VIEWING YOUR NEWSLETTER...You will notice at the top of the newsletter a statement... "Having trouble viewing this email? Please click here." This format will allow you to see any embedded videos and animated ads within the newsletter. Email newsletter will allow you to see your commitments at the end of your personal newsletter...online newsletters will not show this, the bulletin on the web site may have a more readable format...you can also view bulletins online.....www.rotarycluboflacrosse.org
Our club will have a ZOOM meeting again this week. We will be sending you a browser link via email Thursday morning. We will open at 11:30 and our meeting will start at Noon. If you have an announcement you would like to make...please contact Andy Bakkum. If you would like to have a guest attend, please let Andy know and YOU can forward your email link to them.
Thanks to Sarah Arendt-Beyer you can now view past Zoom Rotary Meetings - she will post each week on our web site......LINK.
This will be a very timely program as New Horizon's and this program are recipients of Al's Musky Challenge.
Child sexual abuse is one of the most widespread health problem children face, often with lifelong consequences effecting many different parts of the victim’s life. Statistically, 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.
For those of us who work with youth, are parents or guardians, or are active in our communities, it is very likely that someone you know or care about is suffering from, or has suffered, child sexual abuse. The dangers of child sexual abuse exist whether we are prepared or not – but we can take steps as families and organizations to lower risk and prevent abuses from occurring.
What is Stewards of Children?
Stewards of Children is an in-person or virtual training, utilizing video of real people and real stories to show us how to recognize signs of child sexual abuse, how to respond during day-to-day interactions, and ultimately how to protect children. The training is built off Darkness to Light’s foundation of The 5 Steps to Protecting Children. Participants learn the facts about child sexual abuse, how to build safer environments, how to talk to children about safety, how to recognize the signs a child is being abused, and how to react responsibly.
During the videos, we meet survivors who lived through child sexual abuse, and we meet experts who work with children and families, who confront abuse on a daily basis. Many of these survivors and experts are also parents themselves, and their interviews work together to inform us about the steps we can take to lower the risk faced by the children we work with and care for.
Stewards of Children is available in both English and Spanish, and trainings have been adapted to be provided fully virtually or safely in-person following CDC and Health Department regulations.
About the facilitators:
Jen Scaccio is the Youth and Family Advocate at New Horizons. She graduated from Viterbo University from its Social Work Program in 2009 and has been employed by New Horizons for the past 11 years. Jen works with parents and children in both shelter and the community who have been impacted by domestic abuse and sexual assault. The topic of child sexual abuse prevention is very near and dear to her both personally and professionally as she is a survivor and has 3 children of her own.
Kim Jones, Trempealeau County Sexual Assault Advocate, New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers, Inc. Grew up locally on a dairy farm, and returned to the area after graduating from UW-Madison. Joined New Horizons in March 2011, beginning as a Crisis Advocate and transferring to the Sexual Assault Program in 2017. Began co-facilitating the Stewards of Children program with Jen in 2019, they have trained more than 100 people in both La Crosse and Trempealeau Counties.
Join Rotarian Jamie O'Neill and our Environmental Committee to clean up the river. Jamie is leading the Clinton Boat Landing site at La Crosse.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - SEPTEMBER 26th....SEE LINK BELOW
The main meeting location will be at the boat landing Clinton Street. We will stay 6ft apart and spread out near the landing and parking lot. There are three other meet-ups (you'll see on the sign up) that will be given email instructions.
Volunteers are needed on foot and in boats to help collect garbage, especially plastic along the Mississippi watershed. This project is a collaborative effort with other Rotary groups along the Mississippi.
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Jamie and she can sign you up manually.
Your donation to our Wheels of Hope International Project will help us purchase a bus to get these girls safely to school. One Rotarian said..."Can you imagine having your life threatened over school attendance?"
We have two promotions going to get us to our goal!!!
Rotarians....we will match your donation with Paul Harris Points for all donations of $100 or more. Donate $500 we will donate 500 points and you will be come a Paul Harris Fellow AND help these girls get to school safely.
Thomas Behrenbeck is also doing a "Walking for Wheels Challenge" $500 match.....he will match the first $500 we receive starting September 1st.....see below this article on updates of his "Walking for Wheels." Join him in this walking challenge...send him photos, miles you walked, etc. to bermusat@gmail.com.
We had the inspiring Razia Jan presenting at our club telling us about the tremendous impact of the school for girls she started in Afghanistan. Her presentation came on the heels of the Zabuli Education Center re-opening after it's closure due to COVID-19. And it was the perfect launch to the final phase of our project, Wheels of Hope, which is raising money to purchase a bus and a van so that girls and young women are safely transported to school.
