Bountiful Blessings Fix

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    Bountiful Blessings 

    Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the day we pause to give thanks to God for whathe has given us. I give thanks every dayto be able to enjoy the opportunities with which I have been presented. I have

    truly been blessed.I was raised on a dairy farm amongthe rolling hills ofnortheast Iowa. It was there I devel-oped my work ethic,as well as my lovefor sports, especiallybaseball, from mydad, Clinton. I alsodeveloped a greatappreciation for mymom, Mary, andhow she maintainedour household whiledad was tendingto farming and his

    beloved Guernseydairy cattle.I grew up with

    three loving sisters,Sharon, Anita andJoAnn, and we areas close today as we have ever been.That is truly some-thing to be thankful for.

    During my “growing up” years, Momand Dad instilled in me the importanceof having God in your life. I went to aCatholic grade school for eight years.

    The nuns were excellent teachers, butone in particular, Sister Erna, was one ofthe best teachers I ever had. She lovedbirds, and her students were alwaysenrolled in the Audubon Bird Club. Each

    of us was able to choose our favoritebird, so I chose the owl. A wise choice, wouldn’t you say?

    I have lovedowls, and birds ingeneral, ever since.What a blessing tobe able to enjoy andappreciate, throughtravel and pho-tography, all thatnature offers.

    I love photog-raphy. I think I gotthat from Mom, who was always takingphotos of my sisters

    and me. At IowaState, I majoredin dairy scienceand agricultural journalism, and mycareer provided theopportunity to usemy skills in thoseareas.

    My former boss, Tom Lyon, broughtme to Shawano in 1975 to head up thepublic relations department for thethen-Midwest Breeders Cooperative. Iam thankful for all his support and being

    such a great friend and role model.Tom encouraged his employees togive back to the community. I followedhis mentoring through 30 years as a4-H photography leader and 39 yearsas a member of the Shawano OptimistClub. Those volunteer opportunities andmany others, like the Shawano CountyBarn Quilt Project, have given me greatpride, joy and satisfaction.

    I have been blessed with three greatchildren, Jeff, Jennifer and Jeremy, allof whom are college graduates withsuccessful careers. I would be remiss if

    I didn’t say thanks to Jeff and his wife,Maureen, for giving us two fabulousgrandchildren, Emily and Ryan. Sincethey live in New Jersey, we miss beingable to spoil them as much as we wouldlike.

    Finally, I am most thankful that my wife, Irene, has been in my life for thepast 20 years and has supported me inall my endeavors. She has brought spe-cial love into my life and I look forwardto many more years with her. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy and givethanks every day for all your blessings.

    By Jim Leuenberger,Shawano County Barn Quilt Project 

    Family, teachers,mentors forgea thankful life

    Irene and Jim Leuenberger brought the Shawano County Barn Quilt Project to life in the region’s rural com-

    munity. At right, one of the barn quilts found in Shawano County.

    Medical center project became laborof love for community members

    By Dorothy Erdmann,CEO of ThedaCare Medical

    Center-Shawano I am thankful the vision of a new med-

    ical center for our community recentlybecame a reality! I deeply appreciate thesupport of countless people who support-ed this vision, unselfishly giving of their

    time and money to make it happen.I am thankful for the many communi-

    ty residents and staff who helped designthe campus. Because of their input ournew medical center resonates with re-spect for diverse cultures, welcoming all who entrust us with their care.

    I am thankful for our staff and physi-cians who unselfishly serve our patientsand their families. They are here 24hours a day, often working extra hours asneeded. This is at a deep personal sacri-fice of time with their loved ones.

    Words can’t express my gratitudefor the hundreds of staff who gave up vacation and weekends to help make our vision a reality. Everyone worked long

    hours to plan and move into our beautifulmedical center.

    I can say the same for our community

    partners and construction contractors. It was magical how they became one team, with one goal, and they did it.

     A three-year planning process cul-minated with the opening of ThedaCare

    Medical Center-Shawano in September. I will forever hold this event as a highlightof my career that I was privileged to bepart of.

    On a deeply personal level, I amthankful for the health care we have inShawano. Although the outcome for theperson I loved so dearly was not what Ihoped for, I know everything was doneto try to save his life. Many times, I haverelived what happened and have beencomforted by the fact everyone whotouched him provided competent andcompassionate care.

    Only when you have gone down a journey that no one ever wants to, do you really appreciate how important it is

    to have the quality of health care we do.I will be thankful for that the rest of mylife.

    PHOTOS BY GREG MELLIS

    Dorothy Erdmann leads the recently opened ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano as chief executive

    officer.

