August 2017

Enjoy an Active Life after 50

The plays
the thing
Local theater groups
provide creative outlet
for many area seniors
Page 8

Mary Madsen, playing Bloody Mary in South

Pacific, stares at a shrunken head during a
performance in mid-July. Madsen is among the
area seniors who find enjoyment participating in
local theater.
PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI

Inside: Calendar Profile Money Food Test Drive Gear Guide Travel Homes Savvy Senior
 FU N C ALEN DAR
SL
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2 served prior to the concert.
Menominee Pageant: Woodland
Bowl, Fairgrounds Road, Keshena. SATURDAY, AUG. 26
Dusk. Featuring The Legend of Lumberjack Days: Tigerton Com-
Spirit Rock. Free. munity Park. Log sawing, strong
World of Outlaws Late Model man contest, parade, music, raffle,
Special: Shawano Speedway, 990 corn roast, bike giveaway. 715-
E. Green Bay St., Shawano. Hot 535-3300.
laps 6:30 p.m., races 7 p.m. Na- Corn roast: St. Michaels Catholic

PHOTO BY SCOTT WILLIAMS

tions premier traveling tour for dirt Church, N816 State Highway 47-
Late Models. 715-526-7069. 55, Keshena. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Food, music, bake sale, yard sale,
FRIDAY, AUG. 4 childrens games, police car dem-
Corn Roast: Village Park, Bonduel. onstration, theme baskets and
5 p.m. All the corn you can eat. raffle. 715-799-3811.
Also, live music, plus brats, ham- celebration of Americana with mission $5, $1 children under 12. Shawano Farmers Market: Frank-
burgers, french fries and bever- lin Park, 200 block of South Wash-
evening performances inside 715-526-3323.
ages. Admission $5 per person or ington St., Shawano. 8 a.m. to
air-conditioned Mielke Arts Cen-
three for $10. Includes raffle entry. Shawano Farmers Market: noon. Entertainment, Messengers
ter, four performers each night.
Franklin Park, 200 block of South of The Way.
Menominee Nation Powwow: Daytime programs include music,
Washington St., Shawano. 8 a.m.
Woodland Bowl, Keshena. In- dance, childrens programs, and
to noon. Custom and Classics Mini
tertribal dancing and drummers, more on four outdoor stages. 715-
Car Show.
SUNDAY, AUG. 27
princess contest, arts and crafts, 850-1244. Lumberjack Days: Tigerton Com-
food and refreshments, log sawing munity Park. Parade at 1 p.m. Log
competition. Grand entry at 7 p.m. SUNDAY, AUG. 13 sawing, strong-man contest, pa-
SATURDAY, AUG. 12 Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican
715-799-5114, ext. 1267. rade, music, raffle, corn roast, bike
Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican
Powwow: Many Trails Park and giveaway. 715-535-3300.
Powwow: Many Trails Park and
Campground, Moh He Con Nuck
SATURDAY, AUG. 5 Campground, Moh He Con Nuck Bonduel Archives Walk in the
Road, Bowler. Grand entry at 1
Shawano Farmers Market: Frank- Road, Bowler. Grand entries at 1 at Park: Jerusalem Cemetery, W5911
p.m. Free admission. Food and
lin Park, 200 block of South Wash- 7 p.m. Free admission. Food and County Road T, Lunds. 1 p.m. Walk
crafts. 715-793-4111.
ington St., Shawano. 8 a.m. to crafts. 715-793-4111. though area cemetery with speak-
noon. Entertainment, Patchwork. Shawano Folk Music Festival: ers and presentations. 715-758-
Shawano Folk Music Festival:
Mielke Arts Center, N5649 Airport 2687.
Menominee Nation Powwow: Mielke Arts Center, N5649 Airport
Woodland Bowl, Keshena. Grand Road, Shawano. 715-850-1244.
Road, Shawano. 715-850-1244.

PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI

entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. 715-
799-5114, ext. 1267. Praise Fest: Memorial Park, Main
Street, Shawano. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Live music, games, food, bounce
SUNDAY, AUG. 6 house, dunk tank.
Menominee Nation Powwow:
Woodland Bowl, Keshena. Grand Richmond Thresheree: N6780
entry at noon. 715-799-5114, ext. Basswood Drive, Shawano. 12-5
p.m. Antique farm machinery and
1267.
threshing of grain with a stationary
Pie and Ice Cream Social: 108 S.
threshing machine. 715-853-4432.
First St., Bonduel. Barbecue and
music. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 715-758- Firefighters Picnic: Green Valley-
2687. Morgan Fire Department firehouse,
N5746 Oak Ave., Green Valley.
12-11 p.m. Event features food,
FRIDAY, AUG. 11 arcade games, raffles, live music
Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican
and more. 920-373-3308.
Powwow: Many Trails Park and
Campground, Moh He Con Nuck Maxwell Street Day: Downtown
Road, Bowler. Grand entry at 7 Shawano. Sidewalk sales, in-store
p.m. Free admission. Food and specials and more. 715-853-3775.
crafts. 715-793-4111.
Dog Days: Heritage Park, 524 N.
Shawano Folk Music Festival: Franklin St., Shawano. Living his-
Mielke Arts Center, N5649 Air- tory events as part of the societys
port Road, Shawano. A weekend Summer at the Society series. Ad-
Sacred Heart Parish Picnic: Sa-
cred Heart Parish Grounds, 321 S.
Main St., Shawano. Polka Mass at
10:45 a.m., music, auctions, food,
crafts, kids games, raffle. 715-526-
4102.
Corn Roast: St. Michaels Catholic
SATURDAY, AUG. 19 Church, N816 State Highway 47-
Shawano Farmers Market: Frank- 55, Keshena. 715-799-3811.
lin Park, 200 block of South Wash-
ington St., Shawano. 8 a.m. to
noon. Entertainment, String Fever. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30
Shawano County Fair: Fair-
Firemens Festival: 111 E. Hof- grounds, 990 E. Green Bay St.
man St., Cecil. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Midway thrills, tractor pull, de-
Live music, golf outing, vendor fair, molition derby, free grandstand
food, drinks, raffles. 715-851-1193. entertainment, polka bands, great
food, craft exhibits, 4-H exhibits.
Indigie Femme: Joel Kroenke
715-526-5419.
residence, W9050 Broadway Road,
Shawano. 2 p.m. Part of the Sum-
mer Music Deck Concerts for the THURSDAY, AUG. 31
Cotter Creek House Concert Se- Shawano County Fair: Fair-
ries. For reservations or directions, grounds, 990 E. Green Bay St. 715-
call 715-853-6879. Potluck meal 526-5419.

