Summer 14 pages.indd

ABLE
NEWS
Summer
A Brighter Living Experience
2014
Newsletter
CLASS OF 2014
Enjoy some fun
in the sun!
Congratulations to Mitch Kaiser and Carli Haverty,
ABLE’s most recent high school graduates
Inside
This Issue:
• Things are hopping
with Lancer’s rabbit,
Popcorn, page 2
• A letter from
Executive Director
Gail Meyer, page 3
• Casterton grand
marshal at Spring
Grove parade, page 4
• ABLE stars shine at
Idol, page 5
• Project Funway hits
the runway, page 6
• In Memorium,
page 7
• Blanket project
aims to warm hearts,
page 9
Mitch Kaiser
Mitch Kaiser recently graduated from La Crescent High School. Mitch,
who lives at home with his parents, Brian and Debbie, is new to ABLE
this year. He enjoys a variety of sports including basketball, baseball and
swimming. He loves country music and likes to sing along to his favorite
songs. Mitch did a great job this year at ABLE Idol! He enjoys spending
time with family and friends, watching DVDs and going to the movies.
In addition to attending high school, Mitch has been working at Quillin’s
and at ABC Works, both in La Crescent. Mitch recently went to his senior
prom and had a wonderful time. In addition to participating in ABLE
Idol, he also was a model in Project Funway this year. ABLE peers and
staff have enjoyed seeing Mitch at ABLE and are excited that he will be
around more often.
Congratulations to Carli Haverty, who
recently graduated from Caledonia High
School. Carli lived with her parents, John
and Barb Haverty, and her brother, but
she moved into ABLE’s 900 Courtney
Drive home on June 1. Carli, who began
with ABLE in 1999, is working at ABC
Works in La Crescent. She loves listening
to music, spending time with her family
and great friend, Mel, along with her peers.
She also loves swimming, swinging, going
to parks and being active – playing with
Legos, looking at books/being read to and
riding a recumbent bicycle. Carli recently
attended her senior prom with her father.
Her younger brother, Joey, is also a student
at Caledonia High School.
Dad’s prom princess
• Golf tourney tees
off, page 11
Carli Haverty
Carli Haverty attends prom at Caledonia High
School in May with her father, John. For more on
Carli’s big prom night, see page 8.
Page 1
ABLE NEWS
Things are hopping with Lancer’s new rabbit, Popcorn
There’s a new resident at Lancer House
in La Crescent, and she’s proving popular
with everyone there, people supported and
staff alike.
Meet Popcorn, a gray and white female
rabbit who is living in a hutch located
just outside the front door. She arrived at
Lancer in February, living in the garage
until winter’s cold weather had passed
before moving to her current location.
Popcorn is about 8 years old and lived
with Sue Herricks, health service supervisor with ABLE, and her son until they
moved into a condo, where rabbits were not
allowed.
“(Sue) thought the folks here would
benefit from having a pet,” said Darren
Winkers, director at Lancer. “She donated
everything,” including Bob’s hutch.
Winkers said staff and people supported
alike enjoy spending time with Popcorn.
“It’s been a very positive experience,” he
said.
Herricks said she has been pleased with
the reception Popcorn has gotten at ABLE.
“I have been more than pleasantly
surprised at all of the interactions and reactions from the people who live at Lancer,
Community Programs and Houston, too,”
she said. “Popcorn attended an event at
La Crescent High School at Easter along
with some of her Lancers friends and was
so popular that she even had her picture
taken with the Apple Annies.”
Popcorn attends Jesus Cares on
Tuesdays with people supported from
Lancer and Houston, and “she makes
her rounds to almost every lap available,”
Herricks added. Jesus Cares is a worship
service held every other Tuesday at Lancer,
Winkers said, and recently, people supported from Houston have been joining the
Lancer group for supper and the activities
that follow.
Herricks said everyone who knows
Popcorn knows that her favorite food is
bananas. “She even stands on her hind legs
to beg for one,” she said.
Popcorn enjoys hopping around all
three apartments at Lancer and often can
be found “snuggled in on the recliner with
someone or hiding under a wheelchair,”
Herricks said. “She loves living here and is
very grateful for all of her new friends.”
The late Allen “Jimmy” Lampert shares a moment with Popcorn the rabbit prior
to Jimmy’s passing in late May.
