February 2, 2026 4:02 am
Mama’s House of Hope (Mama’s Clothes Closet)
Hermsen Elected to First State Bank Board of Directors
New London, WI – First State Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Hermsen to its Board of Directors. Hermsen is the owner of McCormick Industries, Inc., a precision CNC manufacturing company. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer from 2013 to 2018 before acquiring the company in 2019. Prior to that, he spent five years as a Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor with Cornerstone Business Services.
Hermsen is actively involved in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Appleton and the National Ski Patrol.
“Gary’s combination of business leadership, financial expertise, and community involvement makes him a strong addition to our Board,” said Matt Lemke, First State Bank President and CEO. “We are excited to welcome his perspective as we continue to serve our customers and communities.”
First State Bank is a $565 million community bank with offices in New London, Auburndale, Clintonville, Manawa, Marshfield, Stevens Point, Waupaca, and Wisconsin Rapids. For more information visit bankfirststate.com or call (800) 994-2500.
###
Porn Joins First State Bank as Vice President Business Banker
New London, WI – First State Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Matthew Porn as Vice President, Business Banker. In this role, Porn will focus on developing and expanding business banking relationships by providing strategic financial solutions to businesses across our markets. With deep experience in commercial lending and branch leadership, he brings a proven track record of helping clients achieve their financial objectives.
Porn joins First State Bank with extensive experience as a Commercial Loan Officer and Bank Manager, where he consistently delivered strong portfolio growth and exceptional customer service.
“We are excited to welcome Matthew to our Business Banking team,” said Jason Wery, EVP, Chief Banking Officer at First State Bank. “His experience, leadership, and dedication to building strong client relationships will further strengthen our ability to support the financial needs of businesses in our communities.”
Matthew currently resides in Hortonville with his wife, Brittany, and their two children, Ariella and Ellie. He enjoys spending time outdoors—in the summer, you can usually find him up north fishing, ATVing, and swimming, and in the winter, ice fishing. Matthew looks forward to a family trip to Tennessee each year to hike and explore the Smoky Mountains—an ongoing tradition.
First State Bank is a $565 million community bank with offices in New London, Auburndale, Clintonville, Manawa, Marshfield, Stevens Point, Waupaca, and Wisconsin Rapids. For more information visit bankfirststate.com or call (800) 994-2500.
###
Clintonville Area Foundation Awards Grants to Area Nonprofits
Area Charities Awarded almost $20k
Clintonville WI – The Clintonville Area Foundation (CAF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, has awarded $ 19,850 in grants to 13 charitable organizations serving the Clintonville area.
The grants, benefiting a range of community causes, were awarded from a variety of charitable funds within the Foundation this year.
“We are proud that the Clintonville Area Foundation will again this year be sharing funding with 12 area nonprofit organizations”, said Joy Krubsack, CAF Chair and Dirk Weber, CAF Vice-Chair. “These monies will be used for better nutrition, hygiene, clothing, victim services, emergency equipment, area history, and more.”
Eligible nonprofit organizations submitted grant requests through the Foundation’s annual competitive process. The Foundation’s volunteer grants committee members recommend grant recipients to the advisory board for approval.
The following grants were approved:
- Bay-Lakes Council, Boy Scouts of America: $400.00 – Membership Growth: To support recruitment, promotion, and scholarship funds for Clintonville Scouts.
- Cap Services: $1,000 – To support the mental health services through home or classrooms observations of children enrolled in the Clintonville Head Start program.
- Clarity Care, Inc.: $450.00 – New Back Fence for McKinley Group Home: Installation of a safety fence for residents with developmental or cognitive disabilities.
- Clintonville Area Ambulance Service: $3,000.00 – Lifeline Arm CPR Assist Device: Purchase of a mechanical device to assist the care team during CPR administration.
- Clintonville Area Historical Society: $200.00 – Fire-proof File Cabinet: Protection for valuable historical photos and negatives.
- Clintonville Goodfellows Association: $1,500.00 – 2026 Kids Coat Distribution: Providing winter outerwear (coats, boots, and snow pants) to local children.
