Category: Events

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.

Oconto Falls High School Senior Tea held May 1

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Oconto Falls High School Senior Tea Cast

Row 1: Caitlin Johnson, Samantha Shallow, Joslyn Tolzman, Adeline Pumplun, Charis Wirtley, Andrea Waschbisch, Addison Hatch, and Janna Jeske
Row 2: Emma Huberty, Breanna Sadowski, Amber Proctor, Katelyn Albrecht, Grace Williams, and Lydia Murphy-Hendricks
Row 3: Isabella Behnke, Mackenzie Staidl, Emily Gonnering, Paige Stapleton, Kaelyn Allen, and Laken Wall

The 68th annual Oconto Falls High School Senior Tea took place on Wednesday, May 1 at Grace Lutheran Church.

The event has been sponsored by the Oconto Falls Women’s Club since 1951 and was originally held at the Cook Memorial Library and area homes. In 1961, Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls became its new location and has been the host site since that time!

The Senior Tea traditionally occurs on the first Wednesday in May and invites OFHS senior girls and their mothers or female guests to spend the evening sharing their accomplishments and dreams for the future. At this year’s event, snacks, desserts, and punch were served in the lower level of Grace Lutheran Church by the Oconto Falls Women’s Club members who coordinated the event, including President Romelle Delzer, Verna Peterson, Jeannie Waschbisch, Sally Holtz, Rachel Collar, Jeannie Peebles, and Laurie Fries.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Oconto Falls High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Singers, and several vocal soloists performing a variety of classical and musical theatre selections.

Teens, Adults Invited to ‘Footloose’ Audition

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Footloose The Musical poster

Teens and adults who sing and dance are encouraged to audition for the Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. summer musical, “Footloose.” “Footloose” is an explosive musical about teen-age rebellion, leading to resolution and healing in a small town.

Performers will have two opportunities to audition, from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 22, or 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. The musical calls for a variety of roles, both male and female, teen and older. Newcomers are welcome. Families are encouraged to audition and make memories together by performing in the show.

Individuals who audition should come prepared to read from the script and sing a 2-minute selection of a Broadway tune. Songs may be sung a capella or with a karaoke track. Individuals are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear for a short choreography audition.

The show which will be performed June 21-23 and 28-30 at the Byng Community Theater. Tickets for the show are on sale now at AbramsSpotlightProductions.com or by calling the box office, 920-826-5852.

Annual Salad Luncheon and Love Basket Silent Auction

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The Oconto Falls-area community is invited to the Annual Salad Luncheon and Love Basket Silent Auction, hosted by the colleagues and Partners of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, 855 S. Main St., in Oconto Falls.

The luncheon will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital’s dining room and will feature an all-you-care-to-eat buffet for $9. The buffet will include the hospital’s signature hot chicken salad, ham and cheese sandwiches, a variety of salads, dinner rolls, coffee, milk and desserts. For more information on the Salad Luncheon or to make group reservations, contact Sue Allshouse at (920) 373-7685.

In support of the Partner’s Salad Luncheon on Feb. 12, colleagues of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital will host the Love Basket Silent Auction in the HSHS St. Clare Assisi Room from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the same day.

Themes for baskets vary from year to year. Popular baskets from previous years have included I Love the Packers, I Love Wine, I Love Gardening and I Love Birds. In addition to the silent auction for the baskets, raffle tickets are sold for love-themed bucket raffles. Bidding on the Love Baskets and raffle ticket sales begin at 9 a.m. For more information about the Love Basket Silent Auction or to donate a basket, call Dawn Coppens at (920) 846-3444.

All proceeds from the Salad Luncheon and Love Basket Silent Auction will help the Partners support programs and enhance patient care at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

OFHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble Celebrates the Season!

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OFHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble

The Oconto Falls High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble spread the spirit of the holiday season on Tuesday, December 11 with children and adults of all ages!

The singers performed a 50-minute program filled with holiday favorites in Green Bay at Autumn’s Promise Assisted Living for residents, BayPark Square as part of their Salvation Army Red Kettle promotions, and even performed a few selections for the wonderful guests and staff at Perkins Restaurant!

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble community outreach continued in Oconto Falls as they sang traditional holiday carols for various residents and businesses, including HSHS St. Clare Hospital and City Hall.  The performances were an amazing way for these talented singers to share the gift of music with others!

Pictured are:
Row 1: Alex Waschbisch, Connor Romandine, Aidan Spillane
Row 2: Keith Van Dornick, Cedar Olson, Santa Claus, Mackenzie Staidl, Hunter Schaden
Row 3: Lyndsey Luebke, Autumn Canavera, Isabella Rennie, Andrea Waschbisch

Community Halloween Party a Success

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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.

          Oconto Falls High School Music Department sponsoring children's halloween          Oconto Falls High School Music Department sponsoring children's halloween          Oconto Falls High School Music Department sponsoring children's halloween

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

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Spiritual Care Week - Chapel

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

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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.

Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla
Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla

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

Community Halloween Party Set for October 22

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The Oconto Falls High School Choir and Band are proud to sponsor the 29th Annual Community Halloween Party for children in Pre-school through grade six on Monday, October 22, 2018.  The event will be held in the OFHS Wrestling Gym from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.  A parade of costumes will take place at 5:30 p.m. so be sure to dress in your favorite costume!

Many fun and exciting “ghoulish” games will be designed and operated by the OFHS music students!  Prizes for the games will include candy and a variety of other donated items.

Admission is $3.00 per person.  Donated canned food items will also be collected at the Community Halloween Party entrance for the Kingdom Come Food Pantry.  Please enter using the side doors (Guidance Office) of Oconto Falls High School.

Businesses and individuals that wish to make donations for door prizes or monetary donations toward the purchase of candy are asked to send donations to:  OFHS Music Department Halloween Fund, Att:  Amy Thiel, Choral Director, 210 North Farm Road, Oconto Falls, WI  54154

Join us for another exciting community event!

4th Annual “A Walk to Remember” Set for Saturday, Oct. 13

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A Walk to Remember, a pregnancy and infant loss awareness walk hosted by Share of Northeast Wisconsin, will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

The annual event helps to raise awareness of perinatal loss and to honor babies who have gone too soon. The memorial walk is 1-2 miles and can be taken at participants’ own pace. The event will also feature a short program, bubble release, prayer corner and a special memorial area for babies lost to SIDS. A Walk to Remember is held each year in October to recognize National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

“Across the country, families symbolically join together in events to raise awareness of the impact of the loss of a baby,” said Theresa Shuck, certified bereavement coordinator for Share of Northeast Wisconsin at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. “It is important to educate others to provide appropriate sensitivity and understanding to ensure families receive the support they deserve after the tragic loss of their baby. A Walk to Remember also provides an opportunity to gather to remember and honor the babies who have touched our lives and our hearts but are no longer with us. We will walk together as a community for the steps our babies will never take.”

HSHS logo Share of Northeast Wisconsin

A Walk to Remember

Saturday, Oct. 13
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay
10 a.m.
To register, visit www.stvincenthospital.org/share

Registration is required for A Walk to Remember and is $12 per person age 18 and over and free of charge for those age 17 and under. Memorial t-shirts are also available for purchase at $15 each and can be ordered online at time of registration, then picked up on site the day of the walk. Orders must be placed prior to Sept. 23 to guarantee sizes. After expenses, money raised from A Walk to Remember will benefit Share of Northeast Wisconsin, which provides a variety of services at no cost to local families who have suffered pregnancy and infant loss. Services include memorial services, photography, mementos, support group meetings, literature and more.