Sharon has retired from a lifetime of service in healthcare as a nurse, home health aide, chaplain and educator. She has facilitated numerous workshops and as a CPE Associate Educator, prepared chaplain residents for the task of supporting spiritual wellbeing for others with compassion and understanding. Sharon is a seasoned meditation instructor, was previously a temporary monastic for three years, and a past director at Gampo Abbey, a Buddhist monastery in Nova Scotia.
Once diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment in 2021, Sharon began educating herself about the condition and found a sense of meaning through participating in research studies regarding neurodegenerative disease. She brings her longtime meditation practice and training in emotional resilience to her personal challenge of living with Mild Cognitive Impairment. As a lifelong learner and educator, Sharon regards her diagnosis as an opportunity to educate and support others, as well as to continue her own practice of self-reflection.
Sharon has called many beautiful locations home, spanning from Long Island, New York, to the shores of San Francisco, back east to Nova Scotia, and now settled in the middle of the country along the edge of the Mississippi river in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She enjoys hikes along the limestone bluffs, kayaking in the river’s back waters and puttering in her backyard garden.
August “Gus” Roberts is introduced to Valley View Rotary Club members by Nancy Schmidt & Bruce Nuttall. Gus attends Viroqua High School and our club is sponsoring him as a short-term exchange student to Germany. We also sponsored Gus at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards held earlier this year.
Johann is our club-sponsored long-term inbound exchange student for 2026-2027. He will be living with three host families (arranged by Nancy Schmidt) for the 11 month exchange period. Johann is from Germany and will be arriving in mid-August, and we are looking to assemble a team of 8–10 club members to assist with transportation (similar to what we did for Ana from Mexico). Drivers will take turns driving Johann to and from Rotary meetings, West Salem High School, and various special events There may also be opportunities to drive other local Rotary Youth Exchange students to district events.
Please note that a simple background check is required. If you are interested in joining the driver team, contact Nancy Schmidt at nkschmidt4965@gmail.com and she will send you the link to initiate the background check process.
Diana DiazGranados Classification
This past week we had a very interesting classification presentation. We learned a lot about Diana and are proud to have her as a member of Valley View Rotary Club.
let's make this golfer famous
and raise money for x-ray equipment for
the chihoni hospital in tanzania
On Monday, June 22 Valley View Rotarian Bob Newberry will be attempting to golf 200 holes in 12 hours WALKING (not to mention Bob is 70 years old). Bob is looking for per hole donations for each hole he completes. All funds go to purchase x-Ray equipment for the Chinhoni Hospital in Tanzania. If Bob completes all 200 holes he may make it into the Guiness Book of World Records. Watch the video link below.
GOLD $2.50/hole x 200 = $500$20/hole x 200 = $4000
SILVER $1.00/hole x 200 = $200$10/hole x 200 = $2000
BRONZE $.50/hole x 200 = $100$5/hole x 200 = $1000
Donate at a medal level or more to get personal,
club or business name on plaque near x-ray lab.
Name: __________________ e-mail or phone:_______________________
VENMO: Valley View Rotary, @VVRLAX, note: X-Ray
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Valley View Rotary
Moon Tunes Band Poster Auction
The next poster auction is for the Matt Mahlum Band. This auction started on June 18 and ends at 6 pm on July 9. The poster is framed collage of band photos by Jim Lund and autographed by the band members. The winning bidder will be announced on July 9 at Moon Tunes intermission. You can own this one of a kind poster if you are the high bidder.
Last week's auction high bid was $255 for the Mr. Blink/La Crosse Sessions Band poster. All auction proceeds are split between Hunger Task Force and YMCA Community Youth Center.
There is a link below but you can also get there by logging into Clubrunner and then click on “Volunteers” (under Events & Volunteering) and then click on the dates you want and sign - up.
The 2026 Rotary Avenues of Service Dinner is a major event for local Rotary Clubs. Amy Bettis has already been named Valley View Rotary Club's Rotarian of the Year and will receive an award at the August 12 Avenues of Service Dinner.
If you are working on a District Grant please get your application submitted soon. The DistrictGrants Committee has received eight applications for projects for the 2026-27 Rotary year, with a total request for $44,000 of DDF. We expect to have about $75,000 of DDF available for districtgrants. With that in mind, we're opening a second round of applications for districtgrants. Your club must be districtgrant qualified in order to apply, and all qualification milestones must be met by June 30, 2026.
Kabara Cancer Research Institute Tours
Tours are available on the dates listed below:
Tues, July 14 11 am - 12 pm, room 2076
Mon., Aug 4 3 - 4 pm , room 2076
Thur., Sept 24 9 - 10 am, room 2076
Valley View Rotarians are welcome to attend the tours.
To sign up for a tour contact Valley View Rotary Club member Monica Herman.
Our annual Riverfest fencing take down project is coming in early July. It is a time to do some fun manual labor with your fellow Rotarians. Friends and family are welcome to come help. A sign-up sheet will be circulated at upcoming meetings. If you have any questions, please call or text Mike Herro @ 608 780 1217 THANKS!!
Sunday, July 5th, 2026… 7am – 9:30 am. (arrive when you can).
Bring: Gloves, wire cutter, plastic bag for old zip ties, old clothes
We will need one or two trailers to haul the fencing and posts.
The Rotary Works Foundation was founded in 1982 with the purpose of awarding grants for local and international activities. Through generous gifts from area Rotary Clubs (including VVR) and others, the Foundation makes a difference in the quality of life in our area and the world.
2025/2026 Grantees:
May 2026 - Northwoods International PTO - Increasing Playground Accessibility at Northwoods Elementary
Rotary Club of La Crescent - La Crescent Water Fountains Project
March 2026 - La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium - -Creating Connections program (with Alda Center)
February 2026 - La Crosse - Bantry Friendship Association - Jack & Kathy Lucey --Family Alzheimers Fund - robotic therapy dogs
River City Running Club - La Crosse Youth Track Club
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Caledonia - Summer Eats Program
Holmen Area Community Center - Tables
Caledonia School District -7th Grade Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center trip
Join us on Zoom if unable to meet with us in person.
https://laxymca-org.zoom.us/j/81822994924?pwd=ZzlVeHZoOUdXeGZwSkx
Password 469027
Check the schedule as holidays, social events or off-site meetings can alter our regular meeting time or place.