Popcorn a hit at Family Fair/Business Expo, too
Popcorn made an appearance along with others from ABLE during the
La Crescent Family Fair and Business Expo on April 5 at La Crescent-Hokah
Middle School gymnasium. The event was hosted by La Crescent-Hokah Early
Childhood and the La Crescent Area Chamber of Commerce. The ABLE group
made Easter bunnies out of paper plates with the help of Brent, Lucy, Ethan
and Kandice Larson. “We had many children visit (who were) curious to see
what was in our cage on top of our ABLE table,” Larson said. “They were really excited to see Popcorn the Lancer bunny inside. Many people asked to pet
the bunny and to take Popcorn’s picture.” She added the children had a lot of
fun making the crafts, looking at Popcorn and then picking out their favorite
sucker while the adults were able to ask questions about ABLE.
Popcorn isn’t the only opportunity
for people supported to spend time with
animals.
Touching Moments, an animal
assisted activities program based in
Hokah (touchmoments.org), brings
animals – mostly dogs – to Lancer
once a month or so for interaction with
people supported and staff, Winkers
said.
“She loves living here and is very grateful for all of her new friends.”
Page 2
ABLE NEWS
From the desk of ABLE Executive Director Gail Meyer
W
elcome to the
summer issue of
ABLE News.
I hope you are finding plenty
of interesting things to read
about in the newsletter, as there
are plenty of things happening here at ABLE. Be sure to
read about Popcorn, a rabbit
who now calls Lancer home,
and don’t miss the story about
our stars shining at ABLE Idol.
There’s blanket-making going
on, successful fundraisers for
ABLE Foundation, and staff
taking part in the Polar Plunge.
Also, we remember, w
­ ith heavy
hearts, four people supported
who left us too soon.
I’d like to update you on a
couple of other happenings here
at ABLE:
** We are moving forward
with plans for a new Teaching
and Recreation Center in Caledonia, although admittedly not
quite as quickly as we had originally hoped. Our Foundation
board is still in the process of
purchasing the land that will be
the site of the new, much-needed
facility. Once the land purchase
is finalized, we will work with
our engineers and architects to
design a building that will meet
the needs of our people supported while also providing space for
employee training.
The process will take some
time to do it right, but we will
do it right, getting input from
the staff who will use it as well as
from the construction experts.
It’s likely we won’t be breaking
ground until next spring, but,
as with the Lancer remodeling project, we want to take
our time, gain important input
and follow a process similar to
the one that made the Lancer
construction project such a
success.
A group of ABLE employees takes part in a program held during the All-Agency meeting
May 21 in Caledonia’s Four Seasons Community Center. The meetings are held twice a
year – in the spring and the fall.
** Speaking of Lancer, plans are moving forward to pave the back parking lot
this summer. When Lancer was remodeled several years ago, we did not pave the
back lot, using rock instead to save on cost.
But water damage from rain and melting
snow has become a real problem – to put it
simply, our parking lot is washing away.
Plans call for the parking lot paving project
to be completed by Sept. 30.
** Staff came together on May 21 in
Caledonia’s Four Seasons Community
Center for our all-agency meeting. We hold
these all-agency meetings twice a year –
each spring and each fall. They provide a
great opportunity for us to get together as a
group, complete some of our required employee training, and in the case of the fall
meeting, recognize our staff at our annual
staff recognition program.
** You know, I couldn’t be more grateful for the wonderful staff we have here at
ABLE. From the Polar Plunge team to the
fleece blanket project to ABLE Idol, fishing trips and Project Funway, we couldn’t
put all these activities together without
employees who are willing to take the
initiative and make things happen.
Recently, a gentleman who hadn’t visited
ABLE in the past asked me, “Where do you
get all these people – all these wonderful
employees who have such compassion?”
His words couldn’t have been a greater
compliment for our staff, and I couldn’t be
prouder or more appreciative of all their
efforts.
So you can see, things are as busy as ever
at ABLE, but our goal remains the same:
providing A Brighter Living Experience for
those people supported by ABLE.
Thank you for your continued support of
our efforts.
Gail Meyer
Executive Director
ABLE, Inc.
Page 3
ABLE NEWS
Roger Casterton Grand Marshal for Syttende Mai parade
Roger Casterton was named
Grand Marshal of the annual Syttende Mai parade held May 17 in
Spring Grove.
