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Success | 2013
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Success | 2013
great communities
are a reflection of the people within The Fond du Lac and Dodge County communities are a coveted place to live and work thanks to those driven and generous people who live just down the street. It is because of these individuals that positive change and inspiration can take place and mold a promising future. The Reporter’s Success publication celebrates the many individuals who, through their own determination and will, have achieved much, not only for themselves but also for their community. Throughout the year, we received nominations for those whose accomplishments should be honored and applauded and published so others may find inspiration. Now in its eighth year, Success has become a much anticipated publication and a positive beacon of light in our strong and tight-knit communities. Dan Gilgenbach, Keith Kastner, Sarge Marking and Mark Peterson are among the fine people who have the zeal and heart to achieve great things while helping others along the way. While many of the nominees are humble about their success, their work has not gone unnoticed and will resonate in the community long after the stories have been published. Success is also a testament to how our area communities pull together to show support. A good support system,
whether from a small group of friends and family or from an entire city, can move mountains, and in turn allow individuals, like Keith Kastner, to reach lofty goals. Keith’s story illustrates that sometimes the smallest victories, like moving your big toe, lead to greater triumphs. This publication points out that success is often linked to one’s outlook on life. Dan Gilgenbach educates many students daily in the art of communicating not with words, but with their hearts, and believes that if the music community leads, prosperity will follow. Many times we overlook the fact that relationships act as bridges to success. Jerry “Sarge” Marking, Mark Peterson and the success of Campbellsport High School wrestling team in the face of a rising demand for football and basketball are an example of the importance of relationships. While success comes in many shapes and forms, at different times in our lives and for different reasons, one thing remains true: without the successes of people like those in this publication, our communities would not be the place to live, work and play that they are.
on the cover...
Main photo, Dan Gilgenbach, co-owner of Mike’s Music and Sound, was instrumental in starting battle of the bands at the Fond du Lac County Fair which helps new artists gain professional exposure. Also featured on the cover, left to right, are Janet and Al Fuecht, owners of Brandon Meats; Mark Peterson, Campbellsport wrestling coach; Marsha Brown, music producer from Fairwater; Mike Schwandt sled dog race organizer (top); Sharon Simon, presidential guru; Michael “Silk” Casper, Great 98 radio host and comedian; Keith Kastner, who came back from a paralyzing neck injury; and Bob Berry, Mayville cross country and track coach.
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Success staff contents General Manager/ Advertising Director Karen Befus Features Editor Katie Larson Contributing Writers Taima Kern, Colleen Kottke, Carlos Munoz, Gary Clausius, Mike Hockett, Alex Wolf, Steve Clark, Dorothy Bliskey, Emily Miels, Sharon Roznik, Laurie Ritger, Heather Stanek Photographers Aileen Andrews, Patrick Flood Graphic Artist Marie Rayome-Gill Advertising Sales Manager Heather Bradwin Circulation Director Bruce Tischer
Dan Gilgenbach........ pages 6-8
Mike Schwandt.....pages 23-25
Bob Berry................ pages 9-11
Sharon Simon.......pages 26-28
Music Man: local teacher, store owner, saxophonist cultivates music scene in FDL
Journey to the top: Berry takes Mayville student-athletes to the next level
Al & Janet Feucht....pages 12-14 Heart of the Community: Fuechts make area residents top priority
Keith Kastner........ pages 15-18 Kastner keeps kicking after immobilizing injury
Marsha Brown......pages 19-20
Success | 2013
table of
Magic Feet: Annual sled dog race grants children’s wishes
Hail to the Chief! Fascination with the U.S. presidency is an extension of the continuing education of Fond du Lac school district’s Sharon Simon
Campbellsport High School Wrestling...............pages 30-31 Tradition of wrestling excellence keeps Campbellsport on the map
Lisa Immel............pages 32-34 Immel has unique perspective on victory
Songwriter and music publisher reaches out to big names
Michael Casper.....pages 21-22
Creative Juices: Casper is jack of all trades behind the mic
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Success is published by The Reporter, Fond du Lac. Contents of this section are published for The Reporter. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent of The Reporter. For more information, contact Katie Larson, Features Editor, at 920907-7849 or e-mail klarson@gannett.com.
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Success | 2013
Dan Gilgenbach, store manager/owner at Mike’s Music and Sound. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
Music man
local teacher, store owner, saxophonist cultivates music scene in FDL Taima Kern
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Action Reporter Media
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Dan Gilgenbach’s family got him started in music right from the get-go. It is only natural that since then, he has turned around and tried to inspire the joy of music in those around him. Co-owner of Mike’s Music and Sound since 2002 alongside his father, Dan has taught over 200 students, plays in several local bands, and fights to keep music accessible to everyone in Fond du Lac who loves music. “My dad was in a rock band in the 60s and my mom loved music. My uncles and aunts were all into music, and our family gatherings were almost like a sing for your supper type thing,” said Gilgenbach. “We didn’t have to actually sing for our supper, but a lot of times there was music, because we were all not
shy about singing or playing an instrument. I learned to love music very early on because it was part of the fabric of my family.” Gilgenbach knew he wanted to play the saxophone by the time he was 6 or 7, most notably after watching The Tonight Show one night and seeing Tommy Newsom fill in for Doc Severinson. “Newsom was a saxophone player,” said Gilgenbach. “I looked at that and said ‘That’s what I want to do, Dad.’ He said, ‘You want to be a talk-show host?’ and I said, ‘No, I want to be a saxophone player.’” In sixth grade, Gilgenbach started studying music and was taught in high school at St. Mary Springs Academy by Searl Pickett. When he graduated in 1983, he went on to UW-Fond du Lac and then UW-Oshkosh, majoring in music, despite his dad’s warning that it is hard to make money in the music industry.
Stubborn and motivated, he decided to prove his father wrong. “If somebody puts a difficult task in front of me and says ‘No, it can’t be done,’ that makes me want to try that much harder to do it,” said Gilgenbach. “I’m older and wiser now, but I am still intrigued by challenging tasks, even in the shop here,” he noted, referring to Mike’s Music and Sound. “They’ll have something that’s really hard to fix, ‘Awe, Dan, you can’t get that rusted screw out of there, that’s in there for good,’ and that’s like lighting a fire under me.” In 1995, Gilgenbach started working at Mike’s Music and Sound in Fond du Lac, and about eight years later, he, his father, and his uncle purchased the store from Mike Soffa. His uncle later decided to pursue other ventures, so Dan bought his shares and reCONTINUED ON PAGE 7 >>>
band called Flat Tire, in 1983-84.
mained co-owner with his father.
I learned to love music very early on because it was part of the fabric of my family.
Gilgenbach’s father told him he couldn’t major in music because he’d never make money in it. “So I went and majored in music because he told me not to, he told me I didn’t have it, I wasn’t a good enough saxophone player to play out professionally,” said Gilgenbach. He was living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa repairing instruments and performing when he got a call from a group called Merle Perkins and the Percolators, a band out of Chicago. “They didn’t have a sax player that night, and a good friend of mine was subbing on bass and my ma and dad happened to be in town. [I played] the entire second set with them, not knowing a single song that they played ahead of time, just figuring it out by ear. My dad came up to me after
At work Gilgenbach buys and sells band and string instruments, combo items (such as drum sets) and sound equipment, repairs a majority of those items, and offers lessons. There are about 250 students in lessons at Mike’s Music and Sound, taught by a number of teachers including Gilgenbach. “If you need to find out something about music or get into music, we’ve got the guys and 99 times out of 100 we have the information and equipment you need to get started,” said Gilgenbach. He has been teaching lessons on the saxophone family of instruments since 1995, and in that time, Gilgenbach estimates that he’s taught more than 200 students. Some he taught only a few lessons, but others he has looked after from grade school through adulthood. “I’ve taught students from ages 8 through 80,” said Gilgenbach. Currently, he has 22 students. Gilgenbach plays four types of saxophone: soprano, alto, tenor and baritone, in a number of styles, from church, jazz and blues, to the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band and the Light House Big Band. His first band was a blues
drinking a half pitcher of beer and he said, ‘You know what, Dan, I said you didn’t have it, and I was wrong.’” Dan also notes that his father joined him in the music business, so he can only assume that his dad felt that it was a place where money could be made.
Gilgenbach quickly discovered, however, that playing in bands was extremely physically taxing. “You come rolling in at four in the morning in a snow storm after having had to load gear at two in the morning after playing a gig,” Gilgenbach said. “It was hard, especially since I was still recovering from cancer treatments.”
