WELCOME! 

Our Rotary Club serves the Cedarburg and Grafton communities in central Ozaukee County.

Date Chartered:  Oct 18, 1965
 

WE MEET THURSDAYS AT 12 NOON

September through May

American Legion - Peter Wollner Post 288

W57N481 Hilbert Ave, Cedarburg, WI 53012

June - August 

Summer Schedule - Meeting locations rotate weekly.

Please check our Club Calendar to verify meeting locations and times.

Visiting Rotarians are welcome to join in at our meetings.

No Lunch Meeting on...

July 3, 2025  Happy Independence Day Everyone!

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Invest in your community through the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton.

Your investment of time, talent, and treasures for our community through the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton allows us to provide deserving students with scholarships to technical and vocational schools and supports our community's quality of life through the grants we give and the projects we're involved in.
 
To donate, click the "Donate Today" image or make your check payable to Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Foundation and mail to PO Box 194 Cedarburg, WI 53012. As a Wisconsin 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton. Donations are 100% tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Ref EIN 39-1446118.
Home Page Stories
Student of the Month - Mimi Hart (CHS) April 2025
 
Cedarburg High School senior Miriam “Mimi” Hart was recognized as the April Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on April 17 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post.
 
With a GPA of 4.44, Hart ranks at the very top of her class, according to Cedarburg High School Principal Casey Bowe. “Mimi exemplifies what it means to be a Bulldog through her academic excellence, leadership and dedication to the school community,” Bowe said.
 
Hart is the vice president of the class of 2025 and has been an essential member of the Principal’s Leadership Team, which is drafting new mission, vision and values statements that will shape the school’s future. Hart has completed 10 college-level courses at C.H.S and has volunteered over 240 hours in the community. As a student athlete, she has scored more than 1,000 points in her high school basketball career. “I made it a goal of mine to get as involved in my school and community as possible,” Hart said in accepting her award. “These opportunities have helped develop me over these years and helped make me the person I am today.”
 
Hart plans to attend the University of Madison to study either environmental or industrial engineering. 
 
The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities. The students receive a $50 chamber gift check and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice. Hart chose the Wisconsin Lions Camp to receive her donation. The camp offers free week-long sessions for individuals with a range of disabilities from vision impairments to intellectual disabilities. 
 
Photo Caption: Rotary Student of the Month Miriam “Mimi” Hart, right, is pictured with (l-r) Minal Hahm, president of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton, and Cedarburg High School Principal Casey Bowe.
Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton Partners with Students for Walk4Water
Event raises $12,300 to build wells
 
Bringing awareness to the global water crisis, nearly 100 walkers braved a drizzly May morning to participate in Walk4Water, a collaborative effort between the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton and students In the Global Scholars Program at Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools.
 
Walk4Water is a fundraising program hosted by Healing Hands International to support its water ministry. The 4-mile walk is the distance that people in developing countries walk on average daily to gather water for their families and communities. Members of the Rotary club coached students in the areas of publicity, fundraising and logistics to ensure a successful event. Mark Ziebell, who is the service project coordinator for the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton, said the event was one of the most rewarding experiences he has had as a Rotarian. “From when we were shivering outside waiting for the fieldhouse to be unlocked to quickly setting up to distribute t-shirts and register walkers, put up the yard signs that thanked sponsors and shared water facts, to manning a trivia table and giving finishers snacks and thanks, the students were absolutely amazing,” Ziebell said.  “They truly owned the event.”  
 
Although there was no fee to participate in the walk, donations were encouraged. The event brought in $4,800 to which the Rotary club added another $7,500 grant for a total of $12,300. The funds raised will go toward building wells in a country that desperately needs them. 
 
Mark Ziebell, right, of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton volunteered at Walk4Water alongside Cedarburg High School student Nicholas Chaditis, left, and Grafton High School student Nigel Walls, center.
 
