Page 2 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media

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 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 3

SUMMERS BIG
NEW THING

WOLF RIVER MEDIA PHOTO BY GREG MELLIS

Sun Drop soda is just one of the many things folks can look forward to at Sun Drop Dayz.

2-day festival this: Shawano has an established end-of-

summer blowout event in the Shawano
County Fair, but there is no equally signifi-
ready for debut cant celebration bookending the summer at
the start of the season.
Now there is.
By Scott Williams I cannot wait, said Rochelle Jahnke,
swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com the Leadership Shawano County member
who is credited with first suggesting the
So is born a new summer tradition in new summer festival.
Shawano. Based along Elizabeth Street in down-
Sun Drop Dayz, an outdoor music festi- town Shawano, the free-admission festival
val making its debut June 2-3 in downtown will include two days of live music, a Friday
Shawano, is the culmination of several fish fry, other food and beverage choices, a
months of planning and organizing by a flea market, car show, craft fair, petting zoo,
dedicated group of volunteers. fishing clinic, 5K run and other attractions
And it all started in the simplest of ways: including a basketball clinic for kids with
with a good idea. former pro player Christian Laettner.
Members of the group called Leader- Janke, who works for Covantage Credit
ship Shawano County were brainstorming Union, returned after her Leadership
last year for civic improvement possibili- Shawano County duties were fulfilled, and
ties, and they decided that Shawano would worked with Sun Drop Dayz organizers to
benefit from starting a major new public help bring to life her vision for a new festi-
event to raise the communitys profile. val.
Leadership Shawano County is orga- I feel like I have a responsibility to be
nized annually to promote leadership and here, she said. I wouldnt be able to walk
problem solving around the region. out.
Sun Drop Dayz is the solution that vol-
unteers found for a dilemma that went like SEE FESTIVAL, PAGE 5
Page 4 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 5
FESTIVAL
FROM PAGE 3
Organizers first enlisted Sun Drop Soda
as the events marquee sponsor, and se-
cured permission to use the soft drinks
name to build a theme around what is likely
the best known consumer product associ-
ated with Shawano.
Executives at Sun Drop bottler Twigs
Beverage Inc. have since joined in planning
the festival. Among other things, they have
opened up the Sun Drop Soda museum as
a regular meeting spot for organizers toil-
ing over such details as security, marketing
and entertainment.
From there, other major sponsors were
recruited to share in the formidable task of
funding and planning an event that, at first,
existed only in imaginations.
The organization known as Screamin
Head Buzz stepped forward early as an-
other sponsor, offering its expertise as or-
ganizer of golf tournaments, fishing derbies
and other events that benefit charities in
the area. Taking the lead on lining up musi-
cal entertainment, Screamin Head Buzz of-
SEE FESTIVAL, PAGE 6
Sun Drop Dayz
Schedule
FRIDAY, JUNE 2
Events
Fish fry: 5-9 p.m.
Music
Randy Bruce, 5-6 p.m.
The Cougars, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
Events
5K Run/Walk (corner of Lieg Avenue, Lincoln
Street): 9 a.m.
Craft fair: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Flea market and antiques: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Family fun (petting zoo, bounce houses, face
painting, balloon creations): 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Race car show: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mad Dog & Merrill: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Courtside at the Park With Christian Laettner:
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Learn 2 Fish With Us Workshop: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Magic show: 2-3 p.m.
Music
Wolf River Harmony: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Red Clover: 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Lonesome Road: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Johnny Wad: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Page 6 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
FESTIVAL
FROM PAGE 5
ficials succeeded in attracting the Cougars,
Red Clover and Johnny Wad all popular
