News that's important to You!

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market will host its 5th Annual Winter Wine and Cherry Fest on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market is located at 9197 Highway 42 in Fish Creek.

The winter festival will include horse-drawn sleigh rides through beautiful orchards in addition to wine and product tasting. The festival will feature popular tart Montmorency cherry in celebration of National Cherry Month, homemade soup, bread and an assortment of bakery goods.

One of the festival's more interesting activites will be the annual cherry pit spit competition. The competition will begin at 1:30 p.m. It is open to all ages.

In addition to these events, there will be free trolley rides, painting of wine glasses and bottles, and a performance by popular local duo Ben There Dan from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Reservations for the sleigh rides on Feb. 6 are recommended and can be made by calling John Mayberry at (920) 421-1152 or by visiting www.mayberrycarriages.com.

The Partners in Drug Education Alliance will host the Fifth Annual Great Paper Airplane toss at Lambeau Field. The event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Feb. 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The first paper airplane throw is free for students. Each additonal throw is 25 cents. Airplanes that are registered for competition for prizes must be folded at Lambeau Field with supplied paper. Pre-made airplanes can be brought to the event and thrown, but they will not be eligible for competition.

There will be prizes for all age groups plus a grand prize. Competition categories will be broken up according to age group: preschool, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and Adult.

There will also be a Family vs. Family Challenge at 2:30 p.m. Registration must be completed on site by 2:00 p. m.

Registration forms for the event are available on the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.titletown.org. Look for the listing called "New Registration Form" under "What's New" on the homepage.

Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin and Fantastic Sams Hair Salons have teamed up and are proud to sponsor GoodStyle Week, Jan. 31 to Feb. 6.

With the motto "look good while doing good," collection bins will be set up in all 7 Fantastic Sams locations in Green Bay and the Fox Cities areas, as well as in the NewStyle Salon in East Green Bay. Anyone who donates at least one item to Goodwill can receive 25% off any haircare services and products during this week.

This donation drive is particularly focused on small items such as gently used clothing, shoes and books. Anyone can drop off an item during regular business hours: Mon/Fri 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tue-Thur 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

For more information, contact any of the Fantastic Sams or NewStyle Salons in the area.

Join Jackie Johnson of the Fox Valley Herb Society at the Gardens to learn all about chocolate. Just in time for Valentine's Day, the workshop will take place Feb. 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

You will learn about chocolate inside and outside the Gardens. The cocoa plant has a history as an aphrodisiac, food, medicine and currency. The workshop will trace the cocoa bean from America to across the globe. Chocolate flavored and colored plants for the gardener will be discussed.

Register for the workshop today by calling the Gardens at (920) 993-1900 or online at www.gardensfoxcities.org. The cost is $12 for Friends of the Gardens and $20 for the general public.

Registration ends Feb. 5. If you would like more information or a calendar of events, visit the Garden's website.

Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group announces their Rising Star and Warm Heart Award winners.

Tammy Mackai was awarded the Rising Star award and Pete Weyenberg was awarded the Warm Heart Award. The agents were recognized at the annual awards gala on Friday, Jan. 22 at the Radisson Paper Valley hotel in Appleton.

The Rising Star Award is given to the agent that attains the greatest number of listings sold and sales made.

The Warm Heart Award is an annual award given to an agent who goes above and beyond in volunteering, being compassionate and heroic and displaying the real meaning of giving.

Neenah Public Library invites the public to attend the showing of "Whip It" starring Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore. Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with this action comedy.

Ellen Page stars as Bliss Cavendar, a young woman longing to move away from her small town and join the tough sport of roller derby in Austin, Texas.

The showing is free and open to the public. There will be free pop and popcorn. "Whip It" is rated PG-13.

For more information, contact the Adult Information Desk of Neenah Public Library at (920) 886-6315 or visit the website at www.neenahlibrary.org.

Susan Stockton, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center president, was elected to serve as a chairperson on the board of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA). The ISPA is a nonprofit organization composed of members from more than 50 countries that form a network of performance arts professionals working toward the goal of strengthening several aspects within the arts.

Stockton's appointment began Jan. 14, 2010 and will continue for 3 years. As board chair, Stockton will guide the strategic development of the organization. She will also lead the 25 person international board in the governance of the organization. Stockton will have the pleasure of working closely with chief executive officer David Baile.