Adults, children and even pets participated in Walk4Water on May 17 in Cedarburg as signs along the route brought awareness to the global clean water crisis.
 
Walkers gathered for a group photo in the Cedarburg High School fieldhouse before the event.
 
Photos by Cindy Petted, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton
Student of the Month - Anna Holzer (GHS) May 2025
 
Grafton High School senior Anna Holzer was recognized as the May Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on May 21 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post.
 
Holzer has completed five Advanced Placement courses as a senior and is taking the PLTW Capstone course for Biomedical Science, which challenges students to apply the knowledge they’ve accumulated to solve real-world problems. Outside the classroom, Holzer has competed in both volleyball and softball. As a pitcher, she threw a no-hitter this past spring. She is also a Black Hawk Crew mentor and the president of the G.H.S. National Honor Society.
 
Grafton School Superintendent Jeff Nelson described Holzer as a positive presence in the building and a role model for others. She plans to attend Carroll University to study nursing.
The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities.
The students receive a $50 chamber gift check and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice.
Holzer chose Mel’s Charities to receive her donation.
 
Rotary Student of the Month Anna Holzer is pictured with (l-r) Dave Stern, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton, Grafton School Superintendent Jeff Nelson and Grafton High School Principal Scott Mantei.

Student of the Month - Colin Garvey (GHS) March 2025

Grafton High School senior Colin Garvey was recognized as the March Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on March 20 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post. 

According to Grafton School Superintendent Jeff Nelson, Garvey has a “passion for volunteering” and is an excellent all-around representative of GHS and the community of Grafton. He has been an integral member of the LEO club at both the middle and high school levels, serving as this year’s president. LEO clubs are a youth organization of Lions Clubs International which encourages youths to develop leadership qualities by participating in social service activities. 

“I’ve seen him mentoring our students and he serves as a great role model,” Nelson said. 

Garvey also plays trombone in the Wind Ensemble and other extracurricular bands and is a runner who competes in the challenging 5,000 meter track event. He will be recognized at graduation as one of the top 10 academic students in his senior class and is currently enrolled in five Advanced Placement classes. Garvey will be attending UW Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a career in economics. 

The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities. 

The students receive a $50 chamber gift check and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice. Garvey chose Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge to receive his donation. Mr. Bob’s provides basic necessities such as clothing and hygiene products for the homeless in the Milwaukee area.

Photo Caption: Rotary Student of the Month Colin Garvey, (red shirt) is pictured with (l-r): Grafton School Superintendent Jeff Nelson, Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton President Minal Hahm, and Grafton High School Principal Scott Mantei.  

Save The Date - May 17 and walk Walk4Water

 

Walk4Water on Saturday May 17 at 9:00 AM at Cedarburg High School

This is a collaborative service project between our club and high school students at Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools to spread awareness of the global clean water crisis. Members of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton are mentoring students in the areas of publicity, fundraising and logistics.

This 4-mile walk has a goal of raising $7,500 to build a well in a country where people have to walk, on average, 4 miles to find clean water for their families.

Click here to register, donate, or learn more about Walk4Water.

Student of the Month - Ryan Severson (CHS) Feb 2025
Student of the Month
Cedarburg High School senior Ryan Severson was recognized as the February Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on Feb. 13 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post. 

High School Principal Casey Bowe called Severson a “role model” and an “outstanding representative of C.H.S. and the Rotary Club’s values of service and community building.” Despite enrolling in some of the most challenging courses, Severson maintains an impressive 4.5 GPA. He founded the Fashion Club and is currently developing a website to connect students with tutors, which Bowe said showcases his commitment to innovation and peer support. He is a member of the Principal’s Leadership Team, where he is actively involved in drafting new mission, vision and values statements that will shape the future of C.H.S. He is also president of the National Honor Society and the Global Scholars Program. Outside of the classroom, Severson coaches youth basketball for the recreation department and trains as an accomplished long-distance runner. Severson plans to pursue a career in the field of business and economics.

