PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SHAWANO, WI PERMIT NO. 135 JULY 1, 2020 x OSHKOSHHERALD.COM VOLUME 3, ISSUE 26 *****************ECRWSS**** POSTAL CUSTOMER By Bethanie Gengler Herald contributor A jail diversion program formerly called Justice Support Services, which closely mirrors current calls for criminal justice reform, has a new name but the same loca- tion aſter being approved by the Winneba- go County Board last fall, according to the District Aorney’s Office. Justice Support Services has been re- named Winnebago County Connect and was developed as an alternative to a pro- posed $18.1 million jail expansion. Connect works as a jail diversion pro- gram for low-level offenders and the Dis- trict Aorney’s Office hoped to consolidate services for those indi- viduals including men- tal health, alcohol and other drug abuse treat- ment, and employ- ment skills training. Last fall, District At- torney Christian Gos- se asked the county board for funding to remodel the first floor of the Orrin King building for the program. A disagreement over office space led the board to amend the proposal and approve $282,677 to remodel a basement location. Gosse expressed disappointment in the site because it’s smaller than the first floor and could limit the program’s capacity to move forward. More than seven months later, remodeling has not begun. Director of facilities Michael Elder said the project requires drawings and bid doc- uments that were delayed due to precau- tions the architectural firm took amid the pandemic. e Facilities Department received the drawings and documents for review June 17 and Elder said the project will be put out for bid within 10 days. Bids will be due three weeks later and remodeling should begin as soon as contracts are executed. County Executive Mark Harris said three lower-level offices and one first-floor meeting room have been made available for Connect. e coroner’s office, previ- ously in the basement of the Orrin King Cancellation puts many to financial st ength test By Joseph Schulz Herald contributor Each summer, more than 600,000 avi- ation enthusiasts descend on Oshkosh, boosting the local economy. ere will be no AirVenture visitors roaming the streets this year and no additional revenue for businesses still reeling from the pandemic. In early May, EAA announced it was canceling its signature event planned for July 20 to 26. A virtual Spirit of Aviation Week is planned July 21-25. AirVenture injects roughly $170 mil- lion into the Fox Valley region each year, according to a 2017 UW Osh- kosh study. e study found direct spending by AirVenture visitors and exhibitors totaled $121 mil- lion in the Fox Valley, creating additional spending of roughly $50 million for area business. Without that spending power, service providers, vendors and contractors who work directly with EAA will all be neg- atively impacted, according to Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corp. CEO Jason White. “Imagine having your restaurant full for days on end before, during and aſter AirVenture, versus now, where every oth- er table must be closed off due to social distancing,” White said. “Imagine being an equipment rental company and having no vendors to lease to. Imagine servicing a portion of the 30,000 planes that land or take off that week, but now having no in- come from that activity.” e lost revenue comes as small busi- nesses are already facing a dire situation. White said companies that were strug- gling before the pandemic are typically the ones struggling the most to keep the lights on now. “at’s why it’s always important to maintain the fundamentals of your busi- ness in good times,” he said. “Sadly, I do expect more businesses to fail in this en- vironment.” Local bars and restaurants were forced to close for dine-in service in March and just recently reopened while limiting ca- pacity to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “2020 is going to be a very trying year for everybody,” said Steve Lawler, own- er of Red’s Pizza & Catering on Oregon Street. Red’s had to cancel 14 caterings as a re- sult of AirVenture’s cancellation, many of which were the restaurant’s biggest of the year, Lawler noted. e company will also lose income generated by its food tent on the EAA grounds during the weeklong event. Lawler declined to provide an exact fig- ure for lost revenue from AirVenture’s can- cellation but described it as “significant.” “It’s definitely going to impact the busi- ness, but it is what it is,” he said. “ere isn’t much we can do about it; everybody’s prey much in the same boat.” La Sure’s Hall Banquets & Catering owner Bob Heisler noted the business usually does 50 to 60 caterings a week during the summer but is only doing one or two a week this summer. During March and April, he said the INSIDE Common ground Residents safely chat with passers-by Page 6 New ideas Diversity initiatives get city discussion Page 2 MVP season Herd’s Mason named G League’s top player Page 16 SEE EAA impact ON PAGE 15 Helping Seniors Live Well at Home Call us to learn how we can help you or your loved one with one-on-one care 920-349-CARE HomeCareAssistanceOshkosh.com 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 Services Offered: and so much more... • Transfers • Dressing • Toileting • Bathing • Laundry • Medication Reminders • Housekeeping • Transportation • Companionship Julie D AirVenture gap impact weighed SEE Jail diversion ON PAGE 4 Jail diversion programs evolve with space needs Gossett Inside Longtime organizer for AirVenture visitors deals with two-year window / Page 14 Photo by Jim Koepnick AirVenture enthusiasts will be planning for 2021 aſter this year’s convention was canceled.
Transcript
PRST STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDSHAWANO, WI
PERMIT NO. 135
July 1, 2020 x oshkoshherald.com Volume 3, Issue 26
*****************ECRWSS****
POSTAL CUSTOMER
By Bethanie GenglerHerald contributor
A jail diversion program formerly called Justice Support Services, which closely mirrors current calls for criminal justice reform, has a new name but the same loca-tion after being approved by the Winneba-go County Board last fall, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Justice Support Services has been re-named Winnebago County Connect and was developed as an alternative to a pro-posed $18.1 million jail expansion.
Connect works as a jail diversion pro-gram for low-level offenders and the Dis-
trict Attorney’s Office hoped to consolidate services for those indi-viduals including men-tal health, alcohol and other drug abuse treat-ment, and employ-ment skills training.
Last fall, District At-torney Christian Gos-sett asked the county
board for funding to remodel the first
floor of the Orrin King building for the program. A disagreement over office space led the board to amend the proposal and approve $282,677 to remodel a basement location.
Gossett expressed disappointment in the site because it’s smaller than the first floor and could limit the program’s capacity to move forward. More than seven months later, remodeling has not begun.
Director of facilities Michael Elder said the project requires drawings and bid doc-uments that were delayed due to precau-tions the architectural firm took amid the
pandemic. The Facilities Department received the
drawings and documents for review June 17 and Elder said the project will be put out for bid within 10 days. Bids will be due three weeks later and remodeling should begin as soon as contracts are executed.
County Executive Mark Harris said three lower-level offices and one first-floor meeting room have been made available for Connect. The coroner’s office, previ-ously in the basement of the Orrin King
Cancellation puts many to financial st ength test By Joseph SchulzHerald contributor
Each summer, more than 600,000 avi-ation enthusiasts descend on Oshkosh, boosting the local economy. There will be no AirVenture visitors roaming the streets this year and no additional revenue for businesses still reeling from the pandemic.
In early May, EAA announced it was canceling its signature event planned for July 20 to 26. A virtual Spirit of Aviation Week is planned July 21-25.
AirVenture injects roughly $170 mil-lion into the Fox Valley region each year,
according to a 2017 UW Osh-kosh study. The study found direct spending by AirVenture
visitors and exhibitors totaled $121 mil-lion in the Fox Valley, creating additional spending of roughly $50 million for area business.
Without that spending power, service providers, vendors and contractors who work directly with EAA will all be neg-atively impacted, according to Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corp. CEO Jason White.
“Imagine having your restaurant full for days on end before, during and after AirVenture, versus now, where every oth-er table must be closed off due to social distancing,” White said. “Imagine being an equipment rental company and having no vendors to lease to. Imagine servicing a portion of the 30,000 planes that land or take off that week, but now having no in-
come from that activity.”The lost revenue comes as small busi-
nesses are already facing a dire situation.White said companies that were strug-
gling before the pandemic are typically the ones struggling the most to keep the lights on now.
“That’s why it’s always important to maintain the fundamentals of your busi-ness in good times,” he said. “Sadly, I do expect more businesses to fail in this en-vironment.”
Local bars and restaurants were forced to close for dine-in service in March and just recently reopened while limiting ca-pacity to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“2020 is going to be a very trying year for everybody,” said Steve Lawler, own-er of Red’s Pizza & Catering on Oregon Street.
Red’s had to cancel 14 caterings as a re-
sult of AirVenture’s cancellation, many of which were the restaurant’s biggest of the year, Lawler noted. The company will also lose income generated by its food tent on the EAA grounds during the weeklong event.
Lawler declined to provide an exact fig-ure for lost revenue from AirVenture’s can-cellation but described it as “significant.”
“It’s definitely going to impact the busi-ness, but it is what it is,” he said. “There isn’t much we can do about it; everybody’s pretty much in the same boat.”
La Sure’s Hall Banquets & Catering owner Bob Heisler noted the business usually does 50 to 60 caterings a week during the summer but is only doing one or two a week this summer.
During March and April, he said the
InsIde
Common groundResidents safely chat
with passers-by Page 6
New ideas Diversity initiatives get city discussion
Page 2
MVP seasonHerd’s Mason named G League’s top player
Page 16 See EAA impact on Page 15
Helping Seniors Live Well at HomeCall us to learn how we can help youor your loved one with one-on-one care
All advertisements are subject to the applicable rate card, copies of which are available from our Ad-vertising Department. All ads are subject to approval before publica-tion. Oshkosh Herald reserves the right to edit, refuse, reject, classify or cancel any ad at any time. Errors must be reported in the first day ofpublication. The Herald shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from an error in or omission of an advertisement. No refunds will be given for early cancellation of an order.Advertising deadline is noon Friday for the following Wednesday.The classified line ads deadline is 4 p.m. Friday for Wednesday.
Corrections It is the policy of the Oshkosh Herald to correct all errors of fact. For correction information, call 920-508-9000.
About the newspaperPublished weekly and mailed free of charge Tuesdays for Wednesday delivery (may vary based on U.S. Postal Service and holidays) to more than 28,500 homes and businesses in the Oshkosh area.
Oshkosh Herald LLC, 923 S. Main St. Suite C, Oshkosh.An E-edition of the newspaper can be accessed at www.oshkoshherald.com.
Support the Oshkosh HeraldMembershipA $50 annual membership supports receiving the newspaper weekly. Call 920-508-9000 or visitwww.oshkoshherald.com/store/membership.
SubscribeFor $70 annually the Oshkosh Herald is mailed to non-delivery areas via first-class mail. Go towww.oshkoshherald.com/shop/subscribe or call 920-508-9000.
920-426-2641
Chester’s serves Greeat TastingFresh Fried Chickeen that’scooked to perfectioon, with a
unique taste and stylee. Our secretis a family recipe annd processthat’s been succeessful for
over 50 years.
For larger chickenorders we recommend
calling ahead.
Chester’s Brings YouDelicious Fried Chicken,Tempting Tenders,Breakfast Items,Sides and More.
Mention thisad in the
Oshkosh Heraldand you get $1 offany Meal Deal of
The Week!1500 Planeview Dr., Oshkosh, (Hwys 41/26)
In House Repairs &CCCustom Design SSSince 19995222Trusted, Qualityyty, Affordable
11 Waugoo Ave.Oshkosh, WI 54901920-235-7870
Reimer Jewelers
BestJeweler!