2
AUGUS T 2 0 1 7
S E N IO R P RO F ILE
Love of music brought local duo together
By CAROL WAGNER
A
Shawano native and an
Illinois native play mu-
sic as Dan and Roger.
Dan Palmer and Roger
Kellogg have been together
for several years, ever since
Roger retired and took over
his fathers business, Kel-
loggs Kampsites.
We hit it off together, said
Kellogg, who plays the trum-
pet and piano.
Palmer plays the clarinet
and saxophone. Both men are
vocalists.
They play at various ven-
ues around the area and
sometimes out of the area.
They volunteer to perform
at the community dinners at
the Presbyterian Church, the
Miles of Art and the Shawano
Farmers Market.
We like to be part of the
community, Palmer said.
They both played with the
former band, the River City
Six. Palmer was a member of
the Green Bay Packers Band.
Now they both play with the
Green Bay Packers Tail-
gaters Band, which includes
three groups that each play in
a different area of the parking
www.shawanoleader.com
Visit us online at
SL
PHOTO BY CAROL WAGNER
Dan Palmer and Roger Kellogg prepare
to play recently at the Shawano Farmers
Market.
lot at Lambeau Field.
Palmer graduated from
Shawano High School, where
he was in band under the
direction of the late Calvin
Brockman.
After high school, he joined
the Army and studied for six
months at the Armed Forc-
es School of Music. For the
three years he was in ser-
vice, he was stationed at Fort
Sheridan, Illinois, with the 5th
Army Band.
When he returned to Sha-
wano, he played with Rogers
father, Clayton Kellogg, who
passed away 15 years ago.
The elder Kellogg would
invite Palmer to the camp-
ground to play.
He would bring me in to
play when he needed me,
Palmer said.
Palmer was also a member
of the Shawano Tones Quar-
tet and currently plays in the
music ministry at Hope Com-
munity Church in Shawano.
Music is the creative side
of me, Palmer said. I trav-
eled the state of Wisconsin.
Its a way of sharing and mak-
ing people happy. Its a joyful
thing.
Palmer worked for Com-
puter Systems and Consoli-
dated Badger in Shawano,
then was a salesman for But-
ler Paper in Green Bay until
he retired.
Palmer and his wife, Barb,
have been married 51 years
and have three children, 10
grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren. They live in
the town of Wescott.
Kellogg, who grew up in Il-
linois, was the band director,
choir director music teacher
at Arbor Park Middle School
for 35 years. He had his own
four-piece band that played
for private parties and anni-
versaries.
Kellogg began playing mu-
sic at 9 years old.
Its my one real passion,
he said.
Kellogg often came to Sha-
wano to help his father, and
that is how he met Palmer.
Kellogg now runs the
campground, which opened
in 1966, but still has a home in
Oak Forest, Illinois.
The campground has a
little bit of everything and is
family oriented. It keeps Kel-
logg very busy, but he loves
this area.
Youve got to have some-
thing to get up in the morning
for, he said.
Kellogg said his wife of 37
years, Cheryl, a retired read-
ing specialist teacher, has al-
ways been very supportive.
Ive had a cool life, he
said. 3
 M O N EY
Are you cut out for a work-from-home job?
T
elecommuting has
become synonymous
with convenience,
flexible schedules and, yes,
pajamas. You dont have to
commute, spend money on
transportation or dress up.
But despite the appeal and
laid-back reputation, there
are challenges.
Not everybody is cut out
for working from home,
says Jack Aiello, a psychol- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ogy professor at Rutgers
University.
From your work style
to your work space, heres
what to consider before work-
ing from home.
YOUR PERSONALITY
Certain personalities make effective
at-home employees.
Above all else, two things are re-
quired to be a successful work-at-homer:
the ability to be a self-directed, focused
planner and a healthy dose of introver-
sion, Kit Yarrow, professor emeritus at
Golden Gate University in San Francis-
co, said in an email.
Yarrow says extroverted workers pre-
fer more person-to-person contact than
many at-home jobs provide.
Telecommuters interact less with
co-workers than their workplace coun-
terparts. After all, you cant chat at the
water cooler on your break or stop by
a colleagues desk on the way to lunch.
That solitude can be hard for those who
are sociable, Aiello says.
But dont count yourselves out, so-
cial butterflies. Yarrow says personali-
ties arent black and white. The mildly
extroverted can make telecommuting
work if they have an after-work social
life, for instance. Renting a co-working
space can also provide a social outlet for
remote employees.
YOUR ENVIRONMENT
If you live with other people, Aiello
4
SL
says, its essential to have a separate
space where you wont be interrupted.
You need at least a door that closes you
off from the rest of the house.
Be realistic about potential distrac-
tions. Some people cant help but go on
eBay, Aiello says. Some people cant
help themselves from playing comput-
er games. There are all kinds of things
that get in the way when they dont have
someone over their shoulder.
And while society may paint a picture
of at-home workers on the couch binge-
watching Netflix, some telecommuters
have a tendency to work too much be-
cause they never leave their work en-
vironment. Many check their email at
night, Aiello says.
Remedy this with boundaries, says
Cassidy Solis, senior adviser for work-
place flexibility with the Society for Hu-
man Resource Management, a trade as-
sociation. Solis, a telecommuter herself,
sets expectations; she wont respond to
emails outside regular working hours
unless theres a pressing deadline.
YOUR EMPLOYER
Finally, your employer and supervisor
will have a lot to do with your success at
home.
IBM made news in May when it called
telecommuters back to the workplace.
As companies re-evaluate telecommut-
ing, so should employees.
Ask about whether youll
be included in meetings
and how frequently youll
get feedback from manage-
ment. Teleconferencing and
regular check-ins can help
alleviate feelings of isolation
by fostering a team environ-
ment, Aiello says.
Youll want to discuss
your schedule as well. You
may work more efficiently
in a position that allows for
time at home as well as in
the office.
Gallups State of the
American Workplace re-
port found that employees who spend
at least some of their time working re-
motely have higher engagement than
employees who never work remotely.
The magic formula for engagement hap-
pens when employees spend 60 percent
to 80 percent of their time working off-
site, the report found.
Solis says its important to build in
time for face-to-face contact. I think its
good to show your face, she says. Its
good to see your co-workers. Its good to
feel connected. Its good to feel part of a
community of work.
Itll also keep you in the eye of leader-
ship, she adds.
WILL IT WORK?
If you fit the criteria and want to ex-
plore telecommuting, Solis recommends
checking your companys existing poli-
cies, drafting a proposal and starting
with a trial period.
Even if you dont check every box on
the ideal-telecommuter checklist, work-
ing from home could still work for you.
Most people, with the right mindset,
can actually enjoy . not having to put that
suit on for the day or do that commute,
Aiello says.
If not, theres always the office.
This article was provided to The Associated Press
by the personal finance website NerdWallet.
AUGUS T 2 0 1 7
FOO D
SL

