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
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
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