CITY
PICKS WINNER
2020
Council discusses diversity initiativesOshkosh Herald
A proposal from Mayor Lori Palmeri for a future agenda item on police reform did not gain the needed Common Coun-cil approval at its June 23 meeting. Coun-cil members Matt Mugerauer and Debra Allison-Aasby were in unison to say the Oshkosh Police Department is already forthcoming in transparency efforts and meets national accreditation requirements while Michael Ford said the issue is polit-ical.
Police Chief Dean Smith said at the meeting that after several discussions with community members throughout the Fox Valley since George Floyd’s death May 25 he believes the civil rights movement in Oshkosh is a community initiative and not solely a police issue.
Palmeri asked Smith to write a summary of the ideas he has learned while having dis-cussions. Smith asked that it be published on the city website to reflect the commu-nitywide nature of the issue once written.
Council discussed the newly created di-versity, equity and inclusion committee
and the eight Palmeri-appointed individu-als. Palmeri struck an agenda item earlier in the meeting related to an ordinance to amend membership to the committee.
Mugerauer and Allison-Aasby said they were concerned the appointed individuals represented too much government as a ma-jority work for Winnebago County or the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Muger-auer said he also was concerned that some are not city residents.
Three positions are left to fill on the committee. Residents can submit applica-tions through a link on the city website on the Committees and Boards drop-down menu of the Government page.
The council also discussed transpor-tation utility fee options at length. Resi-dents will have a chance to air concerns at a special meeting on the ongoing topic to be established by the council, which City Manager Mark Rohloff suggested it take up separately.
The city attempted to approve a trans-portation utility fee a year ago but decid-ed against it when legal barriers arose. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities
has advised on those legal issues and the council will turn to residents for future input.
Other topics discussed: • In a report on summer street con-
struction projects, Rohloff said West 9th Avenue will be the most extensive as the Plan Commission forwarded four proj-ect options ranging from low spending to a multilane road built for heavy use with bike paths and sidewalks.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be shadowing the Win-nebago County Health Department after national news of a sharp increase in new cases among 20 to 29 year olds.
• City hall will reopen July 13. There will be a greeter offering face masks to people who don’t have one. Rohloff en-couraged residents to continue using on-line resources.
• Funding for the first year of a city-school free transportation program for students was completed, council member and Board and Education member Bob Poeschl said. Fundraising for the second year has already begun.
814 Knapp St · Oshkosh 920-230-8880 www.oshkoshrealty.com
NEW LISTING
501 Iowa St, Oshkosh $180,000 Well maintained shop w/nicely finished office space, kitchenette, storage area, & heated shop area. Concrete floors, 200 amp 3 phase service, 2 overhead doors. Office & room w/kitchenette have a newer update along w/bath. Office side of building has C/A. Full perimeter of lot is fenced in.
Listed by: Doug Villars 920-216-2612
252 W 16th Ave, Oshkosh $139,900 Move-in Ready! Many updates Kitchen cabinets w/counter-top lighting. Granite tile counter-tops, flooring, updated baths, exterior doors, fenced yard, & the list goes on. Bedrms with/lrg closets. Other Rm #2 is the landing with built-in desk. Central Air and Hardwood Floors!
Listed by: Doug Villars 920-216-2612
NEW LISTING
920-508-9000www.oshkoshherald.com
923 S. Main St. Suite C • Oshkosh,WI 54902
Space and copy deadline: 7/2, Thursday, NOON (instead of Friday 7/3 Noon)This is for display and classified advertising.
Please be advised the Oshkosh Herald will have early deadlines for the July 8th issue:
EARLY HOLIDAYDEADLINES
717OregonSt. Oshkosh
See Live VenomExtractions,TheReptile Zoo AndMore!
Stop On In!Mon&Tue: Closed |Wed – Fri: 4pm–7pm
Sat: 11am–7pm | Sun: 10am–6pm$10-Adults 16 andUp,
$5-Ages 15 to 2,2 AndUnder Are Free.
920-267-8073- CallWith Questions -
oshkoshherald.com x Page 3July 1, 2020
Judge dismisses civil suit against former UWO officialsBy Miles Maguire Herald contributor
The state’s civil lawsuit against two former officials of the University of Wis-consin Oshkosh was dismissed last week, bringing to a close a legal process that re-sulted in criminal pleas by the two men, a bankruptcy case for the school’s fundrais-ing arm and years of negative publicity for the institution.
In a one-sentence order, Dane County Circuit Judge Richard G. Niess dismissed the civil case “with prejudice,” meaning that it cannot be brought back up.
He said his order was based on an agree-ment between the UW System and the defendants, former Chancellor Richard Wells and former Vice Chancellor Thom-as Sonnleitner.
The two men pleaded guilty five months ago to charges of misconduct in office and agreed to pay restitution and fines totaling about $75,000 apiece.
It is unclear why it took so much time
to resolve the civil lawsuit. Raymond M. Dall’Osto, who represented Wells in the case, chalked the delay up to “general in-ertia and (the state) being otherwise oc-cupied by COVID-related matters, such as the primary election and various legis-lative lawsuits against the executive.”
The civil case was filed in January 2017 but soon got caught up in legal wrangling over the UW Oshkosh Foundation, which filed for bankruptcy later that year and then filed suit against the UW System. The civil case was put on hold in January 2018.
Meanwhile the criminal charges were filed in May of that year, weeks before the university was to host a site visit by a reac-creditation team from the Higher Learn-ing Commission.
At the time the university was “on no-tice” from the commission because of the foundation case and needed to demon-strate its commitment to resolving the re-lated oversight issues. MIles Maguire is the editor of the Oshkosh Examiner.
Keep your comfortwith regular maintenance.
C 2CaC lallllCall 920-0-232 53 -5 72636920-235-7263
Call now to schedule your
Furnace orAir Conditioning
Check-Up
—Valid now through September 1, 2020—
Receive a
$20.00$20.00$20.00Gift C rtificatGifGififtft CeCerertrtifitifiificficacatateteGift Certificate
Ace stores are independently owned and operated. The prices in this advertisement are suggested by Ace Hardware Corporation,Oak Brook, IL. Individual retailer regular and sale prices may vary by store, which may impact actual savings amounts in eitherdirection. Except for Red Hot Buys, which extend through the end of the month, and except as otherwise stated, prices advertisedin this circular are valid at participating stores July 1 - July 13, 2020, while supplies last. Sale and Instant Savings dates set forthherein are national dates suggested by Ace Hardware Corporation and may vary by local retailer. See local retailer in-store signagefor details. Offers, Ace Rewards® DGPGƒVU product selection/color, sale items, clearance and closeout items, Ace everyday lowprices, return and rain-check policies, and quantities may all vary by store, as well as from acehardware.com. Some items mayrequire assembly. Ace is not responsible for printing or typographical errors.
Milwaukee® M12™Impact Driver & DrillDriver Combo KitIncludes bag and charger.2302040
$17999
Craftsman® PressureWasher• 3100 psi, 2.7 gym • Honda GCV190 engine• 25’ hose • Direct from concentrate soap system • 4 quick-connect spray Lips1937044 NO LIMIT. 2800 PSI Gas Pressure Washer.1937051… $319.99 - $20 With AceRewards Card*. You Pay $299.99.NO LIMITRED HOT BUY
$37999-$20 WITH ACE
REWARDS CARD*SALE
$399.99
VA Approved Network ProviderMember Wisconsin Chiropractic Association
920-236-12002020 Jackson St.Oshkosh, WI 54901
Call us at 920-236-1200TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VA BENEFITS
FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE.VA PATIENT CARE IS COVERED 100%
• Low Back Pain
• Mid Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Headaches
• Painful Joints
IF YOU ARE A VETERANAND SUFFER FROM
Dr. G. Hendrickson
Less Pain & Discomfortand start feeling
great again!
Celebrate
Page 4 x oshkoshherald.com July 1, 2020
CALL 920-230-2747TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
3475 OMRO RD SUITE #300OSHKOSH 54904
FREE - NATURALLY HEAL YOUR
KNEEWORKSHOP
Wednesday • July 8, 2020 • 6pm - 7pm
Is your knee pain keeping you from getting back to being active withyou family on outings, playing with grand kids and walking or golfingwith friends?
Does the idea of going up and down stairs, or getting in and out of thecar make you uneasy?
Are you looking for a natural option to solve your knee pain andweakness other than surgery, drugs or injections?
Do you refuse to accept your knee pain as old age, and are sick andtired of being told that you just have to live with it?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this opportunity is for you,come join us for a FREE Workshop on Wednesday July 8th, 2020 from6pm – 7 pm.
If you’re confused about what to do next and looking for answers here’ssome of what you’ll learn...
• The 5 most common causes of Knee Pain (HINT: it is NOT only arthritis)
• How to avoid the #1 common mistake people with Knee Pain make.
• What successful treatment and permanent relief looks like withoutmedications, injections, or surgery (which will save you a ton of timeand money!)
• Attendees will see a member of the audience receive a naturalhealing treatment.
ALL attendees qualify for a free session to discover the CAUSE andSOLUTION of your knee problem.
To follow health guidelines space is limited to ONLY 12 participants(Guests are still welcome!). We will have seating 6 feet apart and extraprecautions will be taken to ensure safety of all who attend.
To save space for those who truly need help, please do not attend thisworkshop if you are just a curiously seeker OR if you are happy takingpills and doing other treatments that just cover up the pain.
Reserve your spot NOW 920-230-2747Or you can sign up online: pages.pacptot.com/kneepain
PS – If you are not yet comfortable yet visiting in person please calland learn about our virtual workshop options in the near future!
As a PrimaryCare Provider forKnee Recovery
NO REFERRAL NEEDED
Dr. Eric KoehlerExpert Knee Care Provider
Physical Achievement Center
www.physicalachievementcenter.com
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-5pmSat: By Appointment OnlyCall to Schedule YourAppointment Today!
Barber Shop
Under NewManagementWe Are
Open!We Are AbleTo Fix AllQuarantineCuts AndColors!
1121 Witzel Ave,Oshkosh WI920-233-0125
SSeniiors - MMen - WWomen – CChhiillddren
Listen to 106.3Wednesday morning at 8:35am asJosh Dukelow and Karen Schneider
discuss local Headlines from the
Josh Dukelow
building, has been relocated to Otter Ave-nue to accommodate the program.
Gossett said it seemed the remodel proj-ect was stalled while other county projects moved forward. His office has continued implementing the Connect program in a limited capacity without a central location.
The recent high-profile deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Ar-bery have sparked protests across the coun-try and calls for criminal justice reform including a movement to reallocate police resources. Activists want funding shifted away from police departments and toward social services that benefit the community, a goal shared by the Connect program.
“The idea behind all of our alterna-tive and diversion programs is to take all these people who are struggling, who are already down and out, and stop treating them like second-class citizens or like they don’t matter,” Gossett said. “They’re not collateral consequences in society; they’re part of our community.”
