Hey there 👋

There's something special about Memorial Day weekend in a community like ours. It's one of those times where you see the best of Green Bay. People showing up for ceremonies, flags lining the streets, neighbors gathering together.

Take a moment this weekend to remember why we get to do all the fun stuff. The people who gave everything so we could have weekends like this one deserve at least that much. 🇺🇸

Now let's get into a great week.

MH

Quiet but meaningful news.

What happened: New federal funding will help Wisconsin communities test for and treat emerging contaminants in drinking water. The exact distribution to Northeast Wisconsin communities is still being finalized.

Why it matters: Water quality stories don't always make headlines, but they affect everyone. This is one to track over the next few months.

🔗 Story

A story worth sitting with for a minute.

What happened: UW-Green Bay celebrated 23 graduates from Oakhill Correctional Institution this week. They're the first incarcerated students in more than 50 years to earn a UW bachelor's degree entirely inside prison walls. Degrees were in Organizational Leadership.

Why it matters: Second chances, in real time. The kind of program that quietly reshapes lives and reduces recidivism.

🔗 Details

A local pizza spot is first in the entire world to earn a brand-new food certification. That's not a small thing.

What happened: Josephine's Pizza and Pastaria became the first restaurant on the planet to earn the C.L.E.A.N. certification, a new standard developed by MIT PhD systems scientist Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai. C.L.E.A.N. stands for Conscious, Live, Ethical, Active, and Nourishing.

What it actually means: To earn it, every ingredient must be 100% safe, organic, non-GMO, and formulated for optimal bioavailability. Not just a label, the whole supply chain gets scrutinized.

What changed at Josephine's: Owner Frank Marshall swapped out seed oils in the pizza crust for avocado oil. It costs $100 more per batch, but Marshall says it's worth it. Since posting about it, someone drove 74 miles just to eat there and has been back three times.

What's next: Josephine's is working to add four more C.L.E.A.N. certified items to the menu. The certification has to be renewed annually.

🔗 Full story

What's happening: Green Bay approved a $250,000 renovation plan for Joannes Skate Park. The plan removes the original advanced ramps from 2000 and replaces them with smoother, more beginner-friendly obstacles to keep the park popular and functional for another decade.

The bonus: Council also approved a $20,000 sponsorship from Children's Hospital and Health Systems that will fully fund the 2026 Green Bay Kids Day Karnival.

What that means:

🔗 Story

Following up on a story we mentioned last week.

What happened: Green Bay City Council approved a conditional use permit for Safe Haven Hope Center to operate a small, highly supervised transitional living home at 315 S. Jefferson Street, the former Newcap site.

The setup:

Worth knowing: Several community members spoke in support of the measure before the vote, citing real demand for this type of facility. Sarah Hanson, speaking on behalf of Safe Haven Hope Center, is committed to addressing concerns and fixing problems rather than walking away.

🔗 Story

A meaningful way to mark the day along the Fox River.

The United Patriotic Society of Green Bay hosts its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Admiral Flatley Park, presented by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 3. Speakers include community leaders and Tiffany Koehler, Wisconsin's state DAV commander. The ceremony closes with the Honor Rifle Guard and taps.

🔗 Event details

Dinner and laughs to close out the long weekend.

What it is: D2 Sports Pub Airport is hosting Kaleb's Comedy Center for a Memorial Day Comedy Show. Grab dinner, grab a drink, get some laughs in before the weekend wraps.

The biggest Memorial Day weekend event in the area just got its full lineup. Here's everything happening at Voyageur Park.

Admission: $5 at the gate until 6 PM, $10 after. Gates open 11 AM to 11 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and 11 AM to 4 PM on Monday.

Saturday, May 23

Sunday, May 24

Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day)

Plus face painting, carnival rides, Midway, and food tents all weekend. Money raised goes to local nonprofits.

📍 Voyageur Park, De Pere

🔗 Full lineup

Date night idea or a Father's Day gift you actually made yourself.

