The Waunakee Rotary Club got to know two of the newer members when June Ganser and Cyndi Kennedy gave their classification talks at the April 30 meeting.
June grew up in the Sauk City area, one of six children. She began working in inventory control at Weaver Auto Parts at the start of what would be a long career in the private and public sector. Her husband worked in auto repair, and the two had an opportunity to open a Weaver Auto Parts store in Waunakee in 1977, the fifth of 17 stores.
The family moved to Waunakee in 1979 and eventually built a new location for the store across the street.
When their children were grown, June decided to change careers. She got a job with the federal government but found little room for advancement and so she went to school and earned a master’s degree, then found a job with the University of Wisconsin in policy and budget management.
June was also involved in fundraising and described fun projects that also raised awareness of the departments.
June retired after 15 years with the UW. She also was involved with the Waunakee Community Band for nearly 25 years and traveled abroad with the band several times.
June continues to participate in Joyful Noise at First Presbyterian Church and has taken a number of cruises to continue her travels. She said she was interested in Rotary for a number of years, as it’s a diverse club. Since joining, she’s felt like she’s come full circle, getting to know a community she felt she’d lost touch with.
Cyndi’s husband, Bill, says she’s not from Waunakee, although she’s lived in the community for 69.4% of her life. Born in Trinidad, Colorado, Cyndi moved to the Madison area with her family as a child and attended Lake View Elementary and Sherman Middle School. Her father was a police officer with UW-Madison and later became the Waunakee Police Chief, and her mother was an EEG technician.
Both of her parents had a strong commitment to the church and volunteering.
Cyndi worked with young people with special needs. After high school, Cyndi studied nursing and attended Valley City State University, taking a year off to work as a nanny for a family.
After moving back to Waunakee in 1988, Cyndi met Bill. She then worked at Kennedy Hahn doing bookkeeping and accounting, and then with Cost Cutters, before eventually working for Kennedy Communications.
Cyndi and Bill married in 1992 and they have three children and several grandchildren.
They try to instill the philosophy of giving back and have coached for their teams, volunteered with the community and church. Cyndi has also served on the Westport plan commission and joint zoning commission.
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Other news
The Rotary youth Interact Club’s personal hygiene drive for the Waunakee Area Food Pantry is continuing through June 7. Items can be dropped off at Rotary.
The Kentucky Derby Day event is May 3 starting at 3 p.m. at the Lamphouse.
As the club is applying for a district grant to help fund the Village Park Arch project, Linda Olson reminded members to donate to the fund so the club can remain eligible for grants. Donations can be made online or Linda can provide you with a form.
Coming Up
May 3: Kentucky Derby party
May 9: Experience Waunakee at the Depot
May 12: Sunrise Fellowship at Grace Coffee
May 16: Tri 4 Schools triathlon event.
April 25: Create Waunakee Fundraiser
April 25: Drug Take-back Day at the Waunakee Police Department
April 26: Community Awards Banquet
Greeters: May 7, David Kennedy and Bernie Kennedy; May 14, Peggy Acker-Farber and Danae Marsh; May 21, David Rupp and Cyndi Kennedy; May 28, Shelley Moffatt and ??
To sign up to greet or to find out when you are greeting, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/