Roger, who receives services
through ABLE, has lived in the
Spring Grove area his entire life and
is employed at Red’s IGA Hometown Market.
“Roger is very shy and reserved
and keeps to himself. He is willing
to do anything,” said Kim Rommes,
director for ABLE, in a May article
published in the Caledonia Argus.
Each year, Roger invites people
supported by ABLE as well as
residents of the local nursing home
to his yard to watch the annual Syttende Mai parade. This year, they
were able to watch him share a float
with his younger brother, Robbie, in
the parade.
Roger Casterton, left, shares a ride on a float with his brother, Robbie, during the
Spring Grove Syttende Mai parade held May 17.
Photo by Jan Lee Buxengard,
Caledonia Argus
ABLE dives in for Special Olympics at Polar Plunge
What a team!
This year, ABLE’s Polar Plunge team,
“ABLE and Ready,” raised more than
$900 for Special Olympics of Wisconsin.
The plunge took place March 1 at
Pettibone Beach, and the temperature
outside with minus-6 degrees, with a
wind chill of minus-15! Though only a
few brave souls jumped into the chilly
waters, the team was there to cheer the
plungers on and send warm thoughts
after they exited the icy river.
The team consisted of Kandice
Larson, Ariana Arenz, David Adams,
Tiffany Entringer, Desiree Smith Moss,
Mickell Horstman, Darren Winkers,
Kyle Turner and Kim Wiese.
The top fundraiser was the daughter
of Crystal Dixon, a staff member at
ABLE.
Page 4
Cold temperatures couldn’t stop Team ABLE and Ready at the Polar Plunge.
ABLE NEWS
Idol puts spotlight on ABLE ‘stars’
The Houston Apartments group performs at ABLE Idol, held March 25 at Caledonia High School.
ABLE Idol 2014 was held on Tuesday, March 25, at the
Caledonia High School auditorium. A total of 29 people
supported participated in the talent portion of the show,
and five people supported participated with displays in
the lobby.
The 2014 edition of ABLE Idol was dedicated to Jed
Wohlgemuth and his love of singing.
First-place winner was Diane Workman singing “Ring
of Fire” by Johnny Cash, second-place finisher was Christina Ives singing “Broken” by Lindsey Haun, and thirdplace finisher was Kyle Turner singing “It’s Your Love” by
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
Joe Kamperschroer served as DJ for the event. Thank
you to the judges: Joe S., Larry M., Brent W. and Mary
Pieper.
A special thanks goes to the following: Dave Eisberner
(emcee extraordinaire), Malika Eisberner (photography
genius), Desiree Smith Moss (video camera star), Cico
Hempel and Kim Rommes (behind-the-scenes wonder
women) and Jalane Schramm and Leah Dessner (organizing experts). Everyone did an amazing job!
Above: Tami Sabo,
Bob Serva Jr. and Robbie
Casterton perform during
Idol.
Below: Laura and Wayne
Breeser put on their
dancing shoes for the show.
Jesse Alexander performs with help
from staffer Joe Horihan.
Diane Shuda and Lisa Meiners take the stage
with Lisa Belverud.
Page 5
STORY HEADLINE HERE
ABLE hits the runway in Project Funway
ABLE NEWS
ABLE took to the runway for the annual Project
Funway fashion show
April 26 at Valley View
Mall.
The event is organized
and hosted by the Student
Occupational Therapy
Association (SOTA) of the
University of WisconsinLa Crosse.
The annual all-inclusive
event provides the opportunity for people with
and without disabilities
to walk down the runway.
Anyone can participate as
a model, no matter age,
gender, body type or ability level.
People supported by ABLE participated in Project Funway, a fashion show held April 26 at Valley
View Mall.
Page 6
The runway was set up
centrally in Valley View
Mall and the participants
walked out to music and
were announced by a local
radio personality.
People supported who
participated included
Kim Wiese, Kate Breen,
Sara Semande, Brenda
Whitmore, David Adams,
Kyle Turner, Mitch Kaiser
and Christina Ives. Each
participant received a
Project Funway T-shirt for
participating.
Christina Ives awaits her turn on the runway.
Sara
Semande
walks the
runway
for the
crowd at
Valley
View
Mall.
A number of stores in
the mall sponsor each
participant with a variety
of outfits on display.
