Plus, the brandy old fashioned is the official state cocktail.
 
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57º | Sunny | 3% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:47 a.m. | Sunset 4:35 p.m.
 

🗣️ Keep talkin’

Ho-Chunk Nation aims to preserve its endangered language
608-HoChunkFlag-Nov23.jpeg
There are around 7,800 Ho-Chunk Nation members, though there are only 40 speakers of the Ho-Chunk language left. | Wikimedia Commons
Aho. That means “hello” in Hoocak. It’s one of the nation’s oldest languages, one based here in Wisconsin, and it’s nearly extinct. Tens of thousands of years old, and spoken for a multitude of generations, the language is almost gone. It is estimated that fewer than 40 individuals speak Hoocąk, the language of the Ho-Chunk people.

Wanting to preserve and revitalize Hoocąk, the Ho-Chunk Nation recently brought elder members together in Black River Falls, the administrative center for the Ho-Chunk Nation, to record samples of the language.

The Ho-Chunk, of which there are ~7,800 members, is doing a lot to preserve the language; it being a vital part of their identity:

Hoocak Waaziija Haci Language Division

The program, part of the Ho-Chunk government, is dedicated to keeping Hoocąk a “living language.” They do this through the Hoocąk Academy, a community outreach program for language learning; the Language Apprentice Program, aiming to create new teachers of the language; and EeCoonį, an early childhood learning program.

Schools

Since 2001, the language has been taught in a handful of high schools at public school districts throughout Wisconsin, including Baraboo, Black River Falls, and Tomah high schools, as well as in Wisconsin Dells and Wisconsin Rapids.

608 ho chunk at uw-madison

Check out UW-Madison’s Ho-Chunk education opportunities. | Photo by Ho-Chunk Nation legislature

The Madison Metropolitan School District has some Hoocąk offerings, and UW-Madison offers non-credit classes for all.

Online

In 2022, an online and mobile dictionary was created. It includes nearly 12,000 entries and over 9,000 example sentences.

At one time, there were more than 300 distinct Indigenous languages spoken in the US, according to the Administration for Native Americans; 175 remain. Without restoration efforts, experts predict that by 2050 only 20 languages will still be spoken.

Learn more

As part of Madison Public Library’s Teejop and Beyond program, Madisonians are invited to learn about the Ho-Chunk language on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the central library.
Events
Monday, Nov. 13
  • LEGO®: Movie and Build | Monday, Nov. 13 | 4 p.m. | Hawthorne Library, 2707 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Join other youth and families for a showing of “The Little Mermaid” accompanied by LEGO building.
Tuesday, Nov. 14
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Tuesday, Nov. 14 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Dave and Buster’s, 414 W. Towne Mall, Madison | Free | Grab your fellow geeks for a night of trivia.
  • Lucid Tuesday | Tuesday, Nov. 14 | 9 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $5 | Every Tuesday, 8Hertz and Crucible Madison present a rotating selection of local electronic talent.
Wednesday, Nov. 15
  • COVID Vaccine Clinic | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 3 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Updated fall 2023 doses of Pfizer and Moderna are available while supplies last.
  • Cocktail Class 101 | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | $170 | Learn the basics of classic cocktails with high-end and local spirits.
Thursday, Nov. 16
  • Thanksgiving Charcuterie Workshop | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hodge Podge, 160 Keenan Ct., Verona | $35-$80 | “Wow” your dinner guests with skills taught by Madison Cheese Boards.
  • Music Bingo | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Starkweather Brewing Company, 2439 Atwood Ave., Madison | Free | A musical twist on a classic game.
Friday, Nov. 17
  • Friday Jazz Series | Friday, Nov. 17 | 5-7 p.m. | Tandem Press, 1743 Commercial Ave., Madison | Free | Enjoy tunes from the Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble and Contemporary Jazz Ensemble.
  • TheatreSports | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Atlas Improv Co., 609 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $5.20-$8.97 | Two teams of performers face off through fast-paced comedy improv.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Seasonal

