Sherry Kielblock, of Scandinavia, was named 2010 Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce.
The announcement was made at the chamber’s annual banquet Saturday, Feb. 19.
Kielblock is the owner of Silver Lake Lanes in Scandinavia. According to the people who nominated her, she treats her employees as a part of her family. She makes them and her customers feel like they are her No. 1 priority. She is always lending a helping hand. If there is a cause, she will back it 100 percent. She is a caring person to many people in our community.
Kielblock always helps sell raffle tickets at the chamber’s July Fourth fireworks celebration. She is involved with the Scandinavia Corn Roast, Toys for Tots, and, if someone is having a benefit for a cause, she wants to help. Kielblock volunteers for her church, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Community, by helping with religion classes and delivering communion at Iola Living Assistance.
Through her business, she organizes fundraisers for a number of projects. She hosts an annual golf outing in her late husband’s, Charlie’s, name, with proceeds going toward the I-S High School and Pee Wee football programs. Kielblock has helped other student sports groups do fundraisers with steak fries, rib fests and other events.
Silver Lake Lanes presents annual scholarships to I-S graduates.
Kielblock grew up in Wittenberg and has lived in Scandinavia since the early 1970s. She has three children and four grandchildren.
Other candidates
Other nominees for Outstanding Citizen included Sandy Bostwick, Jim Jenson and Tammie Jo Berg.
Berg has exhibited exceptional leadership in the community during the past year. Her involvement in the Iola Hometown Program and I-S Chamber of Commerce includes the launching of a new chamber website and Facebook page. She has been the liaison between the chamber and Hometown Program and the Iola Village Board. She has helped obtain grants to fund the Hometown Program.
Berg is active in the religious education at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, including youth and family ministry. On top of that, she is a part of a nonprofit organization, One Small Drop, a global outreach program that helps provide economic and social opportunities in other countries.
She is an entertainer and can play many instruments and sings. She has worked diligently to obtain entertainment for Iola’s successful Thursday Night on Main music events last summer.
Berg also started one of Iola’s new businesses in a previously empty storefront, Lessons From The Art, a music, dance and art academy. Her husband, Brian Derus, also has a business on Main Street, Hometown Realty. Tammie Jo Berg is originally from Wittenberg. She has three children.
According to the people who nominated her, she maintains a positive attitude, never seems stressed and is always willing to help out.
Sandy Bostwick and her husband, Ralph, had a summer cottage north of Iola, but decided to retire in the area and bought a home in Iola. She has been involved with the Iola Lioness and has held the position of president. She has volunteered at the Iola Old Car Show and has stepped forward to help make and serve lunches for the car show volunteers on setup or tear-down days.
Through Lioness, Bostwick has been involved with the I-S Chamber of Commerce and Hometown Program. She has also helped with the flower stands on Main Street. She was often seen at Thursday Night on Main or at the Iola IGA on Saturdays helping out with brat fry fundraisers for the Lions and Lioness, Iola Lake Association or I-S Chamber.
She has been on the Iola Living Assistance Inc. board of directors and has been a social director at Iola Living Oaks. She has coordinated the Iola Assisted Living rose sale for three years and initiated the concept of community members buying a dozen roses to share with nursing home residents. She assists at the meal sites for senior citizens.
She and her husband have organized the Lake Iola Lake District’s food stand for the Kids Ice Fishing Contest held on the Winter Carnival weekend from 2007-10.
From young to old, she lends a hand.
Jim Jenson works tirelessly helping or lending a hand to businesses, individuals and organizations. He grew up in the area and has worked construction as his career. He is married to Lonnie.
Jenson is a member of the Iola American Legion, and has volunteered many hours at the Iola Old Car Show and at the Iola Vintage Military Show. He has supported and volunteered at the Iola Historical Society, using his knowledge in carpentry to help with historic restoration.
He has helped remodel three vacant buildings in the area, which have turned into businesses during the past year.
According to the people who nominated him, Jenson never takes anything for his efforts, will listen to what is wrong or what is needed to be done, and he pitches in and helps.