July began with the boys working for the Wausau Area Jaycees at the Fourth of July Celebration at Marathon Park in Wausau. This has become an annual volunteer activity, assisting in setting up before and cleaning up after the festivities. This year some of the boys were able to earn some extra money working during the celebration as well. The month also allowed time for some fun activities.

One of those fun times was on July 13 when the boys journeyed north to Vilas County with staff members Darwin Myles and Joe Koenig for a day of fun at the lake. Joe sums up the day as follows:

"The young men arrived at around noon to find a day of very warm weather and little wind to greet them, and began to enjoy the day by being pulled by a ski boat on double tubes. This was an event that some boys had never had the chance to enjoy prior to placement at Reynolds Group Home. The residents who had more knowledge of how to ride the tubes gave instruction and support to their fellow friends and all learned a great deal. Like how to negotiate a "whip turn" and hang on through the waves.

The next activity was water skiing. Some of the residents had been skiing before and have assistance to those who had not yet had the chance to learn the new skill. We found that even the experienced boys learned a few new tricks, with one young man learning to ski on one ski for the first time, as well as how to negotiate a ‘wake board’. The staff members also joined in the fun by taking a turn around the lake also.

The boys also took a turn at skin diving and used a mask and snorkel to check out the fish under the dock. The residents all learned a great deal from one another, and some took a long step forward in developing leadership skills as well. Teamwork, support and fun went on and on, and eight hours went by all too quickly.

Darwin then gave a few lessons in how a ‘pro’ can run a charcoal grill, and everyone had a great meal outdoors. No one wanted the day to end, but of course it did and we cleaned up and headed back home to RGH.

As the boys move on with their lives we hope they can also remember the good times they have spent together working and learning, as well as having some fun adventures." Joe Koenig, Youth Worker

As summer slides into August, Rick found that the boys are interested in helping out with a project to restore a boat. Here he shares some thoughts on how the job is progressing:

"As the sultry summer days continued in the month of July, the boys at Reynolds Group Home picked up on a boat restoration project. The goal is to bring life back into an old boat, and provide some fun for this group of water sports enthusiasts with an opportunity to put themselves behind her on a pair of skis. The boat is owned by a member of the RGH staff, and has been in mothballs for the summer…in need of some TLC to make her seaworthy. Our Director, Doug Adams, has made some necessary mechanical repairs, and the guys and members of staff have been providing the elbow grease to clean it up, repair the seat cushions, and perform miscellaneous tasks to get it ready to go before the summer slips away. It is our hope that in addition to water skiing and tubing, the boat may be put to use for an autumn fishing expedition as well.

The guys have shown interest and done a nice job….while learning quite a bit about general maintenance and upkeep of a watercraft. Thanks to the Team for their efforts!!" Rick Ferree, Youth Worker

Perhaps next month we’ll have a photo of the finished product to share with our readers….

In addition to the fun times, the boys continue their volunteer community services commitments, helping out at area nursing homes and with other community activities. This month that included a couple of the boys helping our neighbor assemble a new lawnmower.








Finishing up summer

school has also been a priority for July. However, ending the month again on a fun note, Sue Midlikowski shares the following:



"A walk down the Eau Claire River with rubber boots on and fishing poles in hand proved to be the perfect way to begin a hot July day. On this day we were in search of a fishing hole said to hold many bass. The walk itself was invigorating, the water cool and refreshing, (the boots were a little on the short side after the rainfall from the previous evening). Yes, we did get wet and had lots of laughs doing so. Time was limited on this day, so we did not bring supper home but did find the "hot spot" and are certain to return."
Sue Midlikowski, RGH manager

Maybe next month we’ll have a picture of a stringer of fish!

Last month I reported on the small garden one of the residents has been tending at RGH….here’s a couple of photos of the fruits of his labors!

Success is always a cause for celebration at Reynolds Group Home. Carol and Suzanne wanted to report the following success story:

"Craig S, a resident at RGH, has completed the ‘Service Learning Summer School Program’ through the Wausau School District. He has made a positive contribution to our community as well as earning a school credit. Craig worked under the program from June 10^th until June 26^th, from 8:30 until 3pm each day at Rib Mountain State Park. He also took part in other activities that were not only educational, but also fun.

Two of our staff members, Carol Gruening and Suzanne Lewitzke, thought it would be a great idea to reward Craig for his achievement by taking him out to dinner. Knowing Craig’s big appetite, we decided to take him to Hereford and Hops Restaurant where he could pick out his own steak and grill it. Craig ate a 16-ounce rib eye and drank 3 giant root beers.

We shared a great time. Craig took pictures of the three of us at the grill and we had someone take a picture of him."
Carol Gruening, Youth Worker

Craig has since returned home. We wish him well, and hope remembers the good times too!

Instead of a recipe, I thought it might be interesting this month to share the July Dinner Menu so everyone could get an idea how well the boys eat. In addition to dinner of course, there are great breakfasts, lunches and snacks. The boys rarely complain about the food!

1 Roast beef, French fries and salad
2 Fried Chicken, tator tots, melon and jello
3 Meatloaf and scalloped potatoes and veggies
4 Fair Food at July 4^th Celebration while working at the fair grounds
5 Pizza
6 Fair Food, earned while working at the celebration
7 BBQ’s, chips and birthday cake (Happy Birthday Taylor!)
8 Tacos and trimmings
9 Kielbasa, French fries, onion rings and salad
10 Meatloaf, baked potatoes and veggies
11 Sub sandwiches
12 Pizza
13 Grilled chicken and hotdogs, chip and fruit
14 Salisbury steak, potatoes and veggies
15 Steak Stir-fry
16 Pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad
17 Polish sausage, French fries and onion rings
18 Sub sandwiches
19 Pizza
20 Mac and cheese, hotdogs, and salad
21 Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and veggies
22 Grilled steak, potato wedges and salad
23 Pork chops, French fries, fresh veggies and apple crisp
24 Stir-fry and rice
25 Chili
26 Pizza
27 Grilled burgers, chips and veggies
28 Roast beef, mashed potatoes and veggies
29 Polish sausage, French fries and salad
30 Steak, potato wedges, veggies, jello and chocolate cake
31 Hot beef sandwiches, fries and salad

Pretty good vittles! Surely no complaints from the boys (or staff). We always look for input from the residents to try to accommodate their preferences, as long as we continue to provide a balanced and healthy meal.

We were able to celebrate several birthdays during the month of July. Happy Birthday goes out to Taylor who celebrated on July 6^th.
We also wish birthday greetings to Carol Gruening (July 28) and our maintenance guru, Carl Slagle (July 20^th).