“News by Elders, for Elders, about Elders”
Published the first Thursday of every month.
SPONSORED BY: LCO ELDER’S ASSOCIATION
Chair, Marie Kuykendall, called the meeting to order at 10:10am. Present were Melody Quaderer, Leslie Ramczyk, Pat Alexander, Vicky Jerome, Lorraine Smith, Dorothy Sharon, Clara Jalowitz, Faith Smith, and Mona Ingerson.
Vicky moved to accept the March minutes of the Elder Council, seconded by Clara. Minutes passed unanimously.
The Elder Council serves as the advisory board of the Elder Center. We need to create a committee and appoint members with terms in order to be in compliance with funding requirements.
Mary Provided an update on programs provided by the Elder Center.
The Elder Council will provide the opportunity for candidates for tribal council to address the public on Facebook on May 3rd, 9am to 5pm at Kinnamon.
The meeting adjourned at 12:10.
The Free Store, which provides donated items for free to the community, was broken into over the Easter weekend. Can you believe it? Who would do such a thing when all items in the store are free! Items stolen range from small countertop applicances, necklaces and bracelets, and even the trail camera. The camera’s sim card alone was worth $60-$70. The break-in also had damages where the basement windows were broken. The cameras were used mainly to monitor people dropping things off, which sometimes people would drop off their garbage. It’s awful that there is such disrespect against our community and entities that are trying to help others.
On April 25th we had an in-service training for our staff and the topic this month was about reporting child abuse or neglect. Although we are not mandated reporters, we should all be trained on how to report things to protect children. Miigwech to ICW Director Tibissum Rice and ICW Caseworker Rachel Teschendorf for coming to the Elder and presenting this training.
Good news! LCO Financial Services notified us they will purchase additional garbage bags for LCO Recycling for the Elder and Disabled who have not yet picked up their 15 bags for the 2025 calendar year. We are grateful for the support they give us. Miigwech Financial Services!
The Bizhiki Wellness Center is coordinating an Elder Breakfast event on Saturday morning, May 10th at the LCO Elder Center. Pancakes and sausage, etc. Please come join us! We will be hosting staff from the DHS Office of Resource Center Development (ORCD) and all WI Tribal Aging programs for a day of fiscal and reporting training and program updates. We are hoping to provide our guests with a tour showcasting our beautiful tribal nation and recent developments at LCO!
We are still in need of a new vehicle for our Elder Transportation Program. In the meantime, Bob is borrowing vehicles as we can access them. Because of this, we are not scheduling a group shopping trip this month.
We are entering our last month of school and it is a busy one! We have a lot of work left to do, with annual spring NWEA assessments in the early part of the month and final exams for the high school students during the last week (June 2nd-4th). This is also the time of year where we recognize our accomplishments with field trips, ceremonies, and celebrations. Here are just a few of the upcoming events:
On April 24th & 25th, sixteen (16) high school students interested in the medical field were able to attend the Indigenous Health and Wellness Days at UW-Madison as part of a long-term partnership with the LCOOU and AISES. The trip was coordinated by UW-Madison with the assistance of high school teachers Wendy Fuller.
Our spring sports teams have been busy practicing and competing at events throughout the area. On May 20th we will have the honor of hosting our first ever conference meet at the Ashland Track and Field.
Both the middle school and high school track teams have record participation for both boys’ and girls’ participation, with many students achieving personal records this season. The track staff includes: Katie Hecker, Cody Carley, Jason Bisonette, Zach Rajala, Alyssa Anderson, Maria Acosta, and Neveah Cross. Students interested in golf are also participating in practice under the supervision of Zach Briggs. Our elementary students will also be participating in the annual field day activities later this month.
A reminder that 4k and kindergarten registration for the 2025 – 2026 school year is still open. Applications for new students can be picked up anytime in the main office or can be emailed by calling the school. Summer school registration forms are also available.
The annual needs assessment process continues with a review of data, feedback, and progress on current goals, in preparation for the next school year. We encourage parents and families to complete the stakeholder feedback survey that was emailed last month. We have applied for a number of grants related to after school programming, reading and math support and an additional vocational technical education program (auto maintenance) and are hoping to add staffing to support those areas, pending grant awards.
Happy May! Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer! Perfect weather for some yard work.
As we announced last month, part of our Spring-Clean-Up efforts, we are offering, we are offering the following incentive to our tenants. “Would you like to win a new Patio Set or a BBQ Grill?” During the month of April, if you clean your yard, that could be you! On May 1st our staff will drive through all communities and tenants that have cleaned their yard will be entered in a drawing to win your choice of either! GOOD LUCK! The winner will be announced in the next newsletter.
The Housing Authority staff will be going out on Friday, May 2nd to clean our “Adopt-A-Road” section starting in Reserve on N and going up to Larson Road.
Congratulations to Candace Swehla, she is the winner for the 1st Quarter, 2025 Renter Incentive Program! Candace received a $100 Walmart gift certificate. For more information on how you can be eligible to win, call the Housing office at 715-634-2147 and ask for Brenda or Andie.
Elder Unit Rehab Project Update: Work has now begun in the Reserve Community. LCO Development is contracted to do this work. Work on these units consist of replacing the roofs, siding, exterior doors and windows. They’re looking good!
Rent Increase: This is currently taking longer than expected to be implemented. We are now looking at July or August. We will keep everyone updated on new dates.
Community Awareness: As I’m sure everyone is aware, we are having issues with Bear getting into people’s garbage. We are asking people to please not store any garbage in their garage or outside their unit. This is causing safety issues in our communities. In some cases, damage to your units and that could potentially be a charge to. you. The transfer station is open Thursday, Friday, & Saturday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Check LCO Recycling Center social media for updates on this year’s Spring Clean-up. There will be no curb-side pickup, please DO NOT pile items on the end of your driveway.
LP Gas Users: Please keep your gas tanks at 30% or better. It takes a week or two for delivery. If you run out, there is an extra charge for delivery and to light your pilot lights. Also, this damages the hot water heater and furnace. Which could also lead to your being charged for damages.
Please see our website www.lcoha.org for the full monthly newsletter and more information.
Toss chicken with 1 Tbsp cornstarch in a medium bowl. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken. Cook stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate using a slotted spoon. Heat remaining oil in same skillet. Add minced onion, garlic, and ginger Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, 1 to 3 minutes.
For sauce, in a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, broth, juice, brown sugar, vinegar, red pepper, and remaining cornstarch. Add sauce to skillet, cook until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet. Cook until chicken is well coated and heated through. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.
Per serving – (1 1/4 cup chicken mixture and 1/2 cup rice) 469 cal., 14g fat, 38g pro., 38g carb., 901mg sodium
Dear Readers, this is a first. I have lost the minutes for the April meeting. If you saw my piles of paper, it’s possible you would understan. I know we had an interesting meeting that was well attended. Let’s hope for better paper management for next month.
Koobie’s turned 8 years old on April 15th. Our purpose is two-fold. One is to provide good coffees and food. The second is to help those in need. We do this as volunteers, Rhonda Hislip and I. We offer consignment space with no fees. This year, April to April, we were able to help in these ways: