Got an Idea You Can't Stop Thinking About?
Maybe it's time to act on it.
Happy Thursday, Friends!
Let’s start with a little time travel - 35 years back, to be exact, and to Hartford, Wisconsin - my hometown and also the hometown of my parents.
The year is 1990, and the main character of this story, Dr. James Algiers (who happens to be my dad), had recently retired from practicing medicine in Hartford. Throughout his career, he’d helped many patients and made a positive impact on the community through his work in and outside of the field of medicine.
Yet almost immediately after retiring, he felt he’d made a mistake. He wasn’t ready to hang it up; his community still had medical needs and he wanted to help.
One area of need that kept coming back to him was the population who suffered from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Dr. Algiers had seen the effects of dementia on both the patients and their caregivers and knew that dementia affects the entire family.
He envisioned an adult day care center where people suffering from various forms of dementia could attend daily and participate in activities and feel a sense of belonging and purpose. In addition, the center would give their caregivers a couple of free hours to recharge and manage their lives.
He could see the center so clearly, but wasn’t sure how to bring it to fruition.
Then, one day on the golf course, Dr. Algiers had an idea.
Why not create an annual charity golf event that raises money to build this center?
My dad felt this could work because he was sure of two things. First, there was a definite need for the center in Hartford. Second, he knew there was a population of golfers and supporters who would recognize this need and be more than willing to give back on the golf course.
It was certainly worth a shot, wasn’t it?
Thinking, “Why not give it a try?” Dr. Algiers pitched the idea to the Medical Center Foundation of Hartford. They liked it, so he and his friend Terry Goerne, the Executive Director of the Foundation, ran with it.
They named the event the Goldbug Golf Tournament after a classic car called the Goldbug that had been manufactured in Hartford.
The first Goldbug Golf Tournament in 1990 was a hit, attracted repeat golfers annually, and in just a few years, the funds were raised to bring the 1022 Club to life. Dr. Algiers came up with the name 1022 Club so that those attending the center wouldn’t have to say they were going to Adult Day Care… instead, they could say, “Hey, I’m going to the Club today.”
Flash forward to yesterday.
This past Tuesday marked the 35th Annual Algiers Goldbug Golf Classic - the name changed after my dad passed in 2020. The event still draws a large group of supporters and now raises money for medical needs in the community. Today, the 1022 Club is still going strong under a new name - Tamarack Adult Day Services. Tamarack graciously donated tee prizes for golfers, as well as table decorations and sweets made by the lovely men and women who attend Tamarack.
Over the years, I’ve heard stories how the 1022 Club/now Tamarack has helped patients and their families. One woman told me how her husband felt at home at Tamarack and how she appreciated the much needed downtime during the day to take care of errands, or simply rest.
Today, the Goldbug raises money to fund medical transportation for patients in the area. Thanks to the outing, over 900 patients get rides to their critical appointments.
Both of these very worthy causes - the Adult Day Care Center and the Drive for Rides- came to fruition because my dad had an idea… and took a shot at it.
One shot.
And wouldn’t you know, this one shot leads me to What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week…
We need to trust our instincts and not be afraid to take a shot at something…
even if that thing feels large and insurmountable.
That shot might go somewhere, it might go nowhere.
But we’ll never know unless we take it.
So this week, I ask that you dust off those clubs and take a few shots. You don’t necessarily have to start a golf tournament… just bring one of the ideas in your head to life and take a shot at it.
You never know where that shot will take you.
With that, it’s tee time. Let’s get to this week’s links.
Abbey
If “one shot at a time” can help in golf, I bet it can for aging, too. Learn how to manipulate your environment to reverse biological age in The Optimal Body Podcast and “Learn How to Reverse Your Biological Age with Chris Mirabile.”
I get it, though, that taking one shot can sometimes seem uneventful and overwhelming at the same time. For example, say you want to write a book. Achieving the goal of writing 200-plus pages can seem impossible at the start. Don’t let that stop you from writing or any other goal. The Daily Creative: How To Pursue a Daily Writing Practice can help you overcome anxiety when it comes to starting any major project.
It’s summer, so maybe you want to talk about your garden. If so, here are two podcasts, each featuring Jessica Murnane, a podcaster and Horticultural Therapist who says, “I help people use gardening and nature for emotional, physical, mental, and social well-being.” Listen to Jessica’s story on the Groovy Geminis Podcast, or on Jessica’s own podcast, Inside & Outside. Listen to this episode with Laura Wright of the First Mess plant-based website & newsletter.
It’s Amazon Prime Days Time, and if you’re going somewhere, you need to see these great travel deals. (I’ve got my eye on this cool green Samsonite.)
Because who can stop with one travel deal report, check out the best travel gear, some travel essentials from someone who just got back from Portugal, and 25 more travel essentials you never knew you needed.
Regardless of where your summer travels take you, it’s always good to pack efficiently. Here’s what to pack if you’re going to Europe for 10 days, and don’t miss these packing tips from Laurie - a pilot’s wife who’s been around the globe and back, and knows a thing or two about packing.
Speaking of travel tips, how about some hacks? Digital nomad Taylor Winn Shares 18 Money-Saving Travel Hacks she always uses. Plus, 10 travel hacks if you’re headed to Europe, and the must have travel tech & gadgets you can leave home.
I made this cucumber salad for a 5th of July party, and then again on the 6th, 7th, and 8th. And may just keep doing this til Christmas.
I’m still not a huge fan, but I know many of you (my hubster included) love red meat. And from the sounds of it, it’s not all that bad for you. Maybe I’ll try a burger this summer.
In the meantime, I’m sticking with these gorgeous Pesto Veggie Burgers and also love the frozen ready made Actual Veggies brand burgers I found at the store.
And as long as burgers are on the menu, why not make some sweet potato fries and a lovely summer salad? Sounds like the perfect mid-summer meal. Am I right?
You can’t have a barbeque without some refreshments. Here are some great mocktails and healthy summer cocktails too.
If you’re into plant based clean eating, see these Prime Day deals from Cooking With Peanuts. (Note, I’ve tried the protein powder & I’d give it an 8/10.)
The Prime Day deal for emergency preppers and anyone with a home who wants to keep things cool when the power goes out.
Need a great travel backpack? This Osprey is on sale comes recommended by a newsletter I follow, Travel Past 50. (But you can be under 50 to appreciate their fantastic content.)
