Old National Bank: Will deposit rates come down in 2024?

Whether you are reading the comments made by the Jerome Powell or listening to other financial analysts, one thing seems clear- interest rates will fall in 2024.  This is good news for borrowers but bad news for those who keep money on deposit in their banks.

Now is the time to lock into our high yield deposit rates. Stop by the office, email jeff.boudreau@oldnational.com or call me at 608-354-0126 to learn more.

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce: Applications are Open for 2024 Business Leadership Academy

We’re excited to share that applications are now open to be a part of the 2024 Business Leadership Academy! 

This interactive, ten-month experience develops and strengthens the skills of existing and emerging LGBTQ and allied leaders in the workplace by providing quality and transformative programming. Our 2024 Program will be a monthly in-person gathering in Milwaukee (with option for virtual participation), meeting from February to November on the second Tuesday of each month from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Applications are open and are due on January 5, 2024. Click here to apply to be a part of our 2024 Class of the Business Leadership Academy.

You can find out more about the program in the below or online here. This is a truly rewarding program that can help set you up for the next move in your career.

Wisconsin Union: Winter-Themed Event Series Winter Carnival Brings Back Community Favorite Activities, Debuts New Events Feb. 7-10, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 13, 2023

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu 
Phone: (608) 262-8862

Read release online: union.wisc.edu/about/news/wintercarnival2024

WINTER-THEMED EVENT SERIES WINTER CARNIVAL BRINGS BACK COMMUNITY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES, DEBUTS NEW EVENTS FEB. 7-10, 2024

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union’s winter-themed event series, called Winter Carnival, will make its return to Madison for its 84th year Feb. 7-10, 2024, bringing with it both indoor and outdoor winter-themed activities, including the appearance of a beloved Carnival tradition: Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota.

The Winter Carnival lineup currently includes:

• Feb. 7
  • Curling
  • Open ice skating
  • $1 cheese curds
  • Family ice skating and games night
• Feb. 8
  • Open ice skating
  • New: Taylor Swift music ice skating night
  • Ice fishing derby presented by the Wisconsin Fishing Team in partnership with the Wisconsin Union
  • University Recreation & Wellbeing’s Connolly Classic Pond Hockey Tournament, open to University of Wisconsin–Madison students only
• Feb. 9
  • Inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch on Lake Mendota
  • Open ice skating        
  • Learn to Skate, instructed by University Recreation & Wellbeing
  • New: Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games tournament, presented by University Recreation & Wellbeing
  • New: Winter Beats: a rhythm game challenge
  • Luminary-making
  • Nighttime snowshoeing on Lake Mendota
  • Snow Ball: live music, dancing, and swing dancing instruction
  • Introductory ice climbing
• Feb. 10
  • Inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch on Lake Mendota
  • Fireworks
  • Skiing and snowboarding competition, called Rail Jam
  • Maple taffy-making
  • Scavenger hunt, called Secret Agent
  • New: Valentine’s Day and kindness greeting card-making as well as hot chocolate
  • New: snow shelter viewing
  • Family Fun in Alumni Park, presented by the Wisconsin Alumni Association, featuring family-friendly activities
  • Ice and alley games: curling, human bowling and cornhole
  • New: sock snowperson-making
  • New: mini horses photo opportunities and meet-and-greet
  • Open ice skating
  • Limited-time menu options for purchase: mac and cheese as well as chili
  • Viewing of the 39-foot iceboat, called the Mary B, built in 1945 in Madison

Most Winter Carnival events are free and open to the community. The event lineup is subject to change, including due to weather conditions. Some events include age restrictions, a registration requirement or other limitations.

“Winter is too long to not get outside and make the most of the season, and Winter Carnival is an opportunity to experience lots of winter fun and find out what you enjoy while making memories,” Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo said. “When an event series lineup includes an inflatable Statue of Liberty head and torch, a Taylor Swift-themed ice skating event, and ponies, you know it’s something you have to check out.”

2024 will mark the 84th year the Wisconsin Union team has hosted Winter Carnival. Each year, the team works with UW–Madison students and community partners to make the winter celebration series possible.

One historic Winter Carnival event brings an iconic New York City destination to Madison: the Statue of Liberty. The Wisconsin Union team brings out a to-scale, inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch to frozen Lake Mendota each year. The Lady Liberty tradition began in 1979 with a prank by the Pail and Shovel Party members and UW–Madison alumni Leon Varjian and Jim Mallon ’79, who made a Wisconsin Student Association campaign promise that they would bring the Statue of Liberty to Madison. The Pail and Shovel Party erected a Styrofoam Lady Liberty head, arm and torch on Lake Mendota.

