THIS WEEK, A CALL TO ACTION WHEN
SEVERE WEATHER TAKES OUR STATE
BY STORM.
>> IT WAS VERY CLEAR EARLY ON.
THIS WAS GOING TO BE A SEVERE
STORM.
>> 15 YEARS AFTER A MASSIVE
OAKFIELD TORNADO, WHO'S WATCHING
THE SKIES.
THIS REMOTE WISCONSIN ISLAND
GET-AWAY ONCE ENTERTAINED THE
RICH AND FAMOUS.
>> A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WE
RECOGNIZE FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS
CAME OUT HERE AND DID BUSINESS
WITH CHESTER.
>> AND THERE'S A REASON IT LOOKS
A LOT LIKE ICELAND.
ALSO, A NEW IDEA IS TAKING ROOT
ACROSS WISCONSIN, FREE FRUIT FOR
THE PICKING ON PUBLIC LAND.
>> JUST COME IN AND FEEL FREE TO
TAKE SOME FRUIT ANYTIME THEY
WANT.
>> PLUS, IN OUR QUEST
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING PROJECT,
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON
SHIPPING AROUND THE GREAT LAKES.
THOSE REPORTS NEXT ON AN ALL-NEW
"IN WISCONSIN."
>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "IN
WISCONSIN" IS PROVIDED BY THE
PEOPLE OF ALLIANT ENERGY, WHO
BRING SAFE, RELIABLE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENERGY
TO KEEP HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS AND
LIFE IN WISCONSIN RUNNING
SMOOTHLY.
ALLIANT ENERGY.
OFFERING ENERGY-SAVING IDEAS ON
THE WEB.
AND ANIMAL DENTISTRY AND ORAL
SURGERY SPECIALISTS OF
MILWAUKEE, OSHKOSH, AND
MINNEAPOLIS, A VETERINARY TEAM
WORKING WITH PET OWNERS AND
FAMILY VETERINARIANS, PROVIDING
CARE FOR ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COMPANION
ANIMALS.
>> THIS SPRING HAS SEEN
EXTREMELY VIOLENT WEATHER, STORM
ACROSS THE SOUTHERN U.S. AND
RIGHT HERE IN WISCONSIN.
EVERY YEAR THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE ISSUES NUMEROUS ALERTS
BASED ON COMPUTER MODELS AND
RADAR.
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE THE NEXT
LINE OFENSE, TAKING ACTION
TO HELP DETERMINE IF A WATCH
BECOMES A WARNING.
THEIR GOAL IS TO GET EVEN MORE
PEOPLE TRAINED TO WATCH THE SKY.
AND AS "IN WISCONSIN" REPORTER
ADAM SCHRAGER DISCOVERS, THEY'RE
GETTING HELP FROM AVERAGE
CITIZENS LIKE A DEN IN
LOMIRA.
>> DID YOU TAKE AN X-RAY?
>> NOT YET.
>> THE CONVERSATION AT THIS
DENTIST OFFICE OFTEN TURNS FROM
PROBLEMS CAUSED BY FATHER TIME
TO THOSE CAUSED BY MOT
NATURE.
>> WOW.
IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE WOW MOMENT.
>> LLOYD DIDN'T SEE PATIENTS THE
AFTERNOON OF JULY 18, 1996, BUT
SHE DID SEE AND PHOTOGRAPH THE
LAST F5 TORNADO TO HIT
WISCONSIN.
>> WE DID NOT KNOW WHERE WE WERE
UNTIL WE SAW THE SIGN THAT SAID
OAKFIELD.
WE HAD NO CLUE.
>> THE DAMAGE CAUSED IN FOND DU
LAC COUNTY WAS EXTENSIVE, MORE
THAN $40 MILLION IN PROPERTY
LOSS.
>> IT WAS VERY CLEAR EARLY ON
THIS WAS GOING TO BE A SEVERE
STORM.
>> BUT AS LLOYD WOULD TELL YOU,
WITH SERIOUSLY INJURED.
>> SIRENS WENT OFF AT LEAST FIVE
MINUTES BEFORE THE TORNADO GOT
HERE.
THE TORNADO IS STILL WAY OVER
HERE, HAD QUITE A WAYS TO
WHOEVER WAS SPOTTING WAS RIGHT
ON THE BALL.
