My Beginnings
As a high and dry west side native, I knew a whole lot of nothing about our lakes until I became a beach lifeguard at 18. Lake Monona has since become my truest love. She offers no criticism, nor any praise. She listens quietly, only answering in ripples and waves. She is a fractal mirror to reflect and refract your own essence.
Family Tree
I am a 4th generation Madisonian. When I boomeranged back to town, I was thrilled to get an apartment right on the lakeshore, at the very beginning of Monona. To my great surprise, this same complex once housed those same great grandma and grandpa Haddock. (Yes, like the fish!) John Haddock lives on through the paintings showcased here. I am lucky to have the lighthouse centered above my fish tank.
Why are we here?
I hope through this blog I can shine a light on what Madison beach front was, and what it has become. I am deeply concerned with the trends. The tides can turn, but only with sufficient action, political will, and capital spending.
The Big Scoop
Through lifeguarding on the City of Madison beaches, I learned that Madison was a beach town to teenagers in my mother’s generation. Not so today – instead, beaches are overrun with toxic algal blooms, sharp zebra mussels, and hypodermic needles.
Read more about my store in my through my essay down below