Jim Palmer, Wisconsin Professional Po-
lice Association executive director, said his organization works with the St. Norbert College Strategic Research Institute each year to conduct a Wisconsin Law Enforce-ment Survey. According to last year’s survey results, 86 percent of white respondents and 68 percent of non-white respondents believe having a well-funded police depart-ment contributes to quality of life.
Palmer agreed officers have had to fill various roles within the community that other organizations may be better equipped to handle.
“As far as social services, we would agree that more has been put on the backs of law enforcement officers that should have been addressed on the front end by local govern-ment and federal government,” he said.
Gossett said the nation usually deals with issues like poverty, addiction and mental health through incarceration. He said he believes the Connect program is a good start toward reform and hopes the county’s remodel project can move forward.
“Instead of focusing on arresting and prosecuting and incarcerating Wisconsin citizens, let’s figure out how to educate, em-power and improve our society,” he said.
Jail diversionfrom Page 1
Courthouse resumes proceedings, trials Chief Judge Barbara H. Key signed
an order approving a COVID-19 cir-cuit court operating plan for Winneba-go County that allows for resumption of in-person proceedings and jury trials.
County courts will resume in-person proceedings in a limited capacity subject to an operational plan created by the judi-ciary and a county task force, which man-dates that face coverings are to be worn by all individuals, including the judge and staff. Judges will continue to schedule and conduct proceedings remotely but may
now conduct in-person hearings at their discretion.
The resumption of in-person proceed-ings will be a four-phase approach from limited in-person hearings to jury trials and ultimately to all proceedings with-out restriction. Winnebago County jury trials will resume no sooner than July 14. Litigants and their attorneys will be asked to pay close attention to their notice of hearing, as it will include information as to where and how their hearing will be conducted.
oshkoshherald.com x Page 5July 1, 2020
RESERVE BY JULY 31st AND RECEIVE THE 3rd MONTH FREE
Call Bobbi Jo at920-969-8020
to discuss your needsand schedule a
VIRTUAL TOUR!
3851 Jackson St., Oshkosh, WI 54901 | thecourtyardatoshkosh.com
FOR HEALTHY AND HAPPY LIVINGHOORAY
NOW OPEN AND WELCOMING NEW RESIDENTS
Our residents are safe, well cared for and, for now,happy to make lemonade out of life’s lemons!
Now more than ever the NEW Courtyard at Oshkosh o�ers peace-of-mind for residents and family.
Our residents enjoy companionship . . . from a safe distance . . . through dining tables for one with friends seated nearby, exercisers spaced at least six feet apart, virtual family visits and personal interaction from our caring sta�.
While we are staying healthy with strict adherence to protocols such as social distancing, daily health care monitoring, nutritious meal o�erings, frequent hydration, and intense cleaning and disinfecting. . . the good times really do continue to roll.
Neighbors oppose residential fire training site By Jack TierneyOshkosh Herald
A Plan Commission member suggested building a subsidized housing unit on city-owned property at 221 N. Sawyer St. — minutes from three schools, two parks, gro-cery stores, medical facilities, downtown Oshkosh and public transportation.
That is unlikely to happen after the pro-posal was denied in a 7-1-1 commission vote to advance a city prepared land use plan, which included developments for a new Fire Department site, to the Common Council.
Commission member and public hous-ing manager with the Oshkosh/Win-nebago County Housing Authority Justin Mitchell suggested the subsidized housing idea simply as an alternative to what was being presented by city staff, but cited a larger issue.
He said that the number of potential al-
ternative sites included in the Fire Depart-ment’s site assessment report presented to the commission and council by city staff was zero. He said that is because no report or site assessment was completed.
“That is not acceptable in the private or public sector,” he said. “While the city will point to a feasibility assessment of the onsite building, such assessments are conducted to determine available options and their costs and benefits — not as ‘go-aheads’ that say something is happening no matter what and with no other assessment. These are key de-tails that have been left out of disclosures for this project, and that result in committees and councils voting in favor simply because it is the Fire Department.”
Neighbors have spoken against the pro-posed Fire Department site too, which in-cludes a 38-foot-tall training structure in a residential neighborhood, and added that communication from the city was a prob-lem.
The city notified David and Janett Zerbe at 1217 National Ave., directly across the street from the site, 12 days before the issue went to the Plan Commission, giving the Zerbes and other neighbors less than two weeks to notice the developments, plan their schedule around the city’s and express their concerns.
After hearing from Mitchell and the Zerbes about why the land use decision should be reconsidered, the city plan with developments for the Fire Department was advanced through the commission as recommended and the council approved spending money to purchase the structure at their June 23 meeting.
Fire Chief Mike Stanley said the structure
will allow for training in a variety of circum-stances. He also said the neighborhood lo-cation could be helpful for recruiting.
The land use plan has been read and ap-proved through council once and will be on the agenda at its Tuesday meeting for its second and final approval.
Mitchell and the Zerbes clearly stated their support for the Fire Department and welcomed the idea of training in Oshkosh — it’s currently being done in Fond du Lac and Neenah and costing the city extra money — but propose it be situated away from a residential neighborhood. Mitch-ell suggested sites north of the city or in the empty fields next to Fire Station 19 on Snell Road.
Two candidate forums slated by LWVTwo candidate forums sponsored by the
League of Women Voters of Winnebago County and LWV Wisconsin will be held before the Aug. 11 partisan primary with-out an audience due to COVID.
On Tuesday, LWV Winnebago County will hold a forum with Republican can-didates for Assembly District 55: Lau-ri Asbury, Jay Schroeder and Rachael Cabral-Guevara. The forum will be taped and made available on YouTube.
On July 9, Democratic primary candi-dates for the 6th Congressional District — Michael Beardsley, Matthew Boor and Jessica King — will answer questions from a panel including Karen Schneider, pub-lisher of the Oshkosh Herald, and Nathan-iel Shuda, editor of the Oshkosh North-
western. The congressional segment will be followed by county Register of Deeds candidates Paul Esslinger and incumbent Natalie Strohmeyer, who are vying for the Republican slot on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The League encourages the public to submit policy questions in advance to [email protected] (subject: forum ques-tion), by phone at 920-231-4770, or by mail to 1936 Hazel St., Oshkosh WI 54901. The forums are being held earlier than usu-al in anticipation of mail-in voting.
The forum will be live on Oshkosh Me-dia and WOCT 101.9 FM at 6:30 p.m. and rebroadcast before Aug. 11. It will also be available at www.oshkoshmedia.org and on the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel.
Backlot Comedy House ends its seven-year run
The Backlot Comedy House on the 400 block of North Main Street announced its closure last week.
Owner Kyla Morris said on Facebook that it wasn’t for a lack of comedians or audience members that they had to close their doors. It was a global pandemic.
“Although it breaks our hearts, it also feels good to know we’ve paved a way for comedy in the Fox Valley,” she said.
“I am so proud of every cast member and comedian who have been a part of this stage. You lived in the uncomfortable, made yourself vulnerable and watching you grow has been a true joy that I’m so honored to have witnessed.”
To the downtown neighbors, Morris said they will be missed.
“You are all so, so unique,” she said. “Your drive and energy to provide something ex-
tra special for Oshkosh is oftentimes over-looked. I see you, and I applaud you for coming to work every day doing what you love even if it doesn’t buy you an island.”
Backlot hadn’t done a show in-store since March to protect guests and come-dians, putting their safety over financial priorities. They hosted shows every Friday and Saturday night for seven years. People told Morris from day one that she wouldn’t be successful for more than a year.
The store location is available for rent. Tips are welcomed. The Backlot still has expenses that must be paid. A link on their Facebook page will direct individuals where to leave a tip.
“To our fans, thank you for your con-tinued support as our Backlot family nav-igates this farewell. Backlot has become a safe haven for mental health.”
Page 6 x oshkoshherald.com July 1, 2020
StopCovidFirst.ComA letter from Dr. Thomas Hallquist Dentist Retired.
To address Covid-19 in our county, we need to treat this pandemic as a publichealth crisis first. Only then can we prevent a devastating second wave thisfall that closes businesses and schools. We need to stop the false narrativethat we have a choice between health and the economy. We know howto stop the spread. Taiwan a country of 24 million, had direct flights betweenits capital and Wuhan China where the outbreak started. Yet they had fewercases and deaths than Winnebago County. Dentist have practiced “universalprecautions” the last 34 years after the spread of the AIDS virus. Covid-19 ismuch more dangerous to the general population than AIDS, producing heart andlung damage in asymptomatic patients. Since up to half of Covid-19 infectionsare asymptomatic, everyone must wear a mask in public unless eating ordrinking. All businesses must lobby our Winnebago County Board for this rule.The science of spread is clear. Epidemiologists determine an infection rate(R) for each virus. If no one wears a mask, one person infects on average 3other people. This means over 5 cycles of virus transmission, one person givesCovid-19 to 3 people, who then infect 9 people, who then infect 27 people, whothen infect 81 people. That is what we saw early in New York City. If only somepeople wear a mask and social distance, which is happening now, over 5 cyclesof infection, one person may infect 2, then 4, then 8, then 16. We are seeing anuptick in our area. However, if everyone wears a mask, the R rate dropsto less than one. If the R number is less than one, there is a good chancethat over 5 cycles there will be a failure to pass the virus, the infection chainis broken, and the virus dies out. We can safely open the schools if universalmask wearing starts now. The mask I wear protects you, and the mask you wearprotects me. I am asking all businesses to redirect their efforts quickly touniversal mask wearing in Winnebago County. Work with our county healthdepartment. Online shopping has increased from 12% of folks to 18%. If 80% ofthe business complies with the health department recommendations, but 20%don’t, there will be an outbreak at a school or business, no one will feel safe in
your business, and more will turn to online shopping.
We must have “Covid-19 Universal Precautions” followed by every business. Itmakes no sense to get your teeth cleaned with a hygienist who is double maskingand wearing a face shield, then go into a store where neither you or the clerkhave a mask. Every person, business, and school in Winnebago County needs thesame protection you received in every Winnebago County Dental office. The maskyou wear protects and keeps your fellow Americans safe. Your choice is no virus
by the end of the year, or 60,000 additional US deaths.
Porch visits with neighbors making comebackBy Kaitlyn ScovilleHerald contributor
On the porch of a red and green painted house, a retired couple sit outside on wicker chairs awaiting their next guests. The table between them holds drinks and a container of varied dog treats.
An empty chair by them waits for its next sitter. There used to be two, but because of the pandemic the couple decided to down-size to enforce social distancing.
A sign hanging above them reads, “Come sit on my porch.”
West Bent Avenue and lifelong Oshkosh residents Lindy and Dennis Norkofski have been married 48 years. They sit outside and chat with neighbors and passers-by every day — especially the dogs.
The couple sit outside rain or shine. Blinds are installed on either side of their porch to block the wind and light rain when it’s necessary.
Lindy said that she and Dennis can see upward of 16 dogs and more than 20 peo-ple visiting per day.
