FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waushara County YMCA Nears Finish Line: $10 Million
Raised, $1.2 Million to Go
Stevens Point, Wisconsin (April 4, 2025) – The people of Waushara County
have always known how to come together. After years of planning and months of
fundraising, the Waushara Community YMCA has reached 92% of its total goal
with more than $10 million raised from local donations, grants, and pledges.
Now, the final push begins.
An additional $1.2 million is needed to fully outfit the highly anticipated pool and
make it operational. The YMCA facility will be located at the site of the old
Waushara County Courthouse, making it a central gathering point for residents
from every corner of the county. The pool’s foundation, shell, and utilities will be
included in Phase One construction, which begins July 1, 2025. That decision
helps reduce costs and minimizes disruptions to downtown Wautoma.
In addition to the pool, Phase One includes a licensed childcare center, a gym
with a walking track, dedicated wellness and fitness spaces, and areas for classes
and community meetings. Telehealth services will also be available, helping rural
residents access care that’s often out of reach. The new space offers a place for
kids learning to swim, grandparents getting the exercise they need, and families
finding connection in a place built to bring people together.
“This is the single most impactful occurrence to take place in Waushara County in
many years,” says Marc Bickford, a longtime resident of Waushara County and
President-Elect of the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.
To keep access affordable and long-term operations sustainable, the Friends of
the Waushara Community YMCA Fund has been established at the Community
Foundation of Central Wisconsin. That fund will support Phase Two of the project,
completing the pool to make it fully operational and providing future support to
help cover annual maintenance costs.
Contact:
Ryan Zietlow
Stevens Point Area YMCA
715-952-9300
rzietlow@spymca.org
Support for the YMCA has come from across the community, starting with a lead
gift from the DeMars Family Fund at the Community Foundation. The project also
received $4.25 million in funding from the Evers administration and a $300,000
matching grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation. Crucial strategic guidance
throughout the process from the Stevens Point Area YMCA, helped move the
project from idea to blueprint.
“The Stevens Point Area YMCA Board of Directors is excited to support this
transformational effort in Waushara County. By aligning resources with our
YMCA’s, we can impact more lives, more efficiently. Our ultimate goal is to
address community need and create fuller lives for our friends and
neighbors. This Project will accomplish that goal.” shares Dan Mahoney, Board
Chair for the YMCA. He continues, “The tremendous work of the Waushara
County community has been remarkable in what has been achieved so far. We
have come so far and are so close to fully realizing the vision the community has
shared they would like to see. We look forward to walking this path together in
strengthening the foundations of our communities.”
Fundraising continues, and community support remains essential to bring the
project across the finish line.
To help close the $1.2 million gap for a fully operational YMCA and pool,
donations can be made to the Friends of the Waushara Community YMCA Fund
online at https://tinyurl.com/wausharaYMCA or by contacting the Community
Foundation at 715-342-4454 or foundation@cfcwi.org.
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About Us
The YMCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social services organization dedicated to Youth
Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. The Stevens Point Area YMCA
has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to
deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.spymca.org
The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is a non-profit organization that inspires
charitable giving by connecting people and resources to enhance Central Wisconsin now
and for future generations. For more information on how you can give back to your
community and accomplish your philanthropic goals, please visit www.cfcwi.org.

Ripon Middle School proudly present, “Beauty and the Beast (Jr),” April 10-12 in the Ripon High School Auditorium.

Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out.  With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.

Performances are Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 at 7pm, and Saturday, April 12 at 2pm. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance starts. The performances will be in the Ripon High School Auditorium, 850 Tiger Drive.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for Students and ages 5 and under are free.

There will be a bake sale and 50/50 raffle during intermission, to help support the Ripon Middle School drama program.

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/6e50a61f-86e3-47f1-aa1c-47ff6b59b9c6

* Please note, the ticketing platform, Zeffy, is free for nonprofits and does not charge transaction fees. The option to donate to and support Zeffy is optional, but can be set to a custom amount of $0.

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton, Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth, Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all materials are provided by Music Theatre International. For more information about licensing Beauty and the Beast JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com.

Two shows are coming up featuring the All-Woman Bluegrass/Americana band Della Mae, and Tribute Band The Brit Pack, playing all your favorite hits from UK Bands. 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 03, 2025 CONTACT: Jason Mansmith 920.294.4279 jason@thrasheroperahouse.com

GRAMMY Nominated All-Woman String Band Della Mae at Thrasher Opera House

Green Lake, Wis. (March 03, 2025) – One of the most powerful live bands in bluegrass/Americana, Della Mae, will perform at Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake, Wisconsin, on Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the show are $27.00 and available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com or by calling 920.294.4279.

