Barn Blast 5/20/11 – Very Special Volunteers – Joanne & Al Prom

VERY SPECIAL VOLUNTEERS - JOANNE and AL PROM

When couples retire, there’s nothing better than to volunteer together! In the spring of 2008, Joanne retired as an Administrative Secretary at Lasata Care Center in Cedarburg. Al was already semi-retired from his work as a service technician for offset printing equipment. Joanne’s interest in quilting led to an invitation to come out to the museum, learn its history and volunteer. Al came along, too. After a persistent lady or two asked him to help, he also came on board.

At his first visit, Al was reminded what it was like growing up on his family farm and all the work that had to be done to keep the buildings in shape. The farm needed a Mr. Fix-it and Al jumped in, replacing the window in the lambing shed and changing the hinges on the milk house door so it would close. Al’s repair list is ongoing and he would be happy to have more men volunteer to help with these projects.

Joanne’s volunteer works started with outdoor clean up and office clerical work. She now serves as the Recording Secretary for the museum board. Joanne has most enjoyed her volunteer work with University Day, chairing the food committee and also setting up the museum’s first Treasure Chest of rummage items. She loves “working with other volunteers, having the satisfaction of a good day with people having fun and accomplishing a job together.”

Joanne will be having lots of fun this June as she organizes the WMQFA’s fiber arts rummage sale. Stop by between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, June 17 or between 9 a.m. and 2p.m. on Saturday, June 18 to see her in action and say hello!

Joanne and Al’s hobbies of quilting and carpentry work fit right in with the volunteer needs at the museum, but the couple does a lot more for our community. They are both active members and volunteers at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, where Joanne serves food at the Cathedral Center Homeless Women’s Shelter. Al’s jack-of-all-trade skills are put to work weekly at Welcome H.O.M.E. (House of Modification Example for physically challenged individuals) in Newburg, fixing anything and everything. For 38 years, Al has been a Barbershop performer and currently sings with the Hometown Harmony Tradition Chorus in Plymouth.

Together Joanne and Al feel it has been rewarding to see the progress of the barn from raising it off its foundation to the almost-completed structure it is right now. The transformation of the barn and the grounds has the Proms looking forward with excitement to the new Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts. Come join them!