NEWS RELEASES October '11

Warm comedy ushers in winter at Theatre on the Bay
October 27, 2011

Winter is a comin’ in at Theatre on the Bay with John Cariani's romantic comedy "Almost, Maine" November 11-13 and 18-20 on the Nancy A. Gehrke Stage at UW-Marinette's Herbert L. Williams Theatre. Curtain time is 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $12 and $8 on sale at Angelis in Marinette and Menominee or at the box office one hour before curtain.

Chosen by TOB's new artistic director, Rebecca Stone Thornberry, the setting of the imaginary town of "Almost, Maine" will ring true to all who are familiar with the cold winter nights in northern latitudes.

The action of the play, revealed in a series of vignettes, follows the residents of Almost, Maine who find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised, hearts are broken, love is lost, found, and confounded. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend – almost – in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

Cariani grew up in Presque Isle, Maine. In 1996, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. It was here that he began doing little play-readings on the side. All of the plays were full of ugly characters doing bad things to each other and Cariani began to miss the life and love of the people of Maine. He wanted to write a story about good people, doing good things, caught up in the midst of love and all that it entails.

The characters who reside in Almost, Maine include Pete (Tony LaMalfa) and Ginette (Erica Kaufman) who have been dating for a while; a repairman named East (Tristan Schuch) and a hiker named Glory (Kären Garcia); Jimmy (Tony LaMalfa) who is a heating and cooling guy, his ex-girlfriend Sandrine (Alicia Hnatuk) and a waitress (Kären Garcia); Marvalyn (Erick Kaufman), a woman who is very good at protecting herself, and Steve (Daniel Tellez), an open, kind fellow whose brother protects him; Gayle (Susan Thornton) and Lendall (Tony LaMalfa) who have been dating each other for a long time; Randy (Kelsey G. Glander) and Chad (Tristan Schuh) who are friends; Phil (Tony LaMalfa), a working man, and Marcie (Karlie Allgeyer), Phil’s hard-working wife; Hope (Alicia Hnatuk) who has travelled around the world and Man (Daniel Tellez) who has not; Rhonda (Lori Payne-Csaki), a tough woman, and Dave (Tristan Schuh), the not-so-tough man who loves her.

The production staff includes Lillian Scott, assistant director; Kevin Korthius, lighting designer; John Thornberry and Daniel Tellez, sound designers; Zac Lowis, master carpenter; Scott and Kristena Sorenson, costume designers; Brittany Welch, properties; Hannah Neece, stage manager; and Pat Rondeau, house manager.

“Almost is a special place but it is not overly sentimental. Magic and reality blend in surprising ways throughout the play, much as they do in life. The fictional Almost, Maine and the very real Marinette, Wisconsin are not so different,” says director Stone Thornberry.

###

College 4 Kids Offers Winter Fun
October 20, 2011

UW-Marinette Continuing Education will offer two College 4 Kids classes for the winter season.

Before the holidays, instructor Manu Junemann will lead a class in “Make and Take Gift Making” for four Saturdays, Nov. 12, 19 and Dec. 3 and 10. Students will learn how to make one-of-a-kind holiday presents and decorations. Each week they will explore a variety of new and recycled materials in this art class. Kindergarten – 2nd grade students will meet from 10:00-11:30 am; 3rd-6th graders will meet from 12:30-2:00 pm. The cost of the class is $48 per student, with a $40 second child in family discount.

Students from age Kindergarten to 6th grade can also “Come Play for the Day” on Tuesday, December 27 from 8:30 – 3:00 pm. The morning sessions include “Clowning Around” taught by Otis Miller and “Create with Paint” with art teacher Marne Gross.

Miller is a physical comedian and former Ringling Brothers Circus clown. Through games and exercises, students will get an introduction to gag writing, comedy and circus skills like balance and juggling. Gross will teach students about colors and painting techniques as they create original works. A variety of paints including water color and acrylic will be used.