Success | 2013
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
In 1986, Gilgenbach underwent treatment for Hodgkins Disease, Gilgenbach he has CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 >>>
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Success | 2013
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When the on-the-road life wasn’t of interest to him anymore, Gilgenbach went to Redwing, Minn., and learned to repair band instruments. “I always liked fixing things, but I liked music too, so why not combine the two and fix band instruments? I found out that I loved it. There is no better feeling in the world than to take a beat up old clarinet that Grandma had in the attic and bring it back to its original luster and have the grandkids say grandma your clarinet is beautiful, and then have another generation start in music,” said Gilgenbach. It was this skill, in part, that led to his eventual employment at Mike’s Music and Sound.
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“I sort of work things backwards, as far as my business philosophy if you will,” said Gilgenbach. “A lot of people think you need to make money, watch your bottom line, and I do that, but the bottom line for me is that if Fond du Lac is a place where lots of music is happening, then the music store is going to be successful, so I try to help as many people get into music as I can. As far as how the community is doing, we have some awesome music programs in this area, really good music teachers, and some great supporters of the arts. Can it get better? It can always get better.”
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Dan Gilgenbach, stands in front of the iconic mural painted on the wall of Mike’s Music and Sound. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
now, at age 48, been a cancer survivor for more than half of his life. “I made it through based on friends, family and faith,” said Gilgenbach.
Gilgenbach believes that live music is always better than recorded music, because you have the human element involved. “The greatest high in the world, I’ve found, is the ability to play a musical instrument and communicate and see someone out in the audience connect, and see them feel exactly the same way you feel through the music, when you reach a level of communication that is universal. Music is the only form of communication that does not lie. You are what your music is. If you play in a cover band or if you play original music, how you play those songs tells a lot about you.”
Battle of the Bands
In 1996, Gilgenbach and his friend Paul Levandowski were approached by members of the Fond du Lac County Fair with the idea of running battle of the bands. Gilgenbach realized that in order to have a successful music business, you need to have a successful music community. “You have to have that influx
of young players who come into music and learn to enjoy it, and the battle of the bands was a venue where people who had never played before had the opportunity to play in front of a crowd with professional equipment for the first time. The first year only four bands signed up, but since then it has grown substantially. On average, there are six battling bands, and anywhere from eight to 10 or more entrants, hoping to be selected. “This year we had our 18th Battle of the Bands. Fond du Lac County Fair has been instrumental at keeping that going, and we are looking to expand it, to reach more venues and get young people and even adults more interested in getting a band together, an opportunity to be more than just a garage band, so they can work out the kinks and become a performing band, a rock band or a jazz band,” said Gilgenbach. “No matter what your talent level, no matter what your age, you can enjoy music the same amount. You can be a rank beginner and experience extreme joy and extreme frustration and you can be a top of the line professional musician who has been gigging out for 30 years, and have that same joy and that same level of frustration at times, and everything in-between.”
DanGilgenbach Age: 48
Occupation: Co-owner of Mike’s Music and Sound; Musician Home community: Lamartine Reaction to nomination: “I was so surprised. I feel that I am successful, it’s just that I had a reputation as a fun-loving guy, so for someone to look at me with that kind of respect is humbling. To be named successful by another person is a lot more inspiring than calling yourself successful.” Attributes his success to: “A lot of it is my dad. He has been behind me, even though he didn’t necessarily agree with my path choice. He and my mom were both very supportive. Also, all of the people I have met along the way have inspired me. It takes a team, a bunch of people, to make someone what they are. You are the sum of your influences.” Inspirations: Searl Pickett, Ray Wifler, Kay. T. Gainacopolous and many more. Favorite type of music: “I listen mostly to jazz, but being in a music store, I’ve learned to love different aspects of different types of music. I will not only listen to but appreciate whatever comes along.”
Success | 2013
Journey to the
TOP
Berry takes Mayville studentathletes to the next level Alex Wolf Action Reporter Media
Bob Berry’s journey to Mayville was nothing out of the ordinary. Berry, who grew up in Waukegan, Ill., graduated from Loyola University looking for a teaching job. After struggling to find a job, Berry worked in the trucking business for a few years. It was shortly after that when Berry, who delivered to a cheese factory in Mayville, saw a job opening in the city and gave it a chance because he liked the small town atmosphere. Berry grew accustomed to the town and school district, and 45 years later, the 70-year-old has achieved an unimaginable amount of success as a coach.
“I always tell them I have the best job in the world. That’s why I am still doing it because you get to watch kids improve,” Berry said. “It’s great to win, but watching these kids improve is the best part.” With all of the success that he’s had, Berry is the first to admit that he’s been surrounded by tons of talent. He said one of his favorite moments as a coach came in his first year, a
“I’ve been really lucky to have a heck of a lot of talent,” Berry said. “The first year I was here, I was helping with the cross country team, and we had a kid working out and I asked him what he ran in track and he said the 800, and I asked him what time and he told me it wasn’t very good. I then said you will be a state champion if you do what I tell you, and he did end up being a state champ. That got the ball started for me because the next two years I had two more state champions in the 800 so people thought I knew something about the 800. I was really lucky.” Berry’s love for running started in high school, where he originally wanted to play football. He said he joined cross country because the basketball coach told him he was a toothpick and that he couldn’t play. “He said if you want to do something, you need to run because you don’t look like a football player,” Berry said. “I didn’t even know what cross country was.” In his first year of cross country, there were 47 runners on the team and he was No. 47. His mom told him to quit after she watched his first race because his face was pitch red and he looked like he wasn’t enjoying himself. However, Berry ended up being the No. 2 runner by the time he was a senior. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 >>>
Bob Berry has been an inspirational coach at Mayville High School for 45 years. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
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Berry is in his 45th year of coaching both the boys’ and girls’ cross country and track and field teams, and served as the girls’ basketball head coach for 30 years until 2002. In all of those years, Berry has combined for 89 conference championships and two state titles (girls’ cross country).
story that he tells kids every year.
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Success | 2013
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 Berry improved so much that he went on to participate in both track and cross country at Loyola University. While he admits he doesn’t have the most talent, Berry credits all of his success from his desire to win and his desire to do better. That’s another reason his teams have had so much success: because that’s what he preaches to his kids year after year.
runner-up, nine sectional championships, 20 conference championships and two regional championships. The boys have six state appearances, five sectional championships, 14 conference championships and one regional championship.
It’s great to win, but watching these kids improve is the best part.
“You don’t have to have a lot of talent, you just have to have a lot of desire,” Berry said. “If you have the desire, you can get better. You might not be a state champion, but you will be proud of the things you do.”
His girls’ cross country teams have found the most success, accumulating 16 state appearances, two state championships, a
In his 30 years of coaching girls’ basketball, he had 12 conference titles and a state runner-up. Not only has Berry had the fortune of coaching many successful teams, but he was able to coach two of his own kids. He coached his daughter when they were the state runner ups. When he was the assistant for the boy’s
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“We lost, but we got there,” Berry said. “Just to be there and to be a part of that was something special.” Another reason Berry loves his job is that former students always make trips back to Mayville to say hi and catch up. “I really enjoy when kids come back and see me,” Berry said. “They stop in town and tell me what they’re doing, telling me that their kids are running and that’s what coaching is all about.” Berry taught history for the first 29 years at the high school, but since then, has served as the Director of Transportation for the district. This is going to be his last year, even if the school begs him to stay just another year. “It’s funny because I was going to retire after teaching history but the superintendent talked me into staying,” Berry said. “I was then the assistant superintendent for 10 years and I retired and un-retired again. This is going to be my last year.” At 70, Berry isn’t going to stop working, even if he is done working. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 >>>
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In track, the boys have had 24 conference championships, 12 regional championships, five sectional championships, while the girls have had 19 conference championships, 10 regional championships and one sectional title.
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;As long as my mind and my body still work, I still want to coach because I enjoy the kids,â&#x20AC;? Berry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes they may see me as grandpa but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alright.â&#x20AC;? As far as this year goes, Berry said it is a very unusual one because both the boys and girls cross country teams have lost a lot of runners from a season ago. However, he still sees a competitive group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a very unusual year for me,â&#x20AC;? Berry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three of the top five girls have never ran before for me. We have never ran our top five together yet because the way things have worked out. People will still be surprised because we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been doing too bad, even without a full lineup.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The boys team is the same way. Only three starters back from last year and we picked up four football players and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all helping. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to win a conference title, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very competitive right now.â&#x20AC;? Even if the teams do not add to his glittering career numbers here on out, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter. The kids just keep him going and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all that matters to him.
