Fond du Lac weekly dose includes Milwaukee Symphony concert, author readings and more

FOND DU LAC - Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will make its annual appearance at Ripon College Oct. 1. The free concert will begin at 3:15 p.m. in the fieldhouse of Willmore Center, corner of Thorne and Union streets. Tickets are not required, and admission is free and open to the public.

For more than 45 years, the concerts are offered by Ripon College as a thank-you to the community for its support.

The concert, conducted by Music Director Ken-David Masur, will include “Night Ride and Sunrise,” Opus 55, a symphonic poem by Jean Sibelius; “Academic Festival Overture,” Opus 80, by Johannes Brahms; and Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Opus 55, “Eroica,” by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is Wisconsin’s largest cultural organization. Founded in 1959, the full-time professional musicians perform more than 135 classics, pops, family, educational and community concerts each season in venues throughout the state.

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Welcome to your weekly dose. Here is more news from throughout Fond du Lac County.

Author Valerie Laken to offer reading at Ripon College

Valerie Laken, author of the novel “Dream House” and the story collection “Separate Kingdoms,” will read from her work Sept. 27 at Ripon College. This reading is part of the Ripon College Visiting Writers Series and supported by the Schang Family Visiting Writer Fund.

The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts. It is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Laken is an associate professor and teaches creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and at Pacific University’s low-residency MFA program.

“Dream House” received the Anne Powers Prize for fiction and was listed among Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2009. “Separate Kingdoms” was longlisted for the Story Prize and the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award.

Guest speaker Rob Nixon to talk on sustainable futures

“The Environmental Humanities, the Sciences, and Environmental Justice: Reflections from the Crossroads” will be presented by Rob Nixon, guest author and professor in the humanities and the environment, Sept. 29 at Ripon College.

The talk will begin at 4:15 p.m. in Kresge Little Theatre, East Hall 101, on campus. It will center on how the fields of environmental humanities and environmental justice can contribute to imagining more sustainable futures.

Nixon has written four books, one winning the American Book Award and numerous other awards. He is a frequent contributor for The New York Times and has had work published in numerous other periodicals and journals.

Professor of History Brian Bockelman has led an effort to bring distinguished visitors to Ripon through a a $150,000 Humanities Initiatives for Colleges and Universities grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Full moon walk set for Sept. 28 at Eldorado Marsh

An autumn full moon walk, led by an Audubon member, will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28. Meet at the end of Dike Road on the east side of Eldorado Marsh.

Dress for the weather and wear good hiking shoes. Walks will be canceled if raining or totally overcast.

For more information, call 920-922-7931 or email dianahbeck@gmail.com.

Shoulder pain is focus of presentation at Fond du Lac YMCA

Dr. Ryan Pizinger, orthopedic surgeon, will present “Common Conditions & Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain” at noon Sept. 28 at the Fond du Lac Family YMCA, 90 W. Second St.

During the free presentation, Dr. Pizinger will discuss painful shoulder conditions and options for non-surgical and surgical interventions.

To reserve a seat, call 920-921-3330.

Jeremy Stibb photograph exhibit on display at Thrasher

Photographs by Jeremy Stibb will be on display at the Thrasher Opera House now through Oct. 31. The exhibit can be viewed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. To schedule an after-hours visit, call 920-294-4279.

An artist reception, open to the public, will be 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 7. The Thrasher is at 506 Mill St., Green Lake.

Stibb grew up in Princeton and discovered his passion by taking a high school photography class. After high school, he traveled, shooting pictures of nature, people, landscapes and buildings. His photographs have been published, auctioned and displayed at local galleries.

For more information, visit thrasheroperahouse.com.

SSM Health has significant economic impact on Fond du Lac area

Envision Greater Fond du Lac recently conducted a study that showed SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has a $914 million annual economic impact on the Fond du Lac community. SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac continues to be one of the top employers in the community, with nearly 3,000 people.

“SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac’s impact goes well beyond the impressive employees and providers, as the impact study shows,” Sadie Vander Velde, president and CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, said in a news release. “A wide number of indirect jobs in the entertainment, retail and service industries are supported by SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac. As their organization continues to grow, our region’s economy grows with them, and the quality of life in Fond du Lac improves.”

The study also showed that SSM Health’s impact on local retail activity accounts for more than $135 million in retail sales, and $17 million in property, sales and income taxes.

First founded by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, SSM Health has grown to include three hospitals (Fond du Lac, Ripon, Waupun), 17 clinics, six retail pharmacies, three long-term care facilities, full-reference laboratories, home medical equipment, home care/hospice, adult day services, cancer care and more.

The company gives $1 million annually to support community benefit programs. New services continue to be introduced to the local area.

Williams joins orthopedic department at Fond du Lac clinic

Karen Williams, orthopedics nurse practitioner, has joined SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic, 421 Camelot Drive clinic (Health Plaza A). She is accepting new patients.

Williams provides orthopedic care to patients of all ages. She will work with patients in their recovery following total joint replacement procedures, as well as working with patients experiencing acute musculoskeletal concerns, such as fractures, or acute/chronic joint pain.

Williams is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and holds a master’s degree from Marian University. She has served patients in the SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital surgical and pediatric care unit for nearly 10 years.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 920-926-8616.

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This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Milwaukee Symphony concert set at Ripon and more Fond du Lac news