Elgin Riverside Club names 2016 Man of the Year

The Elgin Riverside Club recently announced its 2016 Man of the Year winner - Larry Wetzel.

Wetzel has been an active member of the Elgin Riverside Club for the past 20 years, joining in August 1996. He has held the office of club trustee since 2012. He is always willing to help with club sponsored events and is especially keen on keeping the grounds looking great. During the summer months, he can be seen mowing and grooming the lawn and in the winter months he plows and salts the property. He has been involved in organizing the monthly Texas Hold 'em games, which are held on the first Sunday of each month. He finds volunteers to cook, sets up for the games, and runs a 50/50 to assist with any costs. He has also worked on the very successful Dave Fitchie Memorial Golf Outing for the past several years. The event is held in August of each year. He has helped out at the Christmas parties, meat raffles, fish frys and the summer parties held at the club.

Wetzel is a lifelong Elgin resident and graduated from St. Edward High School in 1975. He was registered to attend college and play football at Benedictine University but decided instead to work for the family business, W.F. Wetzel Construction Corp. He worked for Ed Fogarty Concrete for 12 years. He retired four years ago which gave him the time to become a valued trustee at the Elgin Riverside Club. He retired from the Cement Finishers and Laborers Union's. He currently works for St. Edward High School as a bus driver and volunteers to mark the athletic fields for the football team.

For these reasons, the committee agreed that Wetzel was deserving of this honor. Congratulations Larry! On Saturday, Oct. 8, the club will host the 2016 Man of the Year banquet to celebrate with Wetzel, his family and friends. Tickets are available at the Elgin Riverside Club, 21 Lincoln Ave. Tickets are $25.

If you plan on attending, purchase your ticket by Saturday, Oct. 1. Indicate your choice for dinner on the ticket stub, chicken, prime rib or vegetarian.

The 2016 Man of the Year Committee includes: chairman Brandon Schultz, Kurt Hartmann, Marv Straub, George Skinner, David Schultz, Jim Scales, Roger Hartmann, Mike Cook, Wally Wetzel, Frank Thompson, Dick Fitchie, Bob Mietus, Richie Spizziri, Jeff Giertz and Jim Pace.