“As the neighborhood changes, there’s more people that walk dogs now,” Lindy said. “I will see somebody walking across the street with a dog that I haven’t met yet and I’ll always say, ‘How’s your puppy do-ing today?’”
Some of the dogs that come by their house already know what to expect.
“They are in such a hurry to get over here,” Dennis said. “There’s one guy that walks up with a Newfoundland, probably about 120 pounds. (The owner) can hardly hold him back; he almost drags him across the street.”
The Norkofskis sit outside as early as 6:30 a.m. and stay out as late as 8 or 9 p.m.
Their interactions can range from short small talk in passing to a sitting conversa-tion that lasts an hour.
Lindy explained that their porch and the conversations are judgment free. Opinions are respected, and joking is encouraged.
“Come by for the hugs and stay for the sarcasm,” said Matt Mikkelsen, a friend of the Norkofskis. “Dogs just make it easy to bridge to a complete stranger. They’re al-ways asking if they can give treats to some-body’s dog. From there, it’s just getting to know people.”
Lindy and Dennis are open to having any kind of conversation on their porch, whether it be political, personal or any-thing in-between. They understand that not everybody’s living situations are, or were, the same.
“If you’re having issues with whatever in life, come here,” Lindy said. “I will not judge you. Ask me my opinion and I will be honest with you, but I will not judge any-body because we all make choices in life.”
Lindy and Dennis are changing the com-munity through dog treats and caring for
cially in today’s day and age, is that they’re that island of bringing the community to-gether,” he said.
And all the Norkofskis want is to make others happy.
“If I make you feel better for you coming to say hi to me, that’s all I want,” Lindy said. “I don’t expect anything. I don’t want any-thing. Just come and talk to me if you want to and enjoy life.”
Photo by Kaitlyn Scoville
Lindy and Dennis Norkofski welcome visitors to their home porch in Oshkosh.
oshkoshherald.com x Page 7July 1, 2020
601 Oregon St, Ste B233-4184
www.FirstWeber.com
Join the LakeVista Estatesneighborhood located in an idyllicsetting in the Town of Algoma.
Over 65 various sized home sites aresettled in this charmingbackdrop - located near
Jones Park, LakeVista RecreationalTrail and Lake Butte des Morts.
Lots for single-family homes, homeswith condo amenities and duplexesare available starting at $57,000.
Lots vary in size from0.3-0.7 acres - some with peek-a-boolake views and some that back up to atranquil pond. Most lots are open to
all builders.
Visit www.LakeVistaEstates.com formore information or contactSteve Poeschl 920-312-4949Bob Mathe 920-379-5277Megan Lang 920-203-3047
Valid only with coupon. One coupon per household. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 8/20/2020. Some restrictions apply.
Valid only with coupon. One coupon per household. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 8/20/2020. Some restrictions apply.
3 Triple Lifetime Transferable Warranty 3 Factory Trained Installers 3 Locally Owned & Made in the USA
Never Clean Your Gutters Again®
GET GUTTER HELMET
Before Helmet Heat After Helmet Heat
$2OFF
HAIRCUTNEW CUSTOMERS ONLY
EXP. 7/31/20 Code N116
Local ownership
Full service salon: cuts,colors, perms, waxingandmore
Tanning beds at Westowne,Jackson St. & Fond du Laclocations
Contact Us Today!
WE’REOPENWITH OURSAFE SALONCOMMITMENT.
2330 Westowne AveOshkosh, WI 54904920-231-6466
1868 Jackson StOshkosh, WI 54901920-426-9293
1110 S Koeller StOshkosh, WI 54902920-233-4567
1147 E Johnson StFond Du Lac, WI 54935920-322-9191
928 S Main St.Fond Du Lac, WI 54935920-922-2539
Visit one of our 5convenient locations:
Minimize your waitby calling ahead orchecking in throughCOSTCUTTERS.COMor OPENSALON app
Community funds keep families homeBy Amy PutzerOshkosh Area Community Foundation
Launched jointly by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and Os-hkosh Area United Way, the Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund has been support-ing efforts to keep residents experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis in their homes and provide people experiencing homelessness with round-the-clock emergency shelter.
“The 2018 ALICE (Asset Limited, In-come Constrained, Employed) study showed that 46 percent of households in the city of Oshkosh are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to make ends meet,” said Bill Wyman, president and CEO of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. “Our goal is to give added support to those organizations on the front lines of caring for these working fam-ilies and other vulnerable populations.”
Recognizing that individuals without homes are at greater risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, the Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund and the city of Oshkosh came together to not only pro-vide funding to postpone the Day by Day Warming Shelter’s closing date but also offer 24/7 shelter during May. A $6,000 grant from the Relief Fund supported this project.
Wisconsin was under a statewide mor-atorium on eviction filings because of the COVID-19 pandemic until May 26. The Relief Fund convened a Winnebago Coun-ty Eviction Prevention Taskforce to help residents navigate the flow of information regarding the moratorium.
Grants to the Winnebago Conflict Res-olution Center and BreatheFree totaling
almost $1,500 allowed the taskforce to provide clear and accurate information to members of our community around the eviction moratorium and actions to take now to prevent future financial struggles.
In Winnebago, the number of eviction suits filed doubled year over year with 80 filed in June 1 through 24, compared with 40 during the same time last year.
According to Mary Ann Dilling, pres-ident and CEO of the Oshkosh United Way, its 211 information and referral line saw a 132 percent increase in calls request-ing rental assistance so far in June com-pared with 2019.
The Wisconsin Rental Assistance Pro-gram (WRAP) should help some tenants catch up on missed payments. The Osh-kosh COVID-19 Relief Fund is closely monitoring WRAP applications as it is feared that help needed from people who are behind on their rent is far greater than what the government funding can support.
The $25 million program will provide up to $3,000 to eligible individuals for making up missed rent payments or secu-rity deposits. It’s funded by money from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that
was passed at the end of March.Lu Scheer is the affordable housing di-
rector at ADVOCAP, one of the commu-nity action organizations that is adminis-tering the WRAP funding in Winnebago, Green Lake, Fond du Lac and Calumet counties. Scheer said her organization started taking applications June 8 and in the first two weeks, 55 Winnebago Coun-ty households have been approved to re-ceive assistance.
Scheer said many people have used part of their government stimulus check or increased unemployment benefits to pay rent up front but are now concerned about having money for current and fu-ture months.
“Sometimes they are prioritizing rent. But if they do that, then they don’t have any money left for other household ex-penses. Or because the eviction morato-rium was in place through May 26, they paid other critical bills that they still had to pay and now they’re behind on rent,” Scheer said. “We also have some people who come to us who have not yet received their unemployment benefits even now, even though they were laid off several weeks ago, even months ago.”
Resources for renters• Rental assistance: Call ADVOCAP at 920-922-7760 to learn how to apply for the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program (WRAP). Income requirements and must be behind on rent due to COVID-19. • Utility assistance: Call Energy Services 920-231-0600 or apply online at https://esi.help. Income requirements.• Landlord-tenant eviction mediation: Call Winnebago Conflict Resol -tion Center at 920-236-4925 to try to resolve dispute.• Legal aid for evictions: Call Legal Action of Wisconsin at 855-947-2529 for free legal aid for tenants who have received an eviction notice. • Tenant and landlord resources: Visit oshkoshunitedway.org/housing.
1677 Oregon St., Oshkosh WIFollow us on to find our Monthly
Art Class Schedules.
You Deserve ACreative Break….
School district meal programs serving studentsThe Oshkosh Area School District has
started its annual Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for students only, assist-ing the district’s free “grab-and-go” meal program started in response to school buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Free meals are available to children under age 18. Individuals over 18 who are determined by a state or local pub-lic educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who participate in
a public or private nonprofit school pro-gram during the regular school year also may receive free meals.
“This program fills a void created when school lunches are not available,” said Mi-chele Stahmann, district director of food services. “Helping parents and caregivers meet the nutritional needs of their chil-dren is the strength of this program.”
The following locations will continue to serve free grab-and-go meals for children this summer for pickup on Mondays and
Thursdays through July 27:• Perry Tipler Middle School: 10:15 to
11:15 a.m.• Webster Stanley Middle School:
10:15 to 11:15 a.m.• Jefferson Elementary School: noon to
1 p.m.• Oshkosh North High School: noon to
1 p.m.Children do not need to be present at
the distribution site as adults are able to pick up meals for students in their house-
hold. Children or their parents, guardians or caregivers will be able to collect three days’ worth of breakfast and lunch meals on Mondays and four days’ worth of breakfast and lunch meals on Thursdays.
Children or those picking up meals must visit a district meal site on any distri-bution day they wish to receive food. In-dividuals are asked to bring backpacks, re-usable bags or wagons if walking to a site. Although not required, picking up mul-tiple days’ worth of food is encouraged.
Oshkosh4Education supports November school referendum Oshkosh4Education, part of the Osh-
kosh Area Community Foundation with members sharing a vision for education, was polled by the Oshkosh Area School District ahead of a potential $107 million November capital and operation referen-dum for school consolidation, rehabilita-tion and construction.
The district asked what the community response to the proposed referendum has been. Among other responses, Oshkosh4 Education said that choosing not to pur-sue a November referendum would signal to the community that the needs outlined are not critically important and that they could be put on hold. They also said that doing nothing represents a significant cost to taxpayers to maintain the aging facili-ties.
Deputy Superintendent David Gund-lach said that some of the oldest facilities are on the east side of the district and serve the most diverse group of students, which he said if left unfixed represents an
equity issue. The projected tax impact is $7.08 a
month on homes valued at $100,000 for the total long-range package. The board is expected to make a final decision regard-ing pursuing future referendum(s) at its next meeting July 15.
If passed, the district would begin spending money to improve security and infrastructure districtwide through the 2020-2021 school year. Security and infrastructure updates would continue through 2022.
Also part of phase one of the four-phase referendum package would be two new schools. Work on a new Merrill Middle School is estimated to begin in 2022 and end and open in 2023. A new Webster Elementary School building would start construction in 2023 and potentially open that year.
Superintendent Vickie Cartwright said the district would have to reduce spend-ing in the next two years to meet the ref-erendum goals.
The board considered publishing a vir-tual tour of the aging facilities and posting it to its website so that residents can see the condition of the facilities. Board mem-bers have been asking questions on behalf of residents that defend frugal spending. The proposed referendum would renew the district’s previously approved $7.95 million in annual funds provided through
two previous voter-approved Referen-dums for Learning in 2014 and 2016.
“Ultimately, the complete long-range facilities plan would create consolidated and modern schools, reducing the num-ber of schools from 20 to 14 to maximize use and efficiency, and strengthen safety efforts,” district communications director Katie Nieman said.
Virtual recreation programs offeredThe Oshkosh Recreation Department
is offering a virtual summer program. Ad-ditional information, including times and session details, is at oshkoshrecdept.cr3.rschooltoday.com. The programs will re-quire Internet access and a device with a webcam.
