News
New Meeting Location
Hello Eagle River Rotarians!
Our new Club meeting location is now the Riverstone Brewing Co.
Club meetings are held at Noon on the first and third Thursday of each month, excluding holidays.
Board meetings are held at 11:00 am on the first Thursday of each month.
Guests and potential members are welcome! Please email us if you are planning to attend as a guest or potential member.
Club Celebrates 98 Years of Service, Leadership and Community Impact
For 98 years, the Rotary Club of Eagle River has remained committed to one powerful principle: Service Above Self.
Founded on May 23, 1928, with sponsorship from the Rotary Club of Crandon, the club has spent nearly a century serving Eagle River and the surrounding Northwoods through volunteerism, philanthropy, and community leadership.
Throughout our history, our members have helped shape the community we proudly call home. We helped support the early development of the World Championship Snowmobile Derby, were among the early contributors to what became Eagle River Memorial Hospital, helped restore the Eagle River Railroad Depot and the Silver Lake Beach House, and most recently supported the development of Rotary Square in downtown Eagle River.
Today, that same spirit of service continues through hands-on volunteerism, youth initiatives, charitable giving, and member led projects that directly strengthen the Northwoods community.
One of the club’s signature annual events, its popular Wine & Cheese fundraiser, which began in 1994, continues to generate support for charitable giving throughout our region. Proceeds from the event have helped support organizations and initiatives including:
- Northwoods Children’s Museum
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Vilas County
- Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation
- Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club
- Kalmar Community Center
- Eagle River Recreation Association, home of The Dome
In addition to its fundraising efforts, the Rotary Club of Eagle River proudly coordinates Warm The Children, a long-standing community program that helps local children and families in need receive warm winter clothing during the holiday season. Previously coordinated by the Vilas County News-Review, the program now continues under the leadership of the club and its dedicated volunteers.
In 2025 alone, the program received $88,350.39 in community donations. With the help of 45 volunteer shoppers, 213 families were served, and 545 children received new winter clothing from Glik’s and Northland Clothing Company.
Club members also generously support the annual Berganthal Challenge, a fundraiser held in honor of Bob Berganthal. The effort benefits three area food pantries, helping neighbors in Eagle River, Land O’ Lakes and Three Lakes during a time of significant need.
“As we celebrate 98 years of service, we are incredibly proud of the generations of members who have helped build this club’s legacy,” said Kevin McGuire, president of the Rotary Club of Eagle River. “Rotary has always been about neighbors helping neighbors, and that mission remains as important today as it was in 1928.”
As the club looks ahead to its centennial celebration, members remain committed to serving others, strengthening community partnerships, and creating lasting impact for future generations.
We look forward to celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2028.
To mark this special milestone, the Rotary Club of Eagle River will host a celebratory anniversary luncheon on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at noon at Riverstone Brewing Company (219 North Railroad Street, Eagle River). Community members interested in learning more about the club are warmly invited to join us for a complimentary lunch. To RSVP, please email eagleriverrotaryclub@gmail.com. Guests who RSVP will receive available menu options.
Information about the club is also available on our website at EagleRiverRotary.com.
About the Rotary Club of Eagle River
Founded in 1928, the Rotary Club of Eagle River is part of Rotary International, a worldwide network of service minded leaders dedicated to creating lasting change in communities at home and around the world. Guided by Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, the club supports local projects, youth initiatives, charitable programs, and community partnerships throughout the Northwoods.
New Meeting Location on May 7th
Hello Fellow Rotarians!
Our next Board and Club meetings will be held on Thursday, May 7th at the Riverstone Brewing Co. (219 North Railroad Street, Eagle River, WI 54521).
The Board will meet at 11:00 am, and the Club meeting will be at Noon.
The menu will be emailed shortly so that you can pre-order your lunch.
2025 Bergenthal Challenge Now Underway
Hello Fellow Rotarians,
Robert “Bob” Bergenthal was a devoted and long-running member of the Eagle River Rotary Club. About 20 years ago, Bob purchased a new dock from fellow Rotarian John Mors of Boat Sport. John offered to sell Bob’s old dock, and when it sold, they decided to donate the proceeds to local food pantries as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons approached.
To expand the impact, Bob invited his fellow Rotarians to join him in supporting the effort. Participation was voluntary, and many Club members contributed between $25 and $100. Some wrote checks right away, while others added a pledge to their quarterly dues.
The funds were distributed to three area food pantries, helping neighbors in Eagle River, Land O’ Lakes, and Three Lakes during a time of significant need. That single act of generosity grew into a treasured Club tradition that became known as the Bergenthal Challenge.
Bob passed away in October 2014, yet his spirit of service and generosity continues to guide us. Each year, our Club honors his legacy by rallying together once more to support local families and strengthen our community.
If you wish to make a donation for the Bergenthal Challenge, please let me know. It has been suggested I distribute the checks to the local food pantries before Thanksgiving, so I ask that you make your pledge by November 10th so that I can get the checks out.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our Club and our community.
Warm Regards,
Kim Swisher, Treasurer
Eagle River Rotary Club & Foundation
Warm The Children Launches Soon for the 2025 Season
As the chill of fall settles in the North Woods, plans are underway for the 29th annual Warm The Children (WTC) winter clothing program.
“We began planning with the Eagle River Rotary Club in August, and we are excited to launch this season’s program on November 1, 2025,” shared Nancy Brandner, WTC program coordinator.
Volunteer shoppers and families will begin shopping on Saturday, November 1, and continue through December 14, 2025.
Warm The Children partners with Vilas County Social Services to assist qualified families in purchasing winter clothing for children ages newborn to 17.
Families must be residents of Vilas County or the Three Lakes/Sugar Camp area in Oneida County.
Applications are available at the Vilas County Social Services office, at the Vilas County News-Review office, or online at eagleriverrotary.com.
The program strives to provide high-quality clothing that lasts beyond one season.
Local businesses, including Northland Clothing Company in Three Lakes and Glik’s in Eagle River, provide support by offering a 25% discount to the program, and purchases are tax-exempt. This stretches funds further while ensuring families can choose from a wide selection of warm, durable clothing. Purchases are limited to essential winter items such as coats, footwear, mittens, scarves, sweaters, and other basics.
Debbie Buss is coordinating the volunteer shoppers, who will meet families at the store and assist with selecting clothing. “Volunteers are at the heart of this program,” Buss said. “They not only help families shop, but also make the experience warm and welcoming for parents and children.” Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Debbie at 715-891-9235.
In 2024, the program served 468 families. Warm The Children would not be possible without the generosity of full-time and seasonal area residents, and our local clubs and organizations.
Fundraising efforts for the 2025 season are underway, with a goal of $80,000.
The Eagle River Rotary Club Foundation is coordinating efforts, with help from the Vilas County News-Review, Nancy Brandner and Debbie Buss. The foundation has received a generous donation from Byron McNutt to cover all of the expenses for this year.
Donations may be sent to the Eagle River Rotary Foundation, PO Box 1191, Eagle River, WI 54521. The Vilas County News-Review will also accept donations, with checks made payable to the Eagle River Rotary Foundation.
“Donations of any amount, whether $5, $20, $100 or more, will be recognized in the newspaper unless the donor wishes to remain anonymous,” Brandner said. “Gifts may also be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. Every donation makes a difference.”
The Rotary Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by U.S. law.
Warm The Children was started in 1993 by then newspaper publisher Mack Stewart of Higganum, Conn., to ensure underprivileged children had access to warm winter clothing.
Byron McNutt, retired publisher of the Vilas County News-Review, brought the program to the North Woods in 1996, where it has flourished under the guidance of the newspaper staff, community volunteers and the Eagle River Rotary Club Foundation.
With the community’s continued support, Warm The Children will once again keep hundreds of local children warm throughout the long Wisconsin winter.
Warm The Children Program Coordination Transitions to Rotary Club Foundation
The Rotary Club Foundation of Eagle River has assumed management and operation of the award-winning Warm The Children (WTC) program to ensure its long-term sustainability.
For decades, the Rotary Foundation partnered with the Vilas County News-Review on a joint venture that raises approximately $80,000 annually and provides new winter clothing for more than 450 children in Vilas and Oneida counties.
Multi Media Channels (MMC), which acquired the News-Review in April 2023, transferred oversight of the program to the Rotary Club. The newspaper will continue supporting the effort through local coverage and other community-based services.
Rotary leaders confirmed that longtime WTC coordinator Nancy Brandner of Eagle River will continue to lead fundraising and coordinate volunteers. Debbie Buss, also of Eagle River, will remain involved, assisting with planning, correspondence, and coordination of the many volunteer shoppers who help families select clothing each November.
Warm The Children is a Connecticut-based nonprofit established locally nearly 30 years ago by then-publisher Byron McNutt, a Rotary member and past president. The program has earned multiple community-service honors from both the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and the National Newspaper Association.
Since its inception, readers of the News-Review have contributed more than $2 million to help local families. The Rotary Club Foundation enhanced fundraising capacity by offering its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, enabling contributions from family trusts and charitable foundations.
Rotary plans to continue using the existing systems and partnerships that have made the program successful while strengthening its sustainability for the future. Key partners include Glik’s of Eagle River and Northland Clothing Co. of Three Lakes, both of which provide discounted winter apparel for participating families.
In 2024, Warm The Children raised more than $80,000 and provided $260 per child to 468 children. Children under the age of two received $130. Family applications are reviewed by Vilas County Social Services to ensure eligibility.
MMC General Manager Mike Hollihan confirmed that the Vilas County News-Review remains committed to supporting Rotary’s leadership of the program.
Warm The Children was originally founded in 1988 by newspaper publisher Mack W. Stewart in Connecticut, who encouraged community newspapers nationwide to join the effort. The News-Review answered that call, and since 1995, the Rotary Club Foundation has served as the program’s fiscal partner.
“As our community’s needs have grown, so too have the donations,” said Kim Swisher, Treasurer of the Eagle River Rotary Club and Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our donors and the volunteers who make this work possible.”
Donations can be mailed to:
Eagle River Rotary Club Foundation
Warm The Children (WTC)
PO Box 1191
Eagle River, WI 54521
The Rotary Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The federal tax ID is #22-3931662. All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by U.S. law.
2025 Wine and Cheese Event
Tickets are now on sale for our Annual Wine & Cheese Event!
Monday, August 11, 2025
6:00 to 9:00 pm
Chef Rene’s at the Eagle River Inn
5260 Hwy 70, Eagle River, WI 54521
Our Club’s annual Wine & Cheese event raises funds that allow us to support area community projects.
Summer 2025 Meeting Schedule
Spring and Summer 2025 Meeting Schedule
Board and Club Meetings are held at Chef Rene’s unless otherwise noted.
May 2025
5/1 – Board Meeting at 11:15 am. Club Meeting at Noon.
5/15 – Club Meeting at Noon. Foundation Board Meeting at 4:30 pm at Kevin McGuire’s office (DeLeers Construction – 221 South First Street).
June 2025
6/5 – Board Meeting at 11:15 am. Club Meeting at Noon.
6/19 – Club Meeting at Noon.
July 2025
7/3 – No Meetings
7/10 – Board Meeting at 11:15 am. Club Meeting at Noon.
7/17 – Club Meeting at Noon.
August 2025
8/1 and 8/2 – Antique Show at Northland Pines High School.
8/7 – Board Meeting at 11:15 am. Club Meeting at Noon.
8/11 – Wine & Cheese Event at Chef Rene’s.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Our regularly scheduled meeting for Thursday, January 2, 2025 has been cancelled.
We will meet on Thursday, January 16th, at Noon at Chef Rene’s.
We are holding a special social gathering on Thursday, January 30th at 5:00 pm at the Riverstone Brewery Company.