Memorial Day weekend in Wisconsin offers a blend of solemn remembrance and vibrant community celebrations. From parades honoring our nation's heroes to festivals marking the unofficial start of summer, there's something for everyone to experience.

Sheboygan Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
On Monday, May 26, 2025, Sheboygan's downtown will host a parade starting at 9:00 AM, followed by a ceremony at Fountain Park. This event brings together veterans, active-duty personnel, and community members to pay tribute to those who served.

Manitowoc Memorial Day Observance
Manitowoc's parade begins at 9:00 AM on May 26, proceeding through downtown and concluding with a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial across from Evergreen Cemetery.

West Bend Memorial Day Parade
Starting at 9:30 AM on May 26, West Bend's downtown parade offers a heartfelt tribute to fallen heroes.

Eau Claire Memorial Day Parade
Eau Claire's parade commences at 9:30 AM from Wilson Park, culminating in a program at Owen Park.

🎉 Festivals and Family Fun

Eagle River Arts and Crafts Show
On May 25, explore local artistry at this vibrant show, perfect for finding unique handmade treasures.

Fond du Lac Food Truck Festival
Indulge in diverse culinary delights on May 25, as food trucks gather to serve up delicious eats.

Lake Lawn Resort Pig Roast Lawn Party
Join the festivities in Delavan on Sunday, May 25, featuring a pig roast, spa treatments, golf, and lake cruises.

⚾ Sports and Outdoor Activities

Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Baseball
Catch the Rafters in action against the Green Bay Rockers on May 26—a perfect outing for sports enthusiasts.

Post Lake Bullhead Fishing Tournament
Anglers can participate in this friendly competition on May 26 in Elcho, celebrating Wisconsin's fishing traditions.

🌿 Nature and Relaxation

Petrifying Springs Park
For a quieter experience, visit Petrifying Springs Park near Kenosha and Racine. Enjoy scenic walking trails along the Root River and a peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds.

Congratulations to Jeff and Christine McClean on their recent purchase of the historic Washington House Inn in Cedarburg!

We were thrilled to celebrate this exciting milestone with them during the Open House. The Washington House Inn is such a treasured and iconic part of Cedarburg’s rich history, and we’re proud to see it in the hands of a dedicated family who values its charm and legacy.

Helping Hands Healing Hooves will host its 10th Annual Charity Golf Outing on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex, Wisconsin. This event supports the organization's mission of using therapy horses to bring joy, excitement, and skill development to individuals with disabilities.

The day will kick off at 9:00 AM with registration, raffle sales, and photos with riders. A shotgun start begins at 11:00 AM, with lunch provided on the course. From 4:00 to 6:00 PM, participants will enjoy a buffet dinner, cocktails, and prize drawings.

The cost is $150 per golfer, with proceeds going directly to support Helping Hands Healing Hooves. The event features fun contests like Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive, plus goodies and free beer with a wristband purchase.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available—from Title Sponsors at $1500 to Hole Sponsors at $300—offering great exposure and community involvement for local businesses.

To register, donate, or sponsor, visit www.helpinghandshealinghooves.org/golfscramble. Registration deadline is April 26th.

For more details, contact Jeremia Johnson at 920.559.9633 or jeremia@designoutreachem.com.

It’s hard to believe, but the countdown to Christmas is officially on! As we mark the days leading up to December 25th, we’re reminded of the true spirit of the season: giving. Whether it’s giving a thoughtful gift, donating time to a worthy cause, or simply spreading kindness, the “season of giving” is a time to show love and appreciation for others, while reflecting on the joy in our hearts.

The Magic of Giving
Christmas is more than just the decorations, the lights, or the festive meals. It’s a time for connection—whether it's with family, friends, or even strangers. The act of giving during the holiday season isn’t just about the gifts we exchange, but also about the experiences we share. The warmth of giving spreads joy not only to the receiver but also to the giver. Research shows that acts of kindness and giving can lead to increased happiness and improved emotional well-being. In fact, studies have shown that giving back triggers the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone, making it a win-win for everyone involved.

