Beans and Banter, a podcast hosted by NiCole and Keith Fischer, the owners of The Mill in Bonduel, debuted in December 2025.

“Grab your coffee and stay as long as you want” is NiCole Fischer’s vision of The Mill, a popular coffee lounge, boutique and bourbon retailer, opened by the Fischers in late 2023, a vision that carries over to the Beans and Banter podcasts.

Our winter birds are enjoying the bounty of our feeders and, likewise, we are enjoying watching them on these cold and often gray winter days. We have upped our game this winter and joined Project FeederWatch. Now not only do we identify the species of birds we are seeing, but also record their numbers.

After a late December snowstorm, it seemed like we were going to have a much-needed “normal” winter in the Northwoods. Owners and employees of businesses I visit as part of my long-standing commitment to “shop local” had on a happy face as winter sports enthusiasts flocked to northern Oconto County.

Brighten your home’s décor and elevate your mood by adding a few flowering plants to your indoor garden. You may be surprised to find a wide array of flowering plants that will bloom when they are grown indoors. Match the plant to the growing conditions and your maintenance style for ease of care and greatest success.

Isabela Booth, left, and Sofia Booth with the Tri-County 4-H work to decorate some planters in one of the classes for Spark Saturday, held Jan. 10 at Shawano Community High School. Spark Saturday gave current and prospective 4-H members a chance to see what was available to youths who join a 4-H club.

FRIDAY, JAN. 16

SURING: Recovery Talking Circle, 6-8 p.m. South Branch Community Center, W1281 County Road M.

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

SHAWANO: All Species Ice Fishing Tournament, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bamboo Bar, W5884 Cedar Court. Details at Bamboo Bar Facebook page. Breakfast pizza available starting at 5:30 a.m.

WITTENBERG: Art of the Quilter XII, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., WOWSPACE, 114 Vinal St. “A Patchwork of Memories.”