A friend of mine called one day and asked if I’d ever considered doing a column on the specialized language of sportscasters. He was referring especially to terms like “athleticism” and “physicality.” I agreed with him that such words seem to exist only in the vocabularies of the guys behind the mikes, but his call immediately made me think of the Milwaukee Bucks’ first radio play-by-play guy, Eddie Doucette. Remember Eddie?

On Sunday, it seemed that all signs on the path around the Falls pointed to Oconto Falls High School, where we congratulated the OFHS Class of 2014. It was a great day for a graduation. Although the weather was not quite what these graduates might have hoped for, it was a day they had been looking forward to for some time. It was the fall of 2000 when their proud parents put them on the bus for the first day of 4-year-old kindergarten.

Five Oconto County high school graduates and one Marinette County graduate are recipients of the Method Vizelka Memorial scholarship awarded by N.E.W. Credit Union. Vizelka was a 12-year volunteer on the credit union’s board of directors and a believer in the power of education. Every year the credit union awards a scholarship in his memory to a graduating senior from the five Oconto County high schools.

A 45-year family tradition ended this week with the retirement of Shirley Kushava as head cook at Lena School. Kushava ended her 29-year career in food service, the past 16 years spent as head cook. Kushava comes from a long line of cooks who dished up meals at the school. Her great-aunt Margaret Patenaude was head cook from 1969-1979.

Two 2011 graduates of Suring High School performed in their junior music recital May 2 at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Lane Ludtke, a vocal music major, and Gatlin Grimm, a trumpet major, shared the stage at their junior recital held in the Jean Weidner Room at the Weidner Center. Ludtke, the son of Cindy and Greg Ludtke, of Suring, plans to be a band and choir teacher. He has been involved in the jazz choir and the UWGB Chorale.

St. Anthony School will replace its playground with new equipment to provide a suitable and safe place to play for children ages 3 to 12. The current playground equipment is 30-plus years old. The new playground will be open to students for the 2014-2015 school year. The playground not only accommodates the students of St. Anthony, but also the children in the community. A grand opening ceremony will take place Aug. 10 during the church picnic.

Oconto Electric Cooperative awarded 10 $1,000 scholarships to local students whose parents or guardians are OEC members. Stephanie Wirtz, Oconto Falls High School, will attend Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to study nursing. Her parents are Tim and Renee Wirtz. Emily Yoap, Peshtigo High School, will attend Wisconsin Lutheran College to become a child life specialist.

The Gillett FFA held its annual banquet May 4 at Gillett Secondary School. Kallie Rank, 2014 Oconto County Fairest of the Fair, was the keynote speaker. Josh Yonker, Gillett FFA Alumni president, gave greetings on behalf of the alumni.

A custom-built trailer will be part of the grand prize ATV package given away by the Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Falls Fun Fest on Sept.