Stockton has been involved with the ISPA since 1995. She is greatly admired by her peers and has served as president of the Fox Cities PAC since Sept. 2003. Mike Weller, CEO of Miller Electric and board chair of the PAC, stated of Stockton's appointment,"Susan's appointment as chair is a great honor, both for her professionally and for the Center as a member organization. It truly speaks to Susan's vision for the performing arts and her value as an arts leader. She's respected at national and international levels, and that connects our Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a local nonprofit organization, with performing arts from around the world. We're very lucky to have her."

With Stockton's 25 years of experience in the arts, cultural programming, higher educcation and student affairs, she will be a great addition with her new role in the ISPA.

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, Terri McCormick will be presenting at the Women in Management-Fox Cities Chapter luncheon meeting.

McCormick is a public policy and leadership innovator. She is the President of the McCormick Dawson CPG, Ltd., a marketing and public relations firm. From 2000 to 2006, McCormick was a State Representative to the Wisconsin Legislature. She is also a Wisconsin Truman Scholar and lives in Appleton.

McCormick is scheduled to give her insight on how women can strengthen their networks to prevent the downfall of weak business and network connections. The meeting will focus on ways women can create positive strategies to impact their careers and personal lives.

Women in Management-Fox Cities Chapter is an organization that supports the professional development of women with careers at the management level. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Riverview Country Club in Appleton.

The organization invites the public to join the luncheon on Feb. 10. For more information about Women in Management, visit www.wimfoxcities.org.

Praised country singer Eric Church will headline the Jagermesiter Country Tour presented by Y100 at The Club at Tom, Dick and Harry's on Mar. 18 at 8 p.m. with special guest Josh Thompson.

Church's amazing fans have been dubbed his "Church Choir." His new album Carolina debuted at #17 on Billboard's Top 200 and #4 on the country charts. Church's single "Love Your Love the Most" reached the Top 10 on the Billboard and Mediabase country radio charts. Another single, "Hell on the Heart," is currently in the Top 30 and climbing on both charts.

Of Church, the New York Times declared, "His music puts rock muscle behind honky-tonk and turns ballads into intimate close-ups.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. They are available at all Oneida Casino Ticket Star outlets including the Resch Center box office, by phone at (920)494.3401 or toll free 800.895.0071 and online at www.ticketstaronline.com. They cost $22.50 general admission.

Neenah Public Library invites the public to attend the showing of the final film in the Shakespeare on the Screen series. The final film will be "10 Things I Hate About You" starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles.

The film is an updated version of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." Transfer student Cameron James falls in love with popular sophomore Bianca Stratford. Bianca's father will not allow her to date until her stubborn, ill-tempered older sister Katrina has a boyfriend of her own. Joey Donner would also like to date Bianca and uses bad boy senior Patrick Verona to attempt to win Kat's heart.

The film will be shown on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public. There will also be free refreshments. For more information, contact the Adult Information Desk at the Neenah Public Library at (920) 886-6315 or visit the website www.neenahlibrary.org.

Gardens of the Fox Cities announces that Sandy Paulus accepts the position of Executive Director. Paulus joined the Gardens of the Fox Cities in 2009 where she served as Development Director.

Prior to her involvement with the Gardens, Paulus served as Chief Development Officer for Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes. Paulus has been awarded the professional Certified Fundraising Executive deisgnation and also serves as a member of the Neenah Rotary and the Association of Funding Professionals.

Hanz Schultz, President of the Board, states, “We are excited to name Sandy our new Executive Director given her proven track record in development.”

Gardens of the Fox Cities is a nonprofit garden with 35 acres loacted within the Appleton Memorial Park. Gardens hopes to promote apprecation for plants and gardens.

Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua will perform its musical tribute to American heritage, “Wild Woods & Waters,” Mar. 25 at 7 p.m. in the James W. Perry Hall at the University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley.

The show is intended to celebrate America’s waters and landscapes and encourage others to keep America’s wilderness safe for the future. In addition to Big Top Chautauqua’s performance, Dr. Michael Dombeck, former Chief of the US Forest Service, will speak after the show.

Big Top will also perform “Thirtieth Star,” the sesquicentennial history of Wisconsin, for the Appleton and Menasha school districts Mar. 24 and 25.

Tickets are $25 each for reserved seating. To purchase tickets or to learn more about “Wild Woods & Waters,” call the UWFox box office at (920) 832-2646 or purchase tickets online at http://foxtickets.uwc.edu. For additional information, visit www.uxfox.uwc.edu/cac/wildwoods2010.html.