Founding members Celia Woodsmith (lead vocalist/guitarist) and 2-time Grand National champion fiddle player Kimber Ludiker, along with guitarist Avril Smith, and two-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year Vickie Vaughn make up Della Mae. Reared in diverse musical styles, Della Mae is one of the most charismatic and engaging roots bands touring today. They have traveled to over thirty countries spreading peace and understanding through music. Their mission as a band is to highlight top female musicians, and to improve opportunities for women and girls through advocacy, mentorship, programming, and performance. Della Mae’s live show always includes covers by songwriters and artists they esteem as a playful treat.

Michael and Aileen Ellis are sponsoring this show.

This event is supported in part by a grant from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, the Green Bay Packers Foundation, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Thrasher Opera House’s mission is to promote the arts and the power of live performance, provide a community gathering place, and preserve the historic Thrasher Opera House—a charming, intimate, friendly venue with excellent acoustics. Built-in 1910, restored in 1997, and on the National Register of Historic Places. Seats two hundred. For more information, please visit www.thrasheroperahouse.com.

Ripon Middle School proudly present, “Beauty and the Beast (Jr),” April 10-12 in the Ripon High School Auditorium.

Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out.  With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.

Performances are Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 at 7pm, and Saturday, April 12 at 2pm. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance starts. The performances will be in the Ripon High School Auditorium, 850 Tiger Drive.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for Students and ages 5 and under are free.

There will be a bake sale and 50/50 raffle during intermission, to help support the Ripon Middle School drama program.

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/6e50a61f-86e3-47f1-aa1c-47ff6b59b9c6

* Please note, the ticketing platform, Zeffy, is free for nonprofits and does not charge transaction fees. The option to donate to and support Zeffy is optional, but can be set to a custom amount of $0.

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton, Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth, Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all materials are provided by Music Theatre International. For more information about licensing Beauty and the Beast JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 03, 2025 CONTACT: Jason Mansmith 920.294.4279 jason@thrasheroperahouse.com

Experience the British Invasion with The Brit Pack at Thrasher Opera House

Green Lake, Wis. (March 03, 2025) – The Brit Pack – the most authentic British Invasion experience this side of the Atlantic, will perform at Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake, Wisconsin, on Friday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. The Brit Pack has performed with artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Britney Spears, and many others. Tickets for the show are $35.00 and available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com or by calling 920.294.4279.

Formed in 2011 by British session musicians based in NYC, The Brit Pack take their audience on a journey through a dynamic blend of British classics known and loved by all, including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, The Who, Oasis, Radiohead, The Police, Amy Winehouse and many more. The Brit Pack is a supergroup of sorts featuring the amazing talents of Matt Nakoa (vocals, guitar, keys), Mark Johnson (guitar, vocals), Bryan Percivall (bass), and Will Haywood Smith (drums). They have performed for company events at Google and YouTube and even arranged music for major television events like The Oscars.

This show is sponsored by Farmers and Merchants Bank, and by Emmer Real Estate.

This event is supported in part by a grant from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, the Green Bay Packers Foundation, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Thrasher Opera House’s mission is to promote the arts and the power of live performance, provide a community gathering place, and preserve the historic Thrasher Opera House—a charming, intimate, friendly venue with excellent acoustics. Built-in 1910, restored in 1997, and on the National Register of Historic Places. Seats two hundred. For more information, please visit www.thrasheroperahouse.com.

Ripon Middle School proudly present, “Beauty and the Beast (Jr),” April 10-12 in the Ripon High School Auditorium.

Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out.  With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.

Performances are Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 at 7pm, and Saturday, April 12 at 2pm. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance starts. The performances will be in the Ripon High School Auditorium, 850 Tiger Drive.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for Students and ages 5 and under are free.

There will be a bake sale and 50/50 raffle during intermission, to help support the Ripon Middle School drama program.

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/6e50a61f-86e3-47f1-aa1c-47ff6b59b9c6

* Please note, the ticketing platform, Zeffy, is free for nonprofits and does not charge transaction fees. The option to donate to and support Zeffy is optional, but can be set to a custom amount of $0.

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton, Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth, Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all materials are provided by Music Theatre International. For more information about licensing Beauty and the Beast JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com.

Family Discovery Day

Join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (located at 347 South Country Lane, Fond Du Lac, WI 54935) tomorrow, Saturday, April 12th from 10:00am-12:00pm for Family Discovery Day! Join to discover your family history and share your family stories! To RSVP, visit https://local.churchofjesuschrist.org/.