Mike grew up in Richland Center and graduated from the high school in 1989. After graduating from Winona State with a degree in Recreation and Sports Management, Mike moved to the Madison area where he was a municipal Parks and Recreation Director for 10 years, Looking for a slower pace (and lower cost of living), Mike and his family moved to Richland Center and worked as the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director for the City of Baraboo. There he was able to design and oversee a growing park system with 22 parks, a zoo, an aquatic center, a hockey arena, miles of trails and a 50,000 square foot Civic Center with a gymnasium, fitness center and a successful forestry program.
Mike and his wife Amy have two children and two dogs. Amy has worked in our school district for over 15 years and is currently the Principal of the Primary School. Their daughter lives in Chicago and their son is in Milwaukee.
Mike’s goals for the SRC are to examine the foundation that SRC was built upon, work on needed repairs and collaborate with the County, City, Symons Foundation, SRC members and staff to build a sustainable and modern recreation center that meets the needs of our
area residents. He hopes to improve both the physical appearance of the facility as well as the structure of how it is run so that it can adapt to the needs of our residents, members and taxpayers.
Kyle Ewing, Assistant Director
Kyle also grew up in the Richland Center area. He attended UW-Whitewater where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Health and Adaptive Physical Education. While at Whitewater, he was a member of the Warhawks track and field team. For the last 15 years he has been a Health and Physical Education teacher and during the last 10 years, he has been at Mauston High School where he was also the Pool Director for the School District. Kyle, his wife Jennifer and their four children moved back to the area a year ago.
Kyle has many goals for the SRC, big and small. His priority is to focus on increasing membership and program availability.
LIFE-LONG FRIENDS AND DANCING PARTNERS
Bonnie Klinzing (age 94) and Doris Schmidt (age 89) are dancing their way to good health, better balance, building friendships and all while having a great time at the dance aerobics class at the Symons Recreation Center. “We enjoy coming to Symons every Monday, Wednesday and Friday”, says Bonnie. Doris adds, “We are thankful that its here.”
Bonnie and Doris are two remarkable women who still live in their own homes. Friends for 65 years, they meet every day for exercise, lunch and jigsaw puzzles. Bonnie, who lost her husband Loren in 2005, credits Doris and her husband Herb with helping her through that painful time. She was there to help Doris when she lost Herb in 2018.
Bonnie and Doris have always stayed active. Doris worked at the Richland Hospital until well into her 70’s and Bonnie retired from the dietary department at Schmidt-Woodland Hills when she was in her 80’s. They are now both mothers and grandmothers who stay actively engaged with their children and grandchildren. Bonnie’s children, a son and a daughter, live in neighboring communities and Doris’ four sons live near and far along with their families.
Doris took a fall several years ago and spent some time in the hospital and at Schmitt-Woodland Hills recuperating and doing therapy. She still exercises several times a day at home but knows that the class at
Symons is also helping to improve her balance. Bonnie commented that she knows that she and Doris could exercise at home together but they both enjoy their workouts at Symons.
“We look forward to our mornings at Symons! It is so accommodating…and fun!”, says Bonnie.
Letter from our President
Greetings!
The SRC Foundation Board welcomes new Director
Mike Hardy!
Mike comes with years of directorial experience and a degree in Sports and Recreation. The Foundation Board looks forward to working with him to achieve his vision for the Symons Recreation Complex. Mike has also hired a new Assistant Director, Kyle Ewing, along with a full-time maintenance staff member, Troy.
As a foundation, we are here to support the Director and the SRC community. We do this by raising funds to support the building, the equipment and the members. Some of our recent contributions have been the new coffee bar located near the reception area ($2,500), new solar panel inverters ($3,000) that enable the solar panels to augment our electric usage and various smaller essential pieces of equipment. Some of our future plans include replacing outdated equipment, maintaining the landscaping and making our exercise area more handicap accessible through donations and grants.
The SRC Foundation is always looking for members to help the SRC community thrive and grow. We have several committees (Finance/Governance, Marketing/ Communications and Fundraising) that are looking for talented individuals who want to help the SRC be the best it can be. Contact me, Barb Wentz (barbarawentz@gmail.com, if you are interested.
Most importantly, thank you for your support! The Symons Recreation Center is a community gem and we plan to ensure that it is available for many generations. - Barb Wentz
SRC COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES
Medicare Supplement Insurance
For those of you on Medicare, there is a possibility that you can get a free membership at Symons! Many Medicare supplements sign you up for a free fitness program that reimburses Symons a small amount each time you visit. Generally, 10-12 visits per month would have Symons reimbursed the equivalent to a paid membership. This is a great deal for you AND Symons. The payments from Medicare supplements could exceed what a regular membership pays to the SRC complex.
Please contact Symons at info@symonsrec.com or call at 608-647-8522 to see if you are eligible. Alternatively, contact your supplement provider.
Tax-Deductible Charitable Donation
You can help keep the SRC open and growing by making ongoing charitable donations. In general, cash contributions to charitable organizations may be deducted up to 50 percent of adjusted gross income. Consult your financial advisor for for more information.
Tax-Free Charitable Donation
You can appoint the SRC Foundation as a beneficiary or co-beneficiary of your IRA. Traditional IRA’s are taxed upon withdrawal while ROTH IRA’s are generally taxfree. Your beneficiaries will pay the taxes owed from what they inherit from your IRA.
However, if one of your IRA beneficiaries is the SRC Foundation, 100% will be received income tax-free. It’s
often a good idea to consult with a financial advisor to understand the best options for your specific situation and to avoid any costly mistakes.
Tax-Efficient Charitable Donation
If your are 70 1/2 or older, you can make a Pre-tax Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to the SRC Foundation. Please keep in mind that for this QCD to be distributed tax-free, it will need to come directly from the IRA to the SRC Foundation. If you are 73 or older, you are required to make Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) based on your age and the value of your IRAat the end of the previous year. The good news is that you can reduce the amount of your RMD, and therefore pay less taxes, by having part or all of your RMD directed to the SRC Foundation.
(The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advise. Please consult with a qualified professional to understand the potential tax implications.)
More Ways to Support Symons
You can contribute to the Symons Recreation Center through your skills, talents and volunteer work. Please contact us at SRCfoundationrc@gmail.com to learn more.
Listen to WRCO!
Throughout this past year WRCO has been broadcasting interviews with various SRC members. They have shared their stories of the life-changing benefits of an SRC membership. Thank you to all participants!
BRING A FRIEND TO SYMONS
The Symons Recreation Center offers a free one-week membership to interested community members. Please tell your friends! Bring them to a class! Give them a tour of our pool and exercise equipment! The SRC is a fun place to be!
Symons Recreation Complex
1250 Symons Circle Richland Center, WI 53581
UPCOMING EVENTS OPEN HOUSE!
Friday, October 4 through Sunday,October 6, 2024
Saturday, December 7, 2024
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS
As a valued member of the Symons Recreation Center, we are interested in your insights, feedback, comments, suggestions or complaints. We also would like to know your preferred contact method so that you continue to receive our newsletters. You can reach us at SRCfoundationrc@gmail.com if you would like a digital copy of this newsletter versus receiving it by mail.
