Featured Stories

Having a safe, livable, and warm home is something that most people take for granted. When was the last time you worried about being evicted or having enough money to pay next month’s rent? Unfortunately, there are families throughout the nation and in the Chippewa Valley that worry about these things each day. However, the local Habitat for Humanity organization strives to help families achieve their dream of home ownership. Through volunteerism, hard work, and community support, the organization makes a significant impact—one home at a time. Josh Rizzo serves as Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s development coordinator, and he …

Imagine being hungry and then walking into a room lined with exquisite appetizers, gourmet entrées, and professionally decorated desserts. As you look around the display, your mouth begins to water as you contemplate which food you will try first. Life could not get any better! You’ve hit the food lottery! Now, imagine walking into the same room lined with the exact same food. Your hunger is the same and your mouth is still watering. This time though, your state of mind is different. In fact, it might even feel like the worst day of your life. There is not ONE …

Nominated by Anneliese Fish (fan, baby sister, cookie dough) I once read a quote, “In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.” How true this statement is! I love my sisters as much as I love my children, as much as I love red wine, as much as I love chocolate cake, all the things which I cannot live without. In all seriousness, I look up to my sisters more than anyone else in this world. They are both smart and beautiful, levelheaded and compassionate. They have helped guide me through life, and I know they will be …

Nominated by Teresa Jolivette I would like to nominate my friend and coworker, Tracey, for The Courage is Contagious Award. Tracey is a beautiful, busy mother of two girls, ages 10 and 7, and wife of Tim. She is an RN, a PTO leader-extraordinaire at a local elementary school, and an active member of her church. Tracey is also a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed one year ago with breast cancer. She has undergone treatment for the last year, including multiple surgeries, chemo, and radiation. She has been an example of strength, courage, and grace through it all. Tracey is …

By Vicki Larkowski The Great Depression triggered a wave of co-op organizing across our nation. One leading co-op launched during this period was the Consumers Cooperative Association of Eau Claire—“the Co-op.” The Co-op’s first purchase for its members was a carload of coal in 1935. Subsequent ventures included a gas station and, by 1953, a grocery store. From there, the Co-op Shopping Center continued to flourish on South Hastings Way. It became the only place in the region that “had it all”—from groceries to clothing, jewelry, and more. In 1962, a married mom with two children and no car needed …

Perspectives from a Mother and College-Bound Son Download this article and more in our August/September issue (VOL 3 – NO 4) HERE! By Tina Frank My son will launch off to college in a year; I cannot begin to describe what a difficult transition this is for our family. I am secretly jealous of those parents of confident high school seniors regarding their post high school plans. It pains me to watch my son—who has had little difficulty with school decisions in the past—hit this “college decision wall.” Bringing up the college topic with my son has been quite humbling for me. It …

By Dori Pulse True enough, as I make my way through various retail establishments this week, Halloween has not yet arrived and Christmas lights and fixtures sparkle in the aisles. Why are we all in such a rush, reaching out, extending past what we have for today? Holidays are stressful for many people—what to buy, how many to buy for, will they like it—and then January’s credit card statements roll in, and we stress over how we are going to pay for it all. There is tangible “electricity” in the air that begins about mid-November and dissipates after the first …

By Taylor Schaa I moved from Laos to the United States in 2004. My husband had been here for a few years prior, and finally I was able to join him in Tennessee. It was very difficult to live and take care of my four small children because there was no help. I didn’t understand how to live in a new country, how things worked, and the pace of life. There were no classes or ways to learn English. I felt very alone. When we moved to Eau Claire in 2009, I felt relieved. My family finally found the help we needed. We had friends here who told …