Above: Mitch
Kaiser waves
to the crowd.
Left: Kyle
Turner
strikes a
pose.
Fashions were provided
by Sears, Herberger’s,
Aeropostale, CJ Banks/
Christopher Banks,
Macy’s, Buckle, Deb,
Maurice’s, Crazy 8,
JCPenny, Payless and
DressBarn.
In memoriam
Ahna Johnson
Ahna Marie Johnson
CALEDONIA, Minn./ SPRING
GROVE, Minn. — Ahna Marie
Johnson, 56, of Caledonia, formerly of Spring Grove, died Monday,
Dec. 9, 2013, at Lancer House in
La Crescent, Minn., after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Oct. 22, 1957, in
La Crosse to Allen and Lydia (Opsahl) Johnson.
Ahna is survived by her siblings,
Marilyn Johnson of Spring Grove,
Minn., David (Judy) Johnson of
Jed L. Wohlgemuth
SPRING GROVE, Minn. — Jed
Luke Wohlgemuth, 31, of Spring
Grove, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2014,
at his home, after a battle with
cancer.
Jed was born on Dec. 11, 1982,
in Devils Lake, N.D., to Dick and
Sue (McKee) Wohlgemuth.
Survivors include maternal
grandparents, Reid and Roberta
McKee, Yermo, Calif.; parents,
Dick and Sue Wohlgemuth, Spring
Grove; sisters, Jennifer, Waconia, Minn., Jamie (Scott) Savoy,
Westwood, N.J., Jill (Ed) Westen,
Waverly, Iowa, and Janae Wohlge-
James Belles
Holmen, Wis., Julie (Dennis) Dahl
of St. Paul, and Sara (Michael)
Cedarblade of Pepin, Wis.; nieces
and nephews; and many ABLE Inc.
friends and caregivers.
Funeral services were held
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at Trinity
Lutheran Church, Spring Grove.
The family suggested donations
be directed to ABLE, Inc., 1700
Lancer Blvd., La Crescent, Minn.
Roble Funeral Home of Spring
Grove assisted the family with
arrangements.
muth, Waconia; niece, Tabitha; and
nephew, Tristan, Westwood.
He was preceded in death by an
infant brother, Jeremy, his paternal grandparents, Abe and Wilma
Wohlgemuth, and stepgrandfather,
Edwin Epp.
Visitation was held Sunday, Feb. 23, at Evangelical Free
Church in Spring Grove, with a
Celebration of Life service on
Monday, Feb. 24, at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Spring
Grove.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring
Grove assisted the family with arrangements.
James Steven Belles
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — James
Steven Belles passed away Tuesday,
May 6, 2014.
Jim was born Jan. 7, 1951, to
James H. Belles and Matilda (Asp)
Belles in San Francisco.
Following his mother’s death,
Jim moved with his father and
sister to La Crosse, where he became a student of Leone Gaumer
Cantwell, a pioneer in the education of individuals with developmental disabilities. James Sr. and
Leone were married in 1979.
In 1991, after the death of his
father, Jim and Leone moved to
La Crescent, Minn., to live with his
sister, Loralee Gaumer.
Jed Wohlgemuth
Jim was preceded in death by
his birth mother, Matilda; his father, James Sr.; his adoptive mother,
Lee; his sister, Zelma Schlicht; and
his brothers, Robert and William
Gaumer.
Jim is survived by his sister,
Loralee Gaumer (David) Johnson;
his nephew, Adam R. Faeth; niece,
Emily E. Faeth; other nieces and
nephews, and his guardian, Susan
D. Whitewater.
Memorials were suggested to
ABC Works, ABLE Inc., or to the
family. A celebration of Jim’s life
was held Tuesday, May 13, at ABC
Works, 62 N. Third St., La Crescent. Coulee Region Cremation
Group assisted the family.
ABLE NEWS
Allen “Jimmy”
Lampert
Allen ‘Jimmy’ James
Lampert
LA CRESCENT/
FREEBURG, Minn.
— Allen “Jimmy”
James Lampert, 66, of
La Crescent and formerly
of Freeburg, passed away
Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at
Gundersen Health System
in La Crosse.
He was born Jan.
