📍 Green Bay, You’re Booked

Hello Green Bay!

Every week, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to live in a place that feels like one big neighborhood. From new faces and businesses to events that bring us together, Green Bay’s heartbeat is its people, and that’s what this Buzz is all about. So settle in, flip through, and maybe find that one thing that makes your week a little brighter.

Cheers!

PS: Want to be featured in Green Bay Buzz, for free?

Cool things. Cool people. Cool city. 😎
If you’ve got the goods, hit reply and spill! Your story could buzz into our next edition.

🧭 Let’s make it happen…

📰New Stories of the Week in Green Bay.

📌 GBAPS Pauses Virtual Public Comment Plan

The Green Bay Area Public School (GBAPS) Board has tabled action on whether to allow virtual public participation during meetings.

The proposal, which aimed to let residents share comments remotely, drew mixed opinions. Supporters highlighted accessibility, while others raised concerns about logistics and transparency.

👉 What it means for you:
If you want your voice heard at board meetings, you’ll still need to show up in person for now. Virtual options may be reconsidered in the future, but they are currently off the table until the board revisits the idea.

📌Howard-Suamico Seeks Input on Referendum Ideas

The Howard-Suamico School District is seeking feedback from residents on potential referendum options. Community input will help guide decisions about future facilities, programming, and district investments.

💬 Ways to get involved:

• Attend upcoming listening sessions

• Take part in surveys shared by the district

• Stay updated at hssdschools.org

Your voice will help shape the future of local schools.

📌St. Mary’s Hospital Transformation Underway

Construction has officially started on the St. Mary’s Hospital transformation project, marking a significant investment in Green Bay’s healthcare future.

The project will modernize facilities, expand patient services, and improve care for the community. Leaders say the upgrades are designed to meet the growing needs of patients and families, providing a better experience.
Expect some construction activity in the area, but in the long term, this will result in expanded services, updated facilities, and a stronger local healthcare system right here in Green Bay.

🍂 You Belong Expands Fall Programs

Ashwaubenon-based non-profit You Belong is rolling out new fall programming with a focus on inclusivity for families and kids.

Highlights include:

• Work from You Belong- Wednesdays 8–11 a.m. Parents can work while kids play in The Adventure Zone.

• Littler Learners- A new family class for ages 2–5, centered on social interaction and sensory fun.

• Forward Together- One-on-one support for families navigating new disability diagnoses.

✨ Special Event Alert:
On Saturday, Sept. 27th, You Belong teams up with Positively Princess for their first-ever Royal Ball. Two sessions (each 2 hours) feature dancing, magic, and princess characters for kids ages 0–8 of all abilities.

📍 Location: You Belong, Ashwaubenon

🌱 Growth Business Spotlight: The Milk Grove

Welcoming a new little one is beautiful, but it can also be overwhelming. That’s where The Milk Grove steps in.

Based right here in our community, The Milk Grove specializes in holistic maternity, newborn, and postpartum doula services, supporting families throughout every stage of early parenthood.

✨ Services include:

• Concierge-style care for moms and babies

• Holistic support during pregnancy and postpartum

• Newborn guidance for smoother transitions at home

💻 Learn more at TheMilkGrove.com or check out their Facebook page for updates and resources.

📌 A warm welcome to this new local business helping families thrive!

A Taste of Istanbul in Green Bay

If you’ve been craving bold new flavors, Bay Park Square just delivered. Istanbul Doner has officially opened, bringing one of the world’s most popular street foods straight to Ashwaubenon.

The star of the menu? Doner kebab, seasoned meat stacked in a cone, slowly roasted on a vertical rotisserie, then shaved into tender slices. You can grab it in wraps, on platters, or alongside crisp veggies.

The menu doesn’t stop there: chicken doner, beef doner, kebabs, salads, wraps, burgers, and bite boxes all cut. And for dessert? Traditional Turkish sweets, such as pistachio and walnut baklava.

Warm hospitality, international flavor, and a quick trip to Istanbul, without ever leaving Green Bay.

📍 Find it at Bay Park Square Mall, Ashwaubenon.

