Abrams, WI Sept. 6, 2023: Individuals age 14 and older can now register for 24 Hour Theater, an exciting creative event sponsored by Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. 24 Hour Theater is a new venture for ASPI, and the collaborative event will take place Oct. 6-7 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Within 24 hours, participants will write and produce a 60- to 90-minute performance from scratch. The production will consist of a series of short plays. The length and number of plays will be determined by how many people participate. There’s no cost to participate, and no experience is necessary. In fact, 24 Hour Theater offers the perfect opportunity for people to try something new. Never acted before? Learn 10 lines in a short play. Never written anything before? Write a short play in a limited time, surrounded by a group of creative folks to support and inspire you. Never directed before? Practice with a short, 10-minute play. 24 Hour Theater begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, when all participants gather at the Nancy Byng Community Theater. The creative process begins with ice-breaking activities before organizers randomly assign writers to work with two to five actors and a director. The writers draft short plays until 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, participants will memorize lines, find props, choose costumes, rehearse, and manage technical aspects like lighting and sound cues. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, participants will present what they’ve created. Admission to the event is $5. Join ASPI for its inaugural creative event, 24 Hour Theater. Registration is recommended, with sign-up available at Abramstheater.com.
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About Us: Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. is a community theater organization in Abrams, WI. The theater presents 3-4 shows a year at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple Street, Abrams. Formerly St. Louis Catholic Church, the renovated venue is available for community events, family gatherings, and weddings. For more information, call 920-826-5852, email theater.aspi@gmail.com or visit abramsspotlightproductions.com.
The American Heart Association presents the Mission: Lifeline STEMI Referring CenterSilver Plus award for implementation of quality care for heart attack patients
Oconto Falls, Wis. – HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Center Silver Plus recognition for its commitment to ensuring science-based treatment for all people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.
Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. experience this type of heart attack,caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery. Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.
Mission: Lifeline is a national, community-based initiative improving systems of care for patients with STEMI, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), stroke and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The program focuses on streamlining processes to speed the delivery of proper treatment for time sensitive, neuro-cardiovascular disease states.
Recognition as a Mission: Lifeline Referring Center is designed to showcase hospitals of every size on the front lines of care that do not have 24/7 cardiac catheterization lab availability but work in collaboration with emergency medical services to ensure patients receive guideline-directed STEMI and NSTEMI care.
“Care coordination is particularly important when someone experiences a STEMI heart attack, and American Heart Association guidelines call for specific science-based treatment,” said James G. Jollis, M.D., volunteer for the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease Systems of Care Advisory Work Group and cardiologist with The Christ Hospital Physicians – Heart & Vascular in Cincinnati. “Hospitals/Organizations like HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital are recognized for consistently supporting patients to ensure the best opportunity for recovery.”
The Mission: Lifeline Referring Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to getting patients the most up-to-date research-based care for STEMI as outlined by the American Heart Association.
“HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of heart care, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps us achieve that goal,” said Chris Brabant, President and CEO of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”
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About HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital serves Oconto Falls and the surrounding communities as a federally designated critical access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department; inpatient and outpatient surgical and diagnostic services; cancer care; therapy and rehabilitation; wound care; the Almost Home Swing Bed program; and more. It was founded as Oconto Falls City Hospital in 1921 and became HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in 2014 when it joined Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). As an affiliate of HSHS, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital draws on the history of St. Francis of Assisi as it serves the health care needs of the region in Christ’s healing ministry, caring for all people. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital also has five rural health center locations in affiliation with Prevea Health in Gillett, Lena, Mountain, Oconto Falls and Suring; and operates HSHS Pharmacies in Gillett and Oconto Falls, and HSHS Prescription Services (remote dispensing sites) in Lena, Mountain and Pulaski. In 2022, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital was named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the U.S. by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. For more information about St. Clare, please visit: www.stclarememorial.org.
About Hospital Sisters Health System Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our 15 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.
Performers ages 5-18 needed for junior show at Abrams Spotlight Productions!
Abrams, WI July 28, 2023: Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will take audiences on a magic car ride with its production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.” Kids ages 5-18 (still in school) are invited to audition for the show anytime from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, or Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Individuals who register at www.abramsspotlightproductions.com/auditions will have priority over those who complete printed forms at the audition.
