Appleton resident Steven Robbins took this photo in early June at Cave Point County Park in Door County, otherwise known as Wisconsin’s “Fresh Coast.” “What caught my eye about this scene is that it doesn’t quite look like something one might expect to see in Wisconsin,” he says. “With the beautiful rocks and trees by READ MORE
The Little Chute Public Library will have their grand opening on June 1. Prior to this, the Little Chute Public Library was operating with limited services due to the pandemic andremodeling/construction. At 8 a.m. on June 1, there will be a short ribbon cutting ceremony. After this, the doors will be open. The first 250 READ MORE
By Kathleen Humski, Menasha Historical Society vice president Photos by Nicholas Jevne, Menasha Historical Society president A large, stately building has stood on Keyes Street in Menasha for over 92 years. Situated along the banks of the Fox River, the Memorial Building was constructed in 1928, bearing a plaque on the front of the building. “God gave READ MORE
Health and safety reviews indicate high-profile Chamber events may return in 2021 The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce has confirmed that its popular Fox Cities night market Bazaar After Dark and the beloved License to Cruise/Appleton’s Octoberfest events will return with in-person celebrations in 2021. Bazaar After Dark will be held July 28 along South Commercial READ MORE
Meet Michaela — again! Our newest intern makes a spectacular return to Fox Cities Magazine. Name: Michaela M. BranaganAge: 28Hometown: Appleton, WISchool attending: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Tell us about your background: I have lived in Appleton my whole life and went to Catholic schools through freshman year of high school. I went on to attend UW-Fox READ MORE
Menasha photographer Christopher Appleby captured this image in early February as the sun was rising one brisk morning. “I had woken up early that day and wanted to get out to see if I could capture the sunrise,” he says. “Downtown Appleton is typically very beautiful and I felt the sunrise would make it that READ MORE
Pencil in these shows opening this month Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola: Magic City Feb 3-Jul 11. Akinbola uses readymade objects to investigate cultural rituals, connections and conflicts in fashioning an identity. His work makes us question what makes an object “African,” “Black,” “White” or “American.” John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan. 458-6144. The Athletes Feb 4-Mar READ MORE
The Fox Cities P.A.C. will continue virtual delivery of its mission through summer with plans to welcome audiences back beginning in August 2021. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has announced the 2021-22 Broadway Across America – Fox Cities Series lineup. The season will include Mean Girls, Hairspray and the Wisconsin premieres of Disney’s Frozen READ MORE
When Star Wars™ hit the movie theaters in 1977, it instantly became a box office smash, especially with children. Kids wanting to bring the action home from the theater with them could find their favorite heroes, villains, creatures and spaceships in miniature size on the toy shelves. From 1978 to 1985, Kenner Toys manufactured hundreds READ MORE
A shopping mecca of sausage showcases the company’sproducts, people and 75-year history The Johnsonville Marketplace – a retail store showcasing the company’s products, people and history – opens in timing with Johnsonville’s 75th anniversary. The destination shopping experience is the only place that sells all 70+ Johnsonville U.S. retail products. Johnsonville Marketplace, located across the READ MORE
Ken Kemper was out and about with his Black Lab/Shepherd Mix, Sabrina, early on a Saturday morning in 2022 when he came upon what he calls the “Dutchman’s Rainbow.” “What was somewhat unique about the event was that it was a morning rainbow appearing in the West from a rather high cloud base… I caught READ MORE
Kevin Abing was hiking through 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna while taking fall leaf photos with his iPhone. “I noticed there were new steps installed on the hillside to make it easier to hike up the hill,” he remembers. “With the color of the leaves and the beautiful new white steps, I knew it READ MORE
Art medium(s): Paper, pencil and digital but I also enjoy acrylic and canvas! How do you describe your art? I’d describe my art style as cute, colorful and playful. I’m taking it in a couple different directions at the moment: one is greeting card art and the other is City of Neenah art! For my READ MORE
Steven Robbins set a goal of capturing a photo of a fox after hearing about two young kits in the area. He set out for Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha and got exactly what he was aiming for. “I was lucky enough to see this one pop out of its den just long enough to READ MORE
After a socially distanced celebration with her sister during the first Christmas of the pandemic, Lori Gelbke used one of her new gifts, a camera, during a visit to Neenah and Lake Winnebago. “When I got there, I discovered people taking walks and some young men finishing a game of hockey,” she says. “I took READ MORE