Lady Liberty first returned to Lake Mendota as an inflatable Statue of Liberty in 2019. Those interested in learning more about its history can read about it here.

The Wisconsin Union team offers indoor spaces to warm up as well as indoor dining options at its building Memorial Union, which Winter Carnival guests can enjoy. Purchases at Memorial Union and Union South as well as donations to the Union help support the Union’s low-cost and free events, such as the Carnival, as well as Wisconsin Union student leadership opportunities. Wisconsin Union student leaders organize many Winter Carnival events.

The Wisconsin Union team will share details about Winter Carnival events at union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival in the coming weeks.

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About the Wisconsin Union

The Wisconsin Union enhances the lives of members and visitors through recreational, cultural, educational and social opportunities. Formed in 1907, the Wisconsin Union is a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Union and its tradition of providing experiences for a lifetime: union.wisc.edu.

Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive Is Close to Reaching Goal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MORE INFORMATION:
Rowan Childs, Rowan@madisonreadingproject.com, (608) 347-79790
Ann Christianson, Ann@madisonreadingproject.com, (608) 345-0792

Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive Is Close to Reaching Goal

DANE COUNTY –  The Madison Reading Project’s fourth annual Community Book Drive is asking for your support to reach its goal of $100,000.

“Our organization is committed to increasing book ownership for children in Southern Wisconsin. MRP is dedicated to giving away new books this holiday season. Monetary donations help contribute to our larger goal of year-round book-giving,” says Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project’s Executive Director and Founder.

“Your support will help get thousands of new books that children want, many of whom have few books in their homes,” Childs adds. “We’re confident we’ll reach our donation goals. Everyone deserves that new book feeling, especially our children.”

Books given to MRP then get funneled out to numerous school districts, social workers, educators, and large toy and book-giving events such as Empty Stocking Club, Toys for Tots, Gifts for Christmas, and Santas Without Chimneys during December, ensuring that every child has a new book to take home with them. 

Local bookstores participating in Community Book Drive include Lake City Books, Mystery To Me, Leopold’s Books Bar Cafe, Room of One’s Own, Book Deal, and Books 4 School. 

“Books can be donated online or via various local bookstores across Dane County or by stopping by the Book Center, 1337 Greenway Cross, in Madison,” Childs adds.

Donations can be made throughout December. Visit the website for more information on the book drive, book suggestions, book-giving programs, or to make a monetary contribution:  www.madisonreadingproject.com/communitybookdrive

Madison Reading Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect our community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading. 

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One Community Bank Hosts Annual Free Community Event: Badger Tailgate

December 4, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

One Community Bank Hosts Annual Free Community Event: Badger Tailgate

(December 2023) – One Community Bank is proud to serve our clients, support our colleagues and invest in our communities. OCB held its third Annual Badger Tailgate at its Waunakee location on Saturday, October 21. There was an excellent turn out of clients, community members, and colleagues.

“I am thrilled to be able to host the Annual Badger Tailgate again this year. I am passionate about bringing the community together and making a difference with the money raised. Thank you to all of our sponsors who help make this event possible,” said Chris Zellner, Market President at One Community Bank Waunakee.

This family friendly event featured free fresh grilled food, grilled by Todd Schmidt – Waunakee Village Administrator, Brendan Flanagan – AVP Bank Manager, and Brian O’Handley – SVP Head of Mortgage and Consumer Lending. Bucky Badger and the UW-Madison Alumni Band kicked off the event with Badger pride. The first 100 guests received a complimentary Badger shirt from OCB. Door Prizes from Sundara Spa, Chula Vista, Pinseekers, The University Book Store, and Meffert Car Wash were given away.

Additionally, free beverages were provided by Octopi Brewing. The game was enjoyed on a jumbotron provided by Bishops Bay. And kids enjoyed painting pumpkins.

This event raised money for the Waunakee School District Student Financial Assistance Fund and The Schumacher Farm Educational Barn Project. This year One Community Bank donated $500 to each organization, the community raised $300, and Waunakee Remodeling donated $500 to the Waunakee School District Student Financial Assistance Fund.

The Student Financial Assistance Fund ensures that all students and families can participate in their school communities regardless of a family’s financial situation and ability to pay.

The Schumacher Farm Educational Barn Project raised funds for a new building on the farm. The Schumacher Farm Park offers a variety of events and workshops for all ages.

One Community Bank remains committed to investing in our communities and is proud to support these Feel Good organizations.

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One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 15 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Five years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.