>> THANKS FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF
YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE.
>> INSIDE THE MAIN BRANCH OF THE
SUN PRAIRIE L, RUSTY
CAPELLA HOPES TO FIND DOZENS
MORE.
>> WE USE SPOTTERS TOP US
DECIDE.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO SEE THIS
INFORMATION.
DON'T THINK WE KNOW EXACTLY
WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE AT
THE GROUND LEVEL.
YOU FOLKS HAVE TO TELL US.
>> USING LLOYD'S PICTURES FROM
OAKFIELD, THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE METEOROLOGIST HELPS THE
STANDING-ROOM ONLY CROWD OF
VOLUNTEERS UNDERSTAND HOW TO
SPOT A TORNADO.
>> YOU HAVE TO ZERO TAITION AT SEE -- RO
AT THE CLOUD BASE.
YOU ALSO HAVE TO HAVE DAMAGE
OCCURRING AT THE GROUND.
YOU MAY VISIBLY SEE THE DAMAGE
OR SEE DEBRIS ROTATING.
THAT'S YOUR CONFIRMATION.
>> HE DOESN'T LIKE STORMS A LOT.
I DON'T LIKE STORMS A LOT.
INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW AND LOOK FOR.
>> BEVERLY AND HER SON HUNTER
FIGURE KNOWLEDGE CAN BE AS
POWERFUL AS THE WINDS
THEMSELVES.
>> HOW TO SPOT FUNNEL CLOUDS,
TORNADOES OR SCARY-LOOKING
CLOUDS.
[ THUNDER ]
>> DURING SEVERE WEATHER SEASON,
SCARY-LOOKING CLOUDS ARE VISIBLE
SEEMINGLY EVERY DAY.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID
OF EVERYTHING THAT'S OUT THERE.
>> FIGURING OUT WHAT'S REALLY
SCARY, LIKEY OF THE IMA
LLOYD'S CAPTURED THROUGH DECADES
OF CHASING STORMS, IS ESSENTIAL
TO SAVING LIVES.
>> THE IMPORTANT PART IS THE
GROUND TO GET ACTUALLY TELLS YOU
WHAT'S HAPPENING.
THAT'S WHAT ALLOWS THE WARNING
SYSTEM.
>> THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR
THAT SO-CALLED GROUND TROOP.
>> ALSO THE F RADAR ONLY
INDICATES WHAT'S OUT THERE,
IT DOESN'T SAY THIS IS WHAT'S
HAPPENING.
WHEN PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY'RE
LOOKING THEY CAN INFORM AND
HELP OTHERS.
>> DESPITE THE TECHNOLOGY, WHICH
ISR THAN IT'S EVER BEEN,
IT STILL COMES DOWN TO PEOPLE.
>> CORY IS THE CHIEF
METEOROLOGIST AT WKBT IN
LA CROSSE.
THE RADAR HE MONITORS EVERY DAY
HELPS HIM TO SEE INSIDE THE
CLOUDS.
HE'S FINDING MORE AND MORE
PEOPLE WANTING AND WILLING TO
HELP.
>> FOR THET PROBABLY JUST
COUPLE OF YEARS, WITH THE
POPULARITY OF FACEBOOK OR MY
SPACE AND TWITTER, YOU'RE
STARTING TO GET ACCESS TO A
LARGER NUMBER OF PEOPLE, NOT
JUST THE TRAINED SPOTTERS WHO
ARE OUT IN THE FIELD, BUT
AVERAGE PEOPLE WATCHING IT H
OR WATCHING HEAVY RAINFALL.
>> FROM VERY EARLY AGE WAS
FASCINATED BY STORMS, THUNDER,
LIGHTNING.
I SAW A TORNADO WHEN I WAS 11 IN
NEENAH.
>> A LOT OF THE TIME LLOYD'S NOT
SPENDING LOOKING INSIDE A
PATIENT'S MOUTH IS SPENT LOOKING
UP AT THE SKY.
BUT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO CHANGE
CAREERS.
>> I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT MATH.
YOU'D NEED CALCULUS TO BECOME A
METEOROLOGIST, SO WASN'T GOING
TO HAPPEN.
