The Arts and Culture News for October, 2021
It's October, people!!!
Not sure how we are already in October, but here we are. And can we be honest? Or, maybe a show of hands: How many are feeling just a little nervous about another winter in isolation? Ugh!!! Here is one thing we do know: Live events: music, theater, dance, art shows, social gatherings, we may be able to do them under certain conditions. If we are willing to mask, for instance. Some unique events may be held outdoors, even in the cold; some with vaccination proof or a negative covid test... This may be a way forward while we wait for safer conditions. Are you willing? That is the big question!

As always, we continue to follow CDC guidelines. Please be part of the solution that will help us be able to enjoy our community: GET VACCINATED !!!

October in Waupaca is all about PUMPKINS!!! We have so many awesome local farmers, and quite a few pumpkin-based events coming up this month...Did you know that pumpkins are native to North America (northeastern Mexico and the southern United States),they're one of the oldest domesticated plants, having been used as early as 7,500 to 5,000 BC? Check out the evolution of pumpkins here!

In honor of the Waupaca Blues Festival sponsored by the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, here is a great Mississippi Delta blues montage to groove on and get you in the mood for this weekend!

Enjoy this newsletter, it is chock-full!!!! As always, we encourage you to browse through: see all the happenings and many opportunities in our community, and if you feel curious, click on the bright blue links to take a deeper dive and get more details!
It is with deep sadness yet profound honor that we had to say goodbye to one of our dearest WCAB Board members, Patti Vaux. Patti served on WCAB for many years as a voting member, an associate member and in the past year as a Member Emeritus, an honor bestowed upon her for her many years of creative input with the WCAB. A former Nurse, she utilized her superior organizational skills in may ways: the Summer Nights Family Art projects, for example, were organized by Patti. Her hand was in many things: writing Thank You cards to donors with her beautiful distinct penmanship, acting as an elegant host to the Phantom Art Gallery as well as working in the Information Booth at Arts on the Square. Her artistic ability was admired by all, as she created art for over 50 years, most ambitiously designing the Arts on the Square image in 2016 of which she was so proud. She was a friend, a fixture, an icon and she will be deeply missed by all of WCAB as well as her family, friends and our community. Patti, thank you for your bright shining light, we will never forget you!
In October, the Waupaca Community Arts Board's Annual "Friends of WCAB Campaign" begins!


Despite the necessary ongoing restrictions on gathering due to Covid 19, WCAB has led our community in continuing to offer a variety of safe, quality arts programming and experiences throughout 2021. And you all helped, with your generous contributions during our last campaign! Thank you for being our friend!
A few highlights of 2021 include:
—Virtual Participatory Chick Night
3D Alley Art project: 26 murals in the Alleys of Waupaca
Winter Craft Cafe — 5 creative art project kits available for free from our Waupaca Library
Summer Nights concerts were back! Four fun evenings at South Park with Stellar Music, art projects, food and fun!
Monthly Waupaca Local Live shows on 96.3 fm: some on zoom, finally back to in studio!
ARTicipation Week & AOTS were back! What a great time we had in August, with comedy, music, poetry, Storytelling, a phenomenal band for the Street Dance, and a fantastic festival on the grounds of the Rec Center!
Kid Art Camp: an immersive experience for kids who created art and set up and ran an art gallery!
Poetry at your Feet: Downtown Sidewalk Poetry
— and, our newest project: The Waupaca Community Arts Hub, was launched! Music lessons and art classes for kids of all ages!

