FOND DU LAC – The Fond du Lac School District recently announced the appointment of Terrance Lofton as its district’s new equity coordinator, effective Aug. 9.
Lofton has been with the district as a teacher for the past six years. In addition to being a science teacher, he was an AVID 10 teacher and a softball coach.
Lofton holds a bachelor’s degree from Marian University and is well known in the Fond du Lac community. He has been a football and baseball coach within the Fond du Lac youth sports community.
“I am excited to join a team where equity is at the heart of our mission,” Lofton said in a news release. “Together, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every individual’s unique experiences and identities are celebrated and respected.”
Welcome to your weekly dose. Here is more news from throughout Fond du Lac County.
$10,000 donation boosts Fondy CARES
SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has made a $10,000 donation to the Fond du Lac School District’s Fondy CARES (Community Access Responding and Empowering Students) program.
The Fondy CARES program offers mental health services that go beyond what is typically available in a school setting. Services are delivered by licensed therapists during the school day at all Fond du Lac School District facilities, benefiting 6,100 students.
The funding will help the program offer therapy to those facing financial hardship, expand group therapy, provide more internships, enhance bilingual support, address waitlists and establish mentorship programs.
For more information, contact 920-906-6733 or fondycares.org.
Ripon Noon Kiwanis rescheduled softball game is July 15
The Ripon Noon Kiwanis Community Softball game, originally scheduled for July 4, will be played July 15 at Murray Park. Registration begins at 5 p.m. with the game at 6 p.m.
Open to ages 12 and older, the game will be 16-inch slow-pitch softball. Gloves are allowed, but not needed. Players may use their own bats and appropriate footwear is required. Flip flops, sandals and cleats will not be allowed.
Registration is $10 per player. Note if you’re signing up with family or friends, organizers will try to place you on the same team, but it is not guaranteed.
Concessions will be available for purchase during the event. Proceeds benefit the All-Inclusive Playground Project at Riggs County Park.
Register online at riponnoonkiwanis.org/community-softball. Forms also are available at the Ripon Public Library and Webster’s Marketplace.
Red Cross urges community members to donate blood
The American Red Cross issued a statement that it has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months. Donors are asked to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to avoid a shortage.
Individuals who are 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health may be eligible to donate blood. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-733-2767.
Upcoming drives include the following:
- July 18: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thrive Church, 79 E. Second St., Fond du Lac;
- July 18: noon to 6 p.m., Bethel Reformed Church, 305 W. Main St., Brandon;
- July 21: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fond Du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St.;
- July 25: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., American Legion, 500 Fond du Lac Ave., Fond du Lac; and
- July 25: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Drexel Training Center, 101 N. Fond Du Lac Ave., Campbellsport.
Waupun hosts variety of family parks activities
During July, Waupun has marked Park and Recreation Month with several events. Continuing summer activities include boat races, relay races, water games, giant games, and arts and crafts.
Events coming in the next week include Carnival Games, set for 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. July 18, and Yoga in the Park (open to all ages) at 10:30 a.m. July 27, both at Harris Mill Park.
Free Park Bingo will be offered at 1:30 p.m. July 25. The entire family is invited to participate.
For more information, visit cityofwaupun.org/parksrec/page/parks-and-recreation-home or call 920-324-7930.
Upcoming Ripon library programs include Bill Hill concert
This week’s programs hosted by the Ripon Public Library include the Donuts and Art and a Bill Hill concert.
Teens are invited to “mash up the artistic styles of Wassily Kandinsky and Wayne Thiebaud” at this July 25 program. It begins at 3 p.m. at the library, 120 Jefferson St.
Participants can add a pastry to their work. Donuts will be served as inspiration and snacking.
All ages are invited to enjoy live music on the lawn at the Ripon Senior Activity Center, 338 Murray Park Drive. Bill Hill will play at 1 p.m. July 28. Hill is an award-winning musician specializing in jazz and popular music from the 1920s to the 1960s.
For more information, visit riponlibrary.org.
