Author: OFChamber

Abrams theater to present ‘Escanaba in da Moonlight’

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Escanaba in da Moonlight Cast

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. invites the community to experience deer camp with the Soady family this fall at “Escanaba in da Moonlight,” written by Jeff Daniels. Tickets are on sale now for this PG-13 show to be presented Sept. 12-15 and 19-22 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater in Abrams. Tickets can be purchased online at www.AbramsTheatre.com or by calling the box office at 920-826-5852.

The play depicts the Soady clan reuniting for opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp. Reuben Soady has the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady to never bag a buck. With humor, horror, and heart, the play describes his pursuit of that elusive buck. Director Tim Rutten-Kempees said the story brings Yooper ways to life.
“This show has so much in it, from bucks and guns to alien abductions and magic potions. It’s a crazy story populated by crazy characters. You won’t know what to expect,” he said.

With a cast of only six actors, each character is memorable, he said. “They all have their quirks. Some are just more upfront about them than others,” Tim said. “What’s really exciting is half the cast is appearing on the Abrams stage for the first time, and the other half are returning veterans.”

The set of the show is truly authentic, with many pieces coming from real deer camps.

Opening night of “Escanaba in da Moonlight” is Thursday, Sept. 12, with a 7 p.m. show and celebratory gala. The audience is invited to enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks with the cast and crew after the performance. Additional performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14 and 20-21 and at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 and 22. All shows will be performed at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. For Thursday’s shows, guests who wear hunting clothing will receive free popcorn.

“Escanaba in da Moonlight” is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc., New York, and produced by After Dark Productions, a division of Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. Due to adult themes and language, the show is rated PG-13 and is suitable for mature audiences only.

Developers Join Packerland Websites’ Team

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Packerland Websites Team
Packerland Websites has added two experienced website designers to its staff. From right, Tom Norman and Miranda Schlise-Gomez have joined website developer Mike McGraw and owner Bill Koehne. Their team creates powerful, effective websites for businesses, nonprofits and municipalities.

Packerland Websites is growing. Two experienced website designers, Tom Norman and Miranda Schlise-Gomez, have joined the staff. The website builder now employs three full-time developers who create powerful, effective websites for businesses, nonprofits and municipalities.

“Having three full-time developers on staff gives our company a wide breadth of abilities and deep scope of talent,” said Bill Koehne, owner of Packerland Websites. “It also allows me to shift my focus from developing sites to developing business strategies and goals for each client. We have so much more to offer clients today than I imagined eight years ago when we opened.”

Norman, of Green Bay, worked in the security field for 15 years before changing careers to web development. In 2013 he earned a Web Development Certificate at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. He has nine years of experience designing websites.

“I enjoy trying new processes and can adapt to new and unknown situations,” Norman said. “Every project is different. Different design, issues, challenges. I really love the building process, putting it all together.”

Norman also enjoys working with varied clientele who look to Packerland Websites to grow and promote their business or organization.

“Each client is unique in their needs and behaviors which makes every interaction important,” he said.

In his free time, Norman enjoys reading, writing, watching sports, playing video games and doing woodworking and refinishing projects.

Schlise-Gomez, of Green Bay, graduated in 2017 from NWTC with an Associate Degree in Web Development. She was previously employed as a web developer for an Oshkosh advertising agency. Schlise-Gomez said she enjoys the “puzzle aspect” of designing websites.

“There is always a new piece to put together,” she said. “When it comes to working with clients, I enjoy the satisfaction on their face when they see their website come to life.”

She tackles web development from a practical standpoint, integrating the technical and artistic elements into a unified package.

“My approach is to find out what the client needs and do my best to accomplish it,” she said.

After hours, Schlise-Gomez enjoys playing guitar, singing, and writing songs. She also enjoys the challenge of Escape Rooms and the excitement of attending Brewers games.

With the addition of two developers, Packerland Websites is ready to serve more clients at its Green Bay and Abrams offices. Contact the website professionals at 920-826-5901 or Bill@PackerlandWebsites.com.

