Surprise Sabbatical Last minute approval given for Denver trip By Hitten DuRhode Of the Times staff Associate professor Ken Menningen has been granted a sabbatical by the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater for the spring 2003 semester. The university had earlier denied essentially all sabbatical applications for fall 2003, including Dr. Menningen’s, due to the impending state budget shortfall and expected cuts to the University of Wisconsin System. However, Chancellor Jack Miller decided to allocate funds for a limited number of sabbaticals for spring 2003, and chose to include Dr. Menningen among those who were invited to participate. Fortunately, plans for spring 2003 were sufficiently flexible to allow Dr. Menningen to travel to Golden, Colorado, and work alongside Dr. John Turner at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. For five months beginning in mid-January Dr. Menningen will take a break from teaching and explore ways to efficiently convert solar energy into stored chemical energy in the form of pure hydrogen. This research is directly

Fall Frolicking Carolyn (3), Susie (1), and Nathan (5) celebrate news about their Dad’s sabbatical by jumping into a pile of leaves. Click here for more family photos!

related to efforts to convert the United States from a fossil fuel-based to a hydrogen-based energy economy. "I'm really looking forward to using cutting edge technology to produce explosive gases," said professor Menningen. "The experience will be truly sun-sational!"

Top of the rock The Menningens climbed to the top of a 300 ft outcrop at Roche-A-Cri State Park.

Vacation Ventures Family escapes city life, experiences the Dells by Lois T. Lugghage of the Times Staff The Ken and Laura Menningen family piled into their full sized van this August to experience the adventures of Wisconsin Dells. The daring young couple lived more than an entire week at an A-frame cabin south of Wisconsin Rapids with their children Alex (8), Nathan (5), Carolyn (3), and Susanna (1). The cabin is owned by Dick and Marcia Aschenbrenner, who report that the structure is not an entire loss, and most of the damage is covered by insurance. The Menningens enjoyed Riverview Park and Waterworld, Tommy Bartlett's Robot World, and the Goody Goody Gumdrop Candy Store during two separate trips to the Dells. They also enjoyed a trip to Roche-A-Cri and Buckhorn State Parks, fishing adventures with the kids, a motorboat ride with Mr. Aschenbrenner,

several trips in the paddle boat, a couple of campfires, and several hours of star gazing and watching the Perseid meteor shower. "Let's go on vacation again," said Alex. "Can we stay here forever?" asked Nathan. "Let's go to Waterworld," said Carolyn. Susie just grinned and jumped up and down. "Lord, have mercy!" said Ken and Laura.

Garage Gets Gorgeous Structure finally matches house color by Nalen Hammer of the Times Staff After more than four years, local homeowner Ken Menningen has managed to paint his garage. The garage color, "Brazilian tan" from the Wal-Mart Paint Store, matches the "light maple" color of the house siding quite well. Neighbors and passers-by have gasped at the marked improvement to the appearance of the property, and city officials have contemplated marking the garage as a public work of art. Even the Smithsonian Institution has gotten involved, sending representatives to explore the possibility of acquiring the structure as an archetypical two-car garage. President Bush declined to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, however, citing the war on terror. "This structure stands as a testament to the freedoms we all cherish," he said, "and I shall order National Guard troops to protect it from those who hate liberty and justice. And if the White House had a garage," he added, "I’d ask Mr. Menningen to come and paint it."

Brazilian Tan The new garage color handsomely matches the house siding. The proposed house expansion will be built directly above and to the left of the family room (the part of the house that is closest to the camera)

Exciting Expansion Plans to renovate home are underway by Nalen Hammer of the Times staff The Menningen family has initiated plans to expand and renovate their single family home in Whitewater. The plans include a new roof and soffits, new flooring, a three bedroom addition, and a revised kitchen. If funds are available there are plans for new windows and for refinishing a large hardwood floor. The renovations should make their 1949 home much more comfortable and efficiently laid out. The work is set to begin in spring 2003, while the family lives in Denver, CO, safely away from the noise and dust. The additional bedrooms will be all the more necessary as Mrs. Menningen is working on an expansion plan of her own, due for completion in early July 2003.

Quarterback hero Alex loves to role play. Most recently he has been leading the Colts to victory. (Why the Colts? He says he likes the team colors...)

The Menningen Family wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The Menningen children: Alex (8), Carolyn (3), Nathan (5), and Susanna (1) The parents are off-camera, making a fool of themselves trying to get the kids to smile.

Tenth Anniversary

Letter Archives

Close to on time!

Cat walks into our lives

Baxter the cat followed Laura home on her exercise walk the morning of July 16, 2002. After some tense negotiations and a concerted effort to find the cat's owner, Ken allowed the cat to stay, provided it remain Laura's pet. Still, as far as cats go, he's a very good one. Extraordinarily patient with the kids!

Summer at the Synchrotron

New computer

Laura earns green belt

Family heads to the polls