Ludlow: There's a first time for everything

I voted in the primary election this week and proudly showed my Wisconsin driver's license, even though I've known the poll workers for a very long time. But I didn't mind showing an ID, because you have to provide it for most everything these days.

Then, for the first time, I voted by machine. We had the option of a  paper ballot or the machine, so I chose the latter. It was easy. All I had to do was follow directions on the screen, with coaching from a nice young man helping us rookies. I guess Kewaunee is moving into the 21 century.

We only had two offices to vote for in the primary, State Supreme Court justice and Kewaunee County judge to replace retiring incumbent Dennis Mleziva. The local contest was to narrow three candidates down to two. According to the county's website this morning, Keith Mehn captured 1,564 votes and Jeff Wisnicky got 1,093. Andrew Naze finished third with 817. So Mehn and Wisnicky square off in April.

In the state race, Kewaunee County cast 1,693 votes for Rebecca Bradley and JoAnne Kloppenburg finished second with 1,149. Joe Donald was a distant third with 568.

State results were similar. According to the Internet statewide, Bradley had 251,823 to 243,190 for Kloppenburg. Donald finished a distant third with 68,373.

The April election will be interesting, with lots of local contests taking place, including a three-way race for mayor of Kewaunee among incumbent John Blaha, and two council members, Sandi Christman and John Griffith. City officials apparently missed the deadline for that race to be included in the February primary, so it's a three-way contest in April. May the best person win. I'm not making any predictions.

In a change of subject, I went to a surprise 60th birthday party last Saturday night for Sharon Salzsieder, who will make that milestone this Saturday. Congratulations, Sharon. You are now officially an adult.

It's going to be a busy, busy weekend. Some of us are bowling in an eight-pin senior tournament in Green Bay on Saturday. Six of us from our league are going.  It's a fun event because all eight- and nine-pin hits count as strikes. So if you get a lot of big splits, like I do, they count as strikes. You can't beat that!

Also this weekend is "Hooray For Hollywood" at the Heritage Farm. It's Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. We always go on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to it this year.

I'm sure it will be different, because some of the old regulars have retired and will be missed. But I'm sure the younger generation will step in right where they left off and give us a good show. It's a great chance to cure the winter blahs with an afternoon of laughter.

Have a great week, everyone.

Barb Ludlow is a former Kewaunee County reporter. Email her at bludlow1@charter.net.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Ludlow: There's a first time for everything