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Hi Fox Cities, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Chinese New Year celebration and bazaar, a Grammy win for Michael Clayville and Erin Lesser, Mom Prom 2026, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Founders’ vision and tuition: A new non-denominational Christian K-12 school is planned in the Appleton area, with Comenius Academy aiming to open in Fall 2028 and offering scholarships plus a part-time hybrid option — get all the details.
Curated secondhand gems await: Appleton’s AbleLight Thrift Shop turns bargain hunting into community support, funding programs for people with developmental disabilities. Explore racks of clothing and housewares that feel like a time capsule — read the full story.
Local musicians earn national honor: Appleton’s Michael Clayville and Erin Lesser won a Grammy in Los Angeles with Alarm Will Sound for Land of Winter, and Lawrence University teachers are celebrating in the Fox Cities — read the full story.
Creating an inclusive community space: The Cedars Project in Little Chute is turning abandoned properties into creative hubs, building an indoor and outdoor venue for authentic connection. Founded by Isiah Driessen, shaped by local artists — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Bridging the mentorship gap: Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin is running The Big Draft with the NFL’s Inspire Change, aiming to recruit 75 mentors in 75 days. More than 130 local kids in Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, and Waupaca are waiting. Referrals earn a $100 gift card and a mystery prize basket. See how to get involved.
Ownership change bolsters animal ER: Terramed Real Estate Solutions bought the Grand Chute site of Fox Cities’ only 24/7 emergency pet hospital for $7.11 million and signed a new lease with the operator. The deal, reported Feb. 17, aims to support continued operations at this vital local care option for pets. Read the full story.
Local, seasonal fix: When dinner should taste like Appleton, RYE Restaurant serves fresh, locally sourced dishes and a chef-driven menu that shifts with the seasons. Settle in with something scratch-made, pair it with a thoughtful cocktail, and enjoy the pace.
Serious gear, zero fuss: At Hiawatha Chef Supply, Inc.a public showroom brims with cookware, knives, and pro-grade gadgets, ideal for smoothing out weeknight cooking. Sturdy pans, sharp blades, and smart tools that earn their keep… letting your kitchen finally breathe a sigh of relief.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🐟 St. Edward Lenten Fish Fry @ St. Edward Parish | Friday (2/27) at 4:00 PM – Lent means fish fry season, and St. Edward’s has the classics covered: walleye, broiled or deep fried haddock, a perch platter, and shrimp, with your choice of Midwestern potato. Dine in or carryout, bring cash or a check, and support St. Edward’s education programs.
🕯 Candlelight Hikes @ Bubolz Nature Preserve | Friday (2/27) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats a winter night at Bubolz, strolling self-guided candlelit trails and pretending you personally decorated all 100 luminarias. Snowshoe a mile, ski the White Cedar 1.5, or, if snow bails, take a $5 hike. Rentals are cheap, hot chocolate and s’mores are a buck.
🍺 Pints For a Purpose @ Celebration Lutheran School | Friday (2/27) at 5:30 PM – Beer tasting with a conscience, plus good food and that small-town fellowship we love. Every pint helps build the school’s playground, so you can fund monkey bars, catch up with half the PTA, and call it community service. Register to sip, or volunteer to pour.
🧺 Pine Needle & Sweetgrass Basket Making Workshop @ Trout Museum of Art | Saturday (2/28) at 1:00 PM – Whether your hands need a screen break or your coffee table needs a story, coil a pine needle and sweetgrass basket. Learn Indigenous traditions, then leave with supplies for a mini encore. All materials included, ages 12 and up, TMA members get 10 percent off.
🔭 Star Show @ Barlow Planetarium | Saturday (2/28) at 2:30 PM – If your idea of astronomy is squinting at Orion from the driveway, upgrade it at Barlow Planetarium’s Star Show. Reclining seats, crisp constellations, zero mosquitoes, and just enough science to impress the grandkids, the neighbors, or yourself. Consider it cosmic therapy, locally sourced.
🧧 2026 Chinese New Year Celebration and Bazaar @ Neenah High School | Saturday (2/28) at 3:00 PM – Whether you’re a dumpling pro or just here for the dragons, Wisconsin’s biggest Chinese New Year celebration packs dance, live music, and roaring Lion and Dragon Dances. Add a New Year style dinner, a local market, hands-on crafts, and lantern puzzles, which definitely beats shoveling.
💃 Mom Prom 2026 @ Hilton Appleton Paper Valley | Saturday (2/28) at 7:00 PM – Mom Prom is back for year four, inviting Appleton to dust off prom, bridesmaid, or wedding gowns, or wear the dress you like. Leave the minivan, bring the sensible heels, then dance for a crown, cash bar fuel, raffle wins, and Parks and Rec scholarships.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Fox Cities report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 35°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 19%
A slight chance of snow between 8am and 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Southwest wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind around 8 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 0%
Partly sunny, with a high near 47. West southwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.
This house is wild
Historic John Strange Estate on Doty Island, a three-story Queen Anne with 8 bedrooms and standout character. Major updates include a new multi gabled roof, siding, and 50 replaced windows that pour in light. Two entries offer a sun filled solarium and a canopy with columns and spindle work. It is within walking distance of Downtown Menasha and Smith Park.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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