I am hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving full of good company, good food and many laughs.  Before I post my thoughts for the week – Just wanted to remind everyone about the scholarship we are working hard to create in honor of Joe – Thank you to everyone who has taken a moment to help make this dream a reality.

 

Joe Vogel, Cotter class of 1996, was a devoted alum and community member.  He passed away in August of 2010 from colon cancer.  The Cotter community had a positive impact on Joe’s life – leading him to often share memories or stories from his time at Cotter.  Cotter was part of his family.  Joe will always be remembered for his smile, sense of humor and his efforts to “Pay it Forward”. 

 

Created by Joe’s Family, Friends, and co-workers at Frito Lay Inc., the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund has been established.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Cotter Student who upholds and lives the spirit of “Pay it Forward”.  The award will be applied directly to their Cotter tuition.

 

If you would like to make a gift to the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund, please send your gifts to:

 

Cotter Schools

Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund

1115 West Broadway

Winona, MN 55987  

 

Or 

 

Make your gift online at www.cotterschools.org by clicking on the ‘Donations’ tab (on the left hand side) and designating your gift to the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund.

 

Cotter Schools is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. All gifts provided to Cotter through the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund are tax-deductible.  For questions, please call Megan Sadowski ’94 at 507-453-5102 or email mesadowski@cotterschools.org.

 

Alright – Thoughts for the day.  Man this weekend was tough.  I missed my partner in crime more than ever.  It’s not the same getting ready to spend time with family and friends without the one you want there the most.  (Sorry everyone, I enjoy spending time with you, but you are not Joe J).  I loved the holidays – going to the Wissman’s and always seeing my nametag next to Joe’s.  (It’s the simple things I miss the most.)  Then being so overstuffed we can’t think of eating anymore and then heading out to my parents for another dinner.  We always found a way to stuff more in. 

 

I’m going to be honest (and a bit of a scrooge)…the holidays are not going to be so great this year.  I know I will laugh, have a good time, and make the best of it – but the one thing I want for Christmas will not be here.

 

I want to be strong – I know that is what Joe would want.  He was always strong and I try to be.  I realized this weekend – I can’t always be strong and that is pretty hard to accept.  I miss my biggest supporter, the one who picked me up when I would fall, the one who loved me no matter what, the one who made me laugh when I was being crabby…

 

Thank you to everyone who has helped pick me up, has been there for me, and for all the laughter you have been able to bring me.  Each of you bring a piece that is missing in my life and I truly appreciate it.

 

Sending my love –

Rachel

 

PS – I couldn’t sign off without sharing a joke my nephew has shared with me 5 times this weekend. 

 

Joke:  What do you do if you are on a zebra being chased by a lion and a giraffe?

 

Answer:  Get off the Merry-go-Round

I have exciting news to share and need everyone's help to make it happen.  We are ready to roll out the scholarship that has been established in Joe's honor.  Here is scholarship info...


Joe Vogel, Cotter class of 1996, was a devoted alum and community member.  He passed away in August of 2010 from colon cancer.  The Cotter community had a positive impact on Joe’s life – leading him to often share memories or stories from his time at Cotter.  Cotter was part of his family.  Joe will always be remembered for his smile, sense of humor and his efforts to “Pay it Forward”. 

 

Created by Joe’s Family, Friends, and co-workers at Frito Lay Inc., the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund has been established.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Cotter Student who upholds and lives the spirit of “Pay it Forward”.  The award will be applied directly to their Cotter tuition.

 

If you would like to make a gift to the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund, please send your gifts to:

 

Cotter Schools

Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund

1115 West Broadway

Winona, MN 55987  

 

Or 

 

make your gift online at www.cotterschools.org by clicking on the ‘Donations’ tab (on the left hand side) and designating your gift to the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund.

 

Cotter Schools is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. All gifts provided to Cotter through the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund are tax-deductible.  For questions, please call Megan Sadowski ’94 at 507-453-5102 or email mesadowski@cotterschools.org. 



