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Weed pulling unearths grisly origin of childhood rhyme

“Silver Bells and Cockle Shells” Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row. I thought of that verse a while ago because I found a good crop of weeds near a little tree I’d transplanted in the yard. Several of them were plants that my dad used to call “cockles,” and he hated them almost as much as he hated wild mustard.
Back-to-school checklist now includes medical checkup
An all too frequently heard question on the path around the Falls the past couple weeks has been “Where has the summer gone?” The almost automatic response from this observer has been, “It’s not gone, it’s still July, and we have a long way to go.” Reality hit last week when the calendar page turned to August. The dose of cooler weather reinforced the message that the approach of fall was not that far off.
Oconto Falls sends 3 to all-star games
Jacob Mogged will play in the state American Legion all-star game, and teammates Colton Giese and Hunter Magnin will play in the Fox Valley American Legion all-star game. The Wisconsin American Legion Baseball All-Star Game will be held Aug.
Fun required; floating optional
Nash Darby paddled fiercely to take first place Saturday in the kids division at the Cardboard Boat Race at Holt Park in Kelly Lake. “I do this every year. My family is involved, so I figured I would do it, too,” Nash said. “It was really fun.” The Cardboard Boat Race started six years ago in Kelly Lake. The objective of the race is to build a boat made only from cardboard and duct tape.
Oconto Falls Police Department
A husband and wife from Oconto Falls were taken into custody Aug. 4 after a police search uncovered merchandise believed to be stolen from area stores. The couple is under investigation for thefts of an estimated $1,500 in merchandise from the Shawano Walmart and an undetermined amount from United True Value, in Oconto Falls, and the Main Street Laundromat, in Gillett.
Meeting signals the start of fall sports season
Student athletes and their parents gathered Monday in the Oconto Falls High School Performing Arts Center to hear the latest on the fall sports season. The meeting, which is a new part of the process for Panthers athletes, covered several topics, including eligibility requirements, academic standards, health reporting and Panther Pride fundraising efforts. Jerry Moynihan, entering his third year as Oconto Falls athletic director, felt it was time
Alvin Ferdinand Schaal
Alvin F. Schaal, 93, formerly of 9795 Gray Lake Road, Gillett, died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at Sharpe Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Oconto Falls. Al was born on Oct. 24, 1919, in Gillett to Dudley and Flora (Zahn) Schaal. Growing up during the Depression years and his work in the Civilian Conservation Corps to help support his family shaped his attitudes about the importance of hard work and self-reliance.
Barn quilt project gains momentum
The Barn Quilts of Oconto County project has added two valuable volunteers to its effort to brighten the rural landscape. Donna Baird, a retired math teacher, helps to lay out the quilt block patterns on the plywood.
Walkway to be added at Memorial Wall
A monument dedicated to loved ones, many of whom died of cancer, will undergo a transformation in Gillett. A walkway will be constructed at the Memorial Wall, located just south of City Hall in Zippel Park, to create a tranquil spot for reflection. The Memorial Wall was originally linked to the Relay for Life event, formerly held in Gillett, for the American Cancer Society.
Gillett outsources garbage collection
A Wittenberg firm has been selected to pick up garbage in the city of Gillett, beginning in January. The City Council on Thursday selected Harter’s Fox Valley Disposal as its trash collector.
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