Hello Fox Cities! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Lead-safe homes, a museum renovation reveal, and a fossil fueled comedy science show + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Safer homes for families: Winnebago County’s Lead Safe Homes Program helps families remove lead hazards in houses and rentals to protect children. Insured properties qualify. It has improved over 55 homes over three years -- learn how the program works.
Museum updates unveiled: Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah will celebrate its $785,000 renovation June 27 with free art activities, food trucks, and $20 glass activity at Wisconsin’s only glass museum -- see what’s new inside.
Downtown revitalization support: Menasha approved a Downtown Building Incentive Program, offering 1:1 matching grants up to $50,000 for projects in historic districts to upgrade commercial or mixed-use buildings at least 50 years old -- learn more about the program.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Neighborhood reset button: Need an easy win this week? Appleton Memorial Park packs seven ball diamonds, a Miracle League Field, three playgrounds including the Universal one, trails, a fishing pond, a sled hill, and rentable spots for gatherings, plus the Appleton Family Ice Center and the Scheig Center gardens.
Plant parent upgrade: Mystic Plant Room is the cozy Appleton spot for happy houseplants, crystals, and the soil and accessories that actually help them thrive. Bring in that leggy pothos for repotting, snag honest care tips, then leave feeling like a confident plant parent again... without resorting to another big-box "mystery fern".
Fox Valley stress reset: When your week needs a safe smash and a splash of color, The Breaking Point LLC lets you pick your soundtrack, wreck a room, splatter neon paint, and test your aim in a zombie-themed airsoft range. Leave lighter and laughing, maybe toast it at their beer-and-seltzer bar.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎄 Jingle in June @ St. Joseph Food Program (Menasha) | Wednesday (6/24) at 4:00 PM – Halfway to Christmas, this festive food drive stuffs St. Joseph Food Program’s shelves, and a $25,000 match doubles the impact. Expect Santa photos, letters, and carols, plus tours, resource info, and competitive can-struction, because nothing says June like jingle bells and canned beans.
🦞 Community Crayfish & Critter Hunt @ 1000 Islands Environmental Center (Kaukauna) | Thursday (6/25) at 12:30 PM – Konkapot Creek is calling, and the 1000 Islands naturalists are answering with a free crayfish and critter hunt, no registration, just curiosity. Wear water shoes, bring a net and bucket if you have them, or share supplies, enjoy muddy knees, kids, and grandparent bragging rights.
🦖 Jim Lenz Unearth a Story: The Fossil Fueled Comedy Science Show @ 313 Dodge (Kaukauna) | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – The library turns into a dig site when Jim Lenz, the Magic & Science Guy, brings a fossil fueled mix of science, comedy, and storytelling. Expect dinosaurs, archaeology, and hands-on chaos. Perfect excuse to look clever while the grandkids lose their minds.
🎥 Free Outdoor Family Movie Night @ Leach Amphitheater (Oshkosh) | Friday (6/26) at 6:30 PM – Nothing beats a free outdoor movie when the kids need running space and you need to sit still. Trolls rolls in at dusk, with Whimbubble face painting to pre-glitter the crowd, and The Wandering Table keeping dinner easy, delicious, and mercifully not your kitchen.
🧱 LEGO Minecraft Build Event @ Gnome Games Appleton North | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Gnome Games Appleton North is leveling up family time with a $10 LEGO Minecraft build where kids help Alex take on a skeleton in a lush cave, then craft a snack bag. You bring patience, they bring bricks, and nobody respawns in the living room.
🎉 Block Party @ St Thomas More Church (Appleton) | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – A parish block party in Appleton means one thing: brats, bingo, and neighbors you only see when the grill fires up. St. Thomas More is rolling out the beer tent, kids' games, and live tunes, so bring lawn chairs, your church-potluck appetite, and small-talk stamina.
✈ Family Program: Taking Flight @ Neenah Public Library | Tuesday (6/30) at 1:30 PM – Trade your errand list for sky time in Shattuck Park with EAA, where you’ll help the kids build and launch a pint-sized rocket, purely for educational purposes, of course. Materials are provided, no registration needed, and you get fresh air, giggles, and bragging rights.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Fox Cities report Weather forecastToday — High: 73°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 75%
Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 73, with temperatures falling to around 71 in the afternoon. South southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then rain showers likely and patchy fog between 11pm and 1am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tomorrow — High: 74°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 27%
A chance of rain showers and patchy fog before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis beautifully renovated condo brings lake living to life with floor-to-ceiling windows framing Lake Winnebago, High Cliff, and a park-like setting. A vaulted great room with gas fireplace anchors the home, while the gourmet kitchen shines with custom cabinetry and professional appliances. Add a shared dock, boat slip, heated garage, patio, and open loft flex space.
Take a peek inside → |
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