As I gaze out our patio door this late-April morning, I can see clearly that Otter Run is awakening from its winter slumber. The ice went out two weeks ago; the lake is placid and peaceful today. The reflection of the trees on the water shows they are leafing out. Unfortunately, that means Jon is sneezing and wheezing as his allergies are kicking in big time. I’m blessed that I’m not prone to this affliction.

After paranormal things began happening at Holt and Balcom Logging Camp, I asked our curator, Bob Brown, if he’d experienced anything similar. Bob said he hadn’t, but he said he believed that spirits do walk among us. Except for the story I am about to relate, I haven’t seen the invisible guests taking up residence in the museum. But I feel and welcome their comforting presence.

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series about the supernatural goings-on in northern Oconto County.) Following up on my column about the Holt and Balcom Logging Camp in Lakewood, I begin by saying I used to be agnostic about ghosts, goblins, witches and such. Maybe they existed; maybe they didn’t. Truth be told, haunted houses and horror movies have always creeped me out, though I love the ghost scene in the George C.

This March morning, the sun is taking its time climbing over the horizon. The flowage is glistening, covered in a new sheet of ice formed by recently melted snow that has frozen to form a huge ice rink. It is a spectacular sunrise, breathtakingly beautiful.

If it’s March, Holt and Balcom Logging Camp Museum in Lakewood is preparing for another year. As director, I’ll be meeting with curator Bob Brown and camp manager Dave Zuleger to plan our 2025 season, which includes field trips where hundreds of area fourth graders come for a hands-on experience in Wisconsin logging history.

We are quickly approaching the six-week vigil Christians call Lent. March 5 is Ash Wednesday. I fully appreciate this is a solemn and holy season, a time of penance and atonement.