|
|
Friday, September 25, 2009
|
|
Stengel's efforts are recognized Brainerd Citizen of the Year Staff Writer Arnold "Casey" Stengel went to Thursday's Brainerd Sports Boosters Club meeting at the Moose Lodge expecting to hear about, well, Brainerd sports.
Imagine his surprise when Clem Belcher, representing Brainerd Community Action's Citizen of the Year Selection Committee, announced the former Brainerd High School counselor and longtime volunteer as the 2009 Brainerd Citizen of the Year.
|
|
|
|
Doris Stengel hugged her husband, Casey Stengel, after he was named 2009 Brainerd Citizen of the Year Thursday while attending the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club meeting at the Moose Lodge in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
|
|
|
|
|
In fact, Stengel said he was clueless about the award until Belcher mentioned the honoree was a school counselor. Once Belcher did, Stengel smiled and waved his finger at his friend.
"Whose ego could say, 'Well, I think I will do all these things to get such an award.' That's baloney," Stengel said about expecting such honors. "But it's really rewarding when people recognize that you make a contribution and they don't ask why. They just say thanks and I think that's where it should be."
Past Brainerd Citizens of the Year:
Elmer Johnson (1974), Marvin Campbell (1975), George Bedard (1976), Mildred Michaelis (1977), Herb Kessler (1978), Lucille Shaw (1979),
Walter Doran (1980), Ray Bang (1981), Jack Echternacht (1982), Pete Humphrey (1983), Ray Madison (1984), Birney Wilkens (1985), Jack Ruttger (1986), Bob Gross (1987), Marv Nutting (1988), Sara Dunlap (1989),
Tom Isle (1990), Dick Endres (1991), Bill Van Essen (1992), Hanspeter Borgwarth (1993), Jon Haapajoki (1994), Arnie Johnson (1995), Sister Vivian Arts (1996), Warren Williams (1997), Ruth Gmeinder (1998), Kevin Thesing (1999),
Terry McCollough (2000), Bonnie Cumberland (2001), Paul Bloom (2002), Reed Campbell (2003), Steve Esser (2004), Dutch and Irma Cragun (2005), Dr. Thomas Kotula (2006), Karen Owen (2007), and Chip Borkenhagen (2008).
|
In addition to more than 40 years as a high school counselor, Stengel served as a coach and teacher. In 15 years with the Brainerd Kiwanis Club, he was instrumental in starting reading and Bringing Up Grades programs. He's been a Kinship Partner; is a member of the Deer Hunter's Association; served in numerous capacities at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church; and volunteered his time with Meals on Wheels, Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen, Interfaith Caregivers and Habitat For Humanity.
"When you look at Casey, it's not one or two things that he does. It's so many different things over a long, long period of time," Belcher said. "He's without a doubt one that has the respect of many people and from many of his former students."
After he was announced as Brainerd Citizen of the Year, Stengel was surprised by a hug from his wife, Doris, who sneaked into the ceremony. In giving a short speech to the sports boosters club, Stengel said family has been instrumental in shaping who he is.
"My mother said, 'I don't care if you're salutatorian or valedictorian,' which I wasn't of course. She said, 'I'm most proud when my kids are thought of as good citizens.' And so I think I'm walking the walk," Stengel said.
"It's a great honor. I'm pleased and as many of you know, our (second) son (Shawn Stengel) will be inducted into the (Brainerd High School Distinguished Achievement) Hall of Fame next Friday night. So our kids are following, I think, with what we did - do it well, to the best of your abilities and use the abilities you got and you can be thinking about the end with no regrets."
Former Brainerd High School Principal Jim Hunt worked with Stengel for more than 20 years and was one of several people to write nominations on his behalf for citizen of the year.
He said Stengel's contributions to the community were special and he appreciates that his former colleague continues helping others. Hunt also thanked Doris for allowing Stengel to volunteer his time in so many different arenas.
"It's just so very special," Hunt said of Stengel being named Brainerd Citizen of the Year. "Casey is a great person, has a great family and has set a great tradition in this area. I couldn't be more supportive and more happy for him to get this."
Stengel and several others will be honored at the Distinguished Service Awards Banquet later this fall.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
|
|
|
 Top Commented Articles
Over the last 7 days
Most Recent Comments
|
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
Loading...
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