9, 1948, in Caledonia,
Minn., to Robert and
Lydia (Kuhn) Lampert. Jimmy lived at the
ABLE Lancer House
in La Crescent with
his brother, Bobby, for
many years. Bobby preceded Jimmy in death in
December 2012.
Survivors include
his sister, Deloris (Wen)
Smith of Farmington,
Minn.; three nephews, Matthew, Gabriel
and Chad Smith, all of
Farmington; and many
cousins, other relatives,
and friends. In addition to
his brother, Bobby, Jimmy
was preceded in death by
his parents.
Funeral services were
held Saturday, May 31, at
Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral
Home, 518 W. Main St.,
Caledonia. An additional
memorial service was be
held at the ABLE Lancer
House, 1700 Lancer Blvd.,
La Crescent.
Page 7
ABLE NEWS
A prom night to remember
Most girls dream about attending their senior
prom, and that’s just what Carli Haverty got
to do when she attended her senior prom in
May at Caledonia High School with her father,
John.
Carli’s mother, Barb, said John promised
Carli when she was 5 or 6 years old that he
would take her to prom some day.
“We wanted the night to be special,” Barb
said.
Carli Haverty gets ready for her senior prom with a little help from her
mother, Barb, and her mother’s friend, Karen Curren.
Carli hits the dance floor with her “date” for the
night, her father, John.
Fishing Has No Boundaries draws a crowd for angling fun
The 26th annual Fishing Has No
Boundaries gathering was held
May 16-17 in Hayward, Wis. The
event is held at the Lake Chippewa
Campground.
Fishing Has No Boundaries is an
organization that helps people with
disabilities participate in a fishing
tournament. Participants are given
plaques, fishing rods and ribbons
with medals on them for the top three
fish in each category. The categories
include crappies, Northern pike, walleye, perch, and pan fish.
The Wisconsin event is the “granddaddy” of all the Fishing Has No
Boundaries events. There were 109
participants this year. All participants
receive a unique fishing experience,
and prizes are given throughout the
weekend.
Two very different worlds are
brought together to learn from each
Page 8
other by sharing the same passion and
dreams, thanks to adaptive angling
equipment such as pole holders,
various kinds of electric reels such
as joy sticks or chin operating, ramp
systems to gain access to boats, wider
pontoon boat doorways, reel grippers
and many other assistance angling
tools.
There are more than 6,850 volunteers who help with 23 events in
11 states. Volunteer duties consist
of guiding, cooking, assisting participants, cleaning fish, emergency
medical care and much more.
Those attending this year were Bob
Serva, Kate Breen, Kara Smerud, Jim
Womack, Larry Goetzinger, Larry
Myhre, Travis Gordon, Dennis Fetketter, Bryan Flick and Joe Beck.
Volunteers who attended were Greg
Yakle, Matt Pieper, Dustin Uhlendorf
and Tamara Strike.
Bob Serva won the walleye division with a
21-inch walleye.
ABLE NEWS
Blanket project promises to warm hearts, bodies
A group of people supported
and staff are hoping to warm
the hearts and bodies of others
through a new blanket-making
project.
The project kicked off just before
last Christmas, according to Sue
Haggerty, waiver services director in La Crescent. Donations
from Lucky Day Calendar sales
as well as Walmart in La Crosse
helped provide a kick-start, as did
donations from members of staffer
Tami Bossenbroeck’s family.
“Tami has been a lead on this,”
said Haggerty, adding the purpose
of the project is to make fleece
blankets that can then be donated
to other nonprofit organizations to
give to community members who
are in need.
“I knew we had people in our
organization who are excellent
blanket-makers,” Haggerty said.
“I was taught by them. I knew we
had a core of people who would be
interested.”
So far, the group has made more
than 10 blankets for both children
and adults. They are still deciding
who the first recipients of their
efforts will be.
Haggerty said the goal is to have
the blanket-making materials set
up in the Teaching and Recreation
Center for people supported to
work on, and also to have the
ABLE Recreational/Activity Club
involved in the program.
Those most involved in making blankets so far have been
Kate Breen, Christina Ives, Susie
Baumgartner, Kathy Roberts,
Elizabeth Moldenhauer and Alicia
Wolter, along with staff members
Bossenbroeck and Deb Olson.
Working on a blanket are, from the left, Kate Breen, Christina Ives, Tami Bossenbroeck, Deb
Olson and Susie Baumgartner. So far, a group of people supported and staff members have
made 10 of the fleece blankets to be donated to other nonprofit organizations to give to community members in need.