>> SHE'S CONTENT TO SIMPLY DO
HER PART TO HELP WISCONSIN GET
THROUGH YET ANOTHER SEVERE
WEATHER SEASON.
>> AND SO YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO
NEED WHAT THEY CALL THE GROUND
TROOP, SOMEBODY CALLING IN
SAYING, HEY, WE SEE SOMETHING
HERE AND YOU NEED TO PUT O
WARNING IMMEDIATELY.
>> SINCE 1980, THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS THERE
HAVE BEEN 40 CONFIRMED TORNADOES
IN DANE COUNTY, MORE THAN IN ANY
OTHER COUNTY IN THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
GREEN LAKE COUNTY HAS HAD THE
MOST PER SQUARE MILE, WITH 28
TORNADOES IN THAT SAME TIME
FRAME.
SPRING SHOWERS BRING MAYERS.
GARDENERS GET READY FOR
PLANTING.
DURING THE WORLD WARS MANY
PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY PLANTED
VICTORY GARDENS.
THEY WERE GROWING FOOD IN THE
SPIRIT OF SUPPORTING THE WAR
EFFORT.
THEY NEEDED THE FOOD BECAUSE
TIMES WERE TOUGH.
TODAY TO HELP PEOPLE PUT FOOD ON
THE TABLE, THERE'S A SIMILAR
PUSH FOR FREE FRUIT IN PUB
PLACIKE CITY PARKS.
IT'S AN IDEA THAT'S TAKING ROOT
IN MIDDLETON.
>> 2010 MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A
GROUND-BREAKING EXPERIMENT, THE
IDEA OF FRESH, FREE FRUIT FREE
FOR THE PICKING.
>> WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND CITY TO JUST
COME IN AND FEEL FREE TO TAKE
SOME FRUIT ANYTIME THEY WANT.
>> THIS GARDEN WON A NATIONAL
ONLINE COMPETITION SPONSORED BY
EDY'S FRUIT BARS.
THE PRIZE?
A GRANT TO BUY 28 FRUIT TREES, A
MIX OF PEACHES, PEARS, CHERRIES
AND APPLES.
>> MIDDLETON WON THE GROUND.
WE WERE THRILLED.
>> THE CALIFORNIA-BASED
PARTNERED ON THIS PROJECT.
THEY SENT AN EXPERT TO TEACH
THESE VOLUNTEERS HOW TO PLANT
AND CARE FOR THE NEW TREES.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BRING ALL THE
SOIL BACK TO THE TREE, TAKE
EVERYTHING WE HAVE HERE, BRING
IT TO THE TREE.
>> ALWAYS THE VERY BNING IS
MAKING SURE THAT YOU PLANT IT
APPROPRIATELY AND THEN I TRY TO
BE VERY SPECIFIC SPECIFIC, YOU
KNOW, AND VERY CLEAR TO PEOPLE.
>> VOLUNTEERS WHO LEAPACE IN
A COMMUNITY GARDEN SIGNED UP TO
TAKE CARE OF THE TREES TOO.
>> I JUST THINK IT'S A REALLY
NEAT PROJECT AND IT'S SOMETHING
I WANT TO SEE HAPPEN.
THE ONLY WAY IT CAN HAPPEN IS IF
PEOPLE PITCH IN AND DO IT.
>> AND THEN LET'S PUT A GOOD
LAYER OF MULCH AROUND IT.
>> OKAY.
>> MIDDLETON WASN'T THE ONLY
WINNER IN THIS NATIONAL CONTEST.
THE DUNGEON-MONROE NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION ON MADISON'S NEAR
WEST SIDE WON A GRANT TOO.
BUT WHAT THEY DID WITH THEIR
TREES WAS A FIRST.
THEY GOT PERMISSION TO PLANT
THEM IN A CITY PARK IN AN AREA
NOT SET ASIDE FOR A COMMUNITY
GARDEN.
>> I LOVE THE IDEA THAT WE'RE
RIGHT OUT HERE ON THE BIKE PATH,
RIGHT NEXT TO THE KIDS.
