Bio: Firnstahl, Emanuel (1997)

Contact: Crystal Wendt

----Sources: Scrap book one: by Elsa Lange Hardrath & Dorthaleen Edwards Hardrath

Hardrath Family Photo Album

Contributed by Halbert "Bud" Hardrath

----Sources: Tribune-Phonograph – Page 14; Wed. 26 March 1997

FIRNSTAHL WINS SCOUTINGS’ SILVER BEAVER AWARD

Emanuel "Manny" Firnstahl, a prominent community leader in Colby, has won "the highest honor that the Samoset Council can present on behalf of the National Council of Boy Scouts of America." He won the 1996 Silver Beaver Award, which is presented annually to "volunteers for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth."

"The Silver Beaver Award is considered Scoutings’ highest honor for adults," says Mike Sulgrove, executive director for the 13-county Samoset Council of North Central Wisconsin. "He has given many years of dedicated service to his church, community and the Scouting program. In these areas Manny continues to ask "Where can I help? And How can I do it better?"

Manny as he is popularly known around Colby, has devoted his considerable organizational skills to Scouting and to activities which held build character for young people. For this, the Ojibwa District honored him with the Scouter of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award and District Award for Merit. "In 1997 he will serve on our Council’s Wood Badge Staff," say Sulgrove.

He is retiring in stages from Colby Metals, but he still devotes considerable time to Scouting. Since 1992 he has served on the Scoutmaster Fundamental Training Course Faculty and also on the outdoor portion of the course. He has also served as a roundtable staff leader for the monthly Senior Patrol Leaders meeting to plan district camporees. Since 1992 he has bee the program area director for the Ojibwa District Cub Scout Day Camp.

Beyond Scouting, Manny faithfully serves key leadership roles in the Parish of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Colby. He is a Lector, reads lessons and helps in worship. In the absence of the priest, he serves communion and takes communion to shut-ins.

Throughout the Samoset Council’s 13-county region, only five individuals can be awarded the Silver Beaver distinction each year. Nationally, less than one percent of all Scouting volunteers receive the honor annually.

Other recipients this year are: John Koci, Wausau, Gene Santoski, Wisconsin Rapids, Karen Berryman, Nekoosa, and **** rest cut off ****.

[photo caption - Mary & Manny Firnstahl with Manny’s Silver Beaver Award ]