Thursday, June 18, 2026

Photo Credit:  Shalan Kolbasuk

**Please note if  you are unable to pick up your materials you will need to pay  $10 to cover the cost of shipping and handling. 

We will use email to communicate with you prior to, during, and as a follow up to the course.  Please provide us with the best email to contact you at.

WeCOPE is an interactive program that helps adults cope with life stress.  WeCOPE has been shown to reduce stress and depression, increase positive affect, and improve health behaviors. Managing life’s challenges in healthy ways allows participants to take better care of themselves and others. 

This 6-week program meets via Zoom, once a week  for 1 hour, from: 11:30am-12:30pm  These sessions encourage practicing skills such as mindfulness, savoring, positive reappraisal, gratitude, and goal setting among others.  Participants gain the most benefit when they are able to commit some time outside of class each week practicing the skills we review in class.

Join us for a simple, refreshing Wellness Walk starting at the Beyer Home Museum in Oconto prior to Tunes on Tuesday, June 23 at 5pm! This easy loop is designed for all ages and abilities—perfect for getting moving, connecting with others, and boosting both physical and mental well-being.

Even small steps can make a big difference. Walking:

-Improves heart health

-Reduces stress and boosts mood

-Builds connection with your community

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to stay active, this walk is for you. 

Location: Beyer Home Museum, 917 Park Ave, Oconto

Route: A simple square loop through the neighborhood, join for 1 loop or more!

Distance: ~½ mile loop.  Click here for route: https://go.wisc.edu/4725l3

Time: 5pm (Stay for Zoomi and the Soniks for some oldies rock n' roll at 6pm)

Date: June 23, 2026

Step Into Summer: Walk, Recharge, Learn

Looking for a simple way to boost your health this summer? Join us for Step Into Summer, a 6-week progressive walking program designed to help you build strength, improve endurance, and feel your best—one step at a time.

This welcoming program is perfect for adults of all fitness levels, especially those looking to get started or ease back into physical activity. Each session includes guided walking along with short, practical tips on nutrition and mindfulness to support your overall well-being.

📅 Mondays & Wednesdays | June 22 – July 27
⏰ 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Oconto Falls Senior and Community Center
512 Caldwell Ave, Oconto Falls

There is no cost to participate, and all are welcome!

📞 Questions? Contact Sarah Schindel at 920-834-6898 or sarah.schindel@wisc.edu

Take the first step toward a healthier summer—we’d love to walk with you!

2026 Topics Include:

• Tax-Filing Basics

• Budgeting & Spending Plans

• Credit Reports

• Getting Out of Debt

• Saving Basics

• Fraud & Scam Prevention

• Money Habits & Holiday Spending

…and more!

Join us for Caregivers’ Compass, a supportive and skill-building series designed for those caring for others. Each one-hour session offers a welcoming space to connect and share experiences with fellow caregivers, followed by practical learning to strengthen yourself and your caregiver skills. Topics vary each session—attend one or join the whole series! This month’s topic is Savoring - Finding Joy in Everyday Moments. The session includes takeaway materials to support your journey. Let’s learn, chat, and grow—together. 

Brush up on your listen skills to support friends, family, and neighbors with COMET(TM) . Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory (COMET(TM)) is a short, two-hour program and a gentle introduction to supporting friends and neighbors in a “vulnerable space”. The intent is to help them shift their mental health trajectory back to a place of wellness and away from the path of a mental health crisis.

Our next session is being held:

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom

Registration: https://go.wisc.edu/y7x670

Rent Smart is designed for people with little or no rental experience or those that have had difficulty obtaining rental housing.
What you will learn:
- Planning for and meeting monthly expenses
- Tips for finding and maintaining affordable housing
- How to complete an application and why landlords screen applicants
- Strategies for building positive relationships with landlords and neighbors
- Responsibilities and rights of landlords and tenants

This event will be conducted in English. You may request an interpreter, materials in an alternative language and/or format, and/or other services to make this event more accessible. Contact us at todd.wenzel@wisc.edu or you may include your request here (on the registration form). Make your request at least 25 days before the event.

Rent Smart is brought to you by UW-Madison, Division of Extension.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law. 

Get ready to build strength and confidence with StrongBodies, a low-impact strength training program coming to the Oconto County Youth Fair!

Join us for a free sneak peek session on Thursday, August 27 from 10:00–11:30 AM at the Zippel Park Bingo Tent (next to the Expo Building in Gillett). This evidence-based program is designed for all fitness levels and focuses on improving strength, muscle mass, bone density, and everyday function.