Jim Ruzicka was driving back home to Neenah after an afternoon looking for owls and other wildlife to photograph when, all of a sudden, a normal sunset turned into a spectacular light show. “As the clouds split the rays into individual light beams crossing the sky, I pulled over to capture the moment,” he says. READ MORE
How do you describe your music? I would describe my music as heartfelt Alternative Pop. How long have you been a musician? Do you play instruments as well as sing? I have been pursuing music full time for about two years! I first started making music about 4 years ago when I first picked READ MORE
Due to the pandemic, Catherine McKenzie says she and her husband explored many parks and natural areas around the Fox Cities, even in the dead of winter, just to get out of the house. On February 12, 2021, “we went to look at the ice roads on Lake Winnebago and decided to visit High Cliff READ MORE
Heather Landers often drives around her hometown of Kaukauna looking for birds, owls and wildlife with the goal of catching them in action. So much so that she recalls a funny incident while capturing these “berry bandit” cedar waxwings in a residential area. “I was sitting in my car (when) an elderly woman drove by READ MORE
Art medium(s): Nail Acrylic and Gel Polish How do you describe your nail art? I would describe my nail art, in its essence, as wearable art. For the majority of my life I have painted on canvas, and I have translated my artwork onto a smaller canvas that is accessible to more people. It is READ MORE
Revel in Wisconsin’s Nature “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” —John Muir When it comes to autumn in Wisconsin, no doubt outdoors is the place to be. Spending time outside is made better READ MORE
What to Know to Keep your Home Safe While I’m writing this story in August it’s currently 88 degrees, but I—and any other lifelong Wisconites—don’t ever really forget that winter is coming. To experience four seasons is a part of the charm of living in the Midwest, but that means preparing for them too. Freezing READ MORE
Please check in with individual galleries and museums before you visit to ensure you have the most updated information and hours. Appleton Historical Society Museum. www.appletonhistory.com Vulcan Hydroelectric Replica By appointment. The Appleton Historical Society, in partnership with the City of Appleton, has the 1932 replica of the 1882 hydroelectric generator open to the READ MORE
Exhibits Preview Please check in with individual galleries and museums before you visit to ensure you have the most updated information and hours. Appleton Historical Society Museum. 920-540-3699. Vulcan Hydroelectric Replica Sept. 5 and 19 + Oct. 3 and 17. Appleton Historical Society, in partnership with the City of Appleton, opens the Vulcan Replica to READ MORE
Our 15th annual photo contest Panel of Judges ●Dustin Mack, chief curator, History Museum at the Castle ●Maddie Uhlenbrauck, marketing communications manager, Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau ●Karl Volkman, The Karl Volkman Group, First Weber Realtors ●Jim Weidert, senior marketing and public relations manager, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of GlassModerator ●Shannon Van Grinsven, owner, PeoplePaperPrints Photography READ MORE
Nine community leaders confront a challenging time with innovation and celebrate summer in style Photography by Graham Washatka of Graham Images Hair and makeup styling by Dana Michele Makeup & Aesthetics A special thank you to Community First Champion Center, our host for the 2021 swimsuit photo shoot Whether you’re a bar owner, restaurateur or READ MORE
Neenah Historical Society’s newest exhibit opens May 9 By Jane Lang, executive director of Neenah Historical Society, and Steven T. Sheehan, associate professor of history at UWO, Fox Cities Campus We are a nation of immigrants. That truth has been part of the fabric of our country and our local community from their earliest days. READ MORE
Our annual reader poll recognizes the all-stars of Fox Cities dining By Amelia Compton Wolff, Emily Speers & Charlie Hildebrand Photos by Alexa Jones and Jordan Ashwood, unless otherwise stated To say this year has been rough on restaurants is an understatement. Our local dining scene may be a little battered and bruised (thanks Corona), READ MORE
Farmers markets may look different this year, but they are still the go-to source for local, fresh produce. Downtown Appleton Farm Market Saturdays, July 4-Oct. 31. 8am-12:30pm. Only produce vendors. College Avenue from Appleton Street to Drew Street and Houdini Plaza, Appleton. 954-9112. BayCare Clinic presents Farmers Market on Broadway Wednesdays, June 3-Sept. 30. 4-7pm. READ MORE
A few of our favorite swimsuit shots from previous years While COVID-19 has put a damper on this year’s swimsuit photoshoot, we aren’t going to let it completely rain on our parade. Here we relive some of our favorite shoots from years past while eagerly anticipating the 2021 Swimsuit Issue.
