Pain is a natural part of life, whether it’s the loss of a job, a marriage, a pet, a friendship, your innocence, your health, or a loved one. John DeDakis witnessed a car-train collision that killed three people, lost his sister to suicide, and endured the death of his youngest son because of an accidental heroin overdose. Even though death is a part of life, it doesn’t have to be crippling or debilitating. In this presentation, John will share strategies—including journaling and storytelling—to help you move forward, through and beyond the pain and into a future that can once again be filled with hope—and even joy.
Grief and loss are subtexts in all six of John’s award-winning mystery/suspense/thriller novels, two of which are set in southern Wisconsin. Some scenes in his novel Bluff are set on Grandad’s. John grew up in La Crosse but now lives in Baltimore. His father, attorney N. George DeDakis, was the president of the downtown Rotary Club in 1961. John is a former White House correspondent and former editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” John is currently a writing coach, manuscript editor, podcaster, and rank amateur jazz drummer.
District Governor Michael Kloss enlightened us on his his upbringing and path to Rotary.
He also presented the club with the 2024-2025 Club Excellent Award. This is an award to club who had reached all of their goals, which we did in Past President Mark Jolivette's year.
A recording of this meeting will be available soon.
Lunch this week: Broccoli, Cheddar, and Bacon Quiche, with a TWF side salad
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
Please keep Scott Bradfordin your thoughts and prayers as he mourns the loss of his brother, who passed away last Friday after complications from a heart transplant early this summer.
Al's Musky Challenge Update: A Few Weeks Left to Donating to Three Great Causes
Right now, youth in our community need us more than ever. That’s why the Downtown Rotary Club’s Al’s Musky Challenge is raising funds to benefit three local organizations dedicated to helping kids grow, learn, and thrive:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region – providing one-to-one mentoring to strengthen youth mental health and wellbeing.
La Crosse Community Theatre – inspiring creativity, confidence, and self-expression through the arts.
Grow – connecting youth to healthy food and nature through hands-on garden-based experiences to nourish growing minds and bodies.
Please join us today in meeting this challenge and helping youth across our region.
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.
Paula Lofstrom, Founder and Operations Director, International Health Partners
Paula Lofstrom, Founder and Operations Director, for International Health Partners will be speaking at a number of Rotary Meetings and Church Services in the La Crosse area in October. Rotary Clubs throughout the U.S. have supported International Health Partners for over 20 years helping to open three health care facilities in Tanzania, East Africa and now IHP is building a fourth hospital.
All are invited to attend any of the events listed below. The story is truly inspirational.
Sunday, October 12, Looney Valley Church, Houston, MN, regular services
Tuesday Oct. 14, 5:30 pm- Rotary Club After Hours Rotary - La Crosse, The Main
Wednesday Oct. 15, 7:30 am - La Crosse Valley View Rotary, Onalaska YMCA
Friday Oct. 17, 7:00 am - La Crescent Rotary Club, Corky's Pizza, La Crescent, MN
Sunday Oct. 19, North Presbyterian Church, La Crosse, regular service
Members of our club on the Oktoberfest Board: Alex Lueck (President), Tim Ehler, Michael Quam, and Candice Tlustosch.
FOUNDATION MINUTE: September 29,2025
Welcome to Week FIVE of RI’s Month of Basic
Literacy & Education.
In a recent interview on ending polio, Bill Gates explained why his foundation is extending its 2-to-1 funding match with Rotary by mobilizing up to $450 million in new funding over the next three years: “This extension comes at a critical time. Over the past year, we have seen wild polio case numbers rise in the last endemic countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the detection of polio in places that were previously polio-free is a stark reminder that polio anywhere is a threat to people everywhere. While transmission remains low, our hard-won progress is at risk. Reductions in global aid, vaccine misinformation, and rising conflict and political instability are all contributing to polio’s continued spread...It is critical that we finish the job on polio. Eradication is the only way to make sure that continuing challenges don’t mean an ongoing risk for children today and for generations to come...To Rotarians everywhere: Thank you for decades of dedication and partnership. Because of your efforts, we will one day live in a world where all children are safe from this disease. We look forward to leaving polio behind long before our foundation closes its doors in 2045.” (“The Interview: Bill Gates.” Rotary Magazine, October 2025: 29).
