As I have mentioned in previous columns, I became hopelessly bewitched by the spirits of long-dead lumberjacks when I joined the staff of the Holt and Balcom Logging Camp in Lakewood. The camp was badly deteriorated, and subsequent efforts to restore it took seven long years.

Hillside Assembly of God Church in Gillett will begin a new year of youth and children’s programs on Wednesday evenings beginning Sept. 9.

Some bucket-list items involve distant destinations or once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Mine were much simpler: see a baby loon and photograph one.

You’d think that would have happened long ago. I grew up exploring Wisconsin’s lakes and have spent the past 15 years at a Northwoods cabin where loons return each spring. Yet year after year, I heard their haunting calls without ever seeing a chick.

Transfer the beauty of favorite flowers onto paper or fabric to create works of art, greeting cards and gifts for family and friends. Pounding flowers is a fun and easy way gardeners of all ages can preserve the beauty of garden flowers.

FRIDAY, AUG. 21

OCONTO: Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Farnsworth Public Library, 715 Main St. Story and crafts for preschool children. A caregiver must stay with the child.

SURING: Recovery Talking Circle, 6-8 p.m. South Branch Community Center, W1281 County Road M.

Most days, Lesley Nemetz is busy making sure there are no stray records at Shawano City Hall, while Matt Hendricks makes sure everyone is having fun at the city parks and the newly reopened Shawano Recreation Center.