Category: Member News
Learn who’s growing, changing, moving and more! Stay on top of what’s new with your neighboring businesses. We share news releases and announcements from your peers in the Madison area. Want to toot your own horn? Use our Submit Member News form to share your own stories.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Reimagined and Refreshed: St. Vinny’s Grand Reopening, October 1st
MADISON — St. Vinny’s Willy St Thrift Store will celebrate its Grand Reopening on Tuesday, October 1st from 8:30 to 9:45 AM at 1309 Williamson Street, Madison. The morning will include brief remarks and an open house showcasing the remodeled retail space and program additions.
“We are overjoyed to reopen St. Vinny’s Willy Street in full,” Julie Bennett, CEO & Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison, said, “The remodeled space enhances the shopping experience, while the new second-floor will house our St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Microlending Programs. Our immense gratitude to Advanced Building Corporation for the construction and Dimension IV Madison Design Group for the architecture and interior design.”
St. Vinny’s Willy St will now carry furniture and refurbished mattresses. Thanks to grants from RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good initiative and the City of Madison’s MadiSUN Solar Energy Program, eco-friendly solar panels contribute to the store’s ongoing sustainability efforts. A one-of-a-kind mural depicting the organization’s past, present, and future welcomes neighbors into the second-floor program space.
Attend the Grand Reopening on October 1st to celebrate local thrift, helping our neighbors in need, and the rebirth of this beloved Willy Street landmark.
Learn more about St. Vinny’s Thrift Stores at https://svdpmadison.org/shop/.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm Welcomes New Attorney Jonathan Esp
Madison, Wisconsin – September 23, 2024 – Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm is eager to announce the addition of Jonathan Esp as the newest member of our team. Jonathan will be joining our Madison office and will represent clients statewide in personal injury cases.
Having received his JD from Marquette University and represented clients on the state and federal level, Jonathan’s local background and commitment to justice make him a valuable addition to our Wisconsin firm. He brings with him over a decade of committed advocacy, having practiced law across various industries pursuing justice for clients.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan to Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm,” said William Pemberton, CEO, and founder. “His experience and commitment to justice will strengthen our already client-focused team.”
Esp’s background includes complex litigation in insurance, real estate, and employment law industries. “I’m honored to join Pemberton, a firm that shares my passion for justice and excellence,” said Esp. “I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to guide clients through their most challenging times.”
For more information about Attorney Esp or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 608.448.6242 or visit our website at pembertonpi.com.
About Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm
Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for the rights of individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of others. With a commitment to excellence and people-focused service, we strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Contact:
Moses Ehlers
Marketing Director
Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm
608.448.6242
moses@pembertonpi.com
Pembertonpi.com
Photo by Richard Hurd
Wisconsin Union: Wisconsin Homecoming Committee, Wisconsin Alumni Association, Partners Host 2024 UW Homecoming
Returning for its 114th year, University of Wisconsin–Madison Homecoming will take place Oct. 20-26 with a week of fun for students, alumni, UW community members and honorary Badgers alike. Attendees can look forward to time-honored traditions, such as the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and Wisconsin Union’s downtown Madison parade, as well as the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s (WAA’s) post-parade block party and pep rally.
“Every year, our talented committee has the privilege of designing and organizing events that engage both the campus community and the greater Madison area, celebrating our shared Badger identity,” said Wynton Wright, president of the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee. “I’m excited about the diverse events we have planned this year and eager to continue the Homecoming tradition.”
Both UW–Madison registered student organizations and non-university groups are invited to apply to walk, dance, bike, or build a float for the UW Homecoming Parade, which will proceed from Gilman Street to Lake Street on Oct. 25 starting at 6 p.m.
“We are thrilled to welcome our alumni and friends back to campus for the UW’s Homecoming celebrations,” said Sarah Schutt, WAA chief alumni officer and executive director. “The Wisconsin Alumni Association is proud to offer a variety of activities for alumni, students and the Madison community in partnership with the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee.”
