Chamber Award Ceremony Turns Emotional

Recently named Port Washington Chamber of Commerce's Outstanding Citizen of the Year, school Supernitendent Michael Weber was struck speechless.

With tears in his eyes and a look of extreme gratitude on his face, Weber walked to the front of the room during a dinner on Wednesday night  to accept his plaque and also his title.

"I'm just kind of lost for words, this was incredible," Weber said. "I'm accepting this award for all of us, for everybody that makes our community so special."

Weber's wife sat in the crowd, along with his mother — who worked as a paralegal until age 80, Weber said.

Port Washington Police Chief Richard Thomas presented Weber with the award, recalling their fist meeting more than six years ago as well as their combined efforts to bring the movement to Port Washington and Saukville.

Thomas said Weber reminded him of a famous Vince Lombardi quote:

“Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It’s something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success.”

A special surprise awaited Weber after his speech: state Sen. Glenn Grothman and Rep. Duey Stroebel attended the event to share a few more words congratulating Weber, and offered up a second plaque.

Other awards included the City Beautification Award, given to both and the .

City Planner Randy Tetzlaff presented the City Beautification Awards, calling both the recipients a "bit out of the box." Vines to Cellar was receiving the award not only for recent landscaping but also for the businesses commitment to "green" energy practices and the owners' involvement in the community.

"We're glad to be a part of the community, and thank everybody for making us a success here," owner Jim Wirsching said. Though his wife and co-owner, CJ Wirsching-Neuser, is , Jim knew what she would say.

To the commonly asked question, "Where do you live?" CJ would often respond, "We live in Port, and we sleep in Belgium."

Gail Freitag, executive director for Community Learning Center, was present to accept CLC's beautification award, thanking local business owners for their ongoing support and recognizing the volunteers that made the project possible. A group of volunteers were also at the dinner on Wednesday night.

A Special Recognition Award was given to auto dealership. Mike Schmit, owner of the dealership, accepted the award during the year that also marks the company's 100th anniversary.

"A hundred years is just a remarkable thing," he said, citing a recent ad by a competitor also celebrating 100 years that pointed to all the things their business has survived: several recessions, the Great Depression, wars and so on.

"We are very, very pleased and honored," Schmit said. "Thank you very, very much.

The Business of the Year Award went to the Port Washington Charter Fishing Captains Association (a story on Patch recently dived into the .) Port Washington Mayor Scott Huebner presented the award, honored to give the plaque to the "single largest industry in Port Washington."