Events

Robin Shepard, author of A Keg of Their Best, will talk about his new book published by the Wisconsin State Historical Society Press.  Wisconsin has long been known as “The Beer State,” and the history of its capital city brims with stories of brewing innovation—from the city’s earliest beer-makers and long-forgotten farmstead breweries to today’s experimental microbrewers and enterprising taprooms. In A Keg of Their Best, journalist and beer expert Robin Shepard offers an authoritative history of Madison’s brewing legacy and its key figures from the 1830s to the present. Drawing from newspaper accounts, ancestry and property records, hundreds of personal interviews, and the archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Shepard has compiled a thorough tribute to Madison’s beer-making heritage—including every known brewery in Dane County since the 1840s. Copies of A Keg of Their Best will be available for purhcase via credit card at the luncheon.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Asparagus Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

Hosted by Susan Schmitz.

Darcie Lange Olson will speak about the Falls Free Dane Coalition.

As life expectancy increases, we may find ourselves fortunate enough to consider how we want to age. For most everyone, aging with dignity, health, and independence are valued. This is why addressing falls is so important, as falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults. Wisconsin leads the country in deaths from falls for individuals over age 65, but falls are not inevitable. The Falls Free Dane Coalition, led by Safe Communities, is actively working toward reducing fall risk and increasing resilience in our community. Members of the Falls Free Dane Coalition include representatives from a variety of local agencies, educational programs and many individuals with an interest in improving the safety of older adults. The coalition members provide evidence-based and evidence-informed educational programs and promote resources to reduce fall risk.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Pan Asian Buffet

Hosted by Jason Salus.

Join Lynne Sexten, President & CEO of Agrace, for an engaging look at how dementia is reshaping the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Learn about its growing impact, the challenges faced by caregivers, and how Agrace is pioneering the United States' first Dementia Village. Inspired by the internationally recognized Hogeweyk model in the Netherlands, this innovative approach moves beyond traditional memory care to embrace a social model centered on autonomy, purpose, and meaningful daily living. Attendees will discover how thoughtful design, small-scale living, and community integration can enhance quality of life for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Salmon

Rotarians attending will be hosted by LaShonda Lewis.

From their website: “Sips & Slices is going global! Grab a drink and embark on a culinary tour of the world as you sample internationally-inspired bites from a diverse array of local chefs. The afternoon also includes live music, a silent auction, paddle raise, wine pull, and raffles. One hour before the event opens, there will be a VIP Pre-Event featuring drink samples from around the world paired with curated bites. Don’t miss this flavorful, passport-worthy experience at The River’s new home on Packers Ave! All proceeds benefit The River, Dane County’s busiest food pantry.”

Tickets must be purchased for this event: https://www.riverfoodpantry.org/sips-slices-26/ - with more details featuring the Global Cuisine and Chefs.

Hosted by Brian Basken

AI is everywhere in the headlines right now, but most of what gets covered is hype, not reality. As Director of AI Innovation at Recovery.com and a founder who built and sold a healthcare AI company, Nick Myers has spent the last few years finding out what actually works when you deploy AI inside a real tech-enabled organization, and what doesn't. He'll open by drawing a clear line between what AI can genuinely do today and what's still marketing noise, then ground the rest of the talk in RecoveryAI, the AI assistant his team built that only answers questions using a treatment center's own verified data. He'll also briefly walk through PULSE, the decision framework he developed to figure out where AI is actually worth deploying before spending a dollar on it. The goal isn't to sell you on AI. It's to show you, honestly, where the technology stands today.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Mushroom Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

If you are interested in golfing at this event, please contact the Rotary Office at rotaryoffice@rotarymadison.org or call at 608-255-9164.

Scheduled Entrée to be: Taco Bar

Rotarians attending will be hosted by Regina McConnell. 

Mercadito offers an open and healthy place where the community can share their cultural heritage and culinary traditions, breaking barriers and challenges community members face when accessing healthy foods in a place where smells are mixed with a sense of home and security.

Join Charles Franklin as he discusses the November elections. How do voters see the candidates, parties and issues in the elections for governor and for the legislature this November? Fresh Marquette Law School Poll data will offer a look beyond the horse-race to the issues that are motivating voters, and their perceptions of the candidates and parties, with less than a month to go to Election Day

Hosted by Regina Millner

Hosted by Susan Schmitz and Gary Peterson