Manitowoc Lutheran junior auctioned his own artwork to raise money for Bellin's NICU. Plus, more news in weekly dose.
MANITOWOC - Bellin Health has received a donation of baby clothes, books and toys valued at more than $1,500 directly benefiting patients and families of Bellin’s Family Integrated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Noah Lukasek, a junior at Manitowoc Lutheran High School, led the efforts behind the donation, auctioning his own artwork to raise funds and purchase the supplies.
“Children and their families go through a lot when they’re in the hospital, and I wanted to find a way to help,” Lukasek said in a news release. "God blessed me with a cool talent, and I don’t want to let it go to waste. I encourage everyone to find a talent or activity they enjoy and use it to help others. I am very grateful for all the generous people that bid on my artwork to make this fundraiser possible.”
Bellin’s NICU, which opened last January, is the first in the state and one of only a handful in the nation to offer NICU “couplet care” suites that are quiet, private and spacious, allowing mom and baby to be cared for together (as a couplet) in their room during their entire stay — rather than baby being transferred to a separate NICU nursery with multiple patients.
“We are so thankful for the incredible generosity Noah has shown to Bellin and our NICU families,” said Deborah Fischer, Bellin Health vice president for OB/GYN and neonatology. “These donations will offer joy and relief during what can be a very stressful time.”
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Here is more news from throughout Manitowoc County in your weekly dose.
▶ Great Decisions continues with ‘Iran at a Crossroads’: The next in the Great Decisions lecture series at Manitowoc Public Library will feature Beloit College’s Beth Dougherty, Ph.D., exploring concerning situations that have resulted in “Iran at a Crossroads.”
The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Balkansky Community Room at the library, 707 Quay St., and also be streamed live on the library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
This is the library’s 16th year hosting the grassroots lecture series, which provides citizens the chance to discover, discuss and decide how to meet some of the world’s greatest challenges. Each session starts at 6 p.m. Mondays in the library’s Balkansky Community Room and is also streamed live on the library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Admission is free and no registration is required. Here's the remaining series schedule:
Feb. 27: “Politics in Latin America,” with Martin Farrell, Ph.D., Ripon College (retired);
March 6: "China and the U.S.," with David Fields, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison;
March 13: "Economic Warfare," with Pablo Toral, Ph.D., Beloit College;
March 20: "War Crimes," with Kevin Kelly, J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School; and
March 27: "Global Famine," with Elizabeth Wheat, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
▶ NAMI to host informational meeting about Mental Health Court and Crisis Intervention Team: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Manitowoc County will host an informational meeting at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 about NAMI Mental Health Court & NAMI Crisis Intervention Team training.
According to a news release: “Join us to learn — What NAMI CIT is and the value of it to our community. How Mental Health Court will create services that can be used by the entire community. The value of program innovation for everyone. How you can help.”
The meeting will be in the Balkansky Community Room of the Manitowoc Public Library, 707 Quay St. For more details, call 920-320-7606 or email namimanty@gmail.com.
▶ Forst Inn to stage ‘The Last Five Years’: Forst Inn Arts Collective opens its 2023 theatrical season March 4 with two performances of Jason Robert Brown’s musical “The Last Five Years.”
The story explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein (Kevin James Sievert), a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt (Erin LaFond), a struggling actress.
The show uses a form of storytelling in which Jamie’s story is told in chronological order (starting just after the couple have first met) and Cathy’s story is told in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage).
The characters do not directly interact, except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines intersect.
Musical accompaniment is provided by Phillip Jindra.
Performances are at 4 p.m. March 4 and 2 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $20-$32 for seating in the intimate cabaret theater.
Forst Inn is at E2910 County Road BB in Tisch Mills. More information and tickets are at forstinn.org or by calling 920-310-7228.
▶ Roncalli Middle School presents ‘Willy Wonka JR.’ Feb. 24-26: Roncalli Middle School students will transport Manitowoc to a “world of pure imagination” with their production of Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka JR.,” a musical based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Feb. 24-26.
Shows will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 24-25 and 2 p.m. Feb. 26 in Roncalli High School’s Zimmer Auditorium, 2000 Mirro Drive, Manitowoc.
Tickets are general admission and are $5 each. They are available at the Roncalli Middle School office, 2109 Marshall St., during school hours, or prior to each performance.
▶ WisDOT to host online public involvement meeting on proposed U.S. 10 passing lanes: Wisconsin Department of Transportation will host a live, online public involvement meeting on proposed passing lanes that would be constructed on both eastbound and westbound U.S. 10 in Maple Grove, Rockland, Franklin and Cato in Manitowoc County.
The meeting will be at 5 p.m. Feb. 23 via Microsoft Teams and can be accessed through the project website at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/us10pass/default.aspx. People can also participate by calling 608-571-2209 and using conference ID 834596735.
According to a news release, the purpose of the meeting is to review the need for passing lanes, show the potential highway modifications, obtain comments and feedback on the proposed improvements, discuss possible schedule and traffic impacts, and review WisDOT’s tools for businesses in work zones. Attendees can ask questions following the live presentation.
What to expect in 2023
Streetwise reporter Patti Zarling shares the big developments to expect in Manitowoc County in 2023 in her look ahead. Click here for the full article.
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This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Lutheran student auctions artwork to benefit Bellin NICU
