Last Thursday evening - we loaded the bus and prayed the rain would hold off...

We lucked out.  The weather broke and the game was on (just a little delayed).  We made the best of the time on the bus - patiently waiting for photo opportunities in front of the porta potties.

It was a good game - the Loggers won in the 11th and we won in the fun department.

Thank you to the Loggers and everyone at Gundersen Lutheran who helped put on this event - Strike Out Colon Cancer.  Truly an evening of laughter - fun - and great people.  

A big thank you to Katie D. for organizing it for Team Vogel and for everyone who made it.

Remember to get your colonoscopy if you are in need of one...

I am honored to announce - I am the proud big sister of some amazing, furry, little beings.  Please help us welcome the new arrivals - Little E, Blackie (Little B), A, A Minus, and Martha (possibly Marty).  We will continue to work on names...it is just hard to tell the gender of these little bundles of joy.  

I thought it was necessary to hold all the chicks and have my photo taken...It is definitely harder to grasp 5 instead of 3.  (No chicks were injured in this attempt - thank you to the many extra hands on deck.)

Signing off for a bit here.  May the remainder of your summer bring you fun times of adventure - laughter - family and friends.  Live each day to the fullest and make the best of it... some people do not have that opportunity here on earth any longer.

Here's to the remaining month of summer (before reality sets in and I return to work).  Looking forward to my adventure to Georgia and the days of no plans.

Love and Hugs - 
Rach

We have a total from our fundraising efforts for 2013...

From the Taco Feed at Chula - to the Bowling Tournament - to the Brew Review - to the Golf Outing - to the Hot Dog Stand... the Rummage Sale... Individual Donations... to the main fundraiser - I am proud and honored to announce we raised... $45,000.00 for 2013.

This could not have been accomplished without all of you.  Thank you for continuing to support Team Vogel and make it what it is - a community's way to "Pay It Forward".

As we continue to wrap up for the year, I find myself reflecting on where we started to where we are now.  I still remember the first time Joe brought this idea to me...  I said - "Heck NO!  We are too busy - how will we find time..."  Thank goodness he brought it to the table again and I couldn't say no at that point. 

In the 4 years of our fundraising efforts - we have raised over $170,000 - helping 34 families in the Winona Area, cancer research (Gundersen Lutheran) and a patient fund (Oasis Fund - Franciscan Skemp).

Watching one man's dream reach so many and live on in a community is the biggest reward.  Thank you Joe Vogel for seeing the bigger picture and knowing we could do it.

The Loggers Event is right around the corner.  There is still time (and room) to sign up to ride the bus and purchase ticket.  (You are always welcome to purchase a ticket at the event too.)

The Hiking Trip = The Hardest Thing I've Ever Completed...

The hiking trip seemed like an adventure I needed to try.  My great friends loaned me some amazing gear - I had some new pants and sneakers - and a great group of Ladies to hike with...  Lets just say we got our butts handed to us.  

We were expecting to hike 5 - 8 miles per day, find a place to camp for the day, and fish in the lakes.  Well the lakes were bogs (muddy / swampy areas) and the bugs were super intense making it hard to stop anywhere in the woods).

Our first day out we made it about 12 miles...We couldn't find a good area to set up camp and also couldn't go on anymore.  We were exhausted to say the least.  40 lbs. on your back is a little intense :).  We finally stumbled upon a logging road and found a place we could put our tents up for the night.  We needed to get some sleep - stretch - and get to the next town in the morning and abort the hiking mission.

We got up the following morning, packed up camp and got ready to make it to Cornell, WI.  (While gearing up for the day - one camper may have come across a bear while venturing in the woods.  Thank goodness it wasn't me :).)

We completed the remaining 8 miles to Cornell - found the visitors center and met a kind retired man who was willing to drive us back to our car at the visitors center.

We aborted the hiking trip and headed to Ely (to our friend's cabin) to save the vacation and have some fun.

I will say - I am proud to say I accomplished the hike.  It truly was the hardest thing I've put myself through.  Would I go again???  Maybe :).  As time goes on, I feel like I need to try it again with different surrounds and hopefully more places to stop and camp.  Then I remember how much my body hurt... maybe in a few years.

The Trip...

When we arrived at the cabin in Ely - we were informed about the cabin pet - Momma Snaps.  Typically she resides in the water by the dock and torments the swimmers, but one morning she was in the driveway.  We couldn't figure out what she was up to at first.  Until she began digging...  We were able to see Momma Snaps lay her eggs.  It was truly amazing to watch her process (which took hours).  Hoping you can get the video below to load...

We definitely made the best of our adventures and had an amazing time.  Thank you to the Crazy Ladies who always embrace me and allow me to come along.

I wanted to share this opportunity with you...  Some friends of mine put this together and it is an amazing adventure.  Hoping some of you will reach out to them and participate in the Where Is That? -2013.

Just a heads up - I am currently holding auditions for my team.  We will be strong, creative and hunting the area.  Good Luck trying to beat us :)

After reading my preview - if you are interested, you will need to email one of the contacts below to receive the whole file.  

Relay for Life of Winona County
Friday, August 9th – 2013
5:00 pm
Winona Lake Park - Bandshell

Relay For Life - an event that brings together the entire community together to CELEBRATE the lives of all those who have battled and beaten this terrible disease. It also gives the community an opportunity to REMEMBER all those we have sadly lost to the disease.  Most importantly brings the community together as one to FIGHT BACK against the disease that has taken so much!  If you are interested in learning more about the event, you can visit their website at www.RelayForLife.org/WinonaCountyMN or  contact Ryan at 507-424-4608.

Signing off - 
Rach

As the Team Vogel season winds down and a few last projects are being wrapped up - I invite all of you to join us for a fun-filled night out...

Strike Out Colon Cancer Night is a collaboration between Gundersen Health System and the La Crosse Loggers to get the message out about preventing colorectal cancer by getting screened.  It is also a chance to celebrate with the survivors and remember the ones who gave their all... and watch some outdoor baseball.


As we gear up for the game on Thursday, June 25 - here are the details...

We will be ordering blue tie-dye shirts for the event...arranging a bus to transport people from JcPenny's (Winona) to the game and back and pre-ordering tickets (you can purchase tickets at the gate too.)

You are welcome to purchase just a shirt...just a ticket...whatever combination you desire.  If you wish to be part of the event or place an order please email -

Katie D. - katie.s.daugherty@gmail.com (email only please)

Here's the breakdown...

Shirts - $15.00  (MUST BE ORDERED BY SUNDAY, JULY 14- 2013)

Bus - $10.00  
**The bus will load at 5:15 pm at the JcPenny's Parking Lot (Leaving at 5:30 pm) and return their after the game.

Tickets - $5.00

Again - please email Katie D. with your order or questions.

Katie D. - katie.s.daugherty@gmail.com (email only please)

After having a week out in the wilderness (...Hiking recap to come soon...hardest thing I've ever put myself through...) it is amazing to look back at the weekend that came together (and continues to come together every year).  

As I've been uploading images from the 4th annual fundraiser, I can't imagine where I would be without it.  Although there are moments that are busy and sometimes overwhelming, it is the one way I can keep Joe alive.  He lives in ever smile that comes from the day...  And I am proud to be part of it.

For tournament / race pictures, please select from the links below...

Cornhole Tournament


Women's Softball


Men's Softball


Homerun Derby


1 Mile / 5K Run - Walk

Signing off for the week - heading out to finalize a few last things from the weekend in hopes of having a total of what was raised by next week.  Also stay tuned for the recap of the hiking adventure...

Peace and Hugs - 
Rach

Every year I struggle to find the right words to say Thank You to everyone.  How do you properly thank a community of family and friends...  

It is unbelievable to watch everything come together each year.  I get to see a dream lived out each year.  Thank you for helping make Joe's Dream a reality.

From the racers - to the volunteers - to the tournament participants - to the bake sale shoppers - to the families...  Thank you!

Before I sign off here - I have a couple reminders and a few pictures I want to share from the younger Team Vogel Members.  

Just a note - Race Results will be posted on the website this week and in the Winona Daily News (hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday).

Click HERE to view results.

Save the Date for the upcoming Loggers Event.  More info. on tickets - bus - and amazing blue tie-dye shirts to come next week.

I am currently packing my bag for an upcoming trip.  Leaving in the morning for a week full of adventure.  Maybe I will see you on the trail...

Signing off for the week and sending a hug too - 
Rach