What it is: Board & Brush Green Bay is hosting a DIY Cornhole Workshop this Thursday, May 21, at 6 PM. You walk in with nothing, walk out with a custom-built cornhole set. Two people per set, so grab a partner.

Worth knowing: Father's Day is June 15. If you make it now, you've got a gift dialed and a free weekend afternoon to use it.

📧 Questions?: [email protected]

🔗 Register

What it is: Tech N9ne is headlining at EPIC Event Center on Friday, May 22, with E-40 also on the bill. One of the bigger hip-hop shows Green Bay will see this year.

🔗 Show info

What it is: The Levitt AMP Green Bay Music Series returns for its 4th season Sunday, May 31. Ten weeks of free, live music every Sunday evening at Leicht Memorial Park from 4 to 6:30 PM.

This week's window includes the lineup announcement, but the kickoff is Sunday, May 31:

Bring a blanket, a cooler, and the family. Plus two special mashup nights this year: Levitt AMP x igNight Market (June 21) and Levitt AMP x Festival Foods Fire Over the Fox (July 4).

📍 Leicht Memorial Park, 128 Dousman St

📅 Sundays, May 31 through Aug 9 (excluding July 5)

🔗 Full lineup

What it is: Let's Run Around Green Bay is welcoming summer groups for field trips, camp outings, and daycare days. Indoor playground, screen-free, weather-proof.

Why groups love it:

To book: Email Laura at [email protected]

📍 Let's Run Around Green Bay, 2605 S Oneida St, Ashwaubenon

What it is: Green Bay Grows Native is happening on Wednesday, May 27, at Gather on Broadway during the Farmers Market. The Gardeners Club of Green Bay is hosting a member-grown plant sale and selling Garden Walk tickets. Stop by and grab a FREE Wisconsin native plant while supplies last.

Why it matters: Native plants support local pollinators (bees, butterflies, the works). It's one of those small things that add up across a neighborhood.

🌻 Bring something to carry your plant home in.

What it is: Classic rock legends The Lovin' Spoonful are playing the Meyer Theatre on Thursday, May 28. Think "Summer in the City," "Do You Believe in Magic," "Daydream." If you've got someone in your life who loves the classics, this one's worth a heads up.

🔗 Tickets

What it is: The Packers Hall of Fame and Stadium Tours will be open Memorial Day with adjusted hours, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Good rainy-day fallback or a solid way to entertain visiting family.

🔗 Info

Quick reminder that Golden Light Gardens, the cut-your-own peony farm in Sobieski (25 minutes north of Green Bay), is approaching its opening. 500+ peony plants across 23 varieties, you walk in with clippers and walk out with a bouquet. Last year, they opened around June 6.

Follow @goldenlight_gardens on Instagram or Facebook.com/GLGardensWI for the official opening date.

What's new: The Kroc Center is running a flash special on Summer Day Camp registration through May 31.

The deal:

The basics: Ages 5 to 12, full-day camp, June 15 through August 21.

🔗 Register

If you've got a song in you, here's your weekly stage.

What it is: Party Line Tavern hosts karaoke every Wednesday night with DJ RTO running the show. Lee will be there too. Solid neighborhood vibe, no cover.

What it is: The City of De Pere and Definitely De Pere just opened submissions for their sixth-annual Summer Photo Contest. Photographers of all ages and abilities can enter through August 31. Free to submit, and every photo also becomes eligible for the city's Photo of the Day feature on social media.

The categories:

30 minutes south, but a great Thursday evening with the kids.

What it is: Appleton City Celebration's Touch-A-Truck event lets kids climb aboard fire trucks, explore police squads, hop on buses, and get up close with the equipment that keeps the city running. Meet the crews behind the wheel, too.

Food trucks on site:

🔗 Event

Get paid to be part of game day. Starting at $15.50/hour.

What's open: PMI Entertainment Group is hiring part-time staff for Packers home games and Lambeau Field events this season.

🍯 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, or click the link here.

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

MH.