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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News March 8, 2005 - Humorist to talk about community passion By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff John Powers doesn't care if Wisconsin Rapids laughs at him Thursday. In fact, that's what he wants. Powers uses humor to make his speeches more interesting and easier to understand. This week's presentation at West Junior High School, "Loving Where You Live and What You Do," won't be any different. "When you use humor, it's remembered for a far longer time," he said. "And it makes time go faster and relaxes peoples' minds, so they're open to new ideas." Powers will be the latest participant of the New Ideas Speaker Series. It's organized by the Community Foundation of South Wood County and Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance as part of the Community Progress Initiative. Powers created and hosted a PBS series on how to be an effective public speaker and has hosted interview specials for the network. He's had guest appearances on radio and television programs, including "Oprah" and "Today." He received two Emmy awards for his work on television and is creator and producer of the Broadway musical "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?" "He's now focusing on professional speaking and making people laugh," said Mary Olson, vice president of donor relations and communications for the Community Foundation. "He's going to talk about having a passion for this area, for your home and what you do," Olson said. "It will focus on not just employment, but the whole area of what you might do, when you're employed and how you live life." Passion for a community is a driving force behind improving an environment, Powers said. Two neighbors who care about their neighborhood are more likely to improve it than two neighbors who are more aloof toward their surroundings, he said. Rapids Mall owner Sheldon Ferkey has seen him in action and doesn't mince words about his impression of Powers. "He is the best public speaker that I've ever heard," Ferkey said. Powers encourages people of all ages to attend his presentation. Even young people can get involved in their communities, he said. "Teenagers can do all kinds of things," he said. "There are reading programs and other community programs. I don't think there's a program an adult could volunteer for that a student couldn't do." The presentation will be given in general terms, and it's up to residents to apply the information to the local economy, said Powers, who gives about 90 speeches a year.
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