Donations needed
Donations of money or
materials for the blanket
project are most welcome
and needed for the program to continue to grow.
Anyone wishing to make a
donation can contact Sue
Haggerty at ABLE, (507)
895-8111, ext. 1309, or
they can drop donations
off at ABLE’s La Crescent
central office at 1700
Lancer Blvd.
A big THANK YOU to these groups, which have
donated funds to sponsor people supported to
Camp Winnebago in Caledonia. Camp Winnebago
is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the
recreational needs of children with varying abilities and special needs, as well as providing vacation
options for adults with developmental disabilities.
Kim Wiese and Wayne Clauss, who helped purchase
some of the fleece for the project, display two of the
blankets.
* Brownsville Lions
* Spring Grove Lions
* Caledonia Lions
* Houston Lions
* Hokah Lions
* St. Peter’s UCC Women’s
Fellowship
* Houston American Legion
and Auxiliary
* Caledonia American Legion
Auxiliary
* Women’s Fellowship of
St. John’s UCC
Page 9
ABLE NEWS
ABLE, Inc.
Vision
ABLE
Board of
Directors
Happy, smiling faces of the people we
support who are leading meaningful and
enjoyable lives
President
Trisha Wieser
Vice President
Curt Murray
Secretary
Kim Schwab
Treasurer
Tom Sheehan
To enhance the lives of the people
we support by promoting their
uniqueness and building their self esteem
and independence in a safe a comfortable
environment
Directors
Dennis Eich
Lori Ellenz
Jerry Berns
Myron Falken
Treating all stakeholders with respect,
honesty, and fairness to gain their
trust
ABLE
Foundation
Board of
Directors
President
Blaine Schuldt
Vice President
Judy Storlie
Secretary/
Treasurer
Kathy Wieser
Directors
Ralph Burg
Heather Gray
Lynn Reynolds
Sue Webb
Mission
Core Values
Integrity
Safety
Balancing safety while promoting
independence
Individuality
Being responsive to an individual’s
needs and wants and valuing those
differences
Dreams
Developing people we support to their
full potential by helping them build
relationships, gain independence, and
integrate into their communities
Teamwork and Collaboration
Working together with people we
support, co-workers, parents and
guardians
Change
Responding positively to change and the
future by supporting and educating all
stakeholders
Stewardship
Being fiscally responsible with all
resources
ABLE newsletter committee: Tiffany Entringer, Tamara Strike
and Jacqueline Kaiser
Page 10
News from ABLE Foundation
Fun Night a hit again
The ABLE Foundation held its 20th annual Fun
Night on March 8 at the La Crescent Snowmobile
Club. The annual event is one of the Foundation’s largest fundraisers. Each year it brings in
nearly $10,000 for our organization, thanks to the
generosity of donors and those attending.
The evening featured games of chance, delicious
food and raffles for a variety of gift baskets. Big
winners during the evening were: Carol McCabe,
$1,000; Larry and Carol Stryker, $500; Sue Miller,
$300; and Greg Stremcha and Joe Walter, $100.
Other raffle winners were Kim and Mike Rommes,
Susie Baumgartner and Christina Ives, Scott Reed,
Dean Von Ruden, Sam Jandt, Ruth Berns, Bob
Meyer, Bill Conroy, Sue Miller, Lynn Reynolds, Kim
Meiners, Tony Schuldt, Jerry Steffes, Robert Mach
and Judy Kerska.
Thanks to all who attended and supported the
event.
Gift card
sales raise
funds for
foundation
The Kwik Trip Scrip Gift Card Program has raised
more than $400 so far for the ABLE Foundation.
The idea is simple: Purchase Kwik Trip Gift Cards
through the foundation at face value, and 10 percent
of your purchase remains with the ABLE Foundation. Scrip Gift Cards can be used at the Kwik Trip
pumps or for any in-store purchase, excluding
money orders.
There is no minimum purchase required.
The cards are available throughout the year at
ABLE in $5, $10, $20 and $25 denominations.
Money raised supports the Foundation and its
mission, which is to increase public awareness of
ABLE, provide opportunities for staff development
and secure funds for programs, facilities and equipment that will improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities supported by
ABLE.