regional acts.
John Loch, owner of Screamin Head
Buzz, said he was happy to get involved
in Sun Drop Dayz when he learned that
it would benefit local nonprofits, which he
said fits perfectly with his organizations
philosophy of having fun while helping oth-
ers.
Loch also pointed out that he and many
of his partners in Screamin Head Buzz
make their homes in Shawano County.
Thats where we live, and thats where
we kind of like to do this stuff, he said.
The primary nonprofit partners in the
inaugural year of Sun Drop Dayz are the
Boys & Girls Club of Shawano and Junior
Achievement of Wisconsin-Wolf River Re-
gion. Many other charitable groups will
benefit from operating food or beverage
concessions at the festival.
Other major sponsors of the event in-
clude Novolex (formerly Wisconsin Film
& Bag), Menominee Casino Resort, Cell-
com and Premier Community Bank. One
of the media sponsors is Wolf River Media,
publisher of the Shawano Leader, Oconto
County Times Herald and Wittenberg En-
terprise & Birnamwood News.
Tom Pamperin, president of Premier
Community Bank, said the bank was drawn
to Sun Drop Dayz because of the festivals
vast potential for benefiting the community,
while also creating a celebratory occasion
that will attract people from surrounding
communities, too.
Pamperin noted that one of the events
chief organizers is Jeff Ballwahn, a Premier
financial representative who was a member
of the Leadership Shawano County group.
If part of your family gets fired up over
something, Pamperin said, its hard not
for the whole family to get fired up.
While assembling the festivals inau-
gural presentation, organizers also have
thought long-term about what it will take to
repeat the event in years to come.
Loch said the most important initial step
is getting off to a strong start by making a
positive first impression on everyone. Sun
Drop Dayz appears to be ready for a solid
debut with its lineup of entertainment for
people of all ages, Loch said.
Theyre doing it right, he said. Its just
got the potential to be huge.
Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 7
Page 8 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
Mad Dog, left, and Merrill have been grilling professionally for the past 35 years. They will be in Shawano on
June 3 for Sun Drop Dayz.
Mad Dog & Merrill to shoot
TV episode at Sun Drop Dayz
Internationally recognized and self-
proclaimed grillologists Mad Dog &
Merrill will bring their grilling talents to
the inaugural Sun Drop Dayz at 11:30 a.m.
June 3.
The pair will shoot an episode for their
TV show during their Sun Drop Days ap-
pearance.
Heralded as the most entertaining and
knowledgeable grillologists of the past
35 years, Mad Dog & Merrill travel the
country performing in front of live audi-
ences and hosting the TV series Mad
Dog & Merrills Midwest Grilln that
shows viewers how easy it is to be creative
and entertain in their own backyard.
Mark Mad Dog Mathewson gradu-
ated from New London High School in
1974. Following his fathers lead, Mad Dog
attended the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee for two years and obtained his
insurance certificates. He then sold insur-
ance in New London.
Gary Merrill is a product of Illinois, and
the small city of Watseka. He returned
there after attending college for acting.
Mad Dog and Merrill met in 1978 at
a family reunion, after Merrill married
WOLF RIVER MEDIA FILE PHOTO
ONLINE
More information about Mad Dog & Merrill,
including grilling recipes, the grilling club
and their TV show, can be found at http://
www.maddogandmerrill.com.
Mad Dogs cousin.
For over 30 years, the grilling gurus
have traveled the country performing in
front of live audiences, in comedy shows,
and grilling for cook-outs, logging millions
of miles across the U.S. to demonstrate
their unconventional style of grilling to
hundreds of thousands of fans.
In partnership with Lashbro LLC, a vi-
sual communications company, Mad Dog
and Merrill produce a weekly television
series, Mad Dog & Merrills Midwest
Grilln, airing throughout the Midwest.
They offer the Mad Dog and Merrill
Signature Brand of grilling products in-
cluding sauces, marinades, seasonings,
brat sauce and a cookbook. Mad Dog and
Merrills #ONE Signature BBQ Sauce
won a Gold Medal at the 2017 National
BBQ Sauce Championship in the Tomato
Sweet/Mild category.
Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 9
Page 10 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media

