Good Morning!

I am always amazed at the sources for inspiration in our lives.  Some of us are inspired by natural surroundings, some of us by our encounters with other people, some of us by works of human creation and some of us by life events by which we celebrate our past, present and future.

Barb and I will be leaving for that wonderful time called “vacation” this week and we will return, as we do each year, to a small peninsula of land, surrounded by the waters of Lake Michigan.  In addition to the natural beauty and outdoor activities which will inspire us, I’ll be making my annual pilgrimage to Lambeau Stadium, home of the Green Bay Packers.  I am hoping to sit in on the annual stockholders meeting.  This might be interesting due to Brett Favre’s recent “un-retirement.”

I admit I continue to be inspired by the “green and gold” of the frozen north.   You may wonder what fascinates me about this particular organization.  Here are some interesting facts about this unique team.

There is no owner (last remaining publicly owned pro sports team; 4,748,923 shares; 111,613 stockholders, none of whom receive dividend on initial investment

Team plays in major sports’ smallest TV market – 69th

Team has averted four financial collapses:  1921, 1922, 1934 and 1950, each time gaining monetary support from the community (in 1921 a fan fell out of the stands and sued the Packers for $5,000 forcing them into bankruptcy)

Only two other pro sports venues have been in continuous use longer than Lambeau Field – Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field  (in a recent re-modeling they turned down millions of dollars to re-name the stadium after a corporation)

With season-ticket holders from all 50 states, Canada, Japan and Australia, the team’s waiting list has more than 63,500 names (estimated 30-year wait)

Now admittedly that is not much competition for attention in northern Wisconsin, but there is a commitment and passion about this organization which I find inspirational.  Call me crazy, but later this week I’ll get my brat and beer and settle in at Lambeau Field for a little inspiration.  See you in a few weeks!

Tom

Please keep in your prayers:

Jeff Peppet, undergoing tests

Joan Wilkinson’s niece, Lisa, diagnosed with MS

Barbara Vorjohan, Drake Hospital

Lola Gutierrez, continuing treatment

Ed Irvin, undergoing treatment

Mary Woolford at Marjorie P Lee

Pat Rupp at Marjorie P Lee

The Graham Family (Brent, Evelyn, Caroline, David, Will) as they move to Nashville