue. In any case, we made it there after a harrowing trip.  We left Spring Green a little after 7:30 a.m. for a 9:20 a.m. appointment and needed every minute. Sleet was falling as we pulled out of the driveway and got heavier quickly. When we got to the viaduct on Highway 14, I thought I saw a flash in the sky. I asked Jim if he saw it and he said he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Once on the bridge, we saw what we eventually realized was lighting again and again. If the sleet hadn’t been falling so heavily that we had to shout to be heard, we probably would have heard the thunder and figured out what was going on a lot sooner. The roads were ice covered and just crappy all the way to Madison. Fortunately, there wasn’t a lot of traffic. Unfortunately, some of the vehicles on the road didn’t seem to be aware of the icy conditions. Four or five big pickup trucks passed us, just flying by as though they hadn’t a care in the world. It was scary but luckily we didn’t see any of them end up in a ditch.  The beltline in Madison was nuts, as always, but somehow we got to the east side without incident. Once arrived, I was too paranoid about the trip home to check the radar or Wisconsin 511. We had to get home and I was thinking the less I knew, the better. Which was just as well. A stop in Sauk was necessary so we took Highway 12, which we thought would be better because it tends to have more traffic. No such luck. It was worse than the beltline or 14. Going slow, without an appointment looming, I missed my favorite views on the drive. But it was too overcast to see them anyway.  Finally actually heading home, we decided to follow the advice of the Spring Green EMTs who once hauled me to Sauk during a snowstorm. They said that Highway 60 is quicker but on bad roads it’s pretty challenging so they took Highway 78 to 14 which is only a few minutes longer. Highway 78 is a beautiful drive on a normal day. Without much traffic, we were able to drive about 40 m.p.h. without worry. Finally hitting 14, we were pleased and amazed that the roads were better – by a lot. We saw pavement for the first time all day. What a relief it was to smoothly finish the trip and pull back into our driveway. My muscles were so tense that I needed to take a hot bath before I could relax. I am so grateful we made it home and glad I can unload about it here.  I wasn’t brave enough to venture back out and drive to Baraboo to learn about the 100 year ago storm and I thought the program might be rescheduled. But the Sauk County Historical Society went ahead with the presentation as conditions improved. It will be given online today, Wednesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. and you can register at saukcountyhistory.org  It sounds like we got lucky this time around as part of the report of the storm in 1922 reads: “On and around February 22, 1922 most of Wisconsin was pummeled by a ferocious winter storm which left 1 to 4 inches of ice across much of the state. Trees toppled like toothpicks and electric power and telephone poles snapped leaving some communities cut off and in the dark for over a month. Across Sauk County people were transported back to pioneer times digging out old oil lanterns while they listened to the sound of trees cracking all through the night. A few houses were damaged and windows broken and the next morning the site of devastation was one that even old timers had never witnessed. Virtually every tree sustained damage and many roads were impassable. The coating of ice however was also eerily beautiful as it glistened in the sun on every exterior surface. People with new-fangled Kodak cameras ventured out to take pictures. News of the storm from elsewhere in the state was slow to arrive due to the damage to telegraph and telephone poles. Even many newspapers could not be printed due to the lack of electricity to run printing presses. When news did arrive many in Sauk County discovered that they were in far better shape than others. In Richland Center ice backed up against a bridge and flooded 25 blocks in the middle of the night. Large chunks of ice weighing tons floated through the city bumping into houses. Further north in the state the ice storm was followed by heavy snow. In Wausau roofs caved in. In some communities, electrical power would not be restored for over a month.” On another note, I sent letters and emails out to all the candidates running for office in the River Valley area. I’ve heard back from a lot of candidates and am including their stories over the next couple weeks. I haven’t heard back from everyone. I think it’s important that the voters know what elected officials think about local issues, whether they are running opposed or not. If the folks up for election just don’t feel like answering, it’s unfortunate. If you’re a candidate and didn’t get a letter or email, please email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or give me a call and let me know you didn’t get the questions and I’ll send them again right away. I’d like to get them in before the April 5 election. 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