The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities.

The students receive a $50 chamber gift check and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice. Severson chose SecureFutures to receive his donation. The program empowers teens by giving them the education, tools and mentorship to become financially literate.

Pictured is Student of the Month Ryan Severson, right, with Cedarburg High School Principal Casey Bowe.
Photo provided by Cindy Petted and article written by Gail Ostermann, both Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton members.
 

Student of the Month - Josstyn Durst (GHS) Jan 2025
Student of the Month
Grafton High School senior Josstyn Durst was recognized as the January Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on Jan. 30 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post.
 
Durst holds leadership roles in a number of school activities.  She is the captain of the girl's cross-country team and has competed in the sport all four years of high school. She has also been a member of the high school marching and concert bands for four years and serves as section leader. 
 
“From her freshman to senior years, we could see in Josstyn the evolution of a leader,” said Grafton High School Principal Scott Mantei, calling her “a champion for others.”
 
As a junior, Durst took over as president of the Amnesty International program, which this year hosted a food drive for Ozaukee families in need. She is also a member of the school's Black Hawk Crew, which guides and supports incoming freshmen as they transition into high school. “This opportunity has definitely taught me a lot about leadership and confidence,” Durst said. Durst, who has taken four advanced placement classes, plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison or the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a career in law and criminology.
 
The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities. The students receive a $50 chamber gift check and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice. Durst chose the Humane Society to receive her donation.
 
Pictured are Student of the Month Josstyn Durst, center, receives her award from the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton president-elect Dave Stern, left, and Grafton High School Principal Scott Mantei. Story & Photo credit: Gail Ostermann, Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton.
2024 Holiday Concert featuring MSO
Posted on Dec 19, 2024
One of our signature fundraising events is the Rotary Holiday Concert featuring the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO). Annually, it is held at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center in December.  The MSO is one of the premier orchestras in the country and we are proud to present them during the holidays to perform in front of a sold-out audience every year. 
 
Tonight's conductor, Ryan Tani shown here, engaged often with the audience giving background on a piece or leading us in the Christmas Singalong.
 
Learn more here.
 
Photo Credit: Cindy Petted
MSO Holiday Concert set up & pack out
Fundraiser MSO
MSO Holiday Concert set up & pack out
Before and after every Rotary Holiday Concert members of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton help to unload instruments, chairs, music stands, and the conductor's platform. Immediately after the concert, it is all packed up and put back on the MSO truck.
 
Because of our efforts to put on quality events and the backing of the MSO program booklet advertisers, the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton is able to raise funds that support the communities we serve with scholarships to deserving high school seniors and grants to local non-profits.
 
Learn more here.
 
Photo Credit: Carol Alexander Coutts
 
 
Student of the Month - Tess Latzl (CHS) Dec 2024
Student of the Month
Cedarburg High School senior Tess Latzl was recognized as the December Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on Dec. 12 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post.
 
Latzl, who is the president of the Best Buddies program at Cedarburg High School, is described by High School Principal Casey Bowe as an “impactful senior leader” who is known for her “well-rounded academic excellence and mature, humble demeanor.”
 
She has accumulated over 120 hours of documented community service. Under her leadership, the Best Buddies program at CHS this year was presented with the outstanding chapter award given to one high school in every state and was recently highlighted on CBS 58’s “Natalie’s Everyday Heroes” segment.  Best Buddies is an international organization dedicated to ending social, physical and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
“As a local and state leader for Best Buddies, Tess advocates for inclusivity and challenges herself and others to embrace acceptance, understanding and striving for excellence,” Bowe said. Additionally, Latzl has volunteered at the annual dinner dance for Mel’s Charities and works with elementary schools on such things as their Kindness Retreat. 
 
Latzl plans to attend UW-Oshkosh in the fall, majoring in both elementary and special education.
 
