City of Neighborhoods: Starlite

GREEN BAY – Starlite Neighborhood Association (NA) President Debra Tilot has been leading neighborhood initiatives for the past 15 years — including 2017, when the NA was recognized by the City of Green Bay.

Starlite NA was founded 10 years prior to its recognition, and Tilot has always made sure to recognize what a group effort coordinating the NA has been.

“We’ve had a core group for years and years, and once in a great while, somebody new will join the board. But I do want to recognize one person,” said Tilot.

Darlene Marcelle, who recently passed away, was a founding member of Starlite NA, as well as both a passionate volunteer and a beloved neighbor.

Tilot shared that Darlene and her husband Dennis spearheaded both the installation and upkeep of Starlite’s sign garden.

This display is one of Starlite’s main attractions; located on East Mason Street across from Happy Joe’s, the garden is flower filled and decorated for every holiday.

“It’s beautiful right now, if you have a chance to drive by,” said Tilot.
“There’s something there every day of the year and that sign garden has really brought focus or recognition to all neighborhood associations. So that is something we’re proud of, because it lets the city know about neighborhood associations.”

Another major project that Starlite has worked on is decorating their own float in the Green Bay holiday parade, which the NA did for six years, the last one being in 2022.

“That was fun being in the parade and again, that brought a lot of attention to neighborhood associations. We really try to promote all neighborhood associations instead of just Starlite,” said Tilot.

Most recently, the NA hosted a “Starlite Nite” at a Green Bay Blue Ribbons baseball game, where they displayed their own banner, gave door prizes and highlighted two Starlite neighbors who threw the first pitch and sang the national anthem.

This event welcomed residents and any and all neighborhoods, with free admission if you “Starlite” mentioned at the entrance.

Tilot also made sure to recognize that hosting and coordinating so many successful events would not be possible without help from Green Bay Neighborhoods mini-grant program.

And when asked what is most important to her, she reiterated the group effort that holds Starlite together.

“This is a group effort, and in every single thing we do, everybody involved has a part. It’s never one person,” she shared.

Upcoming events

Starlite will be hosting their annual e-cycle drive from 8 a.m. to noon on Sat. Oct. 4, in the Timsan’s Japanese Steakhouse parking lot; the majority of items will be free to drop off, however some charges will apply to specific items.

Then, in the spirit of spooky season, Starlite will be hosting their first ever Halloween home decoration contest this fall.

This event is inspired by the NA’s annual Christmas home decorating contents, which will also be hosted again this winter.

The winners of these home decoration contests will be awarded with a monetary prize amount, with more information on the event to be shared closer to the contest.

For those looking to get involved with Starlite NA, their meetings are at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at Peace United Methodist Church, 919 Schwartz St.

To learn more about Starlite, find “Starlite Neighborhood Association” on Facebook.

And for any additional information regarding Green Bay Neighborhoods and their mission, visit gbneighborhoods.org.