Community

Oconto Falls Area Ambulance Service on Jan. 30 donated one of its two sets of hydraulic rescue tools, or “jaws,” to the Lena Fire Department.

The two emergency service agencies have overlapping coverage areas and work together on many traffic accidents, including on busy roads such as U.S. Highway 141 and state Highway 22. Patient care is the top priority for the ambulance service while Lena Fire focuses on extrication in severe accidents.

With the equipment donation, Lena Fire will have the capabilities of starting the extrication process at scenes where their crews arrive before an ambulance. The fire department’s employees also will have the tools they need for improved training of emergency personnel.

Officials said the donation was the Oconto Falls ambulance group’s way of thanking the Lena Fire Department for the services it provides.

Parents of children ages 4 through 7 can get tips for helping their kids become problem solvers during a six-week course being offered at Abrams Elementary School.

The course, called “Raising A Thinking Child,” is being offered by the partnership of Abrams Elementary School, the PTO and the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Oconto County.

The class is scheduled to meet from 6-7:30 p.m. every Thursday from March 16 to May 4.

The cost is $15 a person, although financial assistance is available. Free child care also is provided for those enrolled in the group.

Organizers hope to teach parents and caregivers how to help children think independently, to solve problems, to enjoy learning and to assert themselves. Organizers say these skills can help children later avoid behavioral issues such as violence, depression and substance abuse.

Registration is limited and is due by March 6.

DJ’s Oconto Lanes is hosting “Bowling for Beagles” Saturday to benefit the Oconto Area Humane Society & Animal Shelter Inc.

The entry fee is $20 per person or $80 per team, and sign-up is on a first come-first serve basis. The eight-pin tournament is limited to 24 four-person teams. Teams will compete for a $500 first-place cash award (based on number of teams participating).

There will be three shifts of bowling at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. The event will include a bowling tournament, raffles, and paddle wheel prizes.

For registration or information, call Oconto Lanes at 920-834-5588.

The Red Arrow Snowmobile ATV Club of Townsend is holding its 42nd annual Fish A Ree on Feb. 18-19, with a raffle, music, food and more.

The event will be held at the Townsend Town Hall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 18 and from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 19.

All funds raised will be used to maintain and improve snowmobile and ATV trails in the Townsend area.

In the fishing contest, a $50 cash prize will be awarded for the largest (by weight) northern, walleye, bass and panfish. All second- and third-place fish will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gas card and some fishing gear.

Fish must be freshly caught during the event at any lake within 20 miles of Townsend. There is a $10 registration fee. Under state rules, fish may not be returned to the water after being brought to the event.

Oconto Falls School District is offering a community enrichment program for members of the public to learn how to glaze ceramics at Oconto Falls Elementary School.

So far this school year, the program called FACE: Falls Area Community Enrichment has offered one class for glazing a Christmas plate and another to glaze a wine glass or beer stein, which can double as a coffee mug.

The program is a chance for couples, parents and children, or friends to socialize and do something artsy and fun.

A few more events will be held throughout the school year. The next opportunity is Feb. 16, when participants will learn to glaze a house pet’s water/food dish. Future projects include a cookie jar and a flower/plant container.

The Oconto County Fairest of the Fair committee will again host the Junior Fairest of the Fair contest in conjunction with the Senior Fairest of the Fair contest in April.

Organizers said merging the contests, which first occurred in 2014, helps the Fairest winners develop a good working relationship throughout the year.

The 2017 Fairest of the Fair contest will be held April 2 at Gillett High School. There will be a reception open to the public, along with the on-stage portion of the program.

To be eligible for the Oconto County Senior Fairest of the Fair, a contestant must be at least 18 years old by Jan. 1, 2018. This contest is open to residents of Oconto County or current Oconto County Fair exhibitors. Contestants are required to submit an entry form, sponsorship and essay by March 3.

For 16-year-old Mallory Pienta, rabbits are a girl’s best friend.

Mallory, a sophomore at Oconto Falls High School, began showing rabbits at the age of 5. She participates in 15 to 20 shows a year.

“She got exposed to it very early on, and just took to it,” explained Stacie Pienta, Mallory’s mother, who has also raised rabbits since age 8. Stacie taught herself how to care for and show rabbits, and was able to pass it on to her daughter.

Mallory’s main showing breed is the Jersey Wooly, and her rabbits have won awards such as best of breed, best colored wool, best overall wool and best opposite.

Mallory’s Jersey Wooly named Agnes has been awarded 22 grand champions legs, which are earned by winning class competitions, best of breed, best of variety or other honors when there are three exhibitors and five rabbits competing.

Mallory does it all — the training and breeding.

The Oconto Park and Recreation Department invites the public to the seventh annual Oconto WinterFest at the Oconto Golf Club on Feb. 11.

Free outdoor activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. include chair ski races, bicycle toss, ham put, turkey bowling, burger throw, bucket golf, snow rides and beanbag toss. There will also be a dog sweater contest at 1 p.m.

All-you-can-eat chili will be available for $6 a bowl at the Great Northwoods Chili Cook-Off, a fundraiser for the new Oconto Bike and Skate Park. Diners can keep the blue and white bowl as a keepsake. The chili will cost $4 if you bring a bowl from a previous WinterFest.

Cook-off entries should be brought to the golf club by 10:30 a.m. Prizes include $100, $50 and $25, and plaques.

A free raffle will be held after 3 p.m. with items donated by local businesses and residents.

Hello, Morgan! Thanks for catching up on Morgan-area news. If you ever would like a topic to appear in this column, please contact me at megan.stranz@gmail.com.

Morgan held its traditional caucus on Jan. 14 to nominate candidates for town office. Here is some information on one of the candidates for town supervisor, as well as the candidate for town treasurer. Details on the others nominated will be printed in the coming months.

Ron Korzeniewski is one of the candidates for two town supervisor positions. He has served as a town supervisor for eight years and was town chairperson for several years before that. Ron has enjoyed meeting many nice people as a town board member, which is one of his pursuits during retirement.

Two area schools put aside their rivalries last week to recognize two veterans from their communities. Suring High School hosted its eighth annual military night and spaghetti dinner on Friday, with the help of neighboring Gillett High School.

According to Suring High School athletic director Heidi Gerndt, military night started as a service project for the boys basketball program. It provides an opportunity for students and fans to honor those who served in the military.

The two military night honorees, Hubert Robenhorst, of Suring, and G. Frank Meunier, of Gillett, were introduced by guest speaker John Maino, a Green Bay TV and radio personality and author of three books about veterans.Both men received a quilt made by the Quilts of Valor Foundation.