Hometown Calendar

Planning is underway for the 16th annual Back to School Bash, coordinated by the Waushara County Department of Human Services. The Back to School Bash provides backpacks and school supplies for Waushara County children in need. Paying school registration fees and purchasing required school supplies can be a financial hardship for many families. The start of the school year can be especially stressful for parents and students if they return to school without the expected school supplies and know their parents can’t afford them. The Back to School Bash depends on support of local business, civic groups and community members to ensure community children have the tools they need to learn. Last year, more than 300 children received backpacks of school supplies. The committee is currently seeking donations of new and/or gently used school supplies, backpacks and monetary donations. Donation totes will be placed throughout the county and are currently available in Wautoma at BMO Bank, Old National Bank, Chiropractic & Wellness Center, the Wautoma Public Library and the Waushara County Department of Human Services at 230 West Park Street Wautoma. Totes are available in Wild Rose at Farmers State Bank, Centex Coop and the Patterson Memorial Library. Monetary donations can also be made payable to Waushara County DHS-Back to School Bash, P.O. Box 1230 Wautoma, WI 54982.

The Back to School Bash will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 in the basement demonstration room of the Waushara County Courthouse. School supplies will be distributed from 8-11am on a first-come first-serve basis. To offset program costs, $2.00 per backpack fee will be collected. Proof of Waushara County residency is also required. To learn more about Waushara County’s Back to School Bash or make a donation, contact Angie Konieczki at 920-787-6550 angie.konieczki@co.waushara.wi.us or Jan Novak at 920- 787-6600 jan.novak@co.waushara.wi.us

Omro Thrift Store Sidewalk Sale

800 East Main St, Omro, 920 685 0568August 10-12, 9am-5pm Thursday & Friday, and 9am-1p on SaturdayCall or find us on Facebook for more information. The Omro Thrift Store has an embarrassment of riches! Our wonderful community has been so generous in donating clean, gently used (sometimes brand new!) items over the last few months. We are filled to the rafters with clothes and books, toys and games,decorative and practical items for your home, and so much more. Our store is a bit on the “cozy” side for all of this abundance to be displayed – so we are going to open up the doors and spill out into the parking lot for our first ever “Sidewalk Sale”. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 10 through 12, shoppers at the Omro Thrift Store will be able to see our treasures on full display under the tents supplied by our friends at Future Omro. Clothes, shoes, purses, and so much more will be available at unbelievable savings. For nearly 20 years the Omro Thrift Store has been a vital part of the fabric of the Omro community. Many area non-profits rely on the Omro Thrift Store for financial support, including food pantries, schools, The Fire Department, The Omro Care Center, and the Omro Area Community Center. Members of the community rely on the Thrift Store to offer a wide variety of unique, gently used items at unbeatable prices. We at the Omro Thrift Store are very excited to offer our friends the chance to shop the wonderfully diverse assortment of merchandise that our donors have provided. Please join us on August 10 -12 at 800 East Main St for the Omro Thrift Store Sidewalk Sale. For more information find us on Facebook or call 920 685 0568. We'll see you at the store!

The Ripon Noon Kiwanis are thrilled to invite the community to the landmarkoccasion, over three years in the making: the grand opening of the newSplash Pad at Riggs County Park!  Celebrate the grand opening of the SplashPad, Saturday, August 12th, with festivities starting at 4pm.  The Kiwanishave planned an afternoon and early evening of outdoor activities, food,and entertainment for the whole family!*4pm – Grand Opening* celebration starts at Riggs Park (Douglas St. entrance, across from the Ripon Printers) with outdoor activities and concessions.*4pm – Kona Ice *truck will be at the park, selling their refreshing flavored shaved ice treats.*4-7:30pm –* *J’s* will be on site with Smokin' HOT BBQ*4:30pm – Dedication of Splash Pad*, with recognition of donors*5:30pm – Registration* for the Noon Kiwanis’ annual *Doug LykeTrail Run/Walk**6:30pm – Doug Lyke Trail Run*/*Walk *starts*7:30pm – Race Results**7:45pm – Family Outdoor Movie *The Ripon Noon Kiwanis meet Tuesdays at noon, and are dedicated to servingthe children of our community.  Learn more about the grand openingactivities, Doug Lyke Run/Walk registration form downloads, and detailsabout the outdoor movie at www.RiponNoonKiwanis.org<http://www.riponnoonkiwanis.org/>.

Saturday, August 12th, “Let’s Light up the Night” Ice Age Trail Alliance Hike. The Waushara County Chapter of the Ice Age Alliance will be holding an evening hike on Saturday, August 12th at 8:30pm. This guided hike is approximately 1.5 miles in length and a limited supply of free glow bands will be available so it is suggested you arrive at 7:45 when the gathering begins. Dress up in your favorite “glow in the dark” clothing, bracelets, necklaces, light sabers, long pants, and enclosed shoes (no flip-flops!). Flashlights and headlamps are recommended for safe travel use if needed. Don’t forget to bring your friends and bug spray. You will be meeting the group in the Town of Hancock in the Greenwood Wildlife Area at the trail crossing on Brown Deer Ct. between County Rd. FF and County Rd GG. Watch for the event signs. The event will be cancelled if inclement weather occurs so if you have any questions, contact Randy Lennartz at 920-787-2333 or Jenny Addis at 715-802-3456.