AROUND THE COMMUNITY: ASPI bringing ‘Lustful Youth’ to its stage

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. invites the community to experience comedy chaos in the performance of “Lustful Youth.”

The show will be presented June 8-11 and June 15-18 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Evening shows begin at 7 p.m. while Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.

An opening night gala exclusively for Spotlight Sponsors and 2023 season ticket holders will be held from 5-6:15 p.m. June 8 at the theater.

“Lustful Youth” is a fast-paced farce that tells the story of Walt, a television statistician who is contractually obligated to write an evening soap opera. With the help of his muse, Dill, he wanders in and out of realities as he pieces together an out-of-control romp. This clever comedy is written and directed by Mike Eserkaln, the artistic director of Comedy City in De Pere.

“This cast had done a wonderful job bringing their characters to life,” he said. “I know people are going to love this show. It’s a wild ride of comedy.”

Written in 1994, “Lustful Youth” has been performed in Northeast Wisconsin, Canada and Australia. Eserkaln said the audience will enjoy the chaos of the show, as Walt dutifully writes a soap opera that quickly spirals out of control.

“He’s not allowed to do rewrites, so whatever crazy thing that he puts into the show he has to keep. The ideas keep piling up and – chaos,” Eserkaln said.

The cast features six experienced performers, who play various roles.

“Because of the way Walt is writing the show, they keep having to be different and new characters. They each get to play at least three distinct characters,” Eserkaln said.

Tickets are on sale now at abramstheater.com or by calling 920-826-5852.

Lena Knights announce knowledge contest winners

The Lena Knights of Columbus has announced the winners of its annual knowledge contest at Lena Public School in February.

Awards to first and second place winners were presented at the Lena Middle School award ceremony on May 26. The winners are:

Sixth grade math: Sienna Rudolph, first; William Garrigan, second

Sixth grade spelling: Sidney Pirlot, first; Leah Auck, second

Seventh grade math: Parker Boomsma, first; Brayden Graef, second

Seventh grade spelling: Sophia Lipp, first; Alia Comins, second

Eighth grade math: Collin Van Ark, first; Adrena Rabas, second

Eighth grade spelling: Riley Kipp, first; Dash Comins, second

The contest was for students in grades 5-8. A total of 99 students participated.

Kipp and Lipp went on to win first place at the Diocesan Spelling Contest held in De Pere. From there, Lipp went on to win third place for the state spelling contest in Wisconsin Rapids. The Lena Knights presented Lipp with a $50 cash award in addition to the awards the State Knights had given her.

NWTC helps SCHS students start college

“Just do it” may be a Nike slogan, but it is also what Shawano Community High School juniors Cristian Hernandez and Scott Baller had to say to their peers about taking classes at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Shawano, to earn both high school and college credit.

Both Hernandez and Baller enrolled in personal finance and career planning courses in spring at NWTC-Shawano to get a taste of what college was like.

Baller said he had fun in his NWTC classes, adding: “I found the experience fun and full of learning because I was with my peers, and I really liked my teacher, Theresa Grover.”

Hernandez shared similar sentiments, saying: “This experience was super helpful because I was stressed about college and what to expect. And now I realize college is more attainable.”

On top of having a better understanding of post-secondary education, Shawano students were immersed in the college curriculum and experience. Students also participated in college activities, social events, presentations from community guest speakers, and much more.

Bree Sullivan, another SCHS junior in Grover’s career planning class, said she would take more NWTC classes if the opportunity continues.

“I like the extra freedoms I am allowed,” Sullivan said. “There’s simplicity in the way things are communicated and we are given more leeway. I can work at my own pace and know what is expected of me.”

Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, 102 students from SCHS earned 270 college credits at NWTC Shawano.

This was the first year the college partnered with the Shawano School District to offer on-site college courses at NWTC-Shawano.

To learn more about earning college credits while in high school, visit nwtc.edu/highschool.

Beyer Home Museum hosts pie, ice cream social

The Beyer Home Museum in Oconto will be hosting a pie and ice cream social from noon to 3 p.m. June 11.

This long-standing event features many choices of pie, where visitors can have it plain or a la mode, or have a sundae instead. Folks will be able to enjoy their pie and ice cream along with music outdoors or in the air conditioned dining area. The Elegant Junque tent will feature a wide variety of collectible items for sale. Tours of the museum, located at 917 Park Ave., will take place, as well.

For information, call 920-834-6206.

Sanitary district announces meeting

Kelly Lake Sanitary District 1 will hold its monthly meeting June 12 at 6 p.m. at the district office, 9535 Green Acres St. Suring.

The agenda will be posted at Kelly Lake Kwik Stop, two posting boards around Kelly Lake and on the office door. Visitors are welcome.

Historical society to serve burgers, brats

The Suring Area Historical Society will be hosting a brat/burger fry from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16 in the parking lot at the Suring Area Library, 604 E. Main St., Suring.