Sheboygan's JMKAC plans Chair City Celebration at Woodland Sculpture Garden, and more news in weekly dose
SHEBOYGAN - John Michael Kohler Arts Center invites the community to its family-friendly Chair City Celebration among the sculptures at James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 6.
The free event features performances by indie rock band Cedarwell at 1 p.m. and Adrian + Meredith with polka-inspired swing/folk at 3 p.m.
Art-making activities include creating oven-bake clay sculptures to populate a take-home diorama and decorating cookies shaped like woodland creatures.
Artist and Black River resident Jennifer Kaiser will lead walking tours to her Cabin of Curiosities Clubhouse, which was created in response to artwork displayed on the first floor of the Art Preserve. Tours are offered at noon and 3 p.m. Reservations can be made at jmkac.org/events are recommended.
In addition, Don Howlett of Preservation Services Ltd. will talk about the restoration of the sculpture Our Lady of Fatima, after it was severely damaged in a windstorm last year. Alan Pape of Adaptive Preservation will also be on hand to share the history of the Brat Haus.
James Tellen (1880-1957) created and integrated sculptures into forest undergrowth on his family’s property in Black River. The sculptures include depictions of Native Americans and frontiersmen, religious and patriotic icons, and an assortment of poignant, devout and sometimes humorous tableaux. His art environment offers an integration of nature, humanity and spirituality. The James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden was gifted to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center Collection in 2001 by Kohler Foundation, Inc.
James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden is at 5634 Evergreen Drive, Sheboygan. For more information, visit jmkac.org/events or call 920-458-6144.
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Welcome to your weekly dose.Here is more news from throughout Sheboygan County.
Plymouth thrift store has new look
The Neat Repeats Thrift Shop, 2627 Eastern Ave. in Plymouth, is celebrating completion of its newly renovated space.
The thrift store opened in June 2009 and supports Sheboygan Lutheran High School.
After exploring moving into a portion of the vacant Kmart store, the Neat Repeats Board of Directors decided to sign a new 10-year lease to remain in the present 19,000-square-foot space.
Led by three co-chairs — Paul TenPas, a retired officer of the Kohler Co.; Tom Rusch, retired facilities manager at Sheboygan Lutheran High School; and Laura Herrmann, longtime store manager — the renovation project was launched.
“The renovation of the store included new LED lighting, new ceiling tile, new flooring, painting of all walls coordinated by volunteer Jim Fasse, and remodeled customer bathrooms,” TenPas said in a news release. “It was an enormous challenge to move all store fixtures (clothing racks, shelving, etc.) as well as the store inventory in order to coordinate the various renovation activities, and to then put everything back together in a short period of time. It was fulfilling to see not only our regular volunteers but also many other supporters of Neat Repeats and Lutheran High unselfishly give of their time and talents to do whatever was necessary to complete the project on schedule and on budget, while only closing the store for two days!”
Led by some contracted professionals and a host of volunteers, the $100,000-plus renovation project took place in a span of three weeks. Many “after store hours” of work were required. The reassembling of the entire store proved to be almost as daunting a task as the remodeling, the news release said.
Herrmann said in the release: “At Neat Repeats, we pride ourselves on having a store that is neat, clean and well organized. The customer bathrooms are especially appealing, with new fixtures donated by the Kohler Co., new sinks, comfort-height toilets, and non-slip flooring. The new LED lights and carpet make the store appear brighter and more open. The new carpet is much nicer to walk on. The project makes for a pleasant experience for volunteers and customers.”
Neat Repeats has established a significant footprint in the Plymouth community. Ever-increasing support comes from donors and shoppers across the county and beyond.
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“We took a leap of faith when we opened the store, and we have seen God’s hand in guiding Neat Repeats every step of the way,” Herrmann said. “Nobody anticipated the success we have experienced in the 14 years the store has been open.
“The future of our store certainly looks bright,” Herrmann added. “We are thankful to everyone who helped with the renovation, and to our volunteers, donors and shoppers. Their support has helped to make our store successful and helped the ministry of Sheboygan Lutheran High School.”
Neat Repeats is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Donations are accepted any time the store is open. Call 920-892-9100 for more details.
Sheboygan’s National Night Out is Aug. 1 at Veterans Park
Sheboygan’s National Night Out celebration will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at Veterans Park, 2220 Union Ave.
The event will include food trucks; music from Open Door Entertainment; law enforcement officers; fire department and SWAT vehicles; guest speakers including the Sheboygan County sheriff, Sheboygan police chief and Sheboygan mayor; and safety and community organization displays.
A walk against crime will be at 6:30 p.m. starting at the corner of South 24th and Elm Avenue, near the baseball diamond. It will head down South 24th, turn right on Georgia Avenue, turn right on South 19th Street, follow South 19th around the curve to the right, go west on Elm Avenue, turn left on South 22nd Street and then turn right on Arizona heading back to the park.
