Middleton Optimist Club

08/11/2026

Our S’Mores are becoming legend! We are and love supporting Middleton’s Parks and Rec. How lucky are we??

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

07/23/2026

The Middleton Optimist Club was recently honored to welcome Kiley Scherer, Director of the Middleton Parks & Recreation Department along with Laura Gessling, Assistant Director.

The Parks & Rec Department provides comprehensive services and programs at a variety of venues including the Bauman Community Pool, the Youth Center and our parks and trail systems. Kiley and Laura spoke of the partnership between the department and the Optimist Club. Optimists support the "Hunting for Pumpkins" event in October, the Candy Cane Hunt two months later and other family-focused offerings.

Coming soon will be National Night Out (August 5) and "Cops & Bobbers" (September 19), both at Lakeview Park.

New this year will be "Campout in the Conservancy" on August 7 and 8. Campers will gather at Orchid Heights for hot dogs, hamburgers and S'mores along with bakery from Clausen's and a hike in the park. Some of the 40 campsites are still available.

Interested parties are encouraged to view the complete list of events and activities on the Parks & Rec website.

Kiley Scherer is in the middle of the photo next to Club President, Carol Maki. Laura Gessling is on the far left.

06/29/2026

The Middleton Optimist Club was recently honored to welcome Middleton Mayor Lisa Janairo at its meeting in the Community CoWorks space.

Mayor Janairo shared her key priorities including community engagement and volunteerism. She noted that since the health crisis area residents have been more disconnected and, as a consequence, may not be aware of the various resources available to assist them. The Mayor is taking tangible steps to help the city commissions and committees engage with fellow members and the community to raise awareness and support.

Soon to launch is the "Mayor's Council of Youth", designed to bring young people who are active in the community together to share ideas and assist with opportunities.

Mayor Janairo recently welcomed 100+ members of city commissions and committees for a gathering which provided best practices and networking. She anticipates that this will be an annual event. Another initiative will introduce new Middleton residents to those same city groups as well as service clubs and other organizations serving the community.

A planned modification to the city's website will include volunteer opportunities with the city and nonprofits serving the greater Middleton community. She continues to publish a newsletter, and concluded her remarks by reminding us that "We need to let people know that their voice matters".

In the photo, Mayor Janairo is joined by members of the Middleton Optimist Club.

06/29/2026

Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue recently visited the Middleton Optimist Club!

At the meeting, Dr. Monogue highlighted that Middleton High School ranked first in Dane County and second in Wisconsin for 2025 ACT composite scores among public, non-charter schools. She also highlighted the District's Significantly Exceeds Expectations rating on the latest Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction school report cards.

She noted the District is considering an operational referendum for the November 2026 ballot to help maintain educational programming amid ongoing inflationary pressures and inadequate state funding. Also, she invited members to nominate MCPASD alumni for the Radiance Award for Distinguished Alumni: https://loom.ly/vF5EXno

Dr. Monogue presents to about 60 businesses and community partners throughout the year, sharing updates on events and activities happening across our schools. We're always happy to engage with community members and strengthen our community partnerships!

Photo credit: Middleton Optimist Club, care of Middleton Review

10/10/2025

See you at Lakeview Park for Huntin' for Pumpkins! Tonight (pre-registration required)

09/20/2024

Another great Cops and Bobbers! We hope to see you again next fall.

09/05/2024

Tuesday, September 10th: 🌞 Weather in the 80s means heading to Culver's for frozen custard 🍦 served up by Optimists! 😎😎 A Culver's 🐢turtle sundae has zero calories when it supports a good cause! 🧋🧋

07/31/2024

Proud of all of us! Can’t wait to see the new wheels!

Middleton Public Library Successfully Completes Bookmobile Campaign, Surpassing Fundraising Goal!

The Middleton Public Library is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its bookmobile campaign, having raised an impressive total of $57,646.50. This achievement exceeds the initial fundraising goal of $50,000, ensuring that the new bookmobile will be stocked with a wide variety of materials and supplies, and that it will be able to serve the community for years to come.

The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity and support of the Middleton community. The funds were raised through contributions from a variety of sources, reflecting a broad base of support:

• $17,500 Challenge Grant from the Madison Community Foundation (MCF) match, which included contributions from the William E. & Edna B. Walker Fund for the Elderly, the Betty Jane Perego Fund for Multicultural Youth Programs, the Charles Hathaway Trust, and the Joan and Dale Burke Fund.

• $5,000 in starting funds from the Friends of the Middleton Public Library.

• $6,778 from five local businesses and organizations: $3,000 from the Middleton Optimists, $2,278 from Longtable Beer Cafe, $1,000 from Lake Ridge Bank, $1,000 from Middleton Lions Club, and $500 from Electronic Theatre Controls.

• Contributions from 96 individual donors including a $10,000 donation for an individual honorarium.

"The Friends of the Middleton Public Library are thrilled to see the community's response to the Bookmobile campaign. In just a short amount of time, we were able to raise a significant portion of the needed funds to fill the bookmobile with materials and supplies. Together with the matching grant from Madison Community Foundation, this allowed us to not only meet but surpass our goal. Once again, our community has shown that truly good neighbors make great libraries!" said Friends President, Kristen Mildenhall.

The Middleton Public Library will immediately utilize the initial $50,000 to fill the bookmobile with books, educational materials, and other resources to meet the needs of the community. The additional funds raised will be designated to update and replenish the bookmobile's materials and supplies in the coming years.

Library Director Jocelyne Sansing expressed gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support: “We are deeply grateful for the generosity shown by the Friends of the Library, residents, businesses, and organizations in Middleton. The bookmobile will enable us to reach more people, providing access to library services by meeting people where they are and building on current outreach services. This is a true community effort, and we couldn’t have done it without each and every donor.”

The bookmobile hits the streets later this year, bringing books and library services to neighborhoods, schools, senior living sites, and community events throughout Middleton. For more information on the bookmobile and its schedule, visit www.midlibrary.org/bookmobile

For more information, please contact:
Jocelyne Sansing
Library Director
Middleton Public Library 608-827-7425
[email protected]
www.midlibrary.org