To the editor: “Don’t drink the Kool-Aid” is a commonly-used phrase warning against blindly following people and/or ideas that dangerously coax us astray from reality and our values. It has a very dark origin dating back to the fate of over 900 Americans at Jonestown in 1978. In 2016, Donald Trump falsely and arrogantly proclaimed that “I alone can fix it” regarding any and all of America’s problems.

To the editor: Lately, there’s been talk circulating about building a new courthouse and library and possibly moving the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, or jail. Around 2008, there were similar talks going on, but the situation was different. Back then, the sheriff’s department wanted a much-needed Evidence Storage Facility, and they were pushing to have it in the area of the Shawano County Historical Society’s property.

To the editor: As a Howard resident and small-business owner, I have been fortunate to have David Steffen as my Wisconsin Assembly representative for many years. Now, with the 2024 redrawing of Assembly district lines, Steffen’s territory has expanded into Suamico, Little Suamico, Lena, Abrams, Oconto Falls and Oconto.

Patricia “Pat” Moericke, of Shawano, passed peacefully and surrounded with love on July 23, 2024. Pat was a fighter until the end, her tenacity and independence never missing a beat.

Barbara Jean McKeefry, 71, of Pulaski, passed away unexpectedly on July 27, 2024, at home from a heart condition. She was born on March 30, 1953, to Gordon and Marjorie (Peterman) Ainsworth at the Bonduel Clinic in Bonduel. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1971 and lived in the Pulaski area her whole life. On Oct. 6, 1978, she married Charles McKeefry at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lessor.

Karen Ann Ebert, 82, passed away suddenly on July 26, 2024, in Shawano. She was born on Aug. 4, 1941, to the late Edmund and Florelda (Eckes) Kraemer in Stanley. Her parents were cheesemakers at a number of locations in Wisconsin, spending her early childhood in Rio Creek, later moving to Pulaski, where she graduated from high school. She was united in marriage to Lloyd “Lee” Anthony Ebert on Sept. 14, 1963, at St.

Troy Douglas Piotrowski, 53, died at 4:09 a.m. on July 23, 2024. He was born on Oct. 28, 1970. He had a long battle with heart disease, diabetes and eventually liver failure. He graduated from Mosinee High School, where he played basketball. He loved sports all his life. He played on pool leagues up until his last few months.

Peter O. Johnson, 81, of Appleton, passed away Thursday, July 25, 2024. Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home and Crematory, Clintonville.

Melody J. Schilling, 67, of the Town of Belle Plaine, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024. Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home and Crematory, Clintonville.