The New Holstein Historical Society held its Annual Meeting, Luncheon and Program on Tuesday, January 15, at the Altona Supper Club. As part of the meeting, Helen Hallstrom and Greg Hageman were re-elected to three year terms to the Board of Directors. Also elected was Virginia Curry, who will be joining the Board for her first three year term. Leaving the Board were Kathy Kops and Al Fett, both of whom sited new career responsibilities for their departure from the Board of Directors. Officers of the Society were re-elected to their current positions with Terry Thiessen serving as President, Jerry Hallstrom as Vice President, Kay Nett, Secretary, and Dick Griem, Treasurer.

Following the election of Board members, the Society announced the awarding of the Pioneer Award. This award is the highest honor that the Society presents. It recognizes an individual's unique support of the Society's efforts to collect and preserve the New Holstein Area's history through the use of their time, talent and/or treasure. In announcing the award, President Thiessen noted, "This award this year is being presented posthumously to a couple that has been one of the Society's greatest 'silent supporters' throughout many decades. The Society will be forever grateful to their financial support, their historical knowledge of the community, and their willingness to offer support to particular projects. Their initial contribution to the Timm House Restoration Fund of a large donation was extremely helpful in giving the project the credibility needed to request support from a variety of private foundations. And on the final day of the fund drive, they ensured that the Society's goal of $562,000 was achieved with a check for the final amount needed. The Society has long wanted to publically recognize their achievement, but at their request to remain anonymous until after their passing we reluctantly waited until this year to honor Greg and Sis Pauly for their support." Accepting the award on behalf of their parents where Susan Schmitz and her brother, Michael Pauly.

The afternoon concluded with a meaningful and interesting depiction of Cordelia Harvey, Wisconsin's Civil War Angle by the professional actress, Mary Kakabak. Cordelia, wife of Wisconsin's Civil War Governor, was appointed to the Western District Sanitary Commission and toured Union Hospitals throughout the South. She was responsible for securing permission from President Lincoln to authorize the building of hospitals in the North and returning injured Union soldiers to the North so that they could recover. The program was created by Kakabak using Cordelia's personal letters and journals. A question and answer period was held at the conclusion of the program.