BEACON
A Newsletter for Our Wisconsin Members MARCH 2025
Participants of all ages enjoy the action with a wide variety of games, activities, and events during Evercon 2025 in Rothschild, WI.
Evercon Event Bigger and Better Than Ever
Wausau, WI
On Saturday, March 2, BetterLife Members – Wausau, WI, helped support the 25th annual Evercon. Evercon is a gaming and anime convention held at the Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center in Rothschild, WI. Hosted and organized by the Gaming Club at D.C. Everest Senior High School in Weston, WI, this three-day event raises funds for the Autism Society of Central Wisconsin. BetterLife Members – Wausau, WI, assisted with the silent auction, donated a gift basket for attendees to bid on, and helped run and support the games. And guess what? It turned out to be the largest Evercon ever, with attendance estimated at just over 2,200! Additionally, charity auction donations were at an all-time high, more than 360 events/ games filled the convention center, and the event raised OVER $7,000 — compared to $7,000 total last year — for the Autism Society of Central Wisconsin. In all aspects, Evercon 2025 was bigger and better than ever. Thanks, BetterLife Members – Wausau, WI!
BetterLife Member Teagan Boling shows off the special BetterLife-sponsored gift basket that was auctioned off to raise funds for the Autism Society of Central Wisconsin during the Evercon 2025 silent auction.
Local students sit together and enjoy a fun and exciting game during Evercon 2025.
BetterLife on Ice
Weyerhaeuser, WI
Ice fishing is not for the faint of heart nor for any of you cold-blooded summer lovers. But those who live in Northern Wisconsin use ice fishing as a way to build community and have fun in the often frigid temps of winter. That’s why over 100 attendees showed up to Buck Lake with fishing poles in hand on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The Fisheree, a community fundraiser organized by Buck Lake Sportsman’s Club and BetterLife Members – Weyerhaeuser, WI, ran from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm in Chetek, WI. Event organizers awarded a total of 13 cash prizes for fish caught, ranging from $25 to $500. There was also a raffle that included fishing equipment and BetterLife goodie baskets. Attendees enjoyed Buck Lake Sportsman’s Club’s “world-famous” charcoal chicken with beans, coleslaw, and gravy-loaded potatoes. While our warm-weather-loving friends may disagree, if you ask anyone who attended, it was a beautiful day on the ice!
BetterLife’s First Member Benefit Training
On February 25, we held our first BetterLife Member Benefit Training, marking a significant milestone in our organization's journey to enhance member engagement and support. We designed this training session to highlight all the benefits available to our members and to provide a comprehensive understanding of how they work.
For those of you who were unable to attend the training or would like to review the valuable information presented, you can find a recording of the training at bit.ly/Member-Benefit-Training. You can also find information about our member benefits, including how to access and utilize them, on the BetterLife website at betterlifeins.com/member-benefits. These centralized locations ensure that you have easy access to all the resources you need to take full advantage of your membership. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have; we are here for you.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the training session and to all who plan on watching the recorded content. Your engagement and enthusiasm are what make the BetterLife community so special!
(Back row L to R) Steve Zmrazek, Dave Kopras, Ed Ludwikowski, and JoAnne Stycznski. (Front row L to R) Sharon Czekalski (Treasurer), Janice Zmrazek, and Kathy Patterson (Secretary) braved the cold to host the Fisheree.
(L to R) Andrea Hedquist of the BetterLife Home Office and Buck Lake Sportsmen Bob Martin, Tom Turauski, and Ed Turauski are hard at work charcoaling the chicken that was enjoyed by attendees.
4/3 - 4/5/25
Upcoming Events Around Wisconsin
Events, dates, and times are subject to change. For the latest information and details about the events below, and more activities for you to join, go to:
betterlifeins.com/events or call the Member Engagement Team at (800) 779-1936
4/16/25 Denmark, WI
Baskets 10 - 10:30 am Scandinavian Court Assisted Living Denmark, WI
4/18/25 Antigo, WI Easter Egg Hunt 1 - 2 pm Antigo Lake Park, Antigo, WI
4/19/25 Wausau, WI Easter Egg Hunt Start 11 am Sharp Doepke Park, Wausau, WI
4/22/25
4/27/25
5/3/25 Madison, WI MS Walk Grounds open 8:30 am. Walk begins 9:45 am. Warner Park, Madison, WI
FRIENDLY REMINDER Send us your event dates so we can add them to the BetterLife events calendar!
Has your member group held an event or fundraiser recently? We would love to feature it in our next issue. Send photos and information to memberengagement@betterlifeins.com.
Have a personal story or experience to share about BetterLife? We'll help craft the story from your written or verbal details. Call (800) 779-1936 or email (see above) to speak with the Member & Community Engagement Team.
Everyone’s been told to “eat your Brussels sprouts” at one point or another. If you’re a parent or grandparent, you may have even said it yourself. Well, prepare to eliminate that phrase from your vocabulary entirely! After you serve these caramelized, crispy Brussels sprouts with your next meal, your family will be begging for them every night of the week.
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts*
Ingredients:
1½ lbs Brussels sprouts
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced Salt and pepper, to taste
Healthy Recipe Ideas.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400˚. Trim Brussels sprouts and halve or quarter if large. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast 20 - 25 minutes until desired tenderness.
Optional: For a sweet spin, drizzle some honey and/or balsamic glaze over the top of the sprouts once removed from the oven. *Source: spendwithpennies.com/balsamic-roasted-brussels-sprouts
Join BetterLife's Social Membership Program, BetterLife Connect
Sign up today at: bit.ly/janbeaconconnect
Register for BetterLife Connect before March 31 to take part in a random drawing for the chance to win one of these great prizes: 1. Blackstone Grill 2. BetterLife Cooler 3. Carhartt Jacket 4. Stanley Cup
5. BetterLife Mug
For help registering, reach out to the team at: connect@betterlifeins.com or (855) 477-9982
BEACON
P.O. Box 1527
Madison, WI 53701-1527
betterlifeins.com
f l @betterlifeinsco
Celebrating a Sense of Renewal
Angel Thomas - SVP, Member Experience athomas@betterlifeins.com
Spring has sprung! We can officially start breaking the feeling of isolation that can come with winter, as this time of year brings a sense of renewal and the promise of warmer days ahead. It also brings member group activities – from neighborhood clean-ups to Easter egg hunts – that allow us to strengthen bonds, connect, make a positive impact, and come together to celebrate all spring has to offer. Another way we can celebrate spring "the BetterLife way" is through spring cleaning (with a new spin): While going through your belongings, set aside items you no longer need to give to local donation centers or BetterLife member group sales. Every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference. As nature awakens around us in this season of growth and new beginnings, let's take this opportunity to rejuvenate our spirits and renew our commitment to our community.
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