NEW GLARUS - The Oscars weren't the only awards show going on this weekend.
New Glarus honored its adult volunteers Saturday night at the seventh annual Celebrating the Gift of Community with a dinner at Flannery's Wilhelm Tell Club.
More than 100 people attended the dinner, dubbed the "Swiss Oscars," which are given to outstanding volunteers in the community, and "roasted" lifelong resident Katie Elmer.
Elmer was honored with a presentation of her life as a valuable resident of New Glarus.
"Whether she was walking, talking or singing in the woods, she's an advertisement for New Glarus," said Patty Marty, who grew up with Elmer.
Elmer is 100 percent Swiss, and proud of her heritage, as she is of her community. She contributed to the village's many Swiss events and traditions.
"I'm sure it'll be a Swiss community for many years to come, and I sure hope so," she said about New Glarus.
Elmer was born Kathleen Zenter, one of three children, and attended the Leger Valley one-room school house. She graduated from New Glarus High School in 1944. She was married first to Harold Ingwell, and after his death to Art Elmer, who died in 2000.
She has played many parts in the annual Wilhelm Tell plays, which was begun in 1938. Elmer also was a member of the Edelweiss Stars, a singing and yodeling group, from 1950 to 1996.
Martha Bernet recalled their time together as members of the singing group.
"We both lost a husband during that time," she said. "As long as we were together, I never saw Katie moody. She was always very happy."
Elmer was the first nurse's aid at the New Glarus Home and was active in the Swiss Church. Recently, she has worked at Curves for five years, before retiring at age 80 last April.
Karl Gmur received the Ambassador Award for his contribution to the promotion of New Glarus as America's Little Switzerland. Gmur has spent more than 30 years traveling as a musician and assisting his wife, Kaye, with group travels. Recently Gmur assisted in the Wilhelm Tell play, Community Fest and Kinderchor performances.
Ron Foster won the Civic Award for his many hours volunteering for various organizations in New Glarus. Foster organized volunteers for work at the Edelweiss Chalet Country Club and was the driving force behind building the village park shelter house. He is an active member of the Lions Club, the VFW and the American Legion.
Pam Burke earned the Community Award. She is active with the Girl Scouts, coordinating many projects with the New Glarus Home. Burke is a past president of the Green County 4-H Leaders, vice-president of the sheep producers and a Sunday school teacher.
Francis Beers received the Lifetime Award for his persistence in founding the Jaycees, and the AmVets, serving as its original commander. Beers continues to be active in the Lions.
Ashley Beutler, Brenden Pittman, Cole Schmitt and Yvonne Zgraggen all won Student Achievement Awards on Thursday at New Glarus High School.
The New Glarus Community Foundation has been a contributor to such projects as the Town Hall preservation and restoration, the Wilhelm Tell Shooting Park Barn, Wilhelm Tell Guild, New Glarus schools and others. The community fund was started in 1995 with $15,000 and has grown to $336,000. The Foundation distributed $19,000 in 2007, and $93,000 over its lifetime.
New Glarus Vision and New Glarus Community Foundation co-sponsored the dinner.
New Glarus honored its adult volunteers Saturday night at the seventh annual Celebrating the Gift of Community with a dinner at Flannery's Wilhelm Tell Club.
More than 100 people attended the dinner, dubbed the "Swiss Oscars," which are given to outstanding volunteers in the community, and "roasted" lifelong resident Katie Elmer.
Elmer was honored with a presentation of her life as a valuable resident of New Glarus.
"Whether she was walking, talking or singing in the woods, she's an advertisement for New Glarus," said Patty Marty, who grew up with Elmer.
Elmer is 100 percent Swiss, and proud of her heritage, as she is of her community. She contributed to the village's many Swiss events and traditions.
"I'm sure it'll be a Swiss community for many years to come, and I sure hope so," she said about New Glarus.
Elmer was born Kathleen Zenter, one of three children, and attended the Leger Valley one-room school house. She graduated from New Glarus High School in 1944. She was married first to Harold Ingwell, and after his death to Art Elmer, who died in 2000.
She has played many parts in the annual Wilhelm Tell plays, which was begun in 1938. Elmer also was a member of the Edelweiss Stars, a singing and yodeling group, from 1950 to 1996.
Martha Bernet recalled their time together as members of the singing group.
"We both lost a husband during that time," she said. "As long as we were together, I never saw Katie moody. She was always very happy."
Elmer was the first nurse's aid at the New Glarus Home and was active in the Swiss Church. Recently, she has worked at Curves for five years, before retiring at age 80 last April.
Karl Gmur received the Ambassador Award for his contribution to the promotion of New Glarus as America's Little Switzerland. Gmur has spent more than 30 years traveling as a musician and assisting his wife, Kaye, with group travels. Recently Gmur assisted in the Wilhelm Tell play, Community Fest and Kinderchor performances.
Ron Foster won the Civic Award for his many hours volunteering for various organizations in New Glarus. Foster organized volunteers for work at the Edelweiss Chalet Country Club and was the driving force behind building the village park shelter house. He is an active member of the Lions Club, the VFW and the American Legion.
Pam Burke earned the Community Award. She is active with the Girl Scouts, coordinating many projects with the New Glarus Home. Burke is a past president of the Green County 4-H Leaders, vice-president of the sheep producers and a Sunday school teacher.
Francis Beers received the Lifetime Award for his persistence in founding the Jaycees, and the AmVets, serving as its original commander. Beers continues to be active in the Lions.
Ashley Beutler, Brenden Pittman, Cole Schmitt and Yvonne Zgraggen all won Student Achievement Awards on Thursday at New Glarus High School.
The New Glarus Community Foundation has been a contributor to such projects as the Town Hall preservation and restoration, the Wilhelm Tell Shooting Park Barn, Wilhelm Tell Guild, New Glarus schools and others. The community fund was started in 1995 with $15,000 and has grown to $336,000. The Foundation distributed $19,000 in 2007, and $93,000 over its lifetime.
New Glarus Vision and New Glarus Community Foundation co-sponsored the dinner.