Ripon College presents 'Tin Woman' and more news in Fond du Lac's weekly dose

Ben Marn, from left, Summer Schlieckau and Lucie Hodgkins rehearse a scene from Ripon College Theatre Department’s production of Sean Grennan’s “The Tin Woman.”
Ben Marn, from left, Summer Schlieckau and Lucie Hodgkins rehearse a scene from Ripon College Theatre Department’s production of Sean Grennan’s “The Tin Woman.”

FOND DU LAC — “The Tin Woman,” by Sean Grennan, will be presented Nov. 15-18 at Ripon College. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Benstead Theatre, C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts.

The play is based on a true story of a young woman who received a heart transplant at the age of 30. For most people, the experience of being granted a “second life” after a serious life-saving or life-extending operation can be overwhelming and profoundly life-changing.

For the lead character, Joy, the anticipated euphoria did not happen after she received the heart of Jack Borden, who died in a motor vehicle crash. Joy’s search for peace, resolution and the “new life” that has eluded her takes her to the doorstep of Jack’s surviving family, Hank, Alice and Sammy.

Community members have joined the college cast for this production. Cast members are Lucie Hodgkins ’25 of Winneconne, as Joy; Ben Marn ’25 of Brookfield, as Jack; Brian Reilly of Ripon as Hank; Holly Sina of Ripon as Alice; Melissa Gerber, Berlin, as Sammy; and Summer Schlieckau ’25 as Joy’s best friend, Darla.

Admission is free, open to the public and suitable for all ages. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis with the house opening at 7 p.m. Reservations for general seating can be made at Boxoffice@Ripon.edu.

Remember when ...: Remember when Sears led Fond du Lac's shopping scene? Here's its journey from Main Street to the mall.

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

George Penn to talk about money in elections at Ripon College

Ripon College's Center for Politics and the People will host George Penn of Wisconsin United to Amend at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the college. He will present “How to Limit the Impact of Big Money on Our Elections” in Kresge Little Theatre, East Hall, on campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

George Penn
George Penn

Penn will give a short presentation; followed by a discussion between Penn and Henrik Schatzinger, professor of political science and director of the Center for Politics and the People; then a question-and-answer session.

Penn joined Wisconsin United to Amend in 2012, working on the ratification of the 28th Amendment to get big money out of politics. After Wisconsin United to Amend became a chapter of American Promise, Penn began to train other chapter leaders. He has helped pass more than 130 resolutions across the state.

The event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Ripon Area.

Collective Goods sale to benefit SSM Health St. Agnes volunteers

A Collective Goods sale will be held Nov. 14-17 in the SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital lobby concourse, 430 E. Division St., Fond du Lac.

Sale hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 14-16 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 17. The sale offers hardcover books at a reduced rate. There will be bestsellers, children’s books, reference, hobby, nature, sports as well as special gift items.

The sale will benefit patient programs and services, as well as the scholarship fund sponsored by the SSM Health Fond du Lac Volunteers. For more information, call 920-926-4895.

Ripon library offers game nights, crafts in November

Ripon Public Library programming in November includes a game night, crafts and D&D. The library is at 120 Jefferson St.

An adult game night, for ages 16 and older, will be held 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15. November’s line-up includes Colt Express, Village Pillage and Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest. Staff will be on hand to teach the games.

The craft club, for ages 10 and older, will make string trees. The session will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16. Youth need adult supervision. Registration is not required.

Teens are invited to take part in the Dungeons & Dragons campaign from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 18.

The next Adult Learning Series will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. Kristy Martin, owner of Divine Passage Funeral Home and Emily Parks, estate planning lawyer, will make a presentation on end-of-life preparations. A question-and-answer session will follow.

For more information, visit riponlibrary.org/events.

St. Mary Springs to perform comedy 'Just Another Audition'

St. Mary Springs will present “Just Another Audition” by Bryan Starchman Nov. 17-19 at the Horace Mann Performing Arts Center, 325 McKinley St., North Fond du Lac. Show times are 7 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18 and 1 p.m. Nov. 19.

This comedy takes the audience backstage to witness the worst high school auditions ever — where anything that can go wrong, does go wrong. An overzealous assistant director and a slacker stage manager, along with a wacky group of wannabe actors, are left to cast their senior show themselves. What follows is a rollicking show full of accidental auditions, movie and pop culture hits reworked, bad songs, creepy clowns, overbearing drama mamas, and some surprise guests.

The show stars many students in multiple roles and is directed by Christa Lewis.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and students at hometowntickets.com. Tickets also available at door for an additional $2 per ticket.

All are welcome at annual Thanksgiving service

The annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Fond du Lac Ministerial Association, will begin at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Covenant United Methodist Church, 20 N. Marr St., Fond du Lac.

Local pastors will preside, and an Ecumenical choir will lead the singing. Fr. Kevin Tanel from Holy Family Catholic Church will preach. A monetary collection will support the new warming shelter; hygiene and cleaning supplies will be collected for the St. Katherine Drexel shelter; and non-perishable food items collected for the Fondy Food Pantry.

