FRIDAY, JAN. 30

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.

GILLETT: Cabin Fever Barn Dance, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Primal Eats, 14109 County Road VV. Traditional square dancing called and taught by John Wilson with live fiddle and banjo music; no cover charge.

Include some winning vegetable varieties in this year’s garden. Look for the 2026 All-America Selections (AAS) winners that have been tested nationally and selected for their suitability in home gardens and containers. Winners must have improved appearance, flavor, performance or other features than those varieties already on the market.

Eighth grade students Ryan Kroenke, left, and Cody Rotramel participate in a challenge of peer encouragement during a presentation Jan. 14 by nationally recognized inspirational speaker Terrence Talley. Through powerful personal stories and uplifting messages, Talley invited students to confront real-life challenges — peer pressure, bullying, self-worth and the call to kindness — with courage, resilience and hope.

FRIDAY, JAN. 23

SHAWANO: American Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Shawano City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St. Appointments at RedCrossBlood.org or 800-733-2767.

TOWN OF CHASE: American Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Chase Town Hall, 8481 County Road S. Appointments at RedCrossBlood.org or 800-733-2767.

Beans and Banter, a podcast hosted by NiCole and Keith Fischer, the owners of The Mill in Bonduel, debuted in December 2025.

“Grab your coffee and stay as long as you want” is NiCole Fischer’s vision of The Mill, a popular coffee lounge, boutique and bourbon retailer, opened by the Fischers in late 2023, a vision that carries over to the Beans and Banter podcasts.

Our winter birds are enjoying the bounty of our feeders and, likewise, we are enjoying watching them on these cold and often gray winter days. We have upped our game this winter and joined Project FeederWatch. Now not only do we identify the species of birds we are seeing, but also record their numbers.