July is Rhinelander Chamber Month

The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the chamber and its members this month. The goal of the month is to let businesses and the community know what the chamber does and how it benefits everyone. RACC is hosting a membership campaign; both new joining businesses and current members who recruit a new business will be eligible to win prizes. The chamber is hosting two free “Chamber 101” sessions July 15 and 18, and will hold a Chamber Member Appreciation event. For more information and to RSVP to “101, visit www.rhinelanderchamber.com or call 715-365-7464.

Y plans golf scramble

The 19th Annual YMCA of the Northwoods Golf Scramble is Friday, July 19 at Pinewood Country Club in Harshaw. Check in is 8 a.m. with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The registration fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, goodie bag, continental breakfast and a lunch buffet. The event raises money to fund programming at the Y. For more information or to register, visit www.ymcaofthenorthwoods.org.

Treehaven goes solar

A new 19.84 kilowatt solar array has been installed on the roof of the Birch Lodge at Treehaven natural resources education and conference facility near Tomahawk. The array provides all the electrical needs for both Ed Okray Aspen and Birch lodges, plus feeds some electricity back into the grid. To date, the system has generated more than four million watts of electricity. A 13-watt LED light bulb, which is equal to an old 60-watt florescent, consumes 13 watts of energy every hour it is in use. Funding for this project included a $28,950 grant from the UW- Stevens Point student-funded “Green Fund” and matching interest from the Treehaven Endowment.

MASH style blood drive July 18

The Community Blood Center is hosting its annual MASH blood drive 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday, July 18, at the National Guard Armory in Rhinelander. All presenting donors will receive lunch and refreshments, a MASH T-shirt and will be entered to win one of four $500 Wisconsin Outdoor Adventure prize packages. The Community Blood center relies on volunteer blood donors to ensure local patients, including those at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, have the products needed.

Federal funds for food, shelter available

Qualifying Oneida County organizations may apply to receive supplemental emergency food and shelter funding, made available through the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Oneida County will receive $5,386; The Northwoods United Way will be responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds, and any additional funding made available under this phase. Eligible agencies must be private voluntary non-profits (with a voluntary board) or units of government, be eligible to receive federal funds, have an accounting system, practice non-discrimination and have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs. Contact Nancy Sattler at 715-202-3344 or [email protected]

NAMI Northern Lakes

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI, has a local chapter, NAMI Northern Lakes, that serves Forrest, Vilas, and Oneida counties which operates NAMI Northern Lakes Center. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. The Center is a Stigma Free place where people can come to talk with their peers, have a meal, engage in a variety of social activities, or just relax. The Center is located at the lower level of Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of Stevens and Phillips St. in Rhinelander. For more up-to-date information, please call NAMI Northern Lakes Center at 715-420-1700 or Mick Fiocchi 715-369-4740.