September 17-19 marks the 30th anniversary of the Fox Cities Marathon. This year is all about creativity, from the expo to the Fun Run to the Toddler Trot to the distance events. People are excited to get back out racing and, with modifications, but the race is about more than running. The marathon is a platform for people to achieve their goals. Some run for a cause, in memory of a loved one, to support another runner, or to lose weight. It generates funds to give back to local foundations, provides a venue for nursing students to practice their skills, and works with groups ahead of the race to get healthy. Sponsors and volunteers make this a community event for everyone - runners, spectators, and anyone gearing up for a healthier lifestyle.
Just like so many other things in life right now, Memory Care programs have had to move on line. Times have been challenging, but the move to online has had some positive results. Rotarian Mike Rohrkaste and guest speaker Mindy Gries shared some of the creative ideas that have been integrated into Mind Works classes for seniors with dementia. From volunteers delivering monthly kits to efforts to provide technology to online crafts and multi-generational projects, participants have continued to engage in activities that trigger memories, stories and lots of smiles.
Through a Ted Talk, Adam Alter introduced us to how to create stopping cues in our lives to counter the lack of a clear end to the bottomless, endless stream on social media. Some of our members have created their own cues, including calendaring time away and establishing times when the screen is off. There are times when it's fun to binge, and opportunities to communicate with people from far away or make our lives better, but we agreed that it's good to find a way to put the screen away at times.
Dawn Gohlke spoke to us today about Wisconsin-CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children). "CASA is a program that enlists citizen volunteers to champion the needs of abused and neglected children who are unsafe at home and must live temporarily under the jurisdiction of the courts and the supervision of a county child welfare system." Through a wonderfully thoughtful video, we heard about life with an abusive parent from a child's perspective and the role that CASAs play in a child's journey to permanency or adoption. Thank you, Dawn!
We enjoyed the quick-talking Shawn Anchor as he told us "The Happy Secret to Better Work". If you can change the lens through which you see the world, you can change your reality! Watch this talk to find out more about how to reverse the formula for yourself and achieve the Happiness Advantage.
We gathered virtually to watch a TEDx Talk, talked happiness, close relationships and the people we know who lived long happy lives.
Two hours before bed, write down 3 Good Things to keep positives louder. As a club we keep our meetings going even during the pandemic, we value the happiness that pets bring, and we have come to realize that there can be benefits to remote working.
We gathered virtually to watch a TEDx Talk by journalist and author Michael Casey. We enjoyed a discussion on the topic afterwards and learned a bit more about the role that social media plays in our lives and in the community.
Joe Peikert, President and CEO of Wolf River Community Bank, walked us through the essentials on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
Always learning something new! Our speaker from McMahon Group introduced us to local municipal wastewater treatment processes.
FCMRC joined the Neenah and Menasha Rotary Club at the Timber Rattlers Game last night. Thank you to Lisa Werner of the Neenah Club for organizing this fun outing.
Service Above Self - We enjoyed a service project on September 13. Highway Clean up on HWY G!
Thank You to the Club Members that were able to participate: George, Sue, Andy, Doug, Greg, Bryan, Bill and Jeff.
FCMRC enjoyed learning about the history of Neenah and Menasha from Howard Healy!
This last Tuesday morning we heard from two of the students that we sponsored to attend the World Affairs Seminar (WAS).
Congratulations! Bill Mattes and Mark Keating earned Paul Harris Awards.
Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna presented to the Breakfast Rotary group on March 15 and discussed the Appleton Conference Center. The land for the Exhibition Center has been officially purchased and the building is hoped to be completed next year!! Exciting developments for the Fox Cities Community!
Darin Strong from Strong Chiropractic gave a talk regarding a healthy lifestyle.
A great session on Tuesday. We learned from Amy Wiernik, Executive for Educating, Learning for Life on how high school students can experience various professional occupations first hand.
In an effort to give back to the community, Strike Out Cancer Day was founded by Sarah-Beth Janssen in 2005. Thanks to the Timber Rattlers, many additional sponsors and our team of volunteers, we provide local families battling pediatric cancer a day to forget about fighting their disease, relax as a family and find support from other families in attendance. As the event has grown so have our fundraising efforts. Because of this we've established the fund to assist local families in need.
Welcome to the Fox Cities Morning Rotary Club
Havin' fun, doin' good.....maybe both!
