Q+A with Madison Roller Derby 🛼

Madison Roller Derby is back

Catch a bout this season at Keva Sports Center in Middleton. | Photo by Dutcher Photography

After a three-year hiatus, Madison Roller Derby is back. We chatted with Amy “Scary Fisher” Wasney about what roller derby means to her, common misconceptions, and how Madisonians can get involved on and off the rink.

Q: How did you get introduced to roller derby?
A: A friend let me know my local team was hosting a “boot camp” and we went to see what it was all about. In that first lesson, all those people I had thought were intimidating were actually the nicest, most supportive folks I’d ever met. I was instantly hooked.

Q: How can Madisonians get involved in roller derby?
A: This season’s bouts kick off this weekend. Come by to watch us on 12/10, 1/21, and 2/11 at Keva Sports Center. If you’d like to get more involved, feel free to email us.

Q: Where do you stand on the use of real names vs. alter ego names?
A: This is a very “to each their own” topic. I love using my alter ego name. Skating as Scary Fisher, I feel fearless and tough. However, I don’t fault anyone for wanting to use their real name. They are taking that skate track and making it fully their own, and I absolutely respect that. Just because other sports use only their real names doesn’t mean we can’t be taken seriously as a sport because we do it differently.

Q: Are there any misconceptions about roller derby that you often face?
A: Whenever I tell someone I play roller derby, the first thing they ask is if we elbow each other in the face. They’ve seen the old style of roller derby on TV that had staged fights and bloody noses. While it is still a full-contact sport and I have plenty of bruises I wear like badges of honor, there are also rules and safety precautions in place. It’s a real sport, not just people throwing punches.

Q: How can we stay connected with Madison Roller Derby?
A: Find us on Facebook and Instagram, and madisonrollerderby.org is our website. There’s also a YouTube channel where you can watch past bouts.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW

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Today, Dec. 9

Friday Family Films - The Perfect Holiday | Friday, Dec. 9 | 5:30 p.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Grab the fam for a free viewing of “The Perfect Holiday.” 🍿

Saturday, Dec. 10

Madison Roller Derby | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 6-10 p.m. | Keva Sports Center, 8312 Forsythia St., Middleton | $18 | Cheer on Madison Roller Derby at their home season opener after a three-year hiatus.
Meet Santa | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 1-3 p.m. | Starkweather Brewing Company, 2439 Atwood Ave., Madison | Free | Santa will be making everyone’s holiday wishes come true with candy canes for kids and beer for adults. 🍻

Sunday, Dec. 11

Modest Mouse | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $75+ | See the alternative indie band on their “Lonesome Crowded West” tour.
Drag Bingo | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 2-4 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | $5 | Enjoy bingo + bloody marys during this event sponsored by Delta Beer Lab.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

35º | Cloudy | 98% chance of snow

Traffic

An Amtrak station is on the horizon for Madison. There are six potential location options for a station that would welcome multiple daily stops from Chicago and Milwaukee. Get involved in the decision process by attending the public meetings being held in February and April. 🚆 (Channel 3000)

State

Pensions of roughly 22,000 current and retired Wisconsin workers will be shored up through 2051. This is due to a $36 billion relief awarded to the Central States Pension Fund, the largest relief in the program’s history. 💰 (Cap Times)

Environment

$478 million has been approved for funding a solar panel farm in Walworth county. Madison Gas and Electric will own 10% of this project with an investment of $47.4 million. (Madison.com)

Shop

The perfect gift doesn’t exi — meet our local makers gift guide. Browse unique, handmade gifts crafted right here in Madison by sellers on Etsy. We’re talking jewelry, home decor, and kitchen gadgets. Get shopping. 🎁
Wanna gift outside the box this year? Opt for an experiential gift from Uncommon Goods. From monthly gift subscriptions (like this Game of the Month Subscription) to hands-on classes taught by expert instructors (like a Raindrop Cake Class or Paint Your Pet Class), there’s something for everyone on your list.*

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Food

608 Recipe Swap: Charcuterie Wreath

Copy of Copy of 608-General Hero (7).jpg

Deck the halls (and your stomachs). | Graphic via Canva Pro by 608today team

We’re eating our way through the holiday season with a 608 recipe swap. Join in on the fun by submitting your recipe and start creating your community cookbook.

Today’s recipe comes from reader John S. This festive snack board is easy, customizable, and aesthetically pleasing.

🎄 Charcuterie Wreath

Ingredients

“There’s no right way to make this, whatever snack foods you enjoy that’ll fit on a toothpick work. We like to take a Caprese approach since the colors work well for Christmas.”

8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 oz. basil
8 oz. block Monterey jack cheese
12 oz. summer sausage
16 oz. gherkin pickles
toothpicks

Directions

Cut summer sausage into 1/2-in thick disks, and then each disk into fourths.

Cut gherkin pickles so they are half their original size in length.

Cube cheese into 1-in pieces

Place items on toothpicks (mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomatoes go together)

Arrange toothpicks in a circle on a large plate. Garnish with basil or other greens to give a garland wreath effect.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: Shoutout to reader Megan B. for suggesting the Mint Mark for their seasonal tequila drink, Jupiter’s Drop. It was delicious and I will be back for more before the menu changes.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We learned about Wisconsin’s effigy mound culture.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Ally Geiger, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Ana Gibson | Advertise with us.

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