Funding the Boardwalk
The task to fund a $100,000 project in a town of 3,000 people is not an easy one. It required collaboration across many groups and citizens of Algoma to keep pushing the project through the various stages.
In late 1992, the Algoma City Council approved the application of a Wisconsin Coastal Management Association grant, which was submitted on February 10, 1993. Members of the unofficial grant committee included Tom Romdenne, City Clerk, Dave Bohn, Paula Levy, Ann Schmitz, Bonnie Kenny, Lee Haasch, and Wayne Detjen. On April 27, 1993, the city received a letter that it was awarded a $35,450 grant, with one year to use the funds. The grant represented 35-40% of the project cost.
On August 26, 1993, The Algoma Record Herald reported a new City of Algoma committee, the Community Committee was created as the decision-making and funding arm of the boardwalk project. Members included Paula Levy, chairperson, Joe Walag, Virginia Haske, Charles Balleine, Leon Raether, Carol Wiese and Clif Harmann. The Committee designed a “Buy a Plank” fundraiser with a goal to raise $32,500.00 by selling “ownership” of the planks to be used on the boardwalk for $10 each. Planks were on display at City Hall and the newly opened Visitor Center. A pamphlet and mail campaign offered donors the choice of planks, sponsored lampposts and vista points for varying donations. In records obtain at City Hall, the total of money raised from 1996-2001 from sales of benches, buttons, lights, planks and vista points totaled over $48,000.
The 1993 state budget claimed a victory for the project, as $33,000 was granted from the Wisconsin DNR. The money contained a caveat that Algoma had to match a percentage of funds through labors or local fundraising.
The largest piece of funding came from the Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, a $65,000 grant given by the state Department of Transportation. The funds were designated for scenic easements, bike trails, hiking paths, landscaping, historic planning or preservation and were screened by a committee comprising of the Department of Transportation, DNR, state Historical Society, and members of the public. A total of 230 projects were considered for funding and the boardwalk was one of 64 to be approved.
In 1994 the bidding process began and in April 1995, the bid of $111,745 by Forestville Builders was accepted by the Algoma Community Committee. The increased price reflected changes in the pricing of building materials between original conception and the final bidding process. At the May 3, 1995 city council meeting, Chairperson Paula Levy announced additional donations that covered the increased cost. In addition to adjusting some specs to lower cost, the additional donations guaranteed no taxpayer money would be used on the project. Some of the donors announced at the meeting included the Algoma Tourism Promotion Association, Wisconsin Label Corp., and Security Bank. With all funding in place, construction was set to begin June 1995.
Donations Made to the Crescent Beach Boardwalk
The following information represents a compilation of donors obtains by records at City Hall and the Algoma Record Herald. It is complete to the best of ability.
Vista Point $2000.00
Baylake Bank
Wisconsin Label Company
In Memory of Margaret Ann March (1922-1991)
Scenic Shores Inn, Subway, Schinderle Funeral Home and Weber Insurance
Stairways $2000.00
Community State Bank (Algoma and Forestville)
Algoma Hardwoods
Algoma Tourism and Promotion Association
Lights $500.00
Ora and Emler Durst Family
Algoma Women’s Club
George and Lila Picha
Kenny Chiropractic - Dale and Bonnie Kenny
In Memory of Joseph Bohman