RANDY BRUCE

Musical acts will keep

Sun Drop Dayz buzzing
Randy Bruce
The Door peninsula of Wisconsin is
known to be a lightning rod for artists
and entertainers, so its no wonder that
Randy Bruce calls the place home. Liv-
ing in Sturgeon Bay, Bruce is not con-
sidered a rock musician who colors by
the numbers. He prefers having a good
time and being original as opposed to
fitting a certain mold. Bruce has four
albums out An American Anthem,
Time Weary Traveler, House Afire Two members, Eric and Anna Snyder,
and Carmen in the Vineyard. If youre
into Creedence Clearwater Revival and
John Mellencamp, Bruce will be a simi-
lar taste with a Wisconsin flavor. Bruce
is no stranger to Shawano, having a song
on Time Weary Traveler titled Goin
Back to Shawano. Bruce will be going
back for real June 2, when he performs
at 5 p.m. at Sun Drop Dayz.
The Cougars
Dont ask the members of The Cou-
gars band how they got together, be-
cause there are a few different tales.
met each other while their respective
SEE MUSIC, PAGE 11
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 11

MUSIC
FROM PAGE 10

former bands, Tripp Dexter and Satur-

day Morning, were playing in many of
the same venues. The Snyders met up
with Kurt Risch while they were all per-
forming in the dinner theater circuit in
Green Bay. Many of the band members,
six in all, were good friends long before
becoming bandmates. Today, the Cou-
gars perform rock and roll songs from
Journey to Lady Gaga and even a little
crossover country. The lead vocalists are THE COUGARS
all women; thus the bands name. Anna
Snyder, Stephanie Reini and Heather Red Clover originally started out as
Tenhaken lend their pipes to the bands the opening act for James Otto but now
success. Rounding out the band is Jeff spends its days entertaining all over
DePetro. The Cougars will be heading Wisconsin, including its home base of
west to Shawano as they hit the stage at Green Bay. Red Clover includes some of
6:30 p.m. June 2 for Sun Drop Dayz. the most wanted musicians in Wiscon-
sin, including Maggie Dame on lead vo-
Red Clover cals and members of Let Me Be Frank
Everybody knows clover to be green, dinner theater and Johnny Wad. If you
but by the time Sun Drop Dayz is over, like Miranda Lamberts Kerosene
festival attendees will know Red Clo- and Little White Church by Little Big
ver very well. Theyre not just outlaws;
theyre wanted for their killer country. SEE MUSIC, PAGE 12
Page 12 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media

MUSIC
FROM PAGE 11

Town, then its guaranteed youll be

dancing in the streets when Red Clover
takes the stage at 1:30 p.m. June 3.

Lonesome Road
The Lonesome Road Band is a lo-
cal band that has been playing around
Shawano for about four years. Lone-
some Road is a must-have at area farm-
ers markets and high school reunions.
Sandy Wehmeyer provides the vocals for
the group, accompanied by Gary Klein
on the mandolin, Jeannie Wudtke on the
guitar, Richard Sarnwick on the fiddle
and Kristine Weisser on bass. Lone-
some Road has quite a variety of music
that it plays, from jazz to bluegrass to
Irish. Lonesome Road takes the stage
at 4:30 p.m. June 3.
Wolf River Harmony
Barbershop singing is alive and well
in Shawano, with Wolf River Harmony
bringing its talent to Sun Drop Dayz.
The group is all women, singing a ca-
pella. The group performs at a number
RED CLOVER
of venues in Shawano County through-
out the years and is known for providing
cream puffs during the Shawano County
Fair. Wolf River Harmony is part of Har-
mony Inc., an international womens
barbershop organization created back
in 1959. Wolf River Harmony will per-
form from 12:30-1:30 p.m. June 3 at Sun
Drop Dayz.
Johnny Wad
The Johnny Wad band was formed
in 1999, but it has made itself a house-
hold name in Wisconsin. Performing
seven consecutive years at Summerfest
SEE MUSIC, PAGE 14
Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 13
Page 14 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media

MUSIC music from the Eagles to Velvet Revolv-

er. Johnny Wad has opened for Lynyrd
FROM PAGE 12 Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult,
Sum 41 and many other national bands.
in Milwaukee, not to mention Bayfest Chris Dame and Colin Kriss, both mem-
and Celebrate De Pere, the band has bers of Red Clover, also play for Johnny
become one of the most respected and Wad and have deep ties in Wisconsin.
requested around. The band performs Johnny Wad will close out Sun Drop
four-part harmony with a huge span of Dayz at 6:30 p.m. June 3.

JOHNNY WAD
Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 15

WOLF RIVER HARMONY

Page 16 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 17

2017 Festival Map

y Trail
tain Ba P3
Moun

W Oshkosh St. P4
First Aid
Craft vendor
Wristbands parking at
MT Trailers
Main Stage Sm

S Lincoln St.
. Sta
ge
Beer Tent

Flea market R&R Craft Vendors

Peoples Express Soda/Water Soda/Water Popcorn Ice Cream Floats
Recycling Desserts Fruit

P1 P2 Food Vendors Info Booth

Wristbands Wristbands
E Elizabeth St.
Stock Car Shows
Restrooms
Restrooms
S Main St.

Soda/Water

Learn to Fish Inflatables

Magic Show
Petting Zoo
Face Paint
Stage Balloon Artist

W Wescotte Ave.

Basketball Clinic

Memorial Park
E Lieg Ave.

