Bovines have a way of keeping a farmer healthy and, at the same time, wearing him out. That might sound like a contradiction of terms. What I mean is, a farmer is kept strong and healthy by constant physical exercise. Day after day, we handle the same chores that work the same muscles that keep the body flexible and strong. On the other hand, the stress of constant bending, lifting and pushing tends to wear a body out.

Now that we have reached the middle of this changing month of March, we have seen some glorious springlike days. One warm sunny day was enough to melt the 2 inches of ice that had resided on my driveway for the past couple of months. The melt extended to parking lots and roadways, as well. I remember those March days of my youth, when my brother and I would make pathways in the mud for the rivers of snow melt to run through.

Several women are enjoying this weekend at a rustic winter getaway with the Women in the Outdoors, a local group of the Little Wolf Gobblers, which is part of the National Turkey Federation. Bonnie Splitt, of Shawano, Diane Krueger, of Caroline, and Mary Krueger, of Clintonville, do the planning, preparation and evaluation for the group. “Being part of this group is awesome,” Splitt said. “We are busy from the time we get there until we go home.

Darlane Kroening volunteers for several different organizations. She was born and raised in Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, she earned a degree in chemistry from Slippery Rock State College and her master’s in organic chemistry from Iowa State. Kroening worked in the chemistry department and learning center at McAllister College in St. Paul, Minn., where she also did science counseling and tutoring.

Carol M. (Krumbach) Brunner, 81, lifelong resident of Shawano, passed away peacefully at home on March 13, 2014, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Born July 24, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Wallie and Helen (Marohl) Krumbach. Carol attended St. James Lutheran School and graduated from Shawano High School. On Nov. 29, 1952, she married Anton (Tony) F. Brunner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Andy Erickson, 56, of Shawano, lost his valiant battle with brain cancer on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. He was being cared for at the Birch Hill Health Care Center in Shawano. He was born June 5, 1957, in Tigerton, the son of Dorothy and the late Carl Erickson. On June 30, 1979, he was united in marriage to Pamela Schroder.

Beverly Jean Peters, 65, of Keshena, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Appleton. Born on Feb. 16, 1949, in Shawano, she was the daughter of the late Gerald and Laverne (Pyawasay) Pamonicutt. After attaining her CNA certification, Beverly worked as a teacher’s aide for a local day care facility and as a hall monitor at the Menominee High School. She then worked at the Wolf River CBRF as a certified nurse’s aide.

Just as she did at Shawano Community High School, Mackenzie Buss is setting records. The University of Louisville freshman swimmer set a record in the 100-yard backstroke at the Cardinals’ Last Chance meet March 1-2 at the University of Tennessee, finishing in 53.42 to qualify for the NCAA Championships beginning Thursday in Minneapolis. Buss swam the event four times during the meet before breaking the record on her fifth attempt, a timed trial

“Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.” — Doug Larson What a long winter this has been. Now that the weather is getting warmer, you might be looking for something enjoyable to do.