A century ago, we were colorful lumber towns, and today our beautiful tree-lined streets of gracious old homes are witness to that prosperous past. Today we are a center for shipbuilding, the proud home of Marinette Marine Corp., a Fincanitieri company currently under contract to build littoral combat ships with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy.

Long known as the "twin cities," the towns function as one community, with most residents doing business on both sides of the river. One week a year, the towns resurrect a high-school football rivalry with roots in the late 19th century: The M&M Game.

Two cities, one community

For 51 weeks a year, we are one. People live on one side of the river and work on the other. That's the way it's always been.

Those of us lucky enough to grow up here sometimes forget how attractive our community is to visitors. We have a rich history, safe and appealing neighborhoods, a strong work ethic, good schools, and many recreational opportunities. We are blessed with good libraries, good community organizations, a small but active arts community and a regional health center. We have a two-year campus of the University of Wisconsin System and a branch campus of Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute.

To grow up here is to swim in the bay on warm summer days, to learn to sail, to cheer for a favorite team, to join other kids at the YMCA or the DAR Boys & Girls Club, and to hear the thwack of a baseball on a balmy summer night. In winter, we still build snowmen, take day trips to ski hills, watch ice boats on the bay and play hockey.

Our climate is temperate with average summer temperatures in the upper 70s and winter temps around 10-20 degrees. We get plenty of snow, but it's usually gone by mid-March. Spring slowly reveals itself, culminating in a beautiful, scented, pastel May. High summer is mid-July, and autumn creeps in with golden tinged fields by late August and dazzling displays of color in mid-October. Here, we experience the seasons in all their glory.

Small towns, big city-amenities - and big hearts

We think of our community as a small town with access to big-city amenities and that's true. The improved US 41 means we are only an hour from Green Bay, and a few hours more from Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago. We are also an easy drive to cities and resort areas in the beautiful upper peninsula of Michigan.

But perhaps more importantly, we offer an authenticity that's often hard to find these days. Here, families still go to church together and gather on the front porch on warm summer nights. They know their neighbors and they watch out for them, too.

We're a community with heart. We've got an active community foundation and many thriving non-profit organizations. Businesses and individuals give time and money to charitable organizations and there's a even a kind-hearted individual who dons a Santa suit every Christmas to cheer youngsters and families who've are having tough times.

To live here is to experience the generosity of neighbors, the compassion of friends and the cooperation of colleagues. Our community is one that celebrates together and, when necessary, heals together.

It doesn't get any better than this. Really. Come join us and find out for yourself.