Bio: Opelt/Syth – Greenwood Citizens of the Year (2021-22)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Opelt, Syth, Gardner, Steglitz, Haunschild, Hinker, Klinke, Wildish, Lindner, Janssen, Wuethrich

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 30 Mar 2021

Diane Opelt was a long-time teacher at the Greenwood Elementary School. Kevin Syth owned and operated a local construction company. In their spare time, the couple could be found often doing something to make their community a better place.

Opelt and Syth were honored Sunday evening by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce as Citizens of the Year for 2021 and 2022. Since the Chamber did not hold an annual banquet for two years due to COVID-19, it presented the dual honor at this year’s event at Parkway Pines.

Opelt and Syth are both Greenwood natives and GHS graduates. While raising their two children, they took on various community roles that included helping to organize events and serve on various committees. Opelt started her working career as a medical technician, but then went on to teach fourth grade in Greenwood for 20 years. She is a member of the Chamber’s Main Street Committee that takes care of downtown beautification projects, lending her Master Gardener skills to caring for park plantings, and flowers around town. She is also helping with the 2022 Farm Technology Days effort near Loyal this summer as part of the Greenscape Committee, and she teaches literacy skills at the Clark County Jail.

Syth has been building things around Greenwood for decades. In addition to his business, he also has lended a hand in a volunteer capacity for projects including the Greenwood Elementary School outdoor classroom, the Branstiter “Old Streets of Greenwood” museum, and the shelter at the Levis Mound hiking/biking trail. Syth was also instrumental in organizing the annual Dairy Days 30 bicycle races and the Greenwood Stampede run/walk. He also volunteered in Haiti several years ago to help build structures that were ruined by an earthquake.

The Chamber also recognized Stieglitz Farms and Aaron and Jamie Gardner, the last two hosts of the group’s annual June Dairy breakfasts. This year’s meal will be served on June 26 at the Jeremy and Hannah Olson farm. Harry Johnson was also recognized, as the Chamber’s 2020 Citizen of the Year. He received the honor that year but the banquet was cancelled.

This year’s annual banquet featured business was Nature’s Intentions, which sells a variety of natural, local products out of its store in Neillsville.

New businesses/Chamber members recognized were Chelsie’s Grill, Sawmill Saloon, Next Generation Electric, SAGE Hair Salon and Nature’s Intentions.

The Main Street Committee was also recognized for the work it does to beautify the community, from the city entrance signs to its parks. Committee members are Sue Haunschild, Carolyn Hinker, Pat Klinke, Diane Opelt, Diane Wildish, Pat Lindner, Georgia Janssen and Tonia Wuethrich.