By Fred Noer
Contributor
Long-time Walworth resident Joyce Pagel has been elected for the first time as a director of the Historical Society of Walworth and Big Foot Prairie.
The election was at the Jan. 28 annual meeting of the organization at Golden Years Retirement Village in Walworth. Pagel will serve a three-year term, as will Richard Rasmussen of Walworth Township, who was re-elected.
Pagel replaces Walworth resident Jack Cunningham, who decided not to run for re-election. The other board members are Nancy Lehman, Walworth Township; Diana Bird, Walworth Township; Pat Romenesko, Elkhorn; and Denise Woods, Linn Township.
In her annual report, Lehman, society president, noted the major highlight of 2015 was the purchase of the former Walworth Memorial Library building from the Village of Walworth government. The transaction, handled primarily by Rasmussen, was completed Sept. 30.
Lehman said funding for the $120,000 purchase was provided by Harold Bonner of Walworth and two anonymous donors.
Items have been moved into the museum since the closing, and exhibits have been set up by Lehman and Bird, society vice president. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays.
Lehman stated a grand opening will be held in June, when donations from interested persons will start to be taken. She said sponsorship will be available of plaques installed in the museum.
“Thank you to all our member and friends for supporting the society,” Lehman said. “You’ve been behind our projects, and you’re the reason for our success. It’s a pleasure serving as president. I love the job.”
For more information about the society, Lehman can be contacted at (262) 275-2426.
