In some ways, the challenges of parenting through the pandemic are what you’d expect: active, sociable little kids going crazy being at home 24/7; grandparents disappointed to be excluded from this slice of life; in-laws with different standards of pandemic safety; working full-time from hom… Read more
Ripon resident Greg Dragolovich perfectly summed up the Ripon School Board’s decision to move some fall sports to an alternative spring season and keep others in the fall last week Wednesday o… Read more
Planning and eventually celebrating a wedding in a pandemic is an epic experience. My son and his now wife picked the date for this unforgettable occasion in the summer of 2019, when the word … Read more
At the end of May, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nick Kahnke “felt physically sick” when he saw the video of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of G… Read more
I will never forget the day Ian Stepleton emailed me asking if I would be interested in coming “home” to take over as the sports reporter for the Commonwealth. Read more
I was doing some yard work the other day when a reader I’ve known for years walked past, waved and doubled back to talk to me. Read more
For members of the Tiger football team, the jerseys they wear are more than just a piece of fabric with a number affixed to its back. Read more
A couple weekends ago, Jonathan Gatzke and Lelani Sanchez knew they wanted to participate in the vigil in downtown Ripon, but wanted to be sure that they had a safe space in which to participate. Read more
During these troubled times when it seems Americans are riding on a wayward bus with no one in the driver’s seat, we are subject to a lot of three-word sloganeering. Read more
This year, we've been working on three major initiatives. Read more
Here's way No. 5,456 that life in Ripon is vastly different this year, due to the pandemic. Read more
Do you feel passionate about wearing face masks in public so that you won’t spread the coronavirus? Read more
Part of me wants to spend a few minutes complaining here. Read more
Let's not dwell on the fact that for the first time in ages, the popular “Music in our Schools” concert did not occur Tuesday evening as originally planned. Read more
For the past two months, little has held our attention here at the Ripon Commonwealth Press as strongly as redesigning our format. Read more
When I came to the Ripon Commonwealth Press in September 2000, it was just my second job in journalism. Read more
Back in his white suit/bunny ears/arrow-through-the-head years, comedian Steve Martin used to deliver a routine during which he maintained nothing beat good ol’ banjo music for lifting the spirit. Read more
There are very few times in life where it’s entirely appropriate to dump your junk on your friends. Read more
Given news coverage of Ukraine over the past year, one might be leery to visit. Read more
The age-old good deed of helping a neighbor doesn’t require newfangled technology. Read more
Ripon isn't really A hotbed of hockey. Read more
Horse rustling isn't really an issue anymore. Read more
We've been talking for a few weeks now about changes coming to the Commonwealth. Read more
RIPON IS BLESSED WITH some wonderful services for individuals of varying abilities. Just look at the strength of the workforce at Diverse Options and members of the Aktion Club, and it’s evident. Read more
Ten years ago, a new service organization came to town. Read more
When the former rail-road tracks through the city of Ripon were transitioned to a multi-use trail in 1994 — and a bridge was installed west of Meade Street in 1996 — leaders expected to get 10… Read more
KNOWING HER 50TH birthday was fast approaching, Shelly Kastenschmidt of Diedrich Jewelers had one request of her sister, Ann Belau. Read more
A FEW WEEKS AGO, I asked a simple question. Read more
FOR NEARLY 37 YEARS, one thing hasn’t changed in Green Lake: the Rev. Rodney Dietsche has been behind the pulpit at Peace Lutheran Church. Read more
WHEN I FIRST MOVED to Ripon in August 1994, there were these funny signs at the entrances to downtown Ripon. Read more
IT WAS EARLY ON A MARCH morning at Kiawah Island Golf Resort along the coast of South Carolina. Read more
WHEN YOU GROW UP somewhere relatively balmy, as I did, you learn early on to covet snow. Read more
Dr. CHRISTAL SAKRISON remembers when she first came to Ripon. Read more
ON THE SURFACE, ONE might imagine Bernice Reading of Green Lake and Joe Emanuele of Berlin had nothing in common. Read more
WHEN YOU THINK OF elementary-school music performances, you probably envision some of the old standbys: xylophones and recorders. Read more
... For the past few years, Opal Griffiths has been researching and writing about one-room schoolhouses to preserve their history. Read more
Sometimes, children aren’t the only ones who need the magic of Santa Claus at Christmas. Read more
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, fund-raising and philanthropic activities in the Ripon community follow two similar but separate tracks. Read more
It’s no secret: my son is a science nut. Read more
Here are 10 reasons why Scott Street is my favorite Ripon road: Read more
THEY BEGAN TO SPRING up across Ripon last week, kind of like the biggest Easter egg hunt the community has ever seen. Read more
AFTER GROWING UP IN Puerto Rico, Johluan Rodriguez moved to Ripon nearly five years ago. Read more
For Ripon Police Officer Jesse Tipton, last week Tuesday was probably like most other days on the beat. Read more
J.J. GRINDE IS AN INTEResting fellow. Though he’s young, you may already know him from any of several roles, whether it be as a local kid around town, working as an EMT for Ripon Guardian Ambu… Read more
