Member Monday: Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc.

Since 2008, Eric and Bernadette Russow have been on a mission to help raise awareness and build a more welcoming community to individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia in Walworth County. Starting as volunteers with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to opening the first Memory Cafes in Walworth County, the Russows knew they needed to do more: create a dementia friendly community.

The Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc. works to identify, cultivate, and support other community leaders in developing strategies to achieve more dementia friendly communities. To do so, the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative provides accessible education resources, inclusive training programs, and emotional support.

“To be Dementia Friendly means that at least 50% of employees of a business have been trained to recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and can properly interact and communicate with the individual,” says Eric Russow.

The Russows, along with their crew of volunteers, provide free training programs customized to each businesses, organizations, and individuals needs. Additionally, the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative offers support to caregivers, families, and individuals affected by the disease.

The Russows have trained staff at Old World Wisconsin, City of Elkhorn Police, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police, and The Walworth County Visitors Bureau as well as other first responders, faith communities, and community government agencies.

“To be trained and recognized as a Dementia Friendly organization means that you are an open door and a smiling face ready to help alleviate some stresses that come with traveling and going about life with a loved one affected by this disease,” says Bernadette, “Why wouldn’t you want to be a welcoming organization to all residents in your community?”

“This training is becoming more and more important as the county’s population grows older. By helping people understand what dementia is and how it affects families, we can make a difference,” said Eric.

Recently, the DFCI announced their plans to launch the Cycling Without Age Program. Cycling Without Age will provide the opportunity for those with mobility issues the joy and vitality of enjoying the outdoors and various community programs that they are not currently able to enjoy via tri-shaw electric-assisted cargo bike. The bikes are safe, equipped with a seatbelt and driven by a trained and certified volunteer pilot.

To learn more about the DFCI, visit their website at DFCWalworth.org.

Member Monday: Coyote Ridge Marketing

After a successful career in marketing and communications, Walworth County native Tim Goodman decided to utilize his experience along with his teams’ creative talents to support area businesses. Coyote Ridge Marketing opened in 2019 ready to service clients with proven results-driven strategies that in turn yield high-quality results. Goodman’s unique background in corporate marketing roles and advertising agency management has enabled him with a unique insight to bridge the gap between the needs of a business and a supporting marketing strategy. 

With customized plans and limitless creativity, the Coyote Ridge team can help craft the ultimate business solution expertly tailored to your business needs. As a full-service agency, Coyote Ridge Marketing strives to provide a complete spectrum of marketing services including branding, digital marketing, creative and design, website and e-Commerce development, social media strategy, content marketing, communications, and event management. Their services help clients tell their story, grow their brand, and ultimately increase revenue.

“These services are just the tools to help our clients connect their business goals with the needs of the end-user,” says Goodman. “Customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We continually ask ourselves the following questions, ‘How do we create a better product?’, ‘How do we service our clients better?’, ‘How do we provide more value to our clients?’, and ultimately ‘Did we solve the problem our client asked us to solve?’.”

Coyote Ridge Marketing currently serves local and national clients in the Tourism, Hospitality, Construction, Landscaping, Government, and Agriculture industries. The Coyote Ridge team is excited to help clients re-envision their business and achieve their marketing objectives.

“We want to do good work with good people,” states Goodman. “We are passionate about the brands we work with and take pride in learning our clients’ business or products to best position them versus their competition. Our passion is woven into our projects, and it is a cornerstone of who we are as an agency.”

To learn more about Coyote Ridge Marketing visit CoyoteRidgeMarketing.com. Contact them today to get started on a custom marketing strategy or advertising campaign for your business.

Member Monday: Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company

Nestled on a historic family farm in Elkhorn, Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company is Southern Wisconsin’s premier farmhouse microbrewery. Owners Ben and Laura Johnson have turned their respective passions into a bustling agribusiness in the heart of Walworth County serving up brews brimming with history and local flavor.

As Laura came into ownership of the barns on the family farmstead, she and her husband Ben decided to turn her passion for the farm and his love of brewing into a family business and a way to continue their family’s agricultural legacy.

“We decided on this business because this united both our passions. I get to improve my farm and make sure it survives generations to come, and Ben gets to make beer,” said Laura.

Located on the family’s 160-year old former pig farm, the iconic red barn is actually a replica of the original barn with modern upgrades. Inside you’ll find homages to the family’s history in the reclaimed barn wood bar top, window frames, and beams. 

At Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company, the secret to great beer is great ingredients. 

“We really love working with local suppliers and farmers to create our craft brews,” says Laura.

Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company sources ingredients from across the Midwest and even right here in Walworth County. Hops from Chilton, WI, offer the perfect base to add flavors from strawberries grown in Elkhorn at Apple Barn Orchard and Winery, to honey harvested from Delavan based bees from Henningfeld Honey. As Walworth County natives, the Johnsons love working with local farmers and suppliers to help bring truly unique local flavors to their beers.

“Each beer has a story behind it,” says Laura, “dUnkle Dave is named after my uncle, Bentist Candy is named for Ben, and we like to think of our beers as an honor to our family and a legacy of success we are excited to pass down to our kids.”

In addition to beer, Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company is always brewing up fun! Stop in for weekly Trivia Nights and specials. In the summer months, you can enjoy live music on the spacious patio and grab a bite to eat from a featured food truck. Coming up this holiday season, you won’t want to miss out on the Black Friday Beer Release and the Outdoor Christmas Market.

Laura says, “We really wanted to create a space where everyone feels welcome. Our farm is a family, and we want to make you feel like a part of it when you visit us here at the brewery.”

Plan your next visit to Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company by visiting dcbrewery.com and keep up with them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Craft beer enthusiasts can rate and follow Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company on Untapped.  We’ll be seeing you at the brewery!