Kick off the holiday season at Hilldale’s North Pole Party
santa and his elves walk through hilldale shopping center
Get in the holiday spirit. | Photo courtesy of Hilldale Shopping Center
You’re invited to celebrate the start of the most magical season at Hilldale. Jingle all the way to the North Pole Party on Sunday, Nov. 19, 3-6 p.m. Get in the holiday spirit with festive activities for all ages to enjoy, including:
  • Meeting Santa and his reindeer
  • Discovering gifts for everyone on your list
  • Enjoying seasonal treats (hot cocoa, s’mores, or mulled wine at Amara)
  • Caroling
  • and so much more
RSVP to the free, family-friendly event below.
Experience holiday magic
News Notes
Tech
  • The Madison Police Department and various local bars are trying out new technology to detect fake IDs. Intellicheck scans IDs with 94% accuracy to detect a fake. Additionally, Patron Scan has been introduced to local businesses, allowing them to communicate with one another + flag the IDs of individuals that cause issues. (WMTV)
Arts
  • Nonprofit organization LunART will honor the legacy of Emily Dickinson with a concert and poetry reading event, “The Legacy of Emily Dickinson: A Poetic Soundscape,” on Tuesday, Dec. 14, and Friday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15 to $30. (Madison 365)
Sports
  • Wisconsin women’s soccer triumphed over Milwaukee in the NCAA Tournament’s first round while other Wisconsin teams faced setbacks. Badgers football and men’s basketball, alongside the Bucks and Packers, suffered losses. Badgers volleyball secured a victory against Maryland but fell to Penn State. For details, visit WKOW’s sports page. (WKOW)
State
  • Wisconsin collected the most unused prescription medications of any state during the nation’s Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 28. The DOJ reported that 53,000+ pounds were collected. Pro tip: Find a local disposal site to dispose of unwanted medications. (WMTV)
Ranked
  • No. 15. That’s where Madison ranked on HVAC Gnome’s list of top US cities where you don’t need a car. To create the rankings, HVAC Gnome compared the US’s 200 largest cities on factors of walkability, bikeability, transit ridership, and pedestrian safety. (Good Good Good)
Concert
  • You oughta know that Alanis Morissette is bringing her “The Triple Moon Tour” to the American Family Insurance Amphitheater in Milwaukee on July 28, 2024. Ticket sales for the general public begin on Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m.
Community
  • Locals are invited to attend the Hmong Noj Tsiab Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Hmong Institute. The event will celebrate this East and Southeast Asian culture with traditional food, music, activities, and competitions. Register to attend. (Madison 365)
Trending
  • The Overture Center for the Arts is in its Delta era. Be sure to watch the airline’s safety video next time you’re preparing for take off to see shots of the prominent Madison performance venue. Get a glimpse of the center’s Hollywood moment here.
History
  • Join UW-Madison Arboretum for its History of the Arboretum’s Lost City event on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to learn about the history of the failed Lake Forest development project + the land that is now home to the arboretum. Register for $20 by tomorrow.
Finance
  • This card is offering a rare $300 welcome bonus (and bonuses like that don’t come around that often). That’s why thousands are lining up for it. Learn more and apply.*
Trending
  • It’s here — Oprah’s Favorite Things list, just in time for the holidays. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.*
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Drink

🥃 We’ll drink to that

The brandy old fashioned is Wisconsin’s official state cocktail
Old fashioned drink
How do you order your old fashioneds? | Photo by 608today
Cheers to this. On Thursday, Nov. 9, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bipartisan resolution, making the brandy old fashioned the state’s official cocktail.

The declaration makes the state cocktail somewhat official. Since the Assembly passed a resolution instead of a bill, the cocktail won’t be added to Wisconsin’s list of official state symbols like milk as the state beverage and kringle as the state pastry. To pass a bill, a public hearing and signature from the governor are required.

Ready to celebrate? Make yourself a brandy old fashioned, take a picture of your drink, and share it with us. We may even feature your concoction in an upcoming newsletter.

Bonus: Brandy lovers will love this list of 24 classic brandy cocktails.
Asked

How do you order your old fashioneds?
A. Sweet
B. Sour
Let us know
The Buy

The Buy 11.13.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
This best-selling women’s pea coat you can wear with anything. We’re liking colors camel and khaki.
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The Wrap
 
Emily Shea wearing a black shirt next to houseplants

Today’s edition by:
Emily
From the editor
I fly often because I love to travel + I hate to admit it, but I tend to zone out during the safety video and demonstration. However, I guess I’ll have to pay attention the next time I fly Delta — my favorite US airline — so that I can spot the Overture Center.
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