Programs include:Art Camp, July 13-14 or July 15-16:
Students explore age-appropriate art tech-niques to learn basic art skills.
Little Einsteins, July 27-30: Students learn basic science concepts through en-tertaining demonstrations, discussions and engagement.
Kids in the Kitchen, July 20-30: Stu-dents learn basic kitchen skills and nutri-tion information, and will be given steps on how to create easy and healthy recipes.
Beginner Spanish, Aug. 3-6: Students learn basic language concepts including
numbers, colors and greetings through in-teractive activities.
Epic Kid Coders, July 6-9 or Aug. 3-6:Programming in Scratch 1: Students
learn the basics of a visual programming language. Students will also learn to create basic games, an interactive story, and ani-mation while adding sound and art.
Programming in Scratch 2: Students build upon the basics learned in PS1. Students take on more advanced projects building advanced games and stories.
Build Your Own Android App: Stu-dents learn basic programming principles while creating different games and appli-cations for Android using App Inventor, an open-source, intuitive, visual program-ming environment that makes it easy and fun to build functional apps for smart-phones and tablets.
A sunroom is a great multi-use addition to any home. Perfect for relaxing,entertaining, enjoying the natural surroundings and more.
(920) 426-1544 or (920) 727-4874 v portsidebuilders.com
Custom createyour uniqueEngagement Ringor choose from overa thousand styles.
ROOFING, INC.
EST. 1985
920-426-4008 •1427 Broad St. • Oshkosh, WI. 54901
With more experience than any other area roofer,we stay up-to-date and involved in the ever-changing world of residential roofing productsand services. We provide the best results, becauseroofing is all we do!Voted best of Winnebago/Oshkosh
for 10 years11
Open Tues-Sun 11amClosed Monday
Dining Room & OutsideSeating Available
Dine In, Pickup or Delivery with EatStreet Available
FatHogFries
Infernonator
Must present coupon.Expires July 7, 2020
Must present coupon.Expires July 7, 2020
$799
Homemade BeerCheese & House madeBBQ Pork top a bed of“Sidewinder” fries!
A 1/3# burgertopped
with Housemade “BangBang” sauce,
$1099
1002 N. Main St.(920) 426-3077
Cheddar, Pepperjack,Jalapeños, Spicy CheeseCurds & served up on aBreadsmith Brioche bun
New Amsterdam Pink Whitney $999Pink Lemonade Flavored Vodka!
Variety 24 Pack, 12-oz. Cans
Bud Light Seltzer
$1999
Page 12 x oshkoshherald.com July 1, 2020
oshkoshherald.com x Page 13July 1, 2020
3 or More Large One Topping Pizzas for$11.99each.
Oshkosh • 1964 S. Koeller Rd. • 920-891-7100Fond du Lac • 28 S Main St. • 920-933-5133
We deliver toALL of Oshkosh
Spend $25.00 and get
$5.00OFFExpires 7/31/2020
TAKE OUT ONLY
$12.992 Topping
Large 16” PizzaExpires 7/31/2020
Expires 7/31/2020
Minimum 3 pizzas
The only place to see fireworks this year around Oshkosh will be in Fisk for the an-nual “Fire In The Sky” event on July 3 at dusk. Parking will be available at the Utica Fire Department.
Other events going on: July 3• Live music featuring Mike Malone
Trio at Vines & Rushes Winery from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free. Malone is a percussionist based out of Oshkosh. The trio is filled out by musicians from the Fox Valley.
July 4• American Platinum at Fin ’n’ Feather
from 6 to 10 p.m. • Live music featuring Poise & Ivy at
Vines & Rushes Winery from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is free. Poise & Ivy is an Amer-icana/Folk duo, fronted by Sam Luna and Tae. The band provides a storytell-ing mood with their presence and mu-sic. Wood-fired pizza will be served from noon to 8 p.m.
• Oshkosh Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July 8• Menominee Park Beer Gardens at
Menominee Park from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is free. There will be live music, food trucks and yard games. Local breweries will be serving craft beers.
Nearby places to see fireworks: July 3 • Fisk, dusk • Berlin, Riverside Park, dusk• Shawano, Airport, dusk• Weyauwega, over Lake Weyauwega,
duskJuly 4• Appleton, Wisconsin International
Raceway, 9:45 p.m.• Green Lake, Deacon Mills Park, dusk• Manitowoc, South Pier, 9:30 p.m.• Neenah, Arrowhead Park, dusk• Ripon, Murray Park, dusk• Wautoma, Waushara County
Fairgrounds, dusk• Winneconne, Wolf River Shore,
9:30 p.m.
Fourth of July events
Sheriff to read Declaration of IndependenceWinnebago County Sheriff John Matz
will read the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Winnebago County Courthouse at 8 a.m. Saturday.
There were limited ways of proclaim-ing the news that the Declaration was ad-opted on July 4, 1776, and the years that followed. Officials published broadsides, clergy read it from their pulpits and county sheriffs read it from the courthouse steps.
County officials have asked the sheriff to continue honoring that tradition.
“Now more than ever we need unity and civil discourse in this country,” Bill Win-gren, County Board supervisor, said in a statement. “This will be a great way for friends and neighbors to gather for a few moments, reflect on the great blessings we have as Americans and begin a great day of celebrating our freedom.”
CAMPAIGN2020
OSHKOSHCOMMUNITY
We need yourhelp to provide
backpacks, schoolssupplies and
school appropriateclothing for the
coming school year.
The Oshkosh Communiti y Back to School Fair provides1,000 low incoc me Oshkosh and Winneconne studentn s witi hbackpacks and school supplies needed for theme to sts artr
the school year prepared to achieve academe ic successs . Thisyear due to COVID-19 the fair will be a drive-thru pickup.
Your supportr will enable sts udentn s to receive gifii t cardsto shop for a school outft iti and a backpack witii h age-
appropriate school supplies and hyh giene itii eme s.
Please donate by completing and mailing your donations byJULY 15, 2020 to:
Community Back to School Fairc/o Herald Kicks for Kids923 S. Main St. Suite COshkosh, WI 54902
________ $25 for one Back to School outfit________ $50 for a backpack and supplies_______ $75 to sponsor one of the 1000 local students
$ ______ to help meet the need of 1000 local students
Please make checks payable to: Community Back to School Fair
Name ________________________________________________Name as it should appear in the Donor Thank You in the Oshkosh Herald
Address ______________________________________________City ____________________ State _____ Zip _____________Phone ________________________________________________
FAIR
KICKS FOR KIDS
Back in the Day
Oshkosh history by the Winnebago County Historical & Archaeological Society
June 26, 1966Conger Stages Rear Field Charge for Speedway Win: In the 25-lap feature race Tuesday night at Leo’s speedway, Oshkosh’s ace driver, Dave Conger, (aka The Outlaw) threaded his way from the last row through the 12-car field tocop the feature event. Much to the delight of his loyal fans, Conger grabbed the lead on the 20th lap from Jerry Smith of Appleton after
easing by second-running Claude La Duc of De Pere on the 18th lap. Neither Smith nor La Duc was going to let Conger out of sight, however as the three finished justinches apart after rain slicked the track on the last few laps, slowing the pace.
Source: Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, July 27, 1966
Page 14 x oshkoshherald.com July 1, 2020
The Grounds Guys ofAppleton and Oshkosh
Landscape, Lawn Care, Fertilizing
920-410-5220
The Mosquito& Spider Guys
Mosquito & Spider Control
920-410-5220
The Mosquito
Enjoy Summer Ou
tdoors!
Longtime coordinator tries to fill the oidBy Dan RohertyOshkosh Herald
Ron Hergert would normally be in the middle of lining up more than 100 local residences with the companies and individ-uals who make their way to the annual EAA AirVenture as he has for the past 35 years.
Instead, the housing and corporate services specialist has had to return or decline clients’ deposits while he looks ahead to 2021. As one of the thousands of individuals and business enterprises connected to the global aviation conven-tion that draws more than a half-million visitors each July, Hergert can only try to navigate a two-year vacuum in what had been a busy and reliable enterprise.
“My homeowners have all been very understanding,” Hergert said. “They look forward to next year and having the same companies come back.”
Hergert’s Aero Expo Services also helps with the little details on both sides of the agreement. He helps convention-goers set up small parties and other entertainment, car rentals, catering services — anything that comes up during the usual 10-day stay — after assuring that housing details and agreements are understood to let everyone have peace of mind at home or away.
For this year he’s mostly disappointed for the young volunteers and associated workers who rely on that summer pay-check, along with homeowners who de-pend on the financial arrangement each
summer while forming lasting friendships with longtime clients who offer their home away from home.
“I watched a young family have their firstborn baby all the way through col-lege,” Hergert said of one homeowner, and received a letter from the college graduate thanking him for renting out their house all those years because the proceeds paid for his tuition. Hergert noted that the fam-ily never raised the rental price in the 35 years of working with them.
Hergert doesn’t get involved in the pric-es set by homeowners — roughly based on about nine nights and the number of beds — but said it usually comes down to what they need to make it worth leaving their premises. He said there can be two identical houses, but one is owned by two retired people with a cabin who don’t need the money compared to a younger family of five who would like to go to Disneyland and need the income.
He personalizes the services he pro-vides beyond what an Airbnb can usually offer and as a local resident has to face any issues directly.
“I can’t do it right by overcharging and I can’t do it right by worrying about what AirBnB is doing,” Hergert said.
He attends other air shows to meet company representatives who make those kinds of arrangements and checks on business referrals from vendors and any-one connected to an AirVenture attendee to know who he’s working with. On the homeowner side he deals with mostly pri-vate homes to avoid insurance legalities with rental properties.
“Most of them are here to work; they’re not here to tear up the town and have fun,”
Hergert said. “It’s not a bucket list for them; it’s a job.” He said most of them are up early and out on the grounds each day and often return late.
Epic Aircraft is one of the aviation com-panies Hergert helps with its AirVenture visits, and it plans to continue that rela-tionship as it has for the past eight years.
“He has always been dependable to help us find housing, setting up our display and taking care of any issues that have aris-en,” said Mike Schrader, director of sales and marketing for Epic, which is based in Bend, Ore. “There are several restaurants that were always catering our meals and we will continue to use them when we re-turn next year.”
Another longtime client of Hergert’s ex-pressed regret for not being able to keep him busy this year.
“He’s always taken really good care of us and we’ll stay with him as long as we can,” said Mike Lorden, president of Avi-ation Supplies & Academics in Newcastle, Wash., a provider of aviation trading man-uals along with other pilot supplies that is marking its 80th anniversary this year.
Lorden noted during a conversation that Aircraft Owners and Pilots (AOPA) had just canceled its Rochester, N.Y., show for Sept. 11-12, one of about a half dozen oth-er conventions his company normally has on its calendar this time of year. He said attending AirVenture and other shows is much more than a sales opportunity.
“For our company, Oshkosh is really about branding … it’s about finding the trends in the industry, where things are going, how people are doing,” he said. “It’s a week of reconnecting with everybody at the beginning of summer, and we’re going to miss that.”
