News

Iverson Named Exemplary Employer

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!

Prescription Drug Take Back Day in Oconto County

In conjunction with National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is partnering with Bellin Health, Healthy Oconto County, Oconto Falls Police Department and Oconto County Sheriff’s Department to offer drive-thru, medication drop-off locations on Saturday, Oct. 29:

  • HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, 855 S. Main St., Oconto Falls, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Bellin Health Oconto Hospital, 820 Arbutus Ave., Oconto, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Lakewood Town Hall, 17181 Twin Pines Rd., Lakewood, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Gillett Police Department,150 N. McKenzie Ave., Gillett, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guidelines
All waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household – no businesses are allowed.
All sites will be drive thru only and we request persons stay in their vehicle. A volunteer will come to collect your items.
Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices (batteries removed).
Do not bring: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, acids, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas), mercury thermometers.

  • Participants may dispose of medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications being removed are acceptable.
  • Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging and their weight evenly distributed within the boxes of collected solid prescription medications. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
  • Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.

Community members are also reminded that many drug disposal boxes are open year-round.

Unused or expired medicine should never be flushed or poured down the drain as water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all pharmaceuticals and trace amounts are showing up in rivers and lakes.

Abrams Troupe to Present ‘White Christmas’

Ali Carlson and Elizabeth Jolly will perform the song “Sisters” with these feathered fans in the Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. show, “White Christmas.” Tickets are on sale now for the Abrams community theater production.

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. invites the community to its performance of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” Tickets are on sale now for this tale of joy and goodwill. The musical, directed by Debra Jolly, will be presented Dec. 1-4 and 8-11 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams.

“’White Christmas’ is a long-time tradition for those of us who remember the beloved movie televised every Christmas and remember the sacrifices made by the soldiers and those on the home front of World War II,” Jolly said. “It is about longing for home and family and love, especially when you are far away, not knowing when or if you will get home again.”

Veterans are an important part of “White Christmas,” and a generous donor gifted 50 free tickets for veterans. Veterans are encouraged to call the box office, 920-826-5852, to reserve free tickets while supplies last.

“We are proud to honor all veterans and thank them for their service as we offer all our audience members this classic story for Christmas,” Jolly said.

“White Christmas” is a story about a song-and-dance team, played by Bobby Buffington and Preston Pelegrin, who put on a show in a Vermont inn and fall for a stunning sister act, played by Elizabeth Jolly and Ali Carlson. The show is full of dancing, laughter, and some of the greatest songs ever written. The score features “Blue Skies” and of course, the unforgettable title song, “White Christmas.”

“The songs are great, and the harmonies this cast produces are amazing,” Jolly said. “The dancing includes tap, jazz, ballroom and ballet – something for everyone.”

The colorful costumes ring true to the happy 1950s look.

“The number of costumes required is daunting, especially with a community theater budget and a theater building that needs a new roof, but we had a wonderfully hard-working and frugal costume crew to make it work,” Jolly said.

New at the theater for this performance is a side stage to keep the show moving seamlessly through scene changes. Also new is a winter-themed special effect.

“We will have snow for this ‘White Christmas!’” Jolly said.

“White Christmas” is based on the Paramount Pictures film and is written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. Music and lyrics are by Irving Berlin, with book by David Ives and Paul Blake. “White Christmas” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com.

To order tickets, visit abramsspotlightproductions.com or call the box office, 920-826-5852.

“Blessing of the Animals” in Green Bay, Sheboygan and Oconto Falls

In October, people all over the world celebrate the feast day (Oct. 4) of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is known as the patron saint of animals, and his life of love and service is followed by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, the founding institute of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS).

In honor of the Feast of St. Francis, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls will host “Blessing of the Animals” events – free and open to the public.
Pets of all kinds – and their people – are welcome to these outdoor, Ecumenical events. All animals in attendance must be on a leash, and pet owners must clean up after their pets. Community members are also welcomed to bring photos of their pets to be blessed.

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, 1726 Shawano Ave., Green Bay

  • 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 2
  • Event to be held in far west parking lot.
  • Parking: Far west parking lot closest to Shawano Ave., immediately to your right as you turn into the parking lot.

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital, 3100 Superior Ave., Sheboygan

  • 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 2
  • Event to be held in parking lot, west of Chapel.
  • Parking: Enter through Superior Avenue entrance. Proceed and use road around the parking lot to Chapel Entrance.

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, 855 S. Main St., Oconto Falls

  • 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 9
  • Event to be held on South lawn.
  • Parking: Use Entrance 6 off County Hwy I.

New Beginnings and New Heights Training Center Ribbon Cutting

L to R: Gail Yatso, Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President; Danielle Kline, Chamber Vice President; Scott Shackelford, Director of Oconto County Health and Human Services; Will Kline, Director of New View Industries; Debbie Arndt, Chamber Treasurer; and Katie Daul, Chamber Secretary

New Beginnings Resale Store and New Heights, which fall under the umbrella of services offered by New View Industries, opened their doors June 17 with a ribbon cutting held with the Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. The new 6,000 sq. ft. building, located at 228 W. Park St. in Gillett, houses the New Beginnings Store as well as program space aimed at assisting disabled youth and adults at New Heights. 

New Beginnings is currently open, but mark your calendar for their Grand Opening on Saturday, July 9 offering specials, treats, and a chance to win prizes!

This building project was made possible through funding provided by the Community Development Block Grant, a federal program focused on community development.

“Many people were instrumental in making this addition possible,” said Kline. “I’d like to thank the Oconto County Board, Health and Human Services Board, the City of Gillett, former Health and Human Services Director, Mike Reimer and former Oconto County Administrative Coordinator, Kevin Hamann.”

New View Industries is a non-profit training facility for individuals who are intellectually/physically disabled or who have other barriers. Their mission is to provide participants with outstanding vocational and skills training to help them achieve greater independence in all aspects of their lives.