Place orders now for Noon Kiwanis cheese boxes

The Ripon Noon Kiwanis will hold its annual Holiday Cheese Box Sale through Nov. 30.

A family size box is $35, and contains a 12-ounce sausage, Port Wine cheese spread, a package of Muenster, medium cheddar and string cheese. The medium size box for $25 includes a package of muenster, medium cheddar and a 12-ounce sausage.

Orders will be ready for pickup or delivery Dec. 8 at Divine Passage Funeral Home. Place an order online at riponnoonkiwanis.org/cheese-sale.

Some of the projects the Noon Kiwanis support include collaborating with the Early Bird Kiwanis and Fond du Lac County on the all-inclusive playground at Riggs Park; the Noon Kiwanis’ annual free Children’s Fair in June; as well as a 2024 full of activities to mark the Ripon Noon Kiwanis’ 100th anniversary.

For more information, visit riponnoonkiwanis.org or email riponnoonkiwanis@gmail.com.

Fond du Lac woman earns EDP designation

The International Economic Development Council recently announced the 2023 Entrepreneurship Development Professional credential recipients.

Raina Lyman, director of small business and entrepreneurship at Envision Greater Fond du Lac, earned the EDP designation.

To qualify for the designation, candidates must have two years of full-time experience in economic development, complete the education requirements and pass a certification exam. It is geared toward professionals who work with or support entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The 2023 program, including classes and testing, was presented virtually.

Marian University president named to Titan 100 list

Michelle E. Majewski, president of Marian University, has been named a 2024 Wisconsin Titan 100.

The Titan 100 program recognizes Wisconsin’s Top 100 CEOs and C-level executives. These business leaders demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision and passion. This year’s honorees will be published in a limited-edition Titan 100 book and profiled exclusively online. They will be honored at the annual awards ceremony Jan. 18 at Fiserv Forum.

Michelle Majewski
Michelle Majewski

Majewski joined Marian in 1987 as a member of the psychology department. She later became program director, department chairperson, and dean of two different schools within Marian. She was awarded the James Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching award. She retired in 2018, then rejoined the university in 2020 to serve as acting president. She was named president six months later.

“This is an amazing honor, one that is reflective of the work of my talented team of colleagues at Marian University, along with the outstanding work and dedication of our Board of Trustees,” Majewski said in a news release. “I am so fortunate to have the privilege to lead Marian University, the only Agnesian university in the world, to support her mission, to work with all of our dedicated faculty and staff and to support our students and over 21,000 alumni.”

Service dogs: Fond du Lac service dogs need space to work in public, and distractions could be dangerous, handlers say

Society Insurance agent honored for service to policyholders

Ed Kidd recently received the Society Insurance Customer Experience Award. The award is presented to employees for exceptional efforts serving policyholders and are nominated by colleagues.

In recognition, Society donated $250 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County in Kidd’s name.

Kidd
Kidd

As agency services manager, Kidd collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure an outstanding customer experience. As Society converts to a new policy-administration platform, Kidd has taken the lead in conducting focus groups with agents and developing training materials. He is known for his commitment to teamwork and leadership.

Dahlke named president of Noon Kiwanis

Stephanie Dahlke has been installed as president of the Fond du Lac Noon Kiwanis. The group supports several organizations that help children. Pictured are, from left, Louise Gudex, Tiffany Heim, Jennifer Serrano, Secretary Joan Pinch, President Dahlke, Past-President Kathy Strong-Langolf, Treasurer Sue Schnoor and President-Elect Connie Gens
Stephanie Dahlke has been installed as president of the Fond du Lac Noon Kiwanis. The group supports several organizations that help children. Pictured are, from left, Louise Gudex, Tiffany Heim, Jennifer Serrano, Secretary Joan Pinch, President Dahlke, Past-President Kathy Strong-Langolf, Treasurer Sue Schnoor and President-Elect Connie Gens

Knights of Columbus donate $15,000 to Miracle League

The Knights of Columbus Council 664 raised $15,220 to support Miracle League of FDL. Pictured are, from left, Mike Arnold and Kelli Hughes of Brook Industries, Tom Schmitz, Jerry Lauby and Evan Schwalbe, representing the Knights of Columbus.
The Knights of Columbus Council 664 raised $15,220 to support Miracle League of FDL. Pictured are, from left, Mike Arnold and Kelli Hughes of Brook Industries, Tom Schmitz, Jerry Lauby and Evan Schwalbe, representing the Knights of Columbus.

Get your dose — stay connected

Get your dose of local community news here each week. For updates throughout the week, visit fdlreporter.com or follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

News tips

Send tips to news@fdlreporter.com.

See our contact page.

Our impact

The Fond du Lac Reporter — part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin — strives to make a difference in our community. Read our 2022 Community Impact Report online.

Award-winning content

The Fond du Lac Reporter won four total awards in the 2022 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest.

Read more about the awards and follow links to the award-winning content by clicking here.

Thanks for reading!

We appreciate your readership! Support our work by subscribing. Find details online or call 1-877-424-5048 and give offer code W-C4 to subscribe.

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

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Ripon College presents 'Tin Woman': Fond du Lac weekly dose