Success | 2013
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
BOBBerry Age: 70
Occupation: Director of Operations at the Mayville School District. Retiring after this year Years coaching: 45 years Girls & Boys Track and Cross Country (served 30 as girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; basketball coach) Career accomplishments: 89 conference championships, two state titles, (between girls basketball, track and field and cross country)
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Success | 2013
Al and Janet Feucht own and operate Brandon Meats. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
Heart of the Community FEUCHTS make area residents top priority Colleen Kottke
said.
Action Reporter Media
Born the sixth of 13 children, Al Feucht grew up on a small farm in the heart of the little Dodge County burg of LeRoy. His job was to butcher six chickens out of the family’s small flock for Sunday dinner. Whenever he got a chance, Al would steal away to the small butcher shop down the road to watch the slaughtering through the screen door.
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Since Al and Janet Feucht launched their meat processing business 28 years ago, it has been all about service — to the customer and the community.
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For nearly three decades the owners of Brandon Meats and Sausage have served both their customers and the youth of Fond du Lac and surrounding counties with their quality products and generosity. While Brandon Meats and Sausage is regarded as the cornerstone of the small community in western Fond du Lac County, Al Feucht said his entrance into the meat processing business had humble beginnings. “The business just always intrigued me,” Al
“One morning my dad asked me to kill the calf for our traditional Easter dinner. I was about 12 then. By the time he got back from the feed mill I had the calf hung up and all dressed out,” Al said. “It’s just something I did. Throughout high school, Al worked part time at LeRoy Locker in addition to his chores CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 >>>
Paul Sabel cuts up deer venison for a customer at Brandon Meats. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
Famous 5-foot sausage A variety of meat products are on display for customers at Brandon Meats. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
The famous 5-foot summer sausage has made guest appearances at auctions at the county and state fair as well as fundraisers for local non-profit groups since 1986. Since Janet began keeping track in 1994, sales of the donated sausage have generated nearly $240,000 to support these groups. Here are the top groups:
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Central Wisconsin Christian School auction, $20,000+
on the family farm. He also took on part-time welding jobs to supplement his income before heading overseas to fight in Vietnam. Before being discharged in 1968, Al wrote Norbert Weinberger asking if he was looking for help at LeRoy Locker.
Striking out on their own
“He wrote back and said, ‘You’re on!’ I worked for them for 17 years before starting my own place,” Al said. “I couldn’t see myself standing at a table welding inside a smoky building for the rest of my life.” Eager to strike out on his own, Al and Janet Feucht purchased the Menke Processing Plant in Brandon in 1985. With just three employees including veteran sausage-maker Lloyd Weisnicht, the Feuchts began building their business from the ground up. Today they employ around two dozen employees including their son, Jeff Feucht.
Soon after the couple purchased the business, they were eager to partner with youth organizations in the community.
Al said the idea for the famous 5-foot sausage was born when one of the organizers of the Alto Fair came looking for a donation of a large ring bologna to sell at the event as a fundraiser. “I told him I couldn’t make the bologna due to it curling, but I could make him a 5-foot summer sausage that would just fit in our smokehouse,” Al said. “Since then people have asked us to make them for parties but we won’t do it. It’s strictly a donation which can only be used for fundraising purposes.” Over the years the Feuchts have donated the iconic sausage to the Alto, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Winnebago county fairs, sportsman clubs, the Wisconsin State Fair and other non-profit groups looking to earn money. Janet estimates that the sales of the sausage along with other donations of meat products have raised more than $230,000 for non-profit groups. “One year we donated a sausage to Central Wisconsin Christian School in Waupun for their annual Harvest Auction each September. They had us cut up the sausage into 3/8inch slices which they sold for $100 each,” Al said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 >>>
Alto Fair, $3,600 Wisconsin State Fair, $3,500 Fond du Lac County Fair, $1,650 (donated to Salvation Army) Dodge County Fair, $1,300 Green Lake County Fair, $1,150 Folks travel for miles to load up on a variety of the Feucht’s award-winning specialty brats. Here is a sampling of the brats available at Brandon Meats and Sausage. Cheddar green beef and pork pepper onion and garlic Taco Cajun Horseradish Italian Tailgate Pizza Bleu Cheese Cheddar Pepperoni Mushroom and Philly Cheese Swiss Steak Beer Buffalo Chicken Bavarian Wing Hungarian Why are you passionate about supporting the youth in the local community? “The youth are our future — future customers, future farmers, future school board members. It is our hope that they can raise their children to be good citizens, too.” Al and Janet Feucht
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“We’ve become a destination for a lot of our customers,” said Janet, who wears the hat of office manager. “We’ve been told by some folks that to them we are Brandon. This is our business and we’re not only connected to this community but the farming community as well.”
“Being a part of the ag industry myself and a former FFA and 4-H member I saw the need to reach out and help these organizations,” Al said.
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Home of the
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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Gregg Zonnefeld, Central Wisconsin Christian School Director of Advancement, said the proceeds from the auction are earmarked for special projects. “Over the years we’ve annually raised between $10,000 and as much as $21,000 for things such as lockers, lights/sound equipment sidewalk replacement, playground equipment, and more,” Zonnefeld said. “It’s such a wonderful partnership we’ve enjoyed with the Feucht’s and it has become one of the highlight times of our auction.” The Feuchts were also instrumental in building the park shelter across the street from their Brandon business. Each weekend throughout the warm months, local non-profit groups host brat fries to raise money for their organization. The Feuchts provide the condiments, napkins and bags free of charge and sell the brats, burgers and buns to the group at wholesale cost.
Friend of 4-H
In 2011, the Feuchts were awarded the state Friend of 4-H Award. “Al and Janet exemplify what it is to be a supporter of 4-H youth. Their continued support of 4-H at both the state and local events helps to provide opportunities for 4-H youth as they learn leadership, citizenship and life skills,” said Denise Retzleff, 4-H Youth Development Educator for Fond du Lac County. They also open up their business to not only process fair animals, but host the annual carcass show allowing 4-H and FFA members to view their animals and learn more about the meat processing and livestock marketing business.
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The Feuchts also take great delight in educating area youth about the meat processing industry. When LeRoy Locker went out of business in the mid-1980s, the Feucht’s took over hosting the carcass contest — the event following the meat animal sale at local county fairs.
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“The Feuchts have opened up their business not only for Fond du Lac County but also surrounding counties, to allow youth to learn how their fair market animal fits into real-world agriculture,” said Fond du Lac County Dairy and Livestock Extension Agent Tina Kohlman. The Feuchts are not only visible sitting in the bleachers at the auctions as bidders, Brandon Meats and Sausage also process-
Al and Janet Fuecht hold awards won at meat competitions. Mason Schmidt, left and Josh Benson, assistant sausage maker, work on creating a product. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
es those homegrown lambs and steers. The plant typically slaughters between 40 to 50 animals a week. But the week following a county fair puts the operation into overdrive processing well over 100 animals. Many of Tari Costello’s FFA members at Waupun Area High School have been the recipients of the Feucht’s generosity. “The number of individuals who have benefited from their generosity is mind-blowing!” Costello said. “Thank you hardly seems like enough to show the appreciation that so
many of us have for what Al and Janet have done for so many of our youth.” The Feuchts enjoy being able to help area youth. “There are so many age groups that you can touch; from the small Cloverbuds all the way up to those just starting college,” Al said. “We’ve seen kids that were once in strollers that are now in 4-H or FFA following their parent’s footsteps. We just feel grateful that we can help provide a way to help keep these clubs going.”
Success | 2013
Kastner KEEPS KICKING after immobilizing injury
Taima Kern Action Reporter Media
There are some things no one should ever have to experience, and one of those is floating face-down in the water watching your life flash before your eyes. Such was the case for Keith Kastner, originally of Campbellsport, who suffered a severe neck injury on a canoeing trip, leaving him paralyzed for a time. The doctor’s prognosis was bleak, but in less than a year, Kastner was back on his feet and running half marathons, his determination driving him to cross the finish line.
“As I hit the water, I felt my neck snap. I stayed conscious and was floating face down in the water. All I could do was blink and watch my life flash before my
Kastner was born Aug. 22, 1986, in West Bend, and moved to Campbellsport when he started school, graduating from Campbellsport in 2005. Playing football throughout high school and snowboarding and skateboarding in his spare time, Kastner was an active person. “After graduating, I attended Bemidji State University for one semester before realizing that sitting in a classroom was not for me,” said Kastner. “I moved back home and started to work as a concrete laborer. As that work slowed, I got a different job with Hilmot Corporation out of Waukesha, building and installing hi-tech conveyor systems.”
