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We are THIS close!

October is World Polio month where Rotarians around the globe focus on the eradication of polio. Even with the ups and downs with Covid-19, we still have reason to celebrate a milestone victory over the wild Polio virus. In August last year Africa was certified as Polio Free for the first time in History. That certification notifies the world that there were no wild polio cases identified for 3 years. What an accomplishment! 
 
We still have two nations left in our battle to eradicate Polio forever. Afghanistan and Pakistan. These places are challenging and with the wild virus still able to roam there, it presents a risk to the rest of the world that we must keep funding and fighting. Not only keep the achievements so far, but to overcome the final obstacle of eradication. 
 
Sunday October 24th, 2021 is World Polio Day. Even if you have not been directly impacted by Polio, the good work done already has far reaching impact for the future including in the fight against disease such as Covid-19 and Ebola in Africa as shown below. 
 
Any gift you can make to the Rotary Foundation directed toward Polio will be tripled with matching from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, your dollar turns into three and will help us win this battle! Donate here!
 
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Horsin' Around and Lending a Helping Hand

It was a beautiful morning for horsin' around on top of the ridge! We helped HorseSense to prepare for their Fall Harvest Festival on October 9 with some groundskeeping work. HorseSense serves youth and adults with cognitive, physical and psychological disabilities through therapeutic riding. Our club was able to help HorseSense receive a grant from the RotaryWorks Foundation to set up 3 new pastures through which to rotate their horses. There are many physical and mental benefits to the connections that riders form with horses, and we’re so happy to be able to help HorseSense continue to provide these amazing services.

It was fun and fulfilling to put in a few hours of manual labor, but hanging out with the horses was pretty cool too!
  
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Local Interact Students Serve to Change Lives

Remember how our theme last year was "Rotary Opens Opportunities?" or how about in 2019-2020 when the theme was "Rotary Connects the World?" Turns out those RI Presidents know what they're doing when they choose them. Check this out! 
 
Meet Avery- former Interact Club President from Logan High School. She, along with her Spanish class, made hard cover books designed for elementary level reading. Each book has a message or a lesson and teaches about the state of Wisconsin (#1 in the USA), our food (you know... cheese curds, bratwursts, beer and Old Fashioned cocktails, butter burgers, and don't forget Friday night fish fries) and our amazing Midwestern culture. Uff Dah! 
 
Knowing Rotary's connections around the world (there are over 35,000 Rotary clubs in more than 220 countries), Avery brought the project to Logan Interact Advisor and our very own RAHtarian, Nick Ragner for help. "Hey! After Hours did a water project installing filters in schools in Mexico," shrieked Nick. A phone call later to prAHsident Mansee, a connection was made. The Logan High class finished up the books at the end of spring 2021. A total of 29 books were sent south with Logan Interact covering the postage. The students at Ignacio Allende Primary in Dzitnup, Yucatán (small village outside of Valladolid) received the books a couple of weeks ago and they are busy learning all about the Badger State! Oh yah, You-betcha!
 
Check out the pictures of the Logan students with their books they created to send to students in Mexico.
 
 
 
Below are the pictures of the students in Mexico with their new books and the director of the school, Candelaria May.
 
 
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New Member Spotlight: Sierra Lyon

Please give a warm RAH welcome to our newest member, Sierra Lyon! An Onalaska Hilltopper graduate, Sierra Lyon loves service and says "being part of Rotary is a great way to be a part of a community that has that same love." She's got that right!

Sierra spends her work days as the Development Coordinator for New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers. She holds a bachelor's degree from Viterbo University where she studied marketing and holds a Fundraising and Development Graduate Certificate from UC-Davis. 

When Sierra's not busy working she may be traveling the world or waterskiing on the river. She also enjoys camping and rollerblading. Life is better with a cat? Sierra thinks so! her dream is to one day open a cat café!

We are so glad to have Sierra a part of the Rotary family. Help her feel welcome by asking about her study abroad adventures the next time you see her at a RAH event!

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New Member Spotlight: Derek Peterson

Welcome to RAH, Derek Peterson! Hailing from Orfordville, WI (population 1,286), Derek found his way to UW-La Crosse and graduated as a Screaming Eagle with a finance degree in 2019. He works for Mutual of Omaha Advisors as a financial advisor and particularly enjoys real estate, financial instruments and figuring out how to legally avoid Uncle Sam and paying taxes. Legally is the key word there, folks! Like Bill Pritchard, when Derek's not at work, the golf course is where he ideally spends most of his days off. 

Fun Fact: Derek is part of a group that makes up approximately 1-2% of humans on the planet - being a red head! 

We love opening our arms and welcoming new faces into our tribe! He joined RAH to surround himself with "driven, like minded professionals who have a passion for serving the community while at the same time forming and becoming a part of a tight knit group along the way." No doubt, RAH is the best place to be to fulfill his desire to form meaningful, lifelong relationships with those who share similar values.

Next time you see Derek at a RAH event, make him feel welcome and ask him about his experience as a kid being a "bat boy" for a minor league baseball team and which professional athletes he got to meet along the way!

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Goodbye Summer ... Until Next Year!

75 degree weather ✔️
Tiki bar and live music ✔️
Celebrating the end of summer with your RAH friends = Priceless
 
Many thanks to everyone who joined the end of summer social at Moxies!
 
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Other Area Rotary Club Events

Rotary Hilltopper Second Annual Chiefs Challenge Pulled Pork BBQ-Q

Thursday, October 14 from 3:30-6pm (or until meals sell-out).

Help support the Onalaska Fire Department and Onalaska Police Department - It's the Chiefs Challenge, whichever department sells more tickets wins! Proceeds benefit both the Onalaska Police and Fire Departments.  Get Your Tickets Today

Tickets are $10.00 per meal. Each meal includes Onalaska Hilltopper Rotary's award-winning pulled pork, a Talame bun from Fayzes, cheesy potatoes from Mary Cody's, and creamy cole slaw...all served up by Rotarians...drive-thru pick up only!

Choose the department you'd like to support in the ticket dropdown below - remember, whichever department sells more tickets wins!

 

Sparta Rotary Club Korean War Memorial Dance Fundraiser

October 23rd 7-11:00pm

Club 16, 1615 W. Wisconsin Street, Sparta

$20.00 includes entrance to event, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and special raffle. Raffles and Silent Auction Items throughout the evening. Tickets available from Sparta Rotary Members and Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce.

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After Hours Membership
Active Members: 63

Welcome to our Newest Members:

  • Sierra Lyon
  • Carson Schneider 

Rotarians Leaving Us:

Rotary Attendance

  • September: 43%

Challenge: Invite a friend, coworker or acquaintance to join a RAH event to check it out! 

 
Member Birthdays
Griffin Moe
November 6
 
Jennifer Luedtke
November 13
 
Olga Dedkova
November 20
 
Amy Schmidt
November 29
 
Join Date
Kassie Miller
November 1, 2022
1 year
 
Cullan Lucas
November 2, 2021
2 years
 
James Murray
November 19, 2019
4 years
 
 
 

Photo Albums

Service
Socials
Club Meetings
Paul Harris Fellow Recipients
 
Club Information
 
"Serve to Change Lives" 
 
We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month 
5:30-6pm - Networking/social
6-7pm - Club Meeting/program
 
*Meeting location varies through the end of 2021; A virtual option to join will most always be made available
 
RAH service and social opportunities vary each month - check out the upcoming events below to learn more! 
 
Upcoming Events
STAR Meeting
Capella Performing Arts Center
Nov 09, 2023 7:00 AM
 
Rotary Youth Exchange Cultural Celebration
The Main - An Event Space
Nov 09, 2023
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
RAH Friends- Driftless Axe/Escape Room
Driftless Axe/Great Escape Room
Nov 10, 2023
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
 
RAH 11/14 Meeting: Dustin Luecke/Mental Health
The Main- an Event Space
Nov 14, 2023
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Service Committee Meeting
The Main Event Space
Nov 14, 2023 7:00 PM
 
RAH Board Meeting
Online
Nov 21, 2023
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
 
Rotary Lights Opening Day Parade ---Fri, Nov 24th
6th and Main
Nov 24, 2023
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Volunteer: Monday Meals at Trinity
Trinity Lutheran Church
Nov 27, 2023
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
 
RAH 11/28 Meeting: Habitat for Humanity
The Main- an Event Space
Nov 28, 2023
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Membership Committee Meeting
Nov 28, 2023 7:00 PM
 
View entire list
Board of Directors & Officers
President Elect Nominee
 
President
 
President Elect
 
Immediate Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Treasurer-Elect
 
Secretary
 
Secretary Elect
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
1-Year Director
 
3-Year Director 23-25
 
Programs/Socials
 
Membership Chair
 
Public Image Chair
 
Service Projects
 
Foundation Chair
 
Youth Exchange Officer
 
Youth Protection Officer
 
Youth Exchange Counselor
 
Youth Exchange Counselor