Category: General

Free Outdoor Movies Return to Joel’s Reel Inn — A Summer Tradition with Heart

OCONTO, WI — Summer nights in Oconto are about to get a whole lot brighter. Joel’s Reel Inn, located at 400 Holtwood Way, is once again hosting its beloved free outdoor movie series, bringing families, friends, and neighbors together under the stars for a season of classic films, themed fun, and community spirit.

More than just a movie night, Joel’s Reel Inn is a labor of love. Organized by Sue Anderson, the series is held in honor of her late son, Joel, as a way to keep his memory alive through laughter, togetherness, and community connection. “This is my way to remember Joel and give back to a community that’s meant so much to our family,” Sue shared. “It’s about joy, togetherness, and creating memories—just like Joel would have wanted.”

This year’s lineup is packed with family favorites and a couple of laugh-out-loud classics for adults:

2025 Movie Schedule:

• June 20 – Monster Trucks
• July 4 – Dennis the Menace
• July 11 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Christmas in July)
• July 25 – The Great Outdoors (Adult Night)
• August 1 – Moana 2 (Dress Hawaiian)
• August 8 – Pixels
• August 15 – Weekend at Bernie’s (Adult Night)
• August 22 – Goonies
• August 29 – Dr. Dolittle

(Rain dates are the following evening. All movies begin at dusk.)
*Alternate titles in case of technical difficulties: Mrs. Doubtfire, Heavy Weights, Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

Fresh popcorn and refreshments will be available for purchase at every showing—so come hungry!

The movie area at Joel’s Reel Inn isn’t just for public showings—it’s also available to rent for birthday parties, private events, and special gatherings, offering a one-of-a-kind outdoor entertainment experience.

New this year: Look for the event flag at Freedom Park, by the clock on Main Street (formerly at City Hall), signaling movie night is a go!

Follow Joel’s Reel Inn on Facebook for updates, weather announcements, and theme night details. Come for the movies, stay for the memories—and be a part of a summer tradition rooted in love, legacy, and laughter.

May 26, 2025

The Parade will be Monday, May 26^th, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m. Starting at City Hall and proceeding down Main Street towards Evergreen Cemetery.

A Weather decision will be made Friday, May 22^nd – if bad weather we will move to the High

School at 10:30 a.m. and conduct the ceremony inside – starting at 11:00 a.m.

If bad weather and you are not sure – call John Nowak @ 920-401-9687 (Cellcom)

CITY OF OCONTO

Memorial Day 2025

Garbage Pickup Holiday Schedule

Monday, May 26th – No pick-up – City Hall Closed

Tuesday, May 27th – Garbage pick-up for residents North of the Oconto River or that normally get picked up on Mondays.

Wednesday, May 28th – Garbage pick-up for residents South of the Oconto River or that normally get picked up on Tuesdays.

Thank you and have a safe holiday weekend!

Bird City Wisconsin
Making our communities healthy for birds … and people
PO Box 487
Port Washington, WI 53704

May 09, 2025
Dear City of Oconto,
On behalf of myself and Bird City Wisconsin’s Steering Committee, I would like to congratulate the City of Oconto on achieving Bird City status in the Bird City Wisconsin program.
Bird City communities are at the forefront of efforts to forge a statewide coalition of citizens and public officials who recognize that birds are more than beautiful – they are significant. Bird City Wisconsin truly appreciates both all that you do to green your community as well as all of the effort that you put into demonstrating all of your community’s actions to us during the renewal process.
THANK YOU!
We ask that you share news of your renewal with local media. To make your job easier, we have included some general text about the program at the bottom of this letter. Feel free to use Bird City’s logo to promote your community – and let us know if you would like a digital copy. Please also consider other ways that we can help you achieve public recognition for your accomplishments, or any other way that we might be able to assist you. As always, feel free to contact us with your thoughts at birdcitywi@lmbo.org.
We celebrate your efforts to improve the quality of life of the people and birds that reside in your community. Thank you for helping to make Wisconsin healthy for birds… and people.
Sincerely,
Kelsey Bell
Program Director

About Bird City
Bird City Wisconsin was created in 2009 and began recognizing communities the following year. The program recognizes municipalities for the conservation and education activities that they undertake to make their communities healthy for birds… and people. Bird City Wisconsin is the first Bird City program and served as the model for the Western Hemisphere-wide Bird City Network, of which Bird City Wisconsin is a founding member.
To be recognized as a Bird City, a community must take actions across four categories (Habitat, Threat Reduction, Education & Engagement, and Sustainability) and officially recognize and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Bird City also offers High Flyer recognition for those communities that truly go above and beyond in their conservation and education programs. To become a High Flyer, a community must meet additional, and more involved, criteria.

(414) 533-5398 • www.birdcity.org/wisconsin

CITY OF OCONTO

The Oconto Utility Commission will be flushing water mains in all areas south of the Oconto River on Monday, May 19, 2025.

In all areas north of the Oconto River, West of and including Superior Avenue on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20 & 21, 2025.

In all areas north of the Oconto River, East of Superior Avenue, on Thursday and Friday, May 22 & 23, 2025. 

Due to certain water main connections, other areas could be affected, please check your water for discoloration before using laundry.

Oconto Utility Commission

Matthew Beekman

Utility Manager

The City of Oconto will be participating in No Mow May again in 2025. Due to some issues in the previous years, we will be requiring those wanting to participate to sign up at City Hall.

Please stop in City Hall, call 920-834-7711, or email admin@cityofocontowi.gov to get on the No Mow May Participation List.

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For more information on the benefits of No Mow May, please visit the links below:

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/pollinators#:~:text=In%20Wisconsin%2C%20most%20pollinators%20are,in%20Wisconsin%20are%20not%20pollinators.

hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/whats-the-deal-with-no-mow-may/

beecityusa.org/no-mow-may/

Attention City of Oconto Residents on the South Side:

Your THURSDAY recycling pick-up will be CANCELED this week (4/24/25).

Your recycling will instead be next week WEDNESDAY (4/30/25).

This is due to the Brown County Transfer Station being closed for the NFL Draft.

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS

BRUSH CHIPPING POLICY

1. Branches/brush must be no more than 10” in diameter and no longer than 14’.
2. Cut ends of branches must be stacked the same way traffic flows.
3. Branches should not be piled more than 4ft high.
4. Branches must be free of dirt and roots.
5. Brush must be stacked so it pulls somewhat easily from pile.
6. Stumps must be taken to the City’s yard waste site located at 1616 Main St.
7. Brush will not be allowed at the City’s yard waste site located at 1616 Main St and should be put out to the curb only!
8. Chipping time at each stop will be limited to 30 minutes until all stops get picked up.
9. Homeowners are encouraged to call 834-7779 when they put brush out to curb.
10. This policy is to be a general guideline and will be adjusted as circumstances warrant.
11. Brush should not be mixed in with leaves or other yard waste during the cities loose-leaf collection time.

Total # of Voters = 1,492

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Alderperson-At-Large: The top 4 vote getters will be elected.

Ron Gunner Daul – 622

Bob LeBreck – 673

Casey Sowle – 589

Wibble Sowle – 523

Kim Bronikowski – 754

Violet McFadden Hornick – 534

Mike Feldt – 461