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4-H leader Evy Johnson nominated Peggy Rother for Most Admired Senior Citizen. Rother works tirelessly to write, lay out and publish the Maiden Rock Press newspaper, which she also delivers and mails. The local paper is a well-loved part of the Maiden Rock community, especially for its photography and letters to the editor sections, Webb read.

Rother retired from Red Wing Shoe Company after 35 years of service. Each year, a $500 grant in Rother’s name is awarded to a local organization.

Rother is also one of three volunteers who greets bicyclists at the Maiden Rock rest area during the Tour de Pepin bike race. She not only welcomes them to the area, but serves them water and food.

“She is the most wonderful and caring friend,” Johnson wrote in her nomination form.

Rother also volunteers at the Pierce County Food Shelf, helping people to pick out groceries. She serves on the Hunger Prevention Council Board and the Pierce County Housing Authority Board.

She works hard to make Maiden Rock shine as part of the Maiden Rock Area Community Association and Senior Citizens Center. Her efforts do not go unnoticed in helping put together Summerfest and the Christmas in the Village celebration.

Rother also enjoys keeping the flowerbeds around Maiden Rock looking their best, camping, and spending time with her family.

VIP Award

Also honored at Friday’s ceremony was Rock Elm’s Troy Klecker, who received the VIP Award for District 2 at the Association of Fairs Annual Convention in January 2020 at Wisconsin Dells.

Webb said each county fair can nominate people who go above and beyond to help make their county fair a success. The VIP award honors a non-fair board member.

Klecker joined Pierce County 4-H in 1977. He has served as a project leader and superintendent for the junior computer department since 2011, junior electricity (since 1989) and junior woodworking (since 1994).

“Troy never says no,” Webb said. “He steps up and manages his three department areas and takes tasks of my plate.”

He is active in the modular construction and robotics projects as well, hosting many robotics build days. He helps clean the animal barns after the fair is finished and is a source of information for many 4-H families.

“He just does whatever needs to be done,” Webb said.

Photo by Sarah Nigbor