Gems+Who+Still+Sparkle


 * =**These Gems Still Shine When They Could Be Retired**=

> By Betty Wall > bwall@thebusinessnewsonline.com > > Enthusiasm. Longevity. Dedication. All describe Harry Maier, a tireless volunteer who has touched many lives through numerous organizations in Green Bay. Maier, who works as a freelance writer, continues to make an impact in the Green Bay community after a long career as a journalist. After retiring from the Green Bay Press-Gazette, he also worked nearly 11 years at St. Norbert College as consultant to the president for community relations and in communications and public relations. > "I've retired twice, and I have one white shirt left for my next retirement party," quips Maier. "I think a good part of my volunteering comes from being in the newspaper business for 42 years, first in Portage for five years and then in Green Bay for 37 years. My job got me into the community an awful lot. I think that by having the experience of relating and participating in the community really got me involved in programs and projects. > "I think that Green Bay really has been great over the years in the large number of people who have given time and effort to make this a better community," he said. "It takes people to make a community a really good place in which you want to live. I have heard of so many people who have had opportunities to move elsewhere who have elected to stay here. People just like this area. Green Bay is a good place to live and raise a family." Maier and his wife Marian have four grown children and nine grandchildren. > "I believe it's important that if people want a good community, they have to get involved in that community and work to make it a better place in which to live," he said. "You know, Mayor Schmitt has always said that he wants Green Bay to be a good place to work and live and play. It's more than just the economics of the area. It's also all the other things, like the good park system, good entertainment, excellent schools," Maier said. "There is just so much to do here." > Maier has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Green Bay since 1957, and is past president. He is still very active in the Club, and recently chaired the Kiwanis effort to stage the "Kids from Wisconsin" show at St. Norbert College, with proceeds going to charity. > Back in 1958, Maier was a founding member of the Green Bay Curling Club and is its past president and director. He is still curling, often with his family, and he volunteers his time to work with free programs to teach kids to curl. > "My passion is with the Green Bay Curling Club," Maier said. "I was a founding member and now today it's just great to see the evolution of that club. We're looking at a record membership this year, partly because of the Olympics." > Maier has been active with the Salvation Army for more than 35 years, serving on the Advisory Board and as past chairman of its property committee. He worked on the planning committee for the new Salvation Army Kroc Center, which is now under construction on Green Bay's East Side. > Maier is a member of the Friends of the Brown County Library and served on its board of directors and as past president. He also is a volunteer with the St. Vincent de Paul personal services program. He is a retired member of the Advisory Board of Bay-Lakes Council of Boy Scouts and its predecessor council after serving more than 36 years. He also is a retired member of the Bay Area Community Council. He was a founding member of Unity Hospice Advisory Board and served on the Fort Howard Foundation. He is former director and vice chair of the Brown County Youth Resource Council, and past president of Brown County Mental Health Association. > Maier served six years as a Wisconsin Supreme Count appointee to the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners. > He also was named Badger of the Year in 2007 by the Brown County Alumni chapter of the University of Wisconsin. > Currently, he serves as chairman of the Green Bay Redevelopment Authority, which is responsible for economic development projects throughout Green Bay. > "The Redevelopment Authority has been a big project," he said." After the long process, things are now finally going to come about. The downtown redevelopment, the Northland Hotel project, Military Avenue construction, and the creation of the Titletown Development District with the Packers and the Village of Ashwaubenon, these are all good things for the community. I can see a lot of positive things happening." > Regarding volunteering, Maier said, "I think you just have to have a positive attitude and talk it up with other people. I think when you're in an organization, you can't just go to a meeting. You have to get more involved and participate. I really enjoy it all."
 * How about my Press-Gazette pal **Harry Maier**, chairman of the Green Bay Redevelopment Authority? And a few other titles in his repertoire and read this article reprinted with permission from The Business News:
 * **Bob Harlan** retired as president of the Green Bay Packers because he was mandated to do so at age 70. But he's still chairman emeritus of the Packers Board of Directors and serves on the Packers Hall of Fame Board.
 * **Dian Page**, just turned &%#$ but still writing her //People// column for the Press-Gazette. Still volunteering, too, at St. Vincent Hospital, the Salvation Army, the PEO and more.


 * **Bernie Matzke** of Bernie Matzke Dance Studio, 80 years old, looks 60, planning her annual dance recital on Mother's Day weekend 2011 at St. Norbert College's Walter Theater.


 * Send some more and we'll put them on the list on INSPIRING WORKERS!