To purchase Kwik Trip Scrip Gift Cards,
contact Bruce Kaiser in the Business Office at
(507) 895-8111, ext. 1105, or email bkaiser@
able-inc.org.
ABLE NEWS
New date, same great time at Foundation golf tourney
Foundation Board Member Sue Webb helps a couple of ABLE supporters with tickets for the steak dinner.
Gail Meyer,
executive
director of
ABLE, handles
the emcee
duties and
announces the
golf and raffle
winners.
Christina Ives spins the
wheel for the chance
auction.
New date but same great time … that’s the best way
to describe the ABLE Foundation’s 22nd annual Golf
Tournament and Steak Dinner, held June 28 at Ma Cal
Grove Country Club in Caledonia.
The annual fundraiser, moved from mid-May in
hopes of warmer weather, saw 20 golf teams take to the
course for the tournament, with competition in three
divisions: men’s, women’s and co-ed. After the tournament – which wrapped up just before a deluge of
rain hit the area – a delicious steak dinner was served,
followed by chance auctions, door prizes and a raffle
drawing.
Winner of the grand prize – a $500 golf package –
was Cole Snodgrass.
The following were winners in the golf tournament:
Men’s division: 1. Mike Rommes, Chad Augedahl,
Scott Kurk and Eric Halverson, 29; 2. John Haugen,
David Boots, George Karr and Fred Sandvick, 31; 3.
Don Meiners, Blaine Schuldt, Steve Reiman and Charlie
Reed, 32.
Women’s division: 1. Kim Rommes, Nikki Augedahl,
Ann Kurk and Amy Halverson, 38; 2. Bobbie Haugen,
Kim Karr, Peggy Boots and Connie Sandvick, 39; 3. Lori
Twite, Darla Eppen, Sarah Eppen and Diana Rask, 40.
Co-ed division: 1. Brian Klug, Jacklyn Snodgrass,
Jami Burg and Cory Gantenbien, 33; 2. Greg Kenworthy, Mike Rekow, Jackie Prondzinski and Allie Dahl, 37;
3. Scott Garrett, Ingred Leader, Steve Clark and Jenny
Clark, 40.
Thanks to all the golfers, hole sponsors, donors, volunteers and others who helped make the day a success.
Car wash raises funds for American Cancer Society
Funds raised at the June 21 car wash at Lancer in La Crescent will go
to the American Cancer Society.
ABLE’s Public Relations Committee held a car wash
on June 21 to raise money for the American Cancer
Society. During the four-hour event, more than 20
vehicles were washed and more than $200 was raised.
All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer
Society to assist in efforts to fight cancer and to support those folks and their families battling the disease.
The car wash was hard work but, as always, ABLE
staff and people supported were able to make it a
fun time. Cookies and cold drinks were provided to
customers waiting to have their vehicles washed.
A special thanks goes to Christine Smith, Kandice Larson, Tiffany Fishel and Darren Winkers of
the Public Relations Committee for their efforts in
organizing and participating. Thanks also goes to
Christine Ives, Steven Betz, Lucy Wilkes, Eric Loken,
Ryan Wieser, Renee Sherry, Brent Wieser, Samantha
Russell, Chelsea Niece and all others who helped.
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ABLE NEWS
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LA CRESCENT, MN
55947
PERMIT NO. 17
Caledonia Central Office
216 East South St.
Caledonia MN 55921
(507) 725-3108
La Crescent Central Office
1700 Lancer Blvd
La Crescent MN 55947
(507) 895-8111
www.able-inc.org
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
* Aug. 1: Lucky Day Calendar sales begin; be sure to purchase a 2015
Lucky Day calendar to guarantee you have a chance to win great cash
prizes while helping support a wonderful cause. Calendars are $10 each; for
information on how to purchase a calendar, call the La Crescent office at
(507) 895-81111 or the Caledonia office at (507) 725-3108.
* Aug. 8: Houston County Relay for Life in Spring Grove; come out to
support the ABLE team, “Ready and ABLE,” during the annual American
Cancer Society fundraiser at the Spring Grove Fest Building; the event begins
at 6 p.m.
* Aug. 13-17: ABLE at the Houston County Fair; stop by to visit with
people supported and staff at the ABLE, Inc., booth during the annual Houston
County Fair at the fairgrounds in Caledonia.
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