CATS, the only production in North America endorsed by Andrew Lloyd Weber is coming to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Feb. 12-14.

On May 11, 1981, CATS opened at the New London Theatre in West End. Eight years later it became the longest running musical in the history of British theater. CATS opened on Broadway on October 7, 1982. On June 19, 1997, CATS became the longest running musical on Broadway.

In October 1991, CATS was the longest continuously touring show in American theater history. CATS is still a classic even after 27 years and performances in 5 continents and 26 countries for over 8 million audiences.

The show is based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” with music by Andrew Lloyd Weber. The performance schedule for CATS is:

Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $37 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or the Center’s ticket office at (920) 730-3760. Tickets can also be purchased at the Center’s ticket office or online at www.foxcitiespac.com.

Winnebago County Master Gardener Association invites the public to Winter Escape ~ Summer Dreams on Feb. 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LaSure’s Banquet Hall, Oshkosh.

The morning speaker is Roy Anne Moulton, Master Gardener, Certified New Jersey Landscape Professional and owner of Garden Coaching by Roy Anne, who will speak on her May 2009 trip to English gardens at Hidcote, Kew and the Cotswolds.

Featured speaker is Melinda Myers, author of over 20 gardening books, host of PBS’s “Great Lakes Gardener” and “Melinda’s Garden Moments.” Myers’ topics are “Affordable Eco-Friendly Landscape Makeovers” and “Creating a Colorful Garden.”

Autographed copies of Myers’ books will be available for purchase at the event.

Cost is $35 before Jan. 31 or $40 after and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Make checks payable to WCMGA; mail to WCMGA, 2424 Marathon Ave., Neenah, WI 54956 For more information go to www.winnebagomastergardeners.org orcontact Audrey Ruedinger at 920-231-5745 or aruedinger2@new.rr.com.

Willie Nelson and Family will perform at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Saturday, Mar. 20 at 8 p.m.

Willie Nelson has been performing for 6 decades and has over 200 albums. Some of his more popular songs include "Crazy," "Red Headed Stranger" and "Stardust." With a new album coming out this spring, Willie Nelson and Family will be an excellent concert. For more information, visit www.willienelson.com.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 22 at 12 p.m. They cost $49.50 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or the Center's ticket office at (920) 730-3760. Tickets can also be purchased at the Center's ticket office or online at www.foxcitiespac.com.

Three participants were selected to compete in the Second Annual Fox Cities Financial Makeover Challenge. These participants have been working with counselors from the Financial Information and Service Center (FISC), a program of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin.

The Challenge began Dec. 15, 2009. Since it started, participants have been meeting with financial counselors who help them set financial goals and create strategies to reduce debt, build credit, and reduce their expenses.

The participant that comes closest to meeting their goals by the Apr. 15 deadline will be named winner of the Financial Makeover Challenge and will receive a cash prize of $1,000. The other 2 participants will also receive a cash prize of $250 each.

The 3 participants in the Financial Makeover Challenge this year are:

• Lisa and Stephen Ariens from Kimberly– their goals include developing a financial plan that meets current monthly expenses, debt obligations, saving for future objectives and improving their credit score.

• Krystal and Craig Schneider from Kaukauna – their goals include building emergency savings, paying off credit cards in seven months, saving for their children's college fund and learning more details about budgeting.

• Ketrina and Corey Sullenger from Neenah – their goals include accumulating savings, paying off debt, changing their use of credit and using a spending plan.

Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin has created videos of each of the participants. To view these videos, visit FISC's website at www.fisc-cccs.org.

In attempts to celebrate the floral design within the rooms of the Paine mansion, the Paine Art Center and Gardens entusiastically announces the first annual "Rooms of Blooms" floral event. The First Annual Greater Fox Valley Floral Show will feature over one humdred flower arrangements from tewenty different designers from around the area.

The arrangements are inspired by the artwork within the Paine mansion, which is known as the "American Castle." The event will also feature six designed table settings created to delight passers-by.

"Rooms of Blooms" will be presented Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout Mar. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for youth.

If you would like more information,visit www.thepaine.org or call (920) 235-6903.

New owners Susie Brautigam, Sandi Johnson, and Kelly Mjaanes have re-opened The French Flea in downtown Neenah. Previously having been in business for 7 years, The French Flea is a store quaranteed to sell unique products.

