Popeyes could be coming to Sheboygan and 3 more updates on stories we're following
SHEBOYGAN - A single article can capture a glimpse of someone's life, but their stories continue on.
Businesses continue operation. Groups continue advocacy. Individuals continue making a difference.
The Sheboygan Press revisited several previously reported stories, checking in with people on projects and community work.
Here's what to know about two key developments and several people making an impact in the area.
Popeyes could get a second chance
A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen could come to Sheboygan after delays over the last two years.
The city received a new application for the project at 3207 S. Business Drive this week, after the conditional-use permit expired.
Popeyes was supposed to open in summer 2021, but Marc Rodriguez, CEO of SmitCo Eateries, Inc., told the Sheboygan Press supply chain issues delayed construction for other sites in the state.
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Rodriguez estimated construction on the Sheboygan location would've started in fall 2022 after the delays.
The original plan proposed demolishing one of the former Ryder Truck buildings and dividing the land into two plots — one for Popeyes and the other for future development.
Memorial Medical Center demolition begins
Demolition on Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center, 2629 N. Seventh St., began this summer, after sitting vacant for about a year.
The building was built in 1933 and closed when Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan County opened last summer.
Aurora is still in early phases. It has about three years to tear down the building and redevelop the space to fit with the residential neighborhood, likely into housing.
Exterior demolition will take several months, and Aurora needs to secure a developer, according to a statement from Aric Kinney, president of Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan County.
Sheboygan sisters surpass 400 pillowcase dresses for Haiti
Sisters Mary Leonhard and Nancy Zvitkovits, last covered in the Sheboygan Press for their vibrant pillowcase dresses, have made about 600 dresses to date.
They were at about 400 dresses when the Sheboygan Press spoke with them last summer.
They partnered with nonprofit organization Hope for Haiti’s Children to send about 270 pillowcase dresses to Haiti and Sheboygan's Crossroads Church to send 115 dresses to Mexico this year.
The Sheboygan Press and Leonhard received many inquiries about donating materials, like pillowcases and fabric since last summer.
Leonhard, the TAPP/Parenting Lab Program coordinator at Sheboygan Central High School, is still engaging her students in the project.
In addition to dresses and baby booties, Leonhard said a group of students is sewing bookbags toward earning early childhood education credit. They will distribute the bags, with donated books from Sheboygan Area School District librarians, when the students complete their practicals at a day care.
“We believe this is a great way to promote both child/care-giver bonding and literacy,” Leonhard said in an email.
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Alongside that, the sisters will continue sewing pillowcase dresses.
To donate materials, contact Mary Leonhard at mleonhard@centralhs.org.
‘Be the One’ campaign mobilizes youth across state
The American Legion’s mental health campaign — “Be the One” — has ballooned in the region.
The campaign aims to end mental health stigmas, specifically among veterans and youth.
American Legion of Sheboygan County (and Second District Legion Riders) handed out 3,300 red Be the One wristbands when the Sheboygan Press spoke with YiaYia Wischki, Sheboygan County adjutant to the American Legion, in the fall.
To date, they’ve handed out 22,000 wristbands at grade schools and colleges (like University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and for veteran programs, like National Guard Military Family Day at Lambeau Field and Wisconsin National Guard Children & Youth Program.
The Legion also facilitated a video competition for local middle and high school students to spread awareness about mental health and have partnered with educators for extensive programming related to Be the One and veterans.
Veterans can stay at temporary housing through Milwaukee VA Medical Center’s Hoptel program while receiving outpatient care for cancer, surgery or other treatments. They usually travel more than 50 miles.
Students at Random Lake Middle and High School, one of the first schools Wischki visited for Be the One, made 500 kindness rocks for them on their journeys home.
Wischki said, “Sometimes, being the one means just Being the One willing to build the bridges.”
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan could get a Popeyes, Memorial Medical Center being torn down
