AROUND THE COMMUNITY: Auction to benefit Abrams theater program

An online auction will benefit Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc.

More than 60 items are up for grabs, including sailing cruises, golf packages, hotel stays, 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 noon Dec. 8, and ends at 8 p.m. Dec. 11. Prize pick-up is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 12, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St. Abrams. Merchandise is sorted by category for easy viewing and bidding online. To view prizes and place a bid, visit www.biddingowl.com/ASPI.

ASPI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that presents musicals, comedies, and dramas at the theater. ASPI currently is running two capital campaigns to raise funds for a new sound system and roof.

For information, visit www.AbramsTheater.com.

Village invites residents to decorate for holidays

The village of Lena is full of Christmas spirit and inviting residents to dig out those outdoor Christmas decorations and get decorating for a chance to win in the Village Christmas Outdoor Decorating Contest.

There are four categories:

• Spirit of Christmas – Best overall light display that captures the spirit of Christmas.

• Griswold – Excessive use of lights and decorations.

• Daytime Visual – Looks as good during the daytime as nighttime.

• Christmas Themed – Carries a theme. Examples are nativity, Disney, etc.

Judging will be done on the weekend of Dec. 16, and winners will be announced Dec. 19. For information, contact Linda Hinds at 920-604-2810.

Reindeer run, more part of Lena holiday festivities

The Village of Lights preparation is underway in Lena and will kick off Dec. 3.

New this year will be the Reindeer Dash 5K Run, starting at 3:30 p.m. and will be held at Lena High School, 304 E. Main St., Lena, and is sponsored by the school’s baseball program. McGuire’s Sports Bar and Restaurant, 211 S. Rosera St., Lena, will be selling one-topping nine-inch pizzas for $5 from 3-5 p.m. Another exciting addition will be a village tree lighting ceremony at 4:45 p.m. at the Lena Village Hall, 117 E. Main St., Lena. At 5 p.m., Santa arrives at the hall by fire truck so the reindeer can rest up for Christmas.

From 5-7 p.m., local businesses will be sponsoring specials, providing treats and inviting folks to join in on a game of Blizzard Bingo, where visits to all the participating businesses and getting cards punched will earn a chance to win a gift card. Sending Christmas cards to veterans, cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides to see all the beautiful light displays in Lena, Christmas tree, wreath, and poinsettia sales and much more will help to make this event extra special.

Linda Hinds is heading the festive event as promotions committee chairwoman.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to join in on creating a great family tradition,” Hinds said.

For information, call the Village Hall at 920-829-5226.

CMN presents at New Mexico land conference

The 18th annual First Americans Land Grant Consortium Conference was held Oct. 21-25 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the College of Menominee Nation had a handful of staff and students attend the conference.

Sessions from the conference covered 1994 land-grant teaching, extension programs and research that benefits Native communities. CMN President Chris Caldwell gave the keynote address on Oct. 22.

Also in attendance were 20 students from the Sustainability Leadership Cohort and Wildcrafting group. They were able to visit the Institute of American Indian Arts and Southwestern Polytechnic Institute. The students and Bonnie McKiernan gifted medicinal tea to American Indian Higher Education Consortium President Carrie Billy.

The consortium was created to support 1994 land-grant institutions helping to establish connections and assists on a peer-to-peer level with administrators.

2 more options for family care at Prevea Shawano

Prevea Health has two more employees to add to its family of care at the Prevea Shawano Health Center, 1300 E. Green Bay St., Shawano.

Stephanie Magnin, a nurse practitioner specializing in family medicine and primary care, provides routine care for children and adults, preventative medicine and health maintenance, medication management, management of acute and chronic illness, mental health services and patient education.

“As a family nurse practitioner, I strive to provide high quality care that is equivalent to the care I would expect my family and myself to receive,” said Magnin. “I enjoy working with patients of all ages and treating the whole patient, not just the medical condition.”

Dr. Yu-Chin Fang, a fellowship trained integrative medicine physician, is coming back to Shawano to provide family medicine services with a holistic approach; adrenal and stress management; chronic disease support for diabetes mellitus, hypertension and mental health; functional GI evaluation; hormonal evaluation and management; nicotine cessation; oncology support; management of weight and metabolism; thyroid and menopausal care; and wellness and nutritional consultation.

