Schumacher, Patterson, Generals to receive Community Foundation’s ‘Making Fort Special’ award 

The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation has announced that two individuals and an organization —  Mabel Schumacher, Erin Patterson and the Fort Atkinson Generals Baseball Team — have been selected to receive the 2023 “Making Fort Special” award.

The recipients will be honored at an awards reception which will be held in Jones Park, 600 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, Thursday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m.

A presentation of the awards will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Fort Atkinson Generals Baseball Team concessions stand will be operated on a cash-only basis during the event, where event-goers will find food and beverages. During the event, the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation will be providing complementary cake for dessert, according to information released by the foundation.

The public is encouraged to attend, and, through its presence, show its appreciation to the recipients, the release stated. 

As noted in the release, the purpose of the Making Fort Special award “is to draw attention to those people in our community who have championed a project or conducted activities that have helped make Fort Atkinson a special place to live.”

The presentation of the award was begun in 2017. 

“We are so proud to have people like Mabel, Erin, and the Generals board members in our community. They are, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, the people in the arena, the ones willing to take on new projects, to get involved, to see how they could make things better for our community and then step forward to make them happen. We are grateful for all they do and we are so happy to present them with these wonderful awards,” Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Sue Johnson was quoted as saying in the release. 

Information, as provided within the each, about each recipient follows.

Mabel Schumacher

According to the release, Mabel Schumacher has worked tirelessly to make Fort Atkinson a more pet-friendly and welcoming place. Her work on the dog statues and pet drinking fountains on the Bike Trail in 2011, the War Dog Memorial in McCoy Park in 2016 through 2017, and the “Puppy Serenade” project at Rock River Park in 2020 through 2021 have added unique features to Fort Atkinson’s urban landscape.

“Jan Holewinski, of the Fort Atkinson Kennel Club, has witnessed Mabel making a difference for decades, crediting her and her efforts for getting March 13th declared K-9 Veterans Day in Wisconsin,” the release reported.

“Mabel has for many years been the heart and soul of the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson. She was the driving force behind the club’s two sculpture/fountain projects as well as the K-9 veterans memorial statue in McCoy Park,” Holewinski was quoted as saying in the release.

“Mabel hosts “MabelFest” every year, where she expresses her gratitude to city employees who contribute to the projects she champions by treating them to lunch. Mabel’s generosity and community spirit make her an asset to our community,” Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Franseen was quoted as saying in the release.

Within the release, Schumacher’s ability to fundraise was cited as a community attribute, further stating: “her dedication and passion have set an example for others in our community to follow. In addition, her generosity has extended to the (Fort Atkinson) Police Department’s K-9 unit and establishing the Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship Fund at the (Fort Atkinson) Community Foundation.” 

Erin Patterson

According to the release, in addition to owning and operating a popular neighborhood pub, Erin Patterson operates an area dog rescue organization, called “Paddy’s Paws.”

Further, the release stated, Patterson has recently opened a second tavern business, and heads up the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce’s Retail Committee, where she “actively and creatively supports locally-owned businesses, organizes fundraisers for those in need, and is working to open a third downtown business,” the release states. 

“Erin goes above and beyond to make our community a special place. She is generous and has a heart of gold. Through her own business, she supports other small local businesses and is always willing and happy to say ‘yes’ to nonprofit organizations and schools that need help with fundraising or donations. Erin has also helped bring awareness to dog adoption and responsible pet ownership through her rescue, Paddy’s Paws. Many families in the Fort Atkinson area have loving dogs in their homes because of Erin’s tireless dedication to volunteering her time to help connect rescue dogs with their forever families. Erin is an advocate for those who need a voice, and she is a great model of how to spread kindness throughout the community,” Kari Johnson, a Luther Elementary (English language learner) ELL teacher and longtime Paddy’s Paws volunteer, was quoted as saying in the release.

“I have noticed one of the most special things about Erin is that regardless of how you might interact with her, she is 100% authentically herself at all times; what you see is what you get. And what Fort Atkinson gets is a person whose generosity knows no bounds, a person who never stops asking: ‘what else can I do?’ or ‘how can I help?’, a person whose desire to strengthen and support Fort Atkinson is at the core of most decisions she makes. (Patterson is) a person who welcomes all into her businesses, a person who does not know anything other than going above and beyond, and a person who expects and requests no credit for any of it,” former Fort Atkinson City Council member Megan Hartwick was quoted as saying in the release.

Fort Atkinson Generals Baseball Team

According to the release, The Fort Atkinson Generals Baseball team has become “a vital civic organization” within the community.

“Twenty years ago the volunteer board of Fort’s adult baseball team didn’t want to lose the carnival rides and the fun at Jones Park when the community’s largest festival collapsed. Little did the Generals baseball board realize its decision transitioned them into becoming an exceptional civic organization. Beyond donating over $100,000 to improvements to all areas of Jones Park, the Generals also support police and fire efforts, a high school scholarship program, youth sports groups, autism awareness, provide awards and tally countless volunteer hours to improve the lives of Southern Wisconsin’s Special Olympic athletes, and so many other community needs,” former Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Director Scott Lastusky was quoted as saying in the release.

Additinally, Lastusky noted that the Generals have given Fort Atkinson many hours of baseball entertainment, “and their commitment to $1 beers got our city featured in Sports Illustrated magazine while their heavily buttered popcorn and tens of thousands of brats and burgers on the grill have put smiles on countless ballpark connoisseurs. All thanks to the real stars of the organization: the Generals’ board members,” the release noted, paraphrasing comments from Lastusky. 

Within the release, Jude Hartwick, president of the Fort Atkinson Beautification Council, described the Generals as gladly giving other nonprofits the chance to piggyback onto their success by allowing them to work the concession stand, advertise their work, and take home all the tips, which always includes an extra-large tip from the Generals themselves, the release paraphrased.

“The Generals are awesome. They have gone out of their way to help lots of nonprofits including the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, Rock River Community Clinic, and our Beautification Council. The Generals are one of those organizations that loves to think of others, but also to have fun doing so. It’s always a pleasure to work the concession stand and help raise money for a good cause,” Hartwick was quoted as saying in the release. 

For more information about the Making Fort Special awards, the ceremony slated in September or the community foundation, contact Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Executive Director Sue Hartwick, by phone: 920-563-3210 or email: facf@fortfoundation.org.