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We are certainly passing through a very difficult time in the history of our country. While we’ve been involved in major conflicts many times throughout our history, we have usually been fairly united in purpose, believing that the United States was fighting for justice and freedom. Many still believe that, and many do not. This is perhaps as divisive a time as has been seen; and I lived through the Viet Nam era… Nearly everyone has a very strong opinion one way or the other, usually reflected in their support for one presidential candidate or the other. What we need to focus on more, I believe, is the fact that we all want what we believe is best for our country. We are all patriots, regardless of our position on war and peace and how to achieve it.

With the celebration of our country’s birthday upon us, now is a great time to renew our faith in the principles of our government, and celebrate how it has served us over the past 228 years. While honorable people will continue to disagree over how to accomplish this in the future, we can all agree that our fore fathers left us an enviable legacy.

The 4^th of July also brings with it the opportunity for the young men of Reynolds Group Home to participate in our annual community service project of assisting the JayCee’s in preparing Marathon Park for the festivities. They will also aid in the cleanup of the park following the holiday. This is always a positive experience for our guys, and one we look forward to participating in each year.

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Director’s Column
Doug is on a holiday the past two weeks, and I’ve asked Rick Ferree to contribute something in his absence. As usual, Rick does not disappoint. His analogy with the recently completed NBA Finals, and the decisive win by the Detroit Pistons, seems to me quite relevant.

                        Against what appeared to be overwhelming physical odds, be it in the midst of the partisan or the eyes of the objector, the Pistons, first with leadership, then a plan (the internal fortitude and the power of teamwork), did execute with precision. Davey had once again beaten Goliath. Now this rush of energy I have not felt since the American Olympic Team skated past what was believed to be a far superior Soviet Team…
            Metaphoric is this series of games with the work that we do here with the young men at Reynolds Group Home. They come to us often with what appears to be overwhelming odds; lost time, lost learning, resources ever so limited, and naysayers all around them. Much like the World Champion Pistons, they bring to the dance a perception, a stigmatism, encompassed in an ideology of what potentials they possess and what they cannot achieve. They are left to deploy the tool we all must rely on in the end; ourselves. Life has taught us that these selves must be blended with the selves of others, in trust, mutual respect for perspective and need. Our singular goals must become collective; a Team, whatever the endeavor.
            Often times, the greatest challenge in adolescence is in deferring to leadership and extracting benefit from the wisdom and life experience of others. Perhaps in my youth I was no exception. With the sense of emergent independence, at times tempered by violated trust and leadership that has fallen short, we may become short sighted and avoiding of the risk for fear of failure…
            The media rampage preceding the series was rife with disparaging discussion of the Pistons’ chances against the mighty Lakers; that the series would be dull, uninspiring, a mismatch and very short. However, the deceptively talented Pistons, fused together as one, determined and innovative, demonstrated the will to fulfill their dreams and at least a portion of the media prophecy…the series was indeed brief.
            Now let us look again at this group of journeymen and castaway Pistons, finding beauty in their own version of the land of misfit toys. their uniqueness has made their little piece of the world whole; the best it can be. An opportunity we all relish in our lives. We say to our young men at RGH, yes, you can achieve the unachievable, surpass your dreams and the expectations of others and quiet the naysayers that only suppress the harvest in your futures.
            Develop a dream, a vision. Defer to sound leadership. Blend your abilities with those near you. Judge not your success by the failures of other. Execute and celebrate the achievements of others; and do not forget to pass the ball…
            And if in me leadership can be found, for a day let me be Larry Brown.
                                                Rick Ferree, RGH Program Coordinator
Reynolds Group Home continues currently has seven residents, and we’re anticipating 2 more vacancies in the near future. Now is the time to contact us with your placement needs.

Two new residents joined us this month also. Paul and Calvin came into placement during June and have adjusted to the program well. We all look forward to the opportunity to help them achieve their respective goals.

