Aug 4

Written by: ngreditor
8/4/2009 9:44 PM 

Building a community at Foundation Dinner

Kenneth Purscell

“We’re more into people building than building building,” said Gene Wissenburg, chair of the Fund Advisory Committee for the Newman Grove Community Foundation. “We are working to help people with business building and business retention.

His remarks came at the Foundation Dinner last Friday, July 31. Nearly 100 people attended, sharing a steak dinner and hearing the news of the Foundation’s recent progress.

Gene Wissenburg and Ashley Wallin distributed prizes after the Foundation Dinner.

Tim Rossow, treasurer, reported that the endowment fund had grown greatly. “Last year we had about $7 thousand,” he said. “This year we are at about $57 thousand, on our way to the $100 thousand goal.” “Once we are in that range,” said Wissenburg, “then we can do some things without always having to ask for donations. That’s the endowment goal of the foundation.”

Ashley Wallin was the recipient of one of the Community Foundation’s projects, a scholarship that is aimed at students with career entrepreneurial goals. The scholarship is sponsored jointly with the Bluejay Foundation.

Wallin, whose major will be banking, expressed her thanks for the aid. She said, “I’ve lived in both, and a big town is nothing like a small town.”

Stephanie Fritz, from the Center for Rural Affairs, speaking about development in small towns.

Stephanie Fritz from the Center for Rural Affairs was the guest speaker. She confessed that she had never been to Newman Grove before—“It is a community off the beaten path,” she said. But Fritz said she was impressed by the spirit she found here. “You’ve already shown your investment in the community just by being here tonight.”

The size of the crowd surprised her. “In some places, people are getting tired. Here, it is great to see so many, and especially to see several younger families.”

Fritz stressed that involving these younger families is essential to community development. “It helps them to develop the community because they had a part in making it grow.”

New officers for the Fund Advisory Committee were elected. Jim Hegemann, Brad Wallin, and Danette Edgell were elected to three year terms. JC Johnson was elected to fill out a two year term.

Door prizes were awarded. $50 Newman Grove Buck certifi cates went to Susan Christiansen, Keith King, Myron Nelson, Jim Hegemann, and David Johnson. Dennis McCloud received a pork bundle from Zane Wondercheck. A pheasant hunt for four was awarded to Becky Gerhart, who suggested that someone “more appropriate” might be a better selection; Alden Nygren received the redrawn prize.

Copyright ©2009 Newman Grove Reporter