Highlights of the weeklong celebration will include:
Now through Oct. 11
- Coloring page contest, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Oct. 19
- Badger Games: bracket-style student intramural volleyball tournament, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Oct. 20
- Paint the Town: opportunity for registered student organizations to decorate Memorial Union and State Street windows, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Oct. 21-25
- Medallion Hunt: daily treasure hunt with prizes, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Oct. 21-26
- Window Display Showcase, featuring windows painted by UW–Madison registered student organizations, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Oct. 21
- Cocoa with HoCo: free hot chocolate inside Memorial Union and Union South, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Oct. 22-24
- UW Homecoming Blood Drive, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and American Red Cross
Oct. 24-25
- Fill the Hill, presented by the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association
Oct. 25
- Badger Meet-Up, presented by WAA
- UW Homecoming Parade, presented by the Wisconsin Union and the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
- UW Homecoming Block Party and Pep Rally, with fireworks (weather-permitting), presented by WAA
- Multicultural Homecoming Yard Show, presented by WAA and UW–Madison Fraternity & Sorority Life, supported by the Wisconsin Union
- Recent Grad Badger Meet-Up: Hoco Edition, presented by WAA
Oct. 26
- Badger Bash: Wisconsin vs. Penn State, presented by the Wisconsin Union
- Multicultural Homecoming Tailgate and Watch Party, presented by WAA and UW-Madison Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement
Attendees can find the full up-to-date list of Homecoming fun and activities at wiscohoco.com and uwalumni.com/homecoming.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Lake Ridge Bank’s Ben Udell Named a BankBeat 2024 Rising Star
September 12, 2024 (MADISON, Wis.) – Ben Udell, Senior Vice President-Digital Innovation at Lake Ridge Bank, was recently named one of BankBeat’s 2024 class of Rising Stars. In July, BankBeat honored six bankers from across the Midwest who have made outstanding contributions to their bank, industry and community, showing promise to continue making a substantial impact for years to come. Nominees must be under the age of 45 and can hold any position within banking.
Rising Star Honorees are chosen from banks located in Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Udell is the only banker honored from Wisconsin this year.
With an MBA from UMass Amherst and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at UW-Madison, Udell has a special interest in using AI smartly and ethically – and teaching others to do the same. He is a national leader in helping banks tap into the transformative power of generative AI and has presented on this topic at the Wisconsin Bankers Association, Financial Brand Forum, and other national events.
“Ben is part innovator, part disrupter,” says Paul Hoffmann, Lake Ridge Bank President. “Through his role in digital innovation, Ben is trying to help people be more productive and do a better job so we can provide an amazing client experience while future-proofing our bank.”

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Lake Ridge Bank’s mission is to “build prosperous communities, one relationship at a time.” For more than 100 years, this has meant getting to know each of our clients to offer personalized services to meet their specific financial goals. Lake Ridge Bank offers a full line of financial products and services. We focus on offering products and services to make your banking easy. Our business banking and mortgage lenders are trusted leaders in their field with the expertise to provide the right loan at the best rate possible for our clients. As a community bank, we are dedicated to reinvesting in, and making our communities great places to live, work and raise a family. Visit lakeridge.bank to learn more about how we can help you.
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
Lake Ridge Bank. Go Far. Go Together!
For additional information, please contact Mark Schellpfeffer at mschellpfeffer@lakeridge.bank.
Photo by Richard Hurd
MMoCA seeks work from statewide artists for Wisconsin Triennial
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) is seeking artwork created by Wisconsin artists to include in the Wisconsin Triennial, which presents a survey of the creativity and innovation of the state’s artistic community. Every three years, the exhibition showcases a wide range of artistic approaches and subjects, reflecting current directions in Wisconsin’s visual arts scene.
In a return to its original form, the 2025 Wisconsin Triennial will be a juried exhibition selected and organized by MMoCA curatorial staff. The 2025 Wisconsin Triennial will be installed in the Museum’s Main Galleries and on view to the public May 2–Sept. 14, 2025.
Artists from across the state are invited to apply to this exhibition by submitting examples of their artwork along with a brief biography, statement, and CV by Oct. 14. To learn more and apply, click here.