On Aug. 17, the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department facilitated our 2026 Community Health Assessment event at the College of Menominee Nation. Alongside dedicated community members, local partners and organizations, we dove deep into key data spanning our social determinants of health, health behaviors and outcomes, clinical care and the physical environment.

At the end of October, I will be celebrating my 80th birthday. During those eight decades, I have forged precious relationships and made priceless memories. I’m planning to spend the next year tying up loose ends, getting my memoir finished and showing my loved ones how much they mean to me.

When I was a young child, I lived on the last block at the edge of town. Beyond it lay rolling hills that beckoned me to explore. I considered them my playground. One experience has stayed with me for more than half a century.

Fall colors might be coming later than usual in 2026, but this tree in front of Riverview Alliance Church in Oconto Falls is dazzling with orange just before sunset Oct. 13. A few other trees around the city were starting to show some color, but a majority still showed mainly green on that day.

Boost the pollinator and songbird appeal in your landscape with the addition of goldenrods. You’ll enjoy the bright yellow flowers and many visiting pollinators and songbirds. With a wide range of native species and cultivars available, you are likely to find one or more suited to your landscape.

The spooky fun does not have to end with Halloween.

J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue will bring its Creepy Crawly Creature Feature live animal program to Lena Public Library, 200 E. Main St., Lena, at noon Nov. 2.

The event will give families an opportunity to meet some of nature’s most fascinating — and often misunderstood — animals.