Category: General

Every Christmas when I was a kid, Grandpa Paulie would give me a $50 EE savings bond. These pink slips of paper weren’t nearly as exciting as the new Barbie outfits and Nancy Drew books I unwrapped. Some (many) years later, however, the 4%-plus rates on those long-neglected pink papers have greater appeal.

Pursuing advanced education, particularly in the technical vocations, has been a lifelong passion for James (Jim) Popp. Jim grew up on a dairy farm in Bonduel, and after graduating high school in 1957, he found work at a plywood factory. But he soon realized his dreams required additional education. He first pursued a chemist career […]

(Photo by Curt Knoke) From the battlefields of foreign countries to the quiet village of Bonduel, Doug Bartels has done his best to keep the sick and injured alive. Bartels’ tireless efforts have earned him the Health Care Volunteer of the Year Award from the Shawano Area Community Foundation. By Lee Pulaski, Shawano Leader Doug […]

WisconSibs and its partners teach lessons about not judging a book by its cover. When the nonprofit set out to help parents of children on the autism spectrum open the conversation about the challenges of the disorder with siblings, they accomplished that with, what else … books. A $1,000 grant awarded a year ago from […]

Experts say living a life of gratitude is the scientifically proven path to happiness. So, when the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Friday, August 18, it was no surprise to see so many smiling faces amongst the crowd of former and current Club members, donors, Board members, […]

Partners in BRAIN Fox Valley were surprised by the 86% of the 331 local homeless people they surveyed reporting traumatic brain injury, but they found another population for which serious head injuries seem to be underreported. In a field largely focused on injuries among football players, combat veterans and other sports participants, statistics normally report women […]

Music and summer – what a beautiful combination! On Saturday, July 1, join the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for the third annual Brats, Beer and Beethoven at the Fox Cities Stadium. This free, family-friendly concert of patriotic, classical and pops favorites celebrates the accessibility of the arts in our community. […]

By Carolyn Desrosiers, Director of Community Engagement Despite it being one of the coldest days so far this winter, on January 20th, the warmth of community, hope, and voices raised in song radiated from the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton. It was the 34th annual Fox Cities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, and more […]

By Tim Ewing, Director/Naturalist, Navarino Nature Center Navarino Nature Center in Shiocton is creating a new natural playscape designed to get children outdoors exploring the wonders of nature. Natural playscapes are interactive play areas that use natural items (music, art, water, trees, etc.) to offer endless possibilities for running, jumping, exploring and discovery in an […]

Dan Brick is planting a greater variety of crops at his 900-acre farm near Greenleaf. In addition to corn, he has put down seed for clover, vetch, barley and radishes – but in the same field where the corn was already planted. To  say the least, he’s got his neighbors very curious. They all got a […]

Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra remains committed to making music, including their virtual “Stay at Home Concert Series” and socially distant versions of their educational programs, such as “In Harmony” pictured here. By Carolyn Desrosiers, Community Engagement Manager, 
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region During this difficult and uncertain time, it’s important to find things […]

The Community Public Market in downtown Appleton is open for business, thanks to a grant from the Bright Idea Fund within the Community Foundation. The existing weekly Winter Farm Market is transformed into a vibrant, once-a-month Public Market in the Fox Cities Exhibition Center bringing together food producers, small businesses, artisans, health and wellness resources, […]