One of our favorite winter craft cafe kits: Luminaries, and there was a zoom class to learn how to make them! Who says we can't have fun during a pandemic?!
Embedding the Sidewalk Poetry
3D Alley Art mural artists hard at work, one of 26 murals painted in the summer of 2021!
Some of our Arts on the Square volunteer staff
Winers of the Original Leif Larsen painting at Arts on the Square
Waupaca Local Live on 96.3 FM and 99.1 FM, every Third Thursday of the Month!
Dr. Kickbutt's Orchestra of Death on Opening Day for Articipation week 2021!
Artist Stephon Kiva Freeman
The Kid Art Camp 2021 was an intense experience for these young artists...tehy not only created a lot of art, but they bonded as they worked together!
Community Covid Quilt, created by the community in 2020/2021
Kids in Art Camp: young artists at work!
Chick night 2021: Virtual but Mighty, with our favorite, Erin Krebs!
Our Annual Friends of WCAB Campaign will begin Oct. 8, and run through Nov. 8. Contribution letters to our past friends will arrive in a couple of weeks. Watch your mailboxes!
And soon we will set up the secure online payment system to our website to make it easier for you to contribute. Our goal for 2022 is to raise $7500 so that we can continue to provide the projects, programs, and creative experiences that you have come to love. With your help we can do just that!
***With every contribution, with your permission, we will add your name to our website as a Friend of WCAB.
***And with every contribution of $50 or more, we will send you a set of WCAB-made note-cards, with images form our creative community during 2021!

Stay tuned for more details on the campaign, and thank you for helping us build community through the arts!
WCAB's Waupaca Local Live October Show
Featuring:
Pat Wiley
Thursday, October 21
7pm Live in the Studio and Live on Facebook!

Contact Us if you would like to be in the small, safe, masked live audience!
We at Waupaca Local Live have been anxiously awaiting the chance to get Pat Wiley in the studio! Pat Wiley is a singer/ songwriter and multi-instrumentalist( guitar, fiddle, banjo, button accordian). He's been performing for a half century now. He's a "woodsy" sort and his music reflects this. He refers to his style as "rural", and likes to weave stories into his performances.
GO HERE for a great selection of Pat's original music videos!

View previous programs from the past 5 years here! Great musicians, interesting dialogue and great music!


Waupaca Local Live is collaborative venture between the WCAB, Waupaca's 96.3 FM radio and WAUP 99.1 fm radio.
We seek to bring local and regional musical excellence to the airwaves!

If you know of a musician who has original music that you think would be great on our show, Contact us! We are doing winter and spring booking now!
The Waupaca Community Arts HUB
October is in full speed at the Arts HUB!
  • The young artists in the Tuesday "ART-side the Lines" class with artist Ashley Gordon Ellis are having a wonderful time creating artwork, learning new techniques, diving deep and making new friends. The energy is palpable, these young artists are keeping sketch journals and being inspired. Your child can still join this class, see below for details!
  • We are excited to announce that we are accepting resumes for the position of Executive Director for the Arts Hub! This part-time paid contract position will help us continue to grow and meet our community's needs! For more informatino on how to apply, GO HERE! And thanks to the Waupaca Area Community Foundation for their support in helping us fund this position!
  • Gift Cards are a great way to support your budding artists!
  • Scholarships available: We are so excited that people are taking advantage of our Scholarship Program! We are able to offer scholarships for eligible students starting with our fall semester.
Check out our website, and join us at the Hub, a place where creativity comes to grow!!!
Art-side the Lines with Ashley Gordon Ellis: This class will explore assorted skills and elements of art. Artists of any ability will use these skills and elements to develop, expand, inspire and highlight their creativity through carefully curated projects. Tuesdays at the HUB. Your child can still enter this class, with a pro-rated fee. Contact us for more details!
Gifts From the Heart with Laura Reynolds: In this 7 week class, children will make heartfelt gifts for people on their holiday gift list. Art projects encourage creativity, increase fine motor skills, and allow children to problem solve in a fun and safe environment. All supplies included. After-school bus service available. Scholarships available!
Ric Reynolds has played guitar and bass guitar since the early 1970's, following in the footsteps of his older brother. A member of a very musical family, the sounds of music could always be heard in the Reynolds household- from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Glenn Campbell, to the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Chicago and Steely Dan. A self-taught musician, his ear - the ability to hear music and play it almost immediately, is exceptional. He recently began teaching at the arts Hub in hopes of sharing what he's learned over nearly 5 decades of playing. You can see Ric perform with his brother and sister Marci in the local band, Baba Ghanooj.
It's October: Time to get your student in shape for band with Mr. Dan Radley! Dan is a musician (His primary instrument was the Tuba!) and an educator with 35 years of experience teaching kids from middle school through high school! He has retired from teaching but still plays in several ensembles, subs at our Middle School and is beloved by all. Dan will be taking on students starting on Wednesdays in October.