The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities. The students receive a $50 chamber gift check for their own use, and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice. Latzl chose Best Buddies to receive her donation.
 
Photo Caption: Student of the Month Tess Latzl, center, receives her award from Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Club president Minal Hahm, left, and Cedarburg High School Principal Casey Bowe.
25th Annual Rotary Music Festival set for July 2nd
Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps Colt Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps Colts Drum & Bugle Corps DCI Drum & Bugle Corps Fundraiser Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps Midwest Combine Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps River City Rhythm Drum & Bugle Corps Student Scholarships The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps

25th Annual Rotary Music Festival - Wednesday July 2, 2025

Performances Start at 7:00 PM ... Sharp
Cedarburg High School Athletic Field
All seats are reserved so advanced tickets are encouraged to get the best seats in the stadium.
 
6 of the top 2024 DCI World Champions will be performing on July 2nd
Blue Stars - La Crosse, WI
The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL
Colt Cadets - Dubuque, IA
Colts - Dubuque, IA
Madison Scouts - Madison, WI
Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL
Troopers - Casper, WY
 
According to the DCI website, Cedarburg is one of 75 hosting venues for this international competition.

The Drum Corps International Summer Tour Schedule serves as the foundation for countless memories made by performers and fans alike. A tapestry of tour events across the country over a six-week span, the DCI Tour map is meticulously woven together in order to maximize the opportunities, needs, and preferences of DCI’s many stakeholders — its members, its participating organizations, and more. The 2025 edition will feature more than 75 events in more than 30 states, all building toward the annual DCI World Championships, to be held August 4-9 in Indiana.

Caption & photo credit: www.DCI.org

Student of the Month - Kaitlin Muecke (GHS) Nov 2024
Student of the Month
Grafton High School senior Kaitlin Muecke was recognized as the November Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on Nov. 14 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post.
 
School Superintendent Jeff Nelson said Muecke was selected for the award for her outstanding achievements in the classroom and beyond. She is currently taking advanced placement courses in calculus, biology and German and holds a 3.992 grade point average. As part of the Grafton School District’s Vision 2030 curriculum designed to prepare students to be career and life-ready, Muecke is also taking classes in biomedical innovations as well as auto service.
 
Outside the classroom, she is an accomplished student-athlete, serving as captain of her varsity volleyball team the past two seasons. She is a three-year varsity letter winner and a 3-time second-team all-conference nominee. She volunteers as an assistant coach for the John Long Middle School volleyball program, and last year led the 7th grade A team to a 13–1 season record. She also participates in the high school’s Best Buddies program and volunteers as a sideline photographer at all football games.
 
Kaitlin plans to attend an in-state university, majoring in either radiologic technology or engineering.
 
The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities. The students receive a $50 chamber gift check for their own use, and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice. Muecke chose Mel’s Charities to receive her donation.
 
Photo Caption: Student of the Month Kaitlin Muecke, second from right, is joined by (l-r) Grafton High School Principal Scott Mantei, Rotary President Minal Hahm, and Grafton School Superintendent Jeff Nelson to receive her award from the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton.
Student of the Month - Owen Frohmader (CHS) Oct 2024
Student of the Month
OWEN FROHMADER NAMED OCTOBER ROTARY STUDENT OF THE MONTH
 
Cedarburg High School senior Owen Frohmader was recognized as the October Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton at its weekly lunch meeting on Oct. 17 at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post.

Principal Casey Bowe said that Frohmader’s talents represent the diversity of C.H.S. students and called him a technical education “standout” who has completed and excelled in every carpentry and metalworking class offered in high school while taking advanced and college-level math courses. His skills are showcased in a sign he built for the C.H.S. Bulldog Café for which he created a welded metal frame and precision-cut metal graphic. The sign is backlit by LED lighting and layered in front of rough, weathered barn wood.

“He is known for being driven, kind, hardworking, broadly intelligent, and immensely talented,” Bowe said.

