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Tomahawk Main Street Earns Three Awards from State Organization Published on 04/29/2022 under News

The Tomahawk Main Street organization has received a number of state honors over the years and 2021 was no different. The downtown organization recently earned three state awards for their efforts last year.

The 31st annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony was held in downtown Fond du Lac last weekend. The awards ceremony recognized the efforts by Wisconsin Main Street volunteers and staff for their historic preservation and downtown economic development efforts of communities in Wisconsin in 2021.

Tomahawk Main Street, as a whole, won a 'Best Creative Fundraising' award for the sale of their lawn dice last summer. The over-sized dice are crafted out of four by four timbers and great for backyard games like Yahtzee and Farkle. The dice were produced and decorated by Main Street businesses and volunteers and sold at a number of downtown locations. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz says last year's proceeds helped fund their garbage receptacle project. They'll continue to sell the dice for other projects such as refinishing the William Bradley mural and the totem pole.

Among those directly involved in the dice project was Evan Koshak, who was also recognized individually with a 'Corporate Sponsor' award. Turkiewicz says "Evan never says no, and Tomahawk Main Street loves him for that, as well as for all the things he does for our beautiful community, through our organization, the Chamber of Commerce, his church, and so many others. Evan is a true inspiration for all of us."

Many of these Main Street efforts are the result of a dedicated team of volunteers, and Tomahawk is no different. Jeffrey Johnson was recognized by the state with their 'Volunteer of the Year' award. Turkiewicz said, "Never has Jeffrey shied away from a project, event, or duty. Jeffrey, with his smile in place and a positive, never give up attitude makes Jeffrey a shining example of a downtown Volunteer of the Year! We couldn't do it without friends like him, and we hope he knows how much we appreciate all he does for us!"

The Wisconsin Main Street organization is overseen by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO also had some kind words fro the Tomahawk group. She said, "A vibrant downtown is critical to a community's overall economic development as well as the quality of life for its residents, and we commend Tomahawk Main Street for being among the best in the state when it comes to strengthening its downtown."

(Photo provided by Tomahawk Main Street: Included in the group picture are (left to right) - Jennifer Turkiewicz, Tomahawk Main Street (TMS) Executive Director; Jeffrey Johnson TMS Volunteer; Paula Blom, TMS Treasurer; and Andrea Krueger, TMS Board President.)

Full comments from Turkiewicz:

Tomahawk Main Street's Farkle Lawn Dice project received top honors in the Best Creative Fundraising Effort at the event, which was hosted by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). As stated in the awards nomination packet, this past year and a half or so has been a struggle for fundraisers, along with a struggle to keep kids busy. This fundraiser has been good for both of these. One of our members went to our local building supply store, and asked the owner, Evan Koshak, "What do you think of making 20 sets of six dice made out of 4"x 4" timbers?" As always, Evan said, "Sure,", then generously donates them. Two business owners and their grandkids lined the dice up, painted dots on all of them, then printing off "Yahtzee" and "Farkle" game instructions, creating family fun sets. Multiple businesses sold these sets to help our downtown. The buyers of these sets of yard dice are typically families and kids, which means smiles on their faces. It seems like a small fund raiser, but it continues to be ongoing, putting smiles on so many faces! Tomahawk is a community for people to come to relax and spend time outdoors with their families; this little fundraiser is a part of that. The dice fundraiser was the start of our goal of $10,000.00 for new street garbage receptacles and since this started, people and organizations have donated to this cause; in spring of 2022, Tomahawk Main Street will have them all in place thanks to the generosity of Evan, our community, and our supporters!

Tomahawk's Evan Koshak, owner of Tomahawk Builders Supply, was also honored at the event, receiving the Corporate Supporter Award. Evan is a true believer in the Tomahawk Main Street organization and his hometown of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. He has been the Chair of our Main Street Design Committee since the beginning. He was one of the Founders of the Bricks and Mortar account that we hold to help out businesses. The intent of this fund is for improvements to buildings, but has also helped our business during Covid. Evan continues to give a portion of his sales to our Bricks and Mortar Fund even though his business is not located in our BID district. Evan is there EVERY time we ask! Evan installs our street benches every year; they are extremely heavy and large, and he is there again in fall when they need to be taken down. We reach out to Evan for so many things including the making of 200 sets of wood dice for our "Yard Dice" fundraiser, 150 6"x6" wooden pumpkins for our fall fest, a wood post for our drop box, and...we could go on forever! Evan never says no, and Tomahawk Main Street loves him for that, as well as for all the things he does for our beautiful community, through our organization, the Chamber of Commerce, his church, and so many others. Evan is a true inspiration for all of us.

Also recognized at the awards ceremony was Jeffrey Johnson, Volunteer of the Year! Ask, and you shall receive is a motto in which Jeffrey lives by. Tomahawk Main Street is grateful to Jeffrey as no matter what we ask, the answer is always "Yes!" Never has Jeffrey shied away from a project, event, or duty. Jeffrey, with his smile in place and a positive, never give up attitude makes Jeffrey a shining example of a downtown Volunteer of the Year! We couldn't do it without friends like him, and we hope he knows how much we appreciate all he does for us!

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