Oct 24, 2018 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2018. A 1970 graduate of Berlin High School, Gene Trochinski went on to a 40-year career as teacher, coach and administrator, 36 of them in Orange County, Florida. During his tenure at Dr. Phillips High School he built an athletic program that earned 86 conference titles, 96 district, 22 regional, 10 state and four national championships. He was twice named the Civitan (FL) Wrestling Coach of the Year and was inducted into both the Dr. Phillips High School Athletic Hall of Fame and DPHS Theater Hall of Fame. He taught for 15 years and served in administration positions the next 25 years.
Gene was twice selected as Administrator of the Year in a district with over 200,000 students. DPHS was also selected, during his tenure, as having the top athletic program in the State of Florida. As principal of a high profile school, he was able to travel to numerous states and countries with his school’s Center for International Studies Magnet Program and the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Programs. Additionally, he had the privilege of training with the Marines at Parris Island and meeting presidents from other countries. A new administration building at DPHS, the Gene Trochinski Building, was named in his honor.
He is testimony to the fact that anyone from a small town can go on to excel in more than one educational area. While at Berlin High School he was a four-time varsity wrestling letterman and captained the team his senior year. During his senior year he won the Reedsburg Tournament, Little 10 and Regional titles, advancing to the WIAA State Tournament. He also participated in wrestling at UW-Oshkosh and in 2018 was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from UW-Oshkosh. He received his Bachelor of Science from UW-O in 1974 and attained his Master’s degree at the University of Central Florida in 1978 and his Educational Leadership degree from the same university in 1990.
Since his retirement, he and his wife, Mary Jo, a teacher for 36 years, have been volunteering at a local elementary school, teaching students to read. Both of their children also became teachers. Gene also mentors new middle and high school principals in Orange County Florida.
Two of his favorite sayings are: “Face it. Nobody owes you a living.”
“What you achieve or fail to achieve in your lifetime is directly related to what you do or fail to do.”
Oct 24, 2018 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2018. The Brooks family moved to Berlin in 1948 when Dick was 19 years old. Dick, his dad, Gary, and brothers, Raymond and Glenn were hard-working entrepreneurs who owned and operated various businesses in Berlin: Wisconsin Tanktainer, Carri Craft Catamarans, Artcraft, Prefinished Wood Products and Brooks Yachts. The catamarans and yachts were considered some of the finest available and captured the interest of movie stars and celebrities of the time.
Always an active participant in civic groups and events, Dick’s true love for people created his passion for contributing to this community. He helped design the Veteran’s Memorial in Riverside Park, was involved with the Berlin Veteran’s Foundation, single-handedly painted the American Legion Hall, sang with the Senior Singers, volunteered at All Saints Parish/School, and was a long-time member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus and Berlin Jaycees.
Dick left his creative mark in memorable ways as he supported the Berlin Booster Golf Outing, Helping Hands for Cancer 5K, 4th of July Duck Race, Senior Triathlon, the annual River Raft Regatta, and even the memorable “Dude Looks Like a Lady” fundraiser. He portrayed ‘Uncle Sam’ in community parades where he was perched at the top of the fire department ladder truck. Dick always believed in staying active and played in the Berlin Softball League and with the Oshkosh Comets Semi-Pro Football Team. He earned awards at various athletic events into his 80’s and was waterskiing at the age of 85.
The Honoree made a positive impact in a fun and giving manner, through hard work and being kind. He was not only an inspiration to the Berlin community, but most importantly to his family; Leanne, his wife of 61 years, their six children and their spouses, and their 15 grandchildren. His ‘family’ didn’t stop there. He spread his laughter and love to all who crossed his path and was truly known by all as the one and only “Grandpa Dick”.
His life’s motto: Happiness!
Nov 2, 2017 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2017. A native of Milwaukee Wisconsin, Phillip Sass left his job as a food chemist and moved to Berlin in 1973 when he and a partner launched Wisconsin Spice, Inc. in an abandoned 19th century building located on Capron St. In the 35 years since its inception, Wisconsin Spice has grown from its humble beginnings into a global powerhouse in the mustard industry supplying over 25 countries with its products.
In 1985, Sass, now sole owner, moved the company to its existing facility in Berlin’s South Industrial Park as the first occupant in the newly created park. Multiple additions have helped the company grow in place.
Sass has given back to the community even while growing the company. For more than 20 years – 1985 to 2016 – he was coach of the Berlin Barracuda Swim Team, donating 25-30 hours/week to coaching, preparing for practices, and attending swim meets. During that time, the team had swimmers compete at the State level every year, and frequently had swimmers qualify for “Zone” regional championships as well. There were several swimmers who qualified for national competitions under the coaching of Sass, and multiple swimmers went on to compete at Division I and II universities.
Additionally, Sass led a group that was instrumental in convincing the School Board to include a girls’ and boys’ swim team at Berlin High School beginning in 1994. He was coach of that team from its inception to 2007. During that time, Sass coached four state champions and several All-State swimmers. He led the boys’ team to win the State Championship in 2001. He was named Boys’ Coach of the Year (Division 2) in 2001 and Girls’ Coach of the Year (Division 2) in 2002.
Throughout his life, Phil Sass has made community service, volunteerism and mentorship the cornerstones of his life. The accomplishments he achieved are the outcome of his own strict adherence to the 3 D’s – Desire, Determination, and Dedication.
