RSVP for On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota

media release: 2026-2027 Friends of the UW Arboretum Luncheon Lectures

We are pleased to announce another fantastic roster of speakers this year! Seats fill up quickly, so register soon. Luncheon Lectures are held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Arboretum Visitor Center. A buffet lunch, provided by Blue Plate Catering, is followed by an educational presentation. Register online at foamadison.org or send a check to: Friends of the Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison, WI 53711.  The cost of each event is $50. Registration closes ten days before each event.  

Tuesday, January 12, 2027: On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota by Don Sanford, Author and former Captain for Betty Lou Cruises in Madison.

Don spent more than a decade collecting stories, interviewing dozens of past and present Mendota “water rats,” and searching for photos that help explain why Lake Mendota holds a special place in the hearts of so many people. His 2015 book, “On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota,” takes the reader on a leisurely cruise around Lake Mendota. Enjoy a collection of stories and photographs, which provide a new and unique perspective on the shoreline of Lake Mendota as it’s known today.