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While camping and canoeing near Lake Delton with his older brother, Tony, and a dozen of their friends last year, Kastner dove off a steep bank near where his brother had been diving, and entered the water at an unintended angle.
eyes, thinking I was going to drown,” recounts Kastner. “At my last moment, my brother flipped me over in the water. I begged him to let me go, as I knew I had broken my neck, and the pain was putting me into shock.”
Life was relatively normal for Kastner, a high-energy 25-year-old, until his June 23, 2012, accident. It was only 16 months ago that KastCONTINUED ON PAGE 16 >>>
Keith Kastner runs in one of his first half marathons after an injury that left him paralyzed for 3 days.
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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 ner’s accident threatened to render him immobile for the rest of his life. “My brother floated me to the edge of the bank where everyone there that day would support my body completely in the water and steadied my head near the bank moving me as little as possible,” said Kastner. “They held me there for about 20 minutes while the Middleton Ambulance was on the way. I could not move from my neck down and the pain was something I couldn’t explain. I was boarded up the bank by my brother and his friends, my saviors that day, and the paramedics and driven to Middleton hospital.” X-rays revealed that Kastner have shattered his C5 and C6 vertebrae, and a piece of the bone had shifted and severed his spinal cord, leaving him with life-threatening internal bleeding. The decision was made to send Kastner via Flight for Life to the UW-Madison hospital to undergo an emergency neck fusion. “The surgeon cut in from the front of my neck, and pulled my wind pipe off to the side. He removed bone fragments and repaired my
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As days went by in the hospital after his severe neck injury, Kastner began to regain function and was able to move his arms. Submitted Photo
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On the third day, he succeeded in wiggling his big toe. “From that moment on, anything I could move, I would, and nonstop,” said Kastner.
X-rays show how doctors repaired Kastner’s shattered vertebrae using a titanium plate, screws and a cadaver bone. Submitted Photo
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 spinal cord the best he thought possible. My two shattered vertebrae were replaced by one solid cadaver tibia bone, which was held in place by a four-inch titanium plate and four screws which I will carry around for the rest of my life,” said Kastner. When Kastner awoke after surgery, he quickly discovered that he was paralyzed from the neck down. He also awoke to the doctors giving him only a 20 percent chance
Kastner was released from the intensive care unit after seven days, and sent to rehabilitation, where they expected him to remain for three months.
“I was able to stand on my own after two weeks, began walking with a cane after three, and was released only one month after my accident, only walking with the help of a cane,” said Kastner. He endured 23 days of acute in-patient rehab before his release. Kastner moved in with his mother in Mayville because he hadn’t recovered enough to be completely independent. He still wore the PMT collar, the neck-brace that prevents
all movement during healing, and “(catches) all of the food I’d drop in it,” jokes Kastner. He continued physical (lower body and upper torso) and occupational therapy for four months, until his insurance stopped. After 18 weeks, he was able to remove his collar, and return to work full time, with light duty and some restrictions, but still triumphing over the original diagnosis. Simply returning to work wasn’t enough for Kastner. He devised his own physical therapy routine, despite muscle stiffness, weakness and spasticity in his entire right side, as well as never recovering use of his right hand and the loss of most sensation on his left side.
Success | 2013
of walking again, cautioning that if he did, it would be many years down the road. For three days, this was his reality.
“My right hand does not close all the way or open all the way,” said Kastner. “All my fingers, except for my index and thumb are too weak to move. I also lost about 75 percent of the range of motion in my wrist too. They had mentioned that since the fingers are furthest away from the nerves I severed that they may take longer to recover.” In addition, Kastner’s whole right side, from his neck to his toes, is about 50 percent CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 >>>
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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 weaker than his left, to the point where the naked eye can notice differences in muscle size. He also receives Botox injections every three to four months to paralyze the muscles that cause spasticity and tremors, and to help with tightness in his tendons. Kastner saw his only chance at a normal life was to be constantly moving. In addition to his eight-hour work days, Kastner stretches two hours a day, jogs and hour every other day, and does yoga an hour every day, which has helped him regain his balance. “It’s hard for me to notice progression since I’ll never be satisfied,” said Kastner. “They told me I would never snowboard again, and that was one of my main drives at first. I strapped my board back on just six months out. They told me not to run after a bad fall I took, and I ran my first half marathon only 11 months out.”
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Since then, Kastner has run four half marathons and plans to do his fifth at the end of
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October. He started on May 19 in the Green Bay Cellcom half-marathon, coming in with a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes. His also ran the Summerfest Rock N’ Sole on June 15, where he improved his time by 24 minutes, the Pettit Center Heartbreaker on July 27, where his time suffered, understandably due to recent Botox injections, and finally the Lapham Peak Trail Run on Sept. 7, which featured the most difficult course, a trail through the woods of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. “It isn’t pretty when I run, I have a considerable limp, given that my right leg is (muscularly) half the size of my left, but I manage,” said Kastner. “A lot of it has been mental for me, and the first mile is as tough as the last, having to focus so much on lifting my right leg for every step. I feel obligated to run, I was fortunate enough to get my legs back from an injury that I should have died from. “My doctors kind of were hesitant on getting my hopes up at first because of the severity of my injury,” said Kastner, who would love to have the chance to spread his story and give others in his situation hope for the future. He wants to inspire people to get up
and move. “Your legs are gifts, a privilege, use them!” urges Kastner. He also attributes part of his success to the support from his family and friends. “They literally saved me from the river, but also kept my spirits up at my worst,” said Kastner. “I couldn’t imagine being this far on my own.” “My story needs to be spread to patients with similar injuries in the very first few days because those are the most crucial. That’s the time that determines what you will get back,” said Kastner. “And to anyone who awakens in that situation, as long as you got heart, you can accomplish anything.” Kastner now lives in Waukesha and is now in his fourth year at Hilmont. He will compete in his fifth half marathon on Oct. 27, the Middleton Haunted Hustle. “I would like to run a full marathon,” said Kastner. “Won’t happen this year, but in the future. I feel obligated to. I was given a second chance. I will never stop moving these legs until they put me in the ground.”
Success | 2013
Marsha Brown and band members from left Albert Carini, Dennis Brown, Bill Burkett and John Whitt. Patrick Flood/ Action Reporter Media.
MarshaBrown
songwriter and music publisher reaches out to big names Dorothy Bliskey
powerful song deals with hope of the world.”
Action Reporter Media
Brown, a songwriter since she was a child growing up in the Viroqua area, added that a song she wrote, “When the Wind Blows Through” was considered by Trisha Yearwood. “Trisha’s management team contacted me. They really liked it and considered the song, but for various reasons chose not to move forward with it at this time.”
Brown’s music publishing business - Brandon Hills Music, along with her record label known as Jandar Records - is attracting attention from songwriters and performers in the U.S. and beyond. Crossing paths with some of the big names is getting her name out there. “I recently signed Sheila Raye Charles to my label and released a song recorded by her titled We Are Hope, written by Milliea Taylor McKinney,” Brown explained. “This incredibly
A major country music artist from Norway, Steff Nevers, released the song, “Let It Rain,” from Brown’s record label. In Scotland, singer-songwriter Scot Nicol discovered Brown when searching online for a music publisher. “When Scott Nicol first sent his songs to my publishing company, two of them in particular melted my heart – ‘Gone From My View’ and ‘Where Would I Be Without You.’ I signed his songs right away,” Brown said. “Through many emails and phone calls we became friends and I convinced Scott to come
While Brown doesn’t have a recording studio, she has an office in her Fairwater home, shared with her husband Gary. Most of her work is done over the phone and online rather than in person. Her office serves as her home base for reviewing songs, getting signed contracts on her record label and communicating with writers and musicians near and far. “They find me on the Internet and by word of mouth,” Brown said, noting Brandon Hills Music (BMI), LLC is listed in the Songwriter’s Market book, which is crucial to getting her business noticed.
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Working behind the scenes in the music industry, Marsha Brown flies under the radar. Most area residents have no idea that songs she has written and published through her music publishing company in Fairwater, Wis., have been considered by well-known artists like Trisha Yearwood or that she is currently working with Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of the famous singer Ray Charles.
to Wisconsin and go on tour. His song ‘Gone From My View’ has come close to being cut (recorded) by Keith Urban and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn. It fell through because it didn’t quite fit what they were putting on the album. Keith Urban’s manager loved the song but thought it was too long.”
