After a short break from visits last month, I was excited to get back on the road and connect with ten more wonderful clubs over the last two months.
This DG Roadhound continues to be impressed by the people, projects, and passion I encounter at every stop. Each visit has been an opportunity to learn, connect, and see firsthand the incredible impact our Rotary clubs are making in their communities.
Read on to learn more about the ten clubs visited and which clubs they were!
Back on a cold blustery day on March 2nd, I had the pleasure of visiting the Rotary Club of La Crosse East, hosted by President Jason Larson and Kathi. "Rotary East" is widely renowned for its annual Lobsterfest, a massive June lobster boil and the financial engine for their local initiatives. Chief among them is their club's signature project: the Chad Erickson Memorial Park. Established in 2014 as the city's first new park in nearly four decades, Rotary East heavily funded this fully integrated adaptive pathway system to ensure the outdoors is accessible to people of all physical abilities. Beyond their flagship efforts, the club remains a steadfast pillar of everyday service. Members dedicate their time to co-sponsoring La Crosse's famous Rotary Lights display and deliver food through Mobile Meals. They further empower the next generation by funding high school scholarships and supporting local Interact clubs, all while contributing to Rotary International’s global mission to eradicate polio.
The following week I stayed busy with a lot of driving! Starting with my visit to the Rotary Club of Mt. Horeb on March 11th. Under the leadership of President Brent Yauchler, I had the opportunity to see the club's impressive community footprint firsthand. They are perhaps best known for the annual SuperBrunch, their premier standalone fundraiser. Held in February at the Mount Horeb High School commons, the event brings residents together as Rotarians serve up freshly flipped pancakes and scrambled eggs. Moreover, the club is highly regarded for founding and sponsoring the Mount Horeb Green Team. Operating as a "Rotary Community Corps," this dedicated group champions environmental sustainability throughout the village. Initiatives include organizing massive Styrofoam recycling drives, launching village-wide pollinator "sow-along" planting programs, providing home energy efficiency education, and helping Mount Horeb secure its official "Bird City" designation.
Next was the Rotary Club of Marshfield, led by President Darla Leick. The club is widely recognized in Central Wisconsin for its robust community grant program, an elegant tasting fundraiser, and its signature event: the Rotary Winter Wonderland. This spectacular holiday light show, held annually since 2006 at the Wildwood Park & Zoo, features over two million lights, animated displays, and horse-drawn carriage rides. More than just a festive attraction, it’s a colossal community food drive. Instead of an admission fee, the club accepts free-will cash and food donations. Since it began, the event has provided nearly one million food items to food pantries across Marshfield and the surrounding areas.
Finishing up the week on a cold Thursday, March 12th evening, I had the privilege of visiting and speaking to the Rotary Club of Mayville at their 90th-anniversary dinner, hosted by President Richard Howser.
The evening featured a special keynote address by Ed Futa, former General Secretary and COO of Rotary International (1999–2011). During his tenure, Futa managed operations at Rotary's world headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, overseeing more than 650 staff across international offices. Following his executive tenure, Futa served as Rotary International’s primary representative to the United Nations in New York and Dean of the RI Representative Corps.
The Mayville club has a proud 90-year history and is celebrated for two major seasonal events that fund its community projects: Rock River Bierfest, their premier winter fundraiser held at the Mayville Park Pavilion, which draws large crowds for regional craft beers, food, and live music. And Rock 'n Boom: A summer staple at Fireman's Field, where Rotary volunteers partner with the Lions Club to run the main concession stand during the July 4th Independence Day celebration.
Next on my itinerary was the Rotary Club of Tomah on March 12th, hosted by President Jeremy Haun. For over 15 years, this club has partnered with the local Park and Recreation Department to host Freeze Fest. Just as you might imagine, it's an annual winter festival designed to help residents beat the post-holiday slump. Held in late January or early February, this beloved tradition brings the community out of the house to engage in a variety of fun activities.
To access the festival's impressive slate of events, attendees purchase a $1 Freeze Fest button, which features original artwork designed by local students. The absolute highlight of the festival is the Medallion Hunt. Each day, the club releases clues until a resident locates the hidden medallion and wins a grand prize of $300 in local "Tomah Bucks." Beyond the thrill of the hunt, Freeze Fest brings the community together through a diverse lineup of events, including a winter disc golf tournament, competitive "Puzzle Palooza" team races, and warm community potlucks.
