‘An eye on our communities’
A monthly product of the
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Cleveland ● Francis Creek ● Kellnersville ● Kiel ● Mishicot ● Newton ● Osman ● School Hill ● Reedsville ● St. Nazianz ● Valders ● Whitelaw ● Branch
Seasonal grandeur
Cleveland store owner creates Christmas wonderland
S
anta has a personal representative in Cleveland. His name is Earl Stoltenberg, and he is a believer in tradition. Since 1976, Stoltenberg has created a Christmas wonderland in his gift, floral and grocery store at 1060 Hickory St. This year’s grand opening of the Christmas Shop will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 21. Founded in 1885 by Adolph Stoltenberg, this general store (with living quarters above) has been operated by the family for four successive generations. A fire, which began in an adjacent livery stable, destroyed the original building in 1930. The family quickly rebuilt its business at the same location. A severe ice storm in March 1976 can be credited for the gift shop’s creation. The storm generated a huge demand for candles and caused Earl to drive to an Oshkosh candle factory for additional stock. When the weather crisis ended, a surplus of candles remained. Stoltenberg used his artistic talents to make centerpieces and floral arrangements, incorporating the leftover candles. His artistry was warmly received by the community, and the gift shop was born. Earl Stoltenberg has created a Christmas wonderland in his gift, floral and grocery store at Cherished childhood memories 1060 Hickory St. since 1976. This year’s grand opening of the Christmas Shop will be from 1 were the inspiration for the next deto 6 p.m. Nov. 21. Submitted velopment — the Christmas Shop. “My parents made Christmas magical for me when I was a child,” exstarted searching for the one, special, sion to see the Prange Department plains Stoltenberg. “In keeping with new ornament each of us received Store’s animated holiday window disthe German Christmas tradition, the every year. One time, I discovered an plays. Visions of those wondrous winparlor doors would be closed, and our ornament shaped like a trumpet, the dows stayed in his mind. parents would decorate a glorious instrument I played.” The first Christmas Shop featured a tree. We saw our tree for the first time Stoltenberg also remembers the ex- replica of Santa’s Workshop, conon Christmas Eve and immediately citement of the annual family excurstructed in a cleared out area of the
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main store. No peeking inside the colored windows was allowed until the grand opening day. Through the years, the store has been expanded several times to accommodate the burgeoning, enchanting holiday displays. New themes are featured each year, and the planning begins the day after New Years. In September the largest display area is blocked from view, and the serious work of installation begins. “The opening day will never be earlier than the weekend before Thanksgiving,” Stoltenberg declares. Traditions are maintained. Twenty large trees, all with unique decorations from around the world, will be displayed. Lights, garlands, original stained glass creations and other Christmas treasures will fill every other available space. Only one thing never changes: a traditional tannenbaum, Christmas tree, will be covered from tip to base with shimmering German, hand-blown glass ornaments. When asked why he undertakes this massive project, Stoltenberg replies,”I’m trying to hang on to the grandeur and elegance of Christmas. I want people to walk into a different world.” Mary Tooley: mtooley@artinasuitcase.com
Reedsville Fall Festival will raise money for community projects
T
he Lions/Lioness Clubs and the Preservation of St. Mary’s are sponsoring the Reedsville Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Reedsville High School. This family event will include crafters, vendors, silent auction, prizes, musical events, a fall nutrition lunch, children’s games and prizes. An admission fee and profits will go to community projects sponsored by all three organizations.
Decorate for fall
The Reedsville Area Garden Club will be decorating the community for fall. This year’s theme is Give Thanks. They encourage everyone to help decorate village homes and businesses with bales of hay/straw, corn stalks, scarecrows, antiques, pumpkins and other fall décor.
Decked out
Young and old alike dressed up in costumes for Halloween events held in Reedsville. The First Responders held their 16th annual Halloween Dance on Oct. 23. The event helped raise funds for equipment and supplies, and brought adults together for one last dance before the winter season begins. More than 100 costumed children gathered
The K-City Girls gathered for a recent photo at the K-City Diner. The Kellnersville women gather monthly at area restaurants to catch up on today’s events and reminisce about growing up in the village. Kathy Kochan/Close up at the high school on Oct. 31 for the annual Reedsville Lions Club Halloween Party. The children participated in the annual costume contest and were treated with refreshments and cookies by the local Lions.
families to focus on dealing with grief during the holiday season. Brenda Spina from the Center for Family Healing of Menasha will be the guest speaker. For more information and reservations call (920) 754-4088.
Holiday Reflection
Hunt for MS
Wieting Funeral Home will present its 10th annual Holiday Reflection on Dec. 12. The hour program, with an atmosphere for remembrance and healing, provides time for
The Iron Buffalo Saloon in Menchalville participated in the Hunt for MS Scavenging for a Cure on Nov. 6. Manitowoc and Brown County taverns were involved in this scav-
enger hunt that raises awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis. All proceeds from the event go to the MS Wisconsin Snowmobile Ride 2011.
K-City Girls On the last Tuesday of each month a group of women gather for food, refreshments and shared memories. The women may have shared interests today, but the one thing they have in common is their memory or growing up in Kellnersville.
The group began in 2005 with Carol Steeber Lambert, J’Ette Feit Koeppel, the late Sharon Hynek Grotbeck and Marian Lambert Novachek. The group, which meets at local restaurants, has grown to approximately 15 Kellnersville natives. Reminiscing about their childhood in the village, these women get a chance to catch up on each other’s lives today and keep alive their past. Kathy Kochan: (920) 251-3999; chattykathyko@hotmail.com
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