Bountiful Blessings

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the day we pause to give thanks to God for what he has given us. I give thanks every day to be able to enjoy the opportunities with which I have been presented. I have truly been blessed.

I was raised on a dairy farm among the rolling hills of northeast Iowa. It was there I devel-oped my work ethic, as well as my love for sports, especially baseball, from my dad, Clinton. I also developed a great appreciation for my mom, Mary, and how she maintained our household while dad was tending to farming and his beloved Guernsey dairy cattle.

I grew up with three loving sisters, Sharon, Anita and JoAnn, and we are as close today as we have ever been. That is truly some-thing to be thankful for.

During my “growing up” years, Mom and Dad instilled in me the importance of having God in your life. I went to a Catholic grade school for eight years.

The nuns were excellent teachers, but one in particular, Sister Erna, was one of the best teachers I ever had. She loved birds, and her students were always enrolled in the Audubon Bird Club. Each of us was able to choose our favorite bird, so I chose the owl. A wise choice,

wouldn’t you say?I have loved

owls, and birds in general, ever since. What a blessing to be able to enjoy and appreciate, through travel and pho-tography, all that nature offers.

I love photog-raphy. I think I got that from Mom, who was always taking photos of my sisters and me. At Iowa State, I majored in dairy science and agricultural journalism, and my career provided the opportunity to use my skills in those areas.

My former boss, Tom Lyon, brought me to Shawano in 1975 to head up the public relations department for the then-Midwest Breeders Cooperative. I am thankful for all his support and being

such a great friend and role model.Tom encouraged his employees to

give back to the community. I followed his mentoring through 30 years as a 4-H photography leader and 39 years as a member of the Shawano Optimist Club. Those volunteer opportunities and many others, like the Shawano County Barn Quilt Project, have given me great pride, joy and satisfaction.

I have been blessed with three great children, Jeff, Jennifer and Jeremy, all of whom are college graduates with successful careers. I would be remiss if

I didn’t say thanks to Jeff and his wife, Maureen, for giving us two fabulous grandchildren, Emily and Ryan. Since they live in New Jersey, we miss being able to spoil them as much as we would like.

Finally, I am most thankful that my wife, Irene, has been in my life for the past 20 years and has supported me in all my endeavors. She has brought spe-cial love into my life and I look forward to many more years with her. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy and give thanks every day for all your blessings.

By Jim Leuenberger, Shawano County Barn Quilt Project

Family, teachers, mentors forge a thankful life

Irene and Jim Leuenberger brought the Shawano County Barn Quilt Project to life in the region’s rural com-munity. At right, one of the barn quilts found in Shawano County.

Medical center project became labor of love for community members

By Dorothy Erdmann, CEO of ThedaCare Medical

Center-ShawanoI am thankful the vision of a new med-

ical center for our community recently became a reality! I deeply appreciate the support of countless people who support-ed this vision, unselfishly giving of their time and money to make it happen.

I am thankful for the many communi-ty residents and staff who helped design the campus. Because of their input our new medical center resonates with re-spect for diverse cultures, welcoming all who entrust us with their care.

I am thankful for our staff and physi-cians who unselfishly serve our patients and their families. They are here 24 hours a day, often working extra hours as needed. This is at a deep personal sacri-fice of time with their loved ones.

Words can’t express my gratitude for the hundreds of staff who gave up vacation and weekends to help make our vision a reality. Everyone worked long hours to plan and move into our beautiful medical center.

I can say the same for our community

partners and construction contractors. It was magical how they became one team, with one goal, and they did it.

A three-year planning process cul-minated with the opening of ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano in September. I will forever hold this event as a highlight of my career that I was privileged to be part of.

On a deeply personal level, I am thankful for the health care we have in Shawano. Although the outcome for the person I loved so dearly was not what I hoped for, I know everything was done to try to save his life. Many times, I have relived what happened and have been comforted by the fact everyone who touched him provided competent and compassionate care.

Only when you have gone down a journey that no one ever wants to, do you really appreciate how important it is to have the quality of health care we do. I will be thankful for that the rest of my life.

PHOTOS BY GREG MELLIS

Dorothy Erdmann leads the recently opened ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano as chief executive officer.