Nov 2, 2017 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2017. Stephanie Ceman graduated from Berlin High School in 1983. At that time she headed for UW-Madison, planning to go to medical school. While there she majored in bacteriology and graduated with distinction in 1987. Part of her preparation for medical school included research in a genetics lab. This became her focus and in 1994 earned her PhD in Genetics. Because she was working on the genetics of the immune system Stephanie’s next course was to pursue the cell biology of the immune system and from that obtained a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago in Immunology.
Continuing her journey she went to Emory University in Atlanta as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute research associate. In time she was promoted to research assistant professor at Emory.
In 2003, Stephanie became affiliated with the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, where she does research and publishes in peer-reviewed journals and books, in addition to teaching medical genetics to first year medical students. Over the years she has attended numerous conferences, given invited talks in the U.S. and abroad, and co-holds a patent for work done at Emory University.
Outside of her teaching and research assignments, Stephanie joined Kiwanis International in her area in 2012 and has been involved in several of their projects including the Challenger League which is a baseball league for any child who cannot play in Little League – due to limited mobility or cognitive impairment. She became Game Manager in 2014. Since 2004 she has participated in the EPC program…Education to Careers and Profession Program, mentoring high school students and run by the local school district.
Dr. Ceman is currently Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. She is an affiliate faculty member of Beckman Institute; an affiliate member of the Institute Genomic Biology at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign; and Associate Professor at Carle Illinois College of Medicine. Her emphasis in research is the role of genes in cognition and research on Fragile X Syndrome.
Dr. Ceman stated that the best advice she can give a graduate is to identify how to get paid for doing something you love. As someone once told her: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
A quote by Robert H. Schuller found on one of her paperweights has inspired her: “What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?“
Nov 2, 2017 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2017. W.M. “Mike” McMonigal graduated from Berlin High School in 1964. He attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1968, going on to get a Juris Doctorate from Marquette’s Law School in 1971.
Returning to Berlin he joined his father in his law practice here. In 1975 he became the Family Court Commissioner for Green Lake County, a position he held until 1992. In that year he was appointed Circuit Court judge for Green Lake County by Governor Thompson. He was reelected each term after until he retired in 2011.
While pursuing his busy law practice, Mike was asked to sit on the Berlin Hospital Association Board of Directors in 1972. Three years later he was elected Chairman of the Board and served in that capacity until 1985. He was only 28 years old at the time. During this time the hospital expanded their facility, their services and equipment.
Berlin’s growth was always important to him so he also served as a director for the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Berlin Industrial Development Corporation.
One of his successes was promoting a referendum to reduce the City Council to a six person Council. That referendum passed in 1988. In 1991 he chaired a committee looking into upgrading Highway 116/County Trunk X to connect directly with U.S. Highway 41. With hard work, in 1995 new State Highway 91 was dedicated.
During the early 1990’s a Housing Task Force was appointed with Judge McMonigal as chairman. Through the efforts of this committee, major changes to housing initiatives and special assessments were made. Ten years later this committee was reactivated and Judge McMonigal again served as chairman.
During this time and into the present Judge McMonigal has been very involved in the Eureka Locks project and other Fox River promotions adding his expertise and guidance, giving back to the community where three generations of his family have lived.
The Judge shares these words: “Education, regardless of career chosen, remains the best guarantee for a successful life.”
Dec 15, 2016 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2016. Lumberjack, Farmer, Machinist, Foundryman, Engineer, Inventor, Auto dealer.
A man with many interesting stories to tell is Theodore H. Fortnum, more commonly known by his friends as “Tim” so stated an article in a February 1961 issue of the Berlin Journal.
Tim was born August 28, 1874 on a farm at Green Lake center, the 9th child of an immigrant family who came to the U.S. from England. He attended a country school up to 8th grade but continued his love of learning with correspondence courses, reading, and life experiences.
Besides farm work, Tim spent winters in lumber camps and later on had lots of stories to share. In 1899 Tim came to Berlin to go into business with his father-in-law, Niels Johnson, who operated a foundry and machine shop. With Mr. Johnson’s instructions and a correspondence course, Tim became a very proficient machinist and engineer. Some of the work done by the shop was for the quarry and cranberry industries and the steamboats and dredges that traveled the Fox River. During his career as a machinist, he designed and built small gasoline engines for both farm and marine use including a 1 cylinder gas engine.
The advent of the automobile sparked Tim’s interest in cars. He sold his first car in 1909, a one cylinder Cadillac. In 1912 he became the agent for the Reo auto and then sold Chevrolet, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Liberty, Overland, Willys Knight and Whippet cars. In 1932 he became a Dodge dealer. In 1959 he was honored by Dodge for his 25 years of service.
Tim joined the Berlin Fire Department when he moved to Berlin. He served the department for 46 years and pioneered the change from horse-drawn fire equipment to its first motorized truck in 1916. He was the engineer for this truck and also operated the old steam fire engine.
Tim came out of machining retirement to help the war effort during World War II. He set up the machine shop to do work for Clintonville Four Wheel Drive and Fairchild Aircraft.
Mr. Fortnum was an enthusiastic civic leader. He was a charter member of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, served on the Green Lake County Board and on the Berlin City Council. In 1961 he retired from the Berlin Hospital Board of Directors, having served 42 years and was made an Honorary Life Member of the Board. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, and a long time member of the Berlin Rotary.
He often told his family and employees:
It will take your whole life to build your reputation but you can lose it in 10 minutes.