Three melon soup is a

SUMMER SHOWSTOPPER
By SARA MOULTON

T
hree Melon Soup is as much fun
to look at as it is refreshing to
eat. The key, though, is to start
with the ripest and most fragrant fruits
available. In the case of cantaloupes and
honeydews, the first move is to smell
the stem end to make sure it smells
strongly of melon. With watermelon, be-
gin by searching for a large yellow spot
on the outside a sign that the melon
ripened for a good long time in the sun.
(Watermelons dont rotate as they ripen;
the yellow spot marks the part never ex-
posed to the sun. The larger the spot, the
longer it ripened.)
Given its natural sweetness, melon
cries out for an acidic counterpoint. Cit-
rus is the best choice. Here we use or-
ange, lemon and lime, one for each of the
three melons although lemon or lime
will work for the group of them if youd
prefer not to buy all three types. Also,
the amount of citrus prescribed is given
as a range because an individual melon THREE MELON SOUP coarsely chopped honeydew with 2 table-
may need more or less acid depending Start to finish: 3 hours, 50 minutes (50 spoons of the lime juice and blend until
on its sweetness. Start with the smallest active) finely pureed. Taste and add more lime juice
Servings: 4 if necessary. Transfer to a bowl, rinse out
amount, adding more until its no longer
3 cups coarsely chopped honeydew the blender and add the coarsely chopped
flat. melon, plus 1/2 cup small cubes honeydew watermelon and 2 tablespoons of the lem-
This soups blazing good looks a melon on juice. Blend until finely pureed; taste and
kaleidoscope of red, yellow and green 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice add more lemon juice if necessary. Transfer
result from the fact that each of the 3 cups coarsely chopped seedless wa- to a bowl, rinse out the blender and add the
termelon, plus 1/2 cup small cubes water- coarsely chopped cantaloupe, orange juice
three purees keeps to itself. And you
melon and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Blend until
dont need to be a professional food styl- 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice finely pureed; taste and add more lemon
ist to pull off this trick just spoon the 3 cups coarsely chopped cantaloupe juice if necessary. Transfer to a bowl. Chill
purees into separate parts of the bowl. melon, plus 1/2 cup small cubes canta- all three melon purees for at least 3 hours.
I offer this recipe in two versions: plain loupe melon To serve: Remove the purees from the
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons orange juice refrigerator and stir each one (the water in
or fancy. The former is garnished with
Traditional garnishes: the melon will separate out as it sits). Spoon
sour cream or yogurt, strawberries and 1/2 cup chopped strawberries or pour equal amounts of each puree into
mint. The latter boasts a savory garnish: 1/4 cup sour cream each of four bowls and garnish with either
salty cheese, tortilla strips and sliced Fresh mint leaves the traditional or savory garnishes.
chiles. All of the purees can be prepared Savory garnishes: Nutritional information: 194 calories;
several days ahead of time, and you can 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips 30 calories from fat; 3 g fat (2 g saturated;
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 56 mg
double or triple the recipe with no prob- 1 small serrano, sliced thin crosswise sodium; 41 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 35 g
lem, which makes it a perfect candidate Directions: In a blender combine the sugar; 4 g protein.
for a large backyard party.

