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The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to accept a contribution from Aspirus for the Hodag
Dome complex. Aspirus, which was recently named an IBM Watson Top 15 health system for the third year in a row, views the contribution as an important investment in our local Rhinelander community. Once completed, the dome will provide the region with fitness opportunities throughout the year. “We’re very happy to play a role in bringing this excellent facility to the area,” noted Jesse Tischer, Aspirus Senior Vice President & President of Regional Markets. “Aspirus is about more than healing people. This project is a perfect way to show that we also promote health and wellness while strengthening our communities.” The Hodag Schools Foundation has stated the permanent dome structure will be one of a kind, and it will be up year-round and able to provide substantial benefits for students, the community, and the economy of northern and central Wisconsin. “Athletics and activities are a vital element in our school systems,” said Robb Fabich, Aspirus Regional Clinic Director. “The Hodag Dome will enhance the area school system, which will help attract and retain quality medical professionals to the area. This is one more way that Aspirus can help make a difference in people’s lives outside the traditional health care setting.” Ron Counter, President of the Board of Education noted, “We sincerely appreciate the Aspirus donation to the Hodag Dome which will help the Rhinelander School District. The donation toward the dome complex complements other donations to help support the Rhinelander school district and community including the Aspirus Community Fitness Center, the Aspirus School Clinic, and continued ongoing support for our community.” The Hodag Dome is expected to be finished in the next several months. HSF and the Rhinelander School District are planning an open house and dedication in the fall. The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to announce they have surpassed their $2 million goal in improvements for the Hodag Dome and Complex.
HSF set out to work with donors and the School District to help raise money toward the indoor and outdoor improvements, which now will be a reality this fall. HSF envisions these improvements to be similar to what happened in 1958 when the High School was built, which helped Rhinelander emerge as an educational leader in the state. HSF has issued several press releases in the past 18 months since Dr. Lee Swank’s generous gift initiated the project, and there will be additional in the next few months. HSF sincerely thanks all donors mentioned in past press releases, and the School District has provided naming right opportunities. HSF is also grateful for all private donations. The Dr. Lee Swank donor wall in the new complex will list the names of donors gifting $1,000 and above. Dave Heck, President of HSF noted, “In these uncertain times, we are thrilled to provide positive news. We are so thankful to all donors that made this happen. In addition, we are grateful for the School Board and Administration commitment to make this investment for the future of Rhinelander. Mike Roberts has done a great job on the capital projects design, and Ron Counter and fellow school board members have provided leadership to help this become a reality. We thank Brian Paulson, D.J. DeMeyer and softball including Tim Musson, and also thank Superintendent Kelli Jacobi for her help on this project and congratulate Kelli on her retirement. As she moves into retirement, the Dome complex will also be a great springboard for the new Superintendent Eric Burke to help take Rhinelander to another level.” The permanent Dome structure will be one of a kind, and it will be up year round and able to provide substantial benefits for students, the community, and the economy of northern and central Wisconsin. Heck stated, “In our research, Ron Counter, Mike Roberts, Brian Paulson and I took several tours viewing facilities. After visiting a Dome in Minneapolis, we got in the car and were in absolute awe of what a facility of this type could do for our community. And not just for activities. In fact, the first thing the Principal said from the district we visited was how much of a mental health improvement they saw in kids due to being able to see green grass and increased light. Instead of being stuck inside during the cold and dark in the winter with electronics, kids can play, get active, learn and use these facilities.” Mike Roberts, HSF board member and school board member commented, “We found that a permanent Dome structure is much more cost effective than a metal building. It can be much larger yet be more efficient, addressing space needs. The space will allow us to host tournaments and trade shows, providing incredible civic use, and help for students. The Hodag Dome will greatly help in all forms of activities, learning, involvement, and benefit the community.” The following attributes reflect on the improvements:
Heck believes the new space will benefit SDR students and the whole Rhinelander community. He continues, “Most schools we have seen have much more inside dedicated space for students for learning and activities, Rhinelander never did until now. Thus, it will truly help Rhinelander students. However, it will also benefit our community since many other schools, groups, and teams have inquired about facility use. Economically, it is estimated that these improvements will bring in over $1 million annually to our area from restaurants, hotels, movie theatre, gas station, and the like. Rhinelander, “the Hub of the Northwoods”, will likely see a dramatic improvement in economic progress with these facilities. This will not only help students but also attract and retain families and businesses. The economic, social and health challenges are driving people across the country to ask themselves where they want to live, move, or stay; the Hodag Dome will be a great asset for people to consider Rhinelander as their destination for learning, activity and community in the future. It will be amazing and truly differentiate and help Rhinelander.” Brian Paulson, board member of HSF and Activities Director, commented, “We have heard from districts and teams throughout the state of how this is great for Rhinelander – and they want to be part of it. Already, we have scheduled a 12-team invitation for wrestling in December, a possible 17-team tournament for softball in March, and April softball/soccer tournaments. This is only a start – we have had colleges contact us to use this facility. Because there is nothing like this anywhere close, this will not only benefit our students and community, but will draw in visitors to support Rhinelander’s economy.” Ron Counter, President of the Board of Education noted, “With the Covid issues and economic hardships, we all need positive news and the timing of these improvements will provide Rhinelander a great benefit. In addition, we feel this will help enrollment trends, which in turn, bring in more state aid to our District. The Hodag Dome will also help attract and retain teachers – as we improve enrollment, additional state aid can help in teacher pay versus our peers. We have already seen interest from teachers outside the area and want to always attract and retain the best teachers to help our students and community.” HSF and the Rhinelander School District are planning an Open House / Dome Dedication in the fall and excited to provide a positive and incredible benefit and asset to the community. Yet, even with all of these great improvements, there is still room to make progress. In relation to the sports courts, which can interchange court surfaces between basketball, volleyball, and tennis; the total costs have not been fully funded in the original bid. Therefore, HSF is still raising money to help the District. Donors providing $1,000 and up are able to get their name on the donor wall and help fund these court improvements. Further, indoor golf improvements are being discussed. If you are interested in helping fund these additional improvements, please contact HSF. Amidst the widespread disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the utmost concern for the health of our alumni and community members, HSF has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 All Class Reunion. We look forward to seeing you all AUGUST 14, 2021.   Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation has awarded Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) a
$25,000 grant for the new Hodag Sports Complex. Leah Van Zile, senior communications specialist – WPS, explains, “The new Hodag Sports Complex embodies the concept of community, health and education, and will have a lasting impact on generations to come. WPS strives to be a positive force for responsible growth in our regional economies, and through the WPS Foundation, we continue to support the communities we serve.” Incorporated in 1964, WPS Foundation is the philanthropic entity for WPS and other subsidiaries of its holding company, WEC Energy Group. The foundation provides charitable contributions to local communities while WPS is focused on providing safe, reliable electricity and natural gas to its 450,000 customers in northeastern Wisconsin. The foundation is funded by shareholders, not by WPS customers. WPS Foundation supports organizations involved in community and neighborhood development, education, environment, human services and health, and arts and culture. WPS employees live, work and actively participate in the communities they serve, demonstrating a personal commitment to safety, health and wellness as a way of life. Van Zile continues, “The Hodag Sports Complex complements our company’s focus on health and wellness. With the extended winter weather in the Northwoods, there is an increased need for access to indoor recreation spaces. The Hodag Sports Complex offers a space for fun and fitness year-round. Bringing additional sporting and business venues to the Rhinelander area can positively impact businesses throughout the Northwoods. WPS Foundation is pleased to be part of this legacy.” Carole Zierden, HSF board member and retired School District of Rhinelander teacher, admits, “I have never been happier with the all the donations from businesses and individuals — in addition to this generous grant — to make the dome happen in Rhinelander. As a spring coach for the past 17 years, I am looking forward to this marvelous new facility for our youth and athletics, where they can practice for many years to come.” Superintendent Kelli Jacobi notes, “Many thanks to HSF for writing this proposal and to the WPS Foundation for granting the money. The grant is directed toward the Hodag Schools Foundation which, in turn, gives the money to SDR to help fund the dome project. The facility improvements are designed to benefit the entire community and will help attract students and families, which in turn, brings state aid to the district.”  Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is especially pleased to announce a donation of
