The Post-Crescent (Appleton, WI) articles from March 2004

The Post-Crescent (Appleton, WI) archives from March 2004

President Bush Promotes Economic Agenda at Appleton, Wis., Gathering.
March 31, 2004... Mar. 31--APPLETON, Wis. -- President Bush came here to be the economy's cheerleader-in-chief. And, for the most part, he succeeded. Bush promoted his agenda of protecting tax cuts and eliminating trade barriers as the way of maintaining...

Appleton, Wis.-Area Class Helps Entrepreneurs Achieve Dreams.
March 31, 2004... Byline: MaryBeth Matzek Mar. 31--After months of a fruitless job search, Bob Waldron decided to create his own position. A chemical engineer who was let go after 18 years with Kimberly-Clark Corp., Waldron is now enrolled in a class...

New Owners Take Over Appleton, Wis., Baskin-Robbins Franchise.
March 31, 2004... Byline: Judy Waggoner Mar. 31--APPLETON, Wis. -- After 32 years as a Baskin-Robbins franchisee, Mary Rother is hanging up her ice cream scoop today. But don't expect Mary or husband Mel, who joined her in running the W. College...

Wisconsin Business Leaders Enter Hall of Fame.
March 30, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 30--In keeping with its commitment to teach young people "the economics of life," Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc. is honoring adults who have demonstrated the group's ideals. This year's four Wisconsin...

Massachusetts Advocate Tries to Erase the Nap's Bad Rap.
March 30, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 30--Employers, are you looking for a way to stop your workers from sleeping on the job? Try letting them nap in the workplace. That's what national nap advocate Bill Anthony wants people to think about on...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Business Profile Column.
March 29, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 29--QUESTION: Let's start with the obvious. You were born and raised in Appleton, but with the name Jihad, which we take to mean "holy war". . . ANSWER: It doesn't literally mean holy war. It has two...

Wisconsin Colleges Take Steps to Help Older, Nontraditional Students.
March 27, 2004... Byline: Arlen Boardman Mar. 27--The universities of Wisconsin of the Fox Valley and Oshkosh are betting the nontraditional student segment of their undergraduate populations is going to be around for a long time -- even though student...

Appleton, Wis., Man's Trip Back to College Classroom A Common One.
March 27, 2004... Byline: Arlen Boardman Mar. 27--Six years ago, in January of 1998, Joe Springer was 40 years old and a worried man. He had held half a dozen jobs and raised two children with his wife, Linda, over their 19 years of marriage. A man of...

Appleton, Wis.-Area Wireless Provider Forms Air-Charter Service.
March 26, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 26--Seven years after founding Go Wireless, a locally based wireless provider, an Appleton business has flown off the charts for David Graves and Ned Bartels. But in the process of transforming their cell...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Maureen Wallenfang Column.
March 26, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 26--PIZZA, PIZZA EVERYWHERE: Famous bank robber Willie Sutton said he robbed banks "because that's where the money is." A local Papa Murphy's franchisee could give the same response when asked why he...

Neenah, Wis., Paper Plant to Double in Size; Firm May Add Ten Jobs.
March 25, 2004... Byline: Pete Bach Mar. 25--NEENAH, Wis. -- CTI Paper USA will break ground Saturday for a $1.2 million expansion to double the size of its converting and distribution facility. The 36,000-square-foot addition at the plant at 2323...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Business Profile Column.
March 24, 2004... Byline: Judy Waggoner Mar. 24--MENASHA, Wis. -- After doing the math, certified public accountant Eric Hjortness quit his job. He had two college degrees and had landed a position with a large accounting firm -- but soon learned the...

Omaha, Neb.-Based Department Store Chain Opens Two Locations in Appleton, Wis.
March 24, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 24--You're not seeing double. The Fox Cities will gain not one, but two Gordmans discount department stores Thursday. The Omaha, Neb.-based operation did a double dip here for its first Wisconsin...

Appleton, Wis., Riverfront Continues Development Process.
March 24, 2004... Byline: Pete Bach Mar. 24--Restaurateur Jay Supple said the nicest thing about water is its soothing effect. "People come into the restaurant and they're ours," he said. "They tend to forget about everything else around them, no...

Three Cities on Wisconsin's Fox River Work on Riverfront Developments.
March 24, 2004... Byline: Pete Bach Mar. 24--Three Fox Cities communities are turning long-planned riverfront endeavors into reality with surprising speed. "As we start seeing some of those projects come to fruition, we're able to take advantage of a...

Appleton, Wis.-Area Companies Rise up to the Challenge of Better Health.
March 23, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 23--Given the saying, "If you have your health, you have your wealth," rings true, then this year's Fox Cities Corporate Challenge participants have a golden opportunity. The 10th annual event, which begins...

