–submitted by Moses Altsech; photos by Juli Baumgartner & Jason Beren
Think back at whatever it is you microwaved for dinner Monday night, and wish you’d had the good sense to join the Culinary Arts Fellowship group at Big Sky, a terrific little restaurant in downtown Stoughton.
(Photo 1: from left: Sharon Hoffmann, Chuck Casey, Martha Casey & Paul Hoffmann; Photo 2: from left: Nancy & Ed Young & Keith & Juli Baumgartner)
When the lamb chops were served, everyone wished they’d ordered those–but the same happened with the swordfish, the osso bucco, and the mushroom strudel; one thing was better than the next, and the creme brulee that topped it off was great too. So good was the food that Jason Beren forgot to take pictures, and Keith Baumgartner begged his wife to take photos in his place. There were no food fights (the food was too good to throw at anyone), but there were plenty of lively conversations among the great looking, sophisticated, modest Rotarians who attended this fun event.
(Photo 1: Nick Topitzes; Photo 2: Erin Luken, Jason Beren, Casey & Eric Oelkers; Photo 3: Hannah & Eli Van Camp)
There’s nothing open in Stoughton on Monday evenings–not even the Big Sky, but it opened especially for us: The chef (who worked for years with the chef to the late King Hussein of Jordan) told us we’d be welcome back anytime, and although most of us had never been there before, we all said we would definitely return with more friends in tow.
Are you sorry you didn’t come? Good; make sure you sign up next time! Thanks to Nick and Judy Topitzes for bringing us to Big Sky and to Paul Hoffmann, our outgoing fellowship group chair!
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 
Thanks Moses for your excellent recap and to Jason for taking the pictures. I appreciate the effort Nick put into organizing an outstanding event. Thanks to everyone that was able to attend. What an enjoyable evening in Stoughton!