Category: Chamber News

Oconto Falls Municipal Utilities encourages small business customers

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A message from Lisa Miotke.

Oconto Falls Municipal Utilities encourages small business customers to take advantage of the Main Street Efficiency Program which can provide funding assistance for efficiency upgrades such as lighting, heating & cooling systems, motors, drives, food service equipment, energy management controls, among others for our small business customers.

This program is designed to remove some of the financial barriers for small businesses looking to make changes to reduce energy usage.
For qualifying projects, the utility will match incentives from Focus on Energy, the statewide energy efficiency program, up to 60% of the project cost. Additional low-cost financing is available through the utility’s Shared Savings Program.

Business owners or managers served by Oconto Falls Municipal Utilities may contact the utility’s Energy Services Representative, Lisa Miotke, at 920-254-8931 to learn more about the program or other services provided by OFMU.

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2017 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association All-State Choir

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The Oconto Falls High School Choir was proud to have students selected for the prestigious 2017 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association All-State Choir.

Representing Oconto Falls High School in the Men’s Choir were three juniors—Camden Jackson, son of Jeff & Pam Jackson; Hunter Ryczek, son of GinnyDunsworth and Chad Ryczek; and Peter Murphy, son of Candice Behnke and Steven Murphy.

The 120-voice All-State Men’sChoir performed Brightest and Best arranged by Shawn Kirchner, Zion’s Walls by Aaron Coplan, Black is the Color byConnor Koppin, The God Who Gave Us Life by Randall Thompson, and We Rise Again by Leon Dubinsky and Stephen Smith. They gave an exceptional performance at the historic Grand Theater in Wausau to a sold-out audience and received a standing ovation.

The director for the All-State Men’s Choir was Dr. Lee Nelson, Director of Choral Activities at Wartburg College in Iowa. “He treated us like we were his own choir. His knowledge and the skills he showed us were incredibly useful,” commented Camden Jackson. When asked to reflect on their experience, HunterRyczek commented that “It is amazing—the difference in sound when everyone is so passionate about the same thing.” Peter Murphy added that “It feels amazing to be surrounded by the greatest and most talented men in the state.”

The students were nominated by OFHS Choral Director Amy Thiel. They rehearsed on Friday and Saturday, January 6-7, before their final performance as part of the WCDA State Choral Convention.

Jennifer Longsine, daughter of David and Diane Longsine and Lillian Olson, daughter of Gary and Barbara Olson, were also selected to participate in the Women’s All-State Choirs, but were unable to participate in the performance due to illness. The Women’s Choir was directed by Rhonda Vieth Ruelberth, Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Hospital Celebrates Opening of Welcome Center

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HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the opening of its Welcome Center, located inside the hospital’s main entrance. The Welcome Center at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is staffed by friendly volunteers to provide patients and visitors hospital campus directions, information and wheelchair needs.

The Welcome Center at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, a non-profit hospital, was made possible thanks to a generous donation from ST Paper in Oconto Falls. Construction began in September 2016 and was completed in November. On Wednesday, Dec. 21, hospital colleagues, volunteers and ST Paper representatives gathered to celebrate and bless the
opening of the Welcome Center.

“Our hospital campus is growing as we continue to add new services and technology to meet the health care needs of our community,” said Dan DeGroot, Chief Operating Officer at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “The Welcome Center serves as a touchpoint for all of our services and enhances the experience for patients and visitors the moment they
come through our doors.”

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is in need of more volunteers to staff the Welcome Center. Those interested should contact Regina Boettcher, Volunteer Services, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital at (920) 848-3648.

Slip-and-fall injuries due to icy conditions

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Slip-and-fall injuries due to icy conditions are a common occurrence during Wisconsin winter months. To prevent injury, consider the following tips from HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and its partner, Prevea Health.

 

  1. Walk like a penguin.Waddle and keep your center of gravity over your front leg. Raise your arms slightly for balance, keep your hands out of your pockets and your feet pointed slightly apart.
  2. Wear shoes or boots with traction.
  3. Be careful when entering or exiting a vehicle.
  4. Assume that all surfaces are slippery.
  5. Stay on designated pathways.
  6. Apply salt or sand to slippery surfaces, but keep in mind that salt will only melt if the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.

Snow can also be a safety hazard this time of year. For tips on safe snow removal, click here.

Broken and/or Unwanted Christmas Lights

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Christmas LightsHSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is accepting broken and/or unwanted Christmas lights between now and Friday, Jan. 13, 2017.

Anyone who would like to drop off their unwanted working or non-working Christmas lights can leave them next to the small electronics recycling box on the Ground Floor near the entrance to the cafeteria at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, located at 855 S. Main St. in Oconto Falls.

“Millions of Christmas lights are discarded each year in the United States,” said Dan Rocheleau, Campus and Sustainability Facilitator at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “Many people do not know that Christmas lights can be recycled, and we encourage others to do their part in keeping this recyclable product out of our landfills.”

The Christmas light collection is sponsored by The Green Team – a group of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) – Eastern Wisconsin Division colleagues that share the common goal of identifying, educating and implementing sustainability programs that support the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis’ mission of reverence for the earth.

Annual Memory Tree fundraiser

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37139961 - candlelight
37139961 – candlelight

he HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Auxiliary invites you to participate in their annual Memory Tree fundraiser. For each donation, a light shines on our Christmas tree…a light for yourself or your family, in honor of or in memory of someone dear to you.

There will be a blessing of the tree at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, December 21, at 1:30 p.m. in the main lobby area of the hospital with a social to follow.

To participate, please complete the attached form.

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

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Abrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. will present, YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
 
In the photo is Abigail Budz (Woodstock) and Cate Kopkey (Snoopy).
In the photo is Abigail Budz (Woodstock) and Cate Kopkey (Snoopy).

Innocence of Peanuts Gang Captured in ‘Charlie Brown’
Charles Schulz’s beloved comic comes to life in Clark Gesner’s classic musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” set to be performed the first two weekends in December by the cast of Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc.

The whole gang is here: bossy Lucy, portrayed by Ali Carlson, is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder, played by Michael Brunner, who doesn’t give her the time of day.

Perfectionist Sally, played by Elizabeth Zitny, is still mocking blanket-toting Linus, played by Christopher LaChance.

Snoopy, played by Cate Kopkey, is in the doghouse, and the “blockhead,” himself, Charlie Brown, played by Brandon Byng, is in rare form.

The bright and adorable Woodstock is played by Abigail Budz.

Brief vignettes span the months from Valentine’s Day to Beethoven Day, from wild optimism to utter despair. In this revised version, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and dialogue by Michael Mayer, the sweet, joyful innocence of the Peanuts gang is maintained, but a fresh insouciance and playfulness is revealed.

The new script features two new songs, funny dialogue, and new, catchy orchestrations. Whether you’re keen to fly with the Red Baron or moon over the “Moonlight Sonata,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” stirs the memories like a true classic.

Shows will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and 10; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 and 11.

Performances are at the Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Tickets are $14 for adults (18-64), $12 for seniors (65 and older) and youth (5-17) and $7 for children (4 and under). Tickets can be purchased online at www.AbramsTheatre.com or by calling the box office at 920-826-5852.

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will celebrate opening night, Friday, Dec. 2, with a gala. Patrons who attend opening night can enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks with the cast and crew after the show.

 
The Cast:
Charlie Brown…Brandon Byng
Sally Brown…Elizabeth Zitny
Lucy Van Pelt…Ali Carlson
Linus Van Pelt…Christopher LaChance
Schroeder…Michael Brunner
Snoopy…Cate Kopkey
Woodstock…Abigail Budz
 
Subsequent show dates are as follows
December 2nd at 1pm
December 3rd at 1pm & 7pm
December 4th at 1pm
December 9th at 7pm
December 10th at 1pm & 7pm
December 11th at 1pm
Performances are at The Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple Street, Abrams, WI 54101. Tickets are $14.00 for Adults (18-64), $12.00 for Seniors (65+) and Youth (5-17), and $7.00 for Children (4 and under). Tickets can be purchased online at www.AbramsTheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 920-826-5852.

Daddy D Productions presents AMERICA! Celebrate the USA!

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The Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts are proud to announce its second performance of the 2016-2017 Fine Arts Series. Daddy D Productions proudly presents AMERICA! CELEBRATE THE USA! on Sunday, October 23 at 1:00 p.m. at Romy’s Holiday Inn-Kelly Lake.

Daddy D Productions started as a group of friends with a simple idea–good music, good friends, good food, and good clean humor! For inspiration, they looked to great variety shows of years past, added a big helping of Daddy D energy, and came up with a winning combination! This year’s Daddy D Production brings you a musical celebration of America and its music. From the tunes that moved a nation through war to small hits from a gang of the Jersey Boys, there is something for everyone!

This special event also includes the 15th Anniversary Fine Arts Celebration Fundraiser and Raffle and a chance to win numerous great prizes! Join us a for a great afternoon and show your support for the arts in our community!

Tickets are $45 and include dinner (chicken and tips) and the show. For tickets, call the Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts at (920) 848-7469 or order online at www.ocontofallsfriendsofthearts.com Advanced ticket sales only. All ticket prices include a $2 processing fee.

Oconto County’s Discover Wisconsin Episode

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Residents from across Wisconsin and beyond will soon discover Oconto County! The episode “Oconto County – a place for you” follows hosts Mariah Haberman and Eric Paulsen from Discover Wisconsin around the county for endless opportunities of adventure!

The episode will show off Oconto County’s hundreds of miles in snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails, the Bay of Green Bay, artist Joan White, Sweet Memories Candy Shoppe, the Nicolet National Forest and the history of Oconto County!

Several festivals – such as Copperfest, Oconto Fly-In and the Lakes Country Arts and Crafts show are also featured.

The episode concludes with scenes from a guided fishing excursion with Don Loch on the Bay of Green Bay for some world class walleye fishing.

The episode will air in Northeast Wisconsin on October 15th at 10:00am on FSN Wisconsin or WFRV Channel 5 October 15th at 6:30pm. Discover Wisconsin TV airs in eight states across the Midwest.

The Taste In Oconto County

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tasteThe Taste In Oconto County – 25th Annual Tasting Event

Date:  October 2, 2016
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Contact Name: Debbie Arndt
Contact Phone Number: 920-848-6368
Admission Fee: $18.00 in Advance $20.00 at the Door
Location: Romy’s Holiday Inn at Kelly Lake

Address:9600 Hwy G
Suring, WI, 54174

Purchase a ticket at the door and receive a complimentary wine glass. Once inside, try samples from area businesses and restaurants.

Bucket raffles, 50/50 raffles, paddle wheel and silent auctions held throughout the day.
All proceeds benefit Home Respite Care, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization who helps senior citizens of Oconto County through our in-home respite, phone pal services and adult day services.

E-mail: respite @bayland.net

Website:  www.homerespite.com