Athletes whose stories, values and abilities inspired us, ahero pizza man and a governor-elect, too.
There were a lot of great stories in Sheboygan this year, and behind many of them were great people who made an impact.
Sheboygan Press editors reviewed readers' nominations for the 2018 People of the Yearand added some of our own. We hope you enjoy reading through some of the year's highlights and recognizing the people who made them possible.
2018 People of the Year are:
Sam and Olivia Dekker, whose wedding raised funds for children
Earlier this year, Sheboygan native and Washington Wizards basketball player Sam Dekker got married to his girlfriend Olivia Harlan, an ESPN sideline reporter.
The pair said they had both been blessed many times over and wanted to use their wedding as afundraiserfor an organization near and dear to their hearts: the Children's Cancer Family Foundation.
They weremarried in Door County in July.
The couple told family, friends and fans that instead of wedding gifts, they wanted everyone to donate money to the CCFF. Originally they had a fundraising goal of $15,000, but to their surprise, they far exceeded it.
Eventually they raised over $65,000 for the childhood cancer organization. They presented a check in that amount at the annualStrike Out Cancer Day hosted by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlersin August.
RELATED:Dekkers raise over $65,000 from wedding for Children's Cancer Family Foundation
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Raeann Schroeder, nurse whose friendship saved a woman's life
Thanks to a chance meeting at the north side Piggly Wiggly,Barbara Braden and Raeann Schroeder formed a decade-long friendship that would eventually save Braden's life.
In September, Braden,who is 85, fell in her bedroom.She couldn't get up or move due to previous injuries. She wasstuck on her bedroom floor for eight days, she told the Sheboygan Press.
It was Schroeder, a nurse at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center'sgastroenterology unit, who foundBraden on the floor of her home and called an ambulance.
Schroeder was tipped off that something was wrong when she noticed that Braden's garbage cans were empty. She'd been taking them down to the curb each week for her friend, after Braden suffered a broken arm and shoulder earlier in the year.
Thanks, in part, to Schroeder's quick thinking, Braden survived the event, only requiring treatment for mild dehydration.
"I think she's an unbelievable person," Braden said of her friend.
RELATED:Sheboygan woman, 85, spent 8 days on the floor after a fall. Her friend saved her.
Tony Evers: Hometown boy elected governor
Democrat Tony Evers, a Plymouth native, unseated Gov.Scott Walker bya margin of 1.1 percent of the vote to become the next governor of Wisconsin. The Plymouth native has been part of the state's political scene in Madison for nearly a decade, but his contest with Walker was in the national spotlight— and his victory will give him power to shape state funding decisions and other policies that affect us all.
Evers'running mate, Mandela Barnes, will be the first African-American lieutenant governor in the state's history.
Evers, who has been the state's superintendent since 2009,beat seven other candidates in the primary to face Walker in the November general election. Evers has been critical of Walker's actions on policies includingeducation, health care and road funding.
Just before running for his first term as superintendent, Evers was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Mold sporeson his lungs postponed treatment for almost two months. Doctors had to removehis esophagus and part of his stomach.
He's now healthy as he's preparing to take on his new role in 2019.
RELATED:Tony Evers: Everything you need to know about the governor challenger's position
RELATED:Tony Evers seeks a new life a decade after nearly losing his own to cancer
Pizza delivery driver who halted a kidnapping
In late September, a pizza delivery driver who had worked for Domino's for almost two years got more than he bargained for when he delivered a pizza to a middle-aged couple.
The woman had a black eye and when the man paid for the pizza, shepointed to her injuryand mouthed the words “help me” and “call the police."The driver left and called 911.
Dean Henry Hoffman, 55,of Grafton, was charged with five felony counts in connection with the incident. The charges includedkidnapping, false imprisonment and strangulation,and one misdemeanor count ofdomestic abuse.
RELATED:Man who ordered pizza during suspected kidnapping of woman held on $500K cash bond
RELATED:Pizza delivery driver helps stop kidnapping attempt in Sheboygan County
Bryce Ladwig, who fought cancer and earned courage award
Cancer puts up a tough fight, but one former Plymouth football player, Bryce Ladwig, battled it and won.
Ladwig was six-years-old when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in 2006.
Three years later he’d contract viral meningitis encephalitis, an infection ofthe brain which causes roughly 200,000 cases each year.
His final hurdle would be developing a degenerative disease in his non-cancerous left femur and lower leg, causing it to bow during his freshman year of high school.
Despite all his obstacles, Ladwig never lost sight of his goal: playing football.
Ladwig returned to the field his junior season and was a starter as a senior along the defensive line.
As a result of his journey, the 2018 Plymouth graduate was chosen as the 2018 Section 4 recipient of the National High School Spirit of Sport Award presented by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
He also won the Courage Award at the Wisconsin High School Sports Awards.
RELATED:Childhood cancer couldn't keep Plymouth's Bryce Ladwig from football dream
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Johnsonville Sausage, whose renovations and partnerships made a mark
It's been a busy year for the sausage giant.
The company completed a months-long renovation of its headquarters in Sheboygan Falls, adding employee amenities including a fitness center and a coffee shop.
It also unveiled its towering BRAT sculpture by the late American artistRobert Indiana. Modeled after Indiana'sfamous LOVE sculptures, Johnsonville's new artwork is sure to become a favorite piece among local sausage lovers and Instagramers alike.
The bright red sculpture islocated directly in front of the Johnsonville headquarters on County Highway JJ. In addition, the companyannounced plans to open a retail store at that location in 2019.
Another big news item from Johnsonville: In January, the company signed a multi-year deal to become the official sponsor of the sausage races at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
RELATED:Johnsonville unveils BRAT sculpture, announces new outlet store
RELATED:Johnsonville receives Young Professionals Bubbler Award | Briefcase
Detective Tamara Remington, who fought human trafficking
As part of the Criminal Investigation Division with the Sheboygan Police Department, Tamara Remington has played a role in investigating casesand educating the public abouthuman trafficking in Sheboygan.
Remington shares informationon human trafficking in presentations open to the public, where she discusses the widespread nature of the problem, tactics traffickers use on their victims and who is at risk.
"Detective Remington would go above and beyond to help any young person at risk of being trapped into the life of human trafficking," wrote Deborah Wente in her nomination.
Remington was named Woman Police Officer of the Year in Wisconsin in 2013. Shestarted her career with the San Jose Police Department and has spent over two decades in law enforcement.
RELATED:Locals unite against sex trafficking in awareness walk
Kendra Conard, whose gift drive made Christmas for foster kids
Kendra Conard helped make sure that the foster kids of Sheboygan County had a merry Christmas this year.
In 2017, sheorganized a gift drive that collected Christmas presents for 300 Sheboygan-area foster children. With donations coming from all over the stateand even outside of Wisconsin, the program was such a success that she decided to do it again in 2018.
This year, Conard's goal was to provide gifts to 280 local children in need. While many kids asked for necessities like coats and blankets, she chose to go above and beyond. She also collected tickets to the movies andBlue Harbor Waterpark for the kids and their guests, so that they could enjoy the simple joy of the holiday season.
RELATED:Sheboyganite aims to give holiday gifts to hundreds of foster kids, needs community help
Anthony Flores, whose gym reaches out to all
Anthony Flores Fitness, an exercisestudio with a focus on high-energy, movement-based athletic training,opened at 641 Riverfront Drive in Sheboygan last year.
"I think it's safe to say he has changed many peoples' lives in the short time his business has been around," wrote Alison Berry,who nominated Flores for People of the Year."Unlike most other gyms, AFF cultivates an environment of family and support."
Berry added that Flores makes everyone feel welcome at his studio, even people who wouldn't normally feel comfortable in gym environments.
"What many people do not know about Anthony is that he had to overcome many obstacles inlife, including obesity — weighing over 300 pounds — and fighting testicular cancer," Laura Felde, Flores'older sister, said. "Instead of giving up, he got back up and fought back."
Flores is now 12 years cancer free and inspiring others to become healthier through his workouts.
RELATED:Group fitness studio opens on riverfront
Lora Behr, Special Olympics medalist who represented Wisconsin
Lora Behr made the most of a special trip to Seattle in July.
The 30-year-old from Plymouth competed in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, winning four medals.
In addition to the memories Behr made, includingher third-ever plane ride, she also took home some hardware, finishingsecondin the 200-meter dash, fourth in shot put and mini javelinand fifthin the 100-meter dash.
The Plymouth native was part of a 54-member group which comprised Team Wisconsin, an ensemble thatbrought back 51 total medals across six sports — basketball, bocce, bowling, swimming, track & field and Unified soccer.
Behr helped Team Wisconsin bring home 18 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals overall.
She had so much fun, Behr hopes to make a return to the Games when they come around again in 2022 in Orlando.
RELATED:Plymouth woman wins four medals at 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
Stefano Viglietti, Sheboygan chef nominated for James Beard Award
This was a banner year for Stefano Viglietti. The chef and restauranteur, who has amassed a culinary empire in downtown Sheboygan, was nominated for a James Beard Award, the highest honor in the American culinary industry.
The award celebrates the bestAmerican chefs in a variety of categories. Viglietti was nominated for best chef in the Midwest for hisrestaurant Trattoria Stefano, which opened in 1994.
"I had never been a cook or chef, so it was a rough opening, to say the least," Viglietti joked in an interview with the Press.
Almost 24 years later, he and his wife, Whitney, are the owners of four thriving restaurants in downtown Sheboygan, and they'veracked up countless culinary awards and accolades.
Though Viglietti and his team at Trattoria Stefano are committed to making responsibly-sourced and authentic Italian food, the chef's heart is here in Sheboygan.
"I consider myself a true Sheboyganite, almost from birth," hesaid. "I love my town. I love where I live. There is not another place I'd rather be in the world."
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Valerie Ringwell, fire dancer who shared her story
After she was raped at work in 2016, Valerie Ringwell's life spun out of control. She fell into a deep depression. She could barely leave her house or be around people. She had a hard time controlling her emotions and requiredtherapy.
But itwasn't enough. She felt she needed to do something to gain a sense of control, so she turned to her friend for support. It just so happened, her friend was a fire eater.
Val was was deeply afraid of fire, but she felt thatfacing her fear might help her recover. So she asked her friend for lessons. She said becoming a fire eater has givenher a sense of control and peace.
She has started a campaign to raise funds for theRape, Abuse & Incest National Network. She and other fire eaters and performers came together to create a calendar. All the proceeds from itsupport RAINN.
RELATED:When a rape stole her sense of control, she fought back by eating fire
Honorable Mentions
- K-9 Bud, Sheboygan Police Department dog, who retired in 2018 after 10 years.
- Lauren Smith, Sheboygan County Food Bank coordinator,who shared her story to fight hunger.
- Jay Christopher,whose Christopher Farm & Gardens hosts June-A-Palooza fundraiser for Meals on Wheels.
- Kayla Pittner and Betsy Klauck,whose Dollhouse Dance Factory shared love of dance with children and teens and won major competition.
- Aaron Rothwell,Sheboygan North graduate whose workwith AmeriCorps put him on path of service.
