October 2018 – Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Oconto Falls High School Presents The Sound of Music

October 29, 2018September 11, 2024 OFChamber

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.

The cast includes Andrea Waschbisch as Maria Rainer, Keith Van Dornick as Captain Georg Von Trapp, Aidan Spillane as Max Detweiller, Catelyn Kramer as Elsa Schraeder, and Connor Romandine as Rolf Gruber. The Von Trapp children include Lyndsey Luebke as Liesl, Aaron Gonnering as Friedrich, Khloe Van Dornick as Louisa, Alex Waschbisch as Kurt, McKenzie Jackson as Brigitta, Autumn Canavera as Marta, and Jessica Wolford as Gretl. Paige Stapleton portrays Mother Abbess, with Cameron Mercier as Sister Berthe, Isabella Rennie as Sister Margaretta, and Cedar Olson as Sister Sophia. Nuns and Postulants in the chorus include Novalee Bauer, Madeline Dorn, Lydia Romback, Lauryn Slade, Grace Williams, Carina Wirtley, and Haley Schwantes, who also portrays Frau Schmidt and Ursula. The cast also includes Simon Pumplun as Herr Zeller, Dakota Brungraber as Franz and a soldier, and Josh Czerwinski as Admiral von Schreiber and Baron Elberfeld. The pit band for the production includes Melody Kostreva on piano, Laurie Karnopp on synthesizer & strings, Victoria Athey on flute/piccolo, Samantha Landvick on clarinet, Kayle Hines on soprano saxophone, Greg Schliep, Emily Gonnering, and Gabby Wellnitz on trumpet, Kelly Hasselhuhn and Carli Fischer on French horn, Danny Smith and Maddie Haines on trombone, Paul Langlay on tuba, Jerry Wirtley on string bass, and Jeremy Seelig on percussion. This year’s set construction crew includes Alex Barbin, Jacob Saari, David Kaczmarek, and Chase Pecha. Technical/Backstage crew includes Paige Renier and Emma Bliskey as stage managers, Cade Ruthsack, Allison Gerlach, Donovan Kamke, John Wolford, and Gayle Gander.

Directors for THE SOUND OF MUSIC are Amy Thiel (Vocals/Technical/Set & Props), Susan Seidl (Drama/Technical/Set & Props), Victoria Dominguez (Pit Band), and David Heisel (Construction). Laura Kostreva is the choreographer.

Several OFHS parent volunteer teams have also assisted with the production, including: Carrie Romandine and Pam Jackson – raffle team coordinators;
Dwyla Slade and Nikki Stapleton – publicity team coordinators; Ron Romandine and Kris Luebke – prop team coordinators; Carolyn Kramer and Wendy Van Dornick – Saturday evening reception team; and Michelle and Mary Dorn – Seamstress team. Additional parent/community team volunteers include Bev Schwantes, Sue Waschbisch, Patrick and Julie Spillane, Mike Stapleton, Sue Gonnering, Jerry and Krista Wirtley, Paul Luebke, Erika Bauer, Heather Rennie and Bev Umentum.

2018 Performances will be held on:
Thursday, November 1 at 7 p.m.
Friday, November 2 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 3 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 4 at 2 p.m.
All performances will be held at the Falls Area Performing Arts Center, located at Oconto Falls High School, 210 North Farm Road, Oconto Falls.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children/students are available in the OFHS Main Office between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Tickets will also be available 1 hour before each performance at the door. All seats are General Admission. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the performance.

Community Halloween Party a Success

October 24, 2018September 11, 2024 OFChamber

The Oconto Falls High School Music Department was proud to sponsor the 29th annual Community Halloween Party for children in Oconto Falls and the surrounding areas on Monday, October 22.

Over 300 children in grades Pre-school through grade six attended the event, which was held in the OFHS Wrestling gym. Many creative games were organized, designed and operated by over 120 high school students who represented the OFHS Music Department and members of the OFHS Chamber Singers, Cantabile, Chorale, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensembles, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band. Children and adults generously donated hundreds of canned food items for the Kingdom Come Food Pantry as part of their admission. Special thanks to area businesses and individuals who made donations toward this safe and fun event for our area children.

Participating area businesses, organizations, and individuals joining the OFHS Music Department in donating toward the event were the following: ORGANIZATIONS— American Legion Eick-Sankey Post 302, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 302, OFHS Art Department, OFHS Band, OFHS Choir, Oconto Falls Lions Club and the Oconto Falls Police Department; INDIVIDUALS— Terry Bitters, Joe and Monica Gostisha, Tom and Karen Lutz, Don and Judy Osborne, and Terry and Bev Umentum; BUSINESSES—BMO Harris Bank, The Antique Bar, Coachlight Inn, Flower Shoppe II, Hometown Veterinary Clinic, Howard Eslien Law Office, Jones Funeral Service, Luisier Drilling, Inc., Metzler-Hanson Realty, Mortell Studio, N.E.W. Credit Union, Oconto Electric Cooperative, Senn Hometown Insurance, Spaulding Construction, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, United True Value, and Witt’s Piggly Wiggly. MEDIA SUPPORT was appreciated from the Oconto County Times Herald, Oconto Reporter, WOCO Radio, Chamber of Commerce, Roger Birr, and Bill Koehne. Amy Thiel, OFHS Choral Director and Victoria Dominguez, OFHS Band Director are extremely proud of the Choir and Band student involvement and dedication to this outstanding community event.