I REALLY THINK THAT THAT'S
IMPORTANT, TO TRY TO GET KIDS TO
DISCOVER THIS AND MAYBE PUT AWAY
THEIR PLAYSTATION FOR A WHILE
AND HELP US PLANT AND FIND THE
JOY THAT MOST GARDENERS FIND.
>> OTHERS HAVE PETD THE
CITY OF MADISON TO PLANT FRUIT
AND NUT TREES IN CITY PARKS,
IT'S BEEN A HARD SELL.
THIS GROUP ONLY GOT A GREEN
LIGHT BECAUSE THEY HAVE
LIABILITY INSURANCE AND A
VOLUNTEER-BASED MAINTENANCE
PLAN.
>> I'M VERY SYMPAIC WITH
THEIR CHALLENGE, LIKE MOST
PUBLIC SECTOR SERVICES, THEIR
FUNDS HAVE BEEN CUT.
THEY'RE TOLD TO DO MORE WITH
LESS.
AND NOW ALONG COME THIS GROUP OF
ENTHUSIASTIC GARDENERS AND, YOU
KNOW, IT MAY COMPLICATE THEIR
MAINTENANCE.
>> ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE DIDN'T
STOP OFFICIALS IN THE SMALLER
TOWN OF MADISON.
THEY PLANTED FRUIT TREES THIS
SPRING IN SOUTHDALE PARK.
>> THEY'RE GOOD.
HAVING FREE FRUIT IS CERTAINLY A
REAL PLUS I THINK IN A PARK.
>> THE TOWN OF MADISON BOUGHT
THEIR FRUIT TREES WITH MONEY
FROM A FEDERAL GRANT FOR
LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS AND
ALSO PUT IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN.
>> JOHN LIVES NEXT-DOOR AND
PROPOSED THIS PLANTING PROJECT
TO THE TOWN.
HE BELIEVES FREE FOOD ON
PUBLICLY-OWNED LAND IS IMPORTANT
IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> THERE ARE AREAS AROUND TOWN
THAT WOULD EMBRACE THIS.
PEOPLE WOULD EMBRACE IT.
>> EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE A FEW
YEARS BEFORE THE HARVEST HERE IS
BOUNTIFUL, THE MOVEMENT TO PLANT
FRUIT TREES IN PUBLIC PARKS HAS
CLEARLY TAKEN ROOT IN THE HEARTS
AND HANDS OF THESE GARDEN
VOLUNTEERS.
>> IT'S INTRINSICALLY VERY
REWARDING, AND IT'S GOING TO
SPREAD AND IT'S GOING TO KEEP ON
HAPPENING.
>> AN INTERESTING NOTE FOR THOSE
LIVING IN OR VISITING THE
MADISON
THE GROUP MADISON FRUITS AND
NUTS HAS CREATED A GOOGLE MAP
THAT INVITES ANYONE WHOWS
WH FREE PRODUCE GROWS TO ADD
THAT INFORMATION ONLINE SO
OTHERS CAN FIND IT.
CURRENTLY THE LIST INCLUDES
APPLES, SERVICEBERRIES, P,
BLACK RASPBERRIES AND CHERRIES.
YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT BY GOING TO
OUR WEBSITE, wpt.org, AND THEN
CLICKING ON IN WISCONSIN.
SO FAR THERE ARE 32 LOCATIONS
LISTED WHERE YOU CAN FIND FREE
PRODUCE IN PUBLIC AREAS AROUND
MADISON.
THERE'S ANOTHER LOCATION WE WANT
TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS AND
IT'S DESCRIBED AS WISCONSIN'S
BEST-KEPT SECRET.
IT CENTERS AROUND THE
LITTLE-KNOWN STORY OF AN
ICELANDIC IMMIGRANT WHO AMASSED
A SMALL FORTUNE AND ACQUIRED ALL
THE PRIVATE LAND ON ONE OF
WISCONSIN'S MOST REMOTE ISLANDS.
TO THIS DAY, CHESTER
THORDARSON'S VISION REMAINS THE
CORNERSTONE OF ROCK ION
THE VERY TIP OF DOOR COUNTY.
>> AT THE WATER'S EDGE, AN
ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL STANDS.
RISING FROM LAKE MICHIGAN LIKE A
MIGHTY FORTRESS.
