*****************ECRWSS**** PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE POSTAL CUSTOMER PAID SHAWANO, WI PERMIT NO. 135 NOVEMBER 4, 2020 x OSHKOSHHERALD.COM VOLUME 3, ISSUE 44 Businesses bracing for struggles Latest survey finds few options for owners Uncertainty grows for Wisconsin busi- ness leaders who responded to a recent INSIDE survey as they expect another 12 to 18 months of impact from the COVID-19 virus and hold little hope for further gov- ernment assistance. Results of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s October COVID-19 business and economic impact survey also reveal a rekindled concern regarding long-term viability, according to Jeffrey Sachse, in- terim director of UWO’s Center for Cus- Airing it out tomized Research and Services. “The latest survey indicates 8.8 percent Lourdes continues of responding businesses estimate viabili- football dominance ty of no more than three months,” he said. Oshkosh Herald “The decrease in business confidence is Page 15 again largely a function of the uncertainty that has defined economic activity under Light brigade the pandemic. As the state and its com- Positive vibe Volunteers help with this year’s Celebration of Lights setup at Menominee Park munities continue to tackle the challenge for the holidays. Organizer Leon Thompson said they don’t have many of the of the pandemic in different ways, we Love Oshkosh usual groups available to assist this year due to pandemic lockdowns. Work hours should expect to continue to see similar campaign underway are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Contact Jodi Jensema at the levels of uncertainty.” Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau at 303-9200 or Thompson at 410-4624 for Page 5 volunteer information. SEE Survey ON PAGE 16 Interior designer restores her own creative energy By Carol Heffernan worked in local flower stores before re- When the building on High Avenue Herald contributor turning to her interior design roots when was bought out, Holzer moved to a loca- she was hired to design The Waters. tion on North Main Street while opening If you’ve had the pleasure of wandering Shortly after, Holzer opened a studio a second studio in Michigan. It was only a through The Waters, the Jesuit Retreat on Algoma Street before moving to the few months later that a breast cancer diag- House or the Paine Art Center and Gar- corner of High Avenue and Market Street, nosis turned her life upside down. dens in Oshkosh, you’ve seen the work where she ran her retail store for the next “In some ways, cancer was the best and of internationally renowned designer decade. With its prominent location, Vic- worst thing that ever happened to me,” Victoria Holzer. While she is well known toria Holzer Inc. became a stylish main- Holzer said. “I learned so much about pa- throughout the Fox Valley and beyond for stay downtown, featuring furniture, light- tience and compassion. The nurses and transforming spaces ranging from histor- ing, pillows, jewelry and home accessories doctors and staff at Aurora in Oshkosh ic landmarks to residential homes, it’s her that Holzer hand-selected from design were fantastic. life journey that truly inspires. shows the world over. “So was Aaron Sherer from the Paine. How did Holzer, who grew up in De- Her previous experience in the Asian He had hired me for a big project and kept troit, lived in Florida, California and Ohio, export business and running a studio in me on, saying that he understood what I and worked in Italy, China and New York Naples, Fla., informed many design choic- was going through and that this would be City, come to call Oshkosh home? es unique to the Oshkosh area. Photo by Carol Heffernan something for me to look forward to. Re- “You can ask my husband about that,” “When I was living in Naples I met cli- Victoria Holzer has made Oshkosh her home ally a marvelous thing to do for someone.” Holzer said with a laugh. ents who lived in Hong Kong and I eventu- since 2003 after meeting her husband here. Sherer, the center’s executive director, She came to the area in 2003 after meet- ally flew all over Asia purchasing furniture, didn’t hesitate to accommodate in the ing and marrying Neal Weber, a lifelong the export business, and stocks merchan- antiques and accessories,” Holzer said. dise that stands apart from what is avail- Oshkosh resident. Upon arrival, Holzer SEE Designer ON PAGE 13 She maintained those connections in able at other area stores. Helping SeniorsLiveWell at Home HCA–Fox Cities has been agreat partner in our family’s need forcompetent Services Offered: and caring caregiver services.Fromthe caregivers selectedfor our family •Transfers •Medication memberto theinteractionwithoffice staff,wecouldnotbeanymorepleased. We highly recommend HCAfor anyone in need of greathome careservices. •Dressing