5
AU G U S T 2017
 T E S T DRIVE
PORSCHE 718 BOXTER
More power, ungrades and a new name
By ANN M. JOB
P
orsches mid-engine convert-
ible sports car, the Boxster, is
revamped for 2017 with new en-
gines, re-tuned suspension, styling up-
dates and more standard features.
The name 718 Boxster is new,
too, and evokes the flat, four-cylinder
engines that powered Porsche 718 race
cars to victories in the late 1950s and
early 60s.
For 2017, Porsche dropped the Box-
sters fuel-gulping six cylinders and re-
placed them with two new turbocharged
fours that generate more horsepower
up to 350 and more torque up to
309 foot-pounds while using less gas.
The test, two-seat 718 Boxster with
manual transmission averaged 26 miles
per gallon on city and highway roads.
That model is rated by the U.S. govern-
ment at 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg
on highways, on par with a 2017 Chevro-
let Camaro or Ford Mustang with turbo
four cylinders.
The car offers a distinctive emotional
experience: sexy and beckoning on the
outside and exciting and delighting to
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
6
SL
drive. Low to the pavement and with the
engine mounted mid-ship in the car, the
rear-drive 718 Boxster turns and ma-
neuvers precisely while remaining flat
and unfettered with scarcely any body
roll.
The Boxsters engine is just 12 inches
from the drivers back and every shift,
every run into the high revs becomes
a symphony. Although the Boxster is a
soft-top convertible, the test car had no
body shudder or shake that sometimes
comes with cars that dont have a fixed,
metal roof.
Starting manufacturers price, in-
cluding destination charge, for the
718 Boxster is $58,450 with the base,
300-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged
and direct injected four cylinder and
six-speed manual transmission. Thats
an increase of about $5,000 over last
years base Boxster.
But the engine power of the base 2017
car is more akin to that of the 2016 Box-
ster S that was priced around $63,000.
Plus the base 2017 Boxster comes stan-
dard with bi-Xenon headlamps, assisted
parking and an upgraded sound system,
among other things all of which were
options last year.
It has been 20 years since the Box-
ster debuted as a lower-priced, convert-
ible Porsche, and the new, 718 Boxster
is as sexy and sleek for today as its pre-
decessors were.
Everything is carefully considered,
and little is extraneous. For example,
the two doors are sculpted to direct air
into the large air intakes behind them to
feed and maximize air getting into the
turbo engines to generate power. They
are not decorative, fake intakes.
Driver and passenger drop down low
onto the Boxster seats and can feel a bit
like theyre sitting low in a tub. Sport
seats with sizable side bolsters in the
test car kept riders in place but made
getting out of the Porsche less than
graceful.
The turbo engine in the test car, with
a hint of turbo lag at times when the
driver demanded acceleration, didnt
deliver quite the same sensation as the
old six-cylinder engines. But theres a
palpable feeling of force and excitement
as driver and passenger backs push into
their seats and the Boxster speeds for-
ward.
AUGUS T 2 0 1 7
 T E S T DRIVE
SL
The Boxsters 0-to-60-mph times are all un-
der five seconds sports car territory with
top speeds of at least 170 mph. That doesnt
change if the car is fitted with the manual
transmission that was in the test car or the op-
tional PDK transmission that offers automatic
operation or extremely quick manual shifts
without needing a clutch pedal.
Porsche balances the Boxsters power and
overall lightweight body with a highly managed
suspension, which can be upgraded with the
optional Active Suspension Management sys-
tem. It was on the test car and adjusted damp-
ing force continuously at each wheel based on
road conditions such as off-camber pavement,
and driving style.
Powerful brakes with four-point calipers
came with good pedal feel and had a precise
biting point where the brakes grabbed quickly.
While the soft top is lined, outside noises
from nearby semitrailers still intruded into the
passenger compartment. The power-operated
roof opens and closes in nine seconds.
Storage space is meager. It has 5.3 cubic feet
in the front, and 4.4 cubic feet in the back.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FACT SHEET

2017 PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER

BASE PRICE: $57,400.

AS TESTED: $70,820.
TYPE: Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-passenger
roadster.
ENGINE: 2-liter, turbocharged, direct injection,
boxer engine with VarioCam Plus.
MILEAGE: 21 mpg (city), 28 mpg (highway).
TOP SPEED: 170 mph.
LENGTH: 172.4 inches.
WHEELBASE: 97.4 inches.
CURB WEIGHT: 2,944 pounds.
BUILT AT: Germany.
OPTIONS: Sport exhaust system $2,900; leather
interior in black $2,520; Porsche Active Suspension
Management $1,790; navigation module $1,780;
Porsche Torque Vectoring $1,320; automatically
dimming mirrors $700; seat heating $530; seat belts
in Guards Red color $360; GT sport steering wheel
$330; 16.9-gallon extended range fuel tank $140.
DESTINATION CHARGE: $1,050.

