As we celebrate the holidays, most Americans say they can’t wait to see 2025 in the rearview mirror.
Little wonder. All across the nation, millions of Americans are mired in a deep economic funk. Nearly half of adults say they are struggling financially, with a large majority describing the country as going in the wrong direction. They also express the opinion that they have never seen their country this divided.
That may or may not be true for you, but here in the rural Northwoods, we are busy shaping a different reality. Residents have organized to work together to make life better. In towns from Mountain to Lakewood to Townsend to Wabeno, folks are showing their Christmas spirit in a wide array of places. OK, no one will ever do a national television special on us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the good stuff.
Actually, looking out for one another has been happening in northern Oconto County for decades. This is despite the fact that mind-your-own-business is the coin of the realm here. We do value our privacy and personal space, but most everyone is able to set aside biases and grievances to assist those in need.
We somehow manage to ignore ethnicity, economic and social status, gender identity, even politics when alerted that someone needs help. From neighbor-to-neighbor support to the ubiquitous fundraisers and benefits, the giving spirit is widespread and pervasive. In fact, the bottom line is that if you let someone know you need assistance, people will step up.
Truth be told, things usually get really real here starting in early November. Because tourism is our chief economic engine, this is always a tough time for the people whose labor make our lives worth living. The departure of the snowbirds and fewer visitors means fewer customers for small businesses and thus fewer hours for their employees.
Recent winters with little snow have meant even leaner times for hospitality workers. I personally know people who aren’t working two jobs; they’re working three or four to make ends meet.
As if that isn’t bad enough, the federal government went AWOL in November. As the shutdown dragged on, heavy storm clouds were gathering on the horizon. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that many people would be in serious straits. Without SNAP benefits to put food on the table or energy assistance to fill their LP tanks, a disaster loomed.
Residents who actually know folks that access these federally funded programs know that, despite what you may see or read in the media or hear at the local tavern, they are not lazy freeloaders. They are veterans, the elderly, young families, people with disabilities. Most are working or have worked their entire lives and yet find themselves depending on social assistance to survive.
One of a number of our steadfast community groups providing aid is the heroic hunger-fighting Christian Food Pantry in Lakewood. This amazing organization has been operating for decades, but many of us were concerned it wouldn’t be enough in this crisis.
Local churches, civic assistance groups and caring individuals filled the void by pitching in with an effort so robust it’s a safe bet no one went without unless they didn’t ask for help. There isn’t enough room in one column to mention everyone, so I offer a heartfelt blanket thank you to the generous people who contributed their time, talent and treasure to make this happen.
One group I will single out is NCAC (Northwoods Community Assistance Coalition
). Knowing Thanksgiving would be bleak for an even higher number of residents this year, our local doc Peggy Christianson (I call her the patron saint of people in need) and her band of merry do-gooders sprang into action. Besides all the other assistance they provide free of charge all year round, NCAC organized and held Thanksgiving sit-down dinners. They even offered free “meals on wheels” takeout service in Townsend.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to the Mountain Circle of Friends, founded by Brenda Cary Mielke in 2019.
Brenda currently serves as Town of Mountain chair, but the Circle of Friends is a private group. Brenda recently summed up their mission: “We believe in community stewardship, or put simply, being there for others. Our Thanksgiving dinner at Bill Lazansky Community Center showed there was a need for such events, and so we are hosting a Christmas Day luncheon. We continue to find joy in welcoming those who need a place to go, a friend to talk with, and a table to gather around.”
None of this comes as a surprise to the hardy souls who live here during what can seem like interminable winters. It’s just how we roll here in the boonies. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and happy new year.
Kathleen Marsh is a lifelong educator, writer, and community advocate. She has published eight books, four on the history of Townsend, where she and husband Jon are happily retired on the beautiful Townsend Flowage.
