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.

After a late December snowstorm, it seemed like we were going to have a much-needed “normal” winter in the Northwoods. Owners and employees of businesses I visit as part of my long-standing commitment to “shop local” had on a happy face as winter sports enthusiasts flocked to northern Oconto County.

Brighten your home’s décor and elevate your mood by adding a few flowering plants to your indoor garden. You may be surprised to find a wide array of flowering plants that will bloom when they are grown indoors. Match the plant to the growing conditions and your maintenance style for ease of care and greatest success.