Monday, Nov. 24

Wittenberg-Birnamwood 55, Green Bay Preble 40

Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s girls basketball team got off to a slow start but battled back to defeat Green Bay Preble 55-40.

The Chargers trailed 21-19 at the half but outscored the Hornets 36-19 in the second half.

Lakeshore Masters

Lakeshore Lanes, Nov. 17

Team Standings

Farmall 171-37

Arndt Trucking 139.5-68.5

Cassidy’s Studio Lounge 136.5-71.5

Remi’s 114.5-93.5

Rosie’s Railway 112-96

Golden Sands 99-109

Pin Pricks 98.5-108.5

Shawano Auto 87.5-120.5

Launching Pad 79-129

Brothers 74-134

Lakeshore Lanes 71.5-136.5

It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Stadler Meyer, 84, of Shawano, announces that he has passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at Unity Hospice Facility in De Pere surrounded by family.

Melodie J. Wardecke, 83, of Suring, passed away in the home where she was raised on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, with her family by her side.

Melvin Gubbels, 92, Oconto, died Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at Care Partners Assisted Living.

He was born May 21, 1933, in Randolph, Nebraska, to Mathias and Sophia (Scharff) Gubbels. Mel grew up in Randolph where he graduated from high school. On Sept. 16, 1957, he married Althea Bruns in Constance, Nebraska.

FRIDAY, NOV. 28

OCONTO: Winter Wonderland Opening Night, 4-7 p.m., Holtwood Campground, 400 Holtwood Way.

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

Editor’s note: Trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities are barely in our memories when many start to think about, talk about and plan for Christmas. Often, Thanksgiving seems almost forgotten, sandwiches between a pair of major retail holidays that simply overshadow the fourth Thursday in November.

I came across a humorous story about an atheist professor who was in the woods admiring the magnificence of evolution when a grizzly bear came charging out of the bushes. The professor ran for his life until he tripped and fell. As the bear was about to attack, the terrified professor cried out, “Oh my God, help me!”

Gratitude is a powerful force, capable of transforming our darkest days into lessons of light and our biggest struggles into stepping stones toward success. Reflecting on what I’m thankful for, my heart swells with appreciation for the community that believed in me even when I couldn’t believe in myself.