Raffle prizes worth more than $4,000, including a top prize of $500 in cash, have been donated by area businesses to raise funds for a playground at the town of How ball field at the top of Suring hill. The Business Association of Suring Area is sponsoring the raffle for the Suring Area Playground Committee, formed to raise funds and coordinate the purchase of playground equipment for the ball field. The recreational area is frequented by familie

The fourth annual Sled Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Historic Chase Stone Barn, 8246 County Road S, Chase. The event will feature family activities throughout the day. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with registration for the speed runs. Prizes will be awarded in various categories.

Valerie Plasky, of Suamico, will lead a team of 12 people on a 16-day Habitat for Humanity Global Village project to Nepal in April. Team members are needed to build homes in Kavre Nepal, about a two-hour’s drive southeast of Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. The trip will take place from April 4-19.

The Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts will present “Broadway’s Next H!t Musical” at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Falls Area Performing Arts Center at Oconto Falls High School. Broadway’s Next H!T Musical is an unscripted theatrical awards show.

The Oconto Falls Community Library and Oconto and Marinette County University of Wisconsin-Extension will offer a series of sessions designed to help backyard fruit growers. The discussion will be led by Scott Reuss, UW-Extension horticulture agent. Raspberries and blackberries will be discussed on Jan. 22, apples and pears on Jan. 29, grapes and blueberries on Feb. 12, and strawberries and stone fruits on Feb. 19.

Owner and operator Nikkie Kinziger of Ri Lee Kennels, Oconto Falls, won top honors recently at the Tibetan Terrier Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. Dogs from all over the world competed in the weeklong competition. Kinziger’s entries brought home awards in several categories and included a new champion.

The Lena Lions Club honored Cole Huberty, son of Kristan and Michael Huberty, of rural Lena, as the Lions Student of the Month. Cole is a senior at Lena High School and was nominated based on his academic record and school activities. He is a member of the golf team, L-Club and FFA. His hobbies are snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, four-wheeling and trap shooting.

Programs aimed at reducing underage alcohol and drug use typically focus on young people themselves.

A career in ministry begins as a personal calling for most people. For the Rev. Benjamin and Joel Sember though, it was also a family affair. The twin brothers, who are both ordained priests in the Roman Catholic Church, serve four churches in Oconto County and one in Forest County. Joel has led three parishes since September 2010. Benjamin relocated to the area in July to oversee two parishes. “It was a semi-coincidence,” Benjamin said.