Fond du Lac's Big of the Year has matched with two Littles since 2008 in Big Brothers Big Sisters. Here's your latest news in brief.

Mara Wegner, Fond du Lac Reporter
·6 min read
Dave Colwin was recently named Big of the Year by Big Brother Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County. He is pictured here with matches LJ and Jake during a trip to civil rights historical sites.
Dave Colwin was recently named Big of the Year by Big Brother Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County. He is pictured here with matches LJ and Jake during a trip to civil rights historical sites.

FOND DU LAC – Dave Colwin has been named the 2024 Big of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County.

Colwin joined the BBBS Board of Directors around 1985. He served on the board through the early 1990s and later decided to become a Big Brother.

He was matched with his first Little Brother, Jake, in 2008. Dave coached Jake in soccer, followed his track meets, and they attended Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers games together. Jake is now almost 23, and the two remain in contact.

Colwin was matched with his second Little Brother, LJ, in 2018. Dave is a lawyer by profession, and LJ was interested in being an attorney. He encouraged LJ’s interests by sharing movies and books, and supported his public speaking endeavors. LJ has graduated from high school and will soon attend college.

Colwin, Jake and LJ have spent time together watching movies, playing basketball, and enjoying dinners with Colwin’s wife, Mary. The trio shares a special interest in the civil rights movement and took a trip to visit historical sites in Atlanta; Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham in Alabama; and Memphis, Tennessee.

Fourth of July activities: Fourth of July in Fond du Lac will bring fireworks, picnics and more

Annual exhibit on display at Langdon gallery; library hosts craft classes

Artwork by the Thelma Visual Artists group will be on display through July at the Langdon Divers Community Gallery in the Fond du Lac Public Library at 32 Sheboygan St. A public reception will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 11.

The annual members' exhibit will be on display July 3-Aug. 6. Members of TVA include Nancy Donohue, Linda Fabry, Casey French, Sue Hoehnen, Trista Holz, Larry Kent, Roxine McQuitty, William Nettelhorst, Dennis Ninmer, TJ Schultz, Michael Sergi, Sandra Uecker, Renee Louise Waters, Mary Wehner, Wanda Yuhas Weller and Arianna McCormick-Wilson.

The group was founded in 2010 as the Fond du Lac Visual Artists, but is now a non-profit group under the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts.

For more about the Langdon Divers Community Gallery, follow the gallery on Facebook at facebook.com/langdondivers.

Also coming up soon at the library are chances to be creative. Classes are held in the McLane Room of the main branch. The theme for this month’s Bad Art Night is Cat Scratch Art. The session will be 6 p.m. July 1. All supplies provided. At 6 p.m. July 8, join the Evening Craft Class to create Sand Bottles. All supplies provided. Registration is required for both craft classes at calendar.fdlpl.org.

Audubon members lead Tuesday evening walks

Members of Audubon lead walks Tuesday evenings during the summer. Walks begin at 6:30 p.m. People are advised to wear proper shoes and take insect repellent and binoculars. For more about any of the walks, contact dianahbeck@gmail.com or 920-922-7931.

Explore the new trail and boardwalk at Lakeside Park West July 2. There are views of Lake Winnebago and Supple’s Marsh. Walk over the new bridge connecting east and west park land. Meet by the dog park. Leader is Lori Amend.

Explore Kiekhaefer Park, W4235 Kiekhaefer Pkwy., on July 9. The 120-acre park boasts wonderful trails through hilly, wooded terrain and is part of the Niagara Escarpment. Leader is Diana Beck.

Ripon hosts Fourth of July Celebration at Murray Park

Ripon will hold “Red, White, and BOOM!” a Fourth of July Celebration. Events will begin at 6 p.m. July 4 at Murray Park.

There will be a petting zoo, obstacle course, family games, face painting, and concessions. The Noon Kiwanis Club also will host a softball tournament.

YMCA hosts free program for cancer survivors

The Fond du Lac Family YMCA will offer a free, 12-week small-group program for adult cancer survivors called “LIVESTRONG.”

Participants work with staff to build muscle strength and endurance, increase flexibility, improve energy levels, reduce the severity of treatment side effects, restore balance, and improve functional ability to complete everyday tasks.

The summer session will run 8 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, July 8 to Sept. 25. The fall session meets 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 23 to Dec. 20.

To sign up or for more information, contact Jacob Berger, LIVESTRONG coordinator, at jacob.berger@fdlymca.org.

Green Lake gets grant for county fair improvements

Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, is supporting county fairs with grants to improve facilities and experiences in the Upper Midwest. Locally, the Green Lake County Fair is one of 61 fairs that received a grant.

Funds will be used for new pens in the poultry and rabbit barn, electrical wiring, and fans for the sheep and swine barn, and adding fans in the dairy and beef barn.

Since the program was established in 2018, the fund has awarded 422 grants for a total of more than $1.4 million.

For more about the County Fair Facility Upgrade Program, visit compeer.com/giving-back.

Miss Wisconsin: For Miss Wisconsin Mandi Genord, winning in 2024 ‘is perfect timing’ after finishing as runner-up

Adashun Jones' Brat Fest raises more than $35,000

Adashun Jones Real Estate and Signature Homes by Adashun Jones raised more than $35,000 at the Hometown Heroes Brat Fest, held May 23.

Volunteers manned the grills and fryers, serving 600 brats, 800 hamburgers, 20 pounds of fries and 6.5 pounds of sauerkraut. The day also included a 21-gun salute, military memorabilia, police and fire vehicles, and a pitching contest.

Proceeds will go toward supporting the Fond du Lac County VA, VFW, Sheriff’s Department, City Police and Fire and Rescue Departments.

Dr. Salter named OAK award winner at SSM Health

Dr. Carly Salter, left, was recently recognized with an OAK Award by SSM Health following nominations from two patients. Her nurse, Mary Sorrell, right, also was mentioned.
Dr. Carly Salter, left, was recently recognized with an OAK Award by SSM Health following nominations from two patients. Her nurse, Mary Sorrell, right, also was mentioned.

Dr. Carly Salter, an SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic Family Medicine physician, has been named an SSM Health OAK (One of a Kind) Award winner.

The OAK Award honors physicians and APPs from the Fond du Lac Regional Clinic, Ripon Community Hospital, St. Agnes Hospital, and Waupun Memorial Hospital who demonstrate teamwork and communication skills, collaboration, professionalism, exemplary service, and a commitment to excellence.

Dr. Salter was nominated by two patients. One of them stated, in part: “Dr. Salter went above and beyond during my son’s wellness visit leaving a lasting impression on both of us. Her warm and friendly demeanor immediately put us at ease. ... Overall, our experience with Dr. Salter was exceptional. She is an asset to the medical profession and a true example of what it means to go above and beyond for her patients. Her nurse was amazing as well.”

SSM Health donates to ARC Fond du Lac wellness program

Tara Rhodes (left), Vice President of Operations for SSM Health’s St. Agnes, Ripon and Waupun hospitals, presents a $10,000 donation to The Arc Fond du Lac representatives, from left, Dawn Scannell, executive director, and Grant Monroe, director of development. Funds will be used to introduce a 12-month health and wellness program for its direct support professionals. To learn more, call The Arc Fond du Lac at 920-923-3810 or visit arcfdl.org.

Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac Big Brothers Big Sisters names 2024 Big of the Year