Events

THE PURPOSE OF ROTARY LIGHTS, INC. IS TO FEED THE HUNGRY OF THE COULEE REGION 

https://www.rotarylights.org/

The annual Rotary Lights display began in 1995 and has grown tremendously since then due to the fantastic support from the greater La Crosse community.

The organization has partnered with incredible volunteers and volunteer organizations since then and now, nearly 130,000 visitors per year enjoy this holiday tradition while driving, walking or taking a carriage ride through Riverside Park.

At our meeting, the past year's illumination of the downtown waterfront and some of the people who helped make it a success will be celebrated with checks to multiple organizations.

Both presenters are breast cancer survivors who dragon boat paddle with the La Crosse Mississippi Sisters. Competing throughout the Midwest and internationally, this team offers hope to all who have been impacted by cancer.  Each paddle stroke proves that life after cancer can be active, purposeful, and rewarding.  At the same time, each paddler feels alive, empowered, and loved.  Today’s presentation will help you better understand these life-affirming outcomes.

Carla Swerman:  My breast cancer story started in 2002, when, at age 40, an inflamed lymph node proved to be cancerous.  After a double mastectomy (my choice), chemo, radiation, and reconstruction, I resumed my active lifestyle.  I even became a stronger runner as well as a yoga addict.  When the Big Blue Dragon Boat Festival started in La Crosse in 2013, I captained two teams from Root Down Yoga Studio.  But, the very next year, I was in the Mississippi Sisters’ boat and wouldn’t dream of abandoning it.  Nothing equals the thrill of paddling in sync and at “full throttle” with 19 other resilient women. Nothing compares to hearing words of encouragement or laughter when practicing on the Black River.  Nothing can diminish my admiration for these caring women who have a surprising zest for life.  We truly are “better together”!

Lisa Mellen:  I am a daughter, a sister, and an aunt with little to no genetic history of breast cancer.  Yet, I am a 13-year survivor.  On March 6, 2012, I heard the words, “You have breast cancer.”  After my surgery, chemotherapy, and reconstruction, I received a letter inviting me to be a part of a dragon boat team.  I didn’t even know what dragon boating was!  Nor was I comfortable with swimming.  Yet, I soon found myself in a dragon boat on the Mississippi River, something I never would have imagined.  From the start, I have treasured the “sisterhood” I found.  Whether working out, practicing, racing, fund raising, or just “laying low,” I feel valued and empowered by the other women – my “Sisters”!

The Rotary Leadership Series is proud to host journalist, bridge-builder, and author Monica Guzman, who lives for meaningful conversations sparked by curious questions. Her bestselling book, I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times, has been featured in The New York Times, The Glenn Beck Podcast, and Reader’s Digest, and was named one of the “10 Best Books to Read Before College” by U.S. News & World Report. Monica, founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, works to help people better understand one another. She also serves as an advisor to Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to depolarizing America, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Viewpoints Project, a nonprofit focused on strengthening curiosity-driven approaches to disagreement in educational settings.

In this engaging 30-minute program, we will “flip the script.” Participants will begin with a real-world conflict scenario they might encounter in their family, workplace, or community. After a brief roundtable discussion, Monica will join the session virtually to respond to participants’ questions and insights. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, practical learning experience about navigating today’s challenges with understanding and respect, you won't want to miss this program.

Continuing an effort begun by the La Crosse Tribune, our club will honor recipients from local high schools with the "Extra Effort Award".

Students will receive a financial scholarship donated through the generosity of many Rotary Club of La Crosse members.

Recipients will be joined by those who have supported them in their educational journey thus far such as their parents, administators, staff and fellow students.  

This is an ongoing project of our Youth Committee with leadership from Tom Berkedal.

Laura Simon approaches life from humanitarian lenses.  She is an ordinary person trying to do extra “ordinary” things in her circumstances.  By sharing her experiences with generational poverty and complex trauma, she hopes to advocate for awareness, connect resources, and call for action.  She coaches others navigating through divorce, domestic abuse, and other challenging life circumstances.  She teaches skills to reframe challenges into opportunities and to practice resiliency. Her main goal is to Grow Hope to help others transform from surviving to thriving.

Short Bio on Dr. Larry Skendzel

Dr. Larry Skendzel graduated with honors from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1990.  He has worked in hospice medical care for over 30 years!  First in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and for the last 8 years here in La Crosse as hospice medical director.  He loves working with a team of caring providers to put together a care plan for people with serious illnesses that incorporates their values and has a good chance of success!  For him, he sees healing evolve every day and new hope grow in the people he serves!

He and his wife, Missy, have 3 children who are all out in the world doing good things for their communities.  He loves to cook and time around the table with friends and family is such a great time to connect!  He loves Cajun and Creole cooking!  He loves going to music festivals and biking in the area.  Polka, New Orleans and French-Canadian music are favorites.

His personal perspective:   ”I feel so lucky to serve this generous community here in the Driftless!  I am a member of Rotary After Hours and a Youth Exchange Coordinator.”