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Category: Products

Photo by Richard Hurd

WPS Health Solutions: Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Bridgett Manning saluted for Operation Fan Mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Bridgett Manning saluted for Operation Fan Mail
Program is sponsored by WPS Health Solutions and the Green Bay Packers

MADISON, Wis.—Jan. 4, 2022—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to now-retired Chief Master Sgt. Bridgett Manning in conjunction with the Jan. 2 game against Minnesota. Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 15th season in 2021.

Manning, originally from Muskego, Wis., joined the U.S. Air Force in 1995. During the next two decades, she spent time serving around the world in Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Georgia, and Germany. She worked not only as an airman, but as a humanitarian, asking for donations of shoes, toys, and toiletries to donate to local orphanages.

Through her hard work, Manning earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and oversaw hundreds of enlisted men and women. She officially retired this weekend after serving for 26 years.

Aside from her military career, Manning advocates for veterans as an intern at VETS2PM, where she assists veterans in finding employment. She also serves on the board of directors for the Jacksonville Veterans Chamber of Commerce as the vice president of external affairs and career development.

In her nomination essay, Manning’s best friend, Michelle Pinkert, said, “She is a shining example of a woman overcoming substantial odds and emerging triumphant.”

Manning’s husband, Casey, is also a veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. A lifelong Packers fan, Manning attended Sunday’s game with Casey, Pinkert, and Pinkert’s husband, Matt.

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

Photo caption: Pictured (left to right) are Casey Manning, Bridgett Manning, Michelle Pinkert, and Matt Pinkert.

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 2021–22 season home game and recognize the members on the video boards during pregame activities. A total of 146 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.

Photo by Richard Hurd

NCG Announces Sale of 4 Hotels

MADISON, Wis. – December 23, 2021 – The North Central Group (NCG) in a joint venture with Raymond Management Company (RMC) announced yesterday the sale of four properties in one transaction. The Hilton Garden Inn Rockford, IL, Hilton Garden Inn Middleton, WI, Courtyard by Marriott Middleton, WI, and the Residence by Marriott Middleton, WI were sold on December 22, 2021, and will be under new ownership and management. NCG and RMC will no longer co-own or manage these four properties.

Middleton-based NCG continues to own and operate 25 properties nationwide, nine of these are in the Madison/Middleton, WI market, in addition to two restaurants – Liberty Station Madison and Tailwinds Restaurant & Bar.

“The sale of these four mature properties in our portfolio provides us with additional capital and resources to develop and operate new and larger projects we are excited to be working on, The Trade Milwaukee, an Autograph Collection Hotel, in partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks organization, and the Moxy Madison Downtown, a Marriott Hotel”, said Jeff Lenz, President and Chief Development Officer of NCG.

NCG will develop and operate the new Moxy Hotel Madison Downtown, which is anticipated to break ground in Spring 2022 and open Summer of 2023, as well as develop and operate The Trade Milwaukee, an Autograph Collection Hotel. The Trade Milwaukee is located next to Fiserv Forum in the Deer District and is anticipated to open Spring of 2023.

NCG is celebrating its 40th year in Hospitality and is proud to provide the highest-quality experience for its team members and guests across the nation. For more information on NCG, please visit them on Facebook and Instagram or visit https://www.ncghotels.com. For all other questions, please contact Katie Maron at kmarron@ncghotels.com.

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About North Central Group (NCG)

North Central Group is a leader in the ownership, development, and operation of premier hospitality properties. Established in 1981 by Founder and Chairman David Lenz, North Central Group (NCG) is a family-owned business with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. We own and operate more than 25 properties across multiple states and national brands. We leverage our unparalleled expertise to provide hotel management services, hotel development expertise, and real estate-focused services to property owners and investors throughout the U.S. ncghotels.com

Photo by Richard Hurd

Wisconsin Union: In-Person Winter Celebrations to Return to Memorial Union, Alumni Park in February 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 16, 2021

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

IN-PERSON WINTER CELEBRATIONS TO RETURN TO MEMORIAL UNION, ALUMNI PARK IN FEBRUARY 2022

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union’s annual Winter Carnival will return to Memorial Union Feb. 7-12, 2022, and the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park will return on Feb. 12, 2022. 

The Wisconsin Union’s more than 80-year-old Winter Carnival tradition features a variety of events and activities that showcase the fun wintertime opportunities available to Wisconsin Union members and guests.

Last year, the Union’s Winter Carnival events took place in-person and virtually due to COVID-19. This year, the Wisconsin Union team anticipates holding Winter Carnival fully in-person, returning time-honored events, such as freestyle skiing and snowboarding contest Rail Jam; the food and dance event, called Snow Ball; a to-scale, inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch on frozen Lake Mendota; as well as welcoming new additions.

The Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park began in 2018 and will bring people of all ages together on Feb. 12 for an afternoon of family-friendly, winter-themed activities in Alumni Park and One Alumni Place. The event will include a performance by DJ Mike Carlson, an outdoor dance party, children’s storytelling, hands-on art activities presented by the Chazen Museum of Art, a visit from Bucky Badger, and complimentary hot cocoa and apple cider.

The winter celebrations will feature a wide variety of family-friendly events including but not limited to:

“Even though Wisconsin winters can get chilly, the Wisconsin Union’s Winter Carnival reminds folks that there are still plenty of ways to get involved outside,” said Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo. “It’s inspiring to see how hard Wisconsin Union student leaders and team members work to put on all these great events for campus and community members and visitors to enjoy.”

The Wisconsin Union team offers many on-site dining options at its building Memorial Union, including an ice cream and dessert café, called the Daily Scoop; an Italian eatery, called Strada; and an iconic pub fare destination, called der Rathskeller. 

All must follow University of Wisconsin–Madison health and safety protocols, which currently require face coverings when indoors unless actively eating or drinking. The Wisconsin Union team and Wisconsin Alumni Association team frequently clean and disinfect their spaces, operating with the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. The teams look forward to welcoming guests to the Winter Carnival and Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park experiences. 

Events are subject to change. For more information about these winter celebrations, including an up-to-date full schedule of events, visit union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival. 

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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.

About the Wisconsin Alumni Association                        

Founded in 1861 to promote the welfare of the University of Wisconsin and serve the interests of its graduates, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) connects, enriches and serves a growing number of alumni to help facilitate their support of each other and the university. WAA is a division of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing UW–Madison. For more information, please visit uwalumni.com.   

[Click here to download photos from Wisconsin Union’s Winter Carnival at Memorial Union and the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/news/winter-fun-2022.

Photo by Richard Hurd

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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Photo by Richard Hurd

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 40th 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.