Spreading Joy with Every Act
From volunteering at local charities to helping a neighbor in need, there are countless ways to give during the holiday season. As we count down the days to Christmas, think about how you can bring joy to others. Consider donating to toy drives, contributing to a local food bank, or simply offering your time to those who need it most. These small gestures can make a big impact in spreading the true meaning of Christmas—love, generosity, and kindness.

Embracing the Spirit of Christmas All Year Long
While the "season of giving" may peak during the holidays, why not carry that spirit with us throughout the year? Making kindness and generosity a part of our daily lives can create a ripple effect that continues long after the decorations come down. Whether it’s a random act of kindness, volunteering your time, or just lending a listening ear, the joy of giving doesn't have to be limited to the holidays.

Countdown - 240 sleeps until Christmas!!!
As we prepare for the holiday season, let's remember that the "season of giving" is about more than just gifts—it’s about creating a positive impact and filling our hearts with joy. Christmas is a time to be thankful for what we have and to share that abundance with those who need it most. So, as we count down the days, let's spread the love, cherish the moments, and, most importantly, give with all the joy in our hearts.

Christmas is just around the corner, and there’s no better time than now to begin making a difference. After all, the best gift we can give isn’t something that can be wrapped—it’s the love and kindness we share with those around us.

At Rotary, we are increasing our emphasis on working with communities as partners in service projects to address issues they prioritize. We are also incorporating more ways to measure our projects' outcomes to understand their impact. Members can make lasting and positive changes through Rotary service by developing evidence-based projects with measurable and sustainable results.

Understanding a community’s priorities through an assessment is the first step toward making a long-term impact. The recently updated Conducting Community Assessments handbook guides how to involve community members in identifying priorities and designing a project. The handbook also includes new relevant topics such as data privacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The results of the assessment will inform the project’s goal and plan.

The Rotary Impact Handbook helps members plan and carry out measurement activities as part of their service projects so they can demonstrate the results. The handbook explains the building blocks of the impact framework, which is used to develop and illustrate a project’s inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact. Incorporating it into your strategy will help a project reach its goals. When planning the individual activities that go into a project, incorporate measurement at every stage so you can determine whether you need to modify your initial plan. This also allows comparisons with the baseline data from the assessment, which illustrates what the project achieved.

All members are encouraged to use these tools when planning service projects so that together, we can increase our positive impact in communities around the world.

1. Oshkosh Southwest Rotary: Oshkosh Southwest provides three categories of membership: Regular, Associate, and Corporate. The Associate Membership is a local-only (i.e. not with District or RI) membership limited to two years for a very low cost. This is good for younger or prospective members to “get their feet wet.” The club’s corporate membership notably allows organizations to send different representatives to meetings, encouraging broad corporate engagement.
2. Port Washington-Saukville Rotary: A multi-tiered approach offers memberships as
   • Individual – also known as “Regular.” It’s what you think.
   • Active Community Leader – decreased dues, meals, permits one meeting a month.
   • Organization – essentially corporate membership. One sponsor and up to 3 additional named members.
   • Service – reduced dues in return for increased service project participation, and
   • Honorary – for 50-year members of Rotary.
3. Waukesha Noon Rotary: Embracing a structured corporate membership model, Waukesha Noon allows corporations to appoint up to four designees, with specific rules around senior leadership involvement. Their detailed guidelines ensure corporate members remain engaged and entail meeting attendance requirements, financial obligations, and participation expectations comparable to individual members. Additionally, Waukesha has a “Share Rotary” program whereby each meeting has one member assigned to bring a prospect. They have found that this approach is more effective than a simple call to everyone to “bring someone some time!”
4. Lake Geneva Rotary: This club offers flexibility with an annual “meal or no-meal” option and a corporate membership arrangement. Their corporate membership allows organizations to have a primary and an alternate member, fostering increased organizational representation and participation.
5. Fond du Lac Noon Rotary: Fond du Lac Noon maintains a traditional "old school" approach, emphasizing personal invitations targeting community leaders and new business owners. Recognizing their club’s tilt toward a "check-writing" as opposed to a primarily “hands-on” group, they align recruitment with member expectations, effectively integrating philanthropy and business networking.
6. Elkhorn Rotary Club: Elkhorn introduced an innovative "Golden Ticket" initiative to boost engagement and create excitement around Rotary events. The club issues “Golden Tickets” to each member, to give to a prospect, redeemable for a “Free Lunch.” This strategy emphasizes direct participation, offering opportunities for members to engage actively through enticing incentives and unique experiences.
7. Fond du Lac (General Observations): Highlighting local industry shifts, Fond du Lac observed decreased local business involvement due to changing corporate ownership structures. This prompted a shift in recruitment towards locally-focused professions such as healthcare, real estate, and legal services.