🏡 Tackling Affordable Housing in Green Bay

Green Bay is taking steps to address the nationwide challenge of affordable housing through a new community land trust partnership.

📢 Mayor Eric Genrich called it a “big step” for the city. At the same time, Noel Halvorsen, president of NeighborWorks Green Bay, explained the goal: to help middle- and lower-income households achieve the dream of homeownership.

🔑 How it works:

• The land trust owns the land, while families own their homes.

• Buyers purchase homes at reduced prices through long-term ground leases.

• Future resale prices are capped to keep housing affordable for generations.

📍 The first project site: land donated by JBS Foods in 2021, now set aside for this initiative.

This model could help Green Bay families build equity while maintaining affordable housing in the long term.

🌟 Event of the Week: Oktoberfest Doubleheader 🍺🎶

Green Bay’s serving up two Oktoberfest parties early this Saturday, and you don’t want to miss either one.

🍻 Stillmank Brewing Co. - Sept. 27 | Noon–9 PM

• 🎸 Mike Schabow with rock covers (1–3 PM)

• 🎺 Little Big Polka Band (4–8 PM)

• 🍲 Food from The Booyah Shed

• 🍺 Plenty of Stillmank’s own Märzen-style Oktoberfest lager

👉 Details: stillmankbrewing.com

🍻 Titletown Brewing Co. -Sept 27 | 3 PM–late

• 🎶 Arilya (3–6 PM)

• 🎸 Annex (7 PM)

• 🥨 Pretzel bites + baked potato bar with sauces from Angel’s Flavors

👉 Details: facebook.com/titletownbrewingco

🖼️ Creative Classes in De Pere

Downtown De Pere is buzzing this week with hands-on workshops and classes. Whether you want to bake, paint, or get your hands messy with clay, here’s what’s on tap:

🍞 The Flour Pot: Sourdough Bread — Fri, Sept 26 | 5–7:30 PM

🥧 The Flour Pot: Chicken Pot Pie — Sun, Sept 28 | 10 AM–12 PM

🎭 Blue Door Artworks: Mixed Media/Collage — Thurs, Sept 25 | 6–8 PM

🏺 Paintin’ Pottery: Wheel Experience —Thurs, Sept 25 | 4:30 PM

🎨 Artisan Marketplace:

Watercolor Painting Class — Sat, Sept 27 | 10 AM–12 PM

Diamond Art Bookmarks — Sat, Sept 27 | 1 PM

Fun with Frames — Sun, Sept 28 | 1 PM

🍷 Mulva Cultural Center: Wine & Art: Eraser Stamps — Fri, Sept 26 | 6:30 PM

✨ A great chance to support local makers, learn something new, and see what De Pere’s creative scene has to offer!

Adventure Park’s Fall Fest

It’s that time of year again; Adventure Park’s Fall Fest is back this weekend with family-friendly fun for all ages!

📅 Dates & Times:

• Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10 AM – 5 PM

• Sunday, Sept. 28 | 10 AM – 5 PM

🎃 What to expect:

• Pumpkin Bowling 🎳

• Bounce house & charming fall photo scenes 🍁

• Ropes Course, Climbing Wall, Zip Lines & Canopy Tours 🌲

• Fun activities running all day long

💲 Admission is free, and it’s a perfect way to soak in the fall season with family and friends.

📍 Adventure Park (part of the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park, Suamico)

🚒 De Pere Fire Rescue Open House

Get an inside look at Station No. 1 during De Pere Fire Rescue’s Open House!

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10 AM – 1 PM
🔥 What’s in store:

• Firefighter demos

• Station tours

• Freebies & family fun

Bring the kids, meet the crew, and get hands-on with the gear; a perfect mix of fun and education for the whole family.

📍 De Pere Fire Rescue, Station No. 1

🧩Sensory Friendly Night at the Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum of Green Bay is hosting a special afternoon designed for children with different abilities and their families.

📅 Thursday, Sept. 25 | 3–5 PM
✨ What’s included:

• Softer lighting

• Reduced noise

• Clear signs & calming spaces

• Sensory-friendly activities

No registration is required; show up and enjoy this inclusive experience together.

