What’s up for the next Walls of Wittenberg Third Thursday Concert series? A change of location. Thursday’s concert featuring the big band sound of the Northernaires Heritage Orchestra will be held at the newly renovated Wittenberg band shell on Webb Street. The band started as the Northernaires in 1954 and stayed together for about 30 years.

The Shawano Woman’s Club recently presented a check for $1,000 to the Shawano County Historical Society from sales of plants at the annual Rhubarb Fest last month. Plants for the sale were donated by the members of the community, and master gardeners were on hand during the festival to answer any questions. “I want to thank all the members for all the effort they put into the sale,” said Mary Krietzer, Shawano Woman’s Club president.

It can’t be July. It was just June. I had a birthday in June, and already I’m another month older. The Fourth of July weekend began with us taking our two granddaughters to the Clintonville fireworks, which were spectacular. The next day we attended the festive Bonduel parade, along with hundreds of other people. On Sunday, we took part in their car show, with our 1976 Cadillac Deville d’Elegance.

Lee Bosdeck is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano where he has been volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Fox Council 2836, for many years. Born in Algoma, Bosdeck graduated from the former Premontre High School in Green Bay. He attended Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for a year and then Door/Kewaunee Teachers College for two years.

A pilot program called Gardens for Elders aims to help elders within the Menominee Tribe grow fresh, healthy foods within their own yards, with the help of youth within the community. John Teller Sr., associate dean of continuing education at College of Menominee Nation, is coordinating the effort. CMN received a $25,000 grant from First Nations Development Institute of Longmont, Colorado, to support the project.

Most of us are cautious in starting fires. However, with this being summer and camping season, our thoughts turn to camp fires. I can remember some dry years, not so many years ago, where camp fires were forbidden because of danger, but with the rain of this spring and early summer, there is little reason for concern. So, after the glorious fireworks at Tigerton on the Fourth of July, I was all set to have a backyard campfire at my son’s house.

Working with thousand-pound animals on a daily basis can be an exploration into the unknown – a farmer never knows what to expect. Every day brings challenges, and always, always, we need to be aware of circumstances surrounding the animals. It helps to know how they act under normal situations so you can be aware if, no, when, they go bonkers. One day our A.I. guy (artificial inseminator) came out to the farm to breed a cow.

Bishop David Ricken will celebrate Mass on July 20 at Pulaski Polka Days. The leader of the Green Bay Diocese said polka has been his blood since his days as a priest in Wyoming. “I’m happy to be able to be a part of such a joyous and uplifting celebration,” Ricken said. “The music is truly festive and is a cultural expression of the love of God, and with music that people are very familiar with.” Ricken, 61, grew up in Kansas.

The Pulaski Polka Days festival is celebrating the 20th anniversary of polka as the official Wisconsin state dance, and event chairman and organizer Harold Otto devised a way to keep polka enthusiasts dancing long after this year’s party ends. For the first time, a Pulaski Polka Days CD featuring bands from the festival will be sold in the souvenir tent at the Polka Grounds. “It’s something that (visitors) can have in their hand that they can pla