7
AU G U S T 2017
 C OVER S TO RY
PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI
Mary Madsen sings in the musical South Pacific, which just
finished a two-week run at the Mielke Arts Center. Madsen, 66,
has acted and directed previous shows at the Shawano theater.
8 9
SL
members of their community, and to create spe-
cial memories with friends and family. Both Sha-
ITS ALL
wano and Oconto counties have plenty of options
for getting involved.
Klein has participated regularly with Abrams
Spotlight Productions for the past two years
or so, performing in The Wizard of Oz and
Shrek and serving as assistant director for
ABOUT
Youre a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Klein, who has muscular dystrophy, said the
theater group made accommodations for him,
such as working around choreography, adapt-
ing a standing role to a sitting one and installing
grab bars on stairs.
THE
It was sort of cool to watch everybody adjust
to the disability, and help me get my stuff done,
Klein said.
Klein said the group stays connected outside
of the plays, sometimes getting together to see
performances at other local community the-
DRAMA
aters. Next, he appears in the August production
of Steel Magnolias as the voice on the radio.
Ali Carlson, who serves as production coordi-
nator for Steel Magnolias and is board secre-
tary for Abrams Spotlight Productions, said the
group tries to offer shows with roles for different
ages, from kids to senior citizens.
Theater groups Were kind of a hidden gem because theres
not a lot of theater companies in our area, so we
get a lot of positive response from our commu-
provide creative nity, Carlson said. Not just in people who enjoy
coming to see our shows, but people who want to
get involved either acting or backstage.
outlet, connections
The group performs musicals in April and De-
cember and a play in the summer, and recently
added a fall play as well. An onstage role nor-
mally requires a 3-day-per-week commitment for
By NIKKI KALLIO rehearsals, which range from seven to 10 weeks
depending on the production. Each play or musi-
cal has four performances per weekend over two
W
hen Jim Klein, 62, of the town of Oconto, took the weekends.
stage in the musical Annie this spring, it was ex- For seniors who prefer to participate off-
stage, the theater needs people to sew costumes
tra special one, for the excitement of the perfor- at home, help build set pieces or help with con-
mance and two, because he was joined in the musical by his
cessions and ushering during performances.
son and two grandchildren. There are lots of roles that need to be filled
both on and off the stage, and we will take any
Its probably a lifetime event that may never happen
commitment level anyone is willing to offer us,
again, said Klein, who played President Roosevelt. We to- Carlson said.
gether were on stage a few times, all four of us.
You always have a play thats going to need somebody older or with a
Local theater groups are a great way for seniors to exercise
their talents both on and off stage, to connect with other little bit more knowledge of life.
MARY MADSEN, Shawano County Arts Council president
BONDING EXPERIENCE
Mary Madsen, 66, of Gresham, played Bloody
Mary in the Box in the Wood Theatre Guilds
July production of South Pacific at the Mielke
Arts Center in Shawano.
Its a blast its hectic, its crazy, and right
now this is our tech week, so its been just wild,
Madsen said on the day of dress rehearsal. Its
all the little things that come up that you go, Oh,
man, are we going to be able to live through this
mess? But it always coordinates itself.
Madsen, who is president of the Shawano
County Arts Council, has been feeling that per-
formance rush for about ten years, starting with
a summer play called The One That Got Away.
She jumped in with both feet, she said, and sug-
gests other seniors do the same.
I went in to volunteer, and my son came with
me, and one of the other cast members had just
bowed out, Madsen said. So they gave my son
the part, and then my other son got a part, so
here were the three of us now involved in this
play I ended up being assistant director, and
we loved it. We absolutely loved it.
Madsens husband, Tom, and her 17-year-old
grandson are involved in theater as well. Work-
ing across generations brings a richness to each
performance, especially when older partici-
pants can contribute their perspective, such as
remembering the movie South Pacific or sto-
ries that their parents told about living through
World War II.
You always have a play thats going to need
somebody older or with a little bit more knowl-
edge of life, Madsen said.
GROUP ACTIVITY
The Walls of Wittenberg (WOW)s theater arm,
Crossroads Community Theatre, produces two
shows per year, a full-length comedy in Novem-
ber and a murder mystery dinner theater the
first weekend in February, said Miriam Nelson,
60, director of plays for Crossroads and a WOW
board member. Nelson is also editor and publish-
er of the Wittenberg Enterprise & Birnamwood
News, a Wolf River Media company.
I just have always enjoyed being a part of
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
AU G U S T 2 0 1 7
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

theater, from high school through college,

Nelson said. Its always been something
Ive done.
While living in Minneapolis, Nelson took
improve classes, participated in theater
productions and some TV commercials.
The money raised from the plays goes
toward maintenance of the WOWSPACE
(Walls of Wittenberg Special Projects and
Community Enhancement), where perfor-
mances and other arts events are held. It
also pays for future theater productions as
well as free summertime concerts, held in

PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI

the art park next to the WOWSPACE.
Weve been very pleased with the sup-
port that weve gotten from our surround-
ing communities, Nelson said. There is
a group from the Fox Valley that comes up
every year for our murder mysteries. One
year we had a group of women from Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota who came and used that
as their mothers birthday party.
The WOWSPACE can seat up to 80 peo-
ple for the musicals and about 50 people for
the dinner theater.
FUNDRAISING FUN
Kathleen Marsh, 70, of Townsend, is an
author and playwright who is also curator of
the Holt & Balcom Logging Camp in Lake-
wood, for which she has performed shows
she wrote herself.
I needed to raise money for the camp,
and I thought people up here are so hungry
for local history and for entertainment, so
why not do infotainment, which is what my
shows are, Marsh said.
Her efforts resulted in the Red Light
Saloon, a series of five musical comedies
following the history of settlement in the
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Mary Madsen sits quietly in the dressing room at the Mielke Arts Center in Shawano as dark makeup is applied prior
to a performance of South Pacific. Madsen played Bloody Mary, one of the islanders, and needed to have a darker
skin color to pull off the role.
es of composition, Marsh said.
area. The perfor-
mances were held Marshs performances have earned thou-
at the Townsend sands of dollars to help restore the logging
Town Hall, which camp, which is a national historic landmark
is transformed into and is used for education and tours. Its the
the fictional saloon oldest logging camp in America sitting where
and features char- it was built, so we have this claim to fame,
acters who settled Marsh said. Its been totally restored.
in the northwoods. Marsh is always looking for help both
She said her Red with the performances and to sell tickets,
Light Saloon troupe work with posters, and help in other areas.
became like a family. KATHLEEN MARSH People sometimes think that as soon
We did our last as they volunteer theyre going to have to
(performance) in October as part of our memorize lines, Marsh said. Thats not re-
Townsend centennial celebration, and now ally true. You can be a part of the production
Im working on a new series that will be a and not necessarily be on stage. We cant do
dinner theater, but its in the very early stag- these things without people like that.

