Building on Habitat for Humanity’s Success

Wednesday Dec. 9—The mission of Habitat for Humanity is well known; helping people in need to live in good homes.

We were joined by Jeff Finke, the manager of the new Habitat ReStore in Waterloo. The ReStore is a retail store that sells and accepts donations of excess and gently used building materials, fixtures, furniture, appliances and other materials.

By providing an outlet for good, usable building materials the ReStore generates funds for Habitat’s mission and it keeps usable materials out of landfills.

Jeff, we wish you great success with this worthy venture.

Gift of Giving Photo Collage - 2015

Enjoy this photo collage of our wonderful 2015 Gift of Giving Experience.  
Click on the arrow to watch it.

Gift of Giving was a HUGE Success!

The Gift of Giving was a HUGE Success.  Seventy-eight children were taken shopping at Blaine's Farm and Fleet at 6:30 in the morning.  There was great support for the kids. Over 80 adults were there to guide the shopping and another dozen were in the kitchen cooking breakfast for the nearly 200 people.

Here is an article about the event.  Click here to find the whole story on the Courier website. (You may be asked to complete a survey to gain access to the article.)

The Rough Risers are Active in December

Wednesday, December 2 - Business Meeting     

Wednesday, November 9 – ReStore Stores from Habitat for Humanity

We will have Jeff Finke who is the ReStore Manager for Heartland Habitat for Humanity.  Mr. Finke will discuss Restores which are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price.

Wednesday, November 16 – Wrapping Presents

We will be wrapping the presents that we are donating to a needy family.

Wednesday, November 23 – Holiday Message

An invited person will share a holiday message with the club. 

Wednesday, November 30 – Round Table
No presentation this week. We will have the opportunity to spend time talking with each other.

Nate Loenser, Son of Larry Loenser, Achieves with the Chicago Bulls

It is not often that you get to see stories about people achieving their goals.  This video which was run on CBS Television shares the story of Nate Loenser, son of our member - Larry Loenser.

Starting as the video coordinator with the Chicago Bulls, Nate is now also working as a coaching assistant.  This is an inspiring video to watch considering the challenges that Nate has faced. 

Barney Talks about the Gift of Giving on Radio

November 25 - Yes, our own Lynn Barnes (Barney) was interviewed on radio last Wednesday morning. Bob Westerman, the program director and morning host on93.5 The Mix/KCVM, interviewed Barney about the Gift of Giving event that will be happening on Dec 5.  

It was a short (4 min) but interesting interview.  Barney gave the overview of the Gift of Giving, the latest happenings for the Rough Risers and even included some of his classic humor.

Here is a link to the interview.  It is a MUST LISTEN!!!

The Need to Give Thanks

Wednesday Nov. 25—Today on the eve of Thanksgiving, Rough Riser and retired pastor Bob Ericson talked to us about the deeper spirit of giving thanks.

While we need to count our blessings and give thanks for the things that quickly to come to mind, we also need to give thanks for such blessings as the gift of intellect to continually learn new things, the beautiful and incredible world we live in, and for adversity which gives us strength and the ability to grow.

May we remember Bob’s words not only on Thanksgiving but every day.

Rough Risers Give Their Two Cents Worth

Wednesday Nov. 18—Perhaps everyone who attends performances at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus fantasizes about who they would bring in to the center if they were in charge.

Today we served as a focus group and gave guests Steve Carignan and Diane Campbell of the GBPAC our input after viewing 18 video clips of a wide variety of performers. 

Comedians, musical solo artists and groups of every genre, and other types of entertainment were represented and we got to pick our favorite six out of that collection for the 2016-17 season.

How will our votes compare to other focus groups? We’ll find out next summer when the schedule for the new season is announced! Steve's Rough Risers mug collection proves he is a frequent guest speaker!

Veteran’s Day Tribute

Wednesday Nov. 11--Club member Stan Whelchel was a U.S. Marine in the 1950s. He spoke today about how Veteran’s Day came into being as a national holiday and day of remembrance.

Established at the end of World War I as Armistice Day, the name was changed to Veteran’s Day during the Eisenhower administration. Stan also pointed out that yesterday was the 240^th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps.

He rounded out his interesting program with a video titled “Story Behind the National Anthem” that tells the story of Francis Scott Key and the Battle of Fort McHenry. Click on the link below to see this moving story.