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Olga Emelyanova moved to Neenah from Russia. Although her family had to adjust to many differences in public transportation and healthcare, there are many things they love about Neenah. “The weather here is similar to how it was back in Russia, but the winters are more mild.” She loves that the weather isn’t always the same and that they get to experience all the seasons. She also loves the upkeep of the city and how the parks and sidewalks are made so well. This adds to the safety and beauty of the city. “One last thing we like about Neenah is the Park and Rec Center. My children go there to have fun and enjoy the activities they offer.”
Interview by Josh Hernandez
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Michael Altekruse, is a mental health coordinator, a psychologist, who is currently working for Neenah Joint School District. He’s worked with adolescents his whole life. He is very eager to reach out to students early on, and get them through tough times. Thanks to people like Dr.Altekruse, who see the bigger picture about a person, young people have been given hope. He’s lived in Neenah for 17 years with his wife and kids. He mentioned it’s a good place to live, with high reputations for our schools, and a supportive community. People in Neenah support one another, and watch out for each other.
“Family is very important to me. The fact that my kids could roam around and ride their bikes further than the driveway and know they’ll still be safe is comforting. I think Neenah is a safe place to live, and there are a lot of parks and activities for me and my family to do. Hey, Neenah is very kid friendly place.” He went on to explain how he loved the location of Neenah, because it’s right in the middle of a few towns which supply each other's needs. Article by Morgan Krivitz Cristina Birdsall has lived in the Philippines for most of her life. When she graduated high school, she came to the U.S. as an immigrant. When Tina first moved here, she had a hard time learning our language, because in the Philippines, they pronounce everything differently. “ I honestly don’t know where I would be right now if I wouldn’t have come to the U.S, as an immigrant, when I did. Although I do get homesick now and then.” Tina is very happy she is now a Citizen of the United States. One of the reasons she came to the United States., was not only because she wanted to explore the world, but also because she met the man she wanted to be with. Tina is now married to Rick, and they chose to live in Neenah, Wisconsin. Tina and her husband Rick go back to the Philippines every other year, to visit all of her family and friends that still live there, not all of her family lives back at home though. She has two younger sisters that also live in Wisconsin.
Tina works as a daycare teacher at 21 for Tots Day Care Center, a five-star review center. She enjoys many aspects of living in Neenah. Cristina loves all of the weather here. “I love all seasons, they are all just so beautiful”. It was always so hot and humid in the Philippines that they never really get any precipitation. Tina never saw snow in the Philippines and loves it! “Neenah is a great place to live,” Rod Remme began with a smile on his face, as he talks about his hometown. “I grew up here, and I’ve loved it ever since I was little. ”One of Rod’s favorite things about Neenah is the glistening Christmas decorations that are scattered all over downtown. As Rod lists off the things he enjoys about Neenah, he brings up the Farmer’s Market. “The Farmer’s Market is always fun,” Rod expresses, “I love seeing the different things that are being sold. It’s interesting to me.” Rod decided to stay in Neenah because it’s a nice small town, with a small crime rate. He says it has a home feeling and he feels a sense of belonging while he’s here. When asked his favorite place, a broad smile grows across his face and his eyes light up like a young child, “Easily Riverside park” ,he answers. “My mom brought me there when I was a kid. It’s a beautiful place and brings back a lot of good memories. I also like the fireworks they light there on the Fourth of July”. Rod says that he also loves the different parades the town holds. Out of all the different cities he’s seen, he would rather live in Neenah. “I’m proud to live here” Rod finishes, “I love Neenah.”
In every city, there’s a kind lady that will do anything for you out of the goodness of her heart. In Neenah, that lady would be Marsha Schmidt. Marsha has been living in Neenah since 1951. When asked why she has never moved, she said that she has all she needs right here in Neenah. Marsha’s son, Craig, was born and raised here. He continues to live here with a family of his own. With everything available to do in Neenah, Marsha’s favorites include going to concerts in the parks and walking at the Point. She feels fortunate that she can live in a city with a good school system and with leadership that has a good vision for what the community needs and wants. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else” she said. Anyone would be fortunate and lucky to live in this great city that is Neenah.
Article by Ben Makowski Crystal Soderman is a staff member at Neenah's Youth Go. Youth Go is a youth drop-in center, where youth in grades 5-12 can spend their time. Coincidentally, Crystal finds Your Go to be one of her favorite places to be in Neenah. “I value the work that Youth Go does, and the work they provide me here.”