$50,000 from Ripco Credit Union. Designated for improvements to the Hodag athletic multi- purpose complex, the donation comes in the form of a pledge over several years. “The Ripco Board of Directors and I truly see this as a game changer for our community,” notes Liza Edinger, President and CEO of Rhinelander’s Ripco Credit Union. “The attraction this complex will have for not only those in our community, but also visitors from outside of our area will result in positive outcomes, bringing an encouraging economic benefit to our area. Moreover, we wanted to provide support to the largest commitment our school district has made since 1958. The time, attention, and resources already provided by numerous individuals and companies have been truly impressive and heartwarming to see. In addition, we have a long-standing relationship with the Rhinelander School District, and have maintained a student branch at Rhinelander High School for well over 10 years.” Ripco Credit Union has long-time, strong roots in the Rhinelander community, operating since 1932. Membership was available initially to employees of the Rhinelander Industrial Paper Company, the credit union, and their immediate families. In 1972, Ripco became a community credit union and the charter was expanded to include the city of Rhinelander. Today, with over 12,000 members Ripco’s charter encompasses seven counties (Oneida, Forest, Florence, Vilas, Langlade, Lincoln and Price) and membership is open to those who live, work, or own real estate in those seven counties. Edinger believes the Dome will attract many from outside of our community to different events. This will provide an economic benefit to the area as visitors utilize hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that they choose to frequent. Edinger says, “We feel the Dome will offer the opportunity for various sporting and other types of events year-round. The possibilities are endless for use of the space. With the late springs we tend to have, it will no doubt provide an opportunity for the community to come together more often. We live in an area that is known for higher depression and seasonal affective disorder. We have long, cold winters. Having an indoor facility of this magnitude could very well provide a reason for many who do not venture outside to participate more in community events and improve their overall mental well-being.” She continues, “Some studies have shown that there appears to be a correlation between participation in sports and academic achievement. This being the case, the Dome may very well begin to not only draw in students but also improve students’ academics. We feel that the Dome will only enhance what the Rhinelander School District has to offer which in turn will attract more families to live in our area. Our credit union continues to grow in size and in number of employees. It is not uncommon for us to have to look for prospective employees outside of our community. Having such a facility in our town may very well become a draw to families with children as they survey the District and what it has to offer. This could provide us with a larger pool of qualified applicants for staff.” Edinger wants to again remind the community that Ripco sees the Dome as a game changer and an attraction to our community that will give those living here a strong sense of pride. “The more we learned about the facility, the more enthused we got about the endless opportunities that will come to our community.” She concludes, “We are thrilled not only to support this endeavor, but also be an active part of this community and a business that will benefit and experience what the Dome will accomplish over time.” HSF board member Steve Jensen notes, “As a former coach of a spring sport and a physical education teacher, I know the challenges weather can cause. That’s why donations like this from Ripco are so important. HSF sincerely thanks Ripco Credit Union. Their generosity helps give Rhinelander the opportunity to become a destination city.” Merlin VanBuren, SDR Board member, echoes that gratitude, “The District thanks Ripco Credit Union for this generous donation. We are fortunate to have their continued support.”  Another business has stepped up to support improvements to the Hodag Sports Complex. The
Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is again pleased to announce the donation of $25,000 from Nicolet National Bank. The donation comes in the form of a pledge, designated for improvements to the Hodag multi-purpose complex. Amy Vanney, Branch Manager at Nicolet National Bank since 2017, explains, “I am not an RHS graduate, but I am married to one, and I am raising three Hodags. The staff at Nicolet Bank has many RHS alumni, and most of them grew up in the surrounding area. To support the dome means a lot to the entire staff at Nicolet National Bank, and we are so honored to be part of the project. We hire locally so most of our employees are committed to living in Rhinelander or the surrounding area. Having the dome in Rhinelander will be another great reason to make Rhinelander where we all live, work and play.” Vanney believes that the Hodag Sports Complex will help the entire Rhinelander community. “Bringing various teams into our town will boost the town’s economy,” she continues. “The teams will need hotels, food, gas, and shopping which benefits all of our customers as well as benefiting our community. Having the dome in Rhinelander will make us a go-to destination for traveling athletic events and sports clinics. Moreover, I think the dome being open to the public will be a great place for teens and seniors to meet and get some exercise, benefiting their physical and mental health. I think there is so much opportunity to expand the services and capabilities of the dome, and I am excited to see all the ideas the community comes up with to utilize this new, beautiful facility. The sky is the limit!” At Nicolet National Bank, local professionals are driven by a vision of shared success. Nicolet National Bank is founded on the belief that their job is to create shared success between the 3 Circles: Customers, Shareholders and Employees. “Because each circle can be divergent and has their own interests,” says Vanney, “our job is to create balance and grow the space of shared success where the 3 Circles overlap. This is Nicolet National Bank’s vision.” All employees are expected to model Nicolet’s Core Values, behaviors that put action behind their vision, creating a culture that has a bias toward action. Those Core Values include Be Real, Be Responsive, Be Personal, Be Memorable, and Be Entrepreneurial. Vanney explains, “We expect to create connections with customers, whether internal or external, and work together to create a successful outcome. We give people the opportunity to learn, grow and make a difference. We choose to work here because we make a real difference to our customers and the community. The Hodag Dome will be a great addition to our community. Nicolet National Bank only has branches in the communities around the state where we can matter to that community. As a community bank we support a lot of various organizations in the place where we live and work. The request to sponsor the Dome was an easy request to get behind.” HSF Board Member Casey Gretzinger notes, “HSF sincerely thanks Nicolet National Bank. This donation will impact the year-round activities the new dome will provide our students and community in our cold Northern Wisconsin temperatures. We appreciate Nicolet National Bank’s donation and willingness to share in the success of the Hodag Sports Complex.” Rhinelander School Board Member Ron Luenburg echoes that gratitude, “The District is grateful to accept this gift from Nicolet National Bank. The improvements in these facilities will benefit students and the community, differentiating Rhinelander from its neighbors.”  The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to announce that another local business has
expressed its support for the Hodag athletic multipurpose complex with a $25,000 donation. This donation, from Culver’s of Rhinelander, comes in the form of a pledge over five years, designated for improvements specifically for the Hodag Dome. Josh and Jen Clark, own and operate the local Culver’s restaurant along with eleven additional Culver"s restaurants located in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and Florida. “We were both involved in athletics, and we feel strongly about the values that sports and extra-curricular activities bring to kids in our community,” says Josh. “Rhinelander is our home. We have two boys, Connor and Cooper, who will grow up with the advantage of having a dome complex to be active all year and hopefully be better students, athletes, and well-rounded people because of this new facility. We are also proponents of growing the Northwoods, and this will be a huge attraction to potential families moving up here. The final element is the mental health aspect. Anyone that has lived up here for an extended period knows the winters can get long and this will really help to get people out of the house and active during those long, dark winter months.” For almost 35 years, Culver's guests have been treated to cooked-to-order food made with farm-fresh ingredients, served with a smile. The restaurant's nationally recognized customer service is based on small-town, Midwestern values, genuine friendliness and an unwavering commitment to quality. The Culver’s owned and operated by the Clarks have roughly 55 team members and managers in the Rhinelander community and over 550 in all of their restaurants. The Clarks also have a local business, Clark Business Solutions, which has three local employees that provide accounting services to Culver"s restaurants locally and throughout the country. Clark also mentioned that in addition to the many benefits of the dome mentioned, some might not be known until later. While being active throughout the entire year is important, the Clark family feels the dome will be a direct correlation for growing new business in the area as well. “If we are attracting more people to Rhinelander, they will stay at our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and shop at our local establishments.” Josh continues, “I believe this will be huge for attracting talent and people to the Northwoods and make this the place to live if you are making a move north.” Josh adds, “A few years ago I used to hear about how bad our roads were when people would come up from out of town. The PRAT tax that [the city] has implemented has allowed the improvement of the city roads and infrastructure, and I look at the dome as being a very similar improvement. It is an investment in our future and something that will pay dividends for years to local business, tourism, housing, and tax revenue. Hopefully, the dome will be a deciding factor when a family is contemplating a move to the Northwoods.” “It is great to have local business step up to support this project,” says HSF Board member Brian Gaber. “We at HSF are delighted that Culver’s has invested in Rhinelander’s future education.” SDR Board Ann Munninghoff Eshelman echoes that sentiment, “I am very happy and proud to see the Rhinelander community support its schools with such unprecedented generosity. Heartfelt thanks to Culvers –as well as all the other dedicated community members and organizations.”  “If you build it, people will come” is a sentiment from the 1989 film, Field of Dreams. Peoples State Bank sees the building of the Hodag Sports Complex as the perfect opportunity to impact the greater Rhinelander community. The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to announce the donation of $100,000 from Rhinelander’s Peoples State Bank. The donation comes in the form of a pledge, designated for improvements to the Hodag athletic multi-purpose complex.
