August Reed Writes In
August 29, 2026
Dear Will’s Place,
Greetings once again from Milwaukee, Wisconsin! The time has come once again for me to move north to Marquette University, where I’m beginning my sophomore year of college. I had such an amazing summer, including being lucky enough to have consistent shifts at Will’s Place each week! At Will’s Place, I discovered the joys of spraying food off of dishes in the dish pit; got to see old teachers of mine at the D219 teachers’ conference; and enjoyed listening to songs from EPIC: The Musical, Hamilton, Michael Jackson, and more over the kitchen speaker as I worked. It was a blessing to be at Will’s Place as we began using patio seating, and as the mural on the shed went up. And it was a privilege to be able to interview the performers at our benefit concert on July 9, and then enjoy their amazing performances (and even go onstage at the end)! I’m sad to leave my friends at Will’s Place, but happy to be able to share a bit of my college experience with you in this new series of Reed Writes In columns!
My return to college happened in two stages. First, on August 22, my parents and I drove up to Marquette to drop off my bedding, my bookshelf (and the many books I would fill it with), a chair, and other things that I would have in my room. However, we didn’t actually unpack everything that day–we just put it in my room and went home. The unpacking came on August 29, when we drove up to Milwaukee with the rest of my stuff, and I fully took up residence in my new dorm room for this school year. Readers who previously saw my May 2026 column may remember that I forgot my Apple watch while moving out of Marquette last school year, and my mom had to drive me up so I could get it back. Likewise, when my parents drove me up at the beginning of this school year, I forgot my wallet at home. My mother had to drive back up the next day and bring it to me.
As my return to college loomed, I kept getting hit with moments of sadness about how I was going to have to leave. Now that I’m here, there are things that I’ll miss about Skokie. I don’t have to pay to do my laundry at home, for example, and Will’s Place’s food feels like it’s a more carefully crafted product than the food in my dining hall. Then there’s the work that my classes will require. For all the challenges I had to meet at Will’s Place this summer, I never had to write essays or take exams! (Jeff and Michael, if you’re reading this, please don’t get any ideas.
But it’s not all bad news. After all, whereas I began my first year of college in a new location far from my home, not yet having any close friends, I’m beginning my second year with existing friendships, familiarity with some professors, and an understanding of how to get around campus. Plus, now that I’m back at college, I have access to certain advantages and amenities I did not have at home, like being able to exercise at Marquette’s recreation center (once it opens). I also get to see the Milwaukee skyline from the dorm common space right outside my bedroom, which is especially beautiful at sunset (see photo above). And, of course, I’ll be able to have fun writing columns like this one, and to come home and see everyone at Will’s Place during breaks in the school year (starting with Fall Break in October). As Deanna Hallagan sings: “When all is said and done,/ I know I’m the lucky one.”
August may be over, but my school year is just getting started. I’m so excited to bring the Will’s Place community along for the ride, so to speak! If anyone wants to visit me up in Milwaukee, like Jill Murphy did last year, I’d be very happy to see you. Otherwise, I’ll talk to you all again next month–same time, same place!
Faithfully yours,
Reed Larson-Erf