PLUM CITY – Ave Maria Academy’s 2023 Gala would have made Joe Wieser, one of the pivotal people in Ave Maria’s conception, proud. Different elements of Joe’s life were represented everywhere you looked around Molly’s on Main. With life-sized photo cut-outs of Joe at different moments of his life, it was as if Joe were truly present with Ave Maria Academy as they honored the foundation laid by Joe.

The Academy paid tribute to Joe’s patriotism everywhere you looked. Whether it was the red, white and blue table settings, the patriotic balloon arrangements artistically created by iCreate by Lori Schroeder, the poker chip American flag, patriotic ribbon display of student pictures, or the gigantic American flag dressing up the ceiling in the main dining hall, Ave Maria Academy highlighted Joe’s love for his country.   

As guests passed through the entrance, photos and memorabilia of Joe’s life in the concrete business, along with photos taken at Wieser Concrete’s home plant of Ave’s middle school students, greeted guests. 

Everything about this year’s gala was Joe inspired, from his pro-life passion, to his hunting/fishing/cabin lifestyle. Students enjoyed dressing up in fishing, hunting, and camping attire for the adorable photos displayed at the gala. From Joe’s military career to his lifelong career of working hard, playing harder, Ave Maria Academy included excerpts from Joe’s autobiography to share the amazing legacy left behind by Joe.

The evening kicked off with appetizers as guests entered Molly’s main dining room adorned with religious décor including stained glass windows and a replica of St. John the Baptist Parish made by Orville Chilson highlighting Joe’s religious life. Appetizers included cheese curds donated by Ellsworth Creamery, pickles, olives, sausage and cheese skewers, and crackers and dip served by the school’s middle-school class. With a variety of wine donated by Eau Galle Cheese Factory, the wine tasting was a popular stop as guests enjoyed their varied appetizers. Topping this off, dinner, organized by Chef Paul, was comprised of Joe’s favorites: Turkey, stuffing, bone in ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, cracked green beans, dill penne pasta salad, and sunshine broccoli salad. 

Guests finished off this delightful meal with Joe-inspired desserts made by and donated from BoJo’s Creations in Ellsworth: Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, apple pie, cherry pie, patriotic cupcakes, and chocolate cupcakes, and Joe’s favorite dessert, ice cream.

Guests rallied to the silent auction, including classroom creations. The students’ crafts this year consisted of a unique wooden clock with students staged as the roman numerals, faux stained-glass decorations, dazzling charcuterie boards, and colorful sand art candles. Other quaint silent auction items included kids’ baskets, wooden trellises, and more. 

Bidding wars for desired silent auction items ended as the live auction began. Fred Winkler, our amazing auctioneer, enjoyed his time with the live auction bidding wars. Some popular live auction items included: Andy’s plane rides, popular enough to charter two this year; four hours of skidster or backhoe time donated by Déjà vu Trucking, a London game commemorative Packer football for the 2022 year, gardeners/landscapers for the day donated by Dan Wieser, Pete Helmueller, Ryan Trannel, and other Plum City/Arkansaw Knights of Columbus members; wooden tea holder and canisters crafted by Dan Nowak, copper lawn art donated by Wieser Precast, a wooden toy grader crafted/donated by Dan Nowak, a beautiful quilt made by Mary T. Wieser and quilted by Dianne Lecheler of Designs by Dianne, a GrillPro silver portable gas grill donated by Plum City Hardware, a mixed beef bundle donated by Todd and Billy Mark, elegant diamond necklace and earrings donated by Cindy and Roger Maxwell, a 20-by-30-foot American flag donated by Ron and Carol Stoudt, a gas shop cooktop crafted and donated by Dan Schmidt and family, a patriotic quilt honoring Joe Wieser’s military service pieced, quilted and donated by Dianne Lecheler of Designs by Dianne; a 20-inch crossfire bike donated by Jeff and LeAnn Coss, a filet knife donated by Nick Mesenbourg, a quarter beef donated by Brad, Jill, and Lillian Anderson with processing donated by J.M. Watkins, iconic Joe’s liquor baskets donated by Mary T. Wieser, Joe’s cigar box stocked with a fresh supply of cigars, a Pitboss griddle donated by anonymous, and an elegant metal wall art boasting the decedents of Joe and Mary Wieser donated by anonymous.

Numbers for of the overall accomplishments of this night aren’t finalized as donations continue to come in, but the total will exceed $109,000! Parents, teachers, students, and many others are tremendously grateful for this evening, and the support for the school!

Ave Maria Academy is a private school teaching in the Catholic traditions. To find out more information, contact 715-647-4630. We are currently accepting registrations for the 2023/2024 school year for 3-year preschool-eighth grade. 

Submitted by Ave Maria Academy