Co-owner Susie Brautigam states, "When I think of a French flea market, I think of finding beautiful things at a reasonable price." She also says, "Our hope is that our customers will find unique items and that they will appreciate that many of them are hand-made."

The 3 new owners are trying to support local vendors and artisans. They also wanted to create a shop that allowed customers to sip coffee while picking out the perfect gift for oneself or for others.

Along with Green Mountain Coffee and Fair Trade organic coffee sold at the shop, repurposed furniture, artwork, jewelry, greeting cards, and gourmet food items are some of the most popular products for sale.

The French Flea is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The French Flea is closed Sunday and Monday.

Fox Cities PAC presents a new musical based on Laura Ingalls Wilder series of American books. Little House on the Prairie, The Musical performs at the PAC Mar. 23-28.

Little House on the Prairie, The Muscial tells the story of an American family facing struggles, heartbreaks, joys, and successes. It also tells the story of Laura Ingalls beginning her life as a young adult. It is a story that focuses on the heart of what our country stands for.

As a child, Melissa Gilbert played Laura in the NBC television series "Little House on the Prairie" in the 1970s. Gilbert continues her fame by starring in the musical as "Ma." In addition, Steve Blanchard will play "Pa" and Kara Lindsay as "Laura."

The musical had its world production premiere at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis in Aug. 2008. It broke all box-office records and sold-out for 12 consecutive weeks.

Tickets for the show go on sale Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or by calling the Center's ticket office at (920) 730-3760. Tickets can also be purchased at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center ticket office or online at www.foxcitiespac.com.

If you enjoy striding through the mall, make sure to stop by the Forest Mall Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. to learn the proper ways to stretch before exercising.

Physical Therapists Lisa Faska and Catherine Grzywacz from the Agnesian Center for Bone and Joint Health will be available to teach the proper pre- and post- stretching techniques for exercising. Agneisan Healthcare will also be offering free blood pressure screenings.

Faska stressed setting goals for a healthier lifestyle, especially as the new year begins. In addition, Grzywacz stated, "There are exercises and stretches that can be done so that your body is warm and ready for a walk."

This event is free and open to the public.

Partners in Education and the United Way of Brown County are now offering free growth and development charts for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and others.

These charts are called Stepping Stones for School Success and they monitor the social, emotional, and physical development goals parents can help their newborn to 5-year-old child achieve.

These charts are a fun and interesting way for parent's to track the growth and development of their youngster in efforts to better prepare their children for school. Nancy Schopf, vice-president of education at the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, stated, "The chart is intended to further the opportunity for school success by noting - and more importantly, encouraging - parents and others close to children to work on at certain ages."

Individual charts are available for free at all Brown County Library locations, the United Way of Brown County, and at the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. For multiple copies to be distributed throughout an organization, contact Nancy Schopf at (920) 593-3413.

The 2010 Mardi Gras Community Ball will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Main Street De Pere, a program of the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce. The Mardi Gras celebration will highlight the success of the program and recognize the contributions of individuals and businesses.

The event will be held Feb. 13 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Swan Club in De Pere. The event will consist of a recognition program, fun raffles, prizes and a live auction with music and dancing to follow. You can also enjoy a cocktail and hors d' oeuvres hour, a formal dinner, and a coffee and dessert bar.

Early bird tickets are available now until Friday, Jan. 15. They cost $45 per person. After Jan. 15, the tickets cost $50. You can order tickets by calling (920) 338-0000 or by going online at www.deperechamber.com.

Proceeds for the event support development of Main Street De Pere.

Country Music Award winning artist James Otto will perform at The Club at Tom, Dick & Harry’s on Feb. 6 at 8 p.m.

WNCY Y100 presents James Otto and special guest Red Clover as a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In order to help raise money for St. Jude’s, Otto’s favorite charity, special offers from Coors Light and a chance to win 2 tickets for the 2010 CMAs are activities planned for the night.

Otto’s debut release album Sunset Man has been on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with singles shown on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His debut release album’s first single “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” was the Most Played Single of 2008 at Country radio and Billboard’s No. 1 Hot Country Song of 2008.