Parking
P1
P - Food Vendor Volunteer Parking Beer Tent Restrooms Info Booth
P2
Food Vendor Booths Stock Car Shows
P3 - Handicap Parking
Soda/ Water/ Slushies First Aid
P4 - Craft Vendor Parking
Craft Vendors Ticket Booth

Inflatables Basketball Clinic

Event parking at the Fellman Center on Elizabeth Street
Free shuttle every 15 minutes from Shawano Community High School
Page 18 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
Courtside at the Park to show
a different side of Laettner
Former Duke standout
makes 4th trip to Shawano
By Chris Caporale
sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Although the location will change,
the message from former Duke stand-
out Christian Laettner will remain the
same.
Laettner, who has visited Shawano
three times in the past two years for his
Christian Laettner Basketball Academy
camps, will be part of the inaugural Sun
Drop Dayz with an hourlong Courtside
at the Park session starting at 11:30 a.m
June 3.
Im going to stress the four funda-
mentals that I always teach, Laettner
said. Those are that the players have to
get great at catching the ball, dribbling
the ball, passing the ball and layups.
The free event will give athletes, par-
ONLINE
For information on the Christian Laettner
Basketball Academy, visit www.theclba.
com.
ents and coaches an opportunity to see
various drills and techniques Laettner
uses in his camps. His previous trips to
Shawano were usually multi-day camps
in which he worked with athletes at all
levels in practice-like situations.
This is more showing athletes what
they can do on their own during the sum-
mer as opposed to giving them a one-,
two-, three-day workout, said Randy
Panzer, who helped organize the event.
Hes just donating his time and the
camp for his appreciation of Shawano
basketball and the camps in the past.
Laettner, who will conduct camps at
Gogebic Community College in Iron-
SEE LAETTNER, PAGE 19
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 19

LAETTNER
FROM PAGE 18

wood, Michigan, on June 9-10 and at

Mosinee High School on June 12-14, will
hold a meet-and-greet session imme-
diately after the Courtside at the Park
event, staying until everyone who wish-
es can get an autograph and picture.
Laettner said Shawano reminds him
of his hometown.
Laettner, 47, grew up in Angola, a vil-
lage of just over 2,000 in western New
York, 2 miles from Lake Erie. He worked
on a farm during his youth.
Shawano is a lot like the town I grew
up in, Laettner said. The people are
nice, and the place in nice.
He worked as a janitor and received
a financial aid package to attend a pri-
vate high school before playing at Duke,
where he won two national champion-
ships and hit one of the most memorable
game-winning shots in NCAA Tourna-
ment history to knock off Kentucky.
Laettner played in the NBA for 13
years before retiring in 2005 and was on
the U.S. Dream Team that dominated
the 1992 Olympic Games.
WOLF RIVER MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Christian Laettner will make his fourth trip to Shawano
in the past two years to be part of the Sun Drop Dayz
with his Courtside at the Park session.
Since his retirement, he has traveled
the country with his Christian Laettner
Basketball Academy, teaching the sport
to youth everywhere.
However, for anyone who has seen
him previously, Laettner guaranteed his
Courtside at the Park session will not
only show a different side to him, but will
also include new drills and challenges.
The Sun Drop Dayz will be some-
thing thats completely different, La-
ettner said.
Page 20 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
Many kids will get free gifts in addition to professional instruction on baiting a hook and other basics in a free
workshop on fishing at Sun Drop Dayz.
Fishing workshop free to
Sun Drop Dayz attendees
Former pro teaching basics
By Scott Williams
swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Kids or adults who have always want-
ed to learn to fish will find just what they
need at the Sun Drop Dayz festival.
Greg Karch, founder of Learn 2 Fish
With Us Inc., will be offering a free in-
structional workshop at the festival from
12:30-1:30 p.m. June 3.
Karch is a former professional angler
from Oshkosh who tours the state intro-
ducing his favorite outdoor activity to
groups of kids, adults or both.
Admission is free, and many kids will
go home with free gifts such as hats, T-
shirts and even some fishing poles.
The learn-to-fish workshop is spon-
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
sored by Full House Realty LLC of Sha-
wano.
The hourlong workshop will cover all
the basics of introductory fishing, includ-
ing how to bait the hook, how to cast and
how to recognize different kinds of fish.
Karch plans to stay on the festival grounds
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for any patrons who
want a little extra instruction on casting.
Since starting Learn 2 Fish With Us
in 2007, Karch has introduced fishing to
23,000 kids and 16,000 adults. The work-
shop at Sun Drop Dayz will be his 200th,
but his first in Shawano County.
Karch said he is excited about reaching
a new audience here, and also about being
a part of Shawanos new summer festival.
It sounds like its going to be a fun
family day, he said. Its going to be the
perfect crowd.
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 21
Sun Drop Dayz Race Car Show
to include speedway regulars
By Chris Caporale
sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Stretching the width of Memorial Park
along Elizabeth Street, the Sun Drop
Dayz Race Car Show will feature roughly
35 stock cars and classic rides.
Sun Drop Dayz visitors will be able to
walk up and down the street looking at the
sleek cars that run at Shawano Speedway,
along with other collector vehicles, from
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 3.
The cars are expected to include a 69
GT 500 Mustang and a Sun Drop race car.
The tasty treatz of Sun Drop Dayz
Food and beverage being served for
Sun Drop Dayz:
Sun Drop and Twigs sodas
Charlies County Market ribs
Bubbas pulled pork, chicken, fries
and more
Several Shawano Speedway drivers are
expected to have their cars on display.
Event organizers did know which drivers
would participate when this special sec-
tion went to press.
The adventurous folks who want to will
get a chance to sit in the drivers seat and
imagine the feeling of flying around a dirt
track at high speeds.
After sitting in the cars, fans can watch
the the real drivers compete on the half-
mile track at the Shawano Speedway. Hot
laps will start at 6 p.m. and racing 30 min-
utes later.
Fish fry (June 2) featuring Bubbas
and The Main Event
Luigis pizza
Backes brats
Also available, cheese curds, ice cream
floats, popcorn, fruit and desserts
Page 22 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media

