The Chili Bar Kick-Off Event was a great start to the 2014 Team Vogel Season.  Thank you to everyone who made the trip out to the Black Horse Bar and Grill to support Team Vogel.

A special thank you to the fine gentlemen who greeted everyone who walked through the door.  Thank you Dan and Randy!

To all the staff at the Black Horse - Bill...  Andre...  It was a true pleasure working with all of you and thank you for embracing Team Vogel.

And the best way to bring the event to life for all how could not make it - images from Miss Keelie Ritter.  Thank you Keelie for always capturing the spirit of the event.

It is hard to believe the Bowling Tournament is this weekend (February 1 - 2014) already.  Where the heck does time go...

Please note - although the 4pm and 7pm shifts are full, we still welcome people to come watch and enjoy the evening with us.  If you have the desire to bowl a bit - we still have openings for the "All You Can Bowl" Shift from 2 pm - 3:30 pm.  This time is geared towards people of all ages (young and old) who want to come out - bowl a bit and have some fun.

If you are interested in the "All You Can Bowl" Shift, please send a note to Brad so we can plan accordingly.  (The cost is $10 per bowler.)

BradleyBartelson@hotmail.com


I'm looking forward to Saturday - instead of stretching and preparing my bowling gear this year - I am taking a different approach...  Rest.  Hoping this will help me break 100 at least in one of my games :).

This past March, I was able to take an amazing trip with 2 great friends.  We had a blast and had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people.  One day - after getting out of the pool, there was a lady sitting by my chair.  We started chatting and she knew more about me than I could have ever imagined.  (We had never met before...)  Clearly our paths were meant to collide. 

She shared things with me and as we were wrapping up our conversation (for we needed to get to the beach for the sunset), she said she needed to run back to her room to grab something she wanted me to have.

We made our way to the beach, and she joined up with us and handed me a stone.  She said she brought it with her and knew she needed to give it to someone she met on the trip.  And that person was me.  The stone is for protection.  I was completely honored.  I took the stone and safely tucked it in my swimsuit top and wanted to get a fun picture with the sunset.  Here's the image below...And yes the part that is glowing is the stone safely tucked under my suit and sun dress.  Pretty amazing :).  (And just for the record, this is the exact image that came up on the camera - no photo shop here.)

As I find myself reflecting once again on life and death, I begin to ask questions again.  Questions that have no definite answers from my perspective.  When frustration begins to set in, and before I get the point of asking, "Why?", I change my train of thought.

Yesterday as I was approaching the "Why?" - I decided to think about what Heaven is like.  Is it an amazing place where everything is individually perfect for you.  The perfect temp. - the perfect location - and you get to do exactly what you love while the ones closest to you are living in their personal paradise next to you....Will we not care when we get there?

So, for those of you who may not know this about me - I'm a planner.  And I feel I need to think about these things.  I've come to the conclusion that my Heaven is going to be a tropical paradise on a beach.  Probably in the 80s (maybe reaching 90 every now and then).  And all the materials I could ever dream of for doing projects will be perfectly organized and at my finger tips - in an amazing studio on the ocean.  Every project tried - will be a masterpiece and of course there will be a secret button to push for clean up.

What will your Heaven be like?

Stay Warm and Cuddle your animals :)  
-Rach

Hoping many of you have next Monday on your calendar.  We look forward to seeing you at the Black Horse Bar and Grill...

...And there will be a little Rachel addition to the chili bar...  I've been working hard to get my hands back in clay.  A few friends joined with me over break and we whipped up some fun bowls for the chili bar.  Glazing and firing next weekend (it will be my first time firing the glaze kiln independently...I'm a little nervous).  Hoping these turn out to be the masterpieces I see in my head :).

The 4th Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Bowling Tournament is just around the corner too.

When - Saturday, February 1 - 2014
Where - Westgate Bowl
Time - 2 to 3:30 Family Bowling (Still Open) - 4 pm Shift (FULL) -
          and 7 pm Shift (FULL)

Although the 4 pm and 7 pm shifts are full, we still have room for anyone, young or old, who wants to come join the fun.  We will be having open bowling for families and friends from 2 pm - 3:30 pm.  The cost will be $10 per person (for all the bowling your heart desires during that time).  We do ask that you still sign up for this.  Please contact Brad B. if you are interested - (507) 429-5462 or bradleybartelson@hotmail.com.

Just a friendly reminder to all...