We have $12,000 left to raise to meet our goal. Your donation no matter how large or small makes a difference....what matters is the outcome your giving produces...transporting young girls and women safely to school.
Our deepest gratitude to our members who have already generously supported this project.
Rotarians are "Walking for Wheels".....Thomas Behrenbeck is walking for wheels....how about you!! He will match the first $500 donated to our Wheels on the Bus Fundraiser...starting September 1st!
"Walking for Wheels" documentation from Thomas......
September 1st:
Well guys, September is here, and time to get rolling, or better walking. And what a wonderful day it was to start the challenge. Julia accompanied me, and for starters, we did our usual walk down Shore Acres Road (not memory lane, and not an extended pub crawl, as Dean seemed to suggest). We promptly ran into Bud and Barb, who were walking their Scottie, Ready. My plan is to vary the routes and take pictures of some of the phantastic sites we have here in the La Crescent/ La Crosse area. As you can see, today, it was the famous railroad trestle. A lot of work had to be done lately, and CP has added a walkway, but I don't think it is for public use. Don't know where my feet will take me tomorrow, but I am sure I will enjoy it. It's truly a win-win-win-win, a contribution to a worthwhile cause, great sights, you surprisingly meet very nice people, and it's great for my health. What could be better.
More to come. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch, Thomas PHOTOS
September 2nd:
These were the pictures from our walk starting at Lytle’s landing along the Trempealeau trail where it passes through the Bryce Prairie Conservation Association. Another beautiful late summer day, actually quite hot, but the trail was mostly shaded, and the model railroader in me loved all the old bridges. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay in touch. Thomas PHOTOS
September 3rd:
Well, another day has passed, and it was more of a quiet one. Partly, because we had the chance to spend some quality time with our friends from down the road, Barb and Bud Hammes, but also there were too many conference calls. Today, there were no outings, just working out on my treadmill. I will admit though, the views are not shabby from that window facing north towards the I-90 bridge and our garden at that side. Wildlife also finds it interesting and obviously accommodating, as the photos might demonstrate. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay in touch, and appreciate life. Kind regards, Thomas PHOTOS
September 4th:
Yesterday was a wonderful day, our first exploration (and certainly not the last) of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. After a scenic drive to La Frage, and a short visit (since it was closed) of the Visitors’ Center, we found a wonderful spot on Highway P with entry of a couple of trails (still so many to discover). Again, we were blessed with a beautiful day, and gorgeous surroundings. We decided on the Black Hawk Rock Trail, right at the start we noticed this unusual maple tree and before you knew it, we decided to take a detour into the woods on a small path which led us to the rock formation in the photo; and if you climbed the rock formation on a steep path, you had this fantastic panoramic view of the Reserve. I could not help it, but had to photobomb Julia’s great picture. We crossed the Kickapoo river a couple of times on some historic bridges, which we tried to capture, the last one being bridge #13, which was the lucky one for us, since it led us straight back to our car. With all the hard walking, we thought we deserved a detour to Viroqua and the Driftless Café, which has become one of our favorite eats in this area. The menu varies every week, and it is always good, and I mean really good. We definitely slept well Friday night, and are ready for more adventures. Cheers, Thomas PHOTOS
September 5th: Today was more of a quiet day, the start of the Labor Day weekend. Still managed a little more than 5 miles, but used Shore Acres all the way to the boat landing (the skeptical face reflects my innate insufficiency with modern technology), but the walk was still a lot of fun, and the weather was just spectacular, I don’t believe it can get much better than early fall in Minnesota. The last picture was actually taken early in the morning, and no, these are not all the people who are lining up to walk with me, on the contrary, for those of you in the know, this is the line at the bread baker at the Smiling Pelican in Maiden Rock. Despite being there 8 minutes after opening, the queue was already halfway around the street block. During COVID, this baker places all his ware on the front porch, and people come by and take what they want, and drop a check or money into a bucket (it’s an honor system). There is a bit of a cult following (but his products are truly delicious and well worth the 90 minute drive from La Crescent). For those of you who were Seinfeld aficionados, there is a recurrent character labeled ‘Soup Nazi’. Well, during regular operation (when you purchase bread and pastry in the store), he is a bit like that. If he feels you order too much or might be overindulging, he will let you know, and not sell you the quantities you want “Only six cookies for you” or, “No sir, I will not sell you the whole pie, you are already way too overweighted”. People take him in stride and keep coming back, he and his wife are that good. That’s all for today, tomorrow we may have our daughter Laura and her husband Gavin with us, and we shall see where our feet will lead us then. Good night, God bless and have a wonderful weekend. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch. Cheers, Thomas PHOTOS
