Laura Colbert - Director, Waupaca Parks & Rec, Veteran, Author, Speaker

Laura Colbert - Director, Waupaca Parks & Rec, Veteran, Author, Speaker

Why does Laura Colbert love her job as Director of the City of Waupaca Parks and Recreation [https://www.facebook.com/waupacaparksandrec?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZYyFV8MVvO32UAlcR_PemsOcpqmTZlJ2-d-9QDC2aPBBc2hlM_KktzFoJmb6c6IuJx1fx-f4Pc2pVpiHW3JIi6_unwGXJAyx2ZarLey5qoVxr2mMayXqbHvR0MrHSQxYGDQzVH7hdQoCjPPdqQ3ajKM4vnZaGAbfqRzL2KE-SAJ14NvTaZUziUldzxAv8QNP_sNrw109NbMW4S1u-1HA-XR&__tn__=-%5DK-R] Department? Because - as you'll hear in our interview - each day provides her the opportunity to be her best self and to help people in our community?   Where does that sort of approach to life come from? From her advanced degrees in Educational Leadership and Experience-Based Education? Her service as an M.P. in the War in Iraq? Her world travel during a "Year of Laura" after the war? The self-reflection she underwent to write a book? Her upbringing in a home where service to others was a core value? Yes...all of it.

Scott Neumann - Owner, Piggly Wiggly Waupaca

Scott Neumann is owner of Waupaca's Piggly Wiggly (a.k.a., The Pig). We talk with Scott about growing up in Waupaca, how he realized his long-held ambition to own a grocery store, and what it takes to run a store with so many moving parts. Fun and educational.

Joe Udoni - Owner of Udoni & Salan Realty Group

Our guest this week is Joe Udoni, owner of Udoni & Salan Realty Group & Auction Services [https://www.facebook.com/udonisalanrealtygroup?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZZxh4yuH-xTADXpwVzmq91lDPNFyYbcyyJL5k3sx3h33nQQ_KoMI9Hgeedey0wpxRgkcbmHT1R0_KlVv0Vre0m8of-RGJ6adN7GI0OrQlPyVPkOC7PuyBeyf2i-oIDJfeS-TdjT_gJ8PYVDtp7T8sepdqPWNyB7s-7y2MCvJzIVGRs6yFV5cbBgiutZQHtL8tVoI2dySfxdve5kUUWeT54y&__tn__=-%5DK-R]. We had a great time talking with Joe about his childhood in Chicago, his career, how he ended up in Waupaca, and the dynamics of our local real estate market.

Bruce Ceranske - Co-Founder, Legacy Seeds and Board Member, Waupaca Community Foundation

Our guest this week is Bruce Ceranske, co-founder of Legacy Seeds who - in his retirement - is finding ways to give back, including as a member of the Board of the Waupaca Area Community Foundation. We learn about his interesting and inspiring life, about the Community Foundation, and about the organization's upcoming "Evening of Gratitude" celebration and fundraiser. If interested in learning more about/buying tickets to attend the Foundation's 2026 Evening of Gratitude, click this link: https://cffvr.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=6874 [https://cffvr.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=6874] .

Brian Smith - Mayor, City of Waupaca

What a fun and interesting conversation we had with Brian Smith, Mayor of the City of Waupaca. Conversation flowed from his youth growing up as one of ten children in Waupaca, to the years he spent teaching, to starting his own tax and accounting business, to public service - first on the City Council, then as Mayor for over two decades.