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As I was setting out to write this newsletter, I received a missive from a dear friend of mine, Dave Aardappel. Dave publishes a monthly newsletter in conjunction with his Personal Coaching service, Alpha Coach. Occasionally he sends some of his thoughts that are always worthwhile. Rather than duplicating his efforts, I’m taking the liberty of sharing the text of his latest, in honor of Memorial Day 2004.

This Memorial Day we may start building an Ark, either that or try to find fashionable hip boots. We've had enough rain this spring to raise Lake Michigan nine inches. We may have our Memorial Day celebration in the High School Auditorium rather than at the cemetery as we usually do after the parade ends up there. In Kohler we have scout troops, veterans, the school marching band and the fire trucks. In Spooner when I was a kid we had one of the Sherman tanks too when the Guards were an armored group. My Uncle Rollie drove it. There is always an honor guard and taps. And it is good we do this because we owe a real debt to veterans and military folks of all the branches for what we have.

It seems like our national consciousness ebbs and flows when it comes to veterans. I was born shortly after WWII and Memorial Day was an important holiday. Most of the men in the small town of Spooner were veterans of that horrible conflict and men the age I am today were veterans of WWI - another horrendous experience. They didn't talk about it much but looking back I see the toll it took on my father and my Uncle George.

The Viet Nam war shaped my early adult years and many of my friends went off to fight in a war where they were referred to as "baby killers." Some folks confused the conflict with the soldier who had no choice but to be in a terrible situation.

Whether or not we agree with what's happening now we have young men and women in harm's way once again. The volunteer military is highly comprised of folks on the lower end of the economic scale who are looking to better themselves.

Again, whether or not we agree with a particular administration (thankfully presidents are not America all by themselves) we are fortunate to have the rights and privileges our founding fathers have provided for us, and owe a debt of gratitude to veterans of every conflict, past to present, for keeping us free.

As you take time to be with loved ones this weekend at picnics, or do yard work or just swing in a hammock, please keep our present soldiers and their loved ones in your prayers and thank any veteran you know. And do enjoy your weekend, OK? And stay dry.

The only thing I could add to this is my personal thank you to those who represented me, and all of us, in their service to country. I like to think we all serve in our own way, but some risk life and limb. My personal thanks go again to Larry, Dale, Dennis and Dean. I hope you’re all enjoying the holiday, in spite of the weather.

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Director’s Column
In lieu of a regular submission by our director, I’m taking the liberty of sharing some words he wrote and shared with me. Turns out our own Doug Adams is a bit of a poet…and not bad at that. He penned these thoughts in one of his more contemplative moments. I thought them quite good…
                        Am I Making A Difference?
            A little boy once came my way
            Where he cam from I couldn’t say
            He was looking down, and his eyes were sad
            As though he thought he did something bad

            I took his hand and led him in
            Where our journey together was about to begin
            He told me his stories, and told me his life
            Some parts were happy, others filled with strife

            As we talked he looked more into my eyes
            And his truths began to outnumber his lies
            As the days passed by he grew taller each day
            His heart became larger, I became more gray

            And one day in the mirror, the boy saw a man
            And a future built on a plan
            We parted one day, his path from mine
            He went into the world to what he might find

            He went into the world with new thoughts and passion
            And I thought when he was leaving, who learned the lesson?

                                                                        Doug 5/04
Reynolds Group Home continues to be a full house with 8 residents. We are anticipating some program graduations soon! That means we’ll have a couple of vacancies and will be more than happy to consider your placement needs. Give us a call at 715-842-1154 to discuss how we can help out.

As the end of the school year approaches, it’s been an even busier month than usual. In addition to maintaining focus on end of the year school expectations, our guys at RGH have continued their Community Service activities as usual. This month they assisted a person in their move to a new apartment, worked for the Post Office Food Drive at the Salvation Army on May 8^th and also had time for our house Adopt A Highway responsibility and assisting with bingo at Kennedy Park Rehabilitation Center.

The guys also participated in the Drug Awareness Day at North Central Health Care Facilities early in the month. In keeping with that theme, we also had a guest speaker who talked with the guys about his own battle in overcoming drug addiction. Rob, now an auto mechanic, also spent time talking cars with the guys after his presentation. A real worthwhile group for our boys! Thanks Rob…

We also celebrated two birthdays this month. Derrick celebrated his 15^th birthday on May 10^th, and Curtis turned 14 on May 29. Happy Birthday guys!

Several of the guys had other accomplishments this month to be recognized…

            Matt has become our Grill Chef, having done many great meals on            the grill for us.
            Derrick went to a training course to help with the Youth Outreach Program.
            Thao presented a very interesting group on the Hmong culture.
            Wes earned his driver’s license.
            Jason went on his senior class trip May 13^th to a Brewers game.

And the coming month promises to be just as filled with fun and accomplishments…Jason will be graduating on June 7 and has been accepted into the Job Corps Program. He will begin his studies with them on June 8. We have a canoe trip planned for June 10, to be followed by the beginning of summer school on June 14. Many more summer activities are in the works as well. Stay tuned.
This month we have to recognize the bitter-sweet passing of an era in the history of our community. The monument (to some of us) that is Wausau East High School is in its final weeks, soon to be replaced by a grand new building only weeks away from completion. While the replacement is welcomed and much needed, it’s a sad time for some to see the end of yet another landmark of our past fading into memory. I myself graduated from what was then Wausau Senior High. I have many fond memories of my days there, as do countless other members of our community.

Wausau East has impacted others as well. Our own Rick Ferree, program coordinator at RGH, himself a native of Indiana and a current Merrill resident and Blue Jays fan, has expressed thoughts about the passing of Wausau East I thought worth sharing…



            Spring is in the air…the first oriole coming to rest on the feeder only last week, the children are settling in to the batter’s box…their soccer cleats…title time in the NHL and NBA (Go Pistons!), and my annual campaign against the dandelion is underway. However, with these familiar elements of spring, this one brings with it a threshold of dramatic change.

            Only two more weeks will the students flood from the building that is now Wausau High School and into the streets adjacent to Reynolds Group Home. Only two more weeks may the resident of RGH walk one block to share a lunch period with their staff.
            No more will the melodic energy of school spirit drift through the streets of this neighborhood…no more reflective visits to the historic hallways, an architectural icon, the walls reverberating the pride of generations of Lumberjacks!
            Now, this change has been both necessary and inevitable…and hey, there will now be adequate parking for Staff and visitors of Reynolds Group Home. The new school is both magnificent and efficient, and a tremendous gift and opportunity for the generations to come. Nonetheless, one can not dismiss the sentiment of this altering of address…and the departure of a family in the neighborhood like none experienced before.
            It is my nope that this structure will continue to serve the community in some form…long in to the future. Surely with significant change and transformation, with its hallways and fixtures continuing to accumulate memories in the observation of a strong and focused community in the service of her people.

                                                Rick Ferree, RGH Program Coordinator

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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