Friday, July 17, 2026

Location: Oconto County Farmers Market, Memorial Field, Oconto Falls

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

Distance: ~3/4-mile loop. Click here for route: https://go.wisc.edu/9wjtc2

Time: 5pm (Make sure to visit Oconto County Farmer's Market before or after the walk)

Date: July 21, 2026

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. 

StrongBodies Strength Training Class – Register Now

Looking to build strength, improve balance, and stay active? StrongBodies is an evidence-based strength training program designed especially for mid-life and older adults. Classes focus on progressive resistance training, flexibility, and balance to help you feel stronger, move better, and stay independent.

Program Details:

📅 Dates: September 9 – November 27, 2026
🕘 Time: Wednesdays & Fridays, 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
📍 Location: Town of Riverview Community Center 15152 Island Lake Rd., Mountain

This 12-week program meets twice weekly and is led by trained facilitator Katie Daul. You’ll follow a structured, progressive plan that helps build strength safely while connecting with others in a supportive group setting.

👉 Register here:

https://go.wisc.edu/f1q8c5

Deadline to sign up: September 2

Questions? Contact Katie Daul at katie.daul@wisc.edu or 920-834-6845.

Coffee Corner featuring Katie Daul

An initiative by Healthy Oconto County, Coffee Corner is a monthly educational series designed to connect community members with local professionals and practical strategies for improving everyday health and wellbeing. Each session offers a chance to learn, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversation in a welcoming, informal setting.

Programs are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month, making it easy to plan ahead and stay involved.

August's session features Katie Daul, Human Development and Relationships Educator with UW–Madison Extension Oconto County. Her presentation, “Your Future Self: Goals, Money and the Life You Want,” will focus on aligning personal goals with financial decision-making to support long-term wellbeing. 

📅 August 20 | 3:00–4:00 p.m.
📍 The Shop on Main, Oconto

Coffee provided. Hope to see you there!

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!

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.

House Passes Bill on Scam Prevention for Older Adults

In late June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2478 - Financial Exploitation Prevention Act of 2025. This bill seeks to protect older adults (people aged 65 or older) and adults with disabilities from financial fraud by giving investment companies the ability to put a hold on a requested withdrawal if financial exploitation is suspected.

Specifically, the bill would allow companies to delay processing for up to 15 days initially and then another 10 days if exploitation continues to suspected. A "trusted contact" would need to be added to the account for the company to delay a withdrawal. The trusted contact would be notified if fraud is suspected. Next, the bill goes to the U.S. Senate. 

Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables

Safeguarding important financial records, medical records and contact information in advance of any potential disaster can provide peace of mind and decrease stress in the event that disaster strikes. Having access to these documents is important in the recovery process. Taking inventory of your household documents, contacts, and valuables is a great first step. The checklist here can help you get started: https://bit.ly/4vm0AJX  

Visit Ready.gov for a more detailed Emergency Financial First Aid Kit: https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness 

Little Hands, Big Plans: Building Bright Financial Futures

UW–Madison Division of Extension, Oconto County educators are excited to lead and organize this fun, hands-on financial literacy series in partnership with Oconto County Libraries and N.E.W. Credit Union!

Ideal for grades K–2 (and caregivers!)

Each program features a children’s book, simple money lessons, and hands-on activities to build strong financial habits early. Every family receives a FREE book, parent guide, and take-home activities

These sessions help kids explore spending, saving, and making choices in a fun, low-pressure environment, while giving caregivers tools to keep the conversation going at home.

Questions? Contact Katie Daul, Lifespan and Financial Educator, at 920- 834-6848 or katie.daul@wisc.edu

Session Dates, Locations & Featured Books:

July 21 – Lena Public Library

200 E Main St, Lena, WI

Just Shopping with Mom

July 29 – Suring Area Public Library

604 E. Main St, Suring, WI

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

August 5 – Farnsworth Public Library (Oconto)

715 Main St, Oconto, WI

Those Shoes

August 12 – Gillett Public Library

200 E Main St, Gillett, WI

A Chair for My Mother

No need to attend every session, but we’d love to see you as often as you can!

Adventure Awaits This Summer!

Looking for a day packed with exploration, hands-on learning, outdoor fun, and new friends? Join us for the Oconto County 4-H Adventure Day Camp on July 30th at Holtwood Park!

Open to youth entering Kindergarten through 4th Grade

Games, activities, learning-by-doing, and plenty of adventure!

Bring a lunch and water bottle (snack provided!)

Just $5 for 4-H members and $15 for non-members

Whether you're already part of 4-H or just looking for an unforgettable summer experience, this camp is a great way to discover what 4-H is all about!

Registration deadline: July 24

Register here: https://forms.gle/8gPnUDSrhdj2E6B2A

Let’s cook up some fun this summer!

Oconto County 4-H is teaming up with Oconto County UW-Extension's Health & Well-Being Educator, to bring a hands-on Food & Fun Day Camp for middle school youth. This is a great chance for kids to build confidence in the kitchen while learning basic cooking, food safety, and nutrition skills.

 August 11–13, 2026
 12:00–2:00 pm
 Oconto Falls Middle School, Learning Kitchen
 Open to youth entering 5th–8th grade
 $10 for 4-H members | $20 for non-members

 Register by August 4 (limited to 16 participants) using QR code or link: https://forms.gle/SLAZWmjgdqU2qAfx7

Each day, participants will prep and cook a snack to enjoy. Please bring a water bottle.

Questions? Contact Aimee Elkins at Aimee.Elkins@wisc.edu or 920-857-5019

Spots will fill fast, so don’t wait. We can’t wait to see your kids in the kitchen!

Men's Mental Health Event
Healthy Oconto County Coalition

Let’s be real—life gets heavy. Work, family, expectations, and dealing with difficult people can wear you down fast. Most guys just push through it. This event is about giving you better ways to handle it.

Join us for a practical, no-fluff night with Dr. Michael Weber, a nationally recognized speaker with 40+ years of experience. He’ll break down how to deal with negative people, communicate without escalating conflict, and keep yourself from getting pulled into the negativity.

What to expect:
• Straightforward, useful strategies you can actually use
• A solid meal (family-style dinner included)
• A relaxed setting—no pressure, just real conversation
• Chances to win some great raffle prizes (YETI cooler, grill/smoker, gift cards, and more)

Event Details:
Thursday, October 22, 2026
5:00–8:00 PM (Dinner served at 5:30)
Romy’s Holiday Inn
9600 Hwy G, Suring, WI

Cost: $25 (includes dinner + program)

Register here: bit.ly/4vWLRXI

You must be present to win raffle prizes.

If cost is a barrier, reach out—we have sponsorships available to help cover registration.

Questions or need help registering:
Brenda Rehberg
(920) 835-1101
Brenda.Rehberg@emplifyhealth.org

Come connect with others, enjoy a cup of coffee, and walk away with easy, actionable steps to improve your every day life. 

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

StrongBodies Virtual Program (via Zoom)

Looking to build strength, improve balance, and stay active from home? Join our upcoming StrongBodies virtual program, an evidence-based strength training class designed to help improve muscle strength, bone density, and overall mobility.

Classes run July 7 – September 24, 2026, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00–10:15 AM. Each session includes progressive resistance training, balance work, and flexibility exercises—all guided in a supportive, easy-to-follow format.

This program is great for adults of all fitness levels looking to stay strong and independent.

Register here: https://go.wisc.edu/566c4x

Questions? Contact: strongbodies@extension.wisc.edu

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/