Taking 5

The Worst of Times, the Best of Times By Katie McKy For a Chippewa Falls mother, it was the best of times. Her husband Eric had just been hired by Southwest Airlines, and they had their beautiful children — a four month-old, a two-year old, and a four-year old. Then streptococcus, a common bacterium, one that typically leads to a mere earache or a sinus infection, changed everything.     When Beth Vrablic started to slip away, no one knew at first. She and her family went to church one Sunday in late October. The next morning, she took the kids …

As a county attorney, mother, and committed community member, Sharon McIlquham knows the importance of giving back to those around her. A lifelong member of the Chippewa Falls community, McIlquham’s involvement and dedication–both professionally and personally–are a testament to her values of working hard, caring for others, and believing in the power of following your dreams. Chippewa County Attorney Sharon McIlquham’s ties to the area run deep, (having spent most of her life near Chippewa Falls) and many will recognize her name from her work as a Chippewa County attorney. While she didn’t always know she would be an attorney, …

Hey, there! I’m Cole. I’m a wife, mom, Registered Dietitian, yoga instructor, and entrepreneur.  Like most of us, I wear a lot of hats. After years of moving around the Midwest for my husband’s medical training, we settled in Eau Claire about 6 years ago and have loved making this place our home.  Like so many, the story of who I am is anchored in family, Midwestern values, and a pull to continuously evolve myself. When it comes to the 5 Fs, there is one that is a bit of a sticking point for me — but we’ll get to …