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December 17, 2025 ## FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ##  The Clear Lake Area Community Center (CLACC), in Clear Lake, Wis., announced today that it has been awarded a grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation as part of the Foundation’s annual grant cycle.  These grant funds will be used as part of a major upgrade of the Event Center’s performance infrastructure. Known as Project   Center Stage: The Future of Performing Arts at CLACC,  improvements include replacing the existing stat

It Was a Very Good Year By Muriel Nelson As its business year ends, the Clear Lake Area Community Center looks back at the ‘Year That Was’ while planning for the coming year.  In summary, it was a good year when some important projects were completed and while others are getting underway.  For instance, thanks to a $148,000 grant from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation-Brownfield Site Assessment Grant program, the project to remove asbestos from areas where it could e

By Muriel Nelson Santa visited kitchen elves Ray, Patti, John, Neil and Joan. Santa made a special stop at the community center’s Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 11.  He greeted each of the 65 guests with a candy cane and his best HO!HO!HO! wishes for the holidays. Diners then sat down to a meal fit for a seasonal celebration. As always, Joan Lillie’s catering was a huge hit for everyone. The Senior Luncheon Committee will soon plan the 2026 luncheon schedule. They’ve

How Scavenger Shopping Became a Community Superpower By Wendy Larson Schoggins If bargain-hunting were a sport, my family would win the Super Bowl. I grew up watching my dad, Earl, work absolute magic with thrift, turning “someone’s old stuff” into “exactly what we needed” — and that gift rubbed off on all of us. Some families bond over fishing or card games… we bond over Marketplace finds, auction steals, thrift-store treasures, and the thrill of the garage-sale hunt. Just c

by Wendy Schoggins When opportunity knocked, Clear Lake Area Community Center (CLACC) volunteers didn’t hesitate to answer. This is a story about a flooring project, but it’s really about dedication, determination, and grit. At the heart of it all is our beloved community center and the community that loves it.  Last year, CLACC tenants, Stephanie and Mike Thomas , Simple Thyme Studios (Room 311) , tipped off the center about a data warehouse in Shoreview, Minnesota , that wa

The Community Center will be decking the halls in anticipation of the annual Senior Christmas Luncheon slated for Thursday,  December 4 at noon in the Dining Room. Call the center at 715-263-2233 and leave a message with your reservation any time but no later than Monday, December 1. As always, a free will donation is appreciated from those who can do so. Since this is the only edition of the Chronicle before the luncheon, it may also be your only reminder of the event.  We c

The Clear Lake Area Community Center welcomed about 65 seniors to its Oktoberfest luncheon October 23. Seniors sat down to tables cheerfully decorated in fall colors. Prior to lunch, Dr. Samuel Schultz , local audiologist, talked about the importance of good hearing. Everyone enjoyed a meal of bratwurst, grilled by grill master Warren DeBoer , that was paired with complementary side dishes prepared by Joan Lillie . Many thanks to all the volunteers who supported the event. On

How Wisco Metal Solutions, LLC, is Making a Difference By Wendy Schoggins and Muriel Nelson The year 2025 has brought significant change in the Clear Lake Business Park. Established more than 75 years ago through the efforts of civic-minded individuals including the late John Campion and the late Bill Barthman, the park was created to transform empty acres on the west side into a hub that would support local business and make the community proud. Over the decades, companies l

CLACC Grant Committee November 3, 2025 Present:  Tim Wyss, Marci Meyer, Sue Anderson, Wendy Schoggins, Muriel Nelson Grant Submission Status- Green Bay Packer Foundation – ($8,000 for the Event Center Stage Area project) UNKNOWN RCU Foundation ($315,000 for HVAC Upgrade) . The foundation will make their decisions known in mid to late December. HVAC Upgrade Project – Gymnasium Area The Hugh Andersen Foundation gave the center a one-year extension for using the funds they grant

Clear Lake Area Community Center Board Meeting Minutes October 23, 2025 Present:  Board Members: Tim Wyss, Lori DeBoer, Virginia Cahow, Sue Anderson, Doug Cahow, Wendy Schoggins, Ray Cress, Muriel Nelson. Advisory Board Members: John Koerper, Jay Matson.  Call to Order:  President Tim Wyss called the meeting to order at 9:30 am in the CLACC Office. Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by Tim. Secretary’s Reports : The minutes of the September 25, 2025, were accepted as presented. Treas

By Muriel Nelson It’s time to mark your calendar for another impressive performance by the Clear Lake Community Theater. This season, “The Purrfect Crime” by Todd Wallinger will be performed by ten talented actors (plus a handful of extras) and directed by Melanie Cuper. Performances of this comedic mystery are on November 7, 8, and 9, plus the following weekend of November 14,15, and 16. Performances are at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday nights and at 2 pm on Sunday afternoons.

If you passed by the Clear Lake Area Community Center last week, you probably noticed some special activity going on around the area occupied by the Old School Thrift Shop. There were trucks and bundles of roofing material in the parking lot and plenty of roofers on the roof of the thrift shop. They were there to replace the last part of the roof that was nearly 30 years old. If you’re calculating exactly when, that means it was last reroofed when the building was still the l

** ALL DATES CANCELLED ** SHOPPERS , get ready! Back this year will be several of our fine vendors, from handmade jewelry, decor, soaps, signs, ornaments, woodworking, skincare, toys, custom shirts and hats, and so much more. Plus new faces and lots of new things to see will fill the halls of the community center. Have questions? Please see your frequently asked questions  section here. VENDORS, welcome! Local makers and growers are encouraged to apply to set up shop at our

Clear Lake Area Community Center Special Board Meeting October 1, 2025 Present:  Board members: Tim Wyss,  Bert Petersen, Ray Cress, Virginia Cahow, Doug Cahow, Sue Anderson, Wendy Schoggins, Muriel Nelson. Advisory Member: Jay Matson President Tim Wyss convened a special board meeting on Wednesday, October 1 at 11:15 am. The purpose of the meeting was to act on two issues presented by Apex Engineering/Cedar Corporation regarding design plans for Air Handling Unit (AHU)/HVAC

Clear Lake Area Community Center Board Meeting Minutes September 25, 2025 Present:  Board Members: Tim Wyss, Lori DeBoer, Virginia Cahow, Sue Anderson, Doug Cahow, Ray Cress, Wendy Schoggins, Muriel Nelson. Advisory Board Members: Joan Lillie, Jay Matson. Tenants: Eric Wood, Melanie Cuper Call to Order:  President Tim Wyss called the meeting to order at 9:30 am in the CLACC Office. Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by Tim. Secretary’s Reports : The minutes of the July 23, 2025, were

By Muriel Nelson Wood’s Cutlery is one of 32 tenants at the Clear Lake Area Community Center, Inc. (CLACC). Eric Wood, owner of Wood’s...

At the Clear Lake Area Community Center, help can come from the most unexpected places. A recent chance encounter turned into an...

by Muriel Nelson Your local community center, the Clear Lake Area Community Center, hosted a Senior Luncheon on August 28 for...

By Muriel Nelson The Clear Lake Area Community Center (CLACC) welcomes My Best Friends Bookshelf as the newest tenant to the center....

Clear Lake, WI – Specialty Coating Systems, founded here in Clear Lake over 50 years ago, is demonstrating its commitment to the...