Nonprofits working
with Sun Drop Dayz
The goal of Sun Drop Dayz is to celebrate Shawano and to give back to local non-
profit groups in the community. Local nonprofits will pair up with area food vendors
and with Sun Drop at the event and then receive a percentage of sales to raise funds
for their programs.
The following nonprofit organizations are involved with the inaugural Sun Drop
Dayz festival:

Leadership Shawano County smart academic and economic choices.

www.leadershipshawanocounty.com
Mission: Leadership Shawano Coun-
ty, a community-based leadership de-
velopment program, is a cooperative
effort of the Shawano Country Chamber
of Commerce and the University of Wis-
consin-Extension of Shawano County.
Since 2000, the goal of the leadership
program is to build a pool of citizens
with broad knowledge of the ideas, is-
sues and concerns faced by our local
communities. It is hoped that as the
participants become aware of the chal-
lenges and the many existing resources
they will take leadership and active par-
ticipation roles in helping to meet those
challenges. Participation involves at-
tending a full day session, once a month
from September-May and involvement
in a community service project.
Topics include the following:
Collaborative leadership styles.
Natural resources.
Local and tribal government.
Economic development.
Family and diversity issues.
Education, youth and lifelong learn-
ing.
Health care and wellness.
Personal engagement.
Junior Achievement
Wolf River District
www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-
wisconsin/wolf-river
Mission: At Junior Achievement, we
give young people the knowledge and
skills they need to own their economic
success, plan for their future, and make
Our corporate and community volun-
teers deliver relevant, hands-on experi-
ences that give students from kindergar-
ten through high school knowledge and
skills in financial literacy, work readi-
ness and entrepreneurship. Since 1941,
Wisconsin students in kindergarten
through 12th grade have been brought
face to face with volunteers who have
opened their eyes to business and eco-
nomics through Junior Achievement. JA
programs empower students to make a
connection between what they learn in
school and how it can be applied in the
real world enhancing the relevance of
their classroom learning and increasing
their understanding of the value of stay-
ing in school. Thanks to a growing num-
ber of contributors, volunteers, and edu-
cators, over 162,000 Wisconsin students
benefited from Junior Achievement last
year. We rely on the participation of
community volunteers. Because of you,
students across the state are learning
and achieving. And to us, there is noth-
ing more inspiring.
Purpose: To inspire and prepare
young people to succeed in a global
economy.
Core values
Belief in the boundless potential of
young people.
Commitment to the principles of
SEE NONPROFITS, PAGE 23
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 23
NONPROFITS
FROM PAGE 22
market based economics and entrepre-
neurship.
Passion for what we do and honesty,
integrity and excellence in how we do it.
Respect for the talents, creativity,
perspectives, and backgrounds of all in-
dividuals.
Belief in the power of partnership
and collaboration.
Conviction in the educational and
motivational impact of relevant, hands-
on learning.
Shawano Area Matthew 25 Inc.
www.sam25.org
The concept and planning for our
group began in the winter of 2012 with
a small group of individuals, who were
aware of and concerned about the poor
and homeless living in our community.
The group has since grown to include
representatives from local churches,
civic organizations, public agencies,
businesses and other concerned citi-
zens.
Mission: We help those affected by
poverty improve their circumstances
and become self-sufficient.
Vision: Our community works togeth-
er to meet the needs of those living in
poverty and offers a structured opportu-
nity to gain self-sufficiency, and to have
a hope for a better future.
Goals
Everyone in the Shawano area has
a meal and a safe place to sleep every
night.
Everyone in the Shawano area has
access to medical care they can afford.
Everyone in the Shawano area is
aware of our community resources for
those affected by poverty.
Boys and Girls Club of Shawano
www.bgcshawano.org
Mission: In every community, boys
SEE NONPROFITS, PAGE 24
Page 24 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
NONPROFITS
FROM PAGE 23
and girls are left to find their own recre-
ation and companionship in the streets.
An increasing number of children are at
home with no adult care or supervision.
Young people need to know that some-
one cares about them. The Boys & Girls
Club of Shawano offers club programs
focusing on academic success, charac-
ter and citizenship and health and life
styles while enhancing the development
of boys and girls by instilling a sense of
competence, usefulness, belonging and
influence. Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe
place to learn and grow all while hav-
ing fun. It is the place where great fu-
tures are started each and every day.
Safe Haven
www.shawanoshelter.org
Safe Haven provides emergency shel-
ter and support for victims of domestic
violence and/or sexual assault. Safe Ha-
ven opened in Shawano on Feb. 11, 2002.
By 9 a.m. that day, the first family ar-
rived in shelter. Each year, hundreds of
victims receive support to help end the
cycle of violence so individuals or fami-
lies can become healthy, self-sufficient
and independent.
Mission: To encourage a safe commu-
nity, free of physical and sexual violence
and emotional abuse, through shelter,
caring, advocacy and education.
Vision: To be a catalyst for change
and to break the cycle of violence so indi-
viduals or families can become healthy,
self-sufficient and independent.
Sun Drop Dayz organizers ap-
SEE NONPROFITS, PAGE 25
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 25
NONPROFITS
FROM PAGE 24
proached Safe Haven and asked if it
would like to partner with a local estab-
lishment to sell food and raise money
for the organization. Executive Direc-
tor Stacey Cicero was excited to have
a new opportunity to raise funds and
bring awareness about the nonprofit.
The event organizers really did a nice
job of partnering interested businesses
with nonprofit organizations, she said.
This gives the nonprofit the opportu-
nity to raise funds and participate in a
new and exciting event.
Safe Haven is partnering with Backes
Brat Haus & Meat Market to sell brats
at Sun Drop Dayz. Backes Brat Haus &
Meat Market has been the dream of Dan
and Chris Backes for many years. Dan
has worked in the trade for 40 years, be-
ginning in Birnamwood as a cashier at
his fathers grocery store, Backes Food
Mart. Several years later Dan and his
wife, Chris, still own and operate the
same grocery store. Their son Blake is
a manager and meat cutter. With Blake
fully trained, Dan felt it was time to
make his dream a reality and searched
for a great place to open a meat market.
Dans passion is making people happy
with his brats and meats. Their daugh-
ter, Baylee, is studying at the University
of Wisconsin-Green Bay but also has
taken an interest in the business as a
meat wrapper and cashier. The family is
excited for the next adventure. Backes
Brat Haus & Meat Market specializes
in many different flavors and varieties
of brats and sausages. Give them a try,
you wont be sorry. Be sure and check
out the selection of artisan cheeses, lo-
cal made products and gifts. Stop on in;
Dan and Chris would love to meet you.
Shawano County Farm Bureau
Facebook-Shawano County Farm Bureau
Mission: Shawano County Farm Bu-
reau promotes agriculture and leader-
ship within the agricultural community.
Shawano Pathways
www.shawanopathways.org
Shawano Pathways (SPOKES) is a
SEE NONPROFITS, PAGE 26
Page 26 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
NONPROFITS
FROM PAGE 25
nonprofit 501(c)3 incorporated in August
2011 and funded by annual membership
dues, grants, and donations. The organi-
zation formed in response to a growing
need for trails and greenspaces in Sha-
wano County.
Mission: Our mission is to plan for
and facilitate in the development, imple-
mentation and maintenance of a green-
way and trails network within Shawano
County and adjacent areas for recreation
and alternative transportation, while
preserving and restoring natural areas
and resources connected with the trails.
The goal of establishing a network of pe-
destrian and bicycle trails connecting
communities throughout Wisconsin is
shared by many organizations. Our goal
is to link the places people live, work, and
play in Shawano County by supporting
like-minded organizations and business-
es, and promoting dialogue between the
various local governments.
Membership is open to the public and
your dues help support the many pro-
grams, trails and projects we strive to
promote, develop and preserve.
Rotary Club of Shawano
Facebook-Rotary Club of Shawano
Mission: We are a service-based or-
WOLF RIVER MEDIA PHOTO BY GREG MELLIS
The Sun Drop museum opened in May of 2015. The
inaugral 2 day Sun Drop Dayz will kick off the summer
June 2-3.
ganization that brings community lead-
ers together to accomplish great things
by combining our time, talent and trea-
sures.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Shawano
www.bbbsnew.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North-
eastern Wisconsin is a donor and volun-
teer supported non-profit organization
that has been professionally matching
area youth with volunteers since 1972.
Mission: To provide children facing
adversity with strong and enduring,
professionally supported 1-to-1 relation-
ships that change their lives for the bet-
ter, forever.
Vision: All children achieve success
in life.
Being a Big Brother, Big Sister or Big
Couple is one of the most enjoyable things
youll ever do. Not to mention, one of the
most fulfilling. You have the opportunity to
help shape a childs future for the better
by empowering them to achieve. And the
best part, its actually a lot of fun. You and
your Little Brother or Sister can share the
kinds of activities you already like to do.
Enjoy your experience as a Big Brother
or Sister, as an individual, or with your
spouse as a Big Couple. You can make a
difference in the life of a child at any age
or stage of your life. Start something Big
and become a mentor today.
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 27