Afternoon sessions will be led by math and science teacher Timothy Schwaba and French teacher Susan Thornton. Schwaba’s class, “I Wanna Know,” is an interactive exploration of exciting questions such as “How old is the earth?” “Are aliens real?” and “Can we make a dinosaur?” Thornton’s class, “A Day at Versailles” will take a virtual tour of the castle and gardens of one of France’s most famous landmarks. After the tour, students will travel back in time as they reenact a day in the “Sun King” Louis XIV’s life using costumes, music and food.

The cost for “Come Play for the Day” is $49 per student, with a $45 second child in family discount and includes lunch and a snack.

To register, call the UW-Marinette Continuing Education office at 715-735-4342 or visit
http://www.marinette.uwc.edu/continuing-ed/college-4-kids/.

###

Job Fair at UW-Marinette November 9
October 18, 2011

In recognition of National Non-traditional Student Week, UW-Marinette will hold two events in November. A Job Fair will be held Wednesday November 9 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cafeteria of the Main Building. Businesses and social service organizations will be in attendance including Marinette Marine Corporation,
Ansul/Tyco Fire Suppression Products, Bay Area Medical Center, ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc., Winsert, Inc., Goodrich Corporation, Wells Fargo, WI Job Center (Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and Workforce Investment Act), Menominee & Delta County Adult Education, University of Wisconsin Colleges (Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program), MI Works!, NEW CAP, Marinette County Sexual Assault Center University of Wisconsin-Extension Nutrition Education Program, UW-Marinette Veterans Educational Benefits, and Peter Piper Kiddie Nursery, Inc.

UW Info Day will be held Thursday, November 10 from 2:00 –6:00 pm in the Cafeteria of the Main Building. Attendees can meet representatives from various 4-year schools and find out what is needed to earn a bachelor's degree. Agreements with many UW 4-year schools make it possible to earn a bachelor's degree without leaving Marinette and flex scheduling helps fit classes into lives busy with family and work commitments.

To register for either or both of these events, call Mary Voyles at 715-735-4353 or Evelyn Neziri at 715-735-4359 or visit the web at http://www.marinette.uwc.edu/admissions/info-day/

###

Watercolor Exhibit at UW-Marinette
October 7, 2011

Artist Gary Smith will have 15 of his watercolors on display at the UW-Marinette art gallery until November 7. They include a variety of settings from Menominee and around the world including Italy, Singapore, Korea, New Orleans, and Seattle.

Smith is from Alaska, but is currently living in Menominee while working for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks overseeing work at Marinette Marine Corp. on design and production of a research vessel. He is the son of the late Jean Ranney Smith (1929-2011), an artist and instructor who is well known in the Washington. D.C. and Chesapeake Bay region. His grandfather is the late Glen Allison Ranney (1896-1959), a Wisconsin born painter who taught for many years at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD).

Regarding his own painting, Smith says, "I was told that after you learn to paint you will see the world differently. It’s true. It becomes all about value, shape, color, line and texture. I began painting in 1992, when I enrolled in classes at the Art League in Alexandria VA. I took night classes for several years and began to develop my own style. I don’t have the patience to develop detailed or realistic illustration, but instead I try to capture a rough likeness and express the mood and feeling of the subject."

Smith says he prefers painting outside, where he can observe more than a photo provides. "I find it easier to capture the feel of a place when painting outdoors. In Marinette and Menominee I often paint on site around town. I also bring paint supplies on vacations, which is a great way to relax, slow down and get to know a new area. Occasionally I participate in week-long workshops, which always re-energizes my painting."

Smith’s paintings are for sale and purchases may be made by contacting the artist at gary.smith.ak@gmail.com or calling 907-209-1599.

The UW-Marinette art gallery, located in the Fine Arts Building, is open Monday-Friday from 8 am until 5 pm daily and in the evenings during theatre productions. The next production will take place when the Children's Theatre presents "The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. October 15-16 and 21-23 with performances at 7 pm Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays.