Reminders Sean •Toileting •Housekeeping •Bathing •Transportation Call us to learnhow we can help youoryour lovedone with one-on-one care •Laundry •Companionship 920-349-CARE • HomeCareAssistanceOshkosh.com and so muchmore... Julie Davids, Owner PAGE 2 x OSHKOSHHERALD.COM NOVEMBER 4, 2020 School district sets 2020-21 budget The state increased the per-pupil reve- for all students. Partial return to classroom nue formula by $179 this year for funding Five mothers of school district students, instruction reviewed of schools pending any further legislative including a physician and a nurse, spoke 923 S. Main St. Suite C action that could reduce state aid. during the meeting’s general public forum Oshkosh, WI 54902 Oshkosh Herald Among added expenses in the 2020- to make strong pleas for returning to in- 21 budget, of which 72 percent goes to class instruction, most of them citing the General information/customer The Oshkosh Area School District’s salaries and employee benefits, health negative effects of virtual learning on stu- service: Julie Vandenberg Board of Education approved a $51.9 insurance costs will rise by 7 percent, or dents of all ages in the long term. [email protected] million tax levy for the 2020-2021 school $996,534. Additionally, the district will be accept- Phone: 920-508-9000 year last week to support its annual budget A little less than a third of the school ing midyear enrollment for its eAcademy Website: www.oshkoshherald.com of $150.4 million. budget is paid by local taxes, with about online school starting Monday through The total raised through property taxes 52 percent coming from the state and the Dec. 4 where students will also have the News tips and story ideas will rise by $517,000 over the previous rest from federal and other sources. option to enroll out of eAcademy for the [email protected] year, but the mill rate will fall from $9.22 Ahead of the budget approval, Super- second semester. to $8.92 per $1,000 of a property’s equal- intendent Vickie Cartwright reviewed The eAcademy is also offering an ear- Support the Oshkosh Herald ized value. A home valued at $150,000 changes to its hybrid learning model that ly learning program for prekindergarten will be assessed $1,341 for its school por- would return students to the classroom children. The fully virtual option is for Membership tion of property taxes, $42 less than the as one of two alternating groups for two families who do not want in-person in- A $50 annual membership previous year. days a week. No timetable has been set struction but want to provide children supports receiving the newspaper The board finalized the budget after for resumption of classroom instructions with access to virtual learning this year. weekly. Call 920-508-9000 or visit Sept. 10 public hearing and after enroll- but the revised Model 3 will schedule District officials said the midyear en- www.oshkoshherald.com/store ment counts used to set per-pupil spend- attendance on the same two days of the rollment period was established based /membership. ing statewide were determined with an week (Monday and Thursday for Group on public feedback and with the under- average count of 9,727 students in the A, Tuesday and Friday for Group B) with standing that family preferences may have district. Wednesdays being a virtual learning day changed after understanding and learning Subscribe what is best for individual students. For $70 annually the Oshkosh Also during the Oct. 28 board meeting, Herald is mailed to non-delivery Cartwright said the substitute teacher areas via first-class mail. Go to pool, which is usually between 180 and www.oshkoshherald.com/shop 200 available instructors, has dropped to /subscribe or call 920-508-9000. about 20 and has led the district to ease substitute certification requirements to Advertising allow other paraprofessionals with at least [email protected] Food is our an associate degree to fill some of those Mike Sohm: 920-508-0084 positions. Kristin Magruder: 920-508-0119 Hero! The district is offering to pay for a one- time training session that can be taken Classified advertising online to provide the instruction needed [email protected] 651-1919 for substitute teaching certification. Inter- 920-508-9000 zaronis.comi ested support staff are asked to contact the district for details on the training process. All advertisements are subject to the applicable rate card, copies of which are available from our Ad- Oshkosh, vertising Department. All ads are subject to approval before publica- what we tion. Oshkosh Herald reserves the right to edit, refuse, reject, classify DO matters! or cancel any ad at any time. Errors must be reported in the first day of publication. The Herald shall not be LOCAL liable for any loss or expense that results from an error in or omission RELEVANT of an advertisement.