Meet the main sponsors

behind Sun Drop Dayz
Four key sponsors stepped forward to
help launch the inaugural Sun Drop Dayz:

Twigs Beverage
www.twigsbeverage.net
Twigs Beverage Inc.specializes in
producing the finest craft soda in old
fashioned glass bottles. Our vision is to
become a top tier soft drink manufacturer
and patron destination that excels in the
quality and availability of our products.
With the consumer in mind, we are com-
mitted to giving back to our loyal imme-
diate and extended communities through
the relationships developed throughout
family generations since the beginning.
Twigs Beverage was started in 1951
by a man named Floyd Hartwig. Dur- In the early 2000s, Twigs implemented
ing his service in the Korean War, Floyd a bottled water line, labelled Shawano
would send his military paychecks back Drinking Water. The product is bottled
home to his mother. These paychecks and distributed from the same location.
were to be used to invest in glass bottles. Custom labelled water is also offered
Once returning from the war, Floyd and through Twigs.
his softball buddies started a bottling In 2014, a new production line for non-
plant. Floyd, or Twig as he was known returnable glass bottled soda was added.
around town, purchased some land at 711 Twigs now produces their own line of
S. Washington St. in Shawano. Here he be- Twigs gourmet sodas as well as offers
gan what would carry on as a tradition in the services of co-packing and custom la-
the surrounding area of Wisconsin. beled sodas on this line.
Twigs Beverage had a humble begin-
ning. Floyd would sell a case of soda, and
with the money made, go buy a loaf of
bread for his wife and family. To comple-
ment this simple upbringing, Floyd would
make his soft drink recipes by mixing in
the ingredients with an axe handle. Ear-
lier brands offered by Twigs Beverage
included Bullseye Rootbeer and Goody
Orange. It wasnt until the inventor of Sun
Drop, Charles Lazier asked Floyd to sell
and distribute his product, that Sun Drop
made its way into the Shawano area.
In the 1950s, many bottlers competed
in the local arena. There were two other
bottlers in Shawano, and around 60 in all
of Wisconsin. Many of those companies
have gone out of business since then.
However, Twigs has always stuck around.
Menominee Casino and Resort
After Floyds health declined in 1986, his
www.menomineecasinoresort.com
son, Dan Hartwig, decided to take over
Menominee Casino Resort is an all-
the company. Then, in 1995, the company
in-one destination for guests and groups
expanded and began distributing Sun
of up to 1,000 that offers a complete
Drop, Crush, Sunkist and other drinks to
gaming, lodging, dining and entertain-
all of Northeastern Wisconsin and the Up-
per Michigan area. Dan is currently the
SEE SPONSORS, PAGE 28
president and owner of Twigs Beverage.
Page 28 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
SPONSORS
FROM PAGE 27
ment experience that draws upon the
Menominee Nations long heritage of
hospitality to create truly memorable
family and corporate events.
Located in Keshena at the heart of
Wisconsins Vegas Triangle, Menomi-
nee Casino Resort is the perfect loca-
tion for any active player wanting access
to many of the states landmark casinos
or groups and businesses looking for an
exciting and entertaining place to meet
and work, then relax and play.
Conveniently located just west of
Green Bay and the Fox Cities, and min-
utes east of Wausau, Menominee Casino
Resort is the meet you halfway gath-
ering place for anyone who likes to get
together for great times at a great
place.
Novolex
www.novolex.com
Novolex is a custom manufacturer
of mono-layer polyethylene bags and
film ranging from large pallet covers to
shrink bundle film and shrink bags.
Our high performance film extrusion,
in-line bag converting and state-of-the-
art blending system allows us to create
specialty blends to meet your applica-
tion performance requirements.
ECO Blend is a new brand of innova-
tive products made from recycled plas-
tics. Our ECO Blend product line shows
our commitment to the green initiative
through our proven ability to put plastic
back to work again. All of the ECO Blend
products are designed to provide:
Strength. ECO Blend products are
as strong as products made with prime
material and, in some cases, ECO Blend
products could be stronger.
Durability. ECO Blend also pro-
vides durability which means you can
be confident the products will perform
as expected.
SEE SPONSORS, PAGE 29
 Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 29