Then it was on to visit the Rotary Club of Wisconsin Rapids (noon) on March 23rd, where I was graciously greeted by President Claire Parish-Lane. This club has a lasting, visible footprint on the community through its deep dedication to physical accessibility and youth arts. One of its most impactful initiatives is the Rotary Ramps program. Embodying the "service above self" motto, members volunteer their time, funds, and labor to construct permanent wooden wheelchair ramps. The ramps provide critical, life-changing accessibility for elderly and disabled residents who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford or build them.
In addition to physical community building, the club serves as the primary financial backer of the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre (WRCT) Summer Youth Theater. Through their substantial annual grants, the Rotary Club ensures local youth have access to intensive summer drama programs. This vital sponsorship fills a major community need, keeping kids active, engaged, and building confidence through the arts during their summer break.
On a nice Monday, March 30th, I enjoyed visiting the Rotary Club of Black River Falls, hosted by President Lynn Martalock-Wensel. The club has built a profound legacy of community enhancement. In 1985, the club spearheaded the creation of the Black River Falls Area Foundation. Upon its launch in 1986, this milestone made Black River Falls the smallest U.S. community to successfully form a community foundation.
The club also actively champions outdoor recreation. They funded the Rotary Skate Park at Lunda Community Park and partnered with the Great Rivers United Way to establish an interactive Born Learning Trail to promote early childhood development. In addition, Rotary is vital to local youth sports and leadership. The annual Cupid's Pickleball Shuffle tournament raises funds to send students to prestigious leadership camps like RYLA. Every May, the club hosts the Rotary Athletic Banquet at the Lunda Theater, honoring high school student-athletes with a catered dinner and awards.
Just one week before TriCon at the Kalahari I arrived for a visit with the Rotary Club of the Wisconsin Dells, led by President Daniel Joseph. The club is renowned for its vibrant local fundraising and impressive international reach. Its premier event, the Spring Fling, is held annually at the Kalahari Resort. Featuring prime rib and valuable prize drawings, the event raises thousands of dollars to fund scholarships for graduating Wisconsin Dells High School seniors. During the fall, the club is a community staple at the impressive Wo-Zha-Wa Days festival. Here, members run the famous Beef Tent alongside the local youth Interact Club to fund additional community service projects.
Beyond the Dells, the club makes a profound global impact. They are highly regarded for securing major international grants to renovate dental clinics and provide vital medical equipment to remote Greek islands, while also supporting water sanitation projects in Ghana and Peru.
On the warm spring evening of April 9th, I had the pleasure of visiting the Rotary Club of Richland County, under the leadership of President Keith Behling. Their club is best known for hosting one of the region's most spectacular holiday events: Rotary Lights in the Park. Held annually at Krouskop Park from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, this impressive light show features over 120 animated displays. Instead of charging admission, the club accepts free-will donations, transforming the festive event into a significant, meaningful annual food and fund drive for the Richland County Food Pantry.
Throughout the year, the club is a steadfast pillar of local philanthropy. They proudly support local students by funding the high school’s "Hornet Hub," which provides free essential supplies and personal care items to youth in need. And they also distribute vital community grants to regional initiatives—such as the Lone Rock splash pad and the Richland Hospital—while regularly performing highway cleanups to keep the area beautiful.
Rounding out my club visits on a bright, but chilly, April 22nd, I was welcomed to the Rotary Club of Portage and hosted by President Chriss Shaben. The club is celebrated for its lively events and major civic contributions. Its premier fundraiser, the country-themed Draw Down Hoe Down, features a thrilling reverse raffle that generates vital funds for local grants and student scholarships.
The club is also a driving force behind major community enhancements. Through the Portage Service Club Association, Rotary was instrumental in funding the Goodyear Park Splash Pad and a fully accessible canoe and kayak launch on the Fox River.
Dedicated to preserving local history and the environment, the club established a beautiful Rotary Garden at the Historic Indian Agency House, featuring heritage crops vital to the Ho-Chunk people and early settlers. Additionally, the club consistently gives back by volunteering at the Portage Sharing Supper, hosting Arbor Day tree plantings, and sponsoring international youth exchanges.
If you're counting, I am now down to the final eight clubs! Next up is our most southern club, Beloit.
As always, thank you for all that you do in Rotary!