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     A well kept secret in these hard economic times is the good ol' Wisconsin Bowling Alley.  I think if we have not been to a bowling alley for awhile, it is easy to forget their diverse entertainment offerings.  

    Varsity Lanes in Milton, Wisconsin is one such establishment.  It is located in the hilly southwest side on the way to the old Junction side of town. 

    One of my favorite activates to do lately is stop in on Sunday mornings prior to Packer Games.  Bowling is one dollar a game up until noon.  This is one of the best bowling deals around.  You can also get a nifty basket of Smelt, wings, and fries for no charge.  I do suggest however, you buy an adult beverage if you partake in the free basket.  It even comes with tarter and ranch to dip your treats in.  

    Heide and I have our own bowling balls and shoes, so you will have to call for prices if you need to rent these items.

    Another facet of the Varsity Lanes is the Friday night fish fry.  There is a fried Cod offering for $8.50.  You will get French fries, cole slaw, and a roll on the side.  My favorite is the fish combo for $13.50.   You will get a huge piece of Walleye, some Perch, and some Cod.  It is all fried with crispy breading.  You better be hungry.  

    Varsity Lanes is cool with Cool Dadio. With an adult beverage or two Hiede got out of the fish fry for around 30 Bucks. They serve from about five to nine p.m.  Find the Varsity Lanes at 450 South John Paul Road, Milton, Wisconsin 53563.  Call (608) 868  -  6800 for more information.

                          Wisconsin Military Service Person Special Mention of the Week
          (each week Cooldadiomedia mentions a Wisconsin service person killed in Iraq or Afghanistan) 

    This week's Wisconsin military service person to remember is Marine Lance Corporal Ryan J. Cantafio, 22, a Marine Reservist from Beaver Dam. Cantafio was killed on November 25, 2004 in an explosion in Iraq. Lance Corporal Cantafio was with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, out of Madison, Wisconsin. He died during enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq. Ryan was the second former Beaver Dam High School student killed in Iraq. Cantafio had been in the Marine Reserve for four years and shipped out to Iraq in September, 2004 placing him in the country only two months at the time of his death. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel mentioned Ryan was married and he and his wife had their home in Beaver Dam. At the time of his death, Ryan was survived by his father Joe, his step mom, and wife Amanda. Lance Corporal Ryan Cantafio was the 30th Wisconsinite killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 

                                                As of this blog entry's posting date:

    94,768 Iraqi civilians have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.
    
    9,316 Iraqi Security Forces have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.

    4,372 Americans have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 

    931 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.

    317 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.

    599 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 

    31,582 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 

    4,640 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 

    101 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.

    16 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.

    139 journalists (several nationalities) have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003.

    17 journalists (various nationalities) have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001.

Wisconsin military service person special mention of the week, military casualty, and journalist casualty information sources: Committee to Protect Journalists; cnn.com; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; washingtonpost.com; thehighground.org; Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; iraqbodycount.org; and, icasualties.org.