When going out to get the big buck, there is only one shirt...

Congrats to the hunter - my condolences to the bucks family (if Bambi can make it - so can all of you).

'Tis the season for ornaments!  Joe's Aunt, Jane, has made many beautiful Team Vogel ornaments to help keep the spirit alive throughout the holiday season...

The Team Vogel Ornaments are $10 (with $3 going to Team Vogel's mission to "Pay it Forward"). 

If you are interested in an ornament, please send an email to -
[email protected]

Please note - each ornament is unique - above are just 4 examples. 

A special Thank You to Jane! 

Each year - the holidays come.  When Joe was here, I would decorate the house with odds and ends...  a pink Christmas tree...  butterflies...  sparkles...

Regardless of my choices, he would alwasys enjoy the spirit of the season with me.

When people leave - sometimes traditions and interests do too.  My first Christmas without Joe - I focused on breathing and getting through the day.  Last year - I had a little more spirit, but I could not pull out a piece of holiday decor.  This year I found myself thinking about decorating...  I wasn't truly inspired until I walked into my favorite shopping location in Wells - The Back Door Closet (a second hand store).  They had amazing holiday decorations and it became a challenge that inspired me.  What could I do with this piece... How can I make that piece fit the theme... That just needs to come home...

There is no right or wrong way to make it through the holidays.  Everyone's path leads in different directions at times, sometimes they cross, and sometimes they overlap. 

Here is where my path brought me this weekend...

Before signing off - all dates for the 2013 Team Vogel vs Cancer season are now on the website under Other Events.

Peace and Hugs...and stay warm!
-Rach

I wanted to share with everyone the following information on the Joe Vogel - "Pay it Forward" Scholarship opportunity for Cotter students.  Please help spread the word and encourage students to apply.  

Here is the note that was sent out with all the details...

The 2nd annual Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” scholarship will be awarded during Catholic Schools Week 2013 (Jan 28-Feb 2). The scholarship will award $500 towards Cotter tuition. I encourage you to keep reading to find out more and consider having your child(ren) apply!

Joe Vogel, Cotter class of 1996, was a devoted alum and community member.  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 passed away in August of 2010 from colon cancer. In the months before he passed, Joe organized the Team Vogel vs. Cancer benefit, which raises money for Winona-area families dealing with cancer and cancer research. Joe will always be remembered for his smile, sense of humor and his efforts to “Pay it Forward” -- to give back to others.

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.

To apply for this 2012-2013 scholarship, student applicants are asked to:

1) Submit a one page essay explaining about how they “Pay it Forward” – give back to others.

2) Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher and one letter of recommendation from a community member. Letters of reference should explain how they can attest to the student’s efforts to “Pay if Forward.”

Students should turn in the essay and letter to the Advancement Office no later than December 3rd, 2012. This scholarship opportunity is available to ALL Cotter students grades 7-12.

If you have any questions, I invite you to contact me at this email address or by calling me at 507-453-5102. I hope you all encourage your child(ren) to consider applying for this wonderful scholarship. Having known Joe personally, I can truly imagine how pleased Joe would be with the efforts of many of our students to Pay it Forward and how happy he would be to be able to continue to Pay it Forward to Cotter students in this way.

Megan

A couple weeks ago - I was invite to attend a Harvest Party and there just happened to be a pumpkin carving event.  My creative-soul-sister, Beth, had this great idea to create Ninja Turtles...  I think they turned out amazing!

I was feeling like a Halloween Bummer this year.  Tuesday rolled around and I had no plans for my favorite holiday.  I was truly taking a back seat and letting life take over.  Then - at the last moment on Tuesday - I sprung to action and did some brainstorming with my co - worker...

I have a pink wig...I really want to wear that...I could be a pilot...or maybe I should just not dress up...I HAVE TO DRESS UP...and that's when the wheels started to spin and Katy Perry came to life (the school appropriate version).

Hoping all of you fired up your Halloween Spirit too.  Off to zone-out and watch TV.  Busy weekend with many laughs and great friends.

Hugs - Rach