- Community Clothes Closet: $2,500.00 – Clintonville Traveling Closet: Delivering free clothing to area families every 60 days.
- Fox Valley Technical College Foundation: $700.00 – English Language Learning Enhancements: Supporting in-person English classes at the Clintonville Regional Center.
- Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes: $400.00 – Establishing Equity: Financial assistance and scholarships for local Girl Scouts and volunteers.
- Navarino Nature Center: $700.00 – Senior Lunch and Learn: new programs for up to 120 seniors to gather, eat, and socialize.
- SAM25: $3,000.00 – SAM25 Program Costs: Supporting the operation of the emergency shelter and resource center.
- The Clintonville Area Food Pantry: $3,000.00 – Fresh Produce Staples: Increasing access to fresh carrots and celery for low-income households.
- The Compassionate Connection Center: $3,000.00 – Nutrition Mission FRESH PRODUCE Project: A weekend backpack program providing food to over 330 students weekly.
To learn more about the Clintonville Area Foundation, visit Clintonville Area Foundation – cffoxvalley.org/clintonville-area-foundation/, write Clintonville Area Foundation c/o Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, 4455 W. Lawrence Street, Appleton, WI 54914 or call 920.830.1290.
Established in 1995, the Clintonville Area Foundation’s mission is to enhance and improve the social, cultural, educational, health and general well-being of people in the Clintonville area. In 2000, it became a geographic affiliate of the Appleton, WI-based Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. Since 2000, the CAF has awarded nearly $500,000 in grants from charitable and scholarship funds created within the CAF by individuals and families. Learn more at https://cffoxvalley.org/clintonville-area-foundation/
United Fund of Clintonville & Vicinity
Consider supporting our local United Fund! Funds are awarded to local organizations based on the type of services they provide. They concentrate on helping groups and organizations that help local youth, seniors, health initiatives, and human service groups that help strengthen the community. Please see important message from them below:
As valued leaders in our business community, your support has always made a meaningful impact. Today, we invite you to join us in making a difference for those in need by contributing to United Fund of Clintonville and Vicinity. Your generosity helps fund vital programs that support local families, promote education, and strengthen our community. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure a brighter future for everyone. Please consider donating to help us achieve our 2026 budget.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our shared values and to making the Clintonville area a better place for all.
You can make your check payable and send it to: United Fund of Clintonville and Vicinity, PO Box 116, Clintonville, WI.
The Board of Directors of United Fund of Clintonville and Vicinity
FWD Seagrave Museum
The FWD Seagrave Museum is very busy trying to attract donors to try and bring the FWD Indy car back home. The car is to be auctioned off on March 5th at Amelia Island, Florida by Gooding Christie’s Auctions. The car was sold to a private collector and left Clintonville in 1984 in order to raise funds to save the original Zachow-Besserdich Machine Shop that had gone into disrepair. Since that time the world famous race car has been in private collections. Having the opportunity to win this auction and bring it back home to Clintonville would be huge! The FWD Seagrave’s Museum efforts to become a destination for travelers to come to Clintonville would be greatly enhanced if we had this automotive jewel back in our community. Please consider making a pledge by calling or emailing the FWD Seagrave Museum at 715-823-4011 or fwdseagravemuseum@gmail.com. You can also call Mark Thomas at 248-408-7393 or Terry Lorge at 715-250-0205.
WBAY-TV Channel 2 is planning on airing a segment about the FWD Seagrave Museum on March 4th in their “We the People” show. The show will highlight local history that made an impact on America ahead of its 250th birthday. Please watch for it!
| Welcome to CAPtion!
Welcome to the February 2026 edition of the CAP Services newsletter—where people, programs, and partnerships come together to create meaningful change across our communities. In this issue, you’ll find updates on how CAP Services Inc. continues to support families, expand opportunities, and strengthen the communities we serve. We invite you to share this newsletter with colleagues, friends, and family. Anyone interested in receiving future editions can sign up on our website. We appreciate your continued connection to CAP Services Inc. and the mission we share. Thank you for being part of the impact. |