Andy Kranick, 65, Oconto Falls, loving husband, best friend and “little buddy” of Barb Kranick, died Wednesday evening, Dec. 18, 2013, at Bellin Hospital.

To the editor: I recently rang bells for the Salvation Army at Witt’s. I was very impressed with the teenagers who donated money. We often hear negative things about our young people, but the good things they do are not noted. I have two teenage boys who live across the road. I can count on them when I need a hand. Verna Peterson, Morgan

Every Christmas Eve, Marilyn sings a song she taught to elementary school kids back in the early 1960s when we first came to Beaver Dam. The song begins, “Tomorrow will be Christmas, and we will carols sing, and early in the morning, the sweet church bells will ring, ring-a-ling.” And if our kids are not going to be with us on Christmas Eve, as sometimes happens, she’ll call and sing to them or to their answering machines.

The spirit of giving has been drifting briskly through the air over the path around the Falls. In some situations that spirit relates to family members who may be coming together for an annual gathering.

Throughout December, members of the Oconto Falls High School Future Business Leaders of America chapter engaged in numerous activities to give back to the community. To kick off the holiday season, FBLA hosted the annual Stick It to Hunger food drive. From Dec. 2-19, students at Oconto Falls High School and Washington Middle School donated a variety of nonperishable food items for Kingdom Come Food Pantry in Oconto Falls.

Students in Vicky Britton’s first-grade class wrote letters to Santa. Here are some samples. ^ Dear Santa, I’m in first grade now. I live at the deer farm. I always give your reindeer carrots. Thank your elves and thank you, Santa, for making presents for me and the other people. I hope no reindeer are sick, Santa.

The Oconto Falls High School girls basketball team found the deep ball Thursday, hitting from beyond the arc 11 times in a 49-32 victory over nonconference foe Antigo. Senior McKenna Larsen and junior Elizabeth Manns combined for nine 3-pointers, hitting four and five, respectively, on their home court. “We were on tonight,” said Larsen, who led all scorers with 22 points. Larsen got Oconto Falls (4-0, 2-0 Bay Conference) rolling with the Panther

Krueger manages pin in Panthers’ loss The Oconto Falls High School wrestling team fell 38-21 at Hortonville on Thursday. Dewey Krueger recorded the Panthers’ only pin, over Nathan Lichtfuss in 1:12 at 152 pounds. Other OFHS recording wins were Nate Trepanier (138) 6-1 over Cam Luker; Brett Ash (145) 6-2 over Cam Martzahl; Mac Winkler (195) 4-3 over Mike Hill; and Austin Stanek (113) by forfeit. Hortonville recorded three pins, two major decisions

The Green Bay Packers’ roller-coaster season will continue for another week, despite a 38-31 loss Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the snow at Lambeau Field. The loss would have ended the postseason hopes for the Packers (7-7-1), but the Chicago Bears (8-7) were embarrassed 54-11 by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.