What is a salty anchor?

Bill Ciuplinski probably hears that question a lot as the new owner of The Salty Anchor, the former Water’s Edge, on state Highway 32 between Suring and Mountain.

Ciuplinski purchased the business, located across the road from Anderson Lake, in April and opened it May 16. Besides the bar and grill, it also features upstairs living quarters.

The Menominee word for theater is mamātāweqtan. It can also translate to English as a “wonderful performance.”

Shawano news publications have covered the Menominee Nation’s mamātāweqtan for more than 150 years, with perhaps the earliest story running in 1874. Theater is one of the Menominee peoples’ traditional artforms, and this column is just the latest local coverage.

The Shawano Rotary Club recently elected officers and awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

At the meeting, the club voted for Mike Morse to become the president, succeeding Gary Tauchen, who will now serve as past president. Treasurer Paula Wegner and secretary J.R. Habeck were re-elected. All officers were sworn in by Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel.

It’s a stunningly beautiful summer night on the Townsend Flowage. The lake is smooth as glass, a mirror reflecting the full moon lording it over an inky sky. I can hear music from across the lake. I sure wish it was coming from Little Tipsy.

Two men from different parts of Shawano County had at one point in time served together at the county sheriff’s department.

Both men have since traded their badges for clerical collars — still serving people, but in a totally different capacity. Both have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit directing their lives through every phase.

Donald A. “Don” Schultz, 89, of Shawano, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on April 1, 1937, in Shawano, Don is the son of the late Alfred and Barbara (Stempa) Schultz. He grew up on the family farm in the Town of Herman, Shawano County.

Work on state Highway 47 between County Road VV in Keshena and the Langlade County line is expected to keep the road closed to most traffic until mid-August, at which point attention will be diverted to state Highway 55, according to a report from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation presented at a public information meeting June 30 at the Wolf River Development Company.

Shawano County’s debt remains below average while the fund balance continues to grow, as reported in the county’s annual audit.

John Rader, certified public accountant and managing director with Baker Tilly, presented highlights of county’s 2025 financial statements to the executive committee in June.

For starters, the county is only using 5% of its state-allowed debt limit, as of Dec. 31, 2025.

Shawano County surplus equipment and vehicles are already sold online, and now, repossessed homes will also be auctioned off that same way.

The success of those first home sales will be reviewed Aug. 19 by the executive committee. The first online auction starts July 21 and will run for four weeks, with the committee expected to select the winning bid at that meeting.