Craig Bauer has come to root for the Packers except for those times when they’re playing the Bears. 

A native of Deerfield, Illinois, Craig grew up the middle child with four sisters. He met his wife in Champaign, attended the University of Illinois, and then he and his wife moved to Wisconsin. They’ve lived in the Badger State the past 25 years, mainly in Cedarburg where they raised their four daughters. 

A year ago in October, Crag and his wife sold the house and moved to Wisconsin. Both his and his wife’s families knew Lake Mills and Cambridge, and so they moved to Lake Mills. Deb is a librarian at the Fort Atkinson Library, and Craig is commercial lender at Fortifi Bank in Waunakee. He has worked in banking his entire career, starting at some of the larger banks. But he enjoys working more closely with his customers at smaller banks. 

“When we’re doing something with customers, we have to realize that this is how they put food on the table,” he said. SBA lending is one of Craig’s specialities, and he said he enjoys interacting with small business owners. 

He likes working in Waunakee, and described it as a vibrant community similar to Cedarburg, with growth occurring. 

As he transitioned to a new community, he joined organizations to get to know others. He had previously been a Rotarian, he said. He also joined the Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce and is an ambassador. 

He called the Rotary Club very welcoming. 

“It’s a great club to be a part of,” Craig said. 

******

Other News: 

-The club inducted a new member – John Reuter, sponsored by Tony Burns. Welcome, John!

-Feb. 1 is the holiday party,. Meet at Buck & Honey’s at 5:30 p.m. for appetizers.

-The party will follow Waunakee Neighborhood Connection’s open house at the former South Street library next to the high school.

-Rotarians can volunteer to help pack the trailer for Honduras at Chet’s Car Care in Madison tomorrow at 4 p.m. and saturday at 7 a.m. 

-Tri-Con is April 18-20 and registration is now open. 

-A new member orientation will be held Jan. 31 at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Let President Jennifer Tasker know if you want to attend. 

Guests: Brisa and Shauna Hughey, guests of the club. 

Visiting Rotarians: Shelley Moffat.  

Birthdays: Jan. 26, Joseph Baer; Jan. 26, Mark McFarland; Jan. 27, Pat Durden; Jan. 28, Jim Elvekrog.

Anniversaries: None.

Greeters: Jan. 25, Jean Elvekrog and Erick Plumb; Feb. 1, Jeff Smith and Ken Pesik; Feb. 8, Todd Schmidt and crew; Feb. 15, Alex Welk; Feb. 22, ???.  

To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/