🗓 Upcoming future dates: Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 18
📍 Children’s Museum of Green Bay

📚🍺Books & Brews Pop-up Bookfair

Mix good reads with good pours at Lion’s Mouth Bookstore’s Books & Brews Pop-up Bookfair!

📅 Thursday, Sept. 25 | 5–8:30 PM
📍 Badger State Brewing Company, 990 Tony Canadeo Run, Green Bay

Browse & buy books while enjoying a cold pint and conversations with fellow book (and beer) lovers. It’s the perfect combo of community, stories, and craft brews.

🎶 Live in the Garden Concert Series

Wrap up September with live music, craft beer, and food trucks at Badger State Brewing Company’s Outdoor Summer Concert Series.

📅 Friday, Sept. 26 | 5 PM
📍 Badger State Brewing Company, 990 Tony Canadeo Run, Green Bay

🧠 Health & Wellness: How to Keep Your Brain Young

Good news, it's never too late to give your brain a boost. A new nationwide study (the U.S. POINTER trial) shows that regular socializing, exercise, and healthy diet changes can slow brain aging and improve memory and thinking.

👥 Over 2,000 participants in their 60s and 70s participated over a period of two years. Those who joined group activities, stayed active, and connected socially showed the most substantial improvements.

🧓 Senior Fitness & Community Groups

1. De Pere Community Center (600 Grant St.): Cards, games, dance, fitness, water aerobics, and art classes. Schedules at deperewi.gov.

2. Salvation Army Kroc Center (1315 Lime Kiln Rd., Green Bay): Senior fitness, yoga, stretch, water aerobics, pickleball, and healthy aging workshops. Info at gbkroccenter.org.

3. Greater Green Bay YMCA: Senior programs ranging from strength and pickleball conditioning to meditation and relaxation. Details at greenbayymca.org.

🕯️ Local Spotlight: Grassy Island Range Lights

Did you know Green Bay is home to two historic lighthouses? The Grassy Island Range Lights, lovingly restored by the Green Bay Yachting Club, are a hidden gem right in our backyard.

📅 Free Tours:

• Tuesdays, 6–8 PM | Mid-April to Mid-October

• Tuesdays, 10 AM–Noon | Mid-October to Mid-March

📍 100 Bay Beach Road, Green Bay, WI
📧 [email protected]

Drop in or schedule an appointment to walk through a piece of Green Bay history.

👻 Vendors Wanted: Trunk-or-Treat in Appleton

Midwest Shooting Center is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, from 5–7 PM, and they’re looking for local businesses, makers, and community partners to join in.

Ways to participate:

• 🎃 Decorate a vehicle in the parking lot for trunk-or-treating

• 🛍️ Set up an indoor table to showcase your products or services

📅 Set-up: 3:30–4:30 PM
📍 Midwest Shooting Center, Appleton

⚡ Spots are limited; don’t wait! This is a great chance to connect with the community at a family-friendly event. We're now accepting community-submitted ads for our brand-new Buzz Classifieds section!

👥Volunteers Needed for Zoo Boo

The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is gearing up for its annual North Shore Bank Zoo Boo, and they need helping hands!

📅 Volunteer opportunities are open now.
👦 Kids as young as 8 years old can join with a chaperone.
🧑 Teens 15+ can volunteer on their own. Perfect for students, groups, and anyone looking to earn service hours or get in the Halloween spirit.

📧 Interested? Email [email protected] to sign up.

🐝 Buzz delivered. Catch you in the next one.

🍯 Thanks for letting us drop into your inbox and your life. Whether it’s weekend plans, backyard builds, or brunch with the fam, we’re honored to be part of your week.

📩 Got something Green Bay should know? A new business, event, or shoutout? Just hit reply, we’re all ears.

And hey,
📲 Don’t miss a thing. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for daily updates, news, and behind-the-scenes bites from around Green Bay.

Stay local. Stay buzzing. And maybe see you at one of the events. Don’t forget to say Hiiiii!

MH.