You may have noticed that, for the last three weeks, the initials that adorn the bottom of this column have been D.R., not V.O. The D.R. belongs to editor Dean Robbins. It marked the first time since about 1978 that someone other than me has written "Making the Paper," and I thank Dean for ably filling my slot during my absence.
And where was I? Well, I was not gone for medical reasons, you can rest assured. Quite the opposite; I took my first three-week vacation in over 35 years, spending the better part of it touring South Africa. The rest of the time was spent getting there and back. It is, as they say, a schlep. But that is a story for another day.
In his columns Robbins stuck to the business of the paper. That included promoting our latest collaboration with UW journalism classes taught by professors Sue Robinson and Lucas Graves: chronicling life in the city of Madison. This year it was "Madison at Play." From 6 p.m. March 28 until 6 p.m. March 29, students, staffers and members of the public reported on where they were and what they were up to in the nature of having a good time. Perhaps you participated. You can check the results on pages 10-14 and MadisonAtPlay.com.
Robbins also gave you the heads up on the coming Wisconsin Film Festival. Well, it has arrived. From April 3 through 10 we are movie-going fools, gorging ourselves on the selection of more than 150 films. Those of you who are not basketball fans and do not have any movie tickets for Saturday night are in luck. There should be plenty of choices in the last-minute rush lines. Badgers will play that evening, and for many the hottest seat in town will be in front of the TV.