Thanksgiving is a magical holiday that arrives each year at a moment of uncertainty. The seasons are changing. The days grow short. No one knows what to expect from the long, cold winter that approaches.

Yet despite the potential for trepidation, Thanksgiving has a special way of persuading each of us to find the good in our lives. Perhaps more than any other holiday, this is when we look past the clouds and find the silver lining. If only for one day, we stop fretting about what may be, and we give thanks for what is.

In the Shawano area, there is much to be thankful for — and many among us to give thanks.

The Shawano Leader asked eight representatives of the community, from diverse backgrounds, to share their personal reflections on this Thanksgiving holiday. Their offer-ings presented here today touch on uplifting themes that resonate with many of us: family, tradition, freedom, community.

As one of them writes so eloquently, “What more could I want?”

Local leaders share what they’re thankful for

THE SHAWANO LEADER www.shawanoleader.com B1THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS THE SHAWANO LEADER www.shawanoleader.comB2 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

“…we return thanks to the Great Spirit in whom is em-bodied all goodness. And who directs all things for the good of her children.” -- Iroquois Prayer

I give thanks on a daily basis for successes and other activi-ties that made my day. It is on Thanksgiving Day I reflect on what a great life I have experi-enced and the blessings I have enjoyed.

My experiences lead me to be grateful for the earth and creation, my family, what I have learned and received from them, and I am grateful for my

American Indian heritage, both Menominee and Stockbridge-Munsee.

Creation: I grew up in Neopit across from the Catholic church, with the edge of the forest and the Wolf River as my playground. Both provided for excitement, exploration, foods and a great classroom. In the process, I learned to love the beauty of creation.

Family: I was blessed being born into a large family with parents who ensured we were fed, warm and instilled us with a good work ethic, strong values

and a healthy dose of humor. They demanded our best in school and insisted upon high school graduation.

For my siblings and myself, they said they could never af-ford college, so we would have to figure out how to attend. With 11 in our family, seven of us figured it out, though not all to completion.

The education my parents demanded has provided superb opportunities — local, national, international. It has brought happiness and success in my life and to my profession.

I attended Catholic schools except for a few colleges from the Atlantic to the Pacific. My family and faith taught me toler-ance and curiosity for people who differed from me.

My father was baptized

Catholic, raised as a Presbyteri-an, attended a Lutheran school. My mother, a baptized Catho-lic, blended Catholicism with Menominee ceremonies and beliefs — and we knew prayers went to the one God.

I remember well the ceremo-nies with my maternal grand-mother.

Education has enhanced my talents and ability to learn from my family, who supported and encouraged me in the use of those gifts.

Menominee Tribe: Finally, I am grateful for the Menominee Tribe in which I am an en-rolled member. It was the 1992 Menominee Tribal Legislature who honored me by calling me to serve the tribe in starting a tribal college.

My parents voices haunted

me, “Remember you are responsible for the tribe; help whenever you can.”

I am grateful for the tribal opportunity and for opportuni-ties I have received to obtain an education that enabled me to succeed in establishing a remarkable institution: the Col-lege of Menominee Nation.

People ask me, “Aren’t you proud of what you have accom-plished?” Yes, but I did not do it alone.

I am grateful for the tribes, corporations, foundations, donors, governmental agencies and their funding.

Most of all, I am grateful for the faculty, staff and students who have made the College of Menominee Nation a success. Without them, I could not have accomplished anything.

By Verna Fowler, president of the College of Menominee Nation

Faith, family, tribe instill passion

to succeed

Verna Fowler sits amid her computer-based classroom at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena. The college’s online class-room technology (left) expands its reach in the tribal community.

Smaller city suits owner of family business well

By Willis Qualheim, owner of Qualheim True Value

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, there are so many things to be thankful for.

I am blessed with a wonderful wife, four beautiful daughters and a loving family scattered throughout the U.S. We don’t have the opportunity to get together very often, but when we do, it’s like we were never apart.

Years ago, I moved away to a large city. It only took me about two years to realize that I wasn’t missing anything by not living in a larger city.