IT'S A MANMADE MONOLITH WITH
CAVERNOUS CATACOMBS AND ARCHWAYS
SCULPTED BY HAND FROM ROCK
ISLAND DOLOMITE.
THE VIKING HALL BOATHOUSE
WELCOMES TRAVELERS TO ROCK
ISLAND FROM DISTANT SHORES.
>> GOOD MORNING.
WELCOME TO ROCK ISLAND.
>> WE GET VISITORS FROM ALL OVER
THELD.
>> IT'S ARCHED WINDOWS AND
FRENCH DOORS MIMICS THE DESIGN
OF THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING IN
ICELAND.
THIS WOULD CHANGE THE FACE OF
THIS LITTLE ISLAND IN WISCONSIN
FOREVER.
TODAY IT'S WHERE DNR RANGER
RANDY HOLMES PARKS HIS BOAT
AFTER RIDING THE WAVES TO WORK.
>> ROCK ISLAND IS REALLY UNIQUE.
IT'S KIND OF A JEWEL.
>> ONE COMES H TO EXPE
THE OUTDOOR, THE MAGIC OF THE
ISLAND.
>> THE MAGIC CAN BE SEEN IN
PLACES LIKE THIS NATURAL ROCK
ARCHWAY LEADING TO A SMALL
HIDDEN CAVE CARVED IN THE CLIFF.
>> BEING A NATURALIST ON ROCK
ISLAND IS THE MOST WRFUL
PLACE YOU COULD POSSIBLY BE A
NATURALIST.
>> THERE'S MAGIC IN TREES
RISING LIKE SENTINELS FROM THE
HILLSIDE.
THIS OLD GROWTH FOREST HASN'T
BEEN TOUCHED IN THOUSANDS OF
YEARS.
AND THERE'S SOMETHING MAGICAL
ABOUT WISCONSIN'S OLDEST
LIGHTHOUSE ANCHORING THE
ISLAND'S NORTH SHORE.
>> SO THIS IS AS FAR TO THE
NORTHEAST IN WISCONSIN AS YOU
CAN BE.
>> THE 900-ACRE ISLAND AS
WELCOMED PEOPLE FOR MORE THAN
10,000 YEARS.
>> AND IT WAS OFTEN SOUGHT AFTER
BY MANY DIFFERENT TRIBES.
THEY ALL WANTEE HERE.
IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.
>> IT'S THAT GREATNESS THAT
FIRST ATTRACTED CHESTER
THORDARSON TO THIS ISLAND
OUTPOST IN 1910.
>> CHESTER BOUGHT THE ISLAND AND
INITIALLY WAS GOING TO JUST
LEAVE IT THE WAY IT WAS.
THEN HE PROCEEDED TO START
BUILDING SEVERAL BUILDINGS IN
THIS 30-ACRE COMPOUND.
>> A FENCED-IN COMPOUND,
ANCHORED BY THE STONE BSE,
BUILT FOR BOATS, BUT A PLACE FOR
HIS BOOKS.
UPSTAIRS, 11,000 RARE BOOKS HAVE
BEEN HOUSED IN THE BOATHOUSE
BALCONY.
THE COLLECTION IS SO LARGE IT
TOOK THIS BOAT TO CARRY THEM ALL
FROM THE THORDARSON CHICAGO
OFFICES.
AN AVID READER, CHESTER'S
COLLECTION GREW WHEN HE MADE
ONLY $4 A WEEK, WITH $1 ALWAYS
SET ASIDE TO BUY A BOOK.
HE AMASSED A SIGNIFICANT
COLLECTION ON BOTANY, NATURAL
HISTORY.AND OR
THEY'RE NOW HOUSED IN SECURE
VAULTS ON THE UW CAMPUS AND ARE
STILL USED FOR RESEARCH.
>> AND THE FACT HIS RARE BOOK
COLLECTION BECAME THE BASIS FOR
THE RARE BOOK COLLECTION AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IN
MADISON.
>> THORDARSON WAS BOOK SMART.
HIS ELECTRICAL PROWESS WITH
TRANSMITTERS BROUGHT HIM FAME,
FORTUNE AND THE MONEY TO ACQUIRE
ALL THE PRIVATE LAND ON ROCK
ISLAND, ALL ON A 7TH GRADE
EDUCATION.
