Waunakee community members recognized for their service

On Sunday, April 28, the Waunakee Chamber of Commerce hosted the 50th Anniversary Annual Waunakee Community Awards Dinner at Rex’s Innkeeper.

Fifteen awards were presented to individuals and organizations that made a significant and positive contribution to Waunakee with an emphasis on volunteerism, philanthropy, leadership, cultural enrichment and civic engagement. Waunakee’s community organizations choose the recipients.

The evening was dedicated in memory of the late Ray Kuehl, who was instrumental through the years in keeping the community awards celebration alive. Ray’s wife Dee Kuehl was the evening’s special guest who was presented with an Orchid that represented the Chamber of Commerce’s Orchid Award that Ray started over 30 years ago. That award recognizes a building that underwent a major façade improvement beautifying the community and enhancing commerce.

Community Awards are celebrated each year during the month of April which is designated as National Volunteer Month. Congratulations to all the winners and to those that support them.

Service organizations presented awards to the following recipients:

American Legion Post 360 — LEADERSHIP AWARD, Marvin Hellenbrand.

Waunakee Community Service Department — FRIEND OF THE COMMUNITY, Susan Rather and Jeff Tews.

Waunakee Neighborhood Connection — NEIGHBOR OF THE YEAR, Jess Pagel.

Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce — BUSINESS EXCELLENCE, Main Street Market Piggly Wiggly.

Waunakee Senior Center — SENIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR, Katie Hilgers.

Waunakee Optimist Club — OUTSTANDING SENIOR STUDENT AWARD, Elizabeth Tinoco Guerrero.

Waunakee Community Cares Coalition — HEALTHY & RESILIENT COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, Melissa Olsen.

Create Waunakee — BRIGHT LIGHT AWARD, Waunakee Wings Memorial Mural, A Ball of Creativity: Whimsical.

Waunakee FFA Club — AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE AWARD, Carmen Kruschek.

Rotary Club of Waunakee — OUTSTANDING BUSINESS PERSON, Randy Guttenberg

Waunakee Lions Club — DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. Waunakee Kwik Trip.

Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce — RISING STAR, Noah Smith.

Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce — CHAMBER CHAMPION, Sheryl Schoeder.

Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce — COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION, North Ridge Church.

Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce — Orchid Award Best New Development — Heritage Hills Apartments; Orchid Award Best Renovation. West & Dunn Attorneys at Law.

Awards were originally announced at the Chamber Dinner & Auction on April 4.