As many of you know - I have not always been one to embrace technology...  and I was determined I did not need a smart phone.  I was strong for awhile, but hit my breaking point.  My phone stunk and I decided it was time to walk on the other side.  I got an iPhone and I'm in love!

I not sure why I drifted away from taking pictures the past 5 years...  But with this new phone - I find myself capturing many moments, especially this sweet little lady.

Signing off for the week.
Peace and Hugs-
Rach

As a new year is upon us, I am gathering my thoughts and reflecting on where life has taken me.  It is amazing – overwhelming – rewarding… and time to begin planning events for the 2014 Team Vogel vs. Cancer Season (January – June 2014).

We are now accepting nomination for 2014.  If you or someone you know is dealing with cancer (in the Winona area), and could use additional support - please take a moment to submit a nomination.  (The nomination tab can be found on our homepage or by clicking the link below.)

Family Nomination Form

We will be accepting nominations through April 1, 2014.  All Team Vogel Events will help raise money for the selected families, the Oasis Fund (a patient fund at Franciscan Skemp) and to help support cancer research (Gundersen Lutheran).

If you have any questions about the family nomination process,  please email TeamVogelvsCancer@gmail.com.

Here is a Save the Date / Join the Team rundown of upcoming events for 2014.  Come to one - come to all...

To view more details about each event - please select the 2014 Events link on the top of the page (or click on this link - 2014 Events).

Monday, January 20 - Kick-Off Event... Chili Bar 
Saturday, February 1 - 4th Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Bowling Tournament
Saturday, March 8 - 2nd Annual Turbo Kick Event
Thursday, April 24 - 3rd Annual Joe's B-day Brew Review
Saturday, May 10 (Date Tentative) - 4th Annual Golf Outing
Friday, June 6 (Date Tentative) - Amazing Hot Dog Stand
Friday, June 13 - Team Vogel Rummage Sale (Pre - Holiday Shopping :))
Friday, June 13 - Sand Volleyball Tournament (Evening)
Saturday (and Sunday), June 21 (and 22) - 5th Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Fundraiser

As we kick-off the 2014 fundraising year, we invite you to join us at the Black Horse Bar and Grill on Monday , January 20.  Come hungry!  If you wish to pre-order a ticket (which is helpful for planning on amounts of food) - please email TeamVogelvsCancer@gmail.com.  If you are not a planner - come join on us that day - tickets will also be available at the door.

Thank you to Andre and Bill for reaching out to us and embracing Team Vogel.  I'm excited kick-off the season on their turf.

I hope many of you have started your annual stretching program for the bowling tournament.  I am holding off one more week - I seem to have just perfected the cookie to mouth stretch and want to work on that form a couple more days.

We are working to fill shifts for the 4th Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Bowling Tournament.  It is truly for everyone - beginners - to never bowled before - to some amazing bowlers.

We are working to fill the 4 pm and 7 pm shifts.  In an effort to try new things and meet the needs of the "Team" - we are considering not having the 1 pm shift and instead opening it up to a family / kids bowl from 2 pm - 4 pm. 

If you are interested in signing up a team for a shift or for the family/kid bowl please contact Brad (details of the event are listed on the flyer below and Brad's contact information).

Take a chance - join the fun...I promise the 3rd game challenges will not disappoint....

What a NIGHT!  This past Tuesday (New Year's Eve) - the 2013 Dancing with the Winona Stars event took place.  I've never had the opportunity to attend the event - I had only heard amazing things about it.  This year I was able to make it and was not disappointed.  I was surrounded by great company and had the privilege of watching many fine members of our community dance for local charities.  It was wonderful.

A huge thank you to Steve Volkman.  I did not know you prior to the event.  You reached out to Team Vogel and embraced our ways and believed in what we do.  Welcome to the Team Steve.  You did an amazing job with the fundraising (12 Dance Moves of Christmas) - the dancing - and bring the spirit of Team Vogel to the event.

Although we did not win the event... I truly think we all won.  There was laughter - smiling - amazing dance moves - and many charities receiving donations.  We all won!

I would also like to thank everyone at Gotta Dance for all their efforts.  Truly the evening was amazing.

To see more photos from the 2013 Dancing with the Winona Stars please visit - Winona Daily News.

Before signing off - cheers to the new year and the beginning of the 5th year of Team Vogel.  

It is hard to believe we are heading into the 5th year.  Joe Vogel - you are an amazing inspiration that lives on in many of us.  Can you believe you created this...  Believe it.  Believe.

And one last thing.  I always enjoy looking back at photos.  How about this...  New Year's Eve 2007 :).

Love and Hugs - 
Rach