Little John’s Creating Food Stories Mural on Overture Center Windows

During the months of December and January, Little John’s is creating a mural on the Overture Center windows. This mural is made up of food stories told by our Dane County community – you can submit your food stories here! 

This mural is raising awareness to the solution that Little John’s is developing, access to nutritious meals for everyone through a restaurant that allows visitors to pay as much or as little as they can for that day. 

Be sure to walk by the Overture Center and read the food stories written by your friends, family members and neighbors.

Madison Kraus-Anderson wraps up $42 million renovation of La Crosse Center

Project expands the landmark civic center into 120,000 square feet of multipurpose space for sports, entertainment and events

LA CROSSE, Wis. (December 2021) – The Madison office of Kraus-Anderson (KA) is about to complete construction of La Crosse Center, a $42 million expansion to the civic center, located at 400 La Crosse St. in La Crosse, Wis. The La Crosse Center has remained open during construction, which will be completed at the end of December. 

Designed by ISG Architects, the two-year project that began in late 2019, expands the sports, entertainment and event center into 120,000 square feet of multipurpose space. The renovation adds a new 12,892-square-foot Riverside Ballroom and pre-function area, 7,226-square-foot atrium, seven meeting rooms and office spaces. The project also features a new welcoming lobby with a grand staircase to the ballroom level, a renovated North Hall and extension over Front Street, and a roof top terrace that takes advantage of the beautiful Mississippi River views in downtown La Crosse.

The existing arena was completely renovated, replacing all of the seating; installing a higher quality sound system, ADA-compliant platforms and railings; and upgrading and enlarging the dressing rooms, locker rooms, restrooms and concession stands.

Green initiatives include solar paneling, low-energy lighting throughout the building, and an energy efficiency HVAC system.

In addition to sporting events, and concerts, the newly expanded La Crosse Center will be a popular venue to host weddings, conferences, trade shows and other events, which will have a positive impact on the city and region.

Kraus-Anderson has deep experience in constructing major event facilities, including:

–  Sanford Event Center, a 193,000-square-foot multi-purpose arena and convention center in Bemidji, Minn.

–  Rough Rider Center, a 262,000-square-foot municipal and event center in Watford City, N.D.

–  Viking Lakes Development, featuring Minnesota Vikings Headquarters and TCO Performance Center including five football fields and 6,000-stadium; and a 381,163-square-foot Omni Viking Lakes Hotel and event center in Eagan, Minn.

–  Iron Trail Motors Event Center, a 120,000-square-foot convention center and arena in Virginia, Minn.

–  Four Winds Casino, a 327,000-square-foot casino and event center in New Buffalo, Mich.  

COVID-19: KRAUS-ANDERSON’S COMMITMENT TO JOB SAFETY

As the world continues to deal with and adapt to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kraus-Anderson’s top priority remains safety. The company has implemented stringent social distancing practices and other elevated safety protocol on construction job sites, details of which can be found at https://www.krausanderson.com/about/kraus-anderson-responds-to-covid-19/​.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson (www.krausanderson.com) is an integrated construction management and real estate development enterprise working independently and in collaboration with a family of companies, including insurance, mortgage and realty operations. Kraus-Anderson, an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.

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Madison Ballet Partners with United Way of Dane County to Offer Free Tickets for The Nutcracker to Families in Need

MADISON – (Tuesday, December 14, 2021) Madison Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker returns to Overture Hall this holiday season! And, this year, Madison Ballet wanted to spread the joy by offering free tickets to families who might not otherwise have the means to attend. So, they reached out to United Way of Dane County, who were thrilled at the opportunity and turned to their network of local nonprofit partners to identify families in need and distribute tickets.

A favorite of audiences of all ages, The Nutcracker is the perfect show to help raise spirits across our community after a tough couple of years. Following young Clara as she dreams of traveling one winter’s night with her beloved Nutcracker doll, this year’s performance seamlessly blends Tchaikovsky’s famous score, played by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, with all-new choreography in celebration of Madison Ballet’s 40^th Anniversary season.

