Good Morning, Fitchrona! Happy Memorial Day!

The Focus is the highlight of your Monday morning - something you can enjoy in under 5 minutes with your coffee!

Let’s fill our cups ☕!

-Liv - Fitchrona Focus Founder

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Rebates & Discounts Available for Rain Barrels in Verona and Fitchburg

Capturing rainwater from your rooftop is a smart and sustainable choice. It helps:

• Lower your water bill

• Protect local lakes, streams, and rivers

• Provide chemical-free water for lawns, gardens, and potted plants

Because harvested rainwater is free of chloride, fluoride, and other additives commonly found in municipal water, it’s ideal for outdoor watering. Slowly releasing collected rainwater after a storm allows it to soak into the ground, reducing polluted runoff that would otherwise enter storm drains and waterways.

Please note: harvested rainwater is non-potable and should not be used for drinking, cooking, swimming pools, fishponds, or bird baths.

Both cities are partners in Ripple Effects Wisconsin, a regional collaboration focused on stormwater education and clean water efforts.

Verona Residents:

The City of Verona’s Rain Barrel Rebate Program offers $30 per 35 gallons of capacity, with a maximum of four rebates per property over the life of the program. Rebates are issued as credits on eligible stormwater utility accounts and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a total annual cap of $5,000 in program funding.

Rain barrels must be purchased and installed in the same calendar year, and applications must be submitted within three months of purchase. Homemade barrels and conversion kits may also qualify.

If you purchase your rain barrel through the Dane County Rain Barrel Program, you may also be eligible for a second rebate.

Verona Rain Barrel Rebate Program

Fitchburg Residents:

Fitchburg residents are eligible for a discounted rain barrel through the Dane County Rain Barrel Program, plus a $30 refund from the City of Fitchburg. This makes it even easier to save money while protecting our local water systems.

Dane County Rain Barrel Program

Crafting a Career—and a Beer: UW Students Brew Up Success with Lake Louie

This spring, students in UW–Madison’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering took their classroom knowledge to the next level—by brewing beer and competing to have it produced on a professional scale.

Twelve seniors teamed up to create original recipes for an extra special bitter (ESB) beer, guided by brewing experts including Kirby Nelson, brewmaster at Lake Louie Brewing. After weeks of recipe testing and hands-on brewing, their creations were judged by a panel of professionals from Karben4, Great Dane, and Lake Louie. The top honor went to Smooth Criminal, crafted by students Michael Maggiacomo and Jackson Puent. Judges described it as a perfect fusion of approachable malt flavor and bright, balanced bitterness.

As a reward, Lake Louie scaled up the winning recipe for production at its Oconomowoc facility—with the student brewers joining the process to help kick off the brew.

Now that brewing is complete, Smooth Criminal is officially on tap at Lake Louie’s Verona taproom. Stop by and taste the student-brewed beer!

Exciting News for Pickleball Players!

The City of Fitchburg heard you loud and clear—more pickleball courts are on the way! Construction kicks off this week on the McGaw Park Pickleball Courts Expansion.

They’re adding 4 brand-new courts and a concrete patio to upgrade your playing experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting into the game, you’ll soon have more space to play, connect, and compete.

Expected completion: mid to late June — just in time for a summer packed with pickleball fun!

And don’t forget: as we mentioned in last week’s Fitchrona Focus, 3 more free pickleball skills & drills sessions are coming up. More details here.

Atomic Antiques Hosts First Outdoor Flea Market and Two-Day Storewide Sale

Atomic Antiques is bringing even more vintage charm to the community with its first-ever outdoor flea market, happening Saturday, May 31st in front of the store. The flea market runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering shoppers a chance to browse unique finds and meet some of the friendly vendors behind the scenes.

The celebration continues with a two-day storewide sale—enjoy 10% off everything in the store on both Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up that piece you've had your eye on or discover something completely unexpected.

Throughout the weekend, guests can enter raffles to win Atomic Antiques gift cards. On Saturday, don’t miss a special in-store demonstration by dealer Dennis Hiorns, also known as The Hardwood Craftsman. He’ll be showcasing expert furniture repair techniques, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the skills that bring antique pieces back to life.

The store will be open extended hours on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and regular hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on Sunday. Whether you're a regular customer or just curious to explore, this weekend is the perfect time to stop by, support local vendors, and discover something special.

HAPPENINGS

🗓️ - Check out FitchronaFocus.com for full event details and to see all events!

• Monday, May 26th

  • 🎺 - 8 am - 8 pm - Memorial Day Fun @ Seven Acres Dairy

  • 🎵 - 2 pm - 5 pm - Live Music: They Drive by Nigh @ The Mill Paoli

  • 🍺 - 2 pm - Midnight - $1 Miller Lite @ Cahoots Verona 

  • 🎺 - 12:30 pm - Fitchburg’s Annual Memorial Day Observance @ Gorman Wayside Veterans Memorial Park 

  • 🍺 - 6 pm - 7 pm - Bingo Night@ Stone Porch Alehouse

• Tuesday, May 27th

  • 👟 - 5:30 pm - Yoga & Trail Run @ UW Madison Arboretum

  • 🎮 - 6 pm - 10 pm - Tuesday Night Roleplaying @ Noble Knight Games 

  • 🎵 - 6pm - 9pm – Live Music: Elizabeth Mary @ Lake Louie Brewing Company

  • 📖 - 6pm - Read & Roam (Must Register) @ Tricky Foods

  • ❓ - 6:30 pm - Drag Queen Bingo with Kendra Banx$ @ Fifth Quarter

  • ♥️ - 7 pm bal- Japanese Marbling @ Verona Public Library

• Wednesday, May 28th

  • 🍕 - 5 pm - 8 pm - Chavez Sugar River Pizza Fundraiser @ Lake Louie Brewing

  • 🎵 - 5:30 pm - Live Music: Mike Droho @ Seminole Tap

  • 🚲 - 5:30 pm - E-Bike Capital Brewery Bike Club Ride (12-18 miles) with @CapitalE-Bikes @ Capital City Brewery

