Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Appleton’s once-dark library became a bright, sustainable community hub

Be sure to catch Terrapin Flyer on the Appleton Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 8th Patch AM
Tuesday September 8th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Appleton! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Appleton's once-dark library became a bright, sustainable community hub
  • How one Menasha neighbor turned tornado chaos into a lasting relief hub
  • Why some Appleton grillers are swapping burgers for ostrich meat

Also on today's calendar: Timmy No Brakes and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What happened to the pregnant cat that ate yarn? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Humid with a t-storm or two, with a high of 78 and low of 71 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny; breezy, humid, temps: high: 80, low: 56.
  • Thursday: Sunlit; pleasant, less humid, with a high of 77 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. An Architect Returns to His Hometown of Appleton, Wis., to Reimagine Its Brutalist Library (retrofitmagazine.com) — Appleton's downtown public library has undergone a major renovation and expansion, transforming the once-dark Brutalist building into a bright, flexible community hub with a larger children's area and new gathering spaces. The project, backed by the Appleton Common Council, added geothermal heating, daylight-filled interiors, and future-ready infrastructure, giving residents a more welcoming, sustainable civic anchor for events, study, and technology access.
   

2. Carrie Lane spent 32 days helping Menasha. Despite a move, she's not done yet (postcrescent.com) — A July 27 tornado that formed over Grand Chute and Appleton devastated nearby Menasha, where resident Carrie Lane turned her damaged front yard into a crucial neighborhood relief hub. Now she's shifting that operation into the Elisha D. Smith Public Library, keeping supplies, donations, and volunteer efforts flowing for Appleton-area storm survivors through at least September.
   

3. Some Labor Day grillers swap beef for ostrich amid rise in tick-related meat allergy (wbay.com) — Appleton residents dealing with tick-related meat allergies are increasingly turning to ostrich as a beef alternative for Labor Day grilling and beyond. The story explains alpha-gal syndrome, its growing impact nationwide, and notes that local shop All Things Jerky in Appleton offers ostrich options online for those who need non-mammal meat choices.
   

4. Wisconsin's 48 tornadoes already make 2026 the second-biggest year on record (madison.com) — Wisconsin has already logged 48 tornadoes in 2026, and one of the strongest was the EF-3 that tore through the Appleton–Menasha area on July 27. Meteorologists say improved detection and an unusually active spring are driving the high count, and they warn residents to stay alert because severe storms can still form well into fall and even winter.
   

📸 Around Appleton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Appleton

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Appleton Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday September 8
  • Golf Girls Varsity Normal
    Little Chute Area SD Twin Oaks Golf Course
    1:00 pm
  • Soccer: Boys JV1 Game
    Little Chute Area SD Clintonville High School
    4:30 pm
  • Soccer Boys Varsity Normal
    Little Chute Area SD Clintonville High School
    4:30 pm
  • Soccer Boys Varsity (CANCELED) Normal
    Little Chute Area SD Clintonville High School
    4:30 pm
  • Soccer: Boys Varsity Game
    Little Chute Area SD Clintonville High School
    4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: I got a Community Service Officer to come pick it up, they'll bring it to the Humane Society 😊
    Is anyone missing a bunny? It came up to me just a little while ago, it's very sweet. Found at the Lynndale Apartments off Pershing Street (Nextdoor App Hood)
  • Lost kitten.
    Our 3-month old tan tabby got through a broken screen early morning Monday. We are located on Linden Ln. He does have a collar on. Although he… (Nextdoor South River)
  • Genesee Community Services - MyPath posted a job opening for Art Teacher in Appleton. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Load Puller Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Appleton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Appleton here.

Ok Appleton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: She had mittens! (Thank you April M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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