Those auditioning should prepare about 16 bars of song, preferably from a musical, to sing at the audition. The audition also consists of a script reading and learning and performing a short choreography routine. Youths should wear comfortable clothes and footwear. No previous performance experience is required. In addition to needing youth actors, ASPI has openings for youth and adults to work behind the scenes in various tech and production roles. Email theater.aspi@gmail.com or call 920-826- 5852 for information.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr,” directed by Elizabeth Jolly, tells the story of an eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, who restores an old race car with the help of his children, Jeremy and Jemima. They soon discover the car is magic and has the ability to float and take flight. Whenthe evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself, the family joins forces with Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness and their villainous henchman, the Child Catcher. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays starting Aug. 27. Not all cast members will be called for every rehearsal, but everyone must be available Nov. 26-29 and all show dates, Nov. 30, Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 7-10. Visit abramsspotlightproductions.com/auditions for rehearsal and performance details and character descriptions.
Youth who are not able to attend auditions are encouraged to contact theater.aspi@gmail.com for information about submitting a video audition.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI.
Each year the Lena Wrestling Club supports young athletes, ages 4-18, by promoting participation and fostering skills not only in wrestling but in teamwork, cooperation, collaboration, and problem-solving. This event is our most successful fundraiser of the year and we hope to continue to see it grow! Last year corporate donations to our 5K run helped our club to cover the following: ● registration and hotels for a wrestling camp for our high schoolers ● an in-house camp for our youth wrestlers this summer ● Personalized water bottles for middle school ● headgear ● wrestling singlets for elementary and middle school ● gifts for our two high school state place winners We are truly grateful for your support of our program. We hope that you will consider supporting us again in any way you can. Our program has been thriving at all levels: elementary, middle, and high school. Without our amazing community, our wrestling program wouldn’t be what it is today, and we aspire to keep improving with your ongoing support. We genuinely hope that your company/organization will consider being a corporate sponsor for our annual event, scheduled for Saturday, September 9th 2023. Please consider a sponsorship at one of the following levels: $750 Donation
Includes the largest logo size printed on the event t-shirt along with up to 60 complimentary pre-registered entries
$500 Donation
Includes a grand-size logo printed on the event t-shirt along with up to 33 complimentary pre-registered entries
$250 Donation
Includes a large logo printed on the event t-shirt along with up to 16 complimentary pre-registered entries
$100 Donation
Includes a medium-size logo printed on the event t-shirt along with up to 6 complimentary pre-registered entries
$50 Donation
Includes name printed on the event t-shirt.
WE ASK THAT ALL CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS AND COMPANY LOGOS BE SUBMITTED BY AUGUST 8, 2023.
Please make checks payable to the LENA WRESTLING CLUB and mail to:
Lena Wrestling Club c/o Chad Misco 329 W. Maple St. Lena, WI 54139
For complimentary registrations: WE ONLY ORDER SHIRTS FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS. Please complete and submit the enclosed registration form for each participant or register online at https://forms.gle/Sw6aBdkgvxmWkUuP6 by August 20, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Chad Misco by phone at (920)373-2319 or email at chadmisco@yahoo.com.
Thank you in advance for your contribution and generous support of the Lena Wrestling Club in this major fundraiser.
For immediate release. Green Bay – Prevea Pediatrics is holding free, virtual newborn care classes in August, October and December for Prevea patients and community members. Whether you’re a new parent or it has been a few years, the classes will offer an opportunity to ask questions and help you understand what to expect in the first two months of baby’s life, including:
What to expect in the hospital when baby is born
Newborn characteristics
Skin conditions
When to call the doctor
Swaddling
Skin-to-skin contact
Feeding – patterns, how much, burping, etc.
Sleeping
What your baby’s cries mean
Bathing
With more than one opportunity to tune in, you can choose the date that works for you. All classes are held via Zoom from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, August 8 Bradly Paus, DO Pediatrician
Tuesday, October 10 Rebecca Gehrmann, MD Pediatrician
Tuesday, December 12 Samantha Johnson, MD Pediatrician; joins Prevea Pediatrics in August Registration is required at: www.prevea.com/events
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About Prevea Health: Founded in Green Bay, Wis. in 1996, Prevea Health is a health care organization that provides high-quality, primary and specialty health care in 80+ locations across Northern, Eastern and Western Wisconsin in clinic and hospital settings. It is partnered with six Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) hospitals across Wisconsin to provide patients a system of highly coordinated care, close to home: HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls; HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire; and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls. For more information, visit www.prevea.com.
Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will present two musicals and an original comedy in its 20th anniversary season. Plus, the community theater is raising money for a new roof. The nonprofit organization invites individuals and businesses to support the arts by becoming a Spotlight Sponsor.
The ASPI season opens with the musical “Gypsy” March 16-19 and 23-26. “Gypsy” is the tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success, while secretly yearning for her own. Tickets for “Gypsy” are on sale now at Abramstheater.com or by calling the box office, 920-826-5852. ASPI seeks volunteers to construct sets, sew costumes, work backstage, and fulfill other roles. Please contact the box office to volunteer.
“Lustful Youth,” a two-act comedy written by Mike Eserkaln, will be performed June 8-11 and 15-18. A fast-paced farce, “Lustful Youth” tells the story of a television statistician who is contractually obligated to write an evening soap opera. With the help of his muse, he pieces together an out-of-control romp known as “Lustful Youth.” Eserkaln, the artistic director of Comedy City in De Pere, is an ASPI performer and director.
In the final show of 2023, youth will be the featured performers in the musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.,” scheduled Nov. 30, Dec. 1-3 and 7-10. The show takes the audience on a fantastic musical adventure with a magical car.
Season tickets for the 2023 shows are now available at Abramstheater.com or 920-826-5852. All performances take place at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St. Abrams. ASPI has an exciting goal for its 20th season. By the end of 2023, ASPI seeks to obtain 100 new Spotlight Sponsors: Silver ($100), Gold ($250), Platinum ($500), or Corporate ($950 per show). With the help of its sponsors, the theater hopes to raise over $30,000 for a new roof for its facility, a 100-year-old former church. All sponsors receive early access to tickets and recognition in show programs. Gold and Platinum sponsors receive two or four tickets, respectively, to each show. To become a Spotlight Sponsor with a tax-deductible donation, visit abramstheater.com and click “Support.”
The cast of “White Christmas” performs a song at the Nancy Byng Community Theater in Abrams. Abrams Spotlight Productions presented nine sold-out shows of “White Christmas” in December and is gearing up for its 20th season, starting with “Gypsy” March 16-19 and 23-26.
The cast of “White Christmas” gathers onstage at the Nancy Byng Community Theater in Abrams. Abrams Spotlight Productions presented nine sold-out shows of “White Christmas” in December and is gearing up for its 20th season, starting with “Gypsy” March 16-19 and 23-26.
Oconto Falls has again received a Bronze Level Wisconsin Healthy Communities Designation. Oconto Falls had previously received a designation in 2018 and this renewal is recognition of continued work and programs towards improving local health.
This program is intended to recognize and encourage achievements in health improvement in Wisconsin communities, and to promote cooperation across multiple sectors.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, Bellin Health-Oconto Hospital, and Oconto County Public Health – programs such as the Run for the Trails 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon event; Mental Health First Aid training opportunities within schools, businesses, and organizations; Starlink Pilot Project providing broadband access; planning and financial support of Oconto County Farmers Market; and coordination of Medication Take Back events – improve the health and wellbeing of all.
Gail Yatso, Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President states, “Our community is proud to be among the 28 Wisconsin communities that received designations this year. Our city is committed to sustain community collaboration to continue to improve health, wellness, and safety in our area.”
The designation recognizes Oconto Falls and the bronze level for its commitment to improve health and the quality of life for another three years.
The Healthy Communities Designation program is designed to be accessible to communities of all shapes and sizes, both rural and urban. The definition of community is broad and can include counties, municipalities, neighborhoods and other self-defined, place-based communities in Wisconsin. The program uses a three-tiered approach – gold, silver and bronze – which are meant to provide a trajectory and serve as a guide for communities as they continue to strive toward better health.
“This is a well-deserved recognition for the collaborative efforts to improve community health, fitness, and safety. We continue to create a vibrant community for people to live, work, and explore,” says Yatso.
The Wisconsin Healthy Communities Designation is an 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 Healthy Communities Designation program, funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, is designed to recognize and encourage achievements in health improvement in Wisconsin. To learn more about the program, visit the program website: www.wihealthycommunities.org
Stephanie Holman, president of the Oconto Falls Lioness Lions Club, presents a ceremonial check to Bill Koehne, president of Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. The club contributed $1,000 to the community theater’s Raise the Roof fund and $250 for a new toilet.
Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. launched its Raise the Roof campaign with a $1,000 donation from the Oconto Falls Lioness Lions Club. Stephanie Holman, president of the club, presented a $1,250 check to Bill Koehne, president of ASPI, with $1,000 earmarked for a new roof and $250 for a new toilet. Holman said the donation to ASPI fits well with the Lion Lioness Club’s mission to serve the community.
“The theater gives unique life experiences to a diverse group of people in our community, whether they are attending the live performances, the actors, or working behind the scenes. We feel it enriches our community, especially with the youth and the veterans,” she said.
“It’s exciting to have a local organization like the Lioness become our initial donor in kicking off the Raise the Roof campaign,” Koehne said. “Within the first couple of weeks, other donors stepped up to contribute an additional $2,500, but we’re still a long way from achieving our goal.”
The theater hopes to raise over $30,000 for a new roof. Koehne encouraged people to become Spotlight Sponsors, either Silver ($100), Gold ($250) or Platinum ($500). All sponsors receive early access to tickets and recognition in show programs. Gold and Platinum sponsors receive two or four tickets, respectively, to each show.
Approaching its 20th season, ASPI performs three or four shows every year at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, formerly St. Louis Catholic Church in Abrams. The facility, built in 1927 and home to ASPI since 2007, has undergone a series of transformations. These include the construction of a stage with modular set booms, backstage dressing rooms, a concession stand, a light, sound, and projections booth, and restoration of the original hardwood floor. ASPI built an outdoor patio and replaced the old church pews with more comfortable, padded chairs. The roof is the next project on the list.
The latest ASPI show, “White Christmas,” will be presented in eight performances, Dec. 1-4 and 8-11. An anonymous donor provided 50 free tickets to veterans, and the eight shows sold out by mid-November. So, a ninth, Raise the Roof show was added on Dec. 6.
“All but seven seats sold out within the first 72 hours,” Koehne said, referring to the Raise the Roof show. “What a tremendous show of community spirit and support of community theater.”
Only single seats are available for “White Christmas,” and the box office has a waitlist in the event of cancellations.
Over the past 20 years, ASPI has presented many amazing shows for the community to enjoy. None of these performances would be possible without the theater’s volunteers and sponsors. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit abramstheater.com and click “Support.”
Brigette Finger, a volunteer with Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc., shows prize baskets included in the ASPI Spotlight Auction on Dec. 8-11. To bid on prizes, visit biddingowl.com/ASPI.
Support the arts by participating in the online auction benefitting Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc., an Oconto County community theater organization. More than 60 items are up for grabs, including sailing cruises, golf packages, hotel stays, and homemade candy, cookies, and dinners. The auction also features theater-related prizes like season tickets, a cameo appearance in an ASPI musical, and in-person performances by characters from “Beauty and the Beast” and “White Christmas.”
The ASPI Spotlight Auction opens at 12 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, and ends at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Prize pick-up is scheduled from 12-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at the theater, 5852 Maple St. Abrams. Merchandise is sorted by category for easy viewing and bidding online. To view prizes and place a bid, visit biddingowl.com/ASPI.
ASPI is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that presents musicals, comedies, and dramas at the Nancy Byng Community Theater. The theater is operated solely by volunteers, and proceeds from the auction help bring high-energy, live entertainment to the community. ASPI currently is running two capital campaigns to raise funds for a new sound system and roof.
ASPI thanks all of its supporters, especially the local businesses and individuals who donated to the auction. To learn more about ASPI, visit AbramsTheater.com.
Bryce Iverson, owner of Iverson’s Piggly Wiggly of Oconto Falls, was awarded the Exemplary Employer Award from the State of Wisconsin – Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Wisconsin Workforce Development Area (WDA) 5 chooses one award winner from Brown, Door, Florence, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Shawano, and Sheboygan counties. An award presentation was held on Thursday, October 27, 2022, with Meredith Dressel, Deputy Administrator of DVR; Jennifer Bscherer, Director of WDA 5; Whitney Hostettler, Supervisor of WDA5; and Lynn Hardginski, Business Services Consultant. Iverson was surrounded by staff from the location, including Mr. Pig, and board members from the Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
Danielle Kline, Employment and Training Specialist with New View Industries, nominated Iverson for the award, “because he (Iverson) sees a person’s abilities, not their disabilities.” She continued, “Bryce has created a culture of natural supports within the store to help support people with disabilities. Bryce and his employees deserve to be recognized for their outstanding partnership and support for the community.”
DVR provides services such as career and guidance counseling, job search and placement, transition to work services for students with disabilities in high school, vocation and other training, job shadows, and more.
Congratulations to everyone at Iverson’s Piggly Wiggly!