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CLIENTS CLOSE BY Artists living nearby are also clients of Brandon Hills Publishing. Tim Hopkins of Sheboygan has written, composed and performed 12 songs of hope and healing. His CD, “An Initiation to Healing and Wholeness” carries a message of hope for those suffering with terminal illness or addictions. “The Betty Ford Clinic is interested in having the CD,” Brown said, noting she was Hopkin’s music publisher. His CD carries her Jandar Records label.
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A Lomira-based band, Mozart’s Cadillac, is also benefiting from Brown’s expertise. “They are an amazing country band. Al Carini, the lead singer, has a phenomenal voice,” Brown said, adding that she promotes and books the band. “They recorded a song I published and have in my catalog called ‘Talkin’ Bout Junior.’
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The lyrics in that song are about the life of Hank Williams Jr., whose manager was thinking about having him record it. Just maybe he will someday. In the meantime, the song was released on Jandar Records and is performed by Mozart’s Cadillac. “I’d be extremely pleased if it ends up being recorded by Hank Williams Jr. himself,” Brown said. “There’d definitely be a celebration at my place if that happens.”
In the past five years, Brown has published 200 songs. All are in her catalog. Her focus is on country and some pop music, although she is planning to hold a “blind audition” for a male blues/soul artist. “There are a lot of MARSHA BROWN neat blues songs I’ve published, so I’d like to find an artist to fit those songs.” Although she has written many songs over the years, the 200 cataloged songs are mostly written by other songwriters. “They pitch their songs to me, hoping I will publish them,” she said. Brown says she hired lawyers from Nashville to create the legal requirements and terms of her contract signing business. Because of the legal aspects, it’s difficult for some artists to publish their own music so they go through a publisher. But getting a publisher to review your song might not happen. That’s what Brown experienced. It was the reason started her own publishing company seven years ago with former business and songwriting partner Mike Heath.
said. “I used to sing to all the animals. I sang in the choir at school and in church, but I started writing seriously about 15 years ago.” She joined the organization Songwriters of Wisconsin International to have her songs critiqued. She was told her songs were really good. Writing comes naturally to Brown, who is also working on a novel. She has written more than 100 songs during the past 10 years. A highlight is “There You Are” – a song she cowrote that was recorded and performed by country singer David Church who can be seen on the television network RFD-TV. Brown is also working with his wife Terri Church who performs with him in the U.S. and Europe. “Marsha is an incredible songwriter, especially when you consider she’s not out of Nashville,” said Terri Church. “As a music publisher she does a great job of getting those songs out there for others. With our music, David and I are bringing to light songwriters who are not in the Nashville loop.” Similar sentiments come from another of Brown’s clients, Nicholas (Doc) Donsky of Prescott Valley, Ariz. He co-wrote “Yarnell Hill”– a song and video that Brown is promoting to radio stations nationwide. The song is in memory of the 19 firefighters who lost their lives fighting a raging fire in Arizona this past summer. Donsky resides near the area of the fire. The song was published and released by Brown in Fairwater after Donsky spotted her name in the Songwriters Guide to Publishing and sent it to her for consideration.
I have continued to grow the business. I honestly do listen to each and every song submitted to me.
“We were frustrated with not getting answers from publishers when we submitted our songs. We vowed never to treat people like that,” Brown said, noting that Heath left the business years ago. “I have continued to grow the business. I honestly do listen to each and every song submitted to me. My turn-around time is now three-to-four weeks because I get songs from all over the world. Many are sent to me via MP3s.” Brown, a mother and grandmother with more than 30 years of work experience in the dental and medical fields, switched to music publishing due to her keen ability and interest in writing and critiquing songs. “I loved to sing and write songs even as a small girl on my grandparents’ farm,” Brown
“She has a really good ear for music,” Donsky said. “I’ve sent so many songs to publishers and they never do anything with it. If Marsha likes something, she takes action.” There is no end in sight for how far Brown might go in the music publishing industry. Her rapport with people and ability to network in the industry are skyrocketing her business. Who knows what famous country or pop star might come knocking on her Internet door next?
Success | 2013
Creative Juices
Casper is jack of all trades behind the mic
Mike “Silk” Casper prepares for a program at The Great 98 radio station in Mayville. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
Emily Miels Action Reporter Media
From New York to Las Vegas and everywhere in between, Michael Casper has continuously found ways to entertain and be creative. Dabbling in radio, comedy, modeling, voiceovers, writing, acting, art and a variety of other areas, “Silk” Casper has made a name for himself in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties.
Casper said he is constantly searching for new challenges and creative outlets. “I am always doing something and always wanting to do the next thing,” Casper said. His winding career path reflects his many talents and need for creativity. After studying Radio-TV-Film at the University of Wisconsin-Fond du lac, UW-Madison
“Local radio legend, Joe Goeser gave me my first job. Sunday mornings from 5 a.m. until noon” Casper said. “it wasn’t so much Joe was looking for on-air talent, as he was a warm body to fill a shift, but I was in radio! My bigger dream was to live in California, and become a comedian, although at the time I didn’t know how to get into the business, so I thought maybe radio was a possible avenue.” Thus, Casper and his then wife Bobbie and young son moved to Susanville, Calif., taking a job at KSUE. After a short time in California, he got a job offer in Reno, Nev. at KROW, so they moved again. While doing radio, Casper pursued his comedy career. Showtime had a contest called the “Funniest Person in America.” Casper entered and won the title once for Wisconsin and once for Nevada when he lived there. “I thought maybe if I kept moving, and kept winning the contest, eventually I’d be state champ in all 50, or at the very least the 48 con-
tiguous!” Winners were chosen from each of the 50 states with one grand prize winner. The grand prize winner who beat out Casper was a young comic from Louisiana named Ellen DeGeneres. “I heard she’s done alright for herself,” Casper said with a laugh. After Nevada, Casper found himself back in Fond du Lac at KFIZ. “I was pulling a shift and doing sports playby-play for the same team that I played for in high school, the Fondy Cardinals,” Casper said “I took over sports from ‘the other Mike Casper’ who also worked at KFIZ at the time. There was always confusion as to who was who on the air, and exactly who was married to his wife, Louise. Although Louise never complained (laugh).” Shortly thereafter, the radio station changed ownership. As sometimes happens when a company sees new management, Casper ended up losing his job. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 >>>
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Casper, 54, currently lives in Lomira and works as a radio personality at 98.7 FM, the Great 98, in Mayville. He has been in and out of the radio business, chasing different opportunities, since the early 1980’s.
and UW-Oshkosh, Casper landed his first radio gig at KFIZ.
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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 “The day that I was fired from radio was the day I considered myself a full-time comedian,” he said. Casper started pursuing comedy more seriously and spent a lot of time on the road. Eventually, he and wife split up and he officially moved to Chicago, coming back frequently to see his two sons, Benjamin and Alex. “Based out of Chicago, I played every little hell gig from here to anywhere,” Casper said. “If there was a Holiday Inn on the outskirts of Sandusky, Ohio, or Worthington, Minnesota, they probably tried putting on a ‘comedy night,’ and I probably worked it.” Casper grew up idolizing comedians like Robert Klein, Red Skelton, Jonathan Winters and Richard Lewis and categorized his comedy style as “observational humor.” He was on the road doing for about 10 years, playing clubs and colleges while working part time as a car salesman, bartender, waiter, bouncer, and model to make ends meet. He had numerous opportunities, such as an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show for an April Fools episode, winning a few open mic competitions and a chance to meet other comedians like Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters. “I was working my way up the ladder but, you know, my kids were back here in Wisconsin and I wasn’t seeing them as much as I wanted to,” Casper said. It eventually got to the point where he thought he either had to move to New York or Los Angeles if he wanted to continue his comedy career.