Prevea Internal Medicine Care Coming to Shawano and Oconto Falls

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Dr. Alexa Gavaga

Prevea Health is pleased to announce it will begin offering internal medicine care in the communities of Shawano and Oconto Falls, beginning in September, with Dr. Alexa Gavaga.

As an internal medicine physician, Dr. Gavaga provides routine medical care for adults, including chronic disease management, medication management and preventive medicine. She will begin seeing patients at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, 835 S. Main St. in Oconto Falls, on Sept. 17; and at the Prevea Shawano Health Center, 1300 East Green Bay St. in Shawano, on Sept. 19.

“I enjoy working with adults of all ages,” says Dr. Gavaga. “I find it rewarding when my patients make progress toward their health care goals, resulting in them living their best possible life.”

Dr. Gavaga graduated medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed residency at RWJ Barnabas Health Jersey City Medical Center.

Appointments with Dr. Gavaga at the Prevea Shawano Health Center can be made by calling (715) 201-0870; and the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center by calling (920) 846-8187.

Preventing and Recognizing Heatstroke

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Woman preventing heat stroke by drinking water

With summer in full swing and high temperatures in the forecast, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls encourages everyone to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of heatstroke, as well as the steps that can be taken to avoid heatstroke.

Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. It requires emergency treatment to prevent serious complications or death. If you suspect someone is experiencing heatstroke, call 911 or seek medical assistance immediately.

Heatstroke signs and symptoms

  • High body temperature – The main sign of heatstroke is a core body temperature of 104 degrees or higher.
  • Altered mental state or behavior – If a person who has been in hot temperatures is confused, agitated, slurring their speech, irritable, delirious or experiences a seizure, then heatstroke may be suspected.
  • Nausea – Vomiting may occur.
  • Flushed skin – An increase in body temperature can lead to skin turning red.
  • Rapid breathing – Breathing may become rapid and shallow.
  • Racing heart rate – When a person experiences heatstroke, the heart works overtime to help cool the body, therefore increasing the heart rate.
  • Headache – Heatstroke can cause a throbbing headache.

Preventing heatstroke

  • Wear loose-fitting clothes – Loose-fitting clothes allow for your body to cool properly as opposed to tight or heavy clothes.
  • Drink plenty of fluids – Staying hydrated will help you maintain a normal body temperature and will help your body sweat.
  • Protect yourself against sunburn – Use sunscreen and reapply every two hours. Also wear a hat and sunglasses to protect against sunburns. Sit under the shade from time to time.
  • Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day – Try to schedule outdoor activities in the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or the evening. The hottest part of the day is generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Better yet, stay indoors – Avoid the heat altogether by staying inside an air-conditioned, well-ventilated space.

Yoga on the Beach

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HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital invites the community to Yoga on the Beach, July 17 and August 21, at the West Side Beach in Oconto Falls.

Certified yoga instructors from LPI Fitness will lead a one-hour slow flow yoga class that is designed for all skill levels, including beginners. Attendees are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or long towel. While classes are free, registration is required for each class as space is limited.

Yoga on the Beach

  • 6 to 7 p.m.
  • July 17 and August 21
  • West Side Beach, N. Flatley Ave. in Oconto Falls (near the pavilion)
  • To register: Call (920) 834-2280 or email Betsy@lpifitness.com

Dr. Stacee Goedtel Birr, family medicine physician at the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, will also be present at each class to talk about the benefits of yoga and answer questions.

For more information about Yoga on the Beach, visit: www.stclarememorial.org/yoga

woman doing yoga on the beach

Ten Tips to Stay Safe during Fireworks Season

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In the month around the July 4th holiday, approximately 280 people in the U.S. go to emergency rooms every day with fireworks-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Though fireworks can be exciting, festive and fun – they can also be very dangerous. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital recommends the following tips and reminders to ensure a safe experience:

  1. Children should never play with fireworks. Firecrackers, rockets and sparklers can be extremely dangerous if not used properly. If you give sparklers to kids, make sure to keep them outside and away from faces, clothing and hair. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
  2. Buy legally and store safely. Observe local laws and make sure fireworks are legal in your area. Store in a cool, dry place and keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
  3. Don’t DIY. Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
  4. Be prepared. Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and hose nearby.
  5. Keep a distance. Steer clear of others and never throw or point fireworks at someone. Light fireworks then move back quickly.
  6. Take precautions. Don’t hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket. Never light fireworks in a glass or metal container.
  7. Know your surroundings. Point fireworks away from homes. Keep away from brushes, leaves and other flammable substances.
  8. Quality, not quantity. Light one firework at a time and never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
  9. Make sure the fire is out and dispose of properly. Don’t allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event as they may still be hot. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
  10. Better yet, leave fireworks to the experts. This is the recommended course of action by the National Safety Council.

If an adult or child is injured by fireworks, immediately call your doctor or go to the hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don’t touch or rub it, as this may cause more damage. If it’s a burn, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn and then call your doctor immediately.

firework season

Sports Physical Exams – Oconto and Oconto Falls

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Sports Physical Exams

Prevea health centers in Oconto Falls and Oconto are now scheduling appointments for sports physical examinations for athletes wanting to participate in a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) sport.

Sports physicals are performed by Prevea Health providers and licensed athletic trainers. “We are examining everything from heart issues to musculoskeletal issues,” said Mike LaMere, Prevea Sports Medicine Outreach Manager. “We want to make sure athletes are healthy and ready to compete.”

Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center (853 S. Main St., on the campus of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls)

  • Thursday, July 25, 3 to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 31, 3 to 5 p.m.
  • Call (920) 846-8187

Prevea Oconto Health Center (620 Smith Ave. in Oconto)

  • Tuesday, July 23, 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 31, 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Call (920) 834-4110 to make an appointment

For more information, visit: www.prevea.com/wiaa-physicals

Downloadable physical forms are available at: www.wiaawi.org

ASPI Proudly Presents “Footloose: The Musical”

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Footloose: The Musical Cast
The cast of “Footloose: The Musical” rehearses a scene at the Byng Community Theater in Abrams. Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will present “Footloose: The Musical” on the weekends of June 21-23 and June 28-30. From left to right are Charis Wirtley, Jack Anderson, Owen Goffard, Katie Koehn, Abby Frank, Akeem Edmonds, Tyler Otto, and Bella Frank.

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. proudly presents “Footloose: The Musical” for a two-weekend run on June 21-23 and June 28-30. The story follows city teen Ren McCormack and his move to the small town of Bomont, Utah, where dancing and rock music are not only discouraged, but banned. Follow Ren, his newfound friends, and the community as they grapple with love, loss, rebellion, and the right to dance.

The musical is based off the hit 1984 film and features 80’s Billboard hits such as “Let’s Hear if for the Boys” and “Holding Out for a Hero”.

“When Footloose was being adopted as a stage musical the writers transferred many of the songs directly from the movie soundtrack,” explained ASPI “Footloose” director Michael Laskowski.

“It was actually one of the very first musicals to be based on a non-musical movie which I think makes this production quite special and unique,” he continued.

“Footloose” is Laskowski’s first production with ASPI and his directorial debut of a musical. Though new to the ASPI family, Laskowski is no stranger to theater. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from UW-Oshkosh and has been involved in several area theatre companies including Evergreen Theatre, Green Bay Community Theatre, Riverside Players, and Wolf River Theatre.

“One of the many reasons why I adore my cast is that there is such a wide range of talents and experiences among them,” said Laskowski.

The show spotlights Akeem Edmonds as newcomer Ren McCormack and Abby Frank as reverend’s rebel daughter Ariel Moore.

“One of the special things we have with this cast is that it truly is a family affair,” explained Laskowski.

The “Footloose” cast features several family member ties, including sisters Abby and Bella Frank, (portraying Ariel and Rusty), along with two father/daughter duos, Jerry Wirtley and Charis Wirtley (portraying Rev. Shaw Moore and Wendy Jo) and Mark Koehn and Katie Koehn (portraying Coach Dunbar and Urleen).

“When you put together a cast for any type of show, that cast becomes like a family. And these coincidences just put a delightful ironic touch to that thought,” he continued.

Showtimes for ASPI’s production of “Footloose: The Musical” include June 21, 22, 28, and 29 at 7pm and June 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 1pm. All shows will be performed at the Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams.

ASPI will celebrate opening night on Friday, June 21, with a gala after the show. The audience is invited to enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks with the cast and crew.

To purchase tickets, check out the ASPI website at abramsspotlightproductions.com or by calling the box office at 920-826-5852.

“Footloose” is presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by R&H Theatricals, 229 W. 28th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Tel: (212) 541-6600 Fax: (212) 586-6155 www.rnh.com. Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Lyrics by Dean Pitchford. Music by Tom Snow and additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman.

Nurse’s Nook Receives $40,000 Grant from Bond Foundation

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HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Nurse's Nook

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation, Inc., has awarded a $40,000 grant to support Nurse’s Nook – a program that provides aid to children and families in need in all five school districts in Oconto County: Gillett, Suring, Oconto Falls, Oconto and Lena.

Nurse’s Nook provides students and their families with basic needs items including non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, clothing, medical supplies/devices and vouchers for transportation to medical appointments. Items are kept stocked within each of the school districts throughout the year and provided to students free-of-charge on an as-needed basis. Nurse’s Nook also offers an Adopt-A-Family Christmas program to provide families with winter necessities including boots, jackets, hats and gloves. It also offers a Weekend Food program which provides students a bag of nutritious food that contains enough items to allow them to make a full meal at home each week.

“We are immensely grateful to the Bond Foundation for their generous support of Nurse’s Nook and the children and families we serve here in Oconto County,” said Nuala Nowicki, founder of the Nurse’s Nook program. “These funds will allow us to maintain programming, purchase additional supplies and serve more families in Oconto County.”

This is the second Bond Foundation grant to be awarded to Nurse’s Nook. In 2018, it awarded Nurse’s Nook $30,000 which was used to help expand the program to the Oconto and Lena school districts.

Nurse’s Nook informally began in 2014 when Nuala, who is also a Prevea Health school nurse for the Gillett School District, recognized that poverty in the community was negatively impacting students’ abilities to learn and succeed in school. Today, Nurse’s Nook is an official program of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, operated in collaboration with Nuala, Prevea Health and countless volunteers and donors who dedicate time and effort to collecting, organizing and distributing supplies.

The Nurse’s Nook program relies solely on support and donations from the community to operate. Anyone who would like to learn more information or donate to Nurse’s Nook should contact Debbie Hockers at (920) 433-8653 or email ewfriends@hshs.org.

HSHS St. Clare, Prevea Now Offer DOT Medical Exams in Oconto County

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HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health now offer DOT medical exams at five locations throughout Oconto County: Oconto Falls, Suring, Gillett, Mountain and Lena.

A DOT medical exam is the evaluation required in order to operate a commercial vehicle in the United States. It is referred to as “medical fitness for duty” examination which ensures that each driver is capable and healthy enough to successfully complete the duties associated with commercial driving. DOT medical exams include vision, hearing, blood and urinalysis screenings, and are conducted by licensed medical examiners listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry.

“This is a convenient, local service for anyone needing to maintain or obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL),” said Jennifer Gibbons, APNP, FNP-BC, who is one of four FMCSA-licensed medical examiners now seeing patients at HSHS St. Clare/Prevea Health locations throughout Oconto County. Others include: Janet Richlen, MPAS, PA-C; Clayton Keene, APNP, FNP-BC; and Erin Bancroft, APNP, FNP-C.

Appointments for DOT medical exams are now available at the following HSHS St. Clare/Prevea Health locations:

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Gillett Health Center
340 N. Green Bay Ave., Gillett
(920) 855-2823

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Lena Health Center
200 S. Rosera St., Lena
(920) 829-6400

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Mountain Health Center
14353 Hwy 32/64, Mountain
(715) 276-1600

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center
835 S. Main St., Oconto Falls
(920) 846-8187

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Suring Health Center
913 E. Main St., Suring
(920) 842-1147