The Ripon Commonwealth Press

Rob Neill’s career has taken him from the stage at Ripon High School to Broadway and theaters around the world. Now, the class of 1987 graduate is the recipient of Ripon High School’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing his contributions to theater, mentorship of emerging artists and service to his community. Neill spent all four years of high school involved in theater, performing in a variety of productions and working backstage.

Kelly Nielson, Green Lake Association’s director of development, speaks during a public comment period at Green Lake County’s recent Land, Water, Parks and Community Committee meeting. A new effort to recognize the economic importance of Big Green Lake is moving forward in Green Lake County. On Sept.

I’ve always had a hard time distinguishing my height (size) from other people. As you can tell from the attached picture, I was a full foot shorter than my co-worker, Steve Wendt. He was 6 feet, 8 inches and close to 400 pounds, basically a friendly lighthouse in human form. I didn’t realize the tremendous difference until I saw this photo of the two of us accepting the awards for the best Shopper Newspaper in Wisconsin in 2015.

Visitors of the From the Land Folk Art Festival check out products in a barn during a past event. The 26th annual From the Land Folk Art Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Toll/Londowski Family Farm and Heritage Hemp Farm at W1648 County Road J, north of Green Lake. The annual festival, founded in 2000, is a gathering of traditional arts, crafts and skills featuring demonstrations and vendors.

With the flu season approaching, the SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic is offering several seasonal vaccination clinics for adults and children. Among them are clinics Oct. 15, 16, 19 and 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 835 Parkside St. location in Ripon. Flu vaccines are subject to availability. COVID-19 vaccines will be provided if available. For pregnant women who are not Fond du Lac Regional Clinic patients, a physician’s order is required.

Thrasher Opera House will host a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. Released in 1975, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a musical comedy horror film starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. The film follows Brad and Janet, a young couple whose car breaks down while they are traveling. They seek help at a nearby castle, where they meet Dr. Frank-N-Furter and a group of unusual characters.

Duane Betts and his band, Palmetto Motel, will perform at Thrasher Opera House Thursday and Friday, Oct. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. Duane Betts plays the guitar. He and his band, Palmetto Motel, will perform two shows at Thrasher Opera House. Betts, the son of late Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts, is a guitarist and vocalist whose music incorporates elements of Southern rock, blues and roots rock.

Joan and Tom Ballweg pose with some of the equipment they sell at Ballweg Implement Co. in Waupun. The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Ballweg Implement’s story begins with two young people, a borrowed dream and a willingness to work. Tom Ballweg was 25 and his wife, Joan, was 24 when they purchased an implement dealership in Markesan in 1976. Neither claimed to know everything about the business, but both believed they could make it work.

Making up the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter board of directors are, from left Becky Davis, Sandy Wisneski, Jean Mockus, Denise Rigden, Luann VanLanen, Marcie Culver, Kylie Roehl, Charlene Jackowski , Missy Sorenson and Nick Sina. More than 100 community members gathered last week Friday in the Town Square Community Center Ballroom to celebrate 33 years of the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter and honor the people who have helped shape its legacy.

Presenting a $10,000 check to Ripon Area School District 6-12 Activities/Athletics Coordinator Becki Yoder, left, and Ripon High School Principal Jim DeBroux, right, are, Ripon Hy-Vee Assistant Store Director Stephanie Sauerbrei, second from left, and Store Director Sarmeen Regmi. The new store director for Ripon Hy-Vee, Sarmeer Regmi, presented a check for $10,000 to the Ripon Area School District last Friday at the high school.