Racine & Me November 5, 2017: Veterans Day, Racine Christmas Tree Lighting, Quilts for Soldiers, and Sewerfest

Jacob Kittilstad looked ahead to two overlapping holiday events: Veterans Day and the Racine Holiday Parade/Christmas Tree Lighting. Racine Area Veterans Inc. planned their annual event for November 11 at Memorial Hall. Multiple veterans groups and politicians will pay tribute to the sacrifices of servicemen and women – and the recognition continues later in the evening when Downtown Racine’s Holiday Parade takes over Main Street. This year the parade will honor veterans - and act as the official kick-off to the festive winter season. It is scheduled to start at 5 pm. Click here to learn more about Racine Area Veterans Inc.

The lighting of Racine’s Christmas Tree will immediately follow the parade. Like in years past the Washington Park High School Vocal Ensemble will give a performance before city officials throw the switch. Jacob spoke with the school’s choir director about their involvement. He also talked to two of the student singers about what it’s like to be a part of the event. Click here to learn more about parade activities

Looking ahead to Veterans Day, another group is also paying attention to the needs of people who have struggled after returning home from their time in the service. Quiltsfor Veterans designs and assembles quilts for homeless veterans currently staying in Union Grove. Those quilts will be adding to baskets put together by more than a hundred volunteers at the upcoming Day of Caring and Crafting for our Community. Volunteers and donations for the event are coordinated though the Corporate Volunteer Council of Racine. Jacob also talked to one of the quilters about the process of putting a piece together – the group typically works out of Sew ‘N Save of Racine. That location will be collecting powdered laundry soap, bleach, sandwich bags, denture adhesive and cleaner, body lotion, body wash, tissues, shower shoes, and new socks and underwear for homeless veterans. Click here to learn more about activities run out of Sew 'N Save of Racine

Finally, Jacob welcomed an organizer of Sewerfest onto the program. The biannual event takes over Fountain Banquet Hall in Sturtevant and brings together one of the largest meetings of exotic animal collectors and breeders in Southeastern Wisconsin. Coordinators say it’s a good opportunity to see and learn about animals you might not find in every zoo or museum. Captive Bred Specialties – a vendor that plans to be at the event – also joined the programs to show off some interesting animals that he will be bringing along. Click here to learn more about Sewerfest

Guests: Bill May – Racine Area Veterans Inc. Volunteer, Heather Lopp – Washington Park High School Choir Director, Catherine Brooks – Washington Park High School Vocal Ensemble Member, Christina Dressler - Washington Park High School Vocal Ensemble Member, Nancy Larsen – Quilts for Soldiers Founder, Pat Widmaier – Corporate Volunteer Council of Racine Board Member, Shane Ager – Sewerfest Coordinator, Ryan Hill – “Captive Bred Specialties” Owner and Founder