Opinion
| Your Letters
Your Letters 03/04/09
Open your home and reap the rewards
To the editor,
Last year, my son Luke came home from school with a flier asking for host families for a Japanese intern that would be teaching at Park View Middle School. It would only be a three-month commitment, and Luke said he would give up his room and move downstairs in the spare room. Well, what could I say to a 13-year-old that would make that kind of sacrifice? And besides, it was only three months. So we signed up, thinking there would be so many other families volunteering that we might not be chosen. To my complete surprise, we were only one of four families that signed up. So we welcomed Mie Kawabe into our home in April of 2008, and she lived with us until the end of June.
It was a wonderful experience for my family to learn, up close, about another culture, and I know Mie will be a part of our lives forever. Soon after Mie moved on to her next family, we were approached about hosting a student through AFS. This hosting opportunity was a little different. It would go from August 2008-June 2009 and it would be a teenager.
Well, there is quite a difference between hosting an adult for three months and a teenager for a year. I was thinking, "How could I fit another thing in our busy life?" My husband, Tim, runs his own business, and I work full time. I have two teenagers: Leah, who wants to be involved in as much as she can, and Luke, who is just as active. I was thinking of every reason we could not do this. On the other hand, my family was all on board for the new opportunity. Besides, Luke very generously offered to give up his room again. So I agreed, and one month later we welcomed Gabriela Martinelli, 17, from Brazil into our home.
I have to say this is the best thing my family has talked me into. We thought we were going to teach Gabi all about Mukwonago, Wisconsin and the USA. But we are learning so much from her in return.
We recently hosted a party for AFS in the Mukwonago area, and the subject came up about finding host families for next year and how difficult it has become. Mukwonago High School has lost one of its AFS students, Hilfi from Indonesia, this year because they could not find a family for him. He now has to change high schools halfway through his stay.
I am writing to say, "If we can do it, so can you." We are a typical American family, overworked, overscheduled and wrapped up in our own lives.
If AFS cannot find families for the 2009-10 school year they might have to close up in the Mukwonago area. This would be a tremendous loss for us. Please consider hosting a student through AFS.
Don't think of it in terms of how I can fit another thing in my hectic life. Think of how blessed you will be.
Amy Richardson
Mukwonago
Editor's note: This letter was edited for length.
Passersby went above and beyond
To the editor,
We, The Mukwonago Fire Department, would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the three civilians who went over and above to help us out on Feb. 21. Tragically, seven people fell through the ice on Phantom Lake that evening. Due to the location, it was extremely difficult to get personnel out to help the victims. These three people offered to use their snowmobile and ATV to help get personnel to the victims and get victims to land, safely. They were willing to do whatever it took to help us out. For this, we are extremely grateful.
With their help, all victims were safely removed from the water and taken to the hospital for treatment. We would also like to express our apologies for not getting the chance to stop and say thank you in person, or even get their names. Thank you again for going over and above in this time of need. Your efforts did not go unnoticed.
Fire Chief Jeff Rolfe and
the Mukwonago
Fire Department
Aurora abandonment leaves a void
To the editor,
I wish to thank the Mukwonago Chief for their article regarding the closing of the Mukwonago Aurora Clinic. I, however, felt compelled to write this letter voicing my own displeasure with Aurora's decision to eliminate this facility.
My family and I have been clients of Aurora for over 20 years. As a determining factor to our recent move to Mukwonago, No. 1 was the School District and second was the Aurora clinic. In just over four years of residency, we have seen a growth in the community with a Super Walmart, Home Depot, and a number of new subdivisions. As Mukwonago has an increased prominence in the area, I believe Aurora should have maintained their presence. However, there was never any discussion with community leaders, a survey of their patients, or any reasonable amount of notification on the part of Aurora in the closing of the clinic. What we got was an abrupt article in the Chief giving us six weeks' notice.
Where do we go from here? Unfortunately, we must now make some critical decisions in our future healthcare needs. Sadly, Aurora will leave a void in the community and a hardship for those who must commute to see the healthcare professionals who we liked so much.
Kenneth Johnson
Mukwonago
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