For Hergert, a calm and cooperative ef-fort gets it done every year. He said he has a “1 percent problem ratio” with either a company or homeowner. Parties are usu-ally pre-arranged, many involving a work-ing meeting, but rarely get loud enough to spark a neighbor’s complaint that Hergert may need to remedy.
“You can’t fix stupid but you sure can Band-Aid it up and make it work,” he said.
His enterprise began in the mid-1980s during a bar conversation at Mabel Mur-phy’s with two AirVenture visitors who had walked in wet from a rainstorm with their suitcases after losing their rental space. The landlord had just evicted them because they had made the agreement with the primary renter.
“When you find Susie, who you rented it from, ask her for your $1,000 but tell her she’s out of here too,” Hergert said they were told by the landlord, who added,
“Here’s the contract — no subleasing.”With a typewriter and carbon paper he
created a standard contract and helped rent three or four houses in the first year, mostly in his neighborhood, later expand-ing through company referrals and his Jaycees connections. He said word spread after minimal advertising and then didn’t need it at all to expand the demand.
Known for being able to fill the most obscure requests, Hergert recalls one from Bose Corp., whose planner was looking for a safari-themed party and mused that the event could use some lions, giraffes and other exotic animals.
“I got em,” Hergert soon told the plan-ner. “Give me a couple of days and I’ll get some pictures to you.”
He went to M. Schettl Sales to look at their menagerie of statues and had an agreement to supply some virtual animals for the party.
A week before the convention the com-pany plane needed repairs and Bose had to shrink its itinerary so that theme had to be altered. Hergert came through again with a Warbirds theme with the help of the lo-cal National Guard unit and the Military Veterans Museum.
Hergert said 15-hour days aren’t un-common for him for about a month sur-rounding the fly-in, but the human inter-action among his clients is special and personal. He also encourages communica-tion through helpful notes by homeown-ers on how things work and where things are kept around the house — an ironing board and iron are often appreciated — while renters often leave behind thank-you notes and gifts for the homeowners.
In earlier years he used walkie-talkies to field calls from clients, including those seeking Oshkosh directions without real-izing they were in Appleton or Fond du Lac. Some requests are hard to plan for: He lined up a dentist for a German man who didn’t speak English and had a chron-ic toothache, and found a local welder to do a last-minute repair on an aircraft en-gine display rack.
Hergert expects to start booking houses this summer for 2021. He said the can-cellation looked likely as early as January based on the volunteer efforts and inter-national planning needed to be in place by now, and declined taking deposit pay-ments with that in mind. He looks back at his meager beginnings to stay optimistic about getting past the gap.
“I can always go buy a typewriter again and carbon paper and start over again. I started with $300 in my pocket; I can start with $400 now,” he joked. “I may have a hard time finding a typewriter.”
Local hospitality fueled steady AirVenture run
LINCOLN CERTIFIED2017 Lincoln Continental AWD ReserveBurgundy velvet, Cappuccino Lthr, 2.7L TwinTurbo V6, Dual Panel Moon Roof, TechnologyPkg., 30-Way Perfect Positions Seats,23,854 Miles #18P7A
2017 Lincoln MKZ AWD ReserveDiamond Black, Ebony Lthr., 400HP 3.0LTwin Turbo V-6, Moon Roof, Driver’s SportPkg., Technology Pkg., Climate Pkg.,Luxury Pkg. w/Revel Ultima Audio, ONLY21,277 Miles #19P63A
2017 Lincoln MKZ AWD ReserveWhite Platinum, Ebony Lthr., 2.0L Turbo 14,Moon Roof, Climate Pkg., Technology Pkg.w/Adaptive Cruise & Lane Keeping, ONLY16,621 Miles #19P42A
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Only Baked or Unbaked.Limit 2 Carry Out only.One coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offer.Expires 7/31/2020
Friday Night FamilyFish Special $26.99
12 pc Alaskan White Fish, 1 lb. of Fries * 1 lb. of ColeslawCarry Out or Delivery (fee applies) Friday Only.One coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offer.Expires 7/31/2020
Two 12” 1-ToppingPizzas $17.99
Carry out or Delivery (fee applies)One coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offer.Expires 7/31/2020
12 pc. Bucket ofBroasted Chicken
$19.75With FREE Family Size Potato & a Pint of Coleslaw.Carry Out or Delivery (fee applies) One coupon per customer. Not valid withany other offer. Expires 7/31/2020
Call for Delivery or Pick Up!
WE OFFER DELICIOUS SEAFOOD!
DINING ROOM IS NOW OPEN!
920 -231- 3290 1123 Oregon St.
Open Tues-Thurs 4-8; Fri. 3:30-9; Sat. 11-9; Sunday 11-8
OpenJuly 4th
business was operating with only 3 per-cent of its usual income. When EAA can-celed AirVenture, the company lost 10 percent of its annual revenue.
“If we hadn’t been in business for 45 years, we’d have been closed,” Heisler said. “July is going to be horrible, but at least it’s better than 3 percent; we might have 5 percent or maybe even 10 percent of our normal income in July.”
The lodging industry has also taken a significant hit.
In mid-March — as the COVID-19 outbreak began to travel through Wis-consin — tourists began calling to cancel reservations, according to Amy Albright, executive director for the Oshkosh Con-vention & Visitors Bureau.
Canceled bookings continued into April, only to crescendo in May with the cancellation of AirVenture, as the UW Oshkosh study found that lodging ac-counts for roughly 35 percent of all visitor spending during AirVenture.
“The events in Oshkosh are a vital part of our tourism economy,” Albright said. “Certainly, the cancellation of AirVenture, which is our biggest event, had a huge im-pact on our hotel and hospitality industry.”
That impact isn’t limited to Oshkosh and the Fox Valley, as it’s also being felt in the tourist town of Green Lake.
Since March, the Green Lake Inn has lost roughly $39,000 in cancellations, of which $11,000 can be attributed to Air-Venture’s cancelation, according to owner Linda Gaffney.
“I’ve been getting more phone calls, but I don’t know if I’ll get enough to be able to pay my taxes, insurance, utilities, ad-
vertisement bills and website bills,” she said. “There’s no way I’m going to make it through this summer unless something drastic happens.”
AirVenture’s impact wasn’t ignored by its coordinators leading up to the can-celation, as it was continually in the back of their minds throughout the planning process, according to EAA vice president of marketing and communications Rick Larsen.
“We’ve talked at length about the posi-tive economic impact the event has on the region,” Larsen said. “We’re aware of the struggles, whether it’s hotels and restau-rants, or anybody else that’s being impact-
ed by COVID-19. The cancellation of Air-Venture adds to that.”
The organization ultimately decided the health risks of hosting the event would be too high. Leading up to the announce-ment, Larsen said EAA members were reaching out to them, expressing concern about being in contact with a large group of people from all over the world.
“Our membership and our volunteers certainly skew a bit older, and those were the folks expressing concern,” he said. “We had to make a decision based on what was best for our volunteers, members and exhibitors from a safety standpoint.”
He said Spirit of Aviation Week aims to keep members engaged by “offering a lot of the things EAA is known for,” digitally.
Though EAA has already announced dates for AirVenture 2021, its future large-ly depends on COVID-19’s future, as a
vaccine remains at least a year away. The organization is currently working to estab-lish best practices for hosting an event of that magnitude amid the pandemic.
“There will be elements of it that prob-ably will be different from prior years in terms of making sure that we’re im-plementing best practices,” Larsen said. “Even if we get a vaccine, that doesn’t mean everybody will participate in getting it and that the virus completely goes away.”
In the meantime, White says the best thing residents can do is adjust their spending patterns to support small busi-nesses. He encourages companies to apply for any financial assistance available be-fore deciding to close.
“We’ve been trying to promote and ad-vocate that companies go after all the as-sistance that they can that’s out there right now,” White said.
EAA impact from Page 1
Photo by Erin Brueggen
P-51 Mustang fighters from the World War II era were one of the featured planes at last year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh.
Page 16 x oshkoshherald.com July 1, 2020
By Ti Windisch Herald contributor
Milwaukee Bucks two-way player Frank Mason was named the G League’s most valuable player Thursday after a terrific season with the Wisconsin Herd in which he averaged 26.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Mason’s points came efficiently all sea-son, as he was less than nine free throw percentage points away from a famed 50/40/90 season: Mason shot 50.4 per-cent from the field, 42.5 percent from three-point territory, and 81.5 percent at the line.
“I have to say none of this would be possible without God, my amazing team-mates, outstanding coaching staff, and unbelievable front office,” Mason said via Twitter.
As he maintained all season, Herd head coach Chase Buford noted Mason’s leadership and character in a congratula-tory statement on the point guard being named MVP.
“Frank has been an unbelievable point
guard and leader for us all season,” Buford said. “Throughout the season, he proved that he is an NBA caliber player, and this deserved recognition clearly reflects that. Frank is a high-quality person and team-mate, and that impresses me most.”
Wisconsin general manager Dave Dean praised Mason’s work ethic and attitude while he was with the Herd during the season.
“As was evident by his production and contribution, Frank embraced his oppor-tunity while with us,” Dean said. “It was a privilege to watch him play and develop, and his growth over the course of the sea-son was nothing short of tremendous.”
Mason led all G League players to ap-pear in at least 10 games in per game scor-ing with his 26.4 points per contest, and he was one of just two players to average 25 points or more while also hitting at least 50 percent of his shots. Mason ended the season on a hot streak, earning Player of the Month honors in February before becoming the G League’s 20th MVP and the first to win the award as a member of the Herd.
Additionally, Mason joined teammate Jaylen Adams in being named to the All-NBA G League First Team, and forward Jemerrio Jones was named to the All-NBA G League Third Team.
Adams, who was runner-up in MVP voting to Mason, averaged 21.5 points,
5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, and was generally excellent both when sharing duties with Mason and when playing as the main point guard.
Jones, the G League’s best rebounder in 2019-20, averaged 10.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. Jones was consistently impactful for the Herd, and played more minutes than any player for Wisconsin this season.
The Bucks signed Mason to his two way contract in late July, and due to his strong season with the Herd he’ll have a chance to find a full-time NBA spot when free agency opens in October, whether it’s in Milwaukee or somewhere else. Adams and Jones continue to be NBA free agents as they have been all season, open to sign contracts with any team, although the Herd hold their returning rights if they do end up playing another G League season.
Dante AutoLocally Owned Service & Shop
www.DanteAuto.com
Oil Change
Suspension
Brakes
And a great selection ofUSED VEHICLES
Dante Auto - Mark & Mike Dante906 Ohio St. • 920-231-9860
Mason wins MVP, three Herd players make All-G League
Photo by Emil Vajgrt
Frank Mason of the Wisconsin Herd was named the G League’s MVP for this season.
