The Person of the Year, Business of the Year, and Spark Plug award winners received plaques at the 28th annual Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce Awards Night. About 30 people attended the event on Wednesday, May 20, at Iola Mills.
“We are very blessed to have so many great people and organizations plus unique businesses in our area helping to make our communities better. The Chamber is proud to provide recognition on an annual basis with our awards night,” stated Greg Loescher, president of the Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce. “If you look around our villages, we have some fantastic businesses, including this year’s Business of the Year, LittleWolf Gallery, and our venue this year for our Awards Night, the historic Iola Mills.”
This year’s recipients
Scott Bestul was named Outstanding Person of the Year. A lifelong Iola resident, he has volunteered his time and resources to numerous local organizations, including the Iola Conservation Club, Iola Lions Club (which he joined in 1990 and served as president twice), the Iola Car Show, and many community projects.
His carpentry and building skills are evident throughout town, from work with the Iola Historical Society to the sign at the west entrance on Wisconsin 161 to the River Walk. Bestul is also passionate about introducing children to the outdoors. For more than 40 years, he has taught Hunter Safety courses, along with Kids Archery and Kids Fishing Days, launching many young people — now adults — on their path to enjoying and stewarding the area’s woods and waters.
Other nominees were Rick Ertl, Jennifer Shustek, and Jerry Kopecky.
LittleWolf Gallery was named Outstanding Business of the Year. Owner Donovan Brooke long dreamed of opening his own glassblowing studio. In 2021, he bought the former Homestead Real Estate building at 180 N. Main St., next to the Iola Post Office.
Setup has progressed slowly, but Brooke gained momentum in recent months after acquiring equipment from a retiring Madison glass artist. He has installed kilns and other equipment and looks forward to offering glassblowing classes and demonstrations while increasing his own glass art production for sale.
Since opening during Car Show week in 2021, the gallery has featured works by local artists such as Sharon Fujimoto (glass), Carolyn Rosenberger (watercolor), and Paul Klein (wood lamps with handmade lampshades), along with other notable artists from across the state.
Brooke also created his own LittleWolf coffee blend at nearby Ruby Coffee in Nelsonville, where he previously worked part-time. He serves coffee in the shop and sells it by the bag, whole-bean or ground.
His interest in French wine led him to offer a selection of Bordeaux wines, along with a wine club and public evening tastings. As a drummer, he built a stage in the back of the gallery for monthly jazz jams and other musical events.
A computer expert, Brooke has also developed websites and a hosting platform for JP Media and the Iola Historical Society, among others.
His blend of talents has created one of the county’s most eclectic businesses, bringing a distinctive vibe to downtown Iola.
Iola Bookkeeping and Tax Service was the other nominee.
Amanda Christoph received the Spark Plug award. A highly motivated resident eager to contribute, she has assisted with various chamber events, including Taste and Tunes.
In 2024, she created Family Fun Week, a series of daily activities in the Village of Iola that ended with a children’s game day at the Iola Historical Society’s Historic Village. The week featured a scavenger hunt and contests, including hula hoop, ball dribbling, three-legged races, jump rope, and water balloon toss.
She refined the event for 2025 and plans further improvements for 2026. Her enthusiasm for building the event from the ground up has inspired other young people in the community.
Morgan Pease of the Iola Winter Sports Club was the other nominee.
Past recipients
Bestul joins previous Person of the Year honorees: Al Houts (1999), Chuck Fritz (2000), Mitchell Swenson (2001), Chet Krause (2002), Don and Jean Loken (2003), Sharon Peterson (2004), Charlie Wasrud (2005), Michael Mazemke (2006), Lorraine Erickson (2007), Lyle Mork (2008), Doug Watson (2009), Sherry Kielblock (2010), Mark Forseth (2011), Clifford Mishler (2012), Jim Jenson (2013), Jim and Sherry Neidert (2014), Toya and Bill Lund (2015), Ruth Johnson (2016), Mark Sether (2017), Joe and Maggie Jones (2018), Ila and Tom Sanders (2019), Mary Schwartz (2020), Phil Johnsrud (2021), Vicky Koss (2022), Dale Bestul (2023) and Diana Jones (2025).
Previous Outstanding Business of the Year winners include Iola IGA (Iola Sentry) (2011), Community Insurance (2012), Lessons from the Art (2013), Millstone at Iola Mills (2014), Premier Community Bank (2015), Silver Lake Lanes (2016), Norseman House Motel (2017), Sweet Medicine (2018), ScandiHus (2019), Crystal Café (2020), Iola Car Show (2021), Glacier Wood Golf Course (2022), Odin & Freja’s Place (2022) and Melum Masonry (2024).
Past Spark Plug recipients are Sydney Broznik of Country Chic Boutique (2020), Ali Johnson of Iola Car Show (2021), Krista Watson of ScandiHus (2022), Eric Bestul of Lessons of the Art (2023), and Megan Melum of Melum Marketing (2024).
History of the I-S Chamber
The Iola-Scandinavia Area Chamber of Commerce serves as a key organization supporting businesses and community life in these two small Waupaca County villages nestled in scenic, nature-rich central Wisconsin.
The chamber, which maintains a website at ischamber.com and promotes local businesses, organizes and supports major events, and fosters economic and social connections in the region. It plays an active role in highlighting attractions, from recreational opportunities to cultural celebrations tied to the area’s Norwegian and Swiss heritage.
Its activities and recognitions extend back at least to the late 1990s. Annual awards for outstanding contributions by individuals and businesses have been presented since at least 1999.
Major events and initiatives are cornerstones of the chamber’s work. It has hosted the community fireworks display over Lake Iola on July 3 since 2004, with proceeds from raffles funding the event. Viewing is popular at Taylor Field, which also hosts pre-fireworks activities.
The chamber’s website promotes signature annual events that draw visitors, including the Iola Car Show & Swap Meet (one of America’s largest, held the second weekend in July and featuring classic cars, a massive swap meet and more), the Iola Winter Carnival (celebrating Norwegian heritage with ski jumping, ice carving, lutefisk suppers and other activities, typically the first weekend in February), the Scandinavia Corn Roast (first weekend in August, with parades, carnival rides, music and corn), and the Iola Lions Christmas Parade (held since 1998).
Other promoted activities include the Taste of Norway & Lost Arts Fair (since 2007) and various recreational opportunities such as biking on the Tomorrow River State Trail, golf at Glacier Wood Golf Club, fishing, snowmobiling, and facilities like the Iola-Scandinavia Aquatic & Fitness Center.
The chamber recognizes community leaders through its annual awards dinner. Categories include Outstanding Person of the Year, Outstanding Business of the Year, and the Spark Plug Award for those driving positive change.
The organization supports broader efforts, including tourism promotion in partnership with entities like Visit Waupaca County, and collaborates with local groups such as historical societies, service clubs, and the Iola-Scandinavia School District.
In small communities like Iola (population around 1,236 as of the 2020 census) and neighboring Scandinavia, the chamber helps sustain vitality by connecting businesses, encouraging visitor traffic through events, and contributing to a sense of shared identity in a region known for its rural charm, lakes, trails, and history tied to lumber, agriculture, and immigration.
Its role underscores how local chambers in rural Wisconsin often act as multifaceted hubs for economic development, event coordination, and community pride.
