Engelman named Heart of the City’s ‘Big Heart’ recipient

A Fort Atkinson-based nonprofit organization, Heart of the City, has named Fort Atkinson resident Ann Engelman as its “Lou Ehinger Big Heart” award recipient. 

Presented annually on Valentine’s Day, Engelman received the award Monday at the Dwight Foster Public Library. 

Engelman was nominated for the award by librarian Amy Lutzke, according to information released by the Heart of the City. 

According to the release, in nominating Engelman, Lutzke wrote: “I would like to nominate Ann Engelman for a well-deserved Big Heart Award. Is there anything wonderful in Fort Atkinson that Ann hasn’t touched?” 

Lutzke listed several of Engelman’s accomplishments, including: involvement with the Fort Arts Council, stating, “Ann has supported and worked with this group for many years; the Dwight Foster Public Library, noting, “Ann served on the library board during the library’s building project from 2009 to 2011. Lutzke added that Engelman “was a leader who helped develop the vision and moved the board and staff toward completion.”

Additionally, Lutzke cited Engelman as the founder of the “Friends of Lorine Niedecker” group, noting Engelman’s service as the group’s president and director of its board for 17 years. 

Lutzke continued: “Under her leadership the Lorine Niedecker WI Poetry Festival was born. She designed these festivals to showcase the best of Wisconsin poetry, the magnificence of Niedecker’s work, art that depicted and enhanced our understanding of Niedecker and brought poetry fans from around the country to Fort Atkinson.” 

Further, Lutzke stated, “She (Engelman) embedded herself into the culture of Blackhawk Island making friends and gathering support wherever she went. She beat the pavement for funds and reminded the city council and chamber of commerce how important this famous daughter of Fort Atkinson was to our community’s image. She developed and managed the creation of not one but three murals in our downtown of Niedecker’s poetry.”  

In nominating Engelman for the award, Lutzke asked: “Does Ann put herself on the line for Fort Atkinson, working to make it the best it can be?” And she answered, “She sure does. Ann is regularly communicating with city council members, asking questions and providing input. She keeps on top of zoning issues and questions public works plans. Her work on this helps those of us who know her to become informed as she shares the information she provides with us all.

“Ann engages with neighbors, businesses and organizations in our community. She invests in our community both financially and personally. For me, she embodies the ideal of community engagement. Fort Atkinson is definitely a better place because she is here.”