"Build a place people want to visit, and you'll build a place people want to live. Build a place people want to live, and you'll build a place people want to work. Build a place people want to work, and you'll build a place where business has to be. Build a place where business has to be, and you'll build a place people have to visit."
That's a quote from Maura Gast, a leader in the Destination Marketing world. The way it circles around makes good sense when you're talking about community development and how the pieces of the puzzle come together.
Here in Green County, the idea of "building a place where people want to live" is often carried on the shoulders of volunteers. Today I'm sharing just a few of the volunteer-driven, tourism-related initiatives going on. I'm mentioning a couple of names here and there. This is by no means a complete list - think of it as a sampler of what some volunteers are doing.
National Historic Cheesemaking Center: No one puts out a better welcome mat than the team of retirees at this restored depot that also serves as a welcome center. Director Donna Douglas puts volunteers through the paces at a training session at the start of the tourism season. She wants them ready to answer questions and offer suggestions on where to eat lunch or buy local cheese.
Swiss Historical Village: Volunteer docents, many of Swiss descent, guide tours at this gem of a museum that showcases Swiss heritage from Glarus, Switzerland - to New Glarus here in Wisconsin. John Colstad currently serves as president. Board members Gail Beal and Denis Anton Wright are the "go-to" contacts when it comes to tourism.
Green County Barn Quilts: The majority of the "blocks" were planned and painted by quilting enthusiasts Kris Winkler and Lynn Lokken. This pair of friends have embraced their roles as "step-on guides" for numerous bus groups, and they've also taken the show on the road by doing Green County Barn Quilt presentations in the tri-state area and throughout Wisconsin.
Pearl Island Recreational Corridor: Here's proof that a small group of determined citizens can do big things. Matching grants have assisted with funding - with the majority of the "match" being in-kind services. Hours and hours of volunteer labor have been invested in this recreational tourism asset. Jeff Peterson is often putting out the word for volunteers to assist with projects involving saws, shovels and rakes. I wonder how much brush he has personally cleared from the shores. Other names popping up are Rich Vogel, Dick and Michele Benesh and Jerry Elmer - again by no means a complete list - plus more who volunteer for the fun run and the annual gala fundraiser.
Albany Community 1st: This newer organization is taking on causes like river stewardship and water quality with its second annual Sugar River Earth Day. Held in partnership with Albertson Memorial Library, the event is coming up on April 21. On the committee are Kara Blue, Dena Laughlin, Lu Vail, Scott Vosters, Wesley Isenhart and Dave Gavin.
Lake Montesian: The Monticello Community Club has played a big part in enhancing this recreational asset for those who enjoy fishing, kayaking and even stand-up paddle boarding. The club, in existence since 1939, has assisted with lake dredging, fish stocking and even goose busting. With its main fundraiser being the annual homecoming event in July, it has also financially supported projects at Montesian Gardens, a destination enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Wanda Wilkinson helps out with public relations and always provides updates for me on the homecoming schedule of events. Wade Wittenwyler, Carol Strause, Kay Freitag and Melissa Anderson are among the names on the roster of frequent volunteers.
I'll be back next month to talk about some of the volunteer-driven festivals and outdoor music events coming up this spring and summer in Green County.
- Noreen Rueckert is the director for Green County Tourism, director for Green County Cheese Days, and committee co-chair for Concerts on the Square with Main Street Monroe. She refuses to name her favorite cheese, but it is rumored to be feta. She has the best office in the county - overlooking Monroe's downtown Square from the tower of the historic Green County Courthouse. She dabbles in photography and graphic design, adores cats and coffee and secretly loves the Cheese Days Song. She can be reached at noreen@tds.net.
That's a quote from Maura Gast, a leader in the Destination Marketing world. The way it circles around makes good sense when you're talking about community development and how the pieces of the puzzle come together.
Here in Green County, the idea of "building a place where people want to live" is often carried on the shoulders of volunteers. Today I'm sharing just a few of the volunteer-driven, tourism-related initiatives going on. I'm mentioning a couple of names here and there. This is by no means a complete list - think of it as a sampler of what some volunteers are doing.
National Historic Cheesemaking Center: No one puts out a better welcome mat than the team of retirees at this restored depot that also serves as a welcome center. Director Donna Douglas puts volunteers through the paces at a training session at the start of the tourism season. She wants them ready to answer questions and offer suggestions on where to eat lunch or buy local cheese.
Swiss Historical Village: Volunteer docents, many of Swiss descent, guide tours at this gem of a museum that showcases Swiss heritage from Glarus, Switzerland - to New Glarus here in Wisconsin. John Colstad currently serves as president. Board members Gail Beal and Denis Anton Wright are the "go-to" contacts when it comes to tourism.
Green County Barn Quilts: The majority of the "blocks" were planned and painted by quilting enthusiasts Kris Winkler and Lynn Lokken. This pair of friends have embraced their roles as "step-on guides" for numerous bus groups, and they've also taken the show on the road by doing Green County Barn Quilt presentations in the tri-state area and throughout Wisconsin.
Pearl Island Recreational Corridor: Here's proof that a small group of determined citizens can do big things. Matching grants have assisted with funding - with the majority of the "match" being in-kind services. Hours and hours of volunteer labor have been invested in this recreational tourism asset. Jeff Peterson is often putting out the word for volunteers to assist with projects involving saws, shovels and rakes. I wonder how much brush he has personally cleared from the shores. Other names popping up are Rich Vogel, Dick and Michele Benesh and Jerry Elmer - again by no means a complete list - plus more who volunteer for the fun run and the annual gala fundraiser.
Albany Community 1st: This newer organization is taking on causes like river stewardship and water quality with its second annual Sugar River Earth Day. Held in partnership with Albertson Memorial Library, the event is coming up on April 21. On the committee are Kara Blue, Dena Laughlin, Lu Vail, Scott Vosters, Wesley Isenhart and Dave Gavin.
Lake Montesian: The Monticello Community Club has played a big part in enhancing this recreational asset for those who enjoy fishing, kayaking and even stand-up paddle boarding. The club, in existence since 1939, has assisted with lake dredging, fish stocking and even goose busting. With its main fundraiser being the annual homecoming event in July, it has also financially supported projects at Montesian Gardens, a destination enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Wanda Wilkinson helps out with public relations and always provides updates for me on the homecoming schedule of events. Wade Wittenwyler, Carol Strause, Kay Freitag and Melissa Anderson are among the names on the roster of frequent volunteers.
I'll be back next month to talk about some of the volunteer-driven festivals and outdoor music events coming up this spring and summer in Green County.
- Noreen Rueckert is the director for Green County Tourism, director for Green County Cheese Days, and committee co-chair for Concerts on the Square with Main Street Monroe. She refuses to name her favorite cheese, but it is rumored to be feta. She has the best office in the county - overlooking Monroe's downtown Square from the tower of the historic Green County Courthouse. She dabbles in photography and graphic design, adores cats and coffee and secretly loves the Cheese Days Song. She can be reached at noreen@tds.net.