Hub Music lessons also include Piano with Marci Beaucoup, and Piano and Drums with Lucas Fischer.

GO HERE for more information on how to sign up for private music lessons with Ric, Dan, Marci or Lucas!

Other September Happenings... in and around our community!
Events, classes, stress relief and local artisan shopping!
The Waupaca Arts and Culture Network is excited to be planning the Third Annual Yuletide Trail event in downtown Waupaca! A cookie walk, Santa neighborhood tour, caroling and community singalong, ornament making, Holiday books and story-times and more will get you ready for our 2021 Holidays!
Stay tuned for more information soon, Save the date though, Saturday December 4!
Waupaca Arts Summit 2021!
The City of Waupaca, in partnership with the Waupaca Area Arts and Culture Network, had a really productive and energy-filled Summit in September!
WE reviewed accomplishments in the area of Arts and Culture in the past 3 years, and talked about plans for amending our city's Arts and Culture Plan for the upcoming 3 years.
Stay tuned for more information as we continue to prioritize goals for our community in the area of arts and culture, for 2022 and beyond!
Virtual LIfe Class
Thursday, October 7
6-7:30 on ZOOM
Marginalized / Oppressed groups are often overlooked by those in the majority. Join this Life Class to discuss how we can better support our neighbors, friends and family who may not enjoy the same privileges experienced by the predominant population.
Let's learn from each other, recognize and practice our role as an "Ally" for ALL.
Jane and Ashley from the Waupaca County Department of Health and Human Services will facilitate this session.
Go HERE to register, this session will be on ZOOM.
Online Stories
Join us for online stories!, for kiddos! New stories all the time! GO HERE!
Our stories help define who we are as a community. Help make a difference by sharing with us your story about how the Waupaca Library has helped enrich your life. Your story might help secure funding for the library or encourage others to get a free library card. Everyone has a story to tell, and we would love to hear your library story!
The Waupaca Area Public Library
Starting Monday, October 4:
Library Visits are suspended until Waupaca County is no longer in the Critical High rate for Covid-19. We still want to serve your library needs!
  • We’ll gather the books you want for pick up
  • We’ll select up to 30 books for a book pack based on your interests
  • Virtual programming for all ages
  • 5 Laptops available for checkout
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot units available for checkout
  • Printing from lobby or by emailing us
  • Wi-Fi signal available near building

Teen Hallo-read

From October 1st-31st, we challenge you to reach 720 minutes (12 hours) of reading! Log your reading time and earn badges for a chance to win a grand prize! Any books or audiobooks count, and if you spent time reading at school, home, or even in the car, log it! Don't forget to check out our fall display for some hauntingly delightful titles in the Teen Room.
Happy spooky reading!
(Open to teens in 6th-12th Grade)

The Waupaca Historical Society
150 years of the Railroad
Thursday October 21
6-8 pm
At the Depot
Mike Kirk will present, “150 Years of Waupaca’s Railroad," sharing photographs and the stories of Waupaca's railroad. Stay after the presentation for guided tours of the Historic Waupaca Depot!
Help Us Preserve Your Story!

We are collecting memories and stories from the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. These collections will be preserved at the Holly History and Genealogy Center to help future generations understand this time in Waupaca, our state, and our country.

Please consider filling out our survey HERE! Surveys can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to WHS, 321 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981.
The Waupaca Community Theater
The Waupaca Community Theater, part of the Fine Arts Festival, is happy to present
Frankenstein
October 30
7:00 PM
The Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega
Directed by Barbara Laedtke, this production will be performed live, with have limited live seating at the Gerold Opera House! Masks will be required to attend in person. Get your tickets today at the Bookcellar or the Chamber. The play will also be broadcast on both community radio stations: Oct. 31 on 96.3 fm, and Nov. 1 on 99.1 fm for your spooky holiday listening pleasure!
Waupaca Story Project
The Waupaca Story Project is planning a one day workshop to develop your story ideas for verbal storytelling. Come to learn tried and true storytelling techniques!

Sat, October 30, 2021
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
at The Lakes, A Community Church
153 County Road QQ
Waupaca, WI 54981

Janice Kuder and Lisa Stafford will lead us in the workshop; both have 60 years of storytelling experience. They have shared stories at The Moth (Madison and Milwaukee) and Waupaca Story Project events. They are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge and storytellign skills. They love to help people craft their stories!
Registration from 8:30 am to 9 am, workshop from 9 am to 5 pm with an hour break for lunch.
Bring your notebook, a writing utensil and most importantly a story idea to develop for verbal storytelling. We will cover fundamentals of engaging your audience, developing your idea and how to best convey your messages and experiences.
Pre- registration is required, so sign up today before this event fills up!
The Hidden Studios Arts Tour
Explore winding roads, quaint communities, and fine art hidden studios during the peak fall foliage weekend in Central WI!
Hidden Studios Tour 2021
October 1-3
Enjoy the fall colors as you travel from studio to studio, meeting artists, and seeing the studios in which they create! This is the best opportunity to buy art that Fall has to offer in our area!
Go here for more information on the map, the studios, the artists and more!
The City of Waupaca and the Waupaca Park and Rec Department's Main Street Celebration!
Make plans to attend this fun event that celebrates the grand opening of our new Main Street, as well as Halloween on Main!
Walk the streets of our wonderful Main Street, and see all of the new amenities that have made the newly remodeled Main Street a unique, beautiful and revitalized atmosphere!
October 29
4pm-???
Below are some of the activities that will be going on:
  • Touch-a-Truck
  • Caricature Drawings
  • Jim Miller's Pumpkins: displayed on the town square! (you may have gone out to Golke Road to see this fantastic unique display....come see them downtown on the town square!!!
  • Crafts & Soap Carving
  • Apple Tasting & Snacks
  • Trick or Treating for kids at our local downtown businesses

Don't miss the Fire performers from Fox Valley Fire Arts at 5:30pm! This popular show features professional fire artists performing fire breathing/eating, magic/illusion, and much more!

A true community celebration!!! More events being added, check back frequently!


Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce
This is it, Blues Fest Weekend! The 10th Annual Blues Fest is Friday and Saturday at the Casino!
Blues Festival
October 1-2
Indian Crossing Casino
Fantastic 6 band lineup this year!
Friday, October 1
7 pm: The Jay Stulo Band
9 pm: Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys Featuring Westside Andy
Saturday, October 2
3 pm: The Incorruptibles
5 pm: Madtown Manish Boys
7 pm: Big Al Dorn and the Blues Howlers
9 pm: Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials
Tickets available ahead of time and at the door. Tons of details including shuttle service, band schedules, sponsors and more.

And as always, check the Waupaca Area Chamber's Community Calendar for events in our community! Never a dull moment in Wauapca!, including an impressive number of area live music events!

715 Harvestfest in King
Come on out to King, for live music, pop-up shops, local King shopping and more!
The 715 Harvestfest
Saturday, October 9
9am-4 pm
Our "Chain to Main" vibe is hot and heavy on this beautiful fall weekend!!!

This fun day amidst the fall beauty will have something for everyone:
  • Live music all day featuring the Alex Wilson Band
  • Beer and cocktail tent
  • food/Brat Fry
  • Chain Saw Carving
  • Face Painting
  • lots of shopping
  • pumpkins and Mums
  • ...and more!!!

Support our local Chain to Main businesses, and have fun!


Haunted Hollow Drive-Through
Haunted Hollow is an event that is not your normal haunted yard; this yard 600 ft long yard is filled with the unimaginable. All scenes can be viewed from the comfort of your vehicle. Live characters roam the roadway waiting to scare you and your passengers. If you wish to enjoy the yard only and not get scared, just turn on your hazard flashers. Fun for the whole family, young and old. Haunted Hollow has been voted #1 yard haunt in Wisconsin for the last 5 years!
Haunted Hollow is free and accepts cash donations and/or food donations for the Waupaca Area Food Pantry and Waupaca Area Humane Society. Please help make this year great. Drive careful and be respectful to our monsters.

