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Marshfield Rotary’s 2026 Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Event is a Success

Marshfield Rotary’s annual Wine, Cheese & Chocolate event brought the community together on April 8 for an evening of great flavors, connection, and purpose—resulting in another successful fundraiser for local initiatives.

More than 150 attendees gathered to enjoy a curated selection of wines, artisan cheeses, decadent chocolates, live music, and a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged conversation and community. The event is turning in to a favorite tradition, blending a fun night out with meaningful impact.

See more event photos here! (photo credit Leslie Schoen, Sheri Meissner)

While final proceeds are still being confirmed, the event is estimated to have raised well over $10,000 thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and supporters. Proceeds will support Marshfield Rotary’s ongoing service efforts, as well as two key beneficiaries: the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield and the Central Wisconsin Catch-A-Ride Program. These are organizations that play a vital role in supporting youth development and improving access to transportation in the region.

“This event is a great example of what happens when our community comes together,” said Darla Leick, Marshfield Rotary Club President. “It’s definitely a fun evening, and more importantly, it’s about making a real difference for organizations that are doing important work right here in the Marshfield Area.”

Marshfield Rotary extends its sincere thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, and guests who made the event possible. Their continued support helps strengthen the community and expand opportunities for those who need it most.

New Meeting Location

Forward Bank is the meeting location of Marshfield Rotary!
1001 N Central Ave
Marshfield, WI 54449

Our club meets at Forward Bank in their lower level meeting room! Check out the attached map for some directions and parking information. Anyone in the community is welcome - see you there! Read more for a map that shows the best entrance and parking information.

Helpful Tips:

Doors Open at 7:00am
Enter the building and head straight to the elevator
Go to the lower level (basement), exit the elevator and look for the Rotary signage!

Marshfield Rotary Welcomes the Sentry School of Business and Economics

The Marshfield Rotary Club recently marked an exciting milestone, gathering for our very first morning meeting at the Forward Bank Community Room. The fresh setting provided the perfect backdrop for an inspiring presentation by Kevin Neuman, a 21-year veteran of UW-Stevens Point and the Assistant Dean of the College of Professional Studies. Kevin shared the transformative journey of the Sentry School of Business and Economics, which became a named business school in 2022 following a landmark $10 million donation from Sentry. This investment has served as a powerful validation of their mission, allowing the school to expand its profile and strengthen the talent pipeline right here in Central Wisconsin.

The school’s philosophy is captured in the motto, “Others Talk, Sentry Does,” focusing on three core pillars: learning by doing, teaching with passion, and active student support. Every student participates in an internship, and the curriculum is packed with hands-on opportunities like A81 (a student-run marketing agency), Case in Point (creating business solutions for non-profits), and The Pitch (an entrepreneurship competition). Beyond the classroom, the Anderson Classroom to Career Center ensures students aren't just earning a degree, but are actively guided through internships and professional advising to keep local talent thriving in our region.

The Future of Marshfield Children's NICU

At our February 19th meeting, the Marshfield Rotary Club was honored to host Teri Wilczek, Chief Development Officer for the Marshfield Sanford Health Foundation. In addition to her vital work at the hospital, Teri is a dedicated leader within our own ranks, having served as a Rotary member for 26 years. During her presentation, she shared an inspiring vision for the future of neonatal care in our region.

For over 50 years, the Marshfield Children’s Hospital NICU has been a lifeline for high-risk infants across rural Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While its lifesaving mission remains steadfast, the needs of its tiniest patients and their families have evolved significantly.

The current NICU utilizes a "pod model," where multiple infants share the same space. While functional, this environment can increase stress for babies, families, and caregivers alike. Currently, families face limited privacy and no overnight stays with their infants. There is also a rising demand for the NICU and admission from the region is increasing.

A Closer Look At The Hub City Wind Farm

In February, the Marshfield Rotary Club welcomed Ben Tanko, Senior Renewable Development Specialist at Alliant Energy, to discuss the future of local energy: the Hub City Wind Farm. As a top-five regulated wind owner-operator in the U.S., Alliant Energy is a powerhouse in the transition to clean energy. Serving over 1 million electric and 430,000 gas customers, the company achieved a major milestone in 2024 with 44% of its energy coming from renewable sources. While Alliant already operates two wind farms, 12 solar projects, and several battery and hydro facilities across Wisconsin, the Hub City project represents their next major step forward.

The vision for the Hub City Wind Farm includes a 20,000-acre footprint spanning the towns of Brighton, Eau Pleine, McMillan, Day, Cleveland, and Green Valley. The farm will feature 28 to 38 high-efficiency turbines utilizing the latest Vestas V150 technology. These modern units stand 591 feet tall with 260-foot blades and produce 4.5MW each—which is two and a half times more energy production than older, smaller models. Altogether, the wind farm targets an annual production of approximately 150 Megawatts.