What is a salty anchor?

Bill Ciuplinski probably hears that question a lot as the new owner of The Salty Anchor, the former Water’s Edge, on state Highway 32 between Suring and Mountain.

Ciuplinski purchased the business, located across the road from Anderson Lake, in April and opened it May 16. Besides the bar and grill, it also features upstairs living quarters.

The Menominee word for theater is mamātāweqtan. It can also translate to English as a “wonderful performance.”

Shawano news publications have covered the Menominee Nation’s mamātāweqtan for more than 150 years, with perhaps the earliest story running in 1874. Theater is one of the Menominee peoples’ traditional artforms, and this column is just the latest local coverage.

The Shawano Rotary Club recently elected officers and awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

At the meeting, the club voted for Mike Morse to become the president, succeeding Gary Tauchen, who will now serve as past president. Treasurer Paula Wegner and secretary J.R. Habeck were re-elected. All officers were sworn in by Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel.

It’s a stunningly beautiful summer night on the Townsend Flowage. The lake is smooth as glass, a mirror reflecting the full moon lording it over an inky sky. I can hear music from across the lake. I sure wish it was coming from Little Tipsy.

Two men from different parts of Shawano County had at one point in time served together at the county sheriff’s department.

Both men have since traded their badges for clerical collars — still serving people, but in a totally different capacity. Both have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit directing their lives through every phase.

Popcorn, ice cream, and shaved ice, oh my.

Dana “Moe” Mueller, of Shawano, opened Moe’s on Main on April 17 and is already tempting the appetites of summer crowds with her gourmet popcorn, Chocolate Shoppe ice cream and Hawaiian shaved ice.