Area youth will warm the chilly winter air by sharing their gifts of merriment and song during the Rotary Club of La Crosse's annual talent showcase.
Special thanks to Katie Berkedal and Alex Attardo for organizing our program again this year.
Last Week: Children at Play, Dr. Kris Rolfhus
Dr. Kris Rolfhus is a Chemistry & Biochemistry Professor at UW-La Crosse where he leads a team of student researchers focused on collecting vital data about the safety of play surfaces and the possibility of children ingesting trace metals such as lead while at play.
He spoke about how they collaborate with community members through SPACE and Thriving Earth Exchange and conducted Citizen Science during Earth Fair which allowed for community participation in the sampling process.
The group's goal is to provide valuable insights that promote safer playgrounds and protect the well-being of children in our communities.
Lunch this week: Sirloin, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables
Coffee, water, ice tea, and milk provided.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnl if know you are bringing guests but last minute invites are also welcome!
Extra Fruit Boxes Available
THANK YOU all for helping to make this club fundraiser a success!
We do have a few extra fruit boxes for sale at $25/each. Reach out to Niki Pohnl if you are interested. First come/First serve. She will bring any extras to the meeting Thursday as well.
Club Nominations
If you are interested in being on our Board of Directors, please contact Rob Palmberg (Nomination Chair) by December 10th. At this time we have three vacancies. The Board meets in person the second Monday of each month from 11:30am-1:00pm.
Dean's Marbles History
After the votes were tallied, our club marble game name remains as "Dean's Marbles". We wanted to provide you with the history of this game: Dean joined the Club in 1973 after returning from the service. At the time, he was one of the youngest Rotarians at age 27 (I believe John Wettstein was the youngest when he joined at age 23). Dean brought the concept of the raffle tickets and the marbles from the San Diego Club where he does make-ups in the winter (they have a home there). It was Dean's mother-in-law that sewed the bag and it was implemented during Dean's presidency of the Club in 2004-2005. Dean's intent was to support the Club and the Club's pledge toward the Foundation. So, we have a history of doing this for almost 20 years in the Club.
Rotary Lights Bears Available
Just a reminder that you have two weeks left to purchase this year's Rotary Lights signature bear at our club meetings. $20/bear - all proceeds this year go to meal costs at the Boys and Girls Club of La Crosse.
You Are Invited: Rotary Hike at the Farm
Saturday December 16th 9:00-11:00am
We'd like to invite you (partners and families are totally welcome) to come check out the property and dream about our bigger future together. Come dressed for December weather in Wisconsin. NO RSVP necessary.
With a focus on conservation, recreation, and education, the project will protect and share landscapes with ecological, cultural, recreational, and historical significance. The project will revolve around a robust network of shared-use trails and complimentary amenities that lower the barriers to getting outside, embracing a wider audience in nature. It will improve connections to natural areas, provide continuity between public lands, strengthen our area’s outdoor ethos, build community, and highlight the area’s appeal as a destination for residents, students, businesses, and visitors.
ROUTE AND PARKING INFO: The property is located on State Road/ Highway 33, directly across from Hillside Animal Hospital, 1 mile east of La Crosse in the Town of Shelby. Please see the map below for road and parking information. Feel free to walk or bike, but if you drive, please park in the mowed area before the bridge at the Trail Farm. Please do not park in the guest parking area for Pleasant Valley Estates.
We welcome the Neal Meyer and Diane Monahan to the club.
Neal is a Web Developer at UWL and joins with his wife, Clara Gelatt. You will often see him volunteering at the Rivoli and other places in the area, is a member of the LCT Board of Directors, and has excellent tech skills.
Diane is the Dean of the College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics at Viterbo. She accepted this position and moved to La Crosse from Florida in September. Diane is an advocate for those who do not have a voice, such as children.
Step by step, we are moving towards out financial goal in the global partnership we have established. The ultimate goal between all area clubs is to raise $36,000 by the end of January. Our club goal is set at $5000.00 To date, we have either collected or have pledges totaling $6190.00.
We also have a matching donation on the table as a challenge for all area clubs. If the clubs can collaboratively raise $5000 between November 15-December 21, a private donor will match that amount. As of today, $3700 has been either collected or pledged towards that match.
Only 11 days left to reach the goal for the match!
Reach out to Niki Pohnl if you would like to pledge and pay later. Use the link below to donate now.
Thank you for your consideration in this partnership!
All club members will be asked to complete the 2024-2025 Pledge Form before the end of December. Click below to review the options. Send your completed form to Niki Pohnl, Club Administrator at rotary@rotarycluboflacrosse.org.
Its Week 2 of RI’s Month of Disease Prevention & Treatment.
The 28 th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (COP28) began last week and will end on Tuesday, December 12 at Expo City, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. At this year’s annual climate conference, 70,000 delegates from 197 countries negotiate global goals for tackling climate change, present their countries’ plans for contributing to those goals and report on their progress.
Rotary International has long worked to protect the environment by collaborating with communities to implement clean water and sanitation, alleviate poverty, and promote sustainable energy technologies; so it’s no surprise that Rotary is participating for the third time in the 28-year history of the COP. In a report by Etelka Lehoczky, Rotary experts are hosting more than two dozen sessions at the
28th United Nations climate conference, addressing how a changing climate intersects with health, poverty, and other factors. Recognizing the central role of young people in shaping a sustainable future, Rotary is sponsoring 22 youth volunteers to attend COP28.
This amplifies young voices in the climate discussion and offers the volunteers learning opportunities and international experience. From supporting vulnerable populations to forging partnerships across the public and private sectors, Rotary members are motivating progress and inspiring action on the environment. Members in the United Arab Emirates are planting 50,000 mangrove trees in partnership with the government. The restoration of mangrove forests, which help protect coastlines and marine life, is a Rotary priority.
The Rotary Foundation has committed more than US$23.7 million toward environmental projects led by Rotary members around the world. TRF’s Chair of Trustees, Rotarian Barry Rassin is among notables from RI at the COP 28
conference.
.png)