Jim Klien, right, joins other cast members, from left, Chris Weis, David Jolly, Breanna Duncan and Aaron Klein in a scene from the Abrams Spotlight Productions presentation of
Annie earlier this year. Kleins son and two grandchildren were in the cast with him.

10
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GEAR GUIDE
AT A GLANCE
Upcoming area theater productions and
opportunities
Abrams
Abrams Spotlight Productions will present
Dictopro Voice-Activated Digital Recorder
Steel Magnolias in the Byng Community The-
What actor doesnt need help learning his or her
ater, 5852 Maple Ave. in Abrams. The show will
lines? A digital recorder can help any thespian remem-
perform Aug. 4-6 and Aug. 11-13.
ber those powerful stage monologues and get the
The theaters After Dark Productions branch
diction just right. The Dictopro recorder carries 8 gig-
also will present The 25th Annual Putnam
baytes or 700 hours of memory, has a bright color LCD
County Spelling Bee Sept. 15-17 and 22-24.
display, quality metal body and large record button.
This show is considered PG-13. Call the Box Records up to 40 feet away.
Office at 920-826-5852 for tickets or more Suggested retail value: $48.68-$149.
information. Available at WalMart.com.
Auditions for a to-be-announced winter musi-
cal will be held Sept. 18-19 and will require Book: Sanford Meisner on Acting
people of all age levels for acting as well as help Playwright Arthur Miller calls this a must-
with costumes, set construction, makeup and read for anyone who would like to act or
more. The musical will be performed during the wants a greater appreciation of stage acting.
first two weekends in December. Check www. Meisner is considered one of the best-known
AbramsTheater.com for more information. acting coaches in the country. The book fol-
Oconto lows one of his 15-month acting courses,
The Machickanee Players in Oconto will hold allowing the reader to experience the class
auditions for the October production of the mur- along with Meisners aspiring actors.
der mystery The Case of the Fatal Farewell at Suggested retail value: $14.99-$16.
6 p.m. Aug. 7-8 at the Park Avenue Playhouse, Available at Amazon.com.
408 Park Ave., Oconto. The theater group is Hydro Flask
seeking a cased of six men and five women, Wide-Mouth
age 20 and older. Call 920-373-5477 or email Ben Nye Student Theatrical Stage Makeup Kits Vacuum Water
kcberg1@centurylink.net for more information. These
Bottle
Visit www.themachickaneeplayers.org/auditions. makeup kits
Dont get de-
Lakewood/Townsend offer a crme
hydrated while
The show Ladies of the North: Holts, House- foundation
rehearsing your
wives and Hookers will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. with contour
lines. A water
10 at the Holt & Balcom Logging Camp in Lake- palette that
bottle is an essen-
wood. Playwright Kathleen Marsh also is in the includes shad-
tial for actors and
early stages of developing a new dinner theater ow, highlight,
backstage workers
performance at the Townsend Town Hall. Any- rouge and lip
alike. The Hydro
one interested in getting involved with Marshs color every-
Flask Wide-Mouth
theater group can contact her at kathiemarsh@ thing you need
Vacuum Water
yahoo.com. to get started
Bottle carries 32
Shawano with a stand-out look for stage. The makeup is made to withstand
ounces of water or
The Box in the Wood Theatre Guild will present bright lights and rigorous performances. Kits are available in eight
hot chocolate for
the comedy play Spirit, a comedy about elder- different shades and come with applicators.
the crew. The bot-
ly people rebelling in a nursing home, Oct. 5-8 Suggested retail value: $20.
tle, which comes
and Oct. 12-15 at the Mielke Arts Center, N5649 Available at stagemakeuponline.com.
in more than a
N. Airport Road in Shawano. Call 715-526-2525 dozen colors, has
for tickets or email shawanoarts@hotmail.com Flash Furniture Bar Height double wall insula-
for more information. Directors Chair tion, keeping cold
Wittenberg What better place to view (and direct) the liquids cool for 24
The theater arm of Walls of Wittenberg will pres- action on stage than from a directors chair? hours and hot liq-
ent Southern Hospitality in November at the The lightweight Flash Furniture chair is made uids toasty for six
WOWSPACE at 114 Vinal Street. To learn more with a foldable beechwood frame, arm rests hours. The food-
or get involved, call Miriam Nelson at the WOW and a food rest. Built with a metal cross grade stainless
line at 715-253-3525 or email wallsofwitt@gmail. brace for stability. Canvas seat and back are steel is BPA-free.
com. To stay posted on theater events and other removable and can be cleaned. Choose from Suggested re-
upcoming arts events in Wittenberg, sign up for eight color options. tail value: $39.95.
the WOW newsletter at www.wallsofwittenberg. Suggested retail value: $99.76. Available at
com. Available at Home Depot. REI.com.

11
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WING IT!

This photo provided by Pottery Barn shows the Wells swivel chair by Pottery Barn. With a nod to mid-century modern style, the Wells swivel chair incorporates classic detailing like
tufting and the wing silhouette.

