Schnitzelburg’s #1 Citizen
Each year, members of the community are nominated to be recognized as the year’s #1 Citizen, an honor bestowed to a person who has provided outstanding service to the Schnitzelburg community.
The tradition began over a half a century ago. The first #1 Citizen, Kenny Schmied, quietly served Schnitzelburg each day, whether out in the street or in church, without asking for thanks or recognition. He did these things simply because he loved “ole Schnitzelburg.” Using Kenny as inspiration, a group of Schnitzelburger's decided to annually recognize one selfless individual.
Individuals can be nominated throughout the year and a push is made in the fall for nominations. Nominees don’t have to currently live in Schnitzelburg, although they must have a proven commitment to the betterment of Schnitzelburg at some point in their life.
A subcommittee of the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council reviews the nominations and determines the winner for the year. The #1 Citizen is announced at the #1 Citizen Dinner, without the honoree having any prior knowledge of winning.
The #1 Citizen Dinner is held on the second Thursday in November and is a celebration of the humble individuals who serve the community without asking for thanks or recognition.
Traditionally, a German-style dinner is served, an old-timey band plays, local dignitaries attend, and door prizes are given out. The #1 Citizen is honored with a certificate, an engraved Louisville Slugger baseball bat, and a personalized jacket.
The Schnitzelburg Area Community Council is honored to present the 56th Annual #1 Citizen Award to Jeff Walschon.
Jeff moved here in 2014 from Chicago. Operating his own construction business, NBD Home Repair, Jeff rehabbed many homes in the area, taking loving care to keep their historical character intact. In 2020, he began renovation of the former Hauck properties along Goss Avenue. In the time since he has painstakingly gone out of his way to reuse as many original materials in the building as possible. Old doors became tables, intricate brass door knobs became under-the-bar hooks, salvaging all the salvageable chair rails to great the ceiling, and building a matching bar to the original wood and stained-glass bar. He's been the lead on curating the Dainty Museum that is permanently housed in Hauck's Corner, even digitizing old VHS tapes of the game. It's a beautiful homage to the World Championship game that's played on that last Monday in July every year.
As of 2021, Jeff has become a co-lead along with John Roynane, Bri Bowers, JC Denison, and Jennifer Chappell for planning the World Championship Dainty Contest. The reopening of Hauck’s Corner has breathed new life into the street where the game is played and Jeff has been vital in making various upgrades for Dainty, such as new fencing for the game.
Currently, Jeff is a partner of Hauck's Corner and manages the daily operations of the bar. He also continues to oversee the ongoing construction of the other former Hauck properties that are being renovated for commercial businesses.
Jeff has gone above and beyond to propel our community forward and put Schnitzelburg in the spotlight. He's not only revived a corner of our bustling neighborhood, but he has also worked hard to honor and uphold the traditions and legacy set forth by George Hauck, the very man who began the #1 Citizen tradition 56 years ago.
Jeff accepted the award for #1 Citizen at a small reception in her honor at Art Sanctuary on November 10th, 2022.
Congratulations to Jeff and thank you for your years of dedication and service.
Honored #1 Citizens
1966 Kenny Schmied
1967 Charlie Vettiner
1968 Alphonse Goss
1969 MSGR. John Dudine
1970 Jack McGrath
1971 Mike Lellman
1972 George Hauck
1973 Mo Mozzali
1974 Bob Hartstern
1975 Jim Peak
1976 Carl Russman
1977 John Buschermohle
1978 Joe Kamber
1979 J.D. Brecker
1980 Reverend Frank Fisher
1981 Marty Hornek
1982 Carl Suderfauf
1983 Harold Fow
1984 Kenny Young
1985 Bill Tinker
1986 Rich Huelsman
1987 Junie Miller
1988 Reverend Kenneth Kamber
1989 Godfrey F. Russman, Sr.
1990 Joe Hoffman
1991 Mel Meiners
1992 Mickey Breitenstein
1993 Millard Pierce
1994 Ed Schulz
1995 George “Yatz” Spayd
1996 Tom Schadt
1998 Bob Reddicks
1999 Andy Stothman
2000 John B. Patton
2001 Jerome V. Just
2002 George Ernst
2004 Julie Berrong
2005 Pat Ising
2006 Bill Tinker, Jr.
2007 Hazel Schadt
2008 Gary Allen
2009 Ben Snyder
2010 Jim Willinger
2011 Danny McMahon
2012 Mike Morris
2013 Don Haag
2014 Honorable Romano Mazzoli
2015 George Hauck (2nd honor)
2016 Steve Magre
2017 Judie Paul-Greiner
2018 Bonnie Koestel
2019 Mary Allgeier
2020 Jim Wayne
2021 Lisa Pisterman
2022 Jeff Walschon
2023 ???
Nominate someone.
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond in serving Schnitzelburg? Someone who has sought to uphold our community and the people in it? Nominate them today for Schnitzelburg’s #1 Citizen.
