Several area downtown businesses in Shawano recently collaborated with Safe Haven Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Center for their Turn the Town Teal initiative, to help raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault. The city of Shawano, the Shawano Business Improvement District and Safe Haven worked together to create the campaign for the month of April.

Jeremy and Melanie Gretzinger, along with Brian Grieves, have been installed as the newest members of the Shawano Optimists Club. Jeremy and Melanie were both born and raised in Shawano. They are proud parents of three sons, all of whom are active in Shawano schools. Landan, 18, is a senior; Keatan, 15, a freshman; and Noah, 13, an eighth grader.

Deb Forrest has been named 2023 American Legion Auxiliary Unit 44 Member of the Year by President Karen Prueter. Karen presented the award to Deb at the annual Legion Awards Dinner held May 1 at Legion Post 44 Clubhouse in Wabeno. Members of the year are chosen for this recognition by the unit president.

Delta Kappa Gamma, Nu Chapter, held its May meeting at the Marion Public Library. Jenny Hangartner, library project chairwoman, reported this year’s grant recipients. Sacred Heart Catholic School Library in Shawano and Clintonville Middle-High School Instructional Media Center each received a $200 grant to purchase library materials. Valerie Brooks and Janet Paisar were initiated as new members during the meeting.

The Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation awarded a $9,900 grant to Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. for the theater’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” project — a new sound system.

State Rep. Peter Schmidt recently presented Giselle Rottier, of Pulaski, with an Assembly Citation in recognition of her Girl Scout Gold Award. Schmidt presented the citation to Giselle at a Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Council ceremony, which was held at the Weidner Center on the UW-Green Bay campus. Rottier filmed and created virtual camp tour videos for each of the Girl Scout camp properties.