Opens October 9, goes through the 31, hours vary, go here for more information!
Turner's Farm Market Fall Events!
The Turner family at Turner's Farm Market love fall, and so every weekend in October is a festival at the farm!
Every weekend, take a hayride to the pumpkin field and corn mazes....(both adult and children storybook maze) and the Barrel Train rides and Big Slides! So much fun for all ages....In addition, each weekend features special events:

Saturday October 2:
Farm Fest
10am-4pm
Also: Pumpkins! Apples!
Saturday, October 9:
Pumpkin Cannon!
Concessions by Boy Scouts Troop 643 
Saturday, October 16:
Del Weed and His Sweet Rollers with Americana Folk Music from 11 am-2pm 
Saturday, October 23: 
Launch Pumpkins On A Trebuchet! 
Sat, Oct 30 & Sun, Oct 31: Halloween!!!
Wear your Halloween costume to the market this weekend and get a special treat!
For all the October events at Turner's just go here!
Waupaca Danes Hall's
Granite Cellar Wednesdays!
Want to have some fun on Wednesdays? Danes Hall's Granite Cellar is now open on Wednesdays with fun interactive events!

Be brave and sing a couple tunes! Karaoke on Wednesday, October 20 from 4-9pm, and Karaoke on October 13!

Join our local retailers for the annual Vintage Shop Hop This Weekend!
Waupaca is participating in this regional vintage shopping extravaganza! Local participating shops! Downtown and in King, go here for map and list of shops in our area participating!
Visit all 8 participating shops for a chance to WIN $400 in gift certificates! Pick up a punch card at any of the participating shops: Loot Vintage & Supply, Chez Posh, Panache', Christine's Boutique, Antiques on Main, 81 Market, The Revival and Northern Home.
Waupaca Vintage Shop Hop
Oct 1 & 2, 10-5pm
Aquamos Coffee Collaborative's Annual Pumpkin Decorating
Contest
Get ready to decorate your pumpkins, and enter them in the Aquamos contest! 4 age groups, and fabulous prizes for the winners! Stop in to Aquamos to get your free pumpkin coupon, take it to King Berry to pick out your pumpkin, then it's time to get creative! Carve, draw, and bedazzle your pumpkinart, then bring in by October 31to be displayed and voted on!

What is going on at WegaArts and the Gerold Opera House?
We asked Kathy and Ian, and here is some exciting news:
"Aside from the scheduled Frankenstein performance at the end of the month, We are continuing work on the film The Great Weyauwega Train Derailment. It's interesting, and we will be continuing to work on it till it screens in March. We have spoken with many people who were members of the fire department on March 4, 1996, and we are capturing memories of the day from others, too. We are working with a Youth Panel, discussing what is really involved in discovering history. We have received a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council to help fund the project."
Winchester Academy has several programs in October.

The programs will be HYBRID w/limited in-person seating.
  Email us Winchester [email protected] to make your reservation.
 
Broadcasts will also be online, connect with us with one of these ways -
1. Audio on Waupaca Radio WILW 96.3FM
2. Broadcast live on Win-TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 991
3. YouTube live stream

October 11: "Wisconsin English"
October 18: "The Potential for Stem Cells to treat Eye Diseases"
October 25: "History or Hollywood: Ben Hur the Gladiator"

For the details of October events, go to:
A beautiful memory created by our dear friend....
Patti Vaux created this Arts on the Square image in 2016, and how incredible it is to look at it now...this image takes all of her talents in to account, her involvement, her love for the community she lived in for her entire life. She once said that she was trying to show the full spectrum of Waupaca, including the dark in to the light. What a beautiful way to think of all of us, as we are all part of the community, we are all creative and we all have darkness and light. Thank you everyone for being part of this little town we all call home, and for enduring the dark, and heading in to the light!

Stay Safe, and stay creative!!!