Bobbi Hacker, of the town of Wescott, is a member of the Shawano AmVets Post 10 and volunteers for several roles. Born and raised in Shawano, she enlisted in the Army after graduating from Shawano High School. She served for six and a half years, even after shattering her arm in a noncombat accident.

This Memorial Day weekend is filled with memories of those who have fought for our country and its freedom. Gradually, it has also become a weekend where families visit cemeteries and tend to the graves of their loved ones who have passed to their eternal rest. All of these things are admirable and to be commended.

A joint program of Shawano County 4-H and the Shawano County Association for Home and Community Education (HCE) is giving first-graders a chance to learn about plant life. The Patti Pumpkin Seed Program started in 1983, and since then 10,589 first-graders have received pumpkin seeds. “It’s just one of the many things we do,” said Sandy Wendorff, who is on the executive board of HCE. More than 600 children in Shawano County schools, including Bond

Bears advance in tourney The No. 2 Bonduel High School softball team advanced in the WIAA Division 3 regional tournament with a 16-2 win over No. 7 Wabeno/Laona in five innings Thursday in Bonduel. Jennifer Dowden earned the win and was 4 for 4 with an RBI. She allowed three hits, walked none and struck out 10. Miranda Schmidt went 4 for 4 and had two RBIs. The Bears amassed 17 hits in the game. Bonduel on Tuesday will host No.

The Shawano Community High School girls soccer team bested Denmark 2-0 in the first game of the Bay Conference tournament Thursday in Shawano. Lindsey McFarlane got the scoring going for the Hawks (11-6, 6-2 Bay) with a goal four minutes into the second half.

In a game that stirred memories of the Hawks’ regional championship a season ago, the Shawano Community High School softball team earned an 11-1 victory over Seymour in five innings Thursday to open the WIAA Division 2 regional tournament at Martzke Sports Complex. Last year, the Hawks started their regional championship run with a 12-2 win over Clintonville in six innings. “It’s kind of reflection of last year,” Shawano senior center fielder LaR

David R. Schuler, of Chicago, has been selected to receive the Alumnus Honoris Award to be presented June 13 at this year’s Clintonville High School graduation ceremony. Schuler has been superintendent of High School District 214, the second-largest high school system in Illinois, since 2005.

Jerome J. Szutkowski, 86, of Shawano, passed away on Thursday afternoon, May 22, 2014, at Evergreen Care Center in Shawano. Funeral service arrangements are pending and will be announced later. Schroeder-Mickelson Funeral Service of Shawano is assisting the family with the service arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.schroedermickelsonfuneralservice.com.

There will be plenty of opportunities to rummage for bargains over the Memorial Day weekend in Shawano. The annual citywide rummage sale, which has proved for more than 20 years that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, kicks off on Friday. “A lot of people are excited about it every year,” said Patti Peterson, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce tourism manager.