September 6th:
Today we stayed in town, since the kids were going to visit in the afternoon. The Marsh Trails are beautiful though a bit slippery (after yesterday night’s ample showers). Beautiful weather with a nice breeze during the walk. Saw a couple of sand cranes and wood ducks, who are on their way through.Can you please encourage people to send photos of their walks as well. Also if anybody would like to join us on our ventures, they are welcome. We believe it can be done in a safe fashion. Everybody enjoy Labor Day. These walks sure drive home, how beautiful this area is and how lucky Julia and I are that we ‘landed’ here for our ‘golden’ years. Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay in touch, Thomas PHOTOS
September 7th:
Another day, another ...............trail. This one was picked by Julia, since she had a wonderful yoga experience at Clearwater Farms (they have cute goats and ponies, but neither played a role in her yoga, I was told.) We both decided, a leisurely trail walk was in order after a wonderful Labor Day with our daughter and son-in-law (great company, and great food, unfortunately a bit too much of the latter). So off we went, for a walk in a newly developed, pretty posh neighborhood. Got to be easy, right? Not really, the trail was wonderful, the vistas spectacular, but the grade quite interesting. But as you would expect in an upscale neighborhood, at the extremely steep portion of the trail, a helpful soul and affixed a rope, snaking all the way down the hill (or up if you would have come the opposite way) to help you in successfully passing the steep grade. Yours truly, and to some degree Julia were grateful for this unexpected assistance. Like always, the views were spectacular, I cannot say it often enough, we are blessed with an unlimited choice of nature hikes and unexpected views. Tonight, my knees remind me of my age (but I chose to ignore them). I would be amiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to Bud and Barb Hammes. Before Barb learned of her predicament and now faces it with determination and grace, both were a great source for local hiking trails with deep knowledge of their history, and association with La Crosse and the Coulee Valley region. I miss them and look forward to the day when they will be able to join us again. Have a great, safe, and short week.Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch, Thomas PHOTOS
September 8th
Today was just a blustery, cold, rainy day, just like we have in the winter in Germany. I felt transported back to home town of Münster, where I spent my years at the University in Med School and studying music. Not quite ready yet to start the central heating, but just cool enough to have a little fire on in the morning. So, I just spent time on the treadmill. Still interesting though (the river always provides entertainment). There is a problem with barge traffic, looks like due to a shifting sand bar. The corps of engineers is busy dredging, and the barges are all lined up in front of our house.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch, ThomasPHOTOS
September 9th
Today was another one of those interesting transition days, cold, a bit dreary, a bit rainy, definitely nature announcing that the seasons are changing. It was just not cold enough to start the heat yet, but the fireside this morning was welcome together with a nice cup of coffee. Several conference calls (ZOOM meetings are both a wonderful opportunity to stay connected, and yet a drain on the human battery) today prevented me from venturing out much, but as you can see, the river is always entertaining. So time was spent on the treadmill, and what better way than to cover the miles while listening to the reunion concert, Simon and Garfunkel gave in Central Park, September 19, 1981. Wow, nearly 40 years ago, and yet their music still has so much meaning for today. I strongly recommend to listen to their live rendition of “American Tune” . I know for you aficionados, you will immediately recognize it as one of J.S.Bach’s choral’s, but you would be wrong. Good old Johann Sebastian just made it very popular through his St. Matthew’s Passion, but it is actually quite a bit older, and was originally composed by Hans Hassler “Mein Gmüth ist mir verwirret”. Somehow the lyrics to Simon and Garfunkel’s song seem to encapsulate a lot of what is currently happening, but in any case, it is just a phenomenal piece of music. If you have a moment, just relax and listen. Unfortunately, I cannot include the song itself, since the file would be too large. Good night, Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay in touch Thomas PHOTOS
Beth is the integral ecology director for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. She has an evolving purpose that includes serving as a resource and promoting environmental and sustainability best practices that support care for all of God's creation. Beth has worked as a sustainability consultant with experience in developing and managing renewable energy workforce development programs. She served as the education and workforce development manager at the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, and managed K–12 and museum-based curriculum initiatives on behalf of the fund. She was a registered LEED Accredited Professional, focused on green schools for place-based learning and is an Interstate Renewable Energy Council registered auditor.
Prior to her work for FSPA, Beth was a stay at home mom and a school garden coordinator in La Crosse.
