AROUND THE COMMUNITY: Sacred Heart hosts 50 veterans at ceremony

Sacred Heart Catholic School welcomed nearly 50 veterans during its Veterans Day program Nov. 11. The day started with a special breakfast prepared by food services manager Tanya Myerchin and her mother, Melea Norton, prior to the ceremony, which featured a packed gymnasium. The ceremony began with the AmVets Post 10 posting the colors, followed the singing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance led by our School Choir. Each veteran stepped forward to introduce themselves and share their rank/post and then Lori Mathwich and Autumne Gee handed a blessed cross and flag pin to each veteran. Wisconsin National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Jed Meidam, school parent, gave a presentation. Gee then surprised Mathwich with a patriotic floral arrangement and recognition for her work on the Veterans Day program, 21 years of service in the U.S. Army, and her work at Sacred Heart. Deacon Jim Lonick shared a closing prayer and blessed the veterans, and then the AmVets held the 21-gun salute with “Taps,” before retirinig the colors. The veterans gathered around the gym so students and staff could pass out special gifts and cards they had made. Bahrke program director for leadership group The Leadership Oconto County Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Ashley Bahrke to the position to program director. Bahrke is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Oconto County and has been involved with the organization in various roles over the last four years. “We are excited to have Ashley in this capacity as we move forward in growing the Leadership Oconto County program,” said board president Greg Gauthier. “The board and I are looking forward to the energy and experience she brings to the role.” Leadership Oconto County is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of identifying and developing leaders who live or work in Oconto County. The program highlights issues, concerns, and needs throughout the County and creates an avenue for participants to embark on or expand their leadership roles in their communities. To find out more about the program, visit www.leadershipoc.com or email leadershipocontocounty@gmail.com. Gillett preps for its Christmas in the Park Gillett is holding its annual Christmas in the Park on Dec. 3. Activities will start at 10 a.m. with Santa’s workshop filled with crafts and vendor goods through 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 101 W. Main St., Gillett. There will be bucket raffles. Santa Claus is coming to the Expo Hall in Zippel Park, 150 N. McKenzie St., Gillett, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each kid will receive a free goodie bag. There will also be photos with Santa for a minimal fee. Other kids activities include make-and-take crafts, face painting, balloon animals, reindeer games, Little Seedings 4-H cake walk, cookies and hot chocolate. Horse drawn sleigh and wagon rides through Zippel Park will be part of the festivities. Visitors will be able to view lighted Christmas displays by local families, businesses, and organizations at 5 p.m. There will be caroling at the park at 4:45 p.m. and fireworks to finish off the day. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at both the park and the church. For information, contact Betty Jane Behling at 920-376-1706 or email lilyyoda9@yahoo.com. Community center to host cookie crawl, Santa Gillett Public Library will host a holiday cookie crawl from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Gillett Community Center, 204 E. Main St., Gillett. The library is seeking donations of cookies for the event. Cookies can be brought to the center starting at 9 a.m. Bakers must bring an ingredient list with your cookies to alert anyone as to allergens such as nuts, eggs or dairy. The Friends of the Library will have containers available for $5. Any funds collected will be used to support the library’s programs. Santa is also scheduled to visit. Entries open for invasive species poster contest The 2023 Northwoods Invasive Species Poster Contest is in its 12th year and reaches school districts within 18 Northwoods counties, including Menominee, Oconto and Shawano. Poster entries are due by 4 p.m. on April 26, 2023. Posters and poster entry forms may be mailed in or dropped off at one of 16 drop-off locations. A new brochure with complete instructions, drop-off locations and fillable entry forms, is located at https://www.oclw.org/2023-northwoods-invasive-species-poster-contest.html. For information, call 715-369-7835.