4905 County Rd S • 920-233-2511 • www.winklerswestwardho.com
Open Daily at 11amFriday Night Fish FryBBBeeeeeerrr BBBaaatttttteeerrreeeddd PPPeeerrrccchhh PPPlllaaattteee ............ 111///222 lllbbb $$$111666.222555*Breaded Perch Plate .................... 1/2 lb $16.25*Battered Haddock ....................................$14.25Pike Beer Battered ........................ 1/2 lb $15.00*Fantail Shrimp ..........................................$13.25BBBlue Gill Beer Battered .............................$13.25Frog Legs ....................................................$12.50*Steamed Haddock Loins .........................$12.50*1/2 LB Pollock & Fries (only) .................$ 8.25
*Served 7 days a weekAll served with coleslaw, rye bread and a choice of French Fries or Potato Salad
Hallfor rent -up to 300 guests.
See website for details!
Hall
Westward HoOshkosh, Wi
KaraokeFriday
8pm - Midnight
1232 N. Sawyer St., Oshkosh WI920-231-8520 • www.hergertsports.com
M-F 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm
HERGERTSPORT CENTERMARINE - SPORT - SKI
NOW
GENEVA CRUISE MERCURY 90 H.P.List $39,900 $29,999
22’22’22’
oshkoshherald.com x Page 17July 1, 2020
2402 Jackson St., Oshkosh920-426-0684 • Open Daily 6am-9pmwww.mikesplacefamilyrestaurant.com
1 FREECup of ChickenDumpling Soup
1 FREEMug of Frosty
Root Beer
With each entréepurchased. Offer valid3pm-8pm, dine-in only.Not valid with otheroffers. Limit 2 percoupon per table.Expires 12/31/2020
OR
606 W. Murdock Ave., Oshkosh
(920) 235-7077
Fox Tax2020 Calendar/Questionnaire
online at http://www.foxtax.com
AUTHORIZED
PROVIDER
FoxTax HoursMay thru December
Mondays 9:00AM—5:00PMWednesdays 9:00AM—5:00PMAdd’l Hours by appointment
Complete in Person; Mail; Fax or Portal
Filing Deadline: July 15, 2020Extension Deadline: Oct 15, 2020
235 W. Scott StreetFond du Lac, WI
www.WrightwayBuilt.com 920-929-8999
$100 OFFany New Sunesta Motorized
Retractable Awning
EXPERIENCE THE SUNESTA AWNINGS DIFFERENCE
Want sun protection that’s 15% cooler?Sunesta Retractable Awnings from Wrightway offer custom sizes
and fabric options to fit any home or patio space.
Valid only with coupon. One coupon per household. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 8/20/2020. Some restrictions apply.
3 CUSTOM SIZES 3 MORE THAN 100 FABRIC OPTIONS 3 10 YEAR WARRANTY
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA FOR OVER 40 YEARS!
Clark returning to FVA as North assistant coachBy Tim FrobergHerald contributor
Brad Clark and Oshkosh hoops go to-gether like socks and sneakers. The two are pairing up for a new gig.
Clark, a prominent college player at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a
highly successful prep coach in the city, has joined the boys’ bas-ketball coaching staff at Oshkosh North as a varsity assistant.
“It’s one of those sit-uations where I wasn’t really planning on coaching,” Clark said. “I really just wanted to
sit in the stands with my wife, watch my kid play for four years and just enjoy it.”
That was the plan until Spartans head coach Brad Weber called and offered him a position. Clark has a long connection with Oshkosh basketball and is returning to it after serving as a varsity assistant last season under Tom King at Laconia.
“I think it will be fun,” Clark said. “It’s a new culture and a new environment. I
kind of experienced it a little when I went to Ripon. Those three years as an assistant made me look at basketball and coaching a little differently. I enjoyed coaching with Tom King at Laconia, but all the driving back and forth took its toll on the family. I have five kids and being able to coach in the district makes it a lot easier.”
Clark joined the Laconia staff after an outstanding three-year run as head coach at Lourdes Academy where he posted a 60-20 record and guided the Knights to the WIAA Division 4 state championship game in 2018-19.
Clark previously coached at Oshkosh West for 12 seasons (2001-12), including the last five as head coach where he led the Wildcats to a WIAA Division 1 state tour-nament appearance in 2008. After leaving West in 2012, he was an assistant coach at Ripon College from 2012-2015.
In addition to being a skilled coach, Clark was an elite player. He was a prolific scorer at Markesan High School where he was selected as Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball and the Wisconsin Boys Basketball Play-er of the Year in 1996. Clark went on to become a three-time all-Wisconsin Inter-
collegiate Athletic Conference first-team selection at UW Oshkosh where he ranks as the school’s seventh all-time leading scorer with 1,692 points. He remains the only player in school history to make the NCAA Division III all-West Region Team three straight seasons.
Clark is joining a rock-solid coaching staff at North, and says he’ll have no prob-lem with a supporting role.
“Coach Weber has done a great job there for a long time,” Clark said. “There is a good culture there in terms of winning, develop-ing players and competing in the FVA. It’s going to be a challenge for me from a scout-ing standpoint to the X’s and O’s.
“It’s one of those situations where you take your knowledge and experience as a head coach to help out another head coach the best you can. I’ve adapted to that. It’s a great staff with a lot of young guys who have played college basketball. It’s just one more chance to continue to coach.”
Clark, a physical education and health teacher at Perry Tippler Middle School, will be joined at North by his son, Steven, an incoming 6-foot-5 freshman who is ex-pected to be a part of the varsity team.
“Steven has gone to Web’s camps the past two years and that’s where I got to know him (Weber) a little better,” said Clark. “I wanted to make sure that Steven was OK with the decision because some kids don’t want their parents coaching them. I think everyone has to understand that when they’re on the court, they’re players. You don’t look at them as your kid and try and help them out.”
“I’ve told coach Weber that just because I’m here, don’t coach him any differently than anyone else. Coach him hard. But it
will be fun. As you get older you realize that things go by way too quickly. The op-portunity to coach your kid is a great one.”
Clark replaces longtime Spartans as-sistant John Cameron, who has retired. Cameron was a part of previous North coaching staffs led by Mark Christensen and Frank Schade.
“What Brad gives us is another great teacher of the game,” Weber said. “Obvi-ously, with his experience as a head coach and assistant at Ripon and even his expe-rience as a player— he was an extremely good high school and college player — he brings a wealth of experience and knowl-edge.”
North is coming off a 13-11 season and a sixth-place 9-9 finish in the FVA.
“With Stevie being an incoming fresh-man, he (Brad Clark) knows our players well and is very comfortable with them,” Weber said. “He’s another guy that’s going to be great at building relationships with our kids.”
Clark is confident there will be a basket-ball season this winter amid the uncertain-ty of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Well, we’re slowly getting back into the swing of things and I think there will be a basketball season,” he said. “I sure hope there is because it’s something the kids need. My personal opinion is that al-though basketball is scheduled to start in mid-November, push it back until maybe after Christmas and run it in January and February. Just don’t play the nonconfer-ence games.
“I’m very hopeful that we’ll be able to get something of the coming season. The kids deserve it. It’s something you can never get back.”
Oshkosh Herald
Celebrating 50 years Placed on the original 1970 Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh building, a special 50th anniversary club mural decorates the wall of the Wagner Opera House at 502 N. Main St. The mural will be on display until the club’s community anniversary celebra-tion Aug. 30. The mural will be moved to the Boys & Girls Club on Parkway Avenue and Broad Street as part of the Block Party on Broad celebration.
We look forward to when we can worship withyyyooouuu iiinnn pppeeerrrsssooonnn aaagggaaaiiinnn.
Vernon Akin SwansonVernon Akin Swanson, 97, of Oshkosh,
joined Jesus and his beloved wife in heaven on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Born July 30, 1922 in Bittern Lake, Alberta, Canada, he was the son of the late Rudy L. and Cosey O. (Akin) Swanson. He is preceded in death by his wife of
65 years, Jane T. Swanson, his brothers, Robert W. Swanson, Milford Humphrey and Edward Humphrey, and his sisters, Frances Humphrey, Louise Humphrey, Lois Staples and Evanelle Baldwin.
Vern was adored by his children, Paul ( Jody) Swanson of Oshkosh, Mary
Swanson and Bill Swanson of Milwaukee and Betsy (Erik) Magner of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and his grandchildren, Alexandra and Michael Swanson, and Anna, Laura, and Stefan Magner.
Vern attended Appleton High School. In 1939, he began his college career at Uni-versity of Wisconsin, Madison, which was postponed when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. After completing bombar-dier-navigator training, he was assigned to the 20th Air Force, 58th Bomb Wing, 770th Bomb Squadron, 462nd Bomb Group. In 1944, he was stationed in the Pacific Theater in India, flying missions over the Himalayan Mountains, “The Hump.” He flew the Boeing B-29 Superfortress from bases in western China to targets in Japan
and Manchuria. He completed his 35th combat mission while stationed in Tinian, Mariana Islands. Vern celebrated VJ Day while in Honolulu waiting for leave. While his children considered him a war hero, he gave the credit to all the other veterans who fought in WWII, the Greatest Generation.
Upon returning to civilian life, he re-sumed his education at the University of Wisconsin, graduating from the Law School, in 1950. He was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, where he made and kept life-long friends, and fellow die-hard Badger fans. Vern continued his service with the Air Force Reserve, until 1971 reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Working as an attorney, in Milwaukee, Vern met his true love, Jane. After his first date in July 1952, he never dated another and they were married on May 2, 1953. In 1964, they settled in Oshkosh, where Vern joined Jack Lenahan, a Law School chum, and formed Lenahan and Swanson. In 1980, his son, Paul, having graduated from Vern’s alma mater, joined him, and the firm subsequently merged with Steinhilber, Chaney, Nesbitt & Guiles. The firm contin-ues today as Steinhilber Swanson LLP with offices in Oshkosh, Madison & Milwaukee.
In 1988, Vern and Jane decided to retire and enjoy life, for as Vern put it, he didn’t know how much time he might have, and wanted to enjoy life a bit. Well, enjoy they did for the next 30 years with winters in Puerto Vallarta, summers in Steamboat and a base of operations in Bella Vista Vil-lage in Arkansas. There was always a nev-er-ending stream of old friends and family joining them for many good times. Even-tually, they returned to Oshkosh living the last few years here at home.
Vern was known for his positive atti-tude, perhaps a product of his member-ship in the Optimist Club, where he mod-eled servant leadership and worked as a volunteer, inviting his children to join in. He served on numerous boards, giving freely his time and advice.
Vern enjoyed his work, but his passion was spending time with his children and creating memorable adventures. He was remembered as always being home for dinner, then off to play tennis with one of
his kids, or perhaps a bike ride to Pet’s Ice Cream Parlor for a huge cone and a ride through Menominee Park. He and his wife took up skiing when he was 50, and after that the family adventures included trips to the Upper Peninsula and to Colorado. Vern was never without a camera, so he captured all the events of his life on film.
