With Christmas just weeks away, most of us are caught up in the pre-holiday hustle and bustle. That means shopping for the perfect gift, a skill I have never managed to master.

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will hold auditions Dec. 15-16 for its spring musical, “Legally Blonde,” to be presented Feb. 26 through March 1 and March 5-8, 2026.

This musical, directed by Preston Pelegrin, calls for male and female cast members, ages 15 and up.

When looking for a unique holiday tree this season, consider adding a plant you can enjoy now and throughout the year. Select a larger specimen to use as a floor plant, adding dramatic scale to your indoor décor. Smaller plants can be placed on tabletops throughout the house to add a bit of extra cheer in any room.

The Boys and Girls Club of Shawano’s afterschool program at Hillcrest Primary School has won the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wisconsin’s 2025 Outstanding Program Award for its “Magical Donut Shop” program.

For years, I took vitamin C and vitamin E every morning with breakfast. It felt like the healthy thing to do.

Vitamin C was supposed to keep colds away, and vitamin E was often promoted as good for the heart. But newer research is showing that these supplements may not do what we thought — and, in some cases, they can actually cause harm.

n 2018, a mobile home park owner in Stevens Point lost his operator’s license after submitting falsified drinking water samples to the state, purportedly leaving longtime residents of the park at risk of consuming excess iron and manganese. He appealed.

Thursday, Dec. 4

Wittenberg-Birnamwood 60, Menominee Nation 58

The Chargers boys basketball team kicked the year off with a buzzer beater win over the Eagles of Menominee Nation on Dec. 4.

Zandyr Barke hit a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to give the Chargers a 60-58 win at Keshena.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages all enjoying outdoor fun this season to be extra careful on all of Wisconsin’s waterbodies and remember that no ice is safe ice.

Those eager to take advantage of winter’s snow need to keep safety at the forefront of their preparations. This includes staying alert to the rapidly changing ice conditions commonly found in the early parts of winter.

Thursday, Dec. 4

Lena 76, Stockbridge 21

The Wildcats pounced on the Indians for 62 points in the first half, as Lena went to defeat Stockbridge 76-21.

With a 62-3 lead at the half, Lena cooled down after the break, as Stockbridge outscored their hosts 18-14 in the second half.

Lena improved to 4-0, while Stockbridge dropped to 0-4.

Shawano 58, Waupaca 27