Lee Pulaski, lpulaski@shawanoleader.com
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Fireworks light up the sky above the Shawano County Fairgrounds grandstand Thursday night to celebrate the Wisconsin 4-H centennial. The show was produced by Fireworks Country.
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski 4-H member Kathryn Kugel prepares to launch a stuffed cow, one of many prizes, into the seats at the Shawano County Fairgrounds grandstand Thursday night during the county’s 4-H centennial celebration.
The Shawano County 4-H program celebrated the centennial of Wisconsin 4-H with a bang — a few hundred actually — as fireworks lit up the Shawano County Fairgrounds.
Members of 4-H, past and present, came together Thursday to commemorate the occasion and pay tribute to many longtime leaders and volunteers. They also recalled how 4-H was in years past.
For example, to send a child to 4-H camp cost $6 in 1948. Today, the cost is still very low — $9.
For the centennial, the University of Wisconsin-Extension is creating a Wall of Fame featuring 100 longtime 4-H leaders. One of Shawano County’s longest serving leaders and volunteers, Marilyn Ebert, will be one of the honorees. She has been involved in 4-H for 55 years.
Doug Clark, one of the county’s 4-H leaders, noted that Ebert became an adult volunteer after spending years involved with 4-H as a young girl. As an adult, she has helped youth with projects in many fields, including music, art, exploring and sheep.
Ebert also served three terms on the county’s 4-H executive board, including several stints as vice president.
“She has provided leadership to the entire county, not just the club,” Clark said.
When asked by Clark how many more years she planned to volunteer with 4-H, Ebert adamantly said she was never retiring.
The 4-H volunteer of the year award was presented to Nancy Schauer, whom Clark said has been a dedicated leader even while raising three children.
“All of our leaders are real movers and shakers, but we have a special one every once in a while who has been overlooked,” Clark said. “One of her children even told me she didn’t know how she did it.”
Clark described Schauer as “the glue” that helps to keep the county organization together. Schauer has also served on many county key committees with great enthusiasm, Clark said.
One pet project of Schauer’s is the 4-H club penny wars. There are jugs at the fairgrounds for people to drop their loose change in to support 4-H programs.
The county 4-H also recognized Jim Leuenberger for 28 years of dedicated service, Ellie Borre for 26 years and Gary Retzlaff for 25.
The ceremony ended with the fireworks display from Fireworks Country.