###

UW-Marinette Students Receive Scholarships
October 7, 2011

P.E.O. Chapter Q, an international philanthropic organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for women, has announced two scholarships for UW-Marinette students.

Brooke Buege of Spruce, Wisconsin, received the P.E.O. Chapter Q $500 scholarship and Tracy Diaz of Oconto, Wisconsin, received the $500 Wanda Snyder Memorial Scholarship which is funded by Jon Snyder and administered through the UW-Marinette Foundation.

Chapter member Tonee Bowsher said, “We are pleased that, for the fourth consecutive year, P.E.O. has been able to give a scholarship to a UW-Marinette student. In addition, for the second consecutive year, we have been involved with choosing a student for the Wanda Snyder Memorial Scholarship. Wanda was a long-time P.E.O. member who joined in 1966.”

Buege, who was raised in Oconto Falls, is a freshman who likes learning. “I chose UW-Marinette because it seemed like a good place to start my education. Here I can pursue all my general courses and then focus on what I want to go into when I transfer,” says Buege.

“I usually take an interest in a lot of things. I like learning about a lot of different things. I like seeing what’s out there,” says Buege. Her varied interests are evident in her selection of courses for her first semester at UW-Marinette: calculus, physics, theatre, and English composition. “I am still exploring what I want to do for a career. Psychology interests me and graphic design. I want to take courses in those subjects next semester or next year. I feel I am good at art. I like using both sides of my brain.”

The real challenge for Buege is financial, which is why the scholarship means so much to her. “About 8 months ago, my mother was laid off due to the company losing money. She bit the bullet in accepting a new job at the nearest chain office, so her co-worker with three children wouldn’t lose her main source of salary. To this day, [my mother] has been struggling to find a permanent occupation and has been doing odd, low-paying jobs to help make ends meet,” says Buege.

The P.E.O. Chapter Q Scholarship “has given me a chance to study at an extraordinary school with a little less stress, a little more money, and a significant amount of possibilities after graduating. I really appreciate the scholarship. I was smiling all day when I heard that I got it.” says Buege.

Diaz started classes at UW-Marinette last year “to be an example to my children,” says Diaz. Among the lessons that she wants to instill in her two teenagers are “how hard work and dedication pay off in the long run, and how school is important for a better quality of living.” Diaz says that her children see the effort she puts into her studies and they try to do the same. “I am proud to say that both of my children made the honor roll in their school last year, and I made the Dean’s list for both semesters,” says Diaz.

Another area that Diaz pursues as an example for her children is volunteering. She is a coach for her daughter’s cheerleading team and for the local community theatre. Between children, studies and volunteering, she also finds time for her job at Visions of Oconto County. “My job is to provide care and companionship to a young woman with special needs,” says Diaz.

Diaz is looking forward to completing her degree in nursing and working as a midwife. “With my very active life, I can continue with my volunteering activities without having to look for extra work hours that would deny me the opportunity to help others,” says Diaz.

###

Fall College Preview at UW-Marinette October 19
October 5, 2011

Is college in your future? Or do you know someone whose dream it is to earn a college degree? Learn about the UW System and how one can enroll in a University of Wisconsin school to get a college degree. High school students, their friends and parents are invited to attend the Fall College Preview at UW-Marinette on Wednesday, October 19.

"At the Fall College Preview you can learn how to navigate the UW System. We share information about how to get admitted to any UW school and how to apply for financial aid. UW-Marinette is your gateway to the University of Wisconsin, and your place to start ahead," says Jenn Hass, Student Services Coordinator. The session runs from 6:30-8:00 pm. Participants have an opportunity to talk to current students and professors. To register for the Fall Campus Preview, call Student Services at UW-Marinette at 735-4301 or register on the web at http://www.marinette.uwc.edu.

###