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Get Out and Enjoy Our State Parks

15 Thursday Apr 2021

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Every April, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation team up to celebrate America’s natural treasures. This year, National Park Week will take place from April 17 to April 25. What better time to get out and explore everything that Mother Nature has to offer?

If you recall, life in April of 2020 looked quite different from what we were used to experiencing. Most of the country was locked down and Wisconsin residents were advised to follow the “Safer at Home” order. Adventure seekers were encouraged to commemorate National Park Week virtually.

Fast forward 12 months and our lives are starting to look a little more normal. As the COVID vaccine continues to rollout, many people are anxious to get out and participate in activities that may not have been easy or possible during the pandemic. Might we suggest taking a trip to take in one of three Wisconsin National Parks?

Apostle Islands

Located in Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore consists of 21 islands and one 12-mile mainland unit dedicated to preservation and public enjoyment.

Ice Age

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1200-mile trail that spans the entire state from north to south and east to west. Trailheads and access points are located in many places along the route. If you are looking to hike for a day, week or even a month, the Ice Age Trail is an incredible way to explore.

Saint Croix

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers over 200 miles of water surrounded by a beautiful forest landscape. Choose your mode of transportation by foot or paddle.

Although it feels like we are on the home stretch, please remember that we are not through the pandemic just yet. Before planning your trip, be sure to check the park website to verify its operating status. Masks are also required on NPS-administered lands where social distancing cannot be maintained as well as inside all NPS buildings and facilities. Follow their guidelines for recreating responsibly.

Which Wisconsin National Park would you be most interested in visiting? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy National Park Week from Lions Pride!

Games & Puzzles Week in the Virtual Age

19 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by in Holidays, News, Special Events

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With Thanksgiving only one week away, we’re guessing your preparations this year probably look different than they did in the not-so-recent past. This time last year, you were likely excitedly discussing plans with beloved family members, conversing about who would bring the pumpkin pie, extra wine glasses and perhaps a board game to play after being stuffed to the brim.

This week is unofficially known as National Game and Puzzle Week, as it’s typically a time for families to gather for the holidays and share a few laughs. What better time to break out a classic family board game or quietly work on a puzzle together throughout the day?

Of course, the CDC has already set out specific guidelines for celebrating the holiday season. Sadly, as the conditions of the pandemic continue to worsen, families are being asked to reconsider their plans to slow the spread of the virus. Experts are recommending that families only gather with members of their household to reduce the spread of the virus.  

Many people are understandably disappointed that they will likely not be able to follow their usual family traditions to celebrate the holiday, but it’s important to remember that technology can help keep families connected. To help families get into the holiday spirit, we’ve put together a few games that can be easily played virtually:   

  1. Pictionary – with Zoom’s whiteboard feature, you can all have a blast sporting your artistic abilities. Simply divide your group into teams and open a Pictionary Word Generator to let the fun begin.  
  2. 20 Questions – you may think you already know your family members well, but we’d be willing to bet that you’ll learn at least a few new pieces of information after asking them 20 creative questions. Check out these 200 conversation-starting questions for inspiration. 
  3. Bingo – did someone say Bingo? Yes! Visit the website, My Free Bingo Cards, to play a virtual version of everyone’s favorite game. Consider adding small prizes such as gift cards or fun trinkets to enhance your family’s sense of competition.
  4. Trivia – show off your knowledge of random facts with a classic game of trivia. Assign a host a random trivia generator to get the brains working after a huge turkey dinner. The winner gets bragging rights!

We know everyone is experiencing COVID fatigue, but the promising news about the recent vaccine milestone should provide us all with hope that an end is in sight. We just need to all hang on a little while longer to overcome this tremendous obstacle.

Have a safe, healthy Thanksgiving from Lions Pride.

Safely Celebrating Memorial Day

21 Thursday May 2020

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You probably already know that Memorial Day is Monday, May 24, but it will likely look different than it has in recent memory. Your past celebrations probably included a large get-together with neighbors, delicious grilled food and yard games.  Although the Wisconsin shelter-in-place orders is no longer in effect, it’s still essential for us all to practice social distancing and remain vigilant with CDC guidelines.

Is it just us, or does the reason behind Memorial Day often get overshadowed with sales, parties and general thoughts of summer? This year, we’d like to encourage you to celebrate Memorial Day while remembering the origin of the holiday – to honor our nation’s heroes.

Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was created on May 30, 1868, to recognize the men and women who passed while in service of the United States of America. While there are no possible ways to repay them for their courage and sacrifice, there are several ways to say “thank you” to veterans while following social distancing. We’ve compiled a few ways to inspire you:

  1. Decorate the Exterior of Your Home

    Take all of the energy you would have been cleaning up your home in anticipation of guests towards decorating your house and yard. Now is the perfect time to don your American pride by displaying an American flag, planting red, white and blue flowers, and finding seasonal bunting. There’s no reason to take your decorations down after Monday has come and gone because this type of décor will be suitable all summer long!

  2. Take a Walk While Wearing the Name of a Veteran

    Recruit your immediate family and your walking shoes to participate in the Wear Blue: Run to Remember event. Typically, there are locations set aside for the run/walk, but this year participants can choose their locations and routes. You can commit to walking (or running) 1 mile, 5K or 10K in honor of one or more fallen veterans.

  3. Visit a Veteran’s Cemetery

    One traditional way to celebrate Memorial Day is to plan a trip to visit a veteran’s cemetery to reflect on our country’s heroes. At present, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs maintains 142 national cemeteries. In Wisconsin, there are four cemeteries and five soldier’s lots. Try to find an uncrowded place and be sure to read up on the latest rules. (For instance, visitors may be required to wear a face mask.)

  4. Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

    The “National Moment of Remembrance” was passed in December 2000 and asked all Americans to “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps’” at 3 pm local time.

These are only four of many possible ways to celebrate Veterans while maintaining social distancing this holiday season. How do you plan to show your gratitude?

Happy Memorial Day from Lions Pride!

 

2020 Tax Filing Extension

09 Thursday Apr 2020

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Typically, this would be the time of year when people would be concerned about filing their taxes on time, but there is another worry on everyone’s mind – COVID-19.

Due to the current health and economic state of the country, the Treasury Department and IRS recently announced that it would be extending the federal income due date from April 15 to July 15, 2020. This announcement follows the Presidents’ emergency declaration to pursue the Stafford Act as we all learn to navigate life through a pandemic. Like the IRS, the state of Wisconsin has also extended the filing deadline.

Additionally, taxpayers will have the option to defer federal and state tax payments until July, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deadline applies to all taxpayers, to include individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and all other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax. There is no need to make any special requests to qualify for this deferment, as it applies to everyone.

Although the filing deadline has been extended, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig encourages taxpayers not to procrastinate, especially if expecting a refund. At this time, most tax refunds are still being issued with 21 days.

If you are still working with your tax preparer on last year’s taxes, Lions Pride would like to remind you to practice extra patience and display even more kindness to essential business workers during this time. We are all being tested with daily challenges and are doing the best we can in the given situation.

Remember that we are in this battle together. Please continue to follow guidelines from CDC. Stay safe out there!

Safely Celebrating Easter During a Pandemic

02 Thursday Apr 2020

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We don’t have to tell you that life has been incredibly unpredictable lately. Between limiting public trips and not being able to see loved ones in person, it feels like normalcy has completely disappeared.

Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that we are more than likely just seeing the first effects of COVID-19. Updated projections from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IMHE) show that the coronavirus outbreak will peak in Wisconsin around April 26 and could overwhelm intensive care units. Researchers are still assuming that Wisconsin residents maintain social distancing, and schools, as well as nonessential businesses, remain closed. This new information means that we need to acclimate to our new world for the time being.

With Easter quickly approaching, many people may be wondering how they will attend Sunday’s mass. Although some churches remain open, Governor Evers has limited gatherings of ten or more people at this time. As a precautionary measure, several churches have decided to close their doors and begin transitioning to digital services.

Church leaders have been holding services using video conferencing software or by pre-recording videos and posting them to their organization’s websites, allowing members to watch on their schedule. Churches have also been reimagining community by becoming more active on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. Yes, even in the age of social distancing, it is possible to stay connected.

Easter is a time of faith and family. If you are feeling especially distant from your beloved family members during the pandemic, you can follow the lead of church leaders by including these types of technologies within your own communities. Here are a few ways to celebrate together but separately during the Easter season:

  • Send e-cards to let loved ones know that you are thinking of them during this difficult period
  • Find an Easter craft that everyone can do within their homes and send photos of the finished products
  • Hide Easter eggs around your home and conduct a virtual hunt with nieces, nephews and grandchildren
  • Set up video conferencing to create digital family dinners

What other ideas do you have to celebrate Easter with your family members virtually? We’d love to hear from you in our comments below.

We understand that we are all currently going through trying times, but if we stick together and follow the guidelines from the CDC, we will come back better and stronger than ever before. From all of us at Lions Pride, remember that we’re in this fight together!