Cynthia A. Lawe, 71, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2014. Arrangements are pending with the Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com

Richard J. “Richie” Salzmann, 60, of the town of Richmond, Shawano, passed away unexpectedly on Friday morning, May 23, 2014, at his home. Funeral service arrangements are pending and will be announced on Wednesday, May 28, 2014. Schroeder-Mickelson Funeral Service of Shawano is assisting the family with the service arrangements. www.schroedermickelsonfuneralservice.com

Bernard “Bernie” Binon, 74, of Shawano, formerly of Milwaukee, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at his home. Born on March 10, 1940, in Green Bay, he was the son of the late Bernard and Mary Magdalin (Tiplet) Binon. After graduating from high school, Bernie enlisted with the United States Navy and proudly served his country for six years.

Jerome J. Szutkowski, 86, of Shawano, went to join the loved ones who went before him on Wednesday, May 22, 2014, at the Evergreen Care Center in Shawano. Jerome was born Oct. 18, 1927, in Eland, a son of the late Phillip and Leona (Bloechl) Szutkowski. Jerome attended school in Eland and later Birnamwood, graduating from Birnamwood High School in 1946.

Shrapnel is still coming out of Alfred Hanson’s arm, neck and face. Hanson, 80, was injured while serving in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. The rifleman had been in Korea for only three months when he was wounded by an incoming shell that hit his trench.

It’s a busy time of the year. Lots of seed is getting planted these days, not only on our farm but all over the county. Working long hours, we eat as best as we can and try to get proper rest at night. This helps manage the extended work days a bit better. The contrast between the rich, black dirt turned and prepared for the seed on one field next to the rolling green of the alfalfa on the others is quite amazing.

Bobbi Hacker, of the town of Wescott, is a member of the Shawano AmVets Post 10 and volunteers for several roles. Born and raised in Shawano, she enlisted in the Army after graduating from Shawano High School. She served for six and a half years, even after shattering her arm in a noncombat accident.

This Memorial Day weekend is filled with memories of those who have fought for our country and its freedom. Gradually, it has also become a weekend where families visit cemeteries and tend to the graves of their loved ones who have passed to their eternal rest. All of these things are admirable and to be commended.

A joint program of Shawano County 4-H and the Shawano County Association for Home and Community Education (HCE) is giving first-graders a chance to learn about plant life. The Patti Pumpkin Seed Program started in 1983, and since then 10,589 first-graders have received pumpkin seeds. “It’s just one of the many things we do,” said Sandy Wendorff, who is on the executive board of HCE. More than 600 children in Shawano County schools, including Bond