Fond du Lac library’s Idea Studio hosts classes, open hours
The Fond du Lac Public Library will host a “make and take” class at 6 p.m. July 26 at the main branch, 32 Sheboygan St.
Those 13 and older are welcome to join the Sew a Coffee Cup Carrier class. Participants should have either previous sewing machine experience or be badged on the Idea Studio’s sewing machines. Registration is required at calendar.fdlpl.org.
For those who would like to know more about the Idea Studio, a demonstration will be offered at 6 p.m. July 31. Staff will show participants the equipment and how to use it.
The Idea Studio is open for walk-in visits 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays; and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
New Wonderbook collection available at Ripon library
The Ripon Public Library recently added large-print chapter books for youth in the Wonderbook format — a book that offers print and audio in one.
The new collection is possible thanks to funding from a Kiwanis Children’s Fund grant, and the Mildred M. and Edward W. Baar Education Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation with Webster Foundation facilitation.
Ripon theater group seeks directors, show ideas
The Ripon Area Community Theatre is looking for directors and show ideas for its 2024 season. The group typically produces one non-musical play, one musical production and another short production such as a radio play, murder mystery or one-act play.
To make a show suggestion or to inquire about directing, email [email protected]. Include your name and your preferred way to be contacted.
Those interested in directing should also include their theater background and if they’ve directed before. A show suggestion can be made, but is not required. Directors must be at least 18 and those of all experiences and backgrounds are welcome. There are opportunities for new directors to potentially co-direct or shadow an experienced director.
Mattingly named executive director of UW-Fond du Lac Foundation
The UWO-Fond du Lac Foundation Board of Directors has appointed Alicia Mattingly as the new executive director of the UW-Fond du Lac Foundation. She began the executive director role in June 2023 but has been with the foundation since February 2023.
Mattingly is a graduate of UW-Fond du Lac and UW-Oshkosh. She has many years of nonprofit experience.
The foundation provides scholarships and development opportunities for staff and helps improve resources available.
Ripon College student taking part in summer research project
Gabriel Drake, Winchester, is taking part in Ripon College’s Summer Opportunities for Advanced Research. The program allows students to work with professors on summer research pertaining to their area of study.
Drake is majoring in biology with a minor in education. He is working with Professor Emeritus of Biology Bob Wallace to research rotifers. He helped create a dichotomous key about the genesis of the caratella.
Drake has been working with Wallace on experiments to better understand marine aquatic life. He will have the chance to attend a rotifer convention in El Paso, Texas, near the end of the summer.
Mittelstaedt retires from National Exchange Bank after 29 years
Randy Mittelstaedt has retired from National Exchange Bank & Trust after 29 years. He joined the bank in 1994 and throughout his tenure worked in retail banking.
Mittelstaedt grew up in Ripon. He earned an associate degree from MPTC and holds a Management Certificate from UW-Madison.
Mittelstaedt is active in the Fond du Lac community as a board member for MACHA, The Mid-Atlantic Payments Association. He is a past member of the Fond du Lac Joint Review Board for Tax Incremental Financing Districts and Wisconsin Automated Clearinghouse.
McFarlane to serve Bank First as president and on board of directors
With the retirement of Robert W. Holmes from the Bank First Corporation Board of Directors, Timothy J. McFarlane has been appointed to serve on the board. He also has joined Bank First serving as president.
With a banking career that began in 1988 at Valley Bank in Oshkosh, McFarlane brings vast experience. He also has been actively engaged with various organizations and served on numerous boards, including his most recent involvement with the Fond du Lac Association of Commerce/Envision Greater Fond du Lac.
St. Agnes Hospital honored for care of heart failure patients
The American Heart Association has awarded SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital its Get With The Guidelines — Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for its dedication to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure.
Hospitals earn the award by showing their commitment to treating patients according to the American Heart Association’s most recent guidelines. The program aims to increase healthy days at home and reduce hospital admissions.
St. Agnes Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. The Target program helps patients receive the most up-to-date care when hospitalized because of heart disease or stroke.
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