No registration is required—just stop by and give it a try!

For more information, contact Katie Daul :

katie.daul@wisc.edu 

920-834-6848.

The Human Development and Relationships Institute (HDRI) is proud to announce the publication of the 2026 HDRI Impact Report, highlighting the collective impact of our work with children, youth, families, and communities across Wisconsin throughout 2024 and 2025 

Extreme heat is expected to become more frequent and intense in the future.

#SummerReady aims to reach vulnerable populations and raise awareness of the impacts of extreme heat and the simple steps to stay prepared. 

Tips for older Adults:

-Do not stay home alone during a summer power outage or an extreme heat event. 

-Make sure a trusted friend or relative has an extra key to your home, knows where you keep your emergency supplies and can use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine. 

-Drink fluids regularly to avoid getting dehydrated and overheated. Talk to your doctor about whether you need fluids with extra electrolytes in the heat. 

-Be careful with the amount of time you spend outdoors. Take frequent breaks to come back inside, cool off, and drink fluids that don’t have caffeine.

June Scam Spotlight focuses on Unnecessary Tests and Services Medicare pays for services that are medically necessary to diagnose or treat a medical condition. When providers order unnecessary tests, services or equipment, it can be Medicare fraud. 

Summer Educator Paddle on the Oconto River

Educators are invited to take learning outdoors this summer with a unique, hands-on paddle experience on the Oconto River. Hosted by UW–Green Bay in partnership with the Oconto County Conservation Department and UW Extension Lakes, this half-day event offers an opportunity to explore the Oconto Marsh while learning about native and non-native aquatic plants and connecting with water resource professionals.

The event will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (rain date: July 16) from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM in Oconto. It is open to both classroom and informal educators from any location. Paddle vessels, life jackets, and lunch will be provided, and there is no cost to attend.

Registration is required by July 1. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your knowledge, network with fellow educators, and experience one of Oconto County’s valuable natural resources firsthand.

Join us for Coffee Corner featuring Kasey Ermis, Team Leader with Emplify Fitness, as she shares practical, realistic tips on:
 Strength Training for Women Over 40

You’ll learn:
- Why strength training matters—supporting metabolism, bone density, balance, and healthy aging
 -Simple ways to get started (no extremes needed!)
 -The 5 essential movements every woman should know

Come connect with others, enjoy a cup of coffee, and walk away with easy, actionable steps to feel stronger at every age.

 Coffee provided (additional items available for purchase)
Bring a friend and invest in your health—you’re worth it! 

Check out the new Senior Dining Program every Tuesday at River City Diner & Smokehouse in Oconto! The program is for those 60 and up, but if you are under age 60, you can still tag along with your older friends & family and order off the regular menu! (Serving Tuesdays only from 11:00am-12:30pm. No pre-registration necessary) 

Join the Extension Horticulture Program throughout 2026 for an opportunity to connect with plant health experts from the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Each session, held monthly on Wednesdays, offers a chance to ask questions about trees and shrubs, homegrown fruits and vegetables, indoor plants, ornamental landscapes, lawns, and more.

Whether it’s about plant problems, diseases, pesky insects, or the selection and general care of plants in and around your home, our panel of seasoned experts will provide you with insightful answers.

The goal of these sessions is to connect how sustainable gardening practices positively impact landscapes and ecosystems, cultivate your knowledge of horticulture practices that improve biodiversity in landscapes, increase your understanding of climate change in horticulture, and promote adaptive strategies and the adoption of resilient gardening practices.

These online sessions are free but registration is required for each session that you would like to attend. Upon registration you will receive an email confirmation with the link for joining the session.

Do you have questions about your garden, lawn, trees, or plants? The Horticulture Help Desk is here to help!

Join us for Help Desk Hours every Monday and Thursday from 1:00–3:00 PM, where you’ll have real-time access to a horticulture professional ready to assist with your gardening questions.

Choose a 15- or 30-minute session during available times:

Mondays & Thursdays: 1:00–3:00 PM

Fridays: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (as needed)

Appointments can be held via Zoom or phone, making it easy and convenient to get expert advice from wherever you are.

🌿 Book your appointment today: go.wisc.edu/HortHelpDesk

Whether you're troubleshooting plant issues, planning your garden, or looking for expert advice, we’re here to support your growing success!

Have a yard or garden question but can’t make it to Help Desk hours? We’ve got you covered!

Submit your question anytime using our online form—available 24/7. Whether it’s about plants, lawns, trees, or garden pests, our horticulture experts are ready to help.

👉 Submit your question here: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/ask-a-gardening-question/