Networking Group Adds New Life to Appleton, Wis., Area.
March 23, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 23--The networking group Pulse recently celebrated its one-year anniversary without missing a beat. The Fox Cities young professionals association sprung into life in February 2003 by the Fox Cities Chamber...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Business Profile Column.
March 22, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 22--BRIDES LINE UP FOR PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES ON THEIR BIG DAY: LINDSEY VAN ROY PHOTOGRAPHY --Business: Wedding photojournalist and portrait photographer --Startup: Began portraits in August...

Founder of Neenah, Wis.-Based Plexus Says Company Worth the Risk.
March 20, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 20--APPLETON, Wis. -- To hear John Nussbaum speak, the success of Neenah-based Plexus Corp. isn't perplexing at all. The Plexus Corp. chairman reflected on the ups and downs of the 24-year-old company he...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Maureen Wallenfang Column.
March 19, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 19--The Fox Cities gets a one-two punch with two major players opening stores right now. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, opened a Supercenter Wednesday at U.S. 41 and Winneconne Avenue in...

Wisconsin Residents Speak Out in Survey on Quality of Life.
March 18, 2004... Byline: MaryBeth Matzek Mar. 18--While they think Wisconsin is a good place to live, state residents believe there's definite room for improvement. Concerns still run high on job losses, rising health care costs and taxes, according...

Appleton, Wis., Company to Demonstrate Towel, Tissue Devices.
March 18, 2004... Byline: Pete Bach Mar. 18--A remarkably fast towel and tissue roll wrapper and three other machines will be demonstrated late this month for a gathering of manufacturing representatives. About 35 people each day are expected March 30...

Some Neenah, Wis.-Area Residents Welcome Opening of New Wal-Mart.
March 18, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 18--NEENAH, Wis. -- There were plenty of happy faces in the crowd of about 100 who were at the Wal-Mart Supercenter's grand opening bright and early Wednesday morning. The shoppers waited patiently but...

Petros Guitars of Hollandtown, Wis. Lands Its Work on National Stages.
March 17, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 17--It seems more fantasy than fact to connect a small workshop in Hollandtown, Wis. with performers who appear on the Oscar telecast, the "Late Show with David Letterman" or national tours. But the...

NCAA's March Madness Invades Appleton, Wis.-Area Offices.
March 16, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 16--It's a time companies may either love or hate, but Thursday marks Jim Wodill's rite of spring. The start of the NCAA March Madness usually signifies employees across America diving into office pools,...

Appleton, Wis.-Area Job Market Picking Up, Survey Says.
March 16, 2004... Mar. 16--Ed Schmidt doesn't need a gaggle of economists to predict the future. For the owner of Appleton-based Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes, things are looking just fine. "I'm adding a safety coordinator and a construction manager,...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Business Profile Column.
March 15, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 15--OWNERS POUR THEMSELVES INTO BUSINESS: FAMILIAR GROUNDS TYPE OF BUSINESS: gourmet coffeehouse and gift shop ADDRESS: 206 N. Pearl St., New London OWNERS: Beth and Jeremy Hutchison ...

Menasha, Wis., Veterinary Clinic Offers Less Stressful Environment for Cats.
March 14, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 14--MENASHA, Wis. -- Every dog has his day, but at Maureen and Tom Flatley's new clinic, every cat will finally have his. The facility will serve felines exclusively. "There's a void out there that...

Appleton, Wis.-Area Vets Say Laser Surgery's Benefits Outweigh Its High Costs.
March 14, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 14--A new technology at some Fox Valley animal clinics won't let sleeping dogs lie -- at least not as long as they used to -- on the operating table. While laser surgery once was used only on human...

Grand Chute, Wis., Gets Three New Businesses to Fill Furniture Store Vacancy.
March 12, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 12--When Ashley Furniture Home Store exited its Casaloma Drive spot more than a year ago, it left a huge, appealing vacancy in the heart of Grand Chute's retail corridor. That's about to change, as...

Industry Observers Say Forecasts of $3 Per Gallon for Gasoline Are Too High.
March 11, 2004... Byline: Pete Bach Mar. 11--BUCHANAN, Wis. -- Tanker drivers at Lamers Dairy start early and run late picking up raw milk and delivering the processed product. Consumers must have what Lamers puts out and the dairy can't bypass what...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Buzz Mailbag Column.
March 10, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 10--QUESTION: What is happening on the northwest corner of Wisconsin and Mason? There are fences up and Ganther construction signs all over -- but no signs indicating what might be happening. It's driving...

Green Bay, Wis.-Based Bus Lines Doesn't Cut Corners on Safety.
March 10, 2004... Byline: Judy Waggoner Mar. 10--Even in the age of Wal-Mart and mass market discounters, not everyone is shopping on cost. "We ask our customers, 'What's important to you?' and I'm always amazed that price is third, fourth or fifth...