Richard and Ruth Kolstad
Erna, Mark, Linda, Robin, Guy, and Katie Teske
AAL Branch 1941, St. John’s Lutheran, Rankin
Algoma Fire and Rescue
Algoma-Kewaunee Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen
Lois and Ethel Pflughoeft
Ann and Bill Schoenborn
Algoma Hardwoods
Lester Wolske Family
Arthur J. Dettman
Jerry and Mary Lou Guth Family
Denny’s Supervalu Foods, Dennis and Karen Wautlet
Patty, Mark, Adam and Elizabeth Weisse
Marjorie Synhorst
Lawrence and Ann Schmitz
George F. Miller Family
Ralph Perry Family
Ernest and June Post
Terry and Kris Fulwiler
Prof. and Mrs. Robert E. Claus
Josephine Fornarotto
Penguin City - Dennis and Linda Andre
Dairy Dan’s - Dan and Carol Stehula
Kohlbeck’s Inc. - Norb and Lorraine Kohlbeck and Gaslight Antiques - Fred and Fran Grasley
Algoma Record Herald
Bench $250.00
Shanty Days Committee
Algoma Cub Scout Pack 4112
Phil Hein Family
Ruby Bathke and Family
St. Vincent DePaul Society
Lucetta and Carol Wiese
Raymond D. Fulwiler
Frank Knipfer
Stanley Fulwiler
Ray P. “Fully” Fulwiler
In Memory of Lloyd E. Cesar from his Brothers and Sisters
Page and Jeanette Knipfer
In Memory of Joseph Bohman
Gerald and Elaine Olson, Susan, Catherine, Thomas, Charles and Dawn
In Memory of Rich Reidesel
Donated by AHS Class of 1938
Captain’s Table - Sandy and Craig Neubauer
Harbor Credit Union
Harold and Jeanette Zeitler
Jerry and Bonnie Seiler
Hudson’s Bar and Grill
Reverend Mark F. Schmitt
AHS Class of 1960
In Memory of Jackie Ray
Vera Welk
Harmon and Vy Allyn
Knights of Columbus, Algoma Council #2210
In Memory of Duane Iwen
Planks $10.00
In Memory of Niles Q. Stuebs
Raymond E. Ponath
Alan and Mary Hettinger
Margaret L. Heinkel
Martha Koeberl
Gerald and Elaine Olson and Family
Paul, Susan and Nicole Beranek
Robert and Jane Kuhn
Bernice Knospe
Chauncey and Helen Shaw
Tom and Laurie Flood
Roy Schreiber
Warren and Clarice Andre
Lakeshore Vision Center - John and Sue Gorz
Carol and Viola Lawrenz
Edward J. and Dolly Entringer
Northeastern Mutual Ins.
Rev. Dennis and Mary Foemmel
Gertrude Jerabek
Gordon and Mary Christensen
Carol Paul
Antoinette and Emil Pagel
Scott and Margean Rodrian
Roland and Ruth Herlache Family
Alvin and Eleanor Beranek Family
Clarence Stach Jr.
William and Nancy Iversen
Theodore and Vivian Garzke
Harold and Lloyd Nell
Rocque Trucking - Greg and Amy Rocque
J and L Baking - Wautlet’s Bakery
Ed and Mary Miller
David and Joan Bakara
David and Bonnie Hudson
Ellen McKenna
Merle and Kathryn Colburn
Ed and Kay Jenkins
Cecelia Paul
In Memory of George Brey
Robert Haucke and Tracie Clark
Bill and Jan Schinderle
Jerry and Bonnie Seiler
Eric and Joyce Wians
Wayne and Lynn Wians Family
Stephen T. Drozdz
Shirley B. Rovin
AHS Class of 1955
Jeff and Jeanene Raynier Family
Anna Glime
Friends of Duane Iwen
AAL Branch 1941, St. Johns Lutheran, Rankin
Robert and Sonja Barlow
Harold and Marie Heidmann
Chester Nessinger
Vera Welk
Leo J. Ullsperger
Viola Berry
Leonard Feuerstein
Marie Feuerstein
Betty and Tom Kroll
Charles Smitt, Sr.
The Thomas DeNamur Family
In Memory of Earl and Mildred Krueger
ServiceMaster Janitorial
Eva and Emil Storm
Wal-Mart
Gladys J. Tebon
River Hills Motel - Barbara and George Jaeger
Stanley H. Timble
Nora Lee Timble Bissell
Priscilla Gail Timble Smith
AHS Class of 1945
James and Judith Wolske
Laura Knospe
Leon Meyers
Tony and Theresa Bultman
Mick and Mary Lou Dettman
POP’s Elementary School
James Maedke
Richard Maedke
Jack and Kay Maedke
Jean Maedke Guy and Loch Guy
Anne Maedke
David Maedke
Warren Maedke
Shirley Kirchman
Elmer and Helen Lardo
Charles and Louise Dionne
John and Treiva Wilterding
L. John and Annette Caiggiola
In Memory of Wm. and Ruth Hettiger
John Haske