Janesville Blackhawk Golden Kiwanis

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Burdette Richter.  Burdette is a tour bus driver for Van Galder Tour and Travel.  He has been to 41 countries and all 50 states.  Burdette has worked for Van Galder 17 years.  He was previously the director of financial aid at Blackhawk Technical College. …

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Kevin Lahner.  Kevin is the City Manager of Janesville.  Kevin started by relaying a story about his past.  Some 22 years ago, when Kevin was 27, he was the city administrator of Burlington, Wisconsin.  One of his first big challenges was cleanup of a…

Maury Frey introduced the day’s speaker, Amy Mueller.  Amy is a Master Naturalist.  She is the Department of Natural Resources’ beaver specialist.  Amy has spent many years researching the animals, and is a wealth of knowledge about beavers.

April Wright introduced the day’s speakers, Heather Hoyt and Rene Bue.  Heather Hoyt runs the coffee shop on the ground floor of the library, and Rene is the chair for the Bookmobile program.  Heather and then Rene presented upon the many facets of the Hedberg Public Library and the Friends…

Nikki Bennett introduced the day’s speaker, John Bennett.  John was born and raised in Afton.  He holds a Culinary Arts degree, and was a chef at restaurants for over a decade.  He then took up driving trucks, and drove one nearly 200’ long with cargo.  John was accompanied by his…

Maury Frey introduced the day’s speaker, Charlotte Smith.  Charlotte is a Wisconsin native who now lives in Alaska.  She lives in a village named (Eleknikik).  The remote ‘bush’ village is not accessible by road, nearest to Dillingham on the Southwestern shore.  The presentation featured many elements of the elements of…

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Nikki Bennett.  Nikki with her husband John teach art and DIY designs with their event company Emunah Designs.  Nikki and John previously had a child with special needs that passed away.  Nikki started crafting, and is an advocate for the healing power of art.…

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Lieutenant Jason Rysdyk of the Salvation Army.  Lieutenant Jason has been married for 23 years.  He and his wife both spent two years to become ordained pastors.  They now run the Salvation Army in Rock County.  Salvation Army is a faith-based first organization.  The…

Jenny Turco introduced the day’s speaker, Jeff Kersten.  Jeff works at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for the State of Wisconsin.  He was previously a police officer in fraud mitigation.  Jeff now provides options for multiple presentations he can give about empowering the people of our great…

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Justin Stubbendick.  Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal psychology.  He is a police detective in Janesville.  Justin is the president and co-founder of the Isaac Strong Foundation, a charity supporting children with childhood cancer.  The Isaac Strong Foundation is currently serving nine children…