After moving back here 35 years ago, I’m still thankful every day for all the friends and great people I’ve had the chance to get to know and the relation-ships we’ve developed.

I truly enjoy going to work every day and seeing our customers and friends. The community has been very good to us and I truly enjoy giving back in every way that I can.

Thank you to our valued customers. We are grate-ful for the pleasure of serving you.Willis Qualheim operates the family-owned Qualheim’s True Value hardware store in Shawano.

Community, faith, family counted

among blessings

I am thankful for being born an American and given the freedom and liberties we enjoy every day that were provided through the strength and commitment of thousands of dedicated servicemen and women who have protected us and proactively given us peace.

I am thankful for my par-ents, Neil and Vera, for every-thing they have given me, my brothers and our families, and especially the standard they set and com-mitment they made to each other for more than 60 years. I am thankful for my beautiful wife of 40-plus years, Bonnie, who has given me constant sup-port and love, and our two chil-dren, Heidi and TJ. And now with TJ and Andie giving us two healthy grandchildren — Addie and Eli — we are blessed.

I am thankful for the success of our business for more than 50 years, my great partners, Dad

and brother Phil, the outstand-ing professionals of the Hilgen-berg Team — past, present and future — and for the thousands of clients and customers that allowed us to be of service to them, often handling their most valuable financial asset. The Shawano business community and the many partners that as-sisted us with our transaction, developments and buildings are truly appreciated.

The greater Shawano com-munity has been a blessing for our company and family, and has provided us with many opportu-nities. These opportunities, not just financial,

allowed us to participate in many worthwhile organizations for the betterment of our com-munity and citizens, including Shawano Rotary, Optimist Club, the chamber, Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. (SCEPI), First Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity,

Boy Scouts and the commit-tees to invest in the Shawano schools, as well as many others.

I am thankful for the phi-losophy of participating that my dad and mom taught us, from participating in the previously mentioned organizations to participating in our profession, including our local, state and national associations of Real-tors providing me the oppor-tunity of meeting and working with some of the most success-ful, committed and contributing practitioners in the country. What a fantastic experience for

a kid from Shawano.My most recent participa-

tion on the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has given me insight into the workings, some good and some not so good, of a large government agency and the opportunity to get to know dedicated, committed profes-sionals that raise our level of appreciation for our natural resources and the benefits of being a Badger.

Speaking of which, the education I received from my early days at Lincoln School to Shawano High to the University

of Wisconsin Graduate School of Business was not a fluke but made possible by early guid-ance, direction and encourage-ment of my parents, teachers and administrators, and people dedicated to providing top-quality education that is truly a cornerstone of a community, state, country and society.

Lastly and most importantly, I am thankful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all the blessings he has given me, my family and our country, and I ask Him to continue to bless us and America.

By Terry Hilgenberg, owner of Hilgenberg Realty

Real estate agent Terry Hilgenberg sits in his wife Bonnie’s classroom in Shawano.

PHOTOS BY GREG MELLIS

Verna Fowler sits amid her computer-based classroom at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena. The college’s online class-room technology, below, expands its reach in the tribal community and connects the campuses in Keshena and Green Bay.

I was just in Chicago walking down Michigan Avenue when I was stopped by a young man who works for the Chil-dren’s Relief Fund. He asked me if I give to charity.

“We do,” I told him. “It is an act of thankfulness.”

As soon as we had more than enough money, my wife and I consciously decided to give back. We donate to the Christian Children’s Fund, my wife’s church, my synagogue, Dollars for Schol-ars, etc. We do this as well as community service volunteer work.

We do this because we are thankful for those that came before us and helped us get to where we are today. We did not

come to a place of more than enough on our own. There was a time when we had more time, so that is what we gave.

I am thankful for my education and good teachers who taught me how to think and excited my mind. I am thankful for my parents who helped me grow healthy and strong. I am thankful for friends who, when I feel low, remind me who I am.

I am thankful for the roads that allow me to travel, for the police, military and fire departments who protect me and my property. I am thankful for our neighbors who watch over our family.

I am thankful for my young appren-tices whose energy helps me accomplish

amazing things. I am thankful to my community for supporting me, bringing wood and helping with firings.