“Comedy was very big in Chicago, but it’s not necessarily where you got discovered,” he said. Instead of moving, he decided to hang up his comedy career and move back to Wisconsin to be closer to his sons. Back in Fond du Lac he started selling cars at Holiday Auto. But, Casper said he didn’t want to just sell cars. “I wanted to keep doing something creative and because I have a fondness for movies and writing screenplays, I thought maybe I could write a movie review,” Casper said. He pitched the idea of a movie review that read like a “conversation in print,” to the Action Advertiser, with his friend from Chicago, Mary Halfman, and “Movies in Minutes with Mike and Mary” was born. When Halfman decided not to do the reviews, another friend took over and it became “Movies in Minutes with Mike and Melody,” from about 1997 to 2012. “I was back in Wisconsin, divorced, trying to be a dad, selling cars, doing the Action Ad thing on the side,” he said. “not really thinking of getting back into radio.” Casper did migrat back into what he thought he was good at, landing a job with Radio Plus at WTCX and Sunny 97.7, and then The Great 98. As usual in Casper’s life, opportunity came knocking. This time, Mercury Marine offered him a position in their sales and technical training department. “They thought with my skill set, whatever that was — having been a comedian, having sold cars, having been in radio — that I might be a good fit as part of their Mercury University,”
As with any new challenge, Casper jumped at the chance. It was during the salad days of the marine industry, and that gig lasted about two years, up until the company made cuts. “I didn’t have anything else going, so I got back into radio...again! And I’ve been back at The Great 98 every since,” he said. Other than his work at The Great 98, Casper does freelance voice-over work, and continues to be creative through occasionally writing features for the Action Advertiser, and creating video podcasts for a friend’s Classical Music Festival in Austria each summer. When he makes the time he also draws. “I’m just always looking for more work and more challenges and more ways of being creative,” he said. The nickname Silk has stuck throughout his entire career, and is a name he still uses on the radio today. Casper said it all started with his friend Rick Zielinski (the friend from the Classical Music Festival) back in junior high. “He decided I needed a nickname,” Casper said. “At the time there was a basketball player at UCLA named Keith Wilkes. His nickname was Silk, Silk Wilkes and he had a really smooth jump shot, and Z thought I had a smooth jump shot, so he started calling me Silk.” Despite the ups and downs of his career, Casper said he enjoys what he does and the creative outlets the various opportunities provide. “I hear stories of people working their entire lives, retiring, and then they keel over 6 months later. I love what I do and as long as I have a voice, I don’t see any need to retire,” he said. “I’ll probably expire in front of a microphone, with Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’ fading out... and then nothing but the hiss of dead air...literally. ”
What was your reaction when finding out you were chosen for Success?
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Casper said.
“You must have run out of people to talk to.”
To what do you attribute your success?
Mike “Silk” Casper The Great 98 radio station in Mayville. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
Casper uses his creative talents to dabble in drawing.
“Not being afraid, not being intimidated and never really being happy with the end product, always trying to make it better.”
Success | 2013
Deb Borndahl, left, sister of Mike Schwandt, right sit with dogs Sabre, left, Gavin, center and Oden, right. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media.
Magic feet:
Annual sled dog race grants ill children’s wishes
Carlos Muñoz Action Reporter Media
Santa Claus isn’t the only one with a magical sleigh.
According to Make-A-Wish Regional Coordinator Amy Neumeyer, Schwandt, with the help of sister Debbie Borndahl, has raised $43,000, including $7,000 last year, and will have made 10 wishes come true by the time the eighth annual Can’t Depend on Snow Dog Sled Race begins on Dec. 7.
It takes roughly $3,000 to $6,000 to grant a wish, Neumeyer said. Schwandt and Borndahl are well aware of the marks they need to achieve to help a child receive a wish. The gold stars Make-A-Wish has given them are displayed in their home with the names of each wish child inscribed on them. “It’s very heart-warming. It’s a great pleasure to be able to work with Make-A-Wish,” Borndahl said. “The day of the event it’s all
worth it. The smiles on their faces are unbelievable when the kids are walking around. “It’s a real treat for them to know they can get that close to a dog they just saw race.” Few will have a bigger smile than Schwandt who will spend the day outside splashing through puddles or cutting powdery trails of snow with his dogs, Oden, Gavin and Sabre, which works out perfectly. Borndahl runs the show inside, providing food and refreshments for people who come in out of the cold. She also organizes the silent auction, which quietly raised $3,000 a year ago, and features an autographed Green Bay Packers football each year.
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Led by a team of Siberian huskies, Mike Schwandt has been cutting a path through the snow every December to grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses since 2005.
“They have a huge impact on the wish kids they grant the wishes for,” said Amy Neumeyer of Schwandt and Borndahl. “I always liked that they ‘Can’t Depend on Snow.’ Rain or shine, they are out there with smiles on their faces and they do a great job.”
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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 The race features pictures with Santa, a Siberian Husky Toss (with stuffed huskies), sled dog rides, a dog weight pull, a four-person dog-sled relay challenge, the Great Outhouse Race, and the sled dog race. There is also an ax-throwing demonstration. Schwandt said the sled dog race has gone from 26 teams in 2005 to 43 last year. It is not an International Sled Dog Racing Association-sanctioned race and there are no disqualifications. Sled dog racers who attend are expected to, first and foremost, have fun. It took a community effort to get the race started, said Schwandt, who said Rolling Meadows Golf Course Manager Dave Brandenburg was one of many who went to bat for the sled dog event. Brandenburg spoke to the University of Wisconsin Extension Education and Recreation Committee to get permission for Schwandt to hold the charity event at the County-owned golf course. Since then the pitter-patter of furry feet has graced the course every December. Odin, a sled dog of Mike Schwandt’s waits to be put into action. Aileen Andrews/Action Reporter Media
Schwandt has guaranteed its success by
offering mushers a hybrid race that doesn’t count on Mother Nature’s unpredictable attitude. Racers may choose to use sleds or wheeled carts depending on the race-day surface. “One way or another we are running the race,” Schwandt said. “Two years ago we ran it in a down-pouring rain. It started at 6 a.m. and didn’t end until about 4:30 p.m. We came in and we were muddy. It was so miserable people were coming in laughing. It got to be hilarious. Nobody will forget that race.” Schwandt also recalls the race in 2004 that led to the charity event. A 12-team challenge Schwandt hosted after a challenge from his co-workers at Capelle Bros. and Diedrich, Inc. who didn’t believe he was a musher. While the 1986 finisher of the International Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race proved them wrong, it cost him $400 to host the race on Camelot Drive. Schwandt’s wife, Laura, suggested he hold the race to benefit children. The inaugural Can’t Depend on Snow Sled Dog Race raised $979 for Make-A-Wish and introduced CONTINUED ON PAGE 25 >>>
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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 former wish kid Jeanna Giese to a sport she would grow to love. Giese said the foundation granted her wish to go to Disneyland with her family after she became the first human to survive rabies. Schwandt invited her to the initial race and she quickly developed an affection for huskies. Giese continued to attend the race, and last year borrowed a sled from Schwandt to race for the first time. This year she has built her own cart and added a third husky in March to complete her three-dog team. “For me personally, I was a wish kid myself,” said Giese, a race organizer. “It adds to how special (Make-A-Wish) is. I get to give back to a foundation that helped me out. I also love sled dog racing.” Schwandt and Borndahl said they couldn’t keep the race going without the help of volunteers, including youth groups from St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Rogersville and St. Mary’s Springs in Fond du Lac. St. Stephens has participated in at least the last five races and Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator Jen Krueger said their participation is a personal endeavor. “We lost one of our very own to a children’s form of cancer,” Krueger said. “It means a lot to us personally because we have struggled through that.” Schwandt said as far as he is concerned, weather isn’t the only thing you won’t have to depend on to keep the race going – he has no plans to quit hosting the race or granting wishes anytime soon. For more information on the race, email Borndahl at debborndahl@charter.net or call (920) 924-0132 or (920) 922-9284. Dona-
Mike practices sled racing with his dogs Sabre, Gavin and Oden. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
tions can be sent to: Can’t Depend on Snow/ Make-A-Wish, Attn: Deb Borndahl, 427 Pine
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Success | 2013
Sharon Simon looks over a historic newspaper which reported on a presidential race. Aileen Andrews / Action Reporter Media
Hail to the Chief!
Fascination with the U.S. presidency is an extension of the continuing education of Fond du Lac School District’s Sharon Simon Gary Clausius
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Action Reporter Media
26
Sharon Simon is an educator by profession, but she can’t help casting a longing eye at the White House. The Fond du Lac School District’s director of human resources has no political aspirations. She does, however, have a deep interest in the presidency and its rich American history. And with visits to 14 presidential libraries and museums, she has been able to combine her twin passions of history and travel. “I think it is just a natural curiousity thing,” the 1983 graduate of Fond du Lac’s Goodrich
High School said of her interest in the Oval Office and its occupants. “It’s just the idea that any person can be (president) in this country.” Need proof? Simon points to the election of 2008. After a competitive Democratic primary season, a black man — Barack Obama — emerged as the party nominee over a woman — Hillary Clinton. That outcome was unthinkable just a generation ago. “I think if you look at it, the opportunity does exist for anyone born in this country to be president. I think the last elections show that,” she said.