As we head into Thanksgiving - this is what I am thankful for - Many people coming together to keep Joe alive in the community.  He would be so humbled and probably would be crying - he was a softy.  So for Joe - I want to thank all who donate and everyone who worked to get this up and running.




I also want to put this note in -



Matching Gift Programs 


Maximize your gift to Cotter by checking to see if the company you work for has a Matching Gift Program. Your company may be one of thousands that match employee contributions to non-profit organizations like Cotter. You can simply contact your employer's human resources office and ask whether your company matches employee donations.



Thank you for all the support.  I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and don't forget to eat a lot, take a good nap, and if your old enough have a cocktail.

Sending our love - Rachel, Zoe and Skittles

Music has always been a part of my life.  As a child, my family and I would sing to Alabama on all road trips.  Roll on...I'm in a Hurry...  (Yes it was a cassette too.)  As I grew up, I had some good influences along the way to help guide me.  Lord knows - I can't carry a tune, remember an artists name, let alone the song they sing...


Then came Joe - Mr. Music himself.  I remember one of the first nights we were hanging out, he popped in a video of him singing karaoke.  He was so proud of himself - all I could do was giggle.  Music meant everything to Joe.  He would always be running late when we were headed on a road trip to the cities (or anywhere), for he had to finish up one last new cd for us.  Anytime I would travel for work - he would have one sitting on my work stuff in the morning so I would have something to listen to.



Now - I have the greatest family and friends in the world.  Each week I receive a CD (sometimes a couple) in the mail to help me keep in the loop.  I can't express how much this means to me and the smile it brings to my face each time I receive one.  The coolest part is they are all different.  Today I received one titled Fun Night - I can't wait to hear the songs from 6th - 8th grade.  


Joe's aunt sent me this link and I want to share it with all of you.  This song hits it right on.  


"To Where You Are" Official Music Video by Josh Groban
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1184801925?bctid=483535319



Love - Rach

Oh Halloween…This best holiday of the year continues to live up to my standards.  This year I went as…

The SMU Bobsled Team.  I would like to thank my teammates and all who voted for us – We took home the 1st place trophy this year.  The Annual Halloween Party at my sister’s was a blast.

 

Joe would never agree to go as bobsledders.  He just wouldn’t do it.  At one point in the evening, we decided to take some outdoor photos in costume.   After the photo-shoot was over, my friend Aubrey noticed some interesting images that appeared.  Believe what you want, but I think Joe was a little envious of how great our costumes were and wanted to be apart of our team after all.  (Or maybe he was trying to ask AJ – WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING?) 

Pretty Amazing.

 

Thoughts for the week…This weekend marked the 3 month mark.  I try not to focus on time, but it always sneaks in and is overwhelming at different times.  Everyone deals with things differently, but I hope this will help, or make some people step back and realize what each day offers.  Each day…Sometimes in the morning., sometimes at night when I can’t sleep, sometimes when I’m driving…I take a moment and reflect on what has happened during the day – what I’ve done – who I’ve seen / spent time with.  Every time I do this I realize I still have a lot to be thankful for and live for.  I do laugh everyday and I do smile.  The pain of losing Joe is still there and always will be, but when I look back on the last 3 months without Joe – I know I can do this.  So thank you to all of you for your love, support and moments that allow me to reflect and know – there are good moments ahead.

 

A huge thank you a large group of family and friends who gathered this evening to present me and Joe’s family replicas of the block that will be placed at Target Field – Traditions Wall in Joe’s Memory.  It is overwhelming and so fitting for Joe.  (His mean wife had told him she didn’t want a brick with their name on it last year.)  Thank you for making his dream come true.

 

Alright – off to get some rest.  I’m on a working woman these days J.  First 3 days were fabulous and I look forward to taking on this week.

 

Love and hugs –

Rach