Prairie Flowers moved to a new location in March

"If you don’t use it, you lose it."

It’s a truism for small businesses on Main Streets around the country according to Dina Pocernich, owner of Prairie Flowers and Gifts in downtown Sun Prairie. She believes that communities' economic vitality is affected by where people choose to spend their money.

"We’re losing small businesses simply because they’re not being used. It takes making a choice, a choice to say, 'I’m going downtown to shop. If I want our economy to be vibrant, I need to be aware of that.'"

Fortunately for her, it seems that many people in her community understand that concept: a recent move to downtown Sun Prairie has strengthened business, Pocernich said.

“I’m proud we’re here and thriving,” she said. “People tell us we freshen up the downtown -- they’re thrilled and we’re thrilled.”

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music will welcome a three-time Grammy award-winning composer on Nov. 30, when the university premieres two of the artist's new pieces.

The UW Wind Ensemble will perform two of Michael Daugherty’s new works: “Bells for Stowkowski” and “Motown Metal.”

The free performance begins at 8 p.m. in Mills Hall at 455 N. Park St. A pre-concert discussion with Daughterty begins at 7:15 p.m.

Daugherty is collaborating with the university in a special program that brings in accomplished contemporary composers to work directly with the musicians of the UW Wind Ensemble and student composers.

The Sun Prairie High School Wind Ensemble will join the UW group for the evening with a performance conducted by Steve Sveum.

In a ceremony Friday morning, third graders at Royal Oaks Elementary School donated care packages for U.S. troops serving overseas to a group of volunteer military supporters. Nearly 60 third graders contributed to the project, and along with a local company’s volunteer crew, they were able to create 60 care packages for soldiers.

Royal Oaks Principal James Ackley said the care package project taught kids to express gratitude to the troops overseas for the sacrifices they make as U.S. soldiers.

“I am very proud of our third graders for enthusiastically stepping forward and embracing this project to help our troops serving so far away from their families,” Ackley said in a news release.