June 11, 2024

Today’s Forecast

73º | 8% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:17 a.m. | Sunset 8:37 p.m.

From the depths

Scientists are on a lakeshore pulling out an ancient dugout canoe found in the lake.jpeg

Maritime archaeologists recovered a 3,000-year-old dugout canoe from Lake Mendota. | Photo via Wisconsin Historical Society (Dean Witter)

Beneath Lake Mendota’s waters are a cache of dugout canoes made long ago by the Ho-Chunk people. In May, one was radiocarbon dated to be 4,500 years old.

To put that in perspective, it was made around the time of the pyramids of Egypt, the construction of Stonehenge, and more than 1,700 years before Ancient Rome was settled.

Indeed, the waters of Tee Waksikhominak (the lake’s name in the Ho-Chunk language) carries a deep history.

An underwater photo of a thousands-year-old dugout canoe.JPG — Underwater image of a dugout canoe from Lake Mendota discovered in 2021. | Photo via Wisconsin Historical Society (Tamara Thomsen)

Discovery

In 2021, the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), in partnership with the Native Nations of Wisconsin, began recovering two dugout canoes. Testing revealed that one was 1,200 years old and the second 3,000 years old.

Later, the organization found even older pieces of canoes in the same area, as many as 11 in total, including the recently revealed 4,500-year-old canoe.

After the Wisconsin Historical Society consulted with partners of the Ho-Chunk Nation, it was decided to recover the two boats for study.

Three men examine an ancient dugout canoe in a lab.jpeg — Members of the Ho-Chunk Nation clean a 3,000-year-old dugout canoe recovered from Lake Mendota. | Photo via Wisconsin Historical Society (Dean Witter)

“Seeing these canoes with one’s own eyes is a powerful experience, and they serve as a physical representation of what we know from extensive oral traditions that Native scholars have passed down over generations,” said Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation Bill Quackenbush upon the canoes being found.

“We are excited to learn all we can from this site using the technology and tools available to us, and to continue to share the enduring stories and ingenuity of our ancestors.”

Click the button below to learn more about the scientist’s findings and what comes next for the canoes.

Journey on

Events

Tuesday, June 11

Boats and Bloom Bake Shop | Tuesday, June 11 | 6-10 a.m. | Wingra Boats, 824 Knickerbocker St., Madison | Cost of purchase | An early morning paddle with a pastry in hand is a good way to start the day.
The Making of Pioneer Wisconsin | Tuesday, June 11 | 6:30 p.m. | UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | Free | This talk, presented by the Wisconsin Historical Society, shares the stories of the state’s early settlers.

Wednesday, June 12

Exploring Poetry | Wednesday, June 12 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Spend some time with some rhyme, whether you read, recite, or write it.
Library 50th Anniversary Party | Wednesday, June 12 | 3-6 p.m. | Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Rd., Madison | Free | The library will celebrate half a century with food, face painting, and music from DJ Pain One.

Thursday, June 13

Gilda’s Backyard BBQ | Thursday, June 13 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Gilda’s Club Madison, 7907 UW Health Ct., Middleton | $75 | Enjoy some delicious food, complete with live music and a live auction, while supporting local cancer care.

Friday, June 14

Cocktails and Cycles | Friday, June 14 | 4-7 p.m. | State Line Distillery, 1413 Northern Ct., Madison | $99 | Get your bicycle professionally tuned up while you sip on craft cocktails.
Orville Peck | Friday, June 14 | 7 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $60-$375 (resale) | The masked singer is touring after his new Willie Nelson duet, “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

What once was the Lake Monona Waterfront Project is now Madison LakeWay. The rebrand comes as officials begin raising funds for the project. The first phase of construction is expected to kick off in 2026 and cost around $14 million. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Civic

Dane County and City of Madison will soon begin work on a new election center at the former Ale Asylum Brewery on the north side. Opening by 2026, the $19 million, 40,000-sqft elections hub will be used for storage, ballot processing, and recounts. (Spectrum News 1)

Sports

Before Forward Madison FC’s first-ever nationally televised game (Saturday, June 15), a goal by ‘Mingos striker Joan Galindrez against the Chatanooga Red Wolves SC was highlighted on “SportsCenter’s” Top 10.(Madison365)

Kids

Talking about a great play, a new playground is now open at Oak Park Heights Park. Located at 641 Hilltop Dr., it includes an adaptive swing set, a multi-use spinner, and a climbing structure.

Weather

Though the summer forecast in Madison looks sunny this year, the Dane County Regional Airport has already had four daily precipitation records this year and, typically, the warmer months generate more rainfall. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Arts

Middleton High School student Ava Greenberg is heading to Broadway, representing the Overture Center’s Jerry Awards Program. Nominated for “Best Performance by an Actress” in “Urinetown,” Greenberg will attend the June 24 ceremony hosted by Josh Groban. (Channel 3000)

Finance

Expert tip: During economic times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. By simply transferring your existing credit card balances to this card, you’ll give yourself 18 months to pay it off — without interest. (Bonus: Earn 2% cash back on everyday purchases while you’re at it.)*

Real Estate

Haven’t found your dream home yet? Take a tour of a Victory Homes of Wisconsin model home. Their expert designers can help you personalize one of the base plans or design a truly unique home to meet your needs. Happy house building, Madison.*

Wellness

Looking for a game-changing night of sleep? Fall asleep + wake up rested with Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies. Get 30% off a $55 minimum purchase with code CBDSLEEP30.*

Community

Finding buddies over hot brews

Four twenty-somethings sit at a coffee shop in delightful conversation.jpg

Mesh is a new app created by a local from Monona. | Photo via Mesh

Local entrepreneur Michael Orosz-Fagan launched a new free app, Mesh, that matches groups of Madisonians with potential friends.

How it works

Sign up by filling out a four-minute online survey.
Each Wednesday, you’ll get a text message asking if you’re up for a Saturday coffee with new friends.
Those who say “Yes” are grouped into fours.
On Thursday, you’ll be assigned a coffee shop to meet at.
On Saturday, before the meetup, you’ll get another text with photos of your group members (this is for safety and to help everyone find each other).

Orosz-Fagen, who grew up in Monona, said, “What we want to do is provide really fun and safe connections for people.”

Where do you meet new friends in Madison? Let us know.

The Buy

A cute swimsuit cover that combines the classic look of a button down shirt with extra length so everything’s covered.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan

From the editor

It’s well-known that finding friends as adults is a challenge. I’m still somewhat new to the 608 and I can confirm that it’s an adventure finding a pal. Luckily, there are oodles of events in our fair city to find like-minded folk.

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