2026 Meeting Dates and Speakers
January
7 – Easy Eagle Dr. Ben Van Raalte. The training of a surgeon – hours of, hands-on, conditions, old vs. new. (Screen and projector)
21 – Easy Eagle Rick Roder. Rick will report on his latest European adventure, a Viking cruise first visiting London, followed by Paris and Normandy via the Seine River. Along the way the cruise will focus on WWI and WWII history in those areas.
February
4 – Wisconsin DNR Forester Sean Davison. Sean’s topic is forestry in general, to include fire exposure and prevention, defining of agency responsibilities, and how federal oversight affects forest management at the state and local levels. (Thank you President Chuck.)
18 – Taxidermist Jim Beenken. Forty years of award-winning taxidermy at Wildlife Expressions on Wall Street in Eagle River. What’s new and what are the challenges in the art of taxidermy.
March
4 – Kalmar Community Center of Eagle River. Don Waite, President, will talk about history and activities and how they serve the Eagle River and surrounding community. (Thank you V.P. Joel)
18 – Jay Stock. Manager, Tribute Brewing Company and Taphouse. Eagle River, WI. Jay will address a topic dear to the hearts of all Easy Eagles – beer! The different varieties of beer; lagers, ales, wheat beers, specialty beers, and so forth. The craft beer business and brewing process. As if that is not enough – Jay is bringing samples! Don’t miss this one.
April
1 – Trees for Tomorrow. Todd Starling. The history of the Wisconsin River. Todd has been an environmental educator and adult program coordinator at Trees since 2018. A native of Saskatchewan, he studied natural resource technologies in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and worked as a park interpreter in Wood Buffalo National Park. He later studied environmental science at The University of Lethbridge and studied environmental education at the Audubon Center of the North Woods in Sandstone, Minnesota. (Thank you Ben Van Raalte)
https://www.treesfortomorrow.com/
15 – Pharmacist Craig Smith, Trig’s Eagle River. Like many Northwoods residents, Madison-native Craig was introduced to the area through family cabin visits and vacations. Now residing on Little Saint Germain Lake with his wife and five children, the family has a history of involvement in local athletics. Craig’s sport is hockey (goalie!) in Eagle River and Minocqua, his wife is the Head Coach for the Northland Pine Girls Varsity Volleyball team, and all of the children are involved in athletics.
Craig has provided our area with 30-plus years of pharmacy services, from employment with several local pharmacy operations, a stint as a pharmacy owner in Eagle river, to his current position as manager of Trig’s Pharmacy in Eagle River. (Thank you President Chuck.)
29 – Kevin Hermening. The Wausau businessman and former Marathon County GOP Chairman has entered the race for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.
He is a certified financial advisor and owner of Hermening Financial. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Iran. He was one of 52 Americans taken hostage in November 1979.
Hermening has served multiple terms on the Mosinee School Board. He is actively involved in the Republican Party of Marathon County, serving as chairman for 20 years.
Hermening has served for a number of years as an elector. He will speak on the local to state caucus system. Who votes at the caucus and the importance of the caucus endorsement. (Thank you President Chuck)
May
13 – Easy Eagle Kevin Connolly
27 – Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden Tim Price. Officer Price will address a myriad of topics, from hunting and fishing regulations, recent changes in conservation law, public perception of conservation law enforcement, and more. Expect a great Q&A session! (Thank you President Chuck)
June
10 – Tom Busha – Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home. The Funeral Service Industry is a family affair with the Bushas of Eagle River. Owner of Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home since 1995, Tom, son Joe, and grandson Tyler provide the Eagle River area with mortuary services. Tom’s mother was a licensed Embalmer/Funeral Director in Minnesota for 50 years. Before moving to Eagle river in 1979 Tom worked and studied in multiple states in the Midwest. (Thank you Pat Weber)
https://www.gaffney-busha.com/
24 – Mid-summer Celebration Luncheon – Spouses and Significant Others Welcome!
July
8 – Danielle Larsen, Executive Director, Northwoods Children’s Museum of Eagle River.
https://northwoodschildrensmuseum.com/
22 – Robert Koch, Tourist Rooming House Tech for Vilas County Zoning and Planning. (Thank you Pat and President Chuck).
August
5 – DNR Fisheries Biologist Eric Wegleitner will address fisheries management in Vilas County. Surveys, stocking, regulations, predation, human impacts on our waters, and more. Eric will share his experience from working in various DNR offices around the state. A graduate of UW-Stevens Point with a MS in Fisheries Management, since 2019 Eric resides in Vilas County with his wife and their German Shepherd.
19 – Jeff Kersten. Outreach Specialist – Division of Trade & Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). As an Outreach Specialist, Jeff travels the state to educate the public, businesses, and law enforcement on common scams and fraud, privacy protection, data security, identity theft, and other areas of consumer protection. Jeff has over 12 years of experience as a police officer and is a prior Consumer Protection Investigator for the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Jeff will discuss the details of common scams, the warning signs of a scam, and what to do if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam or fraud. As Wisconsin’s lead agency for consumer protection, the Bureau of Consumer Protection provides information and education, mediates complaints, investigates cases, and takes enforcement actions to fight fraudulent and deceptive practices that harm consumers and honest businesses. (Thank you Brian Blank).
September
2 – Open
16 – Open
30- Open
October
14 – Open
28 – Open
November – One meeting only in November (Chef Rene’s staff R&R)
11 -Open
December
2 – Open
16 – Christmas Holiday Luncheon – Spouses and Significant Others Welcome!
30 – Happy New Year! No meeting on this date.
Easy Eagles Club 