Janesville Blackhawk Golden Kiwanis

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Mary and Bill Eckert.  The Eckerts own and operate Fermenting Cellars Winery, Wedding and Event Venue in Janesville.  It is located in a beautiful rural setting of southern Wisconsin.  It offers a variety of dry and sweet, red and white wines and a single…

April Wright (via Jenny Turco who had to leave) introduced the day’s speaker, Dave Thompson.  Dave is a docent at the Lincoln Tallman House. After hearing of the unsettled lands of bounty with trees as far as the eye could see, William and Emeline Tallman sold their home in Rome,…

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Melissa Wilbanks.  Melissa is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison.  Originally from Kentucky, she earned her BBA in Marketing before moving to Waunakee in 2018 – a place she and her family now proudly call home.  She joined RMHC-Madison…

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Scott Skelly.  Over 35 years selling produce with wife Laura and children, Scott’s family has a history in agriculture spanning well over a century.  He has an agricultural business major, and spent part of his life moving around the country assisting other farmers in…

Jim Farrell introduced the day’s speaker, Michelle Laube.  Michelle is the Janesville City Assessor.  She presented upon many budgetary concepts, including how the value of homes is determined.  The process is complicated, and mandated.

Jenny Turco introduced the day’s speaker, Cullen Slapak.  Cullen was previously the Janesville Ice Arena director.  He holds a Bachelor’s of the Sciences, and later attained a Master’s degree.  He is the director of the Janesville Parks Division. Cullen presented upon various elements of the city’s parks department

April Wright introduced the day’s speaker, Holly Shrum.  Holly is part of the leadership team at the GIFTS Men’s Shelter’s Thrift Store.  The store’s motto is ‘turning second hand into second chances.’  Among Holly’s many initiatives for the store, a big one is the ‘Private Parties,’ private thrift events for…

Blackhawk Golden ‘K’ General MeetingMinutesOctober 15th, 2025 Richard Johnson presided, and called the meeting to order with a ring of the bell at 9:30AM.Richard Johnson led with the singing of […]

Jenny Turco introduced the day’s speaker, Sherry Derr-Wille.  Sherry is an accomplished author, with 90 or more published titles to her credit.  She was previously a travel agent.  Sherry proceeded to communicate to Kiwanians the intricacies of being a published author, from her first novel on to her soon-to-be-published 89th…

Jenny Turco introduced the day’s speaker, Ben Reese.  Ben is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Cedar Crest.