Kiel Municipal Band in concert with Concordia Singing Society Aug. 2
The Kiel Municipal Band and the Concordia Singing Society of Sheboygan will present a joint concert of German music as part of the summer concerts at City Park at 7 p.m. Aug. 2.
The concert will feature German music by both groups and also several combined selections with the choir and the band.
The Concordia Singing Society is directed by Frederick Strassburger and the KMB is conducted by Jon Meyer.
Included on the program are songs by the Concordia Singing Society alone: “So ein Tag” (What a Day), “Edelweiss,” “Das Kufsteiner Lied” (The Kufstein Song), and “Why We Sing.”
Pieces by the Kiel Municipal Band will be “Mit Sang und Klang” (With Song and Sound), a march by Kiel composer Emil Meinardus, and “A Tribute to Kurt Weill,” a medley of popular songs by the German-American composer including “Bilbao Song,” “Jenny,” “September Song” and “Mack the Knife.”
The band will also play the march “Berliner Luft” (Berlin Air) by the German composer Paul Lincke and the “Lütjenburger Polka,” a traditional number that invites audience participation.
The KMB and the Concordia Singing Society will also perform together on the following songs: “The Lichtensteiner Polka,” “In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus” (In Munich there is a Hofbräuhaus), “Schneewalzer” (The Snow Waltz), and “Mein Vater war ein Wandersmann” (The Happy Wanderer).
The concert is free, family-friendly and open to everyone. Food will be available before and during the concert. The location in case of rain is the Kiel City Hall.
Road America brings IMSA SportsCar Championship to track Aug. 3-6
Next up at Road America is the IMSA SportsCar Championship Aug. 3-6.
IMSA represents the ultimate test in speed and power in intense wheel-to-wheel driving action over the most demanding road courses.
IMSA races feature elite sportscars from nearly 20 different manufacturers including Porsche, BMW, Chevrolet and Lamborghini.
The skill of the IMSA drivers, paired with advanced automotive technology, creates a high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled race weekend.
Gates will open at 7 a.m. The paddock will be open for fans. Kids 16 and younger get free general admission to all Road America season racing events with a paying adult and students can save $10 off gate admission by showing a current-year student ID. Call 800-365-7223 for more information. Road America is at N7390 State 67, Plymouth.
Love Fellowship plans Backpack Giveaway Aug. 5
Love Fellowship’s Backpack Giveaway will be from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Aug. 5 at Fountain Park, 1000 N. Eighth St., Sheboygan.
The event will include free food. For more details, contact Pastor Dr. Jeffery Madison at 414-759-5745.
Sheboygan-based Vista Care lands $764,543.12 to expand technology, telehealth services
Wisconsin Department of Health Services has awarded Sheboygan-based Vista Care, a human services organization that supports nearly 200 individuals in Wisconsin, $764,543.12 to fuel the expansion of technology and telehealth services.
Vista Care said in a news release the grant is part of a statewide effort intended to improve Medicaid home and community-based services that help older adults and people who have disabilities. A total of $12.75 million is being awarded to 91 organizations statewide during this round of funding.
Vista Care said the funding will enable it to enhance individual support and accessibility across its licensed and certified programs throughout Wisconsin.
Vista Care said it will invest in expanding its technology infrastructure and telehealth capabilities, and central to that expansion is the development of the Vista Support Center, which will serve to centrally support use of technology utilized within Vista Care programs and expand the use of technology across programs in Wisconsin.
The grant funding was made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Vista Care provides residential, day services and in-home support to individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical and behavioral health challenges in Illinois, Nevada, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Learn more at vistacare.org.
River Fest returns in September
Harbor Centre Sheboygan will bring the return of River Fest to the Riverfront Drive boardwalk from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sept. 23.
The one-day festival welcomes people of all ages to explore Harbor Centre businesses through interactive activities and experiences at booths, a main stage and in the river.
Main stage entertainment will start at 11 a.m. with a performer to be determined, continue from noon to 1 p.m. with a TLC Casuals Fashion Walk and finish from 1 to 4 p.m. with the Buffalo Joe Band.
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A food and beverage tent will feature Parker John’s and 3 Sheeps Brewing Co. along with food trucks Harvest Street, Junior’s Eats and more.
Sixteen vendor booths will feature local businesses. A Kids’ Zone will have activities with Mini Mocha Play Café, Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, Boys & Girls Club of Sheboygan County, and the Balloon Lady from noon to 3 p.m. Water activities will be provided by EOS Surf Shop.
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This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Sheboygan John Michael Kohler Arts Center plans Chair City Celebration
