County roundup: recovery circles, blood drives and winter events

Menominee County’s community calendar this week combined public health efforts, winter recreation and cultural programming, with several events already held and more scheduled through Jan. 25. Recovery talking circles, Red Cross blood drives, ice-fishing derbies and nature programs are creating multiple touchpoints for residents seeking support, recreation or ways to give back.

Last weekend saw recovery and arts events across the region. A Recovery Talking Circle met at the South Branch Community Center in Suring on Friday evening. On Saturday, Shawano hosted the All Species Ice Fishing Tournament at the Bamboo Bar, which opened early for breakfast pizza at 5:30 a.m., while Wittenberg’s WOWSPACE staged the first days of Art of the Quilter XII, “A Patchwork of Memories.” Navarino Nature Center ran a Porcupine Snowshoe Hike on Saturday; that hike required pre-registration and was billed at $5 for members, $10 for non-members and $25 for families.

Looking ahead, the calendar lists a steady stream of options for the coming week. Recovery talking circles continue in Keshena at the Omaeqnomenewak Wetohkatikamek Center on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21; organizers note Mindy Thunder as a contact at 715-799-3835 or mthunder@mitw.org. Community meetings and cultural programming include the Friends of the Oconto Falls Community Library gathering on Jan. 20 and a Native American Talking Circle in Bowler on Jan. 22; Yvonne Burr can be reached at 715-326-0891 for that event.

Public-health opportunities include multiple American Red Cross blood drives: Pulaski hosts a drive Jan. 21 at Assumption BVM Church (noon to 5 p.m.), Shawano on Jan. 23 at Shawano City Hall (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and a Town of Chase drive Jan. 23 at Chase Town Hall (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Appointments are available at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767.

Weekend recreational offerings return Jan. 24 with several ice-fishing events: the Bamboo Northern and Bass tournament in Shawano and the White Potato Lake Sportsman’s Club Ice Fishing Derby at Brad’s Wouters Front 2 in the Town of Brazeau. Breed Community Center stages its Sportsman’s Club Jamboree that day, and Wittenberg continues Art of the Quilter through Jan. 25. Navarino Nature Center also offers an Introduction to Cross-Country Skiing on Jan. 24 (register by Jan. 22 at 715-758-6999) and a second Porcupine Snowshoe Hike that afternoon with the same $5/$10/$25 pricing.

For residents, the calendar represents more than entertainment: recovery circles and library meetings strengthen mental-health and civic networks, while blood drives address an ongoing need for donations regionally. Winter events support small businesses and volunteer organizations that rely on off-season activity. To participate, register where required or call the contacts listed for each program; anglers should check the Bamboo Bar Facebook page for tournament details and anglers’ start times. Expect continued community activity through Jan. 25 as Menominee County balances public health, culture and winter recreation this month.