Tickets are $18 general admission in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets go on sale Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. They are available at all Oneida Casino Ticket Star outlets including the Resch Center box office, by phone at (920) 494-3401, or toll free at 800-895-0071. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketstaronline.com.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have deemed Jan. 10-18 as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Affinity Health Systems invites and encourages the public to call their health care providers to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated against both the seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses.

According to the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, getting vaccinated is "the single best way to avoid becoming ill with the flu and to reduce its impact."

B.Y.G.D. – Bring Your Girlfriends Downtown

Bring your girlfriends downtown for this ladies only event on Mar. 20.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with a Spring & Summer Fashion show and champagne brunch. After the Fashion Show and brunch, ladies of all ages are encouraged to stroll down the Avenue to enjoy downtown Appleton.

The first 100 registrants will receive a ‘swag’ bag that includes a $50 gift certificate to Avenue Jewelers along with much more.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 1. All ticket holders are eligible to win the Downtown Appleton Diva Basket drawing which includes tickets to the Broadway Musical “Legally Blonde” at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Apr. 20.

The Groovaloos will be dancing into the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m.

The Groovaloos are an award-winning dance phenomenon created to obscure the difference between dance and theater. Each performer tells a story and each story is told through movement and dance. The 14-member cast conveys their own story about struggle, hope and success while forming a real connection with the audience.

The Groovaloos have made appearances on NBC’s “Superstars of Dance,” FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Members of the crew have been part of several popular entertainment concerts and projects of celebrities including Pink, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Will Smith, and Gwen Stefani. Members have also been seen in the movies “Step Up,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “Idlewild.”

Tickets for Groovaloo start at $20. They can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or the Center’s ticket office at (920) 730-3760. Tickets can also be purchased at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center’s ticket office or online at www.foxcitiespac.com.

For more information on Groovaloo, visit the website at www.groovaloo.com. See you Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. for the show!

The Fond du Lac Morning Chapter of Rotary International is presenting its annual fund-raiser, WINE AROUND THE WORLD, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the UW-Fond du Lac Commons, Fond du Lac.

Advance reservation tickets for the reserve room are $70 per person. General admission is $35 per person in advance and $40 at the door.

Morning Rotarians have sponsored this annual fund-raiser with a designated beneficiary since 1993. Over the years, more than $222,000 has been contributed to Fond du Lac community non-profit organizations.

“We are pleased to be hosting this annual extravaganza,” says Sam Barnhart, co-chairperson of this year’s event. “It is an event that many look forward to attending and the Morning Rotarians consider their premier fundraiser for the year. We have a very special evening planned. Back by popular demand ~ we will be serving a variety of wines and dining on delicious hors d’oeuvres served by Linstrom’s Catering.”

This year, the reserve room will feature a flight of regional wines ~ still to be determined . Reds, whites, dries and sweets paired perfectly with entrees prepared by Chef Dave Linstrom. A wine expert will present each wine and explain the history and qualities of each wine, instruct participants on tannins, vintage, food pairings, wine regions, and answers questions of attending guests.

The Reserve Room is a great social starter to this event. “You don’t need to be a wine expert to attend,” says Barnhart. “This is a fun event for wine lovers at all levels. The reserve room has limited seating and starts promptly at 5:30 p.m.”

An extended menu of wines and hors d’oeuvres will be presented at the main event. “We hope to have a nice crowd this year,” says Jeff Reed, current president of Fond du Lac Morning Rotary. “We have four beneficiaries that are in need of our support, and this fund-raiser offers Rotarians the opportunity to support their needs. Help us help them.”

The beneficiary organizations for 2010 are Samaritan Health Clinic, Family Resource Center, New Beginnings Pregnancy Center and Solutions Center of Fond du Lac. These organizations provide necessary support to the Fond du Lac area our community.

“We are pleased to collaborate with gracious sponsors including Wells Fargo, Twohig Family Dentistry, Festival Foods, Sunny 97.7 and The Reporter and Jack and Linda Twohig,” says Andy Pevonka, co-chair of this year’s event. “It takes the support and efforts of many to execute an event of this magnitude.”

Tickets are available from any Morning Rotarian, Wegner Office Supply and the Festival Food Wine and Spirits in Fond du Lac. For additional information, call (920) 251-2131 or (920) 960-5741.

If you’d like to spend your Valentine’s Day doing something a little different this year, take a stroll down College Avenue to indulge in all sorts of chocolate desserts.

