Newsletter November 2025

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Corn Roast — what an uplifting event. The Corn Roast gives us time to connect with other Demeter members, meet the students who receive our scholarships and grants, and enjoy a great meal together. A huge shout-out to Larry Binning for finding Pat O’Brien, who generously donated the corn this year. It was delicious! 

We also had a great time in October touring Gottschalk Farms and learning about cranberry production. Thank you to Demeter member Fawn Gottschalk for showing us the cranberry harvest in action. 

Thanks to everyone who has donated to Demeter. Hearing the students speak at the Corn Roast was a powerful re-minder of the impact your generosity makes. The Education Committee does an excellent job allocating the funds. 

As a retired financial advisor, I’d like to share a few ways you can still give this year to support our students: 

•New in 2026: Individuals who don’t itemize can claim a charitable deduction for cash gifts up to $1,000 (or $2,000 for couples filing jointly). You may send a check to Doug Maxwell’s attention or donate online at https://demeterwi.org/donate/. 

•IRA distributions: If you’re required to take a minimum dis-tribution from your IRA, you can direct it to Demeter as a qualified charitable distribution. 

If you have any questions , please contact us. It’s always best to consult your tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation. Thanks again for attending events, supporting De-meter, and sharing your enthusiasm. It’s been wonderful get-ting to know more of our members. 

Sharon Brantmeier, President