Jim and Jean Elvekrog both have volunteered their time and talent to the Waunakee community, and at the April 11 Waunakee Rotary meeting, the club had a chance to learn more about them during their classification talk.
The Elvekrogs are the first couple to join the club, a new designation for the Waunakee Rotary, with Jim as the primary member.
Jim grew up on a tobacco and dairy farm in Rutland Township that his parents owned for more than 50 years.  
After graduating from Stoughton High School, Jim attended UW-Whitewater and earned his degree in accounting. After working at the state for a few years, he joined Great Lakes Higher Education which services student loans and worked there for 33 years until he retired.
Jean’s father was a funeral director. She showed a picture of her reading to her siblings as a child and said she was destined to become a librarian and teacher.
Jean also attended UW-Whitewater and met Jim there, but it wasn’t until the two graduated – Jean quite a few years after Jim, she said – that the two began to date.
The Elvekrogs have two daughters, Annemarie and Margaret, and they watch Annemarie’s and Tim’s two children two days a week, taking them to swimming lessons, Kindermusik, bowling, Schumacher Farm and other places.  
Jim and Jean bought the first lot in Six Mile Creek in 1992 and were the first people to move to that subdivision in 1993.
The couple enjoy gardening, along with community involvement.
Jim was the treasurer of the Friends of Schumacher Farm for four years. He said the visitor center is coming along, and the Rotary Club is planning the steak fry there the first Wednesday in June.
Jean is passionate about the Waunakee Public Library, and is also the librarian st St. John’s Church, which has a collection of 2,500 books.
The two also enjoy going to plays and are hoping to travel more.

 

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The April 11 meeting was also the club assembly, so the committee chairs gave project updates.
–For the fellowship committee, Bob Klostermann is planning an outing to a Brewers game, likely on May 22. Other fellowship opportunities are tee times at the Meadows of Six Mile Creek following the Thursday Rotary meetings, music at park during the summer and the upcoming Mallards game. There is also a bike riding fellowship with other Rotary Clubs.
–For membership, Pat Durden said the club is losing more members than it’s gaining. If you think of someone who would be a good member, feel free to tell Pat or President Mark McFarland, and they’ll contact the person and invite them to join the club.
–Bob Arntz said the youth and vocational committee is working on its scholarship applications. The RYLA program is coming up, too, and Scott Biba is a counselor there.
–A full slate of speakers is on tap through September, Todd Schmidt said in his report for the programs and PR committee.
–The Easter Egg hunt is set for Saturday at Tierney Park, said Bob Sachtjen, reporting for community projects. Rotary Work Day is April 27 at 10 a.m. Meet at the Village Hall.
– The international committee is looking at a Books Are Power project at SOAR Kenya, the school in Africa, and is considering working on a district grant.

 

Guests: ??
Visiting Rotarians: None.
 
Birthdays: April 24, Leonard Allen.

Anniversaries: April 22, Kathy and Mark Cefalu,
 
Programs: April 18, Peter Brunzelle, Project WisHope; April 25, Mike Davis and Caitlin Stene, flood recovery in Middleton and Cross Plains; May 2, Lynn Wunderli, the art of dog training.

 

Greeters: April 11, Ross Maurer and David May; April 18, Gordy Meicher and Dan Miller; April 25, Ed Niebuhr and George Ohlendorf; May  2, Linda Olson and Cindy Patzner.