Lake Country This Month

Page 4A • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY January 2016 ArtWorks Studio Clearance January 23, 2016, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Admission: $5 at the door or bring 2 can goods for the Waukesha Food Pantry and get into the show free. No charge for children under 12 and senior citizens over 65. WAUKESHA EXPO CENTER ARENA 1000 Northview Road, WAUKESHA, WI Free Parking ArtWorksWisconsin.com Ceramics • Painting • Fiber • Jewelry • Photography • Glass • Mixed Media To Milwaukee Northview Rd. Waukesha Expo Center N. Grandview Blvd. Pewaukee Rd. To Madison 94 Best selection in the morning • Best prices in the afternoon • 25% - 90% off quality art By Ryan Billingham Enterprise Staff S UMMIT — It has been four years since Dako- ta the great hor ned owl was rescued after being nabbed from his outdoor cage by teenagers, then escaping and nearly dying from malnutrition. Lisa Rowe, director of operations for the Wildlife in Need Center at W349- S1480 S. Waterville Road, said Dakota is doing well but still suffers from last- ing psychological damage. "He is still nervous around teenage boys," Rowe said. "And people wearing hats, too." Two teenage boys — Dilan White and Matthew Kuhlemeyer — were charged with burglary and criminal damage to proper- ty for allegedly breaking into the center and stealing the owl from his outdoor cage on Nov. 12, 2011. Dako- ta soon escaped to woods near Dousman, where he was picked up a few weeks later, nearly dead from mal- nutrition and dehydration. The two teens were con- victed and sentenced to 18 months of probation, 80 hours of community ser- vice with people in need and paid $6,500 apiece in restitution to the center. After a short rehabilita- tion time, Dakota started serving again as an ambas- sador animal for the center. After three years he is physically healthy but the traces of his trauma remain, according to Rowe. An important ambassador In the days during and following Dakota's owl-nap- ping and recovery, the cen- ter received hundreds of letters from adults and chil- dren voicing their support and love for the bird. Rowe said she received a letter from a sick child in which she wrote that Dako- ta had better take his medicine, because she had to take medicine and even though it's hard it makes her feel better. For Rowe, the response confir med what she already suspected. Dakota, along with the center's other animal ambassadors, give people an emotional stake in the well-being of wildlife. It makes it person- al, she said. Last year, Dakota and the center suffered another trauma when Leslie Kiehl, a longtime employee and educator at the center, died from lung cancer. Kiehl and Dakota shared a special bond, Rowe said. Kiehl, often referred to as "the Owl Lady," left what will be an enduring legacy through the Leslie Kiehl Education Program Fund. Unfortunate imprint Dakota came into the center's possession after being raised by a family in norther n Wisconsin from infancy. When he became sick and malnourished, the center stepped in. Unfortunately for Dakota, he had already been imprinted on by his human captors making a life in the wild — where he would have to hunt, find water and mate — impossible. He soon became one of the most popular ambas- sador animals the center uses to help spread aware- ness about wildlife issues and about the center's mis- sion to care for them and return them to the wild. "Dakota, with his huge, gold eyes, really makes an impression," Rowe said. She said schoolchildren in particular are fascinated with the bird of prey. At 1:15 p.m. Jan. 31 the center will host its annual Groundhog Day Meet and Greet with all of its animal ambassadors at its Water- ville Road facility. Waldo the Woodchuck — who like Dakota was kidnapped and kept as a pet as a baby — will be there to predict how much more winter is in store. For more information on the center and the event, go to www.helpingwildlife.org. The small staff at the cen- ter answers over 10,000 phone calls a year from people in need of advice or help with wildlife issues. It treats up to 3,000 animals of over 140 species annually. Over 45,000 injured, sick or orphaned animals have passed through the Wildlife in Need Center's doors since Jan. 1, 1994. Email: rbillingham@conleynet.com EYES (and heart) GOLD of Dakota shortly after his return to the Wildlife in Need Center in December 2011. Submitted photo In 2015 Dakota attended 70 programs, with a total of 78,755 people. The Wildlife in Need Cen- ter conducted 133 education programs in 2015. Dakota doesn't work every one of them — he gets time off to relax. Four years after owl-napping, Dakota is thriving as wildlife ambassador At a glance What: Groundhog Day Meet and Greet; visit with the animal ambassadors of the Wildlife in Need Center and watch as Waldo the Woodchuck predicts the weather Where: Wildlife in Need Center, W349-S1480 S. Waterville Road, Summit When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 31 Info: 262-965-3090 or www.helpingwildlife.org Submitted photo Wendy Quaden, FBFC Brown Street branch manager; Cindy Hass, nominator; Mary Beth Vanderbush, recipient; Rick Hass, nominator Submitted photo Jasmine Berg, nominator; Ruth Lynne Walsh, North Lake Food Pantry; Todd Sheid, FBFC corporate branch manager. First Bank Financial makes Christmas special for Lake Country OCONOMOWOC — This December, as part of its "Holi-Days of Giving" pro- gram, the Oconomowoc branches of First Bank Financial Centre deliv- ered much-needed cheer to three deserving individu- als and three nonprofits. The recipients were sur- prised in celebrations at First Bank. Marybeth Van- denBush, Jacalyn Balci- unos, and Dave Mallow all received $500 cash gifts. The Association for Rights of Citizens with handi- caps, LifeStriders, and the North Lake Food Pantry were also presented with $500 checks. ARCh provides handi- capped individuals, their families and legal guardians assistance in accessing services, main- taining them, and plan- ning for the future. LifeStriders is a nonprofit organization that provides life-enhancing, physical and psychological experi- ences and services to indi- viduals with special needs. Through equine- assisted therapy, children and adults can experience the beneficial physical and mental benefits achieved through the human-horse connection. And the North Lake Food Pantry provides food to those in need. "We're thankful our Holi-Days of Giving pro- gram could help out those who've faced tough times and nonprofits that serve our community," said Todd Scheid, downtown Oconomowoc FBFC branch manager. Marybeth VandenBush has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and her hus- band has been suffering from multiple health issues as well. Because of their, insurance he has been in six different hospi- tals, while she continues to work to support the family. Jacalyn Balciunos was nominated by her mother, who said, "I think my daughter could use a little extra holiday cheer. Besides financial prob- lems for her and family, there are health issues. She is very good hearted and generous even though she does not have much." Dave Mallow was recent- ly diagnosed with ALS. Dave was born and raised in Ixonia, and was a hard- working man with two jobs: one with the Jeffer- son County Highway Department and one work- ing on his far m raising cattle and crops. His nomi- nator, Donna Hann, said, "I would like him to feel comfort in knowing things will be okay, and any gift to him and his family will help with this burden." During the first three weeks of December, FBFC's 12 branches deliv- ered $500 checks to 12 non- profits and gifts, valued up to $500, to 12 families or individuals as part of its "Holi-Days of Giving" pro- gram. — Enterprise Staff Bank donated to several organizations and individuals

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