Traditional chairs with a modern twist

By KIM COOK until after 1720 that its popularity be- signer Charlotte Moss.
came widespread, she says. Its the quintessential easy chair. It

N
o matter how old you are, you
might have grown up in a home
with a wing chair.
This classic chair dates back a lot far-
ther than any of us, according to Bronia
Suszczenia, co-founder of the Yorkshire,
England-based interior design firm Art
from the Start. The first wing chair ap-
peared in the late 1600s, but it was not
Why the wings? A clue may be in the
chairs alternate name, fireside chair.
The idea was that the wings protected
you from drafts, while the roomy, uphol-
stered seat was a cozy spot from which
to enjoy a cheery blaze.
The wing chairs enduring appeal is
its comfortable, convivial nature, and its
usefulness, according to New York de-
invites curling up and kicking back, she
says. And theyre wonderfully versatile.
I like to use them at the heads of dining
tables, or in a cozy corner with an otto-
man, or two facing each other with a fire-
place in between.
Todays designers are having some
fun with this classic style, tweaking its
curvy silhouette, going wild or woolly

12
AUGUS T 2 0 1 7
H O MES
with upholstery, and updat-
ing the legs in different col-
ors or materials.
Pottery Barns Hayes wing
chair, for example, has a
barrel-curved back and low-
profile arms, so you can tuck
your feet up. Leather hues in-
clude caramel, forest green,
midnight and berry red. The
smaller-scaled Manning
chair, in a cream-hued fabric,
sports chic contemporary
button tufting; itd be a nice
choice for a master bedroom.
(www.potterybarn.com)
Mitchell Gold and Bob Wil-
liams Emmet chair hybrid-
izes a wing and club chair. In
buttery, aniline leather, its
a welcoming spot to settle.
(www.mgbwhome.com)
At Rove Concepts, Danish
modern designer Hans We-
gners classic Wing chair is
offered in leathers and cash-
mere, tweed and boucle wool.
(www.roveconcepts.com
An exaggerated wing-
back and arms characterize
Wegners 1951 Papa chair.
He named it for its distinc-
tive sculptural arms, which
resemble a big bears paws.
France and Son offers it in
fun midcentury modern hues
like orange, teal blue and
olive. (www.franceandson.
com)
Arne Jacobsens iconic
AU G U S T 2017
SL
cally scaled aniline leather ing chair takes a different
wings and arms. The Hem- approach. The chair is arm-
ming swivel chair nods to less, and sleek planes form
classic Danish design, with the wings, giving the piece an
a low-slung and roomy seat, urbane sophistication. (www.
enveloping high back and powellandbonnell.com )
wings. Two new colors: rich Tov Furnitures Gramercy
caramel-toned saddle, and wing chair, upholstered in a
an inky Aegean blue. (www. luxe, golden-toned, crocodile-
westelm.com) printed velvet, shows off a
Toronto firm Powell & sexy set of faceted Lucite
Bonnells Chatsworth read- legs. (www.tovfurniture.com) 13
This photo shows West Elms Marcelle
wing chair, which is a modern iteration of
the classic chair.
Egg chair for Fritz Hansen
(available at Design Within
Reach) is a biomorphic take
on the wing chair; its fluid
curves and swivel base have
kept it a favorite of modern-
ist aficionados for almost 60
years. (www.dwr.com)
Tom Dixons Wingback
collection is the British de-
signers update on the wing
chair and its 18th century
cousin, the balloon back. The
chairs and sofas have a sexy
swagger, in luscious Kvadrat
fabric upholstery and ebony
or blond oak legs. (www.tom-
dixon.net)
The angles of Italian
midcentury design inspire
West Elms new Marcelle
wing chair, with dramati-
This photo
provided
by Pottery
Barn shows
the Manning
upholstered wing
chair from Pottery
Barn. Slim profiled
yet comfortable,
the Manning
wing chair is a
sophisticated
modern take on
the traditional wing
chair.
 T R AVEL
SL

ROAD TRIP
The Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West
By JAY REEVES

T
he Overseas Highway links Flor-
idas mainland with Key West,
and some tourists drive straight
through the chain without exploring until
they get to the end of the road.
Those people are missing a lot to see
and do on the 108 miles of highway and
islands in between. Here are some pos-
sibilities:

GO SNORKELING
Located only 65 miles south of Miami
on the island of Key Largo, John Pen-
nekamp Coral Reef State Park is a good
first stop on a road trip to Key West.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Extending 3 miles into the Atlantic