“The project will benefit our youth, student athletes, their families, and citizens in Rhinelander by promoting health and wellness, team building, and social responsibility,” notes Craig Lau, Northern Market President of Peoples State Bank. He continued, “The facility will be viewed by neighboring communities as an excellent cooperative venture, raising the bar for athletic competition for all Rhinelander athletes. Additionally, the economic impact to Rhinelander and the surrounding communities will be felt for decades to come. When teams and athletes travel to Rhinelander, those athletes and families will eat at our restaurants, stay at our hotels, and shop in our stores, providing an economic boost that is not just felt by those businesses but felt by the employees who work at those businesses.” Peoples looks for ways to give back to the communities where they have bank locations. Founded in 1962 in Wausau, their first northern branch was located in Rhinelander’s Trig’s Grocery store within the Trig’s Mall in 1998. In 2002, Peoples opened at its current location at 8 East Anderson Street. They believe in hiring and retaining many people who grew up in Rhinelander. “Brandon Karaba, RHS Class of 2001, is a perfect example of the type of employee we love having on our staff,” says Lau, “because he devotes his own time to give back to the community in which he grew up.” Peoples takes pride in the community service and non-profit work of their employees. In 2018, employees donated more than 8,000 hours to non-profits, churches, schools, and other community organizations. Volunteering is part of Peoples culture. As a community bank, they feel customers are also friends and neighbors and work together to make communities better places to live and work. Volunteering so important that in 2019, Peoples provided 20 hours of volunteer time off for every employee to use during their workday to give back to their communities. “When you work for a company that supports the growth and prosperity of the community you love, it’s easy to be passionate about your job. . .,” notes Brandon Karaba, Assistant Vice President and Mortgage Lender at Peoples. “As a local business, we’re only successful when our customers and communities are successful. One of the reasons we stepped up to help with this project is the impact it will have not only just on our school’s student athletes, but also on the community in general. From an exercise and fitness standpoint, having a sports complex that will be available when weather doesn’t cooperate, means more people staying fit and improving their health.” “Our bank believes in always seeing potential in building a community,” comments Peoples State Bank President and CEO Scott Cattanach. “That is why we know people will come to Rhinelander when we help build the Hodag Sports Complex. Peoples State Bank is proud to be part of the project.” Brian Paulson, HSF Board member and Activities Director for the School District of Rhinelander (SDR), states, “Anyone who has competed in school athletics, intramurals, or other sporting events knows how important practice is to perfect the skills to compete at a high level. Unfortunately, in our northern climate, it’s not always easy to stay on top of those skills in the middle of winter. That’s why this donation is so important to all Rhinelander athletes. Our athletes will be able to practice rain or shine, day or night, and winter cold. We sincerely thank Peoples State Bank for supporting this project.” SDR Board member Duane Frey echoes that gratitude, “The school district is most appreciative of the donation from Peoples State Bank. It is gratifying to have the backing of this local business and the incredible impact it will have on our students and community.” |
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