  • 📖 - 6 pm - Read & Roam (Must Register) @ Grape Water

  • ✝️ - 6 pm - 9 pm - Christian Café’s Faith & Fellowship Night @ COPA Madison

  • 🎵 - 6 pm - 9 pm - Live Music: James Crockett @ Stone Porch Alehouse

  • ❓ - 7 pm - 9 pm - Trivia Night @ Thirsty Goat 

• Thursday, May 29th

  • 🍕 - 5 pm - Pizza on The Farm Night @ Four Winds Farm 

  • 🎵 - 6 pm - Live Music: Just Merl and a Girl @ Quivey’s Grove

  • 🎵 - 6 pm - Live Music: Dino Ante’s Music @ Paoli Schoolhouse Bistro 

  • 👟 - 6:15 pm - Free Pub Run (3-5 mile social run) - Fleet Feet @ Delta Beer Lab

• Friday, May 30th

  • 🧘 - 9 am - 10:15 am – Gather & Grow Madison Women’s Network (Free) featuring Holistic Biz Growth @ Ether Wellness 

  • 🐟 - 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Outdoor Fish Fry @ Seven Acres Dairy

  • 🎵 - 5 pm - 8 pm - Live Music: Hammock Wilburn @ The Mill Paoli

  • 🎵 - 6 pm - Live on the Patio: Kristin Toon @ The Bogey Factory

  • 🎵 - 6 pm - 8 pm - Night Outdoor Live Music Series: Acoustic Collective @ The Creekside Scoop

• Saturday, May 31st

  • 👟 -  7:30 am - 10:30 am - Girls On The Run Spring 5K @ Verona Area Highschool

  • 🎨 - 9 am - Custom Birth Month Flower, Earrings & Pendant Workshop@ Verona Maker Space

  • 🛒 - 9 am - 3 pm - Flea Market Outside + 10% Off Everything in Store @ Atomic Antiques

  • 🧘 + 🍺 - 11 am - Yoga On Tap with The Local Movement @ Lake Louie 

  • 🌹 1 pm - Rose Festival @ Waterford Wine & Spirits Fitchburg 

  • 🧘 - 1 pm - 2:30 pm - Body Image & Movement Workshop featuring Beneblends @ Dragonfly Hot Yoga Verona 

  • 🩰 - 2 pm - 4:30 pm – 2025 Spring Ballet Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz - Ballet_u @ Badger Ridge Middle School

  • 🎵 - 5 pm - 8 pm - Live Music: The Big Wu @ Seven Acres Dairy 

  • 🎵 - 6 pm - 9 pm: Live Music - That Gurl @ Lake Louie 

  • 🎵 - 8 pm - 11 pm - Live Music: JMB  @ Paddy Mac’s 

• Sunday, June 1st

  • 👟 - 7 am - Sunday Long Run put on By Fleet Feet Madison @ Meet at Riley’s Tavern Verona

  • 🧘 - 8:15 am - Yoga with Mandy @ Nurture Coffee - Belleville 

  • 🛒 - 10 am - 6 pm – 10% Off Everything in Store @ Atomic Antiques

  • 🎵 - 2 pm - 5 pm – Live Music: Susie & Randy Duo @ Doundrins Distilling 

  • 🎵 - 1 pm - 4 pm - Live Music: Bree Morgan put on by Mount Horeb Country Muisic Faire @ Lake Louie 

MAKER FEATURE

This week’s maker feature is Tori’s Trinkets

Hey there, I'm Tori, the maker behind the Trinkets! My passion for jewelry making started way back when my mom opened a bead store on the main street of our hometown.

As a kid, I was thrilled to lend a hand and watch my mom teach classes and host parties where our community could unleash their creativity. My grandma was also a fixture around the shop, helping keep the wheels turning. Looking back, I feel so lucky to have grown up watching two fierce ladies run a small business in our town. It's no surprise that my love for jewelry making is still going strong. Crafting beautiful pieces that bring joy to others is my way of carrying on the family legacy. Fast-forward to 2020, deep in lock down I fell back into jewelry making as a creative outlet and a way to cope. I shared a picture of some of the pieces I had been making on my Instagram story and friends and family reached out asking if they could buy some of them. That lit the spark for the beginning of Tori’s Trinkets & I’ve been healing your inner child one silly pair of earrings at a time.

You can find me on State Street selling my trinkets every Saturday during the Dane County Farmers Market. You can also find information & tickets on my Necklace Workshops I lead on toristrinketshop.com

NEIGHBORHOOD DEAL

This week’s neighborhood deal is at Zafferano!

Ladies’ Night at Zafferano

Round up your girlfriends and head to Zafferano for a stylish night out. Every Thursday from 5:00 to 9:30 PM, enjoy $8 cocktails when seated at the bar.

Good vibes, great drinks, and even better company—what more could you ask for?

Don’t forget, this applies to NA options too!

THANK YOU!

Thanks for reading the Fitchrona Focus today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who wants to check out all of Fitchrona’s incredible live music this week!

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