I knew a religious community that had a regressive scale for its members,

asking 6 percent of those who earned the least, and 4 percent of those who earned the most.

On its face, the amount given by those with the most was a lot more money than those who had the least. Four percent of $200,000 is a lot more than 6 percent of $20,000. This math misses the point. It is unsurprising that the congre-gation is dying.

Life invests in the next generation. The stronger members of a community invest in the ones who are establishing themselves and will carry the load when they have the means.

Giving is gratitude. Being able to give is a gift that you have received.

By Simon Levy, owner of Mill Creek Pottery

Giving back is ultimate gift of thankfulnessSimon Levin brings his artistry to life at Mill Creek Pottery in Gresham.

From Sicily to America, it has been an incredible journey for our family.

In 1995, our family settled in the Shawano area. That same year Luigi’s was opened for business. As you could imagine there were some challenges coming to a new community in a new country and starting a new business.

One of the most difficult chal-lenges was learning the English language. Despite the challenges our family faced, we persevered, and 20 years later we have been blessed with the opportunity to expand our horizons.

On Sept. 14, Fannita’s Bakery was opened. The bakery is an ex-citing opportunity to share more of what we love with the community. We are thankful for what God has given us every day and with the

Thanksgiving season approaching it is important to us to take extra time to recognize what we are thankful for.

We are thankful for Shawano and the wonderful community. None of this could be possible without the great support of the people here.

With the holidays drawing near we think of having our friends and families together. Faith and family are the most important aspects of our lives.

For Thanksgiving our family of about 30 people gather together and enjoy a lunch and dinner together. In-between meals the kids play games and the adults talk over espresso. The time we share and the memories we make are valuable to us. From our family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving!

Shawano welcomes family’s dream

By the Badalamenti and Bommarito families, owners of Luigi’s & Fannita’s Bakery

Members of the Badalamenti and Bommarito families own both Luigi’s restaurant and Fannita’s Bakery.

Freedom, family never taken for granted

When asked to write an article on what I was thankful for in 500 words or less, my first thought was “or less.” I do not write speeches or consider myself a com-plicated man, but my life experiences have given me the knowledge to relay to others that words from the heart are what count.

My first thanks are for our Founding Fathers, who showed us the way through their courage and words such as, “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I am thank-ful for my life, for the fact that my name is not on the black marble wall in Washington, D.C. Al-though I returned from Vietnam a changed man, I am still truly blessed.

Secondly, liberty is something that we enjoy but is often taken for

granted. Having been able to run for the Shawano County Board and to serve as County Board chairman, with support from board members who share my goals of mov-ing the county forward at a pace our taxpayers can afford, is a form of freedom not seen in many countries.

Another liberty not afforded to many is being

able to say what I mean and mean what I say.

Tough when needed, compassionate when I must. Sometimes we must be thankful for what is instead of wishing for what could have been. Our freedom is there to be what we want. It is our choice.

Happiness is what we all want in our lives. I am happy and thankful when

the County Board gets it right and the taxpayers come before personal interests. I am thankful for the people I have had the pleasure to work with and to work for.

My greatest happiness is my family.

When I can get on my knees and have my 7-year-old granddaughter and 5-year-old grandson

come to me and give me hugs and kisses, it cannot get any better than that.

I am thankful for my wife always being by my side to support me both mentally and physically, those first few years when I was home from Vietnam there was no support for a veteran except for their family.

I am thankful for my

son who is always there to be my right-hand man and for a wonderful daughter-in-law that spoils me with her delicious desserts. I am so blessed and thank-ful.

Being able to live each day to the fullest, trying to make a difference. What more could I want?

I have a lot to be thank-ful for.

By Jerry Erdmann, Shawano County Board chairman

Shawano County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann enjoys a conversation with a veteran at a recent community event in Shawano. At left, Erdmann (right) works with Shawano County officials during committee meeting.

PHOTOS BY GREG MELLIS

BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGSTHE SHAWANO LEADER www.shawanoleader.com B3THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Members of the Badalamenti and Bommarito families, shown with some

of their employees, own both Luigi’s restaurant and Fannita’s Bakery.