SPONSORS
FROM PAGE 28

Sustainability. ECO Blend products

are putting plastic back to work again
by using recycled bags and film. All too
often plastic is disposed of in landfills, or
worse, is left to litter the land. Novolex
is committed to protecting the environ-
ment by recycling plastic and putting it
back into quality products.

Screamin Head Buzz of a person being a head buzz stuck

www.screaminheadbuzz.com
More than 30 years ago, a seed was
planted in the mind of local business
owner John Loch. He was looking to
hire a new employee at his drywall com-
pany. A friend recommended interview-
ing someone he described as a real
head buzz. When John met the guy,
he wasnt exactly impressed. But John
quickly learned first impressions can be
dead wrong. You cant judge a book by
its cover.
The Screamin Head Buzz movement
is much the same. You may think you get
it, but you wont really understand until
you experience it for yourself. The idea
with John Loch. But even he didnt real-
ize what it would eventually become.
Not long after that job interview, John
happened to find a funny-looking rubber
guy on the ground. He attached it to his
truck. The bug-eyed little thing with flap-
py arms looked like it was screaming in
the wind as the truck barreled down the
road. What he didnt realize at the time
was this goofy toy would become the in-
spiration for what is now the Screamin
Head Buzz mascot. Its a symbol for the
exhilarating feeling that comes from do-
ing something amazing.
SEE SPONSORS, PAGE 30
Page 30 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media
SPONSORS
FROM PAGE 29
Someone who is a Screamin Head
Buzz might have overcome an obsta-
cle in life, stepped out of their comfort
zone to help someone else, or organized
others in an effort to make the world a
better place. But no matter what a
Screamin Head Buzz has a great time
doing what they do and pulls others into
the fun and excitement.
Over the years, a Screamin Head
Buzz motto emerged: Wanna Go
Nutzz? Well All Go Nutzz! John Loch
took the Screamin Head Buzz vision to
his work as an elementary football and
high school basketball coach, inspiring
young people to both push themselves
as individuals and work together as a
team. The saying became the battle cry
his players called out before each game.
He also started using the Wanna Go
Nutzz motto with buddies and business
associates.
One day, Loch and some friends real-
ized the Screamin Head Buzz concept
had some serious potential to do great
things. They organized a charity golf
outing, expecting to raise around $500.
The event ended up bringing in $5,000!
And thats how the Screamin Head
Buzz movement evolved from a comi-
cal comment and an abandoned rubber
toy into a mission of encouraging others
FYI
In addition to the top sponsors described in detail here, Sun Drop Dayz would not be pos-
sible without these sponsors:
Premier Community Bank and Investments
Full House Realty
CoVantage Credit Union
ThedaCare-Shawano
AMVETS
Nueskes Applewood Smoked Meats
to discover the adrenaline rush you get
from making a positive impact.
Screamin Head Buzz regularly sup-
ports worthy causes - especially those di-
rectly connected to our area. We also hon-
or individuals who do outstanding things
within the community with the Screamin
Head Buzz Hall of Fame. In the future,
we hope Screamin Head Buzz expands
beyond Green Bay. And it will, as more
and more of us step up and take part. The
only way to get this sort of head buzz is
to accomplish something that truly mat-
ters. That buzz totally intensifies when
people join forces to make a difference
and have fun at the same time.
Screamin Head Buzz cant be con-
tained. It is going to catch on like wild-
fire. As we always say: Its a state of
mind and a way of life!
Cellcom
www.cellcom.com
Cellcom is an innovative wireless
company that provides nationwide ser-
vice for its customer base throughout
Wisconsin and Michigan, with more
than 50 retail and agent locations. Cell-
com is respected for its long-standing
reputation of delivering extraordinary
customer care, for its renowned net-
work and for being a strong community
partner. Cellcom is proud to support the
inaugural Sun Drop Dayz this year to
celebrate an iconic part of the Shawano
community.
Wolf River Media June 2-3, 2017 SUN DROP DAYZ Page 31
Page 32 SUN DROP DAYZ June 2-3, 2017 Wolf River Media