“No one should be denied the joys of art,” said Jonathan Solari, CEO of Madison Ballet. “Partnering with United Way to provide free tickets to The Nutcracker helps us break down financial barriers to families and children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the magic of ballet.”

Through this collaborative effort, we are able to gift over 70 tickets – truly helping to make the season more joyous for many families across Dane County.

“We are so grateful to Madison Ballet for thinking of local families this holiday season,” said Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. “Support for the basics – like food, housing and healthcare – is critically important, but these tickets provide new arts experiences that are additional nourishment for the soul, so often unavailable when resources are tight. It’s a gift to be able to offer a joyous experience like this to the families and nonprofits we serve, especially during the holiday season!”

While the process of providing free tickets to local families in need is now closed, there is still time to support Madison Ballet by attending a performance of The Nutcracker! This show runs from December 17-December 26. Visit their website to learn more and get tickets today.

For additional questions and media inquiries, please contact Karen Burch, VP of Community Engagement and Marketing, United Way of Dane County at (941) 713-0850 or karen.burch@uwdc.org.  

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About United Way of Dane County:
United Way of Dane County has been tackling Dane County’s toughest challenges for nearly 100 years. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we are committed to building a Dane County where everyone can succeed in school, work and life. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative work, United Way brings the many voices of Dane County together to find common ground and develop a strategic architecture for change, while engaging businesses and individuals to give, advocate and volunteer in Dane County. Together, we are The Power of Many. Working for All.

About Madison Ballet:
As the resident ballet company of the Overture Center for the Arts and Wisconsin’s second-largest dance organization, we bring world-class ballet to the greater Madison area. We are training the next generation of world-class dancers and inspiring all generations of audiences. We create opportunities to experience the power of dance, on and off the stage, for all ages, genders and races. We pioneer change within our community. We don’t just lift the curtain, we exist to work towards eliminating the boundary completely. 

WPS Health Solutions: Army veteran Timothy Rospert saluted for Operation Fan Mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Army veteran Timothy Rospert saluted for Operation Fan Mail
Program is sponsored by WPS Health Solutions and the Green Bay Packers

MADISON, Wis.—Dec. 13, 2021—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to Army veteran Timothy Rospert in conjunction with the Dec. 12 game against Chicago. Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 15th season in 2021.

Rospert, who was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004. Prior to his military career, he worked in construction and assisted with building several homes for Habitat for Humanity. Always eager to help his community, he furthered his commitment to service when he joined the U.S. Army.

He spent the bulk of his career in combat operations, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He was deployed to combat three times: first to Iraq for 15 months from 2006–07, then to Afghanistan twice, once for 12 months from 2009–10 and again for nine months in 2011–12.

During his final deployment, he had to be medically evacuated due to injuries he sustained in the line of duty. He was flown to Germany, then to Georgia, where he underwent back surgery and subsequently retired from the military in 2013.

Rospert, who became a Packers fan as a child, now lives with his family in Johns Island, South Carolina. He enjoys watching the Packers with his daughter, Hailey, who was born just as Rospert was returning from Iraq. Though Rospert missed out on several milestones during Hailey’s early life, the two have bonded over the Packers and attended Sunday’s game together. Their family also includes Rospert’s wife, Ashley, daughter, Alyssa, and Rospert’s stepson, Caleb O’Dell, who is in the U.S. Navy and is stationed at Pearl Harbor.

As the honorees for Operation Fan Mail this week, the Rospert family also received four tickets to the game and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card, courtesy of WPS.

The program, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2021 home game and recognize the members on the video boards during pregame activities. A total of 144 individuals, families, or groups have been recognized through the program since it began.

The Packers and WPS Health Solutions invite interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted this year. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, or sibling.

Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or online at operationfanmail.com.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 3,100 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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Note for media representatives: WPS can help facilitate interviews with Operation Fan Mail honorees. Please contact us if you are interested.

Renaissance Senior Living: Drop Off Your Toys for Tots!