Little Chute, Wis., Roofing Tile Maker Creates Handmade Durability.
March 10, 2004... Byline: Judy Waggoner Mar. 10--Henry Ford is quoted as having said, "You can have any color of Model T car you want as long as it's black." Since that attitude was set in the early 20th century, many manufacturers have chosen a path...

Greenville, Ill., Design-Build Firm Uses Awards to Garner Positive Atmosphere.
March 9, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 9--At Greenville-based design-build firm Hoffman, company culture boils down to who gets the most rocks. About two months ago, Hoffman's general manager, Terri Todhunter, developed the idea for employees to...

Appleton, Wis.-Area Service-Sector Jobs Often Pay Above Minimum Wage.
March 9, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 9--Appleton resident Steve Preston has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years and can't recall ever making minimum wage. With his job as a full-time manager at Culver's of Darboy, where he's worked...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Business Profile Column.
March 8, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 8--QUESTION: Tell me about your prior experience. What made you qualified for this position at 22? ANSWER: I worked for The Limited for three and a half years. One of those summers, I was a key holder...

Neenah, Wis., Telemarketing Operation to Add 50 Jobs.
March 8, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 8--NEENAH, Wis. -- Alta Resources is adding 50 jobs to its Fox Point location at 800 Winneconne Ave. The vacant slots are the result of a program expansion that adds outbound calling, said Alisa Barth,...

Customers, Professionals Offer Tales of Good, Bad Very Ugly Service.
March 7, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 7--The easiest way to define good customer service is to say what it isn't. Ask the experts and you get an earful. Three separate employees pounced on Jim Sullivan during a recent foray into a...

Global Trade Conference to Take Place in Appleton, Wis.
March 6, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 6--An upcoming trade conference could mean the world for some area businesses struggling to compete in the global marketplace. The April 5 event, taking place at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, is...

New Executive Takes over Wells Fargo Operations in Appleton, Wis., Area.
March 5, 2004... Byline: Avi Stern Mar. 5--APPLETON, Wis. -- The Fox Cities represent a banker's dream -- just ask Gail Enke. "This is a great place to live, work and raise a family; there's so many positives about the dynamics of the marketplace,"...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Maureen Wallenfang Column.
March 5, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 5--The Willow Restaurant -- or more precisely the building that housed it until last fall -- will come back to life March 15. But in this reincarnation, the white tablecloth eatery won't come back as a...

Services Added at First Federal Capital Bank in Appleton, Wis.
March 4, 2004... Byline: Avi Stern Mar. 4--APPLETON, Wis. -- With the opening of a new northside location for First Federal Capital Bank, the financial institution also is debuting business banking services in the Fox Cities. "It's a great market,"...

Kimberly, Wis.-Based Company Finds a Niche in Area's Paper Industry.
March 4, 2004... Byline: Judy Waggoner Mar. 4--KIMBERLY, Wis. -- Nestled in a grove of trees that all but hides its location, is the 48,000-square-foot headquarters of Crane Engineering Sales Inc. Founded by Herbert C. Crane in 1939, the firm...

Appleton, Wis., Workshop Aims to Show Value of Human Resource Departments.
March 3, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 3--Think your Human Resources department is your company's biggest expense generator? Think again. A March 10 workshop sponsored by the Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association sets out to prove that the...

Paper Industry Maintains Manufacturing Leadership in Wisconsin.
March 3, 2004... Byline: Pete Bach Mar. 3--To those who know it best, this much seems certain: Wisconsin's buffeted manufacturing sector will probably never fully recover its glory days status. But, inside observers are also quick to add, it won't...

Appleton, Wis., Piggly Wiggly Store to Close.
March 3, 2004... Byline: Maureen Wallenfang Mar. 3--APPLETON, Wis. -- Piggly Wiggly on the city's east side will close within the next 60 days. The Piggly Wiggly at 2155 W. Koeller St., Oshkosh, will meet the same fate. The grocery store's...

Some Appleton, Wis.-Area Businesses Implement Independent Safety Standards.
March 2, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 2--Safety standards aren't usually the first things on people's minds when they come in to work each morning. But maybe they should be. American companies typically spend about $40 billion a year on...

The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Business Profile Column.
March 1, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 1--NAME: Darin Kath TITLE: Chief operating officer, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. TYPE OF BUSINESS: Directs underwriting, marketing and government relations AGE: 37 EDUCATION: Degree in...

Founder of Vacuum Cleaner Giant Oreck Corp. Clears Out Niche for Success.
March 1, 2004... Byline: Monique Balas Mar. 1--OSHKOSH, Wis. -- Most people wouldn't see the connection between a song in the movie "Casablanca" and a successful way to build a brand. But David Oreck can, and it's that kind of insight that makes the...