Featured ArticlesThe Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI) Stuttgen recognized for Years of Service |
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On Monday, October 30, 2006, Clark County’s Conservation Warden Paul Leezer presented Thorp’s Bernie Stuttgen, right, with recognition for his more than 25 years of service as a hunter safety instructor. Stuttgen was first certified as an instructor in 1974 and has been teaching hunter safety ever since. Leezer figured t hat in the past 25 years alone, Stuttgen has educated at least 1,011 students on the rules and responsibilities of hunting. In addition, he has taught three snowmobile courses and one boating course. “I got into this because they couldn’t find anyone else to do it,” Bernie said modestly. It was former instructor Frank Sarafin who got him started. Explained Leezer, “If we didn’t have these guys volunteering to teach these classes – not only a lot of their time, but, often using their money – we wouldn’t have any new hunters.” Bernie taught a regular eight-class course this past summer through the Thorp School District’s summer school program and more recently a special course to a group of Mennonite youngsters so that they will be able to take advantage of this year’s upcoming gun deer season. In recognition of his ongoing efforts, Bernie Stuttgen, was awarded his 25-year plaque and a special watch commemorating hunter safety. |