“My practice is patient-focused, with the goal to remove roadblocks to health and to achieve healing and wellness,” said Fang. “I listen to my patients so I can learn about their life story, which dramatically impacts their health care, because I can then try to meet my patients where they are and help them improve their health one step at a time.”

Appointments can be made by calling 715-201-0870 or online at www.prevea.com.

Teen Challenge Choir coming to Hillside

The Teen Challenge Choir from Milwaukee will present a program of gospel music and testimony at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4 at Hillside Assembly, 5890 State Highway 22, Gillett.

Teen Challenge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to help youth, adults and families with life-controlling problems to become established in society through faith-based mentoring, education and job training. All programs and services are dependent upon the generous support of friends, corporations and families. Teen Challenge does not receive any government support.

Their faith-based approach has proven effective in alleviating drug and alcohol abuse. However, much needs to be done. It is estimated there are over 30,000 active drug abusers in the Milwaukee metro area. The cost to themselves, their families and community is great.

The choir is composed of women from all over Wisconsin and other parts of the United States. Each member comes with her own story that testifies to the power of God’s redeeming love.

For information, call the church at 920-855-2962.

Reiter teaches Menominee heritage to Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart Catholic School Students in grades 2-8 had the opportunity Nov. 21 to hear traditional Native American stories and learn more about Native American heritage from Guy Reiter, a traditional Menominee who resides on the Menominee Reservation.

Reiter shared the importance of the Five Clans, the story of the Sweat Lodge, the significance of the bald eagle and an eagle feather, and also taught the children several words from the Menominee Language.

Reiter, aka Anahkwet, is the executive director of Menīkānaehkem Inc. He’s also a community organizer, activist, author, amateur archaeologist and lecturer, as well as a member of the Menominee Constitutional Task Force. Reiter has organized a lot of events that have uplifted the human condition and demonstrated how enriching the Menominee culture is. Anahkwet has lectured at universities on the connection the Menominee tribe has to the Menominee River. He’s also written articles for Environmental Health News and others.

Golf tournament nets $10,000 for Lakewood

The 2022 Don and Ora Lea Bartels Charity Tournament was held at McCauslin Brook Golf and Country Club in Lakewood on Sept. 12 and raised over $10,000.

The annual event was a great success even though golfers and volunteers had to brave windy, rainy and cold weather out on the course.

Tournament organizer Mickey Schipferling expressed the gratitude of the Bartels family and employees: “We want to thank everyone for participating — the golfers who played despite very challenging conditions, the businesses and individuals that took out sponsorships and donated prizes, and our hardy volunteers who worked the entire day.”

Half of the proceeds will go to the Lakes Country Public Library Building Fund, with the remainder donated to local charities and to fund scholarships.

Elf starts grand tour of Lena businesses

The Elf on the Shelf is ready to begin his holiday journey around Lena businesses as of Dec. 3. The elf will move around the village to a different location every day. Visitors can record all businesses correctly on the official contest sheet and return the sheet to the Lena Village Hall, 117 E. Main St., Lena, with their name and phone number for a chance to win a prize.

The Elf on the Shelf runs through Dec. 18. Completed sheets must be turned in no later than 9 a.m. Dec. 20, with a drawing for prizes following.

Post 44 holding annual Christmas social Dec. 5

Wabeno American Legion Post 44 is holding its Christmas social Dec. 5, hosted by George and Marlis Richards and Roger and Bonnie Vandenlangenberg.

The social begins at 1 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 4494 N. Branch St., Wabeno, with games at 2 p.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. Checks should be made payable to Post 44 in the amount of $20, including tax and tip. For reservations, contact the Richards at 920-660-4902.

Library offering naming rights for large donations

Lakes Country Public Library’s capital campaign to renovate and expand Lakewood Library has reached a very important new phase as the board of trustees approved a proposal to offer naming rights to individuals, families and businesses who wish to leave a lasting legacy in northern Oconto County by sponsoring a room at the library.

“This idea came up at the request of a potential donor who inquired about naming rights,” said Fundraising Chairwoman Kathleen Marsh. “We really weren’t expecting that, but in response, our committee compiled a list of rooms suitable for naming. Donations range from $5,000-$100,000, depending on the size and purpose of the area.”

For information, call the library at 715-276-9020 or send an email to kathiemarsh@yahoo.com. Other donations of any size will also be accepted. Drop off a contribution at the library, donate online at www.lakescountrylibrary.org or send a check to LCPL Building Fund, 15235 State Highway 32, Lakewood, WI 54138.