Local roots
The daughter of Harvey and Louann Simon proudly points out that she is a native of St. Peter, an unincorporated community in what is known as the “Holyland” along Lake Winnebago’s east shore. Her interest in history, politics and the presidency was nurtured by her father and family trips to Illinois. “Politics were discussed with my father over the Sunday newspaper,” Simon recalled. “We always went to the ‘Land of Lincoln’ for family vacations. It was not so much a vacation, but a tour.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 27 >>>
Her parents instilled the importance of learning at a young age, but Simon didn’t consider education as a career until the second semester of her sophomore year at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a visit to Chippewa Falls Middle School as part of an introductory course. “I knew the moment we went there. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do,” she recalled. Simon spent the fall of 1988 as a student teacher at Eau Claire Memorial High School and was hired to teach two world studies classes in the social studies department at Goodrich High School during the second semester in 1989. The following fall, she began teaching seventh-grade geography and ninthgrade civics at Sabish Junior High School. “I loved being a classroom teacher,” Simon said. “I used to tell my mom, ‘I can’t believe they pay me to do this.’” She earned a master’s degree from UWMadison in 1996 and was ultimately hired in 2001 as an assistant principal at Goodrich High School for the final semester before it was torn down, then assumed the same role at the new Fond du Lac High School. She served as principal at Riverside Elementary School from 2005-2010 and spent one year as principal at Lakeshore Elementary School before assuming her current duties. Simon moved into administration and the human resources position, in particular, for the same reasons she encouraged her students to broaden their horizons. “It’s a good challenge. The reason I’ve taken over the job is I’ve liked the chance to grow and learn,” she said. Fond du Lac School District Superintendent Dr. James Sebert said Simon’s work at all levels of the local system prepared her well for the job.
Simon’s experience combines with unbridled enthusiasm for the district, its students and its teachers. “She has very respectful and outstanding relationships with all of our employee groups. She’s just a very genuine person who loves
Her current position has pulled Simon away from the classroom and day-to-day contact with students. But, with an office in the school district Administrative Center at 72 W. JAMES SEBERT Ninth St. — adjacent to what used to be Goodrich — Simon is just a few steps away from Riverside. That allows her to stay in touch with students, as well as teachers. Walking down a hallway at the school, Simon greets each student by name while pointing out that she now sees many children whose parents were in her own classrooms.
make relationships with families,” she said.
Historical perspective
Those childhood trips to Illinois helped kindle a love for travel with family and friends over the years. And with Simon’s interest in history, trips to presidential libraries — and baseball parks, another of her passions — came naturally. “You really don’t go to a library, you go to their museum,” she explained. “It’s always neat to see how they portray things. I go to the Nixon Library and see how they portray Watergate or I go to the Clinton Library and see how they portray the whole Monica Lewinsky thing.” Simon has also visited presidential museums spanning almost the country’s entire 237-year history. Also among those she has visited are George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Rutherford B. Hayes, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
“I’ve felt very fortunate that I’ve been able to
CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 >>>
TEST YOUR
PRESIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE Trivia from the office of Sharon Simon
1. Who was the first woman on a major presidential ticket? 2. Which three presidents died on the Fourth of July? 3. Who was the first president to throw out a baseball at a Major League game? 4. Who is the only president never elected on a national ticket? 5. Who was the first president to live in the White House? 6. Who was the first president to travel abroad? 7. Name the three consecutive left-handed presidents. 8. Who was the first president born a U.S. citizen? 9. What two presidents were impeached? 10. What state was home to the most presidents?
SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 28 >>>
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“I think all of her past experiences have really readied her for this position. ... She knows the district better than anyone,” he said. “She knows the people at every level, which is crucial.”
people and loves the Fond du Lac School District.”
Success | 2013
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
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Success | 2013
Sharon Simon director of human resources at FDL School District stands with first graders at Riverside. Pat Flood / Action Reporter Media
ANSWERS FOR PAGE 27 >>>
ANSWERS: PRESIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE 1. Geraldine Ferraro, a Congresswoman from New York, ran for vice president with Democrat Walter Mondale in 1984. 2. The second and third presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died in 1826 on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The fifth president, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831. 3. William Howard Taft threw out the first pitch at Griffith Stadium in 1910 on the Washington Senators’ Opening Day. 4. Gerald Ford became president in 1974 when Richard Nixon resigned. He was nominated for the vice presidency by Nixon in 1973 after the resignation of Spiro Agnew. 5. John Adams moved into the White House in 1800. 6. Theodore Roosevelt became the first president to leave the U.S. when he traveled to the Panama Canal in 1906.
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7. Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton spent two decades in the White House spanning 1981 to 2000. Five of the last seven presidents have been left-handed, also including Gerald Ford and Barack Obama.
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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 The visits offer insight into not just the men who occupied the White House, but the times in which they lived. The museums often show how ordinary people were living. “When presidents travel they get gifts that they cannot keep. Those show up in presidential libraries. They have letters people have written and gifts they’ve received,” Simon said.
8. Martin Van Buren was born on Dec. 5, 1782, in Kinderhook, N.Y.
It isn’t always the president himself that draws her to a site. In the case of Franklin D. Roosevelt, it was his first lady that was the main attraction.
9. Andrew Johnson was impeached and acquitted in 1868 and Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 (acquitted in 1999).
“I liked FDR because I like Eleanor because she’s such a fascinating person,” she said.
10. Two states were home to six presidents: Ohio (William Henry Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding) and New York (Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt).
As an educatior, Simon also finds Lincoln exceptionally interesting because of his lack of schooling. “He had no formal education and look at the things he wrote,” she marvelled.
Bucket list
Simon won’t pick a favorite site.
“They’re all interesting in their own way,” she said, and cites the Ford library in Grand Rap-
ids, Mich., as an example. The only man to occupy the Oval Office without being elected on a presidential ticket served from August 1974 until being succeeded by Jimmy Carter on Jan. 20, 1977. “How long was he president? Two years? His was very nicely done,” she said. Forty-three men have served as president, so Simon is about one-third of the way through making a complete tour of their libraries and museums. She would like to make it to each one. Simon says she is a non-partisan voter and isn’t setting a schedule or agenda for visits based on politics. It is the personalites that draw her. “We should respect the office,” she said. “Everybody has got a story.” Everyone, including Simon, who seems as at-home in the Fond du Lac School District as four-term President Franklin Roosevelt was in the White House. “She’s full of Fondy pride and I just personally couldn’t see her working anywhere else,” Sebert said. “She just oozes Fond du Lac in everything she does.”
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Success | 2013
The trophy case at Campbellsport High School shows the impressive number of wrestling wins over the years. Submitted photo
Something to be proud of Tradition of wrestling excellence keeps Campbellsport on the map Mike Hockett
and wrestles for UW-La Crosse.
Action Reporter Media
Costello is just the latest in a long line of names that have brought championships to and kept them in Campbellsport. Wrestlers who topped the state podium several times include three-time state champions John Dexter (1993-94-95) and Justin Schmidt (200203-05) and two-time champs Ken Schmidt (1996-97) and Travis Ebert (1998-99).
With the rise in popularity of high school football and basketball across Wisconsin over the last 40 years, it’s become more and more rare for other prep sports to hold their niche as a town’s defining athletic staple.
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That’s not an issue in Campbellsport. It’s a wrestling town and has been for a long, long time.