Beth grew up in southern Minnesota on a hobby farm, where her family lived with her grandparents. It was an intergenerational effort to carefully cultivate the land. This connection sparked her love and interest for nature. Now, Beth and her husband are running after their three daughters and they try to avoid rain and black flies with family outdoor adventures. She practices permaculture at her La Crosse home and loves to cook and preserve anything she can grow or forage.
Each week President Andy will interview one of our Rotary Family. We will post the video each week in our newsletter. We will also post on Facebook and our website: PAGE LINK. You can share this site with prospective members.
Last week Andy interviewed Rotarian Ed Neuman- click on photo to view.
Thank you to everyone who made my 80th birthday so special with the drive-by and various forms of birthday greetings! You are terrific and I am grateful!
Rotary Youth Exchange A Step Toward WorldUnderstanding. The La Crosse area Rotary Clubs are looking for students who are interested in a unique experience of attending high school while living in another Rotary International country. Rotary International has a program which annually involves over 10,000 high school students living nearly a year in another country. Candidates must be sophomores to seniors in high school at the time of application and 16-18 1/2 years old when they leave for their assigned country. Applicants must rank in the upper half of their class.
How to apply. If you know of someone that is interested in this program for the 2021-22 school year, simply have them complete and return the application. Click here for application and more information. An informational Zoom meeting will be September 24, 2020, 6:30. To participate in the Zoom meeting copy this link in your browser: zoom.us/join then provide meeting ID: 880 9454 3423 the provide passcode 829593. Preliminary application due, September 24, 2020. Local interviews will be October 5, 2020 and final application due October 26, 2020. District Interviews will be November 1, 2020 (Maybe done virtual or in Baraboo, WI).
While anyone can access the Rotary International website, members of Rotary are able to learn more detailed information including their contributions to the Rotary Foundation, information on La Crosse Rotary, and information on our Rotary District. To do this a member needs to register, or create an account on the website. Here is how you do it:
To gain maximum use of the Rotary International website, each Rotarian must create an account with Rotary. With this account you will be able to view your Rotary profile, as well as check your contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Here are the steps to do this.
If you are a first time user, click on Register For An Account.
Fill in the Account registration information and click on Continue. (If club number is requested we are club #2690. Our District is #6250 your ID# can be found on the label of your Rotarian Magazine)
You will be informed that an e-mail has been sent to you.
Check your email for the address you provided in step 5. You will receive a message which will ask you to click on the blue link to finalize the process.
Fill in all the mandatory information and click on Create account.
Click on Continue and you will be take to your MyRotary!
Anyone donating $50 or more will receive a bronze Rotary Centennial coin.
To date, over $40,000 has already been pledged! We're simply amazed as the private and corporate support keeps rolling in. Al set a pretty big goal for this event and shared with a few people privately that if we could exceed $40,000 he would be speechless. Let's see if we can make it happen and provide even more support for the important work New Horizons is doing in our community.
Associate Membershipis a program to recruit younger members, millennials, to membership. Associate Membership is available to anyone who is proposed for membership who is 35 years of age or less. Associate membership will end when that member reaches the age of 38. They would pay for dues and $100 for meals per quarter no matter how many meetings they attend that quarter.
Corporate Membership is a program to allow multiple employees of a business Rotary participation under one primary membership. Each corporate membership is limited to a three-year term. After the three-year corporate membership term, the individuals are required to become individual members. View Corporate Membership Policy.
Family Membershipis a program to allow a second individual Rotary participation under one primary membership. View Family Membership Policy.
Honorary Membership is offered to members who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals.Unlike other membership categories that can be requested by the member, Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a member by election from the Board of Directors. View Honorary Membership Policy.
Excused Membership is offered to members if the aggregate of the member’s years of age and years of membership in one or more clubs is 85 years or more, the member has been a member of one or more clubs for at least 20 years, and the member has notified the club's secretary in writing of the member’s desire to be excused from attendance and the board has approved. Excused Members will pay the quarterly dues and only for meals when they attend a meeting.
Membership Proposals....we will no longer ask for three references when you propose a new member. This was a criteria that our club had set not RI. This will help us process new members into our club more efficiently. You can access the membership proposal form online, under the Club Information site page.
tanding. The La Crosse area Rotary Clubs are looking for students who are interested in a unique experience of attending high school while living in another Rotary International country. Rotary International has a program which annually involves over 10,000 high school students living nearly a year in another country. Candidates must be sophomores to seniors in high school at the time of application and 16-18 1/2 years old when they leave for their assigned country. Applicants must rank in the upper half of their class.
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