There is help for those battling addictions

September is National Substance Abuse Recovery Month.

 It's a time to celebrate those who have recovered from substance abuse and other addictions. It's a time to lift up Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other groups that have helped people recover from the addictions that have controlled their lives. It is also a time to issue a call to those who struggle with addiction and encourage them to seek help. Beaver Dam and surrounding towns have AA and NA meetings daily. There are hospitals, clinics and therapists available to help you in your recovery. There are also Alanon and Alateen meetings for family members.

Recovery is a journey that begins with the help of therapists, family members, employers, friends, the religious community and support groups. It is also work, as the person struggles with his or her reasons for the addiction and its negative results. The results can be positive as they accept help and grow into people who take responsibility for their actions and life. Recovery can also be rewarding, as they hopefully become better family members, better workers, better friends as well as useful members of society.

If this letter speaks to you, please reach out for the help that is available in our communities. Recovery is a phone call away.

— Paul F. Hudson, CSAC, ICS

Addictions therapist

Psychiatric Associates

 Beaver Dam

Tragic accidents can be avoided

In the Sept. 17 issue of the Daily Citizen, Sheriff Todd Nehls, in his comment about deaths of teenagers in car accidents due to heavy speeding, is quoted saying: "We have a generation of fearlessness." He's wrong, we have a "generation of infantile recklessness."

According to the Sept. 16  issue, Superintendent Don Childs said that "In a two-year period we have lost eight students" (five due to car accidents.) People may find that disturbing, they should find it appalling.

It's bad enough to walk down the street and have to hear a teen driving a vehicle with the stereos pumped up and blaring. With gas prices at an all time high and the current economy making it hard to own a car, the last thing anyone needs is a generation of immature juvenile risk-takers making our roads and streets dangerous for themselves and everyone  else around them.

A while ago, there was talk in the state Capitol about raising the driving age to 18. That might not be such a bad idea. If passed back then, maybe some of those students would still be around.

To all the responsible teen drivers, I apologize, but remember it only takes a few troublemakers to make everyone else look bad. To everyone else who finds freedom in going over the speed limit, if you want to take a risk with your life, go ahead, but just remember you're not risking your life, you're also risking your future, along with someone else's. Along with freedom comes responsibility, and an "I'm sorry" doesn't take back any damage. The families of Kristin Baade, Dominick Kaiser, and the four other students can tell you that.

Right now, I'm glad that I don't own a car — there's no telling who might be driving.

— Kurt Baumann

Beaver Dam

United Way says thank you

Thank you to the following organizations that helped make the United Way's third annual Day of Caring and 2008 Fall Campaign "Kick-Off" such a success.

Thank you to  Beaver Dam Community Hospital for furnishing a delicious breakfast for all the volunteers; to John Deere and Horicon Bank for making lunch possible for everyone in attendance, the colorful T-shirts that all the volunteers wore were compliments of ITW Bee Leitzke; and Pepsi Americas for providing beverages for the day and Wal-mart for supplying bottled water for everyone. Thank you to all the companies sending volunteers for the day: Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Beaver Dam Unified School District, ITW Bee Leitzke, West Bend Savings Bank, American National Bank, John Deere - Horicon Works, Herberger's,  Kohl's, Water Technology and Northwoods Paper Converting. Thank you to Kraft Foods, Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Pivot Point, ITW Bee Leitzke, Richards Insurance Agency, Water Technology, Herberger's and Pepsi Americas for holding food drives for the United Way's funded food pantry at Central Wisconsin Community Action Council. Thank you to all of United Way's Partnered Agencies for setting up booths for display for all to see what it is that their support from United Way provides to help individuals throughout Dodge County. Thank you to the United Way board members who helped for the day. Thank you to Bill Bray and the YMCA staff for allowing the United Way to use their facility for this annual community event.

And a very special thank you to all the volunteers who made this day an event to remember and to be continued in the years ahead.

— Day of Caring Committee

Ken Thomas

Cassie Voight

Joseph Curry

Barb Loeffler-Hartl

Donna Genereaux

United Way of Dodge County

Solar tour to give insight on energy savings

As fall and winter approach, many of us not only brace for the weather but also higher energy bills. As we face the winter months, there are readily available options to make our homes or businesses a bit more green and energy efficient. 

 Right in our area there are a number of individuals who have been creative in cutting energy use in their homes or businesses, and are willing to share their ideas with the public during the Wisconsin Solar Tour, Oct. 3 and 4.

 In our home we have incorporated the following technologies:

1. Solar electric (15 solar panels);

2. Passive solar home heating;

3. Thermal drapes to combat heat loss.

We invite you to our home on Oct. 4 to learn more about them.

Home tour stops have sites with super-insulation, passive solar design, energy efficient appliances, and more. Some home and business owners have also incorporated renewable energy technologies such as solar hot water systems, solar electric or wind turbines. 

Tour dates are:

 Friday, Oct. 3 - Businesses are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - Homes are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 For a complete listing of sites and details on the bus tours, visit    www.the-mrea.org or call the Midwest Renewable Energy Association at 715-592-6595

—  Al and Mary Luckas

Beaver Dam