Walking Up Main Street: Back home in Rhinelander
Hello Rhinelander Community. I want to take this opportunity to let you get to know me, Maggie Steffen, the Interim Director for Downtown Rhinelander, Inc. I was born and raised in Rhinelander. Oh, that doesn’t mean I’ve never been out of the county, but I have always called this place home.
I grew up on a dairy farm about seven miles west of the city. This farm was settled by my grandparents who escaped to America from Lithuania during hard times. Every field you see was hand cleared by hard-working, proud people. These are some of the terms I use to describe myself. Growing up on a dairy farm meant early mornings and late evenings. It taught teamwork and doing a lot of work with very few people. It gave me appreciation for the land. It taught me to care for living things, and the neighbor who needs help.
I became “Maggie” when my six grade teacher at Crescent school decided that was my name. I realize now that by doing this, Mr. Johnson was instrumental in forming the person I’ve become. It’s amazing how much is in a name. In high school I excelled in track; high jump, relays and hurdles. I think I peaked early in life, as I was conference champ for two years and ended up seventh in state. I achieved a moment we all dream of when after a meet my team placed me on their shoulders and carried me around the track. Success can come at an early age. It can also come more than once.
My work experience has included banking, retail sales, communication, non-profits, event planning and fundraising. It has allowed me to work with so many different people from students, to loggers, to CEOs. I have learned that you never know about those you meet, and you never know when you might meet them again.
I have shared all of this information with you with the hope that you see why not only Downtown Rhinelander Inc. and I are a good fit, but so you get a feel about Downtown Rhinelander Inc. itself. We are a small group of hard working people, people who are “clearing a field” in a sense. There are early mornings and late evenings. We care for our neighbors, our community.
Our name is important, and it carries a lot on its shoulders. As a cohesive group, we believe we can lift Rhinelander up, and become even more successful than it already is.
Every person we meet, every person that strolls our streets, we could possibly meet again. It is Downtown Rhinelander’s goal to have people come back and to mention Rhinelander to others. They may be tourists or may be business owners; either way, they are welcome.
Rhinelander is home.
Maggie Steffen is available at the Rhinelander Main Street office, located at 21A S. Brown St. Call her at (715) 362-7374, or email [email protected].
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