• Flexible Attendance Membership: Allow members more flexibility by reducing attendance requirements, offering virtual meeting options, or counting participation in service activities as meeting attendance, accommodating busy professionals and young families.
• Tiered Dues Structure: Introduce graduated membership dues based on participation level, age, or financial capacity. Reduced dues for young professionals, retirees, or those unable to regularly attend meetings can encourage broader membership.
• Family Membership Plans: Implement family membership options that include spouses and adult children, promoting family involvement in club activities, increasing retention, and enhancing community engagement.
• Mentorship-Based Membership: Pair new or prospective members with experienced Rotarians for a mentorship period, encouraging strong personal connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and easing new members into the club’s culture and responsibilities.
• Sponsored Memberships: Offer sponsored or subsidized memberships to attract individuals from underrepresented communities or professions, thereby broadening the club's diversity and community reach.
• Micro-Memberships: Introduce short-term or limited-engagement memberships, enabling individuals to participate in Rotary projects or special events without long-term commitments. This approach can attract new members who may transition into regular members after experiencing the value Rotary offers.

As Earth Day 2025 approaches, it's an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how we can protect and preserve the planet for future generations. Here in Wisconsin, where we’re blessed with beautiful lakes, forests, and a rich agricultural landscape, it’s more important than ever to take steps toward sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Why Earth Day Matters in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is home to some of the most pristine natural areas in the United States, including the Great Lakes, the Wisconsin River, and numerous state parks and forests. However, these treasures are under threat from pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. Earth Day provides a platform for communities, businesses, and individuals to come together to take action toward protecting our environment. Whether it's reducing waste, conserving water, or promoting clean energy, each effort counts in the fight for a healthier planet.

Ways Wisconsinites Can Get Involved

1. Join a Local Clean-Up: Many communities across Wisconsin will be hosting clean-up events on Earth Day. Whether it’s along the shores of Lake Michigan, in a local park, or in your own neighborhood, participating in a clean-up is a hands-on way to make a difference.

2. Support Local Sustainable Businesses: Wisconsin has a growing number of businesses dedicated to sustainability. From farm-to-table restaurants to eco-friendly retailers, supporting these businesses helps create a more sustainable local economy.

3. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: It’s a simple but powerful way to make a positive impact. Take a closer look at your waste and find ways to reduce consumption, repurpose items, and recycle more efficiently. Even small changes, like composting, can have a huge environmental benefit.

4. Advocate for Green Policies: Join local organizations advocating for clean energy, improved waste management, and wildlife protection. Write to your legislators, participate in public hearings, or sign petitions to support environmental causes.

5. Plant Trees or Start a Garden: Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and providing habitats for wildlife. Consider planting trees in your yard or participating in community tree planting events. If you don’t have a lot of space, starting a garden is another great way to help the environment while enjoying local produce.