Name/Title
Waupun Weeping Willow 4-H ClubScope and Content
Historical information on Waupun Weeping Willow 4-H Club for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are typed and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
WEEPING WILLOW 4-H CLUB
The Weeping Willow 4-H Club was organized on January 25, 1955. It encompassed the area in and around the old Wil1ow Creek school district located 5 miles northeast of Waupun. Mrs. Hubert Neitman was responsible for the club's begining. She had worked with 4-H clubs since 1935, and was still serving as project leader and club advisor for Weeping Willow at the time of her death. in 1974. Mrs. Charles Vellema was the first general leader of the club, and she has remained the general leader through the 21 years of the club's existence. Other leaders at the time of charter were Miss Ruby Kamphuis, Otto Kamphuis, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bliefnick. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bliefnick still serve as project leaders.
There were 16 charter members taking 7 projects. Their names were:
Annette & Melva Amacher
Roger Beck
Roland Buchholz
Byron & Margaret Kamphuis
Betsy & Orlin Lange
Bruce Patrick
Melvin & Wayne Pluim
Larry Redeker
Marilyn Redeker
Ralph Searvogel
Karen VanBuren
Their projects included Clothing, Foods & Nutrition, Gardening, Dairy, Woodworking, Home Grounds, Junior Leadership.
Now in 1976, enrollment has reached 79. There are 24 leaders handing 31 projects. Members now on the roll are:
Craig, Kim, Reagen, & Raelene Arndt
Jim & Louisa Bliefnick
Joe Bovee
Lacinda Bresser
Joe Brown
Gina & Robert Cantaley
Judy & Sue Cleveland
David Daniels
Chet Dombrowski
Valerie Duer
Dan & Richard Ely
Carol, Dan, & Maureen Flood
Deane, Donna, Joel, & John Goodlaxson
Barbara Grauvogl
Lisa & Michael Grunke
David & Suzanne Hermann
Kristin Johnston
Bradley, Bryan, & Kathleen Kemink
Jim Kemin
Jane & Mary Kettler
Daniel, David, & Lori Kiesow
Russell & Matthew Kittell
Jim Kopf
Wendy Korth
Paul Luedtke
Marlene Markhardt
John, Orwin, Roland, & Alita Ritzema
Mickey & Mari Marks
Rachelle Ruenger
Jackie & Susan Mathieu
David & Diane Ruske
Robert & Sharon Mecklenberg
Cheri Seeman
Jeff Messner
Linda & Bonnie Stanton
Heidi Mischler
Donna Sweet
Debbie, Kenneth, & Tom Montsma
Janet & Desiree Vedder
Robert Nummerdor
Tom Wojahn
Lisa & Roger Palmer
Bambi & Kris Pinkerton
Craig & Marsha Pluim
Nancy Rahn
Present leaders include:
Mrs. Charles Vellema, General Leader
Mrs, John Kedinger
Miss L. Richgels
Mr. Steve Myers
Mrs. David Mannigel
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bliefnick
Mrs. Irving Bovee
Mrs. Russell Bresser
Mr. Maurice Ely
Mrs. David Goodlaxson
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Kiesow
Mr. Dan. Luedtke
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Markhardt
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Marks
Mr. Ed Montsma
Mrs. Orrin Nummerdor
Mr. James Pillkerton
Mrs. Vernon Flood
Mr. Mike Flood
Mrs.Earl Kettler
Projects now carried by the club include: Aerospace, Beef, Arts & Crafts, Canning, Crocheting, Clothing, Dairy, Dog, Electricity, Exploring, Flowers, Forestry, Fish Management, Foods & Nutrition, Houseplants, Handyman, Home Furnishings, Horse, Knitting, Landscape, Leathercraft, Vegetables, Music, Photography, Rabbits, Sheep, Snowmobile, Tractor, Pork, Teen Leader, and Woodworking.
Through the past 21 years besides individua1 project work, the club has done many worthwhile projects to benefit their community. In 1958 members planted a tree plot along Highway 26.
In 1967 a committee of members drew up a petition to improve the safety of the Highway 151-26 traffic exchange. Over 1000 signatures were obtained and presented to Senator Walter Hollander and then to the State Highway Commission. Members on the committee were Jack Wilson, Karen Smith, Barbara Hoelzel, James Baierl, Carol Duer, Barbara Wallendal, and Mrs. James Wilson, adult advisor.
In 1967, members worked to clear a picnic area near the Rock River on County Trunk AS. This was maintained for several years for the enjoyment of travelers and picnickers.
in. 1968, 143 members and alumni gathered to honor Mrs. Hubert Neitman for 25 years of 4-H leadership in her community.
Benefit rollerskating parties have been very successful in helping disaster victims far away and also at home when one of the members needed extensive hospitalization.
Because 4-H clubs are self-supporting the club must have fund-raising efforts. These include paper drives, plat book sales, greeting card and candy sales.
Organized recreation is enjoyed at each meeting, Also softball and basketball teams enter into county competition and have won many trophies.
Each meeting features a safety topic-bicycle safety, fire escape routes, first aid, water safety, and many other areas have been studied.
A big percentage of the members take part in the County Talent Contest each year and have received many top awards. In 1975 the group under the direction of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Marks
were asked to perform for the National Agricultural Agents' Convention in Milwaukee.
The 4-Hers work especially hard during June Dairy Month Promotions and have received state recognition for their efforts. Mrs. Marvin Kiesow now serves as June Dairy Month leader.
To broaden their horizons, many members have participated in 4-H Youth exchanges with other states and countries.
The highest award given in 4-H is the Key Award. Weeping Willow members who have received this award are Jay Wilson, Tom Wilson, Jack Wilson, Dan Wilson, and Claire Vellema.
When the Weeping Willow 4-H Club was started it needed a name. Along the Willow Creek in the original club area were several weeping willow trees, and so this name was chosen. Through the years the club has developed much the same as the willows: the club was quick to grow----the members bend in many directions with their many projects. The roots of the willows are tough and fibrous and if a willow is cut down, it immediately starts to grow again from the roots and any twigs or branches that are left. Thus may the strength and character gained in 4-H work fortify the young peop1e as they go through life.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
