2022

Friends and Family,

I’m writing you from Nicaragua as I watch Marie, Will and Evie splash around the pool with the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Our six-month adventure in Central America has turned into nine months and, truly, an experience of a lifetime. We came down with the following goals: to spend more time together as a family; to experience a new culture and language; and to see new parts of the world.

It was an opportunity for me to decompress after selling Tru Family Dental and spend quality time with my family while our kids are young and have no commitments. I can happily say we accomplished our goals and so much more...Marie (5) came down here a toddler and is leaving a young girl. She rolls her Spanish Rs better than Jennie and I ever could, received her first set of stitches on a volcanic island in Lake Nicaragua (ask me for the story, it’s a good one J) and got her ears pierced in Medellín Colombia. She absolutely loves school and has made friends from all over the world. Will (3) has gone from a baby to a snow white blonde crazy boy.

He learned to ride a bike without training wheels and recently started riding the pump track on his own. Zip lining in Costa Rica was also a big highlight for little Willy, and he’s become quite the independent swimmer. Swim team, look out! He’s more than ready. Evie (1)….where do I start?! Well, her nickname is Diablita, which means little devil in Spanish. She went from crawling to running and has found a way to climb on top of everything in the Helping release baby turtles – Nov 2021 house. Her favorite activities include going on gato (cat) hunts each morning, learning to swim and speaking Spanish as her primary language. She is also way more social than Jennie or me, as her social network includes every single person here at Rancho Santana.

Just like our kids, Jennie and I have grown throughout this Central American experience. Our marriage was put to the test when I taught Jennie how to drive a manual transmission vehicle. She figured it out and can now zip around the beaches of Nicaragua like a local. I have had weekly conversational Spanish lessons and have improved leaps and bounds; I can now survive in a Spanish-speaking country. Together we’ve picked up the new sport of pickleball...So much fun! We have also become travel agents for our children. We have been lucky enough to travel to some pretty cool spots – Ometepe, Costa Rica, Little Corn Island, Panama, Colombia and more.

While Jennie has been improving her yoga practice and hiking skills, I’ve had the

opportunity to improve at surfing. Prior to coming down here, I under-appreciated how hard surfing actually is and the time commitment it would take...but I can proudly say Jennie finally calls me a “surfer.” Most importantly, together we have spent quality time with our kids playing,

swimming, hiking, biking, searching for monkeys,

watching baby turtles hatch, seeing humpback whales breech next to our boat and more,

creating life-long memories. These nine months have been a gift. Jennie and I hope these experiences and meeting people from different parts of the world will shape our kiddos into kind,

culturally-aware, empathetic humans.

Personally, I have had two aha moments on this adventure. First, I experienced and learned what it truly means to be a stay-at-home parent. No other role in life is so rewarding, yet so challenging. I remain in awe of what Jennie has and continues to do for our family. The second has been the challenge of living abroad in a country where the primary language is not our native tongue. Adapting to a new culture, new language, new climate and more presents its challenges...And we chose to do this. I am San Rafael Colombia – May 2022 now more impressed than ever with people that leave their homes and everything familiar to start a new life somewhere else; it’s not easy. I have walked in others’ shoes these past few months and need to continue this practice in the future; it is amazing what you can learn when you get a little out of your comfort zone. I challenge you (and myself) to find ways to get out of your comfort zone. For example, attend a church or service of another faith, start up a conversation with a stranger or join an organization with a diverse membership base. With new experiences comes a greater level of empathy toward others. The more empathy we can find, the better we can connect with one another and make the world a better place.

Similar to my Nicaraguan experience, the Copper Triangle Ride has turned into more than I ever initially imagined. I did the first bike ride in 2007 for the purpose of contributing to a cause that was directly affecting my dad via an activity that I enjoyed. In years to follow, it became a bonding experience with my dad, an annual boys trip in the mountains. I’ve gotten my mom, sister, brother-in-law, wife, business partner and friends to do the 79 mile loop with me as well. I joined the Board of the Davis Phinney Foundation, where we touch millions of people with Parkinson’s. As I embark on my 16th consecutive ride, I smile because Wild Bill would be so fired up with how it has all progressed.

I will be riding again this year for Wild Bill’s Warriors to support two organizations that made a positive impact on my dad’s life, the Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)

(https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/) and The Illinois Valley Brain Injury (IVBI)

Clubhouse. In 2021, DPF launched the Healthy Parkinson’s Community initiative, which provides the resources, staff support and tools to create communities of Parkinson’s members around the entire US. Another milestone achieved by DPF was they touched more than 1.1 million people last year through their various activities. IVBI went back to in person activities in 2021 and was able to maintain their level of support to their ever growing membership base, which includes thirty individuals and twenty families. They have set an ambitious goal this year of fundraising to purchase a new van to allow their members to complete more outings in the community. As you can see, both organizations are up to great things and a gift makes a significant difference.

Boat trip – June 2022

We have upped our fundraising goal to $25,000 this year as we would like to make a greater contribution to IVBI to help with the purchase of that new vehicle. During a recent chat with Tanya, the director of IVBI, she reminded me how much Wild Bill enjoyed those outings. I fondly remember that too.

Those outings and activities were the highlight of his weeks. To make a donation to my ride on August 6th, please visit http://www.wildbillswarriors.org/.

How about what’s next for our crew? We have started to pack our bags for our July 11 return to the States where we will land in Park City, Utah. We will begin to establish roots there as Marie starts kindergarten in August and I will get focused on the next professional endeavor. We have lots to look forward to...As this Nicaraguan adventure ends, a new one begins.

As always, BE WILD...and thank you all for the continued support!

Love you all,

BH

Friends and Family,

As has become a tradition, I am connecting with you during the holiday season to say THANK YOU and reflect on the wonderful blessings that Wild Bill’s Warriors (WBW) had in 2022. This year was an incredible fundraising year as WBW raised more than $22,000!!! These monies will support individuals with Parkinson’s through the Davis Phinney Foundation (https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org) and,

also, help purchase a vehicle for transportation at The Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse (IVBI). Both organizations positively impacted my father’s, Wild Bill Halcott, life, and I am excited to help them continue their respective missions. To know friends of my dad will be able to continue their activities at IVBI Clubhouse with a new transportation vehicle is incredible; those activities were very special to my dad and it is nice to see them continue. I thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for such wonderful support.

The Copper Triangle ride this year was, once again, a magical event. The day of the ride had perfect weather and the normal pageantry that had been missing recently post Covid.

My business partner, Naimish, joined me again on the ride; it’s a real treat to have friends and family come out for the event.

The capstone of the weekend was crossing the finish line with my oldest daughter, Marie, on her bike. She had been working on biking in Nicaragua, and we chatted about finishing together as the ride approached. Initially, she was hesitant, but some gummy bears and positive vibes got her over the hump. Finishing with Marie was so special; brought me back to finishing with my dad several years ago and the euphoric feeling of accomplishment and joy of doing something together with family.

On the home front, after our return from Nicaragua in July, we Marie finishing the Copper Triangle with me spent the summer traveling to see family and friends; we officially settled in Park City in August. Marie (6) started kindergarten on August 17th and has never looked back. She loves the structure and learning environment and it has been so fun to watch her meet new friends. Beyond school she is filling her time with swimming, gymnastics, tennis and now skiing.

Will (3) started pre-school as well and told Jennie on the first day as she was tearing up, “It’s okay, Mom, I will be back in a few hours.” Needless to say, Will is thriving too. He has become obsessed with mountain biking. He graduated from his balance bike to a full-on pedal bike and went to the pump track as often as we would take him this fall. Evie (2) is as independent as ever and bothers her older brother a lot. She is learning more English words, but continues to rely on her native language for her juice, shoes and water. She’s a hoot and keeps Will and his mean green Huffy on the pump us on our toes! I rented an office once we got to Park City and track have gotten back to work on the next venture. I have enjoyed

the opportunity to learn about new industries and connect again with friends and colleagues. Jennie has quickly jumped into her new community by sitting on a fundraising committee for Will’s preschool.

Most importantly, she spent the past nine months growing our newest family member...I would like to introduce you all to Theodore Robert Halcott born at 3:53 am on December 1.

Theo and Mom are doing great and we feel SO blessed to have a full house with four wonderful children. We are taking the BE WILD to a whole new mantra over here.

Jennie and I were so excited to welcome Theo into the world……he was tired right way J

2022 was a great year for WBW and for our family. I hope this year also brought you and your families happiness, love and joy. As I mentioned above, you guys are a tru blessing. Thank you for keeping Wild Bill’s Warriors thriving and supporting life-changing organizations. If you still would like to donate,

please visit www.wildbillswarriors.org.

Enjoy the holiday season with family and friends and, most of all, BE WILD!!

Love to you all,

Brandon

PS The Park City area ski resorts opened mid November, which was the earliest open in over a decade.

The snow is amazing. Please know there’s an open invitation to Park City to get a proper experience with the Halcott Circus and enjoy the slopes with us.

I am attaching a PDF with some photos so your spam filter does not block the message and also our earlier update from this summer.