The OFHS Music Department continues to sponsor the “Community Halloween Party” with area businesses as their way of saying “thank you” to the community for their tremendous support of music activities throughout the year!

Spiritual Care Week is Oct. 21 – 27

October 19, 2018September 11, 2024 OFChamber

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls recognizes Spiritual Care Week – a time to honor those who serve in various ministries and provide spiritual healing to others in need.

Spiritual Care Week, coming up Oct. 21 – 27, is sponsored by the Coalition on Ministry in Specialized Settings Network – a national organization of spiritual care providers, professionals, chaplains and a faith group endorser. The week-long observance recognizes the importance of spirituality and spiritual leaders as a part of the healing process.

“Spiritual caregivers make rounds to patients every day and are on-call after hours to provide spiritual assistance to patients and their families,” explains Mary Salm, Director of Spiritual Care and Mission Integration for HSHS Wisconsin and Door County Medical Center. “During times of illness, knowing someone cares brings a sense of healing and hope to the sick and their families. They offer support and education, share prayers and simply listen to patients.”

Each day, spiritual caregivers are invited into the life experiences of women, men, children and organizations. Spiritual Care Week provides an opportunity for the community to recognize chaplains and spiritual care counselors, educators and providers for bringing many gifts to the process of restoration to patients, young and old.

“Spiritual Care Week is a wonderful time to recognize those providing spiritual care within our community,” says Salm. “We honor the work of our hospital chaplains during this week, but also the work of the many other clergy and spiritual leaders throughout the area who faithfully come to be with their parishioners during hospital stays.”

All those who provide spiritual care to others, regardless of faith tradition, whether clergy or not, those who give spiritual care in specialized settings such as hospitals, prisons, businesses, industries, long-term care facilities, spiritual counseling centers, hospices, military settings, nursing homes, congregations of sisters, priests and brothers, schools, universities, seminaries, and many more – HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital celebrates them and appreciates all they do for our patients and the community.

Gala to Benefit St. Gianna Clinic in Green Bay Nov. 6

October 8, 2018September 11, 2024 OFChamber

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, the St. Gianna Clinic, in collaboration with the Green Bay Diocesan Office of Marriage, Family Life and Pro-Life, will host the 4th Annual Gala at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay.

The evening gala will feature Mass with Bishop David L. Ricken, a social with hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, and speakers, Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla and Dr. Teresa Stanton Collett. The event will benefit the St. Gianna Clinic, a not-for-profit, Catholic-based health care clinic located at 1727 Shawano Ave. in Green Bay. It was established in 2015 and offers primary medical care for adults and children, women’s care and natural family planning services. All medical care provided at the St. Gianna Clinic aligns with the teachings of the Catholic Church and serves people of all faiths.

The St. Gianna Clinic is named after St. Gianna Beretta Molla who was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2004 and is considered the patron saint of mothers, physicians and unborn children. St.

Gianna, a physician, died in 1962 following the birth of her fourth child, Gianna Emanuela Molla. During her pregnancy, St. Gianna was diagnosed with a tumor in her uterus and told by doctors she risked death if she followed through with the birth of her child. Intent on saving the life of her unborn child, St. Gianna chose to continue her pregnancy and died one week after the birth of her daughter. That daughter, Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla (pictured at right), will be a featured speaker at the gala Nov. 6.

“It is with deep-felt honor and gratitude that we are able to welcome Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla to the city of Green Bay and to the gala,” said Dr. Robin Goldsmith, the co-founder, president and chief medical officer of the St. Gianna Clinic in Green Bay. “She will be able to see and learn first-hand, the lifesaving, life-changing work our clinic and our wonderful physicians perform each day in the name and honor of her mother and of the Catholic Church.”

Dr. Teresa Stanton Collett, a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minnesota who specializes in the subjects of marriage, religion and bioethics, will also speak at the gala. Her presentation will focus on “Thinking Outside the Pill: Humanae Vitae for the Next Generations.” In addition, Bishop David Ricken’s Mass at the gala will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae – Pope Paul VI’s encyclical on God’s plan for married love and procreation.

Gala attendees will also have the opportunity learn more about the expansion project underway at St. Gianna Clinic, which aims to create more space and enhance services for its growing patient base.

All details for the upcoming gala can be found below. Tickets are $10 for students and $25 for adults. Registration is requested by Monday, Oct. 29 at: www.stmgb.org/gala

St. Gianna Clinic 4th Annual Gala
Tuesday, Nov. 6
5:30 p.m. – Mass with Bishop David Ricken
6 p.m. – Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
7:15 p.m. – Guest speakers: Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla and Dr. Teresa Stanton Collett
Meyer Theatre – 117 South Washington St., Green Bay