Pondering Peace, Movie Marathon at Franciscans Downtown  Last year the Stevens Point Catholic Deanery participated in the Mercy Marathon hosting a number of activities for area people to participate in. Franciscans Downtown held their Mercy Marathon of movies – that had a theme of mercy.This year the theme for this 24 hours for the Lord is Pondering Peace.   On Friday March 24, and Saturday March 25, Franciscans Downtown, once again held a movie marathon. This time the theme of the movies was peace. The movies were open free to the public. After watching each movie, a discussion was held to reflect what the audience perceived as the theme to each movie.   Some of the movies in this year’s line-up were: 42 The Jackie Robinson Story; Finding Forester; Chariots of Fire; Still Alice; and th... 03/26/2017

Monday Connections at Franciscans DowntownFranciscans Downtown is in a convenient downtown location which lets people know that we appreciate the Franciscan values, and that these values are important in our everyday lives. A new program is being hosted by Leo Jacoby called Monday Connections. It is a unique opportunity for those interested to stop in and talk about connecting the Sunday gospel reading to our realities, sharing our love for God with our love of neighbors.Everyone is welcome to join in for conversation at 11:30 Monday mornings, to share their ideas and interpretations of the scripture and how it relates to our social responsibilities. 03/26/2017

Fullness of Purpose – Stevens Point Catholic Churches host Lenten Mission with Ken Yasinski   Are you aware of the purpose God has for your life?   Does your life seem like a burden or a blessing?Author and speaker, Ken Yasinski is the speaker in this year’s Shared Parish Mission called Fullness of Purpose. Come on over to St. Joseph’s parish and become empowered to be the person God has created you to be. This event begins Monday, March 27 at 7:00pm with the second and third sessions on Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29 also beginning at 7:00pm.The event will be held this year at St Joseph’s parish in Stevens Point. 03/26/2017

Stevens Point Students help care for our fine feathered friends.  The seventh and eighth grade CCD students for St. Joseph and St. Stephens parishes are building birdhouses to be installed at the various daycare centers throughout the Stevens Point area. Approximately 30 birdhouses will be built on Wednesday March 29. Each student will have a chance to assemble at least one birdhouse.Every fourth Wednesday the CCD students have a service project designed to help out our community. This one was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi’s love for nature and all of God’s creatures.   This service project was made available through the generous donations from the Isaac Walton League and the Stevens Point Third order Secular Franciscans. 03/26/2017

St Joes, Together in Faith, Monday Dinner   Yes, it is nearly the 4th Monday already and time to join the folks at St Joes for a bit of food and fellowship.  Not sure what is on the menu, but I am sure the food and fellowship will be memorable.    Monday March 27, 2017    5pm to 6pm  St Joseph Parish Family Center    1709 Wyatt Avenue    Stevens Point, WI 54481 03/19/2017

Gospel Refreshment and Conversations at Franciscans DowntownThis post is actually from a while back, but I am sharing it again tonight since some of my other posts may have people wondering about this special little hangout in Stevens Point.Today was one of my days that I take the afternoon off from my regular work and spend some time volunteering with the other Franciscans at our little lounge downtown.Some days it is more like a homeless shelter, somedays it seems like it is more about showing a few movies, and other days like today it is more about the words that Fr Placid wrote on the sign when he first conceived of this little retreat house.A Place For Gospel Refreshment.When I first arrived Fr Placid was already engaged in a theological conversation with a table full of very verba... 03/05/2017

St Joes, Together in Faith, Monday Dinner Tonight    Yes, it is the 4th Monday already and time to join the folks at St Joes for a bit of food and fellowship.  Not sure what is on the menu, but I am sure the food and fellowship will be memorable.    Monday February 27, 2017    5pm to 6pm  St Joseph Parish Family Center    1709 Wyatt Avenue    Stevens Point, WI 54481 02/27/2017