Perhaps the most endearing trait of Vern was his talent to bring friends to-gether. During their stay in Milwaukee, a group of friends created a way to stay con-nected, and Vern and Jane became charter members of the 2000 Club. They met an-nually with this group to ensure their con-nection would not be broken, and in the year 2000, they gathered for the party of the century. Vern and Jane were master-ful entertainers and loved a sense of com-munity. Over the years, they found time to gather in various places with Vern’s Sig Ep fraternity brothers and their families, mostly in Puerto Vallarta, and easily made friends wherever they were.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who were Vern’s compan-ions on daily escapades, and later assisted with his well-being. They were angels and friends to Vern, who reciprocated with a smile and hug.
Vern’s adventures have only just begun, as we know that heav-en could not wait for his arrival. A Mass of Christian burial will be cel-ebrated at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Dr., Oshkosh, on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Tom Long presid-ing. Family and friends may call at the church on Thursday one hour before Mass. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 2595 Knapp St. Rd., Oshkosh, after Mass, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Vern’s name to St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, Oshkosh, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Obituaries
oshkoshherald.com x Page 19July 1, 2020
Classifieds
Dump truck driver needed for local work. Valid Class “B” CDL required, Class “A” preferred. 2 years driving
experience preferred. Competitive wages and benefitspackage. Call 920-426-5808, email resume to
[email protected] or apply in person at 2824 Clairville Road, Oshkosh.
OTR TRUCK DRIVERS FT/PT Competitive wages & full benefit . Mileage, Drop pay, Paid weekly Home
weekends, NO east/west coast, 28 central states. Van & Hopper Division. Agriculture experience a plus. Fox Valley company since 1958 Call Frank 920-788-6242
or 920-858-0238. Van Groll Trucking, Kaukauna
Resort Employment in Door County! HOUSEKEEPING & CROSS FUNCTION - (Front desk,
Housekeeping & Breakfast) Shared Housing Avail. Year Round & Seasonal- thru Oct. Training provided!
1-877-626-1009 Special financing or qualifiedcustomers (WCAN)
GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPS AKC OFA. Excel. Temp. Import Stock. Guaranteed.
715-537-5413 www.jerland.com #268001-DS (WCAN)
HOSTAS! Over 600 Field Grown varieties! Open Daily - JUNE THRU SEPT. 7th, 12-6pm. 14028 Louis
Corners Rd, KIEL, WI 920-894-2905 & 920-298-8332 CASH OR CHECK ONLY
GAS STATION EQUIPMENT, APPLIANCES, SHELV-ING, DISPLAY RACKS & MUCH MORE!!!. Online auction ending 7/9. Bidding starts at $1. BID
NOW AT HANSENAUCTIONGROUP.COM
ATTENTION DIABETICS! Save money on your diabetic supplies! Convenient home shipping for monitors, test strips, insulin pumps, catheters & more! To learn more,
call now! 1-866-944-3917 (WCAN)
CALL EMPIRE TODAY to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring. Call Today!
844-228-5472 (WCAN)
COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help
Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified
applicants. Call CTI for details. 608-999-3925 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) (WCAN)
DENTAL ASSISTANT BE ONE IN JUST 10 SATURDAYS! WeekendDentalAssistant.com CLASS BEGINS
SEPT. 12, 2020! 920-730-1112 Appleton. State of WI Approved. Apply Now! (WCAN)
DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO SELL? .... GET RESULTS! Affordable advertising that fits our budget! Reach
OVER 300,000 homes! Place your ad in MANY weekly Wisconsin Shoppers & Buyers’ Guide papers for as low
as $36.00 Call today! Publishers Development Service, Inc. (PDS, Inc.) 1-800-236-0737
www.pdsadnet.com
EARN YOUR HOSPITALITY DEGREE ONLINE! Earn your Associates Degree ONLINE with CTI! Great career advancement with the right credentials! Learn who’s
hiring! Call 608-999-7260 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) (WCAN)
FLORIDA BOUND EMPTY TRUCK Can move house-hold & Cars - CHEAP! Local 414-520-1612
FRITZ BARN PAINTING Rusty Roofs, Metal build-ings Free Est 608-221-3510
920-821-6311
LIFE ALERT. One Press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home & on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS.
FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription). CALL 855-892-1134 FREE Brochure (WCAN)
MAINTENANCE PLUS CONSTRUCTION. No job too big, no job too small. Complete home restoration. Free
estimates. Please call 920-279-9674.
STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a FREE Toilet, & a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-661-6016 or
visit www.walkintubquote.com/2 (WCAN)
USED MOBILES WANTED! Any size 1990 or newer, Single or Double wide. Fair prices! Fast closings! Call
today 715-758-7500 North Country Homes 110 Brooke Ct. Bonduel WI 54107
WCAN (Wisconsin Community Ad Network) and/or the member publications review ads to the best
of their ability. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous people are ready to take your money! PLEASE BE
CAREFUL ANSWERING ANY AD THAT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! For more information, or to file a omplaint regarding an ad, please contact The Department of Trade, Agriculture & Consumer Protec-
tion 1-800-422-7128 (WCAN)
WE BUY - BOATS/RV/PONTOONS/SLED/ATVs & MOTORCYCLES! “CASH PAID” NOW!
AMERICAN MARINE & MOTORSPORTS SUPERCENTER,SHAWANO 866-955-2628 WWW.AMERICANMARINA.COM (WCAN)
WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get FREE informational package & learn how to
get rid of your timeshare! FREE consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. CALL 844-374-
2565 (WCAN)
YOUR CAR, BOAT OR MOTORCYCLE helps Rawhide provide mental health services that redirect local Wisconsin youth & adults from harmful decisions.
Donate Today! 888-653-2729 (WCAN)
CRANDON, WI FSBO, 40 Acres Fenced Hayfield/26acres wooded pasture, 32x64 hay barn on gravel
town road w/power. Good hunting land, will divide. L/C Avail. asking $132,000. 715-493-6121
(WCAN)
FOR RENT: Oshkosh - Small Two-Bedroom, One-Bath Home with Garage. Available August 1st. 1331 Cedar
Street. 920-235-6315
Employment
Private party ads deadline is 4 p.m. Friday. $15 for first 20 wo ds
For Sale
Real Estate/Rental
Miscellaneous
Garage/Estate Planeview Travel Plazais now hiring:
Call 920-426-2641 orapply at fuel desk.
JOIN OURTEAM!
• Cashiers • Restaurant•• Maintenance • Cleaning
• Fulltime/Part-time/Seasonal
1500 Planeview Dr.(Hwy 26/41)
Call 920.508.9000 to place your ad
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.
UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete® (HMO D-SNP) includes extra benefits to help you get care and services you may be missing today. If you have both Medicaid and Medicare, that could be a big help in these uncertain times.
Get extra benefits for a $0 plan premium.Dual Complete is a Medicare plan. It works with your Medicaid plan. You’ll keep all your Medicaid benefits and add more. You could get extra benefits like:
Health Products CardTM:Up to $1,300 loaded onto your card to buy health products you may need.
Virtual Medial Visits:Talk to a provider 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with $0 copay.
Dental Coverage: $2,000 toward dental services.
Personal Emergency Response System:Get connected to a trained operator quickly in an emergency situation 24 hours a day at no extra cost.
Got these cards? Get more of the help you need now.
Get the plan that gives you more.Call today. 1-844-203-9735, TTY 711 | UHCCP.com/WIdual
The Police Department lobby will be temporarily reopening for parking permit sales today ( July 1) and July 2 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Social distancing in the lobby is encouraged.
Signs will be displayed to show where the permit sale line begins. Cones will be used to direct people in line to stand six feet apart. OPD staff will be in the lobby area to assist permit sales.
HonoringMy Beautiful And LovingChild Bride And AwesomeMom
ToMike And Colleen – YouMade AllOur Lives Better. My Luck O’The Irish
Is You – Amazing Lady!❤ Love, Dick
Dick &Millie Harron
69th Anniversary
Police department lobby opens for permit sales
Page 20 x oshkoshherald.com July 1, 2020
Menehune MottoIf the Menehune had a motto, it would probably be the phrase below. To reveal it, circle every other letter.
ccording to legend, there is a group of small, mysterious people who live hidden in the forests and valleys of the Hawaiian Islands. They are called the Menehune (men-uh-HOO-nee).
How many pineapples can you ÿnd on this page?
Are there more pineapples or more °o wers in this
page? Graph it!
How many °o wers can you ÿnd on
this page? How many Menehunes can you ÿnd hiding here?
Which things in your town are small? Maybe a Little
Library box? A bird on a bird feeder?
Look through today’s newspaper to find
five small things. Cut them out and glue
them onto a piece of paper in order from small to smallest.
Tiny Town
Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate
information.
Use the Magical Menehune Code to learn more about us!
FISH=
PROJECTS=
BUILD=
BANANAS=
ARROWS=
SURFING=
NIGHT=
VOLCANO=
FOODS=
MAGIC=
Menehune only come out at ________.
Menehune favorite _______ are ________ and ___________.
They like to _______ things.
They build their ___________ all in one ________.
Do the math to find out! Some are said to
be 16 - 14 = _________ feet (60 cm) tall.
Other stories say Menehune are only
19 - 13 = ________ inches (15 cm) tall.
Archery is said to be a favorite past time of the Menehune. They can shoot a magic arrow into the heart of an angry person and turn the anger into love. Follow this arrow’s path.
Love in the Air
To read about a Menehune mystery, hold this page up to a mirror!How small are the Menehune?
Legend says that the Menehune built the Alekoko Fishpond on the island of Kauai for a princess and her brother. The shy but strong Menehunes
lined up for 25 miles and passed stones hand-to-hand to build the pond. It is said that they
worked at night so as not to be seen by others, cutting, transporting and fitting stones for their
Read the story below and write your answer to the question on the lines under it. Read it to a family member and have them answer it
as well. Did you reach the same conclusion?
One structure they are believed to have built is Kikiaola, also known as the Menehune Ditch. It is a historic irrigation ditch that funnels water from the
Waimea River on Kauai. It has a stone wall that runs along a cliff creating a ditch. The ditch leads to a
tunnel that is very, very small.
Who could build such a small tunnel? Tools found in ancient Kauai were not advanced enough to drill that far into the rock – and the walls appear as though they were carved by hand. Could it be that the tunnel was built by a small race of people? Or is there another explanation for why the tunnel was built so small?
What do you think? How could such a small tunnel be made more than 1,000 years ago?
Talking CocoonOne day I heard a tiny voice. Looking around, I saw that the voice came from
a little cocoon. Finish this story.
Sponsored by
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”Benjamin Franklin~
To learn how you can support or sponsorNewspapers in Education/Kid Scoop for 2020-21
call 920-508-9000 or mail donations toNewspapers In Education/Oshkosh Herald,923 S. Main St Suite C Oshkosh WI 54902.
Studies have shown that students wholearn using newspapers become more
active citizens as adults. They also grow upto vote in local, state and national elections.The students in schools with NIE programsdo 10 percent better in reading scores thanstudents in schools without the programs.
They help students develop daily readinghabits that will last their entire lives.
