Humke named Greenwood Citizen of Year

Longtime Greenwood citizen Amy Humke was recognized for all she has done to make her community a better place by receiving the Citizen of the Year award at the 44th annual Greenwood Chamber of Commerce banquet at the American Legion Wallis-Hinker-Brux Post.

“This year’s Citizen of the Year has always been willing to help support the Greenwood community in any way possible. She did this while taking care of her family and supporting them every day in each of their chosen endeavors. Education is her career and passion; she is always trying to help kids learn and make good decisions to better themselves,” said Trevor Wuethrich during the award presentation at the March 19 banquet.

Humke taught at Thorp Catholic School, Greenwood Elementary School and now Loyal Elementary School for a combined 32 years of teaching. She received the Loyal Teacher of the Year award for 2021-22. She has also been a St. Mary’s Catholic Church lector, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) teacher and religious education director, and a Learn-a-Lot Preschool board member.

Humke graduated from Eau Claire Regis High School and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She started her teaching career, got married and had four children. She was a member of the Thorp, Greenwood-Willard and Neillsville Jaycees over an 18-year span. Through the Jaycees, she engaged in a variety of community service projects.

She has helped with community development in a variety of other ways as well. She helped with Greenwood Dairy Days for about 12 years, participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life program, assisted with the Greenwood American Legion Memorial Day chicken dinners and supported Greenwood athletics with all four of her children. From 2011 to 2022, she chaired the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Santa Visit, making sure area children got into the Christmas spirit.

“The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce would like to deeply thank her for her years of dedication and service to this event. Her help has truly been invaluable,” Wuethrich said.

Humke was congratulated by the Chamber Board of Directors and also a group of 13 family members that came to

Please see Humke, page 7

Shown is Amy Humke with her husband, Kurt, and her children (left side) Kassandra, Austen, (right side) Karson and Aarica. A longtime Greenwood resident and teacher for 32 years, Humke has been involved with many community organizations.

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Humke is married to her husband, Kurt, and they have four adult children: Kassandra, Karson, Aarica and Austen.

“Kurt and I have always thought that service was very important,” said Humke. “And that we live in a community and we wanted to raise our children in this community, and it’s only right that we share it. If we want our children to be raised in a good community, we have to help create a good community. And we did that just a little bit. And I hope we instilled that in our children that, wherever they are, that they create a good community for their future children.”

Other business Also recognized at the chamber banquet was the Featured Business, Wedges Creek Hideaway. Owned by Lee Volovsek, this 300-acre property at W7355 Mann Road has been a part of the Volovsek family for almost a century. Lee Volovsek’s father, Dave, ran a sawmill and Christmas tree operation there. Since 2013, it has been the site of weekly outdoor concerts throughout the summer along with homemade brick-oven-fired pizza and a variety of drinks, including wine and beer. There are also five cabins and 20 RV/tent campsites. The barn has been transformed into an event venue for wedding receptions, family reunions and other gatherings. In addition, Volovsek offers several sleigh rides each winter. For more information, go to WedgesCreek.com or call 715-386-5466.

Jeremy and Hannah Olson received a plaque as a symbol of appreciation for hosting the 2022 Greenwood Dairy Breakfast. This year’s breakfast will be the last Sunday in June at Ed Krultz’s farm.

Josiah Groth from Opportunity Development Centers (ODC) Inc. spoke to the group. ODC offers a continuum of supports for individuals with disabilities from early years through adulthood. the organization works to connect adults with disabilities with local employers who need employees.

“We work to find that perfect fit between employee and employer. Once we find it, it’s great and the company gets a loyal employee that will likely stay with them for many years,” said Groth.

There are currently 20 people with disabilities in Clark County that are looking for work through ODC. Business owners are encouraged to reach out to ODC at info@odcinc.com or call 715-424-2712 for more information.

Sharon Rogers provided a recap of the successful Clark County Farm Technology Days held last July. The three-day event had 46,084 attendees, not including FFA members and children. It brought the region $3.45 million in visitor spending activity. The increase in sales tax collections at the Clark County level so far is more than $41,000.

The Wednesday Farm Tech Fest concert sold out, with 4,000 tickets sold. Rogers said it was the first time trying that and the event committee learned a lot. While they actually lost money on the concert, they still netted a profit overall, enough to pay an estimated $50,000 back to nonprofit groups throughout Clark County. It took 1,600 volunteers donating more than 10,000 hours to make the event a success.

The Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce had a fund balance of $10,407.12 as of Dec. 31. Anticipated total income for 2023 is $5,000, coming from membership dues and dairy breakfast raffle proceeds. The chamber anticipates $4,675 in expenses including the annual banquet, Business After 5, scholarships, Clark County Economic Development Corporation dues, flower baskets and garlands for Main Street, blood drives, plants for new business and promotional materials. That leaves a projected fund balance of $10,732.12 at the end of 2023. The 2023 budget was approved unanimously.

Forensics success

Local high school students recently participated in the sub-district forensics speaking contest. Shown above are Granton participants (l-r) Abby Woller, Victoria Seif, advisor Kay Heiting and Lizzy Reinart. To left, Spencer senior Kylie Walker competed in impromptu speaking and fellow Spencer senior Magnus Schweiger competed in prose reading in February at Edgar High School. Both advanced to the district contest.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS