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Hello Fox Cities! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New airline routes, gold and silver surge, and Maple Syrup Saturday + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

New chapter for disability services: SOAR Fox Cities and WisconSibs announced a merger to expand support for families with disabilities. The groups will combine operations and administration to streamline services in the Fox Cities — read the full story.

Growth reshapes local air travel: After a record 2025 with over 1 million passengers, Appleton International Airport is focusing on business travel, adding Sun Country and more routes for Fox Cities flyers — see what’s changing for travelers.

Highway project affects local route: French Road from Highway DDD to Apple Creek Road in Wrightstown will close for the I-41 expansion, and the closure is expected to last until late fall — get all the details.

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 they’re 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/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.

Highlights this week:

• Build friendships at the Memory Cafe
• Drink to support Fox Cares Foundation
• Girls night shopping to support faith formation
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Share-worthy sips and bites: Neighborhood nightcap or mini feast, Santé Wine Bar & Bistro pours an easygoing wine list, stirs conversation-friendly cocktails, and serves cozy small plates. Linger, graze, and feel a little bit fancy… without turning dinner into a production.

Tune up for spring: Appleton Bike Shop has the gear and know-how to keep your rides smooth, from e-bikes and helmets to those small parts that vanished last fall, plus fast repairs from folks who actually ride. Spring’s around the corner, and your bike will thank you.

Stargaze without the cold: Barlow Planetarium brings dome star shows and laser nights that turn any week into a chill escape, part enlightening, part soothing. Settle in under the dome as Menasha’s night sky comes alive with Barlow Planetarium’s favorites and fresh programs.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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 (3/6) at 4:00 PM – If you’re craving a proper Lenten fish fry, St. Edward’s on 47 is serving walleye, haddock, perch, or shrimp with your choice of potato, coleslaw, rye bread, dessert, and coffee. Bring cash or a check, keep it old-school, and feel good it funds the school.

🍁 Maple Syrup Saturday @ Bubolz Nature Preserve | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Celebrate sap season at Bubolz with a hearty pancake breakfast, a peek inside the Sugar Shack, and an ice cream sundae draped in liquid gold. Feeling extra? Adopt a bucket for next season, zero housebreaking required, and support local conservation before tickets vanish.

💎 Kluessendorf Memorial Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show @ Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Kick off rock season at Kluessendorf Memorial Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show, with door prizes, silent auction, and dealers who know quartz from quartzite. It’s two bucks to browse minerals, fossils, and jewelry, and no, it’s not with the Weis Earth Science Museum anymore.

🎳 Bowl for Kids’ Sake @ Rolling Thunder Lanes | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Roll VIVA BOWL VEGAS style in the Fox Cities with a team of 4 to 6, raise at least $75 for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and bet on brighter futures. Dress Vegas, chase prizes, and enjoy two hours of bowling, food, drinks, and a tee.

🐾 Paint Your Pet Acrylic Workshop @ Heid Music | Sunday (3/8) at 9:00 AM – Skip the camera roll shrine and paint your pet like the icon they are in this acrylic workshop. Learn highlights, mid-tones, shadows, and fur techniques that actually flatter, with all supplies included. Ages 12 to adult, and TMA members get 10% off.

💃 Old Time Barn Dance @ The 10th Frame | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Proof you don’t need a barn to throw a barn dance, Fox River Valley Hoedown Club kicks off at 10th Frame. It’s free, all are welcome, and the bar’s open, so buy a round, then swing your partner. Pickers and callers, bring your A game.

🎶 Kevin Van Ess & The Talk of the Town @ Neenah Public Library | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Ready for a little Bourbon Street without leaving Winnebago County? The Neenah Public Library turns the Shattuck Room into a swing hall with Green Bay’s Kevin Van Ess & The Talk of the Town, all brass, woodwinds, and a polka wink, free, lively, and neighborly.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Fox Cities report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 53°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 53, with temperatures falling to around 50 in the afternoon. South wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. East southeast wind around 3 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 44%

A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 4-bath meticulously maintained two-story sits on a rare 0.91-acre city lot near Midway and Oneida, a true unicorn for in-town space. The main level mixes a formal dining room and a cozy family room. Downstairs adds a finished rec room and dedicated gym. A 3-car attached garage and park-like backyard round out the package.

Take a peek inside →