Can I Make Payments on the Security Deposit? I don’t like having vacancies at this time of year but sometimes it happens that way so we have been getting a few homes ready this past month and interviewing potential tenants. Unfortunately this time of year we have a lot less candidates than we have in the summer and many of them are far less solid candidates than those we see in the summer as well. After painstakingly checking all of the references and backgrounds of our best candidates for two homes, we offered them the homes.  Both were very pleased and wanted to move in right away. Then they both asked similar questions that I never want to hear. “Can you wait until next Friday for the first month’s rent and then let us make payments on the deposit?” I told them that this never works... 02/19/2017

Sister Claude Got It Right This Time… A Groundhog Day Reprise.I was inspired to bring this post from last year back to the surface tonight when I read some thoughts on "getting it right" in my friend Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD 's post.Enjoy the inspiration in both of our posts, and I hope that you and I can both Get it Right.---------------------------------------------It was a busy day, and week, at Franciscans Downtown with preparations for the Mercy Marathon, Easter, and many other activities.Most of us who work there do it as a side job that we fit in around our real jobs, (those jobs that pay the bills so that we can be there).Father Placid's real job is to be one of three friars who work as the chaplains for a large convent near Green Bay.One of the realities of these... 02/02/2017

Taking a break from Winter with a Summer tour of Michael Koziczkowski Park - Stevens Point Wisconsin As the is blowing with the fury of Winter outside I decided to take a little break tonight and visit Summer in one of our wonderful parks.Stevens Point is a wonderful little city with a wealth of trees and parks, it seems that every time I turn around I discover another nice little park.A while ago I discovered Michael Koziczkowski Park and thought that it might me nice to share a little glimpse of it with you so I took out my phone and recorded a quick little tour for you to enjoy.This is a quiet and often forgotten park hidden away along the McDill pond flowage.Though Michael Koziczkowski park may be hidden away at the south side of town at the south end of Minnesota Ave and Business 5... 01/28/2017

Meade Park, Fun for All on Stevens Point's West Side!   Great view of the Wisconsin River, Riverside Park and Downtown.  One of my son Josh's favorite parks due to the top class nine hole disc golf course.  Also a favorite of parents with small children due to the Deluxe Playground area in this park.  Bob, Josh and Tramp enjoying a litttle spring time disc golf action combined with biking.     This park also adjoins the famous Stevens Point Green Circle Trail, along the west side loop.  There are many more attractions here including a ball field and tennis courts.  As a bonus, if you would like to live near this fine park, it is only about a block away from our nice Cottage Style home on Pearl St.    Sally Crane showing some premo disc golfing skills!   The new playground area in Meade ... 01/23/2017

The Square in Stevens Point Wisconsin    When I first moved to Stevens Point to attend college, the square was more known to us kids as a place with dozens of bars and a farmers market that we seldom attended.   These days with a higher drinking age, less college public drinking and thus less bars, it is a place with shops, offices and a renewed farmers market with a large beautiful fountain.   The historic Mathias Mitchell Public Square in downtown Stevens Point is home to the longest running farmers market in the State of Wisconsin. The two square-block marketplace at the end of Main St. has been the focal point for farmers selling their wares since Mitchell donated it to the town in 1847.     The market is open from May through October, 7:00 A.M until the vendors sell out, which is u... 01/18/2017

The Green Circle Trail, a Gem Encircling Stevens Point!   As I have mentioned before, Stevens Point has always been a great place for biking.  With very few high traffic bottlenecks, level terrain and ample shops and attractions close to any part of town that you live in.   In 1996, the city added another unique attraction when they developed the Green Circle Trail which helped to join together many of the natural areas in and around the city especially concentrating along the Wisconsin and Plover rivers and all of the great scenery associated with them. The Green Circle Trail take you through nearly 40 miles of great and variable scenery from the Wisconsin River, to the Plover River, Mc Dill Pond, city parks, Schmeeckle reserve, and plenty of private and public forest areas.   This no... 01/14/2017