     Thanksgiving is a magical holiday that arrives each year at a moment of uncertainty. Theseasons are changing. The days grow short. No one knows what to expect from the long,

    cold winter that approaches.Yet despite the potential for trepidation, Thanksgiving has a special way of persuading

    each of us to find the good in our lives. Perhaps more than any other holiday, this is whenwe look past the clouds and find the silver lining. If only for one day, we stop fretting aboutwhat may be, and we give thanks for what is.

    In the Shawano area, there is much to be thankful for — and many among us to givethanks.

     The Shawano Leader asked eight representatives of the community, from diversebackgrounds, to share their personal reflections on this Thanksgiving holiday. Their offer-ings presented here today touch on uplifting themes that resonate with many of us: family,tradition, freedom, community.

    As one of them writes so eloquently, “What more could I want?”

    Local leaders share what they’re thankful for

    THE SHAWANO LEADER www.shawanoleader.comB1THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

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    BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS THE SHAWANO LEADER www.shawanoleader.comB2 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

    “…we return thanks to theGreat Spirit in whom is em- bodied all goodness. And whodirects all things for the good ofher children.”  -- Iroquois Prayer 

    I give thanks on a daily basisfor successes and other activi-ties that made my day. It is onThanksgiving Day I reflect on what a great life I have experi-enced and the blessings I haveenjoyed.

    My experiences lead me tobe grateful for the earth and

    creation, my family, what I havelearned and received fromthem, and I am grateful for my

     American Indian heritage, bothMenominee and Stockbridge-Munsee.

    Creation: I grew up inNeopit across from the Catholicchurch, with the edge of theforest and the Wolf River as myplayground. Both provided forexcitement, exploration, foodsand a great classroom. In theprocess, I learned to love thebeauty of creation.

    Family: I was blessed beingborn into a large family with

    parents who ensured we werefed, warm and instilled us witha good work ethic, strong values

    and a healthy dose of humor.They demanded our best inschool and insisted upon high

    school graduation.For my siblings and myself,

    they said they could never af -ford college, so we would haveto figure out how to attend. With11 in our family, seven of usfigured it out, though not all tocompletion.

    The education my parentsdemanded has provided superbopportunities — local, national,international. It has broughthappiness and success in mylife and to my profession.

    I attended Catholic schoolsexcept for a few colleges fromthe Atlantic to the Pacific. My

    family and faith taught me toler -ance and curiosity for people who differed from me.

    My father was baptized

    Catholic, raised as a Presbyteri-an, attended a Lutheran school.My mother, a baptized Catho-

    lic, blended Catholicism withMenominee ceremonies andbeliefs — and we knew prayers went to the one God.

    I remember well the ceremo-nies with my maternal grand-mother.

    Education has enhanced mytalents and ability to learn frommy family, who supported andencouraged me in the use ofthose gifts.

    Menominee Tribe: Finally, Iam grateful for the MenomineeTribe in which I am an en-rolled member. It was the 1992Menominee Tribal Legislature

     who honored me by calling meto serve the tribe in starting atribal college.

    My parents voices haunted

    me, “Remember you areresponsible for the tribe; help whenever you can.”

     I am grateful for the tribalopportunity and for opportuni-ties I have received to obtainan education that enabled meto succeed in establishing aremarkable institution: the Col-lege of Menominee Nation.

    People ask me, “Aren’t youproud of what you have accom-plished?” Yes, but I did not do italone.

    I am grateful for the tribes,corporations, foundations,donors, governmental agenciesand their funding.

    Most of all, I am grateful forthe faculty, staff and students

     who have made the College ofMenominee Nation a success.Without them, I could not haveaccomplished anything.

    By Verna Fowler,

     president of the Collegeof Menominee Nation 

    Faith, family, tribeinstill passion

    to succeed

    Verna Fowler sits amid her computer-based classroom at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena. The college’s online class-

    room technology (left) expands its reach in the tribal community.

    Smaller city suits owner of family business well

    By Willis Qualheim,owner of Qualheim True Value 

     As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, there are somany things to be thankful for.

    I am blessed with a wonderful wife, four beautifuldaughters and a loving family scattered throughoutthe U.S. We don’t have the opportunity to get together very often, but when we do, it’s like we were neverapart.

     Years ago, I moved away to a large city. It only tookme about two years to realize that I wasn’t missinganything by not living in a larger city.

     After moving back here 35 years ago, I’m stillthankful every day for all the friends and great peopleI’ve had the chance to get to know and the relation-ships we’ve developed.