Frohmader is one of the top high school competitive archers in the nation, earning the title of Wisconsin Shooter of the Year three times and National Shooter of the Year twice. He plans to graduate from high school at the end of this semester and work in the family business while continuing to shoot archery locally and nationally. He will then attend the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky in the fall of 2025, which is currently ranked #1 in collegiate archery. 

The Rotary award is given monthly, alternating between Cedarburg and Grafton High Schools, to students who demonstrate hard work through school, employment or other activities. The students receive a $50 chamber gift check for their own use, and the Club makes a $50 donation to a charity of the student’s choice.
 
Frohmader chose the Kniestedt Foundation to receive his donation. The Foundation is a program that supports veterans and empowers them to have a connection to nature through hunting and shooting.
 
The above photo shows Owen Frohmader after receiving the Rotary Student of the Month Award from Rotary President-Elect Dave Stern, left. Also in the photo is C.H.S. Principal Casey Bowe, right.
Photo Credit: Gail Ostermann
 
Changing of the Guard 2024
imageRotarians, with their spouse/significant other, gathered under a star-lit night for dinner & ice cream to celebrate Mike Herbrand, Past President 2023-2024. Reigning President, Minal Hahm, did a great job this evening. She started by sharing a moving reflection then stepped it up and toasted President Mike Herbrand for a bit. Minal concluded by revealing that under our outgoing President's term, the following was accomplished:
 
The Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton raised $124,394! We are very grateful to our sponsors who invest in our community through our club.
We awarded:
     $46,000 in technical school scholarships
     Two international grants totaling $5,000
     Eleven local grants totaling $19,050
 
Mike shared a few words of wisdom and thanked the board and people who helped him during the year.
 
Pictured are the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton's President - (2024/25) Minal Hahm and Michael Herbrand, Past President (2023/24)
Picture credit: Cindy Petted
 
No Empty Bags Service Project
Posted on Aug 08, 2024
No Empty Bags Service Project
On August 8th, 2024, members of the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton along with District Governer Peter Bosch and Area Governer Terry Schacht came together to stuff backpack with needed supplies for students attending the Milwaukee Public Schools.  This is the 3rd year the Club has supported these deserving students.
  
 
2024-25 Club Board of Directors
Posted on Jul 01, 2024
The new board of directors for the Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton officially began its duties in July for the 2024-2025 year. They include (right of sign counterclockwise): Minal Hahm, president; Dave Stern, president-elect; and Mike Herbrand, past president. (Left of sign counterclockwise): Maggie Dobson, vice president; Patricia Thome, grants chair; Carol Alexander Coutts, executive secretary; Layton Olsen, fundraising chair; Paul Radtke, youth exchange chair; Dan Bodart, treasurer; Gail Ostermann, marketing & public relations chair, and Cindy Petted, secretary. Not pictured: Ron Knaus, finance chair; Mark Ziebell, operations chair, and Steve Cain, membership chair. 
 
The Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton is a service organization with 61 members. Its two major fund-raising events — the Rotary Music Festival in July and the Milwaukee Symphony Holiday Concert in December — raise nearly $100,000 annually to support community projects, local non-profit organizations, and student scholarships. 
Photo by Mark Justesen, Ozaukee County News Graphic
Club Members in Cedarburg's Forth of July Parade
Here are a few fun pictures from the 4th. We had beautiful weather for the parade, and the picnic in the park. We were blessed the weather cleared just in time for the fireworks.
 
          
Parade Pictures are courtesy of Gail Ostermann, the picnic picture is courtesy of Cindy Petted, and the fireworks picture is courtesy of The Washington House.
 
Epic Drum and Bugle Corps Battle: Midwest Bands Blaze in Cedarburg
1 Comment
Jim DeLillo, a Rotary member of the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club, has this to say about the 24th Annual Rotary Music Festival. 
 
 
This image is courtesy of Cindy Petted, Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton.