Category: Events

Website Give-Away Contest

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Because November is a time for thanksgiving, not “thanksgetting,” Packerland Websites will give away a free website to one well-deserving nonprofit in the area. In the Give Back to Nonprofits Contest, one lucky nonprofit organization will qualify for a Premium Theme, 7-page website, valued at $2,500. A runner-up and third-prize winner will qualify for 85% savings ($2,125 value) and 70% savings ($1,750 value), respectively, on a Premium Theme website.

Raise awareness for your organization

Nonprofit websites work 24/7 to raise awareness for a cause and offer help to those in need. An attractive, easy-to-navigate website inspires people to make a difference by volunteering, donating to the organization, or getting involved.

Give Back to Nonprofits Contest

The Give Back to Nonprofits Contest is open to nonprofit organizations with or without a current website. Churches, charitable organizations, youth sports associations, community service clubs and professional groups within approximately 35 miles of Green Bay are encouraged to apply.

Nominations open until Nov. 15

For contest rules, prize information, and nomination guidelines, go to PackerlandWebsites.com/contest. Nominations are open until Friday, Nov. 15, with nonprofits responding Nov. 16 to Dec. 16 with qualifying information. The winners will be selected based the attributes of the nonprofit organization, including need and projected improvement or benefit to the organization.

Best-selling author will visit the Oconto Falls Library

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Best-selling author Nickolas Butler will visit the Oconto Falls Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14. He is the author of “Shotgun Lovesongs,” “Hearts of Men,” and “Little Faith.” All of his books have been bestsellers. He also has written several short stories and articles for magazines.

Nickolas was raised in Eau Claire and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Come and meet Nickolas, ask him about his life as an author, and pick up one of his bestsellers to read in November.

30th Annual Community Halloween Party “Spook-tacular” Success!

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The Oconto Falls High School Music Department was proud to sponsor the 30th annual Community Halloween Party for children in Oconto Falls and the surrounding areas on Monday, October 21.

Plinko – Game run by Connor Romandine, Colter McCormick, Alex Waschbisch

Over 375 children in grades Pre-school through grade six attended the event, along with over 400 parents, grandparents, and other family members! The Halloween Party 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.

Math-magical Duckies – Game run by Kayley VanDenEng, Abigail Wos, and Madeline Dorn

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 Band, OFHS Choir, and the Oconto Falls Lions Club; INDIVIDUALS— Terry Bitters, Joe and Monica Gostisha, Tom and Karen Lutz, Bob and Laurie Maloney, Don and Judy Osborne, Ron and Carrie Romandine, and Terry and Bev Umentum; BUSINESSES—The Antique Bar, Coachlight Inn, Flower Shoppe II, Howard Eslien Law Office, Jones Funeral Service, Luisier Drilling, Inc., Marquardt Auto Service, Mortell Studio, N.E.W. Credit Union, Oconto Electric Cooperative, Oconto Falls Insurance Center, Senn Hometown Insurance, 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 very proud of the Choir and Band students and their 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!

Part of the Admissions Team – Hunter Ryczek, Aidan Spillane, Keith Van Dornick

A night of laughs coming to Abrams theater

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Comedy City will bring its hilarious group of improv performers to Abrams on Friday, Oct. 4, for a night of fun and laughter. The De Pere troupe has performed improvisational theater for over 30 years. Nothing is scripted. By incorporating audience suggestions, the performers create a series of short scenes, songs, and sketches that keep the audience laughing.

This event is presented by Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. Doors open at 6 p.m. for Happy Hour; refreshments will be served on the outdoor patio at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Also, the indoor concession stand will open for snacks and refreshments at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m., lasts about 90 minutes and includes an intermission.

The Comedy City performance is family-friendly, so everyone is welcome. General admission tickets are on sale now at AbramsTheater.com. Tickets are $13 each or $12 for a group of six or more.

Abrams theater to hold auditions for Elf Jr.

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Performers 8-18 needed for Christmas show

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will spread holiday cheer this Christmas with its production of “Elf The Musical Jr.” Kids ages 8-18 are invited to audition for the show on Monday, Sept. 16, or Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Auditions are scheduled from 6-8 p.m., and everyone auditioning should arrive by 6 p.m. Callbacks will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.

Auditions will consist of sight-singing a song from the show, reading from the script, and participating in a short, choreographed dance. All materials will be provided. Kids who audition are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes that they can dance in. No previous performance experience is required.

“Elf The Musical Jr.” is based on the 2003 hit movie about of an orphan raised at the North Pole who journeys to New York City as an adult to find his true identity.

Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays starting Oct. 1. Not all cast members will be called for every rehearsal, but everyone must be available Sunday, Dec. 1, to Thursday, Dec. 5, and all show dates, Dec. 6-8 and 13-15.

Children who want to help out but feel a little shy are invited to become behind-the-scenes elves. Contact volunteers.aspi@gmail.com for more information.

“Elf The Musical Jr.” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.

Abrams theater to present ‘Escanaba in da Moonlight’

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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.

Wisconsin Healthy Communities Designations announced

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MADISON – More than 30 communities around the state have been recognized for their work to improve health in their communities.

The Wisconsin Healthy Communities Designation is a new initiative offered by the Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) group of the UW Population Health Institute (UWPHI), in collaboration with diverse statewide groups. The program, funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program, is designed to celebrate and encourage achievements in health improvement in Wisconsin, and to serve as a guide for communities to expand and enhance their health improvement efforts.

The designation program recognizes communities that focus efforts across the multiple factors that influence health – including health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical
environment – with a focus on equity, multi-sector partnerships and sustainable solutions.

“Achieving equitable health outcomes takes years to accomplish, and this program is all about celebrating the hard work happening across Wisconsin,” said Sheri Johnson, director of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. “Our goal is to acknowledge and support ongoing efforts in local communities to improve health for everyone.”

This year, 31 communities received either a bronze, silver or gold designation. Four communities received a gold designation. The tiers are meant to provide a trajectory and serve as a guide for communities as they work toward comprehensive solutions for better health – the gold level representing the most difficult to achieve. However, receiving a designation, at any level, does not indicate that health or health equity has been achieved in a community; rather, the designation is meant to commend the efforts and the partnerships working to improve health.

The initiative’s definition of community is broad and can include counties, municipalities, neighborhoods and other self-defined, place-based communities in Wisconsin.

“This initiative was developed in response to a request from rural communities across the state and gives communities of all shapes and sizes – rural and urban – an opportunity to be recognized for the great work that they are doing to improve their own health,” said Tim Size, executive director of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, a collaborative of 42 rural hospitals and local health systems, and a member of the UW Population Health Institute’s advisory board.

The Healthy Community Designation lasts for three years, at which point a community may reapply. To learn more about the program and the application process, visit the program website: www.wihealthycommunities.org

The communities were recognized at the 2018 Healthiest State Summit, Sept. 20 and 21, at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. This two-day summit was a statewide gathering of leaders to work on shared priorities around health equity and to build skills.

For more on the summit please visit: https://www.wpha.org/mpage/HealthiestState

More about the Designation program

The Wisconsin Healthy Communities Designation program is an initiative of the Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) group’s Making Wisconsin the Healthiest State project at the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The Making Wisconsin the Healthiest State project, funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, seeks to help us understand and improve health across Wisconsin.

Men encouraged to audition for Abrams show

Packerland Team

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will hold auditions for its fall show, “Escanaba in da Moonlight,” a hunting story to beat all hunting stories.

When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, 35-year-old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady to never have bagged a buck. “Escanaba in da Moonlight” spins a tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to great lengths to shoot that elusive buck.

The play calls for six male roles of various ages and one cameo female role. Performers will have two opportunities to audition, from 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 8, or 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Callbacks will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.

Anyone 16 and older is encouraged to audition.

The show is produced by ASPI’s After Dark Division. Performance dates are Sept. 12-15 and 19-22. ““Escanaba in da Moonlight,” is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

For more information, visit abramsspotlightproductions.com or call 920-826-5852.

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.