    I truly enjoy going to work every day and seeingour customers and friends. The community has been very good to us and I truly enjoy giving back in every way that I can.

    Thank you to our valued customers. We are grate-ful for the pleasure of serving you.Willis Qualheim operates the family-owned Qualheim’s True Value hardware store in Shawano.

    Community, faith,

    family countedamong blessings

    I am thankful for beingborn an American and giventhe freedom and liberties weenjoy every day that wereprovided through the strengthand commitment of thousandsof dedicated servicemen and women who have protected us

    and proactively given us peace.I am thankful for my par -ents, Neil and Vera, for every-thing they have given me, mybrothers and our families, andespecially the standard theyset and com-mitment theymade to eachother for morethan 60 years.I am thankfulfor my beautiful wife of 40-plus years, Bonnie, who has given me constant sup-port and love, and our two chil-

    dren, Heidi and TJ. And now with TJ and Andie giving us twohealthy grandchildren — Addieand Eli — we are blessed.

    I am thankful for the successof our business for more than 50 years, my great partners, Dad

    and brother Phil, the outstand-ing professionals of the Hilgen-berg Team — past, present andfuture — and for the thousandsof clients and customers thatallowed us to be of service tothem, often handling their most valuable financial asset. The

    Shawano business communityand the many partners that as-sisted us with our transaction,developments and buildings aretruly appreciated.

    The greater Shawano com-munity has beena blessing for ourcompany andfamily, and hasprovided us withmany opportu-nities. Theseopportunities,not just financial,

    allowed us to participate inmany worthwhile organizations

    for the betterment of our com-munity and citizens, includingShawano Rotary, OptimistClub, the chamber, ShawanoCounty Economic Progress Inc.(SCEPI), First PresbyterianChurch, Habitat for Humanity,

    Boy Scouts and the commit-tees to invest in the Shawanoschools, as well as many others.

    I am thankful for the phi-losophy of participating that mydad and mom taught us, fromparticipating in the previouslymentioned organizations toparticipating in our profession,including our local, state and

    national associations of Real-tors providing me the oppor-tunity of meeting and working with some of the most success-ful, committed and contributingpractitioners in the country.What a fantastic experience for

    a kid from Shawano.My most recent participa-

    tion on the Wisconsin NaturalResources Board has given meinsight into the workings, somegood and some not so good, of alarge government agency andthe opportunity to get to knowdedicated, committed profes-sionals that raise our level of

    appreciation for our naturalresources and the benefits ofbeing a Badger.

    Speaking of which, theeducation I received from myearly days at Lincoln School toShawano High to the University

    of Wisconsin Graduate Schoolof Business was not a fluke butmade possible by early guid-ance, direction and encourage-ment of my parents, teachersand administrators, and peoplededicated to providing top-quality education that is trulya cornerstone of a community,state, country and society.

    Lastly and most importantly,I am thankful for our Lord andSavior Jesus Christ for all theblessings he has given me, myfamily and our country, and Iask Him to continue to bless usand America.

    By Terry Hilgenberg,owner of Hilgenberg Realty

    Real estate agent Terry Hilgenberg sits in his wife Bonnie’s classroom in Shawano.

    PHOTOS BY GREG MELLIS

    Verna Fowler sits amid her computer-based classroom at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena. The college’s online class-

    room technology, below, expands its reach in the tribal community and connects the campuses in Keshena and Green Bay.

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    I was just in Chicago walking downMichigan Avenue when I was stopped bya young man who works for the Chil-dren’s Relief Fund. He asked me if I giveto charity.

    “We do,” I told him. “It is an act ofthankfulness.”

     As soon as we had more than enoughmoney, my wife and I consciouslydecided to give back. We donate to theChristian Children’s Fund, my wife’schurch, my synagogue, Dollars for Schol-ars, etc. We do this as well as communityservice volunteer work.

    We do this because we are thankfulfor those that came before us and helpedus get to where we are today. We did not

    come to a place of more than enough onour own. There was a time when we hadmore time, so that is what we gave.

    I am thankful for my education andgood teachers who taught me how tothink and excited my mind. I am thankfulfor my parents who helped me growhealthy and strong. I am thankful forfriends who, when I feel low, remind me who I am.

    I am thankful for the roads that allowme to travel, for the police, military andfire departments who protect me and myproperty. I am thankful for our neighbors who watch over our family.

    I am thankful for my young appren-tices whose energy helps me accomplish

    amazing things. I am thankful to mycommunity for supporting me, bringing wood and helping with firings.

    I knew a religious community thathad a regressive scale for its members,

    asking 6 percent of those who earned theleast, and 4 percent of those who earnedthe most.

