This Week: Anne Snow; We Can Do Hard Things; Six Ladies Take On The Canyon!
Two Julie’s, two Cheryl’s and Two Anne’s hike the South rim to the North rim of the Grand Canyon in one day. Miles, elevation, heat, altitude and a struggling stranger make for an adventure they will never forget.
Anne Snow spent 28 years as founder and Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of La Crosse. Now retired, she serves as Chair of the Marine Credit Union Board, and is a 30 year member of PEO. Anne and her husband David are enjoying some travel and spending time with friends and family, especially their four grandchildren.
Last Week: Virginia Terry, Barriers to Girls' Education Around the World
Around the world, millions of adolescent girls want to stay in school, but face complex barriers that go far beyond access. From the lack of menstrual supplies and stigma around periods, to the threat of early marriage, sexual violence, and deep-rooted gender norms, these challenges can interrupt education and limit opportunity. In this presentation, Virginia Terry, VP of External Relations at Girl Rising, will share what keeps girls out of the classroom, and what it takes to change that.
Lunch this week: Chicken Salad on Croissant, with Kettle Chips, and a Pickle.
Coffee, ice tea, and water available.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnl if know you are bringing guests but last minute invites are also welcome!
Condolences
A long time member, Cheryl Hanson, passed away late last week. Our hearts are with Chuck and his family as they mourn this loss. A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, October 18th. Click Here for Cheryl's obituary.
Join the Fellowship Committee!
We try to offer a Club Social every 4-6 weeks and are looking to add a few members to our Fellowship Committee. Do you like planning socials? Do you have ideas for a Club Social? Reach out to Niki to get connected by emailing rotary@rotarycluboflacrosse.org!
Interact Leaders Needed
Wouldn't it be FUN and REWARDING working with high school students on a monthly basis, guiding them through projects they are passionate about to better our communit? If so, YOU ARE NEEDED! Reach out to Niki to get connected by emailing rotary@rotarycluboflacrosse.org or speak to Andy Bakkum, Michelle Skemp, or Candice Tlustosch for more information.
Welcome to Walt Smanski, our newest member. Walt is sponsored by Mike Nickel and works at Altra Federal Credit Union as a Business Banking Relationship Manager.
Walt has lived in La Crosse for 21 years and is a former member of Rotary East (past president in 2014-2015) and Elmbrook Rotary.
Welcome Walt!
New Member Proposals
The following community members has been proposed to become members of our club:
Steve Shapiro, President and Chair Gundersen Medical Foundation; proposed by Katie Berkedal.
Dawn Wacek, La Crosse Library Director; proposed by Jane Klekamp.
Ken(Associate Professor, UWL) and Merritt Graham, proposed by Sarah Arent-Beyer.
According to club procedure, applicant names are to be published in our weekly email bulletin for two weeks. If there are no objections from the current membership, these applications will be approved. Please contact the Club Administrator if you object to these applications by September 23rd.
Please consider attending the RYE Outbound Information Session on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 6 pm, Onalaska Library. CLICK HERE to print the Youth Exchange brochure to share with friends and family.
Two flag exchanges last week! Marc Zimer (pictured with President Siegel) from Luxemburg visited our club meeting and the Rotary Friendship Exchange group from Turkey visited the area and exchanged flags with Niki before our meeting.
This week’s FM brings to focus TRF’s mission of funding humanitarian projects that advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. Both stories are culled from the current issue of Rotary Magazine. During the early stages of a global grant project to support mothers and their children, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Rotary Club of Hiranandani Estate, in the state of Maharashtra, India, to reimagine the enterprise. Rotarians pivoted to organize vaccination camps, distribute emergency food, and establish basic health care. The three-year effort reached more than 6,000 people across four communities in the city of Navi Mumbai. The club partnered with the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Lubbock, Texas, on the nearly $50,000 global grant, which also provided 12 industrial sewing machines and offered training in their use. Namrataa Srivastav, project director, lauds the program as a “milestone, opening doors for future collaborations between Rotary and prestigious social service institutions.”
In the other story, after an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck Myanmar in March, killing more than 3,700 people and injuring many more, the Rotary Club of Yangon coordinated a relief effort both at home and at the epicenter near Mandalay, about 400 miles away. The club gathered supplies donated by its members, Mandalay Rotarians, and other Rotary clubs in neighboring countries, notably the Rotary Club of Bangkok South in Thailand. In May, a District 3350 delegation to Myanmar brought water purification systems, temporary shelters, and thousands of hot meals. The district committed to providing long-term recovery assistance, including a tube well in Sein Pan, a hard-hit ward in Mandalay. “The project reminded us that Rotary’s strength lies not only in delivering aid but in showing up together across borders with compassion and commitment,” says Thordur Adalsteinsson, a member of the Bangkok club that helped. “The partnership between our club, Rotary Myanmar, and District 3350 brought tangible relief to those in urgent need, but even more importantly, it brought hope and human connection in a time of crisis.”