With the end of the academic year, it was time for a little R&R for the guys. Nick and Sarah had planned a little canoe day trip, and while the weather was not real cooperative, a good time was had by all. Following is Nick and Sarah’s report about the day…

            Anyone who has traveled by canoe know that effective communications, teamwork and cooperation are crucial to a successful, not to mention dry, excursion. On June 10^th, Nick and Sarah took six RGH residents on a canoeing adventure on the Plover River near Stevens Point. We me our driver at Nature Treks in Point and proceeded to Jordan Park where we had a brief instruction session and then took off down the river.


            It was cold and dreary as we set off on our journey. Due to the abundance of rain the river was running above flood stage and the water was moving very quickly. Derick and Thao had some challenges in the beginning with working together to manage their canoe, and spent much of the time going down the river sideways. The Coleman canoes we rented were designed for speed rather than stability and we estimate that they capsized six or seven times throughout the trip. This was not a problem seeing as how they thoroughly enjoyed tipping the canoe.
            Wes had initially been very reluctant to go canoeing, but he and his partner Cha used excellent teamwork and made it down the river without incident. Frank and Sarah were partnered up and made a good team with only one minor mishap. Curt was teamed up with Nick and if complaining could power a canoe, they would not have had to paddle!
            It began to rain about a half hour into the trip and soon it didn’t matter if the canoes tipped as we were all soaked. We saw two brand new fawns, an owl and an osprey, and our canoes went directly under a bald eagle perched on a branch about 15 feet over the river. At the end of our journey the boys went for a brief swim at the dock, with the exception of Curt who stood on the shore shivering.
            We then took our wet and hungry crew for a fast food treat before heading back to Wausau. Nick and Sarah were both extremely pleased with the exceptional behavior and cooperation our guys demonstrated; the weather did not dampen our spirits or enthusiasm.

Nick and Sarah have a couple of similar activities planned for the summer. For the weekend of August 13, they’re planning a camping trip to the Mondeaux Flowage in Taylor County in the Chequamegon National Forest. Weather permitting; they also plan to have a day trip to Crystal Lake. In addition, they will also be doing some regular fishing trips as part of our summer program.

June was also marked by Jason’s graduation from Wausau East High School, and his admission to the Blackwell Job Corps Center at Laona, WI. We all wished Jason the best in his future adventure, and look forward to hearing from him.

More recently, Cha secured employment at the Rose Garden in Wausau after a fairly lengthy job search. He is excited about his new job and the opportunities it will provide.
We had another high school graduation this month, this one at Prospect Place. Josh Schuch shares the following…

            “For he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow…..which nobody can deny.”
            That jolly good fellow is none other than Prospect Place’s Mike Smith, who on June 10^th graduated from D.C.Everest High School. What a fantastic accomplishment from such a great guy. Mike worked very hard every day and never lost sight of his goal.
            Mike returned to Prospect Place after the graduation ceremony and received well deserved recognition from his fellow roommates, getting sprayed from head to toe with green and blue silly string. We were all very proud of him.
            We celebrated with delicious pizza from Papillion’s, and an ice cream cake. What a great nigh we had. We are all very proud of him and wish him lots of luck in the future. Way to go Mike!!!


June was a busy month at all three of the young adult homes; Hamilton House, Prospect Place and Grand Place. In fact, the events are far too numerous to include here, and we’ll post an update and photos on the website in a few days. Check it out! (www.marathonyouthservices.org)

One of the fun activities for the guys was a camping trip to the Counsel Grounds State Park. All three homes participated in the fun on June 15 thru 17. One of our outreach clients also came along for the fun.

It was a great time with boating, fishing, swimming, tubing, water skiing, making smores and pudgy pies, singing and story telling. Check out the web site for more information about June activities, and look for more next month. July promises to be equally exciting.

Watch “Child and Family Focus”
with Doug Adams and Dr. John Kolhoven
every Tuesday at 7:00 AM and 10:30 PM, and Wednesday at 5:30 PM.
Local Public Access Television Channel 3

If you have any questions or program requests, feel free to contact Doug at 715842-3240 or dadams@marathonyouthservices.org. We are always interested in your thoughts or comments.

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