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Including the town of Eden, the population in the Campbellsport School District area only numbers around 3,000. But the Cougars’ longstanding tradition of grappling prowess has cemented Campbellsport’s place in statewide wrestling folklore. It’s given the community something to boast about for nearly five decades. “I think it’s had a huge impact,” Campbellsport High School 2013 graduate Ryan Costello said about the sport’s role in town. “It’s one of the main things people know us for and puts us on the map.” Last February, Costello became the school’s 18th individual state wrestling champion at the Kohl Center in Madison, winning the Division II 126-pound title. He now attends
But there’s one name in particular that everyone in town points to first before the rest: Jerry “Sarge” Marking. Marking — the Cougars’ legendary former and first head coach — is credited with pioneering wrestling as a sport in Campbellsport, immediately turning it into a state power and keeping that status his entire 40-year coaching tenure from 1966-1995. And he did it from scratch. “He didn’t even have any clue about wrestling,” current Cougar’s head coach Mark Peterson said about Marking, who played basketball in college. “Jerry was able to go out and sell it to the community and they just went nuts with it here in Campbellsport.” Here’s just a few of the accomplishments Marking achieved in his coaching tenure: a
300-30-1 dual record, including a streak of 101 consecutive dual victories from 197179. An impeccable 200-0 dual record in the Flyway Conference. A total of 28 conference titles, eight individual state champions, team state champions in 1980, and team state runners-up in 1979 and 1993. Marking was inducted into the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992, and was a member of the inaugural Campbellsport Cougar Hall of Fame Class held this past August. Peterson said that Marking’s key to having a top-notch team year-after-year was his ability to always get a large turnout. “He used to get 100 kids and have to practice in shifts, which is amazing,” said Peterson. “Nowadays you’re lucky to get 30-40 out. That was the spark to the whole thing. “He was a great recruiter. He combed the halls and found people to join the sport. He was very persuasive. If they said no, he’d go to their parents and their house. Often, the next day they’d be out for wrestling. … It snowballed year-to-year.” Peterson mentored as an assistant under CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 >>>
Success | 2013
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 Marking for seven years before taking over as coach for the 1995-96 season after Marking retired. Since then, Peterson’s Cougars haven’t missed a beat. His career dual record is 25179-1, having taken Campbellsport to team state four times — most recently in 2011. In the 47-year history of Campbellsport wrestling, there have been exactly two losing seasons — the inaugural 1966-67 season, and last year’s. But Costello’s state championship still left all smiles to end the winter. The Cougars had only two competitors at state last year, but brought a large contingent of fans to the Kohl Center. With Costello taking third and fourth place the previous two years and being the school’s all-time leader in wins (163) and pins (110), they wanted to see him go out on top. “I don’t know the exact number, but coach Peterson said it was the most fans he’d ever seen from Campbellsport at a state tournament,” Costello said.
Starting them early
Look at any of the state’s top high school wrestling teams, and you’re bound to find an excellent youth wrestling program as well. That’s certainly true in Campbellsport, where the Cougars’ club team has served as an excellent farm system for the high school, besides giving kids as young as kindergarten the chance to compete at an early age.
“We still get over 100 kids involved K-8,” Peterson said. “That’s a nice feeder program. I have a lot of good dads that help coach over the years. They teach kids the basics and by the time they get to high school they are pretty well-tuned. Some have over 100 matches before they get here. I owe a lot of success to
the youth program.” Costello began wrestling in kindergarten and joined the club team in third grade. “They volunteer a lot of their time to spend with us,” he said. “They do a lot of care and want us to succeed on and off the mat.”
Symbolic of the town
By the nature of their sport, wrestlers have a reputation for being some of the hardestworking athletes around. That certainly fits the spirit of Campbellsport and Eden, where family farming has been the backbone. Just like farming gets passed down through the generations, several generations of Cougar wrestlers have made their mark on the mats of CHS. “Campbellsport kids are known for being hard-nosed, tough kids,” Peterson said. “Lots of farmers and families — brothers, dads that have come through the program. It helps recruiting when ex-wrestlers have kids.” “There’s a lot of farm kids that just carried us,” said athletic director Tom Griesemer, a 1988 CHS graduate. “Those teams lived it out on the wrestling mat, and out on the family farms. Not to take anything away from the city kids, but those wrestlers had a work ethic that was just unmatched.”
Ryan Costello winning a state title. Submitted photo
The envy of the school
Griesemer never put on a singlet for the Cougars at the prep level. Rather, he was a basketball player. But his memories from back then show a unique perspective of how wrestling transcended across other athletics at the time. “Everyone knew Campbellsport was a wrestling town,” he said. “As a basketball player, I never took offense to that, but we wanted some of that, too. It had an impact on other sports. “It wasn’t a jealousy thing. You wanted to strive to be as good. They were the cream of the crop year-after-year. It was the pride of the entire town.”
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COACH PETERSON
It takes countless volunteer coaching hours and committed parents dedicating their winter Saturday’s to accompany their kids at tournaments, and it’s worked wonders for Campbellsport ever since it started its club team in 1974.
Above, coaches Marking, left, and Peterson are engaged in a match in the early 1990’s. Submitted photo
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Success | 2013
Lisa Immel talks with her players during a time out. Submitted photo
Campbellsport alum Immel keeps racking up victories Steve Clark Action Reporter Media
Getting the best of an opponent is something that Lisa Immel has had plenty of experience doing.
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Whether as a standout athlete at Campbellsport High School and St. Norbert College, a highly successful high school coach or as a cancer survivor, coming out with a victory is something that just seems natural.
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As head coach of the powerhouse Oostburg High School girls basketball program for the past five seasons, Immel has carried on the Flying Dutchmen’s strong tradition. She has led the program to the state tournament four times, including runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2010, and has compiled an impressive 112-23 record so far in her tenure. “I took over a program that was traditionally a powerhouse and, at first, there’s a lot of nerves that come with that,” said Immel, who credits her mom, Pat, as being the driving force behind her success. “But I’ve ex-
perienced working with a wonderful group of girls that know a tradition of hard work and what success takes. It’s just been amazing to be a part of it and to continue on those types of traditions in a very supportive community.”
At St. Norbert, Immel was a standout in both basketball and softball, earning all-conference recognition in both sports and helping lead the Green Knights to the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen in the 2002-03 season.
Many of the lessons she tries to instill in her current players were things she experienced as a three-sport all-conference player at Campbellsport, earning first-team softball honors both her junior and senior years.
She has plenty of memories from those days — both at Campbellsport and St. Norbert — and doesn’t mind breaking out a story or two when the situation fits in her current position.
Yet, despite her individual success as a prep athlete, the biggest lessons she took from being a Cougar were far from being the star of a team.
“I often wonder if some of my players get sick of my stories. I often wonder how many times they’ve heard them,” she said with a laugh. “I think it’s important for them to understand that the experiences they are going through now are things they are going to look back on so I always share anything that kind of mirrors where we are at during the season.
“When I was at Campbellsport, I was just part of a wonderful team and I think I really started to learn what it meant to be a team player and invested as a team,” said Immel, who was recently inducted into the Campbellsport High School Athletic Hall of Fame. “That carried over to when I played at St. Norbert where we weren’t all about one player getting the limelight.”
“The people that have worked with me and I’ve worked with have taught me so much that I just think it would be a disservice to my current players if I don’t pass on those kinds of stories and knowledge.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
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Success | 2013
<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 Before landing at Oostburg, where she is a high school business education teacher, Immel coached different sports and different levels at both Campbellsport and Fond du Lac. She even coached a year of softball at North Fond du Lac — while she was teaching at Oostburg — and it was a season that still remains one of her favorites as a coach. “My softball season at North Fond du Lac was a very special season for me because it was such a strange circumstance and the amount of growth I saw in those girls in one softball season, which is really short, rein-
stilled my purpose for coaching,” Immel said. “They bought into my theories even though they had no idea who I was and from the first game of the season to the last game, they looked like a totally different team. That season will always be pretty special to me.” Since coming to Oostburg to take over the girls basketball program, though, has given Immel some of her greatest victories. It was also when she was forced to face her toughest battle. Late in the 2009-2010 season, Immel was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphona and began to undergo chemotherapy. Despite the hard-hitting side effects of the treatment, she
never stepped away from coaching. In fact, having the rigors of a coaching a state-caliber team actually helped her deal with the situation. “It gave me a bunch of kids in a locker room that greeted me with a smile and they reminded me that for the next two hours, I don’t have to think about my health and I can just coach them in basketball,” said Immel, who has been in remission for three years. “I don’t think I would have made it through that experience as smoothly as I did without the group of kids I was working with at that point in time. “I think when you go through something like that, a lot of things change and a lot of things look different. I started looking at basketball in a whole new light. It was more than just a game. It was about the relationships, it was about the support and all of those kind of things. It’s made me a better coach because I’m more aware of just that aspect, that it’s more than just X’s and O’s.”
The people that have worked with me and I’ve worked with have taught me so much that I just think it would be a disservice to my current players if I don’t pass on those kinds of stories and knowledge. www.fdlreporter.com
And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight to her coaching, either.
34
“I just believe in what John Wooden said, that one day, it just didn’t mean the same to him,” said Immel, who also listed the legendary Pat Summit as one of her coaching idols. “My plan is to do it until it doesn’t mean what it means to me right now. Whether that’s in a couple of years or they have to drag me off with a walker, I don’t know.” Lisa Immel congratulates a player on her Oostburg team during a game.Submitted photo
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NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CANCER PROGRAM The latest technology in the hands of the best specialists allows us to find cancer at an early stage. If you’re looking for the most aggressive and advanced treatment of cancer, combined with down home compassionate care, choose Agnesian HealthCare.
agnesian.com Joel Lundberg, MD WI-5001712452