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Community Award winners celebrated
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The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerces Community Awards Ceremony was held during the Chambers annual chicken barbecue on Tuesday, July 9. Award winners were, from left: Herb and Harriet Brun, Family of the Year; Cindy Arndt, Citizen of the Year; and Brent and Mary Sheckler, Business of the Year (Suppz Gym). - photo by Robert Callahan photo

The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Awards Ceremony was held during the annual chicken barbecue on Tuesday, July 9.
Dr. Steve Birkett of Birkett Chiropractic served as emcee of the ceremony, which honored Cindy Arndt as Citizen of the Year, Herb and Harriet Brun as Family of the Year and Suppz Gym as Business of the Year.
Citizen of the Year
“Cindy is an individual who has served her community in so many different ways and for so many years that it is hard to know where to begin,” wrote her anonymous nominator.
Cindy believes in our community and has quietly and continually used her time and talents to support and promote all the good things in our city. She often works behind the scenes to accomplish this, and people often don’t realize who has been behind these efforts.
Among many of the endeavours Cindy supports with her time and talents are taking care of flowers in Marsden Park and the planters along Lincoln Avenue, volunteering at the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum, working at the Grant County Fair and Fennimore Junior Fair.
Cindy helps the youngsters of various 4-H groups and their fair projects. She is a Friends of the Fennimore Public Library, Inc. officer and is also involved in many activities at St. Peter Lutheran Church.
Other organizations that Cindy is or has been involved with are the FFA Alumni, Optimist Club, Stitzer Cemetery Board, Post Prom committee, and the Veterans Memorial committee.
The daughter of David Cauffman, Sr., and Patty Cauffman, Cindy has lived her entire life in Fennimore. She is a graduate of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, having earned her degree in  Early Childhood Education. Cindy has offered daycare services in her home for over 30 years and sees that her little charges realize the importance of being part of the community. She also encourages them to serve others.
“Fennimore is lucky to have someone like Cindy Arndt in its midst,” wrote her nominator. “She is a true asset and an excellent promoter for Fennimore.”
Family of the Year
Herb and Harriet Brun have lived in Fennimore most of their lives, and though both have been retired for some time, they continue to be actively involved in their community.
Both Herb and Harriet can be found most weekday afternoons working at Fennimore’s Depot Exchange Thrift Store in the basement, with Herb fixing items and Harriet sorting clothing.
Herb is a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Whitish-Funk American Legion Post No. 184. He was a member of the volunteer fire department for over 25 years as well. Both Herb and Harriet are members of their church and have served many volunteer posts over the years.
“One place you can almost always find the Bruns is at Fennimore High School sporting events throughout the year, both home and away, in the midst of all kinds of weather,” wrote the Brun’s anonymous nominator. “They are avid supporters of our community’s youth, regardless of who is playing or what their record is.
“That kind of support is priceless for our youth, and is worthy of our recognition.”
Business of the Year
Brent and Mary Sheckler, owners of Suppz Gym, are active members of the Fennimore community. They have served on a number of committees, including but not limited to, Get Fit Fennimore and Fennimore Fun Fest. They provide financial sponsorships for community and school activities as well as devote the time of their staff and business.
Suppz Gym is a member of the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce. Brent served as Chamber president in 2007.
Most recently, the Shecklers volunteered their time to Fennimore’s Neon Nite Fun 5K run/1-mile walk, which served as a fundraiser for Fennimore Fun Fest 2014. Nearly 400 participants from across the tri-states visited Fennimore to compete.
Suppz Gym served as a sponsor of the Neon Nite 5K run/1-mile walk, and Mary served as a committee member.
The Shecklers have volunteered Suppz Gym as a weigh-in location and a host of exercise classes during the Get Fit Fennimore competitions. They have also devoted their staff’s paid time to help organize the event this year, assist with registration and maintain the point system used to track participants.
“Brent and Mary have invested their time and resources in Fennimore for the long term,” wrote their anonymous nominator. “Most notably, they have used their business and interest in health and fitness to improve Fennimore for the long term.
“The investment in the health and fitness of the residents of Fennimore is important and deserving of this award.”