>> WELL, HE'D HAVE PEOPLE OUT
HERE FROM CHICAGO THAT WERE
MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF THE WORLD.
>> LIKE CHICAGO M WILLIAM
HALE THOMPSON.
THORDARSON BUILT THOMPSON HIS
OWN CABIN AND THOMPSON BROUGHT
ALONG HIS WELL-ARMED ENTOURAGE.
>> THEY COULD TAKE IN THE BEAUTY
OF THE PLACE AND THE PEACE AND
THE QUIET OF IT AND WORK ON THE
PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD.
THE ADDISSONS, HENRY FORD, A LOT
OF PEOPLE WE RECOGNIZE FROM THE
HISTORY BOOAME OUT HERE AND
DID BUSINESS WITH CHESTER AND
ENJOYED THE RESOURCE.
>> WHEN HE WASN'T INVENTING,
THORDARSON WAS DREAMING BIG
ABOUT WHAT HE WOULD DO NEXT ON
HIS ISLAND RETREAT.
>> MORE LIKE A LUXURY HOTEL WITH
A WATCH TOWER.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SPECTACULAR.
HAD THAT BEEN BUILT, THIS WOULD
BE A RT ISLAND RATHER THAN A
STATE PARK.
>> THORDARSON ALSO THE
ISLAND AS A PLACE TO EXPERIMENT
IN GARDEN.
>> CHESTER WAS AN AMATEUR
BOTANIST, VERY INTERESTED IN
PLANTS.
HE BROUGHT IN HUNDREDS OF
DIFFERENT KINDS OF PLANTS.
>> THE FAR EAST WAS A FAVORITE
STINATION AND INFLUENCED THIS
AGODA.DA AND
>> THE FOUNTAINS AND THE PATHS
AND THE FANCY TRELLISES AND
STUFF, HE COPIED THAT HERE ON
THE ISLAND.
>> BUT THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
WAS CHANGING IN THE 190s.
>> HE WAS ALSO A PATRIOT AND
SHORTLYER PEARL HARBOR WAS
BOMBED, HE HAD NO USE FOR THE
JAPANESE AT ALL AND HE ORDERED
HIS WORKERS TO GO OUT AND
BULLDOZE THE WHOLE THI
>> ONLY THE GARDEN GATE IS STILL
STANDING.
IN THE MID-60s, THE STA
WISCONSIN BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY
FOR $170,000 AND A DECISION WAS
MADE TO DEMOLISH BUILDINGS BADLY
IN NEED OF REPAIR.
>> IN RETROSPECT, SOME OF THOSE
WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE BACK,E
OF THE OLDS AND THE OLD
FISHING VILLAGE.
BUT AT THE TIME IT WAS A
FLEDGLING PARK AND THE BUDGET
DIDN'T SUPPORT IT.
>> WHAT REMAINS ARE THE
ICELANDIC-INSPIRED STONE
STRUCTURES, INCLUDING A CABIN
NOW HOME TO THE PARK'S
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.
IT'S A PLACE WHERE RANDY HOLMES
PLANS FOR THE LAND, THE
BUILDINGS AND THE FUTURE OF ROCK
ISLAND.
>> ROCK ISLAND PROBABLY IS
ALWAYS GOING TO REMAIN AS IT IS
TODAY.
PEOPLE THAT COME HERE THAT VISIT
ROCK ISLAND ARE USUALLY TOUCHED
BY THE REMOTENESS, BY THE
BEAUTY, THE QUIET, WHERE ALL YOU
HEAR IS THE WIND AND THE WAVES.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, PEOPLE WHO HAVE
COME HERE SAY, WOW, I DIDN'T
KNOW WISCONSIN HAD ANYTHING LIKE
THIS.
>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST THREATS TO
THE ISLANDAT IS INVASIVE
PLANTS.
AND BE FOREWD THERE ARE
FIELDS OF POISON IVY.
CARS AND BIKES ARE NOT ALLOWED
ON ROCK ISLAND.
ALL EXPLORING IS DONE ON FOOT.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE,
JUST GO TO wpt.org, THEN CLICK
ON IN WISCONSIN.
THE POTAWATOMI LIGHTHOUSE AND
SOME OFER'S THORDARSON'S
HISTORIC BUILDINGS ARE ON THE
REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
SHIPPING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A WAY
OF LIFEUND ROCK ISLAND AND
ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES.
WATER LEVELS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE
AND THE SLIGHTEST CHANGE CAN
HAVE A LARGE IMPACT ON SHIPPING.
THE CURRENT TRENDS ON LAKE
MICHIGAN SHOWS WATER LEVELS ARE
DROPPING.
FORECASTERS PREDICT IT'S ONLY
GOING TO GET WORSE WITH HIGHER
TEMPERATURES AND HIGHER RATES OF
EVAPORATION.
SO AS PART OF OUR QUEST
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING PROJECT,
VIDEO PRODUCER FINN RYAN, ONE OF
OUR PARTNERS, TEAP WITH
VETERAN SHIPPING PILOT RANDY
HAYES TO SHOW YOU THE IMPACT IN
MILWAUKEE.
>> BE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE IN
ONE HOUR.
WE'LL GET HER DONE.
>> OKAY.
I'M GOING TO KEEP THIS ANGLE AND
JUST EASE UP THEN.
>> YEAH.
OKAY.
>> WE'RE DISTRICT THREE.
WE COVER LAKE HURON, MICHIGAN
AND SUPERIOR.
THERE'S PILOTS ON THESE SHIPS
THROUGHOUT THE GREAT LAKES.
BEEN A PILOT FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
TODAY I'M A BOARD THE ISA.
WE'RE DISCHARGING CARGO IN
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.
>> JUST KEEP WORKING ON THAT.
IF YOU CAN'T DO IT, I'LL CHECK
IN.
RIGHT NOW I GOT THE ENGINE
STOPPED.
>> WE ARE CARRYING HIGH-QUALITY
STEEL TO MAKE APPLIANCES.
ON THE GREAT LAKES IT'S MAINLY
STEEL IN AND GRAIN BACK OUT.
>> SOYBEANS, CORN, WHAT HAVE
YOU.
>> DRAFT IS HOW FAROW THE
WATERLINE THE SHIP IS.
EVERY EXTRA INCH OF DRAFT MEANS
SO MANY MORE TONS OF CARGO.
THE TREND IS FOR LOWER WATER
LEVELS.
THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.
LOWER WATER LEVELS, LESS
SHIPPING, LESS CARGO.
OUR OFFICIAL SEASON STARTS
APRIL 15 AND IT ENDS
DECEMBER 15.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE START
SOMEWHAT BEFORE THAT.
WE START LATE MARCH AND GO UNTIL
ALMOST CHRISTMAS.
WHAT DETERMINES THAT WHEN THE
SEAWAY OPENS.
IF THE SHIPPING SEASON WAS
EXTENDED, AND CONCEIVABLY IF IT
GETS WARM ENOUGH, YOU COULD RUN
ALL YEAR, THAT WOULD DEFINITELY
CHANGE SHIPPING.
WE WOULD TAKE THE PLACE OF A LOT
OF RAILS AND TRUCKING AND SO ON.
SHIPPING IS THE MOST ECONOMICAL
AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY
TO MOVE CARGO.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS A DOUBLE-EDGED
SWORD.
OVERALL I SEE IT AS A MINUS.
IT WOULD CHANGE THIS JOB FOR
SURE.
[ SHIP HORN BLOWING ]
>> AS IF THOSE NUMBERS AREN'T
STAGGERING ENOUGH, TAKE A LOOK
AT THIS.
THE GREAT LAKES ARE CONNECTED TO
THE ATLANTIC OCEAN BY THE
ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY, A MAJOR
WORLD TRADE ROUTE.
IT SUPPORTS 30,000 JOBS AND $3
BILLION OF BUSINESS EVERY YEAR.
AND LOWER WATER LEVELS WO
HAVE A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE ON
BOTH.
BUT THAT NEGATIVE IMPACT COULD
BE BALANCED BY ANOTHER FEN
PHENOMENON OF CLIMATE CHANGE,
MORE ICE-FREE DAYS ON THE GREAT
LAKES.
THAT COULD ACTUALLY EXTEND THE
SHIPPING SEASON BY ONE THREE
MONTHS COSTS MAY DROP AS
ICEBREAKING EXPENSES DECREASE.