Crystal has fond memories of Neenah. “My favorite memory is probably when I moved here to live, because it’s the first real community I have lived in. I moved around a lot when I was younger, and it’s a good sense of community.” She moved to Neenah 3 years ago, because they found a house that they fell in love with. It was a character home that needed some work, but it fit their personality and lifestyle. She fell in love with Neenah's community as well Crystal describes Neenah as “Family oriented, and safe”. Article by Maggie Reagan After growing up in Neenah and attending college in Madison, Theresa spent most of her life in Neenah except a summer spent in Florida. She has lived here for more than 30 years. She now lives with her husband and two children in Neenah, Wisconsin. She really likes it here with the feel of community, nature, family, and the memories. When asked about why she liked Neenah so much, she said that when she was younger she wanted to live everywhere else other than in Neenah. However, after going to college and living in Florida for 3 months she had decided on going back and living in Neenah. When she compared other communities to to Neenah’s she said Neenah is just better. She also said another reason that she lived in Neenah was because so much of her family lives there or close by. She loves spending time with her family and has not one, but many favorite memories. “I remember every Fourth of July, walking my dog in the parks, and being with my family." When asked if given the chance, would she move somewhere else, and she said no. “I like it here too much; being so close to family, and being in an area so close to nature,” said Theresa.“No community is quite like Neenah’s.” said Theresa. Article by Michael Sattler Theresa and her son Oliver at Heckrodt park. “There are so many things I love about Neenah”, exclaimed Dawn Christensen, a successful real estate owner. “My favorite place is Riverside Park and the beautiful memories I have there as a child growing up.” Dawn has lived in Neenah for 49 years. She moved here with her mother and father. Her father was an officer on the Neenah police force. Her mother, Rosie, had always been in food service. “I love the people, the places, and the feeling of family!" Dawn has owned sections of Century 21 for 25 years, right now she owns Century 21, Ace Realty, which will be kept in the family for years to come. “I have sold over 1,000 homes in Neenah over the years, one by one, including empty lots, commercial properties, residentials, etc.” She said with a proud smile on her face. “I bring a lot of relocation buyers to the Neenah area.” When asked why she choose real estate, without hesitation she simply said “I didn’t pick real estate, it sort of picked me.” Confused, I asked for more information. She replied “I started out working at Kimberly Clark, and also was a property manager. One thing led to another, and here I am.” She also mentioned that her business is the #1 individual office in the Fox Valley. A question that came up was, “If your office is in Appleton, why do you focus on Neenah” Little did I know that her business is all of the Fox Valley. “My heart belongs to Neenah. I’m a 1997 Neenah grad, raised 5 children, and now have grandchildren here.” She beamed. She went on, “I love to support and give back to the area who helped and supported me.” Dawn is a very hard working person, she doesn't quit. She made her company grow using her gift of determination. Century 21, Ace Realty grows by people knowing the area for relocation, recruits great agents, and treating people fairly. That comes easy for her, but it wasn’t always easy. When making her business she had small children. She had help with this, but she also needed more houses to work than other jobs. She made that work. Her hardest obstacle was competing to get her name out there. What would she do if her business failed? She responded “I also own 21 for Tots. It's a 4k preschool that I have owned for 18 years.” In the day care they take children from 6 weeks old and up. “My passion is people and I love kids. Teaching would have been my next choice,” Dawn confessed. So what’s next? What’s your ten year plan? “Hopefully in 10 years, the business will still be going strong. I work side by side with my youngest child Brittany. She has been here 12 ½ years and I have made her the internal boss. Retirement is Not in my vocabulary yet! Dawn finished with delight. Article by Angel Selwitschka Kathy Hrubecky and her husband, Steve, moved to Neenah shortly after they both graduated college. Kathy has been married for 25 years, and has 2 children in college. Her family loves to run, camp, and do all things outdoors, and their favorite family vacation spot is in Utah. From Kathy and Steve’s first house on 7th Street, they could see the old Hrubecky family home that was built by her husband's great grandfather. Their boys are the 5th generation of the Hrubeckys to live in Neenah.
Some of Kathy’s favorite spots in Neenah, are at her friend’s house on the south side of Neenah. This is where she has a vegetable garden with her father-in-law. Kathy loves the idea of growing her own food in the summer, and sharing with her friends. Another one of Kathy’s favorite locations is the Neenah Public Library. Kathy has been working at the library, for almost 12 years. The Neenah Public Library has so much to offer, and has become a destination for many people to come to. Neenah also has great schools and teachers, great parks, great restaurants, and great business opportunities. It's pretty cool to have all that in a small community. Kathy hopes to retire in Neenah, because Neenah feels like home. Article by Kendyl Horn |
AuthorStudents of Neenah High Arete PBL Academy Archives
June 2016
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