Waupaca
Farmers state Bank named Business of the Year
By Angie Landsverk, Post Staff Writer
A bank and a miniature golf course are recipients of awards from the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce.
Farmers State Bank of Waupaca is the chamber’s 2004 Business of the Year, and Tom Thumb Miniature Golf is the winner of the Chamber’s 2004 Grand Project facelift Award.
Terri Schulz, who is the president of the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, noted that the awards were presented Tuesday, Jan. 25. She said Farmers State Bank has been a cornerstone of the community and has always remained a locally owned, independent bank. “It’s wonderful in this day and age to have that,” she said.
Through the years, Farmers State Bank has provided financial support to many organizations and clubs in the community while also financing business ventures and home sales, Schultz said. “Farmers State Bank has truly helped the Waupaca community grow, and its employees are actively involved in the community, with some serving on boards of organizations.
Farmers
State Bank opened on
Farmers State Bank has always been a part of downtown Waupaca and opened its first branch on Churchill Street in 1989, followed by the King branch in 1991, the free-standing auto bank on West Sessions Street and a location in Wild Rose several years ago.
The 2004 Grand Project Facelift Award winner has also been apart of the Waupaca area for many years. Tom Thumb Mini Golf has been in operation on the Chain O’ Lakes since 1959. For 30 years, it was owned and operated by George and Jean Melby.
Recently, it was purchased by siblings, Samantha Clark, Scott Salan and Suzanne Udoni and their spouses, Jim Clark and Joe Udoni, after the siblings learned it was for sale and remembered enjoying visits there during their childhood.
“They
did a lot of work,” Schultz said. “It’s
been a local tradition since the 1950s.”
She noted that the partners in the project brought the miniature golf
course back to what it was years ago and also added the 19th Hole,
which is a game room. They also worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources to add boat docks on
Schultz said the new owners have kept a local tradition going, and added that the children who visit it today will have the same memories as those who visited in years past. Many familiar favorites, including several of the hazards, have been brought back, and all the holes were repainted and recarpeted.
Country Greetings in King and Glacier Woods Golf Club in Iola were also nominated for this year’s facelift award.
The
other nominees for the Business of the Year Award were Churny
Company, Country Welcome, Faulks
Bros., Framing by
Schultz said businesses may nominate themselves for the awards or be nominated by someone else. Ballots are sent to all Chamber members, and she said the voting was very close for both awards this year, making it very exciting.
Nominees for both awards must be chamber members in good standing.
Either new or existing businesses may be nominated for the facelift award, with changes to the exterior or interior being considered.
Businesses nominated for the business of the year award must demonstrate such things as economic enhancement and service to the community. Nominees must be in business for at least one year.