There will be 13 different restaurants and coffee shops along College Avenue offering chocolate delicacies. These desserts are from some of the best chefs in the area. Vote for your favorite chocolate at select locations.

Tickets are $20 each or 2 for $35. They go on sale Jan. 11. The event will take place on February 14 from 3-7 p.m.

"Disney on Ice presents Princess Classics" at the Resch Center February 10 to 14.

Feld Entertainment presents the first production to bring several of the Disney princesses together. "Disney on Ice presents Princess Classics" creates heartwarming scenes and moments for families to treasure. The show includes phenomenal special effects, excellent set designs, and amazing talent on the ice.

Tickets are $15, $19, $22, and limited VIP $36 and rink side $58. They go on sale at 11 a.m. Jan. 9. All opening night tickets (except VIP and rink side) are only $11. Tickets can be purchased at all Oneida Casino Ticket Star locations including the Resch Center box office, by phone at (920)494-3401 or toll free 800-895-0071. They are also available online at www.ticketstaronline.com. If you would like to learn more about "Disney on Ice," visit www.disneyonice.com.

The U.S. Army recently shared some exciting news with Women magazine. It marked a historic milestone on Nov. 20 when Brig. Gen. N. Lee
S. Price became its first female program executive officer.

Price became leader of the Army's Program Executive Office (PEO)
Command, Control and Communications-Tactical during a Change of Charter
Ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., presided over by the Army
Acquisition Executive, Dean G. Popps, the principal deputy assistant
secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology who
leads 13 PEOs, including PEO C3T.

This continues a historic trend, marked notably in July 2008 when the
United States Senate unanimously confirmed Gen. Ann Dunwoody as the
Army's first female four-star general.

Price began her military career in 1975 as a private first class in the
Alabama National Guard, and after being commissioned through Officers
Candidate School, she was transferred to the Signal Corps. She entered
active duty in October 1981.

Price will now lead a workforce of more than 1,900 employees stationed
across the world and an organization with an annual budget that exceeded
$6 billion in 2009. She rejoins an Army Team Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
community, which she said seems to "always make the impossible happen."

She will lead eight program offices and continue efforts to rapidly
field Army Team C4ISR capabilities in alignment with the Army Force
Generation process; integrate multiple stand-alone systems within
platforms and Tactical Operations Centers into singular, standardized
architectures; and create shared efficiencies between the acquisition
and Science and Technology communities as technologies are transitioned
between them.

PEO C3T develops, fields and sustains a vast range of capabilities
fielded to units in training and in theater to regions throughout the
world.

These include power generation; satellite communications and network
capabilities; digital tools to plan the battle; intelligence and
situational awareness systems; current force radios and capabilities to
sense and warn of incoming mortar attacks.

The Army's first female general officers were promoted on June 11, 1970,
when Secretary of the Army Stanley Rogers Resor promoted both Col. Anna
Mae Hays, chief of the Army Nurse Corps, and Col. Elizabeth P.
Hoisington, director of the Women's Army Corps, to brigadier general.

Another notable leader aiding the advancement of women in the military
is Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia A. Pritchett, the senior enlisted leader
for the Army element of the U.S. Central Command, who is the longest
serving female command sergeant major in the service. Pritchett joined
the Women's Army Corps in July 1973 before it was integrated into the
regular Army. She will formally retire in March 2010.

"Brig. Gen. Price is an excellent choice to lead this program executive
office," said Popps. "She has the technical background, the management
skills, and the full understanding of our Soldiers' needs as she takes
command."

Price will continue the efforts of her predecessor, Maj. Gen. Nick
Justice, to advance the PEO C3T mission. "I thank you for what you have
done, I thank you for what you are doing and I thank you for what you
will continue to do," Price told the PEO C3T staff.

Price's previous assignment began in July 2007 as deputy program manager
for Brigade Combat Team - Network Integration of the former Future
Combat Systems program, now known as PEO Integration.

During the ceremony, Popps presented the Legion of Merit Award to Price
for her work in delivering an integrated brigade combat team capability
to the Army in her previous assignment.

She received the Army Acquisition Excellence Project Manager (PM) of the
Year Award in October 2004 when she was PM for Defense Communications
and Army Transmission Systems (PM DCATS).

As PM DCATS, she managed programs valued at more than $2 billion. These
included a $300 million project to build a commercial communications
network in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait; fielding the first Very Small
Aperture Satellite Terminals to combat service support troops and more
than quadrupling deliveries of Land Mobile Radio systems to numerous DoD
forces and government agencies.

Prior to her assignment to PEO Integration, she held a three-year tenure
as the deputy acquisition executive for the United States Special
Operations Command, where she was responsible for providing specialized
equipment and products for DoD special operators, which is comprised of
Army Special Operations Forces and Rangers, Navy SEALS, Air Force
Special Operations Command, Marine Special Operations Command, the Joint
Special Operations Command, and Special Mission Units.

Earlier positions include tactical integration manager for the Defense
Message System, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), chief of the
director's group working for the DISA director, and project manager,
Defense Information System Network-Pacific, a $2.5 billion joint
services program. She also served as product manager, Theater Automated
Command and Control Information Management System in Seoul, Korea.

Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Price on her new position.

John McGivern will star in "The Wonder Bread Years" at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center July 6 to 31.

The play by Pat Hazell, a former "Seinfeld" writer and regular on "The Tonight Show," will be presented in the Kimberly Clark Theater.

A salute to the baby boomer generation, "The Wonder Bread Years" is a comedy that walks the line between stand-up and theater. The one-man show reminds us that there is still a kid inside all of us.

McGivern is performer from the Milwaukee area. He has appeared in several one-man shows and has a weekly entertainment segment on WTMJ-4.

Tickets are $35 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 12. They can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or the Center's ticket office at (920) 730-3760. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's ticket office or online at foxcitiespac.com. Groups of 15 or more can order now by calling (920) 730-3786. Additional fees may apply.

Shows will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. There will be matinees at 2 p.m. Thursday and Saturday

A class in conversational sign language will be offered on Mondays from January 18th to March 8th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.It will be presented by the Hand-N-Hand group from Northeast Wisconsin.

This 8-week class is open to anyone who has had at least a beginning level sign language class. It will expand your knowledge from one word signing to sentences.

This class will help individuals feel comfortable talking about topics from greetings to emergencies, and experience deaf culture first hand by meeting and communicating with members of the deaf community. Cost is $25.00 per adult.

Class fees are waived for Hand-N-Hand families. Class size is limited. Registration is due by January 11.

For more information, visit the Hand-N-Hand Web site at www.HNHNEW.org.

Affinity Health System announces that Sandy Campbell will begin a new role as Wellness Coordinator. Campbell has been with Affinity for five years, as a Wellness Specialist.

In her new role, Campbell will work to: enhance the wellness culture at Affinity; increase awareness of employee benefits such as fitness programs, health screenings and fitness facilities; initiate a wellness committee; and brand the wellness program.

Campbell received her master’s degree from the University of Iowa and bachelors of science degree from the University of Minnesota-Mankato. She majored in athletic training, with minors in nutrition and corporate

The University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley is presenting, “Forever Plaid,” by Stuart Ross, one of the most popular and successful contemporary musicals.

“Forever Plaid” show dates are Thursday, January 7, Friday, January 8, and Saturday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m. There is also a 2:00 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, January 9. All performances are in the James W. Perry Hall in the new Communication Arts Center on the UWFox campus in Menasha.

The play centers on four young male singers, The Plaids, in the 1950’s who are killed in an auto accident while on their way to their first big concert performance. Miraculously, they are revived for a posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that they never got a chance to do. Wonderful nostalgic pop hits from the 1950’s will have audiences humming along while the dialogue of the era will bring smiles and laughter to those attending.

Songs that The Plaids perform include, “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Undecided,” “Gotta Be This or That,” “Moments to Remember,” “Crazy About Ya, Baby,” “No, Not Much, “Sixteen Tons,” “Chain Gang,” “Perfidia,” “Cry,” “Heart and Soul,” “Lady of Spain,” “Scotland the Brave,” “Shangri-La,” “Rags to Riches,” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.”

“Forever Plaid” has been called “delightful, original, and funny!” by critics and reviewers.

Tickets for the performances of “Forever Plaid” are $12.00 for regular tickets, $9.00 for senior citizens and students, and $5.00 for UWFox students. Tickets can be ordered online at https://foxtickets.uwc.edu/. Information about the performance can be obtained by contacting Rabideau at 920-832-2857 or the campus box office at 920-832-2646, emailing Rabideau at susan.rabideau@uwc.edu, or visiting http://www.uwfox.uwc.edu/cac/theatreevents.html.