Rent Prices Rising Again in 2017, This May Be a Good Time For You To Become a Homeowner, I Can Help.I read another article today from a reliable source at KCM, predicting another year of escalating rental rates through the country.Considering the cost of being a landlord is also rising, I predict that I will also be rising the rates this summer on the homes that I still have by that time.Part of my plan when I started increasing my rental business back in 2008 was to be out of the business within 10 years so now is the time that I will begin divesting in these properties.If becoming a homeowner and putting your rent money into something that will build equity for your future interests you, then I can help. I can help you to find the financing that it takes to buy a home. I can help to p... 01/01/2017

St Vincents, Green Gifts, Great Prices, Helping People  St Vincent, Great Opportunity To Volunteer, Donate, And Get Great Gifts At Great Prices! Some of you may remember that I blogged about these fine folks earlier this year, but I think that they are deserving of a second blog as we approach Christmas.   St Vinnie’s is a charity that I have a lot of admiration for; they do great work without the high executive salaries of similar organizations like goodwill and the red cross.  When I donate here, I know that all of my donations are going to go to those who need them rather toward high executive salaries.   In my life I seem to collect a lot of stuff to donate and it gives me great pleasure when I can load up a truckload of nice stuff to take down to St Vinnie’s where I know that it wi... 12/22/2016

Songs of the Advent and Christmas Season  For whom peaceful stillness encompassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent. Your all powerful word from heaven’s royal throne leapt into the doomed land.   (Wisdom 18:14-15)Join us at Franciscans Downtown for a celebration of Advent as we prepare for the Christmas Season1000 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI Saturday, December 10, 2016 – 12:00 NoonOrganist Bill Weinmann will lead singers and readers in Lessons and Carols of this holy season that draw us deeper into the great mystery of what it means to be human beings fully alive in the God who loves us endlessly and came to live among us.Lunch, provided by Graffitis, and conversation will follow immediately. The program is free and open to the public. No registration is re... 12/09/2016

Habibi's Gyros & Kabob House with my girl.It's always a good day when I can find an opportunity for a date with my lovely wife Sally.Recently we discovered a unique restaurant close to our home in Stevens Point.Habibi’s is an experience of the flavors and atmosphere of the Mediterranean, Including a variety of foods of the Mediterranean region such as Turkey, Greece, and North Africa. We did enjoy the tastes as well as the decor, and we will likely become regular visitors. 12/04/2016

Franciscans Downtown, A Ministry of Presence; Reflection, Conversation, and Refreshment "A place of Gospel Refreshment; Rest and Conversation on the stories of our lives."   Franciscans Downtown, is not only a place that I like to volunteer at several times each week, but also a place that I like to share with all of my guests, including a few out of town visitors that stopped by today.A few years ago my friend, Fr. Placid Stroik, retired from 30 years of service at Covenant House in New York City.  He moved back to his home state of Wisconsin, where he took a position as a Chaplain at large convent near Manitowoc.  He still found himself with spare time and energy and a desire to take on another outreach mission.  While visiting family in his hometown of Stevens Point, he noticed a vac... 11/30/2016

2109 Center, one of my favorite homes and favorite photos.I took this shot inside of one of my rentals on the day that I purchased it and continue to use it in all of my adds for this home.I like the way that it shows multiple rooms, multiple features, and plenty of sunlight. This is my first entry into Dick Greenberg 's photography contest under the Real Estate Interior Category.I hope that you enjoy this and the other entries in the contest. For more info on this home check out this post.http://activerain.com/blogsview/4883582/adorable-cottage-style-home--very-close-to-uwsp-campus-and-belts 11/29/2016

Camping Mats at Franciscans Downtown with my bag lady friend Mary I invited my friend Mary Patten to join me at Franciscans Downtown yesterday and I am glad that I did.Last week I met Mary while we both were volunteering at the Warming Shelter in Point, a wonderful lady with a warm heart and a passion for service to the people in our community.While we quietly visited in the room off to the side from where our homeless guests were sleeping, I noticed that she was doing an unusual activity to keep her hands busy and create an important item for the folks in the next room.It was not my first intro to the activity since I had been introduced to these life saving essentials for the homeless by a fellow Third Order Franciscan from Milwaukee at our annual chapter gathering a few years ago.So ... 11/21/2016