Just south of Madison, and just a tad off of I-90, is a small town called Stoughton. I spent most of my childhood living there and even though I moved away after fourteen years, I have made memories there that will last me a lifetime. From crazy street festivals to canoe races, 4-H activities, lake life, Norwegians, and farms (obviously, because this is Wisconsin) this is one place to remember. Out of all of the things I had experienced in this town, here are a few that I think anyone who has lived, or been to Stoughton can relate to.

1. Lutefisk dinners

You know you’re in a Norwegian town when you see ads for lutefisk dinners in the paper. There is something about codfish soaked in lye that gets people lined up outside the door, just waiting to try it. Along with the lutefisk drenched in butter and salt, there is heaps of mashed potatoes, green beans, Swedish meatballs, lefse, and a variety of pies for dessert, and lots of butter. There really isn’t anything you won’t like at these lutefisk dinners.

2. Lake life

“Life is always better on the lake” is something you can’t argue if you’ve been to Lake Kegonsa. Either you live on it, or know someone who does, you spend the dog days of summer water skiing, tubing, and just boating around. There is also a restaurant on the lake called Springer’s that you can row your boat up to and eat stellar burgers right on the water. Then you can pull right off the dock and go right back to the lake. It's always good to spend a long day on the lake, have a good meal in your stomach, and have good times with friends.

3. The Ya-HAIR-a river, not the Ya-HAR-a

This has been a debate among the town for years. The Yahara River runs right through town and into Lake Kegonsa. Everyone argues about how it is supposed to be called the Ya-HAR-a, but those are usually out of towners. It is called the Ya-HAIR-a, whether you like it or not.

4. Syttende Mai

Syttende Mai is a Norwegian national holiday and it marks the signing of their constitution in Norway in 1814. Also, if you may not already know this, Norwegians LOVE to party, and we keep the tradition going on with parades, canoe races, cheese curds, cream puffs, Swedish meatballs, beer, live music, a two-mile run, street dance, art fair, Stoughton’s own high school Norwegian dancers, and much more all packed into one weekend.

5. Changing Schools in the 'middle' of middle school

If you ever went to school in Stoughton, you may remember schools like Sandhill school, (which had fifth and sixth grade), and River Bluff Middle School (which had sixth, seventh, and eighth.) From the three elementary schools in town, they all went up to fourth grade, then you moved to Sandhill for two years, and then moving on to River Bluff in just a short time. Though this isn't that much of a big deal, I did find it a little strange to have two separate buildings for four separate grades.

6. Authentic eats in town

Aside from the typical fast food restaurants that every town has, there are many dives in town that are worth the meal. There is the Koffee Kup, Fosdal’s Bakery (one of the best in Wisconsin), and Cinema Café (which is a movie theatre but with a pizza parlor as well). Every time you go to any of these places, you can tell the food is going to be good based on the number of locals that are inside. From all day breakfast at the Koffee Kup, along with fish fry nights and prime rib nights, to pizza and a movie at the Cinema Café, and the endless sweet treats at Fosdal’s Bakery, leaves a taste in your mouth that only a place like Stoughton can give you.

7. Stoughton Junior Fair

Just in time for the Forth of July, the Stoughton Junior Fair comes to town. The infamous ‘Carnies’ come to town bringing amusement rides, and a handful of deep fried food stands. Rodeos, demo derbies, animal shows and art exhibits from the 4-H, and most importantly, the famous Stoughton FFA cheese curds and cream puff stand. The days are hot, the food is hot, and there are late nights spent on the midway, and good times in the show barns showing off your animals. This is a busy week for everyone, and it is always a memorable one.

Even though I have moved away from this place many years ago, I still hold those tastes, events, places, and people dear to me, and I hope Stoughton was as good to you as it was to me.