    On its face, the amount given by those with the most was a lot more moneythan those who had the least. Fourpercent of $200,000 is a lot more than 6percent of $20,000. This math misses thepoint. It is unsurprising that the congre-gation is dying.

    Life invests in the next generation.The stronger members of a communityinvest in the ones who are establishingthemselves and will carry the load whenthey have the means.

    Giving is gratitude. Being able to giveis a gift that you have received.

    Giving back is ultimate gift of thankfulnessBy Simon Lev in, owner of Mill Creek Pottery 

    Simon Levin brings his artistry to life at Mill Creek Pottery in Gresham.

    From Sicily to America, it hasbeen an incredible journey for ourfamily.

    In 1995, our family settled in theShawano area. That same yearLuigi’s was opened for business.

     As you could imagine there weresome challenges coming to a newcommunity in a new country andstarting a new business.

    One of the most difficult chal-lenges was learning the Englishlanguage. Despite the challengesour family faced, we persevered,and 20 years later we have beenblessed with the opportunity toexpand our horizons.

    On Sept. 14, Fannita’s Bakery was opened. The bakery is an ex-citing opportunity to share more of

     what we love with the community.We are thankful for what God hasgiven us every day and with the

    Thanksgiving season approachingit is important to us to take extratime to recognize what we arethankful for.

    We are thankful for Shawanoand the wonderful community.None of this could be possible

     without the great support of thepeople here.

    With the holidays drawing near

     we think of having our friends andfamilies together. Faith and familyare the most important aspects ofour lives.

    For Thanksgiving our family ofabout 30 people gather togetherand enjoy a lunch and dinnertogether. In-between meals thekids play games and the adults talkover espresso. The time we shareand the memories we make are

     valuable to us. From our family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving!

    Shawano welcomes

    family’s dreamBy the Badalamenti and Bommarito families,

    owners of Luigi’s & Fannita’s Bakery 

    Members of the Badalamenti and

    Bommarito families own both Luigi’s

    restaurant and Fannita’s Bakery.

    Freedom, family nevertaken for granted

    When asked to writean article on what I was thankful for in 500 words or less, my firstthought was “or less.” Ido not write speeches or

    consider myself a com-plicated man, but my lifeexperiences have givenme the knowledge to relayto others that words fromthe heart are what count.

    My first thanks are forour Founding Fathers, who showed us the waythrough their courageand words such as, “Life,liberty and the pursuit ofhappiness.” I am thank-ful for my life, for the factthat my name is not onthe black marble wall inWashington, D.C. Al-

    though I returned from Vietnam a changed man, Iam still truly blessed.

    Secondly, liberty issomething that we enjoybut is often taken for

    granted. Having been ableto run for the ShawanoCounty Board and toserve as County Boardchairman, with supportfrom board members whoshare my goals of mov-ing the county forward

    at a pace our taxpayerscan afford, is a form offreedom not seen in manycountries.

     Another liberty notafforded to many is being

    able to say what I meanand mean what I say.

    Tough when needed,compassionate whenI must. Sometimes wemust be thankful for whatis instead of wishing for what could have been.

    Our freedom is there tobe what we want. It is ourchoice.

    Happiness is what weall want in our lives. I amhappy and thankful when

    the County Board gets itright and the taxpayerscome before personalinterests. I am thankfulfor the people I have hadthe pleasure to work withand to work for.

    My greatest happinessis my family.

    When I can get onmy knees and have my7-year-old granddaughterand 5-year-old grandson

    come to me and give mehugs and kisses, it cannotget any better than that.

    I am thankful for my wife always being by myside to support me bothmentally and physically,

    those first few years whenI was home from Vietnamthere was no support fora veteran except for theirfamily.

    I am thankful for my

    son who is always there tobe my right-hand man andfor a wonderful daughter-in-law that spoils me withher delicious desserts. Iam so blessed and thank -ful.

    Being able to live eachday to the fullest, trying tomake a difference. Whatmore could I want?

    I have a lot to be thank-ful for.

    By Jerry Erdmann,Shawano County Board chairman 

    Shawano County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann enjoys a conversation with a veteran at a recent community

    event in Shawano. At left, Erdmann (right) works with Shawano County officials during committee meeting.

    PHOTOS BY GREG MELLIS

    BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGSTHE SHAWANO LEADER www.shawanoleader.com B3THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

    Members of the Badalamenti and

    Bommarito families, shown with some

    of their employees, own both Luigi’s

    restaurant and Fannita’s Bakery.