Ocean, the park encompasses about 235
square miles of seafloor that includes the
only living coral reef in the continental
United States and seagrass. The park
and private vendors offer reasonably
priced day trips for tourists.
Put on a swimming mask and stick
your head beneath the water and a new
world appears.
EXPLORE A NEIGHBORHOOD
U.S. 1, the official name of the Over-
seas Highway, makes a long, sweeping
curve southward from the mainland to-
ward Key West. There arent many twists
or turns, but there countless side streets
that link the highway with waterfront
neighborhoods. Go venturing down a few
of those lanes.
Residential areas that range from op-
ulent to funky are hidden on side streets
off the highway. Some houses are ocean-
front mansions; the more interesting
ones are a lot smaller.
Mobile homes painted all sorts of trop-
ical shades line narrow streets in the up-
per keys.
Youll see decorations like metal par-
rots, mounted fish, homemade art and
Jimmy Buffett flags most everywhere.
A sunset viewed from the Caribbean Club at Key Largo, Florida. The roadside landmark is on the Overseas Highway,
which links Floridas mainland with Key West.
KAYAK A CANAL
Many of those same neighborhoods
are built around narrow canals that were
dug of the coral bedrock decades ago to
provide easier access to the sea. The best
way to see the wet side of these spots is
by kayak.
Youll need a kayak rental shops
are plentiful and a place to put it in the
water, like the boat ramp beside the Ca-
ribbean Club on Key Largos Blackwater
Sound. That done, start paddling.
Canals leading into neighborhoods are
easy to spot along the shore. Head down
one and youre instantly surrounded by
big boats, many of which hang overhead
on davits that keep them suspended
above the corrosive saltwater. Tiki huts
and outdoor lounging areas line the ca-
nals.
Look down into the water and youre
likely to see a manatee, the endangered
sea cows that live in backwaters around
the Keys. These massive mammals are
protected by federal law, so dont try to
feed or pet them.
FEED A TARPON
Thousands of anglers visit the Florida
Keys each year hoping to catch tarpon,
a mammoth species of silver-and-green
fish that often grows larger than 150
pounds. Tourists also can feed them fish
by hand at a few locations.
One of the best-known spots for get-
ting an up-close look at tarpon is Rob-
bies Marina of Islamorada, located at the
base of a bridge at Mile Marker 77.
Visitors at Robbies pay $2 to enter a
dock where a school of the fish hang out,
and its $3 for a bucket of small fish to
feed the tarpon. Grab a dead fish by the
tail, hold it close to the water and wait
a few seconds there will be a tarpon
grabbing a quick snack in no time. It may
sound easy, but just try holding still when
a 100-pound fish with a gaping mouth
jumps out of the water toward you.

14
AUGUS T 2 0 1 7
S AVVY S EN IO R
Low-cost wireless plans for seniors who use smartphones
By JIM MILLER
Dear Savvy Senior,
Im interested in downsiz-
ing my smartphone wireless
plan, and am looking for the
best low-cost options. I use
my phone primarily for talk-
ing and texting, but also need
some cellular data for check-
ing my email and other func-
tions when Im away from Wi-
Fi. What can you tell me?
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Senior Saver
Dear Saver,
There are several great
low-cost deals I can recom-
mend for older smartphone
users who are looking to save
some money by paring down
their bloated cellphone plan.
Here are three good options
to consider.
REPUBLIC WIRELESS
If youre an Android smart-
phone user, Republic Wire-
less (RepublicWireless.com)
offers one of the cheapest
deals available for light data
users. Republic uses a mix-
ture of Wi-Fi and cellular net-
works Sprint and T-Mobile
specifically to transmit
calls, texts and data. This pat-
ented technology automati-
cally offloads as much as pos-
sible to Wi-Fi when available,
so youll consume less data
than you would with tradition-
al carriers.
Republics no contract ser-
vice plans with cellular data
start at only $20 per month
for unlimited talk, text and 1
gigabyte of data.
If you need more data,
their $30 per month plan gets
you 2GB, and $45/month buys
you 4GB.
How much data do you
AU G U S T 2017
SL
per month plus 25 cents per data run $2.50 per month for
minute used for infrequent 300 texts and 30 megabytes of
callers, or $15 per month for data, $5 per month for 2,000
250 minutes, $20 per month text and 200MB data, $10 per
for 1,500 minutes, and $30 per month for unlimited texts and
month for unlimited minutes. 500MB, $20 per month for un-
Their connect plans for limited texts and 1.5GB, $30
text messages and cellular CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 15
need? The best way to find
out is to check your cur-
rent phone bills. The aver-
age smartphone owner uses
between 2GB to 3GB of data
each month, but most older
smartphone users use less
than 1GB.
To use Republic youll need
a compatible Android phone
(you cant currently use Ap-
ple iPhones), or you can buy a
new phone through the com-
pany. It currently offers eight
Android phones with prices
starting at $99.
CONSUMER CELLULAR
Another excellent low-
cost option for lighter data
users, and one that caters
to older adults is Consumer
Cellular (ConsumerCellular.
com, 888-532-5366). Rated the
number one wireless service
by Consumer Reports seven
years running, Consumer
Cellular offers a variety of
pay for what you need talk
and connect plans that lets
you choose exactly what you
want.
Their talk plans start at $10
 S AVVY S EN IO R
SL
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 is at or below 135 percent of the fed-
per month unlimited texts and 3GB, eral poverty guidelines which is
and $40 per month for unlimited $16,281 for one person, or $21,924 for
texts and 5GB. two or that youre receiving cer-
tain types of government benefits,
Consumer Cellular, which offers
such as Medicaid, food stamps, SSI,
5 percent monthly fee discounts to
public housing assistance, veterans
AARP members, also lets you bring
pension or survivors pension ben-
your own smartphone by offering
efit, or live on federally recognized
free SIM cards.
tribal lands.
You can purchase a wide variety
To apply, contact a wireless pro-
of Android and Apple iPhones along
vider in your area that participates
with the senior-friendly Doro 824
in the Lifeline program (see Life-
SmartEasy for $100.
lineSupport.org or call 800-234-9473)
LIFELINE PROGRAM and ask for an application form.
If your income is low enough, an- Be sure to check all wireless pro-
viders in your state because some
other option to check into is the Life-
offer better services like a free
line Assistance Program.
smartphone, monthly talk time min-
This is a federal program that
utes, unlimited texting and some
provides a $9.25 monthly subsidy
cellular data than others.
that could go toward your smart-
phone service.
To qualify, youll need to show
Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O.
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySe- Visit us online
at
nior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC To-
that your annual household income day show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

16
AUGUST 2017
www.shawanoleader.com