IT WOULD S REQUIRE MORE
TRIPS TO CARRY THE SAME AMOUNT
OF CARGO BEING SHIPPED TODAY.
WE INVITE YOU TO CHECK OUT OUR
RELATED REPORTS AND RESEARCH AT
questwisconsin.org.
THIS SITE SHOWCASES OUR
MULTIMEDIA APPROACH TO
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING.
ANOTHER VETERAN OF "IN
WISCONSIN" IS RETIRING.
NEXT WEEK WE'LL SHOWCASE THE
WORK OF REPORTER LIZ KOERNER.
HERE'S A PREVIEW OF WHAT YOU'LL
SEE.
>> IT WAS SO GOOD, I ATE
WHOLE THING.
>> MANYPLE ARE PASSIONATE
ABOUT STARTING THEIR OWN
BUSINESS.
WHAT INGREDIENTS D IT TAKE
FOR A SUCCESSFUL START-UP?
THIS IS LIZ KOERNER IN ALGOMA
AND I'LL SHOW YOU WS
COOKING.
A YOUNG TIBETIAN FINDS A HOME
NEAR MADISON.
AND SOME OLD FARMS IN WISCONSIN
ARE NOT JUST FALLING INTO RUIN.
>> I'VE ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR
THESE OLD B WHEN I WAS A
KID.
>> MEET A BARABOO MAN WHO'S
GETTING THEM A NEW LEASE ON
LIFE.
THEY CALL IT THE CATTLE
CROSSING.
AND IT'S LIKE NOTHING YOU'LL SEE
ANYWHERE ELSE IN WISCONSIN.
>> NOT MANY PEOPLE CROSS CATTLE
OUR WAY, THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THIS HOME
ADE BARGE FOR BOVINES.
>> JOIN US NEXT WEEK RIGHT HERE
ON WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
A QUICK RR ABOUT OUR
INTERACTIVE BLOG CALLED THE
PRODUCER'S JOURNAL.
IT'S UPDATED EACH WEEKDAY BY THE
PEOPLE WHO WORK IN FRONT OF THE
CAMERAS AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES
HERE ON "IN WISCONSIN."
WE HOPE YOU'LL CHECK OUT THE
PRODUCER'S JOURNAL BLOG.
JUST GO TO wpt.org, THEN CLICK
ON "IN WISCONSIN" AND LOOK FOR
THIS PICTURE.
YOU CAN READ ABOUT REPORTS
WE'RE WORKING ON, THE PEOPLE
WE'VE MET AND THE PLACES WE'VE
BEEN.
AND FINALLY THIS WEEK, WE TAKE
YOU TO PRICE COUNTY, FOR A
CLOSER LOOK AT THE SMITH RAPIDS
COVERED BRIDGE.
CONSTRUCTED IN 1991, THE BRIDGE
USES A DIAMOND-SHAPED TRUSS
PATTERN.
THE WOODEN BRIDGE ALLOWS YOU TO
TRAVEL OVER THE SOUTH FORK OF
THE FLAMBEAU RIVER AND IS
LOCATED ON A 13-MILE LOOP
DESIGNATED AS A WISCONSIN RUSTIC
ROAD.
ENJOY THE VIEW AND HAVE A GREAT
WEEK IN WISCONSIN.
CAPTIONS PRODUCED BY
RIVERSIDE CAPTIONING COMPANY
WWW.CLOSED-CAPTIONING.COM
>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "IN
WISCONSIN" IS PROVIDED BY THE
PEOPLE OF ALLIANT ENERGY, WHO
BRING SAFE, RELIABLE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENERGY
TO KEEP HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS AND
LIFE IN WISCONSIN RUNNING
SMOOTHLY.
ALLIANT ENERGY.
OFFERING ENERGY-SAVING IDEAS ON
THE WEB.
AND ANIMAL DENTISTRY AND ORAL
SURGERY SPECIALISTS OF
MILWAUKEE, OSHKOSH, AND
MINNEAPOLIS, A VETERINARY TEAM
WORKING WITH PET OWNERS AND
FAMILY VETERINARIANS, PROVIDING
CARE FOR ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COMPANION
ANIMALS.