Karen Spiegelberg, at right, said two things were “the best decisions I’ve ever made”….Serving as City Council Alderwoman and becoming a Rotarian.

The Darlington native and daughter of a cheese maker became a CPA, married a CPA, and raised three daughters. The couple has served as foster parents to more than 20 “little souls”. In 2014 they moved to Oconomowoc “and it was the perfect fit for us.”

“Rotary is the grown up version of 4-H,” she smiled. “It’s service oriented and people really care.” The mayoral candidate likes reading, travelling and hiking the 14,000 foot trek to Pike’s Peak, a feat which she’s accomplished seven times. She said “strength and tenacity” defines her, despite any challenge thrown her way. “That strength will be with me to the end.”

YMCA at Pabst Farms Development Director Taylor Walsh is an animal lover, Packer fan and Kringle enthusiast. The Racine native spent summers on Pine Lake in Waupaca, learned to ride horses and soon traveled to Mongolia as a zoo representative. Her family of five explores their Sullivan acre lot. She’s tackled major capital campaigns with the Glacial YMCA organization, has become a community advocate and proudly serves on the Rotary Foundation board. The family also owns two Labs, the first who mysteriously escaped his pup crate and the front door to leap out onto a frozen pond and fall in, only to be saved by EMS personnel. A TV news team covered the incident. “We didn’t earn any points as dog owners on that one,” she laughed.