OUTSIDE CLASS, THE BEST

This past Friday was one of those bittersweet days. You see more often than not social activists who put in countless hours as grassroot organizers do not usually get to see the fruits of their labor. Progress and change tend to move slowly.

Through what I call the second half of my life I have been lucky to meet a lot of folks who are passionate about creating change. And as any grassroots group participant knows it's not just one person but the collective group of concerned citizens who help to bring about change. 
Such was the case of this special outside classroom dedication with the help of the Ringstrom Family and Friends, the La Crosse Friends of the Marsh and both corporate and individual donations, for our marsh's newly built limestone amphitheatre equipped with refurbished telescopes named in honor of Karen Ringstrom (1953-2015), someone who loved La Crosse and its natural beauty and worked hard to preserve it. Karen lost her battle to cancer in 2015 and her wishes for donated monies after her passing were to go to the La Crosse Friends of the Marsh. She would  wholeheartedly approve of this classroom project. 

The 100+ folks including family, friends, community members and our local officials were in attendance despite the looming rain clouds and heavy mist. 

A new addition to the Ringstroms

Chuck Lee, President of Friends
of the La Crosse  Marsh

Moderating the dedication was Chuck Lee, President of the La Crosse Friends of the Marsh who accredited and praised many for the new out of doors classroom for its conception, design, funding and construction as some 6,000 students visit the marsh annually from around the Coulee region.

Mayor Tim Kabat

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat spoke of his encounters with Karen first with the electronic bill board ordinances. He fondly referred to her as a "rabblerouser."  We all chuckled over that one as Karen was known to be persistent and some even referred to her as bossy. It was these traits which probably helped the Mayor know to ask her to join the City of La Crosse Planning Commission. Unfortunately, her time was limited on the commission.

Maureen Freedland

Karen's long time friend Maureen Freedland shared responsibility for guiding her friend towards the electronic bill board issue and other projects. And while it was too late to prevent the highway billboard from across the marsh, thankfully due to the collected petitions the city passed an ordinance preventing any other electronic billboards from being erected. 

Karen was also a moving force in C.A.R.S. Citizens Acting for Rail Safety and the effects of the unsafe rail traffic of hazardous materials such as crude oil through the marsh and city. Senator Baldwin even recognized Karen's contributions* by presenting her with a special marsh photograph.

Senator Baldwin (l)  presents photograph of Black Tern, an endangered marsh bird species, to Karen
 taken by  C.A.R.S. member Al Stankevitz.

Karen's husband, Jim spoke about the efforts of so many who made sure this project could happen.  Burdensome permits from county, state and federal had to be filled out with the help of others besides utilization of a grant and numerous donations. Jim thanked everyone. He lightheartedly told us of Karen's dark side about being a 'coffee snob' and how one day he came home to carpenters raising kitchen cabinets less than an inch to accommodate a new super duper coffeemaker.  Eyeing his discontent, she retorted that this was just the price of the privilege of living with her. We all laughed! 

Jim invited all of us to join him in a catered lunch and to take time to view the photo journeying of the amphitheatre project from beginning through fruition besides photo books of Karen's involvement in various projects.  

Karen's environmental activism will continue as we will be ever vigilant to maintain the beauty of this place we call home. 

* Karen's Recognition link re: Senator Baldwin 's Rail Safety Bill