Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of articles profiling winners of the Celebration of Giving awards presented by Shawano Area Community Foundation Inc. for outstanding volunteerism. The winners will be honored at a gala Tuesday. The final profile will be featured in Wednesday’s Leader.
When Miriam Nelson returned to Wittenberg, she got involved in the community — really involved.
It started with the murals.
“I got involved in the Walls of Wittenberg,” said Nelson, who is receiving the Wittenberg Community Service Award from the Shawano Area Community Foundation.
Returning to the area after 10 years, Nelson’s drive back and forth from her job at LSS/Homme Youth and Family Programs took her past Hanke’s Super Valu.
“I thought wouldn’t that be cool to have a mural on it,” Nelson said. ”It just came to me.”
So when the idea was brought up by several others as well, she was on board and became president of WOW for six years.
Denise Riley and Doreen Korbisch, LSS/Homme Youth and Family Programs employees who nominated Nelson for the award, noted that under Nelson’s leadership, new murals continue to be added and that the Walls of Wittenberg are a featured destination for the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce’s annual fall promotion, Miles of Art.
She also got involved with the Shawano County Arts Council when Riley introduced her to Mary Beth Kuester. Nelson was vice president of SCAC and is a member of the Box in the Wood Theatre Guild. In 2012, she directed “The Marquis Crossing Ladies Society’s First Attempt at Murder” and was the musical director for ‘Christmas World’ in December. In 2013, she co-directed ‘Lombardi’ and was the musical director for ‘Star Spangled Christmas’ in December.
She still sings in the choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wittenberg, where she previously directed the youth choir.
In 2011, Miriam helped get the Crossroads Community Theatre started in Wittenberg. She produced the plays that have been held at the WOWSpace in Wittenberg. The third annual murder mystery and dinner has just wrapped.
“We want to do two shows a year,” Nelson said.
Nelson’s love of the arts began when she was a student at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, where she was involved in anything relating to the arts. After high school, she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadfield social sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She spent a semester in Denmark and a semester in London.
“It gives you a well-rounded view of the world,” Nelson said.
Then she lived in Minneapolis, working at a variety of jobs, the longest one at the Mall of America. She moved back to Wittenberg to be near her parents, who were at Homme Home. They are now deceased. Then she took a year off.
“I just took a break from everything,” she said.
Nelson then worked at LSS/Homme Youth and Family Programs in human resources recruiting workers. She was a board member of the Homme Foundation and is on the LSS/Homme Youth and Programs community relations committee.
In 2008, she became the owner, operator and editor of the Wittenberg Enterprise and Birnamwood News.
“I like to write,” Nelson said.
In 2009, she started The Community Shopper.
Nelson’s award is sponsored by Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, which recently renovated the band shell near their business.
“I would like to do improv shows there,” Nelson said.
Riley and Korbisch wrote that Nelson’s many talents are appreciated: “Her devotion to her community is inspirational. Her enthusiasm and energy seem boundless.”
Nelson’s award of $1,000 will be split between Box in the Wood Theatre Guild and Walls Of Wittenberg.
“A lot of people do a lot of volunteering,” Nelson said. “I’m honored and humbled to receive this award.”
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